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Jan Van Eyck personal motto, one of the first and still most special signatures in art history, "ALS IK KAN" meaning "As well as I can" stating this is the best he could do. The painter used to sign his frames with this motto and considered them as part of his work. A name that symbolizes a blend of art and jewelry, a name that has a Belgian heritage and legacy.
www.vaneyck-jewelry.com
Contents 10 15
First Word Invitations The latest member events
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Investment 36 Fashion Forward Three fashion start-ups looking for investment 40 K ing of the Castle Is it time to invest in a fairytale French château?
F OR GOODNESS SAKE The Sumba Foundation
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48 T reasure Island The Indonesian island of Lombok is primed for investors 52 B uying in America Property investors are pouring into the US 56 A head of the Curve Previewing Cebu’s first residential resort 60 B rand State The future of the Chinese luxury market
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Insiders 66
en Minutes with... Alexi Fung The new managing T director for Bonhams Hong Kong Father and Son Michael Chow on his upcoming exhibition, Voice for My Father
68 74
F INE WINES Industry leaders open up about their wine hits and misses
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E yes Wide Open The upcoming Prudential Eye Awards Fine Form Artist Bernar Venet on his latest creation The Making of a Continent David Collins Studio is expanding in Asia
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Inspiration 102 T he Gift of Cognac Martell celebrates its 300th anniversary with a new blend 106 Love and Object Your secret destination for vintage and rare jewellery 110 T IME TO CELEBRATE The best timepieces
from Patek Philippe’s new collection
114 D esign for Life Naoto Fukasawa on the Good Design Awards 120 South Pacific Splendour On a quest to find the perfect holiday 126 The Hot Ten The season’s hottest indulgences 138 The Fast Lane Reflecting on hybrid cars of the past and looking to the future 142 Cabin Fever Luggage label Ebby Rane on winter travel 144 Ultimate Train Journeys Rail travel to remember 154 A ll Hands on Deck Why fractional yacht ownership makes perfect sense 156 S hopping Weekender Touching down in Dubai
End Note 160 L ast Word Kevin Staut on the upcoming Longines Hong Kong Masters
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BE MY GUEST G I S E L E I N V I T E S Y O U T O PA R T Y INVESTMENT
Mid-century furniture, precious metals, diamonds and the rewards of investing in start-ups
INSIDERS
Fashion tips from industry insiders, Hong Kong’s hottest foodies and an exclusive with Gisele Bündchen
INSPIRATION
Holidays in space, underwater hotel suites, shopping in Paris and this Spring’s coolest consumables
COVER IMAGE: Michael Chow
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First Word It’s so refreshing to interview somebody who makes you laugh. That was certainly the case with Michael Chow, who I interviewed for our cover story from his house in Los Angeles. As he said himself, “If you take things too seriously, you dry out, you’re not nourished by water.” How true that is – and how fantastic to hear that somebody who has achieved so much and continues to do so, hasn’t forgotten it. Read about his upcoming exhibition, which he has dedicated to his father, Zhou Xinfang on page 68.
Dominique Afacan, Editor-at-Large dominique@infonation-asia.com
Contributors
Claudia de Brito
Catherine Shaw
Philip Callow
Greg Morley
Claudia has lived in Singapore, London, Lisbon and is currently based in Dubai where she covers fashion, art and culture for publications such as Ahlan!, Etihad Inflight and Aspire. Turn to page 156 to find out about the retail landscape in Dubai that goes far beyond its worldrenowned shopping malls.
Arts and culture editor Catherine had a busy time this month, heading to Japan to interview Naoto Fukasawa about the Good Design Awards, which you can find on page 114, and then popping back to interview Simon Rawlings from the awardwinning David Collins Studio. Find it on page 88.
Our motoring editor Philip Callow owns a Jaguar XK 140 roadster and a Porsche GT3 RS, has raced cars from Radicals to Beetles and is a keen helicopter pilot to boot. This issue he reflects on hybrids of the past, present and future. Read his column on hybrid vehicles with ability, feel and soul, on page 138.
Greg is a freelance journalist based in Hong Kong. Ever since his first airplane flight at the age of three he has lived a passionate pursuit to travel the world. Greg has lived and worked on three continents and his travel experiences are the subject of his writing. See Greg’s feature on an exclusive Fijian resort on page 120.
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The Reserve is a VIP club exclusively for Asia’s most discerning consumers and investors. Produced in Hong Kong and China by INFO/NATION. CEO
Shawn Hiltz shawn@infonation-asia.com
Editor-at-Large
Dominique Afacan dominique@infonation-asia.com
Sub-Editor
Sophie Forsyth sophie@infonation-asia.com
Art Direction
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Marketing
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For membership enquiries please contact: Member Services
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The Reserve Hong Kong is published under license from INFO/NATION. All rights reserved. Title and trademark registered. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in The Reserve are those of contributors and advertisers and do not neccessarily reflect those of the publisher.
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Handcrafted masterpieces reinterpreted to perfection
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Invitations LATEST EVENTS FOR MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE
Didn’t receive your invitation? It could be because you haven’t shared your passions with us yet. Be sure to fill out a membership form to let us know what interests you most and we’ll send you invitations to match. thereserve-asia.com/membership-form
INVITATIONS Member News
MEMBER NEWS
IN BRIEF The season of goodwill is almost upon us and here at The Reserve we’ve been busy working to make things a little easier for our members in the lead up to Christmas. For those who need inspiration for what to buy their loved ones, we are delighted to present our Christmas Concierge catalogue, a specially curated guide of the best gift items from our extensive network of international luxury partners.We have secured exclusive discounts and other benefits with many of the partners that are solely available to members for a limited time, so don’t delay - let The Reserve help you get this Christmas all wrapped up. With festive celebrations no doubt taking priority over the coming weeks, make sure you look out for invitations to our private lifestyle events taking place throughout December. Kicking off with Gentlemen’s Evening at Stockton we will be also be working with iconic fashion house, Shanghai Tang, to host an in-store event that you won’t want to miss. As we went to print, over 50 members enjoyed the second investment summit of the year at Club Lusitano. Guests were treated to presentations on topics including the world’s first private equity whisky investment fund and Hong Kong’s burgeoning start-up scene and got the chance to get to know industry experts over a 3-course dinner. Didn’t receive your invitation? We mustn’t know you’re interested in alternative investment options.To update your preferences, simply fill out the membership form enclosed and return it to us via one of the simple methods stated on the bottom. Or visit us at: thereserve-asia.com/membership-form. Don’t forget you can find an up-to-date list of all our partner brands and benefits at thereserve-asia.com/reserveme.Tell us what you like and you’ll continue to benefit from your membership. If you’re social, don’t forget to follow our feeds and pages for regular updates on worldwide luxury news. ReserveAsia
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TheReserveAsia
Insta
TheReserveAsia
Margery Au We continue to work with some of the world’s leading luxury brands. Here is just a brief sampling of our recent partnerships.
LOVE AND OBJECT
The online destination carefully curates vintage luxury jewellery, accessories and curiosities from around the world, boasting a collection from the likes of Chanel,YSL and Dior. Members looking to add something more unique to their ensemble are entitled to a 10% discount on every highly covetable and collectible piece. Simply contact us for redemption details.
FANTÔME
The most exclusive and elusive smartphone ever made promises to become the benchmark of technology and design, with every aspect of the phone superior to anything else on the market. Tempted? Don’t search in shops - the Fantôme is available exclusively to members of The Reserve. Contact us for details.
RIVIERA ORIENTAL Hong Kong’s only specialist luxury yacht charter company to offer bespoke cruising experiences across the region’s islands, Riviera Orientale Yachting Society has a range of yachts primed for opulent parties, corporate events or for charter outings. Members have priority access to membership and available dates. To hop onboard, just contact us.
MEMBER PROFILE Born and raised in Hong Kong, Margery has certainly adopted the city’s ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra, owning and running a successful PR company, undertaking substantial charity work and being a popular societal figure.
MY PASSIONS My passion is… devoting myself to my family and friends, especially when they are in need. My proudest achievement is… independently establishing a successful PR/ communications agency. My motto is… live for the moment for tomorrow is another day. My favourite travel destination is… the US and the UK, I have family in both of these places which gives me a great excuse to visit! When I entertain visitors to Hong Kong I… take them sightseeing of course! If they have travelled to Hong Kong before, I’ll show them more of the city’s diverse restaurants and shops – Hong Kong is an eating and shopping paradise! My guilty pleasure is… stealing too much of my daughter’s and grandchildren’s time. My choice of watch is… Dior. For clothing, I go… anywhere. I care about styles that suit me rather than brand names. Being a member of The Reserve works for me because… I love variety, and they have introduced me to a range of brands and venues that I otherwise would not know. I also learn a lot about many different subjects.
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INVITATIONS PIE+S 2014
PROPERTY INVESTMENT EXHIBITION & SEMINAR (PIE+S) HONG KONG Island Shangri-La - 11 October 2014 Our members love hearing about new property and alternative investment opportunities but the allure of luxury brands can often tempt them to spend rather than invest. Luckily our biannual PIE+S event combines them! As members tasted fine wines and artisanal produce from Europe, they learnt about attractive portfolio additions - from purchasing property near renowned US schools to investing in high-yielding UK airport parking. Members even had the chance to gain European residency through purchasing a property in Spain or Bulgaria. Combine these with fancy diamond rings, vintage trunks and an impressive silent auction? I think we can call it another successful PIE+S! R
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INVITATIONS Links of London
LINKS OF LONDON Pacific Place - 22 September 2014
Members rubbed shoulders with Hong Kong’s glitterati and stars of the catwalk and silver screen for the reopening of the Links of London Pacific Place store in Admiralty. They were greeted by a wall of flashing paparazzi before heading inside to browse the British brand’s newest collection of charming jewellery and watches. Members took away an iconic bracelet from the collection as a small keepsake. R
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INVITATIONS The World
THE WORLD Mandarin Oriental - 23 October 2014 So you’ve got property dotted across the globe and you’ve stayed at all the top 5-star hotels but you still feel the need to explore? Selected members were invited to join the ambassador of The World, the only residential cruise ship continously circumnavigating the globe, for a cocktail reception to find out about living onboard. With inventory rarely on the market members were given the opportunity to go aboard the ship during its Hong Kong visit in November and they will be among the first to be notified when units become available for purchase. R
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INVITATIONS A.C.A.S
ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW The Conrad - October 2014 The Asia Contemporary Art Show brought the world of art to Hong Kong for the second time this year with members invited to join the exclusive Thursday night VIP preview and get a sneak peek at the collections before the main event began. In addition to works from famed modern artists including Banksy and Andy Warhol the show featured a fascinating collection of pieces from young, up-and-coming artists from around the world. R
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INVITATIONS Chivas 18
DAPPER CLUB WITH CHIVAS 18 WOOBAR - 25 October 2014 Members with a penchant for fine single malts headed to the W Hong Kong’s Dapper Club on a balmy Saturday evening in October to let their hair down and enjoy top music talent accompanied by a delicious buffet and a fine selection of Scotch. With an international DJ flown in from Paris exclusively for the evening and free flow Chivas 18 on order, all guests had to do was decide if they preferred it straight up, on the rocks or blended in one of the evening’s speciality cocktails. R
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INVITATIONS La Prairie
EVENING WITH LA PRAIRIE Mandarin Oriental - 29 October 2014 No sooner did members tell us of their passion for the latest beauty products, then we teamed up with revolutionary skincare brand, La Prairie, to give ladies the opportunity to put the latest Skin Caviar range to the test. The evening of canapÊs and Champagne at the Mandarin Oriental in Central included advice from the brand’s dietician on the best foods to maintain a healthy, youthful complexion as well as a run down on the skincare essentials for the upcoming autumn/winter season. Guests also got to try some of the newest products and benefit from an exclusive event-only offer and gift with every purchase. R
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Insights The talk of the town
SPIRITS Johnnie Walker’s growing chain of luxury ‘embassies’ has put Chengdu firmly on the whisky map with its latest edition. As is the case at all the houses, experience is key. Guests can learn about production, chat with the master blender, sample bespoke blends and enjoy exquisite food and drink pairings. Those left thirsty for more should speak to the in-house concierge who can put together tailored trips to Scotland, the home of the spirit. johnniewalker.com
HK$4.9m The price paid at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong for The Macallan 6-litre ‘M’ Decanter by Lalique THE
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YACHTING It seems there is no end to the battle for the best superyacht and two recent concepts seem to reinvent what a superyacht actually is. Check the Star vessel by yacht designer Igor Lobanov, of Lobanov Design for proof. Shaped like the top of a star, the boat features an 8-deck viewing platform, an underwater viewing deck and a helipad. Meanwhile Lujac Desautel’s Glass yacht is inspired by Lego blocks and skyscrapers. It’s little wonder he was voted Young Designer of the Year by Boat International Media.
US$64.3tn Estimated global HNWI wealth by 2016, growing at an annual rate of 6.9% Source: The World Wealth Report 2014 by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management
SHOPPING “We want every boy to believe that they are the knight in shining armour, and every girl to be the princess in her castle.” Such is the statement from Caroline York, director of Gusella, an Italian shoe brand which has just arrived in Causeway Bay and is quickly making a mark across Asia. Just in time for Christmas! gusella.com THE
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INSIGHTS
The Talk of the Town
BOOKS In the age of the Kindle and endless digital screens, a real book can be a joy. Lok Man Rare Books in Central specialises in signed and rare books and important folios. We love this first edition of Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue selling for HK$14,000 and featuring photography by Bruce Weber and Mario Testino, a foreword by Mr. Lagerfeld and an introduction by Anna Wintour. lokmanbooks.com
84% The percentage of Chinese consumers who think that in the future Chinese luxury labels will be ‘just as good as western brands’
ART Throughout the 1980s, internationally renowned artist, photographer and writer Roland Hagenberg documented the arts world in New York, meeting Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring, Louise Bourgeois, Robert Mapplethorpe and American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat along the way. Now, Sin Sin Gallery is publishing a book with Roland which will be launched at its upcoming exhibition Basquiat and Friends. Until 28th December, Sin Sin Gallery, Central. sinsinfineart.com
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Investment BUSINESS & ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
Is it time to take advantage of the slump and buy a ch창teau in France? King of the Castle, p. 40
Find more details on this listed ch창teau near Poitiers at www.sifex.co.uk
INVESTMENT Fashion Forward
FASHION FORWARD Three Hong Kong-based start-ups are reshaping the fashion industry
T
raditionally an industry that largely channelled its energy delivering daring designs and creative clothing, the fashion world is now undergoing its fair share of disruption. From alternative shopping channels to
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innovative manufacturing, entrepreneurs are constantly striving for the next breakthrough in fashion that will change the industry for good. The Reserve spoke to three high potential fashion-focused start-ups, currently listed on the online portal www.investable.vc, all looking for investment to take their business to the next level.
What does Techpacker mean and what does it do? The name was taken from the common fashion industry term ‘tech pack’, which is essentially the bible of a specific design or, more simply, a set of documents that a designer prepares for a factory to clearly describe their designs so it can turn them into a sample. Typically a tech pack requires a lot of data entry, which designers hate. Techpacker is a revolutionary new fashion PLM (product lifecycle management) system. It’s a web application that makes the process of creating tech packs visual and turns a boring document into a powerful organisational tool saving 40% of quality problems and 32% in development lead time for fashion products. It easily manages all components of a style such as fabrics, threads or measurements with an innovative card system so everything can be housed in one place. It’s a platform that connects everyone in the supply chain from designers to the raw material suppliers through to the quality controller. Most importantly, anyone can use it without any training. How did the idea come about? A few years ago, we were helping a friend from the US get some shirts made in China and we had a bad experience full of wasted time, quality issues and spiralling costs. I concluded the problem was poor management and communication. In response we decided to create a tech pack template on Excel and the quality problems were reduced. However, our workload increased and digital collaboration and communication within the team became more complicated. We just wanted to use simple tech pack software but there was nothing affordable available. So out of frustration we decided to build our own solution and later discovered a huge gap and demand in the market, hence the reason we are now expanding. Are there other companies doing similar things? There are plenty of multi-billion dollar organisations in the fashion PLM space but I don’t think they are innovating in the way the fashion industry needs them to.They have created
overwhelming and often difficult software that focuses on the product rather than the people using it. Just to implement these solutions in an organisation takes millions of dollars and a lot of time. At Techpacker, we believe in the power of simplicity, affordability and embracing the changing fashion environment by supporting the small and medium sized brands to give the bigger, better known high street brands a run for their money. What has been the most challenging aspect of building the business? Unlike other industries, there is a very short window of time between creating a design and developing it. Success here is determined by having the right product at the right time, and we have to be able to upgrade and deliver the system requirements for this fast-paced and evolving industry. This requires manpower and as a start-up this has been our biggest challenge. Techpacker needs development support to prevent delays resulting in opportunity loss to impress a potential client. How do you make money? We monetise the service through a subscription model and currently have three versions: Free, Business Class and First Class.The Free version is used to acquire customers by offering trials to help them realise the benefit of using Techpacker over Excel and emails. Business Class is targeted towards smaller teams and we can offer additional features such as an extended library and customer support. Finally, First Class is designed for medium-sized companies and offers reporting tools, integration with their current systems, in-house server set-up as well as personalised customer support and product expansion.We aim to have an annual revenue of US$504 million from 280,000 paid users by year three.
Company name: Techpacker Limited Date founded: July 2013 Website: techpacker.com Investment sought: US$500,000 Equity offered: 10% To invest: Email info@investable.vc
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Saral Kochar is CEO and co-founder of Techpacker, an online tool that simplifies collaboration and communication between manufacturers and designers.
INVESTMENT Fashion Forward
Courtney Haley is a cosmetics veteran who has created 10th Studio, a curated beauty box in Asia for those passionate about cosmetics. What is 10th Studio and what does it do? 10th Studio is an e-commerce company that curates cosmetic products from all over the world and brings them to Asia. It could be the hero product of a famous brand that is not sold in Asia yet, or it could be a hidden gem of a new and upcoming brand that we think you should know about if you are passionate about cosmetics. It’s concierge beauty delivered to your doorstep.We are a beauty destination and we interact directly with our customers via Instagram to engage the community in discussing not just the products sold on 10th Studio but all global cosmetics brands. How are 10 Studio boxes different from the other subscription-based boxes currently in the market? We buy stock from brands at standard wholesale prices which gives us access to the latest launches and makes the model scalable. It also gives us the opportunity to develop exclusive products with famous brands, which will only be sold to 10th Studio globally.We sell full size products instead of samples so you can get the full experience of the brand and give you access to brands that aren’t available to buy in Asia yet. On the brand side, the model also gives them the option to test their products in Asia before negotiating with retailers or distributors in Asia. Our box is at a premium price of US$50 so we have room for sales commission to distributors and to offer our consumers premium products instead of just mass market products. th
How are you planning to launch these beauty boxes? We are partnering with Fremantle Media to leverage its internet traffic and drive consumers to our website. We will be producing tutorial videos while we are behind the scenes of the Fremantle Media TV Show “Asia’s Got Talent” to recreate the make-up looks of the actual contestants. Fremantle will feature the link of our videos on their YouTube videos and include us in their press releases, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts. The Fremantle YouTube videos are expected to receive over 500 million views and we hope to receive at least one million click throughs to our website. The Fremantle project is a royalty
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deal in exchange for access to their online traffic. We intend to scale up to three shows per year with Fremantle Media. Why are you the best person to do this? I’ve been branding, manufacturing and distributing cosmetics and skin care for over 18 years for some of the most famous brands in the world. The last eight years I’ve been based in Hong Kong focusing on Asian brands, which enables me to create a strategy to execute the distribution of the kits here in Asia. We intend to distribute in the most difficult territories from an importing perspective such as Indonesia, Korea, China and Japan. We will also expand to the US curating Asian brands for US consumers. How will 10th Studio make money? A few ways. Firstly, we will make 15% gross profit on kit subscriptions, 60% gross profit on individual sales on the website but most importantly we will make the majority of our profits selling our interactive digital advertising space on our Spotlight Section on the website.The Fremantle project will drive traffic to the website to give the advertising space its financial value. Lastly, when the products do well in Asia, we will negotiate entry into Asia for retailers or distributors in exchange for a finder’s fee. How much are you looking to raise and what will it go towards? US$500,000 to support the Fremantle project and access to a drawdown facility up to US$1 million (for short-term loans less than three months) to support the expansion for three Fremantle shows per year. The money will be spent on advertising fees with Fremantle and inventory to secure the newest launches from famous brands.
Company name: 10th Studio Limited Date founded: January 2014 Website: 10thstudio.com Investment sought: US$500,000 Equity offered: 20% To invest: Email info@investable.vc
What is Minipopup.com and who uses it? Fashion bloggers are often looking for ways to monetise their sites. Minipopup.com is a platform that connects brands and retailers to leading internet influencers in a bid to increase sales. For bloggers with high traffic and the power to influence people and their purchasing decisions, it is an obvious way to make money from brands looking to tap into a specific and engaged audience. Bloggers can create and curate their own store by pushing their favourite products from our partner brands on their own blogs or social networks. In that way, we immediately leverage on blogger traffic to turn their followers into potential customers for the brand. How has the response been so far and how many bloggers are using your platform? We have over 700 bloggers from around the globe. 60% of the traffic comes from Asia, 20% from Europe and 20% from the US. We have a cumulated reach of nine million people worldwide.
Is your background in fashion and is this your first start-up? It is my second start-up in a way. My first idea was an ‘Instagram for fashion’, even before Instagram was conceived. As we all know, this is hard to monetise and we’ve since pivoted that idea into this one. I have also launched and sold a fashion brand and previously spent 12 years at L’Oréal. What’s the most challenging aspect of building Minipopup.com? Building the right community of influencers. Getting bloggers on board was not easy, especially when you consider that 90% of them were not professionals.They are people like you and me who are passionate about fashion and have thousands and thousands of followers because of their specialist knowledge. We have now given them the chance to monetise their blogs or channels in a functional and elegant way. Turning from ‘amateur’ to ‘professional’ was a difficult concept for many of them. How does Minipopup.com make money? It is a pure affiliate model. So we take commission from the brands each time a product is sold. We share this commission with the bloggers so our expansion is mechanical and quite simple: more bloggers equals more customers reached, which equals more sales. We have just implemented a functionality to allow bloggers to share their selections on WeChat, which might bring tremendous additional visibility to our platform, especially to a Chinese audience. How much are you looking to raise and what will it go towards? We are looking for US$500,000, which will allow us to recruit more staff. The technical elements of the site are working perfectly but we need more manpower to recruit and follow up with our bloggers to scale and capture a larger share of the market. R
Company name: Minipopup.com Date founded: January 2014 Website: minipopup.com Investment sought: US$500,000 Equity offered: To be discussed To invest: Email info@investable.vc
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Benoit Lavaud is founder and CEO of Minipopup.com. A platform that allows fashion bloggers and influencers to monetise their blogs by curating their own online stores from their partner brands and online retailers.
INVESTMENT King of the Castle
KING CASTLE of the
Is it time to take advantage of the slump and buy a château in France? Guillaume Barlet says yes but beware of complex laws.
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ome to numerous chic hotels and a handful of lucky Francophile celebrities, châteaux are very much en vogue. Brad and Angelina got married in one, and the beautiful Château de la Durantie recently featured as part of the set in Lasse Hallström’s film The Hundred Foot Journey with Helen Mirren. The term château might be rather broad, covering everything from forteresse to grande demeure, but all of them aim to impress, representing a kind of fairy tale romanticism and a magical place to retreat to in the French countryside. Buying one is not a mere property deal, but a statement of success – and now might just be the time to bag yourself a relative bargain. Recently the market has garnered a renewed interest; 400 were sold last year alone, perhaps helped by a recent and significant decrease in prices. Even if it cannot be called a crash, potential buyers can certainly benefit. Sure,
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it will still be a significant investment, but you can now find plenty of options for less than HK$10 million – the same amount would only afford a 90m² apartment in Paris, with far less of the status. The approach to purchasing a château is not too different from acquiring a house in Bordeaux or a pied-à-terre in Nice. In the first instance, an estate agent is often involved, either appointed by the vendor or the buyer, and the buyer usually pays the commission. This point should be noted and possibly negotiated before anything is signed as a commission can easily reach 5% or more of the purchase price. Once the main terms of the purchase have been agreed, a preliminary agreement (or a compromis) is presented for signature. It is a binding agreement so buyers should beware before signing anything as it is very difficult to change anything afterwards. Check, for example, if local farmers have rights to use the land or if the property is a listed building. The situation can change dramatically
THE RESERVE
MEMBER ACCESS The Reserve has unprecedented access to off-market properties including castles, vineyards and private islands. Contact us with your personal requests: member@thereserve-asia.com
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Property A
INVESTMENT King of the Castle
based on the age of the property and whether it’s considered a piece of French heritage (in the case of the latter, tax credits and subsidies are possible). There are plenty of renovated and refurbished châteaux on the market, but many buyers like to buy derelict properties so they can make their mark on them. If this is the case, consider everything, from a new roof or rewiring to material costs and authorisations before you agree to the sale. Once the preliminary agreement has been signed, a notaire is often appointed to carry out formalities and prepare the registration of the title deed. Notaires have a delegation from the French state to act but are not representatives of the parties so it is preferable to instruct a specialised independent lawyer to advise and assist throughout the procedure. The notaire’s duty also includes the collection of taxes relating to the transfer of ownership of property (mostly an equivalent of stamp duty). When adding the estate agent and notaire’s costs, fees can easily increase to around 12% of the purchase price. Once a château is bought and restored, there are, of course, then additional costs to run it. Given the size of these properties, this can seem overwhelming but in some cases the property can pay for itself – whether through hotel rooms, a restaurant or just as a tourist attraction in its own right. Whatever you decide to do, chances are you’ll consider passing it down to the family in the long term. Since property in France is usually subject to French inheritance laws, it is vital to consider these issues before completing the purchase to avoid expensive complications later. In effect, regardless of whether you have a will already prepared or what is in your will, in many cases French rules of inheritance are applicable by default. For instance, children can become automatically entitled to a share in the property on the death of their parent. Careful estate planning is advisable. So whether you go for a 17th-century converted castle or a turreted château straight from the pages of a fairy tale, do your homework first, then enjoy. You’re the king of the castle. R Guillaume Barlet is a French lawyer, consultant and head of the French Desk at Cubism Law specialising in cross-border matters for private individuals. cubismlaw.com
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PROPERTY GUIDE FRENCHENTRÉE GIVES TIPS FOR BUYING CHÂTEAUX IN FRANCE 1. Decide whether you are looking for a renovation opportunity or a château ready for move-in. Our agents advise that on average, you should consider spending anything between €500 and €1,500 per square metre (the latter if it is a total rebuild) to renovate a ruin. If the property is merely in need of internal modernisation and refurbishment (kitchens, bathrooms and heating, for instance) you can generally halve this figure. 2. Châteaux can make profitable businesses so consider your options. Châteaux with adequate grounds are often sought after for sporting businesses, such as fishing and equestrian schools, hunting, walking and wildlife grounds, as well as many other outdoor activities. Sometimes a château may even come on the market with a working (or the potential for) vineyard. 3. Châteaux can be found in all regions across France, from Poitou-Charentes to the Pays de la Loire. Limousin offers the château buyer some cheaper alternatives, with a number of manor houses on the market. While in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for example, you will get far less for your money.
OPTIONS TO BUY NOW: Property A - This 19th-century château south of the Loire (18 miles from Angers) has a lovely open view, 16 bedrooms and 32,000m2 of land. HK$4.8 million Property B - A château in good condition set in about 68 acres of beautiful parkland, with fields, paths and ponds. There are three floors of living space, each floor providing around 350m2. HK$18 million Property C - A listed 17th-century château 114 miles south of Paris in Blois. Fully restored over the last 10 years, it offers about 1,250m2 of living space. HK$52 million frenchentree.com
Property B
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INSIDERS
For Goodness Sake
For Goodness Sake The Sumba Foundation INTERVIEW BY ZOE BELHOMME
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Why did you decide to acquire the Nihiwatu resort? CB: I had been regularly visiting Bali for some time but had been told that the island of Sumba had the best waves. As my sons are avid surfers we just had to check it out to see for ourselves. When we arrived the intensely beautiful landscape and wonderful people instantly blew me away. JM: I felt the same. On my first visit I realised the unique potential the existing resort had, being isolated on such an untouched and beautiful island. What makes the island so special? CB: The Sumbanese people. They are resourceful, friendly and extraordinary. Guests can also disconnect themselves from reality as a stay on the island feels as though you’re stepping back in time.
Tell us a bit about how Nihiwatu began and its relationship with The Sumba Foundation. JM: Nihiwatu was born of a vision to protect and preserve the unique culture of Sumba and empower the local communities to support themselves and their families. Since 2001,The Sumba Foundation has been providing much needed humanitarian aid by fostering village-based projects that impact health (malaria has almost been eradicated), education, water and income generation, while preserving and respecting the fragile culture and traditions of the Sumbanese people. As the profile of Nihiwatu is raised, more awareness will naturally be brought to the foundation and the work it does. The two are deeply connected. Over 90% of the staff working at Nihiwatu are local and we aim to increase this number as the resort expands and becomes more successful.There will also be a direct financial benefit as we will donate profit from the resort back to the foundation. The Sumba Foundation existed for a number of years before you acquired the resort. How are you continuing its work? JM: The foundation is an integral component of the resort and we like to encourage our guests to get involved in some way during their stay. We f ind they either return regularly or provide financial support on an ongoing basis. Nihiwatu will, of course, continue to raise money for the foundation but we also want to scale it so we can help more Sumbanese people.
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hen Christopher Burch and James McBride visited Sumba, one of the poorest and most deprived islands in the Indonesian archipelago, the friends fell in love and were inspired to do more than just create another luxury holiday destination. The Reserve sat down with them to f ind out more about the pioneering pair’s latest philanthropic venture.
INVESTMENT For Goodness Sake
THE MEN BEHIND NIHIWATU US retail entrepreneur and billionaire investor Christopher Burch acquired the 567-acre estate on the island of Sumba with long-time friend, James McBride, the prolific South African-born hotelier and former general manager of the fabled Carlyle in New York, in 2012.The pair continue to be involved in projects and businesses throughout the world, including their own philanthropic endeavors, however Nihiwatu has now become their true passion and refuge.
You’ve known each other for years. What skills would you say you each bring to this partnership? CB: I think our individual backgrounds and expertise aligned perfectly for this project. With my 30+ years of building successful global brands and James’ experience as a renowned international hotelier we were able to create something special - something that goes beyond the normal holiday resort. I previously helped develop the Faena Hotel in Buenos Aires with Alan Feana and this had a big impact on what we did with Nihiwatu. JM: I am also passionate about investing in people, to nurture and develop our staff so that they provide an unrivalled service and experience. The importance of this was something I realised from my years of managing hotels across the world. What would you say have been the biggest challenges you’ve encountered in redeveloping Nihiwatu? CB: Undoubtedly the location. It’s remote which made the building and transportation of supplies difficult to say the least. That being said, James and the team did an outstanding job of completely redeveloping the whole resort. Travellers are increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint. Tell us about your efforts to make Nihiwatu self-sustainable? JM: We are currently looking at sustainable ways for us to create our own power with the help of MIT University in
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the US so that in the future we will be able to completely sustain ourselves in terms of energy and fresh water. We are also making progress with the production of our own food by buying buffalo and other animals as well improving the botanical garden for growing fresh produce. What are your aspirations for the resort and the foundation? CB: For Nihiwatu to become a unique world-class resort that gets people around the world talking, and for the foundation to bring much-needed awareness to Sumba. Even after two years of being involved I can see real steps towards these aspirations being met. We would like to grow the resort to be completely financially sufficient so we can expand our philanthropic efforts to other parts of the island, such as Nihioka. What’s next? CB: We want to expand Nihiwatu, not only in size but also in terms of the variety of services and experiences we offer. We’ve already announced our new Tree House Jungle Spa located among the pagoda-style canopy of Ketapang trees where guests can ascend wooden walkways through springs and megalithic rocks to the nest-inspired treatment rooms. We will also be unveiling several new villas in 2015 including the 5-bed Mendaka Villa which will have a private 19-metre pool set within its own 7,500m2 estate. R For more information and to book, visit: nihiwatu.com
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INVESTMENT Treasure Island
INDONESIA’S NEW TREASURE ISLAND Lombok is a world away from its overdeveloped sister island of Bali WORDS BY SOPHIE KALKREUTH
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Lombok’s beautiful southern coast where affordable land and increasing tourism offer great investment potential. “The biggest lesson learnt from Bali is the infrastructure problem,” says Daniel Paetzold, co-founder of Hong Kong-based Private Sanctuary. “Lombok is a pilot project for sustainable tourism. The airport and the new roads take pressure away from the urban areas.” The first area to benefit from the new airport and roads has been the southern coast, home to a dramatic coastline of coves and beaches and mountain ranges. The coast has long been popular among surfers, but is also a great spot for diving with plenty of manta rays and hammerhead sharks to see. Previously difficult for visitors to access, the coast is now easily reached via a new highway from the airport. Lombok’s new airport now receives direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and Cathay Pacific is also considering launching a route from Hong Kong. Currently, there are not enough beds on the island to support increased arrivals, but this is set to change. The southern coast will soon be the site of The Mandalika
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ust a few years ago, exploring the island of Lombok, Bali’s eastern neighbour, took a lot of time and patience. You could travel by boat, several hours across the Lombok Straits, and there were also a limited number of flights, a quick 25 minutes in the air and often half a day of travel with airport delays, traffic, and potholed roads that taxis shared with horse-drawn carts, goats, and the occasional wedding procession. The island’s beautiful rolling green hills, coconut groves and white sand beaches offer a different topography from Bali, but Lombok seemed destined to offer similar nuisances, with poor roads and infrastructure and an airport that was unable to handle the growing volume of passengers. But much has changed over the last few years. The Indonesian government has thrown its weight behind Lombok, building a new international airport and investing US$200 million in infrastructure. And with more of the island now accessible to visitors, companies such as Private Sanctuary Limited are setting their sights on
INVESTMENT Treasure Island
“The country is sitting on a wealth of minerals, a wealth of population and a wealth of land”
Resort, a large-scale, master planned resort being developed by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation in conjunction with the Indonesian Government. Other international resorts, such as Club Med and the Marriott are developing properties here too. For now, development is in the early stages and there is plenty of land still up for grabs. “The situation at the moment is mainly homestays,” says Tobi Doeringer of Private Sanctuary. “There are few boutique hotels with white sand beaches.” The founders of Private Sanctuary have been involved in several boutique resort and villa developments in Southeast Asia, including luxury villa projects such as Song Saa in Cambodia. But since 2012 the founders have focused on the island of Lombok. Their first project, Coconut Creek, is a private estate of individual luxury villas in Selong Belanak, South Lombok that has already sold out. Their newest villa project, Mandalika View, is a private estate of 17 luxury villas located on prime land, minutes away from Kuta, the main hub of the south coast. The project will overlook the Mandalika Resort and golf course and offer land plots with turnkey solutions to investors, including architectural design, operation and management services, and all for a fraction of the price they would pay in neighbouring Bali. “Right now land prices are about a tenth of Bali’s,” says Doeringer. “On a prime plot of land you can buy and build a villa for US$300-500,000. In Bali you pay over US$1.5 million.” Prices for larger beachfront plots range from around US$70 to US$180 per m2, while smaller prime oceanview plots can range up to US$120 per m2. The area is also proving attractive for investors looking to develop land plots into destination villas and boutique hotels.
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Paetzold says returns on private villas range from 15% to 20%, including management fees, while returns on boutique resorts are much higher. “You make about 80% of the rental you get in Bali, but the land costs a tenth of the price so you have a much higher return.” Private Sanctuary expects to see a significant upswing in land prices in the coming years. As a result of improvements to infrastructure and increased passenger arrivals, land values on the south coast increased 25% to 40% in the first half of 2014 alone. The developers’ confidence in Lombok is also rooted in overall confidence in Indonesia. The country’s economy has been growing rapidly and its property market has followed suit. Indonesia’s residential property price index (14 major cities) rose by 7.4% during the year to end Q1 2013, the highest year-on-year price increase since Bank of Indonesia began publishing data in 2008. Moreover, Paetzold says, Indonesia presents less risk when compared with other developing countries in Southeast Asia due to its relatively stable democratic system and largely domestic market. Indonesia is a very independent country and most of its gross domestic product is internal. The country is sitting on a wealth of minerals, a wealth of population and a wealth of land. R
MEMBER ACCESS To capitalise on Lombok’s growing property market or to begin creating your dream home on the island, contact: member@thereserve-asia.com
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INVESTMENT Buying in America
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BUYING IN
AMERICA As investors pour into the US to take advantage of the hot property market, Sam Van Horebeek of East West Property Advisors explains how his firm does it differently
How did you first get into the property business and what inspired the idea for EWPA? I’ve been in real estate for the past seven or eight years. I’ve always had a passion for it. When I lived in New York I loved going to open houses, understanding the market and helping friends to buy property. About three years ago I heard about the growing demand among Asians wanting to buy properties abroad, and I realised that my interest and passion might be perfect to assist people in doing that. Everyone was looking on the internet and talking to friends, but there was no service that takes all of the work out of their hands. What differentiates your firm from other property agencies? All of these guys are great at selling properties, but they are selling for property developers. They will come to China for a weekend and sell a building. We don’t sell;
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hen Sam Van Horebeek showcased his property advisory firm East West at our latest PIE+S event, the level of interest we saw from visiting investors was staggering - but he was not at all surprised. He set up his company around two years ago, offering a one-stop service for investors looking to buy property in the US, currently one of the hottest property markets in the world. With teams on the ground in China and the US, East West Property Advisors (EWPA) helps clients with a range of investment goals find the best-suited assets. In contrast to traditional property agencies, the company is not in the business of selling. Rather,Van Horebeek says, it functions more like a private bank, in which advisors will assemble a highly personalised portfolio of properties for their clients.
INVESTMENT Buying in America
we help people to buy. The service we offer is very bespoke and in the initial meeting we talk, do an analysis and give clients options and ideas to consider.We’ll put a portfolio of property options together and then we can see how they react to the ideas and numbers.We try to pinpoint one or two cities, then move to specific listings. It’s a top-down process instead of bottom-up. What happens next? After an initial call or meeting we introduce the experts to our clients. We have a large network in the US, so we’ll set them up with an expert, say, in New York, who will advise them. Then the investor will often fly to the US to view the properties. Typically parents who are buying properties for their children will travel, as there’s an emotional connection there. Pure investors might not travel – they might buy remotely. The value is that because we have had the conversation with the investor we know exactly what they are looking for. We always qualify our clients. And the expert will know what to show because we brief them, and can show very quickly and effectively what is interesting to the investor. In a matter of five days, the client is able to see a lot of properties and make offers. Which areas of the US do you cover? We cover the entire US. In reality most investors from China are still interested in the East Coast, West Coast, Dallas, Chicago or Detroit area. Very few of them are going to buy in, let’s say, North Dakota, although we actually do have an advisor there. We are neutral about location as advisors. We are about finding the right property for investors. Which areas are currently in the highest demand? Well, there are different categories of investors. There are parents who are buying for their kids studying in the US, or buying for themselves for when they visit. These are mostly clients from Mainland China and they look mainly for properties in neighbourhoods around good schools in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as some in New York, Boston and DC. The investors I call ‘pure investors’ are mainly from Hong Kong and are looking to diversify their assets and for rental returns.They will look in a
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mix of cities, Cleveland, Houston, Chicago, but also New York, Los Angeles and Miami. Pure investors from the Mainland often don’t care about cash flow or rental yield, only in capital gains. And they will buy mainly in coastal cities. There are also families who are going to immigrate, mostly wealthy Mainland Chinese citizens who enter with an EB-5 Immigrant Investment Visa. Their focus is on actually moving their family and they tend to buy in California cities and suburbs, and in Seattle. Which cities currently stand out for you as key investment areas? From a capital gains perspective, NYC, Washington DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles have been doing well over the last 12 months and will continue to do well. There is a lack of new construction and high demand so appreciation will continue. From a cash flow perspective, Orlando, Cleveland, Memphis, Tampa, Indianapolis and Illinois are areas where we’ve seen great rental yields, 10, 12 even 15%. That will continue over the next few years, it won’t go up but will continue. Also in Cleveland and suburbs around Houston we tend to see interesting numbers. Some of these places were hit quite hard by the financial crisis and they are good neighbourhoods. What would you say to someone who is afraid to invest in a city they aren’t familiar with? Focus on second tier cities like Philadelphia, Chicago and Orlando. They are still attractive for rental yields, even if they might offer slightly less – say 7-9%. If investors have no clue about a city and want to invest regardless – we can help out. We have team members on the ground in all locations who can give more information and hold conference calls about the city. Think of us as your on the ground experts. R
MEMBER ACCESS East West Property Advisors is on standby to provide VIP service and expert advice to members of The Reserve who may be interested in buying property in the US. For more information contact: member@thereserve-asia.com
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INVESTMENT Ahead of the Curve
AHEAD OF THE CURVE Cebu’s first residential resort offers both lifestyle and business appeal WORDS BY SOPHIE KALKREUTH
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development is poised to take advantage of the country’s rapidly expanding economy as well as Cebu’s lifestyle and business appeal. In 2013, the Filipino economy grew by 7.3% – the highest growth in Asia following China – and growth continued in 2014. The economy expanded 6.4% in the second quarter, higher than the revised 5.6% in the first quarter, though slightly below the government’s fullyear target of 6.5-7.5%. Nevertheless, director-general Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) says the Philippines remains a top performer in Asia, with numbers coming in ahead of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. “We remain as a bright spot in the region, the second fastest growing economy among major Asian countries for the period,” he says.
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ebu, Philippines is known more as a holiday destination than a business and investment hub. The island province has long been a popular holiday spot famous for its balmy weather and white sand beaches. But it is also home to a booming economy – the second largest after Manila – and increased tourist arrivals are pumping up demand for resort-style condominiums. Tytans Property and Development Inc. are currently building Cebu’s first solely residential resort, Tambuli Seaside Living. Located on an 11-hectare site, 22 km from Cebu’s CBD, the project will comprise of four residential towers, an exclusive amenity area for leisure and fine dining, and 200 metres of natural beachfront. Scheduled for completion in 2016-2017, the
INVESTMENT Ahead of the Curve
The country’s real estate sector has also been growing, and the trend is projected to continue until 2016 according to Rich Santos, founder, chairman and chief executive of CBRE Philippines. “We are very positive on the way things are going for the real estate market. As we’ve noted before, the transformation of areas outside the major central business districts are continuously creating more investment opportunities,” he says. Of these areas, Cebu in particular is booming, driven by growing tourism and a strong IT sector. The Philippines registered a 9.56% growth in foreign arrivals in 2013 with over 4.6 million visitors. Increased tourist arrivals to the region are creating an expanded demand for condominiums. Located 20 minutes from the Cebu airport, Tambuli Seaside Living offers residential investment with all of the perks of a tropical resort. Designed by Alex Medalla of Arkinamix, one of Cebu’s premier architectural firms, the project takes its architectural cues from the natural environment, with massive centuries-old acacia and banyan trees dotted throughout the development, and wide-open spaces allowing for breezy comings and goings. The four residential towers offer studios, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments also designed with the luxury of space in mind. All apartments have balconies with uninterrupted views of the sea or coastline and come with world-class finishes from floor tiles to kitchen and bathroom fixtures. The freehold apartments start at US$77,000. At the time of writing, towers A and B were already 90% sold, and Oceanus Tower C had recently launched pre-sales. Owners at Tambuli Seaside Living will also have access to a 4-hectare amenity area with a range of dining and leisure facilities. There will be a 3,700m2 lagoon pool of varying depths with views of the beach and sea from one end, and a modern clubhouse and restaurant from the other. The sprawling clubhouse resonates with the surrounding acacias and is built in and around the natural foliage, seemingly wrapping around it. Outside, the wooden decks offer views of the Mactan Channel. There
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will also be a seaside restaurant, perched on a large rock formation on the white sand beachfront, offering both al fresco and indoor dining. Facilities housed in the amenity area include a gym, spa and wellness centre, a game room and an indoor kids playroom. In addition to the lagoon pool there is a lap pool and a kiddie pool. Dry sports facilities including volleyball, basketball and tennis courts. There is also a dive shop for water sports. Dining options range from Asian restaurants to a wine and cheese tapas bar. A commercial complex will house a convenience store, family KTV and a salon and there will be a 24-hour emergency clinic with medical staff and ambulances. Given current demand and rental prices, the developers expect rental returns of around 8%. And, with new plans in the works for improved travel and infrastructure, they remain bullish about the potential for continued growth. The World Bank recently approved a US$141 million financial package for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project, which will help finance the construction of a 23 km BRT system on a major transport corridor in Cebu City. Budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) is also looking at expanding its Cebu hub, which would bring added routes to the region. “Apartments in this ultra-modern, gated 11-hectare residential resort community in Cebu are set within a tropical paradise with all the modern technology to keep you connected for business or pleasure, some of Asia’s best internet and transportation infrastructure and international conveniences; the epitome of having the best of both worlds,” the developers say. R
MEMBER ACCESS For a direct introduction to the team at Tambuli Seaside Living before this development sells out, contact: member@thereserve-asia.com
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INVESTMENT Brand State
BR A N D STAT E
Erwan Rambourg, author of The Bling Dynasty and authority on all things luxury, on the future of extravagant consumption in China WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW
E
rwan Rambourg is a managing director at HSBC in Hong Kong and the co-head of global consumer and retail equity research. His background in the world of luxury marketing for the likes of Richemont and LVMH have made him the go-to analyst for investors looking to navigate the notoriously complex Chinese market. Rambourg talked to The Reserve about his newly published book The Bling Dynasty and why he thinks the reign of Chinese luxury shoppers has only just begun. Are Chinese luxury consumers different to consumers in other parts of the world? There is no single luxury consumer profile and there are many different definitions of what luxury is. What is interesting about the domination of luxury brands by Chinese consumers is that it has been traditionally male and driven by watch companies like Omega. The market is starting to move more to young female consumers while
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the rest of the world is becoming more male-driven. Chinese luxury consumers are also significantly younger than their peers from other nations. Asian countries like Japan are reducing luxury consumption, so why shouldn’t we assume China would follow a similar pattern? Chinese consumers today drive 35% of global sales of luxury products. The projection is that this will double but the reason consumers buy luxury is not down to financial means alone. If that were the case you would have Indians, Nigerians and Indonesians moving the needle way beyond the Chinese. It is a willingness to fit in and stand out at the same time that is different; it seems contradictory but Chinese consumers of luxury are telling people around them that they are worthy of doing business with. Indians look at things very differently and focus more on the intrinsic value of the raw material rather than on the design, the logo or packaging. The big difference between the Japanese and Chinese is that the latter are still very keen on brands.
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INVESTMENT Brand State
Can a luxury brand ever be too successful? The Chinese market is leading the curve where the popularity of a product creates an impression of commonality. I have called this the French Paradox – a thesis warning about the risks of trying to sell more of what should be exclusive. Applied to handbags, mass production means brands are no longer perceived as a true luxury. It’s very difficult to change that perception. What have been successful examples of ways to address the issue of ubiquity? The best way to develop an illusion of scarcity is by segmenting the retail experience. Hong Kong offers an interesting example with a market comprising of wealthy tourists, mass tourists, local middle class and wealthy tai tais. They don’t all want to have the same in-store experience so you develop big stores with VIP salons along with tills that are all about volume, and find ways of answering everyone’s needs without alienating anyone. Louis Vuitton recently had an ultra private pop-up invitation-only apartment for their ultra VIPs. These initiatives are difficult and costly to implement but highly effective because they are about
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making people rediscover their brand and recreate a buzz. Another way is to keep your existing consumer but try to recruit a younger consumer, too. One example of this brand ‘dual identity’ is Gucci’s recent advert showing Charlotte Casiraghi, the granddaughter of Grace Kelly. Here you have a combination of a theoretically unknown beautiful young model and the reality of the Gucci jet set with the motto ‘Forever Now’ – legacy consumers will buy Gucci because they have known it forever, others because they will think it is their generation’s brand. Are cities like Hong Kong, Paris and Milan likely to remain key shopping destinations? Only about a quarter of luxury sales take place in China so when investors call me to ask what is going on in China I move the conversation to what is going on with the Chinese. Travel is becoming an obsession but destinations like Western Europe and Hong Kong are under pressure because they have already become commoditised. Think about why the Chinese are buying abroad. First, you need time to shop and shopping abroad helps with that validation. Posting a picture of yourself with a Gucci bag with the Duomo [a famous cathedral in
Are local Chinese or other brands likely to become a real threat to western luxury brands? I think it will take quite a while mainly because if you are looking for storytelling it’s easier if your brand has been around for 150 years. There really is a hurdle to convince the Chinese that local brands offer quality. Korea is a strong competitor and brands are getting smarter about embedding products in popular television shows. The key differentiation between luxury brands of the future will be around non-material elements such as service and how to project a different image.
Is the Chinese demand for luxury products likely to continue to grow? Yes I think it will, especially if you look at middle class expansion and travel trends. Today only 4% of the Chinese population hold passports. If that goes to 8% those complaining about queues at shops in Paris had better learn to get used to it. What about the impact of the Chinese government’s austerity measures? Some sub-sectors have been hit by anti-corruption measures but I take the view that it’s healthy because the growth rates you see now are a reflection of true personal consumption and gifting and not artificially boosted by corporate gifting. What about the impact of e-commerce on luxe buying? E-commerce is very effective for certain categories but for big ticket items storytelling remains key. There is nothing to replace someone who will welcome you in a store, give you Champagne and tell you about the brand face to face. R
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Milan] in the background works. There is also the impression that employees in stores abroad will be more knowledgeable and better at storytelling. The danger is that China may become a showroom – you discover the product at home but then go online or travel to buy. Luxury brands like Miu Miu target the Chinese consumer by building flagships in China. While their products may not sell very well there, the wealthy travelling abroad connect to the brand and feel it is legitimate because they saw it in Shanghai or Hong Kong first.
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Insiders INTERVIEWS AND PROFILES
“Versailles, as I see it, is all about wide open spaces and perspectives that stretch as far as the eye can see” Bernar Venet, p. 84
Ten minutes with...
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A l e x i Fu n g The newly appointed managing director for Bonhams Hong Kong on memorable auctions and personal passions INTERVIEW BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
What excites you about your job? Every auction is so different. There are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for ownership every time as we can never be sure what will come of auctioned-off pieces. The successful buyer might give it to a museum or hand it down to the next generation; the chance of acquiring the work may never come up again. How did you get into the auction industry? My passion is in art, particularly contemporary and Chinese art. I began my career in Tokyo ten years back at a Japanese auction house and relocated to Hong Kong three years ago.
What has been your most memorable auction item to date? The Feng Wen Tang Collection of Early Chinese Ceramics auction in October offered a very rare Guan-marked dingyao (see porcelain image, below) from the Northern Song Dynasty which had an estimate of HK$800,000 to HK$1.2 million. During our preview at the Bonhams Gallery there was high demand to privately view the work and I could sense great excitement from potential buyers. At auction there was a lot of fierce competition and the moment the hammer finally came down was thrilling. It sold to a lucky buyer for almost HK$8 million! R
What would you say sets Bonhams apart from other auction houses? Flexibility and creativity. In May we opened a fantastic new gallery and auction space in Pacific Place.We also hold unique lots within unusual categories. Last August, for example, we held the largest sale of Japanese whisky in Asia. What sort of auction are you most passionate about? I have a particular fondness for contemporary and Chinese art. I feel like contemporary art gives me a good sense of our status quo. With Chinese art, I get a lot of pleasure from something as simple as looking at a vase embedded with the culture and history of the Chinese people. Tell us about an upcoming auction that we shouldn’t miss. We have just announced that we will hold an Evening Sale of Modern and Contemporary Art from Asia on 15 March 2015. Consisting of more than 30 high value lots to be showcased in the Bonhams Hong Kong Gallery, the sale will take place during Art Basel week and will preview daily in our new sale room in Pacific Place.With the eyes of the international art world on Hong Kong over that week, there is no better time in Asia to access collectors, curators, and museum directors from across Asia and around the world. THE
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INSIDERS Michael Chow
FATHER AND SON
Michael Chow on the history and inspiration behind his upcoming exhibition Voice for My Father
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WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW AND DOMINIQUE AFACAN
eptuagenarian restaurateur Michael Chow is fast becoming as famous for his exuberant paintings as for his eponymous restaurants in London, New York, Beverly Hills and Miami. Born in Shanghai in 1939, he studied art and architecture in London before starting his dining venture in the 1960s where he became known as a cultural ambassador of sorts, attracting the leading artists of the day who quickly became his friends. In 2012, after 50 years, he rediscovered his passion for painting and began creating enormous sculptural canvases featuring an eclectic collage of paint, milk,
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eggs and melted precious metals. The Reserve met with the inimitable artist as he prepares for his first exhibition in Mainland China, a solo show at Beijing’s Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, one of the capital’s most prestigious private art institutions. You started out as a restaurateur. How did this come about and was it an instant success? I arrived in London aged 13 completely alone. It was a culture shock. I’d lost everything including my Chinese identity. I had a void in me. All my life since has been about trying to reintroduce my culture,
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“Art transcends and purifies and heals. Culture does great things.”
Do you see your restaurants and art as very separate entities? I’ve always lived an artistic life. Even when I was opening my first restaurant I wanted the environment to be great and the food to be authentic. I was still an artist then and knew that if I made it look Chinese people wouldn’t have the same respect or pay as much. Even now, on a constant basis I have to go in and recast – energise the play. I write the script. I do backstage, front of house, wardrobe, body language. That’s why it succeeds. Food is part of it – but it has to be true. Forget good or bad, it has to be a true interpretation of each dish, of whoever created that recipe. I am obsessive about detail and passionate about what I do. I apply the same philosophy to everything. Collecting art helped me always stay in contact with that world and it made coming back as a painter much easier as I had never really left it.
Why did you wait so long to start painting? I paid my dues in the 50 years when I wasn’t able to paint. There was no support for Chinese artists when I was young so I suppressed it and wiped it from my memory. My first painting is a smaller one that I made for my wife in 2012 and it was then that everything just fell into place. Jeffrey Deitch [former director of Museum of Contemporary Art, LA] was the one who encouraged me to paint again. It’s very exciting. Painting is like an addiction. It is a kind of fix. I don’t wish I had started earlier because it was not the right time and art is the interpretation of our time. I started repainting two and a half years ago and I’ve been working like a maniac ever since. Your paintings look incredibly complex – take us through the timeline of creating such enormous layered works. It is quite an industrial process - a bit like using ingredients in cooking but painting is different as the expression is so precise and it is so much more physical. I never know which way a painting will go because it is very subliminal. I forget everything and it is certainly not planned. I start with a vague idea of the composition and then as I pour the paint on a
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to help east meet west. It wasn’t very practical to introduce opera to the western world so the restaurant was a very user-friendly medium. I decided to make it like an embassy of culture, as well as a restaurant. That was my main motivation. I felt that the more I explained about China, the more understanding there would be and the less racism.
INSIDERS Michael Chow
blank page the painting tells me what to do. I just help the painting along its twists and turns. The idea is to build a symphony until you think you can’t build any more and then keep on going. I do prefer to work at very big scales. Half sculpture, half painting. It’s very physical, it’s good exercise for me – that’s the real reason I do it. Just kidding! You’ve dedicated this exhibition to your father Zhou Xinfang. Has he always been your inspiration? He has always been very important in everything that I do. He was a grandmaster of Beijing Opera and very famous, a giant among artists, I associate him with Beethoven and Goya - he’s one of the greats. He and my mother suffered a great deal in the Cultural Revolution. I had only a short time with my father before I was sent away to boarding school but I always wanted to be a great artist like him. It’s all about my father. He was so famous and everyone made such a fuss of him. I wanted to be like that. China is celebrating my father’s 120th birthday in January. The exhibition I’m having at the Ullens Centre is happening at the same time. Do you feel you’ve gotten closer to your father through your artwork? 100%. The essence of my painting internally is from my father. My father suffered so much in the Cultural Revolution – everyone suffered. I read about it and it’s so dark, so brutal. But with art, it becomes about transition and the whole thing becomes beautiful. Art transcends and purifies and heals. Culture does great things. Your collection of portraits will also be on display. What are some of your favourite artworks in your collection? Peter Blake [the English pop artist] sowed the seed of my collection. In turn, I was very lucky to have all these great friends do my portrait. It might have been that none of them turned out to be famous – but as it happened, all of them became huge hits. I am very fortunate to have the collection. Portrait was out of fashion when I started collecting. Andy Warhol started the trend, and me in a more modest way. What is your attitude towards getting older? Some might say you are still very busy for a 75-year-old. It’s inevitable! But really it leads to a cocktail of different thoughts. There is a physical side of course – you need a lot of luck to be healthy. And then time has a different meaning to younger people. I don’t have time to waste when I paint. I can’t spend five years making sure things
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are correct, the time factor is always there. It’s a good thing by the way, I’m not complaining; I’ve achieved a huge amount in two years. All this energy is coming to me. One is much quicker and wiser. My skill has become better. I’m trying to paint beyond death. I have responsibilities to myself and others to do that. In short, every moment is precious. Humour is very important, too. Humour can even be there in a painting. If you take things too seriously, you dry out; you’re not nourished by water. You did an exhibition at the Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong earlier this year. What do you make of the city, artistically and culturally? Hong Kong has a responsibility and an opportunity to lead in some ways – because it’s the f irst stop connecting China to the west. Hong Kong f inancially is very strong and artistically they seem to be doing a lot. The Basel fair is a great thing. The collectors are getting more and more sophisticated. China is going through a transition, too – in some ways they are advanced, in some ways they are not there yet. The Chinese play an important role now in investment in art. Hong Kong is the bridge – and we need to nourish it. Where do you eat when you’re in Hong Kong, given that you don’t have a Mr Chow’s here? When I go to Hong Kong everything tastes good! If I had to live there for six months, I might be more discerning but when I go there I am like a tourist! What is next for you? There will be something. Painting is at the forefront. I have little time to do it as I’m very old so I’m taking it very seriously. But it’s coming on very nicely. R
VOICE FOR MY FATHER Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art, Beijing 24 January - 22 March 2015 Voice for My Father features three bodies of work presented in parallel across UCCA’s exhibition spaces including a series of new paintings by Mr Chow: the artist’s renowned portrait collection including works by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Urs Fischer; and archival images and documents of Chow’s father Zhou Xinfang (1895-1975), one of the most famous Beijing Opera masters of the 20th century.
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F NE W NES Hong Kong’s relatively recent love affair with wine continues. The Reserve caught up with some of the industry’s biggest players to find out more.
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Mark Holguin Managing director, Asia - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Do you remember the first time you drank wine? Actually the first time I tried wine was as a child, drinking wine out of the cupboard at a friend’s house! I recall it was Manischewitz wine… not something to brag about. My first love for wine came while I was living in San Francisco and began drinking heavily-oaked Chardonnays from Napa Valley. They became a favourite of mine back in the late 90s. How often do you drink wine? At least two glasses daily, and a bottle while entertaining. New World or Old World? I have switched my preference to Old World wines, but some of the wines coming out of South Africa are beginning to catch my attention. I have recently become a fan of the surfer/winemaker Eben Sadie. Which wine region do you find yourself most drawn to? Currently I am all about Burgundy for the complexity and mineral content of the wines, and it retains my first love of Chardonnay, but in a much more interesting way. I also like the fact these wines are made by winemakers who are actually farming the grapes themselves and know their terroir intimately. Any up-and-coming regions we might not be aware of? Italy is definitely getting more and more attention, hence one of the reasons why Berry Bros. & Rudd hosted one of its biggest ever Italian tastings in Hong Kong in late November.
What do you think is the most versatile wine? Pinot Noir. It has a lighter style compared to the reds, and can pair very well with a variety of foods. Which wine do you think is underrated? Sherry. They develop such great and complex flavours, and yet they are very fairly priced. And the most overrated? Bordeaux. There are definitely a lot of good wines from Bordeaux, but when you search through other regions there are hidden gems that are just as great at a fraction of the price. This is where Berry Bros. & Rudd, as a wine merchant, steps in and finds our customers those alternatives. What wines do you think make a good long-term investment? The Grand Crus of Burgundy. The demand is rising as we speak. Favourite food and wine combination? Japanese sushi with Puligny-Montrachet. If I could only drink one wine for the rest of my life... This is a very tough decision, as there are so many wines I appreciate and so many more I wish to try. If I really had to pick one, I would say 1999 Echézeaux Domaine Jean Grivot, I had it in the cellars of Jean Grivot and it tasted incredible. Tell us a surprising fact about wine. Never judge a wine by its label. Best cure for a hangover… An ice cold Bloody Mary!
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Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s original wine and spirit merchant with a 15-year presence in Asia.
INSIDERS Fine Wines
Vincent Feron Head sommelier - Winebeast sensitive to the Rhône Valley wines, especially the northern part. Any up-and-coming regions we might not be aware of? The Languedoc-Roussillon is an up-and-coming region of France. A lot of grape varieties were planted there, and the yields are quite high. A new generation of growers and wine makers have arrived and have converted their vine to organic farming.They’ve selected the grapes according to their soils, they’ve reduced the yields and improved the techniques for making and ageing the wines. What do you think is the most versatile wine? Pinot Noir from Burgundy is the easiest to pair with food, due to its medium body and fine tannins. Which wine do you think is the most overrated? I think the wines from Bordeaux have become a little overrated. A lot of people are writing about them and that has increased their popularity.
Winebeast is one of Hong Kong’s best wine destinations offering a curated selection of authentic French and Spanish wines with personalised sommelier services. When did your interest in wine begin? I was 18. I’d arranged to go to dinner with some friends and asked my father to choose a bottle for me to bring along. When we tried it, I remember we all really enjoyed it and that was the moment I realised that this was something of real interest to me. I even helped set up a wine tasting club which took place every Thursday evening at my university and we would invite winemakers and sommeliers to join. How often do you drink wine? Around once or twice a week. I’m not a heavy drinker and I’ve always preferred drinking a little of a range of good wines rather than a lot of average ones. New World or Old World? I personally drink Old World wines because we have 670 different references at the shop, and as I’ve selected them, I like them all! Which wine region do you find yourself most drawn to? My roots are in Burgundy. In my opinion Pinot Noir is one of the greatest grape varieties in the world, expressing its terroirs and getting a lot of complexity while ageing. But I also really like Shiraz and Viognier, that’s why I’m very
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What wines do you think make a good long-term investment? The major investment for wine is the pleasure you’ll have tasting it. Having said that, en primeur 1er Grand Cru classé are always a good long-term investment, as their value won’t drop too much. If I could only drink one wine for the rest of my life... I would choose a wine that’s able to last and change over time so that I would feel like I was drinking something different each time. I really like the Shiraz from the north of the Rhône Valley especially those produced in Côte-Rotie. So I would choose an AOC Côte-Rôtie 2010 Domaine Jasmin. Best cure for a hangover… Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. So a small glass of wine can help recover a hangover. A hangover is an uncomfortable feeling from your body missing the good feeling of alcohol!
David Ko Angel investor and digital marketer - The Daylight Partnership travelling there with my partner over Christmas to try a few vineyards near Capetown. I try to be adventurous and it pays off occasionally. I tasted a Suvla from Turkey recently that was somewhat promising. Slovenia is another region I’ve heard great things about. What do you think is the most versatile wine? Rosé, without a doubt. Gastronomique-style rosé designed for food-pairing is a joy with most Asian cuisines that can hold its own through several courses. Yet on a hot summer day there’s nothing like a wellchilled Californian blush to cool you down. Which wine do you think is underrated? I’m surprised that Asia still hasn’t caught up with the rest of the world when it comes to rosé. There’s a lot of uninformed snobbery leading to the ‘Bordeaux red or nothing’ attitude that is off-putting. As tastes grow more sophisticated we will see this change.
Where did your interest in wine begin? When I was 18 we took wine appreciation classes in Hospitality School and I was hooked after Mrs. Kilgour guided my first tasting of Bordeaux wines. My first glass was a Pauillac. I have not looked back since. How often do you drink wine? With every meal if I have company. I don’t drink alone so I can’t be accused of being an alcoholic! New World or Old World? Frankly I don’t think in those terms anymore.Thinking that New World wines are full-on and fruity while Old World wines are reserved and need ageing just doesn’t apply anymore. Which wine region do you find yourself most drawn to? There are mixed reviews about China, some condescending, but mostly optimistic. I recently tasted a Silver Heights Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that I really liked. LVMH is making a version of Champagne in China so something right must be happening. Any up-and-coming regions we might not be aware of? Lately I’ve been drawn to South African wines, so I’m
And the most overrated? Beaujolais Nouveau. Is this fad dead yet? Which wines do you think make a good long-term investment? Buying wine to age and resell just feels wrong to me. I am prepared to drink every bottle I buy. Favourite food and wine combination? Reblochon with a big Cabernet Sauvignon. If I could only drink one wine for the rest of my life… Castello Banf i Brunello di Montalcino holds a special place in my heart. My most cherished memories of wines are all about where, when and with whom I drank them. But practically? Dry rosé because of its versatility and quality. Tell us a surprising fact about wine. Rosé sales are exploding all over the world, with Asia catching up. Best cure for a hangover… Advil and lots of water.
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David is a veteran of Asia’s marketing industry and currently runs his own digital marketing firm. He is also an investor in Michèle Wines, a private-label winemaker based in Aix-en-Provence and Hong Kong.
INSIDERS Fine Wines
Stephen Williams Founder and CEO - Antique Wine Company What is it that makes wine such a good ‘antique of the future’? Wines age well for so many different reasons. Science tells us that the levels of acidity, tannins, alcohol and sugar all contribute to the ageing process, but these rules are very general. Soil type, the age of the vines, how it is stored and even the size of the bottle in which the wine is stored all contribute to its ageing. With really great wines, as the years pass by, the secondary and tertiary flavours gracefully develop to yield a complexity that you rarely find early in the wine’s lifetime. Most importantly, it is this unusual complexity that provides intellectual engagement as well as enjoyment. Do you prefer New World or Old World wine? Today I don’t see a lot of differentiation in quality between the two. I do think, however, that traditions are more preserved in the Old World, both by regulation and culture. This has maintained the unique properties of the greatest wines in the world. I enjoy both New World and Old World wines, as long as they are top quality and distinctive.
Antique Wine Company (AWC) is a luxury wine and spirits company specialising in contemporary vintages which are capable of becoming the antiques of the future. Irrespective of age, the company only trades in exceptional fine wine. Where did your interest in wine begin? It was sparked following a visit to the Rhine Valley in Germany and on subsequent holidays to vineyards in Spain, France and Italy. I used to bring wine back for friends and colleagues and as my knowledge grew I started hosting wine tastings. The idea for AWC came about after I started to find old vintages of Bordeaux Grand Crus of great interest. How often do you drink wine? I normally only drink wine when I eat, but I tend to eat quite frequently! Very rarely does a day pass by when I don’t enjoy wine.
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Is there a wine you can recommend as a good long-term investment? By far the majority of AWC’s clients are wine enthusiasts, people whose primary motive for buying wine is to enjoy the process of accumulating it, maturing it and drinking it. In all probability its value will increase over time, making it feasible to sell off a proportion of stock from time to time to fund the purchase of a new vintage or extend the range in the cellar. I’ve never seen pleasure in day trading fine wine and in normal market circumstances I don’t think that it’s financially viable as a purely speculative commodity. The wines which rise in value are those with longstanding international appeal – that means Grand Cru Bordeaux and Grand Cru Burgundy, perhaps also a handful of Italian wines. What has been your greatest discovery? In the early 90s over lunch with a winemaker at the restaurant Savoie in the village of Margaux, I discovered a bottle of Chateau Margaux 1900 on their wine list. The bottle approaching a hundred years old seemed very modestly priced in comparison to where its value was heading on the international market. I told the waiter I wanted to buy it, he took my credit card, and then returned with the bottle… but also a corkscrew! What I’d intended to be a shrewd inventory investment almost turned into an expensive lunch mistake. Best cure for a hangover? I don’t know because I don’t think I’ve ever had one!
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Material World
Matt Reid Owner - Maximal Concepts Maximal Concepts is a Hong Kong-based restaurant and lifestyle group with numerous award-wining venues including Mott 32, Blue Butcher, Fish & Meat, Stockton and Brickhouse. Do you remember the first time you drank wine? My father is extremely passionate about wine and he shared that with me from a very young age. He always impressed on me the patience and virtues that made a fine wine. How often do you drink wine? We do find ourselves tasting wine very often on a weekly basis. New World or Old World? I grew up with quite a lot of Francophile influences and so err to the Old World, but increasingly I have many favourites that come from the New. Which wine region do you find yourself most drawn to? Burgundy is the region that offers the greatest challenge and reward. There are so many nuances and variety with undoubtedly some of the world’s finest wines.
What do you think is the most versatile wine? Rosé is a wine that is much loved in Europe but rather overseen in Hong Kong. I think it has a lot to offer particularly because of its versatility. Whether snacking on bread and olives or enjoying a hearty leg of lamb, a good rosé will stand you in good stead. What wine do you think is underrated? Alsace white wines are often overlooked for a variety of reasons such as the bottle shape and design which is akin to some German wines. However, many are surprisingly flavourful, fruity and not overly sweet as often perceived. They can also be very good value. And the most overrated? I think that Albariño is rather overrated. Despite being one of Spain’s most popular I find the grape rarely makes world-class wines. It’s very one-dimensional and actually pretty expensive when sat side by side with other aromatic dry whites.
Which wines do you think make a good long-term investment? I think with increased impact of global warming, we will continue to see a trend of declining or nonperforming vintages of Pinot Noir in Burgundy. Inevitably as these become harder to produce, their value will increase significantly. Favourite food and wine combination? A bottle of 1984 Henschke Hill of Grace and Mayura Farm M9 Wagyu sirloin steak charred medium is a combination very close to my heart. If I could only drink one wine for the rest of my life... I would ask what I did wrong to be given such a fate. Tell us a surprising fact about wine. It has been proven (by an Italian of course) that women who have two glasses of wine daily enjoy an improved sex life compared to women who don’t drink wine at all. Best cure for a hangover… A glass of cold Bandol rosé in the sun at our new restaurant Limewood, which is on the beach in Repulse Bay. R
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Any up-and-coming regions we might not be aware of? I have grown a huge love for Italian wines since opening Fish & Meat. Not an unknown region by any means but still one with much distrust and so much complexity it’s often overlooked outside of its core grapes and known varietals.
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Eyes Wide Open
EYES WIDE OPEN An insight into the 2015 Prudential Eye Awards which honour the accomplishments of emerging Asian artists WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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stablished in 2008 by David and Serenella Ciclitira and the Saatchi Gallery, the Global Eye Programme is a pioneering initiative that was conceived to help nurture artistic talent. Ahead of the programme’s 2nd Prudential Eye Awards, taking place from 17 January to 5 February at Suntec City in Singapore, The Reserve caught up with Niru Ratnam, the director of the programme and an art expert with over 20 years in the field.
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Tell us about your experience of being director and judge of this year’s Prudential Eye Awards. It’s been a really exciting process watching the nominations come in from across greater Asia – we had over 500 artists nominated and now we’re down to the final 18. I’ve been lucky to come into a project where I can build on the success of the inaugural awards, which featured work from Hong Kong’s Almond Chu (see page 83) and that really started the ball rolling.
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What do you think the awards bring to contemporary Asian art? A bit of glitz and glamour! The art world can take itself very seriously at times but it’s good to remember that artists need to be celebrated in the same way that filmmakers and novelists are. I think the artists appreciate the fact that it is a high publicity event that shines a spotlight on what they’ve been working away on in their studios. How can one comprehend a contemporary art scene that is spread across so many Asian countries? What’s important is that there are a series of hubs emerging like Hong Kong and Singapore that are acting to pull into focus some fantastic work being made from Indonesia through to Bangladesh and beyond. These hubs are crucial in the way that New York, Berlin and London were for establishing western modern art. The galleries and institutions in places like Hong Kong and Singapore are acting as conduits for a wide range of art that we label contemporary Asian art.
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If you were looking to build a collection of Asian contemporary art, where would you start? There are different ways – some collectors like to choose by medium, say photography and look for photographic work from different parts of Asia, others look more for an investment and will follow auction results and the progression of artists’ careers from a market perspective. I always recommend a very obvious piece of advice – to collect what you would like to see on your wall. Then if it makes you a financial return, that is great as well! As a judge of the Prudential Eye Awards, what do look for in a winner? What we’re looking for is a strong body of existing work that is coherent and whole but also shows signs that the artist is really making progress with their oeuvre to the point where an international reputation is the next step. We want our winning artists to show the potential to exhibit at major museums around the world – and indeed the overall winner gets a solo exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London as well as the cash prize. R
HOME TURF Hong Kong’s Almond Chu was shortlisted for the awards last year. Tell us about your experience of being selected as a nominee for the Prudential Eye Awards. It was a surprise. I was one of only two artists selected from Hong Kong, and the only photographer.We stayed in Singapore for the award presentation ceremony and had the chance to meet other nominees, galleries and associations. I felt like I was attending the Oscars! What do you feel is your role as an artist in wider society? I want people to question something through the message of my artwork. For example, the value of life. I raise questions with my photography and I hope people will find out the answers. Would you say there is a theme that runs throughout all of your work? The value of human existence. What genre of art do you most identify with and why? Photography. I painted in oils when I was young, but I lost confidence and turned to photography. I feel this medium is easier for me to express myself. What has been the most memorable response to your work? In 1993, I was granted a fellowship by the Asian Cultural Council. It was the turning point of my career. Is there anything you dislike about the art world? The art market. What are you working on right now? A new series about trees.
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FINE FOR M
The Reserve caught up with French artist Bernar Venet in Cognac as he unveiled his new decanter designed for Martell WORDS BY DAVID RUSSELL
crystal decanter. In the artist’s words, “I was inspired by the date 1715, as it was the year that Louis XIV died and this great cognac house was born. In the past I have created a sculpture around a statue of Louis XIV, and I wanted a sense of continuity with my work. The arches in the work symbolise this continuity, and a sense of time. The three arc clusters represent the three centuries that we are celebrating. There are so many parallels between Versailles, the birthplace of Art De Vivre, and Martell and with what I do.” According to the artist, the Palace of Versailles presented an ideal backdrop for his sculptures and gave him an opportunity to capture his conception of space. “I found Versailles fascinating even before they started organising contemporary art exhibitions. I made my own photomontages, overlaying my sculptures and the Château de Versailles backdrops. I kept that project secret, along with several other ‘perfect views’ for my work. Versailles, as I see it, is all about wide open spaces and perspectives that stretch as far as the eye can see.” Known for creating abstract pieces that make
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idely regarded as one of France’s most prolific artists, Bernar Venet began exhibiting his work in 1965. Today, almost five decades on, he shows no sign of slowing down with an impressive collection of shows and exhibitions this year alone in Korea, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the US. In July, the conceptual artist launched the Venet Foundation, an exhibition space and sculpture park set within four hectares at Venet’s French estate otherwise known as Le Muy. Even more recently he was in Cognac (where The Reserve spoke with him) to unveil a crystal decanter that he was commissioned to make for Martell Premier Voyage, the cognac house’s 300th anniversary blend. Reminiscent of Venet’s 2011 sculptures presented in the gardens and the Marly Estate at the Palace of Versailles, the design of Martell Premier Voyage’s presentation comprises metal arcs that are divided into three clusters that shelter the teardrop-shaped Sèvres
INSIDERS Fine Form
reference to the language of mathematics and science, Venet translates his passion for mathematical equations and scientific theories into three-dimensional form. One such representation of this expression was his 2012 collaboration with Bugatti when he was invited to create a work of art that combined the artist’s vision and passions with the carmaker’s Grand Sport model. The result was an application of mathematical formulae calculating the power of the Bugatti engine on the car itself, integrating the symbols of speed and performance both inside and out. Commenting on the Bugatti collaboration, Venet remarks, “A Bugatti is already a work of art in itself, one that transports both its beholder and its driver into new dimensions of reality. I realised how I could translate my passion for mathematical equations and scientific treatises into three-dimensional form. My works are
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usually self-referential. So I found the idea of translating the equations of the Bugatti engineers onto the bodywork of the car very appealing. It was, so to speak, a logical conclusion and a new challenge in terms of the specific form of collaboration and implementation. To me, the result is also exceptional when measured by artistic standards and bestows the object with a mythical character.” Bernar Venet is represented in many important public and private collections all over the world, including The Museum of Modern Art (New York), The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Centre Pompidou (Paris), and the Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles). In recent years, important retrospectives of the artist’s work have been mounted in Germany, Hungary, France, Spain and South Korea. In Hong Kong,Venet is represented by de Sarthe Gallery, located on the 8th floor of the Club Lusitano building in Central. R
“There are so many parallels between Versailles, the birthplace of Art De Vivre, and Martell and with what I do”
AWARDS & ACCOLADES 1988 - Design Award for sculpture 1989 - Grand Prix des Arts de la Ville de Paris 1996 - Awarded the “Commandeur dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by the Minister of Culture in Paris
2005 - Venet is named “Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur”, France’s highest decoration 2006 - Robert Jacobsen prize for sculpture from the Würth Stiftung in Germany 2013 - Julio González International Prize at the IVAM, Valencia
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The Making of a Continent
The Making of a Continent A design studio renowned for creating beautiful settings for the world’s jetset expands into Asia WORDS BY CATHERINE SHAW
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he award-winning David Collins Studio (DCS) specialises in luxury interior design for restaurants, hotels, retail stores and private residences. Founded by the inimitable David Collins in 1985 (who passed away in 2013 after a short illness), the studio of architects and designers is best known for its glamorous interiors reflecting a rich palette of colours, luxe materials and decorative design detail. With an impressive portfolio including The Wolseley, Nobu, and The Blue Bar at The Berkeley along with chic boutiques for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo and Kent & Curwen, the studio’s design team now has its eye firmly focused on Asia with a wave of new projects from Thailand to Hong Kong and Australia. The Reserve spoke to creative director Simon Rawlings about the studio’s newest projects in the region.
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As your portfolio grows in Asia, how does the studio evolve its European aesthetic to reflect the region’s different cultural contexts? Our style is first and foremost about making a space work, making the user feel comfortable, at ease and elegant. We work very hard to understand a local culture, the style ability of the manufacturers and core artisan skills so that from the outset the creation of the design embraces each of these. Asia is a very diverse territory – each region has specific cultural styles, cuisines, available materials, distinctive crafts, and talented artisans. We love to seek out these idiosyncrasies to inspire and inform our projects. I always urge our design teams to fully immerse themselves into the local culture, listening to the local sounds from music to nature, sampling the local delicacies and meeting with local artisans to really develop a full view and understanding of the market that they are working in.
Alexander McQueen Tokyo flagship
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The Making of a Continent
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Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok
The Continental
What was the studio’s first Asian project? It was in Japan around 20 years ago, working with Vivienne Westwood and the Anglomania brand. We created five stores in five months and Vivienne’s brief was for them be like treasure boxes so that the experience of opening the stores would be like opening a casket of jewels. We introduced shot-blasted timber floors lined with gold and steamer-inspired caskets lined with gold leaf so the space really shone. The quality of every element, even the control samples, was immaculate; it was an incredible experience.
What has your experience been like working on your newest projects in Thailand? We have just completed our second model apartment for the Ritz Carlton Residences at Ole Scheeren’s mixed use MahaNakhon. The tower itself – which is the city’s tallest building – is still under construction but has proved very challenging as its sculptural form means it is constantly changing. The interiors we’ve created are really unique for the Bangkok residential market as the apartments have been approached like a traditional European home, rather than an apartment in a tower. Entrance halls, wellproportioned rooms, beautiful finishes and great ceiling heights all add to this feeling. We wanted to create a home in the sky and it has been a huge success. We also recently completed the interiors for a Vogue Lounge in the same development. It is such a glamorous project. We took the colours of black, white and gold throughout the space, including the bathrooms which are a real talking point with walls clad in gold linen with framed images from archived Vogue shoots, along with Thai black and white horizontal prismatic tiles. The effect is somehow nostalgic, very Thai and uniquely Vogue Lounge. We are also working on a clubhouse in the Kengo Kumadesigned MahaSamutr resort on a lagoon in Hua Hin but I can’t reveal any details just yet.
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How would you describe your studio’s working style? It’s very collaborative, both within our studio and with our client teams, partners and project architects. We generally conceptualise the direction each project should take based on extensive immersion within the location, project type and style – and then work closely with our senior design teams to create, invent, curate and perfect our designs, always checking and tweaking along the way. One reason our work looks the way it does is because we design by hand. If you are generating designs you have to sketch to deliver the design in a visual way. With a blank screen you are only as good as your computer skills. You lose a sense of scale and perspective.
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The team at David Collins Studio
You also worked with Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton on a new boutique in Tokyo. What was unique about this project? The new flagship boutique in the Aoyama district in Tokyo opened in June and we are currently working on a further two stores in Chengdu and Harbour City, Hong Kong, planned for the end of the year. Tokyo was a fascinating project. With every flagship location we try to make the store site-specific and there we created a unique façade that is a simple polished marble during the day but at night an engraved pattern behind the marble glows in a subtle way. The interiors are architecturally very simple with McQueen’s trademark wings reinterpreted as a sculpture to form the whole of the back wall. Your latest project in Hong Kong, The Continental, stands out for its masterful interior lighting. How was it conceived? Lighting is signature in all of our projects. It is a means to create and manage the mood of a space – the architectural light sets the scene, the decorative light adds detail, drama, and sometimes a design contradiction to a space. We had to carefully curate the interior by working with the exterior view and landscaping of Pacific Place so we created pendant lighting to capitalise on the daylight during breakfast and lunch sittings and adopt a whole new mood for the evening. The end result is a truly unique space at different times of the day, with the feeling of intimacy coming to the forefront at night. R
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“Asia is a diverse territory – each region has specific cultural styles, available materials, distinctive crafts, and talented artisans”
FLOAT LIKE AN ASTRONAUT Be among the first in Asia to experience a zero gravity sensation
From January 2016, S3 will offer zero gravity (ZeroG) parabolic flights throughout Asia, giving you the chance to freely float like an astronaut and live out the ultimate experience of weightlessness. Selected passengers will receive a personalized S3 ZeroG timepiece from Breitling, available exclusively through this unique journey. The only way to get the S3 limited edition watch is to book a flight, so come fly with us! Register online at: zerog.s-3.ch
IN THE UNSPOILT SOUTH OF MAURITIUS, DISCOVER 36 ACRES OF ELEGANT ESCAPISM. A RESORT DEVOTED TO PLEASURE.
Inspiration HOW TO SPEND IT
Patek Philippe releases a new collection to commemorate a very special anniversary Time to Celebrate, p. 110
Reserve Me We’ve tried them – so should you. Where to eat, drink, stay and spa.
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GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE, YANGON
Belmond’s luxurious mansion in Yangon’s leafy embassy quarter features 46 lovingly restored rooms and suites all with teakwood furniture, hardwood floors and classic colonial comforts. Cool down with an evening drink at the Kipling Bar overlooking the pool and gardens before heading to the hotel’s Mandalay Restaurant for a typically Burmese dinner. belmond.com
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< ORIENTAL RESIDENCE, BANGKOK The Oriental Residence Bangkok is situated right in the heart of Thailand’s bustling capital near to some of the city’s best shopping malls. Featuring award-winning service and 145 stylish luxury suites with décor reminiscent of a Manhattan apartment you may have to resist the urge to move in permanently... or not. Thankfully the hotel also has 46 private residential units available for purchase. oriental-residence.com
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VICEROY, ANGUILLA
Grab seven of your closest friends and head to the Viceroy Anguilla on their new HK$1.5 million VICE package. Guests will be flown by private jet from New York to the Caribbean island where they will sleep in a Kelly Wearstler-designed beachfront villa, dine oceanfront at Cobà and enjoy mojitos at the Half Shell bar. A private golf cart is also available for use on the links at a Greg Norman signature-design golf course. viceroyhotelsandresorts.com THE
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INSPIRATION Reserve Me
< GAUCHO, HONG KONG It’s been a firm favourite among London’s city slickers for a while so it was only a matter of time before the concept came to Hong Kong. With a selection of Latin-inspired cocktails and fine wines, the restaurant serves up prime cuts of free-range Argentine Angus beef from choice grass-fed cattle. Don’t know your ribeye from your rump? Gaucho’s waiters approach guests at the table with a daily beef board to explain the characteristics of each cut and give advice on how they should be cooked. gauchorestaurants.com.hk
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BREAD STREET KITCHEN & BAR, > HONG KONG Competition is rife in Hong Kong, especially on the hectic restaurant scene. No sooner did Jamie Oliver open his signature restaurant in Causeway Bay, then foul-mouthed celebrity chef and serial restaurateur Gordon Ramsay collaborated with Dining Concepts to open his award-winning London concept, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, in Central. On the menu is classic British fare created with quality ingredients from across the globe. Start with seared scallops with pea purĂŠe and treacle bacon or the silky smooth pumpkin soup before moving on to a hearty shepherds pie or the grilled cote de boeuf for two. If you can fit anything else in there is a tempting selection of British puds to choose from, all with a fun and novel twist. gordonramsay.com/hk/bsk THE
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INSPIRATION Reserve Me
< MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BODRUM Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula has long attracted the world’s jet set. The arrival of a new Mandarin Oriental promises more of the same, particularly new guests from Hong Kong and China who already know and love the brand. Regulars will be pleased to hear that the Mandarin’s trademarks are all there; from the pristine Cake Shop, to the 3-storey spa and the Michelinstarred restaurants, all overlooking the Aegean Sea on the aptly named Paradise Bay, dotted with superyachts. Those who fall in love at first sight should consider snapping up one of the on-site villas, so they never have to leave. mandarinoriental.com
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INSPIRATION Reserve Me
HOTEL MONTALEMBERT, PARIS > Built in 1926, Hotel Montalembert was the first boutique hotel in Paris. This 5-star gem is located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the city’s Left Bank, just steps from Orsay and Louvre museums. The warm and cosy guest rooms feature innovative bronze lights cast by Eric Schmitt illuminating Jean-Pierre Godeaut’s photographs and Giuseppe Castiglione’s engravings. On the 8th floor, the mansards bring a typical Parisian touch to the junior suites and suites overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Staff are courteous and accommodating, making this hotel a favourite in Paris. hotel-montalembert.fr
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INSPIRATION The Gift of Cognac
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THE GIFT OF
COGNAC The oldest of the great cognac houses commemorates its 300th anniversary with a distinctive new blend WORDS BY DAVID RUSSELL
In an interview with cellar master Benoît Fil, the Martell Premier Voyage creator described the new blend as “a reflection of the journey and history of Jean Martell”. Thanks to the company’s unprecedented archives on display at Founder’s House – a museum open to visitors of the Martell distillery – the company was able to piece together a map of the founder’s key suppliers from 1735 to 1742. Fil then retraced Martell’s steps by visiting the descendants of the winegrowers who create the best quality eaux-de-vie. After what Fil described as a meticulous process of selecting ingredients and determining the optimal proportions, the tercentennial anniversary blend was born. Fil added, “Martell Premier Voyage combines the vision of Jean Martell with the best of the Cognac region to create something uniquely special that we can enjoy today. This new blend truly captures three centuries of Martell turning cognac into art.” The unveiling in September heralded the start of a yearlong anniversary programme that will culminate in the launch of an immersive exhibition at the Palace of Versailles in 2015.
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artell & Co., the oldest of the great cognac houses, has spent three centuries challenging the boundaries of its own expertise, and their latest creation – the limited edition Martell Premier Voyage – has pushed those boundaries to a whole new level. In September The Reserve travelled to Cognac, France for the unveiling of Martell Premier Voyage at Château de Chanteloup. Limited to only 300 individually numbered bottles worldwide and produced to order, Martell Premier Voyage is a fitting representation of the company’s 300year history. Encased in a simple and elegant teardrop-shaped Sèvres crystal decanter designed exclusively by French artist, Bernar Venet (see page 84 for our interview with Venet), the anniversary blend contains a selection of 18 eaux-de-vie from the cellars of Jean Martell, some dating back to as early as 1830. Symbolically for the anniversary, the cuvée was then aged in barrels made from the wood of 300 year-old oak trees.
INSPIRATION The Gift of Cognac
Martell and the Palace of Versailles Martell has enjoyed a longstanding connection with Versailles, home to generations of French nobility, because the Palace embodies the exquisite perfection that artists and master craftsmen can achieve, and because Versailles has played a leading role in promoting French culture and art around the world. From its very beginnings in 1715 – the same year as the reign of Louis XIV ended – the House of Martell became a supplier to some of the world’s leading figures. Martell cognacs were served at the tables of the Duke of Orleans in France, the Emperor of Austria, the tsars of Russia, the kings of England and Napoleon I. For Martell, the Palace of Versailles represents a passion for beauty, a quest for perfection and a vision of luxury and the finest gastronomy. It is in this spirit that Martell decided to support the restoration to its former splendour of the famous Queen’s Antechamber at Versailles, where the sumptuous daily ritual of the king’s ceremonial dinner was performed. In a private tour of the Palace of Versailles hosted by Martell, The Reserve learnt that The Queen’s Antechamber was where these remarkable developments took place. It was here that the great tradition of French cuisine was born. By supporting its restoration, Martell has demonstrated its passion for this prestigious heritage: gastronomy, and harmonious pairings between dishes, wines and spirits.
Cognac from Cognac Upon arriving in Cognac with our Martell hosts, the scenery gradually transformed into neat rows of vines stretching as far as the eye can see. It wasn’t hard to tell we were in a land steeped in heritage and pride. Situated on the river Charente approximately 400 km southwest of Paris, the town of Cognac is renowned
globally for the unique type of brandy that bears its name. In order to enjoy the distinction of being labelled cognac, the spirit must be made in specific areas around the town and it must follow strictly defined regulations and traditions of production and quality control. The longer a cognac matures in the barrel the smoother it will generally become, and once it is bottled no further development takes place. All of the cognac consumed around the world comes from this small area in France covering around 185,000 acres – and nowhere else. Jean Martell founded the Martell House in 1715, and within six years of operation the company was already exporting over 200,000 litres of cognac to the UK. It was in 1868, approximately 150 years after the company’s founding, that the brand launched distribution to China, Japan and Hong Kong. During a private distillery tour, the Martell team explained that their cognac differs from other brands primarily due to the development of its own unique double-distillation method. The successive distillation processes are carried out in stills or tanks that have been designed to extract the clear wines only to achieve a more elegant eaux-de-vie. The experts further explained that Martell grapes come from the Charente region’s four main growing areas: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois. The eaux-de-vie are then aged in oak casks in the cellars. Martell uses only carved fine-grain ‘Tronçais’ oak wood barrels in order to release subtle woody aromas from the soft, delicate tannins. The choice of wood helps to create the signature style of Martell cognacs. Martell produces approximately 1.5 million 9-litre cases of cognac per year and its cellars inventory a stock of over 200,000 casks of maturing eaux-de-vie. R Of the 300 bottles of Martell Premier Voyage to be available worldwide, only 12 have been allocated for purchase in Hong Kong.To secure your own personal bottle of this distinctive new blend (HK$110,000), please contact chris.yeung@pernod-ricard.com.
TASTING NOTES – Martell Premier Voyage The tasting of a cognac includes a combination of the colour, the nose, the palatte (in the mouth) and the after taste, or finish. Martell Premier Voyage displays a coppery, pale amber colour with gleaming highlights. The first nose offers very sweet notes of candied fruit, honey and spice bread. On swirling, the blend displays subtle notes of rancio combined with other notes that remain sweet but evoke dried fruit such as apricots and raisins. After the initial impression that is both full and delicate, retaining the aromas and fragrances referred to above, Martell Premier Voyage reveals a delicate touch of blackcurrant, a delightful addition to this very rich and elegant aromatic palette, which concludes with a remarkable finish. What characterises Martell Premier Voyage, both on the nose and in the mouth is its elegance: its delicate quality and its wonderful aromatic richness.
Benoît Fil
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LOVE AND OBJECT Introducing a dazzling new destination for vintage and rare jewellery WORDS BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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magine having a best friend who travels the globe sourcing the rarest and most unusual pieces of jewellery for you, from the most exquisite vintage finds that date back to the 1900s to the most covetable collectables the fashion world has to offer. Courtesy of The Reserve, you’ve just met your new best friend! Constance Cummings is the founder of Love and Object, an online destination for all of the above. Growing up immersed THE
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in the family business of jewellery, fashion and objets d’art, it was inevitable that Constance would develop a deep love for objects that were both beautiful and individual. Via loveandobject.com, Constance has curated a collection to die for that includes unique jewellery, accessories and curiosities from the likes of Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld and YSL. With so many rare pieces on offer it’s time to get online before you miss your chance! Here are three of the site’s current champions.
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MEMBER BENEFIT For a limited period, members of The Reserve receive preferential rates on all purchases with Love and Object. To request your code or to arrange a private viewing of the collection, contact: member@thereserve-asia.com
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INSPIRATION Love and Object
GIVENCHY SHOW CHOKER Aristocrat Hubert de Givenchy’s first collection debuted in 1952 and quickly became synonymous with understated luxury and timeless fashion. His designs were innovative and fresh yet never overbearing, allowing for a woman’s personality and sense of style to shine through. This choker is the ultimate showstopper, destined to drop the jaws of many. Sourced from a private collection in New York, it is so ‘of the moment’ you would swear Olivier Rousteing from Balmain was directly inspired by this piece for his jewellery collections.
HK$15,320
LANVIN MOD NECKLACE Founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, the fashion house quickly became a veritable fashion empire and a formidable ambassador of French elegance. It is the oldest Parisian fashion house yet it has remained one of the most relevant in the industry. Formerly owned by an ex-Vogue editor in New York, this pendant necklace is an excellent example of timeless style, striking design and the highest quality craftsmanship, three qualities for which Lanvin is renowned. This pendant necklace is an iconic piece of jewellery from the French fashion house, with its instantly recognisable graphic design that spawned many copycat replicas. Here is the chance to own an original and authentic piece of iconic jewellery design.
HK$5,954
CELINE TRIOMPHE BRACELET Celine was established in 1945 and began selling ready-to-wear in 1969. The Celine design ethos has always remained polished, quintessentially French and utterly chic. Phoebe Philo, the creative director who brought Celine to the forefront of fashion once again described Celine as a brand for life, one with a Parisian mood of elegance, decadence and reminiscent of those saucy and steamy Belle de Jour women. This bracelet was sourced from a private collection in Paris, and whilst timeless in style it will be the go-to accessory this season. Charm bracelets will be everywhere but this queen will reign supreme.
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Partner and brand director in Asia for Love and Object Love and Object recently launched a showroom and private viewing service in Hong Kong to cater to the region’s fashion-savvy clientele. How did you get involved in Love and Object? My best friend and founder of Love and Object Constance Cummings, came up with the concept and told me she was looking for like-minded individuals to invest in the company. I have always had a love of fashion and when Constance approached me with the idea I fell in love with the concept and believed in the integrity of what she was trying to achieve. The idea of giving vintage jewels a fresh new life in the current world of fashion and making them relevant and sexy to today’s consumer excited me. We knew that the partnership would be very successful and started on the Love and Object journey together with both of our partners. Do you have a background in fashion and accessories? My love of fashion had me working at a young age for Trelise Cooper, a highly regarded and celebrated designer back in New Zealand. I am an avid collector of accessories and amassed a large part of my collection from my time spent living in Europe over the past few years. I have always had a love of high fashion and my guilty pleasure would have to be my rather excessive collection of shoes ranging from Jimmy Choo to Lanvin. What makes Love and Object different to other vintage jewellery retailers? We curate a seasonal collection of vintage jewels that are in keeping with the latest runway trends from around the world. Our jewellery is vintage but our brand is throughly modern, fresh and unique. Each piece is handpicked for the modern consumer and many are one-offs meaning that they are highly collectable and there is the added benefit that you almost certainly won’t find anyone else wearing the same piece. Describe the typical Love and Object consumer? A woman whose wardrobe you wish to raid. She is stylish, individual, well travelled but loves the ease of online shopping or private viewings because of her busy schedule. R To view the collection, visit: loveandobject.com
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INSPIRATION Time to Celebrate
Ref 5575G
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Patek Philippe releases a new collection to commemorate a very special anniversary
his watchmaker may usually keep a low profile but for anniversaries it has been known to pull out the stops with landmark collections. For its 175th anniversary, happily, things are no different. The collection of six new
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timepieces are certainly worth shouting about. For those left wanting for more, head to London next Spring (27 May - 7 June) where the Saatchi Gallery will host a 12day exhibition marking key moments in the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich history. Back to the heroes of the moment though â&#x20AC;&#x201C; here are three of our favourite pieces.
Grandmaster Chime The hugely complicated Grandmaster Chime is, in fact, the most complex watch ever made by Patek Philippe. Housed in an 18-karat gold case, it features 20 complications including a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, a second time zone, a leap-year cycle and esoteric chiming mechanisms known as grand and petite sonneries. Only six will be made.
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INSPIRATION Time to Celebrate
World Time Moon References This well-proportioned watch features a pleasingly dense dial design with a moon phase display at the centre alongside a multi-part dial for the world time function. The menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s version will feature a white gold case while the ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; model will feature a rose gold case and 70 brilliant-cut diamonds to boot. 1,750 pieces will be made.
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Multi-scale Chronograph Reference 5975
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A watch for the gadget hungry. This model features a pulsometer scale that allows a physician to measure a pulse in less than a minute. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a telemeter which is used to calculate distance between the speed of light and the speed of sound along with a tachymeter used for measuring speed over a known distance. The Reference 5975 will be available in rose gold, yellow gold and white gold, each limited to 400 pieces.
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DESIGN FOR LIFE Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa on the evolution of the Good Design Award INTERVIEW BY CATHERINE SHAW
commercially successful products but it didn’t take long before the perceptive designer began to notice that some designs stood out above the rest. “I realised I needed to add something to my designs; not just without any reason, not just for beauty,” he recalls. “It is difficult to explain. It is not a shape, design or style but is there when you think, ‘Oh! That is really nice!’”
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hen Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa launched his career in the early 1980s his earliest designs of printers and wristwatches for Seiko Epson were driven by a desire to create products of ‘complete beauty’. This resulted in
INSPIRATION Design for Life
Found MUJI features ‘found objects’ and creative exhibitions
Fukasawa went on to work abroad in the US where he began to develop his renowned ‘design without thought’ philosophy drawing on his observation of the subconscious interaction between people and products to create iconic designs. Amongst them are the best-selling wall-mounted CD player designed for MUJI in 1999 (acquired as part of MoMA’s permanent collection). The simple, refined square shape and curved corners of the player with builtin speakers was inspired by the motor-driven ventilation fan found in kitchens throughout Japan. It also came complete with a dangling cord that the designer had cleverly transformed into the product’s on/off switch. “The interactive nature of the device was the appeal,” he explains. “Your body already knows what is comfortable or friendly. Focusing on how the body interacts with the object is more natural and spontaneous.” Fukasawa returned to Japan in the mid 90s where he founded Naoto Fukasawa Design in 2003. Until recently his embrace of the abstract intangible elements of design THE
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was relatively unusual in Japanese society. This has begun to change, however, driven in large part by a growing awareness of the role design plays in improving quality of life beyond pure aesthetics. Fukasawa believes the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan has also been a significant influence, igniting interest in designs with the human experience at its core. Most notably, in late 2014, Japan’s highest rated design evaluation - the Good Design Award - added ‘a sense of comfort’ as a new key criterion against which the thousands of entries would be assessed. The annual awards, which were established in 1969, acknowledge a wide range of items from products and architecture to software and services with a highly coveted ‘G-Mark’ that is widely seen as a guarantee of design excellence. Fukasawa, who since 2010 has been chairman of the judging committee that selects the award-winning products, says there has been a discernible shift away from products like televisions and computers towards the ‘basic infrastructure that supports our existence’.
Fukasawa’s Plus Minus Zero clock
Fukasawa’s Hiroshima chair for Maruni
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INSPIRATION Design for Life
Fumie Shibata’s ‘soft’ thermometer
Fukasawa’s iconic watch for Plus Minus Zero
Denso Wave Inc’s industrial robot for sterile environments
Products featured in this year’s Good Design Award’s ‘Best 100’ that embody this feeling of ‘kokochi’ - or ‘sense of comfort’ include the Hong Kong Government’s Architectural Services Department’s design of a columbarium and crematorium at Wo Hop Shek. The building’s strikingly modern and dynamic architectural forms incorporating contemporary landscaped gardens significantly reduce conflict with neighbouring uses in the highly urbanised city. Within the same category, Found MUJI – based on a notion where MUJI staff travel to production centres around the world to ‘find’ objects that reflect the company’s values of traditional local craftsmanship and natural materials - also received an award for their revival of traditional techniques and consideration of what makes a quality product. “Designers need to help to make life simple because it is so complicated,” observes Fukasawa. “First of all, we do not need so many things in my opinion. I think we need to focus on making life better, and not just about money.” Industrial designer Fumie Shibata’s thermometer created for Omron Healthcare offers a perfect example with its simple friendly-looking design and comforting texture that makes it ideal for taking a child’s temperature. A flexible rubber tip records temperature in just 15 seconds while the product’s buzzer and backlight function can also be switched off for use when a child is sleeping in a dark room. Advanced technologies still featured highly at the THE
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awards including Yamaha Motor’s power-assisted JW Swing wheelchair featuring a hidden power pack that provides extra help when an independent user is faced with a slope or ramp. The design, which won a Gold Award, is easy to fold and adjust for size. The Grand Award at this year’s event was given to Denso Wave Inc’s articulated industrial robot designed for use in sterile environments of the pharmaceutical and food industries. The elegant futuristic design features a highly polished smooth surface with no exposed joints or gaps making it ideal for cleaning by hydrogen peroxide gas. “You can already see that new technology is eliminating the form, size and shape of products,” explains Fukasawa who is also currently helping several companies think innovatively about new forms of commuting, transportation and banking. “It is thinking about how we invest in technology in ways that consider human instinct. Future integrated ecosystems will see multifunctional devices and points of human interaction embedded into our surroundings reducing the clutter of life - but the quality of the relationship with the human won’t change and is still most important. It is important to consider the relationship between objects, user and environment in order to create a new system.” “That way of thinking is very exciting,” he warns, “but it does also mean that technology will incorporate design and that means fewer products to design.” R
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South Pacific Splendour
Plateau Villa situated on Nawi Mountain
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Fijian Cultural Night
Orange Dove
SOUTH PACIFIC SPLENDOUR In my travels to over 80 countries on six continents, I have never experienced a resort capable of delivering on every aspect of a perfect holiday. Until now. WORDS BY GREG MORLEY
The resort covers only one-third of the island’s 12 square kilometres, which means the majority of the land is unspoiled rain forest and untouched wilderness. Every meal provided a fresh sampling of the island’s organic farms and gardens that produce the fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats for resort guests and staff alike. The sustainable approach to resort living not only provided flavourful food and memorable spa treatments, it also allowed me to leave with a genuine insight into Fijian culture. As you might imagine in paradise, this island is home to some of the archipelago’s rarest birds and animals including the beautiful Orange Dove. Unfortunately I didn’t catch a glimpse of the rare bird myself but that’s my own fault for enjoying my sundowner cocktails in the privacy of my luxury villa instead of at the bars and restaurants nearest to where they nest. For many years, the island was owned and operated as a coconut plantation by Malcolm Forbes. Upon his death, the island passed to his family and was ultimately sold to Austrian entrepreneur and Red Bull partner Dietrich Mateschitz in 2002. Affectionately referred to as DM by many of the
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nlike any place I’ve ever stayed, Laucala is a private island refuge of lavish pampering and ultimate privacy with a sensitivity for the environment and Fijian culture. Priding itself on an integral philosophy that incorporates elements of the island into each guest’s stay, the immersive experience was a seamless blend of luxury, relaxation and environment – both indoors and out. Having researched the resort before my visit, my hopes were already sky-high, but the level of excellence I experienced here exceeded my expectations at every turn. I wanted for nothing. Set amid a former coconut plantation, secluded beaches and the island’s volcanic mountains, the 25 Fijian-styled villas prove that style and sustainability can work together in beautiful harmony. From the natural fibres and woods used in the construction to the wild orchids harvested in the island’s organic gardens, it’s not difficult to recognise that Laucala has taken every opportunity to tap into the island’s lush natural bounty.
INSPIRATION
South Pacific Splendour
Overwater Villa with pool carved into the rocks
resort’s staff, Dietrich has played a hands-on role in the island’s development.The result? An exclusive tropical hideaway that captures the magic of the Fiji Islands and its people. The expansive property accommodates up to 80 guests allowing for maximum privacy, which makes it a popular destination for celebrities and the world’s corporate elite. Notable guests rumoured to have stayed here include actor John Travolta, TV personality Oprah Winfrey, singer Katy Perry, rocker Keith Richards, actor Geoffrey Rush and supermodel Elle Macpherson who held her destination wedding to billionaire Jeffrey Soffer here. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see other guests during your stay, as discretion and privacy are precisely why many visit Laucala. Taking full advantage of the beauty and serenity of the island, Laucala has constructed guest villas facing the beach, in secluded wooded areas, on the hillsides and over the water. I had a private tour of several villas and each featured its own set of dramatic elements including floor to ceiling windows with jaw dropping views, private swimming pools and sinks and bathtubs carved from timber or single slabs of stone. A fully stocked, inclusive bar is sure to lull you even further into the relaxation and comfort of your home away from home. If you’re like me, you will run out of time before you run out of new places to relax. For the carefree, outside showers THE
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and bathing facilities allow nature lovers to enjoy an al fresco experience. All villas come with food and beverage, chauffeur, nanny, housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning services included. Be warned: the level of comfort and luxury these villas provide may tempt you to spend your entire holiday inside their cosy confines. Resist the urge for vacation hibernation. This island has far too much to offer so get out and take full advantage. The ‘Farm and Island’ tour was a great way to orient myself to all the island has to offer. Visiting the extensive guest and support facilities gave me an appreciation for the care that has gone into every aspect of this island oasis. Featuring 240 acres of farmland to organically grow crops and raise animals, the island has been designed to be 82.5% self-sufficient. Although capable of being even more self-sufficient, the resort has opted to support its neighbouring island communities through the purchase of their goods. Extensive greenhouses, gardens, nurseries and farmland offer the freshest crops of vanilla, pepper, tropical fruits, a wide variety of herb and vegetables like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, courgette, aubergine, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, okra, string beans and animals including poultry, cows (even Wagyu), pigs, quails and ducks, goats and coconut crabs. If only I had the time to sample them all.
GETTING THERE Regardless of your means of travel, the transition from the outside world will begin the moment you are greeted by island staff with a dose of genuine Fijian hospitality and a boisterous Bula, the Fijian expression that conveys welcome, affection and sincerity. By commercial aircraft, direct flights are available three times a week from Hong Kong to Nadi, Fiji’s main airport. Guest relations personnel from the resort will escort travellers to a private lounge before they are transferred from Nadi to Laucala Island via the resort’s 8-seater, King Air B200 for a relaxing 50-minute flight. Private aircraft are also permitted to land on Laucala with international procedures such as customs and immigration clearance organised on the island upon request at a cost of approximately US$10,000. Laucala’s private airport operates day and night, with the concrete airstrip suitable for jets with a maximum 40 t MTOW (aircraft type Falcon 900). Three aviation hangars are available for maintenance on the island. If arriving on your own yacht, a welcome team will greet you at the jetty, take care of all the arrival details and ensure your yacht is anchored safely.
ReRe Ahi, one of 14 boats in Laucala’s fleet
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Laucala Spa
Bathroom in Overwater Villa
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South Pacific Splendour
Fijian Cultural Night
THE DOS AND DON’TS OF LAUCALA ISLAND Do: Take full advantage of the activities of the island and its natural setting including beaches, mangroves and coral reefs brimming with marine life Check out the wide variety of restaurants and bars including the private dining deck devoted entirely to teppanyaki specialties Enrich your knowledge of Fiji and its people by speaking with the staff members
Don’t:
Hilltop Villa with 1200m2 of living space
Spend your entire holiday in your villa. Get out and explore all this resort has to offer. Forget to charge your personal buggy. It’s easy to be forgetful of such things while relaxing in paradise. Hold back the tears upon your departure. You won’t be the first or the last to be overcome by emotion when leaving the luxury and graceful hospitality offered by this island paradise.
Peninsula Villa with private, concealed beach
DeepFlight Super Falcon
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18-hole golf course by David McLay Kidd
“Resist the urge for vacation hibernation. This island has far too much to offer so get out and take full advantage.”
jet, part great white shark. The nimble DeepFlight Super Falcon has two acrylic domes that seemingly vanish overhead once the craft is under water, giving riders the thrill of riding in an open cockpit. The US$1.7 million craft has movable wings that allow it to maneuver in three directions like an underwater airplane and a batterypowered propeller delivers a top speed of four knots. A 2-hour outing on this unique submersible costs US$4,000. I didn’t partake, but I spoke to an adrenaline junkie and avid diver who did and he described it as the best underwater thrill he’s ever experienced. Somehow I found time to play a few holes of golf on Laucala’s championship 18-hole course designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd.With no other guests in sight, it was like playing on a private course that was clinging to a sheer cliff dropping into the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by volcanic mountains. Like everything else on this tropical oasis, the par-72 course has been thoughtfully integrated into the environment with minimal impact on its natural surroundings. I was told by many that no Laucala stay is complete without partaking in the experience of the Fijian cultural evening, so partake I did. A taste of Kava, the native drink of Fiji, and the unique singing and dancing ceremony that kicks off the event were merely appetizers for an evening of mixing and mingling with staff and other guests.The casual atmosphere included a barbeque-style dinner featuring Fijian dishes served outdoors, set to a backdrop of local music and entertainment. Definitely a highlight and highly recommended. Few vacation experiences will compare to my time spent on Laucala Island.While many 5-star resorts deliver wonderful vacation experiences, Laucala and its staff have somehow managed to get everything right – from the moment of arrival to that last melancholy moment of departure. R
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As spas go, few I’ve ever experienced could rival this one that includes the option of original signature scents created from herbs, spices, flowers and fruits picked fresh daily and made by hand. I even had the opportunity to pick my own ingredients – vanilla, lemongrass, cinnamon, nutmeg, coffee, ylang ylang, pepper, ginger – to create a signature essential oil, soap or lotion of my own, but I opted for products made by the experts. Oh, and if you’re too relaxed to peel yourself away from your luxury villa, the spa will come to you. My taste buds and senses were inspired by the variety of bars and restaurants offering everything from beachside barbeque and water-side teppanyaki to fine dining – all within settings inspired by natural surroundings. Gourmet dinners were prepared according to a farm-to-table philosophy, incorporating daily fresh vegetables, herbs, meats and seafood. If you want to take home a taste of the South Pacific you can also participate in cooking classes in the restaurant’s show kitchen. Diversions on the island range from relaxing to adventurous and everything in between. It was hard to choose from the variety of creative ways to explore the land: rainforest walking tours, golf, farm visits and horseback riding, to name a few. I spent a lot of time at the island’s water sports centre, home to an impressive fleet of 14 boats.Windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and jet skiing were just a few of the options on offer for enjoying Fiji’s azure oceans.The warm tropical waters are teeming with marine life and Laucala’s PADI certified dive centre offers snorkelling and diving excursions to get up close and personal with lionfish, moray eels, hawksbill turtles and a host of other underwater delights. Advanced options included open water dives, night dives, underwater photography, shore diving, dive master training and wreck diving. For thrill seekers, Laucala offers a unique underwater adventure on an extreme submarine that’s part fighter
INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
THE HOT TEN This season’s most covetable consumables COMPILED BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN
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CARBON CONFIDENT Aston Martin shows its dark side in the new Vanquish Carbon Edition with aesthetics sculpted from aerospace-engineered carbon fibre. Unfettered savagery never looked so good.
HK$47,880,000 astonmartin.com
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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
SIDE-TRACKED This beautifully-sculpted sideboard from Portuguese design house Boca do Lobo makes a confident and bold design statement, featuring a gold leaf interior and a shimmering emerald exterior.
HK$275,000 bocadolobo.com
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CLASSIC COUTURE Sourced from a private collection in France, this couture Christian Lacroix necklace was created in the 1980s and features rich, textured matte gold encrusted with crystal and turquoise stones. This statement piece is a one-off so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never have to worry about anyone else copying your impeccable taste.
HK$35,390 loveandobject.com
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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
DIAMOND RING Daring designer Alexander Amosu has created the Amosu Call of Diamond iPhone 6 cover made from 18-karat solid gold and covered with over 6,127 high quality diamonds. The Apple logo on the back is cut from a single 51.29 carat flawless cut diamond. From
HK$20.9m amosu.co.uk
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MOTORHEAD American artist Maxwell Hazan crafts one-off motorbikes at the painstaking rate of two per year. His latest model, the Harley Davidson Ironhead, is a joy to behold, with a silvered finish and curvaceous form.
Price on request mbandf.com
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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
FACE UP The latest additions from Swiss watchmaker Urwerk are the UR-105m Iron Knight and Dark Knight, both inspired by armour and both featuring four aluminium satellites that orbit the dial to indicate the time. Both styles will be limited to 77 pieces. From
HK$465,000 urwerk.com
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LOOSEN UP Inspired by the Mille Miglia, an Italian road race, the Swiss inventor Roland Iten has created a limited edition of four high-precision belt buckles, each engraved with one of the four cities on the route. The buckles are made from solid gold, steel and titanium and feature more components than many high-end mechanical wristwatch movements.
HK$250,000 rolanditen.com
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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
BUOY, OH BUOY Now you can colour co-ordinate your yacht with your jet, car or even your wardrobe. Turkish shipbuilder, Numarine will customise the hull and interiors of its yachts at your request, including these super sleek Numarine 70 Hardtops. Choose from bright orange, electric blue, vivid purple or glimmering silver to make you stand out on the water.
Price on demand numarine.com
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DEEP-SEA ADVENTURE Delve to the depths of the Indian Ocean inside a 2-man submarine to explore unspoilt coral reefs as well as historic wartime wrecks. This once-in-a-lifetime experience allows you to get up close and personal with relatively unknown deep-sea creatures and explore infamous sunken battle ships in the Truk Lagoon in Micronesia.
Price on demand johnbsutherland.com
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INSPIRATION The Hot Ten
TOP TABLE German tableware producer Rosenthal has teamed up with fashion house Versace to create a range of 12 limited edition vases. The bold pieces are all decorated with an iconic Medusa emblem on the front and have been created to make a statement in any stylish home. Only 49 of each will be produced worldwide.
HK$7,720 - HK$12,950 rosenthal.de
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YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY STARTS HERE 365 Aviation is your worldwide private jet partner offering exceptional service, utmost discretion and VIP treatment for your bespoke aircraft charter Benefit from: - Established history and first-class reputation - Access to a wide range of state-of-the-art private jets - Personalised end-to-end service - A wider choice of airports and flexible flight schedules
For a no obligation quote contact:
charter@365aviation.com, +44-20-365-15-665 www.365aviation.com
INSPIRATION The Fast Lane
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FA S T LA N E The Reserveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motoring editor is in a reflective mood
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redeeming characteristic of the car is watching the display show how the power train is working. But what the Prius did was introduce hybrid technology to the mainstream. We could understand it and started to feel comfortable with it. That was important, but so are ability, feel and soul in an automobile and in these three the Prius was seriously lacking. Roll through to the present. In Paris 2012 and Geneva and Frankfurt 2013, four production-ready hybrid cars were displayed. Normally, one ignored the latest offering of this now mainstream technology, primarily as it did nothing for us drivers, but when the manufactures presenting these cars are Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche, we started to pay attention. Even if you have spent most of the year living off grid you will have heard by now of the P1, 918 and LaFerrari. There are some headline stats that you need to know about these cars. Let’s start with the least powerful, the Porsche 918 which has ‘only’ 887 bhp, 608 of these from
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eflection. That’s what this time of year tends to bring. But it’s also a time to plan for the next. I say this as 2014 was arguably the single most important year in the life of the automobile. That’s a big statement. So to explain, I need to go back a few years. The last decade and a half has been harsh to the hydrocarbon-drinking engineering marvels that these few pages dedicate their time to. Global warming, climate change, extreme weather, all blamed in no small part on our beloved cars. We were worried. And then in 1997 the Toyota Prius came along, and we got even more worried. Yes, it was a hybrid that worked in the real world but anyone who actually likes driving hated the thing. I ignored it completely until Uber started using them, and then it only warranted my indignation. The styling is no more futuristic than 1960s sci-fi and the rear seat is less comfortable than a concrete park bench. The only
INSPIRATION The Fast Lane
a 4.6 litre V8 engine, plus two electric motors totalling 279 bhp. Next up the P1, McLaren went the forced induction route to save weight and used a 3.8-litre twinturbocharged 727 bhp petrol engine. Enough, you might say, but it’s boosted by a single 176 bhp electric motor. That’s a total of 903 bhp. Finally, LaFerrari. Shame about the name but it’s loaded with a 6.3 litre V12 which alone pumps out a staggering 789 bhp. Not content with having produced probably the best ever V12 they then add a 161 bhp KERS unit (thanks F1) to add up to a truly staggering 950 bhp. In all three you can pull away at the lights in full electric mode. All three will also do well over 200mph and will each run a combined cycle in excess of 80 miles per gallon. They are all capable of hitting 60 mph in well under three seconds. You may need to read all of that again. As the lucky drivers of these cars started to tell their stories of how truly game changing they were it quickly became apparent that hybrid technology could be used to such a great effect that the car industry may just be able to finally deliver truly epic drivers’ cars alongside groundbreaking MPG figures. These cars have now defined what hyper-cars are capable of and what this technology can deliver for dynamic performance. All three manufacturers have succeeded in using the electric motor to fill the gaps in the power and torque delivery of the petrol engine to such devastating effect that our knowledge of what is possible in a
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road car has been changed forever. That is a very significant milestone. Back to reality.You will have noticed the one other hybrid omission from this list of new cars, namely the i8. Not made by Apple but BMW. This car can do 134 mpg, 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 160 mph. That’s serious real world performance in any car. It does this in a similar way to the hyper trio mentioned previously, except the numbers are more computable. The front axel has a 129 bhp electric motor and the petrol engine is a tiny 1.5 litre turbocharged three cylinder running the rear wheels with a impressive specific output of 220 bhp. This is probably the coolest affordable car in the market today and can be yours for HK$2.5 million, if you can get your hands on one. When I was a child I had a poster of an F40 and a Countach on my wall. I couldn’t envisage a performance car without a V8 or V12. Children now have posters (well, screensavers) of P1s and LaFerraris. The younger generation will think nothing of a small capacity, turbocharged high output engine with secondary electric motors and battery packs when they come to spend their cash on cars in the next 10 to 20 years. Plugging in your car will be seen as normal (actually it will be charged wirelessly whilst parked), 90 mpg will seem like poor economy and maybe we can start to enjoy motoring again without being viewed as killing the world. The future is bright and very positive indeed. R
HONG KONG MASTERS 13-15 February 2015 AsiaWorld-Expo www.mastersgrandslam.com
INSPIRATION Cabin Fever
CABIN FEVER Sonja Salmon, founder of Ebby Rane, tells The Reserve where she’ll be taking her beloved Quartermaster next
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ike most busy business owners, my life is a constant balancing act of work and play. When I travel, I often combine both. The Quartermaster - the hero piece of Ebby Rane’s luggage collection - ensures that I am ready for anything. Everything has an assigned place, so it’s virtually impossible to forget anything! The 10 carryalls act as a packing list so I remember my charger cords, my swimwear, my accessories and the 1887 Clutch [also included] ensures I am always ready for the evening. So where is on my travel list this December?”
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MEMBER BENEFIT For a limited time, members receive a discount on the Ebby Rane Quartermaster. To request your voucher or to arrange a private viewing, contact: member@thereserve-asia.com
THE EBBY RANE STORY Miami Miami’s laidback South Beach vibe always slows me down. I love the Spanish restaurants and the shopping that you find at places like The Webster. I first stayed at the W South Beach several years ago when I went to a friend’s birthday party. The rooms are eclectic but refined and the poolside cabanas will have you sipping cocktails all day... even if you need to be on a laptop answering emails! Whenever possible, I make the 2-hour drive to Naples for a day in the quaint old town. Naples is a secret oasis on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Don’t go without a trip to Jane’s Café for brunch! London There is something very special about the hustle and bustle of London during the holiday season. Teeming with people, the city always feels vibrant, energetic and stylish. I love staying at the Hyatt Regency – The Churchill on Portman Square. It is a perfect location. Secluded and quiet, but only steps away from the restaurants and high street shops. The hotel restaurant, The Montagu is a lovely place where I drink mugs and mugs of steaming hot tea while indulging in some people-watching. Bermuda I lived in Bermuda for over seven years so it holds a special place in my heart. With a British influence and an island style of its own, it creates wonderful memories year round but especially during the holidays. Front Street is filled with lights and sparkle. Dining at Harbourfront Restaurant at the end of Front Street offers incredible food and an exquisite view of the entire harbour. Christmas is very special in Bermuda. I’ll be heading over to Horseshoe Bay Beach for a walk along the beach and a glass of Champagne! R
Sonja Salmon used to travel the world as a corporate lawyer and senior executive. After years spent living half her life out of a suitcase, she noted a gap in the market for a better system designed especially for women to pack their clothes and accessories in an organised way. Using her eye for good craftsmanship and quality, Sonja worked with an international team to bring this vision to life with the creation of Ebby Rane, a brand she named after her two grandfathers, both international businessmen. The Quartermaster was born, designed for global travellers who lead busy lives and need convenience combined with elegance.
MY TOP THREE PACKING TIPS 1. Only bring clothing that you love and know you will wear. Prioritise pieces you feel comfortable in and that make you feel confident. Every item in your carry-on needs to pass this test on its own and not as part of an outfit. 2. Look for items that are versatile and can do double duty. A little black dress (ideally with some lycra) is a comfortable staple and can be accessorised to change your look and extend your wardrobe. 3. Anchor with dependable pieces. A great pair of well-fitted dark-wash denims will provide the anchor for a few different outfits. Pair with different tops or a crisp shirt and jacket. Nobody will be any the wiser of its repeat performance.
To view the complete Quartermaster collection including the 1887 clutch and the 10 accessory cases visit: www.ebbyrane.com THE
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Ultimate Train Journeys
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u lt i m at e train journeys Our pick of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most remarkable rail travel WORDS BY LIZ THOMAS
EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS Travel through the heart of Southeast Asia in style with the 6-night Fables of the Peninsula excursion through Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The journey includes trips to the lush Cameron Highlands and a beach barbecue at Koh Chaan before coming to its terminus in Bangkok. Experience the days of colonial splendour by opting to stay in one of the extraordinary Presidential Cabins. belmond.com
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INSPIRATION
Ultimate Train Journeys
THE BLUE TRAIN The 27-hour journey from Cape Town to Pretoria (or vice versa) offers a unique opportunity to soak up the rugged beauty of South Africa. Here is the chance to combine 5-star accommodation with a spirit of adventure. Inside there is a 24-hour butler, underfloor heating and world-class dining, while outside mountains, desert and valleys whiz by. The observation car boasts windows on three sides for some of the best views in the country. bluetrain.co.za
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TRANS-SIBERIAN/ MONGOLIAN EXPRESS Arguably the definitive way to journey through Russia and Mongolia, these classic routes are a favourite for a reason. Choose one of the Imperial Suites for the ultimate experience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; first-class service, stunning vistas from private windows, and the option for dedicated guided tours in select cities. goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
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INSPIRATION
Ultimate Train Journeys
THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN Accommodating no more than 36 guests, the Belmond Royal Scotsman is one of the most exclusive and opulent train journeys in the world. Departing from Edinburgh Waverley, passengers can spend up to seven nights exploring the stunning Scottish countryside, including stops and activities such as a clay pigeon shoot or a highland safari. There are also dedicated golf trips for those who want to make the most of Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Links courses. belmond.com
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HIRAM BINGHAM Named after the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu, this luxury train service is a beautiful way to make the journey between Cusco and the famed Inca city. The 3.5-hour journey takes in incredible views of the Urubamba River and can either be made as a day visit or an overnight stay at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. The trip includes a guided tour of the citadel, a gourmet Andean dinner and a special afternoon tea. belmond.com
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INSPIRATION
Ultimate Train Journeys
ARCTIC EXPLORER Embrace the joyful winter wonderland of Moscow and St. Petersburg before heading deep into the wilds of the Russian and Norwegian Arctic for a chance to experience the magnificent northern lights. A must for those who have longed for a chance to see this remarkable natural light show â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Aurora Borealis. The trip includes a talk from a guest astronomer as well as a private viewing of the Moscow Kremlin. goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
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JEWELS OF PERSIA This tour begins with the key sights of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey before exploring the legacies of the Persian Empire in Iran including the ancient capital of Isfahan, the Hafez Tomb and Persepolis, which dates back to the 6th century. goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
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INSPIRATION
Ultimate Train Journeys
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Travelling from Vancouver to Calgary via Kamloops, Lake Louise and Banff, the famed First Passage West Route retraces the steps of 19th century explorers and is a must for history buffs. Plus itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only passenger rail service allowed to take this particular journey. The Rocky Mountaineer operates four other routes including the breathtaking Rainforest to Gold Rush. rockymountaineer.com
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VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS This train is an icon and the journey is unforgettable. Taking this trip is to transport yourself to the golden age of travel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; romantic, elegant and effortless. This wonderful adventure across Europe is a chance to see much-loved cities in a whole new light. Bask in the vintage splendour of this historic locomotive restored to its 1920s-30s glory. belmond.com
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INSPIRATION All Hands on Deck
ALL HANDS ON DECK Why fractional ownership may be the answer for those who are apprehensive about taking the plunge WORDS BY SOPHIE FORSYTH
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ur mothers used to warn us that we can’t have our cake and eat it too, but in this city people tend to find a way around that old adage. Even when it comes to owning a yacht, it is now possible to enjoy the privileges without all of the responsibilities or hassles. After a successful charter season last year, businessman Eric Noyel realised how many people craved a boating lifestyle but were hesitant to commit to purchasing their own yacht. With the organisation of crew, boat maintenance, scheduling, mooring and booking, the prospect of owning your own can seem more daunting than pleasurable. In light of this, Noyel developed Luxury Yacht Share Asia (LYSA), a smart concept that allows buyers in Hong Kong to purchase a share of a luxury yacht. The fractional programme allows for complete flexibility in terms of usage of the boat, whereby allocation matches ownership. For example if you own 50%, you will be entitled to 50% of the usage of the boat throughout the year. Although new to Hong Kong, fractional programmes have been growing in popularity in the US and Europe, proving to be a successful formula for those looking for the yacht ownership experience without the excessive expenses and time-consuming responsibilities. Of course, splitting costs and sharing an expensive asset isn’t a new concept; the world over people pool their resources to buy everything from holiday homes to THE
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designer handbags. Getting lucky and finding the perfect reliable partners is somewhat less common however, which is where LYSA comes in. The company organises the whole process including the other shareholders, the hiring of crew, maintenance and even food and drinks for your outings. These days at sea can be reserved via a concierge booking service, avoiding any awkward negotiations that could arise when splitting an asset amongst friends. Owners can simply look outside at the weather, pick up the phone to book their yacht and relax knowing everything else is taken care of. According to Noyel, “The LYSA fractional programme is not only simple, it also makes sense. The ownership of a luxury vessel is equally shared among shareholders and the acquisition cost is leveraged through a loan provided by the yacht supplier. Owners also receive charter income out of any unused time which means that some of the annual costs of the share are negated.” He continues, “We have noted a trend where senior members of Hong Kong companies are buying into LYSA so that they can not only have a yacht for personal use but also have it available for company purposes as it poses such great value for money.” At the risk of implying that mother may have been wrong, it appears when it comes to yacht ownership in Hong Kong, you can have your cake and eat it, too. R For more information, visit: www.lysa.asia
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MEMBER BENEFIT Members of The Reserve have access to exclusive benefits with LYSA. Remember to quote ‘The Reserve’ when enquiring or contact us for a direct introduction: member@thereserve-asia.com
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Shopping Weekender
shopping weekender :
DU BA I
Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation as a luxury shopping haven may be well-earned, but an appreciation for tradition coupled with the nurturing of local entrepreneurship has created a retail landscape that goes far beyond its world-renowned malls WORDS BY CLAUDIA DE BRITO
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Worth the Weight Set in the older and more traditional part of Dubai, the Gold Souk gives visitors a glimpse of the city’s origins as a trading hub. While gold is the traditional choice, stores also now stock a variety of precious metals and gemstones, with everything from traditional Arab head dresses to immaculately set solitaires. As in most traditional markets you’ll be expected to haggle so bring your bargaining skills.
L’AFSHAR - Perspex box clutches adorned with an intricate scarab beetle/ dragonfly logo, symbolic of the designer’s east meets west sensibility.
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Boutique Browsing Dubai may fly the f lag for many international luxury brands, but there’s recently been a shift towards independent multi-brand boutiques. With its flagship location in upscale Jumeirah, Sauce led the way with its curated selections of contemporary brands and diffusion lines mixed in with unique pieces by regional designers. Meanwhile, Symphony boutique in Dubai Mall is curated by Emirati entrepreneur, Salama Alabbar and was the first luxury fashion concept boutique to bring high-end designers to the region. Symphony is credited with launching several designers in Dubai such as Christian Siriano, Camilla Skovgaard and Felicity Brown. At just over a year old, Mahani is one of the latest additions to the independent retail scene. Located in the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the family-owned store has its own bakery and aims to create an experience rather than solely serve as a shopping destination. Mahani exposes new designers while stocking established names like Rodarte, Raf Simons and Mugler.
INSPIRATION
Shopping Weekender
Do Buy Art Dubai is the darling of the Middle East region’s booming contemporary art community. Several established galleries are based in the financial centre (DIFC) but treasure hunters should also head to Al Bastakiya in Bur Dubai or Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz. Al Bastakiya is an old neighbourhood on the Bur Dubai side of the Dubai Creek that dates from the 1890s. The area’s original residents earned money from pearl diving and the merchant’s homes have been restored and now house art galleries. XVA and the Majlis Gallery are the most established in the area. Al Quoz, meanwhile, is an industrial area that is quickly transforming into a hub for emerging artists. Here you’ll find Alserkal Avenue, home to 20 galleries and art spaces where, armed with a keen eye, you could spot the next Jeff Koons.
House of Nomad - Arabic calligraphy meets ready-to-wear sports luxe. House of Nomad strikes the perfect balance of beauty and utility.
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More is More Dubai is constantly outdoing itself (and everybody else) and its overachieving ways have spilled over to the world of retail. It’s no wonder when, according to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the UAE has the world’s ninth highest density of millionaires. When you’re looking for souvenirs in Dubai, a T-shirt simply won’t do but a gold plated iPad from the Burj Al Arab just might. Suommo ensures that the little ones aren’t left behind with their range of diamond-encrusted dummies. Parents can choose from yellow, white or rose gold. Finally, motor heads might be tempted by Rolls Royce’s Bespoke Celestial Phantom. Created specif ically for Middle East customers, it’s the most expensive Rolls Royce in history. R
Endemage - Focused on revolutionising Arab fashion and high-end womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear, offering an edgy and modern take on upscale dressing.
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Last Word Show jumping is an adrenalin-fuelled sport both for riders and spectators. How do you manage your nerves? I try to stay focused on the technical side of things and not be distracted by stress. What has been your biggest achievement in the sport? My success in the French team at various important events, especially the two silver medals at the WEG (World Equestrian Games) of Lexington in 2010 and at the WEG of Caen this year. What is your ultimate goal in show jumping? Winning the Olympic Games and coming back to be world number one. Who are your sporting heroes? Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher and Zinedine Zidane. You recently won the Grand Prix at the Gucci Masters in Paris. What would winning the Longines Hong Kong Masters mean to you? I’d like to win in the Hong Kong Masters because it’s a part of the world where equestrian sport is growing really fast. Tell us about your choice to ride Estoy Aqui de Muze at the Hong Kong event. She likes to fly, she can jump well in indoors and I’m sure she’s motivated to win her first 5-star Grand Prix in Asia!
Kevin Staut won the Longines Global Champions Tour of Paris Grand Prix earlier this year and will be competing at the Longines Hong Kong Masters in February What’s your first horse riding memory? Were you instantly hooked? My first memory was feeling like I was trying everything not to fall! Yes, I was definitely hooked instantly. Why did you choose show jumping as opposed to other equestrian sports? Well, I didn’t like dressage so much and I was scared to jump cross-country so I guess it was an easy choice! THE
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There’s a great social side to the event. What aspect of that are you most looking forward to? Even if the social side is really nice, I try to stay focused on the sporting side. Show jumping takes you all over the world. Where have been some of your favourite destinations and why? I really like the shows in the US and South America. They have a different culture when it comes to equestrian sports. When it’s all over, how do you relax? I just like to do simple things like listening to music, watching a good movie or reading. Music is really important to me. R The Longines Hong Kong Masters will run from 13-15 February at AsiaWorld-Expo. longineshkmasters.com