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Ubiquitous throughout mainland China and Hong Kong, mahjong is a much-loved pastime for the young and the old. While walking through the streets of any Chinese city, town or village, the distinct rattling of mah-jong tiles will almost certainly be the unceasing soundtrack. Commonly requiring four players, mah-jong, as any true enthusiast will tell you, is a game of skill, strategy and luck.



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The game typically played at such high-profile celebrations as Lunar New Year, has long been associated with the close ties between families and friends. Indeed, it is not unusual for those hosting weddings or birthday banquets to be presented with mahjong tables and sets by the management of their chosen venues.



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Also Read: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://igafencu.com/articles/mahjong-mania" target="_blank">Mahjong Mania: How Mahjong Conquered Hong Kong and Then the World</a>


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Looking specifically at the game itself, there are 144 tiles in each mah-jong set, typically adorned with Chinese characters, dots, flowers or bamboo sticks. Before starting, players shuffle the tiles face down while seated around a square table. Each player then sets up a set of tiles, much like a hand of cards and, after that, until one forms a winning combination, players alternate between drawing and discarding tiles.



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While, traditionally, mah-jong tiles were handmade, inferior, relatively inexpensive, machine-made versions are gradually becoming the norm. For those who had once painstakingly handcrafted the titles, their livelihoods are now being whittled away. Indeed, the art of hand-carving mah-jong tiles is now reserved for a small – and continually dwindling – number of ardent traditionalists.


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Biu Kee Mah-Jong One of Hong Kong’s few remaining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BiuKeeMahjong/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mah-jong tile carvers and engravers</a> operates from a stall by the neon-lit night markets situated between Jordan and Yau Ma Tei. Here, this venerable craftsman, Cheung Shun-king, etches Chinese characters onto a piece of acrylic, then flips the tile with one hand while holding a knife in the other in order to chop into it.



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In an age where low-cost mass production is the norm, this is a disappearing craft. In fact, there may only be three or four carvers remaining in Hong Kong, according to the 70- year-old craftsman. By looking to pass on his skills to the next generation &#8211; within a 100- square-foot area under the stairs of an old-style shop-house – he is trying, perhaps in vain, to rekindle interest in the old way of doing things.


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Expanding on the skills required, he says: “With hand-carved mah-jong tiles, when you look closely, you can see that each of them is different. This is because I carve them one after another, completing them one by one instead of using a mould.”



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Since Cheung typically only carves at night, when he is not attending to customers or running errands, it takes him close to a week to complete one set. As part of the process, he carves the tiles, cleans them, and then paints them green, blue, and red. The final step is removing any excess dry paint. By comparison, a machine can churn out an identical, cookie-cutter set in less than an hour. According to the master, a full set of hand-carved tiles costs HK$5,500 (US$700), whereas their machine-produced counterparts sell for just HK$2,000.



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Many of his clients purchase sets from him as mementoes and frequently ask for photos of him at work. Cheung, however, believes that this sudden uptick in interest may be but transitory, asserting that a recent wave of nostalgia accounts for much of the attention he is receiving.


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Within his workshops, as a way of introducing his students to the technique of engraving the tiles, he is at pains to show them the right way to sit and the optimum way of handling a carving knife. Always ensuring he takes the time to instruct each person individually, he is unceasing in his commitment to passing on the skills required to render something quite so singularly beautiful with just a few artful strokes.



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While he believes few will actually end up as expert carvers, he goes out of his way to ensure every participant goes home with a set they can be proud of.



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Location: 26F Jordan Road, Jordan, Kowloon


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Kam Fat Mahjong One of the mah-jong tile carvers that suddenly found herself thrust into the limelight when the Hong Kong government designated the hand-carving of mah-jong tiles as part of the city’s intangible cultural heritage back in 2014 was Madam Ho Saumei. Today, she runs her family’s Kam Fat Mah-jong company out of a tiny store in Hung Hom.



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Her father founded the Kam Fat Mahjong Shop in 1962, with the business functioning both as the site of his labour-intensive activity and as his family of six’s home. Now, Madam Mei honours her father by continuing with the family trade, apparently never tiring of utilising her skills to the full as she engraves Chinese characters and alters and paints patterns. She maintains that she values every piece she fashions, tirelessly working to ensure the individuality of each mah-jong tile, items she sees as making wonderful gifts for many of her customers’ nearest and dearest.



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Location: 2A-4 Bulkeley St, Hung Hom


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While technology has inevitably eroded – and, in some cases, almost eradicated &#8211; the elegant, handcrafting skills that so ably fashioned the most memorable mah-jong sets of yesteryear, thankfully there are still a few master craftspeople doing their very best to preserve the classic time-honoured techniques. Next time you are considering a heart-felt, hand-fashioned gift for someone you truly appreciate, perhaps this is one way you can do your bit to support them.



