This Luxury Maternity Company is Transforming the Postpartum Care Industry

 

Saint Bella’s groundbreaking care centres are the premiere destinations for parents and baby.

The leading luxury maternity and baby care company Saint Bella has modernised and elevated the very concept of postpartum recovery by creating remarkable retreats for new mothers and babies. Ensuring that the first chapter of a baby’s life is filled with round-the-clock professional care, as well as soothing recovery, warm comfort, and plush pampering for mothers, ancient practices of postpartum care are creatively modernised in novel ways.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Red, White, and Gold: Drinks at Robb Report Hong Kong’s Best of the Best 2024 Gala

 

As the theme of the gala indicated, only the best of the best was served.

  

At the black-tie dinner honouring the annual Best of the Best by Robb Report Hong Kong, libations of extraordinary provenance and merit were served to more than 300 attending VIP guests. Since that glamorous gala night, we’ve been inundated with messages bearing the same questions: what was served during the meal, “the second red,” “the one before the beef course,” and, of course, “where can we get more?” Well, the official flights of fancy were carefully selected by expert sommeliers and meticulously (or copiously) tried and tested.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

What to Expect at the Singapore Yachting Festival 2024, From the World Premiere of the HH88 Catamaran to Azimut’s Magellano 60

A number of elegant yachts and vessels will swan into Sentosa Cove from 25 to 28 April.

 

Running from 24 to 28 April at One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, the second Singapore Yachting Festival (SYF) kicks off in style today. An opportune time for yacht builders to show off their latest creations and enthusiasts and buyers to view new marine toys on the market, over 70 yachts are scheduled to be on display at the annual fest. A volley of lifestyle and supercar brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Porsche will also be rolling in to join the festivities as many yacht models will be unveiled for the first time in Asia.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Burberry Joins the Monogram Brigade: Pop-up in Hong Kong Reveals Designer Ricardo Tisci’s Ambitious Designs

 A unique chapter in the storied history of the British brand, designer Ricardo Tisci brings a bold print and signature look for the latest collection.   

You’d be hard pressed to miss Burberry’s TB Summer Monogram pop-up at Pacific Place in Hong Kong. To celebrate the evolution of the iconic British brand, a makeshift street made of architectural shapes, featuring confident colours to evoke the summer months, stands bold and tall in the centre of the mall.    

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong} TBT to 2022!

Rooms With a View: the Portfolio of Interior Designer Peter Remedios

 Peter Remedios has his signature in some of the region’s grandest interiors, hotels and resorts.

For a Western interior designer based in LA, how Peter Remedios became the definitive go-to guy for the most important hotels and properties in the region is a story worth investigating. So we did. As luck would have it, the man himself was in town to unveil the latest suites at the Four Seasons Hong Kong. 

Remedios’ stellar reputation lands long before he does; over 30 years of expertise in the field of high-end hotel and resort design as Principal Designer and Managing Director of Remedios Studio. Founded in California (in 2007), the Hong Kong branch was subsequently set up in 2010.  

Read the entire--lenthy!--feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

SJP in the City: Sarah Jessica Parker Dips Her Feet Into Hong Kong Stores. Finally!

 Gents sit this one out; Sarah Jessica Parker’s shoes are in Hong Kong. That sound you hear? That’s a collective gasp in the air.

When the press release landed in our offices, a literal squeal perforated the otherwise silent air in our neon-lit conference room. “Sarah Jessica Parker in Hong Kong,” said someone. The fashionable star in a city still under the aegis of government sanctioned quarantine and the strictest covid restrictions and rules on planet earth? How can this be. 

“Not her, you fool, the SJP the shoes!” said the fashion savvy one and left us twiddling our thumbs. Oh!  

So the newsflash is, as of Sept 1, in the year of our lord 2022, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker is now available exclusively at Lane Crawford, much to the palpable and audible delight of her devoted fans. All 8.3 million of them on Instagram – slightly above the population of Hong Kong.  

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Pet Concerns: 7 Extreme Pampering and Designer Gear for Your Dog. And Cat.

As reported in Women’s Wear Daily, the global market for pet products is projected to hit HK$290 billion (US$36.89 billion) by the year 2025. Pampering your pooch is a lucrative business as the biggest luxury brands have launched their own line of products and accessories catering to pets and pet concerns. Once an exception, almost a footnote in a brand’s portfolio, currently designer pet accessories are all the rage.

Seek and you shall find; well, we found these!  

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

7 Months Without Charging: Lightyear’s Limited-Edition Cars are the Cynosure of Fans and Critics

 Lightyear paves the way for clean, uninterrupted travel with the launch of its first solar-powered vehicle: Lightyear 0.

Earlier in 2022, a feature written by a popular writer and car enthusiast went viral as she bemoaned the tedium of constantly charging her electric car on a four-day road trip, as she “spent more time charging than sleeping”. That head-shaking beamed around the planet at lightning speed – but was halted by vehicle start-up Lightyear, a high-tech company based in Netherlands, which for the past six years has been developing the world’s first solar car: the Lightyear 0.  

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

This Ultra-Realistic Driving Simulation Centre in Dubai Will Get You Ready For Formula 1 Racing

 Drivers Lab pairs an immersive experience with real-world data and professional coaching.

Last autumn, Robb Report Hong Kong got wind from former professional racing drivers Dan Wells and Oscar Lee that they had teamed up to create Drivers Lab in Dubai, a hyper-realistic racing simulation centre like no other. It seemed like a fine idea, but haven’t we seen similar simulation services before? Upon launch, however, it became clear that Wells and Lee were onto a winner, as an influx of professional race-car drivers flocked to Drivers Lab, heaping positive feedback. Our attention raced all the way there, too, to see what the noise was all about.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

This 280.8-Carat Colombian Emerald Is Estimated to Fetch HK$20.3 Million at Auction

Limited-edition historical pieces from Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and many more are up for grabs, setting the stage for a showcase of archival treasures.

Geneva is set to welcome a host of dazzling guests this May.

At the first jewellery auction to be held at Hotel President in Geneva, a new venue selected by auction house Phillips, the debut has to be appropriate stunning. Leading the sale is a trifecta of significant stones: a rare fancy red diamond weighing 1.56 carats, a magnificent fancy vivid pink diamond ring of 6.21 carats, and jaw-dropping Colombian emerald bearing a whopping 280.8 carats. How far will the hammer fall is uncertain, and the estimates are in multiple figures, but there’s so much more in the 100-plus lots that are worthy of inspection. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

12 Years Ago, on this Day, first chat with Gauri Shinde for English Vinglish

12 Years Ago, on this Day, first chat with Gauri Shinde for English Vinglish 

...which led to flying down to Mumbai, meeting 'the great Sridevi'... which went on to a cover story at Post magazine. 

Indian cinema lost all its charm since her passing - Bollywood without Sridevi is no fun. 

Luxe Interiors: SV Casa: A Brand You Haven’t Heard Of. Till Now.

 Collaborations with top designers studded around the planet, product placement in every major hotel and resort – and yet, you’ve probably never heard of SV Casa. Until today.

Think of any five-star hotel or resort on the planet, chances are you’ve used, felt, photographed something that stems back to SV Casa, a premium interiors, luxury brand that was born and flourished in Hong Kong. Their exhaustive portfolio lists over 320 luxury properties with bold-faced names that require no introduction; Four Seasons, Rosewood, The Mandarin. So who or what is this brand all about?

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

First Look: Mott 32 Gets a New Stage to Shine On After Breathtaking Makeover: Hong Kong's photogenic restaurant

 Open at last, after a seemingly endless hiatus for a makeover that no one saw coming, the best-looking venue in town got a fascinating facelift.

If fine dining can be alluded to as high-performance art, well, then there is no better operatic stage for it in Hong Kong than Mott 32, especially after its latest revamp that’s bound to be the talk of the town this season.

Having undergone its first cosmetic makeover in nearly a decade, the restaurant has amped up the volume; take a bow, Joyce Wang Studio, and clear the mantle for yet another award. The overall experience from a design perspective alone overwhelms—it’s breathtaking.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

It’s all in the Name: Hong Kong Cuisine: Dining in Hong Kong

A fine dining concept hidden in arteries of mostly residential Happy Valley, you’ll find the hidden gem that’s celebrating local culture, one hot plate at a time.

Marking the famed restaurant’s 10 year anniversary, Hong Kong Cuisine has undergone a complete revamp led by its new chef, Silas Li.  In his previous incarnation, he was ‘the’ private chef to the city’s most notable names with over two decades of experience under his belt – well, under his apron strings, if we could just amend the adage for a more apt ring.   

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong

This Ultra-Realistic Driving Simulation Centre in Dubai Will Get You Ready For Formula 1 Racing

Drivers Lab pairs an immersive experience with real-world data and professional coaching.

Last autumn, I got wind from former professional racing drivers Dan Wells and Oscar Lee that they had teamed up to create Drivers Lab in Dubai, a hyper-realistic racing simulation centre like no other. It seemed like a fine idea, but haven’t we seen similar simulation services before? Upon launch, however, it became clear that Wells and Lee were onto a winner, as an influx of professional race-car drivers flocked to Drivers Lab, heaping positive feedback. Our attention raced all the way there, too, to see what the noise was all about.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

A Collection of Princess Diana’s Most Famous Outfits Is Coming to Hong Kong Before Heading to Auction

 Deemed the “royal fashion auction event of the year,” the touring showcase will make an appearance at K11 Musea this April.

If you are one of the millions of viewers hooked on Netflix’s top-tier show The Crown, then you’re in for a real treat with your reel obsession. While the production crew for the award-winning series had to replicate Princess Diana’s decade-defining designer dresses, the real deal is on its way to Hong Kong. A finely curated collection of the late royal family member’s most photographed gowns and accessories will be on full display at K11 Musea in Hong Kong this April, courtesy of Julien’s Auctions, the famed Hollywood auction house.

“Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection” will head to auction later this summer, but folks in Hong Kong now have an opportunity to view highlights of the dazzling collection, featuring some of the most famous attire worn by the late Princess of Wales. From 18 to 29 April, the pop-up at K11 Musea will show glamorous garments, including an elegant look that Princess Diana wore on a visit to Hong Kong in 1989; the two-piece yellow-and-navy skirt-suit she donned is up for close inspection (and estimated to fetch up to HK$391,635).

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Paws for Effect: Dogs, cats, parrot...

All my life, I've wanted to have a dog - I live with an aggressive homicidal cat that listens not to a word I say. Such is life... 

Billyjean is a rescue from LAP (10 years and counting). Adopt - don't shop. A rescue changed my life - and it will yours too.  

There are several rescue operations in Hong Kong, you can foster, then adopt. 

 

Leaders of Luxury: Horacio Pagani, Founder of Pagani Automobili

For the latest edition of Leaders of Luxury, we engage in exclusive conversation with motoring royalty, a man who needs little introduction as his name is eponymous with the masterful hypercar he created: Horacio Pagani.

His legend was built on just three cars: the Zonda (the first car he produced in 1992), the Huayra, and Utopia. Each car has been listed among the best of the best in luxury automobiles, year after year, decade after decade.

In this business, there are no overnight successes. Pagani came from humble beginnings in Argentina, long before his stint at Renault and Lamborghini. He speaks at length about his company’s philosophy, his inspiration and, as always, what luxury means to him today.

Robb Recommends: The Million-Dollar Facial at Yun Wellness that Uses Green Caviar from Okinawa

A signature facial treatment featuring Swiss brand Dr Burgener reduces the appearance of wrinkles, spots, and pigmentation—but at a price.

You might be familiar with a trending meme on social media that makes anyone over a certain vintage smirk with reluctant agreeance: “I’m looking for a moisturiser that hides the fact that I’ve been tired since 2010.” 

Pause for effect… I think I have found it. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Chopard’s Caroline Scheufele on Balancing Art and Business, Her Love of Cinema, and the Jewellery She Never Takes Off

An intimate, reflective conversation with the jeweller to the stars.

Caroline Scheufele juggles many a plate mid-air with manicured efficiency as both co-president and artistic director of Chopard. Jet lag doesn’t seem to bother her—the jet-setting jeweller to the stars struts the red carpet with nonchalant ease, greeting the A-listers of Asia with an affable charm that comes with constant proximity to fame.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Soneva Kiri Welcomes Michelin Green Star Chef Deepanker “DK” Khosla For a Five-Day Pop-Up

This Songkran, neo-Indian cuisine makes a splash at the luxury eco-resort in Thailand.

Deepanker “DK” Khosla—popularly known by his initials and the chef behind Haoma, the award-winning neo-Indian restaurant in Bangkok—has a curated menu in the works for Soneva Kiri, the luxury eco-resort in Koh Kood where he’ll be popping up for five days as part of the resort’s Songkran festival programme, taking place from 12 to 16 April. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Leaders of Luxury with Robb Report Hong Kong: Horacio Pagani

 

For the latest edition of Leaders of Luxury, I had the opportunity to sit with motoring royalty, a man who needs little introduction as his name is eponymous with the masterful hypercar he created: Horacio Pagani.

His legend was built on just three cars: the Zonda (the first car he produced in 1992), the Huayra, and Utopia. Each car has been listed among the best of the best in luxury automobiles, year after year, decade after decade.

See the entire clip here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

9 of the Best Places to Eat in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong

1. 11 Westside: Best tacos in Hong Kong. 
2. Bengal Brothers Kennedy Town
3. Blend n Grind, Kennedy Town
4. Chubby Papa's Deli. 
5. Classy le Carré
6. Comptoir, small plates but so yummy + an amazing team 
7. Dough Bros, pizza chain. 
8. Little Cove Espresso (Kennedy Town)
9. Waffling Beans 

Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 Recap: A Stellar turnout and Strong Sales, With Willem de Kooning Artwork as Most Expensive Lot.

A recap of who came, who saw, and who conquered the art market this past week. 

Back with a bang, there was indeed Murder on the Dancefloor as Sophie Ellis-Bextor crooned at Rosewood Hong Kong on the eve of Art Basel Hong Kong. Artists, gallerists, and those in their circles braced themselves ahead of the biggest art event in the city this year. Indeed, the 11th iteration of Art Basel Hong Kong culminated in a strong turnout and significant sales.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

First Look: Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung of Asia’s Best Bar, Coa, Launch The Savory Project

When your earlier venture is ranked first on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list and your walls are studded with accolades, opening a new drinking spot comes with “grape” expectations.

Acclaimed Hong Kong bartenders Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung have a welcome challenge on their hands before the official launch of The Savory Project, a new bar teetering near the edge of Staunton Street: how to rise beyond their multi-accolade-filled Coa. That little square space in the basement of Wah Shin House is so beloved by the industry, let alone its prolific customer base, that it won first place on Asia’s 50 Best Bars twice—in succession.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Note: First met Jay when he was working in Galaxy Macau, but sadly can't find the feature or shoot from 2012... ish. He was a rising star then, a supernova now. You can't get a table at Coa now for love nor money. 

Island Shangri-La Opens Yun Wellness, Where You Can Recover and Rejuvenate in Elegance

 Eschewing the cosmetic and getting to the root of the problem, the “urban oasis” is no mirage.

Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong parted the sealed lift doors on the eight floor of its storeyed building to launch Yun Wellness, a spa, gym, and poolside venue that’s been one of the most anticipated openings and new ventures in the city since we last wrote about it. 

Post-pandemic and a stellar renovation later, we’ve heard the phrase “urban oasis” so many times over the past few days as writers and purveyors of the spa and wellness industry, curious to see what the long-awaited project would look like, turned up in full unmasked force to bear witness to the launch—and to hear the notable and erudite team behind the comprehensive programme and menu talk passionately about wellness. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Four Plates at the Regent Hong Kong: Inside The Steak House, Harbourside, The Lobby Lounge, and Lai Ching Heen

A dining destination in a city studded with options, the chefs at The Regent Hong Kong are in fine form across four incredible locations.

Following the most extensive transformation in its history, the restaurants and eateries at the Regent Hong Kong are poised to make a magnificent return to Hong Kong’s dining scene.

Over the course of as many weeks, we had the onus to sample four of its iconic restaurants on location: The Steak House, Harbourside, The Lobby Lounge, and the legendary (and, as we go to publish, Michelin-star-studded) Lai Ching Heen. 

It’s a difficult job, but someone had to buckle up and eat the veritable smorgasbord of dining options. Since we launched Robb Report Hong Kong in the grand ballroom of the Regent, so much has happened so quickly at the iconic venue, it’s a race to the finish trying to keep up. But first, we feast. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong. 

Lorenzo Antinori’s Bar Leone Roars into Hong Kong’s Bar Scene

The Italian mixologist has a winner on hand—as expected.

When we heard Lorenzo Antinori had opened a new drinking spot in Hong Kong, we knew—even before we found the place off the beaten path—that this was not going to be a dive bar. Hiking up to Bridges Street in that odd area between Sheung Wan and Central on a balmy evening (there is no other kind for the next six months), a chilled yuzu Negroni awaited on a platter—lighter than the classic, perfect for the season.

A relaxed, unpretentious venue serving fine bites and bubbles, Bar Leone certainly does not look or have the feel of the mixologist’s past gigs when he worked at The Savoy, or his long tenure with the Four Seasons group (where he led a winning trifecta—Charles H, Caprice, and Argo—to fantastic press and critical acclaim). Bar Leone is the sort of affable bar you’d find walking down cobbled streets of Rome (where Antinori is from), off tourist-heavy detours and distractions.

It’s a quintessential Italian bar, really—warm, inviting, and of a certain vintage (funny, because the bar opened just this past June)—with archival pictures, signage, and accoutrements studded on wood-panelled walls and cosy booths. Bright sunlight segues into a warm glow as stellar bar snacks are doled out of hand-painted ceramics filled with piattini and spuntini, small dishes and snacks ripe for the picking.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

A Year of Argo: The Coolest Bar in Central, Hong Kong

Originally published BY P.RAMAKRISHNAN  |  JULY 22, 2022

As Four Seasons Hong Kong’s signature bar, standards were set pretty high from the get-go. Here's a winner.

As we go to publish, Argo’s just celebrated its first anniversary with near-universal praise and great press painstakingly collected over what’s been a difficult year for the industry. Pandemic-induced lockdowns, restrictions, and wide social distancing measures meant more bars and restaurants shut shop over the period than any other time in recent history—as tourism fell by a whopping 98%.

Argo not only threw open its doors during the thick of the pandemic, it maintained a degree of quality and success like no other. A cocktail bar that explores the world of fine beverages, its name is inspired by the myth of Jason and the Argonauts and their journey of discovery and exploration. The debut cocktail menu celebrates six staple ingredients; honey, cacao, vanilla, coffee, rice, and apple. So meticulous is their attention to detail and quality control, Argo has its own beehive located in Mai Po, New Territories! 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

TBT: Tech meets style as Loro Piana takes a swing at The Ryder Cup

Sports uniforms are often slick, performance gear always has a dash of style stitched in the seams, the athletic silhouette is a happy mélange of form, function and indubitably, a sense of style. But when it comes to this sport, good lord is there a reason why the gear in golf has historically been so shockingly…what’s the polite word… lacklustre? 

Lads and ladies, Loro Piana has entered the chat.

Loro Piana announced the renewal of the brand's collaboration with Team Europe for the 2023 Ryder Cup. The sportsmen will be dressed in the finest fibre, timeless colours and high-function design to enhance, not interrupt a swing. If ever a sport needed a touch of elegance--considering the vast money that's at play and global audience on view--Loro Piana has stepped into the greens with intelligent-design and its famed craftsmanship. And we’re not alone in this praise-the-lord hankering. 

“Since the partnership began in 2016, the quality of Loro Piana’s fabrics coupled with their specialist design and production knowledge have made them the ideal clothing partner for Team Europe,” says Luke Donald, captain of Team Europe.

Indeed for the past seven years, since Loro Piana first stepped into the game, the brand re-designed the official uniforms for Team Europe with state-of-the-art fabrication to suit atmospheric conditions, providing a sense of comfort and style. What’s more, 3D technology was used to simulate how the material moved when a golf swing was in full action, which led to small changes made for greater impact; allowing the performer utter ease in movement and no chaffing courtesy of their impeccable new uniform.  

The latest signature collection includes six looks, featuring a short-sleeved polo with a shirt-style collar, crease-resistant, waterproof fabrics and lightness of material to let the golfer play seamlessly. The advanced technology used in fabrication is next level; the team will be provided with clothing with heat-regulating capacity that enhances ergonomic performance. For that subtle sense of style, there’s a refined colour palette, using Italian tones, the European flag and of course, the sports team’s official logo. 

“Loro Piana’s iconic outfits have become synonymous with Team Europe and we are delighted that Captain Luke Donald’s team will become the fourth successive group of players to don these exceptional products,” said Guy Kinnings, Ryder Cup Director. “Since our partnership began at the Ryder Cup in 2016, the quality of Loro Piana’s fabrics coupled with their specialist design and production knowledge have made them the ideal fit for Team Europe, ensuring that the players look and feel the part both on and off the course. I am delighted that we are working with a symbol of Italian excellence for the first ever Ryder Cup in Italy.”

If you’re thirsting to grab a full look from the collection, there’s good news and bad. Only a selection of the Team Europe uniforms, will be available at the maison’s boutique in Rome during the weeks of competition. Will it be available in Hong Kong? No. But variations of the colour scheme, similar silhouette will still be in the offing to golf lovers as Loro Piana’s extensive wardrobe is on sale at stores studded around Asia.

by

P.Ramakrishnan

Feature for Robb Report Hong Kong from Sept 2023

The best in Jewellery: Pomellato

Nudo Rivière Necklace 

There’s a youthful, exuberant, and dare-we-say candy-shaped and -hued vibe to the latest Nudo Rivière collection presented by Pomellato. As the name implies, the pieces are based around “nude” stones: bare blocks of colour with minimal settings. This latest series in the Nudo family comprises four necklaces with the sophistication of the clessidra cut: gemstones seamlessly set back to back and circled at the centre by a band of gold, giving rise to its name, which translates to “hourglass” in Italian.

The Nudo Rivière necklace in rose gold with sky-blue and London-blue topaz is our pick of the year from the Milanese brand. A dazzling mix of seven topazes with more than 300 white diamonds sprinkled across the chain, it’s a statement necklace that’s sure to draw the eye. The asymmetric arrangement of the different-sized stones is deliberate, to evoke the vision of drops of colour flowing over skin with the sensual ease of water.

In keeping with Nudo’s philosophy of minimalist elegance, the piece offers an understated way to wear more than 80 carats of precious gemstones and 3.1 carats of white diamonds.

pomellato.com
Image courtesy of Pomellato.

Read the entire feature on The Best of Jewellery here at Robb Report Hong Kong.