Celebrity Life
Gallery: Cashmere – The Origin of a Secret Premiere in Shanghai
Luxury embodies refined excellence, rarity and enduring style. These are all pillars that uphold the Loro Piana brand. Its greatest pride comes from its heritage and renowned quality of their cashmere which spans six generations, earning its place at the top as the most revered name for the exquisite material.
The root of their success and popularity stems from the Loro Piana Method – encouraging local cashmere production in China by supporting the shepherds’ efforts while maintaining the brand’s ethical responsibility. From the finest raw materials to the most extensive production methods comes what we now know as the superlative standards of cashmere fabric.
To honour its continued prestige, Loro Piana partners with Academy Award-winning director, Luc Jacquet to present Cashmere – The Origin of a Secret, the first documentary in a trilogy of films celebrating Loro Piana’s renowned excellences: Cashmere, Vicuña and The Gift of Kings. The immersive installation transported guests to the most remote corners of the world where the rare fibres were sourced to experience the comprehensive process of production.
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Held at MIFA 1862 Art Centre in Shanghai, the premiere screening saw Loro Piana devotees such as film director Stephen Fung; actresses Li Bingbing, Jimin Han; supermodels Sui He and Ai Tominaga. Explore the event in the gallery and video below.
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Watch Cashmere - The Origin of a Secret here
The post Gallery: Cashmere – The Origin of a Secret Premiere in Shanghai appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Photo Shoot: Fall Guise
Whether autumn brings you reflection or exuberance, greet the season of mellow fruitfulness with sober monochromes or breezy separates.
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Photography Kinwai Cheung
Styling Bhisan Rai
Hair Peter Cheng
Make-up Gloomy Kwok at HK Makes Artist by Karen Yiu
Casting Director Janice Yip at Yon Management
Styling Assistant Nisham Limbu
Models Sean Chan at Primo, Yang Shuo and Neo S at Yon Management
The post Photo Shoot: Fall Guise appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
The Story Behind Loro Piana’s Cashmere: Softly She Comes
Loro Piana's cashmere is the stuff of legends – soft as clouds, warm as a mother’s embrace and luxurious in a way that cannot be captured in words, only understood through personal experience.
It’s a material that’s created through care, consideration and The Loro Piana Method, a unique system of selective breeding centred in Inner Mongolia that allows the brand to access only the finest yarns. Loro Piana launched an animal production pilot project on genetic optimisation, enhancing the quality of fibres collected so they are finer and so that each animal is able to maintain a higher volume of down – allowing herdsmen to be able to reduce herds while sustaining cashmere production levels, restoring balance in the area’s greater ecosystem. While the aim is of course to achieve the highest quality of cashmere possible, the brand seeks to do so through sustainable practices that help us move towards greater social balance.
In order to share its story with the world, Loro Piana commissioned biologist and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Luc Jacquet to visit its site and create a series of documentary films showcasing the unique wonders of this production process. Jacquet’s previous credentials include the quietly moving March of the Penguins and its sequel, as well as Ice and the Sky, which covers the trials of the first scientist to posit the effects of global warming. Cashmere – The Origin of a Secret is the first of a trilogy, each film shedding light upon one of three different aspects in the world of Loro Piana, showcasing the extreme conditions and struggles that go into the quest for the finest cashmere.
In this first instalment, Jacquet travelled to Mongolia; in subsequent ones he will traverse New Zealand, Australia and South America. In the Alashan region, Jacquet meets the goat farmers of Inner Mongolia, learns of their daily strife, and how one of Earth’s harshest landscapes has taken a toll on their way of life – and the way in which an Italian luxury brand, with seemingly no connection to the land, has come to protect and preserve the fragile ecosystem that has since become integral to its production.
Jacquet unveils how, in seeking a commercial opportunity, Loro Piana found a cause to champion and a land to save, a terrifyingly beautiful landscape as harsh as it is heavenly, whose dry winters test the deepest resolve, whose summers scorch and whose soil provides little sustenance for its citizens.
The documentary premiered last month at the Shanghai arts centre MIFA 1862, with the full film accessible via Loro Piana’s website, as well as via private screenings around the world. To accompany the launch, from October 30 to November 14 Loro Piana is hosting an exciting pop-up, The Alchemy of Cashmere, at Pacific Place that allows guests to experience the wonder of its cashmere for themselves.
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Donnie Yen is The Man of Action
As Donnie Yen prepares to bid farewell to the role that has defined his career, he talks to us about what he's learned, what's coming next and why he'll never stop striving for filmmaking perfection.
When the movie Ip Man was released in 2008, it conjured up an image of the martial-arts grandmaster as a gentle and cultured mentor with remarkable kung fu skills. That same persona has also become synonymous with the actor who portrays him, Donnie Yen, so the December release of the final chapter in the film franchise, Ip Man 4, is expected to impact not only the cinematic story of Wing Chun, aka Ip Man, but also Yen himself.
With the Ip Man series now in its 12th – and, one assumes, last – year, how does Yen regard the franchise, not only in and of itself, but also in terms of its place in Hong Kong cinema, not to mention its effect on his own career as an actor and filmmaker? What, in other words, does Donnie Yen think about Donnie Yen – and where does he see himself going from here?
For many people, Donnie Yen is Ip Man, just as Robert Downey Jr has become Iron Man. So will it be Yen who’s playing his next character or Ip Man? The conundrum brings to mind the words of the famous Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang on the subject of acting: “Those who look at you do not see your own self; when you look at yourself you don’t see your own self either. Whoever performs a certain character, whatever it is, has the duty to look like that.”
Playing Ip Man has undoubtedly advanced Yen’s career, and after more than 10 years he’s developed quite a feeling for the role. “At the beginning, no one predicted that Ip Man would be so successful,” he says, “though now I realise I’ve studied for this role more intensively than for any other. He’s a master who’s introverted and represents the character of the Chinese nation.”
Yen also acknowledges the gradual evolution of the character, from Ip Man to Ip Man 4: “Compared to the action style of traditional martial-arts movies, I believe that people can see how my style and my performance have developed.”
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Of course, there’s much more to Yen than Ip Man, though just as his portrayal of Chen Zhen in the 1990s TV series Fist of Fury kicked off his acting career, the role of Ip has filled his sails immeasurably. “I can honestly say that because of Ip Man, I’ve been given many opportunities by the movie industry. It’s my biggest achievement,” he says.
The 56-year-old actor’s more recent repertoire includes playing the mythological Sun Wukong in The Monkey King, Guan Yu in The Lost Bladesman and the Hong Kong gangster Crippled Ho in the Wong Jing and Jason Kwan-directed Chasing the Dragon. He’s even stepped out into the international arena to play the blind monk Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the agent Xiang in xXx: Return of Xander Cage and taken on the role of the commander in Disney’s soon-to-be-released Mulan.
“As an actor, it’s important to have opportunities,” says Yen. “You get a good role [and you’re the first one to play it]. Of course, luck works to quite a large extent, but whether you can seize the opportunity depends on whether you work hard enough. I understand that, as an actor, you shouldn’t lose yourself in transient success – you have to progress continually.”
Yen also understands that because of Ip Man’s success, he’s needed to redouble his efforts so that audiences can appreciate his range as an artist. Although he now has an impressive body of work behind him, there’s also the pressure that comes from being defined by what he’s done before. “It’s actually the biggest problem for an actor,” he says. “I’ve never stopped worrying about it.”
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Fortunately, says Yen, there’s a realisation that everything has to stop sometime – and for him Ip Man 4 is less an ending than a new beginning. “When you’ve finished playing one role, the new task is to break through the shadow that the role has cast over you. Professional actors should never stop searching – it’s how you constantly make progress and move forward.”
As to the fans who are unwilling to see him abandon his most famous role, he says they should wait and see: “Perhaps the future holds some surprising performances from Donnie Yen. So stay tuned.”
As well as his performances in the Ip Man series, Yen is also highly regarded as an action director in his own right, learning his craft from the influential martial-arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping in the 1992 Tsui Hark-directed Once Upon a Time in China 2, in which he played the role of Nap-lan Yun-seut; the famous “cloth stick” fight scene was Yen’s idea. He made his directorial debut in 1997 with Legend of the Wolf, following which he was invited to choreograph fight scenes and play cameos in numerous Hollywood movies (Highlander: Endgame, 2000; Blade II, 2002).
Yen’s contribution behind the scenes continues to this day. Much of Chirrut Îmwe’s style in Rogue One was born of Yen’s imagination, as were the ideas for the music, settings and social atmosphere in Chasing the Dragon. “There were many opinions and disputes over Chasing the Dragon,” he says, “but the results proved me right and provided my working partner Wong Jing with six nominations from the Hong Kong Film Awards for the first time in his career.” Yen’s modest pride in his filmmaking input is palpable, and if the effects the film presents can be interpreted differently, the determination of Yen to take his own path is obvious.
Yen believes that his involvement behind the scenes as part of the production team has spurred his own progress as a filmmaker. “No matter what I’m doing, I don’t give up for a second, and I find fun in the process of search and discovery. Because of this I can be passionate about what I do. The whole team learns and grows together. People shouldn’t shirk from sharing their feelings. This is the way to achieve the best results.”
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This self-imposed requirement for constant growth isn’t easy. “The filmmaking process is hard,” Yen insists, “but in the end it’s satisfying because participation in every little thing related to the birth of a movie is a kind of creation.” He laughs, and says, “Filmmakers who are willing to keep improving seem to have a strange illness in that the busier they are, the better in spirit they seem to be. The busier the better. If I’m free, just spending time on rest and leisure, my whole person gets lax.”
This is how Yen has always been. Creation brings a kind of pressure and responsibility. “Because I hope to present the best results, to film and make the best works, and to show the best Donnie Yen from any angle, I won’t disappoint those who entrust me. My personal contribution also represents the efforts of everyone, so I believe that the final effect has to be very good.”
Yen is used to playing a multitude of roles. “Now, when I’m acting, I know that I need to concentrate on how I should play the role, to keep direction and vision, and try to present the image of the character from different angles; and if I’m behind the scenes, then I think about how I should view the script.
“A good actor needs to think from the perspective of actor, director, supervisor, martial-arts direction, props and the actual situation. You need to think clearly.” After decades, Yen believes he’s developed a method that works. “Many people have asked me how I can balance so many different identities. It may be because, after decades, I’m used to asking myself what should the on-the-scenes actor think? What should the behind-the-scenes personnel think? It’s become like a reflex.”
Isn’t that tiresome? “I hope people won’t see me as that complicated.” He laughs and says that while the Donnie Yen we see on screen may seem like a superhero, he’s actually an ordinary person. “People’s expectations of me are too high. I don’t want such heavy pressure.”
He’s the same as everyone else. He gets tired and emotional, he has his likes and dislikes, and his own ideological standpoint. “From the audience’s perspective, I hope everyone can see my enthusiasm for movies.”
As an entertainer, sometimes it’s not possible to fully satisfy an audience’s expectations. When rating a filmmaker, one can’t just evaluate him or her through one work. “You surely need a lifetime, then you give a total score. Evaluate myself?” Yen asks. “Wow, lots of room for improvement! But I’m doing my best. With passion, determination and a bit of luck, I hope audiences will come to know this is the real Donnie Yen.”
Photography Olivia Tsang
Styling Alice Lin
Hair Kenji Ng at Il Colpo
Grooming Little White
Location Rosewood Hong Kong
The post Donnie Yen is The Man of Action appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
The 16 Best New Menswear Items to Buy This Week
Loro Piana’s New 360LP Walk Sneakers Hit the Streets of Hong Kong
Soft, comfortable, stylish and oh-so-incredibly light are just some of the terms to describe Loro Piana’s latest offering: a new version of their very popular 360LP Walk sneakers. Named aptly in recognition of their amazing weight — they weigh only 360 grams — these shoes are currently available in exclusive colours in China, Hong Kong and Macau.
In these special edition colours, the sneakers come in men's and women's variation, as well as a unisex version. A striking splash of red trimming marks each pair of shoes, with the detailing taking on a more pronounced character in the women’s version. The unisex pair sits apart in a light dove grey colour, with a subtle red-coloured rim wrapping around the ankle.
As in all creations by a luxury brand such as Loro Piana, what sets these sneakers apart is their exquisite material and technical craftsmanship. Made of the brand's signature material of exceptionally superior and ultra-soft Merino wool, sourced especially from Australia and New Zealand, the sneakers boast a particularly noticeable level of flexibility and has a spring-like stretch that adds substantially to the comfort level. This is possible mainly because of the special supple properties of the fabric that allows it to conform to the shape of the wearer’s foot. The use of wool also acts as an additional function as the natural breathability of the wool ensures a degree of cool dryness, even in warm climates like Hong Kong's.
The unique construction has been carefully designed to complement the materials used. The intricately knitted woollen upper, crafted in the label’s manufacturing mill in Italy, envelops the foot for a smooth and snug fit. The thick, slightly raised sole, meanwhile, provides appropriate cushioning below, along with a non-slip texture at the sole. Loro Piana artisans manually assemble the rest of the components such as the leather trimming and red colour accents for the ultimate shoe, exclusively available on this side of the globe.
A perfect blend of contemporary fashion and practical usability, Loro Piana’s 360LP Walk sneakers are ideal for both casual as well as athletic wear. All you need to do is get walking.
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Apart from the Hong Kong, Macau and China exclusive, the Loro Piana 360LP also comes in a variety of colours available globally.
For more information, visit loropiana.com.
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Photo Shoot: American Pastoral
The charm of the simple life eases its way through folksy materials, artisanal embellishment and pilgrim-prim ruffles.
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Photography Joel Low
Fashion Direction Johnny Khoo
Styling Jacquie Ang
Hair Edward Chong at Evolve using Kevin.Murphy
Make-up Keith Bryant Lee using Dior
Photography Assistant Alfie Pan
Fashion Assistant Bernadetha Woenardi
Model Savanna Blade at Mannequin
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The 15 Best Pieces of Menswear to Buy This Week
Summer fashion: slip into soft outlines and pastels this season
Get into a vacation state of mind with these pieces from Hermes, Bottega Veneta, Bally, and Z Zegna.
The post Summer fashion: slip into soft outlines and pastels this season appeared first on The Peak Magazine.
Summer fashion: slip into soft outlines and pastels this season
Get into a vacation state of mind with these pieces from Hermes, Bottega Veneta, Bally, and Z Zegna.
For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.
Loro Piana Tests Its Fabrics on a Billionaire’s Superyacht. Here’s Why.
Peters & May suspects ‘cradle collapse’ for My Song loss overboard
The 130ft sailing superyacht My Song was lost overboard from a cargo ship, with yacht transporter Peters & May suspecting a collapsed cradle.
The post Peters & May suspects ‘cradle collapse’ for My Song loss overboard appeared first on LUXUO.