Celebrity Life

Mother Nature has borne us two of the world's greatest treasures, one abundant yet fleeting, the other rare yet enduring — both eternally beautiful. Here, timeless high jewellery is showcased against ephemeral blooms in a study of our planet's most precious formations.

(Hero Image: ROUND DIAMOND NECKLACE (TOTALLING 89.18 CARATS) AND MULTISHAPE DIAMOND EARRINGS (TOTALLING 26.25 CARATS), BOTH SET IN WHITE GOLD GRAFF)

HIGH JEWELLERY PHOTOSHOOT

Photography Kauzrambler
Creative Direction Stephanie Ip
Styling Karen Siu
Photography Assistant Chu Mei Kwan
Flowers Flannel Flowers

The post 2021 High Jewellery: Earth’s Greatest Treasures appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Fifty metres underground — this is the depth that local winemakers chose when they decided to store 10,000 wine bottles in the Aven d'Orgnac caves, an underground tourist attraction located at the southern end of the limestone plateau of the Gorges de l'Ardèche.

The experiment began in March 2018, when a new storage facility was specially created in a disused access tunnel to allow wine to mature in what amounts to a highly stable and peaceful environment.

A living product that ages best in undisturbed darkness, the wine will have benefited from ideal conditions: A constant temperature of around 12°C and an all-year-long rate of humidity of over 95%.

On December 12, 1,000 bottles of Côtes du Vivarais "Grand Aven 2017" from this treasure trove will be passed from hand to hand by a chain of human volunteers who will bring them back to the surface after two years underground. Thereafter, they will go under the hammer with a range of other local vintages in an auction with modest reserve prices.

Lots on offer will include 150 magnums of Terra Helvorum 2017 starting at 30 euros, 350 bottles of 2015 Terra Helvorum for as little as 15 euros and 350 bottles of Grand Aven 2016 from just 10 euros.

On land and sea

These days, experiments to store wine deep underground are very much in vogue in France. On June 3 of this year, 500 bottles were placed in racks at a depth of 103 metres in caves in Padirac under the watchful eye of Serge Dubs, the Best Sommelier of the World in 1989.

The first of these to return to the surface will be brought up for an initial tasting in the spring of 2021. And let's not forget that this experiment is focused on a very particular wine: A Clos Triguedina Cahors, christened Cuvée Probus, which has been produced to honour the 130-year anniversary of the Padirac Chasm.

Surprisingly enough, this new approach to maturing wine was initially inspired by a find at sea. In 2010, divers in the Baltic discovered a wreck containing what turned out to be a cargo of champagne, which was probably on its way to 1840s Russia.

The wave of experimentation that is now ongoing began when the bubbly, which was made by such houses as Veuve Clicquot, Heidsieck and the now defunct Juglar, was discovered to still be delicious after some 170 years under water.

In Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque country, winemaker Emmanuel Poirmeur has registered a patent for a process that involves vinifying wine in special vats at a depth of 15 metres under water. For its part, Leclerc-Briant set a record when it vinified one of its champagnes at a depth of 60 meters under the Atlantic in 2012, not surprisingly the vintage was christened "Abyss."

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Since leaving showbusiness in 2007, Rosamund Kwan hasn’t looked back once. She opens up to us about her former life, lost loves and lessons learned – and why she isn’t quite done yet.

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Rosamund Kwan, the badass drum-playing, aerial yogi entrepreneur who just so happens to be a pretty huge deal in Hong Kong cinema is, at 57 and looking as stunning as ever, living the life she’s always wanted. Begs the question: does life, in fact, begin at 50? Kwan’s Instagram account, where she has an impressive 99,000-plus followers – let’s add influencer to that list, shall we? – allows us a peek into her life after she retired from showbusiness years ago. From images of Kwan in her 3,000-square-foot luxury apartment at the Peak – reportedly valued at HK$150 million – sitting by the window that looks out to stunning views of Hong Kong’s skyline, adorable clips of Whisky, her white Shiba Inu, to casual gatherings with old celebrity friends and fancy galas that show that the ’90s It girl most definitely still has it, it’s clear to see why she hasn’t looked back since.

Her success story, however, was not without its challenges. Compelled to enter showbusiness at 18 to support herself and her parents after their divorce, Kwan was forced to grow up sooner than most. “It got very busy even during my first year in show business,” she says. “I was working at ATV, and found myself doing six TV shows within that year, on top of filming my first starring movie and a Disney show. For a young girl it was a lot, especially for someone just starting her career.” That debut film was The Head Hunter, in which she starred opposite then-rising star Chow Yun-fat. Kwan would later appear alongside other prominent Hong Kong actors, including Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Andy Lau, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao.

The 1990s proved to be a particularly prolific decade for Kwan. From age 25 to 32, she estimates she made some 50-plus movies and TV shows. During this time she took on what would become her best-known lead role, as the “Thirteenth Aunt” in the critically acclaimed series Once Upon a Time in China, which ran for six years from 1991 to 1997, playing actor Jet Li’s love interest.

In 2000, Kwan worked with Chinese director Feng Xiaogang in the comedy Big Shot’s Funeral, in which she starred opposite Hollywood actor Donald Sutherland. “It was quite an experience, working with a Hollywood team,” Kwan says. “It was very easy compared to what I’m used to. You come on set and are expected to know all your lines, and well! That’s because you get your script at least a month before. It was all very professional. Also, they have a union that protects actors. For instance, if we started at 9 in the morning, we’d wrap up at 5 in the afternoon; we’d work within a set time – that’s Hollywood.

“In Hong Kong, it’s very different and can be very brutal. We have to work almost round the clock, and sometimes we don’t get the script until we arrive on set! They’d give it to us maybe an hour or so before filming and we need to learn it right then and there. It was tough but that’s the Hong Kong style of doing it and, just maybe, we’re tougher for it,” she says, laughing.

And indeed, Kwan harbours no ill feelings towards an industry and community that has embraced her, and afforded her many good breaks.

“I never plan things – in that sense you can say I’m lazy,” she says, smiling. “But I also feel that I’ve been quite lucky in life, especially in my career. Things seem to fall into place. I’ve had the privilege of meeting directors who taught me the craft, and actors who’ve inspired me, opening up a lot of doors so that I was able to enjoy the kind of success that I had. For that I’ll always be thankful; I never take that for granted.”

After her 26-odd years in showbusiness, with more than 60 films and TV shows to her credit, Kwan is considered a legend in Hong Kong’s film industry. She’s one of the most respected actresses of her generation, whose commendable work ethic we witness for ourselves at the shoot; she arrives earlier than scheduled, focused and prepared, and breezes through the shots like a pro.

What I find particularly admirable about Kwan is that with every single project she pursued – or didn’t, for that matter – she did on her own terms. “Through the course of my showbiz career, amid the frenzy of it all, I knew when to stop for a break and I had no reservations about doing so. After that very busy first year – I was 18 then – I took a break the following year, because the work was overwhelming and it scared me, frankly. I quit and got married, at 19, and then divorced at 20,” Kwan says with a mischievous grin.

“And in the ’90s, after working for about seven years straight doing about 50 films, I stopped again and stayed out of the limelight for 10 years, during which time I was just enjoying my life – living easily and simply – and I dated a little. I worked, then I broke off from it, and then went back to work, then dropped it when I felt it was time – that’s the way I’ve always been. Whenever I come across something that’s suitable for me, I grab it and do it – why not? I never overthink things.”

Kwan retired from showbusiness in 2007 to pursue other interests. Asked if she misses it, she says without hesitation: “Not at all. I think showbusiness is a young person’s game and, to be honest, I feel it’s no longer for me. I don’t miss it, because what I’m doing now is far more interesting. And I think it’s just time for me to pursue my interests and ambitions. Acting is interesting and exciting, but it’s enough for me.

“I started my show business career very early. When my parents got divorced when I was young, one went to the United States, the other to Taiwan and I was alone in Hong Kong. I also had to support them, which is why I entered the industry. If that wasn’t the situation and I’d had the chance to lead a ‘normal’ life and go abroad, I think I may have studied design,” she says.

Indeed, while she might be best known as an actress she refuses to be defined by it. Since her self-imposed retirement, Kwan pursued a number of business ventures including her luxury-lifestyle fashion brand Rosamour.

“This idea started when I had the chance to get some funding and support from Tsing Hua University. I established Rosamour, a skincare line that I started to develop six months ago. I work with a factory in Shanghai, which makes all the products. The name is a play of my name and amour, which means love and rose, a flower. It’s romantic, feminine,” she explains.

On the sidelines of this new project is a collaboration with jewellery brand Boghossian. The first collection to result from this partnership is Merveilles Rosamour, comprising a pendant, ring and earrings set with pink sapphires and white diamonds. “It’s the first time I worked with jewellery. I’ve always loved jewellery, but didn’t know much about it. I mean, every girl loves jewellery! After I met Boghossian and I really liked their designs, I met their creative designer, Edmond Chin, and the rest is history. This is just the start and I hope it’ll lead to more things. It’s definitely all very exciting.”

Kwan is set to go to China later this month, and will stay there for three to four months to set up Rosamour. “For sure, the world is suddenly not what it was, and the economy has slowed down, but life has to go on. I’m still trying my best to work out this new venture. China will be the main market for Rosamour, then maybe down the line other parts of Asia. It was just natural that I target Asians because I’m more familiar with what our skin needs. The prices will be very reasonable, and the products will later extend to eyeliners, perfume, candles and more.”

It’s hard to miss the sudden change of tone when we start to talk about her business ventures – the enthusiasm is evident. “What I love most about being a businesswoman is the creative process, the design aspect and, of course, seeing the entire project through. It’s very rewarding. Sometimes I’m not entirely sure what I’m doing, but I embrace what I learn, I embrace the experience, and I appreciate the feedback. I don’t look at anything as failures, but as a chance to learn and be better.”

At 57, Kwan shows no signs of slowing down. She confesses, “I want to do everything! I don’t know. Of course, I recognise that I’ve been fortunate enough to meet the right people along the way, and they’ve enabled me to follow my passions. These are people who give me a chance to try my hand at things I’m not exactly familiar with, to collaborate. Stars align for me, luckily.”

I tell Kwan I feel she’s being modest; that she’s underplaying the hard work she actually puts into everything she does. She defers, “I suppose while I feel I’ve been lucky, I can take credit for the fact that I don’t let anything go past me. I take on every opportunity that comes my way. Even in my previous life as an actress, I always believed that you should do it because that chance will just slip away and it might never come back.”

When it comes to matters of the heart, however, Kwan says she’s all but thrown in the towel.

“Men are too complicated; I don’t believe in marriage and love any more. I’m not a pessimist, but I am coming from a place of experience. This realisation comes from being in not exactly successful relationships. Right now, I choose to spend time working on my projects and I live a leisurely life, on my own. Maybe someday ‘he’ will come, but if not that’s perfectly fine by me, too. I’m not looking. I’ve learned first-hand what it’s like to be in an unhappy relationship, so at least for now I’m done with love, done with men, done with marriage.

“Life’s too short to insist on a relationship where you’ve obviously grown apart and no longer see eye to eye. Why force yourselves to stay together? So better to move on, no point in staying miserable – and tired. Looking back at my life – the ups and downs – I absolutely have no regrets. There’s nothing I’d have done differently. I really believe that you must live your life leisurely, easily, happily.” And with her youthful glow and an excellent physique that puts my sluggish bum to shame, I’d say Kwan is right on the money.

“I just want to live my life to the fullest. My mom would often ask me why I’m busy all the time, moving as though I’m always running out of time. ‘Where are you going this time?’ she would scream as I’m headed out the door. I’d say, I’m having my lesson! I have my air yoga, after that I have a shower then I have my drumming lessons!”

Kwan sees the disbelief on my face and then says, “I’ll show you,” as she scrolls through her Instagram account for a clip of her drumming. And sure enough, there she is, killing it – and in pyjamas, of course.

“I love drumming because it’s great exercise – you can dance, too, and it’s all about hand and feet coordination. And I find it very therapeutic,” she goes on, bobbing her head ever so elegantly. “I had to stop for a bit after I moved apartments and couldn’t quite find the space for an entire set, but I’ve just started to drum again. But now I want to learn something else, like guitar or something. And I don’t want those acoustic guitars, they’re far too tame for me. I want a rocking, electric guitar!”

Will I ever be this cool, I wonder?

As we’re wrapping up the interview, a good portion of which she offers to hold my phone closer to her to ensure a decent recording as the hair-dryer blasts in the background, she asks me about my children, their ages, how I’ve come to live in Hong Kong and how long I’ve been here. And then goes on to tell me and her stylist, who she’s known and worked with for more than a decade now, of a beautiful resort she visited in Xiamen two years ago, which she said she’s certain my two girls would love. In between sharing hard-learned life lessons, she reveals a candour that’s delightfully endearing, and a genuineness that makes you want the conversation to go on longer – and, of course, all while looking so painfully beautiful. Kwan truly is the real deal.

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There are rings and there are statement rings. If you'd like to step up your jewellery repertoire, these cocktail rings with its bold, striking designs, multi-dimensionality and incredible precious stones will be the right way to go. Here are five rings that caught our fancy.

Chaumet

Architecture has always been a great source of inspiration for Chaumet throughout its history and for its latest high jewellery collection, Perspectives de Chaumet, it revisits the concept through six themes. Skyline is one of them, which interprets urban architecture as symbols of power. Combining dimensionality with transparent effects, and jagged angles with a sensual curves, these jewels are all about making a statement. Case in point is this Skyline ring crafted in yellow gold and set with a 7.34-carat Ascher-cut diamond and calibrated baguette-cut diamonds.

Chopard

Hailing from Chopard’s latest Red Carpet Collection is this stunning Swan ring that’s crafted in Fairmined ethical 18-karat white gold, and features a 9.1-carat white opal cabochon from Mexico that's surrounded by ceramic and brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphires. This spectacular ring is just one of the 73 jewels Caroline Scheufele unveiled as part of Chopard's nature-themed collection.

Boghossian

Gemstone inlaying is an age-old craft that dates back to ancient civilisations, which involves setting a gem within another. A highly specialised and intricate skill – an art, really – it is one that Boghossian has mastered. Stones are meticulously carved and shaped, then set directly into the next one. In the absence of metal, the stones are able to bring out its optimum brilliance. This floral ring where six petals are made from carved turquoise, and at the centre is a diamond inlaid into paraiba, is a magnificent example of this art.

De Beers

The vibrant colours of  butterflies and their transformative symbolism inspires De Beers' Monarch Butterfly ring, which is set with vivid orange and fancy pink, purple, and green rough diamonds, surrounded by flawless white diamonds that make the piece appear almost ethereal.

Dior

Inspired by the designs and chromatic palette of tie-dye, the Tie & Dior collection further enriches the brand's jewellery universe with abstract forms and beautiful gradations of vibrant colours. This textile dyeing technique often seen in Dior's couture pieces is executed in jewels and the result is rather extraordinary. One of the pieces from the collection is this double ring crafted in yellow and white gold, platinum, and set with a pink cultured pearl that's surrounded by a medley of diamonds, pink and blue sapphires, Paraiba-type tourmalines, rubies, emeralds, tsavorite, spessartite garnets and yellow sapphires.

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The House of Boghossian has been enjoying the spotlight in the world of jewellery, especially in recent years. Responsible for its growing success is its technical craftsmanship and design, piecing together precious gemstones of the finest quality in near-invisible settings. The unique concept, Merveilles, first debuted in 2017 and made its innovative method of setting gemstones on all surfacing, producing tapered and curved architecture of interlocking gems.

The Merveilles Icicle has become the brand’s most iconic piece – instantly recognisable for its contemporary design. Known for the “art of inlay”, it comes as no surprise that the luxury jewellery maison’s breakthrough designs rest on its ability to minimise the visible hardware, to spotlight the stones themselves and obtaining the best possible light refractions. The gems are cleverly assembled into one seamless setting, appearing to float in the air.

The Limited Edition Icicle takes on the modern elongated shape of the Merveilles, with an added suite of coloured precious and semi-precious stones weaved in a spiral and gradient style, giving off the illusion of the delicate features of the natural wonders of winter. Each stone is carefully selected for the most exacting colour and carat match, ensuring immaculate harmony in its form. While the Spiral design brings to life the icicle concept, the Gradient design is elegantly set in a continuous manner in hues from dark to light.

Explore the Collection:

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Apart from the Limited Edition Icicle series within the Merveilles Collection, the famed technique is also utilised in its Merveilles Bridal collection – a new paragon in bridal jewellery, with solid pavé diamond eternity band with stones inside and out. Available in the form of a band, solitaire and crown ring featuring a centre stone surrounded in a single or double halo micro-setting.

The Merveilles Halo being the third and final pillar of the collection are classic elongated hoop earrings in four sizes. Designed to echo the delicate curve of the face, with an ellipse and gentle cusp to carpet the entire piece with shimmering diamonds.

The post The Merveilles Collection is Timeless Jewellery in the Form of Colourful Works of Art appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The members-only initiative -- dubbed EIP Privé -- follows the success of a dedicated fine jewellery and watches section, which Net-a-Porter launched last year. The ultra-exclusive e-commerce platform offers VIP customers a space where they can discover one-of-a-kind treasures from the world's leading high jewellery and watch brands in a more considered environment.

[caption id="attachment_152462" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Piaget, EIP Privé Net-a-Porter[/caption]

As well as offering online access to traditionally offline brands such as Boehmer et Bassenge, Piaget, Boghossian, Bayco, Nadia Morgenthaler and Giampiero Bodino, EIP (which stands for 'Extremely Important People') will also facilitate customisation and bespoke requests, with the company to introduce men's watches and men's jewellery items later in 2019.

Specifically crafted to model the experience of a private jewellery salon in the digital realm, the EIP experience includes a personal shopper. The dedicated personal shopper helps customers to navigate through the collections and personalising their online journey. They will also be able to arrange private appointments, wherever the customer is in the world, with also secure pick-up and hand delivery, ‘try before you buy' services, and delivery to more than 170 countries.

[caption id="attachment_152463" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Boehmer et Bassenge, EIP Privé Net-a-Porter[/caption]

Additionally, many of the products selected for the listing will be shown only to a chosen few and are bespoke, one-of-a-kind creations which won't be repeated.

Commenting on the launch, Alison Loehnis, president of Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter said EIP heralds a new era for Net-a-Porter customers which will elevate their shopping experience to new heights. [inline-quote author="Alison Loehnis, President of Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter"]"We are delighted to introduce a special collection of exquisite, high jewellery pieces at Net-a-Porter. EIP Privé will offer clients a truly unique opportunity to discover the world’s most exclusive high jewellery maisons through a highly personalised, invitation-only service."[/inline-quote]

This article was published via AFP Relaxnews.

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For more than a century, six generations of the Boghossian family have committed themselves to creating fine jewellery that marries rare and precious gemstones with exquisite execution.

Based in Geneva and with stores in London, Gstaad and Hong Kong, Boghossian's expertise lies in the curation of its collection of exceptional fine gems. The jewellery house is also celebrated for its mastery of revolutionary craftsmanship such as the Inlay or its proprietary Kissing technique, in which one gemstone is set on top of another. The Merveilles, is another groundbreaking technique for near-invisible gemstone setting.

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Last October, in the midst of London’s hectic autumn art season, the jewellery house introduced a new high-jewellery collection inspired by the Silk Road. The launch event, held at Whitehall’s Banqueting House, took place during a unique surrealistic dinner crafted by Charles Kaisin, while models dressed in Stephane Rolland outfits each displayed one of the high-jewellery sets from the Silk Collection.

The Silk Collection, consisting of 11 sets, pays homage to the Boghossian family’s predecessors, Armenian gem traders from Mardin, Turkey who traversed the Silk Road to eventually settle in Switzerland. 

Boghossian’s Hong Kong-based creative director, Edmond Chin, worked closely with the family to design the new line. Each set in the Silk Collection was inspired by a masterpiece of ancient silk weavers or art and culture from key oases along the trade route, from Xi’an, China to Venice, Italy.
As with all Boghossian jewellery, some of the world’s rarest gems, gathered by the Boghossian clan from all over the world, appear in the new collection. The finished Silk Collection sees metal, hardstones and gemstones stream together seamlessly in an intricate tapestry of brilliance and colour.
The jewels also pay tribute to Boghossian’s own origins in Mardin. A necklace with interlaced rows of aquamarines set in diamonds pays homage to the intricate motifs found in the town’s limestone architecture.

The Tashkurgen set – a necklace with branches drenched in diamonds – is inspired by an imperial carpet from 16^th-cenutry Mughal India and can be converted into a jewelled tiara.

Other notable pieces see influences from China, including the Seres bracelet set with antique jadeite tubes and rough diamonds with matching earrings; and the Xi'an inspired pearl cum jadeite necklace featuring a heart-shaped pendant with matching earrings. 

The post A Journey of Colour, Brilliance and Exquisite Craftsmanship appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

When it comes to picking out fine watches and jewellery, the law of the jungle prevails -- it's survival of the fittest.

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The most gorgeous gifts for the women in your life.

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