Celebrity Life

If there’s one industry we must applaud for the quick-thinking, action-driven changes necessary in the face of lockdowns, it’s food and beverage. And with no dine-ins after 6pm, well, yet more pivoting became necessary. We get the scoop around town.

Foxglove

Imagine a lush jazz lounge, exquisite Chinese fare and, best of all, a cocktail menu carefully devised to match the vibe, and the first place that comes to mind is Foxglove. So aptly named after the species of poisonous flora, it’s the place to go should you miss the era of speakeasies. 

Paying homage to the golden age of jazz and aiming to capture the electric energy of the Prohibition era, its new cocktail menu features an exotic, refreshing rum-based concoction with a hit of ginger and citrus known as The Girl From Ipanema. But if you’re looking for something with a harder hit, The Wallerman Punch is a nod to the world’s first cocktail created by pirates, which comprises rum, cherry liqueur, pistachio, blood orange and a pinch of cardamom.

“The restriction has been a big challenge for us, as we’re known for our live music and glamorous cocktail vibe,” says co-founder Shakib Pasha. “However, our recent menu of new dim sum and Cantonese dishes has been very popular among weekday lunch-goers. We’ve also extended happy hour from noon to 6pm. The biggest pivot has been introducing a disco brunch for the first time — DJs, dim sum, and free flow of Foxglove’s famed cocktails.”

2/F, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central; +852 2116 8949

The Daily Tot

The ultimate sanctuary for rum lovers, The Daily Tot serves up one of the most diverse selections in Hong Kong. It recently introduced the No Boundaries Vol 3 cocktail menu, designed by new assistant bar manager Maikal Gurung, previously of Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar & Grill, and co-founder Tiana Ludhani. For something that both tastes good and looks delightful on social media, go for What the Duck?, an ambitious blend of homemade coconut chamomile curd, lemonade and rum. 

On the subject of the latest round of restrictions, Ludhani says, “The bar industry has learned to live with Covid. When I say ‘live with’, I mean we’ve grudgingly accepted it. We’ve tried to stay ahead of the game to manoeuvre faster than the government’s flip-flopping of the rules. All of us have been forced to be incredibly creative. 

“At The Daily Tot, we came up with daytime value sets for two or four people, as well as Daily Tot Sundowners (our version of happy hour) with off-menu cocktails and wines. We also focused on safe, socially distanced daytime activities, such as trivia free-flow and cocktail masterclasses. The support from the community has been unmatched because, let’s face it, Hong Kong is a city where stress levels are at an all-time high. People need their cocktails, and we’re here to provide them.”

G/F, Felicity Building, 58 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2366 6836

Grain Gastropub & Brewlab

It’s the best time of the year for a nice, waterfront stroll with your friends. We love Kennedy Town for the range of gastronomic offers, a highlight being popping into Grain Gastropub & Brewlab at the edge of the district for a cold one. Or a not-so-cold one, if you’re going for a beer that’s a little darker.

The venue has recently introduced an extended weekend roast from 12pm to 5pm with hearty choices that include stout-braised ox cheek, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder glazed with stout molasses. 

Co-founder Chris Woodyard says, “We’re using the time to focus on staff training and getting closer to our community with beer education through our Meet the Brewer programmes. Customers can meet the brewer, of course, and get complimentary pours fresh from the beer tanks. We just want to add more personal touches and interactions until things are back in full swing.”

G/F, New Fortune House, 3-5 New Praya, Kennedy Town; +852 3500 5870

Bacchus

If it’s wine you’re after, newly opened Bacchus on Hollywood Road is a stop you’ll have to pencil in. Serving up Asian-influenced French cuisine, the venue also doubles as a wine destination with more than 800 labels from around the world to choose from. 

Led by renowned wine educator and sommelier Hervé Pennequin – awarded third place in the World’s Best Sommelier rankings, 2004 – Bacchus offers wine-pairing options for every dish on the menu, as well as designing bespoke wine dinners. 

“Even with the new restrictions, we wanted to continue our mission of ‘edutaining’ our guests through showcasing some of the best wines from around the world,” says Pennequin. “Our offers aren’t only at a very decent price, but they introduce more obscure grape varieties that diners may not be familiar with.

“We recently created our Wine Time menu, available on weekdays from 3pm to 6pm, which allows guests to discover and enjoy 18 different wines with unlimited pours. For those who want to line their stomachs so they can drink more, we also have nibbles based on our à la carte selections too.”

3/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan; +852 852 3750 5200

The post Proof of Passion: Restaurants And Bars in The Time of Covid appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

When she's not revolutionizing maternity wear or fusing function and fashion at Figue, Lange is living her best life in Palm Beach

The post Liz Lange Talks Deals, Designs, and Decor appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

Wil Fang was knee deep in fashion when he started the DPT Group but the company today is best known Cookie DPT and its decadent sweet concoctions, as well as two new F&B ventures that Fang just brought to the city – Carbs, for scrummy New York-style pizzas and Rollie, for West Coast-style Japanese handrolls.

Sustainability became a huge part of Fang’s business after a customer mentioned that the packaging he was using for Cookie DPT wasn’t environmentally friendly. Fang and his team vowed to make a change for the better, and this ethos has stuck with him for all his ventures to date.

We follow Fang around for a day as he whizzes through town on the new BMW iX to see how sustainability drives his business and life choices.

The post A Day in the Life of Wil Fang appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Kate Middleton and Prince William have been married for almost 11 years and share three children together, but long before the pair began their whirlwind romance, they started off as friends and classmates at St. Andrews University of Scotland. Even though they weren’t yet the iconic couple we know and love today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge still shared a special bond early on. According to a report by The Mirror, Kate even had a special trick for helping William out of uncomfortable situations at college gatherings.

Kate Middleton and Prince William were great friends before they started dating

Being heir to the royal throne—and a bachelor at the time—William, unsurprisingly, garnered a lot of attention at university. “Will was getting really hit on by this girl at a party and it was getting quite uncomfortable because he couldn’t shake her off,” says Laura Warshauer who spoke about the couple to Katie Nicholl, royal expert and author of Kate: The Future Queen. “He was being really polite, but this girl just didn’t get the hint,” she added. Suddenly, Kate appeared from behind and put her arms around William. He said that he had a girlfriend (referring to his future girlfriend and wife, Kate!) before the duo went off “giggling.”

 

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)

After Kate came to his rescue, William was apparently very grateful for her help: He even mouthed the words “thanks so much” to her, Warshauer told Nicholl. “Kate was the only girl in the room who could have done that. And that was just a month after we started university,” she added. The anecdote clearly indicates just how special their relationship was, even at the friendship stage. Not too long after, the now-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge formally began dating—and eventually, William popped the question in 2010.

This story first appeared on www.marthastewart.com

(Main Image Credit: dukeandduchessofcambridge/Instagram; Feature Image Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

© 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. Licensed from MarthaStewart.com and published with permission of Meredith Corporation. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

The post Long Before They Dated, Kate Middleton got Prince William Out of an Awkward Romantic Situation in College appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Dating apps — they’re the safest way to get to know someone these days without risking catching the ‘vid. And who would know best about online trends than Dawoon Kang, co-founder of Coffee Meets Bagel?

If you’ve been single at any point in the last few years, chances are, you’ve probably downloaded — or, been tempted to download — a dating app. Who wouldn’t? Low risk, and (potentially) high reward. Swipe, swipe, chat, chat and, just maybe, find the love of your life. What a dream. In light of Valentine’s Day today, we speak to Dawoon Kang of Coffee Meets Bagel about trends, love and Hong Kong.

Dawoon Kang, Founder of Coffee Meets Bagel, Reveals Pandemic Dating Trends

What inspired you to start Coffee Meets Bagel?

Helping people find love is a fun and meaningful problem. At the end of the day, isn’t love the ultimate reason why we are here? My sisters and I started looking into the dating market and realized that even though there are a ton of dating apps out there, most were swipe-based apps that focused on quantity vs. quality. We wanted to create a platform for people who are looking for real relationships.

Tell us more about the #DitchTheList concept.

We looked at what Hongkongers want when it comes to dating, relationships and finding a partner and we found the list to be long! Young singles had over 20 must-haves and dealbreakers on their “list”, but we also found that 97% of Hongkongers in relationships are with someone different to their original dating criteria — and are happy for it!  We wanted singles to know that long lists may not be serving us the best when it comes to finding a happy relationship.

What was a surprising dating trend that you noticed in Hong Kong?  

Our survey revealed that across all demographics, Hongkongers universally agree that honesty, loyalty, and mutual respect are the most important qualities in a partner for a long and happy relationship. So, intuitively, we know what’s important. However, I think oftentimes in dating, we end up placing more importance on things that are easier to assess immediately such as looks, job and degrees. Qualities like honesty, loyalty, and mutual respect take much longer to judge and are harder to assess. 

I was surprised by the statistics that 97% of HK in relationships are with someone different than their original dating criteria. The number was so high! This is the #1 tip that dating experts I interview give – to give people a chance even if they don’t fit perfectly what you think your partner should be. Now we have the facts to back up this advice and that’s exciting.

How have users in the city shifted their focus since the pandemic began?

Covid unsurprisingly changed many things in our lives, including dating. One main theme I’m finding is that Covid has made daters more thoughtful about dating. According to a survey done among our daters in HK, 72% said they find themselves being more open and honest with matches and more than half said the pandemic has made them reflect more about what they’re looking for in a partner.

What is the best success story you’ve heard of from users of the platform?

Truthfully, all success stories are amazing! They are love stories after all, so how can they not be? While the stories are all equally great, the ones that are special to me are those of my friends. I have three friends who met their partners through Coffee Meets Bagel immediately after I gave them coaching advice on their CMB profiles. I told them they need to name their child after me.

Any tips for Hongkongers about dating during a pandemic? 

One interesting observation I made is that in the U.S., close to 40% of daters have tried video dating since the pandemic started but that number is only 6% among users here.

70% of those who tried it, though, said they enjoyed the experience and that they were able to feel the chemistry despite the distance. I recommend trying either a phone call or FaceTime session before physically meeting up. It’s quick, easy, and safe — especially during these times.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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We talk to four Hong Kong couples about love, romance and long-lasting healthy relationships.

February is a month of celebration: starting off with the Lunar New Year, closely followed by the day of lovers. For this year’s Valentine’s Day, we join Hong Kong couples as they reflect on their relationship and share diverse stories of romance.

4 Hong Kong Couples on Relationships & Romance

Janet Ma and Michael Wong

(Answers from Janet)

How did you meet?

