Oh Pharell really...
A US$1 million dollar bag at Louis Vuitton.
Well, its Diwali weekend. A look back at an event hosted by Lane Crawford x Sabyasachi x Christian Loubutin.
All the top models in the city turned up - dressed to the hilt my the sensational, soft-spoken gentle giant of Indian fashion, Sabya - aka Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
Behind the scenes of a cover shoot...
Yes, the 'star' was hours late... and yes, we just deal with it!
Last night, The Peninsula Hong Kong transformed into a world of pure imagination with its Chocolate Garden Gala-style collaboration celebrating the Hong Kong run of the Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As the official hotel partner of the production, the iconic “Grande Dame” of Tsim Sha Tsui morphed into something new. The entrance of the historic hotel transformed to a thematic, curtained entrance with the lobby blossomed into a technicolour fun land with chocolate stations and the finest cuisine (again, expected - it is the Peninsula after all). The champagne ran out real fast at our corner but was happy with my tumbler of red wine. But I wasn't really there for the drink; bring me chocolat!
At first we grimaced at the sight of... way too many children at that late hour, but bless 'em they were well-behaved and apparently allowed out that late (its mid term break!). Willy Wonka’s fantastical chocolate factory leaped beyond the stage and breached into the auspices of the establishment and we are here for it!
Guests stepped into the limited run time of the Wonka-inspired experiences that blend the hotel’s refined luxury with playful, theatrical, chocolicious magic. The star of the hotel offerings is the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at Felix (28th floor), available from 10 November to 10 December 2026. Served against panoramic Victoria Harbour vistas, the experience features story-inspired savoury bites and decadent sweets - including Golden Ticket chocolate bars - alongside themed cocktails or mocktails such as the Butter Scotch. Interactive elements include a flowing chocolate fountain, blind chocolate tastings, and chocolate-cracking fun. All chocolate coated themes were fun, behind-the-scenes access to the hotel’s rarely opened Chocolate Room, a hands-on chocolate-making workshop, and a cocktail session with a take-home recipe card.
These hotel experiences perfectly pair with the musical itself, which runs from 4 November to 6 December 2026 at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (a short walk away).
Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, the production follows young Charlie Bucket’s golden-ticket adventure into Wonka’s whimsical factory. It features classic songs from the 1971 film (“Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”) plus new music, dazzling visuals, and illusions by Las Vegas specialist Tim Clothier. Daniel Plimpton stars as Willy Wonka, with Oliver Wong as Charlie.
Was fun to see the usual mix of Hong Kong society in the mix; the handful of socialites, KOLs, influencers, the press, the fashionable and the fashion faux-pas swirling under the imperious chandeliers. Veronica Li, Laura Cheung, Christy Liang, Emma Lauren topped my list of Best-Dressed - with an unrecognisable brunette Diane D'Arenberg looking extraordinary with yet another fanciful hat. Or was it a fascinator? Either way, she remains fascinating. Meanwhile, my stylist friend commented, we aren't here to judge what the guests are wearing... and then someone with yoga pants and a cropped top walked by.
Some people do arts and crafts. We judge.
A cheery littl' fella was walking around, mixing and mingling with the crowd, ever-hat-clad singer Jason Mraz - in town to kick off his series of concerts. Such an affable chap that Mraz.
"I wanna be a millionaire so freaking bad," remains his most famous ditty. Except in Hong Kong of course, he'd have to switch it to 'billionaire' as you could swing a Fendi left or right and hit a few millionaires in the room.