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<p>Once a shy girl who devoted much of her time to her beloved horse, Mikey Madison is now riding the wave of Hollywood success. While labelling herself an introvert, the <em>Anora</em> star enjoys occupying the headspace of extroverts. “If I play these [extreme] characters, then I’m going to get to experience so much life and living through them. And it doesn’t have to be me, you know? I get to have a safety net.” When collecting her Best Actress Academy Award statuette in March this year, Madison stepped up, aged 25, as the first Gen Z Oscar winner for acting.</p>


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<p>Mikaela Madison Rosberg was born in Los Angeles on 25 March 1999, alongside her twin brother, into a family with a past claim to fame – one of her relatives was Clarence Hailey Long Jr, a rugged Texas cowboy who appeared on the cover of the August 1949 issue of <em>Life</em> magazine and was the inspiration for the iconic cigarette-advertising ‘Marlboro Man’.</p>



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<p>Although growing up in a vibrant city known for its performance arts, young Mikey initially inherited Long’s passion for riding. Her parents, both psychologists and supportive of her ambitions, allowed her to be homeschooled so could dedicate herself to equestrianism. It wasn’t until she was 14 that her head was turned toward acting. “I loved the ritual of getting to the barn and taking care of my horse, but it’s kind of an isolating sport,” she says of horse riding. “I felt called in another direction.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">LA Spirit</h3>



<p>Having enrolled in acting classes, she made the pivotal decision to focus on acting full-time, forgoing college to immerse herself in auditions. It was then that her upbringing in Los Angeles, amid a backdrop of aspiring artists and established stars, provided her with a unique perspective on the entertainment world.</p>



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<p>She first caught the eye at 17 as the eldest, and often angry, daughter in the television family assembled by Pamela Adlon for the comedy-drama series <em>Better Things</em> (2016-2020). “That show was my film school, my college, and I learned a lot about acting too, certainly,” she says.</p>



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<p>Her film breakthrough came in Quentin Tarantino’s <em>Once Upon a Time in Hollywood</em> (2019),&nbsp; which examines the changing dynamics of Tinseltown in the late 1960s. She shone among a large ensemble cast which included big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, playing the small but pivotal role of Susan ‘Sadie’ Atkins, one of Charles Manson’s notorious ‘family’ who murdered actress Sharon Tate and four others on 9 August 1969. Praised by critics for her authenticity and emotional depth, the young actor demonstrated her versatility and positioned herself as a new talent to watch.</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/2025/06/7a-936x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86758" width="702" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-936x1024.jpg 936w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-256x280.jpg 256w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-768x840.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-1404x1536.jpg 1404w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-1872x2048.jpg 1872w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-200x219.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/7a-800x875.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px" /></figure></div>


<p>The main takeaway for Madison herself, though, was the opportunity to be directed by one of her heroes. “It was a dream come true,” she exclaims of working with Tarantino. “It was completely unbelievable and the greatest entry into film for me. But it was also, ‘OK, well, f***, I just worked with my hero at 19. What am I going to do now?’”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Brooklyn Bound</h3>



<p>Nabbing the titular role in the Palme d’Or and Oscar triumph <em>Anora</em> (2024) was her answer. In fact, she didn’t even have to audition for the part since writer-director-producer-editor Sean Baker had spotted her in <em>Scream</em> (2022), the fifth instalment of the iconic slasher series, and recalled her work in <em>Once Upon a Time in Hollywood</em>. He wrote this hard-edged, modern American romance centring on a bold, brassy stripper-cum-occasional sex worker with Madison in mind.</p>



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<p>In turn, the actor threw herself into the role, casting off her inner California girl. Displaying her strong work ethic and thirst for perfection, she visited strip clubs, learnt pole dancing and basic Russian, and even lived in Brighton Beach for a month to acquire a thick Brooklyn accent.</p>


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<p>As she collected a cache of trophies for <em>Anora</em>, Madison dedicated them to the women who earn their living as sex workers. “I’ve made friends who are dancers,” she relates. “I wanted every aspect of Ani’s career and what she does to be realistic – but also [to show] that’s not her entire life; that’s just her job. I didn’t want [her line of work] to be sensationalised or dramatised in a negative way. I just wanted it to be what it was.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Slow &amp; Shy</h3>



<p>She says of the character: “[Ani’s] very boisterous and scrappy and has so much attitude. And she has this incredible fighting spirit that I really admire, and I don’t think that’s me at all. In terms of energy, I’m a lower-energy person. I just move through the world in a slower manner.” A rare celebrity who eschews social media and doesn’t like to talk about herself, the actor prefers to live “in her own little world”.</p>



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<p>Madison has been open about her struggles with shyness and social difficulties as a child, when she found solace spending time with animals. She encourages others to prioritise their mental wellbeing, reinforcing her commitment to authenticity.</p>



<p>As a relatively inexperienced actor, she has been inspired by the women who have paved the way in Hollywood. She acknowledges the importance of representation in film and television, advocating for diverse stories and complex characters. Her passion for storytelling aligns with her desire to contribute meaningfully to the industry.</p>


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<p>“I would like to see more men in power being outspoken about women’s issues in Hollywood… the kind of world we live in, men are in a position of power – actors, producers, directors. They should be uplifting women. I think that should be a man’s role,” she says.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Emotional Ride</h3>



<p>Looking ahead to surely an even more glittering future, she is eager to explore new opportunities that challenge her as an actress.  She is keen on taking on diverse roles that push her boundaries and projects that resonate with her values, whether in film or television. “[Acting] is an emotional job, and so for me, I approach it in an emotional way,” she stresses. “I’m taking my time [committing to a new project, and] I’m grateful that I have the luxury of being able to do right now.”</p>



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<p>She acknowledges that making <em>Anora</em> was a “crazy, life-changing” experience. The low-key star views acting as “creating something together” and takes pleasure in the fact “that whatever I make, for at least one person it will be their favourite thing”. With her first headlining role, Mikey Madison has touched the hearts of millions.</p>


Head Over Heels: From horse riding to pole dancing, Anora actor Mikey Madison is assured and authentic in everything she does


<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>A Tribute to Legacy, Innovation, and Global Connection</em></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left"><strong>Brief History of The World Is Yours Collection</strong></h3>



<p>Launched in 2023, <strong>The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone</strong> was a tribute to the first timepiece Jacob Arabo ever owned, a dual-time zone watch with a world map dial, gifted to him by his father at the age of 13. It was the first timepiece from The World Is Yours collection. Because of its original inspiration, the first complication featured a double time zone with two sub-dials.</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/2025/06/1-copy_new-1024x686.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86598" width="768" height="515" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-copy_new-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-copy_new-418x280.jpg 418w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-copy_new-768x515.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-copy_new-200x134.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-copy_new-800x536.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-copy_new.jpg 1203w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


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<p><strong>The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone Tourbillon</strong> was the first evolution in the collection. The curved dial of The World Is Yours collection now welcomed a tourbillon as its pinnacle. Sitting at the highest point of a world map, it gave the 43-mm Dual Time Zone Tourbillon a new dimension.</p>


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<p>Jacob &amp; Co., the globally renowned high jewelry, high watchmaking brand, proudly presents a limited edition collection, created in collaboration with superstar, philanthropist, icon of Indian cinema and friend of the brand, Salman Khan. <strong>The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone Salman Khan</strong> is an exclusive timepiece is a tribute to heritage, family bonds, and the spirit of global connection.</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/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-1024x738.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86615" width="768" height="554" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-1024x738.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-388x280.jpg 388w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-768x554.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-1536x1107.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-2048x1477.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-200x144.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/s1-1-copy_for-digital-1-800x577.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A Deep Friendship and Shared Father-Son Story</strong></h3>



<p>Salman Khan and Jacob &amp; Co. Founder and Chairman Jacob Arabo have been great friends, with Khan regularly seen wearing Jacob &amp; Co. timepieces such as the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon. Their bond deepened when Khan learned that The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone was inspired by a watch Jacob’s father gifted him as a symbol of time’s significance and the importance of realizing your unlimited potential. Drawing inspiration from the shared story, the two visionaries came together to conceptualize a timepiece that would honour Khan’s father, legendary Indian cinema writer Salim Khan.</p>



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<p>The individually-numbered, limited edition timepiece features design elements that pay homage to India’s rich heritage. The saffron and green accents are inspired by the vibrant colours of the Indian flag, while the laser-engraved world map and “Salman Khan” inscription on the case back signify his global influence and status as a style icon. The actor’s initials “S.K.” also appear on the lower dial in the 6’o clock position.</p>



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<p>The special edition timepiece features a custom box from Jacob &amp; Co. rendered in Salman Khan’s favourite shade of turquoise, mirroring his iconic turquoise bracelet, a piece he never goes without.</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/2025/06/Dual_Time_Zone_DT100.40.AA_.AE_.ABALA_cobra-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86600" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dual_Time_Zone_DT100.40.AA_.AE_.ABALA_cobra-copy.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dual_Time_Zone_DT100.40.AA_.AE_.ABALA_cobra-copy-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dual_Time_Zone_DT100.40.AA_.AE_.ABALA_cobra-copy-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A Unique Movement</strong></h3>



<p>In addition to featuring a domed, three-dimensional dial that resembles a globe, The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone is uniquely engineered for global travellers, featuring an independently adjustable dual time zone complication—a rarity in fine watchmaking. Unlike traditional dual-time watches, this innovation allows for fully independent hour and minute setting, making it especially useful for time zones with non-standard differences, such as India’s GMT +5:30 offset.</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/2025/06/Dual-time-zone-MAD-PNG-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-86608" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dual-time-zone-MAD-PNG-1.png 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dual-time-zone-MAD-PNG-1-224x280.png 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dual-time-zone-MAD-PNG-1-200x250.png 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>This black DLC steel version of The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone is the first model to be crafted in partnership with MAD Paris.</p>



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<p>If The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone represents the world from above by daytime, this is its night time counterpart. Not only is it dark, with a black case, black dial and black continent, but it glows in the dark.</p>



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<p>When the lights are off, the luminescence of The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone MAD Paris appears. The world map is filled with hundreds of Individually applied city lights. The sub-dials feature a MAD Paris typeface, and the center small seconds look like a wheel, giving The World Is Yours Dual Time Zone MAD Paris its absolutely modern look.</p>


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<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center"><em>Explore Your World in Shop No. W5, The Peninsula Hong Kong</em></h4>


[Feature Story] A Story of Jacob & Co’s Legacy


<p>June bursts with an exciting lineup of must-see events and experiences—from the dazzling Jewellery &amp; Gem Asia Hong Kong to M+’s mesmerizing AI-generated animations and beyond.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dongpo: Life in Poems</h3>



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<p>Various strands of Chinese culture – music, dance, calligraphy, poetry, opera, martial arts, seal engraving and guqin – are weaved into a mesmerising show inspired by the literary works of Su Shi. Dancers of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group bring the famed Song Dynasty scholar and artist’s wonderful calligraphy and verses to life, their bodies swaying in poetic patterns as they take the audience on a Masterclass journey of discovery. </p>



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<p><strong>When:</strong> 13-14 June</p>



<p><strong>Where:</strong> Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre</p>



<p><strong>How much:</strong> HK$200</p>



<p>For more information:&nbsp;<strong><em>lcsd.gov.hk</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jewellery &amp; Gem Asia Hong Kong</h3>



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<p>This is a must-attend showcase for jewellery-industry insiders. Viewed as Asia’s prime mid-year sourcing event, the fair highlights latest developments in the sector. Promoters pinpoint three special features for 2025 – Orient Odyssey 2.0 dedicated to the fascinating world of pearls, the Gold Jewellery Pavilion, and announcement of the finalists in the Sustainability Awards. </p>



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<p><strong>When:</strong> 19-22 June</p>



<p><strong>Where:</strong> Convention &amp; Exhibition Centre</p>



<p><strong>How much:</strong> Free admission by invitation or pre-registration</p>



<p>For more information:&nbsp;<strong><em>jga.exhibitions.jewellerynet.com</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Movable Feast</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86718" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-497x280.jpg 497w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-200x113.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-800x450.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3.jpg 1700w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Enjoy this marvellous homage to the culture of food and drink in China. Spanning the course of 5,000 years of Chinese food customs and etiquette, this superb exhibition is split into four sections focusing on different time periods and ideologies – from the historical role of food and drink in the afterlife to a display of contemporary dining and drinking vessels. Some 110 exhibits have been gathered.</p>



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<p><strong>When:</strong> Until 18 June</p>



<p><strong>Where:</strong> Hong Kong Palace Museum</p>



<p><strong>How much:</strong> HK$150</p>



<p>For more information:&nbsp;<strong><em>hkpm.org.hk</em></strong></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Night Charades</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86719" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-497x280.jpg 497w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-200x113.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4-800x450.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4.jpg 1700w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Immerse yourself in amazing AI-generated animation that pays tribute to the glorious years of Hong Kong cinema. Set against the façade of M+ amid the backdrop of the night lights of Victoria Harbour, myriad famous characters from the movies of the 1980s and ‘90s re-enact iconic scenes nightly via a computer-generated series of surreal paintings and luminous imagery. The show is devised by Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen. </p>



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<p><strong>When:</strong> Until 29 June</p>



<p><strong>Where: </strong>M+ Façade, West Kowloon Cultural District</p>



<p><strong>How much:</strong> Free</p>



<p>For more information:&nbsp;<strong><em>westk.hk</em></strong></p>


What’s on? Things to do this June in Hong Kong


<p>A recent survey has shed positive light on Hong Kong’s efforts to lure more tourists and the high levels of public awareness and engagement generated by mega events. Large-scale attractions are seen as an important plank in the drive to attract overseas visitors willing to spend big in the local economy.</p>



