Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2017 i Tatler Singapore

SHANGLIU TATLER IT COUPLE On the cover of the Fashion Issue are models Bei Pei and her husband, Xiaoyin Wangzhu, who have been together for 12 years and married for five. They talk about how they keep their romance going despite their busy schedules and runway careers. The couple have decided to venture into the restaurant business and plan to open their first restaurant in Shanghai this year. This issue also examines the importance of sustainability within the fashion industry, with leading figures from such fashion houses as Hermès, Stella McCartney and Kenzo sharing their insights. PHILIPPINE TATLER DESIGN DIVA HE BIANNUAL FASHION ISSUE KICKS OFF WITH Filipina designer Josie Natori, who is celebrating 40 years of creativity in her field, on the cover. She looks back at a range…

COFFEE CONNOISSEURS KNOW that there’s nothing better than waking up to the perfect cup of coffee. For the ultimate luxury, perk up with the Royal Coffee Maker by Royal Paris. Designed in collaboration with French artist Jean-Luc Rieutort, the balancing syphon brewer is a tribute to those favoured by European royalty in the 1800s. Each coffee maker is handmade to shiny perfection in either silver, copper or 24K gold, and sports a Baccarat crystal carafe and burner vase, and a base that can come in one of these three semiprecious stones: azurite, malachite or black obsidian. Of course, if you had an ornate contraption like this in your hands, you’d also want to put your mark on it—initials, family crest or company logo are all possible engravings, no matter how…

“I was a sophomore at Stanford and I thought to myself, ‘Here I am, getting the best education in the world, and three hours from where I grew up girls’ education is banned’” THE BRUTAL SHOOTING of 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai, when gunmen stormed her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley in 2012, penetrated the collective consciousness. Despite suffering major head injuries, Malala made a full recovery and has gone on to become one of the world’s most powerful women’s rights advocates, win the Nobel Peace Prize, star in a major documentary and grace the cover of Time. Less familiar is the story of Shiza Shahid, Malala’s close friend and mentor. Not quite 10 years older than Malala, Shiza grew up in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, before studying at Stanford University on…

For a second, it sounded like we were in a tattoo parlour, but the buzzing sound was in fact the calligrapher’s glass engraving tool at work during our Chinese New Year shopping soiree at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Clarence Wee of Craft Varies was on hand at Imperial Treasure to personalise gifts for our Singapore Tatler friends, meticulously etching out their names on glass panels that framed charming Chinese calligraphy artworks, while the ladies nibbled on Peking duck wraps and dim sum. And of course, there was a rowdy tossing of abalone yusheng, after which guests were whisked off in buggies to their favourite boutiques, shopping up a storm in preparation for the festive season. A TOSS UP There’s nothing better than a hearty lo hei session to…

Custom Infusion Drops by Cover FX contains vitamin A, which supports natural cell turnover and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while Jasmine oil boosts skin hydration. La Prairie’s Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster contains hyaluronic acid and silver vine extract to plump and brighten the skin. Fresh’s new Seaberry Skin Nutrition Booster is rich in powerful antioxidants and the nourishing omegas—3, 6, 7 and 9—as well as camellia seed oil, which helps nourish the skin and retain moisture. Clarins’ Booster Repair is enriched with an extract from Mimosa tenuiflora, a Mayan medicinal plant used for thousands of years to soothe and strengthen the skin. The vitamin C in Helena Rubenstein’s Force C3 acts as a powerful antioxidant on tired-looking skin. The ingredients in Skin Inc’s Vitamin B3+ Serum…

WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE girl, Nina Ng’s favourite dresses were modelled after the flared frock worn by Minnie Mouse. “My mum travelled a lot, and she loved going to Japan,” she remembers. “She would come back with very pretty dresses for me, including these two Minnie Mouse dresses. One was red and black, one was pink and white. I was very sad when I outgrew those dresses.” Today, Nina is a mother of three herself, and her tastes have matured. On the day we meet for this interview, she’s wearing a black form-fitting Gucci dress that sports the Italian label’s signature feline-head buttons. (It’s probably safe to say Minnie Mouse wouldn’t be caught dead in this outfit, just for the sake of staying as far away from cats as…

FAST TRACK Sportswear has been riding the fashion wave but, of course, Gucci has turned it up a notch by stitching pearls and metal crystals onto the edges of the cool and au courant jogger pants GO BIG OR GO HOME The Sylvie bag gets blown out of proportion—literally. Available in a jumbo size, this multifunctional top-handle bag gets an over-the-top oriental update MONKEY BUSINESS Every designer adores the occasional artist collaboration to punctuate a collection. Alessandro Michele’s muse this season is the ultra-kooky Mrs Jayde Fish whom he simply discovered on Instagram. Mrs Fish takes inspiration from the world of tarot cards. Our absolute favourite is the upside-down chimp with a broken heart and surrounded by rays of crystals PUSS IN BOOTS There’s something perversely sexy seeing these glossy…

