Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2019 i Tatler Hong Kong

Cover star Airyn Tanu shares the same quiet strength as the stones she loves. The founder and creative mind behind Passion Jewelry talks about the different facets of the diamond business and how she strives for excellence in every endeavour. Corporate consultant Fariza Sakina and businesswoman Chrystal Tan grace the cover. The daughters of prominent Malaysian tycoons, they reveal how they have forged a bond strong enough to withstand the tests of time and distance. On the cover is beauty icon Estée Lauder’s granddaughter, Aerin Lauder, the founder and creative director of her own lifestyle line, Aerin. Having just launched her brand in Mainland China, she shares her thoughts on continuing her grandmother’s legacy. Billionaire philanthropists Yuri and Julia Milner talk about the search for life in the cosmos, while…

JOEL LIM The Singapore-based photographer captures the region’s beauties for our annual Asia’s Most Stylish feature (p.100) Where is your happy space? In the sky jumping out of a plane. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? Teleportation. I love to travel but hate the process. What is your greatest achievement? That I’m still alive and surviving comfortably. What’s your signature dish? Hainanese chicken rice. RAUL GUERRERO The New York-based fashion stylist highlights soft fabrics and neutral tones in Down To Earth (p.66) What’s in your fridge right now? Yoghurt, asparagus, broccoli, almond milk, vegetarian sausages and arugula. Who has had the greatest influence in your life? My parents. They taught me the art of working hard without forgetting to be kind. What’s your pet peeve? People…

FOLLOW ME This socialite needs to revisit her approach to social media. She’s put many noses out of joint with her habit of following and unfollowing people on Instagram and then, when it comes to face-to-face encounters, acting as if nothing has happened. Her game may be to gain followers, but she’s becoming unpopular among her peers in the process. POWER STRUGGLE Regular guests at this well-established gala, one of the most anticipated each year, were surprised at the makeup of the crowd, which was considerably different from usual. We’re all up for meeting new people but the relaxing of the guest list criteria for this usually A-list party is likely to ruffle more than a few feathers. HANDLE WITH CARE Guests at a recent dinner were puzzled when a…

At just 26 years old, Corrèze-born designer Marine Serre is on the fast track to becoming the next big thing in fashion, in no small part due to her beating out 1,200 contestants and winning the prestigious LVMH Prize in 2017. She debuted her first show at Paris Fashion Week in 2018 to resounding success, and her latest collection, set against the backdrop of the river Seine, had buyers from Dover Street Market and Ssense clamouring for seats on the front row. Serre's name has become synonymous with the crescent moon motif which she employs in all her collections, be it in the form of athletic body suits layered under silk scarf dresses for the fall or printed on denim jackets for spring/summer 2019. Her latest collection is a bold…

Founded in 2013 by Haitian-American designer Kerby Jean-Raymond, Pyer Moss has been called an art project and timely social experiment by the designer himself. The experiment has proved successful, with the New York-based brand taking home the grand prize at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards in September last year and scoring a lucrative Reebok collaboration deal. Since its inception, the brand has tackled difficult social issues by using its clothes as a platform for storytelling. Jean-Raymond stunned audiences at his first show by opening with a 15-minute video showing police brutality. For his spring/summer 2019 offering, he took inspiration from The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guide to help black motorists avoid racial discrimination on road trips in the US during the Jim Crow era. For most seasons, Jean-Raymond enlists…

There’s no such thing as too high a stiletto, so why put a ceiling on the height of your hair? Designers at the spring/summer 2019 shows certainly didn’t. Audrey Hepburn with a hint of Amy Winehouse was the muse for a plethora of buns, bouffants and beehives of various heights, volumes and even colours that floated down the runways. At Anna Sui, rockabilly-inspired messy top knots resembling turbans were teased and textured to perfection, while Matty Bovan created major drama with neon-hued ’60s beehives slicked back with plenty of hairspray. Fancy a more achievable look? The half-up chignons at Brock Collection will easily bring some no-fuss romance to your wintry ensembles—and we’re all for it.…

CARTIER SKELETON DUAL TIME ZONE TONNEAU WATCH When the Cartier Tonneau watch first appeared in 1906, it challenged the notion of the round pocket watch with its unique oval shape. Now the Tonneau model defies convention yet again with the Skeleton Dual Time Zone Tonneau Watch, which elevates the timepiece to a designer object with its eye-catching skeletonised movement. The watch is also a technical masterpiece: it employs two separate mechanisms for the home time and second time zone, while the movement shape and gear train alignment have been adjusted to preserve the case’s original curved shape. The watch is available in limited, numbered editions: 100 in pink gold and platinum, and only 20 in platinum set with baguette-cut diamonds. VACHERON CONSTANTIN LES CABINOTIERS MINUTE REPEATER TOURBILLON SKY CHART During…

Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix Bovet 1822, Récital 22 Grand Récital Revival Vacheron Constantin, Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942 Innovation Krayon, Everywhere Horizon Ladies’ Watch Chanel, Boy.Friend Skeleton Ladies’ Complication Watch Van Cleef & Arpels, Lady Arpels Planétarium Men’s Watch Akrivia, Chronomètre Contemporain Men’s Complication Laurent Ferrier, Galet Annual Calendar School Piece Chronograph Watch Singer Reimagined, Singer Track1 Hong Kong Edition Chronometry Watch De Bethune, DB25 Starry Varius Chronomètre Tourbillon Mechanical Exception Watch Greubel Forsey, Grande Sonnerie Sports Watch Seiko, Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver’s Re-Creation Jewellery Watch Van Cleef & Arpels, Secret de Coccinelle Artistic Crafts Watch Hermès, Arceau Robe du soir Petite Aiguille Habring2, Doppel-Felix Challenge Watch Nomos Glashütte, Tangente Neomatik 41 Update Audacity Konstantin Chaykin, Clown Special Jury Prize Jean-Claude Biver, non-executive president of the LVMH watch division, chairman of…

EAGLE The cast-iron eagle statues perched high above Grand Central Station were a welcome sight when the in-demand jeweller returned home from his frequent travels. Pairing white and fancy yellow diamonds, these pieces emulate the wings of the majestic birds that watched over Winston on his many journeys. 718 In 1960, Harry Winston moved to this prestigious address on Fifth Avenue. The 718 sub-collection reflects the architectural grandeur and French-inspired interiors of his sophisticated salon. The 718 Marble Marquetry suite mirrors its striking lobby of black and white marble in a diamond and sapphire necklace, earrings and ring. The diamond pieces in the 718 Chandelier suite dazzle like the boutique’s distinctive decorative light, while the gold-plated glass cabinets that adorned the walls inspired the 718 Emerald Vitrine pieces, which pair…

There’s high-achieving and then there’s Lucy Torres-Gomez. Once a commercial model and a television personality, Lucy shifted gears to a frontline career in politics. Today, she is working as a representative for the fourth district of the province of Leyte, her advocacies geared towards sustainable tourism, infrastructure development and energising communities to become self-sustainable through a variety of programmes. “It was a big shift from showbiz to public service,” she says. “There are bad parts of it, yes. But they’re not as bad as the downside of showbiz, and the flip side is wonderful. You can lead a very purposeful life if you use your network properly. In the end, I’m all about legacy. If I were to define my life as a public servant, I would say that I’m…

Instead of splashing out on sponsoring events where champagne flows and big names schmooze, businesses have been reviewing objectives and putting their money to better use. It’s a trend Lucy Bennett-Baggs noticed while working in marketing, sponsorship and events at HSBC, and it’s what led her to set up Just Challenge. “It was all about how we can nurture employees’ wellbeing, how we can provide experiences that are unique, how we can give back to society,” she says of what she identified companies were starting to look for. “And that’s where I saw the opportunity.” Through Just Challenge, Bennett-Baggs tailors programmes and challenges for corporate entities that centre around employee engagement, corporate social responsibility, client relationships and leadership development, many of which harness the power of sport and adventure to…

EXPERIENCE CULTURE Book well in advance for tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow before you depart. SAMPLE LOCAL CUISINE Opt for the Russian cooking class in Irkutsk. GO ON AN ADVENTURE At Lake Baikal, take the hike up Mt Chersky for panoramic views. HAVE A PICNIC Get in early for the best lake-front tables during the alfresco Lake Baikal barbecue. GO SHOPPING Barter with the cashmere dealers of Ulaanbaatar’s Naran Tuul market. TREAT YOUR TASTEBUDS Don’t miss freshly fermented mare’s milk in Mongolia. ENJOY AN EVENING OUT Moonshine is Vladivostok’s most sophisticated cocktail bar. STAY LONGER The Four Seasons Moscow is the city’s top address. Your luggage can be collected by train staff.…

A replica of Winston Churchill’s pocket watch, the Breguet No. 765, was just one of the timepieces on display at a cocktail party to mark the arrival of the Breguet Classic Tour and the opening of the brand’s new Causeway Bay boutique. Held at The Pawn in collaboration with Hong Kong Tatler, the evening was a tribute to the modern gentleman, complete with live jazz band and a cigar lounge. A Breguet artisan flown in for the occasion demonstrated the intricate process of assembling a watch movement. Earlier, the opening of the Causeway Bay boutique was officiated by CEO Thierry Esslinger and vice-president Emmanuel Breguet, a seventh-generation descendent of the brand’s founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events…

Illumination was the theme when the Chi Heng Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary at its ball this year, and the Mira Hotel ballroom was fittingly transformed for the occasion. Founder and chairman Chung To and ball committee co-chair Cathy Lee spoke passionately about the work of the foundation in helping children affected by HIV and Aids in Mainland China. Cathy, a goodwill ambassador for the foundation, said the biggest hurdle was battling the stigma surrounding the condition. Funds raised on the night, which included a live auction, will benefit the foundation’s initiatives.…

This year’s Asia’s Most Stylish cover story is all about curves and angles—and I’m not just talking about the eight fashionistas who jetted into Macau to star in our epic three-day shoot. With its kaleidoscope of geometric shapes, flowing futuristic interiors and soaring 35-metre high atrium, our venue, the Zaha Hadid-designed Morpheus hotel, proved an architectural supermodel in its own right. Our Most Stylish award recipients—one from each of Tatler’s eight Asian titles—were excited to pose against its dramatic arches and bold textured walls, taking as many selfies as our photographer, Joel Lim, did shots. “It’s not often you have to compete against your shoot location,” joked Fanny Tsai, our Most Stylish Woman from Taiwan, “but these interiors are really attention-grabbing. I’m going to have to up my game.” For…

Charity began at home for David Boehm. Growing up in Australia, the importance of giving back to the community was instilled in him. However, after realising some of the money he donated to charity wasn’t used effectively, he decided it was time for more focused philanthropy. He began working with the Childline Thailand Foundation and set up a centre to provide welfare and educational support for street children in Bangkok. Then, in 2013 in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po, he co-founded The Hub, a centre providing educational guidance, after-school activities, health and welfare services to underprivileged children to help them grow and develop their full potential. How and why did The Hub come about? In early 2012 I was talking with my friend Bruce Stinson about The Hub in Bangkok,…

4 HK PHIL SILVER SCREEN Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic in a programme of his works, including scores for The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Shape of Water. At the Cultural Centre until January 5. ticketflap.com 5 ROSSINI’S PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE The Hong Kong Voices performs Rossini’s operatic masterpiece under the baton of Grace Chiang. At the Jehovahjireh Concert Hall. ticketflap.com JIM JEFFERIES The Aussie stand-up comedian, well known from his eponymous Comedy Central show, delivers an evening of political incorrectness on his Night Talker Tour. At Ocean Park’s Applause Pavilion. livenation.hk 16 IN WAR & PEACE: HARMONY THROUGH MUSIC Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato performs arias by baroque composers including Handel and Purcell accompanied by the chamber orchestra Il Pomo D’Oro conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev. At City…

Good news for those who cannot leave the house without a multitude of chargers and accessories. There's no such thing as too many compartments as far as this Dior Homme leather backpack, the sack of the season, is concerned. Pack till your heart's content. THE LOOK We all know a suit and tie do not necessarily a dapper gentleman make, but sprinkle on some subtle accessories, like an elegant tie clip, earring and reflective round frames, and you might just be the most stylish guy in the room.…

What’s an ingredient you’d like to use in your next perfume? Orchids. They’re interesting and there’s a huge variety. I love the smell of jasmine and tuberose. They’re the scents of my childhood What’s your favourite hair product? Moroccan hair oil. Red or nude lipstick? Red. Very red. What’s your latest beauty discovery? Face oils. Kama is great, and I use it before I use moisturiser. Where I live, Madrid, tends to be very dry. How do you stay fit? I follow the Tracy Anderson method. I do yoga, run and sometimes work out with a trainer. I know this sounds like a lot, but I try to work out three times a week. I also love dancing. What three products are always in your handbag? Rosebud lip balm, lipstick…

Twenty years after the debut of its Twenty-4 manchette women’s watch, Patek Philippe unveiled the new Twenty-4 Automatic, the first iteration in the collection to feature a self-winding mechanical movement. Unlike the earlier Twenty-4 watches, the Automatic features a round rather than rectangular case rimmed with diamonds. Available in stainless steel or rose gold, it also offers dials in various colours. The Twenty-4 Automatic adds another chapter to the brand’s long history of creating impressive women’s watches since its founding in 1839, exquisite timepieces that have found their way into the collections of aristocrats and monarchs. Queen Victoria purchased a blue enamel model in 1851, while a Hungarian countess had a watch specially crafted for her in 1868. The brand achieved such patronage because of its dedication to innovation and…

On a journey around the streets of London in a 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia sports car, I was treated to a tour of the history of British music. Zipping between Berwick Street in Soho and Battersea Power Station I was taken to locations where some famous album covers were shot, including Oasis’ (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Pink Floyd’s Animals. Driven by a gentleman who lived next door to David Bowie in the 60s, the fl . The road trip was designed to prepare us for a musical extravaganza that evening at the historic Abbey Road Studios, where Vacheron Constantin launched its new collection Fiftysix, and introduced its “One of Not Many” campaign, where the…

Clients no longer want a transactional relationship with a wealth manager who only calls them when a new product comes on to the market and presses them for a decision. Instead, they want a relationship based on trust, where the adviser will take the time to understand their requirements and risk appetite, and will work with them on a plan for preserving and growing their wealth. That’s exactly what Vontobel, a Swiss wealth manager, does. Alex Fung, Vontobel’s chief executive and head of wealth management for Asia Pacific, says his organisation is taking advantage of these changes in the market in a number of ways, including diversification, lower costs compared to most other wealth managers in Asia, and its unique three-alpha model, which is based on asset allocation, conviction and…

Marilyn Monroe sang it, but Airyn Tanu brought to life the idea that diamonds really are a girl’s best friend. Airyn’s prodigious jewellery career began when she started selling handmade necklaces and earrings in Perth, where her love for diamonds grew daily during four years of university under the hot Australian sun. The diamond-focused jewellery brands she later founded, Passion Jewelry and Passion Privé, now have nine boutiques around her native Indonesia. “Getting here wasn’t easy,” says Airyn, the brand’s COO. “I’d tell young brands that, first of all, you have to be very creative and not just follow others. Also, persistence—we work very hard but it pays off. I will also always ensure our pieces are unique because jewellery is like art; it needs to say something individual.” Given…

For nearly a century, Bang & Olufsen has created highly distinctive electronics for the design-conscious consumer who appreciates luxury with flair. The new Beosound Edge speaker, created in collaboration with London-based designer Michael Anastassiades, once again demonstrates that when it comes to innovative new ways to present music, the Danish master of minimalism has no peers. The upmarket audio brand’s newest wireless speaker, the monolithic Beosound Edge, looks like a circular version of the obelisk in Stanley Kubrick’s epic science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, albeit with state-of-the-art sound that will rekindle your love of music. Featuring a sizeable 10-inch woofer bass driver on one side of the speaker, and two 4-inch midrange drivers and 3/4 inch tweeters firing in opposite directions on both sides, the Beosound Edge delivers…

Louis Vuitton’s Canton Road boutique was transformed into a bar and lounge for the launch of a new capsule collection designed in collaboration with American Vogue creative-director-at-large Grace Coddington. VIPs and fashionistas mixed as Kevin Poon and Victor Aime spun tunes that had the likes of Kayla Wong and Irisa Wong tearing up the dancefloor. The collection features a range of leather goods and ready-to-wear decorated with illustrations of Coddington’s Persian cats, Pumpkin and Blanket.…

1 BEARBRICK I’ve collected dolls since I was a kid, and even now if I find something cute I’ll buy it. I love Bearbricks, which is why we have a seasonal doll in our Sacai collections. Needless to say, my toys take up a big space at home. 2 CHARLOTTE CHESNAIS We did a collaboration with Charlotte Chesnais for our recent runway collection. She’s been a friend of mine for a very long time. We met through mutual friends, so we decided to do something together last season. I’ve also worn Sophie Bille Brahe’s pieces since before I even met her and now we’re friends. “JAPANESE STYLE IS UNIQUE BECAUSE OF THE JAPANESE LIFESTYLE. INSTEAD OF CHANGING FROM WORK TO PLAY, WE WEAR THE SAME THING ALL DAY, SO THAT’S…

The Community Chest’s flagship and longest-running fundraiser, the Walk for Millions, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In the past, the event has been divided into two walks, in the New Territories and Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. But the organising committee, chaired by 500 Lister Wilson Pong, has decided the 50th Anniversary Walk for Millions, to take place on January 6, will be a single walk along the new Central-Wan Chai Bypass. Participants join in teams and raise funds for the Community Chest by inviting friends and family to sponsor their walks. Last year’s event drew more than 170,000 walkers and raised HK$36 million for the Community Chest’s family and child welfare services. commchest.org…

Over the past four decades, the Hong Kong Ballet has grown from a handful of enthusiastic founding dancers to a troupe of almost 50 exceptional artists from around the globe. And the achievements keep coming. In June 2017, Septime Webre took the helm of the company as artistic director. With more than two decades of artistic leadership experience, including a 17-year stint as artistic director of the Washington Ballet in Washington DC, he has brought a bold vision and fresh creativity to the company. In February, Septime will bring the decadent glitz and glamour of New York high society in the roaring 1920s to the stage with his adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel, The Great Gatsby. “The Great Gatsby is a really muscular story—it crackles with energy…

Like the science of action and reaction, the popularity of athleisure in some collections has inspired unapologetic couture-level elegance in others. Take, for example, the head-to-toe cotton-candy ruffle columns from the likes of Erdem and Rodarte. Simone Rocha, known for her penchant for lace, has even taken inspiration from imperial figures in the East, while Marc Jacobs sent Pierrot-collared models down his spring/summer runway. So go for that Cinderella moment with a chinoiserie-inspired purse by Christian Dior—and those tulle-frosted pumps by Jimmy Choo can be the cherry on your frothy sartorial cake.…

If you’re dusting off your desk after the holiday hiatus, make sure you pay a little attention back home to making some room in your wardrobe for the elegant tailoring designers have introduced for spring/summer. While there are crisp two-pieces from the usual suspects, such as Paul Smith and Salvatore Ferragamo, even brands that err on the side of street are hopping aboard the tailoring train—executed with a modern twist, of course. Kim Jones has brought back the dad polo T-shirt with high-waisted trousers but paired the look with logo sneakers and a sport bag for Dior Homme, while Alexander McQueen layered a barely-there tee under a sleek suit and coat.…

VIOLET-C BRIGHTENING SERUM BY TATCHA The latest release by the cult favourite brand harnesses the anti-aging and brightening properties of Japanese beautyberries and two types of vitamin C BLACK SAFFRON BODY CREAM BY BYREDO This golden-hued, lusciously rich formula oozes the aroma of the popular spice derived from saffron crocus flowers, with zesty top notes of berries and pomelo DEEP CREASE SERUM BY PERRICONE MD Banish lines and wrinkles with this silky, fast-absorbing serum that utilises the brand’s proprietary molecule Acyl-Glutathione combined with a nourishing vitamin F blend ENERGY NUTRITION BOOSTING CONCENTRATE BY CHA LING Massage in a few drops of this nourishing blend of six natural botanical oils every morning and night for softer, dewy-looking skin THE RICH CREAM BY AUGUSTINUS BADER As lush as its packaging, this nighttime…

FINER DETAILS A Piaget artisan painstakingly examines the colours of a peacock feather for use in a high jewellery cuff CINDY CHAO 2018 Black Label Masterpiece XII Emerald Feather Brooch set with emeralds, fancy-coloured diamonds and tsavorites BUCCELLATI Pendant earrings in white and yellow gold set with diamonds, from the Unica collection ANABELA CHAN Feather earrings set with sapphires and diamonds TIFFANY & CO Jean Schlumberger’s Plumes necklace set with diamonds and coloured gemstones DIOR Dior Grand Bal Plume Noire watch featuring a yellow-gold oscillating weight on the dial set with diamonds and decorated with black feathers VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Quatre Contes de Grimm Panache Mystérieux clip in white gold featuring coloured sapphires and diamonds HARRY WINSTON Premier Feathers watch featuring peacock, pheasant and fowl feathers on a dial…

Dian Lee has perfected the knack of looking like a teenager despite being a mother of three and a successful businesswoman. Known for her fashion sense, ambition, happy family and dedication to yoga and meditation, Dian has achieved more in her three decades than most people do in a lifetime. But don’t think all that success has gone to her head, as she’s also delightfully modest. “When Tatler asked me out for lunch and gave me the letter about the award, I was like, ‘Did you guys print the name wrong? Because I’m really not a fashion icon.’” We beg to differ, Dian. Her simple, well-cut clothes, which are often accessorised with a good scarf or beautiful pair of earrings, bring to mind some of the best-dressed women of Paris…

A fashionista and foodie, Sirisopa Chulasewok headed the Christian Dior brand in Thailand for years. But in the past decade she has diversified away from French luxury and towards Thai food, running the Nara group of restaurants and the multi-label fashion boutique Beige. So how does she dress for days filled with everything from food tastings to high-end fashion shows? “During the daytime, I like jeans and sneakers as I’m in such a rush trying to get everything done,” she says. “But I dress up more for dinners. I love Zimmermann at the moment. I’m also a fan of Thai designer Polpat Asavaprapha and his label Asava. He’s a good friend and his looks fit my frame and my personality.” Like any fashion insider worth her expensive high heels, Sirisopa…

DAY 1: MOSCOW Red Square, Kremlin, GUM shopping mall DAY 3: KAZAN Kazan Kremlin, Kul Sharif Mosque DAY 4: YEKATERINBURG Border between Europe and Asia, Yekaterinburg Military Technology Museum DAY 5: NOVOSIBIRSK Opera House, Museum for Railway Technology DAY 7: IRKUTSK Volkonsky House Museum, local dachas DAY 8: LAKE BAIKAL Morning swim, Lake Baikal Museum and Aquarium DAY 9: ULAN-UDE Old Believers Village DAY 10: ULAANBAATAR Chinggis Square, statue of Genghis Khan, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park DAY 14: VLADIVOSTOK World War II submarine, Russky Bridge…

DÖNNHOFF RIESLING NAHE DELLCHEN GG 2017 An enormous spectrum of fruit aromas, from peach through grapefruit to wild strawberry and pineapple. However, that doesn’t prepare you for the mind-blowing concentration and brilliance on the palate. Filigree finish in spite of the profound minerality. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Limited production. 100 points MARCHESI ANTINORI TOSCANA SOLAIA 2015 The nose is truly phenomenal, with currant, blackberry, rose and violet. So perfumed. Full-bodied, and everything is in check and harmony. Polished tannins that last for minutes. Purity and focus. Is it the greatest Solaia ever? So drinkable already, but this is a wine for ages ahead. 100 points RIDGE VINEYARDS SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS MONTE BELLO 2015 Stunning depth, power, purity and elegance. The blackcurrant and plum are…

For Vicky Xu, happiness is a conscious choice. It comes from deciding to live life in a positive, righteous and optimistic way. And for Xu, that way is to be found in the teachings of Confucius and the traditional principles of Chinese culture, which were passed down to her by her mother. When Xu’s mother began to study and follow the lessons of the great Chinese teacher, statesman and philosopher Confucius, she felt an immediate affinity with his values, which promote harmony and inner peace. As a result, ten years ago, she decided to set up a non-profit charitable organisation, the Zhuhai Association for the Promotion of Happiness. This social welfare association is aimed at people who respect the values of Confucianism and who are therefore interested in promoting harmonious…

VIPs gathered in the courtyard of St John’s Cathedral on a crisp autumn evening for the Fayre of St John’s, the annual Christmas concert fundraiser for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, which provides free practical, psychosocial and emotional support in a therapeutic setting to anyone affected by cancer. In a brief welcoming address, Che-hung Leong, the chairman of the board of governors, thanked everyone present for their support. Then came the musical performances, which included the Chinese International School Concert Choir serenading the crowd. Other notable performances were Fairytale of New York by Diana d’Arenberg-Parmanand and Hong Kong Tatler’s managing director and chief content officer, Sean Fitzpatrick, plus Hong Kong Ballet principal dancer Wu Fei-fei dancing an extract from The Nutcracker—Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Michele Reis and Peter Cheung…

We spotted Adrienne Hui and Eleanor Lam among the happy faces when La Mer celebrated the third anniversary of its Genaissance de La Mer collection with a private dinner at Pierre at the Mandarin Oriental. Before being seated for a sumptuous meal, the guests, who also included Antonia Li and Feiping Chang, were able to sample the Genaissance de La Mer range. The evening’s entertainment included performances by South Korean a cappella group Subin of Maytree and the Hong Kong-based Metro Vocal Group. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events…

Supermodel Liu Wen was the guest of honour at a cocktail party at the Harbour City boutique of Tod’s to toast its collaboration with Italian designer Alessandro Dell’Aqua. The project is part of Tod’s Factory—a name inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory—under which Tod’s will partner with various creatives, fashion designers, filmmakers and photographers. Dell’Aqua’s collection includes accessories, ready-to-wear and shoes. The shoes feature Tod’s signature pebbled soles, but Dell’Aqua has shrunk the pebbles down for use on kitten heels, loafer-style pumps and ankle boots. For more photos, visit hongkongtatler.com/events…