‘A PLACE DESIGNERS LIVE AND BREATHE DESIGN’ – A LOOK INTO THE HOME OF AB CONCEPT
Hong Kong-based design house AB Concept is pleased to announce the opening of its newly renovated home, a space that traces the path of its journey from humble beginnings and reflects the firm’s culture, values and vision at every turn.
The starting point for the atelier’s design was that it should be a home for AB Concept’s team of designers and creative talents. “We wanted it to be a place the designers could live among a place to inspire and feed their passion,” says AB Concept’s co-founder Ed Ng. “It’s a concrete manifestation of our vision and our values. More than anything, it’s a space that speaks visually about who we are and how we do things.”
The newly renovated space in the city’s vibrant Causeway Bay district is born of the same creative vision that AB Concept has used to such effect in projects for the world’s top hoteliers, luxury developers, leading restaurant groups and exclusive private residences.
“As our team is growing in size and strength, we have needed to build a platform that reflects their calibre and allows them to perform to the best of their abilities. In some ways it has been a case of the space catching up with the talent,” explains Ed.
From the first glimpse of the expanded foyer area with its antique Chinese calligraphy table, visitors are immediately treated to a taste of what lies within. Past the front door lies the living room and lounge area, dotted with garden plants, bicycles and book shelves. The area features an eclectic collection of vintage furniture, artwork and design pieces from across the world, gathered over more than a decade by Ed and fellow co-founder Terence Ngan, making for an inspiring and visually engaging workspace. The area is a homely, intimate and ultimately very personal space.
“We consider the entire office to be our home,” says Ed. “We wanted it to be a place we live and breathe the design. The space where you spend most of your time will inform your thinking, the way you grow, the way you think, and we wanted this to be a fertile environment for our designers. It had to be a space that would give back, a space that would inspire and nurture creativity.”
The atelier, which serves as the headquarters for AB Concept’s work, backed by its practices in Taipei and Bangkok, features a generous area for the design, styling and technical teams and ample space for perhaps one of the largest material libraries in this industry. It also boasts four creative spaces that can serve as communication hubs or gallery areas, a state-of-the art bespoke kitchen and even its own gym for staff. “We believe that the best design ideas do not necessarily spark when you are sitting by your desk, but while you are relaxing at home”, says Ed.
The heart of the studio is The Garden, which is the space connecting Ed and Terence’s open offices. It is the focal point for discussion on all projects, and a physical manifestation of the integral role-played by the two co-founders in the design process. Like the rest of the atelier, the space is completely open plan featuring a bespoke and innovative Pages Cabinet, the design of which is extremely flexible and can be adapted from open shelving to closed cupboards, changeable over time. The aim is to create a transparent environment while providing a versatile solution to the constantly evolving requirements of the space. More than anything, however, the new studio is an expression of the firm’s core beliefs, a distilled version of the intangible energy driving the creative process.
“We are just humble designers,” says Ed. “The only thing we know about investment is that it should be made on a space that makes us happy every day, a place we can call our home and is a translation of our vision. It is an unwritten testament to our amazing designers and clients of how much we enjoy and care about our work.”
PEPSI CHALLENGES DARKNESS TO BRING LIGHT TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED WITH THE PEPSI x LITER OF LIGHT “IGNITE THE LIGHT” TOUR
First Global Challenge & Tour Stop Features Art Installation By World-Renowned Fashion Designer & Creative Director Nicola Formichetti in Hong Kong
Pepsi today challenges people worldwide to shine a light on those who live in darkness. As the first global initiative in its 2015 Pepsi Challenge program, the iconic brand announces the Pepsi x Liter of Light “Ignite the Light” Tour – an international journey of creative, large-scale, mixed media art installations created by artists from around the world who will bring attention to communities that lack electricity and basic lighting solutions.
In partnership with the Liter of Light organization and world-renowned fashion designer, creative director and fashion editor widely known for collaborations with Diesel and Lady Gaga, Nicola Formichetti, Pepsi reveals the first “Ignite the Light” installation in Hong Kong. Unveiled on March 15th and open to the public for a limited time at the PMQ Courtyard, Formichetti’s piece titled “Ao Dress” is a physical example of the symbiotic relationship between light and material.
"It’s important that the fashion and art industries work hand in hand and help each other, as each world now collides. I’m very much inspired by the art world mixing with my fashion angle, so it’s exciting to be able to have a hand in both through the Pepsi x Liter of Light ‘Ignite the Light’ Tour,” said Formichetti. “For my piece, ‘Ao Dress,’ I was inspired by Mother Nature – the embodiment of renewal, birth and the light of infinite possibility. What could be better than repurposing Pepsi bottles into something that helps people who go without the most basic of human needs, such as electricity and light. Pepsi is literally helping bring people out of the darkness and into the light, and that is something I can stand behind with conviction.”
“Ao Dress” is an out-of-this-world gown with body architecture crafted from light and Pepsi bottles. Inspired by “Ao” the Goddess of Light, the truly alchemistical fashion spectacle observes the beautiful nature of the liquid diffused glow of Liter of Light solar lights and creates a futuristic silhouette that stands as a celebration of the project. Formichetti’s team collaborated with fashion and technology company Studio XO and production company Prettybird to bring his vision to life.
“Through the ‘Ignite the Light’ Tour with Liter of Light, we’re infusing the fun and excitement of the Pepsi Challenge with a focused purpose – helping our consumers around the world achieve their desire to make an impact,” said Kristin Patrick, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Global Beverage Brands. “Our work with Liter of Light is the connective tissue throughout the Pepsi Challenge program and we’re challenging ourselves, our artist partners and our consumers to draw attention to this vital need. To act and to make a real difference.”
Pepsi Challenge is a call to today’s generations to live life to the fullest and make every moment—big or small—epic. Throughout 2015, Pepsi Challenge unleashes a variety of global and local challenges designed to galvanize consumers to push themselves farther, dream a little bigger and “Live for Now.” Challenges will be issued on Pepsi social channels, PepsiChallenge.com and via global and local ambassadors.
Underpinning and uniting each and every #PepsiChallenge is a way for people around the world to make an impact. Through the partnership with Liter of Light, Pepsi will bring cost effective solar lighting solutions to communities in need while recycling plastic bottles. Every time consumers around the world use the #PepsiChallenge hash tag on public Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube profiles, Pepsi will donate $1 to Liter of Light to help bring environmentally-friendly, inexpensive and easy to make lights to those around the world who need it most.
To date, Liter of Light has provided ecologically-sustainable lighting solutions, free of cost, including nighttime lighting solutions and public lighting such as street lights, to more than 18 countries including Brazil, India, Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Egypt, Pakistan and the Philippines. Using empty recycled plastic bottles, water and chlorine, Liter of Light creates innovative “bottle lights” – a 55-watt solar bulb, with zero carbon emissions, that refracts sunlight and is powerful enough to light up a home.
“Light is not only a great need, but also a great inspiration, for so many,” said Illac Diaz, Liter of Light Founder. “The Pepsi Challenge program and its ‘Ignite the Light’ global challenge sheds light on our great mission in inspiring, beautiful and visually stunning ways – both physically with the artistic light installations around the world, as well as the great impact and movement made through our partnership with Pepsi.”
As a global ambassador for the Pepsi Challenge, Formichetti has challenged select artists around the world to take his lit torch and create the next “Ignite the Light” installation. Up to five “Ignite the Light” installations will be unveiled throughout the year around the world.
Enquires: Visit www.PepsiChallenge.com for more information.
Art Central breaks new ground with inaugural satellite fair
Staged in a 10,000 square meter temporary structure on the Central Harbourfront, Art Central is an Art Week experience unlike anything Hong Kong has seen before. It will inspire and wow fair-goers with over 75 galleries from around the world, spectacular large-scale installations, Art week's hottest pop-up restaurant and bar. The Continental, and street food bites from Classified, Beef & Liberty and Brickhouse.
A series of ambitious installations will wow and amaze, including a custom designed crystal installation by Joyce Wang for Swarovski called "Oculus". Refractions and reflections dance through space as light penetrates an inner structure of 360 crystal spikes within the work.
The Asia Society Hong Kong Center are leading an inspiring talks program to enable fairgoers to directly engage with some of the leading artistic trends and curatorial practices of contemporary art in Asia and beyond. This includes a panel discussion on contemporary ink curated by contemporary ink specialist Tiffany Beres. Contemporary ink is a key theme of Art Central and Tiffany Beres will also lead ink tours, showing fairgoers a few of the highlights of the more than 20 ink artists on display.
Education is an integral part of Art Central. As part of the education program, University Partner SCAD HONG KONG will conduct free educational tours providing insight into contemporary. Those who prefer a self-guided tour are encouraged to download the Artsy app or visit the fair microsite on Artsy.net. Artsy provides an online preview of Art Central along with exclusive insider picks and editorial.
Fair-goers can literally make their mark on Art Central with the Sovereign Art Foundation's artist studio and Children's Education Partner Art Loop will lead a series of Kids Tours for children aged 5-8 years old and 9-13 years old. With a strong program of educational tours and interactive art activities. Art Central aims to inspire visitors of all ages.
The Continental pop-up restaurant and bar is set to redefine art-week-eats. Award-winning British Chef and Financial Times Weekend Magazine food writer Rowley Leigh will be at the helm with a menu drawing inspiration from the grand cafes of Europe and featuring the best ingredients from sustainable sources, serving dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner each day.
Those looking for a quick and easy bite will be amply satisfied by Classified, Beer & Liberty and Brickhouse in street food corner. From Mexican tacos and margaritas to hearty beef burger, Art Central will be serving up flavor and style in creative new ways.
Don't forget! Merci Magazine subscriber price is only for HKD 175 (admits 2). Is valued at HK$200!
Ticket: www.artcentralhongkong.com/merci
Follow Art Central: http://www.artcentralhongkong.com
Facebook: /artcentralhk | Instagram: /artcentralhongkong | Twitter: /artcentralhk
THE ULTIMATE SEVENS AFTER PARTY TURNS 10! 2015 SET TO BE BIGGER. BETTER. WILDER
Louis Roederer Champagne Tent
The weekend for rugby and party enthusiasts, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, is fast approaching us once again and will be held on the 27th – 29th March 2015 in the Hong Kong Stadium. Rugby players from across the globe will come to Hong Kong to play in one of the world’s best Sevens tournaments.
2015 sees the Louis Roederer Champagne Tent turn 10 and organisers Ironmonger claim it will be bigger, better, wilder. The Champagne Tent is known as the best Sevens after party and the place to be seen. Entertainment for the evening includes live performances from cover band Black Widow, DJ Bennie Blanco, dancers and of course plenty of bubbly stuff.
Louis Roederer Champagne will be offered for sale at the bar, along with cocktails, wine, and beer as an alternative. In addition, there is a special ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’ promotion for all cocktails on Friday, 27th March from 6.30pm – 9.30pm.
To celebrate turning 10, the Louis Roederer Champagne Tent will be hosting what will be THE closing party of the Sevens on Sunday 29th March 2015. Partygoers will be able to step inside the normally exclusive venue as its organisers open the doors to all for one night only.
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March will remain an exclusive ticketed event and tickets are available for sale on a first-come-first-served basis, and prices increase as the weekend approaches. The pass permits entry to the Louis Roederer Champagne Tent for all three nights of the Sevens, but does not include any drinks and is non-transferable.
Ticket Prices:
Tickets purchased before 20th February | HK$250 per ticket
Tickets purchased before 20th March | HK$300 per ticket
Tickets purchased before 26th March | HK$350 per ticket
Tickets purchased at the door | HK$450 per ticket (subject to availability)
Tickets are available for purchase from the organisers, Ironmonger Events Limited via www.ironmongerevents.com
or by email: sevens@ironmongerevents.com
For enquires: (852) 2530-2773.
Doors will open at 6.30pm until late for the entire weekend. The Louis Roederer Champagne Tent is located at the Indian Recreation Club, 63 Caroline Hill Road, Causeway Bay.
Merci will giveaway 5 pairs of tickets for Friday, March 27, 2015 Louis Roederer Champagne Tent. To Win the giveaway ticket? Please visit
BEST GIFTS FOR A PROSPEROUS CHINESE NEW YEAR
Last minuate shopping! In celebration of the Year of the Ram in the Chinese Zodiac calendar, Town House, the city’s renowned leading purveyors of luxury gifts and lifestyle accessories, is presenting a series of stylish gifts inspired by the celebrated ram.
Known to be artistic and lovers of beauty and aesthetic pleasures, those born in the lunar year of the Ram also exhibit virtues of compassion, generosity and are notorious for being tolerant under intense pressure while remaining stable, hence touted as the best team players in the work environment. In tribute to these characteristics, Town House offers the perfect gift for those born in the Year of the Ram, and for loved ones and business partners to usher in good fortune at this auspicious time!
Town House commissioned Duccio di Segna to produce the next series of crystal ram figurines, exclusive to only Town House Landmark Prince’s store. The exquisite crystal pieces are shaped using techniques from 14th century Tuscany, most notably the town Colle Val d’Elsa. The local tradition has born and bred generations of glass blowers and engravers, with evolving techniques perfecting the traditional spirit. With technical superiority of using the purest 24% lead crystal treated at 1220° C, and 24-carat pure gold, the creator’s beauty lies at the intersection of art and science. The 19cm Ram Bust retails at HK$4,500.
For those whisky aficionados in our group of friends or business associates, the perfect coveted gift this season is the Whisky Decanter set that comes with two tumbler glasses. Using the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality, the Bohemia crystal and cut pattern is an opulent, highly refractive crystal set worthy of the finest tipple. With its Czech roots born in the Renaissance period, an era filled with unrestrained hedonism, the whisky decanter gift set comes emblazoned with an artistic interpretation of the Chinese character of the auspicious Ram and will be available in February 2015 for HK$1,080.
For enquires: please visit www.townhouse.com.hk
Fifty Shades of Grey - Decor Behind the scene
The most expected movie of the year, 50 Shades of Grey, the film adaptation of the best selling book that become a global phenomenon, is set to be released on today, Valentine’s Day. Said to explore some of the book’s most explicit scenes, down to fine detail, it also tells the story of the unexplainable attraction between a young and naive woman, and her love affair with an older and more experienced man, Christian Grey.
Selected to furnish Mr. Grey’s penthouse apartment, Boca do Lobo, Delightfull, Brabbu and Koket were found to be a perfect match with the story’s nature, and its main character’s extravagant ways, and millionaire taste. Each piece was carefully selected to fit it’s designated environment style, from bold and avant-garde, to organic and feminine, aiming to mirror the film and brands’ common qualities.
Our editor's pick:
From left to right: 1. Turner table 2. Eanda-dining-chair 3.Eternity Chandelier 4.Brooklyn Bar Cabinet-Palatino 5. Galliano wall-delightfull Coltrane lamps 6. Koket. Exotica desk
BRABBU brings nature’s savageness in an elegant way to 50 Shades of Grey’s interior design and as the story unfolds the more and more you feel involved by the set.
For enquires: