Celebrity Life

There’s a lot to toast to at this time of the year, especially after such a long year of Covid. Finally being able to meet your friends and beloved, you all deserve the best bottle to celebrate with – and the unparalleled LOUIS XIII is the one to go for, whether you are looking for the ultimate drink to spice up your own parties or the ultimate gift for your beloved. Tasting the “Master of Time” LOUIS XIII Cognac is not just about pleasure on the palate; it's a wholesome experience of aesthetics, history and dedication.

The French Way of Living 

Enjoying a bottle of LOUIS XIII is a ritual of art de vivre, a revered choice for the powerful and the influential for every milestone and celebration. It's said that the then-French President Charles de Gaulle celebrated his first Christmas in liberated France with LOUIS XIII cognac. The name itself is a tribute to King Louis XIII of France, who was the first French monarch to recognise cognac as a spirit in its own right. With flavours of woody spice, fig and honey that burst on the palate, some haev even described the cognac as one that reminds them of Christmas cake. Isn't that the best Christmas drink you could put on the table?

Since its creation by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1874, the signature flavour profile of LOUIS XIII has remained unchanged. As a blend, the cognac is made up of 1,200 individual finest eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne ranging in age from 40 years to over 100 years old, each distilled and selected at different times in history. This is the result of the work of seven consecutive Cellar Masters from the brand, each thinking a century ahead by setting aside the finest eaux-de-vie for their successors to draw on. It is almost an art to continuously age and nurture the individual eaux-de-vie that lie in century-old Limousin oak casks in the cellars. The LOUIS XIII we are savouring today is the work of the current Cellar Master, Baptiste Loiseau, as he continues the legacy. It is a story from the past with a promise for the future. 

The Savoir-faire of LOUIS XIII  

LOUIS XIII is not only a joy to the world, but also to the eye. With style and class, Paul-Émile decided to carry this harmonious communication of flavours and aromas in an ornate decanter, which is based on a flask decorated with fleurs-de-lys unearthed on a battlefield in Jarnac, France in 1569. To this day, the design spirit of the decanter remains the same, if not better. Since 1936, each individually numbered and unique decanter has been hand-crafted by Baccarat or Saint Louis with centuries-old expertise that requires 11 of the world’s best glass-blowers to craft in 17 delicate steps. The distinctive decanter features a 24K gold neck and 10 distinctive spikes on each side. It is a timeless classic that is desired by everyone in this festive season. We can't think of a better way to commemorate the end of 2021 and to embark on a soulful journey in the year to come.

Stay in touch with LOUIS XIII: 
Website: https://www.louisxiii-cognac.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LOUISXIII 
Instagram：@LOUISXIIICOGNAC
Youtube：https://www.youtube.com/user/LouisXIIIofficial 

Call to join the LOUIS XIII Society:
Hong Kong +852 37109396
Macau +853 2871 9699

The post Louis XIII Cognac is Great for Christmas and Here’s Why appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Chopard's already playful collections receive another boost of cheery joy this year with Arty the Bear, who ambles through snow-covered mountains and frozen forests to discover jewellery and watches that are perfect gifts for you to show your devotion to your most loved ones.

The polar bear is an iconic animal motif of Chopard’s Animal World and Happy Diamond series. Arty is especially doted on by Caroline Scheufele, the artistic director and co-president of Chopard, since it looks just as cute as the teddy bears everyone once owned as a child. Last Christmas, Arty was joined by his band of friends on his winter adventures: Luna the doe, Tobby the rabbit, Jasper the badger, Gabby the owl, and Elliot the squirrel gathered together in the spirit of joy and celebration. This time, love is in the air. The story of Arty the Bear is enriched by his new polar bear friend, Amy, a blossoming romance that brings deeper meaning to the whimsical tale as they prance about and discover pieces from the Happy Hearts, Happy Sport, and high jewellery collections.

Arty and his friends discover the Happy Hearts collection – necklaces, rings and bangles that feature Chopard's iconic dancing diamonds encased within the heart designs. Discovering the Happy Sport Diamond watches, Arty and his friends break into an impromptu dance, driven by the twirling diamonds and the rhythmic tick-tock of the precision timepiece. The 33 mm diameter watch design, with mesmerising diamonds that appear to float on the dial, makes the Happy Sport Diamond watch a perfect choice for a female's wrist.

The adventure doesn't stop there. High jewellery also features prominently in the story. The Precious Lace necklace in 18K white and yellow gold comes with a 33.26-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond set with more diamonds totalling 61.26 carats.

There are collections for him too. The Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, L.U.C. Time Traveller One Black and L.U.C. GMT One Black are all top choices for men. Modern and classic designs and fitted with highly precise movements, these make for timeless gifts for the men in your life.

You can explore Arty the Bear's adventures and discover more of Chopard's watch and jewellery collections here.

The post Chopard’s Arty the Bear Playfully Picks Holiday Gifts for Your Loved Ones appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With less than a couple of weeks to go until the most wonderful time of the year, it’s time for the annual Prestige Christmas Giveaway. From December 13th to 24th, we’re offering Prestige Online readers the chance to win amazing prizes each and every day on Instagram, as we count down the 12 days of Christmas.

Whether you’re stuck on your gift list, sick of shopping, or just in need of a treat, here’s just a little something from us to you, to thank you for being our loyal readers.

Christmas Giveaway Day 6: Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim 2021 Holiday Collection

"Nature is the best beauty artist of all," said Aveda, one of the first beauty and haircare companies that endorses greater environmental responsibility. For decades, they have been innovating high-quality products like shampoo, bath, and body care, with a vegan and eco-friendly formula that has never changed.

This year, Aveda has partnered with 3.1 Phillip Lim, a global fashion brand, to bring the botanical world of beauty to life together. Their 2021 Holiday Collection items include stylish hair accessories and gift packaging that is created with sustainability at heart.

Paint with Affections

The Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim Holiday Collection showcases handpainted accessories in a blatantly beautiful style. With brushes featuring the curve and shape of leaves, the power and awe of nature are in full bloom. Vivid greens and flamboyant corals are woven peacefully together to form gorgeous wildflowers and plants.

Only someone with profound feelings for nature could have painted this way. The designs are by Sophie Parker, a botanical artist who uses fresh-cut botanicals as a natural canvas to create the magnificent prints in the holiday collection. In her past works, she has a fondness for letting the plant itself guide her brushstrokes and colour choices.

Aveda: Create with Respect

The covetable, limited-edition hair accessories are created with respect for the Earth. They include a hair towel wrap and a carrying bag that are made of 100 percent organic cotton. The plush wrap secures snugly on the head with a convenient button and loop closure to gently remove moisture from the hair after washing and help decrease dry time.

The scrunchie trio, made of recycled PET (from things like plastic water bottles), is easy on hair and make for a fashionable wrist accessory when not in use. Another surprising design is the wide-tooth detangling comb, made from an extremely high percentage of post-consumer recycled polypropylene and fibre carton, embracing the holistic approach to haircare that Aveda's founder championed.

Plant more Beauty

There's more to come next year for Aveda's beautiful and luxurious products, with the aim of giving back to the earth in a beautiful cycle of regenerative gifts. In January, Aveda will be introducing a Nutriplenish Treatment Masques which gives four times more hydration to hair instantly. Another special styling solution is the Nutriplenish Curl Gelée is designed to create shiny and defined waves. Stay tuned for the new launch in 2022!

How to Enter

At Prestige, we're giving away a set of Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim 2021 Holiday Collection to five lucky winners. Five winners will get the chance to take home one limited-edition Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim Hair Tower with Carrying Bag, one limited edition Aveda x 3.1 Phillip Lim Detangling Comb, one Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner (200ml) and one Nutriplenish Curl Gelée (200ml). To enter, head to our Instagram page @PrestigeHK and follow the instructions.

Terms & Conditions:

By entering this Prestige giveaway, you will be bound by these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you satisfy all eligibility requirements.
This giveaway is open to Hong Kong residents only and entrants must be over the age of eighteen (18).
Entrants must follow our Instagram page and set their profile to public in order for their entry to be valid.
The giveaway prize is live for five (5) days only.
Entries will be accepted within the five (5) days of posting the feature. Thereafter the giveaway for that prize will close and the winner will be announced.
Winners will be contacted and asked to provide their full name and contact details via Instagram within 48 hours.
Winners will be instructed on how to claim their prize by email.
Winners must respond to redeem the prize within seven (7) days of the prize announcement, otherwise the prize will be forfeited.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash, credit and are non-transferrable to third parties.
Prestige reserves the right to cancel, re-draw or otherwise modify this giveaway at any time with immediate effect and without giving prior notice.
Photos are for reference only.

The post Aveda: Surrounded by the Love of Nature (A Christmas Giveaway) appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

While there are some Christmas movies that are actually great, the most popular and successful ones are comforting, heartwarming and often cheesy - and that's okay!

The festive season, in fact, is the time of year when we can collectively indulge in predictable romantic comedies and "fantasy" sagas of dubious credibility without being judged.

From 90s classics that still make us all feel nostalgic to newer releases that took the internet by storm and rom-coms, here are our top picks to stream right now in Hong Kong.

5 Christmas Movies to Stream Right Now

The Holiday

Nothing screams Christmas rom-com more than a stellar ensemble cast. In the Holiday, Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz swap homes during the festive season after bad breakups. While the story is is as corny as it gets, the 2006 box office success boosts great aesthetic design, uplifting performances and some truly enjoyable romantic scenes.

Stream here

Home Alone

No synopsis needed here. If you were born after 1980 and have an issue with the unrealistic premise of this genre-defining '90s classic, you shouldn't watch any movie on this list.

Stream here

A Christmas Prince

When a fictitious nation where it always snows, a charming prince and a naive young journalist are involved, you know you're in for a treat. A Christmas Prince, the first instalment of Netflix's popular trilogy, takes the soppy - and yet somehow enjoyable - tropes of Hallmark Channel and gives them a millennial treatment.

Strem here

Serendipity

This one's probably controversial but Serendipity is one of the most underrated Christmas movies of all time. Is it extremely unrealistic and absurd at times? Yes! However, this rom-com's vibes are really immaculate (if you love early 2000s movies, of course). Plus, who doesn't like John Cusack?

Stream here

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is first and foremost a meticulously crafted visual masterpiece. The story and music, however, also make for a stylish and heartwarming holiday classic that leaves a mark with a timeless message of gratitude.

Stream here

The post 5 Christmas Movies to Stream Right Now appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With less than a couple of weeks to go until the most wonderful time of the year, it’s time for the annual Prestige Christmas Giveaway. From December 13th to 24th, we’re offering Prestige Online readers the chance to win amazing prizes each and every day on Instagram, as we count down the 12 days of Christmas.

Whether you’re stuck on your gift list, sick of shopping, or just in need of a treat, here’s just a little something from us to you, to thank you for being our loyal readers.

Giveaway Day 3: Plaza Premium Group Lounge Passes

From Italy to Macau, Canada to Finland, we have you covered with the exclusive Plaza Premium Lounge Pass. With this four-visit Pass in your hand, you can unlock a worldwide luxurious airport lounge adventure and indulge in a privately comfortable experience before the flight.

Valid for 12 months upon activation, this Pass can be used at any Plaza Premium Lounge. Whether it's to visit family and friends overseas, relax in an exotic destination, or discover new sights in world famous cities, treat yourself better before the flight. An array of all-inclusive personalised services including exquisite dining experience, TV channels and shower facilities is ready for you.

As a renowned brand, Plaza Premium Lounge's footprint spans over 70 major international airports across the world and has won more than 60 accolades in the last five years, including 'World's Best Independent Airport Lounge' for five consecutive years from 2016 to 2021 at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.

How to Enter

At Prestige, we’re giving out four sets of four lounge passes to four lucky winners. You and your family will be able to indulge and refresh yourselves before your flight on your long-awaited adventures. To enter, head to our Instagram page @PrestigeHK and follow the instructions.

Terms & Conditions:

By entering this Prestige giveaway, you will be bound by these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you satisfy all eligibility requirements.
This giveaway is open to Hong Kong residents only and entrants must be over the age of eighteen (18).
Entrants must follow our Instagram page and set their profile to public in order for their entry to be valid.
The giveaway prize is live for five (5) days only.
Entries will be accepted within the five (5) days of posting the feature. Thereafter the giveaway for that prize will close and the winner will be announced.
Winners will be contacted and asked to provide their full name and contact details via Instagram within 48 hours.
Winners will be instructed on how to claim their prize by email.
Winners must respond to redeem the prize within seven (7) days of the prize announcement, otherwise the prize will be forfeited.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash, credit and are non-transferrable to third parties.
Prestige reserves the right to cancel, re-draw or otherwise modify this giveaway at any time with immediate effect and without giving prior notice.
Photos are for reference only.

The post Plaza Premium Group: Making Travel Fun Again (A Christmas Giveaway) appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With less than a couple of weeks to go until the most wonderful time of the year, it's time for the annual Prestige Christmas Giveaway. From December 13th to 24th, we’re offering Prestige Online readers the chance to win amazing prizes each and every day on Instagram, as we count down the 12 days of Christmas.

Whether you’re stuck on your gift list, sick of shopping, or just in need of a treat, here's just a little something from us to you, to thank you for being our loyal readers.

Christmas Giveaway Day 2: Tea Château x Vivienne Tam Graffiti Dragon Collection

One might be in fashion and the other might be a maker of tea capsules, but the two have a lot more in common than you'd think. Vivienne Tam is known all over the world as a fashion designer with a distinct knack for combining elements of the East and West in her designs. Tea Château, similarly embodies an East meets West philosophy to create its one-of-a-kind tea capsule machine, adapting the Western coffee capsule machine concept to work with Chinese teas and herbal tea blends.

For Tam, it was a natural collaboration. "I like tea very much because tea culture is known as the quintessence of Chinese traditional drinking culture," says the designer. "It's a combination of life and philosophy. When I first heard the brand concept of Tea Château, I was amazed by the western capsules made of Chinese tea or herbal tea. This perfectly combines East and West's elements, which also matches VT's East Meets West's concept."

The Design

When designing the Tea Château x Vivienne Tam Graffiti Dragon collection, Tam laboured long and hard over the symbols that could represent both Chinese and Western cultures best. She settled on the dragon, and to capture traditional tea-drinking culture in a more contemporary manner, she decided on graffiti, seen as the most popular art form in modern Western culture.

The final design utilises modern graphics of dragons and clouds on the tea capsule machine and tea capsules, while the co-branding letters of TC and VT are emblazoned on the box like a wax seal stamp.

The Four Tea Flavours

Hugely passionate about tea herself, Tam says fashion and tea both inspire her and are huge parts of her daily life. "Together with Tea Château, we're transforming the traditional culture of tea drinking into a trendy and fashionable attitude," she says. "A shot of herbal tea in a snap is just perfect to boost our energy in the quick fashion world."

Tam's favourite is Glow Your Skin, a bestseller amongst women for its function and taste. "It smells elegant and comfortable," says Tam. "Especially with the smell of Ginseng Oolong and Osmanthus."

Glow Your Skin contains effective herbs that can nourish the body and brighten the complexion. Freeze Your Age is another functional tea offered in this range, with ginseng, chrysanthemum and rose to boost immunity, strengthen the spleen, soothe the mind and improve vitality.

Two other traditional teas round out the offering – a Premium Dahongpao imbued with the mellow aroma of cinnamon, and Premium Pu'er, a complex multilayered tea with a full-bodied flavour.

The Tea Château Experience

The machine is so simple to operate there really isn't much to it – simply place a capsule into the machine, push a Botton and your perfect cuppa awaits you. The machine comes with 15 bar pressure to ensure a perfectly brewed cup with optimal water pressure and temperature. There are also seven water levels to choose from, allowing you to adjust the strength and concentration of your tea. What's more, the machine is compatible with other capsule drinks, making the machine a truly versatile addition to the home.

How to Enter

At Prestige, we're giving away one set of Tea Château x Vivienne Tam Graffiti Dragon Collection, which comes with the stylish Tea Capsule Machine along with four tea types: the Premium Dahongpao, Premium Pu'er, and two functional teas Glow Your Skin and Freeze Your Age. To enter, head to our Instagram page @PrestigeHK and follow the instructions.

Terms & Conditions:

By entering this Prestige giveaway, you will be bound by these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you satisfy all eligibility requirements.
This giveaway is open to Hong Kong residents only and entrants must be over the age of eighteen (18).
Entrants must follow our Instagram page and set their profile to public in order for their entry to be valid.
The giveaway prize is live for five (5) days only.
Entries will be accepted within the five (5) days of posting the feature. Thereafter the giveaway for that prize will close and the winner will be announced.
Winners will be contacted and asked to provide their full name and contact details via Instagram within 48 hours.
Winners will be instructed on how to claim their prize by email.
Winners must respond to redeem the prize within seven (7) days of the prize announcement, otherwise the prize will be forfeited.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash, credit and are non-transferrable to third parties.
Prestige reserves the right to cancel, re-draw or otherwise modify this giveaway at any time with immediate effect and without giving prior notice.
Photos are for reference only.

The post Tea Château Partners with Vivienne Tam to Brew the Perfect Cuppa (A Christmas Giveaway) appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

When the temperature outside drops, nothing beats sipping a warm beverage during the aperitif hour. So instead of serving mulled wine during your festive gatherings, here are five unexpected warm beverages.

The post Bored of mulled wine? Here are 5 other alcohols that can be served warm appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

We don't have the frosty air and snowy settings of Europe, but we sure do know how to bring on the festivities and get everyone feeling merry and bright.

Stuck at home this holiday season? There are more ways than one to get into the Christmas mood. Besides picking up gifts for your loved ones and enjoying a beautiful light show, here are all the pop-ups and Christmas markets to help light up your Christmas this 2021.

This Christmas, here are all the Christmas markets and pop-ups you should know about.

Central Market's Christmas with Heart 2021

An 8-metre-tall Santa Claus, a dreamy Christmas forest and reindeers await at the newly-revitalised Central Market, which has opened its first ever Christmas market, Christmas with Heart 2021" from now until January 16th.

The iconic historical architecture serves as the backdrop to 20 meticulously designed Christmas characters, making the Central Market a go-to spot for photos this festive season. The market is rich with Christmas carols, performances and charity activities, but what's exciting is the integration of NFT art – guests are invited to create their very own NFT as souvenirs in two art workshops hosted by Pantone C Workshop, while 1,000 limited edition event-linked NFT Tokens will also be given out to Central Club members, who can redeem one piece valued at 1,500 points on a first come, first served basis.

You won't miss the inflatable Santa Claus perched on the rooftop, but another highlight is the simulated large-scale snow installation at the Oasis, possibly one of the most photogenic spots at the market. Afterwards, spend time browsing the three Christmas markets, offering Christmas gift ideas from urban-design products, to metro wellness and start-up creativity.

Santa will make a stop between December 24th to 27th from 4 to 8 pm, so be sure to be on your best behaviour when you visit at those times.

Central Market, 93 Queen's Road Central, Central

Christmas Pop-up Market at K11 MUSEA

The cultural Silicon Valley in Hong Kong, K11 MUSEA, will arrange a series of pop-ups just for Christmas time. The festive pop-ups will be on the 6th floor and at MUSE EDITION on the ground floor from December 11th to 13th and December 17th to 27th. Packed with gift shopping, gourmet tasting, and even Christmas bauble personalisation, these pop-ups can meet all your Christmas needs.

At the end of the shopping day, a delightful spectacle awaits. The light showcase, Globoscope will be available on the 7th floor’s Bohemian Garden from now until January 3. Globoscope, which debuted in the Fête des Lumières de Lyon in 2014, is shown for the first time in Asia. More importantly, the art director Maxime Houot​ adapted the lighting set to the landscape of Bohemian Garden to create a dreamy space for you to relax at the end of your day.

K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3892 3890

Winter Wonderland Pop-up at Rosewood Hong Kong

As part of “The Holiday Edit” at Rosewood Hong Kong, the luxury hotel is presenting a cosy wooden chalet pop-up store at its main entrance from now till December 26th.

Filled with festive gifts from Butterly Patisserie, guests can also enjoy roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and hot chocolate in the chalet daily between 6 to 7 pm, until December 19th, and between 6 to 8 pm from December 20th to 26th.

To add an extra touch of magic, guests at the chalet will be able to experience a sprinkling of evening snow between 6 to 9 pm daily, until December 31st. And of course, if you've been good this Christmas, you'll be able to catch Santa on December 24th and 25th, making his rounds between 12 to 1 pm and then again from 4:15 to 5:45 pm.

Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 3891 8888

A Very Big Christmas at Lane Crawford

This Christmas, gift shopping, food market, and charity sales are all in Lane Crawford.

Lane Crawford’s food market will introduce Michelin-star Chef Ryota’s curated traditional Japanese sake, French treats, Italian’s all-time classic Panettone, and more. Unique gifts like healing crystal grid by Ariana Ost, sauna blanket by Higher Dose, and laser kit by LYMA can also be found here.

After shopping, select a floral wrapping paper to dress your present. The money you paid for the wrapping paper will be donated to Po Leung Kuk to help children in need and elderlies with disabilities. Lastly, brands like Jovens, Johnstons of Elgin, and Dreyden will also offer Christmas services such as monogramming or embroidery.

Lane Crawford, Podium 3, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2118 2288

Orient Express at ifc mall

ifc mall will present a story-like Orient Express from now until January 2 to celebrate this Christmas. The pop-up is inspired by the original Orient Express, the first transcontinental train in Europe that was developed by Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers in the 1880s.

Besides the train, there are other zones to give guests different experiences. Guests could learn about the history of the Orient Express, mail cards at the vintage post office, and immerse themselves in the traditional European street with twinkly lights and baubles.

ifc mall, Podium Level 1, Oval Atrium, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2118 2288

Winter Wonderland European-style Christmas

Winter Wonderland will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo from December 13th to January 2nd, bringing a European Christmas Village to town. A mecca of dining and shopping experiences, the Village will also be filled with photo opportunities and tons of exciting performances.

Glacier Ice House is one of its highlights. Built from hundreds of gigantic ice blocks, people can have a drink in the Arctic Circle world. House of Light is another highlight, an immersive interactive art installation developed by XCEPT that will present a crystalline tree under northern lights in Winter Wonderland. The venue is also great for those with children: MR. MEN LITTLE MISS Xmas Maze and a Christmas theme inflatable play zone can give children memorable moments.

Winter Wonderland, AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 2, Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau; +852 3606 8888

Citygate Outlets Outdoor Christmas Market

This winter, Citygate Outlets is celebrating the beloved tradition of Christmas Markets with renowned German handicraft brand Wendt & Kühn. The Jolly Christmas Market in Tung Chung is set to open for three consecutive weekends from December 10th, under a 4.3-metre German-style Christmas Pyramid in the outdoor areas on Level 4. Joined by Wendt & Kühn's mischievous angels, the Christmas market will host over 40 unique stalls to offer shoppers an array of gifting ideas, delightful Christmas ornaments, clothes, handicrafts and festive delicacies.

Apart from shopping – don't miss highlights such as Poki Ng's trendy brand Lost Life, jewellery brand ohmydeer designed by Adrian Wong, and Lantau social enterprise Tai O Fei Mao Li, German organic honey Hexapi Honey – you'll also catch music performances from local rising star MC Cheung, as well as newcomers Alfred Wu, Tracy Chow and Ho Pui Ting.

The Jolly Christmas Market is open from December 10th to 12th, December 17th to 19th and December 24th to 27th.

Citygate Outlet, 20 Tat Tung Rd, Tung Chung; +852 2109 2933

Après-Ski Village at the HK Golf and Tennis Academy

Another Christmas event that cannot be missed is the Après-Ski Village if you are a sports lover. Hosted by the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy (HKGTA) the Après-Ski Village will run on its Sai Kung premises until January 2nd. This pop-up event brings a series of sports challenges, a brand new ice rink, and fantastic winter market to its members. In Tai Chung Hau, guests at the Après-Ski Village will be greeted with welcome drinks before they immerse themselves in golf experience sessions with the help from top-tier golf coaches in Hong Kong. What's more, Little Ice Town and Little Christmas Chalet will be serving delicious foods and warm drinks. The finest delicacies and traditional holiday favorites can be discovered at the Global Winter Fair.

Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, 81 Tai Chung Hau, Sai Kung; +852 3187 8900

The post Christmas Markets and Pop-ups to Visit in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We don't have the frosty air and snowy settings of Europe, but we sure do know how to bring on the festivities and get everyone feeling merry and bright.

Stuck at home this holiday season? There are more ways than one to get into the Christmas mood. Besides picking up gifts for your loved ones and enjoying a beautiful light show, here are all the pop-ups and Christmas markets to help light up your Christmas this 2021.

This Christmas, here are all the Christmas markets and pop-ups you should know about.

Central Market's Christmas with Heart 2021

An 8-metre-tall Santa Claus, a dreamy Christmas forest and reindeers await at the newly-revitalised Central Market, which has opened its first ever Christmas market, Christmas with Heart 2021" from now until January 16th.

The iconic historical architecture serves as the backdrop to 20 meticulously designed Christmas characters, making the Central Market a go-to spot for photos this festive season. The market is rich with Christmas carols, performances and charity activities, but what's exciting is the integration of NFT art – guests are invited to create their very own NFT as souvenirs in two art workshops hosted by Pantone C Workshop, while 1,000 limited edition event-linked NFT Tokens will also be given out to Central Club members, who can redeem one piece valued at 1,500 points on a first come, first served basis.

You won't miss the inflatable Santa Claus perched on the rooftop, but another highlight is the simulated large-scale snow installation at the Oasis, possibly one of the most photogenic spots at the market. Afterwards, spend time browsing the three Christmas markets, offering Christmas gift ideas from urban-design products, to metro wellness and start-up creativity.

Santa will make a stop between December 24th to 27th from 4 to 8 pm, so be sure to be on your best behaviour when you visit at those times.

Central Market, 93 Queen's Road Central, Central

Christmas Pop-up Market at K11 MUSEA

The cultural Silicon Valley in Hong Kong, K11 MUSEA, will arrange a series of pop-ups just for Christmas time. The festive pop-ups will be on the 6th floor and at MUSE EDITION on the ground floor from December 11th to 13th and December 17th to 27th. Packed with gift shopping, gourmet tasting, and even Christmas bauble personalisation, these pop-ups can meet all your Christmas needs.

At the end of the shopping day, a delightful spectacle awaits. The light showcase, Globoscope will be available on the 7th floor’s Bohemian Garden from now until January 3. Globoscope, which debuted in the Fête des Lumières de Lyon in 2014, is shown for the first time in Asia. More importantly, the art director Maxime Houot​ adapted the lighting set to the landscape of Bohemian Garden to create a dreamy space for you to relax at the end of your day.

K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3892 3890

Winter Wonderland Pop-up at Rosewood Hong Kong

As part of “The Holiday Edit” at Rosewood Hong Kong, the luxury hotel is presenting a cosy wooden chalet pop-up store at its main entrance from now till December 26th.

Filled with festive gifts from Butterly Patisserie, guests can also enjoy roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and hot chocolate in the chalet daily between 6 to 7 pm, until December 19th, and between 6 to 8 pm from December 20th to 26th.

To add an extra touch of magic, guests at the chalet will be able to experience a sprinkling of evening snow between 6 to 9 pm daily, until December 31st. And of course, if you've been good this Christmas, you'll be able to catch Santa on December 24th and 25th, making his rounds between 12 to 1 pm and then again from 4:15 to 5:45 pm.

Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 3891 8888

A Very Big Christmas at Lane Crawford

This Christmas, gift shopping, food market, and charity sales are all in Lane Crawford.

Lane Crawford’s food market will introduce Michelin-star Chef Ryota’s curated traditional Japanese sake, French treats, Italian’s all-time classic Panettone, and more. Unique gifts like healing crystal grid by Ariana Ost, sauna blanket by Higher Dose, and laser kit by LYMA can also be found here.

After shopping, select a floral wrapping paper to dress your present. The money you paid for the wrapping paper will be donated to Po Leung Kuk to help children in need and elderlies with disabilities. Lastly, brands like Jovens, Johnstons of Elgin, and Dreyden will also offer Christmas services such as monogramming or embroidery.

Lane Crawford, Podium 3, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2118 2288

Orient Express at ifc mall

ifc mall will present a story-like Orient Express from now until January 2 to celebrate this Christmas. The pop-up is inspired by the original Orient Express, the first transcontinental train in Europe that was developed by Belgian engineer Georges Nagelmackers in the 1880s.

Besides the train, there are other zones to give guests different experiences. Guests could learn about the history of the Orient Express, mail cards at the vintage post office, and immerse themselves in the traditional European street with twinkly lights and baubles.

ifc mall, Podium Level 1, Oval Atrium, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2118 2288

Winter Wonderland European-style Christmas

Winter Wonderland will be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo from December 13th to January 2nd, bringing a European Christmas Village to town. A mecca of dining and shopping experiences, the Village will also be filled with photo opportunities and tons of exciting performances.

Glacier Ice House is one of its highlights. Built from hundreds of gigantic ice blocks, people can have a drink in the Arctic Circle world. House of Light is another highlight, an immersive interactive art installation developed by XCEPT that will present a crystalline tree under northern lights in Winter Wonderland. The venue is also great for those with children: MR. MEN LITTLE MISS Xmas Maze and a Christmas theme inflatable play zone can give children memorable moments.

Winter Wonderland, AsiaWorld-Expo Hall 2, Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau; +852 3606 8888

Citygate Outlets Outdoor Christmas Market

This winter, Citygate Outlets is celebrating the beloved tradition of Christmas Markets with renowned German handicraft brand Wendt & Kühn. The Jolly Christmas Market in Tung Chung is set to open for three consecutive weekends from December 10th, under a 4.3-metre German-style Christmas Pyramid in the outdoor areas on Level 4. Joined by Wendt & Kühn's mischievous angels, the Christmas market will host over 40 unique stalls to offer shoppers an array of gifting ideas, delightful Christmas ornaments, clothes, handicrafts and festive delicacies.

Apart from shopping – don't miss highlights such as Poki Ng's trendy brand Lost Life, jewellery brand ohmydeer designed by Adrian Wong, and Lantau social enterprise Tai O Fei Mao Li, German organic honey Hexapi Honey – you'll also catch music performances from local rising star MC Cheung, as well as newcomers Alfred Wu, Tracy Chow and Ho Pui Ting.

The Jolly Christmas Market is open from December 10th to 12th, December 17th to 19th and December 24th to 27th.

Citygate Outlet, 20 Tat Tung Rd, Tung Chung; +852 2109 2933

Après-Ski Village at the HK Golf and Tennis Academy

Another Christmas event that cannot be missed is the Après-Ski Village if you are a sports lover. Hosted by the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy (HKGTA) the Après-Ski Village will run on its Sai Kung premises until January 2nd. This pop-up event brings a series of sports challenges, a brand new ice rink, and fantastic winter market to its members. In Tai Chung Hau, guests at the Après-Ski Village will be greeted with welcome drinks before they immerse themselves in golf experience sessions with the help from top-tier golf coaches in Hong Kong. What's more, Little Ice Town and Little Christmas Chalet will be serving delicious foods and warm drinks. The finest delicacies and traditional holiday favorites can be discovered at the Global Winter Fair.

Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, 81 Tai Chung Hau, Sai Kung; +852 3187 8900

The post A Taste of Christmas with Glenmorangie (A Christmas Giveaway) appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

If you're looking for presents and experiences to surprise your loved ones this festive season, Landmark has you covered with its exclusive Christmas Concierge service.

From tailoring to fine dining and more, Landmark's one-stop gifting service offers luxury experiences that can certainly cater for every special person in your life.

Keep Scrolling to Discover Some of the Luxury Experiences Available at Landmark

The Kingsman

One's dream of being a stylish spy in a tailor-made suit can finally come true this Christmas. With a wide variety of well-crafted men’s garments that epitomise timeless style, The Armoury is no doubt the perfect place to give the gentleman in your life a Kingsman's treatment.

The bespoke tailoring service is accompanied by a whisky tasting experience by The Whiskey Library, which offers luscious collections from distilleries around the world.

The Armoury, Shop B45, B/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2810 4990

Landmark's Bond Girl

If you’re looking to impress a fashionista, there’s nothing better than giving them the opportunity to design a pair of heels at Sauvereign.

Sauvereign, Shop 230B, 2/F Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2530 3391

A Glass of Act

To impress all the wine lovers out there, Landmark is offering an exclusive private wine masterclass for two. The tour, led by Amber's Wine Director John Chan, includes Premier & Grand Cru White and Red Wines from Burgundy, palate cleaners and nibbles.

Amber, 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2132 0066

The Star Collector

There’s nothing more satisfying and festive than enjoying fine food in good company. This year, Landmark is offering the opportunity of a lifetime taking guests on a tour to collect 10 Michelin Stars. We can't think of a more memorable gift for the one person in your life that is truly passionate about food. The unique adventure, which will be documented on a special star passport, will give the lucky gourmands the chance to eat at some of Hong Kong's most celebrated restaurants, including Amber, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana.

Mother-Daughter Day

This festive season, you can enjoy quality time with your family while getting your nails done at Airplay and indulging on a luxury French afternoon tea for two at Le Salon De Thé de Joël Robuchon.

Airplay, Shop315, 3/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen's Rd, Central; +852 2388 8179

Mini-moon at Landmark

Treat yourself and your loved one to a 150-minute long couples massage followed by a champagne and caviar tasting class led by John Chan, Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s Director of Wine. 

The Christmas Concierge is located at shop 237, 2/F Landmark Atrium and is open daily from 11am to 7:30pm until December 31

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A consultant with extensive experience with top collectors and institutions around the world, Wendy Goldsmith talks to us about navigating the art world, her changing clientele, the Western market and Asian collectors.

Wendy Goldsmith first joined renowned British auction house Christie's 19th Century European Art department in London over 20 years ago. There, she would travel across Europe and West Asia, sourcing key material for auctions and heavily contributing to the house's name and fame. After becoming its youngest Director and Auctioneer, she moved to New York and became the International Head of 19th Century European Art. In 2003, she returned to London and established herself as a private art consultant – Goldsmith Art Advisory.

Goldsmith's experience includes achieving some world-record prices in the art auctioning world while working with top collectors and institutions around the world. These days, she works out of her Mayfair office, focusing on Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary paintings and sculpture. We talk to her about the importance of art advisors, navigating the art world and the Western market, and the changing face of Asian collectors.

Goldsmith Art Advisory's Wendy Goldsmith on Navigating the Art World

Where have you been spending time over the past two years?

The last two years have been spent mainly in the UK. When not working in London, I was exploring many of the regional British museums and staycationing in some of our gorgeous country hotels whenever openings allowed. The only trip abroad was a trip to America last spring when I was able to sneak in due to my American passport. It had been too long not to see clients.

Have you been able to travel when possible during the pandemic and have you noticed people's travel patterns changing due to it?

It was exceedingly difficult for people to travel, hence almost impossible for them to view paintings and attend art fairs – because they simply didn't exist. The vaccine became the gamechanger, allowing the confidence for globetrotting to the world’s cultural capitals once again.

Has the demographic of your client base altered in any way in recent years?

There is no question that the clients have become younger and younger and younger, and they start at a much higher level; in my day you'd have 50, 60, and 70-year-olds buying the great works and the younger ones would start collecting with prints. Now you have 25-year-olds starting with seven-figure pictures which, having done this for so long, I still find extraordinary. 40 percent of the new clients at auction are under 30, as they are so comfortable buying online as well which is where all the sales seamlessly moved to over lockdown. In addition, the depth of the market is like nothing we've ever seen. Almost every country is involved – there were many years when certain nationalities would dominate; the Japanese in the late 80s, then the Russians, then the Italians yet now, literally everyone is enjoying the ride, with Asia leading the way.

Are there particular types of works that are notably popular at the moment?

Art that is popular to Western buyers has been filtering over to the Asian audience over the last few seasons. Now you have Western artists appearing more and more in the Hong Kong sales, which we never saw before when they were dominated almost purely by Asian artists. The experiment was a great success, especially as Asian collectors are educated and sophisticated, wanting to collect in-depth. They started with the obvious artists such as Andy Warhol, but have moved on to the likes of Nicholas Party – not necessarily a household name for those outside of the art world.

Are there obstacles to accessing specific works from the Western market for Asian collectors? How can these obstacles be overcome?

The problem with the current market is that everyone seems to gravitate to the same artists, which makes access the most difficult hurdle. Working with an advisor helps to overcome these obstacles. They have usually worked for years to cultivate relationships with the galleries, along with various other key colleagues, in order for their clients to have priority for the next great work to appear by their coveted artist. The other way to gain access is auctioning, which is why we have seen some outstanding prices in recent years. The person who puts their hand up in the air longest is the one who wins. Cash is king. It’s the great equaliser, without any waiting lists.

How has the pandemic affected your own ways of working?

Technology changed everything, and thank goodness we had it. Viewings were impossible over lockdown although, at one point, I did have a warehouse opened up exclusively to show a client one painting. The entire warehouse was completely empty, except for the managing director showing us around. I had to pull a lot of strings to make that happen, but it was the only way that deal could have gone through. That was early on during Covid but as time went on, collectors became more and more accustomed to buying online, especially new ones, once they were familiar with an artist and could see a high res jpeg, or had faith in the seller such as the brand names of Christie’s or Sotheby’s.

How would you say the pandemic has affected the buying and selling behaviours of your clients? How so for a wider collector base?

It remains a problem for Asian collectors, especially Chinese, as they literally cannot leave the country. Nevertheless, when there is an exhibition in say, Hong Kong, there are queues out the door. Local collectors can’t go elsewhere to view and experience art, so this is a very big event for them, even more so than usual. Art Basel Hong Kong was a huge success in March. Then the series of auctions held at Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips saw some extraordinary numbers from this captive audience.

When looking at recent sales in Hong Kong, is there anything notable in the types of collectors? Or the prices reached for particular works?

There is a trend in every sale. At the moment, collectors are looking at Black artists, they're looking at women artists and even within this field, they are looking at female surrealist artists. Every collector is always looking for the next big thing which speeds up exponentially. This again stems from technology. There's such unprecedented access to information so people's tastes are constantly in flux.

More broadly, art fairs in Hong Kong (from Art Basel in May to Unscheduled more recently) have in 2021 reported strong sales – do you have any comments on this in terms of what it says about the market in general? Does this have longevity?

The art world is not going anywhere. Again, there's just greater and greater depth of the market as a whole new generation of worldwide buyers come into the marketplace. The younger collectors obviously start at the contemporary side of things with what their friends are collecting and what they understand. Sometimes, they then work backwards to early modern, which looks like such good value in comparison at the moment. On the other hand, their parents started with some classic names they knew from their art history books – Van Gogh to Renoir to Picasso – but as these artists become harder and harder to come by (as well as increasingly more expensive), some of them realise that it was actually more fun in a way, once they collected what they wanted, to move on to contemporary. So it's really interesting where all the generations are meeting.

What might be your predictions as we come out of lockdown?

As we come out of lockdown, people are going to be more and more selective of the number of art fairs they attend, as well as the actual auctions. Having said that, they are also grasping any opportunity to see art in person once more. You can become familiar with paintings by a particular artist but nothing duplicates the experience of actually standing in front of a work of art. Interacting with artists is also the lifeblood for collectors – they love a good studio visit. They get great satisfaction from meeting with artists, understanding their thought processes, seeing their progress, supporting them and often, becoming friends. It is a dynamic that will last for hundreds of years.

Are there art fairs you have booked to visit in your calendar currently, now that some areas are opening up?

The size and numbers of art fairs may become reduced as many of the smaller galleries are realizing that without the huge expenses of these overheads, between travel, shipping and hotel costs, plus of course the cost of renting a booth for the fair, they can do just as much and more with .jpg and online viewing rooms. It’s also an impetus to get clients back into bricks and mortar galleries and view proper exhibitions. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to Art Basel Miami in early December, along with some excellent satellite fairs. Plus, everyone is in a good mood in the sun.

How can people try to navigate a complicated and increasingly overwhelming market?

The art world has become an almost impossible beast to navigate, even for professionals. That's why an art advisor is so essential if you're going to take collecting seriously. It would be physically impossible for a layperson to go to all the exhibitions, auction viewings, museum shows, gallery openings I attend, as well as read all the websites I look at, the previews for the shows and art fairs – not to mention the endless auction catalogues. So you really need someone in your corner: a support system, a teacher and an educator to really understand the complexities of this absolute minefield, especially when there can be so much money on the line. Art advisors pay for themselves, just in that aspect alone.

What advice would you give to burgeoning collectors unsure of how to build their collections?

You can't see enough. Look at art anywhere, anytime and at any opportunity. Start to really understand your taste which is why it also helps to see the bad, in order to understand the good. It can take years to gain the confidence and education to build a collection so there’s no need to rush but if you’re still unsure, some professional advice would make all the difference.

You can find out about Wendy Goldsmith and Goldsmith Art Advisory here.

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From festive decorations to fancy crockery, Christmas candles to sound systems and more, here's the ultimate gift guide for the home.

Whether you're hosting a party at home this Christmas or if you have a friend who's this year's hostess with the mostess (no mean feat given the state of this pandemic), here's a range of home items, decor and fancy crockery that will surely be appreciated and loved for the years to come.

Keep scrolling to shop our selection of best gifts for the home during the holiday season.

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