我一直使用的護膚品：是韓國品牌雪花秀的男士精養細膚水和精養乳液。我對於洗發水和肥皂的品牌並不在意，反而對肥皂的形狀和尺寸更感興趣。美學對我來說很重要。在網站us.sulwhasoo.com上，雪花秀男士精養細膚水售價60英鎊，精養乳液售價50英鎊。 我的時尚偶像：是已故演員加裏•庫柏（Gary Cooper）。他已超越了“優雅”所能詮釋的一切，女士們都愛他，他的風格永不會過時。但他的感性、他走路的姿勢和他看待自己的方式，卻與今日格格不入。
家中我最喜歡的一個房間：是“金屋”。金子或許低俗，但我並沒有把它們放在客廳裏，沒有和Peter Blake的油畫、我收藏的雕塑藝術品和令人驚豔的Murano枝形吊燈放在一起。“金屋”是收藏珠寶的地方，空間大，功能齊全，且非常便捷。 上一頓讓我印象深刻的正餐：是在紐約的Balthazar餐廳。我最近去那兒吃了次晚餐，餐廳的人氣很高，熱鬧但不擁擠。菜單不是很厚，但每一道菜都非常美味。我們吃了海鮮和牛排薯條，非常普通的食物，但很美味，且讓人有種懷舊的感覺。
我永遠不會放棄的愛好：是撲克遊戲。我認為藝術和撲克有許多相近之處：兩者都有高潮期和低穀期，都在鍛煉大腦。撲克要求人在很短時間內做出決定，我喜歡這種自己和自己對抗的遊戲。 如果可能的話，我會收藏的作品：是達•芬奇的。他作品的美感和深度，是其他任何藝術家都無法企及的。
我最近添置的一件衣物：是六條顏色各異的燈芯絨褲子，均由巴黎愛馬仕為我量身定做。不過可能這些顏色不太適合我。 我的個人造型：鞋子是由George Cleverley鞋店定製的，頭發是由比佛利山莊的小約翰理發店打理的。這家低調的理發店曆史悠久，幾乎所有的好萊塢明顯都會去那兒。
我最喜歡的網站是：YouTube。我是一個喜歡視覺藝術的人，喜歡在紙上閱讀，我有些古板，並不精通電腦。不過，我一直保持著年輕的心態。 如果我隻能在一個城市的一個街區購物：我會選擇羅馬的西班牙台階。從Hassler酒店出發，我喜歡逛Condotti大街上的時裝店，那裏有Gucci。Gagosian畫廊也是個好選擇，就在Veneto大街附近。這個區域是羅馬的“心髒”，隻是想想它就讓我開心。
我買回家最好的紀念品：是我在上海找到的一塊瓦片。我十幾歲時就離開了上海，這塊有曆史味道的瓦片對我有著獨特的意義。這塊瓦片的形狀和顏色都很美，我覺得它是一件絕佳的雕塑藝術品。 如果我不住在洛杉磯，我會選擇住在：香港。我喜歡那個城市，氣候適宜，還可以吃到地球上最美味的食物，並且什麽都能找到。我喜歡半島酒店和它的下午茶，能讓我有些懷舊。我喜歡住在太平山頂，那裏的風景很美。
如果我不是從事現在的職業：我希望成為一名指揮家。我喜歡創作音樂時的純粹和完美，也喜歡排練時的彼此合作。我希望成為托斯卡尼尼那樣的指揮家，不過是以另外一種方式。 （本文根據FT旗下奢侈品雜誌《如何消費》（How To Spend It）2012年11月刊文章 “Mr Chow talks personal style”編譯。更多文章，請登陸 www.howtospendit.com）
Mr Chow talks personal style: Part One
Founder of his eponymous London restaurant, Mr Chow has overseen a global expansion that includes outposts in New York, Miami and LA
December 03 2012
Christina Ohly Evans
My personal style signifier is my pair of Mr Chow Spectacles by Cutler and Gross. They are based on the style worn by architects such as IM Pei, and I have worn them for more than 15 years now. From £299; www.cutlerandgross.com.
The last thing I bought and loved was a miniature oil portrait by Peter Blake, a canvas depicting a young girl, which I bought at Christie’s. It has a very special place in my collection. www.christies.com.
And the thing I’m eyeing next is a new tape measure by Hermès, to replace my old one. I carry this small, beautifully made leather measure with me wherever I go. £285; www.hermes.com.
A recent “find” is the tiny Japanese restaurant Nishimura in Los Angeles. It is located in a serene little garden near the Pacific Design Center and was a completely unexpected surprise. They only serve sushi there, and it is delicious. 8684 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069 (+1310-659 4770).
The site that inspires me is Louis Kahn’s National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This majestic parliamentary building is set on the water, and the scale is breathtaking. Also inspirational to me are the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut – or “Ronchamp” – by Le Corbusier, and Gaudi’s Casa Milà in Barcelona.
The best gift I’ve given recently is a 1920s Cla-Cla reading table by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, which I bought at DeLorenzo Gallery for my wife, Eva. I consider Ruhlmann to be the greatest furniture designer of all time and I used to collect his work extensively. 956 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 (+1212-249 7575; www.delorenzogallery.com).
