Thursday 21 December 2023

Robb Report Hong Kong’s Best of the Best 2024 Launch Gala: Highlights

 


A spectacular night indeed—here are the finest moments from an evening to remember.

On the evening of 16 December 2023, the sound of hundreds of ribbon-tied packages ripping open rang in the air as the latest edition of Best of the Best by Robb Report Hong Kong was unveiled at long last at Robb Report Hong Kong x MGM Best of the Best Gala Dinner 2024, held in Macau for the first time. Our highly anticipated and coveted annual magazine, comprehensibly covering 13 luxury lifestyle categories, premiered at a glamorous black-tie gala event. Celebrating the finest products, places, and services, each honorand has been catalogued, photographed, and praised for standing out in the crowd.


Read full feature and and check out the images here.

Tuesday 12 December 2023

Robb Report Hong Kong’s Christmas Gift Guide 2023: 7 Shoes That Pair Perfectly With Your Holiday Threads


In footwear news this season, we jazz it up for the holidays, keeping in mind that comfort is key.

Like a broken Last Christmas record, it is frequently mentioned that uncomfortable designer shoes are the purview of the women’s department. On the other hand, the era of uncomfortable men’s shoes ended over a century ago—and luckily, there are no smoke signals that sole discomfort will ever loom again. Sure, a new leather shoe can sometimes slice the skin, and you really do need to break into some new kicks, but with the pandemic, as well as American cinema, music, and celebrity influence, we have seen sneakers permeate office culture. European brands have succumbed to the plush pleasures of relaxed footwear, albeit in dapper tones and silhouette. Soft leather, a curved anklet (the smoother back end of the shoe), style-revolutionising slip-ons, no laces, and more have made “anything goes” the mantra of the season. There might be cobblers of yore rolling in their graves, but we’re stepping into the new year in comfort and style with these picks.


Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 


Monday 4 December 2023

Robb Report Hong Kong: The Best in Jewellery, From Chaumet’s Encres Brooch Collection to Bulgari’s Serpenti Viper Necklace


Nature beckons, and it’s inspired the world’s finest jewellery designers and artisans to sculpt some stunning pieces. P.Ramakrishnan writes. 

The Big Idea: The Talisman

Video Killed the Radio Star came out in 1979, the advent of something newer, shinier, trendier killing the old. VHS did the same to Betamax, and DVDs to VHS. Netflix bled Blockbuster dry, the iPhone choked Blackberry until it turned blue, Google muted Yahoo, and lab-grown diamonds did… well, what do you know. Almost nothing.


The supposed harbinger of doom caused many an editorial to foretell the end of the diamond monopoly, when lab-grown gemstones would be all the rage and the prices of mined diamonds would falter as centurion designer maisons would fall brick by brick for cheaper (well, less expensive) substitutes that perfectly mimicked nature’s majesty.


Sure, the fads made headlines pre-pandemic, but they didn’t make history. Sales of vintage, coloured, celebrity-owned, and royal jewels reached peak levels at auction; fashion houses known for their sartorial selections raised the stakes by stepping into high jewellery; long-standing European brands opened stores far from their shores; Asian designers broke records as esteemed auction houses saw only the gavel fall, not the prices, demand, or curiosity about precious gems displayed by the toniest brands in the world.


Breaking into unheard-of figures, the De Beers Blue sold for HK$450.9 million (US$57.4 million) at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. The Juno Diamond, a pear-shaped rock weighing 101.41 carats, sold at US$12.9 million (HK$100.8 million) in New York to an Asian collector (in fact, among the top magnificent jewels auctions held last year, multiple winning bids came from Hong Kong). The talisman of doom went bust while the demand for rare stones and designer jewellery went boom even in the harshest of economic times. Perhaps some saw them as safe investments, with others simply finding beauty in bleak times.


