Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG We caught up with world-renowned tenor Jonas Kaufman ahead of his Hong Kong debut to chat programming an operatic performance and the future of this traditional artform. TATLER INDONESIA Sabrina Joseph, the founder of pre-loved luxury marketplace Huntstreet, explained how important transparency, trust and authenticity are to her brand and how her dreams of communicating the importance of sustainability in fashion are coming true. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN Last month, former politician, coach and businesswoman Irina Khakamada turned 70. We take a look back at some of her greatest achievements. TATLER MALAYSIA Sharmeen Looi, co-founder of e-commerce site iMotorbike, shared the hurdles she’s faced as a rare woman in a male-dominated industry. TATLER PHILIPPINES Gen.T honouree Mark Gervasa founded bamboo product brand Bambuhay to fight poverty, promote sustainability and…

MICKY WONG With more than a decade’s experience in fashion photography, Micky Wong has worked with fashion publications around the region including Harper’s Bazaar in Hong Kong and Singapore, Grazia India as well as Prestige and Pin Prestige in Singapore and Malaysia. For Tatler, he photographed our cover this month. (p.74) AYU OGA Ayu Oga has always had a deep passion for art and fashion. After studying fashion at Kyoto University of the Arts, she began her career as a stylist assistant in Tokyo in 2022. Currently, she works with both Japanese and international publications, including Vogue and L’Officiel. She was particularly excited to work on this month’s fashion shoot for Tatler, which took place in her hometown of Kyoto. (p.88) TAK SUGITA Tak Sugita has had a profound appreciation…

The spirit of the 1960s is alive and ticking—though not in the way you might expect. At this year’s Watches and Wonders Geneva, Piaget reintroduces a familiar yet audacious silhouette with the Sixtie, a women’s jewellery watch that’s as much about creative liberation as it is about telling time. Exuding a playfully sophisticated vibe, the Sixtie watch marks the latest move in Piaget’s Play of Shapes: a joyously irreverent game that started in the mid-1960s, toying with traditions, breaking boundaries, playing with shape, form, light and lustre, changing the shape of watchmaking forever. Named for the sixty seconds in a minute and sixty minutes in an hour, as well as Piaget’s heritage and design philosophy rooted in the 1960s, the watch is set to be a contemporary classic with its…

On April 7, 2025, Tatler Best Malaysia was launched, awarding 20 best restaurants, 20 best bars, and 22 Best-In-Class winners. Voted by Tatler’s panel of industry leaders and tastemakers, the special award winners are recognised for excellence in their respective categories, collectively elevating the local restaurant and bar scene and helping to put Malaysia on the map. One of the categories from this list was Best Design, awarding the bar and restaurant that makes the best visual impact and gives its patrons an unforgettable first impression. We take a look inside the two Best-In-Class winners and showcase their curations within interiors that complement the craft. BARKAR From the team behind Eat and Cook is Barkar, a modern Malaysian grill showcasing open-fire cooking. Rooted in the spirit of fire, passion, and…

Fauré Le Page’s 300-year journey from royal armourer to the creator of covetable leather goods represents one of luxury’s most intriguing transformations. The maison opened its first Malaysian boutique last year at Suria KLCC. The store’s distinctive façade is eyecatching, featuring textured scales that draw curious shoppers into a space designed by architect Jean de Gastines that blends Parisian apartment aesthetics with garden-inspired elements and art deco flourishes. “We should mass manufacture ‘weapons of seduction’ and fight for love,” says Augustin de Buffévent, the charismatic president and creative director who has helmed the house for nearly 14 years. His statement encapsulates the brand’s unique positioning in the luxury landscape—taking heritage that dates back to 1717 and reimagining it for contemporary connoisseurs. “I belong to an old family, and we’re deeply…

Audemars Piguet, the Swiss luxury watchmaker with over 150 years of history, continues to blend time-honoured craftsmanship with innovative design. Its latest jewel, AP House Singapore, serves as the brand’s flagship destination in Southeast Asia, offering an immersive experience that transcends mere shopping. During the grand launch at the iconic Raffles Hotel, I managed to sit down with Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet, to talk about her vision for the company and how it is shaping the future of watchmaking. Nestled within the historic walls of the Raffles Hotel’s Bar and Billiard Room, AP House Singapore is a celebration of the brand’s legacy and the vibrancy of its host city. The 1,000-square-metre space is designed to transport visitors into the Audemars Piguet world, evoking a journey back in time…

A compass rose embedded in a mosaic overlooking the Normandy coast—this childhood memory of Christian Dior would one day inspire an enduring legacy in fine jewellery. As Rose des Vents celebrates its tenth anniversary, Victoire de Castellane’s creation continues to transcend mere adornment, becoming instead a luminous navigation system for the modern collector. The story begins at Villa Les Rhumbs, where young Christian Dior gazed upon that compass rose, absorbing its promise of direction and possibility. Decades later, de Castellane, artistic director of Dior Joaillerie, transformed this maritime symbol into a luxurious talisman. Unveiled in 2015, the original medallions featured an eight-pointed star (a nod to Dior’s lucky number and the compass itself ) crowned with a brilliant diamond, the reverse inlaid with mother-of-pearl, onyx, or malachite, framed by rice-grain…

Over 150 years ago, Robert Louis Stevenson found himself ill, bored, and restless. He was whiling away a wet and windy season in Scotland, and after producing several (by his own admission) second-rate stories, Stevenson put down his pen and picked up a brush instead. And where others might have doodled a nonsensical loop, the soon-to-be bestselling novelist sat down and created an intricate, beautiful map of a far-off island, bristling with beauty, danger and treasure. “It was elaborately and (I thought) beautifully coloured; the shape of it took my fancy beyond expression,” wrote Stevenson several years after the fact. “It contained harbours that pleased me like sonnets; and with the unconsciousness of the predestined, I ticketed my performance Treasure Island. As Stevenson admired his work, something happened. Characters appeared…

Ivan Lam is a leading contemporary Malaysian artist known for his thought-provoking works that merge conceptual depth with meticulous technique, often exploring themes of identity, modernity and the human condition. 990 featured in Lam’s most recent solo exhibition, The Dichotomy of Opposites, at Wei-Ling Gallery. The collection examined the dynamic interplay of binaries—certainty and doubt, order and chaos, instinct and control—positioning them not as oppositional forces but as coexisting energies in continuous exchange. At Wei-Ling Contemporary, Lam introduced a suite of spray-painted mantras rendered through a stencil technique in which the words gradually dissolved into abstraction. These meditative pieces explored hesitation and indecision, mirroring the mental spirals of over-analysis where clarity continually recedes. In the main gallery, works such as 990 offered a striking counterpoint. Their meticulous structure and confident…

When Yeoh Keong Wei, son of Dato’ Yeoh Seok Kian and Datin Lim Lee Lee and Deborah Low, daughter of Low Mun Wai and Joyce Chan, exchanged vows last December, they created a wedding and an exquisite narrative spanning two days of celebration. Their love story—a serendipitous reconnection after lives quietly intertwined since childhood—unfolded into a wedding weekend that masterfully balanced grandeur with intimate warmth. A LOVE STORY WRITTEN IN TIME The couple’s paths first crossed long before they realised it—sharing hallways at the same international school, attending weekend art classes, and even celebrating childhood birthdays together. Life kept them on parallel journeys, and both eventually moved to London separately, unaware they shared the same city. It wasn’t until 2017, when Yeoh reached out with a simple “hello”, that these…

With a stunning new gilded façade and interiors by André Fu Studio, the reopening of Dusit Thani Bangkok last September marked the return of an icon. Rebuilt from the ground up over five years, the hotel has been reimagined to usher in a new era while paying tribute to the original, which opened in 1970 and went on to define luxury hospitality in Thailand. There are plenty of nods to the past. The familiar golden spire—a signature feature of the original building—was retained and incorporated into the new structure, acting as a visual symbol of continuity. And the new-meets-nostalgia approach is especially prevalent in the lobby. Inspired by the artistry of traditional Thai pavilions, the triple-height space recreates the grand arrival experience of the original property, elevating it with a…

Patek Philippe makes a grand statement at Watches & Wonders 2025 with the reference 5308G-001, a self-winding Quadruple Complication now part of its regular collection. Encased in white gold with an ice-blue sunburst dial, it masterfully melds a minute repeater and split-second chronograph with two patented innovations and an instantaneous perpetual calendar—each a grand complication in its own right. Powered by the new calibre R CHR 27 PS QI, this miniaturisation and mechanical sophistication marvel exemplifies Patek Philippe’s continued prowess in haute horlogerie. Stainless steel to steal hearts this season BUILT TO PERFECTION The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF 36mm Automatic Stone Blue is a quiet rebellion against loud luxury. This 36mm stainless steel timepiece, crowned with a platinum knurled bezel, effortlessly balances vintage charm and modern minimalism. Its hand-guilloché Stone…

Louis Vuitton expands its Pure V High Jewellry collection with eight dazzling new creations, showcasing bold Art Deco influences and exceptional craftsmanship. Drawing on Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s emblematic V motif, the collection transforms white gold and diamonds into sculptural masterpieces—necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and a ring—defined by rhythmic lines, geometric precision, and radiant baguette-cut diamonds. A tribute to modernist elegance and innovation, Pure V reflects the maison’s heritage while boldly reimagining its design codes for a new era. Don’t wait for lady luck—be her, with these lucky charms…

The Penyapu bag seems to defy gravity. Even sitting on Ryan Lee’s studio work table, the bag looks like it’s floating, borne aloft by layers of fluid, flowing leather tassels. But as with many things in fashion, there is no magic here—only expert craftsmanship in service of a creative vision. The bag starts with a cylindrical base, hand-stitched together from three individual pieces of leather to form a smooth, sturdy framework. Then comes the magic by way of hours of repetitive handcrafting. Seventy-two individual strips of leather are burnished, painted, folded and then tied onto the base with mathematical precision. When all the tassels are in place, the illusion is complete: a symmetrical leather form becomes soft and weightless, full of dynamism even when sitting still. “It’s the most conceptual…

ANAS AFANDI What first drew you to your art form, and what keeps you committed to it today? I’m not committed to a single artform. I always look for the best materials and medium to express myself or reflect a concept. Drawings will always be central to my practice. Can you describe a defining moment in your journey so far—whether it was a breakthrough, a setback or something else that shifted your perspective? Everything changed when I became a father. As a parent, you try to project an idealised world for your family to protect them from harsh realities. My concern has shifted from individualistic interests to more complex topics: environmental issues, environmental politics, social issues, cultural identity, cultural history, etc. In short, becoming a father has made my work…

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter hotel rooms; of hotel design that’s so generic and void of personality that you could wake up and be anywhere. As more travellers seek authentic experiences to feel truly immersed in a destination, they’re also seeking hotels that do the same. Tatler has found some properties that certainly fit that bill: from a colourful property housed in a 16th-century palazzo, transformed by a film director in Rome and filled with incredible custom pieces by Italian artisans, to a soothing coastal hideaway inspired by surf culture in the sleepy Australian town of Crescent Head that prioritises sustainable design and promotes slowing down. These whispers of authenticity in spaces that create a genuine sense of place are what makes hotels like these so great—hotels that invoke…

SHADES AT SUNSET The colours of sunset are hot this season—think rich ambers, burnt oranges and deep corals that mirror golden-hour skies. A flowing Magda Butrym dress sets the tone for seaside dinners, while bold Alexander McQueen sneakers add a flash of fire to city strolls. This summer, it’s all about colours that catch the light and linger long after dusk. GOLD RUSH When it comes to precious metals, there have always been two camps—gold or silver. But this year, Chloé is tempting even the most devoted silver fans to go for gold. From pendant earrings to sautoir necklaces and bijoux bags, the brand’s gilded pieces add just the right amount of chic to even the simplest outfit. Don’t hold back—more is definitely more this summer. SPRING FLING As the…

There are few things as effortlessly cool as motorcycles, leather jackets and a perfectly crafted timepiece. And when it comes to cool, Austin Butler has it in spades. Fresh off the success of Dune: Part Two and Elvis, his name has become synonymous with effortless style and charisma. Now, as the face of Breitling’s Top Time B31 campaign, Butler cements his status as a modern icon of sophistication and adventure. In an intimate roundtable conversation, Butler opened up about his latest collaboration with Breitling, the philosophy behind his personal style, and how the spirit of craftsmanship informs his artistic approach. For Butler, the collaboration is rooted in a deeply personal aesthetic. “I use the word modern retro,” he explains, citing icons like Paul Newman and Marlon Brando. “There’s a timelessness…

ALWAYS A WINNER At the 2025 Oscars, Selena Gomez was shining bright like a diamond—specifically the 10.16-carat pear-shaped diamond centrepiece of her Bulgari high jewellery necklace. The platinum piece also featured 18 round brilliant-cut diamonds, 228 step-cut diamonds and pavé diamonds mimicking the fluidity of water. With its intricate design and over 250 diamonds, the statement piece commanded attention on and off the red carpet. BEE GOOD Chaumet’s Bee de Chaumet collection takes flight once again, this time with a dazzling array of new pieces that are creating quite the buzz. The star of the show? A cuff with a honeycomb pattern crafted in pink gold and brilliant-cut pavé diamonds. The piece isn’t restrained by gender norms—it challenges them. CLASSIC TWIST On Hollywood’s biggest night, Margaret Qualley’s Oscars appearance was…

Japanese miniature artist Tatsuya Tanaka’s home in Kagoshima is just like any family’s, filled with ordinary, everyday objects. But while most of us consider these mundane, he sees them as the ingredients for his mitate (“look and compare pictures”, or analogues, in Japanese) art: translucent blue clothing hangers are stacked together to resemble waves; a disposable face mask mimics the lanes of a swimming pool; unfurled rolls of toilet paper are transformed into snowy ski pistes; and a rasher of bacon becomes the magic carpet for mini Aladdin and Jasmine toys. On his visit to Hong Kong before Christmas, Tanaka created 25 miniature scenes for The Big Little Christmas exhibition at Harbour City, stunning viewers with his humorous take on the city’s food and landscape. For instance, xiao long bao…

This home’s architectural exuberance is a fitting representation of the owner’s approach to life. For one thing, his background in entrepreneurship is evident in the design’s openness to experimentation. Even his passions have become integrated into the structure itself: from the indoor rock-climbing wall to the centrepiece staircase, whose sculptural qualities reflect the artistic side of this keen photographer. The client had initially approached OTCQ Architects before choosing a house or site. Fortunately, this did mean that house-hunting could be conducted as a team. They eventually settled on a location in Bukit Damansara, which is known for its upscale homes, vibrant dining scene, and sense of community. The house itself did present some challenges. Given its central staircase and multiple split levels, it would be difficult to transform the original…