A Tale of Two Capitals: Featuring re-interpreted art installations of the Third Paradise and Tiziano Guardini’s personal curation of the combined works of 9 Hong Kong-based designers and 16 Italian designers and brands, FASHION TO RECONNECT is an artistic project celebrating the powerful intersections of fashion, sustainability and art.

Aside from the usual hype surrounding a new season, why are we all getting so excited over Emily in Paris? Easy. Marcello from Rome? Almost there… We can’t forget to mention – Eugenio Franceschini was recently in Hong Kong, gracing the blissful winter air as the celebrity ambassador for FASHION TO RECONNECT.

Presented by CityUHK’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences with Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte and in partnership with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, FASHION TO RECONNECT has also connected academics and professionals from various creative and cultural industries through a symposium, a roundtable and multiple seminars, epitomizing the essence of what makes Hong Kong a true multicultural city – the vibrant characterisations of Hong Kong and Italy’s joint cultural tapestry.

We were delighted to hear from Eugenio and the heartwarming tales that have shaped some of the most interesting bits of his acting career. Born in Verona, the glorious city of Romeo and Juliet, Eugenio cites his parents as the theatrical actors and puppeteers who have inspired him to venture on a journey of acting. At 18, Eugenio moved to Rome to attend the National School of Drama and Cinema, and eventually he landed his major breakthrough role in the States as the dashing cashmere heir Marcello Muratori in Emily in Paris’ 4th season.

HERE’S A FUN FACT!

Eugenio didn’t know how to ski before he had to film for a scene where Emily first meets his character Marcello on the slopes. “Oh. Never. And I tried once, and I almost died.” Luckily, viewers didn’t seem to notice — We were too focused on the chemistry mysterious Marcello shared with heartbreak-avenue Emily! No one could tell, genuinely, Eugenio!

When inquired about his thoughts on sustainable fashion, Eugenio emphasized the importance of assigning the right value to everything. You can occasionally catch him marvelling at tailored suits, pieces that represent the quiet elegance of fine craftsmanship that cannot be simply, monotonously quantified by just the stitching quality or the amount of blood, sweat and hours a local tailor pours in. “I’m not the kind of person who loves to spend a lot of money on clothes. When I do it, it’s for something special… because in this case, I’m sure about the quality. I’m sure about the uniqueness and the passion behind the product.” Nicely said, Eugenio.

The next time you visit Hong Kong again, don’t hesitate to tell us more about your adventures. We cannot wait to watch Eugenio at Emily in Paris Season 5! Ciao.

The post EUGENIO FRANCESCHINI SPOTTED AT HONG KONG’s FASHION TO RECONNECT EVENT appeared first on T&C Magazine.

Who could possibly say no to an evening of thought provoking, empowering conversations starry-eyed art — all to shed light on the beloved grace embraced by Hong Kong lupus patients along their journeys of resilience.

On the evening of May 10th, T&C was more than blessed to participate in Lupus Reimagined, a beautiful night hosted by Sapphire Shen on behalf of My Lupus Diary. Emceed by Vincent Tang, Eaton Club Central witnessed enthusiastic conversations and performances that brought to light the often-overlooked narratives surrounding “invisible diseases” like lupus. This event was more than an art exhibition; it was an emotional rendezvous that heightened awareness and empowered the creative pursuits of individuals who have to live with lupus.

MY LUPUS DIARY

Founded by three lupus patients in 2017,  My Lupus Diary Limited (MLD) is an online patient support platform and non-profit organization  committed to improving the quality of life of the lupus community through empowerment, education and advocacy. MLD shares and exchanges information, tells stories, organises activities, builds a lupus community and raises awareness of the illness. 

We were astonished by the beautiful works of art created by nine lupus warriors — each art piece, whether that be a photograph or an intricate sculpture, revolved around the theme of a butterfly’s metamorphosis — a poignant metaphor of strength and growth. This theme beautifully encapsulates the journey of lupus survivors, who transform from passive patients to fierce warriors, capturing the essence of resilience, even in difficult circumstances.

From delicate ribbons to elaborate hand-stitched lace dresses, the evening’s theme was echoed in the attire of the guests. This common cause of raising awareness about lupus transformed the evening into a show of hope and compassion.

One of the most memorable moments was the interpretative modern dance performance, demonstrating a routine that used flowing motion combined with callisthenics, bringing to life the struggles and triumphs of the individuals with lupus, allowing the audience to feel the weight of the journey while, at the same time, honoring the power that emerges from struggle.

Throughout the evening, MLD Director Ms. Jacqueline Hester and her group performed a beautiful cover of two songs, drawn from her own experiences with lupus, combining hope, courage, and the transformative power of music into a deeply moving story. Following the performances, Sapphire Shen took the stage to share her own life experience with lupus and her journey. Her heartfelt speech brought many to tears, herself included! She spoke of the triumphs and battles of living with lupus, reminding everyone that there is always a need for compassion and mutual understanding amidst adversity. 

Lupus: Reimagined was a continuation of My Lupus Diary’s previous events — Make Lupus Visible 2022 and The Lupus Revolution 2024 — bringing people together from different walks of life. The night was a reflection of the strength of art in the time of hardship, bringing people together for the same purpose in raising awareness and funds for lupus patients. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.

CREDITS:

Event photography : @lamma and @realjeff
Booklet Photography @lamma

Exhibited Photos
Creative direction | Head Pieces | Makeup Artist: Sapphire Shen @shensapphire
Art Direction | Photographer : Kim Lo @lamma
Hair Stylist for Amanda S, Ana R and Angie Ng: Vivian Ng
Hair Stylist for Janet Ma: Vic Kwan @vic_kwan
Model: Janet Ma, Ana R, Angie Ng, Amanda S

The post 2025 WORLD LUPUS DAY: LUPUS REIMAGINED ART EXHIBITION OPENING appeared first on T&C Magazine.