What makes some of these local or global creatives tick? In this weekly column, Eugene Teo, Brand Director of Chez Vous, shares his favourite things.
1. Travelling: I live to travel. It’s the one thing that keeps me going, and I make it a point to travel at least 6 times a year to stay recharged and sane.
Besides keeping myself happy, travelling enables me to see things from a different perspective, especially at times when I am faced with a creative block.
My number one travel destination (as of now), is definitely the Faroe Islands, hands down. Most countries require us to move from one attraction to the other. But, from the moment you step out of the Faroe Islands’ airport, everywhere you look is an attraction. Yes, it is that beautiful.
Photos of the Faroe Islands by Eugene.
From left, Hiking in Jeju (South Korea), Hiking in Jungfrau Region (Switzerland), and Hiking in Prekestolen (Norway).
2. Hiking: I never would have thought that someone who’s a couch potato like myself would fall in love with hiking. I used to love cities – London, Tokyo and Seoul. But, my travel to the Faroe Islands changed everything.
Hiking keeps my mind away from distractions. Many ideas I had for the business were “generated” after a hike.
Now, I travel once a year simply to hike. I have been to Prekestolen (Norway), Jungfrau Region (Switzerland), Jeju (South Korea) and Dolomites Region (Italy). My plan for next year is definitely to go to New Zealand. Can’t wait!
Photos by Eugene.
From left: PAPAYA Design Furniture & Studio (Bangkok) and Tattoo Lounge at The Siam Hotel (Bangkok).
3. Bangkok: I am a half (self-proclaimed) Bangkokian – I guess. I travel to Bangkok once every four months for the past 12 years, and it (still) never fails to amaze me. I am always surprised by how dynamic the place is. This city inspires me constantly – from the dining and art scene to the interior and fashion designs.
My top recommendation for fashion is Theatre Bangkok. Restaurant wise (for now), 80/20 Eighty Twenty.
Photos by Eugene.
4. Good Design: I am always attracted to good and unique designs. During my travels, I always make it a point to visit sites that are recommended by the locals for their absurd designs. For example, places like Sketch (London), Hidden Hour (Seoul) and The Standard Hotel (Bangkok) have inspired me immensely when it comes to designing Chez Vous: Private Space – our latest concept hair salon.
Instead of engaging an interior designer, the interior for Chez Vous: Private Space is designed by us, from scratch. The salon houses ten individually-designed rooms (similar to the different zones of Ader Error flagship store in Seoul) and eight semi-enclosed cabins (inspired by the cafes in Jeju), for guests to do their hair in complete privacy.
First two pictures: Dado at Jeju (South Korea) and far right: Uttteureu Woori Pork Jeju (South Korea).
5. Food: As a true-blue Singaporean, dining and searching for good food is one of my favourite pastimes. I enjoy sharing my “findings” with family, friends, and customers.
Photos by Eugene.
6. Brand Creation: In my opinion, I don’t think I am creative, but I do love to create. This explains why I quit my banking job to join a brand agency in 2013 before heading to Chez Vous group the following year.
I am extremely blessed to be in a company that gives me free rein when it comes to brand creation. My two “babies” in recent years are Chez Vous: HideAway and Chez Vous: Private Space hair salon.
Chez Vous: HideAway is the first concept-testing hair salon in Singapore that aims to revolutionize the way people think of a salon experience. Aside from the comprehensive menu of hair services with ultra-transparent tiered pricing, guests can enjoy a whole host of value-added and experimental “spa”-like touches – in a highly Instagrammable setting. It’s somewhat inspired by the Museum of Selfies and Away Spa at W Bali.
Whereas Chez Vous: Private Space is the first personal-pods-only hair salon inspired by renowned Business Class cabins on premium airlines. At Chez Vous: Private Space, guests will have a personal sanctuary to indulge, in on their own terms. A tea room? A cinema? A meditation booth? Or an office? Yes, a space that’s all theirs & there’s nothing quite like it.
As you can see, many of my business ideas are inspired by my travels, chatting with people and day-to-day experiences. Have I ever created something genuinely novel? I don’t think so. But I do like to put ideas together to create a highly differentiated brand for our customers and one that I can be truly proud of.
7. Therapy: During the Covid-19 pandemic, everything (including my work) come to a halt. For the first time in 10 years, I didn’t know what to do. That’s when I realised my mind had been working non-stop, unknowingly. It sounds crazy, but I felt lost and strangely anxious about the thought of doing nothing.
That’s when I tried therapy and counselling – partly thanks to Louis Litt in the TV show, Suits, for advocating it.
Now, I am an “addict”. I make it a point to visit my therapist once a month. It serves as an outlet for me and helps me care for my mental health. It feels like a spa for my mind.
Pictures from Eugene’s visit to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, Shangri-la (China).
8. Meditation: Ever since I started caring for my own mental health (with pride), I have also tried meditation using apps like Calm, Tide and Headspace. I don’t know about others, but it has worked well for me in times of anxiety and insomnia.
In hopes of more people being receptive to them, I have “secretly” added meditative audio guides in each tablet at Chez Vous: Private Space for each guest to try while waiting for their hair to process.
Photos by Eugene.
9. Colouring: This was introduced to me by my therapist to keep my mind focus on the now, rather than thinking about the future or worrying about the past. Strangely, a simple activity like colouring a Millie Marotta’s book can help keep one grounded and free from anxiety.
It has helped me in many ways which is why I have included this as a value-added service customers can request at Chez Vous: Private Space if they ever need to unwind and de-stress.
Photos by Eugene.
From left: Cinque Terre (Italy) and right: Reading by the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro).
10. Reading: Another top favourite activity that has successfully kept me grounded and centred is reading. My friends tend to mock me for spending hours and days during my holidays reading. In their words, it’s a waste of money. However, that’s one of the best experiences I’ve had.
Imagine seating by the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro or a beach at Cinque Terre in Italy, reading Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy Series written by Kevin Kwan, while enjoying tea, I will pay to do that again.
Photos by Eugene.
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our December/January 2023 issue!
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