May you all continue to inspire and engage women the world over.

A TOAST TO YOU ALL… have a GLAMAROSS mother’s day. Saluting real women making a real difference.

The roll call:

Lucy Marriott:  Record Breaker, adventure seeker

Yolanda Choy Tang: Former luxury brand Marketeer, now co-Founding Partner at Central Weddings and Vera Wang HK

Audrey Savransky: Founder of international jewellery brand AS29

Yvonne Wong Tsang:  Chairman of Adventure Holdings Limited, Executive Committee Member of Heep Hong Society HK

Audry Ai Morrow: Former financier, and now co-Founding partner at Central Weddings and Vera Wang HK

Cheryl Wilson Tien: Founder of Charitable Choice HK

Michele Li: Founder of the Wedding Company HK

Annabelle Bond: World Record Holder, Philanthropist

Danielle Peita Graham: Model, Entrepreneur

Tansy Lau Tom: Dedicated mother, Fashionista

Vanessa Chen Kwan& Viola Chen  Cheong: Partners at Scipian

Esther Ma: PR dynamo, Founder and CEO of Prestique HK

Edith Law: Chairperson of Fashion Farm Foundation

Joyce Lee: Singer, Songwriter, Producer

Leigh Tung Chou: Luxury Marketing Consultant, Foodie, Tastemaker

Annie Ho Ting: Chairman of Bring Me A Book Foundation Hong Kong

Mimi Thorisson: Founder of ww.manger.com, Winner of the Best Food Blog 2013.

Linda Chang Ting: Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Globalluxe

Ann Cha & Angela Cheng Matsuzawa: Co-Founders of Punchdetox

Thank you for the inspirations! Wishing you all a fabulous Mother’s Day!

Another week of interviews and I’m  excited to introduce this week’s GLAMAROSS GLAMAMAMA MONDAYS, EDITH LAW

Edith Law Photo:@glamaross

Don’t let her petite stature fool you, Edith Law is a type A dynamo.

I met her by accident, and it wasn’t until our second chance meeting where we were seated next to each other at a dinner, that we found out that we shared the same alma mater, Queen’s University, where she studied Electrical Engineering. Thereafter she went Stanford to pursue an M.S. in Engineering Economics and Operation Research. In other words, this spark plug has never been a slacker! Her biography is endless and one of the many titles that she holds currently,  is  chairperson of the Fashion Farm Foundation. A non-profit organisation that she and her sister, Victoria, started from the ground up.

FFF show in Hong Kong with emerging designers

“The objectives of FFF is to promote Hong Kong as a fashion capital, not just a shopping capital,” says Edith. “We want to elevate Hong Kong as a fashion authority, much like Paris, London, New York and Japan.”

FFF started as a simple chat between Edith and Victoria, where  they discussed the  gap between emerging fashion talent and business.  Hong Kong’s design culture was constantly being overshadowed by the city’s reputation as a finance mecca. In essence all the ingredients were present in Hong Kong: talented emerging designers, garment manufacturing history, a finance centre,  as well as  consumate shopping culture, however  they weren’t connecting efficiently.

Edith meeting with the President of Federation de Francaise de la Couture in Paris to discuss initiatives to support FFF

So Edith set out to create a united platform to cultivate and promote fashion design and culture, as well as create a channel to help designers source for funds and other resources.

“There’s so much talent in Hong Kong, and we aren’t talking about the student level. There are designers who have studied abroad and are building their brands in Hong Kong much like Paris, London and New York,” explains Edith. “But I find that with so much talent, Hong kong should have the global recognition as a fashion capital from a design point of view and not just as a consumer.”

@Fashion Guerilla with  the 8 emerging HK designers in Paris

Fashion bloggers @Fashion Guerilla Paris showroom

“That’s what we set out to do with FFF, to promote Hong Kong as a fashion authority, by using the platform to connect the dots with the rest of the world. Hopefully the rest of the world will look to us for answers and talent and our pool of designers will have more  access to global opportunities. “

For the past year this former investment banker-turned-retailer has worked tirelessly with FFF, and when we met, she had  recently returned from France,  where FFF flew 8 emerging designers to Paris, to showcase their collections at, Fashion Guerilla, an event that was organised by FFF and  funded by CreateHK.  The event gained tremendous support from editors and buyers and sowed the first seeds for global recognition with fashion bloggers, journalists and buyers. “It was a great experience for the designers,” she said smiling. “It’s important for the emerging designers to feel supported by these dynamic events, trips, shows etc so that they feel inspired to continue with their brands.”

“It’s very cut throat in the fashion industry, but with FFF behind them we hope that we can offer support via mentorship, help them source funding, nurture creativity and also offer them a co-working space, if they need it.”

