Friday 28 October 2011

Ra One Premiers in Hong Kong Tonight!


As the five-day festival of Diwali reaches its zenith, a chunk of the more than 45,000-strong Indian community will be queuing outside iSquare this weekend for Ra.One – Bollywood’s first 3D, superhero flick that has been touted as the most expensive Indian film ever made.

“Not just Indians, the Japanese, Malaysian, French and local crowd will be there,” says show organiser Sunil Datwani, who has been bringing Indian films to local screens for the past 10 years. “Tickets have gone off to a flying start. It’s a movie that’s going to break barriers, a really international crowd has bought the tickets already. In sheer numbers, Bollywood is bigger than any film industry in the world.”

Bollywood heartthrob Shahrukh Khan who has been hop-scotching the planet attending premieres in Dubai, Germany and London, said: “I hope people come into the movie with no preconceived notions on a Hindi film or a superhero film. This isn’t like Spider-Man, Batman, which had a budget of US$50 million or more just for special effects alone. We’ve made [Ra.One] on a fraction of [their entire] budget – and I promise you, the audience will not be disappointed by the special effects.

“As a producer and actor, I’ve invested a lot of my own money and time. When I approached established production houses, they rejected the film. They weren’t brave enough to venture and invest into this.”

Hopefully that bravura will pay off. With 10 screenings at the weekend, Datwani hopes that, along with 3 Idiots, Bollywood will open up even more to the local community.

“I’ve paid the maximum for the film and I know the collection of this film will break records. I hope, as I go into the second decade of bringing films to Hong Kong – which I do for the love of Indian cinema – a Hindi film poster will be regularly seen in all cinemas.”


By P.Ramakrishnan
(email: ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)

Thursday 27 October 2011

Behind the label: handkerchief


Who started it? artist/designers Amy Cheung from Hong Kong and Erkka Nissinen from Finland launched their collaboration in interdisciplinary experiments in 2008. Handkerchief Productions does it all: innovative clothes, videos, architecture, graphics and installation art. "Due to our different interests, backgrounds and places of birth, we wanted Handkerchief to be a fabric on which everything creative could be drawn," says Cheung. The business was launched during the 2008 financial crisis when Cheung's father, a fabric manufacturer, asked the duo to design something using his excess cloth. His clients had cancelled a large number of textile orders due to the credit crunch, so the enterprising duo put their heads together and created Handkerchief's debut collection, Lost Queen in Metropolis.

Why we love it: apart from the "waste not, want not" factor, we're impressed by the clothes' geometric, artistic and mathematical prints, and atypical silhouettes. "We critically examined patterns and structures. We interpreted many of the key issues [of the economic crisis] as cuts, shapes, graphics and silhouettes to make a statement." Thankfully, this also translates into wearable pieces with an edgy appeal.

What we'd pick: there are too many to list, but there's something about the horizontal stripe dress (HK$2,693) and symmetric jacket (below; HK$3,489). The undulating black skirt (HK$1,958) and black geometric trousers (HK$2,209) are striking.

Where you can get it? The brand's autumn- winter collection is available online at www.handkerchief.com.hk.


Byline: P.Ramakrishnan

Pakho Chau and Kary Ng put their best (but contrasting) feet forward for Dr Martens


At the launch of First and Forever, Dr Martens men and women's collection, singers Pakho Chau and Kary Ng led a small coterie of models on a catwalk that overwhelmed The Pawn in Wan Chai.

Chau chose to pose in a rather conservative Dr Martens black leather shoe from the F/W 2011 line, while Ng rocked in a crystal-studded number.

After striking all the right poses, Ng said, if given the choice between comfort and fashion, she would pick the latter, no matter how painful. "Sadly, I am one of those girls! Even if the shoes hurt but were gorgeous, I'd wear them," she said.

"But I have to say, these shoes [a Swarovski-studded black leather boot/high-heel hybrid] are really, really comfortable. That's what the brand is most famous for - the chunky boot, but more than that, they are so comfy."

As a rock chick in a band, Ng said she had always had a pair of Dr Martens in her shoe collection over the years.

"They just go with the rocker look all the time and you can pair it with any style. I'm emotionally bonded to some of my favourite pairs of shoes.

"Even before the brand asked me to work with them, I've had a collection. I even have a favourite pair, a classic, chunky boot, that I bought back in 2005."

In an ultimate vote of confidence, Ng confessed that if there was a bridal boot (there isn't!), she would slip into them. "On a wedding day, the bride has to walk a lot and stand around so you might as well be comfortable in a Dr Marten shoe!"

By P.Ramakrishnan
(E-mail ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)

Sunday 23 October 2011

Must Read: Rama Drama!

Woo Hoo! Just got a bril-oh and surprising plug from a certain someone at Bloomberg that this littl' blog is a "HK must read".

Thrilled.

Also... no accounting for taste. Muahahahha. I self-deprecate 'cause I care. Ego, contain thyself.

Saturday 22 October 2011

Kitchen Confidential: Andrew Kinoshita


When it comes to designing the perfect kitchen, architect Andrew Kinoshita says form should follow function… with a nod to the maid.

Text by P. Ramakrishnan



Pick up Crave in newstands/all good bookstores NOW!

Thursday 20 October 2011

Jing Zhang & Rama



Have had to BITE my lip after a comment yesterday - and the muzzle lasted for all of 27 hours. A record for me. Jing and I (pictured, in a rather nautical uniform of sorts) were at an event where a rather ambitious PR rep had to resort to the most incredulous hyperbola while introducing us to a designer, "This is Jing and Rama, the two most influential fashion writers in Hong Kong."

Now, Jing, I'll concur to. After a fleeting dalliance with Kee magazine, her reign over West East (once the most notable award-winning fashion rag in the 852 that's... well, I don't know what's happening with that magazine now), Zhang is the fashion editor at South China Morning Post. As guardian of good taste and all things concerning brands, luxury and fashion in SCMP, sure, her voice, her words matter. In the grand scheme of things, the resurrection of the style quota in Style magazine, I'll grudgingly assign to Jingerz. Despite her criminal dress sense, she's got great taste in what goes into the publications she eyes over (Post mag, Style and so on).

I on the other hand...

I do a weekly column under the aegis of the house of Zhang, among other publications. I have about as much influence as the tea-lady at the office. In fact, she probably has more influence as I can be replaced with a monkey on crack, but the tea lady, well, she knows where the things are. Tea, water, kettle. Typing away on bits and bobs trying to make rent, running on a prayer and caffeine, the only influence I've had... came from a questionable bottle.

Lovvvaduck, Hong Kong, cracks me up.

PS: Is it wrong to be secretly pleased by the remark, despite the fiction involved?

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Vroom with a View


The Happy Valley Racecourse was a highly appropriate venue for Lamborghini to unveil the new Aventador LP 700-4 – a car with a top speed of 350km/h. But stationed amid a bevy of models and car fanatics on Friday night, the large V12 boy toy seemed tethered, its potential on pause.

As Albert Wong, director of Lamborghini Hong Kong, Andrea Baldi and James Page (also from Lamborghini) greeted guests, actor Sam Chan Yu-sum and actress Vivien Yeo Siew Hui were spotted on stage, while model Deborah Valdez, socialite Mira Yeh and others sauntered in to gape at the HK$6.31 million sports car. Club owner Xuan Mu was seen posing with a coterie of gal-pals and there was the usual stream of models.

Our vote for the best dressed of the night, however, goes to Yeh, decked head to toe in Lanvin. “I’d love to own my own Lamborghini, its such a beautiful, powerful car,” she said. “But I’d have mine in orange, not in white, with flames going by the side! A little too cliched? Well, maybe just in orange then.”

The Lamborghini owners’ brotherhood (there are more than 100 on Hong Kong Island alone) was out in force. If Happy Valley residents were rudely awakened by roars well into the night, it was the proud car-owning comrades leaving the event in top gear.

P. Ramakrishnan
(E-mail: ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)

Pockets of resistance


What are you actually paying for when you dine out, buy clothes or join a gym? Jasper Moiseiwitsch and P. Ramakrishnan offer a guide on how to shop smart

Hong Kong is an expensive city and Hongkongers are extravagant, so it is often tough to tell when something is good value or a waste of money. In the pursuit of truth, and better finances, industry insiders give us the lowdown on how to shop for fashion, food and fitness.


How to shop for clothes

Despite the vagaries of fashion, this is a business with super-sharp internal economics. High-end labels with stratospheric prices quickly make any discussion of value absurd so we are looking at the mid-tier market, where most of the trade is.

On the one hand, there are the stores selling basic but quality items at low prices (such as Giordano, Uniqlo, Marks & Spencer). On the other hand are those selling a trendier look using cheaper materials (such as H&M, Zara, Esprit, Mango). The compromise on quality has not stopped legions of shoppers snapping up looks straight from the catwalk.

"It's disposable fashion," says Alan See, co-owner of men's haberdashery The Armoury.

Sanjeev Mahtani, managing director of clothing manufacturer Must Garment, says: "The advent of H&M, Zara and Mango brings fashion at a really affordable price. They take the runway fashions and bring it to you in a few weeks."

Mahtani says the industry expects these fashionable garments to be worn only 20 times - a couple of times a week for one season - before being binned.

For basic-item retailers, fabric accounts for about 80 per cent of the cost of producing a garment, says Ranjan Mahtani, head of garment maker Epic Group, and the items are made to be worn for a long time.

Stock that sits around for a long time kills margins and takes up expensive rack space, which is why slow-moving merchandise is so heavily discounted. The aim is to achieve an average selling price, which involves either selling items at a high mark-up or selling at a high turnover. This means selling fewer items at the beginning of a season at their normal mark-up, and then flogging them during sales at a lower mark-up to maximise turnover, explains Mahtani of Must Garment.

Bear in mind that international chains set their sales according to a global calendar. So you, the shopper, might not celebrate Christmas but the big international retailers in Hong Kong certainly do.

That means consumers should buy early in the season at higher prices if they want to catch hot fashion items in their size and colour. If they are shopping for basics, the best time to buy is during peak seasons - such as ahead of Christmas - when sales are brisk and vendors are focused on achieving high volumes with low prices.

If you want to know whether a garment will go on sale, check to see if the shop is running out of sizes and colours. If it remains well stocked through a season, it's likely to be heavily marked down in a sale.

Insiders all recommend that shoppers go online. All the big retailers sell over the net, and often for cheaper prices than can be found at the shops.

How to negotiate gym membership

Selling gym membership is a hard-nosed business. Competition and upfront costs are enormous. Operators have to fork out on equipment, long-term leases and stylish interiors and they are routinely hit by exorbitant rent hikes. This summer, California Fitness shut down its Central club - its first Hong Kong gym - after the landlord doubled the rent.

This explains why Hong Kong clubs work so hard to sell multiyear club memberships that lock in an income stream, which offsets the risk of their lease commitments.

"Long-term memberships facilitate your cash flow," says Colin Heggie, president of California Fitness. Heggie also oversees a gym chain in the United States (24 Hour Fitness), where most people buy monthly memberships. The difference in the US is that rent is a much lower component of overall costs.

That said, a multiyear membership is not always best for the consumer. Gyms go out of business. As Hong Kong's yoga club implosion has revealed, if a club goes bust, members who have paid for lengthy plans are out of luck.

"There are no laws to protect consumers when it comes to refunds of prepaid services, and gaining a refund even under legitimate circumstances - injury, medical reasons - is very difficult," says Andrew Ward, a group manager for YMCA Victoria, in Australia, and previously a gym manager in Hong Kong.

The good news for individuals is that the gym industry in Hong Kong has become more competitive, which has translated into lower fees. The bad news is that operators have also become better at packing their gyms with customers and long-term members may have noticed a decline in standards.

"Membership fees have dropped, in stark contrast to the cost of rent, labour and utilities," says Ward of the Hong Kong market. "Operators are forced to enrol more members to break even, which, from a member's point of view, is associated with a less personal service."

When discussing a membership plan, be aware that price is often negotiable (Ward calls this "seafood pricing", meaning that a gym's prices may change daily, according to a need to increase sales). If it is, be prepared to negotiate to the hilt, because you have just become a player in a cutthroat industry.

How to buy a restaurant meal


Ever wonder why there are so many Italian restaurants sprouting up? It's because pasta is cheap and the margins on Italian food are terrific. "It's all about cash flow and margins," says a top executive of a major restaurant and owner of a popular bar.

Many restaurants suffer from crushing rents and are doing what they can to get by. That may mean focusing on high-profit items such as pasta or desserts, or using cheaper ingredients and hoping lower prices will bring in volume. For others it's gambling on high-end dining so they can charge more for drinks.

"Dessert is a revenue generator. When a [regular] customer comes in and orders a wine, starter, main course, dessert, he gets the valuable real estate. When a guy comes in for a main course and water, and leaves every time, he's getting the worst table in the house for a reason," says Harlan Goldstein, owner of Gold.

If you are looking for good cheap eats, those in the industry go for rustic Cantonese food and other provincial Chinese cuisines, plus Indian and Thai.

The pricing dynamics vary for restaurants at five-star hotels. These use luxury restaurants to add glamour to the hotel, and some of their costs are bundled into the whole operation and may therefore be subsidised. They will also tend to use expensive imported ingredients so their food costs are well above the industry average.

These places make their money on wine and drinks. The mark-up on a nice bottle of Bordeaux might only be 25 per cent. But here, diners may order HK$15,000 bottles of wine. On that note be advised: even an entry level HK$350 bottle of wine at such places is likely to be good.

For high-end dining at a lower price, go for a set lunch menu, often much cheaper than evening prices and with less pressure to order wine.

It goes without saying that rental pressures drive this industry, too. Cheaper rents saw the scene move into SoHo just over a decade ago; now it's moving to Sheung Wan for the same reason. Diners see a lot of turnover and might rue the closure of a favoured eatery, but high rents are part of what makes Hong Kong's eating scene so dynamic.

But why does a cup of coffee vary greatly price for what is essentially the same drink (coffee beans, water, milk and sugar)?

"You're not just buying a product. You're buying everything affiliated with [it]," says Richard Feldman, chairman of the Mimosa Group and owner of Al's Diner. "The rent of the table space, the decor, the ambience, the pretty people sitting across at another table - it's the full package."



