Liquid Gold, Lyrical Liqueurs at Scented Niche: Luxury with a Splash of Imagination

There’s a certain kind of luxury that doesn’t simply sell, it savors. And in the glimmering world of scent, where one note can move a room like velvet, Philippe Di Méo is the mastermind crafting that magic through Liquides Imaginaires.

“I’m the founder and the creative director of Liquides Imaginaires,” Philippe tells us, before diving into the brand’s soul. For him, the name isn’t decoration; it’s a doctrine. “The bond is liquid. Imaginary liquid. Imagine that.” In his hands, liquid is more than a theme, it’s a bridge between opposites: He describes water you can touch but can’t keep, a metaphor for why luxury must feel alive, not archived. That’s the philosophy behind his aquatic approach: not just “pretty” strategy, but an experience that stays fluid in the mind. And because liquid is sensual, it becomes unforgettable. “Liquid water… is very sensual… you can feel on your body… on your face, on your mind.”

Philippe’s initiatives are largely fuelled by a rare trio: “relentless curiosity, conceptual strength, and artistic instincts.” But what truly distinguishes his process is how he orchestrates people and ideas, using symbolism like a conductor uses rhythm.

“When you want to create a perfume,” he explains, “I always use a very big story, big legend… in something.” His method begins with the talisman: “the best example… is to start with the talisman.” It’s the first key of the universe, the link that connects “opposite walls”, like fire and water, sun and moon. “I like to make a fire and water, for example sun and the moon… My baby. Sometimes you prefer to be close to the moon… but never in the middle.” In other words: in Philippe’s luxury, balance isn’t bland, it’s purposeful contrast.

Born in Marseille, trained at the Beaux Arts of Aix-en-Provence, then shaped by design in Paris, he carries the sea in his creative vocabulary. “The sea is a symbol of liberty, of space, of imagination.” And for him, perfume is not merely fragrance, it’s a vehicle for dreaming. “Perfume is… a dream. You have to use perfume to dream more.”

Modern luxury, though, has pressures: speed, visibility, commercial urgency. Philippe resists the rush. “We lose the soul of the luxury product,” he says plainly. “I prefer… small series… a more confidential world but luxury always.” His definition of craftsmanship includes time, intimacy, and authenticity, no masks, no shortcuts. “If you keep your… authenticity… it’s better to be natural… it’s so simple to be natural.”

So when he modernizes brands, he protects the core while challenging the tempo. “Freedom,” he insists, “is to be free… to keep your own universe… to express your intimate world.” And his proud confession lands like a signature: “perfume… is an active confession.”

For Philippe, success isn’t just recognition, it’s emotion made tangible. He connects champagne, wine, and spirit to scent through the same alchemy of pleasure: “When you… drink champagne, you don’t drink alcohol, you drink happiness… joy… pleasure.” In Liquides Imaginaires, that sparkling joy finds its way into narrative fragrance, because love, like liquid, must move.

And if you’re wondering why Philippe’s work leaves a trace like a lingering wave… it’s because he doesn’t just create perfumes.

He creates liquid legends.

Shop Location:

Causeway Bay

Shop 28, G/F, 11-19 Great George Street, Fashion Walk

info@scentedniche.com

Tel: 2608 2206

Shop No.117, 1/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road

Tel: 2608 2060

Info_leegardens@scentedniche.com

Tsim Sha Tsui

Shop 210A, Level 2, 18 Salisbury Road, K11 Musea

info_k11musea@scentedniche.com Tel: 2608 2205

www.scentedniche.com

District Dynamics: Trade, tradition and an influx of contemporary entrepreneurs shape Western’s evolving soul

On the northwestern edge of Hong Kong Island, beyond the glass towers and immaculate lobbies of Central, the city softens and reveals its origins. Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town, collectively known as Western District, formed the early backbone of colonial Hong Kong. Before reclamation pushed the harbour outward, before finance defined the skyline, this was the old city: a dense waterfront of traders and dockworkers, incense smoke and salted fish, steep stone steps and crowded tenements.

Today, Western District remains one of the most textured quarters in Hong Kong. It is a place where history lingers as daily life. Antique dealers open their shutters beside third-wave coffee shops; temple incense drifts across tramlines; elderly residents practice tai chi within sight of luxury towers. To walk westward from Central is to trace the evolution of Hong Kong itself.

When the British took possession of the island in 1841 and established the City of Victoria, settlement naturally followed the curve of the northern shore. Western District quickly became a centre for Chinese merchants, labourers and middlemen who sustained the colony’s trading ambitions. While Central housed government offices and European firms, Western developed a more densely Chinese character.

Scents of Sheung Wan

Sheung Wan, meaning upper district, became synonymous with traditional trade. Even now, Des Voeux Road West is lined with shops selling dried seafood in staggering quantities: abalone stacked in glass jars, scallops tied into bundles, sea cucumbers laid out in careful rows. Drifting through summer’s heavy, humid air, the scent is unmistakable – briny, earthy and slightly sweet. Herbal medicine shops simmer concoctions to balance the body’s internal heat, their wooden drawers labelled in meticulous calligraphy. These businesses, often family-run for generations, connect modern Hong Kong to its mercantile ancestry.

The physical landscape still bears the imprint of early settlement. Streets climb sharply uphill, shaped by the island’s dramatic topography. Ladder Street’s granite steps, laid in the 19th century, link Queen’s Road West to Hollywood Road and beyond in a steep ascent that once challenged sedan-chair carriers and porters. Tong lau – narrow tenement buildings with balconies and decorative ironwork – line many lanes. Their façades, faded but dignified, embody a human scale rarely found in the city’s financial core.

Spiritual life has always intertwined with commerce here. Man Mo Temple, erected in 1847, stands quietly on Hollywood Road, dedicated to the gods of literature and war. Inside, massive spiral incense coils hang from the ceiling, releasing a perfumed haze. Scholars once prayed here before imperial examinations; merchants sought divine favour for their ventures. The temple remains active, a sanctuary amid traffic and construction, affirming that Western District is not merely historic but living.

Old Welcomes New

Hollywood Road itself tells another chapter of the story. Long associated with the antique trade, it has become a corridor where Qing dynasty porcelain and carved jade share space with contemporary art galleries. During major art fairs, collectors and curators wander these pavements, blurring the boundary between old and new economies.

Turn onto Tai Ping Shan Street and the rhythm shifts. After bubonic plague swept through this crowded area in 1894, entire blocks were cleared, marking one of Hong Kong’s earliest urban-renewal efforts. The neighbourhood rebuilt itself, layer upon layer, and that layered resilience remains visible today.

Former tenement spaces now house independent boutiques, wine bars and minimalist cafés. Murals brighten once weathered walls. Young designers and restaurateurs have gravitated here, drawn by architectural character and proximity to Central without its corporate intensity. Yet elderly residents still occupy upper floors. Their laundry flutters above espresso machines in a quiet understanding that neighbourhoods evolve without wholly surrendering their roots.

Steeped in Tradition

Sai Ying Pun extends this narrative westward. Historically working-class and residential, it maintained a reputation for steep streets and modest apartments. The opening of the MTR West Island Line station in 2015 reconfigured its accessibility, linking it seamlessly to the rest of the island. Property values rose, and new restaurants, fitness studios and boutique hotels followed. But the transformation has not erased its local cadence. Wet markets remain lively; corner shops still sell daily necessities; community ties persist in parks and playgrounds.

Further west, Kennedy Town once marked the practical end of urban Hong Kong. Abattoirs and warehouses lined its shore; cargo docks dominated the waterfront. Few outsiders ventured here unless they lived nearby. Today, that sense of remoteness has vanished. The extension of the MTR turned the district into a sought-after residential enclave, prized for harbour views and a comparatively relaxed atmosphere.

The Kennedy Town promenade offers expansive vistas toward Lantau Island, particularly at sunset when the sky ignites in copper and rose hues. Families gather, joggers trace the waterfront, and pet owners stroll with conspicuous pride. Cafés spill onto pavements, their interiors bright with natural light. Yet the tram terminus remains, a reminder that the city’s slowest mode of transport still connects this edge to its centre. Pineapple buns continue to emerge warm from traditional bakeries, bridging decades with each batch.

Tenements and Towers

Architecture in the Western District tells a story of adaptation. Unlike the uniform glass towers of Central, here scale varies unpredictably. Pre-war tong lau stand beside sleek residential high-rises whose reflective façades mirror the harbour. Industrial buildings have been repurposed into creative studios and co-working spaces.

