Innholdsfortegnelse for Oct 2016 i Tatler Singapore

PHILIPPINE TATLER TRENDS TO WATCH THE STYLISH ENTREPRENEUR MARY ANNE Aboitiz Arculli features on the cover of the Fashion Issue, which takes a close look at her trendy and vibrant home city, Cebu. The new guards of Asian fashion are featured along with a list of the top stylistas in the country. This issue also sees the launch of Philippine Tatler’s inaugural Generation T, an annual list of young movers, shakers and disrupters. SHANGLIU TATLER A MAN’S WORLD The face of the Men’s Issue is Jean Marc Pontroue, CEO of Geneva watchmaking brand Roger Dubuis, who gives his thoughts on fashion and tells of leading his trailblazing company into the future. This issue also explores the world of information technology, with five IT entrepreneurs—Mario Ho (above), Wendy Yu, Zihan Lin,…

WITH A NAME LIKE The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, the art you would expect to find in this “gallery” is actually out of its floor-to-ceiling windows, which frame a magnificent view of Tokyo’s Akasaka district that’s steeped in nature and history, amid ultra-modern skyscrapers. Starwood’s first Luxury Collection Hotel in the Japanese capital is designed by Rockwell Group Madrid and bears a striking contemporary aesthetic in its 250 guestrooms, including 11 opulent suites. luxurycollection.com/princegallerytokyokioicho NUMBERS GAME 4 restaurants and bars, including the Oasis Garden for all-day dining in the sky, and Japanese restaurant Washouku Souten 36 the topmost level where guests are first whisked to upon arrival for check-in 1930 The year the adjacent Akasaka Prince Classic House was first completed. Once the former residence of Korean…

Surprises and treats for the five senses greeted 200 delighted guests at The Clifford Pier in The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore as DBS Treasures Private Client transformed the entire venue into a multisensory realm for its valued clients, treating them to not just visual delights but also aural splendours and taste discoveries. Addressing guests from a circular, open stage in the middle of the restaurant, host Yasminne Cheng started the proceedings by alluding to the evening’s entertainment, dining pleasures and sensory features ahead. DBS’ managing director and group head of Consumer Banking and Wealth Management, Tan Su Shan, then took to the stage to deliver her “report card” on the achievements of the bank over the past five years. She narrated how, while DBS Treasures was born five years ago…

“We tend to shy away from the trophy items, look beyond the razzle-dazzle and pick good wines with a fair value” WE MET EMIL TEO FOR this interview right around the time when the whole of Singapore was buzzing about the island’s newly anointed Michelin-starred restaurants. The timing was perfect, or so we thought. Surely the executive director of wine importer and distributor Taste of Tradition would have plenty to say about the little red dot’s ongoing obsession with food. After all, his company supplies many restaurants here with their tipple and he’s a well-known foodie. As it turns out, he couldn’t be less interested in Michelin stars, and also professes a healthy scepticism of wine ratings and sommelier recommendations—basically anything that’s somewhat susceptible to hype. It quickly becomes clear…

It was billed as the party of the year, but probably will go down as the party of the decade. From the glittering guest list—which included some of Singapore’s best-known names in fashion and entertainment such as Carrie Teo, Pat Kraal, Ethel Fong, Bobby Chng and Koh Chieng Mun—to the Boomz dress code, excitement about the party built up months before. So when Dick Lee finally appeared at his party, it was mayhem all around. Emcee Rizal Ahyar started the proceedings with a tribute to “the man who has supported Dick all his life” and Dick’s father Lee Kip Lee appeared from backstage dressed as a mafia king, supported by a hilarious cast of nurses and female soldiers. Dick was moved to tears of joy and laughter by the tributes…

Ho Ching Lin’s custom lace dress, made to match the artwork on her invitation card and her birthday cake, was a hit. And so was the birthday girl. Forty of her closest friends shared pre-dinner cocktails by the pool of il Cielo on the rooftop of Hilton Singapore overlooking the Singapore skyline. Guests were treated to a sumptuous dinner of veal ravioli, sea bass with celery root puree, and roasted lamb loin and rack, before the meal concluded with a lemon tart composition accompanied by citrus sorbet. Ching Lin cut the cake with Edipresse Media Singapore managing director Corinne Ng, Ginny Wiluan, Tjin Lee and Tiara Shaw, whose birthdays all fell within a week of hers. The songbirds present at the party took over the night’s entertainment with an impromptu…

A cornucopia of wonderful gemstones set the tone for the high tea session hosted by Mouawad and Singapore Tatler in July, as a coterie of special guests were invited to an intimate get-together at Palais Renaissance. The space was transformed into an enchanted garden with beautiful blooms that set the scene for the baubles. After a welcome note by Edipresse Media Singapore managing director Corinne Ng, Jean Nasr, managing director of Mouawad, took to the stage to expound on the house’s bespoke services and the rarity and exclusivity of its coloured gemstones. FLORAL FANTASY Exotic earrings with spellbinding rubellites and diamonds are the most magnificent blooms in the garden…

The list of technical achievements under Abraham-Louis Breguet’s name is astounding, but the watchmaker was also responsible for creating the first-ever wristwatch, for a woman, no less. The woman in question was Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples and sister of Napoléon Bonaparte. The siblings were known for their love of Breguet watches but she was, by far, the biggest collector in her family. From 1808 to 1814, the queen acquired more than 30 watches and clocks, including numerous grand complications. In 1810, she made history when she passed the order for a watch with a bracelet to be worn on the wrist. Two years later, Breguet delivered the ultra-thin repeating watch with a thermometer, oblong in shape, and mounted on a wristlet of hair entwined with gold. To horologists’ greatest…

REAPPLICATION. NO ONE LOOKS forward to it, but if you’re not about to survive the day without so much as a hint of make-up (we aren’t), touching up your work of art—and by that we mean your painted pout—is inevitable. Liquid lipsticks are the closest thing to the antidote. No, they aren’t lip glosses. They are what they say they are: a lipstick in liquid form. What they don’t tell us is that the new formulas are weightless, the texture is velvet soft and the finished look is intense. Chanel makes a reliably stubborn matte; bleed it will not. Clé de Peau Beauté always gets it right, so it’s no surprise that its version is the most moisturising of them all.…

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BACKGROUND Juan-Carlos Torres was born in 1956 in the Spanish city of Barcelona to a Cuban mother and Catalonian father who built custom cabinets for a living. From an early age, Torres’ father imbued him with an appreciation for beautiful, one-of-a-kind objects. In 1960, the Torres family moved to Geneva and and at the age of 19, Torres entered the world of horology, becoming an accountant at Camy Watch. JOURNEY WITH VACHERON CONSTANTIN Torres began his career at Vacheron Constantin in 1981 as an accountant. As he proved himself, he was handed more managerial responsibilities and became a driving force behind a number of the company’s key business moves. Torres was named COO of Vacheron Constantin in 2000. In 2005, on the maison’s 250th anniversary and after 25 years serving…

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ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO, WHEN Chopard co-president Caroline Scheufele was invited to redesign the trophy for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Orawarded each year to the best film in the official selection—little did she realise that it would be a beautiful beginning to a long and fruitful relationship. The first redesigned trophy was presented in 1998, and the Genevan jeweller and the world’s most glamorous film festival have been inseparable ever since. In fact, one can hardly imagine a festival red carpet without an A-list star draped in Chopard’s magnificent baubles. In 2007, to mark the 60th anniversary of the festival, Chopard introduced the appropriately titled Red Carpet Collection, featuring dazzling confections dreamt up by Scheufele herself, and realised by Chopard’s skilled goldsmiths and gem-setters in Geneva. The number of…

