Category: Interview

Selling the High Fashion Dream: Mike Ruan of S.T Boutique

Fashion entrepreneur Mike Ruan brings coveted brand names to a young, clued-in clientele at S.T Boutique. He chats with Gafencu about his upcoming China expansion, fast cars, cool watches and investing in karaoke…

Mike Ruan of S.T Boutique channels his passion for high fashion into a thriving resale business gafencu inteview (3)

What does fashion mean to you?
Honestly, if you ask any other person in the industry, they’d probably need a thousand, or even ten thousand words to describe this. For me, though, it’s simple – the process of an artist starting from scratch with just a piece of paper, and then, by sketching and creating fashion designs, capturing the public’s imagination and earning money. I know that’s quite a mercenary way of looking at it, but that’s my personal point of view. Of course, fashion is also about talent and understanding people’s needs, because without this you can’t be successful.

Did you always know you wanted to work in fashion or did you have other aspirations?
Actually, when I was a child in Wenzhou [in Zhejiang Province], I saw so many movies with cool cops that I really wanted to become a police officer. I remember every weekend I’d be begging my parents to take me to the toy shop so I could buy police badges, guns and the like to play at being a cop at home.

Of course, my dreams changed as I grew older. In 2008, I decided to enrol in high school in the UK, not just because of the high calibre of the education there, but also because I wanted to see and learn more about the world than my home town. I made the move to London all by myself, and my boarding school – DLD College London – was just a stone’s throw from Selfridges department store, so I quickly became introduced to the Western fashion. The first major brand that I fell in love with was Dior Homme. I was particularly enamoured with the personal style and vision of then-creative director Hedi Slimane – someone I still massively respect and believe stands at the pinnacle of the fashion business.

Keen to expand my horizons, I’d visit department stores every week to learn more about different styles and also to add to my personal wardrobe collection. Over time, I got to know other big brands like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton, and I ended up falling in love with them too, which is what clued me in on my long-term passion for fashion.

Mike Ruan of S.T Boutique channels his passion for high fashion into a thriving resale business gafencu inteview (2)

Tell us about the path to starting your own business, S.T Boutique.
Since I’d realised exactly how much fashion meant to me, after six years of studying in London, I chose to continue my education in the beautiful Italian city of Florence. I did a Business of Fashion degree there, and to cut a long story short, once I graduated I decided to move to Hong Kong, where in 2017 I fulfilled my dream of starting my own fashion business – S.T Boutique. It’s a trendy, high-end fashion resale enterprise, and I have two stores in Hong Kong and another huge flagship store in my hometown Wenzhou.

What sets S.T Boutique apart from the rest of your competitors?
I think the major difference between our retail operation and others is that we are extremely sensitive and attentive to market shifts. We often buy clothes that attract a much younger crowd, and this, in turn, allows us to generate sales and turnover extremely quickly.

In the old days, the majority of haute couture and high-fashion purchasers were in their 40s. Today, that’s shifted down to people in their 20s, and being flexible and adaptive to the needs of this new segment is a major focus for S.T Boutique. This means that my team and I spend hours doing research on the latest collections, viewing catwalks from various brands on YouTube, looking for reactions on other digital platforms… Basically we do everything we can to make sure we have our finger on the pulse of the latest trends, so we not only stock the most coveted items for this season, but will also have the same sought-after cache for the following seasons.

Mike Ruan of S.T Boutique channels his passion for high fashion into a thriving resale business gafencu inteview (5)

Also Read: Timothy Yu’s Snapask reaches eight markets in Asia, aiding 4.5m students!

How has Covid-19 affected your business?
Honestly, like everyone else in the world, the pandemic has clearly had a negative impact on S.T Boutique. Our business relied on wealthy tourists, particularly from the mainland, and the global shutdown of travel has meant that we’re down 60-percent from where we were pre-Covid. Having said that, I always remind my team that it is during the times of greatest challenge that we need to put in that extra level of effort and enthusiasm. We need to believe that the blood, sweat and tears we invest now will yield big rewards once the pandemic passes.

Do you have plans to expand S.T Boutique this year?
We’re excited to launch two more locations in mainland China in the near future. The first store will be in Beijing – as the capital city that’s a no-brainer for our next outpost. The other will open in Chengdu, since I’ve always felt it’s such a vibrant place; in fact it’s one of my favourite cities in the world. The people there are so trendy and you can see the pleasure youngsters take in their trendy apparel on every street corner. It really is the fashion capital of western China, so S.T Boutique will fit right in.

Aside from S.T Boutique, do you have any other projects in the works?
Yes! A friend and I have just invested in a karaoke spot called Qian Gui along London’s Wardour Street [famous for its music scene], pretty much opposite the W Hotel. During my time as a student in the city, I loved to go to KTV with my pals, and I enjoy singing, so it felt like a natural investment for me.

Mike Ruan of S.T Boutique channels his passion for high fashion into a thriving resale business gafencu inteview (6)

How do you like to relax? Any hobbies?
I love playing ping pong or going for a round of golf to relax after work, and I’m always up for an occasional karaoke session as well. Since I love music, I also aim to hit the Lan Kwai Fong hotspots with my friends twice a month.

I’m an avid watch collector, too. I’m a major fan of Richard Mille since being introduced to the brand in 2017, and my favourite model is the all-white RM 055, because I love the colour white. I also love fast cars, and having lived in Italy for three years, I have a particular fondness for Lamborghinis. I own two, and my most treasured motor is the Lamborghini Urus, which I know is an unusual choice, but I much prefer SUVs to sports cars.

Which fashion brand has really kept up with the times over the last 10 years?
I would say Louis Vuitton. For many years, it was seen as being a super classic, formal brand. Yet, over the past decade, it has completely transformed into a maison with a much more global appeal. Part of the reason, I think, is that it made the brave decision to completely overhaul its business model to appeal to a much younger crowd, and that strategy yielded great rewards.

Mike Ruan of S.T Boutique channels his passion for high fashion into a thriving resale business gafencu inteview (4)

And what’s your favourite fashion trend of the past decade?
That would 100-percent be the pivot to less formal attire and streetwear. I absolutely loathe wearing suits and such, so this new embracing of streetwear as an expression of high fashion is, for me, the best trend to emerge in recent years.

Finally, tell us a secret about yourself.
Hmm… if it’s called a secret, I don’t think I should reveal it!

Thank you.

Also Read: Power Player: Stephan Pudwill on taking over the reigns of his family business

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Andy Wan; Venue: S.T Boutique

Hong Kong’s star architect Betty Ng on shaking up the design world…

Founding her own design firm, COLLECTIVE, was a steep learning curve for youthful top architect Betty Ng. Now she aims even higher by teaching tomorrow’s talent…

You are one of Hong Kong’s leading architects, yet you’re only in your late 30s. How did your relationship with design begin?
Like many Asian kids, I was a strong science student and was studying to become a doctor, particularly a surgeon, but life had other plans. A schoolmate went to university to study architecture and that got me fascinated. I was hooked and thought it was a really interesting field and decided to switch my career choice.

You founded your own architecture studio, COLLECTIVE, with former colleagues from OMA and Herzog & de Meuron. Tell us about the work you’ve done in Hong Kong.
COLLECTIVE is headquartered in Hong Kong, but in the past six years we have done a diverse amount of work internationally – Honolulu, Helsinki, New York – and we are currently finishing assignments in Vancouver and Pasadena. In Hong Kong, our credits include designing the exhibition “Things, Spaces, Interactions” at M+ and all four Kapok lifestyle stores, among other projects. On a bigger scale, we are thrilled to be working with New World Development on their twin tower and commercial podium project in Cheung Sha Wan. As a young firm, these are phenomenal opportunities. COLLECTIVE was born only six years ago and we already have a MIPIM Asia ‘Best Futura Project’ Award [in 2021, for the King Lam Street commercial development] – that’s incredibly special!