Commerce, too, has diversified. Kung Sau funeral parlour quietly serves cultural traditions around mourning, while Michelin-starred restaurants draw gastronomes from across the city. The culinary landscape mirrors Hong Kong’s cosmopolitan identity. Japanese omakase counters operate steps away from cha chaan tengs serving milk tea and toast. International wine bars coexist with noodle shops that have fed families for decades.

Change inevitably generates tension. Rising rents challenge long-established businesses; redevelopment pressures small proprietors. Some lament the disappearance of familiar storefronts, replaced by boutiques catering to new demographics. Yet Western District’s transformation has been comparatively measured. The street grid remains intact; walkability endures; public spaces anchor community life.

Slower Lanes of Life

Perhaps what distinguishes Western District most is its tempo. Compared to the relentless urgency of Central, life here feels marginally unhurried. Conversations linger over coffee. Neighbours greet each other by name. The district’s steep streets demand a slower pace, encouraging attention to detail, like the curve of an iron railing and the glow of temple lanterns at dusk.

Cultural continuity remains palpable. Clan associations reflect waves of migration from Guangdong and beyond. Festivals animate the streets with lion dances and drifting incense. English and Cantonese intermingle, echoing Hong Kong’s role as cultural intermediary between East and West. Expatriates and local families share the same bakeries and promenades, contributing to a layered social fabric.

Standing at the tram terminus in Kennedy Town and looking eastward, the skyline rises gradually into the vertical drama of Central. The progression feels symbolic: from maritime beginnings to global financial powerhouse. Yet Western District resists being cast merely as a prologue. It possesses its own gravitational pull, grounded in memory but open to reinvention.

To wander through Sheung Wan’s markets in the morning, climb Sai Ying Pun’s stairways in afternoon light, and watch dusk settle over Kennedy Town is to experience Hong Kong distilled. The old city persists here not as nostalgia, but as lived reality. Built on trade, resilience and community, its foundations remain visible in Western District, steady beneath an ever-evolving horizon.

Sleep Well, Live Better

This promise guides every decision we make and is a fundamental part of our organizational identity. Each day, we renew our commitment to ensuring that everyone can sleep well and live better, reflected in the care and expertise we invest in our products.

Our core values—Excellence, Quality, Performance, and Regeneration—inform our design of solutions tailored to meet individual needs. This is why we named our collection “Personae.”

At Dorelan, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of sleep for everyone, now and in the future. We believe that quality rest is vital for a healthy life, and with passion and dedication, we create products and services that support each person’s journey toward genuine rest, rejuvenating both body and mind.

Summer Fever, Riva Pride: “Midsummer Dream” in Amalfi

When the heat rises, Ferretti Group answers with the hottest new icon on the water

Amalfi has always had a talent for turning ordinary evenings into something cinematic. Yet last June 15, 2026, Borgo Santandrea took that artistry to a new level, hosting “Midsummer Dream”, the exclusive Ferretti Group weekend crafted for its own owners. Set along the breath-taking panorama of the Amalfi Coast, this five-star haven became the stage for an experience where Italian hospitality, impeccable design, and the thrill of summer collided in pure luxury.

The weekend began with a warm, celebratory toast marking the opening of the new Riva Lounge at Borgo Santandrea, an elegant addition to the expanding constellation of Riva Destinations across the Mediterranean’s most celebrated resorts. The lounge welcomed guests with signature refinement and the effortless charm of dolce vita: a place to linger, to exchange stories, and to feel, immediately, how Riva’s timeless allure belongs in Amalfi as naturally as sunshine.

But if there was one moment the entire coast seemed to lean in for, it was the arrival of the star attraction: the new Riva 54Metri. Often called the largest Riva ever built, this extraordinary vessel was presented as the unmistakable centrepiece of “Midsummer Dream,” joined by a dazzling fleet of boats representing the different brands of Ferretti Group. Together, they formed a moving gallery of style, an exhibition of craftsmanship that turned the harbour into a backdrop worthy of the most romantic summer dream.

Crafted entirely from aluminium, the Riva 54Metri impresses and commands attention. During the evening, guests experienced its grand introduction in a way only Ferretti Group could deliver: a spectacular drone show illuminated the Amalfi sky after an elegant dinner, while a tableau vivant and artistic performances brought the night to life with theatrical grace and modern enchantment. The result? A seamless blend of sophistication and spectacle, where every detail felt intentional, and every beat of the program felt like a promise fulfilled.

The celebration reached its crescendo with a magical Beach White Party. As soft summer light faded into the deep blue of the Mediterranean, the atmosphere turned effortlessly glamorous, made even more unforgettable by the generous spirit of Italian hospitality. And just when the evening couldn’t get any more dramatic, it was crowned by a breath-taking fireworks display, framing the horizon in a final burst of radiance.

Adding to the magic were standout partners who matched the event’s elevated tone: Range Rover, official automotive partner, showcasing the Range Rover SV Intrepid, and Marchesi Antinori, Ferretti Group’s exceptional wine partner, whose selections brought a refined touch to the night’s most memorable moments.

Because when summer heat peaks, you don’t just dream; you sail into it. And in Amalfi, under skies lit by innovation and style, Ferretti Group ensured its owners felt truly, unmistakably at home in a world of wonder.

Lunar Halo: Moonlighting as Hong Kong’s Most Spellbinding Dance Experience

In a city that never sleeps, a rare celestial glow lit up the stage earlier this month. WestK Performing Arts delivered the Hong Kong premiere of Lunar Halo by Taiwan’s legendary Cloud Gate Dance Theatre at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre on 10 and 11 July 2026. For those fortunate enough to witness it, this was contemporary dance at its most mesmerising.

Blending raw, untamed human movement with breathtaking digital wizardry, Lunar Halo felt less like a performance and more like stepping into a living dream. Choreographed by Cheng Tsung-lung in his first Hong Kong presentation since becoming Cloud Gate’s Artistic Director, the work drew inspiration from the enchanting natural phenomenon of a lunar halo, that silvery ring around the moon caused by ice crystals refracting light. In ancient Chinese lore, such a halo signals impending change. On stage, that metaphor became a powerful meditation on our increasingly tech-driven world.

Fourteen dancers transformed into a primal, enigmatic tribe; crouching, swaying, flinging, and hurling their bodies with visceral intensity. Stark solos gave way to charged duets and ecstatic group sequences that pulsed with desire, struggle, intimacy, and rebirth. Towering LED screens and a mirrored stage amplified every gesture into sweeping, surreal landscapes. The collision of flesh-and-blood physicality with cold digital projections created a hypnotic tension that mirrored our own era’s uneasy dance between body and machine.

What truly elevated Lunar Halo was its dream-team creative lineup. The original score by Icelandic post-rock icons Sigur Rós blended ethereal melodies, minimalist textures, and traditional Taiwanese instruments into a haunting soundscape that felt both sacred and unsettling. Visual design by award-winning paper-cut artist Jam Wu and World Stage Design Award winner Ethan Wang conjured a liminal world where dancers’ bodies morphed into mountains, rivers, and otherworldly visions.

Since its 2019 premiere, Lunar Halo has earned global acclaim, including selection by The Telegraph as one of the “Best Dance Performances of 2023.” Hong Kong audiences finally experienced this landmark work after Cloud Gate’s seven-year absence, and the response was electric. Critics and viewers alike hailed it as “a dark, exquisite, deeply unsettling dream.”

Presented in partnership with Rolex through its Perpetual Arts Initiative, Lunar Halo perfectly aligned with WestK’s mission to bring world-class, thought-provoking performances to Hong Kong. As Paul Tam, Executive Director of Performing Arts at West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, noted: “Lunar Halo interweaves movement, image and music to create a contemporary stage setting that is both poetic and charged with tension.”

This was more than contemporary dance; it was a multisensory journey that challenged how we perceive reality in the digital age. Audiences left moved, mesmerised, and pondering long after the final lights faded.

Rita’s Refreshing Revolution in the Valley: Regenerative wine, real people, and YIHU Chardonnay that’s been recognized—again and again.

Imagine a winery where the land is treated as a long-term partner, people are hired for the long run, and every bottle comes with a sense of purpose. That’s Mystic Island Winery in Penglai, Shandong, founded by Rita and KC Kung, where regenerative agriculture isn’t a marketing buzzword. It’s the mission.

Since 2008, Rita and her team have grown Mystic Island from a vision into a living ecosystem: a thriving vineyard that turns QiuShan Valley into a place of work, learning, and sustainable cultivation. By 2019, the winery released its first vintage, while continuing to prioritize meaningful opportunities for local communities.

Wine with a conscience: Rita’s “local spirit” leadership

Rita’s approach to leadership is straightforward: build something that benefits the village, the workforce, and the environment. Mystic Island provides stable jobs for local farmers, helps bring younger workers back to the countryside, and empowers women through business opportunities, creating real workforce resilience, not short-term labour.

Rita also recruited specialists from Canada and New Zealand, bringing outside expertise to strengthen farming and winemaking practices, while keeping the focus on cultural exchange and learning as the vineyard grows.

And because “nature conservation” and “sustainable farming” are core missions, not optional extras, Mystic Island works to minimize its ecological footprint and to support a healthier, biodiversity-friendly landscape through regenerative agriculture.

YIHU Chardonnay Reserve: natural yeast + award-winning charisma

It’s the bottle people keep coming back to. YIHU Chardonnay Reserve is crafted using natural yeasts, letting the character of the valley (and the fruit) speak clearly. It’s not just loved, it’s been recognized across major competitions, including standout honours such as Best Wine from China, Best Chardonnay, Double Gold, Trophy, Green Award, and more. In other words: this isn’t “good for a Chinese Chardonnay.” It’s simply good wine, with proof.

A victory worthy of a toast: Winery of the Year (2026)

Mystic Island Winery’s impact isn’t only felt in the vineyard; it’s recognized by industry experts too.In 2026, Mystic Island Winery received Winery of the Year by Bettane & Desseauve, a major milestone that reflects both craft and character, both quality and values.

An Education Destination

Rita is proud of Mystic Island’s villa and guest centre, designed to welcome students and visitors into hands-on learning: viticulture, winemaking, and nature conservation. This is where the winery becomes a classroom, where wine, art, music, and sustainability can grow side by side.

Because Rita’s dream is bigger than grapes and glassware. It’s about cultivating people, knowledge, and the natural world together.

Mystic Island Winery: where every pour is a story of regenerative agriculture, community care, and award-winning excellence.

Dads Deserve a “From-Farm-to-Cup” Kind of Love

Celebrate Father’s Day with Bacha Coffee, crafted for the man who knows provenance matters. This Father’s Day, legendary Moroccan coffee house Bacha Coffee invites families to honour fatherhood through the lens of craft, provenance, and the unfiltered story behind every bean. Because the best gifts don’t just taste great, they tell a story.

Rooted in a heritage of coffee savoir-faire, Bacha Coffee’s Father’s Day gifting collection brings you closer to the journey behind the cup: from carefully sourced farms to slow-roasted artistry and masterful preparation. For the discerning father who appreciates quality you can’t fake, this is coffee with a backstory worth sharing.

From Farm to Cup: The Journey Every Father Will Appreciate

Bacha Coffee sources exclusively from 35 reputable coffee-producing countries, selecting only 100% Arabica specialty grade. Each harvest carries the unmistakable fingerprint of its origin: terroir, altitude, rainfall, volcanic minerals, and the careful hands that processed it.

Then comes the essential part: slow-roasting in small batches using traditional drum-roasting methods at low temperatures. The result? A preservation of each origin’s distinct aromatic profile, so every sip stays true to where it began.

And for dads who prefer gentler options, Bacha Coffee also offers naturally CO₂-decaffeinated coffees, keeping the character intact without relying on chemical additives.

Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection

Gift Sets for the Coffee Explorer

Whether your dad is chasing chocolatey comfort, curious about decaf, or ready to compare single origins across continents, Bacha Coffee’s Father’s Day gift sets make discovery feel like an adventure.

Coffee Trails Taster (6 coffees + raw sugar sticks)

A six-coffee journey spanning Single Origin, Fine Flavoured, and Naturally CO₂ Decaffeinated harvests, from Ethiopia, Brazil, and Guatemala. Expect flavour profiles ranging from chocolatey and floral to nutty, spiced, and malty, across medium light to medium dark roasts.

Coffee Discovery Gift Set (6 coffees + raw sugar sticks)

An education of the palate in every cup, exploring Kenya, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea. Flavours move from fruity and chocolatey to floral, spiced, and malty, across medium to medium dark roasts.

Expedition to the Oasis (4 Fine Flavoured coffees)

A four-coffee collection of Fine Flavoured favourites presented in Bacha Coffee’s signature red and gold canisters. From Happy Gianduja (nutty indulgence) and Sweet Mexico (warm spice) to Marrakech Morning (fruity, malty layers) and Baraka Decaffeinated (chocolate-citrus notes).

