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Chen was invited to share 13 pieces from her collection alongside these show-stoppers, at the exhibition’s final stop at Hong Kong’s Pacific Place mall, where it runs until July 16. “I found it very meaningful to share the stories behind my collection with my fans and the public,” Chen tells Style as we sat down to an exclusive interview.

“From the Ralph Lauren canvas and leather backpack I used in my first on-screen appearance in Jacky Cheung’s ‘So Close, Yet So Far’ music video, to the Prada handbag that appeared in my recently debuted ‘Unconditional Love’ music video, they are all on display in the exhibition. They are all precious memories and experiences that have played an important role in my personal life and career,” she says. “Each handbag is a record of me in different stages, so each handbag represents different memories.”

The songstress has been a long-time enthusiast of handbags. She fondly recalls receiving her first designer piece, a Chanel bag, as a graduation gift from her parents upon completing university. “It felt like a representation of my parents witnessing my transition from a student to a working adult, and I think it is a very precious and representative handbag,” she adds.

Apart from her fashion endeavours, Chen has been keeping herself busy with various other engagements. She recently appeared in a nationwide campaign for the Hong Kong Tourism Board alongside Aaron Kwok and Sammi Cheng, has been engaging in extensive charity work, and took centre stage at the free Harbour Chill Carnival earlier this month.

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In addition to her stage commitments, Chen continues to release new music. With an impressive discography of over 30 albums, she introduced a series of new music videos, including “Pride of Romance”, “Unconditional Love” and “Knowledge of Love” this year, which have amassed between 100,000 and half a million views each on YouTube within a few months of their release.

Although Chen received the songs prior to the onset of the pandemic, the recording process was significantly delayed due to its impact. Yet, this unexpected turn of events actually played to her advantage. “That allowed me to have more time to prepare the new songs and I can cherry-pick my favourite songs to perform, ranging from Korean-style sad songs to upbeat songs with dark vibes. I also put a lot of effort into the production of the music videos, in a hope to bring something new to the audience,” she says.

Reflecting on the impact of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, Chen characterises it as a double-edged sword. “During the pandemic, working from home allowed me to spend more time with my family. After the pandemic, however, I had to work even harder to catch up with the progress of work,” she says.

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Family time holds great importance to Chen. A devoted mother, she shares two sons with her businessman husband, Alex Lau. The couple married in 2008, and had Chace, who was born a year later, and Riley, who joined the family in 2012. While Chen typically maintains a private stance on her family life, it is evident that she is a loving mother who showers her children with affection.

However, there is one matter she wishes to clarify regarding the nickname “har gao” (a classic prawn dumpling) associated with Chace. “Har Gao is not a name I came up with. I once mentioned to reporters that my elder son’s chin looked like a har gao, and that’s how the name came about. Now that my two children are grown-up, we can no longer call them by those names,” she declares.

Beyond her artistic endeavours, Chen’s philanthropic efforts are exemplary. Back in 2002, she established the Kelly Chen Children Education Fund, an NGO that supports and provides financial assistance to students from low-income families.

This April, she organised a second-hand charity clothes sale, featuring items from renowned brands like Gucci x Adidas, Chanel, Prada and Valentino. “Everyone was very supportive of this event and the clothes almost sold out within a few days,” she says. She aims to help students with expenses such as tuition fees, textbooks and extracurricular activities. “I hope the funds can help these families.”

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Chen’s optimism and enthusiasm to help others are also reflected in her love for her home city. As an ambassador for the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s “Hello, Hong Kong” campaign, Chen imparts valuable tips for travellers visiting the city. “Of course, we have to go to cha chaan tengs [Hong Kong-style cafes] to enjoy Hong Kong-style cuisine, go to local concerts, and go shopping,” she shares enthusiastically, adding “Hong Kong is convenient for shopping, dining and various entertainment!”