Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Tatler Hong Kong

TATLER HONG KONG Tatler secured a rare interview with Gerald Li, the co-founder of Leading Nation, which runs award-winning establishments such as The Diplomat and Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic. TATLER MALAYSIA Tatler met Matthew Tang, the 18-year-old who’s secured places to study chemistry at four Ivy League universities. He shared some of the important lessons he learnt during the process. TATLER PHILIPPINES Gina Consing McAdam and Siobhán Doran, the authors of Houses That Sugar Built, an Intimate Portrait of Philippines Homes, revealed what sparked the idea for their compendium of stunning Philippines architecture. TATLER TAIWAN Abner Chao, a Gen.T honouree, co-founded the AmazingTalker online platform with the goal of making online English learning more accessible. He explained how he transitioned from a career in boxing and how he’s facing…

Following his decades-long career in the art and luxury industry in Asia, Kevin Ching’s new role at Christie’s has seen him deepen and expand the auction house’s client relationships across the region. In his previous role as Sotheby’s chief executive officer in Asia from 2006 until his retirement in 2021, Ching was responsible for its strategic expansion in the region, particularly into mainland China. A year after coming out of retirement for this new chapter at Christie’s, Ching sits down with Tatler. Tell us about your journey into the auction industry. I was never good with numbers or science. I was more of an art and culture person. My parents wanted me to become a doctor, but that never happened, as I kept failing my science exams at school. They…

Sophia Loren Hong Kong marks the first international footprint for the dining and entertainment concept founded by the iconic actress; there are four restaurants in Italy, in Milan, Florence, Bari and Rome. Opened in April, the Hong Kong outpost—which takes up the historic Wan Chai building that once housed Woo Cheong Tea House—is styled by Italian architect and designer Ivo Maria Redaelli, who also designed the four Sophia Loren restaurants in Italy. Tony Paese, Sophia Loren Hong Kong’s co-founder and managing director, says Loren has always had an affinity for Hong Kong, from as early as the 1960s, when she starred in Charlie Chaplin’s film A Countess from Hong Kong (1967). Here, he talks to Tatler about revamping the location into a glamorous Italian hotspot. Congratulations on the launch. What…

Luxury skincare brand La Mer has been dedicated to the art of skincare for over 50 years. Its newest skincare launch, Genaissance de la Mer The New Serum Essence, marks the latest step in its quest for flawless skin. In collaboration with Tatler, the brand held a glittering launch event for the Genaissance de la Mer collection at Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic—where a star-studded guest list learnt more about its incredible rejuvenatory properties from La Mer’s experts, over an evening of delicious food and virtuoso violin performances. Showcasing Baccarat crystal in its dramatic decor, the event aligned perfectly with the venue’s ambience, creating a luxurious, enchanting atmosphere. Guests had the opportunity to discover more about the artistic heritage that have made Baccarat renowned worldwide. They also had the chance…

You don’t have to be an expert to know that rose is an essential ingredient in perfume making. Despite scientific progress which means many natural scents can now be replicated using synthetic compounds, the essence of a natural rose is still considered the holy grail and a symbol of quality in the perfume industry. For Henry Jacques, it is the soul of its many signature scents. In the latest launch, Collection de l’Atelier, the rose not only took centre stage but also marked a breakthrough in the brand’s perfume production and creativity. In 1975, Henry Jacques Cremona established Perfume Henry Jacques near Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, on the French Riviera. Inspired by his travels and a passion for creating exquisite scents, he offered bespoke fragrances to a…

Luxury sports watches stand out not only for their robust engineering and sophisticated aesthetics but also for their storied pasts, each intertwined with pivotal moments in human history. From being submerged in the profound depths of the ocean to navigating the vast expanse of space, these watches have not merely kept time but have also been integral to adventures that define the modern era. Let’s explore. Our journey begins in 1953, with the birth of the Rolex Submariner. This wasn’t just any timepiece; it was a revolution in stainless steel, meticulously engineered to conquer the ocean, with its water resistance initially going down to 100 metres, a figure that would later be enhanced to an impressive 300 metres. The Submariner was first introduced as a direct response to the growing demand…

BROOCH THE SUBJECT A white diamond brooch will never go out of style. Director and Cannes Film Festival jury member Hirokazu Kore-eda offered proof positive of this, sporting the Chaumet Oeillet brooch from the Jardins collection at the 77th edition of the festival in May. Crafted from 18-karat white gold and adorned with 224 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 3.34 carats, the piece gleamed as Hirokazu ascended the venue’s famed steps. HONEY, I’M GOLD Perlée, a signature motif that dates back to the 1920s, has long been celebrated for its delicate golden beads, and has adorned some of the most iconic pieces in the history of Van Cleef & Arpels. This motif is reimagined in the latest collection, where the beads are not just decorative elements but integral to the structural beauty…

The Summer Olympic Games take place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8. Most of the events will be held in the bustling capital, its suburbs and neighbouring cities, but some are further afield: there’s handball in Lille to the north and sailing in Marseille on the south coast; football, meanwhile, is being played in stadiums around the country. Many of the competitions are taking place at some of the most recognisable edifices and venues across the country. We take a closer look at some of those you might have heard of but not know much about. And whether or not you’ve scored tickets to the Games, France is a brilliant holiday destination with something for everyone; these recommendations…

“I started going to the pool with my dad at a very early age. He taught me and my sisters how to swim at our local aquatic centre,” says Hong Kong swimmer Ian Ho. “I still have memories of him teaching me to swim. He would take us to the section of the pool where we couldn’t touch the bottom—and let go.” Today Ho is a decorated athlete, having won a silver medal in the men’s 50-metre freestyle at the 2023 Asian Games—a moment he is incredibly proud of. “It was my first international medal. I felt extremely happy to have been able to make Hong Kong proud. A lot of my friends and family were watching on TV, along with Hong Kong people too. I’m glad I could share…

The kitchen is a battlefield, and those who master it are warriors. For some chefs, the discipline, endurance and mental clarity required to excel in the culinary world are honed not only by their knives but also by their athletic pursuits; three Hong Kong-based chefs have found that this provides the perfect counterbalance to the chaos of the kitchen. We explore how they incorporate physical activity into their daily routines, the challenges they face, and the invaluable lessons that sport has given them. RUNNING THE EXTRA MILE Michael Smith, chef de cuisine, The Arcane Collective Michael Smith has embraced marathon running and Hyrox, a fitness competition combining running with functional fitness exercises. Smith’s foray into running began as a personal challenge. “The full marathon was something I always thought was…

“There’s no such thing as Indian cuisine: it’s the cuisines of India. Across this country there are many cuisines, with different histories, different origins and different stories,” says chef Palash Mitra, the culinary director of South Asian cuisine at Black Sheep Restaurants (BSR), as we speak to him in a crowded airport while waiting for a flight that would take us from Jaipur to Udaipur, both cities in northwestern India. Tatler is following the BSR team—Mitra and fellow chef Kumaran Balaji; Jonathan Leung, a member of the group’s leadership team; and three of its front-of-house staff—as they traverse India on a culinary inspiration trip ahead of the opening of Prince and the Peacock, the group’s Indian restaurant in Tai Kwun, the second phase of BSR’s ambitious revival project for the…

What does the name Gulf mean? Just a gulf, like an inlet. Ultimate comfort Thai dish? Pad kra prao [stir-fried chicken and holy basil] Childhood dream? To become a football player. Favourite movie? The Joker (2019) Which actor do you look up to? Heath Ledger What do you do to relax? Sleep Secret talent? Sleeping for 24 hours. Favourite gift from a fan? A pair of the same shoes former Chelsea footballer Eden Hazard wore. If you could only do one—music, modelling or acting—which would you pick? Music Best advice you’ve ever received? Don’t stress. Enjoy life. Life motto? Do my best in everything.…

This month, a wave of anticipation transcending culture and nationality is making itself felt all around the globe—the Paris Olympics are less than a month away. Although not the first Games to be held since the world emerged from the pandemic, the 2024 event is a much-needed occasion to unite the world and uplift spirits. At Tatler, we took this opportunity to celebrate the transformative power of passion, resilience and trailblazing spirit. Leading our line-up is our July cover star, rising Thai idol Gulf Kanawut. The 26-year-old actor, singer and model has already captured the hearts of fans across Asia with his magnetic screen presence and authenticity. He is part of the younger generation of Thai talents breaking into the international spotlight, a phenomenon that is taking the global entertainment…

Hong Kong is as much an actual jungle as it is a concrete one. Despite having more skyscrapers than any other city in the world, more than half of it is covered by trees and forests, with 40 per cent of the city’s land protected in country parks. Despite the abundance, though, the trees are not suitable for use as timber for construction or even furniture, due largely to their irregular shapes and sizes; instead, wood for such purposes is mainly imported from overseas. This fact alone bothered architect and designer Ricci Wong; he was even more concerned that trees that are uprooted during typhoons or cut down due to age aren’t taken advantage of. They are simply disposed of—sent to landfills as green waste and left there to decompose…

