Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i Her World Singapore

“National treasures like architect Tay Kheng Soon, who designed some of Singapore’s most iconic buildings.” – CHELSIA TAN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR “Vintage accessories from any of the collections of Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati. The cage boots, red rose heels in python, and the Besace messenger bags... #chefskiss” – WINDY AULIA, CREATIVE DIRECTOR “The works of brilliant writers like Franz Kafka or Fyodor Dostoevsky, for their distinctive voices and imaginative worlds that don’t always conform to typical literary norms.” – LENA KAMARUDIN, FASHION EDITOR “Whether it’s a gadget or lipstick, something deserves cult status if it’s able to meaningfully connect with its audience base.” – LETTY SEAH, BEAUTY EDITOR “As cheesy as it sounds, I would say my Stanley bottle. If it can withstand a car fire, it can withstand…

The fashion influencer is ready for the next phase of life as she embarks on an acting career and launches a home care line. In the span of one year, Willabelle Ong’s Myers-Briggs test results have changed from ISTJ (a logistician with Introverted, Observant, Thinking, and Judging traits) to ENTJ (a commander with Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging traits). The fashion influencer (@willamazing, 448,000 followers on Instagram, and 720,000 on Tiktok) has undergone a period of transformation over the past two years, catalysed by two milestone events: the pandemic, and the birth of her child Ava. There’s also been another event weighing on her mind. This year, Willabelle turns 30, and she’s pumped for the next phase of her life: “I’ve always kind of been running away from [the thought…

FW ’24 TREND LADIES OF LEISURE Modesty and femininity beckon with the reemergence of classic styles from the 1950s and ’60s, such as shift dresses, faux-fur shawls, and wool swing coats – evoking the elegance of a debutante’s wardrobe. Amid the chaos and clutter of the Y2K aesthetic, this trend offers a much-needed reminder to project ourselves as “very demure” and “very mindful”. “Modest yet elegant, this ensemble brilliantly balances ladylike grace with a chic contemporary twist, which resonates with my personal style.” – Scha FW ’24 TREND FANCY SHOULDERS French fashion designer Claude Montana, who was known as the “King of Shoulder Pads” in the 1980s, would be proud that he comes to mind whenever a bold shoulder is mentioned. Anchoring the silhouette with the “bigger-is-better” philosophy…

“It is often said that the dial is the face of the watch, and is what gives a particular model its individual personality. This is even more true in the case of dials made of natural stone.” LACQUERING How do watchmakers achieve those luscious colours on watch dials? One technique is lacquering, which has been mastered by the Rolex engineers. It requires applying fine layers of lacquer onto the dial. Obviously, the room has to be spot clean, so as not to allow any dust particles to settle. The tiniest speck of dust means the process has to be repeated. Lacquering is used predominantly to create deep or intense colours such as black and white, as well as pink, turquoise blue and green. Once the lacquering is completed, the dial…

Have you ever stood in front of your wardrobe at 8am on a Monday morning, and lamented: “I have nothing to wear to work today”? You’re not alone. Despite the fact that many of our workplaces have moved towards a more casual dress code, we still care about what our appearance says about us – about our professionalism, our values, and our dedication to our job. These were the findings of the annual Her World What Women Want survey, which provides a detailed look into the evolving concerns of career women in Singapore, including money, culture and confidence. We received responses from 825 working women, primarily aged 30 to 49. A polished appearance doesn’t just boost self-esteem – it can shape how colleagues perceive you, and even influence your career…

Janice Chan (not her real name), a 34-year-old hotel executive, landed her current role after attending an industry event while in between jobs. She struck up a conversation with a hiring manager, found out that there was a position available, and applied for the job the next day. Janice has not used social media for a few years now, so she goes to as many networking events as she can. According to official Linkedin statistics, about 40 million people apply for a job on the platform weekly. Almost everyone you know has used Linkedin to explore career opportunities, promote their work accomplishments, expand their job network, or some combination of these. If you’re like Janice, you might have hesitated putting yourself out there. Perhaps you’re trying to disconnect from social…

You might be familiar with the boyfriend shirt, a modern day staple for stylish women. Now, the latest beauty trend that’s gone viral on social media is turning our attention towards men who have ruddy complexions. Think Prince William or Prince Harry in their teens. Enter boyfriend blush, a makeup trend that uses blush to achieve the rosy cheeks that we often get after our workouts. Makeup artist Larry Yeo points out that it’s not entirely new, as there have already been interpretations of this look in the past 20 years across many fashion shows. To achieve this look, the blush should be worn on the area that’s just below the higher point of the cheekbones, says Larry. “Tap with fingers from the starting point, and blend it out with…

“As a loyal user, I can attest that it’s possible to achieve a youthful and lifted appearance with Naiian Beauty in just 30 days. The brand’s Cultivated Stem Cell Matrix has more than 250 growth factors and is a global first. I have been on this journey for 20 months, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving!” – Pek Lay Peng, founder of SocietyA “I have been a fan of Handmade Heroes for the past six years. I love that its products have a clean formula, and that it has such a great brand ethos. My favourite is the body scrub, followed by the lip scrub. Both deliver a thorough scrub and are so hydrating. They leave my body and lips plump and smooth for the next few days.…

Imagine a fun but chaotic spectacle of rice grains and toilet paper being strewn all over, and water pistols shooting off in the middle of a film screening. These raucous activities are not unusual at The Projector, which certainly embodies the meaning of its tag line: “Not your average cinema”. According to its co-founder, Karen Tan, 43, the audience dresses up in costumes for the annual Halloween event, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. “It’s silly and entertaining, and such moments of freedom are precious because life in Singapore can be quite stressful,” she says. Now into its 10th year, independent art-house cinema The Projector has come a long way since opening its doors at the former Golden Theatre at Golden Mile Towers in 2014. The Golden Mile Tower flagship branch…

Dior’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection is a vibrant ode to the fearless spirit of the 1960s. Maria Grazia Chiuri has masterfully channelled the rebellious energy of that era, infusing it with contemporary edge. The result? A collection that is as empowering as it is stylish. Chiuri has delved deep into the Dior archives, reviving the bold spirit of a time when fashion was breaking free from the confines of the Haute Couture atelier and making its way onto the streets. The 1968 Miss Dior line, birthed from the minds of Marc Bohan and Philippe Guibourge, is the muse. It was named after Christian Dior’s sister, Catherine, a resistance hero who survived the Nazi concentration camp. However, this is no mere replication – it’s a reinvention; a bold, contemporary interpretation of a…

A symphony of gold and precious stones, My Dior is a love letter to the House’s heritage, reimagined for the modern woman. The minimalist aesthetic lends itself to effortless layering, allowing women to create unique combinations that reflect their personal style. The cannage motif, a geometric weave seen on the seats of Napoleon III, has been a Dior signature since 1947. Monsieur Dior adored the chairs, and they became an integral part of his home and the Haute Couture salons at 30 Avenue Montaigne. This iconic motif has graced countless Dior creations, from handbags to ready-to-wear, but it has never been interpreted with such exquisite precision and modernity as in this new fine jewellery collection. A masterful mix of gold and diamonds, each piece resembles a miniature piece of art.…

In Season 5, Episode 26 of The Office, Toby Flenderson, the HR representative, delivers a memorable line: “What you got to understand is, when you come into work, you give up certain rights.” He was specifically referring to the right to dress as you please. While meant humorously, this quote hits upon a deeper truth – the expectations around workplace attire. Historically, employees conformed to strict dress codes as a sign of professionalism. In recent years, the rise of flexible work arrangements, hybrid working, and the popularisation of “Casual Fridays” have significantly relaxed these codes. Adding to this shift, the Silicon Valley start-up culture has championed even more casual attire, further transforming our approach to workplace dress codes. However, as our work attire becomes more casual, it’s worth asking: Has…

HAW PAR VILLA GENERATING INTEREST IN HISTORY THROUGH CREATIVE REVITALISATION JOURNEYS BY SINGAPORE HISTORY CONSULTANTS (@hawparvilla.sg) When heritage specialist Journeys Pte Ltd ( JPL) was appointed by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to manage Haw Par Villa in 2015, the cultural theme park was a declining tourist destination. Visitor numbers were hovering at around 7,000 per month – a far cry from its peak in the ’80s as one of the top three attractions in Singapore. “The consortium that managed it in the ’90s decided to reinvent it as a Chinese theme park by removing sculptures that were not Chinese and adding a water ride. It was renamed Haw Par Villa Dragon World. Having invested millions into reinventing the park, the operators charged an admission fee. However, they incurred huge…

1. Bio-essence Bio-Water Hydro B5 Toning Pad, $36.90 (70 pieces) Pre-soaked in a potent cocktail of exfoliating papaya enzyme, hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening niacinamide, these toner pads are gentle enough for sensitive skin. Buff away dead skin cells with the textured side before soothing skin with the smooth side. 2. Gucci Beauty Rouge a Levres Mat in #509 Rosso Ancora, $65 Taking inspiration from the burgundy walls of the famed Savoy Hotel where Guccio Gucci once served as a porter, this striking maroon lipstick imparts an intense colour pay-off in just one swipe. 3. Mise-en-scene Salon 10 Protein Shampoo for Damaged Hair, $16.00 Formulated with a patented fortifying protein – Hair Nourishing Protein Complex (collagen, amino acids, glycogen mannitol, PCA and sucrose) – this shampoo promises to revive lacklustre…

If you’ve spent all that time perfecting your look, you’ll want it to last with minimal touch-ups, even when exposed to water and humidity. Don’t know where to start? Here are our top beauty tips and must-haves to keep your makeup waterproof and budge-proof.…

WHAT SHE SAID One aspect of urban life that has always troubled me is the deteriorating quality of our cities. Having lived in metropolises like Bangalore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok before moving to Singapore, I’ve experienced the stark difference that nature can make in urban environments. Stressors, such as pollution, noise and a lack of green spaces, impact the well-being of residents. Singapore’s embrace of greenery is a game changer, but the integration of nature into built environments remains a difficult and expensive process. The core problem is that incorporating nature into our living and working spaces is seen as complicated and costly. Many stakeholders, even at an institutional level, are hesitant, fearing maintenance challenges or lacking “green fingers”. But integrating nature isn’t merely about aesthetics – it’s about…

Versatile and party-ready, the bubble silhouette remains one of my favourite trends from the ’80s. We can thank French designer Pierre Cardin, who first introduced the bubble hem in the mid-1950s. It was originally designed for women to wear during ballroom dancing. The silhouette made a major comeback in the ’80s, reimagined by Christian Lacroix, who designed a striped bubble dress for then-Bond girl Jane Seymour. Princess Diana also turned heads at Cannes when she wore a striped puffball knee-length dress, modestly paired with a white blazer. This season, the bubble silhouette has made a comeback on the runways, but with hemlines that hike all the way up. In real life, pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and Blackpink’s Rose were picture-perfect in these looks. On the runways, Cecilie Bahnsen, Coperni, and…

WOMAN NOW You could say that the desire to help others runs in Laina Raveendran Greene’s blood. Born in Singapore, Laina grew up watching her parents – both immigrants from Kerala, India – give back to their newly adopted country. Laina’s mother, a physics teacher at Raffles Institution (RI), gave free physics tuition to low-income children in their neighbourhood, and in 1969, she started a club at RI, Charity Squad, to help students learn the value of “serving with love”. Laina’s father, despite working long hours at the Port of Singapore Authority, always made time to volunteer with non-profit organisations. In the early 1970s, he helped establish the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home with a group of friends. Laina says that it’s through her parents that she learnt the importance…

I am still grieving after my divorce. My previous relationship wasn’t the best, and I sense my inner circle celebrating that it’s over. However, I genuinely still feel a sense of loss despite knowing that, and I struggle to share this with the people around me. Is this normal? Grief is normal after any loss. Divorce means losing a marriage and a preferred future. There would likely be secondary losses: loss of personal confidence, identity, self-worth, security, social status, financial stability, and more. If there was infidelity, there would be a loss of trust. It can get complicated when children are involved too. Everyone grieves differently, and every marriage is unique. However, not everyone around us is naturally empathetic, even if they have experienced divorce. Others may expect grievers to…

The Dior Cannage is one of the most recognisable designs in the world. For the Parisian house’s Fall/Winter 2024-2025 collection, creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri introduces a range of leather bags embossed with the Macrocannage and Graphic Cannage patterns. Gold metal accents in the form of a padlock and a key ring featuring the iconic star – an emblem that Christian Dior believed to be a “sign of destiny” – add a touch of sophistication. Those who prefer to make a bold statement should reach for the Dior Groove 25 in Graphic Cannage. Perfect for day or night, this daring yet demure style comes with an adjustable strap and a sturdy top handle, allowing you to wear it over your shoulder or arm, or even as a casual crossbody bag.…