hong kong tatler. september 2017 191
CECIL CHAO
2017 / 1999“I never actually smoked, but held
the cigar as a prop,” says Cecil of his
November 1999 cover shoot at Villa
Cecil, his Pokfulam bachelor pad.
Eighteen years later, we’re back to
recreate the shot—this time with a glass
of whisky in hand. “Despite my party boy
image, I actually don’t drink much either,
just a little bit of wine,” he says. Has he
changed a lot since the original photo
was taken? “On the outside, of course,
but on the inside I haven’t changed at all.
I still have the same amount of energy.
The only difference is that these days
I channel most of it towards work and
exercise instead of partying.”THEN
NOW