Coffee Crossroads Gift Set (4 coffees across regions)

A cross-continental ensemble featuring Myanmar, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and the Dominican Republic, where Asian coffee heritage meets Central American and Caribbean tradition. Tasting notes range from chocolate and citrus to floral, fruity, and malty.

Bacha Heritage Gift Set (accessories + coffee)

For the father who loves tradition and craftsmanship: a refined pairing featuring a Heritage Coffee Mug with Lid, a silver-plated Coffee Spoon, and a Coffee Bag Gift Box of choice.

Iconic Coffees for the Discerning Father

Beyond the gift sets, Bacha Coffee’s most distinguished packaged coffees and coffee bag collections bring origin, craft, and flavour into a gift that’s as thoughtful as it is memorable. Encased in jewel-clasped gift boxes with iconic artwork, each coffee is a destination in a box. For Father’s Day, highlights include:

•⁠ ⁠Grand Moka Matari Coffee — a rare Yemeni single origin dry-processed on earthen rooftops, with bright acidity and notes of apricot, dark chocolate, dates, and a finish of caramel and spice.

•⁠ ⁠Mombasa Song Coffee — an African–Asian lyric blend with herbal, floral aromas, grapefruit acidity, and cherry and toffee sweetness.

•⁠ ⁠1910 Coffee — celebrating the founding year with aromatic wild strawberries and cream.

•⁠ ⁠Blue Danube Coffee — forest berries balanced by soft milk chocolate and a fresh lift.

Coffee Bag Gift Boxes (Easy, Anywhere-Anywhere Coffee)

Individually wrapped single-serve 100% Arabica drip coffee bags—ideal for dads who brew on the go or keep a morning ritual no matter where the day takes them. Options include:

•⁠ ⁠King of Africa Coffee Bag Gift Box

•⁠ ⁠Tolteca Chocolate Coffee Bag Gift Box

•⁠ ⁠San Cristóbal Coffee Bag Gift Box

•⁠ ⁠Assorted Coffee Bag Gift Box — a 25-bag collection spanning fine flavoured and single origin varieties across regions.

Make It a Complete Father’s Day Coffee Moment

Finish the gift with Bacha Coffee accessories and gourmet treasures designed to elevate everyday rituals, from timeless bone china to mid-century-inspired glassware and pure vanilla bean indulgence.

For example:

•⁠ ⁠Bacha Heritage Coffee Pot (850ml, Bone China)

•⁠ ⁠Bacha Heritage Coffee Mug & Lid (330ml, Bone China)

•⁠ ⁠Pure Vanilla Bean Grinder

A Father’s Day Moment at the Coffee Room

This Father’s Day, Bacha Coffee at Harbour City invites guests to celebrate with an exquisite coffee-led dining experience created exclusively for the occasion. A specially designed menu will be available for a limited time.

Ready to Gift?

Bacha Coffee’s Father’s Day collection is available at all Bacha Coffee boutiques and online at BachaCoffee.com.

Because when it comes to fatherhood, it’s not just about the cup, it’s about the journey. And with Bacha Coffee, every bean carries the kind of care your dad deserves.

35 Years of Aroma Vera’s Philosophy: Understanding Customer Needs Matters More Than Selling Products

Interview with Iris Ho, Founder and CEO of Aroma Vera

Iris believes aromatherapy can elevate quality of life, but a healthy lifestyle is essential for building personal charm and natural beauty.

Hong Kong is known for its fast pace of life, but as people’s quality of life improves, their pursuit of refinement and art also deepens. Aroma Vera, which has been established in Hong Kong for over 35 years, has always believed that fragrance can elevate personal taste and offer a much-needed escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Founder and Managing Director Iris Ho believes that having a wide range of products is not enough—truly understanding customer needs and providing targeted solutions is the key to long-term success in the industry.

In-House Factory Enables Product Innovation

Iris’s entry into the aromatherapy industry is quite interesting. She initially worked in the electronics industry, which had nothing to do with essential oils. Later, she took over her sister’s beauty salon and became familiar with aromatherapy products. It was then that she came across Aroma Vera, a brand from the United States. At the time, very few people in Hong Kong knew about aromatherapy, so she introduced the brand to Hong Kong and became its distributor. Today, the company operates its own local factory, allowing it to develop a variety of formulas to meet different needs. It also creates bespoke fragrances for various venues—such as shopping malls, hotels, and spas—to craft a sophisticated and luxurious atmosphere.

Aromatherapy can be used in many settings and offers mood-stabilising and antibacterial benefits. Essential oils, extracted and refined from flowers, herbs, and trees, are a key source of fragrance and are incorporated into different products. There are countless aromatherapy scents with varying effects. Lavender is a popular choice, known for its relaxing and sleep-improving properties. However, Iris points out that single essential oils are relatively limited, so the company focuses on producing blended oils. By combining various plant extracts with professional blending techniques, Aroma Vera creates complex, layered scents and effects. The company has also embraced technology, offering smart aromatherapy diffusers that can be pre-activated via a mobile app, releasing atomised essential oils for better absorption by the user.

Aroma Vera collaborates with numerous hotels and spas to design custom fragrances and aromatherapy products, helping guests immerse themselves more fully in the surroundings.

Don’t Neglect Customer Needs for the Sake of Sales Numbers

Scent influences a person subtly and gradually. What works for one individual may not work for another, so the key is not only to respond to customer needs but also to deeply understand the characteristics of each product. Iris once encountered a customer who complained that aromatherapy was ineffective. After further questioning, she discovered that the customer wanted to relax, but salespeople from other brands had randomly offered several scents. The customer chose mint, yet mint is known for increasing alertness over time—it does not help with insomnia. Drawing on her experience, Iris took the time to learn about the customer’s age, lifestyle, and desired outcomes. She then recommended gentler scents such as tea tree and lavender, which resolved the problem. This shows that aromatherapy is not just a product; it is a deeply experiential process involving communication, empathy, and a customised approach.

Iris points out that the male market should not be overlooked either. Men face high work pressure and have a strong need for relaxation and better sleep.

The Art of Wholeness

Iris acknowledges that the pandemic had a significant impact on consumer spending, but she believes every crisis also brings opportunities. For example, she shifted her focus to online sales and high‑end B2B clients, creating customised fragrance products to expand her customer base. This ability to adapt comes from years of experience and a clear vision for the future of the aromatherapy industry. She repeatedly emphasises that aromatherapy is a holistic art and a lifestyle. The right scent can enhance one’s personal image and charm, but true beauty also requires a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain good health.

Iris believes aromatherapy can elevate quality of life, but a healthy lifestyle is essential for building personal charm and natural beauty.

Profit Pilot: Issac Yeung Kam Chuen. From Athlete to Brand Strategist – Building a restaurant Group for the Next Chapter

Scaling Passion, One Repeatable Winrestaurant Group for the Next Chapter

From athlete to brand strategist, Issac’s story isn’t just a career shift. It’s a whole glow-up with a side of hustle sauce. As Chief Marketing Officer, Brand Growth Strategist, founder of iSeize Digital, and the brain behind a 12-outlet Korean F&B group, he’s not merely “in the restaurant business” — he’s in the business of turning diners into regulars, chaos into systems, and growth into something you can actually manage.

Athlete to CMO: how did the journey unfold?

I keep it refreshingly real: the transition wasn’t a straight line. It was built from second chances, mentors who actually show up, and a team that believed in me before I fully believed in myself.

As an athlete, I learned the hardest life lesson early: losing is not the end — it’s training. That same mindset followed me into advertising at 23. I must admit, I used to be clumsy and raw. Clients called me a liar. A disaster. Ouch. But I didn’t let ego take the wheel. I started over — writing copy, shooting video, running ads, and learning how departments really communicate.

Then came F&B, where I applied the same strategy: squat low and learn the basics first. No business genius act. Just execution, humility, and the kind of teamwork that makes expansion feel less like a gamble and more like a plan.

Beauty industry strategy: how did it shape your entrepreneurial mindset?

Eleven years in beauty shaped my view of entrepreneurship in a way “success stories” rarely mention. I didn’t just learn marketing; I learned responsibility.

I trained 100 therapists and got eye-rolled by the entire room. Humiliation turned into action: I went back to the frontline — customer service, consulting, even store management — because I discovered the truth most people avoid saying: marketing and operations must be tied together. One without the other is just expensive noise.

One client moment stuck forever: she had only HKD 300,000 left, and if I couldn’t help, her business would close. That’s when I realized a business carries families, not just products. In short, value is measured by how many problems I solve.

Credentials and vision in F&B, especially with a shorter track record?

I don’t pretend Hong Kong F&B isn’t full of legends. I call myself a recruit. I opened nine restaurants in three years, but I still have a lot to learn.

My advantage? I brought precision from beauty branding and data-driven marketing. I don’t open stores blindly. Every location is positioned using data, then backed by standardised frontline service and workflows. Not robotic — just consistently excellent.

Taste is the baseline, but the real differentiator is the how: CRM, digital transformation, and genuine human warmth. That’s how you make every guest feel something unexpected.

The future of F&B: what’s next?

Yes, costs are up, and competition is real. But what I see is opportunity: people will always crave good food and shared space. The next decade won’t belong to the cheapest; it will belong to brands that push brand value and experience to the ceiling.

What’s next for your group?

Improve operational efficiency and staff welfare across the nine restaurants — rewarding the people who built this with me. Also, I want to prove that a young Hong Kong team can scale properly with the highest standards of governance.

Because this isn’t a finish line. It’s a platform. And I am continuously building it — quietly, humbly, and one sincere step at a time.

Coral-abrate Curiosity: The Red Thread of History Unraveled

This season in Hong Kong, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts invites everyone to follow a trail of wonder, straight from the deep, dark ocean to the glittering brilliance of the display case. From May 23rd to October 11th, 2026, Precious Coral, from Curiosity to Treasures opens as a rare exhibition experience dedicated to one of jewellery history’s most spellbinding materials: Precious coral.

And yes, prepare to be charmed, because the story begins with a twist. For centuries, precious coral was often mistaken for a stone or a plant. The exhibition gently sets the record straight: coral is an animal, and its remarkable beauty comes from life shaped by time, depth, and patience. Far from the sunlit reefs associated with tropical seas, precious coral species such as Corallium japonicum grow slowly at depths reaching several hundred meters, building dense, branch-like skeletons prized for their naturally evolving hues, ranging from pale blush and salmon to oxblood red and creamy white.

But this is no ordinary “show-and-tell” display. Precious Coral, from Curiosity to Treasures, is curated to be experienced through three compelling lenses, Biology and Gemology, Craftsmanship, and History. Together, these perspectives reveal how coral transforms from a living organism to a material for art, ornament, trade, and belief.

Sciacca coral *(Corallium rubrum),* fashioned in the traditional “flowers & leaves” 19th century, second half Liverino Collection

Start with the biology. You’ll encounter coral not as a static object, but as a complex living structure, an organism with its own natural architecture. Then comes gemmology and colour: why this material’s palette feels almost impossible, as if the sea learned to paint. Finally, step into the craftsmanship gallery, where the exhibition highlights the human touch, tools, unfinished branches, and finished jewels placed side by side. Because working precious coral requires both technical sensitivity and respect for fragility, it can be intricately carved and engraved, yet demands precision, patience, and a steady hand. Watching the transformation, from raw branch to sculpted treasure, turns appreciation into awe.

History, meanwhile, adds the intrigue of long-distance journeys. Precious coral has travelled far beyond its origin waters, fished historically in the Mediterranean and parts of the Pacific, it reached East Asia early through exchanges along what became known as the Silk Road connections. By the era of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), Mediterranean coral was already moving eastward, valued as an ornament, currency, and talisman. In other words, coral didn’t just become jewellery, it became meaning.

Polished precious coral branchPrecious coral *(Corallium japonicum),* rock Chii Lih Coral Museum

The exhibition also brings together approximately 120 creations and exceptional specimens, including jewels, sculptures, art objects, and naturalia on loan from distinguished collections and institutions. Expect to see masterpieces and rare artifacts, such as the Akai Amoronagu Necklace and a glimpse of evolving forms across centuries.

With curators Olivier Segura, Mathilde Berger-Rondouin and Ann Lee, and scientific advisory by Rui Galopim de Carvalho, the experience blends science, tradition, art, and craftsmanship into one unmissable narrative. As the exhibition suggests, precious coral is not only beautiful, it’s layered.

So come, and let your imagination follow the current. Because once you’ve seen precious coral through these three lenses, you’ll realize the real treasure isn’t just in the pieces.

It’s in the stories, woven, carved, polished, and preserved, until you can finally say: Coral-ly unforgettable.

Open daily 10 a.m.–7 p.m., with free admission (registration required) at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, 510A, 5/F, K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong.