All about Yve: Through Dawn Jewellery, Yve Chan unites a passion for craftsmanship and connecting cultures

Yve Chan is a man with a deep-rooted value system honed by growing up in a town in China filled with craftsmen who made their living from jade. These artisans painstakingly cut jade in their small workshops and then every morning at 3 am went to the local market set up by his father to sell their wares. Years later, when Chan established a jewellery business in Hong Kong, he named it Dawn Jewellery in tribute to his father and this heritage.

What struck him was how these craftsmen would communicate jade through the telling of traditional stories, and he knew from a young age he wanted to be involved in this industry. His early career in Hong Kong saw him working for a major US advertising agency, Leo Burnett, but his interest in craftsmanship and the desire to “realise the creativity” was too strong. He soon quit advertising and went to the UK to achieve the necessary qualifications.

Chan shone during a jewellery and silversmithing course at Birmingham City University. He received the Assay Office London Technology Award from The Goldsmiths’ Company and was a Silver Award winner at International Jewellery London’s Special Award for Fine Jewellery. He further studied at the Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles to achieve his certificate as a gemologist.

A thoughtful man in his late 30s with a passion for his craft, Chan says these years have defined the rest of his life. Sitting in his Causeway Bay workshop and retail gallery, he flashes back to his final year in the UK when it dawned on him that he was actually quite good at his chosen craft. “At that moment I realised this is maybe my lifelong career,” he says. In another fond memory, he also notes that his time as a coxswain in a university rowing team forged his team spirit.

Following his return to Hong Kong, he gained valuable experience working in product development for a large retailer before setting up Dawn Jewellery in 2014. He originally just sold jadeite jewellery but soon gained international partners for his Tsim Sha Tsui flagship store following exhibitions at international shows. Dawn specialises in bridal jewellery, selling an array of wedding rings and exquisite pearl and diamond creations, and holds workshops in the craft.

Telling international stories
Chan reveals that one of the first major partners for his platform was a famous wedding ring maker from Germany with a history spanning 150 years This had been one of his “idol” companies from his time as a student in the UK.

“I think we both realised that we share the same thoughts towards craftsmanship, towards business models, towards what is going on in the market,” he says. “We were at a good point to introduce them to Hong Kong.”

“They are very picky in choosing the retailer, because there can be a lot of very big retailers, but they are not necessarily able to talk through the philosophy of the brand. I think we are good storytellers. So, one by one I am inviting these artists to tell their stories,” says Chan, who now has more than 20 partners from across the world.

True value of craftsmanship
From the outset of Dawn Jewellery, Chan has wanted his clients to appreciate the true meaning of the products they purchase and the artisanship involved. “When we asked what sort of elements of this brand you like, I realised most of the audience could not tell me,” he says.

His desire is for customers to grasp a product’s intrinsic value; he encourages them to touch the jewellery and examine very carefully what they are looking for, stirring an appreciation of the elements added and how many hours have been spent to make such a ring.

A Japanese partner makes jewellery using traditional mokume-gane techniques that have their roots in samurai weaponry; a German partner applies machinery techniques to perfect their rings and make them stronger. “This is the value; this is the story,” he says, outlining the ethos of Dawn Jewellery. “Each of the craftsmen, when they make things, each mark left – it means something, either perfections or aesthetic judgment.”

Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction: Joseff Musa Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Jack Fontanilla Hair & Make Up: Owen Ko Venue: Sunsmith workshop

Read the full interview in the May 2023 issue (pg: 100). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

Brief Encounter: Wellington Legal partner Olivia Kung is a law unto herself

Live, laugh, and love – three things that, according to Olivia Kung, make the world go around and a better place. As the daughter of a former Chief Investigator of the Operations Department Independent Commission Against Corruption, her fate was somewhat determined at the age of five when she put on her father’s barrister’s gown one night. She laughs from her gut, the way you would with family, as she recalls this significant moment in her childhood, and delivers the verdict that it made her into the woman she is now.

“I wish I had that power over my child,” says Kung, reflecting upon her father’s influence in shaping her life. “But things are just different now, aren’t they? People in 2023 create their own path, for better or for worse, defying the ‘norms’ the society or what their family might believe in. The determination of my teenage son really inspires me to do more and be the best version of myself.”

The walls of her office at Wellington Legal, where she is a partner and sits on the board of founders, are filled with watercolour paintings by her son, juxtaposing with the grey and glass walls of the skyscrapers within the heart of Central. With decades of legal experience under her belt, Kung has litigated expertly in a wide variety of areas including complex property ownership disputes, fraud cases, debt recovery and bankruptcy as well as personal injury claims. It’s no surprise that these cases, which she has successfully defended, attracted media attention.

The many charms of her life, of course, have not arrived without solid background work. Before the day of our interview and photo shoot, she did her due diligence on the magazine, the lawyer’s instinct for discovery taking hold. It was, however, the entertainment industry that gave her the confidence and wit, as well as the time-management skills, needed to present legal cases – growing up she had juggled academic studies with extra-curricular activities in showbusiness.

“I did acting and hosting stints at RTHK for their children’s TV programs. I am not sure how I managed it, but I did,” she says. “Sometimes, life really surprises us.”

Her honour
Questions of destiny and volition have trailed Kung through her life. At a young age, she already knew how to distinguish a great lawyer – by their creativity. With an eye for making connections and an ear for deft persuasion, it is a quality that she has been judged to possess.

“As a lawyer, I think it’s crucial to act not only by the book but also with a heart and mind for justice. Common sense, though not so common these days, has to be played in order to win a case,” she emphasises.

For the self-confessed goal-getter, a diminutive frame belies a commanding presence. The Queen Mary University of London School of Law alumnus completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Exeter and attained qualifications to be a solicitor in England, Wales and Hong Kong. Prior to Wellington Legal, she worked for several top-tier firms in the UK, a leading local practice in Hong Kong and as in-house counsel for a listed financial company.

Marcus double-breasted wool-blend felt blazer by Sandro (courtesy of The Outnet), One-shoulder stretch jersey top by Helmut Lang (courtesy of The Outnet), Le Sylvie cropped highrise straight-leg jeans by Frame (courtesy of The Outnet)

No objection
While as poised as you might expect from an established lawyer, Kung defies other stereotypical traits that are applied to the legal profession; she is neither solemn nor uptight. After a few clicks for the test shots and a quick pointer on how to pose, she is nailing the photoshoot, lounging in a lazyboy in the middle of the bustling city traffic.

“I taught myself to be adaptive to any kind of situation. Whatever background you may have, school you graduated from or clan you belong to, it is important to adapt to the situation you are put into,” she says. “We must never say no easily and be done with it. We find the solution there possibly is, no matter how small or big, and we take that and make it work.”

Undeniably, this flexibility guides her as a lawyer, as does her capability to be fair and rational. Dignity is another word she often brings up. She says she has been defending a person’s right to dignity from day one and she still holds herself to that standard.

“Dignity can also mean having the right balance in every aspect of our lives. It’s not just about self-love anymore. It’s about making the most out of the situation we’re put into. I don’t function merely from 9 am to 5 pm. I am working 24/7. As a lawyer, as a mom, as a daughter, as a friend.”

*Aisha cutout striped lurex gown by Rebecca Vallance (courtesy of Net-a-Porter)*

Love before money
She expounds on the idea of “happiness” many times, too. It isn’t surprising language from the girl who worked in the entertainment industry, was raised by a well-off family and grew up as an only child. “I always tell my son to love what you do and do what you love. And this may also apply to everyone. Once you become good at it, then money will come in. Consider money as just a bonus. Happiness should always come first,” she says.

“Career choice is extremely important,” she continues. “If you pick something you hate, you’ll be spending so many hours torturing yourself, no matter how much a company would pay you. It’s the one thing in life that I think is the biggest determinant of happiness.

“I don’t really aim to leave a legacy once my time here on Earth is passed, but I hope I make people around me happy because I actually enjoy helping people. I help people because it makes me happy. It’s as simple as that.”

By her own rules
So what’s next for Kung? Optimism is the fuel driving every legal fight she has been in and will be involved in, and she is cooking up something exciting, yet again, in the coming months. “I cannot disclose it just yet, but it’s something that I am very passionate about. In life, you have to put in passion and dedication in order to achieve happiness and reach your full potential,” says the woman who is habitually positive about life – to the point that she is able to laugh even at the biggest of problems.

This time, though, she confesses that she might be setting up herself for criticism given the size of her ambition. Yet, there would be more people in life setting lofty targets for themselves if they had been taught to know what they believe and how to fight for it from when they first learned to speak.

Ultimately, the next chapters of her life are reading just the way she and her parents have planned, with a few tweaks and additions along the way. If there’s anything we know about attorney Olivia Kung, it is that when it comes to happiness, she will fight.

(Interview & Art Direction: Joseff Musa Photographer: Jack Law Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Jack Fontanilla Hair & Makeup: Joenny Lau Venue: Wellington Legal Cover look: Janie one-shoulder cape-effect sequined crepe mini dress by Safiyaa, courtesy of Net-A-Porter)

Matters of the Art – Amid the ever-changing world of art, Adeline Ooi has stayed true to her heart

How does one represent the Asian art scene? According to Adeline Ooi, Director Asia of Art Basel, it has come a long way, but there’s still a long line to take. “The art scene is ever evolving, so it’s really hard to claim that this is it, we’ve made it,” she says. “But we celebrate each win and I think over the past 10 years, some of the most rewarding aspects of it is watching the art sector grow not only in Hong Kong but across Asia as well.”

With just six weeks before the official opening of Art Basel in Hong Kong [held from 23-25 March], Ooi takes a break in mid-February to talk about matters of the art and of the heart. Arriving in casual clothes and sneakers, it is evident that she does things by her own rules, bringing and selecting clothes from her own wardrobe for the photo shoot. “No heels for me, please,” she advises the production team.

Of Malaysian descent and raised by parents who worked in the plantation industry, Ooi confesses that her love for art was more slow-burn than an immediate fiery passion. Growing up in rural Malaysia, she wasn’t particular about what she wanted to be – as long as she didn’t end up in a 9-to-5 job. “Gosh, I wanted to be a flight attendant, because as a kid I thought that’s the only way that I’ll get to fly everywhere,” she says with a smile. It was only in her teenage years that she decided to study fine arts at Central Saint Martins in London and ultimately returned to Asia to pursue an art-centric career. Staying true to herself is an Ooi ethos. Although her parents first disagreed with her decision to build a career in the arts, she persisted, working at Valentine Willie Fine Art and co-founding the RogueArt cultural agency in Kuala Lumpur.

She was appointed as Director Asia for Art Basel on Boxing Day 2014. “Was it like a Christmas gift? I can’t really tell because it meant landing with my skates on. It was both scary and exhilarating,” she says.

For her, in hindsight, a media interview with someone from the art sector was not necessarily imaginable during the late ‘90s, and a sit-down one-on-one chat is already a big indication that the Asian art scene is progressing. She says: “This interview is already a big feat. I remember in my 20s, a job in the art world means you have to be willing to do it with hardly any or very little pay and everything was in DIY set-up. There were just fewer opportunities for us Asians in general.”

Art imitates Life

It is often said that life imitates art, but for Ooi, it works the other way around. “Art may not be for everyone, so it’s really hard to say that our lives are the main inspiration of art,” she says. “I think that is something that we all need to understand. More than anything, I believe that art really documents the human story.”

Looking at the etymology of curating, it is hard to imagine how it ever became the profession that it is now. It was only in the later years of the 20th century that the term curator was applied to exhibition makers, eventually becoming the title for some of the art world’s big players – Ooi now among them. Now in a globalised digital age, she is redefining her own profession as it evolves once again and how art fits within today’s creative scene. “I personally don’t believe in the notion that collecting art has to relate to a great investment. Sometimes we love something, but we don’t necessarily have to own it. The best way to experience art is in the chance encounters at a museum.”

(Interview by: Joseff Musa, Photographer: Jack Law, Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma,
Videographer: Jack Fontanilla, Hair & Makeup: Heti Tsang and Venue: M+)

Read the full interview in the April 2023 issue (pg: 100). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

William Dollar Game: William Chan’s global swing to real-estate riches

William Chan, Chairman and CEO of Rykadan Capital Limited, has swung success from a local driving range into a property investment empire spanning Hong Kong, London, LA and Bhutan.

“I always dream Rykadan can move to the next level and especially go global. That is what we are doing right now,” says William Chan of his property development and investment business, Rykadan Capital.

A likeable family man in his late 40s, Chan has the DNA of a serial entrepreneur. He is Chairman and CEO of a burgeoning international property empire providing capital growth for investors – a venture built up over 20 years, as the group website neatly proclaims, from the ground floor to the penthouse.

Chan started quietly, spending the early phase of his career working for NGOs after returning to Hong Kong from the US with a master’s in business administration. He served as a board director of Yan Chai Hospital and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. He says these posts, along with Home Affairs Department roles, inspired him to create businesses that can improve people’s livelihood.

The managerial and soft skills he picked up during those years and his impeccable sense of timing were to prove key factors behind the success of his first business project: a golf driving range in Sai Wan Ho called Island Golf. Chan, an enthusiastic golfer, could not fail to notice that just after Sars in 2003, golf had become a popular sport in Hong Kong.

“At that time in Hong Kong there were only one or two driving ranges,” he recalls. “I saw there was so much demand I came up with the idea but where to get the land?”

Via data research of the Hong Kong Government Lands Department, he noted there was suitable land on Hong Kong Island for a driving range next to two buildings. He won the bid to lease the land but still needed to raise the capital to build the driving range. His persuasive abilities needed to be at their best to sell the concept to like-minded directors he met through NGO projects.

“Fortunately, they loved it,” says Chan. “It became very successful. It was the only one on Hong Kong Island. I remember the South China Morning Post even hired a helicopter to take a shot of the driving range!”

The success of this venture undoubtedly gave Chan the confidence to build up future businesses and experience he would draw upon in later years. “You need to find land and raise capital, this all helps with what I need to do now,” he says. “This first business venture really attracted me to the idea of lifestyle and leisure and how this fits into the lifestyle of different people.”

Macau moment

Later he saw another opportunity. Following deregulation in the early 2000s, many casinos and hotels were popping up all over Macau. Chan identified a company called Sundart with a good track record as a fitting-out contractor. He acquired Sundart and secured his first project – the Venetian Macao for the Sands group. “We rode the growth momentum in Macau for many years, enabling us to lead Sundart to IPO.”

It was at this point that Chan’s sense of timing once again proved a masterstroke. During 2008 and 2009 the global financial crisis was stifling investment decision making and many IPO (initial public offering) applications were being withdrawn, meaning to take Sundart public was a tough call.

But fate intervened. It turned out that as others were bailing out of IPOs, this created an unusually high demand for the one that went ahead.

“I still remember the day, August 21, 2009. Sundart is not a tech stock; we are a traditional fit-out construction business. But why did it become 700 times oversubscribed? Because there is only one IPO in August. I am the only stock… all the money was just subscribed on my stock,” says Chan.

Though Chan’s education and background can help him pick the right projects, he believes this sense of timing is essential in the investment field. He eventually transformed Sundart into Rykadan Capital and acquiring businesses at a reasonable price with attractive returns became the company’s mantra.

“Nowadays, we apply this idea to everything Rykadan does, including property development, investment and asset management,” says Chan.

Initially, the company started with property in Hong Kong. Since then, it has diversified into projects in California and the UK.

Asset class

Chan’s passion for lifestyle-related businesses is what drove him to open a hotel in Bhutan, which he describes as a unique place that appeals to those seeking adventure and luxury. Bhutan is now changing fast and others are piling investments into the country, but in about 2012 when the resort complex was acquired, it was considered an alternative asset class and costs were far from going through the roof.

“Since our resort was a new one and pretty high class, we set our room rate high. So you can see the cost is pretty low, and the price high, so you have a very big margin on that,” says Chan.

As of 2023, Rykadan has invested US$1.6 billion in total assets and has completed more than 18 projects, exiting a number of these with good returns. Its thesis is to identify a good investment opportunity and exit within a five- to eight-year horizon.

Dismissing any suggestion he is a risk-taker, Chan has yet to make a decision he regrets. He has gained a lot of experience in the importance of risk management, especially given that he has negotiated three major financial upheavals: Sars in 2003, the global financial crisis of 2007-2009, and, more recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The first thing we underwrite on any deal or project is how to mitigate the risk, then we think about how much we are going to make,” he says. “My own view is no matter if you invest in a new business or in a new country, you always have to pay the tuition.”

(Interview by: Neil Dolby, Photographer: Jack Law, Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma, Videographer: Jack Fontanilla, Venue: Rykadan One, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong 98 igafencu.com)

Read the full interview in the April 2023 issue (pg: 92). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

In his Yiuniverse: Kev Yiu on building his personal brand and fulfilling his fashion design destiny

One of Hong Kong’s foremost fashion designers, Kev Yiu has headed several leading couture brands and is now focussing on his own label – Kev Yiu Couture.

Take us back to the day you knew you wanted to be a fashion designer. What had drawn you into it?

Well, it all began when I was still in primary school and I started making clothes for my younger sister that were inspired by the lights and toys on show at the arcade that was home to our family business. I remember going straight there after school and just starting to design. Back then, though, my family – especially my father – saw fashion design as essentially a female thing, so no one took my interest all that seriously. If you have a passion for something and if you really want to excel at it, though, you will know deep down that that is what you are destined to do, regardless of what anyone else might think.

Blazer by Balmain, Necklace by Chanel

How did your family respond when you confirmed you wanted to pursue that particular passion?

Well, here’s the thing… I took up fashion design but I didn’t tell them, trying hard to keep it from my dad in particular who was a policeman. Ironically, though, it was also because of him that I got to study in the UK on account of a scholarship programme, especially on offer to the children of Hong Kong policemen. It was only when they got my report card for the first semester that they found out what was I really studying. My dad was furious and that was really no surprise.

I wouldn’t necessarily advise any kids who find themselves in a similar situation today – with many families in Hong Kong still not particularly progressive-minded – to follow my example. While I was fortunate and it all worked out for me in the end, that may well not be the case for everyone. Ultimately, we all find our own route to success and that just happened to be mine.

Jacket, pants and shoes by Dolce & Gabbana

Given the sector is famously saturated and intensively competitive, how did you first make your mark in the Hong Kong fashion world?

I just kept going. When I first came back to Hong Kong, I just took a 9-5 job as a way of making enough money to live. Fast forward two years and I was hired by a major mainland brand to design handbags for them. This, in turn, led me to me becoming one of 18 contestants in a reality TV design challenge. While I was the first to be eliminated, even that didn’t discourage me. My competitive nature just kept me going and going. In the end, it took me another six months of doing the same thing over and over – looking for the right assignment, knocking on doors and taking on whatever I was offered. It’s a daunting process, but I believe it will always pay off eventually. In my case, I’m now working with my fourth investor as we look to expand the Kev Yiu Couture brand.

If fashion design hadn’t worked out for you, did you have a Plan B?

Designing is the only thing I’m good at. It is very much part of my nature to want to tell a story and so I am forever visualising how people should look. My mind is always racing ahead in that regard, so there really was no Plan B for me. This was always my ultimate and only career goal.

Top by Versace, Pants by Balenciaga

How do you respond to those who denounce the fashion industry as wholly impractical and fixated on excess?

Well for me, I’d never want to be deemed a practical designer. I see focusing on practicality as certain to compromise the quality of any work. Essentially, I believe couture is inherently excessive. It is, after all, quite literally wearable art. As a couturier, then, it’s really hard to restrict yourself to the solely practical.

Walk us through your design and creative process.

It’s all about lines and structure. I want to create something that’s both classy and complementary to any client’s own look and style. I’d like to think that it’s very much part of my job to help women define what makes them unique and beautiful and then accentuate those qualities with whatever I create for them. My first question to any client is always: “What are your body insecurities?” I then want to factor in those insecurities and also emphasise their best assets. It’s really all about explaining to the client what looks best on them. As a designer, I always want to make women feel as beautiful as possible. Fashion, after all, is about feeling good in whatever you’re wearing. Essentially, that’s its function.

Suit jacket by Lanvin

In career terms, what was your punch-in-the-air moment?

Ultimately, I’d have to say it was the first time a celebrity picked one of my designs and wore it on stage. It was Sammy Cheng [the renowned Hong Kong singer and actor] and I remember every little detail. I was completely overwhelmed…

(Interview by: Joseff Musa Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Jack Fontanilla)

Read the full interview in the March 2023 issue (pg: 96). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

Lo and Behold… The highlights of the life of Jennifer Cheng Lo never do less than impress

Jennifer Cheng Lo is the founder and chair of the NewChic Capital Family Office and JennClub.com DAO and a pivotal player in the emerging technology, beauty tech, fashion tech, Web 3 and social enterprise spaces.

Also Read: NFTs: Future of investment or another bubble waiting to burst?

What was it like growing up in the US?

Born and raised in the US, I grew up on the East Coast and spent most of my childhood in Brookline, Massachusetts. My parents realised that, while I was young, they could inculcate in me a lot of the early core educational elements.

My subsequent love of learning and a yearning to play the piano while I was just two years old – a desire fostered by hearing It’s a Small World during a trip to Disney World – led to me becoming something of a child prodigy. I was then accepted into one of the country’s top music schools, the New England Conservatory, at the age of nine, before being accepted into the PhD Piano Performance Studio and Seminar program at Boston University when I was just 12.

Although I didn’t make a career out of playing the piano, it is something that has given me many years of pleasure and that has also helped with my charity fund-raising activities.

Jennifer Cheng Lo — Earrings by YSL Vintage, Bracelets by Dilys Collection, Didis Jewellery and Maria Gaspari, Watch by Corum, Rings by Dilys Collection, Didis Jewelry, Layered strapless crepe jumpsuit by Safiyaa (courtesy of Net-A-Porter), Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti, Venue: Ladies Recreation Club

Why did you move away from a career path dedicated to playing the piano?

I hurt my finger in a piano competition and, consequently, did not do as well as I expected. At around the same time, I failed to secure the role in the US movie adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha that I had set my heart on. I realised then that I might have to rethink my career plans.

Whilst continuing to model and audition for acting roles in New York and Los Angeles, I also took on a business development role for a hedge fund company with a particular focus on finance and new media. It proved quite the revelation and I soon realised that I was quite good at it. I went on to work in partnerships with different Google competitors and new media companies, enterprises which eventually became multi-million businesses.

I did, however, feel like I was beginning to hit the glass ceiling in the US. This prompted me to enrol in an MBA scholarship program at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), which inevitably led me to move to Hong Kong. My “ticket to Asia” I would like to call it. After honing my skills, my career really started to take off and I was soon working with start-ups, investing in companies, and immersing myself in cutting-edge technology.

Also Read: Rebecca Chung on female empowerment and self-love

Throughout your career and personal life, where would you say you have found inspiration?

While many people have influenced me along the way, my parents and wider family inspired me the most while growing up. My mum and dad were both from Hong Kong and had a robust entrepreneurial work ethic, something I was keen to emulate from an early age.

Later, when I arrived in Hong Kong, I was forever in the company of strong, influential and ambitious people from a wide variety of tech, investment, and entrepreneurial backgrounds. I inevitably took inspiration from them and their many achievements. I derive a form of constant inspiration from them because they are always moving forward and able to make an impact in whatever they are doing.

Was it their successes that inspired you to launch NewChic Capital Family Office?

That launched just over 10 years ago, shortly after I had exited an e-commerce business that had evolved into a listed Web 3 company. My share of the profits from that venture left me with sufficient funds to set up my own Family Office, one with a particular focus on investing in and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

As I like to put it “we are building the world we wish our children to inherit.” Feeling newly empowered, I wanted to put capital, resources and advisory into businesses I believed could make a positive impact.

To this end, we set out to identify the next generation of change-makers and influencers – the kind of people who were committed to making good on their ambitions in both the personal and corporate spheres.

Also Read: #NoFilter: The unseen side of social media ‘influencers’

With that in mind, what are you looking for when you are considering which businesses to back?

I have a team of core partners – lawyers, research, and finance people – who routinely carry out due diligence on every proposal we consider as a way of evaluating its viability. For my part, I ask myself: “Do we resonate with this entrepreneur and their mission? Is this company set out to solve a universal challenge with an innovative impactful solution?”

While it would be easy just to look at their track record and evaluate their supposed successes along the way, I see it as just as important to determine whether our prospective partners are every bit as tenacious and hardworking as we are ourselves. In the case of one particular investment, while its most senior executive did not have much of a track record, he had run an ultra-marathon across three continents. For us, that showed the strength of character. Another criterion we consider is whether the company in question actually ‘moves the needle’…

(Interview by: Peter Chan, Photographer: Jack Law, Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma, Videographer: Jack Fontanilla, Hair & Makeup: Owen Ko)

Read the full interview in the March 2023 issue (pg: 88). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.

Charlene Ree on motherhood and building her marketing technology company EternityX.

Charlene Ree is the CEO of EternityX, a Hong Kong-based specialist marketing technology company with a focus on affluent mainland Chinese consumers.

Born and raised largely in Taiwan, how did you ultimately end up in Hong Kong?
I was working in New York, but it had long been my plan to return to Asia so I could put what I had learned in the US to good use. When Yahoo made a local acquisition and sought to grow in the APAC market, it seemed the ideal opportunity. In 2008, I then secured the role of regional account manager which happened to be in Hong Kong. This suited me from a personal point of view as my husband – then my boyfriend – had relocated to Hong Kong in 2006, where he was working as a corporate lawyer. I followed him to Hong Kong and we made the relationship official. Two years of being in a long-distance relationship was hard, so moving here sealed the real deal basically.

EternityX CEO Charlene Ree — Chocker necklace by Louis Vuitton, Necklace by Cartier, Jacket by St. John

How did EternityX come about and what is its USP?
EternityX was launched towards the end of 2018 as a marketing technology company that focuses on utilising big data to empower companies and brands to precisely connect with (and convert) their target audiences. We provide a direct connection for global brands to Chinese audiences. For our part, we always joke that there are two types of the internet in the world – one is global and the other is China-specific. More seriously, this is a recognition that the Chinese digital media landscape is very fragmented and complicated. It has evolved very quickly compared to the rest of the world, something that is reflected in the behaviour of Chinese audiences.

In recognition of this, we wanted to build a platform that helps demystify the complex Chinese digital landscape and assists the growing number of brands looking to promote their products and services to high-value affluent Chinese consumers.

In the relatively few years since we opened for business, thanks to our proprietary technology platform and clear proposition, we have worked with more than 500 well-known brands, including the Richemont group, LVMH, HSBC and Standard Chartered. During that time, we have grown from just three people to more than 80. We‘ve also expanded into eight offices and now have a presence in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, New York, Singapore, Sydney and London.

Has the business developed the way you expected?
Well, we always had a clear mission statement – to be a trusted partner that empowers brands to build meaningful connections with their target consumers. We are also confident that advertising and marketing are not only about selling products and services. In fact, we believe good, sustainable marketing can enable brands to establish long-term trust and enduring relationships with consumers.

To your mind, what makes EternityX unique?
I believe it’s the way we utilise technology. More specifically, we have the facility to offer highly effective, cross-border, cross culture one-stop customised programmatic solutions and systems. This might sound too technical, but bear with me. Our system has transformed more than 960 billion data points into some 1,000 unique audience profile categories, which delivers precise consumer targeting and insights into purchase intention and spending power, as well as information relating to travel preferences among others. In addition to that, our extensive connections to top-tier media platforms, including iQiyi, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, WeChat, and Bilibili, as well as hundreds of highly engaging, interest-focused media, enable agencies and brands to effectively reach 90% of Chinese netizens around the world.

What kind of support system do you have at work and outside work?
I consider myself extremely lucky to have my family and the entire EternityX crew as a support system. I also put into practice what I’ve learned from being a mother at home in the office and vice-versa. It’s taught me a lot about how crucial it is to provide the ideal environment and the appropriate opportunities. My kids have also helped me to become more patient, sympathetic and empathetic.

What have been the constants in your life?
Well, I am not afraid of making fun of myself in front of others and I always love to make people laugh and spread positive energy, so I would like to think that my sense of humour has been a constant. I am also a people person, so I enjoy the company of my family and those friends who have stuck with me through the ups and downs of my life. A love of shopping, too, has been something I’ve never got out of my system. But I can also get bored easily, so I’m not too sure about constant things. I always want to try new things and experiment with what else can be done.

Who would say has been your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration, undoubtedly, has been my mother. She is an outstanding female entrepreneur herself and a role model who has clearly demonstrated that women can be strong and successful. She has a real can-do attitude and always embraces challenges gracefully. She also had the confidence to take on any challenges even while she had to take care of her children and play a role within her wider family. Managing a traditional Taiwanese family isn’t easy, but she handled it all superbly. Above that, all along, she has supported and encouraged me when it came to following my dreams.

As a middle child, do you believe such children inevitably prove to be rebels?
While I was growing up, my parents definitely saw me as a little bit rebellious and as someone who was always keen to voice their opinions – attributes that I’d find hard to deny. I think I was always fighting for attention back then. Right now, though, I am very mindful of that as I, too, have three kids. As a result of my self-consciousness, I definitely find myself paying more attention to the middle one. I don’t worry too much though – after all, look what the rebellious middle kid is doing with her life right now….

Thank you.

(Interview by: Joseff Musa; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jack Fontanilla; Venue: The Leicht)

Dr Johnny Hon – The Philanthropist Changing the World for Good

Founder of Global Group International Holdings, Dr Johnny Hon has managed to successfully balance a career in high finance with his high-profile commitments to the worlds of politics and charitable giving.

Your background is famously diverse…
Well, my father was a businessman and my mother was an actress, so that is certainly a diverse combination. In addition, I was born in Hong Kong and moved to the UK when I was 13, where I went to boarding school and then studied Medical Science at the University of London.

After that, I opted to take a Ph.D. in Psychiatry at Cambridge, where my primary focus was on how people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Down’s syndrome and so on, deal with their everyday lives. I was really interested in how to improve the lives of these people beyond what one doctor could do alone. I think it really is important that we think of these people because they have to deal and live with these illnesses, in addition to the everyday life struggles and problems. This also got me thinking how privileged we all are to be living a “normal life”.

Then I entered the world of banking, working in a number of different countries – including Singapore, Dubai and throughout Europe – as a private banker. Along the way, I built up my contacts and networked with investors, which ultimately led to the launch of the Global Group of companies. That was really the driving force for everything that had gone before and allowed me to make good use of my prior experience as I looked to do something genuinely new.

While playing so many different roles, how did you define what suited you best? My motto in life is to never stop learning. I’ve done a lot of business in many different sectors. And sometimes, I have found myself asking: “Who exactly am I?” as even I cannot decide just what my ideal role would be. There is, however, always a common element in everything I do – a genuine intent to help other people. As long as any project involves helping other people along the way, then I will definitely pursue it.

More lately, as I’ve just turned 51, I’ve also found myself focusing more on the spiritual meaning of life, rather than looking at things at a more superficial level.

Do you consider yourself a smart worker or more of a hard worker?
I’d like to think I’m a little bit of both, maybe even both at the same time. That, at least, has always been my goal.

As a graduate of several prestigious schools, do you think such prior associations opened doors for you?

I don’t think the opportunities that open up to you have much to do with the name of the school you went to. While it definitely feels good to be a graduate of a well-known university, what’s more important is just what you learnt during your time at any such institution. It is also about more than just the syllabus; it’s about the quality of teaching and the real-life lessons you have subsequently learnt. This is especially true in the digital era, a time when there is so much information available online. The internet aside, though, I will forever be grateful to all the professors who taught me how to be both book-smart and street-smart.

Among all of your various interests and projects, which has been closest to your heart?
There is a very long list for me to choose from. I have, for instance, donated to some 160 charities across the world, which underlines the fact that the good causes we choose to support are not necessarily limited to just Hong Kong or even just China.

In terms of the political and diplomatic projects I’ve been involved in, the moment when China resumed diplomatic ties with the Caribbean nation of Grenada was very special to me.

On the charity front, I personally enjoyed my role with Lok Sing Tong when I served as Chairman back in 2013. It’s an organisation dedicated to providing financial assistance to families, especially those with children who are very seriously ill. We also partnered with the Welfare Department, which ensured things were still being coordinated with the government while reducing the level of required bureaucracy. I then took that model and applied it to many of the other charities we were involved with.

I am also a supporter of protecting the rights of people from the LGBTQ+ community. This is all about ensuring everyone is free to make their own life choices without any fear. It really is as simple as that.

What’s your view on the impact of social media and digital content in general?
I think one of the problems in our society right now is how to differentiate between fake news amid the information overload we now face on a daily basis. It has come to the point where it’s difficult to be sure what to believe. Within this, while freedom of speech is important, there needs to be rules and regulations as means of putting a check on defamation and bullying. It’s also worth bearing in mind that, in life, it’s often better to be kind than to be always correct.

To give you your full title, you are “Dr Johnny Hon Baron of Houston, MH, SHOSJ, BSc (Hons), MA, M BuddhStud, Ph.D. (Cantab), ACSI, MIoD, MBPsS, FHKIoD and SF.SERA”. Do you feel the need to add any more letters after your name?

I’d say, why not? Right now, I am focused on studying Buddhism. In particular, I’m considering how to use Buddhist philosophy to enhance psychotherapy and how to deal with mental health issues in general, a subject that gets way less attention than it deserves. In the future, it’s an approach I’m hoping to put to good use in many of the charities and projects I am involved in.

Over the next couple of years, I see myself studying far more, something that will also allow me to meet more young people. So, in addition to my classroom lesson, I am also hoping to gain a new perspective from the younger generation. So yes, there will be an addition to all of these letters.

Finally, what should be the priority – happiness or financial well-being?
I think people have different needs at different stages of their lives. While in their twenties and thirties, people largely focus on earning money while building their careers and making investments. Many are basically looking to secure their place in society. I mean, who wouldn’t want to do that right? I think it is the ideal thing to do.

However, when you turn 40, suddenly everything changes, while also becoming a lot harder, at least from my personal experience. For me, this was when I began to search for the fire and desire I needed to keep me passionate about everything I do. And that’s what I always advise young people – be passionate about everything you do.

Thank you.

(Interview by: Joseff Musa; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jack Fontanilla)

Bulgarian Ballroom Master, Ivailo Tonchev

With dance floors just starting to get going again, Ivailo reflects on his dance career at the 5,000 square feet Studio 9 dance studio, the biggest one in the city, and how it helped him to meet his dance partner for life, his wife.

When did you first realise dancing was going to be a big part of your life?

I started dancing when I was seven years old as it is hugely popular in many Eastern European countries. It’s part of the culture. I grew up watching TV dance competitions, then, one day, I insisted to my parents that they sign me up for dancing school.

At that time, I was in love with Latin American music – the beat, the rhythm, the melody…Everything really. It was what I most wanted to do with my life. I was actually quite lucky, as my hometown, Burgas [a city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast], was something of a ballroom dancing hub.

Do you have to be born a great dancer or is it a talent you can acquire?
The studio where I first started dancing was run by the then-Bulgarian champions and that really helped me hone my dancing skills.

While I’d like to think that there’s a natural synergy between rhythm and me, I can’t overemphasise how important it is to work on your skills. So, I would say, it’s all down to a mix of rehearsing really hard and your own natural talent.

What’s the daily regime like for those looking for success in the world of competitive dancing?
Well, every competitor starts their day with stretching, a lot of stretching. Nowadays, many are very conscious of their physique, so they’ll go to the gym, ensure they have a proper diet and spend hours training and rehearsing their routines at the studio. Whether you’re preparing for a competition or already competing, you never stop learning, something anyone who aspires to be a professional dancer, will really have to take on board.

A competitor also never really stays in one place. The three major and international competitions are hosted by three UK cities and there are also the European and World Championships. So, there’s a lot of travelling involved.

What was it like to be crowned Vice-Champion of Latin American Show Dance?
Of course, it was great to win that particular title. While we signed up for the competition with no real expectations, we, of course, came prepared. Everything was seamless – from choosing the music and the choreography to the selection of the outfits and shoes. It was definitely a milestone win and the dance of a lifetime for us.

Even now, as a retired dancer and a World Dance Coach Adjudicator, apart from the technicalities that I share with my students, I tell them the same thing, that when participating in a showcase, everything has to be seamless.

What led you to move to Hong Kong?
The move to Hong Kong was far from planned. I was on the way to Malaysia with my partner for a competition and we had a stopover in Hong Kong. While we were there, I met with some fellow dancers and friends who invited me to their dance studio for a short-term guest instructor gig. From there, I fell in love with Hong Kong because it is like dancing for many reasons. They are both colourful and, sometimes, a little bit too noisy.

I like the fact that everything here is convenient. For me, the commuting experience in Hong Kong is among the best in the world. Ballroom Dancing was pretty popular here in Hong Kong, so that was another good reason for me to move here.

You also opened The Beat Dance Studio in DB. What was the thinking behind that?
My wife and I, moved to Discovery Bay, 12 years ago, when we decided to retire. We opened The Beat Dance Studio because we still had a real passion for dance. We now operate from two sites, so evidently, a lot of the people in Hong Kong share that passion. Which I am very grateful for. The response by the public to our businesses is truly admirable. We will keep on improving and continue to serve our clients, to keep the dancing spirit in the city alive and, hopefully, grow to a bigger community.

In addition, I am also the General Manager of Studio 9, the biggest studio in Hong Kong – a dance hub open for all styles of dancing, ballroom and Latin to wedding dances for couples and kids’ classes.

I think dance studios are spaces with huge transformational potential. There is always a sense of freedom and liberation and it’s a space quite distinct from real life.

Who are your typical students?
Whether purely for exercise or for competition, the age of our students ranges from as young as two, to teenagers who are competing, to working and retired professionals who just see it as a social gathering of sorts.

I think letting go and just being yourself is what makes dancing worthwhile. I believe that there is something more to dancing than what people generally know about the art. It really goes beyond its meaning. That’s what I love about it.

Tell us about your typical day.
I like to think I’m something of an early bird as I typically wake up at around 6 am. My daily routine includes a visit to the studio at Discovery Bay, where I do personal training or teach a dance group class. After that, I’ll go to Studio 9 in Sheung Wan where I spend the whole rest of the day working. The most exciting part of a day, and my personal favourite, is when I go home to my wife and kids, and just relax and enjoy the night.

What is your goal for the new year?
Fingers crossed, we really hope that 2023 will be a life-changing year for all of us. I believe it will be a time when Hong Kong finally rebounds and more people will feel free to socialise and go out. With a sense of normality finally restored, people will be able to plan things like their long-delayed weddings, or just meeting new people amongst many other things and reasons.

This means they come to one of our studios and we can help them by doing what we do best – teaching them how to dance. Now that social gatherings are finally back on the agenda, we are also more than happy to have our studios rented out for events. I hope more people take up dancing and experience its sheer and unbridled joy. That’s something we can all relate to, now that we are, once again, able to put our dancing shoes on.

Thank you.

(Interview by: Joseff Musa; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jack Fontanilla; Venue: Studio 9)

Creative Curator, Museum Maestro Maria Mok

Doctor Maria Mok joined the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMOA) in 1996 and is currently its Museum Director. A specialist in China trade paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries, her research largely focuses on dating and authentication, subjects she has published and lectured on extensively.

What do you particularly recall about your childhood?

It was, significantly, quite a simple time. My father was a part-time artist and I grew up in an environment where art was an essential part of life. I remember he would take us for walks on the beach and draw things in the sand for us. Similarly, when we are out hiking, he would ask us to consider the beauty of small flowers and ponder on the wonders of the natural world.

When did you first realise that your future career lay in the art world?

Well, my parents continually asked me to think about my future plans as soon as I became a teenager. It was really at that early stage of my life. As much to keep them happy as anything
else, I told them I wanted to be a fashion designer. In reality, I was much too young to make that decision so, when I went to Paris at the age of 18 to study fashion design, I found that I really wasn’t a designer material. As I was already in Paris and committed to staying there for a year, I immersed myself in the world of art and museums, a process that led me to realise that my real interest was in art of every kind. I also found that I loved writing, art history and culture, so I went back to university and studied exactly that. Looking back, I think I was always interested in all things artistic.

Are there any artists you regard as personal favourites?

While I don’t really have any favourite artists, I do have a favourite type of art. As it is rather old, the identities of the actual artists involved have been lost to time. I particularly love artworks that date from the time of the Song Dynasty, with monochrome ware Song porcelain being my absolute favourite. Typically, such pieces have amazing depths of colour, a kind of translucency and a minimalist aesthetic that pre-dates contemporary minimalist philosophy by a considerable margin.

What would you say were the factors that have shaped your own aesthetic sensibility?

I very much believe that less is more, which is why I love the simple porcelain works of the Song dynasty. There is real beauty in simplicity and quietness. While I like things that are pure, the fine details of any artwork are also very important to me.

Did you face any family pressure to pursue a more conventional career at any point?

My parents – especially my father – were very particular so, yes, they did worry about my career choices, especially as, back then, some 30 years ago, it was far more difficult to get ahead in the world of art. For any parent, practicality always comes to mind. They did, however, both stress the importance of perseverance and advised me to think deeply before making a decision. Once a decision had been made, though, they were insistent that I shouldn’t give up on my chosen path too easily. Their advice proved to have considerable resonance, as there were many, many twists, turns, hiccups and setbacks. Ultimately, perseverance really was the key to success.

Given the demanding nature of your job, how do you maintain the balance between your personal and professional lives?

It is not really much of a problem for me. I love my job, so my professional life is very much in tune with my personal life. I think it is very important that you enjoy and love what you are doing for a living – to stay passionate and dedicated to it. When people ask me what my favourite pastime is, I tell them it is not shopping or socialising. In fact, I tell them, I like to spend my weekends undertaking research. It’s something I enjoy and it’s very much part of my artistic and personal journey. Uncovering answers to questions in art history is akin to being a detective. When I find answers I then see it as part of my job to explain them in a way that is both interesting and understandable for the majority of other people. In short, I just love being a kind of bridge between art and the general public.

What role do you think art plays in society?

Art hugely defines who we are as a society, through creativity and cultural depth. For me, personally, I feel that, without art, we are not complete as human beings.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in art but is uncertain about their prospects within the sector?

I would strongly encourage anyone who wants to pursue a career in art. I would especially urge them to do so in Hong Kong, where the art scene is rapidly expanding, the art market is growing and there are an increasing number of jobs available in museums and galleries. If you love what you do, you don’t have to be afraid because you’ll always find a way to carry on doing it.

What would you say to those that maintain art is elitist and exclusively for the rich?

Unequivocally, I would say that is not the case. At the HKMOA, we fundamentally believe that art is for everyone, which is why we put so much effort into our publicity campaigns and our social media presence. As people may look at an individual work and say they don’t understand it, it is our job as curators to make sure they not only can understand it but also enjoy it.

What makes the HKMOA unique compared to Hong Kong’s other museums?

Its collections represent the very DNA of Hong Kong. It tells Hong Kong’s own story. What could be more unique than that.

What do you think is the most important thing for a museum to communicate to its visitors?

A museum should prioritise communicating a sense of comfort and openness to its visitors, ensuring that they are never intimidated. The message should be that a great art is always accessible – that it doesn’t belong to any specific class or type and one doesn’t have to study it to understand it as it has a universal appeal.

Which among the four core collections of HKMOA is your personal favourite and why?

As my area of specialty is China trade art from the 18th and 19th centuries, I’d have to say that. These are works that were very much produced by Chinese artists for the western market. As such, they are closely tied to the history of Hong Kong and played a key role in putting us on the world stage as an artistic force.

What is your vision for the HKMOA over the next 10 years?

Our vision is to make it a museum where, when people come in, they feel that they have a real stake in it, that they own it. We want them to take great pride in it and always remember that the Hong Kong Museum of Art truly is Hong Kong’s foremost museum of art.

Thank you.

(Interview by: Zaira Abbas; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jack Fontanilla; Hair and Make Up: Owen Ko; Venue: Hong Kong Museum of Art & Hue Dining)