Sunday 24 April 2011

My Life: Nick Priestly


The florist to the stars makes a prediction to P.Ramakrishnan ahead of Britain's royal wedding.
Picture by Nora Tam




TAX LOSS
Before I became a full-time florist, I was a tax accountant in London - as was my wife, Vivienne, who was born in Hong Kong and lived here until she was 15. We met in 1999 while working in international tax consultancy for Arthur Andersen. She decided one day to quit and sell flowers. Somewhere along the way, I realised I was so bored with the rigmarole of accounting life that I quit and joined her. Thus our company, Mood Flowers, took root [in Glasgow, Scotland]. Of course, I never thought while growing up that I'd get into this industry - I don't imagine many people grow up thinking they're going to be florists. Since 2003, this is what I do full time, seven days a week. Now, I'm obsessed with flowers. When my wife and I see a film, especially a romantic comedy where, inevitably, there's some big wedding scene, after the movie, we talk about the floral arrangement in the shot. Alfie, Wedding Crashers, Sex and the City all had great flower arrangements. We notice it in the background of bedroom shots, we notice it if the flowers are aged. Most Hollywood film productions have lavish production budgets and we see it well spent on the flora - we can then try and recreate it if requested.

We don't have a standalone shop, we have an office and we deal mostly with hotels and weddings - more than 200 weddings a year on average. From classic white weddings, using peonies and roses, to winter wonderlands using iced flowers, and exotic weddings using hundreds of stems of vibrant pink phalaenopsis orchids; we've done them all. Budgets vary anywhere from GBP1,000 [HK$12,500] to GBP25,000. We make movable centrepieces so that after the wedding dinner, guests can lift the bouquets and take them with them - I hate to see them wasted. We can't take them back, it's bad form and bad luck to recycle wedding flowers.

WEDDING CRASHES
Out of the hundreds of weddings we've done, only twice have we had to reject a client. They had dozens of ideas but couldn't make a decision. I knew we had to walk away as nothing we did could make them happy. Sometimes a client's ideas can't translate into an attractive arrangement. We get clients who want to go for a symbolic look: 11 white roses with one red stuck in the middle - it looks horrible, like a target. Despite our protests that this won't look good in a photograph or on the table ... well, we do have to listen to our customer as they are always right. I offer my opinion and then we try to work around their ideas. We've had to do strange things like spray-paint roses blue or purple. Dyed flowers look so artificial but how do you argue with someone who insists on purple roses, which don't come naturally in nature? And no, it wasn't Victoria Beckham [she did have a purple and gold wedding, but the flowers were tasteful].

STAR TREATMENT
We have designed for many celebrities such as Rihanna, Kylie Minogue and Keira Knightley. Keira was staying at a serviced apartment and had a rather famous admirer who wanted a bouquet delivered to her doorstep on Valentine's Day. I delivered it to her front step personally. She had a secret pseudonym and there were passwords and codes and all that entails celebrity life. No, I really can't say who the admirer was; I respect the privacy of my clients.

When any major celebrity comes to Glasgow, they end up staying at the luxury/boutique hotels and we get the call to deliver specific flowers to them from either the hotel or PR agency. We get to dress their rooms before they arrive and arrange for a bouquet as they come in. No one's been particularly difficult or diva-esque. Michael Jackson, Elton John and Madonna, they've been very happy to receive flowers, as most people are. I've seen people's faces light up upon receiving them. It's a very different expression I see now, from when I was a tax accountant.

SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY
It hasn't been confirmed yet who will do the flowers for Kate Middleton and Prince William. The relationship with Kate's florist will not be unlike the one she has with her dressmaker; it's very personal. When she steps out of Westminster Abbey, apart from the dress, the flowers will be one of the first things people will notice. The florist and Kate will obviously discuss her preferences but will also look for flowers that symbolise something of her life. Throughout history, royal brides have had a duty to follow tradition. However, it is clear that each had their own preferences considered when choosing their wedding bouquet. The Queen chose mainly whole sprays of orchids, signifying her role as leader of the Commonwealth, while the Queen Mother included white heather, symbolising her native Scotland.

THE KENYAN CONNECTION
It's unlikely Kate will choose anything too far from the royal norm. As a contemporary princess, she would suit a spring-themed, hand-tied bouquet of white ranunculus and lily of the valley. Many celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and royal figures love lily of the valley on special occasions. An alternative twist would to be to add a touch of sapphire blue, to match her stunning engagement ring, in the form of muscari, hyacinths or delphiniums. My prediction is Kate will have a traditional shaped bouquet including calla lilies [her favourite], white daffodils, to signify the fact that William is a prince of Wales, and Fair Trade Kenyan roses, to signify William's charity work in Africa and the place of their engagement. Her bouquet is also likely to include royal staples such as jasmine, lily of the valley and a sprig of myrtle, which has been included in all royal bouquets since Queen Alexandra's back in 1863. I think it would be good if the bouquet was more petite and elegant than some royal bouquets in the past, which would reflect Kate's understated style. I also think it's unlikely that, in a recession, Kate's bouquet will be too ostentatious. Similarly, I don't think the dress will have a long train, as Diana's did. Times are very different now.

FLOWER POWER
Whatever Kate chooses, her floral preferences will filter down to the 'commoners' over the coming months and years. Kate's flowers will be as hotly coveted by future brides as the style of her wedding dress. Brides will be looking to their florists to get the royal feel without the royal budget. Brides have become much more knowledgeable about flowers and often know exactly what they want, and there are many who follow the tastes of brides in the public eye. I look forward to recreating Kate's bouquet in the months and years to come.

Sunday 17 April 2011

Great Minds

Men's smart-casual gets a geek-chic makeover.

Photography Gabbard Studio
Production & Creative direction P.Ramakrishnan
Styling Reema Khanna
Hair and Make-up Karen Yiu
Model David O at Models International
Location Courtesy The Space, Cat Street Gallery, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan




Trench coat, Burberry ($21,000)
Shirt, Hugo Boss Black ($2000)
Dark Grey Silk Tie by BOSS Black ($1000)
Trouser, Burberry ($5300)
Belt, Hugo Boss Black ($1050)
Glasses Alain Mikli ($8486)
Bag, Yves Saint Laurent ($17,500)
(not seen in pic -Shoes, Gram ($700))




Jacket, Gucci (15,000)
Linen shirt, Salvatore Ferragamo (TBC Cost)
Trousers, Burberry ($5,300)
Green and Taupe Horsebit Cashmere Print Cotton Carre' ($1,350)
Glasses, Alain Milki ($8,486)
(not in pic – Watch, Calvin Klein ($1,150) and Sandals, Burberry ($5,200)




T-shirt and Jacket, Salvatore Ferragamo ($23,900)
Trousers, Gucci ($5,300)
Belt, Gucci ($2,100)
Shoes, Tods ($3,500)
Watch, Void ($1,600)
Glasses, Alain Mikli ($3,588)




Cardigan, Valentino ($9,100)
Shirt, Shanghai Tang ($1,480)
Grey pants of striped Suit set by BOSS Black ($7450)
Shoes, Hugo Boss Black ($3,450)
Glasses, Alain Mikli ($3,354)
Watch, Calvin Klein ($1,800)





Jumper, Salvatore Ferragamo ($20,500)
Glasses, Alain Mikli ($8,486)
Watch, Calvin Klein ($1,150)





Top, Gucci ($6,200)
Grey pants (part of striped suit set) by BOSS Black – ($7,450)
Belt, Burberry ($4,500)
Briefcase, Bothos ($4,300)
Watch, Void ($1,400)
Glasses, Alain Mikli ($3,588)
(not seen in pic Shoes, Cipher $1,170)





Jacket, Burberry ($45,000)
Vest, Burberry ($2,900)
Trousers, Valentino ($5,500)
Shoes, Cipher ($1,170)
Sunglasses, Void ($600)
Bag, Tods ($21,700)



Published in Post magazine, p31
April 17, 2011


See earlier post The Making of...

Sunday 10 April 2011

My life: Sunidhi Chauhan


Having kicked off her Asian tour in hong Kong, one of India's most prolific singers talks to P.Ramakrishnan about her musical heroes. Picture Douglas Pieterse.



SMALL STEPS

I was five years old [when] my dad’s friend said to him, “There’s a show for the local community [in Delhi], let her go up on stage and sing. It’ll be cute. She’s so little - people will love it”. At first my father didn’t agree. Then he said fine and he knelt down on his knees, said to me, right before the show, “Go right there in the middle of the stage, sing your song to the mic, and then come back.” That’s exactly what I did. I didn’t notice the applause, see the audience (the stage lights were too bright). There was no fear. I liked to sing but which child doesn’t? I had no concept of whether I was good or not.

But after that show, people kept going up to my parents to say, “You’ve got something here, she can really sing. You must pay attention to it”. Since then, I’ve been singing on stages, small and big. And I’ve never been in awe of performing. Because my first experience was so casual and matter-of-fact - go to the centre, sing, come back, that’s the approach I took for years after. Other singers moved and danced along. I was painfully shy, finally at one show, I started moving along and dancing a bit to the song, I started enjoying the experience of being on stage, years later.

FANATICAL BEHAVIOUR

The only time I slightly panicked was at Hisar (a small state in North India). There were around 100,000 people there and I was the only singer with my troupe of musicians. They wanted to hear the song “Beedi”, which was a rage that year. I usually save it for the finale, as it leaves an impact, but the people started chanting for that song. It kept getting louder, so I finally told my background musicians, lets change it up and for the fifth song, I started singing the intro to the song. The crowd went wild – they torpedoed towards the stage, broke the barricades. It was manic. Thank God we had cops and security, I was escorted out – the show ended right there. I’ve never seen that kind of frenzy for anything. I don’t know how I feel about it, happy they loved the song or in alarmed at the reaction.


HITS AND MISSES

I can never really tell when a song’s going to be a hit or a flop. When I sang “Dhoom”, it was for a film with a cast that wasn’t that famous (at the time), it became a rage. In India, if the film is a hit, the song becomes a hit, I mostly sing for films so if its well picturised on a lead actress, the chances of it becoming a rage is stronger. But times are changing with music videos focusing on singers, with reality TV appearances, singers are more recognizable, a song can run on its own merit.

I love to sing soft, melodic, romantic numbers, but I keep getting the pop hits that you hear in clubs everywhere. Not that I’m complaining, but I do love to sing every genre of song. I have no favourite music director or co-singer, I genuinely like them all. From [Oscar winner] A.R. Rehman, who’s the most humble, soft-spoken soul I’ve met in the industry, to the newcomer music directors or co-singers. I have no qualms about singing for anybody, with anybody.


LEARNING TO LET GO

Politics in the music industry in Bollywood’s there. There’s no denying it – although I try to block it out. There have been instances, when I’ve sung a song, recorded it for a film… and then months later, I can see/hear that some other singer’s done the version on the album. I don’t know what happens behind the scenes, you hear things, but I’ve learnt to let it go. I feel, it’s their loss.

The tabloids in India are part and parcel of the game. It really doesn’t bother me what they say or write. A major film magazine wrote that I was dying to get married and settle down – none of that was true. They make up entire features and interviews and I’ve never thought of suing them. The headache of long legal processes, who has the time? I’m recording songs for multiple films, have concerts around the world, music-videos to shoot, I’m judging on reality tv shows, where’s the time, money, energy to waste on the rubbish they print?


REAL LIFE

Joining Indian Idol as a judge has been wonderful. I’ve had so much fun and its great to encourage and support the new generation of singers. I don’t see them as competition. There are over a billion Indians, more than 400 films made each year, most of them musicals, there’s room for every singer, I feel anyone can sing and I love to hear that I’ve inspired the newcomers. It means a lot to me. I must confess, I love the bad singers too. That part’s the most fun – the auditions with the tone deaf. The delusional ones make for great television viewing and I’m always sad when the audition process is done. It gets serious very quickly, the funny parts end.

Reality TV shows get a lot of flack, but how can I possibly say anything against it? It launched off my career. There’s a youtube clip of me online when I first won Meri Awaaz Suno [Listen to my Voice], which was one of the original reality show on National Indian television. I was 10 or 11… competing with other singers who were older, trained and I think most were in college or had professional careers. I’m wearing a ribbon in my hair, a brown knee-length skirt. I sang a classic song Tu Chanda [You’re the Moon], which was originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar – who was the head judge at the finale. My idol, my world, when I won the competition, I had to go up and receive the trophy from her, the living legend… and I burst out crying. Winning the competition or the cheque or the contract to sing for a studio didn’t mean as much then as being blessed by Lataji. She’s a goddess. The petite, 70-year-old (at the time) Goddess gave me a warm hug and it meant the world to me. When I see it now, I still get gooseflesh. That moment changed by life.


CELINE, WHITNEY, LATA AND AASHA

There was no formal training, no in-born passion to be a singer, I never thought like that. I liked singing, I would listen to tapes of legendary Indian singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Aasha Bhosle and mimic what they sing. I’d play the audio tape of the film Lekin, again and again, and emulate the Mangeshkar sisters who sang in the album. Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston are other singers that inspire me. The control of their voice as they reach high octaves, the passion they exude when they sing is great. I love Jennifer Lopez too, her music videos, her fashion, her dancing. The singing.. well, I love her. Can I leave it at that? [She giggles].


I used to mimic Lata Mangeshkar, Aasha Bhosle, and I can mimic other singers and actresses too. I used to perform it as an act in my shows, until too many people… fans of theirs started getting offended. My intention wasn’t to hurt anyone, make fun of them, but people took it wrong. So I’ve stopped. I’m not here to hurt anyone, just want them to enjoy music, so I used to copy their styles. Now, I have a huge catalogue of my own songs – I have no idea how many? 2000? Maybe more.


Working with Enrique Iglesisas was wonderful. I wanted to collaborate with other singers and when this opportunity came up, I grabbed it. He’s so humble, so enthusiastic about music. The bigger the star, the more humble they’ve been. We recorded the song partly in LA and part in Mumbai – the music video was also shot in LA and some parts in India, this fusion of styles. The original idea was different and how its come out is different, but collaborations evolve and grow. I feel it’s a first step for what’s ahead.

ENCORE ENCORE

Last time I came to Hong Kong [five years ago], I performed with one of my favourite co-singers KK. We had a blast of a time, the audience was amazing. Last night, even more so. The show was brilliant, I loved the fact people got up and danced on the aisles. At first, the audience seemed shy to move, but by the fourth song, they got into it. The requests for encores were wonderful. Awards, money, fame… nothing beats a great audience reaction.



Interview courtesy of Jade Group.



Outtakes from shoot.
All images Copyright Douglas Pieterse.











fantastic


Coming Soon....

Shoot for American publication fantasticsmag.

Photography by Cheric Kwong
Model: Alexis Kwong Alvarez
Art Direction: Rama
Styling: Siri

Producer: P.Ramakrishnan

Saturday 9 April 2011

Phir Dhamaal in Hong Kong

Fun on the Run

This weekend, six police-boats chased a large junk ship and several boats swirled around Victoria Harbor in a flurry of lights and sirens. A goateed man was saved from drowning as another jumped in to rescue him. A drug bust or a refugee boat capsize?

Neither! Just the climax of the Indian comedy “Phir Dhamaal” [More Fun] went underway off Wanchai and Central pier as an all ensemble cast of Indian actors Ashish Chowdhry, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery, Kangna Renaut and Ritesh Deshmukh hit Hong Kong.

Director Indra Kumar, along with film producer Ashok Thakeria, and a film crew of 80 members from the largest film industry in the world – Bollywood - have been in the city for the past week shooting the finale of their upcoming summer release “Phir Dhamaal”, a sequel to its 2007 predecessor “Dhamaal”[Fun].

Said actor Ashish Choudhry, “It’s been the most hectic week of our life and working in Hong Kong has been brilliant. The weather was really good to us this week!”

Actor Ritesh Deshmukh chimed in, “It’s been really tiring, we shot from 10am till 4am the following day for the last scene, a few hours sleep and we’re off to Mumbai to shoot three of the songs that are left.”

Comedian Arshad Warsi has the unpleasant task of jumping off the pier in Wan Chai into Victoria Harbour, “The water was ok,” he said of his big rescue scene in the film. “I was given loads of warnings beforehand of the pollution and I did see some garbage floating around. When I land in Mumbai I’m going to pop every pill to boost my immune system. There’s no business like show business.”

Said one of the Hong Kong film crew, “When Batman [The Dark Knight] was shot here [in 2009], the water didn’t pass muster with the insurance company as they found too much bacteria in the harbour. So they cancelled those scenes.”

Was the Indian film crew similarly insured up?

“We had a dingy boat on standby. That’s about it,” said Deshmukh without a hint of worry. “Besides, stomach of steel dude. We’re all ok,” he said. “So far.”


















Cast of Phir Dhamaal in Hong Kong. Shoot with the uber cool Ike. Above pics by me!

Indian actors Arshad Warsi (boat!), Ritesh Deshmukh (blue denims) and Ashish Chowdhary (brown shirt). Director Indra Kumar (last shot in black T).

Many thanks to the rockin' ladies of Jade Group!





