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DB-born Black Velvet Collective has ridden the world music wave into the studio for its first album of Irish-inspired originals. Core band members Mark Rawson, Jim Alba-Duignan and Mark Basford sit down for a virtual chat with Elizabeth Kerr PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com & courtesy of Mark Rawson It’s a Friday afternoon in March, so as usual in Hong Kong these days bassist Mark Rawson and his Black Velvet Collective (BVC) bandmates – drummer and singer Jim Alba-Duignan and guitarist Mark Basford – dial in via computer, after the requisite technical futzing about, to chat about their first studio album. Guitarist Dan Marguilles is sitting this one out. The quartet makes up what Mark R considers part of an original music renaissance in Hong Kong that started long before the pandemic. Gone (almost) are the days of expat-driven dive bands covering Sweet Child o’Mine and Summer of ’69 in Wanchai. Here are the days of creativity, and a shrinking divide between expat and local artists. “I play five tracks from artists from Hong Kong doing original songs every Friday with Phil Whelan . We’re on the twelfth week and we’ve never repeated an artist.” That bodes well for the success of BVC’s February release, Sunset Peak, a collection of traditional Celtic-inflected ballads and mid-tempo jigs, complete with fiddles, mandolins and tin whistles. Sunset Peak is available on 44 streamers including Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music (and yeah, Spotify), with a limited vinyl pressing coming soon. Whether that’s a shout-out to the guys’ musical roots is hard to say but calling BVC a departure is an understatement. A quick survey reveals a diverse array of near and dear LPs: Genesis’ Seconds Out, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Squeeze’s 45’s and_ Under and Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All, courtesy of the slightly younger Dan. No Irish folk. Hong Kong’s own folky Beatles came together in stages beginning roughly 18 years back. Decades of shared history is obvious; there’s a lot of shorthand and joking back and forth. Jim, the ‘John’ moved to Hong Kong 26 years ago with a construction industry contract and, like many, one contract somehow became permanent residency. He’s lived in Discovery Bay for most of his time in the SAR, with the exception of a year in Mid-Levels which, he says, nearly killed him: “I was single; I struggled to get past Lan Kwai Fong most nights.” He flat shared in DB on arrival and got married later. “I did it the other way around. I met my partner, Christine, in DB, in the plaza.” The ‘Paul,’ Mark R, landed a year later with his financial services job, and he too lived in DB for 10+ years. His family were onboard residents for a time, and he’s now based in Aberdeen with his wife Wika. Mark B’s low-key attitude and occasional, well-placed quip make him the ‘Ringo.’ He showed up in DB 20 or so years ago with his wife, Kate, and three children, and lives here still. He started out working for a European corporate on its China strategy but ended up ditching that for teaching. “I got tired of the corporate life, and the thing I liked most about that job was teaching people how to do theirs better,” he notes. “And it’s in the blood: Both my parents are teachers, my wife’s a teacher. It was an inevitability.” Dan, a lawyer by trade who’s expecting twins with his wife Louise, lives in Kennedy Town. He’s ‘George.’ He’s not even here. Mark R and Jim got to know each other though the city’s live music scene at the same time Mark B and another mate were playing covers as a duo and looking for a bassist. “Mark was in from the start, but we thought Jim was a keyboard player, and we didn’t need one, so we weren’t interested in him,” recalls Mark B with a chuckle. “But then we found out he was a drummer, and that was just what we needed. That was The Vibes.” The Vibes is just one of many bands the four actively work with, the others being brassy soul outfit The 852 and Celt-punk band Naggin Eejits (with Dan). “Then Jim and I started playing around with Irish folk tunes,” Mark B says. Jim, born in England to Irish parents, recalls an Irish ditty breaking out over wine in the living room. “It was a very different sound to what was going on in Hong Kong at the time. We decided to try it live. We got a great response.” BVC was born from a desire to include different instrumentation and styles and bring in guest performers – like fiddle player Alexandra Softley and The 852 vocalist Sarah Johnson – as well as expand the set list. The response to the traditional Irish sound was particularly noticeable at last November’s What the Folk Festival, a world music event that Mark R organised. He had experience with music fests as one of the co-founders of Picnic in the Park (now The Big Picnic) alongside – wait for it – Jim and Mark B. Their fears that original tunes would be hard sell with local audiences proved groundless. “This is a great, international city; it’s such a melting pot and a wonderful place to be, particularly in the music scene,” argues Mark R. “Over the last few years some of those roots have really come to the fore.” When the live scene shut down with COVID, Mark R found the band suddenly had more time to be creative. “We’d always been gigging so when the pandemic started, we had the time to write original songs. I found that came easily, personally, and I could come up with plenty of ideas, but I needed people to help finish them off. Jim and Mark were the natural choices.” The decision to cut a record followed an afternoon noodling over an idea that would eventually become the personal Ne Temere. “Mark did great work on the melodies, I sang it, and it came together, just like that,” Jim says. “We knew it was a good song. It sounded like nothing else we were doing, and we thought, ‘What do we do with that?’ We thought we may as well record it.” All three-credit producer Charlie Edwards with shepherding the studio newbies along. As pals for decades, no one felt uncomfortable writing in the studio, or making suggestions or mistakes. Mostly. “Being so precise is quite stressful. It’s a challenge. In a live gig you can be flexible on the timing. In the studio you tend to be absolutely on beat… if you’re not it’s quite noticeable, and the rest of the band is sitting in the control room waiting for you to stop fluffing it up,” says Mark B. “And when you finally get it, you’re told, ‘You might be able to do that a bit better.’ But I think I’m a better player now and I appreciate that.” Dan agrees (by email), adding that the learning curve was intense. “Recording required a huge amount of effort. The writing and creating was comparatively easier, especially when working with talented musicians.” The process was conflict-free enough to start BVC on a path to a sophomore release. Though none of the guys are entertaining notions of being The Beatles. Thinking of the drama documented in 2021’s Get Back, Mark R confirms, “We weren’t quite that messy. Which is probably why they were so successful.” But only for 10 years.

Recalling a reboot in Rishikesh PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels ONE OF NORTHERN INDIA’S MOST SACRED SITES , Rishikesh in the northern state of Uttarakhand is scenically located on the banks of The Ganges, the holiest river according to the Hindu religion. Being in the foothills of the Himalayas, it’s relatively cool year-round. You fly in to Dehradun Airport from New Delhi or Mumbai. OUTWARD BOUND IS HUGELY POPULAR in Rishikesh. There’s trekking, white-water rafting, rock climbing, cliff jumping, rappelling and bungee jumping on tap; after all this is the glorious Gateway to the Himalayas. THE WORLD CAPITAL OF YOGA , Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by to visit Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram (now closed). There are in fact three Rishikesh essentials: yoga practice, a ‘holy’ dip in The Ganges and having your palm read. GANGA AARTI IS PRACTISED DAILY on the steps leading down to The Ganges. Fire lamps are lit at the end of more than an hour’s chanting, symbolising the light of truth as they fire up, and the destruction of the ego when they burn out. Taking part makes for a powerful goodbye to Rishikesh and an empowering preparation for the real world to come. NON-VEGETARIAN FOOD AND ALCOHOL ARE BANNED but there’s a wealth of delicious Ayurvedic and health-food restaurants. The sleepy downtown streets are lined with wooden pushcarts selling fresh fruit and veggies, plus tasty local sweets, like jalebis and imartis. Watch out for food- stealing monkeys! TRAYAMBAKESHWAR TEMPLE IS THE BIGGEST in Rishikesh, built as a 13-storey home for Lord Shiva more than 800 years ago. It is known for its beautiful idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, and walls inscribed with ancient religious texts. The best way to reach Trayambakeshwar is via Laxman Jhula hanging bridge. ASHRAMS PEPPER THE TOWN as densely as Starbucks in Seattle, and picturesque Swarg Ashram (Heavenly Abode) is one of the oldest. Situated at the foot of the Himalayas on the left bank of The Ganges, it’s the spiritual ‘ground zero’ of Rishikesh, positively jammed with temples, meditation centres, Sanskrit schools and stores.

Hunt no further for amazing Easter eggs to make over the holidays PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock Makes 30 114g butter, softened 1 tsp vanilla extract 8oz package cream cheese, softened 40oz icing sugar 340g creamy peanut butter 128g flaked coconut 136g unsweetened cocoa powder 200g chocolate pieces 1 tbsp vegetable oil In a large bowl, mix together the butter, vanilla and cream cheese. Stir in the sugar to make a workable dough. Divide the dough into four parts. Leave one of the parts plain. Mix peanut butter into the second part, coconut into the third part, and cocoa powder into the fourth. Roll each type of dough into egg shapes, and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate until hard, at least an hour. Melt the chocolate pieces in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth. If the chocolate seems too thick for coating, stir in a teaspoon of the oil until it thins to your desired consistency. Dip the chilled candy eggs in chocolate and return to the waxed paper-lined sheet to set. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to harden. Makes 6 6 small bowls 6tsp vinegar 6tsp food colouring 6 hard-boiled eggs 1 white crayon 12 rubber bands 1 egg carton Fill small bowls halfway with hot water, adding 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of food colouring, one for each colour you want to use. To dye an egg a solid colour, place in a bowl for 5 minutes. Alternatively, write a message or draw a pattern on an egg in white crayon, before you dip it. When it comes out of the dye, the wax will remain white, highlighting the pattern against the coloured background. For a striped design, place rubber bands around an egg before dipping it. Remove the bands, and you’ll see stripes where the bands were. Once done, place the eggs in an empty egg carton to dry. Then you can hide them for a hunt, place them in a decorative basket, or if you’re really hungry, peel and eat them!

Thanks to creative and delicious dishes like these, veggies can easily become the main event PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock Serves 3 1 15oz can chickpeas, drained 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 tsp chili powder 3/4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 pumpkin 100g quinoa Preheat the oven to 190 C. Wash and drain the chickpeas, then toss them with 1tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle over the cumin, salt, chili and garlic, stirring to coat evenly. Cut the pumpkin into thin wedges, toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the pumpkin and chickpeas on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pumpkin is soft and the chickpeas golden brown. Meanwhile, place the rinsed quinoa in 300ml cold water and bring to a boil. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until all the water has evaporated. Divide the chickpeas, pumpkin and quinoa between 3 bowls, adding cucumber, tomatoes and arugula. Serve with tahini sauce, balsamic vinaigrette or chili oil. 4 courgettes 4 large, ripe tomatoes, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 bunch fresh basil, cut into ribbons 3 tbsp olive oil Parmesan cheese shavings Cut each courgette length-wise into very thin slices. Place the slices into a large bowl, sprinkle with 1tbsp salt and toss gently to coat. Line one or two baking sheets with paper towels. Transfer the salted courgette slices to the prepared sheets, arranging them in a single layer and let them stand for 20 minutes. Turn the courgette slices over and let them stand for 10 minutes more, before rinsing them under cold, running water. Using a clean kitchen towel pat the slices dry then arrange them in a loose mound on a serving platter. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes with their juices, and the garlic and basil. Toss gently to mix. Stir 2tbsp oil into the tomato mixture and season well. Drizzle the remaining oil over the courgettes. Spoon the tomato mixture over the courgettes. Garnish with parmesan cheese shavings to serve.

Just back from tearing up the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Paris (and cutting his first album), 13-year-old rapper Enzo Hilaire settles in for a Zoom chat with Ray Au PHOTOS COURTESY OF Francois Hilaire Enzo Hilaire released his first album, Tic Tac L’album , with Warner Music in Paris, on December 17, 2021; he placed third in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest two days later; and he made it to the final with judge Soprano in season 7 of The Voice Kids France back in August 2020. It’s been a busy 18 months or so for the former Discovery College student. Just back from Paris, quarantining with his family in Thailand en route to Hong Kong, Enzo enthusiastically agrees to a Zoom interview. Totally at ease in front of the camera, he’s clearly Gallic – a big gesticulator, almost constantly in motion. “It’s 21 days quarantine in all, and it’s going to be extremely long, but I’ve got food and I’ve got my phone, so I think I’ll be fine,” he opens with a chuckle. “Here in Hua Hin, I’ve got an amazing view as well; and we’re in a good hotel so I’m happy.” Happy about quarantining? Enzo’s positivity is one of the first things you note about him, that and his wild shock of rap-star hair. His enthusiasm is infectious; his passion, drive, dedication, humility, and raw ambition quickly shine through. Am I sensing star quality? The bigwigs at Warner, Junior Eurovision and The Voice Kids France clearly think so. JUNIOR EUROVISION French-born Enzo was in his living room, playing with his dog, when his father Francois received the email from France Television asking him to represent France at Junior Eurovision. “I was super happy, super excited,” Enzo says. “For me it was a dream to represent a country that I absolutely love, that’s in my blood.” And Enzo thinks he knows why Eurovision pursued him. “I’m a singer and a rapper,” he points out. “They listened to my YouTube channel, and on my YouTube channel, there are lots of urban songs, lots of pop songs, a lot of sad songs. I feel like there’s a range of different music styles.” (See for yourself at www.youtube.com/c/EnzoHilaire.) Enzo was in Paris for six months. “I spent an absolutely amazing time there – every day achieving and realising my dreams,” he says. “I remember watching stars like Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson do studio recordings and interviews, being on stage, going on T V and that finally happened to me.” Finally? Amusing as it is to anyone over, oh, 25, that a secondary schooler could feel his big break was a long time coming, it’s best to bear in mind how youth-driven the modern music industry is. Justin Bieber (Enzo’s a fan of The Biebs – check his superb cover of Lonely on YouTube) is 27 years old and has been a pop star half his life. At 13, Enzo is just about the right age to start a music career in these youthful, TikTok/ Instagramhero days. He’s a step ahead of the game too – 30 million people watched him perform at Eurovision on a massive stage with video drones overhead. So, what was that like? “It was the best part of this whole experience,” Enzo says looking slightly bemused. He’s being asked to state the obvious, right? “People are watching you but they’re just like, having fun… they’re jumping! Just thinking about it makes me want to do it again. It’s so addictive.” No nerves then? “It was kind of nerve-racking but when you’re in the moment – you’re concentrating, you’ve got your microphone, you’ve got your back-up dancers, you’ve got your lights, you’ve got everything you could possibly have – your mind is straight. You want to achieve your goal. I was stressed but I put it to one side. My passion and joy always come first.” And how about the other contestants? Did everybody get along? “Of course, we did,” Enzo says gently, again slightly baffled by the question. “We were all in the same hotel and it was so cool to share the moment with them. They’re feeling basically the same thing I’m feeling – excited, kind of stressed. We just all love each other. Incredible!” Tic Tac, the song Enzo performed at Eurovision, was written and composed by French singer-songwriter and music technician Alban Lico. Enzo points to its originality. “Thousands of songs come out every day but for me there’s nothing a bit like Tic Tac,” he says. “People either love it or hate it. I love that song: It makes you want to dance, makes you want to jump, makes you want to have a good time.” Tic Tac, Enzo explains, also has an important message: “Slow down time, do everything with passion and don’t precipitate.” TIC TAC L’ALBUM As prolific as Enzo is on YouTube, his first studio recording session was in France, and he goes into raptures about the learning curve. “Before I came to France I knew about music, I knew how to do the basics but studio recording… that’s like a whole different side of music. When we were making Tic Tac L’album (available on most streaming platforms), I saw the producers mixing the sounds; I saw them taking their time without wasting any time; I saw them doing everything efficiently. “Seeing all these talented people working around me and for me was an honour, a responsibility as well,” Enzo adds. “Staying humble is the most important aspect of this adventure. Warner is one of the biggest labels in the world. Just to be on it is incredible; just to think about that is incredible.” In France, Enzo got to meet a lot of Warner musicians, many of whom, like Barbara Pravi, he describes as his idols. He has a special shout-out for Alban Lico: “Just being in the same studio as him was amazing, I got to see different sides of his work. He’s one of the most music-talented and music-smart guys I’ve ever met. You might think he was only with me to record Tic Tac but in fact he came to record a lot of the songs on the album.” Two of those songs, are Enzo’s own? “Yes!” he says, practically dancing in his chair with excitement. “On my album you can find two songs that I composed and wrote at home in Cheung Sha, and I got the chance to record them in a professional Warner studio. There’s Stars Aligned which I made just after The Voice final, and Broken Heart, a song that means a lot to me because it talks about my uncle who passed away a year ago. I was really close to him, that’s why I dedicated it to him. “People see me as Tic Tac man,” Enzo adds. “But actually, I sing a lot of songs, like songs by Lil Baby and Travis Scott. They’re inspirations to me. I feel like people don’t know that. That’s why I think people should go listen to my album.” THE NEXT STEP Enzo is returning to France in two months’ time… He can’t say much about future plans but hints at another album in the works and a couple more singles coming out soon. For now, he’s busy homeschooling with an online school (British Curriculum), which he loves. “It’s the perfect combination, a miracle! I’m learning important subjects every day but at the same time having more time for my passion, more time to work on my craft. “I heard an interview once and someone said hard work is luck. So, people can say I’m lucky or whatever, but I work super hard too.” Ask Enzo how friends have reacted to his success, and he hesitates for the first time. “I wouldn’t say it’s a success,” he says. “I feel like I can say it’s an improvement. I’ve achieved a lot of my dreams but there are bigger dreams I want to achieve. It’s not over, I’m working every day, I can be better – we can always be better! “Move on! Let’s go!” Enzo finishes. “Big things are coming soon – really big things! I think you’ll be surprised! Stay tuned!"

Indulge your ongoing obsession with Portugal's pretty little capital PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels LISBON’S POSTCARD PERFECT PANORAMA encompasses whitewashed houses with terracotta tiled roofs; ancient, domed cathedrals; narrow, cobbled alleyways and the mighty River Tagus. To take it all in, head to Portas do Sol viewpoint. THE FAMOUS TRAM 28 makes light of Lisbon’s seven steep hills and packs in a number of the city’s attractions for the price of your ticket. But you’ll want to navigate the narrow lanes in the old town – Alfama – on foot, admiring the beautiful azulejos (painted tiles) on the buildings as you go. A VISIT TO LX FACTORY IS A MUST . This ultra-hip industrial complex contains a fantastic selection of boutiques, art galleries, bookshops, cafés,restaurants and, above all, people! The best time to go is on a Sunday, when the central space is taken over by local vendors selling art, crafts, food, vintage clothes and more. HEAD STRAIGHT TO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES Torre de Belém (the fortified Tower of St Vincent) and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (the former Monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome). Castelo de Sâo Jorge (St George Castle) towers majestically over the city and is a great spot to get your bearings. FOR THE BEST BACALHAU (salted cod) make your way to Cervejaria Ramiro. Thanks to its coastal position, Lisbon boasts some of the freshest fish in Europe, and this informal little joint has been a favourite with local and international foodies alike since the 1950s. LISBON’S PASTEL DE NATA (EGG TARTS) ARE WORLD FAMOUS . First made by nuns in the 16th century, they are now sold throughout the city. While guidebooks would point you to Pasteis de Belém, try the tarts in Manteigaria – they give the ones on offer at Lord Stow’s Bakery in Macau a run for their money.

Minimalism’s long run as home decor’s default style is far from over but decorative design is making a very definite COVID-related comeback. Imogen Clyde outlines the look PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels Moving into 2022, our homes are becoming, for want of a better word, decorative. It seems our dreams of a Spartan, Zen-like future really were just that. Having spent so much time at home – confined to our homes – these past couple of years, we are finding that what we want from them has changed. We want colour, comfort and let’s face it, a touch of glam – cold, clean minimalism has lost a lot of its appeal. The best COVID-lifestyle homes are designed to provide a much-needed escape from bleak reality. Homemakers have always depended on decoration to bring a sense of warmth and individuality to their living spaces. Right now, we want our home comforts, and we also want a taste of old-world luxury. There’s a collective feeling of nostalgia and a need for just a little excess. The last time this happened was in the war-torn 1940s when modernist philosophy met classicism, and a distinctively ornamental style, classical modernism, came into being. It seems that beset by harsh economic and political realities, we look to interior design to cushion the blow. Just as hemlines go up when world economies prosper, interior design gets dressy and just a little bit decadent when times are bad. Then as now, the decorative look pays homage to the classical past, with designers taking a fresh look at what came before, while celebrating the novel and the new. Modern need not mean minimalist, nor does it demand a rejection of history. SET THE STAGE Defined as modern luxe, classical modernism’s latest incarnation is sumptuous and multi-layered without being fussy or over the top. In creating this look, the challenge is to balance comfort with constraint, old with new, the practical with the desirable. Modern luxe celebrates the minimal, the modern and the pure. At the same time, it delights in the beauty, charm and integrity that informed the furnishings of the classical past. The trick is to combine an eclectic mix of classically inspired or antique furniture, within a pared-back setting. The feel remains contemporary, since only a few key pieces are used to shape the scheme and ornamentation is carefully controlled. As an arbiter of timeless good taste, English society decorator Nicky Haslam has perfected the modernluxe look. His style is unabashedly opulent; it’s all about craving high-end luxury and old-world glamour, without ostentation. “I think traditional is the best,” Haslam says. “I like to create utterly comfortable places that make life feel good. The Louis XVI world got it perfectly right.” Within this type of scheme, a pastiche of different historical styles typically lives together in one room, creating a sense of worldly sophistication and individuality. The idea is to look to the past to bring a new and original slant to the conventional, which is perceived as ordinary and run of the mill. As a result, a state-of-the-art item, like a wall-hung television, may feature in a modern luxe room but due to the surrounding colour scheme, furnishings and/ or rich use of texture, the overall look remains classic and luxurious. Past and present find shared principles and the result is a harmonious and extremely liveable whole. BE BOLD WITH COLOUR Colour is a key component of modern luxe design, found at the walls and floors as well as in the furnishings. In breaking away from the white-on-white minimalist palette, a whole world of colour opens up with decorators tending to favour rich ‘heritage hues’ taken from defining moments in history, whether Georgian, Victorian or Art Deco. Bold colours like these can work as well in modern homes as they do in older ones, assuming their use is carefully controlled – the racing-green paintwork on a statement wall might, for instance, be carried through to the patterns in the surrounding soft furnishings. Strong colours make powerful accents, and they pair well with gentle, neutral shades. Remember that the look you are going for is elegant and contemporary – avoid trying to cram all the colours of the rainbow into one open-plan living space. Of course, vibrant colour-use is not a requirement. Tone-on-tone neutrals can be layered to create an appropriately luxurious feel, and you can up the ante with a few pops of black or dark brown. If you’re going the monochromatic route, rich texture is your friend whether introduced in the soft furnishings or accessories. GET THE LOOK By daring to be decorative, modern luxe advocates are redefining what is considered contemporary. Super-comfortable, classic pieces (from oversized,padded ottomans to elegant, wing-back chairs) are making a comeback. Seating, whether reproduction or antique, is, for the most part, luxuriously upholstered and extravagantly cushioned. Silk velvet is currently hot, as is herring-bone tweed. Premier pieces exude quality and simplicity, while adding a touch of glamour. Accents shimmer. Big brands are driving the trend by producing elegant reproductions that are big on antique details. Even in stores like IKEA or G.O.D., you’ll spot smart little classically informed pieces, featuring a turned wood leg here, a Chesterfield stud there. The latest launches are big on pattern (timeless florals and stripes) and general prettiness. Period crystal chandeliers, interior conversation pieces since the 17th century, are officially hip. The trend is for larger lighting fixtures that take possession of a room rather than serving as an unseen architectural element. If your budget won’t stretch to an antique, or a high-end, trad-mod design by Swarovski or Baccarat, rely on decorative, artisan-made lamps to introduce the wow factor. Look out for reinterpreted classics in bewitching black crystal, glass mosaic, or brilliantly hued Perspex and aluminium. Modern luxe champions decadence and whimsy, drama and individuality and nowhere is this felt more strongly than in the latest bathroom designs. Take Vessel, the carbon-black hammock bathtub by splinter Works, pictured above. It pushes the boundaries since it is reminiscent of a classic, claw-footed Victorian tub but at the same time, it looks totally state-of-the-art. Set against a pared back, minimal backdrop, this technologically advanced tub makes a cool modern statement, while referring directly to the classical past. When it comes down to it, modern luxe is theatrical, showy and more than a little camp. It’s decadent and historically derived – pure Christian Lacroix. And it isn’t the preserve of huge rooms in historic houses, it works wonderfully in constrained living spaces, even right here in little old Lantau.

Gordon Oldham arrived in Hong Kong from the UK in the late 70s, and it’s likely you’ve heard of him. The question is who do you know him as? The founder of leading independent Hong Kong law firm Oldham, Li & Nie (OLN) or the founder of award-winning Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, now in 14 locations around the world? Maybe you’ve heard of Gordon as the man who created MTV Asia or Action Asia Events. Here, he provides some inspirational advice for budding entrepreneurs. Q What are the main characteristics that every successful entrepreneur needs? A passion for the business he wants to do that keeps him awake at night and is the first thing he thinks of in the morning. The ability to pull people together and inspire them. (An unfriendly hermit entrepreneur has a short life.) A conviction that what he is doing is ultimately making things better for people rather than just creating wealth. A large set of cojones helps. Q What’s the single most important thing to consider when setting up a business? Do I have the commitment and the energy to see this through because it’s no use getting excited for the first week and then deciding it’s all too difficult. Set yourself a test – set the alarm for 5am, have a cold shower for at least two minutes, then walk two kilometres down the road. Walk back and write a piece of poetry even though it’s your first time doing any of these three things. If you can do that you may just have the strength of character required. Otherwise, just turn off the alarm when it rings, roll over, go back to sleep and keep your day job. Q Should you only start a business if you’re passionate about it? Well, if your sole motivation is to make money then of course you don’t need to be passionate about it. But it certainly helps. If your sole motivation is making money then go and do it, but it kind of takes the fun out of things, doesn’t it? If it isn’t fun, don’t do it. Then it becomes just another job. I read recently that over 50% of people frequently regret not doing something and suffer the torture of “what if…” Stop thinking – get up and do it. Q What’s the key to entrepreneurial success? Innovation plus business rigour. It’s easy to be a very unsuccessful entrepreneur. There are lots of failed geniuses who have come up with brilliant ideas but can’t see them through, and then a businessperson comes along who has the wit, experience, money and work ethic to turn it into a success. Q Are entrepreneurs high risk takers? To a degree. My biggest disappointment is with people who avoid trying to innovate or be creative because they don’t want to screw up a bonus or change something that isn’t broke. But that attitude doesn’t keep you moving forward. In my hotel group, we always ask what if we could… And then we go ahead and do it, and pleasantly enough half the time it succeeds. Q As a lawyer, can you tell us the common legal mistakes that entrepreneurs make? Not documenting their verbal agreements and not protecting their intellectual property are two things but also thinking that their product/ service is the best there is – that’s a fallacy, there’s always better. People also tend to ignore the boring parts of business – getting the goods produced and shipping on time with no short shipments, and collecting money for payment. These processes are the very foundation and superstructure of a business. Get that right and it doesn’t matter what you build around that structure – it will succeed very often. Another common mistake? Not getting professional legal advice in time. Lawyers are widely seen as expensive, but I can tell you that today most legal services are affordable even for small businesses. However, if you haven’t consulted a lawyer in time and find yourself in the middle of a dispute, the legal costs are just silly. That is why my law firm created OLN Online, a starter’s guide to creating businesses. The preliminary advice and standard documentation is set at an affordable price and takes you in front of your competitors from the get-go. Q What types of contracts should every small business have? Depends on the nature of your business, but shareholders’ agreement, website terms of use, confidentiality agreement and employment contract are at the top of the list. Oldham, Li & Nie has been actively involved with Hong Kong start-ups for many years, the OLN Online platform is a ‘law as a subscription service,’ built for small businesses that don’t necessarily need or can’t afford an in-house lawyer. It’s the first such platform introduced by a Hong Kong law firm and it provides instant access to a wide range of legal documents, 24/7, remotely, with online support from our lawyers. Q Lastly, what do you do when you have made a success of your business? Ha-ha! Start another one – and start giving back. Over the years I’ve realised I actually enjoy seeing people happy. That service mentality has helped enormously with my hotels and my law firm supports various Hong Kong charities. We’ve recently started sponsoring local sports events, like the DB Beach Tennis. Gordon Oldham is the Senior Partner at Oldham, Li & Nie, a full-service independent Hong Kong law firm. Established in 1987, the firm has some 45 lawyers, admitted to one or more jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, France, the UK, the USA, Australia, Canada and Japan. The team’s start-up practice has been helping Hong Kong entrepreneurs for many years. To find out more and hear more from Gordon, visit www.oln-law.com .

Certain behaviours are shared by children as they grow and develop. Kate Farr explores three common parental headaches, and offers some creative solutions to provide relief PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels Our children go through distinct periods of development as they grow from infants to young adults. During each of these stages, multiple changes in the development of the brain are taking place. What occurs and approximately when these developments transpire are genetically determined. However, environmental circumstances and exchanges with the adults closest to them have a significant influence on how each child benefits from each developmental event. As infants and children progress through this series of growth stages, they will encounter common physical or emotional challenges. Although children differ in the rate at which they develop, the order of the stages does not vary. While it is extremely important to remember that every child is unique and special in his or her own right, there are certain stages every child must go through in order to ensure successful development. Whether you’re raising an energetic child or a placid one, certain challenging behaviours (the sort that give parents headaches) are common at one point or another. The way you respond to these behaviours plays a major role in how they impact upon family life. When it comes down to it, the task of being a parent parallels children’s growth and development. Just as children grow and change as they develop, parents grow and change as they move from one stage of parenthood to the next. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say. Read on to learn more about three common parental headaches that occur at three very different stages in a child’s development – and how best to deal with them. SLEEPLESS BABES In the early years, some of the most common family stressors centre around sleep – parents want more of it, their adorable offspring resist it. After just a few weeks of snatching micro-naps in between feeds and nappies, parents of new-borns can find themselves completely exhausted, running on adrenaline and at the end of their tethers. Although it can feel almost impossible to be apart from your baby in those intense first few months, it’s crucial that new parents take the time to rest – as the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Hand your bub over to your partner, helper, or friend while you take the opportunity to have a long shower undisturbed, and grab some shut-eye. The smallest amounts of sleep can do wonders for your mood, help you to feel less overwhelmed and give you the energy you need to get on with your day. Sadly, sleep deprivation doesn’t just affect parents of babies. Toddler and pre-schooler sleep habits are often the hardest to alter, with any attempt at change resulting in spirited protests. The average two-year-old requires between 11 and 12 hours of sleep per night, plus a 90-minute to two-hour daytime nap, and some kids may still need a daytime sleep up until the age of four or even older. Common wisdom suggests that sleep begets sleep, and so if your little ones are still bouncing off the walls hours after lights-out, it may be that, rather than not being tired, they are actually overtired. Although it sounds counter intuitive, sleep experts agree that sending young children to bed earlier can actually result in a longer overall sleep time. If sleep issues persist, then it’s always wise to consult a professional for guidance, as sufficient rest is critical for young children’s healthy development and your sanity. CLINGY TOTS The jump from pre-school to primary can often be a turbulent time for families. A new school, taking the bus and meeting new people can feel overwhelming to young children. Even outwardly confident kids can take a while to adjust to the change, and this may manifest in a number of ways. Your child may become reluctant to go to school, star t throwing tantrums, or become quiet and withdrawn. It can help for parents to become involved in school activities; joining the PTA, or supervising outings can be a good way of reassuring kids that you are still close to hand. Praising good behaviour, rather than focusing on less desirable traits will help your child feel secure. Ensuring that he has sufficient after-school downtime will enable him to recharge and process his thoughts and feelings. If your child remains reluctant to attend school after the initial ‘bedding-in’ process, scheduling a meeting with his class teacher can be helpful to rule out any more significant issues, for example bullying. Towards the end of primary school, you are likely to hear plenty of tales of other parents and how much cooler, less strict and all-round better they are than you. While this may sting, it’s best to take these laments with a pinch of salt, as there is a strong chance that their child is at home making the exact same claims about you. Consider allowing a little more freedom within carefully established boundaries – for example, allowing kids to stay up late during a weekend sleepover, if they finish their chores in advance. This can help to reinforce trust and encourage mutual respect. RECKLESS TEENS Teens often get a bad rap for being difficult, however the teenage years can be rewarding – if you choose your battles wisely, and maintain clear lines of communication. Your child is now desperate to be treated as an adult, which can be tough for parents, who remember the tousle-haired toddler days, to accept. This is the age during which kids may begin to experiment with cigarettes, alcohol and/ or drugs, leading to major conflict with their understandably concerned parents. The first step is to be very clear with boundaries and what behaviours are – and are not – acceptable to you. Some parents will not tolerate drinking under any circumstances, while others may allow moderate consumption at home, or under adult supervision. Sit down with your teen and calmly discuss his opinions about what is, and isn’t acceptable when it comes to drink and drug use, and ask him to help you set the house rules. Despite often being perceived as reckless, many teens are surprisingly conservative in their attitudes, and so you may be surprised by their response. Teens are often vulnerable to peer pressure. One strategy to combat this is to give them an ‘out’ – a well-disguised ‘SOS’ that they can drop into a text or phone conversation, resulting in you having to immediately collect them due to a ‘family emergency.’ This enables them to save face amongst their peer group, while giving them the confidence they need to escape situations that might otherwise escalate beyond their comfort zone. An ‘out’ gives teens the privacy that they need, while reassuring them that you’re there and ready to step in if needed. It allows them to develop their social skills, independence and resilience in a safe and supported way.

Jocelyn Tsao , partner, and Philippa Hewitt , professional support lawyer in the divorce and family team at Withers, outline what you need to know Last month, the Hong Kong Government announced that Hong Kong children from as young as three years old could be given the Sinovac vaccine produced in China starting February 15; Germany’s BioNTech vaccine was made available to those aged five to 11 from February 16 as the city deals with the worse wave of the coronavirus. Understandably, parents have mixed views on whether to vaccinate children of such a tender age. This situation could be further complicated by separating or divorced parents who do not share the same view on vaccination. Feelings may run high if one parent is pro-vaccination and the other is not. Where parents are separated or divorced, there will normally be an order for custody, care and control for their children which regulates who has custody of the children and their day-to-day care. Whether parents are granted sole or joint custody orders may impact whether or not they need the other’s consent before a major decision (such as vaccination) can be made, and to what extent. The more common order made by the court is joint custody which recognises that children benefit from the involvement of both parents and that parents should make important decisions on behalf of their children together wherever possible. Parents with joint custody will therefore have to reach a consensus on vaccination before either of them can take their child to be vaccinated. While theoretically, a parent with sole custody is able to make such decisions on his/ her own, he/ she must always consult with the other parent, where possible. Both parents have the right to be consulted in respect of these issues and, should a parent who has been granted sole custody of the children act unilaterally, the parent without custody can make an application to the court to be heard. Sole custody is generally ordered when there has been a breakdown in communication between the parents and it may be the case that certain important custodial decisions are resolved by the court. In practice, if there is a conflict on an issue such as whether to have the child vaccinated, the court has a duty to consider what would be in the best interests of the child. Parents are well advised to seek medical advice on this before commencing a court action. If the parents still cannot agree, it is likely that the family court judge will appoint a single joint expert – an approved doctor – to assess and provide an opinion for the court to consider. The parents can agree on the single joint expert, failing which the court has the power to appoint one. It is clearly important for both parties and the court that the expert is unbiased and independent, rather than being funded by one party or the other. Given that vaccination is a matter of custody requiring the consent of both parents, it will be prudent to enquire what the other parent's attitude is and try to reach a consensus on this issue sooner rather than later, so that when emergencies arise requiring immediate vaccination, the decision to vaccinate can be executed promptly without having to seek the Court's adjudication. It is important to acknowledge that parents should not be tempted to enter into a conflict situation regarding their children on the pretext that they both have their children’s best interests at heart. Parents should acknowledge that they both have a right to be heard on medical decisions, but that conflict should be kept to a minimum. In the absence of agreement, generally, decisions regarding medical treatment should be left to the doctors. Withers has extensive experience in dealing with child custody and Hong Kong family law issues. Contact the writers: Jocelyn Tsao at Jocelyn.Tsao@withersworldwide.com and Philippa Hewitt at Philippa.Hewitt@witherskhattarwong.com . Withers, 30/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, 3711 1600, www.withersworldwide.com .

A personal trainer gives you structure and motivation, and the confidence to reach your goals through a custom-made exercise plan. Fitness and Health Coach Tyler Treece tells Rachel Sadler all about it PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon – www.richardgordon.com.hk PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS ELIMINATE TRIAL AND ERROR as your trainer can demonstrate how to perform the exercises correctly and safely. A personal trainer can make a real difference by instilling accountability; he can ensure you stick to the plan and achieve your goals efficiently. THROUGH A PERSONALISED FITNESS PLAN , a personal trainer can focus specifically on you and even advise you about exercises to avoid if you have previous injuries. You should have a 60-minute trial session with a new trainer to find out if you have good chemistry –a reciprocal relationship with your trainer is essential to achieving your fitness goals. BY SETTING A SERIES OF PHYSICAL CHALLENGES , your personal trainer can work out how hard to push you. From there, he guides you to work on strength, flexibility, balance and coordination through a series of exercises, starting at a level that suits you; the exercises will get progressively more difficult as you progress. GOALS SHOULD BE SMALL AND ATTAINABLE so as to keep morale and motivation levels high. It’s best to train three times per week with your personal trainer over a five-week programme – this is how long it takes to start seeing real results. Aim to exercise for 30 minutes per day in between personal training sessions. PERSONAL TRAINERS FIND THE EXERCISES BEST SUITED TO YOU . For instance, for trail runners concerned with speed, TRX is a perfect tool since it strengthens hamstrings and glutes. Pilates and yoga should be incorporated into all fitness regimes since they focus on posture, while engaging the core and strengthening muscles. WORKOUTS ALWAYS BEGIN WITH DYNAMIC STRETCHING (leg swings and dynamic walks) to increase circulation and lengthen muscles. Upper body and cardio exercises come next, followed by circuit training (it’s important to get the heart rate going for several minutes). What happens from there depends on your fitness level. DAILY AEROBIC EXERCISE , like running, biking and jumping rope, helps you lose fat and build stamina by maintaining a higher heart rate for a set period of time (10 to 30 minutes). Anaerobic exercises, like jumps and burpees, build muscle through explosive movement. YOU CAN TRAIN IN PAIRS, GROUPS, OR SOLO . Personal training with friends or family members can improve confidence and motivation – it can help you show up to class, which is half the battle. Group sessions like bootcamp are ideal for shedding weight, and TRX classes are great for toning and shaping muscles. A NUTRITION PLAN AND FITNESS PLAN COMBINED will get you faster results, while increasing your energy levels. Focusing on specific goals like shape and toning, as opposed to losing weight, is a healthy approach to fitness and wellbeing. Tyler Treece founder of Treece Fitness has been a Fitness and Health Coach for over 15 years. He offers personalised training sessions, bootcamp, sport performance camps and TRX classes six days a week for all ages and abilities in DB. To book a session, WhatsApp 9400 4237, email tyler@treecefitness.com , or visit www.treecefitness.com .

Until we can go to the world, DB-based charity One World Spirit is bringing the world to us – and with it some tolerance and communication. Elizabeth Kerr sits down with the founder Shirlee L. Dickert and event organiser Hans Dickert to find out more PHOTOS BY www.evoqueportraits.com , www.richardgordonphotography.com & courtesy of Shirlee L. Dickert In two short years, One World Spirit Association (OWS) has made a big impression on DBers. Fully living up to its name, the non-profit, volunteer-run charity has set out to promote cultural diversity and exchange, tolerance, and harmony, while raising awareness for local charities focused on children, such as Po Leung Kuk, the city’s oldest, and Living Hope Ministry. Working alongside an enthusiastic and growing group of volunteers, OWS’ founder Shirlee L. Dickert and event organiser Hans Dickert have focused on providing a vibrant series of multicultural events designed to appeal directly to residents. The offering has included Xmas visits from Saint Nicholas, numerous bazaars, a Hanfu parade in Western District, even a small-scale Oktoberfest, and you can bet your bottom dollar there is more to come. LIVING WITHOUT BORDERS When we finally get to meet, the Dickerts are sitting in a DB coffee shop just after the Lunar New Year. Shirlee’s dressed in traditional hanfu for the lunch she’s heading to shortly. Husband Hans is parked at the next table, tapping away on his phone, and scanning papers, catching up on some of his work with a German industrial tech firm. Aside from the paperwork, the couple looks relaxed, almost in holiday mode, which belies a packed calendar that includes their work with OWS. OWS’ aim to promote multiculturalism within DB, while helping underprivileged children across Hong Kong is clear but interestingly enough none of this was in the original mission statement. OWS (find them at www.1worldspirit.org ) was incorporated in 2011 so Shirlee could run a business teaching Salsa dance. Though she has an official career in finance, the Guangzhou native has explored her artier, more socially minded side whenever possible since relocating to Hong Kong aged 10 with her soprano mother and bassoon musician father. Shirlee was teaching dance when she and Hans first moved to DB from Hong Kong Island 12 years ago.“We moved here because the environment is good and it’s very international,” she says, citing a stat claiming 48 countries are represented in DB. “I actually fell in love with the community when I was a student and working for the census.” She is also holding onto some words of wisdom imparted by a 75-year-old Salsa dancer she met in Hamburg years before. “She said‘dancing has no nationality, no boundaries and no age,’and I’ve carried that attitude with me ever since.” Shirlee changed course and registered OWS as a charity in 2020 when COVID descended on the world,sent everyone into a funk and grounded normally adventurous Hongkongers. “We got to talking with friends who couldn’t go home for Christmas, and I decided to create something that would inject some positivity into the atmosphere,” she recalls. “It seemed like a seasonal, cultural event would distract people and deliver a meaningful message to them too. This is how we started. GOODWILL TO ALL MEN So, in December 2020, Shirlee tapped her husband’s German heritage and formalised a programme the pair had started years before as a favour for DB friends with kids – making home visits dressed as Saint Nicholas. Their version wasn’t the jolly Coca-Cola shilling version most of us are accustomed to. After getting an idea of how many kids are in the home, ages, genders and names, Hans would show up dressed up like Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas – which he had done previously back home in Germany – with small gifts and sweets, sharing the historic folklore that gave birth to the myth of the man in red. The response was strong from the get-go: The 2020 visits were mostly online, but for 2021, in person visits were back – and the Dickerts needed three Saint Nicks to visit 27 DB families and 42 kids. “No one can travel, and Europeans, especially the Dutch, really enjoy Sinterklaas activities,” Hans chimes in. He even offered to come with Saint Nick’s trusty – and slightly creepy – aide Krampus. “You need to be careful with him. But he can just stand in the corner, and if the kids start crying, I send him outside,” he quips. Both hope that the volunteers they have helping on the Christmas visits will keep up the tradition down the road. And yes, if COVID vanished tomorrow, they’d do the personalised Saint Nick visits next year too. “It’s not a commercial event but we’re open to doing it for more families, and maybe even in more districts,” adds Shirlee. The Saint Nicholas visits are a prime example of what Shirlee hopes to accomplish with OWS, and it’s something she thinks the world needs more of right now. For her it’s a fulfilling second career. “I enjoy it. I’m less worried about earning, and at this stage of my life I’d like to do something that I think the community needs,” she states. “We want to support underprivileged children in Hong Kong too, and I hope families in DB are willing to donate a bit to help others. This is how we connect with the other districts in Hong Kong.” WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW OWS’ 2021 Christmas Bazaar at Lantau Boat Club (LBC), co-organised by LBC and Living Hope Ministry, conformed equally well to Shirlee’s agenda. In addition to the community-led Xmas stalls, mulled wine and barbecue snacks were on offer for token prices. Again, proceeds from the event went to support Po Leung Kuk. OWS’ plans for January this year were even bigger – a CNY Fun Fair and Market, packed with festive food and flowers, and introducing residents to Fai Chun calligraphy, traditional tea art and Hanfu clothing. The event was scuttled by the rapid emergence of Omicron but ever-positive, Shirlee sees this as a temporary setback – and an opportunity to plan for OWS’ future. Shirlee knows everyone loves food: “We want to do more cookery workshops and get more people, from more parts of the world involved. All cuisine has a story. Now’s not the right time but we’re definitely doing a food-based event,” she says. A series of workshops are being planned – including one on Zen culture (with tea art and calligraphy) to help residents de-stress. “Right now, we’re also organising an online event to cheer everyone up,” says Shirlee. “We want residents of different nationalities to join our video shooting programme, sharing video clips of themselves in traditional dress.” Of course, many of OWS’s goals depend on overcoming challenges in space, money and manpower. The clutch of volunteers OWS has collaborating with it are tireless and dedicated, but more is always merrier. The few venues the organisation has needed in the past 24 months have been lucky finds, like the LBC providing its space for the Christmas Bazaar, a DB village playground for the Oktoberfest and a private garden outside official DB boundaries for the cancelled CNY fair. “This is for the community by the community. We don’t have any big sponsors, so we need all the help we can get. We want to do more, so if anyone appreciates what we’re doing now we would be happy to take venues,” Shirlee finishes. “It would be great if HKR could provide us with a small space where we could organise workshops… We’re planning for the long term.” OWS’ VOLUNTEERS Events: Danny Sullivan, May Wai Sze Chan, Peter Chan, Sergius Trautner, Charles Liu, Leung Cheuk, Professor Stephan Sze Man Hung and Agnes Tse and Olli Tuominen Pekka (co-founders of Living Hope Ministry). School support: Po Leung Kuk teacher Leon Tin and the students at Po Leung Kuk Tong Nai Kan Junior Secondary school and Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K.T. Chong Sixth Form College. Admin: Cynthia Chu, Kitty Tam, Rosanna Yip, Thomas Ng, Vincent Cheung, Wango Man and William Cheung. To get involved, WhatsApp 6219 3817.