Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2018 i Tatler Singapore

SYD BARRETT OF PINK FLOYD. JOHN FRUSCIANTE of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. These are just some of the legendary names to have had their fingers grace the strings of a Fender Stratocaster. And now you can be in the same league as some of the greatest musicians of all time with the Fender Custom Shop Dennis Galuszka Masterbuilt Private Collection HAR Stratocaster. One of the defining guitars of the 1960s, this Masterbuilt model is a replica of one of the earliest known black Stratocasters to exist in history. Before that, all Stratocasters were made with a two-toned sunburst finish, until Texan musician Howard Reed Jr, the guitarist of rockabilly group Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, made the first-ever request to have the Stratocaster in black,…

FANTY SOENARDY “Lewis Hamilton is my pick for a road trip companion. I like that he’s ambitious, suave and has such a strong drive for life. We’d drive the Ferrari 488 Spider on the Pacific Coast Highway in California to catch views of the stunning coastline and the Golden Gate Bridge. Our end destination: Malibu Beach, where we’ll take a nice stroll together!” PAULINA BÖHM “My pick is Sebastian Vettel. He’s German like me, drives for Scuderia Ferrari and seems like a down-to-earth guy. We’d take the iconic Ferrari F40 from Munich in Germany, do a bit of controlled speeding on the German autobahn, go up the Brenner Pass that cuts through the Alps, and descend into the Dolomites. We’ll arrive at Sirmione, a resort town overlooking Lake Garda in…

6 X EDITION See the works of celebrity photographer Russel Wong and multidisciplinary artist Stephen Schaub, along with those of their professional and amateur contemporaries, at this inaugural art fair. Till September 9, at Regent Singapore. xedition.info 8 HOROLOGICAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK TRAVELING EDUCATION America’s oldest watchmaking guild brings its education series to Malmaison by The Hour Glass (01-01 Knightsbridge), offering horophiles a hands-on experience on what makes a timepiece tick. Till September 9. thehourglass.com 14 FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX Music superstars Jay Chou, Dua Lipa (pictured) and Martin Garrix rev up the entertainment at this year’s Singapore Night Race, performing alongside homegrown and international artistes. Till September 16, at Marina Bay Street Circuit. singaporegp.sg 14 PABLO ATCHUGARRY IN SINGAPORE Over 30 of South American…

BVLGARI WILD POP GALA DINNER Italian jeweller Bvlgari made a splash at Capella Singapore on the occasion of the Asian launch of its latest high jewellery collection, Wild Pop. The jeweller took over the hotel for four days, where it hosted private appointments for its VIP clients to discover the collection’s joyful aesthetic expressed in a plethora of coloured gemstones. But the most coveted invite was undoubtedly to its gala dinner, which saw society’s fashionistas decked up to the nines, complete with Bvlgari jewels. True to the name of the collection, the evening was a wild celebration of all things pop from the 1980s. The epoch of disco and pop art came to life at the dinner, which thrilled guests with an over-the-top programme featuring an exuberant fashion show and…

MY BEST SKINCARE ADVICE? THE BASE IS EVERYTHING. YOUR SKIN HAS TO BE LOVED IN ORDER TO LOOK LOVED What three products are always in your bag? I always carry Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix because it’s very good, and Aquaphor to keep my lips hydrated. And you know the contact lens case you put your contact lenses in? I put coconut oil in there so I can use it on my face and hair. How do you stay healthy? I’ve always lived a healthy lifestyle. I grew up playing sports pretty much all-year round. I make sure to maintain a balanced diet and to indulge when I can. But I have a sweet tooth for cheesecake. Red or pink lips? Red. One of my favourite red-carpet…

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Sarah Burton’s collection was the perfect encapsulation of the changing times, but done with poetry and precision. It beautifully showcased metamorphosis through the house’s easily recognisable armour-inspired bustier dresses, then fringed and silk-printed dresses and separates all with various butterfly prints. The finale showed dresses with elaborate sleeves in silk taffeta and lots of fringe. BALENCIAGA Demna Gvasalia is one of the designers bringing back the logo trend, but it’s nice to see he’s doing it with purpose. In this collection, T-shirts, layered under numerous anoraks and jackets, were emblazoned with the United Nations’ World Food Programme logo, with proceeds to be donated to the cause. Also of note were the precision-tailored peplum jackets—remakes of sold-out styles from recent collections—and Gvasalia’s favourite floral blouse-and-pencil skirt combos. CALVIN KLEIN…

