Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2020 i Tatler Singapore

While the entire world adapts to the unprecedented challenges that have followed the spread of Covid-19, so too are we witnessing a moment of unprecedented solutions. This issue, for example, is the first we’ve ever been forced to produce almost entirely while working remotely from our homes. But it was a feat made possible by the incredible technology behind Zoom conference calls and social networking apps like Houseparty. Throughout our communities, I have repeatedly been touched by stories of entrepreneurs and fashion designers who have stepped up to produce medical supplies or restaurants that have transformed their operations to serve meals to the doctors and nurses working tirelessly on the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus. Their problem-solving spirit is an inspiration to us all, particularly when ideas…

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, GWACHEON Google s lets you walk through the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Gwacheon, South Korea as easily as you can walk through a city on Google Street View, giving you a close-up view of the design, craft, architecture and visual arts in the museum’s collection. On top of that, MMCA is currently hosting four online shows— The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Korean Modern Masters: Yoo Youngkuk 1916-2002; Park Hyunki 1942-2002 Mandala; Garden; and Birth of a Museum: Documenting the Construction of MMCA, Seoul—all of which feature informative write-ups alongside the artworks. mmca.go.kr RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM A museum art and history, the Rijksmuseum houses 8,000 pieces that span 800 years in 80 galleries. In its collection are several…

The toll that local businesses have had to bear in the wake of the Covid-19 situation is unprecedented, with some of the worst-hit from the F&B sector. Thankfully, amid their struggles, we are also seeing community support like never before. One recently launched example is Tripadvisor’s #LoveYourLocalSG advocacy campaign, a first in a series of initiatives by the online travel company to support the hospitality industry. The campaign, which is expected to last through the year, aims to inform consumers of ways to support local businesses. Much of this begins at a specially created microsite (tripadvisor.com.sg/LoveYourLocalSG), which features a broad selection of takeaway and delivery deals from restaurants and partners such as Chope and Shopee. The campaign will also support the Eat for Good collaborative initiative by the National Volunteer…

For decades, the local cocktail scene was solely defined by its archetypal drink—the iconic Singapore Sling. But in recent years, Singapore’s cocktail industry has grown by leaps and bounds to emerge as one of Asia’s most sophisticated. Six home-grown bars, including Jigger & Pony, Native and Manhattan, made it into the World’s Top 50 Bars list last year, as compared to only one entry in 2009. Meanwhile, a total of 11 bars flew the flag for the country in the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019 list. The uptick in demand and appreciation of cocktails has given rise to a group of knowledgeable enthusiasts, who are not afraid to get their hands dirty and shake up a drink or two in the comfort of their own homes. “Those who are curious…

Despite what most people think, the biggest fans of jewellery in history are not women but men. Specifically, the maharajahs from pre-independent India, whose insatiable appetites for extravagant jewellery are legendary and quite possibly unrivalled by the monarchs of any other country. Rare and exotic gems were not solely for flaunting wealth, they also symbolised power, authority and status in society. That explains the magnificent ways the maharajahs wore and displayed them—in highly elaborate, substantial designs that quite literally dripped and draped over their turbans and chests as well as set into the hilts and scabbards of the swords and daggers they carried. More is not just more for these men when it comes to accessorising with jewellery. It is essential on ceremonial occasions when they are to be seen…

SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL A city disc made from sapphire crystal projects the initials of all 24 cities onto the dial, so it looks as though they’re suspended above the hour markers. 2002 Louis Vuitton’s first foray into watchmaking dates back to 2002 with the launch of the Tambour watch. It is now an extensive collection for both men and women that includes simple three-handers as well as complicated chronographs, tourbillons and minute repeaters. HERITAGE Travel is one of Louis Vuitton’s biggest inspirations so it comes as little surprise that for its latest world time watch, the brand chose the same shades of yellow, black and white found on airport runways. LV107 CALIBRE The Tambour World Time Runway is powered by a brand-new automatic movement, the LV107 Calibre, which has been developed…

