Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG David Harilela opened up about his first big business deal, his legacy and the weight of living up to one of the most recognised family names in the city. TATLER MALAYSIA Tatler sat down with the man, the myth and the legend that is Hong Kong actor Tony Leung to talk about capturing the hearts of moviegoers around the world and his hopes for better Asian representation on screen. TATLER PHILIPPINES Self-taught artist Fatima Ronquillo spoke to Tatler about symbolism in her work and her ongoing quest to define what “home” means to her. TATLER TAIWAN Vick Chung is the third-generation heir of the Yung Shin Pharmaceutical Industrial Company, and also leads veterinary services company Vetnostrum. Along with his mother Li Lung Jin, Chung talked to us…

Having spent years away from Malaysia while growing up, Jo Kukathas didn’t think she would be as immersed in the world of theatre as she is. “Well, my father was involved in the Malayan Art Theatre Group (MATG), which prior to independence was run by a group of British people. They did mostly Shakespeare, [George Bernard] Shaw and the like,” shared the politics and philosophy major from the University of Reading. “After independence, he and his friends decided that as part of decolonisation efforts, they should take charge of MATG. So they orchestrated a coup, rallying support during an AGM to elect locals into power,” Kukathas continued. That resulted in the (late) national laureate Dato’ Syed Alwi being president of MATG, while K. Das, her father, was appointed as treasurer.…

GEN.T In Southeast Asia, healthcare spending is expected to reach US$740 billion by 2025, up from the current US$425 billion, posing challenges for companies to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape and meet the growing demand for quality healthcare services. Recognising a growing need in the market, Alvin Yuan co-founded HealthMetrics, a digital platform designed to streamline employee healthcare management for businesses while connecting them with healthcare providers. The platform aims to provide cost-effective solutions for employee medical benefits, including the flexibility to add dental or vision care. I graduated as a pharmacist but never practised. Instead, I dove into insurance management and spent a decade in healthcare financing, helping companies manage their healthcare policies. This included managing access to insurance and their wellness plans while helping them reduce costs.…

BRING IT ON Sabato de Sarno’s debut campaign for Gucci, Ancora, saw a deep cherry red shade taking the fashion world by storm. Ancora, meaning “again” or “still” in Italian, represents a mix of timeless allure, beauty and personal expression for Gucci’s new creative director; since taking over at the house, he has been applying the mantra to everything from design to music to imagery. For the spring-summer 2024 campaign, De Sarno enlisted the lens of David Sims, the photographer he worked with when he first started working in fashion. The casting is fresh too: the campaign stars five new faces representing a diverse range of beauty, who command a wardrobe of essential pieces crafted for everyday elegance. EAR CANDY Celine has teamed up with Master & Dynamic for its…

In the Year of the Dragon, let your watch dreams take flight SCALED TO PERFECTION Chopard continues its yearly tribute to the Chinese zodiac with the LUC XP Urushi Year of the Dragon, with a limited edition of 88 pieces. The watch, which combines the ancient Urushi lacquer technique with Swiss watchmaking, is a 39.5mm timepiece encased in ethical 18-karat rose gold and powered by the ultra-thin, in-house LUC 96.17-L calibre with a micro-rotor, maintaining a slim 6.80mm profile. The dial, adorned with traditional Urushi lacquer and Maki-e craftsmanship, features gold powder and mother-of-pearl inlays, making each piece unique. BEYOND THE MOON The Montblanc Star Legacy Full Calendar watch distinguishes itself with a 42mm stainless steel case and a new midnight blue dial. Significant upgrades include the updated MB 24.30…

In watchmaking, Dr Rebecca Struthers and her husband, Craig, are a dynamic duo that defies convention and breathes life into the timeless art of horology. With a PhD in horology from Birmingham City University, Rebecca boasts a deep understanding of the intricate mechanics of timepieces while her husband brings an artistic touch to their collaborative efforts. Together, they helm a workshop, Struthers Watchmakers, that not only stands as a testament to their shared vision but also as a bridge between tradition and innovation. While restoring watches remains the core business, Struthers Watchmakers is also considered one of the world’s most fascinating bespoke ateliers, with three tailor-made collections: The Carter pocket watch, The Kingsley classic wristwatch, and The Kelso octagonal wristwatch. The husband-and-wife team is also currently working on their own…

