Celebrity Life

Italian high fashion house Bottega Veneta has signed up superstar photographer Tyrone Lebon to shoot the label’s new men’s and women’s Fall 2019 campaign. Guided by the vision of creative director Daniel Lee, the campaign captures the spirit of glamour and sophisticated luxury that the brand stands for.
Shot outside of Los Angeles, the campaign taps the bleached, sun-soaked landscape of Joshua Tree against a clear blue sky to weave a narrative of warmth and sensuality. The visuals also feature a fast car in pure gold that is suspended mid-air, unsettling the traditional view of luxury to offer a bold, new perspective.

[inline-quote author="Daniel Lee, Bottega Veneta creative director"]"Strength, sensuality, being in the moment. Bottega Veneta is about defining a point of view, a new way of seeing subtle individuality, and then subverting that status. "[/inline-quote]

The campaign’s raw, unapologetic tone finds resonance in the Fall 2019 collection itself. Defined by a juxtaposition of traditional technique, natural materials and modern technology, the collection for men and women is a seamless blend of the classic and the contemporary. A celebration of freedom, self-expression and sensuality, the season’s palette is a delightful fusion of Italian sensibility and a global aesthetic.

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The campaign highlights the concept of juxtaposed subversion, drawing upon the raw contrast of man and machine and is a direct reference to much of the cut and line of the label’s Fall collection.
Marked by polished dresses and layered knitwear paired with armour-like outer wear, the collection is all about sharp tailoring and confident design. Daniel Lee’s first runway show, the Fall 2019 collection doesn’t shy away from creating a new vocabulary for the brand, whilst staying true to its Italian origins.

The post Bottega Veneta Subverts the Idea of Luxury appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

If you've been on Queen's Road Central recently, you may have noticed a stylish, pink, new clothing store on the ground floor of H Queen's. (Or perhaps you already knew that popular Singaporean fashion brand Love, Bonito has made its first ever appearance in Hong Kong as a pop-up shop.) Known for its well-fitted, stylish and accessible womenswear, Love, Bonito is a relatable brand made for the 'everyday woman' and offers a wide collection including everyday essentials, workwear, maternity clothes, bridesmaids' dresses and more.

Not surprisingly, the brand is also run by women, and here to launch the pop-up store was one of its co-founders, Rachel Lim. We caught a moment with the lovely lady to discuss what Love, Bonito is all about and how the startup life is treating her.

[caption id="attachment_155814" align="alignnone" width="1376"] Love, Bonito collections include everyday essentials, workwear, bridesmaids' dresses and more.[/caption]

Name: Rachel Lim
Profession: Co-founder of Love, Bonito
Industry: Fashion
Startup since: 2005 (unofficially as BonitoChico), and officially as Love, Bonito in 2010

Tell us about your business. What do you do?

It’s a business created by real women, for real women. We understand the issues, needs and concerns that women have, and hope to bring women together through fashion. Love, Bonito creates pieces for women going through different journeys: she could be a graduate looking for her first job or a new mum getting her first taste of motherhood. We also understand that women have different body types and shapes, so we create a wide variety of styles and designs to try our best to cater to different women. It’s thoughtful fashion for every woman: our size range accommodates anyone from anywhere between UK sizes 4 to 14.

What’s behind the name Love, Bonito?

Originally we were [a fashion blogshop] called BonitoChico, meaning 'pretty boy', because chica (meaning girl) didn’t sound as good. But when we became more serious in the business, we found that the name had already been taken and we changed it to Love, Bonito because it reads like a sign-off -- “with love”.

[caption id="attachment_155807" align="alignnone" width="1391"] Lim demonstrating Love, Bonito's modular fitting room concept, which was created for women who shop and try on clothes together.[/caption]

Tell me about your best and worst day at work? 

The best days are when I can sit down and brainstorm with the Love, Bonito team. When we brainstorm, during the ideation process and when we get creative is my favourite aspect of the business. As for my worst days, I would say it’s when I have to do back-to-back finance meetings. Finance numbers can be draining.

