PR queen Patricia Cheong brings a touch of majesty to Macau

Patricia Cheong, the founder of PR firm MM Group and the primary force behind the booming public relations industry in Macau, talks about her journey from being a beauty queen to PR royalty…

How did you evolve from being a one-time Miss Macau to becoming a leading light on the local PR scene?

When I entered the Miss Macau beauty contest in 1986, I was just 17 years old and was yet to finish college. While I had just done it for fun, it became quite an eye-opening experience. It gave me the chance to meet so many people as I travelled across the world promoting Macau. It truly paved the way for me to become a PR professional later on. If you think about it, I was playing a PR role and acting as an ambassador for Macau on the world stage. After the contest, I went back to school to finish my studies, but the seeds of my PR career had been sown.

A Diva’s Dream watch by Bulgari gracing Patricia Cheong’s wrist

Given your success in the contest, were you ever lured by the world of film or TV?

Well, a few offers did come my way. While I never did any TV series or films, I did work on some documentaries and entertainment shows for TVB and TDM. I soon realised that it wasn’t really for me. I prefer managing the show myself, rather than being directed by other people.

So, at what point did you decide to launch your own PR firm?

In 1994, just a few years after I had graduated. I already knew that I was a people person, but I also realised that I could be quite entrepreneurial. So, I took a leap of faith and started the firm when I was in my mid-20s and it’s still going strong.

You also found time to study for an EMBA…

Yes, after being in business for about 11 years, I realised I needed to hone my management skills. This led me to join the Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA Programme in 2005, which helped me upgrade my skill set and expand my professional network.

That aside, how have you found running and sustaining your own business?

Well, it’s certainly been memorable. There have been ups and downs along the way, but, overall, I’d say things have gone fairly smoothly – except for 2008, when the economic tsunami had a major impact on all of us. When I started out, though, it wasn’t always easy, as Macau is such a small place. There was a lot of competition and comparatively few opportunities.

As a former Miss Macau, though, I was fairly well known and that helped open some doors. After 2002, however, when a more liberal approach to hotel and hospitality licences was adopted, we found ourselves in the middle of an economic boom. As a PR and marketing firm, we benefited a lot. Soon after the change, we took on Sands China as a client, followed by other local and American hotels. It was as if things had been turned up several notches almost overnight. As a result, I became heavily involved with the whole gaming trade business – from games and in-house shows to F&B, trade shows, seminars, concerts, etc.

With Macau now ranked as one of the wealthiest places on earth in terms of per capita GDP, does this make it fertile ground for new businesses?

Absolutely. It is already established as Asia’s premier gaming market, with all of the industry’s major players now having a presence here. Now, the local government is pushing to diversify further and wants businesses in other sectors to flourish as well.

Given your many responsibilities and commitments, how do you go about organising a typical day?

As soon as I wake up, I check and reply to all my messages and mails. Then it’s time for my morning workout – something I look forward to every day. After that, a lot of my time is taken up with business matters, and I tend to do a fair amount of social and professional networking after work, maybe over dinner with clients and colleagues. I generally only get to bed after fielding a number of calls from our European clients. While it’s a long day, it’s generally not all work and no play. On weekends, I spend a long time at the gym and then unwind with friends over food and wine. As a Libra, I know how to balance work with fun and I think I manage that pretty well most of the time.

What advice would you give to someone currently considering starting their own business?

It’s not easy to give advice as the world is changing so fast, with many new business models emerging. Despite that, I still believe that any startup has to be unique, have a great team behind it and a real understanding of their chosen market. Above all, though, they need to think big, aim high and always have the courage to try.

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Art Direction: San Wong
Makeup: Margaret Wong
Photos: Neville Lee
Video: Lai-Ty Yeung
Jewellery: Bulgari
Venue: Kerry Hotel

Cloudy Bay: A tete-a-tete on the New Zealand vineyard’s iconic wines

For centuries, the French regions of Bordeaux and then Burgundy dominated any discussion about the world’s best wines. However, the past few decades have seen something of a renaissance in New World vintages – a fact not lost on eager oenophiles looking to expand their horizons and their collections. Among the new crop of up-and-coming regions is New Zealand, with its crisp, flavoursome Sauvignon Blancs firmly leading the charge. Perhaps the most notable of these Kiwi vineyards is Cloudy Bay, located at the very tip of the nation’s South Island. We talk to Jim White, Technical Director of Cloudy Bay, to find out more…

What made you decide to move to New Zealand and join Cloudy Bay?

I was actually offered the role while working for the winery that started Cloudy Bay in 1985, Cape Mentelle in Margaret River. I’d visited Cloudy Bay a few years prior and fell in love with New Zealand then. It’s not every day that an opportunity arrives to be involved in grape growing and making wines at such an iconic winery as Cloudy Bay, so I jumped at the chance.

*Jim White, Technical Director of Cloudy Bay Vineyard*

What are some of the characteristics that set Cloudy Bay’s winemaking apart from its competitors?

We just try to make wines that speak of the soil, climate and people of our home in New Zealand, we strive for freshness, vibrant fruitiness and balance. The key to making our distinctive wines are in the vineyards, their terroirs and the detailed work that we do during the growing season. It’s what sets us apart from other New Zealand wineries, a fact that is particularly evident in our Sauvignon Blanc.

What would you say are the defining characteristics of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc?

The wine always has a core of citrus (limes, grapefruit), stone fruit (peach, nectarine) aromas and flavours with hints of passionfruit, the flavours explode in the mouth, and the finish is long and dry with refreshing acidity. In one word delicious. 2018 was the warmest season on record in Marlborough, meaning our earliest finish to harvest, only by one day. The weather conditions helped create a hugely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with ripe flavours with intense, concentrated flavour.

Tell us a little bit about Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) and what it stands for.

AMW is a self-imposed quality standard covering grape varieties (100 percent Sauvignon Blanc), grape source (100 percent from Marlborough), vineyard yields and bottling in New Zealand to ensure consumers get the very best quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that the region is so famous for. It is an initiative of 45 of Marlborough’s quality focused producers who want to enhance the regions wine quality reputation.

Finally, what is your own personal favourite wine?

That’s a tricky one to answer as I love a diverse number of wines from around the world, as they say variety is the spice of life. If I had to choose one only to drink every day, it would be a toss-up between a great Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, from where, well anywhere really as long as it’s delicious!

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Cloudy Bay

Mistletoe Maker: Florist extraordinaire Gemma Hayden Blest on Christmas decor

Gemma Hayden Blest has been a part of making Hong Kong beautiful for nearly seven years now. Hailing from the UK, the floral designer built up a not-too-shabby resume working under brands such as Alexander McQueen and Burberry before finding her true passion – flowers. We took a stroll with Gemma down the streets of Central, and had the floral connoisseur give us tips on how to make our Christmas budding with beauty.

Gemma Hayden Blest

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work…

I work as a floral designer. My work ranges from events to shop installations to editorial. I specialise in communicating ideas through flower power, creating a mood or ambiance through flora or using them to help create a concept.

You studied fashion design; so, at what point did you know you could use that experience and expertise to channel it into floral designs and arrangements?

I love fashion and a huge amount of what I do stems from my fashion background. I think I found the lag times in fashion frustrating and prefer the speed that’s required for flowers. They have to be designed, created and enjoyed in the moment.

Since the holidays are typically a time of indulgence, can you give us suggestions on how to incorporate eco-friendly arrangements in decoration?

Definitely. There is no need to be excessively plastic with your designing. Invest in good-quality products that can be stored each year. The beauty in flowers is that it’s so easy to make a set of vases of candle holders look completely different each year. Pine, berries and eucalyptus are pretty long-lasting, so a few sprigs can last a few weeks.

How do holiday arrangements in Asia differ from say the UK, where you’re from?

We’re lucky to live in HK where imports are easy to get. I struggle with the loss of scent though. Boxed-up goods just never smell like freshly cut pine from the garden. I tend to give imports a helping hand with scented candles or room mist. Jo Malone does a beautiful Pine & Eucalyptus candle that helps bring back the aroma.

What flower is the most popular around Christmas time with your clients, and what is your personal favourite?

The Queen Amaryllis is always a popular favourite. Grand and colourful, there’s also a lovely anticipation in waiting for the bulbs to bloom that reflects the anticipation of waiting for Christmas day to arrive.

What tips can you give our readers about Christmas decorations?

A running element throughout your home will hold everything together – maybe it’s a type of ribbon or floral element or focal colour. Also a wreath on your front door sets a lovely welcoming tone for what’s inside.

Thank you.

Interview by: Bailey Atkinson
Image courtesy: Gemma Hayden Blest

Christopher Wong: Our interview with HK’s go-to craft beer guru

Christopher Wong gave up a promising accounting career to pursue his passion for beer. Now he is the head brewer for Hitachino HK Brewery, has co-founded HK Brewcraft and Heroes Beer Co, and stands at the frontier of Hong Kong’s burgeoning craft beer scene…

Where was your love of craft beer kindled?

Growing up, I’d always enjoyed the occasional drink with my family, but I only really and truly became enamoured with beer while I was in San Francisco working as an accountant after graduating from university. My Damascene moment came when I was introduced to a beer called Anchor Steam, which really kicked off the whole craft beer scene in the US. It completely changed my view of what a beer could be, inspiring me to take up home brewing myself.

How did your first experiments go?

Well, around the time I wanted to start experimenting with home brewing, I first heard about SF Brewcraft, one of San Francisco’s most-well known beer stores, run – at the time – by Griz, a sort of Santa Claus character. The first time I walked in, I told him I wanted to brew something like Corona, one of the most popular Mexican beers. Suffice to say, he was not impressed. Instead, he scribbled something on a sheet of paper – which I still have – and that was the recipe for Lawnmower Beer. I loved it so much that my business – HK Brewcraft – is named after Griz’s original outlet.

What finally made you decide to bring that concept to Hong Kong?

When I met my then-wife-to-be at a wedding in Hong Kong. I decided to move here full time, switching from my company’s San Francisco operation to its Hong Kong office. Once here, I completely changed industries and decided to head up a restaurant in Tin Hau called Kin’s Terrace. Working there meant my nights were focused on my cheffing duties, leaving the daytime free for me to focus on my home brewing, which was becoming more than just a hobby.

It was around then – in 2013 – that, realising there was no proper home brew store in Hong Kong, a group of friends and I decided to launch one. We wanted it to be a place where you could buy everything from malt and hops to actual brewing equipment, while also finding out just how to properly brew beer at home – and that is how HKBrewcraft was born. Just a few months after our first small Tin Hau outlet opened, the level of demand gave us the confidence to open a far bigger store in Central. And we’ve never looked back.

Your beer interests have broadened since then…

Definitely. Right now, I’m in charge of making beer on several different fronts. Firstly – and most obviously – there is HK Brewcraft. As well as being a home brew supplier, it also operates as an independent nanobrewery, which also doubles as a training academy for would-be home brewers. There’s also my main nine-to-five job – head brewer at the Hitachino HK Brewery, a Japanese company best-known for the Nest Beer brand.

Then there’s the Heroes Beer Co, my latest venture. It’s a very interesting idea and it’s based on the notion that everyone can be a beer superstar, a concept that is reflected in our tagline: “Unleash the hero within”. Part of our USP is that every Heroes’ beer has been inspired by a real person. Our Hunk Sir Milfee Porter, for instance, takes its name from a home brewer who was notorious for experimenting with unusual combinations. Essentially, it’s a lactose-infused brew that tastes a little like cha chaan teng milk tea.

How do you think Hong Kong’s craft beer scene has evolved over recent years?

Well, 2013 was something of a turning point for the sector. For one thing, it was the year when several of the people now seen as key players first met. That includes the crew behind Young Master Brewery, the folks at The Globe – the headquarters of the Craft Beer Association of Hong Kong – and, of course, the HK Brewcraft team. Alongside several of the more dedicated local importers, we collectively pushed to increase the range of craft beers available in the city, while also raising their profile among the local population. In addition, of course, there is Beertopia, Hong Kong’s very own beer festival. As a result of all this activity, the city’s become Asia’s fastest-growing craft beer hub.

