The Reserve Spring 2014

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BE MY GUEST G I S E L E I N V I T E S YO U TO PA RT Y INVESTMENT

Mid-century furniture, precious metals, diamonds and the rewards of investing in start-ups

INSIDERS

Fashion tips from industry insiders, Hong Kong’s hottest foodies and an exclusive with Gisele Bündchen

INSPIRATION

Holidays in space, underwater hotel suites, shopping in Paris and this Spring’s coolest consumables

The sea is our home.

By day it is our waking view, our playground, our road to places both familiar and unexplored. It takes us to dense cities and pristine coves. Atolls and icebergs.

Ancient archaeological wonders and modern-day marvels. By night it is the soothing floor beneath us, flashing a glimmer toward our windows as we dine, unwind, remember our day. It is our passion. That’s why we have chosen to call The World home.

To learn more about the rare opportunity to become a part of this unique lifestyle, we invite you to explore further aboardtheworld.com. +1 954 960 7895 | ResidentialAdvisor@aboardtheworld.com

Contents 10 12 15

First Word Contributors Invitations The latest member events

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46

Investment 38

Gold Rush Why gold is a good investment Planting the Seed Hong Kong’s start-up kings explain how it’s done

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SITTING ON MONEY Mid-century furniture is proving a sensible way to spend

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Insiders 52

Ten Minutes with... Jack Penrod The founder of Nikki Beach on his new venue in Phuket Made in China Ross Urwin on redefined Chinese luxury

54 58

BE MY GUEST Gisele talks parties, perfume and people

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Bidding on Bonham’s The auction house’s international makeover My Fashionable Life Fashionistas give us their top shopping tips Success on a Plate Hong Kong’s restaurant insiders on finding that secret ingredient Bright Young Things Chinese artists taking the world by storm

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For Goodness Sake Peter Bennett explains the drive behind his charitable work Ground Control Ramy Fischler on designing the new Tai Ping store in Shanghai

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Inspiration 106 110 112 118

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122 Capital Colour Tailored brights for your Spring wardrobe 132 The Hot Ten Your shopping list for this season 144 Locked & Loaded Why your personal safety is paramount 148 ULTIMATE SUITES Holiday inspiration

around the world 156 Shopping Weekender Your retail guide to Paris

End Note 160 Last Word Shanghai Tang’s Raphael le Masne de Chermont

| thereserve-asia.com |

BE MY GUEST G I S E L E I N V I T E S Y O U T O PA R T Y INVESTMENT

Mid-century furniture, precious metals, diamonds and the rewards of investing in start-ups

INSIDERS

Fashion tips from industry insiders, Hong Kong’s hottest foodies and an exclusive with Gisele Bündchen

INSPIRATION

Holidays in space, underwater hotel suites, shopping in Paris and this Spring’s coolest consumables

COVER IMAGE: Sourced from Carolina Herrera

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Two Decades of Daring Shanghai Tang turns 20 Upper Case The new trend for vintage luggage The Extra Mile Three extraordinary experiences Out of the Box Jewellery brand Van Eyck is doing things differently

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First Word The arrival of Spring is a real treat, especially here in Hong Kong where it has also become the unofficial season of art. We’ve got so much to look forward to over the next three months, it’s enough to make any collector panic! Art in our region is getting noticed all over the world now, and our feature Bright Young Things celebrates the emerging talents showcased at New York’s The Armory Show. Speaking of all things bright and beautiful, we’ve also got an exclusive with Brazilian bombshell Gisele, who spoke to us about shooting her latest advertising campaign for Carolina Herrera’s 212 VIP fragrance. Of course, a new season signals a new wardrobe (at least it’s a good excuse!) so we’ve also packed a heap of fashion inspiration into this issue, including a colourful menswear shoot in London, a shopping guide to Paris and a collection of tips from industry insiders in My Fashionable Life.

Enjoy the issue, and see you in the Summer!

Dominique Afacan, Editor-at-Large dominique@infonation-asia.com

The Reserve is a VIP club exclusively for Asia’s most discerning consumers and investors. Produced in Hong Kong and China by INFO/NATION. CEO Shawn Hiltz shawn@infonation-asia.com | Editor-at-Large Dominique Afacan dominique@infonation-asia.com | Art Director Helen Griffiths | Senior Designer Lianja Salgado lianja@infonation-asia.com | Marketing Manager Zoe Belhomme zoe@infonation-asia.com | Events Director Sonya Yeung events@infonation-asia.com For advertising and sponsorship queries please contact Head of Partnerships Natalie Prittie-Perry natalie@infonation-asia.com or call us on +852 3620 3157 For membership enquiries please contact member@thereserve-asia.com The Reserve Hong Kong is published under license from INFO/NATION. All rights reserved. Title and trademark registered. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expresed or implied in The Reserve are those of contributors and advertisers and do not neccessarily reflect those of the publisher.

thereserve-asia.com

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Contributors

Ben Harries

Kenny Ho

Liz Thomas

Photographer Ben Harries has travelled worldwide capturing men’s fashion for the likes of GQ, Esquire and Mr Porter. His love of cinematic photography and passion for polaroids often feature heavily in his work. For this issue, Ben shot our fashion story Colour Capital on location in London.

Kenny is a fashion editor and style consultant based in London. His eye for sartorial elegance has led to him contributing to publications globally including Esquire and Tatler. We have Kenny to thank for the fantastic styling on our Colour Capital fashion shoot.

Liz Thomas is a foreign correspondent, travel writer and restaurant reviewer. She now covers the East Asia region for the Daily Mail, after reporting from the London office for six years. For this issue, she interviewed some of Hong Kong’s leading restaurant figures for our foodie feature, Success on a Plate.

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Giovanna Dunmall Giovanna is a freelance journalist who writes about architecture, design, travel and the arts for publications such as the South China Morning Post, Wallpaper*, The Guardian and Condé Nast Traveller. In this issue, she interviewed Robert Brooks to hear about the makeover of Bonham’s auction house.

Michele koh Morollo Michele began her writing career in Singapore in 1997 as a book and music reviewer. She studied journalism in London and had a collection of short stories – Rotten Jellybeans – published during her time there.

Since 2009, Michele has been writing about design, art and architecture for publications globally.

Read her story Sitting on Money in our investment section.

MAY 24 2014 CANTON CLUB GUANGZHOU OCT 11 2014 ISLAND SHANGRI-LA HONG KONG

PROPERTY INVESTMENT EXHIBITION + SEMINAR PREVIEW 1ST + 2ND SEPTEMBER 2012

ACCESS THE WORLD’S MOST COMPELLING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Bringing together global property, alternative investments and leading luxury lifestyle brands for an exclusive one-day exhibition and VIP seminar Space is complimentary but strictly limited. For more information and to secure your place at PIE+S call: +852 3620 3157 email: rsvp@pies-asia.com online: www.pies-asia.com

HONG KONG

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GUANGZHOU

Invitations LATEST EVENTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE

From fashion to show jumping, property to timepieces, members of The Reserve have been busy! To make sure we carry on inviting you to all the right events, please fill out the Reserve Me form enclosed or visit thereserve-asia.com/feedback

INVITATIONS Member News

MEMBER NEWS IN BRIEF Members can look forward to a jam-packed calendar of events and experiences over the next three months. The art world is taking Hong Kong by storm for the month of May, and we’ll be joining in by collaborating with the Asia Contemporary Art Show. Selected members will be invited to the exclusive VIP opening party where over 100 galleries from around Asia will be showcasing their work. Soon after will be Best of Britain - an evening of entertainment and celebration featuring exceptional brands with a proud British heritage. Members will also be among the first to view the inaugural collection of fine jeweller, Van Eyck, at one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious addresses.

The Reserve also has property investment opportunities coming up at the next PIE+S Guangzhou, an all-day member-only exhibition taking place at the elegant Canton Club on May 24. In June, we’ll be hosting another alternative investment summit in Hong Kong over a delicious 3-course dinner accompanied by fine wines from Berry Bros. & Rudd.

Want to be invited to our events? We select members for specific events based on their passions and preferences. Make sure we know yours.

Go to thereserve-asia.com/feedback to get started.

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MY PASSIONS My life’s passion? My husband, Haresh, and my children mean everything to me. I am also passionate about charitable causes and derive great joy and satisfaction from helping the less fortunate.

Favourite travel destination? Istanbul by far! From the sheer beauty of the Bosphorus to the incredible sights of old and new Istanbul. Delicious Turkish cuisine always leaves me wanting more.

MEMBER PROFILE:

For a special occasion, I dine at... Amber at the Landmark Mandarin. I also love Lung King Heen at the Four Seasons for when my Chinese food cravings kick in!

Rina Wadhwani

Watch of choice? Definitely Breguet-Reine de Naples – stylish, timeless and elegant.

Born in London but raised in Hong Kong, The Reserve member Rina is co-founder of Wadhsons HK Ltd. She is also known for her philanthropic endeavors and currently sits on a number of charitable committees, including Youth Action Diabetes.

For clothing, I go to… Chanel, Hermès, St. John, Escada,Valentino, all the way through to high street brands. For formal occasions, I love to wear ethnic Indian designer couture saris and outfits from Tarun Tahiliani, Suneet Varma and Anjali & Arjun Kapoor.

Being a member of The Reserve works for me because... It’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds to share ideas.

We continue to partner with some of the world’s leading brands to bring members unique experiences and privileges in line with specific interests and passions. Here’s just a snapshot of some of our most recent brand, experience and service partnerships. To view other partnerships, visit: thereserve-asia.com/new-partners-announcements

NEW PARTNER

NEW EXPERIENCE NEW SERVICE

MILLESIMA

MONACO GRAND PRIX

LGS MATRIX

Based in the heart of Bordeaux, Millesima’s 200 year-old cellars contain in excess of 2.5 million bottles of the best vintages ever produced in renowned regions including Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne. Our partnership gives members access to some of the world’s leading wine experts as well as Millesima’s private cellars.

For our sports enthusiasts, The Reserve has secured unique access to this year’s Monaco Grand Prix – the jewel in the crown of Formula 1 season and perhaps the most challenging and prestigious automobile race in the world. Choose to watch from a prime trackside position or aboard a luxury yacht. The choice is yours.

Dedicated to providing first-class security to individual and corporate clients, LGS Matrix delivers professional, tailored security support.

Members of The Reserve may benefit from direct access and preferential rates on all services from personal close protection through to maritime and aviation security.

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INVITATIONS

Gentlemen’s Evening

BOY STORY The Reserve’s annual Gentlemen’s Evening at Crown Wine Cellars Our annual Gentlemen’s Evening surpassed all expectations with over 100 members attending at Crown Wine Cellars on Shouson Hill. Members mingled over the finest whiskies from The Glenlivet along with wines from Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, got up-close-and-personal with the new Rolls-Royce Wraith and admired inspirational timepieces from bespoke European watch brand Grieb & Benzinger. The evening’s silent auction, which featured diamond earrings from Eight & Diamond, custom-made suits from Ermenegildo Zegna and a limited-edition bottle of Martell Cognac, raised over HK$100,000 in successful bids with all proceeds benefitting men’s health charities. R

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INVITATIONS Ermenegildo Zegna

LA DOLCE VITA An exclusive in-store experience with Ermenegildo Zegna at ifc Mall To kick off the New Year in style, selected members were treated to an experience with luxury Italian fashion house, Ermenegildo Zegna, at their Hong Kong store in Central’s ifc. The chic menswear brand flew in its lead artisan from Italy to launch its new leather collection in China and complete a complimentary initial embossing service for members and VIPs. Members watched and chatted with the artisan while he used traditional techniques to emboss their initials on a piece from the collection, which they were able to take away as a gift at the end of the experience. R

THE RESERVE

MEMBER NEWS Want to be invited to our unique experiences with the world’s leading luxury brands? Tell us what you like by filling out a membership form at www.thereserve-asia.com/feedback

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INVITATIONS

Longines HK Masters

HORSE PLAY The Reserve’s VIP table at the Longines Hong Kong Masters From 21-23 February, AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong was transformed into a dramatic arena to host the annual Longines Hong Kong Masters. Designed to bring show jumping to the forefront of international sporting and social scenes, the global event brought the crème-de-la-crème of equestrians together to compete for prize money of up to US$1m. Selected members were invited to watch all the action from The Reserve’s VIP table, while enjoying Michelin-starred food paired with Veuve Clicquot Champagne and fine wines. Besides world-class show jumping, the event boasted gourmet dining, luxury shopping and unique experiences throughout the weekend.

Want to attend The Masters in Los Angeles or Paris? Let us know, as members are entitled to exclusive opportunities and VIP treatment at all three events. R THE

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INVITATIONS Buy Association

BRITISH BUILD Buy Association selects UK property with strong investment potential for members With the UK property market in a period of growth, The Reserve teamed up with leading UK property expert, Buy Association, to bring a qualified selection of property investment prospects to members in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The new developments, which ranged from student flats in the North of England by developer Knight Knox to luxury apartments in Central London by Grosvenor, were carefully chosen based on quality and investment potential and posed the perfect opportunity for members to either enter the UK property market or expand on an existing portfolio. Zheng He Migrations, specialists in supporting Chinese citizens who are looking to make a permanent move to the UK, were on hand at each of the events to give sound advice and support. R

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INVITATIONS Engel & Völkers

THE RESERVE

MEMBER NEWS For further information about investing in property in Portugal, please contact The Reserve’s membership team at member@thereserve-asia.com

LUCKY NUMBER 8 Investing in Portugal with Engel & Völkers In February, members were invited to join respected worldwide property agent Engel & Völkers to learn more about the attractive investment opportunities currently available in Portugal. Property experts from Engel & Völkers were joined by the developer of Building 8, a prestigious property in the heart of Lisbon’s historic district in the process of being renovated into luxury apartments. With an attractive immigration programme currently in place by the Portuguese government to increase investment in the country, there was a high level of interest from Chinese investors looking to capitalise on this rare opportunity. Due to high demand, a second member cocktail was hosted the following week for those who weren’t able to attend the first session. R THE

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INVITATIONS Marketing Society

MARKET PLACE Asia-Pacific launch of The Marketing Society Asia Selected members from the marketing industry were invited to attend a cocktail reception to mark the launch of The Marketing Society Asia. The organisation, which already has a 55-year history in the UK, aims to lead the agenda across all areas of marketing and inspire bolder leadership in Hong Kong and throughout the world. The launch gave senior business leaders the first of many opportunities to build peer connections and find inspiration from the region’s marketers. R

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LUXURY, ACCESS & EXCLUSIVITY Welcome to The Reserve Formerly Millionaireasia, The Reserve is an invitation-only membership club designed to satisfy the needs of Asia’s most discerning luxury consumers.

Through partnerships with respected global marques as well as boutique luxury brands, The Reserve offers its members engagement opportunities with exceptional products and services through its member-only quarterly magazine, a variety of digital platforms and a full calendar of exclusive events.

Art, wines and spirits, cars, watches, jewellery, fashion, travel, yachts, real estate and more – members share their passions and The Reserve delivers insights and experiences to match.

For membership enquiries, call or visit us online.

member@thereserve-asia.com

+852 3620 3157

thereserve-asia.com

facebook.com/reserveasia

INVITATIONS Entrepreneurship

STARTING POINT Entrepreneurship and Innovation lunch Members with an active interest in the Hong Kong start-up community were invited to hear serial angel investor Simon Squibb (featured on page 42) and Managing Director and Regional Head of Collaboration at HSBC Private Bank, William Ross, talk on the topic of ‘Disruptive Innovation in Tech and Beyond’. Held over lunch in the exclusive Turner Room on Level 42 of the HSBC Building, members and selected HSBC Private Bank clients were given a rare insight into how entrepreneurship and innovation in start-ups and established businesses can be successfully applied. R

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INVITATIONS Daniel de la Cruz

SHAPING UP Daniel de la Cruz Exhibition at Fabric Gallery Art aficionados were invited to an intimate preview of industrial designer turned sculptor Daniel de la Cruz’s latest exhibition, ‘Women of my World’. Forming part of the Asia Contemporary Art series, the evening was a chance for members to meet the renowned Filipino artist and enjoy his feminine and poignant sculptures. All of his work is hand hammered, carved, welded and sculpted without the use of casts and his themes of women and motherhood were evident in the strong yet delicate sculptures. R

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Insights The talk of the town

ARCHITECTURE Starchitect Zaha Hadid (also behind the Guangzhou Opera House) has released images showing the designs in store for an impressive 40-storey hotel in Macau.When finished in 2017, the sculptural landmark located at the City of Dreams will feature 780 guestrooms, a sky-high swimming pool, spa and multiple gaming rooms.

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INSIGHTS

The Talk of the Town

TRAVEL Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, has just unveiled a luxurious new lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. A strong focus on dining will be music to the ears of travellers about to jump on an overnight flight, with dim sum-laden yum cha trolleys, locally influenced dishes of the day and a cocktail bar. Opt for a shoe shine and a shower before you board and you’re good to go.

HK$10.9bn

SPIKE SUPERSONIC JET Time is money which is why we’re predicting a huge waiting list for the new Spike S-512 supersonic jet. It will be the first private jet capable of going supersonic, with a top speed of Mach 1.8. Imagine turning that 16hour slog from LA to Tokyo into an 8-hour trip instead. First deliveries are expected at the end of December 2018 so if you’re interested, better get your name down now! spikeaerospace.com

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The cost of the new Shenzhen air terminal, designed by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas.

The terminal boasts 200 shops and 200 check-in counters.

INSIGHTS

The Talk of the Town

ART

US$3.7m The value of the painting ‘Snowy Mountain’

by Chinese artist Cui Ruzhuo that was allegedly thrown out as rubbish by cleaners at Hong Kong’s Grand Hyatt Hotel

From May 14 – August 31, Hong Kong’s White Cube gallery will be hosting Los Angeles artist Mark Bradford. Mark – known for his multi-layered collage paintings – has created a special series of works about Hong Kong, exploring structures of power and politics though the lens of urban planning. whitecube.com

FOODIE FESTIVAL FUN Art Basel is back and bigger than ever, running from May 15-18 at the Hong Kong Convention Centre. For a bit of foodie related festival fun, head to the Mandarin Oriental, official hotel sponsor for the event, for a fabulous art-inspired dinner menu at Uwe Opocensky’s Mandarin Grill. Diners will also receive a ticket to the event itself.

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Handcrafted masterpieces reinterpreted to perfection

asia@grieb-benzinger.com | www.grieb-benzinger.com

INSIGHTS

The Talk of the Town

INNOVATION It’s no secret that China and Hong Kong have some of the world’s worst air pollution issues. So it’s little wonder that these new bubble domes proposed by architectural practice Orproject have captured the public’s attention. The structures can enclose anything from parkland to schools, filtering everything included under a protective bubble. It remains to be seen whether they will become a reality, but Asia’s smog-sick are keeping their fingers crossed.

90%

The percentage by which the shark fin trade has fallen between Hong Kong and China since last year Source: World Wildlife Fund

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Investment HOW BEST TO INVEST

What used to be secondhand is now modern antique Sitting on Money, p. 46

INVESTMENT Gold

GOLD RUSH Joshua Rotbart of Malca-Amit on how this venture allows individuals easy access to the precious metals physical market

How would you sum up Malca-Amit in a nutshell?

We are one of the world’s leading providers of secure logistic services, meaning we ship, store and secure valuable cargo – mostly diamonds, jewellery and precious metals.

We were founded in 1963 to provide expert support and logistics services primarily for diamond dealers, brokers and jewellers. Today we are present – either directly or through agents – in over 30 countries. In addition, we operate seven vaults for precious metals and we grew to be the biggest secured storage service provider in the Far East.

What exactly do you mean by precious metal procurement?

Malca-Amit Group established Malca-Amit Precious Metals to give individuals access to the physical bullion market.When we opened our storage facilities we realised that there were no reliable solutions – outside the banking system – for purchasing physical precious metals. There was a need for a reputable one- stop service provider. We don’t just source the bullion for our clients, we also store it in one of our vaults [located in NewYork, London, Zurich, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai]. We also offer bullion buyback options and shipping services.

Is Malca-Amit a financial institution?

Malca-Amit is a privately held company and is not part of the financial system.As I mentioned Malca-Amit Precious Metals was established to accomodate to UHNW whom

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may want to diversify their investments into physical assets and may want to hold their assets outside of the traditional financial/banking institutions.

What kind of metals do you supply?

We supply newly minted bullion bars and coins sourced from refineries and dealers that are members of the London Bullion Market Association. In terms of metal, we offer gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

How have the various types been comparing over the last year?

Malca-Amit Precious Metals has so far sold over two tonnes of gold and 30 tonnes of silver.We were very happy with the results so we decided to allow the purchase and storage program to go global.

How do you see demand changing in the next year?

The world Gold Council reported a 28% increase in the demand for physical gold in 2013 compared to 2012 and expectations in the market are for this trend to continue.

This trend is effecting our global operations daily.

What makes precious metals a viable alternative investment?

As we see it, people’s trust in the monetary, fiscal and governing systems is eroding at an accelerated pace.The result is that clients are looking for new strategies for wealth

protection and preservation. Gold has been associated with wealth for five millennia and it is only natural that people will use it as a trusted form of wealth protection. Long term, there is confidence that gold and other precious metals will keep their value.

What happens to the physical product after it has been bought?

Once the bullion is bought, Malca-Amit Precious Metals delivers the products to the desired vault where our staff will examine, weigh and store them.The client then receives a storage receipt detailing its holdings.The bullion are fully segregated and allocated per each individual client.

How is the bullion identifiable to the individual?

Each bullion bar bears four unique marks – the refiner’s hallmark, the bar’s weight, its purity and a serial number.

Therefore the storage receipt details the exact holdings of each client tthus allowing us to guarantee full allocation for each client.

What would you say makes Malca Amit unique?

Malca-Amit is the only company offering an in-house complete services package for physical precious metals. We are flexible and innovative and our years of experience in catering to diamond industry professionals has taught us to offer our clients bespoke solutions. R THE

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INVESTMENT Start-ups

PLANTING THE SEED Investing in start-ups can reap fantastic rewards, and who better to give tips to those thinking of getting involved than those who have been there and done that

JOSHUA STEIMLE Entrepreneur and start-up columnist “I wouldn’t invest in a company whose product or service I wouldn’t use myself, and which I’m not at least something of an expert on. My background is in web technologies, and more specifically online marketing.

I might invest in start-ups that are involved in social media, apps or online services but I wouldn’t invest in other areas. It would take too much work for me to vet the opportunities and I wouldn’t be able to provide much, if any, support to the entrepreneurs other than financially. Market size is also important. I was recently a judge for a university business plan competition. One of the plans I read was for a business whose market size couldn’t be larger than US$500,000. I’ve seen Hong Kong start-ups that are focused exclusively on Hong

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Kong and have no plan to expand to larger markets.

There’s nothing wrong with entrepreneurs creating businesses that produce nice livings for the owners, but those aren’t businesses I would recommend to investors.

No matter how good the team is, no matter how good the concept is, and no matter how good the execution, if the market size isn’t large, the return is going to be small even under a best-case scenario. Finally, you need the ideal team. Perhaps one that has worked together successfully before to launch one or more businesses, and is now launching a business that is related to their previous one, meaning they already have domain experience. That may not guarantee success, but it sure improves the odds.”

SIMON SQUIBB CEO at NEST Investments “I came to Hong Kong back in 1997 and one of the first companies I set up was a branding agency called Fluid.

When I look back now and think of all the contacts and relationships I’ve built up since, I realise that if I started it now, I could have done in three years what ended up taking me ten. I now want the companies I invest in to take advantage of that built-up experience. I think as a start-up investor you really have to be willing to help, otherwise you might as well invest in the stock market. At NEST we try to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to build scalable businesses. We give them support with capital as well as hands-on insights, knowledge, contacts and infrastructure. I would always advise on investing in concepts that excite you, and in industries that you understand. One of the interesting things about start–ups is that because you are so involved, you have a certain element of control in its success, which is unusual in other types of investment. Look at the property or stock market; you often don’t have any kind of influence and in some cases you’re at the liberty of government regulation or management decisions. With a start-up I can look at it, see it, touch it, help it – nothing is more transparent. I find it satisfying to invest in an entrepreneur and watch them flourish. We’ve just invested in a company which is looking to solve the problem of attention deficit disorder (ADD) in kids. Obviously there is a financial return which is important but success can also come from making a difference in the world something I find very rewarding.”

Simon Squibb

Joshua Steimle

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INVESTMENT Start-ups

KEVIN YEUNG Co-founder of Feeding Hong Kong “It is easy to be enamoured by the explosive returns that successful start-ups deliver. The press love the fact that Tencent is worth US$150bn and Pony Ma is the richest man in China. Investors need to understand that internet start-ups represent the highest risk investments out there.

With a staggering failure rate of over 90%, they should never be your primary investments. I’ve never chosen to invest in tech by itself, instead I always choose teams of smart, ambitious and tenacious people who work well together. I like to invest in people who possess strong problem-solving skills. In start-ups, the only constant is uncertainty. Teams need to grow fast, iterate ideas and solve problems constantly. My latest start-up is Archangels Access. My friend and partner Gabriel Fong wanted to join forces to use our wealth of experience and networks to help selected Asian start-ups succeed. It’s our view that start-ups will forever remain risky investments but we believe that we can help avoid pitfalls and help them become significantly more efficient as we fast-track their growth.”

Kevin Yeung

DOUGLAS JAFFE CEO at Solution Access “When assessing a start-up, I look at its product and immediately think to myself, ‘could I personally sell that to someone?’ This is more than theoretical in our case, as we have brought portfolio companies to Asia and acted as their distributor. Getting your hands dirty by actually going on sales calls, closing deals and managing customers gives you real insight into the viability of a product or service. Even if the start-up’s product is still in the development phase, having this idea in the back of your head is important. It’s a lot easier to be passionate and excited about your start-up if you can see yourself selling it. I think many start-up investors tend to think their investment is a one-way ticket. They are the investor and think this entitles them to something. Good earlystage investors have committed to a journey with their company and leave egos and neuroses at the door when interacting with their company’s founder and team. A good investor goes above and beyond to help and this can include introductions, advice and referrals. A useful startup investor gets on a call and asks how she can help. Startups are born with one foot in the grave and nudging them into viability takes patience, encouragement and genuine support.” R

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Douglas Jaffe

SIX SUCCESSFUL ASIAN START-UPS Rakuten

Alibaba

Established: 1997 Founder: Hiroshi Mikitani Listing date: 2000 Current market cap: US$13bn

Established: 1999 Founder: Jack Ma Listing date: N/A (private) Valuation: US$150bn (Source: Bloomberg)

Sina Corp

Baidu

Established: 1998 Founder: Charles Chao Listing date: 2000 Current market cap: US$3.5bn

Established: 2000 Founders: Robin Li, Eric Xu Listing date: 2005 Current market cap: US$53bn

Tencent

Youku Toudou

Established: 1998 Founders: Ma Huateng, Xu Chenye, Zhang Zhidong Listing date: 2004 Current market cap: US$125bn

Established: 2003 Founders: Gary Wang, Marc Van der Chijs, Victor Koo Listing date: 2010 Current market cap: US$4.5bn

INVESTMENT

Mid-century furniture

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SITTING ON MONEY If you’re looking for an investment-worthy work of art that you can actually use, mid-century modern furniture is a promising choice.

BY MICHELE KOH MOROLLO Canada says that prices have risen “30 per cent across the board over the past five years.” Demand has been growing in the United States and the Middle East, and original pieces, especially those manufactured in limited quantities are disappearing fast.

Dealers who, ten years ago, might have put a $1,000 price tag on a Soft-Pad chair by Charles and Ray Eames are now charging twice as much.Works by less ubiquitous designers like Danish minimalist Poul Kjaerholm are commanding even more.“A decade ago, I’d sell Kjaerholm’s PK22 chairs for around $1,000.

Now it’s more like $5,000,” says Rob McClymont of the Modern Warehouse in London.“What used to be considered ‘second-hand’ is now ‘modern antique.’”

Located in the art gallery neighbourhood of Sheung Wan, DeeM is the only gallery-retail space in Hong Kong that specialises in original, collectible mid-century furniture. DeeM’s founder and owner,Australian Debra Little says,“The decision to buy a collectible mid-century furniture piece is similar to buying artwork.You need to consider your emotional response to a piece first, then its functionality and finally its investment value.”

Mid-century furniture is valuable for a few reasons.The most desirable items were made in limited quantities. Most

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n Autumn 2013, Sotheby’s sold a 1960s decorative light sculpture by French designer Jean Royère for $685,000.

Around the same time, a 1949 Chieftain armchair by Danish designer Finn Juhl fetched around $780,000 at auction. Royère and Juhl are just two mid-century designers whose works have increased in price by as much as 30 to 50 percent in the last decade.

Produced between the 1930s and 60s, mid-century modern is a furniture style that evolved with the Bauhaus movement, when designers began experimenting with industrial materials like plywood, stainless steel, plastic and fiberglass to create lighter, more functional, clean-lined furniture with a decidedly modern look.The great thing about furniture from this period is that it is not always easy to tell if it is a thing of the past or the present, which gives it a timeless quality that sits well in most 21st century homes.“The shapes of the pieces and the materials used are totally adapted to today’s way of life; not particularly ornate, simple and modern, using wood and metal.They also fit perfectly with contemporary paintings,” says CécileVerdier, Head of Department, 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design at Sotheby’s Paris.

Greg James, a buyer for the Fabulous Find inVictoria,

INVESTMENT

Mid-century furniture

Most mid-century furniture designers are also architects, so considerable thought and detail went into the design of the joints, technical details and ergonomics of their creations.

The style is unique because of its innovative use of materials, like using steel sections in benches and bending plywood for chairs. As time goes by, pieces that were made in the 1930s, 40s and 50s will increase in worth because their construction methods used – using early generation plywood and veneers with solid wood trim for instance, are no longer in use today.

These early generation materials also make mid-century furniture less resilient than the heavy, solid wood furniture of the turn of the century. “Fewer mid-century pieces survive in mint condition over time because their construction materials require better maintenance, therefore there will be limited pieces in existence over time,” says Little. “Investment worthy items are only the quality pieces by iconic designers that are really limited in production and well looked after by

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their previous owners,” she adds.

Designers who collectors and investors look out for include Europeans Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Serge Mouille, Eileen Grey, Greta Grossman, Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, Kai Kirstiansen, Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen, Peter Hvidt, Hans Wegner, Paul Kjaerholm, Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Christian Dell and American masters such as Edward Wormley, Le Corbusier, Mies van de Rohe, Harvey Probber, Jens Risom and George Nakashima.

“The market started to develop in the 1980s and has grown continuously ever since. Its stars include Jean Royère, Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand and George Nakashima.

Some Scandinavian and Italian designers, as well as certain less-known French designers, such as Joseph-André Motte will have room to grow further,” says Verdier. According to Little, becoming more sought after of late are the works of Brazilian designers like Sergio Rodrigues and Oscar

good hunting ground for such pieces as most mid-century design was produced in Europe or America. “We have some great collectors of 20th century design in the region, but not yet at the depth we would need to conduct separate sales in Hong Kong.The market here is still slowly developing,” says Daryl Wickstrom, Deputy Chairman, Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

Verdier believes that mid-century furniture is a good investment as there is a growing global taste for furniture designed during that period. “This is a structured market, sustained by the participation of strong international dealers,” she says.

For fans, mid-century furniture is more than just a couch to lounge on, a pretty lamp, or a desk to work at, it is functional, sculptural art to be treasured and looked after.

“When you buy original mid-century modern, your money is not gone,” says Lawrence Blairs, owner of Atomic Design in Toronto, “It’s merely locked away.” R

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Niemeyer from the 1930s to 60s.

In Hong Kong, the trend of investing in mid-century furniture started about six years ago when people in the design and art industry here started taking an interest in midcentury designers. “The names and works of these designers then became part of the lexicon among this group, and more people became aware of their works,” says Little. “Now, you pay three to five times more for mid-century furniture than you would have 10 years ago.”

In Asia, it is still a very high-end, niche market, and collectors might have to travel to places like Galerie Jousse in Paris, Fresh Kills or Lost City Arts in New York City, or vintage markets and fairs in Europe to hunt down a true gem. Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s have departments dedicated to 20th century design, but their specialty auctions in these areas are still focused on New York, London and Paris, but not anywhere in Asia.This is because Asia is not a

Insiders INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES

It is less about showing others what they have and more about personal pleasures and expression Ross Urwin, p. 54

Ten minutes with...

How did Nikki Beach start?

Nikki Beach was created to celebrate the life of my daughter Nicole. It started as a beautiful garden by the sea which we called Café Nikki where friends and family could get together. We did not have any plans for a global brand but the magic between our family concept and our customers created a demand. It was then that we decided to expand worldwide whilst always keeping the core message behind Nikki Beach – ensuring each location combines the key elements of dining, entertainment, music, fashion, film and art into one. These things, in addition to family and friends, are the things in life that Nicole loved most.

You started your brand in Miami – have you adapted the offering at all for the Asia market?

Yes. We are currently located in Miami Beach, Florida, USA; St. Tropez, France; St. Barths, French West Indies; Marbella, Mallorca and Ibiza, Spain; Marrakech, Morocco; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and Koh Samui and Phuket, Thailand so we adapt to the regions we are in. We have a 70% - 30% motto. 70% of the menu, design, music, themed events and so forth are the same across all locations as we are a family-owned and operated brand and concept. 30% of them are unique to the culture of the location.

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Tell us about Nikki Beach in Phuket and what guests can expect there.

Someone once told me that we changed the way people party around the world. I am not sure if we did or not, but our commitment is to celebrate life and that is what guests can experience at Nikki Beach Phuket. Every Nikki Beach brings the elements of great food along with fun entertainment, music and fashion shows. Also, the staff at both our locations in Thailand (Phuket and Koh Samui) are excellent; truly the best of the best.

What about Nikki Privé, the VIP area in your Phuket venue?

Nikki Privé is an ultra-VIP lounge, located on the 2nd floor of the main building and is able to accommodate up to 70 guests for private events, dinners and celebrations. It also includes a deck that can accommodate an additional 60 guests.

Are there any exciting events coming up this summer that our readers should know about?

Arts + Fashion Weekend will be held at our Phuket location in July (and in August at our resort in Koh

Samui). Over this weekend, local and international designers showcase their latest collections with runway shows and local and international artists do live art installations.

Is it true that a Nikki Beach hotel will also open there soon – can you tell us more about it?

Yes, Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa Phuket will be opening in 2015 and is located very close to our beach club and restaurant that opened earlier this year.

Next on the list for Nikki Beach?

In 2014, we will be opening Nikki Beach Bali, Indonesia (Beach Club and Restaurant) and Nikki Beach Resort and Spa Porto Heli, Greece (Hotel and Resort).

Any plans to open a Nikki Beach in HK, our city is crying out for a beach club!

I never say never. If it’s good for Nikki, then who knows! R THE

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INSIDERS Ross Urwin

MADE IN CHINA

Ross Urwin of creative agency Infrastructure talks about how good design is taking China by storm WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW

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his year’s Design Shanghai took many by surprise with the inaugural fair dedicated to good design, attracting over 50,000 people. For the show’s co-creative director, Ross Urwin of Hong Kong-based creative agency Infrastructure, the overwhelming popularity of the fair was simply confirmation of a maturing appreciation of good contemporary design in China. The Reserve caught up with Urwin to talk about the factors driving this new creative wave.

You included a number of local designers in the fair alongside global names like HAY and Magis. What does their experience of the fair tell us about the growing appreciation of design in China?

The regional brands that participated in Design Shanghai 2014 exhibited products of an international standard. I think the calibre of design and commercial consideration is a testament to the changing awareness and appreciation of design over the past five years. Many have already reached a stage of individualism and are creating their own interpretation of good design. For example, the founder of local creative florist The Beast, Amber Xiang, walked the show with me and pointed out many items that she was interested in purchasing including handcrafted English furniture pieces. For years Amber and her counterparts have been at the forefront of the design scene in China so it makes complete sense that there comes a point when this market develops a desire for something new and with a broader appeal. The appetite for lifestyle products, interior and industrial design was very apparent at the show.

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INSIDERS Ross Urwin

Do you think this new interest in good design signals a more mature retail market?

Yes absolutely. I previously worked as Lane Crawford’s creative director and when we were planning their new store in Shanghai [which opened in the Autumn of 2013], I spoke to many locals about why the new design malls that are beautifully specified and house many of the major international brands were lacking significant footfall. The majority responded that they personally were looking for the next design experience and that although the malls were well considered and well designed, the city was saturated with similar retail locations. It is a natural transition that this becomes lifestyle focused to encompass fashion, furniture, home accessories, and technology - all of which are an extension of the individual.

I used this information to reinterpret the Lane Crawford store by adding installations from local creatives, European vintage props I’d sourced and great food and beverage outlets.

The feedback has been that it is one of the few shopping destinations in the city that has a vibe, a buzz, a soul. These are similar comments to those who visited Design Shanghai, which confirms my opinion that, like all of us, it is an experience the local Chinese consumer now desires. They want to be moved by what they see. They want to learn, expand their vision and be inspired.

What do shoppers in Shanghai look for in good design?

For many it has only been over the last few decades or so that they have been able to purchase their first home. They have a sense of pride about this and want to design and furnish it with items that create a sense of joy and calm but also offer creature comforts that they were unable to experience previously.

Designing their home is a personal decision. It is less about showing others what they have and more about personal pleasures and expression. I think that it’s about introducing new

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design brands in a way that encourages the individual to create an edited version that suits their needs. This is going to take time but the Chinese population have a voracious appetite for design and quality.

How does the market differ to Hong Kong?

The appreciation of handmade design products with longevity is relatively new to Hong Kong as well. When I joined Lane Crawford six years ago and introduced international designers like Tom Dixon, Ilse Crawford and Jaimie Hayon to Hong Kong, it took time for a local appetite to develop. Through exposure and a strong marketing focus we built a new awareness of the contemporary design movement and the broader local demographic began to trust what we were offering. I think the market in Hong Kong and China is ready for the never seen before items which influenced my decision to launch The World Beyond website stocking limited edition products and vintage designer furniture. We hope to push these design boundaries even further by launching a pop-up store selling vintage pieces, art and global finds at the Police Married Quarters creative enclave on Hollywood Road in early May. What are the key factors driving this new appreciation for decorating the home?

In China, the interest in home items began to re-emerge a few years ago. I think that in part it is a reaction to mass-produced products that have somewhat lost their appeal. International travel and social media have also played a key part in this desire to live with good design. Exposure and access to all design disciplines has changed dramatically with the evolution of print media in China and the internet.Younger Chinese returning from studies in Europe and the United States have also brought back their new appreciation of international design. These are the customers of today. R

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INSIDERS Gisele

BE MY GUEST The Reserve secures an exclusive with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen as she shoots a new commercial for Carolina Herrera in New York City INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN

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isele Bündchen, arguably the world’s most successful supermodel and businesswoman extraordinaire, knows a thing or two about how to party.

The Reserve caught up with her to find out more, on the set of her new ad campaign for Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Rosé fragrance.

Carolina Herrera’s fragrance is said to evoke the atmosphere of a party. What’s your idea of a great party?

I live in Boston now and I don’t see people all the time so it’s really wonderful to meet up with all my friends, have a great time, catch up, dance and just be goofy!

Would you describe yourself as a party girl or a homebody?

In a way, Carolina’s values are similar to mine. The things that are important to me are family, authenticity and integrity. I’m not the typical party girl who is out every night but I do enjoy it. I love dancing.

What are the ingredients for a good party?

I feel that a party is all about who you have with you.

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INSIDERS Gisele

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It’s really wonderful to meet up with all my friends, have a great time, dance and just be goofy!y!

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INSIDERS Gisele

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I’m not the typical party girl who is out every night but I do enjoy it. I love dancing.

Tell us about the experience of shooting the commercial in New York.

It’s been a really fun shoot for me because 99% of the time I shoot by myself. It was such a refreshing experience to shoot with different groups of people. There were women that were 80 years old [supermodel legend China Machado] and artists.You also had Stephanie Seymour, and the Brant boys [her sons]. They brought the fun and they’re young. Then you have some models [Brahim Zaibat, Jon Kortajarena and Marlon Teixeira] and DJs [Leigh Lezark from The Misshapes]. This whole mixture is what I think makes New York New York.You’re in just one block and you have 30 cultures and 30 different lines of work.You can turn one way and have one conversation, and then turn another way and have a completely different conversation.

It’s like you’re in a totally different world just by turning your head! It’s crazy. This only happens here.

What makes New York such a good party town?

New York is so eclectic, it’s so interesting. Every time you go you meet such different groups of people. Older people, younger people, people with money, people with no money. People from all over the world. They are all so different but they’re all really interesting. What they have in common is that line, that thread that no matter where they come from, no matter what culture, what background, what they look like – they all have something really authentic and interesting about them. Something really fun and different and special.

What’s your favourite music to listen to at a party?

I must say I love the 80s to death. I think it’s really fun.

I also like or, in fact, love Daft Punk. Rihanna is pretty cool too. It all depends on the mood you’re in and where you’re at.

And your favourite cocktail?

If I’m in Brazil, a Caipirinha. Caipirinha is really good!

Are you a fan of Carolina Herrera’s fashion - what makes it stand out?

Carolina is a classy lady. I used to do showrooms for her when I had just arrived in New York City, and she was always so sweet, very Latin, very caring, very motherly. I was 16, I didn’t speak a word of English, but I met her and she just made me feel very welcome. As a brand, the first words to come to mind are class, values, longevity and quality. I think she is chic, sophisticated, elegant, powerful and strong but at the same time soft. She has a beautiful family which, in my opinion is something to be admired.

I certainly respect her for that.

What do you like about the new 212 VIP Rosé fragrance?

I love 212 VIP Rosé! Who doesn’t want to be fun and daring, right? I love the smell, it’s amazing. It’s very sexy, it kind of has this woody smell to it too but it’s very feminine, a party fragrance.You definitely wear it if you’re pretty sexy and want to go out and have some fun.

What does being a VIP mean to you?

