Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2019 i Tatler Singapore

Genting Group’s Loui Lim graces the cover of the inaugural Scions Issue, which shines a light on 60 heirs with notable names and remarkable resumes following in the steps of their forebears to build on the success of their family businesses—and beyond. Style icon Kim Raymond and fashion designer Nurul Zulkifli appear on the cover with their children. They talk about their struggles to conceive and how IVF was the answer to achieving their dreams of motherhood. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is on the cover of the Art Issue. While she initially hadn’t considered entering pageants, she realised that participating in such competitions would allow her to broaden support for her charity work. Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, shares the cover with her team as they celebrate…

HAIRY SITUATION What happens when a celebrity hairstylist gives you a bad $500 haircut? You rant about it on social media, of course, as this young society belle did, in hopes of gaining pity from her followers. Unfortunately, only two of them extended their sympathies—her boyfriend and his mother. FOR KEEPSAKE A gentleman shocked those around him when he casually removed a sizeable chocolate ball from the beautiful edible centrepiece at a recent black-tie event, leaving a large gap in its place. CALLING HIS BLUFF After being caught with his hands around the waist of his rumoured mistress by his wife’s friend, a man played it dumb the next time they met and introduced himself like it was their first meeting.…

ONGOING CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA 2019 Local Chinese culture comes alive with the third edition of this festival, which opens with the newly commissioned musical, Memoirs of Nanyang, a bold fusion of 2,000-year-old nanyin music with Mandarin pop and Malay music. Till June 15, at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. singaporeccc.org.sg FLOATING UTOPIAS Featuring more than 40 artworks, including eight large-scale air-filled sculptures, this playful new exhibition at the ArtScience Museum explores the social history of inflatable objects in art, architecture and social activism over the decades. Till September 29. marinabaysands.com/museum 1FROM SINGAPORE TO SINGAPOREAN: THE BICENTENNIAL EXPERIENCE Discover the pivotal moments in Singapore’s history from as early as 1299 through this immersive multimedia show and outdoor experience. Till September 15, at Fort Canning Centre. bicentennial.sg/the-bicentennial-experience 6 RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA SUMMER MATSURI…

GHRIS BARISH, JULIE MULLIGAN AND I were ensconced in a corner table at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, which has its own little niche at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Opened last September, it is the brand’s first Asian outpost. Justly proud, owner Barish looked around at the bustle of activity, and proclaimed: “It’s been doing great,” when I asked how business was. “What time is it?” he queried. “It’s 4pm,” chimed in Mulligan, Barish’s wife and business partner. “Even at 4pm on a weekday, there are people here,” Barish continued, without skipping a beat. “On the weekend, there’ll be a thousand people.” Mulligan nodded: “It’ll be crazy all day long.” The couple speaks as one voice. They are clearly proud of the performance of Black Tap in…

1 ATALAYE Based in and inspired by Biarritz, France, the brand is known for sun-washed, micro-print trunks infused with the breezy spirit of France’s Basque coast. They’re made in Portugal. 2 DOUBLE RAINBOUU The goal of Australian design duo Mikey Nolan and Toby Jones to create a line that reflects the beauty of the beaches Down Under has resulted in a fun, fresh twist on classic Hawaiian shirts and trunks. 3 TIMO TRUNKS Creative director Pow Foongfaungchaveng’s functional trunks (complete with waterproof pockets) are perfect for the preppy guy looking for tailored shorts and bold 1970s prints. Made from the finest fabrics in Thailand, they’ll easily take you from the beach to the city.…

BEHIND EVERY WELL-DRESSED man, I wouldn’t be surprised to find the same woman—Véronique Nichanian. The artistic director of the Hermès men’s universe has been clothing men with exacting standards since she joined the brand in 1988, and inspires fierce loyalty from a clientele that, it is safe to deduce, is not exactly short on resources to get what they want. “I try to express how a man wants to dress today, but at the same time, I create clothes that they can keep for a long time,” said Nichanian when we met for tea at Chiltern Firehouse in London. “I try to seduce the men,” she said with a hint of a smile and a twinkle in her eye, offering a glimpse of her excitement about designing a comprehensive collection,…

CUTTING-EDGE For the 21st-century man, these are the watches that make the heart race. They celebrate the traditional codes of watchmaking but push the craft forward. Embrace the future with these ingenious models OLD SCHOOL Today’s timepieces will become tomorrow’s classics, but for those who already admire vintage design along with technical innovation, these are the tickers that’ll soothe your old soul…

When the Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time was first presented to the local watch media in 2009, my initial thought was that it was a gimmick. The watch purist in me pooh-poohed the concept, thinking that such a design is too unconventional for haute horlogerie. Every 60min, as an hour comes to its end, a cube spins to reveal its neutral side, making way for its neighbouring cube, which will then rotate to show its distinctive face. But over the years, having witnessed how Louis Vuitton is evolving its watch business, I better understood its direction. The brand had never intended to be another Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. Instead, it wants to offer premium but unusual timepieces to its clientele. Stellar examples include the Tambour Mystérieuse watch, which boasts…

HUBLOT IS PERHAPS THE biggest enfant terrible of the watchmaking world, renowned for both its bold, visually arresting watches as well as its slew of famous ambassadors, particularly in the sporting arena. Both of these are guided by the brand’s Art of Fusion philosophy, which dictates a union between tradition and cutting-edge developments. In the words of CEO Ricardo Guadalupe, “we are not breaking with the past. On the contrary, we are paying homage to it by connecting it to the future”. Hublot’s latest move certainly cleaves to its art of fusion. The Swiss watchmaker has named homegrown DJ and producer Myrne, whose real name is Manfred Lim, as its first-ever Singaporean friend of the brand. He has been making waves in the local electronic dance music (EDM) scene since…

“APART FROM THE BUCKLE, EVERYTHING has changed,” said Nicolas Beau, director of international business development for watch and fine jewellery at Chanel. We were at the Baselworld watch fair in March, discussing the revamp of Chanel’s iconic J12 watch, which debuted 20 years ago. At first, what Beau said seemed incongruous—even if you had both the old and new versions of the J12 in front of you, as we did, spotting the changes was like playing a microscopic version of Where’s Wally?. But as Beau walked us through the tweaks, we began to understand what he meant by “everything has changed”, and gained a new respect for Chanel’s unfailing attention to detail. The hour and minute indexes were moved onto the slanted flange surrounding the dial, along with the words…

SPINNING AROUND Bvlgari is known for its impeccable craftsmanship, which extends to every single product that it makes. For the B.zero1 collection, the Italian jeweller developed a first-of-its-kind tubogas technique that winds long ribbons of gold and interlocks them without any soldering. The rings from the special 20th-anniversary edition collection include the usual five-band white gold paved with diamonds, as well as solid white or yellow gold, like the original creations from 1999. And for the first time, the ring will also be issued in solid rose gold. Each piece will have “XX Anniversary” engraved on the internal ferrule. ROMAN EMPIRE Once the spirals are wound, they are precisely cut to size and the ones destined to be diamond-paved are set with the glittering gems. At this point, you can…

The St Regis Singapore From Pablo Picasso to Georgette Chen, the artists featured in The St Regis Singapore’s art collection, said to be one of the best in Southeast Asia, come from both Western and Eastern influences. With over 70 original works, including paintings, sculptures and prints, the collection also comprises works by homegrown names such as pioneer Nanyang artist Cheong Soo Pieng. Right at the hotel entrance, Colombian figurative artist Fernando Botero’s Reclining Woman sculpture beckons guests to come inside, while French expressionist Marc Chagall’s Les Renoncules lithograph (pictured) takes pride of place in The Presidential Suite. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore Anchored by American artist Frank Stella’s monumental fibreglass sculpture, Cornucopia (pictured), hanging in the lobby, the The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s modern art collection features 4,200 artworks, of which…

IN A WORLD WHERE MOBILE phones aren’t just about phone calls anymore and where the camera function takes precedence over the smartphone functions, it seems like Huawei might have the right idea with its newly launched Huawei P30 Pro. Like several earlier members of its brethren, the smartphone boasts the Leica Quad Camera System—a collaboration between the two brands that started in 2014. Before we get into the technical details, let us understand how the partnership between the two giants began. Leica, with its experience in manufacturing binoculars and cameras, understands optical quality like no other in the market. So why not shrink a professional camera and put it into one’s most essential personal device, which in today’s context, is the smartphone. This premise laid the foundation for the alliance…

Perhaps one of the most creative events on the social calendar, the 26th edition of The Theatre Ball came with a blockbuster theme this year: Game of Thrones. An annual celebration by the Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), the ball also served as an official event in the lead-up to the final season of HBO’s phenomenal series. From Cersei Lannister to Jon Snow, guests went all out and dressed in their Westeros best—Ginny Wiluan even brought her Labrador to act as a direwolf. The Capitol Theatre was marvellously transformed into a celebratory scene in King’s Landing, resplendent in a burgundy hue replete with medieval accents. SRT artistic director Gaurav Kripalani, who was the master of ceremonies, urged the theatre company’s supporters to bid on unique lots including exclusive experiences in London,…

When R&B Distillers co-founder Alasdair Day declared that the bottle of The Tweeddale Evolution in his hands was 28 years old, it drew oohs and aahs from the Singapore Tatler guests at The Grande Whisky Collection in Ion Orchard. After all, a bottle of whisky of that age is hard to come by, and is in fact the oldest Tweeddale to date. The brand is part of the Scottish bottler and distiller’s brand portfolio, and Day has been blending its whiskies using his great-grandfather’s recipes for nearly a decade. The evening’s programme was simple, but highly enjoyable, as like-minded guests caught up with old friends and were regaled with whisky-blending tales from the Speyside, and their glasses constantly topped up with premium Scotch. WINNING TREBLE Besides The Tweeddale Evolution 28…

1 ALICE COLTRANE Music is my passion, and I used to mix tunes a lot at one time. I’m not that into commercial music, more because I come from jazz. My favourite musician is Alice Coltrane, the wife of American jazz saxophonist and composer, John Coltrane. 2 MIMOSA I love the smell of burning wood—it reminds me of the peat in Royal Salute whisky. When it comes to florals, nothing beats the mimosa flower. It’s almost like a star in the sky. The smell is just so complex and rich, yet not overpowering. 3 BENTLEY I love everything about the 1970s, especially cars from that era. That said, I’m more into European cars than American ones. I drive a vintage Bentley myself. 4 8 1/ 2 When it comes to…

PIAGET Brooch in white gold with diamonds, from the Piaget Rose Passion collection CHANEL Yachting Day brooch in white gold with diamonds CHOPARD High jewellery butterfly brooch in rose gold with white and fancy-coloured diamonds HARRY WINSTON Winston Cluster brooch in white gold with diamonds GRAFF Bow brooch in white gold with diamonds DE BEERS Aria brooch in white gold with diamonds DIOR Cygne Blanc brooch in white gold with diamonds VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Trio précieux clip in white gold with yellow and white diamonds, from the Contes de Grimm collection TIFFANY & CO Elsa Peretti Amapola brooch in white gold with diamonds and silk CHAUMET Valses d’hiver brooch in white gold with diamonds and pearls BOUCHERON Serpent Bohème brooch in white gold with diamonds…

IT WAS INSTANT ATTRACTION between Jean Yip Group scion, Rachel Wee, and her husband, Ken Chen, when they were brought together by a common friend, who had promised Rachel someone “really eligible”. A few dates later, the mutual attraction blossomed into love, with Ken sharing that he knew early on that Rachel was the one. In 2017, the associate director at Standard Chartered Bank planned not one, but two proposals in Seoul—Rachel’s favourite city—bringing her to tears. She said: “It really touched me as Ken is a practical kind of guy, but he made so much effort with the finest details because he knew I would have wanted a romantic proposal like that.” In January this year, the lovebirds finally tied the knot in a three-part celebration—a lively traditional tea…

ENERGY BOOST Like all of its products, Cha Ling’s Energy Nutrition Boosting Concentrate is inspired by Chinese traditional medicine. Developed by LVMH Research, the brand’s special 1+5 Oleo-Complex in this concentrate is intended to revitalise your skin with a formulation of limnanthes oil and five plant oils—derived from jojoba, tea, apricot kernel, olive and avocado. Simply massage four drops into your face for smoother, softer skin. SWEET AS HONEY Honeysuckle & Davana is one of the latest additions to Jo Malone’s fragrance line. At its heart is the quintessentially English honeysuckle, combined with top notes of davana and base notes of moss and patchouli that pair well with Jo Malone’s other fragrances. Spray over a layer of the brand’s Oud & Bergamot Body Crème for a daring big day scent.…

Maticevski If you prefer your gowns with a little less fluff and a lot more structure, Australian label Maticevski is a good choice. Known for his use of unconventional materials and architectural shapes—think neoprene mesh ball gowns and oversized panels—designer, Toni Maticevski, creates perfect options for the modern bride, who wants a gown minimalist in style, but maximalist in impact. tonimaticevski.com Sandra Mansour For an out-of-this-world ensemble, look no further than Sandra Mansour’s L’Ombre d’un Miracle collection. Known for designing Princess Ekaterina of Hanover’s beautiful wedding gown, this marks the Lebanese designer’s first ready-to-wear bridal collection, which takes inspiration from The Book of Miracles by Till-Holger Borchert and Joshua P. Waterman. Skilfully tailored from soft, dreamy fabrics such as tulle, organza and lace, and hand-embellished with embroidery and beading, each…

GETTING THERE There are currently no direct flights to Luang Prabang from Singapore. Fly into Luang Prabang International Airport via Bangkok on Bangkok Airways or via Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines. It is a 15-minute car ride from the airport to Rosewood Luang Prabang. BEST TIME TO VISIT Go during the dry season, which starts from November and is most ideal for tourists up until March. You may also consider visiting in April, when Laos celebrates its New Year, which is called Pi Mai—it will, however, be hotter with higher humidity levels as well. APPROPRIATE ATTIRE As the weather can get quite hot in the day, appropriate leisure wear is recommended. When visiting cultural or heritage sites, men are advised to wear trousers below the knees and women are to wear…

Situated in the heart of Orchard Road, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has arguably the perfect location of all the five-star hotels in the district. Locale aside, it also ticks the right boxes for versatile venues matched with tasteful décor themes, award-winning cuisine and a team of professional wedding planners. Whether you’re looking to host an intimate wedding or planning a lavish celebration, this city hotel offers diverse spaces for all types of celebrations. The plush interiors, high ceiling and alabaster lighting of the 500-seater pillarless Grand Ballroom give this expansive space its regal and romantic allure. For a cosy affair, host your party at The Gallery, which can accommodate between eight and 15 tables. For a unique solemnisation, head poolside to the popular Pool Pavilion. Breathe life into these…

HAVE YOU EVER FALLEN IN LOVE with a building? I have, and some have become lifelong romances. From the sinuous lines of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum in New York to the futuristic form of Hong Kong’s Bank of China Tower—one of the landmark creations of architect IM Pei, who just recently passed away—these are just a handful of the many structures that move me. Great architecture inspires, but more importantly, it transforms. It moulds the minds of all those who see it and shapes the existence of those who live among it. When a building goes beyond defining a landscape, it also becomes a tangible force for good. This is the philosophy of this month’s cover personalities, Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell, the founding directors of Woha, whose…

FROM AUDREY HEPBURN TO Alexa Chung, the style icons that have shaped Anita Chellaram’s fashion sensibilities run the entire gamut of fashion and entertainment. fi ample style influences and inspirations, why settle for one?” the co-founder of curated events company, The Edit & Co, tells us during this photo shoot in her Orchard Road apartment. She continues to rattle off more names such as Italian screen goddess Sophia Loren, American influencer Danielle Bernstein and American model Rocky Barnes—all women from different eras, but style luminaries of their time. It’s no wonder every time we meet Anita, she always looks impeccable. “Style is an expression of my mood and an extension of my personality. It’s more about how I feel in the clothes and look in the silhouettes, rather than what’s…

Lang Lang The Chinese pianist is one of the few in his genre to become a household name, and is a sort of classical music rock star. He is most famous for his flamboyant style both on and offstage, and always seeks to innovate the way classical music is played and enjoyed. Hublot has created several watches in collaboration with Lang Lang, including—of course—a minute repeater. Nicky Jam An American Latino singer-songwriter famous for his reggaeton hits, Nicky Jam was a long-time friend of the house before he became an official Hublot ambassador last year. His 2015 song El Perdón garnered him a Latin Grammy award, and he also wrote Live it Up, the official song of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, for which Hublot is a key sponsor.…

COAST CASA MARIN LO ABARCA HILLS VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2016 A mere 4km from central Chile’s Pacific coast, the Lo Abarca DO (denominaciónes de origen, or designation of origin) was pioneered by proprietor María Luz Marín nearly two decades ago. Cold rolling fog alternating with ample sunshine conspire to make a pinot totally unlike burgundy, but rather a more extreme beast: fleshy with alcohol and herbal dark cherry fruit, and bristling with marine acidity. PAZO DE SEÑORANS ALBARIÑO “SELECCIÓN DE AÑADA” 2008 Rare is the seaside white that will survive a decade or more in the bottle, but this aromatic albariño (the riesling of Spain, native to its verdant northern Atlantic coast), with its salty tang and white blossom nose, has a density of peachy fruit that belies its light…

It was an evening of musical enchantment at the Jazz Association Singapore (Jass) biennial benefit gala dinner, which took place at the Tower Ballroom of Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore in April. Titled after the hit tune, Some Enchanted Evening, from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific, the evening bore witness to a highly entertaining line-up that included performances by American jazz vocalist Kenny Washington and homegrown chanteuse Alemay Fernandez, who awed audiences with their smooth riffs and warm energy on stage. And not forgetting Singapore’s very own King of Swing, Jeremy Monteiroalso the non-profit organisation’s executive and music director—who led the Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra through a medley of Rodgers and Hart songs, including the show tune, The Lady is a Tramp. Singapore’s ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh, an avid jazz…

HAVE YOU HEARD STEVIE Wonder’s 1973 hit, You Are the Sunshine of My Life? In it, he crooned: “You are the sunshine of my life/That's why I'll always be around/You are the apple of my eye/Forever you'll stay in my heart.” The song pertains to that saccharine-sweet feeling between lovebirds, who want to spend every minute in the company of each other. It’s a joy that only those truly in love understand. For the couples, who plan to tie the knot soon, this issue of Singapore Tatler Weddings serves as your companion to express your unique love story. From the latest jewellery trends to honeymoon destinations, we have a treasure trove of features to help prepare for your dream wedding celebration. This issue, we shot our cover and fashion spread…

What makes a good florist? A good florist should treat every wedding as special and unique. It is an opportunity for the couple to mark this once-in-a-lifetime milestone in their new journey ahead. A good florist always listens to the couple’s requirements, and uses his or her floral expertise to conceptualise and create the décor of their dreams. Describe your style of floral artistry. I'm inspired by nature, of course, and my style is glamorous, dramatic, and romantic with a luxurious touch. The incredible works of Belgian floral artist, Daniel Ost, as well as renowned New York event designer, Preston Bailey—both of whom I deeply admire—inspire me too. What’s currently trending in bridal floral décor? There’s a shift away from conventional white and cream, and a move towards injecting more…

Some may opt for a quiet dinner or a simple bouquet of flowers to mark their anniversary, but for Damien Chew and Aileen Teo, every wedding anniversary offers reason for revelry, including their 13th year, which they recently celebrated with a grand bash. Biotech business owner, Damien Chew, first met Aileen Teo through her cousin in 2000. He’d made a bad first impression on Aileen after showing up for a group date in a pair of Bermuda shorts, but that did not deter them from embarking on a diving trip, which sparked romance for the pair. This culminated in a heart-warming proposal at Sentosa in 2004 after two years of courtship. In 2018, the couple celebrated 13 years of marriage—and eight years since their wedding ceremony—with a renewal of vows…

THE BRITISH COUTURE LABEL, Ralph & Russo, has been worn by the world’s rich and famous—Meghan Markle wore a sheer gown from the brand for her engagement shoot in 2017—and it is the first British brand since 1915 to be admitted to the official programme of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. In a span of 12 years, it has turned its small couture atelier into a global powerhouse, boasting over 1,000 clients ranging from Hollywood celebrities to Chinese billionaires, launching new boutiques in major cities worldwide including New York and Monte Carlo, as well as introducing its ready-to-wear collection. One half of the wonder duo, Tamara Ralph speaks to us after the presentation of its SS19 Couture Collection, marking its 11th season in Paris Haute Couture Week. Congratulations, the…

Dana Harel One of several Israeli bridal designers to make their way onto the international stage, Dana Harel has become synonymous with delicately constructed column gowns made with intricate details. Silhouettes are often kept clean and simple to let the hand-sewn details shine, whether it’s unconventionally shaped floral appliqués or Swarovski crystal beads. Many of the ethereal pieces would be perfect for a glitzy after-wedding party. danahareldesign.com Viktor & Rolf Continuing to shine in its mastery of couture, Viktor & Rolf’s spring/summer 2019 collection is laden with gorgeous details. Voluptuous tiers of laser-cut ruffles and 3D lilies hand-stitched to tulle columns make for dramatic, avant-garde yet wearable gowns. There are some jumpsuits typical of past seasons but there is also the welcome addition of sculptural mini-dresses in flattering trapeze shapes…

With weddings come revelry and what better way to celebrate a beautiful union than with The Macallan, one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. With a rich legacy dating back to 1824, it is the perfect choice of spirit to mark a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. You and your guests deserve only the best, and The Macallan Wedding Experience promises a truly memorable celebration. Marrying top-notch product quality with service excellence, it encompasses an array of packages and a suite of customisable services to suit your requirements. The pièce de résistance—The Macallan Wedding Bar—will be set up at your venue of choice and dressed up according to theme by trusted floral partners. Bespoke cocktails can be concocted according to your individual taste preferences or customised to reflect both of you as…

FRESH OUT OF THE RAMBERT SCHOOL OF BALLET AND Contemporary Dance in London, Adelene Stanley, at age 18, became the youngest dancer—and the only Singaporean—to be part of the original cast of Inala – A Zulu Ballet, which premiered at the 2014 Edinburgh International Festival. The brainchild of London-based theatrical producers Sisters Grimm and award-winning choreographer Mark Baldwin, the production combines South African culture and music with classical ballet and contemporary dance, and features the South African Soweto Gospel Choir, performing alongside current and former dancers from The Royal Ballet and Rambert. “It’s the exciting mix of art forms that creates the magic on stage,” enthuses Stanley who, as an original cast member, helped to workshop ideas during the initial stages of the production, working closely with Baldwin. Inala, or…

British actress Kaya Scodelario’s brilliant acting in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) put her in the spotlight and made her the ideal candidate to front the new Clash de Cartier jewellery collection. Just like her role as Carina Smyth—an intelligent, strong and feminine astronomer in the movie—the jewellery pieces, designed with powerful geometric elements such as beads, studs and clous carres (French for square nails), come with an allure that makes them appeal to both men and women…

BERUNDA BRACELET Created in pink gold and set with a cushion-cut ruby of 3.23 carats and a cushion-cut DIF diamond of 3.99 carats RUBIES FLAMBOYANT TRANSFORMABLE NECKLACE Crafted in white and pink gold and set with a 25.76-carat cushion-cut ruby, 18 oval-cut and cushion-cut rubies totalling 30.40 carats, and diamonds AMOUR SACRÉ CLIP Made in white, pink and red gold and featuring rubies in the maison’s signature Mystery Setting highlighted by diamonds ANDAAKAR NECKLACE Made in white and pink gold and featuring an oval-cut ruby of 5.03 carats and a 1.21-carat oval-cut diamond SOLEIL LEVANT RING Crafted in white and pink gold and set with a cabochon-cut ruby of 10.53 carats surrounded by diamonds ÉVENTAIL SOUVERAIN CUFF Made in white and pink gold and set with diamonds and 13 oval-cut…

