Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i Tatler Hong Kong

PHILIPPINE TATLER TWINKLE TOES This Art Issue features prima ballerina Stella Abrera on the cover. She shares how she overcame many challenges to become the American Ballet Theatre’s first Filipina-American principal dancer. This follows our much acclaimed April issue with Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach, on the cover. We were thrilled to see her showing some Tatler love on her Instagram (below). MACAU TATLER LADY IN RED SINGER AND ACTRESS Karen Mok graces the cover, discussing her red-hot career. Having reached the peaks of stardom, Mok explains how she continues to aim high as she assumes the role of director in her most recent concert in Macau. Later in the year, she turns her attention to Europe, where she will become the first Chinese singer to play concerts in Madrid and…

LARA JADE The British photographer gets behind the lens to showcase the latest in feminine styling ( p.128 ) Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with? Grace Coddington. If you could choose any superpower, what would it be? The ability to freeze time and get more done in a day. What’s your happiest memory? My childhood—I grew up in a very creative family and would spend hours drawing, painting, and dancing. RACHEL REBIBO The Paris-based photographer shoots fun and flirty summer ensembles around her home city ( p.120 ) What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? My mother gave me my dog Chloe when I first moved to Paris 12 years ago—and for 11 amazing years she was my soulmate, best friend and beloved companion.…

NOW IN ITS 12th year, the Sovereign Asian Art Prize is open to artists nominated by art professionals in countries and territories across the region. The competition’s final stage will see 30 shortlisted artworks brought to Hong Kong to be exhibited for the public and the judges—this year, they’ll be on display from May 21 to 31 at The Rotunda in One Exchange Square. On June 3 at the Four Seasons Hotel, the winner will be announced at the gala dinner, where he or she will be awarded a prize of US$30,000. The winning artwork then becomes the property of the Sovereign Art Foundation, which lends it out to partners, patrons and institutions; the remaining 29 artworks are sold at auction, with proceeds going to the artists and towards the…

DAMIEN RICE’S debut album O, with its aching, melancholic ballads such as The Blower’s Daughter and Cannonball, shot the Irish singer to fame and fortune back in 2002. The 12 tracks included three top-30 UK singles and went quadruple-platinum in the UK alone. Rice was off to a cracking start, but following disappointing sales of his second album, 9, in 2006, he vanished to Iceland and—much to the heartbreak of his fans—stopped making music. Rice was feeling pressured by the industry to produce records and simultaneously suffering a creative block. The world was barely to hear a peep from Rice for the following eight years. Thankfully, the silence was only temporary as the troubled troubadour returned from hiatus in 2014 with the album My Favourite Faded Fantasy. Last year, he…

MAJE There’s nothing toes love more than tapping along to AC/DC, especially when clad in these Giuseppe Zanotti boots—pure rock ’n’ roll PRADA Ankle boots—nah. Knee-lengths—we don’t think so. It’s all about the thigh-highs, baby, and no one does them better than Stuart Weitzman CHANEL These Tom Ford gladiator heels will have you charging around town…

Bibo served as the perfect backdrop for an exclusive cocktail party that Hong Kong Tatler hosted with the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Foundation to honour Portuguese street artist Alexandre Farto, better known as Vhils. With five pieces of his new work on display throughout the restaurant, Vhils happily mingled with guests and posed for photos. A highlight of the evening was the menu Bibo created especially for the occasion at an invitation-only dinner that followed the meet-and-greet, with guests including Dominique and Jane Lee.…

Galerie Gmurzynska’s booth at Art Basel is always a highlight of the fair, with art aficionados mingling among some of the most exquisite works—and this year’s vernissage was no exception. The gallery featured the works of artists including Pablo Picasso and Wifredo Lam, and party guests were more than happy to pose for photos with their preferred pieces. The audience favourite appeared to be Colombian artist Fernando Botero’s paintings and horse sculpture; his unique “Boterismo” style depicts beings in large and often exaggerated volumes. THE INSIDER David and Mahnaz Lee posed with the Horse with Bridle sculpture by Fernando Botero…

In support of Arts for India and the International Institute of Fine Arts, two charities founded by Satish Modi that support underprivileged arts students in India, Indixia Asia celebrated its launch with a dinner at Bonhams in Pacific Place. The evening featured silent and live auctions—which raised close to HK$1.8 million—as well as an awards ceremony that honoured Purviz Shroff for her philanthropic work over the years and her contributions to Arts for India. THE INSIDER The solo trumpet performance of Handel’s Trumpet Sonata by the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s Christopher Moyse was a highlight of the evening…

“CARVEN WAS A GIRL; Nina Ricci is a woman. And I think I’m a man now, which maybe I wasn’t five years ago.” So says 37-year-old Guillaume Henry about his departure from the niche ex-couture house for the renowned French fashion brand Nina Ricci, where he became creative director in 2014. “I look at myself and my [Carven] colleagues five years ago—we were like kids. But because of the professional experiences we’ve had, we’ve all changed so much.” If Henry was immature, he was pretty talented with it. Over the Paris native’s five years at Carven, he transformed the dated couture house into a sexy, contemporary brand that dressed French women (and anyone else who wanted to look French) in that louche cool-girl way that’s one part rock ’n’ roll,…

“Never could I have dreamt of that kind of adventure, or of that kind of adventure happening the way it did” “An idea can come from me, from a book, from a piece of music or from a friend—and that idea becomes the new dream” MOST 27-year-olds are still finding their feet in life. Enter Xavier Dolan, the French-Canadian filmmaker who puts them all to shame. The young director, who sits on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, has already created six acclaimed feature-length films, an Adele music video and is the latest boundary-pushing, atypical choice to be selected by Nicolas Ghesquière as a muse. Dolan is currently starring in front of the camera in Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer and pre-fall 2016 menswear collections. “I’m not nervous. I’m not afraid of…

When Victoria Tsai met a geisha in a beauty store in Kyoto, she was blown away by the woman’s flawless, make-up-free porcelain skin and begged to be let in on the secret. The philosophies and teachings that the woman was to reveal—contained in a 200-year-old text on beauty—inspired the product line Victoria, a longtime sufferer of acute dermatitis and pregnant with her daughter Alea at the time, created later that year. Victoria focused on formulating simple, effective products made from gentle, safe ingredients. Nowadays she splits her time between the San Francisco Bay Area and Japan, where she travels frequently to work with scientists, researchers and modern-day geishas to create formulas for the Tatcha collection. “VISITING KYOTO IS LIKE STEPPING BACK TO A SIMPLER, MORE BEAUTIFUL TIME” Exercise or diet?…

BACKGROUND As a youngster, Hong Kong-born Simon Ma couldn’t settle on a particular art. At seven, he began learning traditional Chinese painting; at 11, he studied music; and after moving to London, he studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture, where he began to experiment in mixing disciplines, creating what he would later call “crossover art.” After graduating with a master’s, he moved to Shanghai and in 2002 opened M House, the studio where he creates and showcases various art pieces—sculptures, furniture, installations and designs for luxury brands such as Ferrari, Vertu, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche and Rémy Martin. ARTISTIC APPROACH Ma combines specialities and influences, and feels most comfortable being identified as a crossover artist. For instance, he takes a contemporary approach to Chinese painting, incorporating Eastern and Western influences.…

Two years ago, an antique Singing Bird Cage Clock produced in 1785 made headlines when it sold for about HK$2.4 million at an auction in Geneva. In its gilded cage, a flowing fountain served a dramatic backdrop for birds with eyes made of glass and mouths of bone—the details so intricate that one can make out the joints that allow the wings to flap, the tails to wag, and the beak to open and close as it chirps. The piece was established to be a Jaquet Droz, a watchmaker whose mastery in singing birds and automatons was second to none during that period. Behind this historical brand is Pierre Jaquet-Droz, a man ahead of his time—and a dreamer with the ingenuity and talent to realise his vision regardless of its…

ALBERT BOGHOSSIAN, the CEO of family-owned jeweller Boghossian, meets me at the brand’s Hong Kong showroom on the morning of March 25, just three days after the deadly bombings in Brussels. Though I’m a tad giddy about the opportunity to touch extremely rare (and, might I add, huge) gems including flawless unoiled emeralds, unheated Burmese rubies and conch pearls, it’s also impossible to ignore the palpable grief in the room. I find out that Albert is still heavily weighed down by the occurrences in Brussels, where his brother Jean lives and the Boghossian Foundation is headquartered. The Boghossians are Lebanese jewellers of Armenian origin with locations in prime areas including Geneva, London and Hong Kong. While they enjoy tremendous success today, they’ve endured their fair share of war and suffering.…

PINK SAPPHIRE The most coveted hues for this gemstone are saturated purplish red with a medium tone—often described as “hot pink” or “bubblegum pink.” (Ring by Anna Hu) MORGANITE This gem’s colour range includes pink, rose, peach and salmon. Look for large, faceted stones since these show stronger hues. (Ring by Tayma Fine Jewellery) SPINEL Frequently confused with ruby, fine-coloured spinel is rare above five carats, and the most valued hues are bright red and vivid pink. (Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels) PINK DIAMOND Due to their extreme rarity, most vivid pink diamonds range in the millions of dollars per carat and come from Australia’s Argyle Mine. (Ring by Chow Tai Fook) ROSE QUARTZ One of the Pantone colours of the year, this gem’s hue comes from mineral inclusions.…

ANGIE TING & ROLAND BOUTIN As the founder of children’s clothing and toy brands Apple Park and Organic Farm Buddies, and the mother of two young children, it’s understandable that Angie Ting doesn’t have a lot of time to herself. Yet the stylish mum is known for her perfectly put-together looks, always complete with a flawless coiffure—thanks to Roland Boutin, the co-founder and director of the BruneBlonde salon in the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Ever since she first went to Roland six years ago, Angie has never strayed. “I’m very dedicated to Roland,” she says. “He’s always on schedule, treats all his clients like VIPs and, most importantly, does amazing cuts. My hair even looks good when it starts growing out!” As someone who comes from a family of French…

Exhibitors from more than 15 countries and territories will take part in the International Antiques Fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 28 to 31. Now in its ninth edition, the fair is expanding and is open to all specialities in the antiques field, with more than 70 dealers and experts exhibiting a range of collectibles, from sculptures to furniture. The theme of the four-day event is “Quality and Excellence in Western and Oriental Antiques.” Founded by Hong Kong-based Asian arts and antiques experts William and Priscilla Chak, and managed by their son Ronald, the fair has established a reputation as the most important antiques show in Asia. This year, it will be displaying items from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Sweden,…

IT WAS A SUNNY New York day in 1991 when Carolyn Hsu-Balcer, in one of her shopping moods, came across an unusual silver object while combing through a flea market on Columbus Avenue. “It was rather smart-looking and it was a telescopic cigarette holder,” she recalls. “It collapsed into a beautiful blue guilloche enamelled case. I was a smoker then and I intended to use it.” Her find, which she later determined was a Viennese design from 1922, spelled the beginning of a passion for collecting cigarette holders from around the world. A designer and avid collector of contemporary Chinese art, Carolyn was born in the US but grew up in Asia. Her father was in the tobacco business and, “as befitted the decade when I was growing up, our…

ON MARCH 10 , the European Central Bank (ECB) announced three measures purportedly designed to combat Europe’s deflation and thus stimulate her economy: even more quantitative easing, more incentives for banks to lend and even-lower interest rates. But the ECB is barking up the wrong tree: deflation and thus stunted growth are symptoms, not causes, of Europe’s ill health. The cause of stunted growth is that politicians have created a welfare museum. Here are some of this museum’s “special exhibitions”: it is tough to fire employees, taxes are prohibitive, and regulations on a national and EU level strangle any business incentives. No wonder nobody wants to hire people—what’s the point? But if people don’t get hired and thus consume, then why should companies invest? And if companies don’t want to…

IN MY MANY CONVERSATIONS with admissions assistants at both local and UK independent schools over the years, the consensus regarding preparation for independent school interviews points to the need for children to be aware of what an interview may feel like through practice—but that they should not feel overburdened by memorising endless lists of facts about the school or a particular subject. There is a sense that admissions teams are acutely aware of the difficulty that families face in treading the fine line between over-instructing and putting excessive pressure on their children, with costly professional preparation often leading to children handling their interviews in an overly self-confident and boastful manner due to little experience under their belts. Despite the value of doing research and partaking in practice interviews, we should…

Given Hong Kong’s extremely competitive academic environment, it may come as a surprise that only a handful of schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These classes let students explore subjects in greater depth and achieve university-level credit in the process. Three senior students from Christian Alliance PC Lau Memorial International School (CAIS) share their views on AP courses and their benefits. Jessie Gui, Nicholas Mok and Ashleigh Ward came to CAIS from Singapore, Canada and South Africa, respectively. Combined, they’ve taken AP courses in biology, calculus, chemistry, comparative government, English, Putonghua and world history. What inspired you to take AP courses? Jessie Gui: It started with my love of basketball. One day, our coach told us he had studied kinesiology. That word sparked my curiosity and I discovered it’s about…

“Learning to make friends and be adaptable proved to be extremely useful” GROWING UP, Angela Cheng-Matsuzawa’s parents really knew how to keep her guessing. She moved between four schools and three countries in 10 years—making new friends and tackling diverse curricula along the way. The co-founder of cold-pressed juice brand Punch Detox and Harvard Business School graduate collected life lessons at every stop. After spending her early years at Marymount Primary, a local Chinese school, Cheng-Matsuzawa faced a rocky start at German Swiss International School (GSIS), also in Hong Kong. “Literally, for the first three months, I didn’t understand anything because the language gap was that big. Some things are better taught in English, like chemistry, but man, the times tables. Cantonese all the way!” After a dizzying first few…

A GOOD MAGAZINE cover surprises, sometimes shocks, but always connects with the reader in a nanosecond. Olivier Yoan’s image of Claudine Ying beautifully bursting with impending motherhood may not be as controversial as Demi Moore’s 1991 culture-busting cover for Vanity Fair, but it’s a first for Hong Kong Tatler. As I was reviewing the growing number of followers that Hong Kong Tatler has across social media platforms—more than 15,000 on Instagram, 7,000 on Twitter and 29,000 on Facebook—I realised that in today’s digital era, our magazine is more relevant than ever. People still want a voyeuristic look into the private lives of those people who are defining society. This particular symbol of female empowerment conveys a message that not only challenges the norms of the society she was raised in,…

JOYCE TAM My mother [Rosanna Wong] always says, “You can do anything you want, but whatever you do, never do it half-heartedly. If you are going to do something, stay the course and carry it through—or else, don’t do it.” LEIGH TUNG-CHOU The advice I consistently got from my mother [Harriet Tung] growing up—and still do to this very day—is this: “Protect your skin. Try to stay out of the sun. Always wear sunblock on your face, even when it’s cloudy out. One day you’ll thank me.” My mother sounds like my dermatologist, but she has the most amazing skin! CHARLES YANG My mother [Lucy Yang] used to always say this Chinese proverb: “There’s many a slip twixt cup and lip,” meaning don’t count your chickens before they hatch. DEE…

4 GYPSY American burlesque queen Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoirs are brought to life by the Hong Kong Singers in this autobiographical musical. At the Cultural Centre until May 7. urbtix.hk 5 MOZART IN LOVE Two rising stars from France—soprano Sabine Devieilhe and conductor Raphaël Pichon—take you through a musical journey of the great composer’s love life in the opening concert for Le French May. At City Hall. frenchmay.com 10 NAREK HAKHNAZARYAN Hailed as one of the most talented cellists of his generation, the Armenian-born prodigy blesses the stage with a selection of classics featuring Debussy, Massenet and Fauré. At City Hall. pphk.org 13 BLISS Lose yourself in vibrant of mix of electro and hip-hop courtesy of contemporary dance troupe Compagnie Rêvolution, inspired by life after dark. At the HKAPA until…

LONG WALK TO FREEDOM BONHAMS HONG KONG MAY 22 In 2004, Nelson Mandela painted six separate images of his hands and arms breaking free from manacles to celebrate liberty after 27 years in prison. The images, titled Freedom, were reproduced as lithographs in a limited edition of 30 sets, and 30 leading South African and international artists were invited to add their original work to the prints. The six painted by highly rated Singaporean artist Tan Swie Hian are being sold as a set at Bonhams’ Prints, Photographs and Works on Paper sale (estimate: HK$700,000–1.1 million). bonhams.com RATHER NICE INDEED CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK MAY 13 This Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting—Le vieux Nice, vu d’une fenêtre (oil on canvas, 1918)—was in the private collection of the late Jacqueline Delubac, the famous French…

Following on from its success last year, the pop-up jewellery school L’École Van Cleef & Arpels has returned to The Qube at PMQ for its second edition, offering programmes and creative workshops that provide vast insight into the worlds of jewellery and watchmaking. To celebrate the opening, Marie Vallanet-Delhom, the president of L’École Van Cleef & Arpels, and Catherine Alix-Rénier, the president of Van Cleef & Arpels Asia-Pacific, hosted an exclusive cocktail party, which had the who’s who of Hong Kong in attendance. This year, the school invited its Hong Kong committee to nominate local artists from any field for its Legacy Program to interpret the theme “Jewellery: Myths, Fairytales and Legends” from a local perspective. Photographer PJ Lam, nominated by Pansy Ho, was announced as the Legacy Program winner,…

Victoria Beckham has made several trips to the Fragrant Harbour in the past, but her visit this time around proved to be quite a momentous occasion. She celebrated the opening of her first Hong Kong boutique—only the second from her eponymous brand to open outside of London. To commemorate its launch, Victoria hosted a private cocktail party, followed by a dinner at Duddell’s. As well as speaking about her love of Hong Kong, she also made a toast in which she professed her gratitude to the teams at Joyce and Hongkong Land. Victoria then touched upon how she was looking forward to the Foundation for Aids Research’s (amfAR) annual gala the following evening (see p.76), where she was set to be honoured for her work as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador.…

OSCAR DE LA RENTA This gold and silver clutch from Kotur will have you going mad for metallics ROCHAS Who needs a watch when you can wear this diamond bracelet from Harry Winston on your wrist instead? ALICE & OLIVIA We don’t like having anything too tight around the neck, but we’ll make an exception for this Dior choker For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/may16…

With more than US$3.25 million raised, this year’s Room to Read gala dinner proved to be a night to remember. Held in the Grand Ballroom at the Four Seasons, the event celebrated Room to Read’s 11th such dinner in the city; the literacy charity’s founder, John Wood, expressed his gratitude to supporters in his welcome speech. A highlight of the evening was the live auction in which Swire Hotels’ “Shanghai Surprise,” a two-night takeover of its new property in Shanghai, went under the hammer for US$120,000.…

She may often be seen dressed up in ballgowns and cocktail dresses, but when it comes to her wardrobe staples, Jenny Chau says that “a good pair of jeans and a comfy tee are all I need.” With two young boys at home, it’s a wonder this laid-back fashionista still has so much energy. What’s her secret to staying perky? “I regularly exercise and try to fit in a 30-minute nap before events.” THE  INSIDER Take your cue from one of Jenny’s top style tips—“I like to complete my outfits with a clutch and matching heels”—by adding this Jimmy Choo clutch and these Roger Vivier flats to your next ensemble For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/may16…

Leopard print—many a macho male has been scared off by even the slightest purr of a feline motif. Yet this season, designers picked animals from the plains of Africa and plastered them in such a way that turned meows into roars. From the giraffe-print tanks and zebra-esque billowy trenches at Burberry to the green and red leopard that Dries Van Noten patchworked on suit jackets, and to the furry tiger print-trimmed parkas and bombers over neon psychedelic patterns and leopard-print tees at Coach, these were animal prints with attitude. Opt for unusual colour combos, and splice and dice with other fabrics to ensure the look is more Rolling Stones than Flintstones. TOP 5 Fade to Gray DARE TO WEAR Suffering from legwear ennui? We heard there’s a party on (we…

Fancy Faces Collect amazing works of art for your beauty bag with these limited edition collections. Givenchy’s three Noir Couture mascaras represent the fashion capitals of Paris, New York and Tokyo. Make Up For Ever’s colourful spring palette comes in nine shades, while Shu Uemura gets Seoul street-fashion designer Kathleen Kye to design a range decorated with drawings of her favourite things. DAILY DOSE OF VITAMIN C  ESCAPE TO THE ITALIAN RIVIERA WITH TOM FORD’S LATEST FRAGRANCE, NEROLI PORTOFINO FORTE, WHICH CARRIES NOTES OF CITRUS, BERGAMOT AND BLOOD ORANGE EDGED WITH FRESH LAVENDER…

WE’RE EASILY DRAWN to immaculately cut, unblemished gemstones set on jewellery with clean lines and perfect symmetry—it’s just the way we’re naturally wired. There are pieces, however, that pique our interest for their raw, visceral appearance, featuring stones that are hardly polished or cut (if at all) and set in irregular, unevenly shaped jewellery. A designer who has embraced this organic approach is Ornella Iannuzzi. Her fascination with minerals and precious stones in their natural, untouched form translates beautifully in her jewellery. For her, it’s about highlighting the peculiarities of the stone, such as its unique crystallisation and even its inclusions, as seen in a ring from her L’Exceptionnel collection, which features an unpolished Madagascar demantoid garnet on 22K gold. Payal Shah, the founder and chief designer of Hong Kong-based…

WHEN THE SURREALIST designer Elsa Schiaparelli saw the 17-carat vivid pink diamond her glamorous client Daisy Fellowes was wearing, she described its colour and size as “shocking.” And in 1937, when Schiaparelli created the Shoe Hat for Fellowes, the magenta of its heel was described as “hot” for all the attention it attracted. Thanks to these two women, we have two fabulous descriptions for a flirty, sexy, racy pink—and what gorgeous gems there are to be deserving of such adjectives. Hot-pink rubellite tourmaline is the perfect gemstone for women who like to stand out in a crowd. Large, good-quality rubellites with no visible natural impurities (what the industry calls inclusions) have a high value and are becoming rarer on the market, so snap them up while you still can. Prices…

In April, Mikimoto hosted the grand opening of its newest concept store at 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui, inviting celebrities and socialites to help mark the occasion. The launch also celebrated the 123rd anniversary of the 1893 presentation of the world’s first cultured pearl by Japanese entrepreneur Mikimoto Kokichi, the founder of the brand. Mikimoto Kokichi’s late-19th-century success in culturing pearls was a significant event and a key turning point in the industry. Despite widespread scepticism about his work, he persevered and created the first cultured pearl after numerous trial-and-error experiments. His ultimate success established the Mikimoto brand as the “Pearl of Kings.” At the 2,100sqft concept store, the doors open to reveal a space that honours the majestic ocean. Tastefully furnished in white, the opulent interiors pair modern…

THE LOUNGE at the Four Seasons Hotel is a cacophony of tinkling spoons, clinking china and the natter of primped matriarchs. It’s teatime on a Tuesday and Claudine Ying, the young glamazon who routinely graces the pages of Hong Kong’s glossies, has asked to meet me here for our interview. She’s running late; I’ve taken a table in the far corner with a prime view of the action so I can spot her when she arrives. A few minutes later, a young woman in black exercise gear is ushered towards my table, her winsome, make-up-free face bobbing above the sea of socialites and scones. “Sorry I’m late,” she says matter-of-factly as we kiss hello. Without her jewels and haute couture, the daughter of former Esprit chairman turned philanthropist Michael Ying…

“Rhoda is going to serve everything: different cuts of meats and offal and all. We don’t enjoy the term ‘nose-to-tail’—it’s essentially about making the most out of the animal and minimising wastage” WHEN HE THINKS back to the food of his childhood, Nathan Green immediately reminisces about his grandmother, Rhoda. “She truly embodied the meaning of the word hospitality,” says the chef, who has helmed the kitchen at Wan Chai restaurant 22 Ships for the past two years. Rhoda lived in South London—a lengthy trip from the Midlands, where Nathan resided with his mother and father, so his visits were limited. But when they did get together, the feasts were spectacular. “Lunch would normally start around noon and go until midnight,” Nathan recalls. “It would be this procession of incredible…

RESIDUAL SUGAR in Napa Valley cabernet sauvignons? It seems like a strange topic for a conversation, but it came up a number of times during three trips to Napa earlier this year, when I tasted the amazing 2012 and 2013 vintages. One of the most memorable conversations was with the winemaker of Inglenook Vineyard, the Napa Valley winery of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. His winemaker, Philippe Bascaules, who worked at Château Margaux in Bordeaux before coming to Ingelnook a few years ago, lamented that some of the top-rated Napa reds were so high in residual sugar that it masked their true character and quality. “Winemakers need to be more confident in their terroirs and make drier wines that reflect the fantastic quality of the region,” he said during a tasting…

CHRISTOPHE SALIN WAS six hours old when he first tasted wine. His grandfather had prescribed a drop of Champagne on the tongue—de rigueur for any self-respecting newborn in the eponymous region. Supposedly Salin’s lips curled into some semblance of a smile, at which point the patriarch was satisfied. “Okay, okay,” his grandfather conceded, “now you may drink milk—but never forget that you are Champenois!” As CEO of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), owner of the revered Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Salin has strayed only slightly from his roots—about 600km to the southwest. Lafite is arguably Bordeaux’s most storied first-growth estate—and one of the world’s most famous wine brands. “I drink red wine every day. For me it’s like taking vitamins,” muses the Gaul. “It keeps me young. You know I’m 92?”…

CHECKING IN PACK LIKE A PRO Roll your clothes, stuff your shoes and, ladies, to prevent your pressed powder or eyeshadow from cracking, place a flat cotton wool pad between the pressed powder and the lid. You’re welcome. A STITCH IN TIME... Time is of the essence on a short break, along with comfort. Forget shuttle buses, trains and taxi queues at the airport. You’re not backpacking! That uniformed chauffeur with your name on a card—he’s got an idling Bentley waiting for you. ...SAVES NINE And why not keep the car at your beck and call for the whole weekend? You deserve it. Even if you never use it, just knowing it’s there will drive your stress levels south. CHECKING OUT BREKKIE BUFFET SNOBS Look, we all know a good…

Mainland China’s transition to a more balanced model of economic growth has been one of the most important themes of the past few years. However, this policy has not always been well understood by outside observers. “It is true that the economy is slowing down, but this is a deliberate move to get away from investment-led expansion towards a more sustainable, consumption-driven economy,” says Wendy Tsang, managing director and head of Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK) Private Banking. Understanding the motives and policy priorities behind this shift are crucial in capturing market opportunities—and BOCHK, with its huge network onshore and offshore, is well-prepared for the new normal. One such opportunity is China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. With short-term economic growth now slightly undershooting expectations, the government is once…

THE YEAR 2015 marked a turning point in asset allocation globally, with fixed income marking its worst losses in years, equities remaining volatile with limited upside and hedge funds wiping out their two-year gains in just the first two months of 2016. The outlook isn’t looking particularly rosy either, amid potential rate hikes, volatilities in currency and a slowdown in the global economy. As a result, many investors are now seeking flight to safety rather than high returns. So the million-dollar question is: where should we put our money now? I believe real estate is one of the few asset classes left that is still able to retain value. However, it isn’t simply about location, location, location. While markets with good supply-and-demand fundamentals serve as a basis for investment strategy,…

Established in 2014, the Women of Hope campaign recognises inspirational women in Hong Kong who excel across a diverse range of sectors. Created following Sharie Ross-Tse’s own battle with liver cancer, the initiative raises money for the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation’s (HKAHF) Cancer Fund, which gives those who can’t afford essential treatment access to the Adventist Oncology Centre. Readers of Hong Kong Tatler are invited to vote online in each category (including Children’s Advocate, Eco-Warrior, Entrepreneur and many more), with the winners announced at the Women of Hope awards lunch on May 19 at the Asia Society. To cast your votes and purchase tickets for the lunch, visit hk.woh.asiatatler.com…

1 SHIP SHAPE RHODA The executive chef of 22 Ships, Nathan Green, partners with the JIA Group’s Yenn Wong to launch his own homestyle restaurant in Sai Ying Pun. Read our full story on Rhoda on p.196. 2 8 ’TIL LATE MAISON EIGHT You might find yourself wishing you could live at Maison Eight. With its French restaurant Esmé; the cocktail bar Salvatore; a ballroom, salon and lounge area for afternoon tea and private events; and Le Club 1829 (a Bollinger Champagne room containing 2,300 of the brand’s best cuvées and vintages), you’ll struggle to find reasons to leave. maisoneight.com 3 FRESH FEASTS MING COURT The two-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant within the Cordis Hong Kong at Langham Place has introduced a selection of delicious new dishes—a total of 10, no less.…

The annual gala dinner for amfAR (the Foundation for Aids Research) has quickly become one of the most glamorous parties on Hong Kong’s social calendar. For this year’s dinner at Shaw Studios, Hollywood stars including Adrien Brody and Uma Thurman rubbed shoulders with the likes of Victoria Beckham and supermodel Karolina Kurková. Celebrations got underway with a speech by the charity’s chairman of the board, renowned fashion designer Kenneth Cole, who reflected on the organisation’s successes to date. One of the evening’s highlights came as Thurman warmly embraced Beckham on stage before presenting her with the Award for Courage, recognising the designer’s work as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador. With more than US$4 million raised during the evening, the auction brought guests’ generosity to the fore. There was an eruption of…

A select group of VIPs were invited to get an inside look and try their hand at jewellery making, including the initial design, cutting the shape from a piece of metal, working with a variety of tools and learning how to set stones—guests were eager to try all aspects. “We learned how to develop a mock-up from a design. The most incredible thing wasn’t just producing the mock-up, which I never thought I could do, but also the teachers, who taught some really interesting craftsmanship ‘gestures’ and made me feel like a true craftsman in that moment.” —Peter Cheung…

