EDITOR’S LETTER
what makes a gentleman? It might be easier to enumerate what doesn’t, for a proper gent is neither boastful nor lazy, and would no more dream of lying than he would of being disrespectful. And from that, we can also safely assume that a gentleman is polite, calm, considerate and courteous, a man who listens to the opinions of others without judgement yet remains firm in his own convictions – but one who’s always ready to admit when he’s got things wrong.
According to Haruki Murakami, who wrote the following in his bestselling 1987 novel Norwegian Wood, “A gentleman is someone who does not what he wants to do, but what he should do” – a brief summation suggesting that even in our modern era of instant self-gratification, the age of chivalry is far from dead. In the words of another writer, a man perhaps less exalted than Murakami but no less insightful, a gentleman “understands that the term consists of ‘gentle’ and ‘man’ and doesn’t allow one to supersede the other”.
As the cover personality for this, our August issue, we have an individual who’d appear to embody every one of the above characteristics – and possibly a good deal more very similar traits. For actor Henry Cavill, who’s probably best known for playing Superman (a character who is himself something of a latter-day knight errant), would seem to be the very model of the modern English gentleman, a chap who unfailingly opens doors for women, is “humble and level-headed”, works hard both on-screen and off (including roles as ambassador for a brace of charities that he takes very seriously indeed), and is visibly embarrassed at any suggestion he’s a sex symbol. Even better, he admits to Superman (or as Cavill calls him, “Supes”) being his favourite superhero. “Everything he represents is about positivity, forward movement, growth and helping people,” he says – and if that doesn’t perfectly describe a gentleman, then frankly I don’t know what does.
Another indication that Cavill is the real deal? When recently called out for remarks about dating that were immediately characterised in social media as “absurd” and worse, the actor was quick to respond with a mea culpa. In other words, just as a proper gentleman should. You’ll find our interview with the charming Cavill on page 104.
Elsewhere in these pages, we introduce you to a family business that’s dedicated to outfitting its clients in what one might describe as the somewhat flamboyant style favoured by Italian gentlemen. For 46 years, Florentine tailor Stefano Ricci – along, more recently, with his sons Filippo and Niccolo – has been specialising in the creation of apparel and accessories made from lush fabrics and other materials, which are increasingly favoured by global alpha males. We meet this engaging and dapper trio in a location that could hardly be more apt – aboard a superyacht plying the blue waters of Italy’s Tuscan Archipelago – and you can step into their ultra-masculine world on page 72. Equally favoured by the fellows is the exquisite amber liquid that emanates from the exalted Speyside distillery of The Macallan in the Scottish Highlands, and we invite you on page 128 to join us for a tour of its architecturally fabulous new facility, which opened just months ago.
No less stunning, though much closer to home, is the latest project of Zaha Hadid Architects, Morpheus, whose incredible exoskeleton structure redefines hotel design in Macau (page 118), while back here in Hong Kong we meet Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, who explains what’s in store for diners at his newly opened Ichu Peru in H Queen’s (page 124). All of which, dear readers, is merely a soupçon of the sustenance we present for you in this month’s Prestige, and which we heartily hope that you’ll enjoy.