OF THE VARIOUS AWARDS bestowed in the watch industry each year, those of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) are arguably the most prestigious and certainly the most highly debated. I’ve been honoured to be a member of the jury for the past five years and while you might think that means it has become a routine event, it’s far from it; each edition brings its own unique debates and surprises. I look forward every year to the day the jury members gather in Geneva to inspect the competing timepieces and give our rankings. All watches presented for the GPHG must be available that day so the jury can handle them in person. You can imagine that with 72 watches to evaluate—and that’s without getting into discussions for the…

ONE OF THE MOST influential and popular artistic movements of the 20th century, art deco continues to permeate the worlds of architecture, fashion and jewellery more than 100 years since it emerged in 1910 to succeed art nouveau. It’s a genre of contradictions, being modern without being modernist, and manifesting in some forms as frivolous and in others as austere. Boucheron’s Vendôme Argentique necklace, which incorporates diamonds, onyx and mother-of-pearl, is an exquisite example of art deco artistry inspired by the herringbone pattern of a traditional Parisian wooden floor. Likewise, Cartier’s new Magicien collection echoes the period beautifully; its Illumination bracelet is a lavish confection of carved crystal, and emerald- and trapezoid-cut diamonds. The 31-carat emerald-cut diamond at its centre can also be worn on a ring. Louis Vuitton looks…

1 The Cartier Love bracelet was created in 1969—at the height of the hippie age—in the jeweller’s New York workshops by designer Aldo Cipullo, who went on to design the iconic Juste un Clou bracelet two years later. 2 Cipullo produced the bracelet within a year of joining Cartier. He was allegedly inspired by chastity belts of yore. 3 At the launch, Cartier stipulated that customers were not allowed to buy a Love bracelet for themselves; they could only buy it for their loved ones. That rule has since been abolished, thankfully. 4 In 2016, the Love bracelet was the top-most searched jewellery item on Google, hitting 350,000 searches a month, according to a study by Karus Chains. 5 The earliest Love bracelets came with gold plating but this must-have…

21 Nettleton Views of the Atlantic Ocean, Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles are complemented by lavish furnishings and beautiful grounds at this boutique hotel. Located on Cape Town’s most exclusive (and expensive) street, Nettleton Road, it offers just four suites, so privacy is guaranteed. La Residence Opulence meets rustic charm at this estate in the heart of Franschhoek in Cape Town’s winelands. Expect high ceilings, chandeliers, burgundy velvet and bathrooms reminiscent of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. Request a room on the ground floor so you can throw open the French doors of your suite and walk directly into the vineyard. Tintswalo Atlantic This oceanfront lodge in Table Mountain National Park provides a complete retreat from the urban hubbub. Each of the plush, beachfront suites is uniquely decorated, so be…

“Ultimately, it is the residents who make an estate vibrant” THE FIRST FLOOR OF HDB Hub, the headquarters of the Housing and Development Board (HDB), always crackles with anticipatory energy, thanks to the daily influx of aspiring homeowners. But the top floor of this building, with its full-length windows, has a different vibe. Here, Toa Payoh—the first town designed and developed by HDB—is laid out before you, older slab blocks side by side with newer flats that reach much higher into the sky. Trees line the roads and green spaces dot the estates. In a way, it’s the Garden City condensed into one sweeping view. “Our vision of a Garden City has kept us focused even as we planned 30 or 40 years ahead,” veteran urban planner and HDB CEO…

TADASHI SHOJI AND FREDERICK LEE With a striking cover-up like Janet’s, the only sensible thing to do is carry a clutch with just as much pizzazz. This one’s by Judith Leiber L’WREN SCOTT This icy diamond cuff by Bulgari would look stunning against June’s graphic fur stole ZUHAIR MURAD Min-Li wears everything with a bit of an edge, so these Alaïa sandals couldn’t be more perfect for her…

While many of us were still recuperating post-New Year’s Eve celebrations, Marilyn Lum was eager to start 2017 proper: ready to welcome her second bundle of joy—a baby boy, set to join big brother Philip in late February. In celebration of the happy occasion, Marilyn gathered 30 of her closest friends, with help from girlfriends Tan Min-Li and Dolores Au, for an intimate party at VLV Singapore in the second week of January. The restaurant’s executive chef Martin Foo prepared a glorious spread of seafood and meats, paired with flutes of champagne, for the ladies to enjoy. WISE WORDS Dessert came in the form of these delectable glutinous rice “nests”, which were accompanied by a philosophical poem about the different stages of life…

It’s time to embrace a slouchier silhouette, preferably in a muted palette of neutral tones. The runways were awash with slinky shapes, and even designers known for their figure-hugging silhouettes were on board. The once bodycon-centric Victoria Beckham, for example, washed and crushed precious silks and velvets, and deconstructed knit dresses to expose clingy knit bras, while JW Anderson used raw linens, utilitarian khaki cottons, quilting details and ribbed hems to create a variety of easygoing and often wacky silhouettes. Even Olivier Rousteing, king of sexy cling, used netting, basket-woven metallic knits and slinky chain mail dresses to create a more relaxed sensuality—but still with plenty of Kardashian-friendly neutral numbers, naturally. RELEASE YOUR INNER TEN - YEAR - OLD   WITH PRADA’S NEOPRENE SOCK BOOTS AND HERMÈS SCARF-PRINT DUFFEL BAGS,…

“ It’s hard to lie with your eyes; they are the door to your soul, your feelings. For some of the characters I’ve played, lashes were key to the look’s success. ” Which beauty product can’t you live without? Even as a child I had a particular fascination with mascara. I love Lancôme’s Grandiôse mascara. It’s not easy to invent a new one that is even better than the ones that already exist, but they’ve done it. What’s your favourite scent? Tresór. What’s your beauty routine? Day-to-day I cleanse my skin very well. I use creams and an anti-ageing serum such as Advanced Génefique and and I don’t wear much make-up... my skincare routine is very important, especially at night since it’s the time when the skin regenerates itself.…

TIMELESS. CLASSIC. ICON. THESE words are too often uttered in reference to accessories with lifespans measured in seasons. But the savvy among us know that only a rarefied list of items can truly live up to their meaning. The ultimate test of an icon, surely, lies in its lasting appeal across generations. Yet despite it seeming a bit premature, we’re calling it now—the Fendi Peekaboo Essential will be among that list in due time. Since its debut in spring/summer 2009, the Peekaboo has been a canvas for Fendi’s playful designs, lending itself spectacularly to the Italian label’s decorative flights of fancy—from suede, sequins and shearling, to leopard print, multicoloured python and monster eyes—for each new season. With its sophisticated top-handle silhouette and unmistakable slouched look, the Peekaboo’s most enduring quality…

“COME ON DEAR, DO YOUR thing, and don’t let us down,” the octogenarian caretaker tells the Draughtsman, one of the three Jaquet Droz automatons that reside at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Neuchâtel (MAHN), before it begins its task. The dolls sit in a mini amphitheatre within the museum, facing their audience as they perform their dedicated tasks. There are three of them: the Writer, the Musician and the Draughtsman, and they were all constructed in the 1700s by Pierre Jaquet-Droz. Let that sink in: these mechanical robots performed their magic tricks more than two centuries ago, before the first president of the US was elected, before Beethoven composed Fur Elise, before even the invention of the modern fire extinguisher. Now, automatons have existed since the Middle Ages, but…

BACKGROUND After gaining a degree in jewellery design from the prestigious Ecole du Louvre in Paris, Claire Choisne briefly taught at her alma mater. The French native began her design career in 1998 as a jewellery designer at Creations Loiseau Kebadjian. She joined Lorenz Bäumer in 2001 as its creative studio manager, and 10 years later moved to Boucheron as director of creations. HAUTE JOB Choisne oversees all of Boucheron’s watch and jewellery designs. “Fulfilling this task for a historic jewellery house like Boucheron is overwhelming, scary and exciting all at the same time,” she says. “Looking through Boucheron’s archives compels me to live up to those incredible standards, or to be even better. While the goal is to bring freshness to our jewels, it’s equally important to respect the…

1 TYRRELL’S SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY OLD PATCH 2014 Seemingly limitless depth of ripe red and dark plum aromas. Ridiculously silky, supple and yet concentrated style, with a soft, fleshy, enveloping richness through the mid-palate. So profound and alluring: a weapon of mass seduction. Drink in a decade or more. 100 points 2 CLONAKILLA SHIRAZ CANBERRA DISTRICT VIOGNIER 2015 Full of life, this beauty delivers power with elegance. From fine musky florals to white pepper and almost every imaginable spice. Then an exuberant explosion of boysenberry, raspberry and cherry of every shade takes centre stage. The palate has an incredibly deep draw. Best from 2022. 99 points 3 VASSE FELIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON MARGARET RIVER TOM CULLITY 2013 Seductive. A fusion of bright redcurrant, boysenberry and red cherry together…

THEY ARE TWO OF THE BIGGEST names in the art world: Zeng Fanzhi and Larry Gagosian. Hailed by The New York Times as “China’s hottest artist”, 52-year-old Zeng holds the record for the most expensive Asian contemporary work sold at auction (The Last Supper drew US$23.3m when it went under the hammer at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2013). The straight-talking Gagosian is widely considered the world’s most powerful art dealer, with 16 commercial galleries across the US, Europe, the UK and Asia. Zeng is the only living Chinese artist represented by Gagosian, whose stable of contemporary artists includes Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Anselm Kiefer. He has also exhibited the work of legendary figures such as Francis Bacon, Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock, Cy Twombly and Andy Warhol. When Gagosian…

Celebrity photographer Crazy Rouge fl ew to Paris to capture all the glamour and fun at Chopard's Queen of Kalahari party Chopard's Garden of Kalahari earrings are 18K Fairmined white gold set with more than 60 carats of diamonds Carla Bruni wore the Garden of Kalahari secret watch by Chopard featuring two large flawless, D colour pear-shaped diamonds Chopard's Garden of Kalahari ring is set with an exceptonal 20-carat cushion-cut diamond With the dazzling Garden of Kalahari necklace sparkling from her decolletage, the legendary singer Shirley Bassey was certainly dressed for the occasion when she performed Diamonds are Forever during a party in Paris to celebrate the launch of Chopard’s latest high jewellery collection, the Garden of Kalahari. The star-studded guest list for the Théâtre du Châtelet soiree included Czech…

AT BETTR BARISTA, COFFEE is seen as a lifesaver in more ways than one. Pamela Chng started the social enterprise in 2011 not only because she saw potential in the specialty coffee industry but also as a means to help the financially and socially disadvantaged. In April 2015, Bettr Barista—its misspelt name a nod to imperfect lives that can be made better—validated its profits-for-social-change mission by becoming the first Certified B Corporation (B Corp) in Singapore. It joined the ranks of over 2,000 companies around the world that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, legal accountability and public transparency set down by B Lab, a US-based non-profit organisation that facilitates a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Last year, Bettr Barista became an…

At Nana Au-Chua’s annual Chinese New Year luncheon, held at Empress restaurant at the Asian Civilisations Museum in January, the ladies-only crowd had their fashion game face on. As a warm welcome to spring, there were no lack of festive colours and floral accents in the room. Joining the ladies were 120 cuddly chick plushies that decorated the tabletops and doubled as door gifts that many were pleased to take home as mementos of what has become a tradition for this time of the year—a joyous afternoon of lo hei, good food and catching up with friends. SOCIAL AFFAIR For many in attendance, Nana Au-Chua’s annual Chinese New Year luncheon was an anticipated reunion of old friends…

If one’s choice of car is a reflection of their taste, preferences and personality, then INFINITI’s brand-new Q60 sports coupe will be coveted by trendsetters who appreciate style, innovation and performance. The enchantment with the two-door car begins from the moment you meet the gaze of its LED headlights. Look past the confidence, and the car’s double-arch front grille reveals its assertive character. The taut lines that extend across the coupe’s sleek angled body to its flared wheel arches highlight athleticism and assuredness. As you get acquainted with the Q60 from behind the wheel, you’ll notice the driver-centric approach taken by INFINITI’s engineers. This runs from the cosiness of the spacious interior cabin that comfortably seats four in its cossetting spinal-support seats, to the intuitive dual-screen InTouch touchscreen infotainment system…

“Dance and fashion allow me to express my creativity and personality” WITH HER DIMPLED SMILE AND BUBBLY personality, it is easy to see why 27-year-old Melissa Peh’s wardrobe is awash with bright, vivid hues. “I love colours and creativity,” she says. “Sometimes, I think I’d enjoy being a fashion designer but there are just too many things I want to do!” “When I shop, I usually go for pieces with unique detailing or material,” Melissa shares, “I’m more interested in the design of each item rather than the brand.” That said, she is partial to a few labels including Gucci, Alice + Olivia and Self-Portrait. “My favourite place in the world to shop is London,” says the daughter of legal eagles Adrian and Susan Peh, “I used to study there…

The make-up police must have been rioting in their powdery tower the day Proenza Schouler sent models down the runway with their ears—yes, ears—painted acid yellow. Never mind the lilac, yellow, white and peach eyebrows shimmying down the runway at Gucci. Pure pigment anarchy! But what the cosmetics crimebusters fail to realise is that their stuffy rules dictating that one shouldn’t paint one’s eyebrows blue and one’s lips green are a thing of the past. The cool girls just don’t care. Take the matte, acid-bright orange, pink and magenta lips at Mary Katrantzou, for example, or the bright colours daubed onto temples at Max Mara—positively potty! But then, we’re all mad here.…

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AUDEMARS PIGUET & SURKIN / GENER8ION ARTIST Electro DJ and music producer Benoit Heitz, who goes by the name Surkin, started Gener8ion to draw together a creative alliance of artists from different disciplines to collaborate on commissioned projects. One of its recent partnerships was with British rapper MIA. PROCESS Surkin spent three days at Audemars Piguet’s headquarters in Le Brassus, Switzerland, where he recorded sounds in the manufacture and its environs. Inspired by the recordings, he composed four unique tracks to be used as chimes for a Royal Oak timepiece. TIMEPIECE The Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie sounds four different chimes at specific times: at 6.03, sounds of the start of the day around Le Brassus; at 10.45, sounds of the rhythm of work as workshop activity gets under way; at…

LIKE A DIRECTOR BAGGING the Best Picture accolade at the Academy Awards for his maiden venture, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele was understandably honoured and emotional upon receiving the Aiguille d’Or award for the Chronomètre Ferdinand Berthoud FB 1 timepiece in 2016. Commercial implications aside, winning top honours at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève proved to Scheufele that he and his team had successfully respected and translated Ferdinand Berthoud’s legacy. Now, if you had not heard of the name Ferdinand Berthoud prior to the award (or even this article, for that matter), it is tenable: he was a master watch and clockmaker in the 18th century who pursued a relentless quest for precision with the engineering of marine chronometers, crucial timekeeping devices that aided marine navigation. The last time the name Berthoud…

TROUBLED WATERS Inspired by Claude Monet’s Storm Off the Coast of Belle-lle, the honeycomb-like texture of these white-gold earrings evokes the churning of the sea, while more than 1,000 diamonds and 350 Paraiba tourmalines capture its frothy blue hue. FLORAL FANTASY Given that flowers are a constant source of inspiration for Buccellati, it’s not surprising that the house was drawn to Pierre Bonnard’s Two Vases of Flowers, which it interprets with yellow and white diamonds in a piece that can be worn as a brooch or a pendant. LOST AT SEA Crafted in white gold using the tulle technique, this bracelet mimics the sensual movement of waves and splashes of foam illustrated in Winslow Homer’s Light Blue Sea at Prout’s Neck. Its 663 brilliant-cut diamonds weigh a total of more…

A CLOSER LOOK: RONDE LOUIS CARTIER XL FLAMED GOLD WATCH CARTIER’S NEWEST ARTISTIC TIMEPIECE IS A TESTAMENT to the pleasure of taking your time. The Ronde Louis Cartier XL Flamed Gold features a flamed gold technique that is being showcased on a watch dial for the first time ever. The brand discovered this craft some three years ago, and embarked on a two-and-a-half-year research and development process to render it on the miniature canvas of a watch dial. So far, only one craftswoman, Swann, is trained in this technique at the maison, and it took her six months to master the craft. Essentially, the silhouette of a panther is “painted” by heating a gold dial at different temperatures to achieve varying shades of metallic blue and brown. As a base,…

Little Kulala Your villa here comes with a fluffy bed set under the sky, where you can admire the stars, red sand dunes and vast open plains in maximum comfort. Damaraland Camp Around this lodging, there’s wildlife, community conservancies and rock engravings. Within it, a beautiful pool to unwind after days of adventure, where you can catch a breakthtaking view of the sunset. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp This lodging showcases an elegant aesthetic that resembles that of a grandiose private residence set in an utterly remote landscape where hyenas, lions and giraffes roam freely…

For a long time, Porsche harboured the desire to develop a four-door car. Though it made stretched versions of its iconic 911 model in secret, the first opportunity to have a four-door saloon only came when Volkswagen wanted an SUV but didn’t have the know-how. For Porsche, it was the opposite case—it knew how to build one, but lacked the production facility. With this, Porsche seized the chance to produce its third line of cars, the Cayenne. The Cayenne was a runaway success and with the profits from it, Porsche began work on its fourth line of cars, the Panamera, which was introduced in 2009. After a long seven-year production life cycle, the marque introduced its second-generation Panamera in 2016 using a new production platform that will underpin the Bentley…