André Chiang Chef-owner of Singapore’s top-ranking restaurant that stands at third spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 list and also earned two Michelin stars in the same year, André Chiang is noted for his innovative French nouvelle cuisine since he opened Restaurant André in 2010. He immortalised his Octaphilosophy culinary approach in a cookbook published in 2016, and embarked on a seven-month world tour of 21 cities to promote it. TAHA BOUQDIB Taha Bouqdib is the president, CEO and co-founder of TWG Tea, which has more than 50 luxury tea salons and boutiques around the world. With over 20 years of experience in the luxury tea industry, he drives the creative direction of TWG Tea’s salon and retail concepts, interior design and packaging. Bouqdib was conferred the Order…

Sandra Chang A director of Raffles Yacht, Sandra Chang was involved in the launch of the Asian arm of The International Seakeepers Society in 2016. The grandmother of one is a keen supporter and donor of the Bone Marrow Donor Programme, the Reverie Rheumatology Research Fund, the National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. She is married to yachting businessman Julian Chang. SHABNAM ARASHAN Shabnam Arashan is a director of family-owned business Selat Offshore and the assistant director of the Legal Aid Bureau. She was inducted into the Singapore Tatler Fashion Hall of Fame in 2015 and received the Singapore Tatler Award for Style that same year. The mother of one shuttles between Singapore and Dubai, where her lawyer husband Rajendran Kumaresan is based. DIMPLE ASWANI Dimple Aswani is…

THE 10 FUNDAMENTAL values of Geneva watch manufacturer Patek Philippe—independence, tradition, innovation, quality and craftsmanship, rarity, value, aesthetics, service, emotion and legacy—have remained unchanged for over 175 years. This is the reason why the brand remains top of mind for those who are looking to invest in a quality timepiece that they can pass on for generations to come. Today, the company continues to be managed by the Stern family, as it has been since 1932. Thierry Stern, who was appointed president in 2009, remains a stalwart guardian of Patek Philippe, ensuring that it is always on the cutting-edge of watchmaking technology with continual improvement and long-term quality and reliability of its timepieces. That same year, the watch manufacturer launched its proprietary quality label for mechanical watches, the Patek Philippe…

THE ART OF SMALL TALK... NOT! These conversation starters may sound fancy, but are really just floozy. We’re shaken, not stirred! “This [insert name of Parisian couturier] gown looks amazing on you. Wee Han Han can also do something like that!” (merrily chirped to a wearer of haute couture) “WOULD YOU LIKE A MINT?” (uttered within seconds of an air-kiss) “SORRY I’M LATE! MY NEW BENTLEY DRIVER DROPPED ME OFF AT THE WRONG PLACE!” (revealing assets in small talk takes a whole new level of skill) “Have you tried this new workout to tighten your biceps?” (yes, queues at the dessert buffet can get nasty too) “Are you lactating?” (said with eyes locked on victim’s bosom) “Sorry I’m late. I had trouble finding the helipad to land” (go on, blame…

THE GRAND ENTRANCE Resist the urge to arrive too early. Eager isn’t a good look If you’re very late, make your entrance as discreetly as possible 30min can pass as fashionably late, but anything beyond that hints at indifference Try not to block the entrance to take a selfie Avoid haggling for a seat change Give your name to the staff at the reception desk before asking for a parking coupon THE GREAT ESCAPE Don’t leave (even for the bathroom, if you can) when a speech is being made The serving of dessert signals the start of the end Exit quietly, and if you can’t speak to the host, tell someone who can Ladies, don’t be Cinderella. Look down to see that you have both shoes on before leaving Even…

It’s three days to the ball and I haven’t received my invitation yet. Could it be that I’m not calling the host often enough? Tell me, is anyone picking up your call at all? The audacity! I’ve been seated next to the door/ speakers. Should I even attend the event again next year? Good golly! What makes you think you’ll be invited next year? My trusted couturier says dress codes are overrated. I would make a much better entrance in shorts, don’t you think? It’s a ball, honey—not a bar. If the dress code gives you a headache, you can always stay at home. The appetiser is too cold. The soup is too hot! The main course is too large. And the desserts—they’re way too sweet! Is there anything I…

