Category: Interview

Poetry in Precious Stones: Palmiero’s jewellery tells a unique story

Luca Palmiero, Palmiero’s executive vice president, was recently in Hong Kong to unveil a new collection of bespoke high jewellery exclusively available at Masterpiece by King Fook. Luca talked to us about how the family-run business set up by his father, Carlo Palmiero, has now become an international brand.

Tell us about the origins of Palmiero.

Palmiero Jewellery House was started by my father in our Italian hometown of Valenza in 1979. Over the years, we have become famous for our intricately designed and handcrafted jewellery, all made exclusively in Italy.  

 How does your Italian heritage influence your work?

Firstly, our hometown of Valenza has a rich history of boutique jewellers perfecting their craft that goes back to the 19th century. By 1950, it was well recognised as Italy’s high jewellery capitol. Palmiero’s designs encapsulate this devotion to artisanal craftsmanship.

Secondly, many of our pieces are inspired from quintessentially Italian themes. My father especially loves to draw from our vibrant art history and gorgeous landscapes.

 Why has Palmiero been so successful?

We never follow current trends; we always go our own way. When you look at the market now, it is very common to find pieces that are built to highlight one central precious gem. We do exactly the opposite, focusing on making the overall design into a piece of art. 

We also stay on the cutting edge of high jewellery. My father was a pioneer in utilising multicoloured stones to enhance his designs. He started this back in the ‘80s, and was hailed a visionary.

 Since then, the use of multi-tonal gems with intricate 3D designs in a Pavé setting has become a Palmiero signature.

 What else sets Palmiero apart from other high jewellery houses?

Our brand is positioned at the very high end luxury spectrum. It’s not targeted to the mass market, but rather a niche group of discerning jewellery enthusiasts looking for unique statement pieces to punctuate their well-developed collections.

With such an exclusive clientele, do you have any competitors?

Well, currently, I don’t think we have any direct competitors in the international market. A lot of the other high-end brands create luxury jewellery but releases many pieces per design that can be found at all their boutique stores worldwide.

On the other hand, Palmiero’s clients get a sense of exclusivity because many of our pieces are one-of-a-kind. Each Palmiero piece has a unique story behind it, and is inspired from unlikely sources, be it Haiku poems about the four seasons, or a chameleon that changes colours at will. When you wear a Palmiero, you are not only wearing a piece of jewellery, but also being a part of a unique narrative. That’s what sets us apart.

Thank you.

Interview: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Text: Tenzing Thondup

William Lok speaks about racing and the recent Le Mans victory

WIN Motorsport founder William Lok has driven his team to a regional Le Mans victory, and he doesn’t plan on slowing down now. As a professional racing driver, he founded WIN Motorsport, the first Hong Kong racing team to win a regional Le Mans Prototype championship.

What was your first time behind the wheel like?

I was 14 years old. I had a job as a paperboy in Canada and I made the rounds by bike in the summer. When it got to be winter it wasn’t so pleasant, so I started stealing my mom’s car. It took a quarter of the time, and for the rest of my shift, I’d take her car for a couple spins. One morning I came home as usual and she was standing in the garage.

We struck a deal that if she allowed me to take my driver’s exam on my 16th birthday [the legal age in Canada], I wouldn’t steal her car anymore. She agreed, and on the morning of my sweet 16, I got my driver’s licence.

Once you started (legally) driving, how did you break into racing?

My mother moved back to Hong Kong when I was 17, which gave me the freedom to start learning about racing. One day I walked into a garage to ask for a job, and one of the guys asked, ‘What are you good at?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, I just love cars. If you let me touch a car I’ll be happy.’

So I started working there as apprentice to the mechanic. After a couple years, the boss of the garage recommended that I go to Portland’s International Raceway for a track day. So I went down there and met one of the instructors, a BMW North America champion.

He taught me proper racing techniques, and at 19, I was offered entry to the BMW North America Junior Programme. The problem was that I didn’t have enough money to join. Working part-time and studying was already taking up a lot of my hours, and back in those days, my wages just weren’t enough to cover the cost.

I didn’t even talk to my mom about it because I grew up in a single-parent family, and a very traditional Chinese one at that – my mom didn’t consider sports a career. After that, I didn’t think about racing anymore. I graduated, moved back to Hong Kong, started my own trading company and became a normal businessman.

So what rekindled your dream of becoming a racing driver?

Timing and fate. The end of 2008 was the global financial crisis, so business was not going well for anyone. My companies weren’t doing too bad, but there simply wasn’t enough work for me. To fill my free time, I decided to enter an amateur race in Zhuhai. I hadn’t driven a car on any track for 18 years, let alone that particular track.

That day, I broke the Geely touring car challenge lap record for the track. I thought to myself, ‘If I haven’t driven in 18 years but I can break a lap record, there must still be something there.’

After that, I decided to start doing amateur racing as a hobby. I didn’t do well at first – for a whole year I couldn’t even break into the top 10 of a race. But in 2010 I competed in a GT race and finished on the podium. Standing on that podium made me smile and gave me a feeling I hadn’t experienced since before my mother’s death from cancer in 2004.

Her last words to me were, ‘I’m not asking you to be the most successful man in the world. I just want you to be healthy and, most importantly, happy.’ If my mother could see me now – the fact that I’m doing well professionally and writing history for Hong Kong and Chinese people in motorsports – I think she would be proud of me. Every time I win a race, the first thing I do is kiss my mother’s ring to thank her.

You’ve certainly made many motorsport fans in Hong Kong proud. How did your career progress from there?

After winning a few GT races at a competitive level in Asia, I decided to try something with more down-force – we’re talking about the Formula and Le Mans prototypes. When I told one of my friends, he jokingly said to me, ‘Bro, you’re like 40 and you’re trying to graduate to more down-force? The kids are 14 at those races!’ But I figured if I never tried, I would never know. I knew I wouldn’t be a Formula One driver, but who says I’m not a Le Mans driver? Who says I can’t do Indy? I’m happy I went for it, and I’ve worked very hard to make it a reality.

Looking back at what I’ve achieved so far, it’s nothing huge but it’s a good start, and I’m going to keep dreaming bigger. One very important thing in motorsports is that there’s no best – there’s only better. I’ve got to strive for better every time, even if I win a race by a minute, two minutes or five minutes. Being on the podium is nice, but coming in second means you’re the first loser. That’s the ego you need to have to be a champion driver.

Just four months after founding WIN Motorsport, your team went on to win the Asian Le Mans Sprint Cup 2017. How did you feel in that moment?

For me to have a team that just formed this year, and to start in the Sprint Cup and walk away with four pole positions, five wins in six races and one spot on the podium – it’s quite amazing honestly. I can’t thank the team more.

To be able to achieve something like that in the first season is astonishing. But again, we strive for perfection and there’s still a lot more we can improve upon.

