Celebrity Life
Travel with Photographer @Thomas_Fung
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go.
Warning: travel envy ensues.
Name: Thomas Fung / @thomas_fung
Profession: Photographer
Passport: Hong Kong
Countries Visited: 20+
Where was your last destination?
California and the outskirts surrounding it. I was there to catch up with old friends. We went on a road trip through one of the state parks and sand dunes. We also spent nights on airstreams -- we were glamping. Some of these were new experiences for me.
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What was the best and worst thing about it?
I’ve always had a strong desire for freedom. Our road trip to the outskirts of California and Arizona was pretty last minute, and the whole idea was to jump behind the wheel and leave all cares behind. It was the feeling of being wild and free -- living on the open road -- that fuelled my excitement and gave me that sense of completeness. Staying in a vintage airstream up on the mountains turned out to be the highlight, too. With all the impressive retro designs I felt like I was travelling back in time. Hopefully, I can share all of that in my upcoming posts.
The worst thing was that I nearly missed my flight back to Hong Kong. I was stuck in really bad weeknight traffic in Los Angeles on my last day and arrived at the airport front desk just on time. I was lucky enough to meet some helpful staff and understanding passengers as I boarded the plane super last minute.
What do you never travel without?
Hats, and preferably Panama style. They are perfect for lazy hair days and are always timelessly stylish. I like taking photos with hats and it's become something of a signature look. I think the choice of hat speaks a lot about your personality and also conveys a visual message about your state of mind.
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What’s your favourite travel ensemble?
Apart from hats, I like the idea of tone-on-tone while working on photoshoot projects and taking portraits. It simply means dressing in the same colour spectrum as the background. Of course, it’s impossible to carry a whole wardrobe with you while travelling. So, I think wearing all white goes well with other colours and stands out elegantly.
Where is your favourite hotel?
The Ace Hotels. And if I were to choose one -- the one in Downtown Los Angeles. Their lofts go along the chic vintage line, with polished concrete walls, exposed ceilings and industrial-styled decors. Nothing luxurious but certainly down to earth. Make sure you spend some time at the lobby, take some snaps using their vintage photo booth and chat with the staff there. Lastly make sure you try the pancakes from Lucky Girl. They are delicious!
Who do you normally travel with?
My good friends usually. And if I travel alone I always spend time meeting up with local photographers I meet on Instagram. Sometimes we go to an Instagram spot and take photos for each other. It is inspiring to see how photos can be addressed in different perspectives.
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What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific will always have a special place in my heart. Why? Well it is based in Hong Kong -- where I was born and raised, relatively reliable and provides numerous direct flight destinations. And I still find that it's in-flight entertainment the most diverse, by far.
Show us your favourite travel photo!
Muralla Roja (meaning red wall in Spanish) is located along the Spanish coast just opposite to the well-known Ibiza. I first came across it in a magazine and was instantly attracted by the geometric designs and exuberant colours. The clever interplay of changing colour tones and shadowing creates special optical and spatial effects, and the same shot at different times of the day can appear differently. If you fancy a visit, do remember that it’s residential.
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Share your top travel tip(s) with us.
- For long haul flights, I usually choose to arrive at the destination in the morning or afternoon, so as to combat jet lag better.
- Take vitamins daily. Work trips, chasing schedules, and busy days can be physically draining, and it's worse when you're in a different time zone as your body clock still needs to adjust. Vitamins help with your body's metabolism and boosts your immunity.
- To take nice travel photographs, avoid peak seasons if possible. Then refer to photos online to decide what the best time to go is.
Where are you off to next?
Bali, hopefully! It’s my all-time favourite destination for a long weekend getaway. It has everything you need for a chilled beach break, and plenty of exciting activities to keep you entertained -- plus the clubs there are quality.
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The post Travel with Photographer @Thomas_Fung appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Startup Life: Sandy Ip of The Ski Project on Luxury Winter Apparel
After realising a gap in the market for a sophisticated, fun and stylish winter wardrobe in Asia, Sandy Ip along with three friends decided to take a leap of faith to fill the growing demand with The Ski Project. Though her new business has only been around for just over two years, her curation of slope-side fashion has made quite a name for itself, attracting modern travellers with its collections inspired by style, performance and comfort. Stocked in upscale department stores such as Lane Crawford in Hong Kong and Shanghai and the Emporium in Bangkok, her vision of the ski-set lifestyle has become easily accessible to snow carving lovers on this side of the world.
So, how did a girl with a background and degree in architecture and town planning establish herself to great heights in this niche industry? We stole a moment with the Founding Director herself for her tricks of the trade and what living the startup life means to her.
Name: Sandy Ip
Profession: Founding Director
Industry: Fashion/Lifestyle
Start up since: 2017
Company size: 20
Tell us about your business. What do you do?
Having spent 10 years working for luxury brands, I wanted a change. I started The Ski Project with 3 partners 3 years ago, feeling that there is a lack of stylish and technical slope to city winter-wear for fashion savvy customers in Asia. Our goal is not just to open a retail store but to bring to life the European lifestyle of the “Ski-Set” which at the time was not prominent in Asia. We began the business from Niseko in the winter of 2017. Since then, we have expanded to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and we will open our all year-round winter to summer vacation wear concept at the newly opened Park Hyatt Hotel Hanazono, in Niseko Japan.
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Sandy Ip of The Ski Project[/caption]
Tell me about your best and worst day at work?
The best days are when we receive returning customers complimenting the style and functionality of the pieces they used while on their winter trip, coming back for more, and referring us to their friends and family. This really gives us a sense of satisfaction as we are providing a solution to something that is missing in the market.
The worst days are when the stress with working on store opening deadlines hit. Sometimes it is not a single person’s job to make things happen, all parties must be aligned and it is hard to get everyone working at the same pace or have the same sense of urgency as you’d wish.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
Find me up in the mountains in the winter, or by the sea in the summer.
Looking back now, what would you have done differently?
Getting more comfortable with the unknown situation. As a Founder, you have to make decisions without knowing exactly what is coming. But there is no need to stress about the outcome when there is no way of knowing. You just have to get comfortable with the situation and go with the flow.
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Hong Kong fashionista and mother of two, Alison Chan El Azar[/caption]
What is a normal work day like?
I start the day with reading about industry news and checking sales against plan and forecast. I'll also communicate to my team, reply to emails on the go, visit the point of sales, speak to customers and also review plans for the next months to come.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start up?
Be original and don’t copy a concept because others have made it happened. Authenticity is the most important. Stay relevant to what is going on and try not to be too consumed by just making money out of the business.
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Taiwanese-born and Hong Kong-based socialite, Feiping Chang[/caption]
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing what you do now?
I would still be working in the corporate world of fashion. I actually really enjoyed working in a corporate environment and working with all the different departments. I don’t think I would have the same confidence starting my own business if not for all those years of training.
As a child, what did you aspire to be?
A ballerina when I was a child, and then a fashion buyer when I was a teenager. I thought it was the best job, which takes you to all the most beautiful cities in the world – the fashion capitals – New York, London, Milan and Paris. It wasn’t until later did I find out that it is more about number crunching and being a geek at excel spreadsheets. I have an Architecture and Town Planning degree from University, so it is funny how I ended up doing what I do now.
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Sandy Ip of The Ski Project[/caption]
What has been your biggest hurdle?
The biggest hurdle would have to be the economic and financial situation in Hong Kong right now. This has taken the industry completely by surprise and there is nothing you can do about it.
How did you overcome it?
Luckily, we are still performing according to plan as we have diversified our point of sales to other parts of Asia this year.
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Loui Lim, the chairman of Genting Group[/caption]
Why is Hong Kong an important market for you?
People often ask me why I would start a luxury skiing retail concept in Hong Kong -- a city without any immediate ski slopes. The fact is, through this project, we have met so many people who are so passionate about the winter lifestyle. They are very open-minded and curious about the newest edits every year which made it very enjoyable to create this connection with them and it pushes us to create more elements within our curation.
If you were to invest in another start up, which would it be?
A drone that can withstand the adverse weather and can follow you around on the slopes taking video and pictures as you ski. Or a heated phone case, so your phone doesn’t freeze at sub-zero temperatures. These are the two things I wish I have with me when I am skiing.
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Singaporean socialite Arissa Cheo[/caption]
What are your goals for 2020? And in the near future?
We plan to expand on The Ski Project footprint – bringing the best winter edits to modern travellers.
How hands-on are you?
100%! I have a 360-degree role from merchandising, branding, marketing, social media, logistics, accounting to retail design and retail sales and operation.
How do you define success? Do you consider yourself successful?
I think part of being successful is building a brand from scratch and following your passion – it gives you a real sense of accomplishment. However, I do believe that it is best not to be give yourself too much credit when times are good, and not too much stress when times are tough. Stay humble, focus on growing the business and keeping it alive is key.
The post Startup Life: Sandy Ip of The Ski Project on Luxury Winter Apparel appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Insider Guide: Newport, R.I.
Molly Mele tells what you need to know before visiting Newport, Rhode Island.
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Living the Dream: Arissa Cheo
For style entrepreneur and glamorous Singaporean socialite Arissa Cheo, the confidence and assuredness that comes with experience is one of life’s great luxuries. Here, the founder of one of Asia’s hottest fashion lines – aptly named Arissa X – shares her tips for what to wear for dinner at the Captain’s table, as well as why holidays at sea are the ultimate treat.
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VIP guests can arrive in style on the helipad, Genting Dream of Dream Cruises | Top, vest and skirt: Louis Vuitton | Shoes: Fendi | Sunglasses and rings: Arissa Cheo’s own[/caption]
How would you describe your professional life?
I’ve been in fashion ever since I graduated, although it wasn’t planned. I studied Communication and Film, and I was looking at doing something more in media, but I ended up doing something online with my cousin – an online ecommerce site. After that, when it came to starting something on my own, fashion made sense as I already had experience in that.
Where did that passion for style come from?
I do love fashion – I love shopping! When me and my cousin were kids, we used to pretend that we had a store and sold clothes, who knows, maybe it came from that!
You’ve had the chance to attend many extravagant events. What does glamour mean to you?
To tell you the truth, I actually don’t enjoy every single event – I'm always standing in the corner and then out of there in 30 minutes! Unless it’s for work, and to support friends, of course. In terms of what glamour is, I don’t think it’s about how you look, or what you wear, it’s all about how you feel. So, if you’re feeling comfortable and confident then you’re naturally at ease and can enjoy yourself more. That’s what glamour means to me.
So, what’s the secret ingredient to confidence?
You know, I wasn’t confident at all when I was young, although I was very good at covering it up. I think it really takes a long time to gain confidence, and that comes from getting to know yourself better. It’s about being your authentic self. As you grow, you’re learning along the way, gaining more confidence as you go. And if in doubt, put on some heels and lipstick – that can help a lot!
And how can you get this inner confidence?
Mindfulness, health and wellness, they do play a part in helping you find yourself. But for me personally, the issue I had when I was younger was not being able to manage what people thought of me, and now I’m at a point in my life when I really don’t care about that anymore. Now, it’s really about how you feel and what the people that really care and love you think. It’s the people that you have the most respect and love for, that’s all that matters really.
So, what would we find you wearing at the Captain’s table, for dinner?
When I’m in Singapore, I’m usually in sweats or T-shirts and shorts, but if I go on holiday then I love to go all out and dress up – heels, gowns, the works! So, for a beautiful evening dinner, I’d love a flowing gown and some stunning jewellery. I accessorise a lot! I always have rings on – right now I’m loving them in gold. But when I go on a cruise or a ship, I dress very differently to how you might normally see me.
So, you enjoy spending time on the water?
I love the water! It’s just such a luxury to go aboard. I’ve always loved being in the water, being surrounded by the open ocean. It’s so incredibly calming, and the convenience of being taken from place to place on a boat – you can just hop on and hop off, it’s like a moving hotel. What more could you want!
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Palace Villa guests can enjoy an exclusive private bridge tour hosted by the Captain, Genting Dream of Dream Cruises | Jacket, trousers, shirt and tie: Dolce & Gabbana | Hat: Gucci | Rings: Arissa Cheo’s own[/caption]
Photographer Jeff Chang
Stylist Jerome Awasthi
Assisted by Jet Ho
Hair and Makeup Manisa Tan using Clé de Peau Beauté
The post Living the Dream: Arissa Cheo appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Getting to Know Actress Katrina Law of ‘Hawaii Five-0’
In Prestige Online’s Getting to Know series, we ask our favourite personalities what they’re like outside of work — and get a little more personal.
If you’ve been following the ten-season series Hawaii Five-0, you’ll know Katrina Law. Known for her role as Quinn Liu in its latest season, the Taiwanese-American actress has been making waves in the television industry. We catch a moment with the budding celeb and get to know what she’s really like when offscreen.
What are you doing this weekend?
My weekends nowadays mainly consist of sleeping in, ridiculous amounts of laundry, and watching Puppy Dog Pals with my daughter. I just received my Osprey Child Carrier, though, so I’m hoping to start hiking around [Hawaiian island] Oahu soon.
What’s on your playlist right now?
I have everything from The Beatles to Chris Stapleton, to Billie Eilish on my playlist. I've just finished listening to Strawberry Fields Forever.
Tell us something that not too many people know about you.
I speak Mandarin and my Spider Solitaire skills are fierce.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Oreo Thins and Riverdale. Sometimes at the same time!
What are you most likely to order at a bar?
An Old Fashioned... though sadly I've just been drinking a lot of plain water lately. So boring.
Who was the last person you called?
[American film actress] Karishma Ahluwalia. She ignored my call and sent me to voicemail.
Have you ever had a fan-girl moment? If so, who was it?
I had a massive internal meltdown when I first met [Kate Mulgrew who plays] Captain Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager. I was told later the meltdown wasn’t as internal as I had originally thought.
What's next? What can fans expect to see from you in 2020?
Going to round out season ten of Hawaii Five-0 and see what pops up after that.
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Anyone you'd like to be Getting to Know better?
I would love for people to get to know Nick Tarabay. You would know him from Spartacus and he is currently on Call of Duty. He is a super talented friend of mine and an amazing actor...but don't tell him I said so!
The post Getting to Know Actress Katrina Law of ‘Hawaii Five-0’ appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Living the Dream: Lady Victoria Hervey
Model, aristocrat and fashion designer Lady Victoria Hervey recently celebrated the launch of her inimitable swimwear line, Ladyship. Discover how she indulges when the time comes to relax, unwind and recharge.
You recently launched a new project, a swimwear collection under your label Ladyship. How did your passion for fashion design come about?
I’ve always been connected to the fashion world. I interned at a luxury lifestyle magazine while I was still at school, then I went into modelling. I also had a store about 18 years ago, in Belgravia, so I’ve always been connected to that world.
And how was Ladyship born?
I’ve always wanted to start a brand, so Ladyship was in my mind for years and years. Originally, I was going to start with handbags, but then it made more sense to start with swimwear as I’m based in California. I’ve got two collections in one at the moment; classic and contemporary. There’s black, gold and white colours, in classic shapes, but I also have some more Caribbean-inspired sparkly numbers. I did the launch event in Hong Kong on the Dream Cruise – which was my first time in the city.
How was that experience?
Oh my goodness, I loved it. The city is amazing, and I’d never been on a cruise ship before - it was so much better than I ever thought it would be. I actually stayed on to do a cruise; I had a private butler, the food was incredible, the service was next level.
Does a holiday on the wide, open sea appeal to you?
We had a boat when I was younger so I’ve always loved being at sea. I think there’s something very peaceful about being in the middle of the water – I love it. I could easily live at sea for half the year. In the summer, some years I’ve been on a boat and stayed on it for weeks and weeks; it’s always been something I've loved.
How do you pamper yourself?
I definitely pamper myself with spas – really only when I’m away. When I was on-board the ship for my launch, the spa was amazing. I had a three-hour session in there – facial, massage and everything else.
What has been the biggest turning point in your life?
I did a television show called The Jump, where we had to train as ski jumpers in Austria for about six weeks. That was a turning point for me in a lot of respects. It made me consider my personal goals, and things that I wanted to achieve. And it got me so fit! It really focused me, it made me realise that if I put my mind to it, I could do anything. It changed my life.
You’ve experienced a lot of the finer things in life. What does true luxury mean to you?
The finest champagne, the best sashimi, time with my friends and making new memories. It’s everything!
The post Living the Dream: Lady Victoria Hervey appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
A Murphy Thanksgiving Celebration
In Palm Beach County, the Murphys are synonymous with fine linens and exquisite taste. Their love of design, decor, food, family, and tradition is on full display in their Thanksgiving celebration.
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Boca Raton Museum of Art’s Newest Exhibit: “Clifford Ross: Waves”
For Ross' Hurricane series, he ventured into stormy weather to photograph waves in their most volatile and destructive states.
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6 Local Restaurants with Must-Try Vegan Options
Philip Nicozisis aka The Traveling Vegan, shares his favorite dishes at local hot spots.
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Green Home, Elegant Home
Palm Beach author and philanthropist Annie Falk is on a mission to help others eliminate chemical exposure at home
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Living the Dream: Mario Ho
As the youngest finance graduate in MIT’s history, and with a successful IPO already under his belt, Mario Ho is a modern-day rock star in the corporate world. The ambitious entrepreneur and CEO of Tiancai is set to celebrate his wedding with Chinese supermodel Ming Xi, and now he lifts the veil on why winning means everything and celebrating special moments on the ocean.
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Crystal Life Fitness features a variety of innovative gym equipment, World Dream of Dream Cruises | Top and trousers: Ermenegildo Zegna[/caption]
We’ve heard a lot about your incredible proposal to Ming. Do you consider yourself a romantic?
I think so! I mean, with a proposal like that, it would be hard to say I’m not romantic, right? In daily life though, I’m not into that traditional type of romance, as I’m quite logical. It’s more about telling Ming how special she is to me rather than the classic flowers and chocolates routine.
How do you switch off and give yourself time to relax?
To be honest, I’m a modern kind of guy, so it’s probably computer gaming with friends. The older generation, they play mahjong, and for my group of friends, it’s just a modern version of that – four or five friends together at a table, having fun together and taking a break from everyday life. I’m normally trying to win!
What does a romantic holiday at sea look like to you?
I grew up in the nineties, so my ideas of romance are built on those ceaselessly romantic movies. Definitely, a romantic vacation at sea appeals to me – having a private balcony where you’re watching the ship sail, holding someone you love, feeling the ocean breeze. A cruise vacation with Dream Cruises would be perfect, everyone should be excited to try it for that special occasion.
So, tech and digital innovations interest you?
Absolutely. I think the VR space is fantastic, in terms of the limitless options and opportunities that you can experience. It transforms things. It’s fantastically innovative for the Genting family to have that on their cruises; it’s a one-of-a-kind activity and such a testament that they’re committed to introducing new and exciting things for their guests.
What are your passions in life?
Summed up in one word, it’s winning. I get the most satisfaction, the most excitement, the most joy, out of winning. That spans across every single activity in my life – whether it’s big or small. Winning is my passion, it’s what drives me.
You’re an ambitious guy! Has there been one turning point in your life that set you on that track and that gave you your passion for winning?
There’s been a few. I think my earliest was when I won the math competition in Hong Kong when I was 10; that was the first time that I was widely praised for winning. My father came as a guest to give me the award, and it was a very important moment in my life. You’re standing on the podium; your father is giving you a prize and the entire city’s media is reporting on it. That was when I realised that success amongst your peers can really bring a huge amount of satisfaction, and I wanted to replicate that feeling again and again in my life. It was euphoria!
And how do you define or measure your success?
I started by out-competing my peers in my age group, in class. Then I started jumping grades to prove myself – I jumped one grade in high school and another in university, so I graduated young. And then after that, I started trying to beat everyone. It was easy to measure success when I was in school, because everything is graded by age, but then after I left university it became much more complex because, of course, nothing is graded by age; there’s no rules in terms of what you do. So, I simply found what people were generally doing in their twenties and thirties, and I just aimed to do it earlier.
You have some impressive projects in the works. Who has been your biggest source of inspiration when it comes to finding success in life?
It’s a cliché, but honestly, it’s my dad. He defined what success meant, he showed me that a successful person can still be humble, polite and still have manners; that they can still treat people well and with respect. More importantly, he made everything from zero. While our family has been wealthy for several generations, my grandfather went broke, so my father has gone from 100 to zero, and then he has worked tirelessly to take himself back from zero to 100. It’s in his character.
Photography Man Wai
Art Director Harriet Gregory
Stylist Genie Yam
Hair and Makeup Shirley Choi
The post Living the Dream: Mario Ho appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Getting to Know Tim Nardi
The new general manager of Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa shares a few of his favorite things.
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