On Wednesday, 26 November, 2025, tragedy stuck Tai Po as a fire engulfed Wang Fuk Court, killing nearly 200 Hong Kongers and leaving thousands displaced. In the following days, stories of residents’ and first responders’ bravery have emerged, from accounts of domestic helpers rescuing children to a firefighter’s heroic death. Along with offering our condolences to the victims and their families, we also feel compelled to spotlight these courageous Hong Kongers. Their stories are a beacon of light in the current darkness, and we remain eternally grateful for their sacrifice.

Editors’ Note: Team Sassy stands in mourning with the families of the victims and prays for the recovery of the injured. We acknowledge that the heroism shown on 26/12/25 was widespread and will update these tributes to honour more stories as they emerge.

Read More: How To Help Tai Po Victims — A Guide To Donations & Support

Ho Wai-Ho (何偉豪)

Ho Wai-Ho was among the first teams of firefighters deployed to extinguish the fires at Wang Fuk Court on Wednesday. The 37-year-old, who served nine years in the Sha Tin Fire Station, tragically lost his life while on the scene. His girlfriend of 10 years, who he planned to marry next month, grieved his passing on social media: “My superhero has completed his mission and returned to Krypton. You are my pride.”

Read More: Where To Donate Essential Items & Supplies For Tai Po Fire Victims

Erawati

Erawati, a domestic worker from Dampit, Malang, was caring for her employer’s baby when the fire broke out. She covered the child with her body to protect them from the smoke, but passed away with the baby still in her arms. According to Tri Darmawan, Head of the Manpower Placement Division of the Malang Regency Manpower Office, the child ultimately survived thanks to her heroism. Erawati’s family has been informed of her passing and her body is expected to be repatriated to Indonesia.

Read More: Sassy Supports — HELP for Domestic Workers

Rhodora Alcaraz

The post Honouring Hong Kong Heroes Of The Tai Po Fires appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood in Tin Shui Wai, in the New Territories?

I lived with my grannies who hoarded. I remember being taken to the local McDonald’s for the air-conditioning and to the wet market for grocery shopping. I was told that the parks and the recreational spaces near the nullah, which we call the stinky river, were full of dangers and bad influences. I was always afraid of ghosts and vampires, so I remember being scared by loud engines (which sounded like vampires yawning) and the windows of the local kindergarten I went to.

A lot of films like to depict Tin Shui Wai as this sad satellite city full of migrants, as if the rest of Hong Kong isn’t full of migrants, too. I don’t want to deny this aspect; after all, social welfare could always be improved. But there is also a lot of joy. It’s a super walkable new town. I later taught in an art school, where I met a very sassy and talented student. Now an artist and model, they also lived in Tin Shui Wai.

Read More: Hong Kong Ghosts Stories — Haunted Spaces To Visit

Your great-grandmother and grandmother raised you, bringing Fujian and Indonesian-Chinese heritage into your home. How did their stories or traditions shape your view of identity growing up?

It was confusing. I was the first person in my family who was born and raised in Hong Kong. My grannies struggled to take care of me, my two cousins, my aunt and each other, who all lived under the same roof. Fujian tradition was more prominent in the family. I can still perfectly understand Hokkien, although I can’t speak it. The Indonesian side was brushed under the carpet, but I do remember my great-granny taking me to the local wet market to chat with her friends in an Indonesian language I couldn’t name or understand, and the times when my grannies made meat floss and chilli sauces together.

When I was a kid, I did not understand the tense dynamic between my granny and my great granny. Now I have learned to ask these questions: What is it like for my grandmother to be a mixed-race person, whose dark-skinned, Indonesian mother was a maid sold to China, whose father was a landlord who had to give up his land during the Cultural Revolution? What is it like to be a carer for a mother with dementia, four daughters, an unfaithful and gambling husband and three grandchildren for almost all your life? What is it like to bring your entire family to a new city because you think it is more prosperous and beneficial than your home city? I guess part of me is writing to figure all these out.

You’ve spoken about avoiding Chinese books when you were younger and described yourself as “BYELINGUAL,” caught between English and Chinese. Where do you think this feeling came from?

I wish I had asked myself that when I was younger! I think it came from education and a presumed sense of essentialism that I learned from growing up in a migrant family in Hong Kong. I went to an EMI secondary school in the early 2000s, where I learned most of my subjects in English. The overall atmosphere told us: “If you are good at English, you will succeed. Chinese will interfere with your English grammar. Chinese is less important as it is only one subject.” This attitude is reflected in the fact that there is a full scholarship for prospective English teachers, but not for Chinese teachers. I also grew up being a confused essentialist. I didn’t think I could be both good at Chinese and English. It’s always either-or.

Read More: 14 Uplifting Autobiographies & Memoirs By Remarkable Women

Your poem Girl Ghosts was shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry — congratulations! In it, we get glimpses of Hong Kong (fermented soy beans, winter melon, porcelain clattering in tea restaurants). How do Hong Kong’s sensory details show up in your writing?

I wrote the poem in the UK, but the ideas came from my conversations with my family during COVID in Hong Kong. I used to think writing about food and family was so uncool. So many Asian diasporic writers have done it before. But I took a Masters in writing, which made everyone submit 60 pages of poems per year, which made me miss home. I was confronted by the realisation that some stereotypes are true and do matter to me. So I tried to add my own twist to the genre, which is to make it less… sad?

The poem also deals with themes of race, gender and family. Do you find that poetry is uniquely suited to express complex aspects of your (or others’) identities?

100%. Poems are a great space for fragments and fractures! Sometimes essays require a thread that our lives can’t, or have yet to form. That said, recently I have been reflecting on how honest we could be in poems, and from which point onwards we don’t need poems, but prose, therapy, sports or a phone call to close ones.

Read More: Hong Kong Female Founders Share Their Life Lessons

You’ve split time between Glasgow and Hong Kong recently. What are some things you miss about Hong Kong when you’re away? Can you share some of your favourite spots?

I miss the ease of being a local person in Hong Kong. It actually takes a lot of energy to constantly audition yourself for new opportunities in a new place and operate in a second language. English used to be an escape for me when I was obsessed with bands from the UK as a teenager; now it’s work. I also miss the accessibility of harbour view and hikes and fishball noodles in Hong Kong. I love the public libraries. They are such free, comfortable spots for work and people watching.

You’re translating Lee Ka-yee’s essays now. How does translating other Hong Kong voices deepen your own connection to the city, especially from afar?

I am so grateful for Ka-yee’s trust. I saw her read her poetry to music a few years ago without knowing it was her. I have been using translation as a way to connect with the Chinese language, to force myself to navigate its differences from the English. But throughout the process, I understand that Hong Kong sinophone writers are also influenced by a lot of translated literature (in Ka Yee’s case, Michio Hoshino, Marguerite Duras, Olga Nowoja Tokarczuk and Rainer Maria Rilke). Hong Kong and other cities are always so porous. I also pride myself on being one of the biggest fans of Post Script Cultural Collaboration, a Hong Kong-based independent publisher. I have loved so many of their beautiful publications. Ka Yee’s book confirmed my love for the press even more.

Read More: What It’s Like Being A Woman In A Male-Dominated Field

Music is a big part of your story. Does your connection to music differ from that you have with translation or writing?

My connection with music is always a regrettable one. I love to sing. I used to learn the bass guitar. I think I lack a certain alignment for me to fully become a musician. But it’s on my bucket list. Translation and writing are part of how I am conditioned: sit in front of a laptop. My mother still thinks I am doing homework when I do freelance work!

Your poems include Cantonese and local references, including political ones. Do you imagine a particular audience when writing?

My first audience is always my future self, and then I hope this self relates to others. The audience is often full of surprises. I thought a person from Hong Kong would understand my references, but they didn’t. I thought a person from Scotland would not understand, but they did. An Egyptian teacher told me that they taught my frog poem to a primary school because the frog is a mythical figure in Egyptian lore.

Poetry has a bit more leeway, as there is less hurry in identifying an audience than a voice. As much as I am trained in Hong Kong and the UK, somewhere, someone else will find connections with you, and you will learn more about the world in that process.

Read More: Hong Kong Artist Lio Sze Mei On Escaping The Real World With Her Art

As you prepare to teach at CUHK, what do you hope to share with Hong Kong’s next generation of writers?

I am excited! I am not sure how many of my students want to be writers. But I think everyone can learn from great writings at the right time. It’s about opening yourself up to what the voice has to say. It’s about listening. I hope I could play a small part in that.

If you could tell your younger self one thing about embracing hybrid identities, what would it be?

I think I would tell my younger self that “it’s not your fault you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. When your inner critic judges, ask yourself if that is really your voice or internalised societal forces.”

Read More: What I Wish I Knew Before Turning 30

The post A Conversation With Hong Kong Poet & Forward Prize Nominee Tim Tim Cheng appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

A three-time Olympic swimmer and seven-time Asian Games medalist, Hong Kong swimmer Camille Cheng is not just a champion in the pool; she’s a fierce trailblazer, role model and mental health advocate. Having recently competed in the Paris Olympics while growing her charity Mind The Waves and preparing for her talk at TEDxTinHauWomen, she’s proven that hard work and passion can make waves in sports and beyond.

Sassy Update: Click here to view her full TED talk! 

Can you tell me a little about yourself, such as your background and your connection to Hong Kong?

Hi! I’m Camille, I’m a three-time Olympic swimmer (competing in Rio, Tokyo and Paris!) with a background in psychology. Outside of the pool, I’ve always been interested in people — and as an athlete, in understanding the power of the mind. I was born in HK and raised between here and Beijing, then attended university in the US for swimming. I’ve been back in Hong Kong for about nine years now and love it!   

Before we get into your life and career, I wanted to ask you some rapid-fire questions about Hong Kong. What are some of your favourite memories of the city? Favourite places to eat? Favourite hang-out spots and places to swim?

That’s so hard! My favourite memory is definitely one from childhood, as every Sunday my family and I would hike up to The Peak together and get an ice cream as a little reward. When my sisters were younger, my dad would push them up in a stroller, so it was really special to watch them grow up and begin walking themselves. 

For my favourite places to eat, I don’t think you can beat a Hong Kong-style breakfast. A HK milk tea is the first thing that I want when I get back to the city and the last thing that I’ll have at the airport! Other favourites are going swimming at beaches in Sai Kung or Shek O. I’m definitely a beach girl. 

What first drew you to swimming, and how has your relationship to the sport evolved since?

I grew up swimming everyday after school, it was just something that I have always naturally gravitated towards and that I happened to be good at! I was incredibly shy as a young girl, but I distinctly remember trying to race some older boys in the pool, which was so out of character for me. So, swimming brought out a different side of me, a competitiveness that I didn’t even know I had. As for how my relationship to the sport has evolved, I’d say that as time has gone on, I’ve realised that it’s not just about the performance. 

Performing competitively requires significant sacrifice. What drove you to pursue professional swimming?

It was never an official plan of mine to become a professional athlete, rather this career organically developed. At first it was just a sport that I was good at, then I realised I could go to university for it, then compete on a world stage, and so on. There are always people who will make comments or try and pressure you to perform or compete a certain way, but I learned quite quickly that if I was going to pursue this, it had to be for me. So, I feel really grateful for how this journey has evolved and the opportunities it has opened up for me. Like any career, there are ups and downs — and it’s not one I can do forever, so I am always trying to be as present as possible, to cherish these moments as they occur. 

You have spoken candidly about the struggles of being a mixed-race athlete. Can you tell us more about how that has impacted you, personally and professionally?

Reflecting on that, a lot of my struggles with my identity stemmed from me being self-critical. For a long time, I felt a certain sense of shame about my relationship to Hong Kong, as I don’t speak the local language. I questioned how that would be perceived by others and wondered if I was entitled to represent a city where I couldn’t fully communicate. But in reality, everyone has fully embraced me (especially my teammates), and even expressed their pride that I am representing HK. So, in a way, I had to overcome those insecurities in myself. I know what Hong Kong means to me, and that’s what’s most important at the end of the day.

And what has it meant to you to represent Hong Kong on a world stage?

It’s been a journey, for sure, but it’s one that makes me so proud. This is a small city, but we have incredible athletes, and I think we’ve proven that. It’s also an incredible opportunity to be an ambassador for HK, because I truly love this city and feel excited about sharing my love for it. I meet people from all over the world, so having that mutual exchange of culture is also really special. 

You founded the mental-health organisation Mind the Waves with your teammates Stephanie Au and Jamie Yeung in 2023. What led the three of you to launch this project?

When I moved back to HK, I realised that I was ‘going through it,’ so to speak. I wanted to explore that in terms of my own struggles, but I also know that so many people were experiencing similar feelings during the pandemic, whether that was loneliness, self doubt or generally questioning the path they are on. I could see that in the questions people asked me — they were never about how someone could swim faster or perform better athletically, but about motivation and stress, or balancing academics and swimming. These were issues that I had to navigate when I was younger, too. 

So, while I had been wanting to begin a project like this for a long time, I wasn’t sure how to dive into it. Later, I had a conversation with my teammates — actually, at the Tokyo Olympics! — about our struggles with mental health, and how we wanted to do something outside the pool, together, to try and break the stigma around mental health. It meant a lot to me to start a project like this with my teammates, as a kind of group passion project.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Camille Cheng 鄭莉梅 (@camillelcheng)

What has it been like for you to advocate for wellness and mental health, particularly for young people?

It’s been such a rewarding journey to watch Mind The Waves take on a life of its own. It’s also been interesting to have others begin to see me as a mental health advocate, as I’ve always been really open and candid with my struggles. But I think having this charity provides a kind of officialness to that, so people feel more comfortable asking me questions about mental health, which is incredible. 

Something really meaningful happened at our charity’s Self-Care Fair: someone came up to me and expressed how grateful they were for the work that I was doing, how I had inspired them to begin seeing a therapist and how that had changed their life. You know, that has nothing to do with swimming, but having that platform has allowed me to share a message that is deeply personal to me.

You gave a TED Talk on the journey to becoming an Olympian. What is one thing you hope listeners took away from your talk?

That you are in charge of how you define success. Your relationship with success is your own, and it’s built up by resilience and connection. 

It can be difficult to recognise our accomplishments in real time. How do you think Little Camille would feel looking at you now, as an Olympian and seven-time Asian Games medalist, preparing to give a TED Talk?

Part of my TED Talk is actually how I should talk to myself about my achievements! Celebrating myself has taken a long time to embrace, but I know that Little Me would be so proud of everything I have accomplished — not just the swimming, but what the swimming has opened doors to. To have built a community, to be giving a TED Talk, to have a platform to share my story, I know she’d be proud of all of these things. 

How do you feel about the future?

 After the Olympics, there’s always a period of reflection. It’s a four-year cycle, so it’s a huge commitment, physically, mentally, emotionally. I know what it takes to get there, and I have to be honest with myself if that’s something I want to commit to. Right now, I’m still weighing out those options while focusing on Mind The Waves, as well as venturing into and learning more about sports psychology. I’m so grateful that I’m able to do not just one, but two things that I love, and I’m excited for what the future holds, even if I’m not exactly sure what it looks like.

Watch Camille Cheng’s Full TED Talk: “Bringing An Olympic Mindset To Life”

The post That Girl: Camille Cheng, Three-Time Olympic Swimmer And Mental Health Advocate appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

For those who’ve always wondered whether “The Bear” and “Burnt” exaggerated the stress of working in a fine dining restaurant, we’ve got your answer. Hong Kong’s own Carmy Berzatto, Chef Chunwan Lai honed his culinary skills working as the Chef de Cuisine at The Hong Kong Club and then as a protégée of Michelin-starred Chef Tom Aikens, and in the midst of the pandemic left the world of fine dining to open his own burger shop.

Sick! Burger first opened in Ma On Shan and now has a second location in Causeway Bay’s Haven Street, which celebrated its first anniversary last month. Even after swapping his plating tweezers with a wide metal spatula, he still brings his fine dining flair to the table, creating his own a house-made ketchup, caramelising onions in Madeira wine and adding a splash of ponzu sauce to elevate his beef patties. Guess you can’t quite take the fine dining out of the chef!

Ahead, Chef Lai shares what it’s really like to work at a three-Michelin-star establishment and the inspiration behind his recipes.

Read More: Top Fine Dining Restaurants In Hong Kong

What made you start your own burger business?

For me, burgers are a comfort food, and that’s something I love. A few years ago, I saw that many burger places were not doing very well and thought there was some room for improvement in Hong Kong’s burger scene. There weren’t a lot of places that did things like homemade sauces, I wanted to put my own fine dining spin on burgers.

We did noticed that you use more luxury ingredients than your typical burger joint.

Yes, we do a seasonal Sick! Truffle burger made with black truffle, chicken liver parfait and sautéed spinach. That one is only available for a few months. We change our menu quite a bit depending on what’s in season.

What would you recommend to first-time customers?

I would say the Sick! Chicken and the Double Sick! burgers are two of our most popular items.

Read More: Where Team Sassy Gets Their Junk Food Fix In The City

Where do you get inspiration for your recipes?

A lot of it comes from my background and culture I would say. The sauce in the Sick! Chicken burger was actually inspired by Hong Kong curry fishballs. Curry seemed to be such a popular and nostalgic flavour for Hongkongers so I wanted to incorporate that into one of my burgers.

How was your experience cutting your teeth at a fine dining restaurant?

There were many tough days because you often have to work 15 or 16-hour days. When I was working at a three-Michelin starred restaurant, I remember being scolded in French. The chef was yelling and grabbing my coat, and I just had to keep sautéing my mushrooms.

People think that’s exaggerated, but it really is like it is in the movies.

You know, that film “Burnt” where Bradley Cooper played a chef? People think that’s exaggerated, but it really is like it is in the movies.

Did you also watch “The Bear” series?

Yes, but just the first season. I found it tiring to watch after work, but I also find it inspiring to watch chefs that are so passionate about food and cooking.

Read More: Michelin Guide 2024 – Hong Kong Restaurants Awarded Michelin Stars

Do you think you’d ever return to the world of fine dining?

I want to, I really do. It’s definitely a goal of mine, but I feel like I’m falling behind. Hong Kong has improved so much in terms of opportunities for Chinese chefs, like my friend William Lau who is the Chef de Cuisine at Whisk. But because I’ve chosen to focus on Sick! Burger, I feel like my fine dining career is at a bit of a standstill. But that’s life, so we’ll see what happens.

Sick Burger (Causeway Bay), 31 Haven St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 9383 3401
Sick Burger (Ma On Shan), Shop G05, MOSTown, Ma On Shan, 9549 0903, www.instagram.com/sickburger_hk

The post From Haute Cuisine To Flipping Burgers, Chef Chunwan Lai Compares The Two Sides Of His Culinary Journey appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is not new to fine jewellery establishments, local jewellers have gone above and beyond to bring their vision to life and their works are worn by the likes of celebrities and every day people alike. Bertrand Mak, a Hong Kong-based designer and artist, and the founder of art and luxury brand Sauvereign, recently achieved a new feat.

If you’re a cinephile, you would’ve watched Oppenheimer and be aware of Cillian Murphy absolutely Cill-ing it (sorry we had to!) at the awards season. What you may not have been aware of is, the Best Actor awardee donned a custom brooch made by Bertrand Mak at the 2024 Oscars! Ahead, we talk to Bertrand about the inspiration behind his designs, future aspirations for Sauvereign and his reaction to designing a piece for Cillian Murphy.

Read More: Hong Kong Jewellery Shops – Online & Independent Designers And Stores

Tell us about your journey as a designer and how you got started in the industry.

Born into a family of professionals, I never imagined I would ever pursue entrepreneurship, least of all in creative. Whilst I was climbing the corporate ladder, my natural propensity to always challenge the norm did not go down well with my immediate superiors.

When it reached a point where I was constantly unhappy, I decided I had to take back control of my life, and there was no other way except creating my own company.

It led me to partnering with a British footwear label, unknown at the time, and I introduced it to the Greater China market. The defining moment was when I conceptualised using 24-carat gold leaf as a signature, developing a proprietary technique to apply and protect the precious material on various surfaces.

It was during this era that I gradually discovered and sharpened my innate artistic sensibility and obsession with detail. My true ambition was never footwear, but creating precious objects of art, reviving extraordinary and rare craftsmanship. I constantly seek out the world’s finest from diverse realms and bring them into my work – fusing innovation and creativity.

It is from this vision and modus operandi that gave birth to Sauvereign.

What are some of the key influences or inspirations behind your design aesthetic?

My creative process is inextricably tied to my mission to find identity, purpose, intimacy, and meaning. I often draw inspiration from memories and past experiences, connecting them with the present. My parents sacrificed so much to give me a decent education with diverse exposure that has put me in a good stead.

I am fascinated by the preciousness and immortality of gold. I am consistently applying our proprietary gold leafing know-how in my practice, at the same time, constantly exploring new materials and applications to challenge the status quo. Creating is a matter of the heart, I hope what comes from the heart reaches the heart.

Read More: Where To Buy Fine Jewellery In Hong Kong – Diamonds, 18k Gold & More

Cillian Murphy recently wore a custom brooch you designed for the Oscars. How did this project come by?

I had the privilege and good fortune of meeting the renowned stylist Rose Forde in London last December, who was forward-thinking and progressive – interested not only in the usual conglomerates but independents such as myself.

Not long into our conversations, I learned that she dresses Cillian Murphy and was looking for a brooch for him. It was never intended for the Oscars. She asked if I would work on a design and I could not resist, even if Murphy were to end up wearing it on his dressing gown.

Can you walk us through the design process of the brooch? What did it signify and how long did it take to make?

The HS14 Gem Brooch is a one-of-a-kind bespoke object, expressly conceived and created for Cillian Murphy. It embodies the dedication of both J. Robert Oppenheimer and Cillian Murphy to their respective craft – a symbol of artistry, intellect, and integrity.

Style is deeply personal, especially for someone as enigmatic as Cillian Murphy, I knew my design had to be simple but well-considered, subtle yet bold, minimal yet detailed. I played with the fundamental forms that only upon closer inspection reveal depth and complex nuances; it constantly oscillates between the two ends of the spectrum.

Like Murphy, HS14 has a quiet intensity that is strong but silent. I had a week to craft it from scratch, luckily Kari Voutilainen came to the rescue and made the impossible possible.

Read More: “I don’t want to just be known as the cereal girl,” Local Artist Riya Chandiramani On The Inspiration Behind Her Iconic Works

Cillian Murphy is not the first to don a piece of your art, Sauvereign has been worn by the likes of the Royal family and Olivia Coleman, is this something you envisioned when you first started Sauvereign?

Sauvereign was born a few months after the global outbreak of Covid and unsurprisingly times were extremely challenging. Starting a brand is hard enough let alone when the world is falling apart. One must always be prepared for the lucky moments in life, everyone has them, and one must passionately follow one’s beliefs.

I never compromised nor deviated from my core values and vision, even when they were challenged and ridiculed, for myself and Sauvereign. I think the short answer is, I believe in the law of attraction.

What future aspirations do you have for Sauvereign?

Sauvereign and I shall continue to strive for beauty and purity, persevering with substance in our very noisy and complicated world. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, though without a doubt this small moment of triumph has catalysed new ideas and chemistry that I am excited to present in the near future.

We have to keep climbing to prove and inspire, and the proof can only be in the pudding.

What advice would you give to aspiring designers who want to make a mark in Hong Kong’s design industry?

Sauvereign’s presence on Murphy at the Oscars and the very moment he fulfils his destiny is a testament that, with hard work and a bit of luck, it is not unimaginable for an independent brand from Hong Kong to climb to one of the world’s biggest fashion stages.

Read More: “Patience And Persistence Will Make It All Happen,” Rania Hatoum On Following Her Passion For Food & Fashion

To stay up-to-date on Bertrand Mak’s projects, follow Sauvereign on Instagram. 

The post Bertrand Mak On Designing Cillian Murphy’s Oscars Brooch, Future Aspirations For Sauvereign & More appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we reached out to some of Hong Kong’s most empowering female founders to hear more about their journey. Some of these influential business owners have fought to find a place in male-dominated industries, while others are actively reclaiming and reinventing spaces that have previously been reserved for old-school views on femininity.

Sassy Media Group was built for women, by women so we’re taking the 8th of March as another day to appreciate what our fully female team works to achieve, and to proudly spotlight some of the inspiring woman we’ve had the privilege of working with by showcasing what they bring to the Hong Kong community.

Read More: Here’s What It’s Really Like To Be A Woman Working In A Male-Dominated Field

Claire Yates, Founder of The Lion Rock Press and Roksaan

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
It is no accident that of our team of 12, 10 of them are women. Of our creators, collaborators and consignees, the vast majority are women. Even our suppliers are predominantly women. In a world where diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognised as crucial components of success, for me, hiring, working with, encouraging and supporting women is business critical. Our brands, founded and run by women, embody the strength, resilience, and innovation that women bring to the table.

In order for our small but brilliant team of women to thrive and succeed, we’ve created a highly flexible environment where everyone’s diverse talents, range of perspectives, experiences and skills are valued and utilised to their fullest potential, and each person’s individual circumstances are considered and respected.

We have found that women offer unique insights and approaches that can lead to more effective problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making. Since our customer base is 75% women, this ensures that our business remains adaptable and responsive to the ever-evolving needs of our clients and market.

What’s a quote you live by?
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”. As an entrepreneur, it is easy for the lines to blur between your business and the rest of your life. You can get very focused (to the point of obsession) and you need to be actively keeping yourself in check. It is nearly impossible to find the perfect balance however –  it’s a constant work in progress.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
As well as running The Lion Rock Press and Roksaan, I also co-founded an NGO called EcoDrive which tackles the issue of single-use plastic here in Hong Kong. I teamed up with 10 other women from a variety of backgrounds, but what we all have in common is that we are mothers who care deeply about the legacy we are leaving for our children.

We could never have dreamed that we would achieve all we have by helping each other shine and using our connections and influence to make change happen at individual, corporate, industry and community level. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to experience this alongside these incredible women.

Our film “Start Small, Start Now” has been played all over Hong Kong and beyond, and I have spoken in front of LegCo imploring them to bring in a policy to force people to confront their waste. Without the support and encouragement of my co-founders, none of this would have been possible.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
My domestic helper, Belle, left all her hopes and dreams for herself (not to mention her husband and young children) in the Philippines in order to come here to support her children, parents and extended family when times got tough at home. She is a very intelligent woman who spends her spare time going on courses to learn more about the things that interest her and that she hopes will sustain her when she eventually moves back.

Despite the hardships, she works diligently with energy and dignity in my home, allowing me to pursue my own dreams knowing that my children are nurtured and looked after when I’m not there. It must be agony to be trapped in a life you didn’t choose when you know you’re capable of so much more, but she does it with grace and fortitude.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Believe in yourself and your idea – as an entrepreneur, you’re the sole champion of your concept. Make sure you know it intimately and believe in your potential to bring it to life.
2. Use your network and your connections, and don’t be afraid to ask for the things you need, whether that be capital, knowledge, contacts or other resources. You will be surprised at how willing people are to reach out and help you get to the next level. Put yourself out there – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
3. Have something to say. Entrepreneurs need a strong narrative that people can buy into. What is different about you? How did you get here? What are you offering that’s interesting and new? Share your story with people and allow them to emotionally invest in who you are and, in turn, what the values of your business are. Business is all about relationships and human connections, and entrepreneurs need to leverage that more than most. Don’t be afraid to show your vulnerabilities – people respond to that and, in the end, it makes your narrative more engaging.

Read More: 14 Uplifting Autobiographies & Memoirs By Remarkable Women

Madelon de Grave, Founder of Bamboo Scenes

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
With Bamboo Scenes we focus on strong artistic power, and I am very proud to have such fierce female talent within our collective. Among our artists, we represent a number of female photographers who all have their own incredible stories and experiences of Hong Kong. These creative women have decided to follow their passion – and I feel honoured to help them share their artistic work with an international audience and to turn their work into tangible photography art pieces for walls in Hong Kong and beyond. I can only hope this inspires other women to pursue their own personal dreams as well.

What’s a quote you live by?
“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” A quote I first read in Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” – a book advocating women empowerment and a sentence I realised I have lived by for years. From deciding to leave my Supply Chain Management career to pursue and discover my true passion, to moving to Buenos Aires, Guatemala and now Hong Kong (where I eventually launched my own art company).

If you always live by the fear of failing, you will never be able to realise your own dreams.

To keep reminding myself of this daily, I have placed this quote in my bathroom so I can read it every morning when brushing my teeth at the start of another day.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
When living in Guatemala, I worked alongside Dutch-born Tessa de Goede – a powerful lady who I immensely respect. Tessa started her own charity organisation in 2008, helping Guatemalan children with cleft lips and palates by organising surgery and offering life-changing care. For almost a year and a half I was able to support her work and vision, giving those kids a better life and educating their mothers. To date, with her positive energy and effort, she has managed to offer life-changing surgeries to nearly 1,800 Guatemalan children, providing them a fair chance to live their life.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
I have lots of strong and independent women I admire in my personal life, from my mother to my female friends who are kicking ass in their corporate careers. But I also admire the women who have paved the way before me by building their own businesses from scratch. I continuously aim to learn from them by reading autobiographies or listening to talks and interviews.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Don’t be afraid to fail. A pitfall is to overthink fear, with “what if” becoming your biggest enemy. No one knows how life will unfold. If you believe something will work, overcome your fear and try it. Otherwise you will always live with a feeling of regret.
2. Surround yourself with the right people. Find people who believe in you, who are honest and from whom you can learn. There will be moments where you have doubts, and it’s your closest circle who will be there to lift you up and help you grow even further.
3. Dream BIG! Don’t shy away from daring to dream big and for saying it out loud. Lots of women shy away from what others might think. Who cares?! If you believe in it, work towards that goal and show them that dreams can never be too big.

Read More: Where To Buy Affordable Hong Kong-Themed Wall Art & Prints

Monica Browning, Founder of Courage Through Coaching

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
The work I do as a heart-centred leadership and life coach supports women in developing themselves, celebrating and building on their strengths, uncovering self-limiting beliefs, and showing up as their best selves. On the journey to transformation, I support women to navigate and explore what it feels like to make resonant impactful choices and decisions based on a solid understanding of their core values as they move towards their dreams, both professionally and personally. This work enables me to live and honour my values of courage, connection and health (physical, mental/emotional and spiritual), and to express my life purpose in inspiring others to live and love courageously and authentically.

What’s a quote you live by?
“Choose discomfort not resentment” – Brene Brown. I love this quote AND it puts me to the test many times a week (sometimes in a day) as I navigate the multiple decisions that I need to take in daily life. It keeps me grounded in my value of courage, and helps me to continually grow the self-awareness muscle. The “people pleaser” in me makes this a massive stretch and it is not something that comes very easily to me (although it’s getting easier with practice). I know this is also true for many of my clients.

Taking a pause, breathing and making a decision other than my well-trained “default” has resulted in huge gains and positive outcomes for me.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
2019 was a pivotal year for me both professionally and personally. It was the year I founded and launched my business, whilst also tackling some personal health challenges. Professionally – I joined an inspirational group of female entrepreneurs called The Tribe HK, whose mission is to help entrepreneurs grow, especially in the area of digital development and education. Their knowledge, network and support has been invaluable and a key part of my success in launching my digital business. Personally, it is through the help of women supporting women that I’ve been able to share my personal health challenges in a non-judgemental, supportive and honest way, which ultimately allowed me to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
Apart from my mum, a woman who I admire is Brene Brown – the researcher and storyteller. Her authenticity and her courage inspire me. Her ability to bring humour whilst sharing very personal, moving and sometimes challenging stories reveal her strength of character and humanity. Her TedTalks (especially her first one on the power of vulnerability), as well as her written material, reveal huge insights into human behaviour which are of personal interest to me in the work that I do. I use her research in my work and I also apply it to how I show up.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Ask for help – whatever the situation, whatever the time, whatever the place. Some things we just can’t do on our own.  There is no shame in asking for help and you’ll likely save time, learn new skills and build your own capability. It can also empower someone who is sharing their knowledge and helping you. It’s a win-win.
2. Be courageous – feel the fear and do it anyway, it helps us grow. The point where we stretch is the point where we grow. And yes, it’s scary, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. Consider the cost of not feeling the fear and standing still.
3. Remember your “why” and make fun, joy and laughter a part of it. I’ve caught myself on occasion getting far too serious about everything, and life can get hard in those moments. Ensuring that fun, joy and laughter are part of my “why” brings additional ease, both personally and professionally.

Read More: How To Prioritise Your Wellbeing At Work

Myriam Bartu, Co-Founder and Advisor of Enrich HK

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
By providing life-changing financial and empowerment education, Enrich enables migrant domestic workers (primarily women) to escape debt and achieve their dreams, whatever those may be. Through Enrich and also in my personal capacity, I have always tried to be there for other women (for my friends, for Enrich’s team and for the migrant domestic workers and women I encounter in my day). I listen to their struggles and offer support, especially on efforts to reduce consumption, save money and do what it takes to live with peace and ease. Just having someone to listen can be a powerful form of support.

What’s a quote you live by?
“Everything is either an act of love or a call for love” – Jennifer Williamson. If someone is not being supportive, or even if they are being hurtful or aggressive, it is because they themselves are hurting. What they really need is love. While I understand that there is pain behind the challenging words and actions that I see and feel, I know it is not about me and I can let go of getting emotionally affected. This helps me live with more ease, connection and compassion.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
During the early years of setting up Enrich we had no detailed road map, no office and no funding. We had loads of passion, energy and creative ideas. We said “Yes, great, go for it!” to ideas put forward by each other, and supported each other in turning these ideas into projects. Some ideas did well and some did not; it was this experimenting that led to the foundation of the professional established charity that Enrich is today.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
The women in Enrich’s founding team; Sophie Paine, Aruni John and Lenlen Mesina are all highly passionate, ethical and generous women who guided, inspired and motivated Enrich’s growth over the first decade. All three have the beautiful talent of dreaming big and creatively, while staying humble and closely connected to the migrants Enrich serves. We attracted other similarly wired women, and today Enrich is still led by a highly passionate, caring and committed team of (mostly) women.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Start small – initially, as much as possible, use savings instead of loans. Test out your ideas, keep costs low and expand once you have fine tuned your business with the knowledge of real experience.
2. Trust – find people that you can trust and trust the people that you have found. Trust works in a virtuous circle and it is the basis of team building, which is ultimately the foundation of success.
3. Know when to let go – whether you are letting go of a role or selling your business, know when it is time to let someone else do what you were doing. It’s not likely that you are the best person for every role in a growing venture. Letting go is the other wing of trust.

Read More: Meditation In Hong Kong – Mindfulness Centres, Retreats & More

Ines Gafsi, Co-Founder of Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide (FEW) is an online-to-offline business platform that connects, inspires and empowers women for entrepreneurial success. FEW Academy offers masterclasses all taught by industry experts and successful business leaders to provide skills and qualities needed to become a successful, next-generation entrepreneur. FEW’s online and offline showrooms serve as market expansion channels for members to promote and sell their products and services.

What’s a quote you live by? 
“Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives” – Michelle Obama.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
A key pivotal moment was probably expanding to Shanghai and Singapore so we can now support our members’ growth in other markets, accompanying the founder and saving her the time of not making common mistakes and offering shortcuts to gain new business opportunities. Our mission is to make women successful in business, and over the past five years, our actions have been rewarded by messages from our members about collaborations, deals and connections they made via our network. Many of them feel inspired learning about other women’s challenges and successes at our events, so we created inspiring interviews on our YouTube channel.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
I recently discovered the work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I admire the unique journey of this quiet warrior’s rise to the highest court, fighting for women’s workplace rights and preventing race discrimination.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs? 

1. Surround yourself with likeminded people – find people who understand what you’re trying to do. Those people will be the ones to support you.
2. Take calculated risks – save and make sure you have a clear-cut budget in place with an emergency buffer zone that should alert you when you go down to critical levels.
3. Do the maths – business is maths, get on top of your numbers, don’t be afraid of it.

Read More: The Best Digital Marketing Agencies In Hong Kong To Help Your Business Grow

Dervla Louli, Founder of Compare Retreats

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
Our core team at Compare Retreats is made up entirely of incredibly talented women who are leaders in marketing, editorial and sales. I learn so much from them every day and love being part of a supportive, tight-knit team of women who lift each other up. Our close global clientele is predominantly females with demanding professional and personal lives. We support them by helping them find and book the best wellness retreats in the world, to help them achieve their physical, spiritual and mental health goals.

What’s a quote you live by?
‘To lead your best life, do your best work” and my favourite – “If you’re in doubt you’re not in doubt”.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
Three of my former bosses have been strong women who have encouraged me to develop new skills, think for myself and go above and beyond whatever role I was in. They empowered me to think big, follow my intuition and taught me to put problems into perspective. Maura Thompson, the co-founder of Sassy, and Claire Melwani, a shareholder of Sassy Media Group, are two of these women.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
Marketing and communications expert Cathy Chon is the founder and MD of CatchOn and Co.. Her specialties lie in the luxury, lifestyle, travel, retail and wellness arenas, and she is an expert in transforming, building and creating brands. She is an encouraging and wise force behind many female (and male) entrepreneurs globally and I make a point to put into action any advice I’m lucky enough to receive from her.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Trust your gut.
2. Embrace your fears.
3. Stop thinking and start doing.

Read More: 11 Unique Hotels In Asia To Book In 2024

Bertha Chan, Founder of Curvasian and Drastic Social

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
Curvasian.com was focused on providing plus-size fashion resources in Asia in the beginning. Things moved to a new direction in 2011 when body positivity came about in pop culture as the movement often intertwined with inclusivity in fashion. Naturally, the space I created originally for plus-size people has become a safer space for all “womxn” and their allies to discuss different issues.

I advocate for “womxn” and marginalised groups, by creating conversations about body image issues, self-love, self-acceptance, body acceptance (including fat acceptance) and ways to tackle body dysmorphia. I also touch on feminism, to stand in solidarity with intersectional feminism.

What’s a quote you live by?
“No amount of self-improvement can make up for any lack of self-acceptance” – Robert Holden

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
I never think about success as an outcome; I feel that I am a small wheel motor in the equality movement, and I don’t need to see the result to strive, it is a purpose in life. Having said that, uplifting the “womxn” in my community has definitely brought positive changes for all of us, and I see that as a success.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
I admire my mother the most in this world. From our conversations all these years, I learn bit by bit about her past and the hardships she has gone through. She was a little girl with no support from anyone. From there, she became a superwoman who raised five kids by providing financially and domestically for them. She has not stopped giving and caring for us up to this moment. I look up to her for her strength.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Be unafraid of mistakes – instead of being afraid of failure, learn to fail safely. Make room for error. Fail, reflect, repeat. I am sure you will be very knowledgeable after five failures this year.
2. Be spontaneous – network with people you vibe with, and collaborate on different projects to learn new skillsets or get inspired. Make friends with anyone who is open to new adventures and see where it takes you. You never know what it will bring (remember failing is an option).
3. Be vulnerable – share your feelings with the people around you, with your staff or anyone who’s working with you. Open up and talk about what bothers you instead of overthinking and assuming things in your head. Learn to communicate. As a woman, you don’t need to be the tough cookie. As a boss, you can be soft as water and really get things flowing.

Read More: Listen to Bertha On Sassy Speaks Episode Two – You Do You

Sonalie Figueiras, Founder & CEO of Green Queen & Ekowarehouse

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
Every day at Green Queen we champion women who are working to change the world through stories, interviews and profiles. That’s a key part of our mission.

What’s a quote you live by?
“Every dollar you spend is a chance to vote for the world you believe in.”

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
When I had my first child, I was amazed at how much my tribe of mom friends and non-mom friends gathered round me to help. They called, they wrote, they visited, they reached out, they advised and they made sure I had support, even though I wasn’t asking for it. It was brilliant and made the experience so much better.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
Ah, there are too many to choose. But I will have to say my mother: she is ambitious and kind, glamorous and maternal, generous and clever – it’s hard to find all those qualities in one person.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Do it your way – forget the books and the advice and what others do. Forge your own path, one that works for you.
2. Run your company as if you are being recorded – be honest, fair and authentic. If you’re not, it will catch up with you.
3. Find a woman mentor and a peer group of female entrepreneurs that you can go to for advice and support. We all need to talk things out.

Read More: Your Guide To Zero Waste & Bulk Food Stores In Hong Kong

Sarah Fung, Founder of HULA

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
HULA is a consignment platform for the resale of designer womenswear. We help to declutter and allow women to monetise their wardrobes. We offer luxury designer pieces at affordable prices, making sure women feel great about shopping guilt-free. We also help to reduce textile waste to benefit ourselves and generations to come.

What’s a quote you live by?
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” – Anais Nin

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
When I asked my sister to help me launch HULA, she always gave me confidence, just as she did when we were young. I would never have been able to do it without her. I have also been fortunate to have experienced success within different female environments throughout my life. I come from a female-dominated family – a strong mother and aunties who went through a lot of challenges whilst raising families as single parents.

I later chose to work in fashion, which quite often means you are part of an almost all-female cast, led by fierce and dynamic female leaders. I have been fortunate to have been surrounded by so many women who inspire me. I believe we can achieve anything.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
My mother, who is sadly no longer with us, was a huge influence on me. She was not fortunate enough to have a proper education, and began to work at the age of 15 when she immigrated to the UK. She had low-paying jobs in restaurants, as a part-time singer and as a hairdresser, but she always knew she could do better than that. When we were older, she took herself to college to fulfil her dream of becoming a beauty therapist and finally owned a beauty salon. I now understand the sacrifices she made, the reasons she was not at home much and the “cloud of stress” that surrounded her. It must have been so hard running a business with two kids and little income or help.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. It is better for your staff and the company’s growth to have a compassionate and kind leader (and, FYI, this does not mean you are not a strong leader).
2. Have close friends and family to confide in and who will listen to your emotional roller-coaster ride and not judge you.
3. Don’t let the idea that being a woman will hinder your chances of success take hold, because as soon as you have this thought in your head, you’ll have a needless step to climb.

Read More: 50 Local Hong Kong Brands You Need To Know

Laura Offe, Co-founder of Meraki Hospitality Group

How do you use your brand/role to support women?
Meraki Hospitality Group, which includes Uma Nota and BEDU, has very strong female representation in its branding. You’ll find visually striking murals of solo women expressing strength and happiness in all our outlets. We also work with local female entrepreneurs such as Elsa Jeandedieu (the artist behind our murals), Nicola Ip aka La_baleine_52 (the creative who does all of our branding) and Mariane Chan (who’s crafted beautiful ceramic plates and bowls for us at BEDU). We’re very proud of our management team, which is made up of 60% women and a female-only office which goes against the norm in hospitality.

What’s a quote you live by?
“Success is no accident, it is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing” – Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pelé.

Talk us through a pivotal moment in your life, where women helping women led to success.
When I was working in London at the Shangri-La at The Shard, the Food & Beverage management team was composed of mostly women and I felt a strong sense of camaraderie and support from them. Whenever we needed help, it felt natural to send support or to have a quick chat to brainstorm and look at ways to work out a difficult situation. I think this is where I felt the most comfortable and open to express myself, because I felt completely understood and supported by the people I worked with.

Tell us about a woman you admire.
Ellen DeGeneres – to me she represents true grit. She lost everything when she was at the peak of her career when she came out on national television, and yet she never let that stop her from achieving her goals. Today, she has one of the most successful talk shows in the US, is recognised globally and she never forgets to give back to the community.

What are three tips you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

1. Believe in yourself.
2. Surround yourself with positivity.
3. Don’t settle, keep pushing until you get what you want.

Read More: The Best New Restaurants In Hong Kong

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published by Tania Shroff and was most recently updated in March 2024 by Team Sassy.

The post 10 Hong Kong-Based Female Founders Share Their Life Lessons appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

It’s one of Sassy’s greatest joys to be able to celebrate women’s achievements and share their voices on our platform. Over the years, we’ve been honoured to meet and work with a number of incredible women who have shown us what it means to be a strong female figure in today’s world. From artists and photographers, to civil engineers and founders of successful businesses, we’re proud to spotlight these women and share what they are doing to support their fellow females in the fight for gender equality.

Ahead, we catch up with six inspiring influencers to find out what International Women’s Day means to them, their experiences with gender imbalance and what they are doing to #InspireInclusion.

Read More: 10 Uplifting Autobiographies & Memoirs By Remarkable Women

Louisa Awolaja, Co-Founder Of HomeGrown The Podcast & TEDx Speaker

Alongside her co-host Fo, Louisa “Lou” Awolaja is on a mission to inform and inspire fellow Black expats in the city with their Hong Kong-based podcast HomeGrown. The British-Nigerian diversity and inclusion specialist has been working to dispel biases and foster a sense of community by sharing stories from the city’s Black community that celebrate diversity.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me International Women’s Day is really about two key things: 1) championing gender equality and women’s rights, and 2) celebrating women in all forms. The concept of intersectionality is extremely important – while we look at equality through the lens of gender, we also have to consider the added layers of race, culture, socio-economics, sexual orientation and other factors. I love that it is celebrated in so many countries across the world (over 60 apparently!), allowing us all to come together in conversation and community to lead change.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance?

Starting out my career as an engineering graduate, I got very used to being “one of the few” in most spaces – and while this shifted when I entered the corporate world, it never fully changed. I mentioned above the importance of considering intersectionality, and I have seen in my own career some of the ways it plays out.

I’ve had to navigate biases based on both race and gender, and I actively work to remove those obstacles for the younger generation now coming through the system.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in your daily life?

I think challenging bias in the workplace is one of the ways I can have the biggest impact. Sharing and educating others to see beyond what we class as “typical” markers or criteria for success and leadership. As an example, many studies show that in a meeting (or classroom) setting, a woman is often less likely to share a new or challenging opinion in such an open forum. This can sometimes be misconstrued as her being less knowledgeable or competent, but that’s rarely the case. If the leader instead actively engages each of the members of the meeting, and brings everyone’s voice to the table, it allows everyone to thrive. I do my part to create these opportunities, and encourage others to do the same.

Read More: We Chat To The Founders Of HomeGrown Podcast About The Black Expat Experience In Hong Kong

Aanchal Wadhwani, Founder of STAGE Creatives

Photographer, art director, entrepreneur, model and actress Aanchal transforms the fashion landscape in Hong Kong with her inclusive model and talent agency, STAGE Management, which represents beauty in all its forms. Her goal was to create an agency that celebrated diversity and inclusivity in the hopes of improving the local model and acting industry.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Women’s Day is a global celebration of womanhood. It’s a day to celebrate and empower the incredible women in our lives (although that should be every day!).

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

Working in a male dominated industry has been a consistent battle of constantly having to prove myself. As a photographer, I’ve had to prove my work is really my work. As a model and actor, I’ve been subjected to sexual requests by male production crew members. As an entreprenueur, I’ve been challenged by male peers on statistics and whether women can really run the show.

Working in a male dominated industry has been a consistent battle of constantly having to prove myself.

Some of the wildest things I’ve been told throughout my career:

“Are you sure you can carry your gear? It looks heavy and you’re so thin!”
“You’re so young and you run all these businesses? Your parents must be the reason to your success!”
“Oh, you’re a photographer!? Do you know the technicalities or do you just have your assistant help you with that?”

My career began more than 11 years ago, but I’ve noticed an improvement over the past few years with more awareness on the subject. Hopefully the next generation of female entrepreneurs will find it more welcoming!

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

I truly believe that if I continue to push forward and break down the walls as I chase my goals, I am simultaneously paving a way for other women to follow suit if they wish. They’ll have more confidence, a sense of camaraderie and hopefully the strength to break barriers of their own!

Read More: That Girl – Aanchal Wadhwani, Actress & Photographer

Inès Gafsi, Co-Founder & COO Of Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide (FEW)

As Co-founder and COO of FEW, Inès leads the platform’s operations, international business development and special projects like FEW incubator “Invest in Women Who Tech”. She also heads up the chapter of international charity, Inspiring Girls Hong Kong, empowering girls to believe in their dreams by connecting them with female role models.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Celebrating women’s advancements to collectively close the gender gap. It’s a day to remember that there is still a lot to do but also a day to inspire each other to dream bigger.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

I personally feel that the gender imbalance in Hong Kong is not as strong as it is in the West because in the FEW network there are a lot of powerful and accomplished women. However, statistics still show that the number of women on boards or leadership positions is lower than men. Startups led by women struggle to get funded and overall access to capital remains difficult for women entrepreneurs.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in your daily life?

Everything always starts with our mindset. We are often more limited by ourselves than by external parties. That is why I surround myself with people who believe in me and help me broaden my perspectives. Women in the corporate world should tap into male allies to be mentored to the top of the ladder. There are more and more female business-focused funds and investors looking at supporting specifically women in business which we bring together on the FEW platform. In the ecosystem we build, we gather men and women mentors supporting the growth of future female leaders.

Tiffany Huang

Tiffany is a Taiwanese-American writer who has lived across the US, Taipei and Hong Kong. She is the founder of Spill Stories, a publisher and collective run by diverse women sharing personal stories for a nuanced world. Spill Stories has self-published several books, including Sex & Power and Black in Asia. Her passions lie in writing personal, raw stories at the intersection of gender and culture that encourage learning, empathy and catharsis among writers and readers alike. She is now based in San Diego after moving away from Hong Kong following a five-year stay. During the day, she works as a Customer Experience Design Director in Hospitality. The places she misses the most are ACO bookstore in Wan Chai (where Spill Stories books are stocked) and Grandpa Roast Goose Restaurant (阿爺燒鵝餐室) in Sai Wan Ho.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It seems to me that people have lost sight of what International Women’s Day stands for. On March 8, someone will give me a pink balloon and invite me to a Champagne brunch at Soho, and that’s it. That being said, I think IWD is a good reminder that there is a struggle for women everywhere to overcome, whether it’s in the boardroom or bedroom.

For me, the day is an invitation for everyone, regardless of gender, to use our skills and networks to impact those changes meaningfully and unapologetically.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

My experiences with sexism were less about one-off dramatic events, but reoccurring uncomfortable situations that made me feel lesser than, perpetuated by men, women and policies. In social situations, I’m lucky to have had allies at work who stood up for me, friends who spoke up, and sometimes, I had enough courage to say something myself. Most of the difference has been made due to the quality of friends I had around me and the quality of leadership I had at my work, and less about my own words and actions. I am so grateful for our team, including Janice Li, Charnell McQueen, Boipelo Seswane, and Dyondra Wilson for leading the charge with me.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

I’d like Spill Stories to be a place where people can share personal stories and speak their truth. I think both men and women should have an opportunity to share their stories, and through honest conversation, learn how we can support each other. Some of the best stories have actually been written by men, because it’s so rare to see men share their feelings so openly, and I’d love to encourage that in a future series.

Read More: We Chat To The Editor Of Spill Stories Tiffany Huang About “Black In Asia” Anthology

Ophelia Jacarini

Ophelia is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work involves interwoven processes of structural movements within the female form. Coming into her eighth year in Hong Kong, she continues to be influenced by her surroundings in her artistic process, while allowing her work to exist as an extension to how she believes to live: free and independent.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It means taking the opportunity to rethink the way things are between men and women, and how that has changed over the centuries. We still have a lot to work on.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

There is a common misconception that gender inequality only exists in developing countries. Despite its modernity, Hong Kong is still deeply sexist in many ways.

Some recent pay surveys make for depressing reading as the gender pay gap has actually worsened. The truth is, there is still not a single country in the world which can claim to have achieved complete gender parity.

Women have consistently made up the majority of victims in domestic abuse and sexual harassment cases. Barriers at work hold women back in their careers. Sexism is not only a workplace issue, it is a much more complicated problem where imbalance is happening at home. The work/life/family balance for men and women is still not shared equally.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

As a visual artist I see my work as an opportunity to address this topic. In my backstage project I translated digital imagery of myself into a thought provoking message on the stigma surrounding female nudity. The platform mostly displays selected images of women in provocative poses, in which one image will display a suggestive photo followed by a revealing version that can only be accessed by users who have a paid membership to the platform.

This project is my way to understand the complexity of human sexuality and awareness. Can a female body be perceived as sensual instead of sexual? How has advertising trained us to observe what is decent or indecent? The purpose of this ongoing visual art project and social experiment is to test boundaries and the grey area of female nudity, and to convey how a digital audience perceives artistic nudity and soft porn.

Read More: 10 Questions With Ophelia Jacarini, Hong Kong-Based French Artist

Cammie Warburton

Cammie is a Hong Kong-based wellness photographer who believes photography can be a powerful tool to help empower women. Her passion lies in celebrating humans of all sizes, forms, abilities and ages. She strives to make each of her subjects shine, feel comfortable and help them see themselves in a new light.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day to me is a day to acknowledge the women throughout history who have paved the way for women like me to achieve their dreams.

IWD is a reminder for me to be proud of how far I have come as a woman of colour. To be proud of the conversations I’ve had surrounding what it means to be a woman in modern society. To be proud of my lineage, the struggles of my mother, of my grandmother and of my biological mother. IWD is a day I pay tribute to all the incredible women in my life.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

I have encountered sexism through fellow photographers on Instagram thinking I was male bodied, and after discovering I’m not, deciding not to work with me. It took me by surprise, and ever since then, I have rebranded myself and my photography work to speak up fearlessly about women’s experiences – body awareness, mental health, self pleasure and period talk. I can see that female photographers are on the rise in Hong Kong. Photography is a predominantly male-dominated space and I’m truly blessed to have felt the impact of my practice, helping support women in representing themselves and their brand through the gaze of a woman.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

Through having conversations! From having everyday “uncomfortable” conversations at family dinners and correcting men on a night out, to hitting people with facts on gender inequality in Hong Kong and sharing stories of women who don’t have a voice – every little helps!

The post 6 Influencers Share What International Women’s Day Means To Them appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Art is a medium of expression, of oneself and values. For the audience, it’s finding resonation in unexpected forms – be it a favourite childhood snack, a new-found love for a home-grown brand, a social value or mythological figures. When we first laid eyes on Riya Chandiramani’s recreations of cereal boxes, we were struck by more components than one – the vivid colours, the strong female figures and the overall nostalgia. It definitely went beyond mere cereal boxes.

We talk to Riya about her influences and inspirations, how being an Indian-Hongkonger and a global citizen ties into her work, her future projects and the sheer joy of following your passions (as well as the not-so-pretty side of it).

Read More: “I want to build my own Neverland,” Hong Kong Artist Lio Sze Mei On Escaping The Real World With Her Art

Tell us a bit about your background. Were you raised in Hong Kong? Do you identify as an Indian Hong Konger?  

Yes – I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and honestly, I struggled to identify myself up until recently. I felt I wasn’t “enough” of either to be a Hong Konger or Indian, though I’m both — so I guess Indian Hong Konger is a good term to describe me.

When I heard the term Third Culture Kid it definitely resonated and I have learned to embrace it.

And I think it shows in my art ­– East meets West; a cultural mix of Indian, Hong Kong, Chinese and all the Western influences I grew up with as well, and experienced while I was in the US for university.

When did you first feel drawn to art or consider yourself an artist?

Before I can even remember! There are so many photos of myself as a young child with either a pen, paintbrush, crayons or colour pencils in my hand. It was definitely a result of my upbringing — I was surrounded by so much gorgeous South Asian art at home.

And my mom is a graphic designer — she is an incredibly talented artist, and really encouraged me to paint and draw. I think growing up it was not really seen as a viable career/ future path to become an artist but given that it happened organically for me as an adult despite not even formally training for it, I suppose this was always what I was going to end up doing.

I have been a full-time artist for five years now. I’m extremely fortunate — my parents are immensely supportive of me being an artist and are some of my biggest cheerleaders.

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Can you tell us about your practice and work — your inspirations? Would you consider cereal boxes as your signature?

My inspirations are primarily drawn from ideas around societal stigma, especially surrounding gender; and my personal experiences. The inspiration around gender comes from my university studies in communications with a focus on gender. Some of the courses that had the greatest impact on me were about gender stereotypes in the media and popular culture, and gender and sexuality in Hinduism.

I would not consider cereal boxes my signature, but people associate me with it because it has been my first major series and made quite a visual ‘mark’ through my shows with Young Soy Gallery and Vain Projects. I am very wary about putting myself in a box (no pun intended) and I don’t want to be just known as the cereal girl so after three years, I am actually moving on to a new series.

I started the cereal boxes because I love cereal and because I ate it a lot in my recovery from an eating disorder, after not allowing myself to have anything that brought me joy.

But then I learned that the mascots are all male and everything clicked together. The lack of differentiation in female representation made me want to reimagine this style by portraying strong mother goddesses who fight and feed; or in some pieces, I portrayed the parts that give life feeding the male mascots.

The fusion of Western branding, and Indian and Chinese cultural art is representative of my mix as a Hong Kong-born Indian woman with an international upbringing.

What emotion do you aim to evoke when people view your art? 

I believe good art evokes emotion and starts a conversation, whether internal or external. Hard as it is as a control freak, I’m learning to accept that I cannot control how people interpret my work. All I can do is put it out there, and if the audience cares to understand my meaning, that’s great, but they may not and I have to be ok with it.

How much of yourself is represented in your art?

In my last series of boxes for Art Central, I featured some self-portraits for the first time. This was an interesting exercise because I’ve always been very conscious of depicting human figures, I wouldn’t consider it one of my strengths. But putting myself into the pieces, especially given the messages behind them, really added another dimension and felt very empowering.

Read More: 5 LGBTQ+ Hong Kong Visual Artists To Follow Now

Your artworks have been a hit — with multiple gallery shows as well as a booth in both Art Central and the Affordable Art Fair. How does it feel to get that recognition and appreciation for your art?

It feels amazing and I’m very grateful. The thing with constantly working towards new shows (which is a privilege, for sure) is that I often forget to step back and appreciate what I’ve achieved so far, and be thankful for all the support. I also forget to take a break – I often process when I burn out.

I try not to worry too much of how my new works will be perceived but at the end of the day, I think we all care a little more than we’d like to about what others think. That’s not to say I’m very glad my work has been received very positively thus far!

How do you think your art has been received in Hong Kong?

From what I can ascertain, it seems to have been received well so far – despite my work being a mix of all the things that make me “me,” so to speak.

I think there is something in there for everyone to relate to in some way.

At the Delirium group show with Young Soy Gallery last July, I featured some Hong Kong brands – Kowloon Dairy and Garden Life Bread; and Indian brands – Amul Milk and Parle-G, and I loved how those were received specifically by people who resonated with the brands and then looked further into what I was saying in the pieces.

There have been people who have expressed concern about my usage of goddesses in my pieces – and this has also been the crux of some of the hate comments I received on Instagram from some people in India who claimed that my work was disrespectful. To that – I say, respect is at the core of my work and it honours the female body and powers. 

What are three personal goals you have in the near future as an artist?

To try out new mediums – which I am currently doing with oil paint, and I’m loving it so far. I also have plans to get into sculpture. And to go larger in size of my pieces.

To try living somewhere other than Hong Kong for a little while, to experience different kinds of inspiration from new surroundings.

To take better care of myself – which includes taking more breaks, as well as being cognisant of how many projects I take on, how much I charge, and sometimes not being afraid to say no.

Read More: “Patience And Persistence Will Make It All Happen,” Rania Hatoum On Following Her Passion For Food & Fashion

Do you have any plans to expand your work in other forms of art? What would it be?

I’m working on a series of rubber gloves that have been painted with bridal mehndi (henna) patterns. It’s a series that circles around the notion a woman’s value and worth is to strive to be “marriable” – and that this is the main goal no matter what else we achieve. Coupled with the idea of the invisible woman, the second shift, and all the extra unpaid work that women often do.

Lastly, what are three emotions you feel when doing something you love and why would you say it’s important to go after your passion?

Three positive emotions I feel are gratitude, curiosity, and calmness. Three negative emotions are anxiety, obsession, and self-doubt. It all goes hand in hand.

There is that phrase that goes something like, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” I don’t agree – you can do what you love and it is still work. But it is important work, because by doing what you love, you feel like a more fulfilled person. It definitely ties into mental health and that is why I think it is important to go after your passion – it is one of the highest forms of self-respect, in my opinion.

Read More: Must-See Hong Kong Art Exhibitions

The post “I don’t want to just be known as the cereal girl,” Local Artist Riya Chandiramani On The Inspiration Behind Her Iconic Works appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Designing gorgeous bridal gowns by day and getting busy in the kitchen at night, half-Egyptian half-Chinese Rania Hatoum splits her day between her two loves: food and fashion. We’ve been huge fans of her wedding dress designs and are just as enamoured by the decadent dishes she plates up for her members-only private kitchen RH Fine Dining and pastry business Tarte. Ahead, Rania runs through a typical day in her busy life and shares how living in Hong Kong and abroad has helped her thrive in the worlds of bridal design and F&B.

Read More: 10 Questions With Simran Savlani, F&B Consultant And Cookbook Author

Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you lived in Hong Kong?

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I lived here for 14 years, then moved around the world, from Egypt to the US and Tokyo, and now I am back in Hong Kong indefinitely.

What do you love the most about this city?

I love how international Hong Kong is, and how I can find almost anything I need for both my businesses, from fabrics to fresh seafood from the wet market. I love how fast paced this city is, but at the same time I can drive for half an hour and find myself at the most tranquil beach and just tan all day long to destress.

Read More: The Best Beaches In Hong Kong

What drew you into the world of bridal fashion?

My parents have been in the fashion industry for 30 odd years, so I felt like my fashion career path had already been paved for me at a young age.

Read More: Where To Buy Your Wedding Dress In Hong Kong

How would you describe your own personal style?

Feminine, minimal and artistic.

You launched your own private kitchen, RH Fine Dining, around the start of the pandemic. Can you tell us about your relationship with food and cooking?

I have always had a passion for cooking and eating. I would travel the world to try all different kinds of cuisine. Cooking is therapeutic for me and I always enjoy hosting dinner parties and feeding my friends. It all started when I was living in Tokyo, where I would often go to the local fish markets then go home and prepare dinner for my husband and friends.

Has your Chinese and Egyptian heritage influenced your designs and cooking style?

Surprisingly they have not, but the time I spent living in Japan and travelling around Europe has largely influenced my cooking style. French and Japanese cuisine are my favourite which is why my focus is on French-Japanese fusion.

Read More: Top Hong Kong Private Kitchens & Dining Rooms

What are your favourite ingredients to work with?

The finest in ingredients in life! I mainly love using seafood and other ingredients with strong, aromatic flavours such as caviar, sea urchin, truffles and fine herbs. Now with my recently launched pastry brand, Tarte, I get to use these luxurious ingredients to create what I like to call “the finer tarts in life”.

What are your favourite dishes to eat at home or out?

Omakase is my favourite type of food, I’m a sucker for fresh seafood and French cheese!

Read More: The Best Cheese Shops In Hong Kong

What does a typical week look like for you?

Day-time bridal designer and private chef by night, I would meet with brides from the morning to afternoon, and then I would start prepping for my dinner parties from late afternoon and my day would typically end at 11pm.

What do you do in your downtime?

Spend time with my dog, work out, hang at the beach and play poker with friends.

I just need to do keep doing what I do, work harder and stay focused.

What are three goals you had for this year?

I just tell myself I just need to do keep doing what I do, work harder and stay focused. I want to live a healthier lifestyle and be more active, give more time to myself and be able to travel for more inspiration.

How would you like to see Rania Hatoum Bridal and RH Fine Dining grow?

After a series of successful pop-ups for Tarte, including our current one at LANDMARK, I’m looking to expand the brand globally. As for my bridal design business, I hope to launch a bigger collection soon and would love to hold my own local fashion show in Hong Kong one day.

What advice would you give to someone that has multiple passions?

If you are doing what you love you will never have to work a day in your life. Follow your passion and success will follow, it may not happen quickly but patience and persistence will make it all happen.

Read More: 9 Hong Kong Businesswomen On Career Success

The post “Patience And Persistence Will Make It All Happen,” Rania Hatoum On Following Her Passion For Food & Fashion appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

It’s Art Week — or rather, the city’s unofficial Art Month, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see the Fairs (namely Art Basel and Art Central) in full swing alongside some gorgeous exhibitions at galleries around town and other art-inspired happenings. To celebrate, we decided to check out a homegrown artist, someone born and raised in the city who’s making her mark.

We spoke to Lio Sze Mei, whose debut solo exhibition opened at the very beginning of March at a favourite gallery of ours, Odds and Ends. Read on to hear what she said about her literary inspirations like J. M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince”, dream and memory recollections and more…

Read More: Your Insider Look At Art Central 2023 – What To Expect & Our Favourites

It takes Lio Sze Mei a little to open up — she answers most of our questions from behind a plastic folder she keeps holding up to her face. Realising the Hong Kong-born and raised artist is probably more comfortable in Cantonese, her first language, we turned to Odds and Ends co-founder and gallery director Natalie Ng to accompany us — who offered her own insight and thoughts as we toured Lio’s debut solo exhibition.

Born to Hong Kong office workers, Lio’s family was not as supportive of her artistic career. To them it “seems like a waste of time, a waste of money,” Lio tells us, which partially informed her decision to study art at home, at Hong Kong Baptist University. The 29-year-old works full-time these days, teaching young children art.

Round and round and round, 2017, Charcoal, ink, and soft pastel, on canvas

Scattered Sparks II, 2022, Oil on canvas

So if her parents didn’t see art as a career, why did she pursue it? “I love art — for me, it’s a time to escape the real world,” she tells us. “In primary school, I loved drawing and doing crafts with clay and paper. It made me feel very calm, exploring different materials. I studied painting and printmaking, ceramic-making and more mediums.”

Lio really lights up when we come to the topic of inspiration. Hers come from stories, like J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. “I want to build my own Neverland — but I want to be cleverer than him. He has to stay there; I want to be able to go back and forth from the real world.”

That’s why her show is called “Ad Astra”, a Latin phrase that means “to the stars”. “It’s so meaningful for me,” Lio says. “I want those brighter things, even to own for myself.” As we tour the space later, she adds “I want to collect all the beautiful things.”

A Floating Planet (Detail), 2023, Ink on copper plate

 Gallerist Natalie Ng considers the notion of the stars like a guiding star, like the North Star. Something that conveys desire but you can’t quite grasp like a tangible thing. “All the works in the show, even if they look dark, there’s one trait that ties them all together — they all sparkle.”

The two canvas pieces in the exhibition — the other works are on metal — consist of charcoal and black ink, and depict objects that twinkle. There’s a lit-up chandelier, a lit-up carousel, a young girl in a pretty party dress made up of lights. Even the surface of the ocean reflects, sparkles. There’s a hazy element to Lio’s pieces, a blurry “bokeh” out-of-focus effect.

Lio’s most interesting pieces, to us, are her metal works, made by a timely process of scratching the surface of brass and copper plates and then processing it with ink and oil. We look at the cropped, detailed piece that shows the surface of the ocean, and you can see how the different textures create a twinkling, glistening effect. “She works on a negative, instead of a positive when you think about it,” Ng says.

Starry Sea (Detail), 2023, Ink on brass plate

The subjects of Lio’s works come to her in her dreams — or rather, she says, she recollects old memories and images she sees when she’s sleeping. If you look closely, you’ll spot tiny ducks. Lio says they’re lost and lonely, and it’s meant to look a little uncertain and unclear — as if they could disappear. “I don’t like birds but for this illustration, when I’m far away, it’s okay — they’re so cute!” The aforementioned girl in a sparkly dress is also disappearing, “she’s going away to Neverland.”

Lio likes Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince for a similar reason. “Because all these stories, [the characters] have their own world. I want to build my own world.”

The Lost Duck (Detail), 2023, Ink on brass plate

Ad Astra, 2022, Ink, oil on brass plate

 When asked why she choose to work with Odds and Ends, a fairly younger local gallery, for her debut show, Lio says it’s her pleasure. Ng and co-founder and co-director Fiona Ho approached her at the Affordable Art Fair, where they both purchased a piece. “We really liked it and we wanted to visit her studio to learn more about her practice, and then the show just came about organically.”

And what would she want viewers to take away from “Ad Astra”? “I want them to feel calm, at rest. Like it’s a quiet place for them.”

You can view Lio Sze Mei’s debut solo exhibition “Ad Astra” at Odds and Ends, Block B, H307, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, until Saturday, 8 April. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 7pm.

You can also catch Odds and Ends at this year’s Art Central at Booth B2, Halls 3FG, 3/F, Old Wing, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, until Saturday, 25, March.

The post “I want to build my own Neverland,” Hong Kong Artist Lio Sze Mei On Escaping The Real World With Her Art appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.