Celebrity Life

For style entrepreneur and glamorous Singaporean socialite Arissa Cheo, the confidence and assuredness that comes with experience is one of life’s great luxuries. Here, the founder of one of Asia’s hottest fashion lines – aptly named Arissa X – shares her tips for what to wear for dinner at the Captain’s table, as well as why holidays at sea are the ultimate treat.

[caption id="attachment_191791" align="alignnone" width="1391"] VIP guests can arrive in style on the helipad, Genting Dream of Dream Cruises | Top, vest and skirt: Louis Vuitton | Shoes: Fendi | Sunglasses and rings: Arissa Cheo’s own[/caption]

How would you describe your professional life?

I’ve been in fashion ever since I graduated, although it wasn’t planned. I studied Communication and Film, and I was looking at doing something more in media, but I ended up doing something online with my cousin – an online ecommerce site. After that, when it came to starting something on my own, fashion made sense as I already had experience in that.

Where did that passion for style come from?

I do love fashion – I love shopping! When me and my cousin were kids, we used to pretend that we had a store and sold clothes, who knows, maybe it came from that!

You’ve had the chance to attend many extravagant events. What does glamour mean to you?

To tell you the truth, I actually don’t enjoy every single event – I'm always standing in the corner and then out of there in 30 minutes! Unless it’s for work, and to support friends, of course. In terms of what glamour is, I don’t think it’s about how you look, or what you wear, it’s all about how you feel. So, if you’re feeling comfortable and confident then you’re naturally at ease and can enjoy yourself more. That’s what glamour means to me.

So, what’s the secret ingredient to confidence?

You know, I wasn’t confident at all when I was young, although I was very good at covering it up. I think it really takes a long time to gain confidence, and that comes from getting to know yourself better. It’s about being your authentic self. As you grow, you’re learning along the way, gaining more confidence as you go. And if in doubt, put on some heels and lipstick – that can help a lot!

And how can you get this inner confidence?

Mindfulness, health and wellness, they do play a part in helping you find yourself. But for me personally, the issue I had when I was younger was not being able to manage what people thought of me, and now I’m at a point in my life when I really don’t care about that anymore. Now, it’s really about how you feel and what the people that really care and love you think. It’s the people that you have the most respect and love for, that’s all that matters really.

So, what would we find you wearing at the Captain’s table, for dinner?

When I’m in Singapore, I’m usually in sweats or T-shirts and shorts, but if I go on holiday then I love to go all out and dress up – heels, gowns, the works! So, for a beautiful evening dinner, I’d love a flowing gown and some stunning jewellery. I accessorise a lot! I always have rings on – right now I’m loving them in gold. But when I go on a cruise or a ship, I dress very differently to how you might normally see me.

So, you enjoy spending time on the water?

I love the water! It’s just such a luxury to go aboard. I’ve always loved being in the water, being surrounded by the open ocean. It’s so incredibly calming, and the convenience of being taken from place to place on a boat – you can just hop on and hop off, it’s like a moving hotel. What more could you want!

[caption id="attachment_191790" align="alignnone" width="1460"] Palace Villa guests can enjoy an exclusive private bridge tour hosted by the Captain, Genting Dream of Dream Cruises | Jacket, trousers, shirt and tie: Dolce & Gabbana | Hat: Gucci | Rings: Arissa Cheo’s own[/caption]

Photographer Jeff Chang  

Stylist Jerome Awasthi 

Assisted by Jet Ho

Hair and Makeup Manisa Tan using Clé de Peau Beauté

The post Living the Dream: Arissa Cheo appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Model, aristocrat and fashion designer Lady Victoria Hervey recently celebrated the launch of her inimitable swimwear line, Ladyship. Discover how she indulges when the time comes to relax, unwind and recharge.

You recently launched a new project, a swimwear collection under your label Ladyship. How did your passion for fashion design come about?

I’ve always been connected to the fashion world. I interned at a luxury lifestyle magazine while I was still at school, then I went into modelling. I also had a store about 18 years ago, in Belgravia, so I’ve always been connected to that world.

And how was Ladyship born?

I’ve always wanted to start a brand, so Ladyship was in my mind for years and years. Originally, I was going to start with handbags, but then it made more sense to start with swimwear as I’m based in California. I’ve got two collections in one at the moment; classic and contemporary. There’s black, gold and white colours, in classic shapes, but I also have some more Caribbean-inspired sparkly numbers. I did the launch event in Hong Kong on the Dream Cruise – which was my first time in the city.

How was that experience?

Oh my goodness, I loved it. The city is amazing, and I’d never been on a cruise ship before - it was so much better than I ever thought it would be. I actually stayed on to do a cruise; I had a private butler, the food was incredible, the service was next level.

Does a holiday on the wide, open sea appeal to you?

We had a boat when I was younger so I’ve always loved being at sea. I think there’s something very peaceful about being in the middle of the water – I love it. I could easily live at sea for half the year. In the summer, some years I’ve been on a boat and stayed on it for weeks and weeks; it’s always been something I've loved.

How do you pamper yourself?

I definitely pamper myself with spas – really only when I’m away. When I was on-board the ship for my launch, the spa was amazing. I had a three-hour session in there – facial, massage and everything else.

What has been the biggest turning point in your life?

I did a television show called The Jump, where we had to train as ski jumpers in Austria for about six weeks. That was a turning point for me in a lot of respects. It made me consider my personal goals, and things that I wanted to achieve. And it got me so fit! It really focused me, it made me realise that if I put my mind to it, I could do anything. It changed my life.

You’ve experienced a lot of the finer things in life. What does true luxury mean to you?

The finest champagne, the best sashimi, time with my friends and making new memories. It’s everything!

The post Living the Dream: Lady Victoria Hervey appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As the youngest finance graduate in MIT’s history, and with a successful IPO already under his belt, Mario Ho is a modern-day rock star in the corporate world. The ambitious entrepreneur and CEO of Tiancai is set to celebrate his wedding with Chinese supermodel Ming Xi, and now he lifts the veil on why winning means everything and celebrating special moments on the ocean.

[caption id="attachment_171562" align="alignnone" width="1493"] Crystal Life Fitness features a variety of innovative gym equipment, World Dream of Dream Cruises | Top and trousers: Ermenegildo Zegna[/caption]

We’ve heard a lot about your incredible proposal to Ming.  Do you consider yourself a romantic?

I think so! I mean, with a proposal like that, it would be hard to say I’m not romantic, right? In daily life though, I’m not into that traditional type of romance, as I’m quite logical. It’s more about telling Ming how special she is to me rather than the classic flowers and chocolates routine.

How do you switch off and give yourself time to relax?

To be honest, I’m a modern kind of guy, so it’s probably computer gaming with friends.  The older generation, they play mahjong, and for my group of friends, it’s just a modern version of that – four or five friends together at a table, having fun together and taking a break from everyday life.  I’m normally trying to win!

What does a romantic holiday at sea look like to you?

I grew up in the nineties, so my ideas of romance are built on those ceaselessly romantic movies. Definitely, a romantic vacation at sea appeals to me – having a private balcony where you’re watching the ship sail, holding someone you love, feeling the ocean breeze. A cruise vacation with Dream Cruises would be perfect, everyone should be excited to try it for that special occasion.

So, tech and digital innovations interest you?

Absolutely. I think the VR space is fantastic, in terms of the limitless options and opportunities that you can experience. It transforms things. It’s fantastically innovative for the Genting family to have that on their cruises; it’s a one-of-a-kind activity and such a testament that they’re committed to introducing new and exciting things for their guests.

What are your passions in life?

Summed up in one word, it’s winning. I get the most satisfaction, the most excitement, the most joy, out of winning. That spans across every single activity in my life – whether it’s big or small. Winning is my passion, it’s what drives me.

You’re an ambitious guy! Has there been one turning point in your life that set you on that track and that gave you your passion for winning?

There’s been a few. I think my earliest was when I won the math competition in Hong Kong when I was 10; that was the first time that I was widely praised for winning. My father came as a guest to give me the award, and it was a very important moment in my life. You’re standing on the podium; your father is giving you a prize and the entire city’s media is reporting on it. That was when I realised that success amongst your peers can really bring a huge amount of satisfaction, and I wanted to replicate that feeling again and again in my life. It was euphoria!

And how do you define or measure your success?

I started by out-competing my peers in my age group, in class. Then I started jumping grades to prove myself – I jumped one grade in high school and another in university, so I graduated young. And then after that, I started trying to beat everyone. It was easy to measure success when I was in school, because everything is graded by age, but then after I left university it became much more complex because, of course, nothing is graded by age; there’s no rules in terms of what you do. So, I simply found what people were generally doing in their twenties and thirties, and I just aimed to do it earlier.

You have some impressive projects in the works. Who has been your biggest source of inspiration when it comes to finding success in life?

It’s a cliché, but honestly, it’s my dad. He defined what success meant, he showed me that a successful person can still be humble, polite and still have manners; that they can still treat people well and with respect. More importantly, he made everything from zero. While our family has been wealthy for several generations, my grandfather went broke, so my father has gone from 100 to zero, and then he has worked tirelessly to take himself back from zero to 100. It’s in his character.

Photography Man Wai 

Art Director Harriet Gregory 

Stylist Genie Yam

Hair and Makeup Shirley Choi 

The post Living the Dream: Mario Ho appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Artist, adventurer and international activist Sean Lee-Davies shares the inspiration behind his passion for travel in the wild, as well as his vision for adventure on the ocean and beyond.

[caption id="attachment_170494" align="alignnone" width="1152"] Johnnie Walker house at Sea, exclusively on Dream Cruises | Suit Giorgio Armani | Jumper Ralph Lauren | Bracelets Tod's | Watch Sean Lee-Davies' own[/caption]

What do you love in life?

I love the visual arts, nature, the wild, film-making, travel... I’m just trying to do what I love, plus a little bit of something to fix today’s environmental situation.

Where did you get this passion for the natural world?

Growing up in rural Hampshire, in my early days, it was just the simple act of going down to the local river in the summer and seeing the fish in the water. As the Editorial Director of a luxury lifestyle magazine, I had a great few years in Asia promoting the very best in life, but then seeing the rampant air pollution, and the degradation of the waters here in Hong Kong, it spurred me on to do something to try and counter it. And then, of course, I met some inspiring people along the way, like David de Rothschild, Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Bonham; all people doing incredible things.

Tell us about your travels; where has moved you, what does travel mean to you?

India is a phenomenal place. Rajasthan, for example, is a human and animal safari combined;  so many religions, so many types of people, and animals, all intermingling, which is very rare. There’s something magical about it. In terms of incredible wilderness, the Leuser Ecosystem in Borneo is the only place where you still get rhinos, tigers, elephants, orangutans, all still living in one eco-system. It’s one of the lungs of Asia, just an incredible place. Sri Lanka as well, is amazing. And because it’s been through a lot of conflicts it’s kind of stopped tourist developments and it’s allowed the animals to remain. It seems where humans don’t go, it allows nature to flourish.

[inline-quote author="Sean Lee-Davis"]"Adventure is really about the unknown... you've got to be outside of your comfort zone."[/inline-quote]

You have a real love for the water, too.

Yes, I do spend a lot of time in and around the ocean. It’s one of those unique spaces. I’m a free diver and a scuba-diver, so I’ve taken a lot of my photographs under the water. I’m also a keen sailor and paddle boarder – I have a little boat here in Hong Kong. I was actually out paddle boarding recently, with my two dogs, and we came across either a bottlenose or a spinner dolphin in Deep Water Bay, which is highly unusual. It was really an incredible moment.

An ocean holiday sounds as if it was made for you!  Do you think a luxury cruise would be a good way of making special occasions?

Luxury cruises are a particularly great way to celebrate special occasions as they are a one-of-a-kind experience with unlimited leisure options to make your time extremely unique.  What better way than to wake up with a panoramic view of the ocean, let alone a different view every morning?

What does adventure look like to you?

I think it’s really about the unknown. It’s doing something with a goal attached to it; you’ve got to be outside of your comfort zone, there’s got to be a light at the end of the tunnel, so you have to suffer a little bit to get to that goal. And usually doing it with other people. So, we’re doing another Kilimanjaro climb early next year to raise money for some charities, and that’s the perfect adventure. You don’t really know if you’re going to make it to the top because of the altitude; you’re traversing every eco-system on the planet in the seven days you climb; you’re just in an incredible environment that’s hard to beat.

Photographer Pierre Dal Corso 

Art Director Harriet Gregory  

Stylist Tasha Ling 

Hair and Makeup Gloomy Kwok  

The post Living the Dream: Sean Lee-Davies appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

For Vivienne Tam, founder of her internationally celebrated eponymous brand, true luxury in life stems from a freedom of transformation and integrity of self. Discover why ‘Asian at Heart, International in Spirit’ is not simply a concept, but an embodiment of all that she is.

[caption id="attachment_169411" align="alignnone" width="1152"] Old world glamour meets contemporary Chinese cuisine at Silk Road Chinese Restaurant, World Dream of Dream Cruises | Dress Vivienne Tam[/caption]

Your brand is synonymous with elevated luxury. What do you want your pieces to say and how do you want women to feel when they wear them? 

In the very beginning of my career, I was dressing myself, but now we are going through a wonderful time of growth and transformation for women. It is very different to when I started; women are more powerful. Now, I want it to be more about them rather than myself; it’s about being inclusive. There are so many different types of women, and I love being able to think about how they feel, especially now, when the passage of time is different. It needs to be relevant; it’s not just about feeling good. I want to empower them and to leave them feeling that they have learned something about the world, about different cultures.

What feeds your passion and drives you forward?

I feel I was born with a mission to bring Chinese culture to the world; I am a bridge between two cultures. Every collection is about sharing this mission and this passion. Chinese culture is so rich, it always made me wonder why everybody was only looking to the West, so for me, it’s about bridging these two ideas. It’s communicating with the world about who I am, and having a platform to do that – it’s such a great vehicle. Being a lifestyle designer allows you to share the beauty of the world. When I was young, it was very simple, I just wanted to dress myself. But then you go deeper and deeper, and it’s not just about that anymore. It’s a connection between people, it’s unifying the world. I am always learning.

What do you consider as the cornerstone of exceptional design?

You cannot compromise your integrity. Even though people might say I ought not do so much with a Chinese filter, I cannot compromise, because that is who I am.

So, you feel that being cross-cultural is simply an intrinsic part of you?

Yes. A lot of the time, people are commenting on what I do, but I think you need to be truly who you are. You have to stay true to yourself, and I am definitely a bridge between two cultures.

In your experience, what do you consider as the finer things in life?

They are immaterial. A freedom to be who you want to be, and become what you want to be. It’s about the journey – the freedom to transform.

[caption id="attachment_169407" align="alignnone" width="3456"] Guests off The Place receive priority booking at the Chef's Table at Seafood Grill by Mark Best, World Dream of Dream Cruises | Dress Vivienne Tam[/caption]

A freedom that you often find on your travels. Tell us about that.

When you travel, you can learn so much about other people, and other cultures. When you’re in a new place, it’s that sense of freedom. I love travelling – there are no boundaries. Travelling is that literal journey, where you can transform yourself. It brings me so much joy; all your senses are liberated. Meeting people, speaking to them, appreciating the arts and crafts of new places – it means so much to me. I always find it so inspiring to think about how I can interpret what I see when I come back. I need to travel more! It gives me so much energy.

And when you’re observing and absorbing this energy from new cultures, do you feel like you’re filtering that through an Asian lens for your customers?

I feel like it’s a very global lens, but, yes, with an Asian element.  I grew up in Hong Kong, and now I live in New York and Hong Kong.  It gives me a very unique perspective; it’s very hard to describe it – I don’t use words; I use my designs to express it! When two things come together, it brings so much joy and happiness; it brings a balance.

It seems Dream Cruises’ ‘Asian at Heart, International in Spirit’ concept really means something to you.

This totally speaks to me. This is me. It’s who I am; it’s not even a concept. There’s no trying to be anything else, it’s fundamental. I am the embodiment of ‘Asian at Heart, International in Spirit’.

Photographer Pierre Dal Corso 

Art Director Harriet Gregory 

Stylist Tasha Ling 

Hair and Makeup Wendy Lee 

The post Living the Dream: Vivienne Tam appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Arguably Hong Kong’s hottest Instagram export, Eleanor Lam is busy turning her passions into purpose. Discover her secrets to success, why luxury is in the eye of the beholder, and how hassle-free holidays are within your reach.

You have a real passion for travel. Do you just have an adventurous spirit, or did this love for new experiences come from somewhere else?

I grew up in Hong Kong but I’ve had the luxury and the means to travel from a young age, with my parents and with my family. It’s not just something that I do, it’s now a part of me, it is a genuine passion. To me, travelling is not just a way to getaway, it’s also about learning and experiencing new cultures; it’s about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. There are so many different ways to enjoy travelling, too. Where you make your own plans and navigate a new place yourself, or when it’s taken out of your hands and you’re so well looked after that you don’t have to think about anything. Hassle-free travelling can be the best!

Like an all-inclusive luxury cruise.

I love when there’s literally everything you need at your fingertips – anything you could want is at your disposal. Some people aren’t so enthusiastic about planning a whole holiday itinerary, and cruising makes it so easy. Not only that, but when there’s a whole range of shops, restaurants, a variety of entertainment, and for all ages – it's a treat for the whole family! Put me on a cruise, on a yacht – it's the perfect summer vacation to me. There’s just so much beauty out there.

[caption id="attachment_168179" align="alignnone" width="1152"] The cascading staircase in The Palace, the largest private luxury resort of its kind in Asia on Dream Cruises | Dress Ivan Young | Shoes Fendi | Earrings Stylist's own[/caption]

What’s left on your travel bucket list?

One goal I have that I haven’t been able to tackle yet is to travel on my own someday. People I know who have done solo travels have come back to tell me how enriching it has been. That’s definitely a goal for me. When you push yourself out of your comfort zone, beautiful things can happen.

Your social media feeds are peppered with luxury experiences – from exotic travels, to beauty and fashion events. How have your passions helped you to realise your dreams?

I guess not everyone can find their purpose in life right off the bat; there are going to be a lot of passions and only one purpose. So, for me, it’s been about combining my passions to build out one goal. I like fashion, makeup, beauty, all elements of ‘lifestyle’, so I've been able to put all those together and create my own purpose. It's important to not stay too rigid; you have to be open to all kinds of options, be open to changes and accepting adversities.

Where do you get your inspiration to achieve your goals? 

It’s not one person or thing that inspires me; sometimes it’s someone I’ve met, it’s something I’ve heard or seen, or even perhaps something I've eaten – the list is endless! Literally every day I wake up, and something new can inspire me. It’s an incredible thing, to be open to these new experiences and find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. Also, my parents inspire me in different ways; my dad has a very strong work ethic, while my mum sacrificed a lot to help her children.

[caption id="attachment_168180" align="alignnone" width="1728"] Palace guests can enjoy complimentary premium beverages in Mist Cocktail Bar, World Dream of Dream Cruises | Outfit Prada[/caption]

You have an incredibly determined approach to life and finding what makes you happy. Where does your drive come from?

My parents always said to me, “Follow your passion and it will lead to your purpose.” And, for me, your passion is something that you love to do, and your purpose is your mission in life. So, it’s about finding what you love and turning it into your life’s mission, to really keep you happy. And, on top of that, they always told me to focus – that without heart or drive, you’ll never reach your full potential. It’s not about picking a job for the money, it’s about feeling satisfied in your work.

Whether you’re at home or abroad, what is the key to maintaining your health and wellness?

I think what’s most important is catching up on your sleep. After I’ve been travelling, waking up in my own bed is just the best thing ever. Also, I have realised that I never drink enough water. So, when I come back from some time away, I drink plenty of water and tea, to really help hydrate and look after myself and my skin.

Photographer Pierre Dal Corso 

Art Director Harriet Gregory 

Stylist Bhisan Rai 

Hair Peter Cheng 

Makeup Deep Choi

The post Living the Dream: Eleanor Lam appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.