Andrew Leung has transformed his retail passion into business success

Bitten by the retail bug when just a child, Andrew Leung, scion of the iconic Diamond Restaurant-owning family, now helms Diamond Restaurant Food Products and the Pharmabelle skincare brand.

What was it like to grow up in the family that owned Diamond Restaurant, one of the city’s most iconic restaurants?

Honestly, I was really lucky to grow up in such a family, particularly since it meant we got to eat great food quite often. I was also fortunate enough to meet up with my grandparents every Sunday at Diamond Restaurant – which for decades was one of the most famous banquet halls in the city – for yum cha, along with all my uncles, aunts and cousins. The usual schedule was that we would eat with grandma first, then accompany grandpa while he played poker with his friends after the meal. It was a lovely opportunity to spend time with them, something I treasure to this day.

Did this background inspire you to join the food industry or did you have other career aspirations?

I was very influenced by my mother. When my brother and I were growing up, she was the CEO of Clarins, and instead of the usual family outings, she would take us along with her when she conducted spot inspections at Clarins’ cosmetics counters. It was my first taste of the retail business, and I think that was when I was bitten by the retail bug, even though it’s not exactly something you can add to your CV.

So you decided to pursue a career in retail…

Not immediately, no. I graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance from Birmingham University, although it wasn’t an industry I ever worked in. I ended up landing my first job at an advertising agency in Hong Kong, but it wasn’t until eight years later that I joined Cartier and finally got a chance to give retail a try.

What was your proudest accomplishment while working there?

Oh, there were so many high points but a few really stand out. When I joined the company, I started as a communications manager. I think there was a bit of fate involved, because right at the beginning, in 2010, I was assigned to help launch the revamped Prince’s Building flagship, the fourth Cartier flagship in the world. I was lucky enough to be assigned by headquarters to do a local campaign. For this, I was allowed to shoot a 30-minute show, one that featured some of the city’s most famous faces. Everyone shared their personal Cartier stories, and the programme was so successful that it became TVB’s most viewed episode that year. I never expected such a commercial programme to touch so many people, and I’m so proud of what we achieved.

After that, I approached Nigel [Luk, Cartier’s regional managing director] about expanding my career into the management level. In order to do that, though, I needed to learn how to make money for the company as well, so I asked if I could shift to the retail front. It worked out and I ended up staying with Cartier for eight years.

Through it all, was there ever any pressure for you to join the family business?

Not really. According to Chinese tradition, it is normally the sons who inherit the business, so seeing as I was the daughter’s child, I wasn’t expected to take it over. It was supposed to be inherited by my uncles and cousins instead. Ultimately, the family made the decision to close the restaurant in 2002 as the industry was in something of a slump, and interest had moved away from traditional banquet halls like our restaurant to function spaces in luxury hotels instead.

But the ‘Diamond Restaurant’ name was revived once more in 2012…

That’s right. When my grandfather, who had started the restaurant in 1947, passed away in 2004, my mother and her 11 siblings all gathered for a family conference to decide what to do with the name. Ultimately, they ended up selling the property itself, and my mother, who had just retired from Clarins, stepped up to keep the name and the heritage alive. In 2012, my mother co-opted me into her efforts, and we launched Diamond Restaurant Food Products, which began the next chapter of its existence.

So, what exactly does Diamond Restaurant Food Products specialise in?

Given our family’s unique insight into sourcing the best ingredients for Chinese cuisine, evolving it into a retail-oriented business seemed like a logical progression. It allowed my mother and me to utilise our past experiences at Clarins and Cartier to create products that would appeal to today’s urban denizens. Hongkongers are very cosmopolitan – they love good food but they also want convenience. So, Diamond Restaurant Food Products steps in to fill that niche with high-quality ready-to-serve items. Currently, we have nine products, ranging from wild Tasmanian abalone, braised abalone from Taiwan and scallop XO sauce to tangerine pu’er tea. The idea is to offer restaurant-quality ingredients that can be cooked within the comforts of your own home.

You also introduced a new skincare brand, Pharmabelle, to Hong Kong. Tell us more.

Pharmabelle is a skincare brand that was founded in Australia seven years ago by a noted pharmacist who already oversees another well-known skincare label. Since then, we’ve introduced the products to the Hong Kong market, which includes everything from daily-use toiletries like body washes and body oils – especially focussing on contouring – to face products. Pharmabelle’s unique selling point is that it uses natural ingredients rather than the typical chemically driven items sold by other brands. This means that it’s gentler on the skin while still boosting its health and appearance. It’s received quite a warm welcome, and today, our products are available everywhere from Harvey Nichols and Wing On to K11 Beauty.

Can we expect anything new in the coming months?

Absolutely. We just wrapped up a special pop-up store at Harvey Nichols, and also launched a new Pharmababy line in August, which focusses on the skincare needs of babies. Thanks to its natural ingredients, mothers won’t need to worry when using these products on their precious little ones. Also, with Christmas coming up, we’re excited to launch a series of special seasonal promotions at Harvey Nichols, K11 Beauty, Wing On and the Royal Yacht Club.

What’s the top item on your bucket list?

I’ve always been musically inclined – I completed the Grade 8 musical exams in both piano and singing, and I’m a huge fan of musicals – but a relatively new interest for me is that I want to learn how to perform Cantonese opera. While it’s not something I commonly share, my grandfather is actually Leung Sing-por, one of the most famous performers of the genre. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was just three, so I think this is my way of getting closer to him and his legacy.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction: San Wong
Venue: Natuzzi Showroom

Steve Odell of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. on making waves in cruising industry

As the world’s third-largest cruise operator, there is no doubt that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) is a market leader in many ways – be it through its three popular brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; or its world-famous gourmet experience; or its cutting-edge innovations. But despite being one of the best cruise operators around, the group is hardly resting on its laurels. We catch up with Mr Steve Odell, the Senior Vice President and Managing Director Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises APAC from NCLH, to find out how exactly they are making waves in the cruising industry. Check out the video for some exclusive moments from the interview.

