Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Tatler Hong Kong

TATLER HONG KONG Director Ray Yeung sat down to discuss his latest film, All Shall Be Well, the issues he’s faced in casting his LGBTQ-themed projects and the surprising genre he hopes to tackle next. TATLER MALAYSIA Artist Nor Tijan’s work is a vision of sustainability. She talked about how raising a young family inspired her to explore the repercussions of waste in her pieces, and her hopes for a more thoughtful, less consumerist future. TATLER PHILIPPINES With his 60th birthday on the horizon, Gary Valenciano spoke to Tatler about his comeback, his faith and the future. TATLER TAIWAN Nien Pi-hua, an award-winning embroidery artist, told Tatler about how she fell in love with this traditional artform—and her modern reinterpretation of the craft. TATLER THAILAND Shin Sirachai Arunrugstichai, a documentary…

Sean Lee-Davies splits his time between Hong Kong, Singapore and the US. He founded the Awethentic Group in 2010, offering unique experiences through four subsidiaries: Awethentic Studio, a marketing agency; Awethentic Gallery, the brand’s art division; Awethentic Labs, which specialises in immersive experiences, including through AR and VR; and Awethentic Journeys, which crafts travel experiences. Through his other company, Conscious Leaders Group, which he founded in 2020, Lee-Davies acquired Green Is The New Black, a media and events company dedicated to transformation and sustainable lifestyles, in 2023. That year, he also acquired The Conscious Festival—a series of events that explore the convergence of wellness, leadership and technology. The festival will take place in Singapore this month and in Hong Kong in the autumn. Here, Lee-Davies, who is also known for…

Vivien Khoo (Asia’s Most Influential 2022) is probably used to being the only woman in the room—or magazine article. But she’s also used to being a leader in that room, and she hopes to open the doors and make space for other women. Before becoming one of Hong Kong’s most prominent thought leaders in fintech and the Web3 space, Khoo had established a solid background in traditional finance. Right before she shifted to crypto, her career had taken her to Goldman Sachs, where she had risen to managing director and co-head of compliance for Asia Pacific ex-Japan. The transfer to fintech came in 2019, when she left Goldman Sachs to become the COO for crypto exchange Bitmex, a move that surprised many in the industry, but which Khoo saw as…

Former lawyer and businesswoman Peggy Yeoh and former government official Eva To Cheah have turned their attention to providing the education of the future at Dalton School, for primary students. Next year, they will introduce secondary education, establishing Dalton as a K-12 school. In September, the school will move into its new site on Stubbs Road, taking over the site of Rosaryhill School. Here, the founders talk about how they intend to bring the city’s education system into the 21st century. How did the two of you wind up in education? Peggy Yeoh: Our journey into education started with a lunchtime chat between our husbands [Yeoh’s husband is Lee Seng Huang, group executive chairman of Sun Hung Kai, while Cheah’s husband is Cheah Cheng Hye, co-chairman and co-chief investment officer…

NAKED FLOWERS This flower-themed digital art exhibition by Naked, a creative team founded by Japanese actor and artist Ryôtarô Muramatsu, offers an interactive, multisensory experience. Visitors follow the scent of flowers into eight rooms, each with a different digital art display. Some rooms present gardens of flowers; another is a kaleidoscopic hall of mirrors that refract the patterns of a gigantic flower; there is also one containing a tunnel of falling digital petals.Until October. 1881 Heritage, Tsim Sha Tsui. CELESTIAL MECHANICS: FORM AND FUTURE IN THE WORK OF GERHARD RICHTER AND SEAN SCULLY Born and raised during the Second World War, Sean Scully and Gerhard Richter are significant European painters who were distinctively impacted by the conflicts of their time, which shaped their respective practices. Celestial Mechanics is a unique…

These jewellery watches revealed at Watches and Wonders are made of dreams…

As a musician, John Mayer has left an indelible mark on the industry with his guitar-playing virtuosity and Grammy-winning achievements. His rock star persona, however, belies a sophisticated appreciation for fine watches, having amassed an impressive collection of limited-edition and rare timepieces. Many of the watches in his collection are Audemars Piguet, a brand he loves for its complicated technical pieces. One of his favourites is his Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon in white ceramic. Now the avid watch collector has turned watch designer, collaborating with the manufacture on the new Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar “John Mayer”, limited to 200 pieces. The fact that Mayer’s name is attached to the 18-karat white gold watch instantly sets it apart. Additionally, it is the final timepiece to be equipped with the manufacture…

Baroque pearls are setting the tone for glamorous resort wear this month…

EARN YOUR STRIPES The decades-old trademark of Missoni, Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paul Smith, stripes will never not be in fashion. Whether you go bold and contrasting or subtle and sophisticated, the style is a reminder that, unlike a tiger, you certainly can—and should—change your stripes. CAPTIVATING HEARTS This season marks the revival of the babydoll dress. No longer the preserve of 1960s movie boudoirs or Nineties riot grrrls, the look has had a haute glow-up and deserves a place in your summer wardrobe this year. ALL EYES ON EYELETS Cut-outs are huge this year, yes, but, in spite of their size, so are eyelets. The perforations offer a subtler take on the trend: a peek-a-boo effect that reveals mere glimpses of skin without interrupting the silhouette, and…

TwoSet Violin want to upend classical music’s “boring”, “serious” reputation, and they’re doing so one YouTube view at a time. The musical comedy duo, made up of classically trained violinists Brett Yang and Eddy Chen, have been delivering hilarious videos of musical covers and trivia since January 2014; so far, their clips have accumulated 1.53 billion views. They even get some of the world’s top performers to let down their hair when they appear as guests: three-time Grammy-winning American violinist Hilary Hahn played a Mozart concerto while spinning a hula hoop around her waist in 2018; in 2022, Taiwanese Australian star Ray Chen agreed to post a photo of himself wearing cat ears if he lost a musical challenge. This year, the duo are touring Asia, with stops in Hong…

This time last year, I remember being in the same position as I am now—thinking about what I would write in my editor’s note that would describe how the year has been, how this has impacted how my team and I put together the list of Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow, and the trends and changes we’ve observed while doing so. Generally speaking, 2024 started off pretty rough, with many people having to continue navigating an uncertain economy and ever-rising cost of living while seeing massive layoffs by companies. Like last year, startups are finding it challenging to raise funds as VCs globally, affected by high interest rates and a slowdown in initial public offerings, maintain a tight grip on their funds. And having been in this job of writing about…

Since 2016, Tatler Gen.T has recognised individuals across Asia for their notable contributions and positive influence on their respective fields, communities or society. These are the most promising talents in their countries—individuals we regard as the Leaders of Tomorrow. How do we identify them every year? What makes each of them stand out? How do we assess their achievements or impact? Also, what are the perks of being part of this community of changemakers? We reveal the journey of a Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow, from how to get nominated to the timeline for producing the list. Getting Nominated We receive thousands of applications every year, whether nominating themselves or someone else. These applications come through to us via our public nomination form; members of the Gen.T Tribe, a panel of…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Scan to see the full list of Leaders of Tomorrow on TatlerAsia.com ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Creating the aesthetics, forms and functions of the future Wesley Ho CO-FOUNDER AND DESIGN DIRECTOR, NAPP STUDIO AND ARCHITECTS Wesley Ho and his university friend Aron Tsang cofounded Napp Studio and Architects, which operates at the intersection of architecture, product design and contemporary art. Known for creative interventions that are warm and human-centric, it has worked with clients including M+, Tai Kwun, Ayana, Hongkong Electric and Swire. Wesley previously worked for leading architecture firms including KPF and OMA. Cally Chan CO-FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, COLTEX FURNISHING Coltex Furnishing designs high-end interior furnishings with an emphasis on functionality, infusing fabrics with useful features such as water and dirt-repellant and fire-retardant properties. The company,…

In 2018, when Maaike Steinebach found herself between jobs, she came across the area of technology known as femtech, a term coined in 2016 by Ida Tin, the co-founder and CEO of menstruation-tracking app Clue. Femtech, which brings technology and women’s health together, piqued Steinebach’s interest, even though there was little going on in the scene in Hong Kong, where she remains based, at the time. It spoke to her interest in fintech, her support for women in the workplace, and to the wellness journey she had recently been on. After turning 40, Steinebach had taken stock of her life. She says, “I was super fortunate to have had C-suite roles, and three kids along the way through natural births, a supportive partner and supportive bosses.” She decided it was…

DANNY YEUNG Co-founder and CEO, Prenetics and Insighta The word “innovation” invariably shows up in any conversation about Danny Yeung (Asia’s Most Influential 2021, 2022, 2023), who has been instrumental in transforming healthcare for the past decade. In 2014, he founded Prenetics, which has become one of the world’s largest genetic testing companies; and followed this with Insighta, which aims to revolutionise the early detection of cancer, in 2023. Under Yeung’s leadership, Prenetics has expanded its reach across Asia and beyond, offering a range of genetic testing solutions that detect disease risk, food sensitivities, and even personality and behavioural traits. The company became Hong Kong’s first listed unicorn when it debuted on the Nasdaq in 2022. Last year, Yeung launched Insighta as a joint venture with scientist Dennis Lo, aiming…

Is innovation king? MANAV GUPTA YES “In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to innovate, anticipate and respond to new challenges and opportunities is more critical than ever. Innovation embodies the frontier of human progress, where stakes extend beyond economic success to include environmental sustainability, food security, digital transformation, intelligent automation and so much more. Innovation is the lifeblood of any successful venture—a belief in the architecture of the future, where technology and ethics converge to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges. High-impact sectors need more innovators who recognise the world was designed by those no smarter than any of us, and it’s now on us to reimagine it all—this time with better-designed and more sustainable systems. Without innovation, industries stagnate, economies falter and societies cease to advance.” NORMA CHU NO…

Hong Kong is an enigma when it comes to culinary innovation. True, our well-travelled denizens are more accepting of left-field cuisines than many other Asian cities, yet at the same time, the city’s ultra-high rents discourage restaurateurs from taking risks on culinary formulas that haven’t already been tried and tested a thousand times over. Against the odds, there are still those mavericks who go against the grain. Feuille, the winner of Tatler Dining’s Best New Restaurant, is a paramount example of this: despite having no prior attachment to Hong Kong, respected French chef David Toutain, of the eponymous two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, has managed to corral locally sourced, sustainably grown ingredients into a plant-forward menu that not only delivers deliciously novel flavours by the spade, but so with a diminutive…

SUMMER STUDY The 2024 edition of Prada’s “May Issue” is a summer-ready capsule collection that blurs the lines between masculine and feminine, day and night, winter and summer, past and future. In practical terms, it offers multiple ways to combine textures, patterns and items that might seem paradoxical. In addition to the Re-Nylon bags that reference archival Prada bag silhouettes from the Eighties and Noughties, there is a bikini in glove-suede, a skirt in poplin shirting with a “cardigan” shrugged on top, and scarves that have been transformed into a dress. Because why not? LIBERATED AGAIN When summer arrives, it’s time for Loewe to evoke that essence of freedom, ease and island life through its yearly Paula’s Ibiza collection. For its latest edition, Jonathan Anderson took inspiration from where it…

Long revered for its iconic silk scarves and peerless leather goods, Hermès has quietly been making strides in the world of high horology. The maison’s ascent up the ranks of fine watchmaking has been swift since its first official foray into the sector as Hermès Horloger in 1978: in 2021, the brand sat at 19th in Morgan Stanley’s list of top brands. By 2022, it had moved up to 17th, demonstrating its momentum. In the 2023 list, which was revealed earlier this year, the brand is listed in 16th place—a remarkable feat for a company better known for saddles than tourbillons, and whose peers have been in the business for centuries. Where other brands rely on complicated mechanics and ostentatious designs, Hermès distinguishes itself through whimsy and wonder. Models like…

LITTLE BIRDY The Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co Bird on a Rock brooch has long been an example of haute joaillerie artistry synonymous with both the designer and the brand. While the design has been recreated many ways, this exceptional specimen really caught our attention. Featuring a black opal of over 35 carats set in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold, the brooch is further adorned with grey paillonné enamel. Schlumberger’s signature style, which often incorporates whimsical motifs and intricate details, is evident in this design, but the rarity of its large, high-quality black opal is what makes it a collector’s piece. GRAND SLAM The term “tennis bracelet” was coined during the 1978 US Open, when professional tennis player Chris Evert called for a time-out mid-match to look for her…

Tatler’s annual Gen.T list highlights up-and-coming entrepreneurs, creatives, executives and influential talents across industries and around the region. This year, we have chosen more than 200 promising young leaders from around Asia who have made waves across various industries, ranging from sustainability and technology to performing arts and public service, to be our Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow. In the process of making a name for themselves, these changemakers have experienced many firsts: a first experience starting a business, a first hurdle, a first aha moment, a first breakthrough. We asked ten of the Hong Kong honourees to share some of those firsts that set them on the path to success. When did you first realise you wanted to do something different with your life? Sophie Chapman Co-founder, COO and CFO…

In the face of a softening global economy, many businesses adopt a cautious approach, cutting back on operations and bracing for impact. However, entrepreneurs with resilience and adaptability can still forge a path forward. We speak with several of the 2024 batch of Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow to hear the innovative strategies they have to sustain their ventures and position them for success, even in challenging times. Identifying opportunities amid uncertainty “As a startup founder, you need to be flexible and nimble in responding to macroeconomic factors,” says David B Wang, the founder of Krip, a Hong Kong fintech platform that offers centralised, personalised credit card deals. He reveals that the business faces several structural challenges, including decreased investor risk appetite, a slower sales cycle with businesses and reduced…

HUNGMC Hungmc is a fashion photographer with a passion for capturing the essence of style, elegance and individuality through his lens, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of fashion while celebrating the uniqueness of each subject, weaving together colour, shape and emotion. He shot this month’s cover, which celebrates ten Gen.T honourees. PEARL LAW Pearl Law is an illustrator, comic artist and zine publisher based in Hong Kong. She graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in illustration. Much of her work takes inspiration from humour, literature, history and behavioural observations, and she loves to play around with visual wit. Her recent clients include Pedder Arcade, Townplace West Kowloon and Hang Seng Bank. Law illustrated this month’s feature on weird business language. ANDRES DE LARA Andres…

When people come to visit Hong Kong, eating—and eating well—is usually high on their list of priorities. There’s no shortage of places to choose from: after all, it is a diner’s paradise. Leading Nation, the Hong Kong-based hospitality group, is known for crafting top-notch, unique, consistent guest experiences with establishments like Forty-Five, which sits atop The Landmark and boasts five concepts that blend art and gastronomy; American deli Morty’s; Spanish restaurant La Rambla; and Japanese hotspot Wagyumafia—the last of which also has a Tokyo output, and is a favourite of football legend David Beckham. “David’s always been a great ambassador for us at Wagyumafia. He always makes it a point to visit us, whether it’s in Tokyo or Hong Kong,” says Li. “Bruno Mars and his crew came to Mashi…

It’s no secret that living in an always-on-the-go city like Hong Kong requires people to push themselves to the brink to maximise their personal lives and careers. And by doing so, other important aspects of life—like health—can easily be neglected. For influential Hongkongers Anina Ho, Sue Chang and Matt Orr, this is a key area of focus. “I believe that prioritising my health is essential for success and happiness in all areas, especially with my hectic lifestyle,” says Ho, tech entrepreneur and director of Trinity Global Investment. “My schedule is extremely busy and with the demands of work, my family and my other responsibilities, it becomes so easy to neglect my physical and mental well-being.” To combat this, Ho takes a simple yet effective approach that encompasses all facets of…

On April 13, members of the Hong Kong arts community gathered at the Aberdeen Marina Club for an evening of charity. The goal was to raise money for the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), a nonprofit organisation supporting US-Asia and intra-Asia exchanges through arts. Cultural Exchange for a Better World was emceed by man-about-town Peter Cheung, and the event drew Tatler community members, including former ACC chairman Hans Michael Jebsen, Michelle Miller Erb, Leigh Tung Chou, Cissy Wang, Anne Wang Liu and Melinda Zeman. The dress code for the evening was “spring colours” and the crowd did not disappoint. The grand ballroom was a sea of pink gowns, lilac cocktail dresses, yellow ties and brightly coloured jewellery that brought a springtime freshness to the entire evening. The ACC’s chairperson Daphne King-Yao…

ARTS A bald man dressed in a bright red cowl is asleep on the ground in the middle of the busy city. Suddenly, he wakes up, rises and takes a few slow steps before returning to his supine slumber. He is seemingly oblivious to both the passing of time and the flood of curious visitors who pass him by, some of them stopping to stare and take pictures before moving on. This “monk” was in fact Taiwanese actor Lee Kangsheng in a performance called The Monk from Tang Dynasty, created by his creative partner Tsai Ming-liang, and performed in late March at Hong Kong cultural hub Tai Kwun. Tsai is a “Second New Wave” director of Taiwanese cinema whose unconventional filmmaking methods have shaken up how Asian cinema presents city…

Super-yachts anchored in the glistening Mediterranean sea, against the picture-perfect backdrop of rolling green hills and some of the world’s most expensive homes. The storied history of Europe’s longest-ruling royal family—and the stuff of Hollywood fairytales. The glitz of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. The glamour of its A-list events, like the Formula One Grand Prix and Yacht Show. These are the images that come to mind when Monaco, a place long known as a playground for the super-rich, is mentioned. With the country’s reputation for luxury—something that attracts its visitors, many of which are ultrahigh-net-worth individuals—rarely does the word “sustainability” come into the picture. It is also something of a surprising move for a place where opulence is not only whispered, but celebrated. In the 2.02 sq km principality—the second-smallest…

Longevity has come into sharp focus in recent years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global population of over-65s is projected to double from 750 million in 2019 to 1.5 billion in 2050. That’s one sixth of humanity. The current generation simply refuses to age as their predecessors did, as they yearn for innovative approaches to longevity and healthspan—that is, the length of time that a person is healthy, not just alive. As Dan Buettner, author and host of the 2023 Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, says, “Most of us are leaving good years on the table. [Globally, about two-thirds of people] will die prematurely from an avoidable disease. How do we fix this? It’s not by trying to prevent death; it’s by…

The best place to find inspiration? Sophie Chapman Morning walks at the beach; can’t beat them. Stephanie Hui Just walking on the street, people-watching and looking at everyone’s outfit. Wesley Ho Hollywood Road. Justin Chan Definitely in the shower. The best advice you’ve ever received? Matt Orr If you don’t fear the unknown, the unknown will be kind to you. Sho Dewan My dad always tells me: “You’re the best.” Lynette Nam Knowing when you have enough. Sometimes, the more you have, the more you want. The best advice you’ve ever given someone? Bianca Ho Don’t start a start-up, join mine. David B Wang Everyone should find a mentor and mentee in their life. Alfred Lam Be honest with yourself; know what you like and want, and stick with your…

32 The average age of this year’s honourees 47% VS 53% The percentage of female versus male honourees this year. There are also 4.5 percent points more women compared to last year 143 The number of this year’s honourees— or 72 percent—who are owners of their companies 47% The percentage of this year’s honourees who say their main goal is to expand their networks through the Gen.T community 21 MILLION The total social following of these young leaders 7 The list covers seven locations: Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand 3,160 The total number of honourees in the Gen.T community across Asia to date 6 The number of months it took to put together the list 755 The total number of nominations we received for this…