Do you have a personal favourite beer?

Oh yes. For me, Anchor Steam is really something special. It’s the beer that started me on my home brewing journey and got me where I am today. Another beer close to my heart is Seriously, Heroes Beer Co’s debut brew. It takes its inspiration from old-fashioned, no-nonsense, bone-dry American Indian Pale Ale and I absolutely love it.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction & Styling: San Wong
Venue: Second Draft
Wardrobe: COS & Suitsupply

Edward Green: Classic English shoes for the modern gentleman

Renowned British shoemaker Edward Green recently celebrated the 12th anniversary of its partnership with Tassels, Hong Kong’s leading leather accessories expert, with an exclusive trunk show at the Tassels Landmark Store. We spoke with Michael Howard, Retail Stores Manager for Edward Green, to find out more about the luxury marque’s 128-year legacy of producing classic English footwear, its relationship with Tassels, and embracing Asia’s burgeoning population of fine shoe aficionados.

Michael Howard, Retail Stores Manager for Edward Green — *Michael Howard, Edward Green Retail Stores Manager, at the Tassels Landmark Store*

Tell us a little bit about Edward Green.

Edward Green is a quintessentially British shoemaker that was first founded in 1890, so it’s got a long history of producing top-quality leather shoes in the classic British style. The ethos of our company is to create the best possible shoe using the finest materials that we can find.

What sets Edward Green apart from other shoemakers?

Longevity and durability are the hallmarks of our designs, so much so that we’ve even made shoes for the British Army. We stay true to the tenets of traditional British shoemaking. For example, where Italians aim for a more sartorial style with slimmer fits and lighter construction, we focus on more robust designs elements, such as Goodyear welted soles where an added welt is stitched into the outsoles to make it wholly waterproof.

How did your partnership with Tassels come about?

Our relationship with Tassels came about because we were looking for a partner who understands and shares our commitment to delivering the best-quality leather shoes. In the 12 years that we’ve worked together, we’ve built up a really strong partnership, and they’ve helped establish our brand in Hong Kong, and within other Asian markets like Japan and South Korea. In fact, this association has proved so fruitful that Edward Green has even designed special styles such as anniversary editions exclusively for Tassels.

What do you think are the biggest differences in taste between Asia and Europe?

In Europe, there’s a trend towards the casual at the moment, which we’ve adapted to by introducing aspects like rubber shoes to lend a sporty, laid-back element. In Asia, though, the market is more geared towards traditional designs with leather soles. Here we see Edward Green’s classic British designs like the Chelsea, the Belgravia and the Picadilly as among the top favourites.

But even here, tastes are definitely changing. These days, it’s more about soft tailoring and lighter leather. To respond to this, we’ve introduced shoes with softer, more supple leather like the Utah and the Delapre from France and incorporated them into our new collections.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup

Jewel Citizen: Corina Larpin is hoping her jewellery brand Stéfère will be big in Hong Kong

Corina Larpin, jewellery designer and owner of high jewellery brand Stéfère, counts celebrities like Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez among her clients. Now she is set to win over Hong Kong with her bold, edgy jewellery. We talk to Corina about her brand and beyond.

How was your personal sense of style affected by growing up in Soviet-era Romania?

Well, like many others living in the country at the time, I only truly discovered fashion, glamour and luxury after the Romanian Revolution in 1989. Back then, I remember leafing through Western fashion magazines and tearing out pages I particularly liked and then hiding them in secret drawers. I would sneak a glance at them from time to time and marvel at the sheer glamour of it all. At the same time, whenever I got the chance, I would alter the standard-issue clothes that were all we could buy in the state-run stores and try to make them look different and more individual.

What led you into designing jewellery?

Since I was very young, I have always had a passion for design and I love having beautiful things around me. Music and art are both hugely important to me. I have also always found a particular joy in jewels and have been endlessly fascinated by marvellously-coloured gems of every kind. I feel especially blessed for being able to turn my passion into my profession.

