The legal titan and entrepreneur opens up about the meaning of fatherhood, his favourite memories of his dad and how he spends time with his boys
To most people, Brandon Chau is known as a topnotch barrister, owner of a luxury bedding business and the son of the late tycoon Kai-Bong Chau. But in the eyes of his two sons, Alastair and Winston, Chau serves as their older brother, Mr. Know-It-All, and someone whom they occasionally sword-fight with.
“I like to think of myself as a firm but gentle dad, who wouldn’t mind being ‘one of the boys’ by being silly sometimes but will offer kind encouragement and advice to them when they need them,” says Chau.
With Father’s Day fast approaching us, we spoke to the father of two to get his thoughts on how being a dad has changed his world, his favourite father-and-son moments and the impact of his legendary father over his personality and style.
On Fatherhood
“It was definitely a life-changing moment for me and took me a long time to reconcile the fact that I am a father. Life as I know it has not been the same ever since. Though at times it can be trying and tiresome, most of the time it is filled with amazing joy and sense of fulfilment. I feel that there is a purpose in my life, to set an example to my boys and hope they would turn out okay one day.”
On the Things He Love Most About Being a Dad
“I love it when my sons join us in bed sometimes, reading books to them and talking just about anything. They like to ask me infinite questions about everything and I love the fact that they think I am the most knowledgeable person in the universe! I love it when they come to me when there is something that makes them very happy or very sad and I am here to share every of those little moments of their lives.”
On His Favourite Activities with His Kids
“We do a lot role-playing games at home, sword fighting and we read a lot of books every day. Sometime I would coach them for some sports such as fencing and martial arts.”
On How His Father Influenced His Character and Style
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“As a teenager, my father and I would fight a lot on many different things but now as an adult, I can see that he is mostly right most of the time. I only wished he could have communicated to me in a language I would understand at the time. Despite the fact that I always think I am very different to my father, deep down I think I am more like him than I care to admit.
He has taught me to be a righteous and fair man, be kind to your friends and treat everyone as equals. This is still the motto I live by today. His interests in dressing well and in clothing has definitely taken a mark on me and it has been a constant near obsession. From his sense of style, while very different to mine, he has taught me to dress appropriately to different occasions and to be timeless and elegant.”
On the Best Advice Given by His Father
Photo by Pexels/Josh Willink
“Always try your best and it can never be too far wrong.”