december-2011

Design in
the details
Here’s why Hotel ICON —
Tsim Sha Tsui’s hottest new
hotel — is a sight for sore eyes
THE BRAND NEW Hotel ICON in Hong
Kong may have just opened its doors in late
September, but it’s already caused quite a stir
in international design circles. The renowned
design and lifestyle magazine, wallpaper*,
included Hotel ICON in its 2011 list of the
world’s Best Business Hotels. “Hotel ICON
is a collaborative project featuring work from
award-winning artists, creative visionaries
and respected designers,” explains General
Manager Richard Hatter. The experts at
“Boutique & Lifestyle Hotels: Creating a Brand
Icon through Design” — a design conference
held during the hotel’s opening — include
French botanist and landscape artist Patrick
Blanc, who produced the striking vertical
garden at the hotel lobby; Hong Kong fashion
designer Barney Cheng, who created the
staff uniforms; Conran & Partners’ Managing
Director Richard Doone, whose fi rm oversaw
the hotel’s F&B outlets, The Market and Above
& Beyond Chinese Restaurant; graphic artist
chikka buzz
Clockwise from top: The glass
façade on level 9, with a view of
the pool; Patrick Blanc’s vertical
garden; breathtaking top view of
Hotel ICON’s winding staircase.
Tommy Li, who designed the hotel’s logo;
interior designer William Lim of CL3 Architects,
who styled the impressive interiors; and
architect Rocco Lim of Rocco Design Architects
Ltd., who shaped Hotel ICON’s all-glass
exterior. Find out more at www.hotel-icon.com
Creative Hearts
TO CELEBRATE their annual theme of “Contemporary artisan since 1837”, Hermès presents
Hearts and Crafts — a 2011 fi lm directed by Frédéric Laffont and Isabelle Dupuy-Chavanat,
which shines a light on the men and women who bring Hermès’ objects of beauty to life. The
directors take its viewers to the four corners of France — from Paris to the Ardennes, from
the Lyonnais to Lorraine — and open the doors of the house’s workshops to lift the veil on
the people who create these designer pieces, such as the leather craftsperson, crystal and
glassmaker, jeweller and more. The documentary was recently shown internationally; in Asia,
screenings were held in Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Hearts and Crafts
will be available for viewing online at www.lesmainsdhermes.com/en
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TEXT MAYA O CALICA