I love the idea of VIP not being all about who you are, but being more about Very Interesting, Intriguing Inspiring People! R

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You can have a party in your house, at a restaurant, wherever you are it’s all about the people that you are with.

INSIDERS Bonhams

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Bidding on BONHAMS The revamp of Bonhams in London, Hong Kong and New York spells a new, stylish era for this auction house.

WORDS BY GIOVANNA DUNMALL

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onhams has long been one of the world’s top three auctioneers but it is also one of the fastest growing international auction houses. Its chairman Robert Brooks (formerly a director at Christie’s) recently oversaw a £30m revamp of the company’s London headquarters by architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, transforming a maze of seven adhoc buildings into a vast, light-filled and contemporary space with three cutting-edge salerooms, gallery spaces and private meeting and dining rooms. It’s all change for the company’s Hong Kong and New York outposts too, which are both relocating into new high-tech and airy sites; the former in May and the latter in early 2015. The Reserve caught up with Robert Brooks to find out more about this dramatic overhaul.

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INSIDERS Bonhams

Can you tell us a little more about the new London HQ? We took the view from the beginning that this wasn’t about a redesign, this was about a completely new building. And everything else is new too in our thinking.

We’ve forgotten what was there before. We’ve tried to capture the spirit and atmosphere of the brand, which is all about light, space, air, great facilities and being extremely client-focused.

What do you mean by that exactly?

We’re trying to provide the most rewarding experience in the fine art industry for our customers and clients.

That’s why we have a café and restaurant, three super flexible salerooms and why we have the best fresh air circulation system available. I learnt that from the casinos in Las Vegas, they are really good at that! Plus, you can hang anything you like from the ceilings of our three salerooms, even a car!

You’ve kept the listed Art Deco building on the southern part of the site and the Edwardian façade on to New Bond Street but inside it’s a completely new space. Was the idea to create a more unified and coherent space?

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Absolutely, and one of the things I love about the way this building has been designed is the way that it links so well with our [art deco] building next door. It is now a much more beautiful building than it was before and it has become incredibly attractive from the outside too because we have created such a huge lightspace with our 18.5m-high atrium behind the New Bond Street entrance. All the windows blast out light on to the street and at night Bonhams shines out like a beacon.

How have you transformed the auction world with the new London HQ? This is the only 21st century auction room in Europe and I believe the best auction facility in the world. Sotheby’s New York was the last time a totally new auction facility was built, although that was built on top of another building.

What can you tell us about the new Hong Kong Bonhams?

We have moved from Pacific Place 2 in the Admiralty business district to Floor 20 of Pacific Place 1, a couple of floors above Sotheby’s. We have half the floor, so about 10,000 sq ft in total. We now have our own auction room,

How will this change the way you run your sales in Hong Kong?

Before we used to do the sales in a hotel like everybody else so of course you do them in blocks and tend to do them at the same time as everybody else’s. To a degree we’ll still do this because we want to be there when everybody is in town but the new premises mean we can do sales on a more regular basis, we can do smaller sales, we can lots of different things that you just can’t do in a hotel.

What else can you tell us about the Hong Kong premises?

When you walk into Bonhams Hong Kong you will immediately recognise it as Bonhams. The building is about the brand and you will feel that when you walk in. Like the London HQ it’s geared towards using natural light and high-quality lighting.

What about the New York outpost?

New York will open late 2014 or early 2015 and is much

bigger (over 20,000 sq ft) and even more spectacular than Hong Kong. We’ll be on the corner of Madison and 56th Street. There will be more space, more air, more light. Light is a big thing in New York. I want all of our salerooms to have all the facilities that the 21st century requires, live internet feeds and wi-fi everywhere, things that should just be a natural part of the building.

Has the auction world in general been slow to innovate?

In fairness to the three biggest companies we have all done some fairly interesting and exciting things over the years. We were all quick to get on the internet though Bonhams was the first. Sotheby’s did a joint venture with Amazon at one stage and we got into bed with Ebay in America. We’ve all tried to innovate in those areas. We are still the three leading auctioneers in the world and there’s still only a handful of trusted brands.

How is the art auctioneering business in Hong Kong?

Even though things have fallen off a bit in China, Hong Kong’s still bubbling. We’re very excited about the coming auction season. R

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which means we can do sales on site. This makes us much more flexible and enables us to expand our business in Hong Kong.

INSIDERS

My Fashionable Life

MY FASHIONABLE

LIFE Industry insiders give the lowdown on where, who and how to shop

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Alice McInerney Co-founder, anywearstyle.com Describe your own style in three words. Quirky, feminine, offbeat.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine? I’ve raided so many things from my mother’s closet. She has mastered a very chic, undone way of dressing and never looks like she has tried too hard. But on completely the other side of the spectrum I adored Isabella Blow’s courageous eccentricity.

Which city do you like best for shopping and why? I’m a London girl through and through! It has a wonderful mix of heritage brands, vintage haunts and emerging designers.

The best shop in Hong Kong is… I love 10/10 Space for stocking up on niche beauty and skincare brands. Living in Beijing it’s often hard to source the right products.

My favourite shoes are… I’m a big fan of Sophia Webster and Charlotte Olympia.

My favourite handbag is… I’m loving the eclectic designs by a new Israeli brand we carry called MeDusa. They are ticking off so many trends for Spring/Summer I’ve already snapped up a few for myself!

I think the most beautiful model in the world is… I love the ’60s, so Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy, Jane Birkin. Liu Wen is exquisite and incredibly versatile and for new faces I love Malaika Firth.

The next thing on my wish list is… There’s a Proenza pleated dress that I’ve convinced myself will fulfill its cost per wear this season!

My watch is by… I have a few antique pieces, including one from the ’30s from my godmother.

Jewellery brands I like and why… I like vintage jewellery, but if I had to choose a modern designer it would have to be Solange Azagury-Partridge. Idiosyncratic doesn’t come near to describing her pieces but all are made with exquisite craftsmanship. She is truly off the sartorial scale.

If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life… I love to mix and match so does a multi brand store count? If it does, then Liberty or Dover Street Market!

My fashion motto… You don’t have to follow totalitarian trends, choose your own style and work it with chutzpah!

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The fashion designer I most admire and why… Very hard question! Hussein Chalayan is always seeking to challenge himself and you can never predict what he will present.

Rei Kawakubo shows innovation and design in each piece she produces. I’m particularly excited about the young Chinese designers we keep discovering who use a different style semaphore. Uma Wang is certainly leading the charge.

INSIDERS

My Fashionable Life

Fiona Cibani Creative Director, Ports 1961

How do you define good fashion taste? Good taste is subjective. If you love it, then wear it. It’s important to have a point of view and be 100% confident in it.

Confidence defines good taste.

Describe your own style in three words. Austere, romantic, dandy.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine whose style has influenced your own? Yves Saint Laurent. He inspired masculine womenswear.

Which city do you like best for shopping and why? It’s a tie between Seoul and Berlin. The selections in these cities are very unique, strong and forward thinking.

The best shop in Hong Kong is… I have to say Lane Crawford. It’s hard to beat. Their selection of product is great.

The fashion designer I most admire and why… Again,Yves Saint Laurent. He changed the way people saw women’s fashion in the 80s. I don’t know if we will ever see a shift like that in fashion again.

My biggest fashion faux pas was… Accidentally sending a ‘love you’ email to someone in the industry with the same first name as my husband…oops!

My favourite shoes are… My Ports 1961 SS/14 sandal heels. I especially like them in powder blue ostrich.

My favourite handbag is… My Ports 1961 No. 10 bag.

I have it in blush pink, black and soon to be croc and python! It’s super functional (very important for me) and it’s the perfect balance between structured and soft.

I think the most beautiful model in the world is… Joan Smalls. Best cheek bones ever! We kind of discovered her back in 2007 when we shot our SS/08 campaign in Africa. She was just a kid back then, now she’s a supermodel.

The next thing on my wish list is… I want to write my own cookery book. Yup, I’m a foodie as well as a fashionista!

The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right now… Tough one. I guess it would have to be one of my fur coats.

My watch is by… Cartier. It’s actually a man’s watch. I prefer a chunky, masculine watch.

Jewellery brands I like and why… I don’t wear a lot of jewellery and when I do, I only wear bespoke.

If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life… Hmmm…it would have to be a brand that has a total lifestyle look. One that suits the busy life of a professional woman. It would be Ports 1961, of course!

My fashion motto… Love it or cut it!

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Florence Coirier Giraudon Founder, BuyMeDesign.com

How do you define good fashion taste? Elegance, simplicity, not too many colours. From head to toe, there needs to be harmony in colour and shape. The simplest dress can become a ‘wow dress’ with the right accessory.

Describe your own style in three words. French, classic, natural.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine whose style has influenced your own? Jean-Paul Gaultier. I like the way he mixes looks for men and women. I like to wear masculine clothes.

Which country do you like best for shopping? Italy!

The fashion designer I most admire and why… Coco Chanel. She created the most universal interpretation of style.

My biggest fashion faux pas was… Wearing trousers that were too tight – which split at the end of the day! So embarrassing.

The next thing on my wish list is… A small, black, leather bag for the weekends.

The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right now… A high-heeled pair of shoes from Miu Miu that I bought for their beauty and that I’m unable to wear!

My watches are by… Chaumet and Hermès

Jewellery brands I like and why… I’m wearing a Tamawa necklace and a Marco King Chan 3D printed ring called Star.

If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life… Hermès.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning/ evening? Too fast as I have a kid. So the easiest thing to wear is the little black dress of course or black pants and a T-shirt.

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My favourite shoes are by… Free Lance, Sergio Rossi, Burberry.

INSIDERS

My Fashionable Life

Gian Luca Traverso CEO, Roberto Cavalli Asia How do you define good fashion taste? A harmonious combination of ideas, presented in an appealing way.

Describe your own style in three words. Rock and roll romantic.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine whose style has influenced your own? My heroes do not come from fashion but from music – music influences fashion every day.

Which city do you like best for shopping and why?

Tokyo.You can find everything there, I mean everything!

The best shop in Hong Kong is… Lane Crawford, although it would be nice to have more multi-brand stores.

The fashion designer I most admire and why… Prada – they invented smart casual.

My biggest fashion faux pas was… Wearing a jacket and tie while accompanying Ms. Miuccia Prada on a shopping trip in Hollywood Road, many years ago. I felt totally overdressed!

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My favourite shoes are… Prada, Church’s, Nike.

I think the most beautiful model in the world is… I still very much like Naomi Campbell.

The next thing on my wish list is… A snakeskin jacket, by Roberto Cavalli of course.

The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right now… A leather jacket from Cavalli.

My watches are by… IWC,Vacheron Constantin, JaegerLeCoultre, Omega and Oakley.

Jewellery brands I like and why… I wear pieces by native American artisans from Arizona. I also like John Hardy.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning/ evening? 30 minutes in the morning, 15 in the evening.

My fashion motto… Live your life as if you are the main character in a rock song.

Genavieve Alexander Founder, Genavieve PR agency My favourite handbag is… My orange Serapian bag in ostrich from Milan. It’s elegant and timeless.

I think the most beautiful model in the world is… I love the power and prowess of beautiful, audacious and talented women. From a looks perspective I do have a girl crush on Karlie Kloss.

The next thing on my wish list is… The new ‘Love Life’ Celine shoes.

The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right now…

My Lanvin skirt.

My watch is by… Casio!

How do you define good fashion taste? Individuality, elegance and a twist! Dress from the inside out. Lingerie and scent come first.

Jewellery brands I like and why… Jan Logan for sea pearls and diamonds,YSL for edgy and colourful mottled glass pieces for summer, Bulgari by night, Stephen Webster for rocking best of British day and night!

Describe your own style in three words. Colourful, casual and curious.

If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life...

Agent Provocateur.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine whose style has influenced your own? Miranda Kerr always looks effortlessly chic but I don’t have a specific heroine. I draw on my 10 years working in fashion PR alongside supermodels and fashion editors. I feel rather influenced by my experiences with these many greats.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning/ evening? 20 minutes. I always change on the go, running a business 24/7 it’s the only way! Choosing my perfume is my most timely decision!

My fashion motto… Orange is the new black!

Which city do you like best for shopping and why? London for a great mix of high street and high-end fashion. I love poking around Dover Street Market and vintage shops.

Hong Kong and Shanghai are great for daring East meets West designs.

The best shop in Hong Kong is…Perhaps Zhan in Sheung Wan, by stylist Ann Hung and husband and hairdresser Ray. It’s a haven of vintage fashion, accessories, art and photography – a touch of everything I love.

The fashion designer I most admire and why…I support local designers Erbert Chong and Wan & Wong. For international designers my personal favourites include Alexander Wang, Acne and Isabel Marant.

My favourite shoes are…The gold Miu Mius I treated myself to on my 30th birthday! That’s where my yearning and earning for designer shoes began!

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My Fashionable Life

Sonia Benigni PR director, Pomellato

How do you define good fashion taste? A perfect balance between your own personality and fashion trends.

Describe your own style in three words. Personal, wellshaped, with a twist.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine whose style has influenced your own? Audrey Hepburn.

Which city do you like best for shopping and why? Milan, because there’s a concentration of flagship and multibrand stores with both traditional and fresh offerings, all concentrated in the heart of the city.

The best shop in Hong Kong is… Lane Crawford for its unique taste in choosing and researching new brands.

The fashion designer I most admire and why… Balenciaga for its unmistakable cut. He makes you feel chic.

My biggest fashion faux pas was… A bizarre leather jacket with fringing. I won’t reveal the designer!

The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right now… An Alexander McQueen gown, I have worn it once.

My favourite shoes are… A Roger Vivier pair of stilettos.

My watch is by… Rolex.

My favourite handbag is… My old Cabat handbag by Bottega Veneta, the more I wear it, the more I like it.

I think the most beautiful model in the world is… Ines de la Fressange.

The next thing on my wish list is… A Nancy Gonzalez handbag.

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Jewellery brands I like and why… Pomellato, of course, it's an instinctive love.

If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life… Chanel, the eternal brand.

My fashion motto… Fashion changes, but style endures.

Olivia Tsang Fashion stylist and photographer How do you define good fashion taste? When you feel good in what you wear.

Describe your own style in three words. Feminine, neutral, boyish.

Who is your fashion hero/heroine whose style has influenced your own? I don’t have fashion heroes but I have two photographers who have influenced me: Guy Bourdin and Sally Mann.

Which city do you like best for shopping and why? Tokyo, I love the artistic window displays and how the shops are in beautiful buildings designed by the best architects in the world.

The fashion designer I most admire and why… Tomas Maier for Bottega Veneta: classy, creative, modern and ageless.

My biggest fashion faux pas was… I think it would be when I was 19, I decided to have purple dreadlocks. I can’t believe I am telling you this.

My favourite shoes are… Jimmy Choo for heels and Katie Grand Loves Hogan for flats.

My favourite handbag is… I like Tod’s mini ‘D’ bag, petite but amazingly roomy!

I think the most beautiful model in the world is… Karlie Kloss. That grace, that body, that attitude.

The next thing on my wish list is… The Chanel canvas backpack, it has that art school cool vibe.

The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right now… A shearling jacket from Phillip Lim with leather buckles.

Jewellery brands I like and why… John Hardy and David Yurman, day-to-night friendly, delicate and modern.

If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life… Chanel.

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning/ evening? 20 to 30 minutes.

My fashion motto Dress for who you are, not to be something else or for someone else. R THE

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INSPIRATION Success on a Plate

Assorted dim sum, Mott 32

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SUCCESS ON A PLATE What’s the secret ingredient to creating a great restaurant?

The Reserve quizzes some of Hong Kong’s hottest culinary talents to find out WORDS BY LIZ THOMAS

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INSPIRATION Success on a Plate

22 Ships Giuliano Dacasto

Jason Atherton

F

or the restaurateur, Hong Kong is an obstacle course of rising rents, stiff competition and tough customers, but it is also a city of food lovers and opportunity. With one eatery for every 600 people – probably the highest per capita concentration of cafes and restaurants in the world – if you can make it here, you can likely make it anywhere.

But as with all the major world cities, lasting success is still a tall order. Research by Ohio State University suggests that on average around a quarter of new independent restaurants fail in their first year. So what separates the successful from the unsuccessful? Of course quality food is a must, but increasingly it isn’t enough to set a fine dining establishment apart.

Yenn Wong, owner of JIA Group and co-founder of Duddell’s explains, “There’s one quote that has stuck with me: ‘People come for the food, but they come back for the service.’ It plays a huge part as customers are known to value good service over price.”

Every part of the chain needs to be focused on pleasing the customer, says Aqua’s chef Giuliano Dacasto.

He adds, “People are what makes a business have its character and ultimately define the experience a guest

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receives. We always know that our staff, from the sous chef to the drinks runner, each play an integral part in the delivery of our product, and that is what people keep coming back for. Of course, the cooking plays a big part in the success also.”

Creating a consistently excellent experience – where every visit is both familiar and exceptional – is a key factor in getting people to come back. Chef Shane Osborne from restaurateur Alan Yau’s venture St Betty says, “Consistency. That’s what defines the best restaurants and the restaurants that last.”

Jason Atherton – Culinary Director of 22 Ships, Ham & Sherry and the upcoming Aberdeen Street Social – agrees, citing “consistency, originality, and quality ingredients” as the top three things a restaurant needs to make it a success. He says, “Customers come back because they know what they get when they come to our restaurants.

For example, if someone is craving a Spanish breakfast, they will know that 22 Ships will serve the same Spanish breakfast come rain or shine. It tastes exactly like they remember it, and the next time they crave it, they know where to come.”

Despite tough economic conditions, Hong Kong’s restaurant scene is still performing relatively well.

22 Ships Duddell’s

Joyce Wang

Joyce Wang, whose award-winning interior design can be seen in Hollywood’s exclusive Roosevelt Hotel, and more recently Hong Kong’s high-end Cantonese restaurant Mott 32, believes people are increasingly looking for a full sensory experience, with beautiful and original décor, as well as exquisite food and drink.

She adds that when designing a restaurant where people want to dine, “lighting is the most important thing to consider,” because it can transform a space and people’s appreciation of it. It seems dining out is more of an event these days. She adds, “It is as about the music, scent and service as it is about food these days.”

Wong agrees,“I definitely see a growing appreciation of an all-round experience. Elements that come into play are the aesthetics, design, knowledge for great food and wine as well as service. It’s about that feeling you get when coming into a venue that is comfortable yet sophisticated. Duddell’s, for example, has all of your favourite things in one place. It’s savvy about art and serious about food.”

A strong drinks list is vital too - a sophisticated, broad wine list is perhaps no longer enough, as customers’ expectations are changing. Pete Kendall, director at leading international bar and brand consultants Old Street

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According to the Government’s Census and Statistics Department, total restaurant receipts for 2013 were around HK$97bn, representing an increase of 3.5% compared with 2012, and significantly higher than the 2008 figure of HK$79bn.

Eateries who own their premises or those backed by deep-pocketed investment groups will have a little more luck surviving downturns, says Sevva founder Bonnie Gokson, as do those in 5-star hotels, simply because they have more wriggle room if takings are down.

But regardless of backing, she adds, “A lot of restaurants fail because of weak leadership, poor management, slack customer service and too much competition around where they are at.”

In a place as crowded with eateries as Hong Kong, offering something more can help ensure your survival.

Customers are increasingly looking for a full sensory experience when they dine out. Gokson says often success is in the detail, commenting, “I am completely hands-on in all the small touches from staff grooming, to new touches on tableware, art, interiors, floral arrangements, ambience, music and new dishes on the menu.You have no idea how many people notice all the little details.”

INSPIRATION Success on a Plate

Yenn Wong

Group, says, “International mixologists, guest bartenders and highly thought-out cocktail lists are now increasingly common in Hong Kong. Restaurants are following the suit of cocktail bars, spending time and money training the bar teams and stocking high quality ingredients as they become available here in Hong Kong.

“We are also seeing a greater selection of products across the board – more boutique beers, artisanal vermouths, long-lost bitters and liqueurs as well as craft spirits are all increasingly available in Hong Kong – all in response to the growth of the market.”

There is no question international big name chefs’ restaurants such as L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Pierre Gagnaire’s Pierre, or Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s Nobu all can rely on a well-earned reputation to get diners through the door, but in the long term this is not enough. If the individual experience is not world class, customers simply will not return.

Even with such star appeal, it makes sense to have a comprehensive media and marketing strategy. Kiri Sinclair, director of boutique PR, social and digital agency Sinclair Communications, explains, “Communicate your message clearly and consistently through marketing channels and

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in a tone of voice that is attractive to the target audience that you are appealing to. Create a website that clearly states the address and reservations information, and keep it up to date. Inform online directories and listings about the opening along with the relevant (and accurate) information on accessibility. Reach out to relevant media publications to create a buzz around the opening and ongoing promotions.”

Today’s media environment is brutal, with citizen critics brandishing their smartphones with relish. In just a few clicks millions of potential customers can be warned of uninspired food and sloppy service, or directed to innovative menus and remarkable experiences.

Restaurants need to maintain consistently high standards more than ever because in this age of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, a poorly presented plate does not necessarily disappear when the dishes are cleared.

Sinclair explains, “Always remember, the restaurant business is predominantly based on referrals and endorsement, whether that be from friends and colleagues, through blogger, magazine and newspaper reviews or via social media shares. This means that every single interaction with a customer has the potential to be amplified.” R

SECRETS OF SUCCESS Shane Osborn

“I think the first few minutes in a restaurant are very important. You really need to make people feel welcome when they’re coming to dine with you. You have to go out of your way to please your customers.”

Bonnae Gokson

“The success of a restaurant is dependent on the efforts one is willing to put into it... in my case, it’s 200%!”

Yenn Wong

“It is always great to have a strategy but also important to know when to be flexible. Understanding your clients and your concept is very important. I always believe that you must be able to explain your concept in one sentence so that your target market gets it immediately.”

Jason Atherton

“Hong Kong is a very fast paced city, but it’s a place where everyone loves food – good food. If you know and understand your audience, and are creative with your concept, chances are it’ll be a success. Provided that the food and quality is up to standard, too. Don’t over promise anything and stick to your core message.”

Kiri Sinclair

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“Success is based on making sure people understand what is on offer, and reminding them why they want it. Don’t try to be all things to all people, this creates expectations that cannot be met. In my experience, a clear vision and concept that is simple to digest is most likely to succeed. Consistency is critical, don’t keep changing the offer or playing around with the concept, it confuses the customer. If the diner doesn’t know what to expect they are not likely to keep returning.”

INSPIRATION

Bright Young Things

A detail of Under Heaven by Xu Zhen

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BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS New York’s largest art fair, The Armory Show, paid homage to China this Spring, signalling an ever-growing global focus on young Chinese artists WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW

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INSPIRATION

Bright Young Things

Photo by Roberto Chamorro

C

hina’s position on the global art stage was once again confirmed this Spring with New York’s largest art fair, The Armory Show. Shanghai-based artist Xu Zhen was commissioned to create a unique visual identity for the fair.

Xu was not alone in representing his homeland.

For the first time since the show began 16 years ago, it included a ‘China Focus’ section showcasing 17 galleries from the Mainland and Hong Kong. Nine of the galleries had never displayed before outside of Asia.

Thanks to expert curation by Philip Tinari, Director of Beijing’s Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, the show avoided the temptation to only present the country’s best-known artists. Instead, viewers were treated to a considered selection of up-and-

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coming creatives including the likes of Zhao Yao, Liu Wei, Nadim Abbas and the Polit-Sheer-Form-Office collective (who presented a playful series of blue exercise machines).

“It was an exciting chance to convey the dynamism of the contemporary art scene in China to people in New York,” says Tinari. “We presented a mix of artists with the majority from the younger generation. It showed how layered and complex art in China is. It is not at all monolithic like some people assume it is.”

“There has been a lot of interest in what is happening in China but limited involvement with younger artists,” notes Noah Horowitz, Executive Director of The Armory Show. “In the United States context there has therefore been limited visibility for a lot of these artists. The China story so far has been

Play by Xu Zhen

Philip Tinari. Photo by Roberto Chamorro

market driven with a few artists, with Ai Wei Wei obviously at the top of that list. Our approach at The Armory was like tiptoeing through a minefield of clichés about Chinese art but we were determined to do it fully and more substantively, to avoid the obvious and already known artists.”

Tinari points to young conceptual abstract artist Li Shurui who showed a series of airbrushed dot paintings at The Armory through the Shanghai-based Aike Dellarco gallery. “Her painting is about geometry and colours. It doesn’t signify a special Chinese-ness in any obvious way.”

The absence of a predictable sense of Chinese culture at the China Focus was perhaps most notable with the commissioned artist Xu Zhen’s works. Born in 1977, Xu is part of a new generation of Chinese artists who have experienced very different creative circumstances

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It was an exciting chance to convey the dynamism of the contemporary art scene in China to people in New York

INSPIRATION

Bright Young Things

Fit No. 8 by Liang Shuo

than older artists, and are often more interested in pure conceptual work than making a political statement through their art.

For instance, at the centre of the China Focus, Xu’s ‘Action of Consciousness’ involved two performers enclosed in a white cube structure throwing 50 large sculptures into the air. Viewers who watch various sculptures briefly appear above the cube as they are tossed into the air are reminded of the typical ‘fast-track’ superficial process of navigating an art fair.

Xu, who won the Chinese Contemporary Art Award in 2004, and was the youngest Chinese artist to participate in the Venice Biennale (2001 and 2005), also made his mark on the fair with paintings from his ‘Under Heaven’ series using a pastry chef ’s icing applicator to apply pigment to create exquisitely lavish

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The worst cliché we want to dispel is that there are no artists in China besides Ai Wei Wei

In just a blink of an eye by Xu Zhen

back to Hong Kong and China with new sets of relationships and ideas of what they are interested in. A show like The Armory has a spill over effect. It is about un-Chinafying the preconceptions; to go beyond just being part of an Asian experience. It is very important to get rid of these preconceptions.”

“The worst cliché we want to dispel is that there are no artists in China besides Ai Wei Wei,” laughs Tinari, quickly adding that he enjoys the dissident artist’s work.

“There is a very rich scene of contemporary art in China and a dramatically increased understanding by young artists about what is happening around the world.

There has always been a time lag where we used to say things like ‘Oh, he is just like the Chinese Andy Warhol or Gerhard Richter,’ but that mode of thinking is now obsolete. It is a different time for art in China.” R

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impasto. The title is a literal translation of a Chinese word meaning ‘the whole world’ and refers to Jeff Koons’ infamous ‘Made in Heaven’ series.

Hong Kong’s 10 Chancery Lane Gallery showed the works of Huang Rui and Wang Keping, whilst Gallery EXIT presented Nadim Abbas and his intriguing performance installation involving a robotic vacuum cleaner and spherical concrete casts.

“With modern and contemporary art from over 200 galleries representing 29 different countries, the role of Chinese artists at the famed Pier 92 was central to the show whilst also creating an important platform for the young artists,” says Horowitz. “To be a fundamental part of an international dialogue is so important,” he observes. “The interesting thing in the long term, however, is the generation of intrigue that sends people

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Ike Li - Shutterstock.com

For Goodness Sake

FOR

GOODNESS SAKE Peter Bennett explains his drive to do good in Hong Kong WORDS BY ZOE BELHOMME

W

hile the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is very much over for another year, it’s good to hear that the funds raised by one organisation over the sporting weekend are still very much in action. For the second year in a row, the Peter Bennett Foundation teamed up with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) to deliver Mission Possible, a themed corporate box to raise money and awareness for poverty alleviation in Hong Kong.

Peter Bennett was born and raised in Hong Kong before going on to read Economics at Cambridge. After a number of years working in finance in London and New York, Peter returned to Hong Kong and now regards it as his home and permanent residence.

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For Goodness Sake

What influenced your decision to get involved in charity in Hong Kong?

I have been very lucky in my life and was fortunate enough to have had many opportunities. I made more money than I needed and my Chinese mother and English father always instilled a sense of responsibility and care to those less fortunate around us. I grew up knowing that I wanted to give back, so with the support of my family I set up a perpetual foundation a few years ago with the aim of making a real impact in my home of Hong Kong - hopefully continuing for many years to come.