AN EVENT TOOK PLACE across China last month whose impact on the global wine market I suspect will continue for quite a few years. Organised by the e-commerce platform Alibaba, the inaugural Wine Day was designed to excite Chinese consumers about Italian wines and wine culture. It took place on September 9—after the deadline for writing this column, so I cannot confirm the projected participation of 100 million people. Wine Day was announced in April at the massive trade show Vinitaly in Verona by Alibaba founder Jack Ma. He said he hoped it would repeat the online sales success of the company’s Singles Day, an unofficial holiday targeting unmarried Chinese consumers held on November 11 last year. Singles Day brought in more than US$14m in online sales in just one…

“Twice a week, I organise after-work runs with my colleagues. We run a distance of about 6km, starting at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, before going around the river, then to the Marina Barrage, and back. Running regularly makes me feel good” I started baking at age five, when my sister Patricia and I helped our mum bake cookies. I’ve since started selling my homemade pineapple tarts and am learning to make ice cream. My favourite so far is a matcha as well as a bourbon- and Baileys-infused one” “I’ll be attending the Singapore JewelFest 2016 with my mum, who has been chosen as one of the event’s style ambassadors. I also really enjoyed the recent Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art and Science of Gems exhibition at the ArtScience Museum”…

ICONS OF MODERN ART: THE SHCHUKIN COLLECTION LOUIS VUITTON FOUNDATION, PARIS OCTOBER 22 TO FEBRUARY 20 More than 130 masterpieces from one of the most radical assemblages of modern art, Russia’s Shchukin Collection, are presented at the Louis Vuitton Foundation along with a special cultural programme drawing attention to the artistic dialogue between France and Russia during the 20th century and beyond. fondationlouisvuitton.fr FRIEZE LONDON REGENT’S PARK, LONDON OCTOBER 6-9 Through its new section, The Nineties, curated by Geneva-based Nicolas Trembley, London’s largest contemporary art fair revisits several groundbreaking exhibitions of the 1990s that had a lasting impact on the world of contemporary art. frieze.com FELIX GONZALEZ-TORRES ROCKBUND ART MUSEUM, SHANGHAI UNTIL DECEMBER 25 The late Cuban-born American artist’s first solo show in China emphasises how his work, which deals…

It was a scene right off the Pirates of the Caribbean at the Kidz Horizon Appeal Buccaneer’s Ball in August. The Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore was thronged with more than 500 guests, many of whom were dressed in their interpretations of the pirate’s attire, not forgetting the bandanas, eyes patches, cutlasses, and even parrot friends (fake, of course). Matching to the theme, the five-course dinner featured a Caribbean seafood salad, barbecued baby ribs and seafood paella. The energy in the room rose further during the live auction where some notable pieces such as a Salvador Dalí-signed lithograph and a piece unique Kari Voutilainen timepiece went for nearly double their starting bid prices. In her speech, chairperson of the charitable organisation, Caroline Low-Heah, called the gala a “catalyst…

For the past 92 years, Damiani has been enchanting magpies with beautifully crafted jewellery that’s innovative yet wearable. It presented its storied history to a clutch of well-heeled VIPs over cocktails and dinner at The Arts House, where they journeyed through the Italian jeweller’s defining moments throughout its history, in particular its award-winning jewellery. Gracing the event was superstar Michelle Yeoh, who wore resplendent pieces from the Masterpiece Couture collection. RAZZLE DAZZLE The best way to spruce up an LBD? With lots of bling, of course, says Damiani…

A trend quietly flapped its way onto the season’s catwalks that merits some discussion. And that’s straps. Straps on everything. Before you get excited, I’m not referring to those nasty ’90s combat trousers with endless lengths of material flying off them. I’m talking about artfully placed ties and ribbons. At Ellery, straps dangled off coats and knee-length skirts, while Marni showed more feminine ribbon and bow versions. Sacai, ever outre, tied them all over, from the neck, waist and even around the thighs. Nailing this trend is a fine balancing act between adding unorthodox drama and looking like you’re off to judo or wearing a straitjacket. My advice? It’s worth investing—unless, of course, you’re strapped for cash (arf). Don’t shoot the messenger. Carry it! DARE TO WEAR Behold the silver…

“I don’t do classic. I go for limited edition” THE LOBBY AT KINGSLAND DATA Center is vast. Pristine. Almost clinical, with the exception of the gold couches. Almost still, with the exception of heels clacking on tiles. I find its executive director Shann Sok in her office togged in an Ong Shunmugam kimono top, harem trousers and heels more glamorous than what some would wear to a soiree. She may not have a hair out of place, but out of place she almost looks. It is not every day that you meet someone who uses the words “stilettos” and “statistics” in the same sentence, but that’s Shann. Running her family business means navigating the world of corporate and cocktail without pause, but she transitions between the two the way she…

ANY SEASONED Singapore Tatler Ball invitee knows, preparations for the social event of the year requires an agenda on its own. Looking good goes beyond picking the perfect dress; looking perfect entails more than the best hair service and make-up that money can buy. What does your exercise plan look like? What facial and body treatments should you consider to stand out from the crowd? Don’t just take our word for it. Chiang Yu Lan, professional ballroom dancing competitor and Tatler Ball fixture, knows a thing or two about getting ready for a close-up. We let her tips speak for themselves. GO FIGURE Yu Lan is no stranger to keeping her body fit, but she kicks her routine up a notch for the Tatler Ball. “I have a personal trainer…

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How long did it take for you to conceptualise the video? We have been talking about working together with Fred for a year so I’ve been educated about the brand for the past year. I was captivated when I first saw the 8°0. I saw the collection about two months ago, and the idea came instantly to me. France is considered the fashion capital, but as an artist, I wanted to extract the essence of the French culture and go beyond the commercial side of things. That’s my forte as an artist. How did you first approach the collaboration? I looked at the brand and its story and sought to find a common element between the Western and Eastern (Chinese) culture. One can expect a journey to be filled with…

THE ELEMENT OF LIGHT AND luminosity has always a source of inspiration for the maison of Boucheron, a legacy passed on from its founder Frédéric Boucheron. It even influenced his selection of the maison’s location on Place Vendôme: number 26 was a strategic spot where the sun always hit the cobblestones, regardless the time. This radiant quality is injected in its jewellery as well, evident in its signature collection, the Quatre, which was launched more than a decade ago. Made up of four gold bands of varying polishes, textures and colours, the Quatre jewel is crafted by the skilled Boucheron artisans to reflect light and project utmost luminosity. Over the years, this brilliant interplay of textures and colours has undergone various treatments, and the Quatre has been presented in a…

SHE LIFTS HER GAZE slowly, hypnotising those who to dare look into her irresistible eyes. Her Venetian fan fluttering alluringly against the nape of her neck, she becomes a muse, the subject of desire to the beholder. A gracious flick of the wrist, a flirtatious flutter from the fan, the gesture says more than words could convey. The folding fan was the accessory of choice for the fashionable ladies of yore. Italian noblewoman Catherine de Medici was credited with introducing the folding fan to the French court when she married King Henry II and became queen consort. Madame de Sévigné gave her daughter an éventaille brisé (a fan with no mounts, but made up of sticks) that depicted a decadent promenade painted by acclaimed artist Vernis Martin, while Marie Antoinette…

Jennie Chua Jennie Chua is a well-known icon of the hospitality industry, having helmed prestigious brands such as The Ascott Group, Raffles and Swissotel, and breaking through the glass ceiling by being the Raffles Hotel’s first Singaporean and female general manager in 1990. She also became the first woman in 2009 to chair the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce in its 172-year history. Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to the United Mexican States served for many years as the chairman of the Community Chest and is now its adviser. BERTIL ANDERSSON President of the Nanyang Technological University, Bertil Andersson has strengthened its profile as one of the fastest-growing, most research-intensive universities in the world, ranking first for the third year among the world’s young universities under 50 years in the 5th QS…

“I made sure to come to your party first! I have to rush off to the two other important events now” “MY UBER IS HERE” “My children have woken up and are already calling me to ask for breakfast” “I must leave now. My dog is all alone at home with no one to feed him” “I only just realised that I made a mistake with my RSVP! This is not the event I had wanted to attend” “DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE OTHER PARTY DOWN THE ROAD? I’M TAKING MY TABLEMATES THERE NOW!”…

HERE WASN’T MUCH TIME TO TAKE a breather during this issue’s cover shoot with Cartier. The concept was Old Hollywood Glamour, and as early as 8.30am, inside the sprawling photo studio in the east, the Singapore Tatler crew were already hard at work. As the photo crew set up film lights as props, which shared the spotlight with the five society faces gracing our cover, the style entourage, led by contributing fashion director Desmond Lim, transformed the ladies into ’50s film goddesses that would make Grace Kelly proud. If we had to put the shoot in numbers, it would be this: 25 dazzling Cartier jewellery pieces worth over $1m, 10 magic hands in hair and make-up, nine enchanting hours, eight brawny security guards to secure the studio’s entrances, five stunning…

oct   From multifaceted baubles and multitalented rock stars, to fluid movements in dance and sports, there’s something for everyone this month 7 SINGAPORE JEWELFEST 2016 Bone up on your knowledge of gems and jewellery with the experts at Swiss academy Gübelin, and then put to practice what you have learnt and pick your favourites from the jewellery designers on show, including Paolo Costagli (pictured). Till October 16, at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. singaporejewelfest.com RENT Pangdemonium takes on the critically acclaimed rock musical about a group of 20-somethings facing an uncertain future amid an HIV/Aids epidemic in 1990s New York, featuring a cast of rising stars including Tabitha Nauser. Till October 23, at Drama Centre Theatre. pangdemonium.com 13 DA:NS FESTIVAL 2016 Soak in the works of dance masters: the…

DJ Akito’s first set started the night on the right note, but his second, during which he spun the latest from Major Lazer and Alesso, drew early guests in. A stone’s throw away, ladies gathered at the Damiani bar by the display of dazzling jewellery, where they sipped on mimosas topped with cotton candy. Wefies were involved. The gentlemen found their way to the Berluti bar, making merry toasts with whiskey cocktails and challenging each other to a friendly game of foosball. This was not the Singapore Tatler rendezvous that people have come to know. This was Generation T—and we were celebrating the young and passionate individuals who made our inaugural list of 50 industry movers, shakers and disrupters. At the official photo wall, revolving strobe lights shone, prompting groups…

DENNES Y PRIVE Mix it up with textures by pairing suede heels, like this Dries van Noten pair, with a sequinned dress MANDARIN LADIES Bravehearts, take a page out of Yu Lan’s stylebook and complete the look with an art deco clutch. This one’s by Balenciaga MAISON GENEVIEVE She’s no stranger to statement rings. We’re certain Peggy approves of this bejewelled ring from the Chopard Red Carpet Collection…

King of jewellers and jeweller to kings, Cartier held a week-long exhibition in August, where it showcased spellbinding diamond jewellery crafted throughout its history. Over a cocktail session, esteemed guests discovered the bejewelled space, starting with the Bestiary area, where a tropical jungle made of sculpted paper, created by paper artist Jeff Nishinaka, set the scene for the nature-inspired jewels. They were among the first in the world to set sight on the Cartier Magicien, the maison’s newest high jewellery collection, and got a sneak peek of its latest collection, the Coup d’eclat.…

If there was a lesson guests of Singapore Tatler learned at Ermenegildo Zegna, it is that printed scarves are on their way in and matching suits are on their way out. Stylist Iskandar Muhammad flexed the brand’s made-to-measure muscles to an intimate group of 30, demonstrating new ways to wear the modern suit—by breaking it down and mixing materials—in its private room at Ion Orchard. “It’s not too loud but it still makes a statement,” he said. Hundreds of different fabrics are available, with the blue Egyptian cotton silk shirts and bordeaux trousers being the picks du jour. Some men tried on smart tuxedos, others, the brand’s casual daywear, while their female companions offered their two cents over champagne and canapes. LIKE A GLOVE Guavapass co-founder Rhyce Lein models a…

Polish fashion brands that have arrived on the world stage are few and far between. Silesian export Magda Butrym, however, is making a mark. After moving from her hometown of Zabrze to Warsaw to study fashion design, she worked as a stylist for a television station, dressing celebrities, before co-creating minimalist label Portofino and then La Mania. She launched her own line in 2014. Magda’s unique selling point is the way she mixes contemporary cutting-edge design with traditional Polish craftsmanship—hand-woven textiles, hand-plaited leathers, hand-knitted fabrics, embroidered ornaments, and even garments made of small metal pieces assembled manually. The clothes are made by artisans in different regions of the country, including Podhale, Silesia, Nowy Targ and Warsaw. The 31-year-old designer has just five seasons under her belt but is already stocked…

Certain 1990s beauty trends should forever remain in the ’90s—think hair mascara and lavender eyeshadow—but tawny and brown lip tones are well worth revisiting. Remember how sultry Sarah Michelle Gellar made coffee-coloured lips look in Cruel Intentions? Or the way Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston rocked tawny and taupe? Trust us, there’s something about a good copper or biscuit brown that simultaneously screams girl power and sex appeal. It’s best to keep the rest of your make-up subdued. Feeling shy? Add gloss for a softer look. GIVE IT A SHOT The trendy hue can add a couple of years to the face, so pat on the Cosme Decorte iP.Shot before make-up. The serum acts fast—it blurs lines and lifts the skin around the eyes and lips upon application. SWEET TALKER…

HAUTE COUTURE: two words that stir the imagination of so many women and girls. They avidly follow the collections as the runway shows appear on television and the internet; they swoon over photographs in fashion magazines. While they’d probably never wear anything like it themselves, it doesn’t stop them from thinking that maybe, one day… Just like the fairy tales of their childhood where the heroine ends up marrying the prince charming. Then life goes back to normal. That is, until the next collection. While the names of designers are well known, the extraordinary work that goes into the creation of a dress or a suit is often overlooked. It was Charles Frederick Worth who in 1858 opened the very first couture house at 7 rue de la Paix in…

Prelude White marble columns divided the hallway and a curious-looking mannequin with a Bernini-inspired head sculpture was perched atop a marble block, and decked out in a graphic yellow and black dress in mink and fox fur. Labyrinth Labelled fur tablets such as Volcano, Mercury and Fox Wind showcased the multitude of innovative techniques used in combining different pelts onto a single motif or shaven to achieve jaw-dropping sculptural shapes that mimicked clouds and rolling hills. Obsession A mirrored room filled with almost 300 Fendi Bag Bugs dangled on strings from ceiling-to-floor. This was clearly everyone’s favourite room—mobile phones were on beast mode and the press wanted to head back to the store to buy more fun fur bugs for keeps. Craftsmanship This is where the magic began. Artisans cut…

While the advent of technology has greatly benefited watchmaking, there is something emotional about the fact that the watch on your wrist has undergone several steps that require a human touch, and that a watchmaker has put their heart and soul into the creation of your time ticker. At A Lange & Söhne, the value of handcraftsmanship is regarded even more reverentially than that of machine. Aficionados will attest that when they are presented with a Lange watch, their first instinct is to turn it over to see the beautifully made movement that ticks with ingenious accuracy and is adorned with traditional finishing techniques. Craftsmen at Lange are trained in a host of polishing finishes that follow the German watchmaker’s tradition for the past 171 years; for instance, crafts such…

Bernard Cheong Founder and CEO of Lifeline Medical Group, Bernard Cheong is known internationally as a watch collector and horologist passionate about promoting a greater appreciation of the fine art of watchmaking. A medical doctor by training, he was the first non-watchmaking industry ambassador of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva when appointed in 2011. He is married to Dolly Cheong and they have two daughters. PATRICK CHONG Founder and chairman of fragrance and cosmetics distributor Luxasia, Patrick Chong has grown the business into a regional beauty empire with distributorship and joint venture deals with global brands such as Calvin Klein and French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Today, more than three decades later, it has more than 100 beauty and fragrance brands in 11 markets across the Asia-Pacific region,…

LIFE OF THE PARTY IROSHINI CHUA Travel, family and kitchen exploits are this doctor’s true loves, and her in-depth knowledge of all three makes her a sparkling dinner companion. Did we mention her husband takes great pictures? CELINA LIN Count on this straight-talking girlfriend to make an effort on the dress code. The party really starts when she arrives. And in case you didn’t book a photographer, she’s your backup, right there. DICK LEE Throws the best parties. Knows the best people. Gives the best quotes. Tells the best jokes. Enough said. DANA CHEONG She may be pint-sized, but her big heart, big hair and big personality mean she could drink and dance you under the table—plus carry on for as long as you’re willing to! STYLE SET GEORGIA LEE…

GRIST #1 When meeting someone new at a soiree, try to keep your enthusiasm in check. After knocking back more champagne than he could handle, one chap couldn’t control his dancing feet and burst into a Gangnam-style dance routine in front of a lady whom he just met. The only impression he made was on the thick carpet. GRIST #2 Swapping place cards is such a pathetic move. One lady, unable to chinwag with her friends from her table at the back of the ballroom, took it upon herself to score a better seat. And when her victim sounded it out to the host? Uncomfortable silence as a staring match ensued. GRIST #3 Charity galas are often barometers of wealth—both of the spirited and financial kind. When lacking in both—and…

INVITATIONS • Don’t add someone and then ask in person why he or she hasn’t accepted your friend request • Facebook invitations are only acceptable only if you are inviting a stadium full of strangers from all over the world. Inviting someone through a text message is also deemed insincere for formal events SOCIAL INTERACTIONS • Lifting your head, but not your eyes to look at the person talking to you doesn’t cut it • Stop scrolling through your social media feed. Create some distance between your hand and your smartphone • Stay off dating apps, even if it’s to check who around you is using it as well CAPTIONS & HASHTAGS • Captions should be relevant to the picture you have taken • Try to be relevant and funny…

ADRIANNA VINEYARD MALBEC MENDOZA FORTUNA TERRAE 2012 Incredible malbec purity and clarity. So much wild flower and stone. Full body, firm and silky tannins, and incredible depth and precision. La Tâche of Argentina. A definition for malbec. 3,000 bottles made. Try in 2018 and onwards. 100 points SUSANA BALBO WINES VALLE DE UCO NOSOTROS SINGLE VINEYARD 2011 A late-released wine with gorgeous blackberry, blueberry and floral undertones. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a focused and beautiful finish. It shows so much precision and intensity, yet always refined. A blend of the best wines that year. An iconic wine for Argentina. 98 points VIÑEDO CHADWICK CABERNET SAUVIGNON VALLE DE MAIPO 2014 Defines elegance and power at the same time. Complex aromas of blueberry, blackcurrant and liquorice. Full body, yet refined. Chile’s…

PARIS IS THE CITY WHERE I live and work. Most of my friends are here. I know it very well and whenever I leave for work or a holiday, I have this urge to return. It is in Paris that I discovered what fashion means, and how Parisians interpret, use and are inspired by fashion. It’s the perfect city for people like myself who love museums and galleries—Paris itself is a museum. On a typical day I would wake up and have breakfast, read the news and my e-mails, make a few phone calls and then find time to spend with friends, going to galleries and exhibitions or checking out museums I love. One of the best things about having art collector friends such as William Zhao is that they…