DECEMBER 2013 FEMME OF FAME GONG LI BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT MICROFILM MAGIC ALL THE RAGE FOR LUXURY BRANDS CHINESE ARTISTS TAP INTO THE CONTEMPORARY MARKET CONTENTS 12 / 2013 34 23. EDITOR’S NOTE 26. INSIDE SCOOP 28. VISION IT’S COMPLICATED Vacheron Constantin’s CEO Juan-Carlos Torres insists that ‘there’s no place for arrogance’ in watchmaking 30. COVETED TICKS ALL THE BOXES An artistic jewellery clock to wow your guests in the festive season 32. SPEND IT DREAM KITCHEN An ergonomic, rotating cooking space with everything you will need to treat guests to a hearty meal 34. FRONT ROW SHORT AND SWEET Microfilms are now all the rage for luxury brands to get their message across 28 30 DECEMBER 2013 17 CONTENTS 12 / 2013 52 40. SECONDS STROKES OF GENIUS The Chinese contemporary market’s rise in a short period ‘is unbelievable’ and an ‘incredible story’ 46. FASHION MIRROR MIRROR How much more do we see in a reflection? We discover the surprising details and sides of ourselves, hitherto unseen, as we gaze into the looking glass 52. MUSE ROLES OF FAME A true professional, Gong Li is back in the limelight as she collaborates with long-time friend Zhang Yimou on a new film 40 56. FASHION AIR OF MYSTERY We embrace the magic of the witching hour this party season, indulging in luxe, glamorous textures and moody, sultry hues 62. LUST-HAVE 46 62 DECEMBER 2013 19 CONTENTS 12 / 2013 68 68. DIVERSIONS GROWING HOME Fashion designer Laura Urbinati turns a warehouse and a ‘horrible’ flat into a perfect residence and headquarters 76 72. DIVERSIONS ADVENTURES FOR SAIL A new fleet of luxury yachts is providing travellers with access to what were once unreachable regions 76. HAUTE 82. SIGN-OFF 84. RESOURCES 72 82 DECEMBER 2013 21 FROM THE EDITOR We’re being greedy this month. effortlessly shrugs off rumours passengers are able to relax in We’re indulging in the best that about her suspected divorce. five-star comfort while journeying life has to offer, and we make no Starstruck? Us? to Indonesia’s Komodo Island or apologies for it. We’ve worked If mini-featurettes are more even exploring the last frontiers hard this year – most of us, your thing, no doubt you have from the Antarctic. anyway – and now we feel justified noticed the recent surge in On the other hand, those who in turning our thoughts away microfilms produced by luxury prefer to spend the festive season from l’ennui au quotidien brands. These short but sweet at home cooking for loved ones (dissatisfaction with everyday life) videos, the themes of which range will appreciate the Michelin-star- and towards the more important from flirtatious liaisons to worthy kitchen showcased in this things in life, such as island- impossibly cute panther cubs month’s Spend It. The stunning hopping on luxury yachts, frolicking in the snow, are culinary space features an meeting dazzling film stars, or designed to capture the innovative rotating mechanism building a HK$20 million audience’s imagination and for lazy – excuse us, busy – chefs, dream kitchen. convey a brand’s story in a more complete with an herb garden, You may have noticed that interesting, memorable way. We wall-to-wall fish tank, and wine Gong Li is on our cover. The look at this trend in our cover and cheese cellars. stunning film star, arguably one story, and we can’t argue that ’tis After all, what better time than of the few women in the world the season to fall in love with this to cook your own Christmas who can look glamorous wiping these funny, romantic and often pudding and eat it too? condensation off a mirror, graced heartwarming microfilms. us with her presence last month For those looking to leave at The Peninsula. the cold weather behind and Gong talks about her role as a explore warmer climes, a new woman suffering from amnesia in fleet of luxury yachts is offering a Zhang Yimou’s upcoming drama, wealth of new experiences to the The Return. She shares her jaded traveller. These yachts are thoughts on the trust between an able to reach previously actor and a filmmaker, and inaccessible regions, and its Jacqueline Tsang, Editor DECEMBER 2013 23 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING DECEMBER 2013 CHIEF EDITOR SENIOR SALES MANAGER SPECIALIST PUBLICATIONS LAVIN YU FEMME OF WINNIE CHUNG [email protected] FAME 2565 2448 EDITOR JACQUELINE TSANG SALES MANAGER KELVIN LAU ART DIRECTOR [email protected] LOCKY LAI GONG LI 2565 2462 BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT MICROFILM MAGIC ALL THE RAGE DESIGNER FOR LUXURY BRANDS CHINESE ARTISTS TAP INTO THE CHOW KWOK-WANG ACCOUNT MANAGER CONTEMPORARY MARKET TANIA LAI PRODUCTION EDITOR [email protected] DEEN NAWAZ 2565 2395 COVER SUBEDITORS ACCOUNT MANAGER Award-winning actress Gong Li MEGAN MCCOID VIVIEN TSANG All jewellery by Piaget MIKE MCGRATH [email protected] HELEN MIAO CONTENTS PAGES 2565 