“Fantasy of the Beautiful Forest” was the theme of Sa Sa’s 38th anniversary dinner, which took place at the AsiaWorld-Expo. With more than 2,000 guests present, the event wasn’t short on entertainment, evident from the range of colourful performances in “The Voice of Sa Sa”—which saw Sa Sa staff belt out their favourite tunes in hopes of winning the title. The highlight of the evening was the two award shows to select Miss Sa Sa and Mister Sa Sa. The highly anticipated contest proved to be an audience favourite, with guests erupting in applause as each contestant put on quite a show, gracing the catwalk in a variety of costumes. For more event photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/crazyrouge Follow Crazy Rouge on Instagram @crazyrouge…

Despite the wet weather, The Envoy at The Pottinger hotel was packed with revellers celebrating the launch of Henderson Land’s HQ Public Art Project. One of the highlights was local craft brewer Black Kite Brewery’s specially made India Pale Ale and Porter—featuring bespoke Frog King labels designed just for the event. Frog King’s performance art piece proved to be the climax of the evening, with the artist and his band marching through the bar, happily posing for photos with guests.…

With more than HK$100 million worth of art hanging from the ceiling in a special three-channel tunnel, Landmark’s newest exhibition is truly a sight to behold. Titled Vision Tunnels, it showcases masterpieces from the likes of Salvador Dali, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Yayoi Kusama, suspended from a unique contraption designed by renowned Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim. To celebrate the opening, Landmark hosted an intimate cocktail party for guests to admire the artworks overhead.…

One of New York’s coolest design duos—Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne of hip streetwear brand Public School—have taken the helm at DKNY following Donna Karan’s departure. Their first collection proves they are intent on taking the brand in a fresh new direction. The duo’s background in menswear design is evident in the masculine spin they put on DKNY’s New York city cool, with broad-shouldered, wide-lapel pinstripe blazers, and a range of deconstructed power-suit looks. The pinstripe theme continues with sheer stripes and vertically ribbed knits, shirt dresses and paper-white tailored pieces. In 1989, when Karan launched her “seven easy pieces,” the focus was on creating timeless classics for the New York woman—ones that Karan referred to as “clothes” rather than “fashion.” Although Chow and Osborne’s collection is less focused on…

LABEL LOVER RM WILLIAMS Reginald Murray Williams, born in South Australia in 1908, quit school at 13 to wander the wild countryside. Somewhere along the way he met a man called Dollar Mick, who taught him the art of leatherwork, and in 1932 he started selling handmade saddles and boots. Both were robust and hard-wearing—RM Williams’ boots, then and now, are made from one single piece of leather, stitched at the back. The company grew and the name became synonymous with rugged men living and working on the land. Today the quintessentially Australian brand is loved by land labourers and dapper city folk alike. Although primarily known for its iconic boots, also makes simple and stylish clothes and accessories. The company, which is now owned by LVMH, recently enjoyed an…

Blink Pink Pink eye—not words associated with fresh-faced sexiness, yet on the spring runways fuchsias and peaches were swept across lids, lashes and even brows. Novices nervous of the been-crying-all-night, hay-fever look should opt for a rose gold smoky shadow, while punchier punk princesses should embrace popping candy-coloured tones. Done well, this look is disarmingly fresh and pretty. Try it—you might just be tickled pink. Gloss over Yes, you love your lipstick. But is it really giving you that “Look, aren’t I glowy and sweet and probably taste like sweets” kissableness? No, it’s not. So whip out the magic wand and slick on some shine because glossy smooches are back ... and nothing says pucker up like a perfectly polished pout.…

CRYSTAL CLEAR Selected for its purity, rock crystal makes up the body of Vacheron Constantin’s first Métiers d’Art Arca clock. Its silver base is decorated with guilloche and grand feu enamelling SCULPTURAL STUNNER Part artwork and part horological wonder, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Marqueterie Céleste clock’s open-worked dial is presented in a mother-of-pearl ring, with a moon phase using a lapis lazuli disc for the sky MANE EVENT Three mechanisms drive Parmigiani’s Hippologia: the automaton itself, another to display the time, and a third to trigger the automaton. A diamond-set window shows the time…

BACKGROUND Suzanne Syz was born in Zurich and educated in Paris. A designer known for her colourful, non-traditional style, she spent most of the ’80s in New York in an artists’ circle with the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel and Jeff Koons. Being around such creative spirits inspired her to start collecting art and to begin her career in jewellery design. DESIGN SIGNATURE Syz’s compositions are inspired by nature and pop culture, and incorporate a bold mix of colours and unusual cuts for gemstones. Her everyday collections include lifelike recreations of Life Savers and Smarties candies in earrings, rings and bracelets, created with enamel and set with precious stones. RECENT PROJECT In December 2015, Syz launched her first timepiece, Her Ben, which features a self-winding mechanical movement…

Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey are just a few of Hollywood’s glamour girls who love to wear pink gems. Gwyneth was spotted wearing a pair of pale pink morganite earrings at the British Fashion Awards—and who could forget Jennifer and Mariah’s fabulous pink diamond engagement rings? This season, designers have given the sweet pastel shade a refreshingly offbeat attitude with combinations in bright yellow, like Victoire de Castellane’s Soie Dior collection. Uniquely shaped morganites are artistically set in rose gold and paired with diamonds. The grandest maisons of the Place Vendôme in Paris are experimenting with more types of precious stones in their high jewellery with increasing frequency, and this has thankfully trickled down to the city’s fine jewellery collections.…

WE’VE ALL BEEN caught in the act. It’s flirty, childish, sensuous and oddly soothing all at the same time. I’m talking about fiddling with your jewellery, of course, and Piaget has precisely the collection to indulge this guilty pleasure. Called Possession, the range features rings, necklaces and bracelets, all with moveable parts. Thankfully, we’re not alone in our ring-spinning and neckless-twiddling obsession. Speaking about the collection, actress and Piaget brand ambassador Jessica Chastain says: “I’ve always been the girl who likes to turn my rings on my fingers—and how incredible that it’s actually designed to turn. It feels playful and, as I wear it, I’m constantly in a meditative state. I’m always turning it. It’s very addictive. And when I turn it, it reminds me that I’m the creator of…

Wearable tech: hardly an expression that conjures up the most stylish of images. And yet, according to designers, brands and the most glamorous museum event of the year, technology is where it’s at when it comes to the forefront of fashion. It’s hardly surprising, really. We live in a world of shoppable runways and online retail, of Fitbits and smart clothes, algorithm-powered stylists and Hermès-designed Apple watches, one in which what we buy and how we buy it is inextricably linked with innovation in technology. What is new on the scene, however, is the adoption of the latest technological advances by the high fashion world, as designers from Chanel to Chalayan get in on the game. Technology is no longer simply affecting how we buy our designer items—it’s shaping how…

CERETTO BAROLO BRICCO ROCCHE BRUNATE Wow—really perfumed and thoughtful, with wonderful depth and purity. A full body, tight and layered. Ultra-fine tannins. Finish is persistent and caressing. A rematch to the superb 2011 but even finer. Drink in 2020. 97 points PODERI ALDO CONTERNO BAROLO ROMIRASCO Very earthy and intense, with ripe fruit and hints of bark and mushroom. A full body, powerful and chewy. Great tannin structure. Better in 2020. 97 points ROBERTO VOERZIO BAROLO SARMASSA Terrific aromas of pure strawberry and orange peel. Spanish cedar undertones. A full body, perfect balance of ripe fruit and lemon with orange peel. Hints of milk chocolate. Vibrant finish. This will be fabulous in three or four years, but difficult not to drink now. 99 points CERETTO BAROLO BRICCO ROCCHE The aromas…

I LOVE TO DISCOVER new holiday spots, but every summer I find myself back in Capri. It’s my favourite place, because the island is where I was inspired to create my brand. When I was there in 2011 I thought about a brand that represents what Capri is—the Italian dolce vita with a modern twist. There is something about the energy of the place—the light, the food and the people always make me want to go back. One of my favourite hotels in all of Italy is JK Place Capri. With its stucco walls and Mediterranean white and blue interiors, you feel like you’re visiting a close friend’s beautiful villa. My ideal day would start with breakfast on the hotel’s terrace looking out over the Gulf of Naples, followed by…

BRAEMAR HILL NURSERY SCHOOL 1/F, Chun Fai Centre, 9 Chun Fai Road, Jardine’s Lookout braemarhillnurseryschool.net The school fosters experiences that encourage a motivation to learn. It promotes exploration and interaction while creating a desire to lead and inspire through challenges. It also abides by Christian teachings, values, and beliefs. CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen cdnis.edu.hk The Reception and Pre-Reception half-day programmes offer a varied, hands-on approach to all the basics, providing a strong foundation in the early years. Included in the regular curriculum are Putonghua, music and library, taught by specialists. The International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) is adopted. CHINESE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemer Hill cis.edu.hk Reception is CIS’s entry-year, half-day programme. Students normally move to…

1 Do your research, and get some help It is very easy to be influenced by a comment from a friend or acquaintance, but the rumour mill is not the best place to find information, and what is right for their child may not be so for yours. If you have the time to do the research, call schools and arrange visits, then great; if not, enlist some professional help. Talking through your options with someone who understands the system can be a great comfort and make the experience less stressful. 2 Keep your options open Different schools have different admissions processes—first-come-first served, ballot or assessment—so make sure you apply for a decent number of schools. Hong Kong, like London, has a very competitive environment for entry. Consider where you…

BLEAK AND DRAUGHTY corridors, stern matrons, caddish bullies and inedible food: the stereotype of the boarding school has come a long way since children were sent to elite schools to be toughened up for the empire. Today’s boarding school is more likely to have heated Olympic swimming pools, Jacuzzis and en-suite bathrooms. The closest a student will get to a hardship posting is a ski weekend in the Swiss Alps or an adventure holiday to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Of course, to rub shoulders with the children of celebrities and royalty, parents have to pay the equivalent of a corporate salary. Swiss boarding schools have historically topped the list of the world’s most exclusive boarding schools with their reputation for fresh air, bilingual education and—in the case of women—a crash course…