Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG Four Seasons’ brand chief Ben Hallam revealed what today’s luxury traveller is looking for, the importance of finding a balance between consistency and innovation, and seeing the hotel group’s properties on TV show The White Lotus. TATLER MALAYSIA Law graduate Aida Ihsani is on a mission to empower women with the (literal) tools to build their confidence in woodworking and, by extension, all areas of life. TATLER PHILIPPINES Ben Chan, the brains behind the massive Filipino fashion and lifestyle brand Bench, spoke to Tatler about pioneering the idea of celebrity endorsements, globalisation, and what it takes to remain at the top for nearly four decades. SHANGLIU TATLER Tatler met art veteran Magnus Renfrew, co-founder of Tokyo Gendai art fair, to learn about his journey and why Japan…

KIU KA YEE China-born, Hong Kong-raised Kiu Ka Yee is a fashion and portrait photographer who works between Hong Kong, New York and Los Angeles. After studying filmmaking at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, she went to the ArtCenter College of Design in California, where she received her bachelor’s degree in photography in 2016. Her work has been featured in The New York Times and Madame Figaro Hong Kong, among other publications. She shot this month’s fashion feature. SK TANG Born and raised in Hong Kong and now based in Los Angeles, SK Tang is a stylist and creative consultant with a background in fashion design. His work is marked by compelling visual stories that resonate with contemporary culture. His clients include Calvin Klein, Esprit and Camper, and…

With headlines often highlighting the state-of-the-art research facilities onboard OceanX’s OceanXplorer, one may not realise that it is also a ship built for top-of-the-line media production, with Hollywood-standard equipment for filming and capturing photos of life underwater. A non-profit initiative by Dalio Philanthropies, OceanX was started by Mark Dalio, a renowned American filmmaker and producer, and his father, billionaire investor Ray Dalio, who is behind Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. Their vision for OceanX is to educate and inspire people about the natural world below sea level through audiovisual storytelling, similar to the productions we are used to seeing in the film industry. Since this May, the 87-metre-long OceanXplorer has been traversing the waters of Southeast Asia, studying its diverse marine life and ecosystems. During its brief stop…

TATLER HOMES EDITOR ASIH JENIE 1. BIALETTI DOLCE & GABBANA MOKA EXPRESS AT ITALIANCOFFEE.SG As a non-coffee drinker, it saddened me that I had no use for this moka pot—until I saw Napoli Matfia, the winner of Culinary Class Wars, using one to contain his pasta sauce. I’d use the beautiful Blue series for all my sauces and soups, too. 2. BAROVIER & TOSO OPERA TABLE LAMP This glass lamp from one of the world’s oldest Murano glass brands presents a modern take on crystal lighting, with handcrafted spikes and an elegant arched metal holder. 3. TAPESTRY ART BY MARCOS KUEH AT GALERIE RON MANDOS Borneo-born Malaysian textile artist Marcos Kueh was my favourite discovery at Art SG this year. His playful pieces are rich with colour, humour, and Southeast…

How did your journey into the world of vintage jewellery begin? And what inspired you to start Yafa Signed Jewels? [In 1984,] at the age of 16, along with my mother Yafa, we started to procure jewellery from close friends and their acquaintances to broker deals to make ends meet. Each sale gave us key insights into the preferences of each store owner; vintage jewellery from different eras proved to be the most sought after from our limited consigned inventory. Eventually, we were able to purchase our own pieces through auctions, estate sales and other dealers. Our collection started to slowly grow and eventually we opened a small booth in New York’s jewellery district, which soon turned into a showroom and then a retail store. What experiences or influences have…

FEATURE Just over a month ago, the Tatler Ball 2024 presented the paradisiacal concept of “Xanadu” at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. In this gathering of greats, where visions of a greater world were celebrated, guests came dressed in their black tie’s best in a utopian palette. Shining bright in a canary yellow gown was Fanty Soenardy, a familiar fixture on the social circuit best known for her glamour, and her generosity. And crowning her ensemble was something even more scintillating—a tiara, by the house of Chaumet. This Chaumet Joséphine Valse Impériale tiara was a present for her 25th wedding anniversary, which she and her husband celebrated a week after the ball. “To mark this milestone, I thought we should get something special—not just for me, but for our family,” the…

For two centuries, The Macallan has been synonymous with exceptional whisky, a legacy built on the mastery of oak casks and perfecting the art of maturing whiskies in sherry‑seasoned ones. Paying homage to The Macallan’s signature finish and giving significance to the ongoing celebration of the Scottish whisky house’s lauded 200th anniversary is Vibrant Oak, released this October 3 as part of the Harmony Collection. For this fourth instalment of the limited annual‑release series—which boasts previous big‑name partners such as the acclaimed McCartney sisters and Casa Cacao’s Roca brothers—The Macallan tapped Cirque du Soleil, a widely lauded contemporary circus producer, for yet another worthy addition to the shelves. This special edition is part of a wider, multi‑year collaboration between the two that kicked off this May with Spirit, an extraordinary,…

The best thing about Melbourne has to be…the coffee. I have travelled the world and we really do have the best. To meet new people in Melbourne, I usually…go to an event: cycling, music or food, there is always [something] on, and I always meet someone new. A great spot for coffee is… Maker Coffee in Richmond. Cyclist-friendly, great coffee, and the roastery’s on display behind glass partitions. Cyclists visiting Melbourne should definitely try...getting down to the Mornington Peninsula. You might want to stay a night there, but the ride out to Fort Nepean is truly incredible. If you are staying in the city and are up for a 100 km+ ride then Arthurs Seat is reachable from the Central Business District (CBD) and is a climb with magical views.…

PRETTY PLEASURES LE PRISTINE SINGAPORE Dutch chef Sergio Herman is a master at teasing the senses. After opening the lauded New Italian restaurant Le Pristine in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2020 and in Tokyo, Japan, last year, he brought his destination darling to our shores this October. His latest space, in the refreshed Grand Hyatt Singapore, effortlessly blends food, art and design, with hand‑selected decor pieces such as the iconic melted disco balls by Dutch art collective Rotganzen. Expect a scintillating ballad of neo‑Italian cuisine from the kitchen, tightly wound with Herman’s Zeeland heritage. Sink your teeth into imaginative starters that weave bright flavours into fresh seafood, such as the creamy Irish Mór oyster enlivened with sea buckthorn, salted herbs and passion fruit. A must‑try is the signature seafood orecchiette—a dish…

When former actress Cheryl Wee was in school, she was bullied for her weight. Her classmates would ask her to join her beauty entrepreneur mother Jean Yip’s slimming programme, and one even took a broom and tried to sweep her out of the classroom, saying, “You’re so fat.” The founder of wellness and weight management brand Cheryl W, now known as Company of Wellness (CW), internalised these jabs and for most of her twenties struggled with an eating disorder. Things started to deteriorate after she moved to Taiwan to pursue a career in its entertainment industry. There, too, her weight was a point of contention. Even when she was at her thinnest at 41 kg, she was considered “chubby” (for context, the healthy weight for an Asian female her height—165…

TATLER IMPACT AWARDS 2024: BUSINESS IAN ANG AND ALARIC CHOO Co-founders, Secretlab In 2014, the co-founders of Secretlab, Ian Ang, who is chief executive officer, and Alaric Choo, chief strategy officer, set out to redefine gaming chairs. Ang, frustrated by the lack of suitable options, recalls, “I was looking for a new chair, and there was no option out there that checked all the boxes for me—superbly comfortable for long hours, made with only the highest quality materials, and direct-to-consumer.” The two, who met through professional gaming, were well-acquainted with the aches and pains that come with sitting for long hours without proper support. Armed with this insight, Ang proposed the idea of building the “best gaming chairs”. And Secretlab was born. What began as a bootstrapped business with a…