With the Paris Olympics due to begin at the end of this month, health and wellness are top of mind for everyone, including the food that we put in our bodies. Of course, it’s a concept that has informed Chinese cuisine for centuries—millennia even—before the first salad was ever assembled, with The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, or Huangdi Neijing, laying out the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the importance of diet and nutrition, as well as the concept of “food as medicine”, as far back as the 2nd century BC. In our modern culinary scene, that through-line remains today—albeit in different forms. Any Chinese person knows the comforting, soul-healing powers of a nutrient-rich soup, and at Wynn Macau, celebrity chef André Chiang elevates the craft of broth-making…

FIND ME AT THE POOL Sabato De Sarno has unveiled the Gucci Lido collection, a tribute to coastal living. Conceived by the creative director and captured through the lens of French photographer Anthony Seklaoui, the campaign highlights a vibrant collection inspired by the charming beach clubs or lidos along Italy’s storied coastlines. The range includes sophisticated swimwear, signature Jackie and GG Marmont bags reimagined in straw-effect raffia and canvas, colourful GG canvas accessories and neon-detailed small accessories—the perfect wardrobe additions for sun-kissed days and salty breezes. RUNNING BAREFOOT The long-awaited collab between Issey Miyake and New Balance has elevated the marriage of performance and high fashion to new heights. For their first joint project, Issey Miyake’s artistic director Satoshi Kondo drew inspiration from the “concept of sensuous physicality and barefoot…

At Hublot, orange is the new black—and when the king of coloured ceramics introduces a fun new hue, we sit up and take note. The watch features a polished ceramic 42mm case, available in this vivid orange as well as a subtle dark green, complemented by a micro-blasted black ceramic caseback and a skeleton dial that boldly exposes the inner workings. Equipped with the advanced MHUB1280 Unico 2 Manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement, the orange beauty boasts a robust 72-hour power reserve. Limited to 250 pieces. These tourbillons are crafted to make your head spin with excitement…

Louis Cartier produced the maison’s first wristwatch in 1904, for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont; today, nearly 120 years later, the maison continues to innovate with every collection it unveils. Its latest offerings at this year’s Watches and Wonders are a clear reflection of this enduring legacy of combining reinvention and tradition. Tatler sits down with Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s image, style and heritage director, to dig into how the iconic designs of the early 20th century still pulse at the heart of the maison’s modern creations, proving that true style never ages, it only evolves. How are Cartier’s 20th-century designs reflected in this year’s novelties at Watches and Wonders? The choices that were made in terms of type of shapes [in the early 20th century] were linked to what Cartier was…

As Hong Kong’s premier jewellery maison Chow Tai Fook celebrates its 95th anniversary this year, creative director of high jewellery Nicholas Lieou is ready to spearhead the brand’s future by honouring its legacy while making bold moves—an approach clearly manifested in the sophisticated new Chow Tai Fook Rouge Collection. “In Hong Kong, Chow Tai Fook is a touchstone for everyone,” says Lieou. “It’s a brand that’s deeply integrated into the cultural fabric of the city.” With such a reputation, taking on the responsibility of moving the brand forward during a milestone anniversary is a daunting task, but one Lieou is excited about. “It’s a privilege to be part of such a prestigious company and contribute to a brand that resonates so strongly with my roots.” The challenge, though, is to…

It could have been ordained by her name, which means “laurel tree” in Greek, that foil fencer Daphne Chan Nok-sze would one day compete in the Olympics; wreaths made of the tree’s leaves would be given to the victors of the sporting events of ancient Greece. The 19-year-old part-time Hong Kong team athlete, who splits her time between studying and fencing, is a rising star on the piste. Before her qualification for this year’s Games, she claimed Hong Kong’s first girls’ gold medal at the Women’s Foil Junior World Cup in Thailand last year; the Hong Kong team also won silver at the event. “Winning gold was an unexpected but very important milestone for me,” Chan says. “I didn’t expect to win, because there were a lot of good fencers…

MUTI Collectively known as Muti, the Cape Town-based team of illustrators and designers focuses on producing artworks such as lettering, digital painting and animation for clients including Samsung, Time magazine and Nike. They illustrated this month’s sustainability story on how investments must take the climate into consideration as much as profits. “Portraying climate change in a unique way was a fun challenge for us. We did our best to bring that to life with a graphic approach,” Muti told Tatler. NARUEBES VADVAREE Bangkok-based photographer Naruebes Vadvaree specialises in portraiture and fashion photography. His work has previously been featured in Harper’s Bazaar Men Thailand and L’Officiel Philippines. He worked with Gucci to photograph Thai brand ambassadors and actors Davika Hoorne and Gulf Kanawut in 2020 and 2024, and reunited with Kanawut…

