Hong Kong Blog‧香港博客

Get Your Act Together - Interview with Derek Ting, Producer/Writer/Actor of Supercapitalist

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in RAW Magazine on 4 July 2012.

An actuary turned actor, Derek Ting had the guts to push himself out of his comfort zone five years ago and created what is now known as Supercapitalist, a Hong Kong based financial thriller with an all-star cast. Shot in New York, Hong Kong, and Macau with a modest budget, the story revolves around an unconventional New York hedge fund trader who gets posted to Hong Kong for an assignment that swirls out of his control, the Chinese way. Through this interview, Derek clues us into how he turned an idea to life, as well as shares his secret hideaways around Hong Kong.

What made you decided to produce a movie?

The thought did take a while to grow on me. I had a pretty standard upbringing - grew up in the suburbs near New York, studied actuarial science in Cornell. Working as an IT Manager in New York during 911 has got me redefining my priorities, so I decided to pursue my college dreams and went off to become an actor. Initially I began with producing martial arts films, which was way harder than I would have ever imagined. But everything has its reasons, and through this experience I got a better grasp of film editing, and even found myself rubbing shoulders with other film makers in the city.

It was family that pulled me out to Hong Kong. Although I am of a Chinese root and spoke a bit of Cantonese, I never lived in Hong Kong before, and I was totally intrigued by how the expats and the wealthy families here lived, which I would say is probably the blueprint of Supercapitalist. I worked with CNN as a producer here for several years, where I fine tuned my writing skills as well as gained my local media connections.

A year before the global financial crisis caught on, I was inspired by Matt Damon, who as an actor wrote Good Will Hunting, and began writing the script for Supercapitalist. I would say each step I took basically led to the other. If I never began pursuing my dreams as an actor, I would never be where I am now. So if there is one take home message from this interview, it would be to follow your heart and turn your dreams to reality.

How much of the script reflects the reality?

I hang out with bankers a lot, so I got to know their interests and lifestyles pretty well. I visited hedge funds back in New York, and enlisted Young Cho, a college friend who also happens to be an ex-Citibank trader, to help construct an accurate financial plot that is complicated enough even for bankers to follow. After all, it is those who work in the financial industry who is usually most interested in watching financial thrillers, so I can’t have a dead simple plot that everyone with a teeny bit of financial knowledge can see right through. There were lots of bankers who happily read my script and gave loads of constructive comments as to what was feasible and what was just right down silly.

Of course I did a lot of reading on my own, including books like the Ugly Americans: the True Story of the Ivy League Cowboys who raided the Asian Markets for Millions, the Hedge Hunters: Hedge Fund Masters on the Rewards, the Risk, and the Reckoning, as well as the Hedgehogging. Although I am not a trader myself, I do try my best and actively seeks to understand the situation. I don’t believe you have to be in the industry to be able to write about the industry. Everyone is capable of doing anything, as long as they put their minds to it.

So is the banking industry as dirty as they say?

News and mass media don’t always do the bankers justice. Honestly, the stuff they do is necessary for the society, and if any recent graduates want to join the banking industry, it should be because they are genuinely interested and passionate about the work, rather than simply for the money or the lifestyle. They must realise that, as a banker, their every action will have serious consequences. My favourite type of movie is actually super hero movies rather than financial ones like Wallstreet: Money Never Sleeps. I reckon having lots of money is like possessing super hero powers – you have to use it with good intentions, because with great power comes great responsibility.

What is it like working with the big names? Any juicy behind-the-scenes you would like to share?

It was certainly very exciting to be working with celebrated actors from Hong Kong and America, like Linus Roache, Michael Park, Richard Ng, and Kenneth Tsang. It honestly surprised me how, though they are globally renowned, they are still willing to read their roles and are genuinely down to earth people who are just really passionate about acting. We also had Quentin Wong, Eugene Kang, and Vietnamese star Kathy Uyen on our team, and I must say, our whole cast just came by as if godsend. Usually filmmakers would think of who they want and who they can get first before everything else, but in our case it was more like finding the person who fits the character in our script, and almost everyone we have on our cast are friends of friends whom we just met and, after casual chats, decided they fit the bill.

Unfortunately I don’t have much behind-the-scenes to share, because I always had to be in control of the set and dealing with nitty gritty issues that just keep popping up, so I reckon I had less fun than everybody else! Working with acting coach Jeanne Hartman helped me with a lot of things ahead of our filming schedule, especially on interpreting the other side of Connor Lee, Supercapitalist’s leading character, who is totally unlike me. I am more like Connor before his transformation, a bit innocent and not too attached to the luxuries in life, so acting that part out is practically like being myself. After his arrival in Hong Kong, however, required a significant amount of work. Being Asian, acting for me is almost like studying for a test - I work very, very hard to capture what we exactly wanted.

Where do you see yourself going next?

We are super excited to see Supercapitalist landing upon an American distribution deal and due to be released at cinemas around the country in the coming summer, so we will be busy touring the States then. After which, the movie will hold its premiere at Hong Kong and other Asian countries in the coming fall, so watch out for that!

The reason I wrote the script and produced it end-to-end was because I wanted a chance to act. I went through the risk of producing a movie because I desperately sought to act with well-respected actors, to learn from their experience and grow as an actor myself. Life for me is about taking the right risks and hopes to see the results exceeding my expectations, so after our Supercapitalist touring ends, I will continue to pursue my career in acting and look for my next break.

If you could only go to one restaurant for the rest of your life, which one would that be?

That would be the Yellow Door Kitchen in Central. Much like Supercapitalist, the outlook of this restaurant is rather modest as well, so people don’t usually have high expectations of it, but after their first try, they would find themselves pleasantly surprised by a great combo of good food and good value.

If you had a day on hand, where would you spend it?

I would be caught jogging on Bowen Road. It is there where I work most efficiently - that is the place where I get most of my thinking done, especially during my evening runs. Highly recommended for anyone with a writer’s block!

Blogger Interview with China Travel Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in China Travel Blog on 11 July 2012.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be in China?

I am originally from Hong Kong, and I loved my life here so much I moved back right after my studies!

Did you write a blog back home or was it something you started here?

Blogging simply never crossed my mind until December 2010, when my friend Erica invited me to attend events on behalf of Lifestyle Asia, the online magazine she represents, and do some write ups for them. On February 2011, after several months of guest contributing for various
online magazines and blogs, I decided to keep my own blog on top of writing for others, because I have just way too much to write about than an occasional guest post.

Wanna know what I had to say about China? Read the rest of the article at China Travel Blog!

Have you had the chance to travel very much in China? Tell us about your best experience so far.
Ever since moving back to Hong Kong, I have been travelling a lot within China, due to its proximity and my ability in Mandarin. My best experience so far must be my trip to Hangzhou last year. It is such a laid back city with a diverse range of sightseeing spots to offer!

And your worst?

I must say, I am not too keen about the toilets in China, which is quite an experience in itself. They are improving tremendously over the years though. I have been to a super decent one inside Chengdu's Panda Base which is spacious, clean, and even has a resting area where tourists could lounge on their sofa while watching panda documentaries.

You’re currently based in Hong Kong, what are your top 5 recommendations for a first time visitor to get a real feel for the city?

If you really want to get to know the real Hong Kong, you must go to Shum Shui Po for their quirky open air market and cheap computer gadgets. For a taste of the expat life, head over to Stanley for more open air market, al fresco dining, and dragon boat spotting. Want to know what the working life or the tai-tai life is like here? Spend a day talent spotting in Central! For a breathtaking night view of the entire Hong Kong Island, the Peak would be your best bet. Finally, for a more action-packed day in Hong Kong, head out to Lamma Island for a chill hike, some quaint art workshops, and lots of seafood munching!

What is the one thing you wish you’d known about China before arriving?

I had a good idea of what China is like prior to coming over, so not much of a surprise there. However, I have recently discovered a show on CCTV called 快樂漢語 (Happy Chinese), which is intended to be a Chinese language learning show, but they take you over to the most obscure places around the country, sampling the best that they have to offer. Definitely a great place to start for some China travelling inspirations!

What do you miss most from home?

Well, I consider Hong Kong my home, and I love how it is such a fast-paced city. The upside is that everyone is so efficient you never need to wait a moment more than required. It makes a huge difference, especially with government and banks.

What would you miss most in China if you were to leave tomorrow?

The spectacular food! Chinese cuisine varies from region to region, from Shanghainese to Cantonese to Sichuanese, and you just can't get the same authenticity outside of China.

What three words sum up your China experience?

Colourful, Glamorous, Diverse.

What More Can You Ask For? Shopping with Mootta

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:00:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 12 July 2012.

Hong Kongers are super keen on Korean trends and styles, with Korean dresses and shoes dominating our little upstairs boutiques scattered all around town. Recently, I found a more direct way to satisfy my Korean fashion cravings: Mootta.com. Literally meaning ask in Korean, Mootta.com is the up-and-coming one-stop shop for trend-setting Korean design. Directly ordering from the source means you will get your hands on unique quality designs at a super competitive price.

