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.

gafencu_people_interview_helen_ma_one_plus_one_ecommerce_hongkong (7) — 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1 — 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.

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8 — 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?

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4 — 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.

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5 — 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.

gafencu_people_interview_payal_shah_ldezen_1 — *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.

gafencu_people_interview_payal_shah_ldezen_2 — *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.

gafencu_people_interview_payal_shah_ldezen_3 — *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.

gafencu_people_interview_payal_shah_ldezen_4 — *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.

gafencu_people_interview_payal_shah_ldezen_5 — *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

View Panoramic: Horace Pan, award-winning designer and founder of Panaroma Design Group

As the founder of Panorama Design Group, Horace Pan explores exciting new domains in interior architecture. As a university educator, his mission is to help the next generation of designers build a distinctive Hong Kong identity…

Tell us about your early years.
I’m Indonesian-Chinese, though I was born in China as my parents had emigrated there from Indonesia in the ’60s. Because of all the uncertainty during the Cultural Revolution, they wanted to relocate to their homeland via Hong Kong. Ultimately, they never made it all the way, and I’ve pretty much spent my whole life here. The international influences of my childhood have really left their mark on me, giving me a unique perspective that informs my work as an interior designer.

What led you to found Panorama Design Group?
I practised interior design for seven years before starting Panorama. Then I had a gut feeling that I should explore new domains of interior design and new methodologies, taking a different approach to what I was already doing. I thought the best way to accomplish this was to found my own company.

Does your firm have a particular area of speciality?
Panorama is headquartered in Hong Kong, with branches across Chinese cities such as Shenzhen and Chengdu, as well as an upcoming location in Malaysia. We specialise in many different domains of interior design across the region. We do hotels, club houses and F&B venues, for example, and health- and wellbeing-oriented spaces, so we are pretty multi-disciplinary and also cover many different topologies of space.

What would you say are the unique selling points of Panorama?
It’s really in the name itself, and for us ‘Panorama’ means ‘wide-angled’ and ‘full-spectrum’, so I would like my team to have a different, unexpected approach to any projects and initiatives we collaborate on. Let’s take a hotel, for example. We don’t want to follow the traditional precepts of design, but rather focus on creating a kind of crossover experience. This is exactly what we did for MeeHotel in Shenzhen last year, a project that’s garnered us 12 international awards so far, with several judges praising us for breaking new ground in the boutique hotel domain. I think its success is largely down to the fact that we combined a keen understanding of the local culture and bamboo materials with a unique spa-like overall concept for what is actually a business hotel.

Ultimately, whether you call it a surprise, a breakthrough or a point of difference, our design firm is known for creating something unexpected. We’re famous for conceiving this kind of branding or commercial design strategy before we come up with any proposal. This leads to another of our strengths – research – which is critical to any successful project.

How has the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected your business?
The biggest issue is that we can’t cross the border into mainland China, where the bulk of our projects are located. Right now, we can only see the sites virtually through apps like Zoom, which some clients are understandably not thrilled about. Though our ongoing projects have adjusted to the new normal, it’s with new proposals that we encountered the most challenges. For Chinese clients, we are considered a foreign consultancy, so we really had to go the extra mile to persuade them that they should choose us rather than, say, a local contractor who can oversee everything in person. The onus has been on us to prove – be it through past success stories or a cohesive agenda that outlines the entire design and construction process – that we can still produce a superior product for them despite our location.

Do you have any exciting new projects in the pipeline?
Absolutely. We are in the midst of designing new elements and experiences for luxury brands in department stores in China, which we will be rolling out soon. In the first of these, we’re exploring a crossover of the spheres of art, technology and fashion to set a new benchmark for how consumers experience high-end brands.

Your projects have earned more than 150 international accolades. Which one is particularly close to your heart?
That would have to be my first award-winning project, the one that won me top honours in the Living Space category of the 2000 Asia-Pacific Interior Design Awards. This was roughly around the time I started Panorama. I was the only one of the five finalists who was an independent entry, and I got the shock of my life when my name was called as the winner. Interestingly enough, the project – Pan House – was actually my own home. It was a small three-storey village house sandwiched between two other similar structures. I think the reason why it garnered such critical acclaim is because I successfully transformed the traditional space into an entirely new domain. Each floor features a uniform grey cement motif, but I fitted different coloured filters to the windows to create separate atmospheres for each level.

How do you rate Hong Kong’s interior design industry on a global level?
I think our biggest strength is that we are used to delivering projects within a short time span, with capabilities of revamping restaurants, residences and the like within a few short months. This is our unique edge, because other countries can’t match our fast-paced work ethic.

Having said that, there is one serious shortfall in that we don’t have a true ‘local identity’ per se because a lot of our cultural heritage and architecture has pretty much been erased. This is no good for local designers. You need to have roots and craftsmanship traditions that inform your designs, as they have in other countries like Japan and Sweden. There’s no such thing as a ‘Hong Kong style’, I think, and I feel conflicted about this and try to address it in my capacity as an Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Finally, could you tell us something people don’t know about you.
I was approached by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai’s team to lend Pan House as the set for the romantic drama film 2046, starring actres Faye Wong. Ultimately, I declined, as I didn’t want too many people in my personal space.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Jack Law
Videography: Kingsley Lau
Styling & Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Venue: Panorama Design Group office

Stitching Sustainability With Innovation: Will Lam, MD, High Fashion International Group

Picking up on a family passion, Will Lam has raised the bar in intelligent, responsible garment manufacturing. The Managing Director of High Fashion International Group cuts to the chase, advocating innovation, education and the occasional game of chess…

Your family has more than 40 years of experience in the fashion industry. What does fashion mean to you?
From a business perspective, I think fashion, simply put, is to fulfil desires. It’s about understanding the constantly changing market and what customers want – listening to and meeting those demands.

Fashion is ever changing and I’ve had time to build up my knowledge of the industry. Both my parents started fashion businesses, so I was exposed to it early on in life. From a young age, I spent a lot of time watching my parents gain insight into the world of fashion; even our Sundays were spent together visiting brands for a better understanding of the market.

What path did your education take, and how has it impacted your professional life?
I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong before completing my Master’s at one of the most prestigious institutions in the United States, Princeton University. Both experiences were very beneficial to my personal and professional growth. I was especially impressed by the engagement and interactive discussions between students and professors when I was in Princeton University. The students were very intelligent and the professors were supportive; this helped mould how I run my own company.

For the past decade, you’ve been the top management of High Fashion, the company founded by your father. Did you have other career aspirations growing up or did you always see yourself within the family fold?
I was quite heavily influenced by both my parents. They were both entrepreneurs, and I think witnessing them build their businesses from scratch inspired me to run a business myself.

But beyond the fashion industry, I love the technology industry. In fact, our company – as well as my family and I, on a personal level – has invested in several start-ups. We develop ecovation programmes that help young entrepreneurs aspiring to start big businesses. I love new ideas that contribute to innovative business models to transform industries – not only in fashion but every sector of the economy.

What have been the major contributing factors to your company’s success?
High Fashion is the global leader in silk manufacturing and one of Asia’s leaders in sustainability and providing affordable, luxurious garments. We are also a fully vertical supply chain. We provide a one-stop service for all types of customers from all over the world, from textiles to garment production.

I believe that innovation has been the most important factor in our success. Our clients are some of the most well-known brands in the world, and they are constantly looking for unique and creative ways to meet the demands of their consumers. At High Fashion, we seek out new fabrics, new ways of servicing, new re-engineering processes, as well as forms of technologies that allow us to produce a consistent flow of innovative products.

But on top of that, our diverse team has been key to the growth of our business. I believe that having an office culture that nurtures creativity is another important factor for a company’s success. We encourage staff to share new ideas and be open to collaborations, and embrace trial and error as part of the learning process.

Could you give us an example of how creativity and innovation have boosted your business?
I am always grateful to our staff and their support in growing a successful company. In turn, I feel that it is my responsibility to provide them with the best environment in which to perform and grow. We offer platforms that allow them to continue learning, which is especially important now that we see new businesses disrupting traditional organisations. We like to promote a fast-learning culture that encourages staff to learn about new market trends, visit different exhibitions, take part in seminars and network with other professionals. We also guide them through three to five years of career planning, organise management programmes and sponsor Executive MBA programmes outside of our company.

This allows the team to consistently contribute new and diverse ideas in meetings. It’s a very effective process that we focus on in order to deliver a continuous stream of innovative products. I believe this is one of the reasons why the majority of our staff have stayed loyal to the company – most of them have been with us for more than 20 to 30 years.

You’re known as a supporter of intelligent garment manufacturing. Can you tell us how this has changed and benefited the company’s productivity?
I think intelligent garment manufacturing is a trend that will last long into the future. Everyone is talking about the new economy, implying how technology plays a huge role in transforming traditional businesses. Because the garment industry is quite labour intensive, technologies like robotics and digitalisation offer businesses a leg up.

We look for ways to capture different ideas that are imbedded in technologies and apply them to garment manufacturing. In the past few years, we’ve spent a lot of time on automation. We were able to increase our productivity by 30 to 40 percent without having to reduce our labour force. And this is just the beginning: we will continue to learn about integrating automation into garment production. New companies are already adopting automation and advanced technology, which is why I believe technology will be an inevitable transition for the garment business, and will transform traditional companies into faster-growing entities.

Sustainability has become a hot topic in fashion. Could you share your thoughts on the subject?
Sustainability is the key to a more secure future for the generations to come. We hold great value in the initiative to help our customers transition from less sustainable into more sustainable products. This is where my belief in education comes in. Whenever we work with clients and consumers, we inform them about the importance of sustainability and how we can provide them with sustainable products. For example, incorporating sustainable production processes such as recycling and up-cycling.

Our factory is one of the best known for sustainability; it holds a green-level certification – the highest level in China – and we are one of the few garment factories that uses solar power to recycle energy throughout the production process. Thinking two or three decades into the future and how our business affects the planet, we will introduce new elements of sustainability in our production process and supply chain wherever possible – ensuring more eco-friendly production that avoids excessive waste and reduces the carbon footprint.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has also been a priority for High Fashion. Why do you feel it’s so important to give back?
I think education is very important; I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to learn a lot when I was at university. Which is why I feel that it’s important to provide that same exposure to youngsters who have limited resources and avenues in which to develop their interests and career path. We strongly support education by providing opportunities for university students to join exchange programmes overseas. We have also built schools in Asia – China, mainly – such as the High Fashion Women’s Institute in Hangzhou that has offered tertiary fashion education for over 10 years.

What upcoming projects or new initiatives are you most excited about?
Since 2020, we have been working on WL District, a newly renovated, open shared space that allows CEOs and creatives to collaborate and network. Whether hosting an event or holding an exhibition, we aim to provide a space that allows like-minded individuals to come together with their unique backgrounds, expertise and skills. From the concept to the interior design, we’ve put careful consideration into every aspect of creating a venue that inspires creativity, collaboration and innovation.

What’s your favourite way to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
My favourite sport is tennis. Before I joined the company, I didn’t do much exercise, but I found that exercising helps me both mentally and physically – I feel more energised and focused. You need to be quite determined and disciplined to do well at tennis, and it’s helped me stick to my routine and improve my efficiency.

I also like chess, a game my father introduced me to when I was a child. Not only does it help with my concentration and problem-solving skills, it’s an activity that I enjoy doing with friends, as we can catch up over a game. Although it might seem mentally strenuous, I actually find it relaxing: it offers me mental clarity.

Thank you.

Interview: Roberliza Eugenio
Photographer: Jack Law
Videographer: Andy Wan
Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma

Also Read: Interview with Big Honor Entertainment’s Veronica Lam on continuing her father’s legacy whilst finding a groove of her own

The Chemistry of Beauty: Founder and skincare formulator of Skin Need Christal Leung on the secret to less-is-more skincare

With the opening of her Hong Kong lab next month, cosmetic chemist Christal Leung is on a mission to simplify skincare and bring it closer to home, while delivering supremely customisable skincare products through her brand, Skin Need.

In your opinon, where did your personal passion for skincare stem from?
It began at a very young age. When I was a teenager, my mum ran a beauty salon and I was there every weekend to help with bookings and scheduling. Seeing her approach to skincare – customising products with fresh fruits and vegetables – and watching the way she brought joy and confidence to her customers, I realised that this was what I wanted to do as well, to create this kind of positivity and joy no matter which industry I would dedicate myself to. Unsurprisingly, that turned out to be the beauty industry.

How did your skincare label, Skin Need, come about?
Actually my mother was the one to start it. A lot of the products she used in the salon were manufactured and imported from the United States and other Western countries, which meant they were geared more towards Caucasian skin types and environments. She wanted something that was specially created for the humidity and temperatures of Hong Kong, something that would suit the lifestyles of the city’s residents. So, she worked with cosmetic chemists in the States and brought over her own products for customers in her salon. When I became a cosmetic chemist and joined Skin Need 12 years ago, I began evolving, reformulating and upgrading them.

What do you think sets Skin Need apart from other brands in the market?
I think what makes Skin Need unique is that we didn’t come from a commercial approach – we weren’t thinking of what kind of gap we wanted to fill in the market or what ingredients we’d use to make it different. Our philosophy evolved from the experiences and skincare problems that my mother encountered over her career, and how she felt beauty products should actually be addressing those needs.
A lot of companies promote a hero product, a one-size-fits-all that everybody should be using, be it a serum, a cream or a sunblock. But my mother felt – and I concur – that our skin is always in a very dynamic environment of external and internal change, based on factors, such as weather, stress levels and hormones. So, at Skin Need we aim to create a skincare regimen that can really evolve with the needs and changes of your skin.

For example, when hormones cause the dermis to become dehydrated or oily, you need to customise your cream immediately to boost its moisture levels. On the other hand, when your skin is very dry or sensitive due to stress, you have to add emollients to nourish and rejuvenate it back to full health. Ultimately, the strength of Skin Need is our ability to create customised skincare regimens that can meet a customer’s unique needs. What’s more, we also empower users to observe changes in their skin daily, and offer a range of oil-based and water-based serums and different active ingredients that can be blended into their creams to suit their exact needs on any given day.

Do you have any upcoming projects on the horizon that you’re excited about?
Yes, I’m currently in the midst of a very hectic and exciting project, which is set to open its doors next month. I’m building a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified lab in Kwai Chung, which will have five clean rooms and assembly lines for the bottling and filling of cosmetics. We’ll also have homogenisers and production capabilities to produce skincare that are ‘Made in Hong Kong’. Ultimately, while our products are still manufactured in the States, we’ll ship them en masse to the city to be packaged here, so we can greatly cut down our carbon footprint and fuel consumption.

Can you share one or two common mistakes people make in their daily skincare regimen?
The issue I face most often is that customers use too many products too often for no good reason at all. Because of all the information that is so readily available on the internet – you know, ‘you have to use retinoids, it does magic for your skin’ or ‘the salicylic acid concentration has to be one percent’ – everyone feels like they need a bit of everything. This, in turn, drives suppliers to produce in higher amounts than needed without educating consumers on which products should be used in tandem and which shouldn’t be used together at all.

So, one of the most common problems I encounter is users layering an amalgam of products like acids with highly purifying clay masks, and adding retinoids as a last step and so forth. It’s just crazy because ultimately, you’re compromising the barrier protection of your skin. You harm it by ignoring the fact that you need a balanced skin pH level so that it can fend off bacteria. Not only are you not going to get the results you want, you’re damaging your skin in the process, which leaves you open to a plethora of problems in the future that didn’t exist in the first place.

So, what’s your tip for simplifying skincare?
I think hydration is important for everyone. If your skin is dehydrated, then using humectants such as hyaluronic acid and natural moisturising ingredients like Vitamin B5 in your daily routine are a must. For those suffering from an oily dermis, these hydrants also help balance oil production. In fact, our body can’t produce its own water, so when it gets dehydrated, its automatic response is to create an oily barrier instead – this is what causes blocked pores and blackheads. Studies show that hydration can help counteract the effects of ageing skin and sensitive skin too, so I really can’t stress enough the importance of moisturising your skin properly.

As a balance to your busy schedule, how do you like to relax during your down time?
To be honest, work is pretty much my hobby. It’s something I feel so passionate about and find so much joy in that I don’t feel like it’s work. Having said that, last year my sister told me that I was too much of a workaholic and needed to find a pastime, so I joined the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. It’s a group of like-minded entrepreneurs who come together not so much to talk about potential opportunities and connections but rather to share and reflect on the hurdles that come with running your own business, and also to expand our collective horizons through learning opportunities conducted by experts. I was invited to their board this year and at the moment I’m spending my spare time curating learning experiences for our members.

Finally, what is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Junk food. I absolutely love tucking into a bag of chips or a box of chocolates, so I’m really lucky that I have skincare products that can counteract their side effects!

Thank you.

Credits

Interview: Tenzing Thondup
Photographer: Jack Law
Videographer: Kingsley Lau
Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Jewellery: No. Thirty Three Joaillerie
Location: WULT, Central

Eternal Bloom: A new line of exclusive gifting products at Mohlia’s brand new outlet

Billed for their timeless luxury preserved Infinity Flowers, Mohlia now offers its customers a wide range of gifting products. We caught up with Simran Mohinani, the founder and CEO of Mohlia, at her new K11 Musea store to get all the exciting details:

Mohlia is known for its innovative Infinity Flowers. We’re intrigued, tell us more…
Infinity Flowers are boxed real flowers of the finest quality, grown in the mountains of Ecuador. They are hand-picked and carefully arranged piece-by-piece into an elegant gift box and then treated with our special rose oil formula – this allows their bloom to remain eternally beautiful.

What led you to create Mohlia?
I really love this collection because it seamlessly bridges the gap between luxury and innovation in the flower industry. Even though Hong Kong is usually at the forefront of technology, we didn’t have this concept in Asia, my home continent. It was a missing piece of luxury and I was really passionate about bringing the idea here.

Initally, the intent was to make it a side business. Little did I know that the demand will grow so rapidly that within a week, I would take the decision of making it my full-time job. Looking back, it all turned out to be amazing… It’s something I love, more than anything in this world.

Who is Mohlia for and what makes your products unique?
We have a lot of different facets to our brand — we’re not just selling long-lasting flowers anymore – we do luxury gifting and collaborate with big global and local names to give customers the bespoke high-end gifting experience.

Mohlia is for anybody in the world. We are a global brand that ships to 93 different countries and provides customised gifting options for clients of different genders and age groups.

So, whether it’s something quirky and unique like a pet shrimp in an aquarium or something more standard like your everyday teas and candles, or a forefront pushing innovation like CBD products – we like to cater to different tastes and styles. Thinking of gift options for a colleague, a buddy, your best friend, or even yourself — we’re great with ideas and options for absolutely anybody.

You’ve just launched your flagship store in K11 Musea, what can we expect with the opening of the new location?
With our new location, we have taken everything to the next level. There are plenty of surprises waiting for our loyal and potential new customers, a slew of new limited-edition products, exclusive deals and several new brands available in the store. It truly warms my heart to be working with the most incredible people and the most fascinating products every single day.

We’ve worked with several luxury brands like Fortnum and Mason, Patchi, Sugarfina, Malabar Baby, Milk It Baby and Lekker Stuff CBD. Now, we have exciting collaborations with Kush Crystals, an amazing crystal-based skincare brand, Aspala tea, artisan fragrance creators The Blomstre and vegan and cruelty-free artisanal candle brand Clair De Lune, who makes uniquely shaped candles.

On top of that, we are also have been constantly putting out great products from Anvi Candles and Moana Shrimps, which are literally tiny pet shrimps swimming around in an aquarium.

Big Honor Entertainment’s Veronica Lam’s creative spirit shines bright

As Executive Director of Big Honor Entertainment, Veronica Lam continues her father’s legacy as an innovative promoter of musical talent. She looks back at life with dad and forward to creative new ventures in the future.

What was it like growing up in such a prominent family? Would you say that your childhood was pretty normal?
It’s difficult to say whether my childhood was normal, as I don’t have anything to compare it to. It wasn’t the standard upbringing, since I was raised by my maternal grandmother, while my younger brother lived with my paternal grandmother. It wasn’t until my teens that I started living with my dad [the late Lam Kin-ming of Crocodile Garments fame], which I can say gave me a more independent frame of mind than many of my peers. One thing that I do remember fondly is being surrounded by a lot of relatives.

Gafencu Magazine Interview with Veronica Lam Big Honor Entertainment Hardbit Music record label — Button shirt and trousers by Germain Paris

What path did your education take, and what aspirations did you have growing up?
I completed my high-school years at a boarding school in the UK, and that really left an impression. While I was living in Hong Kong, my father was pretty strict, and we had to come straight home after school every day. We weren’t allowed to hang out with our friends much at all. So, going to boarding school suddenly afforded me the freedom to branch out and explore new things. I always had a creative bent, so when I graduated, I applied for an art course, but ultimately gave that up to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business statistics at the University of Reading.

Gafencu Magazine Interview with Veronica Lam executive director of Big Honor Entertainment Hardbit Music — Turtleneck by St. John; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

You’re the Executive Director of Big Honor Entertainment, the business founded by your father. Why did you join the family firm, and what are your responsibilities?
I tried my hand at banking for a couple of years after university, but quickly realised it wasn’t something I wanted to do. I felt pretty lost and rudderless, so my dad asked me to join him at Big Honor Entertainment. At first, it was meant to be temporary, with me following my father to his various meetings and commitments, but 10 years later, I’m still here.

Big Honor is comparable to an investment company, albeit one that focuses on investing in musical events and shows. We do create our own, but with so many acts circulating, we also pick and promote those that fit our company profile. For the past decade, we have targeted Korean and Japanese talents, but with the ongoing pandemic, none of them can fly to Hong Kong, so we’ve refocused more on local bands, investing in movies and themed events. As Executive Director, it’s my responsibility to evaluate whether or not certain projects are worth investing in, as well as introduce fresh entertainment propositions to the city, and even instigate and implement new musically-focused initiatives of our own.

Gafencu Magazine Interview with Veronica Lam Big Honor Entertainment Hardbit Music art photography — Outfit by St. John; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

When did you discover your passion for the arts and photography in particular?
I remember one day when I was in high school, my dad came home with a pocket-sized, credit card-thin camera. This was advanced technology at a time when mobile phones couldn’t take photos. I took the camera wherever I went, and started documenting inspirations for my high-school art projects. I was completely hooked. There are so many special moments happening all the time, and taking photos is the quickest, most logical medium to retain those precious experiences.

Tell us a little about your photography work under VL Visuals.
I founded VL Visuals to display my photography artworks. The seeds for the idea came about when I helped promote the Yan Chai Hospital charity by producing a picture booklet detailing the hospital’s various services using photography as the key medium. Then, I collaborated with fresh young illustrators in the city on the photos I shot. The picture booklet was very well received, and it gave me the confidence to continue exploring my passion for photography. Not long after that, I stumbled upon gold leaf art while travelling in Japan, and that led me down a whole new avenue of creativity. That’s when I started doing exhibitions and presenting my works at art fairs around the world, including Hong Kong, London and Paris. The reception these received gave me the ego boost to continue.

Gafencu Magazine Interview with Veronica Lam Big Honor Entertainment Hardbit Music art — Cardigan and pants by M.D.M.S; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

Where do you find inspiration for your photos, and what are the challenges of capturing a truly great image?
Most of my inspiration comes through my travels. While I feel some people seek to capture stunning sunsets, I much prefer scenes with fog or haze, as I like moody, dark tones. What I enjoy, however, requires a lot of strength, for example, waking up at 4am in the morning to clamber up a mountainside with heavy equipment. Being a woman with weak arms doesn’t help much, and I’m basically a night owl, so I do understand and admire those who put so much effort into taking gorgeous photos!

Gafencu Magazine Interview with Executive Director of Big Honor Entertainment Veronica Lam Hardbit Music — Nordek Blazer and pants by Acler, courtesy of Lane Crawford

What led you to found Hardbit Music?
I was already involved in signing and handling musical talent at Big Honor, and my brother and I both enjoyed attending DJ shows, so we thought, why not branch out and try that as a side project. DJ events have a certain image though, and there were some concerns that this might negatively affect our company name, so we created a new brand – Hardbit Music – to host large-scale DJ-led musical events in the city.

How do you feel the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected this business?
Honestly, the entertainment industry was one of the sectors hardest hit by Covid-19. Obviously, we couldn’t hold large-scale events or fly in musical acts to the city anymore… it was a serious challenge in every sense of the word. Looking back, it definitely taught us to become more creative with our ideas and to think outside the box in terms of coming up with innovative new solutions and concepts. In particular, it inspired me to start my latest project, which is called the B.Live app.

Gafencu Magazine Interview with Veronica Lam Big Honor Entertainment Hardbit Music — Turtleneck by St. John; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

What’s this new app all about?
At a time when in-person musical events are all but non-existent, we have to keep creating new spaces for musical acts within the entertainment industry. B.Live is a streaming app that offers viewers multiple angles during broadcasted events, so they can decide how they take in their favourite acts. Not only does the app allow people to enjoy music in the comfort of their homes, it also features chat rooms so users can interact with friends while experiencing the shows. That’s not all: in addition to musical content, we’ll also be uploading theatrical shows, tutorials and more. The app is slated for release in August, so watch this space…

Gafencu Magazine cover Interview with Executive Director of Big Honor Entertainment Veronica Lam Hardbit Music — Stow blazer dress by Acler, courtesy of Lane Crawford

As you juggle your various responsibilities, how do you like to unwind?
When I get stressed, I take to the treadmill to work up a good sweat, or I blast music out loud and dance by myself in front of the mirror. I used to unwind by editing photos at home, but these days I have so much editing to do that this has lost its shine a bit.

If you could go back and relive any moment of your life, what would it be and why?
I would love to be able to go back to the day I got married. I wish I could relive the moment where my father walked me down the aisle. It’s an especially poignant memory for me, as he passed away recently, and I’d like to hold his hand tighter and truly thank him for being there.

Finally, what’s your biggest guilty pleasure?
I’m the biggest SpongeBob SquarePants fan, and I love collecting SpongeBob paraphernalia. I’ve got T-shirts, plush toys, vinyl figures, stickers… you name it, I’ve got it. Every time I see those big, watery eyes, it just reminds me of how silly he is and how he doesn’t take himself seriously, a bit like my husband. It instantly lightens my mood!

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photographer: Jack Law
Videographer: Kingsley Lau
Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Hair and Make-up: Heti Tsang
Cover: Stow blazer dress by Acler, courtesy of Lane Crawford

Jimmy Yu of Royal Catering on carving his own compelling path in life

Exquisite canapés and fish and chips do mix for Jimmy Yu. The sociable founder and CEO of Royal Catering is also on a mission to bring new tastes to China – and aid to communities in need through his charity, Smile With Us.

Could you tell us a little about your upbringing and education?
I was born in Hong Kong and moved to UK when I was 12, attending boarding school at Stamford [in Lincolnshire]. I wasn’t always the most well-behaved student and often got into trouble. When I was at university, I got caught in an incident that resulted in my house arrest for 12 months. Because I wasn’t allowed to leave the house, I spent the first few weeks ordering takeaway, but eventually grew tired of it. It was then that I decided to take up cooking.

What are your fondest childhood memories, and how did your family impact the person you are today?
As I mentioned, I wasn’t always on my best behaviour growing up, but I was fortunately blessed to have very supportive parents who encouraged me to explore my curiosities and pursue every venture. After the incident, which my parents were obviously not too happy about, I realised how phenomenal they were to remain supportive and extremely patient with me despite my wrongdoings. I turned over a new leaf and things started to get better from there. I’ve been able to do and experience a lot of different exciting things in my life, as well as explore my own path and start my own business.

Now that I am a father myself, I’m motivated to work harder and give the best I can to what I do. And similar to how my parents were with me, I want to support my daughter and give her the freedom she needs to explore the things she wants to do, while, of course, keeping a close eye on her.

What led you to found Royal Catering? Did you always want to be in the food and beverage industry?
Although I had my fair share of misdemeanours during my school days, academically I did pretty well. Ever since I was in secondary school, I knew I wanted to start my own business. After boarding school, I enrolled at Regent’s Business School [part of Regent’s University London], where I received a full scholarship.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, I spent almost six years working as a Society Editor at an English luxury lifestyle magazine. But having spent half a decade in the industry and witnessing the transition of publications from print media to digital platforms, I felt it was the right time for me to move onto something new.

My entry into the F&B industry was, admittedly, unexpected, but it made the most sense to me. My years as a Society Editor, travelling the world, trying a range of new cuisines and indulging in some of the best canapés each region had to offer, not only allowed me to build a huge network of professional connections and industry friends, but also helped me realise what I loved doing – eating. Towards the end of 2015, I founded Royal Catering Hong Kong, which provides high-end catering services for luxury brands and private clients including Rolex, Ferrari, Lamborghini and D&G.

You’re very involved in the F&B industry. Why is the food business meaningful to you?
I am a big believer in doing what you love and loving what you do. For me, it’s eating. In Chinese there’s a saying that implies that the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the place you live in and the places you travel are the four pillars that make a good life. I felt that being involved in F&B was the best way for me to help give people a taste of the good life. And catering, unlike restaurants, is never limited to set menus and a particular cuisine, so every single client, season and meeting presents a new challenge to develop something different and unique. In my opinion, it’s not just about the food itself but also about presentation and the value of the entire experience for the client and their guests.

You’re also the CEO of China Royal Food Culture. Could you tell us more about this?
With Royal Food Culture, we try to bring the best of Western cuisine to China. Contrary to its culinary landscape in the past, China is becoming more modernised. People are excited to try new things and explore different cultures. The F&B market has been growing rapidly in the last couple of years. For instance, when I franchised Scotts Fish & Chips diner in Chengdu two years ago, I found that the people there were very hip and trendy; they hold onto the local culture while embracing the Western culture.

Although going to McDonald’s and KFC have become commonplace, and dishes like spaghetti are no longer exotic, the dining scene in China is still lacking in terms of Western varieties, which I want to bring into the country. I want to bring the best of the West to the East in areas where people would appreciate it the most.

Do you have any exciting new projects?
I’ve always found China to be an interesting place. I travel to many different places around the world, yet China still impresses me. Following the successful opening of our first – as well as China’s first – British fish and chips diner two years ago, I’ve been returning to the country in the last few months, preparing to open a new location. Though the pandemic put much of my business plan on hold, it is set to open very soon.

Aside from your work, you also co-founded Smile With Us. What led you to start that charity, and what is its mission statement?
My parents instilled in me the values of kindness and helpfulness so I have always felt obligated to give back to the world. Before I started this charity, I would take a week or two off every year to volunteer in a different country. I’ve been to Botswana, Cambodia, the Philippines and several places in China to help underprivileged children and their families.

Although it’s impossible to help everyone in the world, through Smile With Us we try our best to help different communities facing various challenges. In our first year, we helped those with hearing and vision disabilities. The following year we tried to reach out to people suffering from mental illnesses, and during the pandemic, we helped to distribute masks to the needy and sanitise their homes.

Finally, what is the most interesting thing that you’ve ever done?
I’ve done lots of crazy things from sky diving to bungee jumping. I’m big on sports, too, so I enjoy anything from golf and badminton to tennis and snowboarding. Back in the UK, I used to go camping and I backpacked through Spain. That’s something interesting I’d like to do again in the future – to backpack around the world, meet people and learn new cultures first hand.

Thank you.

Interview by: Roberliza Eugenio
Photographer: Jack Law
Videographer: Kingsley Lau
Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma
Location: The Leicht
Wardrobe: Dolce & Gabbana