Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2018 i Tatler Hong Kong

Following last year’s momentous start for Generation T, the second edition of 50 young movers and shakers—all aged under 40 and already shining—is represented on the cover by Kezia Toemion, Dion Wiyoko, Steven Kim and Kartika Winata. It’s a new dawn for Malaysia after the recent general elections. Dynamic politicians Nurul Izzah Anwar and Hannah Yeoh talk about this golden opportunity for the country to turn over a new leaf with a new-found sense of hope and a focus on nation-building. Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel, Rem Koolhaas, IM Pei and many more have collaborated with the cover star of this month’s Design Issue, Revolution Precrafted founder Robbie Antonio, on the creation of better homes and architectural complexes worldwide. Monaco’s Prince Albert fronts a sustainability-themed issue, talking in his first exclusive…

MARK EDWARD HARRIS Mark captures the spirit of the onsen in The Way of the Japanese Bath (p.164) Where are you going next? The next stop is Kita Onsen to continue my hot spring series, then back to LA, then Europe to teach a series of workshops. What’s in your carry-on? Camera equipment and a 13-inch MacBook Pro always. Also Bose ear-covering noise-cancelling headphones so I can take a break and watch some films. They are white and blue—I’ve left too many black headphones on planes. How do you beat jet lag? Wherever I am, that’s the only time that exists. I will never say, “Oh, my body is on this time.” I might take a quick nap when I arrive but will immediately try to get into the routine…

CREATING A STINK Invited to an exclusive dinner at which a Hollywood actress was the guest of honour, Mrs X thought it would be fun to have her try durian, so she arranged for her driver to deliver a sample of the odoriferous delicacy. The actress obliged—and then had to be rushed to hospital. It turned out to be just a mild allergic reaction, but you can bet Mrs X is now persona non grata. NEWLY SINGLE With his divorce now official, he’s been taking to single life with maybe a little too much enthusiasm. He’s been late to meetings, forgotten dates with his kids and is mixing with a group of questionable new friends. Having hit the headlines when his marriage crumbled, here’s hoping his face isn’t splashed across…

There is an unmistakable intensity about Jaap van Zweden. The 57-year-old Amsterdam-born musician, who has been lauded for raising the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to new heights since he became its music director in 2012, conducts with animated, purposeful motion and a fierce presence that demands the attention of every member of the audience and orchestra alike. The maestro’s passion for his craft is even more apparent when we meet in the lobby lounge of The Peninsula, where he’s sitting with piercing gaze and hands clasped. We’re just across the road from the Cultural Centre, the location of the more than 150 concerts the orchestra performs during its annual 44-week season, chatting about his year ahead. And what a year it will be. Following in the footsteps of such renowned…

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES The 1996 play by Eve Ensler makes its debut in Cantonese. Wildly divergent female voices share their stories and those of their bodies in a compelling and progressive theatrical performance. SEPTEMBER 1 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION SEMINAR Psychologist and social advocate Brenda Alegre discusses intersectionality as the feminist way forward, addressing how transgender women and non-binary people are often left out of the feminist discourse. SEPTEMBER 2 PRIVATE VIOLENCE At least four women are murdered every day in the US by abusive partners or exes. In this chilling feature-length documentary film, Cynthia Hill delves into the issue by asking, “Why does he abuse?” “Why do we turn away?” SEPTEMBER 7 GURL POWER MUSIC PARTY With a lineup of guests such as drag queen Coco Pop and friends, DJ…

Summer might be coming to its close but one of fall’s biggest trends guarantees you can still get your tan on (well, not literally). Designers have taken inspiration from autumn foliage, bringing warm, brown tones into their collections, be it a lush leather puffer from Dunhill or a slightly lighter suit and trousers look by Alexander McQueen in various tones of tan. If there’s one style trick you can always count on, it’s that the best match for a neutral colour is another neutral colour, so complete your look with accessories like Tod’s classic boots refreshed with black studs, and Loewe’s messenger bag in chocolate and camel.…

How can a 70-year-old fashion brand stay relevant in the 21st century? Sometimes it’s with the aid of nostalgia. That, at least, has been case by Dior artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri—a new take on the French maison’s iconic Oblique canvas print. At her fall/winter 2018 show in March, Chiuri presented her own twist on the jacquard canvas and its application to accessories, honouring the legacy of the atelier in taking inspiration from its archives. The jacquard canvas, considered by many to be Dior’s official monogram, dates back to 1967, when it was designed by the house’s artistic director of the time, Marc Bohan. An immediate hit, the graphic motif has stood the test of time. John Galliano gave it a new spin in 2000, debuting a saddle bag in…

Japan leads the global beauty industry, particularly when it comes to skincare, and is adept at creating brands centred around sophisticated technology and traditional complexion-enhancing rituals. And the only company to combine Japan’s cutting-edge science and aesthetics with modern French elegance is Clé de Peau Beauté. This luxurious beauty company, whose name translates to English as “The key to beautiful skin,” aims to create skincare and make-up solutions that really work. Ten years ago Clé de Peau Beauté launched its Synactif collection, which is backed by 12 years of scientific research with the Harvard Cutaneous Biology Research Center. It is the world’s first skincare line that focuses on improving the functionality of the lymphatic system. Each formulation addresses the key needs of the skin, with every product in the collection…

MY BEST SKINCARE ADVICE? THE BASE IS EVERYTHING. YOUR SKIN HAS TO BE LOVED IN ORDER TO LOOK LOVED What three products are always in your bag? I always carry Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix because it’s very good, and Aquaphor to keep my lips hydrated. And you know the contact lens case you put your contact lenses in? I put coconut oil in that so I can use it on my face and hair. How do you stay healthy? I’ve always lived a healthy lifestyle. I grew up playing sports pretty much year-round. I make sure to maintain a balanced diet and to indulge when I can. But I have a sweet tooth for cheesecake. Where do you go to relax or de-stress? Home in Lake…

1828: Heinrich Moser establishes H Moser & Cie in St Petersburg, Russia 1829: Moser builds a watch factory in Le Locle in Neuchâtel to produce watches exclusively for his businesses in Europe and Russia 1848: Heinrich Moser returns to Schaffhausen and makes it his base 1853: Moser opens a workshop for the manufacture of watch cases in Schaffhausen 1918: H Moser & Cie is expropriated amid the turmoil of the Russian Revolution 1979: The H Moser & Cie watch factory in Le Locle becomes part of the Dixi Mechanique Group during the quartz watch crisis 2005: H Moser & Cie returns to the canton of Schaffhausen, where a new manufacture is built 2006: The brand’s perpetual calendar watch wins the Geneva Watchmaking…

Dior chose possibly the most glamorous time of the year in the French capital, Haute Couture Week in early July, to unveil 65 of its latest exquisite creations, a sensuous, lace-inspired collection of high jewellery called Dior Dior Dior. “I wanted to capture the sensation of lightness and the haute couture signature of lace, which, like ribbons, silk and draping, is essential to the Dior lexicon,” Victoire de Castellane, creative director of fine jewellery, explains as she walks us through the exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. To capture the fluidity of lace and intricacy of its patterns, Dior called on the best jewellery ateliers in Paris—those who “worked precious metals to the extreme,” De Castellane says. “It was a veritable technical feat. Essentially, they created silken embroidery out…

The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which takes place across two venues—the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo—from September 12 to 18, promises to be as impressive as ever, with more than 3,600 exhibitors from around the world taking part. The fair is known for its themed pavilions, one of which is the Fine Design Pavilion at the HKCEC. The pavilion features more than 70 renowned jewellers from around the world, all of which will be showcasing the expert craftsmanship and exceptional designs in their collections, in addition to antique and estate jewellery, bejewelled watches and other remarkable timepieces. More than 59,000 people visited the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair last year to check out all the beautiful jewels on display. Given the…

When Time magazine named Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan as one of its Most Influential People of 2018 back in April, actress Constance Wu cut straight to the heart of the trilogy’s success in the testimonial she wrote for the magazine. “[Kevin] doesn’t focus on making Asians cool; he focuses on making our stories whole. The bits we’re proud of, the bits we try to hide, the tremendous heart that beats underneath it all.” Wu—who plays Rachel Chu in the Hollywood film adaptation, which premiered last month—is right, for the Crazy Rich Asians saga is set in a milieu that was never explored in fiction until the first book was published in 2013. “No one else was writing social satires about the upper class of contemporary Asia,” affirms Kevin.…

Supporters and friends of the First Initiative Foundation gathered in the atrium of IFC Mall for the unveiling of Tad, a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil that was the centrepiece of the foundation’s main charity gala for the year, World Before Time. After the unveiling, guests moved on to the Four Seasons Hotel for a safari-themed fundraising dinner, and finished the evening with a private screening of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom at Palace IFC. Through World Before Time and the Meet the T. rex initiative, and with the support of principal sponsor and charitable partner Fancl, the foundation continues its commitment to providing accessible, immersive educational opportunities and experience-based learning for children in need and the wider community. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events THE INSIDER Carina Lau enjoyed cracking open…

NATALIE KINGHAM FASHION & BUYING DIRECTOR OF MATCHESFASHION.COM Based in London nataliekingham What are your favourite trends of the season? Headgear: hoods at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi and Maison Martin Margiela; hats and headpieces at Saint Laurent; Swiss doll veils at Erdem; and headscarves at Richard Quinn. It’s one of the most directional trends of the season. How do you discover new brands? I always keep an open mind when attending fashion weeks and visiting showrooms. We are always on the lookout for new brands that can offer something different within our edit. What are three of your favourite collections from FW 2018? I love Gucci for the plaid pieces, which were used to temper the otherwise loud mash-up of prints and instantly made each look more wearable. I also…

sep 1 MOVIE MOVIE LIFE IS ART The annual art and film festival returns with documentaries on Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, Vivienne Westwood, Vincent Van Gogh and more. At Movie Movie Cityplaza until September 30. moviemovie.com.hk 4 BEYOND THE BARRICADE Former principal performers Andy Reiss and Katie Leeming star in this glittering production featuring hits from Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Miss Saigon, West Side Story and more. At HKAPA until September 9. hkticketing.com 8 ROSSINI’S SEMIRAMIDE Based on Voltaire s tragedy Semiramis, this rarely performed opera about guilt and revenge, starring soprano Angela Meade in the title role of the murderous Queen of Babylon, is part of The Met: Live series. At Bethanie Theatre. themetinhongkong.info 15 CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS The Hong Kong Ballet presents a family-friendly…

JAAP & JOSHUA BELL September 7 & 8 The Grammy-winning violinist performs Sibelius’s dark and expressive violin concerto under the baton of Jaap van Zweden. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT January 4 & 5, 2019 The Oscar-winning composer conducts his own works, including elements from the score of The Shape of Water. JAAP & MAHLER 2 May 17 & 18, 2019 Jaap van Zweden conducts one of Gustav Mahler’s best known and most emotional works, the Resurrection Symphony. DAVID ATHERTON & THE PLANETS June 7 & 8, 2019 The former music director leads the orchestra in a Tippett-Britten-Holst programme.…

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, brighten up your evenings with a cheerful dose of bling. We’re talking about crystal-embellished dresses from the likes of Gucci and Christopher Kane, or accessories dripping in sparkles—think Christian Dior’s sequinned iteration of the Diorama bag or Roger Vivier’s dazzling boot. Alexander McQueen takes the high-octane look to new heights with a collection “infested” with jewelled beetles, including a skirt bedecked with as many as 700 versions of the insect. Fall is a time to shine, so get your bling on.…

LABLE LOVER SOLID HOMME You’ve probably heard of South Korean menswear designer Woo Youngmi and her buzzy label, Wooyoungmi, with its line of luxury tailored pieces showing during Paris Fashion Week since 2003, but you might not know that the label has an older sibling that has been the leading Korean menswear brand for a few decades. Solid Homme, which offers contemporary, sport-luxe wardrobe staples and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, is finally reaching a global audience. In contrast to Wooyoungmi, which occupies a more avant-garde space, customers will find Solid Homme’s minimalist approach more wearable, often featuring oversized check jackets and sweaters with subtle twists in the details, be they the buttons or the sleeves. For fall, John Lennon’s anti-war music serves as the main inspiration for Woo,…