While not as ephemeral as fashion, even jewellery sways—well, budges—to fad and trend. When we first started keeping tabs on the best of the year’s jewellery, spring was certainly in the air and we saw a pattern rising: nature as inspiration. Sure, not the first time, but the key is in the doing. In the first quarter of the pandemic, as news channels noted the return to and the return of nature, seemingly every creative of note saw and took comfort and inspiration. The birds and the bees tantalised the creative brush as flora, fauna, and feathers informed cut, colour, and motif.


And back to the commercial side, while the pandemic sent many a schedule off kilter—premieres and presentations were held off or a bit less lavish—a slew of beautiful pieces did make it to these shores, where they were eagerly awaited by those who didn’t fly private to Paris for a first sighting. And where they spread a little welcome light. As Elizabeth Taylor famously said, “You can’t cry on a diamond’s shoulder, and diamonds won’t keep you warm at night, but they’re sure fun when the sun shines.”

The Top Jewellery Brands of the year are... read the entire feature at RobbReport.HK here.

Sunday 22 October 2023

Five jewellery designers in Hong Kong


Five jewellery designers in Hong Kong at The Upper House; my favs Audrey Savransky, Julien-Loic Garin, Narcisa Pheres, Sarah Zhuang and Payal Shah, most who knew of the other but didn't really know each other turned up one fine day for an interview and collective shoot. 

You can read the feature at the official website, this I found in my camera from September 2021! My time flies. 



Monday 16 October 2023

Jeweller Cindy Chao’s Hong Kong Exhibition Is Opening to Dazzling Butterfly Effect

Opera Gallery Hong Kong has never before showcased jewels of this size, magnitude, and intricacy


For the past decade, with consistency and artistic integrity, jeweller Cindy Chao has been painstakingly recreating a delicate creature in precious stones and metal, culminating in her 10th Annual Butterfly piece: 2023 Black Label Masterpiece I Amour Butterfly Brooch. 

Her brand, CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel, presents an exhibition like no other this year. “Meld in Light and Shade” at the famed Opera Gallery Hong Kong is part of a global tour that also includes a stint in Shanghai and other Asian stops. For the city, it’s the first of its kind to have a jewelled, precious butterfly exhibition done by a leading female artist—for is there any doubt this jewellery artist’s work is nothing short of wearable, sculptural art?

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Saturday 30 September 2023

What It’s Like to Stay at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Where Majesty Meets the Divine


Resisting the temptation to rewrite Eat, Pray, Love—all of which you can do entirely within the confines of the property—we wholeheartedly approve of this Nusa Dua resort.




The Apurva Kempinski Bali officially opened early February 2019 in the Nusa Dua area of Bali, Indonesia, after about five years of construction and a rumoured price tag of many, many zeroes, but then… a global bug in the air thwarted even the best-laid plans. 

Incredibly, the resort remained open during the pandemic pause to life, and brought about a borne-of-necessity restructure in unprecedented times. All international tourism and flights were on hiatus, and the hotel encouraged native tourists (once a contradiction of terms) who were also bereft of travel to find the joy of within. Through staycations, world-class facilities, and dining options from around the globe with the finest motley crew of international chefs creating authentic meals, an esoteric oasis was carved out in the cliffside area.

Retaining staff and working with local communities and artisans, the polish and patina of the hotel—its name, Apurva, derived from sacred Sanskrit for “unique and magnificent”—is like no other, and that’s high praise, considering the innumerable properties studded around the archipelago and the neighbouring area. As the sleeping giant of global tourism was gently nudged awake, a steady trickle of international visitors came in, with the top five overseas markets stemming from China, Australia, South Korea, the US, and the Middle East. 

And then came the stop-the-press media blitzkrieg: the G20. Last year, as the selected venue for G20, The Apurva Kempinski Bali was closed for all other guests again as stringent security measures were followed to meet international presidential protocols and regulations. The G20 summit went off without egregious incident, the hotel maintained its pristine authority, and word of the majestic property was spread to the world—well-deservedly. It’s just… divine. 

