How has your education shaped your career?
I was born and raised in Hong Kong, went to Diocesan Girls’ School, then to Cornell for my Bachelor’s in architecture, and later to Harvard for my Master’s. Furthering my education in the West was a completely eye-opening, explosive exposure. It instilled a lot of confidence and taught me about handling failure.

My work has taken me around the world – Rome, Madrid, Los Angeles, New York, Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Beijing – and that opened new avenues of self-exploration, courage and self-reliance. I want the same for our firm – take root in Hong Kong, then grow all over. COLLECTIVE has a presence in San Francisco and Madrid, and I want it to keep evolving, adapting and expanding.

Also Read: January Cover Star – Helena Pong on creating a wholesome learning environment for children

Challenging conventional structures of design, architect Betty Ng are shaking things up interview gafencu (3)

You’ve worked at cutting-edge global design firms and established your own company, which is already breaking the mould. Which accomplishment are you most proud of?
As a Design Director at OMA, I worked closely with the legendary architect Rem Koolhaas on various high-profile projects like the Axel Springer Campus in Berlin. Working on the concept masterplan for the West Kowloon Cultural District was also a big opportunity, but I don’t think I have reached the stage where I can say I have accomplished this or that. The word ‘accomplishment’ has a certain finality to it; it signifies the end, in my opinion. I don’t think I have accomplished much yet and I still have a very long way to go, but I do think our firm is on the right trajectory – our vision and mission plans will guide us to do a lot of good work, not just in Hong Kong but hopefully, all over the world.

What is it like being a woman on the top in a very male-dominated industry?
There is no denying that architecture is a male-dominated industry, but things are changing. In addition to leading my firm, I also teach at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and over half of my students are female. The lack of women in the industry is not indicative of their interest in the sector, but more on the limited female representation in top positions. I hope to change that narrative.

Personally, I don’t think too much about whether I am female or male – I am an architect. I focus on the designs I create. In return, fortunately, I am surrounded by people who see me for what I bring to the table rather than my gender. I hope to inspire the younger generation and remind them that in 2022, disrupting the state of play is certainly possible.

Tell us about the challenges you encountered while setting up COLLECTIVE.
There were a lot of hurdles, but grasping the business spectrum of running a firm was the biggest lesson. At one point, I even considered doing an MBA to understand organisational structure and skills, but a lot of my mentors suggested running a practice in the real world – managing exposure, making mistakes and learning from them is the best MBA you can do. In the last six years, I’ve failed several times, picked up and started again, learnt immensely and I’m very happy with the progress now; I’ve acquired a skill, not only in design but also in running a successful company.

Challenging conventional structures of design, architect Betty Ng are shaking things up interview gafencu (5)

What are your resolutions for 2022?
One thing which is dear to me is nurturing young talent. As well as teaching at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, I’m on the jury of the DFA Hong Kong Young Talent Design Awards, and it’s been a very rewarding experience.
Secondly, I want our company to have a more solid, robust foundation. Not to be arrogant, but in terms of design capability, my three business partners – Chi-Yan Chan, Juan Minguez and Katja Lam – have ensured we are right there, but in the coming year we want to develop our business efficiency.

What is the secret to a timeless design?
Every time I start creating something it’s always tabula rasa, starting from zero. There is no cookie-cutter approach; both as a firm and as individuals, we believe in balancing the clarity, function and aesthetic of a space. Every opportunity is a chance to do ground-breaking work, be experimental and move away from default. That is real timelessness – to keep changing, moving and inventing with time.

Challenging conventional structures of design, architect Betty Ng are shaking things up interview gafencu (4)

How important is sustainability to you personally in the design process?
This is a very tricky question because the most sustainable thing would be to not build anything. To me, sustainability is more than greenwashing – we’ve designed Penicillin, the world’s first completely sustainable bar, and we believe in cultural and heritage sustainability. We worked with a local neon sign maker to create new neon lights – the continuation of culture is sustainability as well. Reuse and recycle are important concepts. We’ve developed a special line of tables from fallen trees in typhoons, and it was redesigned to becomes a long-lasting product. The idea is to maintain your spaces – if your design is long lasting, then you are not going to be wasteful in reinventing and refurbishing.

Who inspires you?
Rem Koolhaas is perhaps one of the most important architects of the century, and it was incredibly enriching to be his Design Director. His buildings can be found all over the world, yet there is no easy way to define Koolhaas or his style. That unique ability to deal with hope and contradictions in an ever more complex world is what shaped me as an architect.

In the current day, it’s my partners at COLLECTIVE. We all have individual strengths and weaknesses, but together we are a force to be reckoned with. Never believe anyone when they say you can run your own firm! Architecture is not a one-man job – there’s never really just one person, one brain behind a knock-out design, it’s at least a hundred! I’m grateful to have stellar partners and a brilliant team.

Also Read: Hong Kong socialite Helen Ma talks about beauty, life and her latest venture

Interview By: Nikita Mishra; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Hair and Make Up: Owen Ko

Sophie Kindergarten’s Helena Pong creates a wholesome environment for children

A refreshing voice in early education, Helena Pong has reschooled herself since founding Sophie Kindergarten, while juggling motherhood and charity work. Having the support of her family helped.

 

The new year is often a time for reflection and resolutions. Can you share your thoughts on this as we enter 2022?
Happy new year to all your readers. As for reflections on another year passed, I always take time to assess where I am in life and show my appreciation to all those who have had my back. And instead of setting high-flying goals, I keep my resolutions simple – to strike a better balance between work commitments, charity and family life.

What keeps you motivated?
It’s the people around me, the kindergarten, the children, their parents, my whole team – positive feedback from them means the world, bringing me immense satisfaction and the impetus to keep going forward. It’s important for everyone to feel acknowledged and appreciated so we can continue to do great work. My team at the kindergarten, my kids, my husband – indeed the whole family – are so supportive and that is why I’m where I am today.

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Top by Fendi; Long skirt by Valentino, courtesy of The Outnet; Helels by Manolo Blahnik

How important is it for a working mother to have a solid support system?
In order to keep going as a working mother, you need a powerful network of strong people that you can rely on. This can come from colleagues, neighbours, family – we need a wealth of support in our everyday lives. Personally, I am grateful to have a supportive husband who encourages me to pursue my passions and embrace my interests.

Can you tell us about your upbringing and how it has shaped your personality?
Dance was an important part of my childhood. Consistent dance practice and participation throughout my school years – from primary to secondary – was critical in imparting healthy lessons about team spirit and physical and emotional strength. Any kind of performing arts is incredibly tough – not just the self-discipline required to continue week in, week out, but also stepping onto the stage in front of a live audience, which requires mastering another set of skills, particularly self-confidence and resilience. Dance practice certainly instilled a can-do attitude in me, and building all those short bits of movement into a full-fledged performance taught me so much about the importance of a collaborative team effort. Attributes honed in childhood always come handy in your adult life.

“Building all those short bits of movement into a full-fledged [dance] performance taught me so much about the importance of a collaborative team effort”

In 2014, you opened Sophie Kindergarten & Nursery School in southwest Kowloon. Why did you decide to start a kindergarten?
It’s a scientific fact that between birth and the fifth birthday, the brain develops more than at any other stage of life. Early childhood education gives important life skills – from using forks to holding pencils, forming relationships and understanding social skills – and attending a good kindergarten is integral to the holistic foundation of a child’s emotional, cognitive and physical needs.

Knowledge can be gained every second of our life, but our attitude and character are shaped in the early years. It’s very important for youngsters to have the right exposure and values – at home or in kindergarten – for maximum growth. Raising three kids of my own gave me the passion to help our most precious resource grow into responsible, well-rounded, competent learners. What better way to achieve that than by providing a stimulating, fun environment? At Sophie’s, we focus on the intangible gains a child makes – developing fine motor skills through play and practice, honing creativity through role play, broadening mental capacity through board games and acquiring social skills through group activities.

Also Read: Timothy Yu launched an online learning platform right after university. Today it serves 2.5 million children in eight countries

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Dress by Zimmermann, courtesy of The Outnet; Heels by Sophia Webster

As a female entrepreneur, what were the main challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
The most challenging aspect of being a mompreneur is time management. Creating a balance between family life and work obligations so neither suffers and professional targets are met is a skill I mastered over time.

Raising my qualifications to the required level was another arduous task. I had a banking and finance background, but without a formal degree in child education dipping my toes in an early-years programme was tough. Only after opening the school did I realise that my knowledge and experience from being a mother weren’t sufficient for running an educational institution.
The importance of being qualified cannot be debated, so besides being active at Po Leung Kok, running a home and a kindergarten, and attending social functions, I started studying for a principal certification. It took me three years of hard work and dedication to get this and my postgraduate diploma in early childhood education in place – there were times when my family didn’t see much of me for the entire week and weekends were reserved for assignments. So yes, if you are a mompreneur, time management is the key skill.

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Button up shirt by Hermès; Trousers by Stella McCartney

Can you tell us about your education?
I attended St Paul’s Convent School and then went to London for higher studies in finance and banking. Funnily enough, I never really pursued what I studied in college. I met my husband, Wilson Pong, at university and we married early in life.

Growing up did you ever imagine you would be in the place you are right now?
I never had any fantasies, expectations or big life plans growing up. Even when I was young, I couldn’t imagine what I might be doing in 10 years. I’ve always just gone with the flow, and it’s worked out just fine…

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Dress by Zimmermann, courtesy of The Outnet; Heels by Sophia Webster

 

A little girl in your kindergarten wishes to become a future leader. What words of advice would you give her?
I hope you don’t mind if I twist this question a little. I would advise the parents instead, as the girl is little and might not understand. Parenting doesn’t come with a set of instructions, mums and dads navigate a course of action, prod along and hope for the best outcome.

The process to raising future leaders starts with us. It’s never too early to start working on your children hoping they’d be the ones to change the world. As parents we need to make sure the fundamentals are right. Ensure your children cultivate a positive attitude, give them the tools to overcome challenges, stick to a goal, persevere, commit, learn from mistakes and accept setbacks in the process. It’s important for parents to find the area their children are interested, help them find a passion and encourage consistency and commitment in efforts. See, in life as long as you love something and have that burning desire, you do well. I studied for banking and finance but never worked in that industry for a day in my life. I found my passions after university and relentlessly pursue them till today. For me or anyone else, taking charge and changing the course pf your life is okay.

At the kindergarten stage, I always tell parents that primary-school admissions are tough, competition is cut-throat – the important thing is to make sure your child likes school and it’s a positive place for them to thrive. If they are not fond of the environment, there is nothing you can do. You can’t do the [admissions] interview for them, you can’t perform for them – unless the child likes their school, it’s hard for them to succeed.

“…make sure your child likes the school. You can’t do the interview for them – unless the child likes the environment, it’s hard for them to flourish”

Tell us more about your charity work at Po Leung Kuk.
Po Leung Kuk is one of the most prominent and committed charities in Hong Kong. Tirelessly serving for over 140 years now, we are currently providing services to over 300 units which, in turn, help an average of 800,000 people a year. The charity genuinely believes in the spirit of benevolence, and that as a community we should protect the young and innocent, the old and vulnerable. It’s a very people-oriented philosophy with the mission to cater to an all-round, “holistic development” of those in need. Care, respect, equity and empowerment are the key guiding lights and the charity strives to create a harmonious environment of rendering social, educational, recreational, cultural and medical services to individuals from all walks of life.
As their Vice Chairman, I am now more on the management side, but pre-Covid, I used to spend time with the sick children, feeding, cuddling and playing with them – it’s heart-warming to see how much our time, attention and affection can mean to those in need. That gives me true contentment and satisfaction.

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Jumpsuit by Iris & INK, courtesy of The Outnet

What’s your favourite way to unwind?
Listening to music and just lazing around at home with my family.

What would be an ideal Sunday for you?
A late Sunday brunch followed by boating or hiking. My husband loves the boat and I love exploring the city’s hilly terrain of on foot. Hiking is such a great exercise; we both love the outdoors and being out in nature. Covid-induced restrictions have been a blessing in disguise for us – since the halt of travel, we have a newfound appreciation for our home.

What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic is behind us?
Though we’ve been content not to travel, it would be amazing to venture beyond our shores once again. We’d probably do a short trip to Tokyo to begin with. It’s the family’s favourite destination – the kids are avid Disneyland fans, and my husband and I love the food and shopping there too.

Thank you.

 

Also Read: Hong Kong socialite Helen Ma talks about life & her latest venture

Interview by: Nikita Mishra Photos: Jack Ngai Styling and Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma 

Timothy Yu’s Snapask reaches eight markets in Asia, aiding 4.5m students!

Tech trailblazer Timothy Yu matches students with questions to professionals who can answer them, without ever needing to meet face-to-face.

Did personal experience factor into the birth of your start-up, Snapask?
Yes, definitely. When I was in college, I used to spend a lot of my time tutoring students, so it was part of daily life to travel door-to-door between home tutoring sessions. Around the same time, I also began creating teaching videos and posting them on Facebook. I initially thought to ask people to pay to get this content, but quickly realised that there was no demand for such things. Then, in the comments section, I would often be asked specific questions, so I began charging to answer them instead. That’s pretty much what sparked the idea for Snapask. Funnily enough, it was my first company as well as my first job, and I started it when I was just a second-year student [at the University of Hong Kong].

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What exactly is Snapask?
The initial idea of Snapask was to connect students who need help with someone who is qualified, vetted and capable of answering questions that pop up during their day-to-day studies. It’s almost like Uber for tutoring. Students take a photo of their problem, and we automatically connect them digitally with a qualified tutor within 30 seconds, and they can then have a one-on-one discussion about it. It’s an app that supports students whenever they need an answer.

We started in Hong Kong in 2015, and we’ve accumulated about 4.5 million students on the platform. Today, we’re in nine different markets, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries. We didn’t want to give our clients the additional stress of trying to figure out if they can afford to ask that next question, so they pay a monthly fee, and it’s pretty much like a buffet where they can reach out to any number of tutors and have unlimited access to our educational video library.

The idea is to make our platform attractive not only to the students, but also to the parents who are footing the bill. It’s kind of like online shopping in a way, because once you experience the convenience and efficiency of this kind of home learning, especially when compared to travelling to a tutorial centre or calling a teacher to your home once or twice a week, then you realise it’s a better way to get what you need.

“It’s pretty much like a buffet where [students] can reach out to any number of tutors and have unlimited access to our educational video library”

How does Snapask supplement the traditional education system?
In fact, there are a lot of inefficiencies in the education system today, since even after students have spent an entire day at school, they need to follow it up with evenings at tutorial centres and such for additional exam preparation. Most of them may not have access to a private tutor, and they can’t wait around for a day to go back and ask the teacher. So, Snapask steps into that gap by always connecting them to someone who can help.

At the same time, we are also creating a lot of high-quality supplemental content on a wide range of topics. It’s similar to MasterClass [the US-based online education subscription platform]. We build bite-sized topic-specific videos. For example, if a student is struggling with trigonometry, they can take a look at that to gain a better grasp of the subject matter. We don’t just post videos of teachers with a whiteboard; we try to approach it in a more effective way.

Also Read: Stitching Sustainability with Innovation: Will Lam, MD, High Fashion International Group

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How do you vet your tutors?
Our teachers are all graduates from top universities – that’s a must. They first have to submit their university qualifications and transcripts, and we verify that their identities are authentic. At the end of the day, we are working with a lot of underage students, so their safety and security is the number one concern for us.

In addition, our tutors not only have a very high achievement profile, but backed by artificial intelligence machine learning they also understand how well they are serving our students via user ratings, platform ratings, as well as tutor-to-tutor ratings. This ensures only the good ones remain.

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What projects do you have lined up this year?
As we have a lot of virtual learning on our platform, our first priority is to enable personalisation in learning. Right now, we’re collecting a lot of data on how students are learning, and we are trying to apply AI technology to suggest personalised recommendations to ensure each individual learn in the most efficient fashion.

