Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG On the cover of this month’s issue is Michelle Ong, her husband David Cheung, and their children, Amanda, Jennifer and Adrian Cheung, who discuss their dynamic and the path each has chosen to pursue in life. TATLER INDONESIA Guillem Segarra is the CEO of HappyFresh, one of Southeast Asia’s leading on-demand grocery delivery companies. He talks about its exponential growth in 2021 and expansion plans this year. TATLER MALAYSIA Rekha Sen is one of the many campaigners fighting for Malaysian mothers to be given the same rights as fathers when it comes to conferring citizenship on their overseas-born children—both for the sake of the child’s future and for the push for gender equality in the nation. TATLER PHILIPPINES Model, entrepreneur and lifestyle columnist Rissa Mananquil Trillo and…

According to Chinese astrology, people in their zodiac year are believed to fan tai sui—or clash with the Grand Duke Jupiter. Which means that those born in the Year of the Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) might experience a challenging 2022, be it in terms of health, career or relationships. With the right guidance though, Tigers will be able to overcome any obstacles. Cue feng shui master and bazi consultant Kevin Foong from Kevin Foong Consulting Group, who stresses that Tigers (and Monkeys) must be prepared for major changes in their lives—which may not necessarily be negative. Here, he gives sound advice in the realms of wealth, health, relationships, business and self; Tigers would do well to heed it. WEALTH: THINK TWICE BEFORE MAKING BIG FINANCIAL…

“The more data we have, the better we can try to match the customer to the product” We live in a world surrounded by data, but too much data, when not turned into useful information, can get overwhelming. For OsakaKuma co-founder and CEO Tony Wang, the information he gathers from the data the beauty retail brand collects tells him what its customers want, so “we can curate the best products for their needs and keep them engaged through hyper-tailored content and distribution channels”. He launched OsakaKuma in 2020 and seeks to position the brand as the first store in Singapore that offers a selection of curated Japanese beauty and personal care brands, including SK-II, Shiseido, Pola, The Ginza and Fancl, with a range of more than 1,000 collections based on…

“We want to become a collective, connecting parents and children everywhere” Growing up among the stylish denizens of Hong Kong, Claudia Li-Djojonegoro always had a heart for fashion. Between the classic and elegant style of her grandmother and her mother’s wardrobe full of clothing by edgy, contemporary designers, she saw first-hand the importance of dressing well. Now, as a mother herself, she hopes to pass on this love of fashion to her one-year-old daughter—starting with her childrenswear label, Children of Luna. Before staring her own business, Li-Djojonegoro spent almost a decade working in Singapore’s fashion industry, managing projects at the Textile and Fashion Federation, organising four editions of Singapore Fashion Week, promoting home-grown designers at Paris and Milan’s fashion weeks, and introducing overseas brands to the local market. But it…

As ubiquitous as receiving hongbaos and offering mandarin oranges, lohei is an activity you won’t want to miss out on when indulging in Lunar New Year celebrations. Get together with friends and family for a festive toss and toast to one another’s good health, wealth and prosperity at the iconic Long Beach Seafood Restaurant, which offers a vibrant yusheng selection. The raw fish dish has long surpassed its humble origins, evolving over the years as new and personalised elements are added to amplify the auspiciousness of this mainstay during the festive period. And so it is with Long Beach’s fruits yusheng (pre-order only), which comes with your pick of an array of seasonal fresh fruits that not just lend colour and nuanced flavours to the dish, but also carry symbolic…

“I’m a person who lives by his passion—and two of my biggest passions are music, and coaching young children through play. One is a business I started in 2013 called People Impact, a life skills development play-based school for children, and the other, a hobby I fell in love with when I was eight, after discovering my dad’s cassette tapes. “Music is a part of me. I’ll always find time every day to spin some records” The first tape I played was Nightflight to Venus by Boney M. As a young boy, I was captivated by the catchy melodies and singalong choruses of hits such as Rivers of Babylon and Brown Girl in the Ring. I also discovered the music of Michael Jackson, Elton John, Bonnie Tyler and Sheena Easton…

You can learn a lot from someone’s Instagram page. In Angelina Jolie’s case, her profile tells a story of someone who cares deeply about her children, the planet and the people living on it. After resisting any involvement with social media for decades, the star’s decision to join Instagram last August was something of a shock. Her first post was a letter from a teenage girl in Afghanistan, detailing the terrors of living under the Taliban regime. The post gained more than 700,000 likes within four hours and has since been liked more than 4 million times. At the time of writing, Jolie’s account boasts well over 11 million followers—yet the actor only follows three accounts: civil rights organisation, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; humanitarian NGO…

1 Uniquely shaped diamonds Brilliant-cut diamonds will always be timeless, but pear- and princess-cut diamonds are also beautiful. There’s something very feminine and classy about these two exquisite shapes and at Marei New York, we’re getting more requests for these cuts, which makes me think they’re coming back in a big way. 2 Big and bold I’m seeing a massive demand for out-of-the-ordinary, non-traditional engagement ring styles that come with a story. My clients are becoming more adventurous in their personal styles and aren’t always interested in the more typical diamond-set engagement ring. Statement-making engagement rings that are spirit-lifting will be in demand for 2022. 3 Coloured gemstones There has been an increased interest in wellness and spirituality these past 12 months. People are learning about the divine healing properties,…

PANDA-MONIUM Nicknamed the Bulldog, MB&F’s weird-but-wonderful Horological Machine No 10 was unveiled in 2020. The independent watchmaker built upon this three-dimensional wristwatch and has transformed it into a panda, which playfully displays the time through domed sapphire crystal. Two cone-shaped orbs with funky numerals act as the panda’s eyes, while four sleek-looking moveable lugs resemble legs. A pièce unique, the Panda comes with ears and a tail coated in black and white lacquer, and has already sold for a bank-busting US$679,160. STARRY EYES Omega has unveiled new additions to its Constellation Small Seconds family that measure 34 mm—perfect for those with smaller wrists. Choose from Sedna gold (an exclusive 18-karat rose gold alloy that Omega debuted in 2012), stainless steel and a combination of both, the last of which is…

Tell us about the Bremont Longitude. It’s an important watch not only for Bremont but for British horology. Longitude houses a Bremont-manufactured movement called ENG 300, which was made at our new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at Henley-on-Thames. The ENG 300 is the first mechanical movement made on British shores in more than 50 years. Why is it important that Bremont pays tribute to Britain? Some of the most glorious watchmaking the world has ever seen came from Britain. Go back a few centuries; we helped solve the conundrum of accurate timekeeping at sea when we set up the first chronometer testing and regulation facility at the Royal Observatory. Bremont is known for incorporating important historical artefacts into its watches. How did you mould a section of brass into each Longitude?…

As we enter the Year of the Tiger, we asked feng shui masters across Asia for tips on how to create family harmony in the new year. UNDERSTAND THE BASICS While feng shui doesn’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions, there are some general principles that are easy to follow. Here’s what the masters we spoke to have to say about how feng shui philosophies come into play in living spaces—and the auspicious hues to look out for in the coming year. “Feng shui is a philosophy behind living spaces. ‘Wind’ (feng) refers to the flow of qi and energy, whereas ‘water’ (shui) can be interpreted as the importance of maintaining fluidity in day-to-day life. In essence, feng shui is all about people: [inside a home], you have to consider every occupant’s personal…

Well, that was unexpected. Half an hour before its VIP preview event was set to end, collective gasps were heard from local celebrities and influencers across the pitch as the news pinged through on people’s phones—it had been abruptly announced that the Kaws: Holiday exhibition had been ordered by the Singapore court to stop. Immediately. Kaws: Holiday was the first major art exhibition Singapore had seen in two years, since the pandemic began. The highly anticipated public installation featured a monumental inflatable sculpture of Kaws’s Companion lying across a floating football pitch dubbed The Float, with Marina Bay Sands in the background. It turned out that The Ryan Foundation, a local non-profit arts organisation, had filed an interim injunction citing reasons such as intellectual property rights infringement and the misuse…

We have no control over the family that we’re born into, but fortuitously, we can choose the friends who end up being just like family. At Tatler, the word “family” holds a potent meaning. We have played a part in (and have sometimes even orchestrated) important milestones in our Tatler friends’ lives that have lived on in the very pages of this magazine. Recently, a reader regaled me with the story of how she met her husband at the Tatler ball some 20 years ago. Yet another one organised a proposal in Thailand a few years ago, where Tatler was conducting a photo shoot with his partner-to-be. Countless others have met their better halves, their best friends and their business partners at our events; weddings, proposals, births and birthdays have…

While no one can predict luck, rising feng shui master Mark Tan, the future successor of Way Fengshui Group, which is led by his father, chief geomancer and grand master Tan Khoon Yong, looks at a person’s zodiac animal and the corresponding birth year and solar months to determine if it’s “the right time” for the individual to, say, embark on a new journey or make risky investments. When fortune favours a zodiac animal, note “the corresponding solar months for pockets of luck,” he shares. Here, his forecast of the animals that’ll fare well this year and those that won’t: THE TOP LINE This is set to be a particularly good year for the Rabbit, Rooster and Pig, which means there’s no better time to plan celebrations or make daring…

NAYANTARA DHILLON Co-founder at Domi Living “We entered 2022 as a family of five, welcoming Fudge, our baby mini dachshund. I grew up being around dachshunds, so I couldn’t be more content to have her with us. This year, I hope to grow Domi Living, a homeware brand I started with my dear friend Sonam [Uttamchandani] out of the meals we would have at home amid the lockdown ennui. As we curate and design alongside artisans across Southeast Asia, we also provide them an alternative sales avenue during these uncertain times.” SERENE CHUA Private banker and co-founder of Carvers & Co and Wolf Burgers “After eight years in our previous house, the kids and I recently moved into our cosy new tropical-themed home—with a curated garden, customised rainforest wallpaper and…

The issues surrounding our increasing longevity are complex. On one hand, there is a universal appeal to living longer that’s tied to our most basic instincts. Conversely, however, a longer lifespan also brings with it challenges that are related to old age—as well as ageing in general. The topic is of particular importance to Singapore. Life expectancy in the city state has risen steadily over the past few decades and currently sits at 84 years while continuing to increase. As this goes on, the issue of longevity will grow in prominence as well. What does this mean for an individual, his family, and society as a whole? The good news is, longevity and ageing needn’t be closely related. Instead, the two can be decoupled from each other, essentially allowing one…

For many people, making a New Year’s resolution to adopt a healthier lifestyle means exercising more regularly and eating a more balanced diet. But how often do we remember to prioritise our mental health as part of that goal? Vivian Lau, founder of Vitruvian Man, saw the impact of poor mental health first-hand when her friend’s psoriasis was exacerbated by stress. She talks to Tatler about how important it is for men to put their mental health first and how taking care of their skin plays a part in that. Why did you decide to create a skincare line for men? It all started with helping a friend. Stress aggravated his psoriasis and he was prescribed steroid creams by his dermatologist. Once the infected area healed, he tried to find…

Boucheron has reunited with British model and designer Alexa Chung to present its newest Quatre designs, which play with different shades of glittering gold. Modern and minimalist, these creations are perfect for stacking and layering, making them must-have accessories this season. Choose from yellow, pink and white gold, which come both with and without diamonds.…

Richard Mille is known for its state-of-the-art ladies’ wristwatches—and I want this one bad. Limited to just 50 pieces, the daring RM 07-10 Racing Red takes its inspiration from the watchmaker’s eponymous all-women racing team and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. The three women drive Roxy, a blood-red Oreca-Gibson that steered the design for this gutsy timepiece. Powered by the CRMA2 calibre, a shockingly complex in-house skeletonised automatic movement, this eye-catching wristwatch is housed in a light and sturdy TPT Quartz case.…

From Lake Suwa’s frozen surface in winter to the verdant Genbi Valley, nature’s splendour in Japan has been a boundless source of inspiration for Grand Seiko. The brand’s latest creation, the SBGJ253 “Tasogare”, reflects yet another scene of exquisite beauty—this time with an ephemeral touch. The SBGJ253 is a contemporary iteration of 1967’s 44GS, which established the design language spoken by every Grand Seiko timepiece today. This can be seen in various areas, the most prominent being the watch’s wide surfaces, which are defined by long, uninterrupted lines and sharp angles. At 40 mm wide and 14 mm high, the SBGJ253 is a bold presence on the wrist, but never feels overwhelming thanks to its refined proportions. Instead, the case and bracelet are perfectly integrated into a seamless whole, and…

CLARICE CHAN Former travel industry executive Clarice Chan is known for her series of books offering expert feng shui advice, published annually in her native Singapore. She also specialises in Chinese astrology, tarot, name analysis and numerology. ADELINA PANG Singapore-based Adelina Pang picked up feng shui more than two decades ago in search of a means of improving her daughter’s health and has since become a respected force in the industry, consulting for multinational companies, hotels and hospitals alike. JENNIFER AND LILLIAN TOO Formerly a director at a Hong Kong bank, Malaysia-based feng shui master Lillian Too is a popular author whose books have sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. Her daughter Jennifer has followed in her footsteps. JOYCE LIAO Taiwanese feng shui master Joyce Liao has more than…

ADRIEL CHIUN Adriel Chiun is long-winded and short-tempered. He’s behind the cover shoot in this issue (p.124). How did you get started as a stylist? Professionally? I started styling full-time when I moved back from London. But in my private life, I started styling my Barbies, my pets and my cousins when I turned seven. Where do you derive your inspiration? Strength and sensuality. I also get really inspired by powerful feminine energy. CELINE TAN An entertainment and lifestyle journalist, Celine Tan has interviewed her fair share of celebrities and personalities in her two decades in the content sphere. She really enjoys getting people to warm up to her and spill the tea. This month, she profiles Crane founders Federico Folcia and Teo Jia En, and discusses their quest to…

More than 90 per cent of Vietnam’s population live outside of its two major cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and not every one of them have access to a supermarket. To address this, one Singaporean entrepreneur is tapping on the country’s high social media penetration rate to bring digital supermarkets to its smaller cities and towns. Geoffrey See started Shoppa, a community commerce start-up, together with co-founders Van Tran and Sean Ang in August 2021 in order to help Vietnamese women build their own micro enterprises online to deliver groceries to customers within their communes. In December 2021, Shoppa was invited to join the coveted US-based start-up accelerator Y Combinator as the only Vietnam-focused venture in the retail and social commerce space—a recognition that affirmed the importance of…

JEONG FOK Co-founder of Ground Zero Singapore Whether you are a gym rat or new to exercise, surely you can relate to Jeong Fok when he describes his first spin class as “brutal”. This was way back in 2013, even before indoor cycling became a thing. “Every part of my body was in pain after the first 45-minute class, even muscles I didn’t know existed were aching. It was definitely not like riding a bike in the park,” shares the co-founder of boutique fitness studio Ground Zero Singapore. When spinning, along with boxing and HIIT (high-intensity interval training), became one of the top fitness trends in recent years, Fok decided to become a spin instructor. He had been running his own business in the toys manufacturing industry and was travelling…

SUSTAINABLE GLAM Unveiled on cultural icons including Hailee Steinfeld, Precious Lee and Thomas Doherty at the 2021 Fashion Awards last November, the extravagant looks from the fourth H&M Innovation Circular Design Story sold out within a day when they were released in stores last December. The range serves as a continuation of H&M’s commitment to becoming climate-positive and to making its production process circular, with garments made exclusively from recycled and recyclable materials. The fifth Innovation Story collection is due out in March or April, serving as a reminder that caring for the planet is fashionable in all senses of the word. GAME, SET, MATCH A man of many titles—and no stranger to blending street and luxury fashion—Kim Jones presents his first sneaker design for Fendi, available for both men…

Koko Hayashi is a Los Angeles-based certified face yoga instructor who has been practising since 2018. She teaches in-person classes, including to the likes of Kim Kardashian West, and also shares her techniques with more than 400,000 subscribers on YouTube. Tatler spoke to Hayashi to learn more about the health benefits of face yoga, the techniques to try and how it can change your face for the better. What should people know about face yoga? It is a natural solution to maintaining—or regaining—your youthful appearance. By activating the muscles in the face, it lifts and relaxes overworked muscles to reduce [the look of] wrinkles. How did you discover it and why did you decide to pursue its practice as a full-time career? When I was 27, I had failed plastic…

CUFF UP An ear cuff makes a much stronger style statement than a diamond-set stud or drop earring, and these new sculptural creations by Mikimoto take things one step further with a pop of pearl. Wear yours alone or layered with traditional pierced earrings for a unique take on this must-try trend. HIGH-FLYER The sky’s the limit for Harry Winston’s latest high jewellery collection, Marvelous Creations, which pays tribute to the American jeweller’s long-standing muse: Mother Nature. Numerous creatures, from the blue python to the ethereal butterfly and the black-necked crane, have been reinterpreted in slabs of platinum and slivers of white gold, which are mounted with clutches of diamonds and coloured gemstones. SIGNATURE STYLE Chanel continues to celebrate the camellia with its latest fine jewellery collection, Bouton de Camélia.…

For those dreaming of a winter wonderland, a different—and dare we say, far better—kind of ice can be found in the Diamond Breeze collection by Van Cleef & Arpels. Resembling delicate blooms dusted by first snow, the creations in this classic collection by the French maison take inspiration from the enchanting lotus, long considered sacred in many Asian cultures. Following its debut appearance in a 1920s Van Cleef & Arpels collection, the lotus has served as an enduring source of inspiration for the house. As part of this year’s Diamond Breeze collection, Van Cleef & Arpels introduces three additions to the Lotus range: a Between the Finger ring, a pendant and a pair of earrings, featuring a fresh interpretation of this floral symbol of purity. Set in striking asymmetrical bouquets…

What’s special about the Excalibur Spider Huracán and Excalibur Spider Flying Tourbillon? Both display the beauty of Roger Dubuis’s craftsmanship and are presented in two completely different materials. We’ve been playing with white materials for a while now and they give our timepieces a completely different look. Why did you choose to offer the Excalibur Spider Huracán in Ceramic Composite Fibre (CCF)? We love combining the lightness of cutting-edge materials with beautiful aesthetics, which is what we can achieve with CCF. This high-performance material, which has a spectacular marble appearance, is normally used in the aerospace industry and is 20 per cent lighter than carbon. What were the challenges when designing these two timepieces? Every time we start with something new, we want to find a way to challenge ourselves.…

“Yunnan—what a place!” exclaims Sam Fischer, the president of the English spirits maker Diageo’s Asia Pacific and global travel division, of the region where the group has chosen to build a distillery in which to craft its first China-origin single malt whisky. “I can still remember the first time I saw Erhai Lake—I had never seen anything so beautiful. The water is absolutely crystal clear and the lengths to which the government goes to preserve the quality of the water are extraordinary. [There are] snow-capped mountains, pristine water, a biodiversity focus and the perfect environment for whisky making.” In November, Diageo broke ground on a US$75 million distillery on a site located 2,100 metres above sea level in the rolling countryside of Eryuan County in Yunnan. The location boasts a…