Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2020 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG After a long and successful career working with Hong Kong stars such as Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui and brands such as the Mandarin Oriental, designer and artist Alan Chan opens the doors to his pop-up private museum and discusses his dreams to open a more permanent space to display his enormous and eclectic collection. tatlerhongkong.com TATLER INDONESIA Model, actress, triathlete and entrepreneur Kelly Tandiono is on this month’s cover of Tatler Indonesia. She is an inspiration to her many fans and a role model to those determined to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. tatlerindonesia.com TATLER MALAYSIA Olympic divers Leong Mun Yee, Ng Yan Yee and Nur Dhabitah Sabri star on the cover of Tatler Malaysia’s July issue. The young athletes discuss their drive, the misconceptions…

LUIS R TORRES Luis R Torres is currently the ballet master at the Hong Kong Ballet, and has enjoyed an extensive dance career with Ballet Arizona, Ballet Theatre of Maryland and The Washington Ballet. For Tatler, Torres collaborated with dancers of the Hong Kong Ballet on this month’s fashion shoot (p.94) YAU HO YI Yau Ho Yi is a fashion and portrait photographer based in Hong Kong and New York. After working with acclaimed photographers such as Ethan James Green, Santiago & Mauricio and Mariano Vivanco, she developed her clean, bold and intimate style of photography and branched out on her own. This month, Yau photographed dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet dressed in the pre-fall collections (p.94) CHRISTIAN BARKER Singapore-based writer Christian Barker has been covering luxury lifestyle, travel…

TRAINED BY CHAMPIONS Given its intensity and complex techniques, martial arts may seem daunting for beginners. But Evolve MMA has levelled the playing field with its new classes. For the time being, the Singapore-based martial arts academy has taken to Zoom to host a slew of interactive sessions, ranging from muay thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to wrestling, suitable for participants of any background. “Our goal is to empower individuals through authentic martial arts taught by world-champion instructors, who can provide real-time feedback to students,” says Evolve MMA vice president Wesley De Souza. Furthermore, all proceeds from the Evolve Live Zoom classes will be donated to Boys’ Town, a local charity that helps children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. ALONG FOR THE RIDE Rhythmic cycling first took Singapore by storm in…

As a toddler, Li Churen would gleefully pound her tiny fists on the keys of her family’s Yamaha Clavinova piano at home. “Even before I had any kind of formal training, I was already inviting my family and friends to listen to my ‘performances,’” reminisces the concert pianist and Gen.T 2018 honouree. Sensing her potential, her parents enrolled Li in piano classes and she has not looked back since. Growing up, she continued to hone her skills, taking part in numerous international competitions and music festivals. And at age 16, she was offered the rare opportunity to read music at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, where she graduated three years later in 2015 as the youngest in her cohort. Li is now back in Singapore after three years…

CARBON-NEUTRAL MEATS Since last year, Ryan’s Grocery has been stocking Five Founders carbon-neutral beef and Borrowdale free-range pork from Australia. More recently, it has also introduced the widely acclaimed Roaring Forties lamb from Tasmania and Southern Victoria. NATURAL FARMING ECOSYSTEMS OnHand Agrarian has adopted a close-looped, zero-waste aquaculture system that “recycles the by-product of one species as food for another”. The system has been so successful that the local agricultural company has progressed from rearing seafood to poultry and growing vegetables and fruits. The produce is available through the company’s monthly subscription boxes. DINING WITH CONSCIENCE The Loco Group rallied industry peers to form the F&B Sustainability Council earlier this year to take collective action on the issue of food waste and sustainability. Members of the council include representatives from…

TWINKLE TOES As you venture back outside, let your shoes take centre stage, starting with a pair of bedazzled boots. JW Anderson boots. Opposite page: Gucci boot VITAMIN SEA Sun, sand, surf—now complete the perfect beach day with a shark bag and showy sunhat. COS outfit, Loewe bag. Opposite page: Arizona Love sandals, available at Net-a-Porter, Gucci hat MA PÊCHE We’d take a fresh-pressed palette of pastels any day but we’re partial to peach this month—a sweet, subtle pop to your earthy look. Clockwise, from left: Emilio Pucci bag, Stella McCartney look, Malone Souliers heel. Opposite page: Prada outfit, Chanel flap bag BANK ON IT A classic flap bag remains the key to the insouciant Frenchwoman allure. May it give you the same je ne sais quoi. Louis Vuitton looks…

Whether it’s a new Netflix series to binge on or a must-try app to download, it’s human nature to look for the next big thing. Often the quest for the new requires a rejection of the old, but for Hermès, forward-thinking means digging deeper into what it has been doing for almost two centuries. “My father used to say that we have two legs for walking at Hermès, one is called tradition and the other innovation. In order to walk we need both legs, and we also need to lose balance, which means to take a risk at every step,” said artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas at the brand’s theme unveiling event in February. Melding old and new is a common narrative for many luxury brands, but what sets Hermès apart…

“Life is short, but music will last forever—just like diamonds, as timeless symbols of love,” says Lang Lang. The Chinese pianist and his wife, Gina Alice, who is also an accomplished musician, have entered into a partnership with jewellery house De Beers, known around the world for creating some of the finest diamond engagement rings. The couple wore the brand’s fantastic jewellery during their fairytale wedding ceremony last year. JUST DESSERTS Pops of green, delicate diamonds and bursts of gold define Bulgari’s reimagined BB collection, which was first introduced in 1977. Unlike previous BB jewellery, these new pieces boast a signature double Bulgari logo, which is now designed onto an openworked setting. Striped malachite, mother-of-pearl and brilliant-cut diamonds elevate this collection even further and, as is to be expected, each…

DARK HORSE The latest watch from Zenith, the Chronomaster Revival “Shadow”, blends the very best of two vintage models. It’s a revival of a 1970s chronograph that never was, which was proposed by Zenith during the early days of the first automatic chronograph movements. Although some prototypes were made, this retro model wasn’t even allocated a reference number. The new chronograph also comes with the same angular case shape that was designed for Zenith’s original El Primero Ref A384, which debuted in 1969. Shadow’s black case is made from microblasted titanium. Extremely lightweight, wear with a rubber strap. RING THE BELL A Lange & Söhne’s first dedicated striking watch, the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, made headlines when it was unveiled in 2015. The wristwatch uses technology that was originally developed for…

PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus Automatic Black-Blue Dial Sporty but also elegant, the Nautilus is very versatile and can be worn to every occasion. But if you want to own one, your chances are slim—you’re probably more likely to win the lottery. Waiting lists are as long as five years, but you can buy one on the pre-owned market—at twice the price. Thanks to collector demand, this watch is likely to retain its value for a very long time. ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona You can’t go wrong with a Cosmograph Daytona, as long as you pick one up at a reasonable price. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a vintage or modern model, this watch will always be highly collectable. Thanks to Rolex’s reputation and heritage, celebrities continue to be spotted sporting the brand’s…

The panther is a permanent fixture in Cartier’s collections. Its graceful form may be most easily appreciated when melded with a sculptural bracelet or ring, but it’s really the flat expanse of a watch dial that pushes the imagination of the artisan and the boundaries of creativity. How many ways can Cartier interpret its emblematic animal within the confines of a watch case? Endless, it seems. This new creation is an example that showcases the traditional art of straw marquetry. Throw gold marquetry and enamelling into the mix, and we get this stunning piece of horological art designed to mimic the look of bas-relief.…

I’d like to express my deepest sympathies to the three unlucky travellers who recently made the news while flying into Hong Kong from Doha. They reportedly were the victims of one of the biggest inflight thefts in history, having discovered two watches worth US$105,000 had been pinched from their luggage. It’s every collector’s worst nightmare and an unpopular topic to discuss when swapping tales over cigar smoke and whisky at ritzy watch get-togethers. However, the reality is most of us know someone who has had a treasured piece stolen. In December, Hong Kong police arrested five men over an armed robbery during which 47 watches worth US$360,000 were taken. A few months before, a young man walked into a shop in Far East Plaza and ran out with two Rolexes…