My feelings that day were mixed, though. Two weeks before the race, my godmother in Vancouver – who cared for me after my mother returned to Hong Kong – became very ill when her cancer relapsed. I went to Canada to say goodbye, and from the burial service I flew directly back to Hong Kong to compete the next day. It was difficult, but I just took all that energy and put it towards winning the race for her.

I shed quite a few tears when I learned I had sealed the championship. It was an emotional moment. On top of that, carrying the Hong Kong flag on an international stage and showing people that I come from a city where there’s no race track – not even a go-kart track – made me proud to be a Hong Konger, a Chinese and an Asian in motorsports.

How did you meet your girlfriend, actress Christine Kuo?

We actually bonded over racing. We have a lot of mutual friends, and each time we met she wanted to know more about the sport. We are currently training her as a development driver, and when we got her on the track we were surprised by her calmness. It’s rare to see that. Motorsports may be male-dominated, but any woman can do it. It just so happens that more men are participating in the sport. But if anything, women drivers are calmer and may even make better decisions.

It’s amazing to see an Asian woman take an interest in racing – especially Christine, a former beauty pageant queen and actress who’s not really the sporty type. Where else can you find such an extraterrestrial beauty who loves racing? I never believed I could find someone like her. I thank my mother for sending an angel from heaven.

There are rumours that you might propose soon. Is it true?

We plan to get married. We want to spend the rest of our lives together, whatever we do. We just need to find the right time. She dealt with some sickness, but now she’s bouncing back in her industry and getting very busy. I’m also racing more and getting tremendously busy. I am only going to propose once in my life, and I’m only going to get married once in my life, so we need to plan it carefully rather than be bound by a timeline. When people ask if we’re engaged, I say, “We haven’t made it official, but in our hearts – yes, for sure.” Everything else is a matter of gesture.

When you want to slow things down, what do you do to relax?

Anything with sunshine and a beach. I don’t even need a mojito – I just need a glass of watermelon juice and I’ll be happy to chill with friends, family or my girlfriend. To me, that’s a perfect day.

What’s the next big championship or goal for you?

The next big goal is winning the Asian Le Mans (endurance) Series this winter to gain entry to the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. I prefer endurance races because it’s a total team effort, and no one is less than anyone else on the team.

We’re like a family – we play pranks on each other. On the birthday of our chief driver and coach, Richard Bradley, we tied him to a chair on the track and dumped ice water on him. That’s what we do when we’re not racing. But when we’re on the track, we’re so focused that we can’t hear anything except racing language.

I want to lead the first Hong Kong team with a Hong Kong driver to a Le Mans victory. Right now the only Hong Kong driver to make it to the Le Mans podium drives a GT. It’s still a very good achievement, but I want to win it in a Le Mans prototype, because that’s what that race is designed for.

My goal is to outdo myself every time I hit the track. I’ll do better than the last race, have a quicker lap time or do a longer stint with more consistent driving. I like to challenge myself.

Thank you.

 

Text: Emily Petsko
Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction: San Wong
Video: Johnny Yau

Uncorking history with Armand de Brignac champagne

 

Sebastien Besson, the CEO of French champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, was recently in Hong Kong for an intimate luncheon with a select few guests. We took this opportunity to have a tête-à-tête with him and get a deeper insight into the brand’s 250 years of history.

You have showcased six different varieties of Armand de Brignac champagne. What is the speciality of each?

We are very well known for the Gold Brut, our flagship champagne, which assembles three distinct grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Our next most famous offering is the Rosé, which is lighter on the palate and quite a favourite with the ladies. The Demi Sec is a sweeter champagne and can be paired quite well with desserts or can act as a complete contrast to spicy dishes. The Blanc de Blancs, a very limited collection, is a 100% Chardonnay and achieves the finest balance in terms of grapes used. A lot of people can make Chardonnay champagne but only a few know how to make the very best. The Blanc de Noirs is the rarest cuvée in the Armand de Brignac range and a highly coveted champagne among connoisseurs.

As a family-run business, how does Armand de Brignac ensure top-quality craftsmanship over generations?

As a family-run business, we like to time to nurture our champagne. We do not have to respond to market pressure, we have a long-term generational objective in everything we do. We want to innovate, we want to bring new things to the market, but at the same time, we won’t compromise our ‘classic’ style and quality. You can say, we take the time to do things right, always.

How do you ensure sustainability while harvesting?

Sustainability is a core principle of our vineyard management and all our owned lands are certified HVE level 3 – the highest grading from the French government – acknowledging the level of care we give to the environment, to protect it for future generations. We’re very preoccupied with our vines as well as with the ground they grow on. With that objective in mind, we have minimised the use of pesticides and have maximised the use of all things natural. It is okay to let weed grow, because it helps renewal of the ground.

What is the significance of the Ace of Spades logo?

The Ace of Spades logo was adopted by the brand centuries back. It fitted the modernism narrative of those times. Over the decades, the Ace of Spades has become synonymous with the Armand de Brignac champagne. The ‘A’ in the logo is a very intricate design and matches our French aesthetics.

Thank you.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Johnnie Walker Blue Label mentor Narcisa Pheres talks about her trip to their distillery in Scotland

Narcisa Pheres, talented jewellery designer and CEO of Italian fashion label Pheres, recently added one more feather to her cap when she was invited to the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Mentorship Programme. As a mentor to the brand, she travelled to Scotland’s picturesque countryside and explored the almost ‘mystical’ process of whisky making. We recently caught up with Narcisa to find out more about her exhilarating experience.

How did you feel about being named a Johnnie Walker Blue Label mentor?

I was honoured to be chosen by Johnnie Walker and, more specifically, to represent the Blue Label brand because it is such a unique product.

It was also a pleasant surprise. I did not expect a woman to be chosen to represent a whisky brand in the beginning, but then I learnt that a part of Johnnie Walker’s early success was actually due to the efforts of one woman in the late 18th century. More power to us!

How was the experience of travelling to Scotland as part of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label brand?

I went to Scotland as part of the mentorship programme for Johnnie Walker Blue Label. They invited me to explore the local scenery and to visit their distillery to learn the process behind creating each bottle.

Given my background in artisanship, design and craftsmanship, it was a thoroughly educational trip for me.

Where did you stay?

We stayed at the Craigellachie Hotel in a beautiful part of Scotland called Speyside, which is close to the Johnnie Walker distillery.

The hotel was wonderful, and looked like a castle. In the room they even prepared lovely cashmere socks with my logo on them, as well as a beautiful vintage basket holding a complimentary bottle of whisky for me. Such a lovely touch!

What intrigued you about the Blue Label brand?

How much effort goes into making just a single bottle! Only one in every ten thousand bottles of blended whisky makes the cut to becoming a Blue Label. It’s not only about attention to detail and having the right skills, it’s also about maintaining a very high quality every single time.