Photo: @glamaross

As the non-executive director of Ztampz Limited,  a multi-label chain with over 100 stores throughout  Asia, Edith knows her fashion. When asked who her favorite Hong Kong designer is, she makes no hesitation, “Johanna Ho,” and of the emerging group of designers under the FFF/ Fashion Guerilla umbrella? “Daydream nation did very well in Paris. I think the buyers, bloggers and media were looking for a more avant garde aesthetic. But just to be chosen is not enough. The designers have to stay focused and create.”

Edith with her husband Teck Chien Kong  and their children 

Edith incidentally practices what she preaches. A mother of two, she gives the following advice to any woman or mother hoping to start a business, brand or otherwise. “It’s important to think it through. In fact, I don’t believe it’s possible to  have it all, if there is no planning,” declares Edith. “I’m a realist. Even after I left investment banking, and got married, we planned that I would dedicate my time to Ztampz, develop the business model and then after three years, we would have children. Because in order to be successful, every step requires focus.”

“After children, everything changes,” acknowledges Edith. “You have to be more efficient and focused with the tasks at hand. A social life is definitely low on the priority chain.”

When asked her mantra to surviving as a type A dynamo? “Positivity will always optimise the potential and value in everything you do. I’m an engineer, it’s the only way I think.”

Skiing in Engelberg Switzerland

On that note…

Cha-Gheill Cha-Gheill Cha-Gheill!

If you speak Gaelic or if you are a member of the Queen’s University Alumni you’ll know exactly what it means… “NO SURRENDER”

X

with Edith Law xo

I couldn’t believe it. I followed every rule, drank copius amounts of H2O, never touched my face, and steered clear of fried foods (except french fries… universal OK in my book!)

Once the beacon became more and more apparent, I broke the one cardinal rule of acne terrror. I glared incessantly at it through my magnifying mirror until my inner demon convinced my fingers to attack… and so I did.

Talons sharpened… I went in for the kill!

photo: lifestyle-movement.org.uk (that’s not me exactly but pretty darned close. HA!)

Whilst the said beacon had diminished and I had cleanly excavated what needed to be removed, I had I also accidentally (and viciously) left a scar at least 15 dermis layers deep and now my next hurdle was how to reclaim my, once smooth, complexion.

I thought my problems were over until the very next morning… another spot reclaimed its position next to the former excavation site, and so my endless fight with adult acne began. I realised that the acne was occurring in the same area each time which led to me to wonder if there was a correlation between a certain part of my body, and hence my latest obsession of face mapping.

My acne was occurring on my cheeks (left primarily) and if you see the diagram below the cheek correlates with the STOMACH.. Alas digestive irritations. So I went on a vegetable only diet (ehhem.. and coffee. Goodness please don’t judge, we all have  vices)  and the guilt ridden goophead (another term for ZIT)  subsided.. Yippeee….. but……

I was left with scarring and no amount of concealer (miracle or otherwise) could cover up my unsightly imperfections.

My mission de jour: seek out the best blemish clearing, scar removing, brightening potion, lotions I could find… and I did it! BY JOVE I DID IT!! (I just did the victory dance.)

The 911 to clear acne scarring!

By miracle of miracles I came across Skinceuticals BLEMISH +AGE  DEFENCE

skinceuticals.com

Who could ask for more in one product. Be blemish free and reduce signs of aging? To be honest I was quite desperate to try anything at this point. (please click on link above to see composition of the product)  So I took it home and lathered on the potent treatment. ( leave a message on my fb page or comment, pm me and I will let you know where to buy this product in HK)

On first application there was a tingling sensation… hmm ok if truth be known there was a stinging, which subsided after two minutes. However as the days progressed the stinging diminished, which I concluded was due to the fact that my skin had acclimated to the drops. After the second day of using the treatment my skin started to shed. I felt a little reptilian actually, and despite being somewhat vain, I went about my business as normal. (How can you hibernate when you have a family and work to tend to!) There’s nothing more humbling than interviewing a gorgeous GLAMAMAMA when you have flakey, dry scarred, acne ridden skin. You get the picture… the Glamaross life is NOT glamorous at all. 

I realised that the key to blemish free and anti aging is to remove your skin altogether. Well that’s what it felt like anyway! After about a week all signs of blemishes had diminished and my next hurdle was to work on the scarring. I realised that I couldn’t use the blemish+ age defense on a regular basis, and needed to seek out a something that I could include in my daily skin care regime. Lucky for me I had in my arsenal of skin care products,  a bottle  of SKII whitening spots specialist.

I received this First Aid Kit, from Bastian Wu at Flare Communications. How creative is that!!

[Ok, as a sidebar here I would like to add that I NEVER review anything that I don't use or like.]

Flare Communications Hong Kong

I tried it. There was no tingling sensation at all and my skin became softer. I’m not sure if it  is solely due to the SKII, but I now use this as a serum followed by BB cream (with SPF of course) during the day, and for my nighttime regime I use the SKII Whitening spot Specialist followed by my nighttime moisturiser.

SKII is available at all major department stores in Hong kong, including Harvey Nichols. http://blog.harveynichols.com.hk/?p=2856

It’s been 2 weeks since I started using it, and my skin is clearer, softer and the pigmentation and scarring is getting lighter. All in all I am one happy girl… oops okay adult, sans acne!

Do you have a secret weapon to clearing adult acne?

X

G

]]> http://glamaross.com/2013/04/24/help-i-got-the-aa-adult-acne/feed/ 0 225578_10151355712679385_2106156325_n glamaross adult-acne 225578_10151355712679385_2106156325_n skinceuticals-blemish-age-defense-30ml SKII_Whitening-Spots-Specialist photo-1 http://glamaross.com/2013/04/22/glamamama-mondays-audry-ai-morrow-talks-business-life-and-why-she-made-hong-kong-her-home/ http://glamaross.com/2013/04/22/glamamama-mondays-audry-ai-morrow-talks-business-life-and-why-she-made-hong-kong-her-home/#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:51:27 +0000 GLAMAROSS http://glamaross.com/?p=2624 Continue reading →]]> A head for finance with the face of a model?

Indeed Audry Ai-Morrow is brains with beauty… perhaps one of the most potent of combinations! If you take one look at her photo you can see why. A graduate of the University of Chicago, this former investment banker has made Hong Kong her home for the past 15years. It was in this city of ours where she met her husband Tom, and  after marriage, had their 3 beautiful children, Luke, Annabelle and Scarlett.

Today Audry is a partner in Central Weddings, and a dedicated wife and mother… How does she do it?

GLAMAROSS SPEAKS WITH AUDRY AI-MORROW

Audry Ai-Morrow speaks with GlamarossTV (Photo @Glamaross) 

GR: What brought you to Hong Kong?

AM: After university, I was working in investment banking in New York and was asked if I’d like to transfer to the Hong Kong office.  I thought it sounded exciting and would be an incredible opportunity so I took it.

GR: At what point did you know that this city would be your home?

AM: Home is wherever I live, yet during my first year here I worked on a project in Jakarta where I spent all of my time so didn’t get a chance to settle in to HK.  Once I was really here, I made an effort to make this my home and signed up for canto lessons and started making friends.  I met my husband and had my three children here.  I was born in the US and love it there, but Hong Kong is where we call home.

Scarlett, Annabelle and Luke in Montana 

GR: Describe your professional journey before starting Central Weddings. 

AM: After university, I worked in Corporate Finance at Bear Stearns in New York and Hong Kong.  After that, I went to work at Lark International an entertainment company that does cinema operation, movie production & distribution, game centers, & online and telephone ticketing.   I was mainly helping to set up the companies and build multiplex cinemas around China and Taiwan.   It wasn’t a glamorous job, yet I learned a lot from my experiences and worked with some wonderful people who are still our best friends today.

[What Audry didn't mention was that while she was a hard nosed investment banker, she was persuaded by the modelling companies to compile a composite card. She has graced the pages of Marie-Claire, walked the runways and all the while kept her investment banker persona! Darn her for being so smart, beautiful and humble!]

On her wedding day with her husband Tom

GR: How did CW come about?

AM: I think Yolanda and I were taking a walk with our big bellies (pregnancy #1) when we discussed possibly setting up a retail business together.  I had just ‘retired’ from my corporate job and wanted to look into different business options.  I was so excited to become a mom so wanted to start my own thing and have time to spend with my son as well.  We had both recently married and remembered the lack of wedding gown options in Hong Kong.  We thought what a beautiful, happy business it would be!  We did more research, put a business plan together, flew to Paris and New York to meet some designers and went from there.

Audry Ai-Morrow & Yolanda Choy Tang

GR: There are four partners in Central Weddings. What are their different roles? 

AM: We all work together, but our main responsibilities are:

Audry Ai Morrow – finance & business

Yolanda Choy Tang – business development, marketing, PR

Carolyn  Chow- operations

Michelle  Leung Sulger- strategy

Annabelle choosing her princess gown at Central Weddings

GR: What makes Central Weddings or Vera Wang HK so unique for each future bride?

AM: Not only do we endeavor to offer brides a stunning selection of gowns to choose from, but we also hope our service and comfort gives them an experience as exciting as the proposal itself.

Audry with daughter, Scarlett 

GR: Have there been any obstacles to your business?  If so, any you would care to share?

AM: As is the case in any retail shop in Hong Kong, finding the right location and negotiating the lease (and a reasonable rent) with the landlords is always a challenge.

GR: How do you balance your days between home, kids, work & Tom?

AM: My children are 8, 7 & 3 now so I like to work & have my ‘me’ time when they are in school or at their activities.   I often take at least one of them to an activity or lesson so we can spend time together… I love being a ‘soccer mom’!  My husband and I spend our time together and with friends after the kids go to bed.  We try to keep the weekends free for family, sport and fun!

