Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Tatler Hong Kong

TATLER HONG KONG Yu Cheng appears on the cover this month. In her interview, the deputy vice chairwoman and group president at CTF Education Group imparts her philosophy on the importance of STEM, self-care and setting up young people for the future. TATLER INDONESIA Los Angeles-born, Jakarta-based Jasmine Prasetio worked in Singapore and Hong Kong before becoming managing director of Sotheby’s Indonesia. She discusses the empowerment of women through the art industry and giving Southeast Asian art the spotlight it deserves. TATLER MALAYSIA Fintech entrepreneur Foong Chee Mun of the US-based digital finance platform MoneyLion outlines the company’s ambition to expand its reach to Southeast Asia, and what the rise of fintech means for the future of the finance industry. TATLER PHILIPPINES On the cover of our women’s issue this…

ANAÏS MAK NO A genderless layout doesn’t apply to every brand. I love seeing the concept of genderless fashion thrive in the fashion industry, but I believe it’s about having a choice. Fashion is about being able to become whoever you want, and ideally, a store should be designed to facilitate this type of thinking. I appreciate designs that are built according to classic gender aesthetics. Some days I enjoy wearing baggy jeans and a hoodie, and other days I love being ultra-feminine in heels, a silk dress and eyeliner with a fresh manicure. It’s ultimately our own choice to feel more empowered—whether that’s in a T-shirt, a stiletto or a pantsuit. Regardless of how we’re raised, I believe we’re born to be liberated in different ways. Today, adopting less…

Investment is all about the long game, and with a combination of resilience and returns1 , fine wine may be one of the smartest options to dive into today—whether you are an experienced drinker or a novice with a piqued interest. Over the past decade, data has shown that fine wine investments can be among some of the best performing assets you can have—with a compound annual growth rate of 8.56%2 —and coupled with increasing global interest and demand for quality labels, there has never been a better time to consider putting money behind your passions. At Cult Wine Investment, helmed by experts with a deep knowledge and love of the market, the philosophy is to disrupt preexisting notions of how to invest in fine wines. The team are not…

TABLA FOUNDER Tania Mohan has turned her penchant for card games into a business. In February, Mohan launched Tania’s Bridge Table—an eight-part online masterclass on the art of playing bridge like a pro—with her long-time friend Elaine Young, founder of Shama serviced apartments. They wrote, filmed and produced the series (Young’s 24-year-old son Tristan brought a little technical expertise), leveraging Mohan’s 20-year experience in the game with interactive lessons and workbooks. The idea was born from Mohan’s addiction to the game and Young’s frustration with a lack of activities during lockdown. “I suggested I teach Elaine bridge and in return, Elaine promised to teach me the basics of golf once quarantine was over,” Mohan says. already fans in Yolanda Choy-Tang, Audry Ai-Morrow, Anne Wang-Liu and Leigh Tung-Chou. One to add…

I grew up in a household of women: there was my mom, my five elder sisters and me. I was raised to respect women always, and throughout my entire life and career I have met the most amazing women who have been teachers, mentors, bosses, friends and supporters. These women probably have no idea how much they inspired me—professionally and personally. Here are just nine of the most amazing women who have impacted me. MARGARET GWILLIAM I moved to Victoria, British Columbia as a kid, and my parents enrolled me in an all-boys private school called Glenlyon in 1977. I was the only Chinese kid in my class and one of only two in the entire school, so mom told me to learn to be tough. I was very shy…

WOMEN FOR WOMEN Italian house Alberta Ferretti tapped Wolford, the go-to label for luxury high-quality skinwear, for a collaboration, celebrating the brands’ shared language of sophistication, strength, femininity and craftsmanship. The collection of bodysuits, dresses, tops, tights, and leggings comes in a range of neutral colours and different densities. FULL FLEX Officially diving into the metaverse, Fendi has joined forces with Ledger, a global platform for Web3 and digital assets. Ledger has bridged the gap between the physical and virtual worlds with the Nano X hardware wallet, a secure device for managing your crypto and NFTs on the go, and the Italian fashion brand has designed two cases for the device—inspired by its Baguette bag and O’Lock chain—which will be available in June. BAG TRICK Celebrated international footballer Son Heung-Min,…

BABES AND BUMPS Nadia Nasimuddin felt qualified after her fourth child to launch her own range of body care products for other expectant mothers. With first-hand experience of the numerous physical changes the body goes through during pregnancy—such as stretch marks, dryness and skin sensitivities—Nasimuddin launched Pop Neutral in 2020. She developed a range of nourishing, firming scrubs, creams and oils—including her signature Stretch Mark oil—using minimal, cruelty-free ingredients, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin. FOXY FACE For years, Phoebe Song struggled with inflammatory rosacea, and conventional treatments didn’t satisfy her skin needs. And so in 2016 she started her own cruelty-free skincare line, Snow Fox, to address the issue. Australia-based Song went to her native Taiwan to develop the formulas, drawing from traditional Asian methodologies. The…

Tell us about your most treasured jewellery piece. For my 16th birthday, my grandmother gave me one of her rings, which was made by my grandfather. He made it using textured yellow gold and a turquoise marquise centre stone. It’s beautiful and has profoundly influenced my obsession with textured jewellery. Why is your Disco collection inspired by Roy Lichtenstein’s Sunrise? I have been collecting art books for quite some time and often look through them for inspiration. Roy Lichtenstein is one of my favourite pop artists and this painting has always resonated with me. I love his use of strong, bold lines, but there’s also a sense of warmth; when I was creating an inspiration board for Disco, his Sunrise became important. How do the art and jewellery worlds collide?…

What was challenging about designing the Endeavour Small Seconds Total Eclipse? EM: Combining the Vantablack with the inner bezel and the sub-dial indexes. Vantablack is a very high-tech and complex material to work with. Made of carbon nanostructures, it cannot come into contact with anything or it will be damaged. Mark and The Armoury forced us to push the boundaries of this technology. Mark, of all the watch brands, why did you choose to collaborate with H Moser & Cie? MC: H Moser & Cie have been an important part of the Swiss watchmaking industry for almost 200 years. [I thought they] would be a really great partner to work with. What did The Armoury bring to the design process? EM: Elegance and balance. Edouard, why is it important H…

I am writing these words on March 8—International Women’s Day. It’s beautifully appropriate, given that this is our Front & Female issue which celebrates strong, accomplished women who empower others through their acts and achievements. I can think of no better day than this to pen my letter to you. That’s my excuse anyway, seeing as I was asked last week if I planned on submitting my editor’s note any time soon. I can’t imagine our cover star this month, Jennifer Yu Cheng, needing to be chased for anything. The mother of three is the leading education entrepreneur in the city, having founded the Jennifer Yu Cheng Girls Impact Foundation (JYCGIF) while also serving as the deputy vice chairwoman and group president of CTF Education Group. Her work in STEM…

Having grown up with a visible difference she didn’t ask for, Mui Thomas could have shunned the spotlight, but instead chose to face it head on and use people’s attention as way to educate others about her extremely rare skin condition, opening frank discussions around mental health and the ups and downs in the life of someone born different. At 29, Mui is one of 20 known people worldwide diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis, a congenital skin condition which affects an estimated one in every 300,000 births. She is at risk from brittle bones and sun exposure, yet after discovering at school that sport gave her an opportunity “to fit in”, she became the first person with the disorder to qualify as a rugby referee and is a regular fixture on…

Though he has had more than a decade’s experience in the field, Austy Lee is a relatively new name in the world of jewellery, having launched his eponymous brand in 2017. Unsurprisingly, Lee’s approach tends towards the fresh and modern, taking cues from pop-culture touchstones such as punk rock and science fiction. The inspiration for his latest collection, however, is anything but contemporary: they’re drawn from some of the oldest elements on Earth. In creating the Hypnotic Magma Ring—an entrancing multicoloured piece that is available in two enamelled and gem-embellished iterations—the designer looked to the primordial state of our planet, long before even the most primitive form of life existed. Lee’s idea for this collection came from studying tectonic plates, the ever-moving layers that make up the shell of the…

