Louis Vuitton x Léa Seydoux SS2016 Ad Campaign

Louis Vuitton presents its latest Ad Campaign starring Léa Seydoux and travels to Mexico. As a follow-up to the Bob and Dolores Hope Estate by John Lautner and as a prelude to its imminent arrival at the Niteroi Museum of Contemporary Art by Oscar Niemeyer in Rio de Janeiro for the Cruise show, Louis Vuitton continues its architectural journey, setting its latest campaign at the Ranch designed by the celebrated Mexican architect Luis Barragan.

At the center of this space, photographer Patrick Demarchelier has captured the Louis Vuitton woman as embodied for the first time by the actress and new muse Léa Seydoux. She appears as a daring, self-confident heroine who is constantly on the move. She wears pieces from the Pre-Fall 2016 collection.

The Capucines and City Steamer handbags take pride of place in this Travel campaign. The Capucines, a discreetly elegant new signature bag, incarnates the Maison and its know-how. First created in 1901, the Steamer was the first supple bag, the ancestor of the modern handbag. Updated for today’s tastes, it becomes a true city bag.

Photographer:

Patrick Demarchelier 

Hair:

Paul Hanlon

Stylist: 

Marie-Amélie Sauvé 

Makeup:

Hannah Murray

CONSORZIO TUTELA Prosecco DOC Presents Prosecco On The Road By Andrea Zanfi

In collaboration with arete food and wine consulting, Consorzio Tutela Prosecco Doc organizes the Prosecco On The Road event in Hong Kong recently with the presence of Luca Giavi, Director of Prosecco Doc Consortium to reveal the story of the most famous sparkling wine in Italy together with Andrea Zanfi, author of the “Prosecco on the road”.

Prosecco was granted Controlled Designation of Origin status on 17 July 2009 and, on 19 November of the same year, the Consorzio di Tutela del Prosecco DOC was set up. The Prosecco Doc Consortium is an institution whose role is to coordinate and manage the Controlled Designation of Origin.

It brings together voluntarily the different groups of producers - individual or associated vinegrowers, wine and sparkling wine producers to ensure the designation continues to grow and that the production regulations are complied with.

“Prosecco on the road” is an unique book: “There are many different kinds of books on wine: manuals, monographs, guides, atlases, novels, essays even entire encyclopaedia. We were interested in a book that discusses Prosecco from a new and different perspective, a text that not so much examines the characteristics of Prosecco from the technical or historical perspective, but rather one that could describe its soul that can be understood not just by drinking Prosecco but also by living it. With this book, we hope that the reader will be able to trace the paths that Prosecco travels every day to reach the villages where it is drunk, to discover the places where people such as Goldoni, Tiziano, Palladio and Canova lived, to travel the same streets that artists such as Giotto, Wagner, Lord Byron and Hemingway travelled, and to enjoy a unique experience in the land where the Prosecco DOC was born“. Stefano Zanette, Consorzio President.

ISABEL MARANT Opens New Store In Fashion Walk Hong Kong

ISABEL MARANT opens its new store in Fashion Walk, Hong Kong recently and each ISABEL MARANT boutique is treated as a unique piece of architecture and design that feeds off the local micro-culture. This thought process was developed by the ISABEL MARANT Fashion House and Franklin Azzi Architecture studios in order to enhance and favor design and architectural creativity, research and development. This second ISABEL MARANT store in Hong Kong, is located in the area of Causeway Bay, which is an historical anchor point for the brand.

  

The 90 square meter single storey boutique is opened on two streets providing natural light into the store. The concrete facade includes an intimate homely entrance with welcoming planter and lighting sconces. Inside the boutique, the facade material is duplicated on the floor streamlining the concept from exterior to interior. The space is emphasized by a suspended ceiling made out of raw wooden cleats, clearly defining the ISABEL MARANT and ETOILE areas.

In the first portion of the boutique, the ISABEL MARANT collection is displayed in a lengthy space of travertine walls with natural exposed rock veins to create a singular space and reinterpret modernist codes from the second half of the 20th century.

 Then, ETOILE area leaves room to free racks, sculptural and artistic objects, whether ceramic sculptured podiums, concrete volumes or jewelry frames and transforming it into a gallery-boutique.

 Key areas articulate around glossy metal volumes, which would call out the idea of container units used to transport art objects. Color and finishing are a nod to French architect Jean Prouvé. In both spaces, objects are worked and produced in a close collaboration with craftsmen who have an in depth know-how on the various materials and techniques used such as ceramic, travertine, concrete and metal.

INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR 2016 Kicks Off At Hong Kong Conventional & Exhibition Center

INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUES FAIR 2016 Kicks Off At Hong Kong Conventional & Exhibition Center. For its ninth edition, the fair in Hong Kong is expanding and opens to all specialties in the field of antiques.

Founded by William and Priscilla Chak, Asian art and antiques experts based in Hong Kong, and managed by their son Ronald Chak, IAF brought together more than 80 dealers, making it the most important event in its field in Asia. Several of the most prestigious French and foreign antique dealers joined the Asian Art exhibitors including Vallois, Chadelaud, Deydier, Bernard Dulon, Jacques Barrère and more.

For the first time, a strict vetting committee, composed of the renowned international professionals in all the specialties represented was imposed on exhibitors to ensure the best selection of art and antiques for the event.

Christian Deydier, former President of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires and of the Biennale des Antiquaires brought his experience and knowledge to the Fair as well as organizes a promotional tour to meet collectors in several Chinese and Asian cities such as Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Jakarta, Malaysia & Singapore.

Since the International Antiques Fair 2016 has been selected as an Associated Project of Le French May, French Ambassadors from each cities presence as the guest of honor on the promotional tour.

Bringing the West and East together, The International Antiques Fair 2016 exhibitors showcases a huge variety of pieces from all over the world, this includes Belgium, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, Italy, Nepal, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, U.K., and the U.S featuring the most exquisite and diverse collection of antiques.

Several educational lectures carried out by our honourable antiques experts on each day of the fair, allowing those who’re interested further understand the complex world of antiques.

Topics included Furniture from Ming Dynasty, Archaic Chinese Bronze, Tang Ying Sculpture (Ceramics), and Exportation of Chinese Silver.

The Fair was inaugurated with a charity event to benefit non-profit organizations. Exhibition ends 31st may 2016.

MONTBLANC Rewriting The Rules Through Innovation

 In celebration of its 110th Anniversary, Montblanc returns to its beginnings, as it reimagines one of the first product lines it created during the early 20th century. After almost 3 years of development, the founders of Montblanc launched in 1909 “Rouge et Noir“, the Maison’s first fountain-pen series, made of black ebonite with a red cap top and inspired by the famous novel of the same name by Stendhal. While the new Montblanc Heritage Collection Rouge & Noir evokes the pioneering spirit of Montblanc with a vintage look and feel, the design brings a contemporary twist to the early model with a slimmer and longer silhouette, as well as incorporating modern piston technology.

With its sensual curves, the serpent features prominently throughout the collection wrapped around the top of the writing instrument and undulating down the cap to become the clip. The mysterious serpent recalls a design motif popular among Art Nouveau artists when the original Rouge & Noir collection first made its appearance. With this newly designed collection of writing instruments the Maison revisits its early pioneering spirit and reinterprets a legendary line in both form and function with a new size and shape and enhanced writing features for a softer, more luxurious writing experience.

 The cap and barrel of the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Special Edition are crafted from precious black resin and lacquer, with the historical Montblanc logo engraved on the cap’s side. A traditional off-white snowcap, embedded in coral red precious resin crowns the writing instrument.  The new alloy metal used to create the writing instrument’s clip ensures it can be lifted without being bent, while the patina on the clip’s 1920s-inspired serpent design is achieved by using a special galvanic and stripping process. While forming the shape of the clip with its green eyes, the motif of the creature is also engraved on the rhodium-plated Au585 gold nib, evoking Montblanc’s mission to constantly rethink and reinvent the art of writing since 1906. The Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Special Edition Coral contrasts with the black model, made from vivid coral resin and lacquer evoking a colour reminiscent of the era, and features a bi-colour nib in Au585 gold decorated with the intricate serpent engraving.

 Hard rubber, the material that was once one of the only viable and available materials from which Montblanc could create fountain pens, makes its return with the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Limited Edition 1906. With the same limitation number as the year Montblanc was founded, the cap and barrel of the writing instrument are crafted from ebonite, a material that contains natural rubber with sulphur and linseed oil used in a model from 1909, and still manufactured according to a traditional process. While the texture of the ebonite contrasts with the metal fittings and the coral and ivory coloured resin of the Montblanc emblem, the sensorial experience is enhanced by the typical scent that comes from the sulphur content inside the ebonite. The serpent adorns the rhodium-plated Au 750 gold nib with the bi-colour design, while the slithering creature that forms the clip is set with two precious rubies as its eyes.

To complement the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir writing instruments, a collection of fine stationary pieces is being introduced featuring the serpent. The first piece to launch will be an elegant lined notebook in black leather embossed with spiralling serpents.Through craftsmanship refined over generations, the pioneering spirit that fuelled Montblanc’s early innovations comes to life in the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Special Edition and Limited Edition 1906. With refined aesthetics and innovative functionality, Montblanc draws inspiration from its legacy to rewrite the rules, 110 years later.

BREMONT x America’s Cup Legend Sir Russell Coutts Meets Bremont Fans In Hong Kong

Bremont has never ceased to excel in combining innovative techniques with creative elements in creating prestigious timepieces. As the first British Official Timing Partner to the America’s Cup and ORACLE TEAM USA, Bremont added four new America’s Cup timepieces to the collection in BASELWORLD 2016. Stressing the importance of the countdown functionality when racing, the Bremont Regatta AC and Regatta OTUSA models are specially designed for sailors. In addition Bremont has subsequently announced the release of the Bremont AC I 32 Ladies Chronometer to its America’s Cup Collection.

A cocktail reception was held recently at the Bremont Hong Kong Boutique on Lyndhurst Terrace in Central Hong Kong. Sir Russell Coutts, Chief Executive Officer of the America’s Cup Event Authority and arguably the greatest sailor of all time made a self appearance to share his success story and talk about the partnership with Bremont.

The evening kicked off with a welcome from Mr. Giles English, Co-founder of Bremont, followed by Giles in conversation with Sir Russell Coutts. Coutts is not only a legend of the America’s Cup but a sailing icon. His achievements include a gold medal in the Finn Class in the 1984 Olympic Games, winning the America’s Cup five times and triumphing in numerous international races.

Mr. Giles English remarked, “Bremont is thrilled to be the Official Timing Partner for the America’s Cup and ORACLE TEAM USA. We wanted to build a set of mechanical watches that were specifically designed for the sailing community and the Regatta function is so useful for anyone who races. We love that the OTUSA models are being tested beyond endurance by the team out on the water both in training and competition; they are fantastic ambassadors for Bremont and it’s a great testing bed for the watches in terms of performance.”

Sir Russell Coutts added, “There has always been a strong link between sailing and horology. For an America’s Cup sailor, the countdown to the start is perhaps the most critical aspect of the entire race. The fine engineering and technology involved in both the foiling catamarans used in the America’s Cup and fine watchmaking is one element that links Bremont to the event. And of course, the America’s Cup started in Britain over 160 years ago.”

THE WAVE

If 10 minutes can save your lives, all you have to do is run and escape to a higher point and waiting to be rescued. <The Wave> or BOLGEN is the gripping disaster movie that makes uncommonly smart use of disaster film clichés that set in a Norwegian fjord. The premise is a simple one, but one that foreigners may not even be aware is even possible, yet it is. The film centres on a tight knit family begins with the experienced geologist Kristian Eikfjord has accepted a job offer out of town. He is getting ready to move from the city of Geiranger with his family, when he and his colleagues measure small geological changes in the underground. Kristian gets worried and his worst nightmare is about to come true, when the alarm goes off and the disaster is inevitable. With less than 10 minutes to react, it becomes a race against time in order to save as many as possible, including his own family of course.

Nowegian Film Director Roar Uthaug has made it an official entry for the Acamedy Awards by creating a taut action drama that does not outstay its welcome. Starring Kristoffer Joner (Kristian), Ane Dahl Torp (Idun), Jonas Hoff Oftebro (Sondre), Edith Haagenrud (Julia), Fridtjov Såheim (Arvid), plus a small supporting cast that work of other key characters. You will be mesmerized and so focused on the beautiful Norwegian’s Fjords’ scenery that you do not think too much about what is lurking under the magnificent mountain that dominates the fjord town of Geiranger. It all comes down to Kristian’s instincts and determination to dig deep when looking for answers to the sudden changes in the water table, but by the time he pieces all the information together, things are going downhill very fast and a whole town is in danger of being obliterated.

The movie is based on a real story when a similar rock slide produced a tsunami that took many lives in 1934, plus there were similar incidents in 1905 and later again, so what is on the screen could happen again, even before the end credit rolling with a message delivered. Uthaug had all the actors do their own stunts, hence there is a lot of realism to what you see on the screen. A refreshing humanistic focus and well acted. Despite the ending is a tad predictable yet it is a still an enjoyable film to watch and able to sustain tension with a pure formula.

Opening Citywide: 26th May 2016

Review: 3.5/5

SOHOFAMA @ Urban Mini Farm Modern Chinese Comfort Food

With lesser carbon foot print, a modern Chinese organic comfort food restaurant collaborated by GOD aka Goods of Desire (Quintessential Hong Kong collector store inspired by the vibrant culture & heritage of energetic Hong Kong’s tradition meet cutting-edge technology with humor and creativity by turning everyday subjects into extraordinary objects & fun), SOHOFAMA in PMQ (Police Married Quarter – a local art precinct) tout themselves as health conscious by delivering organic bites and dishes all day to your table with a heart of desire. By mylifestylenews.

The buzz word for restaurants these days is “organic” and the good news is that SOHOFAMAO works with Hong Kong’s local farms to source “clean” fruits and vegetables free of pesticides and chemicals as well as brought the table to the farm from their mini farm right outside of the restaurant garden area by growing their very own vegetables in pots, along walls, on trolleys…whenever they can.

 When they can’t source the right “clean” produce in Hong Kong, they import it to maintain their mission of offering food that is at its nutritional and palatable peak. To ensure that not only the food is loved by all and sundry, they also provide a pretty cool vibe with the whole ambience for the internal dining rooms.

With two large communal tables with high stools, a few booths and regular tables setting in one room as well as an adjacent small room next door, the small bar is the main focus with its industrial design playing with the lighting to create a “feel good” ambience.

The Chinese calligraphy of top of the bar literally translated as “Pick the best from Wine & Dine with the knowhow” contrasting the nostalgic mood with the modern sophistication. There is also a large al fresco terrace for a mood change or some fresh air, the artistic décor is very intimate when you arrive and get seated inside, but they can cater for up to 140 diners at any given time with both spaces, so looks can be deceiving.

The menu is designed with a healthy dose of options for everyone, including vegan, dairy-free, nut-free and carb-free for those following a paleo diet. The menu is extensive and sometimes we wonder if the consistency is in control and somehow also having hard time deciding what to order. There are many delicious full-flavoured bites by just browsing through the menu and it is best to get some recommendation from the wait staff if you have problem deciding. Jeremy, the new Restaurant Manager helped us to narrow down with some of the house’s signature dishes.

