High on Art - Opening Cocktail of Sarah Tse's Solo Exhibition

Published exclusively in this site on 31 August 2011.

Sarah Tse, a budding graduate from the renowned Central Saint Martins College, is finally hosting her first solo exhibition in her hometown after participating in 19 shows around the world. Ecstasy and Captivity, as the exhibition is called, displays her favourite pieces from her vast collection of works, including pencil drawings, screen prints, and collages. Through the displays, she aims to take her audience through her struggles and perseverance at the beginning of her career.

Book Review on Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister

First published in Elysiants on 19 December 2011.

Two of my favourite books are Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, a political satirical series by Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Why? Because it tells the truth, and somehow, the truth is ironically hilarious. The books, adapted from a widely popular BBC sitcom in the 1980s, revolved around Jim Hacker, the accidental Prime Minister, Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Cabinet Secretary with his own agenda, and Bernard Woolley, the Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary with a passion for linguistics.

What are You Clutching On? Handbag Ideas for 2011 Fall/Winter

First published in Elysiants on 10 January 2012.

It is funny to start thinking of the upcoming Fall/Winter collection when the weather is still so crazy hot. But September is coming up, and we are now getting swamped with finds from the latest season. Let's see what is hot for the cooler times!

1. Azyra Couture

Every girl is a princess, and we each deserve our very own Azyra clutch. Azyra stems from the Italian word for princess, which is a perfect name for a unique brand that carries luxurious evening pochettes made from the finest Italian leather. Designed by Italy-born jetsetters Sabrina and Kyra Sakhrani, their handmade pieces combine chic with sophistication flawlessly. Ogle at their 2011 F/W collection in Harvey Nichols Hong Kong!

Mother Nature's Touch - Sheraton Hotel Art Project 2011

Published exclusively in this site on 26 August 2011.

Touch of Nature by Sheraton is part of an ongoing project that aims to give adolescents from all walks of life an artistic experience in making forms like masks, decoupages, and sculptures. They are joined by local artists and Sheraton's volunteers in learning the production process as well as enjoying their time together.

Shopping Just Got Better With Prêt Fête

Published exclusively in this site on 25 August 2011.

Gunjan and Sunaina was busing digging all over India for priceless designs, and we are lucky enough to be gulping down some amazing drinks and canapés while browsing through their finds!

More on Getting Hitched - What the Groom Wears

First published in Elysiants on 19 January 2012.

After the previous post on where grooms can get their looks ready, this one is on what you should consider wearing on the day. I know there are so many places for brides to make a fuss over what they wear, that it almost seems like nobody would notice even if the grooms turned up in his boxers. But hey, the boys should look their tip top as well, so let's see what the wedding experts recommended.

Suit

Wedding suits usually come in black, white, or grey, depending on what you would fancy having. You would probably want to discuss this with your fiancée first so that she can match her wedding dress and ball gowns with your suits.

Dutch Trend? Orange is Hot for 2011 F/W

First published in Elysiants on 4 December 2011.

The fashion industry seems to be going overboard with orange for their 2011 Fall/Winter collection. What does orange remind you of? I am thinking Dutch, pumpkin, carrots, tangerine, basketball......Shall we take a look at what the designers thought of then?

Heilee

Lingering Lingerie - La Perla 2011 Fall/Winter Collection

First published in Elysiants on 3 December 2011.

I know La Perla is a household name for lingerie, but it is rarely thought of as a brand providing attractive men's underwear too. That is quite surprising, since their men's wear is of equally great quality as their lingerie collection. Let's see what La Perla has in store for both genders for the upcoming Fall/Winter!

Fiddling with Hollywood - Jue Yao's Latest CD Release

First published in Elysiants on 20 December 2011.

 
Jue Yao, an internationally renowned violist, is famous for brilliantly blending classical music with pop culture. After a long wait, her concert last Christmas is now available in CD format. All About Love, as the album is named, uses the latest CD capturing technologies to seal each note authentically, allowing its listeners to feel like being right in the concert. An idea piece for Hi-fi testing I reckon.

Getting Hitched - Pampering the Groom

First published in Elysiants on 18 January 2012.


