|
| The "Have a Heart" Charity Project |
| |
The "Have A Heart" Charity Project features 6 designer Verner Panton Heart Chairs specially customised by some of Singapore's renowned creative individuals from the fashion, arts and design scene. Each of these individuals' creative play on the theme of "Heart" will be reflected in their personalised designs for the Verner Panton Heart Chairs.
This project is helmed by Mr Loh Lik Peng, owner of the New Majestic Hotel and Hotel 1929. The bidding price for each Heart Chair will start from $8,000. Each submitted bid will be assigned a unique tracking number and the successful bidders will be notified by the end of April. All proceeds raised from this project will go to benefit the Singapore Heart Foundation.
Rebel with a Heart by Eric Khoo
Designer Profile:
Local film director, writer and producer Eric Khoo has been entertaining Singapore since his first film 'When the Magic Dies (1985)'. After pursuing cinematography at the City Art Institute in Sydney, Australia, Khoo launched his career by producing short films. Other successes include 'August (1991)' and 'Home VDO (2000)'. His shows have constantly been screened at several film festivals, world-wide.
Khoo has also written and produced many local favourites such as 'Liang Po Po: The Movie (1999)' and 'One Leg Kicking (2001)'. In February 1999, Asiaweek named Khoo as one of 25 exceptional Asians for his influence on film and television. He also received the Singapore Youth Award in June in the same year. Khoo is expected to release 'My Magic (2008)' later this year. As we wait in anticipation, we have full confidence that the magic, will not die.
Inspiration:
Rebel with a Heart sees Eric contributing a rugged denim-clad chair which looks to James Dean and his classic landmark movie for inspiration: "Good ol' Jimmy Dean...he was a rebel with a heart rather than a rebel without one."
Tough Love by Min Lee
Designer Profile:
A child prodigy, Min Lee picked up the violin at the age of two and gave her debut performance when she was five. At 17, she graduated from Yale University in 2000 after being trained by the legendary Erick Friedman. She has performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Russian National Orchestra, amongst others. Having worked with recognised names such as Charles Dutoit and Vladimir Ashkenazy, her numerous achievements given her age, leave us in awe.
Other than pleasing her audience, Min has raised more than five million dollars for charity. She raised $250,000 in Shanghai for Children with Renal failure and $200,000 for the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore.
Inspiration:
Tough Love sees Min indulging in the playful side of her personality with her camouflaged chair: "I wanted to create something whimsical and unique. This chair is one-of-a-kind; a classic design in a fun and modern fabric. A conversation-starting masterpiece!"
Heart-Core by Olivier Henry
Designer Profile:
Olivier Henry is a master photographer and the founder of Milk Photographie. Originally from Paris, his scope of imagination has made him famous, world-wide. Not eccentric, but definitely unusual, Henry turns ordinary into the extraordinary. A graduate from the Parson's school of Design & SPEOS Paris Institute, he has captured celebrities as well as faces on the street onto film and has created a montage of pictures, each different and special. As for his working style, "It is important that all my shoots be spiced up with lots of energy and a good dose of laughter".
Beauty, humour and provocation motivate Henry. He has worked with Evian, L'Oreal, Raoul, Mont Blanc, Mercedes and SIA amongst others. His latest exhibition was commissioned by Swiss watch-maker Baume et Mercier, a collaboration with known local director, Royston Tan.
Inspiration:
Heart-Core sees Olivier injecting his characteristic humour and energetic vision into his cheeky leather-bound chair: "I wanted to come up with a 'sexy' chair, something a bit naughty; using black and red leather reminiscent of a woman's fetish corset. The particular leather I chose is one that would age with grace; the more it gets used, the more textured and sexier the chair will be."
Dim Sum (Little Heart) by Dick Lee
Designer Profile:
Performer, composer, Singapore Idol judge and the New Asian generation spokesperson, Dick Lee is a man of many talents. The 1956-born kick-started his career with his debut album 'Life Story' in 1974. In 1989, he earned platinum status locally and became known regionally for his album 'The Mad Chinaman'. Lee has written songs for top Asian artists such as Stephanie Sun and Jackie Cheung. He has also composed music for the 15th Asian Games 2006 in Doha.
Dick has been the Associate Artiste Director of The Singapore Repertory Theatre since 1998. His musicals include 'Forbidden City (2003)' and have been the talk-of-the-town along with his autobiography, 'The Adventures of the Mad Chinaman'. Dick was also the fashion editor of Female Magazine in 1986 and is the current Creative Director of Island Shop.
Inspiration:
Dim Sum (Little Heart) sees Dick expressing his renowned love for Asian culture with his whimsical Chinese brocade chair: "The first thing that came to mind was to 'localise' it but the idea of a batik one made me laugh. I did want to inject a bit of my trademark sense of whimsy but couldn't find anything which answered those needs on my fabric explorations. Then suddenly I came across this piece of fabric tucked away upstairs in a fabric store on Arab Street and it seemed to whimper 'Choose me! Choose me!' So I did!"
Heart-Felt by Ashley Isham
Designer Profile:
The elite of the fashion industry know his signature draping and strong tailoring. A guru of high-octane glamour and contemporary styling, Ashley Isham has his devoted disciples. A graduate from Middlesex University, Isham launched his first collection in November 2000 and has since made consistent appearances at London Fashion Week each season.
Official designer at the 2004 BAFTAs and boaster of increasingly high-profile clientele ranging from celebrities to international royalty, Isham's works are made for the red carpet and runway. His contemporary yet classic dresses are in a league of their own. His boutique, 'Aquaint' is on Conduit Street, London.
Inspiration:
Heart-Felt features Ashley's distinctive blend of high-octane glamour and contemporary styling with his stunning holograph-printed chair: "The idea of the Holographic Heartfelt Chair generates from my love for haute couture modern fabrics. I love the holographic print on this chair as it creates a sense of space: light yet very beautiful and contemporary at the same time. I wanted to create a feeling of crispness and at the same time produce something that is very visual."
Heart of Gold by Loh Lik Peng
Designer Profile:
Flying in the face of the conventional grand old colonial hotels that Singapore is known for, Loh Lik Peng has changed the outlook of budget hotels locally. Budget travellers can now live luxuriously in a stylish hotel. Singapore's New Majestic Hotel boasts ceilings with 78 year old paintwork and vintage fans hovering over dentist chairs. With the Success of New Majestic Hotel and Hotel 1929, Peng has proved his creativity and individuality to the world.
Peng has earned many accolades including the Carl F Buchner Trail Blazer award and the Singapore Tourism Award. As for what to expect in the future, he says "I have no over-arching vision. I would like to do something in Bangkok or Shanghai but only if the right opportunity comes along".
Inspiration:
Heart of Gold is Peng's tribute to the Verner Panton Heart Chair, an icon dressed in gleaming, glamourous gold: "I love chairs, and few are more symbolic than the Verner Panton Heart Chair. I've chosen to dress this one up with the Midas Touch - the striking fabric complements the distinctive silhouette of the Heart Chair. This piece is designed to be a show-stopper and a style icon!"
Make your Heart Chair bid now!
Want to see the Heart Chairs in the flesh?
Visit Majestic Hotel at 31-37 Bukit Pasoh Road where the Heart Chairs are on display until 30 April 2008! |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
