Celebrity Life

Inclusivity and diversity aren't just trending topics, but entire movements.

Diversity isn’t just about gender or gender identity. It’s equally about age, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, education – in other words, every single thing that makes each one of us unique.

“Diversity grows and changes constantly,” says Loretta Chan, partner and head of diversity and inclusion at leading executive search firm Wellesley, “because our identities and experiences are changing and adapting. It’s not a one-off corporate training session, but an ongoing mentality towards inclusion. This brings diverse viewpoints and perspectives to the company.”

We asked Chan to elaborate on the subject and offer a handful of tips on fostering diversity in any organisation.

Diversity and Inclusivity in the Workplace

Do you see positive changes in hires as a trend in the market when it comes
to diversity?

Yes, but often the focus has been very much towards hiring women to tick a box or answer a corporate directive, without any thought about fostering a truly diverse environment for the long term.

What are common mistakes by human-resources departments?

HR is always looking at checking the box. In reality, it needs to help influence and encourage line managers to think out of the box. If a business doesn’t get buy-in from the top down and with the support of everyone in the organisation, it’s just paying lip service and not actually implementing change and inclusion.

Is it tougher in Hong Kong, as there’s such a small pool – or in a post-Zoom world, are companies looking at different avenues?

Hong Kong isn’t really a small pool. We just need to think about diversity in terms not only of race or sex but also educational background, upbringing, language skills and other experiences that shape each candidate.

How can a company ensure it isn’t exercising tokenist hires – that it’s actually leading in creating an informed multicultural organisation?

Looking at empirical evidence, if the company is doing well, it’s hiring the best people. Diversity stats are increasing across different businesses but every company has a fiduciary duty to hire the best person for the job. It doesn’t matter what or how that person looks or feels. It’s important that during the selection process there’s a wide and diverse pool of candidates to consider, and the line manager’s hires are based on skill ability and fit.

Some points to note

A SEAT AT THE TABLE IS A VOICE AT THE TABLE
Establish a sense of belonging for everyone, and foster a supportive and safe place in the workplace for open discussions, without hierarchy or prejudice. People shouldn’t shy away from difficult and sensitive conversations, as that creates a divide, and all questions are valid. Don’t make this something that applies only to topics of diversity – true inclusivity means that everyone is entitled to share their opinion, whether it’s on the demographic make-up of the company or any work matters. You can’t expect people to be open about sharing with regards to diversity if they aren’t comfortable sharing their opinion on work matters.

LEAD FROM THE TOP
Every leader needs to truly buy into and understand the value of diversity, and drive it from the top down. If you apply diversity only to junior hires, it’s meaningless. When I joined Wellesley in 2007, we had four white male partners and myself. Today, our partnership is made up of three men and four women, including six of Asian descent, and encompassing a variety of backgrounds.

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MINORITY, BUT THE MAJORITY
At many companies, diversity efforts are driven by those in the minority who can speak on behalf of a minority experience. That’s why workshops and education are so important so that those who may have enjoyed more privilege in their lives are able to hear stories with a different narrative and understand different struggles. That’s not to say diversity is binary, with an oppressor and an oppressed. We don’t have to single out or identify people in order to be inclusive.

BE ADAPTABLE
We all thought going to an office was a non-negotiable – until Covid-19 hit. We’ve managed to cope without social interactions, and without business travel, with adaptive strategies that can be applied to people with special circumstances. Think: arrangements for mothers (or fathers) returning to the workplace, benefits extended to long-term unmarried partners, staggered working hours for those with a long commute, etc. Create a welcoming work atmosphere for those with varying needs.

The post Is Your Company Really Diverse? appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In order to create a collective called Women of Power, one must first define power itself. We examine both historical references and contemporary practicalities in interpreting this fluid and ever-evolving concept, as well as the ultimate goal of this power-full initiative.

Power is a curious thing. Like youth, puppies and Instagram Likes, people are obsessed with it, yet it’s so intangible, subjective and ephemeral that even the pursuit of happiness seems infinitely more achievable (though, admittedly, for some people, the two are intertwined). 

While compiling this collective of “women of power”, we also became acutely aware that power is relative. One of the most common questions received while sending invitations to the women who are featured in this inaugural listing was, “Who else is going to be featured?”

More than an expression of curiosity, this was often a loaded query and a litmus test, the answer to which would determine just how much honour our invitation accorded – and sometimes, whether or not the invitee would acquiesce in being involved. 

That’s quite understandable – arguably we all have some power within us, whether it’s the Deliveroo driver’s power to leave you hungry, or the government’s power to police your speech and behaviour. And though the former will likely affect you more often than the latter, delivery drivers appear on very few power lists.

If we wish to travel back in time via notable quotes, it was Plato who said, “He who does not desire power is fit to hold it.” Churchill took it a step further, noting, “Power is a drug. Who tried it at least once is poisoned forever.”

The implication – a common one – is that power and good are mutually exclusive; that those who desire it are less than worthy. While power for power’s sake is hardly an admirable goal, today even the humblest philanthropists and advocates for the underdog understand that some power is needed to enact change on any systemic level. And so is it terribly 2021 to suggest that there really are few people altruistic enough to deny power when it’s offered?

Today, even the humblest philanthropists and advocates for the underdog understand that some power is needed to enact change on any systemic level

Nelson Mandela noted, in a 2003 speech commemorating the launch of an education and healthcare initiative in South Africa, that “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” The vaunted politician and philanthropist was well aware that power is key within his toolkit.

Indeed, it’s worth noting that many of the women featured in these pages – from entrepreneurs to business leaders to activists – agreed to participate in this initiative precisely because it might confer them more power. Power, nowadays, is influence, and though traditional media’s influence has diminished with the democratisation of information access, it still holds some cachet. Power may be a matter of opinion, to some extent, but it becomes ever more concrete once it’s printed in a magazine beside your name. 

For the purpose of this list, it was necessary to hone our definition of power, in order to use it as a benchmark, and so we narrowed it down to impact and ripple effect. We understood that the women who would sit side by side in alphabetical order would hark from different backgrounds, with varying degrees of commercial success and name recognition – a delicate problem exacerbated by perspective, given that one who’s acknowledged in one sphere might not be known in another. 

This list is thus representative rather than exhaustive, acting as a first step towards building a growing collective that encompasses women from all walks of life. 

We sought the names of women whose work and lives were dedicated to disruption and change; people who throughout their careers have attempted to shake up the status quo, whether by action or accident. They’ve inspired others in their circle, or perhaps what they do or represent has become a case study, or model, within another industry. They do things that activate people within society to think harder and broader. And most importantly, they’re willing to give back to this community.

We sought the names of women whose work and lives were dedicated to disruption and change ... most importantly, they're willing to give back to this community

We discussed many issues in the making of this list: how should women who launched and run their own businesses be weighed against those who are employed by large conglomerates and function within a corporate framework, given that the latter could easily change jobs? Is it acceptable to put those with a modicum of success alongside someone who has decades of history trailblazing? How many founders of philanthropic organisations are too many? What’s the split between the old guard and new?

The list includes many who are familiar faces within the pages of Prestige – business bosses, creative leaders, philanthropic forces – as well as those who rarely tour the society circuit and care little for the luxury brands that are this magazine’s bread and butter. They’re activists, anchors, academics. We’ve got a legal eagle who argues on behalf of refugees, a couple of sex-shop owners whose mission has been to normalise sexual wellness before it was on-trend, and a transgender politician who wants to save others from the four suicide attempts she made as a result of societal stigmas while she was growing up.

Note that the designation “women of power” doesn’t simply connote individual influence. It also refers to the mission and directive of this initiative. Prestige has assembled these people not simply to confer honour upon them and not simply to create another “who’s who” list to garner website clicks, social media shares and all the other things that magazines love and need in order to survive today.

As the role of lifestyle media evolves, our authority lies in our ability to curate and amplify the important messages of the day. Admittedly a print magazine and an online portal may not have the impact they once did, though their reach has increased exponentially. But we still have the power to assemble, and the power to empower.

And so we’ve just scraped the surface of power in pulling together this crew. What we ultimately hope to see are electric interactions, strange and beautiful partnerships, and explosive synergies – the kind that are as unexpected as they’re thrilling. 

We’re the matchmakers, but also the platform, and hopefully an idea-monger. And so the true power of this initiative is yet to come. As Lord Varys notes in the popular Game of Thrones, “Power resides where men believe it resides”. 

We believe it resides in women.

The post Women of Power: Defining the Term appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Carine Roitfeld, the ex-Editor in Chief of French Vogue, and founder of CR Studio, is joining hands with renowned cultural entrepreneur Adrian Cheng to bring couture to Hong Kong. The exhibition, titled Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion, will include some of the most remarkable masterpieces created by Chanel, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Richard Quinn, Dior and more.

Hong Kongers will have a chance to marvel at some of the most iconic couture creations, including the specimens from Roitfeld’s personal collection, starting from the 13th of December.

For decades, Carine Roitfeld has been scouring fashion capitals for true jewels of the couture world, first as the head of Vogue Paris, then as the creative mind behind CR Fashion Book. "Throughout history, editors have used the pages of magazines as a canvas to bring to life fashion's most extraordinary ideas and creations," said Roitfeld. She believes that the exhibition would serve as an example of artistic evolution that defined fashion through the years, and, hopefully, inspire future generations to keep the traditions of high craftsmanship alive.

"Through the understanding of craftsmanship—the transmission of tradition, ideas, and techniques between societies and culture—fashion has been creating deeply collaborative relationships of connection and exchange," said Adrian Cheng, founder of K11 Group. The Savoir-Faire exhibition will not only mark the cultural rejuvenation of Hong Kong but also support the conservation on traditional craftsmanship.

To celebrate the launch of Savoir-Faire, Roitfeld and Cheng will be hosting two independent events in Hong Kong and Paris. On the 10th of December, Roitfeld will host an intimate reception within the lavish ballrooms of Hôtel de Crillon, where her close friends and designers will have a chance to commemorate the occasion. On the same night, Cheng will host a K11 Night opening event at the Victoria Dockside promenade. Connected via a virtual Livestream, both Roitfeld and Cheng will toast to the commencement of the exhibition, cultural exchange and craftsmanship. The Hong Kong event will also include a charity auction, with some of the proceeds donated to K11 Crafts & Guild Foundation and UNESCO.

Savoir-Faire is not the first time Roitfeld and Cheng collaborated. Last year, the two launched a three-part webinar series titled K11 Original Masters that brought together the brilliant minds in the realm of modern arts to showcase century-old artisanship designed for the social media generation.

(Hero image: Chanel FW 2017-18 Haute Couture)

Find out more about Savoir-Faire: The Mastery of Craft in Fashion here

The post Carine Roitfeld and Adrian Cheng Bring Couture to Hong Kong With a New Exhibition appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

And they're just getting started.

Run to the Moon.

That was the simple, perhaps easier-said-than-done, year-end goal when the F&B Run Club launched this past April; a 384,000 kilometre journey kicking off from Sai Wan's West District Public Cargo Depot (better known as the "Instagram Pier"). It wasn't a burden for one individual alone to bear, but rather a collective effort among restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders, cooks, DJs, doormen and more — even a few of our favourite local food writers dusted off their cleats to contribute KMs to the mission. Using the Strava app to log their distance, participants were helping to raise money and awareness for the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance, an organisation devoted to finding a cure for FA, a rare disease that attacks the nervous system.

Metabev chairman and founder Roger Chan is Mission Commander for this journey to the moon. For him, the cause is personal — his own wife suffers from the progressive genetic disease.

"Having a beautiful wife who has been in a wheelchair for 13 years, suffering from a rare disease with no cure, is a reminder how important it is to value and cherish the simple luxuries we enjoy," says Chan.

The Club has expanded its remit to support a couple of other extremely worthy causes as well: The Inspiring HK Sports Foundation, which provides sports training, social inclusion, and healthy lifestyle development for underprivileged and impoverished youth; and the Lifewire Foundation, a local charity that provides equipment and services for patients with rare and life-threatening conditions, who often have a harder time sourcing available, affordable care.

"We have seen with Covid-19 how the world has been equalised," says Chan. "We have seen how a vaccine can be developed and fast tracked. Rare diseases get very little attention, nor draw the interest from large pharmaceutical companies. Hence if we can make an impact on a child’s life suffering from rare diseases, the depth of our support will go a long way."

With a variety of committed sponsors including restaurant groups, property developers and brands, the F&B Run Club has already raised over HK$400,000 for local charities. And as a way of giving back to the community itself, who has faced its own share of difficulties in recent years, the club offers some serious incentives to active runners, ranging from luxury staycations to gym memberships to meals at popular local restaurants.

The idea has even caught on beyond our own borders: A group of restaurateurs and beverage owners in India were so inspired by Hong Kong's efforts that they launched a new F&B Run Club chapter in Goa — the first satellite club, and likely not the last — to join in this ambitious mission to the moon.

With a growing list of members from inside and outside the community (all are welcome to join and support), that 384,000 km goal is looking a little less daunting each day — but there's still a long way to go.

Lifestyle Asia reached out to Chan to talk about the mission, the support the Club has received so far, and what lies ahead for the future.

What has the F&B Run Club shown you about Hong Kong’s F&B community?

We are a tightly integrated supportive hospitality ecosystem. We are a brother and sisterhood. We live and enjoy life, and when we say ‘we are committed,’ we are.

Talk about some of the partners who have joined forces with the mission. Who’s gotten involved and what has their support meant to you?

We have been overwhelmed with generosity and love from and to the F&B industry. From hotel staycations, meals and experience vouchers, event sponsorships, PR management, earphones, apparel, gym memberships, et cetera, all of which has gone back to the F&B workers in the industry who have all been through challenging times over the last two years. Furthermore, we have been really humbled and grateful for our corporate donors who have contributed HK$400,000 thus far to our two charities, of which 100% has gone directly to the local NGOs.

Who have been your biggest supporters through this project?

Everyone. We can’t single anyone out. Be it something tangible like a sponsorship, or hours and hours of mileage contribution, we have received overwhelming support from the community for those in need, and benevolence for the F&B ecosystem. Clearly, the key objective is to raise money for charity, so an extra special ‘thank you’ to our corporate partners who have donated to the charities.

How did the F&B Run Club catch on in India?

A beautiful craft gin distillery in Goa, India called NAO Spirits heard what we are doing, and has assembled like-minded F&B personalities and leaders in India to replicate the F&B Run Club. Famous beverage brands owners, F&B entrepreneurs and pioneers, and other industry leaders will be part of this. We are humbled by their support and the initiative belongs to them and their local community.

Talk about Inspiring HK Sports and the Lifewire Foundation, what made them the right fit for the Club?

Inspiring HK Sports Foundation is a local charity with a vision of developing better youths through sports. Their mission is to promote social mobility, gender equality, social inclusion and healthy lifestyle through sports. In collaboration with the F&B Run Club, we will aim to raise at least HK$384,400 for two one-year running classes led by professional coaches for underprivileged youth whose parents work in the F&B industry. There will also be 200 indirect beneficiaries; two Sports Promotion Days will be held to promote the benefits of sports to the public. Having the opportunity to support young children, of those, whose parents work in the F&B industry, and are living in poverty, is an incredibly worthy cause.

The second is Lifewire Foundation Limited, another local charity providing relief from the life-threatening conditions rare disease patients face. Lifewire distributes funding to help patients purchase the necessary equipment and services. The required medical equipment is often imported and tailor-made for the patients, and is essential for their rehabilitation. We will aim to raise HK$384,400 to purchase specialised medical devices and clinical therapy services to improve patients' quality of life.

What does the F&B Run Club need to make this moon mission happen?

We need more and more runners, it’s simple mathematics. Individual heroics won’t be enough. We implore the F&B community and F&B friends to join our Strava F&B Run Club and contribute KMs.

Have you always been a runner?

I have always loved the gym, general wellness and short runs. Before the F&B Run Club, I would do around five to ten kilometre runs; now I only feel truly satisfied if I smash out 21-plus! Strange how it’s all in the mind.

How can people who hate running get involved and support the cause?

Walk! Many of our top contributors don’t run. They walk! We emphasise this isn’t just for runners; it is also for walkers, hikers, joggers. It’s not about the speed, it’s about the distance.

Any other activations planned that we should know about for the future?

We have frequent runs, hikes and walks led by our industry friends. When social distancing allows, we hope to host F&B events to give more love back to the industry. We have seen firsthand from our initiative that wellness and exercise can truly change people’s lives. Like the incredible talent and innovation Hong Kong has in the F&B industry, the F&B Run Club welcomes any ideas to be inclusive and help the community through tailored activities, events or other collaborations to raise awareness and ultimately, charity donations. If you can improve your own mental and physical health, and at the same time support the local community, make that decision and commitment.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The post Hong Kong’s F&B Run Club Has Raised Nearly Half a Million HKD for Local Charities appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

There’s no doubt Alex Lam inherited his musical talent from his parents, his father being Cantopop legend George Lam Chi-Cheung, and his mother, Sally Yeh. Still, the singer-songwriter and actor hasn’t let privilege get to his head — he’s not afraid to explore other paths, from a stint in Los Angeles to discover yoga and becoming a yoga teacher, to dipping his toes in fashion.

Lam met Hiro Yoshikawa, founder and designer of Washi Jeans, a Japanese denim brand, a couple years back and was intrigued by the designer’s backstory. Now based in Hong Kong, Yoshikawa is the 18^th generation of a revered sake maker in Okayama, Japan, and the first to leave the family business to pursue his own passion in denim-making. By chance, Yoshikawa had found an old document that charted out his family’s history, written on washi paper. Inspired by this, he developed and patented the Washi No. 6 paper yarn, which he utilizes in his first solo collection launching this month.

Lam, who has always had an eye for detail, quickly became an ambassador and muse for Yoshikawa, and took it upon himself to bring the recognition Yoshikawa deserves by helping him stage his upcoming solo debut.

We sit down with Alex Lam and Hiro Yoshikawa at Washi Jean's studio to talk about style and the upcoming debut of Yoshikawa's solo collection Life on Earth.

Can you describe your style? What are your wardrobe essentials?

AL: My style has always been inspired by musicians. I grew up watching some of my favourite bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and today, I'm inspired by singers like Drake. For me, my summer essentials include a sleeveless vest, a good multi-functional blazer and a pair of high-quality designer jeans.

Have you always been passionate about fashion and did you want to work in fashion?

AL: I have always cared about how I look and my outfits since I was a kid. I remember there was one time when the collar of my t-shirt wasn't right and I wouldn’t wear it out until my parents fixed it for me. Having friends who are in the fashion industry allows me to execute and experiment my ideas during workshops, like the ‘marshmallow’ colourway of the t-shirt I’m wearing right now. 

How did the both of you meet?

AL: I met Hiro-san thought some of our mutual friends.

HY: have been making jeans for other brands for the past 30 years and it has always been my dream to have my own denim brand. I have always hung out with people from the fashion industry, and meeting Alex from the music and acting world has made my life more fun and exciting.

Can you tell us a bit about your project with Hiro-san?

AL: I was hanging out with a group of producers and we often talk about fashion shows, designer brands’ videos, installation art and music. Once we found out Hiro-san wanted to launch his own denim brand this year, we decided to catch this opportunity and put our ideas together. We are organising a VIP launch event with a fashion show on June 11, 2021.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome with this project?

AL: I think the rules of the game changed after Covid started last year. We looked at online fashion shows last year, without the tradition styles, and we knew our team needed to do it in a cleverer way. The restriction for event gathering is 30 persons at the moment, so we were not able to invite too many friends and make the event as big as before. Plus the campaign and fashion show video shoot all in one day, that’s the biggest challenge in this project.

HY:  We have been staying in our studio almost every day is the past few months, meeting different parties like our PR team, models, videographers and producers.

What else are you up to this year that you can share with us?

AL: I have released a new song and I just finished a music video for another song. I have also been working on my YouTube channel and created a few series, but it’s been slightly slowed down because I was focusing in this project.

Has the pandemic affected the way you work or changed your priorities?

AL: Before Covid, I was busy working with clients, who often prepared everything. With changes and restrictions during this period, I am able to organise and create more content by myself.

What are you currently inspired by?

AL: There are many indie musicians and young kids out there who are doing their music in their unique styles. I admire them a lot as they can release songs as long as they think it sounds good. I used think good music requires the best studio and recording equipment, but turned out a lot of indie musicians are producing high quality songs just by working at home.

You have a YouTube channel, you're into fashion, music as well as classic cars. How did you get into each of those passions and how do you balance it all?

AL: Project by project. I’m now focusing more on quantity over quality and I'll keep learning from the progress and mistakes.

Do you have a motto you live by?

Stay healthy. As I was a yoga teacher, I still practice yoga for two to three hours each day. It’s a good way to reflect on myself and find peace.

The post Kevin Poon: Contemporary Art Through the Eyes of an Insider appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Completely coincidental to the events happening in the world today, it would seem that Vincent Fong has launched his material science company, Raze Technology, in a period when self-care, personal hygiene and domesticity are now quintessential means of survival. A pioneer in the metamaterials field, the Hong Kong CEO has created one of the first light activated sanitising sprays designed to kill 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, odours and mould for home use. Having just launched two months ago, 7,000 bottles of this reactive formula has already been sold. We speak to the man behind the self-sanitising agent on how he built his business and the way he is reshaping the household products industry.

Name: Vincent Fong

Profession: CEO

Industry: Material science

Start up since: 2018

Company size: 18

Tell us about your business. What do you do?

We are a material science company that has developed a long term disinfectant coating that can effectively decompose virus, bacteria odour, mould, and VOCs [volatile organic compounds] with light energy. We believe that material science can be the key that opens doors to solving our world’s most demanding problems. So we transformed our technology to a functional product that creates a better everyday life.

Since the virus outbreak, we have applied our technology to Hong Kong transportation. We’ve covered 4,200 buses, 18,000 taxis and 2,200 mini buses with our Raze coating and seen a huge reduction in germs --protecting the driver and passengers alike. We are very excited to use our technology to improve the lives of others. Global governments from UAE, China and Italy are also reaching out and in discussion of adopting Raze for their public transport.

Tell me about your best and worst day at work? 

After being an entrepreneur for over a decade, the “best or worst” is no longer meaningful since that can change very frequently --even on an hourly basis. But overall, I enjoy my work very much even when things are not moving smoothly. You have to remember that building a company is a process and that’s the part I enjoy most.

What do you do when you’re not at work? 

I enjoy reading anything from scientific journals to science fiction. I also try to stay active with boxing and taking my dog on hikes on the weekends.

Looking back now, what would you have done differently?

There are too many things to list; it ranges from recruiting, time management to investment. One thing in particular is that we only focused on our B2B service first. We then realised that we needed to build a consumer brand to develop trust and brand equity. Rather than pushing businesses to use our service, consumers would help us pull businesses to use our technology. We always wanted Raze to be associated with hygiene and wellness, we just didn’t realise a faster way until later.  But all these mistakes were critical in helping us grow to where we are now, so I would not have changed these missteps.

What is a normal work day like?

I reserve the morning for solo planning to review the list I write up at night, after that a short team meeting and breaking up to smaller unit meetings. Then I divide the day to work on operations, recruitment and partnerships. This structure allows me to dive in on the nitty [-gritty] details of the business while being able to constantly reflect on the bigger picture.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start up?

Don’t think that a brilliant idea will pop up in your soul searching journey. Just get started and go with the flow, then adjust and pivot, and more importantly consider people, people, people.

What would you be dong if you weren’t doing what you do now?

Probably working in someone else’s startup.

As a child, what did you aspire to be?

As a child, I aspired to be an astronaut – but as you can tell, that did not happen!

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Patience. I have major ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] and want things to move at 100 miles, at all times, but that doesn’t work in deep technology. These innovations take anywhere from three months to 10 years to develop. Then there’s the process of building a team and getting everyone to work together. All of these things require a great deal of patience so it’s a skill I’m working on everyday.

How did you overcome it?

Be humble to appreciate science as science instead of a business. I overcame this by studying physics and chemistry from my CTOs [chief technology officers] and realising how little I know. This helped me understand that everyone comes from different backgrounds; what may be obvious to some, may not be to others.

Why is Hong Kong an important market for you?

Hong Kong is a global hub for both international businesses and China expansion. Proving the technology in Hong Kong opens many doors on a global scale. It’s also where I was born. So it’s cool to see the Raze stickers inside of taxis, protecting those I grew up with.

If you were to invest in another start up, which would it be?

Hard to pinpoint one specific one, but I am very involved in the food technology venture through The March Fund. They invest in early-late stage companies developing transformative biotechnologies, machine intelligence, and sustainable nutrition solutions for consumers and the agriculture-food supply chain.

What are your goals for 2020? And in the near future?

The economic landscape for 2020 will be very tough due to the Coronavirus global impact. From capital source to consumer purchasing power, many things will be substantially reduced. For Raze, we are fortunate enough to be classified as one of the preventative solutions, and we have grown to be the biggest public transportation preventative player and global government units have reached out to have Raze applied in their buses, taxis and trains. I believe 2020 will be a year of growth. My goals in the near future would be to grow Raze into improving home hygiene systems globally.

How hands-on are you?

I am very hands-on in certain areas that I thrive in such as marketing and sales, but very hands off when I am not the expert such as manufacturing and R&D [research and development].

How do you define success? Do you consider yourself being successful?

Success is an evolving definition for me. Currently, I believe success is the ability to apply your network, knowledge and passion into solving global issues that can benefit the lives of others. I do not consider myself successful for every year I look back and realise how foolish I once was and would hope this trend continues.

The post Startup Life: Vincent Fong of Raze Technology on the First Self-Santising Disinfectant appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

With the decade coming to an end, you'll want to ring in 2020 in style. If you're still looking for places to countdown, we've got you covered and picked out some of the best New Year’s Eve parties in Hong Kong to make sure 2020 starts on a high.

Carbone

Carbone’s NYE party is for those who are looking to enjoy Motown music as well as their well-known meatballs. The Italian restaurant is offering two packages; the Classico (HK$1,988) includes food and drink as well as free-flow prosecco. For a little bit more, the Superior (HK$2,388) package includes food and drink, and free-flow Champagne. The party starts at 9PM and goes until 1:30AM.

Tickets here. 

Carbone, 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central; +852 2593 2593

ALTO

Located on the 31st floor of the V Point Tower in Causeway Bay, ALTO is a great option if you’re looking for a spot with great views. Their Black & Gold New Year’s Eve Gala Fireworks Dinner is HK$788 per person and offers a four-course meal. The theme of the event is, you guessed it, black and gold. So be sure to dress for the occasion.

Tickets here. 

ALTO, 31/F, V Point, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay; +852 2603 7181

Zuma

Zuma has become sort of a constitution when it comes to counting down in Hong Kong. With a masquerade theme in place, guests will be able to enjoy free-flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne, specialty cocktails, red and white wine, beer, and soft drinks. DJ Emmanuel Diaz will be playing tunes all night accompanied by live performances. 

Tickets here. 

Zuma, Level 5&6 Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central; +852 2657 6388

La Rambla by Catalunya 

Walk the red-carpet at La Rambla’s NYE event. The ‘A Red Carpet Affair’ theme will have you feeling like a celebrity while you enjoy the free-flow bar and a special New Year’s Eve curated tasting menu all the while enjoying unrivalled views of the iconic Victoria Harbour. Packages start at HK$700 for general entry (includes three hours of free-flow drinks and two food tickets); $750 for a walk-in ticket; $2,020 for dinner and party package (includes tasting menu and free-flow drinks). If you’re not going out for NYE, La Rambla is also offering a New Year’s Day brunch menu (HK$650). 

Tickets here.

La Rambla by Catalunya, 3071-73 Level 3, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central; 2661 1161

Popinjays 

If you’re looking to countdown at Popinjays, you have various options to choose from. A general ticket is HK$1,488 and includes free-flow drinks (from 9:30PM to 3AM and Champagne from 11:30PM to 12:30AM), while an early bird ticket is HK$1,288. If you’re a party of four, a table package will set you back HK$7,880 and includes free-flow drinks. A New Year’s Day brunch is also on offer for HK$698 (from 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm, and 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm), so plan ahead.

Tickets here.  

Popinjays, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central; +852 3141 8888

Potato Head

Dance the night away at Potato Head. The multi-concept space will have an array of DJs and artists playing music all night long, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. For HK$600, you’ll be able to enjoy free-flow from 10PM to midnight. For HK$1,100, you’ll be able to enjoy their dinner menu and free-flow drinks.

Tickets here.

Potato Head,  100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun; +852 2858 6066

Soho House

Soho House is hosting a 'Midnight in Monte Carlo' themed party. Wear your finest black-tie attire to ring in the new year with the grandeur of Monte Carlo. Try your hand at blackjack or roulette, or slip into the high roller’s room as you sip on Grey Goose cocktails. If you're in the gambling spirit, there will be high roller game rooms with prizes including a complimentary stay for two at Upper House Hong Kong. To cap it all off, a Möet Champagne vending machine will be available.

Soho House, 33 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan; +852 5803 8888

DarkSide

Countdown to 2020 at one of Hong Kong's newest bars, DarkSide. On New Year’s Eve, guests can look forward to caviar and Krug Champagne packages, VIP table bookings and live entertainment to truly define merrymaking from 8PM until 2AM. You will also be able to enjoy jazz music with their new performer Deborah Davis. Email hongkong.darkside@rosewoodhotels.com or ring them up to secure your reservation.

DarkSide, Rosewood Hong Kong Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rord, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3891 8732

Ophelia

Escape to Le Grand Hotel Ophelia NYE 2019 party. Ophelia will be back for another immersive celebration for New Year’s Eve, bringing a fashionable ode of old vintage glamour, luxury diamonds, and pearls, Champagne and more. Expect appearances from international performers behind the doors of Le Grande Hotel Ophelia, and live music. Did we mention that entry is free? All you have to do is RSVP and adhere to their 'Vintage Glam' dress code.

Tickets here.

Ophelia, Shop F39A & F41A, 1/F, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai; +852 2520 1117

G.H Mumm Party

To celebrate the beginning of the new decade, G.H. Mumm has partnered with The Rooms in Tai Kwun to host their Countdown Dinner & Party. Guests are invited to enjoy a gastronomic 3-course dining experience with free-flow Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne, RSRV & Spirit at 9PM for HK$1,800. For those who would like to go straight to the countdown party, a ticket costs HK$800 and includes free-flow Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne and Spirit until midnight. For tickets, email info@therooms.hk.

The Rooms, 10 Hollywood Road, Central

The post Top 10 New Year’s Eve Parties in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Dear Santa,

Have you heard the news? The Christmas tree inside Festival Walk mall was set on fire... that’s devastating. For this year, I want nothing but peace and joy in everyone’s heart. Can you do that?

But, that being said, I’m pretty sure I’m on the nice list this year, so I came up with 10 things I really, really, really want for this Christmas. I promise I’ll share with my sister (if I have to)!

Your Friend,

Tiffany

PS: I left you some cookies under the tree. You’re welcome.

The post What Prestige Editors Want: Tiffany’s Christmas Wish List appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Dear Santa,

I know this will come as a surprise to you, as you haven’t heard from me in quite a while. In fact, that may well be the reason why I haven’t had a peep out of you for more years than I can remember.

Anyway, if you don’t mind, could we wipe the slate clean and start again? And in that spirit, would you excuse me for thinking big for Christmas 2019? It’s not as if I’ve been pestering you for ages, and you’d make an old man – this old man, I mean, not you – very happy. For what it’s worth (and while this hasn’t always been true of me), I’ve been a very good boy for several years now; I take plenty of exercise and have even cut back on the booze.

If you are coming down my chimney on December 24/25 – and, yes, I know that’ll be difficult as (a) I don’t have a chimney and (b) even if I did you’d be unlikely to be able to fit much of the swag I’m asking for into it – be sure to check the refrigerator, where you’ll find a few bottles of fizz ready to crack open. Help yourself – it’s the least I can do.

We’ve both been around so long I almost feel I know you. So cheers and – can I say this to you? – have a great Christmas, Santa.

Jon

The post What Prestige Editors Want: Jon’s Christmas Wish List appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Dear Santa,

I know you haven’t heard from me personally in a while, as I’ve been pretty focused on a little guy named Noa for the past 10 years. I have to thank you and your elves for always delivering, especially when you’re so busy and he asks the world of you.

I know you’ll be hearing from him very shortly, so this year I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind and ask for a few things to brighten my days in the year ahead. Because what’s life without a bit of colour and bling?

Yours fondly,

Tama

The post What Prestige Editors Want: Tama’s Christmas Wish List appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Dear Santa,

Love
Dara

PS: Please get the sizes right this year. 

The post What Prestige Editors Want: Dara’s Christmas Wish List appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Dear Santa,

You haven’t heard from me since I grew up. I’m taller now, working hard and am grateful for all the things I can buy and that I receive throughout the year, so it’s always seemed greedy to draw up a list of things for you to collect on my behalf. There are many more people who need a material gift more than I do.

But I’m compelled to ask for kindness, health, wealth and happiness for my family, friends and myself – because those things are sometimes much harder to come by than a good sale where I can pick up a pair of shoes. And would it be a tall order if I asked for you to eradicate cancer? Or get rid of bullies? They seem to have escaped the sandpits these days and to have run amok. I’d also love it if everyone in the world could have a decent meal every day, but then you’d be flying every night of the year!

If it’s too not much, I’ve drawn up a list of what might spark joy for me should you stop by this Christmas. I hope I’m on your December 24 evening delivery run, though, because that’s when my family celebrates, and don’t worry about a chimney – we don’t have one of those but we do have a balcony.

Thanks Santa. Can’t wait to hear those sleigh bells. Maybe wear a bit less this year – you know, climate change. Otherwise, have a great Christmas and bring some Rennie’s in case you get indigestion from all the treats!

Much love
Zaneta 

The post What Prestige Editors Want: Zaneta’s Christmas Wish List appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.