Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i Tatler Singapore

A thought leader, according to Cambridge Dictionary, is an expert on a particular subject whose ideas and opinions influence other people. When someone’s profession is either representing or leading a nation, then naturally, their insights can range across a multitude of topics, from social values to complex foreign policies. In fact, the three thought leaders honoured in our most recent Asia’s Most Influential (AMI) list are all foreign policy heavyweights. George Yeo was Singapore’s foreign minister from 2004 to 2011. Professor Chan Heng Chee served as Singapore’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN) from 1989 to 1991 and to the US from 1996 to 2012. She has been an ambassador‑at‑large ever since. Professor Tommy Koh similarly served as representative to the UN from 1968 to 1971, then again from 1974…

It seems Christopher Forbes was destined for a career in finance. Growing up in London’s Zone 4, the head of CMC Invest Singapore was surrounded by people who worked in the city. “I was destined to follow the same path, especially with a surname like mine,” he shares. Forbes, a keen sports enthusiast, draws parallels between himself and successful athletes. He notes that many of them hail from lower socio‑economic backgrounds and use sports as a way to better their lives, opining that “athletes from underprivileged backgrounds [tend to] do better than those from privileged ones because they [are driven] to better their lives”. He identifies with that because he, too, “came from modest beginnings”. As a teenager, he worked in the city and caddied at a golf club where…

When it comes to luxury, people have varying opinions. But more often than not, luxury is, ultimately, a mark of quality. In the beauty world, luxury skincare can come in the heftiest, most stunningly designed vessels that house skin-caring elixirs with promises of rejuvenation—but beauty connoisseurs know that the real value lies in the rare and rarefied ingredients with unparalleled potency within, activated by a level of science that helps delivery and absorption deep into the skin. Such concentrated, multi-faceted formulations take years of research and development to finesse, and as with all La Prairie creations, their newest product milestone is a well-engineered labour of beauty: The Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Mask. Presenting needle-free skin replumping and overall rejuvenation in a two-step ritual, this ground-breaking innovation was designed with aesthetic procedure-like…

FEATURE In the fast‑paced world of luxury watches, where innovation and design trends evolve rapidly, Patek Philippe’s Twenty~4 collection stands as a testament to the enduring elegance of the brand and its creations. Launched in 1999, the Twenty~4 was designed to be more than just a watch; it was conceived as a stylish and effortless companion for the modern, active woman, seamlessly fitting into the many dynamic facets of her life. As its name suggests, each Twenty~4 watch can be worn round the clock, and is perfect for any occasion, be it in the day or night. This continues to hold true today, 25 years since the first Twenty~4—an art deco‑inspired cambered rectangular watch in stainless steel equipped with a quartz movement—was launched. Also referred to as a “manchette”, or…

FEATURE Seoul is undoubtedly one of the hottest destinations today. Foremost a pop culture capital, the metropolitan city is constantly abuzz with trendy retail and café pop‑ups, and recently played host to major fashion shows and events. From now until April 14, Van Cleef & Arpels is adding to the vibrancy of the city with its latest exhibition, Van Cleef & Arpels: Time, Nature, Love. Held in D Museum in the hip neighbourhood of Seongsu‑dong, the exhibition showcases more than 300 of the French luxury jeweller’s creations, including heritage jewellery, watches and other precious objects. Tatler Singapore was one of the selected media invited to the South Korean capital to preview the exhibition last November, a few days before its official opening on the 18th. Curated by distinguished Italian scholar,…

The first thing that catches our eye when we step inside Eugene Tan’s office at the National Gallery Singapore is the sheer number of art and design books on his desk. With several towering stacks, it looks as if the museum’s director is surrounded by a fort as he works in front of the computer. As he gestures for us to take a seat at the other side of the large wooden table cleared of books, we catch sight of a framed text‑based print on the floor, leaning against a wooden bookshelf filled from floor to ceiling with even more books. It is a work by Singapore‑based artist Heman Chong (who coincidentally explores elements of literature in his practice), created as a “publicity poster” for the opening of a fictitious…

ART Within the expansive galleries of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, a collection of captivating artworks is displayed—each of them presents a chapter in the evolving works of acclaimed Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen. The mid-career survey exhibition Ho Tzu Nyen: Time & the Tiger looks at the artist’s practice comprising two decades worth of paintings, films and video installations. The ongoing showcase, which runs until March 3 and is co-organised by SAM and Art Sonje Center, offers an introspective look into Ho’s artistry and marks a pivotal juncture in his career. “Having collaborated with Ho on numerous artwork commissions over the years, Time & the Tiger demonstrates the way his practice has continuously evolved and resisted easy categorisation through time; forming fertile grounds for a…

Some of the leading international galleries including Gagosian, White Cube and Thaddaeus Ropac will make their return to the second edition of Art SG, held from January 19 to 21 (with a VIP preview on January 18) at Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands. Joining them at Southeast Asia’s leading international art fair are regional stalwarts such as STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery, Richard Koh Fine Art and Fost Gallery, along with 38 new exhibitors. Organised by The Art Assembly, the fair is presented by founding and lead partner UBS and will feature three main sectors: Galleries, Focus and Futures. The largest Galleries sector will showcase outstanding presentations by 69 leading regional and international galleries, while Focus, which highlights solo or duo artist programmes, will host…

THE PURSUIT OF FULFILMENT Zor Tan is one who lets his cooking do the talking in a culinary world sprinkled with big personalities and luminaries. Everything the young chef ever came across in life helped shape the “Circle of Life”, a personal philosophy held up by nine guiding principles that influence his contemporary cross‑cultural cooking at restaurant Born. “I often think of how every ending has a new beginning; that our lives from beginning till the end are a continuous full circle; and in nature, we’re all interconnected,” shares Tan. Seen through this prism of principles, which includes shades of his decade‑long career in elite French kitchens as well as personal milestones, his episodic menus weave in storied plates that balance both French and Asian gastronomy. For instance, pigeon is…

Stars aligned on November 24 for The Tatler Ball at the Londoner Macao, the most ambitious event in Tatler history, and the first region-wide rendition of the social event of the season. Bringing together Asia’s Most Influential individuals, as well as international stars, the black-tie soirée was an unforgettable evening of celebration and accolades. The guests included some of the region’s biggest luminaries and influencers, as well as David Beckham, the international football legend, Inter Miami president and co-owner, and longstanding global ambassador of Sands China, which operates The Londoner Macao. Beckham also presented awards on the night to three impact-makers who are leaving their marks on their respective fields and inspiring future generations: Thai actor Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree, Japanese model and songwriter Kōki, and Hong Kong scientist Professor Dennis…

A new year calls for an upgrade on beauty routines. But among the abundance of innovative products, all designed to offer indulgent yet efficient beauty experiences with groundbreaking formulas, futuristic technologies and the likes, which ones should you reach for? In this guide, we unveil the must-haves, putting the spotlight on products for the face, body and hair that will help you stay ahead in the beauty game. SKINCARE CHANEL SUBLIMAGE L’EXTRAIT DE NUIT Chanel Beauty’s Sublimage L’Extrait de Nuit has been reformulated for even more potent brightening, firming and plumping effects with the addition of a complex obtained from Himalayan swertia, harnessed for its skin-rejuvenating properties. This serum, now housed in a refillable double-walled glass vessel, delivers active ingredients—including polyfractioned Vanilla planifolia and a naturally derived chronopeptide—into the skin…

WE SAID YES Winter brides, this one’s for you. The HW Logo collection by Harry Winston manifests an exquisite blend of tradition and innovation. It uses the brand’s initials as a structural element in the designs, the letters cradling round, brilliant-cut centre stones, which in turn are available in various sizes across the range and set in handcrafted platinum settings. Notably, for those who like added bling, the one-carat engagement ring comes with micropavé diamond detailing. Harry Winston HW Logo collection CELESTIAL BEAUTY Matrix Supernova, a standout collection in Swarovski’s Celebrate Wonder campaign, is crafted from clear crystals, so each piece captures and refracts light, showcasing Swarovski’s light-manipulation techniques. The collection draws inspiration from the raw, transformative energy of a supernova; wear one item alone, or layer several pieces to…

Since its debut in 2020, K‑pop group Aespa has quickly risen to become one of the most popular groups not just in South Korea but around the world. Well known for its innovative metaverse concept blending the real and virtual worlds, the group comprises four members, Karina, Giselle, Winter and Ningning, and their avatars, or “æ” characters. In just over three years, Aespa has made its mark on the music scene with hits such as Black Mamba and Next Level, and received several awards and nominations at various music awards shows, including the Melon Music Awards and the Seoul Music Awards. As one of K‑pop’s most exciting acts today, it is no surprise that the girl band caught the attention of Chopard, which announced Aespa as its brand ambassador in…

ROBERT ZHAO RENHUI Dusk is falling in Choa Chu Kang as we make our way to the void deck of one of the HDB blocks in the neighbourhood for a bird-watching activity led by artist Robert Zhao Renhui. A torrential downpour puts a damper on our spirits, but it slows to a drizzle by the time we arrive at our destination. With our eyes peeled to the skies, we are looking to spot a massive flurry of parrots coming to roost in the trees lining the road in front of us. For the past decade, these long-tailed parakeets have been flocking to Choa Chu Kang. “Even though no one knows why, it’s an example of how a species of birds has formed a symbiotic relationship with urban Singapore,” says Zhao.…

TRAVEL “Every continent in the world has a signature ski destination for the ultra-high-net-worth guest. In Asia, that will be Niseko,” says Michael Chen, co-CEO and founder of HakuLife, which manages luxury properties and curates exclusive experiences for the elite who visit the town. He’s also the developer of award-winning properties Hakuchōzan and HakuVillas. Chen first visited Niseko in 2010 with his three children. “It was my first holiday with them as a single dad,” he says. “We fell in love with the place, and continued to visit Niseko at least once or twice a year after that.” During one of those visits, with an hour to kill before heading to the airport, Chen asked a friend who worked in real estate to drive him around. “He showed me a…

EVENTS It was first conceptualised in 2018, then put on hold thanks to Covid—and in 2023, Tatler Gen.T finally launched the first Gen.T Summit in Hong Kong. Taking place on November 9 and 10 last year, the event welcomed an impressive gathering of insightful thinkers from the Gen.T community, as well as other inspiring figures from across the globe. With more than 300 attendees, guests hailed from every region and industry featured on the Gen.T List—from investors and innovators to philanthropists and artists. The Tatler Gen.T Summit was sponsored by Standard Chartered Private Bank, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong and MTR Lab, organised in partnership with M+, Regent Hong Kong, Black Sheep Restaurants and Cathay Pacific, and supported by Brand Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and InvestHK. Cocktails at Grand…

What does the nearly 200‑year‑old French beauty brand Guerlain have in common with the 11‑year‑old Istanbul‑based jewellery label Begüm Khan? As it turns out, a strong passion for craftsmanship and an affinity for flora and fauna in their creations. Artist collaborations have long been a part of Guerlain’s heritage and the maison first worked with Begüm Khan, founded in 2012 by Turkish jewellery designer Begüm Kiroğlu, who was born into a family of art collectors and grew up with an eye for beauty, in 2021 on a limited‑edition jewelled perfume bottle as part of its Exceptional Pieces collection. “After our first collaboration [with Guerlain], we became a family and really good friends [that] were always in touch. Our friendly dinners naturally turned into brainstorming sessions where new ideas are brought…

ART FAIRS ART SG Southeast Asia’s leading international art fair returns for its second edition with a line-up of 116 galleries from 33 countries and territories, alongside large-scale installations, curated talks and film programmes. Joining returning galleries such as White Cube, Lehmann Maupin and Richard Koh Fine Art will be 38 new galleries including Kaikai Kiki Gallery. From January 19 to 21 (VIP preview on January 18), at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. S.E.A. FOCUS Led by STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery and curated by independent curator John Tung, the sixth edition of this leading showcase and art market dedicated to Southeast Asian contemporary art explores what gives form to being human, while co-existing with another competing intelligence. The line-up includes video works, conversations with thought leaders, as well…

There is something of the uncanny when you look upon a Sarah Choo Jing artwork. Her worlds are dark, urban, and lit up only by neon and fluorescent lights—think her 2021 piece Not From Here, depicting a ghostly Lau Pa Sat during the pandemic. Her works may feature one character, such as the solitary personas brooding in hotel rooms in her 2018 artwork series Accelerated Intimacy, or many, as in her 2013 multimedia installation The Hidden Dimension. But there is always the sense that the viewer is pulling back the curtains on their private worlds, often lined with loneliness, alienation and liminality. As dark as her works may be, Choo’s disposition in person offers a glimpse into the natural curiosity that propels her to gaze so deeply and introspectively in…

Growing up half Chinese, I’ve become fairly impervious to walking into a room and having people tell me all the things I’m doing wrong. Only this time, instead of a gaggle of relatives, it was the small army of doctors and wellness experts at Rakxa, a luxury wellness retreat on Bang Krachao, a lush island on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. A visit to Rakxa starts with consultations that include detailed questions about your lifestyle habits, and diagnostic testing that looks at everything from body composition to blood tests that check for inflammation, hormone imbalance, and toxic metal profiles. Diagnostic testing is among the fastest-growing trends in the wellness space. A recent Global Health & Wellness Study of 17 markets carried out by data analytics company NielsenIQ reported that 48 per…

HERVÉ PENNEQUIN LES AMIS Within the storied halls of three‑Michelin‑starred restaurant Les Amis, wine director and general manager Hervé Pennequin works with executive chef Sebastien Lepinoy to create wine pairings for the latter’s menus. Once Lepinoy finalises the seasonal menu, Pennequin carefully selects wines to complement its flavours. The pinnacle of French haute cuisine, Les Amis shoulders the responsibility of “presenting a complete tapestry of French gastronomy”, and the wines are no exception; the restaurant’s wine selections are exclusively French. While Pennequin says that Les Amis does not “impose strict rules about the origin of our wines”, the rule book is always balance, harmony, and a commitment to French identity. “When brave souls walk through our doors seeking a ‘wow moment’ with some offbeat pairings, I put on my creative…