Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Her World Singapore

It’s hard to imagine life without the Internet, and the days of dial-up seem like a distant memory in today’s world of 5G and lightning speed access. What started as a military experiment in the late 1960s evolved into the World Wide Web in 1989, and by the mid ’90s, surfing the web began more commonplace. I’m grateful that we no longer have to wait minutes for a single web page to load, and can now stream entire movies in seconds. The Internet is ever-evolving and Gen Z – true digital natives – are consuming content in entirely new ways. Attention spans are shorter, engagement is more interactive, and authenticity is non-negotiable. They’ve moved beyond traditional social media feeds to decentralised platforms, AI-driven personalisation, and hyper-niche communities. While many of…

Love them or hate them, get ready to see tons of skinny pants content this season. Thanks to their effortless and forgiving silhouette, baggy trousers have been a crowd favourite for more than a decade, but the slim-fit silhouette will soon become a mainstay of your closets yet again. It’s a clear indication that this style is trending when all the key runways – including Prada, Bottega Veneta, Loewe and Alexander McQueen – are putting them in a completely new light. At Marni and Prada, skinny trousers were styled with button-up shirts, blazers and other traditional business attire. At Loewe, it was more of a dressed-down vibe as they were paired with T-shirts and high-cut sneakers. Skinny pants also made waves in the boho sphere, particularly at Isabel Marant and…

In the opening scene of the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada, several women engage in a fashionably identical dress-up routine: They leisurely pick lingerie out and slip into vertiginous shoes. The piece de resistance of the scene (right in the heart of New York City)? A shoulder bag dangling in the crook of their arms, as they flag a yellow cab to work. Now, cut to the Fall/Winter 2019 Coach show, when its creative director Stuart Vevers debuted the Tabby handbag. Clean, classic, and logo-free, the Tabby was a rework of a 1970s bag, designed to be slung over the shoulders or held in the crook of the arm – chic, effortless and very New Yorker. Its sleek east-west silhouette, punctuated with a vintage “C” clasp, gave major flip…

While many believe that starting early in one’s investment journey offers a compounding advantage, Ceridwen Choo, CEO of DCS Innov, shares a different perspective: “I don’t think it’s necessary to start investing at a very young age.” That is because she focused on setting money aside for goals, and safeguarded her financial needs. Learning how to maximise her earnings was something the 40-something-year-old picked up from a young age. Born to an air stewardess and a businessman, she was mostly cared for by a babysitter, a feisty and independent 73-year-old grandmotherly figure who lived in a three-room HDB flat in the mature Tanglin Halt estate. As a result, she shuttled between two homes – two vastly different environments – for the first decade of her life. Ceridwen recalls watching her…

“Ask yourself: Do they truly like you for who you are, or are they projecting an idealised version of you?” – CAMPUS SEXUAL MISCONDUCT IN A DIGITAL AGE (CASMIDA) In the women’s toilet of a mall along Orchard Road, a notice posted behind the stall doors is causing a stir. Printed in bold, upper-case letters is a cautionary tale about a man who has allegedly been “luring women with false claims of seeking a life partner” – all while being in a relationship with a woman pregnant with his child. Titillating as the story may be, it’s hardly an uncommon scenario. But here’s where it gets concerning: accompanying the notice are screenshots of the man’s dating profile on several popular apps, where he had allegedly been targeting unsuspecting…

1. La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, from $800 A cult favourite since 2012, this reformulated serum now features reparative caviar premier, absolute and micro-nutrients to boost collagen and hydration, while supporting skin’s metabolic function. Its dual-phase formula – housed in a sleek cobalt-blue vessel – activates on use, delivering visible results in just 15 minutes. 2. Drunk Elephant Mello Marula Cream Cleanser, $54 This cream cleanser gently whisks away impurities, water-resistant makeup and sunscreen. Once your skin is clean, 1 per cent colloidal oatmeal and marula oil work together to soften and balance your complexion. 3. Jo Malone Enrich Body Balm, $160 When it comes to your body care routine, do as the Romans did. This indulgent body balm draws inspiration from the opulence of ancient Roman baths. Not…

For the first time in fragrance history, the elusive lily-of-the-valley – long considered a “silent flower” because its natural scent has to be reconstituted in perfumes – finds its voice. In eLVes Louis Vuitton, the latest addition to the Maison’s fragrance collection, this delicate bloom is able to shine through an unprecedented extraction process. Masterfully crafted by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, the scent is a bold declaration of modern femininity. A sensual bouquet of opulent rose and radiant lily-of-the-valley is enhanced with the symphony of blackcurrant, peach, coconut milk, and a whisper of spice, resulting in a fragrance that is equal parts intoxicating and elegant. $480 for 100ml and $705 for 200ml, available at Louis Vuitton stores from April 17.…

Names like OpenAI, Google Deepmind and Anthropic dominate the conversation about artificial intelligence, but a new player has entered the scene: Deepseek, a Chinese AI start-up founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. An even more powerful but cost-efficient alternative? While Deepseek hasn’t shared exact figures, it claims to use 10 to 40 times less energy than US-based models. This is a big deal, as it translates to lower infrastructure costs and environmental impact, as there is less demand for data centres, electricity and even water for cooling. It also positions itself as a low-cost alternative. The company claims that Deepseek-R1 was trained for just US$5.6 million. In comparison, OpenAI reportedly spent US$80-$100 million to train GPT-4 alone. Deepseek-R1 has already proven itself in mathematics and problem-solving, reportedly scoring 97.3 per…

1. LV Biker MM, $6,400, Louis Vuitton Nicolas Ghesquiere is no stranger to creating a cult biker bag. During his 15-year tenure at Balenciaga, he designed the Motorcycle Lariat bag circa 2000s, now revived by the house as the Le City. Now as creative director at Louis Vuitton (going strong in his 12th year), the French designer is keeping his winning streak with the Louis Vuitton Biker. Drawing on the maison’s heritage with an homage to the classic silhouettes of Vuitton’s iconic Keepall and Speedy styles, the LV Biker also borrows exceptional details from the rich history of trunk-making. Inspired by classic biker jackets, the bag features a new Pixel lambskin leather with a two-toned effect, and also has a foldable construction. The versatile strap combinations allow it to be…

THE BUCKET BAG IS HERE TO STAY Not new, but definitely a mainstay in the fashion circuits, with more brands incorporating this fuss-free silhouette in their collections. We especially love the updated bucket styles from top-handle designs to this season’s iteration with a shoulder sling, such as the Gucci 73, and the new version from Tod’s with an elegant metal bar clasp. BIG BUSINESS Coming in strong in the oversized category are the bags designed with unstructured silhouettes, much like the Balenciaga Bel Air and Bottega Veneta’s Ciao Ciao. You know, the one that looks best with a little wear and tear, is effortless (but luxe), practical and versatile, but all in all still has that cool factor. STRUCTURE AND GRACE Practical and functional styles continue to dominate the runways,…

I first met Jason*, a Gen Z creative, over dinner with friends. Work talk made for an easy icebreaker and, before long, we found ourselves swopping stories about office icks. That’s when Jason recalled a photo shoot where an older colleague looked at an image and said, “Wah, this picture is so slay, hor?” His verdict? “The energy was not it.” Then there was Laura*, an intern, who shared how her former boss – “an English teacher type” – randomly (and uncharacteristically) peppered one of their meetings with Tiktok lingo like “slay” and “no cap”. Her take? “That was so cringe!” WHAT GEN ZS REALLY THINK Laura was quick to add that Gen Z slang isn’t off-limits to older folks – it’s only awkward when it feels forced. After all,…

Cryptocurrency payments have been growing in popularity since the Monetary Authority of Singapore introduced its first regulations on cryptocurrencies in 2019. For example, local entertainment brand Zouk Group announced in early February that it would accept digital currency like Bitcoin at its establishments. E-money institutions like Revolut and banks such as DBS allow users to buy, hold and exchange cryptocurrencies on their platforms. Meanwhile, retailers and service providers like Grab and iStudio offer crypto payment options for online purchases. That said, using cryptocurrency for transactions is not essential today, though it does offer certain advantages over paying in Singapore dollars or other fiat currencies (government-issued currencies that are not backed by a precious metal) – particularly for those who already own cryptocurrencies. HOW DO CRYPTO PAYMENTS WORK? There are two…

LISTEN AND BE PRESENT When someone shares their struggles with you, they may be seeking comfort, validation or clarity – or they might simply be processing their thoughts. Pay attention to their tone and body language to understand their needs, or gently ask, “How can I best support you right now?” or “Would you like advice, or just a listening ear?” If they ask for advice, frame your suggestions collaboratively, using phrases like, “Have you considered this approach?” rather than directives like, “You should do this.” If they don’t ask for advice, resist the urge to fix things. Instead, focus on being present and validating their feelings with statements like, “I can understand why you’d feel this way.” Ultimately, supporting someone means meeting them where they are, not where you…

Take a look at your vanity table, and you might find yourself using multiple beauty products at any one time. Examine each product’s ingredients list, and you’ll spot some of the most common and buzz-worthy ones, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides and vitamin C, to name a few. One of the risks of trying so many different products is the lack of visible results, or worse, signs of skin allergy such as redness and itchiness. To safeguard your skin, consider matching beauty ingredients based on their compatibility. Here, Dr Sean Lim from IDS Clinic tells us which skincare duos work best together to help keep our skin healthy and happy. HYALURONIC ACID + NIACINAMIDE “Hyaluronic acid is able to attract and bind water, providing hydration and suppleness to skin. Niacinamide…

If you often utter the phrase “Tiktok made me buy it”, you might have wondered why exactly a post went viral in the first place. While luck and timing certainly play a part, there is actually a science behind it. Assistant Professor Kim Jisu of the Business, Communication and Design cluster at Singapore Institute of Technology explains that similarity is an important factor. Perceived similarity can be derived from demographic characteristics such as gender, age and occupation, as well as other attributes like preferences, values and beliefs. “The perceived similarity leads social media users to have positive attitudes towards the content, thus increasing their interaction through likes and shares,” she says. “Research has shown that physical attractiveness and similarity to influencers are related to consumers’ decisions when purchasing fashion or…

For any millennial pressing play on Regina Song for the first time (like this writer), her music will bring you back to your girlhood – when love was all-consuming and every micro heartbreak deserved its own anthem. Her lyrics, often about unrequited love or admitting to a crush, drift over gentle melodies, carried by light, mellow vocals. Her songs feel like an intimate glimpse into her late-night diary entries, a sound reminiscent of early Taylor Swift or IU. The diaristic songwriter lets on that her best work happens just before bed, when she’s “super duper tired”. “I always get into the best flow when I’m sleepy,” she shares with a sheepish smile. It’s fitting, given that her online moniker is @sleepyreggy, and the name she’s given her fans: Sleepyheads. How…

A SPOT OF COLOUR Make like Gigi Hadid and break the monotony of brown with pops of bright colours like pink, red or yellow. Pro tip: Keep it classy by sticking to just one bright colour in an ensemble. TAILORING AND TEXTURE A classic blue work shirt and leather mocha trousers is the 2025 version of the white-shirt-black-trousers combo. KEEPING IT LIGHT AND AIRY If you’re new to the colour and prefer something less formal, consider softer fabrications like silk, organza, satin or merino wool. EFFORTLESS COLOUR-BLOCKING Due to the varied Pantone shades of brown, this is perhaps one of the easiest (and most sophisticated) colours to work a colour-blocking fit. Make mocha mousse your key look – perhaps a blazer or a pair of trousers – and work the…

My fascination with timepieces began as a child. My father would recount stories of each watch, a marker of a life milestone. I was intrigued by the intricate dance of gears, the sheer ingenuity of a skeleton dial, the hypnotic heartbeat of a tourbillon, the delicate chime of a minute repeater... How could something so thin hold such complexity? My horological journey began with a practical stainless steel Tag Heuer, akin to today’s Aquaracer. The rotating bezel, a simple yet captivating feature, was my constant companion. Then came the fun pink Baby-G, a burst of youthful energy with its interchangeable velcro strap and illuminating dial, perfect for my sporty and carefree days in secondary school. As I navigated each decade, my watches mirrored my evolving lifestyle. Oversized chronographs, sporty and…

Imagine a world powered by computers so advanced that these super devices could handle a quadrillion tasks simultaneously. Major tech companies are racing to lead in quantum computing, with Google recently unveiling a new chip that it claims can solve a problem in five minutes – one that would take the world’s fastest computers 10 septillion years to complete. Closer to home, one Singapore-based deep-tech company could soon revolutionise the efficiency of big data processing. Horizon Quantum Computing is developing the world’s first commercial quantum hardware, and Amanda Chew, VP of Product, is leading the product vision, strategy, research, design, and development of tools for programming quantum computers. An early preview of the software, Triple Alpha, was released to selected users in 2023. “We’re building a new generation of programming…

We’ve all heard the saying, “Age is just a number.” While some may dismiss it as wishful thinking, science suggests there’s truth in this age-old adage. Groundbreaking research by Shiseido, in collaboration with world-class scientists from the Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC), has revealed that numerical age doesn’t directly determine how your skin ages. Studies conducted at the CBRC – founded in 1989 by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital with Shiseido’s support – found that the number of aged cells in your skin isn’t dictated by biological age, but rather the presence of Memory T cells (key immune cells responsible for maintaining skin health). These key immune cells remove aged cells that hinder regeneration, allowing healthy new cells to strengthen skin immunity and restore resilience. While ageing naturally…

#Beautytok is undeniably one of our go-to sources for consuming beauty content. While not everything is worth bookmarking, there are still some that provide good tips. What’s worth trying and learning? Beauty pros share with us some of the best beauty advice they’ve come across on Tiktok. “I always go to the industry experts for the best advice. Thanks to Dr Rachel Ho and @glowbyramon, I’ve learnt that products that claim to have microneedling benefits at home don’t work. In fact, they can do more harm than good.” Dahlia Mohd, co-founder of En Pointe & Co. “The viral K-beauty slugging involves applying a thick layer of emollient like Aquaphor or Vaseline over your skin before bed. Beauty Tiktokers say that by sealing in your skincare with a rich occlusive, it…

The annual Her World Spa & Wellness Awards is back. In this edition, Her World reviewers have put their faces, bodies, and even brows through rigorous testing to uncover the best in class. So whether you’re looking for the finest facials, results-driven aesthetic treatments and medifacials, or stress-relieving massages, we’ve got you covered. With over 60 treatments and services to choose from, you’ll want to keep this list handy for your next appointment. FACE FOR SOOTHING SENSITIVE SKIN Refresh your complexion without aggravating flare-ups or causing sensitivity. BEST PAMPERING ANTI-AGEING FACIAL Service The Queen Skin Therapy Facial, from $200 for 60 minutes Where The Spa at The Singapore Edition What Our reviewer finds this facial to be perfect for pre-event prep. You’ll be treated to the luxurious Hungarian-based Omorovicza skincare…

When it comes to lifting treatments, there are many options available. However, one of the go-to procedures for many Koreans and K-celebs is Titanium Lifting. In Korea, it is often referred to as the “BTS laser” due to its brightening, tightening and sculpting effects. Why is Titanium Lifting so popular? Three things: immediate results, minimal discomfort and lack of downtime. Although some may experience temporary flushing or swelling, these effects typically subside within a few hours. Plus, each session is very quick – it takes only about 15 minutes for the entire face, as numbing cream is not required. This is why many women book a Titanium Lifting session the day before an important occasion. How Does Titanium Lifting Work? The Titanium Lifting machine was originally developed for hair removal.…