The art of cognac appreciation begins with the eyes, followed by the nose and taste—but as most cognac connoisseurs will attest, the vessel in which the cognac comes in is equally as important. This March, Hennessy unveils their latest design for its rarest cognac, Richard Hennessy, which was created in collaboration with world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. This extremely limited blend is a living tribute to Hennessy’s forefather, Richard Hennessy—an Irish officer who enlisted in the army of French King Louis XV before carving out his own destiny as a merchant and maker of outstanding cognacs. Starting his distillery in 1765, he later passed down the business to his son James, who linked up the Hennessy family with the Fillioux family of Master Blenders. Eight generations and more than 250 years…

Men are twice as likely to invest in cryptocurrency as women worldwide, but in Hong Kong, the difference in participation among genders is negligible, according to the same survey by Visa. As the world of fintech and its associated jargon becomes more mainstream and widespread, Hongkongers rank among the world’s biggest investors in cryptocurrency; 18 per cent are active investors. Considering the city’s reputation as a financial hub that promotes ease of doing business, there’s little wonder citizens have embraced putting their money into new, fast-moving technologies. Investing in crypto involves risk, however, and, like the traditional stock market, requires careful planning and research to avoid getting burnt. Leading the charge by promoting financial literacy, helping businesses understand crypto and running digital exchanges, here are seven women to watch in…

Chi Yan Chan is a director of Collective, a concept-driven architectural design team originally established by her friend Betty Ng. She joined in 2019 after previously working on projects such as the landmark cultural revitalisation of Tai Kwun and the even more iconic cultural edifice M+, and for leading architecture studios, including ten years at Swiss giants Herzog & de Meuron, first in Basel and subsequently in Hong Kong. She spent the majority of that time as the project manager overseeing the design and construction of Tai Kwun, after which she was the resident site architect for M+. Originally from the US, she is also an adjunct assistant professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong. Here, she explains why creativity should always come first. I definitely credit Tai Kwun with…

YAN YAN Hong Kong Hong Kong received a love letter in 2019 in form of the launch of Yan Yan, a label that celebrates the city’s heritage. Founded by childhood friends Phyllis Chan—the former Rag & Bone director of knitwear—and Suzzie Chung, the brand explores knitwear, which is not often used in traditional Chinese clothing, with a playful, and modern twist. Yan Yan means “everyone” in Cantonese, and reflects the essence of daily life in the city, which is itself a patchwork of influences. “Whenever we feel lost or need an idea, we go to Sham Shui Po or Prince Edward, or one of the many places in Hong Kong where old meets new, east meets west, culture meets technology,” Chan says. “It is a luxury to be able to…

“The only way to be interesting to people is have to have passion. The passion needs to come through the first moment you meet someone,” says Cheman Cheung. Cheung certainly takes his own rules to heart: dressed in a relaxed, beige, short-sleeved shirt, he is exactly what you’d imagine the founder of a wellness brand to look like, but it is his animated gestures and passion that make the biggest impression. His company, Nüte, specialises in “icebar smoothies”—rectangular bars of frozen smoothie—each named after the benefit they are designed to provide: Detox, Energy, Immunity, and Recovery. They are ready to eat as they are, or can be blended into the more familiar liquid form. “The concept of Nüte came into my head almost two years ago: [combining] food, feeling healthy,…

1 Take your time It can feel overwhelming when you first start a bespoke commission because there are so many things to consider. I often ask my clients to focus on what they want their centre stone to be, rather than deciding everything in one go. The design process will flow naturally to suit whatever they choose as the centrepiece. 2 Break the rules (but not all of them) The secret to finding a healthy balance between what’s original and what’s timeless is retaining at least one traditional element when designing your bespoke jewellery. For example, if you’ve got your heart set on a coloured gemstone that’s cut into a quirky shape, keep the rest of the ring’s silhouette pared back so there’s not too much going on. 3 Be…

GOT YOUR SIX Two stylish chronographs boasting stopwatch functions have been added to Panerai’s line-up of robust wristwatches. Choose between the Luminor Chrono Flyback Ceramica, which comes in a bold black ceramic case, and the Luminor Chrono Flyback Verde Militare, which comes with a military green dial and luminous numerals. Tatler loves the latter, which is made out of stainless steel and secured onto the wrist with a leather strap that matches the dial. Panerai Luminor Chrono Flyback Verde Militare MOTOR NOISE The Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition is Girard Perregaux’s follow-up to its popular Laureato Chronograph. The watchmaker has partnered with British car manufacturer Aston Martin specially for the release and, together, the duo have dreamt up a glossy green chronograph with a diamond-patterned dial that takes an astounding…

Last year, Hublot combined its out-of-the-box thinking with Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami’s chaotic energy, resulting in an all-black timepiece. This year, the duo have decided to collaborate again for a much more colourful creation that’s smothered in gemstones, including rubies, amethysts, tsavorites, and pink, blue, yellow and orange sapphires. Limited to 100 pieces, all of which have been individually numbered, the cool, clean, contemporary Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow is powered by the watchmaker’s Calibre HUB1214, which comes with a 72-hour power reserve.…

“I imagine Tatler readers never would’ve heard of YAF.” This unassertive statement is far from characteristic of Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (HKYAF) founder Lindsey McAlister. Anyone who has ever met her, let alone worked with her, would be more likely to describe her as a force of nature, both in personality (loud, uninhibited, tactile, very big on eye contact) and physically, her somewhat unruly long, blond curls catching in her mismatched earrings, her wild gesticulations, her boldly patterned outfits giving the impression she’s much taller than she is. Far more typical is the chutzpah with which she has approached individuals and institutions over the years for funding—entrepreneur philanthropist Robert Miller (and definite member of the Tatler community) is “amazing and very, very generous”; she calls Standard Chartered a “dream…

London has long been a relocation hotspot for Hongkongers. Instead of following the wave of emigration, however, the owners of this 2,800 sq ft apartment in the Mid-Levels wanted to bring a touch of Britain to the heart of the SAR—complete with beautiful pieces by respected names in the UK contemporary art scene. A “luxurious, London-inspired, timeless international design” was their brief for architect Thomas Griem, whose London-based architectural and interior design practice TG Studio spearheaded an overhaul of the property. There is real interest in the London-inspired aesthetic—particularly now, says Griem. “It means traditional, high-quality, bespoke items; joinery that is really well done; and not hiding behind—and making—everything beige.” It also means “creating an unusual space”, he adds. Tasked with bringing this vision to life, Griem married the clients’…

CHRISTOPHER LIM Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Christopher Lim is a freelance photographer currently based in Hong Kong. He specialises in fashion and automotive work, though he is also known for distinctive street, still life, and documentary photography. His work has featured in campaigns for clients including Nike, Adidas Originals, Barron’s, Asics and Gucci. He photographed artist Angela Su for this month’s issue. KOSALA GUNASINGHE Born in Sri Lanka into an artistic family, Kosala Gunasinghe began drawing and painting at an early age. His father owned an outdoor advertising agency specialising in hand-drawn billboards and signage, while his mother made handicrafts in her free time. In 1999, the artist moved to Hong Kong to work in an advertising agency, and now works as a full-time artist. His portrait of legendary DJ…

What inspired you to branch out on your own? For the last 15 years, I worked in five-star hotels and fine-dining establishments, gaining experience and also learning about what our guests enjoy. It was now or never to step out of my comfort zone and build a brand of fine pastries that reaches more people. How did you come up with the name Finessence Pâtisserie? The name was suggested by my friend [and former Tatler dining editor] Wilson Fok. Finessence combines “fine”, “essence” and “finesse”. It’s similar to how we combine French techniques with our own twist to bring thoughtful, artistic pastries to our guests. How can we get our hands on your creations? Instead of creating a standalone shop, we built our own industrial workshop in the New Territories.…

Charmaine Li joined her family’s business Kowloon Dairy in 2012 as executive director. Co-founded in 1940 by her grandfather Li Lan-sang, the milk giant today services more than 3,000 points of sale daily—and Li says it’s just getting started. In 2019, Li was appointed joint CEO of Kowloon Dairy with her cousins, Erica Li and Dominic Li. “The common perception is that we just rock up to the office to sign cheques, but we actually manage every aspect of the company—from decision-making to implementation and business review across the entire group. We’re not CEOs by name only; we’re executives who actually run the company.” Li and her family are committed to introducing greener initiatives that reduce waste and improve recycling rates, and are investing in research and development to create…

LOCO FOR COCOA CHOKOHOOD Professional chocolate taster, importer and consultant Katie Chan is the founder of this wholesome Tai Hang café dedicated to craft chocolate. Swing by to learn more about single origin hot chocolates, unusual bars and even less familiar items such as cacao tea. instagram. com/chokohood WOMEN IN WINE CRUSHED WINES Co-founded by Camille Lisette Glass, Jamie Falco, Fifi Kirstein and Leigh-Ann Luckett, a quartet of F&B professionals and oenophiles, this independent wine shop and platform celebrates sustainability-forward winemakers and growers with a carefully curated selection of small-batch wines. crushedwines.com BREW JOB PLANTATION Teakha may have closed, but tea expert Nana Chan remains in Hong Kong, and Plantation, her business focusing on prized teas sourced from small family-owned farms around Asia, is still going strong. plantation.hk DOLCE VITA…

Amanda Hyndman became the general manager (GM) at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong last December, the first woman to do so in the brand’s 59 years of history. She still remembers the first time she took on a GM role: “There was a rather upset guest in the lobby demanding to see the GM. I asked, ‘How can I help you?’,” Hyndman recalls. Instead of telling her the problem, he looked at her and repeated, “I want to see the GM.” Hyndman isn’t the only one who has been taken lightly because she’s a woman. Rainy Chan, GM at The Peninsula Hong Kong until 2017, has experienced her share of being assumed to be a secretary. “The question I’d hear most often was ‘Where is your boss?’” Chan said at…

In the summer of 2020, Jada Poon held an exhibition of photos she had taken of ten influential Hong Kong women, displayed alongside written accounts of a poignant moment in their lives. Poon, a photographer and creative director, excels at depicting women in a way that not only conveys sensuality and softness, but also strength and spirit. She started her #RealWomen project in 2016 to share stories of women from the city and, in the years since, the collection has become a space for people to connect and empathise with each other. Her intention, she says, is to “show a vulnerability that encourages others to pursue their own meaning in life and shows them how similar we are ultimately: in the way we fall and restore, in the way we…

Founded in Sydney in 2008, Atelier Lane is known for its signature style of open, clean lines, balance and form. Celebrating innovative design, the interdisciplinary studio takes a refined approach to its concepts. Founder Ellie Bradley’s decision to open a studio in 2017 in Hong Kong, the city her husband and partner grew up in, proved wise, as her successful track record in transforming apartments and houses in this fashion-forward city shows. Specialising in refined, contemporary interiors, Ellie and Richard’s designs can be found in residential and commercial projects around the world. Over the years, the studio has been recognised in numerous prestigious awards, most recently by the International Design Awards 2021 for a residential project in Sheung Wan. That project in particular is an example of the studio’s minimalistic…

WINDOWSEN Windowsen is all about couture for the future. A young label founded by Chinese designer Sensen Lii in 2019, the moniker comes from the Windows operating system and the founder’s name. Sci-fi, gaming, sports and couture craftsmanship clash unexpectedly in Lii’s out-of-this-world silhouettes, with cascading tulle gowns and dramatic hues that are often described as “alien couture” and “spatial fashion”. “Since building Windowsen from my studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, I’ve focused on expanding its universe; every season is a different perspective looking into it,” Lii says. His spring-summer 2022 ready-to-wear collection, for example, is an introduction to the different species on planet Windowsen. Dubbed Monster Heart, the collection has propelled Lii into the public eye, his avant-garde designs and imagination challenging any pre-conceived notions…

“My art is an escape—it doesn’t always come across as pretty,” says Ophelia Liu, regarding her unique approach to artistry in her field. The make-up artist says the looks she creates and photographs on herself often explore “the uglier side of things”. It makes her feel like she’s doing something different, which is important to her. This need for variety is reflected in how she is building her career: in addition to creating looks on herself, she does make-up for clients such as the English National Ballet, and last year she launched a clothing and accessories venture, 18 Levels Of. “People tend to have prejudgements about influencers, and if I can break that perception, I will,” Liu says. “I like doing things that surprise people—I hate being a one-trick pony.”…

Eetilor's Pick Annie Darling Executive Editor, Style, Tatler Asia French jewellery maison Van Cleef & Arpels has rolled out a new butterfly-inspired series set with turquoise and diamonds. We think the brand’s Between the Finger ring design showcases the motif in the most natural, organic way, as if two butterflies have just alighted on the wearer’s hand.…

WEARABLE ART The Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures series by Jaeger-LeCoultre pays tribute to three iconic artists: Gustave Courbet, Vincent van Gogh and Gustav Klimt. The timepieces are like canvases for the wrist, with the watchmaker using the reverse of its swivelling Reverso case as an opportunity to reproduce paintings in miniature using guilloché decorative techniques. The pictured model is inspired by a Klimt painting, Portrait of a Lady (1917), which was stolen in the late 1990s from an exhibition in Italy. Thankfully, it was recovered from the gallery’s grounds in perfect condition by a gardener just a few days later. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Hidden Treasures Gustav Klimt HORSEPLAY Most collectors understand that watchmaking is an art as well as a science. And Hermès has always been among the…

Maria Ressa’s name is spoken with awe by journalists around the world: she is a beacon for truth and a warrior in the fight against disinformation. She is the founder of Rappler, one of the few Philippine media organisations to openly criticise the country’s president Rodrigo Duterte and his policies, and has called out technology giants for spreading fake news and inciting hatred and violence. This dedication to journalism has led to accolades including Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2018, Unesco’s Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in 2021 and, of course, the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, alongside fellow journalist Dmitry Muratov. Tatler hosted Ressa in conversation with fellow journalist (and Tatler Philippines’ December cover subject) Karen Davila on having a sense of purpose, what she holds Mark…

Canto-pop star Ivana Wong’s music room at home is, to put it bluntly, a mess. During a video call with Tatler in February, she sat in the tiny room, barely able to turn on her swivel chair amid the items that engulfed her: a synthesiser, piles of book, and paintings slotted into the crevices of the cliff formed of the boxes large and small that house her childhood toys. “My piano and painting tools are in the living room outside,” she says in her high-pitched, almost childlike voice. Her room reflects her versatile interests: although Wong has forged a name for herself as the queen of Canto-pop throughout her 17-year career as a singer-songwriter—she won the Commercial Radio Singer-Songwriter Award for seven consecutive years—and then also as an actor, receiving…

As the world gradually wakes up to the workplace challenges experienced by women in many industries, a recurring theme is a lack of female role models and mentors. The wine and spirits industries are still assumed to be largely male-dominated, but the reality—especially in Asia—is not so straightforward. My own story is an example of what can happen when powerful women support newbies. Over a decade ago I landed a dream first job as executive director of Meiburg Wine Media, founded by Debra Meiburg, one of Asia’s first Masters of Wine. While we worked together, Debra was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the South China Morning Post newspaper, and ranked seventh most powerful woman in the global wine industry by The Drinks Business magazine. Through it all, she never…