Wednesday 6 April 2011

De-lighted!

Whee! I got a shout out from Shobhaa De.

My Kind of Town


Some of the world's mot in-demand models name their favourite hot spots.

HAWAII

Hong Kong based Joceyn Luko, 25, is one of Asia's Top Models and has graced many a magazine cover and beauty campaign.

First thing I do in Hawaii is ... eat a huge breakfast with my family. Most of the flights from Asia land early morning, so everyone comes to pick my husband Anthony and I up, and we head to our favourite restaurant Anna Millers. Eggs benedict, fresh fruit juice, Hawaiian/Portuguese sausage, the works.

You will find me on... the beach. It's all beautiful, postcard beaches. There's a beach for surfing, another for body boarding, another for kayaking. I've been lucky to never meet any sharks, and I've been fortunate to swim with sea turtles and see dolphins.

Best beach? Sunset Beach on the North Shore. That's where I got married!

Best for drinks? Mai Tai. It's got great live music. The other place is Duke's bar on the beach. You can see the most glorious sunset, with a drink in your hand.

Best for dinner? Orchids at Halekulani hotel. It's right on the water, it's where I took my parents for their anniversary.

Best market? Watanabe florist - it's famous. It has the most exotic flowers.

In Hawaii I usually wear... flip-flops, shorts, sunglasses, T-shirt; very casual and comfortable. Even sneakers feel weird. It's warm in Hawaii but not humid.

Fragrance that most reminds me of Hawaii is... plumeria flowers (also called Frangipani).

If you want to feel like a real Hawaiian... have a barbecue on the beach. Roasting marshmallows on the beach and eating Smores (roasted marshmallow with chocolate between crackers) is a must.

Best for gifts? Any souvenirs, like flowers, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, and Kona coffee.

In Hawaii I always stock up on... Hawaiian salt. It's a sweet-salty thing - I've never tasted anything similar to it anywhere else.

This Time with Zing



Celebrity make-up artist Zing works on canvases that double as the most beautiful faces in Asia, writes P.Ramakrishnan.




If Zing hasn't created a signature look when it comes to fashion, perhaps he does adhere to one: tall, slim, his ears studded with mini-marble size diamonds, large-framed glasses and a Chanel jacket. "I love to wear Chanel," he says. His private studio is littered with Chanel bags choking with other designer embroidered jackets. "They fit my frame. I don't wear make-up ever, I really don't care for it on my skin, but I do love Chanel."

His make-up school is in the heart of Central, long corridors festooned with frames of the famed and the fortuned, coated with distinctive make-up styles that vary from the exotic to the quixotic - yet each unmistakably gorgeous. Zing, 41, the one-named man and brand has been touching-up the faces of Asia's most beautiful women - and men - for the past two decades, their visages providing a remarkable canvas for his creative bent.

"Like all faces, the beautiful ones I can enhance, the plain ones provide a blank canvas," he says. "I have no preference between a celebrity or a model. With models, I choose the subject as they have faces of a certain proportion, symmetrical faces I can work with to create whatever's on my mind. When it comes to singers or actresses, they choose me; they ring me to do their make-up and I get to work with them to enhance their looks. Working with singers is interesting as you have to enhance the persona, keeping in mind their image."

When he started in the 1980s, Zing was not following in the footsteps of any particular role model. "I had no idea why I wanted to get into make-up. I knew nothing about it," he says. "I just knew I had to do it. I learnt through trial and error. There was no one to train me, no school to educate me."

Zing says he would go to discos and clubs and ask models and other beautiful girls if he could do their make-up. "They all said yes; there were no divas back then," he says. "We'd do test shoots, and the models would introduce me to photographers. One thing led to another and I'd keep on working."

Although Zing came to Hong Kong from Singapore in 1989, there was another connection with the island that elevated him from the flock, a project he distinctly remembers. "There was a quarterly, high-end magazine in Singapore that every model wanted to be in, every photographer wanted to shoot for," he recollects. "They flew in the gorgeous Janet Ma from Hong Kong. She was the `it' girl on the scene. That shoot got me noticed.

"In Hong Kong, people do the work for the money. In Singapore, the pay wasn't great, but the credit was. Your name in print meant something - like it does in Paris or London. I always tell aspiring make-up artists to do their job, put blinders on and focus purely on the work; the money and fame would follow."

Zing refuses pinpoint a favourite face from his vast list of high-profile artists he's worked with, such as Carina Lau, Faye Wong, Kelly Chen, Sammi Cheng, Shu Qi and Zhang Ziyi (not to forget French actress Sophie Marceau, business tycoon Pansy Ho or Hong Kong socialite Claudia Shaw). "I've enjoyed working with every one. The only time I've thrown down my brushes and walked away is when someone won't sit still, is busy talking on the phone, or chatting with others around, when I'm trying to do the work. But with age I've mellowed; I used to be much more prima donna," he confesses with a toothy grin.

And, of course, there are the men he's worked with. He mentions that there are actors and male singers who feel that they can get anyone to do their stage make-up and don't want to pay extra for a good make-up artist. "They always looked caked-up and over-powdered. You can see that their cheeks are one colour, neck a different colour and hands a different colour! They don't understand the value of a good make-up artist who can make them look like they have no make-up on. `Nude' make-up is an art."

Like seasons of fashion, there are trends in make-up that come and go. "I foresee a lot of metallic this year," says Zing. "Bronze, gold, silver or gun-metal shades. In the '70s and '80s, the times influenced make-up and psychedelic colours were all the rage. When the health and gym rage started, people wanted to look in the pink of health, so the make-up was more natural and nude."

Zing says that everything can influence the look he creates for a person, whether it's the outfit they're wearing, their hairstyle, the season, or the event they're going to. "Everything informs the work I do."