Should an athlete’s behaviour off the field influence our opinion of their sporting achievements? ANNABELLE BOND YES “World-class, best-in-sport athletes are often widely known and admired for their on-field accomplishments. They are often revered by younger generations as role models. Sponsors pay vast sums to have these people represent their brands and fill stadiums. To have an opinion solely on their on-field behaviour, while ignoring their off-field behaviour, seems unrealistic to me. One category of athlete where off-field behaviour should absolutely colour opinion is that of those who cheat in the pursuit of their sport. Examples include Lance Armstrong for doping; Barry Bonds for steroid use; and any Olympian taking banned substances. Then there are those top athletes that have killed people, like former professional athlete Oscar Pistorius and the…

At her last job, working for a luxury shoe brand, Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson was stunned by how the label destroyed a large pile of unsold and well-crafted shoes atthe end of each season. “There are people who don’t have shoes to wear to work. It’s just mind-boggling to me and doesn’t make sense,” she says. She then researched how the fashion industry has been polluting the environment: from garment manufacturing factories discharging toxic chemicals into waterways to the sector’s massive waste problem and greenhouse gas emissions. As a yogi, and one who takes an interest in wellness and sustainability, she thought there should be more options in the market for consumers like her—eco-conscious fashion lovers. Tsuei-Robinson founded Caelum Greene in 2016, positioning it as Hong Kong’s first multi-brand retailer that sells…

GEAR UP Encased in sleek, white Quartz TPT—a proprietary composite material—the RM 17-02 Tourbillon stands out for both its robustness and the elegance of its design. Known for its resistance to wear, the Quartz TPT beautifully frames the complex, skeletonised movement inside, where blue, gold and black PVD finishes play across the surface. But this movement isn’t just about aesthetic appeal: it’s built with a grade 5 titanium baseplate, ensuring both durability and precision. The inclusion of a tourbillon regulator and a unique mechanism to prevent overwinding makes this piece one to bookmark. THE CHRONO-CLE The hottest watch brand on the market, FP Journe has launched its last limited series of 200 pieces, The Chronographe FB. Crafted to commemorate the 20th anniversary of FP Journe’s Tokyo boutique, the watch is…

Bulgari first launched its iconic Serpenti collection in the 1940s, with its bold, serpentine designs that symbolise wisdom, power and seduction. The latest iteration, the Serpenti Sapphire Echo necklace, pays homage to this storied heritage through its transformative design. It features a white gold, dual-headed snake, its scales brought to life with diamonds and buff-top sapphires. At its heart are two magnificent pear-cut sapphires, each weighing 37.34 carats, sourced from Bulgari earrings dating back to the 1930s that once belonged to an Italian noblewoman. The design also allows the sapphire pendants to be detached and worn as earrings. Handpicked for those who have a hunger for style…

LONGING FOR SUMMER There’s a maxi dress for every taste, whether you opt for flowing bohemian designs or sleek modern cuts. The options this season are endless, from Johanna Ortiz’s vibrant and colourful prints that pair perfectly with chic sandals to Lanvin’s sophisticated silhouettes that exude timeless elegance. GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT Dressing up for a night out with the girls is even more fun during the summer—when you love your outfit, you feel good and a fun time is almost guaranteed. Make sure your gang makes a statement—we’ll be ensuring all eyes are on us in this summery yellow Rodarte number and painting the town red in a bold creation by Jean Paul Gaultier. RACING FEVER Sure, Formula 1 is all about speed and precision on the track, but we’re…

This year will mark freestyle swimmer Camille Cheng’s third appearance at the Olympic Games for Hong Kong—a thrilling prospect for the seven-time Asian Games medallist, who’s looking at the Paris edition with a renewed perspective on her training and identity. “I’ve been swimming for two decades, so I honestly thought that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics would be my last one,” Cheng tells Tatler. “But there was a little voice in my head that kept bugging me, and [telling] me to give it everything I’ve got left in Paris.” Committing to the Paris Olympics was not a decision the 31-year-old took lightly. She knew what the physical, mental and emotional cost of training for three years would be. “It’s a 24/7 lifestyle,” Cheng says. “Swimming professionally implies a lot of sacrifices:…

ART What do the Romanovs, Gladys Deacon the Duchess of Marlborough and Imelda Marcos have in common? The Kokoshnik pearl diadem, a crown encrusted with 144 diamonds and 25 large pear-shaped pearls. First owned by Empress Maria Federovna, the mother of Tsar Nicholas II, the last tsar of imperial Russia, the piece was auctioned by Christies in 1927 after the fall of the Russian aristocracy to Lenin’s communist regime and bought by American heiress Gladys Deacon, the wife of the ninth Duke of Marlborough. Shortly after Deacon’s death in 1978, Imelda Marcos, the wife of former Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos, is said to have purchased the piece. Few academics, let alone artists, would think to link these seemingly disparate historical figures and events, but British Filipino artist Pio Abad has…