Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i Tatler Singapore

What does the world’s most expensive hotel room look like? Located at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, the Empathy Suite, which is perched 34 floors above the Vegas Strip, is designed by world-renowned British contemporary artist Damien Hirst and overlooks the American city’s famous boulevard. The residential masterpiece is reserved exclusively for million-dollar casino rollers for a minimum of two nights at a princely sum of US$200,000. From bespoke indoor furniture to wall decals sporting the iconic butterfly motif from Hirst’s debut exhibition in London in 1991, the hotel room is home to six of the artist’s signature installations, each showcasing his eclectic exploration of death as a central theme. One of which is Winner/Loser, a white tank with two suspended bull sharks. An installation from his most…

The pace of change in the tech sector has always been rapid. But lately, the distance from buzz to bust seems to be shortening at an even more dizzying speed. From ride-hailing platform Uber to messaging platform Slack, some of the most feted tech start-ups have turned in lacklustre performances since becoming listed companies this year, prompting discussions about whether the venture capital-funded model of pursuing aggressive growth without prioritising a realistic pathway to profitability is really sustainable. Many are also starting to question the disruptions these tech innovations have introduced. Companies that rely on armies of contract or casual workers to make their business model work have come under fire for not providing better wages and meaningful health and safety benefits even as their valuations soar. Those that have…

The race to electrification has caused massive disruption in the automotive industry. Some marques have found this need to shift from developing internal combustion engines to electric motors challenging, primarily due to the huge investment they have already made in the former technology, while others saw opportunities. Jaguar belongs to the latter group and consequently unveiled the I-Pace, its very first fully electric car in 2018, before most of its European rivals. (The model officially debuted at the Singapore Motorshow this January.) The earlier electric cars such as the 2009 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2010 Nissan Leaf and 2013 BMW i3 largely resembled caricatures, but the Jaguar I-Pace crossover SUV bucks the trend and boasts a sporty aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye. It features an emotive exterior anchored by a…

My mother is from Taipei but grew up part of the time in Oxford, England, so between her and my Chinese-American father, our dinner table was a mixed bag of East meets West. One night we would have steamed bass with scallions and soy or chicken hearts with black bean sauce, and the next it would be shepherd’s pie, a T-bone steak or, on weekends, prime rib. But no matter what, there was always something steamed. My father is one of the biggest influences in my life. He was kind and thoughtful and fierce in his love for his children and his family. He came up in the kitchen, working in my auntie’s restaurant, the inimitable Ruby Chow’s. He washed dishes alongside Bruce Lee and shook hands with Warren Magnuson,…

With a storied brand like Breguetit is named after the grand master of watchmaking, Abraham-Louis Breguet—one would have thought that it would be a predominantly masculine brand. But the mother-daughter and best-friend pairs who turned up at the Breguet boutique in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in September were pleasantly surprised with the breadth of feminine timepieces the brand offers. That evening, the watchmaker showcased its Reine de Naples 8918 watch, a 2019 novelty that features bright burgundy red elements; the new Classique Dame 9068 with a classy mother-of-pearl dial; and the Marine Dame 9517, a female version of the highly popular Marine for men. Brush STROKES Besides appreciating watches and sampling wines, guests also had their portraits painted by local watercolour artist Grace Ciao (pictured below)…

The petrolheads among our Singapore Tatler friends were invited to the Bentley showroom for a private cocktail in September. Before the party started, everyone had the opportunity to test-drive the latest Bentley Continental GT and Bentayga cars, which received rave reviews particularly for their powerful drive and comfortable ride. Back at the showroom, a pop-up bar serving delectable drams of Glenmorangie 12 Year Old, 18 Year Old and Signet single malt scotch whiskies awaited guests, along with a gentle reminder from the hosts to not drink and drive. On the ROAD One of the stars of the evening was the Bentley Continental GT (above), which had guests raving about its mighty 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 engine…

There’s no doubt that the most distinctive feature of Bottega Veneta is its signature intrecciato weave. The brand’s new creative director Daniel Lee made his runway debut earlier this year, and was keen to show that the house’s heritage matters. This is evident in its autumn/winter 2019 collection, which Singapore Tatler friends got an exclusive look at in September at the brand’s Ion Orchard boutique. Tatler fashion director Desmond Lim was on hand to dish out styling tips while introducing some of the collection’s noteworthy pieces, including maxi totes with the intrecciato pattern as well as the fuzzy-looking Sponge pouch. Society friends Jane Heng and Pauline Chan were also spotted trying on the padded cassette bag, which is the perfect crossbody for a shopping date or casual afternoon tea with…

Before the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicked off in Japan, fans in Singapore were treated to a special evening with some of the sport’s greatest players at a gala dinner hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore in September. Gracing the event at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore were three former professional England, Ireland and New Zealand All Blacks players—Brian Moore, Shane Byrne and Eric Rush, respectively—who took to the stage to share highlights of their careers. From hilarious locker room encounters with teammates, to heartfelt moments before and after matches, the trio’s anecdotes left the audience in fits of laughter, and saw rallied cheers when everyone’s favourite teams were mentioned. Kick OFF Australian rugby player Tatafu Polota-Nau, who made a stopover in Singapore after his final match with the…

“Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind,” virtuoso musician and composer Johannes Brahms once said. Without craftsmanship, I say it would be impossible to talk about the luxury industry at all, so it is no surprise that this is a topic we often touch upon at Singapore Tatler. We can’t help it—being surrounded by people and pieces that represent the pinnacle of creativity means that our stories inevitably revolve around the art of making. Every luxury brand relies on artisans and their know-how to bring imaginative designs to life. Although the use of the word “craft” has been somewhat co-opted today—similar to the way “curate” is used to describe activities as simple as stocking a bookshelf—we are proud that in our own little way, we nurture…

To debunk notions of disability in society and to encourage the confidence, independence and self-esteem of its special needs members, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Singapore held its inaugural expedition to ascend Mount Fuji in August. Called the YMCA Inclusive Climb, 10 exceptional individuals scaled the mountain—reaching 500m away from the summit—and overcame their individual adversities while achieving a milestone that once seemed impossible. On December 2, the YMCA will host its annual Giving Gala at Parkroyal on Pickering to raise funds to support its special needs programmes, including the Mount Fuji expedition next year. ymca.org.sg OPEN CALL On November 28, local theatre company Pangdemonium will host its PangsGiving fundraiser, where guests can look forward to sumptuous meals at one of the 30 select restaurants in Singapore. They…

1 Name Game Vue takes its name from the French word for “view”. While the restaurant boasts a panoramic view of the Central Business District, general manager Benedict Tan says that it also represents executive chef Sam Chin’s imaginative take—or “views”—on food and cooking. Chin’s chef-driven menu is an eclectic fusion of East and West, and the seafood and meat specialities cooked on the binchotan grill are a big part of his repertoire. 2 Familiar Face Formerly with the now-defunct Me@OUE, Chin now leads Vue’s kitchen team. With over 10 years of culinary experience, he mastered the trade by working alongside lauded chefs Laurent Peugeot (Le Charlemagne in Burgundy) and Chen Kentaro (Shisen Hanten in Singapore), and was part of the Singapore team, which won the highest recognition at the…

Mars has terrified humans for millennia. Back in 3,000 BC, the ancient Sumerians peered at the blazing red dot in the sky and believed it to be Nergal, their fiery god of the underworld. The Romans thought along similar lines and gave the planet its current appellation, named after their murderous, battle-hungry god of war. Even today Mars is generally presented as forbiddingly hostile when it appears in films or novels—but physicist and TV presenter Brian Cox thinks we need a change of perspective. “It’s not science fiction any more to say, ‘If we’re going to continue to expand as a civilisation, how are we going to do it without damaging this planet?’” says Cox. “To me, there’s only one answer—if we want to expand, we have to expand upwards.…

The sci-fi elements in Urwerk’s timepieces have set the independent watchmaker apart from the other brands since its inception in 1997. With an eye for avant-garde design and its sights firmly set on the future, Urwerk has risen meteorically through the ranks, now sitting in the upper echelons of independent watchmaking. Its latest piece, the UR-100 SpaceTime, is every bit as science fiction-inspired as it sounds. While the watch displays time through the brand’s signature satellite hours and linear minute display, the UR-100 SpaceTime is innovative for its two additional displays—one at 10 o’clock, indicating the distance that earth has travelled on its own rotational axis, and another at 2 o’clock, showing the distance travelled by earth around the sun. Because of the nature of Urwerk’s satellite hours, both these…

