Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2016 i Tatler Singapore

MALAYSIA TATLER LEADING THE WAY ON THE COVER IS THE AMBITIOUS NINA ISMAIL Sabri, whose unique kindergartens foster creativity and imagination at a young age. She tells of the inspiration she received from her politician father, and how she shares a love of fashion and work with her husband, designer Jovian Mandagie. Elsewhere, Yong Mei Tsin (pictured) is interviewed; she is the executive director of Getha, a local bedding brand that recently received an accolade at the World Branding Awards in London. TAIWAN TATLER DANCING SHOES Renowned choreographer Lin Lee-chen was recently named Champion of Culture by Taiwan Tatler. Her most renowned works include Hymne aux Fleurs qui Passent. In this issue, she tells the history of Legend Lin Dance Theatre, which she founded in 1995. Also in this issue,…

The Singapore Contemporary Art Show debuts its first edition of Singapore Contemporary from January 21 to 24 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. From the same organisers behind the biannual Asia Contemporary Art Show in Hong Kong, it plugs contemporary works in the range of $10,000 to $100,000 and up—from paintings to digital art—by emerging and established artists. Show director Douwe Cramer hopes to break ground with local art buyers with names and artworks besides those found here. “I frequently hear that the average art buyer in Singapore purchases relatively lower priced works than the Hong Kong buyer. One significant difference is the latter’s booming auction market.” The Singapore Contemporary will feature a curated series of solo artist exhibitions and a showcase of accomplished Chinese artists, with live art…

DR PAIN A gorgeous doctor revealed her ugly side when roped in to walk the runway—her first—at a charity trunk show. She wanted the organisers to engage her personal hair and make-up stylists solely for her, and called incessantly to ask what she would be modelling. When told the wardrobe hadn’t been finalised, she retorted sarcastically: “Oh wow, this show is quite something, right?” SALVE OR SALVO Good intentions ran foul when a woman, concluding that her companions looked run down, fished out a stress relieving balm from her purse and enthusiastically applied it to their acupoints. Her friends awkwardly endured having their earlobes and temples rubbed in the midst of a cocktail party, but fled when she tried to apply the pungent ointment below their nostrils. POPULARITY BID Overheard…

PRINT-CESS PHILLIPS LONDON JANUARY 21 The first of Phillips’ biannual sales of prints and multiples celebrates the great printmakers of the past two centuries. Andy Warhol fans are in luck: The Scream (after Munch) demonstrates the US artist’s bold and bright screen-printing skills and has an estimate of £200,000 to £300,000. phillips.com COLOSSAL COLLECTION SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK JANUARY 27 This is the fourth sale from the vast private collection of US billionaire A Alfred Taubman, who died in April 2015. His collection of Old Master paintings is a veritable treasure trove of art that includes Italian baroque items and classic 18th-century British pictures. There are also rare pieces of Renaissance art by Raphael—snap up the Portrait of Valerio Belli for a cool US$2–3m. sothebys.com MAKING WAVES BONHAMS NEW YORK JANUARY…

It was an evening of over-the-top headgear and unexpected karaoke performances when the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) hosted its Brazilian Extravaganza-themed benefit gala in November. Guests pulled out all the stops to dress to the theme, coming in colourful outfits of which many were completed with homemade fruit hats and carnival headdresses. Best Dressed prizes were given to six guests, who won for their ingenious styles (think: a suit sewn with a fringe of real bananas). Following a welcome act by dancers from Bantus Capoeira Singapore, who shimmied with guests into the ballroom at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, Carla, Deborah and Megan Barker belted out to Brazilian songs on stage. Live band Locomotion then took over and excelled in enticing guests to the dance floor throughout…

CHRISTOPHER KANE A printed accessory will only steal the thunder from a power mini. Opt for fiery footwear like these Paul Andrew heels, available at Shopbop.com DILEK HANIF It’s not a party without the sparkles. The decadent Lara Confetti clutch by Edie Parker, available at NeimanMarcus.com , is in order BASIL SODA Pull your hair back, keep the make-up smoky and let these Tiffany & Co. black opal and diamond earrings work their magic…

A magnificent convoy of supercars, including Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, greeted members of the Scuderia FSG club on a Sunday evening as the four-year-old group celebrated its anniversary. It was an evening of camaraderie and revelry, as the members feted another eventful year of great events. Club president Eugene Goh and founder Yuen Siu Mun presented awards to members who’ve contributed the most to the club.…

To show his appreciation to his VIP clients, Kim Goh, the creative force behind Kim.T Fine Jewellers, hosted a lunch in conjunction with Singapore Tatler at Royal China. Philip Grima from Roberto Coin, the brand carried by Kim.T, flew down from Bangkok for the special occasion, and shared with the ladies in attendance the architectural baubles by the Italian brand.…

Putting aside their case notes and courtroom gowns, the country’s legal eagles gathered for an evening of reminiscing and enjoyment at the Marina Mandarin Singapore last November. Also during the annual dinner and dance of The Law Society of Singapore, hats were tipped to members, including Arfat Selvam and Thrumurgan Ramapiram, for their contributions to the legal profession. In line with the Through the Years theme, a specially created video featuring interviews with prominent lawyers over various decades was screened. The spirit of giving back was not forgotten in between the wining, dining and stand-up comedy. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS), there were fundraising activities for the “Enhanced CLAS”, which was launched in early 2015.…

James Bond was the envy of everyone at Aston Martin’s new showroom at Leng Kee Road, as 007’s swanky new ride was unveiled at the opening party on the eve of the Singapore premiere of the latest Bond film, Spectre. While it made for a great photo op, the Vantage-based DB10 on display was but a sexy metallic shell. There was an actual sportscar that fans could actually drive away—or for now, order—the DB9 GT Bond Edition, limited to 150 units worldwide. The collector’s car comes with accessories including an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m James Bond Limited Edition watch with an Aston Martin strap.…

Art Stage Singapore 2016 happens this month, but president Lorenzo Rudolf and vice-president Maria Elena Rudolf hosted 50 VIP guests and Board of Friends back in August for the fair’s launch dinner, that was also a celebration of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. On the menu that evening at the Swiss Club: authentic Swiss cuisine and convivial conversations about Singapore’s thriving arts scene.…

The world’s oldest cognac house made its tricentenary celebrations in Singapore a sharing of French Art de Vivre. Martell’s VIP guests at Sky on 57 enjoyed cognac tastings as well as two cocktails, 1715 and 2015, created by mixologist Ethan Leslie Leong to mark the house’s 300-year heritage. Dinner entailed an exquisite six-course dinner by chef Justin Quek that melded French and Asian flavours, each paired with a selection of cognacs, and many rousing yam seng rounds, oft led by the exuberant Martell heritage director Jacques Menier, peppered the night. TIME TRAVEL Martell cellar master Benoît Fil autographs a bottle of Martell Premier Voyage, a blend he created from 18 eaux-de-vie, aged in barrels made from a 300-year-old oak tree…

INTO THE BLUE Behind the blue eyes is a bag of tricks… 1. Dust loose powder below your lower lash line before applying eyeshadow, so you can easily brush off excess pigment 2. Pastel shades bring out luminous fair skin; electric hues highlight a gorgeous tan 3. Balance intense eye make-up with flushed, rosy cheeks to avoid looking moody or gaunt…

SEA TO SHORE The debutante of the new Genaissance de La Mer skincare collection is the Serum Essence, which promises visibly reborn skin. Combining Crystal Miracle Broth, a pure concentrate of La Mer’s healing Miracle Broth ingredient, with collagenand-elastin-boosting Pom Pom Red Algae and “retinol of the sea” Sweeping Leaf Brown Algae, this serum energises skin and accelerates its renewal process. TEA PARTY The Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum by Fresh contains black tea ferment, black tea extract, lychee seed extract and blackberry leaf extract—all packed with antioxidants—to firm and repair thin, lacklustre mature skin. Peptides further tackle wrinkles. It sinks into skin for instant hydration and glow. SKIN SOS Revive and re-plump in seven days with Thalgo Source Marine Absolute Radiance Concentrate. Rich in hyaluronic acid, this crystal-clear complex…

As I don’t have the most balanced of diets (one serving of fruit or veggie a week, if at all), I try to make up for it with a handful of supplements for breakfast. What’s another pill or two, if it promises better skin? Surface Tension This round, rather than trusting the naked eye, I sat down for a DermaScan, a high-resolution skin imaging machine that measures the structural elements in the dermal layer below the skin surface. My “Before” scan showed numerous largish pockets of space, signs of skin structural weakening that leads to wrinkles and sagginess. Inner Boost My second DermaScan six months in showed a higher concentration of “dots” indicating the collagen, elastin and moisture-retaining elements in my dermal layer, and the ultrasound measurement showed my skin…

Is Vanilla Planifolia the source of the most powerful ingredient for Chanel? We never, never think like that, that an ingredient is the highest performer across the board. We believe that Vanilla Planifolia is able to deliver efficacy on some very specific targets, and on these targets, it is certainly one of the most interesting and powerful ingredients. Now, if you ask me, would this ingredient have a good effect on another target, I don’t know, we’ll have to test it. But when we started our research 15 years ago on life or growth factors, Vanilla Planifolia was the most powerful ingredient that existed that acted on these kinds of targets. How quickly can we expect results from Sublimage La Crème? Sublimage La Crème is a 360-degree anti-ageing product, meaning…

LIKE FIREWORKS AGAINST the evening sky, the glow of mandarin garnets, tourmalines, carnelians, sapphires and spinels provides a lively palette of gems to wear to joyous gatherings. New additions to Chaumet’s Jardins collection feature bees with open-worked wings fluttering on large garnets and orange tourmalines. Boucheron, Piaget and Anna Hu draw on nature with floral motifs in spinels, tourmalines and garnets, while Van Cleef & Arpels reinvents its lucky four-leaf clover collection with the Magic Alhambra in carnelian and tiger’s eye. A fun timepiece from Graff is the Disco Butterfly. With rings of red, orange and yellow sapphires, the butterflies are set on a diamond disc that rotates with the wearer’s movement. CHARLES ROSARIO THE SCIENCE “Mr Kaplan Lazare was a world famous diamond cutter, who emigrated from Russia to…

In the West, you’d get Chinese takeout from Chinatown in iconic white boxes with a couple of fortune cookies thrown in for tradition and, perhaps, wisdom as well. Locally, Lokkee (pronounced “lucky”), the latest endeavour of the TungLok Group, plays on this culinary concept in its own tongue-in-cheek way. If you miss the Chinese brush paintings hanging on the walls that feature not majestic galloping horses but Star Wars AT-AT Walkers, the wet tissues that resemble condom packaging will have you do a double take. If not, cheeky figurines (several taken from general manager Norman Hartono’s personal collection) dot the 100-seat restaurant. Also, a cartoon theme runs in each of the three private dining rooms, which can accommodate up to 12 diners individually. All these add to a dramatic decor,…

YES KIM CAMACHO Multimedia art is here to stay whether we like it or not. Prestigious universities are offering it as a major, international biennales are full of it, museums are constantly exhibiting it and many important contemporary artists of today are producing it. As art collectors, my husband Lito and I are very open to multimedia art. It provides an exciting and fresh dimension to our collection, keeping it current and dynamic. We find that older people are fascinated by it and younger people totally connect to it! It is the result of the natural evolution of art as it mirrors society. In fact, artists throughout history have always been engaged with the technological developments of their time. Today, we see contemporary artists using multimedia approaches to push the…

GOLD STANDARD Fine dining takes the spotlight at the January 6 launch party of the Singapore Tatler Singapore’s Best Restaurants 2016 guide, where the best local establishments will win accolades including Best New Restaurant. By invite only, at Mandarin Orchard Singapore. ARTISTIC FREEDOM Art Stage Singapore and the US Embassy Singapore will once again present the Joseph Balestier Award for the Freedom of Art, this time with a bigger prize of US$15,000. The award will be presented on January 19 to an artist or curator from the Southeast Asian region. By invite only. FESTIVE BLOOMS Members of Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 will usher in the Year of the Monkey on January 20 at Shisen Hanten in Mandarin Orchard Singapore. They will partake in the customary lo hei, and pick…

Like bees to honey, over 450 jewellery lovers from across the world flocked to Singapore on Cartier’s invitation for the Étourdissant Cartier exhibition in October. A high jewellery exhibition of unprecedented scale for the French maison, it found a befitting venue in two of Singapore’s newest art museums for the showcase, client viewings and gala dinners. At Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris, some 600 pieces of high jewellery, high watchmaking timepieces and objets d’art both new and vintage took pride of place in coloured light-box showcases. Significantly, the long-awaited second half of the Étourdissant Cartier high jewellery collection—over 60 new dazzling designs, following the first instalment that was unveiled in July—made their world debut. Following private viewings in the day, elite clients and special guest Sofia Coppola were feted over two…

The Sincere Haute Horlogerie boutique at The Shopping Gallery Hilton Singapore shone bright on a balmy Tuesday evening as Backes & Strauss, the world’s oldest diamond company, brought on the bling in the form of its bejewelled watches. Guests were mesmerised by the highlights of the evening, which included the Royal Ashoka Empress and the Piccadilly Princess Royal Colours, a resplendent creation featuring 225 white and natural coloured diamonds. CEO of the brand Vartkess Knadjian flew in for the special occasion and met with the Singapore Tatler friends in attendance.…

At the launch of the new Vertu Signature Touch last November, guests were treated to sand artist Stacey Lee’s illustration of the brand’s story, and heard from brand ambassador Dominic Khoo about his experience using the new phone, which boasts gull-wing doors that conceal the nano SIM and microSD card holders and ruby keys. In a private corner at the brand’s Mandarin Gallery boutique, master craftsman James Wall, who hails from Vertu’s HQ in the UK, revealed to guests just how far the brand is willing and able to go with bespoke requests.…

“I’ve got the power!” blasted the hook from the 1990 hit by Snap as models stomped purposefully along an elevated scaffolding runway built around the Palais d’Iéna in Paris, which was transformed for one night into the Miu Miu Club. Miuccia Prada sent PVC layers, ultra-mini minidresses, graphic slashes of black, yellow, blue and red, and sweaty hairstyles reminiscent of an all-nighter charging down the runway in a wild party thrown to launch the resort collection and the house’s first fragrance. The strip lighting, metal grids and PVC sheets that decorated the space recalled late nights thudding into early mornings, while the clothing, inspired by the partygoers of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, was the sort of flirt-inducing, dance-ready rebellious garb your father wouldn’t dream of letting you leave the…

“ I do not enjoy a black-and-white suit—I only wear it in court” “IT’S BEEN SAID THAT WHEN SHOPAHOLICS GO INTO A STORE WITH the mindset not to buy, not only will it backfire, but they will likely go home with multiple bags. Ryan Su, lawyer, art collector and quintessential fashion lover is, however, not a shopaholic. “Most of the time I leave empty-handed. But when it rains, it pours,” admitted the 27-year-old who goes all-in when he finds what he loves, like last year’s Issey Miyake autumn/winter collection. “I don’t spend a lot of time browsing. I spend more time at the counter paying for all my purchases!” Just as he amasses an assortment of artists’ best works (his first art exhibition starting on January 16 will show a…

LIKE A PRO If you consider yourself a beauty addict, you need to give Artis Brush a try. The Elite Smoke 5 Brush Set may look like high-tech prototypes of their dental counterparts, but the hairs on these tools—which do not shed—have microscopically tapered ends for super even and precise application of creams, gels and liquids. See how the heads face the front and not the top? This ingenious feature allows the artist (i.e. you) more control for a professional-looking finish. From artisbrush.com SOFT AS BUTTER Brushes from holiday sets are notoriously lower in quality, but not Tarte Cosmetics’. Not only does the Stroke of Midnight Brush Set & Travel Case come with a sequinned pouch that is roomy enough for make-up, each of the full-sized brushes are sturdy with…

NEAT AND NUDE Nothing says clean and serene like a perfectly manicured nail. Dolce & Gabbana Intense Nail Lacquer in Glow Light is a fresh start for your fingertips and a fuss-free fit with any outfit. GO SOLO Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed comes in a cute creamy formula courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté The Cream Eye Colour Solo in Sensitively Radiant Soft Pink is small enough to subtly pop on eyes anywhere. BARE-NAKED BALM Super luxe and super comforting, the vitamin-packed Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss in Nooner by Urban Decay plumps and conditions for a naturally full pout. BRUSH AWAY THE COBWEBS Looking professionally pure is as easy as powdering up with Giorgio Armani Maestro brushes. Each of the 11 brushes delivers a flawless finish and suits all make-up textures.…

A new extraction technique makes Astalift Pure Collagen Powder, launched just last month, highly pure (and without the bitter taste and smell of collagen supplements). Its low-molecular form means it dissolves easily and its 5,000mg of collagen is better absorbed by the body. Vitamin C and an amino acid extract Ornithine further boost the synthesis of collagen in the skin. From Astalift boutiques in Jem and BHG Bishan. Lyco-White Oral Skin Supplement (from IDS Clinic, tel: 6568 3555) is an oral sunscreen packed with antioxidants. A daily serve of three pills provides 80 tomatoes’ worth of colourless carotenoids and plant extracts that provide UVA and UVB protection and brighten and even out skin tone.…

RICHARD MILLE RM67-01 AUTOMATIC EXTRA FLAT The brand’s iconic tonneau case sheds some weight, and is reinvented in an ultra-thin avatar, with a 3.6mm skeletonised movement within JAEGERLECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE CALENDAR The Reverso is the highlight of the 2016 collection of Jaeger-LeCoultre, which is celebrating its 85th year IWC BIG PILOT’S WATCH ANNUAL CALENDAR EDITION “LE PETIT PRINCE” The annual calendar function makes its debut in the Pilot’s Watch range from IWC Schaffhausen. This special edition includes a rotor engraved with a leitmotif originally designed by The Little Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry A. LANGE & SÖHNE 1815 TOURBILLON HANDWERKSKUNST A watch that combines a stop-seconds device for the tourbillon and a zero-reset mechanism, this limited edition features rare dial and movement decorations ROGER DUBUIS BLOSSOM VELVET PINK This new…

IT WOULD NOT BE A STRETCH TO say that the latest Legacy Machine Perpetual by MB&F would not exist if not for the “&F” part of the equation: “and friends”, Maximilian Büsser’s trusty compatriots in his exploits. We’re chatting a few hours before the global launch of the machine—“The first day of the launch is the most interesting,” he says—and he reveals that the story of this watch goes back nine years. “I launched the company in 2005, and we had a major catastrophe in May 2006. The supplier who was supposed to manufacture the movement and assemble the parts had a financial problem and sold his company overnight. After an already three to four months delay, they then decided not to assemble the movements. “I was with (English watchmaker)…

LAST OCTOBER, CARTIER hosted its first-ever public exhibition of high jewellery pieces in Singapore. Following a series of client viewings and events, the exhibition opened to the general public for just one day. Held at the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris, it showcased archival pieces as well as the newest Étourdissant Cartier collection: the first part of the line had been launched in the summer of 2015 in Cannes, while the second part, boasting some 60-odd pieces, made its worldwide premiere in Singapore. It was a privilege to walk through such a momentous exhibition, as it was truly a visual diary of the Cartier style over the past century. Interestingly, it was sometimes hard to distinguish between the newer and older pieces, but that’s not because Cartier has not evolved with…

FATTORIA LE PUPILLE MAREMMA TOSCANA SAFFREDI 2012 The greatest Saffredi ever. So much structure and length. Full-bodied yet agile. Aromas and flavours of currants, mint and wet earth. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot. This has a special label celebrating the 25th anniversary of the production of this wine. Needs at least five years in bottle but it’s entrancing to drink now. A must-buy for Super Tuscan lovers. 100 points LUCE DELLA VITE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2010 Powerful aromas of blackberry, fresh mushroom, iron, spice and lightly grilled meat. Full body with layers of fruit and earth character. Decadent and intense. A phenomenal wine. Incredibly layered and muscular. Better than the legendary 2006? Built for ageing. Better in 2018. 100 points LIVIO SASSETTI PERTIMALI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO…

There is a new executive Chinese chef on board at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, and he’s invigorating the restaurant’s treats for the Lunar New Year with his award-winning style. Chef Brian Wong Shiuh Yean has taken the gold at numerous culinary competitions including the Taiwan World Culinary Competition 2014 and has had stints at restaurants in Singapore, Malaysia and Italy. The 32-year-old’s take on Cantonese cuisine at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is illustrated through signature dishes such as cordycep flower double-boiled soup and pork ribs with mandarin orange. His focus: Creating memorable dishes that stand out and stimulate different palates, and showcase “the flavour of each ingredient and let it shine through”. Alongside a new menu for the restaurant, chef Wong also introduces his…

I MEET LEO POLONIECKI AT THE Affordable Art Fair, where one of his paintings makes me think of a geometric etching of children my father bought in Japan in 1963. He says this is encouraging to him, because many people have said it looks like a male member. Some time later we talk for three hours about Leo’s life and his work, first at the enormous dining and painting table that dominates his apartment and then in the controlled chaos of his second-bedroom studio. Canvases half a dozen deep line the available walls, waiting for more attention. Paintings on paper take up half the floor. Leo’s plentiful E & A series of paintings—blocks of colour with an emphasis on blues and greens—are a response to a request from E &…

WHEN A GARMENT touted as “the world’s best travel jacket” hit a crowdfunding website in July last year, stylish geeks around the world couldn’t wait to hand over their money. In launching his initial appeal for funds on Kickstarter, BauBax founder Hiral Sanghavi declared he was looking for US$20,000 to help develop his multifunctional jacket: a Swiss Army knife of a garment with multiple pockets for a phone charger, iPad and other gadgets. The design was apparently everything the global technorati were waiting for—Sanghavi reached his goal in just five hours. It didn’t end there, though. He went on to secure US$9m by November, thanks to pledges from 45,000 backers, going down in crowdfunding history as the highest-funded clothing project to date. Earlier in the year, Exploding Kittens (“a card…

“ I’M ALSO A TAXI DRIVER,” PETER TAY quips. The busy interior designer and our cover star this month gallantly spent a day driving the Singapore Tatler team to four luxury homes he designed to scout for our photo shoot venue. His Porsche Cayenne Turbo looks and sounds fierce, and Peter had us gripping the edges of our seats as he put pedal to the metal. As we drive through some of the most expensive neighbourhoods and he points out houses he’s either done or is doing, it becomes clear that his inclination to go the extra mile has paid off. During our photo shoot, he shares his views with our photographer Gan on camera angles that would best capture his reflective design philosophy. When a spot with a tinted…

MONEY CAN GET YOU LOTS of designer brands, but one label is thrown in free: “No Class”. Flooding social media with selfies taken in designer boutiques aside, one lady displayed mind-blowing graciousness when complimented on her dress at an event, by replying that acquaintance with, “Oh, this old thing? I didn’t know what to wear, so I just threw it on. I can give it to you if you want it.” She’s also quite the fabulous fabulist, it seems. Not on the invite list to a high profile soiree, she harangued the organiser, claiming she already had a gown made for the event… only to show up in a plain dress she’s been spotted in before. $10M THE EYE-WATERING PRICE of a “flawless” 10-carat diamond a sly businessman tried to…

ONGOING TREASURES OF THE WORLD FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM From an 800,000-year-old stone axe to primordial Mesopotamia jewellery (above), there are over 230 relics to be discovered at the National Museum of Singapore. Till May 29. nationalmuseum.sg 1 S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF 2016 The search for the best young chef is on in 20 regions around the world, and will culminate in a two-day cooking competition at the grand finale in Milan. Applications close on March 31, at finedininglovers.com 7 ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Led by maestro Zubin Mehta (above), the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra returns for a double celebration—Mehta’s 80th birthday and the philharmonic’s 80th season. At the Esplanade Concert Hall. 7 DRUM TAO HYAKKARYORAN HANABI Fusing music, choreography and martial arts with traditional Japanese Taiko drumming, this production opens the brand-new…

“In the last few years, the industry has slowly warmed up to the idea of donating rather than dumping food” HEN NICHOL NG AND her younger brother Nicholas first tried to register The Food Bank Singapore as a non-profit organisation in 2012, they were met with confusion. Nichol recalls the moment amusedly, “The officer kept saying, ‘No, Singapore does not allow for another bank. No more banking licence available.’ “It took us nearly three months to get the name approved after repeated assurance that we are not interested in bonds and fixed deposits—we only want more food!” Today, there is no doubt about what The Food Bank is doing in its mission to be the centralised coordinating organisation for all food donations in Singapore. From a few tonnes of food…

The auction was silent; the event was anything but. At Tangs’ #ShopForGood event, friends of Singapore Tatler and the department store came together for charity. Host Anita Kapoor introduced the array of one-of-a-kind items up for bidding, such as a chalcedony and diamond ring by local designer Carrie K. and a four-piece Samsonite luggage featuring an artwork by Edmund Chen. While guests feasted on the generous spread by The Providore cafe, a lucky winner went home with one of travel photography enthusiast Prashant Ashoka’s photographs from his photo series of the Vanuatu community. All proceeds for the night went to various organisations, including Singapore Children’s Society and Unicef. GILDED CAGE Jewellery designer Marilyn Tan’s sapphire cuff was one of the most coveted items of the night…

Always on the lookout for new and noteworthy jewellery, Singapore Tatler readers were delighted to discover the international brands showcased at Jocalia by Zenith Affair over lunch on a dazzling Wednesday afternoon. The delightful luncheon saw the ladies try on the baubles, matching their own bejewelled outfits with the diamonds on display.…

In June this year, Michael Tan, Group CEO and co-founder of Fullerton Healthcare Group, will represent Singapore at the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 in Monaco. He was named overall winner of the Singapore edition of the awards in October last year. During the grand gala dinner at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, four other awards were presented to local entrepreneurs for business excellence in their respective fields. Special honours were also given to Golden Agri-Resources and Eu Yan Sang International.…

Feting the premiere of Spectre, the 24th James Bond movie, Omega transformed its boutique in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands into a veritable gentlemen’s den, complete with a director’s set and grooming salon where the men could enjoy a wet shave. Jose De Cardoso, the new president of Swatch Group Singapore and Malaysia, welcomed guests at the two-night party where, naturally, the Seamaster 300 “Spectre” Limited Edition worn by Mr Bond in the film took prime time.…

IN HER BLOOD It was 1999 when Judith Milgrom (the younger sister of Sandro founder Evelyne Chétrite) left Sandro to conceptualise the luxury casual wear brand with her brother Alain and Evelyne as a silent partner. They started out designing for various brands in a tiny room in Paris, before being approached by Printemps department store in 2001 for their first own-brand shop-in-shop. SHE’S THE BOSS A firm believer in feminism and being one’s true self, Milgrom makes clothes for the modern-day woman so she can hop from lunch meeting to dinner and drinks, sans an outfit change. FEMME NEXT DOOR The Maje woman is drawn to relaxed shapes with a masculine appeal. The combination of urban, structured pieces and cosy and warm pieces embody a city spirit. Key pieces…

THERE ARE BAGS, AND THEN there are bags. This is the latter. Delvaux, founded by Charles Delvaux in Brussels in 1829, is notable for its exceptional leather goods and loyal fans in the Belgian royal court in the 19th century. The architectural handbags are distinctive in their geometrical shapes, but they were not always instantly recognisable outside a closed circle of sophisticates. Then the brand signed a new investor and opened points of sale in Paris, London, the US, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. Yes, more celebrities and tastemakers have been spotted toting Delvaux, but artistic director Christina Zeller is loathe to pursue It bag status for the brand. “Style is about individuality and the It bag is the exact opposite,” says the chic, statuesque former model, who…

I felt like I had discovered the best-kept secret in town at the Dior Beauty boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (B2-26). The brilliance of the exclusive L’Or de Vie skincare line—it means “gold of life”—is not limited to its rich creams and serums. Using the top-tier range developed with the 2013 Château d’Yquem vintage in Bordeaux, France, the boutique offers a little-known ultra-pampering treatment for a full face-and-body experience. A Little R&R Should I have my way, every facial will begin with a de-stressing shoulder massage. Using L’Or de Vie La Crème, my therapist Mandy proves she has skills to give the best masseuses a run for their money. Following make-up removal, cleansing and a gentle exfoliation, my skin was prepped with L’Or de Vie La Lotion.…

“TO ME, ‘CELEBRITY’ IS PASSE,” SAYS PETER TAY. This, from a man whose name is scarcely mentioned with the preceding phrase “celebrity interior designer”. He’s one of Singapore’s most famous interior designers and also designer to the stars, having conceptualised the homes of superstars. At the time of our interview, he was putting the finishing touches to Wang Leehom’s apartment in Taipei. Celebrity designer. It was an easy role to slip into. He started his interior design practice after graduating from London’s Architectural Association School of Architecture, and his very first design project—a good class bungalow in Third Avenue—made it to the newspapers. “My first project was a big one, despite my not having actual experience designing a house. When it was done, it got full-page coverage in The Straits…

THE LONG BEACH SEAFOOD Restaurant name is synonymous with black pepper crab and chilli crab, but foodies will also know that other than myriad seafood dishes, its non-seafood offerings are very decent as well. The five outlets have slightly different menus, differentiated by their chefs’ unique recipes or own interpretations of another branch’s dishes. The recently renovated Long Beach King at Kallang Park, at the junction of Mountbatten Road and Stadium Boulevard, is located at the edge of the CBDnear enough to head to for a business lunch, and away from the madding crowds in town. The VIP rooms are well appointed for such lunches, and the main dining area is also spacious and elegant. Two al fresco dining areas can accommodate up to 21 tables as well as outdoor…

CLOUDY BAY ISN’T TAKEN seriously by most people, but it should be. I doubt many of the thousands of ice-cold bottles drunk in cool bars are ever consumed with much reverence or thought. The famous sauvignon blanc of New Zealand has become synonymous with white-wine-cocktail chic for many. I am sure it fuels all sorts of chatter and fun, which in the end is what wine should do for the most part. Yet, I think the white deserves more respect. I went to a small tasting in October in London for the 35th anniversary of Cloudy Bay and I was surprised by how well the wines age. The 1987, made just a few years after the first vintage, was a stylish old white that showed ripeness and richness, with lots…