Luxury Brand Dior Postpones Fashion Show in HK

Dior has postponed a mega fashion show in Hong Kong

Uh-oh. Hong Kong's plans of hosting numerous mega events continues to deflate with French brand Christian Dior postponing its highly anticipated fashion show that was originally scheduled for March 23.

A source familiar with the company said the luxury brand decided to postpone the show due to China's economic uncertainties.

The show was to be at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal

The announcement was made on Friday, when invitations should have been sent out. Around 1,000 guests were expected to attend including VIPs from overseas, and the show was anticipated to cost about HK$100 million (US$12.8 million).

While the company claims the show is postponed indefinitely, Dior did not say when it would be rescheduled. 

Dior's artistic director Kim Jones was supposed to be in Hong Kong to present the men's autumn collection at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

While the show was not going to get any government funding like the Lionel Messi debacle, the postponed fashion show doesn't look good.

Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon was not impressed. "Why would there be a delay at such a critical moment?" she said of the last-minute delay.

"I hope the secretary of the [culture bureau] or Dior can give an explanation regarding the delay. The lack of an explanation is not good for Hong Kong. It's like Hong Kong is being fooled. This will generate a lot of speculation.

Dior's Kim Jones was to come to Hong Kong

"If Hong Kong wants to be a hub of mega events but they are all postponed or the stars don't make an appearance, who will visit Hong Kong for its events? It would be very uncertain for tourists," she said, referring to Messi's no-show on the football pitch.

Nevertheless, culture and tourism minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung is trying to downplay the postponement.

"Large-scale events are postponed from time to time, and we continue to welcome large-scale events to take place in Hong Kong," a spokesperson for Yeung's office said.

So... what's next?

Hong Kong's Footie Fiasco

Messi (in pink hoodie) didn't even bother to suit up for game

Hong Kong has a lot of egg on its face after superstar football player Lionel Messi didn't even bother to play in a friendly match of Inter Miami against Hong Kong XI. It was so bad that 40,000 fans who had paid a lot of money to see their idol were booing and jeering, and some demanding refunds.

The event was organised by Tatler Asia and in a contract with the government there was a stipulation that Messi would play for 45 minutes on the pitch. But 10 minutes before the game officials were told he was sidelined because of an injury.

However, he seemed to be fine walking on and off the field, which angered fans, some of whom flew in from China and around Asia for the chance to see Messi play. The event was supposed to be one of several mega events to entice visitors to Hong Kong.

The match was organised by Tatler Asia

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung claimed the government did not know about Messi's injury or that he would be benched for the game.

"We immediately requested them to explore other remedies, such as Messi appearing in the field to interact with his fans and receiving the trophy," he said. "Unfortunately, as you all see, this did not work out."

What makes the debacle even bigger is that the government gave it "M mark status", meaning it was considered a major sporting event that deserved more official funding and official backing.

Tatler Asia received HK$15 million (US$1.92 million) for the event and another HK$1 million venue subsidy. Well Yeung says the government hasn't paid Tatler Asia yet, so the authorities will be grilling the company about who knew what when.

Inter Miami even cancelled its tour of the Kai Tak Sports Park on Monday. 

Beckham's rep has plunged since the debacle

It looks like Inter Miami pulled the wool over Hong Kong's eyes, and while the government blames Tatler Asia, officials didn't escape scathing criticism, and neither did the football club's co-owner and president David Beckham, who was booed in the stadium. 

Him plugging The Venetian and egg tarts was bad enough, but his reputation won't recover after this public relations mess.

Lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun described Sunday's incident as "outrageous" and that it hurt Hong Kong's reputation as a mega-events hub.

So... how's the pitch to Taylor Swift going?

How to Lure Big Acts to Hong Kong?

Hong Kong wants more tourists to come, but how to entice?

Hong Kong is still figuring out how to lure more tourists into the city, and some seem to think getting big-name artists like Taylor Swift to perform will solve its problems.

While Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu supported the idea of trying to entice Swift to come to Hong Kong, he didn't seem keen to extend the invitation himself -- in case he got snubbed.

How about getting Taylor Swift to come?

"We will fight for that, but it is like asking someone to go on a date during the process," he said. "I can give them a call, but first it depends on whether they have time to talk to me and whether coming to Hong Kong is in line with their entire plans. We will continue to work hard."

So he doesn't want to stick his neck out like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who sent a Tweet to Swift: "It's me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don't make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon."

After that Swifties were thrilled to hear a stop in Toronto was announced, and then later on Vancouver -- for the end of this year.

But for a supposedly international city, Hong Kong doesn't have massive venues to hold tens of thousands of people -- well not until the stadium at Kai Tak Sports Park is ready later this year and seats 50,000. That compares to Singapore's National Stadium which holds 5,000 more people.

Bigger venues like Kai Tak Sports Park needed

Venues aside, there's the national security law to contend with -- artists may not want to even begin to get entangled with the possibility of crossing that massive red line.

Meanwhile some experts suggest Hong Kong should have a mascot, an international ambassador to lure people to the city. 

What would this mascot look like and its name? One can imagine it could get very political...

Last year 34 million tourist arrivals were recorded, which is 65 percent of pre-Covid levels in 2019.

The Strange Case of Mysterious Cancellations

A restaurant at Kai Tak cancelled Democratic Party's dinner

Hong Kong's largest democratic party has had to cancel its major fundraising dinner for 200 people again this year after two venues suddenly cancelled.

One was the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, the other, Federal Cruise Banquet Centre in the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. While the former did not cite a reason, the latter claimed its windows were damaged by Typhoon Saola and would have to undergo maintenance work.

"We did not try to find another venue," said Lo Kin-hei, chairperson of the Democratic Party. We're already very tired."

Lo says cancellations are no coincidence

This is not the first time the political party has faced restaurants cancelling on them at the last minute, with very sketchy reasons. What restaurant would want to refuse business these days?

In February the party had to postpone its spring dinner after three venues cancelled on them. The third one pulled out just two hours before the scheduled dinner, citing "urgent gas meter maintenance."

Or how about this excuse -- last year the party was going to hold the party in a restaurant in a Tsim Sha Tsui shopping mall, but was suddenly cancelled, claiming there were Covid-19 clusters nearby.

But when a reporter checked with neighbouring tenants, they had not heard of any Covid-19 clusters in the vicinity and that they were operating normally.

The last time the Democratic Party held its annual fundraising dinner was in March 2019 before the protests. Lo believes the cancellations are not a coincidence, and that the restaurants are facing "external pressure."

"One after another, the same thing has happened to us," he said. "Plus, now the economy is so bad. The restaurants probably don't have good business at night. We're trying to invigorate the economy here.

"There must be some people behind the scenes giving [the restaurants] pressure," Lo said, but added he had no idea who they might be.

Marco Polo hotel also suddenly pulled out

The two cancellations for Monday's dinner came after pro-Beijing newspaper Wen Wei Po published an editorial last Tuesday accusing the Democratic Party's fundraising dinner of "likely being a platform for the party to continue covertly promoting... illegal protest-related information."

The newspaper went on to say that on the surface, the party was fundraising to continue operations and the upcoming District Council elections, but that in reality the money was being used to pay for legal fees for the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with violating the national security law.

Someone or some group is out to strangle the Democratic Party financially and prevent it from carrying out its mandate. So much for rights and freedoms in tact in Hong Kong these days. Is it no wonder why so many people are leaving to exercise their rights and freedoms elsewhere?

While it is brave for Lo and the party to soldier on, one can't help but wonder how much longer the Democratic Party can last given the current political climate that is not only polarised but also significantly skewed to one side... 

Over 40K Isolation Beds Collecting Dust in HK

The isolation centre at Lok Ma Chau Loop is empty

Remember when Hong Kong rushed to build Covid-19 isolation units, and even brought over mainland Chinese construction workers who built units that featured squat toilets? They had to be retrofitted with sit-down toilets after this were reported to the shock and horror of local residents.

While the pandemic is still ongoing but the latest variant, XBB.1.5 is not as severe though it is more infectious, the Hong Kong government has given up on forcing people into isolation, unless their living situation is such that they need to keep away from others for a few days.

Some were built with squat toilets at first

Only the facilities at Kai Tak and Penny's Bay are being used at the moment.

That means over 40,000 beds in an area covering 72 hectares (177 acres) are unused, the equivalent to 86 football fields.

Who knew the city had that much land -- remember it was suddenly donated by tycoons? Wonder if they want their land back now?

The facilities are in the New Territories in Tsing Yi, San Tin, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, Ma Sik Road in Fanling, Hung Shui Kiu, Tam Mi and in the Lok Ma Chau Loop.

Lawmaker Dennis Leung Tsz-wing said he understood the facilities had been closed for more than half a year, and that about 5,400 workers, including security guards and cleaners, were laid off last May. 

Units at Penny's Bay are still being used now

Not to mention it cost billions of dollars to build these units that were used for about a year, if that? And who paid for them?

Pro-establishment lawmakers (as they are the only ones in the Legislative Council these days), are pushing the government on this, suggesting these units not become white elephants, but be quickly repurposed into housing.

Some suggest it be used for low-income housing for individuals or families, or dormitories for large construction sites, or donated to other countries -- how benevolent. 

In response, some think it's too much trouble to repurpose them into housing units, while others say they should be moved elsewhere as some of these are in far-fetched locations.

Surely these units can be repurposed somehow?

Not even trying to repurpose these units just shows how wasteful the authorities are, and can't be bothered to challenge local architects and engineers to think of creative ways to reuse them.

It also reveals the government not even following its own mantra of telling people to reduce, reuse and recycle...

The Last Mahjong Tile Maker to Close

Cheung hopes to continue making mah jong tiles by hand

Another one bites the dust.

The last shop to make mahjong tiles by hand will be closing at the end of this month after receiving an eviction notice from the Buildings Department.

The letter dated from September says Biu Kee Mahjong on 26 Jordan Road will be removed because the store is identified as an authorised building work due to it being located at the foot of the building's staircase.

He is the last tile maker in Hong Kong

In other words, Hong Kong has no interest in preserving its local culture.

Biu Kee's owner, Cheung Shun-king, known as "Uncle King" is still interested in making the mahjong tiles by hand until he gets too old, according to a Facebook post.

The post also says, "We sincerely hope the related government departments can deal with the situation in order to keep Biu Kee Mahjong in its current location and to allow the traditional art form of hand-carved mahjong tiles to be passed on."

Will anyone in authority listen to this earnest plea?

But when the government isn't interested in stepping in to save the Star Ferry which is teetering on the brink, nor giving more breaks to Hong Kong Tramways to keep the tram moving, you have to wonder how the Hong Kong Tourism Board has anything left to promote when old shops, businesses and services that have been around for decades or even over a century are left to die a long, slow death.

He uses traditional tools to carve tiles

Instead the authorities choose to waste taxpayer money on white elephant projects like the hundreds of quarantine units near Disneyland and Kai Tak, and pandemic supplies and vaccines that aren't being used, former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's cloth masks (remember those?) And those boxes of Chinese medicine Lianhua Qingwen that have been totally discredited by Singaporean health authorities...

Isolation Facilities Almost like Staycation

The new isolation units almost -- almost -- like a hotel room

Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung wants to show he's doing a good job, just over a month into the new administration.

He posted pictures of a new Covid-19 isolation facility next to the Kai Tai cruise terminal for those who have been infected with the virus but cannot isolate at home.

The 3,000 unit facility even has elevators

There are 3,000 new units on four floors which have elevators! And some are adjoining rooms for families! Washrooms in each unit! Oh and there's sea views too! The garden even has a retired government aircraft for decoration.

The place almost sounds like a hotel, but it's not.

"We hope that everyone will enjoy a better experience during their isolation, where they can find a little sweetness in the bitterness," Tang said.

The government is trying to do better after scathing criticism of the isolation units in Tsing Yi that were hastily built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation in seven days.

That resulted in flooding in the area soon after it was in operation, users having to walk on stools to go use a bathroom outside of the unit, and sharing the room with three other strangers.

In this fifth wave, Hong Kong is seeing over 4,000 cases a day and 5,500 units in Penny's Bay are occupied as well as 800 beds in two designated hotels, the occupancy is 80 percent. 

The sea view that Tang mentioned 

But as most cases have mild symptoms and most can isolate at home, why not use these 3,000 units for social housing? There are so many people in wait lists for public housing, and so many homeless -- why not put them there first?

The government seems so hell bent on dealing with Covid-19 that it has forgotten the central government's concerns about housing issues...

 

Raining with Memories

Do you remember walking down the ramp at Kai Tak Airport?

Soon after President Xi Jinping left Hong Kong, typhoon Chaba gathered strength and the Hong Kong Observatory declared it was T3 and soon T8.

A friend lamented it was too bad the typhoon arrived 24 hours late...

The artist wants to create nostalgia around Kai Tak

Nevertheless it seemed like an ominous sign, much like 25 years earlier.

That's what I remember most about the handover -- it was dumping with rain outside. Many felt it was not a good sign of what was to come.

The typhoon's gale force winds also disrupted flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport, which is probably another sign that the typhoon really is that bad.

Speaking of airports and anniversaries, Hong Kong artist Christopher K Ho has created an installation in Vancouver to remember Kai Tak Airport before it closed in 1998.

Next to the Shangri-La hotel is a large art installation that is somewhat reminiscent of the ramp that passengers walked down to greet loved ones waiting for them in the arrival hall.

Even floor tiles are reminiscent of the arrivals hall

It was such a cramped space, but the ramp gave people an opportunity to spot their friends and family and rush over to them on the ramp before helping them push their luggage carts down and towards the taxi stand.

Remember those days?

It was such a chaotic scene that one of the first few times we arrived in Hong Kong it was quite scary seeing so many people staring at you!

Ho calls this work CX889, the Cathay Pacific flight number from Hong Kong to Vancouver. In addition to the ramp there's a tall clock (that doesn't work), as well as a lone baggage cart secured in place. 

Ho even replicates the tiles that are at the end of the ramp, with the words "Please don't...", asking bystanders to not crowd in that space.

There is water collected on the floor, making me wonder if it was deliberate or from the previous days of rain that created this giant puddle of reflection.

Does it bring up nostalgic feelings? You have to be of a certain age to remember it, in other words older than 24 years old to remember what Kai Tak's arrival hall looked like.

A lone luggage cart stands by the ramp

Now Kai Tak is a giant construction site, with some super tall residential buildings completed, others being built and lots of empty land around too. Some Chinese developers ran out of money and had to sell at a much cheaper price than what they had paid for it.

More infrastructure, particularly public transport needs to be sorted as well as shops, supermarkets and so on before people might be interested in living in the area. 

It's funny how Hong Kong changes so much, but people's memories are a constant.

CX889

Christopher K Ho

Offsite

1100 West Georgia Street

Vancouver

Now until October 16, 2022