Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Her World Singapore

I’ve been told by an older man that when I walk into a room, I don’t make an impact. I’m too quiet, he said, so no one would ever notice me. And apparently, I lack the gravitas that one might expect of a leader. Thankfully, I no longer call this individual my boss. And oh, what a relief it has been. From doubting myself and agonising over how to meet his ever-evolving standards to the person I am today, I’ve relearnt what I’ve always known all along: that confidence doesn’t have to be loud, brash or showy. Being self-assured isn’t about speaking over others to make a point. Frankly, that’s just plain rude in my opinion. It certainly isn’t cartwheeling through life with false bravado, and it definitely isn’t about…

Quah Ting Wen does not have a competitive streak – or so she says. This is, of course, outside of the swimming pool. “I was always a little bit more clumsy on land,” says the 32-year-old national swimmer with a chuckle. “It’s probably because I spend so much time being so competitive in the pool, that anything else that I do elsewhere – such as academics or playing other sports with friends – I don’t get as upset when I lose.” She pauses, before admitting affably: “At least, that’s what I think! My friends and family reading this might beg to differ.” Within the pool, however, it’s a different story, as evidenced by her performance at the 2023 SEA Games. Held in May 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the event…

Hollywood actor Marlene Dietrich once declared that she was “at heart a gentleman”. Her preference for men’s clothing, alongside her many love affairs, was a source of controversy during the post-war eras of the ’50s and ’60s. The silver screen legend famously insisted to director Alfred Hitchcock that Christian Dior had to design her wardrobe for his films. “No Dior, no Dietrich!” she said. And so it comes as no surprise that this charismatic, contrarian actor became Maria Grazia Chiuri’s muse for Dior’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection. Most of the looks were attributed to Dietrich’s famed androgynous style: iron-pressed white shirts with slouchy pleat-front trousers, mannish overcoats, and a tailored three-piece charcoal grey trouser suit. In fact, several of the jackets were designs inspired by Dietrich herself, who was a close…

Characterised by the long horizontal sides – reminiscent of the layout of Earth’s longitudinal lines from east to west – this style is known as the East West handbag, and it’s recently back in the spotlight thanks to the virality of the Alaia Teckel bag.…

When Nora* and her ex-husband divorced, she filed for the right to appeal to keep the BTO flat the couple had bought when they were still married. The flat, due for completion next year, was located near a primary school, and Nora thought it would make an ideal home for their son, who would be enrolling in primary school by then. Little did she expect her ex-husband to fight her on the issue – he wanted the flat, as its prime location meant a potential windfall when it could be sold. Although the judge ruled in Nora’s favour, the tussle meant thousands spent on legal fees, and even more months spent in bitter acrimony. The dispute over the flat was just one of many that Nora dealt with in her…

It starts with just one box, then another and another, until you find yourself amassing a collection at home. Blind boxes have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, particularly with their easy availability in physical stores and vending machines, sparking a widespread phenomenon. In Singapore, you’ll find crowds of people in stores like Pop Mart, which originated from China and is known for selling a wide assortment of mystery blind boxes featuring figurines ranging from iconic cartoons, such as Spongebob Squarepants, to the brand’s own line of toy characters like Molly. Some boxes contain rare “secret” figures, which have led to the increased appeal of these figurines. They come in limited quantities, which makes collecting them a lot more enticing – and potentially investment-worthy. Over the years, the concept of…

The truth is, we don’t wake up every day feeling our best. Perhaps you’re frustrated by your particularly unruly hair today, or maybe a pimple has appeared unannounced on your face. These things – and more – can spoil your day and dampen your spirits. To lift your mood, consider these solutions that are loved by beauty experts. “I’ve been a loyal fan of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum ever since I worked on a project with them years ago. I’ve since used 10 bottles to date, and it’s one of the products that I carry with me all the time.” – Lim Xixi, comedian/actor/singer “I love getting a massage whenever I can, and Royalway TCM is my go-to. I always feel ready to take on the world afterwards!”…

There’s a product for every eyebrow need and trend out there. Whether it’s filling in gaps or achieving feathery brows, the choices on the market are abundant. This can feel overwhelming, especially for those of us with little knowledge about how to achieve better-looking arches. Thankfully, these new treatments and at-home products are here to help you enter your best brow era yet. SERVICES AND TREATMENTS Perfect arches are now within reach, thanks to these brow-transforming treatments. 1. BROW LAMINATION, $98 AT BENEFIT COSMETICS Benefit Cosmetics’ newest brow service promises fuller-looking arches in under 60 minutes. It starts with a Brow Mapping service by the brand’s brow expert, who brushes your brow hair upwards to create a smooth and defined look. Results can last up to six weeks. Post treatment,…

“To communicate with composure and clarity, you need to know your content. Being articulate is the connection between the mind and mouth. If you’re filling your brain with great content and you know your zone of genius well, you’ll naturally be more confident and clear. For composure in the performance/execution of your message, this comes down to how you can fight the nerves that can sabotage us.” – Simone Heng, global keynote speaker and author “Take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. Use assertive body language and non-verbal cues – maintain posture, make eye contact, and use gestures. Most importantly, own your expertise. Confidence radiates when you believe in yourself and your abilities. Lastly, acknowledge your limitations gracefully: If you’re unsure or don’t have an answer, it’s okay…

AMITA BERTHIER 24, fencer, @amita_berthier MASTER OF THE BLADE Amita came across fencing by chance during a school holiday when she was six years old, and immediately fell in love with the sport. “My passion for fencing has grown immensely over the last 18 years. I have learnt to grow both mentally and physically with every competition, and not to take things for granted. We only have such a short lifespan as high performance athletes, so I try to make the most out of my journey at every competitive opportunity,” she says. Ranked 28th in the world in women's foil, Amita is the first Singapore female fencer to qualify for the Olympics, and will be representing Team Singapore at the Paris Olympics this year. “I think it is important to…

1. Sheer silk blouse, Chloe Boho is back, and Chemena Kamali’s appointment as creative director at Chloe is one of the main reasons why. Says Kamali, who has worked at Chloe twice before being appointed as creative director: “I think there’s this longing for undone-ness and freedom, and softness and movement.” For her Pre-Fall 2024 collection, her debut for the Parisian house, Kamali wanted her clothes to be anchored in reality, with the aim to build timeless and iconic wardrobe pieces that are recognisably Chloe, just as its founder Gaby Aghion envisioned. Aghion wanted her clothes to have a certain lightness and freedom, so you can work and live your life in them. If I were lucky enough to someday build my dream Chloe wardrobe, I would start with this…

ASK THE EXPERT A cowboy hat is a must Queen Bey is in her cowgirl era and we are all here for it. At the Grammy Awards earlier this year, she debuted her Wild West look in anticipation of her latest album Cowboy Carter. Knowing Beyonce, she was not going to do an expected Western fit. Instead, she slayed it with a modern take, opting for a classic masculine suit and cowboy hat. Our tip for nailing this trend is to invest in a cowboy hat – Singapore’s scorching weather is the perfect excuse to buy one! Pair it with a basic T-shirt, jeans and boots (it doesn’t even have to be cowboy-inspired), and you’re all set. It’s all in the details You don’t have to go for obvious cowgirl-inspired…

Networking interactions can sometimes feel somewhat transactional, especially in professional settings. Why not approach networking as an opportunity to learn from others, offer support, and cultivate relationships based on mutual respect and shared interests? BE AUTHENTIC Building meaningful relationships requires curiosity and a genuine interest in others. It also takes time, so allow yourself and others the space to gradually open up and connect on a deeper level. Authenticity is key to fostering meaningful conversations and relationships. While you don’t have to bare your souls to people you’ve just met, you can be genuine in your responses and share aspects of yourself that feel comfortable. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not. FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGE “Take the initiative to reach out and engage with them on topics beyond just…

Perhaps your quiet demeanour at work has been misinterpreted as a lack of enthusiasm. Or maybe you’ve encountered the frustration of being overlooked for a promotion because you don’t shout out your wins as much as your extroverted colleagues, and thus your accomplishments have gone unnoticed by senior leadership. The workplace can often seem like a labyrinth of social interactions, challenges, and competing priorities. For introverts who find solace in introspection and quietude, navigating this terrain can be particularly daunting. The quiet demeanour of introverts might also be misconstrued as disinterest or lack of enthusiasm, further complicating their interactions in team settings. In today’s fast-paced and remote-oriented work culture, being “out of sight” can inadvertently lead to being “out of mind”, potentially hindering opportunities for growth and recognition. Moreover, the…

1. Fenty Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Intensive Pore + Blackhead Face Scrub, $48 Not only does it look like luscious Cookies & Cream ice cream, it also has an indulgent cream-like consistency with just the right amount of grit, thanks to the addition of volcanic sand and silica. These ingredients gently slough away dead skin cells, while rhubarb and ginger extracts soothe skin and minimise irritation. 2. Kerasilk Bond Builder, $50 This leave-in product deeply nourishes hair to fortify strands and protect against future breakage. It features a proprietary biomimetic silk and bondamide to repair hair from the inside out. 3. Glint Stick Highlighter in #02 Milky Moon, $26 Thanks to its finely milled glitter and creamy consistency, this highlighter stick from K-beauty brand Glint effortlessly melts into skin…

He’s Swedish writer with an existential crisis. I’m a magazine journalist with an overwhelming sense of ennui. We both share a dry and self-deprecating sense of humour, along with a natural tendency for neurosis. It was a match made on Bumble. A sudden whim to visit Scandinavia brought me to Stockholm, curiosity inspired me to try a dating app, and serendipity led us both to swipe right. And on a wintry Friday night, I found myself having drinks with him at a wine bar in Sodermalm. “You should start a column called The Singleporean,” he joked as we talked about life as a single person in Singapore. His clever wordplay sealed the deal for me. I could see myself exploring this potential connection. Unfortunately, we live on different continents, and…

WHAT HE SAID Imagine you’re a Singapore man. After two years of National Service, your female peers are two years ahead. You enter school: There are special bursaries and scholarships for women. You start working: There are women-only job fairs and networking clubs, and murmurs that companies prioritise diversity quotas over skill. You start your own business: There are SME programmes only for women entrepreneurs. You see existing laws: Women are exempt from judicial caning. With the #MeToo movement empowering women to speak up, you see high profile examples such as a doctor falsely accused of molestation – with exoneration in court only years later. These examples, especially the positive discrimination policies favouring women, occur in competitive environments like school or work, where you’re fighting over a limited number of…

I’m in my 40s, but honestly, I still feel like I’m 29 years old. Is that weird? Am I in a state of delulu? Don’t get me wrong, I love this stage of my life – but I really don’t feel my age. Maybe it’s because I dress the same way I did 20 years ago. I still find it easy to pull off trending looks from the ’90s because to me, they are perennial. As a teen during the era, I worshipped the grunge band Nirvana and its frontman Kurt Cobain who, with his dishevelled hair, thrift-store finds, and rebellious anti-fashion stance, became an unintentional fashion inspiration for many youths at the time. His iconic flannel shirts, worn-out cardigans, chunky boots, and baggy jeans earned a place in their…

ALL-BLUE CLASSIC Versace shows a new way to wear a three-piece suit – with a denim bustier – in a classic blue jean colour. TEXTURED AND TRENDING Experiment with different fabrications and techniques like quilting or embroidery – perfectly encapsulated by Isabel Marant – but stick to the same colour palette. It’s just so much more chic. A PLAY WITH CONTRAST Achieve an effortless, relaxed ensemble through contrasting coloured denims – blue and white are a match made in heaven – that make it the perfect weekend brunch outfit.…

Feeling burnt out, under appreciated, and just simply disengaged at work? You might be experiencing the effects of resenteeism, an obvious form of dissatisfaction that shares some similarities with quiet quitting, a viral workplace trend that describes checking out – albeit silently. Rachel Lum (not her real name) has become so “jaded” at work that she’s started to resent it. The 34-year-old digital content editor and researcher says that her feelings towards her job changed last year, when her bosses requested that their staff return to the office full-time. After nearly three years of working from home during the pandemic, Rachel didn’t like that she had essentially been forced back to a five-day work week in the office. “I went from having flexible work days to a more structured schedule…

I discovered my partner’s affair eight months ago. My trust in people is broken, my self-confidence is in tatters, and I struggle to move on. Is it dramatic that I still feel deeply upset? You are definitely not being dramatic! Be it an emotional affair over text or engaging a sex worker, the impact you feel can be similarly severe. The latest research shows experiencing infidelity can cause symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): intrusive thoughts and memories, changes in moods and thoughts, heightened physical arousal and reactivity, and changes to one’s ability to process chronology. Discovering the affair is only the start of your recovery journey, so please give yourself time. How do I learn to cope with these feelings and begin healing? One simple, powerful way to cope…

If you’ve ever noticed tiny red bumps around your mouth and nose area, it could be a skin condition called perioral dermatitis. While it is not often talked about, the condition is more common than you think as there are many possible triggers. In March this year, skincare founder and model Hailey Bieber opened up about her personal struggles with the inflammatory condition. The 27-year-old shared that new facial products, changes in the climate, and certain SPF products can aggravate her condition, which is why she opts for gentle formulas to calm her skin. But how can you tell if a skin flare-up is actually perioral dermatitis? We speak to skincare experts Dr Rachel Ho of La Clinic and Dr Lee Hwee Chyen of Epi Dermatology & Laser Specialist Clinic…