Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2022 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG Last year, Girish Jhunjhnuwala, CEO and founder of Ovolo Hotels, transformed his two Hong Kong properties into some of the first—and most popular—quarantine hotels in the city, becoming a model for hoteliers locally and internationally. “I’m very proud because we’re bringing our people home,” he says. “Hong Kong residents need to be treated with dignity and I’m proud we get to do this.” TATLER INDONESIA Andree Susanto is the co-founder and CEO at Waresix, one of Indonesia’s largest logistics start-ups, which connects shippers and businesses with available warehouses and transport across Indonesia. He discusses how the company is growing and how it plans to reduce its carbon emissions. TATLER MALAYSIA Ever since she first visited a hammam—a traditional steam bath—in Morocco, Kam Su-En has made it her…

7 HAWKER! HAWKER! Held at Lau Pa Sat, this exhibition sheds light on the nation’s evolving hawker culture, which is inscribed on the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, through the works of Singapore- and New York-based artists, curators and writers across disciplines, including photography, performance and digital art. Led by curators Yen Phang and Oh Yam Chew, the line-up includes visual artist Ezzam Rahman and transdisciplinary poet and artist Ang Kia Yee. Till January 28. mackerel.life/hawker-hawker 12 IT’S MY PARTY AND I’LL CRY IFIWANTTO, YOU WOULD CRY TOO IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU There’s nothing curator Louis Ho loves more than a good party. But this collaboration with independent cinema The Projector is a project about unhappiness, featuring an exhibition of site-specific works and a…

URBAN SPIN The cult classic LV Archlight sneaker, which debuted in Nicolas Ghesquière’s 2018 spring-summer collection, has had a makeover in the form of a slingback. The campaign sees Italian mega-blogger and entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni explore the streets of Milan in the ultra-feminine reinterpretation. The shoes are made from technical satin, mesh and leather, while the original wavy oversized outsole has been translated into an ultra-supple rubber sole with an ever-chic kitten heel and an adjustable velcro strap featuring the house’s name. Available in six colourways, this sporty take on a timeless design represents the kind of no-nonsense attitude you need going into 2022. HAUTE SANTÉ Following Dior’s 2022 cruise show in Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium last June, the fashion house has teamed up with Technogym, a high-end sports equipment brand,…

When Holly Thaggard launched her prestige skincare brand Supergoop! in 2007, her pioneering attitude towards the clean beauty movement made headlines thanks to innovative, feel-good products that encourage the use of sunscreen without preaching. Thaggard’s brand has become a go-to for all things SPF. From the popular sunscreens that cater for a wide spectrum of skin types to nourishing serums and make-up setting powders, everything at Supergoop! is carefully created to be reef-safe and cruelty-free, and is made with ingredients that provide your skin with year-round sun protection. Thaggard talks to Tatler about the inspiration behind the launch of her brand, as well as the importance of wearing sunscreen and what living sustainably means to her. Tell us something we don’t know about sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen should be a healthy…

You left a successful career in finance to become a jewellery designer. Why? It was a wonderful opportunity that allowed me to do something I love. It also enabled me to manage my own schedule. My daughters were very young when I first started designing and I didn’t want my career to dictate the amount of time I spent with my family. Tell us about your biggest professional achievement. It would have to be the opening of our flagship retail shop in Venice, California, which we pulled off during the pandemic. Everything took longer than we expected, which made the store opening more challenging. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it forced us to ease into the world of retail. What life lesson are you…

A CUT ABOVE Hermès has decided to reinterpret The Three Graces theme from its silk scarf of the same name, designed by British artist Alice Shirley in 2020. Inspired by a trip Shirley took to South Africa, the watch’s dial boasts wood marquetry and a miniature painting of a giraffe, which sits on an aventurine glass dial depicting a starry night sky. LOOK TO THE STARS Bremont has long been an admirer of space as well as time: the watchmaker collaborated with late physicist Stephen Hawking’s family just last year in celebration of its 10th anniversary, and continues to give collectors an other-worldly thrill with its 300-piece Longitude wristwatch, available in boutiques since last December. Of the 300 watches produced, 150 will be offered in steel, 75 in rose gold…

Fresh from an invigorating 12 km run in sunny Hawaii, where she is enjoying a long-awaited family vacation, Dr Carolyn Lam is glowing with vitality. The acclaimed Singaporean cardiologist, who is world-renowned for her expertise in heart failure, in particular a type that affects mostly elderly women, knows better than most why it is essential to care for the state of her heart. After all, she has spent her career investigating sex differences in cardiovascular disease and advocating for greater awareness about heart disease among women. “This is an area that women don’t pay enough attention to. Women need to know that we are just as at risk of heart disease as men,” says Dr Lam, a senior consultant cardiologist at the National Heart Centre Singapore, over Zoom. “Yes, you…

It was in the spring of 2020 that Mandy El-Sayegh felt herself losing touch with reality. “I kind of had a nervous breakdown,” she says. “It was quite public.” At the time, El-Sayegh was coming out of a turbulent six-year relationship and the Covid-19 virus was tearing across the UK. A national lockdown forced her to isolate in her studio, away from family and friends, and to retreat into her work. At first, she was thrilled to have so much time to focus on the sculptures, installations, videos and the fleshy, multilayered paintings that have made her one of the world’s most in-demand young artists. But as galleries and museums were closed, there was nowhere for her art to go. It accumulated in piles around her, filling every inch of…

MOST UNDERRATED DESTINATION? Portugal. It was very relaxed and the food was great. They also have something called fado, a style of singing that happens spontaneously and emotionally in restaurants or cafes. It’s specific to Portugal; that was quite something. BEST DESTINATION FOR FOOD? Italy. Pretty much everywhere you eat in Italy is good, except the Vatican. I went there once for a conference on refugees and the food was pretty disappointing. FAVOURITE TRIP TO ASIA? I went on an Indonesian sailing ship called Silolona through the Ring of Fire, which was just extraordinary. It was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip that I took with a few friends. I slept on deck, watched the sunrise and sunset, and went snorkelling with whale sharks. TRAVEL MUST-HAVES? A sleeping aid of some…

1 Natural wines, organic wines and biodynamic wines are three separate concepts. Organic wines are made from grapes that are organically farmed, in accordance with the organic laws of the country—most of which are about restricting the use of chemicals in the soil. Biodynamic wines are made in accordance with a holistic, spiritual philosophy using a planting calendar and respect for ecological self-sufficiency. All three styles espouse minimal or no chemical usage, but cannot be used interchangeably. 2 Natural wines are not cheaper. More manual labour, from the hand-picking of the grapes to the handcrafting of the wines, means more cost. As the wines are also less protected without preservatives, they require careful handling and refrigerated shipping, which add to the cost. 3 Natural wines may still contain sulphites. While…

I experienced severe burnout last year. I knew it was burnout and not just tiredness because my symptoms were visceral: no amount of sleep and rest could cure the exhaustion, and I was incapable of focusing on the simplest of tasks. I would stare at my computer screen for hours on end, but no words—or at least coherent ones—would come out. The toughest part was not the burnout itself but overcoming the hurdle of recognising and naming the issue, as my initial reaction was self-bashing. That, of course, proved to be counterproductive—the more I berated myself, the worse my symptoms became. There was no magical white pill, nor a light bulb moment that helped me recognise and overcome the burnout. It was a journey—one that I believe will be a…

GO THE DISTANCE We are all guilty of making ambitious New Year’s resolutions that fizzle come February. Tatler friend Rany Moran, a Sydney-based counsellor accredited by the International Coach Federation, shares some tips on how we can stick to our goals—be they fitness-, family- or career-oriented. In the end, she says, it boils down to prioritising ourselves, our health and our spirits. 1. Perfection is the enemy to progress. It’s best to start small and set realistic goals based on your capabilities, and focus on the journey. 2. Remember to praise and affirm your actions and achievements, no matter how small they are. 3. Don’t stop yourself from being silly, and let go of external opinions and judgements. 4. Find your daily dose of dopamine. Whether it’s solving your sudoku…

TRINA LIANG-LIN President of Women in Sustainability and Environment (Wise), and fund manager at an asset management firm focused on renewable energy investments in Asia Trina Liang-Lin still remembers a field trip to a pulp and paper company in the region during her early days as a bond analyst. Travelling to the city’s outskirts, she was first greeted by lush greenery that soon turned into what she describes as “a complete devastation of forest, with felled trees everywhere”—and the wood converted into paper at the factory. “It was shocking to see the stark brutality of deforestation. There was a kind of sadness I couldn’t quite fathom at the time. Looking back, all I can think of now is how I had played a part in felling those trees while pushing…

Naomi Osaka wears a lot of hats. On top of being a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, she has her own skincare brand, serves as an ambassador for Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer, and is a powerful voice in the world of sports. But her second love after tennis is fashion, which is why she collaborated with Levi’s to create an upcycled denim collection inspired by her own personal style—a mix of sporty and feminine—and heritage. How do you describe your style? I really like to dress in a way that tells a story. I love pieces that you wouldn’t necessarily see anywhere else. For me, style is a real form of expression, and my style kind of varies from day to day based on my mood and what story…

1 Make sure you reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming or perspiring heavily. People do not apply sunscreen as generously as they should. We should always pay attention to both direct and indirect (for example, rays reflecting off sand, water and snow) UV rays, especially while we’re at the pool or beach all day. 2 You should include at least four to five SPF products in your beauty wardrobe, so you can layer them for different purposes and maximum protection. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and we have to think about all sorts of ways to slip SPF into our routines and give skin the protection it needs. 3 Don’t forget those often-ignored body parts when applying sunscreen, such as…

Did you know that in 1960, much of Sophia Loren’s jewellery was stolen from a rose-clad cottage in Hertfordshire, England, where she had been staying while filming the romantic comedy The Millionairess? The jewels were worth US$250,000 and included three sets of diamonds, emeralds and rubies, all of which had been stored in a leather case hidden in a chest of drawers. At the time of the theft, Loren was at the airport meeting her film producer husband Carlo Ponti. For identification purposes, detectives were given photographs of Loren wearing the pieces and they also took photographs of marks found on a window, but nobody was ever charged with the robbery, although it has been largely thought that notorious thief Sidney Cugullere was responsible. Loren is an exemplary actor who…

Ryan Gosling has starred in numerous Hollywood hits, including La La Land and Drive, but until now has never partnered with a brand, which is why Tag Heuer’s announcement that the actor will front its campaign for the new Carrera 3 Hands collection is so shocking to the watchmaking world. “Tag Heuer has quietly and consistently been a classic and iconic pillar of excellence in its field for more than 160 years,” says Gosling. “Partnering with it was an easy decision, and time, in general, is just something I think a lot about now. My kids are growing up fast, so I keep an eye on the clock in a way I never used to.” Shot by New York-based photographer Pari Dukovic, smouldering photographs of Gosling driving with the watchmaker’s…

1 I am largely vegan, though not overly strictly! 2 We have a Friday movie night tradition and won’t schedule meetings during this time. I only watch movies that I feel I’ll enjoy a lot or make me a better person—I don’t want to watch something that will create darkness or negativity. 3 We try to have one device-free day a week where we do not use our devices. We try to make it happen on a Saturday, though we don’t always succeed! 4 I stay anchored through faith, with prayer and meditation. 5 I try to do something active every day. Besides running and HIIT, I try to focus on strength training, balance and flexibility.…

“The spectacle is back.” So declares influencer, creative consultant and now TikTok sensation Bryan Grey Yambao, better known as the global fashion personality Bryanboy. Twenty months into the pandemic, the fashion whirl has resumed and in the course of just a few weeks, Bryanboy has already jetted off to three continents. In Manila, he opened the first Ikea flagship in the Philippines, then he sauntered down the runway for Alessandro Michele’s ode to Hollywood glamour show for Gucci in Los Angeles, made a pit stop at the TikTok headquarters, and extended his stay to attend his good friend Paris Hilton’s wedding before flying off to his home in Sweden, then to London for meetings at Perfect magazine, where he is the international editorial director. That itinerary, however hectic it may…

But what exactly are natural wines? Natural wine is wine that is farmed organically in the fields and made with no or minimal intervention in the cellar. Compared to conventional wines that may use chemicals to control pests in the vineyards or mechanical harvesting, as well as additives or refining techniques in the cellar, natural wines subscribe to the philosophy of “nothing added, nothing removed”. Given the precariousness of making natural wine, its percentage of the market is tiny—but growing. Proponents call the results of this stripped-down winemaking style “living wine”, “raw wine”, “lo-fi wine” and other similar terms, in a bid to distinguish it from the mass production techniques used today in winemaking. Given the wide variation of natural yeasts, fermentation processes and terroir expressions of these wines, the…

KAREN TEE Karen Tee finds joy in sparking inspiration and positive action through her work. Her love for writing is surpassed only by her love for yoga, which is why she considers the mat her second home. This issue, she chats with our cover personality Dr Carolyn Lam (p.110). MARK WILLIAMS AND SARA HIRAKAWA Husband-and-wife team Mark Williams and Sara Hirakawa first met while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology. Their photographs have appeared in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and Rolling Stone. They have shot numerous international celebrities, including Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Kidman and Oprah Winfrey. For Tatler, the couple photographed this month’s fashion shoot (p.68). BJ PASCUAL Los Angeles-born, Manila-based BJ Pascual is one of the most in-demand photographers in the Philippines. He has shot many of the country’s…

Sex toys are emerging from speciality shops across Asia and making their way onto mainstream shelves. In Singapore, you can find them in personal care stores, sitting alongside toothpaste and shampoos. Yet, despite a growing acceptance of pleasure devices, the general mindset about sexual wellness in Asia remains fixated on the act of sex itself, rather than its role in our physical and emotional health. Jingjin Liu, founder and CEO of sexual wellness platform ZaZaZu, hopes to change this through a holistic approach involving education, consultations with experts and a range of female-centric products. “I hope to build the Tripadvisor for sexual wellness,” Liu enthuses. “We want to be the hub where women can learn more about their sexual well-being, find products reviewed by other women, and consult a professional…

Let’s not mince words: healthcare is mainly designed for men. Researchers have been focusing on male biology for centuries, studying predominantly male cells, animals and humans, and assuming that men and women are physiologically similar. Which isn’t true. Men, for instance, have a 24-hour hormonal rhythm while women have a 28-day one. And when a woman’s care is based on a male biology, the consequences can be severe—and potentially fatal. Women, for example, may not exhibit the same “default” symptoms as men in the case of heart disease, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, an alarming finding of a UK study is that less than 2.5 per cent of publicly funded research is dedicated to women’s reproductive health. Considering that women make up 51 per cent of…

Anya Taylor-Joy’s riveting performances and sensational beauty have been recognised by Dior, which has named her global ambassador for beauty and fashion. She will showcase the designs of both creative director of make-up Peter Philips and women’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri. The actress has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past couple of years, from starring in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit to her most recent project, Last Night in Soho, with director Edgar Wright. At just 25, Taylor-Joy has already received several accolades for her work, including an Emmy and a SAG Award this year alone. And she’s not slowing down any time soon. As if to cement her suitability for the Dior role, Taylor-Joy was named “Face of the Year” at the CFDA Awards…

The spirit of New York is notoriously difficult to capture: wild and untameable as ever, the city refused to sleep even as the pandemic struck. As crowds returned and the city moved at full force, Tiffany & Co paid close attention. Tapping into every beat, every pulse that moves the city, the brand honed in on the streets that travellers and New Yorkers used. With its newly unveiled Tiffany Knot collection, the jewellery brand honours its home town with a knot symbol that captures the ubiquitous chain link symbol that can be found throughout the city. It’s deceptively minimalistic, but the knot serves as a reminder of human connection—almost Herculean in strength and never to be underestimated. New York undergoes a transformation in this collection. Through the eyes of Tiffany,…

COMFORT ZONE We’re not quite ready to abandon WFH wear, so it’s no surprise one-size-fits-all outerwear is trending. A sculptural poncho elevates the grocery run or casual meet-up. It’s a fashion solution meets wearable hug. EASY ON ME With another year of athleisure surely ahead of us, luxed-up kicks are here to stay. Update your daily look with a splurge-worthy pair of sneakers: go for classic all-white or mix things up with more playful neon accents. DOMINANT HUES The most uplifting offering from resort 2022 is the range of jewel tones on display. The latest statement apparel and accessories come in the brightest of hues; saturated yellow and cerulean are particularly effective in boosting our mood in the lead-up to spring. ZIP UP Trucker zip jackets are proving to be…

Dr Jonathan Seah remembers watching as a young boy The Six Million Dollar Man, a television series from the 1970s about the world’s first bionic man. It tells the story of United States Air Force colonel Steve Austin (played by Lee Majors) who, after a Nasa test flight gone wrong, is rebuilt with superhuman strength, speed and vision. “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology,” Seah says, putting on his best impression of Harve Bennett, who narrated the series’ intro. He reverts to his regular voice: “But really, it’s true: we’re living in a time where we have the technology.” In recent years, and with astonishing speed, the subject of body optimisation through emerging medical treatments has transformed from the stuff of sci-fi fantasy into promising reality. Doctors,…

It’s about 3.30 pm in Singapore and the sky has suddenly gone dark. Thunder cracks like a whip every few minutes, shaking the windows and sending the dogs in my apartment building into a frenzy. It’s the perfect setting for some storytelling, and I’ve got one heck of a storyteller—Tom Wright—on the line. Together with Bradley Hope, his close friend and colleague from their previous lives as journalists for The Wall Street Journal, Wright co-wrote Billion Dollar Whale, the true story of disgraced Malaysian financier Jho Low, who siphoned billions of dollars from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB. Described as “thrilling” by Bill Gates and named a Best Book of 2018 by the Financial Times and Fortune, Billion Dollar Whale is also a tale of obscene…

In 1997, Susan Sarandon made sure she died before Christmas. “I was filming Stepmom. As a producer, I was able to schedule it so that I died before we took our Christmas break, so I could eat,” recalls Sarandon, who had to lose a significant amount of weight for her role as Jackie Harrison, a mother diagnosed with terminal cancer. That Christmas, the Academy Award-winning actress found herself riding camels in Morocco’s Sahara Desert with her three children. Her youngest, actor Miles Robbins, was five at the time. “One of your duties as a parent is to make memories,” she says, adding that she is a “compulsive scrapbook maker”. Beyond making memories, Sarandon felt it her parental duty to expose her children to different cultures and experiences from an early…