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

To destress from work, I exercise. I don’t have time to go to classes, so I will YouTube some yoga or HIIT workouts. I’ll also spend time with friends and family. I’ll host them at home and eat comfort food with them. And I try to sleep! I usually only have about 5 hours sleep on average.

Outside of fashion, we also host workshops in our event space in Singapore and Malaysia. We have this space to bring women together to discuss all sorts of topics -- from how to dress better for your body type to women’s issues and finding mental stability. We want to give women a chance to share, learn and grow together.

[caption id="attachment_155813" align="alignnone" width="1451"] Lim talking at the “DO IT LIKE A #WERKINGWOMAN" event presented by Love, Bonito on 2 March 2019.[/caption]

Looking back now, what would you have done differently?

There are some lessons I wish I’d learnt earlier. As people, we all have our own gifts that we are meant to hone. I wish I had known that earlier on. If I did, I would not have been comparing myself with others and instead, understood that we are all different, and that it’s OK.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start up in the fashion industry?

Know what you stand for and stay true to it. We are in a very competitive market which is very, very saturated. So you need to have a good, complete brand with its own niche; you need to be very clear about what makes you unique.

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

A talk show host. I dreamed of being one and I still do. I’ve always loved working with people and learning through them. But ultimately, I just want to be in the business of bringing women together, which is what Love, Bonito is all about, so I’m right where I want to be.

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As a child, what did you aspire to be?

I wanted to be a teacher. But I gave up school to focus on starting the business!

What has been your biggest hurdle and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge has always been the mental battle you have being an entrepreneur. If you can overcome your mind, you can overcome anything. But it can be very lonely. You have such a huge responsibility, which can also be daunting and overwhelming at times, but you have to push through. You have to look at the company as a whole and push the boundaries.

Why is Hong Kong such an important market for Love, Bonito? 

We realised early on that we had traction in Hong Kong. So we monitored and tracked the behaviour from data, and here we are. We also noticed that there is a gap in Hong Kong for a brand that women here truly relate to, a brand that thinks and cares about the everyday woman. So we brought that ethos over to Hong Kong.

[caption id="attachment_155828" align="alignnone" width="1382"] The pop up store is on the ground level of H Queen's in Central.[/caption]

What are your goals for 2019? And in the near future?

I had a goal at the beginning of the year to read two books a month, so 24 books annually. I’m a bit behind with that. But the year isn’t over yet!

As for the business, we just completed the rebranding, pushed out new product lines and now the Hong Kong pop-up, so our focus is really on that. We’ve had a great response so far and have had to restock already in just a week.

Which books would you recommend to read?

1) Grit by Angela Duckworth [a New York Times bestseller and pioneering psychologist] is a book I’m currently reading.

2) Start with Why by Simon Sinek [who also gave a TED talk about “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”].

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

Success for me is knowing who you are and your purpose. There is a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote I love -- “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” -- and I really think that understanding your purpose can be very powerful. I used to belittle what I had, compared it with others and questioned it. But when you stay true to who you are and are secure -- that’s success. I’m still growing and it’s a journey; I’m very intentional now and working on being the very best version of myself.

The Love, Bonito Hong Kong pop-up is open at H Queen's until 31 October 2019.

The post Startup Life: Rachel Lim, Co-Founder of Women’s Fashion Brand Love, Bonito appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Walking through Shiatzy Chen’s Whisper in Threads in Taipei’s Huashan 1914 Creative Park, it’s evident that the Taiwanese brand places craft at the centre of its identity.
Pieces that comprise the autumn/winter 2019 collection, inspired by Miao tribeswomen, greet guests in a section of the exhibition devoted to the colours red, black and silver, while others inspired by plum blossoms fill the pre-autumn section. Near the end is a seamstress, mesmerisingly pushing and pulling string through silk as the form of a phoenix emerges. The final alcove is home to a wall of sketches replete with a digital interface tracing the autumn/winter collection from inspiration to garment.
The project has been on the mind of founder and design director Tsai-hsia Chen (otherwise known as Madame Wang) since the brand’s 40th anniversary. And never one to do things by halves (after all, the brand remains the only Chinese import to have a permanent spot on the official Paris Fashion Week schedule), every detail has been carefully considered. She talked to Prestige at the exhibition.

