A Thom Browne Black Fleece Birthday

Sure Lehmann Maupin had their gallery opening at the Pedder Building on my birthday, but alas, I ended up choosing to celebrate the day with Thom Browne at the new Black Fleece Flagship Store instead. 

Okay… so Thom Browne wasn’t there, but after New York, San Fransisco, and Tokyo, the Hong Kong flagship for the Brooks Brothers label is the 4th and only stand alone store for the brand in the world. I couldn’t miss this.   So apologies to Lehmann Maupin, a Black Fleece Flagship in Hong Kong has been a birthday wish of mine for some time now.

The collection couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Menswear in Hong Kong is very hot at the moment. Guys in the city have been bold with their style choices lately, and for the most part, have been doing a great job styling themselves. The latest S/S 2013 collection by Thom Browne for Black Fleece allows men to be adventurous with prints, colors, and fabrics.

The bright prints, which could be found on jackets, trousers, and accessories, play with a pattern’s scale, making new motifs from classic madras for example, thus giving off a very iconic and resortique feel.

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A Mad Man’s New Watering Hole at the Honi Honi Tiki Cocktail Lounge

Here’s something different for urban Hong Kongites, and for my blog… it’s a new Tiki Lounge in the center of the city and let me tell you, it’s fun, fresh, sexy, and refreshing all at once. In my view the newly minted Honi Honi Tiki Cocktail Lounge is a welcome addition to this often “too serious” city that needs to teach it’s urban dwellers to have fun and relax and that good afterwork cocktail drinks can be had in cool places beyond the super pretentious members-only bars or the token Karaoke destination.

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Is That You, CCCHU?

On exhibit at the moment is the work of new avant-garde fashion designers, CCCHU, at the ILIVETOMORROW gallery on Tung Street in Sheung Wan. According to Ching Ching, one half of the the husband and wife duo who makes up CCCHU, the exhibition is about the “exploration of timeless shapes for a city dweller’s daily outfit”.

Titled, Collections (im)PERMANENTES 01: City Roamers, the collection is defined by its randomly drawn fluid lines, which express a mix of textures and contrasting colors, in order to create a free form contrasting clothing. Ie. You can take a dress, a belt, or a sleeve, and wear it any number of ways on the body…

CCCHU is Ching Ching, an ex-visual merchandiser at HK retailer, Pedder Group, while Chu-Chu Kin Yip studied textiles and clothing before working with many luxury retailers.

So what are we looking at exactly? It’s basically a fashion experiment which seeks to a new way to weave and wear urban clothing. With the work experience both have had before this new venture I’ll place my bets on their endeavors. Although I have a feeling the really good stuff will emerge in the 2nd and 3rd narrative collection. Just keep it beyond “Fashion School” concepts and we all should be receptive.

SEE ilivetomorrow x CCCHU Presents Collection (IM)Permanentes 01: City Roamers, G/F 45 Tung Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 

JJ.

Light My Fire

Maybe it’s because i’ve just been too busy, or maybe it’s just that i’m so in love with my new neighborhood, Tai Hang, and just wanted to spend more time at “home”, but in this the seventh year of living in Hong Kong, i’ve for once decided to make a “staycation” of the four day celebration that was the annual 2012 Mid-Autumn and Chinese National Day festivities which was just last weekend. And I’m REALLY glad I made this decision to stay in town.

In the last few years all I’ve ever wanted to do was leave the city, never realizing that year after year, i’ve missed out on the amazing celebrations and general bonvivant attitude in the air as the whether gets a bit cooler and everyone prepares to celebrate viewing lanterns and fire-dances in Victoria Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

To those foreign to Chinese Culture, Mid-Autumn is a fall harvest celebration which falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese Calendar, which in our calendar is around September and October. All four days that Hong Kong is on holiday is usually marked by clear weather, blue skies, and a full moon, and everyone is out and about visiting family and friends and going shopping. Its literally, the Chinese version of a Long Thanksgiving Weekend.

Last year’s giant bamboo lantern was fish a designed by William Lim of CL3, this year however, a design competition made winners out of young architects, Kristof Crolla and Adam Fingrut, whose Golden Moon concept wowed judges, and of course visitors, including myself, last weekend. As the Wall Street Journal reports, the overall lantern stood at about 18 meters hight and 21 meters wide, and supported lightly by a steel dome, with a layer of bamboo and material giving shape and skin to the “moon” which looks a bit like a fruit as well. Parametric design methods were used to create such a unique shape which to the architects made “the visitor feel as they stumbled into a different world”.

I loved it. I felt the design was magnificent, straight forward, and the execution as good as could be for a temporary structure made of bamboo, floating on water, and constructed in 11 days.

As an additional treat, my new neighborhood played host to the 113th Annual 3-Day Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, which according to Wikipedia began the year 1880 when Tai Hang was only a little Hakka Fishing Village. The only years when the dance didn’t happen was during Japanese occupation, but generally residents performed the dance of a 67meter long dragon made up of incense sticks the same way since its inception.

The sounds of beating drums would usher the arrival of playful dragon which performed for visitors and audience in and around Tai Hang’s streets for three nights.

The first evening was the most wonderful. All of Tai Hang’s residents really celebrated on every street corner with a full banquet complete with roast pigs. Some residents even paraded their own lanterns with their children.

On the first night of the fire dance, Arthur, fashion editor at Time Out Hong Kong, and Asia Art Archive’s Natasha came to check out the dragon with me.

On the second night, our party increased to a whole crew! L-R, Katrina from Disney, Ron of RONWANDesign, Jade from Cotton On, Myself, and David.

With Jason busy taking photographs of the whole scene… his first 2012 Mid Autumn.

Everyone had a giant dog to show off.

Lab Made, Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream was the dessert of choice to have that weekend. Most importantly the traditional Moon Cake Flavaour and Purple Rice Flavour, mixed and made on the spot as you order.

Wish me luck, fish.

ARCHITECTURE Laboratory for Explorative Architecture & Design / EAT Lab Made Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream 

I’d also like to take a moment to give my condolences to the 39 victims and their families of the Ferry Tragedy on Monday night  on the 3rd day of the long 4 day weekend. The cause of the accident was a collision of boats, which happened moments before the Fireworks celebrating National Day on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. Read this poignant article  for TIME, reflecting on the disaster by fellow Hong Konger, Liam Fitzpatrick.

JJ.

Cy Twombly Sings Loud via The Last Paintings Exhibition at the Gagosian in Hong Kong

We took advantage of HK’s rainy Saturday to hang out indoors at the Pedder Building. It’s not what you think, we weren’t there to be with the masses at the Abercrombie & Fitch Flagship opening, but were there instead to visit a friend, gallerist Whitney Ferrare McInnis, at the Gagosian Hong Kong, which takes up all of the chic building’s 7th Floor.

Whitney, formerly of Ben Brown Fine Arts, also in the same building, welcomed us at the last day of American artist Cy Twombly’s The Last Paintings exhibition which began in LA and will make a move to London and finally New York for the rest of 2012.

The “Last Paintings” refer to the fact that these paintings by Twombly are indeed THE last series of works he’s produced in the Spring of 2011 before the artist passed away later in the same year. 

These eight untitled acrylic works, not for sale, were in Hong Kong for most of the Summer and reflects the unrestrained thrill with which Twombly brought to all of his compositions. Crowned the “Godfather of Graffiti”, the series at the Gagosian evokes bold and intense gestures, forms which seemingly choreograph between text and fluid waves, which in yellow, orange, and green, seem to dance beyond the canvas as a new type of song.

This was definitely the work of a man who was not ready to end his song just yet.

Whitney gives us a rare tour of the delightful exhibition, which can be seen in my video blog for you at the end of the article. Off camera we discussed the energy of the show, and the ability for shows like this one to educate the Hong Kong public about the latest artists and works shaping contemporary visual dialogue around the globe, NOW.

As a teacher was giving students a tour of the works, we mused that it is indeed through these travelling shows sponsored by imported galleries that some young artists may learn about different expressions of art internationally, and may be able to respond or react with their own works reflecting their point of view of a city in constant evolution.

Thank you for the tour!

A fully illustrated catalogue of the paintings and further information is available at the Gagosian Gallery in Hong Kong.

theW+: Cy Twombly, The Last Paintings from theWanderlister+ Asia on Vimeo.

Gagosian Gallery Hong Kong / 7F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong / GAGOSIAN HK ONLINE / E: hongkong@gagosian.com / T: +852 2151 0555

JJ.

the Landmark Men Summer Party Wrap Up Video

It’s Typhoon 8 outside, but that only means one thing… after the rain goes away, its back to Sunny HK. theWanderlister+ Asia and friends were at the Landmark Men’s Summer Party earlier this month to check out the latest in Menswear for this hot season.

To capture it all on film, the crew from HKHQ.tv were also on hand to find out what guys are recommended to wear this summer (lightweight clothing from me and deodorant from DJ Angus Wong for example haha). Check out the video above and see if you can spot our pals from Brew&Post, Hill Menswear, the Armoury, Gentlemens Tonic, and Tassles! I also see Daniel Kong and Jason Schlabach in there too.

Check out our coverage of the event here!

FYI. Everything may be on sale now!

http://www.landmarkmen.com

JJ.

The Colour of Summer; Style Parade at the Landmark Men Summer Party

When the Landmark wants to party, they really party 150%. Landmark Men, Hong Kong’s men-only all-in-one shopping arcade located in the heart of Central, celebrated their one year anniversary these past two weeks with the Landmark Men Summer Party, inviting Hong Kong’s best dressed gents, friends, and VIP shoppers to cool off hot and wet summer days in Air Con with unlimited free food and booze c/o Simply Life and FUEL Coffee. The two-day event was well attended, and I was there to check it out myself for both days to see what’s new on offer since its inception this time last year.

Me wearing my new denim shirt from COS and iPhone Necklace c/o 15SquareStreet at the 2nd Night of the Landmark Men Summer Party. (via AWHITERENAISSANCE)

The Landmark Men mall is underpinned by strong lifestyle anchors like a men’s only version of The Swank, the men’s only spa boutique, Gentlemens Tonic, as well as the go-to casual fashions shop, Marc by Marc Jacobs, always a favorite of everybody. Tassle’s, the one stop shop for bespoke and one of a kind dressier shoes is still here, and still going strong. A few of my other choice “go-to” shops opened a location here over the course of the year, namely, the UK’s very cool specs store, Cutler and Gross, soaps and lotions store, Kiehl’s, and a 2nd Destination location for the very popular boutique tailors, The Armoury.

Marc by Marc Jacobs at the Landmark Men.

Landmark Men reached out to us here at theWanderlister+ Asia to blog about the event and to check out the fashions and style on the catwalk (each event had a fashion show showing off the latest styles), as well as to document what people were wearing NOW in the city. We also had great fun styling my friend Dan in signature choice pieces from several of the shops I mentioned above, which was filmed by Boris of HKHQ.tv. This video I’ll premier in a subsequent post when it gets released.

Jun Kung and Band entertained guests on the first night with some great pop/jazz standards.

DJ Tynee had fun on the decks spinning electro and pop.

Our styling session with Daniel Haddad at Kiehl’s was being filmed by Boris of HKHQ.tv

So many friends both nights at the party. We bumped into Roger and Jade Ouk on their way out to a gallery opening.

Menswear Designer, Anthony Hill and Fiona Ellis of HILL stopped by both nights.

Jason Schlabach in a dashing suit + pocketsquare combo (right) with friends dropped by at The Armoury Whiskey Party.

BrewandPost Blogger, Melinda Wang of Ztylistas sports masculine grunge-wear at The Armoury Whiskey Party.

Social Media Guru, Greg Lexiphanic giving his best model pose.

A Landmark Men shopper in cool coif and great glasses.

Gents at coming from both ends of the spectrum, minimalist on the left and stripes on the right.

MIKO of HYPESTA and Josie Tao saying hi.

Fashion Designer, Johnson Chan. Long time no see buddy.

Plenty of complimentary couplings in black.

Including, BrewandPost Bloggers, Denise Lai of SUPERWOWOMG and Jason Lam of TOUGHLOVE.HK.

This guy keeps it simple in jeans, white shirt, and a vest. The Hat is a nice touch.

Boris takes some time off in a white seersucker jacket and khakis.

ELLE Blogger and Socialite, Charlotte Chen SPOTTED in electric yellow at The Armoury Whiskey Party.

W Hong Kong’s DJ Angus Wong in poses Denim and White.

The imported team from the just launched, COS Hong Kong. I met them earlier in the day while shopping at COS for the first time.

BrewandPost Blogger, Christing C of Fashion Hedonism at The Armoury Whiskey Party.

Menswear stylist from London, Kemi, at The Armoury.

Stylish Stylist, Priscilla I’Anson, at The Armoury.

Daniel of the Black Renaissance and MONOCLE Magazine drops by at The Armoury. (He obviously loves his new COS Clutch.)

Gentleman from Lane Crawford, stays cool in Jersey and Khaki Shorts.

Time Out HK’s Arthur Tam in a great yellow knitwear top.

TANGRAM’s super duo, Paola and Ignacio at The Armoury.

Long time no see! Tania of TLIKEBUBBLETEA, working on launching some cool new project soon. I can’t wait!

Also a rare meetup with Geneva of A Pair and A Spare wearing her latest DIY fashions.

The men behind The Armoury, Mark and Alan. With specialist, Jake.

AND… The Armoury Boys again in duds from the first night.

Perfection is in the details.

Okay all the whiskey is gone! Thanks so much Alan for playing host!

A Top night indeed! Additionally, I’m also happy to say that the party was so fun, there was quite a coverage of it on the the Blogsphere; check out the posts about the Landmark Men Summer Party from the BrewandPost network’s SUPERWOWOMG, Fashion Hedonism, TOUGHLOVE.HK, as well as a great piece via Time Out HK’s Jessie Lau.

On the way to an after party to the newest “IT” place in town, BrickHouse, I spotted these boys on the street…

Stylish gents everywhere. It just doesn’t end. Keep it up Hong Kong!

BrewandPost at Landmark Men (via FASHIONHEDONISM)

http://www.landmarkmen.com

JJ.