Tag: Cartier

Valentine’s Day Gift: Best ways to express an eternal love

If you’re at a loss for that perfect Valentine’s Day gift to wow that special lady in your life, fear not, for we at Gafencu have shortlisted some of the most dazzling, bejewelled gems that are sure to have them floored.

Cartier

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Cartier, that most exclusive of haute joaillerie brands, has launched several new creations as part of its Panthère de Cartier collection. With the panther being a style statement for over a hundred years, it is reminiscent of love’s   timelessness. The collection includes jewellery, accessories and perfumes that can be worn everyday making each a meaningful and practical addition to any fashionista’s collection.

Valentine's Day gift

Boucheron

If all Valentine’s Day jewellery were to be personified, the ones from the luxury brand Boucheron can be seen as an outspoken person. With each different collection – Quatre, Jack de Boucheron, Plume de Paon and Pivoine – created to express something unique, the bijouterie from the French maison reflects romance without question. For instance, the Jack de Boucheron collection which is made of flexible gold wires –  giving room to endless creations – represents indefinite freedom.

Valentine's Day gift

Omega

Comparing love to wings that can help you reach new heights, Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega has ringed its iconic De Ville Trésor watches with a feathered motif. The 2020 Valentine’s Day iterations come in two avatars, including a blue co-axial master chronometer with 18K white gold markings on the dial for men and a Quartz 36mm with diamonds mounted on the bezel for women. What better Valentine’s Day gift than a timepiece to remind you that every moment with your loved ones is precious.

Valentine's Day gift

Blancpain

Every year without fail, Swiss watchmaker Blancpain has created feminine timepieces that celebrate Valentine’s Day, and this year is no exception. The “Valentine’s Day 2020” special watch is remarkable, featuring a white gold rectangular frame studded with diamonds and a mother-of-pearl dial embellished with diamonds and rubies. Limited to only 14 pieces, this celebratory timepieces takes its inspiration from a cocktail watch that was originally owned by the well-known screen siren, Marilyn Monroe.

Valentine's Day gift

Buccellati

Emblematic of an eternal romance, the Macri collection and the Opera Gold collection are the Italian luxury house Buccellati’s top picks for the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts this year. The Opera Gold collection that is highly influenced by the art of Italian Renaissance, highlighting the beauty of love with its floral pattern combined with the brand’s logo. The Macri collection, meanwhile, boasts, with flowing lines that embody the unbreakable bond of true love.

Valentine's Day gift

 

 

 

Freywille

The bijouterie brand Freywille is known for creating artistic jewellery collections that take inspiration from some of the most renowned artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Alphonse Mucha, Claude Monet and more. For this most romantic day of the year, the Viennese brand has put together a specially curated selection of pieces that celebrate love in all its myriad forms –  the Pepita Rose collection with floral patterns, the Poésie d’Armour collection, the Paris Pop collection and the Wedding Collection Fine Jewellery.

Valentine's Day gift

 

Givens: Must-give gifts for those special to you

Be it elegant fine jewellery pieces or style defining watches. the gifting choices for this Valentine’s Day are just endless. Here are more options curated by Gafencu to gift to your loved ones.

givens

From left:

Two Butterfly earrings in white and pink gold with diamonds and sapphires, Two Butterfly Between the Finger ring in white and yellow gold with diamonds and tsavorite, Two Butterfly Between the Finger ring in yellow gold with lapis lazuli and diamonds, Two Butterfly Between the Finger ring in white and yellow gold with diamonds and sapphires, all by Van Cleef & Arpels

Constellation Manhattan watch in Sedna™ by Omega

Perlée™ Couleurs transformable long necklace in yellow gold with turquoise, Pierre Arpels Heure d’Ici & Heure d’Ailleurs watch in white gold case, Alhambra cufflinks in yellow gold with mother-of-pearl, all by Van Cleef & Arpels

Omega Flower bracelet in 18K white gold with diamonds and mother-of-pearl, Omega Flower bracelet in 18K white gold with turquoise, Omega Flower necklace in 18K red gold with carnelian cabochon, all by Omega

Guirlande de Cartier bag in calfskin by Cartier

givens

Clockwise from top left:

Leather bracelet with wolf-head closure in sterling silver by Montblanc

Sailing bracelet in brushed titanium by Omega

Time Walker bracelet by Montblanc

Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer watch in Sedna™ gold case by Omega

Onyx-bead bracelet with serpent detail in silver by Montblanc

Aqua key holder by Omega

Alpine Eagle large watch in Chopard lucent steel by Chopard

givens

 

Clockwise from top left:

Green Carpet evening bag in calfskin by Chopard

Chaumet Liens Evidence bangle in 18K pink gold with red lacquer by Chaumet

Happy Hearts Twist bangle in 18K rose gold with diamonds and red stone, Happy Hearts Twist ring in 18K rose gold and diamonds, both by Chopard

Extrait de Camélia hoop earrings in 18K pink gold and diamond by Chanel Fine Jewelry

Chaumet Bee My Love bracelets in 18K yellow and white gold with diamonds, both by Chaumet

Extrait de Camélia transformable ring and long necklace in 18K pink gold with diamonds, both by Chanel Fine Jewelry

Chaumet Jeux de Liens Harmony pendant necklace in 18K pink gold with diamonds, Chaumet Jeux de Liens Harmony pendant necklace in 18K pink gold and red lacquer, both by Chaumet

Happy Hearts watch in stainless steel case with diamonds by Chopard

givens

Clockwise from top left:

Lucky Animals cat clip in yellow gold with tiger eye and onyx

Cosmos Between the Finger ring and Cosmos ring in rose gold with mother-of-pearl and diamonds

Lucky Animals dog clip in yellow gold with mother-of-pearl and onyx

Lucky Animals hedgehog clip in yellow gold with mother-of pearl, tiger eye and onyx

Lucky Animals owl clip in yellow gold with mother-of-pearl and onyx, all by Van Cleef & Arpels

givens

Clockwise from top:

Montblanc Heritage Monopusher Chronograph watch by Montblanc

Historiques American 1921 pair watches in 18K 5N pink gold case by Vacheron Constantin

Chaumet Bee My Love rings in 18K yellow, pink and white gold with diamonds, all by Chaumet

Out of the box: Sophistication and emancipation unleashed

The term “box” really doesn’t do justice to the sophistication of the vanity cases, jewellery receptacles and lipstick containers of times bygone. Artfully fashioned from gold or platinum with enamel-set precious stones or mother-of-pearl, such admirable accommodations were as finely-crafted conceits as any of the items of haute joaillerie sported by the most discerning ladies of the day.

While, aesthetically, these distinctly ladylike accessories were veritable masterpieces of creativity and technique, their origins are intriguingly enmeshed with one of the great turning points in feminist history. First coming to the fore during the Art Deco movement of the ’20s and ’30s, they made manifest the growing sense of independence among the more modish ladies of the day. Throughout World War I, after all, a huge number of women had answered their country’s call in a variety of roles. Once hostilities ceased, it was all but impossible to persuade them to adopt solely their more homely responsibilities.

Along with the acceptance that expectations and roles had been forever changed came a sense of joie de vivre, an exuberance that permeated many aspects of the lives of the women of the day. As they started to enjoy their newfound freedom, it became de rigueur to wear make-up and even to smoke in public. It was around this time that bejewelled boxes and cigarette holders made their debut, becoming a symbol of social enfranchisement and sophistication in pretty much equal measure.

 

*The jewellery boxes shown here are exhibited at L’ECOLE at K11 Musea until 9 February 2020. Free    Admission.

Ultra-fine Valentine’s Gifts for 2020

While the ultimate gift you can give that special person in your life is your undying adoration, no-one is likely to get upset if you add a high-end watch or a little haute joaillerie into the mix, especially with Valentine’s Day less than a month away…

Omega

Valentine's

Finding true love inevitably takes both parties higher than they’ve even been before, making Omega’s fine, feathered De Ville Trésor timepieces prudent accessories to have to hand. With the company’s 2020 Valentine’s day series including two watches from this particular collection – a blue co-axial master chronometer with 18-carat white gold markings on the dial for chaps and a Quartz 36mm with diamonds mounted on the sides for the ladies – what better time to let your relationship truly take off?

Freywille

Valentine's
Luna Piena Pendant from the Paris Pop collection

Bijouterie brand Freywille is rightly synonymous with highly creative jewellery collections that take inspiration from some of the world’s foremost artistic talents – Vincent Van Gogh, Alphonse Mucha, Claude Monet….Neither has inspiration eluded them in the run-up to the most romantic day of the year, with the Viennese brand having curated a singular selection of pieces that aptly celebrate amour – the highly-floral Pepita Rose collection, the Poésie d’ armour collection, the Paris Pop collection and the Wedding Collection Fine Jewellery. When it comes to putting the art into affairs of the heart, you really couldn’t do better.

Bvlgari

Valentine's
Serpenti Diamond Blast cross-body micro bag

Special for Valentine’s Day 2020, Bvlgari, that most fabulous of Italian fashion houses, is debuting a unique capsule collection, all coalescing around the brand’s emblematic Serpenti Forever motif. With its iridescent colours taking their cues from some of the world’s most glistening gems, each hue is said to resonate with one aspect of romance or another, with unadulterated white agate, for instance, exemplifying love in its purest form.

Tiffany & Co.

Valentine's
Tiffany T Wire Bangles in 18 carat yellow gold

It goes without saying that everyone only ever wants to furnish their forever friend with the very finest gifts possible. Thankfully, the ever-terrific Tiffany & Co. has made that breathtakingly easy with its compendium of peerless present options – most notably its Tiffany T Colours range and its selection of signature Elsa Peretti Open Heart Pendants. Just because it’s convenient, it doesn’t make it any less heartfelt.

Cartier

Valentine's

A sure way to find just the perfect gift for your most Significant Other is to opt for something emblematic of eternal regards – and what could state that more compellingly than Cartier’s contemporary-yet-classic Panthère de Cartier collection? With its prowling panther being a style statement with a vintage of more than 100 years, nothing could symbolise your enduring commitment more memorably.

Christmas Gifts for Her: Our top picks to present that special lady in your life

With only a few short weeks left to complete your Christmas shopping, the clock is ticking on picking up that perfect gift for your special ladies. To save you from the last-minute ‘what should I get?’ confusion, we have put together a list of beautiful and practical Christmas gifts for her from some of the world’s best-loved brands that the women in your life will cherish.

Rituals’ gift set

Christmas Gifts

Everyone loves themselves some self-pampering for the holidays, and it’s never been easier thanks to beauty brand Rituals’ elegant collection of gift sets. Some of everyone’s favourite Rituals collections – The Ritual of Ayurveda, The Ritual of Sakura and The Ritual of Samurai – are available as gift sets in different sizes – small, medium, large and extra large. Fortunately, the boxing can be used as an attractive storage space after the products have been used, giving the gift an extra life. Get your choice of the gift set from one of the Rituals stores in Hong Kong.

Senreve’s Midi Maestra

Christmas Gifts

A bag is a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. Thereby, one can never go wrong with a good bag, and San Francisco-based bag expert Senreve’s Midi Maestra is definitely a great choice. This multipurpose and multi-feature bag with eight interior compartments and four ways to be carried – as a backpack, cross-body, satchel or tote. This Italian-manufactured bag comes in different types of materials including luxury pebbled leather, mimosa to mixed leather and suede. Click on the link here to buy the bag.

Panthère de Cartier Jewellery

Christmas Gifts

Haute joaillerie maison Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier collection is elegant, iconic and timeless, offering the discerning femme fashionista with beautiful rings, bracelets, necklaces and more. Proudly burnished with the brand’s iconic panther motic, this collection will definitely top off as a stylish accessory that can be worn for on all occasions especially for its lightweight, slimness and of course the panther artwork on it . These exotic creations are available in the buyer’s choice of white, rose and yellow gold, and comes adorned with various precious stones including diamonds, emeralds and more. Click here to shop from the collection.

Chopard’s Happy Moon

Christmas Gifts

Taking inspiration from the night sky that is beautifully lit by the moon and the stars, the haute horology house Chopard’s Happy Moon is a watch with astronomical attributes. The first moon-phase featured timepiece from the Happy Sport collection, it showcases a distinctly starry motif, with shimmering constellations punctuating its deep blue dial. The Happy Moon is made from ethical 18K gold and is studded with diamonds for an added sparkle.

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee

Christmas Gifts

In addition to the sweet treats and delicious food, a bottle of bubbly is what completes the dinner table on a Christmas night. If you are confused about which sparkling wine to get, British sparkling wine-maker MV Nyetimber’s Classic Cuvee is the answer. Keeping up with the expectations of any Nyetimber wine, this beverage is a blend of 50-60 percent Chardonnay, 30-40 percent Pinot Noir and 10-20 percent Pinot Meunier..Toasty and spicy with hints of honey, almonds and pastry on the nose, t is available to buy on Watson’s Wine.

Shanghai Tang’ s 2019 Christmas Collection

Christmas Gifts

Luxury lifestyle label Shanghai Tang’s 2019 Christmas Collection is definitely a one step solution for any confusions one may have for what to get her for Christmas. However, the collection is sure to spoil you with a wide range of choices – Silver Jubilee, women’s ready-to-wear sets, accessories and scarves, lacquer boxes, trinket boxes, photo frames, fragrances and more. With red being a very prominent colour in the collection, it definitely holds the spirits of Christmas while still embodying a wholly Oriental appeal. Click here to shop from Shanghai Tang.

Day & Night of Vivid Pink Spinels

Christmas Gifts

Another piece of jewellery that would make a beautiful gift is the Day & Night of Vivid Pink Spinels from K.S. Sze & Sons Jewelers. Known for their reputation as one of the most sought-after jewellery shops in Hong Kong, the Day & Night of Vivid Pink Spinels is crafted with pink spinels and 18K white gold. For more jaw-dropping designs, check out its Sri Lanka Royal Blue Sapphires Collection, Pear Diamond Necklace, and Paraiba Tourmaline.

Crowning glory: Hair accessories for best-dressed tresses

Both on runways and in real life, hair accessories have made an undeniable comeback. Be it bows, barrettes or brooches, both haute joaillerie maisons and haute couture houses have left no shape, size or statement unexplored in the matter of tress adornments.

Hair accessories
Tiffany Blue Book High Jewellery Collection 2019 hair clips

Yet, it’s hardly a new trend. Indeed, hair pins, dating as far back as circa 1070 BC, are proudly displayed at both London’s famed Victoria and Albert Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, implying that the humble bobby pin has been holding hair in place for quite a few millennia now. In fact, according to historian M.E. Pilou Miller, the hair pin is considered among the most ancient of human accessories, crafted from handy materials ranging from bone and wood to precious metals.

hair accessories
Les Ciels de Chaumet Etoiles head ornament

However, their functionality isn’t the sole reason why hair accessories have withstood the test of time and trends. Be it Afro hair jewellery like beads and gold cuffs, Thai dance headdresses, Indian bridal hair accoutrements or Western tiaras, almost every culture has its own take on the ornaments that grace our crowns. Indeed, in times Victorian, when displaying long, loose tresses was considered immoral, the humble hair clip became almost a gatekeeper of morality, holding in place not only a woman’s curls, but also her character.

Hair accessories
Cartier Tradition tiara

Now though, such prudent pieces have given way to maximalist hair jewellery. Flaunting crystals, diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones, they not only add a sheen of glamour to our coiffures, but also bestow the modern woman with extra confidence, as she sets out to conquer the world with her head held high.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Andrew Leung has transformed his retail passion into business success

Bitten by the retail bug when just a child, Andrew Leung, scion of the iconic Diamond Restaurant-owning family, now helms Diamond Restaurant Food Products and the Pharmabelle skincare brand.

What was it like to grow up in the family that owned Diamond Restaurant, one of the city’s most iconic restaurants?

Honestly, I was really lucky to grow up in such a family, particularly since it meant we got to eat great food quite often. I was also fortunate enough to meet up with my grandparents every Sunday at Diamond Restaurant – which for decades was one of the most famous banquet halls in the city – for yum cha, along with all my uncles, aunts and cousins. The usual schedule was that we would eat with grandma first, then accompany grandpa while he played poker with his friends after the meal. It was a lovely opportunity to spend time with them, something I treasure to this day.

Andrew Leung 1

Did this background inspire you to join the food industry or did you have other career aspirations?

I was very influenced by my mother. When my brother and I were growing up, she was the CEO of Clarins, and instead of the usual family outings, she would take us along with her when she conducted spot inspections at Clarins’ cosmetics counters. It was my first taste of the retail business, and I think that was when I was bitten by the retail bug, even though it’s not exactly something you can add to your CV.

So you decided to pursue a career in retail…

Not immediately, no. I graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance from Birmingham University, although it wasn’t an industry I ever worked in. I ended up landing my first job at an advertising agency in Hong Kong, but it wasn’t until eight years later that I joined Cartier and finally got a chance to give retail a try.

Andrew Leung 3

What was your proudest accomplishment while working there?

Oh, there were so many high points but a few really stand out. When I joined the company, I started as a communications manager. I think there was a bit of fate involved, because right at the beginning, in 2010, I was assigned to help launch the revamped Prince’s Building flagship, the fourth Cartier flagship in the world. I was lucky enough to be assigned by headquarters to do a local campaign. For this, I was allowed to shoot a 30-minute show, one that featured some of the city’s most famous faces. Everyone shared their personal Cartier stories, and the programme was so successful that it became TVB’s most viewed episode that year. I never expected such a commercial programme to touch so many people, and I’m so proud of what we achieved.

After that, I approached Nigel [Luk, Cartier’s regional managing director] about expanding my career into the management level. In order to do that, though, I needed to learn how to make money for the company as well, so I asked if I could shift to the retail front. It worked out and I ended up staying with Cartier for eight years.

Andrew Leung 2

Through it all, was there ever any pressure for you to join the family business?

Not really. According to Chinese tradition, it is normally the sons who inherit the business, so seeing as I was the daughter’s child, I wasn’t expected to take it over. It was supposed to be inherited by my uncles and cousins instead. Ultimately, the family made the decision to close the restaurant in 2002 as the industry was in something of a slump, and interest had moved away from traditional banquet halls like our restaurant to function spaces in luxury hotels instead.

But the ‘Diamond Restaurant’ name was revived once more in 2012…

That’s right. When my grandfather, who had started the restaurant in 1947, passed away in 2004, my mother and her 11 siblings all gathered for a family conference to decide what to do with the name. Ultimately, they ended up selling the property itself, and my mother, who had just retired from Clarins, stepped up to keep the name and the heritage alive. In 2012, my mother co-opted me into her efforts, and we launched Diamond Restaurant Food Products, which began the next chapter of its existence.

Andrew Leung 4

So, what exactly does Diamond Restaurant Food Products specialise in?

Given our family’s unique insight into sourcing the best ingredients for Chinese cuisine, evolving it into a retail-oriented business seemed like a logical progression. It allowed my mother and me to utilise our past experiences at Clarins and Cartier to create products that would appeal to today’s urban denizens. Hongkongers are very cosmopolitan – they love good food but they also want convenience. So, Diamond Restaurant Food Products steps in to fill that niche with high-quality ready-to-serve items. Currently, we have nine products, ranging from wild Tasmanian abalone, braised abalone from Taiwan and scallop XO sauce to tangerine pu’er tea. The idea is to offer restaurant-quality ingredients that can be cooked within the comforts of your own home.

Andrew Leung 6

You also introduced a new skincare brand, Pharmabelle, to Hong Kong. Tell us more.

Pharmabelle is a skincare brand that was founded in Australia seven years ago by a noted pharmacist who already oversees another well-known skincare label. Since then, we’ve introduced the products to  the Hong Kong market, which includes everything from daily-use toiletries like body washes and body oils – especially focussing on contouring – to face products. Pharmabelle’s unique selling point is that it uses natural ingredients rather than the typical chemically driven items sold by other brands. This means that it’s gentler on the skin while still boosting its health and appearance. It’s received quite a warm welcome, and today, our products are available everywhere from Harvey Nichols and Wing On to K11 Beauty.

Andrew Leung 5

Can we expect anything new in the coming months?

Absolutely. We just wrapped up a special pop-up store at Harvey Nichols, and also launched a new Pharmababy line in August, which focusses on the skincare needs of babies. Thanks to its natural ingredients, mothers won’t need to worry when using these products on their precious little ones. Also, with Christmas coming up, we’re excited to launch a series of special seasonal promotions at Harvey Nichols, K11 Beauty, Wing On and the Royal Yacht Club.

What’s the top item on your bucket list?

I’ve always been musically inclined – I completed the Grade 8 musical exams in both piano and singing, and I’m a huge fan of musicals – but a relatively new interest for me is that I want to learn how to perform Cantonese opera. While it’s not something I commonly share, my grandfather is actually Leung Sing-por, one of the most famous performers of the genre. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was just three, so I think this is my way of getting closer to him and his legacy.

Thank you.

Interview by: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction: San Wong
Venue: Natuzzi Showroom

L’Odyssée de Cartier: A haute joaillerie journey 150 years in the making

For over a century and a half, Cartier, the most eminent of high jewellery brands, has wowed the world with its stunningly intricate designs. Now, the maison is inviting its legion of fans to explore L’Odyssée de Cartier, a unique journey into its rich heritage, one that represents a creative dialogue between its past, present and future. Divided into individual chapters, each features a short film that traces the influences that birthed the quintessential Cartier style of today.

L'Odyssée de Cartier - Chapter 1

Chapter One of L’Odyssée de Cartier; explores the rise of Jeanne Toussaint, the legendary French lady and fashion icon who revolutionised contemporary jewellery to be seen as a symbol of fierce independence and intelligence for women everywhere. This trailblazer was also the mastermind who birthed the brand’s now-iconic Panthère emblem.

L'Odyssée de Cartier - Chapter 2

Chapter Two then transports the audiences to Cartier’s historic New Bond Street locale in London, highlighting the unique British influences that have shaped its heritage.

L'Odyssée de Cartier - Chapter 3

Onwards to Chapter Three, and the setting shifts to Russia in an exploration of the stunning Slavic-inspired artistry that birthed such iconic creations as the Garland style and the Ballets Russes.

L'Odyssée de Cartier - Chapter 4

Then the environs change once more in Chapter Four, travelling to the Persian Gulf to showcase the beautiful architecture, symbols and Islamic motifs that have informed Cartier’s signature geometric flair.

Start your own digital L’Odyssée de Cartier journey now by viewing the videos of Chapters One through Four of L’Odyssée de Cartier today at http://www.cartier.hk.

Into the wild with pop-up exhibition by Cartier and DFS Group

Haute joaillerie maison Cartier joined hands with luxury travel retailer DFS Group to host an exhibition dedicated to the emblematic Panthère de Cartier at T Galleria by DFS, Macau City of Dreams. Titled ‘Into the Wild’, the exhibition takes guests on a sojourn into the rich history of the maison and showcases its never-ending creative evolution. 

The Cartier installation features three main universes: “The Design”, which carries an animate Jewelry Designer table and exceptional creations on display; “The Salon”, a perfect photo backdrop and recollection honoring the panther woman, Jeanne Toussaint; and “The Community”, a digital wall where celebrities of yesterday and today incarnate the wild spirit of Panthère.

The journey continues inside the nearby Cartier boutique where the emblematic panther takes over windows and counters to unveil brand new Panthère de Cartier Jewelry and Watch creations.

Right Dangle: Geometric jewellery greater than the sum of their parts

When Euclid, the famed classical Greek scholar, first stumbled upon the concept of geometry in ancient Athens, it was such a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of science that no subsequent feat of engineering or architecture could have been ever possible without the use of this particular mathematical discovery.

But while geometry is all but an academic pursuit for the maths-minded scholar, thankfully, the reach of geometric design has spread well beyond the groves of Academia. Not only are geometric patterns instrumental in shaping almost every possible modern structure, it suffices to say that these designs have been equally adaptable to apparel, accessories and even jewellery.

Their appeal, specifically in the world of haute joaillerie, has proved to be timeless. While outré, exceptional, eye-catching pieces are perhaps more suited to special occasions, it is the simple, classic geometric patterns of everyday jewellery that we can rely on time and again. Not only do their minimalist lines lend themselves well to every occasion, be it formal dinners or casual soirées, their basic shapes – ovals, squares, triangles – combine harmoniously to create jewellery items that are far greater than the sum of their parts.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay