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.

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

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.

Courtney Act, a name play on “Caught in the act” when said in a non-rhotic accent like the Australian accent, is a renowned drag queen who first appeared on “Australian Idol” (The Aussie version of “American Idol”), and then went on to more reality TV like “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, “Dancing with the Stars” and more. We chat with her on her successful performances, what to expect in her return to Hong Kong and the way forward for the Hong Kong’s LGBTQI+ community. 

Read More: 10 Questions With Coco Pop, A Hong Kong Drag Queen

Have you spent much time in Hong Kong before this trip? 

I’ve made multiple trips to Hong Kong, especially around when SEVVA first opened. I performed there for New Year’s Eve, it was a beautiful night with the view of the fireworks, and I’ve been back after that to meet friends. I love Hong Kong, it’s a vibrant and exciting city.

Ultimately I was pioneering a path for myself.

Growing up did you have any strong figures you looked up to?

Growing up, I did enjoy pop stars like Madonna and the Spice Girls but I wouldn’t say they inspired my drag journey. When I moved to Sydney back in 2000, there were many drag artists and performers I was inspired by but I think ultimately I was pioneering a path for myself.

Can you walk us through how you transition into drag? 

After I get showered and shave, I sit down for my makeup and the first thing I do is pop open a glue stick to transform my manly brows into a more feminine arch. And then I do the rest of my face, put on my dress, my wig, my jewellery and it all comes together in the very last minute when I pop on my lip gloss. It’s all a creative process that I very much enjoy.

Read More: Top Eyebrow Services In Hong Kong – Microblading, Threading, Brow Tinting & More

You’ve just taken centre stage to host the Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert. How was that experience for you? 

Sydney has been amazing during WorldPride – there were so many people, so many parties, packed concerts, humans rights conferences to talk about the human rights of the LGBTQI+ community in the Asia Pacific region. I hosted the opening concert which was so exciting, and my big broadway opening number was so well-received.

What brings you to Hong Kong this time round? And where we catch your performance?

I’m very excited to be back and it’s so great to see that the city is turning back on! I can’t wait for some gorgeous cocktails, delicious food and that Hong Kong skyline view from SEVVA, which is where you can catch me performing.

What can audiences expect from your Hong Kong shows?

Lots of songs! Since I was back in Hong Kong, I was in “Dancing with the Stars” in Australia and I know Latin and Ballroom dancing is very popular here, so you may just see some cha-cha or salsa, which will be very fun.

You never know who’ll pop up at my performance in SEVVA!

You’ve done your fair share of reality TV, which has been your favourite?

Definitely “Dancing with the Stars”, it was so much fun! My dance partner, Josh, actually lives in Hong Kong and he’s a Ballroom champion (just saying, you never know who’ll pop up at my performance in SEVVA!). 

Read More: Our Favourite LGBTQ+ Shows To Watch On Netflix This Pride Month

How have you found the visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community in Hong Kong?

I’ve always had a wonderful time in Hong Kong and the gay bars here are great, so from that perspective, it has always felt accepting. But there sure is still a way to go with the mainstream visibility and the way of understanding. However, with the Gay Games coming to Hong Kong this year, that’s definitely a way forward. And every drag performance, big or small, helps to slowly change any negative attitudes.

What advice would you give to young people who are discovering and exploring their sexuality?

The internet – when used cautiously – can be a great place to fill the void of solidarity when you feel alone and a lack of support. Know that who you are is valid and you will find a community that gets you.

What do you think is the most common misconception about the drag community?

To me, it’s about expressing both masculinity and femininity through my performances, and making people forget about their struggles for a little while and just simply enjoy the performance.

Read More: 11 Relatively New LGBTQI+ Books To Read

Follow Courtney Act on Instagram @courtneyact to know more about her and catch her act at SEVVA, more details here. 

The post “Know that who you are is valid”, Courtney Act On Her Drag Journey appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

One of the things that we love most about Hong Kong is the thriving community of women in business we have here, covering every industry and niche you can think of. While these incredible Hong Kong businesswomen make it look easy, we know that’s very far from the truth, especially when taking into account the added burden of gender stereotypes and discrimination that comes with being a female founder.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re chatting with some of Hong Kong’s most successful female businesswomen to learn more about their road to success and the challenges they’ve encountered along the way, and how they embrace equity at work and outside work. Keep scrolling for more…

Read More: Female-Founded Brands To Support Now

Jump To:
Mandy And May – Founders Of Linguabox Group
Amy Tsien – Founder Of Drink Eve
Amanda Hyndman – General Manager At Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
Sara Vee – Founder Of Women of Hong Kong
Gianne And Canice – Founders Of Lexemedia
Maisy Ma – Figure Skating Coach
Emma Lauren – Stylist And Social Media Personality

 

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Mandy And May, Founders Of Linguabox Group

Learning a new language can be tough, especially one as complex as Mandarin! Linguabox Group uses its 30 years of expertise and connects anyone, anywhere in the world, to its engaging and interactive online classes. Its founders, Mandy and May share how they embrace equity and how women can become each other’s support systems.

What changes have you made to your personal or professional life to embrace equity in regard to gender, race, religion or any other aspect of your life?

We were keenly aware of the amount of well-qualified women unable to find fitting jobs after having children, so we took a special interest in this demographic when hiring for Linguabox.

We are very proud that a majority of our teachers are women, and that we are able to provide these well-educated, certified and passionate women with fulfilling jobs, and the support and flexibility necessary for child-caring.

Do you agree that women may sometimes compete with each other? How can women embrace equity and support each other?

Women can sometimes be competitive in the workplace due to systemic barriers and limited leadership opportunities. To embrace equity and support each other, we encourage women to engage in mentoring, advocate for equal opportunities, celebrate each other’s achievements, and foster an inclusive and collaborative culture.

Is there anything else you’d like to share regarding the theme of #EmbraceEquity?

Another important facet of equity extends to embracing and giving equal opportunities to other cultures and communities in Hong Kong. We have the privilege to work with students from various different countries and cultures, including India, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and the US, and that cultural exchange is a highlight of our job!

LinguaBox Group, WhatsApp: 9685 8939, www.linguaboxgroup.com

Amy Tsien, Founder Of Drink Eve

Drink Eve is a research-backed Hong Kong wellness brand that aims to give a new perspective to mental and physical well-being and create a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive community through its products and wellness events. Its founder, Amy Tsien talks us through how she stays motivated, how her brand empowers young women in Hong Kong and her career goals.

How do you and your business help empower women and girls in Hong Kong?

I strongly believe one of the main purposes of us going through any personal ups and downs is to relate, understand, and help others who are on a similar journey. Every day, I hope to use myself, my brand and the Eve community to encourage and empower other women and girls in Hong Kong through transparency, sharing, and mentorship.

What keeps you motivated on days when the road gets tough?

At the heart of Eve are a lot of my own personal core values and missions. When the road gets tough, I let my passion, vision, and mission drive me.

I remind myself to turn every hesitation or rejection into improvements and motivation; and never be too afraid to think big, try, and ask for opportunities.

What are three short-term goals you have for yourself and your business?

1. Make our products and unconventional well-being workshops more accessible to urbanites (including travellers!) at work and off work.
2. Partner with more mental health organisations with aligned core values.
3. Launch our very first well-being campaign!

Use code EVEXSASSY to get 5% off on Eve Recovery Sodas and Eve Prevention Packs. Valid until Friday, 8 March, 2024.

Shop Drink Eve

Drink Eve, www.drinkeve.com

Amanda Hyndman, Manager At Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Having worked in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for 16 years, Amanda has taken on several leadership roles. She’s currently the General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong as well as the Vice President, Operations for Southern China and the Group Director of Quality, which includes quality control on services across the hotels.

What has been your proudest business achievement?

It’s the feeling of the whole team pulling together to go above and beyond, which creates the adrenalin, excitement and sense of achievement.

We pulled off an incredible 140th-anniversary party for MO Bangkok, which was named number one in the world! We are also very proud of our colleagues who dedicated 40,000 hours of community volunteering to help the less fortunate in London and last but not least, the team in Hong Kong for enduring hardships in the past four years.

What is your proudest personal achievement?
I feel most proud of myself when I make others proud. Throughout my life, I have been championed by a number of fine women, from my grandmother who partly raised me (and couldn’t have a career of her own due to World War Two) to amazing ladies who had my back when I was in Thailand for five years, and supportive and encouraging female colleagues I have at both Jardine and MO.

What are three short-term goals you have for yourself and the Mandarin Oriental?
1. Create, finalise and kick off the hotel renovation plan in Hong Kong.
2. Deliver a great 60th-anniversary celebration for the hotel this year.
3. Spend more time laughing and having fun with our colleagues and teams!

Follow Amanda Hyndman on Instagram (@amandahyndman) to learn more about her.

Sarah Vee, Founder Of Women of Hong Kong

Women of Hong Kong was formed out of a personal need to feel belonged. It started out as a handful of women coming together for social drinks and now has close to 7,000 sign-ups and about 10,000 followers on its Instagram page! To sum it up, the network is like a “create your own adventure” book — you can use it for personal reasons, business, or both.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs starting out in Hong Kong?

Think about what problems you are solving and how your business would be of help to the community.

Be ready to put yourselves in someone else’s shoes which is a key quality in running a business.

The other key quality is to maintain good relationships with your clients and to humanise the whole experience.

Do you agree that women sometimes compete with each other? How can women embrace equity and support each other?

Yes all the time, we’ve been brought up to believe we need to rise above one another instead of raising each other up. And I also feel like we often ask to be understood by the opposite gender but we may lack the skills to do the same thing we’re asking.

What’s key to embracing equity?

The three keys to ending gender inequity are education, technology and media — if your business revolves around or is involved in this department, then you have the power to contribute to making the world a more equitable place. I believe everyone is capable, the question is, is anybody willing?

Follow Sarah Vee on Instagram (@sarahvee.asia) to learn more about her.

Gianne And Canice, Founders Of Lexemedia

Lexemedia, a local creative agency — derived from the word “lexeme” which means the basic/abstract unit of meaning — helps brands and businesses communicate their individual message and shine.

What has been your proudest business achievement?

When we worked with Women of Hong Kong to help organise its first-anniversary event, which brought together over 300 women for an evening of networking and inspiration. Being able to use our skills to support other women-focused organisations and see the direct impact was very fulfilling.

What changes have you made to your personal or professional life to embrace equity in regard to gender, race, religion or any other aspect of your life?

We’ve made a conscious effort to hire diverse talents and create an inclusive work environment where people from all backgrounds can thrive, which is key to embracing equity and creating work that resonates with people from all walks of life. Hiring globally has brought unique perspectives and skills to our team.

How do you or your business help empower women or girls in Hong Kong?

We empower women and girls in Hong Kong through partnerships with communities and charities. Our co-founder Gianne recently designed charity merchandise to benefit Inspiring Girl’s empowerment programs for young girls. Through these initiatives, we aim to empower women and girls through mentoring, education, and community programs.

Collective action can drive real change, so we’re committed to using our skills and platform to uplift women in Hong Kong.

Follow Lexemedia on Instagram (@lexemedia) to learn more about them.

Maisy Ma, Figure Skating Coach, Emcee, And A Jill Of Many Trades

Why excel in one thing when you can have multiple successful hustles? Maisy is an influencer, figure skating coach, TV host, emcee, F&B operations coordinator and content creator, all at the age of 23!

What is your proudest personal or business achievement?

It has always been a perception for people to think that retired professional athletes take a long time to find their track in life. I am proud to prove that wrong. I have shown that, as a former athlete, I have smoothly transitioned into the media world, bringing the positivity of sports to a bigger audience from an athletic standpoint.

What keeps you motivated on days when the road gets tough?

Recognising your past achievements and living in the moment is so important. Many times we get so caught up because of our perspectives.

We should always remind ourselves that where we are in life at the moment, was all we ever wanted in the past.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs starting out in Hong Kong?

I believe the society we live in now encourages people to be hardworking — as long as you have a dream and you are willing to fight, there will be a significant role that belongs to you. Plus, I love having multiple career paths to keep myself busy but also explore different talents.

Follow Maisy Ma on Instagram (@maisyma1999) to learn more about her.

Emma Lauren, Stylist And Social Media Personality

As a stylist and creative, Emma helps businesses with their branding and the storytelling that goes behind it.

What has been your proudest business achievement?

Being the Art Director for Net-a-Porter for one of its Hong Kong projects and being flown to Thailand to style for a Pandora global shoot were both huge thrills. But honestly every time I see an idea I’ve had become a reality, that feels like the proudest moment.

Do you agree that women sometimes compete with each other? How can women embrace equity and support each other?

I think there is often an underlying narrative that women have to compete with each other to get ahead. I feel super fortunate that my personal experience has been largely supportive and to have had some great women mentors and peers who have encouraged and boosted me up. I think it’s so important that we embrace equity and support each other — help and cheer on your friends with their dreams.

Success isn’t truly success unless we are all succeeding.

What are three short-term goals you have for yourself and your business?

1. Successfully master Little Red Book! I believe the China market has a lot to offer and we should all diversify our social media platforms.
2. Graduate from Cantonese Class.
3. Endeavour to find more of an equilibrium between work and home.

Follow Emma Lauren on Instagram (@emma_lauren) to learn more about her.

The post 9 Hong Kong Businesswomen On Career Success, “Embracing Equity” & More appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

South African-born Londiwe Ngubeni, better known by her stage name MsLolo, has made a name for herself in Hong Kong, the city where she found her footing as a solo artist and shares her love for Afrobeat culture. You may have caught her opening the “Festival of the Lion King” show as Rafiki in Disneyland Hong Kong a few years back, modelling for Fenty Beauty or even performing live at a local club. At the end of 2021, she released her debut album, “A Different Breed”, which features a fusion of authentic Afrobeat music with Asian influences.

Ahead, we chat with Londiwe for our 10 questions, covering everything from her experience working as a performer at Disneyland to how she found success in Hong Kong and where she likes to listen to live music.

Read More: 10 Questions With Coco Pop, A Hong Kong Drag Queen

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born into a big Christian family in Durban, South Africa. I moved to Hong Kong a few years ago when I was cast to play Rafiki in Disneyland Hong Kong’s “Festival of the Lion King” show in 2008. I later started working on my music career in 2017 and have been performing in local clubs and events since; I recently launched my Afrobeat album. My first love is music but entertaining is my passion. I was born into a musical family so music has always been a part of my life. I cannot remember a time in my life when music was not a part of me, so I can really say that music chose me! All I did was fall in love.

Can you tell us more about your music? What encouraged you to become a singer?

After spending some time in Hong Kong, I noticed that Afrobeat was becoming a more well-known music genre here. I identified this through dance when I realised that there are so many talented dancers who would incorporate the Afrobeat rhythm and culture into their performances. I later started my own research and study around Afrobeat, particularly on how it had grown into a global sound enjoyed by a multicultural audience.

The sound originates from West Africa, particularly Nigeria. It’s a style mixed with West African and American jazz plus a bit of funk and soul. I’m excited to share my new album, titled “A Different Breed”, [with] 10 Afrobeat tracks on it all sung in English, and have already started introducing it on some South African radio stations. I plan to continue pushing it in Hong Kong and in other countries. I believe that anyone can relate to the lyrics and stories I share; more than anything, the beats are vibey and fun to dance to.

Read More: That Girl – Anisha Thai, Dancer, Model & Civil Engineer

How has your experience working in Hong Kong as a creative professional been so far?

Hong Kong is where I felt like my career was being solidified. It has given me an opportunity to create something unique and express, or exchange, the vibrant heritage of Africa. But it is challenging to start something new, and I also enjoy that I am a commodity.

What was your favourite part about being a performer at Disneyland?

More than anything, I enjoy sharing a stage with people from different parts of the world and learning about different cultures. Disneyland Hong Kong has the most talented performers, and I enjoyed meeting new people and creating friendships.

Read More: 10 Questions With Celine Ng, The Singer-Songwriter Behind WANYI

Can you share your most meaningful milestone?

It was when I decided to launch my solo career and produce my own album written by myself. It’s always been my dream.

What do you do in your downtime?

Because my life is almost like a party — when I am not out and about, I enjoy quiet time at home listening to music and watching movies. I especially love having long phone and video calls with my family.

Juggling singing, acting and modelling, what are three things you do to maintain work-life balance in your day-to-day?

It is not as hectic as it sounds, but keeping a good old schedule helps a lot to make sure I am not overwhelmed by work or overbooked.

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

What are five goals you have for this year?

I think setting goals sometimes puts pressure on us as human beings. I just take life as it goes. I wake up every morning with the mindset of achieving something on that day, big or small. I work and put the effort that I can into everything I do. I do, however, plan to also have fun, exploring more of the Hong Kong culture and people, sharing my music, and creating strong and happy relationships as I go along.

Where do you like to go for live music in Hong Kong?

I am usually busy when it is time for live music but if I am not working, I occasionally go to Foxglove where my friends play.

If you had one piece of advice to give to aspiring singers out there, what would it be?

Make music because you love and enjoy it. Do not make music because you want to become an overnight sensation. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be successful. It’s different for everyone. One can release one song and make it big but one needs to put more effort into understanding their environment, finding a unique gap, and working very hard before finding success.

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

The post Afrobeat Artist Londiwe Ngubeni On Performing At HK Disneyland, Her Music & More appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

We can’t deny that drag queens are born performers with a charm and level of confidence like no other! But there’s more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye, from making the leap to finding your style and building a support system. With hit-shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and more LGBTQ+ shows hitting the limelight, not only are more people drawn to alluring performances by drag queens, more drag queens are on the rise! We chat to one of Hong Kong’s earliest divas, Coco Pop, on the secret to confidence on stage, costume inspirations and her RTHK show, We Are Family.

Read More: Our Favourite LGBTQ+ Shows To Watch On Netflix Right Now

Can you give us a brief journey of how you found your calling of transitioning into a drag queen? What inspired you to take the step?

Growing up, I was very much fascinated by divas like Madonna and Whitney Houston and local star, Anita Mui (my number one icon!), I always dreamt of one day performing like them. Back then, in my understanding, I thought I could never do that as a man. Then, at 19, I first got to know about drag queens! This was also around the time I was exploring my sexuality and getting to know the gay community, so it all came together.

I gave my first drag performance in 2002, it was just for fun, with some friends. I had bought my high heels back in 1997 but that was the night I wore them out for the first time and I felt so happy! I was eager to know when my next drag performance would be but my friends weren’t very keen on continuing. But I couldn’t stop, I dug deeper into the drag culture, famous drag queens from around the world and started contemplating how I could make this into a profession. I told myself I will do it, I didn’t know how, but I told myself I would learn!

From around 2006 onwards, I started performing regularly at a nightclub and my first show was lipsyncing to Anita Mui!

What part of being a drag queen do you find most appealing?

Initially I copied the styles of my icons but going on I found my own and that’s what was appealing to me. I don’t just mean make-up and costumes, I’m also talking about creating my own voice. I have my own RTHK show called We Are Family where all topics are welcome, for all types of viewers. I read stories for children and create educational videos about safer sex and aim to spread awareness about the LBGQT+ community. This is me creating Coco Pop’s image, beyond being a drag queen.

How significant would you say your shift in personality is when you are in drag?

There isn’t a huge difference between myself and Coco Pop, Coco Pop is like an extension of myself. Sometimes I think that Coco Pop is even more real – when I’m not in drag, I look like every other male in the society and with that comes certain expectations of masculinity. As Coco Pop, I can happily and confidently try whatever I want to do and be as bold as I want! Don’t get me wrong, I like both my selves and I don’t function like a switch (though some others do function like this which is also fine but I’m not that type). Both my selves are very similar and being a drag queen isn’t something secretive.

Would you say having a “drag family” is important?

You need to have a “chosen family” because in our community we need one to hang out with. It’s important for me, it’s important for the young ones in the LBGTQ+ community and all of us. People may have a good relationship with their biological family but sometimes it’s not the case. When you come out to the society, it’s good to bond with your chosen family and build your support group. 

For example, in countries where gay marriage is legalised, there have been many cases where people’s biological families wouldn’t show support or attend the wedding but their chosen family will always be there for them.

This topic is personally what I’m striving to push out there. I myself have my own chosen family, I have my drag daughters and two very good drag sisters who also have their own drag daughters. To be a drag queen, you need a lot of support. This goes to not just being supportive of being a drag queen but also helping others cope with their personal issues.

You’re a costume designer as well, who is your style inspo? Do you do your own makeup too?

Yes I do! I get my inspiration from anything and everything! Initially, I bought clothes from H&M, Zara and more but they could never accurately represent me so I started designing clothes myself. I like the 80’s fashion and monotones and it gives me more flexibility to fit my style when I make my own outfits. I’m still in the process of learning to sew – I try to learn more so that I can create more styles.

Growing up, I was a huge collector of fashion magazines and they greatly shaped my style. I also used to work for Elle magazine under merchandising so I have a significant knowledge in terms of fashion. I love them a lot and I’ve spent a lot money (and time!) looking through these magazines. Also, I aim to be eco-friendly with my choices so I love mixing and matching clothes and also borrowing pieces from other drag queens.

As for makeup, you can find plenty of tutorials on social media nowadays. Early on we relied on makeup artists and I would note down tips from them. Slowly, I picked up the techniques and now my face is my canvas! 

Read More: Beat-The-Heat Beauty Tips & Products To Keep Cool In Hong Kong Humidity

You were at last year’s Women’s Festival at Eaton, how was the experience for you?

Yes, I read What to Do When I’m Gone: A Mother’s Wisdom to Her Daughter and Dancing at the Pity Party to an adult audience (normally my audience for storytelling are young kids). It was a great experience and I have pitched something else for this year’s Women’s Festival – let’s see how it goes! I am always eager to spread my knowledge and I welcome any interviews because I want to be the bridge that connects people and deepens people’s understanding of the LGBTQ+ community.

You always own the stage! What tips do you have for looking and being confident?

Some people think that the minute you put on your make-up, wig and costume, you’ll automatically feel confident but it’s not quite like that. For me, confidence comes from preparation. And knowing you look great and your costume is impeccable adds to that confidence. If you’ve spent enough time getting ready, you know you’re the queen of the night and your confidence level only goes up from there.

Read More: 8 Inspiring Autobiographies & Memoirs To Read

How does your RTHK show, We Are Family spread awareness about the LGBTQ+ community in Hong Kong?

I welcome all topics on my show and I always have a little sex corner – not just for the LGBTQ+ community but also for straight-people – it usually airs after midnight so I found the timing quite apt! I also highlight tougher topics like sexual harassment. I like to encourage people to open up about all topics, none are off limits!

People think We Are Family is targeted towards certain people but it isn’t! It’s for everyone; parents, children, those struggling with their sexual identity. Another thing is, parents who have children in the LGBTQ+ community have very less support. They don’t know what to do and how to handle the situation and that’s where I can jump in and help. It’s a show where we come and say, “It’s okay, you’re not alone. Don’t be apologetic for who you are”.

What do you think people are often misinformed about when it comes to drag?

Hong Kong people are actually pretty open when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues but that’s only until they personally have to handle the situation, say finding out their son is gay or their daughter is a lesbian. Sometimes the family members are supportive, sometimes they are completely against or sometimes, they just ignore it. For my father, he wasn’t against me but he also didn’t really do anything about me coming out gay.

I think people are most misinformed about handling these types of situations.

What form of discrimination have you often faced? Do you think Hong Kong is more tolerant now than before towards the LGBTQ+ community?

I have personally never felt directly discriminated by anyone. And my gay friends who came from countries with legalised gay marriage often say they feel safer in Hong Kong than in their own countries! Hongkongers are tolerant until they themselves have to deal with a family member who is from the LGBTQ+ community, but I’m hopeful that the situation will gradually improve.

Read More: 11 Relatively New LGBTQI+ Books To Read This Pride Month 

The post 10 Questions With Coco Pop, A Hong Kong Drag Queen 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 nine inspiring influencers to find out what International Women’s Day means to them, their experiences with gender imbalance and what they are doing to #BreakTheBias.

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.

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.

Ishita Desai

Ishita Desai is the creator of Aanya, a local label founded on creative self-expression and empowerment. Originally from India, she hopes to share the narratives of her culture and craftsmanship through her bohemian curation. Her mission is to inspire women from grass-roots and the larger community to celebrate their identity in style.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It’s a really exciting time to witness the power of the modern woman, and today is a day to celebrate and reflect on the achievements of pioneers from the past and present. I’ve always admired the way women gracefully handle the moving parts in their life; from their careers and education, to personal growth and relationships – it’s a delicate balancing act. I’m lucky to have examples of strong women in my family, who have actively shaped my worldview today. IWD is about passing that message forward, and taking charge of our narrative and impact on society.

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

I’ve had long conversations with female entrepreneurs and business owners, and they clearly have the same impulses as men in pursuing their career, but with limited support and opportunity. Some women have had to stall their careers after having children, and it’s difficult to hear about the hurdles they face with starting or scaling their business while balancing their personal responsibilities. Women from marginalised communities, including women of colour and trans women, face further difficulties. This disparity can be compounded further by socio-economic status and the systemic barriers that prevents them from scaling further.

I hope to facilitate change through dialogue and education, and help women from all walks of life succeed in their endeavours. For example, in 2018 we collaborated on a series of workshops with a group of refugee women where we trained them in sewing skills with the goal of creating items for retail. A single mother of three travelled two hours every Saturday to attend our workshops, and her commitment to herself and her family was incredibly inspiring to me.

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

With Aanya, I’ve naturally gravitated to collaborating with female-owned businesses and initiatives. Our pop-up concept is appealing to many women and ‘momtreprenuers’ as we manage their day-to-day sales operations, giving them more flexibility to design their working hours. I would love to see more supportive ecosystems, from corporates to start-ups, where women can build a healthy relationship with work and family.

We’ve also partnered up with social organisations based in India and Hong Kong that empower and train women in minority groups in sewing and pattern-making skills. The aim is to utilise their creativity and passion so that they can become financially empowered. Hopefully by breaking old cycles, we can shed new light on the power of women.

Read more: Sustainable Style – Eco and Ethical Local Fashion Brands

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 Wanchai (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?

In a place like Hong Kong, the way you are treated depends not only on gender, but also on factors like the colour of your skin, where you live, your political beliefs, your income, and what kind of accent you have. For me, while I worked in Hong Kong, I was in a very privileged position where my cultural background as an American and ability to speak Mandarin helped me navigate my professional and personal life more easily.

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.

For the near term, our March project is launching our Sex & Power book to encourage open conversation about sexuality and power dynamics that surround love and relationships. Part of feminism is embracing sexuality. We will be publishing stories about infidelity, workplace harassment, sex work and other manifestations of sex and power. We’ll also be inviting different experts, including a BDSM practitioner, breathwork facilitator, sex coach, art therapist, and burlesque dancer to share their insights on our IG stories. I’m looking forward to creating more conversation and having some fun along the way.

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

Nina Sieber

Known for impeccable style and strength in the fashion industry, Nina is the founder of cult local brand We Eat Avocado Toast (WEAT) which embodies the go-getting, cosmopolitan, confident and independent woman. Pledging to use her brand voice to embrace diversity and equality, WEAT works with models of all colours.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women all over the world and a promise to uplift and support more women in the year ahead. I am grateful to have a great network of wonderful women who are supporting me along my journey in building a brand. It is so inspirational to learn from other women, and so important to cheer each other on.

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

As a female founder, I’ve had to overcome many obstacles along the way. In several cases, I have experienced prejudice and not being taken seriously. It can be very frustrating. It helps to stay firm, level-headed, and continuing to have your goal in mind. In Hong Kong, I have found people to be very open-minded and sharing a common goal of realising one’s full potential.

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

As part of our new S/S21 campaign launch, produced in Sai Kung, we feature both female and male models styled with our new handbags. Since day one, diversity has been on our agenda and part of our brand DNA. Why should we limit ourselves with stereotypes and gender roles? When it comes to fashion, the creativity is endless and we value the possibilities we have today in challenging past norms. At WEAT, we strive to have a modern approach, re-think, and inspire. We pledge to use our brand voice and platform to embrace diversity and equality.

Read more: 10 Questions With Nina Sieber, Founder Of We Eat Avocado Toast

Anisha Thai

Half-Vietnamese and half-Comorian, Anisha was born and raised in Paris and is now based in Hong Kong as a dancer, model, choreographer, influencer and Civil Engineer. She’s also an ambassador for racial diversity and African culture in Asia, as much as a figure of female leadership. Anisha is consistently celebrating female empowerment and diversity through dance, and showing people how to turn their uniqueness into a superpower. After choreographing and dancing for international artists/brands such as Just Dance Wii, Khaled and Naf Naf, she moved to Hong Kong to pursue her Civil Engineering career. Managing both her passion and her career at the same time has always been her goal as part of her message to empower women, especially those working in male-dominated industries.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It is a day we celebrate all women, from all backgrounds and races. We applaud their accomplishment, their power, their beauty and their impact on this planet. It is important to acknowledge that women are still not on the same equal foot as men; that we (women AND men) are still fighting to get there.

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

The experience that I have been having with gender imbalance is obvious given the field I work in: the construction sector. Until now, we still struggle to have an equal number of females in engineering positions or at management levels. Observing this makes me want to flip the current situation, I often experience conversations with men (and women) telling me: “Oh, you’re an engineer? But you don’t look like one.” – almost questioning it. The best way to reply is to question them: “what do you mean?”, then they might feel that their question was not acceptable. Yes we can be sexy, smart and have enough courage and determination to have our voice in male-dominated fields.

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

I do think that we need to highlight and expose more successful women as role models, whether it is by highlighting them on social media, interviews or showcasing their achievement so that the upcoming generations have a good representation of strong women and follow their lead. My way to achieve that is to use my own social media platforms to use my voice and build a community of women (and men), and have open conversations that challenge their thinking, celebrate women’s excellence and elevate women to an ultimate level of respect and universal appreciation.

Read more: That Girl: Anisha Thai, Dancer, Model & Civil Engineer

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. We have come a long way, but still have so much to work towards. 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 9 Influencers Share What International Women’s Day Means To Them appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

It’s always exciting to catch up with a former Sassy gal to see where life has taken them. Since parting with the team, Simran Savlani has been tirelessly working to follow her passion for food and cooking. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu and working around the world as an F&B consultant, she decided it was time to take the next step in her career. But when her dream of opening up her own restaurant had to be put on the back burner due to the pandemic, Simran ended up creating a line of original Spark Sauces and putting together a cookbook of 116 recipes, titled A Spark of Madness, inspired by her travels around Asia and beyond.

Ahead, we chat with Simran to ask her 10 questions, covering everything from the inspiration behind her cookbook, her goals for 2022, and where she likes to shop for ingredients in Hong Kong…

Read more: 10 Questions With Chamani Wong, Co-Founder Of BEAMS Co.

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you lived in Hong Kong?

I am a “made in Taiwan” baby, I was born there and lived there for 7 years before moving to India and then Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been my home for the last couple of decades and seven of those years were spent working at Sassy! I eventually decided to leave the city to pursue my dreams of learning how to run a restaurant, enrolled to study at Le Cordon Bleu and hopped on a plane to Paris. After completing my diploma I started working as a Restaurant Consultant and worked for restaurants across Melbourne, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Lagos and Bombay, including Soho House Bombay.

In 2020, I finally thought I was ready to open my own restaurant – but along with the rest of the world, my life came to a standstill. I was stuck in India for 6 months during the most severe lockdown. For the first time as an adult, I didn’t have a job and all I was doing was cooking and eating. I decided to make lemon curd meringue out of lemons and put myself through self-taught culinary school – the accumulation of which resulted in my cookbook.

As Robin Williams, famously said, “You’re only given a little a spark of madness, and if you lose that… you’re nothing.” I adhere to this religiously, if you have a spark (or idea), go pursue it, give it your best and then see how the universe responds to it, but whatever you do, always hold on to the madness.

What ignited your passion for food and cooking?

I have always been curious about food, there is nothing I dislike and too many things I like. Talking about food and brainstorming flavours and combinations has been the foundation of some of my best friendships. You can get me talking for hours on how I like a dish to have the perfect balance of sugar, spice, salt and a crunchy texture.

I started baking at a young age and have had my fair share of goof-ups, such as putting salt instead of sugar in my sister’s birthday cake or keeping things in the oven for much longer than needed, but that didn’t stop the curiosity.

However, at Le Cordon Bleu, I trained to be a restaurant consultant and not a chef as I don’t have the patience or acumen to follow details. I prefer free-styling and tossing things into the wok as I go along. So, the irony of me having written a cookbook hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. I have never followed a recipe line-for-line myself but now I have written a cookbook with 116 recipes!

We’re big fans of your Spark Sauces. What is your favourite thing to make with them?

I love sauces and when designing Spark Sauces, I wanted to ensure that firstly the taste wasn’t one dimensional and second that the usage wasn’t one dimensional either. Despite being Asian-inspired sauces (and they do taste amazing on dumplings and fried rice), they can be paired with a wide variety of cuisines and dishes from all around the world.

I made Spark sauces for you to have fun with, experiment with and play with. Use them as a condiment, for cooking or have them on their own. I love having my pizza and burrata with Crispy Chili Oil, my Greek salad and Elote Corn with Caramelized Spring Onion and my French fries with Crack Sauce. Sometimes I just toss all three into a bowl of cold noodles. Another favourite pairing is chocolate ice cream with Crispy Chili Oil!

Congrats on launching your first cookbook! Would you say this is your most meaningful milestone so far?

Writing a cookbook was never part of the plan, it was a pivot from the plan. My dream, for as long as I can remember, has been to open a restaurant. But when I had to put that dream on hold, I decided to feed people through a cookbook. There is no greater joy for me than seeing people eat something they love. That look takes over their face and the excitement is worth all the work.

A Spark of Madness, is an Asian vegetarian cookbook – I have travelled extensively and eaten across each of the cities mentioned in the book. I’ve also included personal anecdotes about each dish – Why is it in the cookbook? What is the story behind the dish? Where did the ingredients come from and how did they become such a key part of the region’s culture? I am intrigued by these stories and hence wanted to share it with everyone.

At the end of it all, the biggest joy was to see the cookbook go from being a manuscript on my laptop to being on the bookshelves of households around the world.

And on the flip side of that, what has been your biggest challenge?

Writing doesn’t come easy to me and the cookbook challenged me to the core – I suddenly had to have measurements for all my recipes, words to my crazy ideas, and learn how to publish a book along the way! I did know I wanted a few things to be represented in the book for sure. All of the recipes are fool-proof and flavourful, with an easy-to-find ingredient list. I personally get annoyed when I have to visit five grocery stores to make a single dish, hence in my book I’ve specified whether an ingredient is essential or can be substituted with something that you already have in your fridge or pantry.

Read more: Nutritionist-Approved Pantry & Freezer Essentials

What are five goals you hope to achieve this year?

The year 2022 has started off feeling a lot like 2020 but hopefully this time we are better equipped mentally and physically to manoeuvre and thrive despite the pandemic. My goals for this year are:

• To grow Spark – I want it to be an international brand. I want to share the sauces with everyone and further grow the product range.
• To read more – having only read my cookbook manuscript (over 10 times) in 2021, I would love to get back to reading regularly again and I’ve started with Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.
• To be more comfortable in my body – for most of my adult life, I’ve struggled with my weight so this year instead of going for the cliché goal to lose weight, I aim to be more comfortable with myself.
• To challenge myself – I truly believe the greatest ideas and growth comes from moments of chaos and confusion. It is easy to live an easy life but going out there and putting yourself in uncomfortable scenarios is what I always look for.
• To build a better relationship with money – it’s a topic that is not discussed often and we are always questioning how much we need, but I would like to spend time this year to understand my relationship with money.

What are three things you do to maintain work-life balance in your day-to-day?

Balancing is a tough act, I struggle with this as when I am in work mode, I like to focus solely on my work and everything else can take a back seat. In all honesty, I can’t say I have a daily work-life balance but a motto I live by is “work hard, play harder”. So, when I am done working, I make it a point to take some time off to recharge and rejuvenate. This could either be by going on a whole day hike (I have currently finished three out of the four Hong Kong Trails and am excited to complete the final one). I will have my phone switched off the whole day and just enjoy the challenge of completing a trail. Or it could be spending time with my sister and girlfriends giggling over the silliest things, with copious amounts of wine and fries.

Where do you like to shop for ingredients in Hong Kong?

I love the streets around Sai Ying Pun wet market, you have several local grocers there selling everything from fresh noodles, sauces, vegetables, tofu. There is a Fineprint around the corner where I get my latte for the day, and then I begin to tick items off my grocery list. You also have all the ethnic Indonesian, Thai, Filipino and Indian grocers in the area. It is the perfect one-stop street to get all your ingredients.

Read more: 3 Quick & Easy Recipes Using Wet Market Greens

What would your last meal be?

Ah, this would be an easy one! Vegetable dumplings with Spark Crispy Chili Oil, egg fried rice, a bottle of Chianti and to finish, a warm chocolate chip cookie with sea salt flakes. Easy, right?

What advice do you have for someone who isn’t confident in cooking?

Don’t overthink it. Find a recipe that excites you. A recipe is usually much easier than it seems. Don’t forget to keep tasting along the way, it helps to give you more control over the taste. I’d also recommend listing to A Spark of Madness Spotify playlist (created by yours truly) whilst cooking! It helps to calm my nerves, and I hope it can do the same for you!

Read more: That Girl: Aanchal Wadhwani, Actress & Photographer

The post 10 Questions With Simran Savlani, F&B Consultant And Cookbook Author appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Half-Vietnamese and half-Comoran Anisha Thai has made a name for herself in the 852 as a proud ambassador for African culture, bridging cultural gaps in Asia. She’s been dancing up a storm, bringing Afro dance to the streets of Hong Kong and winning local dance competitions on television. On top of that, Anisha’s been killing it on social media with her creative videos, modelling under Harmony HK and working on-site as a civil engineer. Ahead, this multi-talented rising star shares what it’s like working in a male-dominated industry, how she handles discrimination and what it meant to win TVB Dance Champion.

Read more: That Girl: Aanchal Wadhwani, Actress & Photographer

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and how long have you lived in Hong Kong?

I have been living in Hong Kong for almost four years. I was born and raised in Paris but also lived in London and South Africa for studies and work before moving to Hong Kong.

You moved to Hong Kong to pursue a career in Civil Engineering. Can you tell us more about that?

Hong Kong has always been on my dream city list. I guess because of the architecture in the city, and the energy. Working as an engineer in a city different from Paris was a goal for me, I wanted to really open my mind to something new.

Civil engineering is traditionally a male-dominated industry. What challenges, if any, have you faced being a female engineer?

The challenges I’ve faced were mostly related to the fact that I was young and looked like a foreigner. The most shocking thing that happened to me, while I was working as a site engineer, was that one of the top managers on-site kept calling me “Bob Marley” every time he saw me. I had braids at that time. I didn’t feel brave enough to talk to my managers about it, so I convinced myself it was nothing. That was definitely a racial discrimination attack. I think it is important to be aware when someone is mistreating you and to speak up, or at least talk to someone you trust about it because it can be damaging to our mental health to keep it in.

Read more: 6 Influencers Share What International Women’s Day Means To Them

Did you find it easy to settle in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is very easy to navigate so I rarely felt lost in the city. There are a lot of different communities (the French community is so big here, it’s possible to get by just speaking French!). What was less easy was integrating myself into the local community as a foreigner. To me, I don’t see much point in staying amongst my French community if I decided to come live in Hong Kong. The TV dance show I went on really helped me to immerse myself in the local culture (the show was in Cantonese). I have made a number of local Hongkonger friends and I am now learning the language!

You’re also juggling work as a dancer, choreographer and model. Can you tell us more about that side of your life?

Dance has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been dancing since I was five and I haven’t stopped since. Whether I was working or studying, I made time for dance because dance gives me that extra boost of confidence, that extra joy of being alive. I can honestly say dance is like oxygen for me. It was also important for me to keep working as an engineer. I was not lucky enough to come from a wealthy family so I have to make sure I can sustain myself.

Why did you decide to model under Harmony HK?

Harmony HK has strong core values and aims to actively push diversity and inclusion in Hong Kong. Joining was natural to me, I saw the potential and future in that agency. And look now, it is doing amazing things and has made a big impact in the modelling sector.

Congratulations on your win on TVB Dance Champion! What does it mean to you to be able to share your African culture through dance?

Thank you! I am very proud to be able to bridge the gap between my African side and Asian side. I am convinced that the world has no borders and that we can all co-exist by accepting our differences, celebrating our cultures and respecting each other. My intention was to share my culture but to also push other people to embrace theirs. I also wanted to combat stereotypes associated with African people in general. I am so glad people were very receptive to it.

What about Afro dance do you love so much?

Its connection with music, the natural joy that comes out when you start dancing, the rawness, and the fact that this dance exudes so much positivity.

What is it like being an African-Asian influencer in Hong Kong?

It is exciting. I am convinced that bringing to the table a different model of representation will help the world be more open-minded.

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

Have you faced any challenges in your career because of your mixed ethnicity?

I did, in the engineering side, there were some people who didn’t take me seriously because of my background or look (wearing braids). In dancing, being ethnically diverse has been a strength, to be honest, people seem to focus more on the work I put into my dances over my look. Whereas in the modelling industry, I got rejected a few times because they said I wasn’t “Asian enough”.

What advice do you have for anyone facing adversity or discrimination due to their race?

There are two ways to deal with it: you can stand up for yourself, respond and educate people but in some circumstances, it’s better to preserve energy and ignore them. You can approach the person who made you feel discriminated against and see if they’re open to discussion. Most of the time, I prefer to save my energy and use my platform to express myself instead. In general, I would advise people to stay close to communities that advocate for diversity and inclusion.

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

You’ve done some incredible work as an ambassador for racial diversity and African culture in Asia. Can you share your most meaningful milestones?

Thank you! Firstly, managing to arrive here in Hong Kong as a female engineer is something that I can’t take for granted. This growing exposure and recognition for my work is something that I’m very proud of. When I first came here I dreamed of being able to change people’s perspective on African culture, and by extension, African people. Winning that dance competition on TV was definitely another big milestone for me as I was able to reach more of a local audience.

What does a typical week look like for you?

I am currently fully dedicated to my work as an Entrepreneur, Social Media Content Creator, Choreographer and Model. I’ve been splitting my time between creating content for my social media accounts, modelling, learning languages and singing too!

What do you do in your downtime?

I meet my friends and people I call my family. Socialising really energises me and the support I get from my friends and family always keeps me on track.

What are five personal goals you have for this year?

1. Meet my professional goals
2. Spend more time with my family
3. Improve my singing
4. Take better care of my hair
5. And learn how to cook

How would you like to see Hong Kong grow in terms of embracing cultural diversity in the coming years?

I want Hong Kong to keep welcoming more diverse faces on TV, modelling commercials, and I want to see more role models represent more ethnic minority communities. It would also be great to have more cultural events, like festivals and food markets, which we already have a lot of!

The post That Girl: Anisha Thai, Dancer, Model & Civil Engineer appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

If you haven’t done so already, drop everything and download an episode of HomeGrown the podcast now. The Hong Kong-based show, founded by Nigerian-British expats Lou and Fo, is easily one of the best things I’ve listened to this year, bringing together humour and relatable personal stories to touch upon timely themes like racism and representation as it stands in our community today.

In each 45-minute long episode, Lou and Fo sit down with a guest – a fellow Black expat – to chat about their experience moving to and living in Hong Kong. Through casual anecdotes, we get a glimpse into their life – their job, their aspirations, their struggles and more; in doing so, a picture forms of the Black experience, one that feels at times achingly familiar between expats, yet worlds away in the unique pressures and unfair perceptions that Black people are faced with on a daily basis.

Above all, celebration is at the core of HomeGrown – a celebration of diversity, of Black achievements in Asia and of the joy of living in Hong Kong, all while acknowledging the work that is still to be done in changing Asian – and global – views on Blackness.

Ahead, I catch up with Lou and Fo to learn more about HomeGrown, their thoughts on the Black expat experience in Hong Kong and what proactive steps we can take to support the Black community. Keep reading for more…

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

First of all, can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from and how long have you been in Hong Kong?

Fo: I am Nigerian by way of London. I was educated both in Nigeria and the UK, and also lived in Taiwan for nine months before moving to Hong Kong. I have been here for just over two years now and I work as a product manager for an engineering company. Before Covid, work took me across Asia Pacific where I would often end up going to the less touristy and diverse parts of Asian countries. It showed me that a lack of diversity doesn’t always necessitate prejudice.

Lou: I’m also Nigerian by way of the UK. I mostly grew up in London but spent my formative years in Nigeria for secondary school, so I feel a strong affinity to both cultures. I first came to Hong Kong in the summer of 2018 on a work secondment and immediately fell in love with the city. Hong Kong feels to me like a mix of London and Lagos, which would explain why I feel so at home here.

I currently work at a law firm as a Race Strategy Manager but sadly have just moved back to London (at the end of May) to be closer to my stakeholders and the rest of my team. After two and a half years, it was really tough to leave!

We’d love to know what inspired you to start HomeGrown?

A friend of ours – a Black professional – was telling the story of how he had just been stopped by the police for the 19th time in the four years he has lived in Hong Kong. This kicked off a sprawling conversation about why this was happening and what, if anything, we could do about it.

We concluded that there is a general issue of “bad PR” when it comes to the Black community – in Asia and in other parts of the world. Assumptions are often made about our capabilities, intentions and other aspects of our existence, and so we made the decision to do our little part in addressing it.

What do you want people to take away from listening to your podcast?

One of the first things we set out was our Mission Statement – which is simply to “inform, inspire and entertain through personal stories of Black expats”.

To break that down, we want to improve the perceptions of Black people in Asia; inspire Black people to make the leap and try a stint outside of their comfort zone; and give a balanced view of what it would be like to move, live and work here as a Black expat – all while having fun and engaging conversations with amazing people doing fantastic things out here.

Starting a podcast is hard work! What has been the biggest challenge of running HomeGrown?

Lou: Time! Starting and running a podcast, particularly around full time jobs, is extremely time-consuming – particularly as we do all aspects of the show ourselves! We try to be as efficient as we can but still make sure we are producing high-quality episodes for our audience and providing the best possible platform for our guests to share their stories.

Fo: For me it’s pep. Regardless of what’s happening outside of the podcast, the show must go on and our guests need to feel like they have an enthusiastic ear. They need to feel comfortable with sharing quite intimate and sensitive stories, and it needs to be fun. As hosts, we have a huge task in creating a safe and comfortable space where our guests can feel at ease – even more so when we record virtually.

On the flip side of that, what has been your biggest milestone since starting the podcast?

Being interviewed by you guys of course! The recognition we have received so far has been humbling. We always say that this show is so much bigger than us – we are creating a platform for our community, and also trying to be a part of shifting the psyche of society. For our work to be recognised tells us we must be doing something right, and also gives us an opportunity to reach even more people.

Read more: 10 Of The Best Podcasts To Listen To Right Now

What has been the general reaction to the podcast?

Fo: The reaction has been fantastic! It’s always really lovely when we meet people that listen to the show, particularly when certain topics or themes have resonated with them. Plus, we’ve had a few comments about how the podcast was exactly what people needed prior to moving to the city, so it’s great to know it’s useful!

Lou: In terms of changing the narrative, we’ve had some teachers using the podcast as a teaching tool and it’s sometimes shared as a resource for people keen to learn about the Black experience too. Everytime that happens I get a little zing of excitement, like “we’re doing this, we’re really driving change!”. The articles and features are just the cherry on top.

Where do you hope to see the podcast in five years time?

Hopefully huge! We have a really good recipe, people seem to love it and we have only really gotten started. We will be expanding to other parts of Asia from next season, and who knows where else after that. We would eventually love to work alongside companies to encourage more Black work exchanges, internships and secondments in Asia, and we’re excited to make even more of an impact in driving conversation, changing the narrative and creating opportunities.

What has been your personal experience of being a Black expat in Hong Kong?

Fo: Frankly that of your standard privileged expat. Sometimes taxis don’t stop for me and sometimes the seat next to me on the MTR is empty, but I am reluctant to call that racism or prejudice – more taxis stop for me than don’t and more people sit next to me on the MTR than don’t.

Yet the door you come in through often determines your treatment in this or any city, so I imagine my expat status and relative wealth affords me a type of utopian existence in this beautiful but far from equal city. Mine therefore can’t be taken as a typical experience for Black people in the city, but that is why we speak to a diverse group of people on the podcast, from bankers to entrepreneurs, teachers, musicians and barbers.

Lou: There have absolutely been quite a few occasions where I have faced discrimination or micro-aggressions. But for the most part – and also as a result of the podcast – I have had a hugely positive experience. I have been able to build a diverse community of amazing people and really feel like I have made an impact in changing the common (and often negative) narrative of what it is to be Black in Asia.

Read more: Sassy Supports – Africa Center Hong Kong

How have your experiences with racism differed in Hong Kong versus back home in the UK, if at all?

Fo: Way better than in the UK. My experience in Hong Kong and Asia has been pretty good over the three years I’ve been here. Some places are a lot more welcoming than others, but I have never had any overt hostility, unlike countless times in the UK.

Any negative experience has been born more from an unrefined curiosity or innocent ignorance in my opinion. I don’t believe that prejudice towards Black people (especially tourists, students and expats) is as much of a learned behaviour in Asia as it is in the West, or at least it is not an open prejudice.

Lou: Hong Kong was definitely a different experience coming from the UK. From a work perspective, I actually felt more comfortable here because in the office you’re either local or an expat, so there was an aspect of “other-ing” that just didn’t exist.

In the wider community, the small size of the Black community in Hong Kong meant that as a tall Black woman I automatically stood out…and that was a lot to contend with. It was really uncomfortable at first, and still is sometimes, but eventually it was something I learned to embrace and make the most of.

Aside from listening to HomeGrown, what proactive steps can we take to support the Black Lives Matter movement in Hong Kong?

Fo: BLM has brought a spotlight to race issues and more specifically race issues in America, but I think we should also be looking wider. I believe that a lot of the issues we face regarding race, gender identity, sex and sexuality, and other forms of diversity stem from the myth that our differences outweigh our similarities. If there is anything worth doing, it is waking up to this and humanising one another.

If you are looking to take part in some way, then my advice would be to befriend someone different, hire someone different or just speak to someone different. Learn about them, their story and their culture, and I think we’ll find that we’re all sort of coming from the same place. We would then be supporting each other, not only a movement.

Lou: I think it is important that we all act as allies to each other. Specifically around race and ethnicity, I would urge those in the majority groups to be active allies. Educate yourself, consciously challenge your biases and expand your circles – whether that’s who you spend time with, what media content you consume or where you spend your money. But most importantly, take a stand against racism and discrimination. Call it out when you see it and be a part of the change. Stand with us – it means everything!

Listen to HomeGrown via Apple Podcasts or Spotify

The post We Chat To The Founders Of HomeGrown Podcast About The Black Expat Experience In Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.