五月號封面人物 專訪:關穎Terri Kwan|風尚實踐家 Forerunners of Fashion

TRANSLATION | Eugenia Yang

冉冉穿越相異場景,轉換於璀璨華美、率性幹練、前衛不羈、優雅俐落,變化多端的造型恰似呼應了多重宇宙的「關穎」,對一切世間萬物充滿驚奇,「很幸運有機會可以去嘗試不同領域的事情,包括曾經進入演藝圈演戲、出書和出唱片等等,不同的嘗試在不同階段都是一種學習。」唯一不變的則是那份為母則強的柔韌,心繫兒女的濃厚意念,將種種不可能化作可能。

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/時尚前線

近年韓流大勢,可見於國際珠寶與時裝品牌大使年輕化,如風靡全球的 BLACKPINK、NewJeans、BTS 皆榜上有名,對於如此現象,關穎表示相當樂見其成,不僅增添與女兒的共同話題,也能即刻獲取時尚新知,笑答心態與眼界比以前更青春了。「挑選上當然也會做一些調整,但要在能力範圍內,並且適合自己的年紀。」秉持量力而為的原則,欣賞匠心工藝下的細緻美學,進而提升生活品味,為關穎培養自身美感的妙方之一。

從小受到藝術薰陶的女兒 CC,如今也對珠寶情有獨鍾,「她很喜歡 Bling Bling 的東西,項鍊、耳環、戒指、手環都很愛,學校也有上認石頭的課程,現在比我還會念名稱,但她還不知道品牌跟價值,每次都問我買了嗎?我說你以為是買菜啊!」憶起與女兒的逗趣問答,臉上也不禁揚起幸福的弧度。

提及家中的珍藏作品,關穎透露一克拉以上的白鑽是最適合投資和傳承的單品,賦予兒女物品之餘,承襲正確的人生價值觀也極為關鍵,冀望他們懂得「選擇」,更期待與十八歲的兒女們一同體驗新事物,「我覺得可以叛逆,太乖也不行,我們要適時放手,邊生活邊教導他們良好的價值觀。」

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/甜意韶光

每年固定的家族旅遊,對關穎來說,是種構築回憶的溫馨過程,也是望見孩子們學習獨立的成長印記,「每次回來都會覺得他們又長大了,旅遊是很棒的全家活動,可以讓他們學習自理,現在慢慢長大,姊姊已經開始會教導弟弟,比如去澳洲會自己沖洗拖鞋,生病時姊姊很貼心地拿棉被給我蓋,自己打包行李,安靜在一旁看書。」

曾於社群分享大兒子 Phi Phi 打拳擊的畫面,可愛認真的雙眸引起不少熱烈討論,對此關穎笑答兩個弟弟都是跟著先生運動,唯妙唯肖的神情讓人莞爾,女兒 CC 則是喜歡跟她一起做瑜伽和跳舞,如 K-pop、Voguing、Waacking,近期再度投入空中瑜伽的懷抱,關穎表示為極佳的靜態運動,「對我這種閒不下來的人比較好,修養身心靈,也可以伸展肌肉,打通所有的脈絡。」

風和日暖的五月佳節,是獻給天底下每一位辛勞母親的真切時刻,當問及節日儀式感,關穎透露每個禮拜天便是家庭日,「日子對我們來講就是一個藉口,讓大家可以聚在一起,我覺得過日子比過節日重要。」於她而言,與家人相聚的韶光,永遠是彌足珍貴的甜蜜回憶。

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/知足常樂

談起邇來的慈善計畫,關穎表示日盛教育基金會著重於偏遠地區的孩童教育,日盛藝術基金會則是贊助地方舞團,「我自己也有贊助 Hustle Hustle,是以前在紐約學的舞,現在台灣人比較不知道這個舞團,它有點像 Social dance,偏 Disco 也是八九零年代,看到有台灣人會跳這個我真的嚇傻了,很希望它可以傳承下去。」對於年輕人的公益建議,關穎認為可以先從身旁的人事物著手,保持善心時刻關懷,不論朋友、同事、小動物乃至地球,讓正能量不斷循環,也是她一路以來所獲得的言傳身教。