What is it about your jewellery that has seen you attract such A-list clients as Elton John, Lady Gaga and Victoria Beckham?

While that’s a question I often ask myself, it’s really one that only my customers could genuinely answer. For my part, though, I believe that they just like my style, seeing it as something rather unique. I think it also helps that I make them look cool, partly because I only use the highest-quality metals and stones, and aim to create a truly contemporary look. I always say that all my clients are my favourites and, to be honest, I am a huge fan of most of my celebrity customers, so it gives me real thrill when they wear one of my designs.

Your jewellery appears to have been inspired by a wide range of eclectic sources, from floral motifs to stylised Gothic skulls…

My inspiration comes largely from my personal take on the people, landscapes and objects around me. I also get inspiration from travel, with different countries inevitably exposing me to different cultures, insights, aromas… My son is also a source of inspiration. He is only 12-years-old and always offers me an entirely fresh perspective on things. My state of mind at any given point also hugely influences my creativity. I am a very sensitive person and find myself deeply affected by misery and poverty. Life is not just about five-star hotels and luxury living.

How would you describe your personal style?

My style is rock-chic extravagant, but seldom eccentric. I love prominent, noticeable items, whether they are clothes, accessories or jewellery. Whatever I wear, it has to make a bold statement. Right now, I am wearing a snake ring that I designed some ten years ago. I love it so much that I often end up wearing it. I love any item of jewellery that features a snake motif as it is just so fluid.

Stéfère has already proved hugely popular in Europe and the US, why have you now headed East in general and to Hong Kong in particular?

Hong Kong is a crucial junction of many great cultures. It’s a very international city and yet has remained, at heart, utterly Asian. Right now, Asia – and China in particular – is proving influential the world over in terms of culture, creativity and economic power. Hong Kong, though, is a kind of parapet that overlooks the rest of Asia, a region I am now set on breaking into and one that is always going to be a challenge, given just how selective and knowledgeable the locals are when it comes to design and real quality. To date, most of the Hongkongers I have met have really liked my big, bold style of jewellery. I enjoy designing bigger pieces far more than small ones, so Asia is just heaven for me.

You have recently just been the recipient of a Women of Hope Award…

Yes. That was a tremendous honour. I am so proud to be part of such a noble cause. Life has given me a lot, to the extent that I’ve been truly spoilt. Now, it’s time for me to give back and to aid those who haven’t had same good fortune.

Finally, tell us something about yourself that few people know…

Typically, I work 20 hours a day and I don’t take Saturday or Sunday off. Normally, I sleep for just four hours a day and, even on the rare occasions when I’m not working, you’ll find me researching jewellery trends or reading something jewellery-related.

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Photos: Neville Lee
Video: Lai Ti Yeung
Art direction: San Wong
Make-up and Hair: Tiffany Wong
Venue: Presidential Suite, Conrad Hong Kong

Barker CEO Alan Pringle on fine English leather shoes and the Asian market

Quality and tradition. These are the hallmarks of any leather shoe made from luxury British footwear label Barker, a 135-year-old marque dedicated to producing the finest English footwear using treasured traditional shoemaking techniques. But that’s not to say the brand is stuck in the past. It recently launched an online store and has expanded into new markets, most recently in Hong Kong, where its top-notch products can now be found at Tassels, the city’s go-to expert in world-class men’s footwear. We sat with Alan Pringle, CEO of Barker, to found out the secret to the premium shoemaker’s longevity and success.

Tell us a bit about Barker.

Barker is a luxury British shoemaker with over 135 years of experience in crafting the finest English leather shoes. We use only the most carefully-selected leathers and all our products are lovingly handmade to appeal to discerning modern-day gentlemen.

In your 20 years as CEO of Barker, how has the company evolved and expanded?

When I first started at Barker, the company was solely run as a B2B-only business, it was all about wholesale operating mainly within the UK. Since then, we’ve entered the retail market, and now have four dedicated Barker stores. About five years ago, we also made a major push to digitise our brand by opening our online store.

These continuing initiatives saw Barker win two prestigious awards from the UK Chamber of Commerce – the Best Digital Communications Campaign and Best Business in Northamptonshire.

When did Barker enter the HK market?

Barker made its proper debut in Hong Kong by partnering with Tassels in 2016. We’ve only had about four or five seasons here so far so it’s early days yet, but we’re extremely pleased with the response.

What brought about the partnership with Tassels?

Tassels was pretty much the perfect partner for Barker. It’s already very well-established with a strong following of loyal customers not only in Hong Kong, but also farther afield in Japan, South Korea and China, which was helpful for us as a new brand entering these markets. Since then, I think our partnership has blossomed primarily due to the fact that both Tassels and Barker have a shared passion for offering only the best products possible.

Did Barker have to adapt its shoes for Hong Kong and other Asian customers?

Yes, absolutely. For example, heavy shoes don’t work particularly well in the Asian market because the weather is much warmer here, so we shed a lot of weight from our classic designs. We also introduced models with rubber soles as customers here prefer a stronger grip than traditional leather soles may offer.

What do you think is the secret to Barker’s long success?

I think the biggest contributing factor is adaptability. We refuse to rest on our laurels because the world is ever-changing, particularly when it comes to fashion trends. We’re constantly analysing the market to spot emerging needs. It’s why we went online, it’s why we manufacture collections specific to Asian tastes, and it’s also why we’re currently experimenting with a brand-new women’s shoe line as well.

We try to make shoes that will appeal to everyone. For example, our Professional Collection – which has just debuted at Tassels’ SOGO store – is an entry-level line that offers top-quality shoes at a reasonable cost. At the other end of the spectrum, we have our high-end Barker Black Collection, which features some of our most luxurious and meticulously crafted designs.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup

Master Minder: Jacqueline Chow on charity and beyond

Taking care of needy, young Hongkongers has been a lifelong commitment for Jacqueline Chow

Jacqueline Chow is a fundraising committee member of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC) and a council member of Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired. Brought up in a family that has been involved with charitable movements for generations, charity runs in her blood. She talks to us about what drives her and more…

Prior to taking on your charity commitments, you were working in the financial services sector. Was that quite the career shift it seems?

To be honest, I genuinely never had a true career shift. I have been involved in charity for pretty much my whole life. It’s actually a kind of family thing. My great-grandmother was one of the founders of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC), an organisation that both my grandmother and my mother later played active roles in. From a very young age, I wanted to give back to society in my own way.

Can you tell us more about your family’s history with the HKSPC?

Well, my great-grandmother started the charity back in 1927, together with the wives of a number of British guys in government roles. It started small with the ladies mainly providing congee and other food items to malnourished children in some of Hong Kong’s less affluent areas, such as Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Later, in my grandmother’s and then in my mother’s time, the charity expanded dramatically, extending across a wide range of childcare issues. Today, it operates 27 daycare centres and takes care of more than 3,000 children daily.

Given the considerable expansion of both its remit and its resources, what’s next for the charity?

We do, in fact, feel that we need to broaden our reach still further, which will enable us to not just help children, but also their immediate family members, including their parents and siblings. Right now, of the 3,000 children under our care, a significant proportion belong to minority families and, maybe, those families can’t speak Cantonese or have found it difficult to get somewhere suitable to live or to secure worthwhile employment. So, to ensure the all-round wellbeing of all children, we have to make sure the wider family is also doing well. To that end, we have established two family centres that both provide a wide range of assistance and educational services through a variety of courses, including vocational training, language skills and basic childcare.

Obviously, the HKSPC takes up a lot of your energy, but you still find time for a number of other charitable causes…

Yes, I am one of the independent school managers at Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired, the only school in Hong Kong that’s dedicated to helping children with eyesight problems. On top of that, I am also a council member of the SAHK, an organisation that, in less enlightened times, was known as the Spastics Association of Hong Kong. I am very proud of what the SAHK accomplishes and all the good it does when it comes to helping anyone – young or old – who is struggling to cope with any physical or mental challenges.

Among all your achievements – philanthropic or personal – what are you most proud of?

While I don’t have one particular proudest moment that I can single out, I must say giving something back to society, in general, remains one of the most significant aspects of my life. Having said that, I am delighted that I have been able to impart to my two daughters the same values my grandparents and my mother instilled in me back in the day. As I said, my mother worked with the HKSPC for more than 20 years and I grew up being inspired by her commitment. As a result, I am always thrilled when my daughters volunteer their time to charity. Just recently, for instance, they gave up a weekend to help out with a flag-day fundraising initiative.

Being close to such hardship on a regular basis must make it difficult for you to unwind…

I do like to take time out to travel. I have just gotten back from one trip, for example, that took me to London, Paris and Burgundy. I also love trying out all the latest make-up trends and I am now taking art classes, which I hope will help me appreciate the finer things in life even more.

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Direction: San Wong
Photos: Neville Lee
Video: Laity Yeung
Makeup: Zoe Fan
Venue: Baker Showroom

Interview: Yue Minjun, the artist behind the famous laughing face portraits

Yue Minjun, whose colourful depictions of maniacally laughing figures have captured the imaginations of critics and collectors alike, is commonly regarded as one of China’s pre-eminent contemporary artists…

How did you become one of China’s most significant and influential contemporary artists?

Well, it’s a little complicated. I was to drawn to art from a very young age. I was always very fond of using images and drawings to express my inner feelings and emotions. It was the way I tried to make sense of the things and events that surrounded me. As I grew older, I realised it was something that I wanted to pursue more seriously. That’s when I decided to devote myself to art – and painting in particular – full time. Thankfully, I eventually managed to carve out a career for myself in this field…

Along the way, you worked as an electrical engineer…

That was just one of the many jobs I had after I graduated from high school. At that time, I didn’t really have any real leaning towards a specific career. Instead, I thought I would take my time and explore the avenues opening up in the art world, something that allowed me to escape the limitations of the traditional education system.

Eventually, the pressures of work got me to a point where I could no longer paint or expand personally in any meaningful artistic way. That’s when I decided to enrol at a professional art school. Thinking about it now, It might have been the most important decision I ever made and was a key element in my eventual success.

After that, you moved to Beijing…

I decided to move to Beijing as I wanted to pursue a full-time career in art. I just loved art, and when you love something, sometimes you have to sacrifice everything else for it. Sometimes you choose an extreme path. I made a conscious choice to forsake everything else to pursue my one true passion in life.

Today, you are internationally known for your iconic laughing face portraits. Where did the initial inspiration for these particular works come from?

Actually they are all derived from my early life experiences. I was born at the tail-end of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, so there were a lot of government-commissioned propaganda paintings around that illustrated the apparent joy of being working class. In most of the these paintings, the subjects were laughing, but it was never clear why. People would be standing around Chairman Mao or around the produce resulting from a clearly bumper harvest, laughing all the while. I thought such images were somewhat ironic, so the inspiration for many of my later works were deeply rooted in this early experience.

*The Massacre at Chios by Yue Minjun sold for HK$31.6 million recently*

Many people see your work as steeped in cynicism and being quite critical. Do you agree?

Well, yes and no. I think one of the biggest challenges in creating the laughing series was that there is really only one primary face on show and that it was always laughing. The challenge lay in creating a new story with every iteration and being able capture a new scenario every time I decided to add to the collection. They also needed to evoke different emotions and prompt the audience to consider what was really being said…

Your work often features strong colours and repeated motifs..

I think paintings – and any artwork in general – are really a reflection of their creators’ states of mind. Even when the completed piece is not a realism-driven encapsulation of an earlier experience, it’s still something very much anchored in reality, whether in terms of being an accurate depiction or a more symbolic recreation. For me, the use of strong colours and repetition actually come from the way I view the world.

You’ve said before that freedom is a major theme in your work. How do you, personally, define this fairly contentious term?

I don’t think I could explain that in just a few words, but I will try. For me, freedom is really how you relate to other people. When considering the notion of freedom, most people only think about themselves, while I believe it is actually deeply rooted in society’s sense of community and the relationships built within that framework.

What are your views on China’s current approach to art education?

I think the system is quite rigid. For instance, the programmes can’t be tailored to the needs or interest of any one student. It’s all homogenised and, should anyone want to veer away from the traditional approach, they will pretty much have wasted four years of their life. At the same time, it’s difficult to improve the system when there are so many students currently within it. As a result, I think it’s vital for serious students to be flexible enough to reposition themselves in terms of favoured mediums and overall approach.

Thank you.

Interview by: Dai Xuan
Text by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Zhang Yunjiang
Wardrobe: Loro Piana

Mr Big Shots: Ryan Sun on taking snap decisions

Ryan Sun is the managing director of Fotomax and the corporate resources director of Fuji Photo Products. He talks to us about his everyday focus at work and home, and also on the bigger picture in the photography industry.

You grew up in one of Hong Kong’s more high-profile families. How much of an impact did this have on your formative years?

To be fair, I think it was my parents who had more of an impact. I have always seen them as mentors. It was also their decision to send me to a US military academy, which taught me the real value of many things in my life. To a certain extent, I have always been in awe of my father. Now that I have children of my own, though, we are much closer. One thing that still inspires me is the fact that my mum and dad have been together for more than 50 years, but are still very much in love. From that, I hope I have learnt how to be a better husband to my own wife.

What can you tell us about your current role at Fotomax?

I worked on the business development side of Fotomax for two years before becoming the managing director. Now my role is very much about taking strategic decisions, evaluating the company’s performance and being responsible for the overall growth of the business. I also have to consider not only what is good for the company but what is best for the overall group. So, for instance, I wouldn’t give the go-ahead to open a Fotomax outlet right next to a Fuji Film shop, as we’re ultimately part of the same family.

In an age where there is almost a universal fixation on social media, has this devalued photography or has it retained – or even enhanced – its worth?

While there are now more people taking photos than ever before, often this is simply in the hope of notching up ‘likes’ and comments on social media. Beyond that, it often seems as though such photos are seldom cherished in their own right. That, however, is where we come in.

Let’s say every member of a family of four takes four to five photos a day. That’s around 600 photos per family per month. It’s our role, then, to print out these photos in a personalised format – such as in a photo-book – so that they can be cherished forever.

To that end, we have an online platform where people can upload all their photos easily and create a ‘memory book’. That way, even when your photos are old news on someone’s newsfeed, they’re still close to you.

What gets you out of bed every morning?

My daughter – Makayla – my family and my employees. I am always driven to do the very best for my family as I am a firm believer that there are no free lunches in

life. I see it as my role to work hard so that my family can enjoy some of life’s luxuries. For my employees, I want to provide a harmonious and happy workplace. Basically, I want all my staff to also be able to leave work on time and go home to their loved ones.

How does a regular day shape up for you?

For the past three years, I have been waking up at 7am, even on weekends, to prepare milk for my baby. Even though she’s now three years old, I still wake up at 7am so I can see her before she starts her day. Then I carpool to the office with my father and brother, catching up with them on work issues as we head in. With most of my day consumed by meetings, I make it a point to head home at 6pm sharp, so I have plenty of time to spend with my family and, in particular, with my daughter.

When it comes to your daughter, what are the occasions you treasure the most?

Well, my wife and I love taking her on holidays. We don’t take a nanny, as we want it to be just the three of us. After each trip, I create a photo album and Makayla just loves leafing through the pictures. She also loves going to Ocean Park, so it falls on me to take her there nearly every month.

Famously, you’re a collector of sneakers. How did that particular passion come about?

When I was a kid, I wanted to come up with a real style statement, something that would genuinely make me stand out. That’s when I discovered the Bape brand of really cool camouflage-patterned sneakers. This was just after I had completed military school, so it suited me to find something that reminded me of my life as a cadet. That’s how I started my collection and I now have 35 pairs of sneakers, all of which I still wear from time to time.

Tell us something about you that would surprise even those who think they know you well…

Well, don’t tell anyone, but I am really not much of a party animal. People think I am, but really I’m happiest when I am just at home, spending quality time with my wife and daughter.

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Venue courtesy: Fang Fang
Styling: San Wong
Photos: Neville Lee
Video: Lai Ty Yeung