Based in Korea, they have covered every single area from clothing to shoes to bags to accessories , all manufactured in limited quantities within Korea to guarantee its quality and authenticity. So why are they called ask? It is because Mootta.com keeps on pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, constantly questioning what is in, who is setting trends, and what is versatile enough for every individual to style in their own way. They get their leading Korean designers in house to ponder on these thoughts, and resulting in the remarkable collection you see on their website.

I got this amazingly soft black shirt dress from the Loom, which is styled in a relaxing manner, yet still manage to show a flattering silhouette. The Loom is a casual city wear brand by an award winning Korean designer, who incorporates delicate details while experimenting with a variety of materials every season. The dress can be pulled tighter on the waist to show your curves, but equally I can imagine if let it were to be let loose, it will work well as maternity wear. This brand is terrific for those who, like me, longs for pieces that are comfortable but with a feminine touch. If you are not sure which size you fit into, you can always refer to their s ize guide, or even exchange it for the more suitable size after trying it on, via their user friendly re turn form.

And the subtle dress goes really well with this gorgeous bright yellow shoulder bag from Violetta Grigio, a designer brand specialising in creating bags for both men and women. Their streamline designs mixed with vivid colours make their pieces uber modern. Their products are suitable for daily use, since they strive to fabricate their bags using light-weighted materials, and making it versatile by giving the option of being worn as a shoulder bag or a mail bag. Look how I manage to squeeze in my magazines, my thermos bottle, and my yoga gear on top of my normal must-bring, all in this huge bag! It can also play up for you to go to a formal meeting with, allowing you to fit in your laptop, documents, and stationery, all in a stylish bag. Already exciting about your order? They only take a mere one to two days to process an order and another one to two days for the shipping, so you will definitely receive your shopping within a week. At the mean time, you can track your orders throughout the process!

I also added a dab of glam to my look with the pearl crystal ball necklace from Vintage Hollywood, a renowned jewelry brand in Korea, who is made famous by celebrity followers including Girls Generation. Their starlet fan base wears their locally manufactured pieces to a huge range of occasions, from picking up groceries at the local supermarket to international red carpet events. Their necklace, handmade in limited quantities, creates a striking fusion between sparkling crystals and customised gemstones. Surprisingly, it goes really well with my sterling silver earrings from Thomas Sabo, matching what I already have in my closet with ease. Their shipping fees are fixed regardless of weight, so make sure you pop in a few pieces of their accessories to make the delivery cost more worthwhile!

Mootta.com
Address: 9/F Keumkang Building, 681 Yeoksam-Dong, Gangnan-gu, Seoul 135-916, South Korea
Telephone: (82) 2 2019 0029
Email: customer.services@mootta.com
Website: http://www.mootta.com

Photography = Art?

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:25:00 +0000

First published in RAW Magazine on 4 July 2012.

When we talk about art, what comes to mind tends to be the more traditional forms like painting and sketching, then perhaps the more craft-oriented styles like ceramics and sculpting. But is photography really considered as a form of art?

Back in the days when cameras were first invented, they were there to faithfully record the facts, such as family portraits with everybody putting on their most serious face on. The skills were more inclined towards the developing techniques rather than the photo shooting ones, since back then the developing took place manually in the dark room with a mix of chemicals, and not just by a click to the printer.

A bit more recently, right before the invention of digital camera, was definitely when the skill of shooting at the right angles reign high. The idea of taking artistic photos became more common, but there isn't any instantaneous way for previewing the shots on site, and the cost of developing was much higher, so every frame genuinely counted.

Nowadays, almost everyone is equipped with a DSLR, or even just snapping away happily with their trusty ol' iPhones. It is much easier to get a decent shot now, since you have so many chances to get it right with practically no extra cost at all. When an artist tells you he uses photography as his creative medium, how exactly is he different from the Kong gal who photographs her food to death, or the doting father that takes trillion photos of his daughter?

Firstly, photographing makes a great channel for staging a well-known scene, and then for the artist to put a twist to it. There are many photographers out there that stage some very interesting shots, replicating renowned artistic scenes but with their own inputs, such as Gérard Rancinan reenacting the Last Supper with plus size models, or Chow Chun-fai replicating Michelangelo's piece but illustrating the story of the Water Margins.

Another good reason for using photography as the method of expression is, with Photoshop nowadays, it provides an easy way to artificially create imaginary landscapes, with the intention of conveying the artists' message. Yang Yong-liang mixes cranes and electricity poles in what looks like traditional Chinese painting from afar, in order to express China's rapid urbanisation and how we are dealing with the environmental side of things. Photoshop can also be used to conjure an atmosphere that won't otherwise exist with just a regular shot. For example, in Constance and Eric's work, their original films would probably look much like porn, but by artificially blurring the images, it gives an air of sensuality rather than sexuality.

Photography is also spot on for capturing effects that only lasts for seconds, such as Olaf Mueller and his bubbles. By taking photos of the natural scenery through the huge bubbles he whipped up, it distorts the landscape with a dreamy touch, and gives it a whole new angle to the regular scenery shots.

There are always the commercial photographers who strictly photographs products or catalogue shots, but luxury items are great eye candies in itself, so is to say those aren't art?

I See Your True Colours - Robot Printr

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:30:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 7 July 2012.

How attached are you with your Instagrams? Ernest was taken by the idea enough to start up a business revolving around it! Robot Printr is his response to Instagrammers, challenging them to turn their amazing shots into real life, tactile photo canvases. Obviously with higher resolution photos he can squeeze more details in, but all he really need is an 800KB image file and a tiny bit of human retouching to create an eye-catching piece for that cherry on top in your flat. He turned images that are 800 pixels x 800 pixels into 16" x 16" prints before, so any genius shots you have back in your iPhone 3GS days or even ripped off your friend's Facebook page will be more than sufficient for him to work with.

With his super techy industrial size printers and his trusty photoshopping skills, Ernest turned my relatively low resolution photo into a real masterpiece in a week! It is one thing to see this lovely photo of Jessie, Jasmine, Audrey and I at the Ruins of St. Paul's on a microscopic smart phone screen, but it feels like a whole different world to be displaying it in my room in around the same size as the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. I love how his shopping page doesn't just give you the simple measurements. Can you visualise the exact size of 10" x 15" just by me telling you the dimensions? I didn't think so. And that is why it is such a cool idea to put all the sizes he offers out in a diagram, along with a regular two-seater couch and a dude that is 5"9. It gives a way better idea of what the final print would be like in your living room.

So brighten up your flat with a special moment in your life, or give the gift of memory to your loved ones. Fumble through your phone for that one perfect shot, get in touch with Ernest, and see what he can do for you!

Robot Printr
Email: support@robotprintr.com
Website: http://www.robotprintr.com/

Book Review on the Poverty & Justice Bible

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 15:52:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 5 July 2012.

Growing up, I have led a rather privileged life and as an adolescent, topics relating to poverty and justice just bored me silly. As I grow older, my appreciation for this area grew hand in hand. I forgot which magazine it was that I saw a review for the Poverty & Justice Bible, but after glancing through the blurb I thought this sounded like an awesome read, so I immediately ordered it off Paddyfield.com.

Although the book is called the Poverty & Justice BIBLE, I was fully expecting it to be a bible in a metaphorical sense, so more like an authoritative guide to the matter in perhaps an encyclopedic arrangement. As the book arrived at my doorsteps, you can imagine my surprise when I found out that it is a bible in the most literal sense. Everybody should have several spare copies of the good ol' conventional bible tucked away in their bottom shelf, quickly gathering dust. I am sure your church-going friends would have given you a trusty New International Version or even the impossible-to-decipher King James Version. Maybe you might have heard Bono from U2 recommending the Message, which is in very trendy street language, and accidentally got a copy of that. True, the Poverty and Justice Bible is in the Contemporary English Version, different from any other versions I already own and apparently, in everyday English, is a very easy read. But then a bible is a bible, how different can it be? I honestly already have a copy too many.

But as soon as I started flipping through it, I can see how it is distinctive from the normal adaptations. They went through the trouble of highlighting every bit in the bible that mentions poverty and justice (more than 2,100 passages!), so that you can get a quick feel of what the oldest book has to say on the issue. Smacked in the middle of the book was exactly what I expected the entire book to be: definitions of important words relating to poverty and justice, and some to do list for us to execute. At the beginning and the end of the book there are also small sections that tries to give you some background to the stories. What's more? They do urge you to pick up your highlighter and customise your copy to tailor to your views and needs.

Published by World Vision, this book gives quite a bit of food for thought. For example, they have mentioned that back in ancient Israel, each new king was expected to write out a copy of the law. Why? To remind him to rule the kingdom according to what the law requires of him! Can you imagine the head of state ever wanting to single-handedly copy all the legislation and ordinance out, word by word? Or can you picture the CEO of a listed company replicating the full version of their Memorandum and Articles of Association? This is what true leadership really means: to know what rules you have to abide to, meticulously.

They offer quite down-to-earth action plans as well. To actively help those who don't know better or don't have the resources to build better sanitation systems, they recommend that we gave a look down the gutter, and imagine sleeping next to it. Well, that is a bit of a nasty shock, but how can we actually help? Try placing a coin box in our bathroom. Every time we use the toilet, make ourselves pay a toilet toll. At the end of the month, send the toll we have collected off to a charity that builds toilets for people who need them.

So as they suggested, get your copy here, pick up your highlighter, stop reading the Bible as a noun and, instead, start living it out as a verb.

Jetsetter's Vintage Finds - Interview with Charlotte Hwang, Co-founder of The9thMuse

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:04:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 3 July 2012.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of meeting up with Charlotte Hwang from The9thMuse, a quaint little store right above Hyde that offers some unique yet daring fashion and home accessories, with a contrasting variety of styles from all corners of the world to suit each and every one of us. Charlotte will clue us into how she and her business partner Jing thoughtfully sought all the vintage, fair trade, and bespoke pieces on shelf, as well as their desire to allow every woman to shine through with their own blend of good taste.

Charlotte, tell me your story!

Well, Jing and I met in high school at America. After that, we went onto the Boston University together, with me studying hotel management and Jing studying business. We moved back to Hong Kong after graduation, where I came to the position of Operations Director at Foodlink, a charity that focuses upon mitigating hunger in Hong Kong, while Jing is the Managing Partner for a solid-wood furniture and guitar manufacturing company in China. Though being a fund raiser targeting around $1.8m annually keeps me rather busy, Jing and I still manage to spend lots of time together.

So one day, over a cup of coffee, the idea of The9thMuse just pounced onto us. It kept us so excited that a year and a half down the line in March 2012, our first shop in Central was ready for visit! Both of us absolutely adore each and every piece we source, and though it was hard work to get our fashion and home accessories collection together, I had a terrific time partnering with Jing, since I get to concentrate on the store front and marketing, while Jing can work more on the technical side.

So what is The9thMuse all about?

The9thMuse means you are your own goddess of muse. It is basically all about you mixing and matching around to create your unique style. Fashion to us is more than just following trends. It is about standing out and carrying what we are passionate about. Aside from our vintage finds, we also stock exquisite designer pieces like jewelry from Chris Habana and accessories by House of Harlow 1960, which, coincidentally, selected items from these brands are currently on sale! We have some new stuff in store recently, including necklaces from local collection Tangram and vintage-inspired pieces by Juliet & Company.

Starting a fashion business with my best friend is certainly lots of fun, especially since we get to decorate our shop in our favourite style – the laid back country home, lined with rustic wood and brick wall. It is rather strategically located, being right above Hyde, so my friends just keep on coming over to pick me up from work, and we simply head straight down for a chill drink. What's more? We partnered up with Luxus Beauty just down the road in the Loop, so after some therapeutic shopping, my friends always trot over to pamper their skin with a well-deserved facial!

And which is your favourite piece in the shop?

My style is definitely more on the casual side. To me, feeling good is the most important factor contributing towards looking good. If a piece is flattering but uncomfortable, chances are you will look very agitated in it. There are two fashion accessories I just simply can’t live without though - friendship bracelets and black diamonds.

Currently high on my lust list are the sun glasses we have in store, from the iconic Aussie Le Specs to the glamorous Elizabeth and James to the super edgy TRIWA. Honestly, what I long for changes all the time, since each piece we carry is either an one-of-a-kind vintage or at a very limited quantity. If you really like what you see, you will have to get it on the spot. Otherwise, it might just get sold out next time you are back. Best part of it? You will never get the chance of bumping into others wearing the same thing!

Some of our best sellers include delicate necklaces from Rachel White's Demitasse line, the immaculately-crafted leather bags by Halo which is great for those who are always on the go, as well as handcrafted bags from Wayúu Tayá, a foundation that supports the indigenous people from Latin America. Our cotton scarves from Wintercheck Factory are also super practical, with little pouches on both ends for you to keep some spare change. Fancy decorating your home? We also have some beautiful velvet hand printed cushion covers from Aviva Stanoff and amazing scents from Tokyo Milk.

Do you guys have any goals for The9thMuse?

I am definitely looking forward to our upcoming sourcing trip in Bangkok! We will be directing our attention to our online shop, with free shipping all over Hong Kong and exciting summer raffles on our Facebook fan page. Hopefully the time will come when we are able to afford a ground floor shop!

The9thMuse

Address: Unit 1204, 12/F, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central.

Telephone: 2537 7598

Email: info@the9thmuse.com

Website: the9thmuse.com

Dressing Up for the Heat

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:55:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 26 June 2012.

Now that you have pampered your skin and glammed up your flat, isn't it just the perfect time to bulk up your wardrobe with some special 2012 Spring/Summer pieces? Here are some of the secret finds I have stumbled upon recently:

Clothing

Book of Deer is a super new brand by a young Scottish-Chinese fashion designer, Eilidh Ho. Based in Hong Kong, she aims to bring to life a dreamy collection filled with chiffon pieces, digitally-printed with her girly hand-drawn illustrations, each attempting to tell a different fairytale.

Seed Heritage has whipped up a road trip selection for this season, mixing classic staples with edgy embellished pieces, making sure you are ready to rock your summer holidays. They have touched the mundane skinny jeans with a palette of vibrant colours, from emerald to vermillion to marigold, so you can spice up your wardrobe with something that you can be sure you will get to wear in lots of different occasions. Are you in need of a party look? Their bold, sparkling sequined tank will definitely translate your casual luxe flair accurately.

Accessories

Wellendorff, an intricate German jewelry brand, offers a beautiful selection for the upcoming season. Their Angel of the Night collection, which comes in earrings and bracelets, embraces gentle curves that represent the angel's wings, and tastefully combines playfulness with timelessness.

Pure Dead Brilliant, introduced by the adventurous peeps behind Pretty Dangerous, offers some unique gold, silver, and brass jewelry for us lucky boys and girls in Hong Kong. Their designer, Nora Logan, grew up in Hong Kong, London and New York, and subsequently lived in Florence, Scotland, Paris, and Bali. She conjured up a collection that reflects her global tribe background, while tapping into Bali's rich local resources.

Celebrating the Italian Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:55:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 25 June 2012.

Two weeks ago marked the opening of the Italian Film Festival, and there is nothing in the world that could deter us from participating! Michelle and I eagerly rushed over to their night long celebration on Thursday, 7 June 2012, which kicked off with a wonderful cocktail at W Hotel's lovely Sing Yin Restaurant. After tucking in some mouthwatering canapés and Italian wines, we headed over to the Grand Cinema at Elements to watch I Love You in Every Language of the World by Italian director Leonardo Pieraccioni, whom they are paying tribute to this year. He also played the male protagonist in the film, and the comedy was lighthearted and entertaining, making a great watch after a long day of mind-draining work.

The film festival comes under the big bracket of Italian 2012: Quality & Lifestyle, a initiative by Italian Chamber of Commerce, covering everything from the theatre to music to gastronomy. A tavola, literally meaning come to the table, is their attempt to bring over an authentic selection of regional dishes, so that we lucky Hong Kongers can sample the variety and richness in lesser known Italian regional cuisines.

Newly introduced this year to their events list is the Design Italiani: the Taste of Class, which brings you to cocktails around the most renowned Italian showrooms in town, aiming to shed light upon the values and peculiarities of Italian designs over a decent glass of Italian wine. There is almost a cocktail every other day from now till the end of June, so whether you are a designer or not, don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity!

Domestic Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:55:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 27 June 2012.

Now don't just give yourself a makeover for the summer, give your home some touch up as well! Pick out something that is bold and beautiful, and give your most intimate pad a well-deserved face lift.

Delightfull, an innovative brand from Portugal, injects elegance into each of their pieces, making your home tastefully unique. The latest addition to their Heritage collection, Clark Suspension, adds a touch of melodrama to your otherwise homogeneous Hong Kong flat. Entirely made of brass, it resembles that of a trumpet, as it was inspired by the jazzy forties. It will definitely go well with a track by Ray Charles and a decent glass of single malt on rocks.

Moooi, on the other hand, is a comprehensive home furnishing brand from Netherlands, with a huge variety of sparkling glamour in their collection. I love this colourful cabinet set, made entirely of solid pine wood, which is subsequently hand stained and brilliantly painted to reflect the beauty of old Frankish furniture. Their three-seater is great for those who likes a bit of change every so often to brighten up the day, since they offer dozens of different covers for you to match your sofa with your mood, your style, or even your dress!

Finally, Loveramics, a funky Hong Kong ceramics brand, aims to put some real edgy pieces on your dining table, adding a bit of style subtly. Their Crackle collection is a modern take on the classic Chinese tea cup. The cup was actually broken into pieces by their design team and carefully assembled back to create a beautiful and interesting shape. Their Flutter collection, alternatively, was inspired by the classic Chinese landscape paintings, blending surreal floral patterns within the silhouette of hummingbirds.

Amenpapa's 2012 Spring/Summer Collection - Let There Be Light

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:59:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 29 June 2012.

Amenpapa, a Hong Kong startup that fuses inspiration messages with I.T-esque designs, has been stepping up their game with their latest collection - Let There Be Light. Their mastermind, Salina, along with their talented designers Lulu and Illusteven, whipped up a bright and colourful collection for the upcoming season, with an occasional touch of the playful neon colours, bringing a dash of light into our boring ol' lives.

Their past few seasons were bombarded with casual wear, but this time they are determined to conjure more choices for those who work in an office setting. Blending pastel colours into traditional work wear like this baby blue boyfriend jacket is super dreamy, adding a dab of spring to the otherwise black n' white office. Paired with their flattering animal patterned pencil skirt, the look will definitely make you the center of attention!

Amenpapa has a huge collection of amen tee, but this is the first time they put that particular design into a collared shirt, which is fit for even the office. With baby blue words on white fabric, you can practically feel summer slithering your way. Their maxi dresses, on the other hand, can be entirely tailored to your specific needs. The dress is created deliberately without any hem so that you can alter it to suit your style or height, going from a chill maxi dress to a skimpy mini!

Casual pieces are still made available in this collection, such as this leopard patterned amen tunic, which would go rather well with pair of plain skinny black jeans or an ankle length black dress. Finding some decent lounge wear? Their subtle and comfy cross pattern tee will just do the trick.

This brand has been a big hit since its very beginning and has gained lots of starlet followers, with the most notable being Vaness Wu, Fiona Sit, and Sammi Cheung. Look how swank they look in the sizzling hot 2012 Spring/Summer pieces!

They will be diverging into accessories, so in the coming years, you will see lots more clutches, scarves, and other lifestyle products! Although we have been mainly covering their women's wear, they actually have a huge range of men's wear too. Browse through their collection online or head over to their retail outlets around Hong Kong, while waiting for the launch of their flagship store, which should be due anytime now!

Amenpapa
Available from Harvey Nicols, Ztampz, Cocktail, Bauhaus
Address: 24B Success Commercial Building, 245 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
Telephone: 2542 2344
Email: info@amenpapa.com
Website: http://www.amenpapa.com/

Beauté de L'été - Caring for Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Published exclusively in this site on 7 June 2012.

Summer is definitely on its way. What have you got up your sleeves to protect that delicate body of yours from the glaring sun and heat? Between the ultraviolet rays and dehydration, you will have to work hard on preparing for a fun and ravishing summer. Here's what you can shield yourself with:

Face - Bare Minerals

If you have taken a peek at the Story of Cosmetics, you will know investing in Bare Minerals' makeup is well worth it. After all, where can you get a starter kit with several full size brushes, pots of powder foundations and makeup base primer for a steal? As somebody with super sensitive skin and develops rash at the slightest hint of impurity, I swear by Bare Minerals, which is formulated without any preservatives or harsh chemicals. It might be a little daunting at first to find all their products to be in the form of powder, and to begin with I was unsure of how well it will stick on. To my surprise, their foundation and concealer offers amazing coverage, without the sticky feeling from liquid foundation or cream concealer.

This year, they decided to extend their natural line of products into skincare, with ingredients that is clinically proven to have extraordinary antioxidant capacity, which reduces pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, bringing you the brighter, younger skin you have always been craving for. As their VIP customer (yes, I am the proud owner of every single product they have ever manufactured, from their non-smudge eyeliner to their powder sun block), they invited me to their skincare collection launch party at the French Window to find out more.

As soon as I heard of their Blemish Remedy, I rushed to their closest shop and got my hands on a pot. Usually your regular acne cure is in forms of liquid, so if you had full makeup on it is pretty much impossible to pat some on without messing up your look. This baby is entirely different, since it is essentially tea tree oil and aloe vera in a powder form. Not only does it heals and prevents future breakouts, it also effectively conceals any blots and redness on your skin. It is something you can just tuck in your hand bag and pull it out just whenever you need it. And though it is powder, it isn't makeup, so you can pat on loads overnight to get rid of that undesirable spots before your big date!

I got my Dad to try out their Hydrate/Nourish Moisturizer and their Active Cell Renewal Night Gel. The moisturizer is a lotion and toner two-in-one, and it is so light-weighted that it can be used in the day before your makeup primer or at night before your night gel. The night gel, on the other hand, is a treatment that hydrates and firms your skin all in one stroke. My Dad likes how it isn't very sticky like other moisturisers of the same strength, and yet it still provides the same results. We were also pleasantly surprised by just how good a deal all their products were!

Their Hydrating Milk Cleanser is somewhat of a miracle too, since it cleans up my pores thoroughly without creating an elastic feeling. I haven't seen their Daily Defense SPF 30 PA++ around their shops yet, but I am certainly looking forward to find out more about it soon!

Hair - Fredrick Fekkai

Hair care is just as important as skincare, though it is often ignored. Why would you use expensive luxury skincare products on your body when you are just smacking cheap supermarket stuff on your hair? Doesn't make much sense, right? I recently ran into Fredrick Fekkai's luxurious brand in Joyce Beauty, and the store's VIP hair stylist Carr Cheng helped me try out what suits my hair best. Also the stylist of Angelababy, Karen Mok, and Khalil Fong, he recommended me to try Fredrick Fekkai's anti-frizz cream and volume mousse, which guarantees miracle for Hong Kong's notorious summers.

Although the brand is quite new in Hong Kong, it is wildly popular in the States, with starlet followers including Sandra Bullock. Though they do have regular stuff like shampoo and conditioner, their most famous product would have to be their overnight mask, which is like what Creme de la Mer is to the hair products world. While nourishing, the mask is light so it won't soil your pillow case. Great for the overly sun-exposed hair in summer!

Body - Dermes and Fair Circle

With all the boat trips coming up, you can't afford having odd bits of hair sticking out of your arms and legs. Head over to Dermes to remove the undesirable hair permanently! Its uber clinical decor reflects just how safe and professional they are, leaving you squeaky clean after their treatment. It can't get more hassle free than this. Register here now for a free trial, and bin that shaver of yours forever!

Don't forget to stock up on the pumice for a pre-boat trip scrub, the scentless organic shower gel for getting rid of the salt water during the boat trip, and a dab of the aloe vera for the unfortunate case of sunburn. All of those are available from Fair Circle, the city's very own online fair trade shop.

Nuffnang's June Featured Blogger

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 16:30:00 +0000

First published in Nuffnang on 1 June 2012.

I am Gillian, a Hong Kong based Canadian blogger who keeps a local lifestyle blog. Since writing is not my day job, I must say this has been a very humbling experience, and I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to take a glimpse of what the glamorous editorial world is like. I have never even thought of keeping a blog until December 2010, when my friend Erica invited me to go to a fashion show with her on behalf of the online magazine she represents, and casually asked if I could do the write up for the evening, which gave a kick start to my guest contribution with Lifestyle Asia. On February 2011, after several months of guest contributing on various online magazines and blogs, I decided to keep my own blog on top of writing for others, pretty much because I have just way too much to write about than an occasional guest post.

我Gillian是駐香港的加拿大籍博客，而寫作題材多數環繞時裝、藝術及旅遊。由於寫作是我的興趣而不是職業，所以我很慶幸能夠有機會一嘗為生活雜誌獻稿的滋味。為Lifestyle Asia寫文之前，我從來都無想過要做博客。但當時好友兼Lifestyle Asia編輯Erica需要有人幫手寫幾篇派對報導，所以就因此開展了我的博客生涯。

Shortly after establishing my own blog, I was excited as we began receiving invites for cool events, which obviously my friends accompanied me to, both for ogling at the latest art and fashion, as well as stuffing our faces with yummy canapés and bubblies. After going through all the photo shooting and modeling, Jasmine, Jessie, and Keely, my best friends as well as diehard fans of the blog, decided they wanted a piece of the action as well and started contributing guest posts to my blog, each focusing on their very own interests and expertise. The entire journey was more a discovery of old friends and making new ones, because interviewing my friends has allowed me learn a lot more about their recent changes in life, and heading to parties with them is an awesome way to catch up, as well as meeting new friends through interviews and parties, which interestingly, we usually are able to find a handful of common friends!

在博客成立的初期，我們已經收到很多邀請去不同的時裝和藝術派對。我的好友們Jasmine、Jessie和Keely在多次陪同我到處採訪後，都想通過博客分享他們的知識，所以今年開始他們都有在我的博客裡面寫專欄。做博客其實就是不斷地跟朋友們敘舊及認識新的朋友。透過訪問我的朋友以及和他們一起去採訪時，我有機會跟他們傾到近況；而通過採訪，我也認識了很多新朋友，亦很多時候發現我們之間其實已經有很多共同認識的人。

So what is the best part about blogging? It is pretty cool to be able to call myself a blogger, and definitely super encouraging seeing a steady increase in visits to my blog as well as in email subscription to my newsletter. Best of all, because I need to find stuff to write about, I have been discovering shops worthy of purchases from all around town as well as new innovations that is just totally eye opening! Blogging entirely changed my worldview - everywhere I go and everything I encounter now I would think, hmm, is this bloggable?

做博客，除了看到穩定的增長外，最開心的就是因利成便，能發掘到新穎的發明和買到特別的產品。我的博客完全改變了我對事物的看法──現在我每到一處、每見一事，我都會想，這個讀者會感興趣嗎？

At the beginning of my blogging career, I have always imagined that one day I will run out of stuff to write about and that will be the end of everything. But surprisingly, that day simply never came. Ideas just kept on coming, to a point where I never have enough time to finish writing everything. The biggest challenge with blogging, I must say, is that it does hijack my life quite a bit. Although I love the events going and even the writing itself, I feel like I don't have much time for anything else. I am trying to learn to strike a balance this year though.

