Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2023 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG In an exclusive interview, champion former jockey and renowned horse trainer Tony Cruz reflected on his remarkable journey, unpacked the gruelling regime of jockeys and trainers, and explained why he has no plans to retire. TATLER MALAYSIA Tunku Puteri Intan, the first female national chairperson of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, shared the untold benefits of giving young people and women a greater platform in humanitarianism. TATLER PHILIPPINES This year, fashion designer Josie Natori was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Asian Cultural Council, an organisation dedicated to advancing dialogue through cultural exchange. Natori shared with Tatler her hopes for her time in the role, and how she believes the arts can change the world for the better. SHANGLIU TATLER Shanghai-born, Hong Kongand Vancouver-raised…

YUTA KOTANI Tokyo-born and -based fashion stylist Yuta Kotani started his career in Paris, where he developed an elegant, simplistic and contemporary approach to styling both high-end and casual wardrobes. His current projects include Japanese make-up brand Shu Uemura’s global campaign, and he has also worked with Issey Miyake, Sunspel and Uniqlo. He styled this month’s fashion shoot. GREG ADAMSKI Polish-born, Dubai-based Greg Adamski is a fashion photographer who specialises in a simplistic cinematic style that focuses on shapes and colours. He has worked with a number of fashion magazines, including Harpers Bazaar Arabia and Marie Claire Middle East, and luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Chanel. He had fun playing with light and shadow in Tatler’s fashion shoot this month. DARREN GABRIEL LEOW A fashion and commercial…

Think of buying luxury fashion online and Yoox Net‑a‑Porter inevitably comes to mind. The e‑commerce retail group’s online stores are synonymous with not only some of the best high fashion names in the world, but also the emerging brands it incubates. This success is thanks to e‑commerce leaders such as Natalie Lee, Yoox Net‑a‑Porter’s general manager for the Asia‑Pacific region and Japan, who joined the group in December 2021 and brings with her a wealth of experience in online retail. Lee started her career in the strategic planning team of Kolon FnC, one of the largest fashion companies in South Korea, before working for Yoox while studying for her master’s in business administration in New York, which she shares was her “pivotal moment to transition from bricks and mortar to…

Vibrant, charismatic and stylish to a fault, Sabrina Ho is the daughter of Tatler friend and jeweller Belinda Chua, who owns Flower Diamond. Ho’s Instagram feed is telling of her relationship with fashion and jewellery, along with an innate sense of elegance, no doubt inherited from her mother. She also has quite the eye for beauty and all things exquisite. These qualities lend themselves to her day job as the “every woman” of Flower Diamond. “It sounds rather glamorous doesn’t it? But in actual fact, I do everything at Flower Diamond,” she reveals with a laugh. Since 2016, Ho has trained under her mother’s wing as the company’s go-to for marketing and design. And it is no mean feat considering how Ho holds her own in the radiance of her…

Here at Tatler, we are obsessed with many things. Chief among them is our commitment to recognising the people, the institutions, and the events that are driving our countries—and those who are actively shaping our societies and enriching our lives through their unique contributions. In our pages—and with our annual Tatler Ball—we celebrate the people who have, or are making their mark on Singapore and the world. Their work, their ideas and their actions have left indelible impressions on so many lives. This is why we chose Make Your Mark as the theme for the 41st Tatler Ball. As strong patrons of the local arts and culture scene, we returned to the National Gallery Singapore, which was also the location of our celebration in 2022. To make our own mark,…

Playful and expressive, Sir Paul Smith’s design philosophy requires no further elaboration. The designer has long nurtured emerging fashion creatives, and in recent years has done so in a more formal way. In 2020, he established Paul Smith’s Foundation, an organisation set up to offer advice to those in creative industries and offering long-term mentorships to young designers striving to build sustainable business models. These mentorships have given birth to a collaboration under the name “&PaulSmith”, fostering not only creative exchange but also a shared focus on craftsmanship and culture. Smith set out to support one designer each year for the programme, and worked closely with institutions such as the British Fashion Council to identify emerging talents. This year, he also joined forces with The Council of Fashion Designers of…

When someone has worked in one industry and at the same company for nearly 30 years, it is worthy of note; when that company is a household name, it is extraordinary. Sandra Choi, the creative director at Jimmy Choo, joined the founder “Uncle Jimmy” at the shoe-making atelier when she was 19, and has been instrumental in it transforming it into a global fashion powerhouse. “That term ‘nepo baby’ was very much used over the last 12 months or so—I can assure you, I’m not one of those,” says Choi. Born on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, she spent five years with her grandparents in Hong Kong before returning to the UK as a teenager and finding her passion for fashion and design. Choi then apprenticed under…

CHANEL Chanel’s holiday make-up collection this year draws inspiration from its sequinned evening gowns of the Roaring Twenties. As an homage, a sequin motif is embossed on the powders of the Lumière Graphique eyeshadow palette, which comprises five shades, and the Duo Lumière powder palette. Complete the gift set with the Rouge Allure L’Extrait and Laque lipsticks, as well as the Le Vernis nail lacquers in bold metallics. GUERLAIN For Christmas this year, Guerlain has an advent calendar adorned for the occasion in beautiful flora and fauna and shimmering accents. Be surprised with little treasures as you count down the days to Christmas. But you might want to shop early (and quickly) as there are only 30 pieces available in Singapore. AUGUSTINUS BADER Shopping for a skincare enthusiast? Augustinus Bader’s…

From gleaming pink gold cases to slender leather straps, take your pick from these elegant dress watches for a sparkling December…

FEATURE Grand complications are undoubtedly some of the most esteemed and majestic feats of high watchmaking. In the history of luxury watch manufactures, few are as renowned as Patek Philippe when it comes to crafting complicated timepieces. Since its founding in 1839, the Swiss manufacture has built a reputation for producing the finest, most complex mechanical watches with innovative in‑house technical developments and refined components. In addition to constantly making waves in the watchmaking industry throughout its rich, over‑180‑year history—think the creation of the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925—Patek Philippe is known for consistently creating some of the best complicated watches in the world, many of which sit within its current Grand Complications collection (it is said that the first Patek Philippe Grand Complication wristwatch was ordered in…

OPULENT OPAL Debuting at Paris Fashion Week this September, this opal choker is a part of Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection—imbuing the brand’s 150-year legacy with an avant-garde spirit. Ethically crafted from 18-karat white gold, it is adorned with an opal weighing 564.84 carats and white diamonds totalling 71.32 carats. The piece represents the pinnacle of Caroline Scheufele’s design philosophy, her respect for nature, and Chopard’s dedication to traditional craftsmanship. ISLAND GIRLS The Tiffany & Co 600-piece high jewellery collection that debuted in Shanghai this October was a tribute to the deep sea. The highlight was the new Sea Anemone theme, which pays homage to jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger’s marine-inspired creations. The Sea Anemone designs showcase innovative mechanisms; take, for example, the bracelet with inverted diamonds, for a textured, spiky aesthetic;…

The house of Van Cleef & Arpels has always honoured and cherished its rich history, which dates back to 1895, when Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a dealer in precious stones, married Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a lapidary craftsman and diamond broker. This led to the opening of the French maison at 22 Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, where it remains to this day. Throughout the years since its founding, Van Cleef & Arpels has created some magnificent jewellery pieces, many of which are just being rediscovered in recent times. Natacha Vassiltchikov, the maison’s deputy heritage director, leads a team that acquires these precious historical pieces from the 1920s to the 1990s, which are available for purchase under the Heritage collection. Created in 2007, the Heritage collection…

Chavalit Frederick Tsao ushers us into a meeting room in his handsomely decorated office spread across two floors of prime real estate in Singapore’s central business district. He is wearing a vivid blue suit cut from what appears to be a wool‑silk‑linen cloth, accessorised with a belt bearing a golden peace sign. “I grew up in the 1960s,” he explains. “Anti‑authority, the hippie movement, communal living, free love, great music. Then gradually, we moved into the ‘Me’ era. Wall Street. Greed is good! Consumerism. Globalisation. Full‑blown market economy.” With an accent that reveals his cosmopolitan upbringing—born in Hong Kong, raised across Southeast Asia, college‑educated in the US—Tsao speaks in concise sentences, a mix of whispers and exclamations. (His cadence and philosophical tone are reminiscent of Bruce Lee: “Empty your mind.…