Then, we’re strongly pushing our development of proprietary teaching videos. In fact, I am personally creating some of the content as the teacher – specifically in mathematics – so I’ll be making roughly 180 online videos this year. There’s also a new partnership coming up with a local TV channel, and we’ll be launching our programmes on air through that platform as well.

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How has the pandemic affected your business?
When Covid hit Hong Kong in February 2020, we were about to close a round of fundraising, so many investors were calling in to see how we would deal with it. At the same time, it was announced that schools would be closed indefinitely, so we were in a major state of flux. Thankfully, we managed to handle the situation by being as transparent as possible, and reassuring investors that with the shutdown, home learning would become the only educational option, rather than an alternative as it had been in the past.

In the first couple of months, we did experience a dip as students went on ‘holiday’, but by summertime, some schools had reopened in Hong Kong and we saw traffic pick back up. Of course, in some of our markets Covid hadn’t yet had a major impact, so things pretty much were running as usual.

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What do you like to do during your downtime?
To be honest, between running Snapask and creating teaching videos, I don’t have much time left over. That said, right behind my desk in my office, there’s a small room which is almost like a greenhouse because I like to do gardening. In particular, I plant Pachypodium gracilius, which is a super exotic-looking root-like plant native to Madagascar. I personally find a lot of parallels between gardening and education, because some plants can take 10 years to mature, and likewise, learning can be a decades-long process.

“I find parallels between gardening and education, because some plants can take 10 years to mature, and likewise, learning can be a decades-long process”

If you were stuck on a desert island, what is the one thing you’d need to bring with you?
I’d definitely need to bring some paper or a notebook to jot down my thoughts. I believe ideas can spark at any moment, so it’s important to be able to write them down when it happens.

Finally, tell us something most people don’t know about you.
There was a time in college when I seriously considered becoming a chef. In my mind, I was torn between pursuing a culinary or majoring in mathematics. Ultimately, as an Asian child, there are always some expectations and I felt like mathematics was the more responsible option.

Thank you.

 

Also Read: Power Player: Stephan Pudwill on taking over the reigns of his family business

Interview: Tenzing Thondup Photos: Jack Law Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Kes Lei Venue: Roche Bobois Showroom, Horizon Plaza

HSBC builds a sustainable legacy across generations

Even in the best of times, succession planning can be a major challenge. Having worked hard to generate meaningful wealth, business leaders and wealth creators then have to navigate the nuances and real-world implications of transferring that success to the next generation. And now, amid the world’s ever-changing geopolitical structure and an ongoing global pandemic, it’s more critical than ever for Asia’s affluent to create firm family governance structures that not only protect and grow your portfolio, but allow successive members to contribute in creating a lasting, sustainable legacy.

Daunting though this may seem, achieving a smooth family succession plan can be made all the easier with an experienced wealth partner like HSBC Global Private Banking. With decades of experience as one of the region’s preeminent private banking specialists, its expertise and wealth management services have helped countless well-to-do clients traverse the often ambiguous and complex challenges of wealth transference and future planning. Leading the charge is Cynthia Lee, the Regional Head of Wealth Planning and Advisory, Asia, Global Private Banking at HSBC, who highlights some of the trials and best practices of setting up your family for future success…

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Setting up a proper family governance structure
There are often many disparate parts and unique circumstances that need to be taken into consideration when planning and implementing a firm strategy for family succession and wealth transfer. However, the first step is to actually embark on the journey itself. “I’ve been in this business for more than 27 years now, and it’s our day-to-day job. But I can totally understand that for our clients, it can be overwhelming and daunting because they’re being asked to lay out what should happen when they are no longer around, what should happen to their business, their grandchildren and so forth,” says Lee. “One of our biggest responsibilities is to ensure we’re able to break this out into actionable, digestible parts. Every family is unique, and we can help them prioritise by putting forth feasible, pragmatic solutions and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each, so they can make the right decision.”

As family dynamics can change over time, constant review and revision of any existing plans are also hugely important. “In many cases, my clients have made plans in the past, but when we revisit them years later, they no longer hold up to the family’s needs and circumstances today,” she expands, “It’s worth checking back in with the plan you’ve made every three to five years to see if anything needs to be amended or included. You need to treat it as a live document, as planning is a life-long process.

Making decisions the right way
It’s no secret that without a proper succession planning, many affluent families lose their wealth within a few generations. To combat this challenge on the outset, Lee emphasises that open communication and a collective decision-making process is key. “Often, we are dealing with the wealth creator, the person who’s head of the family and in charge of making all the big decisions, and this case, setting up a structure is relatively straightforward,” she explains, “However, if you include the next generation, there are even more voices, and by the third, you could be dealing with a cousin consortium where family members actually come from different upbringings and backgrounds. That’s why it’s so critical to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of these individuals, to segregate various family interests, and highlight who are the best candidates occupy certain decision-making positions.”

“Given human nature, it’s only natural that there are situations where opinions vary. In these instances, implementing a collective decision-making process where everyone is aware of the rules of the game and how decisions ultimately get made is critical,” she continues, “There’s a lot of compromising that needs to happen, but they can test the system over time on small choices to larger ones. It can be anything from matters pertaining to business investments, charitable donations, or the inclusion of spouses to various forums the family may have. As long as there’s an accepted system in place and communication is facilitated, everyone can get their proper say.”

Building a sustainable legacy
“In addition to just growing and preserving family wealth, and creating a succession plan, clients also want to invest and deploy resources towards the environment and other sustainability initiatives,” says Lee. This marked shift from simply cutting cheques for sundry charitable causes to fostering very real, meaningful impact is a timely one, particularly in an age where the effects of global warming are being increasingly felt across the globe.

“Philanthropic advising is a targeted area of our holistic wealth planning services,” she adds, explaining that through HSBC Global Private Banking’s expansive expertise, affluent families can harness the power of wealth to drive long-term positive change. Be it through investing in environmental research, advancing clean energy initiatives or combatting social challenges, philanthropy has become an essential tool to help create a sustainable future not only for client’s families and businesses, but also for the wider world, and the future generations that will inherit it.

 

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Power Player: Stephan Pudwill on taking over the reigns of his family business

 

As Vice Chairman of TTI, Stephan Pudwill aspires to deliver revolutionary technology for a more positive world. As a father, he hopes to instil that same passion in the next generation…

In the decade since Gafencu last interviewed you, you’ve become Vice Chairman of Techtronic Industries (TTI). Can you summarise what your company does?
TTI was founded in 1985 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1990. When we began, we were an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), developing products for large retailers around the globe. But we realised early on that if we wanted control over our destiny, we needed to acquire our own brands, so that’s what we did. Today, the majority of revenue is generated by our own companies. We’ve evolved into a technology company with a portfolio of globally recognised brands developing and producing cordless power equipment and labour-saving devices. Building up our brand portfolio allowed us to generate enormous goodwill and recognition in the brands themselves, as well as cementing relationships with customers and better serving their needs. Importantly, from a sustainability standpoint, we are achieving levels unheard of in the industry through our proprietary lithium-ion battery technology, brushless motors and sophisticated electronics.

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What comes under your purview as TTI’s vice-chairman?
Everything in relation to running the company, which I do together with our CEO, Joseph Galli. Joe’s based in the United States and I’m here at our Hong Kong headquarters. When you look at our organisation and how it’s run, it’s very complementary, because even though we are listed here, a big portion of our revenue is generated in the US, and a significant portion in Europe as well. We spend a lot of time on organisational development, constantly striving to strengthen our global management team and focusing on our long-term strategy. We cover the entire globe, so are constantly on the phone or in Zoom meetings. Pre-Covid, we would also travel frequently, visiting the operations, discussing product strategy and spending time with the project managers. My father, Horst Julius Pudwill [Chairman of TTI], is deeply involved in driving the long-term strategy and spending time with customers.

