Defining inner beauty with Chanel Sublimage: Olympian Yvette Kong on the power of kindness and staying true to your path
Chanel’s philosophy of integrative beauty has long held that true radiance comes from the harmony between mind, body and spirit. Grounded in five guiding principles—holistic beauty, scientific craftsmanship, sustainable innovation, mental resilience and self-care rituals that nurture emotional strength—the house continues to reimagine beauty as a profoundly personal journey of self-expression and inner harmony.
This ethos came to life at an intimate Sublimage event in Hong Kong, where guests explored the rejuvenating skincare collection infused with Vanilla Planifolia and experienced Chanel’s approach through sensory rituals, from indulgent massages to mindful fireside chats. One conversation featured Olympian Yvette Kong, whose story reflects the brand’s belief that beauty is shaped not only by appearance but also by inner alignment, purpose and emotional grounding.
Kong, founder of local education start-up, shares how her competitive swimming experience taught her the importance of discovering her purpose in life (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Kong encourages others to reflect on what they truly want versus what they feel they ‘should’ do (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
To Kong, a beautiful person is one who “can embrace kindness and compassion even after experiencing failure and pain, and [can] remain steadfast on their chosen path.” The Hong Kong swimmer, who represented the city in the 2016 Rio Olympics, was speaking to a room full of guests who had gathered for this exclusive Chanel-hosted conversation.
The former full-time athlete likened the process of cultivating inner strength to the formation of crystals and natural stones—something that takes time and pressure to reveal its brilliance.
Beauty is kindness and staying steadfast on one’s chosen path
By - Yvette Kong
Kong’s Olympic dream began when she was seven, watching the swimmers at the 2000 Sydney Games on TV. A promising junior athlete who ranked among the world’s top 25 in the short-course 100m breaststroke at the age of 16, she came heartbreakingly close to qualifying for the 2012 Olympics—missing the mark by just 0.1 second.
“Between 2011 and 2013, I hit my lowest point and lost myself,” she said. Eventually, she retreated from the pool and sought professional help for her mental health.
“I realised what drove me to swim had changed; I was so focused on the result that I forgot the joy it once brought me,” she said. Reconnecting with that childlike passion reignited her purpose. She returned to training—this time with a renewed mindset that led her to achieve her dream of representing Hong Kong at the 2016 Games.
Kong discovers Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit, Chanel’s night serum, along with other essentials from the skincare line (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Kong says she founded her own education start-up to help young people develop resilience and future skills in the era of AI (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
This turning point mirrors Chanel’s vision of beauty as a form of inner freedom—an alignment of purpose, confidence and self-acceptance. For Kong, the shift reshaped her definition of success; instead of chasing external expectations, she began focusing on what brings her meaning. “Intrinsic motivation is the most powerful and enduring force,” she said. “It doesn’t depend on fleeting external motivation and validations.”
Her words echo the spirit of Gabrielle Chanel, who once said, “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” Like Chanel, Kong believes in the boldness of living and thinking on one’s own terms—a principle that has guided her across both sports and her creative ventures in education.
She explained that discovering what your heart truly wants is a gradual process. “Ask yourself, is this something I ‘want’, or something I think I ‘should’ do?” she said. Reflecting on past experiences can reveal patterns and passions that point towards one’s purpose, too.
Sublimage L’Extrait de Crème is Chanel’s face cream designed to deeply nourish the skin for a radiant, youthful glow (Photo: Chanel)
Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit is Chanel’s serum designed to help accelerate the skin’s rejuvenating processes overnight (Photo: Chanel)
As she learnt to understand what she truly needs, she extended this mindfulness to her skincare rituals, reflecting Chanel’s belief in self-care as an act of renewal. She replenishes her skin with Sublimage L’Extrait de Crème, Chanel’s face cream designed to restore strength and radiance across all skin types.
Today, Kong extends this philosophy of self-awareness beyond her athletic career to being an educator and entrepreneur. Having taught as a lecturer at one of the world’s leading universities in the US, she founded an education startup in Hong Kong in 2025.
Through evidence-based design, data-driven insights and creativity-infused learning workshops, her company aims to build mental resilience, empathy and leadership qualities in young people—preparing them for the age of AI while guiding them to explore their own “why”. “I always ask my students, ‘What would you do if you couldn’t fail?’”
Ultimately, through her approach towards life, Kong embodies Chanel’s vision that beauty begins within—and that rituals, resilience and authenticity form the most enduring glow. “Your purpose is like a GPS for your heart and soul. No one can tell you what it is; you have to discover it on your own.”
Explore the La Fascia De Chanel. An exceptional rejuvenating and repairing treatment that acts on the look of all the skin’s youth parameters, enhanced by the signature La Fascia De Chanel massage. Contact a CHANEL Client Care Advisor to book an appointment by phone: +852 3622 5281, for more information: https://www.chanel.com/hk-en/skincare/les-soins-fascia-de-chanel/