We kicked off the week with a private post-work catch up drink session with the team at Van Cleef & Arpels at Happy Paradise on Staunton Street. While we have mixed reports on the décor – kitschy x old school brothel x vintage refectory (soundbytes from the crew – how familiar someone was with the colour codes of an ol’ timey brothel made us raise a few eyebrows along with our G&T), the food and drink was unanimously praised. Much was discussed; current state of the economy, politics and if the God particle, aka The Higgs boson, was indeed the central problem in particle physics… but of course, I jest. Why on earth Chris Pratt and Anna Farris would dissolve their celebrity marriage, and how the repercussions of a Hollywood divorce have led to our own disbelief in the unholy sanctimony of coupledom, did come up at some point. Oh and how its better to have dogs than children.
The following afternoon, Brunello Cucinelli showcased their winter collection and again – I don’t mean to bemoan the weather but honestly in the record-breaking heat of Hong Kong, where sweat drips off bodies like a coat of viscous honey – watching a winter wardrobe collection (despite the sheer perfection of the luxury brand) was… uncomfortable. One of the fashion scribes was seen negotiating with the team as they were “bonkers” about a gossamer skirt (pictured). Sure she’d have to skip a few meals to pay for it – but “fashion feeds me more” was the quote of the night. Who am I to argue with that logic?
Edwin Chuang – he of Sav Hospitality industry – sent out personal invitations to have lunch with him in the nether regions of… Wong Chuk Hang. When his office is down the road near Prince’s Building, the location was suspect till we were informed that he had opened Pho Bar, a delicious Vietnamese joint – that’s busy beyond belief at lunch hour. Chuang, who himself is a fine cook (we’ve been told from his posse) did the ordering for us and we sampled the yummiest food and chef’s specials. He was also kind enough to chauffeur us back to the office post long-lazy-luncheon. Highly recommend the locale.
The following day, German brand Kerbholz showcased their latest collection at Townhouse. Adrian Roepe and Moritz Blees, two of the co-founders, joined singer Jason Chan on stage to kick off the event. For a novel twist, to officiate the product launch, the VIPs poured water into little pots, “sowing the seeds on the soil”, as sustainable watches “grew” from the pot with little green plants, revealing the brand’s determination in promoting sustainability. When one of the designers got on stage and pulled out a wooden spatula from this breast pocket, he opened his gambit with, “I was inspired by this…”. All righty then.
Then, the event draught hit until Francis Wong, formerly at Elite, launched his own modelling agency, Liberte. As expected, a gaggle of gorgeous gals, raucous paparazzi, designers, stylists, industry folks (and a healthy handful of oglers) turned up in full force to support the man – and his gorgeous model wife Zuzana (who has starred in several fashion shoots with us at Burda publishing). She had the tall and lissom task of mixing and mingling with guests as they trickled in and out throughout the night.
We ended the week with Christian Louboutin, at the launch of a new men’s sneaker; the Aurelien. With a variety of shoe styles on display in myriad colours, the wall studded with designer trainers was the location of choice for attendees to get their picture taken. The men’s shoes are gorgeous – as expected, and pricey, equally as expected. Truth be told, the event itself was rather… meh, but we were thrilled to run into the perpetually jet-lagged jet-setter Olivia Buckingham, who was in town for a hot-minute.
As we scroll through the coming two weeks in our social calendar, and the wide blank spaces that lie within, its simply the quiet before the storm of September. Brands of all shapes and sizes are gearing up for their extravaganzas and extravagant evenings. We can’t wait.
Till then chums, try the Negroni at our new favourite, secret bar, Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour at Landmark.
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