Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG Gilbert Yeung, owner of some of Hong Kong’s most prominent nightclubs, including Dragon-I, Tazmania Ballroom and Cassio, discusses the future of the nightlife scene post-pandemic. A pioneer in his field, the entrepreneur has spent decades making Hong Kong one of the world’s go-to party destinations. tatlerhongkong.com TATLER INDONESIA Beatrix Santi Anugrah, the founder of fashion and fabric brand Narasi Wastra, speaks to Tatler Indonesia about the importance of promoting and preserving traditional Indonesian textiles—and the artisans who make them. tatlerindonesia.com TATLER MALAYSIA Tatler Malaysia talks to advertising industry veteran Kit Ong, who recently switched gears to filmmaking and writing stories for children. These are not your typical childhood fairy tales, but instead address complex issues like domestic violence and Alzheimer’s. tatlermalaysia.com TATLER PHILIPPINES Tatler Philippines speaks to…

WINNIE AU Photographer Winnie Au grew up in Rockford, Illinois and is now based in New York, where she shoots for publications including Teen Vogue, Glamour and GQ. This month, she photographed the Asian American power players backing the #StopAsianHate movement (p.144) SARAH SAW A versatile stylist who wears many hats, Sarah Saw has branched out into video directing and producing as well. She styles Deborah Henry for our cover story this month (p.136) How did you get started as a stylist? I used to style the shoots when I was in publications and when I decided to come out as a freelancer, things just fell into place on its own. What emoji best describes you? probably describes me best because I’ll always try to keep things fun and crazy…

What started as ripples in the calm have grown into roaring seas of change, with these remarkable youths at the helm. From climate activism to political reform, they are strangers to going with the flow—evidently, the world’s injustices only seem to fuel their passion for a better Malaysia. Tatler sits down with these extraordinary humans to ask them some very ordinary questions that reveal who they are beyond their feats. REYESS GNANALINGAM The age of twelve seems to be the age of agency for Reyess Gnanalingam, son of Datuk Ruben Gnanalingam and Datin Shirieene Hajamaideen. Gnanalingam was selfless in raising RM150,000 for Mahdya’s Gift, a charity that aims to provide healthcare to uninsured critically ill children. His compassion radiated true as he walked ten kilometres in the hot and humid…

Originating from Kelantan, nasi kerabu is usually eaten with meats, crackers, pickles and salad. One popular accompaniment is ayam percik, a marinated chicken slowly grilled over charcoal. Its versatile nature means it can be enjoyed at any time of the day, from breakfast to dinner. Here are five places you can visit the next time you have a craving for this appetising azure dish. HAYAKI’S CAFE This cafe started out in 2003 with a branch in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, and gradually expanded to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Their most popular dish is the Nasi Kerabu Ayam Madu. Cooked with real butterfly pea flowers, its blue rice is paired with honey-coated grilled chicken, fish crackers, salted egg, grated coconut, and special kerabu sauce. WHERE: Various locations. Order via Grabfood BOK’S KITO…

For those old enough to remember, the “Choose your own adventure” books was a thrilling series where you, as the protagonist could be the master of your own fate and have a say in how the plot progressed. In a clever bit of marketing, KSK Land, Malaysia’s leading lifestyle and design property company, chose this format to convey what living at the YOO8 branded residences at 8 Conlay would be like. As all residents of YOO8 will have access to Kempinski’s renowned 5-star hotel services, this interactive digital storytelling series is an immersive journey which allows viewers to choose their own Kempinski services and craft their journey of living at YOO8. With its four-storey lifestyle retail quarters, 8 Conlay will elevate the art of living in the city with the…

Wearing a faded plaid shirt over a black tee and a single earring, Glenn Martens shifts uneasily in his chair while speaking from the office headquarters of Diesel in Breganze, Italy. Sipping an espresso from a tiny paper cup between breaths, the newly minted creative director of the designer denim label seems either stressed or excited, or simply over-caffeinated. “I have to admit I’m a very hyperactive person,” he says. “I’m very curious and like to put myself in different situations all the time.” Diesel, founded in 1978 by Renzo Rosso, whose portfolio of fashion brands includes Maison Margiela, Marni, Amiri and Viktor & Rolf, reached global popularity during the Nineties, but its appeal has since waned considerably, with the label’s US division even filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in…

SWAY WITH ME The best partner for your swingy dress? A maxi hammock tote to match your movements. SOFT TOUCH We’re calling it now: jewel-tone suede will be all the rage this fall, but you can start introducing it to wardrobe now with these bright buttery shoes. GOING GRASS Few shoes evoke a holiday in Spain like the trusty espadrille, jazzed up this season for city dwellers and . CREATURE COMFORTS Winter’s cushion trend is here to stay, refreshed in miniature shapes and summer. SOUR CANDY The most delicious accessories this month take their colour cues from your favourite childhood . DOUBLE TROUBLE Calling all self-professed bag ladies: here’s your formal invitation to carry your prized purses all at once. Gucci . SEEING GREEN Walk by with the shoe hue of…

At the age of 17, Tania Bardhan was introduced to Ayurvedic astrology by her grandfather. “He was a brilliant mathematician and educator,” she recalls. “He had a deep interest in astrology, and he showed me that it wasn’t just about looking to the stars and foreseeing the future; it was about math and science, and you had to get your calculations right.” Ayurveda’s growing influence in the world of wellness is hard to miss, as the healing system spreads its ancient roots to spa treatments, yoga studios, skincare products and even stylish teas. Last year, New York City It-man and frequent Wes Anderson collaborator Waris Ahluwalia introduced House of Waris Botanicals, a collection of teas and elixirs that draw heavily on Ayurvedic principles. “We’re creating blends that give us the…

Tell us about your latest collection, Ada. This is our first chain collection. I’ve wanted to introduce a custom chain design to our clients for a while. Ada is unique, true to my brand’s aesthetic, and it looks great with all our signature finishes, including gold and enamel. What was most difficult when designing this collection? It took time to finalise a silhouette that had the right proportions and weight. Describe the Ada chain in three words. Bold, luxurious, substantial. What inspires you? I’m a born-and-bred New Yorker and am proud to have lived here my entire life, with the exception of college. From the people and the pace to the architecture and art, New York City is a never-ending source of inspiration. Why do you use enamel? While diamonds…

What’s the inspiration behind your jewellery designs? My jewellery is inspired by the world around me. I’m Brazilian, so I grew up surrounded by nature, colour, beauty, carnivals and energy. Which is your favourite Graziela jewellery piece? That’s easy! Twenty-five years ago, I designed a pavé cross that was blessed by Pope John Paul II. I truly believe it protects me from all negative energy. What have you been working on recently? The Color Rhodium Amazon collection and the Renaissance Pearl collection. The former is an expansion of a few pieces I designed in 2020. They come in 18-karat gold, which is coated in the most beautiful rhodium. My Renaissance Pearl collection mixes the power of pearls with modern designs. It’s fresh, wearable and innovative. What kind of woman wears…

“This is how I normally start the day,” says Lucia Silvestri as she pours out a small cloth bag of sparkling jewels onto her gem table. Using her hands, she shapes them into a mound resembling a necklace, before selecting a piece from her cache of larger, exquisite gemstones from all around the world to place in the middle. “It always starts with the gems—even before the design,” she says, revealing the creative process behind all her jewellery creations, including the latest Magnifica high jewellery collection. In the early stages of conceptualising Magnifica last year, Silvestri was faced with the challenge of sourcing the prominent gemstones that Bulgari has become known for at the height of a pandemic. Unable to travel, the selection process for some of the beautiful gemstones…

Tell us about the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition AMG. This watch looks fantastic. I’m really excited about all the materials that have been used. Coming from racing, these are materials that I’m really familiar with. The titanium case is especially great. It’s extremely hard but also very lightweight and scratch resistant. Why is it important to you that this watch is scratch resistant? Being in a racing environment, I don’t always protect my watches the way I’d like to. In a second life I could probably apply to be a watch tester. In the cockpit, it gets very hot and you experience high G-forces. Every time you go over a bump, for example, the suspension of the car is designed for performance and not for comfort so when you…

SHRINK WRAP The quintessential design of the Hermès Faubourg Polka is inspired by the miniaturised Faubourg model from 2014, which featured a mother-of-pearl dial and dainty round-shaped case. This new Hermès timepiece has an entirely redesigned bracelet that consists of interwoven dots and oblique lines. ALL-STAR GAME Good luck getting Greubel Forsey’s new cutting-edge GMT Sport. Only 33 have been made, and each comes with a chunky titanium case back that’s strapped onto the wrist using a supple, fully integrated metal bracelet. Pops of blue adorn the crown and jam-packed dial, which is openworked to highlight the three-dimensional movement of a globe and 24-second indicator ring.…

A great watch has always been, and will always be, a personal possession that speaks volumes about its wearer, something Winston Koo learned at a young age. “My father once told me: ‘A gentleman doesn’t need much apart from a good pair of shoes, a watch and a pen.’” Despite this advice, Koo says his father never wore watches although, years later, he did discover his parents owned diamond-set timepieces from the 1970s by Chopard. “They’re not to my taste,” Koo tells me. “They’re quite blinged out, but that was interesting to find out because I only know my dad as this parental figure. I was like: ‘Wow! You were young once and liked crazy stuff too!’” As senior director of product innovation at the United Chinese Group, which makes…

SAFARIS WITH ANDBEYOND Located in countries famed for their rich biodiversity, AndBeyond’s lodges in Asia, Africa and South America connect travellers with the natural world and endeavour to protect and conserve the surrounding wildlife. The sustainable travel pioneer, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021, offers birders of all stripes guided excursions and plenty of resources, including top-of-the range Swarovski Optik binoculars, across its properties. For dedicated ornithologists, the company recommends South Africa’s Phinda Reserve, set within an area teeming with 450 bird species—from tropical to classic Savannah species—more than enough to engage novices and experts alike. andbeyond.com FIRST LIGHT WALKS WITH BELMOND Nature plays an important role in Belmond’s stable of 40 hotels, especially when it comes to its properties in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, such…

War, domestic violence and Alzheimer’s disease. These are not typical topics found in children’s storybooks. Yet for 51-year-old Kit Ong, a veteran of the advertising industry with 25 years under his belt, he felt compelled to pen stories that touch on difficult subject matters that are not often discussed with children. Though he had been working in the advertising industry for more than half his life, he has devoted all his time and effort into growing Ubxed (pronounced ‘Unboxed’), an online repository for his children’s stories. He is also exploring the medium of film with another project called The Kollective Lab that uses themes of horror, sci-fi and mystery to address social issues. The idea came to him in 2014 when was living in Vietnam and his daughter Mira, who…

On June 14th, a particularly polarising article in The Sunday Times made headlines in Singapore over the internet, as the results of a commissioned survey revealed that within the context of a pandemic, the number one non-essential profession perceived by the people was ‘artist’, followed closely by telemarketers, social media managers, PR specialists, businesses consultants as well as human resource managers. While the creative industry were none too happy (nor surprised) about the results that stem from an age-old notion, herein lies the conundrum in an era where we’ve never been more dependent on advanced technology, that regardless of its function, medium or form, the content we consume online is ultimately a concept marketed to us by design—which begs the question of why the creative industry is considered secondary to…

For many years, Bistro à Table has been a go-to place for fine French cuisine in the Klang Valley. The award-winning restaurant, helmed by chef Isadora Chai, is renowned for its ever-changing roster of acclaimed French delights. The restaurant surprised many recently after adding an Asian delivery menu in early May. Now, customers could order nasi ulam and herbal organic chicken as well as cheese platters and lobster thermidor. While this new food was delicious, this seemed an unusual change for a French restaurant. According to Chai, who’s been in the business for 23 years, this stemmed from the closing of Antara Restaurant, a Malaysian fine dining eatery she had previously operated. “I continued to get a lot of inquiries and requests from my regular clientele, who still hankered for…

The final two years of schooling, the Sixth Form, are more than just a bridge between school and university—they are the pinnacle of the school experience and the gateway to some of the world’s top universities. No other school understands this better than Malaysia’s British-style international boarding school Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (KTJ). At the helm of KTJ’s A-Level programme is the new head of Sixth Form, Emma Davidson. She is also the current president of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia, which coordinates debates, seminars and workshops. She tells Tatler what motivates her, what holistic education means to her and the school, and her vision for the Sixth Form. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m from Bradford, England and I went to a pretty grim school…

NEW DIRECTIONS Kim Jones’ highly anticipated debut collection for Fendi finally hits stores this month, starting with its luxe accessories. The Italian brand has long been known for its leather goods, and Jones’s new bag, Fendi First—an asymmetric pouch with an oversized F clasp—is sure to become a new classic. SUMMER LOVIN’ Italian leather house Tod’s, famed for its muted, sprezzatura look, gets an infusion of colour thanks to a collaboration with Italian illustrator Andrea Tarella. The capsule, called Tod’s Island, is made up of bags, shoes and charms covered in summery scenes of surreal islands filled with mermaids and sea animals. JOIN THE BAND This summer, Montblanc’s leather goods—including messenger bags, totes and carry-alls crafted from Saffiano leather—get tricked out in French label Maison Kitsune’s iconic Camo Fox print,…

SUBTLE ENERGIES One of the original and most prominent modern Ayurvedic brands, Subtle Energies was started as a clinic of natural therapies in Sydney by Farida Irani in 1993. During her many trips to India, she came across essential oils not heard of in western aromatherapy and no longer used by Ayurvedic doctors. She has revived these ancient concoctions with Subtle Energies’ line of aromatherapy, natural skincare and wellness products. KAMA AYURVEDA Founded by four friends in Delhi in 2002, Kama Ayurveda is on a mission to revive Ayurveda in a modern way. To ensure authenticity, its line of skin and haircare products are developed in partnership with the 100-year-old Arya Vaidya Pharmacy in Coimbature, Tamil Nadu. MAULI RITUALS British natives, but with Indian heritage, husband and wife Anita and…

Panthers first became a pervasive presence in western art and design in the early 20th century, but the animal’s most famous association has arguably been with the storied house of Cartier. A diamond- and onyx-mounted bracelet watch depicting a panther’s markings was debuted by the maison in 1914, and the creature has since gone on to star in the jeweller’s numerous Panthère for Cartier creations. This collection is the embodiment of independent women, so it comes as little surprise that British actress Annabelle Wallis, who shot to fame as Grace Burgess in Peaky Blinders, has been photographed wearing numerous pieces from the iconic line.…

Believing snakes to possess protective properties, Boucheron’s founder gave his wife a serpent-shaped necklace for their wedding anniversary back in 1888. The maison, now under the watchful eye of creative director Claire Choisne, has since reimagined the brand’s famous serpent motif, which is the centrepiece of its Serpent Bohème collection worn by Chinese actress and Golden Horse Award winner Zhou Dongyu. Zhou, one of the brand’s ambassadors, is best known for her roles in Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010) and Soul Mate (2016). More recently, she starred in Better Days (2019) alongside Jackson Yee. BRIGHT BLOSSOMS Both Van Cleef & Arpels and artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet share a love for the magic that is nature itself; the two are known for their bright, whimsical creations regardless of the mediums they…

