Balmy evenings, pulsating rhythms and twilight’s glow converge on Shin Hing Street, Central, a quaint thoroughfare distinguished by its charming staircase and reputation as a hub for hip cafes, award-winning bars and innovative restaurants. On one particularly sultry summer evening, this eclectic area was transformed into an extraordinary celebration—a harmonious blend of music, food and artistic expression, all steeped in Chanel’s unmistakable elegance.
This transformation marked the Chanel Summer Tour’s Hong Kong stopover, the latest in a series of global events. The tour, which debuted in 2022 in Saint-Tropez, has since graced Marbella, the Hamptons and Bangkok before arriving in our city. At its core, the event shines a spotlight on local creatives and musicians. To bring this vision to life across these diverse locations, the house entrusted the multi-talented Caroline de Maigret as event curator, leveraging her unique blend of expertise as a model, music producer and writer.
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Caroline de Maigret, model, writer, music producer and curator of Chanel Summer Tour (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
It is perhaps not surprising that Chanel, known for collaborating with uniquely talented individuals, found a kindred spirit in de Maigret. Born in 1975, she began her modelling career in the 1990s, working with prestigious photographers such as Peter Lindbergh and Mario Testino. In 2006, she co-founded the music label Bonus Tracks Records, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the arts. Her creative journey expanded further when she co-authored the international bestseller How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are in 2014, offering witty insights into French culture and style. De Maigret’s distinctive personal style and cultural influence ultimately led to collaborations with Chanel, solidifying her status as a brand ambassador and style icon.
“Chanel has always maintained a strong relationship with the arts,” says de Maigret, as we converse amid the century-old tong lau buildings (Hong Kong’s traditional walk-up buildings) and modern restaurant facades—a juxtaposition that defines Shin Hing Street’s unique character. “As Gabrielle Chanel was a keen patron of various artistic disciplines, consistently encouraging collaborations between fashion and all forms of creative expression—this belief really shines when music and summer come together.”
Chanel Summer Tour transformed Shin Hing Street in Sheung Wan, into a vibrant block party (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel Summer Tour transformed Shin Hing Street in Sheung Wan, into a vibrant block party (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
Graffiti artist Lousy performed two graffiti paintings at the event (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
Graffiti artist Lousy performed two graffiti paintings at the event (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
A café was transformed into a retro vinyl store (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
DJ and music producer Jerry Haha at a pop up karaoke bar (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
Chanel upholds this belief and exemplifies it across various facets of its creations. The annual Métiers d’art collection bridges French savoir-faire with the culture of each destination, collaborating closely with local institutions and creative luminaries. Chanel Connects podcast series features a star-studded lineup of writers, artists and thought leaders exchanging ideas that can shape our contemporary culture. Chanel’s recent support for the Paris Opera Ballet has resulted in specially designed costumes for a ballet envisioned by choreographer Nicolas Paul.
The Chanel Summer Tour, meanwhile, embeds itself in the community—as evidenced by its choice of venue. Nestled among towering business skyscrapers and historic architecture, Shin Hing Street perfectly captures Hong Kong’s unique blend of old and new. “I am always fascinated by the co-existence of history and modernity [in Hong Kong] in such a compact way,” says de Maigret, whose last visit was six years ago. She remains impressed by Hong Kong’s bustling energy. “It feels like everyone is crafting something every moment. I mean… do you ever sleep?”
Rapper Dough-Boy (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
Performers took the stage at Chanel Summer Tour (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
English singer Griff (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
DJ set at pop-up vinyl store (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
DJ set at Coa, transformed for one night as cocktail lounge for Chanel Summer Tour (Photo: courtesy of Chanel)
The overnight transformation of Shin Hing Street might be the answer to that. In less than 24 hours, the street was transformed into a festive thoroughfare with shops reimagined. Coa, ranked No. 4 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list this year, was converted into a Chanel-themed cocktail lounge; a cafe became a retro vinyl pop-up, and a karaoke bar was set up in another space. Every staple in the area offered its signature and exquisite small bites, house-brewed beverages and hand-picked wines, creating a heady mix of local flavours and Chanel’s signature sophistication.
But it was the fusion of creativity that truly ignited the spirit of the celebration. Open-air concerts featuring English singer Griff— who shared the stage with local musicians like singer-songwriter Cehryl, rappers Dough-Boy and Tommy Grooves—filled the air with eclectic melodies. Meanwhile, DJ sets and graffiti art performances by Lousy enlivened the street throughout the night, creating a dynamic and immersive atmosphere.
English singer Griff (courtesy of Chanel)
English singer Griff (courtesy of Chanel)
“I had such an amazing time curating this event,” says de Maigret. “When I was searching for [Hong Kong] artists, the selection was incredibly eclectic. We have an impressive lineup of musicians and artists, which, to me, truly captures the essence of Hong Kong. The diversity and energy of the performances made it so fun to play with.”
The Chanel Summer Tour, in de Maigret’s view, brings together two art forms that constantly influence each other. “Fashion, like music, is a language of its own. From rock and roll to punk, leather, jeans, grunge and hip-hop, these styles inspire and influence each other. It’s all about style and rhythm, whether expressed through clothing or sound, it’s expressing identity and passion.”
And it was this eclectic mix of talents that Maigret believes represents what Hong Kong truly is—“a dynamic fusion of local and international influences, all coming together in a celebration of creativity”.
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