Cardboard cut-outs of junks silhouetted against the Bank of China building sat at the centre of every table at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, as guests dined and laughed at nail polish names such as A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find.
OPI, the Los Angeles-based nail brand that sells 200 shades in more than 100 countries, was celebrating the launch of its latest collection, Hong Kong, choosing the west coast outpost of the esteemed hotel to host it.
The 12-colour line-up, which hit retail shelves worldwide this month, was inspired by 'a very fashionable city', says OPI artistic director Suzi Weiss-Fischmann.
'It's a diverse city, so much of the old and the new, the boats in the harbour against the skyscrapers.'
Weiss-Fischmann has visited Hong Kong in the past, and returned last year for four days to soak up inspiration. She was especially moved by the Star Ferry, naming one of the colours - Meet Me on the Star Ferry - after it. For the Hong Kong collection , the focus is on colour. Weiss-Fischmann partly attributes this to the predominance of bright colours on spring fashion runways, but says she associates vivid shades with Hong Kong.
'Fashion for spring is as diverse as it can be,' she says. 'It's about making a bold statement, especially with accessories, and nail lacquer has achieved the position of being seen as an accessory. You can be wearing something simple and accessorise it with a great necklace, and it's the same with the nail polish you choose.'