BHUTAN HOTELS Amankora Paro andBeyond Punakha River Six Senses Thimphu CAMBODIA HOTELS Amansara Shinta Mani Wild Song Saa Private Island CHINA HOTELS Amanyangyun Bvlgari Hotel Beijing Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li Four Seasons Hangzhou at West Lake Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou The Peninsula Shanghai Rissai Valley: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Rosewood Beijing Songtsam Linka Shangri-La The Temple House RESTAURANTS Amazing Chinese Cuisine Selection by Du Avant Fu He Hui Ling Long Meet the Bund Skyline Nabi Ru Yuan Scilla Xin Rong Ji BARS CMYK Coa Epic Hope & Sesame Sober Company Speak Low The Union Trading Company HONG KONG HOTELS Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong Island Shangri-La Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong The Peninsula Hong Kong Rosewood Hong Kong The Upper House RESTAURANTS Amber AndōArbor Caprice The Chairman Estro Hansik Goo Ho Lee…

GIFT OF WONDER Skincare gift sets put the makings of a youthful, radiant complexion in the palm of your giftee’s hand; and when it’s from La Mer, the results are even more promising. The brand’s Luxury Unlimited holiday collection includes five holiday sets made up of skincare treasures. Among them, the Complete Genaissance de la Mer Collection is the most coveted as it comprises potent and luxurious formulas. This set includes the nourishing Infused Lotion; the transformative Serum Essence, infused with La Mer’s trademark Crystal Miracle Broth and Icelandic Algae, to minimise signs of ageing; the Eye & Expression Cream to soften dark circles; and the hydrating Concentrated Night Balm which accelerates skin renewal overnight. All La Mer gift sets arrive in the brand’s signature holiday green boxes, with the…

When it comes to grand touring, few carmakers can boast the storied history of Maserati, which has been producing vehicles that embody grand touring’s golden era, which originated in the mid-20th-century, for more than 75 years. The latest addition to the line-up is the new GranTurismo—the long-awaited update of the first-generation GranTurismo released in 2007. Available in two petrol V6-powered versions, the Modena and the sportier Trofeo, as well as the all-electric Folgore, the new generation of the GranTurismo combines the classic grand touring spirit with state-of-the-art driving technology and an ultra-luxurious interior. With smooth, clean lines, a long bonnet and a muscular, wide stance, the GranTurismo is a sporty, elegant, quintessential grand tourer—not a big surprise from a marque that has been responsible for some of the most gorgeous-looking…

When visiting the tropical paradise of Bali in Indonesia, many travellers often make a day trip by ferry to Nusa Penida, a nearby island, for its idyllic lagoons, hidden beaches and incredible marine life. Unbeknown to many of its visitors is the fact that the beauty and magic of Nusa Penida is only possible because of the dedicated individuals working to preserve and protect its biodiversity. Nusa Penida is part of the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA), established in 2014, and spanning 20,057 hectares around the Balinese islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Nestled in the Coral Triangle, a region celebrated for its unparalleled marine biodiversity, the Nusa Penida MPA is home to approximately 570 species of reef fish and nearly 300 species of coral—representing over…

Break the ice this party season with these conversation starters…

Louis Vuitton’s famed Damier pattern was created by the French luxury maison’s eponymous founder and his son, Georges Vuitton, as a distinctive marker to set their luxury goods apart from competitors back in 1888. Inspired by its birth year, particularly the three number 8s, the checkerboard design features interlocking squares that symbolise infinity and limitless possibilities. A little over a century later, in 1998, the pattern was reintroduced as the Damier Ebène, further solidifying its place in luxury fashion. Since then, a variety of Damier patterns have emerged, including Damier Azur, Damier Graphite, and the embossed leather of Damier Infini. The Damier pattern can be found on many of the brand’s iconic products, from the Neverfull, Speedy and Alma bags to wallets crafted in both leather and canvas for men…

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Embrace Christmas in the tropics with this exuberant Van Cleef & Arpels palm tree clip that showcases the maison’s acclaimed Mystery Set technique on its emerald leaves. A fun conversation starter, the clip’s treasure chest is detachable and can be swapped for a diamond-set boat or a golden sun. CARTIER Cartier’s Chatoyante necklace in deep pink, green and black is not only perfect for the festive season; here, it also creates the illusion of lush foliage from which a shimmering panther peeks out with a piercing gaze. BVLGARI This sculptural Serpenti masterpiece is sure to turn heads at any holiday gathering. The sumptuous rubellites bring the most divine strawberry red hue that contrasts beautifully with the black onyx inlays and sparkling diamonds. CHANEL Stars are one…

The Philippines’ tourism industry has become a dynamic force in the nation’s economic growth. More than numbers, however, it’s a pride of place and culture that anchors Christina Garcia Frasco to her mantle as Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT). Since she began her tenure, the DOT has focused on developing the country’s tourism portfolio beyond its lauded beaches, highlighting its many other experiential offerings and the abundant reasons to love the Philippines. “We continue to be in a strategic partnership with the private sector to elevate the Philippines as a premier destination for high-end tourism,” says Frasco. For one, the DOT is working with the Department of Transportation to refine and expand the ports that greet tourists upon arrival. Subsequently, projects like the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) will…

There was a time when shopping for wine in a supermarket was a stressful ordeal. And for many casual wine drinkers, the last thing they wanted was a confrontation with the overwhelming wall of wine bottles, each vying for their attention with its fancy label and sometimes cryptic gibberish. But all that changed for the better when serial entrepreneur Heini Zachariassen decided that he was sick of playing wine Russian Roulette. By co-founding Vivino, the world’s largest online wine marketplace and app, the Danish innovator has transformed how the world chooses and enjoys wine. In his latest endeavour, a first-ever global flagship store in Raffles City, Tatler Dining uncovers how Zachariassen turned the once daunting task of selecting a bottle for an occasion into a stress-free yet informed experience, and…

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS DIAMOND AND MYSTERY-SET SAPPHIRE INTERCHANGEABLE ‘RUBAN MYSTERIEUX’ NECKLACE Available at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels, December 10 ESTIMATE US$600,000-US$800,000 DIAMOND AND 62.64-CARAT TANZANITE EARRINGS WITH DETACHABLE DROPS Available from Morelle Davidson ESTIMATE £55,000 BULGARI ‘NATURALIA’ TUBOGAS WATCH IN 18K GOLD WITH ONYX AND DIAMONDS Available from Morelle Davidson ESTIMATED VALUE US$36,000 PATEK PHILIPPE REF 1518 18K PINK GOLD Available at Phillips’ New York Watch Auction: XI, December 7-8 ESTIMATE US$800,000-US$1,600,000 PHILIPPE DUFOUR GRANDE ET PETITE SONNERIE Available at Phillip’s New York Watch Auction, December 7-8 ESTIMATE: IN EXCESS OF US$2 MILLION NATURAL PEARL, RUBY AND DIAMOND NECKLACE Available at Bonham’s London Jewels sale, December 5 ESTIMATE £150,000-£250,000…

HARMIN KAUR FOUNDER AND CEO, STELLAIRE; CHAIR, WOMEN VENTURE ASIA “Wealth-building is less about how much you earn and more about how disciplined you are with what you already have. I’ve observed individuals with substantial income lose everything because of poor financial habits or taking uncalculated risks. For me, discipline means setting a budget, sticking to it, and avoiding impulsive financial decisions—especially when it comes to big-ticket items or investments. It’s crucial to align your financial strategies with your personal values. This means investing in areas that resonate with your goals and staying true to a path that reflects long-term sustainability rather than short-term gains. I believe wealth is a tool to create meaningful impact, not just to accumulate material possessions. Building wealth isn’t about immediate gratification; it’s about patience…

THE NECKLACE The year-end festive parties call for sumptuous jewels such as this breathtaking multi-shape necklace from Graff—a true masterpiece that dazzles with 40.38 carats of vibrant emeralds and 50.09 carats of sparkling diamonds. THE SCARF Architect Nigel Peake turns Hermès’ historic Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré boutique into a maze on the Promenade Au Faubourg losange. His flowing design connects staircases and corridors, inspiring a vivid diamond-shaped geometric pattern. Made of cashmere and silk with hand-rolled edges, the losange can be styled around the neck for versatile looks. THE WATCH Piaget’s Andy Warhol Clou de Paris watch is a stunning tribute to the artistic legacy of the late pop art icon and his bond with Yves Piaget, the fourth-generation descendant of the brand’s founding family. Embodying both their innovative spirits,…

THE GREAT COATS A good coat or jacket is not just a seasonal necessity—it’s a timeless statement piece that can instantly elevate an outfit. Max Mara Atelier is particularly known for creating great coats; since 2009, the Italian house’s “new couture” collection has focused on reinventing iconic coats. For autumn-winter 2024, the collection features a signature red motif inspired by 1950s illustrations, embodying the relaxed attitude of French fashionistas. Key offerings include the Manteau Monsieur, reflecting Fifties style in luxurious cashmere and camel; the Trench d’Hiver, crafted from leather; the Hourglass Redingote; and the Couture Parka in wool and silk. SPINNING AROUND Under the creative direction of Chemena Kamali, Chloé aims to capture the desires of the modern It girl. This season, it introduces the Spin Bag, a tote that…

Perpetual calendars: the only things that make it to the future without ageing…

CIAO MILANO This monochromatic pendant necklace by Pomellato is a tribute to Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an architectural landmark constructed between 1865 and 1877 by Giuseppe Mengoni. Renowned for its magnificent glass dome and detailed ironwork, the galleria represents Italian elegance and unity. This necklace features a prominent 20.72-carat grey-green tourmaline encircled by grey sapphires, reflecting the dome’s grandeur. DIAMOND SHIELD The Force 10 XL Fred Hero Cut bracelet features a 2.08-carat Fred Hero Cut diamond at its centre, set in a white gold buckle. But what’s a hero cut? First introduced in 2022, this unique cut is designed to resemble the shape of a sail or a shield, showcasing 36 facets for exceptional clarity. In this piece, it’s surrounded by over three carats of pavé. It’s unisex, and…

FEATURE In the heart of Paris’ most prestigious square, Chopard has unveiled a new jewel in its crown—not a timepiece or diamond necklace, but an exclusive hotel that seeks to redefine luxury hospitality by offering a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary elegance that caters to the most discerning travellers. Named after its famous address among many other luxury watch and jewellery boutiques, 1, Place Vendôme is nestled in an 18th-century hôtel particulier (French for a historic private mansion or townhouse) and officially opened in November last year. Notably, the Chopard brand is not in the name of the hotel, despite it being the company’s first hotel project, nor did Chopard actively promote the news of the opening. The unveiling was quietly and selectively shared and similarly, its location,…

An unprecedented shift of wealth is underway across the world as baby boomers prepare to hand over their assets to the next generation. Between now and 2045, an estimated US$84 trillion will change hands, in the US alone, according to consulting firm Cerulli Associates. This so-called “Great Wealth Transfer” presents both opportunities and challenges for the inheriting generation—often millennials and Gen Z—in light of a global economic landscape shaped by factors ranging from geopolitical tensions to climate change. To prepare the next generation for the biggest wealth transfer in history, wealthy and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) have a unique opportunity to craft a purposeful wealth plan that not only ensures a lasting legacy but also creates meaningful impact. And one global wealth manager who understands the complexities that come with significant…