Read the full feature and review at Robb Report Hong Kong

Words and images by me: P.Ramakrishnan 

Mazu Resortwear: Hong Kong menswear brand

Mazu Resortwear 

Let’s hear it for a home-grown menswear brand. Eurasian designer Adam Raby’s Mazu is a local favourite, incorporating Hong Kong iconography, prints, and city- and sea-inspired features from our humble shores. The Lei Yue Mun at Sunset swim shorts are great for a dip, but to strut around with a glass of Dom Pérignon, the Hapa Shorts in midnight navy with red piping can transport you from the seas to the city with equal ease. The little Hong Kong junk logo on the button is a cute signature touch.

Photography: Ruby Law 
Model: David Oshry at Model International

Tuesday 4 July 2023

TBT: Outtakes from a shoot: Jewellery designer Payal Shah from the brand L' Dezen



 Outtakes from a shoot: Jewellery designer Payal Shah from the brand L' Dezen 

 From a feature shoot for a jewellery magazine. 


Saturday 24 June 2023

TBT: Behind the Scenes of a Magazine Cover Shoot





 

TBT: Behind the Scenes of a Magazine Cover Shoot. 

Working with Feiping is always a pleasure; she's on time, she's very good to the team, she's involved and creative, puts her own stamp in all her shoots - and she gives a shout out to the crew when they do a great job. 

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofei/

As incredible as her images are, her gorgeous twin girls-the best dressed kids in the world-are taking over. 


Thursday 22 June 2023

Outtakes from a shoot: Kayla Lau





 Photographer: Natalie Dunn @natdunn_photography

 Hair and makeup: Karen Yiu @karenpaint

 Wardrobe: Metanoia @metanoia.thelabel

 Accessories: AS29 Jewellery @as29finejewellery

 Model: Kayla Lau-Wong @kayla.lau

Monday 5 June 2023

Feadship makes only Four Super Yachts a Year For Billionaires. Billionaires like Jack Ma

A super yacht swanned into the hands of Chinese Billionaire Jack Ma earlier this year, as he sailed the seven seas on the lap of luxury.  

Dutch manufacturer Feadship is a renowned brand known to… well, mostly billionaires. Their exquisite and exclusive designs are snatched up by the 1 percent who set forth on opulent vacations like no other, on azure seas, in rarefied air. They put the ‘super’ in superyachts, an acronym for First Export Association of Dutch Shipbuilders, Feadship’s original mission was to market superyachts to buyers of extreme discerning taste. 

Buyers such as Apple founder Steve Jobs, publisher Malcom Forbes, and IndyCar team owner Roger Penske who went on to commission two Feadships, a 46m named Excellence, and then in 2020, a 73m giant called Podium.  

However, no matter what their reach, power and level of influence, even they have to patiently wait for the designer yacht-makers to deliver one of the only four super yachts Feadship makes each year.  

Even notable names, such as Chinese billionaire Jack Ma (co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group) had to wait four years after commissioning his HK$1.6 billion super yacht before he set foot on it. 

With a handful of close associates, friends, business partners and tycoons, Ma has been known to mix business and pleasure, work and vacation on board the boat he named Zen. The few VIPs who have ventured on board the new yacht have been seen coasting along the isles of Ibiza, as the billionaire set sail on sea-bound holidays across the European coastline. 

Here’s what we know of the superyacht; the 290-foot-long Zen can carry up to 16 passengers. Built in the Netherlands, Zen has five decks with a vertical bow and operates with an able crew of 25. Over 2,500 tonnes, with a maximum sailing speed of 17 nautical miles per hour, the exterior design and naval architecture was created by De Voogt Naval Architects and the plush interior was the work of Nauta Yachts and FM Architettura. She is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminum superstructure. 

For something of this magnitude, it comes as no surprise that the boat is equipped with mega features such as lavish dining rooms, entertainment rooms, leisure pads, expansive kitchens, and seven decked-to-the-hilt guest rooms, or as it's known on board, “state rooms.”  

Each year, maintaining the billionaire’s asset alone costs roughly HK$150 million. 

Though commissioned years before and ready to set sail since 2021, the mega yacht was docked for weeks on end at Rhode Island in the United States or at Massachusetts' Martin's Vineyard, the world’s most famous billionaire hot spot, as Ma was too busy to take a break on one of his prized possessions.  

Soon after he boarded the luxurious vessel however, the international media has been stalking its every move as reports from around the globe have spotted the magnificent vessel in Ibiza, in Mallorca and finally seen dropping anchor just outside the resort city of Palma in recent times. 

Monday 29 May 2023

Leaders in Luxury by Robb Report Hong Kong: The Online Exclusive Video Series

 

Coming out of left field, one of the most successful and well-liked sections of Robb Report Hong Kong, the video series Leaders in Luxury. 

From Cartier to Sotheby's, Richemont to Bang & Olufsen, we've sat down for a chat with these incredible captains of industry for a free verse conversation.  So beautifully shot and edited by Chris Yau. 

Only at RobbReport.hk 

-- P.Ramakrishnan
Senior Editor


 

Friday 26 May 2023

Another cat post: Because cats = click rate

 






Rescued from LAP Hong Kong, a foster cat that ended up living with us forever. Billyjean, named after one of my fav MJ songs (before he lost the plot). 



Tuesday 25 April 2023

In the altar of Aesop, I'm on Bended Knee

Aesop 

The latest launch of Aesop Lucent Facial Concentrate is a serum that can be used as a layering base, or a standalone hydrating formulation, guaranteed to help replenish and balance the skin. The lightweight serum is suitable for both combination and oily skin, which is perfect for Hong Kong’s hot and humid climate. There’s nothing worse that feeling greasy or sticky when out and about in the city where you’re always walking that fine line between sub-zero air-conditioning and the fetid heat of the subtropical city. A huge thumbs up for this little jar and dropper; there’s something self-soothing and dare-we-say medical about the dropper. It doesn’t seem like an exercise in vanity, more like a scientific approach to bolstering skin care. 

Also, I can’t stress enough how good Aesop’s Exalted Eye-Serum is. A lightweight liquid catering to the delicate skin around the eye-area, gently massaging the dewy drops around has helped wake me up, and the list of vitamin-rich ingredients leaves tired skin nourished and balanced. In the alter of Aesop, am a firm believer.    

You can buy the serum online here or #IRL in stores studded around Hong Kong. 


 

Monday 10 April 2023

Travelling to and fro India: The Currency Converter: The gains and the losses

Having just flown to and from India, a handy tip for travelers, HK$1,000 is about Inr 10,431.

Didn't have time to head to HSBC or Chung King Mansion (where there are two Money Exchange and Currency Converter booths) which give somewhat similar rates. 

At Hong Kong airport, HK$1,000 got me Inr 9,800, but in Bangalore airport, with Thomas Cook, got Inr 9,200.

Lesson learned. Change the $$ before travel. Never changing currency in an Indian airport again! 


Tuesday 28 March 2023

Robb Report Hong Kong: Best of the Best is on sale now!


Robb Report Hong Kong is on newsstands and good stock-ists everywhere . 

A whopper of an issue. 1.3kg, which brought on its own fair share of troubles with distribution - too heavy! Cannot carry! 

It looks slick. Chic. Very... RR. On brand et al. 

Sunday 5 February 2023

The most photographed cat in Hong Kong... Tuxedo Cat Billyjean

The most photographed cat in Hong Kong... Tuxedo Cat Billyjean

Wednesday 1 February 2023

Lunar New Year 2023: Year of the Rabbit Will Be a Hopping Great One


We went leaping across to feng shui master Pius Chan for a consultation and have good news to report.


As the go-to consultant for several high-end luxury brands, VIPs, and businessmen for nearly two decades, feng shui master Pius Chan’s advisory features can be found in many a local newspaper and magazine in the region and on television.  


For an online exclusive, we were in conversation with Chan and volleyed pertaining questions that are in all our collective consciousness, primarily: Is this going to be a good year? “Overall, it’s going to be good year.” Happy days! 


First and foremost, for the uninitiated, feng shui literally means “the way of wind and water” in Mandarin, but it’s a practice—the ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance.  


Right off the bat, we had to ask what advice Chan had for this coming Year of the Rabbit, as he often advises those questioning on the crossroads. Quite a lot of clients come to me for guidance, especially when they are facing a difficult time or a turning point in their life,” he says with further observations of his clientele.  “And yet, surprisingly, quite a large portion come to me for further discussion even when they have already attained a successful stage in life.” 


Reassurance? Affirmation? Guidance? Perhaps all three, as he consults the stars and charts, studies and literature before sending out sound advice. After all, he is the go-to feng shui master for several high-end luxury brands and businesses. In the West, there’s Chani Nicholas, the fashion world’s go-to astrologer. In Asia, Chan is on speed dial in that same orbit, and he has good news to report to the fashion world, too.  


“It is going to be a good year for high-end luxury brands, especially in China Mainland. I have only positive views and expectations for market performance in 2023,” he says as we hear a collective sigh of relief escape to the ether. “Hong Kong market will rebound from the bottom, from the past few years to a great extent we will see growth.” 


If you’ve eyed a designer wallet, bag, or accessory recently, there is no better time than now to buy what your heart desires and bring in good chi, says Chan. “You should highly consider getting a new purse or handbag, to get rid of the old and bring in new energy of money and good fortune. In your working or living environment, old objects with cracks… I suggest getting rid of it and replace it with a new one.” 


Reeling back a bit to dive into Chan’s past, the master reveals more about his time as a student, when the interest in feng shui was first ignited. “When I was young, I already had a great interest in face and hand readings. I was always studying related books on the topic in stores,” he reminisces as we get nostalgic for bookstores that once studded the streets and arteries of Kowloon and New Territories. “Back in 2004, I finally met my first real feng shui master—master So Man Fung—and I learned from him. Soon after, I started my feng shui career in 2006.” 


Consultation can be a mysterious and multi-faceted thing, from checking the charts to see if it’s a good time to marry, to wondering if it’s a good time to put down a lump sum for a prized possession, like a supercar, yacht, or private jet. According to him, sales for the aforementioned will have a steady climb. “With the pandemic influence lessening and most of the world’s borders returning to normal, my view is that most of the high-value spending will be getting more active and frequent.” 


 So, it’s a good time to invest, we presume. He confirms with a nod, “Yes, it is especially positive in Asia market. My top pick is Hong Kong. It has already performed well in January, and we are only a few weeks in, and the China stock market. The US market relatively conservative… but positive.” 


Chan also advices to check and avoid red objects in northwest and the east side of your home or office, in order to avoid “inflaming illness” in 2023. To rectify that, place some metal objects (preferably round shapes) in these two orientations and it can ward off, if not reduce sickness. Health inquiries are also part and parcel of Chan’s consultations, and he wants all to pay heed to bone, joint injury, and skin allergies. And, of course, that white elephant in the room: “The pandemic situation hasn’t been eradicated completely—you have to remain cautious, no doubt.” 


And finally, just as we sign off, his parting shot made us smile, “Coincidently, dog zodiac objects could enhance overall luck in the Year of the Rabbit!” 





According to the Chinese Zodiac Sign and Lunar Calendar, it’s going to be a great year for: 


For work:  

Cow, Rabbit, Dragon, Goat, and Dog are good 

For Love and Relationships: 

Mouse, Horse, Dog, Pig, and Goat are good. 

For Money and Fortune: 

Rabbit, Dragon, Dog, Cow, and Goat are good. 

For Health:  

Rabbit, Roaster, Tiger, and Goat have to pay more attention. 

Good luck colours:  

Mouse: Red, Purple 

Cow: Black, Grey, Blue 

Tiger: Brown, Earth-tone, Yellow 

Rabbit: Beige, Yellow 

Dragon: Black, Grey, Blue 

Snake: White, Gold, Silver

Horse: Red, Gold, Silver 

Goat: Black, Grey, Blue 

Monkey: Green 

Roaster: Brown, Yellow, Gold 

Dog: Black, Grey, Blue 

Pig: Red, Pink, Orange