A guide to all the travel essentials you will need for your Easter vacation

Easter break is around the corner and there is no doubt that everyone is excited to go on a short trip. Wherever you are flying for this holiday season,  we have put some travel essentials to help with your last-minute shopping.

Style forward suitcase

travel essentials
Both obviously luxurious and ergonomic in style, the new cabin suitcases from Rimowa make travelling much easier with their easy-to-organise mesh compartments on the inside, and practical four wheels and t-bar handle on the outside for effortlessly moving around the luggage at the airport or during vacation.

Adaptable carry-on luggage

travel essentials

It is always advisable to ensure that your luggage is lightweight and the ones from Tumi promise the same while looking chic. The latest additions from the brand come with an extendable feature allowing you to transform its size giving you all the luggage space needed after your shopping spree during your trip.

A Glamping-inspired Collection

travel essentials

With the latest glamping phenomenon involved in the creative process of the Longchamp SS23 Ready-to-Wear Collection, the Parisian brand’s latest Spring/Summer drops are fashionable, comfortable and feature vibrant colours. Whether it is the sandals with the colour-blocking design or the ombre-effect netted bag, every piece is suited for enjoying leisure activities in style.

Prim and Proper Looks

travel essentials

Quite luxury is all in this year, and Celine’s newest ready-to-wear collection perfectly demonstrates the sensation through its prim and proper pieces that exude a neat style. Each attire and every shoe is both aesthetically appealing and practical for the wearer thus making them well-suited for the airport or long days during your trip.

Packable Clothing

 

 
 
 
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A post shared by CRAIG GREEN (@craig__green)

Yes, every piece of clothing can be packed in a suitcase or bag but the pieces from Craig Green SS23 collection literally turn into bags that can be conveniently carried around. The jackets and trousers transform into equally voguish handbags and duffle bags, so if your itinerary involves a change of clothing, what other fashionable way than this?

Also Read: Your Guide To Easily Planning A Trip To Anywhere In The World

For the colder destinations

travel essentials

If you are going to someplace with lower temperatures and you will need warmer clothing, then the pieces from Lorena Antoniazzi are good additions to your luggage. Known particularly for its knitwear, the Italian fashion brand’s new Spring/Summer collection also incorporates this with its selection of stylistic monochrome sweaters, cardigans, jumpers and more.

Perfume on the go

travel essentials

For almost everyone, a spray or two of perfume is the finishing touch to getting ready for the day. A better and more reasonable idea to ensure you follow the habit during vacation too would be to carry a mini refillable spray bottle. The one from Hinnaswa allows you to easily transfer the perfume by placing it on top of your perfume bottle and pumping it.

Capturing film-like shots

travel essentials

Taking as many photos to add to your travel album or sharing them with friends and family on social media is an essential part of every trip. A Paper Shoot camera is ideal because it works like a digital camera but produces film-like pictures, and weighs less than 100 grams. Besides, it is eco-friendly too.

For more shopping inspiration, check out our shopping column (pg: 36) in our latest April 2023 issue. Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.  

Drinks To Upgrade Your Lifestyle And Your Health

 

Zoom Wow Zoom believes the perfect cup of beverage should be enjoyed anytime and anywhere. After all, coffee and tea are a family tradition, and theirs is no different. It is a morning routine, afternoon necessity, and evening delight. Zoom Wow Zoom aims to make every sip a memorable experience.

Their goal is not only to provide a one-of-a kind experience to their clients, but also to promote the health benefits that come with it. The founder, Jason Chi, formerly a dentist based in Europe, is passionate about using his medical background to educate people on the benefits of his premium tea and coffee products.

 

For more information: visit ZWZ

WS of Wednesday: We explore the Ws and How of Jenna Ortega’s success like any projects investigated in depth

Jenna Ortega

Instantly transforming what Wednesday means to many of us, a recently-debuted Netflix series going by that very name broke the streaming service’s all-time record for the most hours viewed in a week. Its success has also transformed the life of the star taking the title role – Jenna Ortega – as shown by her Instagram account alone, which registered an extra 10 million followers within 10 days of the series premiere. 

It would be unfair, however, to bill the 20-year-old star as an overnight success. Even before her casting in the series, a spin-off of the much-loved Adams Family franchise, she had a resumé longer than that of many performers twice her age. There is no doubt, though, that it is her performance as the unblinking, seemingly emotionless, misanthrope at the heart of the series that has seen her now assume A-lister status. 

In honour of ‘W’ being the initial of her breakthrough role, here are six other ‘W’s you really need to know about Ortega, undoubtedly one of 2023’s first new superstars. 

Jenna Ortega

WHERE is she from? 

With her striking looks, signature brunette locks and petite build, it is clear that Ortega is far from just another graduate of Hollywood’s cookie-cutter production line. Sharing joint Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, she grew up in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, with her diverse heritage later becoming a common line of enquiry during her many chat show appearances. 

Explaining how embracing her identity was one of the many reasons she was able to make the Wednesday role her own, she says: “A big part of why I said yes comes down to representation. Growing up, I got to know how it felt never to see people who looked like me on screen only too well. For me, with Wednesday, it was really important that her history as a young Latina was shown for the first time.”

Jenna Ortega

WHAT has she appeared in before? 

According to her IMDB website, Ortega had notched up some 40 credits prior to taking on the lead in Wednesday, with her roles ranging from voice acting to major parts and guest appearances. As a sure sign that her talents had not gone unnoticed even before Wednesday’s seismic impact, she is believed to have quite a full slate of future roles all signed up and agreed upon. 

While she first found fame providing voiceovers for children’s programs, including Elena of Avalor and the Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle, her career appears to be heading in a different direction, with two of her upcoming projects said to be very much in the horror genre. 

Declaring she has a particular affinity with the scarier end of the cinema spectrum, she says: “There’s some invisible string that connects monsters and me. It’s a genre that’s held a particular appeal for me for as long as I can remember.

For those keen not to miss out on any of her future appearances, her currently confirmed forthcoming projects include Finestkind, Scream 6 and Miller’s Girl. 

Also Read: Gal Power: Gal Gadot shatters superhero glass ceiling with Wonder Woman debut
Jenna Ortega
(Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Creative Artists Agency)

WHY did she not blink while working on Wednesday? 

Although her blink-free performance in Wednesday wasn’t initially scripted, Director Tim Burton was so taken with the results of an unintentional take that he urged her to fully incorporate the conceit into her portrayal of the character. Ortega, of course, is fully committed to it, with the quirky characteristic going on to almost define the role for critics and viewers alike. 

As the character of Wednesday was conceived as singularly strange from the outset, it more than made sense that not blinking was just one of the many things that distinguished her from more everyday mortals. In combination with the character’s full-on, unflinching gaze, it also made the one moment in the series when the character actually smiles genuinely unsettling. 

Clearly proud of the way her performance has been received, as well as its significance for others, she says with her tongue firmly in her cheek: “Freak representation is crucial. I think that it’s really nice for such people to be seen in a positive – if disturbing – light.” 

Jenna Ortega

WHO is her fashion icon? 

Well, it just happens to be Wednesday Addams, the full name of her on-screen character. This is perhaps just as well seeing that, in her latest incarnation, Wednesday is seen as having clearly fully embraced her goth persona, and Ortega is a firm believer that her all-black wardrobe played a crucial role in creating the show’s slightly creepy, slightly cooky feel. 

Clearly identifying more with this role than perhaps with some of the other characters she has brought to life, Ortega says: “I feel like Wednesday and I like similar things. I’ve always loved button-ups and white collars, for instance, and, of course, I’ve always gravitated towards dark colours – including black nail polish, which has now become very much part of my everyday look.” 

Case in point: Ortega has recently been stepping out in looks that seem like homages to her TV character, donning black à la Versace and Valentino at events. 

(Text: Joseff Musa)

Read the full article in the March 2023 issue (pg: 110). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

Everything Everywhere All at Once Shines at the 95th Academy Awards, and makes Oscars history.

95th academy awards
Blaine Ohigashi / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Having just dominated the SAG awards two weeks ago with four wins, it clearly came as no surprise that Everything Everywhere All at Once swept the most awards at the Oscars too.

The movie was directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and follows the life of Chinese immigrant Evelyn Wang, played by Michelle Yeoh, who has quite a lot of things going on in her life – Her laundromat is being audited by the IRS; her husband Waymond Wang, played by Ke Huy Quan, is on the verge of divorcing her; she is having her pernickety father for a Lunar New Year Party; and she is unable to come to terms with her daughter (played by Stephanie Hsu) Joy Wang’s relationship with a non-Chinese girlfriend.

95th Academy Awards

With all that is happening, Evelyn’s life is anything but dull, that is until she is sucked into a multiverse where there are different possible versions of her that would have resulted from a particular decision she took. As a protagonist, Evelyn has to use her verse-jumping abilities to save the multiverse from her daughter who has formed an everything-bagel sort of phenomenon that can suck the different universes and destroy all of them.

There are quite a lot of movies that deal with the multiverse genre. There is The Matrix from the top of our heads. However, the Daniels-directed movie goes for a completely unique representation of the multiverse genre with its exhilarating plot packed with action and quirky humour that is so absurd. For instance, Evelyn has sausage fingers in one universe.

95th academy awards

The queer science-fiction movie perfectly touches on the topic of existential crisis as it explores the what-ifs of Evelyn’s life, and also deals with nihilism, absurdism and other philosophical concepts that add more layers to the already-overwhelming storyline.

With an IMDB score of 8 and a 95 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, Everything Everywhere All at Once shined at the Oscars by taking home the most trophies. The movie won the following awards at the 95th Annual Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role – Michelle Yeoh, Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Ke Huy Quan, Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Jamie Lee Curtis, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director – Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, and Best Film Editing – Paul Rogers.

95th academy awards
Blaine Ohigashi / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Michelle Yeoh’s win was historic as she became the first Asian actress in 95 years to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. It was a more prideful moment for Hong Kongers as she said in her acceptance speech, “…and to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for letting me stand on your shoulders, giving me a leg up so that I can be here today.”

Also Read: Five things you need to know about the widely talented Michelle Yeoh

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Miss Matched: Contrasting wear for the perfect pair

Lo and Behold… The highlights of the life of Jennifer Cheng Lo never do less than impress

What’s On? Things to do this March in Hong Kong

If you want to groove to the best beats, there is Clockenflap, and if admiring some mesmerising art pieces is your idea of an awesome day, then, there are Art Basel and Art Central. Simply put, art, music, and endless entertainment are taking over March with so many exciting, and eagerly-awaited events lined up for the month. Find out about all the fun March 2023 events scheduled to happen.

Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now

best things to do in March 2023

Contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is known for her avant-garde paintings and sculptures, and her choice of bright and colourful palette attributes that M+ will no doubt be highlighting in its coming showcase of more than two hundred of the artist’s works. Among these, are many of her more recent works, including Pumpkin, Death of Nerves, and Dots ObsessionAspiring to Haven’s Love

When: Ongoing

Price: From HK$240

Location: West Gallery, The Studio, Main Hall, Lightwell, and Found Space, M+ Building, West Kowloon.

For more information: mplus.org.hk

Eternal Enlightenment: the Virtual World of Jiajing Emperor

best things to do in March 2023

Some 500 years ago, the Jiajing Emperor wished to become immortal. To be fair, he has kind of got what he sought courtesy of the Hong Kong Museum of Arts, with the venerable institution having organised a Jiajing Emperor-themed exhibition that brings to life the history of his dynasty through 240 intricately designed ceramics, portraits, and other art forms. Among the highlights of the exhibition is, undoubtedly, a blue porcelain collection set out on a 14-metre-long table by Angel Hui Hoi-kiu.

When: Ongoing

Price: Free entry

Location: Hong Kong Museum of Art

For more information: hk.art.museum

Clockenflap

best things to do in March 2023

Never failing to bring together an ensemble of truly exceptional acts from all around the world over an outdoor weekend of bewitching music and outstanding art is the three-day trilithon that is Clockenflap. The event, which prides itself on featuring a wide range of different musical genres, including rock, hip-hop, rap, and indie, is set to feature Ginger Root, Men I Trust, YoungQueenz, and many, many more in its participation lineup for 2023 Clockenflap. Already announced to headline on Friday night is the English rock band Arctic Monkeys in their much-anticipated performance in Hong Kong.

When: (3 – 5 Mar)

Price: From HK$1620

Location: Central Harbourfront Event Space

For more information: clockenflap.com

Also Read: Music Therapy: What is music therapy and who exactly does it benefit?

Homemade Sushi Making Class with Shima Shimizu

best things to do in March 2023

If a new skill is what you are looking to acquire this month, then why not try your hand at preparing your own sushi? Attend a session armed with only a pen and an apron and go back home fully equipped to make Gunkan-maki and Nigiri-sushi. Under the expert tutelage of Chef Shima Shimizu, the class will prepare you to make perfectly delicious sushi by teaching you all the important steps in the process – most notably cooking the rice and seasoning the fish correctly. Also, don’t forget to skip lunch beforehand as you will certainly have a lot of sushi sampling to get through. 

When: 4 Mar

Price: From H$880

Location: Food Craft

For more information: foodcraft.hk

Hong Kong Food Walk with Chef ArChan Chan

best things to do in March 2023

If you are a foodie or a cultural enthusiast, then you are definitely going to want to sign up for this food walk in the company of Archan Chan, head chef of renowned Cantonese eatery Ho Lee Fook. A four-hour stroll forms part of the annual Hong Kong International Literary Festival and brings to life the chef’s book —Hong Kong Local: Cult Recipes From The Streets That Make The City.

When: 7 Mar

Price: From HK$965

Location: Sai Ying Pun

For more information: festival.org.hk

Dance-Opera–Love Streams

best things to do in March 2023

Those on the lookout for a truly immersive and riveting opera performance should probably check out Hong Kong Arts Festival Society’s Dance-Opera–Love Streams. This stunning concert will showcase the skills of a group of talented dancers from the Hong Kong Dance Company, as well as 12 acclaimed opera singers and musicians. Directed and choreographed by Yang Yuntao, the show comprises the two much-loved pieces –Heart of Coral and Women Like Us.

When: 17 – 19 Mar

Price: From HK$200

Location: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

The Stage Doors on Mars

best things to do in March 2023

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is promising to take you on a journey to Mars in 2057. Pre-commemorating this admittedly distant magnificent Martian event will be a scintillating array of Cantonese opera as the perfect sci-fi soundtrack. While part of the event will catapult you to the far future, another will take you on a trip to the past as you revisit many important musical events from the last century.

When: 17 – 18 Mar

Price:  From HK$250

Location: Hong Kong City Hall

For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

Art Central

best things to do in March 2023

March is surely a compelling month for connoisseurs of creativity given all the art events set to take place in the weeks ahead. Among the most intriguing is the eighth edition of Art Central, which will be taking place as part of Hong Kong Art Week. Featuring works of both established and upcoming artists from all over the world, you should be most excited about Hong Kong’s very own Sammi Mak and Korean painter Han Choong Seok. 

When: 22 – 25 Mar

Price: From HK$125

Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

For more information: artcentralhongkong.com

Also Read: Vibrant City: Hong Kong’s growing art scene

Art Basel

best things to do in March 2023

When it comes to going big, Art Basel is doing exactly that for its 2023 event, a move down to Hong Kong having lifted all of its travel restrictions, allowing more local and international art lovers than ever to participate in this high-profile annual extravaganza. This year, the show is set to welcome more than 150 exhibitors from all over the world, while also seeing the return of Encounters, the dedicated zone for big art installations, which had been on a Covid-mandated hiatus. 

When: 23 – 25 Mar

Price: From H$280

Location: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

For more information: artbasel.com

Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon

best things to do in March 2023

Undoubtedly French designer Coco Chanel revolutionised women’s fashion as indicated by the fact that her fame has endured more than 50 years after her death. Commemorating this inimitable icon, Hong Kong Ballet is celebrating her life through an exquisitely conceived and executed ballet routine courtesy of award-winning choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The dance performance is memorably soundtracked by Peter Salem’s sensational score, while Jerome Kaplan provides the eye-catching costumes. 

When: 24 – 26 Mar

Price: From HK$180

Location: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

For more information: hkballet.com

Mendfulness – How Repairing Luxury Goods Can Be Better Than Buying New Ones

repairing luxury goods

This is in line with a general shift towards sustainability and mindful shopping, philosophies that maintain you should look after your purchases, making sure they fit well and are well maintained – especially when it comes to luxury items such as designer bags, shoes and accessories. Indeed, many of these items, have become an investment of sorts through the years with many consumers coming to appreciate the true value of these items – notwithstanding their value appreciating the older they get.

So it should come as no surprise to discover that bespoke repair shops catering to such luxury materials as leather, tweed and fur have proliferated throughout the city, including the three outlets investigated in this article. It’s not only about the quality of material and the time spent on creating the product that warrants a luxury price tag, it is also the assurance that such articles will withstand the usual wear and tear, as many believe that more expensive clothes are more cost-effective when taking into account the notion of “cost-per-wear”.

Also Read: Personalised Touch: Bespoke services for your wardrobe

repairing luxury goods

Stylistic Handbag Company

Hong Kong’s very own Stylistic Handbag Company prides itself on repairing luxury goods you already own. With their expertise in handling delicate materials, such as leather, you may prolong the life of any favourite items, with the North Point-based experts showering your handbags with the tender loving care they deserve. 

Their success story can be traced back to the year 1975 when they opened as a handbag. manufacturing company. Then, in the 80s and 90s, a time considered the leather goods manufacturing golden era, they seized the opportunity to refocus their business somewhat.

A successful business for more than 40 years now, this family-run repair shop promises to continue to provide bespoke services as it transitions to a new generation while maintaining the same skill set and quality of service.

stylistichandbag.com

repairing luxury goods

Jeeves Hong Kong

The growing repair movement not only meets the growing interest in being more sustainable but also enables people to extend the lifespan of their favourite things. Thanks to Jeeves’ Hong Kong branch, it’s now easier for locals with a fondness for luxury items to designate Jeeves as their go-to repair shop. In line with this, the repairers believe that the upkeep of the clothing you already own is essential for maintaining a sustainable wardrobe.

The Jeeves philosophy is to extend the life cycle of clothing and luxury leather items, while part of their sustainability efforts is to use biodegradable packaging and recycled hangers while minimising the use of energy and consumables.

jeeves.com

repairing luxury goods

The Groom

The Groom was the first in the city to introduce an automated shoe repair service back in 1975. Over the past 48 years, they have repaired more than one hundred thousand luxury shoes and handbags, including items produced by such well-known brands as Hermes, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Roger Vivier, Rupert Sanderson and Salvatore Ferragamo. 

Dedicated to providing the highest quality traditional craftsmanship and material to its customers, materials such as outsoles and heels, as well as leather care and foot care products, are all imported from Europe. Their mission is to cater to their experienced and talented Repair Service Operators (RSOs) that specialise in repairing luxury goods such as prestige brands of shoes, handbags and other leather products.

thegroomshoesrepair.com

repairing luxury goods

In hindsight, we should see aftercare as part of the whole product-buying experience. The items we already have are our most loved ones. Whether they hold a financial, functional or emotional value, we are all invested in everything we purchase, especially those items that are particularly expensive. Thankfully, there is now a whole array of local businesses whose ultimate goal is to have customers fall in love with their favourites all over again.

(Text: Joseff Musa)

Read the full version of the article in the February 2023 issue (pg: 44). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.  

Henry Cavill – A Man of Many Substances

As soon as he donned the iconic suit of Superman in Man of Steel (2013), British actor Henry Cavill wasn’t a bird, wasn’t a plane, he was a superstar. Up until then, he’d enjoyed only moderate success, having appeared in relatively low-profile supporting roles in a handful of movies, including The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) and Stardust (2007), while also having a recurring role in The Tudors, a TV historical drama. With one bound, though, his take on Krypton’s favourite son saw his standing go stratospheric, while many subsequent roles – most notably his starring role in The Witcher, the smash hit Netflix series – only added to his legend.

Henry Cavill

As of October last year, it looked all but certain that he was about to resume his Superman duties, when he unexpectedly cameoed at the end of Black Adam (2022), his first appearance in the famous red and blue costume for five years. Although at the time, Warner Brothers, the company behind the DC movie slate appeared to confirm he was to return in all-new adventures for the hero, all such hopes were dashed in December. This followed the news that new creative heads would be steering the DC superheroes stable of future cinematic and TV appearances. As Cavill had just quit his $1 million-an-episode role in The Witcher, apparently in favour of his Superman duties, this must have been something of a blow. 

Speaking just after it was confirmed DC was looking to recast the caped comic-strip hero, Cavill said: “This news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something that happens and I respect that.” 

There is, however, way more to Cavill than just either wowing audiences in The Witcher or being Clark Kent’s alter ego. Here are eight unknown facts you probably never knew about Mr C. 

Henry Cavill

1. The Real Deal

He’s unusually honest about what drives his career, saying: “I’m slightly wary of saying this, because it can be frowned upon, certainly by members of my community and people outside my community. Money is fantastic and that’s something which I deem – and again, it is frowned upon – very important. I’m spending it on nice stuff. Whether that be lavish holidays for me and my friends or just seeing something and going in a shop and saying, ‘Yeah, I want that for the house, I’m buying it.’”

2. An Animal Lover

More altruistically, however, Cavill serves as the spokesperson for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey, as well as managing Cavill Conservation, a personal project dedicated to preventing the extinction of endangered species.

Also Read: Gal Power: Gal Gadot Shatters Superhero Glass Ceiling With Wonder Woman Debut

Henry Cavill

3. The First Brit Superman

The typical take on Superman as an all-American alien took something of a knock when Cavill landed the role in 2013. Despite having an accent that sounds straight out of the Midwest, Cavill was actually born in Jersey, the largest of the UK’s Channel Islands. Sharing his secret of sounding genuinely US-born, he said: “Doing an American accent is about working the muscles in your neck and your lips.”

4. Hollywood’s Unluckiest Lad

Before securing his big break, Cavill was known as the Unluckiest Man in Hollywood, largely on account of his habit of narrowly missing out on high-profile roles. Most famously, he was pipped to being James Bond by Daniel Craig and to make matters worse, he also failed to secure the starring role in an earlier take on Superman, with that particular honour falling to Brandon Routh. Most egregiously, he was overlooked for the role of Edward Cullen in the series of movies based on Twilight, Stephanie Meyer’s Young Adult vampire series. This was despite the fact that the author actually had him in mind for the part while she was writing the books. Ultimately though, he was deemed to look too old, with Robert Pattinson actually taking on the starring mantle. Adding insult to injury, Pattison is three years older than Cavill.

Also Read: Robert Pattinson – From Child Actor To Hollywood Heavyweight

Henry Cavill

5. A man of many languages

In addition to English, Cavill can reputedly speak French, Spanish, Italian, German and Czech. Asked why he was so linguistically proficient, he said: “In school, I had an interest in languages, ancient history and Egyptology in particular. There was a historical fiction writer named Christian Jacq who wrote a series of books, sort of Egyptology-based, and I really enjoyed them.”

6. Grease was the word

When he first began acting in high school, he played the character of Sonny in the beloved musical Grease. He’s featured in the centre of the picture, wearing a white jacket, and is easily recognisable by his jet-black hair. 

Henry Cavill
Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Salangsang/Shutterstock (13661895ga) Henry Cavill and Natalie Viscuso ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ film premiere, Los Angeles, California, USA – 12 Dec 2022

7. Superfat

Despite now being renowned for his Adonislike looks and stature, Cavill wasn’t always the herculean figure he is today. Due to his puppy fat, while attending boarding school, he was rather derogatorily known as “Fat Cavill”. Recalling those days, he says: “I bawled on the phone to my mom four times a day and I became an easy target for bullies.” He put his fat days behind him after winning his role in The Count of Monte Cristo, promptly losing 21 pounds and becoming more – or, rather, less – the man we know today.

8. Man of the future

Not content with a life in front of the camera, Cavill also has ambitions to get behind the lens. To that end, he formed Promethean Productions in 2014 in collaboration with his brother Charlie and British producer Rex Glensy. At one time, Stratton, an action-packed thriller based on the Duncan Falconer book series, was set to be the company’s cinematic debut offering. Unfortunately, this fell through, with both Cavill and Promethean ultimately exiting the project. Despite that disappointment and his enforced bowing out of any future Superman project, things are far from downbeat for Mr Cavill. His next outing is tipped to be Warhammer 40,000, an Amazon series based on the miniature wargame of the same title. While he may be Krypton’s Last Son no more, it seems certain that we haven’t seen the end of his on-screen heroics.

(Text: Joseff Musa)