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- May 21, 2013
- Updated: 3:22pm
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Man of the moment Riccardo Tisci's dark, sensual designs for Givenchy come straight from the heart, writes Jing Zhang.
With canoes cutting through the smooth waters of the Shing Mun River Channel and pedestrians strolling along its banks, it's hard to believe the eyes of the world will soon be focused on the surrounding district.
Next month Sha Tin takes centre stage as the proud host of the Olympic equestrian events. With world-class riders and pure-bred horses taking part, the local Jockey Club facilities will be basking in the full glare of the international media limelight.
And having a historic sporting event on their doorstep is causing quite a stir amongst the town's residents.
Kwok Ngai-man, 22, a resident of Lek Yuen Estate, is eager to catch a glimpse of the Olympic action.
'Although I haven't bought tickets to the equestrian competitions, I will certainly watch the events on TV,' said Ms Kwok.
Situated in the mid-eastern New Territories, Sha Tin's population of 630,000 makes it the city's second largest new town.
From the old-style village houses of the Hakka clan in Tsang Tai Uk to the gleaming private estates at its centre, the town is home to people from a wide range of economic and social backgrounds.
Starting at Tai Wai, and flowing past Sha Tin and Fo Tan before emptying into Tolo Harbour at Sha Tin Hoi, or Tide Cove, the meandering Shing Mun River Channel has been the lifeblood of Sha Tin since the area was first inhabited.
The river's original name, Lek Yuen, means the source of clear water and the area's first settlers were mostly peasants relying on it for irrigation.
Before the farmlands gave way to the residential developments and shopping malls, the staple fruit of the Mid-Autumn Festival - Sha Tin Pomelo - was one of the main crops produced here.
Last week, six budding photographers ventured out under a blazing sun to record their impressions of the town and its glistening river.
Guided by two visual artists, the six students were participants in the 'Through Our Eyes' community project organised by the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation.
Cheung Pui-yan, 15, is thrilled at the thought of the Olympics coming to Sha Tin.
'I have studied in Sha Tin since Form One. I love the tranquility of the place. The equestrian events will certainly spice up community life there,' said Pui-yan.