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Also Read: <a href="https://igafencu.com/articles/collectible-luxury-mahjong-set" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Collectible mahjong sets</a>

Time and Tile: Mass manufacturing has not quite yet entirely replaced hand-made mah-jong sets

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70747 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/grooming-a-little-dog-2021-08-27-23-46-34-utc-e1680857306653.jpg" alt="pet grooming" width="768" height="513">
Hong Kongers are no slouches when it comes to dressing up their pets and giving them all the pampering they deserve, so it is not surprising that the city boasts a burgeoning number of bespoke pet-grooming establishments. The handful we profile here stand out because of the professionalism of their staff and the quality of their services.&nbsp;
Groomers are skilled at creating a stress-free environment for their four-legged clients by handling each animal with love and care. That way, pet parents can rest easy, without having to worry if their fur babies are in good hands – thus ensuring that a visit to the pet beauty salon is a pleasant experience for all.
On top of the expected wash, cut and style, pet grooming establishments also offer well-deserved spa treatments and other makeovers to glam up the coveted furry animals of owners wishing them to be noticed on their next day out together. They will stock a voguish collection of pet accessories and toys as well, so following a rigorous fur-care regime that will add an extra tinge of adorableness to your beloved pet, you can also pick a piece of jewellery to enhance their – and your – stylish appeal. It would certainly be a fashion walk on the way home.
As much as a dynamic wash and scrub followed by a haircut and nail clipping can make an animal more presentable, pet grooming is also essential for maintaining cleanliness at home.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70745 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dog-care-grooming-of-dogs-in-the-salon-2022-09-27-03-45-43-utc-e1680857638843.jpg" alt="pet grooming" width="768" height="512">
Pet’s Lagoon
This grooming establishment in Mid-Levels is a pets’ favourite – according to owners who have commented that their dogs and cats found the services to be both comfortable and enjoyable.
In turn, pawrents have become regulars at Pet’s Lagoon, revisiting whenever it is time for their children to get a trim. They praise not only the services but the staff who are seen as amicable while also being professional. Each animal receives great care and the benefits of high-quality products. Even pets that have recently undergone surgery are reported to have experienced no discomforting moments during a grooming session here.
Pet’s Lagoon is open seven days a week, from 10 am to 8 pm, except on Mondays when they open at noon. More details are <a href="https://petslagoon.business.site/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70748 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hands-of-female-groomer-drying-cocker-spaniel-in-b-2022-03-04-01-53-48-utc-e1680857690869.jpg" alt="pet grooming" width="768" height="516">
Dogger
Don’t let the very obvious name that suggests a place exclusively devoted to dogs fool you, because, in addition to providing makeovers for canines, Dogger also caters to cats.
The pet beauty salon in Kennedy Town is in high demand among pet parents so it can be rather difficult to get an appointment. But rather than look elsewhere, owners will persist as they are confident in the quality of service their pets will receive. Well-trained staff are skilled in the art of washing and trimming furry friends, delivering a haircut that will make them the pride of the dog park. All pet carers here treat animals with genuine affection and gentleness, as if they were their own. In addition to grooming, Dogger offers a raft of other services such as dog training, pet immigration and daycare. It opens daily from 10 am to 8 pm. More details are <a href="https://www.dogger.hk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70742 size-full" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cat-grooming-in-pet-beauty-salon-grooming-master-2022-02-17-20-05-46-utc-e1680857726583.jpg" alt="pet grooming" width="768" height="512">
Paw Palace
It is not an exaggeration to call this place a palace because it treats pets like princes and princesses. The Causeway Bay-situated grooming spot elevates the typical wash, dry and trim grooming process into a more spa-oriented and boujee experience.
Beauty treatments such as Nanobubble Ozone Shampoo &amp; Cut Course, Total Skin Care Hydrotherapy, Milk &amp; Honey Hydrating Scrub, Deluxe Facial Care, and Ceramide Skin Barrier Hydrotherapy make all pawed beings feel truly pampered.
Paw Palace’s attention to hygiene is noteworthy, as is the staff’s ability to make the pets feel calm while effortlessly turning them out like they can win a beauty pageant. For a pet who enjoys the lap of luxury, this establishment is second to none. It opens from 10 am to 9 pm daily except Wednesday. More details are <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PawPalaceHongKong" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;
(Text: Renuka Kennedy)
(Read the full article in the April 2023 issue (pg: 54). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.)

Pet Stops: Grooming salons for furred creatures accustomed to a lap of luxury

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70004 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/making-shoes-2021-09-01-23-03-31-utc_rgb-e1676954863295.jpg" alt="repairing luxury goods" width="768" height="503" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/making-shoes-2021-09-01-23-03-31-utc_rgb-e1676954863295.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/making-shoes-2021-09-01-23-03-31-utc_rgb-e1676954863295-450x295.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/making-shoes-2021-09-01-23-03-31-utc_rgb-e1676954863295-600x393.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
This is in line with a general shift towards sustainability and mindful shopping, philosophies that maintain you should look after your purchases, making sure they fit well and are well maintained – especially when it comes to luxury items such as designer bags, shoes and accessories. Indeed, many of these items, have become an investment of sorts through the years with many consumers coming to appreciate the true value of these items – notwithstanding their value appreciating the older they get.
So it should come as no surprise to discover that bespoke repair shops catering to such luxury materials as leather, tweed and fur have proliferated throughout the city, including the three outlets investigated in this article. It’s not only about the quality of material and the time spent on creating the product that warrants a luxury price tag, it is also the assurance that such articles will withstand the usual wear and tear, as many believe that more expensive clothes are more cost-effective when taking into account the notion of “cost-per-wear”.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/personalised-custom-made-home-wardrobe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Personalised Touch: Bespoke services for your wardrobe</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70005 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20210531_1656470800-uid-9373FAB9-8B4D-4B11-8341-FF_rgb-e1676954920106.jpg" alt="repairing luxury goods" width="500" height="667" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20210531_1656470800-uid-9373FAB9-8B4D-4B11-8341-FF_rgb-e1676954920106.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20210531_1656470800-uid-9373FAB9-8B4D-4B11-8341-FF_rgb-e1676954920106-450x600.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />
Stylistic Handbag Company
Hong Kong’s very own Stylistic Handbag Company prides itself on repairing luxury goods you already own. With their expertise in handling delicate materials, such as leather, you may prolong the life of any favourite items, with the North Point-based experts showering your handbags with the tender loving care they deserve.&nbsp;
Their success story can be traced back to the year 1975 when they opened as a handbag. manufacturing company. Then, in the 80s and 90s, a time considered the leather goods manufacturing golden era, they seized the opportunity to refocus their business somewhat.
A successful business for more than 40 years now, this family-run repair shop promises&nbsp;to continue to provide bespoke services as it transitions to a new generation while maintaining the same skill set and quality of service. 
<a href="http://stylistichandbag.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stylistichandbag.com</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70006 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187461673_2280079222123858_2379255402721084799_n_rgb-e1676954974331.jpg" alt="repairing luxury goods" width="768" height="472" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187461673_2280079222123858_2379255402721084799_n_rgb-e1676954974331.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187461673_2280079222123858_2379255402721084799_n_rgb-e1676954974331-450x277.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187461673_2280079222123858_2379255402721084799_n_rgb-e1676954974331-600x369.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
Jeeves Hong Kong
The growing repair movement not only meets the growing interest in being more sustainable but also enables people to extend the lifespan of their favourite things. Thanks to Jeeves’ Hong Kong branch, it’s now easier for locals with a fondness for luxury items to designate Jeeves as their go-to repair shop. In line with this, the repairers believe that the upkeep of the clothing you already own is essential for maintaining a sustainable wardrobe.
The Jeeves philosophy is to extend the life cycle of clothing and luxury leather items, while part of their sustainability efforts is to use biodegradable packaging and recycled hangers while minimising the use of energy and consumables. 
<a href="https://jeeves.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jeeves.com</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70007 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187563039_2280079218790525_4284000830995030076_n_rgb-e1676955026294.jpg" alt="repairing luxury goods" width="768" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187563039_2280079218790525_4284000830995030076_n_rgb-e1676955026294.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187563039_2280079218790525_4284000830995030076_n_rgb-e1676955026294-450x273.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/187563039_2280079218790525_4284000830995030076_n_rgb-e1676955026294-600x364.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
The Groom
The Groom was the first in the city to introduce an automated shoe repair service back in 1975. Over the past 48 years, they have repaired more than one hundred thousand luxury shoes and handbags, including items produced by such well-known brands as Hermes, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Roger Vivier, Rupert Sanderson and Salvatore Ferragamo.&nbsp;
Dedicated to providing the highest quality traditional craftsmanship and material to its customers, materials such as outsoles and heels, as well as leather care and foot care products, are all imported from Europe. Their mission is to cater to their experienced and talented Repair Service Operators (RSOs) that specialise in repairing luxury goods such as prestige brands of shoes, handbags and other leather products. 
<a href="https://thegroomshoesrepair.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thegroomshoesrepair.com</a>
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-70008 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3_rgb-e1676955066673.jpg" alt="repairing luxury goods" width="768" height="499" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3_rgb-e1676955066673.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3_rgb-e1676955066673-450x292.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3_rgb-e1676955066673-600x390.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
In hindsight, we should see aftercare as part of the whole product-buying experience. The items we already have are our most loved ones. Whether they hold a financial, functional or emotional value, we are all invested in everything we purchase, especially those items that are particularly expensive. Thankfully, there is now a whole array of local businesses whose ultimate goal is to have customers fall in love with their favourites all over again.
(Text: Joseff Musa)
Read the full version of the article in the February 2023 issue (pg: 44). Available on the Gafencu app on <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gafencu.android&amp;hl=en&amp;gl=US">Android</a> and <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gafencu/id541555130">Apple</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mendfulness – How Repairing Luxury Goods Can Be Better Than Buying New Ones

An essential part of the art of looking good is feeling good. In fact, if you don’t factor each of the elements in, you’re always going to score poorly by both metrics. It’s also true that you won’t feel good if you’re poorly groomed. While you can decant yourself into the snazziest of duds, if your skin is pallid and blotchy, your signature scent is distinctly Body O’Dour and, most especially, if your follicles are less artfully arranged than a blind man’s stamp album, you’re not going to be the belle of any ball.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69401" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC0691f-1.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="512">
While this particular requirement has long been something of a fetish among welloff, well-groomed women everywhere, the comparatively more uncoutured chaps have taken rather more convincing that floppy freerange fringes and conspicuously unmanaged manes really are now far from de rigueur. Latterly, however, more modish-minded men have taken on board the notion that they need to be a little more tonsorially on-trend if they are to truly shine in the chicest circles.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69422" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/male-barber-cutting-hair-of-customer-in-barber-sho-2022-12-16-17-03-40-utc.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="513">
Thankfully, this belated barbering bloom has given rise to an ever-growing selection of superbly skilled stylists throughout Central Hong Kong, all of them committed to delivering quality coiffuring to the unsuitably hirsute. This, though, consists of far more than the standard issue short-back-and-sides of yesteryear. Instead, pate-conscious patrons can expect expert advice on exfoliation, masterful manipulation of moustache and beard architecture and tailored trims designed to bring out the very best in their luxuriant 
locks or receding ringlets.
For those keen on a little stylish hair repair, here are five of the finest ‘trim some’ outlets Hong Kong has to offer.
The Handsome Factory
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69400" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DS_6305-haircut.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="537"> 
Recently named the best barbershop in the world by at least one publication, The Handsome Factory Barber Shop opened its doors in 2015, as its founders recognised the need for an authentic classic barbershop in downtown Hong Kong. From having just one barber back then, it now has a team of 25 and operates from six sites across Hong Kong – one each in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and the IFC and two in Central. It is now, committed to continuing to expand its retinue of renowned razor-wielders, all of whom have to be cutting-edge clipper craftsmen (or women). As a testimony to its high-quality service, its famous clientele is said to currently include such well-groomed gents as professional boxer Jan Lamb, actor Philip Keung and athlete David Benjamin James. 
<a href="https://www.handsomefactory.com/">handsomefactory.com</a>
The Mandarin Barber
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69412" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM.png" alt="" width="768" height="437" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM.png 1720w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-450x256.png 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-600x341.png 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-492x280.png 492w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-768x437.png 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-1024x582.png 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-120x68.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-500x284.png 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-200x114.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-400x227.png 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-800x455.png 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-11.13.56-AM-1200x682.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> 
Located on the second floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The Mandarin Barber boasts a warm and intimate atmosphere, giving it an overall feel somewhat reminiscent of a private gentleman’s club. Its bespoke grooming services range from traditional shaving, waxing and facials to massages and haircuts.
It also offers a variety of lifestyle treatments for men, including its acclaimed Shanghainese Pedicure, courtesy of inhouse legend Master Ben Cheung. Should you prefer the privacy of a solitary shave and trim, meanwhile, a particularly luxurious VIP room has also been incorporated within the wider space.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69410" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/spa-receiption.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="512">
For those with mini-me’s in tow, particularly recommended is the 30-minute Baby’s First Haircut service, which, as its name more than suggests, gives you the opportunity to enter with your heir apparent and exit with less hair apparent. Available from 9 am to 11 am every Sunday, this reservation-only service is a boon to every parent concerned that their little un’s first haircut should be both a joyous occasion and that their offspring’s curls should be the undoubted highlight of their kindergarten class group photo. 
<a href="http://hongkong.mandarinorientalshop.com">hongkong.mandarinorientalshop.com</a>
The Beau Barbershop
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69411" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web.jpg 2560w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Roy-demo-3_web-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> 
Aiming to combine the finest English barbershop traditions with South Korea’s famous attention to detail, the Central-set Beau Barbershop prides itself on offering precision pampering services in a refined and exclusive city-of-London-meets-cityof- Seoul gentleman’s club vibe. The master barbers behind this bijou-barnet boutique are unashamed about their aspirations to create a uniquely relaxing environment that is a true respite and an undeniable refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city beyond its doors.
Endearingly, its team of highly-experienced barbers is on an avowed mission help to help all of their clients relax and make the best use&nbsp;of the extensive range of grooming services on offer, including haircuts, wet shaves and facial massages. These are all accompanied by a glass of Gin and Tonic or any other beverage – alcoholic or non – of their choice while enjoying their bespoke portfolio of services. Aside from this, the barbershop has also longstanding partnership with Bertie Cigars – one of Hong Kong’s leading suppliers of sumptuous ‘smokes’ – giving aptlyminded customers the facility to indulge in a delightful Habanos cigar or two before or after their appointments. Maybe during.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-69420" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/210329-thebeau10138-scaled-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
Providing a cosy grooming space for its discerning clients, the Beau team specialises in a diligent and unhurried style of barbering, one that puts considerable emphasise on lengthy pre-cut consultation, a consideration that is all too frequently overlooked in contemporary grooming circles. 
<a href="http://thebeaubarbershop.com">thebeaubarbershop.com</a>
South Coast Barber
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A more recent addition to the high-end Hong Kong chap’s hair-cutting community, South Coast Barber is not the easiest establishment to find. Tucked away in a bijou nook just off Gage Street, somewhere between Sheung Wan and Central, its relative newness is reflected both in its slightly more down-toearth pricing structure and ready availability of appointments.
Eschewing the more formal and clubby overtones of some of its competitors, this soon-to-be-famous salon is notable for its younger, more fun vibe, attributes clearly evident among its relatively fresh-faced, but recognisably experienced, team of high-end hair cutters. While many come for a cut or a wet/ dry shave, others just seem to come and hang out, enjoying the clearly cool and laidback vibe of this aspirant gentlemen’s bespoke barbering emporium. 
<a href="https://www.southcoastbarber.com/">southcoastbarber.com</a>
&nbsp;
On normal days, these barbershops are open from 9 am to 9 pm. Each client is alloted an hour or two for barbering, and if they are feeling s little bit extra, an hour for a Mani and Pedi. They provide an experience where they can come in and just relax.
&nbsp;
(Text: Joseff Musa)

Trim Some – Top 4 High-end Hong Kong Chaps’ Haircutters

While Christmas might seem like the most abiding of holidays, with its traditions so time honoured as to be almost unassailable, the festival has, incrementally, changed over recent years. And in many subtle and not-so-subtle ways.&nbsp;The dawn of online communications has not been great news for disparate families, with brief avatar-ed appearances trumping jet lag, airline cuisine and compulsory Covid testing.
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But all is not lost. There is still hope that tradition is returning to at least one aspect of all-things Christmas – gift-giving. While, not so long ago, Amazon and Esty had stealthily become the go-to providers of presents for loved ones both near and far, there’s been a distinct shift of late. Suddenly, it’s once again de rigueur to buy your presents and Christmas trinkets locally and in person. Thankfully, for those in Hong Kong, this is one challenge many of the local shops and assorted other outlets are more than up to meeting.
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Flower Power 
The Anglo-Chinese Florist started as a small flower boutique in 1946 at a location that couldn’t appear more apt &#8211; Lyndhurst Terrance in Central, a thoroughfare better known to many as “Flower Street”. Inevitably, as you near this ever-popular outlet, the fresh aroma of Christmas pine will help you find your way. It offers a huge selection of high-quality Christmas trees, as well as a fine array of wreaths and lights, with prices varying between HK$900-3,600.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68987" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="667" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6.jpeg 1200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-450x600.jpeg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-210x280.jpeg 210w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-120x160.jpeg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-500x667.jpeg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-200x267.jpeg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-400x533.jpeg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Anglo-Chinese-Florist.6-800x1067.jpeg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />
Today, as part of its commitment to quality, the florist prides itself on importing only the freshest trees, plants and flowers from Holland, South Africa and New Zealand. In terms of its special Christmas offering, its services range from creating small, bespoke multi-candle centrepieces to decorating 10-feet-tall Christmas trees from scratch.
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Festive Eats 
Something special for the festive season is also promised by the Hong Kong-based food and beverage firm, The Pirata Group. As to just what makes its festive offer stand out from rivals, is its no reservations policy, meaning you’re always in with more than a chance of finding a table at one of its three outlets &#8211; Pici, The Pizza Project or Pane e Latte.
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These three restaurants are big on holiday cheer and specialise in curated festive goodies that infuse the brand’s expertly prepared dishes and Italian treats with timeless holiday flavours. Make it a December to remember with one of their special festive goodies, with the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Pizza, a particular favourite.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68982" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389.jpg 2188w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-500x334.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/file78fx57c7rj7n9hmp47x-1576589389-1200x801.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
Bread Ringers 
Ali Oli is Hong Kong’s oldest European bakery, and with Christmas fast approaching, its festive menu includes turkeys sourced from Italy and Canada for those wanting to step away from cooking and just relax during the holiday. It also provides such Christmas classics as mince pies, stollen, pecan pie and pumpkin pie.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68992" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="513" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-450x301.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-600x401.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-419x280.jpg 419w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-500x334.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-200x134.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ali-Oli.1-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
The 36-year-old bakery offers some of the highest quality European and Western baked products, which perhaps accounts for its enduring reputation for maintaining a hugely extensive and innovative product list.
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Cake-out Artist 
The perennially pastel-shaded pop-up store of the celebrity-beloved Vive Cake Boutique is opting to showcase its signature black sesame temptation and its complete collection of edible art, to a new range of wholly imaginative festive offerings.
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The patisserie’s newest creation, the four-tier Prince Sesame Cake, is a must for lovers of nutty and slightly bitter-sweet sensations. Since 2014, the bakery has been known as the crème de la crème among Hong Kong’s bespoke dessert-makers and, as result, has accrued an enviable celebrity client list.<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68995" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="615" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2.jpg 1932w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-450x360.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-600x480.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-350x280.jpg 350w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-768x615.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-120x96.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-500x400.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-177x142.jpg 177w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-200x160.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-400x320.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-800x640.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/75f152_6255f66e37344e328459cc3dc0827361_mv2-1200x960.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
Claus Encounters 
For four days only, The Murray Christmas Market is morphing into pretty much the perfect destination for any last-minute Christmas shopping. This will see the five star hotel transform into a marketplace full of all things Christmassy, with a vast array of festive lifestyle products, including food and wine, jewellery, clothing and more.&nbsp;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68996" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2.jpg 1908w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-500x334.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-400x267.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Murray.2-1200x801.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" />
As if that wasn’t enough, the celebrity mystery guest Santa will be travelling from The North Pole to Hong Kong for photo opportunities and Claus encounters with young revellers, to complete this wonderful and festive experience.
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(Text: Joseff Musa)

Local shops bringing festival and merry cheer to the city

Aromas have an unusually powerful role when it comes to unlocking our memories. As a result, it is more than possible to deliberately deploy them as a means of commemorating particularly significant life events and underlining their importance. Just ask anyone who has bought and worn a unique, personally selected scent at a specific point in their life and they will inevitably assure you that such a favoured fragrance always comes with a distinct whiff of nostalgia.
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A Scent, indeed, has the power to transport us and recapture the emotional significance of time gone by. For particularly momentous occasions, it is often important to opt for a scent with direct emotional appeal, a scent that forever afterward can transport you back to that special day, allowing you to relive that&nbsp;formative experience many times over the course of a lifetime.
In the case of Hong Kong’s most evocative perfume brands, they have a long and noble heritage, while the artistry behind their formulation has never stopped evolving. From choosing just the right scent profile for a special event to committing to a signature everyday fragrance, there are, however, a number of guiding principles it more than pays to be aware of.
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Exquisite options 
Overall, it’s best not to be too preoccupied with passing fads or limited seasonality when selecting a scent. Instead, it’s always best to opt for something that truly reflects just who you are. This could be something you already see as your signature, a wholly new scent or indeed, a combination of the two when in doubt.
In the latter instance, the beauty of layering aromas is that it tailors a signature scent, inevitably adding a twist of something new. John Paulo, the founder of Artisenses, has long been a master of this particular process. When it opened its doors in 2014, his company was Asia’s first professional provider of customised, innovative scent solutions.
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His team prides itself on delivering memorable guest experiences, frequently creating bespoke luxury scents for events such as weddings, where the bride and groom, as well as the guests, all get to create their own fragrances. The company’s Scent Bar is geared to letting clients create scents specific to any event’s theme, while also facilitating any required collaboration with many well-known perfume brands.
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Rebel smell 
Evoking a designated mood is, of course, always something of a priority. From its name and apparent positioning alone, is clear that, in this regard, Esscentric – Perfume for Rebels, courtesy of Jodie Chan, is very much targeting a somewhat bolder client base. Generally, people use perfumes to silently announce their personalities, with stronger scents betokening certain maturity and sensuality, making them ideal for celebrations of a more romantic one. This is very much the case with Chan’s perfume line, which is specifically dedicated to people who work hard all day and play hard all night.
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Expanding on her perfume-for-partygoers- approach, Chan says: “Esscentric’s perfume oils will keep you fresh, alert and irresistible. They are intimate and subtle. You can stay balanced when everyone in the world is going crazy.
“Basically, I make perfume for rebels, those who won’t stand for the synthetic products available on the general market, those who want something different and original and who embrace their age, while seldom revealing the exact number.”
Packaged in a customised leather holster with a detachable chain, these perfumes double as fashion statements. In order that they can be always to hand, they can be chained to belt loops or even worn around the neck.
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The right mix 
Of course, in particular, everyone desires a product that works with their unique body chemistry, something that never smells the same on two different people (largely because the pH level of each individual’s skin has an impact on how a perfume will be experienced). This is why the best body areas to spray fragrances on are pulse points, such as the neck or wrist, both of which tend to give off considerable heat. There is also a reason why certain perfumes are formulated specifically for men or women &#8211; the different chromosomes of the two sexes.
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Weather is also something to consider, especially in Hong Kong where the humidity can be almost as high as 100%. In such an instance a good bet would be Parisine, a unisex fragrance collection suitable for a variety of wardrobe options, which integrates the aromas of several century-old classic French perfume houses, including such legendary and iconic brands as Nogara and D’ORSAY. At its scent bar, perfumiers are typically on hand to help craft a custom fragrance for daily use and special occasions. Taking into account an individual’s personal style, they aim to recommend the optimal scent, complete with a range of base and boost notes.
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Before wearing any new scent to a high profile occasion, try it out for a few days to ensure you have a good connection with it. This gives you the chance to reassess your impression of the fragrance for its longevity.
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It’s also crucial that any smell you’re wearing makes you feel confident and at ease. While many tend to gauge a new fragrance through the reactions of others, this, however, may not be the most reliable of indicators, given the likelihood that most commentators will favour politeness over the possibility of giving offence. Ultimately, you have to stay true to yourself and rely on your common sense when it comes to personal scents.
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Text: Joseff Musa

Bespoke Perfumes to make your day scentsantional

The classic opulent statement lighting for any space, the most elegant of embellishments for the ceiling, and certainly the focal point of any room they are in, chandeliers are synonymous with luxury décor. Once seen only in grand palaces, mansions, manor houses and ballrooms, this shimmering symbol of grandeur and status has successfully made its way into modern interiors. 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68091 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zod-e1665451901825.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zod-e1665451901825.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zod-e1665451901825-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zod-e1665451901825-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Although conventional chandeliers bring to mind large, heavy installations with multiple intricate shards of glass and crystals cradling light bulbs, there are plenty of lighter options these days, if you’ll pardon the pun. Ornate modern chandeliers do not have to dominate every room they are hung in; they can fit beautifully into the average-sized home and perfectly match the minimalist themes of modern interiors. To everyone’s delight, they are available in a variety of designs, materials, sizes and price ranges.
Indeed, compared to floor lights and wide-based lamps, chandeliers work as space savers – hanging (fairly) discreetly from the ceiling. Nor will they damage your décor with unsightly holes required to mount wall lights. They are also functional as they provide ambient light, so your whole space is evenly lit with greater coverage. 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68232 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Suspended-Glass-Drops-Chandelier-01-e1665452026790.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Suspended-Glass-Drops-Chandelier-01-e1665452026790.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Suspended-Glass-Drops-Chandelier-01-e1665452026790-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Suspended-Glass-Drops-Chandelier-01-e1665452026790-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Chandeliers are surprisingly versatile, too, serving as statement pieces and focal points in living rooms, dining rooms, foyers and even bedrooms. It’s no news that light can have a significant effect on your mood, so choose modestly sized chandeliers that brighten the space and fall in proportion with ceiling height; you don’t want your light to feel too warm or too close. Round, farmhouse, sputnik and rustic-style chandeliers are among the types best suited for home interiors since they add elegance without being overpowering.
Although there are endless ready-crafted designs to choose from, a custom-made chandelier allows you to reflect your unique ideas of stylish décor. A number of interior and lighting brands in Hong Kong offer bespoke services for light fixtures including chandeliers, so there is nothing to stop you from getting creative with your prestige illuminations.
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Zodiac Designs
With a century worth of combined experience in the lighting industry, Zodiac Lighting’s professional in-house research and development team goes above and beyond in their bespoke luminaires. They are also the city’s key distributor of leading international lighting brands and innovative designs, having had glamerous installations featured at locations such as Hong Kong Regala Skycity Hotel. Here, the Fish Tornado hangs as a magnificent display of amber and translucent glass tubes in a spiral arrangement – a testament to the team’s brilliant designs and bespoke services. 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-68092" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zodia-e1665452096533.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="1050" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zodia-e1665452096533.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zodia-e1665452096533-450x675.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/zodia-e1665452096533-600x900.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
The Plisse Cloud&nbsp;by Czech designer Lasvit is an elegantl chandelier that gorgeously resembles a cloud floating through the sky – its airy form gives the illusion of movement. White polished stainless steel captures the effect of blurred glass, emitting a soft, diffused light that adds to the ambiance of smaller spaces in the home, like the bedroom, lounge or dining room.
A classic piece in the brand’s decorative collection is the Linea Chandelier Round&nbsp;by sculptural lighting expert Brand van Egmond. This cool modification of a sputnik chandelier complements minimalist interiors. Its burnished brass finish gives it a robust style and a futuristic look that elevates kitchens spaces, reading nooks, bars and even foyers. Essentially a rectangular variation of a multi-tiered chandelier, an array of suspended glass hangs in what seems like a gentle spiral motion, making this an iconic installment to any venue that as it takes pride of place on higher ceilings and in spacious halls.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68233 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Complex-Ballroom-05-e1665452238450.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Complex-Ballroom-05-e1665452238450.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Complex-Ballroom-05-e1665452238450-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Complex-Ballroom-05-e1665452238450-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Your Casa
Apart from selling a wide selection of luxury furniture, lighting and statement pieces, décor expert Casa Modernism has a team of in-house designers to create bespoke lights, from wall-mounted and floor lights to ceiling and pendant lights crafted from hand-blown glass that often translates the themes of nature into the form of magnificent chandeliers. For instance, the Rain Chandelier is a beautiful, delicately hand-forged statement piece. Inspired by the motion of raindrops, the structure features frosted glass with splashes of rosy pink at the tips while mounted on a bronze frame. Though its impressive decorative embellishment goes further than its soft aesthetics as it is innovatively designed to change in colour according to&nbsp; the temperature of the room. 
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68089 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/casa-e1665452277777.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/casa-e1665452277777.jpeg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/casa-e1665452277777-450x300.jpeg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/casa-e1665452277777-600x399.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
The Waterfall Chandelier&nbsp;is another stunning design that would undoubtedly be an artistic centerpiece for any ciruclar room grand entrance. It takes the form of a column while mimicking the shape of a water fountain as it cascades down from the ceiling – a magnificent shower of mesmerising light falling down to Earth. Its brilliance is made even more spectacular at night with chromatic hues of blue and gold glass crystals illuminating in the form of droplets under the shine of the light.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68088 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cas-e1665452345327.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="1073" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cas-e1665452345327.jpeg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cas-e1665452345327-450x690.jpeg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cas-e1665452345327-600x920.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
On the other hand, the Electrifier Chandelier, a collection of thin spiralled crystals that group together to a torus core frame. A focal point of any room or hall, this sculptural masterpiece is a manifestation of the magnificence of a thunderstorm brewing in the sky, embellished with elegant lines and meticulous detailing. Similarly, the long, multicoloured crystals of the Sparking Stars Chandelier recalls a playful confetti of shooting stars.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-68087" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca.png" alt="" width="454" height="442" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca.png 454w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca-450x438.png 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca-288x280.png 288w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca-120x117.png 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca-200x195.png 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ca-400x389.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px" />
Baseline Brilliance
Baseline Lighting Design Studio, on the other hand, has been known to offer its expertise in bespoke lighting creations to luxury brands and hotels across the city. One of their finest works, a representation of intertwined rings, hangs in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Golden Mile. It is a 15-meter long chandelier crafted from aluminium tubes, then painted black and gold with dynamic and controllable pixel LEDs.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68085 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/base-e1665452405939.png" alt="" width="700" height="525" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/base-e1665452405939.png 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/base-e1665452405939-450x338.png 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/base-e1665452405939-600x450.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
Another noteworthy creation is the decorative chandelier that hangs at The Peninsula Cafe and Boutique, designed to lay low to mirror the tables, it offers a regal glow in such a grand space. Meanwhile, regulars at now closed Jamie’s Italian would remember the jazzy, rustic diner and its statement chandeliers that hung overhead in sections. An integral part of the décor and experience, they gave the space a luxurious feel that elevated the interiors of the modern eatery.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-68083 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bas-e1665452511235.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="933" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bas-e1665452511235.jpeg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bas-e1665452511235-450x600.jpeg 450w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bas-e1665452511235-600x800.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
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Text: Zaira Abbas. Photos: Zodiac Designs, Casa Modernism, Baseline Lighting Studio

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Local shops bringing festival and merry cheer to the city

Bespoke Perfumes to make your day scentsantional

Bespoke Chandeliers To Light Up Your Space