1533 Released in 1943, model 1533 was a watch ahead of its time. It had a two-tone case design, which was distinctively large—both details were unusual back then. The entire team at Audemars Piguet unanimously decided on the model 1533 because of the specific aesthetic and emotional connections they all felt for “this echo of the past”. BIGGER & BETTER Model 1533 had a 36mm-wide case that was considerably larger compared to other chronographs made in its era—most measured between 31 and 34mm. The [Re]master01 measures 40mm in diameter, which allows for better legibility; the chronograph counters have also been rearranged for enhanced readability. MARK OF HISTORY In place of the modern-day Audemars Piguet logo, this limited-edition watch bears an emblem from the watchmaker’s past. The dial is inscribed with…

When CEO and co-founder Tan Min-Liang announced on Twitter in March that Razer would be making and donating one million surgical masks to combat the spread of coronavirus, the internet went wild with speculation on what a mask by the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers would look like. Would the company’s trademark triple-headed snake—one of the most recognised logos in the global gaming and e-sports communities—appear on the surgical masks? Almost immediately, Razer’s existing factory lines in China were reconfigured to manufacture the masks instead of mice and keyboards, with designers and engineers working to accommodate the shift in production. “While there has been incredible demand for our products during this time with many staying home to avoid the crowds (and to play games), the team at Razer understands…

The response of one of Asia’s largest real estate companies, CapitaLand, to the Covid-19 pandemic has been nothing but swift and decisive. While the world was learning about the existence of the virus in January, it had already established a RMB10 million healthcare fund to support China’s relief efforts through its philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF). The first disbursement went towards the procurement of critical medical supplies for hospitals, while the remaining will support healthcare and rehabilitation efforts in China. Not only has its prompt action effectively aided the situation on the ground, it has also convinced like-minded corporate donors to contribute to the healthcare fund, doubling it to some RMB20 million. “CapitaLand is committed to helping the communities where we operate to overcome this challenging time together,” says…

As soon as Covid-19 started spreading, Grab—which has evolved from a ride-hailing platform to include food delivery, insurance and e-payment services—began offering myriad initiatives to help its community of drivers and merchant partners ride out some of the most severe impacts of the pandemic. It started several of them to alleviate the “immense financial anxiety caused by Covid-19”, said group CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan. The company extended financial assistance to drivers affected by the virus as well as insurance protection and earnings support for eligible drivers. These are funded in part by voluntary Grab employee donations that are matched dollar for dollar by the company. Grab has also distributed more than one million masks and bottles of hand sanitiser across the region to further safeguard customers and partners. Five…

“I just need to warn you,” the public relations manager says ominously, as I am about to meet Donnie Yen in the VIP suite at Lane Crawford IFC Hong Kong, where the movie star is introducing his second collection of sunglasses under the DonniEye label. “There will be about nine people in the room, and a video team will be filming the whole interview.” As I open my mouth to protest, she adds, “Oh, and he’ll be keeping his sunglasses on.” In case the size of his entourage isn’t enough of a clue, Yen is a big deal. He’s practically a household name in Asia thanks to the Ip Man franchise, in which he embodies the legendary father of wing chun, a form of martial arts, and since his 2016…

Jane Goodall is telling me a story from her childhood. One day, as a toddler, she brought earthworms from her family’s garden into her bedroom. Her mother came in to find her observing them intently. She was “wondering how they got around without legs”, Goodall says she told her mother. “While most mothers would get angry, my mother said to me, ‘Jane, these poor little worms, if we leave them here, they’ll die. They need to be in the garden’. So we took them back.” This memory is interrupted when Goodall’s phone rings. Excusing herself, she picks up the call and tells the person on the other line, “I’ll call you back. I’m on a Zoom call, you see,” straining her voice as she draws out the word “zoom”. Then…

Nestled in the majestic fjords, this remote region on Norway’s northwest coast is a destination made for all types of adventurers. Start from the port town of Ålesund, one of the most beautiful towns in Norway and noted for its well-preserved art nouveau architecture. It is also the entry point for exploring Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen, the latter commonly referred to as “The Trolls Road”. Craft your own adventure with 62°Nord, an experiential travel company founded by Norwegian couple Knut and Line Flakk. They arrange tailor-made itineraries that include deep-sea fishing and helicopter tours, as well as exceptional skiing that showcases the region’s unparalleled beauty. 62°Nord also has a privately owned collection of restaurants and boutique accommodation, ensuring that guests enjoy a taste of fresh coastal cuisine and authentic Viking hospitality.…

They say it’s all in the name, and that rings true with Zanzibar. Merely uttering the word evokes mystery and wonder—it sounds like an exotic experience waiting to be savoured. The archipelago in the Indian Ocean off Africa’s Swahili coast has always held a certain mystique. In 1872, British explorer Richard Francis Burton described his first glimpse of its islands: “Earth, sea, and sky, all seems wrapped in a soft and sensuous repose. The sea of purest sapphire, which had not parted with its blue rays to the atmosphere... under a blaze of sunshine which touched every object with a dull burnish of gold”. A semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, Zanzibar continues to lure modern explorers with a promise of an adventure like no other. One of these adventurers is nomadic…

CHINA Leaf Greener Style reporter, fashion consultant Fashion journalists, particularly those born in the social media era, tend to be typecast as superficial lightweights, but not Greener, who has managed to balance the glamorous responsibilities of becoming a street-style star with some actual serious reporting. When the coronavirus spread in Europe during fashion week, she responded to instances of hostility towards Asians with simple and clear social media posts calling out xenophobic behaviour and explaining the cultural history of face masks. Her latest project is a book, Runway Dreams (T&G Publishing), featuring her essays on fashion along with surreal collages by the artist Edwin Antonio that combine runway looks with characters from classical paintings. Li Jiaqi Online star known as the King of Lipstick Could this be the world’s greatest…

What does it take for a restaurant to stand out in Singapore’s dynamic and cut-throat F&B scene? For Scottish chef Tristin Farmer, who has worked in the kitchens of celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Jason Atherton, the answer is “delicious food cooked with passion”, all wrapped up into one unique dining experience. That’s exactly what Farmer and his team offer at Restaurant Zén, the Singapore outpost of three Michelin-starred Restaurant Frantzén in Sweden. Since taking over a three-storey space on Bukit Pasoh Road in Tanjong Pagar, the restaurant has brought chef-patron Björn Frantzén’s signature Nordic kaiseki cuisine perfumed with Japanese accents to the Lion City. While the restaurant’s DNA remains the same as its sister establishment, Farmer is quick to point out that the team has added its…

When Moshe Safdie was hired to design Marina Bay Sands (MBS), the vast resort-casino on Singapore’s waterfront, he knew it was an extraordinary project. “What really surprised me was the speed with which it became the icon of Singapore,” he says. “[It happened] within a few weeks. It was on the BBC every night when they spoke about Asia.” That kind of thing doesn’t happen very often. “Maybe in the history of architecture it happened once in the 20th century with the Sydney Opera House, and in the 19th century with the Eiffel Tower,” says Safdie. This year marks a decade since the completion of MBS—it opened in stages beginning with the casino and hotel in April 2010—and it has already joined that select club of international icons instantly associated…

Satoshi Kondo began to draw with a red pencil. He scratched lightly on the back of a press release, illustrating an outline of the final look from his latest collection—one garment comprised of several knitted tops that were connected by their sleeves. His interpreter and I stared in silence at this unexpected gesture from a designer who, after commanding the fashion world’s attention with his debut collection for Issey Miyake last September, remains somewhat elusive. “This look is called ‘Hand in Hand,’” says Kondo. “It’s one continuous knit with various fabrics fused together so that there’s always a piece of the previous garment in the next.” He then flipped the pencil over and with its end poked around the page. “We didn’t express this explicitly at the show but, based…

1. THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD NECKLACE Gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1947, this stunner of a diamond necklace was a special wedding gift. He was one of the richest men in the world at the time, which explains the generous gesture. The necklace was most recently seen on the Duchess of Cambridge when she wore it to the Queen’s 2019 Diplomatic Corps Reception. 2. THE PATIALA NECKLACE This legendary necklace is the single largest commission ever given to Cartier by the Maharajah of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, in the late 1920s. The massive five-tiered piece was set with over 2,930 diamonds totalling almost 1,000 carats, and held the famous 234-carat De Beers yellow diamond as its centrepiece. Apparently, the necklace had mysteriously disappeared from the…

Marion Cotillard has been photographed wearing Chopard’s Ice Cube and Magical Setting collections, including a geometric timepiece in rose gold that’s as elegant as it is minimal. The French actress herself turned her hand to design in 2015, when she co-created a collection with the Swiss maison. Her “green” creations used Fairmined gold and ethically sourced coloured gemstones as part of Eco-Age’s Green Carpet Challenge, which aims to promote the idea that glamour and sustainability in jewellery and watchmaking can go hand in hand.…

Superman by name, Superman by nature. Ninety-one-year-old Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shingwho was given the nickname decades ago for the huge influence he wields over the city’s economy—sprang into action soon after the Covid-19 virus emerged in Wuhan, donating HK$100 million to the Chinese city in early February. That money was used to support healthcare workers through the magnate’s Li Ka-shing Foundation, the second largest private foundation in the world after that of Bill and Melinda Gates. A week later, he gave 250,000 face masks to 13 social welfare organisations and six homes for the elderly in Hong Kong, as well as medical supplies to doctors in public hospitals. Some of Li’s previous philanthropic work—he has donated more than US$3 billion so far—is also bearing fruit during the current crisis.…

WESLEY NG Founder and CEO, Casetify Sanitising our phones is one of the most overlooked habits we should be adopting now. To this end, Hong Kong start-up Casetify has launched a UV sanitiser that uses radiation-free lights to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria as part of its #CasetifyProtects initiative. “The UV sanitiser was actually something we’ve had up our sleeve for a while now, already developed and tested by Casetify,” says Ng, adding that with the current situation, it made sense to release the product now. “We want to protect those in need and the quicker we’re able to do it, the more people we can help.” DR DAVID HO Infectious disease expert In 1996, Dr David Ho, the world-famous HIV researcher, became the first doctor chosen specifically for…

AUDREY TANG Software programmer and executive cabinet member Audrey Tang has been called “Taiwan’s genius IT minister” for having applied her technology expertise to its disease prevention efforts, and she has been an instrumental figure in Taiwan’s fight against the coronavirus. Tang united civil and governmental agencies to create a “mask map” app, which helped residents efficiently find the closest location where masks were available in real time. She also developed an alert system to inform citizens where passengers had visited in order to evaluate whether they needed to monitor their health, and to issue timely rebuttals to the spread of any misinformation or rumours. PANACHIT KITTIPANYANGAM President, Thailand Tech Start-up Association Panachit Kittipanya-ngam, the Thailand Tech Start-up Association president, gathered colleagues to form a group called Ped Thai Su…

KAREN TEE Karen Tee is a travel and lifestyle journalist who is constantly roaming the globe in search of her next great adventure. In this month’s issue, she discovers what Singapore-based British billionaire James Dyson is doing to combat the Covid-19 crisis (p.142) CHRISTIAN BARKER Singapore-based writer Christian Barker has been covering luxury lifestyle, travel and culture for almost two decades for publications such as How to Spend It, Forbes and Esquire. In this month’s issue, Barker investigates the mechanics behind power reserves in watches (p.120) ALINE COQUELLE Parisian photographer and author Aline Coquelle describes herself as a nomad and avid traveller. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair and Vogue, and she has worked on several books with Assouline. This month, she shares photos from her…

Nigel Chua, who runs the popular Founder Bak Kut Teh restaurant with his father (and its founder), Chua Chwee Whatt, says that even though it has been two years since the passing of his mother, “my father and I have never stopped missing her”. So as a tribute to her from a husband and a son, the restaurant, which was established in 1978, launched a Mama’s Home-Cooked Dishes menu in March, available exclusively at its Hotel Boss outlet at Jalan Sultan. The menu features 12 nostalgic dishes, including “Hong Kong Supper” and “Mama’s Signature Simple Steamed Fish”, tweaked to suit modern taste buds. “We took notes of the recipes she verbally passed on to us and fine-tuned them,” explains Chua, who admits that Hokkien cooking can be on the saltier…

What happens in Vegas, usually stays in Vegas. But when Andrew Li, chief executive officer of Zouk Group, met Tan Min-Liang, co-founder and CEO of Razer, in Las Vegas in January, what went down in the Sin City didn’t get left behind. While they were there, both men spoke about embarking on future collaborations, for instance fitting out Zouk clubs for e-gaming tournaments or incorporating Razer’s technology at Zouk’s Red Tail social bars. “He’s a huge disruptor in his field and we have a lot in common in trying to push the boundaries,” says Li. When Covid-19 hit, an opportunity arose for the two companies to put some of their plans into action. Inspired by how clubs in China would live stream performances at the peak of the country lockdown…

“I help to build great workplaces using people analytics,” says Leong Chee Tung, CEO of EngageRocket, a human resource technology company he founded in 2016 with business partner, Dorothy Yiu. Using a cloud-based software that analyses employee engagement and productivity using real-time data collected through surveys, Chee Tung and his team help business leaders to “listen well to their people and know what drives them”. EngageRocket’s employee engagement technology—the first of its kind in Southeast Asia—proved to be such a hit that within two months of the company’s launch, the LVMH-owned beauty retail giant Sephora SEA signed on as its first client. Since then, EngageRocket has worked with companies in 20 industries across 14 markets. In March, the start-up raised $3m in a Series A round, which will be used…

Of late, the modelling world has been endowed with a steady stream of celebrity progeny. And the latest to walk the fashion runways is Iris Law, the middle child and only daughter of actor Jude Law and his actress and fashion designer ex-wife, Sadie Frost. The 19-year-old has already been singled out as a face to watch when she was chosen to front a big beauty ad campaign three years ago. No surprise given good looks definitely run in her blood. ONE DIRECTION At age 16, Law had already landed a plum beauty ad campaign and taken on a few high-profile modelling assignments. Now that she has finished her A-levels, she has signed on with international agency IMG Models, joining the likes of other celebrity offspring including Hailey Baldwin, Ruby…

1970 MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO Having studied graphic design (because fashion design was not offered at the time) at Tokyo’s Tama Univeristy, a young Issey Miyake moved to Paris to work under Hubert de Givenchy and Guy Laroche, and then Geoffrey Beene in New York. After establishing his design studio, he showed his first collection in New York in 1971, which featured body jerseys hand-painted with traditional Japanese tattoo techniques. 1976 ISSEY MIYAKE MEN Discovering the popularity of his pieces among men, Miyake launched menswear that was presented for the first time with his womenswear during the fall-winter collection. Issey Miyake Men began showing solo during the Paris Collections in 1985 and its resulting success allowed the opening of its Tokyo Aoyama store in 1987. 1986 IRVING PENN Miyake collaborated with…

WENHAO YU / SOTHEBY’S ASIA “The 1927 Cartier bracelet from Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels sale in November 2019. It had a 47.07-carat, royal-blue Burmese sapphire and I was honoured to bid on behalf of a client from Asia. It went from US$2 million to US$5 million in just two minutes. After a battle that lasted almost half an hour, it was sold for over US$6 million.” JEAN GHIKA / BONHAMS “The cushion-shaped, 10.09-carat antique ‘no oil’ Colombian emerald, which was sold at a Bonhams Hong Kong auction in November 2014 for HK$7.2 million.” LUCIA SILVESTRI / BULGARI “A beautiful cushion-cut, 31-carat Sri Lankan sapphire was auctioned by Christie’s in Geneva in 2011. I almost bought it but at the very end, the price shot up and I had…

CRYSTAL CLEAR Girard-Perregaux’s latest Laureato watch stays true to its signature collection, which was first introduced in 1975 after the 1967 film The Graduate (Il Laureato in Italian), starring Dustin Hoffman. The Laureato Absolute Light features the line’s octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, baton hands and a hobnail-patterned dial. But this sporty, 88-piece limited edition takes things one step further with its sapphire and titanium case, which means you can see the sophisticated skeletonised movement from all sides. STAYING ON TRACK Motoring and watchmaking collaborations are commonplace, but partnerships that stand the test of time aren’t. Bentley and Breitling have unveiled a new timepiece to celebrate 17 years of association, which they claim is the longest ever between a watchmaker and automobile manufacturer. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the new watch takes…

Do those magical, mystical crystals the so-called “new age” folk swear by actually work? Who knows? The quartz crystals used in low-cost watchmaking, however, have well and truly proven their efficacy. In a quartz watch movement, a battery sends an electrical signal through a piece of crystal, driving the watch’s hands and functions. They’ll keep perfect time for three or four years, the life of the battery. A watch’s energy, meanwhile, is stored in a coiled mainspring, and is released as this gradually unwinds, powering the watch’s timekeeping functions and other complications. The number of hours of energy the mainspring provides before it needs winding—or, in the case of an automatic watch, a decent wearing or a thorough shake—is known as power reserve. We won’t go into greater detail about…

Businessmen transforming their factories into clean rooms for face mask production. Tycoons donating medical supplies to desperate nations around the world. Doctors rising above politics to deliver guidance for the public and clear reports on the progress of their efforts. Throughout our communities, powerful voices are using their influence to bring hope through their actions, their ideas and their examples…

“The team at Razer understands that all of us have a part to play in fighting the virus—no matter which industry we come from” – Tan Min-Liang, Razer Jack Ma, the former executive chairman of Alibaba, once said, “When you are a millionaire, the money is yours; and when you have tens and tens of billions, the money is not yours any more but a social responsibility. And it means more contributions.” In the chaotic days following the government’s decision to lock down the city of Wuhan, Alibaba announced a RMB1 billion fund for purchasing medical supplies and equipment to donate to medical institutions in Wuhan and Hubei province. The Jack Ma Foundation simultaneously gave RMB100 million to support the development of a Covid-19 vaccine. Alibaba also set up a…

When British billionaire James Dyson relocated his global headquarters to Singapore last year, he made headlines for buying the most expensive penthouse in the country for $73.8 million. Now, the inventor, who is best known for creating the Dyson brand’s cordless vacuum cleaners and heat-controlled hair dryers, has thrust Singapore back in the international spotlight—this time for making a much-needed contribution to humanity’s fight against the global coronavirus pandemic. It began when British prime minister Boris Johnson phoned Dyson in March just as the Covid-19 crisis was unfolding in the UK. Dyson immediately sprang into action to build a new model of ventilator. As the coronavirus attacks the patient’s respiratory system, large numbers of this life-saving equipment are urgently needed around the world to assist patients who encounter complications that…

In an initiative led by the Malaysian Official Designers’ Association (Moda), Malaysia’s biggest names in fashion came together to use their skills to sew PPE for medical frontliners. The fashion community, including Radzuan Radziwill, Khoon Hooi, Celest Thoi, Alia Bastamam and their teams of seamstresses and volunteers, worked to cut fabrics and sew thousands of PPE items to meet the never-ending demand from local hospitals. Touched by the countless acts of kindness she’s seen, Moda president Melinda Looi (pictured left) posted an Instagram video in which she said, “I have so much emotion going on. I can cry anytime but these are tears of happiness to see people coming together.” Moda has joined forces with FashionValet in a fundraising campaign to buy non-woven hospital-standard materials. It is also working with…

ZATASHAH IDRIS Environmentalist and member of the Selangor royal family Zatashah Idris is renowned for her many social initiatives, from #saynotoplastic and #zerofoodwastage campaigns to her work feeding the needy through Kechara Soup Kitchen. She is also on the board of trustees of the Food Bank Malaysia Foundation. When the lockdown took effect, she heard from many daily-wage earners that they could not afford to put food on the table when they are unable to go to work. “Our main concern was to continue getting supplies to vulnerable communities,” says Zatashah. “It has proven tough, as the restrictions meant putting a halt on distributing food and supplies for a period of time.” Kechara Soup Kitchen revised its procedures to incorporate minimum distancing and protective masks, gloves and sanitisers. “I’ve been…

ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) Named by legendary film critic Peter Bradshaw as the greatest martial arts film of all time, Enter the Dragon solidified Bruce Lee’s status as a cinematic legend. The movie drew global interest towards the Chinese martial arts scene and prompted the mass importation of kung fu movies to the US, which were later dubbed in English for western audiences. Enter the Dragon not only revolutionised the portrayal of Asians in western media, with Lee holding a starring role in a Hollywood production, but also kick-started the “kung fu craze” of the 1970s, which saw Hong Kong studios produce and release dozens of films that reached increasingly international audiences. The film’s influence moved beyond the movie screen, inspiring many martial arts video games, including popular ones like…

CHECKING IN With armchair travelling being the new norm, hotels have come up with creative ways to inspire a five-star experience at home. For the ultimate self-care staycation, peruse the Belmond Care Package, an online guide that offers ideas for a relaxing morning routine, exquisite cocktails for happy hour, and cultural recommendations to fill the day. The Anantara Nomads blog also has stories and videos to help soothe your wanderlust. Of course, it’s impossible to replicate the exceptional destinations in your living room, but it doesn’t hurt to dream your day away. belmond.com/care-package;anantara.com/en/blog WELL AND GOOD Whether you’re looking for a meditation retreat or an integrated medical immersion, there’s something for every wellness connoisseur at Aman. Its new wellness programmes for 2020 are centred on bolstering the body’s natural defence…

Nature isn’t only the best muse; it’s also proven to be the best therapy. Hence the popularity of shinrinyoku—a Japanese practice that literally translates to “forest bathing”. Experience it in style at Satoyama Jujo in Niigata, a 12-room hotel ensconced in the forest, whose design is a tribute to traditional building methods and the beauty of wood, with interiors crafted from Zelkova, pine and cedar wood. For a deeper encounter with nature, Walk Japan’s brand-new itinerary, Shio-no-Michi: The Salt Road, takes travellers from the alpine scenery of northern Nagano to the wild Sea of Japan coast in Niigata. Launching in October, this historic trail was established in the 16th century and was formerly used to transport supplies. Apart from traversing wide valleys and mountain paths, travellers will also cross sleepy…

Famously hailed as the most gratifying of all essential foods, good bread is hard to beat. It’s at the heart of every culture, from those humble slices of local Pullman loaf in Singapore’s favourite breakfast of kaya and butter on toast to the painstakingly made, naturally fermented sourdough that has come to define the tastes of countless millennials across the globe. It’s also easy to see why our love affair with good bread remains but a flawed attempt to find the perfect one. Honestly, who’s to say what’s right when you’re in the mood for fluffy Hokkaido bread or even some fresh-outof-the-tandoor Armenian lavash? We can, however, affirm that even the quality variety of the once-trivialised dinner roll can have a profound effect on one’s perception of the overall dining…