A few women of the East and of the South, with proportions that remind us of Pythagoras’ ratios of beauty, have made it to the runways of the world’s fashion capitals and have demonstrated the ability to transcend geographical boundaries in representing luxury brands that are local or global.
     
Sun Feifei, the face that will project Shanghai Tang in an upcoming ad campaign tells The PEAK from Shanghai where she is based, that the hard work of Asia’s models have helped carve a path for gradual recognition on international catwalks, where girls of colour, or a different ethnicity, are conspicuously missing. Lakshmi Menon, 26, became the latest to appear on the cover of Vogue in India and in a 12-page shoot in the US edition. Hye Park and Du Juan, among others, have made major strides before her. 

In one of his greatest hits, Bob Dylan sings that "The Times They Are A-Changing" but the great man himself remains constant. In the '60s he became the unofficial voice of the counterculture and has since become one of the most influential and successful artists of all time.
    
As an international star in the worlds of folk and rock music he sang his way into the hearts of a generation with his distinctive voice and poetic lyrics. He is quite simply a multi-talented living legend: singer-songwriter, poet, musician, author and painter.

As a tribute to Bob Dylan, Oris has created a special edition Rectangular model, limited to just 3000 pieces worldwide. It was launched in Hong Kong in the last week of July.
    
Oris “Culture’’ Collection – Bob Dylan limited edition pieces were unveiled along with the latest pieces of Oris “Diving’’, “Aviation’’ and “Motor Sport’’ collection.
   
The stainless steel cased watches carry Bob Dylan's signature on the finely patterned dial.
  
His portrait is engraved on the case back along with the limited edition number of the watch.  A small glass window offers a glimpse of the complex mechanical movement with the famous Oris red rotor.
    
Bob Dylan has experimented in more different fields than any other artist but has always returned to his musical roots. The watch design reflects this in its use of slick modern proportions, which make it stylish rather than fashionable.
   
This exclusive Oris limited edition comes in a presentation box set with a Hohner Marine Band harmonica –     the instrument for which Dylan is best known.  The Oris Bob Dylan Limited Edition: an exception to all the rules. Solo and unplugged.

Announcing new air quality goals for Hong Kong, the government has just suggested car-free zones and a cycling network linking busy public transport hubs. Just in time, it seems. A few good incentive then, to get on our bikes. And some will want two-wheelers that reflect their lifestyle, and not the bicycle of the masses, the Flying Pigeon.
    
Here's one with a brand name and with the trimmings to match. The bike, which showcases the craftsmanship of Fendi’s Selleria line (which includes watches and handbags), has a global positioning system navigator holder, tyre covers, chains covered in leather and padlock, thermo with leather cover, mini trunk lined with Roman calf hide, side bags in gazelle fur and bicycle cover in Zucca nylon.  Everything, Fendi says, has been “cut, sewed, assembled and embroidered by hand’’. The Amante model built by Italian bike maker Abici goes on sale this month and is priced at HK$71,800. That would be a little less than the outlay for a compact car. Not for a ride in the rain, though.