Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Tatler Singapore

TATLER HONG KONG We caught up with world-renowned tenor Jonas Kaufmann ahead of his Hong Kong debut to discuss curating an operatic programme and the future of this traditional art form. TATLER INDONESIA Sabrina Joseph, the co-founder of luxury resale marketplace HuntStreet, explained how transparency, trust and authenticity anchor her brand—and how her dream of championing sustainability in fashion is coming true. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN Last month, former politician, coach and businesswoman Irina Khakamada turned 70. We take a look back at some of her greatest achievements. TATLER MALAYSIA Sharmeen Looi, co-founder of e-commerce site iMotorbike, shared the hurdles she’s faced as one of the few women in a male-dominated industry. TATLER PHILIPPINES Gen.T honouree Mark Gervasa founded bamboo product brand Bambuhay to fight poverty, promote sustainability and create economic opportunities…

AYU OGA Ayu Oga has always had a deep passion for art and fashion. After studying fashion at Kyoto University of the Arts, she began her career as a stylist assistant in Tokyo in 2022. Currently, she works with both Japanese and international publications, including Vogue and L’Officiel. She was particularly excited to work on this month’s fashion shoot for Tatler, which took place in her hometown of Kyoto. TAK SUGITA Tak Sugita has had a profound appreciation for arts and crafts since childhood. At university, he worked as an assistant to various contemporary fine artists, then specialised in fashion photography. Now based in Tokyo, Tak has worked with the likes of Numéro Tokyo and Manifesto magazine and for clients ranging from Fila and Uniqlo to Shiseido and Shu Uemura.…

Dubbed one of the most visionary fashion designers of her generation, Iris van Herpen is an architect of sensation, a scientist of movement and a master of material. Step into the world of the Dutch fashion designer with Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, an ongoing major retrospective at the ArtScience Museum that marks her first solo exhibition in Asia. Building on the original exhibition developed by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the show, which runs until August 10, brings together more than 140 of Van Herpen’s most striking designs. The ArtScience Museum’s 2025 season, titled “Mind and Body: The Art and Science of Being Human”, is the perfect framework for an exhibition of this nature. The museum’s mission to explore the interconnectedness of disciplines as well as…

Stainless steel to steal hearts this season…

Don’t wait for lady luck—be her, with these lucky charms…

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter hotel rooms; of hotel design that’s so generic and void of personality that you could wake up and be anywhere. As more travellers seek authentic experiences to feel truly immersed in a destination, they’re also seeking hotels that do the same. Tatler has found some properties that certainly fit that bill: from a colourful property housed in a 16th-century palazzo, transformed by a film director in Rome and filled with incredible custom pieces by Italian artisans, to a soothing coastal hideaway inspired by surf culture in the sleepy Australian town of Crescent Head that prioritises sustainable design and promotes slowing down. These whispers of authenticity in spaces that create a genuine sense of place are what makes hotels like these so great—hotels that invoke…

In the words of the endlessly quotable and legendary editor, Diana Vreeland: the eye has to travel. Beyond the transportive pages of a magazine, she was expressing a philosophy that having a thirst for knowledge, creative stimulation and insatiable curiosity for diverse aesthetics, cultures and experiences were essential to living a rich, fulfilling life. At Tatler, we’re all about curating and creating the finest escapades life has to offer, as exemplified in our inaugural 2025 Tatler Best Singapore fete on page 34. However, little did we know that the weeks leading up to our Travel Issue would actually take us across the globe, literally. Think seven trips in just two months, from Taipei to Paris—the latter a journey to revel in the electric spirit of the Richard Mille and Ferrari…

The opening image in the book, Bali 1952: Through the Lens of Liu Kang, depicts the titular artist directing his Rolleiflex f/3.5 camera toward a large mirror, while he stood with fellow artists Cheong Soo Pieng—who was also holding a camera—Chen Wen Hsi and Luo Ming, effectively producing what might be described in contemporary terms as a group self-portrait, or “wefie”. “What strikes me is how happy they look,” says author Gretchen Liu, daughter-in-law of the late Liu Kang. The photograph was taken in eastern Bali, on the verandah of the Dutch-style Maskerdam building within the Puri Agung Karangasem royal palace—a structure that beautifully blends Balinese and Chinese architectural elements. “Their big smiles suggest the trip was a success. You can see a sense of satisfaction on their faces—and it’s…

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD A true artistic force of her generation, Dua Lipa steps into a new role as the face of Chanel’s latest creation: the Chanel 25 bag. Both her fun energy and the bag’s versatility are beautifully captured in a vibrant campaign film shot by Gordon von Steiner and soundtracked to the infectious 1990s anthem She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals. Reflecting on the era, Lipa shares that it feels like home to her, and that she constantly returns to it in fashion, music and film. For her, it embodies a sense of freedom and rebelliousness that perfectly matches the energy of New York. She likewise feels that the Chanel 25 is the quintessential complement to an on‑the‑move lifestyle like hers. On top of its…

Once named one of Tatler Asia’s Most Stylish in 2021, Savina Chow has a way of turning her signature style into a force in business. The digital darling-turned-deodorant disruptor has emerged from a whirlwind entrepreneurial reinvention with a sharpened sense of self, style and, dare we say, a whiff of rebellion. “I’ve grown to be more sure and confident of myself,” the 31-year-old tells us. “And that shows in my personal style—and in the choices I make for my brand.” That brand is Blunies, a cheeky, irreverent and unexpectedly chic entrant into the wellness world. Chow has taken deodorants—a product long tucked away in the beauty aisle—and made them cool, combining charm, science and savvy. “It was quite a bold move,” she says of the collagen deodorant brand. “There are…

SHADES AT SUNSET The colours of sunset are hot this season—think rich ambers, burnt oranges and deep corals that mirror golden-hour skies. A flowing Magda Butrym dress sets the tone for seaside dinners, while bold Alexander McQueen sneakers add a flash of fire to city strolls. This summer, it’s all about colours that catch the light and linger long after dusk. BARE MINIMUM Gentlemen, this spring is all about comfort with a dash of attitude—May is calling on you to lose the sleeves. At Dolce & Gabbana, sleek, brown, sleeveless shirts offer a sharp update for warmer workdays, while Jil Sander turns up the heat with bold printed tanks best paired with breezy Bermuda shorts. BACK TO COOL It’s a big year for Fendi as it’s marking 100 years of…

CAPTURING MOMENTS Leica’s ZM 12 proves that camera-makers can even capture time with style. This 39 mm marvel shrinks the ZM 11’s essence into a more wrist-friendly package, without losing an ounce of charm. With its Chronode-collaborated LA-3002 calibre, it gives you a 60-hour power reserve that ensures it won’t quit before you do. Four models offer a palette of personalities, from the bold Steel Blue Orange to the understated Titanium Chocolate Black, while interchangeable straps let you dress it up or down faster than you can say “cheese”. AQUA VITA The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, unveiled in 1953, didn’t just dip its toes in the water—it plunged in, setting the bar as a pioneering dive watch and leaving a significant wake in the horological world. It’s a legacy the Tech…

0.895 seconds, 9.748 seconds, 1.423 seconds ... These are merely fractions in the continuum of time, yet in Formula 1, they represent the razor’s edge between triumph and defeat. In such an extreme sport, where drivers dedicate their lives to the pursuit of speed only to risk everything each time they take to the track, where engineers devote countless hours to perfecting what are essentially land‑bound spacecraft; precision and timing transcend importance—they become a matter of existence. It is precisely this realm of microsecond margins and uncompromising excellence where two titans of innovation find their natural confluence. When Richard Mille and Ferrari announced their partnership in 2021, the watchmaking and motorsport worlds recognised it as not just another brand collaboration, but as a meeting of equals. Now, with the unveiling…

ON TARGET John Hardy’s Spear collection strikes a delicate balance between tradition and modernity. The 14-karat gold and silver bangle, adorned with diamond pavé, features a gender-fluid design and a flexible titanium core, allowing for an ergonomic fit on any wrist. The piece was created using a traditional Balinese weaving technique to spin the gold and silver together and create a beautiful texture. BEE GOOD Chaumet’s Bee de Chaumet collection takes flight once again, this time with a dazzling array of new pieces that are creating quite the buzz. The star of the show? A cuff with a honeycomb pattern crafted in pink gold and brilliant-cut pavé diamonds. The piece isn’t restrained by gender norms—it challenges them. CLASSIC TWIST On Hollywood’s biggest night, actress Margaret Qualley’s Oscars appearance was a…

Effortlessly dancing between light and shadow, art and jewellery, Hermès’s latest haute bijouterie collection, Les Formes de la Couleur, takes one on a vibrant journey through colour. Masterfully designed by the brand’s visionary creative director of jewellery, Pierre Hardy, whose innovative creations not only enhance the maison’s illustrious legacy, but also redefine the boundaries of artistry and craftsmanship, every piece transforms one’s perception of gemstones, light and the very essence of form itself. “This collection expresses colour in shapes,” Hardy states, encapsulating the spirit of his work. “I wanted to find a way to express this fundamental phenomenon—of colour, at Hermès—and build a strong, autonomous and independent identity.” It is a lofty goal, but one that Hardy delivers on with elegance and bold creativity, presenting a chromatic symphony that dances…

In 1975, after a stint in the Peace Corps in Peru, American entrepreneur Charlie Clifford set up a business importing leather bags from South America. He named the brand after the Peruvian tumi, an ornamental knife used in ceremonies. Fifty years on, Tumi has made a name for itself as a leading brand in luxury travel, thanks in large part to its dedication to innovation and its ongoing commitment to making travel more seamless and stylish for its customers: think polycarbonate shells, the use of recycled materials, 360-degree spinning, ball-bearing wheels and water-repellent zips, to name but a few highlights. “This milestone celebrates the future while embracing what our customers have loved most about the brand for over 50 years: resilience, effortlessness, functionality and timeless beauty,” says Victor Sanz, who…

1 THE NECKLACE A signature emblem of the maison, the bee takes centre stage in Chaumet’s new Bee de Chaumet Pompon pendant, with delicate gold chains that sway with the wearer’s every movement. 2 THE BAG Spring is reimagined through the playful, artistic lens of Takashi Murakami in the second chapter of his 20th-anniversary collaboration with Louis Vuitton. The artist’s iconic smiling flowers bloom across the maison’s collection of leather goods and accessories, including this Monogram OnTheGo PM bag, finished with a cherry blossom charm, cowhide leather trims and gold-toned hardware. 3 THE SCARF Dog lovers, this one’s for you. Illustrated by Liz Stirling, this whimsical Hermès silk twill carré is a chic tribute to canine couture, capturing the charm and charisma of seven impeccably styled pups, each one vying…

For millennials who spent the 2010s tuned in to Clicknetwork, Jemimah Wei is likely a familiar face. With her quick wit and charismatic presence, she became a breakout personality on one of Singapore’s earliest online video networks. But beyond the screen, Wei has always been a writer. Armed with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from Columbia University, where she was a Felipe P De Alba fellow (2020 cohort), the former Stegner fellow at Stanford University (2022-2024 cohort) emerges as a compelling new voice in fiction this year with her debut novel, The Original Daughter—a novel 10 years in the making. Before transitioning to writing full time, Wei juggled a parallel career on screen as a presenter and host and in advertising—all while pursuing a major in English literature…

Hong Kong artist-designer Didi Ng Wing Yin doesn’t just work with wood—he strives to bring the natural properties of the material back to life. Based in Helsinki, the industrial designer-turned-craftsman creates sculptural objects that blur the lines between the organic and the manmade. Take his Wood Feathers collection as an example: the range of wall art and sculptures features intricate, feather-like carvings to remind us that the wood was once a living thing. In another display of experimental surface treatments, his Wood Pleats series uses planks of processed firewood to recreate the original grooved textures of a tree trunk. Ng explains that he tries not to control or alter the natural material too much. “The ideal situation is that the finished piece is 50 per cent done by me and…

COLOUR BOOST Dior Beauty has given fans of the cult favourite Dior Addict Lip Glow even more reason to love it with an upgraded cutting‑edge formula that blends natural ingredients with advanced technology for a deeply moisturising lip balm that delivers custom colour. Boasting 97 per cent natural‑origin ingredients, including emollients such as cherry oil, shea butter, and sunflower and rice bran waxes, it has at its heart the Colour Reviver technology derived from hero ingredient eosin, which reacts to the lips’ pH level to reveal a shade unique to its wearer. Peter Philips, creative and image director for Dior Makeup, has also expanded the original palette to include fresh hues with warm undertones to better suit a wider range of complexions—delivering a more encompassing comforting balm that soothes dry,…

From its humble beginnings as a single property to becoming Singapore’s premier homegrown hospitality brand, Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has redefined luxury with a global footprint spanning more than 145 hotels across 80 destinations. In honour of its 30th anniversary, MHR unveils Culinary Compass, an exclusive dining campaign that invites one to dive into a world of Michelin‑worthy flavours across 16 F&B establishments located within MHR properties in Singapore from now until 31 March 2026—and rewards you for the epicurean exploration. From the refined Cantonese artistry of Hua Ting to the exquisite tempura omakase at Tentsuru, each F&B space offers a unique culinary narrative designed to delight the senses. Exclusively accessible via the MyMillennium mobile app, the Culinary Compass programme lets you earn digital stamps for every participating F&B…

At first glance, guilloché might seem like just another fancy word tossed around in the world of luxury watches. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find it’s far more than a decorative flourish—it’s a centuries-old craft that combines artistry with precision, all wrapped up in mesmerising, intricate, engraved patterns of interlacing lines and spirals that seem to dance across metal surfaces. Though widely celebrated today as a hallmark of haute horlogerie, guilloché’s story is one of evolution—a journey from artisanal beginnings towards becoming a defining feature of luxury watchmaking. Tatler recently sat down with Finnish master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, who is known for his mastery of ornate engraving techniques. As well as his work on timepieces, he has also collaborated with Sauvereign, a Hong Kong-based luxury brand. He recently…

How did you first become interested in jewellery design? It was a combination of small decisions and accidents that led me to jewellery. I always had a very visual relationship with the world and a natural talent for drawing, but I didn’t have references for creative careers around me growing up. I initially studied engineering, then logistics, before realising I needed to pursue something more creative. When I started studying product design, I got an internship at a Brazilian jewellery workshop doing technical drawings. That experience blew my mind—I was working with the most beautiful materials in nature, creating objects that held deep emotional meaning. I fell in love with jewellery and realised this was what I wanted to do. Your designs have a distinctly fluid aesthetic. Where does that…

Not only are elephants majestic and powerful animals, these gentle giants are also revered in many cultures as a symbol of memory, strength and good fortune. It is fitting, then, that Chopard’s latest high jewellery collection, Insofu Collection, takes its name from this magnificent creature. Insofu, or “elephant” in the Bemba language of Zambia, refers to the rare 6,225-carat rough emerald discovered in the country’s Kagem mine, whose curved, trunk-like form inspired its name. This incredible stone was acquired in 2022 by Chopard co-president and artistic director Caroline Scheufele, and was named the Insofu Emerald. From this monumental stone, Chopard has created an ambitious, deeply expressive collection of one-of-a-kind jewels. As the Insofu Emerald was an unprecedented find, it presented the Swiss luxury watch and jewellery brand with both exciting…

Mitsuki Kimura, who performs professionally under the name Kōki, may have celebrity parents in the form of actor and singer Takuya Kimura and former J-pop girl band member Shizuka Kudo who introduced her to the showbiz industry, but she takes every opportunity to prove that she deserves her place there. The Japanese model, songwriter and actor has composed music since she was seven years old and made her modelling debut aged 15. Now 22, she has landed covers on fashion magazines in Asia and lead roles in international films, including the 2024 Icelandic romantic drama Touch, the 2025 Japanese film adaptation of South Korean comic book True Beauty, and the 2025 British film Tornado. In March, she was in Hong Kong, where she received the Rising Star Award at the…

With a stunning new gilded façade and interiors by André Fu Studio, the reopening of Dusit Thani Bangkok last September marked the return of an icon. Rebuilt from the ground up over five years, the hotel has been reimagined to usher in a new era while paying tribute to the original, which opened in 1970 and went on to define luxury hospitality in Thailand. There are plenty of nods to the past. The familiar golden spire—a signature feature of the original building—was retained and incorporated into the new structure, acting as a visual symbol of continuity. And the new-meets-nostalgia approach is especially prevalent in the lobby. Inspired by the artistry of traditional Thai pavilions, the triple-height space recreates the grand arrival experience of the original property, elevating it with a…

The first thing I do when I arrive in Buenos Aires is … make a beeline for a parrilla (a street food stand, often serving grilled meats), or El Cuartito, a standing pizza place on Corrientes Street. This street is also where some of the most famous theatres are located, just minutes from the iconic Obelisco de Buenos Aires monument. My favourite hotel to stay in is … the Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires. This stunning property offers the highest levels of comfort and luxury, oozing elegance and sophistication. The beautiful architecture and impeccable service make it a truly exceptional place to stay. My go‑to breakfast spot is … Cafe Tortoni, an iconic café that opened in 1858. In its basement is a stage for jazz and tango…