Driven to Sustainability: A Dialogue between two iconic brands: The Macallan and Bentley Motors

United by a dedication to craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation, The Macallan and Bentley Motors have joined forces for a partnership program that is unprecedented in its scale and its stature. They share a joint vision of driving towards a more sustainable future, while continuing to pursue the uncompromised excellence for which both are known. The sustainability strategy is wide-reaching and incorporates a range of elements including giving back to communities; nurturing The Macallan Estate; progressive packaging; and partnering with sustainable suppliers.

Ultimately, the partnership hopes to build on the legacy of balancing excellence with environmental and social responsibility. A partnership that will hopefully inspire others to join us on a journey that can be both exceptional and ethical.

In conversation with Elizabeth McMillan, Senior Marketing Manager, Sustainability, The Macallan and Alex Quelch-Cliffe, Decarbonisation Manager at Bentley Motors, it seemed pertinent to ask them to join in this conversation together. Both share the excitement for the opportunity to learn from the other and utilise their respective areas of expertise to drive forward our own sustainability journeys.

What are the breakthroughs from this collaboration that is new to both brands with regards to sustainability?

Elizabeth McMillian: Through a programme of knowledge exchange and the open sharing of innovative projects and plans, The Macallan and Bentley will benefit from each other’s expertise, advancing the decarbonisation transition of each of the brands’ operations on their journeys to become carbon neutral on The Macallan Estate by 2030.

Bentley already operates the world’s first certified carbon neutral luxury car manufacturing facility. Like The Macallan, the goal is for carbon neutrality to now extend across the entire business. By harnessing partnerships with organisations that share a common purpose we will seek to find solutions to big challenges and Bentley Motors’ ambitious sustainability vision echoes that of our own.

What do you think is the most exciting part about The Macallan and Bentley collaboration?

Alex Quelch-Cliffe: At the heart of our collaboration is a shared vision of sustainability. Personally, I am interested in not only the immediate benefits we can deliver from our two brands working closely together – but the potential for Macallan’s insights to bring a different perspective and solutions to the challenges we face in the wider automotive industry.

Is there a new sustainability implementation for the brand that you’re working on currently already in place?

EM: The Macallan and Bentley will look to support one another in their mutual goals to achieve the following: becoming carbon neutral by 2030, a conversion to electric vehicles, The Macallan Estate will transition to a 100% electric passenger vehicle fleet by 2025, including two exclusive hybrid Estate vehicles from our partner. The entire Bentley range will be electrified by 2023, and fully electric only by 2030. The partnership will unlock access to a wider network of suppliers for both to further evolve the progressive sourcing principles of each brand. Promoting the use of sustainable materials with responsible sourcing and packaging will be fundamental to the creation of mutually curated products, experiences, and content. The partnership will build upon the innovative research, sourcing and use of sustainable materials by both and finally, investing in people and cultivating a community of artisans to realise its vision of creating beautifully distinctive products and accessories.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in the journey towards sustainability?

ACQ: Rather than seeing challenges, the most striking thing both we have encountered are the opportunities for rich storytelling, shared learning and collaborative development. This is very important to both of us, to ensure that we conserve natural resources as much as possible whilst also creating products and experiences that are extraordinary for our customers. We are exploring all avenues to reduce single use plastics and waste from our production processes and products.

When the proposal to collaborate with a car came up weren’t you originally surprised?

EM: We identified the luxury automotive sector as a valuable opportunity to broaden The Macallan’s reach beyond the spirits category and to bring our single malt to our target consumers around the world in new and engaging ways, while also appealing to existing aficionados and their passions and interests.

What’s the biggest message to Prestige readers about this unique, unprecedented collaboration – what should people take away from it?

ACW: Through this global brand partnership with The Macallan, we will travel forward using our imagination, to envisage how the world will be and embark on an exciting and extraordinary journey into the future.

EM: Our partnership is built on a long-term shared commitment to seek to find solutions to the big challenges we both face. Through our global brand partnership, my hope it will take us to thinking and innovation that we would not have reached on our own around sustainability. Both brands demonstrate a commitment to sustainability across key areas of the business including innovation, environmental performance, and community development, so together we will enhance our progress.

