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Since its launch in December 2003, The Peninsula magazine has matched the prestigious luxury of The Peninsula Hotels. The Peninsula is a living legend, its name synonymous with luxurious comfort, style and impeccable service, setting sights high and standards higher.

This issue brings a brand new look for The Peninsula magazine, in the form of a unique and exclusive luxury lifestyle publication, which like the hotels themselves, aims to delight guests through its thought-provokingly intelligent and memorable articles and striking photography.

In line with The Peninsula Hotels’ various new innovations, The Peninsula magazine takes on a fresh, new, contemporary look in terms of design and layout, and includes features from around the world which reflect our guests’ discerning luxury lifestyle.

In this issue of the magazine, we take you on a tour of newly-renovated Peninsula Hong Kong, which has unveiled a landmark room enhancement programme that will further cement its leadership position in global luxury hospitality. In the spirit of all things new, we also unveil the latest Peninsula Hotels’ advertising campaign, ‘Peninsula Moments’, a brand campaign which showcases how The Peninsula Hotels brings the very best and most unique aspects of each destination to its guests with style, sophistication and elegance.

We also reveal for the first time, the new-look Peninsula Boutique in Hong Kong and its accompanying ‘Peninsula Signature Chocolates’ range, another facet of the hotel that has achieved worldwide recognition.

In other stories, we delve into the latest happenings of some of the world’s most luxurious brands, which also have homes at The Peninsula Arcade in Hong Kong. From Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld’s “Little Black Jacket” exhibition for Chanel, to Louis Vuitton’s latest collaboration with renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and the launch of a new concept by Hermes, I hope you will enjoy this new journey with us.

From The CEO

Clement K M KwokChief Executive Officer

Peninsula Hotel Mag HK Sept BD6sp.indd 1 25/06/12 12.21

From The Ceo

A New LookClassical, contemporary chic has arrived at The Peninsula Hong Kong, as this legend of the East redefines luxury once more. Showcasing the finest materials and craftsmanship, the newly-enhanced rooms boast a bespoke, residential feel, seamlessly blended with unique interior touches.

PeNiNsuLA momeNTsThe Peninsula Hotels recently unveiled ‘Peninsula Moments’, a new, global brand campaign using video and photography to demonstrate how The Peninsula Hotels brings the very best and most unique aspects of each destination to its guests with style, sophistication and elegance. Moments and memories to remember, reflecting an authentic sense of destination, are brought to life by the stunning architecture, thoughtful design, local insight and the genuine desire of Peninsula staff to showcase the very best of their cities.

oNe JACkeT, 109 wAysThe House of Chanel is renowned for creating elegant garments that have the ability to withstand the test of time. The brand’s current exhibition, ‘The Little Black Jacket, Chanel’s Classic Revisited’, showcases one of its most classic and recognised items of clothing. Worn by a multitude of celebrities and personalities for this exhibition and an accompanying stunning coffee table book, here is the little black jacket as you have never seen it before…

A LiTTLe Goes A LoNG wAy In an innovative move, Hermès has successfully mastered the art of using leftovers, manifesting in a brand new line of playful and quirky objects retailing under the moniker of ‘petit H’. The Peninsula meets Pascal Mussard, the Creative Director behind this environmentally conscious initiative.

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CoNNeCTiNG The DoTsLouis Vuitton’s collaboration with Yayoi Kusama, ‘The Princess of Polka-Dots’ (perhaps that title should be elevated to ‘Queen’), allows guests to “self-obliterate” into a world of ”biomorphic nerves” (a self-coined term), and polka dots. The cosmic stores in seven major cities also coincide with the inauguration of a Kusama retrospective in Paris, London and New York.

LeADiNG LADyMaster couturier Stéphane Rolland presents an exclusive fashion shoot for The Peninsula magazine featuring his latest muse, highly-acclaimed Chinese actress Fan Bingbing.

The yeLLow DiAmoND LeGACyThe Tiffany & Co. yellow diamond is one of the largest and finest of its kind in the world. The quality, size and cut are testament to the company’s reputation as a jeweller using the highest quality diamonds. The Peninsula uncovers the story behind the unrivalled 128.54 carat yellow diamond, which highlights the 175th Anniversary celebration of design excellence in Tiffany & Co.

The BeAuTy oF GiviNGThe venerable Chicago jeweller, Sidney Garber is on a ‘gem’ of a mission under its second generation owner, Brooke Garber Neidich. The Peninsula discovers more...

The Time keePer2011 marked the return of Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis to the Haute Horlogerie brand that bares his name.

The FooD oF The GoDsFor thousands of years, humans have been fascinated by the decadent phenomenon that we call “chocolate”. The tradition of chocolate as a luxury product can be traced from the times when the Aztecs used cacao beans as a form of money, to today, when its high cost in calories can often create guilt in the consumer.

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The sweeT LiFeGrowing up in Belgium, the birthplace of fine chocolate, Marijn Coertjens has lived and breathed fine confections throughout his life. Coertjens joined The Peninsula Hong Kong in November 2011, bringing with him a wealth of experience gathered from over a decade of taking part in international competitions and showcasing his prowess with chocolate. Coertjens is the Mâitre Chocolatier behind The Peninsula’s Chocolate Room, set to take the city by storm with its meticulously crafted, artisanal creations.

A worLD oF TemPTATioNPeninsula Merchandising Limited is scheduled to unveil its new-look flagship boutique at The Peninsula Hong Kong in late 2012. The HK$12 million project will see a total makeover of the current boutique, as well as a brand new look for its gift packaging.

ALL ABoArD!Long celebrated for its eclectic collection of transportation choices – ranging from Rolls-Royces, MINIs, helicopters, riverboats, bicycles and more – The Peninsula Hotels now sets sail with the sponsorship of the Peninsula Signal 8 racing yacht.

Luxurious CiTy LiviNG The world’s first Peninsula Residences are now available for leasing on the historic Bund. More than just Shanghai’s most prestigious address, The Peninsula Residences are the most luxurious and exclusive private residences in China. 39 deluxe riverside apartments by The Peninsula Hotels, Asia’s oldest luxury hotel brand, are located adjacent to The Peninsula Shanghai, at No. 32 The Bund.

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CoNTriBuTorsmAry AGNewWith a BA and MA in Art History, Mary has been writing about the cultural and creative industries of Asia since her arrival in Hong Kong from her native Ireland in 2009. Previously the Arts Editor at Time Out Hong Kong, Mary now works as a full-time culture writer, regularly contributing to the Wall Street Journal (Asia), South China Morning Post, ARTINFO and Tatler Asia.

BriAN AuArmed with a Communications degree from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Brian Au is the Art Director at The Antithesis, the creator of this publication. He has a distinct aesthetic sensibility, and continually strives for perfection in his work.

CAroL ChANCarol was born in Macau but grew up in Hong Kong and in 2008 she graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a degree in Multimedia Design & Technologies. Her interests cover all fields of design and art as she takes inspiration from exhibitions, music and travel.

DervLA LouLiDervla was born in Saudi Arabia and educated in Europe. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Business and Law and a Masters of Finance from Trinity College. Her studies focused on the the shift of wealth and luxury brands to the East, and her discoveries led her to relocate to Hong Kong. She has worked in the fashion industry for seven years and has extensive global knowledge of the luxury industry. She now writes about fashion, culture, art, finance and business.

LuCy mCNALLyLucy studied at Chelsea College of Art & Design, following up with a degree in Photography from Falmouth College of Arts. She went on to win a Rolex Internship with Sport Diver

Magazine in the US doing underwater photography and journalism. Lucy then moved to Australia to take up various publishing opportunities and freelanced as a graphic designer. She is now in Hong Kong to explore further creative avenues.

oLAF mueLLerOlaf ’s captivating work displays a powerful duality between the real and the imagined, between conjured images and visual apparitions and between serene stillness and dynamic composition. The results are soulful, mystic, deeply creative and are testament to his enduring interest in both technical and aesthetic innovation. His work has been featured in countless high-end magazines. He has also received more than 25 Honourable Mentions at the International Photography Awards, New York and has staged numerous solo exhibitions.

ANN TsANGAnn Tsang is the Editor-In-Chief and Creative Director for The Peninsula Magazine, as well as several luxury custom publications in Asia and the United States. She began her career in television, working for many of the world’s biggest broadcasters, and also ran her own marketing consultancy before founding The Antithesis, a bespoke, luxury publishing venture in Hong Kong.

russeL woNGRussel Wong is one of the most profiled photographers in Asia and enjoys the acclaim of being the first Singaporean to break into the notoriously difficult Hollywood movie industry. The allure and acclaim of Russel’s work draws from his ability to infuse his commercial accounts with creative elements, combined with a sensitive, thoughtful take on his subjects. Today, Russel’s photography continues to make its mark both regionally and internationally and he is the photographer behind the new ‘Peninsula Moments’ advertising campaign which is showcasedin this issue.

The Peninsula Hong KongSalisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong KongTelephone: (852) 2920 2888Facsimile: (852) 2722 4170E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula ShanghaiNo 32 The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi RoadShanghai 200002, The People’s Republic of ChinaTelephone: (86-21) 2327 2888 Facsimile: (86-21) 2327 2800 E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula Tokyo1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-kuTokyo , 100-0006, JapanTel: (81-3) 6270 2888Fax: (81-3) 6270 2000E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula Beijing8 Goldfish Lane, Wangfujing, Beijing 100006, The People’s Republic of ChinaTelephone: (86-10) 8516 2888Facsimile: (86-10) 6510 6311E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula New York700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street,New York, NY 10019, U.S.A.Telephone: (1-212) 956 2888Facsimile: (1-212) 903 3949E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula Chicago108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue),Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A.Telephone: (1-312) 337 2888Facsimile: (1-312) 751 2888E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula Beverly Hills9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard,Beverly Hills, CA 90212, U.S.A.Telephone: (1-310) 551 2888Facsimile: (1-310) 788 2319E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula Bangkok333 Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan,Bangkok 10600, ThailandTelephone: (66-2) 861 2888Facsimile: (66-2) 861 1112E-mail: [email protected]

The Peninsula ManilaCorner of Ayala & Makati Avenues,1226 Makati City, Metro Manila,PhilippinesTelephone: (63-2) 887 2888Facsimile: (63-2) 815 4825E-mail: [email protected]

Reservations can also be made through:

The Peninsula Global Customer Service Centre5/F, The Peninsula Office Tower,18 Middle Road,Kowloon, Hong KongTelephone: (852) 2926 2888Facsimile: (852) 2732 2933E-mail: [email protected]

Toll Free from:•Argentina: (0-800) 888 7227•Australia: (1-800) 116 888 •Brazil: (0-800) 891 9601•Canada: (011-800) 2828 3888•North China: (10-800) 852 3888•South China: (10-800) 152 3888•France: (00-800) 3046 5111•Germany: (00-800) 3046 5111•Italy (800) 789 365•Japan: (0053)165 0498•Mexico: (01-800) 123 4646•Russia: (810-800) 2536 1012•Singapore: (001-800) 2828 3888•Spain (900) 937 652•Switzerland: (00-800) 3046 5111•Taiwan: (00-800) 2828 3888•Thailand: (001-800) 2828 3888•U.K.: (00-800) 2828 3888•U.S.A.: (1-866) 382 8388

The Peninsula Hotels Website:www.peninsula.comE-mail: [email protected]

Published by:The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited8th Floor, St George’s Building2 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong

Tel: +(852) 2840 7788Email: [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director: Ann TsangGraphic Designer: Brian AuCover Image: Lucy McNally

Media Agents:

Hong Kong and AsiaOMJ MediaSuite B, 15/F, Casey Building38 Lok Ku RoadSheung WanHong KongTel: (852) 2375 2311Fax: (852) 2873 7442Email: [email protected]

Herb MoskowitzThe Media Representative CompanyTel: (852) 9276 1011Fax: (852) 2572 5468Email: [email protected]

Hong Kong and MacauEdo BersmaEBconceptsTel: (852) 9641 1936Email: [email protected]

United StatesRich DigiacomoTel: (1-310) 429 3678Email: [email protected]

ORDERING FROM ADVERTISERS: Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS, LIMITED assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS, LIMITED, its officers, directors, employees or agents make no recommendations as to the purchase or sale of any product, service or item. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS, LIMITED. All content contained within this magazine is the sole property of THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS, LIMITED and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without authorisation. (c)Copyright 2012 by THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI HOTELS, LIMITED. All rights reserved. The PENINSULA is a trademark of the Peninsula Intellectual Property Limited.

THE PENINSULA is published by The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00045), HSH is a holding company whose subsidiaries and its jointly controlled entity are engaged in the ownership and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key destinations in Asia and the USA. The hotel portfolio of the Group comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Peninsula Manila and The Peninsula Paris (opening in 2012). The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and The Peak Tramways, St. John’s Building, The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand.

September 2012

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New

Classical, contemporary chic has arrived at The Peninsula Hong

Kong, as this legend of the East redefines luxury once more.

Showcasing the finest materials and craftsmanship, the newly-

enhanced rooms boast a bespoke, residential feel, seamlessly

blended with unique interior touches.

Look

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TexT: Ann TSAng ImAgeS: lucy mcnAlly

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In a bid to offer guests the highest levels of comfort and experiential luxury during their stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong, the hotel has unveiled a landmark room enhancement programme that will further cement its leadership position in global

luxury hospitality. Building on its role as a purveyor of timeless luxury, the hotel is as committed to defining the future of luxury, as it has been to preserving its magnificent heritage of the past. Culminating in a HK$450 million project that sees all 300 of the hotel’s guestrooms transformed, the two-phase enhancement programme commenced on 8 January, 2012, with the guestrooms in The Peninsula Tower paving the way for the transformation of guestrooms in the Original Building, which sit below the offices in the Tower and will be unveiled in April 2013, to usher in the hotel’s 85th Anniversary celebrations. With an accent on classic modernity, which adheres to the design tenets of simplicity and chic elegance, the new rooms showcase the finest materials and craftsmanship, boasting a bespoke luxury residential feel, with an aesthetic that melds the distinctive design touches and practicality present in today’s luxury yachts, motorcars and private jets, taking The Peninsula guest experience to the next level, and creating a welcoming ambiance of sumptuous, cocooned comfort.

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an accent on classic modernity, simplicity and

chic elegance, the new room aesthetic melds the distinctive

design touches and pr acticality present in today’s luxury

yachts, motorcars, and private jets, taking the peninsula guest

experience to the next level.

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Set in a warm, neutral palette of cream, bone, caramel, walnut, and dark chocolate, refined interior detailing includes stitching on the leather wardrobe and wall panels, leather vintage travel trunk-inspired drawer handles, as well as in the high-gloss burl wood of the cabinetry, screen doors, chairs and sofa detailing, which also frames the walls and doors. Echoing the distinguishing design touches present in luxury automotive, aerospace and fashion design today, hidden detailing is everywhere. Functional objects such as multiple, dual-voltage (110V/240V) electrical power sockets with universal adaptor/chargers have been concealed within flawlessly finished, dark chocolate burl wood and glass cabinetry, for touch-of-a-button access, with the accent squarely on fine craftsmanship throughout. Conceived by The Peninsula Hotels in-house design team assisted by Gettys as executive interior designer, simple details

combine in beautiful synchronicity. From the streamlined tea and Nespresso© coffee-making facilities, which are conveniently integrated with the entertainment centre; to the deep beige leather-finish and glossy patina of the walnut writing desk and vanity table with its retractable, illuminated mirror; and matte mahogany extendable dining table, Cassina-designed sofa and Poltrona Frau dining chairs and armchairs, offering discerning guests everything they need at their fingertips. Freeform art installations feature in each guest room, inspired by Chinese ink paintings and depicting details found in flora and fauna. Curvilinear, three-dimensional reflective metal blossoms, leaves and branches made of laser-cut bronze-lacquered stainless steel create inspiring compositions on the walls. Soft furnishings are also inspired by calligraphic floral design, and lend a soft, Chinoiserie-inspired touch. Specially-commissioned photographic works referencing vignettes of

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The Peninsula Hotels’ properties adorn the corridors, with an array of stand-alone works of art features in the suites, commissioned from Hong Kong-based artists of note, including William Furniss, David Lui and Lai Yan Projects. In a nod to existing, effortlessly classical room features, The Peninsula’s signature en suite marble bathrooms - with dual wash basins, a large and luxurious bath tub, separate shower stall and private toilet – have been seamlessly integrated into the new guestroom design, undergoing a complete technological redesign to meet 21st Century guest requirements. LED touch-screen panels located on the wall and beside the bath enable viewing of terrestrial and Internet TV and radio; delivering mood-lighting with customised ambient spa settings, to deliver a luxurious integrated light and sound experience. In addition to the room renovation, Revolutionary in-room technology sets new standards of guest personalisation, with fully customised interactive digital bedside and desk tablets preset in one of five languages, according to guest preference. Full control of all in-room functions is a touch away, via the bedside and desk tablets, which enable access to restaurant menus, hotel services, the new ‘PenCities’ virtual city guide, personalised Internet TV with noise-cancelling earphones, in addition to full in-room control, also offered by LED touch-screen wall panels located on the walls. These feature valet call, weather details, thermostat, language and privacy options at a convenient touch. An enriched entertainment experience is also possible thanks to the in-room tablets, which deliver a suite of integrated platforms for terrestrial TV, Internet TV and radio. A state-of-the-art audio visual centre in each guest room features a flat-screen Blu-Ray LED television – ideal for watching the selection of complimentary HD movies available - and internet TV, as well as an iPod/iPad docking station, memory card reader and soundbar speaker system with sub-woofer, to deliver the ultimate surround-sound experience. Wireless connection to personal electronic devices, and to the all-in-one fax/printer/photocopier/scanner, further adds to the seamless functionality of a home office, with multiple-device chargers integrated into bedside cabinet drawers. The Peninsula Hotels is a veritable pioneer and industry leader in the research and development of innovative guestroom technology. It is the only hotel company in the world with its own Research and Development facilities to design, build and customise equipment to serve the Group’s guests, versus installing standard technology used by other hotel groups. All

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in-room technology is developed and then tested to perfection by the Electronic Services Department, comprising a team of 20 electronic and software engineers who are able to respond to guests‘ every need through a combination of observation, innovation and technological know-how. Guestrooms are designed so that every control and switch is located precisely where it is required and thus used by guests without having to think or search. “It’s about the little things - the light switches, the temperature gauge, or just the ability to control the curtains from the confines of the bed,” says Ingvar Herland, General Manager, Research & Technology for The Peninsula Hotels. “If you’re in the bath with the TV on and the phone rings, you can take your call right there. The TV can go mute until the call is over, if desired.” These intricate details are largely worked out in a location in Aberdeen, Hong Kong, and once the kinks are ironed out, what is known in-house as the ‘ELV’ (Electronic Low Voltage) system is installed in a fully functional model room. At that point, everyone in Senior Management, from Chairman down, has to spend at least a night in the model room. And so switches are relocated, the lighting is tweaked to perfection, and everything is fine-tuned.

“One of the driving forces behind our new in-room technology was to create multi-language facilities for all of our international guests,” says Herland. “Total integration is the key to our systems and I believe we are the only hotel group in the world to have this.” Fibre optic cabling in each room yields ever more powerful complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, with guests now able to also enjoy complimentary long distance VOIP calls in-room, as well as within the hotel’s luxury Rolls-Royce fleet, for maximum ease, convenience and enjoyment throughout their Peninsula stay. With a total of 900 metres of concealed cabling per room, Herland discusses the reason behind this. “Wireless systems are something that you can’t control, so that is why we have a wired system that is flawless and completely reliable, in order to meet our guests’ needs without question or time-wasting.” “Innovation is part of the tradition of this hotel,” adds The Peninsula Hotels’ Chief Operating Officer, Peter C. Borer. “This concept will usher in a new era of in-room comfort, showcasing our leadership role in bringing the latest guest-focused technology to the world.”

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momeNTsThe Peninsula Hotels recently unveiled ‘Peninsula Moments’, a new, global brand campaign using video and

photography to demonstrate how The Peninsula Hotels brings the very best and most unique aspects of each

destination to its guests with style, sophistication and elegance. Moments and memories to remember, reflecting

an authentic sense of destination, are brought to life by stunning architecture, thoughtful design, local insight and

the genuine desire of Peninsula staff to showcase the very best of their cities.

Peninsula TexT: Ann TSAng ImAgeS: ruSSel wong

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Conceived and developed in-house, the creative brief and aim for the latest Peninsula Hotels’ advertising campaign, entitled ‘Peninsula Moments’, was to showcase the magic that The

Peninsula brings to the life of its guests with photography, video and going behind-the-scenes – in short, each image and scene tell a story. The Peninsula Hotels’ previous campaign, ‘Portraits of Peninsula’, shot in black-and- white by celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz, showcased staff going about their daily tasks to create the Peninsula magic, while the new ‘Peninsula Moments’ campaign features the special memories created by staff members. Shot in colour, it encompasses iconic elements of the hotels and their destinations, with the compelling images making the viewer stop, look and reflect. The ‘Peninsula Moments’ images are shot by Singapore-based photo-journalist and portrait photographer Russel Wong, known for his portraits of celebrities ranging from Jacky Chan to Michelle Yeoh and Tom Cruise, as well as for his work in Hollywood as a stills photographer for motion pictures such as ‘Underworld’, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘Hero’ and ‘The House of Flying Daggers’. The still photography is complemented with a series of short video vignettes in various formats (10, 30 and 90 seconds), with one video per destination to be released month by month and utilised on various digital

marketing platforms. The creative direction is stylised and dynamic, evoking a sense of destination and luxury, driving aspiration and inspiring the viewer to see the destination as they have never done before, through scenery and music. Produced by Ridley Scott Associates, the videos are directed by Jean-Claude Thibaut and Antony Crook, whose previous work includes videos for Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Boss. A behind-the-scenes shoot for both still and video photography reveals the story behind each shot and scene. Used across a variety of media and channels, “The Making of Peninsula Moments” affords deeper engagement with guests and prospects, more effective story-telling through various tools, including photographs, video, interviews, drawings, facts and figures, and truly highlights what makes The Peninsula Hotels unique “Peninsula icons throughout our hotels showcase the brand’s heritage, personal service and continued commitment to inspire, surprise and delight,” says Peter C. Borer, Chief Operating Officer for The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. No doubt, The Peninsula Hotels, with its history and dedication to service, will continue to delight its guests from one day to the next...

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The mAkiNG

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Director, Jean-Claude Thibaut joined Ridley Scott Associates Films/Little Minx in 2010. His first foray into film directing was with experimental short films featuring a soundtrack by Philippe Cohen-Solal. As a Director, Thibaut explores and defines his wider response to people, places, history and situations. His style embraces the glamour and twist seen in his portraits of the beautiful, the talented and the notorious. He purposefully forces his viewers to feel and not just passively observe his work. The Peninsula meets the Director behind ‘The Peninsula Moments’ documentary.

The Peninsula: What was the initial brief for the campaign?Jean-Claude Thibaut: My main objective was to amaze the audience with real stories and authentic moments to capture the overall magic of The Peninsula hotels. Those moments were fuelled by the hotels’ staff’s genuine desire to inspire during their daily routines, surprise and delight the incoming guests, both on and off each hotel property. Their unique approaches to their work brought an original view on each city.

TP: How did you go about capturing the essence of The Peninsula Hotels through the campaign?JCT: Throughout the films, my approach was simple. I used a documentary style with a particular emphasis on the photography. A great deal of creativity manifested on set, and a strong faith in The Peninsula’s universe, especially where the needs of its clients are concerned, helped in the capture of every shot. Secondly, one could say that I was inspired by the Italian Neo-Realist movement in cinema as I worked only with non-professional actors, namely the staff of each individual hotel. We also filmed on location and therefore, without set decoration. And finally, I used a small trick, my inner instinct. In my opinion, Beverly Hills can be presented as a village like any other you’d find in Italy or the south of France. This helped guide my work as a director, as I tried to avoid the L.A. cliché.

TP: Were there any particular challenges involved?JCT: Due to the large scale of the project and our limited time frame, we couldn’t rehearse. Some particularly challenging scenes were shot in Hong Kong with the Rolls-Royce convoy and in Chicago while boating on the Chicago River. These big scenes were challenging, not only because of time constraints but also because we were only a small crew with a large amount of work on our hands.

In addition, working with non-professional actors, the staff who are also part of your “client”, is never really easy for a film director. You can’t force and teach them, and you have to approach the work with a degree of flexibility. Funny enough, most of the staff turned out to be great actors, which ended up being a lot of fun.

TP: Did you have your own personal input into the project and if so, what were your ideas?JCT: I’ve tried to introduce a more human quality to luxury through my latest projects. I like to introduce more human behaviour such as humour, or scenes from daily living to my films, while paying strong attention to the photography and the creation of beautiful images. I think the Peninsula pageboy became one of the iconic elements of the campaign. While on set, chocolatier Marijn Coertjens used a gold pageboy statuette award from the manager’s desk as part of one of his creations and used it as a mold. It was pretty tasty as well!

TP: How long did the campaign take to shoot?JCT: The project took two months of combined scouting and shooting, much like a feature film. Every country had its own small crew. I also used a new digital camera that helped me work with natural light in every location.

TP: Were there any particularly outstanding moments for you during the shoot?JCT: I clearly remember working on the floating boat in Manila. It had been raining all day long, and then all of a sudden the clouds opened and gave us a wonderful atmosphere, not only in terms of lighting but also in the air. The forest became very quiet as though it were our audience. It was the most silent set I have ever worked on!

The DireCTor

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Russel Wong is one of the most profiled photographers in Asia and enjoys the acclaim of being the first Singaporean to break into the notoriously difficult Hollywood movie industry. The allure and acclaim of Wong’s work draws from his ability to infuse his commercial accounts with creative elements, combined with a sensitive, thoughtful take on his subjects. Today, Wong’s photography continues to make its mark both regionally and internationally. He is the first Singaporean photographer to have a solo exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum (Russel Wong: 1980 – 2005), and also first and only photographer to be invited for the art residency at the renowned Singapore Tyler Print Institute. In addition, His art works can be found in public and private collections, with his ‘Bamboo Forest’ print going for a record US$40,000 at a recent Christie’s auction in Hong Kong.

The Peninsula: What was your ultimate objective when shooting the ‘Peninsula Moments’ campaign?Russel Wong: “Ultimately I wanted to be able to capture specific moments that are unique to each Peninsula property, and at the same time be able to show some of the people and aspects of service that make The Peninsula Hotels tick. I wanted it to appear very narrative, almost like scenes from a movie. It is very challenging to do something different when shooting in the hospitality business, but I believe that we have achieved that through this campaign, and the images are more atmospheric and very different to what one might see elsewhere. I tried to inject a romantic notion into the overall campaign and hopefully it’s all uniquely Peninsula.”

TP: What were the main challenges that you encountered during the shoot?RW: “The main challenge for me was how to make this campaign really stand out. For many photographers, the same scenarios and locations have been shot over and over again. This was actually one of the most intense projects I have taken on in my life. We worked for almost 70 days non-stop, shooting at all 10

properties, including The Peninsula Paris. The schedule was pretty exhausting, but it was definitely worth it for me as a photographer.”

TP: You have always had a special relationship with The Peninsula. How did that come about?RW: “I have always had a special affinity with The Peninsula, and in particular with The Peninsula Hong Kong. I shot my first TIME magazine cover with Faye Wong at Felix in 1996 and then my second TIME cover in 2000 with Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-fat for ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’. I have always enjoyed spending time at the property and many of the people that I met back then still work there.”

TP: What were the most outstanding moments for you throughout the creation of this campaign?RW: “There were so many outstanding moments during the shoot for this campaign. From the shot with the big band, a singer and dancers at The Lobby in Shanghai to the chopper shots in the air over Hong Kong to shooting outside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Then of course, there was the fleet of Rolls-Royces in Hong Kong. Because, we were not able to stop the traffic on the bridge and due to the very short period of dusk light, I literally only had two cracks at it. It was challenging, yet very rewarding, and there a certain times when you just have to hope for the best!”

The PhoToGrAPher

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Inès de la Fressange

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One

The House of Chanel is renowned for creating elegant garments that have the ability

to withstand the test of time. The brand’s current exhibition, ‘The Little Black Jacket,

Chanel’s Classic Revisited’, showcases one of its most classic and recognised items

of clothing. Worn by a multitude of celebrities and personalities for this exhibition and

an accompanying stunning coffee table book, here is the little black jacket as you have

never seen it before…

TexT: DervlA loulI ImAgeS: KArl lAgerfelD, courTeSy of chAnel

JACkeT109 Ways

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Charlotte Casiraghi

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Chanel’s little black jacket has been synonymous with chic style and contemporary elegance since its birth in 1954. Coveted by all, copied by many, and obtained by few, the simple piece transforms a look more than

any other historical item of clothing and is heralded as the most influential fashion staple that a woman can own. Karl Lagerfeld and former Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld, present the classic through ‘The Little Black Jacket, Chanel’s Classic Revisited’ exhibition and accompanying black-and-white coffee table book. The exhibition has so far been unveiled in Tokyo, New York , Taipei and Hong Kong , with London, Moscow and Sydney set to follow in October. The jacket sits on the shoulders of 109 celebrities and personalities who showcase the diversity of the piece. The tribute to the iconic jacket pays homage to the last 58 years of the success of Chanel and lays down a foundation for further decades of popularity. Shaped like a gentlemen’s garment, but femininely proportioned, the jacket was a revolutionary piece when it was first created. Lagerfeld discusses how Mademoiselle Chanel turned away from conventional practices when she first created it: "The source of inspiration for the jacket was rather unusual: Mademoiselle Chanel took a liking to a Tyrolean jacket with four pockets and a braid trim that was worn by the staff at the Baron Pantz Hotel in Austria. So it was actually a men’s jacket. Just as she borrowed tweed from the Duke of Westminster and jersey from Boy Capel, she took this piece and fashioned the ladies’ equivalent of a men’s two-button suit.” It is therefore appropriate that both men and women alike model the jacket in the exhibition of the classic revisited. In an era where gender and sexuality continue to push the boundaries of convention, Chanel showcases a forward thinking mindset and the importance of universal appeal.

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Trends, iconic clothing and accessories will always exist, but Chanel has the ability to create products that grandchildren may well inherit from their grandmothers. When fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker “considers herself very lucky to own the prized possession”, you simply know that an item is truly covetable and extraordinary. “Every designer dreams of inventing the Chanel jacket. It’s up there with jeans or the t-shirt, it is gender neutral, that is to say it can be womenswear or menswear,” states Lagerfeld. “The Chanel jacket is a men’s jacket that has become a recognised piece of women’s clothing. It has crossed that line and come to symbolise a timelessly fashionable form of nonchalant feminine elegance: it belongs to every era.” Dreams and mystery are all part of the house of Chanel, but the ‘Little Black Jacket’ exhibition reveals a couple of secrets through an online video that offers a glimpse into the intrigue of the Chanel atelier. The timelessness of the jacket is renowned, but Chanel has made small alterations to the proportions and other details. "The jacket has changed; we’ve developed it, and updated its proportions,” states Lagerfeld. “The model chosen for the book is the most classic one, which is the closest to the original jacket that Mademoiselle Chanel created. It’s the equivalent of jeans or a white shirt. It really is the piece that goes with everything, suits everyone and is appropriate at any time. It works by night or by day, and can be casual or dressy. It’s quite the miracle! Everyone always talks about the little black dress, but there’s also the little black jacket!”

Tang Wei

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Daphne Guinness

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The black jacket creates a fluid theme and constant backdrop throughout the exhibition, but boundaries are pushed in every image. Carine Roitfeld takes on the persona of a modern-day Mademoiselle Chanel on the front cover, wearing multiple strands of pearls, draped delicately around her neck as she dangles a pair of scissors carefully from her fingers. "Carine’s personality is nothing like Coco Chanel’s, but her image and character can be seen on everything she touches. Like Mademoiselle Chanel, she has inspired other people,” says Lagerfeld of the similarities and differences between the two icons. “The eternal can only last if it stays up-to-date at the same time.” Roitfeld indeed embodies everything that Chanel stands for in the 21st Century; she is an icon in her own right and is strong, elegant and timeless. Other fashion icons, designers, actresses, models, artists and connoisseurs join her in the meticulously edited showcase. With the combination of the little black jacket and oustanding styling, each celebrity unveils a priceless part of the jacket’s heritage. Laetitia Casta embodies the persona of a grief-stricken Italian widow in a lace habit, Claudia Schiffer transforms into a French maid sporting a broiderie anglaise apron, and Daphne Guinness, infamous for her extreme fashion sense, appears even more refined and elegant than usual. The showcase exhibits how each individual can transform the jacket, but also how the jacket can transform its wearer. Chanel has accomplished a major feat through the exhibition and has unquestionably made a piece accessible to all.

chanel jacket is a men’s jacket that has become a

recognised piece of women’s clothing. it has crossed that

line and come to symbolise a timelessly fashionable for m of

nonchalant feminine elegance: it belongs to every er a.”

“The

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Vanessa Paradis

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A

In an innovative move, Hermès has successfully mastered the art of using leftovers,

manifesting in a brand new line of playful and quirky objects retailing under the moniker of ‘petit

H’. The Peninsula meets Pascal Mussard, the Creative Director behind this environmentally

conscious initiative.

TexT: mAry Agnew ImAgeS: courTeSy of hermÈS

A Long Way LiTTLe Goes

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The great conundrum facing luxury brands such as the mighty Hermès today is how to maintain exacting and unwavering levels of quality, whilst also presenting an

ethically responsible code of practice. In today’s society of social and environmental consciousness, major labels must appear to be creating magnificent objects of desire while keeping one foot firmly planted in the organic compost heap. The solution that Hermès has come up with is a mismatched collection of ‘Unidentified Poetic Objects’ under the moniker ‘petit h’, which have been developed under the creative direction of Pascal Mussard. Mussard is the great, great grandaughter of Hermès Founder Thierry Hermès and throughout her life she has been surrounded by the Hermès family both inside and outside the illustrious and revered atelier. From a very young age she would wait for her mother in the Hermès atelier after school, quietly observing the artisans as they went about handcrafting the bags, scarves, boots and leather goods that have made Hermès one of the most desired and revered of all luxury brands. “My memories are filled with the activity in the workshops. I was allowed to watch if I was very careful and very quiet. I grabbed all the little pieces of leather that had been discarded on the floor, but even at that time I wasn’t allowed to cut them or glue them. I had to be really respectful, so they were my treasures,” recalls Mussard. Since its launch in 2011, ‘petit h’ has been shown in a unique travelling caravan rather then in any of the Hermès stores. It has

been twice to Paris, once to Tokyo, once to New York and now Hong Kong. So far the response to this quirky line of high-end, upcycled goods has been extremely positive. As a child, Mussard regularly scolded friends and family members for throwing out perfectly useful objects and this abhorrence for waste was carried into her adulthood. The idea for ‘petit h’ had been bubbling within Mussard for many years and began in secret initially. “Three years ago I was secretly making what was to become ‘petit h’. I was packing all the remnants from the workshop that I could get into my car and I travelled to meet the designer Gill Germain with whom I still work. Over the course of a year we prepared about 100 objects and then I gathered all my family one day and showed them what we had done in order to get their permission to carry on.” Mussard says that the process of creation in Hermès has always been a democratic one and when she refers to her “Hermès family”, she is not just referring to her blood relations. She is also talking about the craftsmen and artisans that are recruited to Hermès because they are the leading practitioners of their crafts; some often stay throughout their whole career. When she was asking permission to continue with her “petit h” venture, Mussard was well aware that by using the remnants from the workshops she was asking to re-appropriate the brands’ intellectual and creative property. It was a delicate proposal that was accepted with reservation.

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to be mistaken as the children’s line of her mÈs, ‘petit h’ is

instead “like a child of her mÈs”

Not

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In terms of the Hermès heritage, it is rare that the brand launches new ventures. Its aphorism has always been to pick a few things and be the best in the world at producing them. Mussard’s idea was to create a round-table working environment where she would gather experts in silk, leather, metal and ceramics, present them with her rescued Hermès bounty, and see what they came up with. The result is an eclectic mix of somewhat incongruous objects. “I wanted to do things in a really different way but in a way that still maintained the standards of Hermès,” she says. According to Mussard, the brand is positioning the concept as “the Hermès atelier of re-creation.” So far the mobile caravan that has travelled around Paris, Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong has contained a large leather panda beanbag, a chest of drawers covered in beach towelling, a handbag that is actually a cuckoo clock, leather pebble carriers and the rather elusively titled ‘Luminous Flying Teapot’. Each item is independent of the rest of its line-mates and embraces whimsy in a way that is traditionally absent from the greater Hermès brand. Not to be mistaken as the children’s line of Hermès, ‘petit h’ is instead “like a child of Hermès,” says Mussard. Its playful nature is key to what gives the collection its independent identity from the parent brand. Before the existence of ‘petit h’, in order to avoid copycat creations, Hermès would burn the excess skins and remnants from the ateliers and the fact that this no longer happens is a source of great pride for Mussard. “My purpose with ‘petit h’ is many things, but the main goal is that I wanted to try to create an example for my children. It was like a story that I wanted to write.”

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Connecting

TexT: DervlA loulI ImAgeS: courTeSy of louIS vuITTon

TheDots

Yayoi Kusama in front of Soaring Spirits at the Louis Vuitton New Bond Street Maison (February 2012)

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Y ayoi Kusama, ‘The Princess of Polka-Dots’, has the ability to transform objects and spaces through infinity circles. Her latest collaboration with Louis Vuitton showcases her systematic artwork emblazoned on ready-

to-wear garments, leather goods and accessories from the luxury powerhouse. Kusama has dreamt in dots, written in dots and painted in dots throughout her entire life. She has placed them on tentacles, flowers, mirrors, and giant yellow pumpkins and through this most recent project, has literally saturated Louis Vuitton in dots. Kusama’s affiliation for dots has existed almost from birth. As a young child in World War II Japan she dreamt of a forlorn vision of her mother completely covered in them. She went on to paint them on nude people during anti-War demonstrations in New York and onto a live horse at Woodstock in the 1960’s. The artist later emblazoned her trademark spots on sculptures, silkscreens and interactive installations. After revelling in her heightened celebrity during the Pop Art movement, she returned to Japan in the 1970s and a few years later, voluntarily took up residence in a psychiatric institution in Tokyo. The 83 year-old still travels to her studio every day and continues to work with perilous abandonment. Despite her illness, she is extremely business savvy, intelligent and aware of the outside world. The recent collaboration with Louis Vuitton is testament to these facts.

Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with Yayoi

Kusama, ‘The Princess of Polka-Dots’

(perhaps that title should be elevated to

‘Queen’), allows guests to “self-obliterate” into

a world of ”biomorphic nerves” (a self-coined

term), and polka dots. The cosmic stores

in seven major cities also coincide with the

inauguration of a Kusama retrospective in

Paris, London and New York.

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visionaries worked together seamlessly on the venture; kusama’s

team provided louis vuitton with their ideas, and jacobs’ side developed

fabrics and materials that merged her art with the br and’s products.

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Louis Vuitton has enjoyed a close relationship with the art world for 15 years, and has previously collaborated with artists such as Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince. However, this is the first time that the brand is opening concept stores fully dedicated to an artistic collaboration. The Kusama project covers traditional items, and extends all the way to eye-popping window displays, iPhone applications, books and websites. In addition to the creation of concept stores, Louis Vuitton is a predominant supporter of the Kusama retrospective exhibition which is travelling worldwide to Paris (Centre Pompidou), London (The Tate Modern) and New York (The Whitney). Seven concept stores in major cities throughout the world, allow guests to immerse themselves in Kusama’s universe. The venues are entirely dedicated to products from the collaboration and are dynamic and playful in spirit. ‘Biomorphic Nerve’ sculptures set the theme in Hong Kong, and red polka dots against a white backdrop feature heavily throughout. The artist envisions customers “self-obliterating” and essentially becoming one with the environment that she has created. Marc Jacobs, the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, collaborates with artists that transform the world through their art. The choice of Kusama, who alters environments through repetitive patterns, was therefore an extremely appropriate choice. He is a champion for change and views this most recent vision as an opportunity for people to appreciate Kusama’s art, and Louis Vuitton’s products, in a different light. “Her energy is endless,” says Jacobs appreciatively. “Through the painstaking obsession in each of her canvases and installations, you see this world that never ends. That’s what I admire and respond to in terms of feeling and Kusama and her work.” The two formidable creative forces first met in Tokyo in 2006 while Jacobs was filming Loïc Prigent’s documentary entitled ‘Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton’. Following their encounter, Kusama invited him into her atelier, where a discussion about art and their passion for creating ensued. Towards the end of the meeting, Kusama revealed a Louis Vuitton handbag that was hand-painted with her signature dots. Her art on the bag implanted an idea into Jacobs’ head and six years later the seed has borne fruit in the form of The Louis Vuitton-Yayoi Kusama Collection.

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the 90s, I commissioned an oversized yellow pumpkin for Benesse House in Naoshima Island in Japan, and since then I have worked closely with her,” he says. In short, his knowledge of her workings is unrivalled. Nanjo hosted a talk at Sotheby’s, Hong Kong regarding partnerships between artists and luxury products. He spoke about the Kusama/Louis Vuitton collaboration, and a history of the artist’s work. “Her system is flexible and applicable to any space, and this is one of the reasons why her art is so strong,” stated Nanjo eloquently. “Some artists cannot work with Louis Vuitton because their designs do not co-operate with the medium. Marc Jacobs gave his ideas for the product shape and design and Yayoi Kusama was able to apply her system and patterns to any area.” As Louis Vuitton adds yet another collaboration with a widely-acclaimed artist to its portfolio, Kusama continues to paint in her studio in Tokyo. The infallible self-belief in her art that consumed her at the beginning of her career is still evident to this day. Her success, longevity, and current popularity give hope to young artists in both Japan and elsewhere and she continues to push boundaries across the world.

The collection is the true definition of a partnership. Garments and accessories not only embody Kusama’s art, but also draw comparisons to her style of dress. The models for the campaign sport the octogenarian’s signature blunt wigs and kabuki-style makeup, and the video advertisements are recorded through a 1960s-style lens reminiscent of the anti-War naked demonstrations that she organised in New York. The visionaries worked together seamlessly on the venture; Kusama’s team provided Louis Vuitton with their ideas, and Jacobs’ side developed fabrics and materials that merged her art with the brand’s products. The resulting work was well received by the artist, who made virtually no alterations to their proposals. Therefore, instead of simply lifting main themes from Kusama’s major works, Louis Vuitton has lent itself as a vessel for her art. Fumio Nanjo, Director of the Mori Museum in Tokyo, and former curator of the Japan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, was invited to Hong Kong by Louis Vuitton to discuss the collaboration between the artist and the iconic brand. His in-depth knowledge and gentle mannerisms make him the perfect advocate to explain the fine art of dots to the world. The relationship between Kusama and Nanjo began back in the 1980s, when Nanjo first became aware of her work. “In

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Master couturier Stéphane Rolland presents an exclusive fashion shoot for The Peninsula magazine

featuring his latest muse, highly-acclaimed Chinese actress Fan Bingbing.

LeadingImAgeS: courTeSy of STéphAne rollAnD couTure

LADy

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The Tiffany & Co. yellow diamond is one of the largest and finest of its kind in the world. The quality,

size and cut are testament to the company’s reputation as a jeweller that uses the highest quality

diamonds. The Peninsula uncovers the story behind the unrivalled 128.54 carat yellow diamond,

which highlights the 175th Anniversary celebration of design excellence at Tiffany & Co.

yeLLow

TexT: DervlA loulI ImAgeS: courTeSy of TIffAny & co.

The

LeGACyDiamond

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As ‘Moon River’ droned softly in the background of the opening scene for ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, two icons were born. The first was the legendary Audrey

Hepburn, and the supporting starlet was the 128.54 Carat fancy yellow Tiffany diamond worn around her swan-like neck. Jewels are coveted because they evoke emotions and play a fundamental part in a woman’s life. They are objects that create memories and are handed down from generation to generation with each owner adding a small piece of history to the precious stone. Diamonds mark the largest turning points in a lady’s life; an engagement, the birth of a child, an inheritance…the list goes on. As the stock markets fluctuate and the price of gold rises and falls, one thing is certain, the Tiffany yellow diamond is steadfast. It is a fundamental part of Tiffany & Co., which has been legendary for 175 years. The Tiffany yellow diamond is steeped in history and is known as one of the world’s largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds. The quality, size and cut are testament to Tiffany’s reputation as a jeweller that utilises the highest quality diamonds. The diamond legacy started in 1877 when a rough diamond of 287.42 carats was discovered in the Kimberly mines of South Africa. Charles Lewis Tiffany purchased the stone and sent it to Paris where it was entrusted to Dr. George Frederick Kunz,

Tiffany’s chief gemologist, who supervised the cutting of it. It was cut into a cushion-shaped, brilliant 128.54 carat stone with 82 facets – 24 more than the traditional 58-facet brilliant cut. Cut to enhance its radiant colour rather than its size, the stone is slightly wider than one inch and is seven-eights of an inch in length. In 1901, the magnificent Tiffany diamond received top honours at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. It was highlighted at the jeweller’s award-winning exhibits on many different occasions including the 1933-34 Century of Progress in Chicago and the 1939-40 Worlds Fair in New York City. More recent appearances have been at the 2006 ‘Bejewelled by Tiffany’ exhibition at Somerset House in London, and a celebration of the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. The diamond has been previously set four times; twice by Tiffany’s renowned designer Jean Schlumberger. In 1961, Schlumberger’s ‘Ribbon Rosette’ necklace was set with the diamond and worn by Audrey Hepburn during a publicity photo shoot for ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. In 1995 it was featured at the designer’s 1995 retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris where it was mounted in his ‘Bird on a Rock’ setting.

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tiffany yellow diamond is steeped in history and is known as

one of the world’s largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds.

The diamond has been meticulously reset and is now the centrepiece of a dazzling necklace. The reinvention process involved Tiffany’s designers submitting innovative concepts and ideas for the new setting. The skilled artisans then meticulously hand cut and set each diamond in the modern design. The result is a modern fluid diamond necklace that is a credit to the craftsmanship of the Tiffany jewellers. It took over a year to make the elegant necklace which boasts 20 Lucida diamonds and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds which total over 120 carats. The mounting itself displays an openwork motif of sunrays depicted with 481 sparkling stones. The spectacular diamond and its new setting will be the highlight of the 175th Anniversary Celebration of Design Excellence at Tiffany &Co. In addition to the diamond, 73 other pieces of jewellery and objects from the brands’ archives will be on display. Other objects to be showcased include a garland necklace of brilliantly radiant platinum and diamonds created for the Wade family around 1903; the ‘Orchid’ brooch, an enamel and jewel brooch created in the likeness of an actual orchid; and the ‘Fleur de Mer’ brooch, recently procured for the Tiffany archives from the Elizabeth Taylor Collection (the brooch was presented to Taylor in 1965 by her then husband, Richard Burton). The celebrations will commence at the end of 2012 at the Tsunamachi Mitsui club in Tokyo, which is the first location outside the U.S. to display the diamond. This event will be followed by exhibitions in Beijing and Dubai, and the revelry will draw to a close in the diamond’s permanent place of honour in New York City where Tiffany was first founded in 1837.

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The

The venerable Chicago jeweller, Sidney Garber is on a ‘gem’ of a mission under its second generation

owner, Brooke Garber Neidich. The Peninsula discovers more...

BeAuTyGiviNGof

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For three generations of Chicagoans, Sidney Garber was the man to go to at those times in life when jewellery was the only right gift. From engagements to anniversaries, and graduations to celebrations of the

birth of a child, the elegant Mr. Garber always seemed to know what the lucky recipient would love. Upon his death in 2008 at the age of 89, there was a palpable sense of loss among his many loyal customers, and a fear that the business he had founded in 1940 would come to an end. They need not have worried. The business was inherited by Garber’s daughter, Brooke Garber Neidich, who grew up in it and learned about jewellery at her father’s side. Though she moved to New York, married and raised a family, she remained involved and was determined to see the business survive. “My father loved beauty, grace and elegance, and that is what inspired his collection. I travelled with him to ateliers in Milan and Paris. He had an extraordinary eye and brought great rigour and attention to detail as he worked with artisans abroad to create the jewellery that he sold exclusively. He instilled in me that same love of design, detail and fine execution,” recalls Garber Neidich. Today, as the owner and the chief creative force for the store, Garber Neidich has updated the collection. “We offer timeless pieces that a woman can wear throughout her life, and I like pieces that layer well, to dress up or down, depending on the occasion and one’s mood that day,” she states. Dubbed ‘Garber Style’, this layered look has been frequently spotted on socialites and celebrities and captured on the pages of leading fashion magazines. Under her direction, the store has expanded its distribution to the web and The Sidney Garber Collection is also sold at Barneys New York and on barneys.com. “For a business founded in 1940, there was a great deal of modernisation that had to take place before we could take these steps,” Garber Neidich says with a smile. “But the hard work is now behind us and we can focus on the jewellery and on our mission.”

“Mission” is not a word one hears often in the fine jewellery business. But there is no better way to describe this extraordinary next chapter in the life of Sidney Garber. As Garber Neidich says, “I take great pride in telling our customers that the business my father built and that will always bear his name, serves an even larger mission: we give all our profits to not-for-profit organisations dedicated to children’s mental health and wellness, to education and to the arts.” This commitment isn’t new to Garber Neidich. She is the Co-Founder with Dr. Harold Koplewicz of the Child Mind Institute, which dedicates itself to children’s mental health and wellness. She is also the Co-Chair of the Whitney Museum of American Art, where she has been a vital force in the construction of the new downtown Whitney in lower Manhattan, as well as being the Vice Chair of the Lincoln Center Theater. “Some people question how fine jewellery fits into all of this, and I have a ready answer,” states Garber Neidich. “First, this is a family business, and family is the firmament of community. But secondly, jewellery is a joyous expression, and ultimately, whether through charitable giving or childhood interventions, through education or making art, our goal is the same: to bring joy into the lives of others. People all over the world, whatever their circumstances, deserve to enjoy their lives.” Now that’s a philosophy we can all treasure.

www.sidneygarber.com

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Time

WORDS: MARY AGNEW PORTRAIT: LUCY MCNALLY IMAGES: COURTESY OF ROGER DUBUIS

2011 marked the return of Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis to the Haute Horlogerie brand that

bares his name.

The

Keeper

At 74, Roger Dubuis is supposed to be in retirement. He perhaps should be sitting at home reaping the rewards of a career that reached the pinnacle of success

in its field. But even in the later years of his life, his unyielding passion for the craft to which he has dedicated his life has not wavered and after a brief attempt at retirement he has rejoined the ranks of his company in order to ensure that every timepiece that bares his name also stands up to the exacting standards upon which he built the reputation of the brand. Founded in 1995, the Roger Dubuis brand had Asia in its sight since day one, and now that the region has confirmed itself as the leading market for luxury brands, the company is reaping the benefits of an already well-established relationship. “From my point of view, China is having a rebirth, and as businesspeople and watchmakers we have to follow this path,” says Dubuis, sitting comfortably in his boutique at The Peninsula Hong Kong. There are particularities in terms of what people buy in any of the major global markets. Cultural tastes differ throughout the world. Traditions and superstitions leak into our everyday purchasing habits and this is inherently true in

Asia. Having taken particular notice of the Asian market early on, the Roger Dubuis brand has made specific adjustments to its delicately crafted watches in order to appeal the idiosyncrasies of the Asian market, “Precious materials such as red gold are embraced as a status symbol and we realise the significance of the number 8,” notes Dubuis. Something that the Founder is very proud of and which has made the defining principle of the brand, is that every watch that is manufactured in the Roger Dubuis workshop in Geneva receives the ‘Geneva Seal’ or the ‘Poincon de Geneve’. Since its authorisation in 1886, the ‘Geneva Seal’ has been one of the most coveted awards in the world of watch making. Other brands that submit watches for consideration are Cartier, Chopard and Vacheron Constantin. However, Roger Dubuis is the only luxury watchmaker in the world that insists on receiving the seal for every watch model that the brand puts on the market. “I was educated in respecting all watch-making traditions,” states Dubuis. “I wanted the ‘Geneva Seal’ for every timepiece because it guarantees a certain standard, which is why the quality is so high and why we have reached the level we are at.”

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As the marketing team seated around Mr. Dubuis break into overdrive describing specific features of each of these categories, the stoic man flinches somewhat, seemingly not entirely comfortable with the branding gimmicks that have been put into place. For someone that has not only built a global, multi-million dollar luxury brand, but also some of the most complicated and intricate watches available today, there is a pared-back straightforwardness to the man himself that seems out of place in the plush surroundings where he is seated. However near or far the company is now from its original, Roger Dubuis is back to keep everything to his standards and his philosophy is still visible in the brand’s dedication to quality. All mechanisms and parts are hand-finished, some taking approximately 3,000 hours complete. “The brand is young but the founder is an old man,” he says with a wry smile. “I was old when I founded Roger Dubuis and I already had a very established career. For the short time that I retired, I realised that I just couldn’t stop being in the watch making world.”

The road to success has been a relatively short one for the Roger Dubuis brand. For its 17 years in business, the brand has established itself firmly amongst the old world purveyors of timepieces. But what possibly separates Roger Dubuis from the other established brands is that it has a figurehead - a man, a face, a living, breathing brand ambassador, and in the cobweb-filled world of watches, that is extremely rare. Watches are objects that are shrouded in romance, and they garner the same emotional reactions in their owners in the same vein that diamonds do. Patek Philippe, for whom Dubuis used to work, famously plays on the emotional connection to watches with its ad campaign tag line: “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation”. And so when customers can meet the man responsible for creating these ethereal objects, it ads an extra layer of meaning to the experience of owning a Roger Dubuis watch. This is something that Dubuis recognises himself. Speaking at a VIP reception dinner in Hong Kong the night before we spoke, he was taken aback by the reactions of his clients to his presence. “When you are creating something at the very beginning, you are thinking that you are making something that you inevitably have to sell. Of course you want that thing to be the best and to be liked, but you don’t necessarily think about the person who might buy it; but the people gathered together here were speaking like we were a family and that is something unexpected.” When Dubuis handed over the reigns of the company to the Richemont Group in 2008, a new marketing approach towards the brand was in put in place. The collections of timepieces was divided into different personalities: ‘The Player’, who is described as the risk-taker, and elegant but also very cool; ‘The Venturer’, who seeks out an adrenaline rush; ‘The Warrior’, who is symbolised by the brand’s most iconic watch – ‘The Excalibur’; and the ‘The Diva’, who is softer and feminine.

near or

far the company is now from its

original, roger dubuis is back to

keep everything to his standards

and his philosophy is still visible in

the br and’s dedication to quality.

However

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FooDThe

For thousands of years, humans have been fascinated by the

decadent phenomenon that we call “chocolate”. The tradition

of chocolate as a luxury product can be traced from the times

when the Aztecs used cacao beans as a form of money, to

today, when its high cost in calories can often create guilt

within the consumer.

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The GoDsof

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Because of its early colonisation of The Americas, Spain held a monopoly on chocolate for many years. Only the wealthiest and most well connected Spanish nobility could afford this expensive import, and the Spanish kept this delicacy a secret from the rest of Europe for nearly 100 years. Eventually Europe caught on to the secret of chocolate and it became fashionable in the royal courts. During the reign of Louis XIII, the French court’s love of chocolate was confirmed when his wife Anne confessed to being a chocoholic. Chocolate subsequently became a status symbol and by decree, only members of the French aristocracy were allowed to drink it. In the late 1600s, Sir Hans Sloane introduced the culinary custom of drinking chocolate with milk for a lighter and smoother flavour. The first chocolate house opened in London in 1657. Like coffee shops, which became popular much later, chocolate houses were places to enjoy a hot drink, discuss politics, socialise and gamble. Many chocolate houses admitted only men, but a few were open to anyone who could afford the entrance fee. Because chocolate was seen as an aristocratic treat, Europeans preferred to drink their chocolate from ornate vessels crafted by artisans and fashioned from precious materials. These vessels also became symbols of wealth. For hundreds of years, the chocolate-making process remained relatively unaltered, but with the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1700s, chocolate’s future course changed. A steady stream of innovations and advertising helped set the stage for the development of solid chocolate, which led to it becoming the global phenomenon that it is today. With the advent of new machinery, it became possible to grind huge amounts of cacao and mass-produce chocolate inexpensively and quickly. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, chocolate was a gritty, rather oily paste that was dissolved in water or milk to make a beverage. With new inventions, smoother and creamier chocolate could be made and chocolate bars were born.

Commonly regarded as a sweet treat that was created during modern times, chocolate’s origins in fact date back to the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica who drank chocolate as a bitter beverage. The secret

of the cacao bean, the main ingredient behind chocolate, was discovered during the Classic Period of Maya civilisation (250-900 A.D.). The ancient Maya didn’t eat chocolate; they drank it. Cacao beans were ground into a paste and mixed with water, chilli peppers, cornmeal, and other ingredients. The bitter concoction was poured back and forth from pot to cup until it developed a thick foam on top. Maya people of all ranks drank chocolate for both social and religious reasons, but the wealthy drank it from elaborate vessels decorated by specially trained artists. Chocolate was also used for ceremonial purposes and Maya couples drank it as part of their betrothal and marriage rituals. The Maya believed that one of the most sacred offerings was that of blood, and images and ancient religious texts sometimes show priests dripping offerings onto cacao pods. By the 1400s, the Aztecs had gained control over a huge expanse of Mesoamerica and cacao quickly became the key to their vast trade empire. Because they couldn’t actually grow it, they traded for it. Aztec rules required ordinary citizens and conquered people to pay a tax, and cacao beans were used as a form of currency to pay these taxes. Because the cacao bean was such a valuable commodity, only the Aztec élite - rulers, priests, decorated warriors and honoured merchants - held the social status and economic position to savour the drink. The Aztecs did in fact believe that chocolate was “the food of the gods”. According to an Aztec legend, the god Quetzalcoatl brought the heavenly cacao to Earth and was expelled from paradise for what was considered a blasphemous act. As a result, Aztec priests often made offerings of cacao seeds to Quetzalcoatl and other deities. Until the 1500s, no-one in Europe knew about this delicious drink that would later become revered worldwide. The Spanish explorers sent to The Americas to discover new riches were amongst the first to encounter chocolate, and Christopher Columbus is often cited as the first man to bring cacao beans from South America to Spain. Cortes led his forces against Montezuma’s warriors and defeated them in battle. When the Spanish soldiers demanded that Aztec nobles hand over their treasures or be killed, cacao became one of the spoils of war. The Spanish didn’t like the bitter flavour and to spice up the brew, they began adding new ingredients including sugar, cinnamon and other spices to the mix, and so sweet hot chocolate was born. Subsequently the households of Spanish nobility adopted a taste for this rich and decadent chocolate drink.

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In 1875, Daniel Pete and Henri Nestlé teamed up to introduce condensed milk to chocolate, thus creating what we commonly know now as milk chocolate. In addition to the creation of rich, brown, solid bars, chocolate also became extremely popular as an ingredient in other confectionary sweets including cakes and pastries. New inventions also made producing chocolate much easier, but it was advertising that made it something that the masses began to crave. Marketing campaigns were aimed particularly at women and children, and nibbling on a chocolate bar was promoted as a way to sustain energy and cure lethargy. Chocolate was also believed to be an aphrodisiac and it became a popular gift on Valentine’s Day in the hope that its mysterious properties would aid in seduction. Richard Cadbury introduced the first Valentine’s Day chocolate box in 1868 and developed a highly successful marketing campaign. Likewise, Robert Stroehecker created the first chocolate bunny for Easter and as a result, also struck gold. Today, although the chocolate bar is a common feature of everyday life, a variety of companies, including The Peninsula Hotels, create chocolate products of the highest quality wrapped in luxurious and elegant packaging. Like wine, chocolate is an agricultural product that goes through enhancing transformations. To produce a high quality wine, premium grapes are required. In the same vein, the best chocolate requires top quality cacao beans that must

be correctly fermented, dried, roasted, blended, ground and sweetened before the final grinding that produces optimum texture. The higher the percentage of cocoa, the darker the chocolate will be. Experts purport that darker is better because it reveals the true flavour and quality of the cocoa used and makes it impossible to mask inferior ingredients. The ideal chocolate should contain about 65 to 70 percent cocoa or more. When sampling a piece of chocolate, one should take note of its “snappiness”. A definite snap at the first bite confirms both high cocoa content and careful blending. As the chocolate melts slowly in the mouth, it should deliver a blend of several aromas, including fruits, spices, nuts, tobacco and toast. The ideal chocolate should have a balanced, lingering flavour with an inborn bitterness that is offset by sweet fragrances. This delightful temptation that has been around for thousands of years continues to seduce through its consumption in a multitude of forms, and undoubtedly makes life just that little bit sweeter.

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Chocolate and The PeninsulaThe new range of chocolate delicacies by The Peninsula Hotels embraces the history and development of this romantic, aphrodisiac, mood-enhancer and a delectable boost to both the palate and the senses. Tradition and temptation come together with the introduction of the new ‘Peninsula Signature Chocolates’ range, a collection of 48 flavours of bespoke Swiss chocolates made exclusively for The Peninsula Hong Kong which marks the continuing evolution of chocolate-making at the hotel. The Peninsula’s chocolate recipes, past and present, combine for a delicious array of mouthwatering confectionery, luxuriously packaged in boxes made from fine textured, custom-made, FSC paper from Italy in chic green, brown and beige tones. In 1928, when The Peninsula Hong Kong first opened, chocolate played an important role in the hotel’s first culinary exploits. Local pastry cooks were fascinated by this delicacy from the West, and yearned to learn more about this bitter yet sweet candy. Over the years, the hotel’s pastry team has learned and experimented with the production of homemade chocolates, and soon began making its own chocolates for the dining pleasure of hotel guests. Techniques evolved and became more sophisticated over the years, and in 1954, Peninsula chocolates were launched for sale to the general public, both in the hotel and its first cake shop located on Nathan Road. However,

initially sales were limited – in 1955 only 100 kilogrammes of chocolates were sold in the entire year, compared with over 30 kilogrammes per day today! Following the launch of The Peninsula’s chocolates, the hotel management decided to appoint and train a chocolatier – a member of the patisserie team, expert in confectionery and chocolate making - to be in charge of all the hotel’s chocolate creations. Since then, many have taken on this challenge, and have each created their own unique recipes for what today are known as The Peninsula Signature Chocolates. Recipes, tips and techniques have been handed down from one Peninsula chocolatier to the next, and on through generations. Today Peninsula Chocolatier confections are made in Hong Kong and Switzerland to The Peninsula’s various secret recipes, developed over the years. The current Peninsula Chocolatier is Marijn Coertjens, who joined The Peninsula Hong Kong in 2011, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in his craft, and will undoubtedly take The Peninsula’s famous chocolates to even greater heights. The Peninsula Signature Chocolates are available exclusively at Peninsula Boutiques in Asia and America as well as at select Duty Free shops in Hong Kong and Macau.

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Naturally Peninsula – Chocolate FlavoursIn 2008, The Peninsula Hotels’ ‘Naturally Peninsula - Tea Flavours’ was one of three cookbooks from Hong Kong to be honoured at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, winning the award for ‘Best in the World Tea Book’. The photography for this book was done by Edmond Ho, who also won the ‘Best in the World Photography’ award in the 2007 competition. Ho is a well-known food and lifestyle photographer based in Singapore. There were eight finalists in the ‘Tea Book’ category (created in 2007), selected from books received from 107 countries. Edmond Ho is also the photographer for the latest and third in The Peninsula Hotels’ cookbook series. Using chocolate as a base ingredient, this publication, scheduled for release in the Fall, showcases a wide variety of recipes. Demonstrating various applications of cooking with chocolate, there will be eight main chapters: the history of chocolate and how it is made; Bonbons & Pralines; Cakes & Pastries; Desserts; Ice-Creams, Sherberts & Parfait Sundaes; Savoury Chocolate; Drinks; and Kids. There are 84 main recipes, excluding base recipes. All original recipes have been submitted by chefs at The Peninsula hotels in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, Manila, New York, Chicago and Beverly Hills. The final recipes were photographed at The Peninsula Tokyo. ‘Naturally Peninsula’ cuisine is especially created by the culinary teams of The Peninsula Hotels to introduce a variety of lighter and healthier dining options, with each dish maintaining its own unique and pristine flavours without compromise. Recipes are well-balanced and use organic produce from reputable and sustainable sources wherever possible.

the reign of louis xiii,

the french court’s love of chocolate was

confir med when his wife anne confessed

to being a chocoholic. chocolate

subsequently became a status symbol and

by decree, only members of the french

aristocr acy were allowed to drink it.

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The

Growing up in Belgium, the birthplace of fine chocolate, Marijn Coertjens has lived and breathed fine

confections throughout his life. Coertjens joined The Peninsula Hong Kong in November 2011, bringing

with him a wealth of experience gathered from over a decade of taking part in international competitions

and showcasing his prowess with chocolate. Coertjens is the Maître Chocolatier behind The Peninsula’s

Chocolate Room, set to take the city by storm with its meticulously crafted, artisanal creations.

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sweeTLife

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Marijin Coertjens began honing his chocolate-making skills in 2001, graduating from the VTI Spijker School in Belgium, followed by a three-year tenure at Manus, a

pastry shop in Brasschaat, which sharpened his then rudimentary skills. His experience at Withof Castel, a one Michelin starred-restaurant in Brasschaat, changed the way he looked at pastry, and he began injecting his creativity into the expert blending and crafting of ingredients. A true perfectionist, Coertjens’ forays to Japan in 2006, 2008 and 2009 gave him a fresh insight into the nature of precision. Tenures at pastry shops Es-Koyama, Paris s’éveille and Le Chocolat de H, instilled in him the idea that every fine detail matters. Coertjens believes that the formula for excellence in chocolate-making comes from a combination of passion, hard work and a consistent approach to quality. Back in Belgium, Coertjens worked with his mentor, Marc Ducobu, the chef whom he always dreamt about collaborating with, and who was an inspiration during his early career. Coertjens’ first love of chocolate was ignited after he witnessed Ducobu’s aesthetic chocolate showpieces first-hand at the 2001 International Belgian Chocolate Awards. Under Ducobu’s tutelage, Coertjens entered a variety of large and small-scale international competitions. He was crowned ‘Best Belgian Chocolatier’ of 2008 in the World Chocolate Masters Award and won the bronze medal accolade at the World Pastry Cup 2011 in Lyon, France. “I like challenges, and participating in competitions gives me a lot of stimulus,” says the master chocolatier. “From

visualising an idea, to conceptualising the flavours, textures and presentation and then dexterously fabricating the idea into a physical accomplishment, is an experience that is satisfying beyond words,” adds Coertjens. “Techniques continue to evolve very fast in this industry, so entering professional competitions keeps me up-to-date on the latest innovations in chocolate, while being able to meet the crème de la crème of the industry is extremely rewarding.” At The Peninsula Hong Kong, Coertjens spearheads The Chocolate Room, where he is responsible for a variety of finely crafted creations, as well as being the mentor of his own dedicated team of chocolatiers who continue to coming up with novel flavours. “In the Chocolate Room at The Peninsula Hong Kong everything we do is hand-made, only the finest natural ingredients are used, and we limit production to very small quantities to ensure freshness and flavour. This also provides us with flexibility in mixing and matching unique ingredients with a specific sugar content to create a variety of explosions on the palate”, he notes. “The chocolates I create are classic flavours with a twist; undeterred by limitations. Presentation is also of paramount importance and I hope our guests and customers will perceive each piece of my chocolate as a delightful indulgence”. Coertjens’ passion for chocolate is absolute and unwavering. “Chocolate is everything that I do, see and feel in my life”, he says. Wherever he is and whatever he is doing, Coertjens is always working on his next creation. A true master of his craft, he combines his keen eye for beauty, along with creativity, imagination, a desire for perfection and a combination of the finest fresh ingredients to create his delightful and unique chocolate recipes.

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A

Peninsula Merchandising Limited is scheduled to unveil its new-look flagship boutique at The

Peninsula Hong Kong in late 2012. The HK$12 million project will see a total makeover of the current

boutique located in the basement level of the hotel, as well as brand new look for its gift packaging.

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This November, a new look Peninsula Boutique will be unveiled and is set offer a whole new shopping experience with the debut of a tempting selection of merchandise including the

new Peninsula Signature Chocolates range, premier tea collection and unique silver-plated gifts, as well as the ever-popular and much-loved Peninsula bear products and gourmet items. Renowned international interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg was chosen to undertake this project. Known for pushing the boundaries of interior design and creating spaces that are luxurious and strikingly beautiful, the company has been creating timeless and artistic interior designs for the hospitality, restaurant and retail sectors worldwide for over 30 years. Inspired by travel, the 1,995 square-foot boutique takes the form of a large suitcase with shelves and compartments fashioned from wood and leather to display the merchandise. Marble counter tops and flooring coupled with a metal closure gate add an elegant yet contemporary feel. “Our overall design was inspired by the ideas of old world and new world. We took the ‘making’ of chocolate and the romantic appeal of this age old artisanal culinary craft, to be our inspiration,” says Annhy Shim of Yabu Pushelberg. “This led to our design of a sleek sculpted wall with horizontal viewing slots that showcased and emphasised the delicate work of the chocolate chef. We continued this concept to the Specialty Chocolate area with our design of sculpted view finders focusing on the artistry of an individual piece of chocolate. We also designed a series of suspended leather wrapped trunks for product display, inspired from the Peninsula brand’s rich history and association with travel.” The centrepiece and focal point of the boutique is a newly- introduced chocolate kitchen where in-house chocolatier Marijn Coertjens will demonstrate his culinary skills. “Our intent was to

create an iconic design for Peninsula that was signature, timeless and inspirational,” states Shim. “This flagship design was to set the standard for all eventual new store roll outs and renovations - so we also had to be cognisant of inevitable architectural and site condition variables when designing the shop’s elements. From a merchandising standpoint, showcasing Peninsula’s rebranded product line was also important in our overall design direction.” Complementing the interior is the new packaging design by Amsterdam-based firm, UXUS, which specialises in strategic design solutions for retailers and marketers. The merchandise will be presented in chic green, brown, beige or burgundy boxes made from fine textured, custom-made, FSC paper from Italy. In true Peninsula style, no detail has been spared in the finishing, making purchasing from the boutique even more appealing. In addition to offering The Peninsula Signature Chocolates, The Peninsula Tea and other treats and premium gift items from the famed Hong Kong landmark of hospitality, the new boutique will also carry gourmet items such as exquisite olive oil and vinegar. For over 80 years, The Peninsula Hong Kong has been at the pinnacle of fine food and haute cuisine, and with the introduction of additional gourmet items, guests and customers will now be able to enjoy these delicacies not only in the hotel’s restaurants, but also recreate their very own Peninsula dining experience at home. The Peninsula Boutique in the hotel is located on the basement level of The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, and is open daily from 9:30am to 7:00pm. Tel: (852) 2696 6969 Fax: (852) 2696 6973 and e-mail: [email protected]. During the renovation, customers may visit the temporary boutique located on mezzanine floor MW13 of The Peninsula Shopping Arcade.

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Long celebrated for its eclectic collection of transportation choices –

ranging from Rolls-Royces, vintage 1934 Rollers, MINIs, helicopters,

riverboats, bicycles and more – The Peninsula Hotels now sets sail

with the sponsorship of the Peninsula Signal 8 racing yacht.

ABoArD!All

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The latest addition to the formidable transportation collection of The Peninsula Hotels is a Hong Kong-based, 40-foot (12-metre) fast off-shore racing yacht

named Peninsula Signal 8. The vessel is the eighth boat in the revolutionary Ker 40 design which, since its introduction in 2011, has already won numerous competitions around the globe. Launched on 1 December 2011, the yacht’s name is derived from the tropical cyclone warning signals issued by the Hong Kong Government since 1884, with Typhoon Signal No 8 denoting persistent gale or storm force winds – and of course the number eight is particularly auspicious in Chinese culture as “ba” (eight) rhymes with “ fa”, the character for “fortune”. Sporting The Peninsula Hotels’ branding on the spinnaker, main sail and hull, Peninsula Signal 8 will compete in a selection of races and regattas in Hong Kong, China, Thailand and the UK in 2012 and beyond. “As yacht racing becomes increasingly popular around the world, we’re delighted to sponsor this magnificent yacht, which represents not only a new direction for The Peninsula brand, but also a unique offering and experience for our guests,” says Peter C. Borer, Chief Operating Officer of The Peninsula Hotels’ parent company, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. When not racing in competition, Peninsula Signal 8 is available for company-hosted sailings, including hotel guests, staff, Peninsula hotel partners and Peninsula Academy programmes, together with local charities and NGOs. VIP guests will have the chance to join the crew on board for races in Hong Kong or overseas, or else follow the action from the accompanying support boat. “As part of The Peninsula Hotels’ CSR initiatives, sailing brings joy to children and those less fortunate than ourselves, and our plans include helping chronically ill children get away from it all. Meanwhile, making Peninsula Signal 8 available to staff will help ensure our employees enjoy a work-life balance in which they can develop and fulfil their personal potential.In addition, sailing is a clean, green activity, and also raises awareness of Hong Kong’s beautiful natural surroundings – many only accessible by water,” adds Borer. Privately owned and crewed by a group of Hong Kong sailing enthusiasts, Peninsula Signal 8’s owners and team have vast sailing experience and a winning track record.

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Designed by British designer Jason Ker of Ker Design and built by McConaghy Boats in Zhuhai, China, Peninsula Signal 8 is specifically designed for high performance racing. She is powered by a carbon-fibre spar package by renowned mast makers Hall Spars and carbon-titanium sails from UK Sails, has a large open cockpit and is fitted out with a lightweight interior, dedicated sat-nav station, basic galley and accommodation. Ker Designs have taken the racing world by storm over the past decade, and continue to develop and improve on their winning designs with the experience of America’s Cup technology, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) and a dedicated team of experts. After a very satisfying start to her UK Summer Tour 2012 at Cork Week, Peninsula Signal 8 trekked across to Cowes, the Isle of Wight and The Solent for her next engagement. The yacht was in Cowes as part of the Hong Kong Team competing in the biennial Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup, the unofficial IRC European Championship. In 2010 the Hong Kong sailors finished second overall, and this time were determined to make amends. And this time the team included two top UK racing boats on charter as well as Peninsula Signal 8, all the way from Hong Kong and just off a third-place finish at Cork Week. The Commodores’ Cup is an event for three-boat teams, with all scores from all races counting towards a final tally. Team HKG were - with some justification - expecting to do well, but sometimes things just don’t go to plan. The weather, for one thing. For almost a whole week the unpredictable English weather produced no more than the lightest of zephyrs – not what Peninsula Signal 8 (or, indeed, anyone else in Team HKG) was geared up for. The regatta started with wind below expected strength, and Team HKG performing below expected strength. During the ‘long offshore’ race, strong tides and light breezes conspired to force many

her debut competitive r ace, peninsula signal 8 finished

third over all in cork week 2012, ireland’s most prestigious yachting

regatta, after 10 high-octane r aces spread over five days.

In

of the racing fleet to drop anchor. A day’s racing in Hayling Bay saw Peninsula Signal 8 and her team mates as ‘top team’ (for the day), on the first day that the wind stayed above 10kts in strength. “We were top dogs, for sure,” says co-owner Jamie McWilliam. “There are are still some races to go, and we are getting better.” Especially light breezes are not the favoured conditions for the superlight Peninsula Signal 8 (it’s a handicap calculation ‘thing’). The traditional race around the Isle of Wight provided “some snakes and ladders”. With wind gusting up to 18kts, the closing stages of the race saw the biggest boats in the fleet, including Peninsula Signal 8, leading the racing pack before the breeze shut off and stranded the rest of the competitors. “Peninsula Signal 8 got faster and faster all week,” states HKG Team Manager Laurence Mead. “But the challenge of having a super lightweight boat and tuning it up in the white heat of competition was not easy. After seven days of racing, the crew on Peninsula Signal 8 were only just starting to get to grips with the idiosyncrasies of their boat.” Owners and crew members confidently predict that Peninsula Signal 8 will be performing in the prize money when she comes back to Asia. This year, the Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup just wasn’t suited to the tools that Team HKG had at their disposal, but there’s another regatta in 2014… “We are very happy to have been flying the Hong Kong flag in England, says McWilliam. “And we are especially pleased to have been doing it with the support of The Peninsula Hotels. For the Commodores’ Cup, this year just wasn’t our year,” he added, “but there are plenty more events to come, both in the UK and back in Asia, and we are looking forward to flying the Hong Kong and the Peninsula flag wherever we compete.”

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CiTy

The world’s first Peninsula Residences are now available for leasing on the historic Bund. More

than just Shanghai’s most prestigious address, The Peninsula Residences are the most luxurious

and exclusive private residences in China. 39 deluxe riverside apartments by The Peninsula

Hotels Group, Asia’s oldest luxury hotel brand, are located adjacent to The Peninsula Shanghai

hotel, at No. 32 The Bund.

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Luxurious

Living

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For those seeking the epitomé of luxurious urban living in the heart of Shanghai, the exclusive Peninsula Residences located at one of the city’s most prestigious addresses, No. 32 The Bund, provide the ultimate answer.

The exquisite one, two, three and four-bedroom residences blend time-honoured Peninsula standards of luxury with Art Deco influences and contemporary styling by acclaimed French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. Each interior has been carefully created by a team of global design, lighting and art experts, and offers life-enhancing home comforts by leading brands, carefully selected furnishings, signature concierge services and the same patented advanced technology enjoyed throughout The Peninsula Hotels worldwide Superbly positioned on the historic Bund in the heart of Shanghai, on the banks of the Huangpu River and close to the famed shopping district of Nanjing Road, The Peninsula Residences offer outstanding river and garden views and incomparable city living. In addition, residents benefit from privileged access to the fine dining, brand shopping and the spa and leisure facilities of the adjacent The Peninsula Shanghai. Access to and from The Peninsula Residences is easy. Each residence receives a complimentary car parking space, and Pudong International Airport is just a 45-minute drive, while Hongqiao International Airport is 30 minutes away by car. Each Peninsula Residence is the ultimate Shanghai home, rich in design sophistication and offering unparalleled lifestyle comforts. Each home is accessible by a private elevator that opens directly into a private lobby, and there is also a separate staff entrance. Once inside, cerulean blue and ivory tones complement traditional materials and Art Deco motifs inspired by 1920s Shanghai. Mahogany and ebony furnishings are offset by Noir St Laurent and off-white St Talino stones. All carpets are made from 100 percent hand-tufted wool, and under-floor heating is installed throughout. The apartments on the second floor boast extra high ceilings, enhancing the sense of space and comfort, and each three and four-bedroom residence has a small balcony terrace. Triple glazing for all windows allows for enhanced inside temperature control, quietness and security. State-of-the-art touchpad room controls are also a feature in each room, and wired and wireless broadband Internet access is available throughout the Residences.

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peninsula

residence is the ultimate

shanghai home, rich in design

sophistication and offering

unpar alleled lifestyle

comforts.

The spacious living room is the heart of each Residence. Imported European dark marble floors and patterned rugs harmonise with the hardwood furnishings and deluxe cream sofas. Art Deco bevels and wall lamps add classic detailing, and a large LED television offers multi-media connectivity. In keeping with true Peninsula style, both classic and contemporary artworks by global artists adorn the walls. Four different bedroom themes combine floral-print European fabrics in soft colour palettes, Egyptian cotton bedding and Chinoiserie ornamentation. Each en-suite bedroom has its own oak wardrobe or full walk-in dressing room, a dressing table, as well as an LED television set atop a period-style chest cabinet. Exquisite detailing adorns each cream coloured marble bathroom, including an intricate hand-carved floral pattern in limestone above the bathtub. Bathrooms feature double vanity sinks, a hands-free telephone, spa-style mood lighting, TV and radio inset into the heated mirror, and separate soaking tub and rain shower. The ideal theatre for creating culinary art, each fully stocked kitchen is outfitted with the latest Gaggenau appliances and Poggenpohl fittings, and finished with stainless steel detailing and marble flooring. The Peninsula Residences silverware is imported from the UK. A large wooden dining table in the dining area is perfect for entertaining family and friends, and an exclusive chef-on-demand service for fine in-residence dining is just a phone call away.

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In the office, black and dark blue form the backdrop for a collection of books and decorative objects that furnish the library shelving. An elegant desk sits beside a large window affording striking views of the Bund and Huangpu River or Suzhou Creek. The Peninsula Residences’ team of personal concierge services includes daily housekeeping and white-gloved butlers who are on call 24 hours a day. Room service and in-home catering by The Peninsula Shanghai chefs are also available. Specialist dry cleaning and laundry are just a summons away, and a grocery shopping service is perfect for restocking the refrigerator. For the very best in entertainment outside the Residences, theatre, restaurant and private club reservations are also easily managed, as are travel arrangements and hotel bookings. Nanny, baby-sitting and pet-care services are additional benefits, while 24-hour roaming and fixed station security coverage is provided in all public areas. Residents can enjoy unrestricted access to The Peninsula Residences Club House, where a private fitness centre is outfitted with the latest Life Fitness gym equipment. Personal trainers are also on hand to tailor exclusive fitness programmes.

A soothing dip in the spectacular 15-metre indoor swimming pool, featuring a vaulted skylight and cream marble edging, is the perfect start or finish to any day. A world of élite extra benefits is on the doorstep, courtesy of The Peninsula Shanghai. Residents receive priority booking and special rates at The Peninsula Spa, and at The Peninsula Shanghai’s restaurants and lounges, including The Lobby, Yi Long Court, Sir Elly’s Restaurant, Bar and Terrace, The Compass Bar and Salon de Ning. Superlative shopping is also close to home in the form of the two-level Peninsula Arcade which houses 26 of the world’s top luxury brands in addition to the famed Peninsula Boutique. Riding around Shanghai is an indulgent pleasure thanks to the hotel’s fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms and Peninsula Edition BMW 7-series limousines. So for the ultimate in luxurious city living, look no further than The Peninsula Residences in the very heart of Shanghai. The world’s first Peninsula Residences are now available for viewing. By appointment only. Please contact Ms. Vanessa Liu, Senior Sales Manager, The Peninsula Residences at (86 21) 6329 1868 or e-mail: [email protected] or Ms. Caroline Zhou at (86 21) 6329 1883.

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PenCitiesThe Peninsula Hotels introduces PenCities – a web-based travel journal covering what’s new in terms of luxury, culture, gastronomy and shopping in each Peninsula destination city. Pen Cities will be updated on a weekly basis, together with content covering prevailing global trends.

“The PenCities journal represents a fabulous new opportunity to explore a whole range of exciting, up-to-the-minute openings, restaurants, galleries, bars and activities in each of The Peninsula Hotel cities worldwide, affording a rich and varied insider portal for both guests and future guests alike.”Grant Thatcher, Founder, LUXE City Guides.

To discover PenCities, please visit www.peninsula.com

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peninsula magazine sep 2012

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