Confessions of a Social Whor... Busy Bee

Find out what star-studded parties and VIP get-togethers you missed in the Fragrant Harbour over the last seven days, and get a sneak peek of what we've got coming up.

By P. Ramakrishnan on June 5, 2017, Prestige Events

 

For a city that never sleeps nor fails to find a reason to party, our social calendar last week was studded with events. Tom Dixon opened his store in Central, when fans of the man and his eponymous brand came out in full force for a designer viewing; MCM showcased its latest collection of accessories at Entertainment building; Selvedge grooming handed out its fantastic men’s products at Cé La Vi (we swear by the after-shave moisturiser!) and a special cocktail in honour of upcoming father’s day; and Balmain previewed its latest collection at Upper House. With cocktails. Obviously.

Tom Dixon in Hong Kong

MCM

Above: Hong Kong uber models Jeremy Wong and Angie Ng at Balmain


Friday was equally eventful. We at Prestige partnered with Joyce Beauty and introduced Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris to the ladies (and gents!) about town. Our invited VIPs met Marc Chaya, the maison’s CEO and co-founder, and discovered its “fragrance wardrobe”, an expression we’ve come to love and now repeat at random. After the chat and presentation by the luxurious perfumer, many took home its latest aromatic wonders.

at Joyce Beauty

Following the scents and sensibility of that fragrant affair, we scuttled across to the atrium at ifc for Chaumet’s lovely The Art of Jewellery Since 1780 exhibition. A host of stars and socialites turned up just to get a glance at some gorgeous jewellery pieces from the famed house's collection – the detailed paper tiaras for the ladies to don for a selfie were especially popular.

The week ahead looks promising: on Wednesday, you’ll find us at Pacific Place for the Pi'a pop up – we love stylist-designer Priscilla I’Anson, of Asia’s Next Top Model fame (she styles the show).
Thursday’s our busiest day: we’re crossing the seas to … Tsim Sha Tsui to check out the Joyce Marni market at Harbour City. And as we’re on the dark side, a brief encounter has been promised by Calvin Klein Underwear, which reveals its sizzling summer collection. As we type these words, another e-vite just pinged on our phone: The Landmark Wellness Floor opening party just happens to take place on same day. Well now …

And finally, Friday night, with only the finest cask in town. We’re getting extremely worked up about The Macallan party, and are especially intrigued by the invite which simply states, “Steven Klein Edition presents … Time Captured”. It says the dress code is: “dark and dandy”. Well, one we’ve been since birth and the other we’ve acquired over time.

Lunch with Lindy, Uncensored

Words: P.Ramakrishnan

One rain dripped Friday afternoon, the fine folks at Swarovksi hosted a luncheon with the perfectly sunny Lindy Hemming, following a BAFTA Masterclass where the Academy Award winning Costume Designer, chatted about the art, the business, the stars and stripes.

As the woman behind the seams of several James Bond films, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as well as Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, this is a lady who has seen the best – and worst – of temperamental, fragile, gifted, insecure, brilliant, bossy and assured actors.  Sometimes, all of the aforementioned in one package (“Jack Nicholson!”)



With the proliferation of political correctness corroding the fine art of a spicey interview, an unpretentious and uncensored chat with Hemming followed. For the record, this was pre, and post tumblers of the finest red wine hoisted upon us by the fine folks at The Peninsula, followed by a faultless lunch that one is now accustomed with at Gaddi’s. “This glass is far too big – its just an accident waiting to happen isn’t it?” she asked soon after we were escorted into a private room.

Lols with Lindy

Between courses and amuse-bouches, she kept the collected audience of editors dreadfully amused and did not plead the fifth when questions were asked of a (mildly) indelicate kind.


Straight off the bat, someone asked who she’d rather not work with again. “Russell Crowe,” she said without batting an eye. “It was all just awful. And I’m not so sure about, what’s-his-name Seth [McFarlane - of Family Guy]. I find his films terrible. Ted was awful! I’ve wanted to work on a Western – which would be great fun – but no one makes those any more really. McFarlane did [A Million Ways to Die in the West, a critical flop but a box-office smash] but I couldn’t bear any of it.”

Who was surprisingly lovely? “Christian Bale!“ As jaws drop (Bale’s infamous raging rant on a movie set that was leaked online made him the definitive enfant terrible of ego-maniacal movie stars). “One incident does not define a character. We all have that one awful day – I’d be arrested for things I’ve said! He’s perfectly wonderful to work with, a fine gentleman.”

One of the surprising questions that arose often from fans of Batman was regarding not the costume of the titular character, but a hat worn by Catwoman ie Anne Hathaway. “Oh we found it in an old shop and we altered it with a bit of fabric and a few snips here and there. As in most superhero movies, it’s all about covering the face and not letting one on – so we had to twist and turn that thing to cover as much of lovely Anne as we could.”


And is she as saccharine as she appears? “Oh, such a lovely, sweet, sweet girl.”

Working in a movie franchise also meant collaborating with other designers and a costume that’s already in the subconscious of its fanatical following. “Well, the thing about designing Wonderwoman’s costume of course was that, well, its sort of already been designed. There’s already a template – the challenge was to showcase how the costume came about. I hadn’t worked with other designers before so this was a new experience. Was pretty good.”

Working with multiple Oscar-winner Jack Nichlson came with unexpected challenges as he didn’t want to meet the designer prior to the film’s shoot. “’Just give me what to wear and I’ll wear the damn thing’ he said, but of course before the movie begins, you’ve got to work with the actors, create a backstory – well I always do – as to why the person is who they are, and let the costume develop from there. But he – one of the greats of course – didn’t want to. But finally he was convinced and I met him – and he was wonderful. But, he just didn’t understand why I wanted to see him at his home. It was on a film that no one saw either by the way!”

When asked, as I would, if she’d ever work in a Bollywood film, she exclaimed, “Most definitely. All those gorgeous colours! And to bring it to life in a musical which is so rare in Hollywood these days. Two of my dearest designer friends are in Mumbai – Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla – and I’ve used several of their pieces in films and on red carpet. Dame Judi Dench is a great fan of their embroidered work. So one dinner, a while ago in Mumbai, I met this young film producer and I broached the subject. Charming fellow – Karan [Johar]. But he sort of swept me away. Was all too dismissive so I sort of gave up – but if you know of anyone interested in working – do send them my details.”


We will.


For more with Lindy Hemming, pick up a copy of the July issue of Prestige HK 

First Person

One of the great pleasures of the gig at Prestige Hong Kong is the column First Person.

We launched this a year ago as we buried instaglam - a logistic headache to curate - and replaced it with this snap and chat. It's been a genuine thrill to talk to and do the portraiture of the bright young sparks that illuminate Hong Kong society in their own unique way.

In no particular order, I've had the pleasure of spending a day with these fine folks, get to know them a little better and figure out what makes them tick; Harris Chan, Pearl Shek, Ning Lau, Kayla Wong, Arthur de Villepin, Pirate! (Tanya B), Jess Jann (new bff!), Mayao, Payal Shah, Orlando Ho and most recently, Lucia Tate Tolani.

You can read up on all of them at PrestigeOnline.

Now even I, with the size of my (alter-) ego, am fully aware, the reason this column has been such a big hit is because of the two people I collaborate with the most; photographers Olivier Yoan and Dino Busch. The 20-something talents have helped me raise my game - the words have had to measure up to their picture perfect portraits.  It has led to so many rewrites and edits. I'll change my words, but won't snip their pic to make room for the verbal calisthenics I like to exercise. See what I did there?! yeah.

I bitterly resent the fact they no longer live in the 'Kong and I juggle my timetable incessantly to suit their mercurial jet-setting ones. 

Behind the scenes - and camera, Olivier Yoan

Behind the scenes - and camera, Dino Busch

Narcisa Pheres

Shot by Dino Busch.

Whenever I do taxes, banking, travel forms, forms in general...

...ugh. when will death come....

When multiple mags cover the same topic I do...

...did I mention I suffer greatly from high self-esteem? Yep. Me and Beyonce. Same same. But different.

Contouring...

Expectation...

Reality...

Sweet Yesus! For fk's sake, just give Natasha Moor a call and book her - yeah I'm talkin' to you desi-gals. Don't be basic. Call the expert.

For bookings and inquires, package requests and more, contact: Email: beauty@natashamoor.com Direct number: +852 9757 2608