Nobody revolutionises expressions of jewellery quite like Cartier. A virtuoso in breaking boundaries, the new Cartier Sixieme Sens collection explores the brilliantly intangible sixth sense. The seven pieces of this collection are avant-garde in every way: daring, unconventional and unexpected. While this labyrinthine collection is a visual feast, its central essence is surprisingly simple: everything starts with the stone. “The encounter with a stone is a magical moment full of emotions that moves and delights us,” says Jacqueline Karachi, director of the Cartier High Jewellery Creation Studio. She divulges the process of selecting the very jewels that heralded all seven pieces, meticulously selecting each gem according to its energy, elegance and charm. All Cartier gemmologists must feel moved by the jewel’s innate poetry before the gems are declared Cartier. “The…

What trends should we be keeping an eye on? There’s going to be a renewed focus on unusual complications. Lots of brands are already reinterpreting tourbillons in lots of different ways. We’re seeing more skeletonised movements, which is interesting because of lot of watchmakers are beginning to open up their existing creations so we can see what’s ticking below. What advice do you give to first time Roger Dubuis buyers? We’re the future of watchmaking, so you’re stepping into a world that doesn’t exist yet. We’re separate to the crowd of classical, fine watchmakers and we’re writing the future. How has the last year been for Roger Dubuis? Very interesting. It’s a good time for watchmaking. We’re witnessing the evolution of technology, case materials and the very idea of watchmaking…

When did you become interested in watchmaking? My first horological memory is of my father’s wristwatch, which I was allowed to play with. It gave the sense of being an adult and awakened my desire to have a mechanical watch of my own as soon as possible. Tell us about your first watch. At the age of 17, I bought my first vintage car, which I restored and still have, and my first watch, which unfortunately was stolen shortly afterwards. The brand didn’t matter to me at the time and it doesn’t matter to me today. It was my first watch and I’m proud of it for this very reason. Which is your favourite A Lange & Söhne watch? Every new product development is, in a way, like a child.…

“My work is about the time, the spirit, in which I live,” says 87-year-old painter Sam Gilliam, talking over the phone from his studio in Washington DC. And what extraordinary times Gilliam has lived through and been motivated by. He was born in 1933 and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, at a time when schools and many public spaces were racially segregated. He was one of the hundreds of thousands present on August 28, 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on the National Mall in Washington DC. And last year, he watched as Black Lives Matter movements swept across the US and the globe, proving that equality for all remains a distant dream. All of this and more is explored in Gilliam’s dramatic,…

Most adults do not take kids seriously; they’re young and inexperienced, what do they know, right? They would do well to listen to their elders. Though the latter may be true, it pays to listen to them for a change as you’d be surprised at how perceptive children can be and how they can see right through the heart of things. More often than not, they could give you a fresh, new perspective. In our article Catalysts of Change, we say that one is never too young to make a difference. Children as young as 12 years old have proven that lending their voices to causes they care about and acting upon it can have deep impact. In his determination to raise money for a charity that aims to help…

Conjuring up images of celebrities walking the red carpet and oozing with glamour, the 74th Cannes Film Festival took place between July 6 and 17 in the southern coast of France, drawing filmmakers, actors and industry powerhouses alike to one of the biggest film festivals in the world. As its official partner since 1998, Chopard hosted two star-studded dinners to mark the beginning and end of the festival. Over the calm waters of the French Riviera, the pontoon of the legendary Hotel Martinez was transformed into a Paradise-themed party hosted by Caroline Scheufele. The occasion also presented the latest Red Carpet jewellery collection to the VIP guests that included Bella Hadid, Isabelle Huppert, Eva Herzigova, Poppy Delevingne, Emmanuelle Béart, and Amy Jackson. Attendees dined on haute cuisine prepared by Michelin…

“Failure makes you stronger.” For entrepreneur Anthony See, this saying and mantra is all too familiar to him. The ex-Intel Solutions architect left his corporate job to operate several cafés, but he was forced to shut them down after two years due to spiralling food costs. That did not stop him, but instead drove See to start Food Market Hub, a cloud-based solution that automates purchasing and the inventory-tracking process, as well as connect F&B outlets with their central kitchen and suppliers. He tells how he plans to help his customers scale up their business while maintaining a good profit margin. As a former restaurant owner, I know how challenging it is to run an F&B business. My team and I are passionate about using technology to help restaurants…

Hailing from diverse backgrounds that range from finance to the military, an ever-changing motley crew of 20-something year olds make up the Singapore design collective, Youths in Balaclava (YIB). Its founding members, including Taufyq Iskandar, Spencer Yeo and Long Yi Chen, met while attending Gan Eng Seng School; they sought to create a brand that represents the underground culture of the city through its edgy streetwear featuring spliced-and-diced flannel and cargo looks. The clothes—which sometimes feature political commentary and anti-propaganda imagery—caught the attention of cult retailer Dover Street Market, which began carrying the label in 2017 when it opened a store in Singapore. Now you can find the pieces at several global e-tailers, including Farfetch and Ssense. Yeo (seated, second from right) outlines YIB’s story on behalf of the collective.…

It is without question that Louis Vuitton ranks among the world’s most valuable luxury brands. But did you know that it is rooted in humble beginnings? In celebration of its founder’s what would be the 200th anniversary of his birth, we take a walk down memory lane to celebrate the memory of Louis Vuitton himself. He was born on August 4, 1821, in Anchay, a small working-class settlement in the French Jura area. His father Xavier Vuitton was a farmer and his mother Corinne Gaillard was a milliner, who passed away when Louis was only 10. Tired of the provincial life and not getting along with his strict stepmother, Louis left home at the tender age of 13 to seek his fortunes elsewhere. For two years, he travelled by foot…

Hot on the heels of Hermès and the introduction of its game-changing lipstick collection last year, the house of Valentino is starting its own beauty line with a launch that has kept the fashion world bright-eyed with excitement since it was announced in April. While Gucci Beauty keeps things Gucci with its retro-kitsch, grandma’s-attic aesthetic, and Dolce & Gabbana Beauty’s packaging nods to the Italian label’s bold prints, the new Valentino Beauty designs stay true to house codes with red lacquered packaging marked with a V. (This is, after all, a designer so closely associated with the colour, he started a second brand called Red Valentino.) It’s a hefty collection, featuring 50 lipstick shades under the label Rosso Valentino (there are multiple shades of red, of course), experimental eye make-up…

BENEATH THE SANDS Combining intricate craftsmanship with unusual design, these shape-shifting rings by Italian jeweller Annamaria Cammilli are made in the brand’s various coloured golds. Surprisingly light, these oversized Velaa Pavé Series rings are stunningly sculptural and are now available at Masterpiece by King Fook. GOING ONCE A dazzling art deco Cartier bangle mounted with a stunning 63.66-carat D-colour, pear-shaped, internally flawless diamond has been sold by Sotheby’s Hong Kong for about US$6 million. The house sold the calibré-cut rock crystal-set creation during an auction at which 62 per cent of the bidders participated online. BOMB SQUAD Suzanne Kalan s sparklers are revered the world over for their design, style and workmanship, as well as the jeweller’s penchant for baguette-cut diamonds. Now, Kalan has launched her first-ever black sapphire-set collection,…

ANIMAL INSTINCT Cartier’s SurNaturel collection transports us to a magical world where nature takes on extraordinary new forms. Inspired by a peacock, the pictured high jewellery necklace is brought to life using geometrically shaped emeralds and opals, which are marbled with green smudges to depict this majestic bird’s colourful plumage. ETERNAL LOVE A four-petal flower is the focus of attention in Bulgari’s Fiorever collection, embodying the timeless beauty of Rome. The line’s name is the result of a playful combination of the Italian word for “flower”, fiore, and the English word “forever”. A symbol of energy, positivity and joy, this bloom is crafted using white or rose gold, and is set with a precious solitaire diamond at its centre. WITH THE GRAIN Forms is known for its distinctive designs, and…

1 Elizabeth Taylor This actress’s private collection was one of the world’s most important, thanks to generous gifts from her on-off husband Richard Burton. “I feel as though I’m only the custodian of my jewellery,” she remarked in her book Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair With Jewelry. “When I die and they go off to auction, I hope whoever buys them gives them a really good home.” After Taylor’s death in 2011, her collection went to auction through Christie’s, amassing US$144 million, making it the most valuable sale of jewellery in history. Bravo. 2 Queen Elizabeth II It’s no surprise that Queen Elizabeth II has inherited some extraordinary jewels, which have been passed down through a long line of British monarchs. Her most famous piece, of course, is the Imperial…

HIDDEN TREASURE Two 40 mm references have been added to Omega’s sophisticated De Ville Trésor collection of classic men’s watches. Made using yellow gold or the watchmaker’s own 18-karat Sedna gold, these watches come with silver-coloured or oxblood dials. Both versions are powered by in-house Master Chronometer movements that ensure timekeeping accuracy. Choose between a slate or burgundy alligator-patterned leather strap. NO CLOSET SKELETON This 21-year-old design is getting a killer new look—beneath the Bubble X Ray’s signature domed sapphire crystal dial is a realistic, luminescent skull design that glows eerily in the dark. For an added touch of cohesiveness, the timepiece’s synthetic alligator-like strap also has fluorescent green stitching, which contrasts perfectly with its black, stainless steel case. Limited to only 88 pieces, the Bubble X Ray is the…

Reverso owners: hold onto your hats! Jaeger-LeCoultre has just unveiled the world’s first four-faced watch, which can be yours for a staggering US$1.35 million. The watchmaker is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its historic Reverso collection this year, so this new world record couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Named Hybris Mechanica Caliber 185 Quadriptyque, the watch has taken six years of research to develop and perfect. The timepiece’s new movement boasts 11 complications and 12 patents, making this Reverso the most complicated ever made.…

AN EDUCATION IS THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE SOMEONE Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. This is precisely what drives humanitarian Deborah Henry, who has dedicated her life to ensuring refugee children in Malaysia are given equal access to education via Fugee School, which she established in 2009 for this very reason. Looking back, it seems that 12 years have passed in the blink of an eye. Starting off with providing basic math and English lessons to four children from the Somali refugee community, the school has grown tremendously and now provides a holistic academic education as well as creative and life skills to equip their 200 students aged 4 to 20 years old with the…

While humans have largely stayed home over the past year, there have been plenty of anecdotal reports of animals reclaiming their habitats or even extending their territory. The David Attenborough-narrated documentary The Year Earth Changed, which chronicled the profound changes in the natural world in 2020, featured penguins exploring pavements in Cape Town, deer returning to their ancient grazing patch in Nara, Japan, and a leopard staking its claim on terraces at a safari lodge. For city dwellers, waking gently to the sound of birds chirping has been one of the few upsides of lockdown, when traffic noise was replaced by the calming consonance of nature. Being stuck in one place also gave people time to explore their immediate surroundings, seeking solace in urban parks or nearby nature reserves. “I…

Champagne is an unusual wine category in that most people like it, but few, even serious wine lovers, think deeply about what they like about it. It’s frothy and celebratory—plus expensive, which tends to make us like things more; sometimes it’s pink; and most people know they should get more excited if they’re handed a glass of Dom Pérignon than of Moët Brut Imperial. But beyond that, most of us are happy to assume that champagne is champagne. The way champagne has historically been marketed bears some of the responsibility. Champagne bottles, labels and advertisements tend towards the beautiful, luxurious and atmospheric rather than the informative. However, if you’re willing to pay a little attention, there is easily as much variation among champagnes, even if you limit yourself to major…