Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG Josie Ho—the actress, singer and founder of music label Drill 162 and film company 852 Films—is a force to be reckoned with. In her latest indie film, Habit, which is due to be released later this year, Ho stars as a wild party girl who becomes involved in criminal activities. hk.asiatatler.com SHANGLIU TATLER Mixed martial artist Zhang Weili, who stars on Shangliu Tatler’s cover, has won a total of 21 fights, losing only one throughout her entire MMA career. She has since become the first Chinese UFC World Champion after defeating the former reigning champion, Brazilian fighter Jessica Andrade. shangliutatler.com TATLER INDONESIA Veronika Linardi, Veronica Colondam, Imelda Harsono and Wulan Tilaar star on the cover of Tatler Indonesia’s June issue. All four women have sprung into action…

Five children from low-income families who suffered from life-threatening heart defects received financial aid in the Heart to Heart Charity dinner at Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur. Hosted by a duo long dedicated towards humanitarian causes, Dato’ Rosemarie Wee and Florence Fang, the charity’s initial target of supporting the four children as well as their families, saw the philanthropic efforts of those who contributed ultimately saving a fifth child. Guests who bought tables that evening included Lee Jim Leng, Datin Alissa Fitri, Datin Usha Nair, Dato’ Kevin Yong, Dato’ Sri Rozita Ramelan, Shirieene Hajamaideen, Meera Sen as well as Catherine Mah. And although not being able to attend, altruistic souls such as Vincent Tan of Getha Bedding, Dato’ Azmall Jamaluddin, Datuk Kelvin Tan, Dato’ Jaime Chan Abdullah, Datin YM Ding, Mariam…

27 musicians including Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza and Misha Omar joined in virtually over video to perform for Zee Avi’s Arena Cahayaa tribute for the tireless local frontliners. SCREEN TO SCREEN Hanging out with friends and extended family is now commonly done via platforms like Google Hangouts and Zoom which lets people connect from afar using their screens. Social media feeds are bursting with such scenarios as loved ones throw a virtual birthday party or just to catch up. Extreme adventurer and Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador Mike Horn who has spent months on his own on many expeditions shared this helpful tip: “My advice for everyone living in isolation is to be creative, enjoy the isolation and make a decision to do things you’ve never done before. We now have the…

With multiple passions that include language and dance, Indrani Kopal devotes her time to one relentlessly—making films to ignite positive social change. Kopal left her job as a video journalist to pursue her studies in New York, where she further sharpened her skills and began shooting documentaries. Having directed empowering pieces such as The Game Changer, Incarcerated Rhythm, and She’s My Son, the award-winning filmmaker’s mission is to give voice to the voiceless. We live in a #MeToo era. If you want it, it’s yours to claim. It’s true that the film industry has been ruled by men for the longest time, but I’ve never waited to be given the opportunity. The new narrative sees women claim the role, rather than having it given to them. The filmmaking industry in…

BOTTLED YOUTH Dior Prestige’s Rose Essence Lotion utilises the beneficial properties of the Granville Rose—which controls inflammation, strengthens the skin barrier and speeds up skin regeneration. To get a dewy, fresh complexion, try soaking your cotton pads with the Rose Essence Lotion, then dividing them in two to place over your cheekbones as well as forehead for 5 minutes. FLAWLESS FINISH Highly pigmented and formulated to even out skin tones, Laura Mercier’s first-ever cushion foundation, the Flawless Lumiere Cushion provides full, natural-looking coverage while leaving behind a radiant, poreless finish. It helps protect the skin as well, as it has SPF50UVA/ UVBPA+++ and is created with an Anti-Pollution Barrier Complex that shields complexions from environmental aggressors like fine dust and debris. Available in six shades, the Flawless Lumiere Cushion is…

200 metres is the minimum amount of water resistance required for a watch to be considered a scuba diving watch There are 57 complications in the world’s most complicated watch, the Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260, which also houses 2,800 components In the James Bond film Live and Let Die, 007’s Rolex acts as a high-powered magnet to deflect bullets (and unzip dresses) Apple sold more than 30 million smartwatches last year alone A one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe sold for US$31 million in Geneva last November, making it the most expensive wristwatch ever auctioned…

SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL A city disc made from sapphire crystal projects the initials of all 24 cities onto the dial, so it looks as though they’re suspended above the hour markers. 2002 Louis Vuitton’s first forays into watchmaking date back to 2002 with the launch of the Tambour watch. It is now an extensive collection for both men and women that includes simple three-handers as well as complicated chronographs, tourbillons and minute repeaters. HERITAGE Travel is one of Louis Vuitton’s biggest inspirations so it comes as little surprise that for its latest world time watch, the brand chose the same shades of yellow, black and white found on airport runways. LV107 CALIBRE The Tambour World Time Runway is powered by a brand-new automatic movement, the LV107 Calibre, which has been developed…

What do you love about watchmaking? There is so much detail and craftsmanship that goes into designing watches. There are so many different inspirations and you have to master so many techniques, once you’ve created a timepiece it really does feel as though you’ve made a small piece of art. That’s especially the case if you’ve made something very small or something that’s a world-first. Which Bulgari watch was the most difficult to create? It’s hard to say. Each one is difficult. When we designed the ultra-slim Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic, we had to create the world’s thinnest tourbillon. Designing the Serpenti’s bracelet so that it comfortably coils around the wrist was also challenging. How about for 2020? This year, I suppose the Serpenti Seduttori Tourbillon was the most difficult.…

Sophistication. Artistic emotion. Expertise. These words best describe Jaeger-LeCoultre, says Catherine Renier. “I like to associate these words to the brand, because we don’t just assemble pieces to bring out a watch, we do it from scratch, we build our calibre, we create—a 180-degree of know-how and expertise combined under one roof that have made who we are today, so that’s what we want to transmit to the public,” she tells Tatler over tea at Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur. We met earlier this year to talk about the upcoming Watches & Wonders and the new novelties to be released by the maison. However, the global pandemic has caused the watch industry to rethink its strategy and proceeded to relaunch this event in an online platform on April 25th. By making…

In October 2019, a self-funded group of bold women set out to do their part to conserve our planet and the wildlife plus communities who call it home. They called upon their friends and family to donate to their cause, supporting wildlife conservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and eco-livelihoods through the work that Conservation International (CI) is doing in Northern Kenya. Being part of an empowering all-female expedition team with HER Planet Earth (HPE)—a global women’s advocacy movement for gender equality and environmental conservation—their main objective is to increase awareness on climate change and raise funds for CI’s efforts in the region, with a focus on women empowerment. Studies have shown women to be most vulnerable and affected locally in remote areas, as they are at the forefront of agriculture for their…

Throughout history, the ocean has been referred to as a feminine entity—the mother, where all life began. We, and all mammals, are more connected to the ocean than we realise—even before we’re born. The amniotic fluid in a woman’s womb is remarkably similar to seawater, containing the same salts in almost exactly the same proportions. When babies’ legs begin to form, they start off as one fin-like limb. Our first movements are similar to those of fish; swimming, living and growing in an ocean-like fluid. “A lot of people have said that free diving is like being reborn or being back in the womb,” says Chelsea Yamase, better known to her 928,000 Instagram followers as Chelsea Kauai. Chelsea is part of a growing community of female free divers plunging to…

AMAALA, SAUDI ARABIA - on northwest coast of Saudi Arabia aims to become the heart of the Red Sea Riviera. Envisioned as a place where art and wellness intersect, this development designed by Denniston International will feature a trio of communities—Triple Bay, The Coastal Development and The Island—in the pristine, 3,800-square-kilometre Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve. The former will be a holistic wellness retreat offering top-notch diagnostic medical facilities, while the latter two will be devoted to championing art and culture. When completed in 2030, Amaala will have 800 residential villas, apartments and estate homes, as well as 2,500 hotel rooms and 200 high-end outlets spanning shopping, dining and recreation. amaala.com TRI VANANDA, THAILAND serves as compass new development in Phuket conceived by Montara Hospitality Group, the company behind…

Almost 10 years ago, when I was a fresh-faced college graduate considering my career options, never did I imagine I would spend so much time talking about my gender. As has happened in so many spheres, the wine world has grappled in recent years with the question of women’s roles, both within the industry and in the broader universe of journalism, education and collecting. As a female participant in many of these ecosystems, with strong connections to other female industry members and leaders, I’ve had both first- and second-hand views. For my own part, I’ve had the somewhat disorienting experience of living through a time when who I am (young, Asian, female) has gone from being a hindrance to an advantage. When I was starting out, I was frequently dismissed…

set “I don out ’t to think be deliberately many people injustice unjust, but happen I do see on the basis of characteristics—don like ’t gender call it . out And these if we So issues , I speak will never up, , whenever get fixed. I see it happen” Having received the Dr Josef Steiner Cancer Research Prize for her holistic work in the field of cancer genome interpretation, Dr Serena Nik Zainal hails from a number of UK’s prestigious institutions. At her alma mater, the University of Cambridge, she achieved first class honours in Medical and Veterinary Science Tripos in 1998 and subsequently a Clinical Medicine degree in 2000, before being awarded a CRUK Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship in 2017. As the principal investigator of the Cambridge University’s…

With the words, “It’s Me, Me, Mina!” cheekily written on the invitation, guests arrived at Datin Mina Cheah’s birthday party at Rama V, Kuala Lumpur. Some dressed to the nines, while others wore hiking gear to emulate Datin Mina’s adventurous spirit—like her eldest son, Daryl Foong, who had worn the exact same outfit during a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro with his mum. As guests tucked into a delicious spread of Thai cuisine, a few took their turns to share stories about the birthday girl. And true to her fun-loving nature, Datin Mina later prompted her friends to a spirited karaoke session, ending with dancing to the greatest hits of the ’80s.…

As working mums, Yong Mien Dee and Nurlin Salleh have their hands full with daily responsibilities—from nurturing their young kids to building a successful career for themselves as female bosses. Having first crossed paths at a women’s leadership programme a few years back, Mien Dee and Nurlin became fast friends due to their shared values and life goals. “We knew we could work well together and identified that we would become business partners quite early in our friendship. But the question was, what do we do together?” says Nurlin. For inspiration, the two women looked inwards at their own personal struggles. “Parental guilt is real. You want to be connected with your children, but how do you do that? So we thought, what if we created a space where kids…

SOTHEBY’S Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art, until June 10 Sotheby’s brings together a wide array of works—ranging from resin figurines by Singaporean artist collective phunk to an oil-on-canvas painting by Filipino artist Jigger Cruz—in this online sale. The auction house has also launched a series of themed online sales under the title Contemporary Showcase, each of which runs for roughly a week. sothebys.com BONHAMS Islamic and Indian Art, June 11; Asian Art Online Sale, June 22-July 1 Two of Bonhams’ most exciting sales this month are a presentation of Islamic and Indian art dating from the 7th to 19th centuries—including manuscripts, coins, jewellery, ceramics, photographs and a series of sought-after Company School paintings, which were commissioned from Indian artists by patrons in the East India Company or other foreign…

Outdoor space, whether large or small, deck, porch or patio, is increasingly becoming the place to fully enjoy every season, almost an extension of the indoor space and, no matter what you call it, worthy of the same careful design consideration. Outdoor furnishings, which have reached new heights in terms of performance and durability, have achieved the perfect blend of elegance and comfort. Bolstered by decades of experience manufacturing high-end furnishings and, after several forays into the outdoor realm—with projects created for yachts and resorts—Flexform is now launching an outdoor collection that includes seating systems, sofas, armchairs, tables, chairs and many accessories. The collection draws upon the design culture that has consistently distinguished all of the company’s products and the contributions of a select few designers with whom it partners—from…

Swooshing about in two hulking mounds of hot pink tulle trimmed with a bedazzled empire waistline at the 2015 Grammys, Rihanna and her couture gown by Giambattista Valli set the internet ablaze at a time when leggy, cutout numbers still reigned supreme on the red carpet (that very same event saw pop stars like Gwen Stefani and Ariana Grande in varied states of nakedness). It was, for a while, a running joke that one could spot Rihanna’s pouf from space. Since then however, we’ve been exposed to gowns of cosmic proportions that render RiRi’s a mere scrunchie. Think of Jennifer Lopez at her Second Act NYC premiere in 2018 in another sweeping Valli number, Lady Gaga in a fluorescent Brandon Maxwell dress at the 2019 Met Gala, and most recently…

SKINCARE RITUAL INDULGENCE Whether it’s to kick-start the day or to wind down from it, a daily skincare routine can help you de-stress. From cleansing, toning, to your favourite serums and moisturisers, facial masks are often perceived as a final treat we give our complexions for special occasions (or for when we especially need it after a long day). Clé de Peau Beauté Concentrated Brightening Serum DRESS UP, OR DRESS DOWN Depending on your mood and your personal preferences, both options can be a calming ritual for some. If you find yourself feeling restless indoors but not up to braving the outside world, perhaps it’s time to switch up your routine. So, wear your most fashionable ensemble and favourite accessories, put on some makeup and a spritz of perfume even…

The founder of Lark & Berry, Laura Chavez teaches us how to clean jewellery and give shine back to our gems with these clever hacks How do you recommend we clean our jewellery at home? You can clean your jewellery using common household items, but the best is a mixture of liquid dish soap and water. Let your jewellery soak and then scrub it using a clean toothbrush with a soft head. Rinse with lukewarm water. Why is it important? Dead skin and bacteria will build up, especially behind the stones, which results in pieces looking dull. Scrubbing your jewellery regularly ensures your pieces will stay nicer for longer. How often should we clean our jewellery? Cleaning intervals depend on how often you wear your jewellery. A quick clean once…

Repurposing old jewellery has been the bread-and-butter of goldsmiths and gem dealers for centuries, but it’s fast becoming a growing trend with a new spin. As consumers grow more conscious about the environmental and ethical impact of their purchases, a practice that may have existed for centuries is now more sought-after than ever. From the simple resizing of an engagement ring to the resetting of gems from a Georgian hairpin, the range of possibilities is endless. And as sustainability becomes a way of life, we’re seeing designers rescue unloved sparklers from dusty draws and seldom-visited vaults. It’s possible to breathe new life into old pieces by recasting gems into new settings, says Hong Kong-based jewellery designer Sarah Zhuang. This involves melting down and reshaping precious metals into stylish silhouettes that…

Announced as Montblanc Malaysia’s first Friend of the Brand since 2018, Malaysian-born actor Lawrence Wong is seen photographed wearing one of the German maison’s latest timepieces, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere. Its cool titanium case and icy white details are a stark contrast against its deep blue dial—a colour scheme inspired by glaciers and ice. Having worked with the luxury manufacturer for more than half a decade, Wong was lauded as the ‘ideal personality for Montblanc’ for his sense of style and relentless drive to succeed by none other than Montblanc’s Southeast Asia president, Matthieu Dupont. NERVES OF STEEL In 1904, Louis Cartier made his aviator friend Alberto Santos-Dumont what is widely considered to be the first pilot’s wristwatch. Since relaunching the subsequently named Santos collection in 2018, Cartier has released…

Marion Cotillard has been photographed wearing Chopard’s Ice Cube and Magical Setting collections, including a geometric timepiece in rose gold that’s as elegant as it is minimal. The French actress herself turned her hand to design in 2015, when she co-created a collection with the Swiss maison. Her “green” creations used Fairmined gold and ethically sourced coloured gemstones as part of Eco-Age’s Green Carpet Challenge, which aims to promote the idea that glamour and sustainability in jewellery and watchmaking can go hand-in-hand.…

Annie Darling Watches & Jewellery Director of Tatler Asia There is nothing cooler than an open-worked or skeletonised watch, which is when craftsmen reveal a timepiece’s complicated inner workings, publicly exposing its glory to every Tom, Dick and Harry who appreciates good old-fashioned watchmaking. Numerous watchmakers have embraced the skeleton watch and Jaquet Droz jumped on the trend back in 2018 with its Grande Seconde Skelet-One. This year, the model has been revamped with plasma ceramic, which is made by treating white ceramic with heated gas. The resulting case is as hard, lightweight and as scratch-resistant as anything on the market. Annie Darling Watches & Jewellery Director of Tatler Asia Panerai is marking the 70th anniversary of its glow-in-the-dark watches, which, back in the day, were painted with a radium…

During the 18th and 19th centuries, affluent consumers in China often prized a peculiarly stylish form of timepiece—distinctively decorative and novel pocket watches created by Swiss and British watchmakers—as a potent symbol of status and influence. Following the Communist Revolution of 1949, however, as western affectations and luxuries quickly fell out of favour, most of these remarkable watches disappeared or were sold off overseas. Now Chinese collectors are on a mission to bring what remain of these cultural treasures home. Often featuring illustrated enamel dials and cases decorated with florid engraving, jewels and other glittering embellishments, Chinese-market pocket watches stood in stark contrast to the more restrained, functional timepieces usually created for European consumers. The most sought-after examples feature motifs of music, chimes and more complex automatons such as mechanically…

Elaine Lau and her husband-cum-associate Fong Min Hun of the standalone Lit Books often exchange ideas with fellow bookstore owner Nazir Harith Fadzilah, the founder of Tintabudi, ever since they delved into the niche business of independent bookshops and publications, which is relatively small in Malaysia. In fact, many of them have crossed paths, and collaborations are aplenty. Take for instance Obscura Publishing’s Malay poetry compilation Gertak Sanggul which has been translated into English entitled Blooms of Ire by Tintabudi’s publishing arm. As independent bookstores are not affiliated with chain bookstores, these unique spaces have a distinct personality that is very much reflective of the owner’s tastes and preferences in books. Lau explains, “At Lit Books in Tropicana Avenue, we curate the titles ourselves and they run the gamut from…

Are we finally getting to a place where it’s safe to be single? If it sounds like an antiquated question in the year 2020, it’s not. Stories about cultural and family pressures on young women to wed remain as common as ever, despite how much progress women have made socially and culturally. It’s particularly interesting in Asia, where conversations about challenging traditional expectations of women are happening in China, Korea, Japan and pretty much everywhere. “A lot more people are thinking marriage is not the solution for their lives,” says Frances Cha, a former travel and culture editor for CNN in Seoul and Hong Kong whose debut novel, If I Had Your Face, centres on four young women in South Korea who defy such social norms in an environment where…

To get a sense of how female perspectives are shaping the wine market around Asia, I gathered recommendations from a cross-section of the region’s most influential female industry members and collectors. I asked each to recommend a luxury or collectible wine, either something unique and unexpected or else an icon that’s truly worth the hype KARNTHIDA KHWANPHUK Managing director of Wine Dee Dee Thailand Wine Dee Dee Thailand is an importer and distributor known for its strength in boutique luxury wines, so perhaps it’s no surprise that its managing director picked eco-conscious Josetta Saffirio Barolo 2015 and its niche speciality Rossese Bianco, a citrussy white found principally in a vine-blanketed corner of Piemonte but originally from neighbouring Liguria. As a kicker, Safirio has been female-run since 1975. CAROL YAU Member…

SARAH SAW A versatile stylist who wears many hats, Sarah has been venturing into video directing and producing lately. She showcases her 13 years of styling experience in our cover feature of singing sensation Shila Amzah in this issue (p.168) TAK SUGITA As a child, Tak Sugita’s first love was drawing, which over the years developed into a passion for all art and, eventually, to a career in photography shooting fashion and portraits for magazines and brands including Levi’s, Shiseido and Shu Uemura. This month, Tak photographed the fashion shoot Into the Wild (p.66) HAYLENA KRISHNAMOORTHY Haylena is driven by alternative narratives through cultures and communities, human rights, conservation of the environment and wildlife. An independent journalist with a wide range of media exposure, she previously worked as a television…

“Stories make us live and remember, and this is one such story that becomes a moment of history,” said Dato’ Faridah Merican in her welcome speech at the official launch of Taylor’s University and The Actors Studio’s Bachelor of Performing Arts. What sparked the idea of integrating performance arts into academia, however, was a tragedy that had both devastated and renewed The Actors Studio (TAS) in 2003, when a flood destroyed the centre’s former home at Plaza Putra, that was built in 1995 and a first of its kind—a privately owned and operated theatre space in Malaysia. Despite of the ensuing hardship, TAS persevered. And with the overwhelming support of theatre-lovers and practitioners alike, the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), the country’s first fully-integrated arts centre, was established in…

What did you do before Enya? I used to work in one of those fast-fashion companies. Once during a warehouse stint, I discovered a pile of clothes that smelt heavily of chemicals and tore like paper. I quit my job a few weeks after that. In the two years that followed, I worked for a social enterprise that upcycled textile waste into wearable items. What’s the story behind Enya’s conception? I founded Enya with my partner, Chris. We felt it was time to introduce fabric in sanitary pads that would be suitable for all skin types. We kept wondering ourselves, ‘Will women actually want this product? What exactly would go into it?’ And so we started asking everybody we knew. Ultimately, we came up with Enya’s product specifications, inspired by…

ELIZABETH VON DER GOLTZ Global buying director for Net-a-Porter When Elizabeth von der Goltz began her career as an assistant buyer at the now-closed luxury department store Barneys New York, it was “the fashion industry as you’d imagine it in the nineties—egotistical and hostile”, she remembers. “Assistants were asked to do things people would never be asked to do today.” Specifically, one of her managers at the time, though talented at her job, was so disrespectful to those around her that Von der Goltz quit the business for two years. “I thought to myself, ‘If that’s the kind of person I’m meant to aspire to become, I don’t want to do this.’” The experience, however, was a turning point for Von der Goltz, who vowed to leave a different sort…

Gearing up for summertime means layering on UV protection—and if you live in Asia, you know we're talking about way more than just a light slathering of sunscreen. From everyday umbrellas and giant face visors to high-tech beauty products and kinda weird outliers like facekinis—those beach balaclavas that have become popular over the past few years at some seaside resorts—it seems like we’ve pretty much got sun protection down pat. Or do we? As our climate and environment continue to change and new innovations hit the market, Tatler speaks with skincare experts on what everyone should know about protecting the skin they’re in. Different skin types can react differently to sun exposure, and doctors and scientists have found that Asians tend to have a thinner stratum corneum, which acts as…

It was before my time, but the 1960s sound like a jolly good decade. Bursting with colour, drama and international collaboration, it was also a superb time for watchmaking. A soaring demand for casual timepieces ensured steady growth and constant innovation, and we were all blissfully unaware of the looming disaster that was the quartz crisis (thanks for nothing, Generation Me!). This probably explains why Glashütte Original’s 2020 Sixties Edition, complete with a “glacier blue” dial, hits all my sweet spots. Glashütte has released colourful additions to its Sixties collection since 2018, and this wrist-friendly 39mm version is another worth coveting. Sixties 2020 Annual Edition by Glashütte Original…

The Excalibur Twofold embodies Roger Dubuis’s technical prowess. Not only does the watch look like something from out of this world, but the Excalibur Twofold also features three world premieres: a bezel and case made from Mineral Composite Fibre, which is an ultra-white material that’s been developed by the brand; patented luminescent paint on the watch’s movement; and strips of LumiSuperBiwiNova (come again?) on its strap, which essentially make parts of the fabric glow in the dark. Bearing the Poinçon de Genève, a certificate awarded to timepieces with remarkable finishes and decorative details, the Excalibur Twofold is a limited edition of eight pieces. LOVE, UNSCRIPTED When it comes to watches, the stars of Crash Landing On You know how to make a statement. If you’ve already watched the Korean drama…

Like countless large-scale events, this year’s Watches & Wonders fair fell prey to the novel coronavirus. Its cancellation necessitated the virtual unveiling of novelties that would’ve otherwise been revealed IRL in April at Geneva’s cavernous Palexpo centre. But the news this year is still a big deal, even when delivered online: horology historically has been viewed as quite a male-focused affair, but many of the most attractive new releases were in the realm of women’s watchmaking. The invitation-only Watches & Wonders, which was formerly called Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, or SIHH, showcases designs from a handful of leading independent brands in addition to the big watchmakers from the Richemont stable: A Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin and…

“China will always hold a special place in my heart; it’s the country that helped to launch my career,” shares Shila Amzah, who began singing at the age of 10. Shila went on to join a couple of Chinese singing competitions; emerging victorious in Asian Wave, she went on to become a finalist in the second season of I Am A Singer—which happens to be the same competition that British singer Jessie J also took part in, albeit in a different season. “They accepted me for who I am, what I believed in, and didn’t care where I came from... they just wanted to listen to my music and supported me by giving me that boost which I needed,” she explains. It was mainly because of this deep affinity and…

Frances Cha grew up in the US, Hong Kong and South Korea, working for several years as a travel and culture editor for CNN International in Seoul and Hong Kong, where she covered many of the more extreme trends in pop culture and beauty for a global audience. The world’s ravenous interest in stories about the prevalence of plastic surgery, the obsession with K-pop stars and the competitiveness for a top-flight education went a long way towards informing her first novel, If I Had Your Face, which tells the stories of four young women in a fast-paced, ever-intense environment where appearances are literally everything. Cha puts the societal pressures and hierarchies of Seoul in a context that defies the reader to cast judgment on her characters. Kyuri, whose face has…