How did discussions on the RM 50-04 begin? The moment Alfa Romeo Racing signed Kimi Räikkönen last year, we started discussing a possible watch collaboration with [team principal] Frédéric Vasseur. With Kimi being such a figurehead of F1, it seemed natural to associate ourselves with him. Kimi was also very motivated in participating in a Richard Mille watch development as he has followed the brand for many years and [is aware of] our relationship with F1, the drivers and teams. Has the watch’s movement been used previously? The movement is the same as that employed in the RM 50-03 Manual Winding Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph McLaren F1. We wanted to develop something quickly and using a tried-and-tested chronograph made complete sense. Is the quartz and NTPT carbon case different from that…

The year 2019 is an interesting one for Van Cleef & Arpels on many fronts. For one, the French maison did not participate in the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) watch fair in January—the first time since its first outing at the fair in 2002. “From decades ago, the fair was the only time in the year for the watch brands to meet the distributors, take orders and go into production, but now we meet on a more regular basis,” said Van Cleef & Arpels CEO Nicolas Bos to a regional newspaper earlier this year, explaining why the brand decided to withdraw from SIHH. The decision may come as a surprise, but not completely a shock, because the storied jeweller operates on a largely different business model as…

When legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle and famed marine photographer David Doubilet visited Singapore in August for the Rolex Perpetual Planet Symposium, they shared their thoughts on and experience with environmental conservation at the rousing event held at the National Gallery Singapore. They even met with academics and undergraduates to discuss research-related issues and joined a diving enthusiasts’ forum to talk about the oceans. Earle also took time off to meet with various government bodies to iron out the details of the possibility of identifying Sisters’ Island Marine Park as a “Hope Spot” under the Mission Blue initiative. (Mission Blue is a non-profit organisation founded by Earle in 2009 to raise awareness of marine areas that require protection and conservation.) Despite their busy schedules, the two Rolex Testimonees spent time with…

Emily and Jeffrey Piak have been married for over 30 years, but they are still learning new things about each other. Emily’s health scare last year made her realise the depth of her husband’s devotion, while Jeffrey discovered her strength. We travel with the couple to the picturesque city of Prague to celebrate life and talk about life lessons…

Alongside its centennial celebrations this year, Bentley has also unveiled its vision for the future: the Bentley EXP 100 GT (pictured). The stunning concept car looks like something out of a Steven Spielberg movie and offers a glimpse into the marque’s dramatic new design language. Some of the car’s most notable features include a smart matrix grille that lights up, a sleeker rear design, and a high-tech interior with adaptable biometric seats and a crystal AI-driven central console sculpted by fellow British brand, Cumbria Crystal…

As the cooler weather finally starts to arrive in the northern hemisphere, we have only one word to describe the summer: hot, and not in a good way. Though the region’s sultry heat was punishing, we can only imagine the suffering of our winemaker friends in Eru who battled a historically hot July. True, warming temperatures over the past few decades have yielded an unprecedented string of great vintages of barolo, red burgundy (arguably fewer white) and German riesling, with winemakers consistently achieving ripeness unthinkable in the middle of the 20th century. However, more warming probably isn’t better and we seem to be pushing past the sweet spot into a world of chaotic weather with quality-wrecking temperature extremes. Though poor vine growers can’t simply pick up their vines and move,…

Since Raffles City Singapore opened its doors in 1986, generations of shoppers have visited the mall for their fix of fashion, watches and jewellery, food and lifestyle services. Anchored by the Robinsons department store and Raffles City Market Place gourmet supermarket, the mall currently houses over 200 specialty shops and brands. Here, we spotlight two of the mall’s tenants, The Whisky Distillery and Penhaligon’s—two brands that are top of class in their respective fields and stock products made with savoir faire. LIQUID GOLD The Whisky Distillery is the only whisky-focused spirit specialist in Singapore and its expertise in selecting the world’s best spirits is evident in its range. Most are highly coveted, with some whiskies sourced from closed distilleries. Take the Tweeddale 28 Year Old, Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve and…

1 MÉMOIRES: LES CHAMPS DE BRAISES An autobiography of Hélie de Saint Marc, this book talks about a man who deals with the problems of society. Essentially, it is also a story of destiny that I find touching. De Saint Marc was an important member of the French resistance army who was detained in the Buchenwald camp by the Nazis following a betrayal in the resistance. After the war, he joined the foreign legion to fight in Indochina, and then in Algeria until his stay in prison following the Putsch of Algiers. He led a colourful life—there was disillusionment but also moments of happiness and brotherhood. 2 BEL AMI D’HERMÈS This is a very chic and refined scent that’s part of a family of woody chypre fragrances. For me, it’s…

Anyone who goes on a Singapore Tatler work trip would tell you that while it is an exhilarating experience, there’s an invisible undercurrent of stress that would manifest itself every so often. Sleep? There’s hardly a chance for that. Food? Forget sticking to your keto diet, especially when you’re offered an amazing spread of local delicacies. Even when faced with erratic weather and a vintage car that failed on us after 5min of driving it, our first-ever trip to Prague was simply unforgettable—and in a good way. We travelled to the majestic capital of the Czech Republic with society couple, Jeffrey and Emily Piak, for Louis Vuitton’s High Jewelry presentation, the first collection by its artistic director for jewellery and watches, Francesca Amfitheatrof. And on the side, we allocated time…

Pooja Nansi’s relationship with language is a complicated one. As a child of migrant parents, she had little access to literature in Kudrati, her mother tongue. When she attended primary school in Singapore in 1987, the poet chose Malay as her second language. Besides Tamil, there were no other Indian languages offered. “It was a deeply hilarious thing. I had to pick a mother tongue that was not my mother’s tongue,” shares Nansi candidly, “I speak five languages fluently now, but I think that none of us in Singapore have a simple relationship to language.” Taking over the directorship of the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) from acclaimed Singaporean poet Yeow Kai Chai, who helmed the past three editions of the festival, Pooja arrived at this year’s theme—A Language Of Our…

DO HO SUH: 348 WEST 22ND STREET LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART NOVEMBER 10 TO OCTOBER 25, 2020 South Korean sculptor and installation artist Do Ho Suh is famed for full-size reconstructions of his former homes rendered in fabric. His installation 348 West 22nd Street is a recreation of one of his New York apartments. Combining traditional Korean sewing techniques with 3D mapping, the maze-like structure was recently donated to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. lacma.org DORA MAAR TATE MODERN, LONDON NOVEMBER 20 TO MARCH 15, 2020 The provocative surrealist photographer and painter, full name Henriette Theodora Markovitch, was well known in the 1930s for her photomontages, commercial photography and social documentary work. This exhibition, the largest retrospective of her work to be held in the UK,…

Simon Clinton’s affinity with tigers started while he was growing up in Malaysia in the early 1970s, and became familiar with the country’s national symbol—the Malayan tiger. This early exposure, along with a passion for conservation issues, stirred the Englishman to set up the global charity initiative Save Wild Tigers in 2011 to protect the world’s tiger population, whose numbers have fallen to critical levels—there are only 3,800 left in the wild. “For me, the tiger is the most charismatic of all the big cats, intoxicating in its beauty yet facing threats to its very survival. It’s surely one of the planet’s most captivating species, and begs the question: ‘If we can’t save a species as iconic as the tiger, what hope do we have for the rest?’” shares Clinton.…

The story of Bvlgari Goldea may have only commenced in 2015, but each of its chapters—created in the vision of a beautiful goddess—has managed to capture the ever-changing facets of the modern woman. For the original Goldea, master perfumer Alberto Morillas created a floral oriental scent with a fresh burst at the top, a musky heart of ylang-ylang and jasmine before drying down to a woody base. The Rose Goldea from 2016 recreates the warmth and sensuality of the original but is softened by the damask rose, while in 2017, Goldea The Roman Night took on a more seductive allure with sensual notes such as tuberose, jasmine and vetiver. This year, Bvlgari writes a new chapter, or more accurately, a prelude, to its Rose Goldea perfume. In Rose Goldea Blossom…

