Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i Esquire Singapore

There’s a line in the fifth season of Mad Men, where Don Draper (portrayed expertly by Jon Hamm) intrepidly tells his clients: “What is happiness? It’s a moment before you need more hanniness.” Though Draper was talking about the fundamentals of advertising and how they’re founded on our insatiable desires to chase more, this line has stuck in my psyche since the day I first heard it. Because really, he’s not wrong, is he? When is enough enough? When is contentment achieved? When can we truly unlock the joys of having experienced, acquired, spent and enjoyed the best of all that we’ve always wanted to, and then some? Intertwined amongst all these rhetorical questions is the nuance of Success and what truly embodies it. For where there’s a conversation about…

The mood in the air these days is a return to form, and dressy leather shoes—thanks to the ubiquity of sneakers—pack a serious punch (or is that kick?). Little touches make this season’s derbies and loafers look entirely fresh. The former: blinged out at Dior, carved like bas-relief at Vuitton, and gone hi-tech with a web buckle at Givenchy. On loafers, twists on the classic horsebit: kiltie fringe at Gucci, a spoked take at Saint Laurent, and a sleek swap at Fendi for its curved O’Lock motif. Go on, take a strut.…

RAKUTEN KOBO CLARA 2E Hardiness and function await you here, dear reader. Rakuten’s Kobo Clara 2E e-reader is made with ocean-bound and recycled plastic, and forged with full waterproof capabilities. There’s more: this six-inch marvel also boasts weeks of battery life and 16GB of storage. The average ebook weighs in at 1.3MB—you can literally carry entire libraries (including audiobooks) with you wherever you go, if you’re one who likes to be read to more than read. Retails for SGD219 at kobo.com.…

1 Life behind the lens for me is my passion. I love going to work. It’s a constant drive and never bores me, and I’m always looking to evolve. 2 The best celebrity I've ever shot with is Robert De Niro. I got to ad lib with him during the shoot; it was like a scene from a Scorsese picture. 3 A photograph is special because it captures someone during a moment, often during a special part of their career; and if you are lucky, people will remember your images. 4 My career enables me to photograph and collaborate with people I respect and admire creatively. 5 My dream collaboration would be Brad Pitt. He’s an iconic dude! 6 The question I get most often is who was your worst…

The greatest action sequence ever filmed according to Hans Zimmer? An episode of Frozen Planet II, a six-part documentary series that explores the wildlife found in the world’s coldest regions, which he composed the soundtrack ‘Take Me Back Home’ for. The musical legend who embodies all things success shares a few intimate snippets with us about his work for a new BBC documentary, why his musical pieces won’t feature on his own list of iconic soundtracks, and how he’s only just getting started at the age of 65. He wrote the Frozen Planet II soundtrack for us all. “We are now at a point in the history of the planet where drama plays out constantly and consistently in nature. When we started working on the show fourand-a-half years ago, we…

Byredo Eyes Closed eau de parfum, 100ml, SGD390 Bleu de Chanel Parfum, 100ml, SGD235 Serge Lutens Poivre Noir eau de parfum, 100ml, SGD302 Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724 eau de parfum, 70ml, SGD335 Hermès Hermessence Violette Volynka eau de toilette, 100ml, SGD424 With the exception of Serge Lutens Poivre Noir at Escentials, all other fragrances are available at respective boutiques. Dior Sauvage Elixir, 100ml, SGD345…

If you’ve been to Paragon Shopping Centre recently, you might have noticed that the Zegna boutique has a new look and space. Instead of glass windows, LED screens wrap its façade; and contrary to popular fashion business wisdom, the Italian luxury brand has opted not to air videos of its runway collections. Instead, playing on those video screens (at press time) are sweeping panoramas of the lush mountains and greenery of Oasi Zegna. This is a major cornerstone of the 112-year-old brand’s vision for its future, and what its recent runway collections are based around. Oasi Zegna is essentially a 100-square-kilometre nature park in the Biella Alps of Piemonte, northern Italy that the brand owns. It’s freely accessible and has been, since it was officially inaugurated in 1993, and a…

As part of this issue, we asked each member of our Esquire Singapore Editorial team to define what success means to them personally (you can read all about it on page 68). For me, there’s no better iteration of what that entails than Emily Dickinson’s ‘Success is Counted Sweetest’: Success is counted sweetest, By those who ne’er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need. Not one of all the purpose Host Who took the Flag today Can tell the definition So clear of Victory As he defeated—dying— On whose forbidden ear The distant strains of triumph Burst agonised and clear! The metaphorical poem (set in military terms) is a poignant, paradoxical ode to the notion that success is often valued the most by those who rarely deem to have…

