Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2023 i Her World Singapore

After more than an entire year of hard work and patience, we’re so excited you finally get to see the fruits of our labour. Welcome to the new Her World! With you – our stylish, go-getting career woman – in mind, we’ve crafted stories we think will be useful, inspiring and empowering as you tackle Life head-on. A global perspective, lensed for the Singapore woman. We hope you like it here. @BETHRLEE…

Marie Antoinette was but nine when philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote in Les Confessions of a great princess who, upon hearing that the peasants had no bread, declared “Let them eat cake”, but the French must have had their reasons for pinning this pithy one-liner on her. Does it matter if she never said it in the courts of Versailles? Here in Asian modernity, within the air-conditioned comforts of a Japanese mall on Orchard Road, we perform post-colonial teatime, queue in snaking lines for hours for delicate pastries once native to Paris, as an old lady in Bukit Ho Swee pools together her coins from selling packets of tissue at the hawker centre, only to note stoically that she is $4 short of the price of a 20kg packet of rice.…

“Internet trolls don’t mean much to me when I’ve been harassed by real-life trolls: people who literally camped outside my house, harassed my mother, made constant calls, and stalked us – all this, and all I did was to be born.” Not too long ago, during a recent therapy session, Preeti Nair had a significant realisation about her outlook on life. “This year was the first time I finally acknowledged how pessimistic I am,” she says. “As much as I will try to justify [my thinking] as being practical or logical, it’s actually really negative.” Who can blame her? The past four years have been undeniably challenging for Preeti. She received a conditional warning from the police for a controversial parody video and lost her father to suicide – last…

1. Embroidered satin miniskirt, Prada Miuccia Prada is a creature of habit when it comes to her personal style – she’s almost always seen in a classic combination of sweater, skirt and heels – which translates into her collections for both Prada and Miu Miu. I’m longing for this season’s embellished skirts, which feature white fabric origami flowers that are inspired by the embellishments on wedding dresses. 2. Black Writings, Ink on paper/heat (46 x 65 cm), Marija Rin I stumbled upon the works of Lithuanian artist Marija Rin on Instagram (@paintinginpainting) as I was looking for decor inspiration for my new apartment. What attracted me to her aesthetic was how she utilises texture and graphics with such ease and simplicity, mainly through a nude colour palette. I’m particularly intrigued…

Colour-blocking is a great way to add pizazz to an ensemble Don’t be afraid to clash patterns, prints and colours with your cardigan. For beginners, keep to a similar colour palette, and experiment with contrasting the colours. Dial up the sexy The Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2023 show had a multitude of looks in prim cardigans: some with sheer skirts, and some with only underwear (yes, you read that right). The pantless look is obviously a runway novelty, but we approve of the sheer skirt pairing with a prim and preppy cardigan, sheer black stockings, and a pair of pointed patent leather heels. Denim always gives a more casual look to a more serious fit The last thing you’d want is to (accidentally) look like a Stepford wife, so contrast the…

When Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying and her team discovered a material that would help diabetic patients autoregulate their intake of insulin, it caught the attention of the medical and scientific communities worldwide. The material (stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles) led to a technology that autoregulates the release of insulin based on the patient’s blood glucose levels – allowing it to be delivered orally or by nasal passage without the need for injections. In turn, this would help prevent hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic conditions in diabetic patients. Scientists are a “rebellious” bunch, quips the 57-year-old, who is the founder of A*Star’s Nanobio Lab. Having a mindset that challenges conventional wisdom is vital to innovative research, says Prof Ying. “To break new grounds, scientists need to explore novel ideas and pursue what may be deemed…

Chefs are constantly experimenting with techniques, and fuelling these endeavours with exotic ingredients, alternative proteins and insects, all in a self-flagellating quest to be exalted as the next maverick de cuisine. But what if the true finesse of a chef lies not in their ability to wield a pair of tweezers or outrage food critics with the audacity to serve chum, but in the mastery of the humdrum vegetable? In Singapore, Michelin-starred restaurant Saint Pierre is one of the few top fine-dining destinations to offer a full plant-forward degustation menu, a trend that’s fast gaining traction. Why would anyone deign to part ways with $398 (no alcohol included!) for seeds, garden greens and root vegetables? A fair question for those privileged enough to consider a seat at a very expensive…

Why do women tend to have toxic relationships with ourselves, and what impact does this have on our personal and professional lives? Toxicity can be expressed in many ways. It ranges from negative self-talk to an absence of boundary-setting with others. At its core, toxicity is rooted in a sense of unworthiness, the self-belief that we are not worthy. Hence, this is expressed in the way that we perceive ourselves and show up in our relationships. It could be a moment that we experienced, which led us to believe that we are unworthy, unlovable, or not good enough, and so on. For most of us, it occurs through multiple experiences that anchor these thoughts and beliefs about ourselves. When this happens, we stop loving ourselves, and instead, seek love and…

