SUMMER 2021

PEOPLE

PLACES

PROPERTY

A NEW YOU GET A MENTAL AND PHYSICAL MAKEOVER

PLAY

TIMELY INVESTMENTS

START A WATCH COLLECTION TODAY

RED HOT LOOKS

UP YOUR STYLE GAME

THE UPPER HOUSE

PHUKET CITY GUIDE

HOMEWOOD BATH

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Rosewood Residences Lobby

THE ART OF

RESIDENTIAL LIVING FIND YOUR SENSE OF PLACE AT ROSEWOOD RESIDENCES HONG KONG

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

E

xpressing the city’s dynamism, cultural vibrancy and modernity, Rosewood Residences Hong Kong boasts knockout views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong, sumptuous interiors

by Tony Chi and the first urban outpost of its esteemed Asaya integrative wellness concept.

Beacon Hill Penthouse

Combining cutting-edge interior design with the comfort and intimacy of a family home, the residences present a paradigm shift for luxury residential living and are the first purpose-designed Rosewood Residences made available exclusively for short and long-term stay. Rosewood Hotel Group CEO Sonia Cheng says, “Rosewood Residences Hong Kong adds a whole new facet to being ‘in residence’ and brings world-class services and amenities to the guest experience.”

With 186 residences perfectly designed for ultra-residential extended stays, Rosewood Residences offers a range of units from studios to three-bedroom duplexes, all with harbour views and some with outdoor terraces.

Three-Bedroom

Premium Two-Bedroom

The wow factor begins straight away at a private lobby on Salisbury Road, where residents are whisked away in an elevator to Club 53, Rosewood Residences esteemed private lounge concept. Here, guests can experience a 24-hour private club, with access to concierge services around the clock. Wellbeing is central to the club, with a fitness centre and stand-alone private training studio.

A yoga studio situated next to the indoor heated pool,

Club53 – Sitting Room

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION meanwhile, is also set up for TRX training should you wish to give your fitness regime a further boost. Group yoga, personal training sessions and fitness activities are also available from Asaya.

Ready to kick back and relax in a space like no other? Each of Rosewood Residences 186 units boast glorious views over Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peak, from the 44 sqm studio spaces to the 447 sqm Salisbury penthouse.

Expect leather-clad walls, private staircases and designer accessories to welcome you.

Overlooking Wanchai and Central with its own dedicated Three-Bedroom

residential screening room and freestanding bar, you’ll never want to leave the three-bedroom, 417 sqm Victoria Penthouse.

The 447 sqm Salisbury Penthouse makes a similarly lasting impression, with a grand dining room featuring a fully stocked personal bar and built-in oversized wine fridge. The 351 sqm Beacon Hill Penthouse, meanwhile, even has its own Technogymequipped personal fitness centre.

During each residences stay, Rosewood’s commitment to making guests feel right at home is highlighted by helping them settling into the city, be that organising after-school tutoring to finding a reliable dog walker. Daily housekeeping and dishwashing, a grocery shopping service, closet organisation and luggage storage are some of the bespoke services offered, while Guest Service Team will make restaurant reservations and secure privileged VIP status for travel reservations overseas within the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts network. Guest Service Team can additionally help residents take the stress out of moving by helping them to set up bank and phone accounts and set up utility bills.

Premium One-Bedroom

Premium Two-Bedroom Club53 – Indoor Swimming Pool

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Premium Two-Bedroom

For a real home away from home feel, guests are invited to customise their apartment to suit their individual preferences, adding juicers and blenders to the kitchen, for example. A well-designed workspace in every residence, meanwhile, means you can work from home every day should you so wish, with gorgeous harbour views serving as inspiration. When the day’s work is done, private dining experiences can be arranged from the comfort of your own residence.

All your wellness needs can be taken care of at Asaya, Rosewood’s first urban outpost of its renowned wellness facility. Set over two floors, it can help residents achieve their personal fitness goals by arranging alternative therapy sessions and devising healthy eating plans.

Salisbury Penthouse

The conclusion of each stay at Rosewood Residences is just as genuine and heartfelt as the arrival, and the team is on hand to arrange transportation, storage and anything else guests may need until the next time they check in Rosewood Residences for an equally inspirational stay. rosewoodhotels. com/en/hong-kong/residences

Victoria Dockside. 18 Salisbury Road.

Tsim Sha Tsui. Kowloon. Hong Kong T. +852 3891 8610.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

View of Avenue of Stars promenade from The Library

Building designed by acclaimed architectural studio Kohn Pedersen Fox

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Each residence offers a wraparound open-air balcony overlooking spectacular vistas

ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS COMFORTABLE AND INVITING, K11 ARTUS IS ASIA’S FIRST LUXURY ARTISANAL HOME RESIDENCES CONCEPT

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he ultimate residence for the global arts and culture community, K11 ARTUS is a luxury residential experience that inspires cultural discovery and intellectual exchange and is Asia’s first artisanal home concept. Situated at Victoria Dockside, the art and design district along Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront, the residence delivers an upscale artisanal ambience to a community of like-minded individuals keen to debate intellectual themes in sumptuous, inspirational surrounds.

Rooftop heated infinity pool

Home with a Social Conscience As Asia’s first luxury residences with a social mission to preserve and promote fast-disappearing artisanship, the residence showcases traditional Chinese artisanal objects that date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties such as baibaoqian, wooden furniture inlaid with semi-precious stones and materials including jade and mother-of-pearl.

The residences also champion another artisanal technique, guangcai, Canton porcelain typified by its intricate, brightly-coloured painting. These rare Chinese arts and crafts are handpicked for the property in collaboration with K11 Craft & Guild Foundation, a charity conserving and revitalising Chinese craftsmanship. Residents can purchase the objects displayed with proceeds going back to the charity, while one percent of all room revenue is donated to the foundation.

A journey of discovery for cultural creatives with curated art pieces

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Generous living spaces in Harbour Three-Bedroom residence

Artisanal home with a social mission to preserve and promote craftsmanship

A Transcendent Living Experience Drawn with distinctive spaces and handcrafted with precise configurations by Hong Kong architect André Fu and his studio AFSO, the array of residences at K11 ARTUS transcend a home and become a reflection of its resident’s personality.

With self-contained kitchens, added space, and top tier amenities, the residences offer the comfort and convenience of a private home while accommodating guests’ individual needs. Each artisanal home features a wraparound balcony looking out onto one of the world’s most coveted open-air views of the Hong Kong skyline and cityscape. Highlights of the residential experience, meanwhile, include an open-air heated swimming pool, sun-deck, 24-hour gym and living salon.

Soaring over Victoria Dockside, three individually designed penthouses by Hong Kong’s Joyce Wang, London’s Fiona Barratt-Campbell and New York’s nemaworkshop represent the pinnacle of the property’s accommodation and showcase the ultimate in luxury lifestyle, with contemporary furniture juxtaposed alongside thought-provoking art pieces creating a curated sense of place.

Penthouse by Joyce Wang

Luxurious Comfort and Convenience Residents are ideally located in the centre of Hong Kong’s newest arts and cultural landmark at Victoria Dockside, with excellent connectivity to major transportation hubs in the city. In addition, residents can enjoy the convenience of round-the-clock digital concierge service, experience exclusive offers and room service, with meals delivered directly from K11 MUSEA’s prime restaurants.

K11 ARTUS delivers an exhilarating cultural twist on luxury living to an artistically-minded international crowd looking for an inspirational stay in the heart of Hong Kong. artus.com.hk

Denis Fahy

denis@jetsetter-magazine.com Publisher

Helen Dalley

helen.dalley@jetsetter-magazine.com Managing Editor

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Nick Walton

Contributing Editor

Don Pierre Riosa

don@jetsetter-magazine.com Art Director

Paul Lo

paul.lo@jetsetter-magazine.com General Manager (Shanghai)

Robyn Tucker-Peck Contributing Editor

Darryl Scott

d.scott@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director

W

Fatima Cameira

ith Summer in full swing and staycations still a buzzword, we’re turning inwards for the July issue of Jetsetter to focus on revitalising and rejuvenating ourselves before we’re able to travel as freely as we once did.

Whether you’re looking to soothe aches and pains or gain inner peace, we present eight ideas to restore physical and mental wellbeing, from an Aman retreat that encourages acceptance to a hot springs getaway in Fujian that will revitalise tired limbs. The first step to a brighter new you starts with reading our feature on p78 and planning an invigorating getaway.

Keen to update your wardrobe with some key

pieces? Robyn Tucker-Peck presents key trends for Autumn/Winter 2021 from the world’s greatest fashion houses, including Dolce & Gabbana and Balmain. Find your favourites on p34.

As we await a return to travel without quarantine (and keep our fingers crossed for the Hong Kong-Singapore bubble) we have another investment piece in July. Following on from last issue’s feature on whisky, we’ve turned our attention to watch investment. Auction houses are witnessing great sales, and there’s been a surge of interest around independent brands, which present an excellent starting point for would-be investors and collectors. Find out more on p64.

We hope the remaining Summer months treat you well, and we’ll see you in the Autumn…

fatima@jetsetter-magazine.com Marketing Director John Murphy john@jetsetter-magazine.com Advertising Director (Thailand)

Tammy Fong

tammy@jetsetter-magazine.com Travel Industry Relationship Director

Laurence James

laurence.james@jetsetter-magazine.com Chief Representative, Europe JETSETTER is registered as a newspaper & periodical.

JETSETTER is published by Jetsetter Ltd JETSETTER is printed by Jetsetter Ltd Suite A, 14/F Bangkok Bank Building, 28 Des Voeux Rd, Central, Hong Kong Level 8 Tower 2 Jing An Kerry Centre, 1515 Nanjing West Road Jing’an District Shanghai, China 200041 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-5706 Valley Cottage, NY 10989 USA Tel +852 2885 7885

Helen Dalley Managing Editor

CONTRIBUTORS

We use Nikon professional cameras!

Robyn-Tucker Peck brings more than 30 years’ magazine experience working in London, Chicago, Hong Kong and Vancouver for magazines including Cosmopolitan, Tatler and Homes & Gardens. Discover the latest looks from some of the world’s most esteemed fashion brands in Robyn’s trend round-up on p34.

@jetsettermagazine

Jetsetter.hk

Jetsetter-Magazine.com

All rights reserved. Copyright and distribution rights are reserved exclusively for Jetsetter Ltd, their partners, associates and affiliates. All materials published remain the property of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission. All information contained in this publication is from a reliable source. Jetsetter Ltd does not make any guarantees to the accuracy of the information contained.

CONTENTS SUMMER 2021 64

90

78

104

Photo: Anne Danilia /Unsplash

Photo: Netflix

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88

Phuket

Hold the Booze

CITY GUIDE

INSIDER

102

HOTEL REVIEW A Spirited Stay

As the popular Thai holiday destination opens up, we round up historic must-sees, cool beach clubs and some solid paddle boarding options

Fed up of uninspiring mocktails? Non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre’s is close to the real thing, says its CEO Mark Livings

Homewood Bath offers an upscale heritage stay with plenty of playful touches, says Helen Dalley

34

90

DESTINATIONS - BATH

Oooh… fashion

Home-grown Ales

FEATURE

Go trend spotting with Robyn Tucker-Peck as she presents cutting-edge looks from the world’s top fashion houses

64

INSIDER

Grain is the first restaurant/bar in Hong Kong with its own brewery on site. Jetsetter speaks to co-founder Chris Woodyard from successful restaurant chain Woolly Pig

FEATURE

96

Looking to start a collection? Watch investment is on the up, and it’s not all about pricey Pateks, says Helen Dalley

Korean Cool

78

98

A New You

Tastes of the Med

A timely Investment

COVER FEATURE In need of a physical, mental or spiritual makeover? Jetsetter presents eight ideas to restore and revitalise after a challenging 18 months

104

A Bridgerton-inspired Tour of Bath

Jetsetter presents a tour of the famous Georgian city that takes in places where Netflix smash Bridgerton was filmed

IN THE KITCHEN We talk authentic Korean fare (and the importance of seasoning) with Hansik Goo’s founder Mingoo Kang

RESTAURANT REVIEW Ray Chan samples the Mediterranean-inspired menu at Salisterra at the Upper House, the first overseas restaurant for Michelin-starred Brit chef Jun Tanaka

Sarojin Khao Lak

Homes to impress

1 & 2 bed Apartments and 3 bed Mews Houses available from £675,000* – Live in a neighbourhood with a vibrant village-like vibe – Enjoy fantastic shopping on your doorstep from luxury boutiques to the famous Portobello Market – Close to lots of parks and green spaces including three Royal Parks – Set in a prime zone 2 location, with great transport connections into central London and beyond – Close to many top performing schools and world-leading universities – Prestigious multi-award-winning development A development by

For more information please contact:

+852 2846 7418

IRS@hk.knightfrank.com

Sole agent

Knight Frank International Residential Sales Limited and their sales representatives work exclusively in relation to properties outside Hong Kong and are not licensed under the Estate Agents Ordinance (Cap. 511) to deal with Hong Kong properties. Purchasing uncompleted properties located outside Hong Kong is complicated and contains risk. You should review all relevant information and documents carefully before making a purchase decision. If in doubt, please seek independent professional advice before making a purchase decision. Whilst every care has been taken in preparing these particulars, Knight Frank and the respective landlords/vendors give no warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein. These particulars are subject to errors, omissions, change of price/rental or other conditions, withdrawal without notice, and any special listing conditions imposed by our principals. Knight Frank will not be liable for negligence, or for any direct or indirect consequential losses or damages arising from the use of this information. You should satisfy yourself about the completeness or accuracy of any information or materials and seek professional advice in regard to all the information contained herein. The information contained herein does not form part of an offer or contract. *Prices and details are correct at the time of going to press. All images are computer generated and are indicative and used for illustration purposes only.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

SINGAPORE

FLING

Swing by the rooftop jacuzzi pod at the Fullerton Bay Singapore for stellar city vistas

W

ith the long-awaited Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble hopefully going ahead sometime soon, many of us are considering where we’ll be staying when we make it back to the Lion City. A modern sanctuary with an enviable waterfront location – there are astonishing views over Marina Bay and the city skyline – the Fullerton Bay Singapore is a sure-fire contender. While many of the rooms boast great views (we love the Peranakan-inspired Anderson suite and its swish floral silk panels) the best place to gaze out from is the rooftop jacuzzi pod. Flanked by foliage on both sides, it provides pleasant respite from the sizzling Singapore sun, and boasts 360-degree skyline views – from heritage gem & sister hotel the Fullerton to the Singapore Flyer – at a cursory glance. Once you’ve finished relaxing in that hot, bubbly water, grab a shower then head down to the hotel’s open-air Gin Parlour at Clifford Pier for a fortifying G&T, which stocks more than 200 gins from around the world. fullertonhotels.com

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ROOM WITH A VIEW

Bubbling over: the rooftop jacuzzi pod at the Fullerton Bay Singapore

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INTRODUCING

BALI BOUND

Avani Seminyak Resort is the brand’s first property in Indonesia

Another new Bali hotel to visit when travel is quarantine-free…

A

vani has chosen Bali for its first foray into Indonesia, with 21 residence-style accommodations and 16 private pool villas located in the heart of Seminyak, a short stroll away from the area’s renowned boutiques, galleries and nightlife.