由寫作初期開始，我都一直在等待靈感枯乾的一天。那一日不但一直未到，反而我永遠都是題材多到怎麼寫都寫不完。寫博客最大的困難就是要平衡自己的私人時間，而這也正是我今年努力的目標。

It is difficult for me to choose which piece I like the most, because they are all my babies, and no mom would ever think of their own kids as ugly looking. But a few of my most clicked on posts do include a Singapore travel piece, an interview with Percy on her paper art, and a guide for men in lingerie shopping. This pretty much covers the most significant areas of my blogging interest - Travel, Art, and Fashion.

對我來說，我寫的每一篇都是我的寶貝，所以要我在當中選擇我最喜歡的簡直是不可能。最多人看的反而比較易講，就是星加坡旅遊篇、跟Percy採訪關於他的剪紙藝術以及向男人介紹如購買女性內衣。這三篇亦涵蓋了我寫作範疇的絕大部分，就是旅遊、藝術、時裝。

Michelin Cuisine on the Go

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine Tse) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Published exclusively in this site by Jasmine on 1 June 2012.

As some of you may know, I love to pack my schedule back to back, entirely filled with an assortment boring ol' classes, glamorous events, and fun-filled activities. Sometimes it gets so overwhelming that I don't even have time to eat. When that happens, I always wished that I had something healthy, yummy, and not messy with me. After all, I can't always just grab a cup of shiu mai every time! That is why I was so excited when I recently discovered some neatly packaged goodies that are also good for your body.

Stephen James Luxury Organics produces these awesome granola bars that can constitute a light meal in itself. Each bar actually takes 3 days to make in Macau. Can you believe that? There are six flavors, with some sweet and some savory, so you can have one for lunch, snack or even just desserts.

The savory ones include the Pizza Bar and Tokyo Bar, both of which I think are rather creative. The Pizza Bar is made with organic sundried tomatoes, cashews, olives, and seasoned with Italian spices including basil, oregano and rosemary. It may not be much of a substitute for the real thing, but it is certainly a great way to satisfy your random pizza cravings.

The Tokyo Bar is quite interesting, and you can really taste the sushi roll flavor, with its green tea leaves, nori flakes, ginger, finishing off with a fresh lemon juice kick.

Then comes the dessert bars: Choco Bar, Smart Bar, Berry Bar, and of course, there is a Beauty Bar for the girls. The Choco Bar is actually the first pre-sprouted and dehydrated bar in the world to incorporate raw cacao. It contains hazelnuts, pecans, and is sweetened with coconut flower nectar. Naturally, this was my favorite one - I loved the crunchy texture mixed with the smooth chocolate. And it wasn't too sweet either, which makes it perfect for that guilt-free chocolate fix!

As a law student, what more can I ask for than a Smart Bar? Full of walnuts, pumpkin seeds and Medjool dates, this one claims to give you some brain cells building energizer.

I would eat the Berry Bar before my power yoga class to give me that extra boost for those arm balances. It is made with five different kinds of organic berries - great for those of you who like your fruity granola bars.

Last but not least, the Beauty Bar is another fruity bar, made with raspberry, cherries, Brazil nuts and figs. My dad told me that if you could only eat one thing, it should be figs. Figs are super cleansing for the digestive system, and the raspberries give you the antioxidants for your skin. They can probably also call this the detox bar!

Well there you go, no matter what your schedule is, there is no excuse not to eat healthy anymore. Grab your daily organic meal from Three Sixty or Great!

Blogger Interview with Internations

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:54:00 +0000

First published in Internations on 31 May 2012.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am Gillian, a Hong Kong based Canadian blogger who keeps a local lifestyle blog. I moved back to Hong Kong after my studies and I am totally loving it here!

When and why did you decide to start blogging about your experiences?

I never thought of keeping a blog until December 2010, when my friend Erica invited me to go to events on behalf of Lifestyle Asia, the online magazine she represents, and do the write ups for them. On February 2011, after several months of guest contributing for various online magazines and blogs, I decided to keep my own blog on top of writing for others, because I have just way too much to write about than an occasional guest post.

Do you have any favorite blog entries of yours?

It is difficult for me to choose which piece I like the most, because they are all my babies, but a few of my most clicked on posts do include a Singapore travel piece, an interview with Percy on her paper art, and a guide for men in lingerie shopping. This pretty much covers the most significant areas of my blogging interest - Travel, Art, and Fashion.

Tell us about the ways your new life in Hong Kong differs from that back home. Did you experience culture shock?

Since I am originally from Hong Kong, there isn’t much of a culture shock per se. I am actually rather relieved to be back to a place where everybody is on a hurry. I was quite stressed out when I was still in school, where the queuing, whether it is in banks or at supermarkets, just seems to last forever!

Do you think you were fully prepared for what awaited you in Hong Kong?

Yup I would say so, because I have worked and lived in Hong Kong prior to moving back, I knew what to expect.

Every expat knows that expat life comes with some hilarious anecdotes and funny experiences. Care to share one with us?

I love the Canto-English, stuff like people telling me how they were walking shops, and now are back from the streets. It is just something that would be entirely lost in translation if you didn’t have any Cantonese up your sleeves.

Which three tips would you like to give future expats before they embark on their new life in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is super hectic, so make sure you are well prepared for rushing your way through the crowd. Otherwise, the locals would start shoving to get past you. Change is not only inevitable in Hong Kong, it also happens in a lightening speed, so the quaint shop around the corner you visited just yesterday might be gone tomorrow. Best of all, this city is strategically situated right in the middle of Asia, so take advantage of your time here, and travel around!

How is the expat community in Hong Kong? Did you have a hard time finding like-minded people or fellow expats?

Most of my friends who were studying or working abroad has now either moved back to Hong Kong or over to Shanghai for the job opportunities, so I don’t have much trouble finding fellow expats. I have met lots of colleagues who are locals, and we get along rather well, mainly because I grew up here and I speak fluent Cantonese.

How would you summarize your expat life in Hong Kong in a single, catchy sentence?

Expat life in Hong Kong is busy, glamorous, and all about trying new things!

Fashion Literacy for Non-Fashion Majors

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 27 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 30 May 2012.

If you are like me and haven't had the luxury of going through formal fashion training, where can you pick up some foolproof tips on styling? Here are some of my bedtime reading materials:

Parisian Chic - a Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange is an all-in-one French style and beauty guide by their beloved celebrity model Ines de la Fressange. Through this book, she lists out Parisian women's well kept secrets on being effortlessly chic, with her daughter Nine d'Urso modeling out different fashion staples that every French woman has tucked in her wardrobe. This book is well worth the money I put in, as there are quite a few tips that I found particularly useful. One of those would be when you shop in H&M, people would easily be able to identify which piece you are wearing is from that particular brand. So how can you stand out from the crowd? Instead of shopping at their women's section, why not check out their men's collection? You might just be able to pick up something that is fashionable yet a bit less commonly worn, giving you a touch of a boyish look that the Parisian women are just so proud of.

She also points out some very obvious beauty tips that we tend to neglect. For example, you must get your teeth professionally cleaned twice annually. If you can spend that much time and money doing facials and makeup, surely you can spare an hour every six months to keep something so blatantly on your face sparkling white. She also hands you her rundown on how to be a charming hostess without slaving away behind the stove, then goes on a bit further in offering tips on home decor, as well as where to shop, eat, stay, and sight-see around Paris, including a few in-the-know online shops. This book guarantees to be of great help, whether or not you intend to visit Paris anytime soon.

衣慳飾儉 - 超實用置裝術 (in Chinese), on the other hand, is a locally published fashion guide by academics Professor Elita Lam and Dr. Wing-sun Liu. A gift from my Dad, this book focuses on how you could make the most out of a tight budget. It covers everything from work wear to casual clothing, with the staples listed out clearly so you know what are the must-haves for your daily look. It is a great book for those who are shopping on a shoestring. What's more? It also lists out a few tips on how to dress according to your shape to bring out your best assets. It makes a terrific place to turn for some interesting fashion trivia and suggestions on what to wear for a normal workweek.

The Fashion Dictionary, edited by Guido Vergani, is a gift I got from the Swank at their joint event with the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and it has become my reference point whenever I bump into any fashion jargons I have never heard of before. I especially love the delicate sketches it has for illustrating fashion trends and who's who in the industry, all in alphabetical order. From the origins of fashion to the current artistic styles, over 100 renowned contributors strive to explain more than 4,500 fashion related terms in concise journalistic language. That is what makes this dictionary indispensable if you are anything from a fashion junkie to a professional stylist.

For example, their definition of ballet flats, something I wear practically on a daily basis, would be "light, flat and very low-cut footwear, inspired by those worn by ballet dancers. They were introduced in France by Repetto, an American firm specialised in dance wear. The idea was taken up by Capezio, who created the patent-leather ballet flats with ankle ribbons. In the 1950s, launched on the cinema screen by Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn, they were back in fashion, especially for Summer, in colours matching the dress. In 1977, Saint Laurent had his models wear ballet flats. Ten years earlier Roger Vivier had created for him the pilgrim's ballet flat, decorated with a gold metal brooch, which sold thousands of pieces." Now isn't it interesting to find out more about what we just simply take for granted?

Shoe Love - In Pop Up, by Jessica Jones, is a gift I got from Jenny for my birthday, which, with its adorable pop-up shoes, swiftly became one of my Mom's favourites. It explains the history of shoes though some super amazing pop-ups and trivial facts, reminding me of the interactive kiddies storybooks, only this one is more for those with a shoe fetish than a childlike mind. As Bette Midler said, "give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world", so find out where to begin your conquest by studying this fun yet practical guide!

Modern Twist to China’s Oldest Port - Escape to Guangzhou

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in Spree Luxe on 24 May 2012.

The “New” New Industrial China

Guangzhou is one of the earliest ports open for foreign trade in China, so it is somewhere you can expect to see western influences dating back centuries ago. Revisit modern day Guangzhou and discover its history.

STAY Grand Hyatt Guangzhou Hotel
A new-ish hotel with spectacular decor and view, the Grand Hyatt is located in the heart of the new town, within walking distance to many tourist spots and the city’s metro network. The design of the hotel rooms is uber chic, utilizing every inch of the marble floor and creating a spacious effect.

REVIVE Spell and Spa
The ultimate spa retreat in town, with everything you can imagine from foot massage to Chinese massage. The service also comes with a 24/7 buffet, private resting areas, and state-of-the-art jacuzzi facilities.

TOUR Guangdong Museum
An art/history museum combo that is comprehensive, enjoyable, and free. Though you don’t need to pay to enter, they do limit the number of visitors per day to ensure the experience is interactive and didactic. Don’t miss their slabink stone gallery, a Chinese version of inkwells. They have an area for you to touch different stones, which has different effects on the ink, as well as showcasing a series of artwork created on the slabs inspired by its natural texture and pattern.

PRAY Sacred Heart Cathedral
A historical architecture for the congregation as well as the tourists, it is the oldest cathedral in town that is still in full action. It is known for being the set of TVB’s wildly famous drama, No Regrets, and stands out among the rather Chinese looking residential buildings surrounding it.

FEAST Yan China
Flavours from all over the country available in one classy restaurant, it offers mainly the Shanghainese style cooking, with a dash of taste from other Chinese cuisines as well. They have your regular Shanghainese dishes such as rice cakes and kaofu, plus their portions are rather dainty, so you can order quite a few different ones and sample a variety of delicacies in one go.

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou Hotel
http://guangzhou.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?null
12 Zhujiang West Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, PRC.
+ 86 20 8396 1234

Spell and Spa
http://www.spellandspa.com/
78 Zhongshan 2 Road Caiyuan East Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, PRC.
+ 86 020 3762 0988 / + 86 020 3762 0288

Guangdong Museum
http://www.gdmuseum.com/
2 Zhujiang West Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, PRC.
+ 86 020 3804 6886

Sacred Heart Cathedral
56 Yide Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, PRC.

Yan China
Guangzhou Tee Mall Plaza, 208 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, PRC.
+86 20 8559 0116

Playing with Futures - Art HK 12

noreply@blogger.com (Keely Hung) — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Published exclusively in this site by Keely on 24 May 2012.

For the fifth consecutive year, Art HK 12 has been injecting our city with a dose of annual artistic flair, and this year our creative shot took place last weekend at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

I was super excited when Gillian asked me to write about this leading Asian art fair, and during my visit, their Art Futures section certainly caught my eye, as they presented 35 of the world’s youngest galleries and the emerging artists they represent. I particularly like how they focused upon artists younger than 35, since it provides an opportunity for us as the audience to be inspired by new techniques and daring ideas. Now who says artists can only be well known after death?

Backstage: Onscreen by Sumakshi Singh

One of my favourite pieces from the exhibition, this installation merges 2D drawings into a huge illusory space, making everything look intensely real. When I stepped on the set, it was very surreal to see myself in the live video projection, moving through what visually seems to be actual 3D objects!

Hwigyeong series, by Juree Kim

This quaint selection was named after the artist's residential area in Seoul, demonstrating the gradual disappearance of her neighbourhood due to urban transformation. It reminds me of the beautiful historic houses in New Territories being demolished and transforms into homogenous luxury skyscrapers by our city's almighty property developers.

Recaptured series, by Saad Qureshi

This London based young artist had set up a scene inside a drawer, presenting landscapes from his fragmented memories of the past.

Now, isn't it wonderful to take a break from all the fabulous art spotting, and indulge in a glass of Veuve Clicquot?

Art Futures - Art HK 12
Website: http://www.hongkongartfair.com/eng/exhibitors/art-futures/80/
Email: info@hongkongartfair.com

Off the Beaten Track - Spoon Art Fair 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:55:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 23 May 2012.

While everyone else was crowding over at Art HK 12 yesterday, Charmaine and I quietly slipped through to Grand Hyatt Hong Kong next door for a VIP docent tour of the brand new Spoon Art Fair 2012. Organised by the same peeps who coordinated the wonderful Asia Top Gallery Hotel Art Fair 2012, Spoon Art Fair 2012 was also set in the context of hotel rooms, provided a channel for young artists worldwide to present their collection, and enlightened the Hong Kong audience with a whole new perspective of art.

Charmaine and I promptly arrived to their VIP lounge on the 15th floor at 4:00pm yesterday, 20 May 2012, where the tour began. We were greeted by James, their trained docent and a graduate of Art and Art History from the University of Edinburgh, who gave us some background on the concept behind Spoon Art Fair 2012. It was actually intended to be a satellite fair of the big one next door, and instead of presenting masterpieces from already established artists, the Spoon Air Fair 2012 aimed at promoting artworks of young and emerging artists, giving them an opportunity to display their talents abroad. The reason the fair was named spoon is because the cutlery itself is a rather functional utensil that is used both in the East and the West, reflecting how art is actually a necessity in our daily lives, bridging cross-cultural communications.

After a brief introduction, James ushered us around the 15th floor, weaving in and out of the different galleries that he is particularly fond of. It made an exciting opportunity for us to find out the stories behind the exhibiting art works through the gallery managers and artists' elaborations. Kim sun-young's sculptures, though I have seen it around before in other exhibitions, I never sought to find out what her intentions were in putting lots of salt inside what looks like handbags. The idea actually came from the oldest book - the Bible. In Matthew 5:13, it says you are the salt of the earth. The artist tries to portray each of our individuality through her artwork, showing that the designer bags we carry don't define who we are, but rather, it is what we carry inside that matters the most.

We also got a thorough talk from the gallery manager from Art Beatus Gallery and Ohshima Fine Art, and I must say, the hotel setting does do some piece better justice. Take Funai Misa's mirrors for example - if they were placed in confined white walls, you would never be able to visualise just how good it would look on the windows, with the backdrop of our beautiful harbour. Having the exhibition in hotel rooms not only enables us to easily translate how the art would look like in a domestic context, it also allows a dialogue between us the visitors and the artists. Since the exhibitors stay in their hotel rooms after the visiting hours, the lower budget gives promising artists a chance to tour regionally and gain more exposure, as well as us the option of getting to know more about different artistic styles. Either way it is a win-win situation. Anticipating for next year's show already? Email the organisers here for timely updates!

Gourmet Art - Art HK 12 X Mandarin Oriental

noreply@blogger.com (Jasmine Tse) — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Published exclusively in this site by Jasmine on 18 May 2012.

It is May again, which means everyone in Hong Kong is getting their annual art fix at Art HK 12 and Le French May! I can just feel our city buzzing with activity and excitement. I don’t know about you, but I am completely OD-ing on art this week, since I managed to cram several art events in my schedule before leaving for an exotic holiday in Mauritius.

After catching the rather entertaining production of Bizet’s Carmen with the girls, I moved onto finding out more about Mandarin Oriental’s input for Art HK 12. As the designated hotel for Art HK, they sure have got an uber creative art-inspired menu by chef Uwe Opocensky at the Mandarin Grill + Bar, which is topped off with a fantastic art installation exhibition by Tang Kwok-hin at the Clipper Lounge, and an assortment of special Art HK 12 cocktails at the M Bar!

As one of Hong Kong’s best known young contemporary artists, Tang Kwok Hin is increasingly gaining attention in the international art scene. On last Monday, 14 May 2012, I was lucky enough to be invited to Mandarin Oriental for indulging in their luxurious tea experience at the classic Clipper Lounge with the artist himself, as he gave us a detailed tour through his latest collection, I call you Nancy.

Nancy is actually Hin’s fictitious sister, and the exhibition is like taking our childhood imaginary friend to the extreme. For the theme of this collection, he was inspired by his mother, who gave up a daughter 25 years ago, and the collection tells the story of what he imagines her life to be like. The collages are amazingly detailed, and it leaves us wondering what their life together would have been otherwise. Hin used 4 layers of glass for each collage, placing different cutouts on each layer to create a sense of depth. Each cutout had to be measured before printing so that they would fit together, making each piece incredibly intricate.

One of the most touching pieces was the video of Hin’s mother looking through a photo album of filled with Nancy. You could really feel her longing for the child she never knew of as she slowly flipped through the pages. The album is actually a collage of photographs you would get from Google images when you search for the word Nancy. Hin incorporates googling quite heavily into his creative process because the fact that anyone anywhere inputting the same word would get the same search results really fascinates him.

As you walk through the displays, you will catch glimpses of Nancy's daily life, from her desk and computer, with her screen showing a Google image search, to her stamp collection, to her working life, and ultimately to her dreams and aspirations.

As Hin was creating his collages, he realized that he was slowly merging his own personality with Nancy's. Bits and pieces of him appeared in the collages too, including pictures of his own childhood toys.

I really love how personal the collection is, I could tell that Hin gave much thought into what was to be included, and every cutout had its reasons to be there. The whole collection is very cohesive, since the pieces are all interconnected. If you paid enough attention, you will even notice that the names on the map of his fictitious world correspond to the photos of places that Nancy had visited. The whole installation is a journey; you can’t just look at one part of it without referencing upon the other pieces.

While Hin was admiring one of his favorites in the collection - a collage depicting 24 different Nancys, I was sampling the perfect combo: art + dessert. Cakes from the Clipper Lounge's classic tea set inspired by Hin's art include the American cheese cake, the chocolate ganache, and the layered coffee butter cream cake. And don't forget to try their scones with the renowned rose petal jam. Hin's I Call You Nancy will be displayed at the Clipper Lounge from now until Saturday, 26 May 2012. Definitely worth checking out!

Tips for visiting Art HK 12

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:39:00 +0000

Published exclusively in this site on 17 May 2012.

For this year's Art HK 12, which started with its vernissage on Wednesday, 16 May 2012, and will continue through to the weekend, there are a few galleries that I am determined to take a good look at. One of those would be Simon Lee Gallery, a leading international gallery specialising in contemporary art. They decided to break through their comfort zone in London and venture towards Asia by building themselves a new base on the third floor of Pedder Building earlier this year.

A few weeks ago, despite heavy rain, I managed to make it over to their gallery to meet up with Katherine, their Asia Director. She is super nice and obviously knows a lot about the industry, well, enough to clue me into who's who. After she finished her studies in Cape Town, Paris, Florence, and London, she started working with the original Simon Lee Gallery in London, where she acquired her knowledge and skills in the contemporary arts market. As she followed her family to Hong Kong, Simon knew she was a gem he can't afford to lose, and decided to let her to start up a branch of their gallery in Hong Kong. Much to our benefit, I would say.

As I stepped into their gallery, the first thing I noticed was how incredibly bright and intimate they have created their space. They have very few pieces on display, and Katherine said that it is totally intentional. They wanted to conjure up a place that we could drop by once every so often, where she would personally take us through each piece they carefully selected with their informed perspective. The entire experience is focused on pushing boundaries and encouraging cultural dialogue.

They are currently exhibiting new works from renowned American artist Sherrie Levine, who has never exhibited in Asia before. Her pieces are super intricate, and with the one they have on in their gallery, False God, she did a bronze cast of every bone and pieced it back together, which questions what art really means. I don't know what they have in mind for their Art HK 12 displays yet, but I am certainly very curious in finding out!

Another venture I am super excited about for this year's Art HK 12 is Lightbombs, which features contemporary artworks from Philippines, Australia, New York, and Hong Kong. They will have shuttle buses to take you from Art HK 12 to their pop-up showroom in Chai Wan, and their opening cocktail starts tonight, so make use of their shuttle buses and visit both exhibitions all in one evening! Email them here for further details.

How to Spend a Frugal Weekend in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in China Travel Blog on 8 May 2012.

Hong Kong is as materialistic as it can get, but we do offer some non-shopping alternatives for those who would like to explore the city's natural scenery. No, surprisingly, Hong Kong isn't just made up of shopping malls. In fact, it is famous for packing the beaches and mountains along with its central business district all within an hour's ride. We even get travelers that come over especially for the hiking and surfing. Here are a few secret hideaways known mainly to the locals:

Kowloon Walled City Park is right on the site where the locals stood against the Brits centuries ago and won victoriously. During the early colonial era, since the police had no right to patrol within the walls, it was infamous for gangsters and junkies. Now, the notorious settlement has been all cleared out, and the Hong Kong government has built a quaint Chinese style garden right on top of it, with a wee museum inside describing the curious history of the land. Kowloon City was also once where our city's airport was situated, which is why there is a huge variety of cuisine available for sampling. The park is relatively close to Islam Food, which does authentic juicy beef buns at an unbelievable price, so it isn't something you can afford to miss!

Wanna know where else is cheap and cheerful in town? Read the rest of the article at China Travel Blog!

Stanley Dragon Boat Race might only happen annually at Tuen Ng Festival, but you can count on the paddlers to be rowing all year round to keep their physique up. Head over to Stanley Main Beach during the weekends to watch them in action, and you might even be lucky enough to see them breaking off into races. This is an awesome alternative as oppose to getting squashed by a million other spectators on the race day, and you also get the luxury of catching up with the athletes at the Pizza Club. Done with all the dragon spotting? Spend the rest of the day sunbathing at the Stanley beach while munching on Si Yik's renowned French toast and Kaya toast. If you haven't tried the local dai pai dong before, this will be a great place to start!

Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defense is right on the tip of Lei Yue Mun Passage, commanding a spectacular view of the Victoria Harbour. Once a fort that played the role of protecting the city, it is built in a rather sturdy and unassuming manner, with lots of bomb shelters throughout the bushes. After exploring Hong Kong's past, why not stroll back over to Shau Kei Wan for a bowl of fish ball noodles that even the Honkies would travel across the island for? On Lee Noodles is known for their Chiu Chow style fish balls, which are promised to be made in the most traditional way with fresh fish every morning, ensuring you are getting the best deal out of it.

Finally, if you are in Hong Kong, how can you miss out on the hiking scene? Dragon's Back is renowned for its scenic view, and it makes a great place both for hikes and for mountain biking. Be sure to pack your swimming gear for Big Wave Bay, which is just at the end of the hike, and enjoy some nice action in the sea breeze! For some real local treat, why not try Tong Kee Store's instant noodles with assorted toppings? You will be rubbing shoulders with the Honkies in the true local way.

Yummy Mummy - Ideas for Mothers' Day Meals

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 13 May 2012.

I can't believe this weekend is already Mothers' Day. Have you got your plans sorted out yet? Feast in East Hotel will be supplying unforgettable brunch, tea, and dinner experience on the coming Sunday, 13 May 2012, making it a great place for your family to spend quality time together. If you haven't got around to buying flowers for dear Mommy yet, they will give you a place to prepare bouquets! You are already a Mom? Well even better! You will get to redeem an exclusive gift from Shu Uemura with a voucher from their brunch or dinner. The nearest one to East Hotel is just in Cityplaza next door, so you don't need to leave the complex for your gift. There will also be adorable girls from the Jean M Wong School of Ballet performing during brunch hours, so make sure you grab a good seat!

So what is on the menu? For their semi-buffet counters, there will be Boston lobsters and mussels at brunch, as well as freshly shucked oysters at dinner, so be sure to load up on those. Meanwhile, their choices in main dishes covers everyone's needs: Dad, who loves his red meat, can enjoy the pan fried duck breast or marinated rib eye; while Mom, who is all about eating healthy, will savour the seared ocean trout or the sun-dried tomato and red onion penne pasta. To round it off, there will be a dessert buffet table, which is so good I am still reminiscing about all the mini ice-cream cone and chocolate bonbons I had last time I took my parents there.

Don't have time for brunch or dinner? Take your Mom over a quick tea for two, which serves yummy sandwiches, quiche, scones, cakes, tarts...gulp it down with their free-flowing iced fruit tea! Make your reservations for this Sunday here, and spoil your Mom silly in the mega Tai Koo complex. Whether it is visiting Daydreaming with, the latest exhibition at the Artistree, or watching the latest blockbusters at the exclusive UA Director's Club, or even a strolling along the Quarry Bay Park to visit the Alexander Gratham Exhibition Gallery and the Hong Kong Film Archives, I am sure she will appreciate the thought!

Central's more your thing? Usher your Mom over to try out Mandarin Oriental's Michelin-starred Cantonese lunch in Man Wah, with an array of well sought after dim sums and other local dishes. She will even get a special candle from them to take home with her. Also Michelin-starred Mandarin Grill + Bar and the Clipper Lounge, on the other hand, will be offering chill champagne brunches where you and Mommy can sample some seafood specialties as well as the legendary Mandarin breakfast. Your Mom will love their special garment bag or the box of signature chocolate lips she will be receiving. Reserve your table here now!

Nature in Action

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

First published in That's Zhejiang on 1 May 2012.

The best way to appreciate the exotic culture and fabulous scenery in Qinghai Province would be taking a laid back cycling trip around the dazzling Qinghai Lake, which is the largest salt lake in China. During the summer, with the cool temperature in the region, Qinghai attracts loads of tourists from around the country, dragging their bikes and tents over to the Great Northwest for a glimpse of their soothing lake, and here are a few stops that nobody ever misses!

The best way to get to Qinghai is to fly in through its Provincial Capital, Xi Ning, which is accessible to most of the cities in China. In the heart of Xi Ning lies Mo Jia Street, a pedestrian walk filled with authentic treats from juicy Halal beef buns to spicy lamb skewer to native sour yoghurt. The locals are especially skilled in cooking lamb in various imaginative ways, so be sure to try out their lamb thins hotpot as well as their Shou Zhua Yang Rou, literally meaning hand-ripped lamb cutlets. The local cuisine generally verges on the spicy side, and you will find a large variety of spices and snacks that you can pick and choose from, which also make awesome souvenirs to bring back home for an occasional dose of Qinghai.

Right in the heart of Xi Ning, there is an abundant amount of temples in various religions, but you should make your way to Lü Sha Er Town, situated close by to Xi Ning. There lies the Kumbum Monastery, a super famous Tibetian Buddhist temple dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It is merely a short and rather flat ride from Xi Ning, making it an awesome spot to test out your bikes to see if you need to get any extra biking gears from Wang Guo Zhang Cycling Sports Club in Xi Ning City Centre, since when you make it out to Qinghai Lake it will be rather tricky to get any servicing done at that point.

Once you ride up to Qinghai Lake, you will find yourself surrounded by endless Rapeseed Fields. With its beautiful golden shades with alluring fragrance, I am sure you will be making lots of stops to capture the breathtaking scenes. There are also different types of flowers scattered along the landscape, making terrific still life to add to your photographic collection. Nearby the lake there are lots of horses, cows, donkeys, and the indigenous Yaks loitering about, and the locals are happy to offer you a ride on their animals at a nominal fee.

The renowned Tour de Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race is obviously held around the Qinghai Lake every summer, gathering the cycling champions all over the world to conquer a race hosted at the highest altitude. The professional cyclist didn’t look like they were affected at all, as they sped like lightening throughout the race course, but if you need some aid for the altitude, you can always pick up some Hong Jing Tian, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for curing high altitude symptoms such as headaches and nausea, from the airport as you arrive in Xi Ning. You don’t usually get to be that close to the global athletic stars, so make sure you time your schedule right and catch a word with them before the race while they are chilling out. Who knows, they might even be dishing out some training pointers!

Bird Island, known locally as Niao Dao, is the home to over ten thousand migratory birds, making it an unique bird’s paradise. It is somewhat of a surreal scene, seeing so many birds gathered together on a huge bit of rock that stretches right into the lake. Hai Xin Mountain, which means Mountain in the heart of the Sea, has rather rugged landscape, and commands an amazing view of the Qinghai Lake. Being located at the tip of the lake, standing on it feels almost like walking on waters, since you would be surrounded by the lake in 270°. The park is rather serene, making a terrific place to take in all the wonders you have been through the past few days around Qinghai.

Although I must admit camping around the lake does have its appeals, for those of you who would prefer some local hospitality, you will find neighbourhood hostels scattered along the path. Like the Qinghai Lake Mu Min Zhi Jia, which translates to Qinghai Lake Shepherd’s Home, is brilliantly built with their colourful architectural style, and offers rooms for four on a single kang, which is one outrageously long bed. Their outdoor area is superb for you and your friends to gather for some chit chat or even showing off your yoga poses on their complimentary yoga mats after a long day’s ride. It is also a great place to meet like-minded biking companions, exchanging useful travel tips and information! Throughout the ride, showers, or the lack of it, would make an interesting experience, though with the cool and dry weather in the region even during the summer months, it is rather unlikely that you will sweat at all.

This trip may entail more cycling than you have ever done in your life, since it requires at least 8 hours of biking to get from your previous hostel to the next, so make sure you tuck in loads of rice, fruits, and water to replenish your energy! The local cuisine also involves lots of noodles and buns, so you can be sure you will be munching up on that along the route. During your ride, you will pass by some unusual servicing stops at their quaint Tibetian Nomadic Tent, where friendly locals would invite you into their cozy homes for a rest and a complimentary cup of Su You Cha, which is their favourite salty goat milk tea. It is pretty filling, and leaving you feel like having gobbled up a bowl of rice.

Contact List
Mo Jia Jie (莫家街): http://www.dianping.com/shop/2271538
Kumbum Monastery (塔尔寺): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbum_Monastery
Wang Guo Zhang Cycling Sports Club (王国章自行车运动俱乐部): http://xining.city8.com/meirongjianshen/1901375_D7EG.html
Tour de Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race (环青海湖国际公路自行车赛): http://www.tdql.cn/
Bird Island (鸟岛): http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/%E9%9D%92%E6%B5%B7%E6%B9%96%E9%B8%9F%E5%B2%9B
Hai Xin Mountain (海心山): http://baike.baidu.com/view/139667.htm
Qinghai Lake Mu Min Zhi Jia (青海湖牧民之家): http://hotel.elong.com/Qinghai_Lake_herdsman_s_home-03002001-hotel/

Hairy Business - Interview with John Mouzakis, Stylist of QG Private i Salon

noreply@blogger.com (Gillian Chu) — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:15:00 +0000

First published in ELEQT on 12 May 2012.

On a weekday evening, Jasmine and I found ourselves on the spa floor of Four Seasons, staring at the dazzling view of the Victoria Harbour. What brought us here? Well, we were invited by John Mouzakis, the latest addition to QG Private i Salon, to share with us his tips on everything from hair styling to secret hideaways on Lamma. As someone who always struggled to communicate exactly what I want to be done with my hair, this was an enlightening conversation, and hopefully it will shed some light for you on your next trip to the salon!

What brought you over to Hong Kong?

It might sound like a terribly rash decision, but it might just be the best one I have ever made. Back in 2005, I was in Hong Kong on transit to Sri Lanka to do some tsunami relief work at one of their coastal cities, so I really only had a few hours out of the airport, but that was enough to convince me to move over five years down the line.

The best thing about Hong Kong is how compact everything is. You don't really need to drive to get around, since there is a huge variety of very efficient public transportation. My favourite spot in Hong Kong is definitely Lamma Island, with its nature, tranquility, and lovely eateries. In fact, I love it so much that I am now living there with my wife and our visually-challenged pug. If I could only recommend one place on Lamma, it has to be the Lamma Beer Garden, which does the best Indian vegetarian curry. Try it for yourself next time you are over!

How did you begin your career as a hair stylist?

I was trying to become a big time snowboarder before I was injured and forced to take a different route in life. After travelling to Sri Lanka for tsunami relief, I thought it was a good idea to follow my mom's footsteps and pursue hairstyling, so I started with a course back at home near Marquette Michigan, and work just took me over to Chicago, and eventually to Hong Kong. It has been an exciting career, because I was home schooled and didn't really met much people growing up, so I am quite an introvert. This job allows me to get to know people from all walks of life, and ultimately led me to meet my wife. It is also pretty challenging on a professional basis, since everyone's hair is different, so nothing is ever quite the same. Trying new things all the time is what counts the most for me!

I was with Toni & Guy in Soho before I recently joined QG Private i in Four Seasons, and I am still enjoying the terrific harbour view a lot. After participating in the production of fashion shows, photo shoots, and television shows both back at home and now here in Hong Kong, I must say, the skill level in Hong Kong is definitely way higher than it is in the States. I reckon it is because salons here really focus upon training up their stylist, since there isn't much of a beauty school around. Back in the States, you are pretty much on your own after you get out of your very basic school training. So you Hong Kong people are definitely spoilt by talented stylists around!

What are some weird stuff you have seen people doing with their hair?

Girls in Hong Kong are very fond of keeping their hair dead straight, so it is difficult to get them to do anything but the ionised straightening. Guys over here, on the other hand, like to shave off the sides and leave loads of hair on top, which is why I get lots of requests for shaving off the sides or leaving a tail. Personally, I don't like my hair getting rained on. Not quite sure why that would be bad though, I guess perhaps the acid rain might make me go bald?

Any tips for getting a haircut?

When you are trying out new salons or hair dressers, make sure you ask around to check out what their reputation is like. You can leave your designer bags at home if you don't like it after you bought it, but your hair goes everywhere with you, so it is definitely worth the investment. Also, try to let your hair stylist know what you like and what you simply can't stand, and be open to their opinions as well. Flipping through magazines to get an idea of what you want is good, but do bear in mind that the person in the picture will have a different hair texture, hair density, or face shape from you, so whatever it is they have on them probably won't exactly translate back onto you.

People usually think that the girls are getting a better deal at haircuts because their hair is longer, but that is totally not the case! The hardest haircut to do is actually for men, because of how short it is, you need to be painfully precise and immaculate. A graduated bob for the girls is pretty difficult too if you only do it with scissors and comb. Back in my training days with Vidal Sasson, I spent months just perfecting my grasp on their signature graduated bob!

For 2012 Spring/Summer, I would say the blondes can go with big wavy hair, which is playful and easily takes you from work to play. Brunettes, alternatively, can focus on getting that nice shiny healthy look by richening up your colour, which is totally attention grabbing! My favourite hair style for Asian hair is definitely the asymmetric bob, which is always in style no matter what the season is. It works great with the natural hair texture, facial features, as well as the bone structure.

John Mouzakis, Hair Stylist
Address: QG Private i Salon, Podium Level 6, Four Seasons Hotel, Central.
Telephone: 2521 0070
Email: qgprivatei@psgroup.com.hk
Website: http://www.privatei.com.hk/html/qg.html