Bonnae Gokson on style, success and spirituality
Hong Kong’s sweetheart opens up about style, business, and moreIf you’ve ever been to SEVVA, one of Hong Kong’s iconic roof top bars and restaurants, you’d have surely been impressed by the chic vibe it exudes and not to mention those views. We sit down with SEVVA’s owner and Hong Kong’s very own icon, Bonnae Gokson, who is renowned for her innate creativity and impeccable taste and style.
Sound Bites
Image is everything. The way you present yourself is your story to the world.
What is my magic? I look at things from outside of the box. God is in the details and my eyes are well trained for the smallest touches.
The New York Times named me the Queen of Cakes.
I actually don’t bake at all, I once made a banana cake, it was awful!
What I do is edit. I have always been able to edit with my eyes – I know what looks good and how things should be. I combine talent with my chefs who have skills but may not have extensive exposure. We work together as a team.
I know about how things should be. I am insistent on quality.
I was fortunate enough to be born into a very well-established family.
My daddy spoiled me – I could twist him around my little finger – and my sister (Joyce Ma, founder of Joyce Boutique) is like my “Auntie Mame”, my best friend and my mommy.
Sure, I was spoiled, but I never felt like I was a princess. Although, when I took my classmates home some would say “Wow.”
Since I was a little girl I was exposed to stylish and interesting travels. I am fortunate to have had a pampered life.
My family threw large parties so I have always known what to do. Things don’t always have to be the most expensive or the best. It’s about cohesion, heart and vision.
I am spiritual and very holistic. In business I am always true to myself. Everything is a cycle. I believe in God.
I went through a Kabbalah formation a few years ago. That was when changed my name from Bonnie to Bonnae.
Take some time for yourself; learn how to listen to silence. Nature cleans out your negative thoughts.
Luxury is time, not a handbag.
Business
I love what I do. Even when I am travelling I get inspired with things that will enhance my business. It’s not really work for me as it’s my pleasure to seek for what is nice and new.
I’m a tough boss, but I’ve got a soft heart.
Organising men? I’d like to be sweet and coy the whole time but I can’t. Most of my team are men, and sometimes they can be tricky. I am very stern when I need to be.
I was brought up with the British government. All the puddings, manners and tradition – I am not intimidated by any of that.
Initially I was going to bring Ladurée, the French patisserie to Hong Kong. But friends said ‘why do all this work to build someone else’s brand?’
One door closes, another opens. As soon as I let the Ladurée plan go and allowed myself some time to meditate a new path appeared for me.
It is so interesting how opportunities come about in life, I have one of the greatest honours in my life, to be invited by the central government of China to work on a very exciting project. You just never know…
I am very hands-on and I need to know everything. Every single thing – from food, staffing issues, the manners and attire. I design the uniforms as everything has to be the correct image for the company. There is never a dull moment and that’s how I choose to run my business. Being hands-on with passion is surely the way to go for me…
I have a big personality, I love life and I love discovering new things. Never stop learning, no matter how old you get.
My work and my life are the same. I love what I do, even when I am travelling I think about my business. What’s happening? Would this idea work? Am I excited to channel new ideas?
The only thing I hate – and it comes once a month – is signing cheques. I hate it. I get a whole suitcase stack of cheques I have to sign every month. The big costs – rent, staff, ingredients – I have no problem with. But how do we spend so much on the maintenance of our fresh vertical garden walls? It amazes me. But then, guess what? We do it again next month.
How old am I? I always say, forever 29. (Laughs)
I love Hong Kong. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world. If you want to get something done here, you can do it fast.
Fashion
When I went into Coco Chanel’s apartment in Paris, it reminded me of going up to see Auntie Daphne’s penthouse flat in our home in Stanley.
Chanel was a Leo, I myself am a Leo; her lucky number was five, my multiples of lucky numbers include five. I said to Joyce, ‘Hey, it’s like I’m living in her spirit, whatever’.
Dining
All kinds of people come to SEVVA. Not just rich, we have artists, nomads, whatever. This is something I am very proud of.
Seva is Sanskrit for “selfless service”. At Ashrams I do seva in the kitchens. It is living a life that is a benefit to others. I added another “v” to my restaurant’s name SEVVA because our tagline is “savour the moment”. Pronounce it “savour”.
Royalty have been coming to SEVVA for many years but we keep them anonymous. Even so, bodyguards search the entire building before they come.
JLo came for dinner with her family after her concert at the arena. We all loved her. There should be no shortcuts in fine dining. Even the most ordinary of dishes must involve the finest ingredients.
George and Amal Clooney’s wedding was a beautiful event but I thought ‘Oh I could have designed a better cake than that’.
Tiny details go a long way. Small example: The red colour you see in our cakes comes from beetroot. Other bakeries would simply use food colouring.
Books
To win so many awards with my first book (Butterflies and Sweet Things) was an honour. You can imagine how many coffee table books they had to look at to pick one. But to me this is more than a book, it’s a piece of art which took two years. I executed every single page.
A butterfly has a very short life – our cakes are like that, we don’t use any preservatives so they last around two days.
Oprah Winfrey congratulated me. My books are playful. With all the bad news in the world, wouldn’t you rather spend your time looking at something happy?
Life
Timing is the most important thing in life. Everything relies on timing. You may meet the most amazing person, but if the timing is wrong, nothing will work.
My motto in life is to have respect for others and be thankful. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Freedom to do what you like is a luxury.
