Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG We met Janet Yang, the first Asian American president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who recalled her journey of perseverance, passion and vision. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN Designer Ulyana Sergeenko is known for her opulent couture. Since founding her eponymous label in 2011, she has become a prominent figure in haute couture, merging traditional motifs with modern elegance. TATLER MALAYSIA Dr Chong Pei Pei, director of the Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, shared the story behind the development of PapLite Pro, a pioneering cervical screening tool. TATLER PHILIPPINES Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue shared his creative journey behind Fable Café + Lounge, his venture in Manila—and how its whimsical decor transports guests to another world. SHANGLIU TATLER Zhang Huan,…

PETRA HALLER Stylist Petra Haller is based in Zurich but works around the world, specialising in editorials, campaigns and e-commerce. She styled Tatler’s March fashion shoot. “During this shoot, I had the privilege of working with a dream team. Everything came together organically, thanks to the perfect blend of planning, trust and improvisation.” The self-professed colour addict sees her work as painting pictures with clothes. CHRIS DWYER Now based near London after 17 years in Hong Kong, Chris Dwyer is a food and travel writer who has been lucky to tell the stories of the people and places that together make the world so endlessly fascinating. In this issue, he writes about his jaw-dropping excursion to the seventh continent, Antarctica. NOÉMI OTTILIA SZABO Europe-based Noémi Ottilia Szabo is a fashion…

When menstrual health company Blood launched in 2014, vendors’ reception to its sell was, to put it politely, lukewarm at best. Recalling a meeting with a major retailer, co‑founder Tan Peck Ying shares: “The buyer asked, ‘Is this a school project?’ We were told to sell our products in mom‑and‑pop stores before going back to them.” Undeterred, Tan and her co‑founder (and now husband) Caleb Leow knocked on many other doors, determined to prove that menstrual health deserved more than just a cursory glance. Eleven years on, and Blood’s period care products are now stocked in more than 7,000 retail stores. Amid a sea of blues and purples on supermarket shelves, Blood’s packaging is an unapologetic bright red statement, to normalise and foster open conversations about menstrual wellness. In product…

Ernest Ang is an unlikely champion of Peranakan cuisine. The 24‑year‑old behind Kokoyo Nyonya Delights, a mom‑and‑pop eatery dedicated to home‑style Peranakan food in Serangoon Central, neither followed the well‑trodden path of culinary apprenticeships nor inherited a family legacy. Instead, Kokoyo, which opened in September last year, was the outcome of an unplanned career pivot; a leap of faith taken after a six‑week job hunt in engineering upon completing his national service—which Ang readily admits was “more about satisfying my parents than something I actually wanted [to do]”. This decision to pivot to the F&B industry was not made lightly. After all, Ang, who started Kokoyo from scratch, had no formal culinary training, no industry experience, and no road map beyond one guiding principle: to cook the way his grandmother…

EUCALYPTUS ESCAPE New York‑based perfume house Le Labo introduces Eucalyptus 20, the newest addition to its Classic Collection that captures the essence of the vast Australian outback, inviting its wearers to explore the unexpected. The scent opens with an invigorating burst of eucalyptus, followed by the subtle smokiness of cedarwood. The composition’s crisp top notes find balance in labdanum’s warm, leathery tones. At its base, the fragrance is grounded by rich musk notes and frankincense, adding depth and complexity. Available in 15 ml and 50 ml bottles, the Eucalyptus 20 is a genderless perfume that boasts a unique olfactory profile everyone can enjoy. NEW ERA Lights, camera, drama! Lancôme is setting the beauty world ablaze with its most audacious lipstick yet: the reinvented L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte. With a luxurious…