THE FIRST THING THAT YOU would notice when you strap on the Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea is its incredible heft. The timepiece wraps snugly around the wrist with substantial weight, reminding you that it is no ordinary dive watch, but the most technically distinguished professional divers’ wristwatch that Rolex has ever made. But before you dismiss the above statement as hyperbole, consider the evolutionary path that the Rolex Deepsea has taken. One can, in fact, trace the origins of the Rolex Deepsea all the way back to the brand’s first waterproof wristwatch—then a world-first—from 1926. And in 1967, the helium escape valve (another world-first invention from Rolex), which helps decompress air pressure in a dive watch, effectively set the course for the brand to become a respected name in the…

When the lights are turned off, the radiant green seems to glow like a bioluminescent jellyfish IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE SWISS watchmaker and MB&F founder Maximilian Büsser referring to fashion runway trends. But the fact that two of his new releases this year feature the trending Kelly green (or Kermit green, as other outlets have unforgivingly named it), it is an uncanny coincidence. The newly launched variants of the Horological Machine and the Legacy Machine Perpetual both feature a deep and intense green—on the bezel of the HM7 Aquapod and across the dial for the LM Perpetual Calendar—limited to just 50 pieces each. The Kelly green was named after the Irish greeneries, with Kelly being a common family name in the country—so the fact that Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell…

For those who have visited the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, the French hallowed grounds of motorsport, racing is more than just a competition, it is a religion THE SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER wafts through the air, the mood is competitive and the concentration intense. For those who have visited the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, the French hallowed grounds of motorsport, racing is more than just a competition, it is a religion. And Richard Mille, founder of the eponymous watch brand, is happy to be part of this “religious procession”. His obsession with cars is well-documented and his appetite for speed insatiable. This explains why the Swiss manufacture has been the official partner of the Le Mans Classic since the inaugural race in 2002. The…

PEARLS ARE THE ULTIMATE SYMBOL OF FEMININITY, simplicity and elegance. They have been associated with royalty for centuries, with everyone from Queen Elizabeth I to Maria Alexandrovna, the Empress of Russia, reportedly being huge fans. In modern times, women such as Elizabeth Taylor (owner of the famous La Peregrina pearl that was sold by Christie’s for US$11.8m in 2011) and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel have been famous champions of the lustrous orb. Yet somehow along the way, despite being beautiful prized gems of the sea, pearls became seen as staid and stuffy—“something only my mother would wear”. Slowly but surely, however, the precious pearl is seeing a resurgence of interest. It is helped along by public figures such as Michelle Obama, Lupita Nyong’o and Rihanna, who have all incorporated pearls into…

Peggy wears beaded cape dress by Fendi; Tiffany Paper Flowers diamond cluster drop earrings in platinum, and yellow diamond firefly pendant and ring in platinum, all by Tiffany & Co; Calista wears Fendi Mania wool sweater, beaded skirt, shearling Kan I bag and Double F logo boots, all by Fendi; Tiffany Paper Flowers diamond cluster necklace and ring in platinum, and yellow diamond firefly ring in platinum, and Tiffany Circlet diamond necklace in platinum, all by Tiffany & Co; Dick wears silk shirt with coated jacket, wool trousers and leather sneakers, all by Fendi; CT60 3-Hand 40mm watch in stainless steel by Tiffany & Co…

TAKING OVER THE FOUR-STOREY conservation building on Bukit Pasoh Road—where many of Singapore’s clan associations are located—is swanky private members’ club Straits Clan. But unlike what one might expect from a seemingly archaic construct, this revival aims to be a catalyst for change in the wider community. In short, it is not a gentlemen’s club. “My journey as an entrepreneur in the last decade has given me the incredible opportunity to work with many progressive creatives, business leaders and change-makers across numerous fields,’’ says Wee Teng Wen, co-founder and managing partner of The Lo & Behold Group, which manages the club. It is this impetus to create an inclusive space for genuine connection that led Wee, together with The Ate Group co-founder Aun Koh and hospitality veteran Sally Lim, to…

“I moved to Singapore four years ago, and now I’ve gotten quite familiar with the local cuisine and produce. Now, I have to start my day with a cup of kopi peng (pictured with Sun) from the coffee shop opposite Meta. I’ve also been experimenting with Southeast Asian flavours lately, using sambal, XO sauce and fish head curry in my dishes.” “When I was applying for chef jobs, Tetsuya’s was one of the most difficult restaurants to get into, so it took a while before I got an interview. I remember my first day on the job where I was immediately put to the test and asked to create a dish in 30min using duck breast, onion and zucchini. Thankfully, I passed!” “With Meta, I had to start from scratch.…

1 PULLED TEA PERFECTION The culinary team at Grand Hyatt Singapore (tel: 6887 5492) takes inspiration from one of our favourite local milk tea beverages to craft the teh tarik and chocolate truffle snowskin mooncake. It’s as indulgent as it gets, especially when you savour the decadent core that combines the richness and creaminess of milk tea with the slight bitterness of truffles. 2 TRULY FRUITY Bursting with sweet and sour flavours, the mango yoghurt snowskin mooncake at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel (tel: 6831 4708) is reminiscent of the childhood favourite of lime and vanilla popsicle. The bright orange-hued confection is filled with an invigorating and luscious mango yoghurt paste, with a lime margarita truffle centre for an alcoholic kick. 3 CITRUS CREATION Executive Chinese chef Leong Chee Yeng…

Dior Joaillerie highlights the versatility of coloured gems in its high jewellery collections. In the Dior et d’Opales collection (opposite), the jeweller focuses on the beauty of the black opal, with designs that highlight the gem’s iridescent sheen. No less magical are the pieces from the Dior à Versailles Côté Jardins collection. Sapphires of various hues nestle alongside tsavorites, emeralds, chrysoprase and garnets to simulate the majesty of the manicured botanicals…

UARTZ WATCHES HAVE A strange place in the watch industry. Connoisseurs often turn their noses up at them, and brands don’t communicate nearly as much about their quartz offerings as their mechanical watches. One supposes that the quartz crisis of the 1970s and the subsequent elevation of the mechanical watch into a luxury product has something to do with it. Quartz movements are often dismissed as being cheap, mechanically and technologically uninteresting, and only valuable for their small size and relative timekeeping accuracy. They were thought to be best suited to women, who were less appreciative of mechanical specifications, and who enjoyed small jewellery watches. However, there was one watchmaker who thought that quartz was a “fantastic invention”, and who championed its cause by creating what is likely the most…

135,000 The number of spectators at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans. Attendance rose by 10 per cent this year 8,500 The total number of cars seen at the Le Mans Classic weekend 1000 The number of drivers who took part in the›races 700 The number of classic cars that›competed 200 The number of automobile clubs that›participated 60 The number of car brands at the races 30 The number of nationalities of the participating drivers 24 The number of car models on display at the Le Mans Heritage Concours…

PASSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE cornerstone of inspiration for Cartier. In the monograph Cartier Dazzling: High Jewelry and Precious Objects, author Francois Chaille dedicates an entire chapter, fittingly titled Dazzling Tokens of Love, to unpacking this long-held association between romance and jewels. He declares: “The art of Cartier is seduction, an invitation to allow oneself to be carried away in a heady whirl of intoxication, to be dizzied and dazzled.” Cartier’s creations are renowned for being emblems of romance and sensuality. Therefore, it took the jewellery world by surprise when in 2016 the maison released Cactus de Cartier, a collection of fine and high jewellery that derived its inspiration from the plant. The cactus has long been regarded as a symbol of repulsion, its physical thorny form translating into an…

What are some of your favourite memories from your riding career? One of my favourites is winning the five-star Douglas Elliman Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida last year with my horse With Wings. We had also won the Grand Prix Qualifier two days earlier, which very rarely happens in this sport. Another of my favourite memory is placing third in the Rolex Grand Prix at Versailles last May with Wings. It was our first big five-star show in Europe, and I was very intimidated. It was a spectacular feeling to do so well there at such an incredible venue and in front of such an energetic crowd. You now manage your own horses. Why do you do it? I believe that the programme I’ve created with my team is best…

