Adventures in Hong Kong's Flower Market

This past Sunday morning was spent in Hong Kong's flower market on Prince Edward in Kowloon. We made the trek to buy flowers for our apartment for the photo shoot on Tuesday for a shelter magazine called Home Journal here in Hong Kong. All sorts of blooms were everywhere in the market and while there were the usual suspects — roses, lilies, peonies, tulips — I found myself and my camera drawn to the unusual variety. Those blooms that won't make a bride's list.

Chic Shops: Tod's Home Boutique in St Tropez

What could be better than summer in St. Tropez? Summer shopping in St Tropez of course. Shorts, t-shirts and flip flops won't cut in this most glamorous of holiday hot spots. You'd need Tomas Maier swimsuits, Missoni cover ups, Borsalino hats, Goyard totes as beach bags, and Vuitton beach towels. If you're lucky enough to be in St Tropez this summer, be sure to make a stop at the new Tod's Home Concept store. As the name implies, the store is set up like a very stylish home with plush armchairs and sofas, and gorgeous end tables. I love the combination of regency blue and yellow armchairs in the photo above and it reminds me one of my favorite Mark Rothko pieces (below).

On the walls of the store are framed photographs by Elliott Erwitt especially commissioned by Tod's. The photos, some of which are used for the advertising campaign, evoke the casual chic spirit of the Italian house.

And We're Back

After three weeks of not posting anything (on holiday in New York), I am back and I would like to share with you my new column with Harper's Bazaar Singapore called Manner Born which is all about modern social graces.

The first piece is about the importance of sending thank you notes, something that I firmly believe in and espouse as well.

Click on the image to enlarge

And it is cherry on top that one of my favorite models Carmen Kass graces the cover.

Chic Reads: LONNY magazine

The New York Times Style section has a story this week on LONNY, an online shelter magazine started by a former editor at now defunct Domino magazine. LONNY aims to fill in the void left by the closure of magazines like Domino, House & Garden and Metropolitan Home. The first issue came out in October. Its online platform is fascinating as it allows the reader to flick through the pages as if one were reading a magazine. The photos are crisp and fresh and the layouts are clean and easy on the eyes. The browser also allows the reader to zoom in and out of the pages and it can also provide links to suppliers and sources.

Below are snaps of the current issue. For more photos check out LONNY

At Ralph's

With his legionnaire award, Ralph Lauren opened a new store in Paris' Left Bank on boulevard Saint Germain, housing all of his clothing lines plus a restaurant called Ralph's.

The al fresco dining area reminds has the feel of Ralph Lauren's current home collection with its use of nautical stripes and varying shades of blue.

I love the Mediterranean blue color of these double doors

The decor inside the restaurant echo another theme that Lauren likes to exploit - hunting.

Photos: Elle Decor Italia

Summer's Here

And we have three Elle Decor June issues to prove it. It seems like the magazine's US, Italian and German edition all had a consensus to show al fresco dining setting on their covers this month. What could be more lovely on a summer's day!

Chic Report

A Swiss magazine commissioned me to write a feature story on luxury brands that originated in Asia and whether the label Made in China is losing its reputation as inferior quality. The issue is out this month and here is the piece and the cover of the magazine. Click on the images to enlarge.