Regardless of how exposed to or interested in the watch world they are, most people will have seen posters for the Swatch x Omega collaboration, or the Scuba Bioceramic Fifty Fathoms collection the brand launched with Blancpain. The brains behind many of these projects is long-time leader at Swatch Carlo Giordanetti: officially the CEO of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, a unique creative space that combines art, retail and hospitality, Giordanetti also orchestrates collaborations that bridge the worlds of watchmaking, art and culture, arranging partnerships with the likes of the Louvre in Paris, Omega, Blancpain and New York’s MoMA. His journey with Swatch began in Italy in 1987 as a sales and marketing executive, a job which allowed him to exercise his creativity by designing window displays. His…

BLING IT ON Drop earrings are the ultimate sartorial punctuation, as Nicole Kidman proved in January, at the National Board of Review Gala in New York. She arrived draped in Messika jewellery, wearing the Disco Pulsation earrings—with a cascade of white gold, pearls and diamonds—and the Divine Enigma ring, boasting rows of white diamonds. PAVÉ THE WAY We love how petite chains can pack a powerful sartorial punch, despite their delicate nature. Take this delicate pavé necklace from John Hardy’s JH Essential collection, for instance. Its 14k gold adjustable design with a diamond-studded bar creates visual interest, making it a versatile wardrobe cornerstone. TRUE LOVE A fusion of white, rose and yellow gold, Cartier’s Trinity necklace is chunky yet imminently classy. The 43 cm chain reflects the original design Louis…

There are global superstars, and then there’s Tilda Swinton. The 64-year-old actor is an artist—part of that rare breed that has won the love of global audiences while maintaining their dedication to experimental cinema. When news of her appearance at Hong Kong’s museum of visual culture M+ in January broke, it stirred a frenzy among fans and cinephiles alike. Her visit centred around a conversation with legendary Hong Kong director T’ang Shu-shuen, moderated by Silke Schmickl, Chanel lead curator of moving image, in which they discussed the critical importance of film restoration. But it was during an intimate sharing session before the main event, attended exclusively by a handful of guests, including Tatler, that Swinton opened up about her journey—from being a member of an art collective to becoming an…

Hong Kong won me over with … its boundless energy and striking contrasts. As you explore the city, you’ll notice skyscrapers side by side with street markets such as the Temple Street Night Market—a blend of old and new just minutes apart. What makes Hong Kong unique is … how close it is to nature. You can go from the busy city to peaceful mountains in minutes. My favourite restaurant for gatherings is … Tung Po Kitchen for its great vibes and food. I also regularly visit Baker by Lubuds (an artisan bakery) and Bing Kee (a well‑known traditional open‑air food stall). Keung Kee in Wan Chai serves the best glutinous rice, cheong fun (steamed rice noodle rolls) and Chinese desserts. My go‑tos for local specialities are … Master Low‑key…

Chefs. They scare me, and they enthral me— and I rarely say that about anyone. It’s their superhuman ability to transport you through time, space and waves of emotions in a single bite—serving a mind-blowing balance of art, science, sensoriality, precision and consistency—and working long, arduous hours under pressure-cooker environments, day after day. This is why our annual Dining issue is one of my most anticipated of the year—just as I’m sure it is for many of you too. I arrived at our cover shoot at Burnt Ends in the heart of Dempsey Hill with an elevated sense of excitement, sprinkled with a pinch of caution, wary of the intensity that chefs, more often than not, bring to the table. Turns out that Dave Pynt, while a walking testament to…

THAI SENSATION PRANISA TREECHANASIN Thai bartender Pranisa Treechanasin, or Niza, as she is endearingly known in the bar industry, has made her mark since arriving in Singapore circa 2022. After graduating with a marketing degree in 2014, Niza found greener pastures in the beverage industry, where she rose from a barback at the lauded 1881 by Water Library to head bar manager of Stella at the prestigious Capella Bangkok. Having earned her stripes working with some of Bangkok’s lauded bartenders for almost a decade, she set her sights on Singapore. With a well‑travelled palate acquired from acclaimed stints, including the Tokyo International BarShow, Niza is not one to shy away from injecting her heritage into her deftly crafted creations. As the head bartender of Origin Bar, she showcases a knack…

