Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2017 i Tatler Singapore

THAILAND TATLER SELFLESS ACTS To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Thailand Tatler puts the spotlight on people who have made great sacrifices for those they love. Former highway police chief Pol Maj Gen Angkul Atorn-phtai tells us how he has cared for his wife, Supatana, who suffered a stroke followed by a series of operations, while society icon Sirikul Jenjetsada donated a kidney to save the life of her young son, Tanakorn, who is now 33 years old. TAIWAN TATLER POWER COUPLE On the cover of the Love Issue is high-profile lawyer Paul Hsu, CEO of Phycos International, with his wife of 20 years, Pat Tsao, CEO of IT company INTEC International. They talk about finding love the second time around (they are both on their second marriage) and how they’ve learned…

1 SUNSET GLOW MITOLO JESTER SANGIOVESE ROSÉ 2016 A captivating pale salmon colour, this classic sangiovese rose is produced by the Mitolo winery in Australia, which is rated five stars by wine critic James Halliday. Like summer in a bottle, this rose’s floral notes and berry flavours pair well with seafood dishes. The long and dry finish makes a lasting impression. Available at Crystal Wines. crystalwines.com 2 EVERYTHING IS ROSY MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ROSÉ 2015 This elegant bottle stands out for its alluring pink tint—the result of macerating 80 per cent tempranillo and 20 per cent grenache for hours —and opens up the palate with the aroma of red fruits. Featuring a hint of minerality and a slight spice, it’s the kind of wine that works perfectly with Mediterranean cuisine…

JOVANI It takes a certain je ne sais quoi to wear a standout necklace like this Chopard dazzler, but Jessie would make it look easy TIME TAKEN TO MAKE A DRESS A rose gold clutch like this Oscar de la Renta brings out the romantic pastel in Carmen’s original creation JIL SANDER If you’re going to wear a fascinator—Philip Treacy makes great ones—with lots of bling like Celina, keep the dress super minimal…

German precision met Brazilian sensibility when luxury home appliance manufacturer Gaggenau collaborated with The Kitchen at Bacchanalia for an intimate dinner one Thursday evening last December. Crafted by the restaurant’s head chef Ivan Brehm (who has since moved back to Brazil for a sabbatical and was succeeded by Australia-born Luke Armstrong), the five-course meal intrigued the senses from beginning to end. The menu of hamachi, bafun uni with cocoa pasta, coconut risotto, succulent meats and dessert were paired with exquisite tipples—retrieved from the restaurant’s own Gaggenau wine climate cabinets, no less—that pushed guests into weekend mode. STAR FACTOR Of course, Michelin approves of The Kitchen at Bacchanalia’s style of presenting familiar ingredients in thought-provoking forms…

From the neat ponytails at Proenza Schouler and Prada to the super-slick separated strands at Givenchy and the eighties-style swept-over looks at Saint Laurent, the runways officially decreed the death of the centre parting. So dig out those straighteners, invest in a good hair oil or styling gel and start teasing your tresses over. Got short hair? Perfect. If not, never fear. A low-slung, slicked-back, side-parted ponytail is the perfect way to embrace the look. You can even wear your hair down in a very “now” wet look—provided it’s got enough product not to move in a breeze. But remember, super-slicked hair like this means an increased focus on your face, so contour your cheeks and remember to add a slick of lipgloss—or even a bright red matte lip if…

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THE JOURNEY OF THE QUEEN of Kalahari began in the raw form of carbon a billion years ago, when dinosaurs still roamed the earth. But for the sake of brevity, we will begin our tale with the serendipitous discovery of the pure, 342-carat rough type IIa diamond, one that would come to be christened the Queen of Kalahari. It was the morning of sabbath in Botswana, and the religious locals were off to church. But one person had been called in to the state-of-the-art Karowe Mine, an expansive diamond mine in the heart of the Kalahari Desert. There had been some kimberlite deposits in the pipes that were hampering the mining process, and one of the miners, Tekolo, was to clear these deposits. There, she made the discovery of a…

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1 MINERALS FIRST, PACKAGING SECOND “The main factors that contribute to the taste of water are its mineral composition and its packaging. A water with higher minerality will typically have a more noticeable taste, and quality glass packaging will help keep the taste unaltered and true to its original form.” 2 WATER CAN AGE LIKE WINE “Some spring waters take many years to get from rainwater to the actual spring—I have drunk 15,000-year-old water and it was incredible. But when you open a bottle of water, you should drink it immediately. Water reacts to air like any other beverage and will change in taste if you have it open too long.” 3 CHILL IT TO 15°C “Just cold enough to be refreshing but not so cold that it will give…

Mount Titlis One of the most popular mountain destinations in Switzerland, Mount Titlis is equipped to entertain even the least athletic of travellers. Savour the ride aboard the Titlis Rotair gondola, the world’s first revolving cable car. The 5min trip reveals a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Alps (and will have you taking pictures all the way). Once you reach the summit at 3,020m, up the stakes at the Titlis Cliff Walk, the highest elevation suspension bridge in Europe. Cross to the other side to claim a unique reward—an intimate encounter with the glistening Titlis glacier in the natural cave 20m below. Jungfrau After exploring Interlaken—the quaint, picturesque city between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz considered the gateway to Jungfrau—you’ll want to ascend the majestic mountains that surround it. Save…

“I’ve learned not to be surprised by the many varied requests we get. The past five years have broadened my perspective, in terms of the lengths people will go to” IT’S THE SEASON FOR ROMANCE, and Andrew Quake knows exactly what it takes to pull off grand gestures undertaken in the name of love. The country general manager for Singapore and Malaysia at concierge service provider Aspire Lifestyles says Valentine’s Day is one of the peak seasons for his business, and his team also fields requests related to marriage proposals and anniversary celebrations throughout the year. “One memorable request that comes to mind is this gentleman who wanted to propose to his girlfriend in a really special way,” he shares. “They were going for a holiday in Amsterdam during springtime,…

What do you say to a dear friend who’s moving overseas? A coterie of Rany Moran’s closest girlfriends didn’t just say what they felt—they organised an intimate dinner, sang their thoughts, read poems and speeches, and toasted to the society maven’s sparkling life at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. The evening brought much laughter and tears through its touching speeches and games, all of which affirmed how well-loved Rany was and how she had touched the lives of her friends. The programme included side-splitting episodes where Rany was coerced into donning an apron and cap, brandishing a spatula and standing over a makeshift stove to test out her cooking skills. Guests joked that this was the “housewife” side of their glamorous friend that no one had ever seen, but a…

If there was anything more dazzling than the scintillating timepieces on display at the The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands’ Moments and Masterpieces dinner with Bulgari last December, it was the perfect combination of good food and great conversation that flowed throughout the evening at Cut by Wolfgang Puck. The menu comprising rich roasted chestnut soup, brightly flavoured baby beet salad with goat cheese, juicy American Wagyu paired with French wine had guests chattering for hours. It helped too that they had already savoured pre-dinner drinks at the Bulgari boutique, while admiring the house’s beautiful baubles and GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genéve)-nominated watches. And as if all that weren’t enough to put everyone in a festive mood, a Spanish musical duo consisting of a classical guitarist and saxophonist played…

Fur coats are hands down the most divisive item to walk the runways. And yet for autumn/winter and indeed Cruise, said runways were full of the things, both real and faux. So whether you’re a signed-up Peta supporter in your Shrimps or a proper pelt lover slinking around in your Yves Salomon, the statement fuzzy coat endures as a winter classic. And this season’s styles are louder and more outlandish than ever. From the flowers, snakes and peacocks that coiled their way up and down lapels at Gucci Cruise, to the candy stripes at Bottega Veneta and even the faux leopard capes at Dries Van Noten, more was most definitely more. So be bold and wear an acid bright to the opera or a chevron stripe to the office. Fortune…

THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS have only just come down and the post-holiday indulgence guilt has barely set in before we are already ushering in the Year of the Rooster. This boisterous, quick-witted creature gives watchmakers a lot to work with. Using a range of techniques, including enamelling, lacquer and miniature carving, the master craftsmen have produced some spectacular timepieces that are fitting tributes to 2017’s feathered friend. Breguet honours this member of the Chinese zodiac with the Reine de Naples 8958, a one-off with a rooster cameo as its dial. In this delicate piece, Breguet’s craftsman, using a steel stylus, has carved a rooster on a shell. For its tribute, Chopard has used a traditional Japanese lacquer technique called urushi to create a colourful rooster on the dial of an LUC…

VALENTINE’S DAY IS perhaps the only time of year we’re allowed to get all mushy, so why not go all out? Unleash those overly sentimental lines and pair them with beautiful, love-laced pieces of jewellery—and you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of new creations to choose from. Launched just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Bulgari Bulgari Cuore collection gives the eternal heart shape a modern take using pink gold, mother-of-pearl and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels gets into the mood with its classic Alhambra, adding hearts, leaves and butterflies to its four-leaf clovers. The Alhambra motif lends itself best to sautoir necklaces, which in this case use carnelian, malachite, tiger’s eye and mother-of-pearl. Another fail-safe Valentine’s Day gift would be Cartier’s Love bangle. A piece with a…

FANTY SOENARDY LOVE IS... about encouraging each other to reach our respective goals while sharing our hopes and dreams. TO MY DAUGHTER LOUISA... I would give the Tiffany & Co Key pendant when she reaches the age of 21. It is a very meaningful piece, as it indicates the key to responsibility as she enters early adulthood. LOH MAY-HAN LOVE IS... everything, it seems. So many things have been written about it, whether in song or poetry. It comes in all forms and shapes; all moods, good and bad; and all occasions, night and day. Love, to me, is ever-present and everlasting. Whether it is romantic, familial or platonic, we are touched by its warmth and safe in its embrace. TO MY HUSBAND ADRIAN... I would gift the Tiffany Streamerica…

MARTIN RIESE WILL ONLY DRINK TAP water if he is in Alaska, British Columbia or the German town of Flensburg. If he’s in one of the less H20-enlightened parts of the world, he’ll sip on Iskilde bottled water from Denmark, Vichy Catalan from Spain or Roi from Slovenia. This unusually specific approach to thirst quenching is the result of many years of research into the different variations of H20 for his role as a water sommelier at Ray’s and Stark Bar, a high-end restaurant in Los Angeles. And while that last sentence may be the most Californian thing you’ve ever read, Riese is in fact a savvy German expat who has tapped into a rising global phenomenon for eschewing the tap in favour of exorbitantly priced water from the other…

I SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS IN SPAIN last summer tasting nearly 800 wines, the second year I have devoted substantial resources to learning more about the country’s best wines. Lesser-known appellations are really changing the game. As regions like Galicia and the Canary Islands embrace their unique styles, they’re quickly taking centre stage. In particular, the reds from Galicia and the Canary Islands are dynamic, emphasising terroir and offering optimum drinkability and structure for both early drinking and ageing. Traditional regions such as Rioja and the Ribera del Duero continue to make compelling wines, though some producers still make over-concentrated, black wines. These winemakers, along with the heavily commercialised ones, are going to miss the new future for Spain in the global market. My favourite region from the tasting was Galicia,…

WE FIRST SAW CHERYL WEE and Roy Fong together at the 34th Singapore Tatler Ball last October. The couple, and Cheryl’s parents in particular, have been tight-lipped about Roy’s status as her boyfriend (and now fiance) since they got together 12 years ago. Cheryl tells us that she prefers to keep her private life out of the limelight. “Even though Roy recently asked if he could start appearing in my Instagram or Facebook posts, I haven’t uploaded a picture of just us together yet,” says the actress and eldest daughter of wellness guru Jean Yip and Mervin Wee. You might, however, have noticed Roy’s arm or palm in some of her pictures, or his photo-taking skills in others. “I’ve become her official photographer of sorts,” the #instagramhusband-to-be quips, before taking…

feb 3 DEADLY 60 LIVE! POLE TO POLE Naturalist Steve Backshall shares stories from his encounters with the world’s deadliest animals—from swimming with sharks to coming face-to-face with venomous snakes—with this new show based on the hit BBC series. Till February 5, at MasterCard Theatres. deadly60liveonstage.com 7 ENDELLION QUARTET The Endellion, one of the world’s finest quartets, performs Haydn’s String Quartet in G major, Bartók’s String Quartet No 5 and Sibelius’ Voces Intimae, at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall. music.nus.edu.sg 16 CHARLES DUTOIT: RHAPSODY ON A THEME OF PAGANINI Swiss maestro Charles Dutoit conducts the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for the Southeast Asian premiere of Stravinsky’s rediscovered Funeral Song, and famous ballet The Firebird. Russian pianist Lukas Geniušas joins in for Rachmaninov’s virtuosic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.…

FOUR YEARS AGO, THE directors of Samsui Supplies and Services, Ang Kian Peng and Then Khek Koon, visited a voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) that had special needs beneficiaries. When mealtime came, they were taken aback by the standard of nutrition in the food provided. “It was mostly fried food and few nutritious options,” says Ang. “We saw a need for healthy food for the beneficiaries, and we felt that we could leverage on our core competency in food and beverage to meet this need.” The pair decided to start a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme under Samsui Supplies, a subsidiary of the Soup Restaurant Group, supplying healthy, tasty meals on a regular basis to VWOs. Ang, who is also the group’s business development head, says, “Many people were sceptical of…

On a Friday evening last December, an intimate group of watch collectors gathered at the Roger Dubuis boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, on the invitation of the brand and Singapore Tatler, to discover timepieces such as the Excalibur Quatuor and the Velvet by Massaro, which are characterised by their audacious aesthetics and marvellous mechanics. Over dinner prepared by the chefs of Adrift by David Myers at the boutique itself, the finest tipples fuelled conversations about the ingenious mechanics of the Geneva Seal-certified timepieces as well as upcoming travel plans, charitable initiatives and the best place for French wines in Singapore. TIME TELLER Bernard Cheong delves into the mechanics of the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quatuor…

“I wore eight different gowns at my wedding!” HARUMI OCHI LOVES HER gowns. So much, in fact, that there’s a room in her mum’s apartment that’s dedicated to storing her prized possessions. “I own more gowns than I have events to wear them to,” laughs the affable 27-year-old Japanese-Singaporean. Coming from a family where the women aren’t afraid to go all out and experiment with daring styles, this should come as no surprise. “My obsession came about in my early teens, where I’d wear my mum’s dresses. I’ve always been inspired by her bold, daring style,” she shares. Harumi favours designers such as Isabel Marant, Isabel Sanchez, Marchesa, Elie Saab and Paolo Sebastian for gala events, but she also appreciates the understated femininity of Valentino and Armani for casual dinner…

FOR THE ELEGANT PRINCE OR PRINCESS BABY DIOR (B1-63) The Baby Dior boutique—Southeast Asia’s first and only standalone store for Dior childrenswear—carries babywear in delicate lace for newborns; smart separates for young gentlemen; and the chicest range for young ladies, including Nano Lady Dior bags. For spring 2017, Dior even created a jewellery collection featuring Christian Dior’s lucky charms for your little girl. Kids will adore the stuffed animals, especially the toy rabbit coated in the softest, silkiest Orylag fur. The boutique also carries a single piece of the season’s couture dress, designed by Baby Dior creative director Cordelia de Castellane. With only a limited number of pieces available around the world, the covetable gown will make your daughter truly feel like a princess. Luxe Tip: Don’t miss the unique…

BACKGROUND Born in Istanbul in 1956, Vartan Sirmakes comes from a family of Armenian jewellers. At 18, he moved to Geneva and started working as a jewel-setting apprentice under Antonio Bertolini. After learning the trade, he set up his own workshop and built a respected reputation within the industry, gaining the attention of major watchmakers such as Ebel and Cartier. HOOKED ON WATCHES Sirmakes’ passion for design and architecture inspired him to diversify his business. He partnered with bracelet and watch case manufacturer Pierre Ecoffey and started to design and produce cases. The collaboration proved successful, attracting prestigious clients such as Daniel Roth. Sirmakes eventually set his sights higher and aimed to produce high-end watches. PERFECT MATCH In 1991, Sirmakes met Franck Muller and together they set up Franck Muller…

BACKGROUND Taiwanese designer Rachel Wen was always drawn to jewellery. As a child, she would accompany her mother on her numerous jewellery shopping sprees, and was constantly raiding her mother’s jewellery box. “I was allowed to play with whatever jewels she had. And when she was shopping for jewellery, she would always ask for my opinion—and I had a lot even then! I think that is how I developed my unique aesthetic and my passion for jewels.” GIFT OF LOVE When Wen became a mother herself, she shared her passion for jewellery with her daughter, Krystal. When Krystal turned 18 in 2009, Wen created a brand in her honour and called it Chara Wen—chara meaning happiness and joy. The brand, Wen says, is a gift to her daughter, and “a…

Gstaad and St Moritz, two names more synonymous with luxury and high society than anywhere else on earth NOBODY WANTS TO be a tourist, map in one hand and guidebook in the other, eating at underwhelming restaurants no local would dream of setting foot in. Which is why we can all agree that the ideal way to visit any destination is with someone who knows it intimately—a clever friend who will take you to a hidden restaurant with the best truffle pasta in town, a top-floor bar with lethally delicious martinis or a small art gallery that represents the most exciting young artists in the region. But because even the best connected among us can’t boast an acquaintance in every town we visit, De Grisogono has launched the Black Book…

IT WAS FOUR DAYS AFTER THE US presidential elections: Donald Trump had been elected as the new leader, and I had just landed in Los Angeles upon the invitation of Rolex to attend its biannual Awards for Enterprise ceremony. The mood, inevitably, was subdued and the City of Angels’ lustre dulled by a sense of foreboding. “In these tough times” is a phrase that I have heard being used a lot lately—but my state of mind before and after the trip was completely different. You see, I had just met an incredible bunch of people, from scientists to explorers and philanthropists, who had dedicated their lives to bettering the world. They were conservationists, doctors, engineers and explorers who had one thing in common: a single-minded doggedness that had pushed them…

ELSENHAM WATER Bottled in Essex, England, Elsenham has friends in illustrious places—it’s the most popular water for shoppers at Colette in Paris and was the only water available at Spain’s famed El Bulli restaurant until it closed its doors. FILLICO Bottled in the mountains that overlook Osaka, Japan, and topped with a small golden crown, Fillico is the water of choice for a number of celebrities. ROI The Slovenian brand has long been used as a health water because it has the highest concentration of magnesium of any water in the world. VICHY CATALAN Vichy’s high mineral content gives it a very salty taste, which means it pairs well with rich foods. GIZE From Spa Springs in Nova Scotia, Canada, Gize water passes through layers of rock that formed more…

GALERIE NÄCHST ST STEPHAN BERNARD FRIZE The Austrian gallery has a long tradition of representing modern art. Its group show for this year’s fair is a perfect example, with artists such as Alice Attie, Herbert Brandl, Imi Knoebel and Günter Umbergall pivotal figures of today’s visual practice—displaying contemporary pieces spanning mixed-media compositions, sculptures and abstract paintings. Among the exhibits, four works by French painter Bernard Frize are perhaps most captivating in their variety. Frize is known for using a multitude of materials and techniques, each of his creations a layered composition derived from elaborately constructed rules and carefully choreographed acts of painting. The pieces on show are reflective of this practice; from wide brushes to geometric grid patterns, they reference minimalism, abstract expressionism and colour field painting, for a truly…

“LIKE A GOOD BUTTER IS IMPORTANT TO FRENCH COOKING AND A GOOD EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL IS VITAL TO ITALIAN COOKING, A PREMIUM FISH SAUCE IS KEY TO VIETNAMESE CUISINE.” 1 WAGYU PHO This is my favourite dish on Moi Moi’s menu. The broth is simmered for 16 hours, extracting all the goodness out of the beef bones, oxtail, herbs, spices and chargrilled vegetables. It’s such a labour of love. 2 PHU QUOC FISH SAUCE This is the one ingredient I always use. It’s no ordinary fish sauce, though; it’s the best in the world, as it comes from Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam. 3 MORTAR AND PESTLE As a chef, I can’t live without a good heavy stone mortar and pestle to make all of my pastes…