Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2018 i Tatler Singapore

IN RECENT YEARS, ZIMBABWE HAS swiftly shot up the bucket list of many a discerning traveller, eager to discover its plush landscapes and countryside teeming with exotic flora and fauna, and wildlife galore. There is no family more equipped than the Mavros clan to help you discover the charms of the former British colony, as they have been in Africa for the past five generations as premier silverware makers. Having ventured into the safari sector a few years ago, they are now offering bespoke experiences and itineraries to adventure seekers, and are opening the doors to Zimbabwe’s most exclusive safari lodges and beautiful private homes. But if you are looking to combine exquisite visits to untapped locales with gastronomic pleasures, opt for a journey with The Safari Butler, aka Dean…

FIVE YEARS AFTER readers fell in love with heart-throb heir Nick Young, couture-clad fashionista Astrid Leong and a host of other characters in Kevin Kwan’s first novel, Crazy Rich Asians, Warner Bros is bringing the romantic comedy to the big screen. With its irresistible mix of star-crossed lovers, family dramas, flash of ostentatious wealth (think spas on private jets and plastic surgeons for pet fish) and its depiction of Singapore, it’s no surprise that fans can’t wait to see the story brought to life on film. Kwan has previously admitted that he combed the pages of Asia’s Tatler titles for inspiration when writing the novel, so regular readers may find some characters reminiscent of the high-society personalities profiled in these pages—or possibly even themselves. Who was the inspiration behind domineering…

VENICE IS A LIVING, BREATHING cultural and architectural treasure. But for centuries, it was a maritime power that dominated trade in the Mediterranean. Shipbuilding was a major industry, and in its heyday, the republic was capable of building one ship per day at the Venice Arsenal. It was no wonder that the Ferretti Group chose the city built on water, or what its CEO Alberto Galassi called “the most beautiful city in the world”, as the venue for Ferretti Yachts’ 50th anniversary celebration in June, bringing together Ferretti Yachts owners from the world over for a glamorous weekend. The centrepiece? A gala dinner in the Palazzo Ducale’s Sala del Maggior Consiglio (or the Chamber of the Great Council), the first held here since the 18th century. This exclusive privilege was…

GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN LEXUS was a brand that only spoke to older tycoons. The Japanese marque’s current fleet is decidedly sportier and sleeker in design and performance, which has helped it attract a younger legion of luxury car buyers. A clear example is the latest Lexus NX, which draws your attention with a more chiselled visage that even Brad Pitt would approve; narrowed eyes that seem to judge you for doubting the car’s beauty; and a sculpted body that suggests it knows a thing or two about having fun. The car’s tail lamps are also wider than its predecessor’s and when paired with a more defined rear, give the NX a more muscular appearance. Inside, there is a clear understanding of modern expectations—from a larger infotainment display with…

AFTER A FOUR-YEAR HIATUS, BMW World returns to our shores at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 25 and 26. Themed “Of Passion and Joy”, the two-day ticketed event promises an immersive experience for visitors to discover the innovations of BMW and Mini, two brands under the BMW Group. The brands will also be showcasing an array of their state-of-the-art concept vehicles, newest models and BMW heritage cars—some of which date back to the 1950s. Visitors can also look forward to the gravity-defying tricks of professional mountain bike stuntman, Igor Obu, while gearheads will have the opportunity to test-drive their favourite cars, including the BMW iPerformance. Here are the five must-see cars at the event. 1 BMW M2 Competition Its compactness and sleek bodywork are reminiscent of…

The magic of St-Tropez was recreated at Shaila and Bobby Hiranandani’s co-ed baby shower as they hosted some 120 friends and family at the rooftop pool of So Sofitel Singapore. Organised by Bobby’s sister, Dimple Aswani, the baby shower was certainly not your typical fare with only baby and diaper games, as raucous beer pong sessions and drinking games also kept the mood buoyant, and guests remained on the dance floor until the late evening. Of course, it helped that swimsuit-clad models were on hand to readily fuel guests with ample drinks. OH, BOY! The couple’s plan to do a gender reveal at the party was thwarted by their own excitement as they couldn’t hide the fact that they’re having a boy…

“WE LEARNED THAT DOING WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT SOMETIMES CREATES CHALLENGES BUT IN THE LONG-TERM, THOSE EFFORTS PAY OFF” 1 PEANUT BUTTER AND AKURI A spoonful of peanut butter is my go-to comfort food. As for our Just products, I love our chef Kaimana Chee’s Just Egg akuri, a traditional Indian dish with vegetables and spices. 2 EMBEDDED I’m currently listening to this podcast by National Public Radio, which offers a deep dive into any given topic. The series on US coal country presented an inside-out view of what life as a miner is like today, and it was really interesting. 3 HORSEFEATHER This is my favourite San Francisco restaurant. It has a great selection of whisky and outdoor seating so I can bring my dog Elie with me.…

IMAGINE THIS: EIGHT MILLION TONS OF plastic trash is estimated to flow into the ocean every year. Many marine creatures and organisms die after ingesting plastic, and as it breaks down, it releases toxic chemicals that can be carcinogenic, which is ultimately harmful to us. If you’ve watched A Plastic Ocean on Netflix, you’d have a clear idea of just how big the scale of the problem is today. A leading figure who has been championing the cause of protecting our oceans is this month’s cover personality, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco. In this exclusive story, we interviewed the reigning monarch, ahead of his visit to Singapore in November to grace the Ball in Monaco—a fundraising gala dinner for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation held…

ASTUDENT WHO participated in its entrepreneurship course is now running two businesses while studying for his polytechnic diploma, and a former intern was inspired to start her own youth enrichment initiative to help broaden kids’ thinking—these are the success stories that galvanise Martin Tan, co-founder of Halogen Foundation Singapore, to pursue his mission of inspiring and empowering youths to become responsible and impactful leaders and entrepreneurs. “That our youths would invest their energy and time in paying it forward captures the essence of the Halogen spirit,” says Tan. The organisation is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a Yellow Diamond Gala on August 30, at Sheraton Towers Singapore, to raise funds for its future efforts, which will include creating a structured mentorship programme and collaborating with local institutions to set up…

“Changing the environment that I’m in helps to refresh my perspective, which is why I often fly to Melbourne where my family lives. Having time away from the city is especially important for me when I have to write new music, and also finding the sweet spot between being outside of my comfort zone and still feeling in control.” “I’ll be rolling out songs from my new record starting this month, and they’ll be more beat-driven than those from my last album, Time/Space. I’ve always wanted to make clubbing music for people like me who don’t go to nightclubs, so I’ve taken some risks with this album that people might not expect.” “The general response towards the new version of We are Singapore has been good, which feels like an…

1 SEAFOOD HEAVEN In Singapore’s dining landscape, few establishments have withstood the test of time. Long Beach Seafood Restaurant is one of those that has proved its mettle over the past 70 years, thanks to its stellar reputation as a purveyor of the freshest and most delicious seafood. In order to cater to its growing clientele, the establishment has opened its Stevens Road outlet, which boasts refined yet warm interiors that are versatile enough for a romantic tete-a-tete, or for a big fat family reunion dinner. 2 COMFORT FOOD There’s never a wrong time to savour the Li Shan clay pot live marble goby, which is one of the bestsellers here. The marble goby simmers in a hearty superior stock, which is boiled for eight hours using chicken and fish…

CLIMATE CHANGE IS ONE OF THE major threats in the world today, with carbon emissions in the built environment being a major culprit. Buildings in the US discharge almost half of the country’s carbon emissions, and they consume nearly 50 per cent of the energy produced. Architects are tackling climate change with sustainable or “green” design, which according to the World Green Building Council, “preserves precious natural resources and improves quality of life”. Design has the power to do more. Besides addressing environmental concerns, it can also elevate and empower communities, or what author John Cary calls “dignifying design” in his book, Design for Good: A New Era of Architecture for Everyone. “Dignity is to design what justice is to law and health is to medicine. It’s about making people…

IN AN ERA OF MASS PRODUCTION, it is a pleasure to lay your hands on a superbly designed item handcrafted by talented watchmakers and artisans. German watchmaker A Lange & Söhne has been providing such delight since its founding by Ferdinand Adolph Lange in 1845. Like drinking a 1961 Bordeaux or slipping on a Chanel suit designed by Coco herself, attaching a Datograph or Zeitwerk to your wrist is a deliciously sensual experience—as is stepping into an A Lange & Söhne boutique. To understand the exclusive nature of the brand, which makes fewer than 5,000 watches a year while many other luxury brands make 10 times that, you have to go back to its foundation in the Saxon town of Glashütte, where Ferdinand’s passion for horology led him to launch…