Byline: Jasper Moiseiwitsch and P. Ramakrishnan

Behind the label: Palmiero


Who started it? jeweller Carlo Palmiero (left) set up his eponymous company in Valenza, Italy, in 1979, working with other companies to create stunning pieces while building his own reputation as a craftsman. As a child, Palmiero was surrounded by experts who taught him the art of jewellery-making as he was growing up in this small municipality in Piedmont, where most of the population was involved in the business of bling. Fame and fortune in the competitive world of luxury jewellery came slowly but surely for Palmiero, and, in 2000, he launched Palmiero Jewellery Design, to focus on his own creative designs.

Why we love it: for the art of its artefacts. Palmiero's latest, animal-inspired collection resembles bejewelled sculptures. Peacocks, spider webs and an array of other items encrusted in coloured diamonds and other precious stones blend the stunning with the sumptuous. The cuteness factor of the baby animal pendants is off the charts, but we prefer the more mature, nature-inspired pieces.

What we'd pick: the gold and diamond-studded Giullari pendant, and the artful peacock ring and pendant (both right; prices on request). Motifs of the colourful pea fowl have used as symbols of royalty and beauty, and these pieces stand out with complex designs and artful arrays of coloured stones. The Giullari pendant could stand alone as an objet d'art - a satirical, irreverent piece that's bound to bemuse and amuse.

Where can you get it? Palmiero is available at Masterpiece by King Fook, Central Building, 1 Pedder Street, Central, tel: 2822 8524.

Sunday 16 October 2011

De-Lightful: Indian author in Hong Kong: Iconic Shobhaa De


How do you solve a problem like Shohbaa De? How do you catch a cloud and pin it down? How do you hold a moon-beam in your hand? Before further waxing lyrical, I must cease and desist. All those pilfered words from the Sound of Music – although, rest assured, Shobhaa De is no Maria, nun-turned mother of seven, more of a model turned mother of six/author.

By P. Ramakrishnan.
(ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)
Portrait by Lucy McNally
Other images: Gautam Rajadhyaksha.


A devilish Goddess. All those columns, the 17 books… you know she’s hiding more arms under sheaths of sari like the multi-armed Durga.

Trying to capture Shobhaa De, 63, is near-impossible and gets harder with each passing year. A Vogue-cover girl (last season) turned grandmother (this year) and possibly the most prolific writer on the planet (four national daily columns, TV and screen writer and she’s pregnant with her 18th book!) who was also voted as one of the most influential women in one-billion peopled India.

A shoot at Hong Kong's best kept secret, Jaa Bar, followed by a chat. But it takes a greater man than I to re-capture De for Kee, so why not let the dear woman speak for herself? Politics, fashion, society, Bollywood, media, corruption, there isn’t a topic she isn’t well versed in. Ergo:

In her own words…Shobhaa De;

To the Goddess in every woman!

There is a picture online that means a lot to me. It was shot by my son-in-law Pramod, in Pune, a few months ago. My very own Goddesses, my daughters Anandita, Avantikka and Arundhati and me standing together, looking really, really happy - but their mum looks the happiest!

I have to tell you, I was in top form this morning. It definitely felt good to be featured as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in India by the national newspaper, but it was my husband who made my day when he said, "When I married you.... you were already 'The Woman of Tomorrow' .... not just 'The Woman of Today'."

I take that as a supreme compliment and want to tell him, by marrying me, he also established his own credentials as 'The Man of Tomorrow - not Today!"

How times have changed. Or have they?

Aji, my mother’s mother, was a tough, taciturn woman who had pretty much led a joyless existence. Widowed fairly early and left with four children (three daughters and a solitary son) to raise on her own, she was clearly not enchanted by members of her own gender.

Females to her, meant trouble. And expense. Yes, during that era daughters could indeed be described as ‘liabilities’. My mother raised three daughters and a son herself. But my mother’s life was qualitatively different from my grandmother’s. And I like to believe her daughters brought her a great deal of joy.

I have raised four daughters and two sons myself. As we move ahead into the fourth generation, my thoughts keep going back to Aji and her barely disguised hostility towards her own gender. How would she have reacted to the birth of her great grand daughter?

What would she have made of this generation of young, urban mothers in India who actively pray for a girl-child? Not because these moms wish to be politically correct and project their progressive views. Not because they want to ‘fix’ the mother-in-law by producing a baby girl when the family is craving for a grand son, but because they genuinely like their own gender, are happy being female and actually appreciate other women.

It’s about having a positive self-image. Apart from any of these reasons, the fact of the matter is, their husbands too feel good about raising daughters. This dramatic change in attitude is not based on sentimentality alone. Today’s forward thinking parents have recognized the value of daughters in real terms. Women no longer spell trouble (well…they do! But those reasons are different).

Investing in a daughter often turns out to be a sounder, smarter investment than backing a son. Daughters offer better long term returns. Daughters deliver!

This is true not just of urban India where women in the workforce are contributing equally if not more to the family kitty (first, to their maternal homes and later, their in-laws’) but pretty much across the board. Rural India will take another decade to wake up to this new financial asset. But even there, the scenario is rapidly changing.

Take a look at your domestic help. Most families prefer to employ women these days, especially as live–in staff. Afraid of being robbed or murdered by male domestics, urban families willingly pay the top buck for trained maids. These young girls send back a handsome portion of their salaries to their parents in the village, while systematically saving what they can for their own future.

In a city like Mumbai with its vast population of working women who commute , good house help is a life saver. A semi-literate girl can earn up to Rs 8,000 [roughly HK$1,400] a month (salaries go up substantially if she can also read, write, take phone messages and keep accounts). Her folks back in the village understand the value of her contribution only too well. And that automatically leads to a better ‘positioning’ for her, within the family, as well as the community at large. With a financial backbone to support her, today’s young female careerist is better valued and in a far better position to leverage her skills to negotiate and engage with the outside world. Sure.

The statistics aren’t exactly encouraging – only 23% of India’s workforce constitutes women and we rank 112th in the global gender gap index, with less than 3% holding managerial posts. Despite these daunting figures, one can sense enormous optimism as women negotiate for better options, more opportunities. Not for nothing are women identified as natural born survivors. Inventive, resourceful and tough – is there a choice??

All these thoughts were flying around inside my head, when I spent hours outside a busy maternity ward last week. Several rooms had cheerful streamers and posters stuck on the door declaring, “It’s a GIRL!” I watched proud dads taking extensive videos of their newborns – baby girls included!

And I recalled the pall of gloom that once greeted the arrival of ‘yet another daughter’ in most traditional families. Absurd as it sounds, when I gave birth to my daughter Arundhati, a grand- aunt ‘consoled’ me by saying, “Never mind… don’t feel bad…. try for a son next time.”

Imagine then, my unbridled pride when Arundhati herself became an aunt this week and shed tears of joy when she held the newest female addition to our family.

I shudder to think how my Aji would have reacted. Perhaps no differently than she did when I was born. Yes, I was told my grand mother had cried copious tears as well. But her tears were different - they reflected her deep disappointment and sorrow ( “Hey Devaa…. another grand daughter…. why? For what? God is punishing us…”).

Fortunately, my parents had felt differently… and I was saved!

We have indeed come a long way. And may our triumphant march continue…

Kick up your heels…

Fashion is a strange and compelling creature. At a time when the world was reeling from those horrific images of the devastating tsunami/earthquake coming in from Japan and wondering whether TV channels were actually showing clips from a forthcoming disaster blockbuster from Hollywood, here in Mumbai, young Japanese designers were bravely going ahead with their scheduled shows at the ongoing fashion week.

Their gravity- defying shoes (minus heels!) must have knocked the socks off the fashionistas in the front row. Wow! Japan has always favoured futuristic fashion and the young designers representing Tokyo eye certainly carried this tradition forward. But it was really amusing to note that the biggest celeb around on Day 2, was not a Bollywood hottie, nor an international rockstar, but a middle-aged, portly West Indian ex-cricketer!

Viv Richards effortlessly stole the limelight and made front page news when he attended his daughter Masaba’s show, with his former wife, Indian actress Neena Gupta. Not only did the publicity generated by the ageing legend establish the power of cricket, but it also revealed our own sentimentality - we felt genuinely happy for Masaba, who looked over the moon herself!

For a young girl growing up without her famous dad must have been pretty traumatic, especially since both parents were high profile individuals. The initial buzz generated by Masaba at her fashion debut a couple of years ago, had a lot do with people’s curiousity about her persona. Had the girl not been talented, her foray into this tough and competitive business would have ended right there. The reason Masaba succeeded is because she has what it takes to hack it in this field.

She also has the one thing most newcomers lack – a signature style that differentiates her from the pack. One can tell a Masaba from a mile …that says something about her confidence and individuality.

As for the rest – yaaaaawwwwnnn! The one fashion trend that needs to be instantly discarded is the floor length anarkali which makes the wearer resemble a moving tepee. Short women looking still shorter, the rest look like fancy, over decorated tents.

The other unflattering addition to a pretty long list of ‘ugh’ looks being thrust on unsuspecting women is the Granny-blouse with fitted three quarter length sleeves and a wide neckline. Come on, chaps… only mother-figures in Bollywood movies was entitled to wear that as she wept her eyes out inside a temple.

As for the attempt to impose sexless androgyny on clients – why would a beautiful, curvaceous woman wish to look like an anorexic, adolescent boy? Why?

Or the other way round, for that matter? Great, for shock value. But for fashion to endure, to be appreciated, worn and enjoyed, it has to go beyond gimmicks…. and starlets as show stoppers. But hey – who knows??

Last week, I fell off my chair when I saw full page coverage of a Delhi wedding with the hosts clad in gaudy, heavily embroidered anarkalis, complete with zari bordered chiffon dupattas (fabrics). And we are talking about two heavy weight (literally!) political players, here! The canny designer must have laughed all the way to the bank after pulling off this garish con job on those Money Bags.

In the words of Pusscat Dolls and Oscar-winner AR Rehman, Jai Ho!

Own up…. and be damned!

Since India is in Confession Mode – starting with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - let’s all start ‘owning up’. Ummmm…. let me think…. I once stole a mango from someone’s garden. Oh yes, a guava, too. And I threw ink bombs on my French teacher. I also bunked classes constantly. Crashed other people’s cars. Pinched menu cards from fancy restaurants. Rang the fire alarm at school. Rode bikes without my parents’ knowledge. Wore lipstick and kohl at age twelve. Rang doorbells, harassed neighbours, made prank calls to a couple of Italian blokes…. all this before I turned fourteen.

Broke a few hearts, too. Had my mine broken. What else? What else?

Oh…. a lot more. But , on looking back, I realise I was pretty stupid. Not only did I get caught every single time, I also received punishment (often, far harsher than the crime committed). Worse, when I behaved still more stupidly and owned up, I got thrashed. I knew what every child knows – owning up is a pretty dumb thing to do, if you imagine there will be zero consequences. The rash act of owning up comes with an important assumption – it automatically means you are ready to face the music and take what follows on the chin. That could involve standing outside the classroom for hours on end. Writing a thousand lines, getting rusticated, not wincing when the cane makes contact with bare skin. You know, the usual torture that follows school confessions.

But obviously, our ministers have rewritten the old rules. The latest fad is to play martyr and ‘own up’. But after this brave and reckless gesture – what?

Apparently, nothing! It is as if having uttered those impressive words (“I am willing to own up,” said our pious P.M. earlier this week), the matter automatically ends right there. Game over. Boys and girls, go home and play…. or pray. The mighty leader has admitted his lapses. We should applaud and be grateful.

What rubbish!

Come on… this is nothing but theatrics. That too, on a pretty amateurish level. Is it enough to say sorry and not follow up the apology with action (please note: I did not say ‘resignation’). If someone in a position of great power has indeed had the guts and gumption to admit a mistake was made, the next logical thing to do is to rectify it. Or at least pretend! But no.

In India it begins and ends with the person uttering those meaningless ‘magic’ words – I confess. Since the P.M . is responsible for this trend, we are waiting for the real culprits to follow suit. Will they? Not a chance.

No wonder fraudster Hassan Ali Khan (alleged money-launderer based in India and worth over US$9 billion) or is not just smirking in court and muttering ‘stupid people’ under his breath as some of those bumbling officers of the Enforcement Directorate get ticked off by Justice Tahilyani like they were errant school kids (“Do your homework” said the learned judge).

Meanwhile, India is left grappling with the numbers being tossed around – who can understand Income Tax arrears – ARREARS – of Rs.72,000 million ( larger than the nation’s Health Budget)? The ‘common man’ (yup , the very same chap our P.M. wants to impress) is unable to comprehend a thing. All he or she is interested in knowing is this – will the bounder be punished? Will he sing? Name names?

Or…. errrr… own up?? Since it’s so cool to do so these days, why not?

The trouble with confessionals is that after a point, they lose their emotional power to generate sympathy. And unless these public confessions are followed through, they remain hollow and pointless. A massive book on contemporary confessions would be fascinating to read, because such outpourings are engineered to elicit specific responses. When powerful people admit weaknesses, their words make us feel a little better about our own miserable lives ….our petty concerns.

George Bush Jr., quite possibly one of the most detested Presidents of America has surprised the public by admitting to quite a few gaffes. It may well have been his intention to influence American opinion and present a more human side to his crazy Presidency.

Obama is definitely not in the mood to soften his position. While Gaddafi and Mubarak continue to rave and rant even as the world unites against their tyrannical regimes.

The ugly truth behind most of the recent confessions is that those going in for them are doing so with their backs against the wall. It’s that route – or else. But it certainly does not make them honourable men, nor does it exonerate them. It should be seen for what it actually is – a ploy to buy time and fix things.

Society

I have been feeling really, really sorry for all the fashionistas on Page 3 – from sexy starlets to swish socialites. Going by the barbs of reporters on the fashion beat, the worst crime any celeb can commit these days is to repeat a handbag, climb into the same pair of shoes (or, more aptly, Choos), and horror of horrors, wear the same outfit twice!

Since I am far too lazy to switch bags, and I tend to get inordinately attached to the same pair of comfortable sling backs, worse, I am also perfectly happy to keep wearing old favourites from my wardrobe, I worry about those ladies who agonise over their appearance each time they step out ( hell hath no fury like the fashion police).

I asked a prominent socialite who’d recently posed for a glossy, inside her walk- in closet ( the size of an airport), what she did with her once-worn designer gear. Without batting an eyelid, she said, “ I give my clothes to poor people.” So, the next time you see a flower-seller at a traffic signal clad in a discarded Versace near Mumbai airport, you’ll know where that hot number come from! God bless the socialite’s kind heart.

The Godzilla called Bollywood

It’s official : Bollywood rules. Bollywood to the right of you. Bollywood to the left of you. Bollywood, Bollywood everywhere! Bollywood has grown into a monster that has devoured every conceivable space in sight – from fashion , sports, media, society, lifestyle, politics… you name it and it’s right there. In your face? You bet! Nothing else matters. And nobody comes anywhere close to competing with our super glam stars – not even our super-super glam socialites who once held sway as undisputed empresses of all they surveyed – which was mainly, men with money.

These fading Divas stood for all that was aspirational, desirable, sexy. Today, it’s Bollywood or bust…. and to hell with Mrs. Money Bags and those stylish parties that used to be the hottest ticket in town. Today, these same ladies are the ones chasing Bollywood royalty.

When did this surreptitious palace coup take place? Why? How? By whom? And what will happen to our society swans if nobody bothers with them anymore?

Okay, let’s get a quick fix first – Delhi was always hopelessly Bollywood-struck, even back in those days when national calamities saw film stars getting roped in to raise funds (to the film industry’s credit, all those invited to contribute time, effort and money, did so generously and won the hearts of their audience forever).

But what one witnesses in Delhi today is unadulterated hysteria – a demented level of obsession - over any and every Bollywood name (zero quality control in the Capital) with brazen groupies from government and corporate backgrounds getting orgasmic at the thought of hanging out and most importantly, being clicked with minor filmi types.

The only topic of conversation that gets Delhi people going is Bollywood gossip, especially if it involves ‘The Bitches of Bandra’ (that’s what this high profile gal gang of spoilt filmi wives calls itself with unadulterated pride) and ‘The Gay Club’ featuring top directors and their toy boys.

The questions rarely go beyond, “Is it true that so-and-so is doing that slut?” And yes, ‘slut’ is now a unisex putdown….or a term of endearment - take your pick!

The Bollywood onslaught started with stars taking over the modeling world and ad agencies opting for Bollywood biggies over top models. If in the old days, only a Vinod Khanna would be seen bathing with Parmeshwar Godrej’s Cinthol soap, today there is hardly any product category left that does not hire movie stars to peddle its wares.

Ditto for show stoppers at fashion shows. Clients insist the returns are there for all to see – brands which sign on top stars , see sales figures going through the roof within months. Designers with zero talent establish their credentials as soon as a nubile starlet struts down the cat walk in one of their hideous creations.

From chewing tobacco to snazzy cars, from booze to balms – Bollywood is the flavour of the decade. Which is why it comes as no surprise that event managers, party organizers and those dodgy ‘charity queens ( whose favourite charity is themselves!)’ from both cities fervently court Bollywood, knowing that without the stars , they won’t make it to Page 3 or even Page 30.

It’s turned out to be a win-win situation for everybody. Not a single medium has been spared the ultra- aggressive Bollywood attack – not even Bollywood’s arch rival - television!

The top ranking shows feature most of the Khans, plus Amitabh Bachchan. Less prestigious reality shows thrive on the presence of B-grade upstarts to C-grade imports from Pakistan. All the mighty movie stars who’d once sniffed derisively at the idea of appearing on the small screen are lining up in droves, attracted by the mega bucks being thrown their way by canny channel heads.

That leaves politics – India’s alternative entertainment show. Somehow Bollywood has still to crack the big time in national politics.

The few who dared to venture into this murky terrain came away wounded (Amitabh Bachchan being the best example). Others who flirted with politics, realized soon enough that histrionics and politics are not the best combo.

Perhaps we should consider ourselves lucky that at least one key territory (politics) remains Bollywood -free so far.

For soon the business of sports will be entirely swamped by Bollywood as well… and before long , so will real estate (most successful builders are happy to act as fronts for movie stars).

Ironical that the very film industry that was once looked down upon and shunned by true blue snobs, is being actively courted by the same lot and their party loving folks who are best buddies with the ‘cool set’ in Bollywood. That leaves just our snooty private clubs and gyms, most of which refuse to entertain stars as either members or guests.

Plus, a few building societies which just about stop short of putting up signs reading: ‘Stars and dogs not allowed’. Pity. Imagine living cheek-by-jowl with someone as hot and adventurous as our Miss World turned actress Priyanka Chopra.

What else do you need in life?

Errrrrr…. a reality check, perhaps?

-- Shobhaa De.

For daily updates, visit http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/



NOTES:

When Shobhs landed in Hong Kong, was thrilled to get her call. Took her to Jaa, had high-tea at 4 seasons, dinner at Tsui Wah, cocktails at Sevva. The Des, Dilip and Shobhaa, saw House of Dancing Water in Macau, attended an auction, a dinner in their honour, did some serious shopping. All within four days. Whirlwind.

In between got a feature in SCMP, a quickie shoot at Jaa bar, a feature in Kee magazine.

Because she's such a prolific and excessively hard-working writer, it sort of eclipses all others. Makes you want to wipe the dust off and get crackin'. For those who are dismissive of De, and there are those foolish few, I promise you, she can leave you in a tizzy for there isn't a topic she isn't well versed in. When this feature was assigned, it was exhausting just trying to pull it all together into one cohesive feature. Hence, quote, unquote De.

Did I take the easy way out? Sure. But there was a deadline to be met - and if there's one thing I've learned from her, its the significance/priority of a deadline. She's idiot intolerant, doesn't suffer fools and excuses make her sick. So I met this deadline. Not that I'm always able to meet them on other occasions but... I try harder post-De.

-- Rama

Monday 10 October 2011

Behind the label: Wilbur & Gussie


Who started it? Childhood friends Brett Tyne (pictured bottom left) and Lucy Lyons (bottom right) founded Wilbur & Gussie in London in 2005, creating a line of whimsical clutch bags with elegant brooch fastenings, animal prints and nature-inspired colour schemes. The Spanish-made bags are reasonably priced and, with their eye-popping colours and tongue-in-chic motifs, have caught the eye of several fashionistas. The brand name comes from pets the British designers had as children.

"Regal mongrel cat Wilbur reflects what's elegant and refined about us, and Gussie, the strong minded Westie, mirrors what's bold and off-the-wall," says Lyons.

Why we love it: the right mix of fun and adventurous, the brand's clutches have been making frequent appearances in magazines such as Hello. Pippa Middleton, sister of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, has been seen about town with the W&G clutch, which has also been seen adorning the arms of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and pop stars Sarah Harding and Geri Halliwell.

What we'd pick: for its simplicity and functionality, the Edith Black Bug clutch (top left; HK$3,300) and, for its lush animal appeal, the Edith Leopard (bottom left; HK$2,990). The heavy metal orgy of skulls and roses (centre left; HK$3,300) is also worth a look.

Where can you get it: Wilbur & Gussie is available at Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388.



Byline: P. Ramakrishnan

Hugo Boss Party in Hong Kong: The boss Orange Shop opens in Asia

Any colour will do so long as it's orange for fashion brand marking its anniversary 

The Boss Orange shop in the IFC Mall morphed into a music venue when the brand celebrated its first anniversary in style and song. Musician Jun Kung and actor, VJ and singer Terence Yin Chi-wai exercised their vocal chords on Friday for a shop full of fans both of the brand and the band. 

It was a high-voltage event that brought together rockers and fashionistas such as models Grace Wong, Lisa Selesner, Chrissie Chau Sau-na and Ankie Beilke, who flanked Dr Gerrit Ruetzel, Hugo Boss' chief executive for the Asia-Pacific region, for the cameras. Actor Daniel Wu Yin-cho, hip hop group 24Herbs, Charles Yang and other fine folk from the popular Alive Not Dead art and media network made their presence felt. Yin, one of the founders of Alive Not Dead, attracted a steady stream of fans. 

On a whim, Kung took to speaking like Donald Duck. When Yin quipped to Kung, "I prefer this to your normal voice," the audience raised the roof. Between servings of orange-themed canapes and German beer, guests were treated to the premiere of the music video for Yin's new EP, Transparent, directed by Jan Lamb Hoi-fong. The cover was shot by highly acclaimed artsy photographer Wing Shya. In the video, Yin and Grace Wong are sporting clothing by Boss Orange (no surprise there). 

Byline: 
P. Ramakrishnan (ramakrishnanp@Hotmail.com) 

October 5, 2011

Friday 7 October 2011

Guru of Happiness draws in Crowds


If you’re run into a few people who seem to have had a weight lifted off their shoulders, it might be because they’ve had an audience with Avdhoot Baba Shivanand, who’s been preaching in Hong Kong this week. The Indian guru’s talks feature a non-religious sermon. (No, that’s not a contradiction in terms).

“I am not espousing a religion of any sort,” Baba Shivanand said. “I just want to share my learning, the teachings of ancient arts and scriptures that have to do with a lifestyle to bring inner peace and happiness. I preach about humanity. Whether you’re Christian, Hindu, Muslim, that’s of no concern to me. I preach happiness, light, of the divine not of deity.”

More than 1,000 people have attended his talks each night since Monday. “In the early days, I used to find it easier to address foreign [Western] audiences as they were a blank slate, no preconceived notions and no belief system. They were or are in search of something.”

So what are they in search of? “The one thing I’ve found in my travels, from any part of the world, whether they be rich or poor, it all boils down to, ‘how can I be happy?’ Whether it’s a better job, more money, better health, mankind is essentially in search for joy.”

So, can money buy happiness in capitalist place like Hong Kong? “No, but happiness can buy you money!” he said with a laugh. “Well ... it can help create money. Work hard, work well and do it with joy, and the money will naturally follow.”

Avdhoot Baba Shivanand’s last free talk, in English, is tonight (Fri) at Kitec, Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, 6pm-9pm.


P. Ramakrishnan

Thursday 6 October 2011

Outtakes from Spot the Dots



Outtakes from a shoot done earlier today with Leila, Steph, Karen and Dorota.

Gorgeous much?!

Photography: Leila Cranswick
Stylist: Stephanie Holding Shah
Hair and Makeup: Karen Yiu
Model: Dorota Menard at Models International (HK).



Tuesday 4 October 2011

Behind the label: Young&restless


Who started it? Stylist-turned-designer Ashburn Eng created young&restless just over a year ago, after years of dolling out advice to designers on how to amplify their looks with a cut here and a dash of colour there. Eng says he wants his avant-garde, ready-to-wear clothes to deliver a strong feminist statement. Anthems of female solidarity, ranging from Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want To Have Fun to Beyonce's Run The World, inspired Eng's latest collection for the "free-spirited, confident and unpretentious woman, who is sophisticated yet bold enough to daydream".

Why we love it: according to the website, it's "underground luxury with distinctive urban aesthetics", but we love the geometry of it. It's a return to the "Japonaiserie" movement of the 1980s, with inventive shapes and monochrome tones, only with a looser and lighter silhouette, using sheer, silk chiffon and modal jersey in black, white, stone grey and metallic shades.

"I was mainly inspired by the fusion of good and evil spiritual forces," says Eng. "This collection illustrates an extension of my interest in spiritual and austere elements, [as] evident in the monastic looks."

Young&restless was the only Asian label to present a collection at the 30th edition of Modefabriek's Next and Cutting Edge show in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in January.

What we'd pick: for the bold and the dutiful, the suit dress (left; HK$2,280), with its conservative facade but edgy cut, does the trick. The trapezoid top (HK$1,199) and high-waisted jeans with handkerchief drape (both above; HK$1,559) hit all the right angles.

Where can you get it? Young&restless is available at www.young-and-restless.com.


Published in Post mag on Oct 02, 2011

By P.Ramakrishnan
(ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)

Monday 3 October 2011

My life: Shreya Ghoshal: Accomplished Singer of note and Reality TV Show Winner is The Voice of Youth


One of Bollywood's most recognisable voices talks to P. Ramakrishnan ahead of her scheduled performance last night at PolyU, Hong Kong. 


FIRST NOTES
Although I first became known as a singer through Sa Re Ga Ma [an early Indian version of American Idol] as an 11-year-old, I'd been singing since I started talking. I learned from my parents - we are a very musically and culturally aware family. Though our family is Bengali, my childhood memories are of growing up in Rawatbhata in Rajasthan. It's in a remote area and cut off from the township, so I was surrounded by a lot of traditional and cultural activities. We had no connections to show business - my family is full of scientists and engineers- but my parents were very encouraging about my interest in music. One of my earliest memories is singing in a hall when I was about five. My teacher took me to this boring concert and asked me to sing a song from a film. I sang Aur Iss Dil Mein Kya Rakha Hai ["what else is in my heart?"] and the entire audience burst into applause after just two lines. I'll never forget that moment - it was like the first experience of love, but from an audience. My father wanted me to be properly trained as a singer. To him, this was more important than fame and fortune. My family values education and academic achievement above all, so when I got to Mumbai, in 1997, I focused on learning. I wasn't looking for fame or glamour, unlike millions who come to Mumbai to make it in the film industry. I had no aspirations to be in cinema and I still don't.

REALITY CHEQUE

In Mumbai, I took lessons from legendary musical director Kalyanji and also learned about classical Indian music. The belief that Mumbai is all about pop songs and Bollywood is wrong- there are many incredible teachers in the city. I think learning is a constant process, even if I don't go to one particular guru anymore. I still practise, but not every day; with concerts, recordings and shooting for the TV show [as a judge on India's X Factor], I'm happily but constantly busy. The main difference I notice between youngsters of today and from when I was an aspiring singer is the level of confidence. The amount of intelligence and presence on stage now is incredible. Even while still in their teens they know how to win over an audience. But there's also an innocence lost, the beauty of naivety has gone as the current generation is fed on reality TV, which didn't exist when I was growing up. When I see parents trying to groom a child for stardom, sometimes it's a bit too much. The new generation doesn't seem to know the wonder of music, they aren't seeking enlightenment, there's no appreciation of how profound music can be. Now it's all about ratings, concerts and money. When I was a kid, I didn't do concerts for big pay cheques.

