Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Tatler Singapore

There are years that test a team, and years that reveal an A-team. And 2025 is proving to be the latter, even with a few bumps in the road. I have always known I work with extraordinary individuals, but this year affirmed it in deeply meaningful ways. Through every story shaped, every event staged, and every unseen struggle where excellence was chosen over ease, the Tatler Singapore team proves that talent is only the beginning. It is their resilience, their grace under pressure, and their instinct for performance and nuance that set an unparalleled bar. Before we turn the pages of this December issue, I want to honour them—and our shared belief that impact shouldn’t just be celebrated, but accelerated. This issue is, in many ways, a celebration of what…

The fourth edition of Art SG arrives this January with a sharpened sense of purpose. As Southeast Asia’s leading international art fair prepares to welcome top galleries, institutions and collectors to Singapore once again, its organisers see this moment as a defining threshold—one that will keep the fair’s momentum and reinforce the city’s position as a global convening point for contemporary art. Art SG co-founder Magnus Renfrew observes a notable shift in how the world now conceives of Asia. “The terminology about how people talk about Asia has been shifting a little from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific,” he notes—an evolution that he believes “shows greater relevance for Singapore”, which stands naturally as “the de facto and acknowledged hub of the Indo-Pacific”. It is a view increasingly echoed by the art world.…

The dazzling city of Bangkok hums with restless energy. The tuk-tuks, the street markets, the incense drifting from temples—it moves to its own quick rhythm, exhilarating and, at times, overwhelming. To experience it fully, you need to be in the thick of things, and few addresses put you closer to the pulse than Le Méridien Bangkok. Set on Surawong Road in Silom, the hotel places you steps from night markets and shopping streets, with both the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain and Sam Yan MRT station within easy reach. From here, the entire city opens up: glittering malls to one side, the Grand Palace and Chao Phraya River ferries to the other. A SENSE OF ARRIVAL Before you even step inside, art sets the tone. Standing guard at the entrance is…

In the golden haze of December, every journey becomes a runway—and few houses capture that sense of romance and reinvention quite like Gucci. Born from a Florentine artisan’s dream of exquisite luggage, the House continues to transform the ritual of travel into a declaration of style. For the jet-setter whose itinerary glitters with fêtes and family gatherings, the Gucci Savoy collection recalls the brand’s earliest days crafting cases for cosmopolitan travellers. The medium beauty case, suitcase, mini rigid beauty case, and small hat box—each detailed with signature Web stripes and the interlocking GG—evoke the glamour of the grand hotel age, updated for the modern wanderer. Meanwhile, the Ophidia small vanity bag and Mini GG handbag offer playful proportions with timeless appeal, while the Giglio small tote and Gucci Diana small…

High above the glittering skyline of Jakarta’s most prestigious district stands The Langham, Jakarta — a destination where art, architecture, and gastronomy converge in perfect harmony. Long synonymous with timeless sophistication, the hotel now adds another illustrious accolade to its name: Two Keys from the Michelin Guide, an honour bestowed upon only ten hotels in Indonesia’s capital. From the moment guests enter its marble-clad lobby, The Langham, Jakarta exudes an understated grandeur that balances English heritage with contemporary design. Yet, beyond its opulent interiors and panoramic city views, what truly defines The Langham experience is its exceptional culinary landscape, a collection of world-class dining destinations that continue to elevate Jakarta’s place on the global gastronomic map. At the forefront is Tom’s by Tom Aikens, a modern European restaurant that channels…

Among Rolex’s many iconic timepieces, few capture the brand’s true essence as perfectly as the Oyster Perpetual. As the most elemental expression of the Swiss manufacture’s philosophy, it stands at the crossroads of simplicity and sophistication, and is a distillation of everything that makes Rolex Rolex. With the latest iterations, unveiled in April this year, the Oyster Perpetual finds new life through subtle evolutions in colour, finish and form. Reading both serene and fresh, the Oyster Perpetual 28, 36 and 41 are now respectively available with matte lacquered dials in lavender, beige and pistachio. Each hue captures a different mood, yet all share a spirit of quiet optimism. This refined palette feels distinctly contemporary while honouring the timeless character that has defined the model since its inception in 1931. Rolex’s…

GEMSTONE TOPOGRAPHY When done right, a collar necklace allows for power dressing in its finest form. Take this piece by Messika, a chic, statement-making look for party season. The chunky, textured, brushed yellow gold necklace anchors a 3.12-carat emerald-cut diamond, while peppered on the bed of gold are tsavorites meant to imitate desert vegetation clinging to arid terrain. It’s part of Messika’s 23-piece Terres d’Instinct chapter, where Namibia’s characteristic landscape is immortalised with gemstones and diamonds. Messika Terra collar necklace from the Terres d’Instinct high jewellery collection FIRED UP The Boghossian Flame, a collection of earrings, is both a tribute and a reinvention. In this pair, vivid green tourmalines flicker within sculpted jadeite flames. The contrast between translucent and opaque greens adds depth and movement. Crafted in 18-karat white gold,…

In a scene straight out of a jewellery lover’s dreams, Tiffany & Co’s 2025 holiday campaign transports audiences into a world of magical reverie. Against a backdrop of softly falling snow and moonlit skies, British American actress Anya Taylor-Joy moves with ethereal grace through an enchanting winter landscape. Surrounded by Tiffany boxes of all sizes, ranging from delicate treasures to larger parcels, the brand’s global house ambassador pauses to explore their hidden wonders. Each box reveals a moment of intimate connection, from a romantic exchange between lovers in a chic café to a heartfelt gift shared between parent and child in the warmth of a family home. This enchanting tableau anchors the holiday campaign, Love Is a Gift, capturing the season’s sense of wonder and offering a sumptuous, cinematic homage…

A merry group of strangers in full lederhosen laugh on their way past me, arms linked, cheeks flushed. It’s only just past noon. The scent of spit-roasted chicken and cinnamon sugar wafts in the air, and from inside the beer tents comes the unmistakable sound of brass bands—so loud the ground itself seems to hum. Munich is all charm and contradiction: beer halls and belle époque; tradition and trend. Once the seat of Bavarian royalty, it still carries a certain regal elegance; it has the efficiency of a capital, yet without the crowds. In autumn, it glows in amber shades—tree-lined avenues, beer gardens, stately churches and the occasional river surfer carving across the Eisbach. Come winter, it transforms into a snow-globe version of itself, with Christmas markets and stalls selling…

“It’s lonely at the top,” asserts Brenda Bence, referring in particular to C-suite leaders of large multinational corporations and global business. She would know. For more than two decades, Bence has coached and advised some of the world’s most senior executives, specialising in leadership and succession. “Who do you turn to at that level? You can’t turn to your boss, you can’t turn to your subordinates. You typically don’t turn to your peers—they’re often perceived as competition,” she says. “I knew personally how lonely it was in the C-suite. And that’s where I decided to focus.” Bence began her career at multinational consumer goods company Procter & Gamble, where, for a decade, she benefitted from what she calls its “coaching culture”, long before “coaching” became a corporate buzzword. Expecting to…

For two nights in Bangkok, hospitality found its loudest expression—in applause, in clinking glasses, in the hum of languages from across continents—as the Tatler Best Awards 2025 took place at Paragon Hall inside Siam Paragon. Back for its second year in the Thai capital, the Tatler Best Awards arrived with a broader brief: to honour not only Asia’s leading restaurants, bars and hotel but also, for the first time, those across the Pacific and the Middle East. The result was a gathering of more than 800 guests that felt both monumental and personal: chefs from Seoul to Jordan shared tables with hoteliers from Fiji and Türkiye, while bartenders from Taipei raised glasses to their Dubai counterparts. Guests enjoyed an extraordinary spread of canapés from Bangkok establishments such as K by…

FOUNDER AWARD DURREEN SHAHNAZ Founder and CEO, Impact Investment Exchange Durreen Shahnaz founded Impact Investment Exchange, or IIX, in 2009 after leaving Wall Street to witness microfinance’s transformative power in her birthplace, Bangladesh. There, she observed first‑hand how access to credit could transform the lives of millions of women who had been locked out of the system, teaching her the power, as she puts it, of connecting “Wall Street to the back streets”. Shahnaz went on to create the Women’s Livelihood Bond, the world’s first bond series channelling capital directly to enterprises that empower women, in 2017. Its delivery of consistent returns since proves, she says, that “investing in women is not charity; it is smart finance”. Her pioneering Orange Movement (named after the colour of the United Nations’ Sustainable…

Morning light streams through the windows of a Rosewood Hong Kong suite as Ilaria Resta settles into her chair for another day of meetings during the brand’s anniversary celebrations in the city. On the CEO of Audemars Piguet’s wrist sits a 38mm perpetual calendar with a light blue dial, powered by its new calibre 7136—one of the pieces that marks a genuine first for the 150-year-old manufacture. The brand has never offered a perpetual calendar in this more manageable size, and Resta is excited. “What I love about these watches is the diversity in terms of aesthetics and complications,” she says, glancing at the Code 11.59 38mm Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon collection, which consists of three new watches, each sporting a different stone dial, spread before us. “If you look at…

To understand Piaget’s enduring allure, one must look beyond mere timekeeping and into the realms of art and culture. Since its earliest days, the Swiss luxury watch and jewellery maison has captivated a clientele that sees the wrist not merely as a place for a watch, but as a canvas for self-expression. Few relationships better epitomise this dialogue between art and horology than the one Piaget shared with the late American artist Andy Warhol, a leading figure of the 1960s Pop Art movement. Warhol was a collector of profound and often delightfully contradictory tastes, amassing everything from cookie jars to contemporary art. By the time of his passing in 1987, his collection included more than 300 timepieces, seven of which were by Piaget. The most recognisable was a black-and-gold cushion-shaped…

How did your journey into jewellery design begin? I grew up immersed in creativity—my mother is a sculptor and my father was a creative banker—he built things with his hands. I spent a lot of time in my mother’s sculpting studio working with clay, wax and stone, which set me firmly on the artistic path. After attending a traditional art academy in Italy, where I learnt to replicate life’s forms, I became aware of my true interest: collecting inspirations from the world and funnelling them into tangible creations like jewellery. I pursued a goldsmith education to overcome my initial limitations in making conceptual pieces. By 2005, I launched my brand officially to create jewellery that is as much about story and spectacle as form. Your work often draws from medieval…

In an era defined by volatility and complexity, wealth management is evolving. It is no longer just about the traditional twin pillars of capital preservation and product-driven solutions. Instead, vision, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose have become central. This is especially true across Asia, where family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) are navigating changing market dynamics, technological progress, the balancing act of intergenerational transitions, and a growing expectation for wealth to go beyond mere returns. Within this landscape, Schroders Wealth Management stands apart by bridging more than two centuries of global experience and heritage with a continuous spirit of innovation as they support not only families and UHNWIs, but also charities, foundations, and international professionals seeking seamless, values-driven wealth management. “Family ownership has shaped our identity. It means…

LEVO ARTISAN PISTACHIO REINVENTION Homegrown bakery Levo Artisan gives the classic Italian panettone a contemporary twist with its pistachio-laden rendition. Each loaf is handcrafted using a lievito madre (mother yeast) starter—its natural leavening yielding a light, airy crumb, before undergoing a meticulous 72-hour fermentation. The result is a beautifully balanced creation, enriched with Italian pistachio paste for a luxurious, nutty depth; dried cherries for a touch of brightness; and a finishing layer of white chocolate for subtle sweetness. For those craving extra indulgence, it also comes with a creamy pistachio spread—perfect for lavish festive mornings. AMI PATISSERIE JAPANESE PRECISION, ITALIAN SOUL Gourmands have long admired Ami Patisserie chef-owner Makoto Arami—Tatler Best Singapore Pastry Chef 2025—for his exquisite pastries and bakes. This season, he brings that same meticulous craftsmanship to the…

It is said that every destination is a doorway—not just to a new place, but to a new version of yourself. For guests at this year’s Tatler Ball Asia, held on October 2 and 3 at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa, that journey of self‑discovery took a spectacular turn. Staged amid the buzz of the city’s Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend, the gala gathered more than 300 of Asia’s leading lights, transforming the event into a landmark moment on the region’s social and cultural calendar—celebrating those who lead with vision, purpose and influence. “An Odyssey to Harmony”—the event’s centrepiece—began in spectacular fashion as distinguished guests arrived at Resorts World Sentosa’s Grand Ballroom. Ladies glided in sculptural gowns and high jewellery that caught the light with every step; gentlemen in impeccably tailored…

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens might have been referring to two European capitals experiencing the paradox of progress in 1859, but the pithy line could just as well be applied to the spring-summer 2026 runways. In the midst of economic uncertainty and global unrest, the fashion world found cause to celebrate and experience its own renaissance. From the catwalk to the front row, there was palpable excitement for the season ahead, buoyed by a changing of the guard. Spring 2026 marks a new beginning—how will we want to dress for its arrival? “The atmosphere at both Milan and Paris this season was noticeably more upbeat and full of anticipation,” Brigitte Chartrand, Net-A-Porter’s chief buying and merchandising officer tells Tatler. “There was…

ONE-HORSE RACE In true Hermès style, the Slim d’Hermès Faubourg of Dreams turns watchmaking into theatre. A limited edition of 24 pieces, it houses the manufacture H1950 in white gold, with a dial that’s pure cosmic whimsy—aventurine base spangled with gold, hand-painted planets, and a sapphire ring populated by floating objects: bag, horseshoe, headphones. The image is London-based illustrator Stuart Patience’s reimagining of the maison’s Paris shop at 24 Rue de Faubourg Saint- Honoré as a space capsule. The hero motif is a sculpted steel horse rendered through abrasion-dyeing, creating facets across its silvery form. At 39.5mm, it’s métiers d’art meeting the maison’s playful irreverence—miniature painting and engraving deployed with proper Parisian insouciance. Hermès Slim d’Hermès Faubourg of Dreams COLOUR ME NEON Hublot’s latest concrete experiment lands in Hong Kong,…

Financial fitness has become the new language of wealth, reflecting how investors are adapting to an environment that rewards steadiness and informed judgment over speed. Rising costs, enduring inflationary pressures, and geopolitical uncertainties have profoundly reshaped how affluent individuals perceive stability. As the environment grows ever more complex, it increasingly outstrips the assumptions embedded in traditional planning models. Investors managing assets across multiple jurisdictions now recognise that earlier beliefs about growth and liquidity no longer hold, prompting a pressing need for clearer processes, tighter oversight, and a deliberate framework to manage capital effectively over time. This recalibration is influencing behaviour, especially in moments of uncertainty. Wealth managers say clients are scrutinising the underlying infrastructure of their wealth more closely than before. Vincent Ee, head of Investments, Asia at Schroders Wealth…

Impact investing is not a new idea. The phrase has been circulating in boardrooms for close to two decades, and the instinct behind it—using money to do more than simply make more money—has been around for much longer. Yet it still feels like a story whose most powerful chapters are still being written. The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) offers a neat, if ambitious, definition: impact investments are those “made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return”. In other words, they are built for a double bottom line. Traditional investments answer to a single figure on a spreadsheet; impact investments are designed to be judged twice—once on financial performance, and again on what they actually changed. This double bottom line is especially…

In 1927, the German expressionist film Metropolis imagined a dystopian future defined by soaring skyscrapers and deep social divides. Director Fritz Lang’s vision, inspired by the art deco towers of 1920s New York, captured the era’s fascination with vertical urbanism. While American cities eventually sprawled into the suburbs, Asia’s trajectory has been quite different. Across developing countries and gateway cities in Asia, rapid urbanisation and land scarcity have driven the rise of vertical living. “Developers must build up,” says Otto Twist, Southeast Asia director of international residential sales at Savills Singapore. “With this, rethinking design to prioritise energy efficiency, wellness and long-term resilience is becoming increasingly important.” “The intertwining of vertical living in Asian cities isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s about creating smart, self-sustaining vertical communities that enhance both the…