AUCHENTOSHAN SAUVIGNON BLANC Auchentoshan’s latest addition to its series of whiskies, Auchentoshan Sauvignon Blanc, is first aged in bourbon casks to infuse a mellow flavour, and then finished in Sauvignon Blanc Barrique casks. The result? A zingy and fruity flavour that retains the brand’s smooth yet lively taste. Unlike most traditional whiskies, this is best served chilled, allowing the fresh flavours of citrus and apple to shine through, whilst retaining a refined version of the spirit. We say sip, sip to that. Read the full review here…

If you’re in the market for a light-and-breezy, done-in-one-sitting read, tap out now. This one’s heavy. Mogelson (a celebrated war correspondent for The New Yorker) returns to the United States after years of living and reporting abroad, to make sense of the lay of the land. The book chronicles the veritable storm of societal rupture that has marked the later political period of the Trump years; its resounding effects felt to this very day. Running through coverage on right-wing militias and police brutality with a passionately indignant pen, Mogelson reflects, looks for answers, calls on hope and poignantly seeks a way out of the darkness. Available on Amazon.…

MAN AT HIS BEST When the Danish audio house Bang & Olufsen brought the Beosound Theatre into the world, it heralded their creation as the “world’s most powerful and immersive soundbar”. The claim is affirmed in its realisation: with 12 speaker drivers (including two custommade long stroke 6.5-inch woofers and 800 watts of amplification power) providing up to 112dB sound pressure level, it brings you cinema-quality three-dimensional sound that makes the walls disappear, in the comfort of your home. No more will you need to contend with bulky speakers and woofers. This is the one next-level unit to rule them all. Retails for SGD10,320 at bang-olufsen.com/en/sg.…

While working as a financial controller at a global advertising agency not too long ago, Karmen Tang found herself inspired by the grittiness and dynamism of starting a business. Before long, she was wanting to use her experience in strategy and business development to help start-ups grow. So in 2018, she launched Another Startup Story, a consultancy and business coaching platform. But she didn’t stop there. Now also the CMO at Alchemy Pay, a hybrid crypto-fiat payment solutions provider, the 30-year-old tells us about her challenges in running a business, her personal benchmark for success and how she does it all, whilst maintaining an impeccable sense of style. Karmen, you moved here from London in 2018. Where did you grow up? I was bom in a little port city called…

Hello! Firstly, congratulations on your 2021 album BB U OK?. It's known that it came from a place of heartbreak. Did making it help you deal with what you were going through? I wrote my first album Albuml [from 2018] when I was in love; it was about the beauty of love and being in it [love]. The next what was about love. It wasn't a sad album per se, but a reflective one; it's about moving on. Everyone's always writing about love, but what happens after? Life after love is not specifically bad; it's one of acceptance at the time I wasn't with anyone You learn to accept that life goes on, that nothing is really black and white. It all comes from a very real place in my…

Remember when airports were glamorous things? The golden age of aviation may be more than a half-century past, but certain images stick in the popular imagination, like Jackie Kennedy stepping off the tarmac. Gucci’s new duffle-style top-handle bags, fresh off the runway of the house’s Exquisite collection, conjure up some of that bygone feeling—thanks to a host of smartly blended archival house details. A luggage-style padlock to secure the zipper pull; snap buttons that allow you to unzip the bag fully; Web stripes that frame the handles; canvas Web handles in a subtle contrasting colourway; and a detachable ID tag—all old-fashioned in the best way possible. Gucci’s top-handle bags are now available via their boutiques.…

STYLE Let's start with the state of ties today. You've said in interviews that men are buying them out of interest and pleasure, not obligation. How has that changed what you do? I was wearing ties every day when I joined the company (in 1987). Now I can come to work in something more casual, like a jumper or a knit. And I can wear a tie if I want. The ‘if’ is very important, because before, it was “I have to”—and now, it’s “if I want to”. Before, I think people were buying ties to join the club and be part of something. Now they’re looking for something that talks to them, that’s close to their soul, what they feel, what their hobbies are… it has to say something…

The thing about diving equipment is that manufacturers in their quest to optimise performance, usability and reliability, often neglect the style aspect of their products. Aesthetics usually come in as an afterthought, with the odd logo here or some fancy textile trim there, just to make the design more interesting. Little wonder then, that black is the colour of choice for a staggering majority of scuba gear on the market; from wetsuits to fins and masks, as well as dive computers and watches. Which is a shame considering how great an idea it is to be wearing bright happy colours when you’re near or around the beach, and that’s exactly what Luminox has done with its new Pacific Diver Chronograph series. Reinvented in bold, vibrant hues spanning the full spectrum…

