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Goh Soo Sing, 34

Profession : Boutique Developer

Element : Wood

Energy : Soo Sing is someone who values personal freedom. Like most of those who are born under this element, he has a knack for planning and strategy. These qualities are his strengths and they complement his ambitious and competitive nature well. To aid in harnessing Chi, he chooses to meditate, as the breathing technique helps to calm his mind and in turn, unblock all the energy throughout his body. Through this he can focus better and make better decisions.

Also read : The Wind & Water feat. May Tan

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[caption id="attachment_74157" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The Estate l Resort Lobby[/caption]

AFTER COMPLETING TWO landed boutique projects in Penang, the company then known as PPM Realty Sdn Bhd decided to venture into the Klang Valley and carefully selected Bangsar South as its first development location. Rebranded as BÖN Estates, the boutique developer’s sole mission is to build long-term, sustainable homes for all communities. Its vision is to promote good and balanced living among the residents in its development. The word BÖN is a Tibetan term referring to the elegant combination of the five elements, namely metal, wood, water, fire and earth, which coincidentally is also known to many as the basic elements found in Feng Shui. “We strongly believe that by incorporating a good balance of these elements in our living environment will help to promote peace and longevity in our lives,” Soo Sing begins, highlighting that for its flagship project, The Estate South Bangsar, renowned master of metaphysics Dato’ Joey Yap was invited to assess the development.

There were times that involved me searching for the ideal house or identifying the ideal land for development. That was when I realised the importance and benefits of this ancient art

As the developer is known for advocating wellness and balance at its core, Soo Sing explains that it’s only natural for BÖN Estates to further express its concept by heightening its customer’s five senses, which are sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. And this can be clearly seen and experienced by all at its beautifully structured sales gallery perched atop Jalan Maarof. “Each content and programme that runs within the building is well thought out and planned. Guests are invited to immerse themselves and their senses in an experiential journey the moment they step into our gallery,” he informs.

[caption id="attachment_74156" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BÖN Estates l Level 3 - Bedroom[/caption]

However, I am still curious if there is any energy he would focus on when it comes to BÖN Estates’ development projects. To which, Soo Sing divulges that when Feng Shui is applied to a development, it is actually all about tapping into the right energy surrounding the land. “While planning for the best product and design that suits the surrounding community, it is also important to complement the existing energy and tap into the positive energy. For instance, according to Joey’s findings, a “Mid-level Dragon” advancing towards The Estate will facilitate a gathering of Chi within the vicinity. It indicates a remarkable Feng Sui prospect is awaiting future occupants of the residential development. Additionally, we will be entering Period 9 in the Feng Shui cycle when The Estate is ready in 2020. The Estate is positioned in the best north/south-facing orientation to tap into the best Chi for at least 20 years.”

We strongly believe that by incorporating a good balance of these elements in our living environment will help to promote peace and longevity in our lives

Surprisingly, despite his upbringing and professional background, Soo Sing had always thought Feng Shui was somewhat superstitious. “When I was younger, I didn’t quite understand the whole idea. As the years went by, there were times that involved me searching for the ideal house or identifying the ideal land for development. That was when I realised the importance and benefits of this ancient art. Hence, I’m not shy to say that I now see it as an invisible and natural force of life and the importance of living in-sync with nature. Feng Shui means balance, and if applied correctly, it can promote harmony which in turn will promote success.”

[caption id="attachment_74155" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BÖN Estates l Level 3 - Living Room[/caption]

And contrary to popular beliefs, an ideal Feng Shui space is not only about how Zen the room feels or looks; in fact, it is the space that has the best energy to support the intended activity. There are various ways to attract the best Chi for your living and working spaces. For instance, a creative space will evoke the same energy that describes the creative process such as the balance between the quiet energy of dreaming and the full bloom of active, strong manifestation. In Soo Sing’s case, he believes the best working environment has the fine balance to promote communication, peace, harmony, creativity and productivity. Hence, working in a place that has the optimum combination of natural surrounding elements such as greenery, wood, sound of lapping water, sunlight and fresh air is really important. “These are the good vibes to calm your mind and it is crucial to be in that peaceful state especially when you’re looking to make the best decisions. I also prefer to work in a clean and tidy space. It’s best not to have an unnecessary clutter that will distract or collect negative Chi,” he shares, adding that his office has a tranquil setting with spaces promoting positive vibes and interactions between him and his employees.

Besides that, Soo Sing also shares that he harnesses the flow of Chi through meditation. “As I’m constantly caught up in a very high stress and busy environment, it is really important for me to allocate 45 minutes in the morning to meditate before starting off my day. The breathing technique in meditation helps to relax my mind, and it gives me an outlet to release tensions and blockages in my body. Meditation can also enhance and sharpen my focus for the day.” On days that he is stressed out, he will take quick breaks to meditate. “And it helps me tremendously, particular when I have to make better decisions. In addition to that, it helps me to overcome insomnia resulting from work stress.”

The post The Wind & The Water feat. Goh Soo Sing appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

May Tan, 32

Profession : Fashion Designer

Element : Wood

Energy : May believes that she has a blend of wood and water characteristics. Born under the Wood element, she is strong willed, decisive and stubborn. Yet, like how the water in the river flows, she tends to rush into things and subsequently loses focus. Despite being a little lost on some occasions, May can adapt pretty well to various unexpected situations.

Also read : The Wind & The Water feat. Kelly Roza

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[caption id="attachment_74113" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Maarimaia Racer Sleeve Asymmetrical Midi Qipao[/caption]

THE FIRST TIME I heard the name of Maarimaia’s latest collection, I knew it could not have been a coincidence. By attending its launch party and personally witnessing its design motifs, my suspicion was confirmed: the founder of the independent contemporary womenswear label integrates the ancient practice of Feng Shui into her designs. “Bloc & Flo is a play of the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang. According to the Feng Shui theory, everything in our universe is composed of two opposing but deeply interconnected forces. And this is what I hope to achieve with this collection: to pair two contradictory elements into one harmonious creative work. Notably, this also reemphasises the core of Maarimaia’s creations: to pair functionality with handcrafted elements from the inception to the construction,” narrates May, noting that one cannot exist without the other, as in their seeming opposition, they deeply support and nourish each other. “I love the interaction between these two Feng Shui forces. And this is something I use to set the base of my creative energy.”

Have you ever felt gravitated towards a certain colour or thing? Well, it may or may not be Feng Shui, but it is most likely because your energy is lacking a particular element, thus pulling you towards that specific object.

Although I’ve heard of colours being used to create the essence of life around us, this is the first time I’ve actually witnessed  someone applying the historical art to fashion. To simplify the expression, Yin (also known as the feminine energy) is associated with black, while Yang (the masculine energy) is linked to white. Energy-wise, Yin is soft, diffused, passive and silent. To aid visualisation, May asks me to think of the rhythm and the essence of the feminine energy. “Yin is the softness of the water, the mystery of the moon, the darkness of the rich, moist soil and the deep silence of the night. Yang, on the other hand, is the force opposite to Yin’s quality of energy. Imagine the fiery rays of the piercing sun, the aggressive speeds of motorcars, the rock-solid surface of a mountain and the focused energy of a laser beam.” As for Maarimaia, the brand is synonymous with confidence, independence, intelligence and complexity; all of which form the timeless beauty that transcends time, space and trends.

[caption id="attachment_74114" align="aligncenter" width="820"] Maarimaia Embroidered Shift Mini Qipao[/caption]

That being said, May is not one to blindly follow Feng Shui to a T. “Although I don’t see it as a fun concept to play with just for the kick, I don’t adhere to the concept religiously. It’s more of an instinctive thing and I only practise certain elements that fit my  lifestyle. For example, as a person under the wood element, I need to wear something of the opposing element to harmonise my own Chi. The basic wood colours are brown, green and blue. If I am dressed in these colours too often, it will only intensify my wood characteristics. I will be harsher to others or be stuck in a position and refuse to move on,” she shares. And her solution to reach equilibrium is to introduce the metallic element. “Imagine it this way, to halve a piece of wood, you’ll need an axe. Thus, to balance out my stubbornness, I need to incorporate the metal element into my life,” she reveals, pointing out that according to the Feng Shui chart, she is to avoid wearing black. However, instead of omitting her favourite colour entirely, she prefers garments with circular patterns such as polka dots, as the curvy form belongs to the metal element. “Also, I would add a touch of metallic or pastel hues and jewellery to my black outfit.”

Although I don’t see it as a fun concept to play with just for the kick, I don’t adhere to the concept religiously. It’s more of an instinctive thing and I only practise certain elements that fit my  lifestyle

In addition to that, May opines that whether a person believes in Feng Shui or otherwise, all of us do practise it subconsciously. “Have you ever felt gravitated towards a certain colour or thing? Well, it may or may not be Feng Shui, but it is most likely because your energy is lacking a particular element, thus pulling you towards that specific object.” Yet, looking at her design collections, I’d say that she has a good mix of offerings to meet any discerning clientele. “I try to cater to all five elements but honestly, there are so many things to think about that I have to say meeting every Feng Shui need is not at the top of Maarimaia’s priorities. For one, there are many areas that involve the Chinese zodiac and cultural traditions,” May replies, explaining that for her Lunar collection, she didn’t use black or white due to auspicious reasons nor did she fill it up with just red because not everyone is compatible with the colour. “That is why you see my qipaos are made in a variety of colours. In the end, I want each of my customers to be able to find something in my collection that suits them.”

[caption id="attachment_74115" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Maarimaia Crew Neck Silk Modern Qipao[/caption]

One Feng Shui motif she tries to stay clear of in her designs is the animal. “Some people are sensitive when it comes to this. I once had a client who informed me that although she loved everything about that particular creation, she had to forgo it as the squiggly
pattern on it resembled a snake. After that incident, I try to minimise the usage of such motifs.” That being said, she has no plan to create a whole collection that caters to one type of element. “As a designer, there are many considerations to be taken when it comes to designing a holistic collection. I, myself, may be drawn to a colour, pattern, fit or structure. So I need to make sure that I stop myself from designing something that will end up just for myself,” she laughs.

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PHOTOGRAPHY VINCENT PAUL YONG @ VPYP
WORDS LEONG EE VONNE 
MAKE-UP LER WAN NING
HAIR ANGELINE LOW

The post The Wind & The Water feat. May Tan appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

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