“I believe that true impact empowers and inspires others towards positive action.” – Yvonne Mak, chairperson, Young Women’s Leadership Connection (YWLC) “Impact, like the butterfly effect, is non-linear. A small thing that you choose to do may become life-changing for the recipient. So, never underestimate your impact for good in this world.” – Trina Liang-Lin, managing director, Sidra Capital “Once you have come into your own and have established yourself in your profession, you hold the power and the responsibility to impact the women of future generations. Be kind and patient to the younger generation to give them hope and inspiration for the future. Choose wisely, and always remember that the way you have impacted a younger woman will determine how you’ll be remembered in years to come.” – Sharul…

In the late 1930s, a young Chinese girl, barely in her teens, was placed on a boat to travel to Singapore from a rural village in Shanghai. It was not known how she had acquired the funds to make the journey, or where she was headed to in the opium-riddled budding metropolis that was then known as Singapura. Also uncertain – and perhaps more insidious – were the circumstances in which she ended up on this perilous one-way trip, far from the family that sent her away for having the audacity to be born a girl. When she arrived, she was found selling cheap goods in Kallang, and was adopted by Hajjah Saedah Abdul Wahab, a Malay matriarch in a village along Siglap Road. She was given the name “Zauyah”.…

She burst onto the local music scene in 2018, when – at just 16 – she impressed both the crowd and the judges to win the Vans Musicians Wanted indie music competition. In 2019, she opened for Clairo when the American singer-songwriter performed in Singapore; the following year, she released her self-produced debut album Days to Morning Glory; in 2021, she performed the National Day theme song The Road Ahead at the National Day Parade (NDP) and released her second album Hello Trinity; and last year, she beat four other artistes to win Best New Act from Asia at the Bandlab NME Awards in London. Now 21 years old, home-grown producer and singer-songwriter Trinity Shye-Anne Brown – who goes by the stage name Shye – continues to share her remarkable…

FRESH OFF THE RUNWAY Some of the most talked about accessories this season are clutches (from oversized to envelope styles) and furry footwear. Chief creative officer Daniel Lee of Burberry was on point with striking faux fur-trimmed sandals, boots and mules – definitely a must-have on every fashion girl’s wish list. HOT DAMN Bold accessories in fiery hues of scarlet dominated the Fall/Winter 2023 runways. Bags and jewellery – we are loving Ferragamo’s resin earrings and oversized cuffs – are the most approachable way to experiment with this colour. When it comes to styling, take a leaf from Chanel and Valentino, and wear your fierce accessories with an all-black ensemble. LOVELY LADY Ever the trendsetter extraordinaire, Miuccia Prada set the tone this season when she sent out her models at…

“In Cantonese, we have this saying: yi sek ju hang (衣食住行). It conveys what’s most important in life – what you wear, what you eat, where you live, and how you commute,” says Caecilia Chu. This saying was taught to the entrepreneur by her mother, and has always resonated deeply with the Her World Young Woman Achiever 2023. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Caecilia moved to Singapore in 2017. The Singapore Permanent Resident shares that her humble beginnings meant that she realised the importance of money early in life. “My dad was a postman and my mum was a kindergarten teacher, and having grown up without much, my life goals have always revolved around satisfying the essential needs of yi sek ju hang (衣食住行).” The 40-year-old elaborates: “I told…

THE DOCTOR REVOLUTIONISING SEXUAL HEALTH IN SINGAPORE Dr Jessherin Sidhu As the owner and medical director of Insync Medical, an inclusive clinic for intimate sexual healthcare, Dr Sidhu is driven by the mission to provide individuals with a dignified approach to sexual health. Q: What sparked your interest in pursuing this career? Dr Jessherin Sidhu (JS): When I first began my career in the private general practitioner (GP) setting nine years ago, I was working in a sexual health clinic, where my work was reduced to managing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and andrology (men’s health primarily dealing with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation). I thought to myself that this could not possibly be the full spectrum of what sexual health meant. What about women and their day to day concerns…

“Congratulations” isn’t the usual first response to a cancer diagnosis, but that’s what Sophia Chin said to a friend who had reached out to share the news. “I said, ‘Congratulations for going to the doctor, because that took courage,’” shares Sophia, 45, who is undergoing treatment for Stage 2 breast cancer herself. “There was a lump, you were suspicious, and you took action. That’s a good thing.” This is in stark contrast to some of the responses she got when she broke the news of her own diagnosis in 2022. “People on the whole were very supportive, but some said things like “‘What happened?’ ‘What did you do?’” she says. “It makes you feel very guilty, like, ‘What did I do wrong?’” The mother of two doesn’t mince words when…

Those lucky enough to score tickets to Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concert can express their love for the singer with one of the hottest nail trends now: mismatched manicures. In fact, Tay Tay showed off her own digits on Instagram when she launched her tour in March – by painting each nail in a different hue to represent her various chart-topping albums. Manicurist Rebecca Chuang (@theflutterytips) says a mismatched manicure features a mix of designs inspired by arty prints, or an eclectic bohemian style. “They are colourful and trendy designs that make you feel happy all day long,” she says. Rebecca’s personal favourites? “Smiley faces, yin-yang symbols, flames, flowers and aliens,” she shares. Another Singapore-based manicurist Christer Kang (@qquirkynails) adds that mismatched nails are about juxtaposing different colours and…

For the better part of a decade, I’ve been lucky enough to have a backstage pass to the beauty industry. A huge part of my job involves getting a sneak peek at products before they hit the shelves, interviewing makeup artists to glean industry secrets, and – the best of all – receiving more makeup than a person could ever use in a lifetime. One might assume that I’d use this arsenal of tools to constantly reinvent myself and try out new looks daily. The twist? Despite all the tools I have at my disposal, I literally wear the same look to work every day. Before you call me boring or uninspired, I should admit that I’ve had my fair share of wild makeup days (or years, let’s be honest).…

Have you ever wondered why wearing certain colours make your eyes sparkle and your complexion glow, while others seem to make you look dull, sallow or simply washed out? The secret lies in the art of colour theory, a personalised approach to makeup that takes into account your unique skin undertone and features. Understanding your undertone – whether it’s warm, cool or neutral – is fundamental to the process. The undertone forms the basis for selecting makeup shades that complement your natural colouring, enhancing your features and creating a harmonious look. The idea of personal colour analysis has a history spanning decades. It began with the four season colour theory by Swiss theorist Johannes Itten, who used the analogy of seasons to group colours. This approach gained popularity in the…

This question in its entirety is as hard for me to answer as its parts, which are: “What does it mean to be a Singaporean?” and “What does it mean to be a woman?” The first question has always been a particularly complicated one for me. You see, I don’t fall into any of the neat, known categories of Singaporeans. I came to Singapore with my Gujarati immigrant parents in 1983 when I was 18 months old. Nobody knew what Gujarati was in my primary school (Gujarat is, in fact, a state in the Western part of India). Imagine being a seven-year-old attempting to explain to your classmates that yes, you are Indian; no, you do not speak Tamil; no, there is no such language as Indian; no, Hindu is…

“I had to accept that I can’t always be in control. I realised that I couldn’t attack life in the same way, and it was ok to be soft, to be fragile, and to take a break.” “Can you imagine being in a career where you have to constantly prove that you are worthy, over and over again, for every single job?” When Janice Koh was diagnosed with tongue cancer last year at the age of 49, one of her initial reactions – apart from fear and grief – was relief. “I was texting a friend two days after my surgery, and I told her, ‘What does it mean that I feel a sense of relief? I’m grieving, but I’m also relieved that I can finally let go of that…

Succession, a satirical comedy-drama about the inner workings of a family-run media conglomerate, has ignited a movement that popularised the concept of quiet luxury with its affluent characters dressed up in subtle but sharply tailored suits. While the show ended its run in May, its influence on fashion does not seem to be waning any time soon: At Balenciaga and Saint Laurent, strong and exaggerated shoulders take precedence as Fall/Winter’s key silhouette in the form of jackets cut with menswear fabrics. The ’80s element is especially prominent at Saint Laurent, with creative director Anthony Vaccarello referencing the iconic 1988 American romantic comedy Working Girl, starring actors Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver. On the topic of nostalgia, the necktie (which we predict to be the accessory of the season) is making…

For one fine weekend in July, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) became a fashion lover’s playground. A coterie of local fashionistas, including actor Janice Koh, chef Petrina Loh, and content creator Charmaine Seah had Konmari-ed their wardrobes to resell their pre-loved togs, designer bags and accessories, drawing a steady stream of shoppers hoping to snag a good bargain or two. “There were solo shoppers and families, as well as people who ranged from serious thrifters to newbies who were interested in buying something affordable,” observes Singapore-based French public relations consultant Sandra Cameron, who is a vintage and pre-loved shopping enthusiast. Sandra, who had a stall at the Fashion Insider’s Marketplace, explains that the reason why she loves participating in these markets is because she enjoys meeting people from all walks…

They are both indomitable leaders who have made their mark in the male-dominated fields of science and fintech. Through hard work, conviction and talent, these two remarkable individuals have not only placed our metropolis on the world map, they are also inspiring a new generation of women in Singapore and beyond. Our 2023 Woman of the Year and Young Woman Achiever award winners, Professor Jackie Ying and Caecilia Chu, take us through their individual journeys, and recount the highs and lows of their incredible careers.…

Karishma Jashan, a 27-year-old local sales executive working in the tech industry, earns over $300,000 annually. Each month, she budgets $3,500 for rent, $2,200 for personal and property taxes, around $4,000 for credit card bills and $1,000 for other miscellaneous expenses. She shares this exact breakdown of how she budgets her monthly salary through her Tiktok (@karishmairl). Karishma’s not alone – on Tiktok, content creators are candidly sharing how they budget their pay cheques under the hashtag #paydayroutine, which has garnered more than 68 million views to date. In short one-minute videos, creators not only reveal their take-home pay for all to know on the social media platform, but also openly share how they account for bills, daily expenses, investments and savings. Most of the comments that Karishma has received…

HOW I INVEST There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to investing, but there’s plenty to learn from other women’s challenges, successes and failures. How I Invest is a column where we ask women about their financial journeys to help us demystify the world of investing. Seet Shiyan, 33, is a tech product manager and entrepreneur with a well-diversified portfolio spread across property, stocks, bonds, precious metals, as well as cryptocurrencies. She has also made inroads into creating her own upcoming art company, in which she has invested 5 per cent of her wealth. The company is still to be launched. Shiyan believes that having a mindset oriented towards personal finance is incredibly important, as the freedom to live the life you want can only come with financial independence. Much…

It’s 7.30pm on a Saturday night, and I’m on my first date with Jack*, a 29-year-old finance executive. Jack and I have only met once at a mutual friend’s party, where we exchanged contacts. We’ve been casually texting back and forth since, but the banter is nothing much to write home about (that should have been my first warning). All is well for the first few minutes as we settle in at a cosy Japanese restaurant nestled in Amoy Street, get the small talk out of the way, and order our main courses. And then: Jack begins recounting his dating life in painstaking detail. Starting with his “first real girlfriend who was chill, but it got quite boring after a while” when he was 18. As the night proceeds, the…

EDITOR'S PICKS 1. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur, $51 Its buttery smooth bullet harnesses a patented powder blur technology and moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid to keep lips feeling soft and comfortable throughout the day. Available in eight wearable shades. 2. Chloe Signature Eau De Parfum Hand Cream, $70 Fans of Chloe’s Signature Eau De Parfum can now look forward to its latest hand cream, which features the brand’s popular scent. It leaves hands feeling more supple and hydrated, thanks to ingredients like glycerine and aloe vera leaf juice. 3. Guerlain Honey Treatment Night Cream, $279 The hero ingredients in this elixir include honey, royal jelly, hyaluronic acid and peptides – all of which hydrate and plump while you sleep. 4. Van Cleef & Arpels Moonlight Patchouli, $265 Though this fragrance…

For many women, the morning ritual before heading to work includes some form of makeup application. Whether it’s a subtle touch-up with concealer and lip balm, or the full works complete with foundation and blush, many of us alter our appearance in some way to look more well-groomed and put-together in the workplace. Of course, makeup can be a tool of empowerment, a form of self-expression, and a way to boost self-confidence. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the delicate balance between personal choice and societal expectations. As much as we want to believe that our choices around makeup are influenced only by our personal style, there’s no denying that many of us also face internal and external pressures to look a certain way in professional settings, especially when compared to…

ASK THE EXPERT In hot and humid Singapore, most of us would find it necessary to wash our hair as often as twice a day – but this practice might do more harm than good. To find out how often you really should be washing your tresses, we sought advice from two leading haircare experts: Leonica Kei, founder and principal trichologist at Leonica K Trichology, and Dr Jenny Wong, trichologist and founder of Trichomd Hair Restoration & Laboratories. THE PITFALLS OF FREQUENT WASHING According to Leonica, the scalp contains sebaceous glands that play a vital role in its condition. Factors such as puberty, stress, diet, humidity, and exercise can influence the activity of the sebaceous glands, affecting the required frequency of hair washing. Dr Wong emphasises that excessive hair washing…

For the very first time, Alexander McQueen has unveiled a trio of scented candles – and they are sure to command the attention of olfactory connoisseurs. Encased in black lacquered glass with a metal lid, each gleaming orb is crafted with a rich blend of black mineral and rapeseed wax. Savage Bloom is an intense and earthy combination of saffron, tuberose and oud, while Pagan Rose is a heady mix of wild rose, cognac, peat and moss. Ghost Flower is perhaps the most delicate of the trio: It layers the sweet notes of freesia and peony with a grounding patchouli base. At $650 a pop, the price tag is extravagant, but for true fans of McQueen, this is an indulgence worth adding to their archives.…