Celebrity Life

“Dreams do come true, all you need to do is, be consistent and committed,” says Jubin Nautiyal, the leading Indian playback singer and performer while getting his hair and makeup done at the Aloft New Delhi Aerocity for the December cover shoot of TMM. For Jubin, his source of energy and motivation lies in mountains […]

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Ask Elli AvrRam what she likes about India and the Swedish Greek actress who moved bag and baggage to Mumbai nine years ago will probably say – everything! The beautiful lass who loves gorging on motichoor laddoos, wearing saris and salwar kameez, and celebrating festivals like Holi and Ganesh Chaturthi, believes in her heart that […]

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Designers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra have always strived to create a modernized design language with their eponymous label. With Nikhil a masters in fashion and Shantanu in finance, the brothers launched their designer label 20 years ago and have come a long way since. In an exclusive conversation with TMM, they talk about the dynamic […]

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To those whose whirlwind romance looks likely to become permanent, we've put together everything they'll need to know about that all-important token of everlasting love – the engagement ring.

If we didn’t know this already, 2021 definitely proved a certain point – that nothing can get in the way of love, not even a pandemic that knows no end. People may reschedule their weddings to 2022, even 2023, but proposals and engagements are still very much happening.

And with every proposal, there’s the ultimate prop: the ring to symbolise eternal love and commitment. It doesn’t have to be a diamond, but it sure needs to be something you know your partner will cherish. Whether you’re dropping hints to your partner about the ring of your dreams, or even shopping together for it, we’ve gathered all the advice from our favourite bridal jewellers to narrow down the top engagement-ring trends that we believe are here to stay.

Read on to discover all the engagement ring trends.

Trend 1: Keeping it Classic

The diamond engagement ring will forever remain a classic, even if it isn’t technically traditional – diamonds only became synonymous with bridal jewellery when copywriter Frances Gerety coined the phrase “A Diamond is Forever” for a 1947 De Beers campaign. Nonetheless, white diamonds remain a popular choice and numerous jewellery brands purport to offer the best of them.

For example, Graff, the king of diamonds, takes its diamond selection process extremely seriously, having spent generations perfecting the journey of a stone from mine to boutique, ensuring on the way that the cut, the setting and the craftsmanship behind each jewel are flawless. Diamonds are graded by the 4Cs, a universal standard set by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) that refers to a diamond’s cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. At Graff, the diamonds are cut and polished to be perfect balanced with symmetrical mirror-like facets to display the optimum scintillation; you’ll also find that in terms of colour, Graff only uses diamonds ranging between D and G – the rarest and most sought-after grades.

At Hearts on Fire, cut is the most important of the 4Cs. A round, brilliant-cut diamond is arguably the most sparkling and radiant, as it displays the highest number of facets within to reflect light, and this is also the cut that Hearts on Fire exclusively specialises in.

Trend 2: Going for Fancy Shapes

Today, however, there’s definitely a rise in popularity for fancy shapes. Clients who go to Angie Marei in New York, aren’t looking for round brilliant-cut diamonds.. The Dominican-Egyptian designer takes inspiration from Ancient Egyptian decorative arts, architecture and the anti-traditional elegance of the Art Deco era to bring each piece a unique story. Her Ayla Bridal Collection for example, is inspired by the majestic open curves and fluidity of Arabic calligraphy and decorative arts, with a serpentine design that’s a spiritual symbol of rebirth, transformation, eternity and immortality.

“Most of my clients are requesting unique cuts over the traditional round brilliant cuts,” Marei tells us. “For example, our Ayla Engagement Ring featuring a marquise-cut diamond is in high demand now. They love the ultra-feminine look of the marquise shape. We’re also getting a lot of requests for pear and oval-cut diamonds.”

Similarly, De Beers has noticed the trend for fancy cuts, and has extended its offering of fancy-cut and fancy-colour solitaire diamond rings this year, offering its clients full control of their individual expressions. Marquise-cut, a modification of the round brilliant that maximises carat weight and gives the illusion of longer and slimmer fingers, dates back to the 1700s. According to legend, Louise XV of France requested a diamond cut to resemble the perfectly-shaped mouth of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour.

Heart-shaped diamonds are also making a comeback among hopeless romantics. Their popularity dates back to the 16th century, when Mary Queen of Scots gave Queen Elizabeth a heart-shaped diamond ring as a gift of friendship.

Trend 3: Design-Forward

London-based designer Liv Luttrell, who excels in creating bespoke engagement rings for her clients, says she’s “found a real interest in dramatic design-led pieces.

“I’ve been exploring geometric shapes paired with detailed settings and simple curving architectural-inspired lines,” says Luttrell. “The challenge I relish is to take a bold brief and bring it to life, where the final design has the right balance of quality, uniqueness and timeless elegance that will be wearable for a lifetime.”

Intricate design is on the mind of Harry Winston’s designers, too. Inspired by the intricate details and elements of a bespoke wedding gown, the house has applied the same mindset and artistry to its new Bridal Couture collection of rings. Each ring highlights the various diamond cuts with signature elements that recall the wedding-day ensemble – such as the corset lacing of a couture gown, married with a pear-shaped diamond centre stone, or an emerald-cut diamond contrasting with the delicate open-weave fabric of Chantilly lace. For a more avant-garde take on an engagement ring, there’s also an exquisite ring designed with two marquise-shaped diamonds of approximately the same carat weight, resting asymmetrically side-by-side on a diamond and platinum band.

Trend 4: Attention to the Ring Band

Jewellery designer Rachel Boston has noticed a trend for more unusual band styles. “At the moment, we’re seeing a lot of interest in more unusual band styles, with people leaning towards wider statement bands,” she says.
“A chunky band is a perfect way to turn something that would otherwise be a much more classic-looking engagement ring into a piece with a really unique character,” says Boston. “Split bands are a popular choice as well, and much easier to wear and pair with a wedding band than you’d think. We’re also seeing a draw towards intricate, Art-Deco inspired halos.”

For popular British fine-jewellery brand Annoushka, which introduced its first bridal collection this year, it’s all about the ring jacket. Called Love & Commitment, the collection ranges from simple solitaires and delicate three-stone designs to more extravagant fine stone rings. What’s super interesting is the diamond ring jacket that clients can pair with an engagement ring. Available in yellow or white gold, the interchangeable ring jacket slides snugly around the solitaire ring for extra oomph and pizzaz. The ring jacket functions perfectly as a wedding band, or could even be added as a milestone gift in years to come.

Trend 5: Making a Statement with Colour

Every couple is different, and every proposal is unique. There’s definitely a growing number of people looking for something different – and coloured stones have never been more popular. According to London-based jeweller Michelle Oh, “We’re seeing a huge and growing demand for coloured stones to be used in engagement rings these days. Gone are the days when someone just wants a round brilliant-cut white diamond solitaire for an engagement ring.”

People today are looking for uniqueness. “More and more people try to be different and steer away from silhouettes and shapes that feel too commonplace,” says Oh. “I think this is all part of the zeitgeist of wanting to express individuality and uniqueness.”

Colour is an extremely personal way to display this sense of individuality, she adds. “Even those who still want some diamonds on their ring will opt for less traditional-looking diamonds, such as champagne or grey diamonds, or maybe an unusual cut or shape, to get that different look in their diamond ring.”

The post Sandra Ng and Coba Cheng on Their Love for Cinema and Celebrating Local Stories appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

At work, we all look for that comfort of home and love of siblings that can make things easier. While many of us are not lucky enough to find the same, there are two brothers who are blessed to have that comfort and are here to mark an impression in the world of entertainment. Meet […]

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Following serial cultural entrepreneur Kevin Poon around Hong Kong on a typical working day can be an exhausting and Exhilarating business, as we discover.

Why don’t we meet at Unscheduled? We can chat then,” says Kevin Poon, during an unexpected call in the middle of a day whose blistering heat presages the imminent arrival of a tropical cyclone.

The Unscheduled he’s referring to is a pop-up organised by The Hong Kong Art Gallery Association, which asked around 50 local galleries to exhibit and sell a selection of their works at a temporary location in Central, where Topshop used to be. Poon’s Woaw Gallery, which he set up in 2019, is represented on the mezzanine floor and I find him addressing potential buyers about the work of American artist Charlie Roberts.

“Roberts is currently in Norway and you can see his inspiration from traditional art, pop culture, hip-hop, comics and folk art,” he tells them, as heads nod politely. “I really like all the watches in the paintings,” a masked face in the crowd says out loud. The socially distant gathering makes strangers of us all.

We amble around the space, Poon recognises most of the exhibitors and with the ones he doesn’t know he makes a point of going to shake their hand, letting them know he appreciates their efforts and collection. As a new gallery owner, albeit a long-time collector, has he been keeping track of what the average buyer is looking at?

“I’ve been working my entire adult life, I’ve set myself goals and ambitions early on, but if people want to think I’ve got bank, let them - I know my truth.”

Kevin Poon

“It’s interesting, because before, my perspective initially was more from a collector’s point of view,” he says taking pictures of sculptures he likes. “So
I’d be visiting art fairs and galleries, looking at and buying things I personally like. But since I opened my gallery, I’m aware of what a lot of people are collecting and looking at. You know, many of the artists and buyers are my friends. There’s a lot of people who love art, collecting art, and I really feel it this year, especially in Hong Kong and China, people are respecting creativity, respecting the art, respecting intellectual property. It’s been amazing to observe what sells.”

It’s no secret that Poon hobnobs with artists and stars of all stripes. As we make our way through the space, it seems he’s on first-name terms with just about everyone, with fist-bumps for “homies” and bear-hugs for old friends – friends such as local artist Michael Lau, who’s poised to exhibit at his gallery in Central as we go to print.

“I buy things from artists I’ve been following. Usually, it’s like a friend, or a friend of a friend. Or something I saw online that captivated me. It’s very organic. I support everyone, but it comes from a very genuine space.”

Woaw Gallery has previously featured names such as Koichi Sato, Anna Weyant, Cristina Banban, Simphiwe Ndzube and Sam Friedman. Does Poon have to like the artists to like the art?

“That is an interesting question,” he says, pausing before quietly repeating my question to himself. “OK, so you know, sometimes what you like might not do well, and what you don’t like might actually sell well. So, I guess it’s a give and take. I’m learning more about it as I go along. But, generally speaking, everyone’s super nice. Obviously, if you like the art, then you’ll try to like the artist. But if you don’t like the artist as a person, that’s kind of … a bummer. Man, I really have to think about this.”

“I’m not really afraid of failure. Not everything has gone my way – I’ve been in business for
nearly two decades, and I’ve seen the tide go up and down. But I’m still around, right?”

Kevin Poon

The gallery in Central opened when the pandemic was raging. Did he commandeer the space as luxury brands were zooming out? “Yes, and no. Central has traditionally been for large multinational designer spaces, but my gallery – it’s such a small programme. When the opportunity came to open at that space, for a rate I could work with, why wouldn’t I take it up?

“With the gallery, making money isn’t really at the forefront, it’s not the number-one mission. With that being said, I still want to keep it relatively organic in the sense that I don’t have to do things because I’m chasing a sale. If that happens later down the road, when you have shareholders, then it’s a different question. I still can be very free to select things that I pick from my gut instinct. I go with what I feel is right and then just roll the dice.”

Poon strides out of the pop-up, and we head to the street where his car and driver are waiting. We jump in and race over to a space off Tung Street in Sheung Wan, where a pop-up of his streetwear brand Clot’s collaboration with Sacai is in the making. With construction full on to meet a looming deadline for a 500-guest event, the heady whiffs of wood chippings and fresh paint fill the air, but Poon barges through, nonchalantly surveying the work in progress. “Things fall into place at the right time,” he says.

As many in Hong Kong – including almost 130,000 social-media followers – know, Poon’s got multiple arrows in his quiver, His business ventures include Clot (established in 2003 with his pop. star buddy Edison Chen) and Juice stores studded around China, Hong Kong and LA. His dining ventures include the Elephant Grounds cafes, restaurants La Rambla, Mashi No Mashi, Sushi Mamoru and Wagyu Mafia, and bars such as The Diplomat and Kyle & Bain – the latter, a martini bar that’s part of Margo, was recently voted one of the 50 best restaurants in town. He’s a designer and a restaurateur, he’s been a DJ and he’s organised music festivals. It begs the question: does he have attention deficit disorder?

“I’m sure I do. My wife thinks I do, my teachers in school couldn’t handle my energy,” he says with a loud guffaw. Last October, Poon married model Fiona McLeish, and the couple are now parents to a baby boy. Poon’s a wanted man – his phone doesn’t stop pinging and many strings pull him in myriad directions. “I have the opportunity to take my interests and make them into a business that works for me. Every brand or restaurant or bar is a reflection of some part of me. To be honest, I’m not that much of a drinker or partier any more, but that may be the image some people have of me, because of what I do for a living, but that’s not the real me.”

I put it to Poon that there’s an urban legend surrounding him – that all his ventures are funded by a $100 million inheritance from his father when he was 21, and not the fruits of his own business acumen. “People think I have a hundred mil? That’s crazy!” he says, and he bursts out laughing. By this time, we’ve popped over to Margo where ace barkeep John Nugent whips up a cocktail for us. It’s three in the afternoon, and Poon swirls the ice in his cocktail, never really drinking.

“Please, let me make it very clear. My father worked in a tractor company. There were many difficulties in the early part of my life – my parents separated ages ago. I didn’t inherit a million or billion – I’ve been working my entire adult life, I’ve set myself goals and ambitions early on, but if people want to think I’ve got bank, let them,” he says with a shrug. “I know my truth.”

Poon’s rep is rock solid. The media has been charting the course of his career since 2003, when he first started making noise on the club scene as a DJ, and after that with streetwear brand Clot. Although scandal touched his partner, Poon was left unblemished – indeed, his reputation was hardly affected by the association, “Years ago, there were some issues with my business partner that made tabloid headlines and of course I was mad at first – but I stand by my friends. The turnover in my company isn’t a lot – the same people have worked with me for
years.”

We pop next door to his gallery, which is also two doors down from the latest Juice store, set to open later this year. If he makes all the right moves, will every door that opens on 9 Queen’s Road have his stamp on it? Doesn’t it ever get overwhelming – and could it all come crashing down?

“Well, I’m not really afraid of failure. Everything has its ups and downs – you know, I did the music festival BloHK party, which took so much effort, time and money. It was pre-Clockenflap and I didn’t make money on it. Years ago, I went into businesses with my buddy and a scandal hit and threw us off our path. I’m no longer in partnership with Fed [Federico Tan] at Social Capital, as he’s gone a separate way to create his own thing. That’s fine. Not everything has gone my way – I’ve been in business for nearly two decades, and I’ve seen the tide go up and down. But I’m still around, right?”

What’s his favourite part of the business? “My favourite part of my job is having things that I can add to. Yes, I know I have multiple responsibilities – you should see the size of my Excel sheets! But it allows me to switch gears: one track, it’s the fashion and then I switch to the art and then to the food and beverage, and then I go back to fashion. I think it actually helps me problem solve and think outside of the box. The most challenging part of my job is time management, my presence is required at some, my attention to others. Ever since my son was born, I’ve been trying to limit my screen time to be present with him and my wife. I think it’s the most common complaint in Hong Kong from every wife everywhere: ‘Put your phone down, we’re at dinner!’That work/life balance hasn’t been easy.”

Fatherhood seems to have done wonders for the forty-something, who has a new-found serenity about him. Poon has been in the eye of a media storm for years and used to handle things differently, so this zen avatar is a new one for us. “Well, that’s because I’m spending the day with Prestige and having a good time,” he says, before adding more sincerely, “OK, I do have days when I’m frustrated if things aren’t aligned. Things that are outside of my control, for example. When you’re doing cross cultural business between the United States, Hong Kong and Greater China there’s always uncertainty. The laws are different, the governments are different. That keeps me up.

“And sometimes, I’m just off because I’m talking to people in New York, and then I’m waking up early to talk to people in LA and then in Europe, but I think having a positive mentality and getting a night’s sleep really helps.”

The phone rings again for the nth time, beckoning Poon back to the gallery space for a photocall with media partners. Walking back, he tells me how Covid grounded him in Hong Kong, how weekly flights between capital cities are no longer a priority when a Zoom call will do, and how his son has helped shift priorities in a seismic, soul-searching way.

Walking into the pop-up we discover there’s been a change since we left. Every single painting on display by Woaw has been sold, including Night Kitchen, a large oil on canvas.

Poon tells his team to pull out pieces that are in storage in the back – maybe call the main gallery and get other works to hang on the walls. There is more, I ask him? “There’s always more,” he says.

Kevin Poon Cover Story

ART DIRECTION
RICKY LO & JACKY TAM
PHOTOGRAPHER RICKY LO
STYLIST JACKY TAM
PHOTO ASSISTANT
ALSTON CHAN, AZEAL HO, KELVIN SIM
MAKEUP ARTIST LITTLEWHITE
HAIR STYLIST SAM KO

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