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What are some of the benefits and challenges of working in a family-owned business?
One of the unique benefits of working together with my father is that our interests are 100-percent aligned. He’s the major shareholder; I’m also a shareholder. Our focus is to drive the business as best we can and create shareholder value. Are there challenges in terms of running the organisation? Absolutely, that’s very common when running a large business, but overall, TTI has delivered outstanding results. When you look at how the company is structured and the executive management team that is in place, I couldn’t imagine it operating any better than it does today. We set extremely high goals and we strive to achieve them.
Of course, my father and I sometimes have different points of view on certain matters, but our close relationship means that we can discuss them and various approaches to doing something. We have spirited debates and dynamic exchanges, but in the end, we walk out of the room 100-percent in agreement.

“From a sustainability standpoint, we are delivering levels that are unheard of in the industry today”

Can you tell us about some exciting upcoming projects you’re working on right now?
How much time do we have to talk about this, because we have so many projects in the pipeline! We are expanding our manufacturing and distribution footprints; we’re also focused on new product development. We have such a prolific range of new and exciting products launching in the coming months and years.

One area that is really exciting for me is our lithium-powered lawn and garden products. Traditionally in the industry, outdoor power equipment has been gasoline-powered, so from an environmental standpoint emissions are high, and there’s also a lot of noise. What we’ve achieved are sustainability levels that are substantially better and reduce both emissions and noise significantly. Certain states in the US are considering restricting the use of gas-powered equipment, so this, for us, is quite game-changing. This is just one example among countless others of what we’re now developing. We are looking forward to transforming the world in the industries we serve with environmentally sustainable products that are more efficient and safer to use.

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How has TTI weathered the ongoing pandemic?
I always like to remind people that we were already doing an amazing job before Covid. The company was outperforming the market and any of our competitors. What has Covid done? Well, we’ve mastered the process of running TTI over Zoom, and that is a testament to the strong managerial processes in place. Another big area of growth is our online business, which was already growing rapidly pre-pandemic, but it’s picked up further, whether that’s through the digital strategies of our retail partners or our internal ones.
There’s certainly more complexity of physically being at meetings, but we’ve learned the effectiveness of holding them via Zoom. Back in the day, we’d have a few major meetings a year in person, but now, we’ve learned that you can hold them more frequently with more people. In some instances, we even get opinions and ideas that we otherwise wouldn’t receive. I’m not saying that Zoom will replace physical meetings – it’s so important to meet face-to-face with your team and your clients – but I think this digital element will roll over after Covid passes.

Since you last spoke to Gafencu, you’ve also become a dad. How has this changed your life?
Well, I’m now married to a fabulous woman and we have two amazing sons. I’ve always been very focused on work and running the business, but now family plays an extremely important role in my life as well. My kids, especially my elder son, is highly interested in what I do. He loves coming to the office and playing with the tools in our showroom. I love engaging with them, whether that’s through playing sports or having them watch me work. I think instilling the importance of this ethos of hard work, and an understanding of how life works in general, is critical.

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My parents inculcated great values in me when I was growing up. They made sure to create an environment where you could maximise your potential and have as many opportunities to excel as possible, and I’ve tried to do the same with my sons, while at the same time ensuring they have an international upbringing.

“Instilling [in my sons] the importance of this ethos of hard work and an understanding of how life works is critical”

As the only child of one of Asia’s most prominent families, what kind of legacy do you hope to pass down to your children?
In terms of succession planning, obviously you want to structure things so that the company is organised and functioning well. That way, there’s a real legacy for them to get involved with in the future. Beyond that, as I mentioned, the most important thing is to instil great values in my kids. So, we’ve created an atmosphere where they understand the value of hard work, and tried to foster their interest so they want to be engaged and involved with the family business. It’s something that I think I’ve done pretty well. Of course, only time will tell, but my eldest son is already very keen, and loves talking with his grandfather and learning more about the business from him.

If you could speak with your younger self, what’s the one piece of advice you’d share?
I would say: think big, be bold, set impossibly hard targets and do absolutely everything to deliver on them.

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If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
Steve Jobs. As a business leader, he did what a lot of people aspire to do – he changed the world. He developed and made products that had such a positive impact on the lives of so many. In particular, I’d want to pick his brain about product development, his philosophy on innovation, market disruption, talent, and scaling from small to big. I would also be interested in his vision of where he sees technology 20 years from today.

Finally, tell us a secret about yourself.
I’m a huge aviation enthusiast. I have a flight simulator at home – and I’m not talking about a computer monitor, it’s actually a full-on cockpit of a Boeing 737. I love flying in it, and my eldest son also shares my passion, so we sit together, programme destinations and fly together, which is a great way to bond.

Thank you.

 

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup; Photos: Jack Ngai

Hong Kong socialite Helen Ma talks about life & her latest venture

For a girl discouraged by her father to work, she blazed a trail in fashion, beauty and catering. Now in her 40s, a mellower Ma focuses on quality content and personal contentment.

You are a beauty expert, philanthropist, fashion guru and mother – how do you make wearing so many hats look so effortless?
My daughter Shyme is eight years old; my mother is 88 years old; and in the midst of family and work commitments, I try and make life happen. It might look effortless or easy from the outside, but a lot of chutzpah, dedication, hard work and multi-tasking goes into doing all the things that I do. I have to be fluid and flexible on a regular basis, do things with gusto, plan my schedule to a tee and be accommodating to change. Learning to appear calm and maintaining your zen is very important, and stepping out of your comfort zone is critical.

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Dress by Bottega Veneta

When you were young, what was your ambition in life?
It’s funny as I always had an inherent sense of style and a passion for fashion and beauty, yet growing up, I didn’t aim to become anyone or anything. I grew up in a conservative family where my dad thought there was no need for girls to work – or even marry if the family can support them, because no guy would be good enough for his girl [laughs].
When I left university, I knew I wanted to do something in the fashion industry. I was lucky that the LVMH group offered me my first job. After two years of hard work and learning the realities on the ground, I realised that while I have a strong love for fashion, I didn’t necessarily want to be a part of the industry. I switched to Joyce Group and started their beauty wing in Hong Kong. I opened the first three stores – the flagship outlet in Russell Street, Times Square, followed by Pacific Place and New World Tower in Central. It was at this time that my dream of bringing a high-end skincare brand to Hong Kong took shape.

You have launched a magazine, Helen Ma Loves Muse, run a successful F&B venture, and introduced the French-influenced Japanese luxury skincare brand Evidens de Beauté to Hong Kong. Which of these venture is closest to your heart?
I do everything with passion and conviction, but being a Hong Kong girl I have a love for all things beauty and skincare. That’s the reason I started Evidens de Beauté in Hong Kong and China, and its associated spa, Le Spa Evidens. But to my own surprise, I enjoyed my stint in food and beverage the most. In 2003 I started out as a silent partner in catering company Manna Group International, but it wasn’t until 2017 when my business partner, Quentin Chiu, convinced me about its potential that I became more involved in the business. The idea of running the successful Manna Market pop-up at Lane Crawford had me intrigued and though I’m no culinary expert, I love how food touches everyone’s life and leaves an impression.

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What’s next on the business front?
I’m very excited about stepping outside my comfort zone and going digital with my lifestyle e-commerce platform, One Plus One. The focus of the e-commerce venture will be wellness, creating healthy recipes, sustainable trends, home styling and engaging experiences. The aim is to produce quality content and sell niche products at affordable prices. Our website is still in the testing phase, and I’m taking it slow and making it right, but once we launch, I want our venture to become a one-stop destination for excellent lifestyle content and product curation.

Many creative collaborations to empower female talent, their products and stories are in the works. One of the entrepreneurs with whom we are partnering took candle-making classes with a HK$10,000 grant from the government. She’s a hardworking young woman in her 20s with a clear vision of who she wants to become. As an entrepreneur these are the kind of inspirational stories I want to support.

