Celebrate! 2015 Furniture Design Competition Finalist
Building on the success of SHOP! 2014 and EAT! 2015, the RIBA Hong Kong Chapter, in partnership with HoneD and Merci magazine, launched a furniture design competition as part of CELEBRATE! 2015 earlier this year. The initiative offers the participating furniture manufacturer the chance to benefit from the unique design skills of architects and designers to experiment with their creativity. Architects and designers will also gain the opportunity to work on a direct commission with the furniture manufacturer to develop and translate the design into prototype to showcase their design to a wide range of quality design, art and lifestyle exhibitions.
Architects and designers (individuals and teams) across Hong Kong and Asia Pacific were submitted their designs of a piece of furniture in competition. Three of these designs were selected by a panel of international judges to have the prototype of their creation manufactured. These three prototypes, together with a high recommendation prize for design had been unveiled at the culminating event - RIBA Hong Kong Chapter CELEBRATE! 2015 which hosted on 10th December, 2015. An overall winner, selected on the night by a panel of international judges, and a popular vote winner were selected by attending guests on the night has been announced.
FINALIST
Three of these designs were selected by a panel of international judges to have the prototype of their creation manufactured. They are Step Stools designed by Tony Leung, Connect Chair by Vicky Poon and Shair by Salim Rumjahn. Also Yuan Chair were selected and won the High commendation for Design.
ABOUT STEP STOOLS | Designed by Tony Leung
STEP STOOLS CONCEPT
Step stools 120' echoes the folding stools commonly found in Hong Kong, build of plywood on a pivoting steel frame, the simple design offers multiple configurations such as step stools, side tables or furniture for kids. Wood type and paint finishes can be selected to match different decors.
Function: Coffee table | Kids's furniture | Stepstools
CONNECT CHAIR | Designed by Vicky Poon
Connect Chair Concept
The design concept of “Connect Chair” is to encourage the interaction between people. In Hong Kong, people usually keep their distance between each other and seldom speak with new faces in supposedly “social” activities such as lesson, seminar, workshop, etc. This inspired me to explore the idea to design a piece of furniture which can be transformed to different circumstances: single seat, double seats or multi-seats that would conveniently enable participants get closer to each other to strike up conversations in a relaxed manner. The chair shape design is like a piece from a jigsaw puzzle that not only expresses the meaning of connection between people, but also allows people to have fun in their interaction of joining their seats with each other.
FUNCTION: Single for one | Double seats for two | Two or more of these chairs can join with each other to form an extended social area
SHAIR - Designed by Salim Rumjahn
Shair Concept
“Shair” concept came from my children who have unlimited energy and curiosity to climb up chairs to reach higher position at home, for example: open refrigerator, closet and bookshelf. To fulfill their needs of them, I integrate Chair and Stair and came up with my design, “Shair”.
FUNCTION: Escalate | Seat
On December 10, 2015. CELEBRATE! 2015 Christmas party were held at JLL in conjunction with announcement of the winners of the creative design competition. The designers of Yuan Chair received a High Commendation Award for Design. After voting by the panel of judges included Dr. Edmund Lee (HKDC), David Littler and Dan Rusu also our audience on the night,
Stepstools won the Judges Prize while Connect Chair won the Popular Vote Prize.
Gold & Venue Sponsor: JLL
Silver Sponsors: MEGAMAN HK | TUNG FAT HO BUILDING MATERIAL LTD
Sponsors: Jax Coco | Pinecone Creations
To review the design project of Celebrate! 2015, please visit:
Green and Warm Christmas at East, Hong Kong
Thank you very much EAST, Hong Kong for the wonderful and warm Christmas dinner. We really enjoyed all the arrangements - nice mulled wine welcome drink, planting in the Herb Garden, delicious dinner with pleasing presentation and love the eco-friendly festive decors - European Christmas Village and Gingerbread Village. Luckily, our editor won a lucky draw.
The festivities begin with a semi-buffet dinner on Christmas Eve at HK$688* and on Christmas Day at HK$668*, both with two sessions. Children aged 12 and below will enjoy discounted rates at HK$344* and HK$334*, respectively. A semi-buffet brunch is also available on Christmas Day from 11:30am to 2:30pm at HK$558* for adults and HK$279* for children. And then, Mr & Mrs Claus will pay a visit to the restaurant on both days to give away Christmas treats to children during both lunch and dinner.
The Christmas semi-buffet dinner menu features a selection of festive choices, including Gravlax and Glazed Ham, Poached and Smoked Salmon, and Continental Cheeses and Artisan Breads, in addition to an inviting seafood selection with Boston Lobster, Canadian Crab Legs, Cooked Prawns and Freshly Shucked Seasonal Oysters at the seafood bar.
After the scrumptious starters, guests can have their choice of a main course, freshly prepared from the open kitchen, including Hand-carved Turkey Breast and “Boned and Rolled” Leg or Porterhouse Steak (550g) to share with family and friends, as well as Seared Scallops, French Duck Breast and Roast Chilean Sea Bass.Complete the Christmas meal with a selection of festive desserts such as Poached Red Wine Pear, Cranberry Cheese Cake, Mince Pie, Chestnut Meringue Pie, Panettone Bread, Butter Pudding with Brandy Sauce and more.
For the Christmas Day semi-buffet brunch, guests can enjoy a variety of seafood, crispy fresh salads, cold cuts and pastries from the generous antipasti corner, followed by the main dish. Afterwards, guests can wrap up with a selection of Yuletide desserts.
Beside the semi-buffet brunch and dinner during Christmas, the hotel also offers New Year's Eve semi-buffet dinner on 31 December is priced at HK$628* for adults and HK$314* for children aged 12 and below. Guests will be spoilt on the last day of 2015 with an appealing dinner, including an assortment of antipasti and seafood with a choice of main course options, such as Grilled Canadian Lobster (800g minimum) or Porterhouse Steak (550g) for two people to share, as well as Seared Scallops, Roast Chilean Sea Bass and French Duck Breast.
For reservations: Feast (Food by EAST), please email festiveatfeast@east-hongkong.com or call (852) 3968 3777
Merry Christmas!!
The Gentlemen’s Odyssey presented by Harbour City VIC Club
On November 12, 2015, Harbour City VIC Club and Merci Magazine have fiirst joined force to celebrate an exclusive journey of artisans and craftsmanship for professionals and for distinguished gentlemen. Showcase of the champion of the simple and timeless design, appreicateing craftsmanship, aesthetics with bespoke elegance created especially for the evening which took guests on a journey through the evolution of showcased the latest collections from the likes of Benjamin & Blum, Canali, Corthay, Davidoff, IWC, Moynat, The Gentlemen's Tonic, The Glenlivet and Visual Culture.
With an exclusive coktail party at Epure that had a number of architects, designers and executive directors in attendance. With an interactive experiments that we had guests such as Roger Staeheli, Manfred Yuen, Roger Wu, Sherry Faller.
The Timeless Magic of Disney Comes To Pandora Asia
PANDORA announces that it has expanded the Company's strategic alliance with The Walt Disney Company (Disney), to include the Asia Pacific. The extension of the alliance with Disney will begin in 5th November 2015, with PANDORA launching its Disney jewellery collection in 13 markets in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and The Philippines.
As part of the alliance, PANDORA will be designated Official Charm Bracelet of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and the upcoming Shanghai Disney Resort. PANDORA products will be sold in multiple locations inside both resorts and the Disney collection from PANDORA will also be available in PANDORA stores throughout the region, and through PANDORA online stores in both Japan and Hong Kong.
The November launch of the new collection of hand finished sterling silver and 14K gold charms will feature inspirations from Disney's beloved characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and characters from the epic Frozen. Subsequent Disney-themed products will be launched in the successive seasons. Kenneth Madsen, President of Pandora Asia said, "The PANDORA Disney collection in North America has been extremely well received since its inception in 2014. We are excited about the expansion and collaboration with Disney to include the Asia Pacific and believe that the collection will be met with corresponding enthusiasm, if not more!"
Foe details: https://www.facebook.com/pandora.hongkong
Experience the exquisiteness and luxuries of Switzerland
The weather is getting chilly and reminds us the event was organized by Parfumerie Trésor during early October. We discovered the story and philosophy behind Lavinie Switzerland hand cream, experienced the craftsmanship through a leather pouch making workshop with the Hong Kong designer, Ting Ting and enjoyed the canapes and Swiss wine throughout the wonderful afternoon.
Parfumerie Trésor is like a perfume library and housed numerous creative and unique perfumes around the world. Its owners and staffs are welcome to share the characteristics and story behind of each perfume and you could definitely find the one you love and suits your personality.
Lavinie Switzerland Hand Cream
It is a great time to share this luxury hand cream to all of you – Lavinie Switzerland. The brand is founded by Michel Kuonen who gave up his secure high-paying job and follows his passion to become a true craftsmanship for beauty. One of the major ingredients that make this exclusive hand cream – Edelweiss, is a flower that everyone has heard of in Europe but not many have had the chance to see in person. The edelweiss plant can be found 1,700 to 4,000 meters above sea level in the Alpine glaciers or rocky terrains. In addition, the edelweiss plant produces extremely powerful, natural antioxidants and cell elasticity-enhancing properties which releases an outstanding anti-ageing effect. It is because of this amazing property the essence extracted from the edelweiss is such an important ingredient in the production of the Lavinie hand cream. Besides the rare and valuable ingredients used, another fascinating quality of the Lavinie hand cream is that it is completely hand made in Switzerland. Each bottle of Lavinie hand cream is valuable and namely one the of most luxurious hand care product in the market today.
"TINGTING" design
Ting Ting’s love for unique and exceptional items sparked at a young age; her collection of little things of childhood is where many of her creative ideas are born. The interest of handicrafts is a crucial part of her artistic and creative journey and she continues to indulge in the rebirth of old ideas that are transformed into new creations. These playful designs that captures a marriage of modern design and traditional craftsmanship is what "TINGTING" is all about.
Ting Ting believes great designs need no references or be confined to a trend. Designers should firmly believe in his or her own unique personality and vision, to celebrate their differences and setting themselves apart from the norm. This might sound like a departure from popular views, but Ting Ting’s design philosophy is set firmly in this desire to be extraordinary.
"TINGTING" ’s first leather collection, KNIT TING is a series of bags knitted out of leather strips. Using high quality lamb leather and metal hardware, the designer knits her way to fulfilling her dream. Designing with her friends in mind, the bags are a reflection of the many facets of the metropolitan woman. She is independent, chic and elegant, but can also be tender, and reserved. Each of their personalities, much like these bags, is one-of-a-kind.
For more details about each brand:
Parfumerie Trésor: http://www.facebook.com/parfumerietresor
Lavinie Switzerland: http://www.lavinie.com/
TINGTING: http://www.tingting.design/
A tasteful marriage of Krug Grand Cuvee and humble potatoes
The pairing of a prestige cuvee and a potato may be surprising to some, but for the House of Krug, the marriage between the humble potato and the exquisite Krug Grande Cuvée is a natural choice. The potato, an ancient staple of European cuisine, is unassuming yet infinitely versatile; in the expert hands of a chef, capable of an extraordinary range of tastes and textures.
This year, Krug embarks on a remarkable gastronomic adventure to enhance the pleasure of Krug Grande Cuvée with an exploration featuring ‘Krug & Potato’.
‘The cunning simplicity of the potato allows these great chefs to unleash their creativity, proposing extraordinary dishes made with love, passion and dedication’.- Olivier Krug, Director of the House of Krug,
Krug Grande Cuvée, the archetype of Krug’s philosophy of craftsmanship and savoir-faire, encompasses a wide range of flavors: a blend of more than 120 wines from ten or more different years. Its exceptional finesse is the result of a stay of at least another six years in the cellars. Over twenty years are needed to craft each bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée, the first prestige cuvee re-created each year, beyond the very notion of vintage.
Uwe Opocensky, one Hong Kong Krug Ambassade Chefs, will be stepping up to the challenge of ‘Krug & Potato’. Their chefs will be using their ingenuity and their unique experiences to create exquisite dishes utilizing specialty potatoes to pair with Krug Grande Cuvée.
Chef Akrame from Akrame Restaurant and Atelier Vivanda created an eye-catching ‘Squid Ink Crusted Black Potatoes’ with hand-picked new potatoes. Chef Josep Casas from Catalunya designed an exquisite dish called ‘The Royal Potato’ from Japanese scrambled egg with potato foam topped with caviar and white truffle. Chef Uwe Opocensky from Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong reinterpreted the classic ‘Fish & Chips’, with German potatoes and organic trout powder pairing beautifully with the citrus notes of Krug Grande Cuvée. Mott 32, representing Hong Kong culture and cuisine, is also participating with Chef Fung creating a delicious ‘Shanghai Hairy Crab Croquette’, with crab meat and roe croquette on a crispy purple sweet potato cracker, topped with balsamic truffle pearls.
To pursue the experience at home, customers who order a glass of Krug Champagne will receive the ‘Krug & Potato’ book as a gift. This book contains insights and cooking tips from 15 of the world’s finest Chefs and Krug Lovers. The books can also be found at selective wine retailers. The potato-infused creations are a culinary symphony made with love, creativity and dedication. So raise your glass of Krug Grande Cuvée, in the time-honoured tradition, to our chefs and to the noble potato!
Don't miss out this wondering combination! It's only last for a month, started from October 19. To experience this culinary champagne sensation, please visit the participating restaurants:
Akrame | 9B Ship Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong |Telephone: +852 2528 5068
Atelier Vivanda | 9A Ship Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong |Telephone: +852 2109 1768
Catalunya | G/F Guardian House, Morrison Hill, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong | Telephone: +852 2866 7900
Mandarin Grill + Bar | 5 Connaught Rd, Central, Hong Kong | Telephone: +852 2825 4004
Mott 32 | Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong | Telephone: +852 2885 8688