THE FIRST TIME I FELT THE familial ties that Italian yacht company Azimut Benetti Group so greatly prided itself on having was within the halls of the Castello Carlo V in the quaint seaside town of Monopoli in Puglia, Italy. The palpable sense of community almost outshined the stunning beauty of the 16th-century castle, which had been booked out by the family-owned company for the welcome cocktail reception of its signature annual event, the Azimut Benetti Yachting Gala in June. The stonewalled castle buzzed with excited greetings and animated conversations between the guests, which comprised an international mix of wealthy yacht owners, well-connected ship dealers and press, with Singapore Tatler being the only media from Asia. The ambience was undoubtedly convivial as guests were reunited with old friends at the…

When age catches up, your body shows clear indications. Case in point: presbyopia. An eye condition that is part of the natural ageing process, it generally hits most people around the age of 401 , making reading books, newspapers or small print a challenge. Your vision becomes blurry as your eyes gradually lose the ability to see things up-close. While reading glasses and bifocals are possible solutions, they can affect your style quotient. Enter the Alcon Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses made for presbyopes. Reading will become a breeze and looking stylish remains within sight. Here are five things to know about the Dailies Total1 Multifocal contact lenses and how they can help you overcome any presbyopia-related issues. 1. LONG-LASTING WEAR Many contact lens users stop wearing contact lenses after…

French cognac maker Louis XIII hosted a gala dinner in July at the Flower Field Hall in Gardens by the Bay to celebrate its special project with acclaimed American musician, Pharrell Williams. The evening’s hashtag, #IfWeCare, summed up the collaborative result, a one-of-a-kind record made of clay featuring a Pharrell musical composition titled 100 Years. A collector’s dream, the record symbolises Louis XIII’s ambition to help push for increased global awareness and action against climate change. The record will not be released until 2117, but only #IfWeCare about the planet. In the meantime, it will age among bottles of precious elixirs in the cellar of Louis XIII.…

AFTER MONTHS OF ANTICIPATION, the film Crazy Rich Asians finally premiered in August. Based on the high society scene in Singapore and featuring a stellar all-Asian cast, it was notably one of the year’s long-awaited release. It was bigger than just some summer romcom—the movie is part of a wider cultural conversation, and a coup for Asians all over the world to finally achieve the visibility on the silver screen that many have longed for Hollywood to give us. And as one of the key publications mentioned in the book as er, Singapore Tattle, it was only natural that we paid homage to the Kevin Kwan novel, but this time casting our own set of colourful characters that we truly believe embody the crazy rich Asian spirit. Personifying this world…

US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S WAR ON GLOBAL trade; growing tensions between Washington and the axis of China, Russia and Iran, and the three countries’ cybersecurity threats across multiple US industries; and the UK’s Brexit legislation—crises are brewing around the world. With factors such as geography, economics and demographics influencing the politics and foreign policy of a country, geopolitics is affecting businesses at an international level. “In geopolitics, geography and politics go together. You look at factors such as natural resources, locations and national identification with a certain territory. But people often have a restricted view of geography, and only talk about why land is valuable. For countries like Singapore, which has zero natural resources, you have to look at its strategic location,” explains Cédomir Nestorovic, professor of international marketing and…

GWANGJU BIENNALE VARIOUS LOCATIONS SEPTEMBER 7 TO NOVEMBER 11 One of the leading biennales in Asia, this year’s edition is themed Imagined Borders and showcases the work of 165 artists from 43 countries. For the first time ever, the South Korean show features works by North Korean artists, with 22 pieces from Pyongyang’s Mansudae Art Studio on display. gwangjubiennale.org ELMGREEN & DRAGSET: THIS IS HOW WE BITE OUR TONGUE WHITECHAPEL GALLERY, LONDON SEPTEMBER 27 TO JANUARY 27, 2019 Scandinavians Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset have worked together since 1995, creating intriguing sculptures, installations and performances that explore social and sexual politics. This exhibition, their first survey show in the UK, showcases a series of sculptures and installations from across their careers. whitechapelgallery.org DELACROIX METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER…

A GAME CHANGER IS AN EVENT, idea or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current way of doing or thinking about something. Going by this dictionary definition, the Singapore Committee for UN Women, a non-profit organisation working towards women’s empowerment and gender equality, is a game changer in its own right for it has hit several important and significant advocacy milestones since its founding in 1997. For one, thanks to the efforts of the organisation and its partners in raising awareness on child prostitution in the region, the Singapore government amended Section 376 of the Penal Code in 2008 to criminalise commercial sex with a minor under 18 not just in Singapore, but also overseas. Then, as a reflection of the Day Off Campaign it launched in 2008…

IN TODAY’S RETAIL LANDSCAPE threatened by the convenience and wide variety offered by online stores, bricks-and-mortar shops and shopping malls are struggling to remain relevant and having to distinguish themselves from their digital competitors. Yet, a stroll around The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands implies otherwise. Indeed, the luxury shopping mall has defied all odds and recently delivered a strong performance in terms of revenue and footfall, while earning industry accolades along the way. According to Global Blue, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands owns “the greatest share of inbound tourist spend in the luxury sector in 2017 and the first half of 2018”, outperforming other local luxury malls. Traffic at the mall has also been healthy with an average daily footfall of about 120,000 along its wide corridors. To…

VACHERON CONSTANTIN’S OUTPUT in the past few years has been prolific, to put it mildly. The Genevan manufacture introduced the Harmony in 2015 as a fully fledged collection, then followed up a year later with a complete revamp of the Overseas line. This year, it has unveiled yet another new family: the Fiftysix. The Fiftysix draws its inspiration from Ref 6073, a simple three-hand dress watch that Vacheron Constantin released in 1956. The collection isn’t a mere facsimile though. “The Fiftysix is not a reissue. Instead, it’s a new collection of retro-modern timepieces—new watches with vintage touches inspired by the original,” shared Christian Selmoni, the brand’s heritage and style director. On the collection’s positioning, Selmoni elaborated, “This is Vacheron Constantin’s pillar for casual elegant timepieces. It is designed to reach…

WHEN IT COMES TO THE IDEA OF LUCK, THERE ARE arguably many definitions and interpretations. For some, it is happenstance, the idea that moments can be serendipitous. These are the eternal optimists, the romantics who choose to believe that fate is beyond our control. For others, luck is summoned through elaborate rituals. They try to exercise ownership over their destiny by wielding charms to try to steer their luck in the “right” direction. Then, you have the pragmatic realists who believe that luck simply is a combination of hard work and opportunity. For French jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels, the element of luck is its guiding spirit and the inspiration for its luxurious designs. It all began with Jacques Arpels, the nephew of founder Estelle, who would search for four-leaf…

I am at the old abbey in Hautvillers, France, where champagne was created by Dom Pierre Pérignon in the late 17th century. Some 300 years later, the brand that bears his name has become one of the world’s top champagne houses, with marketing budgets to match. I have been flown here to interview Dom Pérignon’s latest collaborator, the legendary, Grammy award-winning purveyor of the superfly, Lenny Kravitz. We are in a stone chalet ensconced in a small wood a short distance from the abbey. It is one of those defining moments in the annals of Cool Things I Have Done. Of course, in this picture-or-it-didn’thappen age, I must ask for the obligatory selfie. He happily agrees and, as I get up to move closer to him, he says smoothly, “No,…

AS A FORMER ATHLETE, I REALLY DIDN’T EXPECT TO TAKE TO YOGA OR CYCLING. BUT THE BIGGEST SURPRISE FOR ME IS STUDIO FITNESS—I JUST LOVE IT NOW! 1 FITNESS ENTHUSIAST I divide my time mainly between New York and San Francisco. In New York, I do a lot of boxing—it’s a great stress reliever and the classes tend to have great music. I also really like the community and vibe there. There’s a CrossFit gym in San Francisco near where I live, so I also do that. I like how challenging it is and how it changes up a lot. I get bored easily, so I really like the variety and how there are a lot of different movements within every workout. 2 BLOG READER I recently read this blog…