Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2022 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG In an exclusive interview, former Gurkha-turned-mountaineer Nimsdai “Nims” Purja, star of the hit documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible gives updates on his latest project, the Big Mountain Clean-Up, which saw him and his team removing rubbish from Mount Everest’s “death zone” this spring. TATLER INDONESIA Rosa Vivien Ratnawati is the minister of environment and forestry from the department of solid waste, hazardous waste and hazardous substances management. In this issue, she talks about how to manage waste in Indonesia and how to be an impactful leader, especially in male-dominated fields such as politics. TATLER MALAYSIA September’s cover star is Datin Sri Linda Chen, fashion retailer Bonia’s stylish marketing and communications director, who talks about her career journey, how her evolution as a person informs her current…

ARIANNA PIANCA Swiss Italian stylist Arianna Pianca started her career in Milan before refining her skills in London and New York. Since 2018, Pianca has lived in Zurich, where she works with many different clients, consults for smaller local brands and collaborates with large international houses. She styled this month’s fashion spread (p.100). NOÉMI OTTILIA SZABO Noémi Ottilia Szabo is a photographer from Switzerland. Her career started accidentally after a fashion stylist discovered her work on Instagram. Since then, she has grown her portfolio while building a career working for international brands and publications. “My main sources of inspiration are my model, the light and the location I’m shooting at. It’s different on every shoot,” says Szabo, who lensed the fashion spread this month (p.100). DARREN GABRIEL LEOW A fashion…

From ever‑changing trends to the barrage of style content on social media platforms, fashion can be a fickle beast. But Singapore‑based fashion label The Salvages has done what many brands can only hope to do: remain relevant and respected in an ever‑evolving scene. According to its co‑founders Earn Chen and Nicolette Yip, it all comes down to knowing who you are, who you want to connect with, and having something to say—“Not just making noise,” says Yip. “Fashion is a cycle. What goes up has to come down, and we’re more focused on a slow growth,” adds Chen. “To us, that’s more meaningful and sustainable. We don’t have to constantly be in a rat race or be the most famous brand. We just do authentic things and our tribe will…

Community and conviviality are important pillars of Tatler Singapore, and we are happy to support—and spotlight—the endeavours of our Tatler friends, be it their pursuits of passion or acts of giving back. One of them is Linda Soo‑Tan. The long‑time member of Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135, a non‑profit cultural organisation dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of the Japanese art of flower arrangement, was most recently its president. Her two‑year tenure took place during the pandemic for the most part and under her leadership, the organisation with a “friendship through flowers” motto managed to be more active under an entirely different set of norms, pivoting to online workshops as well as mounting exhibitions at venues such as Japan Creative Centre and Gardens by the Bay when restrictions were lifted.…

TIME FOR T The graphic T motif of the Tiffany & Co’s T Collection derives from the brand’s instantly recognisable logo, and each piece in the modern, bold collection celebrates the house’s name. The range continues to evolve with new pieces including oversized circle pendants and hoop earrings, with or without diamonds, perfect for stacking and layering. A standout piece launching this month is this striking ear cuff in 18-karat rose gold and pavé diamonds. BIG CAT ON TOP The latest Panthère de Cartier collection evokes the heritage of legendary director of fine jewellery Jeanne Toussaint—Louis Cartier is said to have dedicated the house’s iconic panther motif to her. Necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets in white or yellow gold feature the pompom detail beloved by the maison. The eight new…

Could you share with us your take on mental well-being for today’s athletes? Do you have any pointers for aspiring athletes entering the competitive sporting world? Sport is not easy—nothing is easy, if you want to be the best. But it’s important to know that working hard, not giving up, speaking up and taking care of yourself are super important. We are living in a world where we must love ourselves more than anyone else. And we must understand that no one will [fully understand us]. So, it’s important that experienced and upcoming athletes really take care of their physical and, more importantly, their mental well-being. What words of advice would you give people who need to stay positive and healthy in a high-pressure environment or situation? Staying positive is…

Franck Muller has established a niche of its own through its focus on neoclassical designs and complications. These are expressed variously, with the Grand Central Tourbillon, which introduced the rare central tourbillon in the new Cintrée Curvex CX case, being an example. With it, Franck Muller updated its signature Cintrée Curvex case, an icon that is practically synonymous with the brand. Other novelties have since followed and it’s all business as usual for CEO Nicholas Rudaz, given the brand’s penchant for exploring variations on a theme—while adapting them to suit local markets. He elaborates on this and more. Franck Muller established the Cintrée Curvex as its key icon very early on and followed up with the Vanguard almost a decade ago. It has now reintroduced the Cintrée Curvex in the…

If you could wear one fashion brand for the rest of your life, what would it be? A fellow editor recently posed this question to the table over dinner in London and it got me thinking: which designer’s aesthetic would I want for the rest of my life? There’s Prada’s witty, cerebral designs under the dynamic duo of fashion, Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada; Dries Van Noten’s exuberant explosion of print and colour; and my new‑found love of the rigorously chic minimalism and infinite functionality of Homme Plissé Issey Miyake. Ultimately, I settled on Dries Van Noten for its plethora of prints (I adore a camp collar shirt with a fantastical design) and the expert cut of the clothes, but the answers and thought processes behind my dinner companions’ choices…

The music industry is not for the faint of heart. So when Zaran Vachha co‑founded Collective Minds in 2017, he wanted to create something that encouraged more camaraderie than rivalry. “It began as a non‑compete music touring company—agents in the West were pitting us [in Asia] against [one another] and we wanted to establish a unified touring network,” he explains. “We joined forces with people in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam … and began touring independent musicians.” Vachha and his team focused on delivering intimate, soul‑quenching music experiences rather than stadium spectacles, bringing to the Asia‑Pacific region everything from the funky sounds of Breakbot and Chromeo to the jazzy tunes of heavy hitters Roy Ayers and Gilles Peterson. In 2019 alone, Collective Minds put on more than 200 concerts. In 2020…

LOCAL FLAVOURS Wildseed Café is known for its cakes infused with local ingredients and botanicals, and its iconic coconut blue pea flower shortcake is one delicious example. Comprising an almond dacquoise sponge cake—a lighter and fluffier version of the traditional sponge cake—layered with a decadent butterfly pea flower coconut Chantilly cream mixed with bits of freshly grated coconut and sweet palm sugar to balance out the nuttiness, the gluten‑free treat comes coated in a light frosting infused with blue pea flower extract. The flower, shares Michael Lau, group pastry development chef of 1‑Group, the F&B group that operates Wildseed Café, is often used in local desserts for its blue hue and delicate earthy notes. Here, the team uses it to give the cake its striking colour, with the petals serving…

The 1984 formulation of the original Yamazaki 12 Year Old single malt whisky has always been a closely guarded secret, but fans can now get a taste of its concept of Tsukuriwake, which roughly translates as “artisanship through a diversity of making”. This August, the House of Suntory released the 2022 Yamazaki Limited Edition Tsukuriwake Selection, comprising bottlings of the four foundational pillars of Yamazaki whisky: Puncheon, Peated Malt, Spanish Oak and Mizunara. Tsukuriwake, says a Suntory spokesperson, is one of the main reasons why Yamazaki is such a beloved and sought‑after whisky, adding that “innovation in Japanese whisky is known to occur at the back end—in maturation or blending—but few understand the diversity of the whisky components that [is needed] to achieve this depth and gravitas.” At Suntory, the…

When it comes to mountains, Nims Purja has seen and done it all: his record-setting climb of all 14 of the world’s highest was immortalised in a hit documentary; he holds several speed records for multiple ascents back to back, and led the first team to summit K2 in winter—without supplemental oxygen; and he has summited Mount Everest seven times and founded a guiding company. Through planning, dedication and faith in his own abilities, he has built a reputation for achieving anything he sets his mind to. However, this year, when he set out on a new challenge—an extreme litter-picking mission on the world’s tallest mountain—it didn’t quite go as planned. “To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be that tough, and I’m a very strong climber; the strongest…

You’ve come across so many stories and anecdotes throughout your career, from Queen Marie Amélie’s missing emeralds to the theft of the Duchess of Windsor’s Jewels. Which is your favourite and why? The ones I like best are the ones still clouded in mystery. For example, the Prince Edward of York diamond has not been seen for 100 years, since Van Cleef & Arpels exhibited it in New York. I would love to see that stone. But I think my biggest question ever is: where is Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia’s enormous emerald? US billionaire Barbara Hutton owned a spectacular emerald and diamond necklace. The stones used to belong to the Grand Duchess, the aunt of the last emperor of Russia. Barbara Hutton sold that necklace to Van Cleef &…

BOLD TYPE Following nearly two centuries of watchmaking tradition, H Moser & Cie has launched a bold and surprising collaboration with global street culture and sportswear brand Undefeated. Produced as a limited edition of 76 pieces, the Streamliner Chronograph Undefeated is a sport-inspired model with fluid lines and minimalist design. The timepiece comes in dark grey DLC-treated steel with a Black Tiger Camo fumé dial and dark grey DLC-treated steel integrated bracelet. PRETTY IN PINK Vacheron Constantin has a long history of designing watches for women and is adding to its legacy with the new Patrimony model. With a case and hour markers in 18 karat pink gold and hands on a blush pink gradient effect dial, the timepiece is as pretty as it is technical. The rose-beige alligator leather…

Bold, complicated, skeletonised, colourful—these are just some ways to describe a Richard Mille watch. But not ultra‑thin. That is, until the debut of the Richard Mille RM UP‑01 Ferrari, which not only breaks away from the Swiss luxury watch brand’s established stylistic codes, but also sets a new record for the world’s thinnest watch. Unveiled this July at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy, to a select group of international media, including Tatler Singapore, the RM UP‑01 is the first timepiece the watchmaker has created with the luxury sports car manufacturer since their multi‑year partnership was announced back in 2021. As to be expected from two brands striving for innovation and excellence in their respective quests for perfection, the RM UP‑01 is nothing short of revolutionary—not least because its case, measuring…

1 The Bag Why choose between function and form when you can have both with the Me Issey Miyake Trunk Pleats Bag? 2 The Earrings Dial up the drama with these scintillating earrings from Hermès’s new high jewellery collection that plays on light and shadow. 3 The Watch Evoke the blushing romance of a Mediterranean sunset with Bulgari’s opulent Serpenti Misteriosi Riviera watch on your wrist. 4 The Shoe Keep your style game on point with the new Fendi Cut heel, which features a cheeky cut‑out of the iconic FF logo in the most unexpected of places.…

Before Arden Cho became an actress, she had her sights set on another career. “When I was younger, I definitely imagined myself as a lawyer. I even studied pre‑law,” she tells Tatler Singapore over video call, a few weeks before coming to town this July on a press tour for her recently released Netflix series Partner Track and for this photo shoot. “I probably would have made my parents so proud, as with any typical Asian American family.” Well, Cho is now making her Korean American parents proud in other ways, including realising her dream as a lawyer—albeit a fictional one—in the 10‑episode contemporary legal drama, which premiered in late August. The series is based on Chinese American novelist and lawyer Helen Wan’s 2013 book of the same name. While…

Luxury brands are flocking to the metaverse, but what are they actually doing there? Richard Hobbs, the man behind Animoca-invested company Brand New Vision (BNV), appeared on an episode of Tatler TV: Meta Versed to discuss how far digital fashion has come in virtual worlds, and how much further there is to go. Hong Kong-based BNV aims to be a gateway for luxury brands and fashion designers looking to enter the metaverse, by working with them to create digital wearable collections that will be interoperable across different virtual worlds. “It’s relatively easy for people to enter this space, but there’s a lot more to it now: it’s not just about creating or selling an NFT; it’s about the whole metaverse and Web3 experience,” Hobb explained. He pointed out that while…

As a company seeking to tackle Singapore’s mammoth packaging waste problem, one of the most significant milestones for Tria this year was securing KFC Singapore as a client. The sustainable packaging company founded by Ng Pei Kang announced this June that it was embarking on a six‑month pilot programme with the fast‑food chain to convert its food and single‑use packaging waste into farm fertiliser. The project is being trialled at KFC’s Northpoint City outlet and requires the restaurant to swap out its regular packaging for Tria’s proprietary plant‑based foodware. The packaging and food waste will be collected regularly and delivered to a recycling plant, where they will be put through Tria’s patented Bio24 digester and converted into compost within a day. The goal is to scale this solution across the…

Evoking the mesmerising swells on the surface of the sea, the À Fleur d’Eau necklace is composed of articulated ripples of diamonds and a detachable central 7.18‑carat pear‑shaped diamond that can be worn on another necklace as well. Inspired by the calm surrounds of a marina, the lavish Escales necklace shows off Chaumet’s incredible sense of detail and colour. The row of brick‑red spinels is set off perfectly by the sapphires and Paraíba tourmalines representing lapping waves, while the marquise‑cut diamonds are a cheeky depiction of moored yachts. Get a dose of vitamin sea with the sunny Sous le Soleil creations. Reminiscent of cheerful beach parasols filtered through an art deco lens, the spectacular combination of mandarin garnets, rubellites and pink chalcedony on this necklace brings to mind long, languid…

Editor's Pick It is impossible to capture the bewitching nature of the ocean in its entirety, but Harry Winston has managed to express its essence with the Island Waters necklace, a standout piece from the jeweller’s new Majestic Escapes collection. This one-of-a-kind high jewellery piece is inspired by St Barts, that picturesque island in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It features a carefully selected ombre gradation of pear-shaped indicolite tourmalines, blue Paraibas, green Paraibas, mint tourmalines, green tourmalines and round brilliant-cut diamonds that give the piece a delicate fluidity and sophisticated symmetry, mimicking the sunlit shores of the volcanic, reef-ringed paradise. Jewellery has never been so transportive. COUNT IN FIVES Coco Chanel’s favourite number denoted her astrological symbol, Leo—the fifth sign in the zodiac—and was her favourite day to present her…

Editor's Pick We just wrote about the world’s thinnest watch back in March, then, in July, a new contender claimed the title with a watch that’s just 0.05mm thinner. Richard Mille’s RM UP-01 Ferrari slides into top place with a 1.75mm case, the movement itself measuring 1.18mm. A watch’s winding stem measures at least 1.5mm, so the brand had to rethink the winding mechanism altogether. In short, it nixed it and replaced it with two crowns. It also did away with the balance and dart in the patented escapement. The dial is on the broad side but it does resemble a Ferrari dashboard so we’re all for it. RUGGED GLAM The latest avatar of Corum’s distinguished Bubble 47 Skull X-Ray is here. In the watch’s second edition, the Swiss watchmaker…

PINK POWER Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli might have reminded us that pink is a colour for every gender, but he is not the only one who is loving the saturated colour. On the fall-winter 2022 runways, red carpets and the ’gram, everyone who’s anyone is all about that hot pink. Be it a blazer, dress, handbag or a top-to-toe ensemble, dare to step away from monochrome—dopamine dressing trend is here to stay. MAXIMUM DRAMA Fashion is often a celebration of polar opposites, and after a season of micro minis, hemlines have dropped to the floor. Maxidresses are a wardrobe essential that work for elegant soirées, casual lunches and everything in between. Coming in colours, cuts and fabrics to suit every taste, this is the ultimate piece to bridge summer and fall:…

Alvin Leung is the personification of sheer will. When Tatler meets him for a coffee on a grey, humidity-drenched morning before he’s due to fly out of Hong Kong, the self-proclaimed “Demon Chef” immediately demonstrates a remarkable ability to occupy space: his voice booms as if amplified by an invisible megaphone, and he gestures often and vigorously, occasionally threatening to discombobulate the customers sitting nearby. “I think the best thing to say about me is my control of the unpredictable,” he says. “I think the main element is surprise, and my unpredictability is an attraction.” The surprise he’s referring to in this case is the relocation of his original claim to fame, Bo Innovation, from its long-time Wan Chai location to a new home in Central’s H Code building. Perhaps…