The Magazine Wall: Week Before Print Deadline.

 

The tyranny of the blank spots; shoots, features and ads that haven't come in! I still have cold-sweat nightmares about this in the lead up to print deadlines. 

No surprises or reveals above - this is the magazine plan of an issue already published long ago.... 

Throwback Tuesday: Turn up for Nicoline: Hong Kong's Hottest Photographer at Famaland

Throwback Tuesday: The Last Hoorah! 
The photo exhibition by Danish photographer Nicoline Aagesen at Famaland, located in PMQ (Hong Kong's creative hub in Central), was a captivating one-night pop-up event that drew a vibrant crowd. 
Responding to the siren call of Nicoline Aagesen's evocative work—bold, intimate portraits plus a few uncensored series in her signature style of celebrating the body beautiful—the opening turned into an unforgettable night of art, music, and community.
The space buzzed with energy: real DJs kept the vibe alive until the early hours, with attendees dancing freely ("Not dancing with anyone? Yep, but I'm really good at dancing by myself" said the hostess with the most-ess) and staying until 2:30 AM. 
It wasn't just about the photos—other artists exhibited alongside, living campus folks did yoga sessions, and the food was a standout: amazing, healthy recipes inspired by Chinese doctors, designed to boost immunity and fend off viruses.
Setup took dedication—three days total, with seven hours spent on a single wall—crafted with love over a month. Black-and-white shots were handled masterfully ("Mherk did all the black and white shots, colour by me said the ambitious, gifted photographer whose state of play in work and life is second to none), and some of the large frame pieces were for sale, with ongoing additions of faces and bodies to the "wall of fame...  and a little bit of shame."
Though the venue was red hot, the event proved surprisingly impressive ("I didn't expect it to be that good a turnout - everyone came"), even among friends. 
The fun filled event highlighted Famaland's role as an immersive spot for arts and wellness, hopefully drawing people back. Nicoline's work, made with passion, left a lasting impression. A night of raw creativity and connection, music, dance. 
'Twas a vibe!!

Blend & Grind: Jonny Rees: Rugby fit to Healthy Eats: The best in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

What started off as a humble little cafe serving piping hot specialty coffee(s) and healthy berry smoothies in generous portions, Blend & Grind in Central was a perennial favourite. 

Now in its larger, Kennedy Town iteration, it’s easily the best breakfast spot in town; K town! 

High ceilings, open spaces, always-amiable staff and concise and clever menu, watch a slow tram pass by with a regular ding-ding punctuating the hours. Special recommendations, hangover curing smoothies and a carb-heavy breakfast with eggs as a cure-all for the weekend. 

Bonus points; they deliver to your front door in 20 minutes if you can’t trek it to the venue. Bliss.

The Best of Menswear: Loro Piana

Fine knitwear begins and ends with Loro Piana, and—in full confession—the Italian house’s autumn-winter collection is continually superlative and worthy of being listed among the best of the very best. Had it not been for the attention brought on the brand by the stars of several popular television shows, Loro Piana, with no visible print or obvious logo, would have sailed quietly by the limelight, like two luxury yachts passing in the night.

However, this past year, the autumn-winter collection was a celebration of Loro Piana’s heritage, innovation, and expertise as eyes were guided to the homelands of Loro Piana’s key fibres: wool from New Zealand, cashmere from Mongolia, and vicuña from Peru. Loro Piana’s campaign is asking the world to travel again—in the lap of luxury. For the winter collection, the makers are clearly in a warm, celebratory mood. Coarsehair cashmere, shearling, baby cashmere, and Cashfur (cashmere with a hint of silk) are all embellished with handcrafted, intimate embroidery for a versatile, contemporary look that can be mixed and matched with any other piece in their wardrobe. Look at the comforting joggers, coats, and jackets—irrepressibly sensual, and made of the finest fabric.

The Rebirth of Opulence: Narcisa Pheres on Fluid Gender, Rare Gems, and the New Era of Fine Jewellery

How a designer blending European heritage with Asian influences is championing bold, expressive pieces in a post-minimalist world. Narcisa Pheres, of her eponymous brand, in conversation with P.Ramakrishnan.
In magazine publishing, particularly high gloss editions, bigger is decisively better when it comes to accessories of  the bejeweled kind. Editors, especially art directors like intricately designed, legacy brands with big shiny rocks that glisten on the page, a little razzle dazzle to catch the eye of the reader. Before there was clickbait, there was eyeballs on newsstands. So we are thrilled that fine jewellery has segued from the delicate, can-you-see-the-stone oeuvre and decisively shed its minimalist straitjacket. That's where Narcisa Pheres, a longtime favourite, emerges as a voice of unapologetic exuberance. 
Her latest collections—Fluidity, a gender-fluid ready-to-wear line of gold and diamond pieces inspired by everyday tools, and the couture Garden of Life, an ode to nature's organic forms—capture the zeitgeist of elaborate craftsmanship and personal expression. “I have two recent collections; one is called Fluidity and it’s based on tools: hammer, seesaw, wrench, ruler, screwdriver etc,” she explains. “It’s a gender fluid, unisex collection of ready to wear gold and diamond pieces catering to the design focused, younger generation.” 
Meanwhile, the couture offering is “entirely inspired by nature: flowers, butterflies, flowy rivers.” For this exclusive fashion shoot, for the first time, we've booked a male model to showcase - the best of jewellery! We ransacked the Pheres treasure trove of collectables and opted for this menswear shoot, greatly garnished by all her sparkling accessories. 
This duality—industrial precision meeting botanical poetry—mirrors broader shifts in fine jewellery. Globally, 2024/2025 and beyond have seen a decisive turn towards elaborated designs, with minimalist trends “entirely gone from fine jewelry,” as Pheres observes. “Designs are becoming very elaborated... Collectors are still looking for rare stones, exquisite designs and elaborated craftmanship.” Pearls, in particular, have staged a triumphant return, often mixed with vibrant gems for eclectic appeal—a trend echoed across runways and red carpets.
The designer for years was known for her fine menswear collection that one could find in the haloed corners of Lane Crawford, her own showroom in Central and dotted around Asia, she would showcase her glamorous goods and wears in trunk shows that VVIPs attended. As Narcisa Pheres pivoted to jewellery full time, it is no wonder her select, versatile pieces can be worn by both men or women. She brings and edge and softness to jewellery that perhaps others in her ilk, don't always bring to the forefront. 
In fact, the joy she brings to the table is palpable, be it in the shades she brought to the lining of her suits or the gemstones in her accessories collection, Pheres’ fascination with colour is palpable. “I absolutely love working with Paraiba and rubellites,” she says, highlighting two of the market’s most coveted rarities. Paraiba tourmaline, with its electrifying neon blue-green hue, commands prices from US$1,000 to over US$100,000 per carat for exceptional Brazilian specimens, driven by extreme scarcity and surging collector demand. Rubellites, the raspberry-pink tourmalines, have similarly appreciated, with finer qualities fetching up to US$2,000 per carat amid supply constraints since 2022. 
These align with her investment philosophy: “I would say any rare color gem (Paraiba, pigeon blood ruby, a high-quality emerald or a natural blue sapphire) or any diamonds above 1 ct, D, VVS will uphold its value.” In contrast to volatile markets, “Gold prices [are] going up tremendously,” she notes—indeed, gold surged dramatically through 2024-2025, often exceeding 50-70% annual gains amid economic uncertainties, reaching over US$5,000 per ounce by early 2026.
Yet true value, for Pheres, transcends spreadsheets. “Creativity has no price tag so go for bold fine jewelry designs that you love (there is no better investment than investing in yourself and what you Love).” This ethos resonates in Asia, where men’s jewellery has long been normalised, from traditional gold adornments in India to contemporary luxury in China. The Asia Pacific jewellery market, valued at over USD 230 billion in 2025, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% through 2033, with men’s segments expanding rapidly due to rising disposable incomes and evolving cultural norms.
Pheres observes a convergence: “In Asia, men wearing jewellery is common. Did you find that? ... Used to be very common in Europe: gentlemen had been wearing jewelry for centuries... Same in America, if you actually look at red carpet events, especially the Met Gala, you will notice more and more jewelry on men in the past years.” Recent Met Galas have amplified this, with 2025’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme showcasing brooches, layered chains, and statement pendants on male attendees—vintage pins, diamond lapels, even embellished canes. “There had always been watches and cufflinks but recently you see men wearing very elaborated designs not just in brooches and pins but pendants, rings, necklaces and bracelets.”
Her advice to men is refreshingly direct: “Don’t be afraid to mix and layer jewelry; just make sure to find your own style rather than follow what’s trending. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color stones or antique jewelry pieces: a nice brooch or a pin will always be a staple of elegance. Don’t over do it!” This measured boldness defines her brand: “A reinterpretation of European court jewels, art deco and art nouveau inspiration mix with some Japanese aesthetics and organic, sculptural shapes.”
Celebrity endorsements underscore her cross-cultural allure. Pieces have graced Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Amal Clooney, and, in proud moments, Michelle Obama, Madonna, and Rihanna at the Met Gala. “I can’t pick one star as my favorite as they are all very accomplished and inspiring... the biggest surprise had been seeing Michelle Obama wearing a Narcisa Pheres ring.”
Pheres herself curates daily. “I tend to choose my jewelry according to what I wear that particular day... but what’s never missing will be a big pair of emeralds and diamonds earrings and either a flower or a butterfly in diamonds with some colored gems.” Sentimental favourites? “A few actually. Interestingly they either have Colombian emeralds or Paraiba and diamonds (I love green and turquoise colors).”As 2024’s trends carry forward to 2026—pearls resurgent, rare gems prized, men’s adornment normalised—Pheres’ vision feels prescient. For those craving individuality over restraint, her jewels remind us that true luxury is personal, bold, and enduring.

All photography: Alison KwanModel: Fritz at Model OneGrooming, hair, MUA: Gloomy from Karen Yiu and Co. 

 

For more on Pheres, check out their official Instagram below or check out their official website Pheres.com

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