Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2017 i Tatler Singapore

SHANGLIU TATLER LUXURY ARTISAN ON THE COVER IS ITALIAN ENTREPRENEUR Brunello Cucinelli, creative director and CEO of his eponymous luxury brand. Known as the “king of cashmere”, Cucinelli discusses craftsmanship and the inspiration he draws from the beautiful surroundings of Solomeo, the 14th-century Umbrian village he calls home. Five members of Generation T (pictured) are also prominently feature as they embark on a sailing trip with Italian clothing brand Paul & Shark. They talk about life, motivation and work. TAIWAN TATLER HIGH PROFILES Nicky Hilton Rothschild (pictured) graces the cover. The American fashion designer, socialite and model opens up about her career, motherhood and philanthropic work, and delves into her close friendship with Taiwanese jewellery designer Anna Hu. Elsewhere, the founder of Taiwan’s Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Lin Hwaimin, takes…

IF COLOURING WITHIN THE LINES IS totally your thing, check out the latest craze endorsed by the likes of Vogue and Karl Lagerfeld—adult colouring books. Not just whimsical and charming, colouring books are also known for their therapeutic benefits and can help one focus better on tasks. Of course, we are not talking about Frozen or Toy Story books from your nearest toy store, but The Bespoke Colouring Book by internationally renowned artist Ian Beck, who famously created the artwork for Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album cover (above right). You begin your colouring book journey with an appointment with the London-based artist, and decide together what you would like to focus on: your family, your pet, your favourite sport, your most memorable holiday… After locking down the type…

FOR THREE-TIME GRAND SLAM CHAMPION AND FORMER WTA World No 1 Lindsay Davenport, winning the 1999 WTA Finals against Martina Hingis in New York’s Madison Square Garden was one of the most memorable moments of her professional career. Of her 6-4, 6-2 victory, she says, “To beat Martina by that score is great and it was a satisfying comeback as I also played her in the finals the year before. I would say that it was one of the best matches of my career.” The WTA Finals—where she holds an impressive record qualifying four times in singles, winning that 1999 singles title and winning three consecutive double titles from 1996 to 1998—holds a special place in her heart. The American makes her return to the end-of-season tournament as an ambassador…

Larry Jewelry celebrated its 50th anniversary with a big bash at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore where it invited its VIP customers for the unveiling of its limited-edition commemorative collection. CEO Caric Hon and Lazare Diamond’s Charles Rosario flew in specially from Hong Kong and the US respectively to celebrate the milestone, which was marked by delectable food and drinks, entertaining performances, heart-warming speeches and an open dance floor.…

LABEL LOVER MERCEDES CASTILLO Before starting her eponymous label, the Spanish-born accessories designer lent her creative vision to American powerhouses Donna Karan and Tory Burch for two decades, directing their accessories and footwear lines to great success. So it should come as no surprise that her debut collection for spring 2017 was created in partnership with Camuto Group, Tory Burch’s mother company. Inspired by modern architecture and mid-century design, Castillo’s new line found immediate footing in the industry, with bloggers and retailers such as Net-a-Porter thirsting for the instantly iconic ruffle slides and footwear adorned with accordion details. Low heels and versatile colourways beautifully balance the line between statement piece and practical everyday wear, making the relative newcomer a staple on everyone’s Instagram feeds. Have a stroll and see for…

AZZEDINE ALAÏA Azzedine Alaïa marches to his own beat. He rarely gives interviews, attends events or even hosts his own shows during fashion weeks. So when it was announced the designer would return to couture this season after a six-year hiatus, anticipation reached fever pitch. The front row was taken over by style icons such as Daphne Guinness, Farida Khelfa and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, as well as industry legends such as photographer Jean-Paul Goude. Their sky-high expectations were met in a show that was nothing short of spectacular, with long-time collaborator Naomi Campbell opening in a short embroidered shearling coat, followed by a series of models in variations of Alaïa’s iconic knit dress. ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER Go big, go bold—or go home. Alexandre Vauthier’s couture collection was a celebration of the over-the-top…

“For my own Louis Vuitton collection, I’m investing a lot in the Petite Malle bags. I was so happy when I got my first one last year. It’s my dream to one day own a Petite Malle in black crocodile–it’s a classy and good investment” “My very first Louis Vuitton piece was a hand-me-down from my mother. It was a bucket bag in mustard that I use the most whenever I’m back in the Philippines. I actually like it better now because it’s aged well and looks vintage” “I like to experiment when it comes to my style and won’t usually go for the norm, unless I’m in a rush. Also, I really love anything in brilliant crocodile”…

LOUIS VUITTON TAMBOUR HORIZON A combination of style and practicality is the hallmark of Louis Vuitton’s latest timepiece, the Tambour Horizon. The iconic Tambour—the luxury brand’s first watch—now features input from Google and Qualcomm Technologies. Exclusive characteristics include My Flight for travel updates and City Guide for access to the information and services in guides edited by Louis Vuitton. SPECS 42mm stainless steel case available in Graphite, Monogram or Black versions Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 platform Google Android Wear 2.0 operating system 24-city time zone option Accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate barometer and ambient light sensor functions Twin-pro strap BREITLING EXOSPACE B55 Breitling’s first connected chronograph is changing the relationship between your smartphone and watch. In a reversal of roles, the Exospace B55 moves your focus from your pocket to your…

ANYONE EVEN REMOTELY interested in luxury watches will be familiar with the quartz crisis that ravaged the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s and ’80s. At the time, quartz technology had just been invented, giving brands the ability to make watches that were slimmer, more accurate and more affordable. Why pay a premium for a mechanical watch that is less accurate and has to be kept wound or have its time frequently reset when you could have a watch that eliminated those problems, and was more affordable? While the mechanical watch industry eventually pulled through the crisis, it was largely by capitalising on the value of a mechanical watch’s history, tradition, artistry and quality. Mechanical watches are made by hand, and have an element of humanity and emotion that quartz…

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How do you define fashion? When something has style, has individuality. Fashion is not about how you wear it; it’s about whether the way you dress suits your personal style. On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate your own looks? 7. What is your most commonly used phrase? Not okay. Is there a food you once hated but have grown to love? All the foods I like now I used to hate. When I was little, I was a picky eater. I used to think everything tasted weird. It was only when I grew up that I found food more acceptable. What do you think will never go out of fashion? Striped shirts. What is your favourite travel destination? Kyoto. What is your most indispensable travel accessory? Breath…

THE DESIRE TO DINE WELL is seldom an afterthought for visitors down under, especially in recent years. If anything, it is why many frequent food capitals such as Melbourne and Sydney. While the latter might not offer a melting pot of restaurants and coffee shops the former has long been recognised for, Sydney is home to four million seafood fanatics, a world-class harbour and a record-breaking light festival that is Vivid Sydney. And yes, it boasts its share of world-class dining experiences to write home about. It is, after all, the breeding ground for some of the country’s turn-of-the-century tastemakers, the likes of Tetsuya Wakuda, Luke Mangan, Neil Perry and David Thompson. An increasing variety of cuisines is also being introduced. But for the past five years, locals have been…

THE BALMY SUMMER EVENING beckons a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined Champs-Elysées. We leave behind the majestic Arc de Triomphe in the sunset glow, and a short distance later, we arrive at our destination: 12 Avenue George V, home to the renowned cabaret Crazy Horse Paris—as it has been for the past 66 years—located just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower. Famous for its brand of “naked couture”, with classically trained dancers dressed in lights and projection, the revue attracts a diverse audience, both Parisians and visitors alike. But what I find surprising is the largely female audience—alongside the many loved-up couples—that fill the intimate 250-seat space on this particular evening. Chief creative officer, Andrée Deissenberg, confirms this observation. “Crazy Horse attracts mainly women. In Paris, over 55 per…

“Being based in Singapore really lends itself to ease of doing business across Asia” SUNITA KAUR STARTED OUT HANDLING SALES FOR PRINT MEDIA BEFORE MOVING into tech, serving stints at Microsoft and Facebook before joining Spotify as its managing director for Asia. Ask her why she was interested in the music streaming business, and it is almost hard to tell if her reply is meant to be tongue-in-cheek: “Music streaming is on the path to world domination.” It is a big statement, but the numbers certainly indicate that it is not an unfounded one. The Global Music Report 2017 by IFPI, the international body representing the recording industry, states that “digital income last year accounted for half the global recorded music industry’s annual revenue for the first time, and growth…

“Every megawatt of power that we install in Singapore is equivalent to planting 30,000 trees. So far, we have installed 160MW in Singapore alone” IN THE SUNSEAP GROUP OFFICE, SOLAR PANELS are hung on the walls like art—after all, these were the foundational building blocks of the company, which began in the 1980s as a manufacturer of solar panels for German firms. Today, Sunseap bills itself as Singapore’s leading integrated clean energy solutions provider, and is looking to make its mark in the region as well. In August, it secured investment from Shell’s corporate venture arm, with intent for Sunseap and Shell to collaborate on solar projects in the Asia-Pacific. Sunseap began venturing into regional markets four years ago, and director Frank Phuan points to the 10MWp solar…

TAHA BOUQDIB PRESIDENT, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF TWG TEA Luxury tea purveyor TWG Tea has 64 Tea Salons & Boutiques in 18 countries and the brand is distributed in 42 countries. TWG also supplies luxury hotels and restaurants, and its teas are served in Singapore Airlines’ lounges, and on board its Suites, First Class and Business Class. “Everyone in Asia is born with a proverbial cup of tea and it’s important to get everyone to embrace the brand as their own. The only way to achieve this is by offering rare and exquisite harvests of the finest quality teas. The ever-changing tastes of our customers mean that we need to continually delve deeper into unchartered territories, seeking new harvests to create more imaginative combinations. We also set ourselves apart from…

IN HIS INTERVIEW, THIS MONTH’S COVER personality Eric Khoo talked about his favourite film genre—horror. Fans will know this wasn’t a genre he started out producing—his iconic movies Mee Pok Man and 12 Storeys in the 1990s, along with Be With Me and My Magic in the 2000s, were box office hits with a gritty Singaporean vernacular that became his trademark. It wasn’t until 2004, when he executive produced a supernatural TV series 7th Month, that he showed his mettle with the horror genre. Then in 2009, his company Zhao Wei Films collaborated with Mike Wiluan’s Infinite Frameworks to start an independent genre label called Gorylah Pictures. “I couldn’t really make my first film a horror film, because then I’d be typecast,” he reasoned. Reading his interview (p.172), I was…

MAGRITTE, BROODTHAERS & CONTEMPORARY ART ROYAL MUSEUMS OF FINE ARTS OF BELGIUM, BRUSSELS OCTOBER 13–FEBRUARY 18, 2018 The show examines Réne Magritte’s legacy and influence in the contemporary art world, bringing together artists who, over the past few decades, have been carrying forward the Belgian artist’s approach to art and objects. As the title suggests, particular focus is given to the dialogue between Marcel Broodthaers, another prominent artist from Belgium, and Magritte’s work, which started in 1964 and continued throughout the former’s career. fine-arts-museum.be ART AND CHINA AFTER 1989: THEATRE OF THE WORLD GUGGENHEIM, NEW YORK OCTOBER 6–JANUARY 7, 2018 Charting the rise of contemporary Chinese art between 1989 and 2008, this major retrospective explores China’s creative practices in the context of the global geopolitical issues that marked those two…

It was truly a feast for the senses when Singapore Tatler hosted our first-ever Tatler Table: The Art Series at the Ode to Art gallery. Guests enjoyed a bespoke dinner menu by chef Kirk Westaway of Michelin-starred Jaan, which was paired with specially curated wines from The French Cellar presented by sommelier Jonathann Gallay. The highlight of the evening was the opportunity to dine with the highly acclaimed, reclusive artist Hong Zhu An, who is represented by Ode to Art. He held court with art enthusiasts who discovered how his childhood in Shanghai and four years spent living in Australia influenced his body of work. INNER WORLD Ode to Art’s Jazz Chong revealed that the artist prefers to spend time painting at home than going out…

What happens when you are invited to high tea with Sulwhasoo? Over cakes and scones, friends of Singapore Tatler got a brief introduction to the world of Korean beauty, along with a personal skincare consultation. After being ushered into their private cabins within the beauty house’s Ion Orchard boutique, the ladies experienced first-hand the benefits of ingredients such as red pine and ginseng, thanks to a pampering facial customised to their needs. BEAUTY SECRETS The use of a jade applicator is believed to help balance the body’s yin and yang…

“Some people feel a doctor should dress conservatively. I say bring on the boots, leather and lace” LOOKING AT YVONNE LIM POSE EXPERTLY IN a ruffled dress with heels, one would never have guessed that she was once a tomboy perpetually dressed in shorts and T-shirts. An in-demand anaesthetist, Yvonne is on call 24/7, her phone buzzing furiously with calls from anxious patients at all times of the day. This has trained her to look groomed and presentable even in the wee hours of the morning. While medical professionals are not often known for their adventurous sense of style, Yvonne is here to prove everyone wrong. “I like to break some rules too, like wearing knee-high boots to the hospital. I work seven days a week so what I wear…

Everyone wants flawless, radiant skin. But the busy modern woman doesn’t have the time to spend hours on her skin every day. So skincare just has to do more with less. Clé de Peau Beauté’s Radiance Trio, comprising Le Sérum, La Crème and the Intensive Eye Contour Cream, promises to keep your skin glowing no matter how busy your life is. The reformulated Le Sérum is particularly powerful. It is based on Clé de Peau Beauté’s intuitive skin theory, the discovery that the skin can distinguish between similar skincare components and selectively absorb the ingredients it finds most beneficial. Le Sérum’s Essential Prime Complex delivers ingredients that your skin needs the most to diminish signs of ageing, and boosts the absorption of subsequent skincare products, allowing you to maximise the…

Best Foot Forward If elegant heels and Scotland’s wild Hebrides islands sound like they don’t go together, think again. For autumn 2017, designer Manolo Blahnik took a trip to Scotland’s rugged western islands to draw inspiration from its stark wilderness and rolling beaches. The result—Blahnik’s signature sculptural heels get a touch of Scottish heritage through the use of tweed; statement pumps are constructed in fluid, multihued waves of colours that seem to be inspired by wild flowers; and design elements such as sturdy ankle straps and frayed edges pay tribute to the primitive appeal of the islands. Those looking for a little bling won’t be disappointed either. With crystals that shine as brightly as the stars on a pitch dark Scottish night, Blahnik’s classic embellished evening shoes, Olek (pictured left)…

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IF THERE IS ONE THING THAT Italians are known for, it is celebrations. Maybe it is the sunny Mediterranean summers, the rich, hearty food, or maybe it is just in their blood, but parties and celebrations are an inescapably delightful part of Italian culture. Festas, as the Italians call them, are part of Italian life. Have a new baby? Festa! Harvest time? Festa! The sun is shining? Festa! It should stand to reason then that Bulgari, the quintessential Italian jewellery house, should find inspiration in the joy of festa. And it has named its latest high jewellery collection just that—Festa. “Choosing a theme like Festa has allowed me a lot of creativity,” said Lucia Silvestri, the jewellery creation and gems buying director at Bulgari. “Some jewels are linked to historical…

FOR THOSE WHO CAME OF AGE IN THE 1990S, THE POPULAR imagination of those years pulsed with a sort of vivid ennui. Even as the era’s blockbusters dazzled with new digital wizardry, independent cinema was entering a new golden age. Its auteurs—the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Richard Linklater and Wong Kar Wai—became the arbiters of cool, and their distinctive visual languages shaped the emotional palette of a whole generation. In Singapore, where a once-thriving film industry dominated by Shaw Brothers and Cathay-Keris had withered by the late 1970s, everyone had gotten used to not having movies of our own. And then, suddenly, there was Eric Khoo. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his sophomore feature film, 12 Storeys, which featured interwoven stories about the residents of a single HDB…

The Golden Age of Air Travel Travelling by plane is a ubiquitous mode of transport these days, so take your guests back to when it was a luxury. Send invitations fashioned as boarding passes or passports, serve canapes from an airplane trolley, and let guests take inspiration from 1950s airline uniforms, aviator gear and Mad Men-esque jet-set style. Old vs New Japan Between this year’s Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Met Gala tribute to Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo, and Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2018 show in Kyoto, fashion has Japan on the brain. Use both ancient and modern inspirations to create a truly unique event— ukiyo-e (a genre of painting and printmaking) and manga images, avant-garde outfits and kimonos, and a mind-blowing menu of…

A FRENCH MAISON STEEPED IN history and tradition, Hermès had its humble beginnings first in saddlery and the world of fine equestrian leather goods before moving on to create one of the most iconic and exclusive handbags in the world, the Birkin. However, Hermès isn’t just known for its supple leather goods and quiet ready-to-wear. It represents a way of life and encompasses everything from travel, leisure, automobiles, furniture and homeware that accompany you every day. Since 1837, Hermès has looked at itself as contemporary craftsmen, designing and crafting objects that are aesthetically pleasing, functional and most importantly lend elegance to the daily lives of its customers. Its brand ethos? To incorporate good design with a purpose. This is especially important when it comes to the home objects that Hermès…

“THE NATURE OF SKATING AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION IS TO CONTINUALLY DO THINGS THAT ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT” 1 SKATEBOARDING Skateboarding is like a nightly meditation for me. I go to a warehouse down the street and I just turn up the stereo and I practise. I won’t let anyone see me practise. I do pieces of tricks at a time, and then I work on putting them together. 2 AMON AMARTH As soon as I hear the song As Loke Falls from Amon Amarth, I’m ready to go. I almost have a Pavlov’s dog reaction to it. It’s super-raw Swedish death metal, but there’s something that’s still melodic about it. 3 SCIENCE SET FREE I came across this book when Rupert Sheldrake was supposed to do…

PLEIN SUD Audrey amps up basic black with a play on textures, and this Max Mara mink fur clutch is perfect to do just that ASHLEY LAUREN A showstopping dress like Grace’s needs no further accessorising other than a pair of statement earrings like these Boucheron stunners. Minimum effort for maximum elegance PORTS 1961 Who says sequins equals drama queen? Grace redefines the rules with her edgy ensemble of sequins and mesh. This Chanel sequinned boot will fit right in with her signature edgy-meets-elegant style…

When it comes to celebrating the finer things in life, nothing, not even a heavy downpour, could dampen the spirits of the guests at the cocktail event hosted by Singapore Tatler, Bentley Singapore and Ethan K at the Bentley showroom. Over moreish canapes crafted by chef Stephan Zoisl of Chef’s Table, old friends and new acquaintances bonded over their love for Ethan K’s Bentley-inspired croc leather bags. Guests were also invited to test-drive the Bentley fleet, which included the Bentayga Diesel and the Continental GT V8 S. By the end of the evening, luxury and craftsmanship were two of the most uttered words, and everyone went home with a “B” leather keychain embossed with their initials in gold. PEDAL TO THE METAL These special-edition bags by Ethan K were inspired…

To celebrate the 130th anniversary of the National Museum of Singapore, local jeweller Lee Hwa Jewellery unveiled a limited-edition collection of two bangles inspired by the museum’s heritage. Singapore Tatler guests were invited to dinner at renowned pastry chef Janice Wong’s restaurant in the museum, so they could enjoy good food and tipples as they feasted their eyes on the new collection. The heart is the key motif in both bangles, and each is set with its own precious stone. The Malachite Passion bangle is set with deep green malachite, and the L.Lazuli Radiance uses gold-flecked lapis lazuli. LABOUR OF LOVE Part of the profits from the sale of the Malachite Passion and L.Lazuli Radiance bangles will be donated to the National Museum of Singapore…

Our favourite designers certainly flocked together this season, serving up wonderfully detailed outfits accented with some form of ostrich feathers. For Sonia Rykiel, these were strategically attached to dress bodices, while at Alexander McQueen, they delicately accented cuffs and hems. At Balenciaga, they engulfed the dresses and even the models. Delicate strands that flutter with every step give any look a touch of whimsy. Worn with sneakers a la JW Anderson or with stilettos for an evening of all-out glamour, this fanciful trend is surprisingly wearable when worn in muted colours of grey or moss green—and with attitude, of course. TOP HEAVY THIS SEASON’S IT BAG IS NEITHER BUCKET NOR CROSS-BODY. IT’S DESIGNED WITH FANCY HANDLES TO BE THE ULTIMATE ARM CANDY DARE TO WEAR Swap out your oversized straw…

English Oak & Hazelnut by Jo Malone A fresh scent from green hazelnut combined with the warmth of cedarwood and roasted oak. Uomo Casual Life by Salvatore Ferragamo Violet leaves and cardamom with coffee and geranium, finished off with cashmere wood and white musk make this a very sensual scent. Man Ice by Jimmy Choo A refreshing, powerful combination of mandarin, bergamot, patchouli and base notes of musk, moss and ambroxan. Colonia Pura by Acqua di Parma Citrus notes and spicy coriander combined with jasmine and petitgrain are sealed off with musk, patchouli and cedarwood, giving an air of elegance.…

INSPIRED BY THE ETERNAL CITY, Bulgari’s newest fragrance, Goldea, The Roman Night, is a powerful and intense floral-musky tribute to steamy nights promising adventure. Like its predecessors, the latest addition to the Goldea range takes inspiration from a golden goddess who embodies the spirit and grandeur of Rome under the stars. We meet Alberto Morillas, the man behind the fragrance, in the enchanting city to find out more. What do you think of, when you think about night? The night is beautiful, it’s relaxing, the moment that you dream, and when the stars come out—it’s everything. But these are things and feelings you can feel and see but never touch, so it’s great to have a perfume that smells different in the night. After decades working in perfumery, do you…

Singapore is blessed with an eternal summer all-year round, and it would be a shame not to embrace shorter hemlines. With this comes the inevitable pressure to have picture-perfect legs, for baring in pretty skirts or cute shorts. It is good to practise self-love, but the ropey-looking green- or purple-hued veins that appear behind the knees or lower legs can affect the confidence of even the most self-assured of women. Known as varicose veins, these unsightly veins are not just a cosmetic problem. Left untreated, they could potentially lead to blood clots, pigmentation and the hardening of skin, resulting in leg ulcers or wounds that take a long time to heal. Before you worry, The Vascular & General Surgery Centre director and consultant surgeon, Dr Sujit Singh—known for his expertise…

WHILE A PLANETARIUM IS technically a dome-shaped theatre upon which the heavens are projected for viewing, Girard-Perregaux’s Planetarium Tri-Axial isn’t quite a misnomer for the spectacle that it presents. Housing two astronomical complications and a triaxial tourbillon, the timepiece presents a view of the globe rendered in miniature painting that duly demonstrates Girard-Perregaux’s mastery of metiers d’art. The technical highlight that anchors this watch is its triaxial tourbillon. In a regular tourbillon, the balance is housed within a cage that spins on one axis, ostensibly to average all the positional errors resulting from gravity. The triaxial tourbillon works in a similar way, but adds a second cage around the original, and a third cage around the second, with all three cages turning on different axes at different rates. This essentially…

When you first look at British actor Eddie Redmayne, what you see is cheekbones sharp enough to slice through steel, tousled hair, and that endearing smile that lights up his face. What you don’t see is the prodigious talent that simmers underneath all those freckles. His award-winning performances as British physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything and Lili Elbe in The Danish Girl impressed with their brilliance, especially since both of those roles involved extraordinary physical and emotional transformations. Redmayne, in other words, is more than just a pretty face. No wonder then when time came for Omega to choose a brand ambassador for its new Seamaster Aqua Terra collection, the knock sounded on Redmayne’s door. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra, like the actor, is objectively a very…

1995  Mee Pok Man is the story of a lonely hawker’s obsession with a disillusioned prostitute. The film won many accolades on the festival circuit. 1997 12 Storeys focuses on the private angst of a group of heartlanders. It was the first madein-Singapore film to be invited to participate in the Cannes Film Festival. 2005  Be With Me is inspired by the life of Theresa Chan, a courageous deaf and blind woman, and was the opening film of the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. 2008  My Magic, a story about the relationship between a father and his young son, is nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes. 2011  Tatsumi, a homage to the life and work of manga artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi, shows at the Cannes Film Festival…

VEGA SICILIA RIBERA DEL DUERO UNICO 2006 Incredibly floral and beautiful with dark berry, spice, cedar and mint. Chinese plums. Asian spices. Bark. Tea. Full body, dense and so soft and complex. The finish goes on for minutes. Endless and fine. January 2018 release. Reminds me of the gorgeous 1991 or 1964. Drink forever. A wine that you want to spend time with. 100 points DOMINIO DE PINGUS RIBERA DEL DUERO PINGUS 2014 Exotic aromas of dried dark fruit such as blackberry combined with fig, mushroom and meat. Dried flowers too. Full body yet agile and very fine. The quality of the tannins is next to none. A truly phenomenal young wine that sets standards for finesse and elegance in a mindboggling textural way. Glorious. Drink or hold. 100 points…

The biggest rookie mistake when visiting South Africa for the first time is trying to do, and see, everything. Of course, maximising a trip is just human nature and luckily Airlink (flyairlink.com) helps you make the most of your time in the country. Myriad routes help you get to the thick of bush and back in the buzzing city easily. On our visit to Phinda, we flew into Skukuza airport in Kruger National Park before boarding our charter flight into the private airstrip. The airline’s seamless connections and engaging service make travelling to hard to reach places a breeze.…

“Southeast Asia is not on the international radar. Trying to market Southeast Asian art within this international climate is a big challenge” LOW SZE WEE DESCRIBES HIS JOB AT THE NATIONAL Gallery Singapore as akin to working in a start-up —a sure indicator of the challenges he faces to win audiences over to Southeast Asian art and build a world-class visual arts museum. The director of curatorial, collections and education chats candidly about Singapore’s bid to become the visual arts hub of the region, and the challenges of building a homegrown base of art lovers. Singapore’s bid to become the visual arts hub of Southeast Asia has gone through highs and lows. How would you describe the current visual arts scene and market? There are certain aspects of “hub-making” that…

“Space is a lever for other technologies, a locomotive for getting the best and brightest minds in STEM” JONATHAN HUNG’S INTEREST IN SPACE WAS SPARKED AT A YOUNG AGE BY SCIENCE fiction movies such as Star Wars. He went on to study at Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “I was very inspired by the people I met there, from veteran pilots to those on the front line of the American space programme. These were your professors in the classroom and instructors in the field,” he recalls. “In Singapore, you didn’t see this mould of people very often. They were innovators, entrepreneurs and mavericks.” Back in Singapore, Hung led the development of the space incubator unit at the Singapore Economic Development Board, and then took on management roles in defence technology companies.…

“Singapore SMEs should innovate and scale up through building internal capabilities to tap on the growth opportunities offered by the Asean integration” BEFORE HIS APPOINTMENT AS THE CHIEF executive of Spring Singapore in 2015, Poon Hong Yuen was the CEO of the National Parks Board (NParks), and then served as the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Law (MinLaw). “Being immersed in very different areas of public service provided me with a broad perspective of how different agencies work and enabled me to bring what I believe to be fresh perspectives to Spring,” he says. Thinking across different paradigms certainly comes in handy now that he is in charge of an agency whose mission is to help Singapore enterprises grow. Maximising synergies was the basic premise of the 2016 Industry…

BELOW 2°C The 2015 Paris Climate Agreement is a pact between 196 nations to adopt green energy sources, cut down on climate change emissions and limit the rise of global temperatures to below 2°C. Scientists believe that the environmental impact of a rise above this figure will be devastating. 1.5 TO STAY ALIVE For small island nations like Singapore, the rise in sea levels from melting ice caps would be even more disastrous. That’s why the Marshall Islands in the Pacific coined the phrase “1.5 to stay alive”, because capping the global temperature rise at 1.5°C might make all the difference to the survival of such vulnerable island nations.…

“Brand propriety is important. Develop your brand and own it; you can then be sustainable in the future with a regular base of loyal customers” THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IS NO STRANGER TO DISRUPTION, WHAT WITH THE RISE of vacation rental sites and growing consolidation in the hospitality sector. Singapore’s Banyan Tree Holdings, which launched its flagship resort in Phuket in 1994, has chosen to stay the course, recognising that its unique brand of luxury Asian hospitality remains an industry gold standard and a core strength. However, that does not mean that the hotel group is not seizing new opportunities beyond the luxury sector. It is growing its portfolio to appeal to a wider range of travellers, from millennials to the active silver generation. Newly forged alliances with strategic partners will…