What’s your advice for the modern-day career woman juggling family and work life?
Hang in there; it’s not easy, but it gets better. Balancing a thriving career and a blissful family will take too much of your strength and resilience. Try to live guilt-free, happy and take out some ‘me time’ – whether it’s chilling with friends, a spa day, dinner and drinks or seeking solitude. You’ll need something just for yourself to recharge, refuel and stay on top of your game.

“Balancing a thriving career and a blissful family will take too much of your strength and resilience. Try to live guilt-free [and] happy”

You are known for your impeccable glamour. How has your personal style evolved over the years?
I’ve lived multiple fashion lives over the past two decades. My 20s were marked by maximalist dressing, exuberant makeup and strutting around town in high heels. I was somewhat calmer, though still edgy with fashion choices in my 30s. But now that I’m in my 40s, I don’t feel the need to dress to impress anymore. At this stage of my life, confidence, comfort and ease are far more important than following a rulebook. Neutral colours, pristine, clean lines and conscious, elegant choices define my everyday relaxed style.

When you’re not busy with work, where are you most likely to be found?
At the pool – lounging in the water, soaking up the rays, is my favourite way to unwind. And if I’m not by the pool, I’ll be relaxing at home in pyjamas!

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As the autumn-winter weather descends upon us, please share some styling recommendations.
Keep your seasonal edit classy and clean. Oversized jackets, hoodies, sweaters and chunky loafers are always good to cosy up in. Bottega Veneta’s mini Jodie bag and the ‘25cm’ Hermès Birkin are chic choices for a fancy dinner or a laidback brunch. You can’t go wrong in neutrals – black, navy, khaki, army green; these shades blend seamlessly, are perfect for layering and give a classy vibe.

“I don’t feel the need to dress to impress anymore… confidence, comfort and ease are far more important than following a rulebook”

What’s your haircare and skincare philosophy for the change in season?
In the winter, skin tends to lose more moisture, so tweak your entire regimen to keep it protected. It’s very important to stay hydrated and apply masks. You can never over-mask; I try and apply one every day, selecting different types for toning, moisturising and restoration. Masks with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants are effective in countering anti-ageing and pigmentation. Your hair needs extra TLC in the changing season for that shiny, healthy look. A simple coconut oil massage or a deep-conditioning mask are both excellent to nourish and combat dry, brittle ends.

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Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I look forward to life. Ten years from now, I will be in my 50s, my daughter will be in her teens and off to university, and if I’m lucky enough, then my mom will be close to her 100th birthday and I’ll be seeing her every day! It will be a stable, simple, slow life in which I’d still be working… but I’d also hopefully be half-retired [laughs].

Thank you.

Interview by: Nikita Mishra; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma

F11 Foto Museum’s Douglas So on creating space for photography in the city

With F11 Foto Museum and f22 foto space, corporate lawyer turned gallerist Douglas So has deliberately refocused his energy on framing the world more beautifully.

When did your love of photography begin?
I’ve liked photography since I was in secondary school, but it wasn’t until after graduating from university that I became more interested in understanding it and appreciating the works of prominent photographers. Somehow, photography speaks to me more than any other art form. Besides, looking at good photography has certainly improved my own skill with the camera.

I also enjoy history, so film photography – especially by Magnum photographers – before the age of the internet had a huge influence on my life and in shaping my perspective of a world that I did not known before. It was also through great old works of photography that I developed a strong passion for collecting vintage cameras, particularly Leica cameras, photographs and photobooks because many important photographers at that time used a Leica. This model of camera has an association with capturing some of the most monumental events in history and iconic images of the world.

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You were a successful solicitor before becoming a gallerist. What was that like?
Studying law was my mother’s idea. Looking back, I’m glad that I followed her advice. Apart from earning the income necessary for me to pursue my many hobbies, my career as a lawyer helped me adopt an attitude that doesn’t let me look at things pessimistically, but rather be determined to find a creative solution to every issue, even when it seems there isn’t one.

I’ve never regretted spending so much of my time being a lawyer. In fact, I quite enjoyed it. I was first at Baker McKenzie to be a private practitioner before I moved to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. I successfully completed the IPO of some of the largest companies in China, such as China Eastern Airlines and PetroChina, when the country was just starting to tap into the capital markets and a lot of rules were still unwritten. It was a very exciting time, working with some of the greatest minds and constantly encountering things we hadn’t seen before, then creating solutions for them – there was something to learn everyday.

How did you become a gallery owner?
Although I miss my days as a corporate lawyer, after a few mega corporate finance transactions, I felt it was time to move on – perhaps to avoid the anti-climax that was bound to follow. So, in 2000 I moved in-house to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. It was a totally different experience from working in a corporate context, but I had the opportunity to learn something new once again. After 10 years, I became their executive director of charities, and then started to work on projects related to arts, culture and heritage conservation. I’m very thankful to the Jockey Club for that opportunity, which really opened my mind and broadened my horizons to try something new.

“Being a lawyer helped me not to look at things pessimistically, but to find a creative solution to every issue, even when it seems there isn’t one”

You founded the F11 Foto Museum in Happy Valley in 2014. How did that come about?
Given my love of photography, I’d always wanted to establish a place in Hong Kong where the public could enjoy photography all year round. After my legal practice, I spent more and more time doing charity work at the Hong Kong Jockey Club where I was involved with arts organisations. I think it naturally led me to founding a photography museum.

Knowing my love of old buildings, in 2012 my property agent mentioned that one in Happy Valley had suddenly became available. I wasn’t sure at the time whether F11 would be a gallery or a photo space, but I felt that it was such a wonderful and unique opportunity to weave the concept of art into a beautifully structured ’30s Art Deco-style heritage building. Although I had never run a gallery or museum, I thought to myself, “Let’s do something radical – something worth trying.” Two years later came the birth of F11 Foto Museum.

Needless to say, there were a lot of challenges along the way. But luckily, throughout it all, my team has been wonderful, helping me through exhibitions and liaising with different artists from around the world, as well as looking after the usual problems relating to managing old buildings. We are now moving into our seventh year, and I haven’t the slightest regret about the decision. I believe that following my passion, my heart, was truly important.

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Can you share more about the role of the museum?
At F11, our mission comprises three elements. The first is to promote photography. Because of the beautiful structure of the building, we have been approached to let out the space for other purposes, but we decline each time because we want our brand and focus to be very clear. When people think about F11, we want them to think of photography.

Secondly, we want to promote heritage conservation. F11 is a museum, but it is also housed in a Grade three heritage building. We want to breathe an exciting new life into this 90-year-old building by revitalising it as an art and cultural space especially for the younger generation to experience what buildings were like when they were built a century ago.

Lastly, we aim to promote the concept of a private museum. The better-known museums in Hong Kong are public museums funded by the government, such as the Science Museum, the Museum of Art, and the Heritage Museum, but the city doesn’t have enough private museums. These offer a more diverse collection of different arts dedicated to specific themes. I thought running F11 successfully could provide a case study for other people interested in establishing private museums in Hong Kong and we can learn from one another.

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Three years after the success of F11 Foto Museum, you established f22 foto space. Could you tell us more about your photo gallery?
We chose the names F11 and f22 because they relate to photography. ‘F’, to any photo lover, means the aperture of the lens – the larger the F-number, the greater the depth of field and the clearer the image. As a brand, it represents a philosophy to always go one step higher and deeper.

With f22, we wanted to go deeper into photography. It’s a gallery, but we wanted to try new things, too. Before its current location in The Peninsula Arcade, it was in Wan Chai and featured a cafe, bookshop and camera store, which was quite unlike F11. Photography is an all-embracing concept; it encompasses images, cameras, photobooks, video and other things. So, we thought that if we could have different spaces, we could offer a variety of attractions and cater to people with diverse tastes.

We also work with diverse artists. With F11, as a museum, we engage with more established talents. One of the reasons why we opened f22 was to work with younger contemporary artists to help promote and sell their work in Hong Kong and overseas.

“F11 was such a wonderful and unique opportunity to weave the concept of art into a beautifully structured ’30s Art Deco-style heritage building”

How can we nurture Hong Kong’s upcoming artistic talents, not just within photography but in the broader art field?
Younger artists need opportunities to work with galleries and museums to showcase their art and meet potential collectors and buyers. Especially with the internet, it’s increasingly challenging to grab the attention of viewers. So, having physical exhibitions is important to expose local artists to key institutions and curators both within Hong Kong and abroad.

Besides that, publications play an important role in establishing an artist. In spite of what is said about everything being available on the internet, it is definitely not the same experience as looking at a well-made photo book. Younger artists need to convince reputable publishers to publish their work and help promote them; it is challenging if their work cannot be exposed.

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Do you see local photographers succeeding at an international level?
It is a pity that local photographers don’t often appear outside of Hong Kong, and many aren’t known to important international collectors or overseas museums. But at the same time, I often come across friends – collectors and curators – outside of the city who do show interest in Hong Kong photographers. 

A couple of years ago at Paris Photo, the largest international fair dedicated to photography, I realised that I couldn’t recall a Hong Kong photographer ever being showcased. This led me to ask myself, “why”. But I didn’t want to just ask the question and not be part of the solution, which is why we are making plans to only exhibit works by local talents if we participate. 

If Hong Kong photographers can appear in prestigious art and culture venues such as MoMA, the Guggenheim or the Tate Modern that would be a great achievement, and it should be a direction the city aims for as well.

Where does your passion for charity stem from and are there any organisations close to your heart?
I think that whatever the achievement of a person throughout his or her career, in the end you will be remembered by how much you have contributed back to the world. It is important to me that I not only pursue my own interests and career, but also use my skills and resources to make society a better place. 

I spend more of my time doing volunteer work nowadays, and it is a very happy and fulfilling part of my life. In addition to being the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, which advices the governent on heritage-related matters, I’ve been a board member of Unicef for the past eight years, helping them raise funds and awareness in relation to the interests of children. Especially in trying times like these, we look at how children and poor families are affected, then we contribute advice and legal knowledge to the organisation.
I’m also proud to be on the board of Food Angel. They collect food from supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and other donors across the city and distribute it to various kitchens where meals are cooked and then delivered to people in need, helping to channel all this food surplus while feeding the less fortunate.

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Finally, what’s the biggest item on your bucket list?
I see both F11 Foto Museum and f22 foto space as my children, so I would really love to watch them grow happily and achieve their potential. For that, I know I have to work hard and never forget why I created these spaces and what I wish to achieve. 

I would also love to continue to devote at least 50 percent of my time to the community until the day comes when I am no longer needed. Aside from the two NGOs I work with now, I would love to contribute in the art, culture and heritage space. These areas are most important and endearing to me and I hope to continue this passion for as long as I can.

Thank you.

 

Interview by: Roberliza Eugenio
Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Videographer: Kingsley Lau
Venue: f22 foto space

Plaza Premium Group’s Mei Mei Song on Covid-19 challenges faced by the aviation industry

The sky’s no longer the limit for leading airport-lounge operator Plaza Premium Group, as Mei Mei Song steers their global brand of luxury and convenience to train journeys, too. 

What is the story behind the Plaza Premium Lounges? How did it all start?
In the ’90s, my father [globetrotting Malaysian entrepreneur Song Hoi-see] found it frustrating that international airports were not equipped with functional places for economy-class travellers to utilise their time efficiently between long-haul flights. A safe place, accessible to all, to rest and unwind, prepare for meetings before hopping on the next flight – perhaps for a fee; there was a clear gap in the market for that kind of experience. An opportunity came when both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur were building new airports, and he pitched the idea of a pay-per-use lounge for all travellers to the authorities. After a lot of initial hiccups, the world’s first independent lounge opened at the Hong Kong International Airport in July 1998. We’re going to celebrate our 25th anniversary soon.

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Scarf, top and pants by Shanghai Tang; Heels by Mach & Mach, courtesy of Lane Crawford

After starting your career in the media, you are now Global Brand and Product Transformation Director at Plaza Premium Group. Was it always your plan to join the family business?
I studied economics and politics [at the University of Edinburgh] and toyed with the idea of becoming a politician. But I grew up in the aviation space, and airports always fascinated me. The passion that my parents have for the business is truly inspiring, and it rubbed on to me. The exact moment I knew I wanted to join the family business was when I was travelling to London for Fashion Week. I was scheduled to land at 5am and had back-to-back meetings at 9am, 10am and 11am, but the hotel check-in wasn’t until 3pm. I desperately wanted a place to shower and freshen up before the start of a workday. I wanted to jump into the family business and expand it so people could fully utilise their long layovers and benefit from a calm, luxurious lounge environment.

What have you learned from working with your father who is credited with transforming the global air-travel experience?
My father started this business from scratch through relentless hard work, grit and determination. He brings a strong foundation and the viewpoint of a different generation to the table. Everyone wants to succeed but does sustainability fit into your growth plans? Do you put customers’ needs ahead of everything else? One of the most important things he taught me was how to be a good leader, and that founding a successful business is not enough. How you conduct that business and the strength of your vision and values are key.

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Sweater by Joseph; Skirt by Pleats Please Issey Miyake; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

How challenging has Covid-19 been for a company in the business of aviation?
Extremely challenging. It’s no secret that aviation has been the hardest hit global industry in this crisis. At one point, travel came to a complete halt – 95-percent of our lounges were closed. That said, as a business we are agile, dynamic and entrepreneurial, and we took this period to revamp, regroup and reinvent. How you rise from adversity is very telling of the nature of your company. So, we took this opportunity to rebuild and recentre ourselves. We are currently at 230-plus lounges and by 2025 our goal is to have 550 lounges around the world.

“I’m most pumped about our foray into train lounges – people are increasingly travelling by rail and sea, and that’s an untapped market for us”

As a mother of a three-year-old, how did you balance work and the home front at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic?
It was hard for everyone during this period. But I’m very grateful for the incredible family support, a tight network of mums, friends and even amazing colleagues. It’s not easy for parents to do the balancing act of work and home on their own, especially at a time of global crisis. It really does take a village, doesn’t it?

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Dress by Maje, courtesy of The Outnet; Heels by Gianvito Rossi

What is the reality on the ground for the travel industry right now? Are Plaza Premium’s lounges fully functional?
Economic recovery is slowly setting in for our industry. The road is long, but the silver lining is the rising vaccination rate – as that picks up, we see an upswing in air travel. Factors like the length of quarantine and government policy in different countries also play a role in getting travel back on its feet, but as far as Hong Kong is concerned, the last two months have seen a massive uptick in travellers. We are a busy transit hub and university students from China are now flying back and forth. The European markets are on the road to recovery as well – the UK, Finland, the US and Canada have all experienced a surge in leisure travel and this is an encouraging trend.

Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
We’ve just opened a lounge in Africa, which is an exciting development and a first for us on the continent, so growth possibilities are endless. China is touted to be the world’s biggest air travel market in the next decade and we have strong expansion plans there. I’m most pumped about our foray into train lounges – not everyone travels by air; people are increasingly taking rail and sea routes and that’s an untapped market for us. We’ve launched two premium train lounges in China – it’s a game-changing opportunity and a new benchmark of hospitality in the travel sector.

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Blazer by Paule Ka, courtesy of Lane Crawford; Dress by Pleats Please Issey Miyake; Heels by Bottega Veneta

Will travel ever rebound to pre-Covid levels?
Travel has changed, for better or worse. Many aspects of it might have changed for good. Expectations around health and safety are at the forefront. People want a digital, seamless, touchless experience when they travel. As technology blurs the work-life boundaries, ‘bleisure’ travel (blending business and leisure) is a rising trend – conducting business from a beach in Bali or extending a work trip for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. We’re optimistic about travel picking up again, but a lot depends on vaccination rates and how quickly governments roll back travel restrictions and open borders.

“Founding a successful business is not enough. How you conduct that business and the strength of your vision and values are key”

You are an avid traveller. What’s your favourite holiday memory?
I am not your average traveller. I love airports, stopovers and transits – rootless, functional places without identity and a confluence of different identities and cultures. One time I did Singapore, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Dubai and London in seven days, just to visit all our lounges. That’s my most memorable, exciting travel memory.

And your least favourite travel memory?
Once I became a mother and resumed my robust travelling schedule with an infant in tow, I realised that services and facilities are not geared towards young mums. It was frustrating not to have diaper changing stations, feeding rooms and kids’ rooms when you need them the most. That’s when we made systemic changes to include a kids’ room, highchairs and children’s cutlery in all our lounges. We also have changing tables in men’s toilets as well as women’s because dads are now doing the parenting, too.

Thank you.

 

 

Interview by: Nikita Mishra; Photographer: Jack Law; Videographer: Kingsley Lau; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Hair & make up: Joenny Lau; Location: Plaza Premium Lounge (Near Gate 35, Departures) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Multi-faceted jewellery designer and founder of L’Dezen Payal Shah adorns the brightest of stars

As the child of diamond merchants, Payal Shah may have been destined to design jewellery, but with L’Dezen, she has cut her own dazzling path. She speaks endearingly of her celebrity clients, her affordable new line and going home for lunch every day…

Your parents were diamond merchants. Were you fated to follow them into the industry, or did you have other aspirations growing up?
Honestly, the biggest thing I learnt from my entrepreneurial parents is what it takes to run a good business. My dad is great at marketing and my mum is a whiz at managing the accounts. That said, I don’t know if I really wanted to be a jeweller from the get-go. I was more interested in creating design solutions, which led me to study architecture at university. For me, the attraction was that it would open up so many career opportunities, be it engineering, product design or interior design. Ultimately, though, I came full circle by starting my own jewellery brand in 2011.

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Wardrobe: Earrings, bracelet and ring by L’Dezen by Payal Shah; Top and pants by Jina Shili; Heels by Amina Muaddi, courtesy of Lane Crawford

What led you to launch L’Dezen?
I started L’Dezen almost by chance. After I studied architectural design in London, I returned to Hong Kong to work for a hospitality firm. I’ve always had a love of design, and in addition to my day job, I used to make jewellery for my personal use. This was obviously influenced by the fact that both my parents are diamond merchants, so I had ready access to these beautiful stones.

As I was creating these pieces for myself, I attended the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, and one of the businesses there loved what I was wearing and asked if I would be interested in making a capsule collection for them. They then flew me out to Vegas, and I remember how much fun it was and the amazing reception my pieces received. That set off a spark in my head, and I said, “I think I need to start my own business.” It didn’t happen immediately, though; I continued collaborating with that brand to learn more about the industry and how it works. Eventually, as I gained confidence and found the right resources, I started L’Dezen. That was about 10 years ago.

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Wardrobe: Earrings and ring by L’Dezen by Payal Shah; Jacket, top and long skirt by Arpita Mehta; Heels by Mach & Mach, courtesy of Lane Crawford

How would you describe the style of L’Dezen?
L’Dezen jewellery for me is the solution to all things beautiful, with a flexible edge that means our clients can wear these beautiful forms of art from day to night. I love that our pieces can be avant-garde, feminine or rock-chic, depending on how you style it, with the same creation looking entirely different on two separate people. Ultimately, it’s the strong, bold asthete of the jewellery that helps someone’s inner personality shine through.

Looking back, what are the most meaningful pieces you’ve designed?
The most unique piece is a pair of irregularly shaped earrings featuring a winged flower motif. I originally made it for a competition here in the city, and when it won, I was so proud to have my work showcased during the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Then, a few years later, I was asked to style Mary J. Blige for the Met Gala – which was a huge honour, because when it comes to fashion, this may be the most important event of the year. She ended up wearing that same pair of earrings, and as she’s such a cultural icon and fashionista, having her don them was pretty much an award in itself.

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Wardrobe: Earrings and sweater by L’Dezen by Payal Shah; Boots by Bottega Veneta, courtesy of Lane Crawford

You’ve worked with so many A-listers. Which among your celebrity encounters particularly stands out?
Oh, I have the cutest story. During the first years of L’Dezen, I randomly got an email from Mindy Kaling and it was so innocuous! It was from a Gmail account, and she said, ‘Hi, it’s Mindy Kaling. I love your pieces, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in styling me for the Cannes Film Festival.’ Honestly, I thought it was spam or a prank, because I love her so much and see her as a role model, given her trailblazing career as a successful South Asian woman in Hollywood.

So, I replied that I would love to, but asked to continue the conversation on Facetime, so that I would have proof that it was really her. She instantly sent me her number and the next thing I know, she’s sending me looks she’s interested in, and I’m helping her narrow down jewellery choices to match. It almost felt like we were best friends picking out outfits for a Friday night. She was so down-to-earth, and that made the entire experience even more special.

Do you have any upcoming projects or collections that you’d like to share?
L’Dezen is our high-end, handmade jewellery line, and over the past two years, we’ve added a few more styles to that, but simultaneously we’ve launched a sister brand called Psylish. Basically Psylish addresses where the demand is today, which is for flexible jewellery that can be worn day or night. It still has that L’Dezen aesthetic of being beautiful and quirky yet elegant, but is more accessibly priced to appeal to a younger crowd. Having both brands is great because I can be more artistically creative with one, while the other allows me to reach a bigger audience.

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Wardrobe: Earrings and ring by L’Dezen by Payal Shah; Top and skirt by Été; Heels by Cult Gaia, courtesy of Lane Crawford

With two businesses now up and running, what’s a typical day like for you?
Both L’Dezen and Psylish are run from one office, so thankfully I don’t have to be back and forth between the two. An average day for me starts with prayers, drinking some healthy green juice, then walking 10 minutes to work. For lunch, I normally go back home; we have lunch as a family every day, which is a great way to catch up with everyone since we don’t see each other that often on the weekends. Evenings tend to vary: sometimes I attend an event, other times I hang out with friends, and I try to fit in regular workouts whether it’s muay thai or going for a run. To wind down, I like to watch a TV show or movie before heading to bed.

Covid-19 has had a big impact on everyone. What challenges did you personally face, and what lessons have you learnt?
Well, I used to be in and out of the city quite a bit pre-Covid. In fact, I travelled so often in the past eight years that I was already considering a more consistent lifestyle, one that would keep me here for longer stretches of time. I had already been deep diving into e-commerce because it might allow me to continue reaching an international audience without having to hop on a plane every couple of weeks for trade shows, trunk shows and so forth. Hence, for me at least, the timing of the pandemic was quite fortuitous; it forced me to adopt the more stable lifestyle I was aiming for, one with a better work-life balance.

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Wardrobe: Necklace by L’Dezen by Payal Shah; Mini shirt dress by Alexander Wang, courtesy of Lane Crawford; Heels by Alexander Wang, courtesy of Lane Crawford

If you were stuck on a desert island, what three items would be must-haves?
Sunscreen, to protect my skin from all that exposure; my Apple Watch, to keep me fit and track the time; and red chillies – eating chilli with food is an absolute must for me.

Finally, what book would you recommend everyone to read?
To be honest, I’ve probably only read a handful of books in my entire life, but I’d really recommend Ladies Who Launch in Hong Kong by Maseena Ziegler, which features the stories of eight women who ran start-ups in the city. I reached out to the author, who had lived her whole life here before moving to New York, and she ended up becoming my mentor. 

On the other hand, I’m a big fan of podcasts, and one I’d highly advocate is Business Wars. It pits two major companies from the same industry together – Nike vs. Adidas for example – tracking their differences, similarities and rise to fame. It’s engaging, educational and I can’t see anyone not loving it.

Thank you.

 

 

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photographer: Jack Law
Videography: Kingsley Lau
Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Make Up Artist: Iana Zinovieva Hair Stylist: Vic Lai
Locations: 181 and at Fortnum & Mason and The Hari Hong Kong