We were shooting a jewellery commercial together.

What’s key to maintaining a healthy relationship?

I think trust and giving each other enough space are very important. It’s very basic, but it does takes time to achieve.

What’s the most memorable moment for you?

Our most memorable moment isn’t Valentine’s Day, but our anniversary.

What brings you joy?

Seeing each other, our children and the people around us being happy brings us most joy.

Tell us a secret about him.

I’m not telling, as I won’t betray my loved one — a secret is a secret.

Which joint goals haven’t you achieved yet?

For many couples, the goal is to be happy ever after. As we still have a long run ahead, we hope to achieve that — like everyone else — by loving each other till the end.

May Chow and Jodie Chan

(Answers from May and Jodie)

How did you meet?

We met at an event a couple years ago through mutual friends.

What’s key to maintaining a healthy relationship?

Communication, mutual respect and trust. Taking an interest in each other’s interests, knowing each other well in terms of the weak and strong parts, and being able to support and cover each other. Prioritising one’s partner over one’s self gives a healthy dynamic.

What’s the most memorable moment for you?

Jodie: The most memorable moment was our official first date. May set up a picnic at Tamar Park and she curated different foods from places that I like. We enjoyed a bottle of wine and the meal together alongside a playlist I created. We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, as it can be every day. We make an effort to have regular date nights and keep the romance. We also take a huge number of pictures and videos together to keep every moment unforgettable.

What brings you joy?

We’re both very people-oriented — we both love to eat and spend time with people we love, sharing experiences. Also travelling to new places together and discovering the stories behind things we’re interested in keeps us happy.

Tell us a secret about each other.

Jodie: For anyone who doesn’t know May, she’s a softy — her emotions, in terms of being touched, are easily moved by things and people around her.
May: Jodie is the alpha and the rock who’s able to secure us, as well as the decision-maker in our relationship.

How do you plan to spend Valentine’s Day?

Romance should be all the time, so we love to celebrate Valentine’s Day not just on that day but normal days too, perhaps cooking a meal at home just to keep it simple and intimate.

Which joint goals haven’t you achieved yet?

We’re going to get married and have a celebration of us as a married couple, rather than a commitment to start a family at this stage. There are many adventures for discovery, things we’re looking forward to exploring and achieving together before the next stage.

Cara Li and Matt Reid

(Answers from Cara)

How did you meet?

We were introduced by friends in New York.

What’s key to maintaining a healthy relationship?

For us it comes naturally. We genuinely are each other’s best friends and love being in each other’s company. We share the same interests — we both love to cook and we make each other laugh a lot. We also respect and support each other.

What’s the most memorable moment for you?

Most recently, the birth of our beautiful daughter Ireland, who brings us so much joy every day.

What else brings you joy?

Sharing all these amazing milestones together. We love just being home and having our family over, cooking for them and taking in all these special moments.

Tell us a secret about him.

Matt makes a mean breakfast sandwich.

How do you plan to spend Valentine’s Day?

Last year we had an amazing lunch at L’Envol. Matt knows that a good cheese course is the way to my heart. This year will probably involve some kind of cheesy date.

Which joint goals haven’t you achieved yet?

We’ve both always appreciated design, and we love interiors and furniture. We’d love to design and build a home together from scratch.

Charlz Ng and Clement Tsoi

(Answers from Charlz)

How did you meet?

We were introduced by a mutual friend at a friend’s karaoke gathering.

What’s key to maintaining a healthy relationship?

Being transparent is most important in maintaining our relationship. Putting everything on the table and talking about it can help avoid misunderstanding and friction.

What’s the most memorable moment for you?

A memorable moment was Clement playing a love song to me on his guitar. The most unforgettable Valentine’s Day is yet to come, as this will be our first — we’re looking forward to it.

What brings you joy?

As simple as waking up next to each other every day.

Tell us a secret about him.

Clement participated in the Good Night Show hosted on ViuTV.

How do you plan to spend Valentine’s Day?

We haven’t planned much this year as the Covid restrictions mean we’re unable to do much, so we’ll keep it simple and cook a nice meal at home instead. The must-do list this year is not to eat at Carbon, as we go there almost every day — it’s better to do something different on this special day with Clement. We both love Marvel, so we’ll probably re-watch The Avengers together.

Which joint goals haven’t you achieved yet?

We’ve done quite a lot in our time together, including meeting family, looking after each other while ill, going to the gym and working out together, making small tokens of appreciation and giving surprises that make each other’s day better. Perhaps what we haven’t achieved yet is independency, as we literally spend most of our non-work hours together.

4 Hong Kong Couples on Relationships & Romance

PHOTOGRAPHY ALISON KWAN
STYLING JEREMY WONG
LOCATION THE HARI HONG KONG
HIGH-JEWELLERY POMELLATO

The post Be My Valentine: 4 Hong Kong Couples on Relationships & Romance appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

What will our built environment look like, two or three generations from now? The architect and vice-chairman of Ronald Lu & Partners, the highly successful practice founded by his father, shares his thoughts and visions with Prestige.

If Bryant Lu wasn’t born to be an architect, then from the way he puts it, it’s hard to envisage him becoming anything else. “When I was three years old,” he says, “I remember my father [the architect Ronald Lu] would come home in the evening and draw. Naturally I was curious – what was he doing? And all the cool gadgets he was using – this was when architects worked without computers. So I became intrigued and I have memories of him sitting me on his lap and telling me, ‘This is a plan. This is a door, this is a window and this is how you draw them.’ I guess that’s how I was influenced by the profession.”

