Pilgrims and the power elite: Pope's funeral was an event like no other
In the end, it was the sort of cosmic joke that only a higher intelligence, perhaps even a god, could play. How would the late Pope Francis — global symbol of humility, the renunciation of riches and care for creation — receive his send-off? The friend of the little man, this pope of the streets, was waved away by the jetsetting, helicopter-owning, Mercedes convoy-forming world power elite at a ceremony in St Peter's Square protected, the press were breathlessly informed, by 'jet fighters on standby'. Were the Italian authorities expecting Godzilla to gatecrash this funeral?
Catastrophe did not arrive, but Donald Trump did. After the six great bells of St Peter's Basilica tolled at 9.45am — the clangs so loud you could taste their metal
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Tatler Asia
27-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Home tour: Inside Bar Leone boss Lorenzo Antinori's new Hong Kong home
The layout is unusual—'basically a massive living room', as he describes it—with plenty of space to host friends. 'For the first time, I can have a communal dining table [at home] and invite friends over; the space definitely has this very liveable sort of vibe,' he says. Everywhere you turn, there are treasures to be spotted. Posters of Wong Kar-wai's seminal 2000 film In the Mood For Love ('my favourite Hong Kong movie') and the 1968 sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey ('Stanley Kubrick is one of my favourite directors') are part of a collection of framed prints in the living area. A shelf acts as a divider between the space and the bedroom. It houses both books—one volume is an Italian translation of The Art of War by Sun Tzu, the Chinese military text dating back to the 5th century BC that Antinori says offers advice applicable for modern-day business—and paintings by family members; several relatives on his mother's side of the family are artists. By his bed are photos of his parents and a frame depicting a religious icon, a gift from his mother, who's a devout Catholic. 'I'm very close to my family—wherever I have lived, in Hong Kong or South Korea, I always have [these items].' Don't miss: Home tour: Inside an Italian farmhouse-inspired retreat in Happy Valley, Hong Kong Above Antinori with 'The Savoy Cocktail Book'—he worked at the famed London hotel's American Bar—and 'The South American Gentleman's Companion', a cocktail guide originally published in 1951 (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong) Above A close-up of knick-knacks in the home (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong) Antinori wanted to give the home what he calls a vintage, nostalgic edge. Some of his favourite things—art, film, music—come from the Seventies. His favourite movie, the 1997 indie flick Boogie Nights, is set in the era, and its aesthetics strongly inspired his decorating choices. 'I love the Seventies—they were a cool time because pop culture was extremely loud and visually impactful,' he says. 'There are a lot of elements from that period that I tried to bring into this space.' That influence is evident in the palette: think burnt orange, forest green and acrylic accents. Above Lorenzo Antinori (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong) Above A view of the coffee in the dining room (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong) A neon sign that reads 'Bar Leone' lights up the space with a bright tangerine hue; the sofas are in the same shade; a Tiffany-style stained glass lamp, an emulation of the prized originals produced by the American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with green, orange and yellow glass, glows softly in the corner. Now read: Step inside 3 Hong Kong chefs' and restaurateurs' kitchens at home Above Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong Above A close-up of books in the home (Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong) Antinori has applied the same design philosophy behind his bar to his home. 'We wanted Bar Leone to be a nostalgic space, almost like a trip back to a time in the past. We got a lot of references from the Seventies and Eighties. That's why some people feel like it has been there for a while. When I was thinking about this space, it was the same idea.' He wanted the home to feel 'a little bit chaotic', he adds, 'almost like it's coming out of a movie by [ Boogie Nights ' director] Paul Thomas Anderson or Wes Anderson.' To bring this vision to life, he enlisted Tiffany Kwan, founder of the interior design firm Studio TK, who also worked with him on Bar Leone. Above Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong Above Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong We wanted Bar Leone to be almost like a trip back to a time in the past. When I was thinking about this space, it was the same idea - Lorenzo Antinori - Above Photo: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong After finally settling in, there are still 'a few other pieces that I need to put up'. A home is a place where one never stands still, he says. 'It's almost a dynamic place. I will always think of new elements that I want to introduce.' Much like the bar, the home has become a reflection of Antinori's personality. 'Bar Leone is a very personal project. I managed to fill it with things that I love, the things that remind me of home, the things that are connected to my roots. It's the same here; there are certain pieces that I have had in my apartment in Rome with my family, like the religious icon by my bed, the books, frames and prints. 'I think it's important to preserve this element of heritage that showcases our background and who we are. Otherwise, we just live in an empty box.'
Tatler Asia
21-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Home tour: Inside an Italian farmhouse-inspired retreat in Happy Valley, Hong Kong
The homeowners—a couple who love to entertain—had a clear vision: a home that could cater to gatherings with family and friends, while reflecting their passion for music, cooking, and a warm, rustic aesthetic. It's a perfect fit with the Italian farmhouse look and feel, which Chan describes as a style that invites individuals to relax and connect with their surroundings'. She adds, 'From the outset, our goal was to create a home that embodies casual elegance and embraces the open nature of the environment.' Read now: Home tour: Inside Kai-yin Lo's Hong Kong home—a treasure trove of antiques and her prized jewellery design Upon entering the apartment, the rare wraparound terrace immediately stands out; it not only enhances the sense of space but also brings the outdoors in—an unusual luxury in Hong Kong. 'Having this kind of outdoor space in such an urban environment is unique, and we wanted to make the most of it.' Inside, Chan and her team undertook a major layout change. A long corridor leading to the private spaces is extended, creating concealed storage—a priority for the client, says Chan. One section towards the end of the corridor was transformed into an open playroom for the children, providing them with a dedicated space to play away from the communal areas of the home and spend time as a family. Modern farmhouses blend vintage and contemporary elements, a design language that can be observed throughout the entirety of the home, says Chan. Wood is a central theme throughout the apartment, from the bespoke cabinetry to the polished hardwood floors. This is paired with a striking selection of marble. 'In this residence, a dialogue unfolds between wood and marble—two contrasting yet beautifully natural materials,' she says. The kitchen features pristine Calacatta marble countertops on an island and a La Cornue 110 range with polished brass accents. In the powder room, bold onyx red marble and Algerian Tale wallpaper by Mind The Gap create a sense of surprise and whimsy. 'We envisioned the powder room as a stunning jewel box, where creativity knows no bounds,' says Chan. The project took eight months from conception to completion, with two months dedicated to the design and planning phase. 'The clients for this project were incredibly tasteful and a pleasure to work with,' says Chan. 'From the outset, they placed great trust in our team and were open to our design suggestions.' A highlight of the project, says Chan, was redesigning the study as an extension of the master bedroom; it allowed natural light to flow between both areas, creating a bright, airy atmosphere. But the most personal and emotional part of it was 'the moment when a space truly comes to life', Chan adds. 'It's often the details that resonate the most. Each choice contributes to an environment that is deeply personal and reflective of how our clients live. It is a true home. 'Witnessing how a thoughtfully designed space can enhance daily life, evoke cherished memories, and inspire creativity is really what fuels our passion as a firm. It's what makes every project memorable and fulfilling.'
Tatler Asia
20-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Lorenzo Antinori and Simone Caporale to launch Montana, a bar inspired by Cuban soul and Miami disco in Hong Kong
Montana will open on Hollywood Road with live rhythms, rotisserie pineapple and razor-sharp classics from the minds behind Bar Leone and Sips Montana's concept wasn't sparked by a business plan, but by a bottle of tequila. 'It wasn't Lorenzo, Simone and a bottle of tequila,' recalls Simone Caporale. 'It was a bottle of tequila… then Lorenzo and Simone.' The Italian duo—Caporale, best known for Barcelona's Sips, and Lorenzo Antinori of Hong Kong's Bar Leone—first met more than a decade ago in London. 'We met in London,' says Antinori. 'Simone was at the Artesian and I was working at the Savoy.' They stayed in touch over the years, crossing paths through the industry and rekindling their connection in Madrid during the 2024 50 Best Bars ceremony. That's when the idea for Montana emerged, rooted in mutual admiration and a shared obsession with hospitality. 'Whatever we do, Lorenzo and I, we always do it based on what we feel in the chest,' says Caporale. 'Feelings don't lie.' Their new project, Montana, channels the energy of 1970s Cuban migration to Florida—a cultural blend of rhythm, rum and resilience. 'The Cuban cocktail culture created hundreds of cocktails that are not that famous, but they're delicious,' Caporale explains. 'But there isn't a bar in the world that tells the real story of the Cuban migration to Florida in the 1970s and '80s. So we said, 'Why don't we do that?'' Above Simone Caporale and Lorenzo Antinori bring over a decade of friendship, craft and rhythm to Montana, their first Hong Kong project together
