Tina Liu

Tina Liu to some, but on the Hong Kong scene she’s probably better known as “The First Lady of Looking Good”, an apt sobriquet for a woman whose four-decade-long career includes stints in film, television, radio, music, stage, publishing and fashion retail, not to mention leaving a lasting contribution on the city’s cultural landscape along the way. Although Liu started out as an actress, singer and host with TVB, she made a name for herself in the ’80s and ’90s as executive director of the trailblazing City Magazine. The covers she styled remain so influential that they’re now in collections of the M+ and Hong Kong Heritage museums. Now she’s focused on preserving Hong Kong’s film and costume culture through curating exhibitions, publishing books (seven so far) and producing documentaries. She’s currently vice chairperson of the Hong Kong Film Art Association, a board member of the Hong Kong Film Awards, an honorary committee member of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes’ Guild and an advisor to the Hong Kong Design Institute, yet still finds time for self-discovery. Liu never considered herself good at drawing, but this year, after two months of daily practice, she’s mastered the skill sufficiently to impress her artist friends. “Discovery and realisation of one’s potential is never finished and ever so much fun,” she says. Above all, Liu cites her greatest achievement as being a mother to daughter, Yoyo Sham, now an accomplished singer- songwriter.