For the full interview, please scroll down.

Racetrack aboard Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore

What sets apart NCLH from the other cruises operating in Asia-Pacific?

Well, we are currently the third-largest cruise group in the region. We have three unique brand offerings in different segments of the market that attract different customer demographics and have different distribution channels and different price points. What sets us apart is that our three brands don’t compete with each other. So, we’re very fortunate that we can sell this portfolio of brands with one, unified voice. We often refer to it as the Power of Three, because together they make a strong proposition.

The Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the brands in your portfolio, has been receiving accolades for over a decade now. How hard is it to push the boundaries in an offering that’s already award-winning?

If you’re the best, you must be looking at the next stage of development. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing in several ways. For example, we have moved from having 15 dining choices on our last generation of ships to 29 restaurants on our current batch of ships. We are also pushing the boundaries of the kinds of cuisines that are on offer. So, we have everything from Texan-style barbecue steakhouses to Italian cuisine. We also have a racetrack on board.

Plant-based summer berry pudding on Oceania Cruises

How does Oceania Cruises, your more intimate ship offering, enhance the cruise travel experience?

Firstly, you can really deliver a high quality of service on smaller, more intimate ships, because there are fewer passengers and proportionately more crew to look after them. Secondly, smaller ships are more maneuverable because of their size. So, they can visit smaller, pristine ports around the world. With our Oceania Cruises offering, what sets us apart most is the cuisine. In Oceania Cruises, we claim to have the best cuisine on sea. We have more culinary staff as a percentage of the overall staff than in the other brands within our company. We also have plant-based food on offer now. We take the culinary experience ashore as well. We organise gastronomic tours on land where we go to wineries or high-end restaurants to complement the gourmet experience on board.

The Regent Seven Seas Cruises, meanwhile, claims to have the most inclusive luxury on board. What exactly do you mean by that?

Well, when you’ve reached the very top of the pyramid in cruising, the customer is very discerning and wants the very best in everything. The Regent Seven Seas Cruises caters to this group and we try to create a private yacht-like experience. So, when you go to a bar or a restaurant on the ship, you don’t have to sign a single bill. It’s a free-thinking environment. That also extends to the shore, with the Regent ships offering free unlimited shore excursions. It’s like going on a private-charter yacht where everything is taken care of and you have superlative service to go with it.

Regent Suite master bedroom aboard Seven Seas Splendor

Tell us more about The Largest Suite Ever Built on A Ship…

We have the Regent Suite on the Seven Seas Splendor, which – at 4,443sq.ft – is the largest suite of its kind in the luxury set. It has two bedrooms, a spa, a living-cum-dining room, a conservatory, an outdoor space and even a Winter Garden. It’s located at the front of the ship, so you get the best views in the house. Of course, the suite also has its own private butler, and guests get priority services in pretty much everything on board. It’s being launched in February 2020 in Rome, and we will have an inaugural cruise with our top customers.

Interview: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Video: Kingsley Lau
Photos: NCHL

Master Brander: Colleen Yu of EX-R Consulting on innovative marketing and more

Colleen Yu, founder of the EX-R Consulting marketing agency, on helping brands create unique experiences, shaking up the marketing industry and her indomitable drive to help those less fortunate.

Colleen Yu is wearing High Jewellery Collection earrings and ring by Chopard and dress by D&G

What path did your education take, and how did it impact your career?

I attended high school in the States, and went to Carnegie Mellon for university, where I ended up triple majoring in Marketing, IT and Japanese. I always wanted to be a marketer, specifically a marketing consultant, and IT was a big thing in those days, so it seemed like a wise choice. However, it was my Japanese education that ended up making the biggest impact on my life and career. It was because of this linguistic skill that I managed to find my first job in Japan after graduation. Even though my parents weren’t too keen, I moved there right after graduation and managed to find myself a job at KPMG as a management consultant.

What led you to start EX-R Consulting?

I started the company almost a decade ago when I was took a year off from Goldman Sachs to get married. It was during the Global Financial Crisis, and I thought it was a good time to take time off to plan my wedding and go on my honeymoon. I actually fell in love with event planning through that journey, and I already had some knowledge of hospitality from travelling a lot. I took the opportunity when my first client asked me to become a marketing consultant for a hotel chain in Hong Kong. That led me to start EX-R without any major planning.

Colleen Yu — Colleen is sporting High Jewellery Collection earrings and necklace by Chopard and a one-shoulder dress by D&G

Tell us more about your company.

Since I didn’t come from an agency or a brand background, I have a very different approach to marketing. I did major in marketing in university, and I had that common sense that came from my previous experiences at KPMG and Goldman Sachs. When I started taking on consulting jobs for my marketing clients, I did it with a very business-driven and strategic view. Many within the industry focus on content first, but I take a holistic view, thinking about what the objectives are, how we can grow a business, who the target audiences are… It’s a more textbook, theoretical approach.

What sets EX-R apart from its competitors?

I think the industry is quite fragmented, especially in Hong Kong. Many agencies here are quite small and only target a specific set of services, for example, media relations, advertising or media buy. I have a very integrated marketing solution approach. I look at something from every angle, and I don’t just come up with a creative concept, but also execute the project. I think this makes us stand out from other agencies. Moreover, we focus on content design and emphasise the experiential approach to help clients stand out – hence our name, EX-R. Many people think content is just the advertising campaign, but actually I see everything as content. Especially in today’s digital age, whether you put up a visual media display in your store or have a pop-up event, these are all content that can easily go viral.

What some common marketing mistakes you encounter?

I think there are two main problems that frustrate me today. The first is that many brands are headquartered abroad and have a smaller local team on-site, particularly in Hong Kong and especially within the luxury space that my company occupies. Often, because of corporate policy, local teams can only deliver plans that are in line with the overall brand strategy, whereas I feel if headquarters allowed them the independence to come up with initiatives that are more relevant to the local market while still remaining brand-relevant, they would be able to get much greater results. The second thing is the focus on media value and the emphasis on instant calculation of results. I think marketing isn’t really quantifiable, especially immediately, and people need to have a longer-term strategic approach.

Can you share three golden rules for marketing a brand or product?

Well, the first is to be very strategic and focused when targetting a specific market. Select your key demographics and don’t try to be greedy beyond that, or you risk losing the thrust of your message. Number two is ensuring every marketing effort remains relevant to the brand. Sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by what competitors do, or what is currently ‘hot’ in the market, I want my clients to be more forward-trending rather than following the trend. It’s difficult because it’s a more risk-taking approach. Finally, focus on content creation rather than the distribution channels. When you have strong content to begin with, the channels will follow, whether it’s an influencer who will become involved or media who want to cover you. If you’re not creative or strategic to from the start, it’s very difficult to engage them down the line.

Do you have any new projects that you’re excited for?

I have so many! With EX-R celebrating 10 years, I have a whole new vision for the next decade. One exciting plan is that we are expanding into music and artistic experiential campaigns. I have found partners that I can’t name just yet, and we will be working on more brand experiential programmes in the music and art space. These spheres go beyond just the luxury clients that I’ve been specialising in for the past 10-plus years, and they have a cross-cultural appeal. We’ve also recently completed a very exciting project at Beijing’s Forbidden City, which was an art exhibition for an artist we’ve partnered with for a while now. I never dreamt that I would be able to host an event at such a historic venue.

You’re also very involved in several charitable causes. Where does this love of giving back to the less fortunate stem from?

I think I grew up in a family that was very driven to give back to society. My dad was heavily involved with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the Hospital Authority. A lot of my dear friends are also involved in this space, which also inspires me to do the same. While I love my job and my clients, I feel like, eventually, I want to take all these skills I’ve built over the years and help to market those worthy causes that really don’t get enough exposure in circles that matter because they don’t have the required marketing capabilities.

Colleen looks chic in Happy Hearts Wings earrings and bangle by Chopard, and attire and boots by Salvatore Ferragamo

Is there any cause that’s very dear to you?

Yes, I’m very passionate about helping victims of human trafficking and rape across developing nations. I’m on the board of an organisation called Hagar International, which helps women and children who have been trafficked or violated in countries like Cambodia or Afghanistan, be it finding them housing, medication or employment or even providing counselling treatment and post-trauma care, all in the hopes that they can reintegrate back into society.

Another causes I’m involved with is Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps gravely ill children fulfil their greatest wishes. I’m always in awe of these kids who are going through such a tough time, and yet are so brave. Oftentimes, their wishes aren’t even for themselves, but for those nearest to them, which is so touching and selfless. Finally, I’ve always been passionate about the arts. I grew up dancing, and I am now involved with the Hong Kong Ballet. My daughter loves ballet too, and it’s great to do something that she can participate in as well.

Tell us something people don’t know about you.

I’m a bit of an open book, so this is a hard one… I do have a secret dream to one day plan the Met Gala in New York though. Maybe one day…

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photo: Jack Law
Video: Kingsley Lau
Art direction and styling: San Wong
Makeup: Chelria Debard
Hair: Gary Sun from Hair@M
Wardrobe: Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Sportmax, Salvatore Ferragamo, Manolo Blanhnik
Jewellery: Chopard

Mann of Action: Wu Assassins star Byron Mann on his Hollywood journey

Byron Mann, Hong Kong’s most promising export to Hollywood, talks to us about what it is like to be an Asian actor in Western films and his latest success story, Wu Assassins.

You studied law before turning to acting. When did you realise that films were your true calling?

Well, I figured out law wasn’t right for me during my first year of law school itself. I was interning at a law firm in Hong Kong over summer break, when my manager there suggested I pursue something else. He asked me what I would like to do instead and I told him that I used to like acting in high school. He was the one who suggested that I should try my hand at it, because the University of Southern California – where I was enrolled at that time – is in Los Angeles, just minutes away from Hollywood. And that is exactly what I did over the next few years of college. By my third year, I had already signed up for a movie. So even before I had graduated, I knew that I wanted to act for a living.

Did you go through the struggling actor period?

Not in the traditional sense. Having started young, I was quite excited about the prospect of acting. I couldn’t believe they were paying me to do it, I would have done it for fun. Fortunately, as I was already based in Hollywood, I didn’t have to struggle too much, I was landing roles pretty much from the start. I think, if there’s any struggle, it’s in keeping yourself fresh for any new challenge after you’ve been acting for 10 or 15 years.

Do you think that being an Asian worked in your favour?

I really believe that there are roles for everyone in Hollywood. And I’m talking about the mid-’90s, way before Crazy Rich Asians happened. Of course, the roles available to a Caucasian actor were more in number than those available to an Asian, but there were fewer Asians competing for those parts than Caucasians at that time.

What do you consider as a turning point in your career?

There have been several such moments actually, but none of them made an impact overnight. I did this film called The Big Short in 2015. During the production phase, it was a low-budget film and nobody knew anything about it. But after it came out, it got more and more popular. I started feeling its impact over a year later, when producers and directors approached me for roles because they had all seen the movie. They all said they loved how evil I was in that cameo role.

Is there any particular decision you made that you would like to go back and change?

If there’s anything that springs to mind, it’s that for the first 10 years of my career, I only wanted to do feature films. I had grown up watching such great movies as The Last Emperor, Schindler’s List and so on. As a result, I was quite focussed on only signing full-length films and not TV shows. If I had to do it all over again, I would surely consider acting in both mediums.

Do you think that Hollywood has become more sensitive to Asian cultures over time?

I definitely think that there’s more awareness in Hollywood now than there was 20 years ago. There are several reasons for that. First and foremost is, of course, easy access to the Internet. Researching a character’s background and culture has become much easier. Secondly, there’s the emergence of China and India on the global stage. These are huge markets and Hollywood studios definitely don’t want to rub them the wrong way.

How different is the experience of shooting a full-length feature film from doing a TV series?

I would compare a feature film to a sprint, whereas a TV series is like a marathon. In feature films, you have to tell the whole story in two or three hours, so the intensity is at a different level. Having said that though, I think the two experiences are becoming more and more similar now, thanks to streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. For example, I acted in Altered Carbon and more recently in Wu Assassins on Netflix. Let’s say there are 10 episodes in each series, with a budget of over US$15 million for each episode. Given the money involved, the production quality is very high – it’s like shooting 10 feature films of shorter lengths.

Do you think that streaming services will soon eclipse the theatre-going experience?

That’s already happening to an extent, but I don’t think streaming will completely overshadow the cinematic experience. There’s something unique about collective theatre-viewing. You can’t completely recreate that at home. But, thanks to streaming services, you can watch very high-quality productions at leisure in your own home, at own your pace, and there is definitely a place for that as well.

What are your thoughts on Wu Assassins’ popularity?

Wu Assassins’ popularity has really exceeded my expectations. As of 23 August, it was ranked the third most-watched show in the world. What has surprised me the most is how audiences worldwide have responded to some of the racism issues addressed in the show. There’s a scene in episode 7 where my character responds to a racist waitress by educating her about the history of Chinese people in America. That scene has gone viral worldwide and has been one of the main talking points for the show. That’s very gratifying for me.

What was it like playing Uncle Six, who had a huge character arc in Wu Assassins, so much so that the audience ends up rooting for the villain?

The character of Uncle Six that I played in Wu Assassins has been a highlight in my career – a rather unexpected highlight, I might add. I signed up for this show because I had worked with the creator / producer John Wirth previously on AMC’s Hell On Wheels. I had such camaraderie with John that when he asked me to do this show, I said yes without even knowing much about the character or the series.

But I am glad that I said yes. I had a good time getting into the skin of this character and creating a contrast between how he looks at present and how he looked like 15 years ago, and following him on his journey when he lost his fire power and became a mere human, particularly what he looked like and how he felt when he took a road trip with his adopted son in episode 7. It was important for me to play a real human being instead of a stereotypical Triad boss. That was the challenge for me.

Finally, who’s your favourite actor?

Ah, there are so many… Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Daniel Day-Lewis, Meryl Streep… I would like to compare acting to really good food. After you’ve tasted something delicious, you think about it even after the meal is finished. It’s the same with movies. After you watch a good movie, you walk out of the cinema hall and still think about it. That’s good acting there if it moves you and gives you pause for thought. All the actors I just named are the ones who have moved me deeply with their acting prowess.

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction & Styling: San Wong
Grooming: Chris Yu @ Morphologique
Venue: The Fleming Hong Kong
Wardrobe & Accessories: Etro, BOSS, Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani, Chopard, Cerruti 1881

Legacy of Light: Tino Kwan on his career highlights and what comes next

To say that Tino Kwan, the award-winning lighting designer extraordinaire, is something of a legend in design circles is putting things mildly. After all, the born-and-raised Hongkonger has masterminded the stunning lighting designs of some of the world’s most iconic properties, ranging from the recently-completed refurbishment of the iconic Raffles Singapore hotel to the sumptuous The Peninsula Tokyo.

As Kwan prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his company, Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants (TKLC), he chatted with Gafencu about his favourite projects to date, the basic do’s and don’ts of lighting design and his upcoming Unity of Light exhibition, which kicks off on 11 October at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

With TKLC celebrating its 40th anniversary, what do you think have been the key factors of your success?

I never set out to be a famous designer. Being a perfectionist, though, I always like to strive for the best. When it comes to design, I challenge myself to do better for every project. Also, I’m passionate about learning, which also helps me become a better designer. Lighting is a marriage between technology and art, and with new technologies emerging everyday, I’m always on my toes to make sure that I’ve learnt every aspect of what’s out there. I think these two facets have really helped me to constantly raise the bar over the years.

Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants 2 — Tino Kwan, founder of Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this week

Of all the various projects you’ve worked on, do you have a favourite?

It’s quite difficult to choose, but if I had to pick, there are three that stand out. The first is the award-winning The Peninsula Tokyo, which I did the lighting for some fifteen years ago. Two years ago, I was invited back for the10th anniversary party and when I went in, the lighting had been kept entirely the same. I was very pleased that my designs had withstood the test of time.

The next project is a Japanese restaurant at Lee Garden 2 called Ta-ke. The interiors were designed by Kengo Kuma, the famed Japanese architect, in collaboration with my very good friend, Steve Leung. I had to work with two design masters, and it wasn’t easy. Kengo-san’s design concept was very minimalist, focussing solely on one material – bamboo. In the end, I managed to get into his mindset and employed an equally minimal lighting concept. It was a great success, and he even said: “Tino, you made my bamboos come alive!”

My final favourite is the new St Regis Hong Kong which I just finished. It’s a beautiful project, a medium-sized hotel but very cosy. The lighting in the whole hotel is very human-scale and creates an atmosphere that’s almost like a home away from home that you want to return to. That was the key idea, and I think that’s the beauty of the lighting in that hotel.

What are the key essentials to good lighting design? Conversely, what are some common mistakes?

Good lighting doesn’t have to be complicated. My lighting is always simple and minimalist, but very powerful. Lighting needs to be comfortable, it needs to enhance the space and gift it with various focal points. There also has to be different layers of lighting to make the space richer. A lot of common mistakes tend to run to the opposite, to the overly-complex – too many lights, confusing layouts or dull designs… Sometimes, when entering a room, you automatically feel uncomfortable for no reason. Usually, that’s due to bad lighting.

Can you tell us more about your upcoming Unity of Light exhibition?

To give you a little background, I held my first exhibition – also at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, ten years ago to showcase three decades of my work. This time, I want to do more. I want to appeal not only to design circles, but also to the public at large. My mission, after 40 years, is really to draw attention to the importance of lighting and to educate the public on the concepts of lighting design.

This exhibition, which is called Unity of Light, features several highlights. The first is a maze through which attendees can view my various projects. As a special touch – which is a bit of a secret – I’ll be using the neon signs that are a Hong Kong trademark not only for the commercial kind of shops but also as signages for all the design clients and companies on display. The maze is also fitted with mirrors to create a reflective effect that will enhance the entire experience.

Also, while creating this exhibition, we simultaneously created a film titled The Story of a Hong Kong Boy. I was born and raised here, and I’m a proud Hongkonger. The film is an autobiographical account of my journey to becoming an internationally successful lighting designer. I want to share my experience and pass this message to the Hong Kong public.

Last but not least, with an eye to educating the public, I have collaborated with Gary Chang, a master designer of multifunctional small spaces, to build a 180sq.ft ‘nano-home’ for a couple. Using lighting as a major element, I want to demonstrate how lighting can enhance a small space, and how the use of technologies can really enhance everyday life.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup

Whisky expert Charles Maclean on the one whisky he’d take to a deserted island

For true-blue connoisseurs of the whisky world, Charles MacLean needs no introduction. However, for those who are less au fait with the bevvy, the Scotsman is the considered to be one of the most authoritative voices on whisky, especially the Scotch varietals, having published 17 books to date on the subject and having hosted numerous tastings and talks throughout the world. His recent marathon tour to China, of which Hong Kong was his last port of call, was a very special one though. He was here courtesy of the world’s leading blended whisky expert, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, ahead of the launch of two very special, very rare bottles to be unveiled next year. We sat down with him to talk about all things whisky. Catch some snippets of our interview in the video below. For the full interview, please scroll down.

You have famously said that you would prefer a blended whisky to a single malt when you are unwinding. Any reasons for this preference?

My work has largely to do with single malt whiskies. So whenever I am served malt whisky, I immediately go into work mode. But when I just want to drink and enjoy, which is everyday after 6 o’clock in the evening, I reach for a blended Scotch. If I could choose only one whisky on a desert island, that’d be blended Scotch, specifically a Johnnie Walker blended whisky.

Which of the offerings from Johnnie Walker is your most favourite?

That would be Johnnie Walker Black Label. Of course, I like drinking the Johnnie Walker Blue Label as well, it’s incredibly smooth, but I feel that the Black Label has more bite to it. If somebody else is paying, then I’d always order a Johnnie Walker Black Label.

With the demand for whiskies reaching astronomical levels, especially in auctions, what should we keep in mind while investing in whiskies?

It depends on who is buying, whether they’re consumers or collectors or investors. If you’re looking to buy to consume, go for any whisky distilled in the ’60s, ’70s and even ’80s. They’re good value for money and taste great. Collectors typically go for rarity. So they would buy limited editions, original bottlings. I would advise collectors to for whiskies that are not as collectable now but those that have more potential. I would avoid Dalmore, Macallan, Bowmore, and instead look for interesting labels, original bottlings, etc. Investors, meanwhile, can buy whiskies at any price point, and they drive the price up. Since the financial crisis, people are looking at alternative investments and whisky is currently the most popular alternative investment. Some rich Asians are, meanwhile, also investing in casks.

Tell us more about the two Johnnie Walker special releases that are being unveiled next year…

The first one is a super-exclusive limited-edition expression, an incredibly rich 40-year-old whisky that connoisseurs are sure to fall in love with.

The other exquisite offering is The John Walker Last Cask, which will be presented with a bespoke design by Hand Engraver of Glass to Her Majesty the Queen, Philip Lawson Johnston. Every hand-drawn image decorating the bottles is as beautiful as it is unique. These whiskies are hand-selected from just nine distilleries that were in existence during Johnnie Walker founder John Walker’s lifetime (1805-1857). According to Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge, this special cask, essential to balancing the flavours of The John Walker, will soon no longer bring the balance and depth of character that is so important for this elegant whisky. He has therefore decided to withdraw it from use, meaning only one final cask of The John Walker will ever be released..

Thank you.

Interview by Suchetana Mukhopadhyay, video by Lai Ti Yeung

Sabrina Chao on captaining Hong Kong’s largest shipping company for a decade

After steering Hong Kong’s largest shipping company, Wah Kwong Group, for more than a decade, Sabrina Chao chats with us inside the plush Signature Suite of The Murray on what lies next for her and the company.

With your grandfather having founded the Wah Kwong Group, was it always on the cards for you to join the family business?

Not at all. Coming from a traditional Chinese family, the weight of carrying the family name was on the boys, which in our case, was my brother, my youngest sibling. As a daughter, I had a very carefree childhood. I was allowed and encouraged to pursue whatever path I chose, and that’s exactly what I did. My parents never interfered with my choice of university or subjects. I just sort of came back into shipping by coincidence. It was around 2001 and my family was facing a very turbulent time. Both my grandparents and my uncle passed away in consecutive years, which left a very big void in our company. My father was the only one left to take care of the business. So he and my mother requested me to step in and I decided to learn the ropes of the trade alongside my father. It was never planned that I would one day take over the family business, it all started with me stepping up to help my family through a difficult time.

But you decided to stay on…

Yes, once I was in, I found myself very drawn to the shipping business. It was so different from my previous experience of working in finance companies like PwC. I must say that shipping is a very special industry, and I am not saying that only because our family’s heritage and legacy are tied to this business. One gets to meet all these fantastic, larger-than-life personalities in this field. Though it’s not necessarily the most profitable business, it’s still a very addictive one. You just get drawn into it.

What would you consider a turning point in your life?

When I was around 30, my father had his first stroke and fell seriously ill. At that time, I just went into crisis management mode and took hold of the reins of the company. The family business was my father’s life work and I just couldn’t let it fall apart. At that time though, I did not think of it as a turning point, I just did what had to be done.

How do you keep the momentum going in a family business that’s been there for generations?

It’s pretty simple for us, as it’s just me and my siblings looking after the company. We just discuss over dinner and share ideas. We challenge each other from time to time and thrive to come up with solutions via open communication. It keeps us growing.

With you recently stepping down from the role of the chairperson of the Wah Kwong Group, what’s next for the company?

Yes, I stepped down in August to spend more time with my family, and to pursue new horizons. But the business is in very good hands. My brother has taken over the reins from me, and he was always meant to run the business. I ran the company for the last decade and it was a good time for a change of guard. I don’t think it’s healthy for one person to hold the same position for too long. My brother brings a new perspective – a fresh pair of eyes, so to say – but he understands, more than anyone else, the essence of this business and what it means to our family.

You have been elected as the President Designate for the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), one of the oldest and largest shipping associations in the world. What are your thoughts on this role?

It is very humbling and a huge privilege. It’s exciting because, in its 114-year history, this is the first time that two female presidential candidates have been elected back to back. Shipping has traditionally been considered a male-dominated industry, but now we are gradually changing that perception.

So, how exactly are women breaking the gender barrier in this male-dominated industry?

I think women are breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings across many industries, not just shipping. If you think about it, a few centuries ago, women were not even allowed to go aboard ships because it was considered unlucky. It’s ironic because ships could be named after women, but they wouldn’t be allowed on them. Of course, those days are thankfully behind us, and we have women captains, female chief engineers and so on. In fact, a few months ago, Hong Kong produced its very first lady chief engineer. Having said that, we do have a long way to go.

Shipping corporations also seem to be taking steps to address environmental issues…

Yes, there are many things happening right now. Historically, it has been all politically driven, with governments coming up with new regulations and with us scrambling to meet them. But some time ago, the industry realised that these regulations are not really very well drafted. Over the last decade, there have been many conversations within the shipping industry about what more we should be doing. Ultimately, everybody agrees that we want to leave behind a much better world for our next generations. We don’t want to be seen as the polluters of the world. If you look back, we have already made great progress in reducing our carbon footprint, but that’s not enough, there is a lot left to be done.

How does Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime hub compare to, say, Singapore?

With over half of the world’s merchant fleet being in Asia, we can have more than one international maritime hub in Asia. While Hong Kong, with its proximity to China, serves as a gateway into China and other northern Asian countries, Singapore caters more to South East Asia. There’s actually room for more than two hubs in Asia now, with Shanghai coming up as well.

What are the other new projects you are excited about?

It’s probably too early for me to be talking too much about it, but I am liaising with an English public school to potentially launch in Asia. We’ll be opening a few schools in China and South Korea over the next five years. It’s a project that I am personally very attached to, especially because I have young kids and education is always on my mind.

What do you do in your downtime?

I enjoy family time, especially when I get my hubby to myself, which is never enough. I enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as taking my boys to school. In that 20-minute car ride, I spend a lot of quality time with them. At home, they are both distracted with their toys or games, but during our drive to school, we really bond.

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Video: Kingsley Lau
Photos: Jack Law
Styling & Art Direction: San Wong
Make-up: Irene Hung
Venue: Signature Suite @ The Murray

Hire Calling: Chatting with Andrew Chan, CEO of ACI HR Solutions

Andrew Chan, award-winning CEO of ACI HR Solutions, examines his own career choices, shares top tips for recruiting senior employees and introduces his exciting new AI-driven startup, AiMYJOBS…

Were you always destined for a career in Human Resources?

Actually, it was something I pretty much stumbled into. As soon as I’d finished my travel and tourism diploma in Sydney, I started work as a mailboy for a travel agency. I then moved on to working in reservations for Cathay Pacific, followed by a stint in sales for Singapore Airlines, all without ever leaving Sydney. After that, I moved into the hotel industry, relocated to Singapore and joined a recruitment firm…

To be honest, none of that was planned. Throughout it all, though, it became apparent to me that my passions lay in travel and hospitality. Even though I currently have a recruitment / HR role, it’s still within those same industries. It’s what I’m most passionate about and I’ve never really wanted to leave.

What spurred you into starting ACI HR Solutions?

It was a mixture of luck, coincidence and a bit of ambition. I was fortunate enough to work in a recruitment company and be in a position to see how it actually operates, ultimately working my way up to becoming its Chief Executive. When the owners sold the business in 2012, I realised I was at a crossroads. I had to decide whether to find a similar role at another firm or if, armed with all my experience, I should start out on my own. In the end, it was the latter that appealed to me more, which led me to found ACI HR Solutions later that year.

In a crowded recruitment consultancy space, how do you ensure you stand out?

We’re an executive search firm-cum-recruitment company, which focusses exclusively on the travel and hospitality sector. Everyone who works at ACI comes from the industry including myself. What sets us apart is that, as a boutique business in a niche market, we’re able to focus on our customers like no one else. As we’re all industry insiders, we have a deeper understanding of how to deal with clients and candidates. We know exactly what both sides are looking for because we’ve been through the same process ourselves.

What do you think are some common misconceptions surrounding the HR industry?

That it’s boring. That it’s a back-office function. I feel there’s a lot of outdated views about HR out there. I always say that if the Chief Financial Officer is the trusty right arm of any business owner, then HR is the left. Why? Simply because employing the right people is now more critical to any organisation’s success than ever before.

What would you advise employers to pay particular attention to when considering a candidate for a senior role?

I think there are three things one should really consider quite seriously when evaluating a potential hire – their past achievements, their leadership skills and their ability to handle stress. In terms of achievements, it’s important to analyse exactly what they’ve done and how it was accomplished, while paying particular attention to whether the success was really down to them or whether it was due to external factors. For high-level employees, it’s particularly important to evaluate their people management skills and to get an understanding of their style of leadership. Here, it’s helpful to consider whether or not they managed to nurture the abilities and careers of those under their wing.

Finally, when considering how any candidate might deal with pressure, it’s important to identify their stress levers and then determine, as much as you can, how they would react in any situation where things are going badly wrong. Here, you need to get them to share previous experiences, while throwing in a few open-ended questions just to see where they go with them.

Do you have anything new on the horizon that you are particularly excited about?

Well, there’s a new project that I’m a co-founder of – AiMYJOBS. During the 15 years that I’ve spent running recruitment firms, I’ve come to realise there is a missing element, a gap between a fully-fledged recruitment agency and a job board. I was never really sure what was missing until recently when I started mentoring start-ups, something I’ve been doing for a year now. It was through that that I met two young guys who were building an artificial intelligence (AI) platform. We started talking and, ultimately, I kind of tweaked their idea a bit to see if it could be adapted into a recruitment platform. We launched the company earlier this year and we’re now beta-testing.

In essence, it’s a concept that operates in the middle ground between the low-cost, work-intensive process of sifting through hundreds of candidates and the high cost of getting a shortlist of potential hires hand-delivered to you by a recruitment firm. We’re aiming to deliver a low-cost shortlist that’s been narrowed down via the judicious deployment of AI.

Is there a particular philosophy you swear by?

Well, there’s a scene in one of the Rocky movies where Sylvester Stallone tells his son: “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows… It ain’t about how hard ya hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” That really resonates with me. I believe that, no matter what happens to you, you have to get up and move forward.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Jack Law Art
Direction: San Wong
Venue: ViA x Giorgetti Flagship Store

The full version of this interview appears in Gafencu’s latest September 2019 print issue. You can also view the digital version for free by downloading the Gafencu app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Pointes of View: The all-tutu true story of dancer, actress and designer Flora Cheong-Leen

As a ballerina, actress, choreographer, TV director and fashion designer, Flora Cheong-Leen has been a trendsetter all her life. We sat down with her in the plush showroom of the COLOURLIVING concept store to talk about her lifelong passion for dance, her brief tryst with acting, her controversial fashion designing career, and above all, her eternal zest for life.

You were just nine when you signed up to London’s Royal Ballet School. What made you so sure that dance would be such a huge part of your life when you were so young?

It was really all down to my sister. She had already enrolled to study under Jean Wong, the illustrious Hong Kong-born ballet dancer who taught at the city’s Royal Academy of Dance. After being under her tutelage for a little while in Hong Kong, she suggested I audition in London. So, when I was just eight or nine years old, I found myself – along with thousands of other kids – trying out for a place at London’s Royal Ballet School. Fortunately, I was first Chinese kid to get accepted and I’ve never looked back. Initially, I was a little homesick and found the training regime to be quite demanding. As my skills improved, however, my love of ballet continued to blossom.

What ultimately led you back to Hong Kong?

Well, I had just been accepted as a professional dancer at the Royal Ballet Company in London when my mum fell ill. So I immediately gave all that up to come back to Hong Kong to be with her. Sadly, six months later, she passed away and I couldn’t bring myself to go back to London. I decided to join the Hong Kong Ballet instead. While it was a smaller company than the one I had been a member of in London, it allowed me to stay close to my family and that was my true priority.

Your return to Hong Kong also marked your transformation into a movie star…

That came about completely by accident. When I first came back to Hong Kong, I picked up some part-time modelling work. It was during one such assignment that someone singled me out and asked if I’d be interested in starring in an upcoming movie. At the time, they were looking for a replacement for Josephine Siao – then one of Hong Kong’s biggest stars – who was pregnant. Of course, I signed up for that. Then the offers started flooding in. Before I knew it, I had committed to 10 different movies.

You eventually gave all that up though…

Well, while I felt I could really express myself emotionally through dance, I didn’t find that same freedom in the movies. The parts I was being offered just didn’t have that kind of depth – all I had to do was look pretty, and that didn’t really resonate with me. I was also not that enamoured with all the add-ons – the promotions, the ribbon-cuttings and the whole PR process.

You also found time to become a fashion designer…

Ever since I can remember, I have loved experimenting with fabrics. As a kid, I would cut the lace trims off my dresses to create new outfits. Let’s just say that my mother wasn’t always impressed. When I was older, I took over my sister’s fashion design business and looked to expand it. It wasn’t long before I launched my first collection – Pavlova. With its name a nod to Anna Pavlova, the legendary Russian ballerina, it had an unabashedly romantic-countryside feel to it.