A comprehensive collection of the looks Zing has created can be seen in the book that was released last November, The Most Beautiful Women in Hong Kong Wear Zing, in which a bevy of Asian beauties made their presence felt. "The main reason I came to Hong Kong - and didn't go to Paris or Japan - was that I wanted to engender a culture of recognising Asian beauty. I wanted to work here with Asian faces. I'm not overawed by Western celebrities and their Hollywood glamour," he says. "When people say, `I want an Audrey Hepburn look' or a `Marilyn Monroe look', you understand that vocabulary and immediately have a reference point. Similarly, when I say, a `Sammy Cheng look' or a `Faye Wong look', I want people to get it instantly."



An adage says one learns more from one's mistakes than one's successes. Zing nods emphatically. "I made a mistake. I learnt from it. I used to do faces with what I considered a lip or an eye should look like. Finally, I learnt to step back, look at each individual and recognise what works and doesn't work for that face. Sometimes a disproportioned lip works - they shouldn't all be perfect `M' shapes. Perhaps the eye should look a little less dramatic, because it suits their personality. There is no one mould of what beauty is," he says.

"I can see people are being creative for the sake of being creative and really, making the person look bizarre. The essence of make-up to me is to make someone look beautiful with touches of creativity. Return to beauty."


Apr 01, 2011
STYLE
South China Morning Post

Monday 4 April 2011

One Night Only: The Voice of Bollywood




Text: P.Ramakrishnan
Images: Douglas Pieterse


Singer Sunidhi Chauhan may not be the most recognised face in Bollywood, but she's certainly the voice of it. “I have no idea how many songs I’ve sung for Hindi films,” she says, hours before she hits the stage in Hong Kong for a one-off concert at the HK Polytechnic University. “Hundreds, thousands? I don’t know. I’ve been very fortunate.”



As a playback singer to all the A-list actresses of Indian cinema (when those gorgeous Miss Worlds and Miss Universes break into song and dance on film, it’s the gorgeous voice of Chauhan that they are all lip-syncing to), she's had an incredible year already with the song “Sheila ki jawani” hovering between the No:1 and No:2 spots for the past six months.



In fact, Chauhan’s high octaves span up and down the hit-list often and she’s been nominated a whopping 14 times at Filmfare awards (the Indian equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Singer, having won three times.



“I don’t judge the success of a song by an award or recognition – though I’m thrilled when I do get it – but when I go to any club or party, if they’re playing my song, I know it’s a hit.”



Last when she was in Hong Kong (back in 2006), for a concert, she said, she'd love to collaborate with Western singers. This year, a dream came true.



"Working with Enrique Iglesisas was wonderful,” she gushes, having collaborated with the Latin heartthrob for his upcoming album Euphoria. “I was excited to work with Enrique, he was pretty kicked about working with an Indian artist for the first time. We both gelled well and the song too came out great — I think it was a great combination.”

As Chauhan sings alongside the sitar, tabla and flute, merging traditional Indian song to Iglesias’ pop and club tunes, she has high hopes for this musical fusion. “When I was approached for the collaboration, there was no question of giving it a second thought, I was too excited about it.”


Catch the excitement tonight for Sunidhi Chauhan’s sole, solo show.



Sunidhi, Live in Hong Kong

Jockey Club Auditorium,

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom

Monday, April 04, 8:00 pm

Tickets: $500-1000

www.jadegroupasia.com

Friday 1 April 2011

Shape Shifters: Hong Kong's hottest bodies strip down for Style's sexiest shoot: With tips on health and fitness


Text: P.Ramakrishnan
All photographs by Olaf Mueller
Assistant: Moses
Art Direction: Rama


Hong Kong's fittest and healthiest bodies reveal how they get in swimsuit-ready shape after a calorific winter. From kick-boxing to dance, professional sports to the yogis, these fine forms prove that in pursuit of the flattest abdominals, you can't do nominal work.

Jonny Rees

The name-card reads, Senior Sales Executive, Advertising & Marketing Industry, but the body says… machine! Jonny Rees, professional rugby player, hides an eight-pack under his ties and fitted suits as he heads to work in Central every weekday. The weekend is dedicated to his hardcore sport.

“I play rugby for Kowloon RFC as a wing or full-back. We train as a team twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and play our games on Saturday afternoons. We are based down at King's Park (Kowloon),” he says. “In terms of personal training, I try to hit the gym at least three mornings a week, and if possible squeeze in one or two runs after work or at the weekends. Further exercise, swimming, spinning, circuits, are all dependant on work and social commitments. I'm also a big fan of trekking in the New Territories and the Sai Kung area.”

To top it all, Rees is a fan of food, not just the healthy kind, more of the pizza and pies variety. “When exercising once or twice a day, you could imagine one’s eating habits go through the roof. I am also lucky to have a ridiculously fast metabolism; if I had to calculate it, I'd guess my average daily calorie count would be between five and eight thousand - I'm always eating!” he says, despite showing no evidence of a lardy diet.

Surely there are times when he watches his intake of junk and fast food?

“I'm not going to lie, when it comes to what I eat - if I like what I see, I'll buy it. In the past I've spent a bit of time here and there comparing similar products for GI index's, fats and so on,” he says. “Although I still try to avoid visibly 'unhealthy' foods, I am a lot more relaxed about what I end up going for these days - I tend to pick something that looks slightly healthier and then consume in bulk. Because I eat so much I tend not to follow nutrition plans, but if I did, I'd definitely take advice from rugby player/nutritionist Joe Shaw (check out his website www.salveolifestyle.com).

Given the option, Rees likes food he gets back home in the UK, “I would have to say my choice of food would still be something English like a roast or bangers and mash - maybe it's because living a million miles away from my mum means these are such rarities,” he says. “I'm also a big fan of enchiladas and seafood-dishes.”



