Celebrity Life

French businessman Nicolas Pollet’s affair with Hong Kong is a long and enduring one. He landed here first as a 19-year-old globe-trotting student before returning home and completing his business education in France (followed by a stint in Montreal, Canada) - but the fond memories of the city lured him back to the East.

The founder and director of Cocoon Concept (specialising in designing and manufacturing outdoor furniture and accessories), he launched his company over a decade ago and his team has successfully refurbished large scale projects within Asia – from hotels, restaurants and bars to the mansions of the famed and fortuned. He also has a lighting company, is an avid yogi and is well-known among the ever-burgeoning French community in Hong Kong.

Earlier this year, while continuing his other enterprises, he surprised everyone by launching Anandha Wellness: a lifestyle product with the healing properties of cannabidiol, better known as CBD.

Name: Nicolas Pollet
Profession: Entrepreneur
Industry: Cosmetics and Lifestyle
Company Size: 7+
Startup Since: 2020

When did you decide to launch your own company and what was the impetus for you to start your own establishment?

I’ve been in Hong Kong for over a decade, and I was already working on my own business with Cocoon Concept Ltd. An extension of that, in the same field, we had Eden Cordless Lighting (which specialises in portable lighting solutions).

During the pandemic, I stepped into the wellness industry. At a time when everyone was looking inwards, at self-care and soul searching, we created Anandha Wellness Ltd, a CBD cosmetics company in 2020 and a lifestyle company in 2021. The drive to work on this new project was to find products that could really make a difference. Vision, curiosity, coupled with advocacy for wellness, soon saw the launch of Anandha.

For Hong Kong, that’s a novel way to hit the elusive CBD market.

We believe that cannabinoids (CBD - CBG) can really help people. For health, for sleep, for stamina, for comfort, and much more. Everyone can find a safe and efficient answer to specific needs. We believe that everyone should be fairly treated and can make the world more harmonious with concerted effort. Our mission would be to enhance people’s mental health, boost everyday energy, help with relaxation and protect animals.

Do you have partners?

I do not have any partners, but the team is composed of highly motivated and talented individuals that share the same vision and passion.

Apart from a digital presence, are the products available in stores?

Apart from the e-commerce platform www.anandha-wellness.com, we are also doing partnerships with a few spas (Sense of Touch), practitioners (Balance Health) and retailers (Stormie at K11).

What’s so unique about each item?

We realised that so many people decide to create their own brand of CBD products by mainly sourcing existing formulas and adding their logos on the box! CBD is amazing but it has complex ingredients. It's like we created a cocktail with different flavours - but you need to be very thorough and precise in your formulas.  

Companies, especially in the UK and the US, have spent decades developing their special recipes with the best raw materials and received universal praise from their peers. We just decided to bring it to Hong Kong. We opted for the best in the world in their own specific categories; cosmetics, therapeutic, relaxation, booster and even for pets!

What have been the challenges? Have to ask the pandemic questions, how did it disrupt your industry?

The million-dollar question. The pandemic was indeed a massive challenge to overcome, but it also gave us the kick we needed to adapt ourselves to a new reality. To be honest, there were challenges we faced every day during the pandemic... it's a long list. I could write a book, but I’d rather talk about the rewards and accomplishments. To put it simply, it was tough... but we made it through the dark, into the light.

What’s a normal work day for you?

I wake up early, take my dog for a walk. Chill for a few minutes to practise some breathing exercises, jump on my motorbike to go to the office. Lunch break is usually yoga and a salad. I’m back home by 7:30pm to spend time with my family and then, early to bed. The late nights of partying in Central or Sai Kung are long gone since I've had my daughter.

As a teen – was this the passion – what did you aspire to be? 

As a child I did not know what I wanted to become, I spent a lot of time outside with friends and playing sports. I was always heading out to nature – the call was strong to go into the wild. My father taught us early to respect the planet and made it a point to show us its beauty. It is deeply embedded within me now. In terms of professional direction, I do not recall any strong attraction to work in an office or a specific calling. I just went with the flow.

What advice would you give others trying to establish their own company in Hong Kong? 

Have a business plan! It sounds simple, but many people have great ideas and they decide to give it a try and follow their dream – but with no planning, no strategy, no research, no development. Even fewer people give themselves the means to succeed. My advice is to take the time and energy to diligently understand what you are stepping into. It is not the most fun part of starting a dream, but it is necessary. Back to the books!

Where would you like to see your company in five years? 

Between the moon and the sun! Actually, I am planning to slowly expand the concepts to other Asian countries. Stay tuned Singapore, Korea, Philippines, Thailand… we are coming! Can you let the Prestige teams there know?

Sure!

The post Startup Life: Nicolas Pollet on the Evolution of CBD Beauty and Wellness appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We know sports and watches go hand in hand and watch brands have for a long time, been tapping the world's greatest athletes to become their ambassadors.

Still, it's exciting to watch these sportsmen in action, with their preferred timepieces strapped on their wrists in the moments of their greatest glories — as they win their biggest matches, break world records and take home medals. Here are just a few of the best watches and their owners, spotted at the Tokyo Olympics.

Mutaz Essa Barshim

Qatari high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim is a gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, sharing first place with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi. The two have come a long way from injuries and setbacks, and shared an emotional moment when the judge ruled that they can indeed tie for first place rather than have a jump-off. Barshim has long been an ambassador for Richard Mille and has the RM 67-02 named after him. The RM67-02 is extremely light thanks to its case made of Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT. The watch is fitted on what the brand calls a comfort band, an elastic strap that is entirely seamless and non-slip, a feat clearly on display as Barshim wears the watch during the entirety of the competition.

Armand Duplantis

The American-born Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis is an Omega ambassador and wears the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra "Ultra Light", fashioned from a strong yet lightweight alloy called Gamma Titanium and weighs only 55 grams on the sports strap. The movement inside is also built from titanium. Duplantis is the current world indoor record holder with a height of 6.18 metres. He wins gold at the Tokyo Olympics and very nearly smashes his own world record en route.

Naomi Osaka

Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, who also lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony, wears the TAG Heuer Aquaracer diver's watch with a white dial and matching with rubber strap during her match.

Yohan Blake

Known as the second-fastest man in history after Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake is also a Richard Mille ambassador and wears the RM 59-01, which he wears during the 100m race. The RM 59-01 is a manual winding tourbillon equipped with a special calibre designed for sprinters and is specially hand-painted in green and yellow in honour of the Jamaican flag - Blake's home country. Blake didn't manage to get into the finals for the race, but the man, and his watch, are still winners in our hearts.

Sydney McLaughlin

The athlete joined TAG Heuer as an ambassador earlier this year, and is spotted wearing the TAG Heuer Link with a ceramic case and diamond bezel during her 400-meter hurdles event — which, by the way, sees her setting a new world record and clinching gold.

Alexander Zverev

German tennis player Alexander Zverev captures Olympic Gold in Tokyo in the men's singles event. Zverev announced that he's joined the Rolex family earlier in June, alongside tennis heavyweights like Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem. He's spotted wearing the Rolex Skydweller off the court, as seen in this Instagram photo of him and his gold medal.

Belinda Mencic

Belinda Mencic, gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in the tennis women's singles event and silver medallist at the women's doubles event, is seen wearing a two-tone Rolex Daytona on the stage.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is a German dressage rider and champion at the Tokyo Olympics. An ambassador for Richard Mille since 2016, she's spotted wearing the RM 07-01 in black ceramic with a diamond dial during the competition.

Stephanie Gilmore

In the first-ever surfing event at the Olympic Games, Stephanie Gilmore, part of the Breitling squad, is spotted wearing the bright orange Breitling Superocean.

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The Bretzlaff Group – Leaders of the Luxury Residential Real Estate Industry

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From establishing the FANCL skincare empire to opening her own restaurant group, Michelle Ma-Chan could fairly be termed a renaissance woman.

A champion of contemporary fine dining, she counts the restaurants Arbor and Épure, as well as the patisserie Dalloyau, in her portfolio, with a further two openings scheduled for this month. We talk to Ma-Chan about her inspirations, aspirations and the changing tides of gastronomy in this fast-paced city.

The day before our photoshoot, I touch base with Michelle Ma-Chan and her team to go through a standard rundown of what’s to be expected. “I’m trying to memorise all the answers for the video,” Ma-Chan admits. “I want it to be perfect.”

