Couture-loving LA philanthropist on joy of giving, buying without thinking, and Prince Charles
- Christine Chiu felt like a ‘kid in a candy store’ at her first haute couture show. The experience ignited her love for custom-made clothes and the art behind it
- Chiu is passionate about giving and recently was invited to Scotland by Prince Charles to open a new health and wellness centre in her name
In the historic town of Cumnock in Scotland sit two health lodges named after Gabriel Christian Chiu III, an infant from Los Angeles. “It was his seven-month birthday present,” says his mother, philanthropist Christine Chiu. “One day, as soon as he is old enough to understand, he will realise the importance of giving.”
The Chius – husband Gabriel is a noted Beverly Hills plastic surgeon – have risen to prominence in global circles not only for what they buy, but also for what they give.
They were in Scotland in January at the invitation of Prince Charles to open The Prince’s Foundation Chiu Integrated Health Programme, a holistic health and wellness centre. Located at Dumfries House, an estate set on 2,000 acres (800 hectares), it serves as a hotel, wedding venue and a place that offers enrichment opportunities to the local community – ribbon embroidery, stone carving, an educational farm.
And now, as a result of the donation from the Chius, locals can come in and get help for obesity, depression, loneliness and parenting, using holistic treatments and programmes.
“What the prince is doing there is remarkable,” says Christine Chiu. “He was extremely enthusiastic.”