Aluxurymagazine'sdigitalpresence,builttomatchtheprint.

iOS + Android

Live on both stores

10+

Content categories

Offline sync

Subscriber reading

Read the story

01 · The Challenge

What they came to us with.

Gafencu — one of Asia's most respected luxury lifestyle publications, published by Total Media Limited in Hong Kong — needed a complete digital presence built to match the sophistication of their print heritage. Their readers are Asia's most aspirational and affluent individuals, spanning fashion, watches, dining, travel, jewellery, and the social calendar of Hong Kong's elite. The ask was ambitious: a headless web platform and a native mobile app — both working together seamlessly, with offline reading for subscribers on the go.

Brief

Client: Total Media Limited
Market: Hong Kong · Asia Pacific
Industry: Luxury Lifestyle Media
Engagement: Web platform + Mobile app (iOS & Android)
Year: 2022
Project Lead: Prashant Khadka

02 · The Build

What Octoways delivered.

Headless Web Platform

Built the Gafencu website as a headless React frontend connected to a WordPress backend — giving the editorial team full content control while delivering a fast, modern reading experience across 10+ content categories including Fashion, Watches, Dining, Travel, Jewellery, Wines, Wheels, and the Social Calendar.

Native Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Designed and developed the Gafencu app in React Native — available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Subscribers get 24/7 access to the full magazine experience: articles, video content, photo galleries, and the luxury shop — all in one app.

Offline Sync & Subscriber Access

Magazine issues and articles sync to the device for offline reading — essential for Gafencu's well-travelled audience. Subscriber authentication and access control ensure premium content stays exclusive to paying members.

Video & Commerce Integration

Full video content delivery built into both web and app — downloadable and streamable. Integrated with the Gafencu luxury shop (gafencushop.com) so readers can move from editorial to purchase without leaving the Gafencu experience.

03 · The Outcome