| thereserve-asia.

com |

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

INVESTMENT INSIDERS INSPIRATION

Mid-century furniture, precious Fashion tips from industry insiders, Holidays in space, underwater
metals, diamonds and the Hong Kong’s hottest foodies and hotel suites, shopping in Paris and
rewards of investing in start-ups an exclusive with Gisele Bündchen 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,
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The World home.

To learn more about the rare opportunity to become a part of this

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 Contents
10 First Word
12
15
Contributors
Invitations The latest member events
156 46
Investment
38 Gold Rush Why gold is a good investment
42 Planting the Seed Hong Kong’s start-up kings
explain how it’s done
46 SITTING ON MONEY Mid-century furniture
is proving a sensible way to spend

Insiders
52 Ten Minutes with... Jack Penrod The founder of
Nikki Beach on his new venue in Phuket
54 Made in China Ross Urwin on redefined Chinese
luxury
58 BE MY GUEST Gisele talks parties, perfume
and people
64 Bidding on Bonham’s The auction house’s
international makeover
68 My Fashionable Life Fashionistas give us their top
shopping tips
76 Success on a Plate Hong Kong’s restaurant insiders
on finding that secret ingredient
82 Bright Young Things Chinese artists taking the
world by storm

58

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

Inspiration
106 Two Decades of Daring Shanghai Tang turns 20
110 Upper Case The new trend for vintage luggage
112 The Extra Mile Three extraordinary experiences
118 Out of the Box Jewellery brand Van Eyck is doing
things differently
122 Capital Colour Tailored brights for your Spring
wardrobe

148 132 The Hot Ten Your shopping list for this season
144 Locked & Loaded Why your personal safety is
paramount

76 148 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
INVESTMENT
G I S E L E I N V I T E S Y O U T O PA R T Y

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
COVER IMAGE:
Sourced from Carolina Herrera
Holidays in space, underwater
hotel suites, shopping in Paris
and this Spring’s coolest
consumables

RESERVE 9
THE
 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

10 RESERVE
THE
 TESTED BEYOND ENDURANCE
The U-2 BLUE is the latest mechanical timepiece from Bremont.
Engineered for, and tested by the military. For the rest of us.

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Authorised Dealer Bremont Boutique

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Right Watch Co. Ltd, Causeway Bay 2893-5290 Bremont.com.hk
 Contributors

Ben Harries Kenny Ho Liz Thomas

Photographer Ben Kenny is a fashion editor Liz Thomas is a foreign
Harries has travelled and style consultant correspondent, travel
worldwide capturing based in London. His eye writer and restaurant
men’s fashion for the Giovanna for sartorial elegance has Michele koh reviewer. She now covers
likes of GQ, Esquire and Dunmall led to him contributing Morollo the East Asia region for
Mr Porter. His love of to publications globally the Daily Mail, after
cinematic photography Giovanna is a freelance including Esquire and Michele began her reporting from the
and passion for polaroids journalist who writes Tatler. We have Kenny to writing career in London office for six
often feature heavily in about architecture, thank for the fantastic Singapore in 1997 years. For this issue, she
his work. For this issue, design, travel and the styling on our Colour as a book and music interviewed some of
Ben shot our fashion arts for publications Capital fashion shoot. reviewer. She studied Hong Kong’s leading
story Colour Capital on such as the South journalism in London restaurant figures for our
location in London. China Morning Post, and had a collection of foodie feature, Success on
Wallpaper*, The short stories – Rotten a Plate.
Guardian and Condé Jellybeans – published
Nast Traveller. In this during her time there.
issue, she interviewed Since 2009, Michele
Robert Brooks to hear has been writing
about the makeover of about design, art
Bonham’s auction house. and architecture for
publications globally.
Read her story Sitting on
Money in our investment
section.

12 RESERVE
THE
 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 | MACAU | SHENZHEN | 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.

16 RESERVE
THE
 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.

For a special occasion, I dine at... Amber at the Landmark Mandarin. I also love Lung
MEMBER PROFILE: 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.

RESERVE 17
THE
 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

18 RESERVE
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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

RESERVE 19
THE
 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

RESERVE 21
THE
 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

22 RESERVE
THE
 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

RESERVE 23
THE
 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

24 RESERVE
THE
 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

26 RESERVE
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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

RESERVE 27
THE
 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.

