Profile
For events Czar, beguiling looks work
By Lara Farrar (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-26 08:02
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Australian ex-model Tim Leung never fails to look hot despite his tight schedule. Provided to China Daily |
Boy from Oz, a former model, now caters to the stars in Beijing
It's 9:30 on a Thursday night at the Loong Bar in the J.W. Marriott Hotel. Tim Leung is there and he is tired. It has been yet another crazy week: he has four proposals due for upcoming events, he is finalizing last-minute details for a party of large guests, and is making rounds at Beijing clubs to see old clients and make new business connections.
"It has been full-on lately," Leung said, apologizing for his fatigue as he takes a wad of tobacco out of a green box and rolls a cigarette. Exhausted or not, Leung never fails to look hot. Tonight's charm is boyishly demure; jeans, beige sweater, green hat and his usual alluring smile.
Leung is behind some of the hottest parties thrown in Beijing. They are often held at LAN Club, the Loong Bar and other posh venues.
Celebrities, models and movie stars are always on his guest lists -those who attend Leung's soirees go to see and be seen.
Born in Sydney, Australia, Leung, 28, moved to Beijing to study Chinese and to work as a model. Last year, he decided to quit the catwalk and start his own business, an event management company called Our Industry Ltd.
The company organizes product launches, after-parties, fashion shows and other functions at high-end venues in the capital.
One of Leung's most recent events was a Valentine's Day party at the Song Music Bar. His company hosts regular parties for international models and others involved with the fashion industry at the Loong Bar on Friday nights.
An upcoming "Dreaming of Italy" event will see top Italian designers promote their products to the Chinese market. It will be held in Shanghai this October.
Our Industry also handles visiting VIPs. When rock musician Jimmy Page came in January to announce the International Show of Peace Concert, Leung and two partners organized everything for the former Led Zeppelin guitarist: hotel, transportation, translators, tourist activities and entertainment.
Since launching the company six months ago, Leung and his two partners have "more work than we can handle, he said.
"In Beijing, there are not many local event companies and almost no companies with international standards," he said. "We have international experience and we understand the Chinese market."
Leung's quick success stems partly from studying business, marketing and hospitality in Sydney. 
He said he always wanted to start a business, but was swept into a modeling career that began at age 14 in Hong Kong, where he spent part of his childhood, after his mother made him audition for a television commercial.
Leung modeled in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and finally Beijing. His pan-Asian look (Leung's mother is from Hong Kong, his father is Australian) was a hot commodity among designers looking to attract multicultural customers across the region.
He has not completely given up modeling. In January, he traveled to Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to shoot a catalog for luxury carmaker Audi.
"If the money is good enough, I will still [model]," Leung said.
But for now, Leung said he will focus on expanding his business.
Another person arrives at the bar to meet with him. It's 10:30 pm now and the bar is empty, but Leung won't be leaving anytime soon. Hanging out in bars is, after all, part of his job.
Q & A
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Tim Leung poses for fashion magzines. Provided to China Daily |
METRO: People either run to Beijing or run away from somewhere else, which is the case with you?
I did a business degree in Australia and also studied Chinese. I wanted to come here to further my understanding of the Chinese language.
METRO: What do you hope to get out of your stay in the capital? And what do you hope to give back?
The reason I stay here is because I want to make money. I saw opportunity here and wanted to take advantage of it. Hopefully I will give back meaningful events for people in the city to enjoy.
METRO: Where do you usually hang out and what's different about it compared with your hometown?
During the day, I am usually in the office. At night, I am out at least three or four times a week in bars or clubs, building relationships and looking for new business opportunities. I like to go to LAN Club. The design is interesting - it is not your average venue. Compared with Sydney, Beijing is totally different. There is a lot more variety in terms of clubs and music. You can't just go to a club and expect to get in (in Sydney). Everything about it is guest list and VIP. That is rare in Beijing.
METRO: Do you consider yourself as part of the city or do you ever get lonely?
Part of the city. Beijing can be a lonely place if you don't have good friends, but I have always felt comfortable here.
METRO: Do you have many Chinese friends and how do you view them: As friends or as Chinese?
I do have a lot of Chinese friends and I view them as friends.
METRO: What is your favorite and least favorite part of Beijing and why?
For me, my least favorite part is the quality of life. There is too much pollution and traffic and a lack of green, open space. I find it hard to buy goods I can find at home. Otherwise, I really like the atmosphere here. Beijing is not for everyone. A certain type of person will like Beijing. I think Shanghai and Hong Kong are a little pretentious. Beijing still has this traditional element, which makes it feel more like China to me. People are down-to-earth, which means a lot to Australians. That is a trait we value.
METRO: In terms of local slang, what is your favorite one-liner?
Niubi, which means, "You're the man." But it can also not be very polite, so I may have to choose another one!
METRO: Is Beijing going to be part of your past or your future?
Definitely future. Now I have started a company and I am committed at least for the next five to 10 years.
