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XXIV 2021

XXIV 2021
Every year XXIV takes time out with 24 thought leaders and celebrities from the worlds of fashion, food, finance and more
Charles Beamish of Beamish International waxing lyrical about rare whiskies. Photo: Handout
XXIV

Whisky maven Charles Beamish on the lessons learned from single malt

Whisky investment maven Charles Beamish on the lifelong lessons learned from single malt and how they shape his company’s values

Weddings

Hong Kong bridal brand owner Jacqueline Au on fashion, retail – and family

Icons and Influencers

Meet Nathan Jones, the Royal Air Force pilot turned social entrepreneur

Luxury brands

Yardbird’s Lindsay Jang on finding time for family, fitness and food

How the Ronin restaurateur, mother of two and serial entrepreneur balances business interests with her passion for health and well-being

Portrait of Lindsay Jang, at The Upper House in Admiralty. 24AUG21 SCMP/ Jonathan Wong
XXIV

Ando’s Agustin Balbi on using time wisely – in and out of the kitchen

Ando’s chef on planning ‘to the second’ at his Hong Kong restaurant, craftsmanship, the importance of time off … and his Audemars Piguet Code 11.59

Fragrances

How Vietnam inspired Kate Crofton-Atkins’ fragrance business Cochine

In 2021, she took her business up a notch with her first eau de parfum and, now based in Hong Kong, the fragrance entrepreneur juggles work and family with her trusty Cartier Santos on her wrist

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XXIV

How Belinda Koo juggles her finance career, NGO, two brands … and motherhood

She’s an entrepreneur behind two wellness brands, an NGO founder and the MD of a wealth management company while being a mother of three – so how does Belinda Koo do it all?

Multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, reiki healer and Instagram inspirer Belinda Koo, founder of The XYZ and Souljournal. Photo: SCMP
XXIV

Practice makes progress: life lessons from Senreve founder Coral Chen Chung

Coral Chung’s Italian luxury brand pioneered the convertible Maestra Bag beloved by celebrities, but she also knows the importance of taking a digital detox

Architecture and design

Designer Peter Lampard on his creative philosophy and work-life balance

The co-founder of Hong Kong-based design studio Deft, Lampard has worked on big development projects across Asia – but still makes plenty of time for his family

Fashion

How Charlene Ree balances her business, Instagram – and being a mum

Her EternityX platform works with the likes of LVMH, L’Oreal, Peninsula Hotels and P&G, and in three years has opened offices across China, and in Australia and Singapore

Charlene Ree’s company EternityX uses AI to connect famous global brands with the China market. Photo: Handout
American cinema

How Paul Newman’s iconic Rolex ended up in LA’s new Academy Museum

The museum houses memorabilia from classic films such as The Wizard of Oz and Jaws, with more than 13 million items dating back to the 1920s – curator and programmer Jacqueline Stewart gave us a tour

The ‘Paul Newman Rolex’ which the actor wore for decades, including the 1983 Academy Awards when he was nominated for Best Actor for The Verdict, is on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Photos: Handout
Beauty

Meet Michelle Ma-chan, Hong Kong’s beauty and fine dining queen

She’s been busy with cosmetics brand Fancl and Gourmet Dining Group, which recently opened Ami and Wood Ear – but always makes time for fitness, faith and family

XXIV

5 minutes with Boris Johnson’s Asia-based brother, Max

Johnson moved to Hong Kong in 2012 to work at Goldman Sachs, then opened his own firm MJ Capital – but found his family connection ‘a hindrance’ as he ‘tried to forge [his] own path’

Architecture and design

Meet Tara Bernerd, interior designer behind some of the world’s top hotels

Her clients include Four Seasons, Rosewood, Belmond and The Hari Hong Kong, and she’s worked with the likes of Frank Gehry and Philippe Starck – so how does she balance it all?

Tara Bernerd, interior designer of The Hari. Photo: Rafael Faux Gstaad Photography
Hong Kong

How entrepreneur Dean Stallard grew his gym business during Covid-19

While many companies took a more conservative approach during the pandemic, Stallard chose to open new locations in Hong Kong and Los Angeles – while juggling his fitness schedule and family time

Dean Stallard, founder of The Hybrid Group and The Hybrid Gym Group. Photo: SCMP Archives
Hong Kong

How Hollywood dancer Katya Virshilas opened her own studio for kids

Katya Virshilas is known in Britain as a dancer, choreographer and TV personality, and now she is adding a sting to the Hong Kong scene with Ballroom Bees

Timepieces

Meet Philip Law, the Hong Kong collector with hundreds of Kaws figures

In a world that’s increasingly dominated by big and fast retailers, Philip Law’s collection of designer art toys, vintage automobiles and high-end watches reflect his passion for luxury and beauty

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Timepieces

How property developer Victoria Allan balances work, wellness and family

Business is thriving in Hong Kong for Habitat Property founder Allan, so how does she still manage to find time to swim, hike and send her sons to school before work?

Portrait of property developer Victoria Allan, at her home in Stanley. 27SEP21 SCMP/ Jonathan Wong
Auctions

David Linley, Earl of Snowdon on the changing world of auctions

The Earl of Snowdon has seen the auction house pivot online during the pandemic, bringing deals in cryptocurrency, sales of NFTs – and sleepless nights of email

XXIV

Meet Payal Shah, Hong Kong-born jeweller to the stars

The entrepreneur and jewellery designer founded the brand L’Dezen, which boasts celebrity fans like Rihanna, Demi Lovato and Sofia Vergara …

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | Chilam Cheung on the pandemic, his family and work-life balance

The singer, actor and husband of Anita Yuen has seen out the pandemic in the mainland with his family, but he is concerned about how it has affected his teenage son’s social skills …

Chilam Cheung in June 2018. Photo: Sam Tsang
XXIV

Explainer | Does a whisky’s age really matter? How barrel-ageing became Scotch standard

It’s largely believed that time is whisky’s core tenet, as ageing spirits in casks gives the drink its distinctive taste – but can modern distillers really short-cut the process?

Glenfiddich whisky barrels in warehouse. Photo: Glenfiddich
XXIV

Neon and cheongsams: the artists keeping Hong Kong’s traditional crafts alive

Young creatives like cheongsam maker Ranee Kok and the trio behind @streetsignhk are among a generation of forward-thinking artisans breathing new life into traditional forms

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