如何從日常實踐知足常樂,關穎坦言年紀已到,經歷了一些人事物,如今笑點跟哭點都很低,樂於分享生活中的喜悅點滴,持感恩之心看待所有,正是她以身作則的教育方針,「我跟他們說你們現在太幸福了,什麼都有了,很容易覺得這樣不好、那樣不好,很多東西要一直不斷的提醒,提醒自己提醒他們,因為人很容易健忘或抱怨,容易習慣或安於現況。」保有赤子之心,以愛為出發點,方得為世界增添更多溫煦色彩。

/處世哲理

跨出舒適圈實屬不易,對她來說,開設 YouTube 頻道《關穎七十二變》為人生一大向度解鎖,從半日保姆計畫、與女兒組團跳舞、工作合集幕後花絮、閨蜜真心話睡衣趴等,直率幽默的「關姐姐」持續受到眾多關注與支持。「其實是想到什麼就拍什麼,最近因為真的太忙了,今年上半年可能暫時都沒有辦法更新,加上帶小孩,我覺得要量力而為。」

更透露今年五月恰巧是結婚十週年,感慨笑說時光芢苒,第一次與先生約會的場景仍歷歷在目、求婚當天的肉麻話語仍難以忘懷,婚後懷孕生子的奔波日常好似添了加速劑,成為母親的諸多不可思議,也使她愈加珍惜當下。面對世上所有關係的相處之道,關穎認為皆是「順其自然」的發展,「有些東西真的不能勉強,但婚姻還是要經營,尤其對越親近的人態度不要散慢,有彼此的尊重跟空間,才是長久之道。」放眼現下,關穎給自我所賦予的期許,為適時懂得「放鬆」,過於親力親為的強迫症性格,笑說讓孩子有些壓力,試著保有人生鬆弛感,以不疾不徐之姿踏出風尚精彩。

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Gracefully traversing different scenes and transforming into various styles – elegant, confident, avant-garde, sleek – the changing appearances seem to echo with the multiversal Terri Kwan, who always finds the universe to be full of surprises. “I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to try different things, from acting, publishing my own book, to making an album. Each challenge, to me, was a chance to learn.” Among all the changes, the only constant is her resilience that comes from being a mother. With her children’s best interest always on her mind, she continues to make the impossible possible.

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Forerunners of Fashion 

In recent years, it is evident that Korean pop-culture is gaining popularity – just look at the young ambassadors of international jewelry and fashion brands. Popular groups such as BLACKPINK, NewJeans and BTS are all on the list and Kwan is more than happy about this phenomenon. Not only does it encourage more common topics that she can discuss with her daughter, but it also allows her to acquire new fashion knowledge. Smiling, she says that it feels like her mindset and vision are younger than before. “Obviously there will be some adjustments when I’m making a choice, but it still has to be within my capability and suitable for my age.” Adhering to the principle of recognizing your limitations, she enjoys the delicate aesthetics of craftsmanship that elevate her lifestyle taste, which is one of the ways she cultivates her own sense of beauty. Her daughter, CC, who grew up surrounded by art, also has a particular fondness for jewelry now. “She really likes shiny items like necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. There is also a course in school that teaches her to identify gemstones. Now, she pronounces the names better than I do, but she doesn’t know about the brands and their value yet, “ says Kwan, instantly breaking into a bright smile as she fondly recalls her humorous banter with her daughter. “Whenever she asks me if I bought them yet, I’d always reply ‘Do you think it’s like buying groceries?’” Speaking of the precious collections at home, she believes that white diamonds of above one carat are the best for investment and inheritance. However, before passing them on to her children, imprinting them with the correct values is also crucial. Aspiring for them to understand the importance of choice, she is excited about doing life with her kids when they turn 18. “I think it’s okay to be rebellious, I wouldn’t want them to be too obedient. We need to let go at the appropriate time and teach them proper values as we go through life together.” 

