Under the hammer – Fab Four Auction Sales

Four breathtaking slots that wowed bidders at recent auctions are highlighted. These include a gorgeous vivid coloured diamond, a beautiful gilt-bronze monkey, a fantastic Ferrari and a landscape masterpiece.

Blue Beauty: Vivid coloured diamond takes bidders’ fancy

A famous blue diamond worn at the 2023 Met Gala by actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas instigated an intense bidding war at Sotheby’s, propelling the final price to balloon above US$25 million (HK$196 million). Laguna Blu, a rare pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond of 11.16 carats, had headlined a Bulgari high-jewellery necklace at the gala, but it was auctioned in Geneva as the original ring designed by the Italian jeweller in 1979, set between tapered baguette diamond shoulders.

The exceptional value of a vivid blue diamond reflects, in part, the extraordinary circumstances of their creation. These stones are formed deep below the earth’s mantle, and the disturbance of the crystal lattice is critical in determining their colour. Any traces of boron within the pure carbon structure of the diamond will result in varying shades of blue – enough boron in the stone and the diamond attains the highly prized ‘vivid’ category. Less than 1% of stones achieve this colour, and fewer still have no tint of another colour as coloured diamonds often show some kind of tint of another colour. The price the diamond achieved at auction is an indication of its rareness.

Bronze Prize: Million-pound monkey sitting pretty

A beautiful gilt-bronze monkey by François-Xavier Lalanne fetched £1.25 million (about HK$12.3 million) at auction in London with bidders stirred by the rare opportunity to obtain one of the French sculptor’s iconic animals. Singe Alternatif SIII was created in 2007, a year before Lalanne’s death, and was one of two Singe (Monkey) figures up for auction at Christie’s – his Singe Alternatif SIV realised just over £1 million.

Animal motifs were integral to Lalanne’s art and formed a substantial part of his oeuvre. Their symbolism captivated him, and he was particularly enamoured with the sheep and the monkey, which he would depict far from their natural habitats. His Singes, smiling serenely, sit atop tables and mantelpieces.

Lalanne developed a love for sculpture as a young man when, as a security guard at the Louvre, he would wander the Antiquities galleries and study the statuary of Ancient Egypt. It was from works like The Seated Scribe and Toth as a Baboon that he gained knowledge and inspiration which undoubtedly shaped his sculptural vocabulary. Only two gilt-bronze pairs of Singes have previously been offered at auction, once in 2020 and again in 2022.

Street Art: Camden crescent masterpiece a big hit

A new auction record for a work by figurative painter Frank Auerbach was set at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary evening sale in London. Mornington Crescent sold for £5.6 million (about HK$55 million), comfortably surpassing its high estimate of £4.5 million.

Painted in 1969, Mornington Crescent is considered one of Auerbach’s most epic and ambitious landscape works. At 101.4 cm by 152 cm, it is also one of his largest and is firmly rooted in both a geographical and psychological sense of place – in this case, the street in Camden, north London, where the artist has his studio. Scaffold-like bars of paint form rigid structures dramatically conveying a recreated image of the urban environment.

The 92-year-old Berlin-born British painter had a good evening at the ‘Britain’s Visionaries’ auction. All three of his works up for grabs exceeded their estimates: besides the lively bidding that Mornington Crescent sparked, E.O.W. on her Blue Eiderdown VII fetched £4.5 million and J.Y.M. Seated II went for £1.1 million. He has long been fascinated by the subject of Mornington Crescent and the housing developments which started in the 1820s.

Horse Power: Rare Ferrari races to auction record

The sale of a 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta was a major coup for Bonhams Cars, notching up a whopping US$30.25 million (about HK$237 million). About 1,000 people jostled in the Quail Lodge & Golf Club grounds in Carmel, California, for the best view of a racing car that became the fourth most valuable Ferrari sold at auction and raked in the highest-ever price for Bonhams’ motoring division.

Part of its appeal was undoubtedly its rarity – only two 412Ps were built from scratch. Furthermore, a nine-year-long renovation project restored this beautiful vehicle to its original glory so it could hit the open road. “Thanks to its devoted lineage of owners and the stewardship of its seller, the 412P stands as an enduring piece of art that honours the Ferrari legacy,” commented Bonhams specialist Rupert Banner.

The car has a strong racing history, roaring to third-place finishes in 1967 at Le Mans and the 1000 km of Spa, and seventh spot at Brands Hatch. The following year, it triumphed at the Norisring Nuremberg 200, Solituderennen and Swedish Grand Prix. The car comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and 4-wheel disc brakes.

Wonder in the Woods: A Happy Valley home embraces nature with wooden walls imbuing warmth, depth and feeling

Nestled in the picturesque neighbourhood of Happy Valley is an apartment that perfectly embodies contemporary elegance and soothing aesthetics. Radiating charm and sophistication, the living space is swaddled in wood – from the wooden floor to the wall panels to the furniture. Cool modern style seamlessly meets the warmth of natural materials in the intricate details of this exquisite space.

Designed by UK-based firm TG Studio, this home is a thoughtful blend of East and West. Upon stepping into the stunning living room, one is immediately greeted by the captivating sight of wooden walls encompassing the entire space. This panelling adds depth to the room, showcasing the perfect marriage of contemporary design and natural elements. The walls, with their rich, warm tones, create an inviting atmosphere, instantly making occupants feel at ease and connected to nature.

Complementing the wooden walls, the colour scheme of the living room revolves around warm and earthy tones that exude vitality and tranquillity. Grounded by carpeting underfoot, soft hues such as sandy beige, warm browns and gentle creams dominate the space, while splashes of muted green bring a touch of serenity in contrast. These carefully chosen colours ensure a harmonious ambience, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.

