Dangerous Liaisons: Flirtatious sartorial evening wear

Slay the evening with your best glam look while donning the season’s hottest evening wear. Elevated to a more provocative, fashion-forward level, the high fashion maisons are tapping into lace dresses, eclectic prints and bold, bright colours this season to spice up the party scene. Mixing formal wear with the right balance of modernity and attitude, these sartorial numbers are sure to steal more than a few glances.

Look 1

On Her: Earrings by Swarovski; Gloves, lingerie, dress and heels by Gucci
On Him: Jacket, button-up skirt, vest, tie, pants and shoes by Gucci

Look 2

On Her: Necklace, bracelet, top, long skirt and heels by Hermès
On Him: Button-up skirt, pants and shoes by Brunello Cucinelli; Handbag by Hermès

Look 3

Jacket, pants and boots by Moschino

Look 4

On Her: Earrings and necklace by Swarovski; Handbag by Roger Vivier; Jacket, bra, skirt and boots by Dolce & Gabbana
On Him: Tank top and pants by Loewe; Boots by Hermès

Look 5

On Her: Earrings, gloves and heels by Gucci; Dress by Dolce & Gabbana
On Him: Jacket, vest, pants and boots by Gucci

Look 6

On Her: Earrings and necklace by Hermès; Dress by Loewe; Handbag and heels by Jimmy Choo
On Him: Jacket and pants by Moschino; Shoes by Brunello Cucinelli

Look 7

On Her: Earrings by Swarovski; Jacket, skirt and high-knee boots by Balenciaga
On Him: Jacket, pants and shoes by Dolce & Gabbana

Look 8

On Her: Earrings, bracelet and ring by Swarovski; Mich draped embellished tulle mini dress by Retrofete, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER
Handbag by Jimmy Choo; Heels by Roger Vivier
On Him: Jacket, shirt, pants and shoes by Valentino

Look 9

Dress, handbag and heels by Valentino

Venue: Tamar Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Andy Wan Female model: Alex Ko (Quest Artists & Models); Male model: Miranda G (Quest Artists & Models) Hair and Make-up: Heti Tsang and Cyrus Tang

Embrace a zesty new style for summertime

How best to perfect a casual, breezy summer ensemble for the warmer days ahead? We’ve put together a selection of the hottest fashion pieces to refresh your wardrobe and create a collection of OOTDs for any, and every, occasion for the summertime. See our mastered looks below…

Look 1

On Her: Top, skirt and handbag by Versace
On Him: Jacket, button-up shirt and pants by Versace

Look 2

On Her: Dress and handbag by Giorgio Armani
On Him: Jacket, pants and shoes by Giorgio Armani

Look 3

Jacket and pants by Hugo Boss

Look 4

On Her: Top and shorts by Prada
On Him: Sweater, top, shorts and handbag by Prada

Look 5

On Her: Bralette, long skirt, handbag and thigh-high boots by Michael Kors
On Him: Vest, pants and shoes by Brunello Cucinelli

Look 6

Necklace, crop sweater, top, skirt, handbag and heels by Miu Miu

Look 7

On Her: Cutout ribbed dress by David Koma, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Holli embellished feather and twill tote by Rosantica, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Heels by Salvatore Ferragamo
On Him: Sweater by Loewe; Shorts by Prada; Handbag and shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo

Look 8

On Her: Dress and handbag by Hermès
On Him: Polo top, handbag and pants by Hermès

Look 9

On Her: Crop sweater, skirt, handbag and shoes by Valentino
On Him: Button-up shirt, sweater, pants and shoes by Valentino

(Photographer: Jack Law; Styling & Art Direction: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jackie Chan; Female model: Lexi V (Quest Artists & Models); Male model: Kiril D (Quest Artists & Models); Hair and Make-up: Heti Tsang and Owen Ko)

Fashion Trends: Monochromatic outfits are here to stay…

Timeless, seasonless and simply classic, black and white style is absolutely the way to go if you’re aiming for a look to suit any occasion. This monochromatic palette remains a constant staple throughout the seasonal fashion cycle and here, we’ve put together some of our favourite ensembles from this season’s high fashion collections.

Look 1

On Her: Drop earrings, jacket, skirt, handbag and heels by Prada
On Him: Jacket and pants by Gucci; Shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo

Look 2

On Her: Earrings by Jimmy Choo; Nylon-strap mini-dress by Ganni, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER
On Him: Cross-body bags, jacket, pants and sandals by Balenciaga

Look 3

On Her: Shawl, top and long shirt by Chloé
On Him: Top, shorts, handbag and sandals by Salvatore Ferrgamo

Look 4

Jacket and pants by Brunello Cucinelli

Also Read: It List: Spring fashion accessories to invest in right now

Look 5

On Her: Button-embellished midi dress by Rasario, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Heels by Salvatore Ferragamo
On Him: Jacket, pants and shoes by Dunhill

Look 6

On Her: Necklace, bracelet, ring, top, pants and handbag by Salvatore Ferragamo
On Him: Top, jacket and pants by Versace

Look 7

On Her: Jacket, bralette and pants by Hermès
On Him: Top and pants by Hermès

Look 8

On Her: Necklace, ring, jacket, bra and heels by Gucci
On Him: Jumpsuit, bracelets, socks and shoes by Prada

Look 9

Long-coat, bodysuit, earrings and mid-heel pointed toe mules by Shiatzy Chen

Also Read: High fashion, glam ideas for your next vacation

(Photographer: Jack Law Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma Videographer: Jackie Chan; Female model: Kiranjeet Gill (Elite Model Management Hong Kong Limited); Male model: Leo Umanskiy (Elite Model ; Management Hong Kong Limited); Hair and Make-up: Heti Tsang and Owen Ko)

Match Fit: Wear what you dare to pair

With the new year upon us, leaping into 2021 calls for nothing less than a bold and assertive frame of mind. Match fit for a soiree of sophistication and glamour, dare to pair what you wear to carry through a look that speaks for you.

Look 1

On Her:

Earrings and bracelet by Ryder Diamonds; Heavy crepe dress by Sharisha, courtesy of Net-A-Porter; Pants by Bottega Veneta

On Him:

Shirt by Brunello Cucinelli; Suit jacket by Dunhill; Pants by Bottega Veneta

Look 2

Coat and top by Balenciaga; Pants by Valentino Garavani; Bag by Hermès; Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

Look 3

On Her:

Earrings by Ryder Diamonds; Ornell top by Sandro; Chimera gold-tone pearl body chain by Rosantica, courtesy of Net-A-Porter; Black long tulle gloves with satin bows and crystals by Gucci

On Him:

Shirt by Berluti

Look 4

On Her:

Hair accessory in metal with crystals by Gucci; Earrings and bracelet by Ryder Diamonds; Jacket by Versace; 2.0 Cruel heels by Giuseppe Zanotti; Chinese chess set by Hermès

On Him:

Top by Balenciaga; Pants by Berluti; Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

Look 5

Interlocking G necklace by Gucci; Pasto one-shoulder neon satin mini dress by GAUGE81, courtesy of Net-A-Porter; Ring by Ryder Diamonds; Mid-heel boots in white by Gucci

Look 6

On Her:

Earrings and necklace by Ryder Diamonds; Leather jacket by Salvatore Ferragamo; Bebe platform heels by Giuseppe Zanotti; Mini hobo bag by Gucci

On Him:

Shirt, leather jacket and pants by Prada; Shoes by Versace

Look 7

On Her:

Earrings and ring by Ryder Diamonds; Pant suit by The Kooples; Roulis slim bag by Hermès; Thigh-high boots by Balenciaga

On Him:

Shirt, suit jacket, trousers and shoes by Dolce & Gabbana

Look 8

On Her:

Earrings and necklace by Ryder Diamonds; Two-tone faux fur coat by The Kooples; Sequined mini dress by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini from The Outnet; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

On Him:

Brooch by Ryder Diamonds; Suit jacket and trousers by Berluti; Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

Look 9

On Her:

Earrings in metal with crystals by Gucci; Knitwear dress by Salvatore Ferragamo; Rings by Ryder Diamonds; Tres Viver boots by Roger Vivier

On Him:

Turtleneck, jacket, pants and leather boots, all by Hermès; Ring by Ryder Diamonds

Photos: Jack Law

Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma

Models : Filip Bledziewski @ModelOne, Candice Lui

Hair and Make-up : Vincy Lee and Hoby Wong

Venue: Andante

Collectible mahjong sets

These luxurious mahjong sets are guaranteed collectibles.

Mahjong, the widely popular Chinese tile-based game, was first developed during the Qing dynasty. Since then, it has spread like wildfire, winning over fans across the globe. Such is its presence on the world stage that numerous designer brands and other luxury lifestyle companies have taken to creating their own special-made and limited-edition mahjong sets. The most expensive and coveted of these – items that stand apart for their unique aesthetics – are made with unusual high-end materials and feature beautifully detailed carvings and designs. If you’re after a statement-making mahjong set, these may be just what you’re looking for.

luxury mahjong (mah-jong) set gafencu magazine s.t. dupont — Image from S.T. Dupont

Gemstone mahjong Set

S.T. Dupont, the French manufacturer of luxury lighters and collectable pens, has opted for gem-studded luxury with its 144 handmade blocks of Tanzanian ruby tiles. Each tile is cased with a gold-vermeil that is beautifully hand-engraved. The set includes chips in the form of ancient coins carved from white or black mother-of-pearl, and two ruby dice with pavé-set diamonds and gold-vermeil casings. As if the rubies, diamonds and pearls weren’t enough, each tile also features more than 1000 Burmese rubies and 300 high-quality diamonds on the face and reserve side of each tile. In short, this is one luxury mahjong set that is sure to appeal to haute joaillerie aficionados.

Price: HK$8,219,823

luxury mahjong (mah-jong) set gafencu magazine Geoffrey parker (2) — Image from Geoffrey Parker

Ox bone and bamboo set

A luxury trunk for the gentleman who enjoys his whisky and cigar over a game of mahjong is this ox bone and bamboo set by English luxury game maker, Geoffrey Parker. Presented within a leather-bound trunk is a set of 144 beautifully hand-carved Ox bone and bamboo tiles by Liu Jun, an expert in traditional mahjong craftsmanship. The trunk, crafted from an exotic ostrich leather, also doubles as an armoire of crystal glasses, cigars and decanter.

Price: HK$304,968

luxury mahjong (mah-jong) set gafencu magazine hermes — Image from Hermès

Leather printed set

The Helios Mahjong Set has been burnished in the iconic orange-brown color scheme of its maker, the French luxury brand Hermès. Crafted from pallisander wood and encased in soft Swift calfskin, each of the 144 tiles is encased with leather, with the requisite symbols printed atop. This limited-edition set enhances traditional mahjong motifs with a wholly modern appeal, though some fans maybe disappointed that the usual cacophony of tiles clacking together has, in this instance, been muffled.

Price: HK$313, 125

luxury mahjong (mah-jong) set gafencu magazine Brunello Cucinello (2) — Image from brunello Cucinelli

Walnut wood and laser carved set

Italian luxury brand Brunello Cucinelli had deftly fused traditional and contemporary elements in its collector’s-edition walnut wood mahjong set. Made from innovative materials like high-quality marble-esque KRION™, and dovetailed with European walnut wood, it depicts a refined reinterpretation of the traditional bone and bamboo style. Its engravings are far from traditional, however, featuring finely and perfectly carved symbols with the use of a laser. It is an impressive take on modern mahjong tile-making. Two hand-made dice crafted from the same wooden material and a case made of two stack able trays and cover complete the set.

Price: HK$73,445

Feature image of Joanna Mahjong Set from Ralph Lauren

Perfect Chinese New Year gifts for your loved ones

If you’re looking for more than the usual red packets to gift your nearest and dearest to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Rat, we at Gafencu have curated a special collection of Chinese New Year gifts that are sure to add a special touch to your lunar festivities.

Blancpain’s Métiers d’Art Collection

As the Rat supercedes its porcine predecessor this Chinese New Year, luxury brand Blancpain is launching its very first watch with a porcelain dial designed and manufactured in its Métiers d’Art workshops – The Métiers d’Art Porcelaine special edition. Each unique timepiece features an enamel painting of three rats on a white gold case that is encircled with diamonds. Besides, the eight-piece collection is powered by a Calibre 1154 automatic movement, blending beautiful form with undeniable functionality in true style.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Year of the Rat Limited Edition

In celebration for this Chinese New Year, Johnnie Walker, the master of fine whiskies is launching its new Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Year of the Rat Limited Edition. The special cask is decorated with a rat on golden ingots, and comes with the rightly flavoured Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky ‒ crafted by a group of expert blenders including Jim Beveridge who was named the Master Blender of the Year twice. Without a doubt, this should rank high on your Chinese New Year gifts list.

Piaget Altiplano with two rats

Honouring the zodiac animal of the upcoming Chinese New Year, the Swiss horology brand Piaget has altered the dial of its emblematic Piaget Altiplano to feature two white rats on a Grand Feu cloisonné enamel dial. The white gold case is further emphasised with dazzling diamonds to give it the perfect finishing touch. In addition, the luxury fashion maison is also launching the Possession collection for this festive season, offering a wide selection of Chinese New Year gifts for the watch lover in your life.

Vins d’Alsace food and wine pairing guide

Savouring authentic delicacies is an undeniable Chinese New Year tradition. The French wine-making region of Alsace is taking it up a notch by introducing a guide revealing which wine would be perfect for which dish. For instance, the Pinot Noir will go well with the traditional Hong Kong style dish of Poon Choi. It is indeed a very practical gift that will make this Chinese New Year dinner an unforgettable one for the taste buds.

Brunello Cucinelli’s Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year Special

Keeping up with the notion that the Lunar New Year is best celebrated with your loved ones, Italian fashion company Brunello Cucinelli is showcasing a specially curated collection. This ensemble is complete with useful gifts such as bags, scarves and sneakers for both men and women. With the colour red being its central motif, each product offers a vintage yet contemporary appeal.

Golden Double Serum

Inspired by the auspicious colours of the Chinese tradition ‒ red and gold – the French skincare manufacturer Clarins has revamped its Double Serum bottle for the Year of the Rat. With 21 strong anti-aging ingredients, the serum is an answer to a very radiant and youthful looking skin. Besides, the serum also optimises the five important skin functions ‒ regeneration, nutrition, hydration, oxygenation and protection to achieve flawless skin. At HK$900, the limited-edition serum is available online.

Autavia CNY 2020 Year of the Rat Special Edition

Luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer is introducing its exclusive collection Autavia CNY 2020 Year of the Rat Special Edition that pays tribute to Chinese culture. With a caseback that showcases a rat holding a steering wheel, the timepiece combines the brand’s roots in motor racing with the zodiac animal, making it a great gift for the rat year. Moreover, its red dial that has the 1 o’clock mark replaced by the Chinese character “鼠” is one of the stand out features of this product. Besides, the watch’s COSC-certified chronometer technology makes it a great present without any further doubts.

Rouge Unlimited

Described as the perfect gift for anyone who loves make-up, the Japanese cosmetic and skincare brand Shu Uemura launched its New Year collection. This #flamingreds series consists of six shades of limited edition matte lipsticks, three shades of lip amplifiers, a cleansing oil, eyebrow pencils and a foundation brush. With the colour red being the main colour of this collection, the Rouge Unlimited collection is sure to bring luck as a gift for the rat year.

Fabergé’s Rat Surprise

With over a hundred-year history of crafting beautiful ornaments for every occasion, Russian jeweller Fabergé, known for its egg-shaped pendants, continues this legacy with its latest series of Palais Tsarskoye Selo Red Lockets. Among the collection, the locket with the rat surprise is a perfect gift for the rat year. A 18K gold pendant enhanced with red guilloché enamel work and studded with diamonds opens to reveal a golden rat studded with shimmering diamonds. At HK$81,510, the Rat surprise jewelry is available for pre-order at Fabergé.com and at select Fabergé stockists.

Vacheron Constantin Metiers d’Art The Legend of Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rat

In time for the upcoming Chinese New Year, another renowned Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin is unveiling two versions of its new Vacheron Constantin Metiers d’Art The Legend of Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rat. With only 12 pieces available for each version, one is rose gold / brown and the other is platinum / blue. The watch comes fitted with a Caliber 2460 G4 movement and is visually enhanced with the intricate crafting on its dial featuring a rat mounted on the centre.