Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Tatler Hong Kong

TATLER HONG KONG On the cover this month is acclaimed Hong Kong film director Ann Hui, who was recently honoured with the Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival. Hui’s latest film, Love After Love, is based on the 1943 short story Aloeswood Incense: The First Brazier by Eileen Chang. tatlerhongkong.com TATLER INDONESIA Actress Wulan Guritno stars on the cover and discusses her career on camera and her behind-the-scenes activism: Guritno is involved in the Gelang Harapan movement, which raises funds for many charitable causes, including the arts. tatlerindonesia.com TATLER MALAYSIA Fashion designer Shaleen Cheah has returned to Malaysia after spending 14 years in Dubai, where she started her eponymous label, which is inspired by Cheah’s Malaysian heritage and her trips around the world. tatlermalaysia.com TATLER…

The Hong Kong International Literary Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this month with two weeks of events under the theme Present Tense/Future Perfect, inspired by the challenges and changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Catherine Platt had a tough job on her hands when she joined as the festival’s director in April, a time when it wasn’t clear whether any events could be planned for 2020. But Platt and her team decided to forge ahead with this year’s edition, which “explores in fiction and non-fiction how the world is responding to health, inequality and climate change issues, as well as future directions for humanity and the planet,” she says. More than 70 live and virtual events, including writing workshops, lectures, debates, book signings, lunches and dinners, will take place…

IN A CITY WHERE THE SUBJECT OF SEX —particularly the topic of women’s pleasure—is still shrouded in taboo and misconceptions, a new online platform whose name is styled as “Fk.” has stepped up to promote sexual wellness. Founded by adult toy expert Adam Chan, graphic designer Petra Greening and strategist Edwin Chan, Fk. sells beginner’s vibrators, environmentally friendly lubricants and, for the more adventurous, even harnesses. As well as events, such as a pub quiz last month in Hong Kong, Fk. also promotes better sex education through upfront articles like “What about the vulva?” on the website wearefk.com. Christmas is coming... THERE ARE BIRTHDAY parties and then there are three-week-long bacchanals: this year, Christy Liang outdid herself by using most of September to celebrate her 34th birthday and sixth wedding…

Best hair stylist Ben Lee at La Biosthétique Central: his hair-cutting techniques are labiosthetique.com.hk) Best personal stylist Marco M Chan creates style for personality, not just based on trends. Best make-up artist Zing at Zing the Makeup School is a beauty industry icon who has created looks for stars like Sammi Cheng and Faye Wong. He can do any kind of make-up, from very natural to very colourful, artistic and bold. Best facialist Lena Wong at Oneness. (hkoneness.hk) Best massage The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental. There are two things I love about the Mandarin’s spa: the amethyst crystal steam room and the Japanese hot stone therapy. Absorbing the energy from the crystal in their spa room calms me down and allows me to communicate with myself and…

DECORATOR Wedding Garden There are many great event decorators in town but my goto decorator for events, both large and small, for the past 15 years has been Wedding Garden. It’s the production team behind many of the city’s most lavish weddings and even the Tatler Ball in 2018. A husband-and-wife team, they complement each other and get as excited about thinking out of the box as I do. They have a loyal following and while a little patience is required, the end result never comes up short. (weddinggarden.com.hk) FLORISTS Flos on the Folk, Ellermann Design and My Elegant Wedding We work with a huge range of florists and it’s really hard to just choose one. For beautiful hand-tied bouquets I love Flos on the Folk, and Ellermann Design for…

“Being a fourth-generation Hongkonger and having witnessed the changes in sovereignty, various crises and now the pandemic, the energy of the people always remains strong, which keeps us motivated and competitive in every facet of life. Mak Siu Kee Traditional Wonton Noodle is one of my all-time favourite local noodle shops in Hong Kong. The wonton noodles and beef noodles are their signature dishes and are my comfort foods. I love the traditional interiors and ambience of a Cantonese noodle shop. It always reminds me of the good old days when I was in high school, and it feels like home.”…

ALL TOGETHER NOW It’s leather weather, and the statement pieces this season are made from a mosaic of our favourite fall staple. BAGS OF DESIRE Christian Dior’s Oblique print gets a velvet sheen, now found on its most popular bags in deep shades of burgundy, blue, black and brown. HOT FUZZ Don’t forget your extremities as the mercury dips. These fluffy shoes lined in shearling or faux fur are here to keep your toes toasty. BLUE CUES Eschew navy for electric blue, its high-octane cousin that pops against fall’s dark hues. PROPER CUSHIONING A bag that doubles as a pillow—now that’s what we call an investment piece. BUNDLE OF JOY Since they landed on the runways, these leather dumplings with tasseled drawstrings have been on everyone’s wish list. Hit the…

With salons closed for much of the year and restrictions on social distancing giving little reason to get dolled up, our relationship with beauty reached a kind of existential crisis in 2020. What, and who, were we doing all of this for? And who do we become when gel nails, balayage and cheekbone fillers no longer play the same role in our self-perceptions or the images we choose to paint? Hairy and poorly-groomed, we were forced to look ourselves in the mirror and reassess what beauty really means to us, and to society. Or, perhaps more importantly, we questioned the value of routines we once thought were critical and began to gravitate towards ones with a less superficial purpose. Jenni Middleton, beauty director at industry trend forecasting company WGSN, says:…

For many, fine jewellery is a form of art, expressed through exquisite designs crafted from precious stones and metals. The worlds of art and jewellery have plenty in common, with both attracting connoisseurs drawn to beautiful masterpieces by skilled artisans. Gübelin Jewellery is familiar with the overlap of the two worlds, with its designers and jewellery makers dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind pieces—such as its Blushing Wing necklace and matching cocktail ring, a stunning creation featuring red gold, rare sapphires and diamonds. The necklace and ring are the most recent additions to Gübelin Jewellery’s Aurora collection, which was inspired by the inside of the rare, pink orange padparadscha sapphire from Sri Lanka. When placed under a microscope, the interior of the sapphire reveals a delicate, sweeping structure known as “feathers”. Photomicrography…

In a new campaign by Montblanc, What Moves You, Makes You, Golden Globe-winning actor Taron Egerton, who starred in the Elton John biopic Rocketman (2019), is photographed wearing the brand’s 1858 Geosphere. “Acting is about play, you know?” Egerton says about his profession. “It’s exactly the same as when you’re a kid and you’re holding an action figure or toy car or a set of cups and pretending to have a tea party. It’s all imagination and you’re performing a part. It’s just a little bit more sophisticated now than it was then.” DEM BONES For the first time, Franck Muller has housed its Revolution 3 triple-axis tourbillon movement in its signature Vanguard case. Known for complex complications, Franck Muller launched the world’s first tri-axial tourbillon in 2004. Designed to…

Chinese artist Liu Wei has spent the past few months thinking about the future—and it looks bleak. “Everything in our lives is mediated by screens now,” he says, fittingly speaking over a video call from his studio in Beijing. “It was happening before, but it has been accelerated by the pandemic. The way we use our senses is changing. I think the body will disappear, eventually.” Hands will wither. Legs will shrink. Our brains will be plugged into a universal supercomputer. “It will be like The Matrix,” says Liu. “Then we will lose emotion; affection will disappear.” He pauses, looks away from the camera. “Maybe our previous definition of love will disappear. But there will be something new, a new kind of affection.” This U-turn from despair to optimism will…

There are few landmarks in Hong Kong with a history quite like this. Amid the skyscrapers at the heart of a constantly evolving skyline lies Central Market, Hong Kong’s first wet market, which opened in 1842, a few months before Hong Kong officially became a colony of the British Empire. Born from a bustling bazaar, the building itself has undergone several incarnations in its 178-year lifetime, but still occupies the same location between Des Voeux Road and Queen’s Road Central. Having lain dormant for more than 17 years, the market is due a HK$740 million makeover that will transform an abandoned concrete eyesore into a functional space designed to be used by everyone. In its heyday, the area would have been filled with the sound of haggling, the smell of…

The photograph is faded but the expression on the young man’s face is clear. He stands in the Macau sunshine, hand in pocket, smiling with pride and a camera around his neck: a 3.5F Rolleicord, a highly sought-after instrument in 1962, when this picture was taken. James Chung Man-lurk, here making a concerted effort to pose like his namesake, Hollywood star James Dean, would himself go on to find fame as one of Hong Kong’s most respected photographers. He died in 2018, but his work is being kept in the public eye with two forthcoming exhibitions: one beginning this autumn at gallery F22 Foto Space and the other next January in F11 Foto Museum, featuring prints reproduced by his son Stanley Chung Charn-kong. A career in photography was far beyond…

By Sandeep Hathiramani and Gagan Gurung (Tell Camellia), Chanel Adams (Doubleshot), Bryson Rivera (Q88), Devender Sehgal (8 ½ Otto e Mezzo) and Tony Hui (The Poet) INGREDIENTS 45ml black tea rum10ml rosso vermouth10ml simple syrup (1:1)3ml dark soy sauce1ml orange bitters1ml cardamom bitters5ml citric acid solution This cocktail can be made in two styles—double happiness!—in a rock glass or highball.…

TOP TAILORS Il Sarto Il Sarto is my go-to tailor in Hong Kong. The team is extremely knowledgeable about all things sartorial and can offer great advice and guidance in the process, along with a superb assortment of more than 3,000 high-quality fabrics. This is no 24-hour turnaround kind of tailor, so a suit will take a while to make, but with several fittings and corrections on the way, the team will make sure that you end up with something that you actually like.(theilsarto.com) —Arne Eggers, senior vice president at Karla Otto RS Fashions RS Fashions is a pioneer in custom tailoring in Hong Kong. Founded in 1990, the company has made bespoke creations for more than 250,000 clients worldwide. Its team of 40 Shanghainese tailors create natural fits and…

Best personal trainer Ivanov Lo at Ga1ns Club is a holistic trainer who gives input on not just what happens in the gym but also other aspects of clients’ fitness regimens and lifestyles. He is generous in providing direction on how to train effectively on one’s own and make fitness a habit. And his sessions are never repetitive or boring. (ga1nsclub.com) Best athleisure brand Ga1ns Club. Best exercise equipment company Recoil Training. (recoil-training.com) Best pilates studio H Kore Quarry Bay. (h-kore.com) Favourite trail or hike Ping Nam Stream in Pat Sin Leng Country Park. Roland of HK Outsider introduced this canyoning hike to me and my friends. It’s very scenic and involves both hiking and abseiling. Best outdoor pursuits company HK Outsider. (hkoutsider.com) Favourite beach Tai Long Wan in Sai…

Patrick at PnF Times We often hear the saying “buy the seller”, which means to use common sense when buying over the internet. You’re not only buying a watch but you are entrusting your money to a seller you’ve never met or spoken to, which is why you need to find a reputable dealer. I give my vote of confidence to Patrick at PnF Times. Patrick has been in business for many years and is very knowledgeable about vintage watches. Ming (found at @14_mao on Instagram) is another watch specialist that I trust. They have a vast collection from modern to vintage and most of the watches can be viewed via Instagram.(app.pnftimes.com) —Carson Chan, head of the Greataer China mission for the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie Lavish Attic Living…

In a year that has seen a record number of restaurant closures and skyrocketing unemployment rates, never has it been more important to show support for the businesses you care about. As the city rides out wave after wave of challenges, it has been inspiring to witness the myriad ways in which members of the dining community have faced them head on, and that is why the Tatler Dining Readers’ Choice Awards have forged ahead this year—with a key difference. The awards, once more supported by Asia Miles, are a celebration of resilience in the time of Covid-19. While, in previous years, the Readers’ Choice Awards focused primarily on crowning the year’s best new restaurant and best new bar, for 2020 we have included additional categories to reflect the unique…

The art of stationery was passed down for more than 120 years before reaching Claire Yates, who comes from a family of paper merchants. In 2013, she decided to put her own spin on the family business and launched The Lion Rock Press: a go-to for eco-friendly, Hong Kong-themed premium stationery and gifts. In seven years, her business has expanded from a tiny stall at a Christmas fair to one of the most coveted stationery brands in Hong Kong. Alongside cards, candles and puzzles, Yates is known for her No Plastic Mm Goi water bottles, which combine her twin loves of Hong Kong and the environment. At the beginning, I was just making a few cards and delivering them by hand. I launched at St John’s Cathedral’s Christmas fair. The…

HAPPY JUBILEE Paul Smith celebrates his brand’s 50th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the British designer launched a capsule collection featuring archival prints from 1988 to 2002 for which the designer is known, like the now-ubiquitous spaghetti and green apple graphics. Find them on new sport jackets and velvet suits for men and women, all lined in the house’s signature rainbow colours. WALK WITH ME New season, new shape. Maria Grazia Chiuri designs another future-classic tote for Christian Dior, Dior St Honoré, named after the French maison’s flagship store address in Paris. In a roomy size and in box or grained leather, the bag comes in subtle, easy-to-wear hues like black, blue and beige, and is meant to be so versatile it could pair with any piece from…

In 1964, Kenzo Takada arrived in Paris from Japan, only intending to stay for six months. Little did he know he’d make the French capital his home for the next 56 years and become one of the most celebrated Asian designers of the last half-century, influencing everyone from Yohji Yamamoto to Rei Kawakubo. “For me, to create is to give pleasure and happiness to others, and also the freedom to be myself,” he once said. Always seen with a smile beaming beneath rounded spectacles, Takada’s optimistic take on life and on fashion permeated his work and touched many who had the privilege of knowing him, and this joie de vivre lives on as one his greatest legacies. “His amazing energy, kindness and talent were contagious,” says Kenzo creative director Felipe…

Hong Kong-based actress Karena Lam has been photographed wearing jewellery from Bulgari’s spectacular Heritage collection, which came to the brand’s flagship boutique in Central for an in-house exhibition. Gifted to actress Elizabeth Taylor by her on-again, off-again husband Richard Burton, an exceptional necklace set with 16 step-cut octagonal Colombian emeralds weighing an estimated total of 60.50 carats adorns Lam’s neck. The necklace’s pendant element is set with a single emerald weighing 23.44 carats and was worn by Taylor on her wedding day in 1964 as a brooch.…

It’s 9am in New York when Francesca Amfitheatrof logs onto Zoom to speak to me about Louis Vuitton’s new high jewellery collection, Stellar Times. She sits in the living room of her Brooklyn apartment, which she shares with her husband, who accidentally walks into frame during our interview, and their two children, who are nowhere to be seen. “Last night was a full moon,” she tells me. “I really feel its energy.” Expressive and quick-witted, there’s no doubting Amfitheatrof’s a Gemini. “I always make the time to read my horoscope,” she says, adding that she has struggled to adjust to the pandemic’s ‘new normal’. “I miss going to museums, to the cinema, to the theatre and to concerts.” As artistic director for jewellery and watches at Louis Vuitton, Amfitheatrof is…

A WATCH FOR ALL SEASONS Four new dial colours have been introduced to Carl F Bucherer’s TravelTec series, with each representing a different season: green for spring, yellow for summer, orange for autumn and blue for winter. The TravelTec model has been around, in various iterations, for 15 years and its triple time-zone complication has become a staple in Carl F Bucherer’s line-up. Wear yours with a rubber strap. THE MECHANIC Hublot has launched two limited editions of 20 pieces each from its iconic Big Bang collection to commemorate Ferrari’s milestone participation in Formula One. To celebrate Ferrari’s 1,000th Grand Prix, a milestone in Formula One’s 70th anniversary year, the Big Bang Ferrari 1000 GP comes in white gold or carbon ceramic. An openworked dial gives us a sneak peek…

Editor's Pick Annie Darling Watches & Jewellery Director of Tatler Asia Over the years, Bulgari has established itself as a watchmaking pioneer. The ultra-slim Octo Finissimo is one of the most iconic new watches of the past decade, while the arrival of the new Serpenti Seduttori earlier this year saw the world’s smallest tourbillon movement. Not one to disappoint, the brand continues to experiment with its most recent releases, which include the super-sporty Aluminium Chronograph. Modern, fun and playful, this lightweight timepiece has a cool Nineties feel to it. FIRED UP Audemars Piguet has added to its line of highly engineered ceramic chronographs. Harder than steel, ceramic withstands super-high temperatures, thermal shocks and scratches. Tatler recommends the watchmaker’s fierce Royal Oak Offshore, which now comes in numerous colours that are…