Guilty pleasures? “If choosing a slightly unhealthier option, I would definitely go for bruschetta with every topping under the sun and a large greasy pizza, followed by some form of apple/blackberry pie and lots of ice cream - especially on Saturdays after a game!”

Obviously joining a professional rugby team isn’t a feasible notion for most people, but Rees says, “Whether it be a team sport like rugby or hockey, morning training classes or individual sports - there is something for everyone. I personally am a massive fan of team sports; joining Kowloon RFC was a great way of meeting new friends in Hong Kong. It also opened up huge work and social circles that have got me to where I am today.”


Image Caption: Rugby shorts, model’s own. Boxer-briefs by Calvin Klein underwear.

Icy Lee



For Icy Lee, having one of the hottest bodies in Hong Kong may seem easy but as the studio director of Yogasala, she dedicates herself to the practice, six days a week. It’s a regiment she’s followed for years. “I workout at home, and at the studio,” she says between shots as she contorts her limber body into pretzel positions. “I also love to hike in the countryside.”

Proving you are what you eat, Lee’s yogic temple of a body intakes, “Sprout almond, sprout mug beans, raw quinoa, greens veggies, soup buckwheat noodle, soaked Chia (ancient seed with high content of omega 3) in orange juice,” she says. “Homemade ginger with honey and lime tea would be my drink of choice.”

Thankfully, she isn’t holier than thou as when it comes to indulgences, she won’t say no to, “Almond Chocolate,” she says with an easy smile. “But the general rule is to eat simple. I try not to eat too many different kinds food in one meal as it'll spoil the digestive fire.”

Other tips include sleeping before the clock strikes midnight, “Because only when our body clock goes with the universal one, there is harmony in our system.”

Icy joins this list as her reputation for being devoted to the fine art of yoga precedes her, her dedication matched by other enthusiasts who’ve found this more palatable to the system than other forms of exercise.

“High intensity cardio exercise is not for me, as it wears out the joints more easily because of the repetition of similar movement,” she says. “Practicing Iyengar Yoga with combination of Yoga posture (Asana) and breath control (Pranayama) with consciousness with particular sequences everyday works best to both my physical and mental body.”


Despite her job nature and daily dedication to her sport of choice, Lee’s not fanatical about just doing yoga and nothing else, “Because of my job and my daily practice, over the weekend, I like to stay at home and have quality time with my partner,” she says. “Shopping in the local market for seasonal ingredients and cooking together are always the top of our to-do list.”

And, in an unrelated form of exercise, she would recommend, “Hiking,” she says. “I would recommend a hiking group in Hong Kong, so the group will hold hiking trips regularly that keeps your momentum of hiking going when you’re feeling lazy on a Sunday.”

Muk Venkataraman

If its any consolation, Muk Venkatraman wasn’t always this fit. “I was fat,” he says with his toothy grin. “Fat, fat.” But with a sojourn in the US and a calling to the health and fitness industry, the former graphic designer and artist has chucked the dull desk-job and now is a personal trainer and director from Elite Fitness and Conditioning LTD. His weapon of choice in the battle of the bulge; a kettle-bell.

“I think everyone can learn Kettlebell Sport,” he says with noticeable passion for the sport. “The sport of kettlebells is different from just the Kettlebell workout you see around in fitness magazines. True Kettlebell athletes can use their bodies to work with a selected weight for an infinite amount of time. That's the idea with our sport. We don't do sets of 10 reps and then rest. We do sets of 10 minutes and rest, while we are still working.”

The goal of the sport is to not put the kettlebells down for the allocated amount of time. “If you can jerk or snatch a Kettlebell for 10-mins without putting it down, you would have achieved a very high level of fitness. You need strength, flexibility, speed and cardio to play my sport,” he says. “If you are missing one, then it'll be a long day for you. This is why I love the sport of kettle-bells. It's the biggest bang for your buck.”

Apart from the hours spent at the gym, he recommends doing little things every day that can make a big impact in the long run, “Don't take taxis. Walk, MTR and Bus. Taxis are for lazy people in my opinion. I move as much as I possibly can. I get to the gym everyday,” he says.

Everyday. “Yes, everyday. If you believe that working out twice a week will keep you in shape but you catch a taxi to and from the gym and then you sit down all day at a desk or your couch, you're seriously deluded.”

Though of Hindu origin, this personal trainer doesn’t espouse his beliefs or subject them to others, but looks at vegetarian eating in a practical manner, “Eat only what comes from the earth. If it does not grow on a tree, plant or in the ground, don't eat it,” he says. “I avoid high acidic meats such as beef because it takes way too long for the body to break it down. I try to eat foods that are not cooked as well. The heat from cooking can take away the nutrients from your food. Eat high nutrient foods and not high calorie foods. There is a difference between calories and nutrition.”

Though a high fruit and vegetable diet informs his body, there are days off the routine, “A large pizza,” he says would be his guilty pleasure. “Top that off with an afogato (espresso and ice cream).”

Weekends are days off from the strict regiment as well. “I either do bodyweight exercise or lift the kettlebells all week. I try to eat as clean as possible everyday but hey, I'm only human right? So on Sundays I let it go a little and have some cheat food.”

Recently, Venkatraman’s seen a surprising result while changing his food habits, “I've been experimenting with a plant based diet for about a week now and the results are truly incredible,” he says. “My mental clarity is at an all time high. My energy levels are higher than in my 20s and I'm stronger than ever before. It's only been a week but I must say, this is the only way to go from now on. I've avoided all animal products except for fish once a day if that and I will continue on this until I return from Russia in May.


Indeed Venkatraman heads to the land of oligarchs for a kettlebatll championship as he represents Hong Kong. “Well, I represent myself,” he says as he ups his training to compete with the best in the league. Those large, Russian giants with their Olympian-winning ways don’t bother him.

“Everyone’s body is different," he says. "So don't try to do what someone else is doing. Do what you know. If you don't know what your doing, get a good trainer to teach you.”

Watch by Calvin Klein, boxer-briefs by Calvin Klein underwear.



Francesca von Etzdorf


For those who spend an alarming amount of time watching the idiot-box, the lovely Francesca von Etzdorf would be a familiar face, as the first runner up to the Amazing Race Asia contest. Tall, slim and striking, the former model (“it was many, many… many years ago”!) has maintained her figure by working out and practicing netball in Hong Kong.

“There is a netball season/tournament every year beginning in October and running through to April,” she says. “Matches are every Monday night and can be anywhere from the Football Club to Western Park Sports Centre or Aberdeen Outdoor Courts. It depends which team you are playing that week. Our trainings are on Wednesdays at Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.”

Though her current job s of Media Manager at the paradisiacal Aman resorts, counterbalancing her desk job means that she makes up for it by doing, “A lot of walking,” she says. “I can’t really find the motivation to get to the gym after work so if I want to do a little more exercise, other than netball, I will sometimes wake up early and go for a run along Bowen Road.”

When asked about little secrets to stay healthy, she laughs. “I’m afraid I don’t have any that’s not beyond the realm of being sensible. Little things like walking up escalators instead of standing on them. I live in the Mid-levels so that a lot of walking up escalators every day. Team sports are great as it’s a fun way to exercise without really realising how much you’re doing.”

Though she has a self-professed love for salads, Thai salads in particular, sushi and most seafood, von Etzdorf says, “I have a very strange obsession with the Snyder’s of Hanover Cheddar Cheese pretzels. There’s pretty much always a big packet of them, and a packet of Hobnob biscuits in our house at all times J Dipping biscuits in tea is one of the best things in the world.”

In her early 30s and having been in the industry that pays obeisance to the reed thin, von Etzdorf does not care for the unhealthy size-zero trend or maniacal gyming.

“My biggest find with exercise, oddly enough, is not to be too obsessed or focused on the results," she says. "When I gave up smoking a few years ago, I gained 12kgs in six months."

As the eyebrows hit the roof in suspicion, she swears, “It’s the God’s honest truth. Let’s just say that mars bars and ice cream suddenly looked really friendly! I was at the gym everyday (sometimes twice) trying to get back to my normal size and really working hard. I was doing an amazing amount of crunches, spin, pump and combat classes regularly, running for at least two episodes of Desperate Housewives on the treadmill. And constantly fixated on seeing the results. Nothing seemed to be happening. I didn’t understand it because I had never done so much exercise in my life and when I do work out I usually see effects fairly quickly.”

“One day I just told myself to let it go and stop stressing about it. If this was the way of things now, I was just going to have to accept it. After that the weight literally just seemed to fall off,” she says.

Health is wealth is the adage and if she’s dedicated weekends to the trivial pursuit of cardio currency, well, it hasn’t quiet paid off. “Um… sometimes on the weekends I contemplate thinking about going for a hike?” she says with an sly grin.

“I’m not going to lie, it doesn’t often materialize into anything beyond that. I did buy a HK hiking guide book recently though and have ventured out a couple of times and had a great time. It. Will. Happen.”

Amen.

Nicolas Pollet


As a director of a furniture design firm, Nicolas Pollet is the model of outdoor sportsman as he partakes in; “Swimming, yoga, kite surfing, kayaking and trekking”. Never a gym bunny, you’ll find him often at, “The beach!” he says. “But when in the city, I’m at Yoga Central where I practice Anahata Yoga.”

Another yogi! “But I am not fanatic about it. I like outdoor sports,” he says. Like others, he also sees the benefits of doing little things like walking short distances, taking the stairs and staying away from fast food. “But I do have my share of Nutellla, Chocolate bars, weekly BBQs. I spend time with friends, play on the beach when the weather is good, practice outdoor sports.”




More of a lifestyle than a gym-crunched retinue, Pollet will have his soup noodles cook big breakfast (“With everything, toast, Nutella, eggs, cheese, fruits, juices”) and still manage to look like a model out of the pages of GQ. “I love good food and deprive myself of nothing but, I don’t over=indulge.”

His simplest advice is, “Stay outside as much as possible,” he says. “I’d recommend that everyone try kite surfing, it is fun, challenging, friendly, technical, and you exercise without realizing it (at least for a beginner like me). And trekking. Hong Kong is heaven for medium length treks, hunt the waterfalls,” he says as he forsakes the urban jungle for, the real jungle. “Hong Kong has a very green side, find it.”

White pants, model’s own, briefs by Calvin Klein underwear.

Kate Bryan

A seemingly sedentary life, as Kate Bryan, Gallery Director at The Cat Street Gallery, mulls over copious tomes of art history, biographies of leading contemporary artists, most purveyors of the art scene in Hong Kong must have noticed how alarmingly fit this, often seated by her laptop, girl is.

“I don't play a sport per se, but I really love hiking. My husband and I love to do the whole Hong Kong trail in a day, 50K,” she says. “At the end, I would happily turn around and start again. It is such a beautiful walk and a great sense of accomplishment at the end when you hit Big Wave Bay. More than anything it is great therapy, hours of fresh air, thinking and talking. I would do it every weekend if I could.”

The rigmarole of all that entails a gym membership card was left a long time ago. “For a long time I was a gym bunny but started to find it hard to fit into my schedule and kept getting gym guilt when I didn't make it and complete boredom when I did,” she says. “So about two years ago I switched to working out at home which fit my schedule so much better and made me far more focused for some reason. On a bad day if you can just get your shorts on you know that means you are going to do it. No worry about going anywhere or packing all your stuff for the showers.”

Weights, a bench, medicine ball, stability ball and exercise DVDs of high intensity circuits, mixing cardio and strength training at her Happy Valley living room or rooftop ensure that her body is a work of art.

“I also really like the lunchtime classes at JAB, but am sad to say I just can't get there anymore due to work commitments,” she confesses. “When it is a gorgeous day I run, either around the track doing sprints or up Bowen Road for something more scenic. “

Like others, she understands the pressures of the city. “It's not always easy as there are a plethora of things conspiring to make you unfit - the weather, eating out, boozy lunches at work, hectic social life and long hours,” she says. “An average day for me at the moment is pretty good, I work out for about 30-minutes before breakfast and then walk to work which takes about 45 minutes. I am crazy healthy and have a dedicated Monday - Thursday routine. I relax a little over the weekend.”

When it comes to diet, Bryan says, “Low fat cottage cheese is magic. I have a half a tub with fruit and just a couple spoons of granola each morning and it is so filling. Also lovely snack with grapes and almonds. I also carry raw almonds with me when traveling or know I have a busy day to stop me making bad food choices.”

Not eating late at night, avoiding all processed foods, refined sugars are a given. “I genuinely think I prefer healthy food, it's just not always easy to order healthy when eating out. I would never cook anything which wasn't healthy at home. It just doesn't appeal. My go-to healthy meal is probably a massive mixed salad, which I have most days for lunch and occasionally in the evening.”

From her own cookbook, she claims, “My favourite at the moment is spinach, tuna, fresh orange segments, avocado, green beans, kidney beans and an Asian dressing made of ginger, soy sauce, lemon and chilli. I probably eat enough for a few people but I figure the nutrients are good for my hair!”

If the halo above her sun-kissed hair seems alarmingly unattainable, Bryan is quick to confess, “Prosecco and calimari are my idea of heaven and I have whenever I see them on a menu. But the ultimate has to be cheesecake, I even had a cheesecake wedding cake, three tiered with white chocolate cigarellos and fresh cascading raspberries. I only eat it once a year - on my birthday - if I wasn't so restrictive I would be the size of a house as I can eat a whole one. It's a gift and a curse.”

“I am a curvy girl and want to stay that way. For me the objective is feeling great, being super fit and not obsessing,” she concludes.

Melissa Thornton

As a dance teacher and creative director at Island Dance, but of course Melissa Thornton is in the shape of a professional athlete. This choreographer loves to move, “All styles - disco freestyle, jazz, modern and ballet. I have been fortunate enough to have the wonderful privilege to teach dance throughout Hong Kong for both professional dancers and dance students aged 3-18 yrs," she says. "I also have choreographed and staged dances for the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Chinese New Year Parade, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens and other events around Hong Kong.”

For those in the arteries of Central finding excuses more often than cabs for their arrested physical development, Thornton says, “Hong Kong is a beautiful cosmopolitan city with endless places to work out. As dancing is my profession I stay fit naturally. Also in Discovery Bay, where I live, there are so many scenic hiking spots. Something like dance (all types of dance) you can do anywhere, anytime – so hake it up!”

Her little secrets to stay healthy are easy as pie, “First and foremost, I believe that it is important to stay passionate about what you do,” she says enthusiastically. “Change it up, diversify, keep it fresh and don’t get stagnant in whatever you do.”

Fresh fruits and vegetables seem to be a common link among all our subjects and Thornton chimes in, “I recommend balancing by eating from the five food groups for people who have no food allergies. All kinds of cheeses and pate (I am a savoury girl) are my non-guilty pleasures. Because I like to cook, my comfort foods are the rich foods my mother cooked when I was growing up – roasts and casseroles.”

“I never diet and I don’t believe in dieting because when I deny myself something I find myself thinking about food more often,” she says. “Food should be consumed according to your lifestyle. Eat what you like - find a harmonious equilibrium between food and exercise.”

The same mantra follows her workout practice too. “Being a professional dancer, I could be prone to injuries. Warm ups are the key to safety is exercising. Stay consistent, don’t get lackadaisical and if you have an injury use the old RICE theory - Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate.”



Douglas Pieterse


It’s a vicious sport. Looks alarming similar to two men trying to choke each other to death but Douglas Pieterse, the personal trainer (and photographer) has been practicing the art of Brazilian Jui-Jitsu for years. At Grips Gym in Central, you’ll find him training every day. “Using a combination of conditioning training coupled with Brazilian Jui-jitsu I manage to keep my self in a somewhat respectable shape,” says the new father, who’s married to Joey Lee, Hong Kong’s former kick-boxing champion.

If ever there was a power couple, it would be Pieterse and his wife, but as Lee’s given birth five months ago, she’s born witness to her husband’s addiction to fast food. “He used to eat nothing but crap,” she laughs. “Junk food from… well, name every single fast-food joint and he’s been there. I’ve tried to change his diet and we saw results within weeks.”

“Chicken breast, broccoli and salads,” are Pieterse’s go-to healthy foods but confesses to falling off the wagon when it comes to getting fast food between his training sessions. Mercifully, he does say, “Balance is key. Don’t try to be too strict on yourself and short term as well as long term goals. Nothing worse than endlessly working towards something with no short term satisfaction to keep you a little motivated. Basically, what I like about my sport, which I’d recommend to anyone is that it gets you fit and strong while challenging you with the technical side of the sport.”


He’s seen the slew of new-year’s resolutionists come barging in… and within weeks, falling off the program. “Train hard enough that your body feels the need to adapt, always give yourself a workout that challenges the body,” he says. “Don’t start your program with such enthusiasm that you end up over-training…. and fizzle out before you really get anywhere.”

Even on weekends, Pieterse can be found practicing slow paced Jui-jitsu, but “Weather permitting, hiking around Hong Kong to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On the weekend, I also follow the 80/20 rule. Eat well 80% of the time and treat yourself 20%... but try not to binge!”

Pants model’s own, briefs by Calvin Klein underwear

UPDATE: Douglas now at http://www.r3personaltraining.com/



Also see earlier post: The making of....