RESERVE 29
THE
 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
The cost of the
new Shenzhen
air terminal,
designed by
Italian architects
Massimiliano and
Doriana Fuksas.
SPIKE SUPERSONIC JET The terminal
Time is money which is why we’re predicting a huge waiting list for the
boasts 200 shops
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 16-
and 200 check-in
hour 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
counters.
get your name down now!

spikeaerospace.com

30 RESERVE
THE
 INSIGHTS
The Talk of the Town

ART
From May 14 – August 31,
Hong Kong’s White Cube
gallery will be hosting

US$3.7m Los Angeles artist Mark

Bradford. Mark – known
for his multi-layered

The value of collage paintings – has

created a special series of

the painting works about Hong Kong,

exploring structures of

‘Snowy power and politics though

the lens of urban planning.

Mountain’ whitecube.com

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

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.

32 RESERVE
THE
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.

The percentage by which the shark fin trade has

90% fallen between Hong Kong and China since last year
Source: World Wildlife Fund

34 RESERVE
THE
 discover the true romance of travel...

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 Investment
HOW BEST TO INVEST

What used
to be
second-
hand 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
38 RESERVE
THE
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

RESERVE 39
THE
 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
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.”

42 RESERVE
THE
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
Simon Squibb
rewarding.”

Joshua Steimle

RESERVE 43
THE
 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
Kevin Yeung
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.”

DOUGLAS JAFFE
CEO at Solution Access

“When assessing a start-up, I look at its product and Douglas Jaffe

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 SIX SUCCESSFUL ASIAN START-UPS
acted as their distributor. Getting your hands dirty by
actually going on sales calls, closing deals and managing Rakuten Alibaba
customers gives you real insight into the viability of a Established: 1997 Established: 1999
product or service. Even if the start-up’s product is still Founder: Hiroshi Mikitani Founder: Jack Ma
in the development phase, having this idea in the back of Listing date: 2000 Listing date: N/A (private)
your head is important. It’s a lot easier to be passionate Current market cap: US$13bn Valuation: US$150bn (Source: Bloomberg)
and excited about your start-up if you can see yourself
selling it. I think many start-up investors tend to think Sina Corp Baidu
their investment is a one-way ticket. They are the investor Established: 1998 Established: 2000
and think this entitles them to something. Good early- Founder: Charles Chao Founders: Robin Li, Eric Xu
stage investors have committed to a journey with their Listing date: 2000 Listing date: 2005
company and leave egos and neuroses at the door when Current market cap: US$3.5bn Current market cap: US$53bn
interacting with their company’s founder and team. A
good investor goes above and beyond to help and this can Tencent Youku Toudou
include introductions, advice and referrals. A useful start- Established: 1998 Established: 2003
up investor gets on a call and asks how she can help. Start- Founders: Ma Huateng, Xu Founders: Gary Wang, Marc Van der
ups are born with one foot in the grave and nudging Chenye, Zhang Zhidong Chijs, Victor Koo
them into viability takes patience, encouragement and Listing date: 2004 Listing date: 2010
genuine support.” R Current market cap: US$125bn Current market cap: US$4.5bn

44 RESERVE
THE
 INVESTMENT
Mid-century furniture

46 RESERVE
THE
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
I
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,
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
RESERVE 47
THE
 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
48 RESERVE
THE
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
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 mid-
century 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
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
RESERVE 49
THE
 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.

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

JACK
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

PENROD
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?
Sharing a sundowner with the founder of Arts + Fashion Weekend will be held at our Phuket
Nikki Beach, which recently opened in Phuket location in July (and in August at our resort in Koh

52 RESERVE
THE
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

RESERVE 53
THE
 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

54 RESERVE
THE
T
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.

RESERVE 55
THE
 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
56 RESERVE
THE
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
 RESERVE 57
THE
 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

G
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.

58 RESERVE
THE
 RESERVE 59
THE
 INSIDERS
Gisele

60 RESERVE
THE
 It’s really
wonderful
to meet
up with
all my
friends,
have a
great time,
dance and
just be
goofy!y!
RESERVE 61
THE
 INSIDERS
Gisele

62 RESERVE
THE
I’m not the typical party girl who is out every
night but I do enjoy it. I love dancing.
You can have a party in your house, at a restaurant,
wherever you are it’s all about the people that you are
with.
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
RESERVE 63
THE
 INSIDERS
Bonhams

64 RESERVE
THE
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

B
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 ad-
hoc 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.

RESERVE 65
THE
 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?
66 RESERVE
THE
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,
which means we can do sales on site. This makes us much
more flexible and enables us to expand our business in
Hong Kong.
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
RESERVE 67
THE
 INSIDERS
My Fashionable Life

MY FASHIONABLE

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

68 RESERVE
THE
 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.

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.
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!

RESERVE 69
THE
 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!
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.

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.
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.

My favourite shoes are by… Free Lance, Sergio Rossi,
Burberry.
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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THE
 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!
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, Jaeger-
LeCoultre, 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.

72 RESERVE
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 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!

Jewellery brands I like and why… Jan Logan for sea pearls
How do you define good fashion taste? Individuality, and diamonds,YSL for edgy and colourful mottled glass
elegance and a twist! Dress from the inside out. Lingerie pieces for summer, Bulgari by night, Stephen Webster for
and scent come first. rocking best of British day and night!

Describe your own style in three words. Colourful, casual If I could only wear one luxury brand for the rest of my life...
and curious. 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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THE
 INSIDERS
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, well-

shaped, 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 multi-
brand 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!
My favourite shoes are… A Roger Vivier pair of stilettos.
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.
The most expensive fashion item in my wardrobe right
now… An Alexander McQueen gown, I have worn it once.
My watch is by… Rolex.
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.

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 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

RESERVE 75
THE
 INSPIRATION
Success on a Plate

Assorted dim sum, Mott 32

76 RESERVE
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SUCCESS
ON A
What’s the secret
ingredient to
creating a great
restaurant?
The Reserve quizzes

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

RESERVE 77
THE
 INSPIRATION
Success on a Plate
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
78 RESERVE
THE
22 Ships
Giuliano Dacasto
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
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.”
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
RESERVE 79
THE
 INSPIRATION
Success on a Plate
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
80 RESERVE
THE
Yenn Wong
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
“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
Mott 32 the concept, it confuses the customer. If the diner doesn’t
know what to expect they are not likely to keep returning.”

RESERVE 81
THE
 INSPIRATION
Bright Young Things

A detail of Under Heaven by Xu Zhen

82 RESERVE
THE
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

RESERVE 83
THE
 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-
84 RESERVE
THE
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

It was an exciting market driven with a few artists, with Ai Wei Wei
obviously at the top of that list. Our approach at The

chance to convey the Armory was like tiptoeing through a minefield of

clichés about Chinese art but we were determined to

dynamism of the do it fully and more substantively, to avoid the obvious

and already known artists.”

contemporary art
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
scene in China to gallery. “Her painting is about geometry and colours. It
doesn’t signify a special Chinese-ness in any obvious way.”
people in New York 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

RESERVE 85
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 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 The worst cliché we
want to dispel is that
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
there are no artists in
sculptures briefly appear above the cube as they are
tossed into the air are reminded of the typical ‘fast-track’
China besides
superficial process of navigating an art fair.
Xu, who won the Chinese Contemporary Art
Ai Wei Wei
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

86 RESERVE
THE

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
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
RESERVE 87
THE
 INSIDERS
For Goodness Sake

Ike Li - Shutterstock.com

88 RESERVE
THE
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.

RESERVE 89
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 INSIDERS
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
90 RESERVE
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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.

RESERVE 91
THE
 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

T
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 Saint-
Germain 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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 RESERVE 93
THE
 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 custom-
made, 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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THE
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
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.
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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THE
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 Nordic-
inspired ‘nourishing gastronomy’
to Hong Kong’s hungry. Using
his background in nutritional
science and his decade of
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

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< 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 Austro-
Hungarian 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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 INSPIRATION
Reserve Me

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-the-
art 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 don’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

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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

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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-on-
one 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

RESERVE 103
THE
 INSPIRATION
Reserve Me

< MOTT 32, HONG

KONG

The city’s gastro experts can’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

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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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THE
 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
108 RESERVE
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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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THE
 INSPIRATION
Pinth Trunks
UPPER CASE Luggage for a lifetime
L
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
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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
 THE RESERVE
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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THE
 INSPIRATION
The Extra Mile

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

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THE
T
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 111-
day 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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 INSPIRATION
The Extra Mile

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 For illustration purposes only
other platforms presently available.”

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 THE RESERVE
MEMBER NEWS
In January 2015, S3 will be operating
Asia’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 adrenaline-
pumping sensation, contact us at
member@thereserve-asia.com

RESERVE 115
THE
 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,
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

THE RESERVE
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 – 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 consumer’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

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THE
 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
120 RESERVE
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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
Every woman signature – a secret for the owner’s eyes only.The pieces
are all limited edition and owners receive original
that wears sketches by the designer, along with information about
the bird that inspired the specific piece. “It’s like buying

a Van Eyck a piece of art,” says Alon. “You won’t catch your friends
wearing the same piece. It’s something that grows in value

ring would and becomes a part of the owner’s heritage. Something

that can be passed on from generation to generation.”

identify with 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
the cause that wear a Van Eyck ring would identify with the cause that
the brand supports. Each collection, each jewel has a
the brand meaning, beyond words, beyond shapes or colours, it has
spirituality.Van Eyck aims to support an NGO programme
supports 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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THE
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
126 RESERVE
THE
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

RESERVE 19
THE
 INSPIRATION
The Hot Ten

THE
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

132 RESERVE
THE
 RESERVE 133
THE
 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
customer’s taste.

HK$226,000
bespokeglobal.com

134 RESERVE
THE
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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THE
 INSPIRATION
The Hot Ten

SHINE BRIGHT
As if the10.53 carat fancy greyish
pink diamond wasn’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

136 RESERVE
THE
 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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THE
 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

138 RESERVE
THE
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

RESERVE 139
THE
 INSPIRATION
The Hot Ten

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

140 RESERVE
THE
GREAT MINDS
Harrods, one of London’s most
famous department stores, and
iconic artist jeweller Fabergé,
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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THE
 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

142 RESERVE
THE
 wherever your business takes you . . .

International Corporate and Personal Risk Management

LGS Matrix sets the standard for personal security practices and through its international network will provide
you with an outstanding service wherever your business takes you . . .

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.

LGS MATRIX SPECIALIST SERVICES INCLUDE:

> Executive/VIP/Celebrity Close Protection > Maritime Security

LGS MATRIX HONG KONG LTD

> International Event Management - Fashion/Sports/Film > Specialist Port Security Suite 10,10/F One Island South
2 Heung Yip Road
> Corporate/Residential/Personal Security > Complete Journey Management Wong Chuk Hang
Hong Kong
> On-shore/Off-shore Security to the Oil & Gas Industry > Aviation Ground Security Direct: +852 9199 8657
Office: +852 2811 5899
> Personal Security Awareness Training > Risk Assessments Fax: +852 2811 5900
@: hongkong@lgsmatrix.com k®
ar

fo r
M
ry on

> High End Retail and Flagship Store Security > Crisis Management
on
t i m e I n d i fic ati

st

E-Brochure: www.lgsmatrix.com/onlinebrochure
BER
u
rt
i

I Ce
A s s o c i at

M
SAM
S TA E 1
E D ME

G
IF I

ari

T
ty

CER
ri
M

S ecu the
 INSPIRATION
Locked and Loaded

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

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

RESERVE 145
THE
 INSPIRATION
Locked and Loaded

T
here are more multi-millionaires and
billionaires in Hong Kong and China
than ever before, and the latest must-
have 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.
Close protection is no
Armoured Asia can customise any vehicle – Maserati to
Maybach – and to the untrained eye, the cars won’t look longer considered an
any different.
“From my experience, people who own or place intrusion into someone’s
lifestyle or a fancy
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 un-
armoured vehicle. It is discreetly built between the panels
of the vehicle.”
luxury accessory
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

146 RESERVE
THE

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
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 bullet-
proof 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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THE
 INSPIRATION
Ultimate suites

148 RESERVE
THE
 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.

From HK$10,000 per night

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THE
 INSPIRATION
Ultimate Suites

HOTEL DU CAP
EDEN ROC, FRANCE
The grand dame of the Cote D’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
Lérins 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

150 RESERVE
THE
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

RESERVE 151
THE
 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 guests’ 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 you’ll be
giving back as you settle in.

HK$1.8m per suite

152 RESERVE
THE
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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THE
 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

154 RESERVE
THE
 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 designer-
of-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 R

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THE
 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 Champs-
Elyseés, 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,
156 RESERVE
THE
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.
 THE RESERVE
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

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 INSPIRATION
Shopping Weekender
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 hand-
made 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.
158 RESERVE
THE
L’Eclaireur
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
EUROPEAN
GRAND SLAM
ASIAN
GRAND SLAM

25›28
SEPTEMBER
04›07
DECEMBER
13›15
FEBRUARY
2014
L.A. CONVENTION CENTER
2014
PARIS NORD VILLE PINTE
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.

Which sector of the business excites you most and why?

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.
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

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

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THE
 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