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, starting with Alan See here.

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 

Q&A with Mural Artist Alana Tsui: First Person column for Prestige Hong Kong

Artist Alana Tsui on Social Media and Making Incredible Murals

We speak to ex-Hong Kong, now New York based mural artist Alana Tsui about art, social media and Robert De Niro’s dog.

Read up on our chat here at PrestigeOnline

Dino Busch shot her for the feature, and Alana superimposed her artwork on the pic - such. a cool idea for presenting her and her work through pictures. We have a clever team.

The article is in print in November issue of Prestige Hong Kong magazine. (p54!) but ya can't do cool gifs like this in print! Well, not yet... 

 

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.