Friday, 21 August 2026

The Last Frontier: Space travel in 2027?

Ground Control to Major Tom... its Astronaut Colin Bennett! 

Virgin Galactic's spaceflight program has fully embraced the last frontier and sent so many "civilians" to outer space already - by 2027, there will be three flights a week heading up to the great unknown. 

Many thanks to Intriq Journey and Petrie (Linda ❤️ ) for the invite. You really are elevating luxury travel in Asia up to the ultimate level. Private islands, exotic destinations, bah humbug, look up at the stars for extra-terrestrial inspiration. 


To pilfer a quote from Carl Sagan, "That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."

Thursday, 20 August 2026

Meeting Sridevi: Indian Cinema's Ultimate Leading Lady




On this day, back in 2012, at the JW Mariott in Mumbai, the great Sridevi swanned in and I got to meet and briefly chat with an icon of Indian cinema = and my forever crush. A longer chat with film director Gauri Shinde followed - which led to my first cover story with Post magazine here - pre publicity for the fab film English Vinglish.

Was strange to have every teenaged dream come true all at once....

,...then on Feb 25, 2018, wake up to the news of an endless nightmare. 

That's the thing with supernovas, there're visible for a minute and gone in a flash.  

The Party Line: Christian Louboutin x Sabyasachi, Intimissimi, Ferragamo and more

 

In a welcome change from the large-scale unveilings and champagne soirées that constitute much of our socialising here at The Party Line, last weekend we enjoyed an intimate sit-down luncheon in the penthouse duplex of the most popular couple in town, Lumen and Andrew Kinoshita. Needless to say, the food was delicious, the company delightful and the cutlery designer. It’s well known, of course, that Lumen is a serious collector, which is our polite way of saying she’s a designer hoarder whose storage units would be the envy of Lane Crawford Lifestyle. We’ve learned more about lacquered finishes, mother-of-pearl-embossed plates, and vintage silver chez Kinoshita, where there’s a prince’s ransom-worth of auction-bought art, sculptures, books and knick-knacks. I’m pretty sure there’s an emerald ring lost in the recesses of that plush interior that Lumen’s been looking for since 2014 – but we’re not allowed to talk about that as Andrew hasn’t heard about it. Yet …

More importantly, we all met the new rescue dog the couple recently brought home. All the guests were absolute suckers for the puppy eyes as she lay on our laps hoping for samples and crumbs to fall off plates.



We also had the privilege of attending the preview of the collaborative efforts of Christian Louboutin and Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee at Duddell’s. Truth be told, we expected to see every one of our red-bindi-dotted aunties in the city that night – Sabya and Loub are no strangers to the affections of desperate housewives everywhere – but the crowd turned out to be mostly purveyors of fashion and serious buyers, to whom every bag and clutch on display was sold within the hour. The designers posed for many a selfie, but it was their fantastic chat (a talk was moderated by local fashion authority Jing Zhang) that was the highlight of the evening. Models, teetering on colourful, Louboutin-designed stilettos paraded around the crowded venue dressed in brocades with exquisite hand-stitched embroidery. This collection is available at Christian Louboutin.com. To top this off, Sabyasachi has partnered with Lane Crawford, which now stocks his contemporary womenswear line. Check it out here.

Cara G


Italian lingerie label Intimissimi hosted a cocktail and celebration of love at its flagship store in Causeway Bay, where it showcased its latest collection alongside a replica of Juliet’s Wall in Verona, the brand’s hometown. Guests took the opportunity to express their affections on the wall by posting unique love notes inscribed by calligrapher Wendy Tang. The paparazzi were out in full force – a roomful of ladies in lingerie, what a surprise! – but our favourite moment was when model Stacey Monaghan fanned out over meeting Cara G.

Friday night saw two mega events – a grand affair celebrating the reopening of the Salvatore Ferragamo store on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, and the opening night of Secret Theatre Project Mayhem. Somehow we got tickets to the latter (which model/actress Rosemary Vandenbroucke might have had something to do with) and were completely blown away by the immersive, tactile, blood-and-sweat experience. Dinner and drinks were included (courtesy of The Butcher’s Club), and we can’t think of a more memorable night out in the city. Log on to Ticketflap for information about the play and how to buy tickets. Wear comfortable shoes. That is all we’ll reveal.

Well, that’s it for now. Up ahead, there’s a massive Bulgari party in Beijing that we’re heading off to, a dinner at The Woods that’s in the works, and also cocktails at Yojimbo, the latest venture by Dining Concepts.

Cheers chums.

Note: The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Model moment: The stunning Caroline Santos



From Christian Cowan shows to AS29 campaigns and Prestige, Post magazine adn Vogue Hong Kong editorials, this Paris-based talent is making her mark across continents.

Over the past 20 years, models and strutted in and sauntered out at casting so often, after a while, they all blur into memory. While doing shoots for Prestige, Runway, Post magazine, Style, Galaxy, My Place, West-East... the genetically blessed (and some doctored!), painfully thin (body positivity has yet to hit Hong Kong - the city likes 'em all sample size) sometimes leave an impression, others leave a headache. 

Certain faces capture the quiet confidence that defines modern elegance. Caroline Santos, say her name out loud, represented by Mademoiselle Agency in Paris now, is one such presence. With a growing international roster that includes Official Model Management in New York, Independent in Milan, PRM in London and MGM Models in Hamburg, she moves fluidly between European runways, Asian, and Western editorial pages.

Her recent seasons have seen her walk for Christian Cowan, appearing in both the Fall/Winter 2024 and Spring/Summer 2025 shows - collections celebrated for their bold, optimistic energy. Beyond the catwalk, Santos has lent her poise to commercial and editorial work, including the 2022 Dolce & Gabbana Casa campaign photographed by Branislav Simoncik and a stylish Cosmopolitan France story.




It is her early time in Asia that reveals a particularly refined chapter. In 2021 she featured in a Christian Dior special for Vogue Hong Kong, shot by Ken Ngan, bringing a fresh international perspective to the magazine’s pages. The same year she became the face of AS29 Fine Jewellery’s campaign. The Hong Kong-based brand, known for its contemporary diamond designs and playful yet luxurious aesthetic, found in Santos a natural embodiment of modern femininity- effortless, confident and perfectly at home with fine jewellery meant to be worn every day. 

Caroline for AS29 Jewellery
Photographer: Ruby Law
Stylist: Justine Lee

The casting done by the brand's visionary designer Audrey Savransky, and together with the dream team of photographer Ruby Law and stylist Justine Lee - they found in Santos the perfect muse. A collaboration that created one of the most sensuous, gorgeous jewellery campaigns shot entirely in Hong Kong, that showed that luxury was attainable, could be worn daily, was effortless and elegant. 

I was on set that day and found this chameleon in motion, working every shot with such ease and grace... mesmerised. As stunning as she looks in her photographs, it doesn't do her justice - even more panther like in her slow movement, transitioning shot by shot, pose by pose... And it was all so ... chic. I went on to work with Caroline at Prestige magazine, Runway and recommended her to Post magazine (as ol' chums were working there back then).  She wowed one, she wow'ed 'em all. I KNEW she would! 

These projects underscore her ability to connect Western fashion houses with the sophisticated markets of Hong Kong and beyond. Whether fronting jewellery, denims, gown or glory, Caroline continues to build a career defined by versatility and quiet strength and dignity, proving that true presence travels seamlessly beyond borders.


Tuesday, 18 August 2026

Carl Ng: Hong Kong's own

Saw Carl Ng while rushing through Central, Hong Kong and he's always got a word for me. Usually funny and mostly unprintable. 

Born in pre-handover Hong Kong, 50-year-old actor Carl Ng spent his formative years navigating two distinct worlds. Sent to Surrey’s progressive Frensham Heights boarding school at age 12, he later earned a degree in global corporate strategy at the University of Westminster. Yet, while mastering business models in London, Ng was quietly honing a different ambition in evening classes at the Tony Grecos Acting Studio.

Inheriting his sharp, Anglo-Chinese features from his late father- the iconic Hong Kong screen star Richard Ng- and his mother Susan, a British stylist who famously coiffed Bruce Lee, Carl returned to Asia on his own terms. Before the camera caught him, he was living in Thailand as a certified scuba instructor. When he finally landed back in Hong Kong in the early 2000s, his 6-foot frame and carved jawline made him an instant modeling sensation, fronting major campaigns for Sony and Motorola. There was a massive three-storey poster of him with a beer in Times Square that imposed heavily on passersby. 

The media, naturally, was obsessed. An infamous local tabloid print run featuring secretly snapped photos of Ng sunbathing nude at a beach cemented his early bad-boy mystique. But Ng steered his momentum straight into acting, bypassing easy nepotism by auditioning independently. His brooding intensity quickly translated to edgy celluloid projects: Yonfan’s cult erotic art drama Colour Blossoms (2004), the acclaimed crime prequel Infernal Affairs II (2003), and Olivier Assayas’ international thriller Boarding Gate (2006), along with a long-running TV star turn as DSP Glenn in Singapore's Point of Entry.

Steering clear of standard high-society socialite loops, Ng’s identity remains rooted in cinema and creative craft. Following his father’s passing in 2023, Ng keeps a relative low-profile stance. Blending European cool with East Asian grit, he selectively works on regional film sets while spending time outdoors, staying focused on fitness, and living on his own terms. 

The picture is deceptive; he's the chill one. 

在香港中環匆忙趕路時偶遇吳嘉龍(Carl Ng),他總會跟我寒暄幾句——通常既風趣,又大半「不宜公開」。

現年50歲的演員吳嘉龍出生於主權移交前的香港,成長歲月一直穿梭於兩個截然不同的世界。他12歲被送往英國薩里郡(Surrey)提倡自由進步的 Frensham Heights 寄宿學校,其後在西敏寺大學(University of Westminster)取得全球企業戰略學士學位。然而,當他在倫敦研習商業模式時,私下卻在 Tony Grecos 表演工作室的夜間課程默默磨練著另一種抱負。

吳嘉龍繼承了已故父親——香港一代影壇巨星吳耀漢,以及母親 Susan(曾為李小龍設計髮型的英國造型師)的中英混血精緻輪廓。他憑藉自己的方式重返亞洲:在鏡頭捕捉到他之前,他正身處泰國,是一位考取執照的潛水教練。2000年代初,當他終於回到香港,6呎高的魁梧身材與深邃的下顎線條讓他迅速成為模特兒界的新寵,一舉拿下 Sony 和 Motorola 等大品牌的巨型廣告。當時銅鑼灣時代廣場外更掛著一張整整三層樓高、他拿着啤酒的巨型海報,氣勢壓人。

傳媒理所當然地對他極度著迷。當年某雜誌獨家刊登了他在沙灘裸體日曬的偷拍照,這篇轟動一時的報導更奠定了他早期的「壞男孩」神秘魅力。但吳嘉龙並沒有沉溺於此,而是直接將這股勢頭轉向演練,拒絕依靠父蔭,堅持獨立參加試鏡。他那深邃而帶有壓迫感的眼神,很快便轉化為大銀幕上的鋒芒作品:包括楊凡的教父級情色藝術電影《桃色》(2004)、備受好評的警匪經典前傳《無間道II》(2003)、奧利維耶·阿薩亞斯(Olivier Assayas)的跨國驚悚片《登機門》(Boarding Gate,2006),以及在新加坡長壽電視劇《Point of Entry》中飾演 DSP Glenn 的代表作。

吳嘉龍一直刻意避開傳統的上流社會社交圈,其身份認同始終深植於電影與創意創作。自父親於2023年離世後,他一直保持相對低調。他融匯了歐洲的冷峻酷感與東亞的堅毅韌性,除了挑選合適的區域電影項目外,其餘時間皆投入戶外活動、專注健身,自始至終按自己的方式生活。

照片也許帶有欺騙性;其實他才是那個最隨和、最 Cool 的人。

點擊此處回顧早前為《Style》雜誌與 Carl Ng 拍攝的專訪與大片。

在香港中环匆忙赶路时偶遇吴嘉龙(Carl Ng),他总会跟我打个招呼——通常既幽默,又大半“不宜公开”。

现年50岁的演员吴嘉龙出生于香港回归前的时代,成长岁月一直穿梭于两个截然不同的世界。他12岁被送到英国萨里郡(Surrey)提倡自由进步的 Frensham Heights 寄宿学校,随后在威斯敏斯特大学(University of Westminster)获得了全球企业战略学士学位。然而,当他在伦敦研习商业模式时,私下却在 Tony Grecos 表演工作室的晚班课程中悄悄磨炼着另一种野心。

吴嘉龙继承了已故父亲——香港一代影坛巨星吴耀汉,以及母亲 Susan(曾为李小龙设计发型的英国造型师)的中英混血精致轮廓。他凭自己的方式重返亚洲:在镜头捕捉到他之前,他正生活在泰国,是一名持有执照的潜水教练。2000年代初,当他终于回到香港,6英尺的高挑身材和棱角分明的下颌线让他瞬间成为模特界的宠儿,一举拿下索尼(Sony)和摩托罗拉(Motorola)等大牌的广告代言。当时铜锣湾时代广场外甚至悬挂着一张整整三层楼高、他拿着啤酒的巨型海报,给路人带来极强的视觉冲击。

媒体理所当然地对他极度着迷。当年某八卦纸媒独家刊登了他被偷拍的沙滩裸体日光浴照片,这篇轰动一时的报道彻底奠定了他早期的“坏男孩”神秘魅力。但吴嘉龙并没有顺水推舟,而是将这股势头直接转化为演艺动力,拒绝走裙带关系的捷径,坚持独立参加试镜。他那深邃而富有张力的眼神,很快便转化成大银幕上的锋芒作品:包括杨凡的教父级情色艺术电影《桃色》(2004)、备受赞誉的犯罪电影前传《无间道II》(2003)、奥利维耶·阿萨亚斯(Olivier Assayas)的跨国惊悚片《登机门》(Boarding Gate,2006),以及在新加坡长寿剧集《Point of Entry》中饰演 DSP Glenn 的代表作。

吴嘉龙始终远离传统的名流社交圈,他的自我认同依然深植于电影与创意创作。自父亲于2023年离世后,他一直保持着相对低调的姿态。他融合了欧洲的冷酷随性与东亚的坚毅韧性,只挑选合适的区域电影项目,同时把时间投向户外、专注健身,始终按自己的方式生活。

照片是有欺骗性的;其实他才是那个最随性、最酷的人。

点击此处回顾早前为《Style》杂志与 Carl Ng 拍摄的专访与大片。


Monday, 17 August 2026

Is Karen Yiu Hong Kong's most creative makeup artists? Or the world's?!

Renowned for her transformative, avant-garde editorial work and high-concept body art, Hong Kong-based makeup artist Karen Yiu is one of the regional beauty industry’s most creative talents. Those who work with her regularly - magazine editors, top tier photographers, models and muses - swear she's the very best in the biz. When you see her versatile portfolio, it is hard to argue. 

Before defining aesthetics on fashion sets and magazine covers, Yiu earned a degree in social work and served as a social worker. While it may not have taught her how to brush and powder - it her studies helped her understand people, particularly navigating the myriad moods and faces she comes across on a daily basis. How her calm reserve, skillset and sheer excellence translates from concept to editorial page has to be studied to be believed. She is incredible. 

Driven by a desire for artistic expression, she pivoted to fashion design at the London College of Fashion before discovering her true calling in the art of makeup, where she could draw and experiment daily. 

Yiu’s background informs her uniquely empathetic approach. Rather than applying a rigid template to a subject, she takes time to converse with individuals, understanding their personalities and preferences before translating those cues into visual expression. 

Her career gained rapid momentum through key collaborative partnerships, notably with Chicago-born photographer Ike. Together, they collaborated on projects such as the Second Skin exhibition and the photo book Oriental Eye, where Yiu used creative makeup and body art - ranging from delicate face painting to gold dust detailing - to form striking human landscapes. 

Her digital footprint reflects the dual dimensions of her artistry: @karenpaint: Showcases her vibrant, high-concept body painting, theatrical transformations, fine-art canvas work, and elaborate face art. 

@karenyiumakeupart: Highlights her editorial beauty portfolios, high-fashion campaign styling, bridal makeup, and sophisticated commercial work. 

Preferring to draw inspiration directly from life rather than mimicking trend cycles or existing magazines, Yiu prioritises original editorial projects that push boundaries. 

Whether crafting avant-garde looks for conceptual photo shoots or executing polished, radiant skin for commercial features, her work continues to combine meticulous technique with genuine creative passion.


香港化妝師 Karen Yiu 以其具顛覆性的前衛雜誌造型及高概念人體藝術聞名,是本地區美妝界最具創意的天才之一。與她長期合作的夥伴——雜誌編輯、頂尖攝影師、模特兒及靈感繆斯——一致公認她是業界的頂尖代表。只要看過她多元化的作品集,便難以否認這點。

在時尚拍攝現場和雜誌封面定義美學風格之前,Karen 取得社會工作學士學位,並曾任職社工。雖然這段學歷沒有教她如何掃粉化妝,卻讓她深入了解人性,特別是應對日常工作中遇到的各種情緒與面孔。她沉穩的氣質、精湛的技藝以及極致的專業表現,如何將概念轉化為雜誌頁面上的震撼視覺,唯有親眼目睹才能領略。她的才華令人驚嘆。

出於對藝術表達的追求,她轉至倫敦時裝學院(London College of Fashion)修讀時裝設計,其後發現彩妝藝術才是自己的真愛,因為在那裡她可以每天繪畫與探索。

Karen 的背景造就了她獨特且具同理心的造型手法。她不會將僵硬的範本套用在對象身上,而是花時間與對方溝通,了解其性格與喜好,再將這些特質轉化為視覺表達。

得益於關鍵的合作夥伴關係,特別是與芝加哥攝影師 Ike 的合作,她的事業迅速蓬勃發展。他們共同合作了《Second Skin》展覽及攝影集《Oriental Eye》等項目;在這些作品中,Karen 運用創意彩妝及人體藝術(從精緻的面部繪畫到金粉點綴),打造出令人矚目的「人體風景」。

她的社群媒體展現了其藝術創作的雙重面貌:

  • @karenpaint:展示她色彩斑斕、具高概念的人體繪畫、戲劇化造型轉變、純藝術畫布創作以及精細的面部藝術。

  • @karenyiumakeupart:呈現她的時尚雜誌美妝作品集、高端時裝廣告造型、新娘美妝以及高雅的商業作品。

相比起盲目跟風潮流或模仿現有雜誌,Karen 更喜歡直接從生活中汲取靈感,並優先投入能打破常規的原創時尚項目。

無論是為概念大片打造前衛造型,還是為商業拍攝呈現精緻透亮的肌膚,她的作品始終將嚴謹細緻的技巧與純粹的藝術熱情完美結合。

Simplified Chinese (For Mainland China - 简体中文)

香港化妆师 Karen Yiu 以其颠覆性的前卫杂志造型及高概念人体艺术闻名,是本地区美妆界最具创意的天才之一。与她长期合作的伙伴——杂志编辑、顶尖摄影师、模特及灵感缪斯——一致公认她是行业的顶尖代表。只要看过她多元化的作品集,就很难否认这一点。

在时尚拍摄现场和杂志封面定义美学风格之前,Karen 取得了社会工作学士学位,并曾担任社工。虽然这段经历没有教她如何打粉施妆,却帮助她深入了解人性,特别是应对日常工作中遇到的各种情绪与面孔。她沉稳的气质、精湛的技艺以及极致的专业表现,如何将概念转化为杂志页面上的震撼视觉,唯有亲眼目睹才能领略。她的才华令人惊叹。

出于对艺术表达的追求,她转至伦敦时装学院(London College of Fashion)攻读时尚设计,随后发现彩妆艺术才是自己的真爱,因为在那里她可以每天绘画与探索。

Karen 的背景造就了她独特且具同理心的造型手法。她不会将僵硬的模板套用在对象身上,而是花时间与对方沟通,了解其性格与喜好,再将这些特质转化为视觉表达。

得益于关键的合作伙伴关系,特别是与芝加哥摄影师 Ike 的合作,她的事业迅速蓬勃发展。他们共同合作了《Second Skin》展览及摄影集《Oriental Eye》等项目;在这些作品中,Karen 运用创意彩妆及人体艺术(从精美的面部绘画到金粉点缀),打造出令人瞩目的“人体风景”。

她的社交媒体展现了其艺术创作的双重面貌:

  • @karenpaint:展示她色彩斑斓、具高概念的人体绘画、戏剧化造型转变、纯艺术画布创作以及精细的面部艺术。

  • @karenyiumakeupart:呈现她的时尚杂志美妆作品集、高端时装广告造型、新娘美妆以及高雅的商业作品。

相比起盲目跟风潮流或模仿现有杂志,Karen 更喜欢直接从生活中汲取灵感,并优先投入能打破常规的原创时尚项目。

无论是为概念大片打造前卫造型,还是为商业拍摄呈现精致透亮的肌肤,她的作品始终将严谨细腻的技巧与纯粹的艺术热情完美结合。

Sunday, 16 August 2026

GQ Singapore Launches in September 2026: The Gentleman's Quarterly indeed

 

Come September; @gqsingapore 

A major milestone for men’s style is officially on the horizon. 

GQ first hit newsstands in 1957- originally titled Gentlemen's Quarterly and conceived as a specialised trade publication for men's fashion buyers. Decades later, it has evolved into a global cultural powerhouse with an international footprint spanning over 20 countries. 

Now, the arrival of GQ Singapore marks a defining chapter for regional media. While the narrative persists that print is circling the drain, the reality is shifting: the cream is rising to the top. Mass media may struggle, but thoughtful, niche publications aren't just surviving - they’re thriving. It is a painfully oversubscribed and saturated digital landscape, physical curation shall be crowned king, and hyper-focused editorial vision is proving that print isn't dying; it's refining. 

九月隆重登場|@gqsingapore

男士時尚界即將迎來一項重大里程碑。

《GQ》於 1957 年首度公開發售,最初名為《Gentlemen's Quarterly》,旨在為男士時裝買家提供專業的行業資訊。數十年過去,它已蛻變為影響力遍及全球 20 多個國家及地區的文化巨擘。

如今,《GQ Singapore》的創刊標誌著區域媒體發展的嶄新篇章。儘管外界總認為紙本媒體正走入歷史,現實情況卻恰恰相反:唯有精髓方能脫穎而出。大眾媒體或許步履維艱,但具備深度與獨特定位的專業刊物不僅未被淘汰,反而蓬勃發展。在這個資訊氾濫且高度飽和的數位時代,實體出版的精緻策展力無疑將重登寶座,而極具針對性的編輯視野更強烈證明——紙媒並未死亡,它只是在進化與精煉。