Taking a Stand
When you have “Perspectives” as your theme for the month, it’s easy to become complacent about it, because surely any story and any profile would count as offering a different perspective. So when we sat down at the Tatler editorial meeting a couple of months ago to plan this July issue, we had to make sure that we delivered stories that would either surprise you with a fresh take on an issue, or which offered a new solution to a problem that had yet to be resolved.
Take crypto, for example: while it may be a favourite buzzword for many (though others despise it), much has been made of the shocking shortage of women in the industry. There certainly are female-oriented communities and projects such as the famous World of Women PFPS (profile pictures), but one Hongkonger knows there should be more, and has made it her mission to offer women here and around Asia both educational and leadership opportunities within the space.
Our cover star, Vivien Khoo, set up Satoshiwomen to offer “women from all walks of life” a way to get one-onone education on the topic, where they can “ask stupid questions”. “My helper can take part in Satoshiwomen if she wants,” she says in an interview with Tatler Hong
Kong. “What we’re trying to do is just create more access.” For those who are already working in the crypto and finance industries, she also established the W3W (short for Web 3 Women), which is aimed at promoting female leadership and supporting women who are able to bring a different perspective to this male-dominated arena.
Our lifestyle editor Coco Marrett also delved into a world in which women’s involvement is treated as taboo and charged with misconceptions and outdated viewpoints—and these women are broadcasting the message of how they feel about this on their own bodies. In Spilled Ink (p.132), we step into the colourful world of tattoos and gain valuable insight on the many reasons women embrace them, and the myriad challenges they can face along the way.
Other stories I particularly love in this issue include our interview with artist Axel Vervoordt (p.146) on his understanding of art and spirituality, and how it’s the organic, honest and spiritual approach that ultimately creates beauty; a very different kind of artist, Felix
Ip, is featured in our Arts Agenda (p.60) where he speaks about his efforts to bring old Hong Kong into the new metaverse. Then there’s The Weigh-in (p.30), our monthly column that brings you two opposing perspectives on a relevant issue. Here’s a controversial one for you this month: have restricted travel and closed borders actually been a positive thing for Hong Kong culture? Let me get my popcorn.
I hope you love this issue and the many different viewpoints of the fascinating people we’ve interviewed. If you hate it … well, that’s a valid perspective and I promise we’ll take it into account.