Christian Dior Bois d’Argent, created by renowned perfumer François Demachy, echoes the crispness and versatility of a simple white shirt with its notes of sensual musk and smokey frankincense. Acqua di Parma Chinotto di Liguria, the latest from the fragrance house’s popular Blu Mediterraneo line, is as sensual as it is spicy, with hints of mandarin orange, chinotto, geranium and musk perfect for everyday wear. IIUVO EDP Fonteyn, from the London fragrance house founded in 2015, is a tribute to the ballerina Margot Fonteyn and equally inspired by auteur Stanley Kubrick. Top notes of rosemary, wormwood and cardamom accompany a rich core of rose, blackcurrant and violet. Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Deauville takes inspiration from Coco Chanel’s favourite seaside resort on France’s Côte Fleurie, boasting top notes of basil…

GIRARD-PERREGAUX The brand presented the first skeletonised version of its Neo Tourbillon with Three Bridges watch this year. This lightweight iteration comes with a titanium case that houses its iconic bridges, which have been blackened, skeletonised, bevelled and sandblasted. HYSEK The unconventioal IO Skeleton Central Tourbillon presents the hours and minutes on the periphery of a flying tourbillon, which is unusually positioned at the centre of the watch. It also features a jumping hours function. BELL & ROSS This blue version of the BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire is one of only six available in the world. The limited edition piece features a case cut out of five blocks of sapphire that houses a skeletonised flying tourbillon movement. AUDEMARS PIGUET The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked is the first Royal…

Disruption of the financial services industry is long overdue. While sectors such as entertainment, news and retail have been profoundly affected by technology during the past two decades, the ways we bank, buy insurance or use legal services have largely stayed the same. But that is set to change. Innovations such as blockchain are opening the door for disruptive startups to challenge the status quo with services that consumers actually want, as well as many more they don’t yet know they want. And that means there are significant opportunities for investors to take part in the evolution of an entirely new financial landscape. “The current state of play with blockchain is like the internet in 1998,” says Johnny Hon, founder and chairman of the Global Group. “There’s so much more…

Since Louis Vuitton announced the appointment of Francesca Amfitheatrof as artistic director for jewellery and watches in April, gem on seats waiting to see what the pioneering designer, whose CV lists some of the most esteemed luxury brands, had up her sleeve. The wait is over—and what a debut. Régalia, the latest instalment in Louis Vuitton’s Conquêtes high jewellery series, pays homage to classic symbols of royal power—think ceremonial emblems such as coats of arms, chivalric and dynastic symbols and ornaments, laurel wreaths and fleurs-de-lys. Its 60 extraordinary pieces—it is one of the house’s largest high jewellery collections—will give the wearer a sense of sovereignty and power that, in Louis Vuitton’s words, “comes naturally to women.” As with previous instalments in the Conquêtes series, the stars of the show are…

Dee Poon loves Hong Kong. She loves the fact that it s so convenient, that Cantonese is such an expressive, slang-packed language and that the city is literally an urban jungle where she can spot porcupines and wild boar just outside her apartment building. But often, when Dee returns to the city after one of her frequent business trips, she feels worried for it. “You know how in lots of sci-fi movies and books the city is totally disconnected from what surrounds it?” Dee muses. “The city feels like a bubble, and in sci-fi stories big threats always come from outside the city. That’s what Hong Kong feels like to me sometimes—as though we’re moving towards that super-alienated and dystopian future.” The threat looming large in Dee’s mind is climate…

Kengo Kuma believes blockbuster architecture has had its day. The Japanese architect, one of the most acclaimed of our time, is convinced that huge skyscrapers and looming concrete complexes will be things of the past within a few years. “We’re entering the era of personalised architecture,” he declares. “The shift is already happening. People have a yearning for softer, more human-focused shapes.” Such thoughts might sound idealistic, but they underpin the core of Kuma’s practice: a preoccupation with the individual. The 63-year-old design guru is in Hong Kong to give a talk at Whitestone Gallery in H Queen’s, a gallery that specialises in Japanese art and whose interiors he designed. Tall and dressed head to toe in black, he looks intimidatingly stern when we meet. As he delves into the…

“The Quattroporte GTS GranSport is catching the attention of drivers who want a sophisticated sedan that combines luxury and sportiness” Whanks to the meticulous attention to performance, luxury and aesthetics applied to its creation by Maserati, the Quattroporte GTS GranSport is a treat to drive, to ride in and to behold. It’s no surprise then that the Italian marque’s head-turning sedan, which at first glance looks like a sports car, has piqued the interest of one of Hong Kong’s most famous fashion designers, Barney Cheng, who is celebrating 25 years in couture this year. When he recently drove the Quattroporte GTS GranSport, with its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 Ferrari engine, the level of comfort in the driving seat was one of the first things Barney noticed in the streamlined four-door Maserati.…

CHÂTEAU CANON SAINT-EMILION 2015 Canon, the home of highly praised premier grand cru wines including this perfect 2015, is now owned by Chanel. The nose draws you in deep—pristine dark cherry, dark plum, blackberry and mulberry. The oak is perfectly subsumed. The palate’s flawless, with immense depth and power, and so balanced. Immaculate fresh dark berry and plum flavours. Silky, deep finish. Best from 2022. 100 points CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC SAINT-EMILION 2015 This estate, ranked premier grand cru classe A, is owned by LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault and, like his fashion empire, is always achieving new heights. Its Bordeaux 2015 is extraordinary, with phenomenal aromas of cherry, flowers, blackberry and sandalwood. Full-bodied, dense, polished. Tannins like the finest, densest silk. Perfect proportions. Compact. Seamless. Gorgeous now but give…

movie The Golden Era. A series of high-profile charitable events followed in 2015, including fundraising auctions, masterclasses and musical performances, while 2016 saw the gala dinner Monet, Monet in support of the Le French May exhibition Claude Monet: The Spirit of Place. Last year, Michelle enlisted culinary and entertainment stars for World In Tune, highlighting the power of music to connect and inspire. The First Initiative Foundation has been giving Hong Kong plenty of food for the mind (and the body) since 2013, when it held Hong Kong! Hong Kong!, a gala fundraising dinner honouring the city’s cuisine and culture. The following year focused on the importance of local heritage with the Art of Chinese Opera and The Golden Era, for which the foundation sponsored a public performance of The…

Clé de Peau Beauté held a party in the fifth-floor event space of the Pedder Building to toast the launch of its new Radiant Cushion Foundation. Titled “The key to hydrating perfection,” the event introduced the benefits of the luxury Japanese skincare brand’s latest product. A floor-to-ceiling floral wall was a great photo backdrop, and a virtual makeup station equipped with a camera and a palette of Clé de Peau Beauté products enabled guests to “try on” cosmetics and snap selfies without actually applying them. We spotted Yen Kuok and Ruth Chao testing a variety of lip colours. Afterwards, guests unwound in the pop-up lounge with cocktails and canapés prepared by Grand Hyatt executive chef Gerhard Passrugger. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events THE INSIDER Denise Ho ensured she…

MELISSA TWIGG Melissa explores the perilous game of musical chairs being played by fashion houses and creative directors in When the Music Stops (p.44) and how designers balance the use of technology and craft (p.50) What’s your least favourite fashion trend? Transparent accessories. I know my handbag is a terrible mess but I don’t want everyone else to. Heels or flats? Being 5’10” (178cm) and living on the London tube are definitely factors in my obsessive love of flats, but I find Europe is becoming increasingly casual, and wearing trainers is the easiest way to dress anything down. Favourite Instagram accounts? Pandora Sykes (@pandorasykes) and Pernille Teisbaek (@pernilleteisbaek) Favourite fashion film? I loved Funny Face as a child. I think that’s why I moved to Paris and worked as a…

CHANEL From spaceships and glamourised supermarkets to the base of the Eiffel Tower, Chanel usually opts for over-the-top locations and spectacular settings for its shows. And so it was for the haute couture presentation, set on a bank of the Seine lined with charming book stalls, with the venerable Académie Française as the backdrop. It was a show that aimed for immortality, with opening looks of classic jackets with zip-slit sleeves paired with fingerless leather gloves and matching skirts. But the scene stealers were the intricate evening looks, each a sample of the craftsmanship that constitutes couture. Rich tweed, flannel, velvet and crêpe were the fabrics of choice for the ultra-elegant slim dresses and skirts, embellished with shining sequin, bead and crystal embroidery. In addition to the stars in the…

I was born in Uruguay and grew up on a ranch, which informed my values, such as using quality materials that endure, and instilled the idea of utilitarianism. Quality was a necessary characteristic, while opulence was not. Things needed to last. If I weren’t a designer, I would have been a rancher. Sustainability is a core value of the brand. We believe that new is not always better, so we have gone to the best mills in the world and asked them to use leftover fabrics to repurpose them in our collection for limited-edition pieces. A very successful screenwriter told me that all hits are born from a certain innocence. This was exactly the case with the Nina bag. I designed it with joy and leisure because a friend of…

The last time Dee Poon participated in a full-on photo shoot was almost five years ago, when—with her magnate mother, Marjorie Yang—she graced the cover of our December 2013 issue, in which the duo talked about their family business, Esquel Group. But given the dynamic poses she struck so effortlessly during this month’s photo shoot, she seemed as practised as if that shoot were just the day before. The modish managing director and chief brand officer of shirt retailer PYE brought consummate professionalism and boundless energy to the 10-hour shoot. She was such an easy subject that photographer Richard Ramos had several solid cover options captured by midday. Dee looked every inch the muse in the outfits our fashion director, Justine Lee, chose for her, from five-inch stilettos to figure-hugging…

Guests at this year’s gala dinner for Save the Children Hong Kong, which takes place on September 22 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, will be entertained by performances by some of the children who benefit from the NGO’s wide range of programmes. Save the Children patron Cathy Lee is serving as chair of the event, which will also include a live auction conducted by Christie’s Asia. Since 2009, Save The Children Hong Kong has helped raise funds for international programmes that support children in need and associated organisations, including the Hong Kong Committee on Children’s Rights and Against Child Abuse. All funds raised on the night will go to the NGO and a number of local causes that assist children in need. savethechildren.org.hk…

Feminism is going through a critical cultural moment. Whether it’s to address gender equality, the wage gap or reproductive rights, women around the world are creating alternative movements and spaces away from mainstream constraints and increasingly raising their voices. Hong Kong is no exception. It counts a strong, outspoken community of women and men advocating for parity, though it does lag in some areas. Studies by resources consultancy Willis Towers Watson and the non-profit organisation Community Business show Hong Kong women earn an average of 22 per cent less than men, a gap wider than in Singapore, the US, Britain and Australia, and occupy only 13.8 per cent of seats on the boards of Hang Seng Index companies. So there are plenty of issues to be addressed this month at…

PERFECT PAIRS Defy the temptation to hibernate over winter by making a splash. Accessorise parkas with bright, bold earrings—electric blue would be a perfect hue—and add an architectural purse like this beauty from Loewe. LABEL LOVER CHRISTOPHER ESBER Women never stop buying , feminine pieces that can be worn across seasons, no matter what trends come and go. This is something Australian designer Christopher Esber cottoned onto early. Esber was a keen drawer as a child and learned about the technical aspects of clothing from his seamstress aunt. While most designers hone their skills at fashion houses before starting their own label, Esber jumped straight into launching his own brand after graduating from the Fashion Design Studio in East Sydney. That leap of faith paid off. He soon won the…

There are few things as essential to a vanity bag as the trusted little liner—you know, those multipurpose wonder wands in gel, pencil, liquid or powder packages used everyday to enhance one’s eyes, or at least create the illusion that you’ve had more than six hours of shut-eye. This season, make-up artists are giving this modest tool a colourful update, as seen in the vibrant, boldly lined eyes that have dominated the fall/winter runways. Salvatore Ferragamo went for a barely-there make-up look except for bluntly lined lids in hues ranging from neon orange to lime green, while Elie Saab and Lutz Huelle had models sporting ocean-blue metallics and even glittered gold lines that packed just enough glamour. Keen to amp up the drama? Pack on the liner before giving it…

