CATE BLANCHETT AND SK II IN BEJING

Cate Blanchett and I met as if scripted in Park Hyatt, Beijing finest and priciest hotel. In fact it even seemed like a B grade movie script for we met as we both emerged simultaneously from the loo! I came out of the Gents and she from the Ladies with her chaperone and almost physically bumped into each other as we were barely a metre apart.

There she was, staring at me face to face. Not because I was so drop dead handsome she couldn't resist me but due to my bling. Exclaimed Cate Blanchett, "My god, look at your necklace!" which I took as a compliment to my sculptural golden dragon necklace coiling around my neck. I showed her my 4-inch lizard ring and the ice was broken.

The SK II family!

I was invited by SKII the world famous skincare system which contains the miracle ingredient pitera to meet Cate Blanchett. One-to-one, face-to-face in her suite which set my heart palpitating and took me hours debating what to wear since I had to slay her at first sight with my wardrobe arsenal.

Since we had already bumped into each other at the loo entrance, she was more relaxed and at ease. Inside her suite, Cate Blanchett spent 10 minutes examining my bling and created a commotion when she summoned her media manager Gary Saunders and her entire entourage to have a closer look at my jewels and my shirt, pants and bag with my face painted on them!

As proof I am not boasting or lying through my teeth, these are the photos taken by her official photographer showing her examining my outfit and accessories from top to toe. Literally too as she squealed when she saw my shoes for each shoe had 5 separate sockets so I could push one toe inside one of them! So I looked like I was wearing a rubbery sock though the soles were reinforced as these were meant for cross-country running. Cate Blanchett bent down and actually held my left foot in her hands to check out my cutesy shoes. So for the first time in my life, a superstar actually went down to hold my foot! This is something to tell my grand and great grandchildren but too bad I am not married so this branch of my family ends with me...

She did not drip with diamonds and I resembled a Xmas tree compared to her cool and classy demeanor. I explained calmly, "I can never outshine you so I am hoping to out-bling you."

Nodded Cate Blanchett, "That you have. May I have a photo with you?"

I almost fainted. This was the first time a superstar had honoured me with such a request!Two honours in one day! Thank Buddha and Jesus my heart could take it! Here is the proof as we had a photo session by her professional pixman!

For the first time in my life, a superstar had asked to have her photo taken with me. And not by anyone but her personal, professional camera with proper lighting and umbrella shades!

See, I am not bluffing. Superstar Cate Blanchett is pointing to my portrait and asking if the artist had enhanced my body as the painted version had 6-packs. I insisted that was my body and offered to remove my shirt to prove it but she declined as I knew she would, hahah!

Me and my bling as an amused Cate Blanchett looks on.

Notice her heels. No wonder I am only up to her ears!

I never realised I was so close to her! Lucky, super-lucky me! The stars in high heaven were shining on me that day in Beijing!

Cate Blanchett was particularly enthralled by my dragon bracelet.

Notice my 5-toed shoes which caught Cate Blanchett's eyes and she even held my foot in her hand to have a closer look as each of my 5 toes had a socket made for it!

Cate Blanchett says I am an endangered species just like the tiger! I must agree!

Cate Blanchett wore Christian Lacroix Couture and I wore Tiger suit by Melvin Lam Couture! Hope he is reading this.

Nicole Kidman, who I interviewed in Tokyo at an Omega party, took photos with me during our one-to-one interview but she never even asked me to email the photos we took together. I blatantly asked Cate Blanchett for her handphone in Sydney since I go there often and would love to visit her in her A$ 18 million home called Bulwarra, an 18th century mansion. She smirked sweetly and asked me to go through Gary Saunders. Oh well, I had expected as much, haha.

Cate Blanchett tends to star in stirring blockbusters like ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Elizabeth; The Golden Age’, Maid Marion in ‘Robin Hood’ and other-worldly beings like Galadriel in ‘Lord of the Rings’. An ethereal beauty and great character actress, Cate Blanchett’s new blockbuster ‘Hanna’ will be released this April, the second time she is playing a baddie since ‘Indiana Jones and Kingdom of Crystal Skull’.

Cate Blanchett was so wonderfully warm, effortlessly charming and adorably sweet she will now henceforth be referred to as Cate the Great!

In my exclusive interview which lasted 40 minutes instead of the allocated 15 minutes, Cate Blanchett revealed to me why she avoids bottled water like the plague, is happy to walk over broken glass and loves being licked by men. Yes, this is no typo error. She declared she loved being licked by men with their tongues! I know what you are thinking but hold on to your horses...

Cate Blanchett is a towering figure, both metaphorically as a great Academy Award winning actress and physically. She towers over most men, including husband Andrew Upton but with the aid of props in the form of 5-inch heels which she joking told me to write as ‘8 inches’.

SKII FOREVER!

Cate Blanchett is not a classic beauty like Elizabeth Taylor but hers is more ethereal which makes it more interesting and unusual. “Cookie-cutter beauties are a dime a dozen but Cate fascinates by catching your eye instantly with her aura,” says a SKII spokesman which explains why Cate is its global ambassador though there are nearly twenty regional ambassadors for specific countries, including actress Lee Sinje, the only one from Malaysia.

Cate Blanchett has been SKII’s face for ten years now and swears she was already using it for three before being invited to jump into the SKII bandwagon. She explains, “I had just given birth and my skin was less than lustrous. I noticed my make-up had to be thicker to cover my imperfections! Of course I was concerned as I never liked pancake make-up.Mary, my make-up artist, suggested I try SKII. I did and my complexion looked better than when I was younger!”

Continues the luminescent beauty, “I am lucky to be in a position to choose so I never endorse or lend my name to any project or product I don’t believe in. So if SKII did not work for me, I would certainly have refused to be its spokesperson. Yes I am an actress and I could be very convincing promoting SK II, but I am an ethical actress!

"I am also very concerned about our environment so am heavily involved in Australian Conservation Foundation which is devoted to protecting, restoring and sustaining the environment. I have been ambassador for www.whoonearthcares.com since 2007 and Patron of SolarAid.”

Another project dear to her heart is SKII’s ‘Clear for Life’ clean water project. “One in 8 humans does not have access to clean, drinking water and women bear the brunt of this water crisis as they are supposed to find water for the family. ‘Clear for Life’ project provides sachets to communities containing a special powdered mixture that miraculously transforms dirty, muddy water into clean, drinking water! This instant DIY that takes less than a minute and saves lives in disaster areas. I am proud to be associated with SKII which is also ecologically minded and gives back to society as a socially responsible corporate citizen."

Which brings us to the subject of bottled water. She has avoided drinking from bottled water like the plague since January last year. “Mineral or any bottled water is a waste of resources! It consumes too much energy and manpower to produce bottled water and again consumes excessive energy to get rid of plastic bottles! It is also expensive and unacceptable to transport bottled water across the globe as water is so heavy. It is outrageous. More so in major capitals and the West where drinking straight from tap water will not kill or you can just boil it. Tap water is fine and it is unforgivably wasteful to drink bottled water just to be fashionable or to show off you can afford it. Wealthy parents do a disservice to their kids by giving them bottled water as they get more teeth cavities due to lack of fluoride!”

MOVIE MANIA

Soon to be released ‘Hanna’ is about a 14-year old girl trained by her father in Finland’s frozen wilderness to be a ruthless, cold-blooded assassin. Owned by CIA, Hanna has the strength, smarts and skills of a super soldier since Daddy was former CIA top gun.

Despite all attempts by SKII and applications of its treatment essence, she could not play a 14-year old teenager so she plays Marissa Wiegler, an agent with secrets of her own (could she be Hanna’s mother?) sent to track Hanna after the kid decides to live a normal life.

Throughout 2011, Malaysians visiting Sydney can catch Cate perform live on stage at Sydney Theatre Company as superstars still relish hearing live applause from audiences.

“I don’t wish to look 25. I want to look great for my age which is 41,” declares the youthful superstar. “My current beauty discovery is SK II Mask-in Lotion which I use over or under make-up, depending which I apply first! It brings an immediate, radiant, youthful glow. My all-time favourite is of course the world famous SKII Facial Treatment Essence which forms the basis of my beauty regime. My friends all agree it takes just 7 days to make their skin crystal clear.

“In Australia, the sun is very unforgiving so I use SKII Facial Treatment UV Protection SPF 25 when I know I will be in the sun. I don’t expose my skin to the sun but I don’t avoid it totally as that would lead to Vitamin D deficiency so I allow myself indirect sunlight.”

She admits to the dilemma confronting mid-aged women. “There is a temptation to apply more and thicker make-up as we age but I keep mine natural. On screen, if you have heaps on, it acts like a mask. As an actress, acting is about revealing your emotions, not hiding them behind a mask.”

She will be reprising her role as Galadriel in ‘The Hobbit 1’ and ‘The Hobbit 2’ which begins shooting soon. “I loved making ‘Lord of the Ring’, filming in New Zealand and working with director Peter Jackson. Actually Galadriel does not appear in the book version so I don’t know what Peter wants me to do but I will walk over broken glass to do it!”

LICKED BY MEN

In 2009 she together with fellow Aussies who won Academy Awards appeared in postage stamps. “Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman and myself were honoured with ‘Australian Legends of the Screen’ series. Each of us appeared twice, one as ourselves and the other as the character that won us the Academy Award. I won playing Katharine Hepburn in ‘The Aviator’ but I asked to appear on the stamp as Queen Elizabeth I for roles in the two movies ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Elizabeth; The Golden Age’. I thought it was more relevant as we have Queen Elizabeth II on our coins.”

During the ceremony she was asked how she felt and brought the house down when she replied, “I look forward to being licked by millions of Aussie men,”

SIMPLIFYING LIFE

“I am fortunate to be offered to do exciting things so I tended to accept. Now I must show more restraint. It might upset some people but it is best to say ‘No’ at the start than be forced to say ‘No’ later. I cut my hair as it is easier to maintain and in movies, I wear wigs anyway. Finally I use SKII products for skincare and eat sensibly.”

THE END

Aimer Bra, Panty and Me!

The West has Triumph and Japan has Wacoal. As for China, it is Aimer, a relatively young brand that is already covering the private parts of millions of Chinese women!

This bra of pure 24k gold and embellished with gems costs RM 1.5 million but surely your body is worth it?

The gold chains ensure this should keep your assets in place.

The RM 3 million bra with rubies and diamonds!

This is how it looks like on you.

This floral bra is RM 2 million and is bound to make you bloom.

Note the delicate details.

The star bra is this bustier worn by Gong Li in the blockbuster Curse of the Golden Flower released in 2006. This wearable work of art is no 'supporting' role but certainly was the main lead!

Truly worthy of an empress!

Some of my superstitious friends claim the glass showcases resemble coffins!

Then again, these bras are to die for...

The big and the small...Believe it or not, these bras are in production as some women are just more loaded than others!

Me in my tiger suit which perfectly matches the rhino on the mantlepiece! Taken in Aimer's headquarters in Beijing.

Big boss and founder of Aimer, Mr Zhang Rhong Ming went to the trouble to show images of Petronas Twin Towers to welcome his friends from Malaysia!

Founded in 1993 by Zhang Rhong Ming who decided to enter the lingerie business after discovering a flexible metal that could support the bra cups in ingenious ways, Aimer is now synonymous with underwear in China.

After inventing the super elastic memory alloy, he originally wanted to sell his patented discovery and found no buyers! “I was shocked and so annoyed as I thought I had created something wonderful. But no bra manufacturer thought it was worth much so I decided the only option left was to enter the bra business myself!” grins the affable and charming Zhang Rhong Ming in his luxurious headquarters in Beijing where he greeted me warmly. He gave me a present. No, not bra and panty but men’s pyjamas as there is now Aimer Men and even Aimer Kids!

