Pascal and Sylvie de Sarthe, founders, de Sarthe Gallery in Central

French inspiration is helping propel Hong Kong’s ascension as a world-class creative city. With 2012 designated as Hong Kong Design Year, the timing of entrepreneurs and SME operators bringing the legendary French creativity to Hong Kong has never been better.

Among the 15,000 some French people who feel drawn to call Hong Kong home is Pascal de Sarthe, who with his wife, Sylvie, founded the de Sarthe Gallery in Central. After setting up his original gallery in Paris in 1977, followed by years of travelling the world as a fine art advisor and exhibition curator, and setting up galleries in the United States, Mr de Sarthe realised that most of his clientele was coming from Asia. 

	A Bernar Venet installation at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Museum of Art piazzas, 3-21 May, courtesy de Sarthe Gallery
	Tokyo’s Soul by Jaume Plensa, exhibited at Art HK by de Sarthe Gallery

“When looking at what would be the best hub in the Asian region, Hong Kong was a natural choice for us,” he said. “Geographically, Hong Kong is perfect, being just a few hours away from all major cities in the region. Tax-wise, it is favourable for business, and there are no hassles in setting up.” 

With most of his clients coming to Hong Kong on business, the location suited them, too, said Mr de Sarthe, who has been joined in the business by the couple’s son, Vincent, who is based in New York City. 

Synergy in the City

De Sarthe Gallery has access to an international art market ranging from impressionism to modern, abstract expressionism, to pop art and contemporary masters. Its latest exhibitions include an installation at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Museum of Art piazzas, and a selection of work at Art HK, the Hong Kong International Art Fair (17-20 May), where one sale was made in the lead-up to the fair. In true multicultural spirit, the gallery conducts business in French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and English. 

Mr de Sarthe is “very excited” about such creative initiatives as Art HK, which “brings good synergy to the city.” 

Lighting Hong Kong

Bertrand Rascle, founder, Paris Design Ltd

“Our lighting, video design and technical management services can be offered for any cultural or architectural projects, events such as fashion shows, luxury or new-product launches, meetings with themes, festivals, exhibitions, shows and entertainment,” he said.

“I wanted to develop these services in Hong Kong because I believe we are at the beginning of a new story about design in this city. It will take maybe a few years to reach the same level of design inclinations as in European capitals, but the need will grow and become more and more important in the coming years,” Mr Rascle said. 

	Paris Design brings the French touch to audio-visual productions in Hong Kong

Timely Venture

Chinese consumer passion for high-end watches inspired Adrien Choux to launch The Chinese Timekeeper, the first purveyor of exclusive Chinese timepieces.

The Frenchman moved to Shanghai, while studying business management at university. His career took him to Taipei, Sydney and finally Hong Kong, working for luxury group Richemont, then luxury Italian watch brand Panerai. It was there that he gained knowledge of luxury watches, as well as a clear understanding of the importance of marketing and communication in building a brand or product.

“One day during a casual conversation with a friend, we dreamed about creating our own brand,” Mr Choux said. “I went home and started to think about it very carefully. Although all the players – and I really mean 98 per cent of them – in the luxury industry never believed in the chance of building a Chinese luxury brand, I saw a different opportunity.

Adrien Choux, Managing Director, The Chinese Timekeeper

Greater China and Singapore, he noted, are the world’s biggest watch markets, adding that many “Swiss-made” timepieces are already being made in China, then assembled in Switzerland, “so the quality is good.”

Hong Kong was chosen as the launch pad, he said, “because of the vibrancy and design inspiration that exists here. The city is efficient and business-driven, with low taxes and a hard-working mindset. We are also at the door to China, making Hong Kong one of the best places in the world to start a business.”

	The Chinese Timekeeper is Hong Kong’s first boutique selling luxury Chinese watches

Natural Attraction

Mr Choux said he loves the Hong Kong lifestyle, especially having so many natural attractions – hiking, camping, boating – right on the city’s doorstep.

Being an entrepreneur in a tight economy is not the easiest of roads, but he’s encouraged by the thriving economies of Hong Kong and the rest of Asia.

“It would be great for everyone if the US and Europe could also be moving in the same direction. The main difference is in the attitude: Hong Kong is a ‘yes, you can do it’ kind of place, while Europe tends to have more of a ‘no, you will fail’ mentality: not so encouraging when you are about to risk it all to start something.”

Related Links
de Sarthe Gallery
Paris Design
The Chinese Timekeeper