Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i Tatler Philippines

TATLER PHILIPPINES Alice Eduardo, the president and CEO of Sta Elena Construction and Development Corporation (SECDC), has led her company to become a significant player in the country’s infrastructural development sector. She revealed to Tatler (some of ) the secrets to her success. TATLER MALAYSIA Tatler caught up with Rizman Nordin and Ruzaini Jamil, the brains behind Malaysian label Rizman Ruzaini, who created a show-stopping look for Naomi Campbell at Dubai Fashion Week. TATLER HONG KONG Catherine Ku is bringing Schiaparelli’s audacious, whimsical approach to fashion across Asia. She shared why she’s a big fan of people who make daring sartorial choices. TATLER TAIWAN Chef Kai Ho, whose Taipei establishment Taïrroir became one of the two restaurants awarded three stars in the Michelin Guide Taiwan 2023, is one of Tatler’s…

BJ PASCUAL With countless fashion editorials and commercial content, the prolific photographer BJ Pascual remains on top of the game. He photographs this month’s cover star, the multi-awarded actor and singer Piolo Pascual, amidst a spectacular set inspired by Francis Bacon’s iconic artworks created in collaboration with set designer Princess Barretto (p.62). JULIA QUANTE Based between her hometown of Berlin and Paris, former fashion journalist Julia Quante stumbled into styling by accident 13 years ago, after a test shoot she worked on was chosen for publication in Vogue Italia. Since then, she has styled for high fashion, jewellery, luxury cars and cosmetics brands, with her work appearing in both major titles and independent magazines. She styled this month’s photo shoot for Tatler. (p.100) ZED LEETS Zed Leets is a Hong…

Media shape perspectives and Karen Davila, an award-winning broadcast journalist who’s spent three decades in the industry, knows this better than most. Having had a platform on nearly every conceivable type of broadcast medium—from radio to TV, and even video-sharing social media network, YouTube—Davila understands the responsibility that comes with being a thought leader. And it’s not one she takes lightly. “We live in a world with many voices, distraction and noise,” Davila points out. “More than ever, it’s critical to speak out on issues that are important in the world today–be it on women, children, politics, governance and the environment. As a thought leader on many issues, it is imperative to speak out and contextualise issues that may be unpopular but need to be heard. I have always believed…

Many artist families in the Philippines have shown the impact art can make when it lives and thrives dynamically through generations. Many visual artists in this contemporary age have followed in the footsteps of their parents or grandparents. But for the Garibay family, art flourishes beyond the four corners of their home through a unique artist-residency programme called Linangan Art Residency. Emmanuel “Manny” Garibay tells Tatler that it was not part of his plan to become an artist when he was young, especially an award-winning one. Instead, he just wanted to draw from his mind and experiences. For artistic inspiration, Manny looked up to his older brother, Norman, the first in the family to show an aptitude for visual art. He imitated Norman’s style and technique in accurate doodling. Eventually,…

THE ORIGINALS Oscar-winning Malaysian megastar Michelle Yeoh joins two fellow actors, France’s Isabelle Huppert and Thai star Krit “PP” Amnuaydechkorn, as a brand ambassador for Balenciaga. The appointment for the Demna-led maison was less of a surprise after seeing the Everything Everywhere All At Once star sitting front row at the house’s couture shows and sporting its luminous gowns at a series of events. We can expect more exciting collaborations, following the film legend’s role in the spring 2024 campaign, sporting a timeless dress paired with the Crush bag. “For me, fashion is a form of art. It’s not just about a dress, but about self-expression, how you feel in the dress, and the values you embody wearing it,” says Yeoh. “It is a way to communicate my work and…

The grounding experience of touching the earth, the satisfaction of harvesting ripe, succulent tomatoes and citruses, and the lively hum of bees in the atmosphere–these are the images that Maison Margiela’s new perfume, From the Garden, intends to conjure—and it does so, beautifully. Created by the legendary perfumers Olivier Cresp and his son, Sebastien, From the Garden is an uplifting, gender-neutral fragrance that brings delightful sunny days spent in the garden to mind. “The fizziness of green Mandarins…We wanted to illustrate that burst of freshness. We picked the tomatoes from their vines and then worked with tomato leaf accords and blackcurrant. It is very distinctive. The green Mandarin also gives a crisp and fresh side [to it],” says Sebastien. The beautiful combination of tomato leaf accord and green Mandarin notes…

Evoking the glamour of old Hollywood, Tiffany & Co’s Jean Schlumberger collection pays homage to the famed jewellery designer’s most iconic pieces for the brand; one standout jewel from the new high jewellery showcase is the Bird on a Rock necklace, a contemporary take on Schlumberger’s original design that debuted in the Sixties. Worn by Tiffany brand ambassador and supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the necklace features a brilliant, oval-cut morganite at the centre, perched on a platinum base. The bird motifs have beaks made of gold, while their bodies are accentuated with white diamonds. Start your year on a deep-to-apple-green note CELESTIAL BEAUTY Matrix Supernova, a standout collection in Swarovski’s Celebrate Wonder campaign, is crafted from clear crystals, so each piece captures and refracts light, showcasing Swarovski’s light-manipulation techniques. The collection…

CELEBRATIONS The champagne fountain at the 40th wedding anniversary of Eugenio and Pacita Lopez, which scandalised Manila society in 1968 for its extravagance, is now nothing compared to the lavishness of today’s weddings. One hundred long-stemmed flowers from around the world, an international band flew in to provide entertainment, fireworks costing PhP2.5 million and PhP10 million bridal gowns. The list is getting staggeringly longer and glaringly excessive, as though the race were on to break another Guinness world record. “When it comes to weddings, I believe that even the most frugal couples will spend more than they plan to,” attests Gideon Hermosa, top floral and events designer. “A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event in a person’s life, a testament of true love and devotion.” With digital and social media, he…

For the stern sommelier, South African wines are among new-world wines—unafraid to push winemaking traditions to modernisation, jumpstarting into creative ways to improve produce quality. But in the case of the Western Cape province, with its top-quality terroir teeming with well-maintained old vines and dry-farmed bush vines, the wines hailed from the town of Stellenbosch strike a balance between old-world austerity and new-world exuberance. Known as the “Golden Mile” of wine estates in the region, Stellenbosch is home to one of the most revered estates, Lievland Vineyards. It is under the care and guidance of José Stark-Conde and Tyrell Myburgh. Together, they have formed MAN Family Wines with the vision of catapulting Lievland back to its illustrious standing and onto broader prominence. “The first time we visited the farm, we…

SPELLBOUND Our latest Artist in Focus series features Filipina painter based in Mexico, Fatima Ronquillo, who champions classical western techniques in her sought-after artworks. LOOKING FORWARD Renowned personalities and more have much to look forward to in 2024 and beyond. Tatler speaks with them to learn more about their experiences in the past year and their recent pivotal milestones. IN THE ELEMENT The Ayala Triangle Gardens shone last month with the annual Festival of Lights, which was elevated by the visionary artist Leeroy New’s immersive art installations. Follow us on social media @tatlerphilippines…

Stars aligned on November 24 for The Tatler Ball at the Londoner Macao, the most ambitious event in Tatler history, and the first region-wide rendition of the social event of the season. Bringing together Asia’s Most Influential individuals, as well as international stars, the black-tie soirée was an unforgettable evening of celebration and accolades. The guests included some of the region’s biggest luminaries and influencers, as well as David Beckham, the international football legend, Inter Miami president and co-owner, and longstanding global ambassador of Sands China, which operates The Londoner Macao. Beckham also presented awards on the night to three impact-makers who are leaving their marks on their respective fields and inspiring future generations: Thai actor Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree, Japanese model and songwriter Kōki, and Hong Kong scientist Professor Dennis…

The new year always holds a lot of promise. For many of us, resolutions will come naturally—and hopefully, this year, health and wellness will become even more of a priority. Jeeca Uy, a content creator and cookbook author, has been a proud champion of clean eating for close to a decade now. With nearly a million social media followers aiming to shadow her in her footsteps, Uy is more than ready to share her thoughts on eating healthy and transitioning into veganism. Yet, her primary emphasis has always been this: find a lifestyle that works for you—whether veganism or not—and those New Year’s resolutions are bound to stick around. I first heard about veganism in early 2015 and stumbled upon the documentary Earthlings.I’ve always loved animals and considered myself a…

Sacai’s Chitose Abe visited Hong Kong for the first time in five years last October. The designer is based in Tokyo and has been presenting in Paris since the brand’s inception; her brand is everywhere. But Hong Kong holds a special place in Abe’s heart, as the first market outside Japan to have a standalone Sacai boutique. “I just arrived yesterday. During the pandemic, we heard the market is a bit slow and quiet, so we were expecting that kind of atmosphere,” she says. “But I’ve been walking around and feeling the energy is very, very strong here. I was remembering the moment when I first came to Hong Kong; it’s a really energetic city.” Visiting the store, which relocated from its original location at On Lan Street to Landmark’s…

Navigating success in this fast-paced world too often comes at the expense of personal well-being. That said, savvy entrepreneurs like Nikki Tang underscore why this doesn’t have to be the case. The founder and CEO of DMark Beauty has mastered the delicate balancing act of keeping a healthy mind, body and home, all while steering her thriving beauty empire to greater heights. “There was a defining moment early in my career when the pressure was relentless, and I found my health taking a back seat,” she recounts. This, plus her two sons, served as a much-needed wake-up call, shifting her priorities as an established businesswoman and devoted mum. “It taught me that wellness is the true wealth that fuels our ambitions. Since then, I’ve seen self-care as non-negotiable—it’s the foundation…

In 2017, Buccellati was bought by the Chinese firm Gansu Gangtai. What happened there? The Gangtai group bought only a part of the company. In the first year, they helped open up a lot of stores in China. But it was difficult to deal with them: the distance was a problem because they [would] never come to Italy; we would fly to Shanghai every month. It was a short period, only two years in the company’s 100-year [history]. But thanks to them, we [gained a lot of] experience and they helped us. How has your role changed since Richemont has taken over? The Richemont group trusted the [Buccellati] family a lot. So [there were] big changes in investment and they gave us the opportunity to open a new [educational] academy…

BRAND STORY The yearning for new travels and experiences is at an all-time high. With fuelling passion, many have dreamt and wondered about an adventure of undiscovered spots. This wanderlust has been the inspiration behind Cartier’s Le Voyage Recommencé. Their artisans and designers embarked on an expedition into the heart of the Maison’s style, exploring new territories with each article of high jewellery. Their passion for the world and its diverse cultures is evident in this fascinating collection. The Dohara necklace pays homage to traditional Mughal jewellery, with a reversible structure adorned with diamonds, white gold and rock crystals on one side and an explosion of lacquer elements in Cartier’s emblematic colours on the other. Six professions from the high jewellery workshops collaborated for over a year to bring this…

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I prefer to think of a good phrase or word that could guide me through the year. Choosing doesn’t come easy since there’s so much to choose from, but the words “gratitude, persistence, letting go” kept bouncing back. Finally, I settled on this word: fearless. In light of what the world is going through, with its economic uncertainties coupled with the social, cultural and political upheavals, trepidation and fear are natural feelings. Sometimes, staying home and curling up in bed is much better. But life isn’t meant to be lived that way. So, I have etched in my heart that 2024 will be a year of not being afraid of what the future will hold. There is undoubtedly a Godly…

Friends, food and engaging conversation—what more could one ask for? October ushered in a grand celebration: the commemoration of another year in the life of design specialist and philanthropist Kaye Tinga. For her birthday, she took centre stage alongside her friend, furniture designer Yiouri Augousti, in a joint celebration that perfectly encapsulated the modern elegance for which both creatives are widely acclaimed. “Over lunch a few months ago, we learnt our birthdays are a day apart and jokingly said we should celebrate together, but the idea clicked and gained traction, so we went for it,” says Tinga. The evening welcomed a hundred guests. Adding their charm to the celebration was Yiouri’s wife, Ria, spotted alongside the other personalities such as Tessa Prieto, Ivarluski Aseron, Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo. As for…

FEBRUARY | THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM SPELLING BEE This Broadway musical is about an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents competing in a spelling championship. Missy Maramara will be directing this for The Sandbox Collective, with Dingdong Rosales as assistant director and Rony Fortich as musical director. MARCH | BETRAYAL Through Repertory Philippines’ new initiative, the Bridge Project, New York-based Victor Lirio will be helming Betrayal, together with London-based Filipino actors James Bradwell, James Cooney and Vanessa White. Lirio will reimagine this play by Harold Pinter about an extramarital affair within a Filipino-British immigrant context. MARCH-MAY | MISS SAIGON The latest iteration of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed musical Miss Saigon, featuring the collaboration of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, is coming to Manila this summer. It will run until May 5. APRIL…

COASTAL ATHLEISURE After the buzz of mermaidcore last summer, designers are continuing to take inspiration from aquatic life. Scuba fabrics and coastal prints are all over the runways of Gucci and Louis Vuitton. If a full-on printed look is too much for your personal brand, experiment with interesting accessories to amp up the sportiness. COLOUR RENDERING Ever since a model in ombré pink and yellow turned all the heads at the Chanel Cruise 2024 show and Matthieu Blazy put out the perfectly paired lookbook for pre-spring at Bottega, it’s clear that colours are better mixed this season. Designers are experimenting with interesting colour combinations on all textures, from harmonious tone-on-tone blends to embracing the striking contrast between warm hues and cool shades. LIFT PASS As fresh powder blankets the mountains,…

As the sun sets over Lake Maggiore, casting its golden hues upon Isola Bella’s architectural marvels, the fashion world gathered to witness a voyage from aquatic realms to botanical wonders—a narrative of metamorphosis and exquisite style. Louis Vuitton unveiled its Cruise 2024 collection in a stunning fashion show set against the breathtaking Isola Bella, an island nestled in the embrace of Lake Maggiore, Italy. With its timeless charm and mysterious gardens, the palace on the water played host to a transformative tale. Nicolas Ghesquière, the artistic director of women’s collections at Louis Vuitton, is the brains behind the designs. Ghesquière chose Italy, a country rich in tradition and culture, as the stage for this groundbreaking showcase. “There’s a genuine affinity with Italy, which is as important as France to fashion:…

The HM11 Architect seamlessly blurs the boundaries between architecture and watchmaking. Inspired by the postwar architecture of the 1960s, creator Maximilian Büsser envisaged a watch that was not just worn but lived in, mirroring the organic, humanistic designs of the era. A central flying tourbillon, reminiscent of a zygote undergoing cell division, forms the heart of the watch, with four symmetrical volumes extending outwards, creating the timepiece’s four “rooms”. The watch case rotates on its foundations, with each 45° rotation delivering 72 minutes of power, culminating in a maximum autonomy of 96 hours after 10 complete rotations. Setting vintage vibes with a touch of modern sophistication FREAK OUT Ulysse Nardin’s Freak One OPS is a bold reinterpretation of the classic Freak One, and was unveiled at Dubai Watch Week this…

A harmonious dance of nature unfolds in the ocean’s depths, giving birth to pearls, emblems of timeless elegance and understated beauty. This natural marvel resonates with the life and style of Amanda Griffin Jacob. Based in Singapore with her husband David and their children, Jacob exemplifies the grace and sustainability inherent in these oceanic treasures, reminiscent of the refined creations of Jewelmer. The existence of this International Justice Mission ambassador, Glam-O-Mamas founder and fervent advocate for green living is interwoven with the commitment to environmental responsibility and balance, reflecting the essence of a pearl’s profound allure. Jacob shares the challenges of balancing motherhood and a professional career. “It’s essential for me to make time for self-care,” she emphasises, underlining the significance of finding equilibrium in her bustling life. Her dedication…

DOCUMENTARY Beyond the spellbinding beauty of Palawan, deemed the “last ecological frontier”, behind its lush forests, powdery white-sand beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, and thriving biodiversity is a struggle unbeknownst to many. It is not only a danger towards the lives of Bobby Chan, Tata Balladares, Nieves Rosento and the rest of the environmental crusaders who go toe-to-toe with illegal loggers, unscrupulous fishermen, greedy corporations and corrupt politicians but a fight to save our country from ecological degradation and enduring human rights abuses. Delikado, an investigative documentary produced by Thoughtful Robot and Narravi Films, is a co-production of ITVS and POV/American Documentary and distributed by PBS. In 2023, it was nominated for the 44th News & Documentary Emmy Awards. Although it lost the Outstanding Investigative Documentary award to HBO Max’s Escape from…

It’s a funny thing to reminisce about an era you never lived in. And yet, many travellers (Tatlerincluded) find themselves romanticising the bygone glamour of travel in Europe. Perhaps it’s a desire to return to the simple things—the timeless joys that the region does so well. After all, in that corner of the world, pleasure is not a privilege, but an essential part of life: conversations over wine under the shade of citrus trees, days spent—never wasted—doing nothing but soaking up the sun, or carving through azure waters on a vintage speedboat on the French Riviera. Often at the heart of these experiences is a fabulous hotel; and Europe is home to many. We explore some that have been recently reimagined without losing the classic touches that have made them…

What are you currently watching? Of course, I had to do a marathon of Replacing Chef Chico. But I’m also very into the Squid Game. This is the first time I’ve seen such content. I watched about six episodes in one sitting. When you talk about innovation, when you talk about evolution, that’s what it should be. It was an eyeopener for me. Who would you like to perform with on stage if you could choose? Coldplay. Chris Martin and I are the same age, and I see myself so much in him, in all the songs that he has done. Hopefully, one day [we get to perform on stage together]. What is your favourite place in the Philippines? El Nido. What is your favourite travel destination? Europe. This year,…