The Morrow family Ski trip 

GR: Would you consider yourself someone who can have it all?  Work life and play?

AM: If ‘all’ is happy family, good friends and a small business… then I must say I am content and feel truly blessed.

with her eldest, Luke

GR: What are the most important values you try and instill in your children?

AM: Kindness, humility, empathy, respect, wisdom, integrity….

Audry at Central Weddings (Photo @Glamaross) 

To hear more about Audry Ai Morrow (in mandarin) please watch GLAMAROSSTV

With the mysteries of web-osphere (plugins, codex and multiplatform accessibility… yes I am speaking english) I’ve been working on an upgrade. It’s a work in progress, and I’ve decided that the blogging must continue… and so I’m back with this week’s GLAMAMAMA, YOLANDA CHOY-TANG.

Yolanda Choy-Tang, wife, mother, friend and entrepreneur talks tulle, lace, and her formula for happiness! Only on GLAMAROSSTV.

Yolanda Choy-Tang (Photo:@glamaross) 

GR: How do you manage your days between work, children, family?

YCT: How do I manage my days? That is the challenge. First of all, I have a trusty agenda that I cannot live without. So it’s really a process of putting everything in and trying to make time for your priorities. For sure I am going to take Hayley  to school, pick up Brandon, spend some time reading with him, spend some time with Hamilton. Those will be the priorities and then everything else I can pencil appointments between.

Yolanda at Central Weddings (Photo @glamaross) 

GR: So do you think you have become more efficient in the last 8 years? Children … Central Weddings … you gave birth to many things!

YCT: Yes, I think I have learned to be more efficient and to make more with the limited time that we have. Before when we were both working without families, we had a lot of time to just focus on work, and just work.  And now we have to juggle school, kids, husband, what’s for dinner, did anybody go shopping, who’s going to take the pet to the salon, who’s going to pick up the kids, who’s going to feed the dog? The list is endless…

Trip to Alaska summer 2012 with family 

GR: Do you think it is possible to have it all —  success in work, love, life, family?

YCT: Sure, I think it is a matter of expectation and satisfaction.

What is that equation? Satisfaction equals reality minus expectation. And so I am very satisfied, I am very happy.

Yolanda and her husband, Hamilton

GR: What are the most important values you try to instill in your children?

YCT: I would like the kids to be moral citizens, and also be concerned about other people. I think empathy is really important coz in today’s world, everything seems to be all about me. Being raised in Hong Kong, you’ve got helpers helping you. If you don’t like to eat rice, oh, they will make pasta! You have to control this type of a situation and bring the kids back to earth and say, “Look, you are not the center of the universe, there are other people that are involved here.” And really teaching them to be caring about other people, and once they know that, they can be good moral citizens. I think that’s really important.

Yolanda, with sisters, Loretta, Melinda and Patricia

With friends at the opening of the Vera Wang boutique Hong Kong

With friends in Sri Lanka at a friend’s wedding

Yolanda at Van Cleef & Arpels, Palaise de la Chance dinner with Laetitia Yu, Sharie Ross and Anne Wang-Liu

Yolanda with good friend Laetitia Yu at the Vera Wang boutique

Yolanda with Sharie Ross and Leigh Tung-Chou (Photo @LUXUP.com)

Yolanda in a Christian Dior gown on her wedding day…

Photos: @Yolanda Choy-Tang/ @glamaross/ @luxup.com

Your kids are out of diapers. They’re in primary school, and some heading towards middle school?

If you are like me, you have toiled with the idea of boarding school, schooling overseas, or even just curious, since every wannabe-tigermum is so  in tune with the educationally competent path of their off spring.

photo courtesy of TOP10.web.id

When my kids where in utero I played Bach, Menuhin, watched the NBA, ogled at Beckham in hopes that my children would be musical prodigies, tall and darned good-looking (minus the tats, they’re not really for me).  Once they were born I just assumed that they would get early acceptance to Cambridge without a worry on my mind…. BRAKE!!!!

Needless to say, my children aren’t fond of piano, struggle with the violin, have not surpassed the height percentile of their age, and (thankfully) aren’t blonde and blue-eyed. However, I know that the Dean of Admissions of Cambridge is holding on to their acceptance letters until they are at least ten-years-old, right?

It’s okay, you can laugh out loud too, even I giggled as I wrote that!

Reality truly bites you right in the @ss doesn’t it.  It doesn’t matter how much support, legacy, funds or power you have, the biggest Achilles heel of all parents is our children. Nothing is black and white and the best we can do is give them “options”, prepare them to face challenges, successes, disappointments in life, and for the moment the most important, the school interviews!

So if you’ve toyed with the idea of boarding school, the following will hopefully offer some insight, to the whys, what, when and hows…

THE PATH TO UK BOARDING SCHOOLS UNVEILED

by Eleanor Smallwood, managing director British Tutors

I know that choosing the right boarding school for your child is a hard enough decision, but once made you are still only half way there. The power balance now shifts to the school as they decide if your child has what they are looking for. With the best British boarding schools being oversubscribed with international students, this raises the questions what do the schools want and are HK children prepared?

Parents often  ask how they can get their children ready for the entrance tests and for actually starting school in the UK. The process can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry! I’ll try to demystify it here. I’ll also share some tips and advice we’ve gathered from housemasters and interviewers at the top schools, as well as insights from both successful and initially unsuccessful applicants whose results we have helped turn around.

With an interview and entrance exams to face, there are two big hurdles to jump. To add to the stress, kids in HK are often playing catch up with their British counterparts as they aren’t following the curriculum the exams are based on. They also know very little about what boarding school life is actually like and what will be expected from them.

All schools are ultimately looking for one thing: students who will contribute to school life, both with their academic and extracurricular achievements and by showing a spark and genuine enthusiasm. Giving your child a positive exposure to boarding will help make this something they really want and so allow them to shine.

Hurdle 1: The Interview

The purpose of the interview is for the school to see whether the student is lively, interested and motivated in ways which back up their academics. The interview for most top schools consists of a conversation with a teacher or housemaster lasting approximately 40 minutes. It may be a general chat about academic and extracurricular interests, or for the more demanding schools it could include interpretation of unseen poetry, mental arithmetic or current affairs. Favourite books will almost certainly come up. What is important is for the interviewee to show a genuine enthusiasm and that they can form reasoned opinions.

Hurdle 2: The Exams

Your child will also have to sit a number of exam papers based on the British curriculum. At 11+ (for entry in year 7) they will be tested on English, maths and science, sometimes with verbal and non-verbal reasoning papers as well. At 13+ (for entry in year 9) the core subjects are typically joined by other electives. Even if your kid is achieving great results at school, you will need to make sure that this will translate to these exams. They may not have covered some of the topics before and the exam papers may have a different format and expectations to those they are used to. English is usually the area of weakness we see in our students. HK schools tend not to be so strong in the humanities and students will need their analysis and writing skills stretched.

Starting Boarding School

After getting into their chosen school, the transition to boarding is also something students need to prepare for. Adapting to new school life can be difficult, both academically and pastorally. You may want to get in touch with your child’s tutor or houseparents before arriving to answer any questions and help the settling in process. Independence and initiative are important skills schools look for and will be vital in practice for boarding life.

Teaching methods may differ from what students are used to. They need to expect to tackle homework on their own as well group tasks, research and enquiry projects. HK students in particular need to be prepared to ask questions and express opinions – something we often see reticence in! It also helps if they have a base understating of subjects such as French, Latin and British History so they are not at disadvantage to their peers. We often help with introductions to these subjects, along with offering a mentoring role by someone who has been to boarding school themselves and knows the best way to fit in.

Tips for Success

• Firstly, and most importantly, make sure you have chosen a school where you think your child will integrate well and so be able to excel. Just because a school sits at the top of a league table doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for your child. Interviewers will recognise this.

• Make sure your child sits practice entrance papers and is able to get consistently strong results.

• They will need to be able to think of the spot, both in exam and interview. We see unsuccessful applicants who aren’t used to forming their own opinions, so we work hard with our students to encourage discussion, analysis and debate.

• The best academic preparation is not short-term, but a long-term approach, especially in English. We help many students from a young age follow an English programme similar to that taught in top UK prep schools.

• Ahead of the interview your child should learn as much as they can about the school they are applying for and have a number of answers ready about why they want to attend. They should also prepare questions to ask such as “What sports facilities do you have?”, “How much homework should I expect?” or “How often can we use the library?”.

• Make sure they have read and can talk about several serious pieces of literature – not just rely on fantasy or popular culture. Several suggestions: Poems by Carol Ann Duffy, Michael Morpurgo books or even Shakespeare for children!

• Keep them up to date with current affairs and encourage mind expanding excursions to museums, galleries and, better still, to places that expand their knowledge of British history and culture.

• Interviewees should avoid any mention of computer games – a pet hate of housemasters!

• One Winchester interviewer said he is always keen on all-rounders. Whilst academic interests must come first, he is wary of anyone who doesn’t offer anything outside of the classroom.

• Schools look for genuine interests and will assess candidates’ ability to talk in a fluent and informed manner about a subject. They will be able to spot whether a student is truly inspired or being pushed into hobbies by their parents.

• Finally, the school will only see what your child shows them. They must practise presenting their strengths and if they have a special talent, make sure it is showcased to its best. Practice talking about their favourite hobby for five minutes or perhaps they could bring along a favourite essay or story, painting or photograph to talk about. I know HK kids are a brilliant bunch, they just need to be sure to show it!

About the author:  

Eleanor (left)  runs British Tutors with co-founder Olivia Hungerford (right)

Eleanor graduated from The University of Edinburgh with a First Class Masters degree in Psychology. She has taken courses in developmental and educational psychology and studied learning difficulties in children. She has also worked as a writer and journalist for international publications and published academic papers. Eleanor received A grades in all her school examinations, and for many years tutored pupils in both London and Hong Kong to receive similar results. She now works with the team of tutors to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.

Based in Hong Kong, Olivia runs British Tutors alongside  Eleanor Smallwood. Together they train and manage their team of tutors in the very best methods of private tuition. Olivia graduated from Oxford University with a 2:1 degree in English Literature and Language. She is a highly experienced private tutor herself, having taught a range of ages and abilities throughout her tutoring career. Her specialisms include academic assessments and 11+ and 13+ school entrance. She has homeschooled a number of children, devised curricula for all ages and levels and has worked as a tutor for Oxbridge applications with a 100% success rate.

Consider  British Summer Academy as the perfect taster of the best of British school life combined with the academic challenge that entrance tests require. This is a unique two-week summer school programme in the UK which is the perfect introduction to boarding school life. It combines challenging academic work with fun and exciting activities to prepare students academically and enthuse them for the interviews.

Contact info@Britishtutors.com  for more information for 2013 applications.

www.britishtutors.com
www.facebook.com/britishtutorshk

Well, in a nutshell I get inspired by brilliance, and in a city like Hong Kong, brilliant, capable, multi-facted women are at every corner.  I felt it was duty to share their inspiring stories with the rest of the world, and I felt that I owed it to all Glamamma’s out there to give the good honest truth about women in Hong Kong.

The term “tai tai” is so passe, and the aspiration to be one, is even more so!  I was fed up with the maligned image of Hong Kong women.

There is a segment of us out there who want more than just to sleep, eat and shop!  And, today’s Glamamama is the perfect example of a real Hong Kong woman.  A businesswoman, entrepreneur, mother of three and her effortless everyday style defines contemporary American chic.

I managed to track this week’s Glamamama down in between her son’s basketball game, a visit from Diane von Furstenberg, ballet recitals and a market visit from the principles of Kate Spade…

Yup! This week’s Glamamama, Linda Chang Ting, is the quintessential multi-tasker, and all the while taking every
glamaross step in her latest DVF threads and Kate Spade accessories.

Linda Chang Ting, at DVF Pacific Place (March 2013)

(March 2013)

Linda is a style inspiration to her friends, a loving wife to her husband David Ting, a mother of 3, one of whom is now a teenager (if you look at her you would never believe it.  Her youthful looks are of envy of many!)  Having started her career in fashion over 17 years ago, today she is executive director of Globalluxe, a business that she co-founded with her husband David.  Her life is a lesson in masterful organization.  She is planning for new stores in Taipei and Shanghai, training to climb Mount Kinabalu, and no doubt planning one of her three children’s birthday parties, and did I mention she is currently building a home in California?  While she manages to expertly balance her professional, personal and familial responsibilities, she also finds time to give back … A woman of substance, style and stamina!

Linda Chang Ting: Glamamama, taste maker, multi-tasker extraordinaire tells all…life, success, love and Tom Ford!

GR: When did you become interested in fashion?

I became interested in fashion at a very young age, around 13 … my high school library subscribed to W magazine, which was a gorgeous large format loose leaf newspaper back then.  We could initial pages we wanted to keep, then collect them at the end of the month. Christy Turlington was starting out as a teenager, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren were really inspiring designers of the time.  I was also very interested in designing children’s clothing.  My first full time job at 22 was in Hong Kong as Art Director at the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson.  I was fortunate to work with extremely talented Creative Directors, Tan Shen Guan and Stanley Wong who taught me so much about branding and visual arts.  One of my clients was The Swank Shop, which was a wonderful opportunity to delve into the world of fashion.  Swank encouraged our creativity and allowed us to take risks, and ultimately our team was able to develop several international award winning campaigns for them.

GR: How many years have you been in the  fashion business?

I started working at Gucci after graduating from business school in 1996, so 17 years!!!

Linda and David with Du Juan 2007

GR: The moment that you knew you were really that darned good at what you do. What happened and how did you feel? 

Early in my career, I was sent to Paris to direct a photo shoot for Gucci Timepieces. I was a bit nervous as we were creating a huge ad campaign and collateral materials. The photographer was Guido Mocafico, and then unknown Liberty Ross was the model. It was a very sexy shoot with the watches and a lot of bare skin, but it was also very complicated technically, due to the nature of timepieces. After sending everything through to Florence, I received a fax (so old!) back from Tom Ford on which he scribbled “Great!” I was elated and relieved!

GR:  What was the most memorable experience of your profession and what happened?

The DVF Red Ball in Shanghai has to be the most memorable experience of my career. It was huge celebration Diane threw in conjunction with her 2011 “Journey of a Dress” exhibition inBeijing, and was over a year in the making. There were so many incredibly talented people involved from Alexandre de Betak to the Chinese artist Zhang Huan. It was an amazing collaboration and a beautiful event and something I’ll never forget!

Melvin Chua, Linda and David Ting with Natalia Vodianova
(Beijing 2011)

GR:  What was the most memorable experience of your life?

The births of each of my children have been very touching and emotional events, but everyday
experiences with my family and every moment watching the kids grow are also very memorable.

The Tings 2007

GR: What’s a  typical day in the (un)glamorous world of Linda Chang Ting?

6:15 Wake, get the kids ready for the day 7:30 Drop kids at school

7:45 Meet friends at Parkview for hike of Mt Butler, Violet Hill or the Twins. We’re training to climb Mount Kinabalu in April!

Hiking the twins (Hong Kong 2013)

10:00 Arrive at office, catch up on emails and orchestrate logistics for the day, cars, kids’ activities, dinner…

10:30 Review drawings for new shops in Shanghai and Taipei.

11:00 Meet with DVF merchandising team to review fall 2013 apparel and accessories collections.

Linda and David with Diane von Furstenberg (Hong Kong 2006)

12:00 Reach out for sponsors for the upcoming Child Development Centre fund raiser “Daddy
Daughter Ball”

12:30 Lunch with school mom friends to catch up and chat about our kids…and everything…

2:00 Meet with marketing team to discuss Kate Spade 20th anniversary celebration in Thailand.

With Kate and Andy Spade at the opening of Harbour City Store in 2003

2:30 Review recent press clippings with the PR team

3:00 Confirm travel details for upcoming trips to Singapore, Beijing, and New York.

3:30 Organize photos from my daughters’ birthday parties.

4:00 Meet my architect/interior designer to select fabrics for the living room.

4:30 Rush to school to watch my son’s basketball game…they win the International School
Championship!

6:30 Dinner at home with the kids

The Tings on the ski slopes

7:30 Help with homework

8:30 Showers, reading, prepare kids for bedtime

9:30+ Relax with my husband David with a nice bottle of wine & cheese, or go for foot reflexology.

GR: Which Charities do you support?

I often choose to support children’s charities; I feel like kids really deserve the best chance they can get, for a good start to life. I am on committee for Child Development Centre and also support the Hong Kong Juvenile Diabetes Association. I am also a member of the Hong Kong
Ballet Guild and the Asia Art Archive Collectors Circle.

GR: Favourite place on earth?

Any beach…I grew up in Newport Beach and love the view, sound and smell of the ocean…

Near her favourite place in the world with her most precious

GR: Who is your role model?

My mom. She’s gentle yet strong, incredibly smart, and she does everything for everyone and
never takes credit; she’s the most generous person I’ve ever met.

Linda with her mum in 2010, Barcelona

LINDA TING’S Top 5 must haves for summer 2013

- Kate spade ladan wedges in gold leather and navy grosgrain

- J crew classic white cotton boy shirt and toothpick blue jeans

- DVF cashmere & silk new noa back zip sweater (I have all colors!)

- Lanvin strapless silk color block dress

- Celine edges cuff in python

LINDA TING’S TOP 3 BEAUTY TIPS

- Clinique superbalm moisturizing gloss

- Benefit “that gal” brightening face primer

- Crème de la Mer

GR: Do you think women can “have it all”, work, love, life and luxury?

Of course we can!!!

Linda Ting in Kate Spade (March 2013)

Viola is every bit a stylish woman who takes elegant risks on a daily basis, whilst Vanessa is often “cinched”  showcasing her minute waist and always adds a dash of colour to her fashion repetoire.  On the day of our interview, I was greeted warmly by the fashionable Chen sisters.

Viola in Dolce & Gabbana black lace dress that was bonded to jersey, with white lace trim, paired with three Nyphemberg necklaces, was the image of a chic yet understated woman. Meanwhile Vanessa, (whose waist is minuscule by the way) wore a black and gold JC de Castelbajac tribal print dress with a stunning Caroline Dezman necklace.

But don’t let their different styles fool you. These two are partners in every sense of the word. Along with the third partner, childhood friend Jane Chao-Lee, their company Scipian,  imports jewellery and affordable luxury with a twist, to Hong Kong.

Viola Chen-Cheong, Vanessa Chen-Kwan and Jane Chao-Lee on the steps of Galerie Huit

Both Vanessa and Viola ventured into this new company at the suggestion of Jane, and since then they have held exclusive trunk shows for  contemporary jewellery  brands such as Nyphemburg by Patrick Muff, Jewellery by artisan Carolina Dezman and Jewellery by Patrick Muff. When asked about the obstacles of their partnership, the sisters are united in their objectives. One of the main reasons could be that, not only are Vanessa and Viola twin sisters, but Jane is also longtime friend, and the bonds between the two families started when their fathers were business partners together, and hence the legacy between the two families continues.

Nyphemburg by Patrick Muff

A life of glamour is not always an easy ride. All three partners take on a very hands-on role to ensure every aspect of each exhibition is perfect. “When we held the Carolina Dezman exhibition, we knew that we needed to “hang” the jewellery since each piece is a work of art,” explained Viola. “We sourced some mannequin busts from Mongkok and brought them back to Galerie Huit,” said Vanessa. “It was then that we realised that we couldn’t just use them as is, so each one of us took some home to paint!” Instead of sending these “props” out to be painted the ladies decided to make it an art project at home. The end result was artistic and creative.

Jewellery by Carolina Dezman

Aside from the glamorous world of luxury and art, these glamamamas are dedicated super moms in every way. But both will readily admit that being able to pursue this path was wholly due to the support of the family and friends.

Viola with her two daughters and husband Bernard in Whistler “13

Vanessa and her husband Michael, with their two children  (Whistler ’13) 

Daddy’s girls always

The Kwans

The Cheongs

Vanessa and Viola with childhood friends who they also consider “family” 

Scipian will be hosting an exhibition of Patrick Muff’s Private Collection from March 12-14, 2013 at Galerie Huit, 8 St Francis Street, Wanchai. The artist will also be there. So hurry all

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Gangnam what? Psy who? It’s all about the Harlem Shake.. If Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Rosie Tapner can do it, so can you… The three  broke out into the Harlem Shake backstage at the recent Topshop Unique show at London Fashion Week.

photo: cocosteaparty.com

So c’mon you Glamaross people, let’s pump up the music and Harlem!! (Errr… do we have to pump up the glutes so that we have enough bootie to shake first tho?)

Other than the Harlem Shake, these glam gals strutted the catwalk too at   TOPSHOP UNIQUE AW13.  Some would say Rosie Tapner is a better catwalk model than Harlem Shaker.. I would have to agree.

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Helen Chen with Tansy Tom shining in neon at Bvlgari Hong Kong Party

People flock to Tansy like a moth to a flame. Her approachable demeanor and sincere disposition make her a favourite in any social or familiar situation. Add to that, her style is second to none, where this former public relations executive knows how to stand out in a crowd without compromising her individuality.

A mother of two, Tansy retired from fulltime fashion PR, and is now a dedicated member of the PTA of her children’s school. On occasion she can also be found working on PR projects for close friends and also helping with charities.

This busy Glamamama finds time for school, friends, fashion and family!

Join her on a DAY IN THE LIFE OF TANSY LAU TOM

I don’t send my kids to school every day but am usually out the door bright and early with them if I have PTA related meetings or anything to do with school.

Today I went on a site visit  to an organic farm in Fanling to do site checking for the PTA outing.  (I’m helping to organise a 1000 person visit  for the school.)

Site visit at Produce Green Farm Foundation 

After the site visit I zipped back to Hong Kong side  for a much needed haircut at Triple 8 salon with my stylist Angus.

Once my hair was primped  I headed back to Kowloon to my dear friend Johanna Ho’s studio, for a photoshoot for LUXUP.com Who would have guessed I could transform from a site visiting member of the PTA to a glamamama!

Shooting for LUXUP.com with Johanna Ho and Denise Ho

We managed to finish the shoot just before 3pm, which is really when my “workday” starts. Once my kids, Tyler and Talia, finish school each day, life goes at warp speed. I bring my children to all their activities, and as all moms know, there are always activities! Otherwise I’m at home with them helping  with their homework, or reading with them. (During exam time, it’s a big NO to all social engagements, hair appointments etc   other than revision with the kids. In fact all my friends know that during 3 weeks of the year I’m indisposed, no matter how appealing an invitation!)

Luckily on this particular day we had no exams and I managed to sneak out to support the book launch of Hong Kong Fashion Authority, Janice Wong.

Here I am with Janice Wong

On the very same night was also a Scipian launch at On Pedder, where I purchased two necklaces by Nyphenburg!

At the Scipian launch at On Pedder, Joyce,  with Viola Cheong

The second the event ended I was back in my car an heading home.  I rushed home just in time to tuck the kids to bed for prayers and kisses…

And now it’s 930pm I can finally relax, until tomorrow. It’s the weekend and you’d think I’d be able to have some downtime… Alas tomorrow is another day with basketball practice, birthday parties, family dinner, art classes, and oh, another birthday party….

FASHIONISTAS HIT LIST: TANSY LAU TOM

• My favourite  online shopping site now is Etsy for costume jewelry.
• One of my favourite boutiques: Hilary Tsui and Dorothy’s shop Liger has great selection.
•  I also go to Shine, Joyce, Isabel Marant, Martin Margiela and Celine etc.