Ironically the name ‘Aimer’ which sounds so Chinese is actually derived from French meaning ‘love and favour’. Well, ‘Aimer’ sounds great in whatever language! It is flowery and short enough to remember and more importantly, pronounce. It is nearly impossible to mispronounce as the ‘r’ that is supposed to tongue-twist the Chinese is at the back and inaudible when spoken out loud.

Business boomed from the start and uplifted (pardon the pun) the morale of founder and president Zhang Rhong Ming that he opened a Lingerie Museum in 2008 to celebrate Aimer’s 15^th anniversary. The Lingerie Museum is conveniently located inside Aimer’s headquarters in Beijing where there is even a private Aimer Club for VIPs, friends and buyers which is as posh and swanky as any private club. Clients and favoured buddies get to dine, wine or play the grand piano under the rows of chandeliers. Various dining rooms ensure you can party in private.

The museum showcases the history of women’s undergarments from olden days to modern bras by Aimer which are displayed in glass showcases that according to my superstitious friend in Kuala Lumpur who saw my photos, resembled coffins! Well, these bras are to die for, especially the solid gold and platinum bras encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires! The golden bras cost around RM 1.5 million while the platinum version is a jaw-dropping RM 3 million but while your mouth may drop, your chest will be lifted like never before! I was told these metallic bras are a pleasure to wear and not at all cold and clammy as I expected but since I did not try wearing them I must take their word for it.

There are 3 such bras but even more precious in term of provenance is the bustier worn by Gong Li in the blockbuster Curse of Golden Flower. It is displayed prominently in its own room with a large photograph of Gong Li wearing it next to her husband the Emperor (played by Chow Yun Fatt) with the cast just so you know this bustier once adorned the cleavage of Gong Li!

Indeed this piece of female weaponry inspired the setting up of the Lingerie Museum!

GONG LI GOING STRONG!

The world’s most famous Chinese movie star is arguably Gong Li though Malaysia’s Datuk Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi can give her a run for the money. Her movies are credited for introducing Chinese movies to the western world but not many are aware she is also brand ambassador to Made-in-China bra manufacturer Aimer.

I had the great honour of being granted an exclusive chat with Gong Li in Beijing last October at the launch of Aimer Spring Summer 2010/2011 ‘Fascination’ collection. After the fashion show called 'FASCINATION' at China National Convention Centre next to Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, the president of Aimer took me to a private room upstairs to wait for the superstar to arrive as she had to pose for the international media before she could make her way upstairs.

First, forget about oogling over photographs of Gong Li wearing Aimer bra and panty sprawling provocatively on velvet sofas They don’t exist. Gong Li is the official face and brand ambassador for Aimer but unlike fronting jewellery, garments, shoes or make-up, she is not required to pose in skimpy lingerie. Mind you, Gong Li, 44, has a body to die for as my photos prove.

Gong Li giving her seal of approval to Aimer's Fascination Collection for 2011

Gong Li, China's answer to Elizabeth Taylor

I thought her earring was falling off but she was only adjusting it.

As Gong Li sat barely a metre from me, I asked and got this brilliant smile!

Now you know how she towered over most men!

Gong Li with president of Aimer

Zhang Rong Ming

Gong Li's full, sexy figure with magnificent cleavage does justice to Aimer's bras!

Pretty as a picture

Only 5 mainland Chinese media were allowed in this exclusive interview and I was the only foreign journalist granted this honour.

Surprisingly, Gong Li appeared to wear costume jewellery rather than Cartier diamonds.

Fit for Gong Li; a multi million ringgit solid 24-carat gold bra!

Gong Li is a classic Chinese beauty whose sultry, aristocratic looks have rocketed her to superstardom from Day One. Most Chinese feel she best represents the oriental race when it comes to projecting the quintessential oriental stereotype. Sure Datuk Michelle Yeoh is strikingly glamorous and Zhang Ziyi is prettiness personified while Maggie Cheung is the fair, languid damsel but when it comes to the concept of traditional beauty, few stars can hold a candle to Gong Li.

Even her name is in her favour. As feng shui masters and western pundits put it, ‘gong’ refers to banging a musical instrument and making a shindig as if announcing the arrival of royalty or a herald of glad tidings. It is also eminently easy to pronounce, remember and spell. Michelle Yeoh was ill advised to call herself Michelle Khan for a while as everyone assumed this Chinese was married to a Pakistani Mr Khan. As for Zhang Ziyi, not only do westerners hesitate to pronounce her name but find it impossible to spell phonetically.

As for Gong Li, the music world’s loss has been the cinematic world’s gain. In 1986 the 20 year was rejected by China’s top music school in Beijing so she tried her luck at Central Academy of Drama in the Chinese capital where she was spotted by director Zhang Yimou who cast her in Red Sorghum in 1987. It was their debut as director and actress. By the time Gong Li graduated in 1989 she was already an accomplished starlet.

The rest is cinematic history as both director and star went from strength to strength and into each other’s arms. Red Sorghum won the Golden Bear award at the 1988 Berlin Film Festival. Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern were nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards and credited with introducing Chinese movies to the western world. The Story of Qiu Ju won her Best Actress and the Golden Lion winner in the 1992 Venice Film Festival while To Live won the Grand Jury prize in the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. All her first seven films were directed by Zhang Yimou and their relationship only ended in 1995 after Shanghai Triad was released. She married Singaporean tobacco tycoon Ooi Hoe Seng the following year. The star of Memoirs of a Geisha and Miami Vice is the first Chinese actor/actress to make it on the cover of TIME magazine.

Gong Li and Zhang Yimou only resumed their working relationship in 2006 for Curse of the Golden Flower, an epic period film more famous for highlighting Gong Li’s cleavage, sumptuous garments, spectacular setting, seas of yellow chrysanthemums and lavish costumes rather than the script.

Curse of the Golden Flower also resulted in the blooming relationship between Gong Li and Aimer. Remember the fabulous yellow bustier with pink flowers that fitted Gong Li like a glove and showed her assets to maximum advantage? That was hand made by Aimer. Gong Li’s derriere caused a sensation and her bustier was a major fashion seismic event. Beams Zhang Rong Min, president and CEO of Aimer, “Actually we were second choice. The movie company commissioned a Hong Kong company to make the bustier but it proved uncomfortable and ill-fiiting. Gong Li was dissatisfied and someone recommended Aimer so they came to us.”

Zhang Rong Min brought Aimer’s creative designer Zhang Hong Yu, applauded as one of China’s Top Ten Designers (in a land of 1.5 billion, this is a major feat) to measure Gong Li.

Recalls Zhang, “Gong Li said it fitted her like a dream! That was how we met and became friends. I also felt it was time for Aimer to have a superstar brand ambassador. As Gong Li was already wearing Aimer undergarments, I asked her and I was so delighted and honoured when she agreed instantly. She has been the face of Aimer since 2008.”

REGAL GLAM

Not for nothing was Gong Li chosen to play the empress in Curse of the Golden Flower and narrowly missed out to Joan Chen for the role of last empress in The Last Emperor. Her beauty is nothing short of regal. So is her behaviour.

As she glided into China National Convention Centre for Aimer’s fashion extravaganza, she stopped at the photographers’ pit to wave and pose, looking every inch a queen. She knew it was infinitely better to pose properly for a million dollar picture than to move quickly, resulting in unflattering angles.

After the show, Gong Li strolled in elegantly in the VIP Room and said sweetly ‘Ni hau’ (‘Hope you are well’). As I sat just over a metre from her during the private chat, it was all I could do to avoid kicking her shin as I uncrossed my legs. At 44 she did not look a day older than 30 with her flawless complexion and sculpted features though her womanly figure can do with 2 kg less.

Every gesture, be it finger, body or leg, was a pleasure to watch. While speaking spontaneously, Gong Li was an old hand at conjuring magic to her adoring subjects and knew the power of body language. She laughed easily and often, smiling graciously, playing with her ring, sensuously adjusting her earrings and criss crossing her legs every now and then to reveal shocking 6 inch heels that made me reach just to her ears.

She was a vision in a magenta gown with mermaid tail specially made for her by Aimer’s Zhang Hongyu which, you guessed it, showed her cleavage to perfection. Surprisingly she did not do a Elizabeth Taylor and did not drip diamonds as might be expected. Accessorised with chunky, statement jewellery with dark stones to match her nails and shoes, she was very much at ease, deftly brushing aside personal questions about her attempts at giving birth, IVF treatment and even if she was recently divorced from her Singaporean husband last July. “This is about Aimer,” she said politely.

She sipped her cup of tea delicately, placed her hands round her knees and asked who else we were waiting for. The obvious answer was Zhang Rong Min the CEO of Aimer who was derailed downstairs by the media. So we proceeded without him though he joined us later.

My first question was why Aimer?

“I am happy to be Aimer’s spokesperson and brand ambassador because it is China’s best undergarments manufacturer and is the top rated label. I am delighted to endorse Aimer to the rest of the world. It is a responsibility I take willingly as Aimer inspires me with its quality and creative designs which are the two most important aspects. As a woman I find the packaging and presentation very attractive and aesthetically pleasing so I am happy to co-operate with Aimer in making it a global brand.”

What did she think of the show purportedly costing a hefty RM 3 million?

“It was beyond my imagination! I am so impressed with the choreography, stage, music and large number of famous foreign models that gave it an international flavour.”

Of the three themes Bold Passions, Crimson Gardens and Mystic of Rococo, which was her favourite?

Her answer came quick and pat. “I love them all,” she crooned sweetly. Probably realising this was too vacuous, she added, “I particularly like Mystic of Rococo as the designs draw their inspiration from Qing art and is rich in bold colours like purple. This luxurious and elegant series also reminds me of Curse of the Golden Flower when I first became acquainted with Aimer! To me, they best illustrate a woman’s femininity and charm. From my point of view, this collection is the best I have ever seen. It seems like the designs and creativity have already reached their peak. It will be very challenging for Aimer to do something better but as CEO Zhang told me, there might be another climax next year! So we have to wait and see.”

What does she look for when buying undergarments?

“When buying a bra, a woman will always consider cut, fit, fabric, design and most of all quality. Quality is the single most important aspect as bras and panties are very personal and make the wearer feel confident. Quality includes comfort and all women need to feel relaxed yet secure.

“Most of the designs are so beautiful and well made I feel they could be worn as outerwear! I like the shiny touches and combination of various fabrics that add exclusivity and elegance. The overall effect is very alluring.”

Aimer is Asia-centric as many believe Asian and western women have different body types. Gong Li nodded, “Our body and bone structure are different. It is difficult to fit every type of body structure to find the comfort level. In order to battle into the international level, Aimer needs to focus on the different requirements of Asians and westerners but in China, Aimer is considered the best.”

Everywhere she goes, she is the cynosure of attention. How does she project her personality?

“It’s all related to my style of the moment. I dress for the occasion. I am expected to look a certain way and I try not to disappoint my hosts. I am an actress, not a model. So my style will do the talking. It is like acting in a movie. You might remember the name of the character in the movie but not Gong Li!”

Does she get to try all Aimer lingerie?

Laughs the superstar, “Yes I do! This is part of the benefits of being Aimer’s spokeswoman. I get to wear all the new products and ranges and give my opinion if necessary.”

Since there is Aimer Men, does she buy them for her, er, husband which she is supposed to have divorced last July?

Gong Li sidesteps by remarking coolly and sweetly, “I get them as presents for my brother. Aimer Men are good products so I am happy to give them as presents to everyone. If you want one, I can get it for you now.”

What about the rumours circulating she has dumped her husband for her co-star in her latest movie Shanghai, John Cusack?

“I will not answer such questions but thank you for asking,” she smiled as her swanned out of the room.

THE END