Throwback Thursday: Behind the scenes of a video shoot and interview

Always fun working with Jason. TBT to this interview/video shoot. We created our own background and set at the corner of the office. A tighter budget means, you get creative real fast to make it work. 

Cyril Camus on the Legacy of Luxury, the Fine Art of Cognac, and the Importance of Innovation

We explore the artistic vision and innovation behind the famed house of Camus with Cyril Camus, the fifth-generation Cognac producer of the brand.

Cyril Camus stands as a rare, distinguished figure in the world of luxury spirits, leading the house of Camus, which, despite being in fifth-generation hands, is one of the youngest and most innovative Cognac producers in the world. With a legacy that spans generations, Camus—both man and brand—embodies a unique blend of tradition and modernity, pushing the boundaries of what Cognac can represent in the luxury market. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Humansa’s Don So on Redefining Well-Being in Asia and Health as a Lifelong Journey

Exploring the innovative approach of Humansa, where health optimisation meets luxury.

In an era where health and wellness have transcended mere trends to become the most paramount of priorities, Don So, CEO of Humansa, stands at the forefront of this transformative, evolving movement. His latest endeavour seeks to revolutionise the way we approach health management, particularly in the vibrant metropolis of Hong Kong. Robb Report Hong Kong speaks with So to shed light on Humansa’s innovative approach, the philosophy underpinning its services, and the compelling reasons behind why the health industry is witnessing a significant shift.

So’s journey into health optimisation is rooted in a profound understanding of human needs, cultivated through years of experience in an altogether entirely different industry: wealth management. What he studied was human behaviour and patterns—a sociological study, as he articulates that “the traditional view of health as merely the absence of illness is not sufficient. We are entering an era where optimal health is not just desirable—it is essential.”

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

 

Aji’s Chef Pan Sihui on Culinary Innovation, “Asian Bistronomy,” and Weaving a Rich Tapestry of Eastern and Western Flavours

Chef Pan is redefining gastronomy with his fusion of Southeast Asian flavours and Western techniques, creating an exceptional culinary experience dubbed “Asian Bistronomy.”

At MGM COTAI, Pan Sihui, the chef de cuisine of Aji, is at the forefront of a culinary revolution that marries Southeast Asian flavours with Western techniques. It’s made him an enticing magnet, attracting connoisseurs and critics in equal measure, fascinated by what he plates with such confident ease. Aji at MGM COTAI serves an inspired dining experience, showcasing a refreshed menu that embodies the evolution of Pan’s innovative concept, “Asian Bistronomy.” His contemporary interpretation of authentic Asian flavours, enhanced by distinctly Western culinary techniques, invites guests on a remarkable epicurean journey amidst the dramatic backdrop of The Spectacle at MGM COTAI.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

 

Chao Shang Chao’s Chef Cheung Yat-fung on Chinese Culinary Philosophy, Future Aspirations, and Stepping Up to Meet Every Challenge

Michelin-star-studded chef Cheung Yat-fung is bringing his culinary arts from Beijing for this year’s highly anticipated MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025.

A distinguished culinary maestro hailing from our own shores, Cheung Yat-fung currently spearheads the famed Chao Shang Chao (Chaoyang) restaurant in Beijing. (You know, the one with not one, but three coveted Michelin stars.) As the executive chef with an unwavering passion for Chinese culinary arts, Cheung adeptly showcases innovative techniques and flavours through meticulously crafted menus that pay homage to the richness and sophistication of his heritage. Adding him to the gilded roster of MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 proved to be the easiest decision by the powers that be.

Cheung’s professional journey began in his native city, but it was under the tutelage of master chef Tsang Chiu-king—the current culinary director of Ming Court Wanchai—that his career truly flourished. Tsang imparted not only his exceptional Cantonese culinary skills but also underscored the significance of respecting ingredients and nurturing a spirit of innovation. Inspired by this mentorship, Cheung retains a commitment to cultivating young talent, ensuring the preservation and evolution of Chinese gastronomic traditions.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

 

Saint Bella Founder Danny Xiang on the Evolution of Luxury Postnatal Care

Postnatal care has never looked this glamorous, but what Saint Bella is delivering is peace of mind.

In the ever-evolving landscape of luxury services, few sectors have been as transformative as postnatal and maternal care. At the forefront of this revolution is Saint Bella, a pioneering brand group dedicated to providing high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) with a unique and luxurious experience during one of life’s most significant transitions: the arrival of a new child. 

The driving force behind this revolution is Danny Xiang, the company’s founder and CEO, whose blend of elite academic credentials and entrepreneurial grit reads like a modern legend. A quintessential “golden child” by any measure, Xiang’s trajectory has been extraordinary. 

At 18, Xiang received admission offers from seven world-class institutions, ultimately choosing Oxford, where he fast-tracked and completed a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering by 23. From there, he launched a successful career in finance with UBS, and was swiftly promoted to director of UBS Asia’s Healthcare Investment Banking division. It was during this period that he identified untapped potential in the wellness consumer market. Never one to shy from bold decisions, the tenacious visionary walked away from the security of a lucrative banking career in 2017 to pioneer China’s postpartum care centre industry—a niche he would redefine through entrepreneurship.

In a mere seven years, Xiang has steered Saint Bella to become Asia’s largest and fastest growing postpartum care and recovery group, expanding its footprint to nearly 80 high-end locations across more than 25 cities worldwide. Leveraging its unique asset-light business model, the company has achieved rapid year-on-year growth. Based on revenue growth rates from 2021 to 2023, Saint Bella is also the fastest-growing large-scale postpartum care and family wellness group in China.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong

Christie’s Asia-Pacific’s Francis Belin on a New Home at The Henderson, a Diary Full of Pending Auctions, and Emotional Connection

We sit down for an exclusive chat with the president of Christie’s Asia-Pacific on the future of art auctions and more in Hong Kong.

In the epicentre of Hong Kong, a city synonymous with luxury and commerce, legendary auctioneer Christie’s has established its new Asia-Pacific headquarters at The Henderson. This monumental move not only signifies the auction house’s commitment to the region but also reflects a broader trend in the art market, one that is increasingly influenced by Asian collectors and their growing appetite for fine art. Francis Belin, president of Christie’s Asia-Pacific, recently shared insights into this strategic transition in an exclusive interview with Robb Report Hong Kong and what it means for the future of art auctions in Asia.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong

Hong Kong Affirms Its Status as a Premier Luxury Destination

In conversation with Dr Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the big impact that Hong Kong makes on the global luxury market is discussed at length. 

In an exclusive interview following the inaugural Leaders of Luxury Summit 2024, hosted by Robb Report Hong Kong on 27 November 2024 with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Dr Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, shares his insights on the ever-evolving luxury landscape and Hong Kong’s pivotal role within it.

A formidable roster of delegates spoke on stage in a resoundingly positive and hopeful spirit as the conversations explored reshaping the future of luxury beyond Hong Kong. Its ripples reached far and wide as the words of the most significant players in industry, many of whom flew down especially for the event, resonated with the audience.

“When I first heard about the theme, ‘Redefining Luxury Through a Global Lens,’ I thought, ‘What better place to host such a forward-looking dialogue than Hong Kong?’” Dr Pang reflects on the overarching theme of the entire event. “Hong Kong is an ideal backdrop for such a discussion. As one of the fastest-growing luxury markets globally and the gateway to Mainland China, Hong Kong is strategically positioned to lead this conversation. With projections indicating that Mainland China will contribute 25 per cent of worldwide luxury sales by 2025, the timing of the Leaders of Luxury Summit is indeed opportune.”

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong

The Olsen Twins: Meme'd

Quasi-billionaires by the time they were 21, they turned out remarkably sane, but the net sure has a field day with the famed Olsen twins. 

Back in the day, had the pleasure of interviewing both when they came to Hong Kong--their clothes were available at Lane Crawford and the two were doing publicity in the city. 

Both were charming, erudite and had their heads firmly in place. 

They had a manager who was... perpetually vexed and clearly jet-lagged cause whoaaaa not nice to the HK crew. 

The girls were lovely-- the entire interview is in the archive here: Sibling Revelry: The Olsen Twins

Couturier Guo Pei on Dreaming Fashion, the Evolution of the Global Fashion Narrative, and Celebrating the Beauty of Simplicity and Complexity

Her work leapt off the pages of fashion magazines to the art world early on, but her exhibition at a venerated museum solidifies her legacy as an artist of note.

“Overwhelming” is the word that comes to mind at first glance of the red, alien bridal number from the Legends collection, a hedonistic chapter, and one of five, on exhibit in the cavernous halls of M+ contemporary visual arts museum. The 40 pieces on display, standing on elevated platforms, are curated designer confections from the grand portfolio of Guo Pei, each piece etching its mark in the annals of fashion history.

Guo, possibly the most famous couturier to emerge from China on the global stage, is the visionary designer renowned for her intricate craftsmanship and artistic acumen, creating otherworldly ensembles that fuse art, history, and craftsmanship in ways hitherto unimagined. She has even captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, particularly since songstress Rihanna wore her golden cape to the Met Gala in 2015.

As Guo prepares to showcase some of her most iconic works, one early morning before the crowds saunter in, we at Robb Report Hong Kong had an exclusive conversation with the couturier. Delving into her creative process, the significance of her journey, and her reflections on the evolving landscape of fashion, much was discussed.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern on Celebrating 140 Years of Breitling and Expanding the Evolution of the Historical Watch Brand

A centenary Swiss brand is making waves in China—but what took so long? Longstanding Breitling leader Georges Kern answers this, and many other insights in a lengthy chat. It’s all about the right timing for Breitling CEO Georges Kern, who will soon be clocking 30 years in the horological industry. While passing through Hong Kong, he gave Robb Report Hong Kong an exclusive one-on-one chat about leading Breitling as it celebrates its 140th anniversary.

Marking “140 Years of Firsts,” Breitling unveiled not one, but three limited editions of its flagship models—the Premier, the Navitimer, and the Chronomat. Launched in Hong Kong to great fanfare to an assembly of collectors, connoisseurs, and celebrities, guest of honour, singer, and actor Raymond Lam joined hands with Kern to unveil the three novelties in Hong Kong.

But for watch enthusiasts, the cynosure of all eyes will perpetually be Kern, who, in his tenure as CEO, opened Breitling’s doors to China with a 2019 star-studded event in Beijing featuring brand ambassadors Brad Pitt, Daniel Wu, and legendary photographer Peter Lindbergh. Famed as an alpha-masculine brand for decades, Kern invited Charlize Theron to be the ambassador of a new collection and collaborated with Victoria Beckham on a special-edition Chronomat.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Will Always Be a High-Interest Ultra-Luxury Property Market. Here’s Why.

Georgina Atkinson, a leading global real estate advisor, explains why the Hong Kong property market will never not be interesting and where investors are looking to next.

Real estate in any region is always worthy of inspection, a fine harbinger charting the state of the economy, mood of a city, and even demarking times of historical significance. Just ask Georgina Atkinson of Origin Private Office, who only works on prime global real estate and ultra-luxury properties for a clientele with global interest.

Several images, graphs, and reports on Hong Kong property and rental price indexes show dramatic highs followed by incremental dips, and, almost inevitably, staggering heights again. But if you take a step back, you’ll notice the overall arc, an incline that has grown exponentially over the past century. In a world with no surefire bets, dealing in property in Hong Kong has served UHNW individuals exceedingly well.

In conversation with Origin’s new Private Office, dedicated to “ultra-prime” real estate, Robb Report Hong Kong learns about how the company deals bespoke client services within the real estate sector to VVIPs.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Five Foot Road’s Yang Dengquan on How Authenticity and Accuracy Make Up the Spice of Life, and the Importance of the Historical Silk Road to Sichuan Cuisine

 

Historically, cuisine from Chengdu comes with baggage tags of spice and numbing spice, but the good chef assures that there’s much more to this regional style of food.

 

Not to use the terms lightly, but seated across the circular mahogany table of Five Foot Road, one can listen to an oral thesis on Sichuan cuisine by omniscient chef Yang Dengquan, who has devoted his life and career to the details of a culinary sect that not many are privy to. 

The broad brushstroke of claiming all the region’s cuisine as merely “spicy food” loses intricacies that the finer palate can detect. A sophisticated one can even find the elements of 24 intricate flavour profiles that stem from five basic tastes: sweet, sour, savoury, bitter, and spicy. The finest chef can summon root powers using indigenous ingredients, legacy recipes, and cooking styles passed on from one generation to the next, but only the chosen few are fully committed to authenticity and accuracy.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Baan Tepa’s Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam on Passion and Perseverance, Gaining Two Michelin Stars, and Bringing Thai Culinary Excellence to Macau

Elevating easy-to-love, popular dishes from Thailand, the chef is winning over critics, patrons, and reality TV judges in one fell swoop.

As the new-age face of contemporary Thai cuisine, chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam (who found fame as the winner of the immensely popular reality TV cooking show Top Chef Thailand) is in the thick of a media frenzy. She is having her moment in the sun as every major publication in her native country and around Asia has featured her with glowing references and portraiture—and deservedly so. Bringing zest, novelty, and enthusiasm to one of the most beloved cuisines in the world, she is reminding the world yet again of Thai excellence, bringing it piping hot and steaming to the table. 

While many a young adult flounders before finding the chosen path, Debhakam set her goal posts early on, with her first steps as a graduate from the University of Nottingham in Food Science and Nutrition. A degree from the International Culinary Centre in New York followed suit, which led to working at the famed Jean-Georges, 11 Madison Park, and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. But it was back in her motherland where she found sure footing.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Chef Florita Morais Alves on Tradition, History, and Skilful Hands, and How to Bring Macanese Cuisine to the Table at MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024

Representing a traditional approach to modern Macanese cuisine, this icon in the dining industry serves meals, history, and anecdotes with equal ease.

As you read these words, some of the finest chefs in the world are in their respective kitchens, mulling over recipes, ingredients, and ideas for plating and presentation as they prep for the grand return of the most-anticipated culinary event of the year: MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024. Back in Macau from 28 to 30 June, flights are booked and prized equipment, fine produce, and a boatload of talent is eastward-bound, heading to MGM COTAI to pen the second chapter of RR1 Hong Kong’s Culinary Masters in Asia.

With an ambitious theme of “Savor 700 Years of Silk Road Flavors: A Gastronomic Odyssey,” this year’s event will bring together stellar chefs from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East for a series of captivating activities and meticulously prepared dinners, culminating with a 12-hand pièce-de-résistance dinner that promises to be a showstopper. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

This Quirky Jewellery Collection Imagines Burgers, Spaghetti, and Cutlery Into Dazzling Accessories

 

An original if ever, Nadine Ghosn’s work celebrates the ordinary.

It’s a good-looking burger; the bun is perfectly round and fluffy, the phalanx of sesame seeds on top are crunchy, the lettuce looks crisp, and the slice of tomato succulent and pulpy. Delicious, and yet distinctly inedible—the bun’s made of gold, the seeds are diamonds, the tomatoes rubies, and the tsavorite lettuce should not be eaten under any circumstance.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Leaders of Luxury: Horacio Pagani, Founder of Pagani Automobili

For the latest edition of Leaders of Luxury, we engage in exclusive conversation with motoring royalty, a man who needs little introduction as his name is eponymous with the masterful hypercar he created: Horacio Pagani.

His legend was built on just three cars: the Zonda (the first car he produced in 1992), the Huayra, and Utopia. Each car has been listed among the best of the best in luxury automobiles, year after year, decade after decade.

In this business, there are no overnight successes. Pagani came from humble beginnings in Argentina, long before his stint at Renault and Lamborghini. He speaks at length about his company’s philosophy, his inspiration and, as always, what luxury means to him today.

Chopard’s Caroline Scheufele on Balancing Art and Business, Her Love of Cinema, and the Jewellery She Never Takes Off

An intimate, reflective conversation with the jeweller to the stars.

Caroline Scheufele juggles many a plate mid-air with manicured efficiency as both co-president and artistic director of Chopard. Jet lag doesn’t seem to bother her—the jet-setting jeweller to the stars struts the red carpet with nonchalant ease, greeting the A-listers of Asia with an affable charm that comes with constant proximity to fame.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Interview with Chopard's Caroline Scheufele. On video

 

In the latest edition of Leaders of Luxury, I had the rare opportunity to speak with Caroline Scheufele, who needs little introduction among the glitterati. As the artistic director and co-president of Chopard, Scheufele juggles her double role with elegant ease, creating some of the most beautiful jewellery in the world and heading a global business empire with her family. During her visit to Hong Kong to unveil the newest Chopard store with some of Asia’s brightest stars, Scheufele reveals what luxury means to her, how she got the elusive Julia Roberts to star in a campaign, and which jewellery pieces she never, ever takes off. 

A Robb Report Hong Kong exclusive - here. 

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.