Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2024 i Tatler Hong Kong

TATLER HONG KONG American photographer Marilyn Minter shot an exclusive self-portrait for Tatler, and discussed how her art reclaims agency over how female bodies are portrayed. TATLER MALAYSIA Olympic diver and “national unity icon” Pandelela Rinong opened up about the pressures of being an athlete, and her aspirations to inspire Malaysians to celebrate their differences. TATLER PHILIPPINES Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue talked about how he wants the world to recognise great, modern Filipino design—and how his projects are helping make that happen. TATLER TAIWAN Melinda Wang, co-founder and CEO of the skincare brand Nomel and a Gen.T honouree, spoke about positivity, confidence—and why Michelle Obama’s views on love are a blueprint for her marriage to actor Tony Yang. TATLER THAILAND Tatler sat down with Amorpol Huvanandana, the founder of Moreloop,…

Queenie Rosita Law has made a career out of showcasing both emerging and historically overlooked artists from around the world, while changing the way people view the gallery experience. A graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, Law has travelled the globe in search of opportunities to bridge the gap between artists and collectors, as well as curating and producing artwork. Her work focuses on Central and Eastern European (CEE) contemporary art. Almost seven years after she established the company, Law continues to explore the untold stories of CEE art through the exploration of countries like the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia. Here, she shares how her passion for the region began, what makes her tick and teases a new gallery space in Hong Kong,…

Tamsin Thornburrow founded Live Zero as a zero-plastic space where people entered knowing they wouldn’t throw away anything they left with; they’d go home with just their goods and, sometimes, the containers to store them. Rather than committing to large packages of products, customers could purchase any amount—from a tablespoon and up—to try, be it dried foods or washing powder. It also offered a range of Hong Kong favourites like crystallised ginger and roasted green peas to stay relevant to locals, rather than become an expat trap. An instant success at its 2017 launch in Sai Ying Pun, Live Zero soon opened several other branches across the city. In the aftermath of Covid, Live Zero, like many retail operators, has been hit hard, with closures of all but its Sai…

MALCOLM WOOD When it comes to sustainability, Malcolm Wood, the outdoor adventurer, filmmaker and co-founder of Maximal Concepts, is a realist—and takes a practical approach to finding solutions. “To be human is to consume—and to do business is to consume,” says Wood, who is an Asia’s Most Influential honouree. “Everyone is hypocritical. I do things very sustainably, but I have a global business.” Building restaurants—Maximal Concepts boasts the likes of Mott 32, The Aubrey and Limewood—takes resources, as does “getting on a plane and continuing to do things”. And instead of putting his head in the sand, Wood says he uses his platform to influence those around him. “If you are leading your business, you are the person responsible and also the solution … in the way that you run…

SPOTLIGHT “It was never a question of coming back—it would be more of a question about when,” says Tamara Ralph, the designer and founder of her namesake couture label. Having previously been half of Ralph & Russo (yes, the couture brand behind Meghan Markle’s engagement dress), the Australian designer is no stranger to haute couture. A graduate of Melbourne’s Whitehouse Institute of Design, she made a strategic move to Europe in 2005 to start her career as a designer. “Growing up in Australia [in the 1980s and 90s], it was a very different industry there than it is now, as a luxury market and as a fashion market. So I always knew that I wanted to be in Europe, and moving to Europe was quite a definitive step. The European…

In the world of high-end jewellery and luxury timepieces, few names carry the same weight and sparkle as Jacob & Co. Founded by Jacob Arabo, this brand has adorned the limbs and torsos of the rich and famous with pieces that are as much art as they are jewels. But the road to becoming Hollywood’s favourite, known as “Jacob the Jeweller”, wasn’t paved with diamonds from the start. It was carved out with hard work, a keen eye for design, and the courage to take risks. Arabo sat down with Tatler at the launch of his first Asian boutique at Hong Kong’s Peninsula hotel, in collaboration with Cortina Watch, to talk about his early days as an immigrant with big dreams, his unexpected rise to fame, and what it means…

Agustin Balbi has sort of the story we all like to hear about how someone became a lauded chef: a small-town boy ends up, through a series of chance events, in a professional kitchen and finds his true calling. After years of hard work, he opens his own restaurant, which is adored by critics and earns a Michelin star within six months of launch. Three years later, it is selected as the top restaurant in town, and he’s ranked at 46 in the global Best Chef Awards ranking. But what makes Balbi’s tale extraordinary is that his restaurant, Andō, is in Hong Kong, on the other side of the world from his hometown of Ramos Mejía, Argentina, and that this Argentine born into a Spanish-Italian family cooks Japanese-meets-Spanish cuisine, are…

The Mongolian death worm, also known as the Olgoi-Khorkhoi or the “large intestine worm”, is prevalent in Mongolian folklore. Hiding mostly in the desert, the creature is said to surreptitiously navigate the land beneath the sand dunes. It releases a lethal poison that instantly kills anyone who dares to touch it. Even now, many people believe it dwells in the Gobi Desert. The cryptid recurs in Mongolian artist Jantsankhorol Erdenebayar’s sculptures, its elusive nature serving as a metaphor for ideas that are abstract and intangible but are given form through belief. The artist draws from local folktales and mythology, his interest stemming from the fact “that even if people know [myths and legends] aren’t true, they choose to believe and follow the narratives of these scenarios. I’m interested in how…

As someone born and raised in Hong Kong, I have always heard the city referred to as a “Gourmet Paradise”; in fact, it became almost a default line for me when introducing Hong Kong to the foreigners I met during my travels as I grew up. As clichéd as the phrase may sound, the more I learnt about and experienced Hong Kong’s dining scene, the more it resonated with me. It’s not just about the abundance of high-quality restaurants and food options in such a small city, but also the passion that permeates through everyone involved in the culinary world. From restaurant-goers to chefs, restaurateurs and each member of the F&B industry, the level of dedication towards and enthusiasm about food here surpasses many other places in the region. Tatler…

Change is at the heart of the Asia’s Most Influential list. As the modern world faces existential challenges, the solutions require innovation and ingenuity, along with courage and hope. Realistic solutions also need to be backed by power, to answer these urgent issues with magnitude and speed. The changemakers that we honour may work within their own spheres of influence, but often their work crosses boundaries, as the challenges that they tackle are complex and interrelated. Importantly, too, their work opens doors for other people, allowing everyone to contribute towards the solutions that we all need. JEFF ROTMEYER and Love 21 Foundation and ImpactHK After Canadian-born Jeff Rotmeyer (Asia’s Most Influential 2022) arrived in Hong Kong in 2005 to work as an English teacher, he started volunteering as a way…

It’s hard not to smile when you see Nadine Ghosn’s jewellery collection. A burger ring. A pencil-shaped bracelet. A collection inspired by Lego. If nostalgia and pure joy had a baby, it would be Nadine Ghosn Fine Jewellery. When she isn’t travelling the world, Ghosn has her roots planted in Singapore, and last month the designer showcased her pieces in Hong Kong for the first time. While it may have been her first professional showcase, her connection to the city and Asia as a whole runs far deeper. “I have always felt very attuned and attracted to Asia,” Ghosn says. “When I travelled to Hong Kong for the first time in 2010, the energy [in the city] was palpable. I decided then and there that once I graduated from Stanford,…

Leap into the era of perpetual calendars THE SUN GOD Tag Heuer propels its iconic Aquaracer into a new era of innovation with the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph. Five fresh 34mm models pay homage to the timepiece’s adventurous legacy, powered by the calibre TH50-01 that harnesses solar energy for a power reserve of up to 10 months. Sleek indices and polished cases exude everyday luxury, while the mother-of-pearl dials add shimmer. With water resistance to 200 metres, unidirectional bezels and luminous hands, these timepieces fuse high performance and grace. DRAGONS AND DIAMONDS Celebrating the Year of the Wooden Dragon, this unique piece by Jacob & Co beats with a JCAM32 hand-wound movement, featuring a flying, central, twin, triple-axis tourbillon. Adorning the 50mm 18-karat rose gold case are 192 invisibly set,…

Hands up if you’re ready to embrace these stylish cuffs FALLING FOR FUNGI The latest addition to Louis Vuitton’s high jewellery collection is Symbiosis, an exploration of early terrestrial life and organic ecosystems. The series draws inspiration from the complex networks of fungi and mycelium, as envisaged by creative director Francesca Amfitheatrof. Featuring spinels from Vietnam and Tanzania, a multistrand necklace presents clusters of differently shaped and arranged spinels to evoke naturally occurring plant forms. This piece is adorned with bombé pavé diamonds and LV Monogram Star-cut diamonds. It took 1,381 hours to create this necklace, which includes a hidden mushroom motif for the wearer’s eyes only. Complementary earrings and rings are also available. GODDESS GALADRIEL Lord of the Rings star Morfydd Clark ruled the red carpet with her choice…

When it comes to jewellery that doubles as wearable art, Christine Dai should be front of every connoisseur’s mind. Since her jewellery debut just two years ago, the designer has become known as a rising star in the industry. The jewellery artist combines a time-honoured wax carving technique from 18th-century Europe with antique rose-cutting methods to create intricate, sculptured pieces with timeless charm. During Art Basel in March, the seasoned designer and her eponymous brand contributed to the highly anticipated Children’s Ball with an auction donation of the Phantom Butterfly from her Magnificent Butterfly collection. Drawing inspiration from both traditional and contemporary art, Christine Dai designs are a bridge across eras, capturing the sentiment of gemstones in profound works of art. Each piece she creates pulsates with unique vitality and…

Stroll past a bright red telephone box and an impressive double of Big Ben, both unmistakable symbols of Britain, and you’ll find a pub. This isn’t just any pub; it’s the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, brought over to The Londoner Macao by one of the world’s most famous chefs, with a string of Michelin stars, TV shows and a global restaurant empire to his name. Gordon Ramsay, synonymous with intense kitchen showdowns and an unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, has landed in Macau—and he’s bringing more than just his f-words. “These parties are always fun,” Ramsay remarks during a call between meetings. We caught up with him in January after a jam-packed schedule of photo shoots, a media masterclass, an opening party and a Q&A session with students from…

For a long time, Asians were portrayed as weak, nerdy and uncool in Hollywood—until Hong Kong-American actor Bruce Lee first upended this image with his martial arts moves and roles as the “strong Chinese hero” in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, a new generation of martial artists are taking over the screen; some of whom are mixed race and are at an intersection between east and west as they take up the “stereotypical” Asian practice of martial arts in western films. Tatler speaks to three mixed race action film stars on their experience in the martial arts and film scenes. PICK LOVE NOT WAR: JASON TOBIN From self-defence to landing diverse acting roles, martial arts have helped the actor find his place in the world Jason Tobin is elated about…

1984 Hong Kong Tatler makes waves in the dining scene with its first Best Restaurant Guide, known today as the Tatler Dining Guide. 2013 Hong Kong Tatler announces the winners of its inaugural Tatler Dining Awards. 2019 Off Menu, a three-day festival of food, drink and entertainment, is held for the first time at The Peak Galleria in Hong Kong. 2021 Tatler Dining Kitchen opens at Haus in Central in Hong Kong. 2022 Tatler Dining launches its inaugural Bar Awards in Hong Kong.…

ANTOINE AND CHARLIE The Paris-based photographer and director couple specialise in brand look books, portraits, fashion shoots and landscape photography, and presents fashion through their minimalistic aesthetic. The pair have previously worked with Chanel, Tiffany and Cartier. They had fun matching the colour tones of the outfits with the set in this month’s fashion shoot. DARREN GABRIEL LEOW A fashion and commercial photographer based in Singapore, Darren Gabriel Leow frequently contributes to Tatler Singapore and other luxury lifestyle and fashion publications, as well as shooting campaigns for various local and international brands. He shot this month’s One to Know. KARL LAM Karl Lam is a Hong Kong-based photographer who works in the fashion and film industries. He regularly works with high fashion magazines, celebrities, brands and advertising agencies, including Calvin…

Master Ruth Lee’s pivot to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) more than a decade ago came after 20 years in the advertising and marketing industry. The long hours and intensive lifestyle had started to take their toll and Lee was looking to make some changes. She found that TCM appealed. “It was because of its preventative approach; it [shouldn’t be] that you start to take care of yourself only when you have sickness or disease.” Having studied TCM in Beijing, Lee now runs her own practice, Master Ruth TCM Clinic, in Hong Kong, with a focus on women’s health. She gets involved at all stages of a woman’s life, from first menstrual cycle to menopause and beyond, while specialising in fertility and IVF support, pre- and postnatal care, as well as…

Can fashion brands achieve true sustainability without compromising on style and aesthetics? YES “A big yes! We never should or never have to compromise on style and aesthetics when it comes to sustainability. Brands like [mine] have been working on sustainable designs through collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers that provide solutions and technical advice. Taking my recent collection as an example: the futuristic denim designs were made with Better Cotton Initiative [a non-profit governance group that promotes better standards in cotton farming], then went through an environmentally friendly denim washing process, followed by [the application of ] paint. We also worked closely with Novetex [a leader in the textile industry] using upcycled yarn from the Billie System [a waterless system that upcycles textile waste] to create otherworldly knitwear designs without…

HAUTE PAPER DOLLS Central Saint Martins alum Harris Reed has gained recognition, a celebrity client list and fans among theatrical fashion and couture enthusiasts thanks to his distinctive work. For his seventh collection, Shadow Dance, which draws inspiration from Victorian-era shadow puppets, Reed has incorporated his own twist on sustainability. He has also worked with renowned wallpaper specialist Fromental to add a textural effect and historical element to the designs. The heavily embroidered demi-couture collection highlights ball gowns and corsetry, as well as versatile pieces like corset-and-skirt pairings and little black dresses with a touch of drama. VERY SWOOSH The ongoing and in-demand collaboration between Jacquemus and Nike has welcomed its third drop. The hype around it cannot only be attributed to the popularity of each brand, but also to…

What is your most treasured watch? I grew up in Asia and went to university in London. Watches were unattainable for me then, but my twin brother and I would always talk about what we would buy one day. On our 30th birthday, we met for dinner and had both unknowingly bought each other the same Rolex 50th anniversary “Kermit” watch. That’s a very important one for me and I wear it very frequently. How has the industry changed over the last decade? People [used to be] less educated about the collectibility of timepieces. Now, with the age of the internet, access to information has created this incredible, outsized demand. It has been building up gradually and accelerated significantly through Covid. Asia was always a strong market, but the world…

What originally drew you to Japanese culture and inspired you to honour it through your jewellery designs? I grew up in Japan but moved to New York in 2014. After being away from Japan for some time, I have rediscovered and come to appreciate Japanese culture even more. It’s not just about the aesthetic—what I love the most is the philosophy behind Japanese beauty. What led you to founding Milamore? I was approached by my co-founder Azusa Yamato to start a jewellery business in 2018. I am a self-taught creative director, with a background in communications; my strength lies in creating a brand’s story and narrative. Since [Yamato’s] family business involves jewellery production in Japan, I wanted to create a brand that showcases Japanese craftsmanship in jewellery—something we are not…

BY ANY OTHER NAME Flowers are back in full bloom. Expanding on the persistent rosettes trend, rose prints, floral embellishment, three-dimensional appliqué and petal-shaped silhouettes are all out there in varying interpretations, per designers’ imaginations. From Loewe and Balmain’s 3D floral sculptures to a simple, playful print at Kenzo, there’s a rose for everyone. LONG STORY SHORT Don’t caught off-guard: women’s shorts are reigning supreme and they are serious. After seasons of barely-there mini shorts, designers are incorporating a touch more tailoring and pairing shorts with blouses, blazers and coats to make them office-chic for summer. If that’s still a little too daring, Bermuda shorts are timeless for a reason. THE SKY’S THE LIMIT Like a breath of refreshing air, icy or sky blue is the colour of the spring-summer…

It was as quiet as the grave in the main hall of Hong Kong’s M+ museum when Park Chan-wook strode in for his film masterclass in December last year—a very deliberate metaphor when it comes to the award-winning South Korean director best known for his canon of brutally violent cinema. Park’s rare visit to Hong Kong was to promote his latest feature film Decision to Leave (2022), which is his first release in six years. Fans, museum staff and the media were curious to see what new and twisted method he would employ to sentence his characters to death after three decades of bewildering imaginations—the antagonist in Oldboy (2003) puts a bullet in his brain; in Lady Vengeance (2005), a child murderer is mutilated by the victims’ families who queue…