“Refuge is always within reach”: Siobhán Haughey and Chanel empower Hong Kong’s next generation of women through reading

For author Wong, literature offers an “extra space”. “In a spatially constrained city like Hong Kong, opening a book opens a private sanctuary; a chance to step outside the immediate moment and inhabit an entirely different time and space.”

This is the second time the brand has collaborated with the Olympian to host a book club. Creating a female-centred book club allowed participants to candidly explore topics surrounding body image, physical illness and societal taboos. For Chanel and Haughey, such literary gatherings demonstrate reading’s unique ability to transform solitary reflection into a shared experience of solidarity.

At the heart of the session was Mourning a Breast, a pioneering, semi-autobiographical account of late Hong Kong literary icon Xixi’s cancer diagnosis, mastectomy and recovery.

“Being in an all-female space, especially to discuss a book about women’s bodies and language, feels like sisterhood,” said Wong. “It’s a safe space for us to explore scenarios of someone close to us facing illness.”

Lam shared that sentiment: “Revisiting Xixi’s work allows younger readers to step across time and understand the quiet struggles of an earlier generation of women.”

A central theme of the afternoon was dismantling the trap of perfectionism, especially among young women. As a world-class athlete operating under an intense spotlight, Haughey has faced this dilemma, and shared her personal evolution away from a rigid, result-orientated mindset.

“For years, perfectionism dictated everything I did in the pool, but striving for absolute perfection is both mentally exhausting and unsustainable,” Haughey said. “I had to learn to grant myself grace: to shift from demanding flawless results to embracing the learning process. Giving yourself permission to fail isn’t weakness; it’s where true resilience begins.”

This practice of self-compassion was heavily shaped by Haughey’s reading habits. She maintains a strict personal rule: for every fiction book she reads to de-stress, she reads a non-fiction book to enrich her mind.

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“Athletes are conditioned to endure pain silently and push through burnout, but endurance isn’t emotional regulation,” the psychology graduate explained, adding that she was reading psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. “Showing vulnerability is ultimately how we forge genuine human connection.”

Haughey feels deeply passionate about inspiring young girls to cultivate inner resilience, aligning with Chanel’s core brand value of supporting women to embrace their authentic voices.

Wong echoed this sentiment, advising young women to protect personal boundaries despite society’s endless demands. “Society imperceptibly burdens women with endless caregiving duties before allowing them space to simply exist,” Wong said. “Reading is about fiercely guarding those crumbs of time—a private ten minutes to breathe, reflect and reclaim oneself.”

The discussion surrounding Lessons in Chemistry brought a powerful perspective on self-reinvention from Christina Chung. A mother of seven daughters who entered the modelling industry at age 56—and subsequently walked the runway for Chanel—Chung embodies the unapologetic spirit of the book’s protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, a lab technician who went on to inspire millions of women through the medium of television.

Chung’s journey is a testament to Chanel’s ongoing dedication to championing female agency and celebrating strength and beauty across every generation.

When asked to share her ultimate advice for young women, Chung said:  “The single most transformative mindset is fearlessness. When you move through life driven by fear, you undermine your trust for yourself, but stepping forward with quiet confidence and trusting your instincts gives you the conviction to navigate any obstacle.”

Reflecting on her strict upbringing, when she was delegated heavy domestic chores and taught to rely entirely on herself without complaining or seeking help, Chung shared how her mindset has shifted: “Over time, I’ve reframed what it means to open up: sharing your journey is an act of vulnerability that can inspire others to embrace their own power.”

Chung saw a parallel between the inner anchor Zott needed in the book and her own experience of handling casting rejections in an industry obsessed with youth. “In modelling, as in life, my self-worth is never defined by a single rejection or casting decision,” Chung said. “Seeing Zott navigate systemic resistance deeply mirrored my own journey. Literature allows us to stand alongside resilient characters and find the fortitude to challenge societal norms.”

Despite the profusion of digital tools and artificial intelligence in modern life, all four speakers emphasised that literature remains an irreplaceable catalyst for self-discovery and critical thought. “AI can offer convenience, but it cannot cultivate depth,” Chung said. “Reading nourishes human emotion and the soul, which technology can never replicate … Literature forces us to actively engage and grow organically.”

Lam reinforced the necessity of literary discernment: “AI prioritises efficiency and standardisation, which makes literature even more essential today—it trains us to cultivate our own voice and critical discernment rather than accepting pre-packaged answers.”

Looking ahead, the transformative impact of reading continues to shape the speakers’ long-term ambitions. For Haughey, her commitment to youth empowerment extends well beyond the pool. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology after retiring from competitive swimming to support youth mental health in Hong Kong.

“In school, we are taught endlessly how to fuel our intellect, but rarely how to care for our emotional and physical well-being,” Haughey said. “My hope is to use my background in athletics and psychology to bridge that gap for young people. When life feels overwhelming, a book reminds us that our feelings are shared, and that refuge is always within reach.”

Through this ongoing partnership, Chanel and Haughey reaffirm their shared dedication to uplifting the next generation of young women. By championing reading as an enduring force for good, the initiative encourages young minds to turn the page, gather in meaningful dialogue and step into the world with gentle strength—proving that while societal pressures remain, the power to write one’s own narrative is limitless.

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