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Sweet Moments 

For Kwan, the annual family trip is a process of building memories, a chance to see her children’s growth and independence. “Every time after we come back, I always feel like they’ve grown up. Travelling is a great family activity and allows them to learn how to take care of themselves. Now that they are older, my eldest has started teaching her younger brother. Like when we were in Australia, she was washing her own slippers. Or when I was sick, she would bring me blankets, pack her own bags and quietly read books on her own.” Once, she shared a video of her eldest son, Phi Phi, boxing on social media, which sparked a lot of discussion due to her son’s serious but adorable expressions. Kwan laughs and says both her sons workout alongside her husband and their resemblance is uncanny. On the other hand, her daughter likes to do yoga and take dance classes with her – K-pop, voguing and waacking. Recently, she has returned to aerial yoga, which she finds to be an excellent static exercise. “It’s perfect for people like me who have a hard time staying still. It cultivates your body and mind, stretches your muscles, while opening up all the meridians.” With the month dedicated for all hard working mothers right around the corner, she says that for her family, every Sunday is family day. “The day is an excuse for us to get together. I think it’s more important to live than to celebrate holidays.” To her, the sweet moments spent with her loved ones will always be the most cherished memories in life. 

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Happy and Content 

Speaking of recent charity projects, Kwan points out that Jih Sun Education Foundation is focused on the educational needs of children living in remote areas, while Jih Sun Art Foundation works on sponsoring local dance troupes. “I also sponsor Hustle Hustle myself, I don’t think a lot of people in Taiwan know about them. I learned the dance back when I was in New York. It’s kind of like a social dance, something you see in the ‘80s and ‘90s or during the disco period. I was really surprised to see Taiwanese people dancing it and I hope it gets passed down.” When asked to give advice to the younger generation on doing charity work, Kwan believes that they should start from the people and things around them – it could be a friend, colleague, pet, or even the environment. What’s important is to always hold a kind heart and keep the positive energy going, which is something that she has learned in life and has been trying to pass on to others ever since. As for how to stay happy and content on a daily basis, Kwan admits that she is at an age where she gets moved by the things in life very easily. With years of experience, she is never hesitant about sharing her life with others and views the world with a grateful heart – this is the principle she lives by personally. “I always tell people how they are fortunate to have everything. It’s easy to complain and to feel unsatisfied, which is why we need to constantly remind each other. Because people are prone to forget and often take things for granted.” By keeping a heart of gold, we start from love, so we can then bring warmth and color to the world we live in. 

Way of Life 

Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy. For Kwan, starting her YouTube channel “72TerriKwan” was a major breakthrough in life. From the half-day nanny project, dancing with her daughter, behind-the-scenes collection, to sleepover parties with her best friends, she shares her life with her audiences and continues to attract a lot of attention and support for her straightforward and humorous personality. “Honestly, I just film whatever comes to mind. But I’ve been too busy lately with the kids and all, so I probably won’t be able to update the channel until summer. I think I need to do what I can.” This May is extra special for Kwan, since it also marks her tenth wedding anniversary. With a smile on her face, she says that it all feels like yesterday – her first date with her husband, the cheesy words exchanged on the day she got engaged. The daily hustle and bustle after having her kids seem to have sped up the passing of time, while she continues to find the many aspects of motherhood to be incredible, even till this day. Cherishing the present moment, Kwan believes that the best way to deal with life is to let everything take its natural course. “Some things just can’t be forced. However, it does take a lot of effort to maintain a marriage. Don’t be careless, especially when it comes to the people you are closest to. Learning to respect each other and provide proper space is the way to go.” Chuckling, she says her slightly controlling personality is perhaps putting a certain amount of pressure on her children. Which is why when it comes to personal expectations, Kwan hopes that she can learn to relax and try to find her pace, one that is content and with flexibility.