Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG Gigi Chao explained why her organisation Hong Kong Marriage Equality is fighting so hard for the LGBTQ+ community. TATLER INDONESIA Michael Luhukay, the founder of luxury agency Lyonn & Eden, is also satiating Indonesia’s appetite for padel. He told Tatler how creativity and community are key to everything he does. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN With her husband Vladimir, Dilyara Mazhitova has built an incredible, one-of-a-kind house in Almaty that everyone is talking about. TATLER MALAYSIA Tony Ling, the CEO of IJM Land, one of Malaysia’s leading property developers, explained how he is reimagining community and leadership. TATLER PHILIPPINES For Pride month, Tatler spoke to some of the resident queens at O Bar, one of Manila’s most popular drag venues. SHANGLIU TATLER Yifei Ye, Ferrari’s first Chinese driver, shared his…

TOMMI CHU Tommi Chu is a Kuala Lumpur-based photographer who joined Blink Studio in 2012. Known for his clean and expressive style, he specialises in fashion, portraiture, and editorial work. His photography captures polished, personality-driven visuals that resonate across Malaysia’s fashion and creative industries. Most recently, he photographed the cover of this month’s Tatler Malaysia. (p.46) PAUL PHUNG Paul Phung is known for his enigmatic black and white photographs. The Parisand London-based artist primarily captures people—often in motion, and often in physical contact with others—creating images that are alive with textures, melancholic moods, shapes and silhouettes. He shot Tatler’s fashion shoot this month in Paris. (p.66) 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…

Stacking jewellery was a defining statement of the 2000s. Celebrities and style icons were layering delicate rings, mixing metals and curating stacks of bracelets to create an effortless-yet-intentional look. Against this backdrop, a young Malaysian entrepreneur saw an opportunity to craft something meaningful within this movement. Seremban-born Jenn Low saw jewellery as more enduring, a medium of self-expression, connection and empowerment. Low launched Wanderlust + Co in 2010. The company prioritises thoughtfully designed and easy to wear pendants and charms at an accessible price, not to chase the fleeting fads, but to offer accessible designs that would be worn, layered and treasured by women. Since then, the label has expanded far beyond its roots in Malaysia. Wanderlust + Co operates within the demi-fine category, offering quality pieces at more affordable…

When you think of functional clothing, the first thing to come to mind might be performance-optimised sportswear. For people with physical, mental or intellectual disabilities, however, “functionality” can have a far higher bar: clothing designed for a specific need allows them to move through life more easily. Enter the world of adaptive fashion. Unlike garments created to speak to the latest consumer trends or to reflect a creative director’s vision, adaptive fashion puts the unique medical needs of its wearer at the centre of the design process. Even if two people share the same diagnosis, their experiences are not identical, so garments in this category tend to be hyper-personalised. A 2023 United Nations Development Programme report suggests that there are more than a billion people with disabilities in the world,…

GEM TO WATCH Chaumet’s Joséphine Aigrette iteration cleverly repositions this jewellery watch from daytime accessory to evening statement piece. The deep sapphire-blue dial isn’t merely decorative—it’s strategic positioning that leverages Chaumet’s two-century relationship with Empress Joséphine, whose favourite pear-cut diamonds inspired this case shape. We love the openworked steel bracelet, where each V-shaped link subtly references the aigrette—feathered plumes that crowned imperial tiaras. This technical flourish transforms utilitarian steel into haute joaillerie vocabulary, while the buckle-free design speaks to comfort. MARBLE CITY Bvlgari’s decision to celebrate the golden anniversary of its Bvlgari Bvlgari collection with Verde Alpi marble dials represents more than mere novelty. This 150-piece limited edition transforms the familiar into something cool, with each 0.6mm marble wafer requiring precision to avoid fractures during machining. The Verde Alpi stone,…

0.895 seconds, 9.748 seconds, 1.423 seconds ... These are merely fractions in the continuum of time, yet in Formula 1, they represent the razor’s edge between triumph and defeat. In such an extreme sport, where drivers dedicate their lives to the pursuit of speed only to risk everything each time they take to the track, where engineers devote countless hours to perfecting what are essentially land‑bound spacecraft; precision and timing transcend importance—they become a matter of existence. It is precisely this realm of microsecond margins and uncompromising excellence where two titans of innovation find their natural confluence. When Richard Mille and Ferrari announced their partnership in 2021, the watchmaking and motorsport worlds recognised it as not just another brand collaboration, but as a meeting of equals. Now, with the unveiling…

Your designs are a dialogue between eastern heritage and western minimalism. What inspires them? First and foremost, they’re about modernity … We are often inspired by our cultural heritage, but that heritage, especially in Chinese art and architecture, is quite heavy: [physically,] there’s a lot of ornamentation, and [metaphorically,] everything has a meaning. We really wanted to distil all these cultural meanings into pieces that are modern and that you can wear every day, but that can also be a part of you and your journey in life. How do you translate intangible things like memory, identity and aspirations into the tangible language of gold and diamonds? That’s not just down to me; there are big teams behind making these pieces, and I really need to pay homage to them.…

London in December is cold, but not cold enough to explain the presence of icebergs in the Thames. Yet people walking past the city’s Tate Modern on December 11, 2018 would have seen 24 of these frozen masses on the river banks; a 20-minute walk away, across the river and north, at the headquarters of media company Bloomberg, a further six massive blocks of ice could be found. “The icebergs were so isolated from their context that people were confused. When they put their hands on it, they exclaimed, ‘Oh my God, this is ice’,” says Olafur Eliasson, the artist behind this installation, Ice Watch. The millennia-old icebergs were extracted from a Greenland fjord and transported to London (and in 2014 to Copenhagen and 2015 to Paris) as a visual…

It was a wind-whipped evening in London—the kind that makes the Tate Modern’s monolithic concrete mass feel even more severe. But inside, the atmosphere softened. Light was low, the air was tinged with haze and spotlights cut clean paths through the dark as guests walked through. This wasn’t a traditional exhibition, nor anything the Tate Modern typically plays host to; this was ‘Creation is an Eternal Journey’, hosted by Dom Pérignon as part of its 2025 Révélations, this year’s edition of the annual celebration that shined a light on the creative process behind the brand. The occasion also marked the unveiling of Dom Pérignon 2008 Plénitude 2; but it was never just about the wine. Instead, the maison used the occasion to express something broader: a redefinition of its core…

34 The average age of this year’s honourees 65% VS 33% VS 2% The percentage of male, female and non-binary honourees this year 70% 70 per cent of this year’s honourees are the owners of their companies 33 Our biggest category this year is Technology, with 33 honourees from across the region 159 MILLION The social following of the honourees this year collectively 9 The list covers nine locations: Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam US$3 BILLION The total amount of disclosed funding that this year’s honourees’ companies have attracted since their founding 95% The majority of this year’s honourees—95 per cent of them—seek to expand their networks through the Gen.T community 18 The key criterion for the list is achievement in the last…

Scan to see the other Leaders of Tomorrow from across Asia on this year’s list EDUCATION Empowering populations through new learning tools For bridging the digital divide by equipping underserved youth with tech skills Eer Kai Song CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, RAKAN TUTOR Eer Kai Song is reshaping access to tech education across Southeast Asia. As co-founder of Rakan Tutor, she leads a team delivering hybrid AI upskilling programmes to underserved youth, combining in-person workshops with a gamified digital platform. Kai Song’s data-driven approach has helped train hundreds of students in Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos, preparing them for the jobs of the future and inspiring new pathways to social mobility. ENTERTAINMENT Wielding the power of popular culture For shaping Malaysia’s entertainment and hospitality landscape Kesavan Purusotman OWNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR,…

For many, the phrase “smart home” brings to mind blinds that swish shut at a whisper or lights that dim with a tap. But for Sean-Li Murmann, director of game technology at Mon.Co, smart living isn’t about showy tricks. It’s about intuition, reliability—and, yes, a bit of joy. “First and foremost,” he shares, “smart living to me is a hobby, one that I enjoy spending my free time on when I have it.” That hobby began humbly with a clearance-sale switch and a motion sensor in his parents’ kitchen at 3 Damansara. “My parents really loved that one,” he recalls. One light flicking on with movement, and a spark was lit. A decade later, Murmann’s home now hums with silent coordination, an elegant patchwork of sensors, automation, and purpose-built scripts…

SHORE THING It’s not like we need an excuse to buy summer holiday gear, but the standout swimsuits, kaftans and accessories being offered up this season surely give us one. Versace remains a timeless staple, while a Tom Ford swimsuit with gold accents adds a touch of glam. And if you’re after this season’s super-fun must-have, Louis Vuitton x Murakami’s denim fan will take you from seaside frolicking to sunset cocktails. LIGHT STEPS Geox’s spring-summer 2025 collection channels effortless Italian ease with a modern, technical edge. For men, sleek sneakers like Spherica Plus and XTORS balance breathable knits, slip-on designs and cushioned soles with urban polish, while vintage-inspired SNAKE models bring a touch of retro charm. The women’s collection leans into colour and texture—knitted mesh sneakers in coral and sky…

A century-old maison famed for its romantic spirit and technical mastery, Van Cleef & Arpels has long enchanted collectors and fashionistas alike. In September last year, the house welcomed a new CEO, Catherine Rénier, who brought with her both an insider’s reverence for tradition and a clear-eyed vision for the future. Rénier first joined Van Cleef & Arpels in 2003, and worked in a variety of roles until 2018, when she was appointed as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre. A season into her return to the jewellery maison, she shares with Tatler her thoughts on legacy and innovation, and the emotional resonance of jewellery and timepieces that are designed to outlast generations. Van Cleef & Arpels has evolved significantly in recent years. What has changed since you first joined and what has…

Icons only, please. This season, the emblematic Louis Vuitton monogram takes on fluid new forms, with six new creations in the Idylle Blossom jewellery collection. Pink and white gold play side-by-side with bevel-set and pavé-set diamonds, and the Monogram flower meets the Louis Vuitton initials in pieces that can be stacked, layered and draped to create ever-new combinations. If it doesn’t sparkle and make a statement, what’s the point?…

It’s as if Amanda Nguyen’s path to becoming the first Vietnamese female astronaut was fated even before she was born. The Washington-based bioastronautics researcher tells Tatler that it was a dark chapter of family history that planted in her the fascination with voyages beyond the sky: “My mum and her family are boat refugees. My uncle and cousin learnt how to sail and read the constellations to prepare for their boat refugee journey that my mother and aunt were on. My parents navigated and found freedom by learning about celestial navigation … the stars have always been their saviour.” Nguyen has her own connection to space: in April, she was one of a historic six-person, all-female crew, which also included pop star Katy Perry and journalist Gayle King, on the…

Kweilin Ellingrud, senior partner and director of the McKinsey Global Institute, had spotted a pattern. Women were outpacing men at historic rates in academic performance and graduation rates worldwide, but they were slowing down and stagnating in the corporate workplace. Of every 100 people who start at the base of the corporate ladder, 46 are women; at the next stage, fewer than 40 of those original 100 employees make it to senior management, and then only 30 make up board seats in the top 100 public companies. Women were falling away at every stage of their corporate journey. Ellingrud set out on a journey to determine why this was happening, where the biggest fallouts were occurring, and what could be done on both individual and collective levels to correct the…

Artist: Binti Funemployed is a witty yet thoughtful series by emerging Malaysian artist Binti that delves into her personal tensions with traditional career norms and societal expectations. In this series, Binti playfully adopts various professional roles, presenting herself as “employee of the month” in a range of imagined occupations over different months. Through these staged personas, Binti examines how artistic practice parallels conventional employment, complete with administrative tasks, financial obligations and career aspirations. The work reflects the reality that artists, despite being labelled “funemployed,” face the same mundane responsibilities as traditional workers—rent, bills, emails and a desire for professional recognition. By reimagining herself within these alternative careers, she critiques standard definitions of success while reaffirming the validity of her chosen artistic path.…

Malaysia has never been short of talent, and Malaysians have never been short on drive. This year, we were struck once again by the breadth of ambition and achievement demonstrated by our Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow honourees: 20 founders, creatives and changemakers across education, entertainment, fashion, finance, F&B, manufacturing, media, public service, real estate, social entrepreneurship, sports and technology. Because the truth is innovation is in the air in Malaysia, whether we actively notice it or not—in the technology that makes new things possible, the services that improve our daily lives, the unseen products in the unseen supply chains that keep things moving smoother, faster and better all the time. In the tenth year of Gen.T, we’re proud to spotlight 20 people who are working to create real, tangible…

SPECIMEN GARDEN UNTIL JULY 26 Specimen Garden marks the debut solo exhibition of Malaysian artist and architectural designer Pamela Tan, on view until July 26, 2025 at Pieces by Core, Subang Jaya. The show presents Tan’s distinctive sculptural language shaped by her background in architecture and deep sensitivity to space and material. Inspired by her underwater experiences while snorkelling, Tan transforms the sensory immersion of coral reefs into sculpture, her laser-cut metal forms, softened by sand and illuminated beads, blur the lines between nature and fabrication. Through these emotionally resonant works, she invites viewers to feel rather than observe, redefining how contemporary sculpture can shape spatial and sensory connections. Location: Core Design Gallery, Subang Jaya A SALUTE TO CINEMA UNTIL JULY 18 & 19 A Salute to Cinema is…

Sometimes, the most precious things around us are those we often take for granted—daily meals, fresh air, or access to clean water. And depending on where you live in Malaysia, the latter can still vary significantly even today. In the ever-growing conversation on sustainability, Dr Nur Hashimah Alias saw a solution that most of us would overlook, transforming a waste by-product into a powerful resource for communities in need. The L’Oréal For Women in Science Malaysia 2024 awardee has pioneered a revolutionary water filtration system made from SCOBY—the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that forms during kombucha fermentation. What would have been discarded as waste is now an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to traditional filtration membranes, a breakthrough that not only addresses waste management but also the global clean water…

Have you ever noticed that your in-flight tastes a little different? You’re not wrong—dining in the air comes with its own set of changes to your tastebuds, meaning more thought and development has to go into the food served on board than your run-of-the-mill catered meal. NOT JUST SALTY FOOD “People have a misconception plane food is extra salty and ask if we use a lot of salt,” says Goh. While this is not completely untrue—the dry air reduces one’s sensitivity and therefore results in ingredients tasting more bland—it is not just salt that is added to make food taste better. “It is also about choosing the right ingredients that perform well in the sky, like tomatoes and cheese, which are more umami in flavour,” the CEO adds. EAT THE…

COMING UP ROSES Blush work has never been so easy. The new Rosy Glow Stick from Dior Beauty gives you a custom blush shade in one swipe, with pH-adjusting pigments, long-wear formula, and a cherry oil-infused dewy finish. Blend the creamy formula out with your fingers for a sheer wash of colour, or build up the pigment with a brush. SUNRISE TO SUNSET It was the spritz heard ’round the world—Malaysia’s entire cosmetic-buying community collectively restocking their favourite setting spray. Charlotte Tilbury is finally available in select Sephora outlets in Malaysia, just in time to lock down your summer look with the industry-favourite, matte-but-dewy Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. SHIMMER AND SHINE Hermès Beauty welcomes the season with a covetable lineup of six new nail enamel shades inspired by beautiful colours…

Tudor’s latest limited offering cleverly capitalises on cycling’s heritage while delivering genuine technical merit. The 43mm carbon composite case strikes the balance between robustness and wearability, eschewing the typical bulk of sports chronographs. Pink accents feel restrained rather than gimmicky, honouring the Maglia Rosa—the jersey worn by the leader in Italy’s Giro d’Italia bicycle race—without limiting appeal. The cycling-specific tachymeter spirals around the rehaut to accommodate realistic cycling speeds. Fun fact: while the “MT” in the MT5813 movement stands for Manufacture Tudor, it is born from a partnership between Breitling and Tudor, which was first announced in 2017. With 300 pieces, this targeted tribute succeeds where many sports collaborations fail—by prioritising function over mere marketing. Square watches that make the world go round…

Few figures have shaped modern watchmaking as profoundly as Abraham-Louis Breguet. He invented the Breguet balance spring, featuring an upturned outer coil to enhance timekeeping precision. The Breguet hands and numerals remain a timeless symbol of elegance. But perhaps his most enduring contribution is the tourbillon, the gravity-defying complication that continues to serve as a benchmark of watchmaking excellence. For its 250th anniversary, Breguet is doing what it does best: crafting exceptional timepieces that honour its storied heritage. And it’s doing so without fanfare, without flashy campaigns. The restraint is intentionally designed to appeal to discerning collectors who appreciate the art of understatement. The maison has been launching a new release every month since April, beginning with not a revisit to the tourbillon as one might have expected but a…

LIGHTS CAMERA CARTIER This bespoke Cartier rosary captures the intersection of cinematic storytelling and haute joaillerie craftsmanship. Director Wes Anderson tapped Cartier to transform a cross from its archives dating back to 1880 for his latest film, The Phoenician Scheme. The piece embodies Cartier’s Tutti Frutti DNA with its signature ruby-emerald contrast and geometric motifs, as well as rose-cut diamonds, while also perfectly reflecting Anderson’s instantly recognisable aesthetic. RAW POWER Brown diamonds’ 1980s resurgence in popularity marked one of jewellery’s most remarkable comeback stories. For decades, these warm-toned gems were relegated to industrial uses, considered inappropriate for fine jewellery, as the market demanded pristine white stones. But we love them in the new De Beers Forces of Nature collection. The Buffalo crown ring in particular, with the 2.01 carat fancy…

“Each year, 40 billion pieces of fashion jewellery and 20 billion embellished garments are produced and worn only five times on average before being discarded,” says Aradhita Parasrampuria, the Gujarat-born designer-turned-entrepreneur who witnessed firsthand the negative impacts of the textile industry. “Most affected by the global production of beaded garments are the workers involved, including 200,000 children in India, who suffer from asthma, loss of eyesight, and even cancer due to the toxic materials and dyes used,” she shares, adding that the hundreds of billions of beads introduced into the environment by this waste often cannot be recycled because of their small size and composition, persisting as microplastics, affecting both ecosystems and workers. “A complete reimagining of the materiality and processes of embellishments is required,” she says. Parasrampuria’s journey from…

Anyone reading this article is probably also thinking about AI and how it’s already changing the way that we work. With all this transformation, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. It feels like there’s some new model coming out every week. Blink and you’ll miss the announcement of a feature that used to only be something imagined in science fiction. This is an opportunity for us to both draw on our humanity as a way of driving innovation and to find ways we can use these innovations to be more human. Three startup founders weigh in: Arvin Tang is founder and CEO of Akin, a digital agency focused on client growth while also being impact-driven; Dorothy Yiu is co-founder and CEO of EngageRocket, which uses technology for employee engagement and to…

Each year, the Tatler Gen.T team gets asked the same question: how can I or someone I know get on the Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow list? If you’re wondering what it takes to be part of this game-changing community of Asian leaders, here’s your inside guide, including the updates on what’s new this year. Since 2016, Gen.T has celebrated the most promising individuals shaping Asia’s future. From entrepreneurs and innovators to artists and athletes, we’ve spotlighted rising talents who are driving innovation, transforming their industries and creating meaningful impact in ways big and small. In 2025, the Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow is changing to reflect the times. We’ve refined our selection criteria and doubled down on impact as a contributing factor to what makes a notable leader today. What…

In 2016, we began highlighting Asia’s most promising young leaders. While I wasn’t part of the founding team of the Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow, I attended the very first photo shoot for the list in Singapore that year. I recall feeling excited about the refreshing new initiative. Now, in 2025, as we unveil the 10th edition of the list, the landscape has evolved in ways we couldn’t have predicted—but in others, exactly as expected. This year, we’ve expanded our footprint, with Vietnam joining the roster for the first time, while Indonesia returns after a year’s hiatus. The numbers tell a compelling story: over one-fifth of our honourees this year are building or working within the AI ecosystem, from education to governance and robotics. It’s clear that AI has moved…