https://www.scmp.com/rss/77750/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com What I’m listening to: music is usually playing when I’m working, so the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Andrew Bird and James Blunt, among others, are on a loop. My favourite male singers include Frank Sinatra and his modern counterpart, Michael Bublé, and my favourite females are Sarah McLachlan, Eva Cassidy, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones. Plus, doesn’t everyone love Adele? What I’m reading: over the years, I have enjoyed Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, The Alchemist... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1874111/5-things-about-fine-art-photographer-david-elliott?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1874111/5-things-about-fine-art-photographer-david-elliott?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:55:41 +0000 What I’m listening to: I love reggae, dancehall, hip hop. Some of my favourites are Major Lazer, Mr Vegas and Bob Marley. Also Spanish rhythms such as reggaeton and salsa. What I’m reading: my favourites are the [Millennium series] trilogy by Stieg Larsson. They had me on the edge of my seat. I’m reading The Art of Living by Epictetus, which is basically a manual on happiness and effectiveness. What I’m watching: I’ve been into Grey’s Anatomy since high school, I’m a bit of a soppy romantic. I... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1855248/sites-and-sounds-move-lauren-andlovec-ballroom-dancer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1855248/sites-and-sounds-move-lauren-andlovec-ballroom-dancer?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2015 14:51:04 +0000 What I’m listening to: music is my platform and muse for everything. For example, The Pontiac’s soul beats to the tune Kissy Kissy, by one of my all-time favourite bands The Kills. I have been listening to everything from jazz to death metal, and all that lies between. What I’m reading: right now it’s poetry. I usually carry around Pablo Neruda’s Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair. A loved one of mine turned me on to him and his passion inspires me to be dark and brave. Unfortunately, I... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1853377/5-things-keeping-beckaly-franks-bartender-pontiac?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1853377/5-things-keeping-beckaly-franks-bartender-pontiac?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2015 15:07:07 +0000 What I'm listening to: a lot of first-generation ska and rocksteady originating from Jamaica in the 1960s. Growing up in Britain, I liked second-wave ska bands such as The Specials, Madness and some later Clash records driven by the bass, and I began to listen and learn many of the lines. When we formed The Red Stripes, I began going further back into the history of the genre and discovered many of these bands were heavily influenced by artists such as The Ethiopians, The Pioneers, Dandy... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1823732/sites-and-sounds-entertaining-red-stripes-paul-thompson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1823732/sites-and-sounds-entertaining-red-stripes-paul-thompson?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jun 2015 15:02:24 +0000 What I’m listening to: I’m loving Sam Smith, Sia and The Weeknd. Last year I was really into female MCs such as Iggy Azalea, Azealia Banks and Angel Haze. What I’m reading: Essentialism by Greg McKeown helped me look at my task-oriented schedule and put everything in perspective. Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behaviour by Ori and Rom Brafman was also fascinating. What I’m watching: Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. His style and storytelling are so original. And I’m so glad... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1817025/sites-and-sounds-keeping-actress-sarah-lian-entertained?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/article/1817025/sites-and-sounds-keeping-actress-sarah-lian-entertained?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Jun 2015 15:47:19 +0000 There is much about Perrin Paris that goes against the grain of a luxury brand. The 122-year-old French leather accessories label isn't interested in being in every shopping mall in the world, and prefers to keep a low profile. It has no visible branding or monogram, eschews celebrity endorsements and high-profile advertising campaigns, and doesn't have a supermodel as its "face". "We are about the overall product and range so our adverts showcase that," says Michel Perrin, the CEO of Perrin... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/1796466/perrin-paris-doesnt-need-celebrities-sell-its-leather?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/1796466/perrin-paris-doesnt-need-celebrities-sell-its-leather?