Play List: James Wong: Actor and model from UK hits Hong Kong

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Quick Q&A with Hong Kong TV actor James Wong. Funny kid - with an amazing following on instagram.

Celebrity Style: Interview with Hong Kong's Designer to the Stars Barney Cheng

My chat with Hong Kong designer Barney Cheng out in latest issue of Galaxy magazine. 

Pics by William Dunkley.

Galaxy Magazine cover shoot: 2015: Hong Kong supermodel stuns in Cover Shoot with Andy Cheung

Thrilled that the latest issue of Galaxy magazine has received such a great response. Great to be back at work and get the positive feedback!

Kudos to the incredible team, led by photographer Olivier Yoan (who, after Olaf Mueller, has shot more covers for the mag than any other).

Karen Yiu, the magical make-up artist, did the looks yet again. As the archives will show, we've done maximum number of shoots together. Seifert Cheung tagged along to do hair. Bhisan Rai styled [i.e. did wardrobe and accessories] for the mag once again. Rai has the patience of a saint and just the nicest fella to work with.   

Tasha Ling oversaw the entire shoot as Art Drirtor! I usually don't head to location if she's there, as I know the entire process is in safe, well-manicured hands. But I did tag along for this one as I got a chance to spend the day with gorgeous Rosemary Vandenbrouke; part of the holy Hong Kong supermodel click, that barely includes seven gorgeous people! 

Iconic Hong Kong model Rosemary Vandenbrouke was a dream to work with [our third shoot over the past decade] - and its been a dream of mine for aaaages to get that girl on the cover. And she rocked it out! Usually, we line up all the shots and cherry pick the best shot for cover - there were several options during this shoot. 

As a fellow model pointed out [think it was Mia...], if you're going to be shot with Rosemary, you've got to step it up as she'll take over the picture. In an image, you'll remember her and no one else... so it was a tall task for co-model Andy Cheung [at Lotus models] to pose and preen with Rosey-posey!

I love this shoot. Do I say that after every shoot? Er... maybe! But I 'seriously' love this shoot!!

Playlist: Jun Tyler: Model turned musician--or was that vice versa?-- sets the record straight.

What I’m listening to: all kinds of genres. I love classical music, including Bach, Chopin and Ravel. I also love jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Roberto Fonseca. But I also listen to rock and heavy metal such as Metallica.

What I’m reading: I should be reading more, but I have the concentration span of a six year old. I do read the papers every day. I enjoyed reading Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do. The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine is a great book to learn from. I never bothered when it sat on the piano stool 10 years ago, but now I can finally appreciate it.

What I’m watching: I enjoy British comedies and stand-up, Mock the Week in particular. I’m not very good at keeping up with the latest “it” shows. Recently I saw Gone Girl and thought it was mind-blowing.

What artists I’m following: nobody too crazy, but I think Roberto Fonseca is a great artist – a great pianist and a great live performer.

Where I’m surfing: I’m listening to a lot of music on Spotify. As I’m always searching for knowledge and inspiration, I’m always on Google and Wikipedia. Plus I’m watching a lot of boxing on YouTube.

(As told to P. Ramakrishnan)

A quick Q&A with Jun Tyler.

Pianist and model. 

Cover Shoot

I can't wait for the world to see the latest cover shoot in Galaxy magazine. Got a mag dream of mine come true esp as I really loved my cast and crew in it.

Hollywood Hair

As I work behind the scenes of innumerable shoots for magazines and newspapers, work with models a lot (a lot!), from those not in the biz, I get asked about the strangest things. Most not worth answering, but this one is.

Where do the models get their hair/nails done?
I send 'em all pre-shoot to Hollywood Hair - if the need be. In particular to Rennie Fensham, the always interestingly coiffed, chatty bird from South Africa (love her accent!) and her gorgeous daughter Yentl. Two mods in particular went there and got transformed are the above two hotties; Nabil and Lenka. The cut, the color, all gorge!


Hollywood Hair 
Address: 23/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: 2861 9830
www.hollywoodhair.com.hk

Play List: David Klar: Ballroom Dancer Extraordinaire is Grooving to The Beat

Noted Australian ballroom dancer and current Hong Kong resident, David Klar has a quick chat with more the column. 

Published in South China Morning Post, 2014