Jeweller Cartier has taken over Pacific Place's Garden Court for the next week with an extravagant display, not of gems or precious stones, but a new handbag design called the Marcello.
Inspired by the late Italian acting legend Marcello Mastroianni, the exhibit focuses on the crafts and canvases used to make the bags.
A cocktail reception on Thursday evening allowed their high-end clientele a first look at the exhibit with its variety of leathers and materials available for a HK$30,000 customised version, compared to the commoner's HK$7,000 and HK$10,000 off-the-shelf variety. It was a mixed-bag event in more ways than one. In the midst of the pomp and posh, a hip-hop dancer that the Cartier folks flew from Paris, provided the entertainment.
Salah Benlemqawanssa, apparently, was the winner of a French television talent show.
Demonstrating his break-dancing, robot moves and human beatbox effects, the French dancer was better appreciated by the general public outside than the society folks inside.
Luckily, even if you can't afford a bag, you can still go to the exhibition and get something at no charge. One wall of the display has been covered in complimentary Marcello buttons, of which visitors are free to avail themselves.