PLACE VENDÔME IS OFTEN regarded as the epicentre of joaillerie in Paris, and for many, the entire world. But its indelible role in cultivating diplomatic relations between the West and the East, and also in shaping and influencing the fashions of different eras, is often underplayed. Maisons like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Chaumet are so intrinsically entrenched in the history of France—and the world—that their archives offer more than just jewels of outstanding beauty. They also provide a magnifying glass into the lives of the royals and aristocrats; the friendships and tensions between countries; and the styles that have influenced diverse realms, from architecture to fashion. It was with this innate curiosity about the past and its impact on the present that we embarked on a tour of…

SINGAPORE ALLAN LIM WHY HIM? As co-founder and CEO of Alpha Biofuels, a Singaporean company that pioneered the manufacture and supply of sustainable biodiesel in the country, Allan constantly challenges the conventional wisdom of sustainable development. In 2017, Alpha Biofuels launched a pilot project at a local shopping mall that gives used cooking oil a second lease of life by turning it into biofuel. SHAWN KAIHEKULANI YAMAUCHI LUM WHY HIM? As president of the Lion City’s oldest, largest and most vocal environmental non-profit organisation, the Nature Society (Singapore), Shawn has furthered conservation and outreach initiatives, and forged collaborations both locally and internationally to preserve Earth’s biodiversity. He received the President’s Award for the Environment in 2017. THAT’S NOT ALL A tropical rainforest ecologist, Shawn oversees a long-term study of the…

MCLAREN 600LT WHY IT MATTERS The 600LT marks the beginning of a new chapter in the McLaren “Longtail” (LT) story, setting a new benchmark as the fastest, most powerful and most track-focused yet road-legal Sports Series that the British automaker has ever built. As the fourth Longtail in over two decades, the 600LT embodies the same spirit as its predecessors, with its optimised aerodynamics, increased power, reduced weight, track-focused dynamics, and above all, its ability to engage and excite drivers to the highest levels imaginable. Apart from its track and road prowess, its limited production also makes it a coveted piece among enthusiasts and collectors alike. FUN FACT McLaren revived the “Longtail” name at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show with the launch of the 675LT Coupé, which rapidly sold…

THINK OF SOME OF THE MOST imposing structures that dominate the skylines of Asia, and you will likely imagine the Jenga-like form of The Interlace in Singapore, the interloping grid-like structure of the CMG Headquarters in Beijing, and the tall, glass building with Tetris-like blocks that is the MahaNakhon in Bangkok. These buildings have two things in common: they have all been designed by award-winning architect Ole Scheeren, and have permanently altered the skylines of these cities. These structures were built on the concept of duality—melding with their surroundings, but still standing out; utilising the latest technologies, yet being one with nature and adhering to sustainable concepts; dominating the skyline with their contemporary, audacious facades, while still being infinitely liveable. The award-winning architect’s latest project, mixed-use development Duo, is one…

What happens when an industrial designer and an urban farmer team up? Creative sparks fly, of course. For a special project organised by Generation T and Cartier, industrial designer Olivia Lee and Bjorn Low, co-founder of urban farming enterprise Edible Garden City, were challenged to find a creative solution to a need plaguing Singapore. The need they identified? The issue of disappearing plants from our local landscape. Their solution came in the form of a seed bomb, a portable seedling that can be discreetly cast into the wind or dropped into the soil without planting. The cheeky idea was inspired by the ethos embodied by the iconic Santos de Cartier timepiece, the world’s first wristwatch born from pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont’s need to tell the time while flying, without fumbling with…

IN 2006, HIS SERENE HIGHNESS Prince Albert II of Monaco established his eponymous foundation to advocate for the protection of the environment, a cause that has been championed by generations of his family. In 2012, the Singapore branch was officially established as the eighth international outpost, an auspicious number in Asia, as Singapore branch president Jacky Deromedi noted cheekily in her speech at the Ball in Monaco gala held in Singapore that year to mark the occasion and to raise funds for the foundation. This biennial event has since become a highlight of Singapore’s society calendar, and Singapore Tatler is honoured to have been a part of this deeply meaningful and beautifully designed soiree at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) over the past few years. This year, we have the…

The fact that the Fullerton Building is still standing tall and proud after 90 years is a momentous milestone. This landmark anniversary was celebrated during an activity-filled weekend in June, which was marked by a “Mile Zero” plaque—a reference point used by the British in the past, from which all roads in Singapore were measured—that was unveiled during the opening ceremony of the inaugural Fullerton Concours d’Elegance and embedded into The Fullerton Hotel Singapore grounds. The Concours d’Elegance (Competition of Elegance) saw 26 classic, vintage and antique cars take part in a competition and judged according to their appearance, originality, and the accuracy of their preservation or restoration. Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar also kindly loaned his impressive fleet to The Fullerton Heritage as part of the event,…