Life is a peach—make the most of Pantone’s colour of the year for 2024 GET LUCKY One of the standout pieces from the Mikimoto Ruyi Collection is an 18-karat white gold bracelet with a string of Akoya cultured pearls. The bracelet is held together with the Ruyi Knot motif, which gives the collection its name. The knot is a traditional Chinese emblem of good luck and wish fulfilment. MIRACULOUS MYRIAD Louis Vuitton’s Deep Time Chapter II high jewellery collection concludes the Deep Time story in 2024, bringing the total number of hypnotic creations to 170 pieces across 13 themes exploring geology and life. The Myriad necklace twists a luminous wave into a subtle V-shape, with graphic lines echoing the ropes historically used to secure the maison’s trunks. It reflects a…

Van Cleef & Arpels began with a match made in heaven when Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a precious stones dealer, met Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a lapidary. United by shared family values and a mutual zeal for innovation, their union blossomed into a radiant partnership. Over 110 years later, this distinguished maison of haute joaillerie continues to pay homage to its founders’ legacies by transcending the confines of traditional jewellery design. Drawing inspiration from the boundless wonders of the world—from the untamed beauty of nature to the allure of rare gems, as well as diverse artistic traditions, myths, and global cultures—Van Cleef & Arpels crafts enchanting, poetic creations that celebrate the myriad joys of existence. Tatler explores highlights from some of its most recent high jewellery collections,…

According to Tercia Goh, the founder of Skybambi Stationery, the core purpose of a scrapbook journal is to “uniquely express yourself by combining different visuals, textures, and colours to narrate a story or convey emotions. It provides an enjoyable and therapeutic outlet that merges writing, art, and creativity, resulting in visually captivating and deeply personal journals.” A seasoned digital and brand strategist turned stationery designer, Goh has converged meticulous craftsmanship with hypnotic content creation to establish herself as the nation’s journaling queen. Known as @skybambi on Instagram, she has garnered an eager following of 91,800, enchanted by her whimsically nostalgic style. She incorporates an impressive range of artistic elements into her work, such as photographs, drawings, paintings, magazine cutouts, stickers, washi tape, wax seals and assorted ephemera. The art of…

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR “It is literally impossible to be a woman,” goes the now-famous monologue delivered by actress America Ferrera in her role as Gloria in the 2023 blockbuster movie, Barbie. “You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard!” This is the web of considerations women spin in their heads to survive societal norms, every waking second. What’s made it possible for women to thrive is the bedrock of support they get from other women. For time immemorial, a simpatico sisterhood has always existed where women support other women. For me, there is always at least one friend or mentor I can call upon for every…

DATUK FARIDAH MERICAN Asia’s Most Influential 2021 Founder, director and producer, The Actors Studio and klpac Datuk Faridah Merican is a Malaysian institution who has been instrumental in elevating the performing arts in the country. Fondly referred to as the first lady of Malaysian theatre, Faridah has been actively involved in the theatrical scene for more than 60 years as an actor, director, producer, teacher and ardent champion. Faridah discovered her interest in theatre at school. While she assumed several different roles early in her career as a primary-school teacher of physical education, newsreader and radio talk-show host, TV newscaster and advertising executive, theatre remained her fascination. She is one of the pioneers in the local theatre scene, acting in some of the earliest theatre productions in the country. Her…

Charissa Ong’s tale of success in publishing begins with a scenario that would be relatable to many. While working at an advertising agency, the mindless drag of routine work was getting her down. “It didn’t bring me joy to create social media content every day, and although I did enjoy dabbling in front-end coding, I realised that I had a lot of words left in me that needed an outlet,” she recalls. In her free time, Ong staved off the boredom by penning poems to share on Instagram. “I posted once every two days or so, just to feel like I had ownership over something and a chance to craft authentic works.” After two years, Ong’s followers began to request that she be published—a thought that had never crossed the…

“It is always strange to say, but I opened a restaurant before I knew how to cook.” This is the first thing Chong Yu Cheng, the chef-owner of Terra Dining, tells me as I sit down in the inviting dining room, coloured in earthy tones. It was, in fact, a love for wine that ignited a desire in Chong to open his first restaurant, Above Gastrobar, at the end of 2018. When his kitchen team left, due to disagreements, Chong took it upon himself to helm the kitchen. “Four years later, I rebuilt the team and was fully in charge of the menu.” With Above Gastrobar in the hands of reliable staff, Chong expanded his horizons and applied to stage at Frantzén in Stockholm, which ranks sixth on The World’s…

FASHION SHOOT…

BRIGHT IS RIGHT If monochrome bores you, this is the season for you. Primary colours and Bauhaus-inspired hues—think sapphire blue, emerald green, vivid yellow and scarlet—are taking over fashion’s colour palette in a big way. Wear a vibrant burst of colours head-to-toe or go for a statement bag or other accessory in an opulent shade to start your spring right. SHREDDED ELEGANCE We first fell in love with it on the Prada spring-summer runway: the way fringing has conquered all fabrics. Designers are going with the flow, embracing the slinky movement afforded by fringe, and adding elements such as rhinestone embellishments, metal or shimmering satin to trims on everything from skirts to accessories. LARGE IN CHARGE It seems oversized (or almost absurdly supersized) bags are here to stay. Super chic…

In the predominantly male-centric realm of multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs), Grills Gaming stands out as an all-women Dota 2 team that has achieved remarkable success—securing gold in the Global Esports Games 2023 (GEG 2023) and Commonwealth Esports Championships 2022. Dota 2, developed by Valve, is a real-time strategy game between two teams of five players on a square field separated diagonally by three lanes. The Radiant faction occupies the bottom left, while the Dire faction is on the top right of the game map. The objective is to destroy the opposing team’s main structure, known as The Ancient, in their respective base. It is from this aim that the preceding game adapts its name: Defense of the Ancients. Grills Gaming was founded in 2016 by Tiffani “Oling” Lim, Stephanie…

When an elephant gives birth, something spectacular happens: fellow females in the herd get into formation, creating a support network that facilitates the well-being of the mother and the safe shepherding of new life into the world. They surround and protect her by kicking up dirt and soil to throw any predators off the scent. Once the calf is born, they cover it with sand to protect its skin from the sun before breaking into a chorus of celebratory trumpeting. The female instinct to look out for one another, to guide and protect in moments of vulnerability, is innate: nature as intended. And there are very few times when a woman is more vulnerable, and yet more powerful, than when giving birth. Historically, pregnancy and childbirth—long seen as a “female…

NATALIA HOLLAND Photography duo Natalia Holland, which consists of stylist Natalia Paku Sukuda and her photographer partner Ben Holland, share a love for visual art and specialise in creating cinematically inspired fashion images. The seasoned travellers have collaborated with a wide range of brands and magazines across Europe, Asia and the US, such as Vogue, Numero and Harper’s Bazaar. For Tatler, they styled and shot this month’s fashion shoot. CHUAN LOOI Chuan Looi is a sought-after photographer whose work has been featured in top fashion magazines in Malaysia and Hong Kong. He’s also an award-winning music video director and had published a coffee table book, which was a collaboration with actress Lee Sinje based on their month-long trip to India. For Tatler, he photographed Amanda Nell Eu for our cover…

CLOSE-UP When he was writing the screenplay for Abang Adik, Ong Lay Jin had only one person in mind for the role of Adik—Jack Tan, whom he helped discover 15 years ago. The story goes like this: At 17, Tan accompanied his friend to an audition to become an artiste, and was only there to offer moral support. As they were about to leave, Tan was also asked to audition and got accepted into the artiste training programme. Ong, who was part of the team at the academy, then took Tan over to Taiwan to film his first project, an idol TV series. The rest, as they say, is history. Abang Adik (富都青年) is the story of two stateless orphans struggling to survive in Kuala Lumpur. Tan offers his take…

Before Dato’ Pandelela Rinong was appointed the national unity icon by the Ministry of National Unity, the plan remained a closely guarded secret. Initially invited to become a board member of the Student Volunteers Foundation (Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa), the Road to Gold athlete was taken by surprise when the Minister of National Unity, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, unexpectedly revealed her new role in parliament. Reflecting on the announcement, Pandelela remarked, “The minister suddenly announced [my appointment] in parliament, and even the YSS organisation personnel were shocked. Although it was a surprise, I am still honoured and proud to be the national unity icon.” Pandelela, an ethnic Sarawakian Bidayuh with quadrilingual fluency, personifies the diverse culture of Malaysia. “To me, unity means that everyone can mix despite differences in race, with…

LIM HENG KIT AND ZIYAN LEE “We have grown stronger with a clearer alignment for our brand” While they have been business partners for eight years, Lim Heng Kit and Ziyan Lee’s friendship began much earlier—the two first met while completing their Culinary Management degree at William Angliss Institute in Melbourne. Their first venture in 2016 was contemporary Malaysian eatery Li Restaurant, but they now also run bakery-café Provisions and Locus, an experience-based dining hub. Lim runs the back of house working with the team of chefs and bakers while Lee’s expertise lies in hospitality, providing training to front of house members. “Our friendship is actually a strength when it comes to work,” Lee says. While the two connect on their love for the industry, their personalities are different: “Heng…

ASTRAL EYES Every beauty lover knows that Pat McGrath’s eyeshadow palettes are second to none, and in true Pat McGrath fashion, her latest palette, Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction, is yet again nothing less than extraordinary. The palette features ten striking floral hues, including warm-toned mattes, radiant shimmers, and dazzling metallics with unparalleled pigment and creamy textures. DIVINE TOUCHES What’s better than having soft and smooth, pillow-like hands? Having soft and smooth, pillow-like hands that smell heavenly—and Chanel’s Chance perfumed hand creams will give you just that. With three hand creams to pick from, each boasts a delicate aromatic blend of fresh florals, beautifully complemented by vibrant fruity accents and smooth woody notes. Its lightweight formula instantly melts into the skin, leaving your hands moisturised and sumptuously scented. TURNING BACK TIME…

Sunway International Schools Kuala Lumpur (SISKL) proudly marks its one-year anniversary at its new campus, and this celebration coincides with the highly anticipated appointment of Richard Thomas Cherry as the new principal, commencing his tenure in January 2024. Cherry, a seasoned and visionary educator with over three decades of invaluable experience, brings with him a rich history in education and school leadership, and represents a blue-chip appointment for the new dynamic campus. At the core of Cherry’s educational philosophy lies a steadfast dedication to student-centred learning. He prioritises the importance of fostering engagement, critical thinking, differentiated learning, and places a strong emphasis on English language development. In addition, his vision for SISKL goes beyond academic enrichment. Cherry envisions a school environment that is not only academically enriching but also welcoming,…

In the world of jewellery, few names carry as much weight and prestige as Cartier. With its historic role as the supplier of bespoke jewellery to royalty and aristocracy, the French maison has been synonymous with luxury, elegance and timeless design. And among its many legendary creations, one stands out as a true icon: the Trinity ring. Conceived in 1924 by Louis Cartier, his “three-ring, three-gold” design has withstood the test of time, remaining as cool and captivating a hundred years later. Featuring three interlocking bands in platinum, yellow gold and rose gold, the ring was unveiled during an era of artistic and cultural revival in Paris. This period saw the emergence of some of the greatest writers and musicians of the 20th century, such as F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest…

Works of art can evoke curiosity and imagination in a viewer, inviting them to interpret the story behind the piece and uncover its deeper meaning. This is true for contemporary artist Jaee Tee, who shares, “I vividly remember the first time I encountered one of Anselm Kiefer’s massive pieces in the collection of Dato’ Azman, a prominent art collector in Asia—I was brought to tears. It was a powerful reminder of how art can stir up such intense emotions.” In her artistic journey, Jaee Tee draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists from both the east and west, such as renowned figures like Zhang Da Qian and Liu Kuo Song for their ability to breathe new life into traditional Chinese art, as well as Zao Wou-Ki, who’s a master…