AMAN PRIVATE JET Whether you’re planning to go Aman hopping or visiting a mix of hotels in different destinations, Aman’s private jet concierge will carefully plan everything for you and your party of 12. The flights themselves are highly customised, with menus tailored to your preferences and flexible departure times, plus seamless check-in and customs clearance. So hop on this Bombardier Global 5000 and choose your own adventure. aman.com/ private-aviation VISTA JET The brand’s new jet-to-yacht service offers a hassle-free way to get to your own superyacht or chartered vessel. It flies travellers to Malta—a country the World Health Organisation has highlighted as a role model in battling the Covid-19 pandemic—which serves as a convenient jumping-off point to sail the Mediterranean’s azure waters. All you need is a passport and…

Is it still worth visiting Shibuya? Where should we go after crossing the Scramble? The most interesting thing about Shibuya is the fact that it’s constantly changing and updating itself. The front part of Shibuya station and the former railroad tracks of the Tokyu line are going through a major reinvention. A few years after Hikarie opened, more mega complexes such as Scramble Square, Fukuras and Shibuya Stream—Google moved its Japan HQ to the latter—have made their mark here. However, my favourite joints in Shibuya are hidden within smaller-scale buildings and tucked into the back streets. Umebachee is a great place for chicken sashimi and Japanese sake. After a meal, I go for a deeper stroll over to Kairyo-yu, a renovated public bathhouse, to take a dip and a enjoy…

Kevin Kwan needs little introduction—he is famous around the world as the mind behind the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, which gave readers an inside look at the lives of Asia’s wealthy and famous. Here, he discusses his new book, Sex and Vanity, and how it differs from his earlier novels. Following the immense success of Crazy Rich Asians, did you need to step back and recentre yourself to write a new book? I really felt the need to do something totally different. The Crazy Rich Asians trilogy was a huge part of my life for eight years. I started writing it in 2009 and I was on this roller coaster until 2018, so it’s great to be able to slow down and think about a new project. Sex and Vanity…

“I’m Teochew and I think Paradise Teochew (above) is one of the best in Singapore, while my wife loves Dancing Crab.” – Jonathan Lim, chief executive officer “I was wowed by the steak dishes from Fat Cow (above), and for a three Michelin-starred restaurant like Odette to offer home delivery, well you’ve got to give it to them.” – Alan Goh, chief revenue officer “The claypot pork liver at Keng Eng Kee goes perfectly with rice, and I also love White Restaurant’s white bee hoon (above).” – Pua Yong Xiang, chief technology officer…

After two years in the Danish capital, the 31-year-old returned home in January, swapping his enviable culinary career for dreams of “a quaint little bakery” of his own. “I just want to make the things I like to eat—nothing fancy or trendy, just classic pastries that I was trained to make [at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney],” he said. These pastries are the complete antithesis of the complex plated desserts he made at Noma. But good, old-fashioned sweets have always been his passion, especially as an adolescent who realised his baking skills translated to better luck with the ladies. Al-Matin’s stellar resume has served him well. Investors showed interest; he auditioned for a big-name restaurant group which considered giving him a space under its stable. But the uncertainties of Covid-19…

To help people cope during the Covid-19 crisis, Rupert Till, a music professor at the University of Huddersfield in the UK, curated three different playlists on digital music service Spotify. “Like most people, I’m locked away at home much of the time... no one is sleeping well as we’re not getting out enough and my diet is not as healthy as I’d like, but music can change our environment through the day,” said Till. Singer-songwriter and Gen.T 2019 honouree Charlie Lim agrees: “Music is a form of therapy and many of us don’t realise how powerful it can be.” With the numerous benefits of music to the mind, body and soul—it soothes even the savage beast, as they often say—Tatler Singapore has launched Tatler Tunes on Spotify. Specially curated by…

Whether it’s baking bread, learning French or practising yoga, many of us have come out of the circuit breaker period with new skills and interests. Thankfully, there are no lack of opportunities, with the proliferation of online learning platforms touching on everything from the art of home cooking to managing your mental health during Covid-19, filled with content to suit varying thirsts for knowledge. You can even structure your learning, work at your own pace and choose your instructors. If, say, you decide that those blurry images of your little ones taken with your smartphone camera don’t cut it anymore, then get some direction from celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz on Masterclass. Thereafter, learn the fundamentals of photo editing on Skillshare and then get behind photography’s role in our increasingly visual…

Like T:>Works artistic director Ong Keng Sen, theatre artist and educator Noorlinah Mohamed (pictured right) believes that art and life intersect. This is also the guiding theme behind the second edition of the Festival of Women: N.O.W. 2020, which takes place online, from July 15 to August 2. As its artistic director, Noorlinah has curated a line-up of works that celebrate the alliances and solidarities between women who are looking into issues of class, gender and race. The festival is anchored by the Women: N.O.W. digital exhibition, which explores the stories of over 25 women. One of the festival highlights is Entangled Intimacies: Transnational Divorce Narratives, a verbatim documentary that includes a dialogue with sociologist Quah Ee Ling Sharon, lawyer and poet Amanda Chong, and Aware researcher Chong Ning Qian.…

TIMELESS TOTE In celebration of its iconic Antigona bag’s 10th anniversary, Givenchy is launching the Antigona Soft, a supple, foldable version of the classic pentagonal shape. The original tote was inspired by Antigone, a resilient heroine from Greek mythology. Its new iteration, in solid hues like dusty blue, or with striking stripes, is meant to feel like a relaxed elder sister. ALL CAPS JW Anderson s Cap bag and chain loafers from the pre-fall 2020 collection are the statement accessories to own this summer. Made with luxurious leathers but in a cheeky shape or exaggerated details, the pieces make a boyish statement against your prettiest floral dress. “I was looking at the ideas of function and decoration, and flipping them,” says designer Jonathan Anderson. “So for the chain, I took…

Dusty pink stone façades lining the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh, in central India, glowed warmly against the first rays of sunrise. Long boats in a rainbow of hues dotted the water, some gliding serenely behind a young Indian model dressed in sheer, colour-blocked layers with an asymmetrical neckline and ruching, like a shadow of a modern sari. The dress was from Supriya Lele’s spring-summer 2020 collection, which debuted at London Fashion Week. Lele, a British-Indian designer who was born and raised in the town of Ipswich in Suffolk, travelled to her ancestral town in India this January in what began as a creative journey with photographer and friend Jamie Hawkesworth. They wanted to shoot her latest collection—a vibrant amalgam of modern minimalism and Indian codes—against this scenic backdrop, but…

There are many schools of thought when it comes to skincare. Some, for example, advocate a holistic approach to achieving radiant skin; others look to science to enhance and protect. Regardless, one thing is certain when it comes to maintaining the well-being of your skin: it is not a sprint but a marathon, one that requires continuous effort and dedication to achieve the most desired results. This is also the case when it comes to staving off the effects of skin ageing. And it’s important to start early. After all, toned, supple and healthy-looking skin depends on a robust supply of collagen to ensure its elasticity and strength, as many scientific studies have proven over the years. Unfortunately, our body’s ability to produce this vital protein decreases as we grow…

SUMMER FEELING Everyday jewellery is an easy and foolproof way to add an extra edge to your look. All you need is a pair of Pacharee’s hand-sculpted earrings and you’re good to go. The Thai-Swiss designer works almost exclusively with baroque and keshi pearls, and designs structures that showcase each gem’s raw and natural beauty. Don’t miss the brand’s latest spring-summer collection of hammered-gold necklaces, earrings and rings. POSITIVE THINKING Showcasing Chopard’s outstanding attention to detail, this 18-karat white and rose gold pendant will have you feeling fun and feminine this summer. Playful and polished, the Happy Spirit collection is perfect for the warmer months thanks to its clean silhouettes and informal design. FLORALS BY HAND Christian Dior’s love of nature became part of his legacy and it has since…

With more options than ever when it comes to wearing men’s jewellery, stylist Perpetua Ip shares her list of dos and don’ts. When buying jewellery, you should look for... Pieces that show off your personality. Wearing jewellery can be a way for men to differentiate themselves from others, so make sure you’re wearing bling that says something specifically about you, whether it’s a simple neck chain or signet ring. When wearing jewellery, always… Try versatile pieces that add an unexpected touch to your everyday look. If everything matches, it’s boring. When wearing jewellery, you should never... Over-accessorise. When it comes to men’s jewellery, less is more. For style inspiration, keep an eye on... Former One Direction singer Harry Styles, who has led the way for stylish men everywhere. Have fun…

Named after a class of racing yachts, Chanel’s iconic J12 collection has been around since 2000 and over the last two decades has spearheaded the watch industry’s ceramic boom. To celebrate the line’s 20th anniversary, the brand has added three new watches to its already impressive roster, which includes the luxurious Paradoxe Diamonds. This timepiece boasts an instantly recognisable and striking two-tone case that’s two-thirds black ceramic and one-third smothered in baguette-cut diamonds. It’s uberextravagant as well as sleek and sophisticated; you’ll struggle to find a snazzier wristwatch. But hurry: there are only 20 worldwide. Editor's Pick Annie Darling Watches & Jewellery Director of Tatler Asia When I think about Chopard’s Happy Sport collection, I think of its nonchalance. It’s the equivalent of walking into a boardroom wearing a great-fitting…

You’ve added to the Excalibur Huracán, a line that’s made in collaboration with Lamborghini. Tell us about that. This year we’re releasing two Excalibur Huracán models. One is inspired by our partner Lamborghini’s “mantis green” paint and the other comes in all-black. Its 45mm titanium case and bezel are covered in a black diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating and the hands are filled with a dark-coloured Super-LumiNova. These different shades of black add an extra depth to the piece that’s really special. Why did you choose to partner with Lamborghini? Our partnership with Lamborghini is something we really cherish and it works because we share the same values. It’s a perfect fit. I love how we’re able to surprise people through our joint projects. Who knows what we’ll come up with…

The next time you dine at Les Amis, try spotting what watch chef Sebastien Lepinoy is wearing on his wrist. It is the Chopard Alpine Eagle, the every day watch made out of Lucent steel, the brand’s specially formulated steel variant. The director of culinary and operations at the three Michelin-starred restaurant has recently joined the Swiss luxury house as its friend of the brand. “After discovering Chopard’s collection of haute horology, I’ve been enamoured by the brand’s philosophy which is very similar to what I try to espouse through my cuisine,” said Lepinoy. “I need a watch that has the calibre to withstand the grind of the kitchen yet evoke an aura of sophistication when I greet my guests or attend special events.”…

BUZZ ALDRIN’S OMEGA In 1969, astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface as part of the Apollo 11 crew wearing Omega wristwatches. Unfortunately, upon its return, Aldrin’s Speedmaster was stolen while en route to the Smithsonian Institution. Last year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing, Omega released two limited-edition models: an all-gold Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Moonshine; and a more affordable alternative in stainless steel and Ceragold. Aldrin’s original timepiece, however, has never been found. MARIE ANTOINETTE’S BREGUET A secret admirer ordered a Breguet timepiece in 1783 as a gift for Marie-Antoinette. Dubbed The Queen, the pocket watch’s design featured 23 complications and 823 parts, but wasn’t completed until 1827—24 years after Marie-Antoinette’s gruesome death. Fast forward to 1983, and while on display…

MALAYSIA Paulius Staniunas Creative director and founder of All is Amazing and one of the most in-demand party photographers in Kuala Lumpur How do you describe your office? My number one goal was cosy multi-functionalism. It can be a photo studio, it can be office space, it can be a creative workshop or gathering place, but it doesn’t lose charm. It has lots of wooden furniture, books and quirky corners where you can take photos. It’s a place where I want everyone to feel inspired and creative. What makes it special? I always wanted a space with lots of natural light, plants and carpets. A high ceiling and open plan concept are very healthy for creativity. My vision is for everyone to communicate and share ideas, hence walls are obsolete.…

Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 cult sci-fi classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey, predicted that by the start of this millennium there would have already been Pan Am-operated shuttles in space staffed by hostesses wearing “grip” shoes in order to saunter down the zero-gravity aisles, as well as galactic hotels and technology to facilitate a mission to Jupiter. Well, we’re not quite there yet. But the world’s billioniest billionaires have taken the prospect to heart and into their own hands, founding private companies dedicated to researching space travel and rocket-building in the admirable quest to make commercial space flight a more realistic thing of the near future. Just last month, Nasa sent two American astronauts, Robert L Behnken and Douglas G Hurley, on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) from the…

The Covid-19 crisis has affected an unthinkably broad swathe of the planet, but it has been especially cruel to Italy. For anyone whose passions include art, fashion, culture or cuisine, Italy is not just a nation, but also an idea that is suffused with romance, even for people who have never been to the country and may never get to go. Though I would never suggest that one person’s suffering is more important than another’s, Italy’s symbolic potency is such that when its heart breaks, so do hearts around the world. As a person whose life and work is intimately bound with Italy—I fell in love with wine while working there over a decade ago—mine is shattered. The long-term cultural, social and economic effects of this virus—as everywhere—loom ominously on…

Imagine being so prominent in your sport that, by the age of 20, you are already being compared to its most famous athlete of all time. This is the weight of expectation thrust upon Lily Muni He, whose promising success in golf, early start in the game and visibility in the media have led fans and the press to compare her to Tiger Woods. A bright new star on the green, He, from Chengdu, has enjoyed wins at the 2018 Prasco Charity Championship and most recently the 2019 Ladies Golf Professional Association (LPGA) Q series tournament; victories that earned her coveted membership of the LPGA, the largest organisation in the world for female professional golfers. Players like Annika Sorenstam, Julie Inkster and Michelle Wie all pushed the envelope for women’s…

Smart is the new sexy, believes chess champion Kevin Goh. A self-professed “non-nerd”, he is quick to debunk the stereotype: “It is possible to be a good chess player without being geeky.” Case in point: current world champion Magnus Carlsen. The towering Norwegian is known to rock up to the chessboard in a tailored suit, complete with upswept coif and hipster beard. Likewise, Goh makes it a point to be well-turned-out at major tournaments, looking the part of grandmaster well before he was bestowed the title. In April, the chief financial officer of precision oncology company Lucence Diagnostics was awarded the title of grandmaster—the highest rank a chess player can attain—by the International Chess Federation. This appointment makes Goh, a seven-time national champion, the country’s first chess grandmaster in over…

Nadya Hutagalung has dedicated much of her time to being the voice of wildlife conservation and environmental advocacy, supporting global campaigns as a UN Environment and Great Apes Survival Partnership ambassador. She is also the founder of the Let Elephants Be Elephants campaign to stem illegal ivory trade. Now, as the world looks at Covid-19 recovery, the Indonesian-Australian activist is using her influence to help vulnerable groups in Singapore. She recently founded We The Good (wethegood.sg), a dedicated platform that seeks to connect people who want to help with those who need help. Working in collaboration with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), We The Good is focusing on three specific causes: individuals and families at risk, mental health, and migrant workers. “Covid-19 has revealed the cracks in society…

ALCOHOL NOT INCLUDED As more people become health-conscious, Mo Bar assistant manager Adrian Besa and his team consider it important to offer non-alcoholic versions of its signature tipples. Its Silk Market cocktail, for example, is typically made with mandarin orange cordial, corn silk tea and fermented honey using champagne yeast, but has its alcohol content extracted using a rotary evaporator device, which removes solvents from the samples. Now, you can still enjoy the thirst-quenching cocktail without getting a hangover. ACE THE BASE To enjoy zero-proof cocktails without sacrificing on taste, use Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits as your base. Co-founder Mark Livings explains, “We have made Lyre’s to capture the taste, aroma and mouthfeel of traditional spirits, so our range is designed primarily for people who enjoy the traditional alcoholic versions.” Its…

Compressed watermelon with cashew ricotta and mint agave syrup. Aquafaba mousse and bell pepper caviar on top of puffed air bread. Discs of crystal-clear lollipops speckled with gold and silver leaf, adorned with edible petals and flavoured with mango and jalapeño essence. If what Hollywood A-listers were supping on at this year’s Oscars Governors Ball—the official after-party of the awards show—is anything to go by, green is the new gold. After all, Forbes and The Economist both pronounced 2019 as the Year of the Vegan. But that old adage “if you love something, let it go” doesn’t quite apply when it comes to our love for meats. Fed by the ravenous appetite of burgeoning middle classes around the world, global meat production, which stands at almost 350 million tonnes a…

London-based designers Amy Trinh and her Central Saint Martins classmate Evan Phillips started Wed in 2019. A line of subversive bridal designs and ready-to-wear, the pieces use upcycled fabric from a 300-year-old family mill in England that provided silk for Princess Diana and Princess Anne’s wedding gowns. The modern talents also offer a bespoke service to clients who want to repurpose heirloom gowns for their big day. How did you first realise you wanted to do fashion? Amy: My friend persuaded me to go to art school and one of my projects was to deconstruct a shirt—this was the first time I saw clothes in a creative sense. Evan: I have always drawn and been generally creative. I used to imagine and draw stage costumes and sets for my favourite…

“I know this sounds ridiculous, but recently I’ve been fascinated by the sound the wind makes when it goes through trees,” says Jonathan Anderson in a deep drawl, surprisingly sonorous given the sweet mien his baby-blue eyes and boy-band hair suggest. The Irish designer and I are in the middle of a Zoom call at 7:30am UK time, talking about trees. “It’s the first time I worked out that it’s actually a collective of leaves making the sound, and I thought ‘What would it be like if I were to break that down in music for a show, to take a few sounds we’re familiar with and dissect them into something atmospheric, you know what I mean?’” The Covid-19 pandemic, while responsible for many horrors, has also provided some unexpected…

In 1991, French synchronised swimmer and water ballet choreographer Muriel Hermine approached Make Up For Ever founder Dany Sanz looking for waterproof make-up that could withstand wear through water show performances. Sanz developed a range of products designed to survive watersports and challenging environmental conditions—and launched it commercially in 2007 as the Aqua line, which became a global category leader in waterproof make-up. This summer, Make Up For Ever relaunches the collection as Aqua Resist, and the products have been rigorously tested for more, uh, contemporary use cases—like, in three hour-long, back-to-back indoor spin classes in 27-degree rooms averaging 45 per cent humidity—and under other examples of extreme heat and humidity (hello, global warming). Testers were even exposed to 40-degree facial saunas at 90 per cent humidity for six minutes…

Marquise-cut diamonds date back to the 18th century, when King Louis XV commissioned a jeweller to design a shape that resembled the lips of his mistress The term “carat” is used to describe a gemstone’s weight, and the word originates from the carob tree. In ancient times, traders would compare the weight of gemstones to the carob tree’s seeds In ancient Sanskrit, one of the oldest known languages in the world, rubies were called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones” In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissioned the first diamond engagement ring on record for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy…

SKINNY LOVE The Altiplano Ultimate Concept breaks the boundaries of horological microengineering. Over the years, Piaget has set numerous world records for watch slenderness, and this year’s Altiplano sets another milestone with its Calibre 9P. It is one of the thinnest mechanical movements ever created and has allowed this watch to measure in at just 2mm thick. CLOSE TO SHORE Long inspired by the sea, as its anchor logo shows, Swiss watch brand Ulysse Nardin has announced it is sponsoring a study of the ecosystem of blue sharks in the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists are hoping to save the endangered species by studying its habits and environment.…

If you want it to last, you need to get your watch serviced regularly. The director of trading at WatchBox, a global leader in pre-owned luxury timepieces, tells us everything we need to know How often should we get our watches serviced? This depends on the type of watch and how it is being used, but the general rule of thumb is every four to six years. A watch should undergo a complete overhaul to ensure the accuracy and water resistance of its case. For those who use their watches for their purpose-built intentions, such as deep-sea diving, I would recommend having at least the water resistance tested by a certified watchmaker every one to two years. What should we look for? Servicing a high-end timepiece is much like servicing…

A Rolex was famously strapped to the wrist of Tenzing Norgay in 1953 when he and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first men to summit Everest, the world’s tallest mountain. Rolexes were also tested to a depth of nearly 11 km on two famous submarine expeditions into the Mariana Trench—one led by Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard in 1960 and the other by director James Cameron in 2012. There are numerous examples of watches that have aided human beings in the execution of incredible, record-breaking feats and achievements. And impressive though its accomplishments may be, Rolex by no means has a monopoly in this regard. In fact, many watch brands seek out relationships with pioneers and innovators in various fields, including through partnerships in which both parties benefit. An Omega…

Last year, Razer co-founder and CEO Tan Min-Liang posted an April Fool’s joke on his Facebook page: “Given that I’ve created the entire gaming peripherals industry, reinvented the gaming laptop industry, kick-started the entire gaming phone category and steadfastly refused to create the gaming kitchen appliance industry... I believe my time here is almost done. Am taking applications today April 1 for all those interested to be the next Razer CEO.” It was a typical move from the famously cheeky Tan, an avid gamer who set his career as a lawyer aside (and didn’t tell his parents for a while) when he decided to start Razer in 2005 with his American online gaming pal Robert Krakoff. Other recent headline-grabbing exploits include a 2017 tweet addressed to Singapore’s prime minister that…

The Olympics may be postponed until 2021 but that’s no reason to pass up a trip to Japan. Consider it research for next year’s big event or a treat after months of being cooped up indoors. With that in mind, why not begin by exploring Tokyo’s less trodden districts? Close to the elegant, cobblestone streets of Marunouchi is Kabuto-cho in Nihonbashi, a financial area that is home to the Tokyo Stock Exchange and a neighbourhood currently experiencing a creative renaissance. At the centre of its transformation is K5, a new boutique hotel housed in a 1920s former bank building revitalised by Swedish design firm Claesson Koivisto Rune. The practice not only designed the Scandi-Japanese minimalist interiors but also dozens of bespoke pieces, from the hotel’s seating down to its pencils.…

I have always held a fondness for combining a love for hawker food—a quintessential illustration of frugality meeting speed and unmistakable deliciousness—with a passion for fine wine. While subjective by nature, such acts gleefully demand a deliberate disregard for pomp and price tag—like the time I discovered, quite by chance, the natural attraction my favourite Katong laksa shared with a 2010 Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneufdu-Pape (though I shall neither confirm nor deny if it was a Deus Ex Machina). My point is that this experience had led me to discover, on a different night some five years later, yet another prime suitor for this unabashedly flavourful bowl of noodles in a spicy coconut milk-based curry broth. It was the uniquely adaptable Dom Pérignon P2 2000, which was flaunting a vibrant and…

With her bicolour bob and trendy threads, Thierry Chow looks every inch the stylish, well-travelled urbanite. But few would be able to guess her chosen profession at first sight. She describes her role as a “feng shui designer”, making the ancient practice more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. She incorporates elements of art, fashion and design into her work. “The goal is to change the perception of feng shui with these relatable subjects to let everyone understand the effects that our environment can have on our well-being,” says Chow, who started her own practice, Go Lucky by Thierry Chow, in Hong Kong last year. Furnishings are thoughtfully selected for each home, drawing from its personal significance to the owner while being informed by the emotional impact of colour.…

EKO YULI IRAWAN From goatherd to Olympic medallist The son of a pedicab driver and a market stall attendant, Eko Yuli Irawan didn’t dream of much beyond tending to goats, which he did every day after school to help his family make ends meet. Seeing potential, a local coach let Irawan train for free at his weightlifting gym, a decision that changed Irawan’s life. Today, the 30-year-old athlete from Sumatra is a three-time Olympian, having won bronze medals in Beijing and London, and a silver in Rio de Janeiro. The fact that he’s done this and more despite his tiny stature of 5ft 2in has made him a national hero in his native Indonesia. NOOR MASTURA After winning gold at the 2019 World Weightlifting Championships, he has his sights set…