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MISSION MISSONI FA S H I O N H E I R S A N D T H E F U T U R E INVESTMENT
Where to buy art online, why to stock up on Japanese whisky and how wine has gone large
INSIDERS
Supermodel Bonnie Chen, architect extraordinaire JeanMichel Gathy and artist SK Lam
INSPIRATION
Eight great finds at PMQ, milliondollar suits and why Phuket is the top new destination for luxury
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Contents 10 15
First Word Invitations The latest member events
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Investment 38 The Art Web Should you be buying art online? 42 H ealthy Returns Three opportunities to invest in health start-ups
G OLDEN OPPORTUNITY How investing in olive oil could pay off
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50 L iquid Gold Japanese whisky experiences a new wave of popularity 54 P assport to Paradise Snap up a property in St. Kitts and get excellent returns 56 B igger, Better, Bottles Why large format wine bottles sometimes pay the best dividends 58 T he Spirit of Scotland The Macallan and Lalique’s latest creation
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Ten Minutes with... Chen Ben The Chinese artist on his fruitful career Mission Missoni The heirs to the Italian luxury fashion brand discuss the future
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W ALK THE LINE Megan Piper on her new London art installation
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Health and Happiness Industry leaders reveal their diet and fitness regimes
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For Goodness Sake Andrew Booth on his
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charitable Cambodian travel company Brains and Beauty Supermodel Bonnie Chen discusses her passion for sustainable fashion Home is Where the Hotel is Jean-Michel Gathy on his latest inspirations and creations Seeing Things in Black and White Artist SK Lam on pandas and Playstation
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Inspiration 114 M illion Dollar Suit Billionaire Couture take tailoring to another level 118 PMQ Eight Greats Our pick at Hollywood Road’s newest hotspot
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124 T REASURE ISLAND The rise and rise of
Phuket’s luxury scene
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130 T he Hot Ten This season’s most covetable consumables 146 Ultimate Rooftops Take your cocktail up top this summer 156 S hopping Weekender Head to Singapore for convenient retail therapy
End Note 160 L ast Word Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has the final say thereserve-asia.com || || thereserve-asia.com
M ISSIO N MISSO NI S U MM E R 2 014
INVESTMENT INVESTMENT
Mid-century Where to buyfurniture, art online, why to precious diamonds stock up metals, on Japanese whisky and and the rewards of investing how wine has gone large in start-ups
INSIDERS INSIDERS
Fashion tips from industry Supermodel Bonnie Chen, insiders, Kong’s hottest architectHong extraordinaire Jeanfoodies and an exclusive with Michel Gathy and artist SK Lam Gisele Bündchen
INSPIRATION INSPIRATION
Holidays in space, Eight great finds atunderwater PMQ, millionhotel shopping in Parisis the dollarsuites, suits and why Phuket and this Spring’s coolest top new destination for luxury consumables
COVER IMAGE: Ottavio Missoni by Davy Cheung Photography
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First Word I first fell in love with the Missoni brand a few years ago when I was living in Milan. Their colourful but oh-so-chic knitwear and powerful prints felt so fresh – and the fact that it was a family-run business gave it a nice personal touch, too. Our cover star this issue, Ottavio Missoni, is one of the many heirs to this fashion success story – so I was excited to find out his ideas and inspiration for the future of the company – read it for yourself on page 66. Fashion was also the focus in our interview with Chinese supermodel Bonnie Chen who took time out of her hectic schedule to talk to us about her recent involvement in sustainable fashion. As she proves in our images starting on page 86, eco-friendly fashion can look fantastic. Elsewhere in this issue we also have inspiration in the form of the ultimate rooftop restaurants on page 146 – speaking of which, I’m off to have a gin and tonic at Radio, all in the name of research – cheers!
Dominique Afacan, Editor-at-Large dominique@infonation-asia.com
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Handcrafted masterpieces reinterpreted to perfection
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Invitations LATEST EVENTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE From cars to couture, property to photography, 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 It’s been a happy and hectic year for our members so far – from admiring vintage Lamborghinis and partying with Shanghai Tang to shopping for luxury property all over the world and admiring jewellery from new brand on-the-block Van Eyck, we’ve listened to what our members want and delivered tailored events to match. The good news is that the rest of the year will be no different – so prepare for a packed diary this summer. To kick off the season, The Reserve has teamed up with the makers of the world’s finest chess sets, Gold & Play, to host a private dinner with world champion chess legend Mr. Garry Kasparov and a small group of our members. The former World Chess Champion is widely considered to be the best player of all time, so any chess enthusiasts will be able to discuss top tactics over supper. On 19 June, it’s The Reserve’s 50th Investment Summit at Club Lusitano. We’ll be flying in fascinating speakers from around the world to present on a variety of alternative investment topics. A must-attend event for members interested in investing in the physical precious metals market, or diversifying portfolios through wine or art. At the end of June, we’re celebrating all things British with our Best of Britain evening at The Langham Hong Kong, in Tsim Sha Tsui. The evening’s silent auction will include exceptional items and experiences from brands such as Bremont, Belmond and Timothy Oulton – and drinks will be flowing all night, from Royal Salute’s fine Scotch whiskies through to British-inspired cocktails created by Boujis’ top mixologists. By popular demand, plans are in progress for an elegant ladies evening featuring fine jewellery and haute couture brands in September, so be sure to let us know if you’d like to be first on the list for this event. We select members for specific events based on their passions and preferences. Make sure we know yours. To get started, visit thereserve-asia.com/feedback.
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MY PASSIONS My life’s passion is… my family and friends, a while ago my answer would have been my business, but more recently I found my real existence. My favourite travel destination is… Paris - there is something so romantic about it. I adore the outdoor cafés, the elegantly dressed French women and the boutiques. For a special occasion, I dine at… China Tang. The decor is hip and modern with an Asian flair and the food is wonderful. I visit Sevva very often for lunch, they have great bento boxes and I have recently become more of a Duddell’s fan.
MEMBER PROFILE Anna Treier Founder, owner and managing director of Asia Spa and Wellness Limited, the holding company for spa brand Sense of Touch, Capelli hair spa and Sense of Touch Medi Spa, Anna Treier is an ambitious entrepreneur who successfully juggles her spa empire with family life.
My choice of watch is… Patek Philippe, there is something so nostalgic about them and they can become an heirloom in a family. Hublot is always fun and the women’s collection has a masculinity about it which I personally like. For clothing, I go to… Small boutiques, but I do like to mix designer and high street clothes. I shop at Joseph when I’m in the UK and always head to the Le Marais area when I’m in Paris. In Hong Kong, I love Zara, Maje, Sandro, Joyce and Lane Crawford. Being a member of The Reserve works for me because… the customised and personalised service is top notch, which is very rare to find. The benefits are well thought out and suit individual requirements and interests. The website is clean and straightforward, and is packed with interesting and relevant articles.
NEW LUXURY PARTNERS We continue to work with some of the world’s leading luxury brands. Here’s just a snapshot of our recent partnerships.
VAN EYCK
SHANGHAI TANG
ROYAL SALUTE
The new Hong Kong jeweller is pushing the boundaries of design and craftsmanship by creating exquisite works of art from the world’s finest natural fancy colour diamonds. Members have exclusive access to the international team of designers and gem experts and have the chance to own one of the first edition rings from the inaugural collection.
The pioneering luxury lifestyle and fashion brand has been interpreting Chinese culture and craftsmanship through its ready-to-wear fashion, accessories and homeware for two decades. This partnership allows members to meet key personalities and receive invitations to exclusive in-store events and brand experiences.
Created by the Chivas Brothers in 1953 in tribute to the Queen on her coronation, Royal Salute boasts an esteemed history in the art of blending and ageing Scotch whisky for a minimum of 21 years. Members can benefit from invitations to private tastings and may be given unique access to the brand’s collection of limitededition whiskies. THE
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INVITATIONS Van Eyck
SHINE BRIGHT Van Eyck launches inaugural collection at exquisite home on The Peak Members of The Reserve were invited to the home of the Belgium Consul-General to Hong Kong and Macau for the global launch of new fine jeweller,Van Eyck. Inspired by the remarkable native birds of Papua New Guinea, the 25-piece inaugural collection, entitled Birds of Paradise, feature decadent, daring designs incorporating the world’s finest natural fancy colour diamonds. Members and media celebrated with the brand’s founder and creative director and were joined by Hong Kong singer and actress, Amanda Lee, who announced she was a big fan. R
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INVITATIONS Lamborghini
FAST LANE Lamborghini introduces its first ever pop-up museum in Hong Kong To celebrate its outstanding heritage of more than 50 years, Lamborghini unveiled its first ever pop-up museum in Hong Kong at a glamorous cocktail party in Causeway Bay. Members of The Reserve were among the first guests to browse treasures from the past and present, including three of the iconic brand’s finest models – a four-seater 400 GT 2+2, an unconventional Contach LP400 and an extreme Reventon Roadster. The pop-up museum, which is open until September to the public, features a collection of historic photographs, chronicles and model Lamborghinis and will be changed regularly. R THE
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INVITATIONS Shanghai Tang
EAST MEETS BEST Shanghai Tang celebrates twenty years of being the best in the business Kicking off its 20th anniversary celebrations in typically flamboyant fashion, Shanghai Tang hosted a glamorous party at its flagship store in Central. Fashion-forward members of The Reserve were invited to join a VIP crowd and celebrate the phenomenal success of the iconic ‘East meets West’ brand and browse its vibrant ready-to-wear collections, accessories and home décor over Champagne and specially-created cocktails. R
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INVITATIONS Royal Salute
ROYAL APPROVAL Classic fashion and fine whisky combine at Angel’s Share Whisky connoisseurs were invited to celebrate the debut of fine leather goods brand Bertrand Mak alongside a tasting of an infused Royal Salute whisky created especially for the launch by Antonio Lai of Angel’s Share. The Angel’s Share bar and restaurant was transformed into a buzzing space where members appreciated a 21 yearold Royal Salute whisky as well as a unique take on the Old Fashioned. The event was the first opportunity for members to interact with The Reserve’s new partner, Royal Salute, who proved to be the perfect complement to the dapper leather range on show from Bertrand Mak. R
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The sea is our home. By day it is our waking view, our playground, our road to places both familiar and unexplored. It takes us to dense cities and pristine coves. Atolls and icebergs. Ancient archaeological wonders and modern-day marvels. By night it is the soothing floor beneath us, flashing a glimmer toward our windows as we dine, unwind, remember our day. It is our passion. That’s why we have chosen to call The World home. To learn more about the rare opportunity to become a part of this unique lifestyle, we invite you to explore further aboardtheworld.com. +1 954 960 7895 | ResidentialAdvisor@aboardtheworld.com
4/8/14 11:53 AM
INVITATIONS Red Hero
RED HERO Photographic exhibition and auction Members gathered at KEE Club for the photographic exhibition and auction of ‘Red Hero’, by Hong Kong photographer Paul Cox. His bold study of the people and captivating landscapes in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, capture heartwarming moments of everyday life in a city known for its brutal conditions. Guests mingled with the artist and pondered his pieces before the auction began, which went on to raise a total of HK$230,000 for Mongolian children’s charity, The Tsolmon Ireedui Foundation. R
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INVITATIONS Collector’s Talk
COLLECTOR’S ITEM Intimate advice from art industry experts On a sunny afternoon in May selected members of The Reserve were invited to the residence of the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for an intimate talk on purchasing, curating and protecting an art collection. Infamous collector Mr. Henk Nieuwenhuys told the group tales of how his family grew their prized antique porcelain collection dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties and why he decided to donate pieces to a national museum. Afterwards, the Chairman of Bonhams Asia, Colin Sheaf, gave an introduction and some advice for people looking to start their own collection before the Head of AXA ART, Khandinn Khan, took to the floor to speak about protecting fine works for the future. R
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INVITATIONS Bonhams
UNDER THE HAMMER Private timepiece and jewellery preview at Bonhams Selected members with an interest in jewellery were treated to a preview and tour of the new Bonhams auction house to appreciate its impressive collection of fine jewellery and rare watches. International gem specialist and auctioneer Graeme Thompson led the tour, showcasing the best of Bonhams - starring an exceptional 5.13-carat natural fancy pink colour diamond and diamond ring. Afterwards, guests spent time studying the pieces and were given personal insights from Graeme about their authenticity, history, collectability and value. R
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INVITATIONS PIE+S
PRIZED PROPERTIES Global property and alternative investments Property Investment Exhibition and Seminar (PIE+S) returned to Guangzhou for its second year, this time at the luxurious Canton Club. Members of The Reserve’s sister club Yù Háo Huì, were invited to a private showcase and VIP seminar to find out about some of the most compelling global investment opportunities that are available in Mainland China. Industry experts presented a range of property, immigration and alternative investments and were on hand to answer individual questions and to advise members. Exhibitors included: Herald Land - The land investment experts spoke about investing in pre-development land in prime UK locations. Pelican Bay - Luxury Caribbean residence and hotel development on the island of St. Kitts included an attractive ‘Citizenship by Investment’ scheme. Engel & Völkers - The global property experts introduced a re-development project in the heart of Portugal’s historic capital, Lisbon. Waterfall Partners - Announced the launch of the Australian Property Fund, structured to facilitate applications for Australia’s ‘Significant Investment Visa’. Berry Bros. & Rudd - Leading wine and spirit merchant advised on fine wine investment and buying en primeur. Stanley Gibbons - The collectables expert introduced stamp and coin collection as viable investment options. Pinth Vintage Luggage - Presented vintage and antique trunks from exceptional luxury brands including Hermès and Louis Vuitton. Swiss Space Systems (S3) - The space pioneer launched the first zero gravity flights out of Asia from January 2015. Four members won exceptional prizes in the PIE+S lucky draw, including a ticket on the first zero gravity flights in Asia, a magnum of Champagne, a bottle of Jamaican rum and a highly collectable Penny Black stamp. R
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Working in collaboration with world-leading plant scentists at Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in England, our skincare experts have formulated this range with more than 29 natural plant extracts that are scientifically proven to work. We care equally about the planet, which is why our products are free from Parabens, SLS and SLEs and are not tested on animals. Hong Kong • IFC Mall, Central • Regent Centre, Central • Tung Sun Comercial Building, Wan Chai • President Theatre, Causeway Bay • Hang Lung Centre, Causeway Bay • Hysan Place, Causeway Bay • Cambridge House, Taikoo Place • City Plaza 1, Taikoo Shing Kowloon • Golden Dragon Centre, TST • Elements, TST • Sino Cheers Plaza, Jordan • Wu Sang House, Mongkok • Grand Century Place, Mongkok • Telford Plaza 1, Kowloon Bay • Apm, Kwun Tong New Tertitories • PopCorn, Tseung Kwan O • Metroplaza, Kwai Fong • Tsuen Kam Centre, Tsuen Wan • New Town Plaza Phase 1, Shatin • Sunshine City Plaza, Ma On Shan • Sheung Shui Centre • Tuen Mun Town Plaza Phase 1 • Kwong Wah Centre, Yuen Long
Exclusively at Visit
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BootsHongKong, www.boots.com/hk
feel good
23/05/2014 12:58
Insights The talk of the town
ARCHITECTURE If you don’t fancy flying all the way to St Moritz for your next ski trip, hold out for the Dawang Mountain Resort Deep Pit Ice and Snow World – opening near Changsha in 2016. Austrian architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au have designed the awe-inspiring project, built in a disused cement quarry. A five-star hotel is planned for the space along with indoor ski slopes, cliffside pathways and a waterfall that will flow into the quarry. THE
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INSIGHTS
The Talk of the Town
FOOD British-born Jamie Oliver is more than just a chef in his home country. He’s an MBE-holding celebrity who not only runs a collection of successful restaurants but presents his own TV shows, has his own product range and runs a national campaign against the use of processed food in schools. This Summer his sights are on Hong Kong where he will open the new Jamie’s Italian in Causeway Bay. Watch this space.
34 The number of Hong Kong residents with fortunes over £1bn Source: Sunday Times
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INSIGHTS
The Talk of the Town
HK$12bn The proposed cost of Hong Kong’s first 12-station sky rail, if it gets the go-ahead, to be built at Kai Tak by 2023 This July Chengdu welcomes St. Regis to its increasing portfolio of international luxury hotels. Located in the city’s business district, just steps away from Tianfu Square and the popular shopping district of Chun Xi Road, the hotel promises luxurious surroundings and flawless service that arguably has been missing in the Sichuan capital.
First class just not doing it for you any more? Enter Etihad’s new Residence Class on board its A380s. Guests will have their own lounge, bedroom and bathroom (with its own shower) as well as an on-board butler trained by the Savoy Butler Academy in London. And don’t worry, there’s only one residence on board so the luxury will be yours and yours alone. At 74% bigger than first class, the experience is said to be more like flying on a private jet than flying commercial. Some even claim it’s better.
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TRAVEL Fans of Hong Kong’s EAST Hotel or EAST Beijing may be pleased to hear that Swire is opening another property of the same name in Miami next year. Architecture firm Arquitectonica are behind the design of the 263-room hotel, located in Miami’s downtown Brickell City Centre, while interiors are by New York-based Clodagh Design.
Bringing transparency to online diamond pricing
Wholesale diamond price list - Education - News
www.diamondregistry.com Office Locations
Eubank Plaza, No 9, Chiu Lung Street, Central, Hong Kong 580 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036, USA HK: +852 211 65 311 - USA: +1 212 382 3888 - info@diamondregistry.com
INSIGHTS
The Talk of the Town
ART Hollywood Road is attracting a lot of attention this summer, and it’s not just PMQ that’s getting the city’s creatives talking. The new 4-storey Liang Yi Museum, run by Lynn Fung (pictured) houses some of the world’s finest collections of antiques including Chinese furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties and bejewelled clutches, compacts and powder boxes made by the likes of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Boucheron, including some that belonged to local legend Anita Mui.
“It would be an attractive ride, given that one can see Victoria Harbour with no obstruction” Travel Industry Council chairman Michael Wu Siu-ieng on Hong Kong’s proposed observation wheel, opening in September
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SHOPPING Vertu has launched a monogramming service for its Constellation range of phones, leading to a rush of orders for calf skin headsets personalised with initials, Chinese lucky symbols and other individual combinations. Get yours at the ifc store where you’ll be guided through thousands of options.
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
PROFIT FROM RARE STAMPS 266% growth in the last 10 years*
133% Growth in the last 6 years
243% Growth in the last 10 years CIP 1897 SG 85 Empress Dowager, 24ca pale rose-red, 30c surch
GB SG2 1840 1d Black
To combat low yields, market volatility and inflation, many investors are turning to tangible, heritage assets like rare stamps. Uncorrelated with other mainstream assets, investment-grade stamps have a long, strong, historical record of growth that can help you diversify your portfolio. The Bloomberg listed GB250 Rarities Index shows this clearly with average compound growth of 13.86% over the last 10 years.
Call +852 3975 2988 or + 852 3975 2990 or visit stanleygibbons.hk for our investment guide.
*266% growth in the last 10 years, as per the Bloomberg-listed GB250 Rarities Index {STGIGB25}. The value of investments can go down as well as up. Please note: stamps are not classified as securities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance and as such are not subject to regulation by the Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong. We cannot provide advice on personal stamp valuations.
Investment HOW BEST TO INVEST
Large format bottles arguably take wines to the next level Bigger Better Bottles, p. 56
INVESTMENT The Art Web
THE
ART WEB Buying art online is increasing in popularity, but is it a safe route for serious investors?
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BY NICKY BURRIDGE
nce the preserve of high-end galleries, online retailers are now getting in on the act of selling fine art. Internet giant Amazon launched an art offering in August last year, with pieces ranging in price from US$10 to well over US$1 million, including work by renowned artists such as Monet, Salvador Dalí, Renoir, Chagall and Andy Warhol. Meanwhile, Twitter-backed artsy.net has more than 50,000 pieces listed from some of the world’s hottest galleries. Individual galleries have also made use of the Internet, with many now showcasing their work online. But while the explosion of virtual galleries may make purchasing high-end art suddenly seem more accessible, experts advise anyone considering buying online to tread carefully and do their research. Joseph K. Levene, owner of New York gallery Joseph K. Levene Fine Art, has been vocal in his criticism of Amazon Art, slamming it as being “shockingly sloppy” and “vastly overpriced”. One of his biggest criticisms of the site is that it does not include catalogue raisonné information, which is the
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standard way of identifying works by major artists and establishing their authenticity. Unlike auction houses, who always make condition reports readily available, Amazon Art does not require sellers to give details on the condition of a piece. In Levene’s opinion, much of the art offered through the site is also significantly more expensive than it would be at auction. He says, “There are numerous instances of art for sale that is grossly overpriced, in some cases more than 10-plus times the last public price at auction.” Other commentators echo Levene’s concerns about the lack of catalogue raisonné information and condition reports, with some warning that it is not always clear to novice buyers that some pieces are print editions, rather than unique works of art. Another potential pitfall for people buying art online is ensuring that it is authentic. Whereas you can be certain with art bought from auction houses, such as Sotheby’s, as it comes with an authenticity guarantee. By contrast, for people buying through Amazon, protection is limited to the retailers A-to-Z Guarantee, which is only valid for 30 days after shipping and worth a
Love - Saves the Day, Harland Miller, artsy.net+5 THE
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INVESTMENT The Art Web
RR Initial Brooch, Alexander Calder, artsy.net
maximum of US$2,500. But while Levene is not impressed with Amazon’s offering, he does not rule out buying art online as long as full information is provided. He points out that his own gallery has a considerable client base who regularly purchase art with price tags well into six figures online, without previously seeing it. He also rates the online offering from auction house Christie’s, as well as Pace Prints and Brooke Alexander Editions. He adds, “The rules of buying art online should be no different than buying art you view. “If you buy art online, it is essential the art dealer not only accurately describes and documents all works of art for sale without unnecessary hyperbole or exaggeration, but also stands behind the art offered for sale.” He warns that people should never purchase art just because the art dealer is authenticating the works of art they are selling, when they clearly have no authority to do so. Despite the potential pitfalls, there is a growing appetite among investors to buy art online from trusted sources. Two years ago, auction house Bonhams developed an online biding system. It accounted for a quarter of all the bids it received in 2013, with sales totalling £40 million conducted online. The group added that nearly a third of all online bidders had not previously taken part in one of its auctions, suggesting the Internet was creating a new group of buyers. Matthew Girling, Bonhams’ chief executive for Europe
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and the Middle East, says, “When we developed our online system we always knew this was going to be the future, but we have been surprised that it has caught on so quickly.” Meanwhile, the launch of curiator.com earlier this year has opened up a new possibility for ‘virtual collectors’. Curiator’s website enables people to build a digital art collection through importing images of pieces they like and ‘collecting’ art added by other users. Co-founder Tobias Boonstoppel explains, “Unlike most other art websites that are usually just trying to sell you their art, Curiator is a place to experience and enjoy art.” The group has big ambitions and wants to grow Curiator into what it describes as the ultimate resource for art online, with a gallery for “every artist on the planet”. In time it also hopes to add a marketplace for art, though Boonstoppel stresses the group’s website will always mainly be about enjoying and exploring art. He says, “We believe our true value lies in building a bridge from the physical world to the digital world, to let people discover new art online and inspire them to experience it in person.” When it comes to buying art, Curiator co-founder Moenen Erbuer believes the Internet has created greater opportunities for people to browse art they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to view. But he adds, “We strongly believe that brick-andmortar galleries and art fairs will remain at the centre of the art world, since seeing an artwork in person will always be a huge advantage when you want to buy.” R
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 Hong Kong call: +852 3620 3157 email: rsvp@pies-asia.com online: www.pies-asia.com
HONG KONG
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INVESTMENT Healthy Returns
HEALTHY
RETURNS
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hether the global economy is flourishing or floundering, people will always rely on goods and services affecting their health and wellbeing.This consistent demand on the healthcare industry makes this sector less sensitive to business cycles and economic fluctuations. The healthcare sector has been an area of increasing focus in recent years for investors worldwide. According to The Wall Street Journal, healthcare stocks in the S&P 500 index returned 33.1% for the 12 months ending 31 January 2014, beating the overall S&P 500’s average return of 21.5%. With the help of www.investables.vc, the online portal that connects investors with high potential companies seeking capital, The Reserve has selected three investment opportunities and spoken with the pioneers who are driving these revolutions.
THE RESERVE
MEMBER NEWS For more information on any of these healthcare investment opportunities, contact us at: member@thereserve-asia.com
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How is the platform monetised? Since launch, our business model has been focused on building the network - offering targeted doctors a free iMD platform, specifically in Canada, where we now have over 1,500 doctors using iMD. With a large installed base, we then solicit brand and service manufacturers in healthcare to place their content in the applicable areas at a cost, giving them unparallelled access to the treatment conversations between doctors and patients in the exam room.
Kevin Delano is co-founder, president & CEO and chairman of the board for iMD Global Health, a Torontobased company providing a digital patient education and engagement platform that allows healthcare professionals to visually educate patients.
What has the response been so far? The response has been tremendous. In Canada, iMD educates over 800,000 patients per month.We have more doctors requesting our platform than we can fulfil and we have gone from 20 brands last year to over 70 this year.We recently launched the iMD platform in retail pharmacy outlets where pharmacists conduct similar patient education.
You describe iMD as the ‘digital platform of the exam room’. What you mean by this? The iMD platform (touch computer and software) is installed inside exam rooms and doctors use it to show patients what their condition is using our medical illustration library. Other resources include videos and information from government, health associations and healthcare brands. All content on the platform is email-enabled, so doctors can email content directly to the patient.
Have you built companies before? This is my fourth company. In 1994 I created a company called Consumer Impact Marketing [CIM], which grew to 3,000 employees and over CDN$85m in revenues. I sold CIM in 2010 so I could create iMD. I have a passion for innovation and saw a real opportunity to create something special, something needed by both doctors and patients.
How do you drive adoption by doctors? Digital health is exploding.With the launch of electronic patient records, the old ways of managing clinics and patients are changing. iMD trains each doctor after we install the software, showing them how iMD saves time, provides a superior patient experience and how it can actually generate revenue.
What is iMD’s financial situation? We have been operating for the past three years in Canada and have been generating revenues for two years, achieving CDN$1.6m. We have been self-funded (with a few minority angel investors) with all revenues reinvested in staff and hardware. We are raising CDN$5m in equity capital, with a gross margin rate above 40%. We aim to achieve close to CDN$40m in revenues in the next five years, not including Europe, the US, Asia or Middle East expansion. What kind of investor are you looking for? Ideally, we are seeking a strategic partner. One who can help us open healthcare markets, healthcare doors, and support for a second round of capital to take iMD to stage three. Someone who will join me on the iMD board of directors to drive overall growth, and has an affinity for healthcare, digital technology or media. Someone who sees the huge potential in leading the digital revolution that doctors are going through, and who wants to be on the forefront but with patience for a 5-year exit plan.
Company name: iMD Health Global Date founded: May 2009 Website: www.imdhealth.com Investment sought: US$3.5-$5.5m Equity offered: Non-controlling shares To invest: Email info@investable.vc
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How does the patient benefit from this resource? We know that patients only recall 20% of what they are told inside the exam room, and only half of that is retained for ongoing treatment actions. Illustrations increase patient comprehension and having content sent to them, including videos on how to take their medicine, has been proven to positively impact adherence to treatment programs.
INVESTMENT Healthy Returns
How does an ADD/ADHD child respond to this game? We’ve trialled the game with dozens of ADD/ADHD kids who all love it.We have tested these children with a clinically-accepted quantitative test for ADD and nearly all of the children demonstrated significant gains with some registering over a 20% improvement in their scores.
Vernée Ho is co-founder and CEO of Playto, a Hong Kong-based company that creates “video games that are good for you”. Who is your target consumer? Our goal is to help people whose lives are impacted by common disorders such as ADD/ADHD, dementia, insomnia and anxiety. The first game that we’re launching on iOS and Android, Play2Focus, targets parents with ADD/ADHD children and helps the children to master concentration and focus skills.
How much would Play2Focus cost? Our list price is US$299. This includes the game, a neurofeedback headset and parent access to online tracking and reporting.We anticipate gross margins in the 50% to 60% range when selling through retail channels. How will you launch and which markets will you tackle first? One of our first launch markets will be the US, where one in 10 children is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, with an economic burden of US$200bn annually [Stats: Center for Disease Control]. Once we’ve established Play2Focus in key US markets, we will roll out globally. Our positioning in Asia will emphasise how all children can obtain peak brain performance rather than highlight the mitigation of a learning disability.
How does your game differ from the existing treatments for ADD/ADHD? Kids love to play video games, so we capitalise on that by making our protocol self-motivating. The current treatments are considerably less attractive. Medication can suppress creativity, stunt growth and trigger depression. Behavioural therapy is arduous and requires long-term commitment, while clinical neurofeedback is expensive, often unavailable in smaller markets and painfully boring for the child. Out of all the options, only Play2Focus is affordable, non-invasive, clinically-proven and selfmotivating.
Why do you think you are best placed to make this work? Our team combines domain expertise, entrepreneurship and passion from the fact that the founders are parents of children who need Play2Focus. I am a brand builder with 20 years of experience in senior positions with Pepsi and Sara Lee. Our head of clinical studies is an expert in children with learning challenges. Our chairman ran game divisions for LucasArts, Sega, and Mattel. Our game developer is the exCTO of Electronic Arts. Our early investors include some of the most successful entrepreneurs from the global games industry.
How exactly does your treatment work? Kids wear a cool headset that safely senses, monitors and measures the child’s brain waves while they play our game on a mobile tablet.The game is a high production value flying adventure, the kind that kids would love to play voluntarily. By the time kids have played 40 to 50 half hour sessions, they are able to bring themselves into a more focused state whenever they want.
Company name: Playto Date founded: March 2013 Website: www.playto.org Investment sought: Up to US$5m Equity offered: Up to 20% To invest: Email info@investable.vc
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What sort of experience do you have in this field? Are you doing the development by yourself? My co-founder and I architected, designed and built the system. I got my Bachelors and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and Stanford University and this is my third business so I am not only familiar with the technical side but also with the intricacies of building a company from scratch. My co-founder, Edwin Li, has a Bachelors degrees in Telecommunications and Microprocessor Applications from Swinburne and Deakin University. Together, we have 24-years combined experience in this field, having worked together before at Agilent Technologies, based in Silicon Valley.
Angelo Umali is the co-founder and CEO of Simple Wearables, a healthcare tech company based in Hong Kong with global ambitions from its inception. Their first product is a wearable device that provides peace of mind to the elderly and their loved ones. You are creating technology that will help the elderly. Where did this idea come from? My inspiration is my lovely 92-year old grandma who lives in the Philippines. She is using a walker and if she falls down, we need to alert the emergency services right away. My grandfather passed away 30 years ago, all her classmates are gone and her kids and grandkids live outside the Philippines. So, we needed to create a device that could ultimately provide peace of mind to her and her loved ones.
What’s your progress to date and what will funding at this stage help you to do? In addition to having a leading hospital signed up to use the first 100 products, we have already created two prototypes that are smaller than a HK$5 coin.This prototype will detect a fall and send alerts through a Bluetooth activated phone or tablet. It can also be programmed to incorporate medication reminders.We will use funds to continue designing more complex circuit boards with GSM network capabilities, allowing it to progress into a standalone device.We also plan to hire full time software developers and sales people to help us expand in Asia. How will your company make money? We make money in two ways: firstly, through sales of the device itself and secondly, through a monthly subscription service for families and hospitals. In the future, we will provide big data analytics for insurance providers and healthcare institutions. R
How exactly can your device help? Our wearable device can determine when a patient has had a fall. Fear of falling has restricted the elderly from walking around and living a healthy lifestyle. In the event of a fall, our device can call and text the appropriate emergency contacts. We are also currently incorporating a GSM chipset with micro-SIM, speaker and microphone for our Version 2 product.
Company name: Simple Wearables Limited Date founded: August 2013 Website: www.simplewearables.com Investment sought: US$1m Equity offered: (TBC) To invest: Email info@investable.vc
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Have you had any feedback from hospitals so far? Hospitals are looking at ways to offer remote healthcare services. The data collected on the device will be synced to the cloud, which hospitals can remotely access via the web or mobile app we are also developing. In fact, we already have a leading hospital group in the Philippines signed up to receive the first 100 products for testing.
INVESTMENT
A Golden Opportunity
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A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY The world is warming up to healthy eating, so venturing into the olive oil business right now could be a lucrative move WORDS BY MICHELE KOH MOROLLO more appealing, with as many as one sixth of Australia’s olive-growing land now Chinese-owned.Tim Smith, sales and marketing director at Boundary Bend Ltd., Australia’s largest producer of extra-virgin olive oil, explains that the biggest consumers are still the countries producing it, such as Spain, Greece and Italy but the US, China, Brazil and India are among the most rapidly growing consumers, creating a massive opportunity for investment in importation. However, the niche markets do differ across Asia, with the Mainland Chinese market focusing on price whereas the Japanese market concentrates on gourmet quality; importers appreciate and pay a premium for the finest extra virgin olive oil. According to Lisa Rowntree, CEO of the Australian Olive Oil Association, now is a good time to purchase olive groves in Australia because prices are generally low. There are currently a number of run-down farms with serious potential that just require a small investment and a little hard work. Rowntree explains “When an olive orchard is first planted the trees and infrastructure have a value, but after about four years when the trees begin to fruit well, the grove’s value is increased.The yields start off low but then grow exponentially.”
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s the world becomes increasingly more health conscious, the consumption of olive oil is on the rise, particularly in China where food-safety scares and better nutritional awareness has bumped up the country’s import of olive oil to US$184m in 2013, a 9.3% increase on 2012. Considering that in 2003, China’s olive oil import was a mere US$1m, this whopping increase is a good indicator of the rising value of olive oil as a commodity in the global economy. Furthermore, in the last decade, the trend of giving gourmet blends of olive oil as gifts has grown, further increasing its demand across Asian cultures. However, China doesn’t have ideal conditions for olive farming so the Chinese demand for olive oil will have to be met by farms in other countries. Purchasing an olive farm abroad, possibly along with a factory and processing plant, is therefore a very appealing prospect to Chinese and Asian investors who have sufficient start-up capital. EU subsidies and crashed land prices make Greek, Italian and Spanish groves attractive to Asian investors, but the geographical proximity of Australia is proving to be even
INVESTMENT
A Golden Opportunity
After about four years when the trees begin to fruit well, the grove’s value is increased She adds that before purchasing an olive farm, investors should look at a few important factors in order to maximise their profits. Location is a primary consideration as olives prosper best in a Mediterranean climate. Examining production history can give you a better understanding of the realistic expected output, and getting an independent horticulturalist to review the data and the condition of the trees can give you an idea of the time and money that will need to be invested to produce top quality yields. Manuel Leon, the Shanghai representative of Extenda-Andalusia’s export promotion agency, strongly recommends hiring a good agronomic engineer and farm manager to perform treatments to the olive tree in the different seasons as olive trees need very specific care, giving investors more time to focus on marketing strategies and global importing opportunities. So is it worth it? The prices for olive oil follow the standard of a commodity market with daily-published prices. “A brand new olive tree needs at least five years to grow and deliver a reasonable amount of good quality olive oil for edible use. If you just have your land and groves, but not your own factory or mill, then you can sell your olives to the local farmers cooperative, where they will pay you for the olive oil harvest at the market price at the time.” says Leon. If your background is in agriculture then olive oil could be the perfect investment for you. Steven Horton, marketing and sales director for Hong Kong-based oil specialist and distribution company Enjoi Limited, advises “Only purchase an olive oil farm if you are willing to get your hands dirty”. However, if you are caught up on the somewhat
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romantic notion of owning and operating your own farm in the Mediterranean sunshine, but lack agricultural knowledge, you can purchase mature groves without the start-up costs. If you’d prefer to just dip your toes into this golden pot then you can invest in olive oil brands, foodmarketing businesses or in processing facilities. Leon adds, “another way to enter into the world of olive oil investing is to take your time to learn about the business, then purchase stocks or shares in reputable olive oil companies. Last month, we had various Spanish banks selling out their 31% share into the capital of Deoleo, one of the market leaders with an annual turnover of beyond 800 million Euro.” Investing in nature does have its risks and investors must be prepared to accept that a glorious and affluent summer one year may be followed by droughts, floods or other severe weather conditions the next, resulting in a year with low or no commercially viable yields. Leon advises, “If you grow and sell your own olive oil and natural disaster strikes, you will find yourself needing to buy from other producers in order to continue putting your brand on the shelves or supplying to your customers. To avoid this, you can hire a local agent to source the olive oil you need at the most competitive price, or beyond that, set up your own sourcing office in your chosen location.Vertical integration from the tree to bottle few can yield good returns with a lower risk.” With the popularity and demand for olive oil set to increase across Asia and with so many investment options, olive oil certainly presents a golden opportunity for those looking to diversify their portfolios. R
Precious Metals
INVESTMENT Liquid Gold
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LIQUID GOLD
The rise in value of Japanese whisky leaves investors thirsty for more WORDS BY NICKY BURRIDGE
the attention of investors. Prices paid at UK auctions for Karuizawa whisky, which accounts for 90% of the market in the UK, soared by 32.9% between October 2013 and March 2014. But Andy Simpson, founder of whisky investment group Whisky Highland, cautions, “These increases are exceptional and I would expect them to soften as we see increased supply hit the open market.” Even so, he still expects top quality bottles of Japanese whisky to produce double-digit annual returns. “Depending on the distillery and the bottle, I would be expecting a weighted average very similar to the most desirable bottles of Scotch, which have been increasing at around 23 - 25% per year for the last four years,” he says. Japan started producing whisky in the 1870s, with its first commercial distillery, Yamazaki, opening in 1924.The country’s whisky is closer to Scottish whisky than Irish or US whiskeys, hence the use of the Scottish spelling. There is growing evidence that the quality of Japanese whisky is on par with those produced in Scotland, with Japanese producer Suntory winning gold medals for the past 10 years at authoritative spirits competition, the International Spirits Challenge. As with Scotch, it is the single malts that Simpson thinks make the best investments. “The better the quality of the
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apan has been making whisky for more than a century, although the prominence of the country’s distilling industry has previously lagged behind its Scottish, Irish and US rivals. Recently though, the situation seems to be changing, with half a dozen Japanese whisky brands now available in the US, and an all-Japanese whisky bar, Mizuwari, opening in London. Interest is also growing in Asia. Bonhams Hong Kong held its first sale of exceptional Japanese Single Malt Whisky 18 months ago with just two bottles, one of which - a bottle of 1968 Karuizawa whisky - sold for HK$45,220, double the pre-sale estimate. Its latest auction, held in May this year, had 85 lots, all of which sold. Daniel Lam, Bonhams Hong Kong’s wine specialist, described demand as being astonishing. Among the lots was a bottle of Yamazaki 50year old, which went for a record HK$245,000, making it the most expensive bottle of Japanese whisky ever sold. Japanese distillery Suntory released only 150 bottles of the Yamazaki 50-year old in 2011, with the bottles retailing for HK$130,000 at the time. Lam explains, “Demand is definitely high and increasing in every part of the world. An ordinary bottle that would have sold for HK$4,000 18 months ago would go for HK$12,000 now.” It’s no suprise that the recent price increases have caught
INVESTMENT Liquid Gold
liquid and the smaller the release the better,” he explains. “Cask strength or natural strength examples are typically more desirable than bottles at say 40%. Ex-sherry cask releases are also more desirable than ex-Bourbon casks with a noticeable increase in demand for both Scotch and Japanese whisky from sherry casks.” As with any investment, the price of Japanese whisky is heavily determined by supply and demand factors. As a result, Simpson advises investors to look for bottles from so-called silent distilleries, which are no longer producing whisky. “At the moment bottles from closed distillery Karuizawa are experiencing unprecedented growth in value. New releases can sell out in minutes leaving some retailers to adopt a ‘raffle’ approach, randomly selecting lucky buyers from a pool of applicants.” He adds that the vast majority of releases from Karuizawa are single casks, some of which have yielded as few as 22 bottles. “The rarity factor plays a key role.These ultra-rarities are now selling at auction for thousands of pounds.” Lam also recommends that investors focus on bottles from silent distilleries. He says bottles from Hanyu, which ceased production in 2000, are even rarer than ones from Karuizawa, as there are now no more casks left, so no new bottles will be released to the market. Other bottles for investors to look out for include special event bottles and limited edition releases, but investors should make sure the number of bottles available in a series is genuinely limited. Hanyu did a series of 52 bottles, known as the Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Card Series, in which each bottle represented a particular playing card. Only between 100 and 300 bottles were produced for each card and Lau believes only three collectors in the world hold the complete series of 52 different bottles. A set of 13 bottles from this series sold at auction in Hong Kong last year for HK$98,000. But like any investment, whisky prices can be volatile. Simpson says, “Unprecedented demand right now could change in the future. Retail prices are increasing for Japanese whisky, the same as they are for Scotch, and the market will only take so much before backs are turned because bottles just become too expensive.” R
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INVESTMENT Pelican Bay
A PASSPORT TO
PARADISE The idyllic Caribbean island of St. Kitts is causing a stir among international property investors WORDS BY ZOE BELHOMME
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ith its intoxicating natural beauty, seemingly permanent blue skies and never-ending white sand beaches, it’s little wonder that St. Kitts is considered by many to be the most unspoilt and tranquil island in the Caribbean. Benefitting from the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea to the west and the dramatic Atlantic Ocean to the east, St. Kitts is a mere 168 square kilometres in size, and in recent years has shown signs of promising economic growth. It’s not just the beautiful scenery and relaxed vibe that has attracted the attention of international property investors. St. Kitts also lays claim to one of the most attractive citizenship by investment initiatives available anywhere in the world today. One development proving popular with Asian investors is Pelican Bay, an intimate hotel and condominium beachfront development, with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea, scheduled for completion in July 2016. Investors can choose from either one-bedroom condominiums (1050 sq ft) or junior suites (600 sq ft), both offering expansive open-air verandas with views of the lush landscaped gardens. Once complete, the resort will be managed by a credible international hotel operator to ensure
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each unit maintains its value and generates sufficient revenue to provide a positive return on investment for owners. Pelican Bay is conveniently located just 10 minutes from the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in the popular Frigate Bay area, one of the most extensively and tastefully developed areas of St. Kitts. Located on a spectacular white sand beach, the resort will be designed with rest and relaxation in mind; residents and hotel guests will enjoy easy access to a world-class golf course, restaurants, lively nightlife, a casino, watersports and a host of other activities. A state-ofthe-art gym, along with meeting and conference facilities are among the many amenities offered. The St. Kitts Citizenship by Investment program permits individuals and their families to obtain citizenship through the purchase of real estate on the island valued at US$400,000 or higher.The St. Kitts program offers great value for money in comparison to programs currently available in countries such as the United States, and does not impose onerous tax regimes or residency requirements.The whole process of gaining citizenship is also very efficient; in most cases you can have your St. Kitts passport within 120 days of applying, which ranks favourably with programs offered elsewhere in the world. Beyond the benefits of the citizenship program,
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MEMBER NEWS For more information about investing in property at Pelican Bay and the St. Kitts Citizenship by Investment Program, contact us at: member@thereserve-asia.com
investing in property in St. Kitts also makes financial sense. There is a limited supply of prime Caribbean beachfront property, and a high demand from overseas investors wanting to own a slice of Caribbean paradise. St. Kitts’ rapidly growing tourism sector now rivals that of its bigger, better-known neighbours such as Barbados and St. Lucia, with visitor arrivals increasing year on year. As a result, hotel rooms are commanding higher rates and enjoying higher year-round occupancies – a sign to investors that now just might be the perfect time to buy. R
CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM . Administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) . Established in1984 by a trusted and stable government . Real estate investment of US$400,000 . Application time of 90-120 days . Successful applicants receive a passport issued by the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis . Citizenship offers visa free travel to over 100 countries . Zero income, wealth, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax . No need to reside in the country and no restrictions on dual citizenship THE
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INVESTMENT Millesima
BIGGER BETTER BOTTLES
Ageing in a large bottle can turn an average wine into something extraordinary and a fine wine into something phenomenal
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agnums. Double Magnums. Jeroboams. Imperials. Balthazars. Nebuchadnezzars. Wine comes in all shapes and sizes, yet most of us only ever buy the standard bottle. Large format bottles, as they are known in the industry, arguably take wines to the next level. From Bordeaux to Burgundy, Champagne and beyond there are 10 different large format bottles in popular use today, and Bordeaux-based Millesima offers them all. Bottle size plays a fundamental role in the ageing process, and experienced collectors agree that wines develop better in a larger format. Ageing in a large bottle can turn an average wine into something extraordinary and a fine wine into something phenomenal. Add the fact that wine makers often reserve the best of their offerings for large formats, and it’s clear that bigger is often better. “A great thing about large format bottles is that the wine ages slower and more delicately than wines in smaller
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bottles,” notes Millesima wine advisor Antoine Gimbert, “I usually find they have a fresher profile than their smaller siblings.” The science behind it is simple. Oxygenation, and therefore ageing, occurs due to a breathing cork. A cork expands and contracts, allowing oxygen to enter into the bottle. As large formats have a smaller surface area, and therefore less exposure to oxygen, the wine will age more slowly and more delicately, creating a refined wine that is more resistant to temperature irregularities. Beyond the ageing and quality arguments, there’s also the fun factor. Due to their rarity, large format bottles cause a stir. Celebrating life’s greatest moments with a unique format makes your event one to remember. The theatre of pouring from larger bottles thrills sommeliers, and diners like drinking in the magic, too. Many will argue that part of the allure of great wine is the communal enjoyment – sharing it with friends and family at a meal or a tasting. Big bottles actually obligate (or at
least provide a reason for) their owners to open them for a large group. Often, the highest quality wine from a vintage is reserved for the special few who want to invest in large formats. This is the estate’s way of rewarding clients who commit to ordering larger volumes. Millesima is one of the privileged few to buy direct from the producing estate, with a certain allotment of accessible wine each year. In the case of purchasing en primeur, clients are able to request a certain bottle format before the wine is even finished and out of the barrel. This could mean that if you were the only client to order a certain size, you will be the exclusive owner of a certain format and vintage, making it incredibly rare and more valuable. As one of the largest purchasers of en primeur in the world, and with an Imperial Library of over 12,000 large format bottles purchased directly from the estates and slowly aged in their 200-year old cellar, Millesima is an excellent source for fine wines in large formats. Buying your fine wines from a Bordeaux-based wine merchant may also reduce the risk of purchasing fake wine, something well-publicised in today’s wine buying market. Whether selected from their collection or purchased en primeur on your behalf, the company can help customers find the perfect bottle. Wine advisor Antoine Gimbert assists each customer with their orders according to their tastes, requirements and budget. Trained at the Bordeaux Oenology Institute, he has tasted each and every wine listed by Millesima. R Contact us to find out more at reserveme@thereserve-asia.com
GOING LARGE
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MEMBER NEWS
Split – ¼ of a standard bottle Half/Demi – ½ of a standard bottle Standard – common bottle size Magnum – equal to two standard bottles Marie-Jeanne – equal to three standard bottles Double Magnum – equal to four standard bottles Jeroboam – equal to 6 standard bottles Imperial – equal to 2 double magnums Salmanazar – equal to a full case of wine Balthazar – equal to two imperials Nebuchadnezzar – equal to 20 standard bottles Melchior – equal to 2 salmanazars
Want to extend your wine collection with a selection of alternative size bottles? For a personal introduction to Millesima and to receive exclusive member discounts, contact us at: member@thereserve-asia.com
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INVESTMENT The Macallan
The Spirit of Scotland Introducing The Macallan and Lalique’s latest creation – the exquisite Spiritual Home Decanter
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ailed as one of the ultimate luxury collaborations, The Macallan and Lalique have been creating beautiful objet d’art together for almost a decade, and the exclusive decanters recently released in The Macallan 62 years old in Lalique Six Pillars Collection represent the pinnacle of whisky and crystal-making. The pieces have become highly-sought after by whisky connoisseurs and discerning art lovers alike and each new product is highly anticipated, with the latest in the series being no exception. This 62-year-old The Macallan single malt whisky bottled in a beautiful Lalique decanter is a tribute to both the Scottish firm’s heritage, in particular Easter Elchies Manor House which is in the heart of their Speyside estate, and Rene Lalique’s exquisite artistic legacy. Designed by Lalique’s Marc Larminaux, the Spiritual Home Decanter incorporates many important elements of the Jacobean manor house to make this tribute an
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accurate representation of the spirit of The Macallan, who has been crafting world renowned single malt whisky since the early 19th century. Some unique examples include the frosted texture on three sides of the decanter, echoing the surface of the Scottish grand home, and the distinctive crow-stepped bottle neck which leads up to the stopper, is inspired by the crow-stepped gable leading up to the chimney at Easter Elchies House. Captain John Grant, who built the manor in 1700, famously had his initials, JEG, carved on the manor’s datestone, which are also reproduced on the decanter. It is this attention to detail in beautiful crystal, combined with The Macallan’s passion for its rich history that has made the pieces in this collection so popular. David Cox, Director of Fine & Rare Whiskies for The Macallan, explains: “Our inspirational partnership with Lalique is widely regarded as one of the ultimate luxury partnerships. This fifth collaboration in The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars collection further reinforces our commitment to working together to create beautiful and
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desirable objets d’art. This is the penultimate decanter on an inspirational journey to the heart of The Macallan.” The Macallan Limited Edition Lalique V is a rare 62-yearold Macallan single malt, which was originally poured into American oak sherry seasoned casks in the early 1950s, encased in the finest crystal. It is the second oldest whisky ever bottled and only 400 decanters are being released worldwide, making it one of the most exclusive whiskies available on the open market. Cox adds: “The total offering is a gem. It is perfect for connoisseurs of both The Macallan and Lalique, collectors and investors, for savouring the sensory delights of a bygone age, for passing onto others in celebration, or simply for the ownership of a beautiful product that is rare and will not be repeated.” The Macallan is one of the most popular premium whiskies in the world, even drunk by 007, played by Daniel Craig in the Bond film Skyfall. The biggest overseas market is the US but in the past decade the Asian market for rare, exclusive spirits has
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grown rapidly. In a recent interview Ken Grier, director of Malts at The Macallan, confirmed that Asia is the firm’s “top-selling region” - consuming around half of The Macallan’s production. Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea are among the biggest markets, but there are also huge opportunities in China. Sales of all single-malt whisky almost doubled in the country between 2007 and 2012 to US$264m and are expected to rise by another US$100m by 2017, according to research by Euromonitor International. The Macallan Limited Edition Lalique V is priced at US$25,000 but the firm’s exclusive limited edition pieces are famed for rapidly appreciating in value. In January this year, Sotheby’s The Macallan 6-litre “M” Decanter by Lalique, set a new world auction record when it sold for US$628,205, far higher than the US$500,000 estimate. The previous record was set in 2010 by Sotheby’s New York when The Macallan 64-year-old in Lalique Cire Perdue fetched US$460,000, the oldest whisky ever
they take only 16% of the final distillation from the spirit stills to fill into their oak casks, the “Natural Colour” celebrates the rich range of colours in The Macallan whiskies, while the “Exceptional Oak Casks” is due to the fact that the firm spends more on sourcing, building, seasoning and caring for its casks than any other single malt whisky. A spokesman adds: “The pillars encompass the strong sense of place at the heart of the distillery and the estate, together with our long experience of distilling and maturing a single malt whisky with a reputation for product excellence and distinctive character. These, in combination, contribute to the essential character of The Macallan.” The first four decanters in the collection sold out within weeks of becoming available for purchase, and it is expected that The Macallan 62 years old in Lalique Six Pillars Collection will follow suit.The final decanter will complete the collection and will be inspired by the final pillar - The Macallan itself - one of the world’s greatest whiskies. R
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bottled. The sale was made in order to raise funds for a charity dedicated to providing clean drinking water in developing countries. Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, said: “Following the resounding success of the first four decanters in The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection, Lalique is proud to unveil the fifth. The spectacular shape and exquisite details of this Fifth Pillar represent countless hours of painstaking work by Lalique’s master craftsmen. We sincerely hope that the fortunate few owners of this sumptuous new decanter take as much pleasure in admiring it as we have done in creating it.” The Macallan says its Six Pillars are the “foundation stones for the whisky’s fame and character”, with each of the decanters in the Six Pillars Collection named after these foundation stones. The “Spiritual Home,” is Easter Elchies House, which is the beating heart of The Macallan estate, the “Curiously Small Stills,”contribute to the full and fruity flavour, the “Finest Cut” relates to the fact that
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Insiders INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES
I relax a hundred times better in hotels I haven’t designed. I criticise everything when it’s my own. Home is Where the Hotel is, p. 92
Ten minutes with...
Ben Chen
The Chinese artist on his fruitful career in the arts world INTERVIEW BY NATALYA XAVIER
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orn in 1959 in Guangzhou, Chen Ben has become one of the most famous contemporary painters in China. His works have been displayed at national and international art exhibitions and been snapped up by European art lovers and aristocrats since the 1980s. In 2003,
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his painting ‘Space and Time’ was displayed at the centenary of Salon d’ Automne in France, making him one of the few Chinese artists presented at the prestigious world art exhibition. The Reserve caught up with him to talk about his colourful art career and to find out where he finds inspiration for his impressive artistic creations.
What inspires your paintings? My love of nature and Chinese culture has influenced a lot of my work. What do you aim to achieve through your pieces? As an artist, I try to convey an emotion through my art, whether that be anger, pain, sadness, joy or lust. At what point did you feel you had become a success? Subjectively, I would like to think that I am a fairly successful artist, because I believe in myself. I am a fan of my own work, and believe that I have developed my own personal style and artistic flair, but I am far from perfection. You’ve travelled a lot as a result of your various exhibitions. Has this influenced your art? I am Chinese, however the art I create, or perhaps my choice of medium, is considered Western. I believe that the Europeans are the true maestros when it comes to art, and I studied a lot of their work during my childhood. I believe it is so important to exhibit abroad – the experience and the exposure are essential for artistic development.
What themes do you enjoy painting? A lot of my work features lotus flowers and fish, as they are strong symbols in Chinese culture.The abstract mingling of lotus flowers, moving fish and diverse colours renders a confusing yet astonishing sense of freedom. I have also enjoyed producing portraits of renowned global figures such as former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Have you always preferred to use oil for your work? I was exposed to western oil paintings at a very early age because of my teacher, Master Chui of Guangdong. Her signature technique of using oil on canvas influenced my growth and development and over time, I continued to study a lot of French artists and their work. Marcel Duchamp is my favourite.
What is your take on contemporary Chinese art and its growing popularity globally? Once a country starts to gain power, wealth and influence, it is impossible to hide from global attention and speculation. The development of the cultural and art scene of a country, in my opinion, is directly proportionate to the country’s social development, so in that sense, the increased interest towards Chinese contemporary art on a global scale was imperative. Do you agree with Ai Weiwei’s view that Chinese art “does not exist” because of the restrictions placed on creatives? I believe that art forms of all types, placed anywhere, have meaning behind them.They exist and therefore are rational. What’s next for you? I am currently working with renowned Italian artist Danilo Giannoni on a project to convey peace, love and solidarity through the medium of art. R
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How did your interest in art begin? When I was young, having an interest in art was highly respected and seen as noble by society in Mainland China. People who loved and appreciated art were well-educated and cultured so this initially inspired me to take an interest. Once I began to paint I realised that it was the perfect way for me to express my thoughts and emotions.
Do you have a favourite piece? No, it really depends on my mood as to which piece I like the most. I see myself as quite a complicated person. If art strikes an emotion and causes me to feel a certain way when I see it, then I believe it has achieved something special.
INSIDERS
Mission Missoni
MISSION MISSONI Fashion heirs Ottavio Missoni Jr. and Teresa Maccapani Missoni talk business INTERVIEW BY CATHERINE SHAW
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Do the recent collections of Missoni represent an evolution or a revolution for the brand? T: You reach a point where you have to break the rules and change shapes and patterns to become more modern and sophisticated. Missoni had two big changes; one in the 1990s and another three years ago. The most recent change reflects the younger generation’s way of looking at the world. Our family sees the different way we wear Missoni, like the way we enjoy layering it with other brands, and it helps them think of how it could evolve.
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fter 60 years, Italian fashion house Missoni remains at the forefront of the notoriously fickle fashion world with its trademark colourful zigzag and stripes worn by celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Frida Pinto and Rhianna. To mark the opening of a contemporary new boutique in Hong Kong, on Central’s On Lan Street, the founder’s heirs Ottavio Missoni Jr. (O) and Teresa Maccapani Missoni (T) tell The Reserve how the iconic company keeps innovation at the core of the brand.
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Mission Missoni
Your stores in Milan and London have also been given a fresh new look by architect/designer Patricia Urquiola. Is this part of a new-look Missoni that we will see worldwide? T: Missoni’s fashion concept and image have changed and so surroundings and the way we present them had to change too, including how the clothes are displayed in the store. The collections are more modern but will always retain the brand’s DNA. My mother and grandmother who do the Missoni Home Collection both love Patricia’s work and already have some of her pieces. O: Architecture and fashion are very closely connected and the changes are a way to help customers understand the fashion changes. Milan is our own store so we could do what we wanted. For instance, the furniture we used is more cosy and comfortable but very contemporary, while the trademark colour is now a deep, rust brick. Will the new interior design concept be adapted for different cities and cultures? O: Yes, Patricia really understands how to translate the same concept into each culture. In Saudi Arabia for instance, the patterns on the boutique’s walls reflect the colours of the natural desert landscape. Patricia also managed to deal with the cultural issues of men and women being separated with a design that made the women’s dressing area feel private but not as though it was completely hidden away. Hong Kong is such a multicultural place it doesn’t need anything like that, but for China we would probably make subtle changes, perhaps using more golds and reds. How do you maintain the brands’s DNA over such a long time? O: It is much easier than you think because essentially we are the DNA. Even from one generation to the next, it is not difficult because it is a natural process of living it and being aware of what Missoni is. We know the stories our grandparents have told us and always spend time together as a family. T: Only Missoni does what we do.We are always around our factory and machines so we understand how it works - how to change stitches and colours or how to mix it up. Being a family is a point of strength for our brand:There is no better testimonial.We are not obliged to wear Missoni, we just wear the clothes because we feel comfortable in them.
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You have stores in Milan, Paris, New York, Hong Kong and many other cities. Is China on your radar? O: Our biggest market is Europe and currently the United States is a key focus, but China is obviously a potential market. We are looking at various possibilities but taking our time to do it well. We are happy to see from our store in Hong Kong that Chinese customers already love Missoni. What is the greatest challenge facing Missoni? O: We need to grow as a company but it is important not to forget the rules of the brand. If you expand too fast and become very commercial you can lose what makes it exclusive and special. My grandfather, whose own father was a captain, used to say that if you have a big ship you might have many people on board, but with a small ship you know exactly where you are going. R
OTTAVIO MISSONI JR. Born in Italy in 1984, Ottavio is the grandson of Ottavio Missoni Sr. who co-founded Missoni with his wife Rosita in 1953. Ottavio Jr. graduated with a degree in languages and lives in Milan where he is currently focused on developing the American market.
TERESA MACCAPANI MISSONI Born in Italy in 1988, Teresa moved to Paris where she studied at Parsons. She returned to Italy in 2009 and continued her studies in fine art while working on a Master’s degree in fashion and textile design. Although Teresa has no official role within Missoni, she acts as brand ambassador and inspiration for her mother, Angela Missoni, who is the designer and creative director. THE
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INSIDERS Megan Piper
WALK THE L NE London’s new sculpture walk, The Line, introduces a template that could be used in cities all over the world, says founder Megan Piper INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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I’m quite a daydreamer – seeing ideas with such clarity makes you forget they are just ideas
View south towards Canary Wharf from Twelvetrees Bridge over Bow Locks
How did you raise enough capital to get the idea off the ground? We crowdfunded £141,000 (HK$1.8m) to get the project started - there’s a lot of goodwill behind it. Using a platform called Spacehive, the only civic crowdfunding platform in the UK, the funds were raised in less than eight weeks. We had only six hours to spare! It was nail-biting. What prompted the idea for The Line? I have a personal fascination with the amount of artwork that exists and is squirreled away in storage, hidden from public view. I wanted to come up with a way of presenting those works. Just before the 2012 Olympics I was
introduced to Clive Dutton, an urban regeneration expert. At the time he was working for Newham Council – he was there for five years in the run-up to the Olympics. He helped coordinate an exhibition of David Bailey’s East London photos and I was introduced through him. I thought he was one of those brilliant, forward-thinking people who is committed to making things happen. We stayed in touch and last year I went to see him at Newham Council where he talked me through all the things happening there. I had no idea there was so much investment in that area. As London grows, the East is definately going to be a focal point. I asked him if I could come up with some ideas compatible with the work he was doing in regeneration, and the proposal for a sculpture walk came out of that conversation. How did the idea evolve over time? As the idea developed both of us felt it should be a walk and not a park as parks have boundaries and rules whereas a walk links places, which seems more positive. There is so much money being invested in the area but it also has one of the lowest participation levels in the arts world in the UK. The idea of bringing works out of galleries and museums and onto the streets, essentially democratising the presentation of art, is really exciting.
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Tell us about The Line. The Line is a sculpture walk linking the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park and the Millennium Dome. The idea is to present interesting works of art in a new context. We had open submissions inviting artists to propose work for consideration, which were then evalauated by an independent panel. All locations along the route are by the water – the Thames, the Royal Docks and the River Lea. It’s called The Line because the route broadly follows the Greenwich Meridian.The installation should be ready by the end of July.
INSIDERS Megan Piper
Olympic Park regeneration plans, courtesy of London Legacy Development Corporation
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River Lea Stratford
Bromley by Bow Star Lane
Royal Victoria Dock
Canary Wharf
North Greenwich
River Thames
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How easy has it been to see the project through from conception to reality? I’m quite a daydreamer. Having ideas and seeing them with such clarity makes you forget they are just ideas, problems and hurdles fall away. I grew up with parents who really encouraged me and gave me the belief that ‘any failure is in the not trying’. You’ve achieved an awful lot at the young age of 29 – How have you managed it? I’ve assembled a team of brilliant people, including Richard Rogers, Ivan Harbour and Mark Wallinger, along with a heap of other people who believe in what we do. If you start from the point of view that everything is possible, you find a way to do it. I felt the same way when I ran my own gallery [Megan opened the Piper Gallery, Central London, in 2012]. Do you have plans to open up more sculpture walks worldwide? The Line as a concept is not unique to London.The idea of a linear sculpture walk in a city that is about presenting work in a new context is possible anywhere. A huge ambition is for it to be a template for other cities to do the same, whether it’s to do with Olympic legacy, regeneration or anything else. As a project, it has big potential and if I can be involved on any longer term level, I’d be very excited. R THE
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Health and Happiness
Health & Happiness Summer is here – and that spells bikinis and Vilebrequins for most of us. So have you been detoxing, dieting or working out in preparation? We asked a collection of industry experts from the sport and food industries to tell us if they’ve been worthy or wicked this season
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Hannah White Transatlantic Sailor, Broadcaster and Adventurer Thirty year-old Hannah has already sailed the Atlantic solo three times, been a presenter at the 2012 Olympics and landed her own TV adventure show in the UK. I would describe my diet as… I love food, and my diet is generally whole food based. No processed food and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and fish. My favourite meal of the day is… breakfast without a doubt! I am always starving when I wake up and just have to eat. I have a sweet tooth and there are so many yummy breakfast foods to eat. Anything from smoothies to oats to pancakes to granola – depending on my mood. My guilty pleasure food-wise is… anything chocolate-based really. One of my favourite hobbies is making traditionally unhealthy treats into delicious superfood sensations. At the moment my favourite guilty pleasure is raw carrot cake. I made it for a dinner party the other day and it went down great. In my fridge you’ll always find… blueberries, I just love them.You’ll also find spinach, coconut water, almond milk and cheese for my boyfriend – I’ve got to keep him happy too! I drink alcohol on average… rarely. I only really drink alcohol on special occasions when there’s something to celebrate. A celebrity whose figure I would like is… Someone like Cameron Diaz or Hilary Swank. I like girls who have a strong physique, anyone who trains to stay in shape and doesn’t starve to stay skinny. I keep fit by… mixing it up. I love doing a bit of everything, from yoga and pilates to endurance cycles and runs. I also love doing weights and cross fit.
My proudest sporting moment was… coming second in the 2009 OSTAR (Original Single Handed TransAtlantic Race). I had been working towards it for many years so it was such a proud moment in my sailing career. Best song to exercise to is… probably Katy Perry’s Firework. Great get-up-and-go music.
Best hotel gym is… The Chedi in Muscat, Oman. Great facilities in a beautiful setting and it has a 100m infinity lap pool. My best spa treatment ever was… I think a magnesium wrap, as it’s so difficult for your body to absorb magnesium, it makes my body feel so good. The best health spa in the world is… Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, England.
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Each week I exercise… I’d say five or six days. I just love it. It makes me feel energised when I exercise.
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Health and Happiness
Gareth Baber Head Coach, Hong Kong Sevens Team Baber is a former Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff, Llanelli, Aberavon, Pontypridd and Bristol scrum-half. He also won a Blue for Oxford University. He took up his new position in December of last year. I would describe my diet as… varied. When I was a professional player I was very disciplined with what I ate but now that I do not have to perform to these physical levels I can indulge more.
I exercise… four times a week. I motivate myself by… wanting to get better every day. I have always been driven by this desire and it’s something I try to instill in my players and staff. Best song to exercise to… any of the Rocky songs. I’m very much an 80’s child who was influenced by these tunes and images.
My favourite meal of the day is… dinner. I do find it difficult to eat during the day as I am always pretty busy but having time with my family in the evening to sit down and have dinner is very important to me.
Best hotel gym is… I don’t tend to train at gyms in hotels.
My guilty pleasure food-wise is… a full English breakfast. Not necessarily the healthiest option, but given the opportunity I would eat one every day.
My best spa treatment ever was… rugby players don’t do spas!
In my fridge you’ll always find… all the stuff my kids eat! With me out the house a fair bit with work, the fridge tends to get stocked with whatever my kids want – I rarely get my own pick of things unless I do the shopping myself! I drink alcohol on average… twice a week. I don’t tend to drink alcohol at home but I do enjoy socialising with a beer. A celebrity whose body I would like is… Bruce Lee. I keep fit by… running, playing sport, trying to keep up with my children. My job keeps me on my feet for most of the day.
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My favourite sportswear brand is… Adidas.
Maximilian von Poelnitz Founder, Secret Ingredient
Max set up Hong Kong-based business Secret Ingredient in 2011, after seeing a gap in the market for a meal delivery service with fresh ingredients and cooking instructions included. The company now delivers dinner to 200 homes every day. I would describe my diet as… I have a balanced approach to food with numerous snacks and juice options throughout the day.
I keep fit by… swimming and core exercises twice a week. My proudest sporting moment… I tried to be a pro golfer when I was younger. I won numerous tournaments but was quite proud to play exceptionally well in a US Amateur qualifier. I motivate myself by… being quite strict with myself, I am my own boss so it’s all about self-motivation.
My favourite meal of the day is… dinner, especially around a big, 10-person dinner table.
Best song to exercise to… anything by Calvin Harris.
My guilty pleasure food-wise is… chocolate bars. Twix in particular!
My favourite sportswear brand is… Under Armour – their shoes are amazing!
In my fridge you’ll always find… apples. I love them with peanut butter.
My best spa treatment ever was… at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong – it was the first time I had ever had a spa treatment.
I drink alcohol on average… three or four times a week. The best health spa in the world is… the Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spa, Thailand.
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A celebrity whose body I would like… any soccer player.
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Health and Happiness
Man-Sing Lee Chef de Cuisine, Man Wah, Mandarin Oriental
In my fridge you’ll always find… fresh vegetables. I drink alcohol on average… a couple of times a week. I enjoy drinking red wine over dinner with friends and family. A fine wine is a complement to a good meal. A celebrity whose body I would like… I have seriously never thought about such a thing! Chef Lee attended the exclusive Master Chef Course in Chinese cuisine at The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute, where he was one of the youngest students to graduate. He has since worked at the Fortune Room at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Hoi Yat Heen at Harbour Grand Kowloon. He joined Man Wah in 2011. I would describe my diet as… healthy yet tasty. Eating healthily is very important but one shouldn’t have to compromise on the taste of the food for that. My favourite meal of the day is… breakfast. I don’t have much time for lunch or dinner in general, except on my day off. I enjoy having a great breakfast to kick-start my day. It gives me energy. My guilty pleasure food-wise is… barbecued pork. I just love it. Come try the one that we serve at Man Wah!
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I keep fit by… eating healthily and doing exercise regularly. I enjoy hiking with my family. Each week I exercise... a couple of times. I should do it more often. I motivate myself by... doing exercise - it is the only thing that allows me to eat more and as a chef I need to eat all the time! Even when I’m off work, say travelling, I need to try out other chefs’ dishes. My best spa treatment ever was… Imperial Jade Ritual at The Mandarin Spa in the hotel. With a very busy schedule at work, I don’t have much time for spa treatments elsewhere. I remember I had that treatment a while ago and it was one of the most relaxing and comfortable experiences I’ve ever had.
Charles Caudrelier Skipper, Dongfeng Race Team in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 Charles is one of the top figures in ocean racing worldwide and is one of the best offshore sailors in France. His passion for sailing began when he was 15 and his father bought him a Le Figaro sailboat. I would describe my diet as… very specific to my landbased training requirements at the moment. And of course when we’re racing it’s freeze dried, freeze dried and nothing but freeze dried! In my fridge you’ll always find… biltong, cheese and salted butter. I live in Brittany, France and salted butter is very traditional. I drink alcohol on average… a litre a year. I am lucky because I’ve never liked any alcohol, even French wine. I keep fit by… using the principles of interval training for all my cardiovascular workouts. Each week, I exercise… between 9 and 11 sessions per week when we are not sailing, . When I am off my hobbies are running, swimming, biking, kite surfing and diving so I never stop exercising actually!
Best song to exercise to… Eye of the Tiger! No, I’m joking. I don’t have one to be honest. Best hotel gym is… the Club La Santa in Lanzarote.
I motivate myself by… I don’t need to motivate myself anymore. Sailing is my job but first and foremost my passion.
My favourite sportswear brand is… Musto for sure! Having waterproof wet weather gear is key for the performance of the team and essential on the VO65 Dongfeng. My best spa treatment ever was… I have never been in a spa! But a simple foot massage and I am in paradise! R
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My proudest sporting moment was… my first place on the race La Solitaire Du Figaro, the most famous singlehanded race in France after Le Vendee Globe.
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For Goodness Sake
FOR
INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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Andrew Booth
How did the decision come about to set up shop in Cambodia? During a short family vacation I realised that I had not read a novel in a decade. I knew then that my life was unbalanced. Within a few days of leaving the bank my wife and I embarked on a trip around the world. When we landed in Siem Reap the first thing we noticed was the authenticity, warmth and openness of the people. An intended five-day side trip stretched into weeks and
a connection was made. I found a country rich in assets yet cash poor. Spectacular temples and charming villages boded well for international tourism but it was equally clear that most of the benefits did not reach the man on the street. I also saw that tourism was not done well, the guides all followed the same itineraries and, even back then, the key sites could get overcrowded. Here was an opportunity to make a difference. You ended up moving to Cambodia. Was this always part of the plan? I am not sure there was ever any grand plan. The enterprise was developed initially from Italy and Singapore until an upset with the local partner. I headed to Siem Reap at just a few hours notice with my wife’s encouragement of ‘don’t let him get away with
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ndrew Booth set up ABOUTAsia in 2007 after a long career in investment banking. The Cambodian tourism company donates all of its profits to rural education and currently supports over 50,000 children in 100 schools.
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For Goodness Sake
it’ and found myself rather stuck here as I rescued the enterprise. Siem Reap is a wonderful place to work and call home. Though as a small town it misses the cultural opportunities of a large city, it still has many advantages – my morning run takes me through the woods and along the moat of Angkor Wat and my cycle route has me winding through the rice paddies at first light. What, if anything, do you miss about your old city slicker London life? There is little I miss about the investment banking lifestyle. I suspect the image of the city slicker is rarely realised in practice. The reality, at least for me, was predawn starts, walks to the train in the rain, being woken by 3am phone calls for trading instructions and rarely seeing natural light during the winter months. I do, however, miss the speed of progress. We have many more ideas here than we are able to develop at any given moment. At times I can be frustrated by how slowly we are developing and at other times I’m celebrating how very far we have come from starting on a laptop in an Internet café. What other challenges did you meet setting up a business in Cambodia? In the early years the infrastructure was terribly basic. Internet connection was expensive and slow. Corruption
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was endemic. After a couple of years an early local partner stole considerable funds raised for education. I was advised that pursuing him for the funds through the notorious Cambodian legal system would not be worthwhile. How do you think your previous career influenced your success in this venture? Whether through my exploits in banking or through sport I have certainly learnt that success is achieved mainly through stick-ability. If you refuse to lose then eventually you must win, right? I also learnt through science that you do not guess what is measurable, so I have set out to understand in detail the way crowds of tourists move through the archaeological park in different seasons. This has enabled us to design itineraries that avoid the worst of the flag-following tour groups. What can ABOUTAsia offer the luxury-seeking traveller? Local knowledge is key. My team and I live and work here in Siem Reap. We know the temples, countryside, lakes and villages intimately. If I recommend a restaurant or spa it is because I have tried it in person and thought it was great – not because I read it in a guidebook. There’s a big philanthropic advantage too - 100% of the profits from the tour company are given over to ABOUTAsia Schools who now support over 50,000
Can you tell us more about the philanthropic side of the company? We built our first school in 2006 under Bernard Krisher’s [fellow philanthropist and founder of Cambodia Daily] initiatives of partnering private funding with money from the Asian Development Bank. Quickly we learnt that schools were being built but many were then struggling, held back by the terribly small budget for state education. Rather than add to the inventory we began to adopt existing schools, providing supplies, uniforms and other necessities. We found that the government schools only begin to teach English at secondary level, missing the key formative years of a child’s life. To fill this gap, we offer free English classes at government primary schools. To ensure our efforts our sustainable, we have created a Teacher Training Academy. How has running a non-profit company matched up to any expectations you had? I don’t run a non-profit company. I run a commercial
company and elect to pass all of the profits to rural education. This is a subtle but important difference that I feel is instrumental in our long-term success. Employees of the travel company are well aware of why we are striving for success and absolutely support our educational programs but on a day-to-day basis have the mindset and culture of a commercial enterprise. What would you say our readers can do on an individual level to create change on a philanthropic level? Take even just a few moments when next planning your holiday to consider who you are spending your money with and how it will be used. I don’t believe that people ought to choose one travel company over another purely on responsible travel criteria, though. Supporting an enterprise that otherwise would not stand on its own two feet is not helpful in the long run. Once these factors are considered, however, perhaps the responsible credentials of a company can be used as a tie-breaker. Where do your dollars actually go and what benefit will they have on the local community? What are your plans from here? My aim is to educate 250,000 children so we have a good way to go. It is also my aim to get visitors to think just a little about their own place in the world. R
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children in 100 schools. Not only does this give lifechanging opportunities to so many children but the close connection with these communities provides opportunities to the guest which would otherwise not be available.
INSIDERS Bonnie Chen
Bonnie Chen in design by Clementine Sandner. Photography Raul Docasar
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BRAINS BEAUTY Supermodel Bonnie Chen sits down with The Reserve to talk about her role as ambassador for fashion NGO, Redress INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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onnie Chen is one of China’s most successful models, appearing on the covers of L’Officiel, Harpers Bazaar and Elle to name just a few, and jetting between Hong Kong, Beijing and New York on assignments. This year Bonnie became an ambassador for Redress, a fashion NGO set up by Hong Kong-based activist Christina Dean with a mission to promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry. The NGO conceived the EcoChic Design Award, now in its fifth cycle in Hong Kong. The award inspires emerging fashion designers and students to create clothing with minimal textile waste with the finalists showing their designs during Hong Kong Fashion Week. The winner will work with Shanghai Tang to create a capsule collection using upcycled textiles. THE
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INSIDERS Bonnie Chen
Alongside being one of the world’s most successful models, you also have a university degree. Do you think your education has made you better at your job? I paused my modelling career for four years so I could complete my university degree [Bonnie graduated in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania]. I wanted to get a better understanding of myself and of fashion before re-entering the modelling world. I think my education has definitely made me a better role model. It equipped me with an intellectual framework and gave me an inquisitive nature, encouraging me to question the world around me. This, for example, sparked my interest into the broader impacts of the fashion industry, which is something I care about, and is one of the reasons why I am an ambassador for The EcoChic Design Award. My education has driven my quest for knowledge and my passion to use my position as a positive role model, not just a model.
Design by Alex Law Photography Raul Docasar
How did you become an ambassador for Redress? I heard about Redress through a Hong Kong stylist I was working with called Denise Ho. Like me, she plays a role in stimulating demand and desire for fashion amongst consumers. As I’m very passionate about sustainability, I wanted to use my influence to send a positive message about sustainability and waste reduction in the industry. Redress mirrored my own inner desires for ‘better’ fashion with less environmental pollution, so I happily took the role. Were you already aware of sustainable fashion and what more have you since learnt about it? I’ve always cared about sustainability in general. However, my knowledge and interest in sustainability in the fashion industry have increased since working on the ‘inside’ as a model. Here, I’ve witnessed a rapid growth of the industry and with this, a growing trend for fashion consumption, all of which contributes to clothing wastage and negative environmental impacts. Do you practice what you preach? What tips can you give readers wanting to make a difference? The longer I work as a model, the less desire I have to follow new trends. I’m a huge fan of vintage and secondhand clothes. I have even launched my own second-hand clothing charity, called Star Bunny Love, where we sell donated clothes to raise funds for autistic children in China.
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Design by Catherine Hudson Photography Raul Docasar
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INSIDERS Bonnie Chen
Design by Xinyan Dai Photography Raul Docasar
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Have you noticed any progress in this area with the designers you work with? I’m extremely excited about the new wave of sustainable fashion designers coming up, particularly in Asia, which Redress is nurturing through The EcoChic Design Award. These emerging designers are changing their palettes by adopting more sustainable design practices and by upcycling textile waste. For me, it’s a breath of fresh air to witness the new creativity and innovation in sustainable design coming from the younger generation. This is why I support the competition, because I want to do what I can to promote and enhance emerging sustainable fashion designers’ careers through raising the profile of their work. What does luxury mean to you? To me, luxury clothing is about loving what you are wearing, knowing that it was made with care to the environment and people and that it will last and carry your memories and personality with you. Luxury is about truly being yourself, being with the people you love and working on things you are passionate about. This makes everything beautiful.
Gong Jia Qi wins The EcoChic Design Award China 2012
What is next for you? I hope that as my career develops I can work with more brands and organisations who are embracing business change for a better, more sustainable industry. I’m really excited about supporting Redress and The EcoChic Design Award and seeing their impact grow around the world. I have recently been taking film classes in New York, and working on my charity projects across the world, which I also hope to continue. To find out more about Redress, visit redress.com.hk. R
IN NUMBERS 79,205
Number of tonnes of textiles sent to landfills in 2011 in Hong Kong alone (Hong Kong Environment Protection Agency, 2012).
17-20%
The percentage of total industrial water pollution that comes from textile dyeing and treatment (World Bank).
2,700
Number of litres of water needed to make a single t-shirt (WWF, 2013).
6kg
The carbon footprint of a t-shirt (Carbon Trust, Working with Conventional Clothing: Product Carbon Footprinting in Practice, 2008).
US$2.6bn
Cost of pesticides sprayed on cotton fields each year (Pesticide Action Network).
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The EcoChic Design Award China 2012 Grand Final at Shanghai Fashion Week
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Jean-Michel Gathy
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Architect JeanMichel Gathy has designed many of the world’s most beautiful hotels. So what inspires the man behind these masterpieces? INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
Cheval Blanc Randheli
Do you think you were always destined to be an architect? I am by nature an entrepreneur. I’ve always liked to build things. I’m a dreamer too, but I like to make my dreams happen. I’ve also always been someone who worships art, the outdoors, beauty – I love aesthetic and design. I like things
to have a frame, which is what separates me from an artist. So when you want a frame, have a love of art and beauty and the desire to build I guess you end up in this profession. Whether I was born to do it, I cannot say for sure. Did you always intend to specialise in architecture for travel or did it happen by accident? I’ve always loved travelling, ever since I was a child. When you put travelling together with my love of beauty and building things, you end up with hotels. It was not coincidental – I’ve never dreamed of building an office in the middle of a city – that just doesn’t turn me on. It’s not sexy. What are the components of luxury that you have to consider in your hotel design? The ultimate purpose is to make sure you design a place
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f you’ve stayed in any of the world’s best hotels on your travels, chances are Jean-Michel Gathy has had something to do with them. The Belgianborn, Malaysia-based architect has a host of luxury hotel projects under his belt, including multiple Aman Resorts and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s recent crash pad, Cheval Blanc in the Maldives. The Reserve caught up with him over a chamomile tea as he took a break from his next projects which include Park Hyatt, Sanya and Mandarin Oriental, Bali.
INSIDERS
Jean-Michel Gathy
Aman Canal Grande
where people will be comfortable and want to come back to. Return guests are the essence of a first-class hotel. If you manage that, then you’re successful. So this is the ultimate target when we design – whether we achieve that via construction materials, technology, space, volume, privacy – we have to make it as appealing as possible to the customer. Your first resort was Aman Resorts’ Amanwana on the Indonesian island of Moyo. Would you change anything about that design now? It wasn’t the first resort I designed, but it was the first that actually got built. I guess there are new technologies now that weren’t part of the world when we were designing back then. But fundamentally the vision of a remote ‘camping site’ remains – I’ve been
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back a lot and still like it. In fact, I am still designing things with similarities. Some of my clients specifically request it. Do you think luxury design is becoming homogenised? Before a few years ago there were very few exclusive resorts. Aman was really the first – although some may claim otherwise. There may have been luxury standalone hotels before but Aman was the first one to say they wanted super exclusivity but also to be a chain. I will avoid the word ‘copy’ but let’s say many have been inspired by Aman. As a result, I guess you may find that resorts start to look more and more alike. We have started to readdress this as you can see in hotels like Cheval Blanc. It has a different touch – but all the same elements.You can probably see it’s the same person
Aman Oi
Chedi Andermatt
Is it true that you invented the private plunge pool? No. Nobody can say they invented it, but when Aman started we glorified the idea of upgrading a plunge pool into a small swimming pool. They keep getting bigger and bigger now too – we have pushed the envelope. I am uncomfortable with saying I invented anything – I create ideas, re-question materials for certain functions, but I didn’t invent these things. You were behind the infinity pool on top of Marina Bay Sands. How did you come up with such an idea and did people think you were being overly ambitious? Yes I did. The Marina building was designed by Moshe Safdie. He put the ‘boat’ on top but had no idea what else
to put up there. So I designed the roof, the swimming pool and the restaurants. Singapore uses the building as an iconic statement all over but it’s always the pool that they show. You designed nine hotels across the world in a single year last year – which has been the biggest challenge? Well, nine hotels that we designed opened last year – so that’s a bit different to designing nine hotels in a year – designing takes a long time! But still, I’ve never heard of another company who’s had so much activity in so little time. We had hotels opening everywhere from Mexico to Shanghai, Switzerland to Vietnam. Imagine how much work this is – different currencies, different time zones, different languages. The nine hotels themselves had about 25 restaurants alone. When someone opens one restaurant, and gets all excited,
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behind the design but it doesn’t look like an Aman at all.
INSIDERS
Jean-Michel Gathy
Aman Canal Grande
I’m like, so what? I opened 25 last week! We will soon open the Park Hyatt in Sanya, but with this comes an Andaz Hotel, an Andaz Village, a complete spa village, 65 homes, three private residences – yet when you tell people, it just sounds like a hotel. There are 17 restaurants in the project! How do you relax, seeing as most of your working days revolve around travel? I still travel to relax. I go to New Zealand, or Chile or on safari. I love it. I also love ski holidays and beach holidays with my family. I go on safari every year with my wife in Botswana, Kenya, Zambia – I’ve been to 49 different camps! Any animal life I just love. I also relax with art. That’s an absolute passion of mine. I don’t really collect for value, I just collect what I like. I have
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very eclectic tastes - everything from 16th century paintings to sculptures from Burma. I like old books, maps, photographs, even jewellery – not to wear, just because it’s so beautiful. Lotus Arts de Vivre is one of my favourites. When you go to other hotels designed by your competitors are you able to relax, or can you not help but pick faults? I relax a hundred times better in hotels I haven’t designed. I criticise everything when it’s my own. My wife refuses to go to my hotels – she hates it. People talk to me, ask to go for lunch, tell me what they like, what they hate – I’m never free! I like it when I go somewhere else, I book under my wife’s name so that nobody is expecting me and I really enjoy it.
Cheval Blanc Randheli
What are your favourite hotels in the world? The Huka Lodge in New Zealand. I love safari lodges too. Places like Mombo in Botswana, or the Zarafa Camp are both beautifully designed. I also love Belmond Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, Peru. What project are you most proud of? I will never tell you! You never answer that question. They are all my kids, I love them all. Is something still on your wish list architecture wise? I love extreme mountains or extreme beaches - places with a strong identity. Whether they are in the deserts of Oman or in the mountains of Peru with the Incas, the dream for me is always an inspiring project with identity. R
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I’ve always liked to build things. I’m a dreamer, but I like to make my dreams happen.
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IN BLACK & WHITE SK Lam on the Hong Kong arts scene and his current obsession with pandas INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN THE
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INSIDERS SK Lam
Your company, AllRightsReserved, seems to do many things all at once. How would you sum it up? We do graphic design, music, exhibition design, advertising - a bit of everything. I think that’s how creatives should be. If you go back to basics everything is quite similar below the surface anyway. Perhaps a lot of people don’t have the guts to try something new or beyond their discipline but maybe my background helps. I studied visual communication in Australia, then multimedia, graphic design and fashion. As a creative person, you should try as much as you can. How did you start your career and how did it lead you to where you are today? I worked for a magazine – International Designers Network [IdN] for seven years as an editor and art director – it was a small team! I was inspired by the great talent from around the world that I interviewed during THE
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my time there. In 2003 I left the company and started AllRightsReserved because I wanted to try something new and felt it was time to do something on my own. Something I’d never tried before. It wasn’t easy. How do you think the Hong Kong arts scene has evolved over the last few years? Hong Kong’s general public love art more and more – not just for investment but they really appreciate art. Recently, largely thanks to Art Basel, I think people have become even more active in the art world. Many artists come here and we have a lot of our own talent. Who are your main inspirations in the art and design world and why? We have great artists here in Hong Kong such as Lee Kit, Tsang Kin-wah and Wilson Shieh, to name just a few. Each of them have very unique points of view.
Where does the name come from? The name tries to explain that however far a city advances, however much development happens, you still need to think about nature – the earth and animals that
are already existing there. We raised nearly HK$1m for the panda centre through this project. I’ve loved working on it as it connects society and it benefits our community. The panda theme continues in Hong Kong in June, can you tell us about the ‘1600 Pandas’ project with PMQ? Yes, I have become a panda creator! While I was doing the project in Chengdu I discovered there had already been a panda-themed project, 1600 Pandas, with WWF (World Wildlife Fund) in 2003. When PMQ came to me and asked me to do something cool for them we contacted the artist Paulo Grangeon and suggested that his project might work for PMQ. We developed the idea and ended up with the exhibition - it was given a second life. You are also famed for the Rubber Duck Project – tell us how you came up with the idea. This was an interesting one. I wanted to create an excuse
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How did you conceive the idea of ‘I Am Here’ for Chengdu IFS? And what do you hope the public took away from the project? We were invited by Wharf, the property company behind Chengdu IFS, to think of something for their opening in June. We visited Chengdu and decided we should do a panda theme to reflect their importance in the city. I wanted to do it differently though, I was concerned with the execution – how to make it cooler, more interesting and more meaningful to the public. I called the artist Lawrence Argent and said we wanted to do a big sculpture. Eventually, we came up with the idea of having a panda clinging on to the side of the building.
INSIDERS SK Lam
for families to do something together. Nothing like that had ever been done in Victoria Harbour before – so we thought we should do something there. We contacted the artist Florentijn Hofman and then we spoke to Wharf, the owners of Harbour City, and they wanted to get involved. Simple! Lots of your work is very large in scale – practically, how do you manage to create such pieces? We have a great team and we find experts who help us understand how to make our big ideas work. Every project is like going back to school - we learn something new each time. Can you tell us about another of your favourite projects? The Playstation poster – I love smaller scale projects too. We came up with an idea and called 250 people to get THE
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involved and help us form a human joypad. We had no rehearsals but we managed to take a picture of everyone together and this was used for the launch of the PS4. We even broke the Guinness World Record for the largest human form joypad in the world. The nice part was that senior management got involved too, so the poster is even more meaningful for the company as a result. Everyone forgot who they were for a day and focused on one thing together. You partner with many creative people from across the world in your projects – Who have you been most inspired by? One of them is the artist KAWS. He has very clear ideas of how to make something happen, I really love his work. He recently redesigned the 2013 MTV VMA’s [MTV’s Video Music Award] Moonman award, which I love. R
Every project is like going back to school – we learn something new each time
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Three iconic events on the international social and sporting calendar
LOS ANGELES
AMERICAN GRAND SLAM
25›28 SEPTEMBER
2014 L.A. CONVENTION CENTER
EUROPEAN GRAND SLAM
04›07 DECEMBER
2014 PARIS NORD VILLE PINTE
ASIAN
GRAND SLAM
13›15 FEBRUARY
2015 ASIAWORLD-EXPO
Inspiration HOW TO SPEND IT
New hotels and resorts are opening at great pace on Phuket Treasure Island, p. 124
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We’ve tried them – so should you. Where to eat, drink, stay and spa.
CITY SOCIAL, LONDON
On your next business trip to London, be sure to book well ahead for lunch at City Social, the latest launch from Jason Atherton in Tower 42. As you tuck into the loosely British themed menu – the likes of pigs trotter and ham hock and Cornish duck with smoked bacon – you can soak in views over the Gherkin and The Shard. The Russell Sage-designed restaurant has a live jazz band over the weekends to boot. citysociallondon.com THE
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< MANDARIN ORIENTAL, TAIPEI The latest opening by the Mandarin Oriental group sits pretty in Taipeiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business district. The 256-room hotel also offers 47 suites and stunning presidential suites, along with the all-important Mandarin staples for diehard fans like the Cake Shop and M.O. bar. Bencotto, the on-site Italian restaurant is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Mario Cittadini. We recommend booking the chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s table and preparing for an extravagant feast. mandarinoriental.com/taipei
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INSPIRATION Reserve Me
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SOFITEL SO SINGAPORE
The long-awaited Sofitel So Singapore has finally opened in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Business District, close to Raffles Place and minutes from Marina Bay and Orchard Road. French designer Isabelle Miaja brings a slice of decadence to the interior with extra elements designed by Mr. Karl Lagerfeld himself. Head up to the Hi-SO bar for cocktails or fill up at Xperience restaurant, before heading back to your room, ideally youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be checked into the decadent VIP Suite. sofitel.com THE
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THE FOUR SEASONS, GUANGZHOU
Soaring above the Pearl River, the Four Seasons Guangzhou occupies the top third of the city’s International Finance Centre and boasts floor-to-ceiling panoramic views from almost every corner of the hotel. Guests can swoop up to the main lobby on the 70th floor by express lift, or if they prefer, land on the helipad on the 103rd floor and check-in at on the executive lounge just a few levels below. Guest suites are spacious and contemporary and come with all the little extras that make a stay that bit more memorable. Start your day with a signature treatment at the award winning Hua Spa and end it with a cocktail at Tian Bar, on the 99th floor. fourseasons.com/guangzhou
< ABERDEEN STREET SOCIAL, HONG KONG The result of a yet another collaboration between serial entrepreneur Yenn Wong and Michelin star Chef Jason Atherton, the much talked about Aberdeen Street Social sits across two floors of Hong Kong’s newest hotspot, PMQ. Expect to see refined modern dishes with classic British flavours at their heart coming from the open plan kitchen on the second floor. Living up to its ‘social’ name, the first floor is a buzzy all-day dining café and bar featuring an outdoor patio and garden perfect for a post-work cocktail or two. aberdeenstreetsocial.hk THE
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INSPIRATION Reserve Me
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ROSEWOOD, ABU DHABI
The new Rosewood on Al Maryah Island, tticks all the exemplary Middle East luxury hotel boxes: multiple restaurants and bars, including Catalan run by two Michelin-starred chef Antonio Saez, a subterranean spa, a wine bar with 1,500 premium labels as well as blackout blinds, huge TVs and floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedrooms. Book into an Executive Suite and control everything from curtains and climate to TV and butler requests - from a specially programmed iPad. rosewoodhotels.com
MONTE CARLO BEACH CLUB, ABU DHABI > Overdone it with meetings in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Head to the laidback island of Saadiyat and prepare for a day of rest and relaxation at Monte Carlo Beach Club. Start your day in the Workout Room, follow up with a dip in the plunge pool or the Arabian Gulf and continue into the night at Sea Lounge, the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sexy signature restaurant. montecarlobeachclub.ae THE
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NEW YORK
LOS ANGELES
HONG KONG
BEIJING Cabin-Class Consulting....First Class Service
INSPIRATION
The Million Dollar Suit
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“We begin with an evaluation and study of the body, like a sculptor would proceed when casting his mold. Only then can a suit begin to take shape in a sartorial sense.” Billionaire Couture’s new Made to Measure service offers diamond buttons, gold-laced yarns and python skin elbow patches WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
unique details.” And of details, there are plenty. The experience begins with an in-store meeting with a Billionaire Tailoring Specialist. Kevin McDonald, Billionaire’s Made to Measure manager explains, “We begin with an evaluation and study of the body, like a sculptor would proceed when casting his mold. Only then can a suit begin to take shape in a sartorial sense.” Evaluation ticked off and it’s onto the important task of fabric selection – choose from top quality cottons and silks, or in true Billionaire style, opt for something a little out of the ordinary. Should you choose to have your suit made in Scabal Diamond Chip, the fabric will actually be laced with real diamond fragments. Similarly, Billionaire’s Treasure fabric comes laced with gold and platinum yarns. So far, so extraordinary –
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ong Kong might have tailoring all sewn up, but our dapper city shouldn’t rest on its perfectly trimmed laurels; there’s a new kid on the international circuit taking extravagant suits into a new league. Eccentric Italian businessman Flavio Briatore (former owner of two Formula One racing teams) set up Billionaire Couture back in 2007. The idea behind the brand was to push the boundaries of luxury for men – the likes of python skin slippers and umbrellas that sell for US$50,000. Seven years later, and he’s ready to take things to the next level with his new Made to Measure tailoring service. Briatore explains, “The service is unlike any other. It’s an experience with no limits because we offer not only quality but a wide range of exclusive and truly
INSPIRATION
The Million Dollar Suit
so what next? How about some valuable gemstones, thought Briatore. Billionaire have teamed up with Monte Carlo-based jewellery maker Stardust to create buttons and cufflinks made from precious stones. McDonald explains that the Precious Shirt range “have 18-carat gold buttons set with precious stones such as black diamonds and blue sapphires. It is totally up to the client which stones they choose.” Of course personalisation is a big part of the process – when you’re spending this amount of money on a suit, you want to be damn sure nobody else is wearing the same thing. McDonald says, “We guide the client through THE
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a fine selection of decorative stitches, precious silk linings and luxurious skins, as well as elbow patches or racy piping details for pockets.” The brand also makes personalised slippers, so you can change out of your suit and into your bespoke footwear after a long day at the office. So what kind of person wears a suit that might well be as valuable as their car? Briatore sums up his typical customer; “Billionaire Couture is designed with the modern day business man’s needs in mind - he is a globetrotter with a fast-paced jet-set lifestyle.” If that sounds like you – hop on a helicopter to The Shoppes at the Four Seasons Macau where a Billionaire Couture store opened earlier this year. R
To invest. To feel the difference at 39,000 ft. To Fly. To Serve. the A380 from Hong Kong to London. Bringing you quieter, more spacious cabins and taking comfort to a whole new level.
