Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Her World Singapore

At 29, I remember being terrified about turning a year older. My 20s had seemingly passed in the blink of an eye, and every time I saw one of those darn 30 under 30 lists, I asked myself what had I really achieved in life? Turns out, hitting the “big 3-0” was pretty uneventful. I definitely didn’t feel any different overnight, and as the years have crept on by, I can’t say I feel vastly different about myself than I did back then. I’m not talking about the physicalities of growing older (I’m looking at you, sore shoulders and back aches), but the feeling of who I am as a person – the essence of being, if you will – has largely remained the same over time, save for a…

At the Prada Spring/Summer 2025 show, a highlighter yellow sports jacket styled over a silver sequinned cocktail dress and paired with satin point-toe pumps was unusual, yet interesting. Mrs Prada and her co-creative director, Raf Simons, also known as tastemakers of the weird and the wonderful, have cemented their reputation for nonconformity – from an innovative approach to materials and design to its unconventional dialogue with society. These ironic pairings, such as feathered and mirror-embellished evening looks worn underneath bright nylon windbreakers, were not exclusive to Prada. Windbreakers, anoraks, soft shells and track jackets are set to dominate this Spring, but not in typical athleisure fashion. Luxe fits and fabrics, from feminine dresses to chic tailoring, are starkly contrasted with a range of oversized jackets. The surprising separates continued their…

SUIT UP Double-breasted oversized blazers with imposing shoulders take charge at Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney, challenging gender norms and demonstrating that women can express themselves through traditionally masculine clothing, without sacrificing their femininity. THE NEW ROMANTICS Ann Demeulemeester’s creative director Stefano Gallici referenced the British subculture movement of New Romanticism – made popular by David Bowie and Adam Ant in the late ’70s and ’80s – in his collection, experimenting with the rawness of lace, feathery knits, distressed denims, and deconstructed tailoring. MOTORCYCLE DIARIES Channel your inner Marianne Faithfull in the 1968 French film The Girl on a Motorcycle with a well-loved and lived-in biker jacket. Alternatively, invest in Noir Kei Ninomiya’s series of multi-belt versions this season.…

While subtle, well-placed layers may seem understated, they can make a significant impact – especially if you’re looking to refresh your look without sacrificing length. Over time, this textured style has taken on various forms, from soft face-framing strands to shaggy, tapered ends. When Blackpink’s Jennie released her debut solo album Ruby earlier this year, her striking layered haircut – seen in the dreamy visuals of the music video for her mellow track Love Hangover – quickly gained attention, and became a go-to style for many fans and beauty enthusiasts. Her version features C-curls, feathered ends and multiple layers beginning at the shoulders. “The disconnected layers and high-layered cut are perfect for adding movement and volume, while creating that youthful, edgy vibe,” says Cejay Siew, Hairstuffsg stylist and Schwarzkopf Singapore’s…

As we get older, it’s natural to notice both physical and mental changes. Alongside those shifts, societal pressures like expectations to marry or have children can weigh heavily on us. Our muscle mass may decline, and fine lines may begin to appear, often making us feel less confident in our own skin. This is why many struggle to fully embrace the ageing process. It doesn’t always feel kind or empowering. But that narrative is starting to change, as more women begin to reject the notion of age as a limitation and instead, see it as a reflection of growth, wisdom and liberation. One brand leading this movement is Shiseido. Rather than defining age by numbers, Shiseido invites us to rethink what it means to grow older through the philosophy of…

Instead of waiting until retirement to savour life’s pleasures, a growing trend among younger adults is to reclaim time and autonomy on their own terms. Enter micro-retirement: a voluntary break from work to pursue passions outside of building a career. The term was first coined by Tim Ferriss in his 2007 book, The 4-Hour Workweek, and unlike employer-sanctioned sabbaticals, micro-retirements are self-initiated, with no formal approval or guaranteed return to work. It’s about embracing life to the fullest while youth is on one’s side. WHY NOT JUST CALL IT A CAREER BREAK? What separates micro-retirement from a career break or sabbatical is intention. Career breaks often stem from burnout or personal circumstances, while sabbaticals are structured and aimed at professional enhancement. Micro-retirement, however, is about reclaiming time for joy and…

1. Pivot d’Hermes side table by Tomas Alonso, Hermes One of the biggest highlights of Milan Design Week is the new home collections by Hermes. This year, artistic director of Hermes Collections For The Home, Alexis Fabry, spotlights the poetics of glass – explored here through a range of artisanal techniques that highlight its texture, transparency and depth. One of the key pieces is the Pivot d’Hermes table by Tomas Alonso, measuring 75cm by 60cm by 55.5cm. Alonso seeks balance by playing with ideas and materials like the colour-wheel-inspired lacquered glass on a rectilinear base, set below a round box tabletop in sugi ( Japanese cedar). The latter moves on an eccentric axis and gives the table its unexpected movement. 2. 90 x 90 project silk scarf by Walter Petrone,…

NICE AND NAUTICAL We can imagine this look on Parker Posey in The White Lotus. Her character Victoria Ratliff, an affluent Southern beauty, would be a picture of posh in an unbuttoned classic white shirt layered with a blue-and-white striped tee tucked into a pair of white cotton shorts. For a dash of drama, a suede fringed jacket, a belt with a Western-inspired buckle, and a blue printed scarf are totally on point. PEEK-A-BOO LAYERING Instead of leaving the top buttons undone, do the reverse, but be sure to tuck in the shirt so you can style it to show off your toned torso. THE SHIRT AS OUTERWEAR One of the easiest ways to rock this trend is to pair your shirt over a T-shirt and jeans combo. We love…

CHAMPIONING LIFELONG LEARNING ROSELIN LEE Vice-president of Human Resources, Shiseido Asia Pacific When Roselin Lee joined Shiseido Asia Pacific in 2016, she was the first non-Japanese female executive on the regional executive team. “I felt a mix of excitement and responsibility. It was an honour to break new ground, but I also knew that I had to prove myself and pave the way for future leaders from diverse backgrounds,” she says. With over 34 years of experience in HR, Roselin is no stranger to the importance of cultivating a supportive work environment that fosters diversity and talent development. Organisations should strive to create a robust culture by fostering an environment characterised by trust, open communication and continuous learning. Building such a culture involves encouraging employees to freely share their knowledge…

1. Diptyque Orpheon Eau de Parfum, $287 (75ml) Diptyque’s Orpheon makes smoky perfume surprisingly wearable, balancing cool, woody notes with a soft, powdery dry-down. Inspired by a 1960s Parisian bar where the brand’s founders met, it blends cedar, tonka bean, jasmine and juniper berries for a cool-girl scent. 2. Louis Vuitton eLVes EDP, from $480 A modern take on the classic rose, this floral scent blends rich Bulgarian rose absolute with centifolia rose and lily of the valley. Created by Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, this captivating concoction is elevated by fruity notes of blackcurrant and peach, and spiced with hints of cinnamon and ginger. 3. Helena Rubinstein Replasty Age Recovery Night Cream, $630 Hydrating hyaluronic acid and the brand’s signature Pro-Xylane are found here, in a higher concentration compared to any…

A healthy body is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. To achieve that, it’s essential to clock in regular workouts, get sufficient sleep, and nourish ourselves with the right food. There’s no better way of getting nutrients into our bodies than via natural food sources, shares James Yeo, director and performance nutritionist at Performance Nutrition. That said, with our hectic lifestyles, eating on time and making the right food choices can be challenging. That’s where dietary supplements come in – they can offer a helpful nutrient boost when our diets are simply not enough. Beyond general health, some people also turn to supplements for their beauty benefits. However, Dr Rachel Ho, medical director of La Clinic, cautions that while supplements may help, they are not a one-size-fits-all…

Imagine working with your mum. It’s a journey by itself, having her as your mentor and boss, which can be both enjoyable and stressful. Now think about how it would feel to work together to carry on a legacy she started, in a field that’s close to your heart. This is what Quinn Chen did when she joined Ice’s Secret, the skincare business started by her mother, Dato Icemichelle, in 1999. But it hasn’t been a daunting adventure for this mother-daughter duo. In fact, it has led to the company growing immensely to become a well-recognised brand in Singapore. Dato Icemichelle’s aim when she launched the brand was to empower women and boost their confidence. She worked hard to create skincare solutions that addressed the special needs of consumers in…

If the practice of Chinese post-partum confinement had a grading system, Glenda Chong would get top marks. The 52-year-old newscaster is five weeks postpartum after the birth of her first child when I meet her for brunch at the verdant Wildseed Cafe in Seletar, and this interview session is the first time she’s left home for a reason other than to visit the doctor’s clinic. In traditional Asian confinement practices, new mothers are often advised to stay home for the first 30 to 40 days, although not all women abide by this. Glenda does a double take at the realisation and laughs: “Yes, I’ve been very obedient! I’m not young, so I need all the nourishment I can get. My recovery is going to be slower than a 20something-year-old.” Whether…

In 2017, Balenciaga’s Triple S trainer landed in our collective consciousness with a bang. Its oversized silhouette and swollen sole made no apologies, and needed none. It ushered in an era of maximalist footwear, where sneakers ballooned in size and irony, giving rise to the now-familiar dad sneaker from fashion brands both high and street. But fashion, like footwear, always favours friction. After nearly a decade of sneakers engineered to be loud and large, a new tipping point has emerged – slimmer, sleeker, and quieter. The proportions are compact. The lines are clean. These are sneakers designed less for hype and more for ease, with a tapered silhouette resembling a bullet, and just enough of a retro sporty look to feel familiar, but not nostalgic. Part of the shift is…

The beloved classic pearl is undergoing a radical transformation inside the ateliers of the most coveted design houses. They are emerging as edgy statements, avant-garde accents, and proud declarations of individuality. Forget demure strings confined to the neckline – today’s pearls are bold, unexpected, and utterly captivating. RUNWAY REVOLUTION The runways have been a hotbed of this pearl revolution. At Louis Vuitton, women’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere has consistently played with the classic pearl, injecting it with a dose of rebellious cool. Think layered strands not just of creamy orbs, but interspersed with palladium-coloured chain links and iconic House motifs like the LV Circle and Monogram Flowers. This isn’t your grandmother’s necklace, but a confident clash of heritage and modernity. Elsewhere, designers are embracing a more-is-more philosophy, piling up pearl…

Growing up, Nicole Carmen Tan took the well-worn path of the Singaporean Dream. She was raised in a household where material security meant achieving the five Cs: a condo, a car, credit cards, country club memberships, and enough cash to live comfortably. There were no discussions around money or lessons on financial literacy – Nicole’s only duty was to focus on her studies, and that she did. The 33-year-old went to a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school with an Integrated programme, and earned a place at the National University of Singapore’s law faculty. She recalls: “Someone suggested I try law, and it felt like something I could do: study hard, get a training contract, take the Bar, and so on.” After being called to the Bar, Nicole was in legal…

AGE-GAP RELATIONSHIPS ARE CHALLENGING I hear your worry and understand if your protective instinct is kicking in. Age-gap relationships are challenging because they do involve power imbalances, based on differences in emotional maturity, relationship experience, financial power, and more. Your daughter is still figuring out her identity and what she truly needs in a relationship. Meanwhile, an older man would likely have already established his own patterns and expectations. As your daughter navigates the adult world, of course you want her to be safe. When children become adults, though, the parental role shifts: It becomes less about telling children what to do, and more about mentoring and helping them to create an inner compass with which to navigate their own future. ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS To help your daughter develop her…

A common misconception is that using a toner is a step you can afford to skip in your beauty routine. Actually, they offer a range of benefits for your skin, and choosing the right product to use depends on your skin type and goals. Dr Melinda Goh of S Aesthetics Clinic, explains that toners are typically used after cleansing to sweep away any lingering oil or impurities, while also priming the skin for the next steps in your routine. While traditional toners were often highly astringent – containing alcohol that could strip skin’s natural moisture and compromise its protective barrier, leading to dryness and irritation – modern formulas have come a long way. “Today’s toners are enriched with a variety of beneficial ingredients, making them much kinder and more suitable…

The modern way of wearing lip liners, according to makeup artist Rachel Ong, is to keep it natural-looking, creating a plump pout that says, “My lips, but better.” It’s also getting more common for lip liners to fully replace lipsticks, notes Rachel. To achieve this, she recommends using a lip liner that is one to two shades darker than your natural lip colour, and blending it with your fingers for a soft focus effect. Then, complete the look with a lip balm. Rachel adds that makeup brands are increasingly ditching stiff textures of the past, replacing them with feather-light, gel-based blends that offer hydration and comfort for our lips. Many of these products also boast skin-loving ingredients such as jojoba oil and peptides for added benefits. 1. Anastasia Beverly Hills…

“As a makeup artist, I always tell my clients: Your beauty routine should evolve as you do. Our skin texture, our preferences, and even our lifestyle change over the years. But just because your skin is maturing doesn’t mean you need to lose confidence in how you look. In fact, with a few thoughtful tweaks, your makeup can look better than ever. There’s no set age when you need to overhaul everything. What matters is paying attention. If your foundation isn’t sitting right, or if products that once worked start feeling off, that’s your skin’s way of asking for something new. One of the most common changes I see? Dryness. As we age, skin tends to lose moisture more easily. That’s why I always emphasise hydration first. A good moisturiser…