Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2018 i Tatler Hong Kong

The Anniversary Issue features three impressive entrepreneurs on the cover: Marlienna Suwito, the mastermind behind 7 Stars health drinks, actor and producer Yoshi Sudarso, and Vanessa Ong, CEO and co-founder of Jamu Jamu Co. The multifaceted Dian Lee is not only a businesswoman, daughter, wife, mother and certified yogini, she’s also an advocate of unity in a new Malaysia. We trace her evolution from an impulsive youngster to Malaysia Tatler’s Most Stylish Woman. Taking a cue from its cover star, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, an advocate of the slow food movement and ethnic couture, this issue features shapers of the culinary scene in the same breath as initiatives to revive the local fashion industry. TWG Tea co-founders Maranda Barnes and Taha Bouqdib celebrate a decade in Singapore at the helm…

OLIVIER YOAN The French photographer shoots some of Mainland China’s most in-demand models showcasing the season’s less-is-more designs in The Big Easy (p.88) What’s your worst habit? Going back to sleep after the alarm clock has rung. What was the last lie you told? I never lie. There’s my latest lie. What’s your happiest memory? I think it was swimming and cuddling with a baby elephant in a river in Thailand. What’s your signature dance move? There are a lot, but mostly I do a weird twist with my hands and shake my head like a chicken. What’s your biggest fear? The loss of biodiversity. PAUL KAY The Hong Kong-based writer meets the founders of Wonderfruit, Asia’s hippest music festival, in World of Wonder (p.168) If you could attend any…

It was an evening of classy dance moves and warm generosity at the 11th annual Pink Ball. After welcoming friends, family and supporters to the Grand Hyatt, Ava Kwong, chairman of the Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry, spoke of the work carried out by the registry so far but focused mostly on the future, in keeping with the theme of the ball, renaissance, as the registry moves into its second decade. As diners took their seats, guests, including Lynn Hsieh, took a spin around the dance floor accompanied by their professional dance partners and a live band. A highlight of the ball is always the charity dance performance, and this year was no exception. Lucy Wang stole the show. A cancer survivor herself, it took a few years…

SILVIA TCHERASSI Brands out of South America have been making a lot of noise lately (Colombian designer and brand Johanna Ortiz comes to mind) and have been in great demand. The fashionable crowd’s eyes have been opened to the extravagant and romantic silhouettes for which the region is famous, and Silvia Tcherassi’s creations are among them. Born in Baranquilla on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Tcherassi started out as an interior designer before spending the next 25 years in fashion. Her designs, ranging from pret-a-porter to bridal, have been warmly embraced in Europe, where they have graced the catwalks of Milan and Paris, and the designer was named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France for her contribution to the fashion industry. Tcherassi is known for…

A school has been in existence on the site of The King’s School, Canterbury in southeastern England since the year AD597, making it potentially the oldest school in the world. The campus is also a Unesco World Heritage site. “That’s the ancient side,” says Peter Roberts, the school’s headmaster. “But then there’s the modern side, which is very creative. We put a lot of store on the development of the whole person.” The King’s School, Canterbury is one of the UK’s finest co-educational, full-boarding schools. It is acclaimed not only for its traditions, its history and its academic successes, but also for its modern approach to education, which ensures that the young adults who graduate from its classrooms are well-rounded. There’s an emphasis on bringing creative endeavours to the table,…

When it comes to turning heads at end-of-year bashes, it’s time to go big with the sparkle and shimmer. The bedazzled eye was back in full force on the season’s biggest runways, amping up the drama. Take the metallic accents at Akris, where strips of gold leaf decked models’ heavily lined lids. Or the scattered touches of multicoloured glitter that hinted at the shape of a butterfly’s wing adorning models’ brow bones. To give those disco balls a bit of competition, frame your winged eyeshadow with studded Swarovski crystals à la Prada’s galaxy-inspired look and you’ll be ready to end the year with a bang.…

Flowers, the perfect manifestations of nature’s handiwork, have delighted humans throughout history, inciting women to adorn their bodies with all manner of floral accoutrements. The stunning colours and forms of blooms have long been a source of inspiration for jewellers, including the luxury Roman house of Bulgari. Indeed, the Italian maison has been designing and crafting floral jewellery pieces since the 1920s. One of Bulgari’s most memorable lines is the Tremblant range of floral brooches from the 1960s. Mounted on spring settings, the precious blooms vibrate with every movement, as if rustling in a soft breeze. Through the decades, Bulgari has continually explored the floral motif in different ways, such as in the Giardinetto brooches of the 1960s, the Naturalia collection of nature-inspired pieces of the 1990s and, more recently,…

She was celebrated as the greatest Latina actress of her age, her beauty, glamour and talent legendary throughout the Spanish-speaking world. While María Félix, the most successful Mexican movie star of the 20th century, did not act in English-language films, she was as loved across Europe and South America as contemporaries Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Born in 1914, she played larger-than-life characters that were the focal point of every film she starred in. Her fashion sense was also unparalleled, and she became an arbiter of style and beauty around the Latin world. Such was her style and prominence that Cartier creat necklace for Félix in 1975, a stunning adornment that became one of its most admired pieces of jewellery creation made of two fully articulat crocodiles, one paved with…

Zhou Dongyu is one of China’s most dazzling young actresses. Acclaimed for her talent, beauty and roles in critically acclaimed films like Under the Hawthorn Tree and This is Not What I Expected—as well as the recently released Kung Fu Monster—the icon has won awards and graced magazine covers across the globe. This festive season, the Chinese star is teaming up with French luxury jewellery house Boucheron to create a short film that brings to life the beauty of the brand’s most famous collections—Serpent Bohème, Quatre and A Collection of Animals. Dressed entirely in white, Dongyu represents the warmth and elegance of a snowy Christmas as she shows off the jewellery house’s best-loved creations. Boucheron’s iconic Serpent Bohème collection—which has been loved and admired across the world since it debuted…

Following launch parties in New York and Manila, Bonnae Gokson threw a cocktail party for a select group of friends to celebrate the launch of her latest book, Weddings, Butterflies & the Sweetest Dreams. Monica Wong, Charles Yang and Michelle Ong were among the familiar faces gathered in the Bankside area of Sevva, which had been filled with pink and white flowers from Yvonne Kung’s Rococo boutique. In typical Sevva fashion, there was an endless supply of champagne and cake—including the five-tier wedding cake created for the occasion to anchor the space. Bonnae gave a speech, in which she thanked family, friends and fans for their support, before introducing illusionist Jeff Teo, who wowed the crowd with his medley of tricks. Bonnae’s previous book, Butterflies and All Things Sweet, won…

Antonia Li, Feiping Chang and Tina Leung were dressed in full Fendi attire for the launch of the Italian brand’s latest capsule collection, Fendi Mania, at Landmark Atrium. The collection was conceived by Instagram artist @Hey_Reilly and inspired by 1980s fashion—evident from the distinctive appropriation of the Fendi/Fila logos featured in Fendi’s autumn/winter 2018 collection. High points of the night included music courtesy of DJs Will Powers and Reanne Mo. We spotted a few guests enjoying games organised for the evening, including Christine Fok claiming victory in an air hockey match.…

‘Tis the season for festive cheer and Christmas parties. And with this celebratory time of year comes the usual scramble to find the perfect outfit that hits a tuneful note between fashionable and festive fun. This year, give yourself the gift of Flair and Gala, two collections from Peonia Diamond, which are set to make you the shining star underneath the mistletoe. The jewels in the Flair and Gala collections are exquisite, and the star is the Peonia Diamond. This special diamond is inspired by the peony flower and created to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning customers by being more beautiful, brilliant and radiant than other diamonds. The Peonia Diamond Flair collection focuses on the Peonia Diamond itself by creating a modern round disc setting that’s inspired…

Tycoon is perhaps the word most commonly associated with Li Ka-shing, one of Hong Kong’s most influential and successful businessmen. But philanthropist always follows. The former chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings, who retired in May two months before turning 90 (but continues his service in the role of senior adviser), has pledged one third of his wealth to philanthropic projects. At his company’s annual general meeting in March, where he announced his retirement as chairman to dedicate more time to philanthropy, the spry businessman said, “Looking back all these years, it’s my honour to have founded Cheung Kong and to have served society,” giving his charitable endeavours as much regard as his commercial achievements. Giving back has always been important to Li, in part due to his humble beginnings. Born…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HONG KONG LI KA SHING WHY HIM? Hong Kong’s richest person is also one of the city’s most generous philanthropists—he founded the Li Ka Shing Foundation in 1980 and aims to donate at least a third of his more than US$30bn fortune to it. DIGGING DEEP Li has made multiple large donations, including earmarking HK$8bn worth of grants for Guangdong’s Shantou University, which he helped to establish. Turn to page 12 for more on Li’s giving. RONNIE CHAN WHY HIM? Chairman of the Hang Lung Group, Chan is regularly cited as one of Asia’s leading philanthropists and made headlines in 2014 when he donated US$350m to Harvard, the largest donation the university has ever received. THAT’S NOT ALL Chan is also co-chair of the Asia Society and…

Tis the season to be stylish—fa la la la la, la la la la. And who better to help set the festive fashion agenda than 15 of China’s top models. Under the sartorial guidance of our fashion director-at-large, Justine Lee, and fashion editor, Rosana Lai, these catwalk superstars rocked new season designs in our alternative Christmas fashion shoot, The Big Easy. “Style isn’t always about glitz and glamour,” Justine told me as she prepared for her biggest shoot of the year. “During the Christmas party season, it’s easy to get a little carried away with the sequins and sparkle, but I’m a big believer that less is more.” Turn to page 88 to check out Justine’s showcase of unexpected holiday style modelled by Hao Ru, He Jing, Jia Li, Gong,…

TWINKLE TOES? This lady loves to dance, and we mean she truly loves dancing—no expense is spared when it comes to her instructor. However, many were surprised when she failed to appear at a recent dinner at which ladies want to show off their moves—and instructors. She claims she was suddenly unwell but we hear her absence was due to a spat with her instructor. UNDER THE HAMMER Which guest at a recent black-tie dinner reneged on their winning bid at the event’s auction? Apparently, they only made the bid to show face and never intended to purchase it. We hear they defaulted on payment, creating a rift with the organisers. OH, BABY He’s got fame, fortune and a lovely family, but everyone knows this man has a wandering eye.…

1 GERONIMO STILTON LIVE IN THE KINGDOM OF FANTASY Delve into a fantastical adventure of mermaids, witches and dragons in this live theatre performance based on Italian author Elisabetta Dami’s much-loved children’s book series. At HKAPA until December 2. hkticketing.com PINOT PALOOZA Winos, rejoice! Australia’s most popular pinot noir and music festival makes its Hong Kong debut with the best pours from Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and more. At Central Harbourfront. pinotpalooza.com.au CENDRILLON Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato lights up the big screen in Jules Massenet’s enchanting 1899 Cinderella-based opera, as part of The Met: Live in HD series. At Béthanie Theatre. hkticketing.hk RON CARTER TRIO The 81-year-old American jazz double-bassist takes to the stage with guitarist Russell Malone, pianist Donald Vega and Hong Kong’s own Ted Lo. At Tsuen Wan…

This season, designers stripped fashion down to its original function—as a safeguard against the elements. From fireman vests to knitted ski masks, this trend was most apparent on the scaffolding runway of Calvin Klein 205W39NYC’s show, but other luxury houses matched the brand’s enthusiasm with the likes of leather-lined bike helmets (Berluti) and bungee rope backpacks (Givenchy). Hi-viz orange not your hue? What about camouflage tees and parkas from Off-White and Louis Vuitton respectively? You know what they say—better safe than sorry. NEWS PERFECT PAIRS Top off your winter wardrobe with a black felt fedora—but blue will also go well with all your seasonal black and grey garb. Then pair with matching glossy gloves to keep your extremities cosy. PRECIOUS CARGO It's never too early to make New Year's resolutions,…

If there’s one street that encapsulates London’s status as the home of beautifully tailored menswear, it’s Savile Row. And amid the gorgeous townhouses and boutique shops of Mayfair’s famous fashion artery is the most respected tailor of them all—Gieves & Hawkes. While its commitment to perfect cuts and high-quality material never changes, this season marks a new era for Gieves & Hawkes. The house’s latest collection has paid homage to the brand’s naval heritage—and it’s all been created under the guidance of its new creative director, John Harrison. Gieves & Hawkes has dressed the British Navy’s officer class since the mid-1900s. And for this fall/winter 18 collection, Harrison immersed himself in the brand’s archives, uncovering long-lost parts of its prestigious naval history. “The archive is a treasure trove of ideas,”…

Describe yourself in three words. Competitive, emotional and passionate. What two beauty products are always in your handbag? Mascara and lipstick. (Above, Koki wears Chanel’s Rouge Allure Liquid Powder in #960) How do you take care of your skin? After washing my face, I put on an essence with a gentle massage to wake myself up. I am in love with Chanel’s Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence because it keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day. True beauty lies in one’s uniqueness and originality What do you love about modelling? I enjoy the communication between myself and the photographer, wearing different outfits and thinking of various characters I play as I wear them. Who are your fashion icons? Supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen. Who is…

“I’m so proud of my daughter. She is beautiful inside and out. Spending time with her is a precious gift. I love to hear stories from her travels around the world but I also like to spend quiet time with her—connecting, reflecting and nurturing that special bond between mother and daughter” —LYNN HSIEH “I travel a lot, so when I’m back in Hong Kong I like to focus my time on my family. At the weekend, I like to hang out with my mum because I can just relax and be myself. We share the same sense of humour, so our time together is filled with laughter and love” —ELEANOR LAM “Winston and I are both fathers and we travel a lot for business, so we both strive to balance…

After studying painting and archaeology, you moved into the family business in 2007 as creative and artistic director. You were 21. How did you see yourself influencing the business? My desire was to oversee a simple evolution in design, while respecting the heritage of the brand. My duty was to ensure the growth and the stability of the house, but also to express, like my father did, creativity with the same passion. I am the first woman to design in my family and I try create simple yet effective designs in phase with the time. How does your passion for contemporary art, modern sculpture and architecture influence your creative process? The arts inspire me. I originally wanted to be a painter, and I find my design process quite close to…

A-CLASS ACTS The acts taking to the stage at Wonderfruit demonstrate the festival’s truly international reach. A few names? Thai-Swedish songstress Sirintip (pictured below), drum’n’bass pioneer Goldie, British electronic music producer Nightmares on Wax, tech house star Craig Richards—who has for more than 15 years been resident DJ at London’s legendary Fabric nightclub—and Tuvan throat singing ensemble Huun Huur Tu, who are playing with Carmen Rizzo. GLAMPING Forget muddy ground and stifling tents. Wonderfruit offers boutique camping, and we wouldn’t attend any other way. Options span safari-style abodes and bell tents, all kitted out with air mattresses or real beds, AC, power outlets and lawn chairs in which to chill with a beer (or kombucha) after a day of festivalling. CULINARY HEIGHTS Thailand is doing amazing things on the gastronomic…

Any good host or hostess knows, creating the perfect gathering isn’t just about getting the food and wine to sing out in unison. In order to organise the best experience for guests, the decor, lighting and ambience must also work in harmony. And one of the most important elements of all has to be particularly on key: the music. It’s this kind of holistic thinking that first prompted the house of Krug to ponder exactly how to enhance the senses during the drinking experience—especially when their champagnes are being sipped. The answer was music—a sensory experience that promotes a response that is not only for wine experts, an emotional gateway to discovering the world of champagnes. The idea of pairing champagne with music was realised by Maggie Henriquez, president of…

Hong Kong Tatler hosted a private cocktail party in collaboration with Emperor Watch & Jewellery at its flagship boutique in Central. Cindy Yeung-Cheung, the chairperson and CEO of Emperor Watch & Jewellery, addressed the gathering, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of Chopard’s Happy Sport collection. Winnie Chan, Laetitia Yu and Esther Sham were a few of the familiar faces in the crowd browsing the various timepieces on display, which are notable for the diamonds that float inside the watch face. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events…

Edouard Meylan and Bertrand Meylan of H Moser & Cie hosted an intimate dinner in collaboration with Hong Kong Tatler in the private dining room of V-Zug, the Swiss whitegoods producer, in Causeway Bay. The sumptuous meal included lightly roasted lobster, white cod and a succulent beef tenderloin rounded off with V-Zug’s signature dessert, crispy baked ice cream. Edouard introduced the H Moser & Cie brand to the gathering and spoke of its recent campaigns. The playful Swiss Alp Watch and Swiss Mad Watch, the former poking fun at the rising popularity of smart watches and the latter drawing attention to the debate surrounding the “Swiss Made” label on movements, drew plenty of attention. Guests, including Wesley Ng, Gary Wan and Julien-Loïc Garin, were taken with the timepieces on display,…

Philanthropy is embedded in HSBC’s history. Archival HSBC records showcase correspondence with local philanthropists and leaders bent on building Hong Kong into a truly prosperous and liveable city. A community thrives through social investment in its people, as well as prioritising conservation and the environment. In addition, those who can also see beyond perceived community challenges and identify ways in which to celebrate a community’s assets such as arts, culture and heritage, provide a more balanced contribution to the life of the community. In this way, the Private Wealth Solutions team at HSBC Private Banking continues to help communities thrive by assisting others in their philanthropic endeavours. HSBC’s charitable trust clients represent the philanthropic pioneers of earlier eras and today’s entrepreneurial contributors. The most visionary and generous serve as fine…

“Over the past 40 years, Vicky Colbert has developed and successfully delivered, across 16 countries in three continents, an innovative learner-centred approach to rural schools that equips students from the most resource-constrained regions with 21st-century skills.” So said Dorothy K Gordon, head of the judging panel for the Yidan Prize for Education Development, which was bestowed on Colbert at the award’s inaugural ceremony in 2017. Of the prize, Colombia-born Colbert says, “It was a tremendous surprise, but also has really tangible financial support for the projects we are moving forward on.” Colbert was lucky enough to enjoy a good education herself, which is not true of many in Colombia, a nation plagued by great social inequity. Colbert grew up understanding the importance of a good education, as her mother was…

There are many ways to do good but as an experienced investor Johnny Hon is always concerned about maximising his returns, whether financial or philanthropic. The Hong Kong entrepreneur and founder of Global Group originally considered a career in medical research, hunting for a solution to chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s. But after gaining a doctorate in psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, he went into business instead because he was convinced that he could do more good by making his own money. It was a good call. Today, Hon invests in entrepreneurs to help them develop businesses that create real economic value, and ploughs his earnings back into the community. “My philosophy,” he says, “was that by getting into business, I could make more money and help more people,…

ANIMAL WELFARE SPCA (HONG KONG) Founded in 1903, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) is one of the longest-standing animal welfare charities in Asia. The SPCA aims to fulfil its mission by rescuing and rehoming abandoned animals, helping to enforce animal welfare laws, lobbying the government to improve animal welfare conditions, and educating the public through talks, workshops and activities. The organisation has centres across the city, and there are plenty of opportunities for animal lovers to get involved. spca.org.hk In The Diary: Dogathon annual charity walk, February 24, 2019; weekend adoption drive, April, 2019. New Campaigns: The organisation recently collaborated with local jewellery brand Lukfook Jewellery on the PET PET Ambassador Contest as part of its Aniform Day campaign to promote harmonious coexistence with…

The Lyric Theatre will be transformed into a “big top” for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ball, which has designated “circus” as its theme this year. More than 400 guests will enjoy an evening of fine dining and show-stopping performances by students from the academy’s dance and drama schools, including arrangements of Send in the Clowns, Vesti La Giubba, Entrance of the Gladiators and, of course, The Greatest Showman. Later, Jasmine Yen, daughter of Donnie Yen, and mainland actress and singer Tan Jing will take to the stage for the celebrity performances. The event, which takes place on December 8, is organised by gala chairwoman Winnie Chiu (pictured), co-chairwoman May Lui and the co-presidents of the Society of the Academy for Performing Arts, Sophia Kao-Lo and Alison Luscher.…

The First Initiative Foundation celebrates its latest initiative, The Art of Music, on December 1 with a creative gathering of music and art in collaboration with the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts. Friends of foundation chairwoman Michelle Ong (left), including Peter Lam, Timothy Fok and Henry Tang, will be among the guests admiring a special light installation by local artist Karen Chan before dining at the Chinese Library. The gathering will then move to the JC Cube auditorium for a recital by acclaimed British pianist Clive Britton of an 1837 composition inspired by Raphael’s 1504 painting The Marriage of the Virgin, which will be in the room during the recital. The foundation runs scholarship, mentorship, masterclass and outreach programmes to ensure Hong Kong’s cultural heritage reaches as many…

Winter getting you down? Then fire up your imagination and set sail for a destination far, far away from the cold. Eschew dark, heavy coats and go south (or dress like you’re about to) with a dose of navy and white, such as Off-White’s cosy knits in nautical stripes. Mix unexpected elements together, pair trousers with raffia sandals, and drape sweaters over your shoulders like scarves. For accessories, take inspiration from the sea and the jewellery trend of 2019: pearls. White satchels and caps will also help get you shipshape for the season.…

DEVEAUX What do you get when a renowned street-style photographer signs on as artistic director of a two-year-old label? Louche, unisex, camera-worthy pieces largely in neutral hues and rich fabrics lined with bold pops of colour. Tommy Ton, who spent most of his career behind a lens snapping stylish fashionistas outside runway shows (often catapulting them to Insta-fame) found partners in Deveaux co-founders and designers Andrea Tsao and Matthew Breen, whose menswear line has been carried at Fred Segal and United Arrows since its inception in 2016. With Ton at the helm, the trio aim to amplify men's staples, elongating simple coats so they touch the ground and paring down boxy men's silhouettes to fit their latest women's collection, which was launched for spring 2019. If the designs feel reminiscent…

Exclusivity, impeccable craftsmanship and a discerning design language that prides itself on its Florentine heritage and old-world business ethos is what makes the Stefano Ricci brand the top choice for those who appreciate fine menswear. And only those in the know can understand the intricacies and attention to detail that goes into every Stefano Ricci garment or accessory, all of which are 100 per cent made in Italy. Designer Stefano Ricci founded his eponymous brand with his wife Claudia in 1972. Established and based in Florence, the brand started off by selling handmade ties, and quickly grew to include a whole range of made-to-measure suits, ready-to-wear and its now-signature crocodile leather goods. The company remains a family business to this day, with the founder’s eldest son Niccolò acting as CEO,…

BOGHOSSIAN Butterfly earrings in rose gold set with diamonds CHOPARD Imperiale Empress watch with pearls, diamonds and a 398.72-carat red spinel BULGARI Festa bracelet in rose gold set with malachite and diamonds DE BEERS Vulcan ring with round brilliant diamond surrounded by rough diamonds WELLENDORFF Noble Brilliance of the Sun bracelet in yellow gold set with diamonds GRAFF Foliage bracelet set with multishape rubies and diamonds CHAUMET Ronde de Pierres earrings with sapphire, garnet, emerald and diamond beads SARAH HO Fortunei earrings in white gold set with jadeite and diamonds MOUSSAIEFF Chandelier earrings in platinum set with pink and white diamonds ANNA HU Pétales d’Amour ring in white gold set with a 5.4-carat emerald and diamonds BOUCHERON Flocon long necklace in white gold set with diamonds and mother-of-pearl CINDY CHAO…

When I received an invitation to attend the launch of Tiffany & Co’s Blue Book Collection this year, I was flummoxed. First came a poster featuring handwritten scrawl. The only clue that it was from the storied New York luxury brand was the inclusion of strips of adhesive tape in robin’s egg blue. Next came a “formal” invitation, again in a style I’d describe as punk-luxe. The last time I attended a Blue Book Collection, it was an opulent affair held under a giant diamond-shaped marquee erected in one of the inner courtyards of Beijing’s Forbidden City featuring hundred-strong choirs, Ming dynasty-style furniture in blue and a performance by disco legend Donna Summer. So the punk-luxe certainly came as a surprise and it was with great curiosity that I went…

It requires a high degree of confidence to claim that you’re like nothing else on the market. But for Roberto Boghossian, head of sales and commercial development at Geneva-based Boghossian, it is a matter of fact. One of the high-end jewellery house’s exceptional bracelets fetched a record price at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Hong Kong this year. A fine design based on a medieval manuscript, it had taken Roberto’s uncle Albert, a sixth-generation jeweller and CEO of the company, 10 years to find the stones for it and a further 18 months to craft the unique piece of jewellery. While many brands take pride in their long traditions and meticulous process in the selection of gemstones, fewer have the audacity to lay claim to their own distinct jewellery-making techniques.…

As Mainland China’s hottest photographer, Chen Man is often thinking about the next big thing. Next season’s fashion. Next month’s magazine covers. Next year’s breakout film star, who will primp and preen in front of her lens for portraits that will stare out from newsstands around the world. But today she’s thinking about the past—the very distant past, around the year AD450, when the legendary Hua Mulan is said to have shaved her hair, swapped her cheongsam for chain mail and taken her elderly father’s place in the Chinese army. “At the moment, I’m shooting the poster for Disney’s Mulan movie. The film will be coming out in March 2020,” Chen reveals. She can’t say too much about the project, but she has just returned to her studio in Beijing…

Art, music and gastronomy were high on the agenda as France’s new consul in Hong Kong and Macau, Alexandre Giorgini, welcomed guests to his residence on The Peak for a cocktail reception and preview of next year’s Le French May arts festival. Members of the festival board, including chairman Andrew Yuen, addressed the gathering before announcing the theme for the coming event, Voyage. The festival is shaping up to be a celebration of diversity that takes participants on a cultural journey.…

Denise Ho Founder of sustainable fashion brand Knotti I am a huge DIY fan and love to make gifts more personal by adding trimmings that I have accumulated over the years. People cherish personalised gifts more and tend not to throw them away. I’ve been using unwanted magazines as wrapping paper for years and all my friends recognise it. Sometimes I customise them with a theme to make it fun. Tamsin Thornburrow Founder of Live Zero, Hong Kong’s first zero waste store Don’t use wrapping paper, as it’s not recyclable. Use Japan’s Furoshiki technique, wrapping your gifts in a piece of cloth. And make a gift, something useful, rather than purchasing one, or give gifts of food. David Yeung Founder & CEO of Green Monday Rather than pulling your hair…

750ml bottle of VSOP Cognac (or equivalent) 100ml dark rum 1 cup brown or demerara sugar 6 cinnamon sticks 3 tablespoons cloves 3 slices ginger gratings of nutmeg peel from 3 oranges (do not include pith) peel from 1 lemon (do not include pith) 2 tablespoons dried cherry 5 pieces dried apricot 3 tablespoons golden raisins 3 tablespoons regular raisins 3 tablespoons dried cranberries 2 dried prunes 1 vanilla bean Pinch of salt 1 vanilla bean Pinch of salt Put all the ingredients into an airtight glass jar. Store in a cool place for a minimum of two weeks (if storing for longer than a few weeks, keep it away from light and heat). Serve on the rocks with a splash of soda water to dilute to your liking.…

It makes sense that successful businessmen should apply their accumulated acumen—the very skills that meant they made it big in business—to making an impact in the world of philanthropy. This way they can identify projects where investments will make a real difference and where they can be a valuable part of the process. This has the potential for substantially greater benefits than simply bequeathing funds, which may not be as thoughtfully, cleverly or effectively put to use. One man who has provided a model example of the “giving while living” philosophy is Chuck Feeney. In December 2016, as Feeney turned 85, the organisation he founded in 1982, the Atlantic Philanthropies, made its final grant, taking total donations to US$8 billion, the sum amounting to Feeney’s fortune. Feeney had prospered as…

Philanthropist’s role: How to give effectively Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands on how philanthropists can make the greatest impact. In conversation with astronaut Terry Virts The Nasa astronaut and author on how his education prepared him for spending 200 days in space. Education in developing countries Politician and humanitarian Graca Machel Mandela on the role of developing nations in global education. How the Yidan Prize laureates are changing education Vicky Colbert and Escuela Nueva one year on from receiving the inaugural Yidan Prize. Technology reshaping education: How to make it a reality Leading lights from the world of ed-tech on the effective use of technology for change. Education technology lab: The winning project A jury and the audience whittle down the winner of the Yidan Prize’s first ed-tech challenge. For…

When it comes to empowering women, Cherie Blair is an irresistible force. The accomplished barrister has been a fervent campaigner for women’s rights since the 1970s, when she discovered that in her law practice, women weren’t being given the same opportunities as men. Since then, Blair, the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has spent her career fighting for gender equality in education and the workplace. In 2008, she set up the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which helps women build startups in developing markets, such as in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. In 2011, she became the chancellor of the Asian University for Women (AUW), an institution based in Chittagong, Bangladesh, that offers scholarships to women from disadvantaged backgrounds to study for world-class liberal arts…