The furniture is a testament to the remarkable artistry and design acumen of the apartment’s designer. In a delightful blend of functionality and aesthetics, the wooden pieces integrate flawlessly with the overall design theme. With clean lines and understated elegance, each piece adds a hint of sophistication to the room while maintaining a cosy and comfortable atmosphere.

The focal point of the living room is a large, plush, L-shaped sofa upholstered in a luscious dark- grey fabric accompanied by two comfy armchairs in cream. This centrepiece provides an inviting spot for relaxation and socialising. Completing the seating arrangement is a pair of sleek wingback swivel armchairs in ochre adorned with contrasting throw cushions. The chairs are cleverly positioned to encourage both intimate conversations and effortless flow throughout the room. Given the elevated height of this apartment block, wide bay windows offer spectacular night views of the city and a source of abundant natural light during the day.

Adjacent to the lounge is a dining area that is partially hidden behind a wooden wall creatively cut into sharp shapes. The long dark grey dining table is embellished above with two giant glass chandeliers whose geometric design reflects the interior’s primary theme. At the other end of the living space, a wooden wall acts as a partition to frame a bar and cosy den.

The bright yellow bar counter is the focal point within this darkened area, and it is offset by an array of niches in the walls which display wine bottles. A plum-coloured sofa sits opposite two large ottomans with a glass table in between, making it a perfect place to unwind at night with a drink or two. The kitchen is kept simple with all-white cabinets and gleaming marble walls.

To bring the outdoors inside, potted plants are positioned around the lounge, kitchen and even the bathroom. This vibrant greenery adds life and freshness, while also promoting a natural atmosphere conducive to relaxation and well-being. Furthermore, carefully placed ambient lighting fixtures accentuate the wooden textures, creating a homey, welcoming vibe once the sun sets.

The master suite is spacious – its ample proportions would not seem out of place in a palace – yet an abundance of earthy tones spanning the upholstery, walls and floor make it seem invitingly snug. Rows of windows along both sides of the room allow light to flood the space in the day, acting in glorious contrast with the mellow colour palette.

Walls have indentations that not only work as storage space but also enhance the attractiveness of the décor. A study table sits on one side, while casually displayed artworks on the other provide lively colour and contemplation. The vastness of the bedroom allows freedom to change the layout as one likes to add variety to luxurious living, while the splendid white ensuite bathroom with its hillside views would cheer the spirits on the bleakest of mornings.

Cillian Instinct: Despite his startling eyes and immense talent, actor Cillian Murphy shuns the limelight

Throwback is a new-century buzzword, and old-century proponent Cillian Murphy is one through and through. He has purposefully maintained his obscurity at a time when celebrities openly share their true selves on social media. He doesn’t use X (Twitter) or Instagram; he doesn’t even have a mobile phone or computer. Instead of posing for photos with fans, he approaches them and asks if he can shake their hand, converse with them, or sign something.

He aggressively rejects the notion that he should be renowned and doesn’t even want to be known for anything. And the 43-year-old aims to keep it this way regardless of the hype generated by Oppenheimer, the latest addition to his long catalogue of both artistic films and blockbuster hits. Truly, Murphy nails the quiet masculinity of a man who strikes his own path in life with the air of supreme self-assurance while inwardly dealing with his own moral quandaries.

Early aptitude

The striking Irish actor was born in Douglas, the eldest child of four; his mother was a French teacher and his father worked for the Department of Education. He attended Presentation Brothers College in Cork, and went on to study law at University College Cork but – realising the profession wasn’t for him – left after a year.

His first passion was music, singing and playing the guitar in several bands. He was then wooed by acting, taking roles in student productions and joining the Corcadorca Theatre Company in Cork. He made his professional debut on stage in 1996 in Disco Pigs, a play whose initial six-week run extended into a two-year international tour and was made into a film in 2001.

Having relocated to Dublin and then London to secure theatre work, Murphy was noticed in this first major screen performance by the casting director for Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic horror film, 28 Days Later (2002). He landed the star role and earned himself nominations for Best Newcomer at the Empire Awards and Breakthrough Male Performance at the MTV Movie Awards. The acclaim that he didn’t want began in earnest.

Genius revealed

Fast forward to 2023, a time of blockbusters that spotlight women, but there is still something to be said for storylines that let men be men. Particularly if they are brilliant, charismatic men. A prime example of this is Oppenheimer, the epic biopic of the American physicist who designed the atomic bomb.

Ten years earlier, a BBC series headlined by Murphy changed television forever. Peaky Blinders combined the intriguing genres of historical fiction, gangster drama and psychological thriller to create an irresistible hybrid. Much like in Oppenheimer, a brilliant man finds himself thrust into a position of power while on his own (dubiously moral) mission, and whether that’s pushing the boundaries of science to develop a weapon of mass destruction or taking out his enemies one by one, you can’t help but root for him.

Piercing eye

Murphy’s signature looks, most notably his piercing blue eyes, have drawn in audiences around the world. It appears that his Oppenheimer co-stars were also affected by this mesmerising gaze. “It’s a real problem when you’re doing scene work with Cillian,” said Matt Damon. “Sometimes you find yourself just swimming in his eyes.” Emily Blunt added: “It’s like that Ocean Eyes song by Billie Eilish. We just hum it all day.”

The choice to cast Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer was a straightforward one, according to the film’s director Christopher Nolan. “I’d been staring at the cover of the book American Prometheus [Oppenheimer’s biography] for so many months, and there’s this photograph, black and white, a light blue-eyed stare, very intense, of this guy,” says Nolan. “And I thought, ‘Well, I know who could do that.’”

Murphy has appeared in six of Nolan’s films, but this is the first in which he plays the lead. The filmmaker reportedly admitted to being originally captivated by Murphy’s “crazy eyes” when casting him as the evil Scarecrow in Batman Begins (2005), beginning an 18-plus year collaboration. He portrayed the petulant heir of a business magnate in Inception (2010) and appeared as a traumatised soldier in Dunkirk (2017).

Consequently, the public perception of the actor is that because he is usually a little spooky onscreen, and we almost never see him off- screen, he must be kind of a creepy guy. But there’s really more than meets the eye.

Oscar buzz

The actor delivers a powerhouse performance in Oppenheimer. It’s a complex role and Murphy soars in it. It will surely result in Murphy’s first- ever Oscar bid, but unlike the Golden Globe Best Actor nod he received for playing a transgender woman in Breakfast on Pluto (2005), many critics think that it will go one better than the nomination and he will win on his first try.

His Oppenheimer silhouette is one of the most striking cinematic images of the year. Blunt has said he ate only one almond a day in preparation for the role. While he hasn’t revealed his exact diet, Murphy did say: “I love acting with my body, and Oppenheimer had a very distinct physicality and silhouette, which I wanted to get right. I had to lose quite a bit of weight, and we worked with the costume and tailoring; he was very slim, almost emaciated, existed on martinis and cigarettes.”

His dedication to the role also extended to learning 3,000 words of Dutch over one weekend. He shares: “I used to set aside, ‘I’ll work on this for a week and I’ll work on that for a week.’”

Cult of obscurity

He has rigorously assembled a creative body of work on his own admirable terms. One consequence of those choices is that his career has been spent further from the white-hot centre of show business than his talent would suggest; he’s remained purposefully guarded against the notoriety that he finds antithetical to creative success (not to mention personal happiness).

Oppenheimer, though, as a box-office giant has changed all that. It displays the full breadth of his gifts – and has earned him a level of fame he finds completely mortifying.

Fur Ever Diamond: A memorial gemstone created after a beloved pet’s passing keeps their memory alive

Pets hold a special place in our hearts, and their unconditional love brings immense joy to our lives. When they pass away, we are inconsolable. There is a way, however, for owners to treasure their pets beyond the grave – through a pet memorial diamond. Set in jewellery, these exquisite sparkling mementos not only celebrate the bond shared with a furry friend but also serve as a tangible reminder of their cherished presence even after they are gone.

A memorial diamond is a diamond created from carbon extracted from cremated ashes, hair or a combination of ashes and hair. Since it serves to immortalise the memory of a loved one, Hong Kong pet owners have wholeheartedly embraced this trend, recognising the value of preserving the emotional connection with their companions in a refined and tangible manner.

As cremation diamonds have become a burgeoning industry around the world including Hong Kong, numerous retailers have sprung up to cater to the demand for these precious jewellery keepsakes. Local jewellery shops are also offering specialised collections and bespoke services to meet the diverse needs of pet owners.

Algordanza

Established in Switzerland in 2004, Algordanza has steadily become a global enterprise. Its name, which stems from the Rhaeto-Romanic word for ‘remembrance’, is a fitting title for a company that is dedicated to preserving the special memories of a lost loved one in a unique way. They need 300 to 400 grams of your pet’s ashes or 11 grams of their fur, which is sent to their Swiss labs where experts begin the process of extracting pure carbon to create a diamond.

Algordanza’s Swiss-made cremation diamonds are 100% crafted from a pet’s ashes or hair – no extra carbon is sourced or artificial colouring added. Delivery takes from four to nine months depending on the complexity of the design.

Heart In Diamond

Natural diamonds must grow for more than one billion years deep under the Earth’s crust, but fortunately, you don’t need to wait for this long to receive your unique memorial gemstone. At Heart In Diamond, it takes only from 75 to 120 days on average to produce a customised cremation diamond. This production time is one of the fastest in the market, and their prices are relatively affordable, too.

Founded in 2005 in the UK, Heart In Diamond’s vision is to help people all around the world by producing a true and lasting reminder of a loved one. The expert team extracts carbon from an original sample (whether it’s hair, ashes or an alternative organic material) and adds it to the diamond core foundation. Shortly after, the foundation is placed in an HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) machine that recreates, in the lab, the process of natural diamond creation with the help of extreme temperatures of 2,000°C and pressure levels of 60,000 atmospheres.

Prices start from HK$8,000 for 0.03 carats and rise to HK$156,000 for a two-carat stone. en.heart-in-diamond.hk

Petmento

Hong Kong-based pet memorial diamond venture Petmento emphasises simplicity when communicating with clients. Each item is then crafted accordingly with skilful devotion to the finest detail and the highest possible standard, creating gemstones or other mementos such as ornaments that keep alive the memory of a pet. The animal’s image or silhouette can be incorporated into some designs.

Specialists in their Hong Kong workshop first use a unique technology to purify the ashes by removing unwanted substances. At least 10 grams of ashes are required, and these are homogenised with biogenic ingredients and fused at a temperature of more than 800°C into ash gems. Natural stone colours include white, grey and green, while occasionally the fusion produces a darker hue. Petmento’s Rainbow collection provides a spectrum of colours to choose from.

Prices start from HK$6,500. / Prices for gemstones start from HK$7,800 or $11,800 for a pendant. petmento.hk

Lonité

For pet owners who want to go the extra mile to preserve memories of their furry friends, Lonité could be the answer. Their memorial journey started in a small town near the Swiss Alps, a 25-minute train ride south of Zürich, where the company founders harnessed advancements in lab-grown diamond techniques to turn ashes into diamonds.

The name ‘Lonité’ originates from ‘longévité’ in Swiss French and nods to the precious timelessness of their lab-grown creations. Today, they offer 10 options of diamond cut and five colour choices. The most popular colour is amber, which is also the most basic. Their Naturally Amber shade is achieved from ashes with no added micro-elements or special technical treatments, hence the production costs and creation time are lower. Owners generally request that the ash diamond is set in a ring, or perhaps a pendant or a pair of earrings, so they can keep their pet who has passed close to them at all times.

Prices start from about HK$13,000 for .25 carats and increase to $180,000 for a three-carat diamond. lonite.com.hk

In a world where pets hold such significant places in our lives, pet diamond mementos have become more than just jewellery – they embody love, companionship and the enduring bond between humans and their most faithful companions.

Retro Revolution: Old and new harmonise in contemporary re-editions with a vintage vibe

For many avid collectors, there is a timeless charm about watches with the look and feel of classics. Couple that with a desire for the increased sophistication of modern technology and you have the underlying demand worldwide for vintage-inspired timepieces.

Some watchmakers tap into this combined love for the old and the new by reissuing cherished models with technical tweaks that add finesse and superior performance. Take Vacheron Constantin’s reissue of the famous 222, which itself was launched in 1977 to celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the manufacture. This contemporary reinterpretation nevertheless maintains the cultural heritage of the original model which heralded entry into the ‘sporty- chic’ watch category.

The Historiques 222 ‘Jumbo’ re-edition keeps the 1977’s monobloc tonneau-shaped countenance and 37mm diameter but comes with minor changes. Certain modifications have better readability and increased comfort in mind, such as offsetting the date window from the outer rim of the dial, or the Super-LumiNova coating of the hands and hour-markers, while the 18-carat yellow gold vertical satin-finished bracelet promises enhanced ergonomics. With a caseback designed to reveal its operation, Vacheron Constantin’s own Calibre 2455/2 movement was specially developed for this Historiques revival and delivers superior precision; the calibre’s oscillating weight has been etched with the original 222 logo.

Cartier’s famous Tank was launched over a century ago and the Maison has various collections that pay homage to a watch that dispensed with the traditional round-shaped dial. In 1921, the Tank Cintrée stunned the watch-buying public with slender, slightly curved rectangular lines that hug the wrist. Cartier has released several so-called Rééditions of past watches that mimic the original format as much as possible.

A centenary edition of the Tank Cintrée in yellow gold was released in 2021, and now Cartier is returning with another re-edition of the elegant original in platinum. Refinements are numerous; amongst others, a 6.03mm-thick case and brancards with finishes that are polished on the verticals and matte on the horizontals. The watch retains its faith in the Cartier heritage, sporting a movement with manual winding, rail tracks, Roman numerals, an eggshell dial and apple-shaped blued hands.

Breitling is another watchmaker that has released vintage-inspired models that hark back to earlier timepieces. This year sees new iterations of the 1953 Ref. 765 AVI, an aviator’s watch that famously came with a rotating 12-hour bezel for recording flight times. The original AVI incited a 46mm timepiece – the Super AVI – released in 2021, and now the beloved predecessor spawns another complicated imitation, the Classic AVI Chronograph 42.

Breitling Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang

The new watches retain the distinctive colour schemes and design codes of the original that nod to classic aircraft in aviation history. The Classic AVI Chronograph 42 P-51 Mustang in 18-carat red gold is the standout.

The mysteries behind the wandering hours mechanism inspired Audemars Piguet to introduce the Starwheel watch in 1991. With interesting historical roots, the unusual timekeeping system stems from a request in the 17th century from the insomnia-suffering Pope Alexander VII for a silent, easy-to-read night clock. The solution presented to the pontiff involved a device lit from the inside where the quarter-hour marks appeared in a semi-circle in an aperture. Progressively, the silent wandering hours system developed in pocket watches with the minutes being graduated for greater precision. The mechanism remained hidden and its popularity waned. Upon being rediscovered by Audemars Piguet in 1989, intense development saw the wandering hours complication return from 1991 to 2003 in a watch that revealed its magnificent mechanism on the dial – named the ‘star wheels’.

A revived Starwheel reference in splendid black ceramic and 18-carat white gold joined the bold Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection late last year, utilising the next-generation self-winding Calibre 4310. An ultra-contemporary tribute to traditional watchmaking, and equipped just with a seconds hand, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel indicates the time using three discs that point to a 120-degree scale graduated with 60 minutes.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5261R- 001 Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar

The recent release of the Ref. 5261R-001 Aquanaut Luce Annual Calendar by Patek Philippe adds another dimension to the Aquanaut Luce collection and hints at the past by featuring the manufacture’s patented Annual Calendar mechanism from 1996. Rooting back to the 1990s Aquanaut, this most recent addition to a line styled for women’s wrists is powered by the self-winding Calibre 26-330 S QA LU. The inversion of the annual calendar creates an unusual display: date at 6 o’clock, moon phases at 12 o’clock, both in apertures, while day is displayed at 3 o’clock and month at 9 o’clock in subdials. Among other Patek Philippe watches rocking a retro vibe, the Ref. 5172G Chronograph Salmon Dial oozes vintage charm with its opaline rose-gilded dial and gold hours/minutes hands.

Taking inspiration from one of the first Rolex watches to be fitted with the Perpetual rotor, the newly released Perpetual 1908 is another timepiece paying homage to traditional watchmaking. Its 9.5mm-thick case, crafted from 18-carat yellow gold, houses a Calibre 7140 mechanical movement offering bidirectional self-winding via a perpetual rotor.

The release of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Stainless Steel brings with it a connection the watchmaker’s past and its moon- landing legacy. The recreation of the Calibre 321 movement has the specifications of the original.

Ageing Enlightenment: How science frames the contemporary search for continued youth

Combating ageing to stay young in mind and body and maintain that youthful glow is no longer some impossible holy grail shrouded in mystery or reliant on magical potions. Whether increased physical activity and mental agility or simple dietary adjustments, there are plenty of scientifically proven ways we can ward off time and even reverse the ageing process.

Do High-Intensity Exercise

Exercise, especially high-intensity aerobic exercise that increases the heart rate, is known to have a rejuvenating effect across the entire body, from the immune system and the brain to the skin and the heart. Scientists attribute a lot of this to mitochondria – the power sources within your cells.

Mitochondria can be thought of as tiny batteries that live inside our cells and provide them with energy. Research by Associate Professor Matt Robinson of Oregon State University found that just a few minutes of high-intensity interval training can help restore mitochondria and thus reverse the signs of ageing. Sharing his conclusions in a BBC podcast, he notes: “Exercise stimulates both the removal of older mitochondria and the synthesis of new mitochondria.”

Research suggests it is not just muscles that benefit from intense exercise but tissues in your brain as well. To have a powerful effect, the level of exercise should elevate the heart rate to the extent that carrying on a conversation should be problematic. This exercise can be quickly and relatively easily incorporated into our daily lives by increasing walking pace or taking the stairs, as Robinson points out. A greater level of exertion can then be considered.

Take Up Resistance Training

It is becoming increasingly clear that resistance training and building up your muscle mass holds benefits other than the purely aesthetic. A BBC review of dozens of studies on the effects of exercise on the over 50s has shown that both aerobic and resistance training are good for the brain. Resistance training was found to be especially good for memory and executive function, which includes things like problem-solving. It can also help you get a better night’s sleep.

This kind of exercise can reduce harmful belly fat that produces chemicals which can have a negative effect on your blood sugar levels. Muscles soak up blood sugars during exercise, reducing your risk of prediabetes, and potentially adding years to your life.

The key point is that resistance exercise seems to rejuvenate at the cellular level, boosting the connection between nerve fibres and muscle fibres. “All exercise will boost the connection between nerve and muscle fibres, but I think where resistance exercise really is the champion, if you like, is where we consider the type 2 muscle fibres,” says Professor Abigail Mackey of the University of Copenhagen.

Type 2 muscle fibres – used when lifting heavy objects or making fast movements – are the ones affected most by ageing, notes Mackey. She recommends doing squats and push-ups as excellent forms of resistance training because they train so many muscles, and says that weight training is ideally needed to ward off muscle decay.

Eat More Fruit & Veg

Incorporating fruits and vegetables into the diet has long been known to do wonders for the skin and slow the ageing process. Brightly coloured fresh produce – such as carrots, mangoes, melons, tomatoes, red cabbage, button squash and sweet potatoes – that contain carotenoids are best.

According to a BBC health report, research has shown that collagen levels and wrinkles can be greatly improved with diet and those who eat more vegetables have far fewer wrinkles and plumper skin. Many of these vegetables also help the skin retain moisture and boost collagen.

Carotenoids are highly effective antioxidants that can protect your skin at the cellular level. In laboratory tests, they have been shown to guard collagen-producing skin fibroblasts against damage caused by UV radiation and oxidative stress – both big drivers of skin ageing. They also trigger cells into producing higher degrees of hyaluronic acid, the ingredient in many anti-ageing creams and fillers.

Research by dermatologist Dr Raja Sivamani of the University of California, Davis, shows that eating a daily portion of mango could help reverse existing wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming. “Mangoes are rich in carotenoids – [vital] plant-derived, naturally occurring chemicals that act as antioxidants,” he says. “They are very special because they are also fat-loving, so when they get into the system they can hone into the skin and sit there. They can basically increase your ability to have antioxidant power.”

Sivamani stresses that eating more fruits and vegetables is good for the whole body, not just the skin. “You are also diversifying the gut; you are also having these antioxidants that are floating through your circulatory system,” he says. “There [are] going to be cardioprotective effects, so there [are] many different ways you are getting benefits.”

Feast on Fermented Foods

Humans have been eating fermented foods – bread, beer and kefir to name but a few – for thousands of years because of the taste and since fermentation is a great way to preserve food. Fermented foods can rejuvenate your gut microbes, boost energy and mood, reduce inflammation and, most importantly, improve your immune system for all-round health.

An overactive immune system is known to cause many of the diseases we may associate with ageing, such as joint pain, type 2 diabetes and depression. Studies have shown fermented foods can reduce stress and relieve aches and pains and help people perform better on memory tests.

Dr Justin Sonnenburg, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, told the BBC there is a tight link between our immune system and our gut microbiome. Stanford Medicine recently conducted a clinical trial with individuals in one group specifically assigned to eat a wide variety of fermented foods containing live microbes. This group experienced a big increase in their gut microbiome diversity and showed a uniform decrease (up to 30) in many inflammatory markers.

“It is very apparent that our microbes are doing many things to essentially train our immune system, and they are secreting all sorts of molecules,” says Sonnenburg. “These molecules can fundamentally interact with our immune system and can change things like inflammatory state.” He recommends live yoghurt (with bacteria), fermented kombucha and sauerkraut as good gateways to fermented foods.

Learn Something New

Another method recommended by scientists for staying young and mentally sharp is to challenge your brain. Keeping your mind active by learning something new can help build up the neural connections in the brain, making it more resilient against age-related decline.

Research by Dr Rachel Wu of the University of California, Riverside, reveals that learning three new skills at the same time can significantly boost memory in older adults. Cognitive tests revealed that some adults who habitually do this perform like people 50 years their junior. Challenging yourself is the key to forging new brain connections, she notes.

Agent Of Good: Arts for Good’s Amanda Hong Sun is on a mission to inspire and connect the next generations

For the Founder and Director of Arts for Good Foundation, a value-driven social enterprise established in 2020 to foster inclusion through the power of the arts, appreciating treasured moments comes top of the list.

“Time has always been the most beautiful thing in my life, personally or professionally. I always see things first on time value, and how things change,” she says as we meet at the recently opened ESG Innovation Hub in Central and contemplate life against the backdrop of superb city and harbour views. Time transcends materialistic worth as it can never be replaced, and this intangible aspect undoubtedly appeals to her altruistic nature. “I value quality time, quality connection, quality relationships, which are all my priorities,” she shares.

Sun has spent her own time wisely as she embarked on a “self-discovery path” through life. Her family in China had a great passion for sports and wanted her to start her career by working for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Perhaps with this seed implanted in her mind, she pursued recreation and leisure studies at a university in Canada.

A deeper love

Her time spent in Canada fostered another, deeper interest: art. Though her early years had spawned a love of a “making culture”, art had never been considered a career, not even as a hobby. “I developed my deeper love [for art] in Canada; there were many international arts festivals and great museums that connected me with nature and communities’ stories that I grew up with,” she explains. “I started knowing and building connections with artists, some from Hong Kong as well.”

Her love of the arts blossomed over the years, but making it her career was never her first thought. She just kept searching for what made her feel fulfilled at each stage of her life, perhaps changing her perspectives and making new decisions. “I think life brings arts to me, or the other way round,” she says wistfully and rather philosophically.

Giving back

During her 12 years in Hong Kong, Sun has been involved in education. As a researcher at the Education University of Hong Kong and later the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education, she worked in programme evaluation and learned the theories that underpin it and how arts play a key role in education. She has also undertaken a multitude of voluntary and charity work. “Giving and serving others is important to me,” she says. “Someone once told me, ‘life has no meaning if we can’t serve others anymore’. I found it matters a lot to me.”

All of this work and life experience played an embryonic role in her Arts for Good social enterprise. From daily observations of people she met from diverse demographic backgrounds – including children and youths from subdivided housing, expat families and local school students – she would endeavour to understand the deep- rooted causes of social issues and imagine a different future.

Art in society

“Through Arts for Good, we bring new perspectives of looking at social issues and how we can sustainably and multidimensionally create differences through and with the arts,” she says, expressing her mission statement. The foundation aims to provide high-quality value-based and age- appropriate art viewing, art-integrated learning projects and community service experiences for students aged from 9 to 22 in Hong Kong. Children and youths – society’s future leaders – are the target and projects are organised throughout the year, all tailored to the students they serve, as well as meeting stakeholders’ needs.

More generally, she is a passionate advocate of the power of art in society. “The arts raise perspectives of how we perceive each other, and how we interact with each other. We look at art in a civic landscape; it builds communities and helps to find our commonalities and inspire connections,” she attests.

Agent of change

Sun believes the timing of her venture was spot on. “Compared to 13 years ago when I came to Hong Kong, I think young people are now seeking more than just a paid job. For example, they want career diversity, maturity of our cultural offerings, diversity of life choices; young people are more seeking meaning and purpose in life compared to a decade ago.”

She stresses that she does not feel there is a general deficiency in cultural learning and arts appreciation in Hong Kong; it is the relevancy and agency of this learning that are her prime considerations. Her enterprise has raised fresh viewpoints on the social power of art and brought with it a new definition of social inclusion.

“We are a change agent; we need to keep changing in order to meet the needs of the young people we serve together with our stakeholders. That is [one] reason why we wanted Arts for Good to be a social enterprise, not an NGO,” she says.

Common humanity

Her enterprise educates and advocates that young people be respectful of any differences in our communities and ethical in the treatment of others. Part of its mission is to foster common cultural identities for future generations, and engage children and youths to seek common humanity values and make positive changes together. She notes: “They are not told or taught by us or by any experts. They are the ones to tell their stories for their own future in Hong Kong. We are here to support and to facilitate.”

Arts for Good is possibly the first social enterprise to aim for sustainability goals through and with the arts in Hong Kong. “We have specific sustainable goals that we hope to achieve with our key stakeholders in a long timeframe,” she says.

Inspiring fellows

Having been accepted for the Singapore International Foundation Arts for Good fellowship last year, Sun gained deeper and broader insight into how art has helped people living in less developed countries and communities. “I heard many inspiring stories, like one of my fellows from Vietnam who is a young hip-hop dancer. His story of saving lives of street children through hip-hop dancing, and reducing the crime rate within his community is inspiring and touching,” she reveals.

Stories such as these have made her more aware of the privileges that come with living in Hong Kong. “There are many children and youths who have suffered from all sorts of challenges and even threats in this troubled world, which is just heartbreaking. We just need to do our bit to make it a better place,” she says with a natural warmth that radiates from deep inside her soul.

Having now found her own niche in the arts and social impact, would she recommend it as a career choice? Flashing a winning smile, she says: “I advocate career diversity and choices no matter what [a young person wants to do in life]. I advocate arts in a beautiful life and to see life as pieces of beautiful art.”

Line Managers: Our pick of skincare using new technology to target an age-old situation

Of the many remedies marketed for ageing skin, those that target fine lines and texture make the most difference over time. Creams for mature skin, according to experts, differ from other formulations in that they focus exclusively on preventing and treating fine lines and texture – the direct results of the natural ageing process – compared to formulae that tackle all visible indicators of advancing years (think dark spots and dullness).

Along with retinol, peptides, growth factors, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are key components of what specialists call the greatest creams for aged skin. It will take time for products enriched with these ingredients to improve the skin. However, overall, you will see less texture, more radiance and more bounce – as long as you exfoliate and moisturise regularly – making skin look more youthful. Most importantly, it is still crucial to use sunscreen frequently to protect your skin from damaging UV radiation.

Clé de Peau Beauté La Crème

With over 60 carefully chosen ingredients and the Japanese brand’s youth-enhancing Skin-Empowering Illuminator, Clé de Peau Beauté’s La Crème goes above and beyond the average night cream. It works while you sleep to plump, regenerate and reveal luminous, supple skin by sunrise. It was created using more than 100 precise processes to refine its texture and is based on significant research into the behaviour of the complexion as you sleep. It reacts to variations in skin temperature and enhances blood flow throughout the night to improve density.

Dr Sebagh Supreme Neck Lift

Supreme Neck Lift’s amazing recipe contains a wide variety of preventive and skin- boosting moisturisers and active substances that protect, firm and lift the skin. It was created by Jean-Louis Sebagh, the French cosmetic doctor, to help restore firmness and elasticity at the neck and décolleté. With regular application of Supreme Neck Lift in the morning and at night, skin will look and feel tighter overall, and the neck and décolleté will be smoother and cleaner with greater suppleness.

Evidens de Beauté The Day Moisturizer

This luxurious cream imparts instant softness and relaxation to the skin, with its effectiveness the outcome of a balance between internal stimulation and external protection. The Day Moisturizer revitalises skin while minimising both fine and more severe wrinkles. Infused with the French- Japanese brand’s proprietary Qai Complex, Triple Collagen and moisturising and revitalising ingredients, it gives the face more youth, radiance and firmness.

Helena Rubinstein Powercell Night Repair Cream

This night-time boost from Helena Rubinstein’s Powercell line is a rich yet lightweight defence against daily damage. It is formulated with a core of native plant cells, aqua keep and glycerine, a combination that works to restore vitality and the skin’s natural hydrolipidic film. A plump, well-hydrated complexion with fewer symptoms of ageing greets you in the morning.

La Prairie Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir

Platinum Rare Cellular Night Elixir is a potent skin-rejuvenating product from the storied Swiss brand that promotes the four processes essential for the skin to fully regenerate – detoxification, nutrition, breathing and immunity boosting. For the first time, a single, remarkable recipe embraces a special combination of rare, active substances to address these four crucial roles.

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

This nourishing retinol night cream from one of the first clinical skincare brands significantly enhances firmness and brightness. It also minimises lines and deep wrinkles, evens skin tone and moisturises. Founder Dr. Howard Murad uses Retinol Tri-Active Technology, which has niacinamide and picolinamide to reinforce the skin barrier and smooth texture, in a product that quickly renews your face while being gentle enough for nightly use.

Natura Bissé C+C Vitamin Cream

This outstanding cream, which is made with a remarkable quantity of vitamin C, gives superficially or thoroughly dry skin back its elasticity, tone and firmness. As an added bonus, Barcelona-based Natura Bissé blends three types of vitamin C antioxidants and collagen with revitalising components that serve to strengthen the effect against free radicals.

Paula’s Choice Clinical Retinol + Bakuchiol Treatment

The choice of US personality Paula Begoun, this product from the Clinical treatment line is ideal for intermediate retinol users. Triple-action retinol, plant-derived bakuchiol and peptides support collagen-depleted skin to target fine lines, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores and loss of firmness. A moderate retinol strength of 0.3% and 2% bakuchiol works to achieve multi-level repair and rejuvenation.

Sensai Cellular Performance Extra Intensive Cream

Endowed with high-end oils that meld with the skin to revitalise its appearance and feel, Sensai’s new Extra Intensive Series is billed to help regain lost suppleness, hydration and translucency after just one day. Then, month after month, it encourages the skin to maintain its natural beauty, becoming silkier and more luminous. A high concentration of Hyaluronate/ Collagen Booster – part of the Japanese brand’s Advanced CPX Vital Extract – provides additional hydration for firmness.

Out Of Money: We stand on the cusp of a cashless society but will it be welcomed by all?

Cash was once king, but talk of a cashless society has been doing the rounds for decades. Recent global developments have brought that state of play even closer, casting a heavier pall on the usefulness of cash – banknotes and coins – in daily commercial activities.

Among its lesser known consequences, the Covid-19 pandemic affected consumers’ payment habits– for some it instilled a fear of handling cash. Research into the impact of Covid on European payment habits by Cranfield University suggests the virus had a dual effect: not only did it push people to use cashless payments in shops, but it also increased online cashless transactions.

Covid cash crash

Andrea Moro, Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance at the Cranfield School of Management, who was part of the research team, believes the global pandemic accelerated pre-existing trends. “Concerns about Covid transmission via touching banknotes or coins that can be infected and the desire to reduce physical contact with others to the bare minimum reinforced and amplified a previous trend towards cashless transactions by increasing the use of cashless payment methods,” he says.

Moro, who previously worked as a senior financial advisor at a consulting firm owned by a group of Italian banks, adds their research suggests the change away from cash payment is longterm or permanent. For many, there came a realisation that concerns about personal information being misappropriated or that “money can be stolen from their bank” were not grounded in fact. “In some way people discovered an alternative way for paying for their shopping and they liked it,” he says.

Intriguingly, it was mainly members of the older generation whose payment habits shifted. Prior to Covid, this age group had demonstrated an affinity for traditional cash-based transactions; they were less prone to credit card usage and quite resistant to innovative payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. As Moro points out, younger people were already using cashless payments before the outbreak.

In essence, reveals Moro, the pandemic consolidated the growing trend of cashless payments, which had begun in the ’80s and ’90s with the increased use of debit and credit cards and exploded with the introduction of mobile payment services. Recent data suggests 21 per cent of global retail purchases this year will take place online.

Cashless drivers

The arrival of technology allowing for the implementation of transactions that are perceived to be secure is a key driver towards a cashless future, notes Moro. “The fact that even if someone steals my phone, they will not be able to use the payment system set up on the phone because of the password/finger protection, has reassured users who nowadays find this approach even more secure than cash,” he says.

Moro favours the move to a cashless society: “It reduces costs, simplifies our life, speeds up transactions and makes them more secure and can also have a positive environmental effect.” He cites the risks of losing cash or receiving fake banknotes, and warns that cash has historically been used for illegal transactions where buyer and seller do not want the exchange to be trackable.

He links the desire to cling onto cash to those who struggle with technology or work jobs that are traditionally paid in cash.

China e-payment push

In many places including China, which has been quicker than most to embrace electronic payment, digital platforms will undoubtedly continue to erode the percentage of cash-based transactions. According to Professor Jack Poon of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), a fintech expert who advises artificial intelligence and blockchain startups, the prerequisites of a cashless society are smartphone penetration, availability of wireless broadband networks (4G, 5G), and the inadequacy of existing payment infrastructure within the country.

The demographic of the population also plays an important role. Younger generations, higher income groups and well-educated segments are more receptive to technology adoption than older generations, lower income groups and less educated segments, respectively.

Developing economies like India are also showing a huge uptake in mobile cash payments to the benefit of many marginalised communities with platforms like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) allowing for fast account-to-account transfer using fintech apps such as PhonePe or Google Pay. China’s Alipay and WeChat Pay models, where the consumer scans a QR Code and payment is debited directly from the balance or through an affiliated bank account or another form of payment (like a credit card), have proved extremely popular.

Digital wallets are pervasive in China. “From a business standpoint, digital wallet providers are incentivised to acquire more customers because a larger customer base enables other forms of business models for additional revenue streams,” says Poon. Though by law, cash must be accepted as a legal tender in mainland China, he points out e-payment lowers the cost and risk of cash management, increases transaction efficiency and scales a business across multiple geographies (within a country) faster.

Kent Matthews, professor of banking and finance at Cardiff University, says so much of officialdom in China leans on technology that is only natural that this would eventually extend down to transactions at street markets as well as shops.

Hong Kong digital delay

Here in Hong Kong, the recent adoption of different forms of cashless payments is widely perceived to have been driven by their widespread implementation across the border. Certainly, the consumption voucher scheme has accelerated the use of digital payments by WeChat Pay, Alipay and Octopus.

But according to one local banking professional, the territory still lags far behind other places in terms of becoming a cashless society. “There are a lot of limitations and regulations regarding the implementation and promotion of developing cashless transactions in Hong Kong,” he says.

From his perspective as a banker, he believes the financial regulators in Hong Kong are conservative in implementing cashless methods because there is a lot of risk inherited, especially fraud and data leakage. “For most people in Hong Kong, cashless transactions are just for minor transactions like transportation, buying daily supplies and paying bills,” he says.

There is an apparent unwillingness to change consumption behaviour, particularly among the older generation, fuelled in part by numerous recent fraud cases. Ada Chung Lai-ling, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, recently voiced fears about online shopping platforms, citing evidence of data security incidents and phishing attacks.

Despite the many challenges in Hong Kong, a fintech adoption survey conducted by PolyU revealed that 91% of the 2,000-plus respondents had adopted e-payment in Hong Kong.

Disruptive fintech

The credit card model of payment in the West is strongly built, according to Poon, and is unlikely to be dismantled. He does suggest there are multiple fintech companies trying to break into this ecosystem and fill the gaps “like payments among friends when you share a lunch meal, or the buy- now-pay-later (BNPL) disruption to the traditional card model”.

He believes crypto is only an alternative to cash or e-payment in countries where the sovereign currency is experiencing significant devaluation.

Cool Chilean: Saluting the bright, mineral South American west coast whites born in mineral-rich soils

Perhaps a little surprisingly given its far-flung New World location, Chile has a long history of making wine. Production dates from the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, while further developments in the mid-19th century saw the introduction of French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère and Cabernet Franc.

Fantastic fourth

The 1980s saw a growth in the industry with improved fermentation techniques and the South American country is now firmly established on the winemaking map, with recent figures placing it as the world’s fourth-largest exporter of wine. Falling between the latitudes of 32°S and 38°S, the vineyards of Chile have been defined into several distinct regions since December 1994. Coquimbo in the north and the Central Valley areas of Maipo, Cachapoal and Colchagua are considered among the best.

Limarí Valley, a sub-region of Coquimbo, is one of Bernice Liu’s favourite wine regions. The Hong Kong actress, winemaker and Wine Maven platform entrepreneur (winemaven.io) clearly adores the quality of the viticulture emanating from the area. “This region is a pretty cool place for wines,” she enthuses. “It is where my Chardonnay comes from!” She makes Lunoria and Vartiere Chardonnay in collaboration with Pagnel winery.

Chardonnay hooray

The main wines produced in the region are Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Liu believes the location has some distinct advantages for certain wines, stating: “Limarí Valley is one of the most prized areas for Chardonnay in Chile, with great soil and climate conditions. With it having a sea-to-soil likeness, fresher whites are able to be produced here.”

She cites Concha y Toro winery as an example of a famous producer of lovely white wines in the valley.

Roots and routes

Chile also has historical advantages that have cemented its winemaking tradition. As Liu points out, it was not affected by the phylloxera louse. Feeding on the roots and leaves of grapevines, these insects destroyed much of the wines worldwide in the late 19th century.

Mineral shine

There is good minerality in a soil that tends to be made of clay, silt and chalk in Limarí Valley. Due to a relatively moderate amount of rainfall, the vines on these mineral-rich soils are fed with drip irrigation, and this combination creates fresh wines with a notable mineral edge, a quality noted by Liu when describing her favourite wine from the region.

“Naturally, my Lunoria and Vartiere Chardonnays are my favourites,” she says. “I love medium-bodied whites, with good natural acidity. With moderate amounts of clay soil, minerality shines through, and makes them a great food pairing wine, especially with Asian cuisine and the varied flavours from dish to dish.

Aromatic show

“The aromas and taste of these wines have hints of floral, vanilla, ripe stoned fruit and a bit of oak to ease the acidity. Minerality from the clay soil is also present,” she adds, again referring to the mineral edge in the wines of this region.

“The best part is that though they are served cold, the glass can be left to stand and the aromatics really start to show.”