Tetris treats: Have you sorted your spring accessories yet?

The high fashion houses are already heralding the approach of spring with their latest Spring Summer 2018 collections (check out our coverage here), and one thing’s common in all of them, and that’s an eye-popping explosion of colours. So get your season’s dose of fashion fix with these spring accessories that you can’t afford to be seen without!

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Vocabulary LOVE Pouch by Fendi, Card case with chain by Dolce & Gabbana, Cardholder by Bottega Veneta, Loafer by Hermès, Nana Tote by Strathberry X Mademoiselle Maurice, Mini Sicily bag key-ring by Dolce & Gabbana, Leather card case with Double G by Gucci, Leather key-ring by Bottega Veneta, Patent leather wallet-bag by Prada, Stars cardholder by Dior

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Mailbox bag by Kate Spade Holiday collection, Earring with crystals by Giorgio Armani, Mini Pixie bag by Chloé, Leather charm with flowers by Salvatore Ferragamo, Le Mutin belt-bag by Delvaux, Cheery charm in leather with fur by Fendi, Leather bracelet by Bottega Veneta, Choker with handmade fabric bows by Giorgio Armani, Leather bracelet by Bottega Veneta, Miu Doo keychain in mink and shearling by Miu Miu, Swan coin case by Kate Spade

(Clockwise from above) Mini Strap You shoulder strap by Fendi, Clutch in velvet with Swarovski by Miu Miu, Mini Piazza bag by Bottega Veneta, Dioraddict Flap bag with shoulder strap by Dior Cruise 2018, Leather key-holder by Hermès, Panthère de Cartier evening bag with Panthère pixel embroidered by Cartier

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Finley leather cross-body mini bag with heart embellished by Jimmy Choo, Arsina 105 wedge sandal by Salvatore Ferragamo, Leather keychain trick by Prada, Leather smartphone case by Prada, Ice-cream charm in leather with fox fur by Fendi, Leather chain-bag by Dolce & Gabbana, Lace-up by Giorgio Armani

Spring accessories

(Clockwise from above) Palazzo leather pouch by Versace, Printed leather card case by Prada, Duetto pouch by Givenchy, Finley leather cross-body mini bag with star charms by Jimmy Choo, Starts French zipped wallet by Dior, Verrou clutch by Hermès, Pandora card case by Givenchy, C de Cartier card holder in crocodile leather by Cartier

Le Pan: A review of Kowloon Bay’s ritziest restaurant

Taste-testing Le Pan’s seven-course ‘Hedonist’s Lunch’ 

Kowloon Bay has been undergoing a major revitalisation in the last couple of decades since the old airport relocated to Lantau in 1998, exactly 20 years ago. Nowadays, however, when one thinks Kowloon Bay, the following might come to mind: the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, concerts at KITEC, the red monstrosity that is MegaBox (Hong Kong’s biggest ice skating rink!) and maybe the cinema at Telford Gardens. 

How about the most opulent brunch you could possibly find this side of the harbour? 

Kowloon East has finally gotten its own swanky Saturday bubbles ritual by way of Le Pan’s elaborate Hedonist’s Lunch featuring seven courses of contemporary French cuisine in a positively palatial property effused with natural sunlight. 

Admittedly, we were not prepared for the grandeur that greeted us upon arriving at Le Pan, in the middle of a heretofore unexplored industrial-looking area of Kowloon Bay. Located on the ground floor of a brand spanking new skyscraper, this expansive restaurant extends over 10,000 square feet – a far cry from the tight spaces of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. 

One might feel a twinge of embarrassment, as we did, about not dressing up for such an impressive setting. But our nerves were quickly calmed upon meeting Herman Pang, Le Pan’s sincere and easygoing Assistant Manager. He even seemed genuinely curious about the hike we were planning to do after the lunch: the nearby “Suicide Cliff” on Kowloon Peak. 

After Pang introduced the menu to us, we were then familiarised with the drinks as presented by Lauri Vainio, Le Pan’s Finnish Wine Director and award-winning sommelier. That was the beginning of the day’s free-flow champagne: Jacques Picard “Le Chapitre” Brut NV. If you’re celebrating something as we were, there couldn’t be a more opportune moment for this indulgent menu. 

The meal started with a stomach-soothing chicken consommé followed by Royal Oscietra caviar in an oh-so-authentic tin; dig in and you’ll be rewarded with a satisfyingly salty Petuna ocean trout tartare. Crustacean lovers would love the fresh Fine de Claire oyster flown in from France, flavoured with the most subtle ginger vinaigrette. We got a taste of the sea, but it wasn’t overwhelming; texture was impeccable. 

The seafood continues with the Blue lobster ‘piperade’, a concoction of arroz bomba grains and calamari: equal parts crispy, foamy and chewy. For the main course, you can choose between a lightly spiced Hapuka fish and jumbo prawnsPicalou French yellow chicken and Hokkaido scallop; or USDA Prime onglet ‘Bordelaise’. We went with the first and last dishes.

The ocean grouper didn’t quite melt in the mouth, but the prawn made up for where the white Hapuka was lacking. We had no complaints about the steak, which came in rich and filling cuts of tender beef with duxelles pureé (mushrooms) and grelot (pearl) onions.

And last but not least, dessert: the Tropical ‘rum baba’. If you’re a chocolate person, this might not be your cup of tea, but after such a heavy meal you might appreciate the fruity zing and spongey cake. There’s also a weighty cheese selection for those who prefer savoury to sweet.

If one day you find yourself in the vicinity of Kowloon Bay and feel like treating yourself to a stately experience, there is only one place to go. Complimentary valet parking beckons to those with wheels coming from the New Territories and don’t want to get stuck in downtown traffic. For the more centrally located, however, you would have to exhaust the champagne brunches closer to home before heading further afield to this rare gem in Kowloon East. 

Le Pan’s Hedonist Lunch is available every Saturday, from noon until 3:30 p.m at HK$980 per head. Ground Floor, Goldin Financial Global Centre, 17 Kai Cheung Road, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong. (852) 3188 2355. www.lepan.com.hk

 

Written by: Julienne C. Raboca

Five daily diet requirements: Nutritionist Kim Murphy explains five daily dietary must-haves

Do you know your top five daily diet requirements? The five things that you must have in your diet at all cost? We caught up with acclaimed nutritionist and wellness consultant Kim Murphy (read more about her here) inside the cushy luxury of Cafe Siam at Kennedy Town to find out our five dietary must-haves. Chef Somchai of Cafe Siam also rustled up a few delicacies from their health-conscious menu (check out the full menu) at the same time, showing how healthy can also be hearty!


Interview: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Video: Johnny Yau

This mountainside apartment gets a makeover in fifty shades of grey

A 2,800 square foot apartment halfway up The Peak gets a makeover in fifty shades of grey

Unless you’re a die-hard bachelor, dark colours wouldn’t be the first prescription you would give your interior designer when renovating your home. Most want light, bright and airy – the aesthetic ruling today’s concept of ‘clean’ design.

Step into this minimalist trove in Mid-levels, however, and you might change your mind. Black metal was used to clad doors, stairs and cabinets. The living room carpet – sourced from Pakistan – was dyed in Hong Kong by the designer herself in shadowy casts.

“I like to use these inky colours,” says Parisian interior designer Peggy Bels, who has been reviving properties in Hong Kong, Thailand and Bali since 2008. “Dark backgrounds allow light colours to pop and create more contrast and deepness. Rough textures also give character to a space.”

Despite Bels’ penchant for deep hues, the apartment maintains its luminosity and spacious atmosphere thanks to the “warm grey” palette – Bels’ signature colour scheme – and her use of strong brights. Graphic elements like splashes of red add dimension, mostly found in the curated artwork decorating the ‘milky’ walls.

Graphic elements with splashes of red add dimension

“I mix water into the cement finish to get that effect,” says Bels. “When you do that, you get a milky colour that feels cosy and warm.” She also balances out the dark wood (see: dining table) with soft fabrics and white marble (see: kitchen counter) continuing her contemporary theme of minimalist contraposition.

In 2014, a French couple approached Bels to renovate their 2,800 square foot flat in Mid-levels. They were looking for a modern restoration, and asked Bels to free up the living and dining areas.

Before Bels came in to do her magic, the flat had already been partially renovated 10 years ago. The partitioned layout and Chinese flooring remained, however, and that had to go. The French designer converted the flooring with grey oak, and removed the walls between the kitchen and living spaces.

Bels also balances out the dark wood with soft fabrics and white marble

Getting in her way, however, were structural beams between the entrance, living room and kitchen. “We had to keep them there, but I covered them with the same cement finish to make them interesting,” she says. “The effect is seamlessness, that’s the key to keeping that open sensation.”

This is Bels’ favourite part of the flat: the flowing space of kitchen, dining and living area is without a doubt the house’s standout feature spilling out to a 400 sq ft open-air balcony. The lofty view of sea and mountain makes you feel like you’re on top of Hong Kong.

Private quarters: Plush sanctuaries with leafy views

Departing from the communal zone, we walk through a narrow hallway to seek the private quarters. Round mirrors combat the cramped effect, as do large rectangular frames of varying themes; there’s not one inch here that’s over or under decorated.

Light pours into the master bedroom, a plush sanctuary with leafy views. A map of Paris’ metro hangs over the couples’ headboard – or used to, as it is not known if the flat’s new inhabitants have kept it there. Over a year ago, the house went up for sale.

We’re sure, however, that the floor-to-ceiling closets of the intimate quarters’ dressing room have been kept. The wardrobes, which line both sides of the lavishly carpeted space, would certainly not be out of place in the world of Carrie Bradshaw.

Bels’ six-month-long renovation finished in May 2015. Her original included a nursery for the French couples’ daughter; a chic princess’s kingdom that somehow fits in with the rest of the décor despite its pink pastels and quirky rocking sheep.

This tour finishes with the TV room-cum-study across the way, furnished with a stingray leather writing desk and vintage leather loveseat. The mounted flat screen is camouflaged among the charming assortment of picture frames hung all over the white-painted wall: an oval portrait here, an overexposed Eiffel Tower there.

Subtlety and simplicity

While Bels’ approach is far from the earthy and warm tones that others utilise to create a homey glow, hers is a cooler comfort that relies on subtlety and simplicity. Her idea of home is completely free of clutter, making use of texture and light instead to round the edges.

If you like what you see, then you might find her advice useful: “Let light circulate; use a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, and down lights from a false ceiling. Use a directional recessed spotlight to bounce reflected light off walls, in order to open out the space.

“Put all these lights on dimmer switches to allow for flexibility, depending on the time of day, event, or mood. Lighting fixtures are essential in adding character; don’t overfill the space with too many furniture and accessories.”

Bels’ homes, seemingly designed as if from a Coco Chanel collection, also happen to reflect her countrywoman’s philosophy: “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

Words: Julienne C. Raboca

Celebrate singledom this Valentine’s Day

Celebrate singledom this Valentine's Day

While the rest of the world circles 14 February on their calendars, do you find yourself rolling your eyes at the thought of being forced to acknowledge yet another Valentine’s Day as a singleton?

Whether you are newly solo, happily single or a strong believer that Valentine’s Day is repackaged consumerism, there’s still a way to celebrate without surrendering your cynicism. Anti-Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to celebrate singledom or bask in bitterness. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve rounded up a list of our favourite ways to partake – in the most unromantic way possible, of course:

Anti-love tiki party

Celebrate singledom this Valentine's Day

Drown your sorrows or celebrate all things anti-love at Wahtiki Island Lounge’s O Come All Ye Single Anti-Valentine’s Day party. Enjoy rum cocktails and delectable Tiki Tidbits – including chilli and pepper salted squid and Hokkaido cheese scalenes – while mingling with like-minded singles on Valentine’s Day with absolutely no judgment. Entry is priced from HK$500 and includes three cocktails and a free-flow buffet.

Escape to Ophelia’s celebration of freedom 

Celebrate singledom this Valentine's Day

Ophelia introduces its second annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Party with The Trouble with Paradise – a celebration of freedom and singletons. Escape into Ophelia’s paradise of beauty, courage and tragedy where you can rule as mythological creations Lilith and the Serpent while sipping on a special antidote or love cocktail. Entry is free, but be sure to RSVP to secure a spot on the guest list.

Satisfy your soul with a feast and free drinks 

Celebrate singledom this Valentine's Day

Order like no one cares and feast like nobody’s watching at Big Sur, a newly opened restro-pub in Central. Their anti-V Day menu features soul-satisfying dishes like grilled scallop tacos (HK$65 each), “Hearts Galore”, charcoal grilled duck hearts, served with house-made flour tortilla (HK$45 each) and the Heart Attack Burger (HK$190), served with beef patty, house-smoked bacon, cheddar and pepper jack cheese with jalapenos. If there’s room for more, you can also head to Brazilian Japanese restaurant, Uma Nota, where they are offering free drinks for singles only this Valentine’s Day.

Toast to being single and fabulous 

Celebrate singledom this Valentine's Day

Avoid any awkward displays of affection by planning a night on the couch. Indulge in the Anti-Valentine’s Day Box from Wine Moments, complete with three bottles of wine, including the quite fittingly named Rotten Rosé to celebrate being single and fabulous. Alternatively, opt for the Netflix and Chill Wine Box and invite your friends over for a binge.

Flatter yourself with flowers

Bydeau online flower shop

There’s nothing quite like a vaseful of flowers to brighten up your living room and your mood at the same time! If you’re disinclined to leave the comforts of home, that’s not a problem. Bydeau‘s newly launched online flower shop offers a plethora of floral products from classic red roses to beautifully arranged bouquets that can be delivered to your doorstep with just a few clicks of a button. They even offer a selection of succulents for those lacking the green touch!

Anti-romantic movie binge 

Celebrate singledom this Valentine's Day

To round it off, here’s a list of anti-romantic movies:

  • The Shining – Where marriage finds a family moving into a house of horrors and the wife watches as her husband slowly goes insane.
  • Frances Ha – The reality of a girl who wants so much more from life but continues to live with unaccounted joy and lightness along the way.
  • Basic Instinct – Witness destructive relationships and twisted affairs in this sexy but sinister thriller.

If all of this has made you feel rather bitter, read on for an alternative. Valentine’s Day should be a day to celebrate love in all its many forms, so shift the focus away from your own status by doing a good deed for your single friends or taking your parents or grandparents out for dinner. It’s all in the spirit of love, and on the bright side, granny probably won’t be expecting a 7-carat diamond ring.    

Text: Hira Desai and Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

 

Box Office Bummers: A roundup of the biggest Harrison Ford flops

No one can deny that Harrison Ford has true star power. The actor’s iconic roles like Han Solo and Indiana Jones haven’t just established themselves in our collective zeitgeist; they’ve proven to be true box office hits year after year, movie after movie. (Read our homage to Harrison Ford here.) But actor’s path to silver screen success has been littered with some devastating box office bombs. Here’s a roundup of the worst Harrison Ford flops ever made.

4. Blade Runner (1982)

Surprised to see this cult classic on our list? Don’t be. Although it’s now considered a cinematic gem, the original 1982 release of Blade Runner actually bombed at the box office thanks to stiff competition from competing films like E.T. The movie cost US$28 million, and it only just broke even during its original run.

3. The Mosquito Coast (1986)

On the surface, this utopia-turned-dystopian family drama seemed intriguing and full of potential. But the finished product left so much to be desired that it actually lost US$10 million. Ford was overheard saying at the time, “It’s the only film I have done that hasn’t made its money back. I’m still glad I did it.” Be that as it may, this dud is still one of the biggest Harrison Ford flops to date.

2. Paranoia (2013)

The bubbling Harrison Ford-Gary Oldman chemistry so rampant in Air Force One was nowhere to be seen in this business thriller. Despite a rather hefty US$40 million production budget, the film only drew a paltry US$3.5 million in its opening week, and disappeared into obscurity soon after.

1. Crossing Over (2009)

Numbers don’t lie, and in the case of this crime drama, they paint a devastating picture. The movie cost an estimated US$19 million to make, and ended up pulling in just US$3.5 million. In fact, its domestic opening weekend only managed to scrape up US$80,000, putting Crossing Over squarely at the top of our Harrison Ford flops list.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

Waist bags: Five reasons why the retro classic is this season’s must-have accessory

While making headlines and dividing fashionistas, the 80’s “It-bag” is officially making a comeback.

The traditional “fanny pack” (American English) or “bum bag” (British English) – a small fabric pouch usually secured with a zipper and worn by use of a strap around the hips or waist – was sported as a cool accessory in the 80’s and early 90’s.  Today, they are spotted on fashion runways for some of the world’s most elite brands.

Although originally debunked in 2012 to 2013, luxury brands such as Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo are adding a modern edge to the once neon emblazoned cult classic. From Prada, and Fenty by Puma’s sporty nylon designs to elegant, leather creations from Salvatore Ferragamo. For those looking for a more urban street style, the waist bag with a visible logo, featured by Gucci on the runway, is proving popular.

While the newly branded “waist bags” or “belt bags” are rooted from the same idea of a “bum bag”, these high-end designers are changing the way they can be worn. Taking inspiration straight from the runways, celebrities such as American fashion model, Gigi Hadid have been spotted with comic printed leather models by Prada, while rapper, A$AP Rocky demonstrates how men can work the trendy accessory too, by draping a red Balenciaga version across his body, rather than around the waist.

If you’re still not convinced, check out our reasons for why the belt-bag could be the hottest accessory of Spring-Summer 2018:

  1. While sporty pieces can add to a casual look, simple leather or suede styles can tone down a formal look, for example, an evening dress.
  2. It’s versatile! Thanks to the adjustable strap you can wear the fanny pack at the waist, over the shoulder or cross-body style.
  3. It displays multipurpose qualities as not only a fashion accessory but also a utility belt. By keeping your hands free, this trendy bag is perfect for running, hiking or travelling. Its small but secure compartments also make it a safe but stylish option for nights out.
  4. Variety – choose from the endless shapes and forms to suit your style, mood and needs.
  5. If Kendall Jenner and Leonardo DiCaprio can rock it, why can’t we?

So step aside fashion police! Whether you are a style risk-taker or feeling nostalgic about the 80’s or 90’s, the waist bag is definitely worth investing in. One thing’s for sure – your Instagram followers will thank you for it.

Text: Hira Desai

 

Gal Power: Gal Gadot shatters superhero glass ceiling with Wonder Woman debut

Gal Gadot has captured hearts as Wonder Woman

Former Miss Israel and mother-of-two Gal Gadot was catapulted to superstardom last year with the record-breaking success of Wonder Woman. After appearing in the second highest-grossing movie of the year (second only to Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Gadot made another appearance in Justice League (November), securing her place as 2017’s highest-grossing actress and third highest-grossing actor, period.

Considering’s Gadot’s relative Hollywood obscurity prior, these achievements are not to be sniffed at. It only took 70 years to bring Wonder Woman to the big screen – a rare female lead in a world of male superheroes. It’s also been more than 40 years since the character, played by Lynda Carter, appeared on TV.

Whether she intended to or not, Gal Gadot (that’s Ga-dote) has shown the world that women can rise to the top of their careers, be successful mothers and look fabulously fit all at the same time. Getting there was no small feat, though.

Gal Gadot is redefining gender roles in the superhero genre

Gadot prepared for her first appearance as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman (2016) by training six days a week with horseback riding lessons, martial arts, sword fighting and weightlifting. By the time she shot her first stand-alone, hundred-million dollar movie, she had gained 7.7kg (17lbs) in pure muscle – spurring her husband to hit the gym more just to keep up with her physical prowess.

In Wonder Woman (2017), Gadot plays an Amazonian princess fighting against evil in World War I. Audiences the world over were shocked to learn that she had performed choreographed fights and running scenes while five months’ pregnant with her second child.

Born in Rosh Ha’Ayin, Israel, Gadot studied dance and played several sports in her youth. “I was a dancer for 12 years,” says Gadot, who did ballet, hip-hop, modern and jazz. Standing at 1.78m, she received offers to model throughout her teens. After high school, she was crowned Miss Israel in 2004 and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant.

Before becoming an actress, Gal Gadot was a beauty pageant contestant

“I was 18, and I had some time in between going to the army,” she told W magazine. “My mom figured, ‘Hey, why don’t I send your photo?’ I got in but never thought I would win.” Despite her reservations, the experience paved the way to a career in modelling and exposed her to international travel.

After wrapping up Miss Universe and modelling for some time, she went home to serve two years in the Israeli Defense Forces – a mandatory requirement for all Jewish Israelis, both male and female.

“I wish no country had the need for an army,” she says. “But in Israel serving is part of being an Israeli. You’ve got to give back to the state … It’s not about you. You give your freedom away. You learn discipline and respect.”

After the army, she enrolled in IDC Herzliya College to study law. Her studies were interrupted, though, when a casting director for Quantum of Solace contacted her after seeing her modelling card on her agency’s wall.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot is shining in the spotlight

“I said, ‘No way am I going to audition to be a Bond girl,'” she says. “‘I’m studying law and international relations. I’m way too serious and smart to be an actress, and besides, the script is all in English.” Her first language is Hebrew.

She pursued the role nonetheless and received multiple callbacks, which required her to split time between Tel Aviv and Los Angeles. “Throughout this process I realised that acting is so much more fun than going to law school!” she says.

While someone else was ultimately cast as James Bond’s love interest, the process got Gadot into acting. She started seeing an acting coach, then landed her first role in an Israeli TV series.

“I had finished my first year in school, and I decided to stop when I got that project,” she says. “Then that same Bond casting director cast me as Gisele in Fast & Furious – my first movie.”

Gal Gadot at Comic Con

After Gadot’s big screen Hollywood debut in 2009, she was asked to return for the sequels: Fast Five (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013) and Furious 7 (2015).

“Whenever I met with producers, writers or directors, I said I wanted to portray a strong, independent woman,” says Gadot. “Cut to Wonder Woman.”

Gadot’s big break came when she turned 30, in a move she never imagined as a child growing up in small-town Israel. But before she became Wonder Woman, she had to endure numerous callbacks and screen tests, only to be let down repeatedly.

“It would be a ‘no’, over and over,” she says, recalling being on the brink of quitting. “Then my agent called and said Warner Brothers wanted to audition me for something.”

Gal Gadot continues to charm audiences as Wonder Woman in latest DC movie

Zack Snyder, the director of Batman v Superman, finally called and asked her, “Have you ever heard of Wonder Woman?”

“My jaw dropped,” she says. “I tried to sound nonchalant, like, ‘Oh yeah, Wonder Woman, sure.’” It was a whirlwind from that point up until Wonder Woman’s premiere on May 2017 in Hollywood.

“It should have happened a long time ago,” she says. “People are looking for (a superheroine), waiting for one, and I’m so happy and grateful to be the one who is actually doing it.”

At Comic-Con in July 2015, Gal Gadot introduced herself to an enthralled crowd. “I feel like I’ve been given such a huge opportunity to show the strong, beautiful side of women,” she said. “Finally, Wonder Woman is getting the respect of having her own movie!” The room broke out in wild applause.

Gal Gadot says she accidentally fell into acting

Beyond the big screen, she is playing another important role: mother of two. She and her husband, Yaron Varsano, are the proud parents of two little girls – Alma, six, and Maya, born last year.

“The Jewish guilt I feel about being a working mom is the hardest thing,” she says. “When Alma was around two, I was really anxious about moving her from one country to the other. It was my husband who told me: ‘Gal, think about what kind of a role model you want to be. If you want to show Alma that she can follow her dreams, that’s what you should do, and we will figure out the logistics.’”

Gadot believes feminism is part of being a woman and mother. “There are such misconceptions as to what a feminist is. Feminism is about equality. I want all people to have the same opportunities and to get the same salaries for the same jobs.

“I realise I’m doing what I want to do because of the women before me who laid the groundwork. Without them I wouldn’t be an educated working mother who is following her dreams. I wouldn’t be here.”

In October 2016, the United Nations invited Gal Gadot and Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman, to a special panel. The comic book heroine was named an “honorary ambassador for the empowerment of women and girls”. However, the event was sabotaged by protesters accusing the character of being “overtly sexualised”.

A petition signed by nearly 45,000 people prompted the UN to nix the campaign. Gadot said in response, “When people argue that Wonder Woman should ‘cover up’, I don’t quite get it. They say, ‘If she’s smart and strong, she can’t also be sexy.’ That’s not fair. Why can’t she be all of the above?”

Text: Julienne C. Raboca
Photos: AFP

Leisure and Pleasure: Events in Hong Kong this January

Hong Kong is kicking off 2018 in a big way with flying acrobatic acts, purr-forming Cats and more! Here are some of the exciting events are hitting our fair city this January.

The Great European Carnival

The Great European Carnival

Central’s waterfront comes to life once again for the AIA Great European Carnival, bringing with it a number of rides, games and food. This year, the main event is the magical Big Top Circus, a show of death-defying feats performed by acrobats, riders and artists from Kenya to Colombia. Highlights of The Great Circus of Europe include a human pyramid on high wire, heart-pounding motorcycle rides inside a steel-mesh globe and performances on a revolving “space wheel”. Circus tickets are sold separately and range from HK$150-$400.

Till 25 February
Central Harbourfront Event Space
HK$40-$130
www.tgec.asia

Cats - The Musical

CATS – The Musical

Cats – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece based on a T. S. Eliot book – tells the story of “Jellicle cats” who come out to play in a larger-than-life junkyard on the eve of the Jellicle Ball. The soundtrack is best known for the moving tune Memory, belted out by Grizabella, a once-glamorous cat who has become despondent in her old age. Get in touch with your feline side as you jump into a purring world of song and dance.

Till 11 February
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
HK$445-$1,045
www.catsthemusical.com

Volvo Ocean Race and Festival

Volvo Ocean Race and Festival

For the first time ever, Hong Kong will host the Volvo Ocean Race and Festival for 15 days at the former Kai Tak runway. This eight-month-long, round-the-world sailing race arrives in Hong Kong on 20 January, with the Sun Hung Kai/ Scallywag team representing the city. On the 27th, the Victoria Harbour In- Port Race will see boats compete for points. While the festival itself is free, VIP tickets (HK$2,900) can get you seats on a spectator boat and access to the festival’s lounge.

17-31 January
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park
www.volvooceanracehk.com

Kidsfest

Kidsfest

Now in its seventh year, KidsFest presents world-class theatre for young people, with favourites including The Gruffalo Live on Stage (now sold-out), Monstersaurus and What the Ladybird Heard. “KidsFest is an exciting festival for the whole family where compelling characters are brought to life,” says executive producer Matthew Gregory. “At the same time, it nurtures children’s interest in literature and language.” The event has grown to embrace nine productions over a five-week calendar.

Till 11 February
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
HK$195-$435
www.kidsfest.com.hk

Foxy Pub Quiz at Mr and Mrs Fox

The Foxy Pub Quiz

Playful Quarry Bay hangout Mr & Mrs Fox is back with another quiz night to get you and your friends together in the name of fun and games. Teams of four and above are invited to participate in a just-for-kicks trivia challenge on the 30th of January (Tuesday) from 7 to 9pm. Winners get a trophy, a HK$1,000 bar tab, Valentine’s dinner for two and other prizes to be announced later on their Facebook page. (We’re eyeing those 12 bottles of wine…)

The Mr & Mrs Fox Love Card’ Valentine’s Day menu upstairs is a four-course affair featuring dishes like Foie Gras Macaroons; Confit of Parsnip and Dashi Emulsion; Black Sea Bass with Clams; and grilled Beef Tenderloin with Manchego Cheese and Bone Marrow Sauce. Decadent desserts of Caramel Mousse with Candied Nuts and Brown Butter Crisps seal the deal. The dinner menu is priced at HK$1,100 for two.

30 January
23 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay
2697 8500
dine@mrmrsfox.com

 

New KEF Music Gallery delivers exclusive and intimate retail experience

Premium British sound solutions brand KEF opened its first-ever KEF Music Gallery in Central last year. Don’t expect your run-of-the-mill retail shopping experience here. Every aspect of the custom designed space aims to deliver an exclusive and intimate environment in which to discover KEF’s luxury audio products.

Grace Lo, Managing Director of KEF Audio Group, spoke to us about the inspirations behind this music-meets-art gallery design, as well as the intricate gadgets on display. Watch our exclusive video to find out more!