Lu also recalls an incident, shortly afterwards, when his kindergarten teacher had asked her pupils to draw a room and was flummoxed by the young Bryant’s effort. “Now most people would draw it as a three-dimensional space, but I took out a black crayon and started to draw lines. And the teacher thought I was nuts. So she called my mom and my mom showed up. The teacher said, “I asked him to draw a room and he gave us this. What the heck is he doing?’ My mom looked at it and cracked up laughing. She said, ‘This is a floor plan of his room. So when you asked him to draw a room he gave you a floor plan.’”

Although there was no great pressure from his father, whose practice was by that time winning major projects across Hong Kong, it was also no surprise that when the younger Lu finished high school in Sydney, Australia and got a place at Cornell in the US, he’d opted to study architecture and business. After graduating in 1997, he worked in New York for a couple of years before returning home, ready to begin the new millennium with a position at his father’s company.

I’m talking to him in the offices of Ronald Lu & Partners (RLP), where, for the past 22 years, he’s been instrumental in transforming business for the award-winning architectural practice by pushing for sustainable design, opening offices in key cities (especially in mainland China), and overseeing its corporate affairs. Now in his forties, tall, lean and looking a good deal younger than his age, he’s telling me about his passions for design (not just buildings, but equally their human and civic contexts), the environment and sustainability.

“I was always intrigued as to how buildings, spaces and cities worked together, and how you could create these environments,” Lu tells me. “I think ultimately it’s about how these spaces and places shape your life, and how architecture is just one of the ways to bring about a better life for people. Deep down, I’ve always wanted to make the world a better place, though it just happened that various factors pushed me down this path.”

Asked to cite influences – architects or buildings – that helped nudge him towards his vocation, he lists, among others, Michelangelo’s Piazza di Campidoglio in Rome, IM Pei’s Pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, and Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. It’s clear he’s as impressed about the way in which each building or facade impacts and transforms its surroundings and the community around it as he is with the structures themselves.

“I mean, the Guggenheim in Bilbao is stunning,’ says Lu, “not just as a piece of architecture, but in the way that project changed Bilbao and northern Spain. So I guess I’m looking not just at the building and its beauty, but also its impact – its ability to engage the community and change the economy as well. Aside from its architectural approach, [Richard Rogers’ and Renzo Piano’s] Pompidou Centre also changed museum design and the district tremendously. And there’s Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye – I still have the Lego model – which changed the narrative of a house …”

To my suggestion that the work of an architect has evolved from an emphasis on aesthetics to a broader consideration of a structure or a project’s impact, Lu says that for him, it’s the purpose of architecture that’s evolved. “Obviously, there are always the basic requirements of putting a roof over your head, and that the roof is safe. But I think that in the 1980s and ’90s, there was a period of very theoretical works that were trying to find an identity, and that approach never really appealed to me. For me, it’s ‘how can I make the world a better place?’ – so I’m constantly searching for the purpose, with architecture as a means of doing that.”

Implicit in this belief is the need for environmental sustainability, a requirement that struck Lu as long ago as his school days in Sydney. “When I was in high school,” he says, “there was this big hole in the ozone layer down in the southern hemisphere caused by refrigerant CFCs, but since we’ve stopped using them, the hole has got smaller. So even then I was beginning to understand that we’re one world and whatever we do has an impact. The environment isn’t just about birds, bees and animals, but our own health – there was a direct linkage.

“[RLP] ventured into green architecture quite early on in Hong Kong and now I believe we’re one of the leaders. We recently won a design competition aimed at advancing to net-zero carbon – the win told us we’re leading the dialogue on how we build green and better spaces.

“And then there’s our high-density environment and the need to make buildings that last for generations – buildings with impacts that touch people’s lives for more than one generation. The apartment I’m living in is where I grew up, and now I live there with my kids. That design has touched us for three generations, it’s had a lasting impact. Of course, it’s not just the building but the community you help build, the public spaces you provide, the ventilation you create – which all make the city a better, healthier place. For me, the intent is how can you solve certain problems and make a better life, rather than whether this is modernism, or this is classicism.”

Lu says his wish to provide the correct solutions to pressing issues is made more difficult by the fact that projects not only take considerable time from genesis to fruition, but that they must also address future issues that we may not even know about. “A project takes five or six years to complete,” he says, “and the longer ones can take up to 10 years. So whatever we design today needs to incorporate a view of where things will be. How can we design towards that future instead of reminiscing about the past or fixating on the present? More than a style, it’s about engaging, having the conversation and providing a solution that looks to the future.

“Architects create spaces. For me, design should revolve around our lifestyles, the way we live, our behaviours – and that’s what’s changing. How we live is being impacted by technology and other things, so the spaces we create need to adapt to that. But in the larger context of a community, how can we create public domains where people can interact? Because, despite the fact there’s more social media, people are actually feeling more isolated. So I believe that the physical environment should contain places with better touchpoints that encourage better engagement.”

From RLP’s lengthy portfolio of projects, past and present, Lu mentions a recently completed textile factory in China, which resembles more a museum than a manufacturing hub. He also talks about the Zero Carbon Park in Kowloon Bay, a project spearheaded by the Construction Industry Council that was completed 10 years ago, and was the first structure in Hong Kong to produce zero carbon emissions.

“It’s a testing ground for new technology,” he says, “but also a green urban community space that’s active Mondays to Fridays with office workers nearby. Then at weekends it becomes an activity centre with markets and yoga sessions. The park itself serves as a funnel for ventilation that allows prevailing winds to blow through the whole district. It serves multiple benefits – community, climate and environmental – and it increases the value of the buildings around it. I find these triple or quadruple bottom-line projects very meaningful; these higher goals are what we try to realise with most of our projects.

“Twenty years ago, when I came back to Hong Kong, nobody understood what sustainability was – it was about planting more trees, and that was as far as it went. That conversation has moved on very quickly, largely due to the younger leaders in the world of developers. So it’s no longer an argument, it’s more a matter of how much we do, where and how far we can push the envelope. So now everybody’s on board. And Hong Kong is a pioneer in this sort of high-density urban environment and how to do it sustainably. I don’t think there’s another city in the world that has so much experience.”

We return to the Advancing Net Zero Ideas Competition organised by the Hong Kong Green Building Council and Swire Properties, which Lu mentioned earlier, and the design concept for a net-zero, “pandemic-ready” workplace in Quarry Bay. Called “Treehouse”, RLP’s winning design incorporates biophilic principles that help re-connect humans with nature through something called “vertical microclimate-responsive passive architecture” (which, in layman’s terms, means opening up a building to nature and creating “vertical gardens”).

“We designed a future workplace for a post-Covid environment that provides a lot of public and community engagement and with a lower carbon footprint,” he says. “It’s something we’re super proud of.”

As for the buildings of the cities of tomorrow, he insists that net-zero carbon is a must. “We have to aim for that, because climate change is no longer climate change – it’s a climate emergency. In December, we almost had a typhoon here totally outside of the ‘typhoon season’ we’re so accustomed to. It’s evidence. We have to acknowledge it and we have to help each other to lower our carbon footprint. Then we have the fact that through technology, our lifestyles and our behaviours are changing. And Covid has accelerated changes in the workplace too, though I do still believe the human touch is important and I don’t think the technology is there to replace it – yet. So, human-centric, behaviour-centric, low-carbon and general wellness are all important. And when we talk about wellness, it can’t just be physical wellness – there’s a big dimension of mental wellness, too. How does the space bring calmness, lower anxiety and bring about a more sort of purposeful, yet warmer sort of feeling?

“That’s one direction where the physical world is going, and now there’s the inkling of a metaverse, an entirely new space and a world we’re only starting to touch upon. I don’t know how far that will go. But I believe that the younger generations are very fluid in these two worlds, and they’ll be able to find a way to criss-cross between them. I’ve seen kids going online and playing Roblox and Minecraft – metaverses where they’re building things, transacting and socialising. They’re very happy about it. So how does that impact us? I think at some point a convergence will take place, and in the future, in the so-called real world, we have to improve our physical environment, because otherwise the metaverse may be our escape. And if it becomes an escape, then the physical world may get worse.”

If that sounds like a bleak note to end on, Lu references one of RLP’s projects that’s close to his heart: the upgrade of the China Resources complex in Wanchai North, which involved the re-cladding and refurbishment of the office tower, the construction of what’s now the St Regis Hong Kong hotel and the re-landscaping of the public garden facing Harbour Road. “The client considered tearing [the tower] down and building a new one, and we said, ‘No, you should re-clad it, we’ll upgrade everything and you should go for LEED Gold certification for the refurbishment.’” The result was a new curtain wall with double low-E glazing and energy-efficient external LED lighting.

“And then,” says Lu, “we upgraded the park, which used to be an old-style Chinese walled garden, but which we opened up into a piazza. Four years ago I did an interview there with TVB, and there was an old couple in their seventies and a young mother with a kid. And they’re hanging out. I said, ‘You guys must all be family,’ and they said, ‘No, we met at the park. We’ve come here every morning for last four months, and now we’re friends.’ For me, that’s when I get real joy as an architect – when you transform a place and bring people together. They wouldn’t have met if not for that space.

“That’s the reward I look for in our projects. Not just beautiful buildings, not just beautiful spaces – though those are essential. But can you connect people? Can you make a difference in their lives? How do you create sustainable community building spaces that allow the whole community to thrive? And I think that’s the true power of architecture.”

CREATIVE DIRECTION AND STYLING ALVIN GOH
PHOTOGRAPHY MORGAN HUNG
MAKE-UP ALVIN GOH
NAILS PINKY HOHO
MAKE-UP AND HAIR ASSISTANT JASMINE CHAN
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS ANGUS LIU AND HEINAM LIU
STYLING ASSISTANTS GENNADY ORESHKIN AND HEIDI LAM

The post Bryant Lu: Building the Future appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in British history, surpassing the record of the 63-year reign of Queen Victoria in 2015. Her reign has seen seven Roman Catholic Popes, including the current one.

In 1936, Princess Elizabeth was only 10 years old when she became heir to the throne upon the accession of her father, King George VI. She married Prince Mountbatten (later Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) in 1947 and remained by his side till his death in 2021.

She became Queen during an official trip to Kenya in 1952 after the sudden passing of her father. Her coronation was held in 1953, and she celebrated the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees as the Queen in 1977, 2002 and 2012, respectively. On 6 February 2022, she completed 70 years on the throne.

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations

A series of events have been planned for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Queen. It is a momentous occasion, warranting festivities throughout the year before ending with a four-day event in June.

Among the several public events and community activities is the Platinum Pudding competition. UK residents, at least eight years old, can participate in the competition to make the perfect Platinum Pudding recipe. The winning recipe will be presented at Big Jubilee Lunches during the Jubilee Weekend.

For the first time, beacons will also be lit in each of the capital cities of all Commonwealth countries, along with over 1,500 beacons across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.

Other celebrations include the Derby at Epsom Downs and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.

While supporters of the Royal Family prepare for the momentous occasion, here is a look at some facts about Queen Elizabeth II.

The two birthdays

The Queen was born on 21 April 1926, but the UK does not celebrate the momentous occasion on that date. Instead, the Queen’s official birthday celebrations are held in June in an event known as Trooping the Colour.

The ceremonial event is one of the biggest celebrations in the UK. It was started as the monarch’s birthday over 260 years ago. On the occasion, more than 200 horses, 400 musicians and 1,400 parading soldiers march through London.

Members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, move alongside the parading troops from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade. The streets are filled with crowds, waving flags and trying to catch a glimpse of the Queen.

It is on this occasion that the royals gather at the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past by Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft.

Trooping the Colour 2022 will be held on 2 June and tickets can be bought on the official website of the British Army.

The colour of her attire for formal outings

On formal public occasions, Queen Elizabeth II is often seen wearing a hat and a pair of gloves. But it is the colour of her attire that is noteworthy. The British monarch has mostly dressed in bright colours, incluiding neon, yellow, orange, lemon, fuchsia and light green.

The reason behind choosing these colours was revealed in the documentary, The Queen at 90, where Sophie, Countess of Wessex, the daughter-in-law of the Queen, said that the bright colours help the people easily spot Her Majesty.

“She needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the queen’,” Sophie said, adding, “Don’t forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the queen’s hat as she went past.”

The Queen has had more than 30 corgis during her reign

The Queen’s love for the corgi breed is well known. She has often been photographed petting her diminutive dog.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were gifted two corgis — Dookie and Jane — by King George VI in 1933.

On her 18th birthday in 1944, Princess Elizabeth received her own corgi, Susan. Whisper, her last corgi, died in 2018.

The Queen now has two dorgis — a cross between a corgi and a dachshund — named Vulcan and Candy.

All unmarked swans in the UK belong to Queen Elizabeth II

Yes, one of the lesser-known facts about Queen Elizabeth II has its origin in a law formed in the 12th century. In those days, swans were a delicacy; thus, the British monarchy declared that all mute swans belong to the monarch.

Today, an official Swan Marker of the Queen counts the swans and checks their health in a multi-day event known as Swan Upping.

During Swan Upping, a team of uppers row down a stretch of the River Thames over a few days spotting, lifting, weighing and measuring the swans. They also check the birds for injuries or any kind of health issues. All Crown birds are left unmarked during the exercise, which is oriented towards conservation.

The previous Swan Upping was held for three days between Eton Bridge, Berkshire, and Moulsford on the Thames, Oxfordshire, from 20 to 22 July 2021.

Swans are not the only free animals on which the Queen can lay claim. According to Time magazine, a statute framed in 1324 during the reign of King Edward II, granted the British monarch the right over “whales and sturgeons taken in the sea or elsewhere within the realm.”

As per the statute, porpoises and dolphins are also considered “fishes royal”. Valid even today, all fishes royal belong to the Queen when they wash ashore or are captured within 5 km of UK shores.

She also owns around 200 racing pigeons.

The Queen began horse riding at age four

Queen Elizabeth II was still a toddler when she was gifted her first ride — a pony. The Shetland mare was named Peggy and was presented to the Queen by her grandfather, King George V.

The Queen also breeds horses and has around 25 steeds receiving training at the royal stables every season. Over 1,600 races have been won by her thoroughbreds.

To date, the Queen has often been photographed many times riding horses at Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral.

Her favourite horse was Burmese, gifted to her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1969 at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. She rode Burmese for 18 years at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, indicating her fondness for the horse.

She walked incognito among jubilant crowds on Victory in Europe Day

Years ago, when the Allied forces defeated the Axis powers, people around the world celebrated in unison. On 8 May 1945, the Queen, who was still a 19-year-old princess, and her sister, Princess Margaret, witnessed celebrations on the streets that marked the Victory in Europe Day. After seeking permission from their parents — King George VI and Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) — the two went out into the crowd in a party of 16.

In a BBC broadcast aired over 30 years later, the Queen revealed more about the night.

“I remember we were terrified of being recognised. So I pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes,” she said before adding that she had to wear the cap in the right way after a Grenadier officer in her party protested.

She said she walked miles through the street.

“I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief,” the Queen recalled in a voice that revealed her excitement at the time.

‘I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.’

The Queen was 19 years old on VE Day. More than thirty years later, she recorded her memories for a unique BBC Broadcast. #VEDay75 pic.twitter.com/jWf4bebj2e

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 8, 2020

A Royal Night Out (2015), a British comedy-drama, is a fictionalised retelling of that night.

She delivered her first public address at the age of 14

Her first address was aired from the drawing room of Windsor Castle as part of the BBC’s Children’s Hour. It was a month after England was bombed by the Germans and the people needed morale-boosting.

On 13 October 1940, Princess Elizabeth addressed the children who had been forced to live away from their families during the evacuation drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much for you, as we know from experience what it means to be away from those you love most of all. To you living in new surroundings, we send a message of true sympathy and at the same time we would like to thank the kind people who have welcomed you to their homes in the country,” she said.

The Queen served in World War II

The Queen has the distinction of being the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member.

As such, she served in World War II, joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), which was the women’s branch of the British Army, at the age of 18. She was granted the honorary rank of the second subaltern on 24 February 1945. She was later promoted to Junior Commander, the then female equivalent rank of Captain.

During her days in the Army, she trained to be a mechanic and learned to drive.

In fact, she also used her rationing coupons and the gift of 200 coupons from the British government during the war to pay for her own wedding dress, which had an iconic 13-foot-long train and over 10,000 imported seed pearls from the US.

The Queen doesn’t need a license to drive

Because, of course, she is the Queen. She has been spotted driving many times in the past, be it a Range Rover or a Jaguar. The Queen has, in the past, driven foreign dignitaries, too. In 1998, she famously took the then Prince (later King) Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on a tour of the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.

However, neither do her cars need a license plate nor does she have to carry a driver’s license.

Interestingly, she is the only person in the UK who is allowed not to have a license because all driving licenses in the UK are issued in her name. As such, it becomes irrelevant if the Queen issues a driving license to herself.

All other royals are, however, required to clear a driving test and obtain a license before taking their machines for a spin on the roads of the UK.

It is also the same reason the Queen is not issued a passport. As the British monarch, all British passports are issued in her name.

The Queen is a huge fan of James Bond

In October 2021, royal biographer Gyles Brandreth told Express that the Queen loves all the early James Bond films.

“The fun of spending time with her was finding out unexpected things about her…She really did love all the early James Bond films,” Brandreth said.

According to the royal biographer, the Queen watches the new Bond movies but prefers the earlier ones “before they got so loud.”

The Queen is also fondly known for her appearance next to Daniel Craig’s Bond character at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. In the six-minute-long sequence, Bond arrives at Buckingham Palace to receive the Queen for the stadium. A chopper painted in the colours of the British flag takes them to the venue and they ‘parachute’ out of it. But, of course, the Queen didn’t jump from the chopper. A stuntman was used for the scene.

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family have often attended James Bond film screenings and have met the cast, including the late Sean Connery — the first Bond.

Essie’s Ballet Slipper is the Queen’s favourite nail polish

Since 1989, the Queen has been loyal to the particular type of nail polish from Essie. She almost exclusively wears the famous pink shade.

According to the brand, the Queen’s hairdresser sent a letter to Essie, requesting a bottle of Ballet Slippers to be sent to Buckingham Palace more than 30 years ago.

The price of the nail paint? Just SGD 12, and you can buy it, too!

The Queen has an official bagpiper

Since 1843, the British monarchy has had an official bagpiper whose prime duty is to play for the monarch every morning. Queen Victoria created the position reportedly after she discovered that the Marquess of Breadalbane has her own piper.

The bagpiper plays for Queen Elizabeth II at her residences, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Holyroodhouse, every morning at 9 am for 15 minutes with a one-minute break.

Officially known as the Sovereign’s Piper and designated as Pipe Major, the person appointed to the position accompanies the Queen everywhere she goes and plays at State banquets.

Scott Methven, an Afghan war veteran, was the 15th Pipe Major and served from 2017 to 2019. When his wife was diagnosed with cancer, the Queen immediately asked him to tend to her and did not appoint anyone in his place, despite the British Army proposing another appointment.

It was the first time in 175 years (barring a break of four years during World War II) that there was no official bagpiper of the Queen. Unfortunately, Methven’s wife didn’t survive, but he returned to duty and served till February 2019.

Methven was succeeded by Pipe Major Richard Grisdale. The current Pipe Major is Paul Burns, who was appointed in 2021.

(Main and Featured images: Mark de Jong/@mrmarkdejong/Unsplash)

The post 12 Things to Know About Queen Elizabeth II as She Celebrates 70 years as Monarch appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Remembering the radio legend, philanthropist, and friend

The post Tim Byrd: A Tribute appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

Theresa Mak — better known as Dashijie — is a veteran of Cantonese cuisine. Last year, she collaborated with Rosewood Hong Kong to launch their exclusive mooncakes. This season, she's teamed up with Mandarin Oriental to create a radish cake with aged tangerine peel. We catch up with her to learn more about her new products under her eponymous brand and what Chinese New Year means to her.

What do you look forward to most during Chinese New Year?

My first priority is to spend time with my family: my daughter, son-in-law and most importantly, my grandson. As they are living in Singapore, sometimes they will come over or we'll travel there to meet them. I will cook New Year’s Eve dinner with traditional Cantonese dishes like abalone, chicken, fish, dried shiitake mushrooms and so on, making sure there are abundant food to celebrate.

What is your favourite Chinese New Year tradition?

I like giving out red packets, decorating the house with red banners with lucky greetings written on them, preparing the candy tray with treats like chocolate, nuts, deep fried stuff — things that kids like to eat. I also like to walk around at the Lunar New Year fair, watch the crowd and enjoy the atmosphere.

Do you remember the first time you ate traditional turnip cake? What was that experience like?

My first time eating turnip/radish cake was when I was a young child, over 65 years ago. My mother made them. It was yummy, soft and easy to eat. The cake surface was fried until it is a little bit burnt. My mum will also allow us to dip the radish cake with oyster sauce! Since then, radish cakes have been my favourite Chinese New Year food.

When did you start making your own turnip cakes? And when did that interest turn into a business?

I started making my own radish cake maybe 30 years ago when I was in my 40s. I have seven brothers and five sisters so, as you can imagine, I have to cook a lot, around 70 radish cakes, 10 taro cakes and 30 coconut puddings each year.

In my 50s, a lot of friends wanted to learn how to cook radish cake and coconut puddings from me. Around that time, I also got into contact again with my cooking master, Ms. Pearl Chen (江獻珠). Since then, I also made traditional Chinese cakes for my cooking master as my tribute to her.

When I turned 60, I was encouraged by my friends and family to start doing my own Chinese New Year products as a business. As I always had a burning desire to open a restaurant, selling food products was an alternative for me to realise my dream. I started off with three products, namely radish cake, coconut pudding and water chestnut cake. The radish cake is still our hero product for the season.

Tell us about this year's collaboration with Man Wah. What was it like to work with Chef Wong Wing Keung?

I got to know Chef Wong over four years ago during one of my home banquets. He was shy and quiet during the meal but as I was curious about what life was like for a Chinese chef, I followed his Facebook. I then realized the real side of him: good humor, genuine and friendly. Two years later, he became my fifth disciple，五師弟. Chef Wong is a very seasoned Cantonese chef, so actually, it was an honor to be able to become his cooking master. I also learnt a lot of cooking skills from him too.

In September last year, I asked if he would like to create a new Chinese New Year product together. With permission from Mandarin Oriental Hotel management, Chef Wong and I brainstormed what will be a good and meaningful product. Him and I separately are fond of using aged tangerine peels to in our cooking. From time to time, he will spend several days cooking aged-tangerine peels with honey and Italian lemon and give away to restaurant’s customers.

Chef Wong is very creative and within a short while, he suggested to jointly produce a new flavoured cake: Radish cake with aged tangerine peel. Bingo! He and I are both very knowledgeable in tangerine peels and the making of radish cakes, so with a few rounds of trials, we finally came up with a recipe to produce this year’s cake. It was a very enjoyable experience.

What's new for your brand this year?

For my brand Dashijie, I created two new products recently, preserved meat sausage with aged tangerine peel, and black bean sauce with Japanese dried scallops and aged tangerine peel.

The post Dashijie on Family Traditions and Her Collaboration with Mandarin Oriental’s Man Wah appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The local radio legend passed away at age 68

The post Remembering Local Legend Tim Byrd appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

In case you weren't aware, Sex and the City is back. Back as And Just Like That... and back with break-out stars like Cathy Ang on the cast list.

And Just Like That… was all the craze when it was released late last year in December 2021. Among all that craze, was budding actor Cathy Ang, who played Lily Goldenblatt in this revival of Sex and the City. Prior to landing this acting role in the ten-episode mini-series, the 26-year-old was recognised for her voice work. 

Cathy went from being a first-time viewer of SATC to being a part of SATC’s latest chapter. She went from witnessing the women’s charm on-screen to acting alongside them on screen.

Whilst we’re exhilarated to see more on-screen action involving this Asian actor, our off-screen chat with her was pure delight. Her excitement was infectious and we absolutely adore her energy. In all honesty, it’s tough to stay mad at young Lily for playing a role in the demise of Carrie and Big’s wedding now that we’ve met the woman behind adolescent Lily. 

Here, we sat down with the Chinese-Filipina actress to chat about playing Lily, her thoughts on Asian representation in the entertainment industry and more. 

Introducing Cathy Ang

The piano recital scene in the first episode is hands-down one of the most awe-inspiring scenes from the show. If you’re wondering whether Cathy actually played the piece, the answer is yes, and she effectuated it beautifully.

And behind that awe-inspiring performance? Lots and lots and lots of practice.

Acting alongside names like Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis is a dream for many, but a reality for Cathy Ang. Although, it is a reality she is still trying to wrap her head around and get used to it.

Although Asian representation in the entertainment and Hollywood industry is becoming increasingly common, Ang says that “we could definitely do with some more,” and we couldn’t agree more. By landing this role, Cathy is an inspiration to Asians all over, and we need more inspiring stories like these.

Finally, we asked the star what advice she has for aspiring Asian actors.

“Find a mentor," insisted Ang. "Actually, find two mentors: a coach and a cheerleader. Find a cheerleader, someone who is going to cheerlead and support you no matter what. And find a coach, someone who is going to coach you, push you and mentor you. Find a mentor who is an Asian artist. Everyone in our community is so thrilled to witness young, Asian artists popping up. Like, I texted Sandra Oh and she texted me back. So don’t be afraid to just reach out and ask for guidance.”

And just like that, especially with Sandra Oh on speed-dial? We're predicting a big, bright future for one Cathy Ang.

Stream ‘And Just Like That…’ now exclusively on HBO Go. A new episode premieres every Thursday. All seasons of ‘Sex and the City’ are also available on HBO Go.

See the original article here

(Hero and featured image courtesy of HBO Go)

The post ‘And Just Like That…’ Star Cathy Ang on Asian Representation and Playing Lily appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.