Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Her World Singapore

As we close out the year, I can’t help but reminisce about the last 12 months that’s just passed. Going into 2025 was truthfully a bit daunting, especially knowing that a 65th anniversary loomed ahead. But now that we are on the other side of the tunnel – post milestone celebration – there’s no better time to take stock of the many things that I’m super proud of. From an ambitious SG60 issue in March honouring 60 inspirational women, to a second successful season of our How To Build A Singaporean Woman docu-series, to staging a exhibition that showcased the history of our country and Her World’s part to play as Singapore’s oldest magazine, the year has been iconic, to say the least. What will the future hold? No one…

When the opportunity to audition for Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story arose, Sheila Sim hesitated. For the past three years, she had been a stay-at-home mum, intentionally stepping away from the spotlight to raise her two young daughters. Recounting the story now from Little Rogue Coffee – a quiet, charming little nook in Tiong Bahru, where she resides – Sheila admits with a wry smile that she “found so many reasons” not to audition. What if the schedule was intense? What if she had to go to Malaysia for filming? Would she be able to get help with childcare at home? And, if she was being honest, the logistics weren’t the real issue here. “I didn’t feel confident. I haven’t acted in a long time, and it’s a…

GIVE IT STRUCTURE A whisper of sheer lace in a skirt, paired with a silk blouse or an oversized tailored jacket, strikes the balance between sassy and sophisticated. The romance remains, but restraint takes the lead, as soft textures meet sharp tailoring for a look that’s effortlessly modern, yet undeniably feminine. SWEET, SHEER, AND A LITTLE BIT SAVAGE For a cool Gen Z twist, lace sheds its prim reputation and steps into the street. A sheer lace blouse paired with flared jeans feels effortlessly rebellious; a blend of nostalgia and New Age cool. Ground the look with chunky grunge boots and a hint of attitude, and suddenly, lace isn’t just romantic – it’s rock ’n’ roll reimagined. MORE IS MORE Lace on lace takes centre stage in this Lolita-inspired fantasy,…

Dance instructor Gloria Monteiro recently spent $200 on a much-needed massage – but instead of relief, the 33-year-old was hit with a wave of guilt. She wondered if she should have used that money on her five-year-old son instead: enrichment classes, clothing, or anything that felt more “justifiable” as a mother. “Would people think that I made him wear hand-me-downs, while I sought comfort for myself?” she laments. Meanwhile, content creator Carrine Low shelled out $1,100 on a pair of shoes from Maison Margiela – and didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. “I wore them out the day I bought them and told my intern, ‘Only 1,099 wears to go and we’re in the clear!’” the 28-year-old quips. “Honestly, I rarely splurge on luxury items, so this was a rare…

“Art is a never-ending conversation”KNUCKLES & NOTCH (@knucklesandnotch) Founded in 2014 by Djohan Hanapi and Goh Yun Jin, Knuckles & Notch is a risograph publishing and printing studio now based at Waterloo Centre, where it also operates as a shop and gallery. Risograph printing is a high-speed stencil process that produces bold, textured prints using eco-friendly soy- or rice-based inks. Popular artworks include limited edition prints inspired by Wong Kar Wai’s filmography, priced between $5 and $80. The studio also regularly hosts printmaking workshops for those keen to learn the craft. “Currently, we have an ongoing print collaboration with artists around the world using a gachapon concept. The artists don’t know their theme until they pull it from our gacha machine – that element of surprise keeps it exciting,” shares…

1. Ormaie 18-12 Eau de Parfum, from $198 Evoking the carefree spirit of childhood, this fragrance from French house Ormaie opens with the soft elegance of rose. As it settles, gourmand notes of cherry and almond emerge, adding warmth and sweetness that deepen beautifully over time. 2. K Booster Daily Derma Capsule Sun Serum, $48 This multitasking sunscreen delivers high protection (SPF50+/PA++++ against UVA, UVB and infrared rays) in a soothing, weightless formula. The refreshing, cooling sensation also makes it a welcome relief on hot, humid days. 3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Swan, $150 Swirl your brush through a blend of peach, coral pink and berry tones to bring warmth to your cheeks, then add definition with the matte bronze contour, and accentuate your high points with a golden…

Dewy foundations are a big win for their glossy finish, after all, who doesn’t want to look radiant? Still, achieving the perfect glow isn’t always easy – you could end up looking greasy or oily, and frequent touch-ups may be needed. These formulas have come a long way though. The new generation of dewy foundations are infused with nourishing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, to keep skin hydrated for long periods of time. There are also oil-free versions to keep you looking fresh. Makeup artist Kenneth Chia – whose clientele includes K-pop icons like Red Velvet’s Irene Kim and Epik High, Thai-born singer Sorn, and Singapore tastemaker Mae Tan – says there have been so many new tech advancements with dewy formulas in the last three years, and they now have…

When we talk about legendary women, the first names that come to mind are often the most famous ones: chart-toppers, screen queens, women whose beauty and je nais se quois have made them muses. But celebrity is not the same as legend; one burns bright in the spotlight, the other leaves an imprint long after the lights go out. When visibility becomes the measure of worth, we have to ask: Is virality enough to be called legendary? Take Siti Maryam Yaakub, for example. She’s a marine ecologist leading South-east Asia’s first large-scale seagrass restoration project and shaping climate policy from the ocean floor. Or Professor Jackie Ying, a pioneer in nanobiotechnology with 200 patents under her belt. She’s now in Riyadh developing genetic therapies, which could have a positive impact…

It’s the holiday season, and if ever there was a time to revel in sequins and tinsel-trimmed looks, it’s now. But what we’re loving most is how designers have reimagined these high-glam pieces, paring them back just enough to feel fresh, modern, and anything but dated. We love a maximalist moment, which is why Paco Rabanne’s burgundy paillette ensemble earned a perfect 10 as the ultimate party look. Since Julien Dossena took the reins as creative director, he’s revitalised the brand’s iconic codes – glitter, chain mail and all – imbuing them with a modern ease that speaks directly to today’s consumer. Case in point: a cropped paillette blouse paired with a matching maxi skirt, sparkly thong sandals, and the house’s signature chain mail bag – this time revisited as…

When you neglect to future-proof your finances, it’s not only your bank balance that suffers – your peace of mind does too. According to Her World’s 2025 What Women Want survey, 40 per cent of women in Singapore feel underprepared for the years ahead, with financial planning for later life topping their list of concerns. The biggest hurdles? A lack of financial know-how, feeling overwhelmed, and not having enough time. Siblings and finance content creators Sara and Aaron Wee of The Weeblings know this feeling all too well. “Information overload is a huge thing nowadays,” they explain. “Instead of having to seek out information ourselves, it’s constantly being thrown at us from all directions. And we don’t really know which sources are trustworthy.” Here’s how to cut through the noise…

Charlene Koh acquired her first luxury bag – a black Prada leather hobo – 18 years ago, a gift from her father when she was still in university. What began as a sentimental present gradually grew into a long-term habit of buying, selling and trading designer bags. By 22, she was already exploring Singapore’s early resale scene – long before platforms like Carousell existed – hunting for underpriced pieces from private sellers who kept their bags in pristine condition, complete with receipts and dust bags. “This was a pre-Carousell world, and some of the deals were unbelievable,” she recalls. “I paid $300 for a Louis Vuitton Murakami Speedy HL and $500 for a Dior Saddle. These bags retail for thousands. That’s when I realised there was investment potential.” Now in…

A bad night’s sleep hits hard: brain fog, irritability and zero motivation. But even mild, chronic sleep loss takes a quiet toll. It dulls focus, weakens memory, and chips away at emotional clarity. Research shows that too little sleep blunts focus and memory, clouds judgment, and dampens empathy – crucial traits in both professional and personal settings. We become more reactive, less patient, and more prone to misreading social cues, which quietly undermines team dynamics and emotional well-being. Over time, the effects of sleep loss compound, raising the risk of burnout, depression, cardiovascular and metabolic issues, and a broader decline in resilience. Why rest is important The irony is that sleep, the thing most dismissed as unproductive, is actually a performance enhancer. Adequate rest sharpens executive function, stabilises mood, and…

THE INSPIRATION: BIG BANG The pioneers of K-pop, Big Bang heralded a new era of South Korean boy bands with their statement-making fashion and bold makeup. Leader G-Dragon has become a shape-shifter and style chameleon, experimenting with looks ranging from punk-rock edge to androgynous flair. On the beauty front, his signature style is just as daring: smoky, artfully distressed eyes, blanked-out brows, and manicures that look effortlessly messy yet aesthetically perfect. THE INSPIRATION: BTS The seven-member group – RM, V, Jin, Jungkook, J-Hope, Jimin and Suga – has been setting the tone for K-beauty since stepping into the spotlight in 2013. While they’ve experimented with every hair colour and makeup aesthetic imaginable, one look they consistently return to is the cool, sepia-hued soft smoky eye. The members have been wearing variations of…

One of my most vivid fieldwork memories was riding a jeepney in the Philippines and realising, too late, that I didn’t know how to ask the driver to stop. I ended up calling the helper who raised my sister and I – 1,000km away – and she told me, “Just tap the roof and say para po.” That small, practical gesture would come to define how I approach research: Stay present, ask for help, and keep learning. From working with volcano-hit farming communities in the Philippines to having a cancelled interview in Indonesia lead to a chance encounter, fieldwork has taught me that the most valuable insights often arrive unannounced. Today, as I complete my PhD in disaster response at the age of 35, I also teach piano online, publish…

1. 5AC Soft XL cross-body bag, $5,625, Maison Margiela Every fashion girl needs at least one piece of Maison Margiela in her wardrobe, and now – after years – the house has finally returned with a standalone boutique at Paragon. Inside, the icons await. From the cult-status 5AC bag to the newly introduced Belt Shoulder Bag, the store is a treasure trove of Margiela signatures, each one embodying the brand’s quietly subversive, art-driven DNA. 2. Buffalo leather loafers, $1,570, Miu Miu I haven’t been able to shake the image of masculine loafers reimagined on the Fall/Winter 2025 runways. At Prada, Miuccia Prada paired them with an oversized fur coat and bare ankles; at Miu Miu, they appeared with cardigans over conical-shaped bras (yes, you read it right) and a knee-skimming…

A wellness tour with cardiology experts in Yunnan. A self-drive convoy through the deserts of Xinjiang. Rail journeys across icy Harbin. Even TCM-themed itineraries through Shandong, paired with regional cuisine and cultural immersions. This is not the Chan Brothers many Singaporeans grew up with. Long associated with classic guided tours, the 60-year-old travel agency is now reinventing itself for a new generation of travellers – with experiential, wellness-focused and social media-friendly itineraries that tap into today’s appetite for meaning, novelty and connection. “Younger travellers are looking for experiences beyond the traditional itinerary,” says Chan Guat Cheng, executive director of Chan Brothers Travel. “We’ve been innovating our products, from self-drive convoys to wellness tours. Post-Covid, China especially has become very popular among young people.” These new concepts signal a clear shift…

Few things feel as festive as sparkle and glittery makeup. “Glitter is shiny, colourful and evokes happiness, much like the dazzling lights and joyful ambience of the holiday season,” says celebrity makeup artist Zhou Aiyi, who has worked with stars such as Desmond Tan, Janice Koh and Ross Butler. While there are countless ways to play with shimmer this time of year, the easiest way to embrace glitzy makeup is by adding a touch of shine to the inner corners of the eyes, or the centre of the lids, using a finely milled glitter or metallic shadow. “A special primer is a must for chunkier glitter. Alternatively, opt for creamier formulas – they’re easy to apply and last well, even in our humid weather,” advises Aiyi. One of the best…

You might prefer the cooling sensation of a gel over a thick cream, or swear by lotions and dislike oils. Personal preference is fine, but some textures are better suited for certain skin types, making them more effective. Dr Cheak Wan Ying from S Aesthetics explains that skincare textures are defined by viscosity (thickness) and base formula (water, oil or a mix). “The texture of a product dictates how it delivers ingredients to your skin, and how much of a barrier it forms,” she says. “Different textures directly impact the product’s ability to seal in moisture and therefore, its efficacy on different skin types.” Dr Angeline Yong, founder of Angeline Yong Dermatology & Sskins Medispa, adds that textures interact with skin differently depending on their formulation, and how they deliver…

I often fly economy for personal trips, so proper planning is important to ensure that everything fits. As I require certain things, such as my medication, as well as hairstyling and makeup tools, I always set aside ample time to pack, just in case I forget something. I’m not a light packer, but an efficient one. I use up the full weight allocation and have developed my own travel hacks, such as bringing versatile makeup items that can be used for the whole face (like the Nars Lightspeed palette that works on cheeks, eyes and lips), a compact powder (not loose), a neutral lipstick shade (like Dior Rouge Lipstick in #100 Nude Look that suits all occasions), and Chanel multi-use baume for highlighting. For skincare, I purchase travel-sized items and…