Cover Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
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Take an insider’s look into the lives of Hong Kong’s most interesting and prominent characters with Tatler’s new interview series, Up Close and Personal With...
From business accomplishments to guilty pleasures, few topics are off-limits as we get up close and personal with Hong Kong's Tatler community.
In this column, we delve into the life of fashion entrepreneur Alan See, one half of the duo behind menswear brand The Armoury. Having spent most of his career in the garment industry, See founded The Armoury in 2010 after spotting a gap in the market for well-tailored clothing and accessories. Offering both ready-to-wear and bespoke designs, See and his business partner Mark Cho have since expanded operations to two boutiques in Hong Kong and one in New York. The duo have recently launched their Youtube channel, thearmourytv.com which deep dives into their love for menswear, books, watches and all things design.
Here, See divulges some of his deepest secrets, including his obsession with kitchen crockery and moonlit misadventures in Japan.
See also: The New Asia: The Most Powerful, Influential & Stylish People To Know In 2020
Above Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
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What does Hong Kong mean to you?
Hong Kong is where my heart will always be. Although I am Malaysian by birth, most of my memories were crafted here. It is an amazing place to grow up among inspiring entrepreneurs in an international community, and as a base to see the rest of the world.
Describe your business in one sentence.
We help discover our customers style and uncover romance behind pieces of clothing which means so much more than how they look.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
The Armoury is a space that so many interesting people from all over the world have come through, and I am so happy and proud to have seen it evolve from a tiny hole-in-the-wall spot, to the platform it is now. We have managed to spread the ethos of the shop far wider than the reach of the clothes and the pieces we sell. Seeing people in different countries adopt our same appreciation and attitude towards classic menswear has been such an amazing evolution of the scene we had aimed to change.
See also: Gentlemen's Guide: The Best Men’s Tailors In Hong Kong
Above Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
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If you could be a fly on the wall, where would you land?
I’d land a couple of months (or maybe years) into the future to see when and how this awful Covid situation will end. Perhaps find the vaccine, transport back to the present and solve the world’s biggest problem right now—and in the process fight evil villains and solve crimes.
Which personal trait has landed you in the most trouble?
Curiosity has led me down many strange alleyways and midnight adventures. I’d say that other than plenty of interesting discoveries, I’ve been in a few tricky situations and have luckily plucked myself out of harm’s way. I remember having to tackle someone to the floor in the middle of an unknown Osaka underground club at 4am in the morning quite a few years ago...
What is your favourite dance move to do when you are at a party?
Ever seen the “evolution of dance”? If not, you must YouTube it now!
What is your most embarrassing moment from high school?
I used to be the guitarist in my high school band—I had just picked it up at the time. Looking back at the few chords I knew, I am not sure how I had the nerve to perform in front of the whole school at the time.
Above Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
Photo: Affa Chan/Tatler Hong Kong
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Which movie title best explains your life right now and why?
There are too many funny adult titles to choose from, but perhaps not Tatler appropriate. Perhaps Up in the Air would be a good way to describe my life with all this uncertainty around us.
Name a product or service you love so much that you’d happily be that company’s spokesperson.
There are so many toys, fun gadgets and watch brands that I would gladly be a spokesperson for. However, I’ve been spending so much fun and quality time in the kitchen with people I love that I would be remiss to not talk about the beautiful Le Creuset pots and pans that I have been using I also miss the Miele showroom in Causeway Bay where I would often go to hang out and watch people cook. Their setup is amazing.
If you had one million dollars to build anything you wanted, what would you build and why?
It would be that dream kitchen I’ve been spending so much time in. This includes a huge island for working on, some spacious stove tops to do some serious wok-frying, big and well-organised herb and spice racks, clean and well-lit fridges, and finally, some nice bar stools for people to hover around and chat to me while I’m preparing everything. I’ve had the chance to help entertain quite a few friends and family at home and it has been such a blessing to connect with all of them through food and cooking.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