The décor in each villa and residence plays it cool with breezy, beachy tones, while a private kitchen and dining areas means you don’t have to eat out every night. Private pool villas are sized at 150 sqm, giving larger parties plenty of room to chill out and relax.

The suite residences, meanwhile, feature openair terraces and range from studios to roomy multi-bedroom units with pool access.

The F&B focus is very much Indonesian, with the resort utilising ingredients from Bali and the neighbouring islands. Pull up a stool and dig into Indonesian and international dishes at Groove restaurant and try your hand creating Bali’s traditional cuisine at the community cooking classes. Guests looking to keep fit can work up a sweat at the AvaniFit gym, or do some laps at the pool before relaxing in a pool-side cabana.

Avani Seminyak Bali will join the brand’s rapidly growing collection of 33 properties around the globe, including the recently opened FCC Angkor by Avani in Cambodia, Avani Central Busan Hotel in South Korea, Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort and Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas. avanihotels.com

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207 Southwark Bridge Rd London SE1 0DN previsionproperty.co alex.tozzi@previsionproperty.com

alex.tozzi@previsionproperty.com

GUARANTEED YIELDS OF 7% IN MAJOR UK CITIES Prevision Property currently represent an exciting range of developments in major UK cities, which offer guaranteed yields to investors of 7%.

LONDON

BIRMINGHAM

We represent an exciting new-build development in one of London’s largest ever regeneration zones. Nine Elms is the most exciting investment hub in London right now. Two new tube stations will be built in the area, and the Battersea power station will be an exciting new destination including many high class restaurants, retail spaces and will also serve as the new European HQ of electronics giant Apple.

We currently represent a new build development situated in the historic Jewellery Quarter region of Birmingham. This development is one of the most competitively priced schemes in the area, and offers fantastic opportunity for capital growth.

Most importantly the area will shortly be re-designated to zone 1, alongside the likes of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, Nine Elms will become one of the most prestigious addresses in London.

Birmingham has become home to some of the UK’s largest companies, and most importantly has seen a dramatic improvement to its transport links. The upcoming HS2 rail link will allow access into London in 49 minutes.

OXFORD

MANCHESTER

Nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside and steeped in History, Oxford has long been considered one of the most desirable areas to live in England.

Manchester is currently one of the most exciting regions to invest in within Europe. Our development is one of the landmark buildings within the city centre, favoured by high- income working professionals across all sectors.

As well as being a key working location for many businesses, Oxford is also home to two universities providing an exciting mix of tenants for a landlord to choose from.

With many high profile businesses and brands opening offices in Manchester, such as the BBC, AstraZeneca and PWC. The region is tipped to see some of the largest property price increases across the UK in the next 5-10 years.

Rarely does an opportunity come about to invest in Oxford, especially at such a competitive yield. Please get in touch early to avoid disappointment.

Purchase now and enjoy a high guaranteed yield and strong price growth in your property.

INTRODUCING

I

f you’re looking for somewhere new to stay in Venice, the city’s only luxury hotel to debut this year is Ca’ di Dio, a design-conscious pad located in the city’s contemporary art & design district. Featuring 66 rooms including 57 suites layered over three floors, the hotel is housed in a former in a Venetian palace, parts of which date back to 1272. Renowned Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola has masterminded the design and the hotel is sympathetic to its environment with a soft palette recalling themes of water and reflections. Local artisanal upholstery and jewelcoloured Murano glass lamps illustrate the hotel’s commitment to local design.

VENETIAN

VIBES

Set around three courtyards, the hotel has the vibe of a Venetian house, and offers all-day al fresco dining at the Essentia restaurant. In need of some R&R? The Pura Spa & Wellness centre provides personalised treatments and houses a gym. Book one of the two Altana Suites for access to roof terrace for 360-degree views over the San Marco Basin while you enjoy aperitifs and dinner. v-retreats.com

Love design-conscious spaces?

Then consider new Venetian hotel Ca’ di Dio

Ca’ di Dio is housed inside a 13th century Venetian palace

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Innovative

Reliable

Responsible

THE ORIGINAL

PREMIUM QUALITY

CARBON NEUTRAL

Secrid invented the Cardprotector in 2009, with three patents on the slide mechanism for quick card access.

Our colleagues at R&D constantly innovate, to ensure you the best quality available in this market.

We compensate all our CO2 emissions since 2009, in close cooperation with Ecochain and FairClimateFund.

INTRODUCING

Pullman Khao Lak lies around two hours’ north of Phuket

TROPICAL ROMANCE Pullman Khao Lak Debuts in Phang Nga

L

ooking for a laid-back Thai getaway?

Pullman Khao Lak has made its debut at Bang Muang Beach on the northern tip of pretty Phang Nga province in Khao Lak. The 253-room resort takes its design influences from nearby Takua Pa old town and its SinoPortuguese design. Boasting private balconies, spacious living areas and an open bathroom concept with rain showers, the resort offers 14 room categories, from the 44 sqm Deluxe Room to the 88 sqm Presidential Suite.

Pullman Khao Lak also features a collection of two-bedroom pool villas if you’re travelling with friends or fam. Splash about in the resort’s 1,400 sqm freeform swimming pool and swing by the Rosalyn Spa for massages, beauty treatments and a steamy hamam bath experience. pullmankhaolakresort.com

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VANA BELLE, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, KOH SAMUI DISCOVER THE LUXURY ISLAND WAY TO RELAX, RETREAT, RECHARGE, AND REJUVENATE Vana Belle Koh Samui is an exquisite all-suites-and-villas resort perfectly located on a 180-metre pristine white sand beach.

Perched on the sands of a picturesque bay at the southern end of Chaweng Noi Beach and surrounded by tropical rainforest, Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui offers a richly authentic moment of Thai traditional style combined with the modern world, providing a secluded and luxurious experience.

With 72 exquisitely appointed pool suites and seven pool villas, the resort’s highlights include a 180-metre long white sand beach and beachfront infinity pool, while the Luxury Collection Concierge helps create bespoke Koh Samui journeys for each guest.

This is also the perfect place to host a meeting, with the largest outdoor meeting space on the island, the Marquee, the biggest covered meeting venue on any Samui beach.

VANA BELLE, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, KOH SAMUI 9/99 MOO 3, CHAWENG NOI BEACH, KOH SAMUI, SURAT THANI 84320 THAILAND T: 66 77 915 555 E: RESERVATIONS.VANABELLE@MARRIOTT.COM THELUXURYCOLLECTION.COM/VANABELLE

IMAGES MAY NOT FULLY REPRESENT THE ROOM FEATURES YOU BOOKED AND FOR MARKETING PURPOSE ONLY.

Picture of Mondrian Shoreditch: Goddard Littlefair

INTRODUCING

Mondrian Shoreditch: a new place to stay in London

SHOREDITCH STYLE Accor’s design-conscious brand Mondrian makes its London debut

F

ollowing a major overhaul by award-winning London interior design studio Goddard Littlefair, Mondrian Shoreditch has opened its doors this July. The 120-bedroom property, including 13 suites, will sit in the midst of East London’s creative and cultural hub and also offers a co-working space and rooftop pool.

The dining options look set to be a big draw, too, with renowned chef Dani García introducing Spanish kitchen BIBO. Serving tapas to guests on courtyard seats, the restaurant is Garcia’s first outpost in London. Other dining highlights include all-day café and cocktail bar Christina’s Shoreditch, which will only source products from local farmers, growers, community bakeries and brands with social impact. Guests will also have

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access to the exclusive Altitude Rooftop for breakfast. The space will otherwise be exclusively for members of the hotel’s private members club, The Curtain.

Don’t want to find a co-working space or café when you’re next in the big smoke? Then grab your laptop and check into co-working space The Design Studio, which will host panel discussions, live music and club nights showcasing local talent.

With six properties so far – Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Doha, Seoul and now London – Mondrian is on track to more than double its footprint by 2023, with upcoming openings in Bordeaux, Cannes and Australia’s Gold Coast. mondrianhotel.com

INSPIRE

MARINE MARVELS IN THE MALDIVES Follow turtle hatchlings and witness a mass coral spawning at Six Senses Laamu

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p for some unforgettable wildlife encounters? Over the coming months, thousands of green sea turtle hatchlings will emerge from their nests and scuttle down the beach towards the Indian Ocean at Six Senses Laamu. Guests who sign up for this experience needn’t be worried about missing the action as they will be notified by the resident turtle biologist that the nestwatch cameras have spotted a nest hatching.

The marine spectacle doesn’t stop there, as a mass coral spawning event is scheduled to happen on Six Senses Laamu’s house reef in the coming months. The resort’s marine biology team, the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), is currently studying coral spawning to an extent never investigated before in the Maldives. Guests can join the team, armed with torches and cameras, to watch as the most abundant species of coral spawns and naturally repopulates the reef.

During the Summer holidays, meanwhile, the Junior Marine Biology programme provides children with the opportunity to experience an education not usually covered in mainstream curriculum. sixsenses.com

Get in touch with nature at Six Senses Laamu where green sea turtles nest and the resort’s coral reef is poised to spawn…

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CITY GUIDE – PHUKET

PHUKET PARADISE

Photo by: Mark Roberts / Unsplash

There’s much more to this much-loved Thai isle than sunbathing, spas and snorkelling…

Away from the beaches, Buddhist temples abound in Phuket…

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CITY GUIDE – PHUKET

Paddleboard at sunset

Xana Beach Club

Taweeroj Eawpanich / Unsplash

Big Buddha

Wesley Van T Hart / Unsplash

PADDLE UP

HIT THE BEACH CLUBS

HISTORIC MUST-DOS

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding is a good way to avoid the crowds and see the best of a coastal destination and it’s a great cardio workout, too.

Try Paddle Phuket (paddlephuket.com), which offers trips to nearby islands or out to the still waters of a local river. Sunset, mangrove and deserted beach tours are among the options.

There’s a branch of the iconic Ibiza chill-out club Café Del Mar (phuket.cafedelmar.com) at Kamala Beach, where large day beds shaded by palm trees cluster around the swimming pool. International DJ’s regularly swing by, and it does brunch and Sunday roasts.

Love yoga? With Talay Surf (talaysurf.com), you can combine SUP with yoga and feel the soothing waves of the ocean as you strike a pose on your board. The Adventure tour includes exploring a fishing bay and snorkelling round a reef at a private beach.

Another good spot on Kamala is Pine Beach Bar at the Intercontinental Phuket Resort (phuket.intercontinental.com). Start the day with a healthy breakfast bowl, lunch or dinner on pizza and stay to see the sunset and nightly fire show.

Those looking for more than the beach and the pool in Phuket need to explore the old Town with its charming Sino-Portuguese architecture and colourful, well-preserved shophouses.

Turn back the clock 120 years with a visit to Baan Chinpracha, originally built by an old tin baron, where an inner courtyard and colourful tiled floors await.

PADDLE ACROSS THE ANDAMAN

SUP lessons with SSS Phuket (sssphuket.com) take places at Kata Beach, and you can also hire the boards if you’ve already mastered this skill.

If currents allow, there’s the chance to visit Ko Puh island. If you’re serious about mastering SUP, there are three, five and 10-day camp packages with lessons in the morning and the afternoon.

Another good option is Phuket Surfing (phuketsurfing.com), which also offers tuition from Kata Beach. Lessons are tailored to your ability, so if you’ve already tried SUP before, the instructors are on hand to help you explore further afield.

SWAP THE BEACH TOWEL FOR A SWANKY SOFA

With a 35m pool and swim-up bar right on Bang Tao beach, Xana Beach Club (angsana. com) at the Angsana Laguna Beach Resort has an eclectic menu that includes everything from sandwiches, burgers and wraps to local dishes like bua thod (deep-fried betel leaves with prawn served with tamarind). There’s also a rooftop bar for sundowners.

The only beach club on Karon, Coast (coastbeach-club.com) is part of the Centara hotel and features large sofas to lounge on near the sand. Snack on sliders and dine on local seafood before sipping on a sundowner cocktail: we like the sound of the prescription ice tea and the lychee Martini.

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GET ACQUAINTED WITH OLD SCHOOL PHUKET

Want to escape the tourist crowds but still see some temples? Then forget the Big Buddha, which looms over southern Phuket, and the popular Chalong temple and get along to Wat Khao Rang and admire its seated golden Buddha, or Wat Phra Thing, which is home to a half-buried Buddha statue.

Other historic spots include the Thai Hua Museum, which dates back to 1911 and was a formerly a Chinese language school. It includes displays on the Chinese in Phuket and recounts how the island became a powerful trading centre.

Built in 1907, the Phuket Baba Museum is housed in a former Peranakan-style bank building that’s an attraction in itself and is topped by colonial-style clock tower. There is traditional furniture, Nyonya clothing and jewellery on display.

FASHION ROUND UP Balmain

Step out in style with the latest threads.

Robyn Tucker-Peck introduces the latest looks of the season from the major fashion houses

I

f you Google “what is fashion?”, you’ll find a variety of meanings. Fashion is a popular style or practice. Fashion is a global industry. Fashion is a way of celebrating diversity and variety. Fashion is the dominant style in a given culture at a certain time. All these are of course true in their own context. Whether you are a man or a woman, what is fashion to you? For many years it was about what I liked and what I thought suited me, but the question of what fashion was never made clearer to me than in 2008 when I was working for a luxury lifestyle magazine in Hong Kong. I’d returned to Asia after many years in North America with my husband, who had taken a position in Hong Kong with a leading British bank. Coming back was thrilling and exciting and I was so happy to be back on my old stamping grounds. I’ve worked in the magazine business my entire career, but my most exciting and rewarding experiences were in Asia. In particular, the people I met there always made my job intriguing and challenging.

One of these encounters was in Hong Kong with the regional head of a very large fashion company. I’d arranged an interview with the vice president, who’d been recently transferred from Paris. I arrived at his office and was warmly greeted, his demeanour immediately putting me at ease. We discussed the fashion industry at length, myself sharing experiences in North America and what I thought fashion was, comparing that with the trends in Asia. “Fashion”, he said, “Is personal art. It is up to each person how they want to mix their clothing, handbags, shoes and jewellery. This is what makes it interesting.” In essence, he said nothing has to match if you do not want it to. Everything is your personal decision, not a planned and directed set of must-do’s but being able to look at yourself as a blank canvas on which you put whatever colours and shapes you want. The freedom to not be limited, but to explore your preferences with no parameters.

I’d never looked at it quite that way before, but from that day I looked at fashion with a completely different view. I respected each person I saw on the street as having created their own art with the colours and patterns they chose.

As countries start to open up after the pandemic we can renew our creativity and look at fashion as our personal art, taking inspiration from the artists and craftsmen of the fashion industry like Dolce & Gabbana, Oliver Rousteing, Tony Ward, Paul Vasileff, Giambattista Valli, Alexis Mabille, Ronald van der Kemp and Nuno Lopes, the first Macanese designer to be featured in British Vogue, Vogue Italia and Wonderland magazine. Touching on these designers’ creative souls, each has created collections from personal and historical visions. Here are some of their beautiful collections, inspiring us with artistry. I hope it gives you all the confidence to trust your own creativity in wearing what you love.

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Dolce & Gabbana

FASHION ROUND UP Giambattista Valli

Alexis Mabille

Ronald van der Kemp

Dolce & Gabbana

Tony Ward

Paolo Sebastian

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DOLCE & GABBANA

Combining art, design and fashion, Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2021 Men’s Collection is a tribute to the Italian genius manifested at the Parco dei Principi Hotel in Sorrento, designed by Gio Ponti in 1960, where the colours of the sea mix with the lightness of white.

The merge between modernity and neoclassicism becomes the common thread, where geometric and linear designs, referring to the ceramics of the 1960s, are combined with prints of neoclassical statues and busts, in a game of contrasts harmonised by the delicacy of the shades of the sky.

Oversized volumes, a combination of different materials, overlaps and juxtapositions are the main features of the garments. dolcegabbana.com

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Photos of Men’s Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2021 collection by Dolce & Gabbana

MEN’S SPRING/SUMMER 2021 – READY TO WEAR COLLECTION

FASHION ROUND UP DOLCE & GABBANA

WOMEN’S SPRING/SUMMER 2021 PATCHWORK DI SICILIA COLLECTION The Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2021 women’s collection, Patchwork di Sicilia, is a tribute to Sicily, a regular source of inspiration for the designers. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have visually woven together a tapestry that recounts the fabrics and patterns you might find in Palermo, Catania, Siracusa and Agrigento – creating pieces of patchwork and mixing fabrics, atmospheres, colours, brocade, poplin, georgette and chiffon.

In this new collection, the designers have captured their experience of “fatto a mano” – handmade craftsmanship. They hope to inspire a love and appreciation for the arts, handmade crafts and sustainable fashion within a new generation. Every garment is crafted and interpreted by a skilled hand, so that every piece has its own personality. All artisans and tailors have sewn together fabrics in a distinctive way according to shapes and colours, enabling each piece of fabric to create its own story. dolcegabbana.com

Photos of Dolce & Gabbana Women’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection by Dolce & Gabbana

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Photos of Balmain men’s and women’s Fall/Winter 2021-2022 by Balmain

FASHION ROUND UP

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BALMAIN

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FALL/WINTER COLLECTION 2021/2022 After the triumph of his house’s first couture presentation 75 years ago, what did Pierre Balmain do? He packed his bags and started travelling, jetting off to America not to talk collections, but follow the directive of his friend Gertrude Stein to act as a roving ambassador, criss-crossing the US to deliver lectures on French culture and savoir faire. Six years after the war had abruptly put an end to all imports of Parisian fashion, he also sailed across the Channel, transporting his fresh new take on couture to London. And, after an eight-day, multistep series of flights across half the globe, he touched down in Australia, bringing news of his “New French Style” to Down Under (and, of course, making sure to include a visit to the Sydney suburb of Balmain).

Post-2020, it’s a lot easier for us to appreciate just how exciting those trips must have been for Pierre Balmain. After the anxious years of war and occupation, he was suddenly offered the long-denied possibility of escaping to destinations that he had been dreaming about.

Today’s men’s and women’s collections aim to channel that amazing sensation of freedom. We remember the impressive power of travel to open minds, uplift spirits and reunite those who have been kept apart, as we all look forward to better days. Many of the designs riff on the distinctive beauty found in the uniforms of early pilots and astronauts, with takes on parachute dresses, lace-up flight boots, bomber jackets and shimmering anti-gravity jumpsuits. One particularly striking design by Oliver Rousteing relies on more than 68,000 upcycled Swarovski crystals, making very clear the atelier’s success in mixing luxury embellishments with aviator inspirations.balmain.com

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GIAMBATTISTA VALLI FALL/WINTER 2021-2022 COLLECTION

After moments of stillness and introspection, the will of movement and a new dynamism served as the starting point for the Fall/Winter 20212022 collection for Giambattista Valli, who takes his Parisienne silhouette on a journey to his hometown, Rome. While walking through the city, this silhouette turns into a new imaginary friend, Paolina Borghese Bonaparte, a woman ahead of her times, a perfect incarnation of Italian and French cultures whose spirit applies to the Valli woman, a progressive and eclectic creature with an independent sense of style.

Parisian blacks and whites trimmed and embroidered boucles and neat silk crepes soften while the promenade goes on; the flowers of the Villa Borghese appear on the garments and its delicate flowers bloom in the form of brocades, alongside

and

lavish

porcelain

sequins

and

prints velvet

Photos of Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2021/2022 Collection by Giambattista Valli

embroideries

jacquards. Pearl-adorned tiaras, spots of leopard, crystal-embroidered necklines reminiscent of livery collars and slightly risen waistlines are further nods to the Empire. The resolution of the collection is to convey a feel of vigour and to inspire the new beginning of enthusiastic femininity. giambattistavalli.com

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FASHION ROUND UP ALEXIS MABILLE

EVENING READY TO WEAR FALL/WINTER COLLECTION 2021-2022 “My collection is an invitation to party, which we all dream of now,” says designer Alexis Mabille, whose eclectic universe celebrates a soon-to-befound freedom. In this timeless decor created to enjoy festivities, he presents a wardrobe that plays with volumes and light. With a mélange of textures creating an illusion of matte and shiny reflections, Mabille utilises a palette of golden yellow and beige tones and black & blue hues punctuated with white. A perfect silhouette for movement, it

Photos of Evening RTW Fall-Winter 2021/2022 by: Alexis Mabille

draws you into a liberating and exhilarating dance. alexismabille.com

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FASHION ROUND UP

Photos of Paolo Sebastian 2021 Spring/Summer collection, “Persephone” by Simon Cecere and Paolo Sebastian

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FASHION ROUND UP PAOLO SEBASTIAN

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 COLLECTION, “PERSEPHONE” Designer Paul Vasileff’s 2021 Spring/Summer Couture collection, “Persephone”, draws inspiration from the duality of seasons, the complexities of love and the beauty of Greek mythology. Inspired by the classic tale, the collection follows Persephone’s journey to becoming the Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld.

“The collection follows a narrative, which starts out as pure and light in the beginning, becomes darker and returns back to the light again with flowers blossoming.

However, Persephone is stronger and less naïve and vulnerable at the end of the story,” explains creative director and designer Paul Vasileff. “Reminiscent of the changing season, the soft colour palette transcends into earthy tones and features accents of platinum, ruby and shimmering metallics. Paying homage to classicism, romantic Grecian silhouettes in dégradé silk tulle, lustrous crepe and Italian silk lurex and are adorned with intricate beadwork, delicate draping and elegant braided rope details,” says Vasileff.

The 14-piece collection premiered as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival’s (MFF) Digital Runway Three.

“We were excited to partner with MFF on this Australian first. With couture shows in Paris pivoting and paving the way with a new digital presence, we were able to follow suit and showcase to a global audience,” says Vasileff.

Symbolising the unison between classical storytelling and couture technique, Persephone is a testament to the brand’s artisanal abilities. paolosebastian.com

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FASHION ROUND UP

TONY WARD

READY-TO-WEAR FALL/WINTER 2021-22 COLLECTION, “INTERLUDE” What’s more interesting than the film itself? Perhaps going behind the scenes, the adrenaline rush of film-making, or seeing the re-runs? The world of cinematography & film has always been an inspiration to Tony Ward. The designer’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2021-2022 collection, Interlude, sees vintage strobe lights showcasing the pieces, adding a dramatic punch to dark scenes. Ward utilises a punchy palette of hot fuchsia, deep purple, emerald green, midnight blue and black. The collection incorporates theatrical suits & capes, sculptural pieces, slits & feathers and voluminous skirts and embrace Hollywood glam and French classics, where the raw shots on the filmstrips are more interesting than the movie itself. tonyward.net

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Photos of Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2021-2022 collection “Interlude” by Tony Ward

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FASHION ROUND UP

RONALD VAN DER KEMP

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 COLLECTION, “WARDROBE #13”

Dutch couturier Ronald van der Kemp launched his demi-couture label in 2014, RVDK Ronald van der Kemp, and presented his first ‘wardrobe’ during the Paris haute couture calendar in 2015. His wardrobes consist of limited-edition statement pieces that he says are seasonless, timeless clothes intended to express a woman’s personality and underline her strength and character.

An eco-friendly approach is prevalent throughout this collection. “We used felted textile trash made from discarded uniforms, moulding a corset in one seamless piece and trimming it with a border of handwoven leftover metal chains. We brought back the ‘Boucherouite’ weaving technique that we introduced a year ago, working again with Carpet of Life to create intricate 3D textiles with leftover fabric scraps to replace fur and fake fur. We gave new meaning to vintage wall coverings, leftover couture fabrics, antique kimonos, surplus feathers, fringes and beads and turned them into dresses, pillows, art and accessories,” he says.

Van der Kemp elaborates that it created pieces of textile art from scraps by collaging, hand painting, dyeing, quilting, appliqueing, embellishing, hand weaving and embroidering. “We also reimagined discarded hotel ‘paintings’– printed reproductions of Dutch masters – into new works of art,” he Photos of RVDK Ronald van der Kemp Wardrobe #13 by Marijke Aerden

says. ronaldvanderkemp.com

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FASHION ROUND UP

NUNO LOPES

FALL/WINTER 2021-2022 COLLECTION, “CHANDELIER DREAM”

Photos of Nuno Lopes Fall/Winter 2021-2022 collection by Shenzhen Fashion Week

Nuno Lopes de Oliveira showcased his latest collection at this year’s Shenzhen Fashion Week. At the event, we finally got a glimpse of normality, with a live audience of more than 700 guests attending the show. Lopes brought back his signature aesthetic to the runway, this latest collection debuting almost two years since the designer recovered from a life-threatening aneurysm. He founded his eponymous fashion brand, Nuno Lopes, in London in June 2015, after the success of his graduate fashion show, which made him the first Macanese designer to be featured in British Vogue, Vogue Italia and Wonderland magazine.

Inspirations behind this collection came from his hometown of Macau. With time spent not being able to travel abroad due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, Lopes rediscovered the beauty of his small city with a big personality. The collection is called “Chandelier Dream”.

Once a magnificent Catholic church, the ruins of St Paul’s cathedral in Macau are one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World. Lopes was always fascinated by what happened on that fateful night when a fire destroyed the cathedral. There were no paintings to document the grandeur of the building, so Lopes used his imagination to represent it with heavy crystal beading, baroque patterns, and a colour scheme inspired by the mural paintings at the chapel Capela de Nossa Senhora da Guia on Guia Hill. nuno-lopes.com

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The Newest Five-Star Hotel in Phnom Penh City

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MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME ONE-EIGHT-ONE HOTEL & SERVICED RESIDENCES DELIVERS BLISSFUL STAYS IN THE HEART OF HONG KONG

Clockwise from left: harbour suite; living area in the two-bedroom sky residences suite; all-day dining restaurant, the Tea Room; cutting-edge design and decor in the harbour suite

N

ow there’s even more reason to stay at One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences following the debut of its two-bedroom sky residences suite and an exclusive club lounge for an extraordinary stay in Hong Kong.

Situated in the historic, trendy Western District of Hong Kong Island, where old meets new and East meets West, One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences is conveniently located near the MTR HKU Station. A great option for business and leisure travellers alike, it’s a five-minute drive from the Central business district and a 30-minute journey from Hong Kong International Airport.

Unparalleled views One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences

offers 183 contemporary guest rooms and suites, sized from 31 sqm to 100 sqm. Seventy percent of the hotel’s guest rooms boast an open skyline and 180-degree panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. For a sense of warmth and heartfelt home-away-from home feel, rooms are decked out in wood and warm, earthy shades. Equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine for the perfect pick-me up in the morning, rooms also feature luxury bedding and pillow menu for a restful night’s sleep.

Situated on One-Eight-One’s 30th floor, its highest, the new two-bedroom sky residences suite brings luxury to new heights. The stylish, contemporary design showcases handcrafted furniture, beige and grey wallpaper and soft lighting. The backdrop of Victoria Harbour offers

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

a resort-in-the-city feel, particularly at sunset, when guests can admire beautiful views from the comfort of this gorgeous suite over a sundowner. With a ceiling height of more than three metres, the two-bedroom sky residences has a separate living area, along with a bathroom and powder room. This unique suite, which measures in at more than 92 sqm, represents the perfect accommodation choice for families.