The European summer is filled with high glitz and glamour. But away from the superyachts of St Tropez and the scarlet sun umbrellas of Portofino, it is the August that really dazzle. And Cindy Chao has, unsurprisingly, taken Europe by storm with her exquisite diamond and emerald-filled Black Label collection. First in the jewellery season came Masterpiece London, which ran from late June to early July. It was set in a vast marquee on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, one of the most beautiful buildings in west London and the home of the iconic Chelsea Pensioners. “I was thrilled to unveil my 2018 Black Label Masterpieces at my brand’s debut at Masterpiece London,” says Chao. “Inspired by one of my trips to British Columbia, Canada, last year, where…

Morpheus is Macau’s latest landmark, a one-of-a-kind resort at the City of Dreams complex designed by Zaha Hadid. Named after the shape-shifting Greek god of dreams, Morpheus is a fitting legacy for the late Iraqi-British architect, known for her futuristic free-flowing designs. Much more than just another building, the unconventionally crafted sculpture merges Hadid’s innovative style with outstanding amenities to create a dreamlike escape for discerning guests. FREE FLOW In stark contrast to the Cotai Strip’s many tributes to centuries-old architecture, the US$1.1 billion Morpheus stands out from the city’s skyline with its sensuous curves and sci-fi aesthetic. Billed as the world’s first free-form high-rise architecture, the otherworldly design features a dramatic glass and steel facade, a sculptural design inspired by the ancient Chinese artistry of jade carving. The eye-catching…

In a cavernous Tate Modern gallery in 2016, visitors could watch the world burn. Not literally, but nearly. In the corner of the room was an enormous glowing globe more than two metres tall. The continents were outlined in flickering red neon that, if you stood close enough, audibly buzzed. Inside the darkened room, it looked like the planet was on fire. For Mona Hatoum, the artist behind this unsettling sculpture, that has sometimes felt like the case. Hatoum was born in Beirut in the 1950s to Palestinian parents who had fled their homeland. Like many Palestinians, neither Hatoum nor her parents were ever granted Lebanese identity cards. Then, at the age of 23, Hatoum was displaced once again. While she was on a short visit to London in 1975,…

This year’s gala dinner posed a unique challenge, as it was sandwiched between the unveiling of the spectacular T. rex in the atrium of IFC Mall and the Hong Kong premiere of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. “Because the dinner was in the middle of the unveiling and the movie, I wanted it to have quite a casual atmosphere and feel like a family dinner,” Michelle Ong explains. “So we decided we should have a lazy Susan in the middle and serve classic Hong Kong family food.” Each lazy Susan was laden with the best of local cuisine, including crispy fish skin coated with salted egg yolk from Lung King Heen, salt-baked chicken from Sang Kee, braised beef brisket from Celebrity Cuisine, and roast goose from, naturally, Kam’s Roast Goose. Afterwards,…

Jacqueline Chow, Christine Fok and Vincy Yeung were just a few of the familiar faces in the crowd at the opening of Louis Vuitton’s first women’s pop-up shop in the Landmark Atrium. On show was creative director Nicolas Ghesquière’s fall/ winter 2018 collection, which included an array of ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes representative of LV’s modern-yet-elegant ethos. A highlight was a capsule collection featuring designs inspired by Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram trunk, which are exclusive to Hong Kong. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events…

CALL OF THE WILD On the prowl for a fierce new look? May the chic carnivores of the savannah be your style spirit animals this season. Layer a tiger-stripe sweater from Stella McCartney with a full snakeskin-print suit from Tom Ford, and some leopard Balenciaga sunglasses for good measure. BARE METAL All that glitters may not be gold, but Midas-worthy jackets and high-shine bags are certainly among the best ways to draw the spotlight. We don’t discriminate—silver is equally welcome, especially when it comes as Wonder Womanesque cuffs from Chloé. Bonus points if you can mix the metals—that’s some serious style alchemy. CHECK PLEASE Yes, plaid is back for fall, but before you roll your eyes you might want to know that designers are spicing things up with tweed, tartan…