She arrives the following morning, subtly adorned in a tailored, neutral- tone attire and delicate jewellery. Her entourage follows with bag upon bag of her best-loved ensembles and trinkets, but her eyes visibly light up at the array of luxurious fabrics and glittering gemstones brought along by our style team. A statement, structured black scarf catches her eye and she fingers the label gently. “I wouldn’t have expected this to be Armani!” she says with a laugh.

As she settles into the dressing room, I notice her face is already immaculately prepped. She explains that as her skin is quite sensitive, she prefers to use her own make-up. Indeed, throughout the day it becomes apparent that her aspirations for a flawless experience, not only for herself but for everyone, is a driving component of her personality.

“If I can’t make sure it will be good, I’d rather not do it,” she declares. “The best professional advice that was given to me is to always put quality before profits. You must always question whether or not you have the ability to deliver top results. No company can be sustainable unless the quality is good. With that, business opportunities will come naturally.”

When it comes to amassing authority such as hers – and in more than one industry – a certain precision is necessary. It’s this, I suspect, that’s been key to her success in the multitude of projects she’s put her mind to over the years. “When I was younger, it was challenging to manage staff who were older than me, because I didn’t look like a tough businesswoman,” she says. “They eventually understood my level of focus and ability throughout the years of working together, but it definitely took time.”

Prior to founding Gourmet Dining Group, Ma-Chan and her husband, Christopher Chan, are most often credited for being the powerhouse couple who raised FANCL, the Japanese cosmetics and dietary supplements company, to the level of prominence and recognition that it now enjoys.

“It’s strange to consider, but there are undeniable similarities in the way I run the two businesses. Both are people oriented and focus on service. We’re fortunate enough to have had more than 25 years of experience in FANCL and it helped us set the course to recruiting the right people and developing a solid team. Providing staff training and service has been our main priority and this has, I hope, translated into our restaurants as well.”

The restaurants under the couple’s group will be familiar names to gourmands across the globe. ÉPURE, the elegant French dining destination in Tsim Sha Tsui, is helmed by the revered Nicolas Boutin as executive chef and achieved its first Michelin star in 2017. When their second restaurant Arbor opened in 2018, chef de cuisine Eric Räty and his team snapped up a Michelin star within a year of operation, followed by a second star one year later. To possess a grand total of three stars under one’s belt without prior restaurant experience is no easy feat. So, what ignited this journey?

“A few years before I founded Gourmet Dining Group, I noticed that, unlike other international cities such as Japan, Paris, New York and London, the choices of great culinary destinations are relatively limited in Hong Kong. One of the reasons for this is Hong Kong’s unique rent situation. The rents here are so high that many restaurants are unable to allocate funds in the same way as comparable establishments in the West. Most restaurants have no choice but to end up sacrificing quality in order to save costs. My hope was to overcome this obstacle by sustaining restaurants with the same consistent high quality as destinations overseas, all while providing exceptional value for money.”

When I travel, I find the best way to understand a new culture is through its food. Food is truly a universal language. It’s the best way for people across the world to connect

Michelle Ma-Chan

Ma-Chan is personally – and ardently – involved, when it comes to choosing the culinary artists who will lead her teams. “They have to be passionate and creative, with their own unique flair. At the same time, they also have to be able to design a menu that will match the market and consumer preferences, to keep the business sustainable. Good leadership is an important quality, too, as they need to be able to guide the kitchen team well.

“Chef Nicolas Boutin honed his skills at some of the finest establishments in France, including the three- Michelin-star Maison Lameloise and La Maison Troisgros,” she says. “As for chef Eric Räty, he was under the watchful tutelage of Hans Välimäki of the now-closed Chez Dominique, which was previously deemed one of the best restaurants in Finland, with two Michelin stars.”

Even with the guidance of such esteemed hands, the past year has been tough to navigate. “No one could have predicted the pandemic,” she says, sighing. “But as a restaurant owner, it is my responsibility to protect our staff and make sure they have a stable income.”

The Gourmet Dining Group was swift to implement strategic dining solutions to combat the consequences of changing regulations. When dine-in dinner service was banned, the teams at ÉPURE and Dalloyau pivoted to serving ready-to-eat French cuisine, and lunch hours were extended to provide greater flexibility for diners. Over at Arbor, a Nordic-Japanese afternoon tea set was launched, while an innovative home-cooking kit proved decidedly popular.

At the height of the pandemic, takeaway options were made available at all three venues to enable customers to enjoy their dishes in their own homes. “I’m incredibly grateful that our staff were willing to work hard to maximise opportunities during these difficult times.”

When asked to share a revelation about owning her own restaurants, Ma-Chan is humble, but determined, in her response. “Before I opened my first restaurant, I didn’t quite understand how long the working hours of restaurant staff tend to be. Of course, the cost of running a top restaurant, rent, food cost and salaries are also very high, but things change a lot in this industry on a day-to-day basis. Surprisingly, I also learned that a few of the team were uncertain of how far they could advance in their positions in the restaurants. I hope to change this mindset by providing an environment where they can truly develop their career paths.”

Earlier this year, Ma-Chan was awarded the title of Chevalier of the Mérite Agricole, which was bestowed on her by the French Consul General in recognition of her tireless commitment to promoting French gastronomy. When prompted about the accolade, she’s modest and endearingly bashful. “It was never my intention to aim for recognition or awards. I just appreciate great food. When I travel, I find the best way to understand a new culture is through its cuisine. Food is truly a universal language. It’s the best way for people across the world to connect. I always aim to try as many restaurants as possible, even when my schedule is tight. After experiencing so many cuisines, I certainly believe that French cuisine is one of the best in terms of sophistication and execution.

“In the beginning, one may consider fine-dining portions too small and the prices too high. However, once you take the time to understand the immense effort it takes to create each individual dish, you’ll start to view them as if they’re works of art. The more I learn about the delicacy of French cuisine, the more I want to support and promote this culinary culture to the people of Hong Kong.”

We also touch on the visual and physical aspects of her venues, the calibre of which transport guests into scene not unlike those in a fairy tale. Peppered with ethereal sweeps of art and designed with the intention of recreating enchanting natural woodlands, both Arbor and ÉPURE are venues that celebrate the wonder of all senses.

“Chris, my husband, has the expertise, enthusiasm and a very high standard for interior design. In that sense, he’s in charge and has contributed a lot when it comes to the conceptual elements of our openings. Of course, I also have my input of ideas and suggestions when we sit down to plan the direction of the restaurant, but then I’ll leave the rest in the very capable hands of our internationally renowned designers at Yabu Pushelberg.”

In defiance of a turbulent year, Gourmet Dining Group’s two new venues, Ami and Wood Ear, are set to open this month. “I like to open different kinds of restaurants to fit a range of customers and lifestyles. Recently, consumers are turning towards a more relaxed dining affair, but they don’t want to sacrifice quality. Our two new establishments were created for this purpose, representing a dynamic but cosy bistro experience – a place to unwind while enjoying great food with a touch of fine dining.

Spearheaded by chef de cuisine Eric Taluy, previously of Le Taillevent and L’Essentiel, Ami is the group’s idea of fine bistronomie in Hong Kong. Equally at home in haute cuisine or casual dining, Taluy had this to add, “Delicious simplicity is anything but simple. A chef must extract every last drop of quality from every ingredient.”

Their adjoining project, Wood Ear, an ultramodern whisky bar, is a state-of-the-art saloon that will carry more than 400 rare whisky labels, sourced mainly from auctions and private collectors. In stark contrast to the notable bottles, however, Ma-Chan hopes to create an unfussy yet intimate setting, a relaxing place that she hopes whisky aficionados will seek to return to time and again.

We often ask our cover personalities to name three people that they’d invite to a dinner party – anyone at all – a question that often provokes stimulating debates about celebrities or innovators. Ma-Chan, however, delights us with a wholly unorthodox response.

“I’d invite a Chinese chef, a mother and an underprivileged teenager. Chinese and French food represent two of the world’s top cuisines. Having a Chinese chef experience French gastronomy would be so fascinating to witness. It might even inspire the chef! That’s what cultural exchange is all about. Secondly, I consider motherhood to be one of the world’s toughest jobs, so I’d use this opportunity to thank a mother for her contributions. Lastly, most underprivileged children will most likely not have had the chance to try fine dining. I think it would be a unique learning opportunity for them to see just how far food can go when it’s treated like an art form. That’s partly why we’ve worked with charities over the years to host student events at ÉPURE.”

Towards the end of our photoshoot, Ma-Chan produces a bottle of 2014 Domaine de L’Arlot Les Suchots Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru with a flourish, saying, “One of the most important components in dining is that a meal can be elevated with the right pairing of exceptional beverages. Wine, certainly, remains at the forefront of our venues.

“A little while ago, my husband and I had dinner with chef Massimo Bottura [of Osteria Francescana] in ÉPURE. Chef Nicolas created an extraordinary canapé with Comté and caviar just for the occasion. It seemed so simple but it went incredibly well with a wine paired by Chris [her husband]. Chef Massimo commented that it was a unique and brand-new experience for him, which really delighted us. Then, another dish arrived. Chef Massimo took a bite first and then proceeded to ask me my thoughts. By looking at the ingredients, I recognised that it should be paired with a white wine instead of a red. He was surprised by my answer as he shared the same sentiment. He praised my ‘mental palate’, and I think that was one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.

“I’ve realised that I learnt a lot, even from our limited interactions, with world-class chefs. I’d love to host more guest chef events to help enhance the skills of our own team. Every chef has their own style, but the magic lies in the harmony of flavours through innovative and thoughtful combination of ingredients and techniques.
“At the end of the day, even though the cost of running top-quality restaurants tends to be substantial, I believe it’s worth the effort if we can inspire customers to appreciate our work in creating a truly gourmet dining experience.” It’s a sentiment we’re more than happy to toast.

(Hero Image: DRESS CHANEL DIAMOND NECKLACE, CUFF AND EARRING BUCCELLATI TOP, PEARL NECKLACE AND SHOES, MA-CHAN’S OWN)

Michelle Ma-Chan Cover Photoshoot

PHOTOGRAPHY KARL LAM
STYLING JACKY TAM
FIRST ASSISTANT STYLIST KAZ LAM
MAKE-UP & HAIR DEEP CHOI

The post Entrepreneur Michelle Ma-Chan on the Changing Tides of Gastronomy in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

She might be the poster girl for gymnastics and the Olympics, but Simone Biles could soon spearhead our collective perspective of mental health.

First it was Naomi Osaka, now weeks later a tearful Simone Biles. Two of the biggest names in sport have publicly revealed that they are struggling with their mental health -- and they could be the catalyst for wider change. 

The superstar American gymnast Biles on Tuesday stunned the Tokyo Olympics when she pulled out of the women's team final, saying: "I have to do what's right for me and focus on my mental health and not jeopardise my health and my wellbeing."

The 24-year-old had already hinted that she was feeling the immense pressure in the Japanese capital, writing on Instagram: "I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times." Her participation in the rest of the Olympics is now uncertain.

Within hours there was an outpouring of sympathy on social media for Biles, who is already a four-time olympic gold medallist, that went beyond sport. Writing on Twitter, Henrietta H. Fore, executive director of UNICEF, thanked Biles "for being a role model and showing the world it's okay to prioritise your mental health".

Also on Tuesday, Osaka -- who lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony -- suffered a shock early exit in the tennis. As a home hope and one of the faces of the Games, the 23-year-old said that there was "a lot of pressure". The Japanese had only just returned after two months away from the game after revealing that she had been suffering depression.

Biles and Osaka, who are aged just seven months apart, are by no means the only young athletes to suffer in the public eye.

At Wimbledon earlier this month, 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu came out of nowhere to reach the fourth round, only to retire from the match with what was first described as "breathing difficulties". The teenager subsequently explained that "whole experience caught up with me".

It is not just young women. After Raducanu's explanation, England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford said that he too had suffered something similar when he was a teenager.

In 2018, NBA star Kevin Love said that he had suffered a panic attack during a match, while Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps and England cricketer Marcus Trescothick have also openly documented their mental struggles.

Pressures of the bubble for Simon Biles and many other athletes

Julie-Ann Tullberg, an expert in sports psychology and sports journalism at Monash University in Australia, told AFP that "mental health has long been swept under the carpet as a reason of underperformance in high-pressure sporting events such as the Olympic Games".

"However, athletes are now willing to talk about their pressures openly," she said. People deal with "performance anxiety" in all walks of life, said Tullberg, and that has been exacerbated by people across the world living in intermittent lockdowns in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. "But people are now more willing to talk about it (their mental health)," she said.

"There are support networks offered to us all the time, we're encouraged to seek support, and people are now taking those options because they're not so fearful of the repercussions if it's known in their workplace that they're struggling." Tullberg said that the unprecedented anti-virus measures facing athletes at the Tokyo Games, where they are largely confined to the Olympic Village, had undoubtedly taken a toll on competitors.

"I reckon the bubble of the Olympic village is having a big impact on athletes," she said. "They used to be able to go out and party after their events, but now they're not able to do that, for the first time in recent history."

Where's the support?

Katy Kamkar, a clinical psychologist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said that Biles' admission would help "normalise the conversation".

"There has always been, within the athletic world, the emphasis on appearing physically fit and appearing mentally fit," she told CBC/Radio-Canada. "And that can further perpetuate a kind of silent suffering and self-isolation."

Aly Raisman, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and a former team-mate of Biles's, said that Biles had been under immense pressure for months leading up to Tokyo because of the weight of expectation. "There's only so much someone can take, she's human," Raisman told US television.

The 27-year-old, who retired last year, raised doubts about what kind of psychological support there was for Biles and other American athletes. "When I was training there really weren't resources for us to talk about our mental health or even ways to understand it," Raisman told ESPN. "We need to be asking the organisations like USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee: What are you doing to support your athletes and how can we prevent athletes feeling like they are struggling so much that they can't finish the competition?"

Hero and feature images by Loic VENANCE / AFP

The story is published via AFP Relaxnews 

The post Beyond Gymnastics, Simone Biles is Inspiring Change Around Mental Health appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Get a little more passionate with rains this season… “Oo Sajna Barkha bahar aayi, ras ki fuhaar laayi” “Rimjhim gire saawan, sulag sulag jaaye man” “Tip- tip barsa paani, paani ne aag lagayi” These and many more songs have been the epitome of rain and romance for ages. The association of romance, passion, and love […]

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Documentary feature films are not just powerful sources of knowledge and information that help sharpen our brains and bring the conversation fodder to the table with family and friends, but are also creating tools that help introduce us to new worlds and lifestyles which otherwise we’d probably have limited exposure to, hence enriching us with […]

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For Vrindavan-born Uddhav Kanhai, creativity is in his genes. He grew up in a room full of artists where creativity was the aura. His grandfather, Kanhai Chitrakar was awarded ‘Padmashree’ for his contribution to the world of art, while his father, Govind Kanhai, is also a renowned artist with many accolades. When Uddhav went to […]

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Chef Aditi Handa believes that baking has a charm like no other and it can calm the most ruffled souls. Especially in these times of uncertainty, it is baking that has motivated and helped bring back perspective for the Head Baker and Co-Founder at The Baker’s Dozen. “I think my love for baking comes from […]

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Available on Audible, celebrity nutritionist and health advocate Rujuta Diwekar’s audiobook ‘Eating in the Age of Dieting’ stresses the need to include a number of superfoods in one’s diet, to boost immunity and stay healthy. The concept of superfoods has gained popularity, especially given the need to boost our immunity during these challenging times. Superfoods […]

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Meet Amit Tandon, India’s leading stand-up comedian and founder of Grandmasters of Comedy club. From running a successful HR firm to becoming the leading stand-up comedian of the country, Amit has come a long way. He feels that it’s his style of writing that makes people feel connected to his content and that is his […]

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Kayla Lau's collection of gym clothes, athleisure wear and accessories are designed for every woman in battle. Battling with self-esteem, body shaming, fighting online bullying. She hopes women feel empowered, comfortable - and on trend - while wearing her creations. 

As a popular fitness KOL from Hong Kong, the fit and fab young Kayla Lau has a faithful following on multiple social media platforms. With brands sending her products, wardrobe and accessories to flog on her influential account, it was just a matter of time before the young influencer launched her own label. 

She calls her brand Metanoia, which, by definition means "a profound transformation."  You'd think it is about the body's conversion, but as she reveals, its intrinsically about the outer and inner transformation she's attained after facing unwarranted online abuse from the strange and strangers. Trolling her for no plausible reason, she's had to battle anonymous demons - powered by fake profiles on Instagram. How she found empowerment in self reflection and blocking out the hate. At the same time, she forged ahead with her own business model, and life-goals.  