THE SCOTTISH HERITAGE HOME WHERE The Fife Arms, Braemar, Scotland ART COLLECTION Seasoned collectors know that it takes time to build a blue-chip art collection. So it is no mean feat that The Fife Arms owners, Iwan and Manuela Wirth (pictured right), took three years to restore this 19th-century Victorian coaching inn into a 46-bedroom boutique hotel—which opened last December—and fill it with more than 14,000 works of art. Considering the Swiss couple is behind leading global gallery Hauser & Wirth, you know that they were in their element, despite this being the first property of its kind in their nascent hospitality portfolio. For the hotel’s interiors, British designer Russell Sage took inspiration from local history and landscape, as evinced by the bespoke tartan covering the walls and even taxidermy…

When Singapore Tatler runs a fashion presentation, our society friends will brave all elements, including inclement weather and bad traffic conditions, to be there. The Salvatore Ferragamo spring/summer 2019 presentation in April was no different. Despite the rain, guests filled the Paragon boutique of the Italian luxury giant to pick up styling tips from Tatler fashion director Desmond Lim. During the masterclass, he shared tips on how best to wear the collection’s utilitarian pieces, which came in bold colours such as emerald and Caribbean blue, as well as archival botanical prints. CLOTHES HORSE Dapper society friend Arael Boo gamely modelled this trench coat from Salvatore Ferragamo’s spring/summer 2019 collection and did an impromptu catwalk to the rapturous applause of guests…

Members of high society and top executives of the yachting industry’s most illustrious brands came together in April for the Singapore Yacht Show Gala at the Capitol Theatre. Taking place a day before the opening of the four-day boat show at One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, the Roaring Twenties-inspired affair saw guests mingling over bubbly and a decadent dinner prepared by the chefs from The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. The event culminated with the Asia Boating Awards, where several accolades were given out, including Best Brand Presence in Asia to Azimut Yachts. The party continued as singers Zoey Jones, Adam Hall and The Wild Ones serenaded guests well into the night. MASTER MIND Yachting industry veteran Arthur Tay took home the Best Contribution to the Asian Marina Industry award that evening…

It was all fun and games at Tiara Shaw’s baby shower in April, when friends gathered at the Dutch Pavilion at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore to fete the impending birth of Tiara and her husband Mark Shaw’s baby boy. The highlight of the day was the baby-themed games that Tiara’s close friends Suling Roth, Pia Lopez and Sujata Sheth had planned. The cheeky games included a race to finish an alcoholic mudslide from a baby bottle and identifying the contents of a variety of diapers (think Ferrero Rocher and Mars bars), while the tamer activities had guests guessing the number of Hershey’s Kisses chocolates in a jar and estimating the circumference of Tiara’s baby bump. At the end of the afternoon, everyone gathered to cut the three-tiered cake and wish the…

HAND-PAINTED DESIGNS AND GEOMETRIC SHAPES Wedding invitations are a great way of conveying to guests the essence of your unique theme or even your love story. Creative or art-loving couples will love hand-painted designs, such as original illustrations in line drawings or watercolour elements, which are truly unexpected, statement-making and unique. For this whimsical wedding stationery suite, Jonelle Ng and her team from design and print studio, PapyPress, hand-sketched and painted a husky—the couple’s beloved pet—placing the completed artwork prominently on the envelope liner, which is another big 2019 trend. The creative team also incorporated a third trend that complements every style beautifully—geometric designs, which make the invitations pop further and add a contemporary edge. papypress.com DARK HUES It used to be that light and neutral colour palettes were the…

ROSEWOOD LUANG PRABANG’S GUEST experience manager, Sommai Saiyavong, undertook a silent retreat in a rocky hideaway high in the mountains above the former royal capital of Laos for a year. In his quest for enlightenment, the 29-year-old did not speak, read, write or communicate in any way, existing in total isolation, sustained only by donations of sticky rice and fruit from local villagers. This spiritual solitude was part of Saiyavong’s training to become a Buddhist monk, an apprenticeship he started in a monastery when he was only 12 years old. Rosewood Luang Prabang’s managing director, Elias Pertoft, first encountered this devout young Buddhist in late 2017, several months before his property was due to open. The two men were living very different lives. Saiyavong’s austere existence eventually took its toll…