The Party Line: Loro Piana, Coach, Fendi and more | Prestige Online
The event week kicked off with the exquisite preview of Loro Piana’s autumn/winter collection at Landmark where the finest wares were on display while two brave, brave cashmere-clad models bore the brunt of Hong Kong’s hot and humid weather with a stoicism bordering on the heroic. The Rochester coat in baby cashmere (paired with cashmere and suede sneakers) from the womenswear line was one of the most perfectly wearable winter looks we’ve seen in eons. In menswear, I was ready to give up my left arm to buy the herringbone coat in wool cash tweed (it’s a thing), and the right one for the Cuddley crewneck sweater in cash double jersey. The price tags however, left me, well, be-limbed. One fashion scribe, who had trotted along with us to preview the goods, asked us at a rather opportune time, “Have you felt the bunny yet?” While the mind rolled through a Rolodex of potentially salacious responses, she handed me a fluffy My Little Bunny soft toy in Orylag fur. So soft, so cute, so … how big a crime is pilfering a stuffed baby bunny really? Surely it’s on the same level as jaywalking? But at about HK$16,000 a pop, I’m sure the mall cops would have enjoyed filing a case against me, and as my colleague rightfully said, I’m too pretty to be in prison. Orange is not the new brown.
Later that evening, we jumped aboard the Coach train at Lane Crawford for the launch of the Coach/Lane Crawford collaboration Art of Expression, an immersive New York City experience and interactive pop-up held exclusively at ifc – with an entire New York city subway cart plonked right there in the middle of the mall, gorgeously bedecked with the brand’s latest accessories. Truth be told, we weren’t originally that keen on heading to the event but JC (that’s Jonathan Cheung of Buzz Concepts for the uninitiated) promised us a memorable ride. And it was possibly one of the hottest events of the season – quite literally. The over-peopled venue, the hot spot lights and the weak air conditioning had everyone sweating up a storm. Interactive photo display screens, glorious backdrops for people to be photographed/selfie’d against, a steady stream of champagne and canapés – it was a riot. We did feel for those dressed by the brand in autumn/winter gear when it was at least 35 degrees, but the wearers seemed to suffer gladly for fashion. The party was lit; we saw so many, familiar faces (the most notable ones will be featured in our epic September issue fashion tome). From the madding crowd, the two that stood out were the always fashionably eccentric Wyman Wong, and, surprise, surprise, Josie Ho! Back on the social circuit after a long self-imposed hiatus, she looked rather … Johnny Deppian. The always-interesting pop star – who we’ve featured and photographed several times over the years – is a joy to work with. Our city’s most fashionable ladies play it safe more often than not but Josie Ho has always coloured outside the lines, and the party photographers had a field day when she faced their barrage of cameras.
The following day, we event-hopped across to Espace to view the winter collection of Harvey Nichols and see the wares of all the brands under their umbrella. As we mixed and mingled with the fashion scriveners studying the glistening ensembles on display, one of them pointed out, “Well, spring/summer was colourful and sparkly. So is winter. Not much difference eh? But don’t write that.” We wouldn’t dare.
That evening, the Fendi store at Landmark was the place to be. The Italian maison announced its collaboration with K-Pop star Tae Yang, launching the Fendi for Young Bae capsule collection exclusively for the Asia Pacific Region. To celebrate the launch, and also the reopening of its men’s boutique at Landmark, the brand hosted a cocktail party – and the usual suspects, fashionistas and socialites were out in full force. As a steady stream of folks in their Fendi finery turned up, there was a general hush in the air – the calm before the storm. And then, the Sun* came out: Tae Yang arrived to a flurry of squeals and screams. There was an after-party at the basement level of Cosco Tower, but our invite seemed to have been lost in the mail. The post-event press release and images for coverage however, seemed to make it just in time. #ShadeyShade
We then crossed the ocean, well, the fragrant harbour, to end up in Harbour City for the Balmain x Beats (by Dr Dre) headphone launch at Joyce boutique. We were in search of event organiser Francis Cheng, but an Instagram post revealed him to be busy tanning on a beach somewhere near Sydney. His able crew of men escorted us around the showroom as attendees posed in front of the brand backdrop
After our earlier posting about Calzedonia, the ladies behind the brand in Hong Kong invited us to a lunch at Carbone, a calorific experience we can never say no to. While we did the usual media and PR song and dance, just before dessert was rolled out, we parlayed our life-long ambition of meeting Julia Roberts (ambassador for the brand), but were told that the notoriously press-shy screen icon had only agreed to one interview in the past year. With another publication. In another continent. So chances of a rendezvous with Roberts were as slim as Pretty Woman. Oh well…
Finally, on Saturday night, we found ourselves tuxedo-clad, shaved and shorn at Play, the club in the heart of Central. The occasion: founder Xuan Mu’s birthday. The highlight: a live performance by Australian electronic music producer duo Cosmo’s Midnight; followed by Grandmaster Flash on the DJ deck. While the invitation specified a strict dress code, black tie, which most adhered to, we did spot one (or two!) guests in shorts and espadrilles. How they made it past security, the models in black strapped with black-feather wings, and the front-desk checklist girls was beyond our comprehension. We’d take eccentrically dressed over poorly dressed any time.
Coming up, we’re looking forward to the preview of one of our favourite menswear brands, Brunello Cucinelli, followed by the Marni AW17 collection preview at Landmark – and we can’t wait to see the new watch from Kerbholz. Not to forget the party we’re hosting with Michael Kors, at the brand’s new store in Elements mall on August 22.
See you soon chums, at a party where you’ll be allowed to be obscene and heard. (We need material for the column!)
*Tae Yang means the Sun in Korean
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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