Name: Kayla Lau
Profession: Entrepreneur
Industry: Athleisure and Womenswear
Company Size: 2+
Startup Since: 2021

What inspired you to create this collection?

I've always wanted to create something that is unique and belongs to me. I wanted to create a community and to bring in like-minded people who believe in my three core values 1) Self awareness 2) Self love 3) Self confidence.

That's a lot of ambition sewn between the seams of an athleisure wardrobe!

Well, it has to do with my past experience with online hatred, troll comments I've been subjected to for the past few years. I realise that a lot of women are suffering from online bullying that causes them to lose confidence. It starts to build insecurity about their bodies, their appearance, their self-esteem.

The word empowered has been thrown around a lot when it comes to womenswear.

It has, but mine isn't PR spiel - this happened to me. The comments I get on my Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/kayla.lau/) or in my DM inspired me to create this line. But I really don't want to focus on the trolls and give them any more attention. This is about self confidence to forge ahead, not look back.

You don't want to address online bullying and all the unkind messages trolls sent you?

I can only remove their power over me by removing my attention over them.

Cool. Let's talk about the clothes. Tell me about your collection.

The first collection comes with three different designs and three different colours. The Bare Essentials set is in all black, for all the girls who need that one perfect set of black gym gear. You can wear it in your daily life, in and out of the gym.

The Self Love set comes in two shades of pink; light pink and rosy pink. The two shades act as a contrast, contouring to accentuate the body's natural curves. It’s an eye catching set. I hope my customers wear this set to feel good and confident.

The Self Care set (our best seller) is in baby blue which is my favorite colour. I realized most girls feel insecure about wearing lighter coloured leggings because they think it makes them look “fat or chubby” (which I've heard a lot). This set has the most body sculpting effects. It has double deep pockets on both sides, and a high-waisted 'V' cut which shows a smaller waist.

The second collection we will launch in the peak of summer, around the middle of May. I have designed a new set using a different fabric which is good for the summer heat, as it’s soft and thinner. You'll feel naked wearing those leggings! In terms of colors, I used a cool tone and warm tone for different skin toned girls.

I would say these two colors are quite uncommon. Like when you go into the shop, you wouldn’t really pick it up and try it on like others popular colors like black and navy blue.

Also, other new products in the offing are sweatshirts and hoodies, embroidered with quotes. They match with the set, but you can also buy them as separates.

You've worn gym gear all your life - what did you NOT want to do - and what did you want to do?

Wearing anything that makes me look good but feels awful was a NO! Workout gear cannot be uncomfortable. Its ridiculous when popular brands do it.

I really wanted to design something that is more relatable to women in terms of design, colors, fabric, i.e. knowing their needs and wants. Wanting to look good and feel good at the same time while embracing their authentic selves.

What has the feedback been so far?

As a small business owner, I love to receive feedback and comments from all my friends and customers. After years of sales experience, what I value the most is honest feedback to help my brand, to improve and achieve more. In fact, I used feedback when working on my second collection.

I have adjusted the measurements as some said it’s a bit too lose on the hip area. Some said the leggings should be slightly longer to cover the ankle. Some suggested to use different fabric. I took it all into consideration.

Did the pandemic inspire you to create your own brand - as many people were working out at home?

I actually wanted to work on this project for a long time but the pandemic gave me time to focus and work on it.

You and your boyfriend [actor and model James Wong] work out a lot together - is there a men's design in the works in the future?

I do hope that there will be possibilities where I can create a couple collection for all the gym "lovers".

I know its early days, but how have sales been so far?

Since the beginning, my friends have been supportive. Outside leads from social media page and referrals have been great. I’m picking up organic sales from the website.

What is the price range?

For gym wear / workout set, the price range is from $600-$800 a set. All the sweatshirts and hoodies are around $500 per piece.

Last but not lease, where can we buy your collection Metanoia?

You can buy directly from the web site www.metanoiathelabel.com and I'm thrilled that other retails stores like Decathlon and Marketplace, retail sites like Zalora is also carrying my label.

The post Startup Life: Kayla Lau on her Athleisure Brand Metanoia and Facing her Trolls appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.