Singapore has seen significant progress in recent years when it comes to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the workforce. Structural reforms, policy initiatives, and a cultural shift towards gender equity have reshaped professional trajectories, enabling more women to enter and thrive in fields that were once male‑dominated. A testament to this is Singapore’s ranking on the latest United Nations Gender Inequality Index released in March last year: eighth worldwide and first in the Asia‑Pacific region for having a low level of gender inequality. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Progress on Singapore Women’s Development 2024 report, more women have assumed leadership roles in the workplace, taking on 46.7 per cent of professional, managerial, executive and technician positions in 2023, up from 42.3 per cent in 2013.…

In a world where fashion often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, Japanese designer Tanaka Daisuke is emerging as a masterful storyteller. Known for his ethereal and imaginative designs and for using pearls, tulle and lace to create armour-like embellishments on romantic silhouettes, Daisuke graduated from Osaka Bunka Fashion College and quickly made his mark on the industry. After debuting his eponymous label Tanakadaisuke in 2021, he wowed audiences with his inaugural runway show at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, where he showed his autumn-winter 2022 collection. Tanaka’s journey has been anything but conventional. Launching his brand during the pandemic, his early experiences as a costume designer and embroidery artist shaped his meticulous approach to detail, allowing him to infuse his collections with a sense of whimsy and depth. Last…

THE ART OF FASHION Art has always inspired fashion, sparking iconic collections like Yves Saint Laurent’s Mondrian dresses and Schiaparelli’s surrealist creations with Dalí. This season, celebrate the melding of art and fashion with Vivienne Westwood’s love of featuring rococo paintings on pieces or Mugler’s bold partnership with Canadian painter Ambera Wellmann. A FIRST-CLASS DEBUT If your fashionista status extends to your luggage, this one’s for you. Bottega Veneta is stepping into the luxury travel world with the launch of its first leather-trimmed suitcase, The Odyssey. Designed to be the ideal cabin companion, The Odyssey is lightweight, durable and designed to meet most airline carry-on requirements, ensuring it will stand the test of time on countless adventures. KAWS-ED BY DIOR The latest collaboration between artist Kaws and Dior has got…

In Vienna, Austria, last May, Cartier unleashed slender panthers on the prowl, covert beetles, a frolicking flamingo and several more spectacular creatures from the menagerie that is the first chapter of its Nature Sauvage high jewellery collection. This set the stage for an extraordinary parade of more precious animals—masterful sculptures in which precise design intertwine with the maison’s savoir faire to bring the untamed wilderness to life in bejewelled form—in Shanghai in November, where Cartier further expanded its remarkable bestiary of meticulously crafted jewels with the second chapter of the Nature Sauvage collection. Tatler Singapore was part of a group of Southeast Asian media invited to the launch, which saw the brand continue to push the boundaries of creativity with its creations, blending the raw beauty of nature with the…

TATLER BEST-IN-CLASS: RESTAURANTS The dining establishments and chefs reshaping the F&B landscape with their innovative approaches RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR BURNT ENDS More than a decade on, Burnt Ends remains one of the top restaurants in Singapore. Chef-owner Dave Pynt and his team of slayers have captured gourmands’ palates with their dry-aged steaks (pictured), among other flame-kissed signatures, expertly cooked in custom-built grills. BEST NEW RESTAURANT AND BEST SERVICE SOMMA The local F&B scene just got more exciting with the opening of Somma, chef-owner Mirko Febbrile’s modern Italian restaurant at New Bahru. “Italian food, just perhaps not as you know it”, is how Febbrile describes the restaurant’s modern and imaginative approach to beloved dishes from his home country. BEST INNOVATION EDWARD CHONG (PEACH BLOSSOMS) After training with Singapore’s top Chinese chefs,…

Asia’s culinary scene is often framed by its heavy hitters. Tokyo dazzles with precision and artistry, Bangkok delivers the riotous kick of spice and street food chaos, and Hong Kong flaunts its cosmopolitan diversity. These top travel destinations often dominate the conversation—the darlings of globetrotting food lovers and social media feeds. But, for all their brilliance, they can sometimes feel a little too obvious. The real intrigue lies elsewhere—in places where food isn’t merely a commodity for tourism campaigns but an act of cultural preservation and everyday joy. These cities don’t clamour for global recognition; they simply get on with the business of being extraordinary. Their food speaks for itself—quietly, sometimes, but always with a sense of place and purpose that comes from generations of care. Together, they remind us…

1 THE WATCH Richard Mille’s new RM 16‑02 Automatic Extraflat cuts a striking figure with its brutalist aesthetic and interlaced skeletonised dial, offering a glimpse of the Calibre CRMA9 in‑house movement within. 2 THE BAG The Hermès Birkin à l’envers—which translates into “upside‑down Birkin” in French—reimagines the house’s iconic design with an inside‑out construction. Made from leather and canvas, it features the flap and sangles on the exterior while the touret fastening is concealed inside—offering a deconstructed twist on a timeless classic. 3 THE NECKLACE Bvlgari’s Serpenti Rubellite Crown necklace, the first‑ever Serpenti chain sautoir, weaves a narrative of perpetual reinvention this Year of the Snake. A breathtaking 140.53‑carat rubellite, suspended delicately from a pavé‑set prong, takes centre stage on the rose gold creation, whose sinuous form is adorned with…

“Culture is the best language for people to understand each other,” expounds ambassador Beata Stoczyńska, the executive director of Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), an intergovernmental not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting understanding, strengthening relationships, and facilitating cooperation among the people, institutions and organisations of Asia and Europe. One of the ways that ASEF is doing this is through its cultural exchange programmes, such as the annual Asia-Europe Cultural Festival, which cultivates artistic collaborations and promotes dialogue and exchange among artists from the two regions. With a programme of performances, exhibitions and roundtables, the festival in 2024 was presented in both Italy and Singapore. The 2025 edition opens in Krakow, Poland, in June, and will close in Vientiane, Laos, in October. Culture is just one of ASEF’s areas of work, which comprises six…

If you’ve ever imagined the possibility of going back in time, Vacheron Constantin’s new Historiques 222 in stainless steel might be the perfect portal. This modern reinterpretation of an iconic 1977 model features a sleek 37-mm brushed steel case and a striking matt blue dial adorned with white gold markers. Powered by the in-house Calibre 2455/2, it provides a 40-hour power reserve. The integrated bracelet offers comfort and elegance, and is secured with a concealed butterfly clasp. Dials that will prove your love for horology is set in stone…

BVLGARI Bvlgari marked a significant milestone with the unveiling of its groundbreaking Lady Solotempo BVS100 automatic movement. This in‑house calibre, developed and produced entirely at its Swiss manufacture, measures just 19 mm in diameter and 3.90 mm in thickness while delivering an impressive 50‑hour power reserve. The movement makes its first appearance in the Serpenti Seduttori collection, including the new yellow gold Serpenti Seduttori Automatic, featuring a 34 mm case adorned with 36 brilliant‑cut diamonds. A transparent caseback reveals an oscillating weight decorated with a motif inspired by a snake’s scales, symbolising perpetual renewal. TIFFANY & CO Featuring a white gold case adorned with 413 diamonds, the Tiffany & Co Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Twenty Four Stone limited‑edition watch is an exploration into the legacy of French jewellery designer Jean…

It would be remiss of us, in the Year of the Snake, not to highlight the release of a new Serpenti necklace from Bvlgari. Coiling around the neck, this creation features five snakes, symbolising the five elemental forces of life. The lack of pronounced heads in the design maintains an unbroken flow—an infinite loop of serpents set in white gold. Featuring 42.94 carats of pavé-set diamonds and punctuated by onyx and 12.23 carats of rubies, the piece showcases Bvlgari’s mastery of goldsmithing, gem setting and, of course, storytelling through high jewellery. Boho-chic baubles to give you a spring in your step this season…