A Club like no other One of the major highlights of staying at OneEight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences is enjoying the charming ambience and warm service at the newly-opened Quay Club. Located on the fifth floor overlooking Instagram Pier and delivering superb sunset views, it offers an elevated experience for guests staying in club level rooms and suites. Benefits include personalised check-in, check-out at 3pm, complimentary breakfast buffet and evening drinks with free flow of wine, beer, soft drinks and lounge bites, along with complimentary use of the meeting rooms for two hours for those here on business.

Guests can also grab a bite at all-day dining concept The Tea Room. Inspired by Hong Kong dining culture, it serves classic dishes for lunch, afternoon snacks and presents a modern expression of Cantonese

cuisine for dinner, with slow-cooked Angus beef short rib and Cantonese chicken curry on the menu.

One-Eight-One also has its own health club, which features a 24-hour gym, while those staying long-term can make use of the laundry room, which offers 24-hour turnaround selfservice and free in-room delivery.

Stay at One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences and you may never want to leave the comforting ambience of this exquisitely-appointed accommodation, where attentive staff will make you feel right at home. one-eight-one.com

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FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

A TIMELY INVESTMENT Looking to invest your money somewhere safe? Then consider creating a watch collection, says Helen Dalley

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FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

A

s the world’s biggest watch market, there is plenty of interest in watches in Hong Kong, with the most-coveted brands well represented in the city by stand-alone boutiques or multi-brand watch retailers like Phoenix Watch and Elegant Watch & Jewellery and second-hand retailers such as Watchbox and Watchfinder. Many of the world’s most respected auction houses, including Christie’s and Bonham’s, hold regular dedicated watch auctions to meet demand from Hong Kong and Asian collectors, while an uptick in online auctions during the pandemic has escalated demand further.

Hong Kong watch auctions continue to exceed high estimates, most recently with the sale of a Patek Philippe. Ref.5033P, a platinum and diamond-set

minute repeating wristwatch selling for more than HK$5.62 million (the estimate was HK$4.3-5.2 million) at Bonhams this June. “This top lot, traditionally considered a top-of-the-line watch for men, was bought by a young female collector online. This shows that watch collectors are now already accustomed to buying online, not only for entry-level and mid-range pieces, but for top trophy items as well,” says Sharon Chan, Bonham’s director of watches, Asia.

If that price tag sounds daunting, then take some comfort from the fact that the watch market has options for all would-be collectors, whether you’re looking to start small with a modest investment in a lesser-known independent or second-hand model or ready to make that first big watch purchase.

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From left:

FP Journe pink gold Centigraphe Souverain; Patek Philippe Gradowski Grand Complication from 1890; Rolex Daytona Rainbow in pink gold; Patek Philippe Ref. 5033P platinum and diamondset minute repeater, which fetched more than HK$5.6 milion at Bonham’s this June

FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

HIT THE AUCTION HOUSE Christies’ Head of Watches, Asia, Alexandre Bigler, observes there’s growing interest in timepiece investment and is upbeat on the future of watches in the city. “We’ve gone from strength to strength, and it’s been very nice to see the growth the last four seasons. This season, we were very excited to offer a day sale and an evening sale, which is the first time we’ve done this in Asia. It was amazing to offer 18 superb lots under the “Legends of Time”, exceptional timepieces dating back from 1800 up to the late 1980s. It was extremely exciting for our clients – some of them had not seen these objects ever in their lives, and we reached out to clients we’d not been in touch with for years, as these objects come up so rarely, perhaps every 10 or 20 years.”

Its recent online auction in May followed another online sale in January, with 100 per cent of lots sold in January. “I think the market is doing extremely well, and I think covid has definitely helped us. People have more time to study and learn more about watches. We’ve also had a lot of new clients coming to auction, as it’s an entry point before really getting into the world of collectible watches.”

Whether it’s old Chinese pocket watches or up-and-coming independent brands, Christie’s has a comprehensive selection of timepieces to consider for old and new investors alike. In terms of trends, he says some people are willing to pay a premium as they want to secure a watch

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FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

Opposite page from bottom left:

IWC white gold and baguette-cut diamond-set limited edition minute repeating wristwatch with perpetual calendar; Christie’s charity auction with Only Watch; Breguet rare stainless steel single button chronograph wristwatch from 1948

From left:

Alexandre Bigler, head of watches, Asia, Christie’s; Patek Philippe World Time Watch with Eastern hemisphere enamel dial, made in 1949

quickly, and the condition of the watch is key before collectors are willing to make a purchase, particularly in Asia. Collectors are becoming more educated, too. “They have more time to scan the market and keep updated, they can browse online, look at social media and forums and this has helped them understand the market faster.”

Collectors are much more comfortable communicating over Zoom since the pandemic, while before it might be an audio call or a WhatsApp message. Video calls mean Christie’s can show collectors the watches in real time instead of just sending photos. “In difficult times, people come together and clients want to be reassured. When covid struck in early 2020, a lot of clients were sceptical, they didn’t think it was the right time to sell or buy, and maybe prices will go down. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Everything was selling really well and people were really enthusiastic, and this gave people confidence to consign and buy more.”

As for the continued appetite in the Hong Kong

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and Asia market for luxury watches, Bigler says it’s all part of the wider demand for luxury goods in the region. “Asians have been buying handbags, wine and paintings for the past 10 years, they have the cash flow to invest.” As Hong Kong is a free port, this means clients can come in and out with as many watches as they want, he adds.

In terms of establishing a collection, Bigler says beginners need to do their homework. “You can look at online magazines, forums and auction houses like ourselves offer a lot of information.

You can read the foot notes to find out when the piece was made, how many are in circulation and so on.” Bigler says you can focus on one brand, or zoom in on a certain period. “Maybe it’s the golden era – is it the 1950s or 1960s? Or maybe you just like what this brand has been doing recently.” It has collectors that invest in certain metals – only black metals, for example – while others go by complication, just chronographs, or GMT’s. “You really can create collections in so many ways and that’s what makes it so exciting, and it’s very individual,” he says. Interested?

Watch out for its Autumn sales in October.

FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

This page:

An evening of fine wine and watches with Watchbox; Watchbox’s director of trading Josh Srolovitz

Opposite page:

A trio of Audemars Piguet watches on display at a Watchbox event

THE RISE OF THE INDEPENDENTS Aside from the auction houses, there are plenty of retail outlets where would-be collectors can browse for timepieces and begin watch investment. Watchbox’s director of trading, Josh Srolovitz, explains that Hong Kong is its first international office for the Philadelphia-based operation, with Singapore and Switzerland on the way. The Hong Kong market for watches is very mature, he says. “When you’re out and about walking on the street, almost everyone is wearing a Rolex, or some luxury watch brand on their wrist.

It’s very culturally ingrained.”

Watchbox provides a platform that enables customers to sell or trade their watches from its retail store. “What we’ve been trying to do the past few years is drive the independent watchmaker scene. Brands like FP Journe, or A Langhe & Sohne, which isn’t independent but has been forgotten.” As certain rare watches – the Pateks and limited-edition Rolexes and so on – become more difficult to procure, it is encouraging clients to look elsewhere. “A Langhe & Sohne has always made watches comparable to Patek Philippe in terms of movement, finishing and decoration and the overall quality, but because they’re not a Swiss brand – they’re German – they can be overlooked.” That is changing, however. “The Langhe Datagraph was a timepiece that only two years ago traded for maybe US$30-40,000. Now it’s a US$60-80,000 watch,” he notes.

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FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

We did a Zoom VIP exploration of our most exceptional watches, pieces not for sale publicly, which gave clients an opportunity to view them under professional cameras and lighting.

- Josh Srolovitz, Watchbox

The pandemic has seen Watchbox attract more local clients alongside other Asian clients. With a client base made up mostly professionals, particularly bankers and lawyers, Srolovitz says second-hand timepieces have become a lot more acceptable than a few years ago. “There were a few pre-owned watch shops, but the idea of buying one as a gift to yourself or someone else wasn’t so normalised, as it’s a used item, and culturally that can be a problem. We spent a lot of time educating people and putting the focus on the watch’s rarity rather than its previous owner.”

The majority of Watchbox’s timepieces are as new, fully warrantied and can be shipped out of Hong Kong. Do more people purchase or sell? “It’s a pretty healthy mix. Generally, they’ll sell first.”

In terms of establishing a collection,

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Srolovitz says many collectors make questionable purchases over time, so he advises doing plenty of research before making that big purchase. He also advises checking out the brand’s YouTube channel, where experts introduce different watches.

Zoom meetings with clients globally have become a staple, and they’ll focus on everything from vintage Pateks to timepieces with stone dials.

“We did a Zoom VIP exploration of our most exceptional watches from the Watchbox vault, pieces not for sale publicly, which gave them an opportunity to view special things that they wouldn’t see otherwise under professional cameras and lighting. This really fosters a sense of community and enables us to reach out to people who aren’t based in Hong Kong.”

FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT BUILDING A SPECIALIST COLLECTION If you’re looking for a niche for your collection, then why not invest in watches that have gone into space, or models created for that purpose? Bobby Livingston is executive vice president of Boston-based RR Auction, which recently sold a Russian Cosmonavigator watch, first carried to the International Space Station by cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov on Soyuz TMA-5, and an Omega Speedmaster flown on expedition 38/39. The pieces fetched US$32,439 (estimate US$10,000) and US$55,000 (estimate US$25,000) respectively. This online auction, like most of RR’s remote sales, attracted plenty of Asian bidders.

This page:

Rolex GM-Master owned by former head of NASA Neil Hutchison went under the hammer at RR Auction; Russian Cosmonavigator worn by cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov fetched more than US$32,000 at RR; limited edition Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary

“When you wear watches up in the space station and into orbit, they have to be really good quality time pieces. Any time we get cosmonaut watches, we never know how high the price is going to go,” he says.

RR Auction has been holding space-themed auctions since 2011. Livingston says there’s great interest not only in the Apollo programme but others, too. “I grew up seeing man walk on the moon, and there’s a whole generation of collectors my age that were inspired by these astronauts.

Now they have a disposable income, they’ve got into collecting,” he says.

While Livingston admits it’s always difficult to get good consignments, he notes that RR is renowned for selling flown watches and it holds two space sales a year. “We sold a

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FEATURE – WATCH INVESTMENT

When space and watches come together, they generate really competitive prices - Bobby Livingston, RR Auction

Bulova chronograph for US$1.6 million dollars (he’s wearing a replica), the only one worn by a US astronaut on the moon that you can own. All the others were Omega Speedmasters owned by the US government and still belong to the US government. This Bulova was a watch worn

by Commander Dave Scott from Apollo 15 and we sold it for him in 2015 and it was a world record for a while,” he notes.

When space and watches come together, they generate really competitive prices, he says.“We’ve sold several Omega watches… the Speedmaster remains popular as it’s so iconic. And some people just collect Speedmasters, and the early astronauts chose to buy them themselves. Watches play an incredibly important role in space travel, it’s a mandatory piece of kit.”

The people that purchase the space watches generally lived through the Apollo programme.

While it’s a really niche market, the client base comprises everyone from CEOs to college professors. “The buyers are usually very into science, rockets and how things work. There’s only so many things that have been to the lunar surface that astronauts were allowed to retain,

From left:

Neil Armstrong on the moon with an Omega Speedmaster; every Omega Speedmaster is inscribed with the same message on the back

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so there’s a supply issue and high interest.”

Starting a collection is all about provenance and authenticity, says Livingston. “In the space-collecting world, provenance is everything – the watch needs to have come from an astronaut and be backed up with solid paperwork. For the Apollo Programme, there’s always photos of them on the space station so buyers can match the watch to the photo, plus the serial numbers are widely known.”

Like many watch auctioneers, Livingston advises would-be collectors to buy what they love rather than simply investing in something as it’s likely to make you the most money. “If you buy a watch from us, whether it makes money or not, at least you were able to own something that went up in space.”

Livingston says RR will host another space sale this October and he expects to have a watch or two that’s flown to the moon among the auction lots. He is already excitedly anticipating who will secure the most coveted watch lots. “The crossover aspect is really interesting to me as I never know who’s going to win, a space collector or a watch collector.”

WELLNESS

SUMMER SOLACE Prepare your body and get in the right headspace for Summer at one of these resorts…

BANYAN TREE LAUNCHES AN ESCAPE IN NORTHERN UBUD The first Banyan Tree Escape by Banyan Tree in Indonesia, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape is set to open in an untouched part of northern Ubud this September. Pioneering a “no walls, no doors” concept throughout, it aims to deliver communion with nature for all guests, something it refers to as “the Naked Experience.”

The resort has 16 balés designed to blend indoor-outdoor living areas with 180-degree views, including the entry level Rainforest Pool Bale with partial rice paddy views and the Riverside Jungle Pool Bale, which has a 35 sqm pool and deck. Scattered on and off the property, guests can get away from it all secret Hideaway Spots, which are designed for meditation, reading, or just unwinding. banyantree.com

Good to know: A calendar of daily happenings, meanwhile, guides guests towards curated and self-led experiences, from events with local cultural festivities and collaborations with visiting wellness practitioners.

BEAM ME UP: ANYA RESORT TAGAYTAY EMBRACES INFRARED Anya Resort Tagaytay is the first Southeast Asian resort to offer France’s Vital Dome Far Infrared Rays (FIRs) spa therapy at its Niyama Wellness Centre. Unlike traditional saunas or massage machines, the Vital Dome’s FIRs penetrate deep into the skin, enabling the body to sweat out toxins and other impurities to keep infections at bay. The regenerative action of the treatment can also help with long-term pain management and maintaining a healthy weight. Spa treatments, meanwhile, can be arranged in your room or suite, and there’s a gym with weights and treadmills if you want to stay on top of your fitness game. anyaresorts.com

Good to know: Stickler for detail? The Anya

Experience Assistant enables you to prepare your room ahead of arrival with customised scents and pillows.

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WELLNESS

TANAH GAJAH UBUD HELPS GUESTS WASH WORRIES AWAY Yoga studios abound in Ubud, Bali’s spiritual heart, but now guests can find a more local way to destress and hit reset. The Balinese water purification ceremony, known as melukat, is a cleansing ritual locals engage in when they’re feeling stressed or pressured. This practice, designed to restore balance, is a core element of Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana’s latest offering, The Art of Renaissance. The ritual, which takes place at a local water temple, is designed to introduce guests to the local culture while helping them find some release. Other wellness-focused inclusions are a two-hour spa session (massage, scrub and herbal bath soak) overlooking Bali’s rice paddies. tanahgajahubud.com

Good to know: At the resort’s spa, signature

treatments include Tanah Gajah jade massage and the Indonesian cream bath, which combines an intensive hair conditioning treatment with a massage.

THE ANAM CAM RANH LIFTS GUESTS TO NEW HEIGHTS The Anam Cam Ranh’s resident yogi, Umesh Sharma, has introduced aerial yoga classes that suspend participants in mid-air beside the resort’s beach.

Swapping a yoga mat on the floor for a silk hammock suspended from outdoor support beams means guests can practice postures without compressing the spine or applying pressure to joints including the wrists. Sharma says the practice offers various health benefits including building core strength, healing chronic back pain and increasing blood circulation to the head to open up blockages and heal the thyroid and pituitary gland. theanam.com

Good to know: The resort has also introduced private 60-minute aqua yoga classes for one to two guests at Long Beach or at its nearby infinity pool, and yoga for children aged five to ten at the resort’s yoga room every Tuesday to Saturday from 10.3011.30am.

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The Future of Working-From-Anywhere

FEATURE – WELLNESS

MIND AND BODY UPGRADE

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FEATURE – WELLNESS

With plenty of time to reflect these past few months, many of us are contemplating everything from spiritual retreats to dental work. Jetsetter introduces eight places to ring the changes and revitalise yourself

Anne Danilia /Unsplash

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FEATURE – WELLNESS cookie3studio / Unsplash

A good place for… cosmetic surgery: ID HOSPITAL , SEOUL

Why go? An established location for cosmetic surgery, Seoul is becoming increasingly popular for everything from botox and fillers to intensive procedures, including double eyelid surgery and breast augmentation. One of the most popular hospitals for foreigners is Gangnam’s ID Hospital, which has English speaking doctors and an informative website including plenty of before and after photos to peruse.

What’s on offer? There’s a wide variety of treatments including facial contouring, rhinoplasty, mouth protrusion surgery, fat graft, brow lift and liposuction to name just a few.

What else? Price enquiries are available via the website if you upload frontal, 45-degree and side view photos.

Where to stay: There are plenty of hotels in trendy Gangnam: we suggest checking into the Intercontinental Grand Seoul Parnas, inside the glass-fronted Parnas Tower, where executive and suite rooms include access to Club Intercontinental. eng.idhospital.com; ihg.com 80 jetsetter-magazine.com

FEATURE – WELLNESS Good place to… access your own wellbeing butler: RAFFLES BALI

Why go? According to a recent report by the Wellness Tourism Association, 44 per cent of travellers are looking forward to the wellness segment of their next trip, while the most important reason for taking a wellness vacation, according to 38 per cent of travellers is, “to return to everyday life feeling rejuvenated”. To reflect this sharp level of interest in wellness, Raffles debuted its Emotional Wellbeing programme, a new global blueprint for wellness, at new property Raffles Bali last Autumn.

What’s on offer? The focus is on thoughtfully designed spaces incorporating feng shui principles, nutrition for pleasure and serenity rituals, with each guest assigned a wellbeing butler to address their wellbeing needs, from energy healing to meditation. Following a successful pilot, the retreat concept will be rolled out to additional Raffles hotels worldwide.

What else? Sleep Serenity is a core component of the wellness experience at Raffles, with aromatherapy oils, eye pillows, pillow menus and calming goodnight cards to encourage mindfulness and contentment before bedtime.

Where to stay: We love the panoramic pool villa at Raffles Bali, where the pool gives way to Jimbaran Bay. Go bespoke with a remote hillside treatment at The Sanctuary suite. raffles.com

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FEATURE – WELLNESS A good place for… immunity boosting: ALEENTA RESORT & SPA PHUKET

Why go? The Ayurah Spa at the Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket has launched a postCovid recovery programme, Breathing Recovery & Immunity Boosting, aimed at those who’ve had COVID-19, might be suffering from long term symptoms, or those who haven’t had it but want to prepare themselves for life postpandemic.

What’s on offer? Developed by a renowned Thai hospital, the programme uses Western medicine and integrated medicine to promote a stronger, healthier return to the new normal.

Along with strengthening breathing exercises, it will offer immunity-boosting menus for guests.

What else? Guests can also book in for treatments from the queen of facials Linda Meredith, whose clients include Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss. There’s a Vichy shower room too, where guests can receive a horizontal water massage.

Jason Briscoe / Unsplash

Where to stay: We suggest the Grand Villa Satis, a four-bedroom open plan villa with private pool and beachside sala that fronts secluded Natai beach. aleenta.com

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Good place for… a medical check-up: EXECUTIVE HEALTH MANAGEMENT CENTRE, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, MACAU

Why go? Located at the Macau University for Science and Technology, this is a place you can get peace of mind on your health without boarding a plane.

What’s on offer? There’s basic & deluxe check-up packages, and men’s & women’s health screening programmes.

Basic checks for cholesterol, diabetes, uric acid and liver function, while deluxe offers cancer tests and lung X-rays, ECG and thyroid testing. Package prices start from MOP$1,500 for the basic Standard A package while the men’s deluxe programme costs MOP$6,200.

The women’s deluxe programme, which includes a pelvic ultrasound and ovarian & breast cancer screening, is priced at MOP$9,200.

What else? Just about to tie the knot? There’s also a pre-marital health screening programme, which includes a fertility assessment (semen analysis for men, hormone levels including FSH for women), starting at MOP$1,300 for the men’s standard check-up.

Where to stay: Stay away from the Cotai Strip and book in for a quiet stay in Taipa village at the Altira, which is around four miles from the hospital and has corner suites with circular stone bath tubs and a Forbes five-star award spa. uho.org.mo; altiramacau.com

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FEATURE – WELLNESS

Good place to… get rid of old habits and form new ones: REVIVO WELLNESS RESORT, NUSA DUA, BALI

Why go? Revivo Wellness resorts offer a series of retreats designed to shake up your routines and rituals and create sustainable, healthy habits around wellness, nutrition and exercise.

What’s on offer? Its signature Emotional Balance and Mind Training will teach you to harness the power of the mind, so you can increase your motivation, transform your attitude and experience a more positive outlook on life with reiki, chakra balancing, personalised yoga sessions and Pranayama breathing sessions.

What else? It’s not all hard work… retreats also include facials and aromatherapy massages and three nutritious meals a day centred around foods high in iron, B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids: think whole grains, soy and avocado with a sideorder of liver-supporting foods including onion, garlic and turmeric. The outcome of all this healthy, mindful, living, say the resort, is finding a work-life balance and even unlocking the gateway to peace and tranquillity.

Where to stay: Revivo Bali has 16 Balinese-style suites, with four-poster beds and outdoor dining facilities within a garden, courtyard or overlooking a private pool. revivoreorts.com

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FEATURE – WELLNESS Good place for… teeth: DENTAL CENTER, BUMRUNGRAD HOSPITAL, BANGKOK

Why go? The Bumrungrad is one of the largest and well-respected hospitals in Southeast Asia. While it’s often frequented by visitors from around the region for medical check-ups, the hospital’s Dental Center is a solid go-to for any dental work, whether it’s repairing a chip on a tooth or booking in for one or more dental implants. The center has 11 operating suites and two paediatric dental suites.

What’s on offer? Bleaching, braces, crowns and bridges are among the procedures available, alongside more straightforward offerings like teeth cleaning and fillings.

What else? Telephone consultations with dentists are available prior to starting your treatment.

Opposite: Lesly Juarez / Unsplash Top: Hana Lopez /Unsplash

Where to stay: The Park Hyatt Bangkok is less than half a mile from the hospital. Park Executive Suites offer a pantry, dining area and powder room, and the Penthouse Bar + Grill on the hotel rooftop is one of the city’s bestloved eateries. bumrungrad.com; hyatt.com

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FEATURE – WELLNESS

A good place for…a mental health recharge AMAN

Why go? After a year in which mental health has been at the forefront of many conversations and peace of mind eroded by uncertainty, the importance of focusing on mental wellbeing has never been as clearly acknowledged as it is today. Renowned for their serene settings, abundance of space and privacy, Aman’s properties offer a peaceful haven from which to rejuvenate, reconnect and boost your mental health.

What’s on offer? Plenty of retreats at different locations that will help you gain greater mental clarity. Like the As it is Retreat: Understanding How to Simply Let Go, which will take place at Amanpuri (19-25 October) and Amansara (1-7 November).

The journey encourages participants to leave everything as it is, without judgement, to find clarity and solace in the present moment.

What else? Embracing Impermanence: Understanding and Acceptance of Change is the focus of the retreat at Amanoi in Vinh Hy Bay (7-13 October) and Amantaka in Laos (11-17 November). This retreat introduces the concept of Bardo, a liminal state between death and rebirth, and guides guests towards accepting the inevitable.

Where to stay: Reopening this August, Amanpuri’s famous pavilions are woven into the surrounding greenery by a network of raised walkways, while villas have their own personal chefs so you can feed body and mind during your stay. aman.com

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A good place for… arthritis and other creaks: ELITE SPRING VILLAS, ANXI, FUJIAN

Why go? Among the tea terraces of Southern China lies Fujian’s Elite Spring Villas, a collection of heritage-inspired buildings where hot spring pools bubble with hot natural mineral water drawn from deep beneath the mountains at these villas. Rich in metasilic acid content, the thermal water here is particularly beneficial for moisturising the skin and delaying skin aging, and also has a curative effect on chronic rheumatism, arthritis and other similar diseases.

What’s on offer? Enhance your hot spring soak with one of the resort’s 14 different tea and herb-infused sachets, which are inspired by the Chinese five elements and focus on different medical efficacies. Beauty-focused guests can select a rose sachet to maintain their youth, while the health-conscious may soak with a dang shen sachet to replenish their qi.

What else? You can also experience the soothing rituals of the Chinese tea ceremony at Elite Spring Villas, where pots are brewed using local, freshly-picked Anxi leaves. Alternatively, take a tea-tasting tour and sample revered varieties such as Iron Guanyin, a type of Oolong tea.

Where to stay: Anywhere here gets the thumbs up, as each of the 17 villas comes with its own hot spring pool for a soothing, private soaking. elitespringvillas.cn

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INSIDER

A SPIRITED AFFAIR

Non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre’s is making a big impression on drinkers with spirits that look, taste and smell like the real thing but won’t give you a hangover the next morning. Helen Dalley meets founder and CEO Mark Livings 88 jetsetter-magazine.com

INSIDER

Are people keen to try non-alcoholic spirits?

Yes – the market is being driven by a thirst for flavourful alternatives to the same old soft drinks and a desire to cut down on alcohol content. The IWSR’s No-and Low-Alcohol Strategic Study 2021 found that the low & no alcohol category is predicted to grow by 31 per cent over the next three years globally. We experienced year on year revenue growth of 538 per cent in January 2021 generated from a 375 per cent increase in the number of first-time customers.

People associate spirits with alcohol content and ask, ‘how can you call it a spirit if it’s not alcoholic?’ but every adoption curve has its laggers. Now the Impossible Burger is available at McDonalds, it’s only a matter of time before [non-alcoholic spirits] take off, too.

When did you launch and tell us about some of your spirits

We launched in Australia in 2019, but we’ve always seen ourselves as a global business from day one by delivering sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails as an alternative to boring non-alcoholic drinks. Our Dry London spirit has juniper and citrus notes just like a classic gin, while the Dark Cane spirit has notes of caramel, fudge, fig and toasted nuts and a long finish of maple and vanilla to mimic a fine rum.

You debuted some ready-to-drink variants in Hong Kong and Singapore earlier this year. Tell us about those Yes, we have three ready-to-drink variants on the shelves: Amalfi Spritz, Classic G&T and [prosecco-style sparkling drink] Classico. This taps into the need for convenience.

People may opt for a mixed beverage after coming home or if they don’t want to wish go out. They’re an alternative to tea-based beverages.

Where can customers find you in Hong Kong?

We’re on sale via major retailers like Circle K and Dairy Farm, including Market Place, plus some of the city’s bars, including the Lobster Bar & Grill at the Island ShangriLa Hotel. We have around 80 to 100 listings across the market. Now there’s a direct to consumer option with lyres.hk; lyres.asia. We wanted to have a strong presence here as Hong Kong is Asia’s storefront, the place to find new trends.

What’s driving this category?

We are aimed at consumers not quite prepared to let go of indulgences, just like the Impossible Burger or Beyond Meat, vaping products and plant milks.

You currently have 13 products. Are there plans to introduce more?

Our research and development continues, but mapping the world of spirits is extraordinarily difficult. Nevertheless, we can create 42 out of 50 of the world’s best-selling cocktails with our spirits. We want to close that gap further, so

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people can have their drink their way, whether they don’t drink alcohol or drink in moderation.

How do you expect the trend for mindful drinking to evolve in Hong Kong?

There’s still not a great deal of awareness, so we’re chipping away at changing mindsets. We’ve seen that there is a moment of delight when customers try a Lyre’s gin and tonic, or Aperol spritz [for the first time]. Our products help elevate the experience of a night out and replace it with something sophisticated. From customers purchasing a US$3 soft drink to splashing out on a US$15 cocktail, it’s also a great profit story.

Customers can make classic favourites as a noalcohol option or mix up a low alcohol Lyre’s.

What do most do?

The vast majority go for alcohol-free drinks, although we do expect low-alcohol mixes to take off. You can, for example, make a Negroni with a small measure of gin and a Lyre’s Italian Orange to moderate alcohol consumption.

You’re the world’s most popular non-alcoholic drinks brand. How will you build on that?

We want to offer world-class mixology in the nonalcoholic drinks sector and are currently looking for brand ambassadors – mixologists provide industry credibility, and our spirits enable mixologists to do what they do best instead of spraying a soft drink into a glass. We’ve created products that are very close to the originals that people love. It’s a very frictionless way for people to come into this category, whether it’s for the day, month or even the year.

You established Lyre’s in 2019. What was your approach to expansion?

We think of ourselves as a Silicon Valley startup in terms of scale. We’re building distribution capability and raising funds. Access to capital is always a problem for early stage businesses, as was getting distributors to believe in us.

Now we’re fighting to keep up and have been inundated with requests lately. We’re now distributed in [lesser-known markets such as] Latvia, Estonia, Paraguay and Tanzania.

How many countries are you available in?

We did have a 41-country footprint, and that’s been expanded to 60 across Asia, South America and Africa.

We want to carry on extending our distribution footprint, be leaders in our category, and put more daylight between us and our competitors. We’ve built up an amazing community of people and grown from a startup to an international beverage company relatively quickly.

How ambitious are you for the brand?

We’d like to see a Lyre’s product in every bar and every supermarket in the world, and we’re working on a distribution and manufacturing footprint to support that. lyres.hk; lyres.asia

INSIDER

BREWING UP CRAFT ALES F&B operator Woolly Pig and local craft brewer, Gweilo have debuted Grain, the only restaurant/bar in Hong Kong to brew its own beer onsite.

Helen Dalley meets co-founder Chris Woodyard

Woolly Pig’s Chris Woodyard (right) and Gweilo’s Ian Jebbitt (left) raise a glass to their new venture

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INSIDER didn’t come to Hong Kong with the intention of settling here long term.

What do you like about being a restaurateur in Hong Kong?

We set up Woolly Pig in 2010 and found it’s a lot easier to find backing in Hong Kong [than other locations] which is good as the hardest part of starting a restaurant is financing it.

So many people here are investing and want to diversify. Plus Hong Kongers eat out all the time! In Sydney or London, it might be once or twice a week, but Hong Kong people eat out more than they eat in. That creates a different style of venue. Here, there are more restaurants focused on filling the gap, and just more of a diverse restaurant scene as there’s enough people eating out here [to accommodate that].

Grain makes its own beers on the premises. Tell us about that

Yeah, the centrepiece of our hybrid venue is Gweilo Brewlab, a research & development brewing facility that enables customers to test newly-developed brews before they are released globally. From our 24 taps, there are six core beers – Gweilo Lager, Pale Ale, Session IPA, Hazy IPA, Citrus Crusher and American IPA – alongside regular limited batch and collaboration releases. Grain is also home to a workshop & beer tasting space where guests can find out more about the process of making craft beer.

What’s selling well so far?

The Gweilo core beers of pilsner and pale ale are the most popular, but customers are keen to sample brews from all the taps, which showcase ales from other local breweries like Young Master. Our on-tap cocktails, particularly the pineapple mojito, and the Gweilo gin and tonic, have also proved a big hit.

Grain is the only dining venue with a brewery on site. Tell us about the food

We really wanted to involve beer in the food menu, not just beer batter, and feature all the brewing ingredients into the food, like our pork and beer malt sausages and “GFC”, which incorporates Gweilo IPA and buttermilk into a marinade for the fried Japanese chicken thighs.

We’ve never gone down this angle with beer before – we’ve done it with wine – so it’s been a big learning curve. Grain’s head chef, Matthew Ziemski, previously helmed

the kitchen at another of our restaurants, Big Sur. His CV was really well matched to this undertaking as he’s worked in UK gastropubs and experimental kitchens like Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Before, this was a night time hangout and now we’re positioning it as an all-day venue.

In a venue of this size, with space for up to 150 guests, we need to give people reasons to come here and try different things, so they can do brunch one week, then a Sunday roast the next.

Grain will host beer workshops. Tell us about those

We’ll not only educate guests about the brewing process but also get customers involved by asking them for ideas on new beer recipes and flavour combinations. If we decide to use their suggestion, we’ll invite them back to try the new brew.

How would you characterise the craft beer market in Hong Kong?

I was starting to think it was slowing down as some venues haven’t been performing so well as there’s more of a price-conscious focus right now. I was worried about this being a problem so I’m really pleased to see how Grain has taken off.

What bought you to Hong Kong?

I’ve been a chef all my life and worked all over the world, opening my first restaurant in Sydney in 2000. My wife said there was a job in Hong Kong at W Hotel as culinary director.

I thought my days of travelling were over but I was happy to hit the road again although I

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Are there be plans to roll out the Grain concept elsewhere in Hong Kong or in other locations?

I’m not ready to do so, but Gweilo has the opposite answer! It was set up with the view that we could open something like Grain in the UK or perhaps Sydney, but we’re certainly not thinking of that right at the moment. We could have offshoots of Grain in Hong Kong.

There’s no point having a second brewery here, but there could be another couple of concepts that we could roll out related to Grain in smaller venues. grain.com.hk

LIFESTYLE

IN THE KITCHEN WITH

MINGOO KANG

GEORGIAN GLAMOUR A BRIDGERTON-INSPIRED TOUR OF BATH

LOFTY LOUNGING SALISTERRA AT THE UPPER HOUSE REVIEWED

ASTON MARTIN V12 SPEEDSTER

SAMSONITE MAGNUM ECO

PATEK PHILIPPE

IN THE KITCHEN

A MODERN TAKE ON KOREAN FAVOURITES

Progressive Korean dining concept Hansik Goo in Hong Kong is chef Mingoo Kang’s first restaurant outside of Seoul. With two Michelin stars to his name, he brings traditional Korean recipes with a modern twist to the city, says Helen Dalley 96 jetsetter-magazine.com

IN THE KITCHEN From left:

gingseng chicken soup risotto; restaurant interior; spicy Gochujang noodles

Why did you choose Hong Kong as the location for your first restaurant overseas?

Hong Kong has one of the best food scenes in the world and is widely recognised as a gourmet’s paradise. It’s home to a wide range of culinary experiences and it’s a good place to debut new trends. In addition to good local produce, the free trade port also makes it easy to source high quality ingredients from around the world.

You recently received Michelin Plate recognition for Hansik Goo. To what extent has this accolade boosted business?

Being recognised by the Michelin Guide Hong Kong offers proof of and motivation for our daily effort and hard work. It definitely helps us reach not only new local customers but also the global audience. A lot of guests have expressed interest in visiting us once the travel ban is lifted.

Which menu items are popular?

serve in both Hansik Goo and [Kang’s Seoul restaurant] Mingles. These intensely umami fermented sauces are typically incorporated into savoury cooking, but here they are spun into a dessert featuring doenjang (fermented soy bean paste) crème brulee, ganjang (soy sauce) glazed pecans, and dehydrated gochujang powder (fermented chili paste) sifted over rice puffs.

Are there any similarities between the menu and the approach of Mingles and Hansik Goo?

I wanted to introduce comfortable food that Koreans enjoy in Hong Kong. Mingles serves creative and innovative Korean food but it still uses Korean cooking as a base.

The more I studied Korean food, the more I wanted to introduce a variety of Korean cuisine to diners. When the opportunity of starting a new brand came up, I decided to bring in traditional food consumed by Koreans daily but in my style of cooking as opposed to the innovative style of Mingles.

Main course Samgye Risotto and dessert Jang Trio remain the two most popular dishes. Taking inspiration from samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) and Korean fried chicken, we combine the best of old and new worlds to create the risotto. We use whole local chicken from the New Territories to make this dish, with the bones for the soup, chicken breast and legs made into a roulade before being slow-cooked, coated in rice flour and fried for a crunchy KFC-style crust.

You are known for your use of seasonal herbs and jang, the traditional Korean fermented soy sauce. How do these ingredients elevate your dishes?

Jang Trio is my ode to jang, the fermented soy sauce that’s the cornerstone of Korean cuisine. It is also the only item that we

It takes time to make jang, so we import quality jangs from Korea directly in Hansik Goo alongside fermented ingredients such

Jang is commonly used in Korean cuisine.

It is the most essential ingredient that acts as the fundamental of a dish. Only a small amount of jang added at the last phase of cooking really enhances the taste. It is not only a seasoning but also key to combine the tastes of all ingredients to create harmony.

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as kimchi – we use three to five types per season – and jangajji, or Korean pickles.

What were the challenges of launching Hansik Goo from Korea?

Having to make decisions without being physically present was a new experience for me. That said, the process of communicating with the team remotely was not as difficult as I expected. Our partner, ZS Hospitality Group, the team of chefs in Korea and the Hansik Goo team in Hong Kong all showed great teamwork. As the chef-founder of Hansik Goo, I learned to trust the team and how to distribute the workload without meeting in person. I did travel to Hong Kong last year to officially launch the restaurant, despite having to quarantine for 14 days, as I felt it was important to be there in person.

You were the youngest-ever head chef at Nobu Bahamas before returning to Korea. Tell us about that experience

During my years at Nobu Miami and later at Nobu Bahamas, I learned about Westernstyle cooking and contributed my opinions as an Asian chef. We served Japanese cuisine reinterpreted in a modern way. The takeaway for me was to always be on the lookout for new things.

What are your long-term plans for Hansik Goo – would you like to open other outlets under the same name?

I’ve always wanted to introduce authentic Korean cuisine to the world, and Hansik Goo is my very first step towards achieving that. But for now, we want to concentrate on Hansik Goo in Hong Kong. hansikgoo.hk

FOOD ADVENTURES

MINDFUL MUNCHIES

Forego the chocolate bar or bag of crisps next time you reach for something on the go and grab one of these healthy, nutritious snacks instead, all made in Hong Kong

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FOOD ADVENTURES

N

omsoftheday (nomsoftheday.com) soaks, dehydrates and bakes its nuts to increase bioavailability, reduce digestive burden and help you absorb all the nut’s nutrients including zinc, iron and calcium. They are available in three flavours: maple glazed rosemary pecans, spicy Sichuan cashews and garlic lime almonds. You can purchase them at several health food stores and clinics including X’TC Republic and LifeHub. Family business Cacao (cacao.hk) makes guilt-free luxury milk & dark chocolate bars, dark chocolate bark and vegan pralines from single origin Fino de Aroma cocoa nibs sourced from Columbia.

Its chocolates are made using the sap from the arenga sugar palm, supplied by conservation foundation Masarang, which protects against the deforestation of Indonesian jungle. Pick them up at Sai Kung deli Cheese from Far or order online.

Cocoparadise (cocoparadise.com) crafts natural coconut treats including Coco-sesame peanut butter chips, coco-cinnamon almonds and coco-toasted caramel bites. Free from refined sugar, chemicals and dairy products, they’re available across the city in locations including CitySuper, Classified and Green Common.

Happy Bites’ raw balls and brownies are made from ingredients including dates and nuts and are gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Its energy balls come in flavours including cacao, matcha and banana.

Find them at Bite Unite and Nutsy Coffee Co cafes.

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TOP TABLES

SUMMER DINING Get your culinary kicks at one of these new Hong Kong establishments

A SIXTH VENUE FOR PICI Hong Kong’s Pirata Group has launched five new restaurants in the first half of the year, the latest being another outlet for popular neighbourhood pasta bar Pici.

CELEBRATING SINGAPOREAN HERITAGE AT WHEY Located at The Wellington in Central, Whey is helmed by Singaporean chef Barry Quek and represents a collaboration with Hong Kongbased ZS Hospitality Group, the company behind two Michelinstarred Ying Jee Club. It seeks to introduce diners to modern European cuisine reimagined with Singaporean influences, with a focus on local ingredients.

Situated in Kennedy Town, the newest Pici outlet is a 50 seater restaurant that showcases the restaurant chain’s handmade pasta, which is made on the premises daily, and homestyle Italian treats for lunch, dinner, delivery and takeaway. This is the sixth Pici to open following the flagship in Wan Chai and subsequent branches in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok and Sha Tin. Another new offering

by Pirata worth checking out is beachfront Italian bakery Panne E Latte in Stanley, which serves sweet and savoury artisanal baked goods to eat in or takeaway. piratagroup.hk

Created with whey and mixed herbs, local spring peas presents a refreshing prelude to the main event. Whey’s bread and butter, meanwhile, showcases brioche made with buah keluak, an earthy native nut from Southeast Asia, and sourdough made with locally grown leaven. Starters include seared scallop on a bed of jackfruit emulsion and homemade prawn floss.

Inspired by the classic Singaporean pepper soup, pork rib Bak Kut Teh features New Territories pork ribs with pork heart and fermented cabbage, homemade pepper jus and black garlic jam. Flower crab Konjac rice showcases chef’s personal twist on the timeless Singaporean favourite, laksa. Quek transforms the spicy noodle soup into an addictive rice dish made with fresh flower crab, and konjac coated with rich curry laksa sauce. whey.hk

BREWING UP: HYBRID RESTAURANT & CRAFT BEER BAR GRAIN DEBUTS Woolly Pig Hong Kong has partnered with local craft brewers Gweilo to open Grain, a hybrid restaurant and research & development brewing facility, Brewlab. It is the only dining venue in Hong Kong to house a working brewery on-site (See our interview on p90).

At Brewlab, craft beer lovers can sample newly-developed brews before they are released globally. Grain’s bar is home to 24 taps, which serve a rotating selection of brews created by Gweilo and several other local breweries. There is also be a series of tap-served cocktails, including gin & tonic made with Gweilo gin and pineapple mojitos, which have proved a big hit since they made their debut, as has the Gweilo pale ale. grain.com.hk

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TOP TABLES

EMBRACE NORWEGIAN FARE AT HJEM Meaning ‘home’ in Norwegian, Hjem is a Nordic café located in Sheung Wan that’s defined by the simple comforts of traditional Norwegian ingredients and dishes. The café serves authentic Nordic coffee with a bespoke menu designed by renowned Nordic chef Jaakko Sorsa, with smørrebrød (traditional open-faced sandwiches) at the forefront of the F&B offerings, along with Nordic bakes. Hjem celebrates the culture and cuisine that co-founder Elin Fu grew up with. commonabode.com

SALISTERRA OPENS AT THE UPPER HOUSE The Upper House has debuted its much-anticipated dining concept at level 49, Salisterra. Drawing upon Mediterranean influences, it delivers the warmth and familiarity of a neighbourhood bistro with a menu created by Michelin-starred chef Jun Tanaka (see our review on p106).

Tanaka was awarded one Michelin star for his London-based French restaurant The Ninth in 2017, and Salisterra represents his first collaboration with a restaurant overseas. The menu draws inspiration from the coastal cuisines of France and Italy. Classically trained, his dishes are founded on the principles of French cuisine with a focus on simple, sustainable fare.

In homage to Tanaka’s favourite food, the restaurant’s hand-crafted pasta includes ossobuco tortellini, langoustine ravioli and duck agnolotti. Bold vegetable dishes take centre stage, including pickled carrots with coconut yoghurt and grilled hispi cabbage with tahini.

From the grill, there’s grilled lamb cutlets with purple sprouting broccoli, anchovy and apricot vinaigrette, and Japanese baby red snapper with lemon confit, miso, fennel and radish. Popping in for a snack? Viennoiserie are made fresh daily in-house. salisterra.com

DIG INTO THEMED BRUNCHES AT CANDOUR Looking for a new spot to have a long, lazy brunch on the weekend?

Then check into Candour, a bar/lounge space located in the heart of SoHo. The all-day concept will place particular emphasis on its cocktail menu, which is helmed Chanel Adams. Hip-hop fans, meanwhile, will adore the carefully curated music programme at Candour. Group chef Karisa Cheque’s menu showcases dishes inspired by classic local flavours. “[Candour] came about as a result of reflecting on our own experiences within a nightlife space,” says the restaurant’s co-founder, Nelston Htoo. “If anyone were to ask what our ideal space for a night out would look like, this would be it.” commonabode.com

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HOTEL REVIEW - HOMEWOOD BATH

A SPIRITED STAY

Boutique bolthole Homewood Bath is a playful property brimming with character and good vibes, says Helen Dalley

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et on a gorgeous estate on the outskirts on the UK’s best-preserved Georgian town, Homewood Bath is an intriguing boutique hotel set in a former Georgian mansion that’s big on personality, from its wacky wall of clocks in reception to art installations dotted round the hotel, including a giant teddy bear and sausage dog sculptures crafted from artificial grass.

From top:

This Georgian mansion is the heart of the hotel; bespoke furniture adds to Homewood’s charm

This is a family getaway – I’m here with my mum and my five and six year old sons – and the hotel immediately makes the right impression when we pull up at the long drive and see there’s a park (complete with zipwire, swing, trampoline and climbing frame) where we’ll later become regulars. Guests travelling with or without children can relax as the park is some distance away from the hotel grounds, giving families and non-families suitable breathing space. The boys are equally taken with the sculptures (particularly the giant teddy bear who they later christen Tucker) while I

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take a shining to a life-sized horse sculpture graffitied with the portraits and quotes of rock ‘n’ roll stars including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain.

We’re staying at the Mews Hot Tub Suite at Mallingford Mews, the newest wing of this slice of Georgian fabulousness that opened at the end of last year but hasn’t really got up and running due to the pandemic. More akin to staying with a generous, wealthy friend than actually at a hotel, a distinctly residential feel pervades throughout at this original lodge house with 10 bedrooms. The bold hand-painted wallpaper makes quite a style statement, while the antique furniture and 1980s telephone add a cute retro feel.

The suite has an expansive patio area with sofa, chairs and table next to the hot tub, which proffers sublime views over the Avon valley. We change into our swimsuits and recline into the warm bubbles while sipping organic lemonade and munching on miniature shortbread biscuits from the complimentary

HOTEL REVIEW - HOMEWOOD BATH fridge in Mallingford Mews lobby area, which is also stocked with fair-trade cola, ginger ale and water. Above the fridge, there are shelves of jarred sweets and lollipops, and this candy haven becomes a regular stop-off point to stock up on mini bags of Haribo during our stay.

Dinner at the hotel’s onsite restaurant, Olio, is best enjoyed alfresco and luckily we have just the weather for it, a balmy June night, the sky still a deep blue. We order Stokes Marsh farm ribeye steak (the hotel partners with many local farms) with Café de Paris butter and fries and amaranth & sesame crusted tofu and spring greens. Waiting for our meal, we gaze out at the garden in front of the restaurant at the hotel’s barbecue dining domes where butlers cook up flat iron steaks and lamb cutlets on the lawn. These adorable domes, which seat six, also double as a space for afternoon tea, where scones are topped with world-renowned West Country clotted cream.

I skip dessert and depart for Bath city centre to meet some old friends (a taxi costs £17 and takes 10-15 minutes), where the beer gardens are buzzing with enthusiastic reunions having only reopened a month ago.

back to the suite for another hot tub session before a few hours’ wandering around Bath ticking off the tourist sites (Royal Crescent, the Circus, Bath Abbey). Back at the hotel in the evening for dinner, we excitedly spot hot air balloons in the sky and drift in and off the grass in-between courses, dining on lamb cutlets and pappardelle puttanesca paired with local Iford cider followed by vanilla ice cream laced with chocolate sauce topped with generous hunks of honeycomb.

As another scorching hot day dawns, we’re lucky to have breakfast at the best seat in Homewood under Olio’s grand gazebo with chandelier, the sky a gorgeous blue as we savour granola and yoghurt, pain au chocolat and smoked salmon & scrambled eggs. The boys say a final adieu to the teddy bear and we all reluctantly climb into the car to leave the calm cocoon of Homewood for the M4. A week later, my sons are still asking when we can return to this country house hotel, and I’ve been similarly won over by its charming eccentricities. homewoodbath.co.uk

The next day, we don our swimsuits again and lounge by the heated outdoor pool, seeking shade in the cabanas, then head

Clockwise from top left: the dining room at

Olio and its characterful light installations; grass teddy bear sculpture; hand-painted wallpaper and retro telephones in rooms; a marble-topped bath adds a dash of luxury

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DESTINATIONS – BATH

A BRIDGERTON-INSPIRED TOUR OF BATH You’ve seen the Netflix hit, now stop off at five key filming spots to connect further with the period drama…

1. HOLBURNE MUSEUM The Holburne Museum was used in one of the ball scenes in Bridgerton, its elegant façade deemed a suitable entry for Lady Danbury’s home, the Duke of Hastings’ aunt, where a night of high glamour, intrigue and excitement unfolded.

Netflix

This Grade I listed building houses an eclectic art collection, from a 17th century sculpture of Venus by Antonio Susini to works by landscape master Thomas Gainsborough, who lived in Bath. The museum, which acts as a showcase for the art collection of 19th century naval officer Sir William Holburne, also features Golden-Age Dutch works and portrait miniatures. holburne.org

2. BATH ASSEMBLY ROOMS Bridgerton is characterised by its highsociety events and lavish balls, where men and women dance and socialise under the watchful eye of the entire town as the elusive narrator, Lady Whistledown, elaborates on their private affairs. In Jane Austen’s day, the Bath Assembly Rooms were a social hub, and it’s the largest 18th-century room in the city, its centrepiece being the original Whitefriars crystal chandeliers, which are still intact. While still in use for functions and conferences, you can visit them when not in use and imagine yourself as the belle of the ball. Don’t forget to visit the fashion museum in the basement, where you’ll find pieces including Regency-era silk robes and embroidered coats. assemblyrooms.co.uk; fashionmuseum.co.uk

Visit Bath

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DESTINATIONS – BATH

3. BEAUFORD SQUARE & TRIM STREET A square of two-storey cottages dating back to 1730 with a small rectangular lawn in the middle, Beauford Square’s quaint Georgian ambience caught the production team’s eye, and it’s used as the backdrop to street filming on Bridgerton. While you can’t visit the lawn, the buildings make for a cool photo opportunity.

Nearby, No 12 Trim Street, which is a beauty salon and hairdressers, acted as Gunter’s Tea Shop in the hit series: the film crew were undoubtedly impressed by its gorgeous double bay window. It’s here where Simon and Daphne have afternoon tea together… and engage in some serious flirtation.

Netflix

4. ABBEY DELI Situated behind the Roman Baths is one of the city’s most popular cafes, which serves up Dusty Ape coffee, brewed in small batches in nearby Wiltshire, from its central location. The café, which is housed in a Grade II listed building, had a starring role as the Modiste dress shop in the drama. Debutantes came for their dress fittings with a side order of gossip from owner Genevieve Delacroix, who must steer the rumours away from her own private life when she embarks on a relationship with Benedict Bridgerton. abbeydeli.com

Visit Bath

5. NO 1 ROYAL CRESCENT The exterior of No 1 Royal Crescent, the first house of Bath’s sweeping curve of 30 Grade I listed terraced houses, is used as the Featherington’s home. One of Bridgerton’s key families, many a story line is generated by Lady Featherington’s three daughters, whom she is determined to find husbands for as quickly as possible.

Tourists can step inside No 1 and visit its museum, which showcases Regencyera clothing and furniture in keeping with the pieces on show in the series. royalcrescent.co.uk

Visit Bath

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

MEDITERRANEAN VIBES

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Ray Chan pulls up a stool at the hottest new table in town, Salisterra at the Upper House

ith a show-stopping location on the 49th floor of the Upper House hotel, there’s been quite a stir around Salisterra’s opening, whose menu is overseen by Britishbased Michelin-starred chef Jun Tanaka.

Classically trained, Tanaka’s restaurant in London, the Ninth, is founded on the principles of French cuisine with a focus on simple dishes where the ingredients are allowed to speak for themselves. He’s earned one Michelin star for his efforts here, and it’s this formula of fussfree, Mediterranean-inspired cooking that has inspired the menu at Salisterra, his first overseas outpost.

As you’d expect at the Upper House, the design is cool and captivating, with a warm colour palette of terracotta orange, burgundy, mineral blue, turquoise and caramel delivering a nod to the menu’s Mediterranean influences. The main dining room is adorned with a bespoke five-metre chandelier crafted from 80 glass lanterns reminiscent of the harbour below, while three semi-private dining booths are equally striking with their elevated marble counter tables and cut-glass globe pendants. The design statements continue at the bar lounge, which is conceived as an actor’s green room and decked out in racing green lacquer and Pevla stone.

Aiming to capture the warmness and familiarity

of a neighbourhood bistro and the zesty flavours of the Mediterranean, the coastal cuisines of France and Italy feature heavily on the menu, which is designed for sharing rather than formal plates (you’ll need to book 48 hours in advance to order the sharing dinner menu).

The integrated service style, meanwhile, gives the kitchen greater access to guests, with semiprivate tables elevated to connect with the open kitchen as diners are presented with the sharing menu. There’s also a private dining room for 10, imagined as a kitchen space, where wine tasting and pastry making sessions are held. Keeping with the theme of exploration and togetherness, there’s an island bar in the lounge where guests are encouraged to sample different wines and spirits.

The evening begins with some Beaufort and truffle gougeres, savoury profiteroles with a mousse-like filling that are as light as a feather and a great way to start the meal. We are then treated to flamed saba mackerel, with pickled cucumber, samphire and capers elevating the dish further. The panzanella with fromage frais radiates freshness, the tomatoes, peppers, olives and crunchy croutons all harmonising together delightfully on the palate. When the truffle Campanelli with cured egg yolk and sourdough croutons arrives at the table, the menu really starts to hot up and Tanaka shows off his star quality with a deliciously creamy, umami-packed pasta dish. Langoustine ravioli

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follows, which my companion for the evening, Jetsetter publisher Denis, declares outstanding and worth the visit to Salisterra alone, the sweet langoustines wrapped in perfect pasta topped with a langoustine bisque and sundried tomatoes.

Next up is the grilled Te Mana lamb cutlets, the meat perfectly blush, the apricot vinaigrette refreshing the palate after each bite and the sweet fruit notes complementing the slightly gamey quality of the lamb. Served with buttery broccolini and anchovy, it’s an inspired, triumphant dish that could easily become a signature Salisterra offering.

The highlight of the night for me, however, has to be the next course, Tanaka’s Salt Crust Patagonian Toothfish, an amazingly moist and juicy piece of fish that’s faultlessly cooked. While quite salty, it’s offset by a bitter leaf salad on the side along with some Tokyo turnip. Pleasantly sated but not overly full, it’s onto a beautifully presented tiramisu, a sliver of orange sat atop the dish with a piece of hand-made chocolate leaning against Italian coffee mousse, Grand Marnier and crimson cocoa. One slight criticism is there wasn’t quite enough cream between the thin layers of liqeur-soaked sponge for my liking, but overall the menu has been a real triumph and proves that Tanaka has several signature dishes up his sleeve that are sure to have diners coming back for more. salisterra.com

SPIRITS

HITTING THE

SWEET NOTES Laphroaig debuts a new sweet take on its 10-year old

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aphroaig 10-Year-Old Sherry Oak Finish is a new take on the flagship expression from Islay, combining the distillery’s iconic 10-year-old whisky with the sweet, aromatic flavour from Oloroso sherry casks. The result is a rich, full-bodied flavour with notes of Manuka honey, bacon and maple syrup alongside the classic smoke, seaweed and hint of salt that Laphroaig is renowned for.

“Sherry Oak is an exquisite addition, taking our iconic Laphroaig 10-Year-Old and finishing it in Oloroso sherry casks to lend depth and sweetness,” says Laphroaig distillery manager John Campbell. “This is a perfect accompaniment to any whisky collection and a celebrated expansion of the Laphroaig range. Laphroaig drinkers are the most passionate Scotch drinkers in the world and with this new offering, we’re delighted to give them another Scotch option that embraces our commitments to craftsmanship and innovation.”

A new sweet take on a classic: Laphroaig 10-Year-Old Sherry Oak Finish

The Scotch is aged for 12-18 months in Oloroso sherry casks for complexity and balance. Limited to 4,450 cases globally, it looks set to be sought after by whisky enthusiasts all over the world. laphroaig.com

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WATCHES

GO GREEN Patek Philippe’s iconic Nautilus gets a green dial

A vision in green: the Nautilus in an olive green sunburst dial

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he big news in the world of Patek is that 2021 will represent the last production year of the Nautilus stainless steel model Ref. 5711/1A, which was first presented with a blue black gradated dial in 2006 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of this iconic sports watch.

To mark the end of an era, the Swiss manufacture has introduced an olive green sunburst dial version of the popular timepiece, which will also be available with a bezel set with baguette diamonds.

A hue that has never existed before in the Nautilus collection, the elegant olive green is

emphasised with a gentle sunburst finish that harmonises with the light reflected from the steel case. It also assures legibility at any time of day or night, creating a cool contrast against the luminescent hands and hour markers in white gold.

The prominent contours of the Nautilus are underscored by the subtle interplay of satinbrushed and polished finissage on the bezel, case and bracelet. The case is water resistant to 120m and features the self-winding calibre 26330 S C movement, which has been powering the Ref. 5711 since 2019. It also features a stopseconds mechanism that enables the watch to be set with one-second accuracy. patek.com

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WATCHES

DANCING

DIAMONDS Chopard revisits an

iconic piece from the 1990s with Happy Sport the First

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sports watch based on a unique combination of steel and diamonds, Happy Sport initially made its debut back in 1993 and immediately attracted attention for the free-fall diamonds on its dial and distinctive pebble-link bracelet. With its Happy Diamonds campaign, the brand has revisited this model with Happy Sport the First: two 1,993 and 788-piece limited-edition re-releases of the very first watch presented when the collection was launched.

Both pay homage to their iconic predecessor, faithfully replicating the seven dancing diamonds in the watch dial and steel bracelet. But there’s some innovation too: check out the new case in Lucent Steel A223 redesigned in a 33mm diameter ratio, and the manufactured Chopard 09.01-C movement with automatic winding.

Eight new references are also joining the collection: four two-tone watches featuring a Lucent Steel A223 case embellished with ethical 18-carat rose gold, three entirely crafted from ethical 18-carat rose gold available on a leather strap or metal bracelet and an eighth version in ethical 18-carat white gold entirely set with diamonds. chopard.com

Chopard’s Happy Sport shook up watchmaking in the 1990s with its daring creation of dancing diamonds on a steel backdrop

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WATCHES

STARRY, STARRY

NIGHT

Franck Muller releases

four new novelties to coincide with WPHH

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enowned for its striking, highly complicated watches, Franck Muller is also the only watch maker to host its own annual watch fair, the World Presentation of Haute Horologie. To coincide with this year’s event, it released four timepieces, including the Cielo, which features a blue dial in natural blue aventurine, a semi-precious stone that glitters in the light. The collection name is inspired by the deep blue hue of aventurine stone, which resembles the deep blue of the night sky, while its twinkling numerals are like stars.

The technical challenge of the collection lay in the delicate machining of the thin dial, which is a slender 0.6mm (dials are usually around 0.9mm). It was intentionally reduced to bring a very slight transparency to create a lighter blue hue.

The stone was then drilled to hand-set the diamonds, which resemble index markers. The Cielo’s open back enable the wearer to admire the hand-engraved automatic movement, which has a 42-hour power reserve.

Presented in aventurine with diamond markers, the Cielo’s dial resembles the night sky

The Cielo collection is available with one or two rows of diamonds on the case and different diameters (36mm, 39mm and 42mm) to suit all wrists. The Cielo collection is also available with a white mother-of-pearl dial.

Other new watches for women include the Vanguard Rose Skeleton and Double Mystery Peony, while the Grand Central Cintree Curvex shines a spotlight on the tourbillon placed at the centre of the timepiece. franckmuller.com

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WATCHES

BEST OF BRITISH Bremont partners with Jaguar on a timepiece to mark the E-type’s 60th anniversary

The perfect Brit pairing: Bremont and Jaguar

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t’s been 60 years since the Jaguar E-type was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and this iconic sports car made the world’s motoring community stop in their tracks. The 265 bhp, 3.8 litre straight-six engine delivered a top speed of more 150 mph with a price tag of just half an Aston Martin or a Ferrari – and it looked good too. Famously described as, “the most beautiful car ever made”

by Enzo Ferrari, the Jaguar E-type epitomised the glamour and excitement of the swinging 60s.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Bremont has debuted two limited edition 43mm E-type Jaguar chronographs with different-coloured Bezels – 60 in green and 60 in grey – alongside Bremont’s first ever rally timer. The rally timer integrates two mechanical instruments, a stopwatch with a tachymeter on the left and clock with sub-seconds on the right. Both

are mounted on an engine-turned back-plate, which can be displayed on a desktop stand or fitted into a customer’s car.

The limited-edition chronos draw direct inspiration from the car, featuring a black dial inspired by the E-type’s instrument gauges. The chamfered hour and minute hands replicate the car’s tachometer needle while the bezel and strap colours match the E-type 60 Edition pantones of Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green. The Trip-Tick watch case is constructed from circular brushed stainless steel with polished bevels on the lugs and a winding crown engraved with the pattern of the Dunlop racing tyres fitted to the E-type in the 60s. Turning the watches over reveals a further reference to the car with an automatic winding rotor taking the form of a miniaturisation of an alloy-spoked E-type steering wheel. bremont.com

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WISHLIST

KARTING AROUND Get behind the wheel of a classic radio-controlled car from the 80s

Tamiya’s radio-controlled car the Wild One morphs into a driveable vehicle, the Wild One Max

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f you can remember the radio-controlled cars of the 80s, then you’ll likely recall Tokyobased brand Tamiya, which was one of biggest brands in this genre.

Following a partnership with the Little Car Company, one of its most popular models, the Tamiya Wild One, has grown in stature from 1/10th scale to 8/10th scale. Named the Wild One Max, buyers can abandon the controls and get behind the wheel of this rear-wheel drive, off road electric buggy.

At approximately 3.5m long and 1.8m wide, the Wild One Max will take up considerably more space than the radio-controlled cars of the past.

But just like the original, you get the opportunity to assemble these models at home.

When taking to the driving seat, customers will

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find an adjustable composite seat with a threepoint seatbelt, digital gauges and a racing steering wheel. There are even multiple driving modes including Novice, Eco & Race, which offer different top speeds, throttle mappings and power outputs according to driver skill level.

With a top speed of 48 km per hour and a peak power output of 4kW, it has a single PowerPack onboard with a capacity of 2kWh and a range of up to 40km. Want to go faster or further? Several of the modular PowerPacks can be added to increase the performance and range.

For those who wish to roam on and off the roads, three road legal packs mean adventures can continue beyond the workshop. Parts include brake lights, turn signals, reflectors and rearview mirrors to make your vehicle road legal. wildonemax.com

LUGGAGE

GREEN

GEAR

The Samsonite Magnum Eco range is crafted from recycled plastic waste

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plastic.

ade from recycled plastic yoghurt cups and plastic bottles, Samsonite’s Magnum Eco collection is the first suitcase made with post-consumer recycled

This new green range from the luggage giant is the fruit of several years of research and development and collaboration with Quality Circular Polymers (QCP), the recycling joint venture of SUEZ and LyondellBasell.

Breathing new life into plastic waste and reducing the use of virgin materials, the collection utilises the brand’s Recyclex material technology, with shells composed of recycled polypropylene and the inside fabric made from recycled PET bottles. The large case, for example, uses recycled plastic waste equivalent to 483 yoghurt cups and 14 plastic bottles.

The Magnum Eco is not only made from environmentally responsible materials but is also among the lightest in its category: the large case weighs in just 4.1kg. The Magnum Eco collection comes in four sizes: cabin (55cm), medium (69cm), large (75cm) and XL (81cm). In keeping with the eco theme, the new collection is available in five colours inspired by nature: forest green, ice blue, maple orange, midnight blue and graphite. samsonite.com

Samsonite is keen to become the world’s most sustainable lifestyle bag and travel luggage company

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TECH

PORTABLE AND POWERFUL Ready to upgrade your laptop? Then consider the Galaxy Book Pro or Galaxy Book Pro 360

The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro and Pro 360 are lighter, thinner and have a longer battery life than previous models

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ighter, thinner and flatter, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro and Galaxy Book Pro 360 were designed to facilitate more frequent use and longer life cycles to better complement the increase in homeworking and online interactions.

The 13.3-inch Galaxy Book Pro 360, for example, is 11.5mm thick and the Wi-Fi model weighs 1.04kg, while the 13.3-inch Galaxy Book Pro measures in at 11.2mm and the Wi-Fi model weighs 868g. Their lightness and compactness means both models can be held in one hand and easily slide into a bag.

As with a tablet, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 can be drawn and written on, and used with the new

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S Pen, which is 1.4 times longer and 2.5 times thicker than the previous model. The power button and fingerprint sensor have also been combined, while the shift key area has been widened. To further promote portability, the laptops’ chargers and cables are smaller and lighter, while the adapter and mouse can be stored in a single layer.

The latest laptops from Samsung aren’t only supremely portable – they look super cool, too. The Galaxy Book Pro 360’s colour schemes include Mystic Navy, Mystic Silver and Mystic Bronze. The Galaxy Book Pro is available in brighter, two-tone shades created by combining Mystic Blue, Textured Silver and Mystic Pink Gold with solid black and white tones. samsung.com

STYLE

B IN THE

SWIM

ologna-based atelier the Outlierman, which creates luxury automotive accessories for driving enthusiasts, has debuted a range of men’s swim shorts incorporating some of its most celebrated designs, including the 300 SL Gullwing, Gentleman Driver, Posh and World Beater.

Each item is made with a quick-drying fabric so you can wear them comfortably while lounging in the sun on a catamaran or doing water sports. With a medium leg length, each piece contains side pockets and back pockets with a snap button for card holders, keys and smartphone while a gathered waistline with elastic band and drawstring ensures each pair of swim shorts has the perfect waist fit.

Each pair comes with a complimentary swimsuit bag with a matching design. theoutlierman.com

Stylish swimshorts for in and out of the water from the Outlierman

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BEAUTY TRAVEL

SCENTSATIONAL Create your own perfume with bespoke perfumery

Maison 21G

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f you’re looking for a scent that encapsulates what you’re all about, then create your own with bespoke perfumery house Maison 21G. The brand launched its online store in Hong Kong earlier this year and also has several boutiques in Singapore, including a flagship on Duxton Road.

So, how does it work? First of all, the perfumery employs a personality quiz to steer customers on their aromatic journey. From the data gathered, artificial intelligence (AI) suggests four combinations of scents for four different occasions: Chill & Relax, Seduction, Special Occasion and Work & Social. All perfumes are blended by hand in its labs or in front of the customer in one of its stores. Can’t decide?

Just pick one from its bestsellers selection, like the smoky Havana Forest x Rose Ritual, or Sensual Blast, which combines sandalwood and tonka.

The brand prides itself on its transparency, and consumers can access the percentage of natural ingredients and the concentration contained in their fragrance, and whether the perfume is vegan or not.

The brand’s founder, Johanna Monange (pictured above), has banned the use of phthalates, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), CMRs (substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction) and preservatives. It also offers refills so you can re-use bottles and caps.

Your scent, your style: create your own perfume with Maison 21G

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Take customisation to the next level by personalising your bottle with the brand’s UV printing technology, which enables customers to have photos, designs and text laser printed directly onto the glass. The bottles are 30ml so you can slip them into your carry on and take your new scent with you when travelling. maison21g.com.hk

TEE OFF

Titleist introduces TSi2 and TSi3 hybrids

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ngineered for golfers seeking long iron replacements, the latest hybrids from Titelist, TSi2 and TSi3, offer two distinct looks and performance options including improved adjustability, sound and feel.

The new hybrids complete the popular TSi metals line, complementing the TSi2 and TSi3 drivers and fairway metals, which have gained momentum across the worldwide professional tours and in the marketplace since their November introduction. Both models feature Carpenter 455 forged faces.

The TSi2 is the ‘workhorse’ hybrid, maximising performance by providing high launch and easy distance for players with a sweeping delivery. The larger, classic profile is designed for players who prefer the look of a fairway metal.

Designed with a compact, squarer toe and very little face progression, the TSi3 hybrids are distinctly different in looks, adjustability and performance from the TSi2. The fast-launching TSi3 hybrids feature a similar SureFit CG Track Technology system as the new TSi3 fairway metals, meaning you can manipulate adjustability towards the toe or heel. The TSi3 hybrids, designed with direct feedback from Titleist tour staff, offer mid-launch, precise distance, and iron-like control, especially for players who hit down on the golf ball.

An extension of the Titleist Speed Project that began more than three years ago, the Titleist TSi hybrids combine the speed, distance and advanced technology of TSi metalwoods and enable golfers to replace their long irons with speed, launch and precision. titleist.com

Titleist’s hybrids have been the most played on the PGA Tour since 2014

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AUTO

AN ASTON

LIKE NO OTHER Orders are now being taken for Aston Martin’s custom V12 Speedster

Aston’s V12 Speedster will be available with a bespoke DBR1 specification

J

ust 88 examples of the new Aston Martin V12 Speedster will be available to buyers worldwide – and a DBR1 custom

specification will be offered for this iconic open cockpit sports car.

This limited edition model not only embraces the elegant design of Aston’s most successful racing machine but also the CC100, which debuted in 2013 to mark the brand’s centenary year.

Featuring integrated custom elements reminiscent of the Le Mans winning race car, the Aston Martin V12 Speedster DBR1 specification offers highlights such as the Aston Martin racing green paint finish, clubsport white pinstripe and roundels, a satin silver anodised grille with clubsport lipstick graphic, conker saddle leather and viridian green technical textile/caithness leather.

Aston Martin racing green driver and passenger helmets sit under transparent ‘windows’, while solid silver ‘wing’ badges glint beneath transparent enamel. Gloss carbon fibre, Caithness green leather and satin silver brushed aluminium switchgear in the V12 Speedster’s open cabin underline the homage to a motoring great.

At the car’s heart lies a high-performance variant of Aston Martin’s now iconic, 5.2-litre V12 TwinTurbo engine, capable of generating an output of around 700 PS and 753 Nm. Offering an impressive breadth of performance, response and exhilarating V12 soundtrack, the engine is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission mounted towards the rear of the car. This translates into a 0-62 mph time in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph – not bad for a car without a roof or windscreen. astonmartin.com

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SEOUL Thaddaeus Ropac will open its first gallery outside Europe in the Korean capital

A

ustrian contemporary art specialists Thaddaeus Ropac will open a new gallery in Seoul, with its inaugural exhibition due to open early Autumn 2021.

With galleries in Paris, London and Salzburg, its first outlet outside of Europe is located in Hannamdong district, Seoul’s art hub. The 750 sqm space is situated on the first floor of the Fort Hill building, which was awarded the Korean National Architecture Award and the Seoul Architecture Award in 2011. Featuring glass-panelled windows and a layout that nods to the original structures of its surroundings, the gallery is close to the National Museum of Korea, Leeum Samsung Museum of Art and Amorepacific Museum of Art. Thaddaeus Ropac and its artists have a longstanding history with Seoul, dating back to 2007 and Georg Baselitz’s first exhibition in Korea at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea. In the same year, the gallery began representing Lee Bul, one of the leading Korean artists of her generation. In 2018, its Marcel Duchamp exhibition was shown at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul while Alex Katz: Models & Dancers was presented at the Lotte Museum of Art. ropac.net

Thaddaeus Ropac galleries support and showcase the careers of some of the most influential artists today

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