Who? Marisa Yiu, Victor Lo, Alan Lo, Joyce Tam, Jonathan Cheung and Emily Lam-Ho
When? December 16, 2021
Where? Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel
Here's what you missed: Themed “winter playscapes”, the 2021 Design Trust Gala was the non-profit organisation’s first after two years away, and the excitement for its return was palpable among guests, who walked a pink carpet and previewed the night’s live auction items before the fun really kicked off.
Highlights of the event included architect, designer and artist William Lim’s new oil painting Let Yi Be, which depicts Yi Pei Square Playground in Tsuen Wan, the first micro-park revitalised through the Design Trust Futures Studio initiative, which sees teams of young designers from the region work with internationally renowned architects to turn overlooked public spaces into community hubs.
Curated by Marisa Yiu, co-founder and executive director of Design Trust, in collaboration with Lim, one of Design Trust’s first grant recipients Elaine Yan Ling Ng, and conceptual artist Mak Ying Tung 2, the ballroom’s design celebrated different elements of Hong Kong, with vibrant colours, palm trees, sunflowers, cityscapes and features inspired by the micro-parks.
Sponsored by Prada, the evening was in honour of Austrian graphic designer Henry Steiner, who is widely credited with defining the city’s visual identity. Steiner, who has lived in Hong Kong since the 1960s, is behind some of the city’s most iconic design projects, including the Hong Kong banknote for Standard Chartered and the HSBC logo. Steiner took to the stage to accept his Design Trust Legacy award presented by Victor Lo, a trustee of the organisation.
A total of 26 live lots went under the hammer of Christie’s auctioneers Elaine Kwok and Georgina Hilton, who put on an impressive show across two separate rooms divided by a pink curtain to respect social distancing. K11 founder and CEO of New World Development Company Adrian Cheng won Home Sweet Home: Arrival 1, Mak2 by Mak Ying Tung 2 for HK$250,000, and Let Yi Be raised HK$450,000, which will go towards initiatives like the micro-parks programme. The night ended with performances by the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, elevating spirits ahead of the holiday season.