Take it from us, the cocktail making and shaking is non-stop the whole night during our recent visit, they must be doing something right. We tried a Loco <Ginger Passion>  cocktail  with fresh lemon mint, organic ginger, passion fruit, organic local ginger infused in triple-distilled rice wine, apple and lemon juice and local honey. The Soho <Natural> cocktail with Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain Elderflower, apple and lemon juice, organic cucumber and basil. We were impressed with what we tasted and the ingredients used says it all. It is highly recommended to start your evening with a cocktail or two before you hit the Chinese food.

We kicked off proceedings with the seasonal special <Drunken Chicken>, beautiful tender meat was well marinated with the Chinese wine to give the kick. It is a love or hate dish as the strong alcohol content can really put of off if you are not often in contact with intense Chinese intense. We expect a little bit more flavor from the free-range bird for a more well-balance palate instead of tasting just the strong alcohol alone.

 At the opposite end of the spectrum, next we tucked into some <Slow Cooked 48 Hours Natural US Beef Short Rib Pancake Sliders> A Chinese Bao Steam Bun seemingly coming back into hot seller even in many other Western eat-outs. A new version of East-meets-West gastronomy and wins everyone’s heart. A superb texture and so damn yummy and remember, less is more!  Back to ground zero with China we had to test the <Shanghai Xiao Long Bao> with organic US pork and this was one of the best we have had in ages, with plenty clean clear broth inside with not so over steamed juicy meat wrapped with the right thinness paste, it is absolutely blooming lovely!

<Grandma’s Organic Ma Po Tofu> It is hard to find some real good Ma Po Tofu in this city, they just don’t have the know-how to handle this dish well. It can be very simple to get it right but also very easy to turn it into a disaster with the wrong ingredients used. Despites extra chili was requested when placing the order, yet it was quite mild when presented. Tofu selection delivered a silken texture to the last mouthful.

When was the last time you could rave about fried rice? SOHOFAMA’s <Fried Rice With Conpoy> delivers the right texture and flavor in perfect moist that comes with a healthy dose of diced scallop to boot.

We didn’t want to over dose on too much meat that was still to come, so <Stir-Fried Local Green Beans with Organic Minced Pork> gave us that vegetable quotient we needed, with perfectly cooked beans and the pork adding a greater depth to the flavor. A classic Chinese comfort food.

The <Stir-Fried Australian Grass Fed Organic Beef with Leeks and Chilies> is a dish we always want to try and the chef did this one proud. The thinly sliced beef was so juicy and tasty and the chili gave just the right heat to spice up the dish. A must order.

The <Fried Tiger Prawns with Salted Egg Yolk> is a textbook cooking that could not be faulted. The prawns were coated well in egg yolk and deep fried to get the right crispiness but to remain the moist and juicy tender flesh of the prawn but note that this is a very rich dish.

The <Barbecue Spring Chicken with Homemade Sweet Sauce> is what most would call crispy skin chicken, half barbecue chicken and the skin was in crispy perfection. The meat underneath more than meeting our expectations and do not dip too much of the sauce to avoid overpowering this beautifully cooked free range chicken.

For what one would term Chinese comfort food, the food was an absolute joy to eat. The place was packed and yet the food came rather quickly and at the right temperature. The portions are generally very good even with the up market pricing as this makes sense with a more premium and quality produce used. SOHOFAMA would be another place to “show-off” your guests on your list of restaurants/bars recommendation to entertain with a great night out.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 4/5

Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Food & Beverage: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Value For Money: 4/5

Experience: 4.5/5

Highlights:

Shanghai Xiao Long Bao

Slow Cooked 48 Hours Natural US Beef Short Rib Pancake Sliders

Stir-Fried Australian Grass Fed Organic Beef with Leeks and Chilies

SOHOFAMA

Unit SG09-SG14, G/F Block A,

PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street 

Central, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2697 8500

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.