You never forget your first erection. (You didn’t think I was going there, did you? Nor did I.) It happened on a crisp spring morning back in the ’80s. On a working-class holiday park in the south-east of England—think Batam with fewer rustic huts and more caravans and tattoos—I met my first crush going up and down on the seesaw. That’s not a euphemism. We were teenagers. We were not disturbed. And there were stirrings, unexpected internal movements that were causing confusion and a rush of blood in all the wrong places. Yes, I was experiencing my first bout of imposter syndrome. My lifelong, psychological battle between imposter syndrome (nature) and ‘faking it to make it’ (nurture) had begun. Could one be deployed to subdue the other? My best friend…

MAN AT HIS BEST METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL Following two sold-out culinary residencies, Mandala Masters (at rooftop restaurant Art at National Gallery) recently launched its third pop-up fronted by Peruvian chefs Virgilio Martinez and Pia Leon—the minds behind famed restaurants Kjolle, MIL and the Michelin-starred Central. Named Metres Above Sea Level, its menu lists dishes according to the altitudes they’re grown in, while honouring Peru’s vastly biodiverse landscapes and ecosystems through the ingredients used. This multi-course gastronomic journey is a delicious introduction to the diverse culture and flavours of Peru, as well as a once-in-a-life-time experience. Read the full review here…

“I’m seeing something no one else can see; it’s smiling at me.” This is the premise of one of the most tremulously anticipated horror films of the year. Starring Kal Penn of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle fame, as well as Sosie Bacon, daughter of the great Kevin Bacon, there’s something truly, viscerally horrifying about people smiling widely and blankly, before committing irreversible acts of violence. The flick opens with a psychiatrist attempting to treat a patient who’s suffering from what appears to be a mental health issue before it takes over her life, and sends her on a harrowing quest to find out what exactly is happening and why. This movie might also just be the best line of defence against people who ask you to smile…

1 This workout is effective on multiple levels: besides activating muscles in your knees, glutes, calves and hamstrings, it proves that you don’t need a gym to blast ’em, or a proper dancefloor to boogie. To begin, stand straight with your arms by your sides. 2 Keeping your back straight, bend towards your right foot, with your left arm outstretched, while lowering your left knee in a 90-degree angle. Make sure your right knee doesn’t extend beyond your right foot. 3 Repeat this procedure by bending towards your left foot, keeping your right arm outstretched and your right knee bent in a 90-degree angle. If you alternate between both legs seamlessly enough, you’re locked in a cardio-heavy groove.…

You can trust the folks that lit the fuse on the home sous vide revolution to oneup themselves jaw-droppingly. Whether you’re a veteran chef whose kitchen is the site of many a memorable, palate-kissing event, or an aspirant hoping to be that guy, Anova Precision Cooker is an all-powerful cheat code. Compatible with plastic and stainless steel cookware, it’s as versatile as it’s exquisitely effective in the art of the sous vide. Now, armed with quicker connectivity, it gets more done more. Retails for SGD329 at anovaculinary.com.…

The expectation maybe, is that the fashion guy comes on here to say that success is this or that from a luxury brand. But these days, I find it much more interesting to be interesting. Nurturing a rich inner life is the pursuit that’s really worth the time. Obsessions! Hobbies! Trivialities! Knowledge! Passions! Obscure facts you can toss out at a party while you sagely sip a martini! It’s fun to dress the body but better—and perhaps more opulent—yet to adorn that little pink organ. Gordon Ng Fashion Editor Success (to me) is tethered to the meaning of life. If leaving a legacy gives you meaning, you find success in building wealth. If raising a happy family gives you meaning, you find success as a loving parent and spouse. And…

If you got it, flaunt it? Isn’t that how the saying goes? It’s not a boast if you can back it up, right? Well, no. It’s not that simple. So it turns out, bragging about the laurels you’re resting on is a bona-fide art-from; infinitely more arcane and complex than a post on your garden variety Instagram feed. For the finer points on hitting that sweet spot where self-affirmation meets one-upmanship, we look to people who live at that very sport for a living: rappers. Behold the Tao of the brag. ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMPETITION, THEN DESTROY IT Rap, more than any other discipline of popular culture, is a battlefield. There are victors and losers—and winning and losing happens publicly and definingly. That accounts for why the stakes are so high.…

Transcendence isn’t elusive when you commit fully to it. Gibran Baydoun, 33, spent a good part of his life suppressing the call of destiny until he relented. The sweat of his ardour is what’s made his hustle holy. Today, his BYGB (By Gibran Baydoun) seal adorns four concepts: Lucali BYGB, Etta, Corduroy Palace and Proper Slice BYGB. Here, he testifies to the life-defining, story-shaping power of his calling. You moved to Singapore six years ago. Given where you're at now, what does that decision mean to you? I came to Singapore in a weird way; I came here running from something, not looking for something. I was so disillusioned and jaded with the New York dining scene, that I decided to go the furthest point away. It was hard, because…

After the success of Squid Game last year, Netflix once again found a hit with its original Korean drama All Of Us Are Dead. The zombie series broke the streaming platform’s Korean drama record, and set off a craze around the world. A highlight of the show is the performance of Park Solomon (alias Lomon Park) in the leading role of Lee Soo-hyuk. With a tall figure, sunny disposition, and an affectionate and loyal personality, Park’s character was a standout role. On the day of this interview, news had already broken that a second season of All of Us Are Dead was confirmed. We asked Lomon what his thoughts were on the success of the show. He smiled tenderly, expressing gratitude to the show’s director, cast and crew as well…

The past two years have been, nearly without question, ruled by sweatpants. It was all about cosy comfort for sequestering in style. The mood has now changed, and tailoring is back with a vengeance. A look at this year’s runway collections suggests as much: it’s time to get back into something more structured and put-together. That’s not to say however, that the returning suit is what it used to be. In fact, tailored two-pieces have been embraced by the style set for their ability to dress up and formalise a casual ensemble. The key of course, is to get a really good suit to start with. One to consider: the Dutch label Suitsupply. Since its founding in 2000, they’ve taken the stuffiness and intimidation out of tailoring by offering premium…

His Instagram wall is full of snazzy, jazzy graphic art, scrawls and montages, logos and letterings, and the occasional self-portrait. But to fully appreciate Alex Trochut’s digital ingenuity, you have to look closer at some of these artworks because many of them are not quite as they seem. The Barcelona-born graphic designer, whose pioneering work in lettering art has breathed new life into the typography scene, is best known for his awe-inspiring three-dimensional animated ambigrams. Not to mention the phenomenal designs he’s created for the likes of Nike, Adidas, Puma, Coca-Cola, as well as cover art for The Rolling Stones and Katy Perry. Essentially lots of pop culture and FMCG projects up to this point. So when the digital craftsman met with Swiss luxury watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre to discuss a brand-new…

Netflix’s 2022 summer blockbuster movie The Gray Man turns up a number of things we never thought we’d ever get to see. One, a white male action hero who actually respects his female POC partner enough to know to fully rely on her if he wants the mission to succeed. A role written perfectly for a feminist heartthrob like Ryan Gosling. Two, a gripping fight scene—quite possibly the film’s tensest moment—led by said female POC partner (Ana de Armas). How refreshing is it that the exotic beauty in the story is no mere love interest, but holds her own on every level? Three, Chris Evans’ hilarious trash ’stache. Four, RegéPage as a devious mastermind is near impossible to believe; those glasses aren’t fooling anyone, Your Grace. The list goes on,…

CHEERS TO… BEING A FORCE TO RECKON WITH For the self-assured, poised and assertive man—the French 75 is nothing less than a delicious and luxurious cocktail that truly packs a punch. Make yourself a glass every time you ace a board meeting, or finish a campaign with little-to-no hiccup. Here’s to you! FRENCH 75 30ml Hendrick’s Gin 10ml simple syrup 10ml lemon juice A splash of champagne Lemon twist 1. Pour Hendrick’s Gin, simple syrup and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled flute. 2. Top with a splash of champagne. 3. Garnish with a lemon twist. CHEERS TO… BEING A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION You have a knack for getting others to commit to a project, but you’re not just pushing through…

I picture my dad in Sperrys. He’s not a dyedin-the-wool blue blood like some of his friends from the Main Line, outside Philly. But he certainly dressed the part back in the day. Brooks Brothers to marry my mum. Faded jeans and L. L. Bean chamois shirts to wrangle the kids. And, of course, the boat shoes. Practical. Dependable. Unassuming. The first pair of ‘dad shoes’ in my life. I was appalled by them. Dads aren’t cool! So I got into sneakers: Vans, Chucks, Nikes. Then, in the middle 2010s in New York, a few of my best-dressed buddies started wearing the New Balance 990v4. Even though these weren’t the dad shoes I grew up with, they were dad shoes nonetheless. Practical. Dependable. Unassuming. And… cool? Maybe I was just…