How did you get Mission Possible off the ground?

In 2012 I was introduced to the Chairman of HKRFU, Trevor Gregory, who was instantly behind the idea of a charity box, where expenses were covered so that all money raised from ticket sales, sponsorship and auctions went to local non-rugby related charities. In 2013 the HKRFU generously donated one of their premium corporate boxes with 76 seats, the Holiday Inn offered to provide the food and service, Wineshop Asia supplied the premium drinks and the Peter Bennett Foundation covered all of the other expenses of the event.

How do you choose the charities that Mission Possible supports?

I am the first to acknowledge how difficult it is to choose from all the good causes at work in Hong Kong.

We’ve found that some of the smaller charities are doing a fantastic job working in the community but don’t necessarily get the recognition they deserve. This year we chose locally-based, relatively small charities that shared the same ethos and mission of alleviating poverty in Hong Kong. We also wanted to support particular projects

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as our sponsors like to know exactly where their money is going and be able to follow its progress.

Tell us more about other projects The Peter Bennett Foundation is involved in.

We believe in a hands-on approach to philanthropy to address issue of poverty in Hong Kong and the Southeast Asia region. Throughout the year we also actively support, in both monetary and advisory terms, Half the Sky, a charity making a huge difference to orphaned children in Mainland China, THE ONE, an international humanitarian award run by Rotary International, and also the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation. These projects meet our standards of accountability, efficiency and scalability. Coming from a business background, I believe a lot of issues can and should be addressed using business metrics such as these.

Plans for next year?

Obviously to build on this year’s success but more specifically, we’d like to establish a partnership with another box owner to expand the reach of Mission Possible.

Can you sum up the success of this year’s Mission Possible?

This year’s Queen of Hearts themed box was a huge success. Not only did we raise HK$4m, almost HK$1m more than last year, but each one of our guests left with a smile on their face knowing they had given something back. Going forward our aim is to continue to build awareness of poverty issues and encourage philanthropy and social responsibility within Hong Kong. I think with the help of the HKRFU and our other supporters, Mission Possible has made significant progess already in acheiving these goals. R

THE FOUR CHARITIES SELECTED AS RECIPIENTS OF MONEY RAISED FROM MISSION POSSIBLE 2014 WERE: Po Leung Kuk Scholarship Foundation A fund supporting students from poor families who wish to pursue higher education such as University Degrees or Higher Diplomas in Hong Kong. Proceeds from this year’s Mission Possible will pay for 6 to 8 scholarships through university.

The Society for Community Organization (SoCo) A project tackling housing and poverty issues in Hong Kong.

The money raised through Mission Possible will go specifically to fund work with low-income housing to get people out of cage homes and subdivided flats.

Crossroads Helping to bridge the wealth gap by collecting and distributing high quality donated goods to people in need of resources throughout Hong Kong.

The Changing Young Lives Foundation A charity that reaches out to underprivileged children from low income families in Hong Kong and aims to change their lives for the better.

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INSIDERS Tai Ping

GROUND CONTROL

The Reserve heads to Paris to interview Ramy Fischler, who recently designed luxury carpet brand Tai Ping’s new Shanghai outpost WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW

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he meaning of luxury is changing in China. As the Chinese market matures, rather than buying for the prestige of a highly visible luxe product, fastidious buyers now give careful consideration to quality and craftsmanship before making a purchase. Good news then for companies such as luxury carpet specialist, Tai Ping, who have quietly built a global reputation for their hand-woven treasures, fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs.

More recently, Tai Ping has also made a name for itself by collaborating with designers, architects and artists to create an array of beautifully-crafted designs that are being presented in a series of distinctive showrooms in cities around the world. In Paris, the design studio is housed in the 18th century Hôtel de Livry in SaintGermain with contemporary interiors by the Paris-based industrial designer Ramy Fischler.

The designer studied at the École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle and was previously a senior member of Patrick Jouin’s team. He went on to attain a fellowship at the Villa Medici in Rome, established his own studio in 2011 and was commissioned to create the interiors of Tai Ping’s new Shanghai outpost.

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INSIDERS Tai Ping

When you welcome people they feel better and want to stay longer How would you describe your own style?

I really don’t want to have a style. Projects have to be about thinking, they can’t just be decoration. There has to be something behind the space – that is more my type of design. I prefer to work with people who understand that, like my project with Dom Perignon. They came and said they loved my design, but they know I won’t repeat things, that I do things differently every time.

It’s a tall order for any brand to stand out in retail-obsessed Shanghai. How did Tai Ping accomplish this?

The problem is the same everywhere. For Tai Ping, the challenge was to create a space where customers feel free to come, sit and have a discussion. Of course it needs to be commercial but it is a home too –Tai Ping’s home – so it must be comfortable.

You work very closely with artisans to develop bespoke furniture for your interior projects.

In Paris I worked very closely with craftsmen. If you work with a client whose products are all about being custommade, then it is very important that the elements in the space, the furniture and lighting also reflect this. It says ‘this is what we do.’

How does your theoretical and philosophical approach to design help you select your projects?

Theory must be somewhere in the project for it to be meaningful - I’m not interested in simply answering a question with a design project. When someone approaches me I think about why they have come to ask me to do something, I question the question itself and ask how I can work with them. I was invited to the Villa Medici a

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few years ago and spent a year there thinking about the aspect of design that feels welcoming; how do institutions like museums achieve this? They need to think about this because when you welcome people they feel better and want to stay longer. It is something I like to think about with my design and it is always considered in my projects.

You created the Paris showroom for Tai Ping in 2012. How different was that from your approach to Shanghai?

The idea was to bring the spirit of Paris to China. Paris was very different because Tai Ping is so famous there. Every designer already knows them so the challenge was to make something new to make people think about an established company in a different way.

How much artistic freedom did you have with your design concept in Shanghai?

For this project it was very simple because there are already so many colours and textures with the carpet samples that you cannot create too many other different materials. We will see how it grows and then possibly add more later. We don’t have to do everything at the beginning.

What is your favourite feature?

I really love the light box with a display on one side and an image on the other. For me it represents inside and outside very well and is perhaps the symbol of the showroom.

Can you elaborate on the notion of inside and outside in designing a space?

I like the idea of a window treatment that creates a sense of privacy, something that slightly covers a window. It is not a curtain, it is something even more simple than a curtain. It

What is the story behind the curved chairs in the showroom?

I designed the chairs with layers. It wasn’t just a question of aesthetics, it was an intellectual question. When I started to learn about Tai Ping I fell in love with the complexity of its story. I was interested in finding a way to talk about the fact that there are so many layers to the company including history, couture and aesthetics. For me, furniture is a way to talk about it.

Where did your fascination with Chinoiserie start?

It was the designs in the 1735 work ‘Liveres de Dessins

Chinois’ by Jean-Antoine Fraisse. His drawings have incredible details.

You designed a Chinoiserie collection which is now in the Shanghai showroom. How do you anticipate this being accepted in modern China?

I originally designed them for the Paris showroom but it became a collection because people wanted to buy them. It was a link between the historic story of the building and Tai Ping. I don’t know how it will work here but I think the Chinese like the idea that the French copied their designs so many years ago. It is about pride. I am not saying we are the best because we come from France. It is about sharing the history. They put three in Hong Kong and they sold all of them on the same day. R

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doesn’t close, it drapes across the window but you can still see through it. It is very nice to have a view but it is better that there is not too much transparency.

Inspiration HOW TO SPEND IT

Luxury in the Maldives is everywhere Ultimate Suites, p. 148

INSPIRATION Reserve Me

Reserve Me We’ve tried them – so should you. Where to eat, drink, stay and spa.

>

NUR RESTAURANT, HONG KONG

Hong Kong has welcomed a new kid on its culinary block.

Located at 1, Lyndhurst Terrace, NUR is the brainchild of Nurdin Topham, a chef who wants to bring his Nordicinspired ‘nourishing gastronomy’ to Hong Kong’s hungry. Using his background in nutritional science and his decade of

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experience working alongside renowned chefs such as Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Nurdin has managed to create a menu that packs a punch, but manages to respect nutrition and seasonal produce. nur.hk

< THE REGENT HOTEL AND RESIDENCES, PORTO MONTENEGRO In case your yachty friends haven’t let you in on the secret yet, Montenegro is the new hotspot of the Med and later this year, The Regent Porto Montenegro is opening a new luxury base for those in the know. It sits on the Bay of Kotor – a historical AustroHungarian naval base that is now a superyacht homeport. The 34 luxurious hotel rooms and 54 spacious residences are enclosed in a Renaissance-inspired building which pays tribute to the area’s 400 years under Venetian rule.

Quite the new Euro hangout. portomontenegro.com

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THE SHILLA SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA > The 5-star Shilla Seoul re-opened this winter after a 7-month face-lift, introducing French restaurant The Continental and a traditional Korean dining room, La Yeon, to its offerings. Perfect for business travel, the hotel also boasts a swanky Executive Lounge, with panoramic views over downtown Seoul and Namsan Peak. There’s even an indoor golf range and state-of-theart spa and fitness centre. If you’re staying over a weekend, don’t forget to try the Shilla’s extensive all-day brunch – it’s been dubbed as the best in the city by discerning locals. shilla.net

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< SUNBORN HOTEL, LONDON Left your superyacht in Hong Kong?

Fear not, the new Sunborn Hotel will give you your fix of nautical luxury, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect it to travel anywhere.

This brand new custom-built boat will feature a fine dining restaurant, conference rooms, 3-level event space and 138 spacious guest rooms and suites. The boat will be docked on the Royal Victoria Dock, close to Canary Wharf and East London. If you like it, Sunborn has similar hotels in Gibraltar, Barcelona and Finland. sunborn.com THE

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INSPIRATION Reserve Me

IL MILIONE, HONG KONG > Time-poor executives will be pleased to hear about the new 1-course lunch menu at Michelin starred Umbrian eatery Il Milione in Central.

Take your pick from tasty pastas and Milanese beef cutlets, or stay a little longer to sample the 3-course menu, featuring lasagna, monkfish and more. il-milione.com

< TALISE SPA, BURJ AL ARAB, DUBAI Those in need of a relaxing break should consider jumping on a plane to the Middle East, after the Talise Spa at the Burj Al Arab won the coveted Best Luxury Hotel Spa award in the World Luxury Spa Awards this year. Perched 150 metres above the Arabian Gulf, the spa, split over two levels, offers all the standard treatments and some extra special extras like the Romantic Moonlight Swim for honeymooners. jumeirah.com THE

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< JAMES SUCKLING AT SONEVA KIRI, THAILAND Wine lovers, cancel your plans for the weekend of 30 May and book your flight to Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood, Thailand. Wine guru James Suckling will be at the resort to give a limited number of guests an exclusive wine experience, including a wine-fuelled picnic lunch in a national marine park, two wine dinners and plenty of one-onone learning time with the man himself. soneva.com

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, MOSCOW > All eyes turned to Russia for the Winter Olympics and there they should stay as more excitement awaits. Situated in central Moscow adjacent to the entrance gates of Red Square, the Four Seasons Hotel will be opening any day now. The hotel, which enjoys views over the Kremlin, is just a short walk from The Duma, The Bolshoi and Maly Theatres. It might be chilly outside but the hotel has a swimming pool and spa in its enclosed courtyard for those in need of warming up. fourseasons.com/moscow THE

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INSPIRATION Reserve Me

< MOTT 32, HONG KONG The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gastro experts canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop talking about this new Joyce Wang-designed restaurant, and rightly so. Chef Fung, previously at Michelin-starred Dynasty restaurant, has delivered his magic touch to the Canto menu here and thrown in some Sichuan and Beijing dishes to boot. The dim sum brunch on a Sunday is sure to be an immediate hit. mott32.com THE

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LONDON | HONG KONG An exclusive nightclub experience

37 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong | +852 2324 0200 | infobhk@boujis.com | www.hk.boujis.com

INSIDERS

Shanghai Tang

TWO DECADES OF DARING Shanghai Tang celebrates turning 20 by collaborating with an incredible series of visionaries

S

elf-professed ‘global curator of modern Chinese chic’ and pioneering Chinese luxury lifestyle brand – Shanghai Tang – turns 20 this year. In

true innovative style, the brand is celebrating with a collaboration of visionary creative talents from the world of art and fashion.

Kicking things off is contemporary artist Jacky Tsai.

Jacky, perhaps best known for the floral skulls he created for British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, is creating a series of artworks which, in his words, “reflect the optimism of modern China.” Shanghai Tang will create a supporting limited edition capsule collection using his artworks – think luxurious qipaos, box clutches and delicate cashmere shawls. The Reserve caught up with Jacky to find out more.

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INSIDERS

Shanghai Tang

I use traditional techniques and crafts and give them a modern twist How did it feel to be invited to create a collection of artworks for Shanghai Tang?

It’s such an honour. It’s my 30th birthday this year and being able to collaborate with Shanghai Tang as they celebrate turning 20 is such a treat. I am a Shanghainese boy so I feel like it’s my destiny.

Do you identify with the brand and if so, in what way?

Absolutely. Shanghai Tang is a pioneer among luxury brands.

They have been innovative enough to bring traditional Chinese culture into the modern day. I do the same kind of thing in my art – I use traditional techniques and crafts and give them a modern twist. I feel we’re very compatible.

What inspired the collection you created?

The pieces are inspired by the beauty of nature, they are colourful and energetic and I think they reflect the optimism of modern China. A lot of my past work has been themed around both life and death but these pieces are very much focused on life.

How were you involved in the supporting products created by Shanghai Tang, if at all?

I had an idea of how and what they were going to do with my art and the final result is pretty cool, very much as I had imagined. I suggested ideas in terms of how to apply my artwork to their products and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out.

Talk us through the mediums you used for each painting why did choose these techniques?

I used traditional crafts including lacquer carving, silk embroidery, hand-painting porcelain and a traditional Chinese painting style known as ‘guóhuà’. These are dying THE

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techniques; only a few people can still do them well. In some cases, like with lacquer carving, there are literally just ten very elderly men in China who are still able to do it. Occasionally they are sent to Beijing to fix traditional treasures, but aside from that there is no new work for them. With my pieces for Shanghai Tang, I wanted to make people aware of these crafts. It means a lot to me to bring them back.

How do you think Shanghai Tang has influenced the global perception of modern Chinese aesthetics?

They are doing a pretty good job. Look at their shop in Knightsbridge, London – people love it! I think previously people saw the Chinese aesthetic as a bit of a mystery – they didn’t realise how beautiful it was. If you brought it to the Western world in a different way it might not have been successful, but Shanghai Tang have somehow made it work.

Have you been aware of the brand evolving over the last 20 years and if so, in what way?

I think in their first few years they were focused on just bespoke tailoring but over time they have become a global brand, offering much more to a much wider audience.

What other artistic projects are you involved in this year?

I was invited to design a blue and white porcelain egg for the Faberge Big Egg Hunt in New York a couple of weeks ago. That will go to Sotheby’s later this year. Then I have my solo show in London at the Screen Gallery which is all about traditional Chinese crafts. It actually launches the very same day as my collection in Shanghai Tang – on May 15th. R

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INSPIRATION Pinth Trunks

UPPER CASE Luggage for a lifetime

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ong ago, travel was a much longer, more drawn out affair, reserved for the worldly and the wealthy. Armies of servants would look after the many trunks, mobile wardrobes and hatboxes of wealthy Victorian and Edwardian travellers as they embarked on epic ocean voyages or train journeys that could take weeks or months.

Today, the likes of Rimowa or Tumi have created more practical if slightly less romantic luggage options that feel light as a feather as they are rolled onto our private jets or thrown into the back of the Rolls for much shorter trips.

Vintage luggage, though, is by no means gone and forgotten. Far from it. Increasingly, it is being seen as a viable alternative investment – a chance to buy into the early history of a world brand. The value of it generally goes up and up. An Hermès trunk from early 1900 is THE

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currently going for 1.2 million Euros at Pinth Vintage Luggage, a vintage luggage specialist based in the Netherlands, and new price records are being set all the time at notable auctions around the world.

Sourced from private collections and antiques stores internationally, they stock some of the best pieces available including priceless pieces by Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Moynat and Goyard. The company also employs an in-house team of craftsmen to ensure each piece is meticulously restored.

Hong Kong based Bas Fransen, who represents Pinth Vintage Luggage in Asia, warns against using the luggage to travel. “These are delicate pieces of history, not to be thrown into a baggage hold or packed with clothes. Many of our buyers feature the luggage in their homes where it can be enjoyed as a unique piece of furnature - almost as a piece of art – and passed on for generations.” R

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MEMBER NEWS For a personal introduction to Pinth Trunks as well as access to rare vintage pieces contact: member@thereserve-asia.com

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INSPIRATION The Extra Mile

GOING THE EXTRA MILE Space travel, safari and submarines – three options for a truly extraordinary holiday WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN THE

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he word ‘experiential’ is being thrown around more and more in the travel industry as holidaymakers seek out trips that offer unusual and memorable experiences as opposed to straightforward luxury. The Reserve scoured the globe for our favourite experiential travel experiences – here are our top three.

SUPER SAFARI You may have been on safari before – but probably none quite like this, pitched as the million dollar safari.

The trip covers 12 countries and has a whopping 111day itinerary. Travellers will have the chance to see 18 of the most vulnerable species in the world including the elusive snow leopard, and best of all, a percentage of the trip price will be split between the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and other conservation charities across the destinations included on the trip. Guests will meet with some of the local conservation experts that live and work with these endangered species on a daily basis and gain an insight into the challenges they face on a regular basis. Will Bolsover, managing director of Natural World Safaris who put together the trip explains how “clients these days want to get out of their comfort zones and truly experience something different. People also understand that our planet is changing and changing fast and therefore some natural highlights just may not even be there in a few years to come.

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SPACE RACE So you’ve ticked off every continent, every five-star hotel and every Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. What next? Perhaps the most extreme new type of travel is the zero gravity kind. Companies like S3 offer the chance for thrillseekers to experience weightlessness on one of their ZeroG flights – departing from various locations worldwide, including Hong Kong in 2015. Richard Joye, head of business development at S3, explains, “Everyone can freely float just like an astronaut in the course of 15 parabolas, each providing between 20 and 25 seconds of reduced gravity or weightlessness over the 90-minute flight duration.”

Passengers can take their pick between the party zone, the premium zone and the VIP zone – which holds 12 passengers at a total cost of around HK$535,000.

Each passenger receives an S3 Breitling watch and the knowledge that they have experienced something that few other mortals ever will in their lifetime. After years of preparation, safety is no longer a concern as Richard explains, “These flights are very safe. The main space agencies [NASA, ESA, Roscosmos] have been operating them for several decades, and our modified aircraft is certified for parabolic flights and is more precise than other platforms presently available.”

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For illustration purposes only

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MEMBER NEWS In January 2015, S3 will be operating Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Zero G flights out of 8 Asian countries including Hong Kong and Macau. To be one of the first to experience this unique and adrenalinepumping sensation, contact us at member@thereserve-asia.com

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INSPIRATION The Extra Mile

The submarine will be built to the buyer’s personal specifications

DESTINATION DEEP SEA Book it now and you might just be the first person ever to stay in this submarine hotel. Oliver’s Travels have just launched this ‘Lovers Deep’ trip and the submarine will be built to the buyer’s personal specifications. Want to dock off the coast of St Lucia or in the Red Sea? It’s totally up to you. The vessels start at around 40 feet long, and in that space you’ll get a chef to whip up your dinner, a butler to cater to your every whim and of course, an experience as deep as the ocean. “All of our handpicked, THE

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luxury properties have something unique and quirky about them, but this really stands out as one of our quirkiest yet.” Private speedboat transfers come as standard (and so they should at HK$2.2m a night) and the service can be customised to include optional extras including helicopter transfers or champagne breakfast in bed.

Please contact The Reserve at reserveme@thereserve-asia.com for more details about any of the above opportunities. R

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INSPIRATION Van Eyck

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MEMBER NEWS To find out more about this exclusive new fine jewellery brand and to be included in invitations to exclusive events featuring them, contact us at member@thereserve-asia.com

OUT OF THE BOX An exclusive glimpse into the world of Van Eyck â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a new jewellery brand with a difference WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN

W

ith so many luxury jewellery houses now jostling for space in Asia, brands and even their glitzy offerings can start to feel a little bland. These days, it takes a whole lot of creativity to break the mould and capture the consumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention.

Enter Van Eyck. This new super high-end jewellery brand has just started to get noticed in Asia - and they have a very different approach.

The brand is named after the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck, whose work used to be exhibited in the Museum THE

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INSPIRATION Van Eyck

of Fine Art, close to where the founder, Alon Garty, used to live in Antwerp, Belgium. Alon would often take visitors to the museum and stop to admire his paintings.

It’s little wonder that it was this particular artist’s work that kept catching his eye - Jan van Eyck was actually one of the most important artists of the 15th century and one of the first to paint jewellery and precious stones. Inspired by his life story and innovative approach 600 years ago, Garty chose to name his brand Van Eyck. “I found that in today’s world consumers are looking for quality craftsmanship, identity and a story to tell. Van Eyck represented all of these qualities to me.”

“The brand symbolises a blend of art and jewellery,” explains Alon. “It has a Belgian heritage and legacy and will grow in value over time.”

Alon put together a dream team of the world’s best talent, ensuring that the finished pieces could not fail to impress. “It wasn’t easy to find our designer. I promise you that! I searched all over the world. I wanted somebody who would really do things differently.” Eventually Alon found Ivonna Poplanska in London. Ivonna designs and develops fine jewellery pieces for royalty and the global elite. In 2012 she won the British Jubilee award and Queen Elizabeth II chose to wear her piece that Christmas.

The creative team also decided to revolutionise the packaging experience. As Alon points out, “When you buy a diamond ring today, or at any time in the past 50 THE

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years from any jewellery brand in the world, you receive the same classic box.” The Van Eyck team set to work to change that and have created boxes so intricate and unusual that customers end up valuing the packaging in its own right.

So what about the contents? Alon explains, “We do not want to just be good because being good is boring. We want to produce something remarkable and to show we are different, this is our main asset.”

Van Eyck’s inaugural collection, Birds of Paradise, consists of just 25 intricate rings modelled on these exceptional animals unique to Papua New Guinea.

Alon explains, “They are special because they represent something that stands out. They gave us the inspiration for how the familiar can become extraordinary.”

Each piece of jewellery takes over 1,000 hours to complete and the craftsmanship is second to none.The entire collection uses natural fancy colour diamonds. For those who don’t know their diamonds, fancy colours are extremely rare – only about 1% of diamonds have enough colour to be labelled as such. Alon is keen to point out the company’s ethics when it comes to diamond sourcing, too. “We work closely with the Kimberly Process, a UN organisation that assures miners have good working conditions and that the money is not financing rebels or terrorist groups.”

On the inside of each Van Eyck ring is a pink sapphire

signature – a secret for the owner’s eyes only.The pieces are all limited edition and owners receive original sketches by the designer, along with information about the bird that inspired the specific piece. “It’s like buying a piece of art,” says Alon. “You won’t catch your friends wearing the same piece. It’s something that grows in value and becomes a part of the owner’s heritage. Something that can be passed on from generation to generation.”

Alon is proud too of the brand’s dedication to charitable causes. “With each collection we release, we support a cause that shares our philosophy. Every woman that would wear a Van Eyck ring would identify with the cause that the brand supports. Each collection, each jewel has a meaning, beyond words, beyond shapes or colours, it has spirituality.Van Eyck aims to support an NGO programme for every collection with a related muse.

Shita Prativi, our first muse, was a city girl active in several NGOs in Jakarta devoted to helping children. In 2004, on assignment in a remote area of Central Sulawesi, she fell in love with the variety of birds she saw every day. Now, she is running bird-watching tours in the hope of convincing local residents that its wildlife needs to be protected. Last year, Shita started the Papua Bird Club, which aims to teach children in isolated areas to read and write as well as guide them through bird watching. She wants to make a difference, as does Van Eyck – which will donate 1% of all revenue to the charity. R

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Every woman that wears a Van Eyck ring would identify with the cause that the brand supports

COLOUR

CAPITAL

An injection of colour will put a Spring in your step this season PHOTOGRAPHER: BEN HARRIES | FASHION EDITOR: KENNY HO GROOMING: FRANCO VALLELONGA @ ERA ARTIST MANAGEMENT USING MELVITA & PERCY AND REED | PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSISTANT: ALEX RHIND | MODEL: KENTA @ ESTABLISHED

Blazer by Canali Shirt and tie by Paul Smith Trousers by Burberry Prorsum Pocket square by Gieves & Hawkes

Blazer, shirt and tie all by Dunhill Trousers and pocket square

by Gieves & Hawkes Right: Blazer by Richard James Shirt by John Varvatos Ties and belt by Paul Smith Trousers by Dunhill Shoes by Gieves & Hawkes

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Blazer by Richard James Shirt by Etro Trousers by Hardy Amies Tie, pocket square and belt by Paul Smith Left: Blazer by Richard James Shirt by Hardy Amies Trousers by Hugo Boss Belt by Alexander McQueen

Suit, shirt, tie and pocket square all by Hardy Amies Document case by Alexander McQueen

INVESTMENT Engel & Volkers

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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten

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HOT TEN THI S SE A SON’ S MOS T COV E TA B LE CO N SUM A B LE S

SUPER BIKE Daniel Simon designed the bikes for Tron: Legacy so it’s little wonder that this futuristic model from Lotus is winning in the looks department – it’s lightning fast, too.

HK$1m lotus-motorcycles.com

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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten

WATER BABY Stand out in the South China Sea with this bespoke wooden kayak, conceptualised by US designer Nick Schade. Each boat can be personalised to the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste.

HK$226,000 bespokeglobal.com

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COOL RUNNINGS Another success story from Elon Musk, this electric Tesla Model S ticks all the green boxes while being a powerful and attractive car in its own right.

Prices start from

HK$579,000 teslamotors.com

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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten

SHINE BRIGHT As if the10.53 carat fancy greyish pink diamond wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough on its own, it is also surrounded in 0.33 carats of pink diamonds and 0.88 carats of yellow diamonds set in 18k rose gold.

HK$7.1m eightanddiamond.com

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HOT AIR This Venus Balloon – a reinterpretation of the Willendorf Venus by Jeff Koon – is designed to hold and protect a bottle of Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2003. Limited to 650 units.

HK$210,000 millesima.hk

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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten

WELL HEELED Made using some of the world’s rarest luxury fibres, this pair of Vicuña Cable socks – made for the fanciest of feet – will hopefully last a lifetime.

HK$3,200 williamabraham.com

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SMASH HIT Watch this year’s Wimbledon Championships with tennis legend Martina Navratilova at your side. This extraordinary, customisable experience also includes accommodation at the Savoy as well as debenture seats for the men’s and women’s finals.

Price on request johnbsutherland.com

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DOG TIRED Those with particularly spoilt pups might like to consider indulging them with this raw steel Atamo bed, complete with LED lighting and microfibre cushion.

HK$52,000 dogghaus.co.uk

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GREAT MINDS Harrods, one of Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous department stores, and iconic artist jeweller FabergĂŠ, have come together for a creative collaboration this season, resulting in a collection including this fantastic Firebird brooch.

Price On Request harrods.com

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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten

HOLD IT Make your next weekend away a smarter affair by taking along this chic holdall by Billioniare Couture.

Made in polished crocodile skin and lined in calfskin.

HK$300,000 billionairecouture.com

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wherever your business takes you . . .

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LGS Matrix has some of the most highly trained and experienced personnel in close protection with the capability to meet and exceed your expectations.

From a business meeting for a CEO to a full international event LGS Matrix will work closely with you to first fully understand your specific security needs and arrangements. LGS Matrix will then design and deliver a comprehensive security programme to meet your itinerary and make the operation a complete success.

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INSPIRATION

Locked and Loaded

LOCKED & LOADED The growing trend for personal security in Asia WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN

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MEMBER NEWS For direct access to personal protection or armouring services, contact us at member@thereserve-asia.com

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INSPIRATION

Locked and Loaded

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here are more multi-millionaires and billionaires in Hong Kong and China than ever before, and the latest musthave on every wealthy shopping list is not another supercar, a limited edition handbag or a new luxury property.

Top of the elite wish list right now is simply someone or something to protect everything they already own. The trend for personal security has seen a huge increase in the last few years – with the global elite prepared to pay a premium for all kinds of protection.

A top priority for many is an armoured vehicle. As James Bryce of Armoured Asia explains, “In Asia, the biggest security threat to wealthy clients is physical attack or kidnap and ransom.” So while some may joke that these suped-up super cars are simply sating the desires of James Bond wannabes, this is no laughing matter. There is a genuine need for the wealthy to protect themselves.

Armoured Asia can customise any vehicle – Maserati to Maybach – and to the untrained eye, the cars won’t look any different.

“From my experience, people who own or place an order for an armoured vehicle like to keep things confidential at all times,” says James. “Visually you can’t tell the difference between an armoured and unarmoured vehicle. It is discreetly built between the panels of the vehicle.”

Extra features beyond armouring can include anything from smoke screen windows to electrified door handles, at least in countries where the law allows this.

Once the car has been set up there’s much more to consider. Martin Franks runs LGS Matrix, an organisation THE

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Close protection is no longer considered an intrusion into someone’s lifestyle or a fancy luxury accessory

One Hyde Park boasts of doormen trained by the British Special Forces events at a particular time to which the CPO [client protection officer] needs to react.”

Other companies are creating smaller but no less serious gadgets for the cautious super-rich. China’s Leison Global makes briefcases that turn into ballistic shields if need be, while Miguel Caballero makes stylish bulletproof clothing for the fearful but fashion conscious.

Sadly for the super-rich, even getting home doesn’t necessarily provide a sense of calm, and some are going to extreme measures to ensure their own abode really is ‘safe as houses.’

One Hyde Park in London – apparently the most expensive residential address anywhere in the world – boasts of panic rooms, bullet-proof glass and doormen trained by the British Special Forces. Here in Asia, many have followed suit, with alarm systems and CCTV networks to put off even the most expert criminal. For those with substantial land, there are infrared cameras that can read thermal heat signatures and fog screens to confuse intruders should they somehow make it through.

It might all seem intrusive to some, but for many, the thought of being left open to danger is far more disturbing. And of course, the hope with all these security measures – from the briefcases to the bodyguards – is that they never need to be put to good use. R

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providing security solutions to corporate and individual clients worldwide.

“It’s not always the main individual that’s the concern,” explains Franks. “Risk can fall on spouses, children, relatives, employees and so on. Assessing the whole picture surrounding high net worth clients is mandatory. If we do our job properly, a solution or plan for all eventualities can be accurately formulated. Everything connected to the day-to-day routine, from driving to the office or school, meeting agendas, dinner engagements to holiday destinations can be assessed based on local and international threat intelligence.”

Of course, the explosive growth in Chinese wealth means there is more and more demand for this kind of service. “Close protection is no longer considered an intrusion into someone’s lifestyle or a fancy luxury accessory but with the world more accessible to most people and the dangers created from political unrest or terrorism moving from place to place, it is a service that, when professionally done, can give clients peace of mind wherever they go,” says Franks.

Some clients request day-to-day ‘close protection’ even in a seemingly low-risk city. Franks is keen to point out that “this is not about weapons or being a Ninja. There is no textbook on this, it’s purely a process dictated by

INSPIRATION Ultimate suites

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U LT I M AT E

SUITES When a hotel room just won’t do – check into one of the world’s most extraordinary suites WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN

CHEVAL BLANC RANDHELI, MALDIVES Luxury in the Maldives is everywhere, but the new Garden Villas at Cheval Blanc, the latest hotel by LVMH, takes luxury to a new level.

Guests can enjoy in-villa spa treatments, ocean views to thrill and their own piece of private tropical garden space.The resort also features a Mongolian yurt-turned-cigar lounge, moonlit yoga and a host of gastro options for the fussiest of foodies. It also has the royal seal of approval - Prince William and Kate Middleton recently enjoyed a holiday here.

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INSPIRATION Ultimate Suites

HOTEL DU CAP EDEN ROC, FRANCE The grand dame of the Cote Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Azur, the 5-star Eden-Roc hotel, a transformed 19th-century mansion, encapsulates French sophistication. Utterly decadent types should book into the Eden-Roc Suite, where they can sit in the Jacuzzi and gaze out over the LĂŠrins Islands and the Mediterranean Sea. Grounds in the rest of the hotel include five tennis courts and a beautiful saltwater pool with a trapeze to launch yourself into the sea, so drag yourself away from your 820-foot terrace if you can bear it and join the cream of the Mediterranean.

HK$65,650 per night

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MANTA UNDERWATER ROOM, ZANZIBAR One of the few places that perhaps earns the overused tag ‘unique,’ the underwater room at the Manta Resort, Pemba Island, offers something truly extraordinary. Choose to lie upstairs on deck watching the stars, or head to your bedroom downstairs where you’ll be surrounded by ocean on all sides. By night the room’s spotlights attract shyer, fish-like squid – and a few regulars who have taken up residence around the room as a form of protection!

HK$11, 600 per night

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INSPIRATION Ultimate Suites

ICE HOTEL, ICELAND Never stayed in a suite that lives up to your grand expectations? Why not design your own? The Ice Hotel, based 200km north of the Arctic Circle, makes suites to order based on guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; personal desires. After your stay, the suite melts away, ensuring nobody else gets to muscle in on your masterpiece. Part of the proceeds are donated to environmental initiatives in the Baltic Sea, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be giving back as you settle in.

HK$1.8m per suite

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FAIRMONT, SAN FRANCISCO, USA JFK, Mick Jagger, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole and Marlene Dietrich have all stayed in this 6,000-square-foot ‘mansion in the sky.’ Created in the 1920s by American archaeologist and art historian Arthur Upham Pope, it’s an exquisite space with its own 2-storey library, grand piano and terrace with views over the city. If you don’t want to keep it to yourself, the suite can accommodate up to 60 guests for dinner.

HK$115,000 per night

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INSPIRATION Ultimate Suites

CINEMA SUITE, TAJ, LONDON Pitched as ‘Hollywood meets Bollywood,’ this sprawling 2-bedroom space features its own 85-inch Plasma, and is just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace in St James’ Park. There’s plenty to admire without even stepping foot outside – from the stuffed stag’s head and telescope in the study to the leather-bound books and endless paintings and portraits at every turn. By night, pop down to the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Quilon, where you can sample some fine Indian cuisine before hotfooting it back to your four-poster bed.

From HK$65,500 per night

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INSPIRATION Ultimate Suites

PENTHOUSE SUITE, UPPER HOUSE, HONG KONG Understated style is rarely achieved with such panache as at Hong Kong’s Upper House. All the furniture in this sprawling 2-bedroom suite is bespoke, including the freestanding bath with views over Victoria Harbour. The magic interior’s touch is courtesy of Asia’s designerof-moment Andre Fu, who is also responsible for the excellent fine-dining restaurant Café Gray Deluxe on the 49th floor.

From HK$15,000 per night

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INSIDERS

Shopping Weekender

SHOPPING WEEKEND IN

PARIS Navigate the city’s top shops in a hurry WORDS BY SAM GROWDON

THE BASICS Knowing where to shop in Paris is all about finding the streets and districts that match your desires. For luxury and top-tier stores such as Chanel, Dior and Saint Laurent Paris head off to the glitzy avenues of the ChampsElyseés, Montaigne and Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Most of the designer flagship stores are located here, including the legendary Louis Vuitton store at 101 Champs-Elyseés which opened back in 1913.

Boulevard Haussmann is home to the most famous department stores, the likes of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.You’ll find almost every brand under one roof in these stalwarts of the City of Lights.

For an afternoon’s browsing of diamonds and gold head to the prestigious Place Vendôme, where you’ll find Van Cleef & Arpels as well as Boucheron, Chaumet, THE

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Bulgari, Damiani, De Beers and Breguet – who count Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette as previous clients.

If you’re into more eclectic stores selling antiques, unique jewellery and less big-name brands head to the historic district of Le Marais. Here, you’ll find unique Parisian boutiques such as leather designer Florian Denicourt and Yves Andrieux & Vincent Jalbert who use recycled fabrics to create highly wearable statement pieces.

Need a designer lunch break? Pop into Ralph Lauren for a corner table at Ralph’s on Boulevard Saint Germain or a few doors down at Café Armani. While you’re in the area take a stroll along Rue de Rennes and browse distinctly French high street brands such as Maje and Sandro or Rue du Four and Rue Cherche Midi for great handbags, shoes and dresses.

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MEMBER NEWS To find out more about customising your own VIP shopping experience in Paris, contact us at member@thereserve-asia.com

Moncler

NEW IN TOWN MONCLER

7 Rue Faubourg St. Honoré, 8th Designed by French architecture studio, Gilles & Boissier, Moncler’s new headquarters and flagship store offers everything from the urban men’s Grenoble collection to all kinds of shoes, bags and accessories. The brand’s design philosophy – to maintain elegance beyond momentary fashion – is perfectly exhibited here in Paris.

FACELIFT CHANEL

42 Avenue Montaigne, 8th After months of being hidden by giant boards, the newly refurbished Chanel store devoted exclusively to accessories including shoes, bags and blingy bijous has finally reopened its famous doors on the glitzy Avenue Montaigne. Pop into the maison’s fine jewellery boutique next door and its pret-a-porter store across the road if you have time.

MUST-DO HERMÈS

17 Rue de Sèvres, 6th It’s been three years since Hermès refurbished the historical Lutetia swimming pool, transforming it into this luminous lifestyle store. Hermès makes a genuine connection with the historical monument, bringing in the new while maintaining respect and relevance for what came before. Browse the store for timeless fashion, scarves and accessories.

Moncler THE

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INSPIRATION

Shopping Weekender

L’Eclaireur

Colette

FOUR OF THE BEST CONCEPT STORES MERCI

111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 3rd Give yourself plenty of time to browse this sunlit store complete with comfy sofas, reading areas and a tearoom. Housed in a former fabric factory in the bohemian neighbourhood of Oberkampf, the space is packed with cutting-edge design. You’ll find contemporary and vintage threads as well as handmade jewellery and homewares. All profits from the store are generously donated to a foundation that helps underprivileged women and children.

COLETTE

213 Rue St. Honoré, 1st This cultish and highly curated store of anything hip sells everything from books and luxury timepieces to jewellery and art. The city’s style-conscious flock to see the latest arrivals and to stock up on new products before anyone else can. Descend into the basement level Water Bar when you need a break from all the buying.

THE

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L’Eclaireur

THE BROKEN ARM

12 Rue Perrée, 3rd Across from the historic Square du Temple and founded by three friends Anaïs Lafarge, Guillaume Steinmetz and Romain Joste, this newly opened concept store-cum-café attracts an eclectic crowd of creatives. There’s a carefully curated collection of brands such as Kenzo, Carven and Raf Simons alongside high-end stationery and coffee table books. The on-site café does a perfect micro-foamed latte.

L’ECLAIREUR

1o Rue Hérold, 1st L’Eclaireur, meaning scout or guide, is exactly what this store has done for over 20 years – scout the hottest brands and bring them to Paris. There are now six locations carrying men’s and women’s clothing as well as home design, objets d’art and books. The Hérold location is an unexpected surprise hidden behind an inconspicuous door that reveals the renovated former stables of a private manor house from the 18th century behind. R

Three iconic events on the international social and sporting calendar

LOS ANGELES

AMERICAN GRAND SLAM

25›28 SEPTEMBER

2014 L.A. CONVENTION CENTER

EUROPEAN GRAND SLAM

04›07 DECEMBER

2014 PARIS NORD VILLE PINTE

ASIAN

GRAND SLAM

13›15 FEBRUARY

2015 ASIAWORLD-EXPO

Last Word of Hong Kong Central – the Duddell Mansion. The other flagship occupies a historically protected landmark icon in Shanghai, the Cathay Cinema building.

Do you feel the brand targets a Chinese or a Western market?

We now have a balanced customer profile with an equal split of Western and Asian customers. The current focus on expansion is in Asia. Our current footprint of 45 boutiques in China is part of our strategy to grow our dominance in the home market where the brand was founded. This will later be followed by expansion in the West.

Do you find it hard to market luxury to China as a homegrown brand?

If it was 20 years ago, I would answer yes. But since then, the world has witnessed the rapid growth of China and the Chinese are now very wordly. Here at Shanghai Tang, we have been evolving alongside China.

Raphael le Masne de Chermont, executive chairman of Shanghai Tang, has the final say INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN Not many people realise that Shanghai Tang has a Frenchman as its chairman. How did you get involved with the brand?

For me, it was really love at first sight. I arrived in Hong Kong 20 years ago. Shanghai Tang and The China Club were the two places that I found most fun and inspiring.

It’s the 20th anniversary this year – how is the brand celebrating this milestone?

We are collaborating with Chinese creative talent from the world of contemporary art and cinema. Together, we’ll bring our customers limited edition capsule collections and unique brand experiences to continue in our role as global curator of modern Chinese chic.

What have been some of the high points over the last few years?

The past three years have seen the greatest changes to the business as we continually evolve the brand to become even more relevant and international. We have also built our two largest flagships in the world. One is in the heart THE

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Which sector of the business excites you most and why?

Fashion never ceases to surprise me. I believe the potential for the sector is huge, especially for accessories. I’m always quite intrigued by the accessories chosen and worn by sophisticated women.

What should our readers be buying this season?

Something from the Shanghai Tang 2014 Spring/Summer collection! We explore the natural world this season, with beautiful colours and prints as well as luxury materials adapted for both men and women. R

FLOAT LIKE AN ASTRONAUT Be among the first in Asia to experience a zero gravity sensation

From January 2015, S3 will offer zero gravity (ZeroG) parabolic flights throughout Asia, giving you the chance to freely float like an astronaut and live out the ultimate experience of weightlessness.

Selected passengers will receive a personalized S3 ZeroG timepiece from Breitling, available exclusively through this unique journey.

The only way to get the S3 limited edition watch is to book a flight, so come fly with us!

Register online at: zerog.s-3.ch