Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Tatler Hong Kong

TATLER HONG KONG We met Janet Yang, the first Asian American president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who recalled her journey of perseverance, passion and vision. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN Designer Ulyana Sergeenko is known for her opulent couture. Since founding her eponymous label in 2011, she has become a prominent figure in haute couture, merging traditional motifs with modern elegance. TATLER MALAYSIA Dr Chong Pei Pei, director of the Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, shared the story behind the development of PapLite Pro, a pioneering cervical screening tool. TATLER PHILIPPINES Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue shared his creative journey behind Fable Café + Lounge, his venture in Manila—and how its whimsical decor transports guests to another world. SHANGLIU TATLER Zhang Huan,…

Peak Pizza prides itself on real pizza versus “bougie” options. How do you define real pizza and what does it mean to you personally? Matthew Kirkley: It’s about making something that both the average person who needs a fast, easy slice and the CEO would enjoy. Josh Stumbaugh: I grew up with pizza being a community food—something that brings people together. That’s what we’re aiming to create here. With fine dining flooding the market, what’s it like to embrace a more casual, fun vibe with Peak Pizza? Kirkley: Coming from fine-dining backgrounds [Kirkley is the former chef de cuisine at Amber restaurant at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental and Stumbaugh is the former chef de cuisine at Soho House in New York], Josh and I have seen how overwrought things can…

On December 31, 2024, Cathay Pacific subsidiary airline HK Express welcomed its six-millionth passenger—an important milestone that earned the airline industry recognition and the title of the world’s Fastest Growing Airline of 2024 from OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry. In January, it was also named the world’s safest budget airline in an evaluation by AirlineRatings.com, which analysed 385 air carriers worldwide. Rankings are based on factors such as fleet age, size, incident frequency, fatalities, financial performance, safety audit results and pilot skills and training. Leading this phenomenal evolution is HK Express Jeanette Mao, who was appointed to the role in April 2023. “Safety is a cornerstone of any airline, and to have these two titles, it shows that we aren’t just chasing growth but we…

In a world where fashion often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, Japanese designer Tanaka Daisuke is emerging as a masterful storyteller. Known for his ethereal and imaginative designs and for using pearls, tulle and lace to create armour-like embellishments on romantic silhouettes, Daisuke graduated from Osaka Bunka Fashion College and quickly made his mark on the industry. After debuting his eponymous label Tanakadaisuke in 2021, he wowed audiences with his inaugural runway show at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, where he showed his autumn-winter 2022 collection. Tanaka’s journey has been anything but conventional. Launching his brand during the pandemic, his early experiences as a costume designer and embroidery artist shaped his meticulous approach to detail, allowing him to infuse his collections with a sense of whimsy and depth. Last…

A glance at Toronto-based Dan Tanenbaum’s Instagram might initially suggest he’s simply a sculptor with a specific vibe. But there’s an interesting story behind his artistic pieces, which began with vintage watches. He takes elements of timepieces which have been discarded and uses them to build sculptures that have garnered interest from collectors around the world, including celebrities like singer and famous watch fan John Mayer, rapper Chief Keef and DJ Steve Aoki. Raised in a family of antiquarians, Tanenbaum developed a discerning eye for vintage objects, though he only began his own watch collection in his late twenties. His artistic epiphany struck in 2010, when he found a box deemed as “garbage” in a watch dealer’s shop, containing watch parts. Where others saw mere scrap, Tanenbaum saw potential. This…

Some jewels sparkle; others speak. The Ouroboros 2025 Bangle by Austy Lee is one of the latter—more than an objet d’art, it is a talisman, a cipher, a loop of myth and modernity. With its serpentine form entwined in layers of meaning, this is jewellery that doesn’t just rest on the wrist—it resonates. For the discerning collector, ornamentation is no longer about embellishment alone. The new luxury is symbolic, personal, charged with energy and intention. A ring is no longer just a ring, a bangle no longer just an accessory—they are worn as extensions of self, as heirlooms of emotion, as quiet statements of power. In a world recalibrating its values, jewellery must now mean something. Austy Lee’s latest masterpiece is a hypnotic ode to transformation. The Ouroboros—an ancient emblem…

There are global superstars, and then there’s Tilda Swinton. The 64-year-old actor is an artist—part of that rare breed that has won the love of global audiences while maintaining their dedication to experimental cinema. When news of her appearance at Hong Kong’s museum of visual culture M+ in January broke, it stirred a frenzy among fans and cinephiles alike. Her visit centred around a conversation with legendary Hong Kong director T’ang Shu-shuen, moderated by Silke Schmickl, Chanel lead curator of moving image, in which they discussed the critical importance of film restoration. But it was during an intimate sharing session before the main event, attended exclusively by a handful of guests, including Tatler, that Swinton opened up about her journey—from being a member of an art collective to becoming an…

Away from the glittering casino lights, Macau is a city full of soul and stories to tell. Here, colourful Portuguese townhouses clash—in a very cool way—with neon signs reminiscent of Hong Kong in the Eighties. It’s also here that some people say the concept of fusion cuisine was born. It’s believed that Macanese cuisine is the first documented example, having emerged over 450 years ago when the Portuguese established trade routes that linked Europe, Africa and Asia. We take you off Macau’s “Vegas strip” and celebrity-fronted eateries to some of the city’s most beloved institutions, including the purveyors of the best Macanese cuisine, classic Cantonese diners that have remained unchanged since the Seventies and a handful of great bars. RESTAURANTS Henri’s Galley One Macanese dish that has a special place…

The profound interplay between art and gastronomy has long fascinated cultural observers. As Marina Abramović astutely noted, “If you make the best bread in the world, you’re not an artist, but if you bake the bread in the gallery, you’re an artist. So the context makes the difference.” This compelling observation sets the stage for our March cover stories, where we explore the convergence of culinary mastery and artistic expression. On our covers are two remarkable creative forces: chef Edward Lee and artist Yuan Fang. Lee, known for his candid discourse on culinary class dynamics, introduces us to Shia, his latest establishment, in Washington DC where Korean cuisine meets sustainable innovation. Through our intimate conversation, we discover how his culinary journey became an exploration of identity, bridging his Korean heritage…

Katerin Theys and William Lim’s paths first crossed in 2014 when the former relocated from Belgium to Hong Kong and became part of CL3 Architects, the firm that the latter founded. As they worked together on a range of projects across Asia and the US, they formed a dynamic partnership, inspiring each other to integrate storytelling, cultural elements and exceptional craftsmanship into their architectural designs. Congratulations on the collaboration. Why did you decide to collaborate—and why now? Lim: We have worked together on architectural projects for more than ten years. We developed a good understanding of colour, details and crafts through design. I’ve been very excited to see Katerin’s fashion getting recognised internationally. We had discussed a fashion collaboration for a couple of years. I also extended my design from…

“There’s a natural challenge for a museum that is dedicated to one artist who has now been dead for half a century, in spite of his worldwide fame, to [answer] the question of relevance,” says Doryun Chong, the artistic director and chief curator of M+. The artist in question is Spanish painter Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), one of the founders of Cubism and a giant of the modern art world. This month, M+ and Musée National Picasso-Paris, with support from the French May arts festival, are jointly organising The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Picasso for Asia—A Conversation, an exhibition that puts together more than 60 works by the Spaniard and a further 80 by around 20 Asian and Asian-diasporic artists, taken from the Hong Kong institution’s M+ Collections. Running from…

When did you first become aware of the watch industry, and when did you realise you wanted to work in it? My first connection to watches was during the Swatch revolution in 1983 when I was 12, 13 years old. It was at that time that Nicolas [Hayek] launched the Swatch project, which was revolutionary for the Swiss watch Industry. We all witnessed how Swatch created fancy watches at affordable prices, [which was impressive,] especially during a challenging period impacted by the quartz crisis between 1975 and 1980. I started in [the watch industry in] 1995. I initially joined for a three-month training period with a watchmaking company. What was supposed to be a temporary assignment for me became a 30-year career. As I often say, the problem with this…

It would be remiss of us, in the Year of the Snake, not to highlight the release of a new Serpenti necklace from Bulgari. Coiling around the neck, this creation features five snakes, symbolising the five elemental forces of life. The lack of pronounced heads in the design maintains an unbroken flow—an infinite loop of serpents set in white gold. Featuring 42.94 carats of pavé-set diamonds and punctuated by onyx and 12.23 carats of rubies, the piece showcases Bulgari’s mastery of goldsmithing, gem setting and, of course, storytelling through high jewellery. Boho-chic baubles to give you a spring in your step this season…

Van Cleef & Arpels has always shown an ability to create relevance through symbolism. The popular Alhambra collection is a case in point: launched in 1968, as well as being a symbol of luck, the four-leaf clover motif is now virtually synonymous with the maison. But with the Lucky Spring collection, the house expanded its repertoire of fortune-bearing symbols, creating a sophisticated parallel narrative that speaks to nature’s perpetual renewal while capturing the Asian market’s deep cultural connection to spring. While the collection this year maintains its core elements from its 2021 debut, its appeal lies in how it speaks to multiple generations through carefully chosen motifs that bridge tradition and contemporary desires. By tapping into an entire season through carefully curated motifs, the maison is ensuring its legacy isn’t…

Overlapping curved strokes evocative of turbulent winds or oscillating waves, painted in vibrant shades of red, purple and ultramarine with an outburst of energy similar to that of abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock—these characteristics have come to be a signature of Yuan Fang’s paintings. She may have only started her art career in 2018, but the 28-year-old, Shenzhen-born painter has already exhibited around the world: Skarstedt Gallery in London, New York’s Half Gallery, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas, Beijing’s Hive Center for Contemporary Art, Foshan’s He Art Museum and Sydney’s Coma Gallery, to name a few. Last year, she became the youngest person to have a solo show at Shanghai’s Long Museum, the largest private museum in mainland China. In 2023, Fang, a graduate of The School of Visual…

Shenzhen is a young city—it was, after all, only officially founded in 1979. Often recognised for its rapid innovation and reinvention, it is also sometimes criticised for its lack of deep cultural roots. This perceived shortcoming, however, can also be seen as one of its greatest strengths—an opportunity to craft a fresh, dynamic identity on a blank canvas. Tatler heads to Shenzhen to meet four visionary chefs and restaurateurs who are striving to educate, inspire and push boundaries in the city’s dining scene. Through their passion and persistence, they are helping to form a unique culinary identity for Shenzhen—one that reflects its spirit of openness, creativity and transformation. ZHENTING Restaurants that offer Chiu Chow cuisine—renowned for its emphasis on fresh, natural flavours and meticulous preparation—are ubiquitous in Shenzhen. This is…

DAMIEN FRY British American photographer and filmmaker Damien Fry is known for a visual language that blurs the line between raw authenticity and refined aesthetics. His art explores the intersection of culture, fashion and identity. He has photographed stars including Miley Cyrus and Carly Rae Jepsen, and his work has been featured in publications such as Marie Claire and The Guardian. For Tatler, he shot Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara. (p.136) NOÉMI OTTILIA SZABO Noémi Ottilia Szabo is a fashion photographer with Hungarian roots. Her style is inspired by Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto’s saying: “I think perfection is ugly. Somewhere in the things humans make, I want to see scars, failure, disorder, distortion”. She has worked with publications such as Marie Claire and Numéro and luxury brands such as Dior.…

Spring: the season when nature awakes and pastry chefs are ready for change. Gone are the heavy desserts of winter, replaced by lighter bites that explode with seasonal flavours. The transition is subtle but inspiring and comes with the chance to play with colour, texture and the fleeting beauty of spring’s best ingredients. Asuka Matsubara, pastry chef at the Japanese Italian Pasticceria La Piccolo Citrino in Central, embraces spring with a quiet elegance. “As winter gives way to spring, it’s about finding ingredients that bridge the gap between the rich, deep flavours of winter and the fresh, vibrant notes of spring,” she says. For Matsubara, this means combining delicate Japanese seasonal fruit such as strawberries with Italy’s bold blood oranges. “Together, they create a dialogue of cultures and seasons, with…

For e-commerce shop owners, shipping hundreds of parcels from Hong Kong to different markets worldwide can be something of a labyrinth. They must comply with a slew of custom regulations, compare courier options and manage packing and shipping. This is where Spaceship, a logistics platform co-founded by Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow Lam Wun Chi, comes into play. “Logistics is a very traditional and complicated industry due to numerous global policies, including customs declarations and taxes. We aim to simplify this landscape and empower e-commerce merchants to grow globally,” Lam says. Spaceship collaborates with more than 100 courier companies to offer shipping services to more than 200 countries, and has developed software that matches the best courier options based on the specifics of the product being sent. Goods can be stored…

On January 18, the private dining room of The Legacy House at Rosewood Hong Kong was transformed into a cinematic reverie, as Kim Bui Kollar and Kelly Wong—the co-founders of Beaureguards, a luxury travel retail concept rooted in curating the best of life—from timeless souvenirs to stylish essentials—hosted an intimate dinner honouring two designers: Ian Hylton, CEO of Ms Min; and Cheryl Leung, founder and creative director of Sau Lee, both of whom draw inspiration from Chinese dress for their brands. This exclusive gathering, informally dubbed The Beaureguards Supper Club, brought together a VIP guest list to celebrate creativity and style ahead of the Lunar New Year. Hylton and Leung, the evening’s guests of honour, share an ability to reinterpret Chinese heritage into modern fashion. Guests were invited to don…

If you’ve ever imagined the possibility of going back in time, Vacheron Constantin’s new Historiques 222 in stainless steel might be the perfect portal. This modern reinterpretation of an iconic 1977 model features a sleek 37mm brushed steel case and a striking matt blue dial adorned with white gold markers. Powered by the in-house Calibre 2455/2, it provides a 40-hour power reserve. The integrated bracelet offers comfort and elegance, and is secured with a concealed butterfly clasp. Dials that will prove your love for horology is set in stone…

Regardless of how little exposed to or interested in the watch world they are, most people reading this will have seen posters for the Swatch x Omega collaboration or the Scuba Bioceramic Fifty Fathoms collection the brand launched with Blancpain. The brains behind many of these projects is long-time leader at Swatch Carlo Giordanetti: officially the CEO of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, a unique creative space that combines art, retailing of Swatch products and hospitality, Giordanetti also orchestrates collaborations that bridge the worlds of watchmaking, art and culture, arranging partnerships with the likes of the Louvre in Paris, Omega, Blancpain and New York’s MoMA. His journey with Swatch began in Italy in 1987 as a sales and marketing executive, a job which allowed him to exercise his…

BLING IT ON Drop earrings are the ultimate sartorial punctuation, as Nicole Kidman proved in January, at the National Board of Review Gala in New York. She arrived draped in Messika jewellery, wearing the Disco Pulsation earrings—with a cascade of white gold, pearls and diamonds—and the Divine Enigma ring, boasting rows of white diamonds. PAVÉ THE WAY We love how petite chains can pack a powerful sartorial punch, despite their delicate nature. Take this delicate pavé necklace from John Hardy’s JH Essential collection, for instance. Its 14-karat gold adjustable design with a diamond-studded bar creates visual interest, making it a versatile wardrobe cornerstone. TRUE LOVE A fusion of white, rose and yellow gold, Cartier’s Trinity necklace is chunky yet imminently classy. The 43cm chain reflects the original design Louis Cartier…

THE ART OF FASHION Art has always inspired fashion, sparking iconic collections like Yves Saint Laurent’s Mondrian dresses and Schiaparelli’s surrealist creations with Dalí. This season, celebrate the melding of art and fashion with Vivienne Westwood’s love of featuring rococo paintings on pieces or Mugler’s bold partnership with Canadian painter Ambera Wellmann. A FIRST-CLASS DEBUT If your fashionista status extends to your luggage, this one’s for you. Bottega Veneta is stepping into the luxury travel world with the launch of its first leather-trimmed suitcase, The Odyssey. Designed to be the ideal cabin companion, The Odyssey is lightweight, durable and designed to meet most airline carry-on requirements, ensuring it will stand the test of time on countless adventures. KAWS-ED BY DIOR The latest collaboration between artist Kaws and Dior has got…

Wildfires tore through Los Angeles in January, just as Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara was about to open his tenth-anniversary exhibition Yoshitomo Nara: My Imperfect Self with Blum gallery. Originally slated to open on January 18, the show features 11 never-before-exhibited sculptures made last year, along with paintings and drawings from 1995 to 2024. It looks at the evolving sculptural practice of Nara, one of the most famous living Japanese artists, whose signature images of menacing, wide-eyed children forged a unique style and voice in the global art landscape. But the wildfires didn’t wipe out this soft-spoken, silver-haired 65-year-old’s determination to realise his plan and belief in what art can do to heal the community. Not only did he return to Los Angeles for the opening reception of his show a…

Jenny Kim CHINA At the home of Jenny Kim, the Shanghai-based founder of the Chinese women’s fashion brands MO&Co and Edition, art and design are a part of day-to-day living. Her collection runs the gamut from Ming dynasty huanghuali Chinese rosewood furniture to the monochromatic masterpieces of the late French painter Pierre Soulages. She is drawn to works that speak to her sensibilities, whether it’s the minimalist sculptures of the late Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși or the meditative beauty of Buddhist statues. But for Kim, collecting is not about following trends or making investments—it’s about intuition, personal resonance and the joy of living with art. ON HOW HER COLLECTING JOURNEY BEGAN My passion for collecting started with design: I’ve always been fascinated by interior spaces, architecture and the way objects…

A man hotels are something of a phenomenon; so much so that it even has a cult-like following that is the envy of its peers in the industry—its loyalists are known unofficially as “Aman junkies”. The story of Aman began in Phuket, when its first resort, Amanpuri, opened in 1988. It immediately set a new global standard for luxury hotels with its understated elegance and dedicated yet ultra-discreet service, and remains the exemplification of luxury hospitality to this day. At the time, Phuket was something of an outlier on the global tourism map—a distant, undeveloped isle far removed from mainstream destinations. Aman founder Adrian Zecha’s vision began as a modest dream of a holiday residence before evolving into a revolutionary force in luxury hospitality, and Amanpuri emerged as Asia’s debut…