Innholdsfortegnelse for Nov 2016 i Tatler Singapore

TAIWAN TATLER IN THE NAME OF ART COVER STAR CHARWEI TSAI (ABOVE), FROM ONE of Taiwan’s most respected families, tells how participation in shows at the Pompidou Centre, the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art and the Biennale of Sydney has transformed her career as an artist. The issue also gets the background on Taipei being named World Design Capital 2016, interviewing architect and academic Shu-chang Kung and JUT Foundation for Arts and Architecture CEO Aaron Lee, among others. THAILAND TATLER ONE TO WATCH On the cover is Vicha Poolvaraluck, CEO of Major Cineplex Group, Thailand’s largest chain of movie theatres. He talks about looking beyond Thai borders to produce films for the Asian market. The 25th anniversary issue also profiles four of the country’s top male visual artists—Jakkai Siributr, Soichiro…

WE LIVE IN A WORLD FULL OF DISTRACTIONS AND AS technology becomes more and more pervasive in our lives, whether at work or play—our faces are constantly buried in a screen no matter the time or place—and this can affect our ability to be fully present in a moment. The question of being present or “being where you are when you’re there” is addressed in Here from Here, the latest work by French artist Agathe de Bailliencourt, currently on show at Aloft at Hermès. Taking inspiration from a Japanese Zen garden, the installation comprises individually hand-painted gravel forming an abstract landscape of blue gradations. Melding de Bailliencourt’s two artistic approaches of working indoors and outdoors, the site-specific work also challenges the image of the horizon by collapsing time and space,…

A journey in the footsteps of Marco Polo took esteemed guests of The China Society through an evening of cultural appreciation in July. Themed Venice to Xanadu–Marco and the Mongols, the entertainment consisted of three performances that derived their inspiration from stops along Marco Polo’s expedition. The first was The Four Seasons, performed by award-winning violinist Loh Jun Hong along with the Sonus Ensemble. The concerto was originally composed by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi in the 1700s, and musically depicts the changing  seasons. Next, guests were treated to a performance by the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School Choir, led by Angela Goh. The 12- to 17-year-olds sang folk tunes from Mongolia, Gansu and India. As a final treat, Guan Yang, a drama director from the Anhui province in China, took to…

INNIT BANGKOK AND VALENTINO The latest Hermès Swift calfskin bracelets stack well against Tan Khar Nai’s collection of Kelly bags—no matter the colour! LOUIS VUITTON This Petite Malle from Louis Vuitton’s cruise collection is anything but basic —just like Nina Ng’s style JASON WU Fanty Soenardy completes her transformation to a bad-girl-gone-bling with this Richard Mille watch with an open link bracelet…

While most of our readers are familiar with Cartier the jeweller and watchmaker, the luxury French maison has another hidden facet: its philanthropic arm, the Cartier Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports various charities across the Third World. It was established four years ago, but this luncheon, facilitated by Singapore Tatler, marked the first time the foundation has communicated the details of its mission and vision. Over an intimate lunch at Port of Call in The Fullerton Bay Hotel in September, Cartier regional managing director Grégoire Blanche and Cartier Charitable Foundation executive director Pascale de la Frégonnière met with like-minded personalities within the charitable realm in Singapore to discuss the topic of philanthropy in a local and international context. ALL HEART Grégoire Blanche recounts how he spearheaded the inception…

Max Choo, the cherubic son of Stephanie Lee and Choo Ken-Yi, celebrated turning 100 days old in September at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore with 500 guests. As a tribute to his moniker, Max the Milk Bandit, the party took on a pirate theme anchored by a pirate bouncy castle and a dessert table shaped like a Viking ship with more than a dozen types of desserts. As the little ones had their fun at the game stations, the adults tucked into hearty favourites such as laksa, popiah and burgers, with tipples from the bar. Guests upped their buccaneer game at the photo booth where they posed with bicorn hats, inflatable swords and fake parrot friends, keeping spirits high. CROWN JEWELS The only cake worthy of the birthday boy is one…

