Penélope Cruz, in an all-white feathery ensemble from Chanel’s spring 2025 collection, was in high-spirits as she landed in Hong Kong for the first time. In town for only 24 hours, Cruz attended a panel talk at Hong Kong Design Institute and the French luxury house’s cruise 2025 replica show.
“It’s been quite an intense day, but Hong Kong already gave me the feeling of wanting more, wanting to come back, to bring my family here again,” Cruz said.
Also visiting the city for the first time, Angèle showed up in an easy short vest, tank top and shorts set, which was weather-appropriate for the city’s breezy November. “Wearing pink and green might not have been an easy choice at first, but when I saw it, it made more sense,” said the Belgian singer and songwriter, who always styles her own looks. The songstress spent the day taking in the city and reveling in its “new energy and power,” that may or may not inspire her next album, according to the songstress.
The replica show, staged at the Design Institute on Tuesday, also gathered some of the town’s biggest stars.
Chow Yun Fat, the legendary Hong Kong actor, perhaps influenced by French New Wave films, showed up in a black beret and a cashmere cardigan with gold-tone buttons and the interlocking CC logo.
“The clothes at the show were very beautiful, a good fit for any age,” Chow said. A prolific star at age 69, Chow recently wrapped up production for a new Chinese film called “Detective Chinatown 1900,” which will hit theaters during Chinese New Year.
Fala Chen, the “Shang-Chi” star and a Hong Kong local, also recently finished shooting a new movie set in Macau and Hong Kong. The film, titled “The Ballad of a Small Player,” stars Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton.
Chen, staying true to her personal style mantra of “staying comfortable and classy,” showed up in a mermaid-blue strappy knitted dress with ruffled details. “I don’t want to regret what I wore five years ago, that’s my number-one rule,” Chen said.
Audrey Diwan, the French director who created a special film called “Modern Flirt” for the replica event, said that her directorial aesthetics have been heavily influenced by the city and its film creatives.
“I think because we have really compact buildings and tight spaces here, there’s something that connects people automatically; that’s why my two films here were only about encounters,” Diwan said of her latest title, “Emmanuelle,” and the event teaser.
As for up-and-coming Chinese actress Huang Yao, who had a major fan-girl moment when she saw Chow, she said that maritime-inspired collection made her want to jump on another diving trip. “I can’t wait to try the wetsuits — I’ve been obsessed with the sport this year,” Huang said.