And the best one I’ve received is a felt and leather Hermès throw that was given to me by my daughter, China, as a birthday gift. It fits beautifully over the top of a Jean Dunand lacquered table in my sitting room. www.hermes.com.
In my fridge you’ll always find assorted crudités, as well as a bottle of Krug champagne, which I regard as a great luxury. There is also a selection of ingredients for making breakfast, including eggs and Cheddar cheese for the egg-white omelettes I eat every day. www.krug.com.
The books on my bedside table are primarily about art. I am currently reading Lucio Fontana: The Artist’s Materials, about the work of this Argentine artist, and several books about Yves Klein, including Yves Klein: With the Void, Full Powers.
The last music I bought was the CD Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone. Morricone wrote the scores for nearly all of Sergio Leone’s movies, and I’m a big fan of his work. www.enniomorricone.it. www.yo-yoma.com.
An object I would never part with is an ink painting by the man I consider to be the greatest artist of the 20th century, Qi Baishi. My father was a Beijing opera actor and Qi Baishi created this “six fishes” work as a celebration of his 50 years on stage. This artwork and its inscription are incredibly special to me.
An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Basel, a wonderful city that mixes historical architecture with contemporary culture. I loved everything from its grand hotels to the efficient tram system, which reminds me of Shanghai. Among my highlights was the Renzo Piano-designed Beyeler Foundation that’s just outside the city, looking out over rolling hills. It features an incredible collection of works by Calder, Klee and Monet. Most of all, though, I like that this is a city best explored on foot, which makes for a nice change from life in Los Angeles. Baselstrasse 101, CH-4125 Riehen, Basel (+4161-645 9700; www.fondationbeyeler.ch).
The grooming staples I’m never without are Sulwhasoo’s Essential Skin Refiner and Moisturizing Fluid. I am not particular about shampoos or soaps, although I do think that the shape and size of a bar of soap matters. Aesthetics are very important to me. Essential Skin Refiner, $60, and Moisturizing Fluid, $50; us.sulwhasoo.com.
My style icon is the late actor Gary Cooper. He was beyond elegant, women loved him and his style was eternal. His sensibility, his walk and the way he carried himself are unmatched to this day.
My favourite room in my house is the “gold room”. Gold is typically vulgar, but it isn’t in this sitting room, which contains paintings by Peter Blake, sculptures and an original Murano chandelier that is quite spectacular. This space is a jewel within my house, and it is big, functional, and very well used.
The last meal that truly impressed me was at Balthazar in New York. I went for dinner recently and the restaurant was incredibly lively, and the mix of people was just right. The menu isn’t huge but they do everything so well. We had fruits de mer and steak frites – simple food, but very nostalgic and delicious. 80 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 (+1212-965 1414; www.balthazarny.com).
An indulgence I would never forego is the game of poker. I think art and poker have a lot in common: you get certain highs and lows from both, and they each force you to exercise your mind. Poker requires split-second decision-making, and I like that you play against yourself.
The one artist whose work I would collect if I could is Leonardo da Vinci. The depth and beauty of his creations is simply apart from everyone else.
The last items of clothing I added to my wardrobe were six pairs of corduroy trousers in various colours that were custom-made for me by Hermès in Paris. All of those colours might have been a mistake... 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris (+331-4017 4600; www.hermes.com).
The people I rely on for personal grooming and style are Little Joe’s in Beverly Hills for my haircuts – his modest barbershop has a lot of history to it and all of Hollywood goes to him – and George Cleverley for my bespoke shoes. George Cleverley, 13 The Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond Street, London W1 (020-7493 0443; www.gjcleverley.co.uk). Little Joe’s, 9602 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90210 (+1310-271 5363).
My favourite website is YouTube, which I like to look at because I am a very visual person. I prefer to read things in print, as I’m ancient and not well versed in computers. I am, however, young in spirit. www.youtube.com.
If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose the area surrounding the Spanish Steps in Rome. After setting off from the Hassler Hotel, I like to shop on the Via Condotti at boutiques such as Gucci. The Gagosian Gallery there is also wonderful, as is the Via Veneto nearby. This area is the heart of Rome and it makes me happy just thinking about it. Gagosian Gallery, Via Francesco Crispi 16, 00187 Rome (+3906-4208 6498; www.gagosian.com). Gucci, Via Condotti 8, 00187 Rome (+3906-6790 405; www.gucci.com). Hotel Hassler Roma, Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, 00187 Rome (+3906-699 340; www.hotelhasslerroma.com).
The best souvenir I’ve brought home is a roof tile that I found in Shanghai. I left China as a young teen so, for me, this historical tile is very personal. I consider it a powerful piece of sculpture, as it has a beautiful shape and colour.
If I didn’t live in Los Angeles, the city I would live in is Hong Kong. I just love the idea of it: the weather is great, you can eat the best food on earth and it has literally everything to offer. I like the Peninsula Hotel because it feels nostalgic, with its afternoon tea. I would love to live in The Peak area for the incredible views. Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong (+852-2920 2888; www.peninsula.com).
If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be a conductor, as I like both the precision of creating music of pure, perfect moments and the idea of rehearsals and collaboration. I would like to be Toscanini, but in a new way.