Taner in a Tux at Island Shangri La Suite at The Island Shangri-La Hong Kong

Trust the process. Shooting in one of the most gorgeous suites in Hong Kong - the Shangri-La Suite at The Island Shangri-la in Hong Kong, was a bit iffy about taking the shot in the large bathtub in the largest private bathroom in the city. 

Pacing up and down like a lunatic, sent out panic smoke signals to frequent collaborator, photographer Dino Busch. The phrase trust the process came to mind. Once we all emptied the room, the final shot came through. Impeccably. 

Like I said, trust the process!  

Full look; Dunhill. 

In February 2024, at the National Portrait Gallery, a new chapter of Dunhill - now more than 130 years in - unfolded as Simon Holloway presented his debut collection for the Richemont-owned brand. As the latest creative director of Dunhill, Holloway didn’t just revitalise the polished British icon, he reinvented modern menswear for a contemporary market. Full feature in my Best of Style column. 

Photography: Dino Busch @dinobuschphotography

Stylist: Bhisan Rai @styledbybhisan

Hair and Make-up: Karen Yiu @karenyiumakeupart

Model: Taner from Model One @tanersc @modelonehk

 

The Pleasure of my Company: Angie Uttamchandani, founder of A La Fête

A La Fête: A Female-Led Success Story in Hong Kong’s Gifting and Events Scene

A La Fête, founded by Angie Uttamchandani in August 2017, is a vibrant, women-led business based in Hong Kong that has been delighting clients for nearly nine years. Specialising in customised products, personalised gifts, party favours, and bespoke hampers, the company transforms celebrations into memorable experiences with thoughtful, tailored touches with bespoke offerings that are rarely duplicated.  

Young Angie Uttamchandani, the owner and director, brings passion and creativity to every project. Born and brought up in Hong Kong, but having travelled the world, she's the embodiment of the can-do spirit of go-local, think global, catering to ideations beyond borders, providing insightful gifting ideas to her international clientele, all interested in curating experiences of the gifting ritual. More than the intrinsic value of the gift, its all about personalisation - a mantra many of the F+ortune 500 luxury companies have embraced, let alone this little engine that could.

Personalised, initial carved watch cases with a hidden message, USB sticks with family surname, gift hampers filled to the brim with thematic ribbon-wrapped boxes, all with personalised letters. The idea is simple, a love note is so much more valuable that an item's market value - a keenly observed modus operandi that makes this event gifting company, a solution centre and think tank for friends, family and loved ones. 

With a background that blends entrepreneurial drive and attention to detail, she has built A La Fête into a go-to name for unique gifting solutions in Hong Kong’s competitive market. The name “A La Fête” (French for “to the party” or “in celebration”) perfectly captures the brand’s festive spirit. 

Highlights of the Business

The company excels in personalised gifting across life’s milestones. From elegant 50th birthday setups with custom backdrops and favours, to baby girl/boy hampers, corporate client gifts, and festive occasion boxes, A La Fête offers made-to-order creations that stand out. 

Skimming through its official social media handles, popular items include custom ribbon candles, themed party favours, Mahjong-inspired chocolates, personalised pill boxes, and beautifully curated gift baskets for occasions like Chinese New Year, anniversaries, birthdays or corporate events, private launches, business landmark celebrations. Be it a family event or a shareholder gathering, creating an appropriate and memorable parting shot is the key idea.

What sets A La Fête apart is its focus on quality and customisation. Clients receive one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect personal stories or brand identities, whether for intimate surprise parties, corporate gifting, or large-scale celebrations. The business has grown a loyal following through Instagram (@alafetehk), showcasing creative ideas that blend functionality with elegance -from tea party accessories to thoughtful wellness gifts. 

As a female-founded enterprise in Hong Kong, with all women team, A La Fête exemplifies resilience and innovation in a dynamic city that never sleeps. Nearly a decade in, it has helped countless individuals and businesses celebrate life’s special moments with style and sincerity. 

A La Fete's personalised accessories provides a range of ideas that's second to none

With the world as her global source, the founder of the company is keen to provide solutions, budgets, options. From a USB with a private company's symbol to an embroidered jewellery box studded with precious and semi-precious stones, the figures run the gamut suiting anyone's budget. What's important is how the giver and receiver are left feeling, what the enduring memory is - as opposed to the fiscal responsibility entailed at any given party. 

Angie’s vision continues to inspire, proving that thoughtful details create lasting joy. With its emphasis on personalisation and quality, A La Fête remains a shining example of women-led entrepreneurship in Asia’s world city. 

For more information, follow the official social media account of A La Fete here, and here.

The Goods column in Post Magazine

 

Things you find in old computers...  

My Post magazine menswear column, The Goods. Some of it archived here. 

Essentially, a menswear and accessories column on ... what's good. Key point, had to be easily available in Hong Kong for the readers/viewers of Post mag/SCMP! 

Mathew T strikes a pose - French photographer and friend Sami Alliot took the pics. 

Writing Advertorials: The Challenges. The Triumphs

After 23 years in this industry, I thought I’d seen it all. Turns out, the game doesn’t get easier - you just learn to adapt faster. The past five weeks have been a masterclass in patience. I’ve been writing advertorials and client-led features where the brief seems to change daily. Sub-editors, brand managers, and various stakeholders (many of whom aren’t entirely sure what they want) request rewrites… only to eventually circle back to Version 1.

Sound familiar?

I’ve worked with publishers (two... rhymes with stunts... come to mind) who thought nothing of shifting direction at 5:59pm on deadline day. You roll your eyes and roll with the punches. Take a breath, and get it done. Because that’s the job. The real skill isn’t just the writing anymore. It’s navigating feedback loops, managing egos, protecting the integrity of the piece, and still delivering something that actually works for the brand - all while keeping your sanity intact. Writing advertorials is a unique craft. It demands creativity, diplomacy, and the patience of a saint. Would love to hear from fellow writers, content creators, and editors: how do you handle endless rounds of revisions and unclear direction? What’s your survival strategy?

On the plus side... well, nothing pays better. =0)

The Absolute Perfection of The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai:

Ah Taj... sigh. 

Luck and other people's great fortune (!) has afforded me multiple stays at this... something greater than "hotel"... 

How do I explain this phenomenon to the world outside who has never set foot at this pile of brick and mortar in Mumbai that is greater than the sum of its parts... 

There are almighty tomes written about the place, but here's my 2 Hong Kong cents; 

The Taj Mahal Palace stands as Mumbai’s undisputed icon of grandeur and timeless elegance. Opened in 1903 by visionary industrialist Jamsetji Tata, this heritage masterpiece in Colaba, overlooking the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India, was built in defiant Indo-Saracenic style, blending Moorish domes, Rajput flourishes, Florentine Renaissance, and Oriental details into pure architectural poetry. Its soaring central dome, built on Eiffel Tower scaffolding, has welcomed royalty, dignitaries, and dreamers for over 120 years.

What makes it the greatest hotel isn’t merely its opulent history or prime location - it’s the way it consistently takes your breath away. Every stay feels like stepping into a living masterpiece. Service reaches perfection: warm, intuitive, and never intrusive. Staff anticipate needs with quiet grace, turning ordinary moments into cherished memories. Whether it’s personalized butler service or seamless attention to detail, the hospitality feels genuinely heartfelt.

And then there’s the sheer photogenic beauty. Every nook and corner - marble corridors, jewel-toned lounges, sea-facing balconies, and lush courtyards - invites awe. Even a cup of tea (admittedly pricey) becomes an event in such surroundings. The Taj doesn’t just host you; it envelops you in legacy, luxury, and unmistakable magic. No wonder it remains a destination in itself. Pure, unforgettable splendour. Found these images in the ol' camera from my last trip there...

TBT: A look at Steve Leung’s Holiday Home

 

An impressive chapter in his already impressive portfolio, here’s an inside look at the famed architect Steve Leung’s house on the hills, plus an exclusive chat with the man himself. The multi-hyphenate founder-architect-interior-designer used his myriad skillsets to see a dream realised: a holiday abode in Niseko, the Asian ski capital of the world, or—that Western deployment of meta metaphors- the Aspen of Asia.”

Full feature out at Robb Report HK.