Kitty Go is brilliant at telling stories that effect impact. She is the very embodiment of an empowered and well-informed female voice. Her body of work, whether in the form of an article, blog post or book, is a study on how platforms can be best used to shed light on truth. After an illustrious career in publishing both in Manila and Hong Kong, she now devotes most of her time to art and impact investments. The latter, generating profit to support social and environmental initiatives in communities around the globe. She shares, “I have been in the English language media covering lifestyle, including art and auctions from Hong Kong for 20 years. When I realized print and the popularity of the English media was dying, I looked into art and impact investing.” In this special feature, the style icon takes us with her to virtual art fairs, ski trips to the French alps and laid back afternoons in her Hong Kong flat with her two rescue dogs.
- What keeps you busy these days?
“As an art investor I still get to view pieces online thru private dealers or virtual art fairs. We are lucky in HK because art galleries are still open so I am at HQueen and Hollywood Road a lot.”
- What is it about your work or career that you enjoy most?
Pre-COVID, it was the travel and having a diverse social network—from tycoons to village teachers, art collectors to trauma victims. I also like the “shock” to the system that I get when I go to completely different places. I learn something every time.
- What do you consider to be “hazards of the job?”
In Iran it’s sometimes forgetting to cover my head. It’s the equivalent of us forgetting to wear masks in public. In Cambodia, the heat and land mines. For art fairs, it’s holding my breath and starving just to fit into Alaia without Spanx.
- For women who aspire for similar careers, what would be your advice?
Don’t do it! Hahahaha! This is not for someone who wants a guarantee of leaving money for the next generation. But you will have a lot of stories.
I’m just starting this career, so ask me again in five to 10 years. These are relatively new investment sectors so I guess one has to be brave but informed.
- What are the career milestones that inspire you to break the glass or mold?
What I am doing does not break a glass ceiling as much as journey into new markets territorially in terms of countries. Materially, in terms of art sectors, impact businesses and technologically with investments in block chain and crypto currencies.
- How do you balance work and family life? What are activities that enable you to bond with family?
No family, only dogs. Childless by choice.
- How do you unwind or rewind? Any favorite spots in your current city that you consider as your me-time haven?
I have created a haven of joy and pleasure in my HK flat in, which I really enjoy spending time in by myself with my two rescue dogs. I also make a point to entertain at least once a month.
- How would you describe your personal style? What are three your wardrobe essentials
My style changes depending on where I am and what I am doing. In the art world, I wear Alaia, Stella McCartney and Galvan suits.
When I visit projects in developing countries I wear something presentable that is colourful, washable and comfortable-- cotton shirts and shorts from Villebrequin and Double J.
The three brands that have proven themselves from being stranded in winter to work-from-home are The Row, Loro Piana and Church’s shoes.
- What for you makes for a good investment piece?
- Do pearls play a role in your life and what does it mean to you?
South Sea Pearls do play a big part in my life. I wear ear studs everyday of either white or champagne South Sea Pearls. In fact, I still have and wear the first pair my mother gave me 40 years ago.
I also wear pearl necklaces piled up or combined with coral or jade.
