Actress Maggie Q. was once a familiar face around Hong Kong as one of the city’s top models. After dipping her toe in the film biz in Hong Kong, she left us for Hollywood to join the cast of several high-profile films such as the Mission Impossible, Die Hard, and Rush Hour franchises.

Her latest project is the starring role in the American prime-time TV series titled Nikita, where she plays a rogue assassin. (more…)

This week’s issue of EAST TOUCH magazine features a special tri-fold cover of the extended CLOT crew. The first third of the magazine, (nearly 40 pages!) is devoted to CLOT’s accomplishments over the last three years and includes a time-line of their projects.

Featured on the front panel of the cover are a diverse group of heavy-hitters from Hong Kong’s entertainment industry. Shown are CLOT founder Edison Chen (center,) in addition to Hsu Chi, Cherrie Ying, Miriam Yeung, film director Andrew Lau (seated,) Anthony Wong, Eason Chan, and Josie Ho.

The second and third panels contain twenty members of the CLOT family including Sam Lee, Amanda S, DJ Tommy, M.C. Yan, Poon, Hanjin, Pavlos, Chef, Billy, Tony, Ken, Mike and a whole gang more.

To see the full tri-panel cover photo, please click here.

In addition to brief interviews with crew members, the magazine highlights CLOT’s over thirty(!) high-profile collaborations. Partners have included brands such as Nike, Levi’s, BAPE, Revolver, Neighborhood, Be@rbrick, Devilock, EA, Bandai, and celebrities such as Kanye West, and Maggie Q.

Sorry, but do you guys ever take a vacation?

To check out EAST TOUCH go here.

Yesterday I stopped by my friend Nadia’s new shop, Select 18, in Hong Kong’s Soho neighborhood. As the proprietor of a clothing shop, and a bar owner, Nadia’s ventures provide insight into the evolution of Soho. Here’s a little history…

Hong Kong’s Soho neighborhood (which in this case stands for South of Hollywood Road,) is known primarily for two streets: Staunton Street and Elgin Street. The place was a low-rent backwater of printing shops and scap-compacting until the escalator was completed in 1993.

Built on a steep slope, the area slowly began to attract restauranteurs who bet that commuters taking the Mid-Levels escalator home from work might want to stop off to grab a bite to eat. Due to the low rents, individuals (not big corporations) began to open up interesting shops and small, unique restaurant / bars. (more…)

In between the F.I.L. store opening and an event for Rio Mints, I stopped by my friend Eyedie Tai’s photo exhibition. The show was held at Philia Lounge which is located on Arbuthnot Road, just up the street from Hong Kong’s top club, Dragon-i, in Central. Active as a photographer, a model, and a socialite, Eyedie is a well known face around Hong Kong.

Eyedie’s last exhibition held at Kee Club several years ago was heavy on portraits and Moments Voles II is the same. Though the show contains a mixture of material, perhaps the majority of attention went to a collection of portraits featuring several of Hong Kong’s most beautiful celebrity / actress / models including Nissa, Gaile, Lisa S., Amanda Strang, and Isabella Leong.

Rather than straight fashion shots, the photos here have a distinct candid feeling. Accurately titled “Stolen Moments” in French, the result is an exhibition with a casual, relaxed warmth that accentuates the feminine beauty of her subjects. (more…)

I was cruising around Causeway Bay when I nearly walked into a street promotion for my friend Jill’s debut album ‘Hit Me’. Jill and her twin sister Janice are everywhere in Hong Kong these days. They are featured in a huge McDonald’s campaign, and you can hear their music blasting from trendy shopping centers all over town. Jill’s twin sister Janice established herself as the hottest new singer in Hong Kong last year, and it’s exciting that Jill is now entering the market as well. In contrast to the good-looks-only Pop idols that make up a large portion of the industry, Jill and Janice are both talented, experienced singers.

Janice and Jill aren’t the only twins in the H.K. music industry. Two twin brothers – Dino and Julio, who form a group called Soler, are another pair. These guys also stand out in the market. Although newcomers in Hong Kong, they are both serious musicians who have put in years building their musical skills. I’ve seen them perform live on several occasions, and they put on a great show.

The most famous set of twins in the H.K. music industry aren’t actually twins at all, but that didn’t stop them from going by the group name Twins. Gillian and Charlene, more commonly known as A Gil, and A Sa, were, and still are a phenomenon. In terms of the new economics of the Hong Kong music industry, where product endorsement nets more revenue than music sales, Twins are one of the most successful acts in Hong Kong. Their cute, innocent looks lead to a marketing bonanza, and they appeared in hundreds of ad campaigns.