What do you hope audiences will take away from the exhibition, especially regarding the brand and its commitment to traditional Chinese craftsmanship?

Every collection tries to tell a story from elements of Chinese culture. This autumn/winter I was inspired by the straps that mothers use to secure their babies to them in the Miao tribe. Han Chinese use a cloth, but the Miao straps are meticulously embroidered. It brings to mind the relation- ship between a mother and her child, how a mother raises her child and once the child grows up he or she takes care of the mother in turn.
The exhibition also shows the seamstresses’ skills and how their deft hands turn sketches into works of art on a garment. I hope it gives
people a better understanding of the entire design process, and the skill and art of embroidery.

Embroidery has alway been at the heart of Shiatzy Chen. Is this one of the reasons why a live seamstress at work is part of the exhibition?

Yes, I’ve always considered that supporting this art form is very important. There are many skilled seamstresses in China – in Guizhou and especially Suzhou. We look for our seamstresses in these two places, where they number in the thousands. They work on garment and tapestry embroideries for months and, given the number of ethnic-minority groups in China, each with their own distinctive crafts, I think it’s crucial to preserve and protect these industries to keep them from disappearing.  

What do you think keeps your clients loyal to the brand?

The qipao is a unique piece of clothing and Eastern styles bring out a certain air in Chinese women that can’t be replicated. Those who come back to us generally attend different events and are told they look fantastic. They get compliments abroad and it makes them feel special. I really think that when Chinese women wear a qipao, the garment brings out an aura of Eastern grace, sophistication and beauty that’s very different from Western-style dress, so we must preserve this garment.

As China's now known for counterfeiting, will it be hard to push luxury?

If you go back to the Song and Ming dynasties, our silk and paper were the most coveted in the world. Only after the fall of the Qing dynasty did the country become poor and things were made in a slipshod and rough manner, because there was simply no money. The Chinese then never spent time recovering these ancient arts. The thing is, though, critics of the Chinese the world over should probably realise that many of their crafts were originally taken from the Chinese before they modified the technique to make it their own.
I think we should look to our own histories and traditions, and not only revive dying crafts but also improve and evolve the industries. But that depends on the people of China, which is out of my control. I can only keep going at my own brand, creating luxury products that we’ve innovated to raise the level of the brand. That’s important, because if you don’t keep improving your product, your brand won’t go anywhere.

Would you encourage younger Chinese designers to make use of their heritage in design?

Absolutely. But it depends on the way they use it. It must be modern and appeal to buyers and clients alike each season. There’s no risk in replication, because these elements are conceptual and if taken literally, all designs would be the same and the stories would be the same every season. But it’s like when we buy cloth in Paris. Everybody in the world goes there to buy their cloth, but what they come out with is different, and even those who buy the same bolts come out with clothes that are totally distinct.

How do you keep up the momentum having designed for Shiatzy Chen for so many years?

I don’t count the years. I’ve always had a goal inside – to make Shiatzy Chen a respected international brand. So this goal serves as my motivation and gives me that energy. I think everyone needs to have a goal or an aim – that’s the best way to keep moving forward.

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The post Shiatzy Chen’s 41st Anniversary Exhibition in Taiwan appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In 2017, sisters Ash and Lynn Kim founded their eponymous fashion label, The Ashlynn, a brand designed by and for strong women who dream big and crush goals. Their international background -- spanning Los Angeles, Saipan, Osaka, Como, Shanghai and Hong Kong -- has fostered their appreciation for new adventures and seeking beauty in every place they go. Inspired to share their feel-good vibes, big sister Ash set aside her career in fashion brand marketing to take on the challenge of spreading empowerment and confidence to women around the world, while little sister Lynn took on the role of marketing their collections, values and positive messages. We spoke to the two young entrepreneurs responsible for shaping the Korean fashion scene about what it’s like to build a business from scratch.

Names: Ash Kim and Lynn Kim

Profession: Co-founders of THE ASHLYNN

Industry: Fashion Retail

Startup since: March 2017

Company size: 3

[dual-images right-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-431.jpg" left-image-url="https://www.prestigeonline.com/hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Untitled-design-430.jpg" right-caption="Ash" left-caption="Lynn"]

Tell us about your business. What do you do?

Ash Kim (AK): I started a fashion brand called The Ashlynn with my sister Lynn in 2017. I design womenswear -- dresses, jackets, skirts -- and we also started a second label called Self-love by The Ashlynn last year.

Lynn Kim (LK): I do the branding side for the company: photo shoots and lookbooks, the logo and packaging.

Tell us about your best and worst day at work? 

AK: My best day is when I’m full of new design ideas and have no distractions so I can focus on my creative process. It's the most fun part of the work! My least favourite day would be when I have to deal with all the admin and logistics side of things -- I’m not an Excel person!

LK: Since I'm a full-time architect, I don’t have daily duties at The Ashlynn like Ash does. I work on big projects such as seasonal photo shoots -- it's always fun to prep for them with moodboards and props. My least favourite moment was when I didn’t have extra battery with me for my film camera!

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

AK: Since most of my work days are very fast-paced and action-driven, I like to lounge and chill with my boyfriend, friends or sister when I’m not working. A vital part of that includes having a good meal and drinks.

LK: Working out is my number one way to destress. I also like learning new things.

Looking back now, what would you have done differently?

AK: Nothing! I was far from perfect or even fully prepped but I just dove in head first and was learning throughout the journey. I made mistakes but also achieved things beyond expectations. I would still do the same if I were to start this business again and better yet, I would try to remember how I was fearless and adventurous in the early days.

LK: I don’t regret anything! But if I had watched more YouTube tutorials on photo shoots, it would have helped ease my mind at our very first shoot.

What is a normal work day like?

AK: I check the online orders in the morning, then I go through all the emails including PR loan requests, run fabric market errands, check shipments, meet with the agency, vendors and retailers, and of course update our social media -- I pretty much touch on all aspects of the business on a daily basis.

LK: I am always on the go. I have meetings in different parts of the city and I’m constantly working on my laptop.

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

AK: Trust your gut but also do a lot of research. Benchmarking is really a powerful tool to start with, but always remember why you really wanted to start this business in the first place and why the audience needs it. And make sure you’re also having fun along the way.

LK: If you have passion for something, follow and pursue it. It’s extremely rewarding to be a part of The Ashlynn and to watch my sister come closer and closer to fulfilling her dreams throughout the years.

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

AK: I’d probably still be somewhere in the fashion industry. I was in brand marketing when I worked in Hong Kong a few years back and I really enjoyed it. But I have always been intrigued by working at cool lifestyle startups too.

LK: I am still pursuing architecture as my full-time career and being part of The Ashlynn brand on the side. I’d probably devote more time into architecture if it weren’t for The Ashlynn.

As a child, what did you aspire to be?

AK: A lawyer (I did attend law school for a year), a news anchor, a diplomat -- more intellectual endeavours. I have always loved fashion but thought it would just be a hobby of mine, not my future profession.

LK: An artist, computer programmer, doctor and architect.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

AK: As with most other startups, financing is challenging in the early stages. And starting a business on small savings was definitely not easy.

LK: That my time is limited with a full-time job so I always feel like I don’t have enough time to do everything that I want to do or achieve.

How did you overcome it?

AK: Limited resources led us to become more self-sufficient and efficient, such as shooting lookbooks ourselves. We took on the role of the photographer, makeup artist and stylist, and even built the website ourselves.

LK: I have improved in my time management skills and learned how to make decisions quickly and efficiently.

Why South Korea?

