Tatler community news in October: Ben Vuchot takes on a new role and The Women’s Foundation examines the effects of menopause with HKU

Next week, Pashmkaar founder Tariq Dar will travel from his home in Kashmir to Hong Kong to host a live demonstration of the intricate art of pashmina shawl making. Dar, who operates a store in Causeway Bay and supplies pashmina goods to the likes of the Mandarin Oriental hotels, is on a mission to bring greater dignity, respect and recognition to the skilled craftspeople of Kashmir.

The Pashmkaar business is a family affair, and Dar believes pashminas are much more than just a shawl—they are like spiritual wraps. Dar notes that up to 15 people can earn a living from the creation of a single pashmina shawl, with women comprising 60 per cent of his workforce.

In July, Srinagar was awarded the prestigious title of World Craft City by the World Craft Council, underscoring the enduring legacy of Kashmiri textile arts.  To learn more about the beauty of the age-old tradition that has existed for more than 700 years, be sure to pass by the event.

October 28 and 29
11:00am-8:00pm
2/F Function Room
Mandarin Oriental
5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong

In a bold initiative to tackle Hong Kong’s alarming swimming illiteracy rates, elite swimmers and business leaders will join forces on November 8 for the Make Waves for Hong Kong event. This 45-kilometre relay swim around Hong Kong Island features notable participants, including Olympians Geoff Cheah and Hannah Wilson, fourth-generation jeweller Jada Lam, and migrant worker Josephine Tolentino.

Despite the city’s extensive coastline and numerous pools, nearly half its residents, particularly women and children from low-income backgrounds, cannot swim. The event aims to raise HK$3.5 million for the Splash Foundation, which provides free swimming lessons to disadvantaged communities. With a remarkable 90 per cent success rate in their programmes, Splash is committed to transforming lives through swimming education. As participants brave the waters, they hope to inspire a new generation of swimmers and promote water safety across the city.  This year, Tatler community member, Antonia Li will serve as captain to her team of six. Wishing all racers the best of luck!

Lindsey McAlister, founder of the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, has devoted her career to ensuring that young people in Hong Kong have access to the arts. She is now directing an original musical, Gen Last, which focuses on optimism and empowerment amid climate change. The show will be shown from November 7 to 9 at Freespace in the West Kowloon Cultural District and will highlight young performers aged 7 to 25.

The story unfolds in 2055, when a group of remarkable youths, known as Crystal Children, unite to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change. The musical emphasises themes of optimism and empowerment, encouraging audiences to reflect on their role in environmental stewardship.  

The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Limited has announced the appointment of Tatler community member Benjamin Vuchot as its new executive director and chief executive officer, effective March 3, 2025. Vuchot, who previously served as CEO of the DFS Group, brings over 30 years of experience in the luxury retail sector, having held key positions at renowned brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Sephora.

He succeeds Clement King Man Kwok, who will transition to an advisory role after stepping down on October 31, 2024. In the interim, Christobelle Yi Ching Liao will act as the interim CEO. Upon Vuchot’s appointment, he will also join the executive committee and finance committee, further solidifying his influence within the organisation renowned for its iconic Peninsula Hotels brand. 

Tatler community members Poman Lo, Angelina Kwan and Jessie Li will be taking part in this month's StartMeUp Hong Kong Festival—an initiative by InvestHK aimed at fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem. The event aims to attract and support innovative startups from around the globe, helping them establish and grow their presence in Hong Kong.

Li, who is the CEO of Relief X Limited, will be a speaker at the festival which takes places on October 23. She will discuss the transformative role of AI in health technology, specifically its potential to revolutionise physiotherapy.

Relief X Limited, an innovative AI-driven platform designed to help individuals identify and alleviate muscle pain, uses technology to analyse users' body posture. The platform pinpoints specific muscle groups causing discomfort and provides personalised video instructions, empowering users to perform self-treatment with the Relief X Method, which combines trigger point therapy and massage techniques. Li’s vision is to make pain management accessible and affordable for millions worldwide.

With over a decade of experience in investment banking, Li has pivoted to health technology, driven by her personal experiences with pain management. 

On September 26, Women of Hong Kong (WOHK) celebrated its third anniversary with an event that brought together more than 340 influential women, highlighting their shared commitment to empowerment and progress. Founded by Sarah Vee, WOHK has successfully united more than 12,300 women, creating a vibrant network focused on leadership, collaboration and transformative change.

The evening featured captivating performances from Crisel Consunji, who serenaded attendees with Liz Callaway’s Journey to the Past, and Tatler’s Asia’s Most Stylish honoree Anisha Thai, whose dynamic dance showcased the spirit of inclusion and diversity. Guests including femtech entrepreneur, Maaike Steinebach and Gen.T honouree, Carla Martinesi, enjoyed interactive workshops, such as perfume-making and gemstone jewellery crafting, along with a luxurious culinary experience. The event underscored the importance of partnerships, with Standard Chartered Hong Kong serving as the lead sponsor through its SC WIN programme, which is dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs.

Winnie Tung, managing director at Standard Chartered Hong Kong, emphasised the necessity of supporting women-led small and medium-sized enterprises, stating that empowering these entrepreneurs is both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity. The anniversary event strengthened WOHK’s mission to foster an environment where women can connect, share knowledge and drive real-world change.

As WOHK continues to expand its reach, its focus remains on building a supportive community that champions women’s voices and initiatives. Congratulations to all! 

The Horology Club in Hong Kong is set to celebrate its third anniversary on November 20 with an event at Soho House’s Duplex Studio. This gathering promises to be a highlight for horology enthusiasts as it features 16 distinguished watch brands, including Jacob & Co., Furlan Marri and Parmigiani, offering guests a rare opportunity to interact with the masterminds behind these celebrated names.

In addition to the brand showcases, the evening will feature two insightful panel discussions, with topics and speakers to be announced soon. Guests can look forward to engaging conversations that delve into the intricate world of watchmaking.

Founded in 2021 by three passionate collectors, The Horology Club has rapidly transformed from a local gathering into a global community of over 800 watch aficionados. The club’s mission revolves around three core pillars: gather, educate and create—fostering an inclusive space for collectors of all levels to share their passion and knowledge.

Hula, a pioneer in sustainable luxury fashion, is thrilled to announce its month-long pop-up event, the Style-Suite, at The Upper House from November 9 to December 8. This immersive experience invites fashion enthusiasts and eco-conscious consumers to explore curated pre-owned ready-to-wear items, bags, accessories and shoes across three uniquely themed rooms.

In the living room, titled Desire, guests will find rare vintage pieces from iconic designers like Chanel and Hermès, all set in a festive atmosphere adorned with holiday decorations. The bedroom, titled Play, showcases contemporary partywear from brands such as Acne and Ganni, complete with a lively photo backdrop for capturing memorable moments. Meanwhile, the Bathroom, titled Pop, features a curated selection of streetwear from brands like Balenciaga and Prada, inviting guests for fun photo opportunities in a bath filled with colourful balls.

Shoppers can also participate in a lucky draw: every purchase of HK$5,000 earns a chance to win exciting prizes, including Hula vouchers and stylist consultations.

Hong Kong’s longest-running TEDx event dedicated to women, TEDxTinHau Women, is set to take place on December 6, 2024, at the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon. Under the theme “in motion”, this year’s event will spotlight ten diverse speakers selected from over a hundred applicants, including Olympian Camille Cheng, entrepreneurial changemaker Anita Lam and Cantonese opera singer Mitche Choi.

Speakers, including Gen.T honouree Sophia Hotung, will address a wide range of critical topics, including visible and invisible disabilities, leveraging AI to combat financial crime and the preservation of the Cantonese language. Notable discussions will also explore medical gaslighting, a pressing issue in healthcare.

This edition aims to amplify unheard voices and foster meaningful dialogue around gender equality and community engagement. Read more here.

The Consulate General of Switzerland has announced the inaugural Swiss Month, taking place from mid-October to mid-November 2024. This vibrant festival aims to showcase the rich tapestry of Swiss culture, innovation and excellence through a diverse array of events spanning arts, dining, finance, science, tourism and sports.

Swiss Month not only highlights Switzerland’s strong presence in Hong Kong but also serves as a platform for enhancing collaborations and cultural exchange. As both regions thrive in innovation and competitiveness, this festival underscores their significant economic ties—Hong Kong is a crucial trading partner for Switzerland in Asia and hosts more than 250 Swiss businesses.

Attendees can look forward to a Swiss Art Fair featuring renowned artists, exclusive gourmet meals crafted by Swiss Chef of the Year Silvio Germann, and captivating performances from Swiss musicians. “We warmly invite everyone to join us in exploring our dynamic programme,” says Consul General Daniel Freihofer. “Engage with Swiss culture through art exhibitions, film screenings, and discussions on fintech innovations.”

Highlights of the festival include a VIP sunset cruise featuring Swiss wines, a panel on leveraging small countries for market entry, and the world’s largest digitalised artwork. This celebration is a testament to the enduring friendship between Switzerland and Hong Kong.

Inspiring Girls Hong Kong has unveiled its #ThisLittleGirlIsMe campaign, coinciding with the International Day of the Girl from October 8 to 11. Aiming to empower young girls to dream ambitiously, the initiative encourages participants to post a childhood photo on social media, share advice to their younger selves, and tag Inspiring Girls Hong Kong and Inspiring Girls International using #ThisLittleGirlIsMe and #SupportInspiringGirls.

Having reached more than 70 million people in 2021 with endorsements from notable figures like Annie Lennox, Arianna Huffington and Angela Merkel, the campaign aims to have an even greater impact this year.

Founded to foster social capital through youth education, Inspiring Girls Hong Kong focuses on supporting disadvantaged youth, enhancing vocational skills and empowering females, showing that girls should aspire to limitless possibilities in their careers, unbound by gender or cultural stereotypes.

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