SCIENCE TELLS US THAT more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, with the oceans holding almost 97 per cent of the planet’s H2O. Casual observation and conjecture, meanwhile, indicates that the vast majority of watch brands’ environmental initiatives are focused on the oceans. Protecting the seas and the many life forms that dwell within them is a vital cause, and watch brands can contribute in a very meaningful way, supported by their aquatic products It makes sense, what with water-resistant diver’s watches being among the most popular timepieces on the market. Protecting the seas—and the many life forms that dwell within them—from the damage posed by threats such as litter, oil and chemical contamination, industrial and agricultural waste, sewage and plastic is a vital…

Battle of the sexes? Sorry guys, but the score is even as far as Patek Philippe is concerned. Almost a decade ago in 2009, Patek Philippe debuted its much-anticipated in-house chronograph movement—not in a men’s watch which everyone expected, but in a new collection created exclusively for women. Although connoisseurs will tell you that the chronograph’s interval time measurement feature is pretty much a “masculine” function; or that its movement construction is highly technical (and hence, again, more of a “guy thing”), Patek Philippe blindsided everyone with the appropriately named Ladies First Chronograph Ref 7071. And it was a beautiful watch, too. Five years in the making, the in-house chronograph movement was a gorgeous mechanical labyrinth inside. Inspired by classic chronograph architecture, the hand-wound calibre CH 29-535 PS boasts six…

OFTEN DUBBED THE QUIETER and richer state to the showy, extravagant Dubai (only a 90min car ride away), Abu Dhabi probably isn’t right at the very top of anyone’s travel bucket list. But with Etihad Airways flying daily between Singapore and Abu Dhabi, and only seven-and-a-half hours away, there are plenty of reasons to make a short getaway to this city. If opulent malls and man-made ski slopes don’t interest you much, fret not for Abu Dhabi boasts an eclectic mix of customs, flavours and a vibrant cultural scene, especially with the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017. The Louvre Abu Dhabi came about when France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement on March 6, 2007, paving the way for a world-class museum developed with…

“Luxury is in each detail.” For the discerning crowd, these words once uttered by the late French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy will resonate with their definition of luxury. In the case of British car maker Bentley Motors, luxury also lies in the experience that the details bring—whether it is the tactile texture of the wood veneers in the interiors of its cars, or the sight of the soft leather seats in a customer’s favourite shade of purple. In fact, the marque is making a statement with the latest generation of its popular grand tourer, the Continental GT. The car of choice of Hollywood celebrities and footballers alike, the Continental GT has been winning hearts for years with its good looks and dynamic performance. With the recent release of the…

Andrew Tang was only three years old when he developed a fondness for cars, after his businessman father Tang Siu Kan bought him his first remote-control vehicle. The car became a constant companion, and Andrew would zip it around the house whenever he got the chance. This early zest for speed didn’t go unnoticed by his father, who saw how competent his toddler was in controlling the car and navigating it safely around obstacles. A few years later, this budding interest eventually became a full-blown passion when Siu Kan introduced Andrew to karting. The youngster started taking part in karting competitions and at age eight, he scored his first win. At 16, the Generation T lister made the difficult decision to move to Europe alone to join the young driver…

An evening steeped in exquisite art and design unfolded at the serene enclave of Corals at Keppel Bay, the setting for the HSBC Jade Legacy of Luxury event. Centred on the idea of art imitating life, the multisensory experience was curated especially for HSBC Jade customers, who were greeted by an exhibition filled with select pieces from esteemed luxury brands including Christofle and Atelier Swarovski. Guests perused pieces such as a superb Marc Chagall painting brought by art gallery Partners & Mucciaccia and witnessed the live creation of bouquets by Yi Lian Ng Floral Atelier. The cocktail was followed by an intimate dinner set against specially designed tablescapes by Elliot James Interiors depicting four personalities: Classic, Minimalist, Art Deco and Avant-Garde. During the four-course dinner, a lively presentation on market…

A convoy of Porsche cars greeted guests as they drove up the entrance of the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore —a clear indication that the German marque took the global celebratory theme of “Sportscar Together” very seriously as it feted its 70th anniversary in June with a charity gala dinner. Over 300 guests, including Porsche customers and industry veterans, joined the celebration, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the Porsche Club Singapore. A total of $111,900 was raised from the charity auction that evening, along with contributions from Porsche Asia Pacific as well as Stuttgart Auto and its founder Karsono Kwee. All proceeds went towards The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. LOGO MANIA A sand artist captivated guests when he created the Porsche logo on a light box…