Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2017 i Tatler Malaysia

PHILIPPINE TATLER TAKE A WHIRL THE BALL ISSUE, a two-cover special edition, highlights two of the most prestigious social events of 2016: the Philippine Tatler Ball and Le Bal des Débutantes. Get an insider look into the glamorous Philippine Tatler Ball, meet the distinguished awardees and hear about what went on in the sidelines, then experience Le Bal through the eyes of Philippine representative Monica Concepcion, daughter of Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion. THAILAND TATLER SELFLESS ACTS To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Thailand Tatler puts the spotlight on people who have made great sacrifices for those they love. Former highway police chief Pol Maj Gen Angkul Atornphtai tells us about how he has cared for his wife, Supatana, who suffered a stroke followed by a series of operations, while society icon…

“The message we would like to send out is that there is still hope for a better Malaysia. To hope, to never give up. A lot of people have returned and told us that seeing the show gave them a new sense of hope” THOUGH AN ARTIFICIAL setting and form, those who enter a theatre for a performance get inducted into an enchanted space that surpasses time and place. MUD, The Musical offers just that opportunity, twice daily, to relive history. By way of a heartwarming, cultural musical, audiences are invited to watch, experience and participate in the colourful history of how the city of KL came to be (through both flood and fire) as it plays out on stage, and maybe learn a thing or two about unity, patriotism…

2 AKU HAUS DARAHMU A horror flick that tells the story of young anthropologist, Lia, who is also a student of traditional dance, with her two friends on a treacherous journey to a remote Malaysian village. Lia is determined to document a dying dance that purportedly incorporates black magic rituals—no matter what the cost or risk she and her companions go through. 9 THAIPUSAM Attracting over a million people to Batu Caves, where it is largely celebrated, Thaipusam is a Hindu festival featuring kavadis or ornate frames carried by devotees; a fascinating sight and experience for tourists and locals—just don’t get lost among the crowd. 10 SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE Conducted by Roberto Abbado, get swept away by Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, a fascinating symphony filled to the brim with a myriad of…

Tory Burch expands its brand footprint in Malaysia with the opening of its second boutique in The Gardens Mall, KL. Guests were invited to explore the new interiors as well as its latest collection. Distinguished by a green awning and brass accents on the front, the concept of the space keeps to the aesthetics of the brand. THE INSIDER Fashion illustrator Eleen Tan created a series of stylish sketches featuring Tory Burch designs which guests could take home…

Laughter and chatter filled the air of The Library at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, where Shirena Hamzah and a handful of her dearest friends delighted over a spot of afternoon tea, which was organised by Malaysia Tatler in partnership with Estée Lauder. The pinnacle of the event was a special video preview of Shirena speaking of her experience with using the Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Regenerating Youth Crème. THE INSIDER In the video, which can be viewed on MalaysiaTatler.com , Shirena spoke of the sentimental power and healing effects invoked by floral scents…

“I’ve gotten so used to it that I can even run in seven-inch heels now!” STANDING PROUD AT five feet, Emma Shazleen is an expert at styling her small frame. To elevate her height, heels are naturally her best friend. “Since my high school days, my mum would make me practise walking in heels. I’ve gotten so used to it over the years that I can even run in seven-inch heels now!” says Emma. Despite her love for towering shoes, the mother of two still embraces her dainty frame and doesn’t shy away from flats. Her go-to pair are her favourite Balenciaga sneakers. “Now that I have kids, practicality is more important. It’s a bonus when I look nice but can also move around more freely,” she shares. Her secret…

ELSENHAM WATER Bottled in Essex, England, Elsenham has friends in illustrious places—it’s the most popular water for shoppers at Colette in Paris and was the only water available at Spain’s famed El Bulli restaurant until it closed its doors. FILLICO Bottled in the mountains that overlook Osaka, Japan, and topped with a small golden crown, Fillico is the water of choice for a number of celebrities. ROI The Slovenian brand has long been used as a health water because it has the highest concentration of magnesium of any water in the world. VICHY CATALAN Vichy’s high mineral content gives it a very salty taste, which means it pairs well with rich foods. GIZE From Spa Springs in Nova Scotia, Canada, Gize water passes through layers of rock that formed more…

1 CAKE APPEAL GODIVA A tribute to the world’s favourite cakes, the Valentine’s Day Buffet de Gâteaux turns dainty sweets into precious chocolates like strawberry shortcake, sachertorte and matcha chiffon cake, enclosed in whimsical gift boxes. godiva.my 2 WRAPPED IN LOVE SALON DU CHOCOLAT The romance of sharing is highlighted with this Salon wrap, a crepe stuffed with bananas or strawberries, and sprinkles of fragrant organic rose and your choice of chocolate sauce. salonduchocolat.com.my 3 CHOCOLATE FEAST GRAND HYATT There’s no better way to go all out with chocolate than at the exclusive chocolate gallery of the ‘High on Sugar’ afternoon tea promotion. Tuck in to chocolate pralines, chocolate mousse, black forests in a jar, and more. grandhyattkualalumpur.com 4 CHOCOHOLICS’ DELICACY THE TINY TEMPTRESS Woo your beloved with a dreamy,…

“An architect, in an ideal world is an all-rounder” SITTING IN his home, which looks befitting for an architect, Martin Haeger is a chirpy Brit whom I first met in an eatery that he owns a stake in, downtown. In the short time I had with him, he shared on his and his daughters’ musical preferences, the approach he took when designing his beautiful home, and his experiences forging a life for himself since emigrating from England. Haeger’s house is charming with a fairly sizable yet intimate indoor layout adorned with his wife’s paintings, a man-made beach and an outdoor projector screen out at the back, plus a pool and pets to populate the front and backyard. When he was 12, Haeger was captivated by the step-by-step creation of his…

FOR BOTH Matthew Lim and Clairyn Chong, it was only a matter of time before they would have eventually crossed paths. They were both studying in Melbourne, Australia at the same time during their university days, but only met when they were colleagues, back at Malaysia in 2009, and only then began seeing each other. Seven years later and after much serious preparation, Matthew finally proposed with the aid of his friends, at a hotel in KL—starting off with rose petals on the floor, red and white balloons and personalised message boards that led Clairyn to Matthew, who was waiting patiently for her in the room with a bouquet of roses in his hands. It was then decided that their wedding would take place at Peppers Creek Winery in Australia.…

It was a evening of revelry for a small gathering of some of Kuala Lumpur’s most stylish men as Hackett London showed off its latest season collection. The brand’s most loyal customers and friends came together for an evening of relaxation, drinks and, of course, sharp suits at its boutique in Pavilion KL. Some even brought along their wives and girlfriends to hint at what more they would need to add to their wardrobe. THE INSIDER There were many stylish men who came out to play that afternoon, working different looks from suave to smart casual…

Thai Airways International recently hosted a lavish appreciation dinner for its top agents at The Smoke House in Majestic Hotel KL. General manager Nivat Chantarachoti and regional director Kittiphong Sansomboon were there to warmly welcome all the agents, and thanked them for their continuous contribution and support to Thai Airways, which is one of the oldest airlines servicing Malaysia. THE INSIDER Guests toasting to better and brighter opportunities for the airline…

Anya Hindmarch hosted a two-day event at its flagship store at Pavilion KL to launch and preview the brand’s runway collection. Luxurious diamante stickers were also introduced to the StickerShop collection, transforming classic favourites like the smiley faces, hearts and eyes into bejewelled adornments for any accessory or gadget. THE INSIDER Fans of Anya Hindmarch can download the Pix by Anya app to create pixelated artwork with their photos…

In conjunction with the fifth anniversary of Posh! Nail Spa, the brand raised RM20,000 for the benefit of Pink Unity—a peer support group for women who survive cancer, under the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. The gala night featured a number of fun activities like a Manicure for Purpose booth which helped raise funds. THE INSIDER The event dubbed ‘Fantastic 5’ made it into the Malaysia Book of Records for hosting the first-ever nail fashion show locally…

If wearing art was something you’ve always wanted to try, Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran has made that dream a possibility. His S/S17 collection is stylish proof of wearable art and can set the fashionistas’ pulses racing. The creations are inspired by, and bear a resemblance to the Japanese art of the Edo period, with its sentimental landscapes typically featuring mountains and various aspects of nature. It is expertly juxtaposed alongside the more profound abstract expressionism of the ’50s, using odd angles and shapes. Set against a backdrop of black or white cotton canvas, the 3D creations feature rich embellishments, hand-worked embroidery and luxury crystal bead work accompanied by a delicate colour palette that embodies and showcases the spirit of spring. COCKADOODLE DOO Longchamp is another designer that welcomes the Lunar…

Although considered an expensive sentiment of love, jewellery is a way of keeping memories alive, and the preservation of said memories is for as long as you keep it in your possession. Rings, for example, are synonymous with the terms of infinity and eternity, and symbolise immortal and never-ending love, with neither a beginning nor an end. As such, love is forever, and so are diamonds. And what better way to demonstrate your promise than with HEMERA™, the world’s most brilliant 101-faceted diamond? Inspired by the Greek goddess ‘Hemera’, who is the goddess of light, the rings ensure that you and your partner outshine and dazzle with brilliance, what with the superior polish, clarity, colour, symmetry and cut. For a more timeless appeal, look to the treasures from the sea…

SWEEPING SURPRISE YSL BEAUTÉ’S CHINESE NEW YEAR COLLECTOR PALETTE COMES IN A FIERY COMBINATION OF RED AND YELLOW GOLD ON THE OUTSIDE, AND TWO VARIATIONS OF GLOW-INDUCING PEACH BLUSH ON THE INSIDE BEAUTY PLAYGROUND Beauty is fun and creative and that’s the philosophy of the first ever Make Up For Ever flagship store in Southeast Asia, at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Designed to evoke the professional art setting of photographers, artists and backstage crew, the store features the brand’s philosophy of colour graffiti, and revisits red stage curtains and ‘celebrity makeup rooms.’ Beauty has never been more fun than in this energetic setting. DREAMY PERFECTION The new Dior Dreamskin Advanced establishes the modern woman’s philosophy of effortless and instant beauty, with a formula that corrects and illuminates. Boosted with a…

BRILLIANCE AND RADIANCE Piaget releases a beautifully gleaming timepiece simply named the traditional oval-shaped watch. Modelled after the watch once worn by Jackie Kennedy, the timepiece comes in two versions, one with an 18k white gold case or an 18k pink gold set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds. CUPID'S ARROW Chopard seeks to sow the seeds of love with the Happy Diamonds Joaillerie timepiece. The wristwatch has an 18-carat white gold case protecting a white textured mother-of-pearl dial with five freely moving diamonds plus hearts, a Chopard signature that aims to evoke joy in the wearer. BRAZEN BRONZE Vintage makes a return in the form of a timeless wristwatch For the first time, Montblanc pulls the sheath of its new vintage inspired timepieces using bronze. The 1858 Collection, named after the…

VALENTINE’S DAY is perhaps the only time of year we’re allowed to get all mushy, so why not go all out? Unleash those overly sentimental lines and pair them with beautiful, love-laced pieces of jewellery—and you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of new creations to choose from. Launched just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Bulgari Bulgari Cuore collection gives the eternal heart shape a modern take using pink gold, mother-of-pearl and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels gets into the mood with its classic Alhambra, adding hearts, leaves and butterflies to its four-leaf clovers. The Alhambra motif lends itself best to sautoir necklaces, which in this case use carnelian, malachite, tiger’s eye and mother-of-pearl. Another fail-safe Valentine’s Day gift would be Cartier’s Love bangle. A piece with a…

Days before his eponymous knitwear label was publicly listed in 2012, Brunello Cucinelli requested an audience with the prior of the Monastery of Saint Benedict in the hilltop town of Norcia, Umbria. To the average holidaymaker, the central Italian town is probably unknown. For the spiritually inclined, however, it is a place of pilgrimage as the birthplace of Saint Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism. Saint Benedict, the extoller of moderation and temperance, also happens to be Brunello’s favourite saint. Despite its cultural cachet, by 2012, parts of the 16th-century monastery were in ruins. Brunello drove to the town with an unusual proposal for its monks: if his initial public offering (IPO) went well, he would restore their monastery. “But,” says Brunello, “there was a condition. I told Father Cassian,…

1 MINERALS FIRST, PACKAGING SECOND “The main factors that contribute to the taste of water are its mineral composition and its packaging. A water with higher minerality will typically have a more noticeable taste, and quality glass packaging will help keep the taste unaltered and true to its original form.” 2 WATER CAN AGE LIKE WINE “Some spring waters take many years to get from rainwater to the actual spring—I have drunk 15,000-year-old water and it was incredible. But when you open a bottle of water, you should drink it immediately. Water reacts to air like any other beverage and will change in taste if you have it open too long.” 3 CHILL IT TO 15C “Just cold enough to be refreshing but not so cold that it will give…

GALERIE NÄCHST ST STEPHAN BERNARD FRIZE The Austrian gallery has a long tradition of representing modern art. Its group show for this year’s fair is a perfect example, with artists such as Alice Attie, Herbert Brandl, Imi Knoebel and Günter Umbergall pivotal figures of today’s visual practice—displaying contemporary pieces spanning mixed-media compositions, sculptures and abstract paintings. Among the exhibits, four works by French painter Bernard Frize are perhaps most captivating in their variety. Frize is known for using a multitude of materials and techniques, each of his creations a layered composition derived from elaborately constructed rules and carefully choreographed acts of painting. The pieces on show are reflective of this practice; from wide brushes to geometric grid patterns, they reference minimalism, abstract expressionism and colour field painting, for a truly…

FOR THE YOGI IN YOU ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS, INDIA Set in the lush grounds of the palace of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal near Rishikesh, this wellness spa focuses on traditional yoga therapies, with individualised Hatha yoga sessions, Gatyatmak classes, Kriya yoga, and Pranayama exercises. It recently launched indoor and outdoor fitness camps in partnership with Indian wellness pioneer Sumaya Dalmia tailored to blend personal training with Ayurvedic therapies, yoga and meditation. anandaspa.com TRAIL BLAZER CHIVA-SOM, THAILAND One of the first wellness retreats in the world when it opened in Hua Hin, south of Bangkok, in 1997, Chiva-Som International Health Resort is known for its extensive list of relaxation and holistic therapies. After a renovation last year presided over by US architect Ed Tuttle, the resort has introduced 13…

HOW OFTEN have you had your first impressions shot down because you misjudged a person? Sometimes people that you meet may turn out to be not what you expected, as you get to know them better. Which forces you to rethink your initial impressions of that person. We all make snap decisions about someone as we automatically decode verbal and non-verbal cues subconsciously. While your assumption may be right, sometimes (from experience) you can also be proven wrong. In our cover story (Eat. Play. Love, page 118), Elizabeth Marini admits to making the wrong assumption about her husband Modesto, when she first met him. It was due to the things she had heard about him, which gave her that impression of him. Over time, she realised he’s not what people…

“We, the organisers of BUTM, are a group of friends who originally started organising races in the late 1990s, mainly because there were very few races in Sabah at the time,” said Claus. “Having functioned as course director all these years, I have taken a key role in setting the race courses that range from adventure to bike and trail runs.” BUTM takes in a combination of trails and dirt roads that traverses steep ridges, river valleys and runs through remote, native villages for more experienced runners who want to challenge themselves with the longer courses. “We welcome all to our events. Only you can judge which course is suitable, but remember that a trail run is very different from being in a gym or on the road,” cautioned Claus.…

YOU DON’T HAVE to be a fan of the legendary rock band to know the tune and lyrics to Sweet Child O’ Mine. And the good news for fans in the region is that they will get the chance to sing along and witness the biggest and baddest group in person at SCG Stadium, Bangkok, on the 28th of this month as they wrap up the Southeast Asian leg of their current tour. Frontman Axl Rose teams up once again with lead guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, who are joined by Richard Fortus on rhythm guitar, Frank Ferrer on drums, Dizzy Reed on keyboards and their newest member, Melissa Reese. The tour kicked off in April 2016 at Los Angeles, and the band continued across America before performing in…

Malaysia Tatler hosted a by-invitation-only girly afternoon for some of the city’s most fashionable faces, at the Mandarin Grill in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel KL. The gorgeous young ladies were treated to an afternoon of indulgences which included a makeup plus hand massage session courtesy of Decorté. However, that was not all because Decorté also invited guests to customise their own festive baubles using Polaroid pictures of themselves taken by the beauty brand’s representatives. There was also a tasting session conducted by The Macallan for guests who were interested to learn more about the prestigious single malt whisky. Everyone enjoyed taking selfies and plenty other pictures for their social media, in the process making new friends while savouring the tasty offerings by the restaurant.…

IF YOU TRIED to sketch his character from his résumé alone, you’d peg Chris Evans as an affable, swaggering, red-state jock whose raison d’être is fame and a large pay cheque. The 35 year old actor is king of the blockbuster superhero genre; he’s played Captain America in three eponymous Marvel adaptations and two Avengers movies, and has starred in three Fantastic Four films. Peppered throughout this CV of box office record-breakers are teen flicks and romcoms. He was the high school heartthrob in Not Another Teen Movie and the ‘Harvard hottie’ in The Nanny Diaries. His mass-market career trajectory, however, seems to jar with the contemplative, lumberjack-styled Evans I meet on a hazy evening in Shanghai. And buried in his résumé of blockbusters are some challenging, independent films. Evans…

 The Resorts World Genting brand is synonymous with first-class, state-of-the-art attributes and af›liations. Furthermore, with the recent unveiling of SkyAvenue, there are no reservations about Resorts World Genting’s continuous efforts to move forward. Along with the decision to develop this brand-new mall, fresh attractions, apart from shopping, were incorporated into its drawcard, all under one roof. As food is considered to be a very big pull—not only in Malaysia, but also in Asia in general—Resorts World Genting looked at unique brands that were previously unavailable here. Gathering three renowned franchises, which are Burger & Lobster from London, Motorino from Brooklyn and Cafés Richard from Paris, Resorts World Genting’s SkyAvenue is setting the standards as a superlative destination for crowds of new and old, local and international. “This is something new…

Hosted by the gracious Tunku Dara Naquiah, the JeweLuxe high-tea was graced by a number of Malaysian royals and high society folk. Attendees were wowed by the beautiful gems and awe-inspiring jewellery, while enjoying the delicious and decadent food served by the venue host—the JW Marriott Hotel. Guests were also treated to a jewellery showcase with models parading stunning pieces, and an enlightening session on unique birthstones. THE INSIDER Many guests showed up in floral designs, in accordance with the theme for the evening…

Swarovski launched its first-ever crystallised merry-go-round at a glitzy event at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Guests and local celebrities were invited to witness the lighting-up of the nine-metre tall merry-go-round that’s decorated with three million pieces of multifaceted illuminating crystals.…

You can never have too many basic pieces in your wardrobe. They’re an absolute essential because they’re easy to layer and dress up or down. For its spring/summer 2017/18 collection Tod’s gorgeous basics are revamped with a crafted coating called pash that produces a striking velvety aged effect. This special treatment is applied throughout the collection, but is especially arresting on its jackets. The result is a relaxed and cosy aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye. Then the signature Gommino sneaker receives a brushed suede update—even on the newer patent and two-tone texture versions. The envelope bag is also one to watch out for with its tumbled leather and Gomminofinish bottom which can be carried in hand or on the shoulder. GET A HANDLE ON THE SANDAL When the…

“These are all the ingredients. We don’t want to be another brand, we want to be Bonia” WHEN ONE THINKS of Bonia, it reminds them of a lovable aunt—dependable, sturdy and familiar. But it was not one of those Instagram-worthy brands which one would flaunt proudly in the crook of their arm; that is until Pepe Torres took over as creative director—the Spaniard who has over two decades of experience in designing for high-end luxury brands such as Loewe, Burberry and Carolina Herrera. His task is to refresh Bonia’s image and revamp the brand into a cool and fashion-forward entity. Thus far, he has certainly done a great job and kept to his word. It was on a trip to Singapore that Torres first encountered Bonia. Prior to that, he…

From the neat ponytails at Proenza Schouler and Prada to the super-slick separated strands at Givenchy and the eighties-style swept-over looks at Saint Laurent, the runways officially decreed the death of the centre parting. So dig out those straighteners, invest in a good hair oil or styling gel and start teasing your tresses over. Got short hair? Perfect. If not, never fear. A low-slung, slicked-back, side-parted ponytail is the perfect way to embrace the look. You can even wear your hair down in a very ‘now’ wet look—provided it’s got enough product not to move in a breeze. But remember, super-slicked hair like this means an increased focus on your face, so contour your cheeks and remember to add a slick of lipgloss—or even a bright red matte lip if…

“Every time I get behind the wheel of a car, I feel that I can do something extraordinary” CHARISMATIC and chirpy, the Malaysian professional racer Weiron Tan meets the Tatler team at a cafe overlooking a quaint and quiet go-kart track. He arrived wearing a smile and his eye-catching Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 47 Squelette; after introductions, he begins on his journey as a race car driver. “Every Sunday I would go to the kart track for fun. I then realised that I wanted to try my hand at professional racing and gave it a go,” says Tan. Competitive by nature, Tan began to realise that he had quite the knack for karting and started racing in the local scene. “I was winning locally before going on to race in…

“EVERYTHING FROM MINERAL DEFICIENCIES TO OVEREATING TO HEADACHES CAN BE LINKED TO DEHYDRATION AND POOR WATER CHOICES” “BRANDS ARE TURNING MUNDANE PRODUCTS INTO LUXURIOUS ITEMS IN ORDER TO CATER TO INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED CONSUMERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR STATUS SYMBOLS” Martin Riese will only drink tap water if he is in Alaska, British Columbia or the German town of Flensburg. If he’s in one of the less H2 0-enlightened parts of the world, he’ll sip on Iskilde bottled water from Denmark, Vichy Catalan from Spain or Roi from Slovenia. This unusually specific approach to thirst quenching is the result of many years of research into the different variations of H20 for his role as a water sommelier at Ray’s and Stark Bar, a high-end restaurant in Los Angeles. And while…

I HAD little idea of what to expect when I first walked into Agak Agak, a restaurant tucked away in Art Print Works (APW), a location in Bangsar widely known for its rebirth in 2014, which serves as a space for budding entrepreneurs and creatives. All I knew was that the duo behind the restaurant was well-known, the menu sounded creative and the folks running the show seemed genuine. Although I had never met Ili Sulaiman or Basira Yeusuff before I stepped into their newly opened restaurant, things were off swimmingly after introductions. Agak Agak, a popular Malay word that means ‘to estimate,’ is both a restaurant and a social enterprise (more on that later) that introduces new avenues to enjoy Malaysian produce and dishes. Given the rich nature of…

“LIKE HOW GOOD BUTTER IS IMPORTANT TO FRENCH COOKING AND GOOD EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL IS VITAL TO ITALIAN COOKING, A PREMIUM FISH SAUCE IS KEY TO VIETNAMESE CUISINE” 1 WAGYU PHO This is my favourite dish on Moi Moi’s menu. The broth is simmered for 16 hours, extracting all the goodness out of the beef bones, ox tail, herbs, spices and chargrilled vegetables. It’s such a labour of love. 2 PHU QUOC FISH SAUCE This is the one ingredient I always use. It’s no ordinary fish sauce, though; it’s the best in the world, as it comes from Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam. 3 MORTAR AND PESTLE As a chef, I can’t live without a good heavy stone mortar and pestle to make all of my pastes…