Horology and motorsport have always had a tight relationship, harking back to the 1950s when watchmakers were also instrument-makers, who produced stopwatches and chronographs to time the early automobile racing events. While this rudimentary form of timekeeping has given way to more precise measures of time as technology improved, so too has the relationship between watchmakers and racing brands evolved. These days, however, the partnerships fulfil a more marketing-centred role. The undeniable pull of a prestigious event such as the Formula One Grand Prix has is impossible for watch marques to ignore. Each car is a vehicle for branding, and so is the wrist of every driver. Most, if not all, constructors are tied in association to a watch brand reflecting its values and missions. Independent watchmaker Richard Mille occupies…

The tiara, an icon close to the heart of French jeweller Chaumet, was the star of the recent Chaumet in Majesty. Jewels of Sovereigns Since 1780 exhibition held in Monaco from July 12 to August 28. While looking for interesting pieces to add to the plethora of tiaras and jewels from the brand’s archives, Chaumet heritage director, Claire Gannet, and her team discovered a good number of rare creations owned by private collectors as well as the stories behind some of them. When we met in Monaco ahead of the exhibition’s public opening, Gannet revealed that the brand had managed to loan pieces from “more than 57 private sources from all over the world, including owners from Europe, Asia and Australia”. More importantly, “we found new treasures for future exhibitions”,…

The stunning pictures that you see on these pages were taken in June, when we captured society couple Jeffrey and Emily Piak on their first visit to Prague. They were also in the capital of the Czech Republic to preview the new Riders of the Knights high jewellery collection by Louis Vuitton. Naturally, we wanted to find out how they found the experience of being the subjects of a photo shoot in one of Europe’s most historic cities. But by doing so, we unwittingly kicked off the kind of conversation that couples have probably been having since the beginning of time. You know, the kind where one person reminisces about a shared experience, only to realise the other person doesn’t remember things the same way at all. It all begins…

The name Salud Algabre may not sound familiar to many, but the story of the Filipino revolutionary may inspire you. Algabre was the central figure of a 1930s peasant movement, which did not appear successful in its protests against large landowners. But when she was later asked about its perceived failure, she reasoned that no movement fails; “each one is a step in the right direction”. This sincere declaration is the inspiration behind the title of the upcoming Singapore Biennale – Every Step in the Right Direction, which takes place from November 22 to March 22, 2020, and features a line-up of more than 70 artists and collectives from Singapore, the region and beyond. Organised by the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and commissioned by the National Arts Council, the sixth…

On July 10 this year, Bentley officially turned 100 years old. That’s one extraordinary century of producing standout luxury grand touring cars and achieving numerous racing successes. The latter began in the 1920s, thanks to the Bentley Boys and Girls, a group of wealthy British motoring enthusiasts who won many races, including Le Mans 24 Hours, in their Bentley motorcars. To celebrate the milestone, the marque welcomed its partners and select press from the world to its headquarters in Crewe, England, on its big day for a special centenary event and surprise: the unveiling of its ultimate grand touring ride for the next century—the Bentley EXP 100 GT. The concept car is the result of the marque’s management team asking themselves questions about the future of luxury mobility, grand touring…

Time slows down as you sail through the picturesque seas of the world aboard the new Regent Seven Seas Splendor. For an unrivalled luxury experience, reserve the palatial 4,443sqft Regent Suite, the most exquisite residence on board. It features a living room, complete with a grand piano and sleek, cream-hued leather sofas, as well as an in-suite spa with a personal sauna, steam room, and treatment area where you can indulge in Regent Seven Seas’ signature Elemis facials, massages and manicures. Soak your tired feet in a milk bath or ease your stress away with a Deep Sea Heat Mask & Massage. With the latter, a warm mask made with algae from the Baltic Sea is used to relieve tension, followed by a deep-tissue massage to loosen the muscle knots…

In 2019, Generation T, a satellite brand of Tatler Asia, committed to supporting causes championing education around the region under its Connect to Change campaign. The initiative in Singapore kicked off in September with five sharing sessions between Gen.T honourees—Love, Bonito’s Rachel Lim, Viddsee’s Ho Jia Jian, Mighty Jaxx’s Jackson Aw, Acceset’s Oon Tian Sern and rapper Shigga Shay—and a select group of at-risk youths from Reach Community Services. Held in partnership with the charitable organisation and The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, along with the support of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, the event offered the opportunity for the Gen.T honourees to inspire the next generation with stories of their own career journeys and tips on achieving one’s dreams. Mic DROP To conclude an afternoon well spent, Katiraven (below left),…