[The Launch of Issue 5 – On My Terms]
photos @Dabeedos @YK.w852
Last Saturday, T&C celebrates the release of its fifth issue with a private party at UPPER Hong Kong, bringing together leading creatives, tastemakers, artists, and industry figures from across the city and around the world.
This evening marks the latest chapter for the publication as it honours the people, ideas, and creative voices that continue to shape T&C. Within minutes of the launch, the space was filled to the brim and immediately brought to life by DJs from the FWY community. Their sets quickly transformed what started as a typical media event into a night of immaculate vibes and endless fun.
The evening began with remarks from Kat Tse, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of T&C, and Rachel Yang, Founder & Director of UPPER Hong Kong, followed by a special performance from guest artists: Peakboy and Dorothy Lau.
“When putting this issue together, I kept returning to the question of how we can better highlight the authenticity of a creative,” Tse says. “We have come to understand that the creative world is more than just a platform. It’s a home for stories, emotions and self-expression to exist freely.”
“Upper Hong Kong was never created to be the most luxurious or the loudest space in town,” Yang says. “We simply want to create a comfortable place where people feel they belong, where connections happen, and unforgettable memories are made.”
The dress code called for artistic red and silver and the crowd fully understood the assignment. As guests flooded into the room, the energy was instantly high. Marking a massive milestone for T&C, the venue was decked out with cherry accents and dim crimson lighting, setting a sleek, moody backdrop that felt like a promising next step for the magazine.
A stacked list of sponsors made sure everyone was well taken care of throughout the night. The drinks menu features contributions from HK Liquor Store, Two Moons, Pontiac, Crossip, Skyline Seltzer, and Kiku, with cocktails and non-alcoholic options designed by the T&C team specifically for the event. Highlights include Kiri T’s Cherry Blaze, Peakboy’s G&T, a shimmering SAGA Margarita, Slawnmade’s Espresso Martini by Kiku, and a T&C × Crossip non-alcoholic beverage. Food and refreshments were provided by Cavairo, Friday After Class, DoughBros HK and Quiero Mas, with a selection ranging from caviar blinis to gelato, cupcakes, and macarons.
The event also featured a collaboration with Mannequ.io, a creative platform focused on digital visual experiences. For the Issue 5 launch, Mannequ.io created a bespoke video backdrop for T&C, translating the visual identity of the latest issue into a dynamic digital format.Two Moons, Kiku, Pontiac, and Crossip kept the drinks flowing with a custom cocktail menu created specifically for the evening. Caviar-O and Dough Bros handled the food situation, serving up everything from luxury caviar bites to fresh late-night doughnuts. Meanwhile, Skyline, Mandos, Friday After Class, and Mannequ.io rounded out the crew, holding down the visuals, venue aesthetic, and overall flow of the event.
The real highlight of the party came from special live performances by South Korean artist Peakboy and local artist Dorothy Lau. Their sets brought the entire room together, turning the launch into a full-on celebration with free-flow drinks and a packed dance floor. Peakboy is a South Korean artist, rapper, and singer-songwriter, best known for his versatile solo career and hit songs like “Gin & Tonic” and “Snow Flower.” Dorothy Lau is a local Hong Kong artist, singer, and multidisciplinary creative who blends Cantopop, Indie Pop, and R&B into one. Throughout the night, the two musicians took the stage, blending international and local perspectives in celebration of Hong Kong’s growing creative community — Korean artist Peakboy delivered a special performance, alongside a live set from Hong Kong artist Dorothy Lau.
By the time things wrapped up, it was clear the party had achieved exactly what it set out to do. Issue 5 isn’t just another magazine drop. It was an expression of creative freedom and their identity as a magazine. Bringing together great music, delicious food, and a tight-knit community in Upper Hong Kong was the ultimate way for T&C to toast to setting their “own terms” and boldly stepping into whatever comes next.
