TOO BIG IS NEVER TOO SMALL 真的不能假，假的又確能成真 ！

TOO BIG IS NEVER TOO SMALL
真的不能假，假的又確能成真 ！

比利時籍破格時裝設計師 Glenn Martens 為品牌 Maison Margiela 處女下海的 2026 秋冬高訂 Haute Couture 瀝血之作一夜成佳話，詩意十足，將哥德式的宏偉、中世紀的衰敗和精湛的工藝合二為一，贏盡媒體，時裝界行內風流的讚譽，口悉道。每一件的系列作品允可立即被納入博物館作為永久收藏品鑑賞，件件精彩，件件娛人，悅人且正面驚心，不負眾望，將 too big is NEVER too small 的設計硬道理昇華及大膽地重新定義了 Maison Margiela 魔法的呼應與傳承。

秀場選址充滿象徵意義，於巴黎 Curial 街二號的 Le Centquatre 文化空間舉行， 而這裡正是 Martin Margiela 本人在 2008 年發表最後一場秀的地點，誓向品牌創始人致敬及為新篇章定下基調。

自稱為「Margiela 之子」及出身於工業設計背景Glenn Martens，與 Margiela 一樣來自比利時，而那種樸素的氛圍與他息息相關，同時將那哥特式的憂鬱浪漫融入設計及秀場上。

場地佈置將作品與一棟房屋連結起來，和簡約主義大唱反調。從十七 世紀 Flemish 壓花皮革壁紙腐朽表面與 Margiela 在其首個系列中使用的彩繪和拼貼技法息息相關。此外，古董窗簾、荷蘭花卉和 “nature morte 自然靜物” 等富有腐朽質感的元素，刻意製造和籠罩一種令人敬畏的美感；而這些元素或許在當時的家居中隨處可見，在鋪滿層層剝落壁紙的地下室裡，一群戴著精心製作面具的人像令人聯想到哥德式雕塑，以及復古、復古的表面，像是奇特、復古、拼湊的表面，是這一種象徵性奇特而又獨具特色的呈現方式，充滿詩意的意象從中世紀歷史的陰暗角落升起，既懷舊又未來的 Margiela 式幻境為品牌升級改造和再利用的根基賦予了新的、破碎的光澤。

開場的 first look 造型包裹著透明塑料的雕刻長裙，伴隨著 The Smashing Pumpkins 的搖滾民謠《Disarm》展開，據說這是藉鑑了吹製玻璃的工藝及呼應 Margiela 先生設計的干洗系列為靈感，回收物料的夢幻結構，同時在皇家藝術學院學位展上展示的款式隨後出現，塑料包裹的更多次。接下來相繼出場的設計和造型開始著手打造一個三分之一由升級再造材料製成的系列，運用紙張、影印件、手繪、廢舊珠寶以及用錫盤打成的面具，時而女性化時又見男性化，這  androgynous 的雌雄同體，優雅地平衡了品牌既定的審美及無損設計師自己獨有的標誌性風格。

兩個幽靈般的人物披著斗篷，裹著面紗的垂墜針織連衣裙，猶如從哥特式教堂雕像中幻化而出，緊貼身體又不失其自身形態的針織垂墜禮服暗示著某種黑暗和怪誕的東西，寒意襲來，無疑是一場令人不安的對峙，與潛伏在我們時代的死亡預兆形成鮮明對比。

這些奇蹟般構造的、如同墳墓般的裹屍布之下，結構奇特的緊身胸衣，臀部凸起，前部則像胸衣一樣隆起。軍綠色蠟染禮服，上面戴著一個飾有繁複串珠的黑色面罩，彷彿佛又是一種世紀末的警告。

隨後，閃爍金屬光澤的心型垂墜裙、宛如靜物畫的拼貼印花連身裙，裹上金屬光澤的天鵝絨帷幔中，搖搖欲墜。此外，Tabi 足尖短靴、嵌有水晶的薄紗晚裝、結構性塑膠花朵風衣、還有改造的 biker jacket 皮縷（品牌的標誌性單品），上面更覆蓋著壁紙印花的紙質拼布。其它的精緻的設計元素更有薄紗羽毛，翅膀及印刷的綻放花朵，飄逸的蕾絲鏤空從透視連衣裙上剝落，帶有 John Galliano的色彩同時表達敬意。設計師將品牌一貫的實驗精神，讓模特兒閃耀、散發出奇異的光芒。

「一位設計師需要勇氣才能追隨到 John Galliano 和 Martin Margiela 的腳步，尤其是直接推出相當於這家時裝屋的高級訂製的 Artisanal 系列。它需要一個足夠大膽無畏的人來迎接挑戰，同時又足夠聰明和熟練，不至於對時尚界許多神聖的傳奇歷史。Martens 證明了自己就是這樣的人：一位將自己獨特的比利時情懷融入比利時人創立的品牌的設計師。 」權威雜誌  Vogue 首席評論家 Sarah Mower 在網誌相繼道出。。

某些評論更有說 Glenn Martens 的設計帶有 Lee Alexander McQueen 的黑色幽默，及 John Galliano 的頹廢華麗，在這個精神世界貧乏的社會中，一群群日漸麻木的現代人們，被殘酷的現實社會充斥著，在這快速現代化進程中，一些無所適從，看不到未來又被社會邊緣化的人們，那股時尚力量是在提醒或治愈？如若了解設計師本身的創作及設計作風從創立個人品牌、接手 Y/Project (已於最終回的2024秋冬系列後停產）、到擔任 Diesel 設計總監重塑和改造，更具標誌性和入屋，再到曾與 Jean Paul Gaultier 合作高訂專案，慣用 upcycle 及 deconstruct 升級改造解構的另類時裝概念，無一不將之精髓發揮的淋漓盡致，和品牌承載恆久不變的情誼，婁創佳績推向另一高峰，又是另一個神話的見證。筆者有幸受邀觀賞其 2020 秋冬系列時裝秀，近距離見證其細緻設計的細節與用心。 「能夠成為品牌的一員，我深感榮幸，也深感謙卑。當然，能接上在歷史上最偉大的女裝設計師 John Galliano 的棒，我更感到謙卑。」我們一直渴望時尚帶來的震撼及全新的衝擊，如今，Glen Martens 將它帶來了！

第一款操刀的首個高級訂製系列確實令人屏息，從傳承與突破的交接，擅長在解構與重構之間遊走，結合不對稱剪裁、視覺錯視與回收物料，以大膽、幽微、充滿歷史感與未來性的設計在美學與永續之間達到奇妙平衡，並屬於自己的一頁，開創品牌亦找到了理想的捍衛者。即將在十一月和 H&M 的聯乘系列誓會再掀熱潮，這真的不能假的約定，打蛇餅爭崩額頭搶先購入的人潮再現，引圍觀的吃瓜群眾一片驚艷，為的就是能穿上時尚界的引領者的設計而高調地優雅及黯然驕傲。

時尚界富貴處處逼人來的 MUSICAL CHAIRS

時尚界富貴處處逼人來的 MUSICAL CHAIRS

时装界的 musical chairs 时刻在上演，近日圈内的天大喜讯莫过于 Maria Grazia Chiuri 大妈的离任（今次真是恭喜妳啦！），由爱尔兰籍兼炙手可热的 JW Anderson (简称 JWA) 接捧 Dior 创意总监一职三任，出任和领导品牌高级订制，男装和女装系列，更史无前例继品牌创办人 Dior 先生后首位升任如此圣职。

之前在 Loewe 的告别作以 presentation 形式进行 (不是很 JWA 的一贯作风已埋下伏线)，消息公报后，立即万人共欢，超值厌贺。同时亦是继 Matthieu Blazy 由 Bottega Veneta 过档 Chanel 后让时尚爱好者雀跃万分，激情期待一睹为各自负责的品牌即将推出的处女作品系列。

自 Dior 先生创立品牌以来，Christian Dior Couture 首次由同一位创意总监负责包办所有女装、男装及高级定制系列，去进一步强化其全球创意愿景。上个月 27 日于巴黎上演发布的首个 Dior 2026 夏季男装系列，为品牌处女下海，大骚其超现实主义（亦是 Dior先生生前喜爱的设计意念之一）创作的设计本能，获得业界和媒体大众共享其乐。

当中出席的嘉宾除了有业界顶尖的时装设计师、明星、流行歌手、艺术界及运动界名人名媛等闪耀登场为座上客，大老板 Bernard Arnault 及女儿兼 Dior 品牌 CEO，Delphine Arnault 亦亲身实践，努力实行到场共睹盛事。

那这一场让人万众期待、让视野拓宽及游走于历史与富裕阶层间的戏剧时装秀又有什么看头？

Dior 存在于大众的想像，深植于文化和流行文化之中, 但落在 JWA 的手中，娄新创见，不只将之重塑，让无梦者有梦，为有梦者圆梦去解构品牌的设计语言。First Look 的褶皱 cargo short 设计灵感来源更源自 Dior 先生在二战后的古着高级定制系列之一的百褶裙，JWA 将这经典设计重塑再玩，融入男装设计主轴当中，更为玩味及具时代感，并秉承 Dior 先生 look to the past to find future 的哲学格言重现，从中得到的灵感引申至跨时空的设计乐趣。不朽及不败的 Bar Jacket 西装外套配搭，物料更采用了 JWA 祖国爱尔兰的粗花呢，加入若隐若现的色彩纹理，设计心思诚意满载。

场地选址于历史悠久的 Hôtel des Invalides 荣军院举行，而场内更以柏林画廊的丝绒大厅为灵感，精心策划打造出一个房间，并在此对品牌风格进行解构，以低调而优雅的语言进行。美术馆是个公共空间，墙上挂着 Jean Siméon Chardin (1699-1779) 两幅朴素但优美的画作, 人们在此可以进行对话，亦令历史成为日常生活的一部分。在当时艺术往往被过度关注和浮夸展示的时代，Chardin 崇尚自然日常，以真摰共情的笔触取代宏大的排场，见证人们在大师杰作面前屏息、喜悦和豁然开朗的体验。
 

穿衣的艺术所蕴含的喜悦源自过去与当下自然而产生共鸣的碰撞，从设计档案中重新发现的典藏文献、象征符号，以及历经时间考验的作品结合在一起。爱尔兰 Donegal 粗花呢及仪仗领带、以至复刻版燕尾礼服和 18-19 世纪马甲背心，皆成为系列改写正装风格的元素重新演绎，将 18 世纪的 dandy 风潮，切合现代风格。玫瑰、细致的刺绣及带有 Rococo 艺术的 Diorette 吊饰，代表了Dior 先生对那段历史时期及英国文化的向往，而这些文化的回响至今依然存在。
 

悉心打扮是为了奠定角色，青春和自主的活力最终衍生出对想像力的颂歌，JWA 别树一格的设计系列探索难以捉摸及界定的风格，玩弄服装与上流贵族的概念，一种重塑自我和当下的方式，结合了快速且即兴的决定，以旧貌换新颜，让共情定义优雅。

 

作为一位极具远见卓识的创意大师，JWA 为品牌带来富有创意和现代感的愿景，并以 Dior 先生的传奇故事、品牌丰富的历史、其创造的经典元素再作二次创作；加上热诚满载的杰出团队和传奇的工坊全力支持，将他的创意变为现实，共同谱写这个精彩故事的新篇章。这时尚富贵处处逼人来的 musical chairs 很多人想及时抢凳，但不是人人有资格，亦不是人人坐得起，能坐稳多久，真的要视乎内功有多深厚而定断。JWA （将）拥有辉煌的职业生涯，开启著新的里程，the new journey has just begun。

“DANDILY UGLY VS UGLILY DANDY” 美與醜的界線

 “DANDILY UGLY VS UGLILY DANDY”

美與醜的界線

每年五月的第一个星期一正是众所瞩目的「时尚奥斯卡」Met Gala 慈善晚宴，这年度盛事设宴于纽约大都会艺术博物馆，势必风起云涌。今年的五月五日也不例外，首次以黑人风尚演变为《Superfine：Tailoring Black Style 极致风范：黑人订制剪裁风尚》的展览主题，聚焦于18 世纪美国奴隶制度瓦解后，非裔男性如何突破身分枷锁，打造融合西服后独特黑人绅士风格的兴起、意义和影响力为前提。当中不乏出现量身订制的西装、优雅绅士帽等，呈现「Black dandyism」睽违 22 年再次专注于男装（距离上次是 2003 年的《Men in Skirts》主题），实行将黑人花花公子主义的穿着的潇洒装扮发挥得淋漓尽致。截稿前虽已是六月中旬，业界的谈论却意犹未尽，籍此随机挑选几个穿着造型，回味一番。

「Tailored for You」为您量身订制的 Dress Code 御旨一下，除了有早前公布的非裔男明星联合主席阵容：LV男装创意总监 Pharrell Williams、F1赛车选手Lewis Hamilton、 Ray-Ban 创意总监 A$AP Rocky 皆穿着华服登场外，名人如 Rosé、Jennie、Lisa、Anne Hathaway、Rihanna等也陆续展现自己与设计师对于 Dress Code 主题的见解，分别以不同品牌大使的身分现身红毯，打造出重译黑人风尚演变的夺目造型和精彩穿搭。当晚红毯上众星们那些疯狂造型，那一套亮相造型又有美得令人屏息、颠得让人发紫，狂得令人难忘？！谁人（能）又跳过那无形界线，留下历史印记，充斥世界千万年？！即使当晚天空不作美，也浇不熄这热络时尚盛会，这时尚奥斯卡的“真人秀”，你对此审美认同的又有几多？！

Rosé 一身 Saint Laurent 黑色俐落的知性女老板娘的西装造型，加入丝绸披风增添分量感，搭配微湿直发造型，展现典雅气场抑或是娘绝红毯？！

Jennie 身穿 Chanel 黑白订制平口礼服搭配「Dandy」的典雅小礼帽饰，灵感是来自1987 年老佛爷 Karl Lagerfeld 设计的作品。耗时 330 小时制作，包含了饰以凸圆珍珠、珍珠长链、白色丝质山茶花与珠宝钮扣细节去呼应主题的订制正装造型，但却穿不出当年 Ines de la Fressange 雌雄同体的帅气感及原型神韵。

身为 Louis Vuitton 品牌大使的 Lisa 上演「下半身失踪」辣翻，黑色镂空的夹克，外层为紧身胸衣搭上印有 Monogram 老花纹的透肤丝袜镶嵌工艺制成，以及绣有多个人脸的开岔短裤，大秀美腿 ；加上那头高盘发和手上的黑白 Speedy P9 Bandoulière 20 波士顿包，搭配饰有手工镶嵌象征花花公子风的珍珠链条，俐落轮廓抓人眼球并呼应今届主题，可谓衬职的代言人！

饶舌歌手 André 3000，除了手拿「垃圾袋包」外，还背出了一台重量大约 15 公斤，由设计公司 Pink Sparrow 按 Steinway & Sons 的 Model S 小型三角钢琴 75% 的比例打造，由柳安木和 3D 列印元素制成的「钢琴」亮相。选对时机搞怪猎奇出众，无非都是为宣传新作品「7 Piano Sketches」而造势。

 

Anne Hathaway 穿着 Carolina Herrera 创意总监 Wes Gordon 诠释的水钻窄裙，标志性双排扣西装，搭配白色纽扣衬衫，延续品牌的经典风格及致敬 Carolina Herrera 对纽扣衬衫的偏爱，去表达了他们数十年的友谊。

 

Dua Lipa 的一身 Chanel 高级订制服携夫 Callum Turner 一同登场，这套镶嵌着大大小小多达 45,000 颗刺绣配件打造而成水晶刺绣礼服，耗时 2000 小时制成，可惜却被八爪鱼发型拖累。

 

 

Lewis Hamilton 穿着 Wales Bonner 白色套装燕尾服，搭配贝雷帽和金色配饰，翻领配带胸针，上演著运动型休闲正装版，你又收货吗？！

瘦身成功的 Lizzo 身穿来自 Victor Weinsanto 的黑白拼接鱼尾裙，肩上披着一件 bolero 外套，饰上长烟嘴和尖尖的黑白指甲，别具一格玩味演绎迪士尼 Cruella de Vi 经典反派角色。

身为联合主席的 A$AP Rocky 身穿自家品牌 AWGE 亮毯，现代花花公子的西装套装改以 parka 大衣作为外层，并搭配上型格 Ray-Ban 墨镜、镶钻雨伞与奢华珠宝，在素色造型中透过饰品点缀 less is more 的高级感。

 

身怀第 3 胎的 「红毯女皇」Rihanna 压轴现身，穿着由 Marc Jacobs 特为定制的一件黑色正装羊毛 Spencer Jacket，一件灰色 morning-stripe 晨条纹羊毛紧身胸衣，一条黑色细条纹羊毛 V 字剪裁半身裙，搭配系带夹克式裙撑以及一条带凸纹领口的波点缎面 cravat 领结再加一双定制的的踝链高跟鞋和一顶 Marc Jacobs x Stephen Jones 定制的帽子，增添一抹戏剧效果共演时髦魅力，正显身怀六甲的妇人是极美的。

Met Gala 从举办日期、主题概念及穿著 Dress Code 又如公司联欢晚会，一年比一年商业加做作及 trying to hard to impress。在 too safe is too boring 或 too much is too “dandily ugly” 的道理和无形定理，周旋于美与丑的界线和界限，你又有何见解？！

TOO SAFE IS TOO BORING 流行不流行之我為何讓你走？！《下》

TOO SAFE IS TOO BORING
流行不流行之我為何讓你走？！
《下》

 

Alessandro Michele的被离任，GUCCI的创意总监悬空的地位立即由擅于被业界认为真懂剪裁的设计师Sabato De Sarno顶上。对于品牌的价值竞赛而言，开云集团为品牌定下了150亿欧元离地的中期转型目标 ，不仅要稳住现有客户， 还得设法寻找新客群，誓要继Tom Ford的性感美学和Michele的极繁文艺设计定位路向为品牌带来二次爆发性的销售增长。

Sabato 背负如此重担，要重新演绎品牌的DNA并用全新风格为品牌打开新篇章及带来新鲜感去让销量增长，能撑得住吗？答案是 BIG NO抑或是全民效应的ALL YESES呢？！经典形象是个性化的一种表达方式，要达到目标之余，设计师除了本身的根基要厚，创作能力不再只是着重表达自我或反复挖掘品牌archive档案去诠释品牌的核心价值；人做我不做，要杀出条新血路才是硬道理。Sabato上任GUCCI三季定江山的“试用期”已过，交出来的成绩也只能说是不过不失的行货，走的是平庸路线，闷，极闷，too safe is too boring。

Sabato 为GUCCI处男下海的2024春夏系列时装秀的确叫人万众期待，奈何换来的只是叫人过目即忘的平庸设计。Logo被去掉，没有半点GUCCI味及高辨识度，甚至被大量媒体及时尚达人评为“在GUCCI秀场看了一场Prada及Miu Miu的时尚秀”及“This is GUCCI by Zara”。没有大将之风的流水式设计空洞迷茫，旧酒新瓶，能看却不想喝，没有个人特色、性感和感性可言，可悲程度顺理升呢，未能激起购买欲的乐趣。首场秀后没有被解雇，也算还得神落。

与观众和媒体几乎绝缘，设计单吊，千篇一律，抄完又抄，乏味兼无趣，难获消费者共鸣。丑到连打小人都嫌笨重的松糕鞋和露股的短裤，叫谁来埋单？！虽则乍看无聊的系列设计欠缺个人风格，但衣服本身却质感十足，具有极高的制衣水平。第二场为GUCCI设计的2024秋冬系列延续首场的同一框架，平凡零惊喜，并且带点困惑。系列设计选用了刺绣及天鹅绒等的上等面料，尝试制造出不同的层次感，水平颇高，但并不代表具有极美的审美观感。

将最好的材料放在同一锅揽炒未必佳，同时亦没有塑造出鲜明的形象或叫人一见便爱上的效应。Sabato 受访时更实言：“I don’t have a theme - ever. My theme is my clothes.”我做衣服未有主题，我的主题正是衣服本身的“玄”论是无知的进行模式乎？！难道不吃洋葱也真的能这么大口气？如此的精工拷贝，获业界负评是必然法则，能够留史成为笑话真的只是我，昂贵的教训是这刻，觉悟了吗？

第三场的2025度假系列更有不少造型和设计都带有Michele时期的设计拷贝影子，亦显得有点不伦不类，官方不是一早说好下令删除所有和Michele时期有关的设计吗？在截稿前，世界各地的店面还可略见Michele时期的装横和大量爆款在热卖。这下贱的倒贴之美，来到第四季2025春夏时装秀，有事没事不如Prada及Miu Miu一下，是来满足Prada旧粉的回味设计吗？自上任后大叫GUCCI ANCORA口号的营销概念，亦不见独特，猪肝红的色调更成为了品牌的惨淡收场，没有清晰表达或要具体复兴些什么。热闹过后，口号叫完，三场的时装秀也没有让这猪肝红大放异彩，一个浮华而空洞的时尚概念，以颜营而言是彻底失败。

Sabato的时装设计不怎讨人厌，剪裁设计版型分明，处处考究，默默地为品牌炫技，注入更高工艺水准，但却没有去到让人一见钟情的地步和提炼不出品牌的价值主张和形象。天下乌鸦一样黑，照版煮碗不误，设计寡淡，错玩颜色营销，态度暧昧不清，而如有雷同，却真的不是巧合。消费者精明，情绪价值没给到位，固然弃之，作品在衰败的姿态收场。这个时期的设计风格要为讨好Z世代定要留（得）住铁粉和老顾客或上流社会精英（Guccio Gucci 创始人先生的品味锁定目标），回归经典？！

品牌要转型不是易事，而重建永远都比推翻要难，混杂和无定向的风格如何可被塑造成功？Sabato被卸下冠冕，由下一位集团旗下刚卸任Balenciaga的设计总监Demna Gvasalia接任， GUCCI的未来动向和营销，有待（被）揭晓！

《完》

THE MURRAY HONG KONG - A Niccolo Hotel @ The Heritage Landmark That Sparks

To create a new 5 star luxury hotel in what were once government offices for many decades may seem like a tough task. The Wharf Hotels group took on a challenge to embrace historical architecture as well as preserving the only registered gigantic Old and Valuable Tree (O.V.T) of its species in Hong Kong, the Cassia javanica var. Indochinensis and created a superb luxury lodging in a unique city location between the bustling financial business district of Central and the leisure Admiralty shopping areas on a hilly slope of Cotton Tree Drive. This luxury bolthole is now known as The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel, and sets a new standard in understated luxury hospitality. mylifestylenews writes.

The Niccolo hotel brand was created to celebrate a new level of luxury within the Wharf Hotels group and to blend heritage architecture into contemporary chic is no small feat, but The Murray, Hong Kong ‘rose from the ashes’ of an empty office building that seemingly wasn’t very well loved by the locals, but what is not to love about this hotel?

The cosmopolitan and metropolitan of Hong Kong vibrant lifestyle is here to find, a trendy and elegant space to enjoy the sophisticated vibe. 

Towering 26 floors, this renowned contemporary urban sanctuary features 336 tasteful and elegant spacious suites and guest rooms across 25-storeys for luxury accommodation alongside with unique dining experiences, wellness and celebrated events.

The original building was opened in 1969, with the façade remaining untouched but elevated as well as its dramatic and arched colonnades which was an award-winning design triumph that shields the rooms from the heat of the sun.

The latest incarnation has been re-designed by Sir Norman Foster and his team at Foster+Partners bringing this iconic landmark and magnificent building to life as a celebration of the past and present. It is an arresting building, but the exterior belies the chic luxury within.

The hotel’s terraces around the arches, an architectural signature of the building also showcases views of the city, Hong Kong Park and Hong Kong Zoological and Botanic Gardens.

Connectivity in Hong Kong is some of the best in the world and the parkside location of The Murray, Hong Kong is right in the heart of almost everything as walking in Hong Kong is always an eye-opener and the hotel is in the thick of it. No matter which direction you take you will always find something interesting to marvel at, not to mention all the skyscrapers architecture.

You can take a pleasant walk into Central or Admiralty, hop on a Ding Ding (the ubiquitous double-decker trolley cars that traverse the island from one end to the other), ride the metro lines branches out to even crossing the China border just like an octopus and is just minutes walk away to any destination you desire or hop on The Peak Tram with the terminus station right next door to the hotel.

The airport express rail is the fastest and easiest way to get you into Central and The Murray, Hong Kong offers the scheduled shuttle bus services from Hong Kong Station back and forth, hence our mode of transport.

Our check-in process was smooth as silk, greeted and handled promptly with formalities over in no time and then we were escorted up to our 50sqm N3 Grand Deluxe Room.

The sleek apartment-like posh designed room is spacious, well adorned and prettified in an elegantly understated interior accented with plush carpets on beautiful hardwood floors, featuring luxurious bed and bath amenities with a stunning separate bath and shower facilities crafted from striking black and white Calacatta marble. 

The bathroom was perfectly designed, the glass door and wall can be switched from see-through to a privacy mode at the flick of a switch which is just brilliant – when you want to enjoy looking out into the room and to the views and beyond you can, or you can choose privacy and we loved it.

The bathrobes and slippers felt luxurious, the branded amenities from the luxury Australian skin health brand Grown Alchemist that work in harmony with the your skin were fabulous. Wardrobe space was capacious, a working desk in one window nook was just the perfect placement without intruding on the flow in the room proper.

The colour scheme harmonized the interior with high quality leather, artisan textiles as well as elegant choice of sleek mid-century furniture was spot on, as though you are walking into those shots from the glossy magazine that features those urban luxurious apartments.

Tech-savvy lighting controls, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi alongside with a high definition Smart TV and broadband internet access is seamless as well as a host of complimentary amenities to indulge.

We couldn’t think of one detail that could be improved on but to maintain in such a good shape over time as they had thought of everything that made returning back to the room a joy and it was so easy to relax, unwind and cocooned with a bottle of champagne which was an absolute joy.

Most importantly, the room is bathed in natural sunlight with a stunning and uninterrupted view of the adjacent St John’s Cathedral from a different vantage point to marvel the lively city skyline that changes its vista day and night and we were more than excited to be checking into this contemporary urban sanctuary. There’s definitely a unique mind-set in their target audience, the Gen-Z millennial or the sophisticated someone with a disposable income group that are young at heart and here to play.

To further explore this iconic property, the beautiful lobby bring the outside in with lots of natural light and greenery aplenty. The architectural design really made a difference with superb colour schemes and choice of materials that really complemented the surroundings to allow the nature outside to come in and given the humidity in Hong Kong, the coolness of marble is always a positive thing.

A ground floor bar and cafe that spreads out into the laneway and subsequently called Murray Lane surrounded by curated art, serves up a wide selection of international whiskeys and crafted cocktails is also a popular destination for a bankers breakfast, coffees on the go and aperitivo hours.

Upper ground floor houses two food and beverage operations that split into the The Tai Pan that serves a variety of premium cuts at night and is also an alternative breakfast venue that extends to The Tai Pan Terrace, a delightful family-style al fresco dining.

The all-day dining Garden Lounge on the other side is tastefully decorated, ideal for breakfast and signature afternoon teas alongside a refreshing all-day menu featuring familiar Western and Asian dishes. Outdoor seating by the lush lawn is in high demand when the temperature cools down and less humid.

Then to satisfy Chinese food cravings there is MIAN in a specially commissioned two-storey pavilion adjacent to the hotel entrance and also Popinjays, a contemporary Italian rooftop restaurant and bar with a wrap around terrace offering surreal stunning far-reaching views of the Hong Kong city skyline especially by night and The Peak being one of the most sought after sky bars in town.

The large below ground indoor swimming pool is rather intimate, with a wall of greenery on one side together with a quite unusual feature of a hot tub vitality pool built in a hammam-like dome ceiling. We availed ourselves of the pool and it is definitely long enough for lap swimming, but only wide enough for three swimmers at one time to do laps, but more than satisfactory.

The pool attendants were extremely polite and attentive and it is a wonderful space to chill after a long day of shopping and walking. The gym is on a higher floor, affording views to enjoy as you build up a sweat in the well kitted out space. Adjacent to the gym is the Wellness at The Murray, a sanctuary for bespoke treatments and beauty rituals to awaken your senses.

Breakfast is a fine repast in The Tai Pan and the Garden Lounge combined and is a full on semi-buffet. You can help yourself to some fresh yoghurts, juices, pastries, green salad and even steamed Dim Sum and congee with condiments that are all displayed orderly.

And then you can order dishes according to your inclination for Cantonese, Chinese or Western dishes from the given menu. We tried almost the entire menu over the stay and the ordering was very timely with the dishes seemingly not taking much time at all, so you were never left hungry.

The dishes are beautifully presented and utterly delicious and served at the right temperature. Congee, Wanton noodles and Dim Sum were fresh and tasty, the poached egg on avocado toast was a favourite as well and the eggs Benedict cooked to perfection. Service was mostly prompt and warm and friendly, with only a few team members not getting with the programme on one day, but every morning was a joy with the sun shining in welcoming the start of the day.

We had been pampered with luxurious treats and been well looked after by the welcoming Front Desk, Concierge and Housekeeping team. Each team member from these departments was uniformly excellent and consistent and made our stay hassle free with great recommendations.

We marvelled at little details and enjoyed strolling through the hotel modernist lofty lobby as well as the lush garden overflowing with greenery. The Murray, Hong Kong is simply hard to beat for the level of luxury and amenities that they offer in a classy heritage staycation. Our stay was extremely enjoyable, restful and worry free and it was hard to leave this gorgeous hotel after what was a quite memorable stay. Yet, the unforgettable experience awaits our next arrival.

Tried & Tested:
Location: 5/5
Design & Decor: 5/5

Housekeeping: 5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 5/5
Experience: 5/5

The Murray, Hong Kong
22 Cotton Tree Drive
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3141 8888

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.