As the business expanded, it no longer made financial sense to manufacture in Hong Kong, so we outsourced it to the mainland. It was around this time that I also fell under the spell of Chinese culture and art, eventually going on to study for a diploma in art history in Beijing. I felt more connected to my Chinese roots than ever before, something that started to manifest itself in my choice of fabrics and my designs. My collections became quite popular and I went on to open 200 stores under the Tian Art label.

Some of your designs, however, seemed to almost woo controversy…

Yes – after I had an image of the Madonna holding the Baby Jesus in one of my jeans collections, I was accused of trying to promote Christianity in China. That wasn’t the case at all, though, and it was actually more about my take on motherhood. Then I used Chairman Mao badges and motifs as part of another range and that landed me in even more trouble. For my part, though, it was never my intention to be wilfully controversial; I was just looking to be creative.

How would you describe your design ethos?

I have a very multicultural background. My family has ties to South America, China, Australia and Indonesia. As a result, I am inspired by the local cultures of all these places – many of my designs, for instance, feature traditionally Indonesian batik prints. I have also designed a number of contemporary-looking cheongsams to celebrate my Chinese heritage. I am, essentially, pluralistic by nature.

What are the challenges of spending your life in the limelight?

I don’t like my personal life being written about. People would see me with someone at some event or another and then something scurrilous and unfounded would appear in the news the next day. It’s the kind of thing that has made me determined not to remain public property. Life is not about the next party or the next gala; there is so much more to it. I would rather be spending my life doing things that allow me to make a real difference.

Thank you.

Interview: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Photos: Jack Law
Video: Kingsley Lau
Art Direction: San Wong
Make-up and Hair: Irene Hung
Jewellery:Cartier
Venue: COLOURLIVING

La Styla Bonita: Bonita Cheung, one of Hong Kong’s foremost fashion impresarios, now has designs on the future…

In 1998 you launched Tassels, your first fashion label. Four years later, the Bonita Cheung range made its debut, followed by Ni-Chi in 2009. Can you tell us a little about the genesis of each line?

After graduating, I didn’t jump straight into the fashion industry. Instead, I worked in the luxury jewellery sector, focussing on the marketing and advertising side. By 1998, though, I’d realised that fashion was where I really wanted to be and that I should really make the move before it was too late. Soon after, I opened my own workshop in Central and started creating bespoke items, evening and wedding pieces under the Tassels brand.

After a few years spent establishing Tassels and building up my clientele, I felt it was time to branch out under my own name. The result was the Bonita Cheung collection, which was picked up by Lane Crawford as part of its ready-made couture offering. Then, after I’d been working with Reina Chau [one of Hong Kong’s most stylish socialites and a leading patron of the arts] for several years, we both realised we shared a very similar approach to fashion and matching beliefs in the kind of styles we wanted to create. This led us to collaborate on our own ready-to-wear line – Ni-Chi. The company name was actually a combination of our daughters’ names – Nicole on my side and Chiara on hers.

When you are designing outfits, how do you visualise the women who will ultimately wear them?

I always imagine that my pieces appeal to women who are not easily influenced by the trends followed by others, while also being confident and fun to be around. Ultimately, my clothes are made for the kind of woman who isn’t afraid to try something new and who relishes every new adventure.

How would you describe your own approach to fashion design?

For me, it’s all about creating something that will withstand the test of time and be marked as a classic – not in the sense that it’s in any way old fashioned, but more that it has an enduring appeal. To my mind, you should be able to dust something off a few seasons after you bought it and find that you still want to wear it, largely because it’s both memorable and unique.

You’ve long been associated with the Hong Kong Fashion Designers’ Association…

I was initially approached to be one of the executive members. Later, when the chairman found I had a background in marketing, I was asked to focus more on that side of their activities. This led to me creating events that really showcased the work of the city’s fashion designers.

It was around that time that you set out to break records in association with the Danish Fashion Institute…

All that actually began with a conversation with Eva Kruse, the CEO of the Danish Fashion Institute (now the Global Fashion Agenda). Some years earlier, they held a very successful event – The World’s Greatest Catwalk – which had featured the longest runway ever seen at a fashion event. We decided to try and break that record, so we then had to find somewhere in Hong Kong that could accommodate the mammoth catwalk we had in mind. In the end, a 3.2km runway was created along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Some 340 models took part and it took each of them 45 minutes to walk the full length of the catwalk, which saw us establish a new world record.

Last year, you were the Project Curator for Juxtaposed Fashion X Music, a major event in the city, which showcased over 150 different outfits from 75 local designers. What made you think the city’s fashion community needed to up its visibility?

Well, I think every city needs its own distinct character and fashion is a huge part of Hong Kong’s identity, not least because people here just love to style it up. While we are universally recognised as a shopper’s paradise, our local brands are largely under-exposed. On top of that, it’s far from easy for local designers to survive against all the international competition and the ever-rising rents. Having experienced all that for myself, I really wanted to help the up-and-coming generation of designers to get the kind of exposure and create the kind of noise necessary to overcome these very real challenges.

Where do you stand on the much debated diversity issues the fashion industry has had to contend with?

Well , we definitely need a greater commitment to diversity. To be brutally honest, 99 percent of models are still all drawn from the same demographic, which is a great shame. It’s really only when you have a more widely representative selection of models that you can truly showcase every design possibility. I want women – whether they are 155cm tall or 185cm, whether they weigh 100 pounds or 150 pounds – to know that they can look good in my designs. It also gives fashion an added element of reality – clothes aren’t meant to be costumes; they are meant to be worn by real people.

Thank you.

Interview by: Bailey Atkinson
Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction: San Wong
Venue: SICIS Hong Kong
Make-up: Margaret Wong
Wardrobe: Bonita Cheung
For the full article, please find the latest issue of Gafencu’s print magazine or the PDF version on the Gafencu app. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.