It’s 2019 and nearly six months of anti-government protests have rocked Hong Kong, with police arresting thousands of people. Chi Hang Wong is at home, depressed, browsing the internet, when he discovers the work of LA-based artist Cleon Peterson, whose chaotic paintings show clashing figures as they struggle between power and submission. “His work spoke to me,” Wong, 31, tells me. Inescapably eccentric, he’s wearing retro, round glasses and a buttoned-up shirt. “A lot of Cleon’s work is painted in black and white and, because of what was happening in Hong Kong, it really hit home.” As fate would have it, Wong received an Instagram message from the artist several weeks later concerning a Rolex Day-Date President about which he’d posted. Wong had two editions in yellow gold, one with…

Wendi Murdoch is passionate about a great many things—fashion, food and film among them. She’s also obsessive about technology, and can list from memory facts and figures about the hottest start-ups from Silicon Valley to Shanghai. But most of all, Murdoch loves artists—none more so than Cai Guo-Qiang. “I have many great pieces from Cai,” she says in her rapid-fire English. “They’re in my living room, my bedroom, my hallway. They’re in my home in China, my home in the US. I love to be with his art. It makes me happy.” She pauses. “I’m very honoured to have them.” Cai, sitting next to her, beams. We’re gathered around a table in Cai’s studio in New York’s East Village shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic sweeps into the city. This immaculate,…

In the effervescent world of champagne, some names have become so synonymous with luxury—thank you very much, Jay-Z—that one might wonder just what is so special about the grapes that go into the likes of Cristal, Dom Pérignon or Salon. Is each grape polished by hand; each vine watered only with Evian? In fact, in the somewhat unusual ecosystem of the region of Champagne, the origin of most grapes is not really as proprietary as you might think (through Cristal is an exception). In fact, the big “houses”, or maisons or négociants if you prefer, are actually supported by a network of co-operatives and individual grape growers who, in some cases, might also make wines of their own. These belong to a category known as “grower estates”, a term that…

RUSSELL JAMES Russell James is an Australian fashion, beauty and celebrity photographer who has worked with the likes of Gigi Hadid, Liu Wen, Rihanna and Hugh Jackman. For Tatler, James photographed investor, film producer and art collector Wendi Murdoch and artist Cai Guo-Qiang (p.204) PIM YANAPRASART Originally from Thailand, Hong Kong-based photographer Pim Yanaprasart specialises in analogue photography. Her elegant style has landed her work with many luxury brands internationally and locally. This month, Yanaprasart shot celebrity chef duo Tinoq and Dylan (p.48) RAUL DOCASAR Spanish photographer Raul Docasar began his career in his hometown of A Coruña. He is a regular contributor to the pages of international publications such as GQ, Esquire and L’Officiel. In this month’s issue, Docasar photographed acclaimed film director Ann Hui (p.196) CHRISTINE DE LASSUS…

Architects, designers and artists, as well as the patrons who support them, turned out in force in September for the opening of Critically Homemade, an exhibition hosted at Soho House by non-profit organisation the Design Trust. Criticially Homemade is the latest initiative led by the charity, which supports creative projects in Hong Kong and around the Greater Bay Area. For the project, Marisa Yiu, co-founder and executive director of the Design Trust, asked designers and artists to make an object at home while they were social distancing because of the pandemic. The only limitations were that the object should be able to fit in the palm of their hands and that it should tackle current social, educational or environmental needs. Among the more than 70 fun and functional results were…

What does your Instagram handle mean? Russell Goh: @PasirPanjangBoy refers to the road I grew up on, on the west coast of Singapore. I was born and raised in a village in Pasir Panjang. In Malay, the phrase pasir panjang means a long street made of sand. I learnt how to cook from my parents, aunties and my multicultural neighbours over there, and the place carries a lot of fond memories. How did you both transition from hair and make-up artistry to cooking? Russell Goh: Food and farming were my first loves even before I started in the make-up and styling business. When I was a child, I saw how food connected people and lifted their spirits. I told myself that when I grow up, I’m going to do what…

“Our city is truly a melting pot of Chinese and international food cultures. You can find anything from delectable local Hong Kong street food to some of the most ambitious Michelin-quality chefs” -ALAN LO “In the past three to four years, the entire standard of [Hong Kong’s] F&B scene [has been raised]. We now have so many unique local breweries, amazing organic farms, and even distilleries producing gin” -JAY KHAN “I love the diversity in Hong Kong’s F&B industry. And not just the variety of cuisines, restaurants and bars, but also that the people working there come from a range of different backgrounds” -HIDEAKI SATO Explore more tips and stories on Hong Kong at discoverhongkong.com…

Double Happiness: Sandeep Hathiramani and Gagan Gurung (Tell Camellia), Chanel Adams (Doubleshot), Bryson Rivera (Q88), Devender Sehgal (8 ½ Otto e Mezzo), Tony Hui (The Poet) Hollywood Highball: Beckaly Franks (The Pontiac), Ajit Gurung (Mott 32), Mandeep Ghale (The Old Man), John Nugent (The Diplomat), Simon Kong (Red Sugar) Bauhinia Sour: Antinori Lorenzo (Caprice Bar), Jay Khan (Coa), Sandeep Kumar (The Wise King), Oscar Mena (Ozone), Samuel Kwok (Quinary) I Love Hong Kong: Arkadiusz Rybak (Darkside), Kervin Unido (PDT), Antonio Lai (The Envoy), Bob Louison (Lobster Bar), Lok Gurung (Stockton)…

“One thing I love about Hong Kong is the quirky streets named after plants and trees (think Fir Street or Pine Street in Tai Kok Tsui) and food (Sai Yeung Choi Street). If you dig a little deeper, you can find out more about the history of naming conventions. Of course, the most confusing of all is Rednaxela Terrace in Mid-Levels, named after its first owner [thought to be a man named Alexander], but spelled backwards.”…

Katharine Pooley Our home has beautiful high ceilings and large arched windows. It has a lovely sense of space and feels very calming in our hectic daily life. It is both formal and relaxed. We can entertain or just chill out. I use my friend Katharine Pooley, who I’ve known for 25 years, for her impeccable taste and flair. She has travelled extensively all over the world and has a great way of throwing together an incredibly stylish and classy home influenced by cultural artefacts that have caught her eye on her travels. (katharinepooley.com) —Annabelle Bond, OBE recipient, mountaineer and endurance athlete Otto Ng I highly recommend Otto Ng, design director of LAAB, for a fashionable and classy home. He has been my interior designer for more than five years…

“There are many places that I visited as a child that haven’t changed at all, where I now take my own children. I think of Ocean Park, the beaches and the as-yet undeveloped outlying islands. It’s amazing to see my daughter enjoy the same places in much the same way as I remember enjoying them. What I love about this city is the extreme contrasts you experience in a day. The heat and humidity versus air-con everywhere; great street food versus fine dining; concrete jungles versus quiet island beaches, and, best of all, people talking loudly—not in anger but as a sign of happiness.”…

This year, we all have had to anticipate constantly changing social distancing regulations, including being stuck at home at a moment’s notice. I am always on the lookout for items that will really help enhance my time indoors and take the sting out of a quieter calendar. So, here is my luxury pandemic survival guide—the products and services that have helped me adapt to this new normal. SAVING FACE After embarking on several sprees at Matchesfashion and Mr Porter during the first wave, I have stopped buying fashion. OK, I’ll admit I have put on a few extra kilos (I’m sure I’m not the only one around here). But I must say, I have been eyeing the upcoming Louis Vuitton face shield and I think it is pretty darn cool.…

Make-up can be fun and practical, depending on your perspective. Some people love spending hours watching YouTube videos to master the art of contouring. Others just want to get on with it and cover up their under-eye circles on a weekday morning. But one thing everyone has come to appreciate, even more so this year, is the critical importance of properly cleaning your face. FANCL’s MCO Mild Cleansing Oil is specially formulated with the brand’s unique “Nano Cleansing Technology” to clean make-up from the skin’s surface and go deep into the pores to eliminate stubborn residue like long-lasting foundations, waterproof eyeliner, mascara and sunblock. The oil is gentle enough to use all over the face, with a protective silky texture that allows you to remove all make-up effortlessly without causing…

How did you first realise you wanted to work in fashion? I studied fashion, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to become a fashion designer; I was more passionate about drawing. Then Walter Van Beirendonck, the head of the Fashion Department at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, where I studied, became my teacher in my third year, and he really inspired me to become a designer, just like him. What was the first roadblock you had to overcome? I encountered some financial problems. I never learned how to run a business of my own, so for the first few years I struggled with the business side of running an individual brand. When did you first realise your brand was getting a lot of buzz? It was right…

What did you want to achieve with Contemplation? I wanted to suspend time. I wanted to capture and transform the beauty of simple moments, such as the passing of a cloud or the feel of a feather, into pieces of jewellery that will last forever. What’s your favourite piece? There’s more than just one. The Goutte de Ciel, the Nuage en Apesanteur and the Fenêtre sur Ciel necklaces really give life to the dream of wearing a piece of sky. These three pieces put technical innovation at the service of poetry. What kind of woman wears Contemplation? Our pieces are made for a woman who enjoys freedom and independence. She knows what she wants and what suits her personality and taste. She doesn’t wear jewellery to define herself. She wears…

Fashion designer, actress and model Hannah Quinlivan, who starred in Skyscraper (2018) and appeared in last month’s Asia’s Most Stylish feature, has announced her partnership with Boucheron. A household name in her native Taiwan, Quinlivan has starred alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and made headlines for marrying Mandopop star Jay Chou in 2015. SIGNATURE SETTING To celebrate this month’s re-opening of its Landmark Prince’s Building flagship boutique, Van Cleef & Arpels has brought several new mystery-set pieces from Paris to Hong Kong, including the breathtaking Ruby Bow ring. Crafted in white and pink gold, this elegant piece is set with carefully cut rubies and diamonds. Look closely, and you’ll see that there are no prongs or fittings holding these gemstones in place, thanks to the “mystery setting” technique, which is…

Imagine a butterfly in mid-flight, its iridescent wings spread open and dotted with tiny droplets of morning dew. Now imagine that same butterfly, in all its beauty and fragility, expressed as jewellery, a spectacular creation consisting of Burmese rubies, white and yellow diamonds, sapphires, and more rubies. It is delicate, intricate, bold and precious. It is, down to the yellow diamonds that delineate the wings, and the white diamonds of different sizes and cuts signifying water droplets, nature transformed into art through the medium of gemstones. This stunning piece is the Aurora Butterfly Brooch, the 2019 Black Label Masterpiece from Cindy Chao The Art Jewel that was presented to an awestruck audience at last year’s Masterpiece London Art Fair. Chao, the founder and creative director of Cindy Chao The Art…

ROSE GOLD Made using polished 18-karat rose gold, this timepiece also has rose gold indexes and comes with a solid rose gold bracelet or an alligator strap, which is fastened using a rose gold pin buckle. OPAL Classified as “phenomenal gems” by the Gemological Institute of America, opals are a group of gemstones that have various optical properties. This opal dial exhibits an iridescent effect and appears to gradually change colour as the wrist moves. 36 This watch’s rainbow-coloured bezel is set with 36 baguette-cut coloured gemstones that weigh a total of 3.63 carats. 5 Good luck getting your hands on this new Tonda Métropolitaine, which is limited to five pieces worldwide. Watches & Wonders Shanghai, which was held for the first time at the West Bund Art Center in…

What’s special about the new Endurance Pro? I’m an active individual, so it’s hard not to love everything about this watch. Fashion is obviously very important, and Breitling has nailed the look and evolution of this timepiece. The retro feel of this watch ties it back to its Seventies roots but it’s also been modernised. Something I must mention is how light it is. You don’t even realise it’s on your wrist—it’s brilliant. How do you wear your Endurance Pro? I’m currently wearing the yellow version because it has a strong affinity with leading bicycle races and yellow jerseys within the endurance world. I’ve also ordered the blue one. Conservative but stylish, it’s a statement piece but in a softer way. Plus, blue is my favourite colour. How has watchmaking…

Two years ago, a painting by Jenny Saville set a record at auction for the highest price paid for a work by a living female artist, but the British painter doesn’t like to think about that too much. “I try to keep my eye firmly on the art; the painting is the same painting as it was before the auction,” she says matter-of-factly, when we meet in her drawing studio in Oxford. The painting in question is the gargantuan, corpulent self-portrait, Propped, created in 1992 and one of five works by Saville to have been exhibited in the Sensation show of Young British Artists (YBAs) that caused such a stir at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1997. The 2.1-metre-tall canvas sold for £9.5 million. “That’s crazy money,…