Playlist: Jun Tyler: Model turned musician--or was that vice versa?-- sets the record straight.

What I’m listening to: all kinds of genres. I love classical music, including Bach, Chopin and Ravel. I also love jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Roberto Fonseca. But I also listen to rock and heavy metal such as Metallica.

What I’m reading: I should be reading more, but I have the concentration span of a six year old. I do read the papers every day. I enjoyed reading Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do. The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine is a great book to learn from. I never bothered when it sat on the piano stool 10 years ago, but now I can finally appreciate it.

What I’m watching: I enjoy British comedies and stand-up, Mock the Week in particular. I’m not very good at keeping up with the latest “it” shows. Recently I saw Gone Girl and thought it was mind-blowing.

What artists I’m following: nobody too crazy, but I think Roberto Fonseca is a great artist – a great pianist and a great live performer.

Where I’m surfing: I’m listening to a lot of music on Spotify. As I’m always searching for knowledge and inspiration, I’m always on Google and Wikipedia. Plus I’m watching a lot of boxing on YouTube.

(As told to P. Ramakrishnan)

A quick Q&A with Jun Tyler.

Pianist and model. 

Cover Shoot

I can't wait for the world to see the latest cover shoot in Galaxy magazine. Got a mag dream of mine come true esp as I really loved my cast and crew in it.

Hollywood Hair

As I work behind the scenes of innumerable shoots for magazines and newspapers, work with models a lot (a lot!), from those not in the biz, I get asked about the strangest things. Most not worth answering, but this one is.

Where do the models get their hair/nails done?
I send 'em all pre-shoot to Hollywood Hair - if the need be. In particular to Rennie Fensham, the always interestingly coiffed, chatty bird from South Africa (love her accent!) and her gorgeous daughter Yentl. Two mods in particular went there and got transformed are the above two hotties; Nabil and Lenka. The cut, the color, all gorge!


Hollywood Hair 
Address: 23/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2861 9830
www.hollywoodhair.com.hk

Play List: David Klar: Ballroom Dancer Extraordinaire is Grooving to The Beat

Noted Australian ballroom dancer and current Hong Kong resident, David Klar has a quick chat with more the column. 

Published in South China Morning Post, 2014

Model Citizen: Ana R

A quick chat with one of my fav ladies in Hong Kong, the ever-gorgeous Ana R.

Owner of notable Hong Kong modeling agency Model One, she was in Macau for a glamorous shoot and weekend stay at Galaxy resort. 

Galaxy Magazine, Fall 2014: Cover shoot on location: Hotel and Resort Galaxy's glistering Background

A very special edition indeed. Kudos to the awesome team that worked tirelessly on the cover shoot.

Working with the gorgeous August Zhang - she was so graceful and... something regal about her. Just a favourite model to work with in Hong Kong. Well, Macau as the case was... 


Shot by Ricky Lo
Art Direction by Tasha Ling
Styled by Bhisan Rai

Cover girl, model August Zhang (from Starz People HK)

Makeup: Kathy Chow 

Hair: Jean Tong (A Ten Studio)

Outfit: Barney Cheng
Jewelry: Graff Diamonds

Behind the Scenes: Wedding shoot at Galaxy Macau

The first shot reveals what went into print... The second, the fun we have during the making of a shoot.

Magazine shoots are long and tedious but between shots, we have our fun. Esp if its a fab crew, which this was. 

From 2012. Good times, great pics.

The Diner: Hong Kong hotspot for a quick bite.

Peanut Butter Milkshake. #NyumNyumNyum

"The Peanut Butter Milkshake at the newly opened diner, aptly called, um, The Diner, has negated my need to find romantic, spiritual and professional fulfillment. All three have disappointed me at some juncture in life, but not this little eatery at the juncture of Arbuthnot Road. That soft brown liquid emulsifying at the bottom of the glass - it's also how I retain my brown."


- P.Ramakrishnan, Editor


More on The Diner here.

UPDATE: Sadly, my once favourite place and post-work at Prestige magazine team hangout has shifted base and lost most of its allure and charm. Which essentially was the team behind the scenes. Now its just another place cashing in on erstwhile fame and name recognition. Just not what it used to be... Which can be said of several places... 

Galaxy Magazine is out now! Macau's glossiest luxury and lifestyle magazine

Woo hoo! It's here!
 
Thrilled with the arrival of the latest issue of the magazine. Galaxy magazine, autumn issue. Go for gold!


Shot by Ricky Lo Photography
Art Direction by Tasha Ling
With August Zhang on the cover (from Starz People HK)
Styled by Bhisan Rai
Makeup: Kathy Chow

Hair: Jean Tong (A Ten Studio)

Hide and Chic:Interview with Valextra's Alessandra Bettari

Italian label's subtle and sophisticated handcrafted leather accessories are quietly turning heads in Asia, writes P.Ramakrishnan.

There is neither an emblematic logo nor an interlocking alphabet in sight. There isn't a signature colour or motif that gives it away, or a shimmering clasp or lock that draws the eye. Yet the white leather suitcase has an aura of quiet distinction known to a few who immediately recognise its patented leather and fine piping and think, "Ah, it's a Valextra."

In an oversaturated designer market, the cacophony of luxury brands may be well orchestrated, yet here's a 77-year-old Milanese brand (founded in 1937 by Giovanni Fontana in Milan's Piazza San Babila) that connoisseurs quietly admire. Those in the know are familiar with signature pieces such as Valextra's two-gusset briefcase or Bifold card case with money clip, or the Brera messenger bag in its effortless simplicity and sophistication. Carried by actress Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy Onassis in the past and sported by Jennifer Aniston and Katie Holmes today, these accessories have always flown under the fashion radar.

"Well, there are a few emblems in our bag that make it distinctive, even though it is subtle," says Alessandra Bettari, the brand's newly appointed chief executive officer.

Accompanying her is Marco Scarpella, the youngest member of the board from the Carminati family, who own a large share of the company.

He echoes Bettari's claims. "We just carry our heritage that has been honed since the 1940s."

Bettari says Valextra's products are "very niche" and have "a different aesthetic" from others.

"It's evident in something like our Costa luggage collection - perhaps our most iconic product - with details in the piping by artisans in Italy," she says.

"We don't come out with multiple products each year, merely a range of colours with very specific types of leather. It's very straightforward and simple."

With meticulously stitched seams and rich flushes of vegetable-tanned leather, it's bespoke luxury that's more pragmatic and less flashy.

But how is the label faring in brand-conscious Asia?

"The Asian customer is the best in the world," says Scarpella.

"And the worst!" interrupts Bettari, jokingly.

"In America and Europe, they see something they like, they buy it. It's simple," says Scarpella. "Customers in Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, there's a level of perfection they expect from a product, in every single detail. If a stitch is off, if there's a minute differentiation in tone or hue, they want it fixed. I've learned this after years of working in Asia, they are looking for an extraordinary item only a few can make - absolute luxury."

Bettari confirms. "Asian customers have the highest rate of asking for special and bespoke pieces. Asia is the only place where they would ask us to create, say, a leather pen case."

Absolutely luxury can sometimes seem excessive. For example, Oprah Winfrey owns an exquisitely cut travel case crafted from white leather, which Scarpella concedes is impractical.

"To some, a white leather travel suitcase is completely impractical," he says. "Think how easily a white suitcase can get dirty at airports, but then again, Oprah probably only flies on private jets so it's different for her."

Read the full feature at SCMP.com ie over here! 

Published: 24 Oct 2014

NOTES:
Really enjoyed talking to these two, esp Alessandra Bettari. Love a CEO with a sense of humour and a sense of style!

Red, White and The Blues. Menswear Fashion shoot with David Oshry

Photography: Douglas Pieterse
Stylist: Reema K
Hair, make-up and tattoo art: Karen Yiu
Model: David O at Models International
Location: Courtesy of Tree at Horizon Plaza, special thanks to Ms Anna M

Published in Kee magazine, 2011

Pants and sweater from Brooks Brothers
White linen shirt by Ermenegildo Zegna,
Bag and white pants by Gucci

Kitson pants from The Swank, Trussardi shoes from Lane Crawford, VOID watch.

Pants by Roberto Cavalli from The Swank, VOID white leather-strap watch, Tattoo art by Karen Yiu

Pen by St Dupont, pants by Brooks Brothers, Bruuns Bazaar shirt from Harvey Nichols, Balmain scarf from The Swank, Gram shoes, bag by Gucci.

Givenchy shirt from Lane Crawford, Ermenegildo Zegna tie, Balenciaga shorts from Lane Crawford, Kim Kiroic shoes from Lane Crawford.

Striped shirt and pants by Comme De Garcons from Lane Crawford, gram shoes, Bothos bag

Original Fake shirt from Lane Crawford, Balmain Jeans from The Swank and VOID watch

UPDATE: Working on n'th shoot with David Oshry in 2018. 

Still a working model.

Kiss me Cate: Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and Peter Lindbergh in Hong Kong for IWC

"The" Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett, the faultless Australian actress and Oscar winner was in Hong Kong for a photo exhibition at the Grand Hyatt, hosted by IWC, and we - and I use the collective 'we' term - were mesmerised by her serene omfg-its-Cate-Blanchett-ness!

The exhibition was grand. Gorgeous large frame, black and white portraits by Peter Lindbergh hung on the mezzanine floor of the Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong, in a makeshift museum (long dismantled by now). 

Shot by the Italian harbour town of Portofino, dreamy images of Blanchett, Zhou Xun, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Christoph Waltz, Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt hung in the labyrinth. Proving yet again that everyone looks better in black and white, every picture was... well, picture perfect.

The famed Lindbergh was walking around and chatting with guests at the exhibition, but generally left alone by the teeming masses as Hong Kong celebs were the cynosure of all eyes, while the legendary photographer walked around peacefully, unbothered 

Having arrived late to the event (traffic - Hong Kong-ers know why!), stylist Tasha Ling and I were told by one of the PR ladies, "Oh, you guys are so late - she's already late, but do look around." Waves of regret smacked us silly but we chose to walk around the nearly-empty [the papz and the riff-raff had left as soon as the stars did] halls.

...Mia Kang sporting IWC... something or another.

Delighted to find our new favourite model Mia Kang, and her tall comrades, who were booked to stand around wearing expensive watches and look pretty; something Kang does exceptionally well. 

They spouted PR spiel on the watches they were adorned with, but we were mostly interested in finding out if she was free later, or that weekend. No and no, was the answer. Well then...

Anyhoo, we did walk around and saw the stunning portfolio unfold before us, labeled "Timeless Portofino", there was a heart-breakingly beautiful shot of Emily Blunt with her hair flying just so, when... at one end of the corridor... there she stood. 

In all her Oscar-winning glittering glory.... Chatting incessantly with the photographer, and asking all the right questions (we assume - and we're sure - even her stance reeked of power and scorching intelligence - should such a thing be possible). 

Blanchett strode right by us and, had we been in any other state other then shock-and-awe, we would have yelled out her name in an embarrassing fan-boy-dom that I'm generally prone to [see earlier encounter with Sridevi, Monica Bellucci, Aishwarya Rai...er. etc.]. 

Oh Cate! Why so beauty?! As one would ask in the Kong...

 

With her scintillating performance in Blue Jasmine still fresh in our mind, there were so many things to be said to her; how freakin' marvelous she is consistently and versatile beyond belief, and questions we had about what it was like to work with Indian director Shekhar Kapoor in Elizabeth...

But all was muted as we stood there stunned by Kiss-me-Kate (pls!) Cate Blanchett.

Sigh.

Next time. Should security and divine interruption permit.

Rama

Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe opens in Central, Hong Kong

Say goodbye teeth, hello cavities. Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe has just opened in Central, Hong Kong. On Lyndhurst Terrace! '

Thrilled beyond belief. A bit pricier than the UK, the "olde" world charms intact, (junk) foodies among us are thrilled about the terrific-calorific "shoppe" opening.

October, 2014

Galaxy, Summer 2014: Cover shoot with supermodel Mia Kang

Latest issue out.

PHOTOGRAPHY: OLIVIER YOAN
STYLIST: CHRISTIE SIMPSON
MAKEUP: ANAEL DARMON
MODELS: MIA K (CalCarrie's International),  ERIC T (Starz International)

From her to eternity: Interview with De Beers Diamond Jewellers' Hollie Bonneville Barden

She's already been hailed a "jewellery prodigy" by W magazine, but to meet the head designer of De Beers Diamond Jewellers, Hollie Bonneville Barden, is to realise just how youthful she is. And the manner in which the 27-year-old Welsh wunderkind landed such a lofty role with one of the largest jewellery houses on the planet is a tale in itself.

"First I was approached by a former tutor of mine from Central Saint Martins," she says of the London university whose alumni include Stella McCartney, Bruce Oldfield and John Galliano among others.

"She had been in touch with De Beers, and knowing the brand's requests and requirements, my tutor recommended me, knowing that I possessed the skills and the spirit that De Beers was looking for."

Bonneville Barden was home in Hay-on-Wye, a small market town in Wales, when she got the call from De Beers. She immediately grabbed her portfolio and flew to London. A couple of meetings later, she had the job.


That journey has led to her De Beers Aria collection, a sparkling catalogue filled with rings, cuffs, pendants and bracelets with a running motif of fluidity and motion.

"The whole creation process for this collection took 18 months, with six months dedicated to design. It required absolute focus on the project and constant communication with the workshop craftsmen to ensure a true realisation of the concept from my sketches to reality."

With swirls and curves and diamond studded flourish, the collection is filled with a sense of movement.

A look at her design portfolio reveals drawings that range from technical interpretations to more creative elaborations that bring the vibrancy of diamonds into focus.

"When we were first creating the De Beers coffee table book, for which the objective was to bring to life the romance and creativity of the brand, it was a chance for me to illustrate the existing collections in a creative way. So I was approached as someone who had the necessary drawing skills, as well as someone whose own aesthetics resonated with those of the brand."

Now as head designer, she creates unique pieces for a worldwide clientele all too familiar with the brand and its rich legacy. But in a saturated market studded with a long roster of brands, is bespoke design the way to go for high-end jewellery?

"Bespoke jewellery is an wonderful opportunity for connoisseurs to create a unique design for themselves, as well as discover the full beauty of a beautiful and rare diamond," she says.

"Often, our clients have a vision of beauty, but may not have the skills to articulate themselves graphically, so this is where I help them fulfil the potential of the design.

"We have clients all over the world, but the Asian clients certainly display discerning taste as diamond connoisseurs, most likely due to the strong history of the appreciation of jewellery and gems in the culture.

"If ever people ask me for advice, I tell them it is important when you select a piece of jewellery that you are first and foremost inspired by the diamond's natural beauty.

"Diamond jewellery is a very personal expression so I encourage people to look at as many diamonds as possible, because this will allow them to better distinguish characteristics of different stones as a miracle of mother nature, and thereafter discover a style that best suits them.

"It is very important to recognise one's own style as a starting point and try on as many different pieces as possible. A beautiful diamond will choose you, just as you choose the diamond, too."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as From her to eternity