Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i Her World Singapore

I’ll be the first to admit that staying agile in a corporate environment can be tough and, at times, trying, but here are some things that I feel have helped me: Fail fast.Give a deadline on projects, reassess the situation when the time comes, and pivot if necessary. Not all great ideas have longevity, but there’s plenty to learn from mistakes you make. Practise workplace flexibility. If there’s one good thing that’s come out of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s that my team and I are still sticking with our hybrid WFH/office schedules. Not only has it boosted our productivity, there’s science that backs it up too (PS head over to pg50 to find out why #FocusFridays work). Listen to your team. They were hired for a reason, and there’s plenty…

A soot-faced girl steps into the light, clad in a dirty, oversized trench coat, a red baker boy hat perched atop her head. She looks into the crowd with sad, imploring eyes, and then sings the haunting first verse of the famed Claude-Michel Schonberg tune, On My Own. By now, you may have seen the buzz on social media, or even watched Nathania Ong’s rousing performance in the flesh as Eponine, the tragic heroine of Les Miserables on London’s West End. In the past year, the Singaporean actor has captured the hearts of audiences with her portrayal of a character who perhaps most famously encapsulates the heartbreak of unrequited love. Following a year-long season with the renowned musical, the London-based West End star is back in Singapore for another acclaimed…

The concept of wearability has never been so emphasised on the fashion runways, as designers went into overdrive this season to create foolproof pieces that are, well, easy to wear. Case in point: the white shirt. The Fall/Winter 2023 Prada showcase was a master class in effortless uptown chic, pairing the shirt with a miniskirt and bow-embellished pointed flats. Elsewhere, Alexander McQueen leaned into Savile Row tailoring with a white dress shirt and leather wide-legged trousers combo. For the evening, Versace brought a spin to the house’s signature femme fatale look via a white shirt, jeans and leather gloves. Rocking an ensemble that most embodies this spirit of wearability, even in a couture presentation, model Kaia Gerber sauntered down Valentino’s Couture Fall 2023 show with an effortless combo of a…

Black makes it classy You can thank Sarah Jessica Parker for consistently serving looks. Always having a knack for being unconventional on the red carpet, she took the brief for the New York City Ballet Fall Gala seriously, donning a tulle dress with an oversized bow. She is proof that even in your 50s, you can pull off a statement ribbon with sophistication – the trick is to go for an all-black ensemble. Try an athleisure look You might not be ready to splurge on a tracksuit from Sandy Liang, but what you can do is to get creative. Add ribbons to a tracksuit for an unexpected contrast. Pair your outfit with this season’s ladylike heels, and you’re all set to go. Incorporate leather details (preferably with a patent finish)…

In the past year, words like “work leisure” and “power casual” have entered our office lexicon, proving that we no longer have to choose between comfort and style. If you’re looking for a timepiece to complement your new workwear wardrobe, we suggest four pieces that are smart enough for the boardroom, but imbued with statement-making details. The classic with a unique complication Launched in 2005, the Longines Master Collection has served as a canvas for time-only functions, as well as complicated calendars, all at an affordable price. Handsome details such as an ultra-slim bezel and leaf hands make for smart wrist candy, meaning that almost any timepiece in this collection is a good option for the office. But if you want to stand out, this Master Moonphase ($4,580) features one…

Danisha Mathialagan was only 18 when she began boxing competitively in local competitions. The former netball player had picked up the sport as a hobby in 2014, as she was looking for another sport to engage in. “I wanted to try a contact sport, and boxing seemed to be a less violent option [compared to MMA], as it mainly involves using your upper body,” she shares. Unfortunately, her parents disapproved of her hobby. Then 17 years old, Danisha had to plead with her mum for consent to join a boxing gym because she was a minor. “After months of begging, she finally let me join. And I told her that, you know, we’re just going to be training; there’s no fighting whatsoever.” But Danisha did eventually get into the ring.…

Did you know that women outperform men as investors? Several studies in the past few years have corroborated statistics that women make higher returns on investments, even though there are less female investors than male. Still, the prevalent rhetoric remains that women are not good with money. Look at one of this year’s most prolific Tiktok trends, #girlmath, which essentially sees young women on Tiktok share strategies – some perplexing, some smart – to rationalise their extravagant spending habits. It has engendered a host of commentaries and videos, some featuring young girls explaining the concept to older men, and the men shaking their heads in dismay. It’s condescending, trivialising, and reinforces our negative perceptions of women and money. We don’t see men justifying that exorbitantly expensive watch, car or video…

How long do you spend on a task before switching to another tab? In 2012, a University of California study found that we spend 75 seconds on average focusing on a task. A recent update found that this number has since been reduced to a grand total of 44 seconds – still more than the goldfish with an attention span of nine seconds, but the drop appears alarming So how can we make sure that we don’t become even less focused? Research has shown that physical activity can train our cognitive processes, and it’s a technique that the world’s elite athletes swear by. Singapore-based brain-fitness gym Sparkd is unlike any other gym you’ve been to. Yes, there’s a treadmill, but instead of the usual incline, it moves around in unpredictable…

What is rust out, and how does it differ from burnout? While both rust out and burnout can present with symptoms like exhaustion and the dreaded Monday blues, they stem from vastly different sources. People facing rust out might express feelings of boredom and disengagement from their work. They may say things like, “I want to discover what truly motivates me”, or “I don’t feel challenged anymore”. On the other hand, burnout clients are more likely to emphasise being overwhelmed and depleted. They might say, “I can’t see an end to this” or “I can’t keep up with this pace”. Rust out tends to be subtler and more insidious, and one of the key indicators is the creeping sense of stagnation and monotony in your daily work. You might find…

It is easy to get caught in the cycle of buying one skincare product after another because we think they are beneficial in different ways. But according to the viral skin streaming trend, overloading your complexion with too many products might be doing more harm than good Dr Harvey Ho, founder of Skinscape Clinic, explains that skin streaming involves eliminating unnecessary steps and focusing only on core products that work for your particular skin type or concerns. Dr Lim Ming Yee, founder and medical director of MY Medical Aesthetics, adds that unlike other trends such as “skinimalism” – which can involve elaborate steps and excessive products – skin streaming emphasises efficiency and efficacy. DOES SKIN STREAMING ACTUALLY WORK? One of the main benefits of skin streaming is the reduced risk…

“As a sportsperson, agility is the key element to success. As an athlete, we equip ourselves with various technical, tactical and even mental skills, but it will all be for nothing if we don’t utilise them at an opportune time. In a sporting/competitive environment, the stakes are always changing, and we need to be agile and flexible to adapt to different scenarios in order to succeed.” – Shayna Ng, three-time world bowling champion “To me, agility represents the notion of being fluid and nimble. She who is of open mind and heart has the ability to pivot seamlessly, and harness the chaos around her.” – Farhanna Farid, two-time Asian powerlifting champion and a four-time national champion “Agility is about a nimble mind and body. For me, agility creates opportunities to…

“I’m here to offer some insight into ageing, but I don’t know, you guys – I don’t think about it that much! As far as I’m concerned, ageing is just another word for living,” quips Anne Hathaway to a crowded room of editors and key opinion leaders on the top floor of the swanky new Virgin Hotels New York City. I am in the Big Apple for an exclusive event with Shiseido, and The Devil Wears Prada actor, who was recently named a global ambassador for the Japanese beauty brand, is positively glowing on stage – in part due to the shiny gold gown that long-time collaborator and celebrity stylist Erin Walsh has put her in, but also very much because of the charming energy she seems to exude effortlessly.…

1. Off-the-shoulder taffeta mini dress, $1,604, Jacquemus at Net-a-porter.com French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus is no stranger to show-stopping creations, such as the statement sleeves from his Fall/Winter 2023 Le Chouchou collection. Leveraging on its success, Jacquemus, together with Net-a-porter, has launched an exclusive 14-piece capsule collection dubbed Le Soir. It includes ready-to-wear styles in black and velvet, along with exquisite bags, shoes and jewellery, all designed to complement any wardrobe. 2. Uva handmade gold plated ring with natural clean green prehnite stone, $383.96, Simuero When it comes to rings, I find myself drawn to imperfect forms that are adorned with coloured stones. On my wish list are these stunning statement rings, designed and crafted by Rocio and Jorge for their sustainable jewellery brand Simuero. Each piece takes an…

A COLOUR STORY Have fun with coloured ballet pumps by pairing them with a matching outfit, but break up the tone-on-tone shade with accessories – like a bag or jewellery – in different hues. GET THE LOOK TIME TO PARTY Keep your outfit tailored and streamlined, so all eyes will be on your snatched pair of embellished, shearling or embroidered shoes. GET THE LOOK TAKE A BOW Classic bow-detailed ballerina pumps may look ultra girlie, but they pair surprisingly well with androgynous separates. GET THE LOOK…

Let’s be honest: Not much ever gets done on Fridays. In between meetings that could have been an e-mail and 2pm beer pong competitions, Fridays have gained an unfortunate reputation for being lazy stop-gaps to the weekend. After four days filled with meetings, deadlines and (work) fires to fight, it’s no surprise that we tend to run out of steam by the end of the week, especially if Friday is still a designated WFH day at your company. But what if it could actually be the most productive day of your week? That’s what the folks at Google and Slack have noticed since implementing #focusfridays, which essentially advocates clearing your work for the day with no disruptions. Since implementing #focusfridays, 84 per cent of Slack employees reported an increase in…

I’m a part-time adjunct lecturer who runs a multi-disciplinary design studio specialising in projects that combine art, design and culture. I believe that art should be available to everyone, and this is the reason why I started my creative studio. I wanted to curate interactive art events that are inclusive and fun for everyone to attend. However, working as a creative in Singapore comes at a cost. I self-funded a project a few years back and blew through all my life savings. This came up to about $15,000-$20,000 over the project’s duration, which ran for several years. While it was a fulfilling project that received a lot of press coverage, it did not make money. The buzz from the event did help to launch my creative studio, and now I…

Have you ever given constructive criticism to a junior colleague, only to have her bawl her eyes out afterwards because she felt that you were personally attacking her? The whole interaction might have also left you feeling guilty for coming across as unkind and callous, but at the same time, there was no real tactful way to share your feedback with her. And perhaps your relationship with that colleague changed after that interaction. She started avoiding you, or even developed a snarky attitude towards you, and you stopped giving her any more feedback about her work, for fear of upsetting her again. As a result, the quality of her work continued to deteriorate, your team’s performance suffered, and your boss has lashed out at you for not delivering results. You…

A few years ago, two Australians underwent a treatment called faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), whereby they received poop transplants (yes, you read that right) from another individual. Both had been long-term sufferers of bipolar disorder, and had tried various treatment methods over the years to no avail. Since the FMT, reports have shown that both patients no longer experience bipolar symptoms. If the words “faecal transplant” are making you baulk, think again – after all, there is growing evidence that they can help cure extreme cases of mental health disorders. “FMT is a comprehensive approach where faecal material from a healthy donor, containing a diverse community of bacteria, is transplanted into the recipient’s gut,” explains Gwendoline Tan, chief innovation officer at Amili, a gut microbiome company and research lab based…

In recent years, facial light therapy has evolved from something that was only professionally done at a beauty salon or clinic, to an easy and convenient DIY treatment you can do at home. Lightemitting diode (LED) masks might look like something out of a sci-fi film, but they have increased in popularity, thanks to celeb fans like Victoria Beckham and Chrissy Teigan. The popularity of these devices can be attributed to the fact that they’re easy to use, and provide pain-free procedures with neither the need for invasive procedures nor downtime. Purported benefits include improving blood circulation, reducing blemishes, as well as minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dr Harvey Ho, founder of Skinscape Clinic, explains that LED light therapy works by using light in the visible spectrum…

Known for her interesting social media feed that discusses aesthetic and beauty topics, Dr Rachel Ho of La Clinic recently posted a video of herself with a Tiktok ageing filter, making her look more than 30 years older. “I thought it would be fun to share the video and explain the signs of ageing depicted by the filter. I took the opportunity to discuss lifestyle and skincare tips to delay these signs of ageing. “The interesting thing I noticed was that compared to most other popular filters on Tiktok that made users look younger or more beautiful with makeup trends, this filter was a more realistic depiction of how one might look when older,” she says. Has Dr Ho tested AI chatbots for skin related advice herself? “Yes, I have…

Lip fillers, such as hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, are primarily used for augmenting lip volume and enhancing their shape. While they can make your lips appear fuller and more hydrated, they aren’t a direct solution for chronically dry and chapped lips. To address cracked pouts, it’s essential to focus on lip care and hydrating from within. Besides drinking enough water, regularly applying lip balms or ointments containing ingredients like beeswax, shea butter or petroleum jelly can provide a protective barrier and keep lips moisturised. However, it is important to note that some lip products may contain ingredients that can exacerbate dryness. Choose lip care products with minimal fragrances and potential irritants. Your diet also plays a crucial role in skin health and hydration. Essential fatty acids, vitamins – especially vitamin…

Just three years ago, a plant craze swept the world. While many started having lush foliage proliferating in their homes, others splurged on unusual varieties and hybrids. Here’s another to add to one’s repository of exotic flora: the Ganoderma Neo-japonicum($650). This sculptural mycelium (fungi) piece, grown by local mycotechnology company Bewilder over a period of six months, comprises a cluster of rare medicinal mushrooms from the Lingzhi family. The Ganoderma Neo-japonicum is found in the forests of Malaysia, and is reportedly consumed by indigenous tribes to treat ailments such as asthma and diabetes. Though the sculpture has been dehydrated, which means growth has stopped, it is best kept away from moisture and direct sunlight.…

As I’m taking my midday mindless Instagram scroll as a five-minute break from work, out pops a memory reminding me that today is my one-year anniversary in my current role. That might not seem like a big deal to most, but it’s the longest I’ve stayed at a job in the last five years. Before I get accused of being a job-hopping millennial (even though that’s exactly what I am), not all of my job hops were fuelled by ambition. Some were due to the tumultuous nature of the pandemic (and just plain ol’ retrenchment), while the rest were, in my opinion, a necessity due to toxic working environments. The one common thread that ran through these decisions? I never regretted jumping in, and then jumping out when I had…

When I was first diagnosed with scoliosis, the image was seared into my retinas. The stark, back-lit X-ray transparencies in my chiropractor’s office showed my spine dramatically double-curved, the obvious cause of the pain that shot through my pelvis and back every time I tried to stand or walk. A week ago, I had attended a somatic therapy session, where my therapist, a mild-mannered woman who spoke with quiet conviction, said I might feel some pain in my body over the next few days as psychological conflicts in my life resurfaced. I imagined a pain that came and went – and that was easily dismissed – but the discomfort in my lower back began as a dull throb (almost a muscle sprain), which then flared exponentially into agony. I could…

THE BRAND Established in 2017 by the H&M group, this Stockholm-based label offers quality wardrobe staples. Besides fashion accessories and apparel, you can also shop for lifestyle items ranging from homeware to travel accessories. THE LOW-DOWN Simple and neutral basics such as linen pantsuits, heavyweight cotton T-shirts, satin camisoles and jersey skirts are the bestsellers here. Created with functionality and durability in mind, Arket pays special attention to sustainable practices and processes that espouse a high level of transparency. The brand invests in sourcing new circular materials such as upcycled down, recycled cashmere and Econyl, a type of fabric made from nylon waste. WHAT’S MORE Arket keeps a rolodex of reputable international suppliers that include Marzotto, which has been producing fabrics in the Italian town of Valdagno for over 180…

In 2022, Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer launched a US$300,000 ($411,000) watch. Called the Plasma Diamant d’Avant-Garde, it features a dial made entirely out of diamonds. The kicker, however, is that the diamonds are all lab-grown. It was a significant step for the brand, as it signalled TAG Heuer’s – and its parent company LVMH’s – endorsement of lab-grown diamonds, which had, till very recently, been factional. LVMH, which owns brands including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Bvlgari, also revealed in 2022 that it had invested in lab-grown diamond company Lusix. This came hot on the heels of De Beers’ launch of Lightbox in 2020, a company that develops and markets lab-grown diamonds. For LVMH and De Beers, this allows them to tap into the growing lab-grown diamond market, as well…

Imagine this: Your eyeglasses have the wrong prescription, and you’ve spent your life navigating the world in a constant state of disorientation, plagued by dizziness. To make matters worse, you lack the financial means to have your eyes examined, and the only pair of glasses you own is held together by tape. This was a scenario that Yvonne Siow, Asean head of the Onesight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, the philanthropic arm of European eyewear maker EssilorLuxottica, recently encountered with a malnourished child during a mission trip to the slums in the Philippines. “He was probably about 10 years old, but he looked like five,” she recalls. He approached Yvonne and her team with a pair of spectacles that was broken into three pieces and haphazardly taped together because he couldn’t afford to…

“Singapore women, past and present, have contributed significantly to our nation’s development, whether it be in the workplace… or at home, where many sacrifice their careers, their strengths, and their sleep, and dedicate their energies and time to raise the children and take care of their household,” notes Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore, in her keynote speech as guest-of-honour at Her World’s Women of the Year 2023 gala. Ms Fu adds that it’s important to celebrate women, so as to provide a tangible record of women’s representation and success that women can achieve. This, in turn, helps “to inspire other women to lean in and strive for excellence in their chosen fields, to highlight role models that girls and young women can look up…

1. Hermes Plein Air H Trio in #01 Rose Atacama, $147 Want to achieve that dewy luminous look? For those with dry skin, consider adding the Hermes Plein Air H Trio to your roster. Thanks to its hyaluronic acid-infused formula and pearlescent pigments, it locks in makeup without making it look cakey. 2. Dr Barbara Sturm Make-Up Remover, $120Gentle on the skin, but tough on stubborn makeup, this makeup remover contains nourishing almond, apricot and sunflower seed oil to hydrate and soothe, plus prebiotics to strengthen the skin barrier. 3. Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream Mask, $125 The weather is unbearably hot these days, which is why you might consider adding Clarins’ Cryo-Flash Cream Mask to your beauty routine. It promises to reduce skin temperature by up to 4 deg C, and…

Here’s one reason why you might reconsider the use of over-the-counter antiperspirants: These products usually contain aluminium salts that help minimise sweat, but the chemical reaction resulting from the aluminium’s interaction with perspiration often causes yellow stains on your clothes. This means you’ll want to be extra careful on days when you’re wearing your favourite white shirt. Before you consider a switch to natural deodorants, it helps to know the difference between antiperspirants and natural deodorants. The former are made to minimise perspiration, while the latter are formulated to reduce the odour caused by our perspiration. Another important factor to note: Most natural deodorants do not stop us from sweating, meaning you may still see sweat stains on your shirt on a hot day. Fans of the greener versions will…