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<p>March 2025 was designated a ‘Super’ month by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) in an initiative designed to boost the city’s allure. The ‘Super March’ campaign crystallised and capitalised upon a series of major events with international pulling power that were happening that month, including the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central and pop culture festival ComplexCon.</p>



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<p>A variety of methods, from websites and social media to online and outdoor advertising, were used to draw tourists into Hong Kong to experience these cultural and sporting highlights and visit new landmarks. A dedicated webpage was set up to promote the campaign, and the HKTB partnered with 40 key opinion leaders and celebrities, who shared first-hand enjoyment of the events on their social-media platforms, resulting in a reported audience reach of more than 10 million followers.</p>



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<p>Super March was the first showcase of seasonal themes involving the strategic bundling of mega events and experiences that define Hong Kong – the likes of gastronomy, arts and culture, festivals, horse racing and sports, nature and outdoor activities, and the giant pandas – for promotions in visitor source markets. It was implemented “so that visitors and travel trade partners [could] have ample time to make travel or sales plans,” stated a HKTB spokesperson.</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/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86693" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/PA_20250329__WR62098-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Surveying Sentiment</h3>



<p>Following Super March, a survey conducted by leading data-driven insights provider MDRi offered a comprehensive understanding of how these events were perceived and experienced by the local community. It focused on key indicators including event awareness, event participants and profiling, likelihood to recommend, and areas of improvement. The effectiveness of brand sponsorship, and sentiment on the Hong Kong economy, the future, and future event preferences were also analysed. The report was based on a “robust” survey sample size of 1,000 respondents from the general public.</p>



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<p>Notable among the survey findings was the invigorating impact of the Super March events on the Hong Kong economy. “A significant 72% of respondents expressed agreement that these events would have a positive effect on the local economy,” says Simon Tye, CEO of MDRi. “This finding underscores the optimism and recognition among the public regarding the economic benefits that these March events can potentially bring to Hong Kong.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sucking in Tourists</h3>



<p>Driven by this series of mega events, Hong Kong successfully attracted large numbers of visitors in March. The total of 3.8 million – including more than a million non-mainland visitors – represented a year-on-year increase of 12%, according to HKTB figures.</p>



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<p>“Inbound visitors accounted for more than 50%, 40% and 25% respectively for major events such as Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sevens and Art Central,” noted the HKTB. “Participants of ComplexCon also grew by 16% compared to last year, with a total sales of HK$87 million in the event.”</p>



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<p>The general economy and the hotel sector also received a boost. “In terms of economic activities, various sectors reported an extra revenue of 15-30% in March. According to the hotel industry, the occupancy rate of hotels in peak districts [was] close to 90%.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sevens the Star</h3>


<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/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-1024x651.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86694" width="768" height="488" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-441x280.jpg 441w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-768x488.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-1536x976.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-2048x1301.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-200x127.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Hong_Kong_Sevens_2025_Champions-800x508.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>The standout performer among the month’s mega events was the Hong Kong Sevens, reaching an “impressive” 89% awareness among the Hong Kong population, according to the Super March feedback. About 90% of attendees rated their experience positively and expressed strong interest in future participation. Additionally, 89% knew that Cathay and HSBC sponsored the event.</p>



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<p>In another boon for this year’s Hong Kong Sevens, it became the first major event held at Kai Tak Stadium, the new, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility designed by Populous, a global architectural firm specialising in arenas. “With a storied history dating back to 1976, this iconic event has woven itself into the collective memory of Hong Kong locals,” says Tye, noting that the new venue and facilities contributed positively to the event’s overall evaluation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Statement Stadium</h3>



<p>Richard Breslin, Senior Principal of Populous and the project’s lead architect, says Hong Kong is putting itself on the world stage as a major centre of sport, art and entertainment tourism. “Seeing the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium packed full of fans from all over the world during the three days of the Rugby Sevens is a real statement from Hong Kong to Asia and the rest of the world that the city is as vibrant and busy as ever,” he enthuses.</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/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-1024x668.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86696" width="768" height="501" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-1024x668.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-429x280.jpg 429w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-768x501.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-1536x1002.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-2048x1336.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-200x130.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Feature4_June2025_Coldplay2-1-800x522.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>“Kai Tak Sports Park is one of the world’s most integrated sports and entertainment precincts. It’s a city-shaping asset and having the Hong Kong Sevens here brought the event to the city and the city to the world.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Not All Right on the Night</h3>



<p>The draw of Kai Tak Stadium is highlighted by the fact that tickets placed on general sale for next month’s Hong Kong Football Festival were snapped up within hours. Numerous sell-out performances, including by British group Coldplay and Cantopop star Nicholas Tse, also attest to the new venue’s magnetic appeal.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>However, more than 200 complaints were lodged with the city’s consumer watchdog after the Coldplay concert, mainly concerning obstructed views. Similar complaints followed Tse’s show. Tye says such incidents raise valid issues about seating arrangements.</p>



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<p>Another teething problem concerned parking at the stadium. Amrit Sethi, Director of local travel agency Excella Travel, helped facilitate the itinerary of a group of visitors from Mongolia who were “super excited” to be in Hong Kong for Coldplay. “I wove in some other fun activities such as horse racing, city sightseeing and an optional visit to a theme park,” she says. “Some were diehard fans, who even got tattoos done prior to flying over.”</p>



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<p>Sethi states that the group had difficulty returning to their coach after the concert, as the vehicle had been unable to park in the intended area close to the stadium. “They finally did find the driver with real-time location share, but they had to walk quite a distance away.”</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/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86697" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Print_approx_21_x_14_cm_ABMB24__Galleries__GomideandCo__Public_In_HiRes-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Art of Drawing Crowds</h3>



<p>Amid all the plus points of its findings, the MDRi survey did uncover what might be considered a weakness in marketing Hong Kong mega events to the home crowd. Other than the Hong Kong Sevens, less than half of the sample population were aware of the Super March attractions – only 40% of respondents knew about Art Basel, while just 26% and 21% were cognisant of Art Central and ComplexCon respectively. However, in all cases the overwhelming number of attendees viewed their experience positively.</p>



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<p>Tye attributes the lower awareness to the nature of these events, which are primarily focused on art, culture and niche interests and thus may appeal to a smaller segment of the public. He says the success of Art Basel reinforces Hong Kong’s global reputation as a major art centre alongside New York, London and Paris. Interestingly, a profile of event attendees revealed that Art Basel participants had the highest liquid assets (a total of HK$2.74 million).</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/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86698" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-739b5195f4f35d5ddb58d65e68e72932-scaled-1-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Regarding areas of improvement for Art Basel, Tye points to a suggestion by respondents that pre-events should be hosted to introduce the art on show. This might “help build anticipation, generate interest and provide insights into the uniqueness and attractions of the artworks”, he says.</p>



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<p>He believes Art Central serves as a valuable complement to Art Basel by offering a high-exposure platform for emerging artists from the local and Asian art scenes. As for ComplexCon, he suggests its ability to resonate with a younger generation speaks to its relevance in contemporary pop culture and consumer trends.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Big Picture</h3>



<p>Ultimately, the successful experiences of Super March not only reveal long-term implications for the arts, culture, sports and entertainment sectors but also reflect a vibrant cultural identity within the city. “This success could potentially attract more diverse events, promote local talent and stimulate creative industries, which may have lasting positive effects on Hong Kong’s cultural landscape,” says Tye.</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/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy-1024x710.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86699" width="768" height="533" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy-404x280.jpg 404w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy-768x533.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy-200x139.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy-800x555.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/opt-Articles_ArtCentral_report_2025_07-copy.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>While Super March focused on mega sporting, art and cultural events, the HKTB is looking to cast the net wider in the future. The travel body suggests that staging international events like conventions and exhibitions can strengthen Hong Kong’s status and influence in different areas, such as financial and medical services, logistics, science and technology.</p>


Mega Mania:  Hong Kong’s big-event approach to reviving tourism and boosting cultural identity is working


<p class="has-text-align-center">Discover the fascinating musical journey of Donna Lee,<br>an accomplished 17-year-old violinist, soprano, composer and conductor</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How did your fascination with music begin?</h3>



<p>I was waiting for my sister to finish her cello lesson in the studio when I was 5 and the owner asked if I would like to try learning the violin, to which I agreed, found it really interesting and went home to ask my parents if I could start violin classes.</p>



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<p>This concert holds a deeply personal meaning for me, as it will take place on August 26th in Discovery Bay, the hometown where I grew up.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What level of dedication does it require to become so proficient in music?</h3>



<p>Being good at an instrument or anything in general requires lots of discipline. Of course there are days where you would feel like practicing and there are also days that you don’t. It’s the days that you don’t but still push yourself because your love, passion and dedication outweighs your feelings of not wanting to practice. It also takes a lot of perseverance as you would get rejected a lot. The ability of being able to keep moving forward and improving despite all the rejections is absolutely crucial.</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/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-754x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86670" width="566" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-754x1024.jpg 754w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-206x280.jpg 206w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-768x1043.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-1131x1536.jpg 1131w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-1509x2048.jpg 1509w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-200x272.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-800x1086.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8094-copy-opt-scaled.jpg 1886w" sizes="(max-width: 566px) 100vw, 566px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">You are described as a violinist, soprano, composer and conductor, are these musical gifts equally important to you?</h3>



<p>I strongly believe that everything in music is intertwined. Learning composing has allowed me to understand the meanings and intentions of each piece on a much more profound level. Learning classical singing has allowed me to express myself in my playing and compositions. It takes a lot of perseverance, patience and passion to be proficient in each field. I would consider myself mostly as a singer and composer, the violin is an extension of my voice. Meanwhile, I have just started conducting half a year ago, therefore I don’t have an answer on whether it is something I would wish to pursue full time in the future or a hobby that deepens my understanding in music.</p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Of your many musical achievements and awards, which means the most to you?</h3>



<p>The musical achievements that mean the most to me are not my awards but the brilliant professors that I was able to work and hone my skills with such as Anna Samuil in voice, Jorma Panula in conducting, Gian Paolo Peloso in violin. These professors have shaped me into the musician that I am today and many others. It is truly my greatest honour and privilege to learn from them.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Do you have any favourite classical composers?</h3>



<p>It really depends on the repertoire and how I’m feeling! Sometimes my favourites are Bruckner, Mahler and Wagner, other times I love Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss and Verdi.</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/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-773x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86671" width="580" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-773x1024.jpg 773w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-211x280.jpg 211w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-768x1018.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-1159x1536.jpg 1159w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-1545x2048.jpg 1545w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-200x265.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-800x1060.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_8172-copy_edit-scaled.jpg 1932w" sizes="(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Which musical maestros have inspired you the most?</h3>



<p>The musician that has had a strong and significant impact on me would be Patricia Janecková. Despite her passing at the young age of 25, she has left a strong and impactful mark in the world of singing. Her recordings made me realise my love and passion for the voice as an instrument.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Do you have any favourite standout musical performances?</h3>



<p>A performance that stood out a lot for me was my solo debut with an orchestra playing the Bach violin concerto no.2 in E major. Another one that I cherish a lot was my conducting debut to which I was also premiering the 4th movement of my Requiem.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Would you recommend music as a career?</h3>



<p>I strongly recommend for everyone to experience classical music with an open mind. Music and art affect us as individuals and truly colour our lives, speaking for myself at least. I would recommend music as a career as it requires lots of discipline, passion and commitment, all of which could be applied to anything else in life.</p>


[Feature Story] Donna Lee:  A Multi-talented Musical Prodigy

Breezy & Vibrant: Effortless styles with bold colours and airy fabrics that scream sunshine and confidence


<p>In a city renowned for its awe-inspiring skyline and vibrant urban landscape, a new residential development has emerged that is set to redefine the boundaries of luxury living. Introducing Skywaters Residences, a stunning architectural masterpiece that has recently made headlines for shattering records in Singapore&#8217;s prestigious property market. At 305m tall, The Skywaters will be the tallest skyscraper and the reigning tower in Singapore.</p>



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<p>Nestled in the heart of one of Singapore&#8217;s most sought-after neighborhoods, Skywaters Residences is a testament to the city-state&#8217;s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. The development, which is scheduled for completion in 2028, has already captured the attention of discerning investors and homebuyers alike with one of the penthouses being recently sold. The 7,761 sq ft, 99-year leasehold unit on the 57th floor fetched $47.34 million or $6,100 psf.</p>



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<p>This remarkable transaction not only sets a new benchmark for 99-year leasehold projects in Singapore but also serves as a testament to the enduring allure of the city&#8217;s high-end real estate market. In a market that has seen a flurry of activity in recent years, the Skywaters Residences deal stands out as a true milestone, with psf prices crossing the S$6,000 mark for the first time since October 2022.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81940" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-498x280.jpg 498w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-200x113.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b1-800x450.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Designed through a collaboration between Singapore-based DCA Architects and Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), which is known for designing skyscrapers such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the One World Trade Center in New York, The Skywaters boasts a striking, contemporary facade that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape. The development&#8217;s only 190 units, with a range of 3 to 5-bedroom apartments and exclusive penthouses, offer a level of luxury and sophistication that is unparalleled in the city.</p>



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<p>Each residence is meticulously crafted, with high-end finishes, state-of-the-art appliances, and expansive living spaces that invite residents to bask in the beauty of their surroundings. The development&#8217;s amenities are equally impressive, featuring an infinity pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and lush, meticulously landscaped gardens that provide a tranquil oasis in the heart of the bustling city.</p>



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<p>As the property market in Singapore continues to evolve, the record-breaking sale of a Skywaters Residences unit serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of premium real estate. For those seeking the ultimate in luxury living, this development stands as a shining example of what is possible when visionary design meets uncompromising quality.</p>



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



<p>Soaring above the glittering skyline of Singapore, Skywaters Residences stand as a beacon of unparalleled luxury and exclusivity. Nestled within one of the world&#8217;s supertall skyscrapers, this extraordinary property represents a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ownership.</p>



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<p>As of 2024, there are only 235 supertall buildings across 68 countries, underscoring the rarity and prestige associated with this elite category. The Skywaters, standing tall at the intersection of the Central Business District, Marina Bay, and the future Greater Southern Waterfront, is poised to join the ranks of iconic global landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, cementing Singapore&#8217;s status as a premier destination for the world&#8217;s discerning elites.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81941" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-498x280.jpg 498w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-200x113.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/c1-800x450.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Residents of the Skywaters will enjoy the prestigious address of 1 Prince Edward Road, a coveted location that offers unparalleled views of the city&#8217;s lush greenery and the sparkling South China Sea. Situated above 200 meters from sea level, the Skywaters provides a majestic exclusivity that is truly unmatched, setting it apart as a league of its own.</p>



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<p>Representing the pinnacle of luxury living, Skywaters Residences offer an unrivaled experience for the most discerning of individuals. With only 190 exclusive units ranging from 3 to 5 bedrooms (2,217 to 6,512 square feet) and lavish penthouses and sky villas with private pools (7,761 to 18,794 square feet), this development is reserved solely for the privileged few.</p>



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<p>Combining luxury residences, office spaces, retail, and dining, The Skywaters provides a comprehensive lifestyle experience that seamlessly blends privacy, security, and cutting-edge smart home technology. Residents will enjoy unparalleled vistas and the convenience of private lifts that whisk them to their exclusive abodes in mere minutes.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-81942" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-498x280.jpg 498w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-200x113.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/d1-800x450.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p>Bespoke hospitality concierge services and curated facilities on levels 27, 32, and 46 cater to the refined tastes of Skywaters Residences discerning residents to further elevate the living experience, offering a level of sophistication and exclusivity that is truly unmatched.</p>



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<p>As Mr. Pua Seck Guan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perennial Holdings, on behalf of the consortium, eloquently states, &#8220;The Skywaters epitomises the pinnacle of luxury living, redefining sophistication and exclusivity for residents while firmly establishing Singapore amongst other global cultural and prestigious centres such as New York, London, and Tokyo. This iconic development, carefully designed with unwavering attention to detail and uncompromising quality, stands shoulder to shoulder with celebrated global landmarks, offering residents an unparalleled lifestyle experience.&#8221;</p>



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<p>Truly, the Skywaters Residences in Singapore represent a symbol of success and unrivaled luxury, catering to the most discerning of global elites. With its rarity, prestige, and unmatched views, this development promises to redefine the very essence of luxury living, setting a new benchmark for aspirational lifestyles.</p>



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<p>Skywaters Residences is proudly developed by a consortium led by Perennial Holdings Pte Ltd, an integrated real estate developer, healthcare owner, and manager, headquartered in Singapore, with presence in 16 cities in China, Malaysia, and Indonesia.</p>



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<p><em>To begin your journey towards owning an exclusive Skywaters Residences unit, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.skywatersresidences.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">http://www.skywatersresidences.sg</a></em></p>


[Feature Story] Skywaters Residences: Singapore’s Elevated Luxury Living


<p>While opinions vary on whether now is the right time to buy or sell art, there may be some clarity on the best location in which to do so. The art market in Hong Kong and mainland China is outperforming other regions, and significantly for its future buoyancy, is diversifying to embrace younger collectors.</p>



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<p>Two recently published reports highlight the mixed fortunes of players in the art world. <em>The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2025</em> points to a 12% decrease in global art market sales amid a challenging economic environment. Research indicates a more reserved buying and selling environment at the high end of the market, but more positively the broader landscape remains dynamic. Resilience in lower-priced segments is fostering a more diverse market ecosystem.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>On a regional level, indicators for the Asian art scene are encouraging. The newly launched <em>Mishcon de Reya x ArtTactic – China Art Market Report 2025</em> speaks of a “transformative” period for the art market here, as Hong Kong and mainland China become established as a prominent global art centre. It reveals that the global market share for sales of Modern and Contemporary Art in China including Hong Kong has doubled over the last decade, solidifying the country’s position as a key art hub. Having leapt from 7% market share in 2015 to 14% last year, China is now the third-largest art market globally. Furthermore, Hong Kong’s growth rate as an auction centre for Modern and Contemporary Art over the past 10 years has surpassed that of its rivals, New York and London.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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



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<p>Jason Karas, Managing Partner of law firm Karas So LLP, who co-authored the China Art Market Report, flags economic growth and wealth creation in mainland China and Hong Kong as main factors in this rise, coupled with a sophisticated art market eco-system of public museums, private galleries, artists, advisers, collectors – including a new generation of buyers – and auction houses.</p>
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<p>He is also optimistic that the wider Asia region will continue to enjoy a higher share of art sales in the foreseeable future. “Asia is likely to continue to be the fastest-growing region in the world and continue to be a magnet for international capital,” he says. “These factors will inevitably lead to further growth in the art market through Asia.”&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Another important development spotlighted by the report is the internationalisation of the Hong Kong art market over the past decade. Co-author Simon Tye, CEO of market insights consultancy MDRi, notes: “Blue-chip Impressionists artists stimulated a remarkable increase in overall Impressionist sales, soaring from just US$247,300 in 2015 to US$68.7 million in 2024. Strong demand for works by Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh has been a major driver, as their market appeal continues to grow among collectors in the region.”&nbsp;</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">China rising</h3>



<p>Asians have dominated the lists of top 10 artists selling for over US$1 million in the last decade, especially Chinese émigrés and Japanese artists. This high standing is driven by global recognition through museum exhibitions and strong auction results in the key markets of New York, London, Paris and Hong Kong, reveals Karas. Their appeal to both international and Asian collectors has reinforced their prominence at the top of the market.</p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="646" height="806" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pearl-Lam_edit.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86582 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pearl-Lam_edit.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pearl-Lam_edit-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pearl-Lam_edit-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<p>Some exhibitors at Art Basel Hong Kong in March commented on a strong interest in Chinese artists among fairgoers. “I’m particularly encouraged by the interest in Zhu Jinshi, a true pioneer of Chinese abstraction,” said Pearl Lam, who owns galleries in Hong Kong and Shanghai. She also noticed growing visitor curiosity for the works of Su Xiaobai.</p>
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<p>However, she issued a word of warning: “Let’s be real: this is a challenging time for Chinese artists on the global stage. We’re facing Trump-era tariffs and a climate that complicates the promotion of Chinese art.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Demand for diversity</h3>



<p>Dawn Zhu, Director for Asia at international gallery Thaddaeus Ropac, noted that those who once focused primarily on Chinese or Asian contemporary art are increasingly interested in Western contemporary art, reflecting a quest to diversify collections. The gallery, which had one of its best years at Art Basel Hong Kong, showed high-quality works spanning established names and younger artists, aiming to respond to the varied interests of collectors in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.</p>



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<p>Commenting on the growth in demand for art in Asia, Zhu says: “The region’s expanding collector base and institutional infrastructure are signs that this trajectory might continue, although there are many other geopolitical and economic factors that will influence this and other global markets.”</p>



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<p>According to Levent Özmen, Senior Gallery Director of Istanbul-based Dirimart, oil on canvas paintings, particularly those by the new generation of upcoming artists, are catching the eye of many collectors. He opined that business at Art Basel Hong Kong has yet to return to the optimism of pre-Covid times, but he drew positives from the experience, saying: “We have always perceived our presence at the fair as a long-term project and value networking over sales.”</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Young at art&nbsp;</h3>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="646" height="806" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Melle-Hendrikse_edit.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86584 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Melle-Hendrikse_edit.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Melle-Hendrikse_edit-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Melle-Hendrikse_edit-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<p>Gallerist Melle Hendrikse, who founded C-Space (now known as CLC Gallery Venture) in the Caochangdi Art District of Beijing in 2008, believes further growth in China’s burgeoning art market is being driven by new, and especially young, collectors. “We especially had very strong interest in the works by Zhang Shujian and Wang Xuan,” said Hendrikse of Art Basel Hong Kong, where he showcased predominately Chinese artists alongside some international names.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Garth Grierson, founder of Hong Kong-based Art Curators Hub, concurs. “There are younger buyers and collectors coming into the market, which is very encouraging for the future of art,” he says, adding that Asian art is taking the lead in Asia as the market recovers.</p>
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<p>The shift to youth noted by these gallerists is borne out by the China Art Market Report. Its research shows that nearly 40% of bidders and buyers in Asia are from the Millennial and Gen Z age groups, whose growing interest in art equates to a form of personal expression as well as an investment. “The auction market is increasingly driven by a younger demographic, which should secure its future growth and longevity,” says Karas. “As the global wealth transfer accelerates, this demographic is set to play a pivotal role in driving demand and market dynamics.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Affordable icons</h3>



<p>The report also highlights a notable increase in sales volume over 2023 and 2024 in the sub-US$50,000 sector, where young contemporary artists represent 26.9% of lots sold. “The interest in younger artists is a likely reflection of more demand from NextGen collectors who are collecting artists from their generation,” adds Karas.</p>



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<p>Renowned Asian artists such as Zao Wou-Ki and Sanyu, as well as international icons such as Pablo Picasso, also featured in auction sales at the lower end of the market. “It’s important for new and younger collectors to understand that the global art market and established (blue-chip) artists are accessible through multiple price points, from multimillion-dollar artworks to affordable options such as works on paper or limited editions and prints,” says Karas.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Women artists on the verge</h3>



<p>Diversification, which is a key catalyst for growth in the Hong Kong and Mainland China Modern and Contemporary Art market, extends to an increasing demand for works by women artists. At auction in Hong Kong, the number of women artists featured has tripled in the past six years, from 79 in 2019 to 231 in 2024. As Karas notes, there has been a significant global shift – including in Asia – towards greater inclusivity and gender diversity in the art market and the broader art world.</p>



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<p>Furthermore, Asian and Chinese artists dominate this emerging section of the Hong Kong and mainland China market, with seven out of the top 10 women artists by sales value hailing from the region. “The rising stocks of women artists from Asia could be at least partially owed to the trend of museums hosting retrospective shows on women artists from the region,” explains Karas. “Examples include the Yayoi Kusama show at M+ in 2022-23, and two at London’s Tate Modern – Anicka Yi in 2021-22, and Yoko Ono in 2024.” Karas also reveals a broader trend of expanding art markets throughout Asia, reflected in the development of new art infrastructure and events in other cities in China and in South Asia, and driven by economic growth, wealth accumulation and a new generation of collectors.&nbsp;</p>


Artful Flush of Youth: Younger and wealthier collectors are fuelling China’s rapidly rising art market, elevating its global importance


<p>Billed as the largest watchmaking salon ever held in Geneva, this year’s Watches and Wonders was yet again the perfect timely opportunity for leading brands to showcase their latest novelties for watch enthusiasts to purr over. Some high-end watchmakers took the opportunity to release completely new models with bold new designs, while many latched onto the glare of publicity generated by the Geneva gathering to introduce iconic signature models with stylish new twists and technical upgrades.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


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<p>Hublot used the grand stage of Watches and Wonders 2025 to honour the 20th anniversary of its revolutionary <em>Big Bang</em> collection via five new limited-edition 43mm chronographs. This exceptional quintet are crafted from materials closely associated with the pedigree of the Big Bang range, and highlight the innovative techniques required to achieve their harmonious fusion.</p>



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<p>The <em>Big Bang 20th Anniversary Red Magic</em> pays homage to the red ceramic model first released in 2018 and features a carbon chequerboard-patterned dial that provides striking juxtaposition with the vividly coloured high-tech material of the case and bezel. All the models retain the distinctive Big Bang silhouette with signature pinched lugs and a knurled bezel edge, while special enhancements include a gold oscillating weight and the Hublot 20th anniversary logo engraved on the crown.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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/2025/05/2-High-Quality-JPG-01-F1_WBY1112.BA0042_SOLO_4-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86540" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2-High-Quality-JPG-01-F1_WBY1112.BA0042_SOLO_4-5.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2-High-Quality-JPG-01-F1_WBY1112.BA0042_SOLO_4-5-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2-High-Quality-JPG-01-F1_WBY1112.BA0042_SOLO_4-5-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Tag Heuer unveiled six additions to its <em>Carrera Day-Date</em> line, which is synonymous with motor sports, showcasing bold colours, elevated aesthetics and a three-dimensional dial design to improve legibility. It also released nine new iterations of its fabled <em>Formula 1 </em>driver’s watch, first conceived and released in the 1980s as a bright, colourful version of a diver’s watch that would appeal to a trendy, sophisticated clientele.</p>



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<p>The new <em>Formula 1 Solargraph</em> models retain the design features of the original, albeit with slight modifications. They are now housed in 38mm cases that have been restructured to improve comfort and adopt the manufacture’s Solargraph movement that can harness the power of the sun to recharge itself.</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/2025/05/3-3-TONDA_PF_SKELETON_SOLDAT_1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86542" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/3-3-TONDA_PF_SKELETON_SOLDAT_1-1.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/3-3-TONDA_PF_SKELETON_SOLDAT_1-1-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/3-3-TONDA_PF_SKELETON_SOLDAT_1-1-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Last month’s Geneva jamboree also saw Parmigiani Fleurier roll out many new additions, including a <em>Slate Green </em>version of the<em> Tonda PF Skeleton</em>. Encased in stainless steel, its luminous slate-green sandblasted and satin-finished openworked dial traps the light, illuminating the intricate calibre PF 777 movement in a magical dance of watchmaking artistry.&nbsp; Meanwhile, the dial of the <em>Tonda PF Chronograph No Date 40mm in Mineral Blue</em> is blessed with a grain d’orge hand-guilloche pattern that underscores its soothing colour palette.</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/2025/05/4-PP_4946R-001_AMB.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86543" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4-PP_4946R-001_AMB.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4-PP_4946R-001_AMB-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/4-PP_4946R-001_AMB-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Patek Philippe ushered in a plethora of novelties including a new rose-gold version of its patented <em>Annual Calendar</em>, a wondrous mechanism revealed in 1996 that automatically adjusts the calendar indication for months of 30 or 31 days. Measuring 38mm in diameter, the <em>Annual Calendar Moon Phases Ref. 4946R</em> sees the warm tones of the gold complement a chestnut-coloured dial embossed with a vertical and horizontal satin-brushed finish in the shantung style. Rose-gold applied numerals and leaf-shaped hands with white luminescent coating impart extra finesse to the display. Days and months are indicated by hands, while moon phases and date are discerned through apertures.</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/2025/05/5-VAC_Traditionnelle_SDT_4020T-000P-H038_70839053.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86544" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/5-VAC_Traditionnelle_SDT_4020T-000P-H038_70839053.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/5-VAC_Traditionnelle_SDT_4020T-000P-H038_70839053-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/5-VAC_Traditionnelle_SDT_4020T-000P-H038_70839053-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Vacheron Constantin has embellished its <em>Traditionnelle </em>collection with three watches in 950 platinum. The <em>Traditionnelle Openface</em> trio – <em>Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Retrograde Date, Tourbillon Retrograde Date</em> and <em>Complete Calendar</em> – reveal fresh takes on the line’s signature openworked dial, a style which allows wearers to glimpse the sophistication of the movement within. The openwork embraces 18-carat gold intricately inserted with sapphire, and a hand-guilloché pattern motif inspired by the Maltese cross to mark the watchmaker’s 270th anniversary. The uniqueness of these individually numbered models is guaranteed by expert human craftsmanship that necessitates 10th-of-a-millimetre accuracy.</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/2025/05/6-Big-Pilot_s-Watch-Perpetual-Calendar-Tourbillon-Le-Petit-Prince_Front.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86545" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/6-Big-Pilot_s-Watch-Perpetual-Calendar-Tourbillon-Le-Petit-Prince_Front.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/6-Big-Pilot_s-Watch-Perpetual-Calendar-Tourbillon-Le-Petit-Prince_Front-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/6-Big-Pilot_s-Watch-Perpetual-Calendar-Tourbillon-Le-Petit-Prince_Front-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>IWC Schaffhausen released 10 new models at Watches and Wonders, including an iteration of the <em>Ingenieur Automatic 40</em> that will have motorsports and movie fans’ hearts racing – one with a signature green dial as sported by Brad Pitt’s character in the upcoming movie, <em>F1</em>. A new <em>Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon ‘Le Petit Prince’</em>, limited to 100 pieces and dedicated to the French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, also debuted as part of an ongoing homage to the book of the same name. The blue ceramic case is matched by a blue dial and the calibre 51950 movement features a rotor in the form of the Little Prince atop his asteroid.</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/2025/05/7-1858-Split-Second-Chronograph-LE100-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86549" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7-1858-Split-Second-Chronograph-LE100-1.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7-1858-Split-Second-Chronograph-LE100-1-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7-1858-Split-Second-Chronograph-LE100-1-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Montblanc’s new <em>1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition</em> watch takes its inspiration, and its robustness and durability, from a military monopusher from the 1930s. This fetching 100-piece, 44mm stainless-steel model features a dark-burgundy-hued sunray face with black counters. The dial is encircled by a tachymeter scale and a white-gold fluted bezel, while white luminescent Arabic numerals act to enhance legibility. The <em>1858 The Unveiled Minerva Chronograph</em> in steel enhanced by a yellow-gold bezel is another attractive limited-edition newcomer. It is powered by the Montblanc Manufacture MB M17.26 movement, which has been flipped over and constructed upon pillars to reveal the full glory of its inner workings though the sapphire-crystal dial.</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/2025/05/8-HR_AS_DualTime_GMT_Manufacture_Edition_PR.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86550" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/8-HR_AS_DualTime_GMT_Manufacture_Edition_PR.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/8-HR_AS_DualTime_GMT_Manufacture_Edition_PR-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/8-HR_AS_DualTime_GMT_Manufacture_Edition_PR-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Another watch that seems to merge dial and movement into a single entity is Armin Strom’s <em>Dual Time GMT Resonance Manufacture Black Edition</em>, released precisely in time for Watches and Wonders. Building on last year’s white gold model, its ARF22 movement with clearly visible hand-decorated components has a patented mechanism that ensures greater accuracy through two independent regulating systems connected by a resonance clutch spring.&nbsp; The 39mm steel case highlights the black beauty of the dial and mainplate.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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/2025/05/9-Bremont_ALT_Meteor_BK_L_Front.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86551" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/9-Bremont_ALT_Meteor_BK_L_Front.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/9-Bremont_ALT_Meteor_BK_L_Front-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/9-Bremont_ALT_Meteor_BK_L_Front-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Bremont debuted a trio of pilot watches to embellish its <em>Altitude</em> collection, with pride of place going to the <em>MB Meteor</em>, an upgraded iteration of the MB model. Specifically engineered to withstand the potentially huge pressure that occurs when testing an aircraft’s ejector-seat mechanism, its 42mm titanium case reduces weight and enhances durability, while the three-part Trip-Tick design offers a slimmer profile and trims the lug-to-lug distance to improve wearability.</p>


Geneva Invention: The annual lakeside unveiling by iconic brands sent ripples of wonder around the watching world


<p>As generative artificial-intelligence tools from Grammarly to ChatGPT grab the popular imagination, the world’s creatives feel increasingly marginalised, fearful of their ability to eke out a living in the all too near future. Generative AI sifts through human-generated content – texts, sounds, images and videos – to train its models to compose music, or create a painting, or generate a TV advert. Scraping through such data, known as text and data mining (TDM), is often without the consent of the content owners.</p>



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<p>Protests against the use of AI to create new forms of artistic output without recompense or the consent of the original creators rage on around the globe. A protest album called <em>Is This What We Want?</em> was released earlier this year in response to proposed changes in UK copyright law that would mean AI developers could train their models using material available on the internet unless those holding the rights to this content specifically elected to opt out of providing permission.</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/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86527" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image01-opt-800x534.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Available on Spotify, the album consists of silent recordings from empty studios and performance spaces, and involved more than 1,000 musicians. The 12 tracks listed spell out a powerful message: “The British Government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.”</p>



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<p>In the art world, an Augmented Intelligence auction held in New York this spring also caused a furore. Prior to the sale, an open letter signed by thousands of artists called for its cancellation, decrying the “mass theft” of human artists’ work by AI companies.</p>



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<p>The vexatious issue is underscored by the fact that many governments are keen to promote a thriving ecosystem for both tech firms and artistic creators, even though myriad legal and ethical considerations swirl around the promotion of this nascent technology.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Composer protection</h3>



<p>Due to AI’s increasing influence in various sectors, the Hong Kong government launched a public consultation last year on the enhancement of the Copyright Ordinance to reflect AI technology development. In its submission to the consultation paper, the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (Cash) – which manages the copyright of musical works for more than three million members locally and from affiliated societies overseas – said copyright protection should not only be provided to the “arranger” of the works but also extend to the author or owner of the underlying work. Like the protesters in the UK, it believes an opt-out model proposed by the government unfairly shifts the burden to the copyright owner who has to take an active step to safeguard their rights.</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/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86528" width="768" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AI-Copyright_01-opt.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Instead, Cash proposes the implementation of an opt-in system, arguing that “the default position should be … it is illegal to use any music without permission, unless the author or the composer has expressed an intention to sell their rights to the tech company.” In their view, when there is commercial use of copyrighted material for TDM purposes, the owners of the work should be remunerated, and this remuneration should be based on licensing arrangements between the owners and the AI companies.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Legal conundrum</h3>



<p>Hong Kong-based lawyer Ellie Patel, the founder and CEO of Re-think Legal, believes the generative AI issue is exacerbated by the legal framework in most jurisdictions lagging behind modern technological developments. “Governments are now scrambling to put in place laws to govern the creation and use of AI, but this is just the start of the process,” she says. “Ultimately, it’s only when these laws are interpreted and tested by the courts, and harmonised on an international level that real certainty regarding rights and obligations will be established.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86529" width="768" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-280x280.jpg 280w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-800x800.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11_edit-opt-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>Patel is torn on the subject of “fair use” exemptions to train AI models. These allow for use of content without the threat of copyright infringement in certain circumstances, such as education and news reporting. As a trademark and intellectual property expert, she has clients who are creators and others who are in the tech industry.</p>



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<p>She supports the development of AI, viewing it as an increasingly important public and corporate tool. “That said, creators also need protection and, in the main, should be rewarded for their contribution,” she notes. “It is all about striking a balance between the two – but striking that balance is no mean feat.”</p>



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<p>Jonathan Chu, an Intellectual Property Partner at CMS in Hong Kong, warns that if there are too many restrictions on the use of copyright works for training AI, it will hamper innovation, and jurisdictions with the most stringent laws on AI development will be left behind. He urges greater clarity on the issue.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Remixing the past</h3>



<p>Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Professor Andrew Horner, whose primary research interests are music synthesis and timbre, sees generative AI as the exciting new “kid on the creativity block” shaking up the artistic landscape. He has no qualms about generative AI learning from the “rich tapestry of existing content – music, literature, visual art and more”.</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/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-1024x585.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86530" width="768" height="439" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-490x280.jpg 490w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-768x439.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-2048x1170.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-200x114.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image03-opt-800x457.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>He states that throughout history, artists have drawn inspiration from each other’s creations. “A classic example in music is Miles Davis paying tribute to Stravinsky’s <em>The Rite of Spring</em>,” he says. “In this sense, generative AI is simply carrying forward this vibrant legacy. No creator operates in a vacuum; they are always influenced by the world around them and the inspirations that strike their fancy.”&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Two disco songwriters recently lost a legal case alleging that Dua Lipa copied her single <em>Levitating</em> from their tracks, and Horner believes this highlights the beautiful – and sometimes tricky – dance of creativity. “It’s only natural for songwriters to mix and remix elements from others’ work, adding their own unique flair,” he insists. “After all, if you create something that inspires, it’s likely others will want to take that spark and run with it.”</p>



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<p>For him, the crux of the matter is whether the output of generative AI models resonates with us and inspires meaningful experiences. “It’s an exhilarating time for creativity, making it easier than ever to play with sounds and forge new musical landscapes,” he says. “There are so many ways to pay tribute to a song: you can cover it, create a mashup that fuses it with another track, or compose something entirely fresh that reflects your personal take on it. It’s all part of the vibrant tapestry of music-making.”</p>



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<p>Horner suggests the creative lineage of a piece should be honoured by giving a shout-out to the artist or artists who influenced it. Musician David Robinson, who is paid royalties for a book and tape he created, is strongly in favour of AI as a tool to enhance the creative process, but believes musicians should be compensated if AI uses their material.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pushing art forward</h3>



<p>Art-world pioneers including Refik Anadol, Sougwen Chung, Sander Coers, Anna Ridler and Victor Wong have used AI to expand artistic possibilities, blending human intuition with machine-generated aesthetics. Karen Sanig, who founded Art Law at Mishcon de Reya, says that for some artists, AI is less a threat than a transformative tool, deeply integrated into their creative processes in sophisticated ways. However, she is concerned that AI systems which scrape vast datasets of artworks en masse, and without consent, deny artists control over how their work is used or reproduced.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-1024x469.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86531" width="768" height="352" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-1024x469.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-612x280.jpg 612w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-768x351.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-1536x703.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-2048x937.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-200x92.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Feature2_May2025_image04-opt-800x366.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>AI-generated imitations could also both damage the integrity of a work of art and dilute an artist’s reputation, hence conversations about moral rights (such as the right to attribution, or the protection of a work’s integrity), passing off are vital alongside copyright considerations.</p>



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<p>“Legislators face a daunting challenge – not only must they crystallise a formula to regulate a technology that evolves daily, they must reconcile AI’s data-driven mechanics with intellectual property frameworks built largely for human authorship,” notes Sanig.</p>



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<p>Hong Kong-based entrepreneur Matey Yordanov of Antei AI Development Hub says he has developed an imperceptible ‘mask’ technology that adds an invisible layer to any type of media, leading to the corruption of the AI training output if protected files are used. “This not only safeguards the media from being copied, but also prevents deepfakes and impersonation of artists, which is becoming increasingly more critical with the development of AI,” he affirms.</p>


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