Everything in a wedding revolves around the bride-to-be, to a point where you almost forget that there is another dude involved. Obviously the bride wants to look her best on the big day, but it is also the groom's big day as well, and he deserves some TLC too. Let's see where a guy can go in Hong Kong for some manly grooming treatments!


1. Gentlemen's Tonic

So you are rather fond of your public school days in England? Gentlemen's Tonic brought over the British style of luxury men’s grooming service to the Landmark, after their phenomenal success in London. They offer what you would find in a traditional barbershop, a sports therapy centre, and a spa, minus the entire lovey-dovey feminine decor. They also carry their own range of natural products, so you can grab a few necessities and clean up yourself at home as well.

A Sunday Picnic Spot - Fairview Park

First published in Elysiants on 20 November 2011.

Hong Kong is such a concrete jungle it is hard for us to imagine that there are any tranquil places at all. If you fancy taking your family or friends out for a decent picnic, a crowd-free jog, or even a biking trip, then Fairview Park would be your best bet. As someone from the island, we tend to be shunned by the New Territories, being way past the darker side. In reality, it is only one hour away by MTR, and that is nothing if you are originally from North America or Australasia.

Modern Chinese Landscape? Yang Yong-liang's Solo Exhibition

Published exclusively in this site on 16 August 2011.

I was captivated by Yang Yong-liang's work during my visit to ArtHK11, as he creatively combined traditional Chinese painting with contemporary scenery. You can imagine my excitement when I heard that Schoeni Art Gallery, an esteemed Chinese contemporary art gallery, is planning to host a solo exhibition for him in September 2011. Obviously I immediately RSVP for the vernissage held in the early evening of 1 September 2011 for a glimpse of his latest collection, the Peach Colony, inspired by the Accounts of the Peach Blossom Spring.

Hong Kong Through the Eyes of an iPhone

Published exclusively in this site on 15 August 2011.

Look at the photo. Look closely. What do you see? Perhaps another artistic landscape photo? What if I told you this photo was taken and edited entirely by an iPhone? That's right, something we are all equipped with, but Liam Fitzpatrick, a proud Hong Konger, took it one notch higher, and created an impressive collection of Hong Kong images on his iPhone, which will be showcasing in the Cultural Club starting 19 September 2011.

Another Classic - Coppélia

Published exclusively in this site on 14 August 2011.

Everybody knows the story of the boy who fell in love with a life-sized doll, so the Hong Kong Ballet decided to bring the renowned story of Coppélia back in a more easily understood manner for Hong Kong's audience to enjoy. If you have never watched a classical ballet performance before, this would be a great place to start. Book your tickets now and get yourself more acquainted with ballet!

Human Touch - Interview with Eva Chan, Travel Portrait Photographer

First published in Lifestyle Asia on 8 August 2011.

What I first noticed when I saw Eva’s work was how incredibly real those people looked. Unlike the mannequins you usually see in regular portraits, her subjects are genuinely happy individuals who we as an audience could relate to. Let’s get Eva to tell us a bit more about her work, and share some tips with us on taking photos and getting photos taken!

Wanna get to know more about Eva's work? Read the rest of the article at Lifestyle Asia!

The Power of (Free) Yoga

Published exclusively in this site on 7 August 2011.

So you are a yogi? Do you practice at a yoga studio or at home? You might just be lacking a gentle push to practice on your own, so why not take a look at Ankie Beilke's new Express Power Yoga DVD, and see if that will give you some inspiration? Her DVD, as well as the breathtaking photos of her practice by none other than the talented Sean Lee Davies, will be unveiled on 22 September 2011 at Schoeni Branch Gallery.

Off Shanghai's Beaten Tracks

First published in Elysiants on 30 December 2011.

Almost everybody who lives in Hong Kong has been to Shanghai a handful of times. You have been to the Bund, paid respect to the City God Temple, and lounged around Zhou-zhuang. But have you visited their secret hideaways? For a more local perspective, here are a few places you could try.

Fine Dining - Ultraviolet

Due to be open in early October, Ultraviolet is the first restaurant to present food in a theatrical manner. Tucked away in an unassuming part of Shanghai, the location is so secretive that you need to be led to know where you are going. The restaurant only serves ten guests every evening, so you can ensure you are getting Chef Paul Pairet's full attention. Not only do they serve an avant-garde menu made in a state-of-the-art kitchen, the entire dining experience is choreographed by a dedicated audiovisual team to ensure that the surroundings, the aroma, the lighting, the breeze, and of course, the music, goes well with the gourmet cooking. Their complimenting bar and lounge area will round up the evening on a sweet note.

