Baccarat’s new Gold Era Collection has historical allure

High-end French crystal brand Baccarat’s new Gold Era Collection showcases its most popular designs accented with a subtle touch of gold to evoke nostalgia for a by-gone era of luxury. We sat with CEO Daniela Riccardo to find out the sources of inspiration for the new collection and how it remains true to 250 years of French heritage.

In the wake of Baccarat’s recent acquisition by Chinese group Fortune Fountain Capital, Riccardo also shares the 250-year-old French brand’s future aspirations in the Asian markets. Check out our video interview above.

Bell & Ross unveils limited-edition watch at Search for Extremes event

Bell & Ross celebrated the launch its new Watch Beyond campaign in Hong Kong with an exciting, multifaceted exhibition dubbed Search for Extremes. Attendees were among the first to lay eyes on the new limited-edition Burning Skull Bronze watch. We sat with Bell & Ross General Manager Mr. Fabien de Nonancourt to find out more.

What is the inspiration behind the “Search for Extremes” exhibition?

From the beginning, Bell & Ross created watches especially for military use. We were dedicated to manufacturing high-performance watches that could withstand intense pressures.

Drawing from that, we have launched the Search for Extremes exhibition. The exhibition is divided into three distinct categories: air, earth and sea. For air, we drew inspiration from fighter pilots. For earth we looked to extreme car racing such as Formula 1. For our newest category, sea, we were inspired by deep sea divers.

Tell us about the new watch model you are unveiling at the exhibition.

The new watch that we are unveiling is very special for two reasons. Firstly, we’ve taken two of our iconic Concept Skull pieces and merged them into one spectacular creation: the BR01 Burning Skull Bronze. Secondly and more importantly, this limited-edition timepiece will only be available in Hong Kong and China, nowhere else.

What are Bell & Ross’ plans for the future?

Firstly, we are looking to grow our footprint in Asia, which began with the launch of Bell & Ross subsidiaries across the continent.

We are also planning to expand into the luxury segment. Bell & Ross already has an impeccable record of Swiss watch making craftsmanship, so it’s a very logical next step.

What is your favourite Bell & Ross watch?

My favourite watch is the BRV2-94 Bellytanker, which I’m wearing right now. It’s part of a 500-piece limited edition model inspired by fighter planes from WWII. It perfectly represents Bell & Ross’ ability to blend its military heritage with cutting-edge modern design.

Thank you.

Text: Tenzing Thondup
Images: Gigi Ip, Bell & Ross

Interior design guru Eric Fung on his career, inspirations and his own home

Eric Fung, Chief Design Director of EF Design Limited, reveals how he tackles the quintessentially Hong Kong problem of home designing in limited spaces, as well as balancing his personal artistic vision with client preferences.

Sitting in the living room of his picturesque Marinella residence, the interior design guru also chats with Gafencu about the inspirations behind its layout, with a special focus on his daughters’ room and his treasured Memories Wall.

Sonus Faber’s CEO on how its new speaker collection pays homage to Italian roots

Hong Kong techies turned up in droves to get their hands on the latest high-tech gadgets at the 2017 High-End Audio Visual Show. One of the more luxe exhibitions featured top-shelf audio brand Sonus Faber’s new Homage Tradition Collection.

We caught up with CEO Filippo Fanton to find out what was on offer, and why the collection is a true ‘Homage’ to the brand’s Italian roots.

Shop Talk: Our chat with Salvatore Ferragamo’s son ahead of flagship reopening

Leonardo Ferragamo, fifth son of Italian fashion label Salvatore Ferragamo’s eponymous founder, was in town to celebrate the reopening of their flagship Canton Road store. He spoke to us about his childhood, his special relationship with Hong Kong and his various projects.

Was fashion a personal interest or did you join the family company out of a sense of duty?

My father, Salvatore Ferragamo, immersed all his children into the world of fashion at an early age. It’s impossible to be surrounded by such passion and dedication and not feel at least slightly invested. I also watched my elder siblings enter the company and achieve personal successes. Call it sibling rivalry, but it made me want to do the same.

What significance does Hong Kong have for you and the Salvatore Ferragamo brand?

My first trip to Hong Kong was also my first trip to Asia. I came to explore the region years ago as Director of Commercial Activity for Salvatore Ferragamo. The trip left me with a contradictory sense of frustration and excitement. Excitement at the vibrancy and potential I found, and frustration that we hadn’t already tapped into the markets here.

I returned to Florence to share my findings with the family. Four days later, I was on a plane back to Hong Kong. We opened our first store here in 1986, and the city became our gateway to the rest of Asia.

Hong Kong remains special for my family to this day – the fact that we are all in town to celebrate the reopening of our Canton Road flagship store demonstrates that clearly.

Aside from your role in your family’s company, what other projects are you involved in?

I am chairman of Nautor Swan, a highly regarded Finnish luxury sailing yacht builder. The company builds fantastic sailing vessels for both leisure and competitive use. We just celebrated our 50th anniversary.

I’m also president of the Lungarno Collection, a luxury Italian hotel group. We have many properties in Florence and one in Rome. Each one has a unique personality and architecture, but all are dedicated to providing guests the utmost in service and luxury.

Do you find it difficult to balance such diverse interests?

It can definitely be challenging at times, but it’s a challenge I thoroughly enjoy. I’m truly blessed because each project I’m involved with is something that I’m deeply passionate about.

Thank You.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

The Vinci Code: Vinci Wong on becoming Tung Wah chairman and LGBT rights in the city

Vinci Wong is founder and chairman of Chinese medicine pioneer 3 Kings Holdings, a subsidiary of the Wongs’ WKK Group. Following his highly publicized marriage to partner Kevin Chow last year, he also prepares for the coming year as chairman of the city’s most prominent charity organization, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. We caught up with the former TVB star at the new Kerry Hotel (a Shangri-la brand) in Hung Hom.

Your career took off when you became a talent with TVB and artist with ATV. Did you always see yourself getting into entertainment?

I’ve been enamoured with the entertainment industry since I was young. I liked to express myself. Whenever they had games on those radio programmes I’d always phone in – not for the prizes, but for the thrill of hearing my own voice on air.

What were your first steps into that career then?

My first forays were in radio, during my days in Vancouver. I spent high school and university in Canada, where I entered an international Chinese DJ contest. I got into the top 10, which landed me a gig in one of Vancouver’s Chinese radio stations. I worked there for four or five years. Once I finished my studies, I came back to Hong Kong and joined Metro Plus Live, and then TVB.

What made you decide to move?

It was time. I was with TVB from 24… 13 years later I was already towards my 40s.

I had a lot of opportunities, but it was getting repetitive. A lot of shows are done every year, like the annual countdown, beauty pageants, charity shows. I found myself standing on stage and saying the same thing again and again. I kind of got scared, asking myself ‘Do you want the rest of your life to be like this, doing the same thing?’

I couldn’t find anything new about what I was doing. I could still manage to change myself, but had I waited 10 more years it would have been too late.

Let’s talk about your upcoming year as chairman of Tung Wah, which starts next April. What are your plans for that?

I want to create more awareness about Tung Wah. Most people might think that it’s old fashioned as it’s been around for 150 years, but I want to change that. I hope I can leverage my prominence as somebody people have been seeing on TV over the years.

When you married your partner of 7 years, Kevin Chow, in Vancouver last year it made the headlines in Hong Kong as the first same sex marriage in local entertainment. How did people react?

My family, relatives, old school friends and even the management at Tung Wah – they all supported me. This gave me a lot of confidence to take the next step in our relationship, and I’m thankful for that.

It’s been in my head for a long time: If I met someone I think is the right one, should I get married? But before meeting Kevin, there was never the right person.

How was your journey coming out?

Whether straight or gay, you just know it inside of you. It wasn’t something I ever questioned. In my generation especially it wasn’t easy; I told my family when I was in my twenties and I had other problems making me unhappy. On top of all that I was tired of hiding my sexuality, so it happened all at once. I told them about my problems, ‘Oh and by the way, I’m gay’ [laughs].

They might not have embraced it at first, but it wasn’t a big drama. In the end they not only accepted it but wanted me to find the right person with whom to have my own life and family as well.

After you married Kevin, you became a role model for the city’s LGBT community. How are you handling that unintended role?

I do my best… a lot of organizations like Pink Dot and BigLove Alliance call us to support their events; we’re asked to join demonstrations like the gay parade.

We would definitely want to do more for society, for younger ones of future generations. We’re talking about equality here. Same sex marriage is a must in the future.

Text: Julienne C. Raboca

For the full article, please check out the latest issue of Gafencu’s print magazine or the Gafencu app. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store

Maverick misfit: Wing Shya on the art of being ‘wrong’

Wing Shya, a name that needs no introduction. We caught up with the maverick film and fashion photographer before the launch of his limited-edition photography books and an exhibition at Shanghai Centre of Photography on 7 November. From being an ideal ‘misfit’ to his idiosyncratic interpretation of Hong Kong, Wing touched on all things close to his heart.

What inspired you to become a photographer?

I had no plans of becoming a photographer. I chanced to do a photography project for some schoolmates, which they really liked and came back with more work. As I got more involved with photography, I realised that I really enjoyed shooting.

How has your education in the West influenced your work?

I found the cultures in Asia and the West to be radically different. While in Asia, we are inclined to be more conservative, in Canada, where I studied, I found out that we had freedom to try out everything. There was nobody to say ‘no’. That kind of creative freedom helped open my mind and expand my artistic horizons.

How was the experience of working with director Wong Kar-wai?

Wong Kar-wai is more like a father figure to me. He takes very good care of his entire crew. His ‘never-give-up’ philosophy of life has inspired me immensely. His genuine love for his work is also something that I have imbibed. I can easily say that Wong Kar-wai and his whole team have changed my life.

How do you balance the world of fine art with film and fashion?

I don’t believe in such strict labels. I treat them all equally as just work. I strive to blend the boundaries between fine art, fashion, photography, film, etc. I sometimes incorporate a ‘movie’ style of shooting to fashion shoots. I want to mix all the genres to have more fun and be more creative.

How do you satiate your own creative instincts while doing commercial work?

When I was young, I used to be selfish. I would push my clients to agree to my vision. But with age, I have become more understanding of my clients’ needs. We have an ongoing dialogue to understand their expectations better. We take into account market surveys. At the end of the day, I want them to earn more money as well. Through collaboration, we strike the right balance.

Hong Kong comes alive as a character in your work. How does the city inspire you?

I perceive a strange dichotomy in Hong Kong. While it’s such a busy city with so much noise, the individuals themselves are like islands of isolation in the midst of the busy, pushing, shoving crowds. I like making my photos super-noisy with bursts of colours, high saturation and sharp contrast. I want to capture the noise and the chaos of Hong Kong. But at the same time, I want to capture the loneliness of the people in the midst of the noisy milieu. I see Hong Kong’s women with such pretty faces and beautiful dresses, but their faces reveal their isolation. So through the blank stares of my models, I want to capture that ethos of loneliness. That’s my interpretation of Hong Kong.

How much importance do you lay on technique while shooting?

I think the soul of the photo is more important. I have very limited idea about technique. I like using so-called ‘wrong’ techniques. I love being wrong. I love being a misfit. There are too many people using the ‘right’ techniques, I prefer to be wrong.

What is your advice to aspiring photographers?

My only advice is, don’t listen to my advice or anyone else’s advice. Just listen to your own heart and follow your own direction.

Exhibition details:

7 November 2017 – 14 January 2018
10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (open on all national holidays)
Shanghai Centre of Photography
2555-1 Long Teng Avenue, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
Books are available for pre-order ($2,388 until 7 November)
http://www.forwardassembly.com/projects#/wing-shya-photography-book/

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Gaw-Inspiring: Christina Gaw talks finance, family and faith

Christina Gaw is the managing principal and head of global capital markets at Gaw Capital Partners. She’s also a board member of the Women’s Foundation and treasurer of the Hong Kong Ballet.

Where is Gaw Capital primarily doing business?

The company currently has about US$15 billion under its management, and about half of that is in the Asia-Pacific region. The other half is evenly split between Europe and the US.

You formerly worked with Goldman Sachs and UBS. In your experience, how is working in a private company different to an international institution?

I spent nearly 16 years altogether at Goldman Sachs and UBS, which taught me a great deal about corporate governance. With big companies there’s a lot more hierarchy to contend with. Private companies, on the other hand, have the advantage of being flexible and less structured, allowing creativity to be displayed and embraced foremost.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken? Did it pay off?

After working at Goldman Sachs for nine years, I received an offer to work at UBS – a huge decision at the time. I ultimately went for it, and looking back, it was a wise career move because it allowed me to work for two very good but different institutions.

When faced with uncertainty, one thing I take comfort in is my faith. I’m a Christian and I pray any time I have to make big changes in my life. Once I have the prayers going, I can enjoy some peace of mind and trust that everything will work out if I welcome change. That’s why I tend to embrace risk in a positive way.

Considering that you work with your two brothers, how do you compare to them in terms of skills and styles of management?

My two older brothers and I are all very different, but our skill sets complement each other. Goodwin, my oldest brother, is a talented entrepreneur. In his role as chairman of Gaw Capital, he generates new ideas – sometimes a tad too many ideas, in my opinion, because I have to execute them [laughs].

Kenny is an extremely bright mathematician who has a keen eye for details, which complements Goodwin’s ideas and intuition in real estate.

As for me, I’m the fundraiser. My strength lies in interpersonal skills, and I think I’m very good at articulating what the other side of the table is thinking about. Being diligent in understanding investors’ needs is very important.

Do you have any role models you look up to?

My grandmother! My mum’s mother is 100 years old and she’s very healthy and energetic. She had her own textile business and moved here from Shanghai. Imagine being a business owner in those days and then having to start all over again in Hong Kong after the Cultural Revolution. It’s a tremendous example of tenacity and determination.

What hopes or dreams do you have for your children in terms of career?

I go to work happy and excited every day because I truly love what I do, which just so happens to be finance-related, but for my children it could be something completely different.

At this point, I want to give them the confidence to nurture their interests and talents. When I talk to young students, I always advise them to show energy and enthusiasm, engage others through networking and cultivate a sense of entrepreneurship. Not everyone wants to create a business, but you’ve got to have ownership of your work. To me, that’s entrepreneurship.

Thank you.

Text: Emily Petsko

For the full article, please check out the latest issue of Gafencu’s print magazine or the Gafencu app. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store

Alan Chan and Denise Lau on their new partnership to promote artistic living

Celebrated designer and artist Alan Chan recently collaborated with luxury furniture store colourliving in a bid to transform living spaces into objet d’art. The partnership will also yield some bespoke new services including personalised gift shopping, wedding registry and interior styling.

We caught up with Alan and colourliving’s CEO, Denise Lau to find out how they met, why they click their vision for the future.

What makes your partnership so successful?

Denise: We share a mutual vision on art and culture and how they affect lifestyles. For colourliving, we always wanted to curate a luxury lifestyle for customers. Luxury doesn’t have to be expensive. Luxury is an attribute of any object that you treasure or value, and something that makes you happy. The germ of this partnership with Alan was sown over a dinner conversation where we discussed our aspirations and found out we have a lot in common. It’s a blessing for us to be partnering with Alan.

Alan: I am not a businessperson. I believe, in order to be creative, you should distance yourself from a business perspective. So I am happy to rely on Denise to look at the business side of things, as she has a very sound judgment on these matters, while I am an emotional artist. It has been a very harmonious relationship so far, with clearly defined roles.

You are launching several bespoke services as well. Why?

Denise: For us, home is where our heart is. Space filled with a lot of nice furniture is not necessarily a complete space. There also has to be a personal touch, be it flowers, painting or any object that you cherish. This not only applies to homes, but also to corporate offices, hotels, showrooms, etc. We believe there is a lot of room for creativity for dressing up and beautifying any space.

Alan: Based on our experiences, we would like to advise collectibles for our customers that will enhance their living space. We want to help our customers create unique, personalised space, and to curate bespoke houses. It’s a completely new concept in Hong Kong in the retail furniture sector.

Do you have any design tips for our guests?

Denise: Ideas come to you when you are relaxed. Ideas come to you when you travel more. So take a step back, soak in the ambience in which you are and beautiful, unique ideas will come to you about how to make your living space a memorable one.

Thank you.

Interview: Tenzing Thondup

Annie Tse on giving up her IT career to run one of HK’s finest jewellery giants

Annie Yau Tse is the chairman and chief executive officer of Tse Sui Luen Jewellery (TSL), one of Asia’s largest jewellers.

You haven’t always worked in jewellery. What did you do early on in your career?

I studied computer engineering in college. I’m a very analytical and logical person, and I like math and science. After graduating, I worked in a software company for a few years in the States. Later, I moved back to Hong Kong and began working for Motorola, then for IBM as an IT consultant.

I enjoyed being part of the IT industry because it’s such an innovative environment. It exposed me to many new concepts and people. It’s quite different from jewellery, but I’m trying to incorporate the lessons I learnt from IT into my current role.

When you joined TSL in 2002, was it a big change for you?

Not too much. Although I had never worked in jewellery before, I got married to jewellery, so to speak. When I initially began dating my husband [Tommy Tse, son of TSL founder Tse Sui Luen], I spent a lot of time at TSL shops listening to him, talking to staff and learning how to do business.

By the time I joined the company, I already knew a lot about the trade. At that time I had been married six years, and my husband and I often talked about business at home. Even when I wasn’t with TSL, my husband liked to share his views with me and get my opinion on products as a consumer.

Was it your plan from the beginning to work together?

Not really. Originally we didn’t want to work together because we didn’t want to bring business back home. My husband told me that as a child he would see his parents arguing about business over the dining table. He wanted us to avoid that kind of conflict. Besides, we both enjoyed our own careers – me in IT and him in jewellery.

When did the turnaround happen?

I changed my mind when I saw him struggling. Like me, he studied in the States, and then worked for Johnson & Johnson. Being on the manufacturing side, he was used to a certain kind of technology and way of doing things. He was trained in material planning systems and wanted to introduce that expertise back into his family business. He was trying to implement those ideas – which were new here 30 years ago – but people around him were far from ready. They didn’t understand what he was trying to achieve.

Whenever he came home and aired those concerns, I thought, ‘How can I help him?’ In time, it occurred to me to offer my help, even though that meant risking future arguments.

Surprisingly, he was receptive. As Christians, we tried to discern what God wanted us to do. The more we prayed, the more at peace we felt about working together. After mulling it over for a couple months, I quit my job and joined TSL.

How do you navigate the road bumps of working together as husband and wife?

Of course we argue from time to time about the other’s way of doing things, but in the end we love each other so much. Love can help us overcome all problems.

I enjoy and treasure the experience because it lets me see the unity between myself and my husband. Even though we don’t take the same path to achieve something, we have the same destination.

We also try to avoid talking about business at home and focus on our children instead. If we do have arguments, they end in the conference room.

You’re the youngest member and one of two women on a board of seven. Is it challenging being in the minority?

I think it’s perfectly fine. Being in charge as a woman even has its advantages in a jewellery company. I can try on the jewellery and be a model for the brand! I am well respected by my husband, colleagues and friends, as well as the other directors when we’re meeting in the boardroom. I do, however, have privileges as the owner’s wife, and of course people have no choice but to respect me [laughs]. Kidding aside, so far I only see advantages, and it helps that I actually wear the product.

What advice do you have for other aspiring career women?

I think you just need to work wholeheartedly. I devote a lot of time to something I want to achieve and give 100 percent. If people around you see you putting in time and effort, you naturally gain respect. But if you take shortcuts and evade responsibility, then of course you lose credibility. It’s about accountability, responsibility and working at things with all your heart.

Are you grooming your children to take over TSL one day?

I wouldn’t force them to, but I really hope they will. I respect them as individuals, and if they have talent in certain areas, I wouldn’t force them to give that up. My eldest daughter’s dream is to be a medical doctor. She’s now studying biochemistry in the States, and wants to come back to help people. Of course, I hope she’ll ultimately come back to the family business, but if she’s determined to pursue her dream, I will be there to support her.

My younger daughter is talented in art and design, and I believe there might be an opportunity for her to work on TSL’s core products. We really need someone who is creative. Thankfully, she’s open to getting involved. My youngest child likes sports but is still too young to decide what he wants to do.

What does the future hold for the company?

I really want to bring TSL into a new era. Nowadays women are looking for practicality, even when choosing fine jewellery. In Hong Kong it’s too segmented – people look at fine jewellery as a valuable item that you need to spend a lot of money on. On the other hand, there are non-precious metals or stones that you can buy very cheaply. I want us to strike a balance and bring fine jewellery to the mass market in a real way.

We are also focusing on developing our business in China. In 2014 we started franchising in the mainland. That market has been our growth engine since the early 2000s, especially since Hong Kong has taken a hit in recent years. We would like to expand into Southeast Asia as well.

Thank you.

Text by: Julienne C. Raboca
Photos by: Neville Lee
Art Direction: San Wong
Hair & Makeup: Chris Yu @ Morphologique
Venue: Fantastic Suite & Kitchen at W Hotel