My unusual journey...
Born and raised in Hong Kong during the British colonial era, my love for global cuisine, vintage treasures, and curiosity for wine began to take shape during my college years in New York City. However, it was in France that I discovered my true calling. Inspired by the meticulous craftsmanship of French artisans who take their time to achieve excellence, I made the bold decision to leave my job at a French luxury group. Although it was one of the most fulfilling periods of my professional life, I chose to embrace a new path at my own rhythm.
It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. Hong Kong is a bustling international hub, but at the time it was far more conservative, especially compared to today’s more fluid, globally mobile lifestyles. Leaving a glamorous and stable job was not something easily understood. Questions were raised, critics emerged, even among close friends..
Yes, we live in a society where life is often defined by career ambitions or, for women, by the expectation to find a husband and settle down as a tai tai (wifey). But what if I am the one who favors liberty over corporate success? And what if no suitable husband comes along?
Deep down, my instincts told me that making the right decision brings us closer to our dream life. And so, I did it my way.
"As the wise say, life is a journey,
not a destination.
So it’s the joy we find in what we love that truly matters."
— QueenEco
From Solo Journeys to Immersive Learning in France
Over ten years, I have been wandering through the charming landscapes of France like a curious soul on culinary escapades, long before I met my husband and settled in Paris. I have savoured the diverse flavours of many regions, from cosy bistros serving comforting local dishes to family recipes generously shared by friends’ mothers, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants where chefs craft exquisite dishes that highlight the freshest seasonal produce.
Alongside professional wine tastings and immersive vineyard visits, I have further deepened my appreciation for the rich heritage of French terroirs, châteaux, and historical sites. With stays ranging from six weeks to five months each year, I have taken the time to absorb each moment, living more like a local than a visitor. At times, I also joined a week-long cooking class in a cosy farmhouse in the Southwest, or ran my first and last marathon, the Marathon du Médoc in Bordeaux, where participants sip wine and taste local specialties while passing through classified-growth châteaux. Out of pure passion, I also pursued several professional diplomas to dive deeper into the aspects of French Art de Vivre that fascinate me.
These slow, immersive journeys, which began long before the Instagram era, have been truly life-changing. As an introvert, they have gently coaxed me out of my comfort zone, helping me form meaningful friendships along the way and discover that there is no single “right” way to live life.
Curating French Art de Vivre in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, QueenEco was founded as the only Cantonese platform dedicated to celebrating French Art de Vivre before the social media era. It included a blogazine, a pioneering book project The Girls' Book to Paris, and a cozy, members-only private event venue, The Girls' Room by QueenEco. Events and workshops were organized in collaboration with French entrepreneurs, including boutique wine distributors, food importers, and fashion brand owners, to share the art of living well with discerning local female customers.
The venue, which I fondly called my little hidden oasis, was recognized as one of the top 10 tea salons by Hong Kong’s leading newspaper, sharing the spotlight with glamorous 5-star hotels and luxury restaurants. It also received wide media attention across TV (TVB’s Dolce Vita, ViuTV), newspapers, business journals, radio, and magazines. Often described as a pioneer of the “slash” lifestyle—combining roles such as dream pursuer, France travel specialist, Art de Vivre event organizer, and author—I was frequently invited to share my thoughts on tea etiquette, table-setting ideas, the joy of slow travel, quirky French cultural encounters, and my decision to leave the corporate world in pursuit of a more personal path.
I genuinely enjoyed sharing these experiences and the joy of crafting meaningful moments. It was beyond my expectations to see my work featured in major local newspapers, weeklies, and on TV channels such as TVB and ViuTV, as well as in the Hong Kong editions of Elle, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.
From Exploration to Lived Experience in Paris
Since 2019, I’ve been on a gradual sabbatical, preparing for my move to Paris in 2020. Yes, I moved for love but it was my passion for French Art de Vivre that led me to meet the love of my life, not the other way around.
After a period of transition during which I deepened my French, navigated the uncertainties of the Covid lockdown, handled administrative processes, completed my French Antique Art Market diploma, went through wedding preparations, and renovated our home, I moved through a slow unfolding of reflection and transformation.
Like an artist dismantling her own work to create something new, I eventually relaunched QueenEco as QueenEco Paris, breathing fresh life into my vision. As an introvert, I find joy in the quiet pleasure of writing from my private space, sharing genuine observations and insights. This blog, now written in English, is my way of reconnecting with the curious child within us all.
How we live is a form of art; we are the artists of our own lives, shaping each day into a masterpiece. Alongside this blog, QueenEco Paris continues today as an independent consultancy focusing on curating wine projects and designing slow terroir experiences for those discovering this way of living from near and far.