Macau - What to Wear

First published in Wearever the Weather on 6 August 2011.

Macau, also known as the Vegas of the East, was the colony of Portugal until 1999, so imagine Vegas showgirls meet Cristino Ronaldo. It is a city for both their modest population and an overwhelming amount of tourists from China, Korea, and you've guessed it, Portugal.

On an average day, you will see people in T-shirt and shorts, and others in tube dress and pumps. This is because you have the average Macau inhabitant and the foreign working girls, all heading towards the same area.

In terms of weather, it is not as hot as Vegas, but it is sub-tropical after all, so if you don't intend to just stay in casinos and shows, but also want to visit Taipa Houses Museum and Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral, bring an umbrella and dress for the warm weather. Converse would be great for walking around the cobbles street through the Macau UNESCO Heritage Site.

Back to the Basics - Swan Lake

Published exclusively in this site on 5 August 2011.

After all that raving about Black Swan, now is a good time to refresh our memories of the original Swan Lake with the Hong Kong Ballet, one of the best classical ballet companies in Asia. Hong Kong Ballet's Principal Dancer Jin Yao and Australian Ballet's Principal Artist Robert Curran will be accompanied by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta to deliver a choreography, an orchestra, and a set that would make Tchaikovsky proud.

Clay Players ‐ An Exhibition by Contemporary Ceramic Society Hong Kong

Published exclusively in this site on 4 August 2011.

Inferior Lights by So‐mui MA

Red Elation Gallery, a contemporary art gallery located in Wanchai, is currently displaying a group exhibition by Contemporary Ceramic Society Hong Kong.  Clay Players, as the exhibition is called, focuses on the fourteen Hong Kong ceramic artists who brought their works together, including my mentor, Chris Lo.

Virtual Retail Therapy - Online Shopping in Hong Kong

First published in Elysiants on 2 December 2011.

Online shopping has gone from a fad to a norm. Hong Kongers are busy individuals who spend all day at our offices, so shopping online seems like the best alternative for us to cope with our hectic lives. Shipping for overseas online shopping is a nightmare, so local online shopping has definitely been my favourite. Let's see what local online shops we have to choose from!

Fashion -  ShopDesCreateurs.com

This is the Hong Kong version of Net-a-Porter, which carries around 30 emerging brands from Hong Kong and Paris for both men's wear and women's wear. They are a platform which new designers can showcase their work, and once your orders are placed, the designers themselves will prepare for the shipment. They carry brands based on their designs, quality, and pricing, so you can be sure what you get is an one-of-a-kind steal.

Adrenaline Junkie - Tips on Adventure Racing Gadgets from Jerome Laboulais

First published in Elysiants on 10 December 2011.

Team of Paris-Lafuma:

Elsa Jean de Dieu, Damien Levy, Adrien Choux, and Jerome Laboulais

After reading that many Action Asia magazines, have you started thinking of participating in their events? Combining rock scrambling, abseiling, mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, orienteering, swimming, and occasionally rollerblading, adventure racing is the hottest thing now, and we are lucky to get Jerome Laboulais from Team of Paris-Lafuma, veteran adventure racing team, to list out some basic equipments that you will be needing for your first challenge!

You Are What You Use - Handmade Skincare Courses

First published in Elysiants on 18 December 2011.

Sometimes we just don't know what we are allergic to. Don't want to be putting on too much steroid cream? Tried Lucas' Papaw Cream and Medihoney's Derma Cream already? What about making your own skincare products? Chances are it might just be the preservatives or the foaming agents that is irritating your skin, so grab a couple of friends for some great time in a workshop, and go home with some au naturale products!

Cream and Lotion

Tammy Wing is teaching how to make a series of skincare products over the summer at Wood Cotton Workshop in Causeway Bay, including hand cream, body mist, eye gel, talcum powder, and lip balm. She uses natural materials, blended with aromatherapy oils and Chinese herbal medicines to produce mild products for you. Book here now for perfect skin!