It happens. From time to time, a perfectly lovely material will be thrown to the back of the fashion cupboard and forgotten, discarded like an unwanted toy and forced to wait for the gods of style to awake from their stupor and champion its brilliance once more. This autumn, it is well and truly velvet’s turn. Just as the ’70s was obsessed over corduroy and the ’80s had a love-in with lycra and polka-dot silk, today we’re seeing a major moment for the fabric so beloved of the Tudors. The runways were awash—from the crushed velvet looks at 3.1 Phillip Lim and Etro to the sublime accessories at Prada. And it’s no longer just stiff girly evening dresses and blazers; the new velvet comes in pastels, embroidered gowns and jumpsuits.…

CAFE SOCIETY The tales of aristocratic misbehaviours behind Penhaligon’s Portraits Collection, Chapter 1—as well the his and hers scents—are as playful as they are provocative. We never kiss and tell, but we’d be lying if we denied that some of the scandals reminisce those happening within our own society circle. Visit penhaligons.com/ penhaligons-portraits for the deets. PORCELAIN GLAZE We’re fawning over ultracool nail hues like the Vernis Blue by Lancôme, Le Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Nail Colour in Denim Jacket by Guerlain and Optic White No 440 by Burberry.…

EACH DAY, OUR SKIN WAGES WAR AGAINST THE elements, friction and fatigue. These daily assaults cause micro-inflammation—incomplete inflammatory reactions—within the skin. While invisible to the naked eye, Dior’s scientists have found that micro-inflammation sends skin on a destructive spiral that accelerates ageing. To address micro-inflammation and nip ageing in the bud, the luxury house presents a revolutionary solution—Dior Prestige. EXCEPTIONAL FORMULAS Taking everyday rituals to a new level of luxury, Dior combines performance with pleasure in six sublime formulas. For accelerated rejuvenation, set your skin on the ultimate recovery programme with Prestige La Cure. This three-week intensive treatment consists of three amber oil-serums that deliver the greatest concentration of active ingredients to reset, renew and perfect your skin. For everyday defence against micro-inflammation and ageing, use Prestige Le Nectar and…

MANY ARGUE THAT the main attraction of mechanical watchmaking in an age where one can’t beat the precision of atomic clocks lies in the fact that these timepieces still beat with the anachronistic romance of time-honoured arts and skills. Still, with the advent of technology, progress in itself is inevitable, and we have seen countless improvements in the timekeeping function over the years. One of the biggest triumphs that has irrefutably impacted the entire course of watchmaking is the introduction of silicium within the horological lexicon. Swiss brand Ulysse Nardin was responsible for this breakthrough, with the launch of silicium within its Freak collection. The brainchild of its late owner Rolf Schnyder and master watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, Ulysse Nardin’s Freak has been largely credited as one of the revolutionary timepieces…

 CHOPARD 01-25/26/27 Ngee Ann City, tel: 6229 8118 chopard.com…

How would you describe your taste in jewellery? I simply love jewellery! It is always my favourite part of getting ready for an event or even for an everyday occasion; it can completely transform a look. Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s jewellery creative director, always says that gemstones “have a soul” and need to “speak” to her. Do you believe that gemstones have character? Each gemstone can make you feel special in a different way as it has its own character and energy… just like a woman! What’s your favourite gemstone? Emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, coloured gemstones… I truly love all of them! I especially like emeralds as often they have these slight inclusions inside; they are like little imperfections that recount their story and make emeralds even more extraordinary. Why did you…

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“You really don’t need very much in life to be happy” MOVING MOUNTAINS IT WAS FOR THE SIMPLE reason of escaping the grind that drove Krystal Tan to embark on journeys to some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. No matter how busy the lawyer is at work, she always finds time for a holiday. But don’t expect to hear tales of beach frolics in Bali or shopping sprees in Paris. “My ideal holiday would involve an element of adventure and allow me to get under the skin of the place I’m visiting,” muses the co-founder of boutique travel specialists Blue Sky Escapes, the passion project she founded with partner Chervin Chow last June. The company grew from their Peru-based trekking business, Andean Condor Voyager, and now includes thoughtfully curated…

“The greatest goal is ensuring that technology provides citizens with a better life and businesses with new opportunities” “IN THE MINDS OF MANY, THE VISION OF A IDEAL smart nation is probably what’s been popularised in the movies: automated lights 24/7, humanised robots walking and working alongside us, and people toting their wearables such as smartwatches everywhere. This is a possible future, but for me, visual appeal is not our greatest concern and goal. Instead, it is ensuring that technology provides citizens with a better life and businesses with new opportunities. Technology is simply a vehicle to achieve an outcome, and this sometimes manifests in ways not as visible to the eye as say, a flying vehicle. This can range from seamless connectivity on wired and wireless networks, to improved…

“After-sales service is also something you need, especially when you’re investing in a foreign country. The developer should make investing a piece of cake for you” “WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY property for personal or investment reasons, the most important thing is to look into the location and reputation of the developer. Young people often purchase property on a whim. They might like the advertisement or opulent interior design. They might also buy a property because of its trendiness. Nevertheless, making a quick decision without careful consideration of other factors may impact their quality of life in the long run. For example, the structure might be substandard or the developer might not have a long-term maintenance plan. Either of these scenarios could result in property deterioration, leading to devaluation.…

IT’S A SMALL, SMALL MARKET We have a population of just over five million, so to thrive, local fashion brands will find that they need to scale fast, explore online retail avenues (to reach beyond the confines of our country), take part in wholesale or trade shows, and discover other ways to get their names out there. I believe the solution lies in the digital space. It opens up new doors and breaks down geographical boundaries. LACK OF ACCESS Our designers don’t have easy access to quality textiles, fabrics and manufacturing and production support. In contrast, the Seoul government has set up a Fashion Centre to support homegrown designers in such areas from wholesale and trade, to retail through channels such as wholesale markets and shopping havens including Doota in…

“Being able to make an impact in the world—whether it’s how people eat or how restaurants curate their menus—that’s my idea of living life to the fullest.” “My whisky obsession started way back when I had my first full dram in my late teens. I’ve been exploring with different types of whiskies since and I’m really looking forward to Whisky Live ( whiskylive.  sg) this year to see what’s available.” “I was in Chicago in 2014 and was invited to Alinea’s underground bar where head chef Grant Achatz stores a collection of rare bourbons. He quizzed me on the difference between a 1965 20-year-old and a much younger one. When I got the answer right, it felt like I had just passed an official whisky exam.” “I’ve had this…

CORNELIA SCHLEIME: EIN WIMPERNSCHLAG BERLINISCHE GALERIE, BERLIN NOVEMBER 25 TO APRIL 24 Work created by the German artist since the mid-’80s, when she moved from East to West Berlin after being banned from exhibiting, is the focus of this show, whose name translates as Blink of an Eye. Her oeuvre spans a large range of media, including poetry and film, but Schleime is best known today for playful large-scale figurative paintings inspired by glossy magazines and personal photos. berlinischegalerie.de ROBERT HAAS: FRAMING TWO WORLDS WIEN MUSEUM, VIENNA NOVEMBER 24 TO FEBRUARY 26 The first exhibition from the archive of one of the most significant photojournalists in interwar Austria, it celebrates the work from Haas’ early years in Vienna, and from London and New York, where he fled on the eve…

“I believe inspiration comes from everywhere. People with different backgrounds can bring something different to the table” WITH ITS GLOSSY RED body and whimsical lines, Vanda Electrics’ Motochimp electric scooter looks a bit like an anthropomorphised cartoon sketch brought to three-dimensional life. And that actually isn’t too far from the truth. Launching this month, this vivacious little vehicle was first conceived in a drawing by an 11-year-old girl—the god-daughter of CEO Larissa Tan. “She’s very talented in art and design, and she did a sketch that was quite brilliant, which we then decided to develop,” says Larissa. “I believe inspiration comes from everywhere. That’s why we don’t necessarily look for people only from the automotive industry. People with different backgrounds can bring something different to the table.” Larissa herself…

Judging from the oohs and aahs heard around Jimmy Choo’s Paragon boutique, the adage “shoes are a girl’s best friend” couldn’t have been more true when Singapore Tatler friends joined contributing fashion director Desmond Lim for a presentation on the luxury shoemaker’s autumn/winter 2016 pieces and runway trends. Guests feasted their eyes and tried on countless killer stilettos and accessories over champagne and canapes. Their attention was brought to the new made-to-order service, which allows shoppers to create their very own Jimmy Choo bags and shoes. This season sees the personalisation service offering more choices with five more evening bag styles made available, as well as the addition of new materials and colours, making your Choo more unique than ever. ALL THAT SPARKLES These Jimmy Choo heels are so dazzling,…

It was a celebration of all things Italian at the Never Ending Summer event hosted by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (ICCS). Supported by Bank Julius Bär, Peroni and Angra Wine & Spirit, the event brought together more than 100 Italians and their Singaporean counterparts from the fashion and finance, to the IT and biopharmaceutical industries to Cé La Vi in Marina Bay Sands. Guests, including ICCS members and friends such as Harry Apostolides and Bicky Bhangu, president of the British Chamber of Commerce and director of Rolls-Royce Singapore, were welcomed by ICCS president Federico Donato, secretary general Giacomo Marabiso and treasurer Alberto Martinelli. Everyone mingled over glasses of Prosecco, ice-cold Peroni beer and light bites, with a front-row view of the crimson sunset from the rooftop. CLOSE…

The Singapore launch of Thai property developer Sansiri’s latest luxurious condominium The Monument Thong Lo in September was marked by a delightful dinner crafted by a knighted legend—chef Julien Bompard of the now-defunct fine-dining French restaurant Le Saint Julien. A group of 30 guests joined Singapore Tatler and Cobby Leathers, Sansiri’s head of international business, international marketing and new business management, at The Colonial @ Scotts to discover the noteworthy design features of the Quintrix Architect-designed residential development located in the heart of Bangkok. Guests enjoyed a dinner that included yuzu caviar, lobster bisque, roasted suckling pig and chef Bompard’s signature chocolate mousse. With its generous green spaces and futuristic-looking swimming pool made from solid wood, white cloud marble and aluminium, the property is set to be a landmark in…

“I like things that are one of a kind, that you won’t commonly find in Singapore” WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALWAYS what you get with Zhang Keke. When I first meet her, she looks cool and collected in a crisp white pantsuit, posing for the camera with poise. I jump to the conclusion that sleek and sophisticated must be the name of her style game, but am swiftly proven wrong once we sit down for a chat. “I play three different characters,” the managing director of her family’s construction business FY Group laughs. “At work, I’m refined; at dinner, I’m girlish and playful; on weekends, I’m relaxed and sporty.” Her phone is filled with various OOTDs, from fitted jackets and preppy skirts to floaty dresses and tulle gowns. When…

“I ALWAYS HAVE A BYREDO COTTON POPLIN CANDLE BURNING TO KEEP ME ZEN” Keep it simple My grooming routine is minimal. I usually cut my own hair. I cleanse with Caudalie’s Instant Foaming Cleanser and I also steal female friends’ SK-II Facial Treatment Masks. THE BREAKFAST EGG-QUATION I always have the same thing for breakfast: two hard-boiled eggs, orange juice and iced coffee. Lunch is usually a salad or sushi. For dinner, I love cooking at home. I always travel with Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir, for which I designed the limited-edition bottle. Spritzing after a long flight is almost like coffee for my skin. It’s also great during show prep. The light scent of mint is a perfect refresher and it immediately makes me feel revived. Snapchat is my guilty pleasure.…

A COMPANY IS as good as its people, or so the modern-day LinkedIn adage goes. We follow the trajectory of CEOs, designers and creative heads closely, as when a brand finds its perfect steward, the sky truly becomes the limit. All eyes were on Montblanc this year as it announced that Davide Cerrato, of Tudor fame, joined the luxury brand as managing director of its watch division. The debonair Italian has been largely credited with turning the fortunes of Tudor around, the previously forgotten younger brother of Rolex. Montblanc, similarly, has been faced with a gargantuan challenge to push its watchmaking department, one that has been built up from scratch over the past decade. To be heard and seen in an industry as saturated as horology requires not just a…

1 TOP CALIBRE François-Paul Journe set up his eponymous watch brand in 1999, and to date, each watch is designed and manufactured under his tutelage 2 THE ORIGINS Launched in 2001, the Octa automatic watch with a five-day power reserve still remains a winning collection for FP Journe. Thanks to an updated ball bearing system, any small wrist movement will wind the watch, which offers slightly more than 120 hours of autonomy 3 UP THE ANTE The previous 38mm size has now been discontinued, and the Octa Divine is now only available in 40 and 42mm 4 GOLD STANDARD Since 2004, FP Journe has been making gold movements; the calibre 1300.3 that is found within this timepiece is no exception, with an off-centred rose gold rotor with a guilloche pattern…

IF THERE’S ONE THING PIAGET HAS proven recently, it’s that there’s much more to the brand than just being the “master” of ultra-thin movements. With more than 20 such movements under its belt, and despite other watchmakers having made commendable strides in this area, this reputation remains unchallenged. But the brand is showing a distinct aesthetic focus of late with collections such as Secrets & Lights—A Mythical Journey by Piaget, an haute horlogerie line introduced in 2015 that showcases the artistic skills of Piaget’s watchmakers and craftsmen. This year saw the relaunch of the Limelight Gala, a ladies model created in 1973, with an interesting but magnificent choice of a Milanese bracelet, a metal mesh strap commonly associated with men’s watches. And in July, Piaget impressed once more with the…

1 PUT A RING ON IT The cocktail ring is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and we are seeing a host of different styles including midi rings, two finger rings and armour rings. Says Sara, “Rings have seen a real revolution in the past couple of years and the excitement is nowhere near abating. They now cover fingers and run across horizontally and vertically in contemporary and creative forms.” 2 TOPSY-TURVY As women experiment with different styles, one trend that is increasingly gaining fervour is the front-back style. “Earrings that are flexible and start from the lobe and close into the back of the ear are all the trend,” says Sara. “It started in 2015 and women still can’t get enough.” 3 ETHICS AND AESTHETICS There are no two ways…

CHOPARD’S RED CARPET Collection debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 with 60 pieces in tow, one to mark every year of the festival’s existence. A new piece is added each year, so in 2016, 69 exquisitely wrought jewels were unveiled. The pieces boast soft, flowing lines with filigree patterns and lattice-like shapes that resemble fine embroidery or lacework. Besides being embellished with the Big Four gems, this year’s collection also highlights rare and exceptional stones such as black opals, fire opals and jade. “Jade is a much-loved stone in Asia, that’s why I added it,” reveals Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s delightful co-president. “We have a lot of Chinese customers. Out of the three jade earrings, two have been sold. Another one is under negotiation here. So it has been…

A FAMILY OF KANGAROOS, THE mother with a joey in her pouch, leaps with boundless energy; two koalas stare at their beholder with bewilderment; a pair of peacocks preens and primps, their train fanning majestically behind them. No, we are not describing our latest visit to the zoo. It is, in fact, the latest high jewellery collection by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring a menagerie of playful creatures that have been realistically depicted. Named L’Arche de Noé, the line-up is a whimsical rendition of Noah’s ark, featuring the animals in pairs, some in love, some in camaraderie, some simply up to a bit of mischief. This series of brooches is a throwback to the maison’s archives, which are filled with interpretations of animals, including winged creatures. Ever since its inception…

I RECENTLY ORGANISED THE FIRST en primeur tasting of Super Tuscans. It wasn’t the first time producers tasted their fledgling wines together, as winemakers exchange barrel samples to compare quality. But the event, held in September, was the first time an outsider like myself organised a tasting of barrel samples in Tuscany—in this case 2015 reds—and just about all the 40 or so producers invited attended with pleasure. I used the French term en primeur for the event because I wanted to emphasise its inspiration, the annual tasting fest in Bordeaux of the new vintage from barrels. Of course, the Bordeaux en primeur has a commercial purpose, as wine producers sell a percentage of their young wines the spring after the harvest based on initial quality assessments by critics and…

KIRKWOOD HOUSE, WASHINGTON DC On April 15, 1865, vice-president Andrew Johnson took the presidential oath of office in his room at the Kirkwood House Hotel following the assassination of president Abraham Lincoln. WALDORF ASTORIA, NEW YORK President Franklin D Roosevelt used to arrive via a specially designed, now-defunct, secret train platform under the hotel at 49th Street. The wheelchair-bound president would then take a hidden lift directly to the Presidential Suite. WASHINGTON HILTON, WASHINGTON DC As president Ronald Reagan was leaving the hotel after delivering a speech in 1981, he was shot by mentally ill would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr but survived. MAYFLOWER HOTEL, WASHINGTON DC The famous photo of president Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky embracing at a 1996 campaign event was taken here, and one of New York…

1. The Concave Grille The front of the Volvo S90 recalls that of the classic Volvo P1800, which Jonathan Disley came upon when he visited the marque’s museum and stared at its classic car collection for an entire day. Design News for a reason. Its looks might not scream out at you, but it does not blend in either. The car’s strong, muscular body is accented by its new signature head and rear lights that are set to become the marque’s most recognisable features. 2. The Fine Facade It earned the accolade of the Production Car Design of the Year 2015 by Car 3. The Level of Safety With Pilot Assist, an advanced semi-autonomous drive system, an S90 on the road is kept within its lane through gentle steering inputs…

SURE, IT’S EXPENSIVE AND the weather sucks, but I’m so grateful to have New York as a home base. No two days in New York are alike, which is why I like my life here. I get up a good three hours before I need to be out the door. I like to smoke, read the paper, watch TV, take care of my e-mail and social media, and take my time before I go out. Getting dressed is the fastest part of my day—30min. Everything happens the minute I walk out the door—I could run into friends, have 10 appointments. By the end of the day, I’m super happy to be home. New York has changed. It used to be that everybody could live in Manhattan, but in the past…

“The greatest challenges lie with an oversupply of properties hitting the market despite a limited pool of buyers due to the cooling measures” THE LITTLE RED DOT HAS LIMITED LAND AND a growing population, so “land prices will continue to go up because of these unavoidable factors”, says Dennis Wee, founder and chairman of the Dennis Wee Group. “This will in turn affect property prices here and that is one reason why real estate is considered to be one of the safer investments one can make in Singapore.” But with more buyers put off by rising prices and increasing density here and turning to other markets, staying competitive will need to be a priority. What would you say are the greatest challenges ahead for the Singapore property market? The greatest…

Stability is an enduring feature of Liechtenstein, both culturally and geologically. The principality’s royal family lays claim to a heritage stretching back almost 1,000 years, while the mountains that make up half its land mass have been an unchanging presence for millennia. These solid foundations are also at the heart of LGT Bank, a private bank that has been owned and controlled by the Princely Family since its establishment in 1930, though preserving wealth and protecting legacy has been the family business for centuries. Today, that is literally the case, as Princes Philipp and Max are the current chairman and CEO of LGT, respectively. Prince Philipp is the younger brother of Prince Hans-Adam II, the ruling sovereign of Liechtenstein, and Prince Max is Hans-Adam’s son. LGT’s unique form of private…

WHEN RACHEL Harrison relocated to Singapore eight years ago with her banker husband Keith and three sons, she struggled to create a comfortable routine for her second son Julyan, who is autistic. The wide nature spaces of Switzerland, where the family was previously based, contrasted starkly with the crowded urban ones here. Rachel soon realised that they had to find a place where Julyan could live an independent and fulfilled life; even long after she and her husband have passed on. She says, “At some point, Julyan will grow up and what can he do besides staying at home? Nobody has the patience to nurture children like him.” Six years ago, Rachel decided to build a farm on her family land in Zambales, Philippines, where Julyan, who is at the…

While you may have been having a Friday night in, the likes of Loh May-Han, Adrian Ng and Cheryl Cheong joined Singapore Tatler at the Moschino boutique in Paragon to be among the first in the world to get their hands on creative director Jeremy Scott’s spring/summer 2017 capsule collection. The latest pieces, which arrived in Singapore a day after the Milan runway show in September, were inspired by—yes, you’ve guessed it—capsules. While guests were busy posing with the new pieces for their Instagram posts, many had a tough time deciding which ones to add to their collection. The sweethearts at Moschino presented the Best Dressed title to the well-deserved May-Han who was stylishly decked out in a Moschino teddy bear dress and soda can bag. HAPPY PILLS Count on…

We’ve hosted countless events but rarely do we ask our Singapore Tatler friends to bring along their identification cards for registration. All the effort was well worth the time as society darlings Karen Ong-Tan, Nina Ng and more joined us for a beauty escapade at the Shilla Beauty Loft at Changi Airport in September. But first, they dined at Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine restaurant at Crowne Plaza, before checking into the Terminal 3 departure area where buggies brought them to a private room for a presentation by La Prairie. There, they sampled some of beauty brand’s latest products such as the Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion. A blissful hand massage by the skilful La Prairie therapists followed, rescuing the ladies from whatever stresses they may have. From the blissful looks on the…

When co-president of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele, is in town, it warrants a dazzling date with society’s most fabulous. On the invitation of Singapore Tatler and Chopard, a host of beautiful ladies descended upon the Whitegrass restaurant at Chjimes in September to discover the latest spellbinding creations by the Swiss jeweller. Over a sparkling luncheon, they were enthralled by the magnificent 2016 Red Carpet Collection on display, which first premiered during the Cannes Film Festival in May. HAPPY HOUR The ladies had a great time trying on the delightful Happy Diamonds watches…

When it comes to looking your best, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Confidence, of course—but a luxurious set of skivvies underneath those Chanel tweeds wouldn’t hurt, either. And what better way to boost your body-esteem than with exquisitely made lingerie that flatters your figure and enhances your curves in all the right ways? Celebrating The Art of the Body has been the raison d’être of French brand Eres since its beginnings as a swimwear label in 1968. Bold designs, high-tech fabrics and innovative cuts which sculpt the female form soon became the brand’s signatures, securing its status as the industry trendsetter. With its dedication to French artisanal savoir faire and fulfilling the needs of the modern women, Eres became part of the illustrious Chanel group in 1996. It…

SCEPTICISM. IT IS A TRAIT that makes us question everything and believe very little of anything. In this age of hyperbolic claims and empty promises—within and outside of the beauty industry—the smart consumer would say that a little bit of doubt is not such a bad thing. Cosme Decorte knows this. Cue the panel of scientists at the launch of it new iP.Shot serum. Through them, we learn that the science behind the Japanese beauty house’s effort to fighting the strands of time on our skin is complicated, sophisticated and ultimately, worthy of a shot. With the latest technology of cellular research in hand, Cosme Decorte went back to the basics; it studied skin cells from the same persons at various stages of their lives —at the age of 36,…

1966 NUMBER ONE Late chairman and founder Suh Sung-Whan spent his childhood in Gaesung, the trade centre of globally renowned Korean ginseng. The pioneer’s natural instinct to study the priceless herb he grew up with led to his boundary-pushing development of a ginseng beauty product. In 1966, his dedication came to fruition—the ABC Ginseng Cream, his first of many to come, was born. 1972 NEXT BIG THING Suh focused his efforts on the extraction of ginseng saponin from its leaves and flowers. His success in 1972 led to the release of Ginseng Sammi the following year. His innovation put the Korean beauty industry on the global map. It wasn’t long before markets expanded to Japan, Canada, Europe, South America and the Middle East. Ginseng Sammi became a trendsetter overnight—other ginseng-based…

BACKGROUND Alvaro Maggini studied fine arts and micro-typography in Basel, Switzerland. He was appointed creative director at McCann Erickson, Zurich, in 1997 and spearheaded numerous high-profile local and international ad campaigns. Maggini moved to Paris in 2003 and consulted for high-end fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Chantelle. He joined Roger Dubuis in 2011 as creative director and was instrumental in launching the brand’s new corporate identity. LONG ASSOCIATION While his role at Roger Dubuis is Maggini’s first professional foray into the watchmaking industry, he grew up in the Swiss watchmaking hub of Lausanne, so the world of horology wasn’t entirely new to him. “Watches have always been part of my life and I love finely made timepieces,” he said. “I was asked to be different—to think outside the box—and…

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“POLICROMIA IS THE perfect cyborg mosaic… It embodies the idea of several colours together, with a reminder of a surreal goddess living in a far world.” For Delfina Delettrez, this allusion to a world of surrealism is deeply ingrained in her own jewellery line, which she set up in 2007. From its inception, her eponymous jewellery brand was unabashedly dramatic in its aesthetic. There was no place for the conventional, as diamonds were showcased upside down; midi rings replaced traditional rings; parts of the human anatomy became recurring motifs; and stones were selected for their colour and uniqueness, not their brilliance or rarity. This fourth-generation member of the Fendi family had previously collaborated with the Italian maison on a couple of jewellery collections, but the Policromia marks the first time…

ENTER THROUGH AN inconspicuous door via a side entrance, take the lift up to the fifth floor, and you emerge into Braci (tel: 6866 1933), the newest Italian restaurant this side of the Singapore River. The brainchild of veteran chef and restaurateur Beppe De Vito, who also owns other dining hotspots such as ilLido at the Cliff, &Sons, Aura and Southbridge, Braci is named for the Italian word for ember. Housed in a newly restored heritage shophouse, the intimate 16-seat open-kitchen space sets itself apart from its peers with its modernist decor—warm wooden tables and chairs juxtapose atmospheric dark panelled walls illumined by designer lamps, lending the space a discreet air of casual elegance. The kitchen takes centre stage, where the dramatic performance of the culinary artists revolves around the…

“What sets Singapore apart from other countries is our racial and ethnic diversity, and the fact that we embrace this as part of our local identity” ONE OF SINGAPORE’S HIGHLY regarded diplomats, Chan Heng Chee’s 16-year tenure as Singapore’s top representative in Washington began at a time when US-Singapore relations were fraught with tension because of the caning of American teen Michael Fay for vandalism in 1994. Chan was then East Asia’s first female ambassador to the US. Nonetheless, bilateral ties between the two countries flourished in areas including trade, defence and security with the signing of the landmark US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in 2003 and the Strategic Framework Agreement in 2005. Going back to the 1960s, Chan had already achieved another unprecedented feat—she was the first woman to graduate…

IT’S AN EXCITING TIME FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE world, with environmental challenges, changing physical infrastructure and shifting consumer behaviour combining to demand a major gear shift for industry players. Jeff Mannering, managing director of Audi Singapore, believes these changes have to be embraced. “In the future, how the car interacts with the environment and how it satisfies customer expectations with regards to mobility will be important,” he says. “Mobility will not just be driving from point A to point B. It will be an experience enjoying connectivity and time utilisation, adding value to the customer experience.” What would you say are the greatest challenges ahead for the Singapore automobile industry? The automobile market in Singapore is highly regulated. Industry players are subjected to the vehicle quota system as well as financing…