I went to see the new hit romantic comedy movie Crazy Rich Asians just a few days ago with no preconceptions of what it was all about. Ended up thoroughly enjoying this funny and engaging movie. While it had all the elements of a typical rom com, it is also a satire about the over-the-top conspicuous consumption of the super rich. Much has been said about how refreshing it was to see an all Asian cast - all of whom are from incredibly diverse backgrounds themselves - but you don't have to be Asian to recognize the universal longing for love and acceptance for who you are, and not where you're from or who your family is.
The movie is based on the best selling book trilogy by Singaporean-American, Kevin Kwan. Both the author and director Jon M. Chu paid extraordinary attention to detail for the big screen adaptation of the first book. A story about the unbelievably wealthy needed to show opulence through sumptuous locales, designer gowns, suits and naturally, luxury jewelry.
Trailer :
Costumes and Jewelry
The costume designer, Mary Vogt, put together haute couture designs and jewelry to suit every character in the movie. Some of the costumes were from the likes of Dolce and Gabbana, Marchessa,Stella McCartney, Christian Dior and local designers such as Carven Ong.
All the major characters wore real jewelry while minor characters were decked out in costume jewelry.
Hong Kong based Michelle Ong of Carnet ( mentioned in book) designed this amazing (and large) brooch worn by the matriarch of the family (played by veteran actress, 91-year-old Lisa Lu of The Last Emperor fame).
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| Sun Kissed Brooch by Carnet : White and fancy diamonds set in platinum and 18 K yellow gold |
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| Warner Brothers |
Mary Vogt was also able to borrow pieces from high end jewelers like Mouawad, Chopard and Bulgari. Pieces like these are not typically rented out. As you can imagine security was tight on set and loans had specified end dates when the jewelry had to return to vaults.
The toughest piece to get right was the large emerald and diamond ring worn by another veteran actress, Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). It plays a role in the movie's narrative. What they had in mind just wasn't good enough until the actress offered her own ring! Michelle is also an ambassador for the luxury watches by Richard Mille. She wears hers in the movie :
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| Michelle Yeoh in Elie Saab tulle dress and coat Photo :Warner Brothers |
A watch gift features briefly in the movie, too. There was a frantic search for a collector of an iconic watch willing to loan it for the movie. Eric Wind (perfect name!), a watch specialist at Christie's, came through with a Rolex Daytona. Not just any Rolex Daytona but from the rarest series with the "Paul Newman" dial denoted by these reference numbers - 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265. (Paul Newman's 6239 sold for $17.8 million).
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| Rolex Daytona series 6263 with the Paul Newman dial |
There were other "jewels" in the movie including historical gems. Nick Young, the lead male character, is supposed to come from an old money Peranakan family. Peranakan or descendants of Straits born Chinese who were early settlers in the area. Kevin Kwan, the author, is a Peranakan. (I, too am Peranakan but we were poor!)
The movie shows many extras in the wedding scene dressed in the traditional Peranakan nonya kebaya formal wear much like my grandmother, my Ah Mah, created and wore (see my past post on 100 Years of South East Asian Nonya Embroidery). Some of the scenes showing historical architecture are Peranakan in style.
The movie was shot in both Malaysia and Singapore. Here are some jewels from the movie where you can visit if you were ever out that way.
Raffles Hotel, Singapore - the historic colonial era hotel where the cocktail, Singapore Gin Sling, was created. I was lucky enough to be treated to lunch there many years ago. I wonder if they are still using the same decades old silverware stamped with "By Appointment to His Majesty the King" I used?
Old shophouses in Bukit Pasoh, Singapore which is now a conservation site. The Peranakans introduced some art deco elements into their unique fusion cultural style.
The 19th century Chijmes, Singapore (pronounced as Chimes) began as a Catholic convent. It was where the wedding took place in the movie.
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Singapore is also an ultra modern city. Some of the following photos are my own. Changi International airport is an incredible place, a model of what an airport can be. Shown below is a tiny glimpse!
One of my favorite places is well featured in the movie - the Marina Sands Bay area with its distinctive 3 towered hotel. The whole area is spectacular at night.
Nearby is the fabulous Gardens by the Bay with the Supertree Grove. Singapore is tropical so it is humid and hot be on the walkways!
There are two nearby giant (note : air conditioned) conservatories. The Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest look really small in the movie. The Cloud Forest has a 7 storey high waterfall and orchid encrusted, misty "lost world" called Cloud Mountain!
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| Cloud Forest entrance |
That part of the world is a foodie's paradise. I have never eaten at Newton Square where one scene was filmed but there are many others like it in Singapore and Malaysia. People eat out a lot especially in the evenings when it is cooler!
Langkawi Island, Malaysia :
The 19th century heritage building, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Penang, Malaysia. The interior served as the mahjong parlor in the movie.
References
Before You Go:
- Amazing Costume and Jewelry Designs from the Black Panther Movie
- Cathy Waterman's Jewelry for Snow White and the Huntsman
- Amazing Bead Embroidery from the Game of Thrones Series
Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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Lovely article. Thank you for opening my eyes to another world!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you enjoyed my article. I had so much fun researching for it.
DeleteWhy am I not surprised that you like this movie?! It's fun to see you gush over something in public (not just between us).
ReplyDeleteI think you are lucky to have your heritage Pearl. Your life experiences are much more interesting then mine by far (except for the snakes).
Being able to have tea in Raffles - oh my. Seeing that incredible hotel that looks like a cruise ship landed on three stilts and the conservatories - oh my my!
I doubt very much if Singapore is on our list of affordable places to visit. I would need to get a job to be able to travel to a place like that!
When we were in Honolulu this past Christmas I noticed that everything was geared for people with money. Looking around it wasn't us - that's for sure. It was all the Asians who flock to Hawaii. The jewelry on display and in the stores was mind boggling. The clothes - the accessories - all for the people with money - the Asians. It was just so outrageously expensive but also wonderful to look at.
I like to buy a purse from the places we visit. I found one in Honolulu that I absolutely loved. It was apparently one of two made by Fendi. It was $6700.00! The salesman so casually offered it to me and I was not dressed in my finest at all! I had to turn it down. My husband watched me carefully to see if I was being swayed over the edge when I held it. LOL!
It was incredible and studded with faux gems. I had to thank the man and walk away. I thought I could buy a used car and get more use out of it than with that purse. I did manage to find something vaguely similar for $150 that I brought home. I should send you pics.
That was probably the top price I saw for a purse there. Many were $2000 - $4500. For a purse.
The jewelry was mind-boggling. It took your breath away. I wandered around wondering who could afford these prices until I looked up and realized that we were in the minority. Everyone was mostly Asian and covered in gold jewelry and name brand clothing. They all had that understated wealthy look to them. Those simple sheaths that glimmered and clung to their bodies. I felt like a cow who had been set down in a field of willows the entire time. And a poor cow at that!
I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie. I love looking for the jewelry in movies.
Another good place to see spectacular jewelry is on the tv show Frankie and Grace. Oh my! Frankie wears the most amazing jewelry and I'm often so taken with seeing how it's made that I miss what's going on! You must have a look!
Thanks for this Pearl (and letting me ramble here).....
I just couldn't imagine paying that much for a purse. I haven't read the books yet but they are a satire on the excesses of the ultra rich.
DeleteLoved the movie and had no idea about those jewels and watch. thanks for adding to my knowledge of it.
ReplyDeleteNeither did I until I started to read more about the "props"!!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing not only the movie but your cultural heritage and background. I lived on Okinawa for almost 3 years and made several trips to Hong Kong,Thailand, and Taiwan. The Chinese culture has long held fascination and curiosity for me. I enjoyed the "100 Years..." article as well. Now nice to learn more about one of my favorite people. Thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words and for appreciating what I share. I do hope you get a chance to see the movie.
DeleteThat sounds like a really fascinating movie. I am not sure if it is released in India but I'll check it out. Talking about grand jewelry in Asian movies - here are two more Indian movies for you from the point of view of Grandeur (costumes, sets and jewelry). They are Bahubali (1&2) and Padmavat. The first is a historical fiction where you can see a variety of Indian traditional textiles and the second is about Alauddin Khilji and Princess Padmavati where you can see traditional Rajput fare.
ReplyDeleteHope you can catch it sometime. Thanks for letting me know about the other two Indian movies. I wonder if Netflix will ever show them as they did the Akhbar movie.
DeletePearl -
ReplyDeleteThanks for the movie review - I was wondering whether I would enjoy this movie - and I believe the answer is "yes". I know nothing about Singapore but it sure seems like a magical city. Can't wait to see the jewels. Also, a 'thank you' to your friend for the info about the jewelry on Frankie and Grace.
This was fascinating! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete