Startup Life: Startup Life: Nicolas Pollet on the Evolution of CBD Beauty and Wellness

 

Earlier this year, while continuing his other enterprises, Nicolas Pollet surprised everyone by launching Anandha Wellness: a lifestyle product with the healing properties of cannabidiol, better known as CBD.

Read up on the feature at PrestigeOnline here.

One of the weekly online exclusive features I do for the site. 

All images by Hong Kong photographer Flossie Wong. 

Prestige, June 2019

My cover feature with Richard Ekkebus - out now. June 2019.

Pls read the entire feature which is now online here at Prestige's official site.

For Online exclusive, this Q&A is up too: 12 Questions with Chef Richard Ekkebus of Amber

Shot by Nic and Bex Gaunt for the first time for Burda. They were soooo much fun to work with.

The chat was great too - chefs with a sense of humour I can totally dig. Especially when the chef is exceptional like Ekkebus.

More in print - and at PrestigeOnline.com - so do check it out.

Sea Change

SHARKWATER EXTINCTION 

Princess Eugenie of York

What? Princess Eugenie of York, along with Brian and Sandy Stewart (producers and parents of the late Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart), hosted the Hong Kong premiere of Sharkwater Extinction at Palace IFC. Prominent figures from the worlds of film, art, culture and society attended to lend their support to the makers of the documentary and their efforts to save the endangered species.

Royal imprimatur: Of her involvement with the film the princess – who is also an ambassador for global ocean charity Project 0 – said, “It’s such a wonderful cause and [the director] Rob is such a hero and inspiration, so any way we can share his message and the story of these sharks and what the world can do to be a part of it is amazing.”

Brian and Sandy Stewart

Ankie Beilke

Reyna Harilela and Olivia Buckingham

Sharon Kwok

Jessica C, Kamilla Holst and Ana R

 PASSION PROJECT

We at Prestige got hooked on to the Sharkwater Extinction project via Olivia Buckingham, a VIP guest at the Hong Kong premiere. We spoke to her after the showing.

How did you get involved with the project?
I first met Rob Stewart in Hong Kong when he came to premiere his first Sharkwater documentary, back in 2007. Until then, I was completely unaware of the effects of shark finning and the extent of damage it was causing. This particularly ignorant view of mine was set to change all due to one person — Rob.

You knew the young director; what was surprising about him?
Rob’s complete determination was astonishing. He explained in the first documentary that sharks have gone from predator to prey and he opened my eyes to the corruption surrounding the shark population in marine reserves. Despite these creatures surviving Earth’s history of mass extinctions, they can still easily be wiped out today due to sheer human greed.

What’s his enduring legacy and memory?
Rob sadly passed away during the filming, but I’ll never forget our first meeting, his drive, his charisma, his passion — it was infectious. And when I think of how he and his mission had changed and shaped people’s views globally, it was only natural to want to support and help when the premiere came to Hong Kong. I want to support his family and his legacy, even if I only manage to help 1 percent, it will totally be worth it.

Originally published in May 2019 issue of Prestige Hong Kong.

In her Shoes

My feature and shoot with these awesome mums - and their incredible kids - is out in May issue of Prestige Hong Kong.

Was super stressed pre-shoot but the day couldn't have been better thanks to this cheery lot. So many cuddles throughout the day. Joyful

Unhidden Agenda!!

click to enlarge!

April issue of Prestige Hong Kong, 2019. What's hot.

Heart and Seoul: Miu Miu

The Miu Miu event in Hong Kong.

Model Citizen: Interview with Iconic Hong Kong Model Eunis Chan in Prestige magazine

My chat with Hong Kong's very own Eunis Chan in the April issue of Prestige magazine. The popular model talks about her brand, her collaboration and... sweaty men. lols. Seriously. 

Read the entire feature. in the magazine - out on newsstands and all good stockists next week. 

Celestial Bodies: The Best (and Worst) of Celebrity Fashion at the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards: Gemma Chan for the Win

 

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS

What? The 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards was held at the end of January in Los Angeles and a firmament of stars preened for the cameras as they strutted into the Shrine Auditorium. Every celeb worth his/her grit doubled as a model for the biggest brands, showcasing the latest collections in all their Hollywood finery.

Gemma Chan in Oscar de la Renta and Harry Winston

Fashion yays: Gemma Chan continued her red-carpet reign with yet another faultless look and polished perfection in an Oscar de la Renta gown, Harry Winston jewels and Christian Louboutin heels – according to many fashion insiders, it was a toss between her and Margot Robbie, in Chanel, for the best-dressed accolade. Among a sea of glittering gowns, Louis Vuitton ambassador Emma Stone braved the flashbulbs in the brand’s embellished blouse and pants, looking gorgeous and comfortable (a rarity on the red carpet). Finally, we doff our hats to 81-year-old Jane Fonda, who continues to defy age and expectation by looking phenomenal in Maison Valentino. When asked what she thinks when she looks in the mirror, Fonda quipped, “Money well spent!”

Fashion nays: While we fawned over the ladies we yawned at the men dressed, predictably, in tuxedos. Now, while we aren’t the type to nitpick anybody’s rig – and usually prefer the sin of omission to ranting about the sartorial selects of overpaid stylists – we couldn’t help but pause at … well, Natalie Portman in a rather large bib, comedienne Busy Philipps in a busy print, Michelle Williams in metallic stripes and Janelle Monae in a tea cosy. Well, there’s always the Oscars to fix the designer damage. Watch this space in our next issue!

P. Ramakrishnan

click to enlarge

Emily Blunt in Michael Kors and Forevermark Diamonds

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Yara Shahidi in Fendi Couture and Cartier

Darren Criss in Giorgio Armani

Harry Shum Jnr in Giorgio Armani

Jane Fonda in Maison Valentino

Lady Gaga in Dior Haute Couture and Tiffany and Co

Lupita Nyongo in Vera Wang and Roger Vivier

Margot Robbie in Chanel

Behind the scenes, outtake... final shot

The final shot that went to print - the lol-tastic outtake and the behind the scenes cast and crew. Was so much fun chatting with and doing a portrait of Julien-Loic Garin, head of Le French May in Hong Kong for Prestige Hong Kong's 40 under 40.

All portraits by Dino Busch, styled by Nina Ricardo. See the entire list and all the features at PrestigeOnline.com

Portrait of a Lady:

Prestige mini feature by me for a wonderful cause. 

This ran in Jan issue - more at PrestigeOnline.com

Outtakes on set: Ruth Chao

Working on a special project for Prestige Hong Kong earlier today - reminded why its always fun to work with designer Ruth Chao. Below, outtakes from our last shoot together with Dino Busch. Today in office... well, more on that in 2019!! woot woot 

My Exclusive Chat with Timmy Xu at Roberto Cavalli pop-up

Idol Chat

The star attraction at the Roberto Cavalli pop-up store at Harbour City was indubitably Timmy Xu. At age 24, the young and stylish lad has a huge fan-following and the singer/songwriter and actor (his television show, aptly titled, Addicted, was a ratings bonanza across China) is followed keenly by purveyors of fashion. 

Had a quick Q&A with the popular actor/singer;

You’ve been dressed by Roberto Cavalli for the occasion, tell us about your look.

I love it. I like to dress in contrast colours, like today, what I’m wearing is very sharp and smart. I like the animal print. It looks good!

What are your favourite accessories?

I’m sporty – so I really like my sneakers and shoes so this event is very much my kind of event! I love sports shoes, I like the bright colours and patterns. You’ll usually find me in sportswear and sports-gear.

What are you working on currently?

I’m working on a film project. We are shooting in studios in Shenzhen – it’s a drama called Ping Pong and I play a table tennis player! It’s really a celebratory kind of film, we’re looking at the time when the Olympics were held in Beijing. Even off set, I enjoy playing table tennis. I fit the part perfectly!

You’ve performed all around Asia. What’s been your favourite arena or venue?

I can’t really pick one location, I like going to different places each time, different countries, meet different fans n every country. I like to observe its culture and learn about it. I love that part of travel, love to experience places I’ve never been to before.

What’s been your best – or even craziest! – fan encounter?

When I’m performing during a concert, when I’m singing and the fans participate, that’s an amazing feeling. When they sing along or when they put their lighter or flashlight on from their phone – I get chills! It’s very touching. The best moments are really when we all sing together.

In 2019, what are you looking forward to – apart from the film?

Apart from the film Ping Pong, I’ve got a TV series in the works, another romantic drama coming up. And also, if all goes well, another big movie coming, with a big Hong Kong director. I can’t talk about it yet but I really hope it works out! 

For more -  grab the January issue of Prestige Hong Kong

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Chris Tong and Bruce Tong: 40 under 40 by Prestige Hong Kong.

At 23 years old, the Tong twins Bruce and Chris are the youngest movers and shakers of Hong Kong society to make it on to our 40 Under 40 list. The sons of famed Hong Kong actor Kent Tong and his wife, Christy Jiang, the handsome gents made their movie debut earlier this year with Donnie Yen in the Cantonese action flick Big Brother.

While the photographer changes props and lights for this spread, Bruce tells us about his first movie-making experience. “Watching Donnie was inspirational for us, as he works really, really hard and for really long hours without showing any signs of exhaustion,” he says. “When we got tired,” adds Chris, “we wouldn’t show it as we saw Donnie’s work ethic. It was important for us to continue as he led by example.”

Doing the circuit of celebrity-studded events, TV appearances, magazine shoots and the occasional catwalk show, the brothers — who are the youngest talents represented by Bullet Films Productions — are kept busy as they earn their spot under the arc lights. “It’s fun to attend the parties and shows, but when you’re on set, you really have to work hard for what you see on screen,” says Bruce, who’s also trained in wushu. “We enjoy doing action and stunts, and hope to do more of that.”

The complete list of 40 under 40 is available with the December 2018 issue of Prestige Hong Kong. 

Hong Kong's 40 under 40 by Prestige

 The Young and the Restless

 

 

Welcome to 40 under 40, our annual compendium of Hong Kong’s most audacious young talents from the worlds of art, commerce, sport, entertainment, fashion and philanthropy. For the fifth consecutive year, the editorial team convened in the summer to draw up a list of candidates – all under 40 years old, of course – and edit it down to the 40 individuals who passed muster. This entailed some hard and at times brutal decisions, whittling out some top-brass names, until we were happy with our inventory of the city’s more youthful achievers. Newspapers were perused, social media were put under the microscope, and sometimes we just relied on good old-fashioned word of mouth. Finally, the 40 personalities that made the cut were interviewed and photographed and their profiles arranged alphabetically within five categories: Change Makers, Creatives, Visionaries, Movers and Shakers, and Titans.

Over a seemingly endless period, we locked down every person you see in the ensuing pages, dragging them to the tangled and begrimed studios in Chai Wan Industry City for an exclusive portrait session. Some didn’t have the luxury of time to make their way there, so our motley behind-the-scenes-crew made their way to their various residences, restaurants, and galleries, or we found unpeopled streets and corners for a guerrilla-style shoot. This led to the odd scuttle when authorities came inquiring about permits as we beat a retreat, all quick footwork and sheepish grins.

If there’s one thing our fab 40 share, it’s that they are all led by a singular vision, savoir-faire and diligence. They sacrificed, they built, they gained and lost, they fell and they chose to rise again. Some built with wisdom and flair on inherited riches, others were gifted with extraordinary talents that they exploited with almost preternatural skill.

As you go through the publication, you’ll see that this year’s roster of young achievers has a generous addition of new faces that we are thrilled to shine a light on, be it outstanding sportsmen and women, aspiring philanthropists, restaurateurs or tech wizards. The usual suspects are ably represented: business people, property tycoons in-the-making, influencers and second-gen surnames who have added a new edge to family-owned corporations.

Lest I forget, we must credit the wonderful team that created this stunning portfolio of images. Everybody in this invaluable tome was photographed by Dino Busch, styled by Nina Ricardo and benefited from the hair and make-up skills of Gloomy Kwok (and his able crew; Bella, Iris and Sandy). Their patience and generosity of spirit did not go unnoticed.

So here it is, dear reader, a small window into the lives of the young ladies and gents who are helping Hong Kong remain a matchless agency of change and growth.





P.Ramakrishnan
Editor

2018 Edition


The entire list and gallery up at PrestigeOnline.com 

Published Nov 2018

My Fourth Feature with Fav Yen Kuok: Entrepreneur and Heiress in Hong Kong

Face The Magic with Yen Kuok 

The founder of Guiltless lets us in on the beauty regiment that works wonders for her.

Yen Kuok of Guiltless, the pre-loved online shopping site studded with designer goodies, had spent a few leisurely and blissful hours at The Spa by Valmont when we caught up with her. This pretty girl-about-town has enviable skin that she maintains with a beauty routine that works wonders for her. She tried the spa’s signature products and treatments with glowing results and before she jetted off — honestly, she lives on a plane! — we asked her to reveal her beauty secrets.

Check out the entire shoot and interview here at PrestigeOnline

Someone brought it up in the office that I've done all the features with Yen Kuok over the years in print. She's fun, good chat, smart as nails (deceptively smart, she sees all, knows all!).

November 2018 

My chat with Bonnae Gokson

Bonnae Gokson on her new book, beautiful weddings and success!

The businesswoman, entrepreneur and style icon adds author to her list of titles. 

Following the success of Bonnae Gokson’s first book, its sequel, Weddings, Butterflies & The Sweetest Dreams, is out this month at all leading stockists. Gokson, the mastermind behind Sevva, C’est La B cafés, and Ms B’s Cakery, is renowned for her exquisite taste — so the book is, unsurprisingly, stunning. The new tome is a visual feast, depicting exquisite weddings around the world, complemented by bespoke cakes selected and designed by Gokson for each occasion. We sat down with the always glamorous Gokson at her impeccable and iconic restaurant Sevva to go over this new chapter in her life.

Always good chat, was great to catch up with Ms Gokson on the eve of her book launch for a Q&A session for Prestige (and PrestigeOnline.com). Check out the full feature here.