Friends with Benefits: First Event: Opening Night of Suicide Squad at Director's Club in Hong Kong

One of the first events I did with the magazine; booked out Director's Club for the opening of Suicide Squad... 

The then editor Christina Ko brainstormed the idea that Prestige should do mini, VIP events exclusive to the magazine and "Friends with Benefits" was born. Cheeky and chic-y. 

Pretty much hated the film but loved this awesome squad that attended;  Angie Ng, Jonathan Cheung - JC! -  Antonia Li, Ruth Chao, Ana R, Natalie Chan, Anthony Sandstrom, Jocelyn Luko Sandstrom, Amanda Lui, Alexander Lui, 

Summer of 2016

Fashionable Friday: Hong Kong's Celebrity Designer Barney Cheng

Wowsa. I've been working with and featuring Barney Cheng for the past 16 years. He's always a joy to work with - but especially to talk to. So funny and fun.

Have featured Barney Cheng Couture (Yenrabi Ltd) in several cover shoots, feature shoots and more too. Some of that here below from google search!

Indubitably, Hong Kong's most famous designer, did an anniversary special feature on him for Prestige magazine. Our longest chat and longest feature and shoot, and Celina Jade popped by for support.

Good times.

On set with Hsieh Ling-ling

I met Hsieh Ling-ling long before Elly Lam [Lifestlye cover girl], for a feature and shoot with the magazine. We've shot a lot of celebrities for the magazine and paper, but I've never seen my usual crew fan out completely for someone like they did when the legendary actress came in for a portrait shoot. Having done several films as a child star, teenager and leading lady, she's been the part of everyone's childhood and teenage years as they've all seen one or several of her movies.

She was magnificent. We were all in awe of her and kept a healthy distance. Such a graceful and gracious lady who made time for everyone on set who wanted a selfie with her - after the shoot and interview.

You can read the entire interview and see the shoot by Until Chan here at PrestigeOnline.com

These outtakes from the shoot - she is so exquisite; mother of five, and a few grandchildren included! 

Video Interview: Ruth Chao

An eternal fav: Ruth Chao.

A video interview with Hong Kong graphic artist, designer and creative director Ruth Chao.

First Person: Loui Lim

Loui Lim in Tom Ford

“We just launched a ship, Genting Dream, in November. It can accommodate up to 3,000 guests with 1,200 rooms, so it’s really a floating luxury-destination resort,” says Loui Lim, the distinguished looking young gent who faces the camera with blue-steel ease. His calling card reads “Vice President – Brand Strategy, Marketing & Communications”, of Dream Cruises, a company owned by his family, and where his brothers also work. Hence the aquatic spiel.

He didn’t just sail into the family business. Lim has had a multifaceted career and education, with an undergrad degree in architecture from the University College of London, before switching to business management for his master’s at Imperial College London. Trace further back and Lim reveals, “I was on an art scholarship in boarding school. So I’m very, very passionate about art and painting.”

Which explains his stint at an interior-design company, two years in oil and gas and two in investment banking – all rich past experiences he’s brought to inform his current role, too. “I was very involved in selecting the art works and the materials and the finishes, just to give it that next level of sophistication for the new cruise lines.  My father thought it was important that I be all-rounded in different subjects. Combined with my architecture background, I feel like that’s really given me the various tools that I need in my current position. Not just in branding, but later on, when I’m ready to take on a larger role in the company.”

More at PrestigeOnline

Loui Lim in Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Sandro.

Words: P.Ramakrishnan

Portraits: Olivier Yoan

Published in Prestige Hong Kong. August 2017

Lifestyle: Couple on a Mission: Cover shoot and Cover story: 2017

Tenniel Chu

Tenniel and Carmen Chu

Carmen Chu

Tenniel and Carmen Chu tell Lifestyle and Prestige how the Mission Hills golfing dynasty is bringing the game to a whole new audience in China. Cover story is up at PrestigeOnline here. 

Photography / Olivier Yoan  
Styling / Florent Thiébaut 

Styling assistant / Marco Chan  
Hair & Make-up / Reve Ryu    

Outfits / Brooks Brothers

This was the Lifestyle 2017 cover story. #ThrowbackThursday

Behind the scenes; the two were the most hospitable gorgeous couple to work with. Was a dreamy cover shoot day where for once, everything went as planned! Awesome team behind the scenes, and in front of the camera. 

First Person: Jackie Au

First Person: JACQUELINE AU

“If you’re coming in here looking for drama, then I’m not the girl for you,” says Jacqueline Au, creative director of The Lab of Fairy Tales Bridal, indicating the exquisite collection of dresses hanging in her three-month-old showroom. “I offer something unique to brides on the biggest day of their life. If you’re looking for a big, poufy statement outfit, this is not the place for you.” Duly noted.

Au studied politics and graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in international relations, and went on to do her Masters “even though I knew I wanted to be in fashion”. Her CV boasts stints at Gucci, Céline and Lane Crawford. Did her education inform her career?

“Most definitely. I’m very straightforward. I had my first interview at Gucci, and my boss asked, ‘Why should I hire you? You don’t do any fashion.’ I said, fashion in the end is a business and I have that analytical side for you and I love fashion so I’m the best person you can hire.” She was hired on the spot.

She went on to Lane Crawford and then Céline, where she had time to breathe and think, while simultaneously preparing for her own wedding. “Fashion in Hong Kong is in line with all the capitals – except in bridal. Here, it’s very dated. Even the set-up, the way they sell you the gown, is very much like, ‘Say yes to the dress!’ – very stuck in the ’80s. Every day we’re wearing, Haider, Givenchy, Céline – and on your wedding day, you’re wearing a cupcake!”

Her boutique stands in defiance of that confectionery trend and you’ll find yourself mesmerised by the gossamer gowns, the elegant silhouettes and the finesse of her finely curated collection. “My job defines me. I have the privilege of saying that.”

BEHIND THE SCENES:

We Were Working in the Lab...

Held up in Central’s congested arteries, the crew arrived late at Jacqueline Au’s studio. We felt so grubby and under-dressed … and common as muck. Au’s studio – The Lab of Fairy Tales Bridal – is as chic as she is. In our (not even designer) denims, we felt unworthy. But while Au had her make-up done we had a fantastic, informed and informative chat, as photographer Ruby Law set up an entire set behind our backs. When the shoot started, within minutes we had “the shot”, but kept clicking away anyway as our lovely subject changed outfits, whirling and twirling for the portrait. Check out our chat on page 10.

Published in Prestige Hong Kong, January 2018

 My all time fav behind the scenes shot - Jackie towering over me! Always wanted a woman to look up to... ;0)  #lols

Interview and shoot with Edwin Chuang

Portraits by Olivier Yoan

 

Check out my chat with young tycoon in the making Edwin Chuang at PrestigeOnline

First Person: These Fine Folks in Hong Kong!

One of the great joys of writing the column First Person is doing a quick portrait and asking the subject what they are passionate about. Usually conversation goes on for a while and upon playback, it gets distilled down to the essence of these fine characters.

Its been great fun collaborating with my favourite photographer Olivier Yoan, who has shot all but one in the series. Check out First Person in Prestige Hong Kong.

Read up at http://prestigeonline.com/hk/People/Personalities/Arthur-de-Villepin-talks-business-and-pleasure

Read up at http://prestigeonline.com/hk/People/Personalities/Ning-Lau-on-fashion-dolls-and-following-her-dreams

Read up on http://prestigeonline.com/hk/People/Personalities/Kayla-Wong-Goes-Basic

Read up at http://prestigeonline.com/hk/People/Personalities/Harris-Chan-talks-Moiselle-and-Michael-Jackson

Read up at http://prestigeonline.com/hk/People/Personalities/In-the-studio-with-Pirate

Spot the Celeb with Adrian Cheng: Hong Kong's famed Entrepreneur hits the town/ Hollywood/ the World!

And now for a round of spot the celeb, Adrian Cheng, a "cultural-ista" (as opposed to the fashionistas that litter the city) has been mingling with a bevvy of stars this past year and apparently espousing notes on art, fashion, jewellery (hello Chow Tai Fook!), China, luxury, music, politics and much, much more.

Attending as many events as I do for the column, its been easy to find the always affable and quotable Cheng. Scion of one of Hong Kong's wealthiest families, executive vice-chairman of New World Development, founder of K11 mall and K11Art Foundation, prominent art collector,  plus a director of 56 local companies - how man finds time to breath is a bit beyond me!  Where he goes (security!) and papz follow.

At the Kent & Curwen 90th Anniversary, there he was David Beckham, chatting up a storm and posing for the ever-present flashbulbs (with a sparkling Sabrina Fung who looked smashing in person that night).

David Beckham, Sabrina Fung, Adrian Cheng

Not long ago, he was with Becks' ever-fashionable Missus, Victoria. The one-who-shall-not-smile struck up a convo with our resident art collector/purveyor at amFar earlier this year.

...with Victoria - forever Posh Spice - Beckham

During my first few days doing the Society pages, he was at the Dior Homme bash with the designer Kris Van Assche himself.

Cheng and van Assche!

And now, yet another update. As the definitive, young, modern entrepreneur he has perfected the 'art' of business and finance with a healthy dose of culture, style and semblance of wanting to do better in the world. 

Invited to attend the annual charity gala held by the Naked Heart Foundation (founded by  supermodel hyphen philanthropist Natalia Vodianova), at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Cheng was at a charity dinner where the theme of the night was “The Art of Giving”. Many VIPs from around the world were seated at the event, while 15 guests were invited to donate one of their art collections for fund-raising. 

The only Asian philanthropist to pony up among the near-dozen, Cheng donated a painting by Zhang Enli, the iconic Shanghai artist.

Natalia Vodianova and Adrian Cheng

At the event, American socialite cum reality TV star Paris Hilton attended (who has met Adrian several times around the world at various events), notorious rapper and enfant terrible of the music industry Kanye West, fashion designer Alexandre de Betak and fashion consultant Sofia Sanchez de Betak. All struck a pose and conversation with AC.