Of course, this is challenging because making whisky relies so heavily on nature producing perfect crops of wheat and barley, clean water and just the right amount of rain and sunlight. Since nature isn’t so reliable, there are years where nothing is added to the Blue Label stock.

Which part of the crafting process left an impression on you?

Watching the specialists at the Cardhu distillery – which supplies some of the best whiskies that go into Johnnie Walker blends – building the casks was simply amazing. They source rare white oak trees from America which they shape into barrels without any nails. It’s just oak and metal rings!

The casks are then fired and smoked for conditioning, which, in turn, allows the oak to flavour the whisky that is aged inside it. Attaining this level of cask-building skill can take up to ten years. I really admired their dedication to their craft.

Do you feel like this trip has inspired you?

Yes, of course. I draw inspiration from the places I travel to. Being surrounded by the beautiful Scottish countryside with its trees, clear sky, cold water and crisp air, all these things open up a brand new perspective for me. It’s a sharp contrast to being in Hong Kong!

Thank you!

Interview: Sadia Lima
Text: Tenzing Thondup

Real Deal: PR guru Real Ting on life, philosophy and fitness regime

Real Ting is the co-founder and director of Collaboration Group, a public relations and marketing firm.

How did you go from boy band singer to PR professional?

I moved to Shanghai when I was 16 because my dad runs a garment manufacturing business there. I studied at an international school for a year and then moved to Auckland, New Zealand, where I spent the next five years. I won a singing contest in Auckland and went on to participate in a regional singing competition in Asia. That’s how I met my agent, who helped me land a three-year contract with Warner Music Hong Kong. I ended up joining a boy band called VRF with three other guys. It was a good experience, but the reality didn’t live up to my expectations.

In the entertainment industry, you’re always waiting for your agent to give you opportunities. I hate when things are out of my control – I’m a typical Leo in that sense – so I quit the band and moved back to Shanghai to work for my dad’s business. That lasted a year because it wasn’t the right fit for me. I set out to find a job in Hong Kong, and I sent my CV to about 40 companies in entertainment, advertising and public relations. Finally, a company called IPS offered me a position, and I spent seven years there.

 

What sparked your interest in singing?

I started singing when I was six years old. My dad, mom, aunt and uncle – pretty much my whole family – would sing and dance every time we got together. I competed in many singing contests in Hong Kong and in New Zealand while studying at the University of Auckland. I spent a lot of time trying to improve myself, because when you’re an artist or singer you always have to be prepared. I built relationships with many people in the entertainment industry, which has been an advantage in the PR world.

 

How did you end up co-founding Collaboration Group?

In 2010, new opportunities arose. At the time, my now-business partner Conrad Ng was working at an advertising firm called DDB. The company wanted to build a PR and marketing department, so he invited me to join the team. The contract ended after two years, and Conrad and I formed our own company called Collaboration Group. We provide a one-stop service for PR, event management, advertising, branding and digital marketing. Our core clients include Maxim’s Group, Watsons China, Melco Crown, Givenchy Beauty, Kiehl’s and some other luxury brands.

Your wife, Miriam Yeung, is quite an accomplished singer and actress. How did you meet?

I met my wife in 2007. I owned a karaoke bar at the time, and a movie star decided to host his birthday party there. It was 2am when Miriam walked in with her agent. The agent approached me and said, ‘I can only stay for 15 minutes. Can you look after her?’ I agreed, and I’ve been taking care of her ever since. Every time I see that guy, I say, ‘Look, I kept my promise!’

 

You got married in Las Vegas in 2009, to the surprise of many. What prompted such a spontaneous decision?

I’m always arranging surprises for my close friends and for Miriam. In February 2009, I organised a surprise birthday party for her in Seoul. I invited our friends and families to a restaurant, and after dinner I brought out a birthday cake and proposed to her in front of everyone. When I knelt down, I realised that I was the one crying – not her.

That same year we took a trip to Los Angeles and spent a day at Universal Studios riding roller-coasters. I ended up taking care of her after she hurt her neck.

When we got back to the car, I asked her, ‘Should I take care of you for the rest of your life?’ Then I said, ‘Let’s go to Vegas.’ She agreed, and we drove straight there. We went to the famous Little White Wedding Chapel and said our vows. For her, it was an impulsive decision. But for me, it was actually a plan I had in mind. I even brought my suit along with me, but Miriam had to buy a dress in Vegas.

Did you do anything special to celebrate your wedding anniversary this year?

Our anniversary was last month, but because we’re constantly surprising each other, we wanted to simply enjoy each other’s company this year. Her birthday is 3 February, and at the end of January we went to Phuket. We stayed at a villa with 20 friends, and I surprised her by turning out the lights and bringing out a birthday cake. I arranged for fireworks to go off the second she started blowing out the candles. That’s why I thought we needed a quiet celebration for our anniversary this year.

 

How does it feel being in the public eye all the time?

Being in the public eye is part of my job, and I respect that the paparazzi have a job to do as well. Of course it’s human nature to want privacy, so at times it’s frustrating to be photographed while I’m trying to eat dinner with my family. Aside from paparazzi, regular people will take out their phones and start taking pictures of us in secret. When that happens, I go up to their table and ask, ‘Do you want to take a picture with us?’ and invite them to take a selfie. Sometimes they’re just too shy to ask.

What are you most proud of?

While I’m very excited about what we’ve built at Collaboration Group, my family is by far my proudest accomplishment. My wife is amazing, and to see her become a mother to our son is unbelievable. I couldn’t be more proud of my family.

What are your favourite things to do with your son, Torres?

I like to get him outdoors as much as possible. He’s a Hong Kong kid so he’s always indoors playing on his iPad with the air conditioner running, and that’s not me. Recently I started bringing him hiking. We live in Parkview near The Twins trail, so we brought him there. It’s quite hard for a 5-year-old kid, but we did half and turned back. I want him to grow up strong.

 

When you’re not working, what do you do to unwind?

I like to spend time with my close friends, but sometimes I want to be alone. I like jogging because it’s a kind of meditation for me. It allows me to empty my mind. I jog 10km each time, which adds up to about 150km a month.

I also have a personal trainer and we do circuit training twice a week. I’m quite busy with work, family, friends and exercise. That’s my life.

You’re a bit of a philosopher on social media. What inspires you?

I’m not a big follower of Buddhism but I love the philosophy of it. In 2007 I joined a beginner class on Buddhism and learned how to achieve balance in my life. I meditate and read a lot, and on social media I always try to share some positive words. The first book on Buddhism I read was The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama, which really changed my life. I’m always giving thanks for everything, whether I’m jogging, talking to my best friend, having dinner with my family or doing business. I give thanks because I’m very lucky. I have everything I want in life.

Thank you.

 

Text: Emily Petsko
Photos: Neville Lee
Art Direction: San Wong

 

Daphne King: Master of Arts

Daphne King learnt how to manage Alisan Fine Arts under her mother’s tutelage. Now, she’s using her lifelong training to make a name for herself as an industry leader

Daphne King is the director of Alisan Fine Arts, one of the first contemporary Chinese art galleries in Hong Kong.

Your mother, Alice King, founded Alisan Fine Arts in 1981. What was it like growing up surrounded by art?

Looking back, it was actually quite amazing, but at the time I didn’t really appreciate it. Like most kids I didn’t realise it was unusual or different. I just thought it was the norm. However, later on when I was older, I found myself in awe of artists when they visited the gallery.

I was lucky to meet Zao Wou-ki, who right now is one of the most recognised contemporary Chinese artists. One time, when I was studying in Paris, my mum and I went to one of his exhibitions. We were one of the first galleries in Hong Kong to host a solo exhibition for him back in 1993. At that time most people didn’t know who he was.

I met several others over the years, such as Walasse Ting. We just finished an exhibition for him, which was his 10th solo showcase at Alisan Fine Arts. Overall it was quite an amazing experience.

After you graduated from the University of Pennsylvania you worked in advertising in New York and Hong Kong. What made you change career paths to work at Alisan Fine Arts?

When I first graduated from university I wanted to get some experience rather than move back to Hong Kong to work straight away. When I was looking for a job in New York, I was looking in the advertising and art fields. It just so happened that I found a job in advertising first.

It was a great experience for me, as advertising and marketing skills are things you can use in any industry. At university I took some marketing courses. I was fascinated by marketing and advertising, but at the same time I was also taking a lot of art history courses.

Do you feel you were destined to take over the gallery?

I guess my parents probably wanted me to take over but they never pushed me to do it. I have always been interested in art so I could say, in a way, it was fated.

How has your role progressed since you started working at the gallery in 1996?

Work has changed a lot. When I first started my mother was quite strict with me. She wanted me to start from the bottom and do the filing and stack shelves. I kept asking her to let me do interesting things – especially because I had assistants when I worked for a large multi-national advertising agency – but my mother was adamant that I start small, because that’s how I’d learn about the gallery.

She had me sort out the library’s catalogues and read them as I went along. It was a meaningful experience, and now that I run the gallery as director I’m more understanding of people who are just starting out, which has made me a better manager.

You have curated a number of exhibitions since you became a director in 2005. Which ones are you most proud of and why?

The one that stands out in my mind was the gallery’s 35th anniversary last year. We held a large exhibition at Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay. The exhibition showcased 35 pieces covering the gallery’s 35 years. We borrowed pieces from collectors to highlight the important works and artists we’ve represented over the years. A lot of the artists and collectors came to the opening celebration.

On top of that, we published a book featuring every exhibition we have ever done since 1981, along with all the artists we have worked with. It took over two years to complete. It was emotional going through the archives and reading the correspondence between the artists and my mother. It was also fascinating to see the progression from hand-written letters to faxes to emails.
The book, coupled with the exhibition, is my biggest achievement to date.

Alisan Fine Arts promotes contemporary Chinese art all over the world. What’s your strategy?

We’ve done this in several different ways over the years. When we first started there weren’t many art fairs so we collaborated with galleries overseas. We did an exhibition in Hong Kong for Gao Xingjian, an artist living in Paris. At the time a friend of my mum’s had a gallery in New York and we held an exhibition there also. We have done a lot of travelling exhibitions and collaborated with museums and galleries overseas.

Now we are on the art fair circuit because those events are on the rise. We do Art Basel in Hong Kong and Art Taipei. We have done Masterpiece London and are also doing Art021 Shanghai. We advertise in a lot of art magazines here and abroad. We use social media because in this day and age it is impossible not to. Our gallery is also featured on a lot of art websites.

Alisan was one of the first contemporary Chinese art galleries in Hong Kong. How have you evolved to remain relevant and keep up with changes in the art world?

I feel it’s important for the gallery to stay ahead of the game. As the industry has evolved I’ve always felt we’ve been one step ahead, which is important. When the gallery opened in 1981 there were only two or three galleries that focused on contemporary Chinese art. Now there are over 100 galleries in Hong Kong and all the big international galleries are setting up here.

We started out in Central and then opened a space in Aberdeen before any of the other galleries. We sort of led the push to move galleries there. In terms of artists, we have been promoting ink art since the ‘90s and it is now at the forefront. Other galleries and artists are trying to catch up and get into this medium.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your role as director?

The biggest challenge has been establishing my credibility as an individual to prevent people from saying, ‘Oh you’re Alice King’s daughter. Of course you’re going to be the director.’

Maybe it was all in my mind, but I felt I had to step out of my mother’s shadow and prove myself among collectors and artists. If artists don’t respect you and they think you’re a young girl following in your mum’s footsteps then they won’t necessarily want to work with you. With collectors you have to gain their trust and get them to believe in your judgment.

You’re a board member for the Hong Kong Ballet. Where does your love for ballet come from?

I used to dance when I was young but truth be told I didn’t like it that much. I danced at the Jean M Wong School of Ballet and I have two daughters who both dance.

My daughters are already showing more promise than I did at their age, and they are really passionate about it. When your kids are interested in something it makes you want to learn about it too. So because of my daughters and my dance background I joined the board. I’m involved in fundraising and marketing, and we are trying to establish a ballet school.

You’re also a patron of the arts, a trustee for the Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art, a director of Association Culturelle France Hong Kong Ltd and director of The Ink Society. Why did you get involved with these associations?

It is important to support the arts and be involved in different associations.

My mother used to work with Culturelle France so I’ve followed her lead. We joined to help support Chinese artists who live in France and we believe it’s important to foster cross-cultural relationships.

My mother was one of the founders of The Ink Society and we try to promote it through talks and seminars. Ink art is popular now but in the past people didn’t know much about it. We were hoping to open a museum in Hong Kong dedicated to ink art because one of the founders of the movement is from Hong Kong, but unfortunately this has never materialised despite many attempts.

Away from the art world, what do you do to unwind?

I like to do yoga and I meditate on a daily basis. I enjoy travelling, reading, spending time with friends and shopping. I travel to London a lot to see my daughter who is in boarding school. I also enjoy outdoor activities.

You have three children. Are they also showing a love for art?

They are! It’s difficult for them to ignore it because of the environment they grew up in.

My daughter, who is in England, is studying art for her GCSEs so she is always drawing and painting. When she was young a teacher entered one of her drawings into a Hong Kong-wide contest run by the post office. The drawing was selected to be made into a stamp, which was amazing.

My oldest son is really into classical music. He plays the clarinet and piano.

My youngest daughter plays the trumpet but because she is young she hasn’t really found her niche. She’s in the orchestra and does ballet.

What’s next for Alisan Fine Arts?

In the immediate future we have an exhibition from 13 September to the end of October featuring work by Zhang Yirong and her husband, Tai Xiangzhou. The exhibition will showcase black and white ink paintings.

The next exhibition in November will feature the works of Chao Chung-hsiang. We haven’t hosted a solo exhibition for him for about five years so it’s a good opportunity to showcase his best work.

We now have two locations, and the long-term plan is to differentiate what we are doing in Central from what we are doing in Aberdeen.

I’d also like to work more with emerging artists. Our gallery used to be named Arts Promotion before it became Alisan Fine Arts so we were promoting artists rather than dealing art. Because our gallery has been around for so long, a lot of the artists we have worked with have passed away. I want to develop a working relationship with emerging artists because I find that much more enjoyable than dealing. Meeting them and understanding what they are doing and why they are doing it is one of the more exciting parts of my job, and it’s something I want to continue doing.

Text: Andrew Scott

Clement Cheung: Ultimate challenge of juggling three companies

Clement Cheung co-founded travel agency Matata Limited, luggage brand Ventris and, most recently, Absolute Fitness gym in Central.

When did you move to Toronto?

I moved to Canada when I was nine years old. At that age, we didn’t really think about what to expect, so everything was new and fresh. I studied in Toronto, from primary school through university, and then I moved back to Hong Kong.

Why did you return to Hong Kong?

I had just graduated from university, so I was 22 years old. The main drive was my parents’ business. Back then it was more of a curiosity. I wanted to know what they were doing and understand what they did to raise me up, so that’s why I came back.

What was it like growing up in such a business- oriented family?
My first taste of business was when I was about seven years old. My sister and I made some fake money to buy each others’ toys and stationery. Later, we used our actual pocket money. My first real business, though, was when I opened a bubble tea house while studying at university.

Growing up in a business family can be difficult. There were times when business would come up at the dinner table, or we would bring up a family issue at the office. It can be quite confusing, and sometimes it all mixes together. I got used to that, though.

Why did you study architectural design, and do you still incorporate what you’ve learnt into your businesses?
I’ve always enjoyed arts as well as design. Design, to me,is creating things and going from nothing to something. Even though my companies are not related to the design or architecture industries, design has trained my creative mind, and I apply that to my different businesses.

My first real venture, Chillichilly, was a homeware brand. I designed household items that you use every day, but the difference was that they told a story. Aside from the aesthetic appearance of the product, most of the products created a conversation.

You also co-founded Matata Limited, a travel consultancy. What inspired you to enter the travel sector?
My friends and I love travelling, and every time we took a racing trip or ice drifting trip, or went to the Maldives, people would comment on our pictures on social media and say, ‘Your trip looks so fun. Can we join?’ That’s what inspired us to create our own tour company and arrange our own trips. Our idea was to make travelling more fun and cater it to groups of close friends.

Later, we changed course and started offering educational tours. I’m very fortunate because I was born in Hong Kong, I studied in North America and now I’m working in China. I think you have a more well-rounded view if you can see the best of different worlds.

I have two children, and I would love to give them the opportunity to go abroad. That’s why we designed a tour that gives children the opportunity to have fun while also learning lessons that they can take home from their trip.

“Design, to me, is creating things and going from nothing to something”

You went on to head up Ventris Limited, a luggage brand. Why suitcases?
This is a little more in line with my design background. We offer high-end, full carbon luggage. I’m a co-founder, and my business partners do a lot of carbon work in factories. We love travelling and we love to have high- quality luggage to bring with us.

What role does travel play in your life?
I’m adventurous so I like to explore different places and different cultures. Africa, for instance, was quite different for me. We went to a game reserve that’s essentially a 35km by 45km piece of desert where thousands of wild animals live. We drove around searching for different animals, and that was very special because it’s not a zoo – we were visiting their home.

What are your hobbies?
I like racing. I used to race often with my friends, and we would go to Mongolia for snow drifting with a team. I used to draw for leisure. Singing is also a hobby, and I enjoy all kinds of sports.

What sets your gym, Absolute Fitness, apart from others in Hong Kong?
The fitness industry is well-established nowadays. A lot of people, including myself, are quite health- conscious. There are people who like yoga, people who like spinning classes and people who like HIIT or weightlifting. We don’t want to design a gym that accommodates everyone, though, because it would lose its focus.

Absolute Fitness is designed for people who enjoy circuit training and more functional training – not necessarily for those who want muscles like Superman or Captain America. It’s focused on getting your heart rate up, so we have a lot of cardio training, but we also have the traditional equipment you’d need to build up muscle mass.

It’s different from other gyms because we don’t encourage membership. We do mainly one-on-one training with a coach or training in small groups of two or three people. It’s quite a private gym. Some people like to go to a big gym to mingle and chat, but Absolute Fitness is more about improving yourself from the inside to the outside.

“I want to do something that creates wealth for society. That’s my real paycheck”

You’ve founded a lot of companies. How do you balance your time?
It’s always difficult in the beginning to set up a business, but luckily I have a good team and good partners who support me with their resources and time. For me, it’s a matter of balance and time management, which is something I’m still working to improve. It’s difficult, but so far it’s working out fine.

Do you plan to start another business any time soon?
I think I have enough on my plate. I’m not a greedy person, but I don’t see Absolute Fitness being my last business, either. Maybe it’s my habit of liking to create things. My entrepreneurial mind is always nagging me and saying, ‘What’s next?’ I just started Absolute Fitness, though, and I want to get it up and running before I do something else.

I would be regretful if I started a business and it failed because I didn’t spend enough time looking after it. A lot of businesspeople are big investors, but for me, aside from investing capital in a company, I also participate in them. People say to me, ‘That’s very tiring. Can’t you just put money into it and let it grow?’ But I enjoy every part and every moment of building a business. If it ends up being successful, it will be much more satisfying.

Do you have any advice for young entrepreneurs who are just starting out?
There’s a saying that it’s more difficult to sustain a business than it is to start one, and I believe that’s true. First I would ask why they want to start a business. There can be plenty of reasons. Of course, we have to make a profit – that’s the number one rule of business – but when I start a company, that’s not my first and only question.

After Chillichilly was put on hold, I waited five years before I started another venture. I don’t want to start a business just for the sake of starting it. I want to do something that I have a passion for, that I enjoy doing and, most of all, that creates more than just money. I want to do something that creates wealth for society, whether it’s educating the next generation or giving people a place where they can enjoy working out. That’s my real paycheck.

Text: Emily Petsko

Madame Moiselle: Shirley Chan on building a fashion empire

Shirley Chan is the co-founder and vice-chairman of Moiselle Group, a Hong Kong-based fashion brand celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Why did you launch Moiselle in 1997?

I have loved fashion ever since I was young and I’ve always followed the latest happenings in the industry, so it was an easy decision to start a fashion company with my husband.

Before we founded Moiselle, my husband and I started a fashion trading company and we met lots of fashion industry experts from different countries. When I travelled to Europe for work I’d visit the stores of famous fashion brands and over time I gained an appreciation of their work.

With our love of fashion and seeing what other brands were doing, we thought it would be a good idea to set up a local fashion brand.

Why start in 1997? It was good timing with Hong Kong returning to China. This was a special year in many ways for lots of Hong Kong people. Even though many of my friends decided to leave, I wanted to stay and build confidence in the city. My husband and I knew that we had the experience and confidence to set up Moiselle at that time.

What challenges did you face at the beginning?

There were many difficulties. First of all, because Moiselle was a new brand, landlords refused to rent us space in shopping malls or in good locations as we were considered an ‘unpopular tenant’. Landlords would only rent to international brands. It took us a long time to earn any sort of recognition because we were a local brand.

The financial crisis in 1997 forced a lot of the international brands out of Hong Kong and this opened up a number of options for us that we didn’t have before. It also pushed rental prices down.

My husband and I knew that we had to have our own brand DNA to stand out. We knew the importance of fabric, as it acts like a second layer of skin. So we decided to use European designs and fabrics. It’s essential that our customers feel comfortable and look stylish in our clothes.

We used our skills in tailor-made embroidery while also keeping an eye on the latest fashion trends. How clothing looks on your body depends not only on style, but also the tailoring. If an item doesn’t fit, no one will buy it no matter how cheap or expensive it is.

We decided to use all of these elements to position our brand, and luckily we were quickly accepted by the market.

Moiselle celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. How has the fashion industry changed since you started?

Unexpectedly, it has changed a lot. Twenty years ago, customers were more single-minded. An example of this is customers buying a whole outfit they saw at an international brand’s fashion show. At that time, famous department stores or multi-brand stores had a lot of customers spending money.

Another change occurred in 2004 when China opened up its economy and started the Individual Visit Scheme, which opened us up to a big group of potential customers. The Chinese have strong purchasing power; price is never a problem to them. They are more concerned about whether a product makes them stand out, so they shop for beautiful clothes to make themselves look rich and powerful.


How does Hong Kong’s fashion industry compare to the West? What can we learn from those markets, and is there anything they can learn from us?

Europe is very different to Hong Kong. European fashion houses have a well-developed vision for their brands. Cultural values and society are influential. A lot of family businesses have great success because they put a lot of focus on cultural values.

When it comes to managing a brand, companies in Europe are successful because they are clear in what they want to do, like Hermès and Chanel. We could learn a lot from them about design, promotion and marketing, to name a few.

Even though some companies have lost the spirit of their brand – for example, the passing of Coco Chanel – this has not damaged their brand or affected how they are seen in the fashion world. This is something Hong Kong brands can also learn from.

Brands generally draw upon each other for inspiration. A number of representatives from international brands have visited our stores and we talk to them about our designs and products. It’s good that a lot of international buyers and designers purchase our outfits as well.

There is always something to learn from a brand’s success or failure, and then it just depends how you use the information.

Do you have any plans to expand into Europe? How do you decide which markets in Asia and the rest of the world to target?

We did think about it, but because of the financial crisis, it didn’t work out. I think we have more to gain by putting our resources into China. The only way we would move into Europe is if we found a working partner who would be responsible for distribution, leaving us to provide the products. But if you are talking about a full investment by our group, I would pick China.

The country is getting stronger, which in turn means that Chinese travel quite a lot. The Chinese are also more willing now to accept new things.

I think Moiselle needs to pick up the pace to catch up with the Chinese market. We should have closer contact with them than we currently have. We are planning to open more stores in major cities in China. Moiselle has also signed on with an online platform to help promote our brand, and we are expecting big things this year.

What was it like to run a business with your husband while also raising a family together?

My husband and I share the same views, targets and beliefs. But we also have expertise in different areas. I am strong in design and operation, and my husband is strong in finance, company development and marketing.

If we have different opinions, then obviously that does lead to disagreements. My husband is the chairman and I am the vice-chairman, so of course I have to work with him. But within my role, if I feel that my direction is correct then I will definitely try to push it. However, the final decision has to benefit the company.

When our kids were young, we mainly phoned them Monday through Friday because all of our attention went into work and it was hard to see them. Luckily,our children knew why mummy and daddy worked so hard. We also brought them with us to the office on certain days so they could understand the industry we work in.

On weekends, we made time to be together as a family, and sometimes with our friends.

“My husband and I share the same views, targets and beliefs. But we also have expertise in different areas”

Your son Harris is the creative director for Moiselle. How important was it to keep the business in the family?

Keeping the business in the family has its advantage, as it’s a kind of inheritance. This doesn’t mean, however, that the successor to the business has to be a family member. If any family members are talented enough to take over the business, then of course they would be the successor.

The person who fills this role must have beliefs and views that are in line with the company, and they must also have the talent. In my opinion, my son Harris is suited to the role. He is talented, he works with passion and he is also very creative.

The team also knows he is fully focused on his work and he has a clear vision for the future development of Moiselle. The younger generation is our future, and I aim to keep developing the group to help them be successful.

Which fashion designers inspire you?

A lot of designers inspire me, but there are two that stand out. The first is Coco Chanel, because of how she helped the brand evolve from accessories to different collections to handbags and shoes. The other is Dolce & Gabbana. Every one of Dolce & Gabbana’s products is a surprise. They bring out the uniqueness of a person. Not only is the women’s collection a success, but so is the men’s collection. The brand has a lot of variation, which inspires me.

How would you describe your personal style?
My friends love my style, and they love to shop with me to get advice. Clothing is a way to show my personality to others. I would consider my style to be diverse. I like smart casual, with elegance. I love to mix and match. I make use of accessories and colour to stand out. I think a new piece has to add new elements to my existing wardrobe. That’s why I love buying small accessories, scarves, belts, shoes, socks, hats and glasses.


“My friends love my style, and they love to shop with me to get advice. Clothing is a way to show my personality to others”

What has been your proudest moment at work?

My proudest moment is split into different stages because my work has changed over time.

I am happy and lucky to have been honoured with the Golden Bauhinia Woman Entrepreneur Award last year. The award recognised my contribution to the industry and also the work of my team.

Also last year, Moiselle received the Listed Company Award of Excellence from the Hong Kong Economic Journal. It is hard to operate a business in this day and age so I was proud when we were honoured with the award. Another proud moment was when we were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2002.

You have worked for a number of charitable organisations. How do you decide which ones to support?

I mainly focus on organisations that deal with women, children and the elderly. For example, we supported events for the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation for five years. I have been a member of the Zonta Club of the New Territories since 2006, and Moiselle has held fundraising activities for underprivileged women. In the future, we hope to help single-parent families and the elderly. We need to show patience and care towards the elderly – not only money. The elderly built Hong Kong for us and now we need to give back to them. I also focus on helping Christian organisations, as I am a Christian.

How do you unwind when you’re not working?

I love hiking up to Victoria Peak to take in the architecture and the view. I am going to New Zealand for a five-day hiking trip in November, and I’ll hike about 20km a day on the last three days. I also enjoy walking around the streets of Hong Kong, and going to church is important to me.

Text: Andrew Scott/Alice Chang

Dr Do-It-All: Richard Tong wears many hats aside from a surgical cap

Dr Richard Tong is a surgeon at Elite Clinic, a private clinic in Tsim Sha Tsui that specialises in general, breast, thyroid, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeries. He also writes a biweekly medical column for the Hong Kong Economic Journal and he has had a book of his columns published.

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What made you decide to become a surgeon?

I’ve always been a science guy, and even as a kid I carried out a number of experiments. There used to be a street in Central where chemicals were sold, and I would bring some home and mix them together. So when I grew up, I naturally chose science as my field of study.

I did think about becoming an engineer, but my father encouraged me to become a doctor. At school, it occurred to me that being a surgeon is a little like being a sportsman, while being a medical doctor is more akin to being a scholar. Because I was an athlete and school captain, I thought that becoming a surgeon would be more appropriate for me.

How did you end up specialising in vascular surgery?

It’s a difficult specialty and many vascular operations are quite complex. At times, it involves very urgent operations. For example, if a patient comes in with what we call ‘Triple A’ – an abdominal aortic aneurysm – I have to operate immediately or the patient will die.

When I was on call, I had to rush back to the hospital no matter what I was doing. If I was having dinner, I had to drop the chopsticks and run to the hospital to perform surgery. It turns out that my ability to act quickly and be at the hospital within minutes saved a lot of people’s lives, whereas in the past, most people died from this kind of aneurysm.

Vein surgery is not too popular among surgeons because it’s not that glamorous, but a lot of people suffer from varicose veins. They have big ulcers on their ankles and it’s a crippling ailment, so the demand for vascular surgery is high. It’s common in Hong Kong to see people with big veins on their legs. Chinese people are very tough and they don’t complain at all. The people who suffer the most from varicose veins in Hong Kong are the cooks who stand for 10 hours a day making wonton noodles and boiled congee. It’s a common affliction in this occupation.

What are some of the misconceptions about surgeons that you’ve heard?

People think surgeons live a happy life, drinking and celebrating with pretty girls around them. That is usually not the case. Surgeons are actually very hard-working and put in long hours. People also tend to think that surgical technique is the most important thing, but decision-making is more difficult. Every step is a decision: what you should do and where you should cut. Being just a millimetre off can kill the patient, so these are decisions that are not based on technical expertise. Any surgeon can do an operation well after they’ve done it a thousand times, but making a good decision is the most crucial part of being a surgeon.

You left the public sector in 2004 to become a private surgeon. What was that transition like?

In 2004, Hong Kong Baptist Hospital invited me to be a consultant surgeon there, and I accepted. In my first month on the job, I actually lost 15 pounds. It was such a difficult job and I was working all the time. At the time, I had already been working as a surgeon for 14 years.

It’s slightly different from the public sector, where I would just operate and then the patient would be transferred into someone else’s care. But in the private sector we take care of the patient the whole time, from surgery until full recovery. It’s hard work but it’s rewarding to see patients from the very beginning to the end of their recovery. I’ve become friends with many of my patients.

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“If I was having dinner, I had to drop the chopsticks and run to the hospital to perform surgery”

You’ve also visited overseas hospitals in the UK and the US as an honorary consultant and as a visiting scholar, respectively. How were those experiences?

It was really enjoyable. As surgeons, we have the opportunity to learn and observe from an institute of our choosing. I think it’s very important because we bring in new techniques, we learn how people do things and we exchange ideas – and that’s very important for the career development of any surgeon or doctor.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I have a lot of hobbies. I do a lot of water sports, like diving, snorkelling and boating. I’ve had a boating licence for 20 years, and I like to go out on the sea. Hong Kong is a great place for that because within half an hour of leaving Central you’re already in a beautiful place like Sai Kung. We’re actually quite lucky to live here.

Aside from water sports, I like skiing and snowboarding. I took up skiing 27 years ago, and every year I go to places like France, Switzerland, Japan and Canada. I also enjoy motor sports because they’re exciting, and I have my racing licence as well. I like tracks in China, and I’ve been to Beijing, Shanghai and Zhuhai for track days.

One thing I enjoy very much is drifting in a car on frozen lakes. Inner Mongolia is very cold in the winter – it’s minus 30 to 40 degrees and the lake is frozen. For the past three years, I’ve spent a few weeks drifting on a frozen lake there.

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We’ve heard that you’re also a good cook. What’s your specialty?

I would say that it’s fusion cuisine. Once upon a time, a friend of mine brought a lot of French Gillardeau oysters over to my home – 300 of them in total. I couldn’t finish all the oysters, so I got out some rice and boiled it in soup, then added some other ingredients and finally added in some oysters. It was a classic Chinese-style Chiu Chow oyster congee, except with French oysters.

I cooked a lot in the past but nowadays I have a Western chef and a Chinese chef who cook for me, depending on the occasion. But I buy the ingredients myself and plan the menu.

Which non-profit organisations do you support?

After coming back from training overseas, I discovered that I’m very interested in trauma surgery. I have a good relationship with the St John Ambulance Brigade so I joined the organisation. I’ve been volunteering with St John for more than 10 years, mostly doing administrative work. I enjoy that very much and have met a lot of friends there. I am also a medical consultant for the Kowloon and New Territories Trading and Commercial Association, and whenever they have any medical affairs they call me.

Thank you.

Text: Emily Petsko

Queen B: Bonnae Gokson has a taste for the sweeter things in life

Bonnae Gokson is the owner and founder of Sevva, Ms B’s Cakery and C’est La B. She has received three awards for her book, Butterflies and All Things Sweet.

Why do you think your businesses are so successful?

I’m so grateful that all the brands I’ve created on my own are a success. I’m fortunate to have lived a very privileged life ever since childhood, and I believe this has put me in good stead in the business world.

I believe my success comes from my exposure to the very best things the world has to offer, coupled with the knowledge I’ve gleaned from my family, my work experience and my frequent travels abroad.

For me, running a business requires a hands-on approach in its day-to-day management, and this is why I have put a lot of effort into Sevva, from changing its aesthetic to deciding what food the guests will enjoy. I have always had the foresight, imagination and passion to create.

Sevva is a one-of-a-kind venue in Hong Kong because of the care and attention to detail I have put into it. It’s more than just a restaurant. It is a unique experience where guests can get pampered and enjoy a sensory overload of sorts. Of course, the amazing terrace atop one of Hong Kong’s most iconic buildings helps.

My cakery and C’est La B are separate businesses from Sevva. The store for Ms B’s Cakery in Prince’s Building is more of a gift, confectionery and cake shop, whereas C’est La B at Pacific Place is more of a casual cafe with lots of savoury snacks and sweets.

The one thing that is similar about all of my businesses, though, is that they are located in very unique venues that people enjoy, and this makes them come back for more.

To run a successful business, a person needs to know how to manage and they must have a vision, passion and drive to maintain quality and standards, all while injecting fresh ideas every so often.

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What role does social media play in the promotion of your products and businesses? 

I started using Instagram a few years back and I really enjoy it. There are lots of ways I use Instagram to help my businesses grow. In this day and age, social media is so important. We regularly release new products, and social media is a great way to build brand awareness.

I have separate pages on Facebook and Instagram for Sevva, Ms B’s Cakery, Ms B’s Weddings and C’est La B. And I also have my personal accounts.

You used to be Regional Chief of Image and Communications for Chanel Asia Pacific and you’re also lauded as a style icon. How important is fashion to you?

Let me put it this way: I believe that my sense of style comes from spending many years working alongside my mentor and sister, Joyce Ma. I would also credit it to being born into a family where my grandfather founded the most important department store back in the old days in Shanghai. I certainly have a strong retail and fashion heritage.

I also love the art, excitement and creativity of the fashion world as I, myself, am a very creative person.

 “I’m at a wonderful time in my life. I have a lot of freedom and I still love what I do”

Who are your favourite designers? What are your go-to fashion items?

I have a number of favourite fashion pieces from couture, ready-to-wear and casual sportswear collections. Most designers have something I like in their collections. I like Zuhair Murad, Ralph Russo, Dries Van Noten, Balmain, Victoria Beckham, Norma Kamali, Rosie Assouline and more. I am also a fan of some younger emerging designers.

You’ve been dubbed the ‘Queen of Confectionary’ and were named one of the top 30 pastry chefs in the world in a book published by Thames + Hudson. How did it feel to be featured?

It was certainly a great honour to be recognised by such a wonderful publication. Around the same time that I was featured in the book, The New Pâtissiers, my coffee table book, Butterflies and All Things Sweet, won three top awards at the Paris Book Awards, the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards and the Sydney Design Awards in 2014. I was overjoyed when we won those awards because we’d worked so hard on the book.

What inspired you to write Butterflies and All Things Sweet?

The idea for Butterflies and All Things Sweet came about when I worked on Sundays creating our adverts, e-letters and photo shoots. Every time our images were sent out to the public, people would call us up to say how much they loved them.

Over time we built up a large collection of images and I thought it would be a good idea to compile them and put them into a book.

I am fortunate to have a few extremely talented friends who were editors-in-chief at top magazines in Australia. I worked with them to produce Butterflies and All Things Sweet.

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Do you think a lot of pressure is put on female entrepreneurs in the business world?

Women entrepreneurs are now becoming stronger and more powerful in the business world. Women will always face challenges, but I think if you look around and see the changes happening in the world you will see things are moving forward.
As for myself, I am the decision maker for most aspects of my businesses. I have to be stern and focused in order to make the best decisions. Yet, I believe in maintaining my femininity, poise and intelligence, so you tell me if you think there’s any pressure!

What’s an average week for you? 

My weeks vary quite a bit. I work out at home twice a week in the morning with a fitness trainer. I attend meetings throughout the week with various teams to plan upcoming events. I meet with chefs to go over new menus and meet with my cakery team to discuss bespoke cake orders.

I sometimes have meetings with the media and I’m occasionally asked to give interviews on TV or radio programmes.

Sometimes on Sundays I work with a photographer to snap new shots of my work, and sometimes I go to the graphic studio to design new packaging or adverts.

During the past few months a number of people have asked to collaborate with me and I am sometimes contacted by luxury brands to create something for them, which means I have to attend meetings for these projects.

Your cake names at Ms B’s Cakery are quite unique. Do you come up with the names yourself?

Yes, I come up with all the names of our cakes and I choose the flavours and ingredients. Choosing names for the cakes is fun. Sometimes I’ll brainstorm ideas with a good friend who’s humourous and we will have a laugh thinking of names. And sometimes I name them after famous operas like Madama Butterfly or come up with something daring like ‘Better Than Sex’.

We have just finished a week of new developments and we mistakenly made a cake with the wrong ingredients, but it ended up tasting delicious so we called it ‘Ooops!’

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  “Women entrepreneurs are now becoming stronger and more powerful in the business world”

Are you ever concerned people in Hong Kong will copy your cake ideas?

Copycats are everywhere in Hong Kong. I wonder why so many people choose to copy my ideas instead of coming up with their own designs. It is obvious people steal my ideas – our distinctive striped cake cards, our cake designs, the names of cakes, sugar art and more – from the internet, which is a joke and shows that some people have no shame. But what can I say except ‘thank you.’ I guess people who understand quality will know the difference.

What are your favourite restaurants in the city?

I have quite a few favourite restaurants that I keep going back to, such as Gou Fu Lou for dim sum, Arcane on On Lan Street, Pang’s in Happy Valley, Liu Yuan Pavilion in Wan Chai, Mak’s Noodles on Wing Kut Street, Ho Lee Fook on Elgin Street and, of course, Sevva!

To me, going to a place that serves good food is more important than going to a place because it is seen as trendy or hip. I also love taking friends who are visiting the city to new restaurants.

You’re also known for your healthy lifestyle. How do you stay fit?

I believe that ‘health is wealth.’ I like to take care of myself, which is important because I have such a hectic lifestyle.
I enjoy nothing better than a good hike followed by a session with exercise training bands. I love working up a good sweat with my trainer in the country parks near my home.

I have also been an advocate of holistic naturopathy and anthroposophical medicine for years and I have a wonderful doctor in Australia who helps to keep me fit and healthy.

How do you relax and unwind?

I travel on short trips around Asia to visit friends. When I’m not travelling, I love to explore the streets of Sham Shui Po and the flower markets in Kowloon. There’s always something new there to awaken my senses.

I’m a big fan of the cinema and I also like to go yachting with friends or go on a good hike.

What advice would you give any budding tastemakers or entrepreneurs?

Embrace what makes you different. Success is tied to passion; it is not materialistic. Passion is your greatest ally, and don’t be afraid to challenge social conventions.

What project are you planning to take on next? 

I’m at a wonderful time in my life. I have a lot of freedom and I still love what I do. Some people have suggested that I open my own signature chain of boutique hotels, and actually this is being discussed at present.

I am open to getting involved with exciting new projects and ideas. I have said ‘no’ to many offers in the past, but who knows what might happen in the future. I don’t focus too much on the future as I like to live in the moment. As they say, que sera sera.

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Text: Andrew Scott