Subject to operational change.
INSPIRATION PMQ
PMQ
Where to head in Hong Kong’s new hotspot on Hollywood WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW
EIGHT GREATS
V
intage furniture, stylish street fashion, handcrafted accessories and bespoke jewellery – Hong Kong’s newest cultural hub, PMQ, is a treasure trove of creative studio-boutiques. With around 100 units, fifteen pop-ups restaurants and an event space called The Cube spread over two heritage buildings between Staunton Street and Hollywood Road, it can present a bewildering world of choice to the uninitiated. The Reserve handpicks its favourites from wildly popular mid-century tables to an eccentric canvas print doubling as a sofa.
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INNERMOST British designers Steve Jones and Russell Cameron’s passion for unique contemporary lighting and furniture is on show with their diverse offering of quirky products including Canvas, a surreal painting that doubles as a sofa, perfect for space-challenged Hong Kong homes. Dent’s shiny metal lampshades also caught our eye: the lightweight, flat-packed package takes less than a minute to assemble and comes in gold or glossy white.
SMITH & NORBU Smith & Norbu’s buffalo and Tibetan yak horn sunglasses and reading glasses offer a stylish alternative to other mass branding options.The cozy workshop-studio was founded by Hong Kong-based Belgian designer Benoît Ams who says the brand “stands for the unique combination between high-quality natural raw materials, traditional craftsmanship, eco-friendliness and social commitment.” We’re sold on all of those plus his thoroughly modern take on classic styles.
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INSPIRATION PMQ
MARIJOLI
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Marielle Byworth, the founder of Marijoli, has already made a name for her beautifully crafted jewellery, designed for all ages. Her bijou boutique recreates a chic Parisian salon complete with a vintage safe and custom-designed furnishings. The French designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature piece is a gold or silver organic shaped cuff laced at the back with delicate suede that evokes a corset, but the designer is also well-known for reinvigorating old jewellery with fresh style. Recycling at its most fashionable.
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HAK This deceptively unassuming clothing and accessories brand launched by local Hong Kong designer and London College of Fashion graduate Ling Wong features a highly sophisticated range of minimalist dresses, separates and accessories, adding a fascinating tweak to futuristic prints. The designer, who works within the studio-workshop, also produces custom-designed pieces. All products are made in Hong Kong by local craftsmen and seamstresses.
THE WORLD BEYOND Ross Urwin’s eagle eye for stylish vintage furniture and accessories means this double unit space is a staple for anyone looking for unique gifts or distinctive décor for their home. Urwin says he fell in love with PMQ’s “abandoned derelict beauty” shortly after arriving in Hong Kong six years ago and had always hoped to be part of its rebirth as a design centre. Standout pieces in the eclectic range include a 1930s Cremer Light of Paris, a simple yet elegant Italian coffee table from the 1950s and a particularly striking German glass and chrome oval-shaped shelving unit. With new shipments every two months it’s a must-see for the vintageobsessed, and a lesson in timeless style for the rest of us.
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Hong Kong style icon and retailer Joyce has dedicated several units to what promises to be a unique new creative space social enterprise. The space will be home to a series of unique design events and will serve as a platform to showcase the work of design students in Hong Kong. The first programme at the end of May set an extremely high bar: Brooklyn-based artist Josh Maupin aka LilKool launched his ‘Downtown America’ project with a series of vibrant hand-painted murals and customised vintage fashion, infused with his distinctive style.
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ROBYNESTRICOT Husband and wife team Derek and Stefanie Chan bring a lifetime’s experience working in the garment manufacturing sector to their newly launched fashion line. Expect one-of-a-kind sculptural creations sewn together using scraps of knit fabric.
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WILLIAM TO PMQ’s creative and programme director William To talks to The Reserve about the unique opportunities for artists and designers who have made the new cultural hub their home. What is it about PMQ that makes it different from other creative enclaves in Hong Kong? Most creative hubs are found in relatively remote locations because of the costs associated with land and property in city centres. At PMQ we have a 6,000 square metre site in Central, which is one of the most desirable locations on Hong Kong Island. It is an incredible opportunity, especially for artists who now have some security and won’t find themselves investing in a space that they will have to leave in a year or two because the rents have increased.
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It is about time that Hong Kong enjoyed its own concept paint shop. Founders Elsa Jeandedieu and Eunice Cheung’s exceptional quality paints are environmentally friendly and beautiful to boot. The creative duo develop all their own colours and custommake special tones for interiors. The studio is also dedicated to inspiring others to try their hand at creating colourful items with a series of regular designer paint workshops.
You’ve talked about a bigger role for PMQ, beyond providing space for up-and-coming artists and designers, can you explain this? It’s about creating a new dynamism that puts Hong Kong on the map for creativity. PMQ will act as a test case for other potential hubs in the city and for that reason it is very important that we get it right straight from the start. These creative people are the future of our community. There is always a risk with creative businesses. How have you tried to minimise this? Yes there is always a risk and some ventures will fail but that is normal. It is to be expected. To minimise the risk of this happening, we gave careful thought when selecting the first tenants. We considered their creativity, innovation as well as their business model and understanding of what operating a studio at PMQ will mean. The process has also been completely independent and transparent so everyone knows it is fair. THE
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INSPIRATION Luxury Phuket
Treasure Island
New hotels and resorts are opening at great pace on Phuket, pushing standards up ever higher and attracting the most discerning travellers WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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INSPIRATION Luxury Phuket
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hen COMO Resorts announced they were opening their new Point Yamu resort on the Thai island of Phuket this year, it was the icing on the cake to what have already been a stellar few seasons for the island’s luxury scene. Existing fans of the COMO Group – whose other outposts include the COMO Shambala in Bali and Parrot Cay by COMO in Turks and Caicos - know the score. Drop dead decadent architecture, inspirational locations and fantastic food and facilities. Point Yamu is no different, located at the tip of Cape Yamu, overlooking the Andaman Sea and the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay. The resort, with interiors by Italian designer Paola Navone, is all about Zen. Step into the spa for evidence of that or tuck into the healthy menus at one of the on-site restaurants. Being good here comes easily. In hotel terms, though, being good is no longer enough in Phuket – as ever-rising standards mean that there’s only room for places that push for perfection to move into town. And that they have. Iniala opened last year – the brainchild of Mark Weingard, an ex-derivitives trader who packed it all in to set up shop on Natai Beach, 20 minutes drive from Phuket airport, after his girlfriend was tragically killed in the Bali bombings.The hotel now donates 10% of its revenue to a charity he set up in her honour. Keen to make his mark,Weingard enrolled a host of designers including Joseph Walsh, the Campana brothers from Brazil and Jaime Hayon to ensure it would stand out in a crowded market. It certainly achieves that – where else can you find a Swarovski-studded pool table, private 22-seat cinema,Thai boxing ring and a dedicated ‘children’s hotel’ where kids can spend a supervised night? Throw in Aziamendi, directed by the three-Michelin-starred Basque chef Eneko Atxa, reminiscent of something you might have once found in El Bulli – and you have yourself a hotel with the mostest. Further evidence of the island’s growing status on the world’s stage can be found at Royal Phuket Marina – set up by Britain’s fourth richest Asian Gulu Lalvani. Gulu explains, “For me, Phuket had all the elements for the perfect yachting destination. It is so convenient to get to and from THE
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NIkki Beach
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anywhere in the world. It is neither overpopulated nor overcommercialised, like many European yachting destinations. Royal Phuket Marina is the result of my ambition to put Phuket on the map as an international yachting and lifestyle destination.” That he has done. Some of the world’s wealthiest yachties quickly snapped up the five Royal Villas at the marina – the only homes in Phuket to feature private yacht berths. Of course, all these new visitors need somewhere hip to party and Jack Penrod, founder of Nikki Beach has that covered at his new outpost in Phuket which opened on Bangtao Beach last year and became an immediate hit. A hotel and spa is planned for next year, but for now, visitors are making do with the brand’s trademark white teepees, huge pool and of course, endless supplies of Champagne. Just like its sister venues in Miami, St Tropez and Ibiza, this is a place to see and be seen whether you’re dancing to a worldclass DJ at 2am or tucking into a platter of sushi for lunch. Lunch is big news at Trisara too – a swanky resort on the North-west of the island where Seafood, an oceanfront dining experience recently opened. “We wanted to bring a truly international seafood experience to Phuket for the first time, inspired by the best seafood restaurants found on Capri, Sydney Harbour or St Tropez,” says Anthony Lark, Executive Director of Trisara. Some liked it so much they never wanted to leave and snapped up a private residence – a pattern that’s become a regular occurrence among Phuket’s best hotels. At the Sri Panwa, perched high atop Cape Panwa – fans can purchase a Residence Villa from THB200m. From your own pad, it’s a hop, skip and a jump to the hotel restaurant, Baba’s, where you can lap up some scallops in coconut soup and wash it all down with a fine white wine. For down time, the island has spas sorted too. One of the best is the Coqoon Spa, a newer addition to the Bill Bensley-designed Indigo Pearl.There, ‘The Nest’, a luxurious spa suite is suspended in mid-air, accessed by a flying bridge. If you want to stay the night, the Coqoon Spa Suite, with its own private pool, steam and shower should do the trick. The coming years will welcome more extra special guests.The Rosewood will be launching their first Asian resort in Emerald Bay in 2016, and there are rumours that the Four Seasons is looking for a suitable plot to make their mark too. Fingers crossed those rumours are true, in the meantime – there’s plenty to explore. R
INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
THE HOT TEN This season’s most covetable consumables
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CHECK MATE Kit out your penthouse, yacht or private jet with this handcrafted chess set made from solid gold and diamonds.
HK$2.6m goldandplay.net
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MEMBER NEWS For a personal introduction to Gold & Play and to view one of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extraordinary chess sets, contact us at: member@thereserve-asia.com
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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
SMOOTH RIDE Unveiled in Beijing this spring, the Bentley Hybrid Concept is the luxury brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first plug-in model. The technology was showcased in the flagship model Mulsanne and will be available in the SUV from 2017. Price to be confirmed bentleymotors.com
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TREASURE BOX If your safe isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite in keeping with the jewels inside you might want to think about investing in this rather extravagant version inspired by black diamonds.
HK$250,000 bocadolobo.com
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MEMBER NEWS Want a bespoke treasure box of your very own? Members of The Reserve receive a discount on safes from Boca do Lobo. Contact us at: member@thereserve-asia.com
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BAR NONE This portable Champagne kit is ideal for summer parties. With 20 bottles of MoĂŤt Ice Imperial Champagne, 24 glasses and five ice buckets, its the ultimate mobile bar.
H$105,000 moet.com
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TOWER POWER Architect Zaha Hadid has teamed up with crystal house Lalique to create this beautiful Crystal Architecture collection. From
HK$125,000
lalique.com
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TABLE TALK This four-seater table, designed by master woodworker Michael Coffey, has a removable table top which reveals a games board.
HK$1.1m bespokeglobal.com
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UNDER COVER Luxury Italian jeweller Buccellati have branched out with the launch of gold and diamond cases for the iPhone and iPad. From
HK$1.6m buccellati.com
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DRIVE BY Get behind the wheel of an iconic supercar and take to the open roads of the Scottish Highlands this summer. Whether you choose a Porsche 911, Ferrari 548 or Lamborghini Gallardo, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to stop off for a tour of one of Speysideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous distilleries or a round of golf. Starting from
HK$32,000 johnbsutherland.com
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FINE WINE Impress at your next dinner party when you bring out a bottle of the renowned Chateau Cheval Blanc 2005.
HK$57,400 for six millesima.com.hk
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TIME IS MONEY The sapphire crystal and titanium case of the Type 3 Ressence is filled with fluid so the dial appears raised to the surface of the watch. An inspired design by Benoit Mintiens.
HK$340,000 ressence.eu
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EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS There is no better vantage point to explore Southeast Asia than aboard the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Expressâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;your passport to the exotic and the sophisticated.
Travel on the Eastern & Oriental Express during May, June or July 2014 and enjoy 20% OFF plus TWO COMPLIMENTARY HOTEL NIGHTS before or after your train journey and transfers between the station and hotel.*
FOR THE TWO COMPLIMENTARY HOTEL NIGHTS, CHOOSE BETWEEN: Two complimentary nights at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore or the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, available before or after
One complimentary night at the Mandarin
OR
Oriental Singapore and one complimentary night at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, available
your train journey
before or after your train journey
Prices start from $2,560 per person based on two sharing a Pullman Cabin (before discount). Quote EM20 at time of booking
BELMOND.COM *Valid for new bookings made through July 31, 2014, for travel May 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 31, 2014. Promotion applies to new bookings only. Promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions or savings. Promotion is applicable to scheduled departures only. Promotion is subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply.
BEST_OF_BRITAIN_AD.indd 1
04/06/2014 11:18
INSPIRATION Advertorial
JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY Members-only travel company Rediscovered presents three journeys to remember
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Embark on an adventure at sea aboard your own traditional Indonesian sailing vessel and explore hidden and exotic destinations across the oceans of South-east Asia. Combining culture with indulgence, the décor pays homage to the Asmat people of the Irian Jaya coast so you can experience both the heritage and elegance of the long-forgotten colonial era of sea exploration. With its individuality and grandeur, this vessel certainly earns the often-overused title of luxurious. Going beyond any ordinary holiday, Rediscovered has partnered with travel outfitters and local experts to offer personalised adventures whilst onboard. These may include: Scuba diving with a personal certified dive master Spending an evening on a secluded beach with pink sand Exploring the beaches and coves of the Komodo National Park and observing the exotic Komodo dragons Enjoying a range of activities on the ship including waterskiing and treatments from an onboard masseuse.
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Photo credit “Silolona Sojourns | Bali, Indonesia” www.silolona.com
SAIL AWAY
INSPIRATION Advertorial
BALI HIGHS Meticulously selected by the Rediscovered team, Petchara is the crème of the Canggu district. This magnificent beachside villa truly reflects the diverse scenery that Bali has to offer, encompassing the sandy beaches, the lush green rice paddies and the excitement of the majestic volcanoes. Enjoy the infinity pool surrounded by an expansive grass lawn overlooking the beach with up to twelve of your nearest and dearest before resting in your four-poster bed. THE
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If you can bear to tear yourself away, then you can take advantage of a number of bespoke adventures offered by Rediscovered. Highlights may include: Learning ancient Balinese traditional dance or enjoying a private performance at the villa Trying a round or two at one of Baliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PGA-approve golf courses with the resident golf pro Riding elephants on a personal guided tour or family exploration
AFRICAN SPIRIT Made up of five bandas that reflect the unique authenticity, character and charm of Kenya, Uhuru is a traditional and elegant lodge with ample space for up to 12 guests. Nestled on a hilltop rising up the middle of the beautiful Lewa wildlife conservancy, residents can embrace the true spirit of Africa whilst still being treated to all the luxuries. Wallow in the heated infinity pool or relax in the massage and treatment area before gathering together in the dining room or bar to watch the setting sun. Feeling adventurous and fancy going a little further off the beaten track? Rediscovered can arrange a variety of truly magical adventures, which may include: Touring the Kenyan safari by car, camel or helicopter Learning the secrets of the Samburu Village including their cooking methods, dwellings and capacity for survival Hopping on a unique WACO biplane and soaring over the patches of migrating wildlife
REDISCOVERED As a members-only club, Rediscovered offers access to a portfolio of exquisite holiday properties in exciting and unforgettable destinations. Much more than just a travel agent, Rediscovered determines the needs, desires and aspirations of every member to create carefully planned and bespoke journeys. Providing a consistent five-star plus personalised service from the point of booking through to your return, members can feel at home no matter how far off the beaten track they are. Offering a huge selection of signature adventures, the experience options are limited only by oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination. R Members of The Reserve qualify for exclusive benefits from Rediscovered. For details, call +852 9821 5928 or email enquiry@re-discovered.com. THE
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INSPIRATION Ultimate Rooftops
ULTIMATE
ROOF TOPS
Summer has arrived, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to take your cocktails up top and enjoy the view. The Reserve picks eight of the best. WORDS BY SUZANNE WALES THE
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LUBUA, BANGKOK In a city renowned for its rooftop bars and restaurants, the Tower Club at Lebua still stands out for its incredible views. The hotel’s clutch of lounges and eateries are gathered under a golden dome perched 247 metres above the ground and include the Sky Bar – currently the world’s highest open-air bar. After a cocktail here, move on over to Sirocco, a chic restaurant offering the same staggering views with a Mediterranean-influenced tasting menu conceived by Spanish chef Gonzalo Ruíz – formerly of Barcelona’s famed Hotel Majestic. To really impress your date, order the three-course ‘Oak’ dessert, which comes with rare wine and cognac pairings and is currently thought to be the most expensive way to finish a meal (HK$6,000 per person). lebua.com
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FOUR SEASONS, MUMBAI With the Arabian Sea and Mumbai skyline at your feet, there is very little reason not to feel on top of the world at the Aer Lounge. Perched on the 34th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, the Aer Lounge is the highest open-air bar in India. Logistically, climatic conditions tend to be windy, so canopies are installed during the rainy season and little weights are attached to wine and Champagne glasses to stop them flying into oblivion. Calm your exposure to the elements with cocktails and an enticing selection of mezze and small plates, such as charred artichokes with couscous and dates or chicken satay. Most nights a DJ sets the scene with jazzy house tracks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; keeping the energy at Aer as high as the altitude. fourseasons.com
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RADIO, LONDON Situated in the heart of London’s theatre land on an unusual triangular site, the ME London is the first UK hotel from architect Sir Norman Foster. The original building was once a restaurant, a theatre and then the landmark Marconi House, HQ of the famous telegraph and wireless company. A nod to the edifice’s illustrious past is found in Radio, ME London’s rooftop loungebar. Crowned by a domed glass cupola, guests can peruse the iconic sweep of this part of London, with vistas that encompass historical treasures such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament to the futuristic Tate Modern and The Shard. Drinks and nibbles are more down to earth, with cocktails and tapas soothing a sophisticated after work-crowd. melia.com THE
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THE RITZ CARLTON, MOSCOW Moscow’s Red Square, the most famous urban space in Russia, exposes the imperial magnificence of the Russian empire. Location of the country’s top museums, its first department store, endless military parades and of course the Kremlin, the square’s architectural ensemble, characterised by red brick and spires, is mind-boggling. No better place to contemplate it than from the rooftop O2 lounge of the Ritz Carlton Moscow. Starting summer 2014, chef Yoann Bernard takes over the kitchen’s reigns, offering Asian and French cuisine, Maine lobsters and Mandarin crème brûlée. ritzcarlton.com
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ROSEWOOD, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE Set against a green, mountainous backdrop, San Miguel de Allende is arguably Mexico’s most romantic city. Full of colourful baroque architecture, artisan workshops, music and flowers, it has attracted artists and creatives for decades, many of them expats who, once bewitched, decided to stay on.You take the same risk when dining at the Rosewood Hotel’s Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar. Serving international small plates and authentic margaritas, it offers stellar vistas of the spiky La Parroquia, the city’s principal landmark and the most photographed church in Mexico. San Miguel de Allende’s heady palette of rich terracotta, earthy browns and dusty pinks take on a particular vibrancy at sunset. rosewoodhotels.com
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GRACE SANTORINI Taking inspiration from the Cyclades Island’s whitewashed yposkafa dwellings, the astonishing Grace Santorini is carved into a majestic cliff face 300 metres above the island’s volcanic caldera. The hotel, designed by London and Athens-based Diversity Architects, features domed ceilings and curved surfaces along with an endless sea view – and has rightly been nominated for numerous design awards. The Grace Santorini’s outdoor terrace restaurant, situated next to the superb infinity pool, lets you enjoy an evening cocktail against a brilliant sunset or dine under a canopy of stars. Much like the setting itself, chef Spiro Agious’ menu features a modern and sophisticated take on local flavours, in dishes such as seared octopus with peach, zucchini with lime truffle honey dressing and pork ‘louza’ with figs, greens and pomegranate vinaigrette. gracehotels.com
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JUVIA, MIAMI BEACH The cool, polished vibe of Miami is encapsulated at Juvia, a fashionable restaurant on South Beach. Once in the private elevator, guests are whisked up nine floors to Juvia’s main dining room of petrified wood tables and a central fountain. It’s the outdoor terrace however, that gets temperatures rising with sweeping views over the Art Deco District and the Atlantic Ocean. Laurent Cantineaux, who trained with the French master chef Daniel Boulud, leads Juvia’s kitchen. The techniques of French cookery he learnt are infused with the flavours of South America and Florida. Juvia covers all bases with a hot grill, Crudo Bar and Cold Bar serving a rotation of oysters, crab legs and other freshly caught morsels. Start the evening in style by parking your car next to Juvia at the Herzog and de Meuron-designed 111 Lincoln Road, surely the most avant-garde garage on Earth. juviamiami.com
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MAMILLA HOTEL, JERUSALEM The views over Jerusalem’s ancient ensemble might be heavenly, but there is a distinctly down-to-earth vibe at the Rooftop Brasserie at the Mamilla Hotel. The Mamilla was designed by veteran Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, whose works - from grand libraries and museums to residential complexes - span from Singapore to Montreal. All are typified by a masterful use of natural light and the blurring of public and private space – both attributes of the Mamilla Hotel. The vista from the rooftop gazes upon the Old City Walls, the Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David alongside the posh Alrov Mamilla Avenue. Cuisine is typical of the Mediterranean, pleasingly herby and nutty dishes found in Israel, such as a garden salad with almonds and pomegranate or spring chicken with ‘black’ tahini. mamillahotel.com
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Shopping Weekender
SHOPPING WEEKENDER:
SINGAPORE With a strong mix of luxury malls and quirky independent boutiques, Singapore is the perfect destination to indulge in serious retail therapy. TEXT BY MICHELE KOH MOROLLO
S
ingapore is easy to navigate and full of inspiration for the time-poor shopper. In the city centre, along Orchard Road and Scotts Road, the city’s most popular and long-standing shopping zone is comprised of a long belt of malls like Ion Orchard, Tangs and Paragon, great for luxury brands like Prada, Gucci and Versace. Closer to the Central Business District are yet more, including Bugis Junction, Raffles City and Marina Bay Sands, each with their own distinctive character and tenant mix. If you’re looking for unique fashion items, rare books, innovative gifts or stunning home décor, then venture a little further from the central haunts to areas like Chinatown, Tiong Bahru or Kampong Glam for some treasure hunting. THE
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Mythology
FASHION FINDS MYTHOLOGY
RARE READS WOODS IN THE BOOKS
This multi-label fashion boutique supports independent designers, mostly from India, whose collections celebrate Asian or tropical style. “We promote the use of colours, textures and clean-cuts to bring out the vibrancy of the East,” says the shop’s founder Aspara Oswal.The thoughtfully curated collection is not available anywhere else in Singapore, making the pieces extra covetable. 88 Club Street, my-thology.com
Founded by artist Mike Foo and his partner Shannon Ong, the books here are handpicked for their wonderful illustrations. The store also carries rare popup art editions of titles like The Little Prince and The Wizard of Oz as well as paintings, prints and plush toys. Great for finding a special gift. Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, woodsinthebooks.sg
SWAGGER
Specialising in limited edition hand-printed, hand-cut or hand-stitched vintage inspired stationary, Birds & Co. might just inspire you to ditch your smartphone for a day and write some poetry, start that book or send your friends an old-fashioned postcard. No. 9 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru, booksactually.com
MODPARADE
For vintage-inspired dresses, creative cuts and sleek silhouettes, head to Modparade. It started out as an online store set up by local college students in 2007 but gained such a following that in 2010 the owners opened their first real shop in Kampong Glam, Singapore’s historical Arab quarters. 68 Haji Lane, modparade.com
SELECT BOOKS
Established in 1976, Select Books is the place to go for hard-to-find texts on Southeast Asia. Internationally recognised as a top Asian book specialist, this store supplies titles to museums across the world, and its collection presents an absolute trove of knowledge to anyone obsessed with the region. They also stock beautiful Asian art, design and architecture coffee table books which make fantastic gifts. 65A, Jalan Tenteram, St Michael’s Industrial Estate, selectbooks.com.sg
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While ladies might pick out something exotic from Mythology, gents can enjoy an old-world sartorial experience at Swagger on Ann Siang Road. Offering products deemed as ‘essentials for discerning gentlemen’, Swagger lays out a spread of luxurious heritage brand leather goods, accessories and grooming tools.They also offer a custom tailoring services, so you can get a suit, trousers or a shirt made there too. 15 Ann Siang Road, swaggerstore.com
BIRDS & CO.
INSPIRATION
Shopping Weekender
HOME ART IWANNAGOHOME
When it comes to eye-catching conversation pieces for your home, you’ll be spoilt for choice at iwannagohome. Find everything from colourful printed plates and cute serving ware to wooden motorcycle sculptures, Middle Eastern inspired vases and bejewelled napkin holders. #02-17/19 & 02-19A/20 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, iwannagohome.com.sg
CURIO HOME ACCENTS
If you’re on the hunt for accent pieces from some of the world’s most renowned international designers, then CuriO Home Accents in Dempsey Hill is a good place to start. Some of the gems here include Kelly Hoppen vintage-inspired furniture and Esquire Home armchairs. Block 14-C Dempsey Road, curio-home.com
STRANGELETS
Wonderful things abound at this intriguing shop selling custom-made furniture, lights, jewellery and objet d’art from iconic international designers. Pieces include a hanging lamp by Australian designer Geoffrey Mance, a dragon bowl serving vessel by Astier De Villate and Hanno the Gorilla by David Weeks. 7 Yong Siak Street, strangelets.sg
MALL TALK Most malls here have international high fashion brands as tenants, so lovers of luxury goods will not leave Singapore empty-handed. Paragon (290 Orchard Road) is home to brands like Prada, Ermenegildo Zegna and Versace, as well as cafes like COVA Pasticceria where you can rest your feet mid-spree.The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (10 Bayfront Avenue) is a spacious haute couture mecca with brands like Chanel, Dior, La Perla and the first Louis Vuitton Island Maison in Southeast Asia. Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs and Furla are just a few of the stores with their flagships in Ion Orchard (2 Orchard Turn). On level’s 55 and 56 lies the Ion Sky, a viewing observatory that offers terrific views over Orchard Road. THE
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YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY STARTS HERE 365 Aviation is your worldwide private jet partner offering exceptional service, utmost discretion and VIP treatment for your bespoke aircraft charter Benefit from: - Established history and first-class reputation - Access to a wide range of state-of-the-art private jets - Personalised end-to-end service - A wider choice of airports and flexible flight schedules
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Last Word
Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for mainland China has the final say INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN Rolls-Royce has been a huge success in China. How have they succeeded where so many other luxury brands have failed? In 2013 one out of four cars manufactured in Goodwood [the British headquarters] came to China. Our Chinese customers enjoy the product experience with this 110-year-old British ultra-luxury icon. In return, we try to understand each individual request and keep customer relations on a very personal level. What are some of the most interesting ways you have tailored your cars to the Chinese market? One Chinese customer asked us to develop paint colour for her Wraith from the colour of a glove. We did it and whilst we added this paint to the other 44,000 hues in our paint collection, it will only ever be used for this particular customer. What are the most popular models in Hong Kong and China? Our Ghost model, especially the extended wheelbase, continues to be the most successful business sedan and most dominant in the super-luxury car segment in China. Chinese customers show an inclination towards space. James Bond drives an Aston Martin. What kind of person drives a Rolls-Royce? THE
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We offer three models that appeal to different audiences but all our customers tend to be highly successful entrepreneurs. We are now attracting a younger driver, in particular with our most recent and fastest model, the two-door Wraith. Tell us about the Rolls-Royce chauffeur-training programme. Rolls-Royce is taking steps to tailor its products and services to Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increasingly demanding clientele. Since most Chinese buyers of the Phantom model donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drive themselves, Rolls-Royce recently launched a chauffeurtraining program that it will roll out nationwide this year. Is it true that the company is currently designing an SUV? We have observed with some interest recent moves by mass luxury manufacturers to enter the highly resilient SUV segment. However, there is no current plan for Rolls-Royce to follow suit. What other exciting projects can Rolls-Royce fans look forward over the next year or two? Our dealership network is key to our business success. In 2014, we will add up to three more dealers to our network. This year we also launched the Majestic Horse Collection Ghost as well as the Pinnacle Travel Phantom in China. R