Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG As people’s lives increasingly merge with the digital space, a new raft of industries is emerging to service the needs of the metaverse. On this month’s cover is Ruby Gloom (styled online as 9100M), the digital persona of influencer and artist Chan Ka-yu, who appears in a virtual fashion shoot as we examine the phenomenon of clothing that you can own, despite not being able to touch or physically wear. TATLER INDONESIA On the cover this month is Julie Estelle, the actress and model known for her roles in slasher and martial arts films. She discusses the shifts in her life: from actress to entrepreneur; from single life to marriage; from lockdown to finally working again, as well as how she has overcome the challenges life has…

Datin Paduka Tunku Khadijah loves animals. You can see it from the way she happily caresses Wacintha’s neck—he’s fondly called Wally by the family—as he took her gentle ministrations in a calm demeanour. The beloved steed belongs to her granddaughter Natasha, who has ridden Wally at showjumping competitions. Tunku Khadijah’s daughter Datin Sri Sharifah Menyalara Hussein, who took up horse riding at a young age, introduced her own daughters Natasha and Natalya to the sport and they eventually became seasoned equestrians themselves, having won gold and bronze medals at the Sukma and SEA Games. This shared love for horses is hardly surprising, as it was one that was passed down from Tunku Khadijah’s father, Tunku Abdul Rahman, our nation’s founding father. Lara said that her grandfather was very passionate about…

In 1854, the visionary trunk maker and designer Louis Vuitton set up his boutique and atelier at 4, Rue Neuve-des-Capucines. Adjacent to Place Vendôme, Rue Saint Honoré and the Imperial residence at Palais des Tuileries, he would earn his place among the most skilled artisans and craftsmen of luxury goods in Paris; his pioneering designs becoming the favourite of le tout-Paris, the most elegant of European society. Among his loyal clientele and patrons was Empress Eugénie, wife of ruling emperor Napoléon III. As her official emballeur de mode, he would pack her opulent gowns into his handmade luggages. For her, he crafted one of his most legendary creations, the Trianon trunk. Introduced in 2013, the Capucines bag pays homage to Vuitton’s illustrious life and career. The name itself is a…

When it comes to cultural Malay fashion, chances are, the first few that immediately come to mind are the baju kurung, songket, batik, kebaya, sarong and baju Melayu. Though we know that the techniques and textiles used to create these clothes vary depending on which Malaysian state one is from, the story of how they came to be is still a mystery. With the help of avid textile collector and Asian art history expert John Ang, Tatler uncovers the hidden world within Malay textile art. ANG THE COLLECTOR In the mid-19th century, Ang’s great-great-grandfather, Tan Hiok Nee, began trading textiles in Telok Blangah after a brief stint of tin mining in Pahang. According to Ang, he worked closely with the first sultan of Johor Bahru in the mid-1800s, who at…

LA VITA È BELLA Acclaimed Korean actor Hyun Bin shows off his dapper style and free-spirited attitude while sporting Loro Piana’s spring-summer 2022 collection as the Italian brand’s first official Korean brand ambassador. The collection itself blends the nonchalance of leisurewear with the excellent craftsmanship, materials and studied details the brand is known for. DON’T LOOK NOW The allure of Versace and the mythic power of the Medusa combine in one teeny-tiny package: La Medusa mini bag, the latest iteration of the brand’s it-bag. The timeless top handle model comes with two detachable straps—one in leather and one distinctively Versace chain—and is embellished with the head of the legendary ancient Greek figure. Available in a range of hues: black or gold in patent leather, or bright marigold yellow, DV blue…

RENT YOUR GOWN For special occasions that require a new outfit, clothes rental services are an economical and eco-friendly way to stay on-trend. Brands like Lylamod, Plush Porter and GlamEdge Dress & Gown have a range of designer gowns for you to find your perfect look at a fraction of its original price. HAVE A CLOTHES SWAP You’ve heard the saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’, right? Hosting a clothes swap party with friends is a great way for your pre-loved items to have a second lease on life, and you’ll feel better about them not ending up in landfills. Plus, you get to refresh your wardrobe without spending a cent. How to play: Bring a certain number of unwanted items, and swap them for the same number…