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2015 22:15:17 +0000 What I’m listening to: Australian outfit Flow Dynamics, who combine live musicians and electronic sampling to create 1970s-style funky grooves with hip-hop influences. And also Italian duo Gabin, a nu-jazz band with a seductive Blue Note-influenced uptempo groove. I love old-school sounds rejuvenated for today’s dance floors. What I’m reading: I’ve just started a Christmas gift – Ocean’s Songs by Olivier de Kersauson, one of the most decorated French yachtsmen. He was sailing around the world,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1730920/what-restaurateur-philip-nguyen-reading-listening-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1730920/what-restaurateur-philip-nguyen-reading-listening-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:31:00 +0000 What I’m listening to: I’m still obsessed with All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor. Positive vibes, a soulful voice, and a healthy, supportive message. Being half Korean, I also love K-pop – 2NE1are my favourites. I have classical music on my iPod – it engages the mind. What I’m reading: I’m interested in North Korea and have read some fantastic books based on first-hand experiences and stories from defectors. Dear Leader by Jang Jin-sung and Escape From Camp 13 by Blaine Harden are both... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1724863/model-mia-kangs-favourite-tracks-sites-books-artists-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1724863/model-mia-kangs-favourite-tracks-sites-books-artists-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2015 15:15:30 +0000 What I’m listening to: I’m open to everything from Indian music to K-pop. Recently, I have been enjoying Gin Wigmore, Birdy, Ellie Goulding and Lorde. What I’m reading: at the moment, Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. I will also reread my favourite book as a teen, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. What I’m watching: I watch everything from Game of Thrones to Big Rich Texas. I enjoy Orphan Black and Hello Ladies. I love talk-show hosts such as David Letterman, the two Jimmies and Ellen DeGeneres. I... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1704435/play-list-maria-chen-actress?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1704435/play-list-maria-chen-actress?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:45:45 +0000 What I’m listening to: it depends on my mood, but usually any old-school R&B jams. When at the gym I prefer Eminem or any rap music that kicks in my adrenaline. On my iPod, the top tracks would be Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson), Wish You Were Mine (Philip George), Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) and Animals (Maroon 5). What I’m reading: I love manga, such as Naruto and One Piece. I also read a lot of newspapers. What I’m watching: I’m scared of TV dramas because they cause inevitable addiction. I can... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1680477/play-list-james-wong-actor-model?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1680477/play-list-james-wong-actor-model?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2015 14:15:30 +0000 What I’m listening to: all kinds of genres. I love classical music, including Bach, Chopin and Ravel. I also love jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett and Roberto Fonseca. But I also listen to rock and heavy metal such as Metallica. What I’m reading: I should be reading more, but I have the concentration span of a six year old. I do read the papers every day. I enjoyed reading Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do. The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine is a great book to learn from. I never... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1656389/playlist-jun-tyler-musician?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1656389/playlist-jun-tyler-musician?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2014 15:19:52 +0000 What I’m listening to: pretty much anything that has a decent beat and a catchy melody, such as Mumford & Sons, Cloud Control, Vance Joy – stuff you can sing along to. I’m gearing up for Clockenflap and listening to some of the new artists that will perform there. What I’m reading: I wish I took the time to read more. It’s mainly GQ magazine and the occasional novel on a long flight. My favourite authors would be John Grisham and Australian Matthew Reilly, and one of my favourite books would... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1634280/playlist-david-klar-ballroom-dancer-dance-instructor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1634280/playlist-david-klar-ballroom-dancer-dance-instructor?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Nov 2014 15:11:59 +0000 Three of Hong Kong's hottest young designers - Hei Lau, Harrison Wong and Polly Siu - are out to impress the judges in the regional final of the International Woolmark Prize competition in Tokyo next week. Wong is the only Hongkonger in the menswear category. "Working with Merino wool is surprisingly easy, as it's a natural fibre," he says. "It isn't an unfamiliar material to designers in Hong Kong as, even though we may not have sub-zero winters here, we have a large population that travels in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-watches/article/1546594/hk-based-designers-have-eyes-woolmark-prize?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-watches/article/1546594/hk-based-designers-have-eyes-woolmark-prize?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:50:55 +0000 It isn't a novel idea, but it's a good one: a website that offers luxury designer bags for rent at a fraction of their retail price. LuxTNT.com launched in November and is the secret of savvy sartorialists, local celebrities (or their stylists) who use it to pick up rare baubles such as the Swarovski Dragon Minaudière by Judith Leiber (retail price around HK$33,000) for HK$627 per day. Others include a dual-beaded leather clutch from Valentino that usually retails for about HK$20,770 but can be... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-watches/article/1526013/website-rents-luxury-accessories-takes-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-watches/article/1526013/website-rents-luxury-accessories-takes-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jun 2014 16:11:23 +0000 There is an understated elegance to fine jewellery designer Wendy Yue, and yet her phantasmagoric collections are certainly not for wallflowers. Hers are ornate pieces with resplendent stones, inspired by flora and fauna, animal shapes and legends. It is the vast ocean of her imagination that makes her exquisite, multicoloured collection something to behold. "I don't sleep much and I'm often most inspired when I have difficulty sleeping," she says while in transit in Taipei, on her way to Hong... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-watches/article/1501684/sleepless-nights-inspire-wendy-yues-exquisite-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-watches/article/1501684/sleepless-nights-inspire-wendy-yues-exquisite-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 May 2014 01:46:00 +0000 Hong Kong comedy fans will have a bit of the luck of the Irish when three comics from the Emerald Isle, P.J. Gallagher, Keith Farnan and Andrew Stanley, take to the stage of the Punchline Comedy Club this month. And the Gaelic proverb "when the tongue slips, it speaks the truth" is sure to resonate as the funny men put their spin on life as we know it. Gallagher is perhaps the best known of the trio. As the star of television shows Next Week's News and Naked Camera he has found fans beyond... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1442937/trio-irish-stand-comedians-bring-celtic-humour-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1442937/trio-irish-stand-comedians-bring-celtic-humour-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:42:34 +0000 SONU NIGAM IS WIDELY regarded to be the best male singer in India. But when reminded of this, he demurs: "That's very kind of you to say, but it is not true. There are so many great musical talents in India, I'm just happy to be a part of the scene." Still, Nigam's vast repertoire of multilingual renditions has won him a fan base that includes influential vocalists from Kerala to Kashmir, be they singers of vintage Bollywood numbers (K.J. Yesudas, Manna Dey, the Mangeshkar sisters) or... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1313890/divine-inspiration-indian-singer-sonu-nigam-lives-play-live?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1313890/divine-inspiration-indian-singer-sonu-nigam-lives-play-live?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Sep 2013 16:00:00 +0000 It is hard to measure the magnitude of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's fame and popularity. Long known as "King Khan" for his box office drawing power, there are fan sites dedicated to him in Asia, but even fans from Estonia, Mexico, Chile and New Zealand wax eloquent about his dimples, his hair, the intensity of his eyes and his smile. Thanks to subtitled and badly dubbed DVDs that reach far-flung frontiers, there are few places on earth where that face and tousled hair aren't recognised. I... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1293845/screen-royalty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1293845/screen-royalty?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Aug 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Come rain or shine, or as the case may be, amber storm warning, nothing stops the bright sparks of the social circuit from hitting a much ballyhooed event. The scene; Tazmania Ballroom, the event; launch of yet another brand, the weather; abysmal. But, the crème de la crème turned up in full force while it drizzled incessantly for Absolut's big splash, the launch of their new, premium line of vodka, Absolut Elyx. Attendees such as Ana R, Charlotte Chen, Elaine Lee, Karena Ng, Sabrina Ho, Gilbert... https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1236686/setting-fire-rain-absolut-bash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1236686/setting-fire-rain-absolut-bash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 May 2013 04:36:33 +0000 No ifs, ands or buts about it, the grand finale of "My Gallery, My Place" at Pacific Place was a cheeky affair as the finest Italian lingerie house, La Perla, showcased its latest collection. With a strict, by-invitation only policy at the door… well, at the mall... a large chunk of Garden Court was cordoned off with velvet ropes. There were several guards and men-in-black bouncers redirecting the teeming masses in the cavernous venue as the on-display mannequins showcased some of the more... https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1228351/right-bare-arms-legs-and-lot-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1228351/right-bare-arms-legs-and-lot-more?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 May 2013 06:25:27 +0000 Veni, Vidi, Vici She came, she saw, she conquered. A name that needs little introduction, 'the' Sophia Loren attended the reopening of Damiani's flagship store in Hong Kong at ELEMENTS mall in Kowloon. Decked in diamonds and a figure-hugging black gown, the 78-year-old actress, nay icon, wore pieces from the Sophia Loren Collection as she ventured into the flagship store. Cutting the ribbon with Giorgio Damiani, Vice President of Damiani Group and Alessandra Schiavo, Consul General of Italy, she... https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1220498/bella-bella-cheers-greet-sophia-loren-she-visits-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/1220498/bella-bella-cheers-greet-sophia-loren-she-visits-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Apr 2013 02:09:35 +0000 Normally when Indian singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan visits Hong Kong it's for a private performance. But the star has announced a one-off concert this week for his loyal legion of fans, who he loves to connect with through social media. "Well, I have a fan page which has about 730,000-plus followers," said the star, who is also a judge of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (an Indian talent show similar to The X-Factor). "I joined quite recently and originally wasn't that active. But now it's a great way to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1054024/shankar-mahadevan-announces-hong-kong-gig?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1054024/shankar-mahadevan-announces-hong-kong-gig?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 GLOBAL CITIZEN IS an oft-misused term. But for designer Anna Sui, the words fit comfortably. “My parents were born in China, but they met in Paris, lived in Europe and then moved to the United  States. I was born in the suburbs of Detroit and grew up on pop culture, television and rock ’n’ roll,” says the eclectic creative. “Am I American or Asian? I think of myself as a global person, which in essence we’re all becoming.” Sitting in a flower-festooned suite at the Four Seasons Hong Kong,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1025520/purple-reign?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/article/1025520/purple-reign?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:01:41 +0000 Being half the man you used to be tends not to be a good thing, unless you're Andre Blumberg. Over the past two years, the 42-year-old Hong Kong-based German has shed so much weight that he literally looks half the obese, 100-plus kilogram guy he was. The impending 40s presented Blumberg with a mid-life crisis. 'I didn't want to buy a sports car or have a fling with the personal assistant, so I considered exercise,' says the information technology director of a power company. 'I knew I wanted to... https://www.scmp.com/article/1014187/how-other-half-lives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1014187/how-other-half-lives?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Later this month, the glittering baubles and watches that line cases in Cartier's boutiques will be competing for the spotlight with Marcello de Cartier bags. Marlin Yuson, creative director for Cartier leather goods, admits jewellery and watches are always going to be the main event. 'The bags are the supporting cast but an important character,' says the designer, who has worked with Ferragamo, Polo Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, and spends her time between Florence and Paris. The fact that... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005978/bags-behind-baubles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005978/bags-behind-baubles?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 ANNABELLE BOND adventurer Annabelle Bond looks more like a fashion magazine cover girl than adventure climber. But the 43-year-old has made history several times with an incredible career that has included scaling the seven summits of the world in less than a year, a 10-day expedition to the North Pole, and 250-kilometre foot races across the Sahara, Atacama and Namibia deserts under the Racing the Planet series. 'For me these challenges are 70 per cent in the mind, and 30 per cent about... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005949/head-heights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005949/head-heights?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 A host of live acts took centre stage at Grappa's Cellar for the Women Stop Traffic event. Claudia Whitney, a popular yoga instructor in Hong Kong, championed the event to raise awareness and money for a worthy cause. 'I've been working with Off The Mat, Into the World (OTM) for years - it mobilises the global yoga community to come together to activate real change in the world,' she said of last weekend's event. 'This year, we gathered to help victims of sex trafficking in India. Most of us... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005818/musicians-join-yoga-instructors-chorus-concern-against-sex-trafficking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005818/musicians-join-yoga-instructors-chorus-concern-against-sex-trafficking?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The first exhibition of Hong Kong-based model cum photographer David Elliott, A City Under Water, at JaaBar in Central, is a fund-raiser to help victims of last year's floods in Thailand. 'Last November, I made a four-day trip to the heart of the flood zone,' Elliott said. 'A friend of mine was heavily involved in the flood aid. 'Every morning, we were arranging and picking up supplies and driving to Pathum Thani [province], where we would rendezvous with the boats - a necessity in navigating... https://www.scmp.com/article/1003929/friends-tireless-aid-thais-hit-floods-inspires-photographic-fund-raiser-rebuild?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1003929/friends-tireless-aid-thais-hit-floods-inspires-photographic-fund-raiser-rebuild?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Vivienne Westwood's take on the bow tie (HK$760) puts a wicked spin on this conservative accessory with its skull and crossbones print. From Vivienne Westwood, 42 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 3549 6308 Head to Repetto Homme for some sole therapy in the form of this eye-catching footwear (HK$3,500). From Repetto, IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2521 2068 This rose gold lighter (HK$365,000) will add a touch of diamond-studded class to any outfit. From S.T. Dupont, The Landmark, Central, tel: 2311... https://www.scmp.com/article/1003304/dandy-dearest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1003304/dandy-dearest?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000 You know you're entering uncharted territory for the usually squeaky clean Bollywood when a film opens with a stool sample and a bag of cocaine getting mixed up. Elsewhere in the newly released Delhi Belly, you'll find excessive profanity, both blatant and subtle sexual innuendo, and scatological humour that's only for the brave of heart (and stomach). The expletives and alleged corruptive influence of one of the songs on the soundtrack was discussed by India's Congress party in parliament. And... https://www.scmp.com/article/1002027/rude-awakening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1002027/rude-awakening?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 You know you're entering uncharted territory for the usually squeaky clean Bollywood when a film opens with a stool sample and a bag of cocaine getting mixed up. Elsewhere in the newly released Delhi Belly, you'll find excessive profanity, both blatant and subtle sexual innuendo, and scatological humour that's only for the brave of heart (and stomach). The expletives and alleged corruptive influence of one of the songs on the soundtrack was discussed by India's Congress party in parliament. And... https://www.scmp.com/article/1002060/rude-awakening?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1002060/rude-awakening?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Having modelled for more than a decade in New York, Paris and Beijing, Hong Kong-based model David Oshry has a portfolio that's a veritable catalogue of menswear. But his wardrobe reveals a few surprises (including his cat, Hobbes, snuggled between rows of Calvin Klein and Jack 5 underwear). You might expect to see a rackful of monogrammed swag, but Oshry's collection is surprisingly modest. 'Sometimes we do get to keep the clothes, but it is not as often as people think,' he says. 'What's more... https://www.scmp.com/article/1001881/essentially-yours?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1001881/essentially-yours?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 What I'm listening to: apart from my own new disc, International Diamonds, I'm always listening to classic tracks by Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur and Nas. Other all-time favourites are Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson. What I'm reading: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, and Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Kiedis. Kiedis' book was hard to put down and inspiring in so many ways. What I'm watching: CSI: Miami - I love the way they brighten... https://www.scmp.com/article/1001436/detroit-diamond-rap-artist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1001436/detroit-diamond-rap-artist?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 What I'm listening to: mainly Oliver on French label Kitsune, Surrender on La Bombe and, for straight-up dance music, Sebastien Leger's production is second to none. I can't get enough of his style. What I'm reading: Philip K. Dick's We Can Remember it For You Wholesale, which I picked up in a second-hand bookstore in California. The film Total Recall is based on it. Dick has a bizarre and vivid imagination, which I find fascinating. What I'm watching: I don't watch TV but love films. My... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000831/dj-sharooz-electronic-music-artist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000831/dj-sharooz-electronic-music-artist?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Who started it? From her hometown of Udine, in northeastern Italy, Maria Grazia Baldan relocated to Milan to work as the Italian agent for American costume jeweller Kenneth Lane. Working from a small office in the city, she began creating pastel-coloured floral bangles. The galalite bracelets were a huge success and she launched her eponymous label in Sardinia in 1980. Using antique pieces, corals, imperial jades, ivory and coins found on frequent visits to China, she started assembling... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000812/maria-grazia-baldan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000812/maria-grazia-baldan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Brief encounters We're liking the subtle elegance of the latest Saipai leather briefcase. Featuring a brass security lock and removable shoulder strap, the briefcase comes in whisky calf (above left; HK$12,490) and ebony (above right; HK$13,990) and is available at Bally, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, tel: 2834 8872. Sole searching Jimmy Choo's latest collection for men features prints, bright colours, exotic leathers and even sequins. Check out the Bedford in python... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000809/goods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000809/goods?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Balmain has opened the gilt-edged doors of its first Hong Kong store. The Paris-based luxury label had been available at Joyce, Swank and Lane Crawford, but the couture house's store can now be found in Harbour City. French designer Pierre Balmain founded the fashion house in 1945, capturing the spirit of the City of Light and its deeply fashionable denizens. Balmain's name is often mentioned alongside co-couturiers Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga, a holy trinity of design giants who... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000816/balmain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000816/balmain?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Add some rock 'n' roll to your sole and grab the Louis Pik Pik Flat Sneakers from Christian Louboutin (HK$11,000), Lane Crawford, IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2118 2288 Ray-Ban honours British guitar hero Johnny Marr with limited edition shades in gunmetal-grey with light blue lenses (HK$1,890). At Optical 88 in Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2110 0593 Give your preppy tie a mod twist - pick one up from Diesel in black leather (HK$850), at Diesel Planet Store, Pacific House, 20 Queen's Road... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000637/rock-set?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000637/rock-set?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Who started it? Leather accessories company Perrin Paris was established in 1893. It has remained a family-run firm, with current chief executive, Michel Perrin, marking the fourth generation to look after the brand. The house recently invested millions in its own manufacturing plant, to ensure the quality of its products from start to finish. Perrin, who was recently in Hong Kong to launch the brand's outlet at Harvey Nichols, says, 'Our handbags and gloves are appreciated by a woman who... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000178/perrin-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000178/perrin-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Go ball-istic It's hard to believe the Sevens have come and gone, but the rugby spirit lives on at G.O.D., a quintessentially Hong Kong brand that celebrates our smoggy shores. For summer casuals, slip into a polo T-shirt (right; HK$480) or the athletic jacket with Chinese characteristics (far right; HK$600). G.O.D. is at 48 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2805 1876. Boogie nights Giuseppe Zanotti's shoes are distinctly edgy and fun. Why have just a zipper, a lace or a strap detail, when you... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000175/goods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000175/goods?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 For his first live show in Hong Kong, tonight, Indian singer KK (real name Krishnakumar Kunnath) plans to rock. One of India's most versatile singers, he is equally at ease with a soft love song as he is with a rocking Bollywood number. 'I am a really bad example for aspiring singers as I rarely practise, don't do my riyaaz [rehearsing scales],' he said. 'I get the song, just sing it and go home.' With no aspirations to be a playback singer in Bollywood, KK surprised himself with his steady... https://www.scmp.com/article/999736/versatile-indian-singing-star-kk-plans-rock-his-repertoire-live-hong-kong-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/999736/versatile-indian-singing-star-kk-plans-rock-his-repertoire-live-hong-kong-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Alexa Towersey, wearing a tracksuit and ponytail at the crossroads of Hollywood Road and Lyndhurst Terrace in Central, looks like any one of the tourists ambling about. That is, until her track top is lifted. There doesn't seem to be an ounce of fat on her well-defined abs. Surely this body was built after a lifetime in the gym. 'No, I was teased for being too skinny through intermediate and high school. My nickname was Alexa Anorexa,' says the fitness expert. 'So, in contrast to a lot of... https://www.scmp.com/article/999687/tough-get-toned?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/999687/tough-get-toned?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 It was a throwaway joke, an off-the-cuff remark, that happened to be true. Looking at Brioni's breathtakingly priced bespoke tailored suit, which can cost up to HK$780,000, a guest mumbled at its Hong Kong unveiling: 'What's in it? Spun gold?' Indeed, spun gold it is. And also silver. And wool. But ah, what wool. The fabric for Brioni's exclusive Vanquish II suit, made by Dormeuil, consists of the softest, finest fibres in the world, brought back from three of the globe's farthest corners:... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/money/article/999618/exorbitant-suits-dressed-finest-fashion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/money/article/999618/exorbitant-suits-dressed-finest-fashion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Boot call Agnes b for Aigle's latest boot (below; HK$1,550), for spring-summer, looks deceptively simple - all black with a red seam. However, rolling down the lapel reveals the proclamation 'Rock 'n' Roll is Not Dead!'. No, it certainly is not. Grab a pair from the agnes b store in IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2918 1190. Vroom with a view Gadgets are no longer for the geek - they must be sleek, cool and raring to go. In that vein, consider Tonino Lamborghini's limited-edition smartphone... https://www.scmp.com/article/999508/goods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/999508/goods?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Who started it? Born in Edinburgh to a Scottish mother and Chinese father, Hong Kong-raised Eilidh Ho, 25, launched Book of Deer in 2010. Having studied fashion design at London's Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, which she followed up with working stints at Anna Sui in New York and Eley Kishimoto in London, Ho returned to Hong Kong to create her own label. Staying away from hard and edgy contemporary fads, Ho wanted to make fun, feminine pieces 'with an element of cute'.... https://www.scmp.com/article/999512/book-deer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/999512/book-deer?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Who started it? Creator Adam Brown, a fashion photographer, confesses the 2007-launched, London-based designer swimwear label began quite by accident. 'I went to a friend's 40th birthday in Rajasthan [India] with a bunch of people. We were by the pool, and I thought the women looked great [but] the men looked pretty ghastly, all wearing these horrid, brightly patterned boxer shorts with elasticised waistbands, or baggy board shorts with their bums hanging out,' he says. 'After some initial... https://www.scmp.com/article/999507/orlebar-brown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/999507/orlebar-brown?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 In stitches Prada's latest handmade collection of shoes is, in a word, perfection. We love the black slip-on boot (below; HK$9,900), and for something a bit more fun, the all-white tasselled leather loafers (below right; HK$8,900). The Prada Milano Handmade Collection is available exclusively at Prada, Alexandra House, Central, tel: 2522 2989. Jean therapy True Religion has blessed us with its latest collection of designer denims in a multitude of shades. We are loving the summer blues... https://www.scmp.com/article/998836/goods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/998836/goods?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Who started it? Jewellery designer Eddie Borgo, a longtime favourite of noted fashion stylists Tabitha Simmons and Camilla Nickerson, launched his first collection just over two years ago. Borgo, who has collaborated with designers such as Marchesa and Phillip Lim, combines punk influences and urban architecture-inspired shapes, making him a favourite among today's hip young things. Why we love it: the architectural, geometric pieces are edgy and have a mystical vibe, which appeals to the likes... https://www.scmp.com/article/998842/eddie-borgo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/998842/eddie-borgo?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Karen Yiu 'This season, cat eyes are back - use lots of eyeliner to create big, dramatic eyes, as well as electric blue shades. For the face, there's the English rose look; a natural look highlighting great skin, with heavy, watery skin texture. The products I'm using a lot of this year are Maybelline's Hypersharp liner and Shu Uemura's Cleansing Oil. The Shu Uemura 2012 artist collaboration series with contemporary kimono artist Mamechiyo is amazing, and I love the limited-edition design.... https://www.scmp.com/article/998175/colour-coded?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/998175/colour-coded?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Rosey Chan Pianist / Creative Director Classical musicians don't often venture past their genre's influence, let alone into the worlds of fashion and beauty - but Rosey Chan isn't your average Brahms and Beethoven performer. As an international pianist and composer, Chan's creative director role at this month's Hong Kong Liberatum Festival will showcase her wide array of musical influences: among the hand-picked participants are Pharrell Williams, Marianne Faithfull and Khalil Fong. But it's... https://www.scmp.com/article/998177/vanity-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/998177/vanity-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000