Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2023 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG Watch collector Noel Wong was a news reporter covering the Middle East in the weeks following 9/11 before he turned his attention and skills to the world of horology and working with the likes of Sotheby’s, Panerai and A Lange & Söhne. TATLER INDONESIA We delve into the inspiring journey of Linda Anggrea, the visionary CEO behind Buttonscarves. As a trailblazer in the modest fashion industry, Linda has achieved remarkable success. From her humble beginnings to becoming a true game-changer, we explore the pivotal moments and bold decisions that propelled her to the forefront of the industry. TATLER MALAYSIA Hakken, one of Asia’s most successful cosplayers, spoke to Tatler about being inspired by their parents’ love of manga and anime, their journey of self-discovery, their favourite character…

AARON LEE Kuala Lumpur-based photographer Aaron Lee is in his element at Lensworks Production studio, where he puts his subjects in the best light possible combining the glamour of fashion with studied introspection. In this issue, he did just that with designer Han Chong (p.126). COCO MARETT Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She is known for her features about travel and wellness, as well as in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries—from pop stars to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. For Tatler this month, she delves into how art is surpassing dining as a draw for travellers (p.154). ANNA KOUSTAS Since moving to Hong Kong in 2019, Anna Koustas has become one…

“I started my first unofficial business when I was 14,” shares Raymond Chou, the CEO and owner of Infront Consulting—a digital solution provider that helps other businesses navigate its digital transformation. In a bid to help his mother sustain their livelihood, he became her best (and only) salesman, selling the cookies she made. Fast-forward several years later, Chou obtains his degree in sound engineering. After spending six years in London, where he gained experience working in the music industry, he decided to return to Malaysia. “I came back in 1998, and it was a reality check. I realised there was limited support for the music industry here, at least back then,” he recalls. Seeking employment, he applied for a job and although impressed with his credentials, he was taken aback…

What are some ways of working that work for women today? This was the main topic of discussion at a lively panel talk and luncheon presented by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Malaysia in partnership with Tatler. Held at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur on May 23, this invite-only event saw the attendance of 30 women from diverse industries, including C-suite positions, middle management and department heads. Attendees had the opportunity to network and hear from an impressive line-up of panel speakers. Among them was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, the former deputy minister of Women, Family and Community Development and the first woman to be appointed speaker of the Selangor state legislative assembly. Nurlin Mohd Salleh, managing director and partner, and head of BCG Malaysia with over 16 years…

The co-founder of recycling platform Klean aims to tackle the problem of transforming public perception around the value and purpose of recycling plastic and aluminium cans. Zain speaks to us about how Klean strives to do so, along with some of the challenges and victories the company has experienced. Demonising plastic is ineffective, and it’s better to control and manage the circular movement of plastic within the economy. It’s easier to responsibly manage plastic waste than to completely avoid using plastic. The use of plastic can be sustainable if proper systems are in place and accessible to the general public, allowing for easy recycling and reintroduction of plastics into circulation, thereby minimising waste creation. Recycling isn’t a common practice in Malaysia, which is why our reverse vending machines (RVM) are…

Chanel’s Tweed Royal necklace is a breathtaking masterpiece that exudes sophistication and luxury with its combination of yellow and white gold, diamonds and rubies. Its innovative, versatile design involves a main pear-shaped diamond—a mesmerising 10.17 carats—which can be detached from the necklace and worn as a ring, while the lion head centrepiece can also be removed and worn as a brooch. SMALL TALK NADINE GHOSN The founder of the eponymous jewellery label is known for designs that are characterised by bold shapes, intricate details and high-quality materials. She speaks to Tatler about her journey and shares some advice for budding jewellery designers who did not go to design school How did you begin your journey into the world of jewellery? As a kid I would always gravitate towards jewellery: my…

The current campaign for the Chanel J12, an icon in the world of Chanel horlogerie, showcases brand ambassador Penélope Cruz alongside three other big names: Margot Robbie, Ali MacGraw and Zhou Xun. Titled “It’s All About the Seconds” the four stars engage in intimate one-on-one conversations and two-way interviews through a series of 12 questions and 12 answers. During these personal and interactive dialogues, the Chanel muses delve into pivotal moments, or more specifically, the seconds in their lives that mattered most to each of them, creating a dynamic exchange among themselves. Here, Cruz elaborates on how she spends the precious seconds in her life in further detail. Firstly, the actress emphasises that family is everything to her. “My family has been very important to me, always, all my life,…

For Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, there was no doubt that his brand’s superior watchmaking would benefit the wearer by guaranteeing the performance and reliability of every watch for as long as possible. “It has long been my belief that the watch of the future is the ‘perpetual’ watch,” the visionary Wilsdorf once said—on top of his accurate prediction that the wristwatch would be in more demand than the pocket watch. But what actually makes the Rolex coveted? Every Rolex watch is designed, produced and tested with constant attention to the tiniest of details. The ‘superlative’ approach uses eight fundamental qualities to ensure every Rolex is worthy of bearing its name. The first and arguably most important quality is precision. Chronometric precision holds a central place in the history…

A hallmark in the French brand’s over 300 years of history, the L’Or de Jean Martell 1715 represents the quintessence of maison Martell’s savoir faire. Named after the house’s founder, Jean Martell, the exceptional cognacs under this label are among the most coveted and celebrated releases. It’s a remarkable blend of 1,400 eaux-de-vie, which are stored in the legendary Jean Martell cellar alongside the rarest of eaux-de-vie. From this luxurious liquid gold comes the birth of the L’Or de Jean Martell 1715 Zodiac Collection. First launched in 2022, for the Year of the Tiger, the L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac—Assemblage du Tigre was a successful release that prompted the maison to begin this new tradition. This is followed by the release of L’Or de Jean Martell 1715 Zodiac Edition—Assemblage du…

WANDERING WITH WANG Jackson Wang stars in the new chapter of “Horizons Never End”, evoking Louis Vuitton’s Art of Travel. In a series of shots captured by fashion photographer and filmmaker Glen Luchford, the award-winning musician gazes upon the Parisian skyline from the Arc de Triomphe, accompanied by his trusty Horizon suitcase as the sun sets on the horizon. Developed by industrial designer and long-standing collaborator of the maison, Marc Newson, the now-iconic Horizon collection boasts ultra-lightweight cases covered in specially developed Monogram or Damier canvas and trimmed with natural cowhide. While the exterior features a highly maneuverable trolley system with silent, miniature wheels that offer 360-degree directionability, the interior offers a spacious, flat-bottomed design for optimal space ulitisation. OH, NEW YORK First presented during Fendi’s Resort 2023 New York…

New Yorkers trying to navigate past the corner of 5th Avenue and 57th Street would have found it even more gridlocked than usual on the evening of April 27—the city block was packed with shouting fans making heart shapes with their fingers, smartphones waving haphazardly in the air and enough stars on the red carpet (it was actually blue) to make up their own glitzy constellation. After four years of renovation, Tiffany & Co has finally reopened its doors. The brand’s flagship where Audrey Hepburn famously chewed on a croissant in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is now christened The Landmark, and the rebirth—the venue’s first transformation since it opened in 1940—is meant to mark a “new era” for the retailer, according to Alexandre Arnault, Tiffany’s executive vice president of product and…

Boasting an elegant duplex facade, the new Rolex boutique in Suria KLCC represents the pinnacle of luxury with a spectacular space decorated with the finest materials. An outstanding feature is the ‘Verde Alpi’ marble wall that greets visitors as soon as they step into the boutique. The rest of the interior, however, features walnut brown wood and beige stone walls complete with handcrafted stucco panels in a pattern that recalls the fluted bezel of the Oyster. Meanwhile, the display cases housing the coveted Rolex watches are lined in beige leather with bronze trims. Ashvin Valiram, executive director of Valiram, tells us more about the new boutique and how it’s enhancing customers’ shopping experience. How would you describe Swiss Watch’s partnership with Rolex? Swiss Watch’s partnership with Rolex started more than…

“With everything that I do, I need to know that I will be able to make a real impact. That is how I operate”— HAN CHONG Han Chong does not waste time. The day before his cover shoot and interview with Tatler, he hosted four separate sessions to personally introduce Self-Portrait’s pre-fall 2023 collection to his Malaysian clientele. Kuala Lumpur was the penultimate stop of his short Asia tour, having completed his rounds in Hong Kong, Taipei, and Shanghai. His next stop is Singapore; it is on the day of our photo shoot and he cannot miss his flight. Chong’s busy schedule is meticulously pre-planned months, and sometimes even a year, in advance, but this is his normal; he has always worked at a breakneck pace. In 2013, the Malaysian-born,…

When Sandrine Zerbib and Simon Wang decided to relocate to Europe from Shanghai, they visited some 70 houses and apartments in search of their dream home—and without success. That was until they saw photos of this magnificent apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris’s 6th arrondissement, inside an hôtel particulier—a grand townhouse—that dates back to 1668. “We immediately wanted to visit it, as we felt that this was going to be ‘the one’,” says Zerbib, who is the founder of the brand management and digital agency Full Jet. A French native, she spent 28 years in mainland China—mainly in Shanghai—and between the 1990s and 2007 was the president of Adidas Greater China. “And it was love at first sight,” adds Wang, who is a lawyer, originally from the Chinese province of Hebei.…

Bordering towards the uncanny valley with his hyperrealistic renditions that blend fantastical futurism with the everyday life of India, Varun Gupta, a Mumbai-based filmmaker and animator, explores the intersection between technology and creativity by incorporating AI into his work. Inspired by India’s version of the science fiction genre, Indo-Futurism, the founder and creative director of boutique content agency We Create Films predominantly uses AI programs like Midjourney and Dall-E for his visual storytelling, creating vivid snapshots of what he dubs as the “visual diaries” of the Cyborgbay Universe. From the reimagined city of Bombay in 1997, populated by humans enhanced with cybernetic implants and robotic limbs, to the vibrant streets of Nirvana Mohalla, a quiet fictional corner in Pushkar, Rajasthan where cultural traditions and technology intersect, these seemingly impossible ideas conjured…

Despite being crafted with just three ingredients—grain, yeast and water—each and every whisky is uniquely complex thanks to the different elements and variations woven into the lengthy production process, from malting to bottling. Andrew Tan, the man behind popular whisky bar 61Monarchy, has extensive knowledge of the beloved spirit, and rightly so. Located in Damansara Uptown, the establishment proudly showcases over 300 whisky labels, housing one of the largest collections in Malaysia. 61Monarchy also runs Bā Kazu, a bar within Kazu KL, which also boasts a formidable collection of liquor ranging from boutique labels to collectibles. “Unlike cognac or champagnes, whiskies are not bound to certain regions or countries,” explains Tan. With over 20 countries producing whiskies, including Belgium and South Africa, the liquor has become accessible to everyone now…

The first time I met Stephen Sinniah, it was at his pop-up at arts and cultural hub RexKL. Sinniah is the founder of Kuno, which specialises in producing and supplying ferments to restaurants and consumers. Sinniah has since started to host fermentation classes in an effort to educate the public about the process of fermentation. At the fermentation class I attended, we made three ferments: pumpkin seed miso, quinoa tempeh, and quinoa natto. After the class, Sinniah shared what first interested him in ferments and the future of Kuno. What does fermentation do to foods? Fermentation is a chemical reaction. Basically, it is the controlled decomposition of foods through enzymes or bacteria, which result in the ingredient being preserved. What sparked your interest in fermentation? In 2014, I came across…

HELD TIGHT Whether you’re off to more summer weddings than you can count or ready for a cultural exploration of a bucket-list destination, there is one cut you can always trust—the halter neckline. The shoulder-baring option is synonymous with elegance, and is equally suited to sleek bodysuits, flowy minidresses and satin gowns—whatever your summer calls for. CRAFTY & COLOURFUL Boho style is returning to the forefront of the world of accessories. With fringed accents, tie-dye patterns and crochet detailing, these bags have been refreshed with new silhouettes and styling that make them feel modern and free-spirited. MAKE A SPLASH Thanks to The Little Mermaid, mermaidcore is set to stay with us all summer long. Designers have been obsessed with sheer clothing and sequins for a while now, so dive on…

Omega has expanded its Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer collection with three new models: a titanium edition with a laser-ablated dial and two stainless steel options. The watches feature a unique Worldtimer display with a topographic map of Earth viewed from above the North Pole, surrounded by a 24-hour indication. All three watches have scratch-resistant ceramic bezels and are powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8938, with a water-resistance of 150m. The titanium model features a black and grey dial, while the stainless steel models have green sun-brushed PVD dials with 18-karat Moonshine Gold hands and indexes. TREND Eat your salmon and wear it too! QUICK TIME Roger Dubuis has launched the Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium watch, made from titanium grade five, a metal which is 33 per cent lighter than…

Hotels don’t typically invite anything remotely controversial, serving instead as sanctuaries and safe havens where guests can forget the outside world. But a growing number of hotels—and hotel groups—are speaking to the intelligence of their guests, and catering to their desire to deepen their understanding of the social, cultural and political nuances of the places they visit. And many of them are opting to inspire those conversations through art. “Great art captures you, animates you, questions you. It can be in a positive or negative way, but it moves you some way,” says Lorenzo Fiaschi, director of Galleria Continua which represents a roster of avant-garde artists such as Ai Weiwei, Eva Jospin, Anish Kapoor and Cai Guo-Qiang. Last year, the gallery partnered with luxury hotel group Belmond to launch Mitico—the…