HONG KONG | Jennifer Mak

Jennifer Mak

I have been in Hong Kong for nearly two months now and have had the privilege of meeting some accomplished and talented people. A few weeks into my stay, I met up with Jennifer Mak, a handbag designer who recently showcased her collection at Blueprint 2013, Singapore’s fashion tradeshow. Stocked under Curated Editions and Future Fashion Now, Jennifer’s bags have been gaining press coverage in Singapore since her event in August Women.

Braving the typhoon for a manicure

Last week, I experienced my first typhoon 8 since I've moved to Hong Kong! It wasn't anything big or dramatic but I was overjoyed when school was cancelled that day because I desperately needed the day to finish my homework. 

Lucky for me, the signal warning was lowered in time for me to head to Salon Nova to be pampered with a gel manicure. I love gel manis because they're the one way I can grow my puny nails out!

Asia Fashion News #2: Gianvito Rossi, Brioni, McQ Alexander McQueen and more

New this week includes the first Brioni store in Singapore, the McQ pop up store at Club21b and Gianvito Rossi in South East Asia.

Mentos National Day Proposal

If you heard about the brilliant Mentos National Night last year, Mentos has created another video for Singapore's National Day this year! For this year, they look to solving the land crisis by proposing to a country... Finland. I have no idea how they decided on Finland but the video is pretty entertaining and the song is cute. 

Why do you think they chose Finland?

PS: I'll be celebrating National Day in Hong Kong, dear Singapore! Missing all the foooooood.

The Lost Generation

Came across this amazing poem recently in class and I'm still in awe of it.

The Lost Generation by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

Sad isn't it? Now read it reverse (from bottom to top, line by line)

Which generation do you want to be in?

The XX Live in Hong Kong

So I just came back from The XX concert and I was sooo close to tears. If I didn't stop myself, I would have teared while singing my heart out to their songs. Okay, I'm pretty emotional but the only times I've wanted to cry to a band was this and when Coldplay did the closing ceremony for paralympics in London! 

Although the ticket said the show started at 7pm, doors opened around 730pm and we had to listen to a random DJ play till 9. Then they were busy setting up the place for a long time before The XX came on at 915pm. They appeared like in a dream, coming out in white flashing lights and then you hear Romy's husky deep voice which sounds wayyyy better live! Oliver, who was on bass, kept moving slowly to the sexy bass beat and often would stare at Romy in a little guitar face off. Seeing Jamie XX mix music live was amazing because you'd see him play all types of instruments and DJ at the same time.

I spammed 10 videos on instagram, trying to keep the precious moments of that hour with me. (To watch more, click on my name on the video!) I throughly enjoyed losing myself in their music and probably what contributed to a good atmosphere was the sense of freedom with the standing tickets, alcohol and smoking going on in the place. In Singapore, you seat down, can't smoke and are not allowed to bring drinks in.

Funny thing was that many people looked like they were waiting to dance to The XX's music. Hmm, perhaps they should have gone for the after party instead? Anyhow, I was singing to every song so happily, I didn't care being the only crazy one doing so. 

Thank you The XX for the aaaaamazing night. Your music captivates me and brings me into a whole other dimension which is truly inspirational.

Enjoy The XX Singapore!! Two nights of them, whoaaa!

Asia Fashion News #1: DKNY, Mulberry and more

News this week includes the new DKNY & DKNY Jeans advertisements, the new Mulberry Primrose bag and a new Burberry store in China among others.

Love for Hong Kong

The Peak

It was only till tonight that I realised why I love Hong Kong so much and that I wasn't the only one. 

I love the fact that Hong Kong has a good blend of old and new, East and West together. In fact, the whole place is like a chinatown and I love it because I feel much closer to my roots. Being raised in Singapore, so many of our traditional buildings have been pulled down and replaced by new modern ones. I am probably one of those people who dislike globalisation. It brings new culture and thinking into a society but it also eradicates the current culture and replaces it with something foreign. 

Coming to Hong Kong, I am charmed by the traditional chinese medicine stores, wet markets and way of living. Their streets are dirtier than Singapore but if you can tolerate dirt like me, you would find the streets absolutely charming too. It is not like a supermarket which is completely clean. Even in my neighbourhood, you can walk down the stairs and find little stores the size of a toilet set up along the road selling keys. 

My favourite features in Hong Kong are the tram in Hong Kong Island and the Star Ferry. I am so glad that the Hong Kong government keeps their old transports alive and cheap. Every time I take a newbie on these modes of transport, they really enjoy it because it is something unique. You can take a bus in any city in the world, but how about a double decker tram? 

I truly hope to discover more about my roots and the Chinese consumer during the course of my study here. I'm certainly going off the beaten track but with my love for the place I am in now, I am sure it will pay off <3

Graduation

So this week was a pretty big one for me. I left last weekend for Singapore, back to home for the first time since I moved. It was a tad too soon but the graduation dates determine when you go back, not the other way round ;)

Mara Hoffman printed Mercedes-Benz

Image from WWD

How would you like to buy this printed Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet? Mara Hoffman, a ready-to-wear and swimwear designer, recently won the Mercedes-Benz Presents designer in the swimwear category in Miami. Known for her prints and colour, her design is now plastered all over a Mercedes-Benz.