THE FAME GAME

My life changed after producer/director Sanjay Leela Bhansali discovered me on television. He came to our house and offered me an opportunity to sing in his magnum opus Devdas [2002], the biggest musical at the time. I was going to be a playback singer [providing pre-recorded vocals] for the beautiful Aishwarya Rai. I couldn't believe it. The songs were rooted in classical music and I was thrilled. At the time, Aishwarya was facing a lot of flak in the media and a lot of rumours and gossip, but she was so unaffected by it that I feel I learned something from her - to ignore the riff-raff. I've learned not to read any press about myself, good or bad. I've never been a victim of malicious gossip - well, if I have, I'm blissfully ignorant. I've never had a PR person. I've never wanted to be on a scroll on a newsreel. I'm not a manipulator of self-publicity and have stayed rooted to my family and music. I hope my singing alone will bring me all that I deserve.

MUMBAI MAYHEM

Although I'm just 27, I feel old. I've seen so much. But those who say I haven't had to struggle are exaggerating. My father ran from pillar to post in the early days. My family faced troubles that I wish to wipe from my memory, as I don't want to mull on the past. Songs that were promised, payments that were never made, songs I sang that other people ended up recording over, I've seen it all. I do remember the people who treated me badly, but I forgive and try to forget. I think I've grown a bit thick-skinned after my years in Mumbai. In this industry, if you aren't strong, you'll get eaten up. After all my rounds on the reality shows, the performances, the applause, the concerts, the struggle began after reality TV. Gaining success was easy, maintaining it was not. Although doing concerts and performing on stage is great fun- especially with audience interaction - true Indian music is not about performance. There's a belief in our culture that music is for personal and divine growth, a form of spirituality that makes us one with the lord. When I study and practise classical music, I close my eyes and sing for no one but me. There's a certain magic to that, which is lost on the new generation. With certain kinds of reality shows - with their dramatic cuts and staged wars- the new generation is being prevented from developing a voice to find this form of divinity.

REEL LIFE

I've been offered roles in films but I've turned every one of them down. When I met the great Indian actress Rekha, she grabbed my face and told me that I must do films. Another time I was recording a song in Chennai and a producer said I reminded him of legendary Indian actress Sridevi- I love her, but I don't think it was a valid comparison. [Bhansali] jokes with me that we'll make a film, but as my mentor and guardian I know he won't. I won't sacrifice my music - and doing films would take me away from music. I've worked hard for everything I've achieved. I won't be a mediocre actress when I can be a good singer.


See earlier features:

Professionally Speaking


A career change might give you the flexibility and drive you've been looking for. But do your homework before entering a new field, writes P. Ramakrishnan. (ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)

ON PAPER HER CAREER AND lifestyle were sterling. Five years at a top law school with impeccable grades and honours from an Ivy League university led to her being hand-picked by a top firm. As expected, a substantial salary and bonus along with annual holidays to luxurious destinations such as Tuscany followed. The years of experience made her a shoo-in for partnership, but a decade into a profession as a litigation lawyer at a top law firm, she changed career and entered the recruitment industry. While initially settling for less pay, she is happier than ever.

Capricious and whimsical? Hardly. Annie Tang is an example of many women who, after much thought and research, change careers.

"It's common for successful women to shift their career gears even when they are doing well," says Louisa Yeung, a director at Michael Page International. "Women in general will put a higher priority on family. My reason for making a switch from professional to recruitment [Yeung is also a qualified accountant with nine years experience] was mainly because I want to have my own family.

"Professional life is too demanding and pressurised and I wanted to strike a healthy balance between career and family life. So I made the change."

While the money thrown around by rival firms can cause companies to lose their top women, career changes are not always money related. Joanne O'Reilly, an associate director, Banking and Legal department of Michael Page, says: "From a banking perspective, I've seen experienced lawyers/transactions people move to control/risk roles which have less volatile hours. The existing skill set is highly transferable and while the base salary numbers are not widely different, the discretionary bonuses would be quite a bit less. Several of our experienced hires at Michael Page were professional accountants, operations people - for example, settlements, trade support, client services - and lawyers who made the transition to professional recruitment."

In a mercenary society such as Hong Kong, more-work-less-pay might seem a contradiction in terms but O'Reilly says: "Often the driving factors behind these moves relate to consistence in hours, reduced travel, more control over workload, the ability to undertake some work from home/off-site, the ability to balance family commitments, while still retaining a reasonable salary/total compensation in return."

So what are the first steps to take when you want to change? As the adage goes, look before you leap.

Erika Humby, from Talent2 Recruiting firm, lists a 12-step programme but the initial plan of action is simple: "If you've been in the same job for many years and are looking for a career change, the first thing to do is talk to a career counsellor or a good recruiter, research the new area you are looking to move into, make sure you understand all the pros and cons of the new area, position and any companies you are looking to target," Humby says

Being prepared and aware are key, and although your own company need not know that you're looking at the exit sign, some key advisers do, says Humby. "Know what steps you need to take to get where you want to go and talk to people in the new industry to get a good idea about what it's like. Be confident that you can make the change and write a plan of action with what steps you need to take to be successful."

Tang says a professional move is rarely an overnight decision after a bad week at work. "It wasn't on a whim. There are a few people, for personal reasons, who change career course 10 to 15 years into their job, when they achieve a lot and think, 'This isn't what I really want'."

She says this thought is common and does not mean a mid-life or mid-wife crisis. Career goals are often etched out at a young and naive age and once you've attained all you've set out to do, the yearning for more remains. "I was seeking different challenges, I wanted more people interaction. I was that lawyer swamped with paperwork and working long hours - which I didn't mind in the beginning. But the work became quite repetitive and routine. There wasn't much of a challenge. I really wanted a change."

And change she did. She took charge of her life by doing research, making sure she was financially secure, asking and meeting the right people and hitting her target. "Although I'm not a lawyer, I knew a lot of people in the field and know the ins-and-outs of the business. With my list of contacts and industry know-how, and my desire to work with people, the new job as a recruiter for law firms is ideal. It's worked out well for me."

Others choose to take time off and study instead of immediately shifting into a new office. According to Humby, looking at educational programmes that relate to your new career is fine but MBAs are not always necessary. "It depends on where you are looking to go and what you want to do. An MBA is great to have but they're a lot of work and expensive, so make sure you have the basics first."

Anthony Thompson, managing director of Michael Page International (Hong Kong & Southern China), says: "MBAs are not essential but can sometimes be advantageous. While no one needs to start from scratch, they must be realistic in that a career change will often entail a pay reduction - but this is a short-term issue and if they are committed to their new career direction they will be rewarded."

Resigning from your current company isn't inevitable or obligatory. "If you've been working in the same role for 10-15 years, there's a good chance you enjoy working with your employer and have a good relationship. People should investigate options to change their career within that organisation because their employer may facilitate this and assist with supportive training. The other benefit is they will be more likely to maintain their salary level this way as opposed to taking a career change pay cut by going to another employer."

Being practical and realistic is the overwhelming message. "If you're an HR manager and want to be a fighter pilot, then obviously it will be tough because they are very different jobs," says Humby. "Have a clear plan and make sure you write it down. And be positive."

Fresh Start



* Be realistic. Have a clear plan and make sure you write it down.


* Ensure you are qualified or taking steps to show that you are committed to your new area of choice by looking at what relevant qualifications you need.

* Be clear on your new choice and understand what expectations, duties, key competencies and skills are required so you can ensure your CV reflects similar duties, skills and attributes. This allows the hiring manager or recruiter to scan your CV and see that you have the core competencies and relevant skills to do the required job.

* Talk to a career counsellor or good recruiter to get advice on your CV and what you need to do to get where you want to go.

* Get the timing right. If there is a time when there are more roles available then make sure you know when this is. For example, if you want to get into banking when most banks are on a headcount freeze, then obviously it's not a good time to enter this field.

* Develop networks and contacts from the field you are looking to move to.

* Commit to change and make it happen.

Sunday 2 October 2011

Behind the label: Sandro



Who started it? Launched in 1984 by husband and wife team Didier and Evelyne Chetrite, Sandro opened its first boutique on rue Vieille du Temple, in the heart of the Marais district of Paris, France. What started as a whim, with a series of patchwork dresses with bubble sleeves, captured the bohemian mood of the time and has since blossomed to encompass 140 stores worldwide. A childhood spent in Morocco informs Evelyne's designs and the mixing and matching of colours, fabrics and patterns is a recurring theme throughout the brand's collections.

Why we love it: casual Parisian chic at affordable prices aside, it's the attention to detail that catches our eye, as seen on the monochrome ensemble topped with leopard-print collars and the black pencil trousers with simple white piping. Whether it's matching fabrics such as leather and wool or a multicolour print on the lining of a deceptively simple coat, classic silhouettes are spruced up with touches of whimsy. Most of the pieces have a temperate palette but there are splashes of colour for the confident consumer.

What we'd pick: the wool duffle coat with fur collar (HK$6,145), coral silk shirt (HK$2,145) and dinner-suit trousers (all above left; HK$2,620) and the black shawl cardigan with clip (HK$2,990) worn with the black cotton pique dress with leopard-print collar (both left; HK$2,295) make for chic daytime outfits.

Where can you get it? Sandro is available at Rue Madame, Lee Gardens Two, Causeway Bay, tel: 2972 2021.


By P.Ramakrishnan
ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com

The Goods




Fast track Tracksuit bottoms play that all-important role of pyjamas, workout wear and Sunday supermarket attire. At least with Diesel's latest line you can be fashion forward while waiting in the queue, with items such as the track pants in blue (left; HK$990) or hammer-time check (top left; HK$600). Diesel is in Pacific House, 20 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2525 0540....


Sep 25, 2011






All shook up

If you're feeling a little blue as the summer comes to an end, get some deflective sole therapy with the adidas SLVR autumn-winter collection's hip blue trainer (above; HK$1,590). Elvis would surely approve: the blue suede shoe is made with nylon, reducing the overall weight. Adidas SLVR is available at Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388.

Geek chic

For the gadget-crazy, Piquadro has unveiled a series of leather cases to carry your precious hardware safely and stylishly. The cases are made of soft leather with chamois interiors. The iPad2 case (right; HK$1,595) has a slot inside the flap cover that acts as a stand to keep the screen tilted in display position. Also worth a look are the dark blue Samsung Galaxy Tab case (below right; HK$1,343) and red iPhone 4 holder (above; HK$487). Piquadro is at Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 2238.

One for all

Can one brand be all things to all men? D&G apparently thinks so. Whether it's relatively conservative attire (above left; suit HK$16,500, shirt HK$2,500 and tie HK$1,400) or a fur-lined, blinged-out ghetto-fabulous outfit (above; fur vest HK$50,400, T-shirt HK$2,300, trousers HK$3,100 and shoes HK$2,900), the label has something for everyone. D&G is in Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2317 1836.

Skin show

Bottega Veneta's latest accessories line features belts made from interlocked leather. The glossy sheen of the espresso intrecciato vachette belt (above left; HK$4,380), the tourmaline intrecciato nappa belt (above centre; HK$3,980) and the nero intreccio scolpito cuir belt (above right; HK$3,100) feature stylishly textured and intricate patterns. Bottega Veneta is in The Landmark, tel: 2973 0882.
Sep 11, 2011





Kicking off

Although fashionistas worship overpriced shoes, there are decent styles out there that won't break the bank. We like the range at H&M, where the focus is on simplicity and function. The cognac boots (above; HK$599) and two-tone lace-up shoes (left; HK$399) mirror trends seen on many catwalks this season. Andreas Lowenstam, menswear designer at H&M, says, "Clean and sharp is the look for men this autumn, updated with seasonal colours and materials." H&M is at 68 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2110 9546.

Play the field

Qeelin made its mark with jewellery that celebrated Chinese aesthetics. Its new Chan's Collectibles line, however, plays tribute to vintage toys. The Roobot collection (featuring five styles of vintage robots), for example, is a miniature ode to classic Hollywood sci-fi flicks. It's retro chic, but with a modern twist, and every limb on the gold and diamond-encrusted pendant (right) is movable. At HK$158,000, it makes for a serious boy toy. The range is available at Qeelin, IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2389 8863.

Klein cuts

Due to its ubiquitous underwear collections, it's easy to forget that Calvin Klein also does understated ready-to-wear lines for men and women. The label's autumn-winter line is imbued with the casual confidence the brand has become renowned for. The Calvin Klein Jeans warm wool alpaca blend jumper (HK$1,690), regular-cut jeans (both left; HK$1,290) and black heavy cotton zip-up cardigan (above left; HK$1,390) are cavalier cool. Calvin Klein Jeans is at Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 9506.

Sep 04, 2011



By P.Ramakrishnan
(ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com)

Behind the label: Back Label


Who started it? Italian jetsetters Amy and Filippo Perricone established Back Label three years ago, creating a luxurious yet casual line of loungewear that's equally stylish inside or out. The husband-and-wife team wanted to combine extreme comfort with extreme elegance, and have perfected the design of cool basics.

Why we love it: seamless underwear; seamless dresses; seamless tops. Back Label's heat-bonding technique holds fabrics in place for a smooth and sensuous fit. All fabrics are free of toxic material and pesticides, and are made from mineral, such as seaweed and bamboo, and other natural fibres. Natural dyes (from blueberries to Ceylon tea) are used on cashmere, and there's an exclusive detergent, with added rice protein, to preserve the garments. Essential oils such as jasmine sambac and white grapefruit provide a delicate aroma.

What we'd pick: we love the androgynous black and cream boyfriend boxer (HK$360). The Kimono dress in black (above right; HK$1,580) and long cross-back dress (HK$1,520), with matching cardigan (both right; HK$1,520), lend themselves to great evening ensembles.

Where can you get it? Back Label is available at Konzeep, 50 Tung Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 2803 0339.


P. Ramakrishnan
ramakrishnanp@hotmail.com
Published in Post magazine on Sep 25, 2011