THE EARTH EDIT Designers are increasingly aware their need to lower fashion’s impact on the planet and head towards zero waste. To cherish mother nature, designers and brands have adopted various methods to lower their environmental impact: from Stella McCartney’s monumental Mylo mushroom leather bag to Tom Ford’s sport watch made from 100 per cent-recycled ocean plastic, here are the sustainably stylish buys that should be on your radar. SILKY SOPHISTICATION A stylish woman will never run out of reasons to add a scarf to an outfit—just look at Jackie O or Queen Elizabeth. While Hermès’ models will be forever iconic, Dior and Versace are proving this season that a square of silk is good for more than just accessorising a handbag or keeping a neck warm: tie it into…

The terminology used when talking about green, clean and sustainable beauty can often be ambiguous; definitions can also change as the products and user expectations evolve. There is as yet no way to be perfect when it comes to buying products that won’t harm the planet. But Tatler has defined and clarified the terms that appear most frequently to help you avoid greenwashing—that is, marketing something as eco-conscious when it’s not, or as more environmentally friendly than it is—and ensure you know what you’re buying. B Botanical: Refers to ingredients extracted from plants, such as flower extracts, herb oils, antioxidants from berries and naturally occurring acids found in plants. Note that while botanical ingredients come from natural sources, that does not automatically mean they are suitable for all skin types;…

Describe your jewellery in five words. Versatile. Pure. Sustainable. Timeless. Quality. Why are you interested in sculptural jewellery? My background is in graphic design so I am most comfortable with drawing simple lines from organic forms. I find beauty in the movement, rhythm, intersection, space, boundaries, scale, symmetry and asymmetry that [arise] when a piece is worn or stands on its own in a sculptural form. Can jewellery be considered art and, if so, how? Art comes in myriad forms, and jewellery is definitely one of them. Jewellery is created through imagination and connected to emotions, and is a very intimate process. Jewellery can have a close relationship to the individual and has the ability to evoke a strong sense of connection. Why is it important for the jewellery industry…

MILESTONE MOMENT On of the trailblazing Royal Oak collection, Audemars Piguet pays fitting tribute with the Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin, affectionately nicknamed the RD#3 for its breakthrough technology. The 39mm anniversary model—at just 8.1mm in thickness—is the first “Jumbo” in history to house a new self-winding flying tourbillon. At its heart is the Calibre 2968 movement, measuring just 3.4mm, proving that good things do come in small packages. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Extra-Thin RD#3 MEASURING UP BR - 94 Multimeter chronograph is made for athletes in the realm of racing, but would look dashing on any wrist. Crafted to measure short intervals, the sports watch is equipped with an independent central hand that can be started, stopped and reset. And the Multimeter lives up to…

It would seem that NFTs—or non-fungible tokens, verified by blockchain technology—are everywhere. Following record-smashing sales of digital artwork and virtual fashion, the first NFT watch was developed by Swiss cybersecurity company WiseKey in March 2021. The token was presented on the OpenSea NFT marketplace at an auction to raise money for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and is offered by Jean-Claude Biver, an industry veteran who emerged from retirement to collaborate with WiseKey for the sale. When Biver was Hublot’s CEO in 2009, he worked together with the cybersecurity company to launch SmartCard, the first digital certification of a luxury watch, and the new partnership has resulted in the NFT, a digital twin of the Hublot Bigger Bang All Black Tourbillon Chronograph Special Piece, one of the most important…

As a food writer, I’ve tried just about everything that can be served on a dining table (and some things that perhaps shouldn’t be). But the idea of eating cultivated meat—also known as cell-based, cultured or lab-grown meat, which is meat made from animal cells rather than the meat of slaughtered livestock—still gave me pause: is it safe? Is it healthy? And is it really more sustainable than the real thing? In December 2020, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) approved the sale of cultivated meat in Singapore, the first government body in the world to do so. The approval was for a cultivated chicken developed by American food tech company Eat Just’s Good Meat subsidiary, and the product—billed as the future of food and presented in bite-sized nugget form—debuted at…

It’s easy to forget in the midst of this seemingly endless pandemic that while Covid will one day (we hope!) be old news, the greater threat of a changing climate still lurks. Viticulture is among the forms of agriculture most sensitive to climatic shifts, especially in European regions where growers are legally denied access to some basic techniques (such as irrigation) that other farmers rely on to stave off drought or heat. Beyond the general drying and warming that is being felt across the wine world, several wine regions are experiencing ever more frequent natural disasters—often with catastrophic results, at least for individual producers. Yet, in the face of such turmoil, wineries around the globe are finding ways to manage the damage, while also taking steps to reduce their own…

It isn’t easy being green, and the thing about sustainability is it’s not just about saving turtles from plastic straws, cleaning the beach or buying ecofriendly products—it’s about protecting the people that live in it too and making it part of our lifestyle. In this issue, we talk to six Malaysian brands—Unplug, Klean, The Green Factory, Ozero Swimwear, The Unusual Greens, Kualesa—that are trying to make a difference in their individual capacities. One of the biggest issues in the fashion industry is wastage. While there have been many recent reports of reducing waste, upcycling, recycling and circular business models, it’s not enough cause for widespread celebration. The sobering reality is that we still have a long way to go, but by taking actionable steps, slowly and hopefully we can win…

Have you been missing Japan and one of its many soul-rejuvenating, body-invigorating onsens? Well, you don’t need a plane ticket to do that anymore as there’s an onsen spa right here in Kuala Lumpur. Located in 163 Retail Park in Mont Kiara, Urban Retreat Onsen Spa is a veritable hideaway in a bustling neighbourhood. The beloved Japanese bath is meticulously replicated in the form of a Hinoki wood tub filled with water infused with bath salts extracted directly from mineral-rich hot springs in Japan. There are three types of salt to choose from, each targeting a specific need such as beauty, healing and calmness. The private bath is elegantly decked out in fixtures, from the shower taps to the bucket and stool, imported from Japan in order to make the…

According to a report by the United Nations, the world produces 50 million tonnes of electrical waste (e-waste) a year but only 20 per cent of this total amount is recycled. Worryingly, global e-waste production is estimated to reach 120 million tonnes by 2050 if current trends continue. Mohamed Tarek El-Fatatry, “Mo” as he is sometimes known, is aware of this growing problem and wants to impact the world positively. He started his sustainability career in the solar energy industry but decided to pivot towards e-waste management because he was concerned about how obsolete electronic devices are improperly discarded. After moving to Malaysia in 2018, El-Fatatry founded ERTH (Electronic Recycling Through Heroes) with the aim of solving the country’s e-waste problem. He shares his thoughts on the recycling industry and…

The HBO Max website was down for many users on the last Sunday in February—mere minutes before Euphoria’s season two finale was set to hit the streamer. The show, written and directed by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya (who is also an executive producer for the second season), became the most tweeted-about show of this decade in the US—according to a report released by Twitter, there have been 30 million tweets about it since season two debuted in January. Asia hasn’t escaped the “Euphoria high”, with the show proving a popular streamer and trending across social media in the region. Against the dark, raw and fantastical portrait of drug addiction, love, depression and domestic abuse that keeps breaking the boundaries of a modern teen drama are the covetable, fashion-forward costumes…

ROSE-CYCLED Make-up has come a long way in the clean beauty world, and model Rosie Huntington-Whitely is riding that wave with her new brand, Rose Inc. The products in this line, including foundations, concealers, lipsticks, and are made with ingredients that are 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free, and sustainable packaging that includes FSCcertified paper cartons made with 30 per cent hemp. Best of all, when you finish the Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip Colour, the metal pan can be popped out and replaced. GOOD FOR HUMANITY With his unisex skincare range, Humanrace founder Pharrell Williams intends to celebrate skin of all types, while minimising excess stuff. The three fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested facial products—Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator and Humidifying Cream—all come in refillable containers, made from 51%…

FASHIONABLE TRINITY The first-ever collaboration between Cartier and sacai sees the birth of the Trinity for Chitose Abe collection. Expanding on the design of the Trinity ring, the maison’s designers and Chitose Abe developed six modular pieces: two rings, a bracelet, a choker, an earring and a versatile piece that is both an earring and a ring. RUBY DO The distinctive Chopard style is showcased in its latest Precious Lace collection, which sees rubies making a majestic entrance into the maison’s jewellery offerings. Inspired by the lightness of lace, the intricate collection features a rich range of pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets. Chopard Precious Lace Mini Frou-Frou necklace in ethical rose gold, diamonds and rubies DIAMOND DAYS It takes serious craftsmanship to distil the excitement and emotion of a couple’s…

What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about lab-grown diamonds? That they are fake diamonds. This is untrue, as they are visually, physically and chemically identical to natural diamonds. The only difference is where they grow not how. The two types are indistinguishable from one another by the naked eye. Why is it important to purchase brands that are committed to sustainability? The main reason I started Matilde Jewellery was because I was made aware of how detrimental traditional jewellery industry practices could be. Everyone can play their part in how we treat and take care of our planet, and that can be from the smallest to the biggest thing. If we as consumers have a sustainable alternative, we should all do our best to make these more conscious and aware…

You’ve launched a lot of novelties in yellow gold. Do you predict yellow gold will become a trend in watchmaking? At Hublot, we want to be leaders in the trends of our industry. We’ve done it several times before; for instance, with ceramic. We were the first, really, to bring in ceramic, in 2006, and now I would say that the whole watch industry has a black watch or at least uses ceramic material. Yellow gold was used when Hublot was founded in 1980, when we launched the classic watch in yellow gold with a rubber strap. Now everybody is using rose gold, but in watchmaking, trend cycles last a bit longer than in fashion, up to maybe 10 to 15 years; we believe this is the right time for…

It can sometimes feel as if the world is hurtling towards self-destruction with daily headlines about the effects of climate change, pollution and overconsumption. It can feel overwhelming to even consider tackling the issue of sustainability. But we have to try. The thing about sustainability is that it isn’t just saving the turtles from plastic straws, planting trees, cleaning the beach, or buying eco-friendly products made from alternative materials that are kinder to the environment—it’s about protecting the people that live in it too. In this month’s issue, Tatler talks to people who are trying to make a difference—each from different walks of life but all with the very same goal: to try to make the world a better place, no matter how cheesy that sounds. ATIYYA AND NAJMIA ZULKARNAIN…

There’s something hauntingly beautiful about mornings in Bali. Misty and mysterious, the air smells of sea foam or morning dew from the jungle—depending where on the island you’re staying—and lingering smoke from ritual offerings that take place at dawn. On one such morning, Ronald Akili decided to take his eldest son for an early surf session. “On the water, we were about 500 metres from the shore, and we were still surrounded by trash,” he recalls. Just last year, it was reported that some of Bali’s most popular beaches were buried in up to 60 tonnes of plastic rubbish every day. “It was unbelievable,” he says. Akili is the founder of Indonesian hospitality and lifestyle brand Potato Head, best known for its cult-favourite property on the shore in Bali’s popular…

LENNE CHAI Singaporean photographer and director Lenne Chai began her career in 2010 shooting for well-known publications and brands, including Vogue, Gucci and Spotify. Chai experiments with a range of media—from karaoke to NFTs—to explore complex themes in her work. In 2020, she was included in a line-up of modern and contemporary Singaporean artists for Singapore Art Week. Her portraits of Potato Head founder Ronald Akili appear in this issue. ANDREA KEE This globe-trotting fashion stylist-cum-writer has attended fashion weeks around the world. Andrea Kee’s works have received international acclaim, even conducting styling sessions and workshops for luxury brands, which include Versace, Bulgari as well as Salvatore Ferragamo. She styled the sustainable entrepreneurs for this issue’s cover feature. NANA KOFI ACQUAH Originally a journalist and advertising creative director, Accra-based Nana…

An estimated 5 to 10 per cent of women aged 12 to 51 in Malaysia are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder with a variety of symptoms including acne, weight gain, infertility and more. Left untreated, these women are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, mood disorders and endometrial cancer. However, the journey to diagnosis and prognosis for PCOSand many other women’s health issues—is often a long, difficult one; something Ili Sulaiman had to find out the hard way. It was early 2016. Ili had just won the AFC and Food Network’s region-wide culinary competition Food Heroes. Upon returning home, she immediately got back into the kitchen to run her popular recipe blog, Dish by Ili, and host several TV shows. At the…

Alongside the rise of virtual clothing, we’re also seeing the rise of the virtual influencer. One such is the star of our cover shoot, Ruby 9100M, aka Ruby Gloom. The digital persona of influencer Chan Ka-yu, she has collaborated with The Fabricant on a collection and also worked with brands including Fendi, Bulgari, Nike and Adidas. As a digital artist, she also creates digital avatars for other people—including Grimes, which was what got a lot of the big brands she’s worked with interested in the first place. “I’ve been a fashion influencer since I was 19, but eventually I got tired of taking pictures and portraying a certain image online,” says Ruby. “In 2016, when I was on a trip to Seattle with my husband [rapper Dough-Boy, at that point…

2.4 “Natural” skincare products contain on average 2.4 synthetic ingredients, with the most common being ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol and sodium ascorbyl phosphate 51% The percentage of Millennials in the Apac region who actively look for vegan formulations when buying beauty and grooming products; the proportion of corresponding Gen Z consumers stands at 44 per cent 39% The percentage of brands identifying as “clean beauty” within the US$19 billion prestige beauty category increased by 39% in 2020 75% The percentage of consumers in the Apac region who want to lessen their environmental footprint 13% Over the past four years, the sales of clean skincare brands has doubled to make up to 13 per cent of total high-end sales 42% The percentage of skincare products that consist of entirely naturally derived ingredients 54.5…

Why did you take inspiration from the Maharajah of Patiala? When I joined Boucheron ten years ago, it was the first story that everybody told me. It’s really a one-of-a-kind story, a fairytale. On August 2 1928, the Maharajah of Patiala crossed Place Vendôme with his guards and six iron safes containing 7,571 diamonds and 1,432 emeralds. He entrusted Maison Boucheron with the creation of a remarkable collection of 149 pieces in only six months. This order remains the largest ever placed in the Place Vendôme. I was totally fascinated by the story and by the original drawings. Historically, the pieces are impressive but, from a design point of view, they’re over the top for today. I reinvented the design by bringing subtlety, purity and delicacy to it. That’s why…

1 Preserve its sentimental value. Vintage jewellery does not always appeal to modern tastes, so instead of letting your heirlooms go unworn, why not give them new life? Repurpose your grandmother’s diamond engagement ring into a unique necklace or turn your aunt’s emerald earrings into a bypass ring to honour the past while living in the present. 2 Know the value of your gemstones and/ or jewellery. Have your jewellery evaluated and appraised by a trained gemologist before you move forward with any changes. Gemstones can be damaged from years of wear and tear, so before you make any costly plans, be sure your gem is fit for repurposing. Perhaps it just needs a little TLC before you get started. 3 Be upfront and realistic about your budget. Custom jewellery…

What was the biggest challenge in developing the Piccolissimo mechanical movement? The movement of the watch is very, very small. When we saw it for the very first time, we realised we couldn’t see the components. From an aesthetic point of view, the most difficult thing was to find the correct finishing and shape of the bridges because we didn’t have many options. Why is it important to Bulgari that it keeps inventing extremely small and light movements? We’re very proud of this movement because it opens up another chapter in the art of miniaturisation. We have the same obsession for quality and technology for ladies’ [watches]. You don’t have any other watch brand that invests in small mechanical movements for ladies, but for us it’s a very important market…

If one were to shortlist architectural firms that have shaped Kuala Lumpur’s urban landscape, Hijjas Architects & Planners (previously Hijjas Kasturi Associates) would be in the top three. Founded in 1977 by Hijjas Kasturi, it is responsible for such iconic city landmarks as Menara Tabung Haji, Menara Maybank and Menara Telekom—each encapsulating the spirit of the times it was built. The architect, whom Habitus referred to as the region’s Harry Seidler, retired a few years ago and the firm is now steered by his daughter, Serina Hijjas and three other directors. At 16, Serina started doing odd jobs at the firm as a means to pick up some pocket money. After receiving her degree in architecture from the Bartlett School of Architecture, and a three-year stint in Foster + Partners,…

MOST MEMORABLE TRIP I went to Bhutan maybe 15 years ago with my brother. We trekked more than 12 hours a day and set up camp every night. We were amazed by the idea of a whole country creating a concept of “gross national happiness”. And you see it in the people. Each day, they see how they can get the most happiness out of their life. From the city to remote villages, everyone embodied that philosophy. That really inspired me. A HIDDEN GEM I love exploring local neighbourhoods, and since I’ve been in Singapore, I found a charming Italian restaurant called La Braseria. It has some of the best service I’ve experienced and the food is great. Also, I’m a sucker for Italian food. I NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT ……