Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2025 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG Journalist, filmmaker and philanthropist Sylvia Yu Friedman has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of women and girls as an anti-slavery campaigner, and hopes to share what she has learnt with other Asian women. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN DJ Nazira Kasenova has put Kazakhstan on the global nightlife map. A frequent headliner at venues like Berlin’s famous Berghain, she founded the ZVUK collective—a platform that promotes techno music and empowers female DJs. TATLER MALAYSIA Siew Yong Gnanalingam, the first Asian to take up the presidency of global volunteer service Soroptimist International, explained how her father’s directive to “do it well or don’t do it at all” drives her every action. TATLER PHILIPPINES Award-winning sommelier Jhonel Faelnar is the beverage director at innovative New York restaurants Ataboy and…

“You are more than ready.” This was the best advice Sangeeta Sidhu had ever heard, given by her mentor and ex-lecturer Johana Johari, at a pivotal point in Sidhu’s journey of opening up her mental health practice. Taking a career break to raise four boys, Sidhu longed to re-enter the workforce after feeling for some time that she was losing a part of herself in the same routine daily. Working hard to complete her Masters in Counselling, the mother of four always dreamt of having a space of her own where clients could feel safe to express themselves and talk freely about their inner struggles. The only hurdle was mustering up the courage to get it done. “Nobody was holding me back. I was my own biggest challenge,” laughs Sidhu,…

Rising from one of the most coveted locations in the city, a literal stone’s throw from Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers, CloutHaus is a bold new development by TA Global Berhad, set to take shape with the promise to be more than just another luxury residence. A portmanteau of “clout” and the German word for “home,” CloutHaus embodies a profound philosophy for Tiah Joo Kim, CEO of TA Global, centred on celebrating true influence—the changemakers, visionaries, and leaders who shape the local society. “We want CloutHaus to symbolise the Malaysians who have impacted our lives and transformed our understanding through the way we think and the way we live,” he explains, emphasising the property as a “house of influence” for the movers and shakers who drive societal progress in…

Living with diabetes is no easy feat. This chronic condition affects more than just daily routines; it impacts the overall quality of life. Diabetes is really a bad disease to have as it can lead to serious health problems. Beyond impairing the body’s ability to process blood sugar, diabetes can silently cause damage to vital organs and systems if not properly managed. In speaking about the biggest myths about diabetes, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali says, “It’s not true that taking too much sugar will cause diabetes. But excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars will increase the risk of obesity which is associated with diabetes. There are also multiple other factors that lead to diabetes, genetic and hereditary being one of…

In Malaysian schools, forgetting your tie on a Monday could once earn you a visit to an enterprising young businessman named Iqbal Ameer. The future CEO of Livescape Group began his entrepreneurial journey by collecting discarded school ties and renting them to forgetful students, using the profits to fuel his comic book passion. The early venture, followed by a brief stint selling mobile phones (which once earned him a suspension), foreshadowed his potential as an industry disruptor. “I was always someone who never settled and took risks to try something different to reach a goal,” Iqbal says. Today, Iqbal leads the Livescape Group, an event management and experience incubator with a portfolio of over 300 events. Among its notable productions are Rockaway Festival, Malaysia’s largest rock event; Future Music Festival…

We live in an era where social media serves as our digital archive—every moment is about being camera-ready. So, why not stylishly lean further into the lens this Chinese New Year? Malaysia’s top designers are unveiling festive fashion with collections that are not only visually stunning but also brimming with cultural significance and contemporary flair. These collections arrive at a peak moment when the art of dressing for occasion meets the science of photogenic design. With bespoke pieces requiring up to six weeks of meticulous craftsmanship, savvy clientele are already securing their selections, understanding that the perfect festive ensemble is one that not only commands attention in person but also captures magnificently in photographs. Flattering silhouettes, from A-line dresses to modern qipaos, create elegant lines in every frame while flowing…

Vivienne Tam, the queen of east-meets-west fashion, has experienced many firsts in her celebrated career. In 2024, she added two more: making her Paris Fashion Week debut in celebration of her namesake brand’s 30th anniversary and launching its inaugural Chinese bridalwear collection. Unveiled during the autumn-winter 2024 show in Paris and later showcased at Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, the collection is a stunning testament to the power of love, culture and sustainability. At its heart is the kwan kwa or qun gua, a traditional Chinese wedding gown—a usually red, two-piece jacket and skirt combo adorned with embroidered auspicious patterns and motifs, which has remained largely unchanged for generations. “The Chinese wedding dress has remained unchanged for ages—since I was little,” Tam tells Tatler. “I’ve always wanted to transform it…

I sometimes wonder whether Abraham-Louis Breguet, when he was appointed “Watchmaker to the French Royal Navy” in 1815, could have imagined his legacy would outlive him by centuries. The watchmaker’s latest grand complication is the Marine Tourbillon Equation Marchante 5887, a watch designed to pay tribute to its founder’s role in advancing marine chronometry. This exquisite timepiece features the self-winding calibre 581DPE, a perpetual calendar, a patented tourbillon and an equation of time complication that distinguishes local from solar time. Encased in durable platinum, the watch features a black textured rubber strap, designed for both comfort and durability. Find your cosmic connection and flaunt it on your wrist…

Mikimoto loyalists include both royalty and pop-culture icons, due in no small part to the brand’s ability to constantly innovate yet stay rooted to its legacy. Its new collaboration with Chrome Hearts elevates pearl jewellery yet again, merging Mikimoto’s renowned Akoya and white South Sea pearls with the luxury accessories brand’s distinctive, edgy aesthetic. The collection features four exclusive handcrafted necklaces and 11 additional pieces. Slithering beauties to celebrate The Year of the Snake…

The Tatler Best of Asia Takeover Series recently transformed Bangkok into a hub for culinary and cocktail-making creativity. From November 22 to 26, the series, in partnership with Mastercard’s priceless.com, featured 50 exclusive events headlined by Asia’s top chefs and bartenders to showcase the region’s gastronomic diversity. The event was part of the celebrations for the Tatler Best awards, at which the list of the top 100 restaurants, bars and hotels in Asia was unveiled. Sean Fitzpatrick, chief experience officer of Tatler Asia, explained, “The Tatler Best of Asia Takeover Series is a way for us to extend the excitement of the Tatler Best awards through experiences. We knew that many chefs and mixologists would be joining us in Bangkok for the ceremonies, so we wanted to make the most…

The saying goes that how you spend your day is how you spend your life. So what does a day well spent look like? While we’re here, what does it mean to be well? Not just healthy in the straightforward, clinical sense—joints moving as they should and cholesterol numbers that don’t induce a furrowed brow from your doctor—but truly well, in that existentially charged and energetically balanced way. “Wellness is the ultimate luxury,” as we’ve learned. Yet, it is still a subject loaded with nuance, marketing, and, let’s be honest, a lot of privilege. This month’s issue is an exploration and interrogation—our annual checkup, if you will—of what wellness really means when you strip away the buzzwords and marketing filters. Let’s start with Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman. If you…

BONEY M 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR JANUARY 12 Disco legends Boney M are set to ignite KL with their 50th Anniversary Tour. Led by original member Maizie Williams, the ensemble will deliver an electrifying performance featuring timeless hits like Daddy Cool, Sunny, and Rasputin. Originating in 1974 under German producer Frank Farian, Boney M. became a global sensation with their infectious rhythms and dynamic stage presence. This concert offers Malaysian fans a unique opportunity to relive the golden era of disco and experience the enduring appeal of Boney M’s music. Location: Mega Star Arena, 1F, Sg Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur ALESSO IN KL JANUARY 17 Global electronic music sensation Alesso is set to make an exciting return to Malaysia with a one-night-only performance on January 17. This exclusive event marks…

“Restaurant Shu was born out of a desire to explore migration and how cuisines and culture change with movement,” says Chin Wong, chef and owner of Restaurant Shu. Located invitingly within the annexe of Menara IMC in KL, the sleek and softly-lit restaurant is separated from the rest of the building and connected by a rooftop pathway. “After working in China, I realised how little I knew about my own culture,” he continues. “It’s been fascinating trying to find the connections of how and why dishes came to be.” For instance, the current menu, titled Staple, is built around the various methods the Chinese diaspora handles rice, a core component of their diet. “Rice is something we consume every day, but always as a filler, so we want to show…

When Nicole Tham Carmenn and Ng Chee Hong tied the knot in a series of grand celebrations spanning months, it was clear this was no ordinary wedding. From a whimsical poodle-themed aisle to a PowerPoint proposal, their nuptials were a testament to their shared penchant for the playful and profound. But blended in alongside the humour and mayhem of wedding planning, the couple shared a bond founded in mutual respect and gratitude for one another. “There wasn’t really one ‘big bang’ moment when I knew he was the one,” says Tham, who is a senior manager at Alvarez & Marsal. “It was more gradual, and I think it was when I realised that he loved me for all of my imperfections and not in spite of them. He broke all…

A compassionate humanist, Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman’s career reflects her commitment to solving problems through science and reason while upholding human values and dignity. A leading infectious disease expert, Adeeba focused much of her career on global prevention, treatment, research and advocacy of HIV and AIDS. Among her numerous achievements, Adeeba pushed to establish the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) at the University of Malaya, a multidisciplinary research centre dedicated to community-focused HIV research. She is also the current chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) and one of 10 global experts on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Science Council, helping shape global health policy. In 2022, she completed a two-year term as president of the International AIDS Society (IAS), making history as the first Asian…

An enduring emblem of the effortless grace and audacious femininity of its namesake princess, the Lady Dior is a timeless tribute to the spirit of the women who carry it—unfettered by limitations, ever-evolving yet always true to their core. Since 2016, the Dior Lady Art Project has celebrated the essence of this iconic bag whilst pushing the boundaries of what it represents, inviting visionary artists from around the world to transform the Lady Dior into a vibrant expression of their artistic universes. For the ninth edition of this annual project, the house of Dior tapped eleven extraordinary artists to reinterpret the classic Lady Dior, each infusing their unique creative visions and cultural narratives into its form. With 30 pieces in total, here are five of our favourites. WOO KUKWON A…

POP GOES THE TIMEPIECE Piaget’s Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch is part of a limited-edition collection that allows for extensive customisation. In addition to the standout blue meteorite dial, collectors can choose from ten ornamental stone dials, including turquoise, malachite and falcon eye. The watch is available in white or rose gold, with five leather strap colour options. Additionally, buyers can select between the new dauphine-style hands or the baton hands seen in the original watch owned by the art icon. GEM OF A WATCH Franck Muller introduces the Round Skeleton Baguette 31, a stunning addition to its high jewellery collection this year. This exclusive piece features a 31mm case adorned with handset, baguette-cut diamonds or precious gemstones such as rubies and sapphires, showcasing the fusion of haute joaillerie…

Buckle up, star children—it’s time to find out which gemstone embodies the chaos and charisma that make you you. What better way to kick-start the New Year than by pairing your zodiac sign with the gem that best reflects your quirks? That way, you can wear your characteristic traits not just on your sleeve but also more boldly, on your fingers, earlobes or round your neck. ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19 Traits: Bold, impulsive, takes action like a superhero jumping off a building Gemstone: Diamond Hey Aries, like a diamond, you’re both brilliant and hard enough to cut glass—with your sharp wit, that is. You’re the human equivalent of a glitter bomb, explosive and impossible to ignore. Diamonds, known for their ability to withstand intense heat, mirror your capacity to handle…

Sunlight streams through the windows of a heritage shophouse in George Town, Penang, catching the intricate phoenixes and peonies on a pristinely preserved kamcheng. As Chris Ong, a fifth-generation Baba, discusses this Peranakan covered jar, his connection to the pieces transcends that of collector and artifact. Each ceramic in his collection bridges the present and past, telling stories of cultural heritage, family traditions, and the delicate balance between celebration and remembrance. HERITAGE HOTELIER Ong, the owner and proprietor of George Town Heritage Hotels, has seamlessly merged his passion for preservation with hospitality. His collection of exquisite hotels—Seven Terraces, Muntri Mews, Muntri Grove, and Jawi Peranakan Mansion—each showcases distinctive 19th-century architecture. While modernised for contemporary comfort, these spaces serve as living museums where guests can experience his extensive collection of Peranakan…

MUGHNI CHE DIN Mughni Che Din describes himself as a multi-hyphenated fashion creative who is no stranger to the Malaysian fashion scene. He has come a long way since starting his career in fashion back in 2010, and has gone from reporting at the major fashion weeks to styling photo shoots with the biggest names in film, music and fashion. This month, he styled our cover star. (p.76) ESTE LOONG Hong Kong-based stylist Este Loong specialises in creative concepts and styling for fashion shoots. “My aesthetic brings fashion and art together. I create visuals that feel natural and avoid overstyling,” she says. Of the fashion shoot that she styled for Tatler this month, she says, “My work evokes a moody yet hopeful atmosphere, aiming to create depth and a narrative.”…

Founded in 2000, Rituals has evolved into a globally recognised brand synonymous with well-being, mindfulness, and sustainable luxury. Over the years, it has grown into one of Europe’s fastest-growing beauty brands, boasting an impressive 1,300 standalone stores and a presence in 4,000 luxury department stores worldwide. At the helm is Raymond Cloosterman, founder and CEO, whose vision for the brand continues to shape the intersection of beauty, sustainability, and innovation. Cloosterman’s journey began with a desire to redefine beauty. “I saw the opportunity and had this dream of building a brand with a perspective beyond just selling beauty products. As we say today, ‘We’re not here to sell you beauty; we’re here to make you feel good.’ That’s what well-being means to me,” he explained. Rituals was born from three…

COUTURE ATTITUDE As the world eagerly awaits Sarah Burton’s debut at Givenchy in March, the French house has released its pre-spring collection, which marries aristocratic elegance with a punk-inspired edge, delivering a playful twist on modern dressing. The line-up showcases the newly relaunched Monogram 72 alongside archival prints, pom-poms and bold argyle motifs. Women’s looks feature chic pieces such as a wool evening stole with flared pink trousers, while menswear mixes tuxedo jackets with flamboyant colours and whimsical prints, including a surreal cat motif. This collection celebrates Hubert de Givenchy’s legacy with a relaxed couture attitude that’s effortlessly audacious and delightfully chic. POSH PARK LIFE Aren’t we all “Dog LVers”? Pharrell Williams, the creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear, has designed a pre-collection for spring that celebrates the bond between…

In 2003, Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami joined forces to create what would become a cultural flashpoint of the generation. The collaboration turned luxury fashion on its head with its vibrant reimagining of the classic monogram and playful motifs like the Cherry Blossom and Smiley Flowers. It was the first time in Vuitton’s storied history that its monogram had been reworked—appealing to a younger demographic and setting a precedent for future collaborations between luxury brands and contemporary artists. The Monogram Multicolore—featuring interlocking LV and floral patterns in 33 vivid hues—became an instant icon. While the collaboration was not the first fusion of its kind between the world of fashion and art, it was pivotal in the early noughties for its commercial and cultural impact. It played a significant role in…

SNAKE EYES ON STYLE Kung Hei Fat Choi! As you prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year (and indulge in delicious family feasts), be sure also to lay the groundwork to step into the new year in style. Festive red and gold conveniently dominate many resort collections this season, so clear some closet space. Whether you’re channelling the elegance of a Valentino girl or the bold edge of a Sportmax queen, we wish you health, prosperity and plenty of fashion flair in the year ahead. BUBBLE EFFECT The pre-spring collections from Louis Vuitton, Coperni, Dior and more all agree: bubble hems are back—and we’re here for it. These skirts and dresses are the perfect way to add girly yet edgy flair to your wardrobe. We’ll be pairing them with tights…

Can you tell us about your early interest in horology? What sparked this passion? I discovered watchmaking at 11 years old: one Saturday, my father and my uncle took me to a Swiss watchmaking facility. For me, it was a big revelation for my future. I told my parents that I wanted to be a watchmaker. They thought I was very young and would change my mind, as kids often do—wanting to be firemen or astronauts. But no, it was really my goal to become a watchmaker. So I worked hard and eventually set up my workshop. What made you so convinced about this career choice? Did anyone in your family have a background in watchmaking? Nobody in my family worked in this industry. My father was in the automotive…

Chris Leong presses his palms against the patient’s shoulders. There are flickers of tension etched across the patient’s face. A moment of silence as he prepares for the adjustment, and then—a quick, deft twist of his hands. There’s an audible crack, clear and satisfying. Like a spell unbound, the patient’s face melts from a wince into visible relief. “Wow,” the patient sighs, his shoulders lighter. The viewer feels it, too; the sound, the shift, it’s oddly addictive. Each crack and shift delivers a surge of vicarious satisfaction. This is the typical viral video content from Leong, a globally renowned Tit Tar master and bone-setting expert known for bringing the ancient art of Chinese bone alignment to an international audience. Over the past eight years, Leong’s videos have gained millions of…