Chaumet hosts jewellery exhibition at IFC Mall

Chaumet transformed the IFC Mall Oval Atrium into a French-style patio inspired by Follies – outdoor constructions designed for entertaining in the 17th century – for its The Art of Jewellery Since 1780 exhibition.

The exhibition showcased Chaumet’s creations, taking visitors on a journey through the history of the Parisian jeweller.

The exhibition featured some of Chaumet’s tiaras – the high-end jeweller has made over 3,000 tiaras since 1780 – which guests were allowed to try on. There was also a digital interactive table display presenting the legacy and history of Chaumet and a display of high jewellery pieces and collections.

To help get across the brand’s story, Chaumet hosted a virtual reality (VR) experience, Here and Beyond: An Imperial Virtual Journey. The VR film took guests on a journey from 12 Place Vendôme to the Forbidden City.

Jean-Marc Mansvelt, CEO of Chaumet, attended the opening cocktail party along with special guests including Charlie Young, Cecilia So, Phil Lam and Jason Chan.

Larry Jewelry invites Picchiotti family to Hong Kong for 50th anniversary

Larry Jewelry, the exclusive retailer of Picchiotti jewellery in Hong Kong, invited the family from Valenza, Italy, to celebrate the retailer’s 50th anniversary.

The event at Larry Jewelry’s flagship store in Central was an exclusive preview of their latest fine jewellery collection and was attended by Caric Hon, executive director and CEO of Larry Jewelry, and Umberto Picchiotti, vice-president of Picchiotti, among a number of other guests.

“Both Larry Jewelry and Picchiotti are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and we also share a similar history and philosophy in crafting jewels. We are delighted to work with this leading Italian jewellery brand and present its dazzling creations in Hong Kong,” says Hon.

Guests at the event were shown the Picchiotti L’Anfiteatro, an 8.05-carat ruby ring designed by Picchiotti and new designs in the Xpandable collection.

6 last-minute gifts for Father’s Day

Fathers across Hong Kong will get the chance this Sunday to take a well-deserved break from all the dad stuff they are required to do, which, in fairness, isn’t really that much. But if mums get a Mother’s Day, then dads should also get in on the act.

This Father’s Day, show your dad that you really care with a nice gift from our choices below.

Suited up

Brooks Brothers, the oldest men’s clothing company in the US, has introduced its Summer 2017 Golden Fleece collection just in time for Father’s Day. The collection is made up of outfits with splashes of colour in lightweight fabrics. The collection features suits and sport coats made from wool or a blend of wool and luxury fibres.

Sweet tooth

For the dad with a sweet tooth, Dalloyau has launched a selection of biscuits and sweet treats. The French brand with over 300 years of culinary expertise has released the treats as a special way to thank your dad.

Pick from Piment Biscuits with a hint of spice, Parmesan cheese, Espelette peppers and black pepper; Parmesan Cheese and Thyme Biscuits made with ingredients that complement each other beautifully; Éclair Cognac with a crunchy outer shell filled with smooth custard cream of fine cognac; and many more

Edgy fragrance

Givenchy has released a fragrance gift set that is based around the streetwear style of the French fashion house. The gift set comes in a box designed with black and white and steel as the main concepts. It includes a signature perfume and deodorant stick.

Elegant timepiece

Longines offers a number of watches, including La Grande Classique de Longines collection, for dads who need a touch of elegance in their life. Designed for modern gentlemen who prefer a minimalistic style, La Grande Classique is an ultra-slim timepiece with a white dial adorned with classical Roman numerals and black hands. The 36 mm stainless steel case is fitted with an automatic L591 self-winding mechanical movement.

Chinese accessories

Shanghai Tang has a range of contemporary gifts from modern Chinese chic accessories to ready-to-wear outfits to homeware. Spoil your dad with a men’s coin bracelet with a Chinese coin carved from green aventurine gemstone, a silk cashmere jacquard scarf with a double fish design in red and ink and retro Chinese round sunglasses inspired by 1960’s Hong Kong.

Glinting jewels

For the dad who likes his jewels, Nirav Modi has a selection of cufflinks that will complement any suit. Choose from Luminance Cufflinks with a mélange of pear and marquise elements, Mughal Cufflinks with a floral motif of the Mughal era and a brilliant-cut diamond at its centre and Celestial Cufflinks featuring a solitaire in the centre within a diamond halo.

Chinese actress Sandra Ma stars in Cartier’s ‘Panthère Inside’ advertising film

Luxury jewellery brand and watchmaker Cartier recently launched an advertising film, Panthère Inside, starring Sandra Ma. In the film Sandra can be seen wearing Cartier’s signature Panthère de Cartier watch in 18-carat yellow gold.

The Panthère de Cartier collection is a tribute to modern women who are both beautiful and independent. The film explores a side of Ma that has never been captured on-screen before. Bold and beautiful as the watch she’s wearing, she embodies the grace and confidence of a panther navigating the urban jungle.

Click here to watch the video

According to director Susie Au, Ma epitomises the modern Chinese woman. Her gentle look hides a confident personality which makes her the perfect model for this collection. Ma says, “My search for my true hidden self led me to be an actor and today I have found another side of me.”

Deco-dent Gems

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

Jackie Collins, the late British-American romance author and sister of silver screen starlet Joan Collins, knew a thing or two about style. Dubbed the “queen of the ‘bonkbuster’” for her steamy and sometimes salacious novels, she was famed not only for her page-turning plots, but also for her flashy taste in fashion. Her go-to get-up often comprised leopard-print pieces, chunky jewellery and a blazer.

Photo courtesy of Bonhams

She also had a penchant for all things Art Deco. Many of her vintage 1920s and 30s pieces – artworks and jewellery alike – were sold as part of a Bonhams’ auction on 16 May. Three pieces of Art Deco jewellery, including a bracelet, brooch and necklace, were plucked up for US$161,250 (HK$1.26 million). One of the three pieces, a diamond emerald and platinum necklace, sold for US$56,250 alone. The jagged, geometric pattern of the necklace is softened by a dazzling array of diamonds – 44 carats in total. The brooch, which is French in origin, boasts a Colombian emerald surrounded by round, half-moon, square step and baguette-cut diamonds, and some more square calibré-cut emeralds. After Jackie’s death from breast cancer in 2015, her sister said in a tribute, “Wherever you are, my darling sister, you deserve a red carpet and a throne.” We hope she’s right and imagine that it’s a leopard-print throne, encrusted with jewels.

Will Smith, Colin Farrell attend Chopard’s Gentlemen’s Evening in Cannes

Chopard recently hosted an exclusive event for gentlemen on the rooftop of the Hotel Martinez in Cannes. The Gentlemen’s Evening was the perfect occasion for debonair gents to relax and unwind with Roederer champagne, Grey Goose, Patron Anejo cocktails and cigars by Daniel Marshall.

The event, co-hosted by London club Annabel’s and held during the Cannes Film Festival, put the spotlight on men and allowed those in attendance to relax in an extremely gentlemanly atmosphere.

The Gentlemen’s Evening was attended by Chopard co-presidents Caroline and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, as well as a number of well-known figures including Colin Farrell, Will Smith, Marion Cotillard and Christoph Waltz.

Earlier at Cannes, Will Smith wore a Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Black Tie watch in 18-carat white gold and Colin Farrell sported a L.U.C XPS Fairmined 18-carat rose gold watch.

Chopard takes guests out of this world at Cannes SPACE Party

Chopard hosted one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the Cannes Festival last week, SPACE Party.

The exclusive event was attended by a veritable who’s who of A-listers, including Julianne Moore, Rihanna, Will Smith, Eva Herzigova, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.

The party was hosted by Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele and the stars at the party fully embraced the “Galactic with a touch of diamond!” dress code.

“The Cannes Festival is a must for Chopard. Each year, I seek to dazzle my guests by offering them an original and unforgettable evening,” said Scheufele.

Guests enjoyed dinner served in a space shuttle, while models adorned in the latest red carpet creations from Chopard and wearing clothes by Elie Saab paraded past.

The evening was also a celebration of the collaboration between Chopard and Rihanna, who wore jewellery from the Rihanna ♥ Chopard collection earlier in the day at the festival.

Chopard redesigns Palme d’Or trophy for Cannes Film Festival

The Palme d’Or trophy has long been a shining symbol of artistic achievement at the Cannes Film Festival, which is now celebrating its 70^th anniversary. Fine jewellery maison Chopard is paying tribute to that milestone while simultaneously celebrating 20 years of partnership with the world-renowned film festival by unveiling a stunning new Palme d’Or.

Click here to see more on video

The golden trophy has been adorned with diamonds for the first time, and all of the materials have been ethically sourced, including the Fairmined ethical gold leaf motif and diamonds sourced from a supplier certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Chopard was first tasked with redesigning the palm in 1998. A truly unique design, the tip of the branch forms the delicate image of a heart, and its golden leaves appear to be frozen in time. The trophy boasts 188 grams of 18-carat yellow gold in total, and the palm rests on a rock crystal cushion that is shaped like an emerald-cut diamond. No small feat, it takes no less than 40 hours to craft.

8 ways to treat a special lady this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a time to show the most important woman in your life that you appreciate all the sweat and toil she went through to get you where you are today. Let’s be honest, mothers are as close to a superhero as you can get. All that’s missing is the cape.

So this Sunday, show your mother that you really care by taking her out for a delicious meal, buying her a nice piece of jewellery or pampering her at a spa.

We have compiled a list of things to help you treat such a special lady this Mother’s Day.

Brunch at Gaucho

Gaucho’s new head chef has created a menu that is sure to delight even the pickiest of mothers. Located in the heart of Central and well-known for its steaks, the Argentinian restaurant is offering an all-you-can-eat and drink Veuve Clicquot brunch during the day (HK$600), and an exclusive 3-course dinner in the evening (HK$425).

The daytime brunch includes 2-hour free-flow champagne and delicious dishes such as empanadas, ceviches and different cuts of prime beef. Mothers who prefer nighttime drinking and eating can enjoy a 3-course meal including salmon tiradito, shrimp causita, lomo (fillet) and other Argentinian specials. The meal is finished off with dulce de leche cheesecake.

Food with a view at CÉ LA VI

If you want to treat your mum by taking her to a venue for brunch with stunning views over Hong Kong, then CÉ LA VI’s Moments with Mum brunch (HK$488) is the perfect choice. The brunch is on every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3pm during May and the food has been prepared by Executive Chef Kun Young Pak.

The menu has a Korean flavour with chilled seafood and salad followed by hot platters like tempura and Korean-style creamy prawns. Main dishes include the crunchy and succulent short rib lettuce wrap and Korean-style fried chicken and waffles. Ladies will also be presented with a complimentary de-stressing gift pack.

Gifts from Bally

Bally, the Swiss luxury fashion company, has a number of presents for the mum who is young at heart. The Edelweiss Capsule collection is crafted from calf leather and mums can choose from a tote bag, backpack, mini-cross body bag, clutch and wallet. The collection is available in petal and marine colours.

Beautify with Jurlique

Beauty conscious mothers will love the gifts from Jurlique. The Australian cosmetics brand offers a hand care set to treat, nurture and restore moisture, leaving hands beautifully soft, smooth and healthy with lasting hydration. Mothers can also indulge themselves from head-to-toe with the rose hydration cream that is included in the hand and body kit.

Satisfy a sweet tooth at Ms B’s Cakery

For mothers with a sweet tooth, Ms B’s Cakery has five delicious cakes, as well as a range of unique gifts. The five cakes – Garden Rose, the Baby, the True Love, the Heart of Hearts and the Lilac Dream – are sure to bring a smile to any mother’s face. The Garden Rose (1,000g, HK$1,800) is a French vanilla chiffon sponge cake along with peaches and cream and a chocolate corn crunch, topped with sugar-art roses and sweet peas. Ms B’s Cakery is also offering gift boxes, which include handcrafted chocolates, silk flowers and an oversized edible “rock”.

Celebrate with Roger Dubuis

Roger Dubuis is helping you celebrate Mother’s Day with two of its collections: Excalibur and Velvet. The Excalibur 36mm Automatic features a white alligator strap fitted on a fully paved dial. It has been designed with an assortment of diamonds and comes with a white gold case and folding buckle. The Excalibur Essential 36 Automatic has sparkling gems and a blue PVD-coated dial with a sun-brushed finish. The watch features a 22-carat pink gold rotor, visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case-back and black DLC-treated titanium case topped by a bezel set with 48 blue sapphires.

Indulge at the Mandarin Spa

Show your mum you really care with a rejuvenating facial at The Mandarin Spa that helps to thicken the skin and improve collagen and elastin. The non-invasive facial uses Environ skincare products to expose the skin to high levels of vitamin A, antioxidants and peptides. The vitamin-based treatment counteracts the harmful effects of the environment, pollution and stress for radiant, visibly improved skin. Until 14 May, mothers and daughters who book the 90-minute facial (HK$2,200 on weekdays and HK$2,300 on weekends) will receive a complimentary Environ eye gel.

Larry Jewelry dazzles

Larry Jewelry has released a dazzling new ring just in time for Mother’s Day. The Precious Heart ring boasts a heart-shaped emerald in the centre weighing 2.89 carats, and also features an additional 2.3 carats of marquise-shaped, pear-shaped and round brilliant diamonds. It is just one of the items designed for Larry Jewelry’s Precious Heart collection, which features unique heart-shaped gemstones paired with a variety of diamonds in elegant and enchanting designs.

Text: Andrew Scott

Celestial Bodies: Stars show off jewellery at award shows

When it comes to high-profile awards ceremonies for filmmakers, it’s not just about the movies anymore. And it’s no longer “what” are they wearing but “who”? Some of the best-dressed celebs at the recent Oscars and Golden Globes wore Chopard, Bulgari, Lorraine Schwartz, Tiffany & Co., Neil Lane, Nirav Modi, Harry Winston and Forevermark – and that’s only counting the jewellery designers. Most notably, big and bold earrings were very much in vogue, with dazzling diamonds dripping from the lobes of some of the industry’s most acclaimed actresses.

English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley – a former Victoria’s Secret “Angel” – wore a pair of Nirav Modi earrings to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. The “Celestial” earrings feature emerald-cut diamonds weighing more than 8 carats. Set within brilliant-cut diamond “halos,” the encircled diamonds form a cascading, geometric pattern.
Another Victoria’s Secret Angel, Alessandra Ambrosio, was spotted wearing a pair of Bulgari Heritage collection pendant earrings to the Oscars party. The platinum earrings from the label’s Gina Lollobrigida Heritage collection are encrusted with emeralds and diamonds, and the emerald offered the perfect splash of green to contrast with her ravishing red dress.

As was expected of actress Halle Berry, she stunned once again with her style and beauty. She wore a pair of Pluczenik solid pink Egyptian diamond drop earrings by Forevermark to the Oscars. The edgy earrings, set in 18-carat rose gold, paired well with her one-sleeve custom Atelier Versace dress.