AK: Lynn and I lived in Hong Kong for four years. I started my career in fashion in Hong Kong but later moved back to Korea for family reasons. I knew that this was the time to venture out to do my own thing. Seoul is a great city to start a new business, especially in fashion as the fashion industry is so developed here.

Why is the Hong Kong market important for the brand? 

AK: Hong Kong is such an international hub and despite its physical size, it has huge presence in the fashion world. That is why all the major brands have flagship stores in Hong Kong. We also did a small popup in Hong Kong and it was great experience to learn what works for the international audience! I would love for The Ashlynn to be more present in Hong Kong soon.

LK: Hong Kong has such a range of customers all in one place: Hong Kong locals, mainland Chinese, expats, tourists from all over the world. That alone is a huge plus for a brand to gauge its relevance in the market!
If you were to invest in another startup, which would it be?

AK: I would invest in more lifestyle products and services that enhance our lives. We all need to work on ‘choosing’ happiness and it’s great to have products and services that help with these choices.

LK: Somewhere in sustainable architecture.

What are your goals for 2019? And in the near future?

AK: My goal for 2019 is to actually have more fun doing business as this is my third year since The Ashlynn launched and I've noticed that I get too attached to numbers and results. I want to refocus on why I started the business and how I want to live my life -- to have fun and be happy.

LK: My goal is to live more healthily and to have a balanced life. I also want to help Ash bring the brand to a more global market.

How hands-on are you?

AK: I am 100% hands-on as we are a small team. My sister has a full-time job as an architect. So, I am my brand.

LK: I play the part of a special projects team. I come in when the new season starts and assist with creative needs.

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

AK: I am very successful in the sense that I am doing what I love and that is a huge blessing. And the business is also growing so I am super grateful.

LK: I am a perfectionist by nature so I’m good at pushing myself for more. But looking at where I am now -- with a good job and also being a part of a fashion brand with Ash -- I would say I am succeeding too.

The post Startup Life: Ash and Lynn Kim of Korean Fashion Brand The Ashlynn appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Channel that effortless je ne sais quoi with a masterful mix of wardrobe classics, street staples and elevated basics.

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Photography Joel Low 

Fashion Direction Johnny Khoo

Styling Jacquie Ang 

Hair Sean Ang using Kevin Murphy

Make-up Keith Bryant Lee using Chanel Beauty

Photography Assistant Alfie Pan

Fashion Assistant Jessica Khoo 

Model Dasha G at Mannequin

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Big hair, don't care. We got the beat, we got the power shoulders -- plus the distressed denim, the daring colour, the shoutiest bling and all the very best of '80s excess.

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Photography Cher Him

Fashion Direction Johnny Khoo

Fashion Styling Jacquie Ang

Hair & Make-up Marc Teng at Atelier using Sebastian Professional & Giorgio Armani Beauty

Photography Assistant Zhan Hong 

Fashion Assistant Jessica Khoo 

Model Viktoria Klonina at Ave

The post Photo Shoot: The Very Best of ’80s Excess appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

It's hard to say who's the better turned out -- our sumptuously attired couture model or her impeccable coiffed canines.

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Photography Mike Ruiz at mikeruiz.com

Styling Kristine Kilty

Hair Stephane Delahaye

Make-up Walter Denechere

Production Pauline Gouablin 

Fashion Assistants Daniela Elizarraras and Alyx Kleinsteiber 

Model Sofia Resing at New Version Models

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Born in Beijing, thriving in New York.

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Bigger is better, more is more — there's no stopping the '80s fashion takeover.

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—The stylish, laidback loungewear trend we can’t get enough of. By Melissa Sorge Traditionally, womenswear has been fitted, confining, and somewhat uncomfortable (think pencil skirts, tailored blouses, and some form of tedious hosiery). Fortunately, with the emergence of the loungewear trend, women are taking comfort into their own hands and transitioning cozy sleepwear into daywear […]

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Power women everywhere embrace this season's tailored suits and throwback prints.

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