With the help of her fairy godmother, Cinderella sheds her skin as a humble servant dusted with cinder and transforms into a glamorous princess who becomes the star of the ball. Yes, she must flee from her prince at the stroke of midnight, but for a night, she is transcendent. As the Singapore Ballet prepares to raise the curtain on its brand‑new production of Cinderella, staged at the Esplanade Theatre from December 14 to 17, a similar transformation for the company awaits. There exists many renowned versions of Cinderella, including productions by heavyweights such as Frederick Ashton, Ben Stevenson and Graham Lustig, who in fact staged a production of the ballet classic for the company back in 1996. But rather than revive the old version of Cinderella already in its…

When discussing the topic of luxury bedding, few names stand out quite like Vispring. The British mattress and bed manufacturer is prized among those in the know, including celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Tom Daley, as well as British royals. There is good reason: for more than a century, Vispring has been synonymous with handcrafted excellence, using only the finest natural materials to create beds that offer unparalleled comfort and support. The Plymouth‑based label also offers next‑level customisation with its collections of exquisite fabrics for you to design your bed from head to toe—or in this case, from headboard and divan to mattress and topper. Now, it has raised the bar on its commitment to quality with the release of new monochrome fabrics in its Naturals Collection, taking the…

My first memory of Paris is … when I was a Singapore Airlines flight attendant 29 years ago in 1994. I had only started to see the world with my own eyes and I don’t remember anything in particular, except that I was 19 and I followed the crew wherever they went like a wide-eyed puppy. I moved to Paris because … I wanted a big change after leaving a company that I had worked for since I was 20. And when I closed that chapter after 22 years, it was instinctive to depart for a city far away—one that speaks a different language for me to reboot and reinvent my life. The best things about being in Paris are ... the weekly vernissages (exhibition openings), usually on Thursdays, when…

URBAN TRANSPORT JASON POMEROY, ARCHITECT: FOUNDING PRINCIPAL, POMEROY STUDIO Redefining air rights in the sky above existing buildings to allow for the passage of urban air vehicles will be a key area of focus in the next few years. Since 2019, when Volocopter first tested their pilotless drone over Marina Bay, Pomeroy Studio and Mott MacDonald have been developing a playbook for urban air vehicles to navigate cities and land safely at terminals around the city. This technology will revolutionise urban transportation, reshaping our ability to move with ease through dense urban habitats. Every era has had a major technological shift in mobility, like the transition from horse-drawn carriages to trams and automobiles, then the advent of mass rapid transportation systems, and motorways finding their footing in 1940s, ’50s and…

Silicon Valley remains the global pacesetter for innovative startups, but there’s one sector where Singapore is beginning to take the lead: fintech. Utilising technology to deliver financial services faster, more efficiently, at reduced cost, to a broader customer base, fintech in Singapore has undergone rapid growth, boosted by significant government support over the past decade-plus. “I consider Singapore the fintech hub of the world, not just the region. We were always an international financial centre — this is where the world comes to do business. But what Singapore’s regulators have done is also take leadership in fintech,” says Rahul Banerjee, CEO and co-founder of BondbloX, a seven-year-old fintech start-up that allows investors to track and trade bonds electronically, much like shares. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has actively encouraged…

FILM PHOTOGRAPHY Providing instant gratification and — by eliminating processing — significant cost savings, when digital cameras made their debut, it was shutters for the century-old film photography industry. Take the case of Kodak: In the 1990s, the company was doing around US$15 billion per annum in sales (much of that revenue derived from photo developing) and in 2000, the business generated US$1.4 billion in profit. Little more than a decade later, in 2012, the iconic film brand filed for bankruptcy. How’s that for a snap development? GUANO Popular as a fertiliser and also used to make matches and gunpowder, nitrogen-, phosphate- and potassium-rich guano — the more palatable name given to accumulated seabird and bat excrement — was the source of many a vast fortune in the 18th and…

Talk about making lemonades when life hands you lemons. Saddled with health issues all her life, including a recent complication with her ability to conceive, Anna Vanessa Haotanto sensed an opportunity to start a business serving the very market she found herself in. In May this year, Haotanto launched Zora Health, a platform that helps women with fertility issues find solutions. “We match patients with the right doctors globally and provide complimentary benefits such as a consultation concierge and expert support,” she explains. The platform’s initial offerings include egg freezing, in-vitro fertilisation, fertility testing and consultation services. Her end goal is to build a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates digital health services, expert consultations, and corporate fertility education support. A former banker, Haotanto founded the financial advice platform The New Savvy…

This September was a good time to be at The Londoner Macao’s Crystal Palace, which is a love letter to all things British, from scones and jam to the Union Jack. But it wasn’t just the dramatic display of British pageantry that was on show between September 25 and 26. Over two days, power players from the worlds of business, media and (most importantly) timekeeping descended for the highly anticipated debut of Tatler’s Timeless event. Hosted in collaboration with one of watchmaking’s most influential authorities, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), which annually rewards the industry’s most influential heavyweights and their groundbreaking pieces, Timeless brought together a celebration of horology and art. The world’s most creative and complex watches were on display—and some even handled by those lucky enough…

When it comes to timeless fashion artefacts, few hold the distinction of Dior’s iconic bag, Lady Dior. Its debut is the stuff of legends: in 1995, during the opening of French artist Paul Cézanne’s retrospective in the Grand Palais in Paris, Bernadette Chirac, the then‑first lady of France, presented Princess Diana a unique Dior bag. At the time, it was known as the Chouchou and was accessible to only a select few. Later that same year, during an official visit to Argentina, the then‑Princess of Wales was photographed disembarking from a plane in Buenos Aires and clutching a black patent leather iteration of the bag. Sartorial history was made. The accessory became her go‑to bag and synonymous with her style. In 1996, it was officially christened Lady Dior, as a…

Cartier’s affinity with China can be traced back to the early 20th century, when its founder Louis‑François Cartier and its then‑creative director Jeanne Toussaint became fascinated with Chinese culture and heritage, and were drawn to various books, ceramics, fabrics and more. This sparked the influence of Chinese art and decorative techniques in the French brand’s designs around the 1920s, as evidenced in the use of mythical dragon and phoenix motifs as well as traditional Chinese materials such as jade, coral and mother‑of‑pearl; gems shaped to replicate buttons on Chinese garments; and colour combinations typically found in Chinese culture. In 1914, Aisin‑Gioro Tsai Lun, a descendant of Emperor Qianlong, became Cartier’s first recorded Chinese customer when he purchased a watch from the brand. And this dialogue between Cartier and China has…

Blurring the lines between cinematic artistry and home entertainment, Leica ventures into uncharted territory with its latest creation: the Leica Cine 1. Combining state of the art laser technology and the premium manufacturer’s optical expertise, the Cine 1 is testament to its commitment to transforming the way we experience entertainment in the comfort of our own homes. Drawing on Leica’s storied legacy of craftsmanship, the television exudes a timeless elegance in its award-winning minimalist design and streamlined aluminium body, ensuring seamless integration as part of any living space, harmonising effortlessly with modern interiors. However, it is beneath the sleek exterior that the Cine 1 truly comes to life. For the first time, the brilliant Leica image quality, enhanced by the Dolby Atmos surround system, transforms a projection into a home…

Over the past decade, much of Singapore’s dining scene has been defined by Instagram. Not only in the sense of the camera eating first, but in the intriguing way that micro-communities have formed around the act of dining in the city’s hottest eateries. Through Instagram, middle-aged foodies have met and formed tight-knit friend groups who migrate, like hungry nomads, from eatery to new eatery, in search of ripe pastures. If one were to plot members of these ravenous groups in a Venn diagram, the data sets would show a particular name appearing in the intersecting circles. Chan Kwai Sum—or @chanksters as he is often known by his Instagram handle—is arguably the city’s most ardent, sociable foodie. Scroll through your feeds and there he is at supper with chefs such as…

1 THE SHOE A nod to classic basketball trainers with the low‑cut silhouette, padded tongue and perforated toe box, the Dior B57 sneakers feature the house’s initials on the sides in either two‑toned leather or the label’s signature Dior Oblique jacquard. 2 THE NECKLACE Chaumet’s signature wheat motif imbues the Blé transformable necklace with an ethereal spirit, volume and light. Crafted in platinum and yellow gold, and set with a 10.25‑carat emerald‑cut diamond and diamonds, this necklace from Chaumet’s latest high jewellery collection, Le Jardin de Chaumet, can be worn in three ways. 3 THE WATCH Breguet’s new Classique Tourbillon 3358BB/VD/986D0 captures the magic of starry nights with white gold stars and diamonds scattered across its midnight blue pearled and varnished mother‑of‑pearl dial. Anchoring the scene is a shooting star…

CHOMPING AT THE BIT A staple when it comes to luxury casual footwear, the Gucci Horsebit 1953 loafer celebrates 70 years of blending sophistication with comfort and balancing Italian craftsmanship and American outdoor lifestyle. Introduced in an era when the maison was rapidly expanding its presence in the US, the shoe—instantly recognisable by a miniaturised horse bit—celebrates equestrianism and contemporary fashion. Over the decades, the loafer has offered the brand’s designers a chance to experiment with their creativity. While the world waits to see how new creative director Sabato De Sarno will interpret other classics in coming seasons, we’re already obsessed with his take on the shoe and the anniversary campaign video starring Chinese actor Xiao Zhan. WINTER CUDDLES Loro Piana’s Cocooning collection returns for autumn-winter 2023, with pieces for…

Considering that Daria and Anna Ginsburg grew up surrounded by bling—their father owned a jewellery factory—going into business in the jewellery industry seems like a natural step. What is not so expected, though, is that the sisters’ first venture, embarked on 12 years ago, was not in the design and creation of jewellery, but in the sourcing, cutting and selling of gemstones. This eventually led to the founding of D&A Jewellery in 2016, where the duo flex both their know‑how and creative muscles to craft contemporary pieces that showcase the natural beauty of various gemstones uniquely cut. “We like to make jewellery that is simple—but not simple [in its fine finishings and details]. We’re focused on limited‑quantity designs and one‑of‑a‑kind items, and our jewellery is always a combination of rare…

HIGH-SHINE SEASON Take a memo: high-shine finishes are in. In a season dominated by black, grey, navy and chocolate brown, precious metals inject a much-needed burst of colour into the party fashion landscape. And it’s not just sequinned dresses—silver, gold and all manner of metallics are taking over the worlds of clothing, accessories and jewellery. THE FLUFFIEST OF ALL Shearling dominates both women and men’s outerwear and accessories, lending sleek silhouettes and sophisticated ready-to-wear ensembles a touch of comfort and cosiness. From Max Mara’s signature Teddy fabric to statement shearling coats, staying warm has never looked more stylish. UP, UP AND AWAY In a season that is all about textures, make sure you don’t skip out on feathers if you’re going for fun and fabulous. At Loewe this season, Jonathan…

TURNING HEADS Meet the Breguet Marine Tourbillon 5577, which was launched in October this year along with the watchmaker’s first boutique in Hong Kong. Housed in a 42.5mm case, this timepiece is powered by the ultra-thin, selfwinding calibre 581; the use of a peripheral rotor means this product of fine engineering made of 330 components is only 3mm thick. The watch boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve and a frequency of 4Hz, and incorporates silicon into the carriage and balance spring. Viewable through a sapphire caseback, the movement’s exquisite finishing highlights Breguet’s signature Marine line decorations. The sunburst dial—slate-grey for the rose gold version and navy blue for the platinum—accentuates the tourbillon at five o’clock. The luminescent hour-markers and open-tipped gold Breguet hands ensure excellent readability. Breguet Marine Tourbillon 5577…

Allow your oversized cocktail rings, chandelier earrings and chunky necklaces to become the centre of attention this party season…

Caroline Scheufele, the co‑president and artistic director of Chopard, was in Singapore this November for a special gala dinner, where the Swiss luxury watch and jewellery brand presented its latest Red Carpet Collection of high jewellery alongside Scheufele’s first couture collection. Named Caroline’s Couture, the 50‑look collection was officially unveiled at an exclusive fashion show during the 76th Cannes Film Festival this May. The festival, of which Chopard has been an official partner since 1998, is the brand’s most significant event every year. While the idea of venturing into couture has been on Scheufele’s mind for a couple of years now, it was only in 2022, after a visit to Venice in Italy, that she finally bit the bullet and decided to make it happen. “Venice is a very inspiring…

In a world marked by increasing turbulence, one region stands as a surprising bastion of stability: Southeast Asia. This insight stems from a research study conducted by the Angsana Council, a non‑profit think tank convened by Monk’s Hill Ventures (MHV), a Singapore‑based venture capital firm. A collaboration with global management consultancy Bain & Company, the report, Southeast Asia’s Pursuit of the Emerging Markets Growth Crown, highlights the region’s major growth drivers and emphasises the pivotal role of tech‑enabled disruptors in driving overall growth. The Angsana Council is committed to driving progress in Southeast Asian businesses and economies. It takes its name from the Angsana tree, which is native to the region. With its expansive canopy and serene presence, it symbolises the council’s dedication to collaborating with intellectuals, policymakers and visionaries…

Changemakers Esther An Chief sustainability officer, City Developments Limited Head of sustainability at City Developments and ardent ESG adherent Janet Ang Chairperson, Public Transport Council and Nominated Member of Parliament Ex-tech executive and passionate leader on a mission to keep public transport fares equitable Aw Kah Peng Chairman, Shell Companies Singapore Shell chairman Aw Kah Peng is a navigator to a more sustainable future Vivian Balakrishnan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Singapore Government The face of Singapore’s foreign relations, this self-confessed techie has been closely associated with the Smart Nation initiative in recent years Beh Swan Gin Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry Former chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board now running the MTI Gerard Ee Chairman, Agency for Integrated Care An advocate for social-service rights and issues in…

Champagne is as inextricably linked to the holiday season as twinkling lights, cheery carols and hideous jumpers, but is too often treated as an afterthought—a bottle hastily plucked from a corner shop shelf en route to a party, or a warm, flat flute useful mainly for washing down the tenth (or 20th) canapé. This is a sad fate for a wine that takes at least a year and a half to make (and often much longer). To help you up your champagne game this season, here are four champagne “playlists” for different holiday party formats, whether you’re hosting at home, organising your office Christmas party or gathering with friends for a celebratory dinner at your favourite restaurant. In each, there’s at least one “anchor” champagne and two bonuses, plus two…

Singapore has become one of the world’s fastest growing wealth centres. Affluent individuals are drawn, in no small part, by this country’s strong rule of law, reputation for financial probity, and straightforward, transparent processes. As the city-state’s importance as an international wealth hub continues to grow, HSBC Singapore is in prime position to serve the wealth needs of international customers and the most influential families in Southeast Asia. “Our clients are internationally minded and connected. They’re seeking opportunities across borders both from a business and personal perspective. HSBC’s international network and breadth of capabilities enable us to provide seamless and more bespoke banking solutions for our clients throughout different stages.” So says Ashmita Acharya, Head of Wealth and Personal Banking (WPB) at HSBC Singapore — and the cover subject of…

With its roots in this region stretching back to the mid-19th Century, Standard Chartered possesses a long and trusted history of assisting residents of Southeast Asia in protecting and growing their wealth. Today, Standard Chartered Private Bank is uniquely placed to assist high-net-worth individuals and families in Singapore and neighbouring countries in navigating the world’s ever-changing financial landscape — and to cater to the shifting desires and philosophies of modern investors. Onnah Liew, Standard Chartered Private Bank’s market head for Singapore-Indo China, brings deep expertise to her role spanning this thriving region. Emerging markets are often seen as untamed frontiers, rife with both challenges and opportunities. The Indo China region, which is defined by Standard Chartered Private Bank as comprising Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, is no exception to this…