Celebrity Life

Words by Nick Gibbens London is blessed with its fair share of luxury hotels offering everything from award-winning spas to Michelin-starred restaurants to world-famous bars and lavish suites that you could only ever dream of residing in. So, how does a hotel stand out among the many and solidify its status as a must-visit establishment […]

On an exposed stretch of land, a mile outside St Andrews town is the Fairmont hotel, an unabashed five-star hotel that sits proudly on its own 520-acre estate overlooking the ocean. A place that is known as the ‘original home of golf’, here too the Fairmont has its very own course. An immaculate green vista […]

A stunning hotel in the Harbour Hotels collection and a symbol of Southampton’s sea-faring heritage, the exclusive Southampton Harbour Hotel impresses new guests and locals in equal measure. LLM travel editor Natasha Heard checks in to find out all about the fashionable waterside establishment. Hotel The five-star hotel is shaped like the front of a […]

Starting a relationship during a pandemic has been unusual, to say the least. Nothing has been ‘normal’ – from our early days of dating towards the end of last summer, when there were curfews and…

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 5 Wellness Experiences to Book this Month appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Devon is known for its South West Coast Path, its historic sites, its literary inspiration and its local food and drink. Following a year where all we could do is dream of travel, it’s little wonder that sun, sea, surf, and seafood of the South West is capturing the object of the nation’s wanderlust. Encapsulating […]

There was a time when going on holiday with the family meant forgoing luxury for convenience. However, nowadays there are many extravagant hotel options where parents can take their children with them and still enjoy some quality family time altogether in lavish surroundings. These plush resorts are even providing babysitting services so you and your […]

Since it first opened its doors back in 1991, the Island Shangri-La has been one of the most popular luxury hotels in Hong Kong. Thanks to its location, views and decor, the property is the epitome of timeless luxury.

We recently stayed in one the hotel's newly renovated Horizon Club rooms for a two-day staycation.

Location 9/10

Located in Admiralty above Pacific Place, Island Shangri-La is conveniently positioned at the very heart of Hong Kong's cosmopolitan centre, with easy access to every major attraction, restaurant and entertainment venue on the island. At the same time, its proximity to the city's major transport links make the hotel easy to reach from everywhere else in the territory. Last but not least, the 56-storey skyscraper boosts stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the Central District.

Design 10/10

Upon entering the hotel's atrium, it's impossible not to be mesmerised by the majestic Great Motherland of China, a 16-storey landscape silk painting deemed the largest in the world. The art piece, which is visible from the corridors, gives the space a unique and unforgettable sense of tranquility and timeless charm. Throughout the hotel, elements like Viennese chandeliers, European palatial touches, sumptuous carpets and an extensive collection of Chinese artworks perfectly blend to create an impressive visual experience.

Room: 9/10

The new Horizon Club rooms are everything you'd want from a luxury hotel in 2021: spacious, comfortable, equipped with the latest technologies and heterogeneously designed. We particularly loved the contrast between the urban chic bathrooms, quintessentially Shangri-La touches like the Chinese painting on the foldable door, and the vintage-style liquor cart.

Service & Facilities: 10/10

Every stay at the hotel is elevated by the Shangri-La staff's personable service and effortlessly elegant savoir-faire, which contribute to make the group one of the most celebrated hospitality brands in the world. World-class facilities include a stunning swimming pool surrounded by Hong Kong' skyscrapers, a spa, sauna and a fitness centre.

Food & Drink: 10/10

Conde Nast Traveler has previously honoured Island Shangri-La as one of the great hotels in the world for dining - and righty so. Starting from the semi-buffet breakfast, which is located at Restaurant Petrus for Horizon Club guests and offers countless of perfectly executed options, to afternoon tea and cocktail, to a meal in one of the hotel's acclaimed restaurants, a stay at the property is a gourmet experience like no other.

We are big fans of Head Chef Romain Dupeyre's innovative take on French fine dining at one-Michelin-star Petrus, where every meal takes you on a different culinary journey. This time around, we loved the new spring lunch, which features some true gems like the fresh and Greek-inspired Crab with yogurt, mint and quinoa, and the earthy Beetroot Tortellini with pistachios and goat cheese.

For those looking for refined comfort food and perfectly executed cocktails in a chic environment, finally, Lobster Bar and Grill, is the place to be.

Rating: 9.5/10

Perfect for: a staycation filled with timeless elegance, luxury and memorable food

Island Shangri-La, Supreme Ct Rd, Admiralty; +852 2877 3838

The post Hotel Review: A Weekend of Timeless Elegance at Island Shangri-La appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

My parents moved to the border of North Devon & Cornwall in 2019, and as someone who used to live across the world from her parents, I now use every opportunity I can get to…

While travelling might be on hold for the foreseeable future, experiencing the world through different cuisines is still possible at The Four Seasons Hong Kong, where food enthusiasts seeking indulgent and yet elegant meals can experience the exclusive One Trip 8 Michelin Stars staycation.

The package includes a one-night stay in a luxurious suite and meals at three iconic restaurants, which have been awarded a total of eight Michelin stars for three consecutive years.

The luxurious stay starts with the Four Season signature daily buffet breakfast and a lunch for two at 3 Michelin star Lung King Heen, the Chinese establishment helmed by Chef Chan Yan Tak famous for its delicate dim sum and Cantonese masterpieces.

The journey continues with dinner at 2 Michelin-star Sushi Saito, which features, among many other delicacies, sumptuous barachirashi and futomaki made from two types of rice from Nagano and Akita, accompanied with green tea and a carafe of sake. Each creation celebrates produce imported daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu market, taking guests on a trip to the streets of Japan's culinary paradise.

Finally, the unforgettable experience will end with a lunch at 3-Michelin star Caprice. The legendary French eatery, under the leadership of Chef Guillaume Galliot, serves a five-course carte blanche menu made of surprise dishes that highlight the finest seasonal ingredients through a multi-sensorial journey.

The special offer is valid from now until April 30, 2021 with 48 hours advance booking. Dining tables are secured upon room reservation. The package is priced from HKD 13,800, subject to 10% service charge.

The package includes: Guaranteed early check-in at 12 noon and late check-out at 3 pm; Complimentary parking for one vehicle per stay

Book on the Four Seasons Hotel website

The post A Gourmet Dream: The Four Seasons’ One Trip 8 Michelin Stars Package appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.