Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Her World Singapore

Every generation of women before us has had to fight – sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly – for the space we now stand in. Advocacy doesn’t need to look like a crowd with protest signs, or a speech that will move one to tears. Sometimes, it’s asking for a raise you deserve. Sometimes, it’s saying no to the extra emotional labour that everyone assumes you’ll pick up. Sometimes, it’s calling out bias in a meeting, or simply telling your own story – unfiltered and unshrinking. Just remember: It’s always ok to speak up for yourself, even when you feel like no one else will. Advocacy begins in the everyday moments where we refuse to stay silent, and when we get heard, we have the power to inspire others too. This issue…

Arissa Cheo is staring nervously at two chairs, set facing each other with a large gap between them, as if they are ticking time bombs. She is about to do a video interview during our cover shoot – except that she prefers we go off-camera, as she claims she is “unnatural” in front of it. “Ok, let’s do it,’ Arissa finally agrees and puts her game face on. She is ravishing in a Sonia Carrasco blazer, Miu Miu tank top and Junya Watanabe x Levi’s jeans ensemble. It is hard to fathom that this It girl of the early 2000s is afraid of the very device that propelled her to fame. Rewind to three days ago when Arissa and I chatted for a good two hours: She tells me multiple…

1. Dior Lucky Personalization Toujours leather bag, $5,600, Dior Celebrating both nature and good fortune, the Dior Lucky capsule collection this Fall/Winter 2025 features zodiac-inspired prints paired with seasonal florals. Created by ex-creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, the collection pays tribute to Dior’s iconic lucky charms, with signature symbols like stars, bees and four-leaf clovers adorning bags, sneakers, scarves and accessories. What’s more? You can look forward to Singapore boutiques offering customisation for selected bags. With the Lady Dior, select four dice from 26 letters, and a range of symbols in four colours. The Dior Toujours Vertical bag, on the other hand, comes with a chain charm and two customisable letter charms, while additional dice and keychains can be purchased separately. The Dior Lucky Necklace and Bracelet can also be…

LEATHER IS A GREAT CHOICE Keep your leather blazer tailored, with clean lines and in a matching colour. Avoid cropped or moto jacket styles. A DOUBLE-BREASTED BLAZER IS ALWAYS CHIC A double-breasted blazer’s wide lapels give the effect of a longer neck, while its structured fit streamlines the torso. It also offers universally flattering proportions. KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL IN A MIDI SKIRT Remember, structured fabrics always look more put-together than clingy fabrics like knits. Never style your coloured blazer with a skirt that falls above your knees – it does not make for a great office look. INSTEAD OF A BLAZER, TRY A TOP WITH STRONG SHOULDERS If your shoulders are structured and bold, try a tailored skirt below to create a sophisticated visual balance. Make sure to keep to…

Long before seagrass, the marine meadows that capture carbon and cradle ocean life, drew million-dollar pledges or blue carbon shaped climate agendas, there was a girl who simply loved the sun, sea and science. “I liked the water and swimming,” says Siti Maryam Yaakub, now senior director of the International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI) in Singapore. “When I was 14, we visited my aunt in Sabah. We did the mountains first, and I didn’t enjoy that. But then we went to one of those beach resorts, and that was the first time I snorkelled. It was amazing.” That sun-soaked moment nudged her inner compass towards the sea. Decades later, she is one of the world’s most respected voices in blue carbon conservation – bridging marine science, policy and grassroots inclusion…

Lip trends are taking centre stage like never before. From the subtle sophistication of barely there concealer lips to the luscious, high-shine appeal of jam-inspired shades, and the soft-focus elegance of the blurred French lip, 2025 is all about experimenting with texture, colour and finish. Designers and makeup artists alike are experimenting with layering, subtle gradients and unexpected combinations of textures, proving that your lips can be both statement and finishing touches. JAM SESSION A beauty trend that’s good enough to eat, jam lips are here to whet your appetite. Think juicy, high-shine brick-red and coral tones that evoke glossy raspberry jam spread over burnt brown toast. The key to nailing this just-bitten, mirror-like finish? Concentrate your slick of gloss on the centre of your pout for that irresistible, mouth-watering…

Time is precious, and if you’re constantly rushing, you certainly have no time to waste on a variety of hair products that each deliver a single benefit. This is why multitasking haircare products that promise utmost convenience are a true winner on our beauty shelves. So if you find a product with double, triple – or more – benefits instead of a specific one, hang on to it. You’ll be using less product on your tresses, and less is more. Cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos says these all-in-one products are loved by consumers for their time-saving factor, economic value and sustainability – fewer products mean reduced packaging waste and a smaller environmental footprint. Most importantly, they are increasing in popularity because advances in cosmetic science have made it possible to combine…

Blue light refers to a portion of the visible light spectrum, typically ranging from 380 to 500 nanometres (nm), that is emitted from digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and computer screens. In contrast, ultraviolet (UV) light consists of shorter wavelengths, generally between 10 and 400nm, and is invisible to the human eye. Both UV and blue light are present in sunlight, so our skin is exposed to both during daily sun exposure. While UV light is well known for causing direct DNA damage, inflammation, and stimulating melanocytes (leading to pigmentation and photoageing), emerging research shows that blue light also significantly affects the skin adversely. Blue light penetrates deeply into skin, reaching the dermis. At a cellular level, it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress by generating…

“There were bunnies that were jumping on a trampoline / And I just learnt that they weren’t real.” The line comes from a 30-second Tiktok song by Oliver Richman, written in response to an AI-generated clip of rabbits bouncing on a trampoline. It lands as an anthem for a generation disoriented by unreality – realising that even the most innocent joys might not be trustworthy. Who wrote this review? Who shot that photo? Is that woman real? Even while drafting this story, I find myself tempted to turn to ChatGPT for help – an awful irony, outsourcing reflection on independent thought to the very thing I’m questioning. The danger isn’t just that we think less, but that we are told we should. AI, sold as a tool for productivity, is…

In recent months, Singaporeans have been confronted with a string of disturbing incidents linked to a new, insidious substance. A teenager was seen stumbling across an overhead bridge in Bishan, convulsing and lashing out before being hospitalised. A 27-year-old man turned violent towards his mother after she confronted him over his addiction. Another youth began self-harming and lost control of his bodily functions, while his mother struggled to get him the help he needed. They mark the visible surface of a deeper, fast-moving crisis: the rise of Kpods. THE CHEMISTRY OF KPODS Kpods are vape pods laced with the anaesthetic etomidate, ketamine, or a cocktail of substances. They are rapidly emerging as one of the most alarming public health concerns in the region. Cheap, easily concealed, and marketed to resemble…

This season, fashion designers are taking a good hard relook at the rules of Fall dressing. The result? Less bundling up, and a bold, directional take on classic looks. An overarching key theme across the runways is the elevation of wardrobe essentials. At Coach, coats are seen cascading to the floor in elongated, theatrical silhouettes, while Max Mara shows off its signature day looks featuring longer hemlines, with coats, pants and skirts sweeping the heel beautifully. Meanwhile, Versace takes volume to new heights with puffed-up, duvet-inspired proportions. Over at Isabel Marant, Marc Jacobs and Balmain, jackets get an artistic update with exaggerated sleeves, sculptural shoulders, and nipped-in waists, transforming the everyday staple into a wearable statement. This season’s main message? Functional fashion doesn’t have to be safe. A MANNISH JACKET…

In the world of luxury, there are a few select motifs that stand the test of time – those that evolve from a simple design into a symbol of a house’s enduring legacy. At Dior, it is the iconic cannage, a graphic emblem first inspired by the canework on the Napoleon III chairs that welcomed guests to Christian Dior’s haute couture shows in 1947. The symmetrical cannage has since become a dedicated source of inspiration. It reached new heights in 1995 with the Lady Dior handbag, which continues to epitomise the maison’s vision of elegance and beauty. In 2012, Victoire de Castellane, artistic director of Dior Jewellery, put her own spin on the motif, inspired by her visits to the Avenue Montaigne boutique as a child. Her designs, reminiscent of…

E-commerce has made it much simpler for many to start their own online business, offering an accessible entry point for anyone to explore, grow, and scale their ideas. Now, with marketplaces such as Shopee, the barriers to starting an online business have lowered even further with easy set-ups, tools for customer engagement, and a ready-made base of over hundreds of millions of active shoppers across the region. We speak to three women digital creators who share how they have leveraged Shopee’s platform to build and grow their brands. From beauty tips to bestsellers YEOH MONG CHIN 32, beauty creator & founder of That Letter M (@mongabong) Long-time content creator Yeoh Mong Chin, better known by her online alias Mongabong, has been sharing about beauty products for years. Having built her presence…

Some nights before bed, I like to imagine what it might be like to waltz across the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, casually pilot a Spanish galleon blimp around the world, or, in my favourite scenario, open a cafe for anthropomorphic cats in a Studio Ghibliesque universe. Thankfully, I don’t hit replay or storyboard sequels in my head because that, according to the professionals, is how you slide from “spirited inner world” into a term called maladaptive daydreaming. Shawn Ee, director of The Psychology Practice, describes maladaptive daydreaming as a disorder marked by excessive, prolonged, and compulsive fantasising that interrupts real life. It’s a little like staying at an afterparty too long and forgetting you have a job to attend to the next day. First coined by Israeli psychology professor…

1. Muji Booster Serum, $20.90 Finding a value-for-money serum is no easy feat, especially if you’re after a clean, fragrance-free formula. Muji’s Booster Serum features the brand’s proprietary fermented rice bran extract, sourced from rice bran grown in Yamagata, and cultivated with mountain water naturally enriched with vitamins and minerals. It’s little wonder that this is the Japanese lifestyle brand’s bestseller, with over 4.47 million bottles sold to date. 2. La Mer Balancing Treatment Lotion, $300 An intensely nourishing blend of marine bio-algae, post-biotic ferment, collagen-boosting peptide, lime tea concentrate, and the brand’s signature sea minerals deeply moisturises and strengthens the skin barrier. Its lightweight “fresh fluid hydrogel” texture transforms from gel to liquid, and doubles as a weekly mask. Simply saturate cotton pads and place on forehead and cheeks…

La Beaute Louis Vuitton marks the maison’s first foray into beauty – an elevated line that introduces the finest quality makeup and, true to form, the collection debuts with objets d’art designed to be kept forever. Envisioned by the influential Dame Pat McGrath DBE, the collection distils colour and craftsmanship into objects cradled in monogrammed brass and aluminium. The LV Ombres eyeshadow quads ($345) sweep the gaze in both whispered, neutral mattes, and arresting metallics. For lips that murmur rather than shout, LV Baume lip balms ($220) soften with a perfumed breath of mint and raspberry. And at the collection’s heart: LV Rouge ($220) blooms in #55 satin and matte lipstick shades – a homage to the brand’s storied Roman numeral monogram – marrying intense pigment with waxes of rose,…

For Dr June Goh, public safety begins with building resilience before crises strike. As a board member of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) and Her World Tribe member, the anaesthesiologist and neurocritical care specialist mentors junior doctors and supports women navigating the realities of ageing. To be held on Sept 29, SAGE 2025 is based on the theme “Changing Mindsets in a Changing World”. In the lead-up to moderating a panel titled “Not Done Yet: Thriving in the Midlife Years,” Dr Goh highlights how preparation, community and open dialogue can strengthen both body and mind. You are moderating a panel for SAGE 2025 titled “Not Done Yet: Thriving in the Midlife Years.” Why do you believe this conversation is important today? By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be…

Sarah Burton’s superpower lies in her deep understanding of the contrasts within womanhood: strength and softness, seriousness and playfulness, modesty and boldness. In her debut collection for Givenchy, the newly minted creative director for the brand designed with comfort and confidence as a priority. She reimagined traditional blazers by cinching them at the waist into mini dresses and cutting a deep V into the structured fabric, bringing a feminine touch to a typically masculine silhouette. In a similar vein, Stella McCartney’s signature style is grounded in sensuality, but with Savile Row sensibility, exemplified by a series of strong-shouldered mini dresses. There were versions in silk with a draped neckline, and a veritable favourite oversized off-shoulder design. At Saint Laurent, creative director Anthony Vaccarello also showcased a line-up of mini dresses…

BEST OF SEASON SOFT & SLOUCHY BAGS “They say life imitates art – and fashion’s no different. Right now, I’m obsessed with soft, slouchy bags that bring a cool, casual vibe. It’s all about comfort, ease, and a back-to-basics attitude.” – SAVINA SAVINA CHOW 31, fashion creator and beauty entrepreneur True style is all about the subtle signatures – a casual rolled sleeve, a distinctive piece of jewellery, or a pair of bold frames. It’s these quiet but deliberate choices that define a look. According to Savina Chow, who has been a fashion content creator since 2017, style isn’t limited to what you wear. It seeps into every aspect of life, from the music you play to the art you surround yourself with. “I’m a big believer that personal style changes…

When a boss crosses the line with an office romance, the fallout can rock an entire company. At a Coldplay concert on July 16, the big screen panned to a couple in an intimate embrace – until they abruptly pulled apart. One hid her face. The other ducked out of frame. Next to them, a third woman smiled in what viewers would later describe as “knowing shock”. It might have been a fleeting moment, until the Internet identified the pair as Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the company’s chief people officer Kristin Cabot – both married, senior leaders and, very clearly, caught off-guard. The clip went viral. Within days, both had resigned. What began as an awkward concert cutaway became a case study in blurred boundaries, leadership ethics, and…

Sexual harassment online doesn’t always announce itself. It can take the form of a “harmless” message, a suggestive emoji, or an anonymous DM that erodes a person’s safety and dignity in ways they may not realise until much later. Even a private photo shared without consent can be a form of violation. Subtle or overt, the impact is real. WHAT COUNTS AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT What makes it harassment is not whether the sender intended harm, but the impact it has on the victim. In SHE’s 2025 study, 404 Help Not Found, one in five survivors said online harm felt “normal” rather than serious, while many were unsure how to respond, especially when legal action felt too daunting. Many survivors weren’t even sure if what they experienced counted as harassment. When…

“It was a feeling that I had, and I was thrilled that Shiseido thought I could represent it.”– ANNE HATHAWAY, ACTOR AND GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR SHISEIDO VITAL PERFECTION It’s been 19 years since the hit film The Devil Wears Prada was released in 2006, and rumours of a sequel have been flying around for years. Finally, when it was announced that filming of the sequel had begun in July 2025, fans from around the world rejoiced. If there’s one thing that we can’t take our eyes off (besides the cast’s stupendous wardrobe, of course), it’s the show’s leading lady, Anne Hathaway. Although it has been almost two decades since we first saw her play Andy Sachs in the movie, it appears that time has hardly left a trace on her…

CLOE MAK @JUJUJUCLOE Cloe isn’t afraid to admit that her “effortlessly chic” aesthetic actually takes a lot of intention. Blending romantic minimalism with modern details, the fashion and beauty creator of eight years loves experimenting with trends and offbeat angles because she is a firm believer that sometimes, the most random shots are the ones that go viral. How would you describe your aesthetic or signature style? I would describe my aesthetic as thoughtfully curated – sometimes elegant and playful, other times moody yet effortless. I love playing with trends and reinterpreting them in my own way. My signature style blends romantic minimalism with modern, intentional details – it looks effortlessly chic, but is, in reality, carefully and meaningfully crafted. What do you hope to achieve through the content you…