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<p>Chinese cuisine often layers sweetness, salt, umami, aromatics and sometimes heat within the same sitting, where the combination of dishes can showcase a range of cooking techniques and possibly regional styles. Hence, successful wine pairing must deliver precision, structure and refinement without overwhelming the table.</p>



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<p>The guiding principle when matching Chinese food with premium wine is harmony through balance rather than sheer power. Two wines consistently rise to this challenge: top-tier German Grosses Gewächs Riesling or elite dry Riesling from a benchmark producer, and Grand Cru red Burgundy from a finesse-driven domaine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Arousing Riesling</h3>



<p>For white wine, a Grosses Gewächs (GG, great growth) Riesling from the Mosel, Rheingau or Nahe offers exceptional compatibility across diverse Chinese dishes. These wines are fully dry yet intensely expressive, combining concentrated citrus, orchard fruit and crushed-stone minerality with electric acidity. Unlike heavier whites, they avoid overt oak influence, allowing clarity and detail to remain at the forefront. That purity is essential when navigating the complexity of Chinese cuisine, where sauces may combine soy, ginger, garlic, rice wine, sugar and spice.</p>



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<p>The hallmark of a GG Riesling is its structure. The acidity provides lift, cutting through richer preparations while refreshing the palate between bites. At the same time, the wine’s layered fruit and mineral depth mirror the cuisine’s intricate seasoning. A mature example gains the additional nuance of subtle honeyed or petrol notes without sacrificing vibrancy – ideal for lighter steamed dishes, braised preparations and aromatic stir fries. Rather than competing with Chinese dishes, the wine integrates seamlessly into the meal’s rhythm.</p>



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<p>Prestigious producers to seek out include Weingut Keller, Egon Müller, J.J. Prüm (especially aged bottlings) and Willi Schaefer. Within this elite tier, a well-chosen GG Riesling offers both intellectual complexity and remarkable versatility. It can anchor an entire dinner, maintaining tension and freshness from the first dish through to the last.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chardonnay Precision</h3>



<p>As an alternative white at a similar level, look to some of the French great growths. The mineral-driven Chardonnay of Burgundy, particularly Puligny-Montrachet, and Chablis Grand Cru can also perform beautifully when oak influence is restrained.</p>



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<p>Côte de Beaune producers such as Domaine Leflaive and Pierre Yves Colin-Morey, or Chablis’ Domaine Françoise Raveneau,&nbsp; craft wines that emphasise structure and finesse. The key is selecting examples that prioritise tension and precision.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Burgundian Elegance</h3>



<p>On the red side, Grand Cru Burgundy from the northern Côte de Nuits provides the most consistent luxury pairing. Pinot Noir at this level delivers silken tannins, vibrant red fruit and earthy undertones that complement savoury depth without clashing with the soy-based elements of Chinese cooking.</p>



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<p>While the cuisine can exaggerate the bitterness in heavily tannic reds, Bourgogne Grand Cru succeeds because it combines concentration with grace. Wines from producers like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Comte Liger Belair in Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin star Armand Rousseau, and Chambolle-Musigny standout Georges Roumier exemplify this equilibrium.</p>



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<p>They possess layered cherry and raspberry fruit, subtle spice and forest-floor complexity, with fine-grained and integrated tannins that allow them to glide alongside braised and roasted meat and umami-rich sauces. Serving them slightly below standard room temperature – 15 to 16°C – enhances freshness and poise.</p>



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<p>A Grand Cru Burgundy may require a substantial outlay, but it is capable of elevating a diverse Chinese dinner without dominating it. The elegance of the wine mirrors the cuisine’s own balance of boldness and subtlety.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Enlivening Beaujolais</h3>



<p>If a Bourgogne grand cru is unavailable, go for a mature Cru Beaujolais from a cult producer such as Jean Foillard or Yvon Métras, particularly from older vintages. Through low tannins and vibrant acidity, these aromatic Gamay wines from the leading appellations of Morgon and Fleurie, respectively, are remarkable partners for Chinese classics, especially beef and mushroom-based dishes.</p>



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<p>Pairing luxury wine with Chinese cuisine requires discernment rather than intensity. German GG Riesling provides crystalline precision, mineral backbone and enduring freshness across the full spectrum of dishes. Grand Cru Burgundy contributes depth, texture and refinement without heaviness. Together, they represent a harmonious red and white combination capable of navigating nearly any Chinese menu with confidence, elegance and balance.</p>


Wok Companions: The complexity of Chinese cuisine calls for a great growth Riesling or Pinot Noir – or both


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cubist Muses</h3>


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<p>The 1939 painting <em>Nu Debout et Femmes Assises (Standing Nude and Seated Women) </em>belongs to a pivotal year in Pablo Picasso’s career, marked by emotional turbulence and the looming shadow of war in Europe. This grisaille (monochrome) double-portrait of his mistress and muse Dora Maar is rendered in fractured, expressive forms. Picasso distorts anatomy with angular contours and bold linear emphasis, compressing space while intensifying psychological tension. The figures appear both monumental and unsettled, their gazes and gestures charged with introspection and unease.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Executed with vigorous brushwork in a restrained yet forceful palette of muted tones, the painting reflects Picasso’s exploration of the female form as both muse and symbol. The physical opposites portrayed nod to the schizophrenic times and his own split-living arrangement with two mistresses – Maar and Marie-Thérèse Walter.</p>



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<p>It sold for £7 million (HK$74 million) at Christie’s in London earlier this year, reaffirming sustained collector demand for Picasso’s late 1930s works and the historical significance of paintings produced on the eve of global conflict.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">High Spies</h3>


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<p>Walter Spies’<em> Blick von der Höhe (A View from the Heights) </em>stands among the most evocative works of his late career. It was painted in Bali in 1934 during a period of historical poignancy and personal reflection. The German primitivist artist moved to Indonesia in 1923 when it was under Dutch colonial rule, was interned upon the outbreak of the Second World War, and died in 1942 as a ship transporting prisoners of war was bombed by the Japanese.</p>



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<p>Spies’ composition unfolds in a sweeping panorama, seen from an elevated vantage point that looks across layered hills, winding pathways and luminous tropical foliage. He orchestrates light with extraordinary sensitivity, bathing his landscapes in muted golds, cool greens and atmospheric blues. This scene feels suspended between serenity and foreboding, balancing meticulous detail with a dreamlike stillness.&nbsp;</p>



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<p><em>Blick von der Höhe </em>achieved a remarkable sale price of HK$59 million at Christie’s in Hong Kong this spring – a jump of 86 percent on the artist’s previous auction record. The result underscores the rarity of masterworks from his final productive years.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mirror Image</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-1024x855.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91622" width="768" height="641" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-1024x855.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-335x280.jpg 335w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-768x641.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-1536x1282.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-2048x1710.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-200x167.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-4-800x668.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>A large-scale acrylic on canvas, <em>I See The Mirror </em>(2022), exemplifies the emotionally driven work of contemporary British artist Tracey Emin following her bladder-cancer diagnosis in 2020. It draws the viewer once again to Emin’s bedroom – which featured in her seminal installation, My Bed, revealed at the Tate Gallery in 1999 – but replaces the previous disarray with an orderly yet still disturbing mood of self-reflection as she comes to terms with her post-operation body.</p>



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<p>Black paint covers the head of the female figure that lies exhausted and exposed on the bed. A swathe of muddy green and earth tones below signals the release of bodily fluids. This moving outline of loss and vulnerability is reflected in the mirror as the artist summons the strength to overcome her trauma.</p>



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<p><em>I See The Mirror</em> was auctioned for HK$4.3 million at Phillips in Hong Kong in March this year, while another of Emin’s monumental post-cancer works, Take Me to Heaven (2024), sold at Art Basel Hong Kong for US$1.6 million (HK$12.5 million). Both serve to confirm collectors’ resonance with the deeply personal paintings of the polarising artist.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Surge of Interest</h3>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-1024x719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91623" width="768" height="539" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-1024x719.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-399x280.jpg 399w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-768x539.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-1536x1078.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-200x140.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3-800x562.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-3.jpg 1909w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Chu Teh-Chun’s commanding oil on canvas, <em>Dynamique Ardente </em>(2006–2007), showcases his mature synthesis of Western lyrical abstraction and the spiritual sensibility of traditional Chinese landscape painting. The work radiates energy through sweeping gestures and layered tonal contrasts. Veils of luminous blues, deep crimsons and flashes of gold surge across the surface, evoking elemental forces such as wind, fire and atmospheric light.</p>



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<p>Chu’s composition balances turbulence and harmony. The brushwork moves rhythmically, guiding the viewer’s eye through currents of colour that suggest motion and transformation. Rather than depicting nature directly, the artist channels its spirit, allowing abstraction to convey emotional resonance and metaphysical presence.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>It stands as a testament to Chu’s enduring legacy – he was the first ethnic Chinese member of France’s Académie des Beaux-Arts. It sold for US$1.3 million (HK$10.2 million) at Art Basel Hong Kong this March, demonstrating the sustained international demand for his later works.</p>


Under the hammer: Fab Four auction sales (June 2026)


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<p>It’s a miserable grey, rainy Friday afternoon in May. Inside Prince and the Peacock Indian restaurant, though, the vibe is different. Rich colours hit like a soft punch to the soul. Then Tania Mohan walks in, armed with so much poise and purpose that the room appears to glow. She spreads out her choice of shoot outfits with the calm authority of someone who’s done so much and seen too many ‘maybe’ ideas come and go. The founder of luxury fashion and homeware brand Tabla is not just styling, she’s curating – like a one-woman editorial board.</p>



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<p>“Proper representation is important,” she tells us, leaning into the point the way some people lean into compliments. “Nowadays, a lot of people are trying to be someone else without recognising it. It’s the trend. We have to embrace our individuality because no one can ever top that. Not even trends. Because trends come and go.”</p>



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<p>Mohan doesn’t sound like someone chasing fashion. She sounds like someone defending it. Like fashion is a court case, and she’s showing exhibits to the jury. And – plot twist – she’s literally qualified to do that.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dressed for Destiny</h3>



<p>Born and raised in Hong Kong to an affluent family of Indian heritage, she has retail in her DNA – Mohan’s department stores operated during the 1950s. Her upbringing ensured that she absorbed luxury the way some people absorb weather patterns: constantly, without even realising you’re learning.</p>



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<p>“Growing up, that early exposure gave me an instinctive understanding of quality and fabrics, while my mother’s exquisite taste filled our homes with a deep sense of aesthetic luxury,” she says. “The city’s incredible energy, combined with my family’s heritage, taught me to view fashion as a complete, curated lifestyle – an approach that defines my creative direction for Tabla today.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sparkle and Structure</h3>



<p>This creativity was honed early in her career. In the 1990s, she joined Hong Kong Standard as fashion editor and stylist. She’s also a barrister-at-law. When asked how law fits into a life built around luxury, her answer is clever, like she’s already drafting your argument before you finish the question.</p>



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<p>“I don’t think my love affair with the law will ever truly go away, and I am fortunate to still utilise my legal training through consulting work today,” she defends. “As a barrister, you learn to investigate every angle thoroughly, and I now apply that exact same investigative discipline to my creative process. When a specific historical era or traditional embroidery technique catches my attention, my instinct is to dive into the archives and uncover its full story.”</p>



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<p>She expounds: “Having studied law since I was 16, those years of discipline have become an invaluable asset in running my own business. Rather than a total departure, my legal background provides the structural foundation that supports my creative freedom, giving me a unique edge as the creative director of Tabla.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tabla Setting</h3>



<p>The brand began in Hong Kong in 1999 with an Indian-inspired luxury focus in a chic boutique in Prince’s Building. It went international in 2015, when she opened in Knightsbridge, London, an area she knew well from her law-student days.</p>



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<p>“I was at a major crossroads in my life when the opportunity for Tabla appeared, and I simply dove into it with the reckless abandon of someone who found exactly what they were looking for,” she recalls. “I measured its success by the sheer momentum of the journey itself. Finding an opportunity that resonated so deeply with my passions proved instantly that the leap was worth it.”</p>



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<p>Mohan frames Tabla’s style as an organic dialogue: ‘Made in India’ but filtered through her Hong Kong lens. She reels off specific examples, such as plates pairing pagodas with peacocks, and clothing highlighting Parsi Gara embroidery, a craft born from vibrant 19th-century maritime silk routes connecting China and India.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asian Persuasion</h3>



<p>She credits the emergence of cross-cultural branding – especially as championed by David Tang at Shanghai Tang – as a defining moment in fashion. “David was a true visionary,” she says. “I used to tell him that my ultimate goal was to create the Indian Shanghai Tang, and I very much stand by that ambition today. His legacy taught me that reframing heritage isn&#8217;t about changing the craft itself, but about elevating it onto the global stage with the pride and grandeur it deserves.”</p>



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<p>Nowadays, the ‘Asian luxury’ conversation isn’t just aesthetic, it’s political, cultural and historical. It’s about who gets credit, who gets called inspired, and who gets called original. She explains: “To me, Asian luxury is deeply rooted in the old-school, homegrown traditions of unmatched craftsmanship, rich materials and exquisite hand-worked detailing. About 10 years ago, at a luxury conference in India hosted by a European company, I championed the rise of ‘Made in Asia’, only to be dismissed by an executive who insisted the world wasn’t ready.</p>



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<p>I was astounded by that ignorance, knowing how much Western luxury has always relied on Indian embroidery and Asian craftsmanship behind the scenes. Today, I can say with pure conviction that the Asian invasion in luxury retail is fully upon us, reclaiming that narrative proudly.”</p>



<p>Then she drops a line that makes the room seem like it just got louder: “Over the next decade, the world will watch amazing homegrown designers emerge from this region to lead global trends – because when the dragon and the elephant dance, the whole world watches.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Styles and Shifts</h3>



<p>Expectations have evolved for Tabla since its pre-Millennium birth. Consolidating online, the brand now embodies more discernment, less ‘whatever’. “Today’s clients expect more than just a premium product; they seek a genuine craft story, a sense of heritage, and an authentic, personal connection to what they wear and bring into their homes,” she affirms.</p>



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<p>“I have always envisioned the Tabla shopping experience as a jewel box – a treasure trove filled with unique, beautifully crafted pieces that resonate with this modern desire for authentic luxury.”</p>



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<p>Reflecting on the longevity of her brand, she says: “Celebrating 25 years has proven to me that persistence is born out of pure, unadulterated belief. Someone once called me the most tenacious person they know – and while some days I ask myself why I have spent so much time on this, my retail lineage, my passion, and the specific niche we hold are what drive me forward.</p>



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<p>It is easy to look at brands that scale rapidly and feel discouraged, but I didn’t come this far just to come this far. I still have so many stories to tell, embroideries to explore, and pieces to create while staying fiercely true to Tabla’s artisan heritage.”</p>



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<p>That’s the foundation of a luxury brand that endures, because the truth is, anyone can dress you, but only a few can define you.</p>



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<p>“I’ve done a lot of things [then thought], what the hell am I thinking right?” she laughs. “But now I’m focusing on Tabla and the importance of bringing forward my culture to the world, and who knows what the future may bring.” And true enough, real glam isn’t a trend; it’s a point of view.</p>



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<p>Interview, Text &amp; Art Direction: Joseff Musa     Photographer: Jack Law     Videographer: Iris Ventura     Venue: Prince and the Peacock</p>


Legally Glam: Brand founder, creative director, curator, barrister – glimpsing inside the multi-talented Tania Mohan’s court of luxury


<p>Few figures in contemporary cinema embody intensity quite like Sean Penn. Actor, director, activist, provocateur – Penn has built a life and career defined by fierce commitment. Whether inhabiting deeply flawed characters onscreen or stepping into war zones off-screen, he has consistently refused the comfort of neutrality. For over four decades, Penn has remained one of Hollywood’s most compelling and controversial figures, a man whose personal convictions are as bold as his performances.</p>



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<p>Penn, 65, grew up in Santa Monica and Malibu, Southern California, in a household steeped in creativity and political awareness. Both his parents and his late younger brother, Chris Penn, were actors. Their father, Leo Penn, had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era and became a television director. The dual legacy of artistic ambition intertwined with activism has shaped his core.</p>



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<p>After making short films with childhood friends Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen, he burst onto the Hollywood scene in the early 1980s with a string of memorable roles, including perpetually stoned surfer Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). With sun-bleached hair and a laid-back drawl, Penn delivered a comic performance that instantly entered pop-culture lore. It was a surprising start for an actor who would later become synonymous with raw dramatic gravitas.</p>



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<p>In films like Bad Boys (1983) and At Close Range (1986), he embraced darker, more volatile characters. Critics began to recognise his willingness to immerse himself fully in roles, often disappearing into complex psychological landscapes. By the 1990s, he had cemented his reputation as one of the most serious actors of his generation.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oscar Wield</h3>



<p>Collaborations with acclaimed directors further elevated his standing. In 1995’s Dead Man Walking, directed by Tim Robbins, Penn’s restrained, haunting performance as a death-row inmate earned his first Academy Award nod. It was the beginning of an awards trajectory that spans six Oscar nominations, with two wins for Best Actor and one for Best Supporting Actor this year – playing the unhinged Colonel Lockjaw in auteur Paul Thomas Anderson’s triumphant One Battle After Another (2025).</p>



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<p>His first Oscar came as a grief-stricken father seeking justice for his murdered daughter in Mystic River (2003). Five years later, he was rewarded for portraying pioneering gay-rights activist Harvey Milk in Milk – a role that demanded transformation not only in voice and physicality but also in spirit. Penn delivered a performance filled with warmth, wit and moral courage.</p>



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<p>Discussing Milk in a 2012 podcast, he declared,&nbsp; “Today, almost certainly I would not be permitted to be cast in that role. We’re living in a time when, if you’re playing a gay lead character, you’d have to be a gay man or a trans character. And there have been these casting issues… An opportunity for people who have had fewer opportunities to move forward … has to be supported, and yet in this pendulum-swing society that we’re in, you wonder at some point if only Danish Princes can play Hamlet.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Direct Action</h3>



<p>As a director, Penn has demonstrated a contemplative and often poetic sensibility. His directorial debut, The Indian Runner (1991), hinted at his fascination with fractured relationships and existential searching. But it was Into the Wild (2007), a lyrical meditation on freedom, isolation and self-discovery, that solidified his reputation behind the camera. Adapted from Jon Krakauer’s bestselling book, the film recounts the roving life and early death of adventurer Chris McCandless in the Alaskan wilderness. In Flag Day (2021), his children Dylan and Hopper acted alongside him.</p>



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<p>Despite his Hollywood stature and statuettes, Penn has never fully embraced the trappings of celebrity culture. He is as likely to be found reporting from conflict zones as he is walking a red carpet. In recent years, he has ventured into documentary filmmaking, notably with projects that place him in direct dialogue with geopolitical realities. Superpower (2023) followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Penn was honoured with the country’s Order of Merit in 2022 and missed the Academy Award ceremony this March as he was visiting the Ukrainian frontline.</p>



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<p>The star has long used his platform to spotlight humanitarian causes. In the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, he founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organisation, which provided critical disaster response and recovery support. Unlike many celebrity-backed charities, Penn’s involvement was hands-on. He spent months on the ground in Haiti, coordinating aid efforts and advocating for sustained international assistance.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Forceful Personality</h3>



<p>Penn’s intensity has not been without controversy. His personal life has often attracted headlines, from violent encounters with paparazzi to high-profile marriages – Madonna (1985-1989), Robin Wright (1996-2010), Leila George D’Onofrio (2020-2022) – to outspoken political statements. At times, his bluntness has polarised public opinion, yet his refusal to smooth his edges reads as both risky and refreshing.</p>



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<p>In a 2011 interview, he shared: “I have great moments when I feel very connected and loving toward humankind, but I never have a good moment toward human beings… I love humankind; I don’t like humans. I don’t get along with people very well. I never did.”</p>



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<p>There is an authenticity to Penn’s appearance today that mirrors his approach to life. Lines etched by time and experience are worn without apology. In a culture obsessed with perpetual youth, his weathered visage feels almost radical – a testament to living fully rather than cautiously.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Driven Character</h3>



<p>Penn’s commitment to complexity is unfailing. He gravitates toward characters – and causes – that resist easy categorisation and searches for humanity within contradiction. That same sensibility informs his worldview. He speaks frequently about justice, inequality and the responsibilities of citizenship, often emphasising the moral imperative to engage rather than observe.</p>



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<p>As Hollywood evolves in an age of streaming platforms and globalised storytelling, Penn remains rooted in the craft of cinema as an art form. His selective focus on character-driven stories has preserved his aura of artistic seriousness underscored by determined belligerence.</p>



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<p>“Eighteen years ago, when I did Milk, was the last time that I enjoyed the work,” he confessed in an interview promoting One Battle After Another. “But you want to be participating in something that is of your current interest, and with people who are surprising. Because of Paul’s movie, I’m in a stage of liking acting.”</p>



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<p>In many ways, Sean Penn represents a disappearing archetype: the movie star as moral agitator, the artist as activist. He belongs to a lineage that includes figures like Marlon Brando and Jane Fonda – individuals who leveraged fame to confront uncomfortable truths. Yet Penn’s journey is distinctly his own, marked by relentless curiosity and an almost stubborn refusal to disengage.</p>


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<p>Love him or question him, one cannot ignore him. And perhaps that is Penn’s greatest achievement: remaining impossible to overlook in an industry and a world that so often rewards conformity.</p>


Indelible Penn: For uncompromising actor-activist Sean Penn, life is an ongoing battle against imperialism and injustice


<p>What happens to a church when the congregation has gone? Over the past few decades, the Western world has seen a steady decrease in church attendance, leading to many places of worship shutting their doors. Three years ago, it was predicted that some 100,000 of the estimated 380,000 to 420,000 churches currently operational in the US were doomed to close in the near future. According to another forecast, as many as 15,000 American churches could fall into disuse within this year.</p>



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<p>Hundreds of church buildings that were once revered now stand derelict, in want of attention and new adoration. Late last year, the Chicago Tribune reported that more than 30 church properties in the Archdiocese of Chicago had been listed for sale. The lucky ones may undergo conversion and be born again as centres of business. Rechristening can take place in a variety of creative forms, from restaurants and pubs to dance studios and art spaces, and even in one instance, a circus school.</p>



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<p>It is perhaps less common to redevelop churches into residences, since converting a typically cavernous, single-room historical structure into a safe, comfortable home with the necessary lighting, water and heating for full-time occupation requires a substantial investment. Preserving the integrity and grandeur of their original features, like arched doors and windows, stained glass, vaulted ceilings, domed roofs or spires, brings further costs and design headaches. Those inspired homeowners and architects who do accomplish this feat are to be praised. </p>


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<p>Almost a decade ago, a then neighbourhood news platform stated that some 20 churches in Chicago had been turned into apartments or family homes. One of these was particularly stylish – a seven-bedroom, six-bathroom conversion featuring pristine white interiors that garnered a bagful of international accolades, including an American Institute of Architects’ Small Projects Award.</p>



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<p>The original edifice was built by an Italian architect in 1901 as a Methodist church, though it served the devout for less than 20 years before putting out the last candle. It had previously been converted into offices and then two separate residences. Turning it into a single 5,500-square-foot home for an adventurous couple with three young children fell into the hands of Chicago-based artist-designer Linc Thelen.</p>



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<p>“What really made this project stand out to everybody was it’s so contemporary and current but in the envelope of a church,” said Thelen in an interview after the project was completed in 2015. “We were able to add more rooms, but enlarge them in other areas so it didn’t lose that lofty feel. [We were] able to accomplish something very current in design, that was fluid, that worked, that didn’t look gimmicky.”</p>



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<p>Thelen, who studied both art and architecture and has shown his paintings in Hong Kong, takes the ‘master builder’ approach to his projects. Here, he worked in collaboration with Scrafano Architects, a firm with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. “I wanted a sleek, modern design that could showcase the architecture in a new, contemporary way,” he noted at the time.</p>


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<p>From day one, Thelen knew the project was going to be demanding, but he also saw it as a great opportunity.  “When it comes to converting an old church, just about everything regarding design and construction is a challenge,” he said. “How are we going to make more rooms without losing the open loft-like space? How do we heat and cool this home? Where do we put the kitchen?”</p>



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<p>The team took care to preserve the former church’s historic details, including the bell tower, exposed brickwork and ceiling turnbuckles. Lighting was a huge challenge with the high-vaulted ceilings, but they worked around it by exposing the structure’s original wood beams and black metal supports. This resulted in an imposing main room with ceilings soaring to 7.6 metres (25 feet). </p>


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<p>Entry to the house is granted through a blue door with stained-glass arches above it, which Thelen preserved from the original design. “The front door is one of the few things we didn’t change,” said Thelen. “The team thought the shade was both traditional and modern, setting the tone from the first moment one walks in.”</p>



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<p>Sitting in the entryway foyer, hemmed in by exposed brick walls, is a symbolic pew from the original 1901 church. The so-called ‘great hall’, with its high ceilings, has an open layout that comfortably merges the kitchen, dining room and sitting area. Thelen made use of white oak with a custom white-wash stain for the wood flooring to create a warm and cosy feel.</p>



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<p>Over the kitchen’s gas range is a giant stained-glass window with frames that were painted black. “We wanted to restore the windows and make them a prominent feature of the home,” he said. At the large central island, five counter-height stools line up to face the gothic arches, whose transparent central panes reveal the street view beyond.</p>


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<p>A black floor-to-ceiling chimney with integrated firewood storage stands in sharp contrast to the white painted walls. The two-sided, see-through wood-burning hearth and fireplace it houses is shared by a separate living room opposite the main area.</p>


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<p>From above, a second-floor balcony looks down into the centre of the home, while a sliding door opens onto a backyard terrace. The master bedroom was designed with floating nightstands and a two-tiered ceiling hanging over the bed. The master bathroom is the site of one of Thelen’s favourite vignettes: a picture-perfect resin bathtub under a glittering chandelier and stained-glass window.</p>



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<p>The bedroom created for the homeowners’ son contains fun elements, led by a floor-to-ceiling rock-climbing wall made from cement plaster. A sliding bar door leads to the en-suite bathroom, where tiles are inspired by the city’s rapid transit system and hexagonal patterns embellish cement floors.</p>



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<p>The daughter’s room was also given a light-hearted touch with a hanging swing chair and a short ladder leading up to a loft and play area. The bathroom is tiled with colourful Moorish patterns. Over the tub is a cut-out window, bringing fresh air and natural light into the room.</p>



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<p>The same cut-out design was repeated in the nursery, whose rectangular opening also revealed the home’s main living area. The nursery’s bookcase conceals a pull-down bed, enabling its conversion into a guest room. </p>



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<p>The home’s pinnacle, though, is the bell tower, which once housed a furnace with panelled windows. Thelen transformed the entire area using glass floors and new windows, which offer a stunning view of downtown Chicago’s city lights.</p>



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<p>This property’s days of serving as a house of worship are long gone, but those who live there now will likely be singing the praises of Thelen’s sophisticated and innovative approach to design.</p>


Abode with Me: Abandoned churches may be blessings in disguise for intrepid home buyers seeking design inspiration


<p>Celebrate Father’s Day with Bacha Coffee, crafted for the man who knows provenance matters. This Father’s Day, legendary Moroccan coffee house Bacha Coffee invites families to honour fatherhood through the lens of craft, provenance, and the unfiltered story behind every bean. Because the best gifts don’t just taste great, they tell a story.</p>



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<p>Rooted in a heritage of coffee savoir-faire, Bacha Coffee’s Father’s Day gifting collection brings you closer to the journey behind the cup: from carefully sourced farms to slow-roasted artistry and masterful preparation. For the discerning father who appreciates quality you can’t fake, this is coffee with a backstory worth sharing.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91549" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Route-Gift-Set-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coffee-Route-Gift-Set</figcaption></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">From Farm to Cup: The Journey Every Father Will Appreciate</h3>



<p>Bacha Coffee sources exclusively from 35 reputable coffee-producing countries, selecting only 100% Arabica specialty grade. Each harvest carries the unmistakable fingerprint of its origin: terroir, altitude, rainfall, volcanic minerals, and the careful hands that processed it.</p>



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<p>Then comes the essential part: slow-roasting in small batches using traditional drum-roasting methods at low temperatures. The result? A preservation of each origin’s distinct aromatic profile, so every sip stays true to where it began.</p>



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<p>And for dads who prefer gentler options, Bacha Coffee also offers naturally CO₂-decaffeinated coffees, keeping the character intact without relying on chemical additives.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91551" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grand-Moka-Matari-Coffee_Signature-Nomad-Collection</figcaption></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gift Sets for the Coffee Explorer</h3>



<p>Whether your dad is chasing chocolatey comfort, curious about decaf, or ready to compare single origins across continents, Bacha Coffee’s Father’s Day gift sets make discovery feel like an adventure.</p>



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<p><strong>Coffee Trails Taster (6 coffees + raw sugar sticks)</strong></p>



<p>A six-coffee journey spanning Single Origin, Fine Flavoured, and Naturally CO₂ Decaffeinated harvests, from Ethiopia, Brazil, and Guatemala. Expect flavour profiles ranging from chocolatey and floral to nutty, spiced, and malty, across medium light to medium dark roasts.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91542" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Trails-Taster-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coffee-Trails-Taster</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>Coffee Discovery Gift Set (6 coffees + raw sugar sticks)</strong></p>



<p>An education of the palate in every cup, exploring Kenya, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, and Papua New Guinea. Flavours move from fruity and chocolatey to floral, spiced, and malty, across medium to medium dark roasts.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91538" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Discovery-Set-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coffee-Discovery-Set</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>Expedition to the Oasis (4 Fine Flavoured coffees)</strong></p>



<p>A four-coffee collection of Fine Flavoured favourites presented in Bacha Coffee’s signature red and gold canisters. From Happy Gianduja (nutty indulgence) and Sweet Mexico (warm spice) to Marrakech Morning (fruity, malty layers) and Baraka Decaffeinated (chocolate-citrus notes).</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91540" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Expedition-Collection-1-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Expedition-Collection</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>Coffee Crossroads Gift Set (4 coffees across regions)</strong></p>



<p>A cross-continental ensemble featuring Myanmar, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and the Dominican Republic, where Asian coffee heritage meets Central American and Caribbean tradition. Tasting notes range from chocolate and citrus to floral, fruity, and malty.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91541" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Coffee-Crossroads-Gift-Set</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>Bacha Heritage Gift Set (accessories + coffee)</strong></p>



<p>For the father who loves tradition and craftsmanship: a refined pairing featuring a Heritage Coffee Mug with Lid, a silver-plated Coffee Spoon, and a Coffee Bag Gift Box of choice.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91537" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bacha-Heritage-Gift-Set</figcaption></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Iconic Coffees for the Discerning Father</h3>



<p>Beyond the gift sets, Bacha Coffee’s most distinguished packaged coffees and coffee bag collections bring origin, craft, and flavour into a gift that’s as thoughtful as it is memorable. Encased in jewel-clasped gift boxes with iconic artwork, each coffee is a destination in a box. For Father’s Day, highlights include:</p>



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<p><strong>•⁠ </strong> ⁠Grand Moka Matari Coffee — a rare Yemeni single origin dry-processed on earthen rooftops, with bright acidity and notes of apricot, dark chocolate, dates, and a finish of caramel and spice.</p>



<p><strong>•⁠ </strong> ⁠Mombasa Song Coffee — an African–Asian lyric blend with herbal, floral aromas, grapefruit acidity, and cherry and toffee sweetness.</p>



<p><strong>•⁠ </strong> ⁠1910 Coffee — celebrating the founding year with aromatic wild strawberries and cream.</p>



<p><strong>•⁠  </strong>⁠Blue Danube Coffee — forest berries balanced by soft milk chocolate and a fresh lift.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91543" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">1910_Signature-Nomad-Collection</figcaption></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left">Coffee Bag Gift Boxes (Easy, Anywhere-Anywhere Coffee)</h3>



<p>Individually wrapped single-serve 100% Arabica drip coffee bags—ideal for dads who brew on the go or keep a morning ritual no matter where the day takes them. Options include:</p>



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<p><strong>•⁠  </strong>⁠King of Africa Coffee Bag Gift Box</p>



<p><strong>•⁠  ⁠</strong>Tolteca Chocolate Coffee Bag Gift Box</p>



<p><strong>•⁠ </strong> ⁠San Cristóbal Coffee Bag Gift Box</p>



<p><strong>•⁠  ⁠</strong>Assorted Coffee Bag Gift Box — a 25-bag collection spanning fine flavoured and single origin varieties across regions.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91545" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tolteca-Chocolate_Coffee-Bag-Gift-Box</figcaption></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Make It a Complete Father’s Day Coffee Moment</h3>



<p>Finish the gift with Bacha Coffee accessories and gourmet treasures designed to elevate everyday rituals, from timeless bone china to mid-century-inspired glassware and pure vanilla bean indulgence.</p>



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<p>For example:</p>



<p><strong>•⁠  ⁠</strong>Bacha Heritage Coffee Pot (850ml, Bone China)</p>



<p><strong>•⁠  ⁠</strong>Bacha Heritage Coffee Mug &amp; Lid (330ml, Bone China)</p>



<p><strong>•⁠  ⁠</strong>Pure Vanilla Bean Grinder</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91546" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pure-Tahiti-Vanilla-Bean-Grinder</figcaption></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Father’s Day Moment at the Coffee Room</h3>



<p>This Father’s Day, Bacha Coffee at Harbour City invites guests to celebrate with an exquisite coffee-led dining experience created exclusively for the occasion. A specially designed menu will be available for a limited time.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ready to Gift?</h3>



<p>Bacha Coffee’s Father’s Day collection is available at all Bacha Coffee boutiques and online at BachaCoffee.com.</p>



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<p>Because when it comes to fatherhood, it’s not just about the cup, it’s about the journey. And with Bacha Coffee, every bean carries the kind of care your dad deserves.</p>


Dads Deserve a “From-Farm-to-Cup” Kind of Love


<p class="has-text-align-center">Interview with Iris Ho, Founder and CEO of Aroma Vera</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center">Iris believes aromatherapy can elevate quality of life, but a healthy lifestyle is essential for building personal charm and natural beauty.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video autoplay controls src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content.bak/uploads/2026/2606/2606_GMHK_Aroma-Vera.mp4"></video></figure>



<p>Hong Kong is known for its fast pace of life, but as people’s quality of life improves, their pursuit of refinement and art also deepens. Aroma Vera, which has been established in Hong Kong for over 35 years, has always believed that fragrance can elevate personal taste and offer a much-needed escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Founder and Managing Director Iris Ho believes that having a wide range of products is not enough—truly understanding customer needs and providing targeted solutions is the key to long-term success in the industry.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">In-House Factory Enables Product Innovation</h3>



<p>Iris’s entry into the aromatherapy industry is quite interesting. She initially worked in the electronics industry, which had nothing to do with essential oils. Later, she took over her sister’s beauty salon and became familiar with aromatherapy products. It was then that she came across Aroma Vera, a brand from the United States. At the time, very few people in Hong Kong knew about aromatherapy, so she introduced the brand to Hong Kong and became its distributor. Today, the company operates its own local factory, allowing it to develop a variety of formulas to meet different needs. It also creates bespoke fragrances for various venues—such as shopping malls, hotels, and spas—to craft a sophisticated and luxurious atmosphere.</p>



<p>Aromatherapy can be used in many settings and offers mood-stabilising and antibacterial benefits. Essential oils, extracted and refined from flowers, herbs, and trees, are a key source of fragrance and are incorporated into different products. There are countless aromatherapy scents with varying effects. Lavender is a popular choice, known for its relaxing and sleep-improving properties. However, Iris points out that single essential oils are relatively limited, so the company focuses on producing blended oils. By combining various plant extracts with professional blending techniques, Aroma Vera creates complex, layered scents and effects. The company has also embraced technology, offering smart aromatherapy diffusers that can be pre-activated via a mobile app, releasing atomised essential oils for better absorption by the user.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91522" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-2.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aroma Vera collaborates with numerous hotels and spas to design custom fragrances and aromatherapy products, helping guests immerse themselves more fully in the surroundings.</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>Don’t Neglect Customer Needs for the Sake of Sales Numbers</strong></p>



<p>Scent influences a person subtly and gradually. What works for one individual may not work for another, so the key is not only to respond to customer needs but also to deeply understand the characteristics of each product. Iris once encountered a customer who complained that aromatherapy was ineffective. After further questioning, she discovered that the customer wanted to relax, but salespeople from other brands had randomly offered several scents. The customer chose mint, yet mint is known for increasing alertness over time—it does not help with insomnia. Drawing on her experience, Iris took the time to learn about the customer’s age, lifestyle, and desired outcomes. She then recommended gentler scents such as tea tree and lavender, which resolved the problem. This shows that aromatherapy is not just a product; it is a deeply experiential process involving communication, empathy, and a customised approach.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91523" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/3-1.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Iris points out that the male market should not be overlooked either. Men face high work pressure and have a strong need for relaxation and better sleep.</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>The Art of Wholeness</strong></p>



<p>Iris acknowledges that the pandemic had a significant impact on consumer spending, but she believes every crisis also brings opportunities. For example, she shifted her focus to online sales and high‑end B2B clients, creating customised fragrance products to expand her customer base. This ability to adapt comes from years of experience and a clear vision for the future of the aromatherapy industry. She repeatedly emphasises that aromatherapy is a holistic art and a lifestyle. The right scent can enhance one’s personal image and charm, but true beauty also requires a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain good health.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91524" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/4-1.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Iris believes aromatherapy can elevate quality of life, but a healthy lifestyle is essential for building personal charm and natural beauty.</figcaption></figure></div>

35 Years of Aroma Vera’s Philosophy: Understanding Customer Needs Matters More Than Selling Products


<figure class="wp-block-video"><video autoplay controls src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content.bak/uploads/2026/2606/2606_GMHK_SalonLanson.mp4"></video></figure>



<p>Some restaurants try to be fancy like it’s a personality. Others aim to be cosy like it’s a trend. Salon Lanson, located within Lanson Place Causeway Bay, achieves something rarer: it makes you feel like you’re both dressed up and allowed to relax. Elegance is expected when stepping into this French-influenced all-day dining space, but you leave convinced the culinary team is chasing a bigger idea: elevated comfort food that still respects the craft.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="722" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-1024x722.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91513" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-1024x722.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-397x280.jpg 397w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-768x541.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-1536x1082.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-2048x1443.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-200x141.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet_1-800x564.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lanson-Place-Causeway-Bay_Breakfast-Buffet</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Executive Chef Leo Chow, who has cooked under pressure in serious kitchens, talks about his dishes the way people might delight in sharing their family recipes: with precision, but also heart. His training wasn’t about making food look expensive, but crafting it with perfection, even when the dining room is full and the night is moving fast.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-1024x708.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91506" width="768" height="531" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-1024x708.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-405x280.jpg 405w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-768x531.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-1536x1063.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-2048x1417.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-200x138.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Otoro-Tartare-800x553.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Otoro-Tartare</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>“By day, it feels bright and relaxed; by night, it becomes chic and intimate,” he says. “The restaurant strikes a graceful balance between luxury and welcoming ambience.” That matters because his menus match the room. A mood shift toward lighter dishes and brighter flavours introduced in early spring retains Salon Lanson’s comforting familiarity.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-798x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91507" width="599" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-798x1024.jpg 798w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-218x280.jpg 218w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-768x985.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-1197x1536.jpg 1197w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-1596x2048.jpg 1596w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-200x257.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-800x1026.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams-scaled.jpg 1996w" sizes="(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Capellini-Aglio-e-Olio-with-Razor-Clams</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Chef Chow’s methodology is equal parts discipline and imagination. “I always start with seasonal produce to guarantee peak flavour and reliable sourcing,” he says. “My focus is on elevated comfort food – familiar, comforting flavours refined through fine-dining technique and elegant presentation.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-841x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91508" width="631" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-841x1024.jpg 841w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-230x280.jpg 230w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-768x935.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-1262x1536.jpg 1262w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-1682x2048.jpg 1682w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-200x244.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A-800x974.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grilled-Spanish-Octopus_A</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>The use of the word ‘elevated’ here is not pretending local ingredients are French, but honouring the produce, then dressing it properly. “Given Salon Lanson’s signature French-inspired elegance, my approach is grounded in classical French technique. Then I weave in influences from Hong Kong and the broader Asian culinary map,” he explains. “Subtle Asian accents elevate a traditional comfort dish, adding unexpected depth without overwhelming the core flavours.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-802x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91499" width="602" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-802x1024.jpg 802w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-219x280.jpg 219w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-768x980.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-1203x1536.jpg 1203w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-1605x2048.jpg 1605w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-200x255.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-800x1021.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad-1-scaled.jpg 2006w" sizes="(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grilled-Red-Prawn-Salad</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>And that’s an accurate summation of the lunch selections – comfort-forward, but with technique doing the heavy lifting. The Grilled Red Prawn Salad, for instance, leans into an Asian flavour logic of grilled sweetness, sesame notes and vivid dressing, while keeping the presentation polished and clean.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-1024x745.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91501" width="768" height="559" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-385x280.jpg 385w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-768x559.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-1536x1117.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-2048x1490.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-200x145.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pan-Fried-Read-Snapper_01-1-800x582.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pan-Fried Read Snapper</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Then there’s Pan-Fried Red Snapper, which comes with spring vegetables in a lemony, buttery white-wine sauce, and a white balsamic tomato salsa. Translation: fish that’s handled carefully, served with enough vibrancy to keep you awake, and finished with a tangy detail that feels like someone is saying, ‘Don’t fall asleep – the sun is shining.’</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-810x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91503" width="608" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-810x1024.jpg 810w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-221x280.jpg 221w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-768x971.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-1214x1536.jpg 1214w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-1619x2048.jpg 1619w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-200x253.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-800x1012.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake-1-scaled.jpg 2024w" sizes="(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Passion-Fruit-and-White-Chocolate-Cheesecake</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Nowadays, every restaurant menu needs a ‘hardest dish’, and here it’s the house signature of Classic Beef Bourguignon, available at lunch and dinner. Chow calls it the biggest technical hurdle – balancing tender meat, a complex red-wine jus and plating that is homely, not stiff.</p>



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<p>If the lunchtime mains whisper refinement, the desserts are the season’s emotional support. Passion Fruit and White Chocolate Cheesecake offers a silky Japanese-style profile with passionfruit jelly and a finale of lemon sherbet plus homemade honeycomb. It’s sweet, sharp and a little playful, inviting the diner to have a jolly time.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-791x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91512" width="593" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-791x1024.jpg 791w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-216x280.jpg 216w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-768x994.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-1187x1536.jpg 1187w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-1583x2048.jpg 1583w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-200x259.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-800x1035.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Gremolata-Macadamia-Crusted-Grilled-King-Salmon-scaled.jpg 1978w" sizes="(max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gremolata &amp; Macadamia Crusted Grilled King Salmon</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>In the evening, a starter of Grilled Hokkaido Scallop arrives in a warm kombu broth, clear, gentle and intentionally focused. Grilled King Salmon, a main choice with gremolata and a macadamia crust, feels like a chef’s proclamation of ‘We can do rich, but we’ll do it with structure’. Accompaniments of kale, slow-cooked beetroot, and mustard seed and dill cream sauce impart depth without veering into heavy winter food.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-776x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91511" width="582" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-776x1024.jpg 776w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-212x280.jpg 212w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-768x1013.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-1165x1536.jpg 1165w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-1553x2048.jpg 1553w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-200x264.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-800x1055.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Grilled-Hokkaido-Scallop-scaled.jpg 1941w" sizes="(max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grilled Hokkaido Scallop</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Dinnertime desserts maintain the theme, offering freshness as well as elegance. Vanilla Panna Cotta with pomegranate jelly is bright and visually dramatic, while Granny Smith Apple Galette is the classic French comfort move – puff pastry, cinnamon-butter apples and caramel glaze finished with vanilla ice cream – because sometimes the simplest joy is best.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-1024x723.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91518" width="768" height="542" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-396x280.jpg 396w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-768x543.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-1536x1085.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-200x141.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical-800x565.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/z-New-Spring-Dinner-A-La-Carte-Menu-Vertical.jpg 1836w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Granny Smith Apple Galette</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Salon Lanson doesn’t just change the menu according to the season; it changes how you feel while eating. It’s elegant, yes, but it’s also warm in the way that matters: food crafted with care, not just for a moment.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-1024x793.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91510" width="768" height="595" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-362x280.jpg 362w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-768x594.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-1536x1189.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-2048x1585.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-200x155.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Vanilla-Panna-Cotta-800x619.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vanilla-Panna-Cotta</figcaption></figure></div>


<p><strong>Salon Lanson</strong>, <em>1/F, Lanson Place Causeway Bay, 133 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. </em>   <em><strong>Tel:</strong> 3477 6888. lansonplace.com</em>.  <em><strong>Text: </strong>Joseff Musa&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Photos: </strong>Salon Lanson</em></p>


Warm Comfort: Amid a mood code of relaxed elegance, Salon Lanson shows down-to-earth elevated cuisine for spring-summer


<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Scaling Passion, One Repeatable Winrestaurant Group for the Next Chapter</h4>



<p>From athlete to brand strategist, Issac&#8217;s story isn&#8217;t just a career shift. It&#8217;s a whole glow-up with a side of hustle sauce. As Chief Marketing Officer, Brand Growth Strategist, founder of iSeize Digital, and the brain behind a 12-outlet Korean F&amp;B group, he&#8217;s not merely &#8220;in the restaurant business&#8221; — he&#8217;s in the business of turning diners into regulars, chaos into systems, and growth into something you can actually manage.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Athlete to CMO: how did the journey unfold?</h3>



<p>I keep it refreshingly real: the transition wasn&#8217;t a straight line. It was built from second chances, mentors who actually show up, and a team that believed in me before I fully believed in myself.</p>



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<p>As an athlete, I learned the hardest life lesson early: losing is not the end — it&#8217;s training. That same mindset followed me into advertising at 23. I must admit, I used to be clumsy and raw. Clients called me a liar. A disaster. Ouch. But I didn&#8217;t let ego take the wheel. I started over — writing copy, shooting video, running ads, and learning how departments really communicate.</p>



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<p>Then came F&amp;B, where I applied the same strategy: squat low and learn the basics first. No business genius act. Just execution, humility, and the kind of teamwork that makes expansion feel less like a gamble and more like a plan.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-750x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91486" width="563" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-750x1024.jpg 750w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-205x280.jpg 205w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-768x1049.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-1124x1536.jpg 1124w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-1499x2048.jpg 1499w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-200x273.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-800x1093.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-1-scaled.jpg 1874w" sizes="(max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beauty industry strategy: how did it shape your entrepreneurial mindset?</h3>



<p>Eleven years in beauty shaped my view of entrepreneurship in a way &#8220;success stories&#8221; rarely mention. I didn&#8217;t just learn marketing; I learned responsibility.</p>



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<p>I trained 100 therapists and got eye-rolled by the entire room. Humiliation turned into action: I went back to the frontline — customer service, consulting, even store management — because I discovered the truth most people avoid saying: marketing and operations must be tied together. One without the other is just expensive noise.</p>



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<p>One client moment stuck forever: she had only HKD 300,000 left, and if I couldn&#8217;t help, her business would close. That&#8217;s when I realized a business carries families, not just products. In short, value is measured by how many problems I solve.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Credentials and vision in F&amp;B, especially with a shorter track record?</h3>



<p>I don&#8217;t pretend Hong Kong F&amp;B isn&#8217;t full of legends. I call myself a recruit. I opened nine restaurants in three years, but I still have a lot to learn.</p>



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<p>My advantage? I brought precision from beauty branding and data-driven marketing. I don&#8217;t open stores blindly. Every location is positioned using data, then backed by standardised frontline service and workflows. Not robotic — just consistently excellent.</p>



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<p>Taste is the baseline, but the real differentiator is the how: CRM, digital transformation, and genuine human warmth. That&#8217;s how you make every guest feel something unexpected.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-738x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91487" width="554" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-738x1024.jpg 738w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-202x280.jpg 202w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-768x1066.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-1107x1536.jpg 1107w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-1476x2048.jpg 1476w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-200x278.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-800x1110.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-1-scaled.jpg 1845w" sizes="(max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The future of F&amp;B: what&#8217;s next?</h3>



<p>Yes, costs are up, and competition is real. But what I see is opportunity: people will always crave good food and shared space. The next decade won&#8217;t belong to the cheapest; it will belong to brands that push brand value and experience to the ceiling.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What&#8217;s next for your group?</h3>



<p>Improve operational efficiency and staff welfare across the nine restaurants — rewarding the people who built this with me. Also, I want to prove that a young Hong Kong team can scale properly with the highest standards of governance.</p>



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<p>Because this isn&#8217;t a finish line. It&#8217;s a platform. And I am continuously building it — quietly, humbly, and one sincere step at a time.</p>


Profit Pilot: Issac Yeung Kam Chuen. From Athlete to Brand Strategist – Building a restaurant Group for the Next Chapter


<p>This season in Hong Kong, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts invites everyone to follow a trail of wonder, straight from the deep, dark ocean to the glittering brilliance of the display case. From <strong>May 23rd to October 11th, 2026</strong>, <em>Precious Coral, from Curiosity to Treasures </em>opens as a rare exhibition experience dedicated to one of jewellery history’s most spellbinding materials: <strong>Precious coral</strong>.</p>



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<p>And yes, prepare to be charmed, because the story begins with a twist. For centuries, precious coral was often mistaken for a stone or a plant. The exhibition gently sets the record straight: <strong>coral is an animal</strong>, and its remarkable beauty comes from life shaped by time, depth, and patience. Far from the sunlit reefs associated with tropical seas, precious coral species such as <strong><em>Corallium japonicum </em></strong>grow slowly at depths reaching <strong>several hundred meters</strong>, building dense, branch-like skeletons prized for their naturally evolving hues, ranging from <strong>pale blush and salmon </strong>to <strong>oxblood red</strong> and <strong>creamy white</strong>.</p>



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<p>But this is no ordinary “show-and-tell” display. <em>Precious Coral, from Curiosity to Treasures</em>, is curated to be experienced through <strong>three compelling lenses, Biology and Gemology, Craftsmanship</strong>, and <strong>History</strong>. Together, these perspectives reveal how coral transforms from a living organism to a material for art, ornament, trade, and belief.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-LECOLE_June2026_BG.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91479" width="576" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-LECOLE_June2026_BG.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-LECOLE_June2026_BG-210x280.jpg 210w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1-LECOLE_June2026_BG-200x267.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sciacca coral <em>(Corallium rubrum),</em> fashioned in the traditional &#8220;flowers &amp; leaves&#8221; 19th century, second half Liverino Collection</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Start with the biology. You’ll encounter coral not as a static object, but as a complex living structure, an organism with its own natural architecture. Then comes gemmology and colour: why this material’s palette feels almost impossible, as if the sea learned to paint. Finally, step into the craftsmanship gallery, where the exhibition highlights the human touch, tools, unfinished branches, and finished jewels placed side by side. Because working precious coral requires both <strong>technical sensitivity</strong> and <strong>respect for fragility</strong>, it can be intricately carved and engraved, yet demands precision, patience, and a steady hand. Watching the transformation, from raw branch to sculpted treasure, turns appreciation into awe.</p>



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<p>History, meanwhile, adds the intrigue of long-distance journeys. Precious coral has travelled far beyond its origin waters, fished historically in the Mediterranean and parts of the Pacific, it reached East Asia early through exchanges along what became known as the Silk Road connections. By the era of the <strong>Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)</strong>, Mediterranean coral was already moving eastward, valued as an ornament, currency, and talisman. In other words, coral didn’t just become jewellery, it became <strong>meaning</strong>.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-LECOLE_June2026_BG.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91480" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-LECOLE_June2026_BG.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-LECOLE_June2026_BG-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-LECOLE_June2026_BG-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-LECOLE_June2026_BG-200x150.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2-LECOLE_June2026_BG-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Polished precious coral branchPrecious coral <em>(Corallium japonicum),</em> rock Chii Lih Coral Museum</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>The exhibition also brings together approximately <strong>120 creations and exceptional specimens</strong>, including jewels, sculptures, art objects, and naturalia on loan from distinguished collections and institutions. Expect to see masterpieces and rare artifacts, such as the <strong>Akai Amoronagu Necklace</strong> and a glimpse of evolving forms across centuries.</p>



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<p>With curators <strong>Olivier Segura, Mathilde Berger-Rondouin </strong>and <strong>Ann Lee</strong>, and scientific advisory by <strong>Rui Galopim de Carvalho</strong>, the experience<strong> blends science, tradition, art, and craftsmanship</strong> into one unmissable narrative. As the exhibition suggests, precious coral is not only beautiful, it’s layered.</p>



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<p>So come, and let your imagination follow the current. Because once you’ve seen precious coral through these three lenses, you’ll realize the real treasure isn’t just in the pieces.</p>



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<p>It’s in the stories, woven, carved, polished, and preserved, until you can finally say: <strong>Coral-ly unforgettable.</strong></p>



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<p>Open daily <strong>10 a.m.–7 p.m.</strong>, with <strong>free admission (registration required) </strong>at <strong>L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, 510A, 5/F, K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong</strong>.</p>


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