2379 PAGE 46 WRITER SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE VIVIAN CHEN ANNA WONG PRADA ASSISTANT WRITER [email protected] Coat HK$16,050 JOANNE LAM 2565 2452 Shirt HK$4,200 Knit HK$3,950 CONTRIBUTORS CONTACT US Pants HK$6,400 THE ARISTOCRAT Shoes HK$9,900 VICTORIA BURROWS Editorial TAMA LUNG [email protected] PHOTO EDITOR Advertising YVES SIEUR [email protected] COVER PHOTO Reprint FELIX WONG [email protected] SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR STYLE is published by South China THOMAS CHANG Morning Post Publishers Ltd., Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel 2680 8888 Printed by Toppan Printing Co (HK) Ltd., 1 Fuk Wang Street, Toppan Printing Centre, Yuen Long Industrial Estate, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel 2561 0101. It is © copyright SCMPPL and distributed free with the South China Morning Post on December 13, 2013. DECEMBER 2013 25 INSIDE SCOOP ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS, OPENINGS HIGH-SEAS WONDER Whether in fashion or in travel, futuristic space- inspired items are always hip and cool. Now you can roam the seas in a miniature water-jet capsule. Italian designer Pierpaolo Lazzarini and Luca Solla from Italian company S3 have created a water-jet capsule which can accommodate up to four passengers. At 7.5 metres long and 3.5 metres wide, it may be smaller than a typical luxury yacht, but the spaceship-inspired capsule can be tailored to fit your every need. Want a sun bed to tan on the rooftop deck? Done. Have specific colour combinations for the plush seating in mind? Choose from a selection of more than 40 colours and motifs. CLEVER CONSPIRACY Collaborations between great artists and fashion houses are always appealing. British artist Damien CASE IS AJAR Hirst and fashion great Alexander McQueen are the latest to join forces, yielding amazing results and For a match made in skincare heaven, fine jeweller just in time for winter. Boucheron has teamed up with La Mer to create a Celebrating the 10th anniversary of McQueen’s limited-edition case for the coveted 100ml Crème de La ubiquitous skull-print scarf, the two icons have Mer moisturiser. The exquisite mother-of-pearl case is launched a new scarf collection, consisting of part of the Christmas line and limited to 10 pieces 30 one-off designs adapted from Hirst’s worldwide. Each jar is embellished with Boucheron’s Entomology series. Hirst’s work – a colourful signature “Clous de Paris” motif and topped with a kaleidoscopic blend created from images of insects blue cabochon, reminiscent of the sea. Each jar – will be used to form the base of McQueen’s costs US$20,000. signature scarf. GETTING HIGH ON CHAMPAGNE For a novel bubbly experience, indulge in Champagne in a nine-storey-high pyramid at London’s five-star ME hotel. With a 24-metre skylight, the Atrium Champagne Bar offers a complimentary drink upon check-in. The bar, designed by British architectural firm Foster + Partners, recently won in the Best Bar category at the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. The bar features sleek and minimalistic furnishings, including a 30-metre-long curving bench. The architectural firm chose not to install any art in order to not interrupt the space. Instead, the décor features projections on the walls. 26 DECEMBER 2013 INSIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS, OPENINGS SCOOP 10 AND ONLY Just in time for Christmas shopping, Givenchy opened its doors at Elements mall in November. Celebrating the occasion, the fashion house has produced 10 special editions of the popular Pandora Box bag. Whether in a luscious purple ostrich pattern, wrapped in a lizard motif or PAIR OF ACES showcasing an edgy python print, each bag features a special metal plaque bearing the Thailand is known for many things: stunning beaches, zesty food number of the limited edition. The bag costs and majestic elephants. Thai wines, on the other hand, have yet HK$34,500. to make their mark. But The Peninsula Bangkok and Hua Hin Meanwhile, the new 320-square-metre prêt- Hills Vineyard – the home of Monsoon Valley wines – are à-porter boutique not only pays homage to the changing that. Pairing food and wine, the hotel and the vineyard iconic Givenchy boxes used to deliver haute are offering a memorable day trip for guests. couture pieces in its design, but also takes Guests can explore an ancient elephant corral – where vines inspiration from the fashion house’s concept are planted – while on an elephant ride and sample flagship store at 28 Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris and wines from the Monsoon Valley line. its Avenue George V couture shop, also in Paris. The day trip, priced at US$8,650 per person, also includes a ride in the hotel’s private helicopter, a designated limousine pick-up, and a gourmet lunch and wine pairing.