Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong inspires Range of Hermès Tableware

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has provided inspiration for a new range of tableware by Hermès. Called Les Poèmes du Mandarin this 18-piece china collection will be used in the hotel’s exclusive Krug Room restaurant from 20 October 2008.

“This is a historical partnership of three of the world’s most prestigious luxury names: Mandarin Oriental, Hermès and Krug,” said General Manager Peter French. “This is the first time Hermès has created a range of tableware so closely linked to a specific place, and we believe that The Krug Room, which is one of one of the world’s most elite private dining rooms, is the perfect setting for the new china.”

The Krug Room at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, is one of only two in the world and was created so that guests can discover the world’s most prestigious champagne in a sophisticated and private dining space. Fittingly, each item in the tableware range features artist Fung Ming Chip’s beautiful calligraphy relating poems of friendship, drinking and merry-making by the renowned poets Li Bai, Ch’eng Hao, Yuan Lie and Du Fu.

The exquisite Chinese calligraphy on the Les Poèmes du Mandarin collection subtly evokes bubbles rising in a glass of champagne. This was then carefully re-interpreted by Hong Kong-based Marc & Chantal Design to create a sense of movement and water effects on the ceramic. The skill and dexterity of Hermès craftsmen are on full display in the rendering of the ink, which glistens as though still wet and just applied.

The Krug Room accommodates a maximum of ten guests who enjoy pairings of exquisite Krug champagnes with the finest gourmet fare skilfully prepared by Executive Chef Uwe Opocensky. To mark the autumn launch of Les Poèmes du Mandarin, chef Uwe will create an exciting and innovative dégustation menu that will both intrigue and delight.

The range will be in use at The Krug Room from October when it will also be available for purchase in the USA, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Japan and Indonesia. However, keen shoppers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand will have a little longer to wait. Les Poèmes du Mandarin will be available at selected Hermès stores in these countries from early 2009.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Promotions, New Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong