Arjr5uer54singapore tatler july 201512 by bastrericksa

L I F E .

E X T R A O R D I N A R Y

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SATINDER GARCHA

W W W. S I N GA P O R E TAT L E R .C O M

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AROUND ASIA

HONG KONG TATLER

FUTURE GENERATION

CREATIVE FORCES

Cover star Carina Lau, one of Asia’s best-known actresses, tells of her work helping the youth of Hong Kong achieve their dreams. As a mentor for the First Initiative Foundation, she draws on her own experience to advise young people on finding the path to success—and taking hurdles in their stride. Elsewhere, the Close-Up feature introduces Alan Chan, a sports fanatic and one of two heirs to Jip Cheong Industrial.

From film to architecture, our regional editions are filled with the brightest talents in Asia

TAIWAN TATLER

SUCCESS STORIES SILVER SCREEN DREAMS

SHANGLIU TATLER

ARTFUL DESIGNS Cover star Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD Architects, has never shied away from breaking traditions. Internationally known for his innovative and naturefocused design philosophy, he speaks about the future of Chinese cities. Also featured is a bucket list of must-stay hotels around the world and an interview with contemporary artist Zhou Chunya (pictured).

ew cinematically themed mega-resort Studio City, the US$3.2b, six-million-square-foot development, is scheduled to open later this year; it’ll bring the magic of Hollywood as well as some actual magic—with Franz Harary’s House of Magic, a veritable house of illusions. Elsewhere, award-winning Hong Kong ﬁlm director Ann Hui speaks about her unconventional biopic The Golden Era.

Gracing the cover is Irene Wang, whose father is the general manager of leading water brand Union. She speaks about the experience of working with her father for the past few years and discusses her strategy in running the company. Also interviewed is Daniella Huang, the brand director of Danish jewellery brand Pandora; her husband, Lawrence, successfully brought the brand to Taiwan when other agent companies failed.

THAILAND TATLER

DESSERT DIVA Cover star Prima Chakrabandhu Na Ayudhya may be royalty, but she’s best known as a worldrenowned ice-cream designer and the mastermind behind Icedea. Elsewhere, four fashion designers reveal why they’ve decided to venture into the restaurant business. Finally, the magazine takes a look at four dance styles currently making waves—capoeira, bachata, salon tango and swing—and the local talents behind them.

PHILIPPINE TATLER

IN HER SKIN Renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker returns to Manila to capture cover star, dermatologist Vicki Belo. In another feature, the spotlight turns on British vocal group Blake (pictured), who recently gave a performance for a local charity and were shot in London wearing quintessential British looks.

MALAYSIA TATLER

DRAM JAM Stylish entrepreneur Kristine Goh, wearing Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection for the cover shoot, recently launched her own blended whisky label, FiftySix Degrees, in partnership with Ian Macleod Distillers. Her father introduced her to the spirit, and she discusses her aim to create blends that bridge the gap between newbies and connoisseurs. Also featured is Malaysia’s comedy scene, which is rapidly expanding thanks to a supportive, close-knit community.

singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGE: STUDIO CITY MACAU (FRANZ HARARY); PHOTOGRAPHY: KIM MUN/HOPSCOTCH PHOTOGRAPHY (KRISTINE GOH); MOBE BAN (ZHOU CHUNYA); WESLEY VILLARICA (BLAKE)

MACAU TATLER

JULY

L I F E . E X T R A O R D I N A R Y

182

FEATURES 182 Eye on The Prize He’s found success in both IT and property development. What’s next for Satinder Garcha? Hospitality, it seems, with the launch of his ﬁrst luxury boutique hotel before the year’s end and three others in the pipeline

188 Tribute to Toulouse Cathedrals, chapels and concerts. T’ang Quartet tours Toulouse and the guys share their travel journals

singapor e tatler . july 2015 . vol 33 . no 394

188

CONTENTS

56 CONCIERGE 38 Inbox Two spots to head to for some track action: the 20th Emirates Singapore Derby and the Porsche Circuit

42 Small Talk Seven of Singapore’s acclaimed auteurs share their cinematic love letters to the nation

44 What’s On Soak in the rich heritage of Southeast Asia and some pop culture this month

45 Hot Ticket Take a look back on the life and legacy of Singapore’s founding prime minister; and journey through the nation’s past, present and future with archive photographs

46 Feast Expect reﬁned classic Italian cuisine at great value at restaurateur Beppe De Vito’s newest joint

48 Art Agenda This month’s art calendar is all about defying traditions

FACES nd 52 Soiree Highlights from Singapore Fashion Week 2015; Double lanis; celebrations with the Manglanis; Bulgari’s cinematic glamour

60 Close-Up Singapore Tatler sits down with banker Tan Su Shan, d architect Lim Koon Park and m style icon Victoria Beckham

68 Leading Ladies Pair pink, rufﬂed confections ns he with sparkling rocks; Take the colour black from simple to magical with a sprinkling off gold

72 Onlooker Highlights from the launch s’ of Singapore Tatler Weddings’ ine latest issue, a Wagyu and wine pairings dinner, and SICC May Day Gala celebrations

85 It Girl Be it at business, family or social er events, Grace Yeh juggles her multiple roles with perfect poise singapor e tatler . july 2015

CONTENTS

110 STYLE 90 Radar

The modern military trend marches on strong in both men’s and women’s fashion

124

97 Proﬁle Yeo Shuyi, founder of multilabel boutique La Prendo, fell into the fashion business by accident, but now her collection of stores keeps growing, just like her wardrobe

98 Beauty Poppy Delevingne, the quintessential Jo Malone London Girl; Three simple steps to that “but of course it’s natural” luminous skin; Brightly painted pouts for summer

104 Fashion Get an exclusive peek at the Louis Vuitton Petite Malle Singapore Brilliant Rouge; Prismatic hues get graphically manipulated onto silk in the latest Hermès Editeur collection; Embellished ﬂoral frocks, sculptural silhouettes and elaborate beadwork in Chanel’s latest haute couture collection

120 Watches Sturdy timekeepers designed to withstand the most extreme conditions; Sean Li’s tips on predicting the future direction of

the value of a watch; Watchmaker GirardPerregaux marks the 70th anniversary of its Vintage 1945 collection; Hublot raises its stakes for the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang collection; Independent watchmaking brands that have turned the horology industry on its head; Ulysee Nardin pays tribute to its illustrious past with a new series of timepieces; Sincere Watch’s Kingston Chu on purveying “accessible luxury”; Tudor’s stylish fabric straps; Timekeepers that serve up architectural shapes and geometric lines

148 Jewellery Tiffany & Co.’s Francesca Amfitheatrof ’s first Blue Book collection; Van Cleef & Arpels’ bespoke experience and an aficionado’s special order; Three renowned Singaporean photographers share their personal interpretations of the Cartier red box

AESTHETICS SPECIAL 166 Will You Make the Cut? From telltale ageing signs to busting medical myths, here’s the low-down on treatments—from cosmetic surgery to their less invasive alternatives—that’ll have you putting your best face forward singapor e tatler . july 2015

CONTENTS

204 LIFE 196 Food New restaurants and bars breathe fresh energy into the Chinatown district

198 Wine James Suckling picks the top 10 from the 2014 vintage in Bordeaux and ﬁve pinot noirs from the Alsace region of France; shares why buying en primeur is more attractive this year; and rounds up this month’s wine report with frigid ﬁzz, birthday bubbles and sweet talk in Alsace

204 Travel Sabrina Ault ﬁnds herself again in the magical desert Jabal Akhdar in Oman

208 Art Rimowa x Art project celebrates SG50 and looks at six designs conceived by local personalities; Gucci and The Film Foundation mark their decadelong crusade with the restoration of another ﬁlm classic

214 Design Hermès’ ﬁrst lighting collection Hermès en Lumière is a juxtaposition between modern and traditional; Curated furnishings from around the world to add to your living spaces

218 Real Estate London’s enticing mixed-use developments are catching the eye of homeowners and investors alike

220 220 Wealth The value of vintage ﬁghter planes soars as investors discover a new passion

222 Philanthropy

202

Sustainable luxury tourism is gaining popularity and more travel and hospitality brands are deepening their commitment to positively impact the communities they operate in

DEPARTMENTS Around Asia 10 Editor’s Note 26 Behind the Scenes 28 Contributors 30 The Great Debate 34 The Last Word 224 singapor e tatler . july 2015

L I F E . E X T R AO R D I NA RY

Managing Director

Gilbert Cheah

Advertising sgad@edipressemedia.com

General Manager–Sales Account Director Associate Account Directors

Lena Kwek Stephanie Tan Jasmine Koh, Garant Pang, Wendy Seah

Events sgevents@edipressemedia.com

Senior Events Managers

Shawn Martin Dragon, Joan Lim

Finance sgfinance@edipressemedia.com

Financial Controller

Selvamani Loganathan

Marketing sgmktg@edipressemedia.com / sgcirc@edipressemedia.com

Senior Marketing Manager Marketing and Circulation Manager

Desmond Lee Patsy Ang

Production and Traffic sgprod@edipressemedia.com

Production and Trafﬁc Director Trafﬁc Executive Production Executive

Grace Lim Penny Leong May Tan

Edipresse Media Asia hq@edipressemedia.com

Executive Chairman CEO–Hong Kong, Macau & SE Asia CFO, Asia Chief Creative Ofﬁcer Publisher–Custom Media Director of Events Regional Managing Director–Digital Managing Director–Edipresse Media Hong Kong Managing Director–Edipresse Media Malaysia Managing Director–Edipresse Media China Managing Director–Philippines Managing Director–Taiwan Regional Financial Controller Regional Corporate Planning Manager Regional IT Manager

Michel Lamunière Zita Ong Ida Cheung Sean Fitzpatrick Petula Kincaid Wenhui Ng Olga Sych Greg Crandall Florence Fang April Hsu Irene Martel Francisco Ashley Liang Vincent Lam Sandy Tang Philip Wong

International Sales intlad@edipressemedia.com

International Sales Director Australia: John Byrne

john@hoganmedia.com.au

France: Marie Armande de Sparre

India: R achna Gulati

Edmond Cheuk

Japan: Noriko Takigawa

rachna.gulati@publicitas.com

noriko.takigawa@publicitas.com

madesparre@masmediaf.com

milliestephanie@mobiliarigroup.com

Indonesia: Millie Stephanie

Korea: Joane Lee

Germany: Christian Nemer

Italy: Giorgia Guardincerri

Middle East: Salma Eddinari

christian.nemer@publicitas.com

giorgia.guardincerri@kmedianet.com

dbi@doobee.com

salma@iasmedia.com

Spain: Maria Navarro

maria.navarro@publicitas.com

Thailand: Nartnittha Jirarayapong USA & Canada: Conover Brown noo@njintermedia.com

Turkey: R eha Bilge rbilge@medialtd.co.tr

Edipresse Group

Chairman

Pier r e Lamunièr e

CFO & COO

Michel Preiswerk

Vice President

UK: Emilie Errante

emilie.errante@publicitas.com

Sebas tien Lamunièr e

conoverbrown@worldmediaonline.com

L I F E . E X T R AO R D I NA RY

Editor-in-Chief

Jane Ngiam

Editorial sgedit@edipressemedia.com

Managing Editor Sub-Editor Features Writer Associate Editor, Watches & Jewellery Associate Editor, Homes Editorial Services Manager Contributing Fashion Director Contributing Features Editor Motoring Correspondent Editorial Director, Watches Wine Editor Contributors

Managing Editor (Regional Content) Managing Editor, Hong Kong Tatler Bureau Chief, Indonesia Tatler Managing Editor, Macau Tatler Managing Editor, Malaysia Tatler Editor-in-Chief, Philippine Tatler Editorial Director, Shangliu Tatler Senior Managing Editor, Taiwan Tatler Editor-in-Chief, Thailand Tatler

Grace Tay Hashirin Nurin Hashimi Chong Seow Wei Karishma Tulsidas Young Lim Ethel Lee Desmond Lim Melissa Gail Sing Andre Lam Sean Li James Suckling Adi Effendy, Sabrina Ault, Sherwin Chua, Jolene Khor, Dana Koh, Low Shi Ping, Gr ace Ma, Peter Stephens, T’ang Quartet, Amy Van, R upert Walker, Constance Yeo Stephen Short Jakki Phillips Maria Lukito Steven Crane Elizabeth Soong Anton San Diego Joseph Chow Cathy Chiang Naphalai Areesorn

Art and Photography sgart@edipressemedia.com

Art Director Contributing Photographers

Jana Tan Geoff Ang, Max Chan, Charles Chua, Olivier Cruciata, Gan, Lionel Lai, Joel Lim, Long Fei, Munster, Eric Seow, Olivier Yoan

Digital sgdigi@edipressemedia.com

Director, Digital Online Account Manager Online Editor-in-Chief, SingaporeTatler.com Online Editor, SingaporeTatler.com Webmaster Regional Product Manager

Bhakti Shet Maria Stridh Poppy Skinner Natalie Lee R eynald Dimatulac Wing Leung

Singapore Tatler [ISSN NOS. 1793-4761 MCI (P) 023/02/2015] is published monthly by Edipresse Media Singapore Pte Ltd. 14 Kung Chong Road, #06-02 Lum Chang Building, Singapore 159150. Tel +65 6323 1606. Fax +65 6323 1692. E-mail: sginfo@edipressemedia.com Singapore Tatler is a registered trademark of Edipresse Media Asia Limited. ߐΐ‫؂‬ชჷ is a proprietary trademark of Edipresse Media Asia Limited. All materials published remain the property of Edipresse Media Asia Limited. Materials submitted for publication are sent at the owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Singapore Tatler nor its agents accept any liability for loss or damage. Subscription Subscribe to Singapore Tatler for just S$88 for local addresses (12 issues), S$420 for Asia (12 issues by airmail) and S$600 for the rest of the world (12 issues by airmail). Call +65 6323 1606, or subscribe online at www.edipressemedia.com. Privacy Policy Please view our updated Privacy Policy at www.SGTatler.com/privacy-policy. Please e-mail SGDataProtectionOfficer@edipressemedia.com if you wish to (a) enquire about our Privacy Policy, (b) update or access your personal data, (c) unsubscribe from our magazines or communications, or (d) withdraw your consent for us to collect, use, disclose and/or process your personal data.

INSTRUMENT COLLECTION

TIME PYRAMID Hand-crafted in Switzerland Caliber A&S1615: manufacture movement / skeletonised / rhodium treated nickel-silver with Haute Horlogerie ﬁnishing: manually chamfered bridges with polished edges, Côtes de Genève, circular satin-ﬁnished wheels, blued screws / hand-wound / power reserve over 90 h. Functions: watch indications on three levels resulting in a powerful 3D effect / seconds dial on the bottom / hours and minutes on a sapphire crystal dial in the middle level / double power reserve indication via graduated dots printed under the top sapphire crystal. Case: 18-carat red gold / diameter 44.6 mm. www.arnoldandson.com

Inspired by John and John Roger Arnold’s regulators and British skeleton clocks such as this one with a chain driven fusée, England, 1830-1845

SINCERE FINE WATCHES Takashimaya S.C. / +65 6733 0618 SINCERE HAUTE HORLOGERIE The Shopping Gallery, Hilton Singapore / +65 6738 9971 EXCLUSIVE RETAILER FOR SINGAPORE

EDITOR’S NOTE

IN THE HOT SEAT Singapore Tatler interviewed fashion savant Victoria Beckham at a private cocktail hosted by British Airways after her closing show for Singapore Fashion Week 2015. Turn to p.66 for the interview, helmed by our publisher and managing director Gilbert Cheah

nd Trend Spotting

EDITOR’S PICK

With handsome leather accents, the Rimowa Bossa Nova in olive green (so on-trend, see p.90) was launched in Singapore with live botanical painting on the luggage itself. More Rimowa x Art on p.208. rimowa.com

hen e-mail first overtook snail mail in sending your thoughts and sentiments to another, some said post offices would close down. People stopped sending Christmas cards and letters when sending e-cards and e-mails became the “in” thing to do—and best of all, they were free. Some predicted the slow and imminent death of the institution called the post office. Today, however, post offices are still thriving. Is it any surprise? Not when you consider how much shopping is done online these days—and how many packages need to be delivered every day. Without local offices’ on-ground support, freight companies and online stores would find it impossible to meet their customer promises. Ironically, too, sending a written note is now much more personal and valuable than sending a trendy animated e-card. Observing social trends and how they impact businesses is what helps lifestyle investors enter the market before anyone else, so that they can be there, ready with what you didn’t know you needed, by the time you catch up.

For property developers like Satinder Garcha, it has been the bedrock of his multimilliondollar business. Our cover subject this month gives us the insight into his business strategy and upcoming projects, as well as his vision and predictions on the property horizon (p.182). We also proﬁle Tan Su Shan (p.60) and Lim Koon Park (p.64), who tell us why tenacity and foresight have been their driving forces. Our publisher and managing director Gilbert Cheah was recently invited to conduct a live interview on stage at a private cocktail event that British Airways hosted for Victoria Beckham. The multihyphenate, who has managed to predict trends and give her fans, audience and women what they really want, lets her guard down and reveals who she really draws her inspiration from. Turn to p.66 for the story, and also visit SingaporeTatler.com for more excerpts from our closed-door exclusive with her. Enjoy the issue, and see you next month!

—jane ngiam Editor-in-Chief singapor e tatler . july 2015

BEHIND THE SCENES

A True Natural Cover star Satinder Garcha shows his flair for hospitality, while three jewellery houses reveal what makes them distinct and desirable

PRECIOUS GEMS Emy Huang admires the sparkle of a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace

L I F E .

E X T R A O R D I N A R Y

JULY 2015 PHOTOGRAPHY Gan

nd JJuly uly 22015 015

SATINDER GARCHA ELEVATING E L E VAT IN G THE THE LUXURY LU XURY BOUTIQUE B O U T I Q UE H HOTEL OTE EL EXPERIENCE E X PER IE ENCE

CREATIVE DIRECTION Peter Stephens FASHION DIRECTION Desmond Lim GROOMING GregO, using L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art and Biotherm PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANTS Sam Sidi and Vincent STYLIST’S ASSISTANT Joey Tan OUTFIT Berluti WATCH Breguet

COMPLEX WONDER

Breguet’s bewitching La Tradition Fusée Tourbillon 7047

WORDS AND IMAGES: CHONG SEOW WEI

he morning heat outside The Duxton, the hotel our cover star Satinder Garcha owns, was sweltering. And it only fuelled the Singapore Tatler team’s anxiety over having just two hours to do a photo shoot with the busy businessman. Still, Satinder displayed a sense of cool and a natural flair for hospitality from the get-go, ordering the crew a round of coffee and iced water from the hotel’s cafe, Farm to Table. This warmth extended to the very minute before he rushed off to prep for his national polo tournament that same afternoon, as he gave two waiting customers at the cafe their coffees on the house. Now that’s what we call hospitality. The property man’s model-like stature and sportsman’s build saw the Berluti outfit set out for him fit him like a glove—no clips or pins needed, thank you. And he knows his enviable frame well; within an hour-and-a-half, we had pictures of him from seven different angles. This issue, we also join jewellery lover Emy Huang at Van Cleef & Arpels’ first ever Design to Your Dreams event in Singapore, where she and a select few customers enjoyed private appointments with the Parisian jeweller to create bespoke pieces, while watches & jewellery associate editor Karishma Tulsidas meets Tiffany & Co’s design director Francesca Amfitheatrof in New York for the launch of her first Blue Book Collection for the brand. Meanwhile, three local photographers unveil their interpretations of the promises held in Cartier’ss signature red box, in a special jewellery spread on p.160.

CONTRIBUTORS

TRAVELLING NOTES The T’ang Quartet is known for many things. Groundbreaking. Cutting edge. Artistically impeccable. Underlying that patina of acclaim is a lot of hard work—constant innovation, steady reinvention and regular updates. For the past 20 years, the group’s musical dexterity has surprised and delighted audiences in Singapore and the rest of the world. Their creative output is an artful blend of East and West, seamlessly reinterpreting classical work for contemporary fans while appealing to traditional audiences. The T’ang Quartet is (from left) Lionel Tan (viola), Ang Chek Meng (2nd violin), Ng Yu-Ying (1st violin) and Leslie Tan (cello). This issue, they share excerpts from their travel journals to Toulouse in France where they performed two concerts in April (p.188).

TOUCH THE SKY Rupert Walker is an awardwinning ﬁnancial journalist, editor and conference moderator who covers a broad range of issues for several ﬁnancial publications and organisations in Asia. He has been based in Hong Kong since 2007 and has a background as a fund manager and investment banker. He scuppered his career in debt capital markets by becoming a whistleblower. This month, Rupert explores vintage planes as an avenue for investment (p.220).

PRESS CLICK Lionel Lai was a mere child when he ﬁrst held a camera up to peer through its lens. His passion and dedication to this art has since propelled him to greater heights. Swift and decisive, he encapsulates the heart and soul of his subjects into his pictures. This month, he photographs Lim Koon Park, founder of Park + Associates in Close-Up (p.64) and Yeo Shuyi in Proﬁle (p.97).

singapor e tatler . july 2015

ROBERTOC OIN.C OM

POIS MOI COLLECTION

CONTRIBUTORS

POWER TO THE PEOPLE After dabbling in business development, Grace Ma returned to her ﬁrst love: writing. From previously interviewing business honchos for The Edge Singapore to her current work as a freelance journalist, she is most intrigued by the workings of successful businesses and inspiring stories of ordinary people chasing their dreams while juggling life’s vagaries. In this month’s Philanthropy column, Grace looks at travel and hospitality brands that are committed to sustainable luxury tourism (p.222).

FROM RUNWAY TO STUDIO Olivier Yoan grew up in the picturesque south of France that inspired so many great artists. That, and the love for all things creative that runs in his family, led him to the worlds of fashion and photography. At 17, he quit school to travel the world for six years modelling for labels such as Hermès, Cerruti and Levi’s. At 22, he bought his ﬁrst professional camera and began shooting friends in the modelling industry. Now his clients include major fashion brands and magazines, as well as NGOs such as World Vision and Habitat for Humanity. He shoots the Chanel Haute Couture fashion spread in this issue (p.110).

FACE FORWARD Singapore-based photographer Max Chan favours a photojournalistic approach that showcases timeless moments. From fashion events to political ﬁgures like former prime minister Goh Chok Tong, Max has shot them all. This issue, he captures the action at the Magosaburo Sake Pairing Dinner (p.73) and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra Appreciation Lunch (p.78).

singapor e tatler . july 2015

THE GREAT DEBATE

Are house-warming gift registries appropriate? YES

JUNE RIN

SARA TASEER

House-warming

gift registries are helpful for guests as they remove the guesswork and headache of deciding what to buy. Guests can purchase an item truly wanted by the host, without having to worry about the appropriate amount to spend on the gift. While a gift registry provides gift ideas, guests shouldn’t feel restricted by it. I’m sure a host would understand and find it acceptable if guests brought flowers or a bottle of bubbly—both useful for a party anyway. Hosts also benefit from having such a registry; for example, newly-weds can receive gifts that are truly useful or fitting of their new home, as opposed to gifts that are repetitive or out of sync in terms of practicality or style. Of course, they also need to be sensitive with their wish list—there should be items and necessities across a wider price range, instead of only or mostly items with intimidating price tags.

A neuroanaesthesiologist at Singapore General Hospital, June Rin says that offering reasonably priced gift options maintains the joy of giving

Old fashioned as it may seem, I feel that inviting people to your home should never come bound with an expectation of any sort other than receiving blessings, good karma and goodwill. It’s your place to show generosity and grace. Any obligation, let alone a gift registry, is in poor taste. Perhaps my view is coloured by my belief that asking for gifts at any time is inappropriate. My hesitation at a gift registry is because it puts emphasis on receiving gifts, rather than focusing on the sentiments of the celebration. It’s material versus spiritual. It’s also impersonal and distasteful, as little thought goes into selecting the gift and its price is known. There’s also the risk of offending the giver, by the price or extravagance of gift ideas listed out. Gifts should come as tokens of social grace, rather than as lists of needs with glaring price tags as a home registry suggests. Mastermind of her eponymous jewellery label, Sara Taseer is an avid supporter of the old adage, “It’s the thought that counts”

Visit SingaporeTatler.com/jul15 to continue the debate

singapor e tatler . july 2015

LEFT RIGHT, LEFT RIGHT The Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soldiers marching past Elgin Bridge as part of the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday Parade on June 5, 1952, when Singapore was still under colonial rule. This is just one of hundreds of photographs on display at the Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow exhibition at the ArtScience Museum

hong kong tatler . month year

CONCIERGE This month’s must-do list

IMAGE: THE STRAITS TIMES

INBOX

SMALL TALK

WHAT’S ON

FEAST

ART AGENDA

Get some track action at the 20th Emirates Singapore Derby and the Porsche Circuit

Seven of Singapore’s acclaimed auteurs share their cinematic love letters to the nation

hon g kong tatler . month year

Soak in the rich heritage of Southeast Asia and indulge in some pop culture this month

Expect refined classic Italian cuisine at great value at Beppe De Vito’s newest joint

Going against the grain: this month’s art calendar is all about defying traditions

CONCIERGE | INBOX

IN THE DIARY

SPARKLE FEST From July 2 to 5, the Singapore International Jewelry Expo 2015 plays host to international jewellery exhibitors and experts from Asia, Europe and the US. The event will be held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

COMPETITIVE STREAK Singapore’s second-richest horse race, the Emirates Singapore Derby 2015 will once again be an exciting battling ground for top jockeys from around the world

FAST TRACK The 20th Emirates Singapore Derby promises greater track action, race fashion and giving back n the blink of an eye, it seems, the Emirates Singapore Derby is celebrating its 20th edition at the Singapore Turf Club. The July 12 race day will see plenty of action and excitement on the track, with a $1.15m prize purse for the taking. Horseracing, a sport entrenched in Dubai’s Bedouin roots, is the most important of Emirates’ sports sponsorship portfolio. Dubai’s national airline has also supported myriad sports over nearly three decades,

OPEN DOORS End July will see two new additions joining the line-up of luxury brands at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. French jewellery house Boucheron will debut its very first boutique in an integrated resort, finished with the brand’s latest store concept, while fashion label Sandro will open its second standalone boutique on our isle.

with footprints in major international tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup and Formula One Grand Prix. Its partnership with Singapore Turf Club for this derby stands as one of its longest in this aspect. Andrew Bunn, who oversees the Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia markets for Emirates, says to expect an “exciting blend of fashion, glamour and philanthropy within the grandstand”, with fundraising for the Community Chest. Over $42,000 was raised for the organisation last year.

ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS A Dale Edmonds, founder of Riverkids, on the reality of child D S Since 2001, Riverkids has been ssupporting over 280 families vvulnerable to child trafficking iin Cambodia each month and educating their children. e For 2015, Riverkids founder and director Dale Edmonds a iis set on raising US$100,000 tto buy a building in the city of Phnom Penh, where new

facilities including rooms for childcare and counselling can be built. For that, Riverkids will hold its first live art auction at Canvas Singapore on July 31, where artists Yuzuru Maeda and Lai Yao Khuan will paint live to the SG50 theme. The event is in line with the organisation’s efforts to

inspire with art. “The live art auction is where we share the spark of watching art get created, a spark that will make the world more beautiful —and, for some of the children in Cambodia, a lot safer and happier,” says Edmonds. For more information, e-mail liveartatcanvas@gmail.com.

singapor e tatler . july 2015

WORDS: CHONG SEOW WEI

t trafficking and her team’s efforts to end it

CONCIERGE | INBOX

RUMOUR MILL

orsche in singapore is celebrating two milestones in a big way this month: SG50, of course, and its dealership Stuttgart Auto’s 30th anniversary. A veritable motorhead’s playground will be set up at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Porsche Circuit, open to the public on July 24, will showcase a host of classic, motorsport and latest models, including special SG50 limited editions. Le Mans motor racing driver Earl Bamber

SOCIETY LADIES The number of tablemates a snobbish madam had to notice were friends with the unfamiliar face seated next to her, whom she had ignored throughout dinner, before she decided the lady was probably someone she might also want to get to know.

will be present to sign autographs, and there’ll also be a mini circuit complete with Porsche 911 pedal cars for the little ones to put their driving skills to the test. A Lego mural of the SG50 Porsche, built by 50 children selected by government foundation SportCares—the event’s supported charity—will also be displayed, and the kids will be given a special treat: a ride through Singapore in 50 Porsche 911s driven by the members of Porsche Club Singapore. Go to theporschecircuit.sg for more information.

Present Situation Housewarming gifts can be a hit or miss, as any homeowner can attest to. We’ve heard some horror stories, but the one that tops the list of unwanted gifts was a carved wooden doll bestowed to Lydia Lim’s family believed to house a baby spirit.

ASK AND RECEIVE Should professional event planners be on the organising committees of charity fundraisers that their companies then execute for profit? An eyebrow is twitching to raise itself… COPY, PASTE. COPY, PASTE With the flowers. Now with the art installation. And the models. And this group of friends. And that group… Throughout a recent party, one lady who has resurfaced on the social radar after finding a new sugar daddy pestered the event photographer to take photos of her at every juncture, striking the exact same pose in each shot. Had she been practising during her time out?

singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGES: 123RF.COM (WOODEN DOLL AND KEYBOARD)

GEAR UP

FACE OFF The enemy of my enemy is my friend? Not for two rival Instagram queens, who’d each thought the other was behind mocking comments on their feeds. Turns out, the keyboard warrior (identity still unknown) was a hater of both, so who’s to say where the battle lines are drawn?

CONCIERGE | SMALL TALK

BAND OF AUTEURS Kelvin Tong, Eric Khoo, K Rajagopal, Royston Tan, Tan Pin Pin, Boo Junfeng and Jack Neo have created a series of short films that focus on themes of tradition, legacy, embrace, song, roots, evolution and time respectively

LOVE NOTES Seven of Singapore’s acclaimed auteurs share their cinematic love letters to the nation heir films have always been about the lives and stories of Singaporeans. So for seven of the country’s most illustrious filmmakers—Boo Junfeng, Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, K Rajagopal, Tan Pin Pin, Royston Tan and Kelvin Tong—it was only natural to pay a cinematic tribute to Singapore this golden jubilee year. They have come together for 7 Letters, an anthology of short films that is an intimate reflection on their unique stories and connection with Singapore, which will be screened at the newly refurbished Capitol Theatre from July 24 to 26. “With Singapore’s 50th year of independence, we want to inspire Singaporeans to come together and reflect on our nation’s journey, revel in how far we have come, and look forward to a brighter future,” says Royston Tan, who is leading the project. “The best way we know how is through film, which allows us to celebrate both Singapore and its people.” The filmmakers are not sticking to their usual formulae. Boo Junfeng’s film is his first narrated in Malay, while Jack Neo makes the transition from feature to short—and his first romance genre. This is also documentary filmmaker Tan Pin Pin’s first drama film. Don’t miss the cameo by Oscarwinning French actress Juliette Binoche in Eric Khoo’s film. The directors tell us more about their films and what it means to be a Singaporean.

What does being a Singaporean mean to you? How did this influence your chosen theme for the film? Boo Junfeng: Being Singaporean means being appreciative of our diversity, and being adaptable to change. My short film, Parting, is about a Malay man who returns to Singapore from Malaysia in search of a Chinese woman he used to love. It is about a relationship that could not continue due to the circumstances of its time, and explores the evolution of societal norms—a relationship that was deemed an anomaly a few decades ago seems perfectly normal today. I hope Singapore, 50 years from now, will be a society that is a lot more inclusive.

Eric Khoo: This is my tribute to the golden era of Singapore cinema during the 1950s and ’60s with elements of horror, comedy and drama, and a spotlight on the talents and multiracial collaborations behind classic Malay horror films during that time. It is amazing that in Singapore, no matter our race, we can sit, eat and mingle comfortably together. This is one aspect of being a Singaporean that I am very passionate about. I think a lot of this is delivered in this personal short, Cinema. Jack Neo: The theme of my film, That Girl, differs from all the others I have made. It is a childhood love story that focuses on the secret crushes between boys and girls. These usually involve one

singapor e tatler . july 2015

WORDS: HASHIRIN NURIN HASHIMI; IMAGES: 7 LETTERS

SILVER SCREEN Behind the scenes at Tan Pin Pin’s (pictured left) first drama film, Pineapple Town; Eric Khoo’s Cinema explores the golden age of the film industry in Singapore (below)

party quietly doing things for the person they like, while the recipient of the affection is often oblivious to it. It is only when the giver leaves that the receiver realises—but it is often too late. There are many people who don’t know gratitude and don’t cherish the happiness that they have. To me, Singaporeans are luckier than many in other countries. Yet, many take things for granted and we should really reflect on this. K Rajagopal: This project came at a time when I had just lost my mother. The Flame is about an event she told me about, which took place when I was about six, and is set in 1971 during the sudden withdrawal of the British military from Singapore. An Indian family encounters a lifechanging offer of British citizenship for their years

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of military service. The Anglophile patriarch is determined to leave with his colonial masters, but his newlywed son and daughter-in-law yearn to stay in Singapore. The notion of state and identity during the early years of Singapore’s nation building is explored through a biographical account of an important moment of my parents’ life at a time when patriotism, loyalty and sense of belonging collided between two generations. The meaning of being a Singaporean is still something I don’t have an answer for. For a long time, I saw myself as Chinese for being able to speak Mandarin and having Chinese friends. The negative stereotypes I faced when I was younger also made me feel that being Indian was somehow wrong. Eventually, I accepted

who I was and went on a journey to trace my roots to India. Hence, the search for identity and the need to create a film about Indians. Tan Pin Pin: Pineapple Town is about the legacy we leave behind for future generations. It tells the story of a mother who goes on a road trip to find out more about her child. My films have always been on the topic of finding one’s roots, so this is more of a continuation of all my films thus far. I am always asking myself, in all my films, how we became who we are today. This film has the same theme, transposed to a Singaporean family. I think this question is important to ask, to understand ourselves or we would be lost. Royston Tan: We live in a multicultural society so it’s natural that people around us speak different languages. My short,

Bunga Sayang, is set in the 1980s and revolves around neighbours who don’t speak the same language, but communicate through their love for music. I wanted to capture the sounds and music of my childhood—one of it being Chinese opera. This film is also quieter than my previous ones because it has many poignant moments. My growing up years in the 1980s are a constant inspiration because those were impressionable years. Kelvin Tong: Most of my films are about relationships between people, family members and friends. GPS (or Grandma Positioning System) is about one’s relationship with a country’s geography, and landmarks, places, streets and colours. It’s about an old woman who tells her dead husband how to get home from his grave every Qingming (tombsweeping festival). I chose to celebrate our streets, buildings and landmarks that are now gone. They are very important to me as they live in the collective memories of Singapore. We have a very rich, albeit short, history to be proud of.

CONCIERGE | WHAT’S ON

jul

From pop culture to the rich heritage of Southeast Asia, July is a month packed with activities for the young and the young at heart

GREAT PERANAKANS: FIFTY REMARKABLE LIVES Feast your eyes on artefacts from 50 Peranakan pioneers who’ve made their mark in Singapore over the past two centuries. Till March 31 2016, at Peranakan Museum. peranakanmuseum.org.sg

PETER & BLUE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY Join Peter and his dog Blue on an hour-long magical adventure to celebrate Peter’s birthday —with a surprise twist at the end. This children’s ballet production fuses meaningful morals with fairytale fantasy. Till July 5, at Esplanade Theatre Studio. singaporedancetheatre.com

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN Direct from London’s West End, this hilarious musical tells the story of the 1952 MGM movie Singin’ in the Rain. With romance, charm and wit, it portrays the transition of Hollywood from silent to sound. Till July 26, at MasterCard Theatres’ Grand Theatre in Marina Bay Sands. lunchboxproductions.com

9 M1 CHINESE THEATRE FESTIVAL This month-long festival highlights a mix of local Chinese theatre and regional works both mainstream and indie. Notable works include multi-award winning play The Last Supper by Hong Kong Repertory Theatre and Kuo Pao Kun’s The Struggle: Years Later. Till August 2, at Lasalle College of the Arts. practice.org.sg

MAHLER 8: A GIFT TO THE ENTIRE NATION Featuring both local and international cast and chorus, Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand leads in with a medieval Pentecost hymn and closes with Goethe’s Faust. Till July 11 at Esplanade Concert Hall. orchestra.sg

JEFF CHANG LOVE LIGHT YEAR 2015 LIVE CONCERT Indulge in an evening of nostalgia with Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang as he performs his hit ballads over the past 26 years at the Singapore stop on his world tour. At Resorts World Convention Centre’s Resorts World Ballroom. rwsentosa.com

17 ART APART FAIR Works by Filipino artists such as Ramon Orlina (below) and Ronald Ventura take the spotlight alongside international works in a celebration of art and diversity at the sixth local edition of this hotel-based boutique art fair. Till July 19, at Parkroyal on Pickering. artapartfair.com

24 MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK: 25 LIVE The Danish band rolls out a newly produced one-night-only concert for fans featuring all-time hits like The Actor and 25 Minutes. At The Star Theatre. mltr.dk

OUR STARS AND MOON, MY RED AND WHITE Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Choir pays tribute to Singapore’s 50th year of independence with a medley of songs that celebrate the Singaporean identity. One night only, at Sota Concert Hall. singaporeopera.com.sg

CALIFORNIA

JAPAN

ENGLAND

SEOUL

JULY 16–19

JULY 24–26

JULY 28–AUGUST 2

TILL AUGUST 25

Wanderlust Squaw Valley at North Lake Tahoe celebrates healthy living with an inspiring line-up of yoga workshops and live music to heal the mind, body and soul. wanderlust.com

Rock out with the likes of Foo Fighters, Deadmau5, Belle and Sebastian, Motörhead and Muse at the Fuji Rock Festival, the largest outdoor music festival in Japan. fujirockfestival.com

The world’s elite equestrians and their mounts compete in a range of events, from showjumping to scurry driving, at the Longines Royal International Horse Show. hickstead.co.uk

Christian Dior celebrates the opening of its new boutique with the Esprit Dior exhibition, which showcases some of the luxury brand’s most stunning designs from past to present. dior.com

singapor e tatler . july 2015

WORDS: CONSTANCE YEO; IMAGE: NICOLETHEN STUDIO (PETER & BLUE’S BIRTHDAY PARTY)

ONGOING

HOT TICKET | CONCIERGE

ONE MAN’S VISION Take a look back on the life and legacy of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew; and journey through the nation’s past, present and future with archive photographs

WORDS: HASHIRIN NURIN HASHIMI; IMAGES: METROPOLITAN PRODUCTIONS; LOW YEW KONG, SAMUEL HE AND THE STRAITS TIMES

YOUNG LOVE Actors Adrian Pang and Sharon Au (above) reenacting a photo of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Madam Kwa Geok Choo as students at Cambridge

FUTURE STATE From a British colony of the Straits Settlements to a global metropolis, every step of Singapore’s development has been chronicled in the pages of The Straits Times. First published in July 15, 1845, Singapore’s oldest English-language daily newspaper—which celebrates its 170th anniversary this year— will dig deep into its archives and showcase never-before-seen photographs with the Singapore STories: Then, Now, Tomorrow exhibition, which opens on July 17 at the ArtScience Museum in Marina Bay Sands. Singapore’s past, present and future will unfold with hundreds of frontpage stories, headlines and photographs spread across six galleries mirroring the sections of the newspaper: Business, World, Home, Sport, Life and Forum. Fifty ideas contributed by the public on Singapore’s future buildings, homes and green spaces will also feature in the Forum gallery. Admission is free. Till October 4. marinabaysands.com/museum

singapor e tatler . july 2015

ehind every great man, there’s a great woman. For Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, that woman was his Cambridgeeducated lawyer wife, Madam Kwa Geok Choo. Much has been said about their relationship and how his private life had shaped the public man. This is just one of the many facets of Mr Lee that will be explored in The LKY Musical which opens on July 21. Presented by Metropolitan Productions, the musical traces a young Mr Lee from his early days at Rafﬂes College and surviving the Japanese Occupation to leading Singapore to its independence in 1965. Taking on the titular role of Mr Lee is actor Adrian Pang, while actress-host Sharon Au plays Madam Kwa. The production is helmed by veteran London director Steven Dexter of Forbidden City fame; written by American playwright Tony Petito, founding artistic director of the Singapore Repertory Theatre, based on a story by Singaporean writer Meira Chand; with a score by composer Dick Lee. Till August 16, at MasterCard Theatres’ Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands. metroprod.com

FROM PAST TO PRESENT From top: Thenprime minister Lee Kuan Yew at a press conference after Singapore’s separation from Malaysia; Flood in Cecil Street circa 1848; the Marina Bay skyline—the epitome of a vibrant global city

CONCIERGE | FEAST

TASTE OF ITALY Osteria Art, the newest dining establishment by restaurateur Beppe De Vito, offers an elegant dining experience and refined classic Italian cuisine at great value

POWER PUFFS PRE-DINNER BITES

Munch on these puffy Parmigiano cheese bombolinis (below) and sip the Barchetta, a cocktail made with sage, thyme and bay leafinfused gin, Contratto Vermouth Bianco, lemon, cucumber and soda—a refreshing concoction reminiscent of summer in Italy.

VEGGIE MIGHT

ANTIPASTI

Share a few antipasti dishes such as the creamy porcini mushroom flan flanked by aromatic truffle leek veloute (right), a great vegetarian starter, or the crab and tarragon frittata.

CARB FIX HOMEMADE PASTA

Osteria Art’s pastas impress with their robust ﬂavour and homemade goodness. Tuck into thick ribbons of pappardelle with soft pork cheek, crispy pancetta and red wine. This dish will instantly transport you to a top-notch osteria in Italy. Spaghetti with crab and nduja is a good seafood option.

5 46

ITALIAN ELEGANCE INTIMATE SPACE

The restaurant decked in plush red leather seats, and illuminated by dazzling handmade brass sconces is great for business lunches or intimate dinners. There’s also a sophisticated bar at the entrance where you can have pre- or post-dinner wines or cocktails.

STREET FARE ELEVATED PORCINE PLEASURE

The suckling pig porchetta, a reﬁned rendition of the traditional Italian pork roast, is perfect for sharing between two diners. The crackling skin and juicy, fatty meat accompanied by savoury herb stufﬁng is carved at the table, and served with mash and spinach.

Osteria Art: 01-01, 55 Market Street, tel: 6877 6933

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CONCIERGE | ART AGENDA

AGAINST THE GRAIN From avant-garde mediums to unconventional outdoor settings, this month’s art calendar is all about defying traditions NEW ARRIVAL The inaugural Seattle Art Fair will showcase the creativity of the US West Coast and the Paciﬁc Rim. It’s run by Art Market Productions, which oversees six other art fairs in the US. The fair will be split into two parts: a centralised exhibition featuring up to 50 galleries, and various sites throughout the city that will highlight individual artists. seattleartfair.com

ART IN NATURE A

EC ECHIGO-TSUMARI ART TRIENNIAL JULY 26–SEPTEMBER 13 JU

A Along with performing arts events, hu hundreds of artworks and installations cr created under the theme “art is how ppeople engage with nature and ccivilisation” will enhance the landscape oof Japan’s rural Echigo-Tsumari rregion during its sixth triennial. echigo-tsumari.jp e

LOOKING BACK

BEST OF BRITISH

GUGGENHEIM UNTIL OCTOBER 12

CHRISTIE’S SOUTH KENSINGTON JULY 8

This major retrospective of acclaimed artist Doris Salcedo spans three decades of sculptures and installations, many created from everyday objects, addressing social injustices such as racism and colonialism that her native Colombia continues to struggle with today. guggenheim.org

This sale showcases British Victorian, Pre-Raphaelite, impressionist, sporting and maritime art spanning the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, featuring works by Albert Henry Collings, Guy Taplin and William Huggins. christies.com

ANDY WARHOL A O Dollar Bill (Silver One C Certificate) leads the July c contemporary art sale at S Sotheby’s London

Mustard Race Riot sells for US$15m at Christie’s New York

• 2004

Mao sells for US$17m at Christie’s New York

• 2006

Green Car Crash (Green Burning Car I) sells for US$71.7m at Christie’s New York

• 2007

Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster) sells for US$105m at Sotheby’s New York

• 2013

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IMAGES: THE ARCH OF LIFE BY ILYA AND EMILIA KABAKOV (ECHIGO-TSUMARI TRIENNIAL); COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S IMAGE LTD. 2015 (CHRISTIE’S SOUTH KENSINGTON); COURTESY OF FEDERICO URIBE AND ADELSON GALLERIES AND ANN HAMILTON AND ELIZABETH LEACH GALLERY (SEATTLE ART FAIR); COURTESY ALEXANDER AND BONIN, NEW YORK (GUGGENHEIM)

SEATTLE ART FAIR JULY 30–AUGUST 2

he Maruman Koso (Enzyme Drink) is a health drink made with a traditional recipe passed down over generations, made using the freshest Japanese fruits and vegetables by fermenting the mixture and breaking it down into a nutrient concentrate that is easy to absorb and highly beneﬁcial for the body.

With the modern lifestyle having insufﬁcient rest, unwholesome diets, chemicals in food and environmental pollution, Maruman Enzyme is your solution to supplement what your body is lacking. Consume for general well being and to enhance the body’s detoxiﬁcation and rejuvenation capabilities, to bring about better health, energy levels, radiant skin and support weight control. Available exclusively from Four Seasons Organic Market Great World City B2-07 | 6836 1855 and Parkway Parade B1-83A | 6345 3828 THE NATURAL AND ORGANIC GROCER

Eat Healthy. Be Healthy.

singapor e tatler . month year

FACES The people, the parties and the events

PAGE

FAB FETE nd Johnny and Elya Manglani take to Udaipur in India for the vibrantly grand celebrations of their silver jubilee wedding anniversary and Johnnyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big 5-0

The shows, the designers and the parties at Singapore Fashion Week 2015

Banker Tan Su Shan on powerful leaderships and making more women a part of the equation

Pair pink, ruffled confections with sparkling rocks; and black with a sprinkling of gold

Highlights from charity galas, Wagyu and sake dinners, and supercar launches

Be it at business, family or social events, Grace Yeh juggles her multiple roles with perfect poise

SOIREE

CLOSE-UP

singapor e tatler . month year

LEADING LADIES

ONLOOKER

IT GIRL

eryl Lee with Stephanie and Ch berg Diane von Fursten Marilyn Lum and

Sarah Rutson, Victoria Beckham and Lupe Puerta

nd Steven Kolb and Crystal Wagar

In Vogue Loh May-Han and Adrian Ng

Rany Moran and Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi

SINGAPORE FASHION WEEK 2015 Acclaimed as the fashion event of the year, the ďŹ ve-day Singapore Fashion Week (SFW) 2015 in May was one of the best editions yet. Headlining the event at the Tent @ Orchard at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza were the inimitable Diane von Furstenberg and British style icon Victoria Beckham, who opened and closed the festival respectively. In between, ThaiAmerican designer Thakoon Panichgul and Australian designer Dion Lee showcased their latest collections, as did homegrown labels Dzojchen and Ong Shunmugam. SFW chairman Tjin Lee also invited Von Furstenberg, Panichgul and Lee to participate in the Fashion Talks, held at LaSalle College of the Arts, to share their fashion journey and advice on surviving in the industry. But of course, the highlight of the fashion week was the private parties. singapor e tatler . july 2015

SOIREE | FACES

Tiara Shaw

Brittany Hampton hgul and Thakoon Panic

Ginny Wiluan and Celina Lin Caroline Low-Heah

Paige Parker and Tjin Lee

Dana Cheong and Rasina Rubin

singapor e tatler . july 2015

FACES | SOIREE

BY INVITE ONLY Open only to an exclusive crowd of stylistas, high society and fashion VIPs, post-show cocktail and dinner sessions were held at The St. Regis Singapore as individual finales to the Diane von Furstenberg, Thakoon and Victoria Beckham shows. On opening night, Von Furstenberg was honoured at an intimate five-course dinner at the hotel’s French restaurant, Brasserie Les Saveurs, with designers Panichgul and Lee, as well as Steven Kolb, chief executive of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, in attendance. Female guests, in particular, were seen exchanging style notes with the fashion designer, who gave away signed copies of her book, The Woman I Wanted to Be. Meanwhile, a select group of Thakoon lovers mingled with the designer, over canapes and Belvedere Vodka martinis, after his show. A jazz band also had everyone present at The St. Regis’ Embassy and Consulate room swaying to soulful tunes. Following Victoria Beckham’s stunning closing show on the final day of the festival, Net-a-Porter.com hosted a cocktail reception for the cool-cat designer. Also held at Brasserie Les Saveurs, it saw over 100 guests meeting the very private designer.

Susanna Kang June Rin and Iroshini Chua

Sistha Alicia Tjokrosaputro with Vashty and Tinny Soegomo Dick Lee and Trina Liang-Lin

CLOSET COVETS

Thakoon’s luxe-boho designs for Fall’15 stunned with rich autumn colours and smart layering of different textures

Elaine Kim

Russell Wong

Arissa Cheo

Karen Ng

Celeste Basapa

Linda Soo-Tan

Ho Ching Lin

FACES | SOIREE Sameer Bhat, Dan Vigdor, Vadim Belyakov, Dinesh Shahani and Sudhir Gupta

Elya arrived at Leela Palace on a doli decorated with ﬂowers

Palatial Proportions INDIAN FANTASY It was a party the guests wished never had to end. And why wouldn’t they? Set against the romantic backdrop of glittering lakes and majestic palaces of Udaipur in India, the Indian Fantasy double celebration hosted by Elya and Johnny Manglani was a glamorous affair marked by traditional ceremonies, sophisticated wining and dining, sterling entertainment, non-stop dancing, and of course, some very ﬁne threads. After all, the occasion was the 25th silver wedding jubilee and the 50th birthday of the president and CEO of men’s fashion retailer Uomo Group. Some 150 guests travelled to the Indian city from as far as Russia and Singapore to join the couple and their two daughters, Anita and

Sergey and Tanya Azatyan

Hiro and Neelam Bhojwani

Olga and Alexander Iserlis

BURST OF COLOUR

Friends from Moscow join in the traditional dance

Dasha Manglani Natasha and Hannes Chopra

Jyoti and Raj Hiranandani

nd Dasha, in the celebrations. They were given a warm welcome over a candlelit dinner at Leela Palace, which flowed into an evening of cigars and music. During the mehndi party the following afternoon, guests sportingly donned traditional Indian outfits and had their hands painted in henna art amid a vibrant atmosphere of Indian beats and dances. But ut the mood was only just starting to build. In the evening, the 17th century Jagmandirr Island Palace set the scene for the main event. Guests were given a grand welcome by traditional musicians before witnessing the couple’s renewal of vows through a series of elaborate rituals including worshipping the sacred fire. The festivities continued with Johnny’s birthday bash at the Zenana Mahal Palace where Elya morphed herself into a Bond girl for a scintillating delivery of Gladys Knight’s Licence to Kill on stage as a surprise for her husband. Completing the three-part soiree were lively speeches, performances by invited dance troupes and by Johnny’s male friends as well as endless dancing worthy of a Bollywood blockbuster.

Elya and Johnny Manglani

Anita Manglani

Monique Wilson holds the

nd Diana Widjaja

Chiang Yu Lan

Soetikno Soedarjo and Umberto Macchi Grace Chng

Tony and Serene Liok

Caption xxxxx

audience rapt

SOIREE | FACES

Renee Tan and Karen Ong-Tan Fanty Soenardy

Edmund Lin and Trina Liang-Lin

Harpreet Bedi

nd Wong Wei Ling

La Dolce Vita BVLGARI BRINGS CINEMATIC GLAMOUR Reliving the glamour of Italian cinema, Bulgari introduced its high jewellery creations to a coterie of VIP guests at The St. Regis Singapore. The evening was themed Cinecittà, the name of the Roman movie studio that had produced movies like Cleopatra and Ben Hur. The cocktail area replicated mini cinematic sets recalling the golden days of Elizabeth Taylor, Gina Lollobrigida and Ingrid Bergman. Drinks and lots of photo-taking preluded the sumptuous sitdown dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Luca Fantin, who had specially ﬂown in from Bulgari’s Ginza Tower restaurant in Tokyo, to indulge guests with his well-known Italian-Japanese dishes. Guests were then treated to an exclusive fashion show, where the exquisite high jewellery pieces from the Italian maison were the stars of the evening.

hong kong tatler . month year

CLOSE-UP | FACES

Local Asset

PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIC SEOW, ASSISTED BY KING AND HALID; STYLING: DESMOND LIM, ASSISTED BY JOEY TAN; HAIR AND MAKE-UP: GREGO, USING L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL TECNI.ART AND DIOR; DRESS: HUGO BOSS; WATCH AND EARRINGS: BREGUET

One of Singapore’s brightest banking stars Tan Su Shan talks to Melissa Gail Sing about empowerment, powerful leaderships and making more women a part of the equation he’s the most prominent Singaporean banking talent today, and it’s not easy getting a slice of her time—a commodity sought after by clients, board directors, her staff, charities, even friends and family. So when Tan Su Shan says she’s going to tell a story, we’re all ears. Battling a post-Europe flu, she begins, “I was at a hotel for a lunch event with a female senior minister. As I shook her hand, something inside told me all was not well at home. Sure enough, when I called home, all I heard was screaming. My daughter kept saying, ‘There’s so much blood!’ “My heart sank! It turned out that my son, then just two, thinking he was Superman, had jumped off a ledge. Thankfully, he was fine, but he lost one or two teeth and a lot of blood. I don’t know what compelled me to call home that very minute it happened but I did, and I never do that. I put it down to the powers of the motherly instinct. Women have to trust their instinct. They also have to be effective time managers, be more vocal about what they want to achieve in their careers, and be able to multitask and set aside feelings of guilt for not always being there for their kids.” For the group head of consumer banking and wealth management at DBS Group, having more women in key leadership roles is a topic close to her heart. And as a high-flying career woman who’s constantly balancing work and family, she speaks from experience. While acknowledging some levelling in the playing field for men and women in senior leadership roles, the former Nominated Member of Parliament opines that more could be done to give women fairer representation at the top. “The perspectives of male and female leaderships can be quite different. And that diversity is very powerful. That’s why I encourage diversity on my teams, not just from a gender perspective but also looking at factors singapor e tatler . july 2015

such as culture, ability—people with different skills sets—and background. “It would be good to see more women at the top, and it’s up to other women leaders to enable it, and men, too, by taking on more women mentees. Equally crucial is greater acceptance of women at the top, particularly in political positions, which Singapore has worked hard towards. It’d be good to see a female US president soon. She’ll set the tone.” Su Shan herself began taking young women under her wing early in her career. One of her first few experiences culminated in the Financial Women’s Association of Singapore (FWAS), which she founded in 2001. Trina Liang-Lin, head of Templebridge Investments, was one of 11 friends who helped to get FWAS rolling. She was struck by Su Shan’s energy and optimism when they first met: “She has an infectious, nothing-isimpossible nature, laser-sharp intellect and is right at home on the world’s stage. She’s a pioneer who saw the importance of female networking and forming strong relationships in a male-dominated field. FWAS has since spawned many women’s groups within banks.” Over the years, Su Shan has been the tide that has quietly lifted legions of young women whom she’s mentored and become successful bankers. One of them, Loh Wanyun, got to know her in 2010 through DBS’ internal talent programme. Currently a vice president at the bank, she says Su Shan impressed upon her the importance of recognising one’s weaknesses, continuous learning, and thinking long-term, beyond short-term personal gain. “While she demands high standards, she’s first and foremost kind and gracious, the mark of a great leader. When I was pregnant, she shared advice on everything from childbirth to how to make working from home work,” she says. For Su Shan, success is seeing mentees like Loh excel. “It’s like watching my own child blossom. There’s no greater satisfaction.”

After cutting her teeth in the finance industry as an intern in a London dealing room, the Oxford graduate went on to hold senior positions at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup before joining DBS in 2010. As she rose up the corporate ladder, struggles like having to work in the hostile climates of Kuwait and China and several financial crises, made her better at her game. Nothing fazes her these days. “I’m not afraid to say I have no idea what you’re talking about, even if I’m the most senior person in a room. Pretending to know or ignoring what you don’t know can have dire consequences,” she says. Last October, she was named World’s Best Leader in Private Banking at the PWM/The Banker Global Private Banking Awards, a first for a Singaporean. Singled out among 30 banking leaders, she was commended for her role in the acquisition of the Asian private banking business of Société Générale during

the awards ceremony where DBS was also named Best Private Bank in Singapore. It must take some special power for anyone to oversee more than 2,000 private banking staff across the region while juggling the demands of family, board appointments and social commitments, but try calling Su Shan “powerful” and she laughs. “I don’t see myself as a woman in a powerful position but as a servant leader and I strive to be a good one. It’s about serving the people in your team, who work with you, not for you,” says the CHIJ alumnus who’s Catholic. What of the award? “It was really the team coming together to do a good deal. I happened to be the leader. If it means that ﬁnally, the global markets recognise Singapore and Singapore leaders, then I’m proud,” she says. Married to social entrepreneur Christopher Wilson with two teenage children, Su Shan is a big supporter of her husband’s charity, Social Capital Venture. She is also a board member of the KKH Health Endowment Fund, and an advisor to several education institutions. Through DBS, she spends weekends offering ﬁnancial counselling to the underprivileged. How does she do it all? She has a strong support system at home, chief of which is her mum. “She’s my greatest inspiration. She was always very career oriented and that rubbed off on me. Without her, I can’t survive. “The other woman I have great respect for is the late Margaret Thatcher; she was so single-minded in pursuing what she thought was right, even if that made her unpopular. Lee Kuan Yew was too. Who cares about being unpopular if you know you’re doing what’s right, be it for your country, people around you or your clients? I aspire to be like that.” Taking a leaf out of Winston Churchill’s book, she quotes, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” And her endless giving—to young women mentees, bank clients, staff and charities—is the making of Tan Su Shan’s living legacy.

FORWARD THINKING The founding president of the Financial Women’s Association of Singapore (FWAS), Tan Su Shan, who still occasionally gives talks at FWAS events, has always been vocal about leadership renewal. “Each committee does far better things than the one before it. And that’s part of our agenda—to enable women who’ve come and gone with bigger, better things to continue to groom younger women leaders who can then do bigger, better things, but not forget to press the elevator downwards and send other people up.”

singapor e tatler . july 2015

OUTFIT: GIORGIO ARMANI; WATCH AND EARRINGS: BREGUET

FACES | CLOSE-UP

‘London’s first Pop Art building’ centrepointlondon.com @CentrePointLDN

FACES | CLOSE-UP

Building Character For melding old structures with modern ideas, his firm was recently lauded in New York, but what really drives architect Lim Koon Park is creating work that’s meaningful to him, writes Melissa Gail Sing original architecture. To do so, we had to stop the landlord’s contractors from painting the vault and cleaning the windows because they felt obliged to do so,” says Koon Park who has been in the industry for about 25 years. This same ethos of going against the flow and creating experiences has guided the team through other notable projects like 1919—The Black and White Residence, another stunning perambulation of time and space, the Puss in Boots ride at Universal Studios Singapore, as well as current projects such as the Hwa Chong International School, Nanyang Girls’ High School and the Ritz-Carlton in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Receiving awards like the one from Interior Design Magazine and others from the Singapore Institute of Architects and New York-based Contract Magazine has thrust the firm into the international limelight. Talk to Koon Park about creating the next most iconic building or becoming the starchitect of the moment, however, and he says, “Awards are a recognition for our work and give us confidence to forge ahead. Eventually, what motivates me is and my team is doing what we think is good architecture and design.” Looking around his office, which resembles a gentlemen’s lair with its dark interiors, mood lighting and a sophisticated Le Corbusier chaise lounge, one can be certain that this man’s appreciation for exquisite design rolls over into his personal life. Beautifully made objects, touches of luxury and handcrafted artefacts inspire the collector of watches and pens. He says, “The craftsmanship and the deep thought that goes into the details and choice of materials, plus that element of surprise fascinate me. Architecture is my hobby, and when I interview young designers, I seek out like-minded individuals who see architecture not just as a job but as a way of life.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: LIONEL LAI/ACEPIX; GROOMING: SHA SHAMSI

any great architects grew up sketching buildings and had childhood dreams of seeing their visual fantasies come to life. But not Lim Koon Park. One might say that architecture grew on him. “It was only later in life that I was intrigued by the thought of a career in the legal field. That was one possible path. And the other was architecture,” he shares. Combining the analytical skills, creativity, logical thinking ability, research skills and interpersonal skills that would make a fine lawyer with his deep appreciation for objects of beauty and art, he chose architecture. In 1999, he founded his own firm, Park + Associates, and over the past 16 years, he has overseen some 200 projects in architecture and interior design spanning various typologies. Today, we find ourselves in one of these. Walking beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling, with cement floor under our feet and light filtering in through dusty window panes, we can almost hear a train rolling in. But this is no train station. Moving upstairs, we’re transported into an elegant reading room, then a chic bar, and a glass house. The last thing that comes to mind as we weave through the various spaces is work, but this old school library hall along Kim Yam Road has been fertile ground for producing innovative designs for the Park + Associates team over the past 18 months. For the unconventional design of its office space, the firm bagged top honours in the Designer’s Own Office Category of Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year Awards in the capital of design, New York, last December. “Challenging conventions about office space design, we took an anti-office approach, carving out different spaces to create a series of sensory experiences as you walk through. We also wanted to play up the character of the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My dream project is a resort which would be a culmination of my vast travel experiences into something really interestingâ&#x20AC;?

FACES | CLOSE-UP

Woman with Heart really like women,” declares Victoria Beckham. “Well, not in that way,” she adds to an eruption of laughter from the audience. “I want to empower women. I want them to go out confident and feeling sexy—which is why I do what I do.” The petite fashion designer was in town in May for the Singapore Fashion Week, where her autumn/winter 2015 collection was shown for the first time in Asia as the closing show. Just a day later, the tireless Brit was already fronting several engagements, including an exclusive cocktail with British Airways where Singapore Tatler was invited to conduct a live interview with her on stage. “This season, it was about sexy dressing again,” she says of her collection. “I wanted to bring it back to being focused on my signature silhouette and pushing it forward to offer something new. It was mainly about dresses; texture, as well. “The opportunity to show my collection and close Singapore Fashion Week is hugely exciting,” adds the designer, who says the Victoria Beckham brand “is me—it’s about a woman who really loves fashion and appreciates luxury”. If anyone should know about arriving in style, it’s Victoria. Dressed in a standout black number from her latest collection, sporting glowing tanned skin and her long hair brushed over one shoulder, she showed no signs of jetlag or fatigue. Asked for her tips on arriving fresh and camera-ready after longhaul flights, she quips: “Dark sunglasses. They hide a multitude of sins. But you know, I think that the important thing is to stay hydrated. And use a good moisturiser. And try to rest whenever you can.” Like a true professional, Victoria worked her cool, unsmiling charm, fielding questions

and even posing a few of her own to the British Airways pilots present. The multifaceted woman added another facet to her public persona when she was appointed as an International Goodwill Ambassador by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS) last September. She shares, “I was having breakfast with Anna Wintour and I said to her, I’m going to be 40. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wanted to give back. And Anna said to me, my team is going to Africa next week and you should go with them. So I did. “While I was there, UNAIDS asked me to work with them. This started a very important journey for me and I have a lot to learn. I’m not pretending that I know everything, but I have a responsibility, and for whatever reason, people will listen to what I have to say. I’ve gone on a few ﬁeld trips, and I’m going to return to Africa again in the summer, just educating myself and standing up for UNAIDS, and raising awareness.” In spite of her breathless schedule, Victoria gets up at 6am every day to work out. And she counts commitment as one of the key factors to her success. “At the end of the day, I think it’s having a vision and working hard. If I can do it, anyone can do it,” she enthuses. “I think when you have a family, you don’t have as much time for yourself as you might like. I have a great team of people who help manage my schedule so that I can work and look after my children.” Her four children are another surprising reason she doesn’t suffer from jetlag: “I don’t have time to get any jetlag. They take up so much time!” “I look up to women all around the world, especially women who have children. Because it’s not easy when you’re trying to raise a family and also work at the same time. So I have respect for them.” singapor e tatler . july 2015

INTERVIEW: GILBERT CHEAH; SITTINGS EDITOR: JANE NGIAM; IMAGE: CORBIS

Pop singer, mother, fashion designer and UNAIDS ambassador —Victoria Beckham is all this and more—and as she tells Singapore Tatler in this exclusive interview, the role she relishes most is empowering women

FACES | LEADING LADIES

Candy Floss These ladies are pretty in pink, topping off ruffled confections with sparkling rocks—the icing on the cake! Rany Moran

Grace Kong

June Rin

Looking as if it came straight out of Barbie’s covetable closet, Rany’s ethereal number goes perfectly with a dollapproved bag such as this bright pink one by Saint Laurent

LA FEMME

Grace’s slinky dress with soft rufﬂes goes perfectly with a playful arm candy like this dainty Tiffany & Co. bracelet

MOISELLE A full rufﬂe dress like June’s calls for muted accessories such as this pair of strappy heels by Brunello Cucinelli

singapor e tatler . july 2015

WORDS: CONSTANCE YEO

ISABEL SANCHIS

FACES | LEADING LADIES

Gild Guild Black gowns are a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, but a sprinkling of gold takes the look from simple to magical Elaine Lim-Chan

Linda Soo-Tan

Michelle Eng

SHIRLEY LI In trompe l’oeil we trust: Is that a statement necklace or a dramatic neckline? Elaine’s go gown has caught us in its imaginati imaginative web, like these Charlotte O Olympia spiderembellished embellishe heels

REEM ACRA Linda makes a ripple with her intricately detailed gown, over which these dainty pearl pendant earrings by f Sara Taseer would gglide beautifully

FRANCIS CHEONG Carry on the ﬂoral movement of Michelle’s gown with a sparkling timepiece such as this one by Chanel

singapor e tatler . july 2015

FACES | ONLOOKER

Harijanto Setiawan Ho Ching Lin

Audrey and Oscar Mico

Lovey Dovey SINGAPORE TATLER WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2015 LAUNCH Romance was in the air with sunset cocktails, conversations about marriage and a Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible ready to whisk couples off on a journey of love. Created by Heaven’s Gift Wedding Concierge, the launch event for Singapore Tatler Weddings’ Spring/Summer 2015 issue at Grand Hyatt Singapore was also a visual feast for the unmarried, soon-to-be-married and already married. They were dazzled by breathtaking ﬂoral arrangements by Boenga’s Harijanto Setiawan and alluring gowns from Trinity Gallery, before the unveiling of the revamped magazine, with brand new columns and stunning visuals. Singapore-based French couturier Nicolas Laville was present to watch two of his creations being showcased during the bridal show, which was preceded by a video celebrating love and marriage, produced specially for the event by Allure Weddings. Picture-taking fun courtesy of a photo booth by One Eye Click Live and icecold Peroni Italian beer added to the revelry.

Carmen Ow and Bryan Tan

SUGAR RUSH

Five elaborately decorated carts of dessert created by Grand Hyatt Singapore’s chefs specially for the event were a treat not just for the sweet-toothed

Jamie and David Keet

Elaine Kim

ONLOOKER | FACES

Steak Out MAGOSABURO SAKE PAIRING DINNER Red wine has long been the preferred partner to red meats, but when it comes to the ﬁnest of Japanese Wagyu beef, which was served at a private seven-course dinner hosted by Singapore Tatler and Magosaburo Singapore, only award-winning Japanese sake made the cut. The 40 guests enjoyed premium cuts of Kobe and Miyazaki Champion Beef prepared in different styles, and complemented exquisitely with Mizubasho sakes, including the world’s ﬁrst and only sparkling kind, the Mizubasho Pure. Clearly, the guests were smitten by the perfect pairing as they were seen buying bottles of sakes back.

Choo Ken-Yi

Takahiro Okuzaki, Eunike Yenny and Michael Aliwarga

Sharon and Philip Heng Dewi Lim and Magda Hutagalung

PERFECT CUT

Anthonia Hui

Lam Ping Yee and Lam Tong Loy

singapor e tatler . july 2015

Guests raved about how succulent and tender the wellmarbled Wagyu beef was

Ken and Simone Khoo

FACES | ONLOOKER Chester Lau

Massimiliano Landi and Stefano Di Domenico Eddie Sng, Andy Chua and Robin Lim

Time After Time BREGUET, INNOVATIONS THAT WROTE HISTORY

Joe Koh

Fabien Levrion, Diana Wong, Phillip Wong and Nakis Kar apa

Breguet’s inventions and technological developments have long shaped the watchmaking world. Not only has the brand amassed more than 200 patents since 1775, it also created the ﬁrst wristwatch for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples in 1812. More than 200 years later, the exhibition Breguet, Innovations that Wrote History was held at Marina Bay Sands to offer watch aﬁcionados the opportunity to discover some of its greatest innovations over two centuries. During the intimate cocktail reception, seven of the brand’s most famed watches were celebrated. The exhibition’s high-tech setting with experimental showcases explored Breguet’s transformation in the science of time measurement, further proving that it remains in a league of its own.

tis

Wong Yew Wah

Tay Kok Choon and Jim Seah

singapor e tatler . july 2015

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FACES | ONLOOKER Catherine Poyen and David Zemans

Georgina Bach Ray Zage

Eagle Eye

nd SAS FOUNDATION EAGLE GALA

Sameer Sain, Kaori Zage and Chip Kimball Laura, Bryanna and Brooks Entwistle

A Future of Possibilities— that was the theme of the Singapore American School (SAS) Foundation’s annual Eagle Gala in April. SAS students from the jazz band, strings quartet and robotics team took to the stage of Marina Bay Sands’ Cassia Ballroom to showcase what it is that makes them exceptional, while the evening’s live and silent auctions had guests bidding on unbeatable—priceless even— items, including a chance to shadow US ambassador Kirk Wagar for a day. To date, $1.3m has been raised for the SAS Annual Fund, which is used to improve the institution’s academic, facility and extracurricular offerings.

FUSION FEAST

Marina Bay Sands’ executive chef Christopher Christie melded Asian and Western ﬂavours in his dishes such as this Javaneseinspired panna cotta with gula Melaka jelly

Gracinha Viterbo, Brittany Levinson, Maria Luedeke, Ali Eskesen and Jenny O’Connor Sandro Raniolo and George Tanasijevich

ONLOOKER | FACES

Matthew Lee Choo Chiau Beng, Robert Chong and Rameez Ansar

Seah Kian Peng, Heng Swee Keat, and Omar Lodhi Kishore Mahbubani

School of Thought HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL CLUB LAUNCH From the panel dialogue on stage to conversations over dinner, stimulating discussions among some of the brightest business minds in the country were a distinct feature of the launch of the Singapore chapter of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Club. A quarter of the school’s 800-plus alumni here— the largest HBS alumni community in a single city—gathered at Capella Singapore for the highly anticipated event. Among them were regional heads, prominent academics, foreign ambassadors and guest of honour, minister for education Heng Swee Keat. Expressing its commitment towards the Harvard ideal of service to community, country and region, the club announced a new mentorship programme for tertiary students here.

nd SPECIAL HONOUR

Tributes were paid to Singapore’s late founding father Lee Kuan Yew, who spoke at HBS for the ﬁrst time in 1967, igniting a close relationship with the school Tan Su Shan

Nirav Kachalia and Dmitry Alimov

Hanli Magnum

Ashley Alwood and Shyam Ayengar

Mike and Kristen Borsetti

singapor e tatler . july 2015

FACES | ONLOOKER Larisa Tupitsyna

Ong Tiak Beng

Classical Philanthropy

Ong Yiting

SSO APPRECIATION LUNCH FOR ONG TIAK BENG The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) held an intimate private luncheon at the John Jacob Ballroom of The St Regis Singapore in May to express its appreciation for a unique donation—the largest yet from a single individual donor. Cham Tao Soon, chairman of the SSO Council, thanked Ong Tiak Beng, director of Innovalues, for his donation of 500,000 Innovalues shares to the SSO. “Music transforms lives, and classical music has the power to uplift the country and enrich the lives of Singaporeans from all walks of life,” he said in his opening address. To continue the good work of the SSO, Cham added, not only are funds necessary, but we also “need to encourage young people to take up musical instruments from a younger age, to nurture the next generation of musicians”. Fittingly, performing at the luncheon was ﬂautist Ong Yiting, the prodigious 12-year-old daughter of Ong, who has performed before Nobel laureates and the Sultan of Perak. She entertained with three solo pieces. In appreciation for his unique donation, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the National Arts Council bringing it to a value of some Caption_White $1 million, a plaque was presented to Ong.

Cham Tao Soon

Chng Hak Peng

Anthony Teo

Celeste Basapa

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Mavis Cheong and Pearline Chen

Tony Tan Keng Yam Alexandra Lis and Paul Thomas

Sharanjit Leyl

STANDOUT STAR

Dany Sherman, Yael Rubinstein, Alexandra Lis

The $15,000 winning bid for this photograph by Kwek Leng Joo titled Chinese New Year—Chingay Parade was placed by Motti Abramovitz, owner of Bruno Art Gallery

Great Swings SICC MAY DAY CHARITY 2015 Juliana Benelli and Casper B Schonfeldt

Tay Joo Soon

There was more heart than anything else in every swing at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) May Day Charity event. The event to raise funds for the underprivileged kicked off with some 600 golfers congregating for a friendly match where prizes included the coveted Hole-InOne car. After a day of nail-biting action on the green, guests partook of a gala dinner where they were entertained by Hossan Leong’s rib-tickling antics. During the auction, a stay at a resort in Rome, luxury goods such as a Rolex watch and The Macallan 12 Years Sherry Oak went under the hammer. A host of fringe activities were carried out throughout the month of May to continue raising funds for a group of more than 20 beneﬁciaries.

John Cheok and Jo Jumari

Hossan Leong

singapor e tatler . july 2015

Michelle and Kevin

Tan

ONLOOKER | FACES

Top of the World A. LANGE & SÖHNE NOVELTY TOUR 2015

Patricia Romsom

Dana Cheong

Priscilla Ang

Celebrating the best of the best, A. Lange & Söhne kicked off its 2015 novelty tour at the peak of Singapore’s ﬁne dining scene, Jaan restaurant, perched on the 70th ﬂoor of Swissotel The Stamford. A coterie of guests savoured a gastronomic sixcourse meal created specially by chef Christophe Muller of L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges and Jaan’s chef de cuisine Julien Royer, and enjoyed a hands-on demonstration of this year’s highlights, including the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater.

Nguyen Lam

Fine Art ARTBLUE STUDIO GALLERY OPENING

Paul and Leslie Martin

One of the leading galleries of contemporary Vietnamese art, ArtBlue Studio opened the doors to its permanent gallery in Tiong Bahru in April. Leading Vietnamese artists such as Nguyen Lam, Duong Sen and Phuong Quoc Tri joined guest of honour, Vietnamese ambassador Nguyen Tien Minh, as well as ArtBlue Studio founders Phuong Nguyen and Jacques Renaud at the ribbon-cutting ceremony before guests toured the gallery as they tucked into canapes and wine. uyen Tien Phuong Nguyen, Ng ud na Re and Jacques

Alan Koh, Mai Nguyen and Phuong Quoc Tri

singapor e tatler . july 2015

Minh

Duong Sen

FACES | ONLOOKER Audrey Sim and Kyoke Abe

Dorothy Yeo, Elaine Lim-Ch an, Winston Cheong and Ste phanie Lee

Horse Power FERRARI OWNERS’ CLUB ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Greg Teo and Phil Tan

Victor Ow and Ow Pui Yee

From Enzos to F40s, it was Ferraris galore—70 to be exact—at The Float @ Marina Bay. The occasion was the Ferrari Owners’ Club 16th anniversary celebration in May and part of its countdown to the SEA Games starting in June. Red-clad members eased their cars into a formation of the number “16” for a memorable photographic moment. The posse later enjoyed a gourmet dinner catered by Preparazzi, while enjoying the stunning cityscape view from the VIP lounge at The Float and a performance by mentalist Alvin Terence.

Saddle Up SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL RACING FESTIVAL 2015 Held for three weeks beginning on April 23, the Singapore International Racing Festival 2015 culminated in the Singapore Airlines International Cup and KrisFlyer International Sprint at the Singapore Turf Club. Events leading up to the races included road shows providing simulator rides to the public where proceeds went to charity organisation Melrose Home, a beauty pageant, a music festival supporting local acts such as Jack & Rai, as well as a gala dinner.

Teo Ah Khing and Ivy Ng Kit Har

Lim Joo Boon

Gn Hiang Meng and Yu Pang Fey

Jimmy and Kate Lau

singapor e tatler . july 2015

FACES | ONLOOKER

Tan Min-Li, Alicia Loke and June Rin

Triple Threat THE THREE FACES OF DOM PÉRIGNON Renowned for its creative partnerships, Dom Pérignon invited three of Singapore’s brightest creatives to craft three art installations, which were unveiled in April at the F1 Pit Building. Drawing inspiration from the champagne producer’s vintages 2005, Rosé 2003 and P2 1998 respectively, artist Dawn Ng, chef Janice Wong and photographer Yian Huang’s visually stimulating installations intrigued guests, even as they relished an endless ﬂow of the vintages that evening.

Vashty Soegomo and Thomas McNee

Mathieu Duchemin and Shaun Wee

Jenny and Dennis Foo

Pit Stop MASERATI QUATTROPORTE LAUNCH EVENT Maserati celebrated the launch of its new Quattroporte engine variant by inviting 150 of its esteemed guests for a casual get-together. Guests took the chance to pose for pictures with the luxury car after enjoying a showcase of Ermengildo Zegna’s latest collection as well as oil paintings by American artist Gregory Burns.

Federico Porro and Gaetano Marino

Vivian Puller, Gregory Burns, Angie Burns, Christian Puller and Louise Tagliante

Edward Tan and Georgina Day

IT GIRL | FACES

Grace about Town Be it at business, family or social events, Ms Yeh juggles her multiple roles with perfect poise

PRADA

VICTORIA BECKHAM

DOLCE & GABBANA

WORDS: CONSTANCE YEO

VINTAGE VERVE

Living up to her namesake, Grace Yeh easily pulls off myriad sartorial cuts and styles with the spirit of Old World glamour. The same can be said for her accessories, making these Salvatore Ferragamo pumps and Saint Laurent bag ideal companions

CHRISTIAN DIOR AND CĂ&#x2030;LINE OSCAR DE LA RENTA singapor e tatler . july 2015

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

IMAGE: BERLUTI

STYLE Beautiful things to have and hold

AN nd OXFORD MAN A gentleman’s shoes have a luxurious hide, distinctive construction and classic soles. This season, Berluti introduces the new Alessio with a striped rubber underfoot for a sporty spin

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The modern military trend marches on strong in both men’s and women’s fashion

Yeo Shuyi’s collection of La Prendo stores keeps growing, just like her wardrobe

Cool and quirky, Poppy Delevingne is the quintessential Jo Malone London Girl

Get an exclusive peek at the Louis Vuitton SG50 Petite Malle in Asnières

The devil is in the detail with Chanel’s latest haute couture collection

RADAR

PROFILE

BEAUTY

FASHION

STYLE | NEWS

GOING GREEN The modern military trend marches on strong in both men’s and women’s fashion Forest and army green have always traditionally been paired with neural hues or navy tones when it comes to suiting. But when it comes to a more relaxed instance, a combination of green with jet black or even a cheerful orange can give your ensemble a fresh spin. In menswear, purveyor of cool Neil Barrett gives knitwear a new composite—checks, star intarsia, felt panels and even a rollneck collar come full circle. The sportswear inﬂuence carries over to womenswear, which has an ongoing military schema.

nd GREEN LIGHT Clockwise from above: Models backstage at Neil Barrett; bag by Valextra; choker by Etro; look by Elie Saab; Un Jour Mini bag by Berluti

GET PERSONAL Make it your own with a choice of monogrammed or initialled accents Anya Hindmarch

Charlotte Olympia

Louis Vuitton

CH Carolina Herrera

singapor e tatler . july 2015

THAT ’70S SHOW

Gucci’s expansion of its Marina Bay Sands ﬂagship store into a duplex is now complete, and carries its pre-fall RTW collection. The overt sexiness that the brand is known for has taken a back seat. Former creative director Frida Giannini’s swansong collection was a charming ’70s throwback at its core. Be seduced by relaxed ﬁts and sensual androgyny from the women’s line, while tongue-in-cheek animal prints and a casual coolness (think distressed denim) rule the men’s. nd

Ties that Bind

The world of silk has a new dimension. Salvatore Ferragamo presents Ties MTO (Made To Order), an exclusive, customisable range of its bestselling menswear accessory. The fully-customisable collection comes in 12 styles, a range of sizes, a choice of widths, fabrics and over 50 colour options in a myriad of different combinations. The underside of the ties can be further personalised with up to three initials.

singapor e tatler . july 2015

STYLE | NEWS

LABEL LOVER

Schiaparelli HISTORY LESSON Unpredictable. Brazen. Iconic. Best known for her flair for unconventionality in the time of Chanel’s contemporary movement, Elsa Schiaparelli experimented with surrealisminspired avant-garde silhouttes and audacious prints. When she moved into her new couture house at 21 Place Vendôme in January 1935, Schiaparelli introduced her first thematic collection “Stop, Look & Listen”. CONTINUED LEGACY The same theme was revived in the spring/summer show. New creative director Bertrand Guyon who joined in April this year collaborated with graphic designer Jean-Paul Goude. In keeping with Schiaparelli’s pioneering spirit, the show was an artistic mix of couture and

Heritage Hour

live performance with Les Bébés Chérubins choir and Nicolas Godin’s remix of Bolero in the air. “I feel honoured to be part of Schiaparelli today and develop it further, respecting its heritage and tradition while adding a contemporary and modern take, something Elsa Schiaparelli has always demonstrated,” says Guyon. AN ODE Reminiscent of Schiaparelli’s gumption, the collection was an ode to selfconfidence. Daring elements were in abundance. From the whimsical sewing-pin cuffs to the decisively feminine masculine tailoring, it’s hard not to see why Carina Lau is a fan. She is the first Asian celebrity to don a custom Schiaparelli, wearing its couture gowns to the recent Met gala and the amfAR Hong Kong Gala.

Look no further for a conversation starter. Sara Taseer’s new store, Sara Taseer Jewellery Studio houses contemporary jewellery that isn’t for your average wallflower. Compared to that at its Hilton Shopping Gallery store, the jewellery at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (01-06) focuses on modern, casual pieces that will take you from office to cocktails any day. Striking pieces boasting bold Asian accents and vibrant Peranakan colours furnish the new boutique. Our favourite is the two-hearts ring from the Signature Collection.

FRAME OF MIND There will always be a time and place for a classic pair of Jackie O sunglasses, just not now. This season, quirky, colourful frames make sure that all eyes are on you.

“I feel honoured to be part of Schiaparelli”

Dior

Blues Brothers

At Dolce & Gabbana, the summer light shines in the brushstrokes of Mediterranean majolicas. Serene blues and pristine whites blend in harmony to create the accessories of the pre-fall Maiolica Collection. Together with the brand’s iconic Sicily and Dolce bags, espadrilles and bejewelled sandals ensure that you travel in style, whether you’re strolling along the narrow streets of Syracuse or along the beaches of P rmo. Palermo.

Chanel

Fendi

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs

singapor e tatler . july 2015

ADVERTORIAL

Into the Blue nd

Freshness, fluidity and bright, shimmering notes characterise Eau Parfumée au Thé Bleu, the latest member of Bulgari’s Thé fragrances

The traditional Japanese tea ceremony, in all its ritualistic formality and dignified stagecraft, is at its very heart an experience of mutual respect between host and guests, and a shared appreciation of that experience. The very essence of this symbolic custom inspired Bulgari, in 1992, to create a gift that money couldn’t buy for special clients: a special fragrance—the very first for the Italian house —in a streamlined frosted-glass bottle with glimpses of transparency at its cut edges, that was an olfactory embodiment of the art of tea. Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, presented to a coterie of customers at the Via Condotti store in Rome, was not conceived as a product meant for retail, but was met with such unexpected demand that it birthed Bulgari’s entry into the world of perfumery. Refinement, freshness, transparency and light, a symbol of nature and simplicity... master perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena distilled tea’s very

essence and spirit—L’Esprit du Thé—when he created Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert. “More than a perfume, Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert became a manifesto, echoing a triumphant quest for zen,” he muses. It’s both vivid and simple, with citrus, spice, ﬂoral notes and, naturally, green tea. As Ellena wanted to share his creation with everyone, it was neither masculine nor feminine—a fragrance for all. In 2003, Bulgari launched a companion: Eau Parfumée au Thé Blanc, which was created by Jacques Cavallier. In 2006, it was joined by Olivier Polge’s Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge. This year, the brand explores another area of the spectrum with Eau Parfumée au Thé Bleu, created by Daniela Andrier and inspired by Fujian blue tea, a teal-coloured brew that we know as oolong. Of the tea ceremony, Andrier says: “It is not just a beverage, but a skill with slightly mysterious notes, like those that I have chosen to develop here.”

THÉ VERT

The 1980s were characterised by money and material things, but by the 1990s, we were kicking back and yearning for nature, greenery and simplicity. Thé Vert embodies this notion—the idea of returning to essentials. JeanClaude Ellena, the creator, says it was “echoing a triumphant quest for Zen”. His starting point: Japan. All Japanese tea is green, and goes through an elaborate roasting and rolling process that belies its simple and fresh ﬂavour. It is the pure heart note of Thé Vert, which opens with the freshness of bergamot and the spiciness of pepper and cardamom. The base? Cedar, beeswax and white musk—at once earthy and light. The result is an intense, energetic and elegant scent that is simultaneously delicate and complex. • HEAD NOTES Bergamot Oil, Green Pepper Oil • HEART Green Tea Accord, Cardamom Oil • BASE Beeswax, Tonka Beans

THÉ BLANC

As you cross the Himalayas on the famous tea road, you may happen upon a secret garden. There, a legendary species of tea, yin zhen (silver needle) grows. Rare and expensive, it has needle-shaped buds that open as they touch water. Only the tips of the leaves are used to produce the tea, which has a delicate, fresh taste. The drink has a pale yellow colour, but the fragrance it inspired, Thé Blanc, is perfectly clear—perfumer Jacques Cavallier saw it as a symbol of purity, transparency and transcendence. Soothing and serene, its ﬂoral, woody scent has notes of white pepper, ambrette and musk. • HEAD NOTES Artemisia, White Pepper • HEART White Tea Accord, Ambrette • BASE Musk, Woody Amber

ADVERTORIAL

THÉ ROUGE The rooibos plant grows in South Africa’s dry, acidic, sandy soils, and in temperatures that can go from 0 to 45°C. Its leaves redden as the plant matures, and the bush plunges its roots ever deeper into the soil to ﬁnd water. Not a real tea, but prepared and brewed like one, its strength and vitality were the inspirations for perfumer Olivier Polge, the man behind Thé Rouge. It’s bright and luminous in the opening—like the heat shimmer on a desert horizon. Then it reveals its “soul”— rooibos red tea, earthy and rich, mixed with sweet and sensual ﬁg pulp. Walnut and musk form the base. Rich, sensual, warm and energetic, it speaks of faraway lands and African sunsets. • HEAD NOTES Pink Pepper, Orange • HEART Red Tea Accord, Fig Pulp • BASE Walnut, Musk

THÉ BLEU The Japanese tea ceremony is known for its precision, but the Chinese version, gong fu cha, is no less reﬁned. The equipment, ingredients and brewing technique are meticulous and the etiquette is exact. This ritual is designed to create an atmosphere of stillness and peace, as if time has stopped. At the heart of gong fu cha is oolong tea, a blue brew that is soothing, balancing and yet regenerative. Perfumer Daniela Andrier explains the link between the ceremony and her fragrance: “It is extremely reﬁned, recalling

the rituals which surround tea, where everything is important. It is very calm with aromas well-rooted in the earth, but which also embody the desire for elevation we sometimes experience.” Her creation opens with soft lavender and shiso leaves, with a woodysweet violet heart. In the base is the complexity of tea, which dries into a ﬂamboyant burst of iris and musk. • HEAD NOTES Lavender, Shiso Leaves • HEART Violet Leaf, Blue Tea Accord • BASE Iris, Musk

The Perfect Brew

When Jean-Claude Ellena created Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert in 1992, he could not have imagined that he was creating a whole new olfactory category—tea fragrances. Tea might not seem an obvious inspiration for perfume, but in fact, the two are closely linked. The terms base, head and heart are used to describe both. Composing a perfume and cultivating tea require precision, expertise and refinement. They share a long history, too: humans have been drinking tea and wearing scents since ancient times. Each Bulgari Thé scent is elegant, refined and fresh, but they all have a distinct character, symbolised by the colour that defines them. Thé Vert is energetic, vivid and bright. Thé Blanc is pure and light. Thé Rouge is rich, warm and sweet. The newest member of the family, Thé Bleu, is characterised by serenity—like an endless calm blue sea. The Eau Parfumée collection started Bulgari’s journey in scent, and it’s now come to represent the brand. Tea is symbolic of welcome, a Bulgari philosophy embodied by the brand’s collection of hotels around the world. Now, Bulgari is extending its welcome to the home, with a range of bath products (shampoo and shower gel, and body lotion) and candles for each scent.

BVLGARI EAU PARFUMÉE COLLECTION Available at • Robinsons Heeren • Metro Paragon • Takashimaya • For enquiries, please call 6488 8727

PROFILE | STYLE Victoria Beckham sunglasses

Casadei sandals

I noticed Victoria Beckham wore Casadei a lot, and its shoes are great for broader feet

WORDS: GRACE TAY; PHOTOGRAPHY: LIONEL LAI/ACEPIX; HAIR AND MAKE-UP: SHA SHAMSI

An Eye for Style

Vita Fede bangle

Multilabel boutique La Prendo’s Yeo Shuyi fell into the fashion business by accident, but now her collection of stores keeps growing, just like her wardrobe he was in italy on holiday after an “early retirement” following a decade in ﬁnancial trading, when someone asked her if she was a fashion buyer. Yeo Shuyi wasn’t one, “but I bought a bunch of stuff anyway, called my friends and family when I got back, and sold everything at a home party”. And they kept asking for more. “I’ll take it,” one can almost imagine her customers saying; la prendo in Italian, as she named her little business that she “ran for fun”. She added an online store—“only when the website started taking off did I suddenly realised it’s a real business”—then a store in Dempsey, and recently a second jewellery-focused boutique in Takashimaya D.S. Nine years on, La Prendo carries over 70 brands from Europe and the US including Vionnet, M2Malletier and Chiara Ferragni, many sourced on buying trips that take up half of Shuyi’s year. The woman she buys for? The sophisticate, who really doesn’t need more of anything, but sees the value and quality of a product, and its relevance to her life. “It’s never about the brands, but the design. I’m drawn to things with good craftsmanship, and that have an intriguing underlying story.” The same philosophy applies to her wardrobe, which naturally includes an array from her store’s brands. “But not every brand is my style, which is more simple and understated, with details in the fabrics and construction.” singapor e tatler . july 2015

Ladurée Lucky Charms Singapore limited edition perfumed candle

Hermès scarves

Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen jewellery

Zagliani Galuchat Vanity clutch

Gianvito Rossi heels

STYLE | BEAUTY

An English Rose Known for her cool style credentials and quirky Britishness, Poppy Delevingne is the quintessential Jo Malone London Girl. The blooming beauty talks weddings, scents and serendipity

nd Do you match your scent to

how you are dressed? I usually apply my scent before I get dressed, ideally straight out of the bath. I start with a bath oil, then body cream and finally cologne. Depending on which scent I choose, that will determine what I wear that day or night. Scent, for me, always takes pole position.

TAKE ME AWAY Travel destinations in a bottle Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino takes you to the Mediterranean with its bright citrus top notes, white acacia blossom heart and warm honey base.

The unisex Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li draws the wearer into an imagined Chinese garden with soft, transparent notes of kumquat, jasmine and woody-musk. Very meditative.

What scents do you use at home? I’m bonkers about candles and have been known to light hundreds, even in the middle of the day. When I want to relax I love Wood Sage & Sea Salt, as it reminds me of holidays and the sunny outdoors. When I have people over I love the famous Lime Basil & Mandarin, as it fills every corner of the house and reminds me of naughty late nights. You got married in London and Morocco last year. Did you include a scent? A friend told me I needed a wedding scent so that whenever I smelled it, it would remind me of the best day of my life. We scented the Kensington Orangery with Orange Blossom candles and diffusers, and I wore the cologne. The bottle sits happily on my bedside table; I won’t let it out of my sight. The wedding in Marrakech was scented with laughter and long, wild nights. What is your bath-time ritual? A bath with Jo Malone London Red Roses Bath Oil and a few candles is a dangerous combination. You might not see me until the morning.

Shanghai Tang Rose Silk is one of five women’s fragrances in the new Silk Road Fragrance Collection (including three for men), evoking exquisite “pink silk accord” with rose petals, narcissus absolute, cardamom, vetiver and musk.

singapor e tatler . july 2015

WORDS: KATE WEAVER-GIBBS AND GRACE TAY

When and how did you discover Jo Malone London? I started wearing Red Roses when I was 22. I smelled it on a friend of mine, loved how gentle and sweet it was, and begged her to tell me what it was. The very next day I was at Jo Malone London buying my own bottle. It was at the same time that I met my nowhusband, James. The first thing that drew me to him was his scent: “Amber & Lavender by Jo Malone London,” he told me. I saw that as a sign. He still wears it now and whenever I travel without him, I take a small bottle with me.

POWER PUNCH Created for Asian skin, Estée Lauder’s new Nutritious Vitality8 range boasts twice the antioxidant power as before, thanks to the new Pomegranate Complex, which comprises eight naturally derived ingredients to harmonise, energise, hydrate and nourish skin. Yes, a key ingredient is pomegranate, whose seeds are rich in powerful antioxidants polyphenons and anthrocyanins, fatty acids and vitamins C, B6 and E. In stores this month.

GOT THE BLUES Blue eyeshadow is back. But before you dig out the shoulder pads, this isn’t an ’80s revival. Collection Blue Rhythm de Chanel is a sophisticated update on the trend to tempt even the staunchest of sceptics. The eye quartet comes in subtle shades of midnight blue and grey. Turquoise mascara is available for the adventurous, and two vibrant nail colours for the blue-curious. Launches July 16.

SKIN HYDRATOR

SODA, SO GOOD

Used on clean skin, La Mer Treatment Lotion primes it for skincare that follows. With marine and desert algae complexes and hyaluronic acid, it softens, energises and hydrates skin to kick-start its renewal.

Bringing the carbonated water beauty and health craze from Japan to Singapore, Plosion mists your skin with a beauty lotion with encapsulated carbonic acid (a safe concentration three times that of soda water). The body immediately reacts to this carbon dioxide infusion by boosting blood and lymphatic flow in the treated skin area, singapor e tatler . july 2015

much like the benefits of onsen. At a demonstration, we witnessed an immediate lifting, toning and brightening effect when half the face of a volunteer was given a 10sec misting with Plosion. It can also be used over make-up, and the refillable diffuser is stylish and conveniently sized to carry around in your purse. Available at Level B1 Takashimaya D.S., and mtg-sg.com

STYLE | BEAUTY

Get the Glow Jolene Khor recommends three must-haves

for that “but of course it’s natural” luminous skin that can be yours in three simple steps

Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil

Lancôme Absolue Sublime Radiance Compact Foundation

STEP

1 100

The secret to glowing skin boils down to moisture, moisture and more moisture. To get that coveted luminosity, Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil is a good start. A new formula makes clogging, breakouts and excess grease things of the past. Powered with a blend of seven botanical oils as well as rose essential oil, just a few drops of the lightweight oil rich in fatty acids will hydrate and nourish skin. It also strengthens your skin barrier function to lock in its natural moisture, giving you soft, supple skin with a smooth velvety finish, acting as a perfect base for step two.

STEP

Skincare in make-up? Sign us up. The first anti-ageing serum in a compact comes in the form of Lancôme Absolue Sublime Radiance Compact Foundation. Available in six shades, the fine powder specially created for Asian women is infused with anti-ageing oils, namely anti-ageing agents, citrus and camellia oil which are known to be champions of skin regeneration. Helped by the super-soft texture and gold pigments, the powder glides onto skin effortlessly for an illuminating effect. No cakey complexion here, only ravishing radiance ahead.

STEP

If busy mornings allow for only one make-up application, reach for your lippy, particularly a moisturising and nourishing one that protects. Lancôme Shine Lover lipstick is all that and more. It contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates lips for an impressive eight hours plus rose bush oil that instantly softens and soothes. A gel that is traditionally used in lip balms creates a protective layer against external aggressors. In all 20 shades, the coloured pearl pigments combined with a translucent base give just a hint of tint, for that natural, healthy glow.

singapor e tatler . july 2015

MAIN IMAGE: 123RF

Lancôme Shine Lover Lipstick

STYLE | BEAUTY

Extra Rich Lipstick in Silk by Clé de Peau Beauté

Classic Cream Lipstick in Daring by Dolce & Gabbana

Burberry Kisses lipstick in Nude Pink by Burberry Beauty

nd Rouge Unlimited lipstick in Mauve by Shu Uemura

Paint Your Pout This summer, speak out with brightly painted lips in pink, purple, orange or mauve

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singapor e tatler . july 2015

PHOTOGRAPHY: JC DE MARCOS/FAST MANAGEMENT

Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Impulsive by Estée Lauder

CODE RED The Petite Malle Singapore Brilliant Rouge in traffic-stopping alligator leather

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FASHION | STYLE

A HIDDEN JEWEL

IN LOUIS VUITTON’S

CROWN, THE FAMILY HOME AND HISTORICAL WORKSHOP

IN ASNIÈRES IS WHERE THE RAREST LEATHER LUXURIES nd

ARE MADE. DANA KOH JOURNEYS TO

PARIS FOR A PRIVATE TOUR AND

EXCLUSIVE PEEK AT THE SG50 COMMEMORATIVE PETITE MALLE

SINGAPORE BRILLIANT ROUGE n the world of luxury retail and ultra-exclusive experiences, a visit to the Louis Vuitton family home and historical atelier is as good as it gets. Beyond anything a boutique’s VIP room could ever offer, a private guided tour here lets a select few walk in the footsteps of Monsieur Vuitton himself and watch some of Paris’ most outstanding artisans at work as they deftly assemble special-order pieces. singapor e tatler . july 2015

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GRAND INTRICACIES Art, design and personal touches collide in the sunlit living room within the Louis Vuitton family home (above); the makings of the exclusive Petite Malle, featuring a red alligator skin that has been dyed and handfinished to perfection

FASHION | STYLE

It was here in the suburb of Asnières that Louis Vuitton established his first trunk workshop in 1859, four years after founding the brand. The location was strategic, just 30min out of Paris, and close to the Seine for ease of transporting the wood needed to make his luxury goods. He then built his family home next door, where five generations of Vuittons continued to live until 1984. Strolling up the pebbled driveway, the verdant gardens offer a warm welcome to the cottage-like residence, with lush vines cascading above a lofty front door. Sunlight streams through stained glass windows, imbuing a warm glow throughout the house that has been lovingly restored and maintained and is home to generations of Vuitton treasures. Far from the contemporised versions of a Louis Vuitton maison we see today, this house is endearingly warm and charming with its intriguing pastiche of styles best described as 18th-century art nouveau with oriental influences. Amid plush leather tufted chairs and feminine floral print and frilled accents, vintage trunks stand in almost ever corner, some used as coffee tables, others lined with framed family photographs and objets d’art.

tannery and leather craft house, Heng Long. Respected for its know-how and top-grade skins, Heng Long is a longstanding partner of Louis Vuitton. In 2011, the LVMH group acquired a majority stake in the company. Highly top secret at the time of this visit, this exclusive clutch marks the first time the maison has ever created a luxury exotic skin item to celebrate its history and ties with Singapore and in particular, the country’s 50th birthday this year. Christopher Kilaniotis, president of Louis Vuitton South Asia, says: “This exceptional creation, a tribute to our longstanding relationship with Singapore, brings together the best in both French and Singaporean savoir faire and craftsmanship.” To commemorate the exact date, only nine Petite Malle Singapore Brilliant Rouge have been created. Each bag is embossed with “Limited Edition Singapore Jubilee 2015” on the malletage, a pattern of quilted leather on the inside of the bag that resembles the maison’s classic trunk, immediately adding to its value as a coveted collectible. These mini trunks are fashioned on the second floor of the workshop, which is bustling with craftsmen bent over their work desks assembling the most intricate of pieces. While I am about a season too early to see the actual assembly take place, an artisan gladly demonstrates the application of another shade of alligator leather—a beautiful royal blue—onto a wooden frame, on top of which he deftly secures gold hardware. Around the corner, more artisans are working on the finishing, and I watch a man apply canvas and leather onto a more hefty-sized monogram trunk. He follows the golden rules: always centre the logo, never cut the monogram, and place the flowers in a way that perfectly corresponds from one edge to another. It is these fine techniques that customers in Singapore will have the honour of witnessing for themselves come August. As part of Singapore’s jubilee celebrations, Louis Vuitton will be showcasing the craftsmanship behind the Petite Malle at its Marina Bay Sands island maison during the week of National Day —so there’s more reason to celebrate before revelling at the parade and fireworks.

“This exceptional creation brings together the best in both French and Singaporean savoir faire and craftsmanship”

IMAGES: AMAR DAVED (LV FAMILY HOME) AND LOUIS VUITTON

CRAFT TO PERFECTION Across the lawn is the historical workshop. This is where I get an exclusive peek at the Petite Malle Singapore Brilliant Rouge. In the workshop, some 200 craftsmen, many of whom have worked there for decades, produce limited edition products and special orders. The distinct smell of leather excites the senses as artisans pick and prime materials. There are rolls and sheaths of buttery soft cowhide leather, many in a signature shade of brown—the foundation for all monogram bags. Walking past rows of exotic leathers from stingray to python, stored in cool temperature and waiting to be coloured, glossed, matted or cut by hand, I catch a glimpse of a chilli red alligator skin. No ungloved hand is to touch these skins, and I am handed a white glove to slip on before getting a closer look. Though already in Paris waiting to be pieced together, this alligator leather has been dyed and handﬁnished to perfection in Singapore by leading singapor e tatler . july 2015

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STYLE | FASHION

Bending Light Constance Yeo looks at how prismatic hues are graphically

manipulated onto silk in the new Hermès Editeur collection, Variations Autour De La Longue Marche by Argentinian designer Julio Le Parc

GRAPHIC DETAILS Created by Julio Le Parc (above), the fourth edition of Hermès Editeur mesmerises with its optical art where patterns seem to move

he year 1937 was a turning point in the fashion world: deep blue lashes were in, slinky dresses with nipped in waists gave way to tubular dresses, and Hermès sold its ﬁrst scarf—the start of a new legacy by the 178-year-old brand. Since then, Hermès’ silk scarves have become a coveted symbol of style; each one a work of art on silk. Guest artists have long collaborated with and inspired Hermès on its silk scarves collection, Hermès Editeur: Hommage Au Carré, created in 2008, was inﬂuenced by late American artist Josef Albers’ Homage to the Square, a series of works that explores colour and spatial relationships, leading to a collection featuring overlapping squares in analogous colours; Photos-Souvenirs Au Carré, created in 2010 by French artist Daniel Buren, featured 22 of his personal photos printed on Hermès scarves; and Couleurs de l’Ombre, created in 2012 by Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, was inspired by his Colours of Shadow project showcasing the effect of light on crystal prism.

The fourth edition of Hermès Editeur, by Argentinian designer Julio Le Parc, made waves when it was presented at Switzerland’s Museum der Kulturen during Art Basel in June. Titled Variations Autour De La Longue Marche, the collection comprises 60 unique 90 by 90-cm silk scarves grouped into 10 series of six. Le Parc drew inspiration from six of the 10 paintings in his art studio La Longue Marche. “The original work allowed me to explore other possibilities by changing the order of the colours and thus discovering new visual situations,” he explains. The 60 silk artworks were divided into two categories: those that extract from the full spectrum of colours and those derived from three “non-colours” (black, white and grey). Graphic swirls and curves give rise to a body of kinetic and optical art. As a true hallmark of Hermès’ dedication to its craft, beauty meets technique—artisans revisited the brand’s ancestral edge-to-edge silk screening technique in order to bring to life the beauty of Le Parc’s ﬂat chromatic bands on Hermès’ signature soft silk twill.

STYLE | FASHION

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MIDNIGHT MAGIC Silk tulle pleated top with balloon sleeves and embroidered skirt with crepeline flowers, all by Chanel Haute Couture

The

Secret nd

arden

Embellished floral frocks, sculptural silhouettes and elaborate beadwork; we take a closer look and revel in Chanelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest haute couture collection Photography OLIVIER YOAN Styling JUSTINE LEE Shot exclusively for Singapore Tatler

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DIAMOND DARLING Pleated muslin dress embroidered with beads, sequins and flowers in tulle, organza and rhodoid, and mesh gloves, both by Chanel Haute Couture

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IN FULL BLOOM Sleeveless chiffon top with flat-stitched and fluted pleats, embroidered mesh gloves and straw hat, all by Chanel Haute Couture, with nails in Paradisio by Chanel

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SPRING BUDS Bustier and flared skirt embroidered with sequins and beads, trimmed with flowers in tulle and silk organza, tulle cape and knitted hat, all by Chanel Haute Couture

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BEST FOOT FORWARD Tunic in organza embroidered with flower-shaped sequins, doublelayered silk tulle skirt embroidered with sequins and re-embroidered with rhodoid petals, and organza-fringed mesh gloves, all by Chanel Haute Couture

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BOTANICAL BEAUTY Short-sleeved top in chiffon embroidered with mauve sequins, crystals and beads, and matching long skirt with leather belt, both by Chanel Haute Couture

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PORTRAIT OF A LADY Short jacket in tweed-like lace with trim embroidered with iridescent sequins and rhodoid flowers, and matching top and skirt with leather belt, all by Chanel Haute Couture

HAIR: TRISTAN WAIKONG; MAKE-UP AND FLOWER STYLING: MARIAN WOO; STYLISTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASSISTANT: SPENCER LEUNG

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ROYAL DELICACY Just as elegant and understated as 21st-century monarchy, the Breguet Reine de Naples Princesse Mini conceals a highly intelligent soul within a gilded body

STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY: CHARLES CHUA/A THOUSAND WORDS; STYLING: DESMOND LIM, ASSISTED BY JOEY TAN’; LOCATION: AVALON COLLECTIVE INTERIOR DESIGN; ALL PRODUCTS: VANILLA HOME

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Sturdy timekeepers designed to withstand the most extreme conditions

Independent brands that have turned the horology industry on its head

Timekeepers that serve up architectural shapes and geometric lines

Tiffany & Co.’s design director Francesca Amfitheatrof’s first Blue Book collection

Van Cleef & Arpels’ bespoke experience and an aficionado’s special order

WATCHES

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WATCHES

JEWELLERY

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STYLE | WATCHES

Edited by Sean Li

ROUGH STUFF Clockwise from top left:Tudor North Flag; Richard Mille RM 36-01 Sébastien Loeb; Breitling Emergency II. Below: Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio; Bremont ALT1-Z

Heavy Duty Ready for your next adventure? Arm yourself with one of these sturdy timekeepers, designed to withstand extreme conditions othing compares to the thrill of pushing yourself to the extreme, and whether it’s mountain climbing, flying, biking or diving, there is a perfect timepiece to complement an adrenaline junkie’s repertoire. Designed for use in the coldest parts of the planet, Tudor’s North Flag is a COSC-certified chronometer featuring the brand’s first in-house movement, the automatic calibre MT5621. Inspired by Tudor watches worn by the British North Greenland Expedition in the 1950s, the model’s monobloc case design with integrated lugs assures wearers of durability. When it comes to racing, Richard Mille’s lightweight RM 36-01 Sébastien Loeb watch is the first of its kind, with a rotary G-sensor designed to visually display the number of Gs felt by a driver during acceleration, deceleration and cornering. Known for reliable diving watches, Panerai has a new addition to its Luminor

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Submersible line: the 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback Automatic Titanio, whose name pretty much sums up the watch’s functions. The 47mm titanium timepiece is water resistant up to 300m, and easily legible underwater with its luminous hour markers and hands. Championed by actor Charley Boorman in the biker travel series Long Way Round, the Bremont ALT1-Z was designed with aviators and world travellers in mind. The latest version features an artificial horizon indicator and Zulu Time, allowing the wearer to display local time together with the official world time standard. If you’re in a sticky situation, Breitling comes to the rescue with the Emergency II, the first watch equipped with a dual frequency distress locator beacon that will transmit your location, whether land, sea or air, to nearby aircraft and ships through a satellite system called Cospas-Sarsat. singapor e tatler . july 2015

IT’S COMPLICATED Buttet’s engineering mind shows in his unique designed timepieces, which include Hublot’s Key of Time and LaFerrari watches

WATCHMAKER

Mathias Buttet BACKGROUND As a bright, young student of engineering and prosthetics, Buttet discovered that finding work in his field was difficult, and decided to accept a post at watchmaker Nouvelle Lemania, famous for its chronograph movements, to make a living. His first task there was to make movements for Breguet and Daniel Roth. In 1994, Buttet moved to Vacheron Constantin, later moving to Franck Muller as director of R&D. In 2000, Buttet and three partners established BNB Concept, a company that supplied specialist movements to brands that lacked in-house capacity. One of the company’s first customers was Jean-Claude Biver, then head of Hublot, who had a vision for the company and wanted an innovator he could trust and work with. It was a friendship that would result in an important partnership after

Buttet was later forced to close BNB Concept. DESIGN FOCUS In 2010 Biver asked Buttet to join Hublot as director of R&D. Within a year, Hublot launched its Masterpiece Collection, made up of limited edition timepieces, all with in-house movements that push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. NOTABLE WORK Among Buttet’s first projects was the MP-02 Key of Time watch, which can be set to slow time down or speed it up on the dial, but with the timekeeping function unaffected. In 2013, Hublot released the MP-05 LaFerrari watch, an impressively engineered masterpiece that incorporates the design codes of Ferrari’s LaFerrari car and which has a 50-day power reserve. Next year, Buttet promises to reveal his most complicated timepiece yet.

BLACK MOOD Get on-trend with one of these dark-dialled watches

Urwerk EMC Black

nd Blancpain L-evolution Tourbillon Carrousel

FINE WINE

US basketball star Kobe Bryant wears Hublot’s new Big Bang Unico Chronograph Retrograde Kobe “Vino” Bryant, a mechanical watch designed to time basketball games. The launch of the timepiece was held at a Napa Valley winery. singapor e tatler . july 2015

Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon IWC Portugieser Chronograph

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

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STYLE | WATCHES

nd TIME IS GOLD What defines the value of a watch? Is it determined by currency fluctuations, the brand’s popularity, auction estimates or the model’s provenance?

Points of Appreciation Predicting the future direction of the value of a watch is a difficult science. Sean Li provides some helpful tips for collectors s the watch world pauses after the firsthalf onslaught of new watch introductions in Geneva and Basel, it’s time to reflect on a recurring theme: pricing. Since mid-January, when Switzerland’s central bank delinked the Swiss franc from the euro, watch brands have been trying to level off the pricing inequalities caused by currency fluctuations. There’s no doubt that sales in China have been particularly affected—on the mainland by the political climate and the numerous

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taxes placed on luxury goods. The demand is still there, though, and I don’t sense a lack of interest, certainly not in mechanical watches. I’m still asked regularly which watches I would recommend as investments. It’s a question I generally dread, for I feel strongly that these mechanical marvels should be worn regularly to be truly appreciated. To see a watch come up for auction still in its delivery packaging is a shame, for that means it’s probably been lingering away in a safe. It also means the movement may have suffered from lack of activity and, on a philosophical basis, that someone who would singapor e tatler . july 2015

The idea that particular brands retain their value better than others is only partially true; this just applies to certain models have enjoyed the watch on their wrist has been denied access to it. However, I understand value is important, increasingly so, for although some prices have come down, the average price of a high-end mechanical watch has gone up very signiﬁcantly in recent years. With that in mind, here are some guidelines for those considering their next purchase and who want to ensure the highest value retention. First, bear in mind that there are no guarantees. Some brands do trend higher than others, but it’s impossible to say whether a particular watch will genuinely increase in value over the years. If anything, it’s watches that were shunned when new that now attract premiums. It’s perhaps due to their rarity, for these are watches that would naturally see their production numbers limited. When considering new watches, you should look for highly and genuinely limited production runs, with numbers preferably in double or triple digits rather than so-called limitations in the thousands or more. They will be hard to come by, particularly if you’re not a regular client, but the chase is part of the attraction. The idea that particular brands retain their value better than others is only partially true; this just applies to certain models, and not to their entire collections, so you should be very wary.

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For those who are looking at previously owned watches, whether at auction or otherwise, you have to consider the watch’s provenance and its history. Those with a story to tell, either of previous ownership or of how they came to be produced in the ﬁrst place, can generate a higher return. In that sense, you could think of these timepieces as pieces of art, and you will need to be able to document their history and authenticity. You will also have to factor in the time and cost of having the watch inspected and possibly serviced once you’ve acquired it, for there’s no telling beforehand, unless professionally inspected, what the condition of the movement will be. After you’ve acquired the piece, please don’t lock it away in a safe with your stock certiﬁcates and bonds. These miniature marvels of mechanical art need to live and breathe, and to accompany you through life’s adventures. You never know—your own travels may be what drives up its value over the years.

CAPTION LEDE Caption xxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxx xxxx xxxxxxx.

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STYLE | WATCHES

Timeless Inspiration

he year was 1945. as the Second World War came to its six-year conclusion, Girard-Perregaux, a watch manufacture in Switzerland, was poised to release a timepiece inspired by art deco. Marked by a simple structure, it had a rectangular case extended by lugs, a symmetric design and curved sides incorporating the crown. Gold and steel were the dominant materials used, which was typical of the art deco style. Girard-Perregaux later spun-off that same timepiece into a collection known as Vintage 1945. Today, 70 years on, the manufacture marks the series’ platinum

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anniversary with the pomp it deserves, with the launch of a pair of limited edition designs, the Vintage 1945 Small Second and Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges. Serving a dual purpose, they pay tribute to the original model, and recognise the great watchmaking tradition of the manufacture. While the Vintage 1945 has seen many iterations and evolutions, the one constant has been its reverence for the art deco style. Hailing back to the 1920s, the artistic movement had a signiﬁcant inﬂuence on architecture, interior design, fashion, art and photography. Underscoring it are the principles of simplicity, geometry and structural coherence. singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGES: GIRARD-PERREGAUX

Watchmaker Girard-Perregaux turns its gaze once again to the art deco period to mark the 70th anniversary of its Vintage 1945 collection, writes Low Shi Ping

WATCHES | STYLE

Serving a dual purpose, the two anniversary editions pay tribute to the original model, and recognise the great watchmaking tradition of the manufacture

1945 REDUX Girard-Perregaux celebrates 70 years of the Vintage 1945 collection with the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges (this page and opposite left) and the Small Second (opposite right); setting the bridges on the commemorative piece

Both the limited edition designs launched this year remain true to this inspiration source, with their rectangular case, straight lines and curves. At the same time, they also represent a culmination of Girard-Perregaux’s aesthetic and technical prowess. The Vintage 1945 Small Second most closely resembles the original model from 1945. Within its pink gold and steel case, itself arched in both directions for a better ﬁt on the wrist, are hour markers in Arabic numerals, exactly like the original. The small seconds indication at 6 o’clock is perfectly poised to illustrate symmetry and balance. Both the dauphine-shaped hour and minute hands are faceted and curved to follow the shape of the dial. Unseen to the eye is the GP03300-0051 calibre with automatic winding, created in Girard-Perregaux’s workshop and consisting of 213 components. Completing the piece is an elegant brown alligator strap. The second piece to mark this milestone is a new edition of the Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges. Available either in white gold or white gold set with 112 baguette-cut diamonds, the timepiece

comes in the highly exclusive numbers of 18 and eight respectively. First launched in 2004, the original version accommodated the manufacture’s architecturally stunning tourbillon with the three parallel gold bridges into the art deco-inspired casing of the Vintage 1945. For the occasion of the 70th anniversary, the haute horlogerie pieces are entirely handmade, a feat that only the best artisans can achieve. Each of the pink gold bridges

SKILLED HANDS The making of the 70th anniversary commemorative pieces from the Vintage 1945 collection

1996 1995 1945 KEY MILESTONES OF THE VINTAGE 1945 COLLECTION

The launch of the original iteration of the watch, inspired by the art deco period.

A redesign of the original watch was made to bring it up to date, and fitted with a hand-winding mechanical movement, the GP 101 calibre.

The GP 101 calibre was replaced by the automatic calibres of the GP 3000 series; a ladies’ model was launched, together with a men’s version with a metal strap.

WATCHES | STYLE

has a mirror-polished finish and is chamfered along its lengths, arching splendidly over the linear movement. Internally, the tourbillon’s 80 components are constructed within a 10mm diameter. A clever solution of tucking the platinum micro-rotor under the barrel lets the entire aesthetic of the movement remain distraction-free. But what truly makes them commemorative timepieces is what lies on the back. Each is satin-finished and engraved with a special logo for the anniversary. The latter is, as expected, art deco-inspired, and also brings to mind the well-known arrow design of the bridges. It has been decades since the conclusion of the art deco movement but, as clearly demonstrated by Girard-Perregaux, its influence is still far and wide-reaching.

For the occasion of the 70th anniversary, the haute horlogerie pieces are entirely nd handmade, a feat that only the best artisans can achieve

2015 2012 2006 2004 1999 The automatic, rectangular chronograph in gold and steel was presented with a GP 30C0 movement.

The birth of the Vintage 1945 Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges—a merger of the two most iconic designs by GirardPerregaux.

Unveiling of the Vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon, distinctive for the slot machine on the dial.

Three different versions of the Vintage 1945 were created to honour the 125th anniversary of the birth of the great architect Le Corbusier— each represented the three cities he worked in: La Chaux-deFonds, Paris and Marseille.

The 70th anniversary of the Vintage 1945 collection with two timepieces launched to mark this momentous occasion.

STYLE | WATCHES

The Big Bang Theory Hublot has raised its stakes in the high horology game for the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang collection. Karishma Tulsidas checks out its latest offerings ommercially, hublot is one of the watchmaking industry’s biggest hits: in the 11 years since its rebirth under the helm of Jean-Claude Biver, it has gone from being an unknown entity to becoming a household name more recognisable to the masses than most haute horlogerie manufactures that date back a few centuries. This was greatly aided by its lucrative partnerships with names in the arts and culture, film and sporting industries, and its sponsorship of such avidly watched competitions such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Cricket World Cup 2015 and, lately, the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight. But, there are two very different sides of the coin when it comes to Hublot. On one hand, there are the watches born from these partnerships, pandering to Hublot’s Art of Fusion motto with an intriguing mix of inhouse alloys and unorthodox materials. The other caters to true watch aficionados with high horology offerings. This year, Hublot celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship Big Bang collection. This was the collection that propelled the brand into the limelight—it was audacious and daring, and would become a direct representation of Hublot’s DNA. It is timely then, that for this iconic collection’s 10th anniversary, Hublot would release three timepieces that validate its technical knowhow in high horology. When Hublot opened a 6,000sqm hightech manufacture in Geneva in 2009, it also unlocked the door to its high complication workshop that is dedicated to the sole production and assembly of these complications. It is a self-contained workshop that builds its own plates, bridges, pinions and

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gears, which watchmakers hand-ﬁnish and decorate. A single watchmaker then handassembles one watch in its entirety.

LOUD AND CLEAR Within the category of chiming watches, the alarm clock possibly gets the least attention from watchmakers, even though it’s said to have been invented in 1556, before the minute repeater. A few watchmakers in recent years have included it in their line-ups, including Vulcain, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Patek Philippe. For 2015, Hublot has included this oftoverlooked complication with the Big Bang Alarm Repeater. It is joined by a second time-zone indicator, making for a nifty travel companion. An on/off indicator at 6 o’clock tells the user if the alarm has been activated, and he can see the speciﬁed wake-up time within a

MAKING HISTORY Clockwise from top left: The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve Indicator; the Big Bang Alarm Repeater; the Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar

singapor e tatler . july 2015

counter at 5 o’clock. For maximum impact, the alarm rings continuously for a good 16sec. Incentivising you to try to open those eyelids on early morning wake-up calls is the SuperLuminova-coated hammer busily at work under the sapphire dial. The watch offers a power reserve of 72 hours; one barrel powers the movement, the other, the alarm function. In fact, should you need to know whether there is enough energy to drive the alarm, simply check the spring within the skeletonised barrel. If unwound, it means that it’s time for the ceremonial wind-up.

WHAT A WHIRLWIND One of the perennial problems that watchmakers have sought to tackle is that of the power reserve. The longer, the better, as the wearer need not have the constant hassle of winding his watch every couple of days. Hence, watchmakers have tried to increase the autonomy of the watch, by either introducing multiple barrels to the movement, or increasing the size of said barrels. This year, Hublot has released the Big Bang

IMAGES: HUBLOT

The Big Bang was audacious and daring, and a direct representation of Hublot’s DNA

singapor e tatler . july 2015

Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve Indicator with, you got it, ﬁve days of continuous usage. On the west side of the watch, a unique power reserve indicator informs the wearer of how much time is left on the mainspring. Instead of a hand, it’s a rotating disk that does the work. The open-dial concept reveals that even the barrel containing the mainspring has been skeletonised, much like the rest of the movement. The eye instantly goes southward, however, where the one-minute tourbillon makes its appearance, perched amid the movement on a blackened bridge. The in-house manufactured HUB6016 powers the timepiece.

COMPLEX MECHANISMS The exacting tests of a watchmaker’s craft include the assembly of such complications as the minute repeater, tourbillon and perpetual calendar. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang, Hublot unveiled another showcase of its watchmaking knowhow with the Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar—a grande complication boasting a chronograph, moonphase indicator and a perpetual calendar. It is the ﬁrst time Hublot has manufactured the latter complication which is easily legible through three counters at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, each one revealing the day, month and date respectively. The subdials at 6 and 9 double as chronograph counters as well. White hands denote the perpetual calendar complication, while red hands are associated with the chronograph. Providing a visual balance is the aero moonphase indicator at 3 o’clock. Much like the construction of the Classic Fusion AeroMoon, the moonphase indicator features two lunar grey moons, with craters and all, making their monthly rotation. A partially darkened sapphire glass adds a dash of dark mystery. Given the skeletonised movement beneath, the layout can be sometimes hard to read, but to help, Hublot has coated the hands with white SuperLuminova. The titanium version is light on the wrist, despite its 45mm dimensions, while the King Gold version makes for a weightier option.

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HOROLOGICAL ICONOCLASTS Maximilian Büsser, Felix Baumgartner and Alessandro Zanetta with The Hour Glass’ Michael Tay at the Rebels with a Cause event

Small and Mighty

e’re not competitors,” says MB&F’s Maximilian Büsser within 20min of our round-table discussion with him, Urwerk’s Felix Baumgartner as well as De Bethune’s Alessandro Zanetta. It never crossed my mind, I reassure them, and it’s true: despite always being lumped in the same category of “independent watchmakers”, the three brands they head are vastly different and unique, injected with their individual personalities and quirks. Moreover, it’s blatantly obvious that they share an easy camaraderie. They had started in the industry at a time when a long legacy and weighty heritage were still paramount to success. But in stormed these upstarts, breaking all venerated moulds of high horology with their contemporary, unorthodox timepieces. Today, some 10 (MB&F) to 18 years (Urwerk) later, they’re hailed as iconoclasts. Singapore Tatler chats with them about being the pirates of the industry.

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When you first started, your biggest challenge was changing the perception of watch collectors. Today, what are the challenges you face? Alessandro Zanetta (AZ): For De Bethune, we are fighting every day to let people know what we’re doing, and to find the right way to communicate that. The three of us were just discussing this, about how to get the message out, especially for us working on a certain detail of the technique, and people don’t really understand it. Only a few collectors really understand. We are small brands, but fortunately we have the Internet to pass the messages. But it’s really hard. We are fighting against some marketing machines. Maximilian Büsser (MB): We whisper when everybody screams. You really have to find the right channel to allow people

singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGES: THE HOUR GLASS

A drop in the ocean, they call themselves. But the independent watchmaking brands that Maximilian Büsser, Felix Baumgartner and Alessandro Zanetta head have turned the horological nd industry on its head. Karishma Tulsidas chats with them

to hear what you say. It’s been a rollercoaster ride. In 2013, we hit the ideal number of pieces we were hoping for, 280 pieces a year. I was hoping for 15 employees, we’re now 20. And from there, I said we’re not going to grow. We invest and we create because our pleasure is to create. I feel like saying that production is a necessary evil. We need to produce just to find the next creation. And every one of our customers who’s buying our pieces is helping us create our next creation. It’s been an uphill battle, and we’re now at a sweet spot where we’re happy and we won’t grow anymore. Customers are wary about independent watchmakers because of undelivered prototypes, and unsatisfactory after-sales services. How do you tackle these problems? MB: We launch a piece only when we can deliver the first pieces; it’s simple thinking. We have no money for advertising, so it would be suicide to go to the press, present a piece, and then deliver it in six months, one year or two years later. For after-sales service, we guarantee that we will repair the piece in six weeks. We’ve delivered 1,400 pieces in all, and we’ve had less than 40 pieces in after-sales services. That’s also why we can do six weeks (laughs). Felix Baumgartner (FB): I want to add one point: how can the

“So much of our blood invested, we cannot sell this. It’s impossible to sell your soul” client be sure about after-sales of independent small companies? Our partner The Hour Glass does an incredible job in choosing the right partners. When someone buys from any strange parallel or a small opportunist retailer, he may get problems of undelivered prototypes or these kinds of problems. But for my brands, the end client can really rely on my retail partner, which is extremely serious in its choice of brands. AZ: For us it’s a bit different. We decided to verticalise our manufacture. Doing that— and doing so many calibres in such a short period—was difficult because you have to do everything right away. We produce so many different things that it takes time to deliver. But we have always delivered. Were you ever tempted to sell the brand to the bigger players? MB: No, never. I mean, this is a very personal quest. It’s writing my autobiography and I’ve got a lot of chapters to still write. FB: It’s so personal what we do. So much of our blood invested, we cannot sell this. A very simple PR answer would be: it’s absolutely impossible to sell your soul. Do you think that after you, there’ll be someone else

singapor e tatler . july 2015

who’ll be able to pick up the baton and keep the company running? MB: Interesting question because we have a responsibility towards our team, our client; the brand can’t just disappear with us. I’ve had this discussion with my technical director, my partner, about the contingency plan. What happens if I get hit by a bus tomorrow? What happens to those 20 employees, those 1,400 watches we’ve put on the market? I’ve told them they have to go find an art director, someone who will interpret what I create in his or her way. It is possible, but it won’t be the same company. AZ: Never say never. I don’t know. But it would become another company, another something else. It’s an evolution. It would not be the same. I think if we are doing our job in a good way, someone else will continue our job in future. They will probably buy back Urwerk, MB&F or De Bethune, because otherwise it doesn’t make sense if you think that you’re working to let your baby die when you won’t be here… I would be more scared of that. FB: I had a bad accident some years ago, I think in 2006. MB: Yes, 2006, I remember. FB: It was sudden, boom! But

Max helped me out a lot; 2005 and 2006 were quite important years for Urwerk actually. We have close relationships and we have each other. It’s important to have a family like this. Things can happen in life; it can change a lot. You have all won awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. How do you think that has impacted your business? FB: The Grand Prix is not something that really helps in selling watches, but it is a sign that you are accepted by the industry. I don’t know—for me, on one hand, I am touched, on the other, I don’t want to be so accepted. It’s quite a bit bipolar on this end. It’s really strange! AZ: It’s a nice win in any case. When brands like ours get the prize, it gives us the opportunity to show the world what we are doing. A lot of people don’t really understand the amount of effort we put into every single part of the watches. MB: I admit, I am a bit like Felix. When we got two prizes for the LM1, I was like this is weird. It was like the pirates who get knighted by the queen! We’re super proud, but at the same time, it’s weird. But you submit your own designs to the panel... MB: Yeah, it’s a big paradox there. FB: It’s true. But it is how it is. For four or five years, the award has changed, and it’s good.

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STYLE | WATCHES

All Aboard Sherwin Chua plunges into

the depths of Ulysse Nardin’s marine history and looks at the new series of timepieces dedicated to its illustrious past t would not be hyperbole to compare what Ulysse Nardin did for marine navigation in the 17th century to the early 20th century to how Apple or Microsoft revolutionised the tech industry in the 21st. Founded in 1846, long before the existence of wristwatches, Ulysse Nardin was one of the world’s largest producers of marine chronometers: precise timekeepers crucial to navigate out at open sea, allowing navigating officers to determine longitude. In the early 1900s, the Swiss brand made such quantum leaps in marine navigation technology that half of the world’s navies relied on its seafaring equipment at one point. This year, the Le Locle manufacture pays tribute to its provenance by reissuing two of its most iconic nautical-themed watches, steering them into new territories for women. The first is the Marine Chronometer Manufacture Ladies. Sitting sveltely at 43mm, this new iteration is the elegant companion to the original, more masculine Marine Chronometer Manufacture. Released in 2012, the Marine Chronometer Manufacture was 45mm in diameter and featured hour and minute hands that had the same authentic “poire corps renflé” design as those on the marine chronometers found on ships. It was powered by the state-ofthe-art calibre UN-118 movement, which

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was renowned for its patented DIAMonSIL escapement and being one of the ﬁrst movements in the watch industry to boast a silicon balance spring. In 2013, the Swiss watchmaker introduced a trimmed-down 43mm version with Arabic numerals. The new, more petite ladies’ model sports an exquisite mother-of-pearl dial with pastel Roman numerals in either blue or pink. Its stainless steel case is set with 120 diamonds on the bezel. Powered by the calibre UN-118 automatic movement, the Marine Chronometer Manufacture Ladies offers approximately 60 hours of power reserve. The second timepiece in this year’s collection that pays homage to the brand’s singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGES: ULYSSE NARDIN

LADIES FIRST The Ulysse Nardin Lady Diver Starry Night; the Marine Chronometer Manufacture Ladies

Ulysse Nardin pays tribute to its provenance by reissuing its nautical-themed watches, steering them into new territories for women

HIDDEN DEPTHS

nautical past is the Lady Diver Starry Night. First launched in 2009, the Starry Night collection, with its classic diamondstudded dial, is an update of its sister model, the 2008 Lady Diver series, which in fact is the companion to the Marine Diver men’s watch. Ever since, both women’s iterations have become iconic timepieces in the market of ladies’ watches, and sealed Ulysse Nardin’s reputation as one of the ﬁrst watchmakers in the world to develop a mechanical diving watch for the fairer gender. Following its last reissue in 2010, this year’s Starry Night watch is the most diamondstudded version of this collection ever made. singapor e tatler . july 2015

Its mother-of-pearl dial is adorned with 29 diamonds which, as its name suggests, symbolise stars in the night sky. Another 12 diamonds, which double as hour markers, rest in its unidirectional bezel, while 32 more precious stones are nuzzled between its top and bottom lugs. Just as impressive as its external aesthetic is the mechanical heart that beats within this 40mm timepiece. The 2015 Lady Diver Starry Night features an updated movement —the COSC-certiﬁed UN-815 automatic calibre, which has a 42-hour power reserve. This watch is available in two versions: one with a black dial with a black rubber strap, and another in white.

Dating back to 2003, Ulysse Nardin’s Marine Diver line of watches has become one of the most iconic symbols of the brand’s nautical heritage. Its most recent version, the 2014 Marine Diver Gold, is based on the aesthetically updated model of the watch that was released earlier that year. Showing off a sportier profile than its predecessors, the 44mm diving watch is cast in 18K gold and features elegant curves that extend from its lugs to its bezel and crown protector. Even its screw-lock crown is covered in a claw-shaped rubber moulding, which adds to the watch’s cool, adventurous charm. This watch’s dial, in blue or black, is decorated with a wave-like motif that is also seen on its unidirectional rotating bezel. Beating within is the calibre UN-26 automatic movement, an ETA 2892-A2 ebauche, that Ulysse Nardin has customised and improved. Boasting 42 hours of stored power (with an indicator), it is waterresistant to 300m.

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STYLE | WATCHES

New Horizons Kingston Financial Group scion and head of its watch retail division Sincere Watch Kingston Chu is facing off today’s challenging luxury climate by now purveying “accessible luxury”. Karishma Tulsidas reports hether from a retailer’s point of view or a watchmaker’s, the consensus this year is unanimous: times are hard. There’s the global economic slowdown, a retail slump in markets like China and Ukraine, and then comes the fear of the smart watch and its tussle for precious space on the wrist. For retailer Sincere Watch, one of the strategies has been to target an unexplored territory: that of affordable luxury. Hence it launched SunTime, an entry-level concept on the third ﬂoor of Ngee Ann City. Here, unlike its big brother Sincere Fine Watches that houses the crème de la crème including Franck Muller, Audemars Piguet and Breguet,

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the brands are on the lower end of the spectrum. Rado, Longines, Tag Heuer, Corum, Hamilton and more sit prominently within dedicated sections in the store; none of them needs to jostle for attention as the space is clean and easy to navigate. It is becoming abundantly clear that million-dollar complications are no longer the bread and butter of the retail industry. Instead, retailers are eyeing the younger generation that seeks accessibility and affordability, without losing sight of their motto as purveyors of luxury. Kingston Chu, vice-chairman and managing director of Sincere Fine Watches, shares his thoughts on the current horological climate, the concept of SunTime, and the increased blurring of gender-speciﬁc watches. singapor e tatler . july 2015

up a bit. And the demand for watches, especially high-end watches, has eased up and so you see a correction in pricing. You were a watch collector before joining Sincere. How did that impact your strategies? To work in the luxury watch retail industry, you have to love luxury watches. Passion is one of the most important criteria. You can see how the industry has changed in a very short amount of time. Brands have been consolidated, and you see big groups in the industry. But I think when it comes to your operations and concepts, it all boils down to loving watches and giving customers something new. With SunTime, it’s building on Sincere’s work and serving a group that has not been covered before with this new retail concept. As a group, we’re extending our range with accessible luxury brands that include Tag Heuer, Tissot, Rado, Longines and so on. Each of these watchmaking brands is a big name in its own right. They’re not low-end brands. SunTime is an extension of our range and services to our customers, but presented with the same Sincere style. Tag Heuer is one of the brands that are really toeing the line with its positioning right now. It fits into both concepts of fine watches and luxury watchmaking. Tag Heuer is going through a period of price adjustment as well, just as all brands are. It’s also returning somewhat to its foundation from five to 10 years ago, being very strong in the accessible sector, rather than pushing itself into the fine watchmaking sector. There’s been a bit of a shift with Jean-Claude Biver at the helm.

YOUNG BLOOD SunTime, the newest concept by Sincere Fine Watches (above); Kingston Chu, vice-chairman and managing director of the watch retailer (right)

Of late, we’ve seen a return to more competitive prices for watches. What do you think of this new direction? Yes, I think that the prices have been adjusted across all brands. It’s an issue of supply and demand. The past 11 to 12 years were so good that many plans were put into place to increase production of watches and their pricing. Demand was so great that it very naturally led to an increase in price due to scarcity. I make it sound almost like a commodity. I think with many industries, it’s very similar—when all the supply in production cannot satisfy the demand and hunger in the world, then naturally prices will go up. But with the post-2012 slowdown, supply has eased

singapor e tatler . july 2015

There’s been a growing interest in women’s watches; how has that been reflected in percentage of sales at Sincere? Not just with watches but women’s mechanical watches as well. The image of women’s watches has evolved throughout the years. They used to be elegant and small, but in the past 10 to 15 years, they have been larger in size and much broader in terms of what’s an acceptable watch for women to wear. You see a lot of traditionally sporty, manly brands on very elegant ladies. It’s a very striking contrast and I think it works very well. Looking at our own figures, I’d put our percentage of sales for men to women in the ratio of 60:40. Increasingly, I think that the lines of what makes a watch exclusively for men or exclusively for women are blurring. The flipside of the coin is that men can now wear watches that are clearly oversized ladies’ watches with diamonds on them. And I think men can carry those off very well as a dress watch. So that has changed as well; it’s not lady customers reaching into the mechanical sector but men too are reaching over into the more dressy types of watches. Are you referring to metrosexual men? No, not necessarily. There are very manly men who can carry off diamond watches very well, too.

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STYLE | WATCHES

Material to Watch The stylish designs of Tudor’s fabric straps lend its timepieces a certain je ne sais quoi, and are comfortable to wear too, says Low Shi Ping

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the Black Bay for the diver; the Chrono Blue for the sailor; and the Advisor for the jetsetter. Each fabric strap is manufactured using the Jacquard weaving technique, executed by one of the few traditional passementerie companies in the east of France, sought out by Tudor. The design is weaved, and not printed on the strap. Advantages include a comfortable fit that is sturdy and flexible, and a long lifespan. Among the materials used are polyethylene fibres, silk and cotton to create straps that feature either solid colours in navy and grey, or ones with a mix of up to three stripes in varied hues—a nod to Tudor’s racing affiliations with the FIA World Endurance Championship. Since 2000, fabric straps have seen a revival in their interest particularly among collectors of sporting watches. However, their history dates further back to the 1970s when they were first made from nylon for soldiers and divers in the British military. Tudor, always on the lookout for the next innovation, identified its stylistic potential in 2009 and decided to create its own version. Today, the fabric strap is a mainstay and adds a young, hip factor to the 89-year-old brand.

WEAVE MAGIC Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue (top); the Jacquard weaving technique starts with tying the thread by hand

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IMAGES: TUDOR

ompared to its leather and metal bracelet siblings, fabric watch straps have generally been regarded as the underdog of the family. In fact, nylon straps (commonly known as Nato straps today) were developed and used by the British military thanks to their inexpensive availability. Over the years, however, just as how rubber straps gained popularity, nylon and fabric bracelets have become a statement of comfort and style, thanks to their proliferation by luxury Swiss watchmakers, in particular Tudor. In 2010, the Swiss brand elevated the status of the fabric strap by presenting its Heritage Chrono model with one at the Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show. The reception was overwhelming. Tudor has since included a fabric strap option with every timepiece from its Heritage collection for that extra dash of style—the most recent being the Heritage Ranger, with its distinctive camouﬂage motif. The Heritage Chrono collection is a direct descendant of the Tudor Monte Carlo collection from the 1970s, and is often associated with adventure and sports. The Heritage now comes in different iterations, appealing to the adventurer across several disciplines: the Ranger for the mountain climber and North Pole explorer;

In Full Bloom Audemars Piguet Millenary

Photography Eric Seow Fashion Direction Desmond Lim Hair and Make-Up Grego, using BedHead by TIGI and Chanel

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Endowed with a harmonious design and smart engine, Audemars Piguet’s latest Millenary collection is the stylish weapon of choice of nd these three power women atch aficionados always vaunt the poetry within a horological mechanism—the polished-to-perfection components that labour harmoniously together, and the hypnotic swirl of the balance wheel that performs a dervish dance. It’s a hypnotic sight, but often shielded from view as it remains visible only to the wearer via a sapphire caseback. This was mainly a sight enjoyed by men, but today, an increasing number of women are just as interested in the inner workings of their timepieces. Audemars Piguet has achieved this perfect balance of femininity with microengineering with its Millenary collection. The collection draws on the watchmaker’s historical archives, which are filled with timepieces for stylish women, melding precious gems, colourful hard stones and reliable movements to great effect. The newest Millenary has its roots in this past, and is a thoughtful combination of engineering smarts and aesthetic elegance. Much like today’s

multifaceted, multitasking woman, the lavish collection boasts a complexity that only reveals itself progressively. Its 32mm case is sleek, and sits elegantly on even the slimmest of wrists thanks to its ovoid shape. An off-centred dial, either wrought in mother-of-pearl or sprinkled with diamonds, shows off part of the openworked movement. A sapphire cabochon crown and a diamond bezel and lugs add precious pizzazz to the timepiece, while the calibre 5201 offers 49 hours of autonomy. This juxtaposition of beauty and brains echoes that of Shabnam Arashan, June Rin and Tan Min-Li. These are power women who live every day with utmost style and panache. Whether making the school run, presiding over a surgical theatre or courtroom, or heading to a red carpet gala event, these ladies are at the forefront of fashion; fearless, avant-garde and always a vision of grace. We discover what it takes to make them red-carpet ready, all while armed with the most precious weapon: the Millenary timepiece by Audemars Piguet.

ADVERTORIAL

June wears the Millenary timepiece in white gold with diamonds on the dial, bezel and lugs

Function & Form

Neuroanaesthesiologist June Rin scrubs up well— she was the recipient of the Singapore Tatler Leadership Award for Style in 2012, and has continuously proved her chops in chic cocktail dresses, elegant gowns and trendsetting outfits. The mother of two is also a member of several charities’ fundraising committees

The new Audemars Piguet Millenary collection… has a timeless yet unique and distinctive design. The shape is aesthetically pleasing, unique and sits beautifully within the contours of the slim Asian wrist. It is a lovely jewel, yet shows strength of character and complexity.

that translates well from day to night, casual to formal. This watch meets these needs.

I’ve always admired Audemars Piguet... Its watches for women exhibit a tough femininity with a meticulous finish.

At work, my style is utilitarian… I wear no jewellery, but only a watch. It’s important to keep me on track for the many duties I have. On the red carpet, however, I am able to express myself freely. What I choose reflects my mood, the event theme and the company I’m with.

I love its versatility… I dislike taking too much time to prepare for an event, so I need a beautiful and functional timepiece

My secret weapon… is a car full of shoes and accessories to take me from boardroom to cocktail event!

Style Chameleon

Partner at a law firm by day and fashionista by night, Tan Min-Li has her finger on the pulse of the fashion industry. The recipient of the 2014 Singapore Tatler Leadership Award for Style launched a capsule collection last year for Singapore label Mad About Hue. She is also involved in film production through her company Xeitgeist.

As a watch enthusiast… I am delighted that Audemars Piguet is focusing on women as a target market now as there is an increasing number of women who are interested in watches for their mechanisms, and not just their decorative value. It is gratifying that Audemars Piguet is making such serious timepieces for women, as there is a dearth of mechanical timepieces with complications made for us. The Millenary is contemporary and timeless… I would wear it both on and off the red carpet as its design is appropriate for both day and night. My style is minimalist at work… but for the evening, it changes completely to a more statement-making but effortless look. I love to work with a statement dress from Mugler or Balmain, and infuse it with my own touches like a quirky clutch.

Min-Li wears the Millenary timepiece in white gold with diamonds on the bezel and lugs

I don’t regard watches as jewellery… I love watches for their craftsmanship and mechanical features and functions, so I would wear a watch with a complication, a tourbillon for instance.

ADVERTORIAL

Shabnam wears the Millenary timepiece in pink gold with diamonds on the bezel and lugs

Fashion Jurisdiction

The most recent inductee to the Singapore Tatler Fashion Hall of Fame, Shabnam Arashan has a passion for fashion, and is willing to experiment with the latest trends. However, an acute awareness of her own body and style ensures that she rarely, if ever, makes a misstep. The mother of one is also the assistant director of Legal Aid Bureau.

The Millenary… started in the 1970s as an inspiration from the men’s collections, and it has remained classic and at the same time modern. Audemars Piguet has given it character by adding diamonds and making the balance wheel visible from the dial-side. Audemars Piguet… is for the woman who is powerful and independent, and this watch ties in perfectly with that. Ladies do not want a heavy watch. The Millenary is softer than the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore; it’s appealing to ladies. Watches are more accepted on the red carpet… but there is a lot of thought that

goes into selecting a timepiece, as opposed to a diamond bracelet. You have to make sure it’s the right shape, colour, with the proper dial and strap, and whether it comes with diamonds or not. I would wear the Millenary with the alligator strap for work, and for the red carpet, I’d change the colour of the strap to match my outfit. It is important to make the mental switch… When I go for an event, I need to remember that work is over and it’s now time to relax. I make sure I get ample rest; I hydrate and use facial masks. I always try to plan my entire outfit beforehand so that I am not rushed on the day itself. ■

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE.

MILLENARY DIAMOND SET.

SINGAPORE AUDEMARS PIGUET BOUTIQUE FORUM THE SHOPPING MALL 583 ORCHARD ROAD, #01-05/06 TEL (65) 6836 4918 THE SHOPPES AT MARINA BAY SANDS CASINO LEVEL B2M-207 TEL (65) 6688 7595 AUDEMARSPIGUET.COM

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S RD O AS W ID D N N LS AN TA IG TU S Y ES A OU E D M TH JO OR SH A Y RI RI A/ D B TE KA HU STE IN C SI VE ON TI ES AS TI E NA RL EC M DI HA LIM LL HO OR C D CO A CO HY ON N LL & AP M LO ANI S DS GR DE VA S V A T OR TO G W O IN ON UC PH TYL ATI OD S C R LO LL P A

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WATCHES | STYLE

CAUGHT IN THE WEB RM 19-01 Natalie Portman by Richard Mille (Opposite) TEA TIME Malte Small Model by Vacheron Constantin

OUT OF THE BOX Kalpa Piccola by Parmigiani Fleurier

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TACTILE DOMICILE Catâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye Small Second by GirardPerregaux

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nd FEATHER LIGHT Les Eternelles Fine Jewellery Watch by Chanel

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SERVED SPARKLING City Polo by deLaCour; Opera by Franck Muller

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STYLE | JEWELLERY

Life Aquatic

Tiffany & Co.’s design director Francesca Amﬁtheatrof dove into the depths of the sea, literally, to glean inspiration for her first Blue Book collection. Karishma Tulsidas discovers The Art of the Sea

SURF’S UP Inspired by an archival watch chain, this diamond necklace from the latest Tiffany & Co. Blue Book collection echoes the waves in the ocean

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PEARLS OF WISDOM

Highlights of The Art of the Sea, these three-layered bracelets with pearls inject youthfulness into the collection

IMAGES: TIFFANY & CO. AND TIFFANY & CO. ARCHIVES

nd ew york… the greatest city in the world. Home to the Statue of Liberty, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the New York Yankees. Tourist attractions, yes, but what most people don’t know is that all of them are bound by a common denominator: Tiffany & Co. The brand printed the inauguration ticket for the Statue of Liberty in 1886; founder Charles Lewis Tiffany was a patron of the Met; and the Yankees credit their interlocking logo to the imagination of Charles’ son, Louis Comfort Tiffany. Today, Tiffany & Co. might be a public-listed company, internationally renowned with a presence in over 25 countriess around the world, but it remains deeply ingrained in the American social fabric. The little blue box represents every young lady’s (or gent’s) dream proposal and its ﬁne jewellery collections echo the minimalist, design-skewed aesthetic of the American public. It has become a temple of American jewellery design, in particular its annual Blue Book high jewellery collection. The Blue Book was ﬁrst conceived in 1845 as a mail-order catalogue sent to select VIP clients of Tiffany & Co. The customers were privy to some of the world’s brightest and biggest stones, set within designs that echoed the zeitgeist of their era. It is only in recent years that the veil of secrecy on the Blue Book has been lifted. We asked John Loring, design singapor e tatler . july 2015

HISTORICAL GREATS A vintage Bacchus brooch (top) from the 1967 Blue Book collection; a hard copy of the 1909 Blue Book (above), sent only to VIP customers

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With the sea as her starting point, Amﬁtheatrof has used a rainbow of colours to mimic the various aspects of the ocean director emeritus who’s been with the company since 1979, the reason for this. “Think of how the audience has changed today. When I ﬁrst came, there were seven stores, taking in US$70m. Today there are 179 stores, US$249b in sales and there are millions of customers. You are not narrow casting a message to a small customer base, which is what we were doing before,” he says. “When I was producing in 1979, the world was different er cu and there was a much smaller customer base. derstood is th One thing to be understood that we had utside of the US, so we strictly no stores outside d to our American customers. N sold Now we are very international, so there has tto be a

THINGS Olivia Wilde (above) at the Blue Book party in New York, nd WILD wearing pink diamond earrings; a necklace with round diamonds and

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baguettes that emulate springboards at a pool (below left)

very different way of looking at things and lifestyles in different parts of the world but we keep a common denominator of Tiffany design that is understandable in all these environments.” The Blue Book is where one will find rare blue and pink diamonds, exquisite sapphires and vivid emeralds, but it is also where the Tiffany & Co. designers flex their creativity. There was Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of founder Charles Lewis Tiffany who was appointed as the house’s first official design director in 1902. He was a harbinger of the art nouveau style, and brought exotic techniques like enamelling and materials like Favrile glass into the art of jewellery making. Besides the beautiful designs of its in-house jewellers, the house also engaged renowned designers like Jean Schlumberger and his unchecked imagination: he took inspiration from the bounties of nature and conceived pieces like the popular Bird on a Rock that are still as coveted today. Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso, too, left a lasting legacy on the Tiffany & Co. archives with their organic designs and sumptuous colours. singapor e tatler . july 2015

JEWELLERY | STYLE

and dreamy. It’s pure luxury because of the superior quality about it, and because we spent a year and a half creating it. I felt the best way to represent the sea was through gemstones. They can emanate the sort of quality the sea has; even the energy. Sometimes when the sea is moody and dark, it’s temperamental and unpredictable, and you can show that through gemstones.” In this collection, Amfitheatrof has taken advantage of Tiffany’s access to the world’s best stones, thanks to its long-standing relationships with miners and stonecutters. But the biggest difference lies in the execution: in previous collections, the stones were cast as lead actors, with the designs relatively minimal so as not to overshadow their brilliance. Amfitheatrof, however, has spotlighted the importance of the design; with the sea as her starting point, she has used a rainbow of colours to mimic the various aspects of the ocean. Nature has long been a muse to designers, from fashion and furniture to art and jewellery, but what sets The Art of the Sea apart is Amfitheatrof ’s chimerical imagination. She fantasised about an underwater world, one that she had seen on her various diving trips around the world, and dreamt up the different elements that would reflect this inspiration without being overly literal or even old-fashioned. Shades of blue, purple and green in the form of aquamarines, sapphires, spinels,

nd The designers were all larger-than-life personalities, and Tiffany never restricted their creativity, allowing their imaginations to run amok. In 2013, the baton was passed on to Francesca Amfitheatrof, a trained jeweller and silversmith who has designed jewellery for the likes of Chanel, Fendi and Marni. Like her predecessors, she made her mark with her first fine jewellery collection, the Tiffany T. It set the tone for her tenure, a reflection of contemporary, 21st-century women who want jewellery that’s versatile, contemporary and beautiful. Says Amfitheatrof, “This isn’t business; this is madness, fantasy and artistry.”

UNDER THE SEA Earlier this year, she was put to the test with her ﬁrst Blue Book collection. Over the years, the Blue Book has always been a showcase of beautiful stones, but with no binding theme (except for the Great Gatsby collection launched in 2013). Amﬁtheatrof, however, decided to unify the collection under one theme, The Art of the Sea, drawing inspiration from the wonders underwater. She says, “I always like to start from a concept and from there I tell a story. I have such a strong connection to the theme, so I felt very personally that it’s poetry, fantastical singapor e tatler . july 2015

LADIES OF STATURE Cate Blanchett (above left) at the 87th Academy Awards wearing a turquoise, aquamarine and diamond necklace; Francesca Amfitheatrof, design director at Tiffany & Co. (above right)

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STYLE | JEWELLERY

tanzanites, tourmalines and tsavorites dominate the collection, echoing the hues found underwater. Each jewel is a chapter within the storybook, the gemstones are the words, and the details tell the tale succinctly and beautifully. One of the suites comprises a necklace with varying concentric circles set with brilliantcut diamonds. While the swirling fervour of the circular motifs is reminiscent of the constant motion of the sea, Amfitheatrof has also added a baguette-cut diamond on each circle to emulate a springboard at a pool. This technique is repeated again in a sapphire and diamond ring, where gradient hues of blue sapphires surround a central stone. Again, two baguette-cut diamonds splice the peripheral of the ring, leading towards the central vivid blue sapphire like a jetty on the sea. Elsewhere, an emerald-cut aquamarine captures the attention with its reflective surface, surrounded by a combination of brilliant, marquise and emerald diamonds. The essence of the temperamental sea, however, is best captured by the fiery luminosity of the black opal stone. Contrary to its dark moniker, iridescent shades of green and blue are flaked across the cabochon like swirl pops. A 17.12-carat black opal sits in the centre of a bracelet. Diamonds of varying cuts including emerald and brilliant trickle over the wrist, like droplets of water.

SONGS OF THE SEA Earrings with black opal and diamonds (above); ring with sapphires and diamonds (left)

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QUINTESSENTIALLY TIFFANY What’s striking is the youthfulness and edginess of this collection—unlike typical high jewellery pieces, these are not solely meant for the mother of the debutante. The pieces transcend generations; the designs and the colours are modern without a hint of trendiness that could potentially alienate women looking for evergreen classics. “Things are evolving and we are becoming a very design-led company with a very particular style,” muses Amﬁtheatrof. “We are doing things differently and attracting a lot of interest from customers. There’s a freshness to this new Blue Book. It’s not like when your grandmother gives you a ring and you think it’s very nice; it’s not a grandmother’s ring. There’s a lot of creativity and freshness in this collection.” Even pearls, the treasures of the sea, are given a contemporary update. A row of Tahitian pearls features in one of the most visually arresting pieces of the collection: a three-layered cuff that is meant to graze at the hand below the wrist. The ﬁrst layer is a polished gold bracelet; the next is studded with diamonds set in a wave-like pattern; and

UNDERWATER WONDERS The Art of The Sea is embodied by multihued gemstones, like this ring with a 6.17-carat blue cuprian elbaite tourmaline surrounded by aquamarines, tsavorites and diamonds

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS In Conversation with Adam D Weinberg, Francesca Amfitheatrof, Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Miele

SET IN STONE Actress Emma Stone at the 87th Academy Awards in an Elie Saab gown worn with the Japanesque wave motif cuffs by Tiffany & Co.

the third is the row of pearls, tinkling gently with every flick of the wrist. There is also a version with South Sea white cultured pearls, and two rows of diamonds above. They are meant to be worn as a pair on both wrists. Similarly, another pair of cuffs with Japanesque wave motifs has been designed to sensually sit low on the wrist. The white gold curves of the ripples are studded with diamonds, sitting on a yellow gold band—again, Amfitheatrof foregoes the traditional rules of jewellery design, and the metal-mixing gives the motif a contemporary zest. She explains, “The waves are from a whisky flask in the 1880s or 1890s; it was when orientalism was very fashionable. I took this wave pattern and played with it; changed the proportion and covered it with rose-cut diamonds because they don’t need the height. It can be very, very close to the top of the hand, really hugging it. I also like to mix the colours of white and yellow gold—it’s so very Tiffany!”

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CULTURAL EXCHANGE Two weeks before the Whitney Museum of American Art reopened its shutters in a new location within the Meatpacking district, Tiffany & Co. hosted its first instalment of “In Conversation with Tiffany” there. Prominent spokespersons from the arts and culture sector were invited for a round-table discussion to provide insights into their industries. For this first session, the attendees were Tiffany & Co. design director Francesca Amfitheatrof, actress and producer Reese Witherspoon, Alice Pratt Brown director of the Whitney Museum Adam D Weinberg, and founder and producer of film production company Quixotic Endeavors Matthew Miele. Amy Fine Collins, special correspondent to Vanity Fair, was the moderator. One of the interesting topics was the role of women in movies, and Witherspoon revealed that she started her own production firm because she realised that there were no exciting roles for women in films. She bought the rights to Gone Girl and Wild, in which she also starred. The actress also shared that both she and Amfitheatrof share a love for books.

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SPECIAL ORDER Clients like Emy Huang (opposite page) meet with Van Cleef & Arpels’ jewellery designer from Paris to create bespoke pieces in Design to Your Dreams

Precious Beyond Imagination nd Van Cleef & Arpels brought its bespoke experience to Singapore recently. Grace Tay finds out more about this exclusive offering and meets an ardent aficionado of the French jeweller who’s made a special order ometimes, you need to work up the courage to order a bespoke jewellery piece. Bespoke is fun and you’ll have something special, but there’s a risk in custommaking anything that you may not like when you ﬁnally receive it,” muses jewellery lover Emy Huang. She’s now looking forward to the delivery on her ﬁrst bespoke piece from Van Cleef & Arpels—a brooch in the French jeweller’s renowned Mystery Set, a trademarked technique where precious stones are set in a continuous blanket, uninterrupted by metal prongs or bezels. “Mystery Set jewellery is so beautiful,” gushes Beijing-born Emy, who moved here with her husband six years ago. “My mum and I had talked about ordering a piece for two years, but it was only after we saw a similar piece recently that we decided to make our singapor e tatler . july 2015

NOTABLE PIECES

own. Seeing that piece allowed me to better picture how my own design would turn out; the physical reference was assuring to me.” It was very special, she adds, to see upclose three Mystery Set ruby brooches circa 1920s to 1960s, part of a selection of museum pieces that Van Cleef & Arpels ﬂew into

Gouache of a bracelet, circa 1965, for shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. It was a gift for opera singer Maria Callas; Gouache of a necklace, circa 1949, marked with production notes

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Singapore for its exclusive Design to Your Dreams customer event in May. “It’s soo rare to see the actual pieces; usually you only see them in y, photos or drawings,” says Emy, who credits her Americanborn husband for introducing her to the brand 12 or 13 yearss ago when he gave her a Lucky Alhambra bracelet. She and her mum were among the 10 VIP customers at the two-day event, held in thee rton presidential suite of The Fullerton w Hotel Singapore, that also saw ery astounding sets of high jewellery ip pieces, including a dazzling Zip eces necklace, on display. These pieces were available for clients’ purchase, and also served as inspiration for those who had private appointments with a jewellery designer from the Place Vendôme maison’s workshop to custom-make their own design. It was the ﬁrst time that Design to Your Dreams was held in Singapore, the ﬁrst Asian country to host it after Japan. The jeweller that was founded in Paris in 1906 had planted stakes in New York over 70 years ago, and in Japan for over 40 years. While

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HOUSE ICONS

Van Cleef & Arpels’ signature butterﬂies and Zip necklace were among the high jewellery pieces on display at the exclusive bespoke experience

it’s been a mere seven years since the maison opened its ﬁrst boutique in Singapore, the level of sophistication among customers here warrants this bespoke experience, says Elise Gonnet-Pon, Van Cleef & Arpels managing director for Southeast Asia. “Design to Your Dreams is a very bespoke event held at most once a year, anywhere in the world. It’s a return to our roots, as the very ﬁrst pieces we created in 1906 were actually commissioned special orders. singapor e tatler . july 2015

JEWELLERY | STYLE

STYLE SLUG | JEWELLERY

IMAGINATION TAKES FLIGHT Just for the Design to Your Dreams event in Singapore, Van Cleef & Arpels flew in a selection of museum pieces, including the Bird of Paradise hat pin, circa 1927 (left), and Couroucou clip, circa 1965 (right) and the Mystery Set Feuille de Vigne clip, circa 1951

It continues this tradition of handmade drawings of designs inspired by archive pieces and other inspiration sources such as nature, the arts and culture, and offering variations of our iconic designs.” The biggest challenge, Gonnet-Pon says, is to understand the dreams and expectations of clients, and convey these to the design studio. First, client and designer discuss the possibilities and sketches are worked on. Books and photos of past and present designs can spark off modiﬁcations or completely new designs. Clients can also bring their own heirloom or loose stones, and have them incorporated into a new design. Back in the Creation Studios in Paris, ﬁnal design proposals are produced, from which gouache designs are painted to actual size. These are presented to the customer in another face-to-face meeting, and any changes noted. “Some clients have been customers of the maison for a very long time and are great jewellery lovers who know exactly what they’d like. They can tell the boutique what

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they have in mind beforehand, and the design brief is sent to Paris ahead of time,” explains Gonnet-Pon. “In such cases, our designer comes from Paris with finalised drawings that he presents to them.” Of course, customers do not have to wait for the occasion of Design to Your Dreams to be held in their country before ordering a bespoke piece. They can walk into any Van Cleef & Arpels boutique, any time, to tell the staff what they want, and a design brief would be sent to Paris. “What makes Design to Your Dreams unique is that clients get to meet with a designer from the Van Cleef & Arpels workshop who has flown down all the way from Paris,” Gonnet-Pon says. “Even if you’re visiting the Place Vendôme boutique, you’re not guaranteed a meeting with a jeweller designer without a prior appointment.” Crafting of a piece commences after a customer signs off on a final design. A ring singapor e tatler . july 2015

“Design to Your Dreams is a return to our roots, as the very ﬁrst pieces we created in 1906 were actually commissioned special orders”

can take four to six months to produce, while a complicated necklace or a Mystery Set piece will arrive after a year or more. Factor in more time if very speciﬁc or matching stones need to be sourced. “For the client, it’s always a major decision to make a piece of jewellery, and it requires a lot of patience!” quips Gonnet-Pon. What’s interesting to note is that there is no premium charged for the bespoke service. “The jewellery piece is priced as it would be if it were part of our high jewellery collection. Our clients really appreciate this transparency and level of service. Sometimes they prefer to choose from the collection, sometimes they go for a special order—it would not seem fair if there are price discrepancies.” DEFTLY DRAWN The jewellery designer interprets a client’s dream for a Ballerina clip, one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ icons, with coloured sketches on the spot For Emy, who has visited Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery workshops, witnessing the creation pieces go from design to actual production, process—even if it wasn’t of her own piece the feeling is different; even if it’s just a small then—has helped her better appreciate the ring, now when I play with it, it’s joyful.” various pieces she already owns. “Each piece She adds, with a laugh: “My husband loves is art, and something to really appreciate. Van Cleef & Arpels too, but they don’t really I like to know the story and what’s behind do men’s jewellery—so he has to buy more something I buy, and having seen how the for me!”

PHOTOGRAPHY: LIONEL LAI/ACEPIX; IMAGES: VAN CLEEF & ARPELS (ARCHIVAL DRAWINGS AND JEWELLERY)

GEMS FOR GENTS Throughout history, men have commissioned their fair share of bespoke jewels—yes, even for themselves

ALL ABOARD A model of the Varuna yacht equipped with electrical contact for a butler’s bell, circa 1908

Among the bespoke orders that Van Cleef & Arpels has received through Design to Your Dreams was a Fairy clip for a jade collector: some of his rare precious stones were incorporated into the wings. Another gent had butterflies created for his 27 grandchildren, each with a different design by Japanese lacquer master Hakose San (who created the dials for the house’s Midnight Extraordinary Japanese Lacquer watch

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collection in 2010). Each butterfly is signed on the back with the name of a grandchild. Elise Gonnet-Pon, Van Cleef & Arpels managing director for Southeast Asia, further shares how another gentleman has made a special order for each of his granddaughters on their 18th birthdays. “Each is a necklace featuring their birthstone, and the designs are unique each time so it’s a surprise. I think it’s a very lovely tradition.”

And would it be any surprise to learn that boys’ toys have existed through time? One of the house’s very first special orders circa 1906 to 1908 was a miniature of the Varuna yacht, made of ebony, white and green enamel, and set with jasper. It is believed to have been commissioned by the owner of the actual boat, Eugene Higgins, an influential personality in New York society. It had an electric bell used to summon his butler.

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STYLE | JEWELLERY

Red Haute nd

Cartierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultra-desirable red box has become synonymous with brilliant diamonds, outstanding craftsmanship and romantic liaisons. Singapore Tatler invites three renowned Singaporean photographers to reveal, through a visual montage, what the red box means to them

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GIFT OF GIVING Photographer: Geoff Ang Theme: Love Inspiration: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have felt that giving someone diamonds is like an explosion of the heart, for both the person who gives and the person who receives. This is my interpretation of that feeling.â&#x20AC;? Trinity Ruban solitaire ring in platinum with brilliantcut diamonds by Cartier hon g kong tatler . month year

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LUSH ROMANCE Photographer: Joel Lim Theme: Royalty Inspiration: â&#x20AC;&#x153;To celebrate the opulence and prestige that the red box represents, I decided to play with the royal colours of gold and purple, creating a romantic landscape for the jewellery.â&#x20AC;? High jewellery ring in platinum with emerald-cut diamond and round-cut diamonds by Cartier

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PARIS JE T’AIME Photographer: Munster & Longfei/T2 Pictures Theme: Heritage Inspiration: “Born in Paris, Cartier has long been known as a dream of desire to many. Its dedication and passion towards remarkable craftsmanship has been developed over centuries but still continues to fascinate. Nesting under the mirage of its birth place, such art is poised on the little red box, which unveils the distinguishable Cartier enchantment and magic.” Collection 1895 de Cartier necklace in white gold with brilliant-cut diamond and Solitaire 1895 ring in platinum with brilliant-cut diamond, both by Cartier

COORDINATION: KARISHMA TULSIDAS

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AESTHETICS SPECIAL

These lines won’t go away if you’re worried about scary myths!

nd Should you be proud of your laugh lines or be rid of them? Sunken cheeks — A sign of ageing or weight loss?

Never smoke. Dehydration and collagen depletion = wrinkles.

IMAGE: 123RF.COM

AESTHETICS SPECIAL

BREAST ARREST PROBLEM: Your boobs, once perky, now rest on your stomach like beanbags on a basketball DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Don’t let your enthusiasm get in the way. What you want is a natural lift to restore and subtly correct your original shapes, not balloons on a slender frame. Having said that, there are other options if a push-up bra doesn’t do the trick anymore. Fat grafting is emerging as a new breast reconstruction technique as it doesn’t involve major surgery and it uses your own tissues. Breast lifting “removes excess skin and tightens the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour”, says Dr Karen Soh of Privé Clinic.

PUFF DADDY PROBLEM: No matter how much sleep you’re getting, your eye bags have others asking if you’re tired or sick DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Dark circles around the eyes and discoloured veins are no match for a concealer. Eye bags are a different story. “If your condition is very mild or caused by loose skin under the eyes, stimulating the under eye area with new-generation collagen stimulators other than normal ﬁllers can produce visible results without going under the knife. Radio frequency technique such as micro-needling and Eye-Revo can also help tighten the skin in the under eye area,” says Dr Lee Mun Heng, founder and medical director of Cambridge Medical Group.

THE WRONG LIP LINES PROBLEM: A red lipstick is your worst nightmare. The colour seeps into your lip lines and bleeds beyond the borders

I SAW THE SIGNS

DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Founder and medical director of TLC Lifestyle clinic Dr Georgia Lee attributes “ageing, smoking, lack of sun protection and naturally thin lips” as the causes of vertical lines and creases around lip edges. Dr Lee Mun Heng sees an emergence of a new South Korean technology that may help eradicate them: “We now use the Kobayashi Micro RF technique for ﬁne lines. It tightens the skin while producing lasting effects and stimulates new collagen formation at the same time.”

THE SUNKEN SHIP PROBLEM: Your cheeks are starting to resemble those of Keith Richards, not Kate Moss DOCTOR’S ORDERS: When most of us think about sunken cheeks, we imagine sculpted, supermodelesque cheekbones. Unfortunately, the hollowness that comes with age is not the same as slim cheeks, as the loss of facial volume and lack of tautness emphasise vertical lines. IPL treatments are popular non-invasive treatments to smooth uneven textures and reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. However, “the smoothening and ﬁrming effects are minimal”, says senior consultant and plastic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Dr Leslie Kuek. “For treatments that work at a deeper level, patients can consider ﬁllers and hyaluronic acid for a better rejuvenation result.”

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ALL ABOUT THE BASS PROBLEM: Write it off as a bad day when you can hold a pencil between your lower butt cheek and thigh DOCTOR’S ORDERS: From Jennifer Lopez’s latest hit, Booty to the over-inﬂated popularity of Kim Kardashian’s, it appears that a full, perky behind is, well, growing in popularity. Dr Soh shares some good news: there is no age limit to a butt lift. However, the skin needs to be ﬁrm enough to hold the implants in place. Dr Georgia Lee warns, “More radical resection surgery to remove excess tissues can be made to tighten the area. The incision needs to be well planned as scarring is an issue.”

YELLOW FANGS PROBLEM: That lifelong caffeine addiction has led to tarnished teeth

The mirror never lies. If your BFF (best facial feature) is now your worst, it might be time to give the good doctor a call

DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Just like any part of the body, our teeth are subjected to wear and tear. The most common is the discolouration of teeth due to long-term smoking and consumption of staining liquids such as coffee and red wine, says Dr Ernest Rex Tan, co-founder and director of Smile Inc. Dental Surgeons. “Laser teeth whitening is the gold standard for teeth whitening,” he advises.

nd HEAD SPACE PROBLEM: Your skin doesn’t spring back into place when you pinch your forehead DOCTOR’S ORDERS: There comes a time when your fringe can no longer hide your “railroad” lines. Consider fractional laser, thermage or ulthera. “They have good safety track records and produce visible results which are natural looking. These suit patients who prefer a less drastic foray into aesthetics,” says Dr Winston Lee, medical director of South Bridge Aesthetics. If a patient’s concerns are lax skin and jowls, doctors may recommend a thread lift, where barbed sutures are inserted into the skin via ﬁne needles to lift facial tissues without incisions or cuts.

WHERE’S THE GAP? PROBLEM: Your bulging upper thighs get friction burns when you walk DOCTOR’S ORDERS: Dr Winston Lee explains why the “thigh gap” is ever so illusive. “It's tough to get rid of stubborn thigh fats with exercise alone, as it does not permit spot reduction of fat tissues." He recommends Liposonix, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved procedure for localised fat removal. Patients may opt for Vaser liposuction to emulsify fat cells prior to a suction process that removes the fat from your body, says Dr Shenthilkumar Naidu of Cambridge Medical Group. Patients must remember that these are not permanent solutions. If no proper lifestyle changes are made, the girths can re-expand although there are fewer fat cells in the area.

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AESTHETICS SPECIAL

ASK YOUR DOCTOR

ASK YOURSELF

WOULD YOU SUGGEST THIS PROCEDURE TO A FAMILY MEMBER? If your doctor would not recommend this procedure to his or her loved ones, it is a no-go. It is also a red ﬂag if your doctor cannot answer the simple question in “yes” or “no” terms. You want an honest practitioner you can trust to tell the truth.

HAVE I TRIED NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURES TO CORRECT MY PROBLEM? What we think are major issues might be solved with laser therapies or a prescribed cream from a dermatologist. Consider a noninvasive treatment ﬁrst. You could be saving yourself a lot of time, money and most signiﬁcant of all, pain.

CAN YOU DELIVER? Plastic surgery is a skill and different doctors have different skill sets. Different skill sets bring different results. With that, the ﬁnishing look of a procedure can differ from doctor to doctor. Do the homework—bring pictures of your desired look so your doctor is able to advise on whether your desired outcome is possible.

IS THIS DOCTOR REFERRED BY FRIENDS OR RELATIVES? Before and after results from doctors are a positive sign of the doctor’s competence, but the best review will come from your own network. They can tell you everything from the doctor’s bedside manners to the efficacy of the treatment years down the road.

CAN YOU SHOW ME YOUR BEST RESULTS AND WORST OUTCOMES? Many surgeons will have pictures of their work. They will have records of successful procedures. While that is crucial, make sure you ask them about those that did not go so well. They must not only be upfront but also clear on what went wrong.

AM I EMOTIONALLY READY TO FACE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS? It goes without saying that no surgery is without risks. “Don’t worry, it is perfectly safe” is unrealistic. Find out the most and least common side effects and complications, then weigh the pros and cons. When in doubt, don’t.

DOWN TIME After a facial, you may walk out of the clinic for high tea, but not all cosmetic procedures are made equal

4 WEEKS

3 WEEKS

2 WEEKS

TUMMY TUCK

FACELIFT

EYELID SURGERY

As this is a major surgery involving many stitches, you may need to take a month off work. Refrain from strenuous activities for six weeks to allow yourself to heal properly.

During the ﬁrst week, your head should be elevated and immobile to reduce swelling. While stitches will be removed about ﬁve days after surgery, numbness and discolouration will take longer to dissipate.

Swelling during the next 48 hours will look startling, but with proper icing and medication, it should be reduced swiftly. Because infection is a risk, report any elevated temperature to your doctor.

IMAGE: 123RF.COM

THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST

New to the knife? Here are the burning questions cosmetic surgeons want you to ask them and yourself before you step into your hospital gown

LIFE

TUMMY TUCK One tuck and you are done, provided that you maintain your weight.

NOSE JOB A good nose job lasts a lifetime.

>10 YEARS

TIME’S UP! All good things must come to an end— even that gorgeous boob job. Find out if your nip and tuck has reached its expiration date

2-3 MONTHS

LIPO SUCTION As little as months. Fat cells shrink and expand depending on your diet.

10 YEARS

1 YEAR

2-3 MONTHS

BOTOX Botulinum toxin injections or Botox freezes muscles but dissolves rather quickly.

2 WEEKS BREAST IMPLANTS, LIFTS AND AUGMENTATION Chest may feel tight and breathing restricted but symptoms will clear. You may be recommended to wear a comfortable sports bra every day for months after operation for maximum support.

FILLERS A year and beyond. As hyaluronic acid is found in the human body, it is subject to the same metabolic activity and can be absorbed by the body.

EYE AND FACELIFTS Sagging does not happen overnight. With proper care, you may never need another.

10 DAYS

BREAST IMPLANTS Most implants won't need a redo, but they may come with a 10-year warranty. According to FDA, migration or scar tissues might bring about the need for a replacement.

10 DAYS

7 DAYS

RHINOPLASTY

LIPOSUCTION

Bruising, swelling and congestion should be expected, but patients generally recover after one or two weeks. However, ﬁnal results take anywhere from three to six months to be seen.

Post-operation, you will be required to wear special tight garments to keep your skin compressed. Do not be alarmed if you see scars. A small one is to be expected where the incision is made.

BOTOX AND FILLERS Slight redness, swelling, bruising and itching are normal but they subside within a week. In the meantime, avoid rubbing your face, especially if you have a bruise. Facial scrubs should be avoided.

AESTHETICS SPECIAL | CENTRE FOR COSMETIC REJUVENATION & SURGERY

Myths, Debunked

Forget what you may have heard. Dr Shenthilkumar Naidu from Centre For Cosmetic Rejuvenation & Surgery reveals the truth behind the top five myths about breast implants the feel of the breast such as the amount of normal breast tissues present, implant shells, position of the implants, how implants were inserted and your doctor. Skilled plastic surgeons can create elegant breast augmentations that enhance patients’ inherent body frames with correct insertion techniques.

hen we trawl the internet for information on breast implants, we occasionally come across claims such as “they cause cancer” or “they rupture on flights”. To address the accuracy of such claims, we talk to Dr Shenthilkumar Naidu (bottom right), who has been in the business for 10 years, to put your worries to rest.

Myth #1: You cannot breastfeed with fake breasts There is no damage to the breast ducts or glands if the patient opts to insert the implants via an inframammary approach, which is under the muscle of the breasts through the breast folds. The breast tissues are not touched or damaged during surgery and there is no impact to the quality of milk. Unless the patient opts for surgery via the areola or the subglandular approach, which damages the breast tissues, the patient should not be overly concerned about breastfeeding after augmentation. Myth #2: Breast implants cause cancer The “old” implants were made of silicone oil which would react with breast tissues if the shells rupture. Breasts would feel hard from the fibrosis and these lumps were suspected to be cancerous. The “new” implants are made of cohesive silicone gel. Even if the shells rupture, the materials are inert and do not disintegrate or shrink over time. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),

nd these implants warrant a safe license globally to be inserted into human bodies. In 1992, the FDA placed a moratorium on the use of silicone breast implants. They reviewed the studies on silicone breast augmentation and found no link to cancer or other diseases. In 2006, the moratorium ended and it was announced that the new cohesive gel implants are safe for cosmetic breast augmentation. Myth #3: Replacement of implants is needed every 10 years This might be true for the “old” or round implants made of saline, which are prone to bursting. Some patients land themselves in the emergency room for a sudden deflation of breasts. The “new” teardrop implants are made of cohesive silicone or “memory” gel

approved by the FDA for their safe insertion into the human body. They do not change in shape, flatten or distort with time. Studies have also shown that they do not need to be replaced unless the patient desires an upgrade in size. The implants can stay in the body for as long as the patient desires.

Myth #5: Breast implants are hazardous Modern silicone memory gel implants contain cohesive gellike substances. Vigorous tests by the FDA and various safety authorities have confirmed that the new generation of implants are safe. The myth is linked to the old silicone implants which have been removed from the market since the 1990s as they were made of liquid and migration of the molecules was indeed an issue. ■

Myth #4: Breast implants feel fake, hard or unnatural Modern silicone gel implants can look and feel natural. The new teardrop implants are shaped after a natural breast. They create a smooth slope over the upper pole of breasts and enhance the volume of the middle and lower poles of breasts. Other factors influence CENTRE FOR COSMETIC REJUVENATION & SURGERY BY CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL GROUP 03-03A Shaw Centre, tel: 6235 9911 centreforcosmetic.com

AESTHETICS SPECIAL | CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL GROUP

Threads of Youth Achieve that sought-after V-shaped face instantly with the Ultra V Lift from South Korea.

Cambridge Medical Group’s

Dr Lee Mun Heng uncovers the safe and innovative skin-tightening treatment that’s taking the world by storm

ith their perfectly contoured and radiant faces free of lines, South Korean stars never seem to age. The country’s reputation as a superpower in advanced beauty technologies and skincare must have something to do with it. One of the most successful treatments to have emerged from South Korea that is making waves across Asia is the Ultra V Lift. A surgery-free skin-tightening procedure, it’s the answer to a quick “lift” from the doctor’s clinic straight into a gala dinner event.

TRADITIONAL THREADLIFT VERSUS KOREAN V LIFT Dr Lee Mun Heng (right), founder of Cambridge Medical Group, has been performing threadlifts for 10 years and has seen how the often troublesome threadlift systems from Europe previously have evolved into the Korean-style Ultra V Lift, now a top lunchtime facelift that patients find comfortable and effective. He says, “Unlike traditional facelifts, which are invasive and have long recovery periods, there is minimal pain, no bleeding or swelling and bruising is rare. Ultra V Threads are also well tolerated by the body and dissolve over a few months. The most attractive part: No downtime. Patients leave with happy faces and can head straight from the clinic to a glamorous function.” The Korean style Ultra V Lift system is the brainchild of Dr Lee’s friend Kwon Han Jin, a celebrity dermatologist in Seoul, and Dr Lee is one of the early pioneers to have mastered this revolutionary technique, now a signature offering at

Cambridge Medical Group. The doctor, who does at least one Ultra V Lift every day, says, “The fine lifts can be added to many parts of the face to create subtle or more pronounced facelifts. And the progressive, natural-looking results from the treatment command high patient satisfaction.” A DOCTOR AND A TAILOR Central to the treatment are Ultra V Threads, extremely fine synthetic fibres made of polydioxanone that encourage collagen growth. After anaesthetic cream is applied to the treatment area to numb it, the threads are strategically inserted into the face using a series of needles. Resembling a simple acupuncture session, it is done within mere seconds by Dr Lee, with the deft hands of a tailor. These special threads tighten sagging skin and stimulate collagen and fibroblast production, resulting in a more sculpted V-shaped face. The results of youthfully firmer, more elastic skin are instantly visible and as new fibroblasts and collagen are stimulated, the face looks increasingly younger every day post-treatment. Touchups aren’t usually needed until one or two years after the first treatment, but satisfied patients who do get touch-ups before this will see even better results. Ultra V Threads can help to achieve a smoother forehead, higher cheeks, a more defined jawline and chin, a higher nose bridge and a sharper nose tip. They can even be applied to

the corners of the eye, and other parts of the body like the abdomen. All it takes is just 30min per treatment area. COMPLEMENTING V LIFT WITH OTHER TREATMENTS Every treatment is preceded by an in-depth consultation with Dr Lee. He then gets down to “designing” a face, determining the combination of thread strength and proportions needed to achieve the desired lift. Patients get to see how they will eventually look before any work is done thanks to a simulation of the expected end result, so any refinements can be made at this stage to ensure very precise results. Dr Lee adds that Ultra V Lift can be combined with other complementary techniques like the new collagen stimulating medication Sculptra—for which he is the trainer for Southeast Asia appointed by pharmaceutical giant Galderma—for a more youthful you. ■

CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL GROUP 08-05A1 Ngee Ann City Tower B, tel: 6733 0777 cambridgemedical.com.sg

AESTHETICS SPECIAL | PRIVÉ CLINIC

Prime Time

Your 40s needn’t be the beginning of the end where beauty is concerned. Privé Clinic’s Dr Karen Soh reveals the leading surgery-free treatments that address specific concerns and instantly restore your youthful looks he 40s are a woman’s prime years. Her career is on solid ground, she’s mastered the art of balancing work and family, and she’s engaged in community work. She’s at her peak and her confidence level is at its highest. But unfortunately, when it comes to the skin, things start to take a downturn at 40. Lines creep in, skin loses its spring, pores appear magnified and dryness leaves skin looking dull. But there’s no reason why women in this age group can’t have it all, especially with the effective portfolio of surgery-free treatments available to address specific skin woes. Addressing the myth that only surgery will yield the best results for ageing skin, founder of Privé Clinic Dr Karen Soh expounds, “While a facelift makes the skin container smaller and reverses the effects of gravity by repositioning the soft tissue on the face to a more youthful position, it doesn’t correct volume loss and loss of skin elasticity due to age.” Perfect for women in their 40s who may notice loss of tissue volume, lines and folds

but don’t quite need a surgical facelift is the Dermal Lift. In this hour-long treatment, the very precise placement of Botulinum Toxin A lifts and recontours the face, defying gravity’s pull. A commonly requested treatment among women in their 40s at Privé Clinic, it works to tighten slackened skin without making it look “plastic”, firms and smoothens, and renders it seemingly poreless. This “whole-day powdered” look lasts for up to six months. Dr Soh, herself a youthful mum of four in her 40s who leads a full life, well understands the concerns of modern women in this age group and will advise how best to address skin issues so that they can look their best in their prime years. To tackle dryness and loss of skin elasticity, another common skin woe for the 40-something woman, she advises, “This type of skin not only needs moisturising but also hydration from within, which will help restore elasticity.” Expensive creams can only do so much. Dr Soh recommends Hydravital, a safe, hour-long treatment

which many women opt to have monthly. As the name implies, an essential hydration boost is delivered to skin, through tiny injections of hyaluronic acid. The building block of collagen that makes skin taut, it restores and reinvigorates critical water reserves at the dermal layer

of skin cells, providing intense hydration and stimulating collagen growth to impart a dewy, radiant look to the face. Dr Soh adds, “Hydravital also contains an antioxidising agent that helps to prevent the build-up of free radicals in the skin, so the treatment’s effects are prolonged.” ■

PRIVÉ CLINIC 03-03 Palais Renaissance, tel: 6737 6639 priveclinic.com

CLINIC

perfection is possible Perfection is all about balance. At Privé, we take pride in offering you first-class aesthetic services. You can trust our skilled medical professionals, who are highly experienced in performing Botox® procedures, dermal fillers, laser, light therapies, and other aesthetic treatments. With every program customized to fit your individual needs and using the finest quality products, we deliver maximum results. Best of all, enjoy this pampering experience in the comfort of luxurious surroundings -- that is perfection in itself.

390 Orchard Road, Palais Renaissance #03-03 Singapore 238871 Tel: 6535 8684 | 9848 2888 Email: contact@priveclinic.com

AESTHETICS SPECIAL | THE SLOANE CLINIC

The Power of Two The Sloane Clinic’s 3D Facelift Program

combines two top-notch face-lifting treatments into one potent youth reviver

nd hether you want a more contoured, firmer face but aren’t ready to go under the knife or you’re already getting regular botulinum toxin injections and fillers but need a little help to take things further north, there are various noninvasive procedures to help. But what if you could continue to make teeny changes and get bigger results? That’s exactly what the 3D Facelift Program at The Sloane Clinic does. Like a double-shot espresso that instantly awakens, this combination of two leading FDA-approved treatments is a potent weapon against skin ageing. Called the jewel of all non-invasive face-lifting programmes, it marries Ulthera, which uses focused ultrasound energy to firm, tighten and lift skin, and Thermage, where radiofrequency waves

W GOLD STANDARD The Sloane Clinic offers the latest in beauty technology, delivered by a highly experienced medical team

are penetrated into skin to improve its texture and contour the face. The beauty of Ultherapy is that it precisely and safely targets sagging skin where you can’t see it—deep below the surface. After one to two sessions of this 60min treatment, you’ll observe reduced appearance of hooded lids, drooping cheeks, slackened jawlines and crow’s feet. The treatment continues to work after you leave the clinic thanks to the growth of new collagen, stimulated by the focused heat delivered by the applicator to skin. You’ll observe a gradual tightening that feels natural and looks great. Results last a year or more, and while skin may appear slightly flushed posttreatment, any redness clears within hours and make-up can be applied as usual. With skin already firmed, tightened and lifted with

Ultherapy, it’s vital to ensure skin stays plump by boosting your body’s natural collagen regeneration, which slows over time. That’s where the new Thermage CPT system comes in. The only FDA-approved system that’s safe on fragile eyelid skin, it revives the body’s natural collagen regeneration mechanism. A ThermaCool device acts on large volumes of collagen in the deep layers of skin while cooling and protecting the outer layer. Not only are drooping faces lifted, wrinkly eyelids smoothened and unsightly eye bags cast out, skin emerges refreshed and smoother, with the kiss of youth. Like the yin and yang of youthful skin, Ultherapy and Thermage in the 3D Facelift Program, delivered by the experienced team at The Sloane Clinic, is a facelifting programme that truly does double duty. The session is complete with a two-time silver ion regenerating masque that protects skin against aggressors as it pampers. ■

THE SLOANE CLINIC 03-14A Ion Orchard, tel: 6509 8108 01-66 Chip Bee Gardens, tel: 6471 1108 03-01 Chevron House, tel: 6533 2522 sloaneclinic.com

IMAGE: OLIVIER CRUCIATA

THE RIGHT NOTE The picturesque Chapelle des Carmélites was one of two concert stops on the T’ang Quartet’s tour of Toulouse

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Eye on The Prize He’s found success in both IT and property development. What’s next for Satinder Garcha? Hospitality, it seems, with the launch of his ﬁrst luxury boutique hotel before the year’s end and three others in the pipeline

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Tribute to Toulouse Cathedrals, chapels and concerts. T’ang Quartet tours Toulouse and the guys share their travel journals

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EYE ON THE PR ZE nd

Photography GAN Creative Direction PETER STEPHENS Fashion Direction DESMOND LIM Grooming GREGO, USING L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL TECNI.ART AND BIOTHERM

He went from success to success in IT and property development. Now, Satinder Garcha’s venture into hospitality will see the launch of his first hotel before the year’s end. Chong Seow Wei meets the man who’s made it his mission to build his third fortune in luxury boutique hotels

“BEGIN AT THE

BEGINNING, GO ON TILL YOU COME TO THE END: THEN STOP”

So said the King of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Satinder Garcha is building his own Wonderland—one dotted with high-end residences and boutique hotels; no flamingo croquet here, but there’s polo aplenty, thank you. The beginning of this story, or at least as far back as he can remember, was a young boy fascinated with design and mechanics. “As a kid, I routinely took apart and put back together—not successfully most times—my toys and electronics, to see how they were built and how they worked. It was my hobby, my passion and my way of learning.” The beginning of any successful property development project is in finding the plot, says the founder and CEO of Elevation Developments, a boutique luxury property developer. “There’s an adage in real estate that one makes money when one buys, not when one sells. The biggest coup is finding a suitable building or site.” His company, which was founded in 2005, specialises in luxury homes and good class bungalows—prime addresses it acquires, building in place of old buildings it tears down modern statement homes “not only constructed with superior materials but by superior ideas”, as the company website vaunts. His strategy is to own and lease them out for the long-term, selling only when there’s sufficient upside—historically, tens of millions. While the company continues to welcome prospective buyers who subscribe to its vision to get in touch (a footnote duly advises: “Prices start from $10m”), hotels are now on Satinder’s drawing board. But he’s not just into building them—he wants run them, and redefine the five-star luxury boutique hotel experience in the process. Life. Experience. Experiment. Passion. Sanctuary. Fun. Six words that underscore the philosophy of Garcha Hotels, a hotel

STAY ROOTED The best hotel, for Satinder Garcha, is one that embodies the cultural and social heritage of its city Shirt, cardigan and jacket, all by Berluti; watch by Breguet

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management company that Satinder created in 2013 to gear up for his four boutique hotels in the pipeline. Part of its unique proposition: characterful old buildings that he’s overhauled for sumptuous stays and excellent service.

THE ART OF MODERN LIVING “Our passion is genuine old-world hospitality, extraordinary aesthetics and, most importantly, a fun-filled environment,” he says. In the last five years or so, he has picked up heritage properties including the old City Hotel in Santiago, Chile; and in Singapore, Murray Terrace acquired for $75m and six shophouses in Syed Alwi Road for $23m, both in 2012, and the $50m Berjaya Hotel in Duxton Road (renamed The Duxton and to be revamped end this year) in 2013. Hôtel Vagabond, the first property scheduled for launch, sits along the bustling Syed Alwi Road in Kampong Glam. The midcentury building reminded Satinder of Miami hotels such as the Delano, Raleigh and Betsy, of the same era and style. “I fell in love with the symmetry and proportions of the building. It’s similar to art deco buildings that were built in the 1950s in Tel Aviv, Bombay and Miami. It’s different from the more ornate traditional shophouses in Singapore from the 1840s to 1960s era, and quite a rarity here too.” With interiors imperator Jacques Garcia on board this project, the 41-room hotel is set for design distinction. It will keep its artdeco facade and original vermillion shutters, and get a full, modernising facelift inside that will include floor-to-ceiling golden trees hand-forged in Jaipur, and life-sized elephant sculptures emerging from pillars and walls. Nomads staying the night will luxuriate on Italian-made Egyptian cotton sheets and be privy to Satinder’s point of view in terms of the eclectic mix of framed photographs in each guestroom—all from his personal collection of travel shots. This “art hotel” will boast an interesting edit of sculptures and artworks personally selected by Satinder and host art-themed programmes for guests. It will also be the first luxury boutique hotel with an artist-inresidence programme; deejays and tattooists singapor e tatler . july 2015

“I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GOD IS IN THE

DETAILS”

are as welcome as painters and musicians. Two artist ateliers—spacious work-and-live studios with pull-down Murphy beds—will be sited on the highest ﬂoors.

DESIGN DEFINITION OLD SOUL The iconic red shutters of the art deco shophouse that is now Hôtel Vagabond; Satinder sees hotels not just as places to stay, but social and intellectual hubs

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Hôtel Vagabond’s September opening runs half a year behind Satinder’s initial plan, due to the complexity that comes with developing a heritage building, which called for a lengthier design and construction process than he had originally anticipated. “Our primary architectural challenge is ﬁtting a luxury hotel into a space that has been designed for another use over a hundred years ago,” he concedes. “Before we tear

down anything in the interior, we clean, dust and evaluate everything, and think hard about the possibilities. We have a diverse team of talented people on three continents working on each aspect, constantly questioning and evaluating. We go through multiple iterations and let the story unfold and evolve, and in many cases we end up in a different place from where we started.” The New Delhi-born polo enthusiast likens business to the game. “Teamwork, discipline, how to win—because you want to win in the game, just as you want a winning, proﬁtmaking business. But it doesn’t matter if you fail, because you’ll get up again.” Likening his role in each project’s development to that of an editor’s, he says, “It’s my job to navigate this journey by laying down parameters within which my team members do what they each do best.” Garcha Hotels has engaged Anouska Hempel Design (AHD) to revamp The Duxton. The elegant hotel, which will boast the highest room rates of the lot, will take on the new moniker, Blakes Singapore. AHD will also work on the transformation of Garcha Santiago, while Jacques Garcia will spearhead the design of Murray Terrace. singapor e tatler . july 2015

nd With his hotels, Satinder is “very intricately involved in the design process”, down to the uniform of its doorman. He is there with his team at every single design meeting. “Every detail of material that once can be seen and touched goes through me.” This continues through to the day the hotel’s doors open. “This provides the cohesiveness I believe is necessary to achieve a great end result.” A strict believer of seamless, top-notch service, all his hotels will go by a “dial zero for everything” policy—inspired by London’s Chiltern Firehouse, a hotel Satinder greatly admires. “I ﬁrmly believe that God is in the details. Each of our projects entails meticulous planning, attention to detail, intense scrutiny and zealous follow through. These values were instilled in me early on, when I went to boarding school at age nine.” He spent seven years at The Lawrence School – Sanawar, an ex-British military boarding school in the secluded foothills of the Himalayas. Discipline and rigour were weaved into his daily routine, from the ﬁrst bugle call at 6am to bedtime at 10pm. “The old philosophy was to drive the kids really hard and apply strong discipline and a strong sense of camaraderie. The school emphasised singapor e tatler . july 2015

not just academics, but extracurricular activity as well: sports, social work, etc. This stayed in my DNA.” He still follows the regime of waking early and exercising regularly, especially since getting hooked on polo since he and wife Harpreet Bedi moved from the US to Singapore in 2001. Their move followed the sale of his IT consulting and contracting ﬁrm People.com in 2000 right before the dotcom bust, which propelled him into Forbes’ Singapore’s 50 Richest List in 2013. For now, a typical day for him is packed with site visits and meetings with architects, designers, builders and hotel management teams. Despite this, he’s able to indulge in spending more time with family, attending parent-teacher sessions at his children’s school and, of course, ﬁtting in polo several afternoons a week for leisure. As he continues to build upon his fortunes with Garcha Hotels and Elevation Developments, Satinder does not plan an endpoint to his story of start-ups and success just yet: “I’m Sikh and Sikhism believes in a life of continual action. I intend to work hard to better myself and society, in all spheres. To do the best I can at all times.”

ECLECTIC MIX Personal travel photographs shot by Satinder trigger wanderlust within Hôtel Vagabond’s guestrooms; Satinder at a polo game with Team Elevation teammate Joao Paulo Gannon

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TRIBUTE The Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ang Quartet members explore their host city

TO from their recent concert in France and share

TOULOUSE excerpts from their travel journals

Violinists Ng Yu-Ying and Ang Chek Meng, with Leslie Tan on the cello, in Chapelle des CarmĂŠlites

With its Mediterranean clime and laidback vibe, Toulouse in south-western France is both bustling metropolis (the fourthlargest in France, in fact) and heritage hotspot. Homegrown string ensemble T’ang Quartet performed two concerts there in April at the Made in Asia Festival, the eighth annual event that seeks to build bridges between the East and West and foster better understanding of contemporary Asia among the locals. The quartet has performed several times in France in previous years, but it was the ﬁrst visit to Toulouse for all four. They share their thoughts and photographic souvenirs of this special experience with Singapore Tatler.

ANG CHEK MENG VIOLINIST

SANCTUM SPLENDOUR Kaleidoscopic colours light up Les Jacobins convent when the light hits the stained glass windows (above); the stunning vaulted ceiling of Chapelle des Carmélites (below) where T’ang Quartet performed

Violist Lionel Tan

singapor e tatler . july 2015

Toulouse in France is a new destination for us, although we have been to several other cities in this major European country and made many friends from among the warm audiences. The journey to Toulouse took a gruelling 27 hours (Singapore–Abu Dhabi–Paris, with extra time due to a strike), but our spirits were not dampened, as we were excited to be in this capital city of Haute-Garonne. Right after our hotel check-in, I wasted no time and set out to discover what this city had to offer. Strolling down the main boulevard, there were the usual major retail stores, the majestic capitol square and lots of beautiful young people gathered together. It was a surprise to stumble upon a Louis Vuitton boutique nestled in quiet Rue Croix Baragnon, refreshingly tranquil without long queues and crowds like in Paris! I bought a beautiful wallet for my wife’s upcoming birthday and that made a very nice introduction to this city. We had a great time enjoying the wonderful food of the region, the many watering holes, like the rooftop bar above J’Go—it serves over 50 gin mixers and has a rum bar serving the best mojito from a true-blue Cuban mixologist—and the beautifully restored churches. Our ﬁrst performance was at one such chapel, and what a pleasure it was for us to perform at Chapelle des Carmélites! The stone ﬂoor posed a challenge acoustically, but it was well balanced by the beautifully painted wooden ceilings. The highlight for me has to be the venue of our second concert on this short trip: Abbaye de Belleperche, Musée des arts de la table. The restored Cistercian abbey, situated in the Gascony region, is about an hour’s drive from Toulouse. In its long history, it has been a monastery, where some parts of the grounds were used to bury fallen knights. It was also an army garrison during the First World War. The special touch with the restoration of this ground into a modern museum is that all the

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carvings on the walls by individuals who have passed through have remained untouched. The magical spirit of the grounds deﬁnitely rubbed off on the quartet as we played a wonderful concert with a standing ovation from the appreciative audience! Alas, as with all our concert tours, the time to depart always comes too soon! Certainly hope to be able to return to perform in Toulouse again!

NG YU-YING VIOLINIST

Home to (aircraft maker) Airbus, Toulouse was, on first impression, a little modern and less charming than I’d hoped. Heading into the city from the airport, the buildings we spotted along the highway looked pretty “refurbished”, complete with swimming pools (which we later learned, is a popular feature in many homes). I was slightly disappointed as I had been hoping for old European buildings and charming architecture, like those we had seen in Dijon, Creancey and Auxerre, where we had performed in the past two years. Thankfully, our five days in Toulouse allowed me to discover the more charming side of the city, from its small alleys with beautiful brick walls and old houses, to the old city of Toulouse. Besides wandering through Gothic churches such as the Basilica of St. Sernin, I particularly loved the very rustic restaurants where I indulged myself in way too much foie gras (double the portions in Paris and for half the price!). I also liked The Flower’s Café, which serves the best desserts. We performed concerts in two very different venues, the first being Chapelle des Carmélites. The first stone of this small chapel was laid in 1622, and the originality of this monument lies in its vault panelled with thick planks of oak that assure a brilliant acoustic. The oil paintings by artist Jean-Pierre Rivals covering the vault made a picture-perfect backdrop, which is held as a masterpiece of 18th-century paintings of Toulouse.

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WALKABOUT From top: A beautiful spring day in Toulouse; the guys with a poster publicising T’ang Quartet’s concert at Abbaye de Belleperche; cassoulet is touted as a must-try when in Toulouse, although Leslie’s left him underwhelmed

As with all our performing venues, we always have to tweak our sounds and how we play together, to work with the acoustics of the venue. We chose to “under-play” in this chapel to create a cleaner and more articulated sound rather than a reverberating effect, to bring out the best of the programme we had prepared for the audience. The effect worked and we were cheered for an encore. Our second concert venue was even more interesting: Abbaye de Belleperche, a Cistercian abbey turned museum of table art. We were very honoured to be the ﬁrst to stage a concert here. The natural acoustics of the prison walls on all sides of the performance venue made this a perfect place to play and we received many curtain calls and a standing ovation. Among the warm and appreciative audience was a French lady who spoke to us in perfect Beijing-accented Mandarin and an Englishman who told us he was a soldier in Singapore in 1972. It is always rewarding when concertgoers tell us how a certain piece of music has touched them, when in fact, we are the ones who are thankful for their presence at our shows. France has always been very special to us, not just for the food or the sightseeing but for the very appreciative audience and the warm reception we always receive. It is a country we are always eager to return to and we are looking forward to our next trip soon.

LESLIE TAN CELLIST

With one foot in France and the other in Catalonia, Toulouse is a ﬁercely proud city that is not without its contradictions. Nicknamed La Ville Rosé after the pink terracotta bricks in much of its ancient architecture, it counts two Unesco World Heritage sites: the Canal du Midi and the Basilica of St. Sernin. It is also the centre of the European aerospace industry; Airbus Industrie, among others, is headquartered here. Home to the University of Toulouse, this is also a rugby-crazed town—none of the singapor e tatler . july 2015

CHURCH HOPPING The picturesque surrounds of Abbaye de Belleperche (above); inside the CathĂŠdrale St. Etienne (below left); Yu-Ying and the quartet warming up before their concert in Chapelle des CarmĂŠlites (below right)

SUNRISE TO SUNSET Under Pont Neuf that straddles the languid Garonne (above); Victor Hugo market is a hive of activity for gourmands and imbibers (below left); everyone has some place to be as the sun goes down (below right)

PHOTOGRAPHY: T’ANG QUARTET AND OLIVIER CRUCIATA

nonsense with its rounder cousin, the football, that the rest of France is obsessed with. Then there is its famed cassoulet, that ultra rich stew of haricot beans and cuts of duck, ham and sausage. The locals will think you silly for wanting to try it—they prefer their duck magret or confit de canard. These are not just any ducks, but birds fattened for foie gras; the meat is beefier and covered with a vast layer of fat. I tried the cassoulet on our first night at Le Bon Vivre, an old family restaurant famous for its traditional cuisine. While the others enjoyed magret de canard, brochettes de coeurs de canard (skewers of duck hearts) and foie gras, I plumbed for haricot beans stewed with different cuts of duck meat, ham and sausage—a definitely more proletarian dish. Frankly, it was nothing to write home about, but I enjoyed the delicious French bread used to soak up the salty rich slop. For spiritual sustenance in Toulouse there are the waterways like the 17th-century Canal du Midi that links the river Garonne to the Mediterranean. At the other end, another canal spills into the Atlantic. I did not have time to visit the entire length of the canal but my morning runs along the Garonne were special enough. Unlike its showier sister River Seine in Paris, the Garonne has an understated beauty and strength, ambling quietly along without tourist traps and stalls. Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Toulouse which straddles it, is even older than the one in Paris and more unique. It has seven asymmetrical arches and each of its niches with its stone work represents the lion’s head with a full mane. With wonderful architectural wonders languidly spaced along the Garonne, it provides a great refuge from the vigour of the city centre. In the mornings and the evenings, the sun bathes its spacious banks with warmth and light. It feels peaceful, unobtrusive and unostentatious. I can only describe it as organic and reinvigorating for the soul.

LIONEL TAN VIOLIST

The day after the cassoulet and le coeur des canard, we—or at least I—had the desire and heart to discover more that Toulouse had to offer. After a nice breakfast at the nearby and superb Marché Victor Hugo, we singapor e tatler . july 2015

TQ ON HOME TURF T’ang Quartet performs three concerts as part of Singapore International Festival of Arts 2015. Tickets from Sistic AUGUST 19 GUTS & STEEL The warm, rich tones of gut strings meet the crisp tones of a fortepiano in Guts & Steel. The T’ang Quartet and pianist Melvyn Ang bring Mozart, Boccherini and Dvorák to life on period instruments including the harpsichord and fortepiano. At Victoria Concert Hall

SEPTEMBER 12 BLACK ANGELS A musical exploration of darkness and light, by way of Hildegard von Bingen’s 12th-century 3 Antiphons, to George Crumb’s pacey Black Angels from 1970, and John Tavener’s mystical The Hidden Treasure from 1989. At Sota Studio Theatre SEPTEMBER 19 CELESTIAL REMNANTS The quartet performs with young musicians under its The Ensemble Dimension Project, a community and outreach initiative. The repertoire will traverse generations and celebrate the universality of music. At Sota Studio Theatre

explored Toulouse on foot, stopping first at Cathédrale St. Etienne, which has a tall but unimpressive red brick facade with typical Gothic gargoyles. However, as we entered through the heavy wooden doors, we were utterly surprised at how the music resonated not only in the space, but also with it. It was not what one would normally expect in an ancient European cathedral. The pipe organ from 1612 greets you, hung 17m above ground. Unexpectedly, the modern disjointed sounds that were probably French—I’m thinking Messiaen—suited the very Gothic design. The pews and woodwork, carved from walnut and aged to a luminescent darkness, featured pagan and mythological subjects. Next, we visited Les Jacobins, a Dominican convent built in 1229. Couvent des Jacobins is the largest monastery complex in France. We arrived with the sun casting a brilliant rosy hue through the stained glass onto one of the many columns of its famous “palm tree vault”, which I thought was utterly impressive. This vault comprises a column that is attached to the ceiling by a series of differently sized ribs. Upon further research, I discovered that two wines were also named Couvent des Jacobins. On our way back, we stopped once again at the 120-year-old Victor Hugo for lunch. Extremely popular on weekends, this ugly market is actually the ground level of a car park. But, the aesthetics do not matter one bit as the market is famed for its quality and choice of local produce. It has over a hundred stalls with an extraordinary array of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, wines, foie gras, black pork sausages and fancy ice creams. There are several lively cafes where you can get your caffeine fix or a glass of wine. I was told that a typical Toulousain would party till 5am, head to the market for a breakfast of oysters and wine, then go home to sleep. If only we had more time to gorge and indulge, rabbit, lamb’s head, sweetbread of lamb (ris d’agneau) and Fine de Claire oysters (going for ¤12 a dozen) would have been on the menu. But by providence, the white chardonnay served on our flight home was the Louis Jadot Couvent des Jacobins.

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LIFE Wine, food, culture, travel and philanthropy

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FOOD nd CULTURE

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James Suckling picks his top 10 from the 2014 vintage in Bordeaux

Sabrina Ault finds herself again in the magical desert Jabal Akhdar in Oman

Six local personalities get creative in the SG50-inspired Rimowa x Art project

London’s mixed-use developments are attracting homeowners and investors alike

Travel and hospitality brands and their commitment to sustainable tourism

WINE

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TRAVEL

ART

REAL ESTATE

PHILANTHROPY

singapor e tatler . month year

IMAGE: BOCA SINGAPORE

Portuguese restaurant Boca joins a host of other new dining spots in reviving Chinatown’s glory days as a foodie’s heaven

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LIFE | FOOD

Occupy Chinatown

avigate your way along the narrow five-foot ways of the historic streets of Boon Tat, Keong Saik and Bukit Pasoh and you will stumble upon old clan associations, small ad agencies, and the odd heritage restaurant. Lately, the growing number of hip new eateries that have set up shop has injected a new lease of life into the area. One of them is Sum Yi Tai (25 Boon Tat Street, tel: 6221 3665), a new hotspot that CBD executives head to for tasty Cantonese bites, unique cocktails and a dose of 1980s Cantopop. Meaning third mistress, Sum Yi Tai houses a Chinese tapas bar, a second floor dining area, and a private rooftop bar, flanked by glimmering skyscrapers. Highlights in the menu include luncheon meat chips, wok-fried carrot cake, maple honey-glazed pork belly char siew, crunchy salmon skin coated with salted egg yolk, and deep-fried squid flecked with garlic, chilli

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and spring onion. These addictive bites pair well with refreshing concoctions such as chrysanthemum mojito, made of dark rum infused with the fragrant flowers. As with most Cantonese eateries, the kitchen brigade here is skilful with meats like crispy roast pork, roast duck, and slow-cooked and roasted five-spiced quail. Getting a tick of approval from many foodies is the suckling pig, available on Fridays. After your meal, continue your night-out at the rooftop bar. To have access, make a reservation via dragons@sumyitai.com Like Sum Yi Tai, Boca (6 Bukit Pasoh Road, tel: 6221 0132) makes the most of its shophouse setting, filling up three levels with different concepts. On the ground level is a singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGES: KELLY FAN (SUM YI TAI) AND OWEN RAGGET (NEON PIGEON)

From Boon Tat to Bukit Pasoh, the Chinatown district hums with renewed energy, thanks to new restaurants nd and bars that have been launched in recent months. Amy Van makes the food stops

long counter bar where patrons can enjoy small plates of nibbles and watch the two young chefs from Portugal in action. Just above is the main dining space with plush booth seats, and on the third level is a wine cellar housing excellent labels from Portugal. As the only authentic Portuguese restaurant in town, the speciality here is the bacalhau or dried, salted cod. Start with golden fritters composed of bacalhau, potatoes, onions and coriander, paired with tartare sauce, then move on to the main course of Braz codﬁsh mixed with caramelised onions and pan-fried shredded potatoes.

STREET REVIVAL Get a taste of the new Chinatown with (clockwise from far left) authentic Portuguese fare at Boca; Cantonese favourites at Sum Yi Tai; small plates at modern izakaya Neon Pigeon; and Rabbit Stash’s degustation menus, where the chef marries French techniques with a hint of Asian flavours.

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Aside from fish, the refreshing octopus salad topped with capsicum and coriander is noteworthy, as is the heartier shrimp porridge made of aged bread, intensely flavoured prawn stock, spices and shrimps. Finally, revel in the Portuguese tarts—a celebration of flaky pastry and luscious custard. Do place an order earlier as Boca only makes 20 of these gems a day. Over at Keong Saik is Neon Pigeon (1 Keong Saik Street, 01-03, tel: 6222 3623), a modern izakaya run by a group of likeminded friends who bring together a range of expertise in F&B and design. This place is essentially a small plates restaurant and bar whose “ordering guide” recommends six to eight small plates for two persons. To begin, spread chicken liver mousse on toast, paired with yuzu marmalade, followed by miso black cod with tofu cubes in a soothing soup. Mains-wise, try smoked baby back ribs with sake barbecue sauce, or rice with miso roasted pumpkin, sugar snap peas and egg yolk, which is comfort in a bowl. As it closes at midnight, this is a good spot for light night bites and tipples. Located at the fringe of Outram Road and Tiong Bahru is Wangz Hotel’s rooftop restaurant Rabbit Stash (231 Outram Road, Level R, tel: 6595 1380), an ideal spot for meals with friends or business associates. Singaporean chef Matthew Mok uses French techniques with a touch of Asian flavours for his degustation menus, which are changed quarterly. The chef might weave elements of his Peranakan heritage into fish curry with okra and aubergine, or prepare “exotic” ingredients like seared kangaroo meat, with butternut squash puree and chocolate sauce.

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LIFE | WINE

CHÂTEAU CANON SAINT-ÉMILION A wonderful Canon with fabulous finesse and class. Full-bodied yet refined and polished. It touches your senses. Shows that the Right Bank made excellent wines in 2014. 95-96 points

CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC Incredible mineral character with a maritime element, as well as red iodine, algae and currants. Great intensity and some saltiness—almost like a pearl in an oyster. A true wine of the soil, with a full body, racy tannins and a lingering finish. Excellent and unique. The blend is 81 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 16 per cent merlot and 3 per cent cabernet franc. 96-97 points

NEW AGE The 2014 vintage in Bordeaux is the best since 2010, especially in the Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac and Saint-Julien areas of the Médoc, due tond warm, sunny weather late in the growing season. Here are James Suckling’s top 10 from the vintage. With the exception of Latour, they can be bought now en primeur for delivery in bottle in 2017

CHÂTEAU LYNCH-BAGES PAUILLAC Fascinating aromas, with blackcurrant, cassis and hints of spice. It’s full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and has a long, focused finish. Muscular but toned and beautiful. 95-96 points

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CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC I love the sexy, perfumed and feminine style of this young Lafite, with rose petals, rose stems and currants. A full body, super-fine tannins and a wonderful finish that lasts a very long time. 97-98 points

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CHÂTEAU LATOUR PAUILLAC Already displays complex aromas, including blackcurrant, blueberry, red chilli, stones and iodine. Full-bodied, yet tight and compressed, with an extraordinary finish and intensity that goes on for minutes. Vibrant. A good part of the production is made with biodynamically grown grapes. Alcohol is less than 13 per cent. 98-99 points CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR POMEROL Full-bodied, very tight and chewy, with polished, intense tannins. Blueberry, blackberry and minerals. Displays more Pauillac character than many top Pauillac estates. Cabernet franc, about 56 per cent this year, always brings up the quality of the blend; the rest is merlot. Superb. 97-98 points

CHÂTEAU COSD’ESTOURNEL SAINT-ESTÈPHE I love the style of this Cos, with Indian spices among the aromas and flavours. A full body, fine tannins and an ultra-long finish. Excellent structure, length and finesse. 96-97 points CHÂTEAU AUSONE SAINT-ÉMILION A juicy red with beautiful blueberry, blackberry and mineral character. Oyster shell and iodine. Full and tight. The use of 60 per cent cabernet franc rather than 50 per cent gives the Ausone a fresher, more linear character. Fine finish. Fascinating, with such purity. 95-96 points

CHÂTEAU DUCRUBEAUCAILLOU SAINT-JULIEN Stunning aromas of liquorice, blackcurrant, minerals, dried rose petals and wet earth. A full body with incredibly intense fruit, yet this remains compact and toned with tannins. Long, long finish. What a wine. 96-97 points CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES SAINT-JULIEN Enchanting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, dried flowers, citrus and stones. A full body, with ultra-fine tannins and bright acidity. Undertones of citrus skin. Very long and structured. At 13.8 per cent alcohol, the cabernet was incredibly ripe for the vintage—yet it remains agile, structured and bright. 96-97 points

LIFE | WINE

Seeing Red The Alsace region of France, with its diverse soils and microclimates, is best known for rich, aromatic whites such as gewürztraminer and riesling. In recent years, however, many of its best estates have been producing unique and stylish wines from pinot noir. Below are five, most made with biodynamically grown grapes, that James Suckling says will change your ideas about pinot noir from Alsace

ALBERT MANN GRAND H 2012 Amazing purity of fruit, with dried strawberry, dark cherry and nuts. Full body, shaved chocolate and spice. The finish goes on for minutes. 99 points

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RENÉ MURÉ GRAND CRU CLOS SAINT LANDELIN 2013 Tight yet texturally beautiful, with velvety tannins and a smooth, very long finish. Lots of grainy and dusty mouthfeel. 95 points

HUGEL & FILS JUBILEE 2009 Aromas of plum, cedar and foie gras turn to mushroom and flowers. With a full to medium body, the wine starts off slowly and then develops on the palate. 95 points

VALENTIN ZUSSLIN BOLLENBERG HARMONIE 2009 A fabulous red with dried strawberry, citrus and mineral character. Full body and firm tannins yet refined and polished. Just starting to open now. 95 points

ALBERT BOXLER S 2013 This pinot shows almonds, bark, mahogany and dried-flower character. Full body, fine tannins, bright, citrusy acidity and a mineral finish. White pepper and spice. Fabulous. 94 points

singapor e tatler . july 2015

ILLUSTRATION: ANDY LEUNG

WINE | LIFE

ANYONE’S GUESS Currency movements have made buying en primeur more attractive this year, writes James Suckling, but it’s hard to predict prices when the bottles hit the market

ay saw the release of en primeur prices for the best Bordeaux of the 2014 vintage, and interest, particularly in Asia, is said to be better than for the previous three releases, but it’s nothing compared to demand for the 2008, ’09 or ’10 vintages. “As it stands, despite currency beneﬁts, a decent vintage and a willing buyer, consumers are just not being given nearly enough incentive to buy en primeur,” says Anthony Maxwell, director of the London wine-trading platform Liv-ex. Buying wines en primeur—while they are ageing in barrels in the cellars of Bordeaux’s chateaux, about two years before they are bottled and delivered to the market—has long been a fascination of some consumers. En primeur enables them to reserve their favourite wines in anticipation of their release and, in some instances, to pay less for them. There are some incentives this year that could see 2014 en primeur sales ﬂourish. One is the appreciation of key currencies, including the US dollar and the yuan, against the euro—by about a third in some cases. In addition, the 2014 vintage produced some superb Bordeaux, particularly from the Left Bank regions of Saint-Estèphe, Pauillac and Saint-Julien (see my tasting notes on p.198). Top sweet and dry whites are also of outstanding quality. Yet many consumers are uninspired by the opportunity to buy en primeur, mainly singapor e tatler . july 2015

because of what the trade calls “back vintages”. A consumer won’t buy a certain 2014 wine en primeur if an older vintage can be bought for the same price or less. Why buy a case of 2014 Château Palmer en primeur for £1,500 from a London wine merchant when you can buy physical bottles of the 2006 or 2008 vintages for about £1,170 a case? Granted, the quality of most Bordeaux from 2006 or 2008 is not as outstanding as that of the wines from the 2014 vintage, but who wants to tie up their money for two years? “En primeur prices have been standing high in the past few years, which has made Chinese consumers’ hype for en primeur die down a lot,” says James Pun, product manager of YesMyWine, the largest online wine retailer in China, with more than seven million registered users. “The only reason they are still interested in en primeur is because [some] price points are still the lowest of that vintage. Hence, mainly collectors are still continuing to buy, but for the other general consumers who don’t really care about the vintage, they would much prefer to buy back vintages now.” Personally, it’s hard for me to recommend buying the 2014 vintage en primeur because it’s difﬁcult to predict whether prices will be higher or lower when the wines are bottled and released on the market in 2017. But I may buy a case or two to reserve some special bottles, such as the Mouton Rothschild and Haut-Brion Blanc.

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ICE QUEEN Frigid fizz, birthday bubbles and sweet talk in Alsace make James Suckling’s news round-up

ON THE ROCKS

< 4 grams CUT AND DRIED

The labels of all dry Alsace wines—those with no more than 4g of residual sugar per litre—must carry the descriptor “sec” or “dry” from next year. The Alsace wine producers’ association says consumers around the world have been drinking less of the region’s wines because they can’t tell if a white is off-dry or very sweet. They hope the new labelling rule will sell more wines. A recent trip to Alsace underlined the problem: about 80 per cent of the more than 300 whites I tasted seemed off-dry or sweet. Luckily, most of the top whites from names such as Hugel & Fils, FE Trimbach, Domaine Weinbach, Domaine Muré and Albert Boxler were dry and delicious.

ANNIVERSARY SPARKLE

One of California’s oldest premium sparkling wine producers, Schramsberg Vineyards celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and continues to make excellent hand-crafted bottles. Jack and Jamie Davies began Schramsberg in 1965 on the Napa Valley wine property of German immigrants Jacob and Annie Schram, who founded it in 1862. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 50 years for the Davieses. The winery began its blanc de blancs (only chardonnay) in 1965, followed by blanc de noir (pinot noir) in 1967. The 2011 Schramsberg Blanc de Noir is superb. Seek it out. 93 points

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Since a craze for drinking Champagne on the rocks took hold on France’s Côte d’Azur last summer, Moët & Chandon has been launching its Ice Impérial blend around the globe, most recently in Manila. The champagne is the first created to go over ice, and is denser, sweeter and fruitier than Moët’s other blends. It is made of mostly pinot noir and pinot meunier, plus some chardonnay. It’s a round and lively champagne in a unique white bottle that begs to be drunk on its own or with sliced fruit, such as citrus and melon, and mint. Don’t forget your plastic glasses for the pool, beach or boat.

POWER OF ONE

California’s Napa Valley seems to be moving from the Bordeaux model to Burgundy’s, with more and more wine producers making single-vineyard wines, in particular cabernet-based reds. A winery called Bond makes cabernets from six different vineyards. A new star producer in the valley is Realm Cellars. It makes cabs each year from such famous “crus” as Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard and Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. The former in 2012 is a knockout, showing amazing blackberry, Asian mushroom and stone character, and silky, sexy tannins. 97 points

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TRAVEL | LIFE

Lost & Found Sabrina Ault shares her photo

journal, titled Beautiful Stranger, from her personal journey of finding herself again in the magical desert Jabal Akhdar in Oman must have looked a sight —a strange American woman in a feathered hat, struggling by myself with bags and equipment, all alone by the roadside in the middle of nowhere. I was heading towards the desert of Oman, taking a few Leica cameras with which I thought I would do a few selﬁes on self-timer… and then I met a total stranger. He saw me at the side of the road, struggling by myself, and probably found it very amusing. He kindly offered me a ride up into the mountains.

LIFE | TRAVEL

He was a local guard, and he invited me to join him and his compatriots for their afternoon Arabic coffee and snack in the guardhouse. After about an hour or two of an insurmountable dosage of local Arabic coffee—I never fell asleep that night—and stuffed with dried ﬁgs, and lots of sign language and laughter because none of them spoke a word of English, we proceeded to see the mountains. We went to the top of the mountain range Al Hajar and breathed in the views of the vast gorges that sat below. The magical Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain) desert range, with its uninhabitable rough and rocky shale terrain and high-altitude climate, made me imagine I’d found myself on the moon. He knew all of the most picturesque views and landmarks, as he’d grown up in that very desert and lived there all of his life. We spent the day scampering up mountain cliffs and in abandoned stone houses dating back to the 15th century, laughing along the entire way

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about how bizarre the scenario was. It was so refreshing to have such an amazing energy and connection with an absolute stranger that I had just met hours before. The only communication we had was the blaring Arabic music that came from the radio station in the car as we climbed up higher and higher in altitude and descended into shale rock gorges. The memories of that glorious afternoon last October are incredibly vivid to this day, for the kindness and gentleness of a complete stranger and trekking in the healing desert of Oman. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say it was a life-changing trip. It was a journey that I took by myself that rekindled my old found love of travelling purely for myself, taking the road less travelled completely alone. It encapsulates the word “wanderlust” and the need to “get lost”—because sometimes, in losing yourself completely, you remember who you are. singapor e tatler . july 2015

nd HELLO, STRANGER

Sabrina was one of the ﬁrst guests last October at Alila Jabal Akhdar Oman, which has been awarded “The World’s Best Hotels Gold List 2015” by Condé Nast Traveller

LIFE | ART

A CASE FOR

Design nd

Chong Seow Wei discovers the

Rimowa x Art project that celebrates SG50 and looks at six designs conceived by local personalities

hen the wanderlust bug bites and travellers call on their favourite travel companions, you can bet that many seasoned jetsetters reach for their reliable Rimowa cases. Engineered with German precision, the distinctive grooved luggage in stylish aluminium or hardy, lightweight polycarbonate comes in a slew of practical, intelligent designs. Like the brand’s evocative tagline from an advertising campaign some years back and as diehard Rimowa advocates espouse, every case tells a story. Each luggage picks up its own travel souvenirs with every ﬂight and trip—every sticker and knock is yet another tale to tell. This year, to mark Singapore’s golden jubilee, Rimowa has invited 12 local creatives to tell their own SG50 story through a case they each custom-designed. Their designed trunks for Rimowa x Art will go on display at the Rimowa store in Mandarin Gallery in July. Of the group of 12 roped in for this project, half are up-and-coming artists and illustrators such as Ang Sar Lee and Candice Phang whose cases are specially made for the exhibition. Another six are recognisable local personalities including bespoke menswear tailor Kevin Seah and photographer Geoff Ang, whose one-of-a-kind cases—each a collectible in its own right— will be available for purchase at the Mandarin Gallery store, and proceeds will go towards Mercy Relief. Go to rimowaxart.com.sg for more information. The six personalities tell Singapore Tatler how they conceived their SG50-inspired Rimowa designs.

DESIGNED TO A TEE

Rimowa x Art This July, check out 12 Singaporeinspired Rimowa cases designed by creative personalities for SG50, on display at Rimowa’s Mandarin Gallery store.

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Scene of the Old World KEVIN SEAH, BESPOKE MEN’S TAILOR Kevin Seah, founder of The Kevin Seah Group, counts fashion design and tailoring as passions, and music, art and photography as inspirations. For Rimowa x Art, his concept entails “travelling with Singapore in the heart”, incorporating a lining with a 19th-century print of old Singapore and bespoke brown leather straps with red tips.

IMAGES: RIMOWA AND INGIMAGE

Chope ROSALYN LEE, MEDIA PERSONALITY In true spirit of her devil-may-care attitude, radio and TV personality Rosalyn Lee honours the slangs of Singapore with a hint of nostalgia and wit. In her design, she pairs popularised Singlish terms with the image of a Samsui woman to add an animated and “uniquely Singaporean” edge to a solid piece of luggage.

LIFE | ART

50 Years of Elegance WILLABELLE ONG, FASHION BLOGGER Fashion is food for Willabelle Ong, who parades her eclectic and elegant style on her website Pale Division. An illustration of a lavish gown with painstakingly hand-painted detailing of crystal embellishments aptly adorns her luggage design, to symbolise Singapore’s “indomitable elegance, courage and strength”, while multicoloured streaks of paint depict the nation’s dynamic spirit.

The Red & White GEOFF ANG, PROFESSIONAL SHUTTERBUG With globetrotting being part of his job as a commercial photographer, Geoff Ang relishes bringing along reminders of home. His luggage epitomises this with a design that “looks better with usage”—its white outer paint coat cracks and peels with each trip to bare more of the brilliant, permanent red that lies underneath.

Total Defence KEITH PNG, FASHION DESIGNER Years of dressing famous faces including Zhang Ziyi and Stefanie Sun has honed fashion designer Keith Png’s skills in telling a story through his creations. Inspired by Singapore’s military forces, his luggage design symbolises stability and strength with a camouﬂage print and studs, while customised embroidered patches give the case a “unique character and distinction”.

Kopi Topass LEON FOO,, FOUNDER OF PAPA PALHETA A Coffee isn’t just the daily brew that keepss Leon Foo awake on long workdays; it’s a passion that has evolved into a lifestyle.. Aptly, his luggage design celebratess the daily cuppa with crafty sketches off familiar coffee imagery, to present “whatt a Singaporean coffee lover can associatee with and relate to”.

Reel Restoration Sherwin Chua takes a look at

the decade-long crusade by Gucci and The Film Foundation to save history’s most iconic movies

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BEFORE AND AFTER Rocco e I Suoi Fratelli, digitally restored to better visual and sound quality

and the foundation announced the restoration of an 11th film—Rocco e I Suoi Fratelli (Rocco and His Brothers). Described by Scorsese as “one of the most sumptuous black-and-white pictures”, the restored version of this classic by Italian director Luchino Visconti was screened at this year’s 68th Cannes Film Festival. Rocco and His Brothers was released in 1960 to critical acclaim. The movie was lauded by critics for its accurate portrayal of the lives of workingclass folk in Milan during the 1950s and ’60s. “This is a neorealist film, portraying life in great detail. It deals with real-life issues of jealousy, loyalty, sexuality, sin and forgiveness, and is set against a sociopolitical backdrop of economic hardship in Italy,” says Giuseppe Rottuno, 92, the original film’s cinematographer and a co-leader of its restoration project. The preservation of this Visconti masterpiece required painstaking effort and patience. The project’s other co-leader, Enrico Mediolli, 90, one of the screenwriters who worked on the original film, explains that the movie was restored using the ultra-high resolution 4K digital technique. This method delivers twice the amount of resolution of standard, modern-day digital films. But before any manipulation of the film’s elements could be done, such as the enhancement of its sound or removal of its physical scratches, each of its nearly 200,000 frames had to be manually scanned into a computer. Singapore Tatler speaks to Rottuno and Mediolli for more insights into the project.

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IMAGES: INTRAMOVIES AND TITANUS

or more than a century, motion picture has been an agent for social change, a conduit of knowledge and most importantly, a record of human history. We speak of many a star and glorious era immortalised by the silver screen. Sadly, the film on which movies are made is perishable. And if nothing were done to preserve it, some of the most seminal movies ever produced would forever be lost to decay. According to a study commissioned by the US National Center For Film and Video Preservation, nearly 150 million feet of film are in need of urgent preservation, and the number of old films being added to its archives annually is burgeoning at an exponential rate. Yet, partially due to a lack of funding, it estimates that only 2.5 million feet of reel can be saved each year. So, when Gucci pledged its commitment 10 years ago to partner Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation in its restoration projects, it was a milestone for the community dedicated to movie preservation. “Gucci’s support has made it possible for us to create exquisite restorations of work by master filmmakers,” Scorsese says. Gucci has contributed over US$3.5m to The Film Foundation, and 10 films of great historical and artistic significance have been salvaged, starting with A Woman Under the Influence (1974) in 2006. La Dolce Vita (1960, directed by Federico Fellini) was restored and premiered at the 5th International Rome Film Festival in 2010, and was screened by Gucci in Singapore last April. Besides preserving films, the Italian fashion giant, with the foundation, also launched the Italian Cinema Visionaries project in 2006 to honour the work of Italian filmmakers who have shaped the history of Italian cinema. The films, once restored, are showcased at international film festivals, art-house screenings and museums. To mark its decade-long anniversary, Gucci

ART | LIFE

nd What was it like working with Luchino Visconti, one of Italy’s most revered directors? Giuseppe Rottuno (GR): It was an honour for me. Visconti was a very disciplined, honest and generous filmmaker. He was able to create a very pleasant and harmonious work environment for the cast and crew, which is extremely important when you are making a film. Enrico Mediolli (EM): Visconti brought out the best in people. He was able to motivate and guide the actors to fulfil their potential. He even showed them how best to portray their on-screen characters. That was always the case for Visconti.

You worked on both the original and the restoration. How significant is that experience for you? GR: This is a neorealist film, so it portrays life and the real-life issues faced by people. As a cinematographer, I knew I had to search for a way to authentically present all these issues to the audience. While working on the film’s restoration, I couldn’t lose that authenticity. EM: I wasn’t the only screenwriter who worked on the first version of this film. There were three others. We each took one character and developed it. I initially took a younger character, Ciro, but

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ended up working on Simone, who had been corrupted by society. You need to watch the film to understand how the characters are still relevant today. And it’s been exciting to work on the restoration because I still see that the fictional characters I penned more than 50 years ago are similar to some people in real life today. Were the challenges you faced while working on the first version similar to those encountered while working on the restoration? GR: They were different.

But for both, I felt a bit like an artist who has to use the whole spectrum of colours to make a beautiful picture. The only difference is, the film is in black and white, so I had to convey the story by using a myriad of tones and filters to underline the dramatic elements of the story. In this aspect, it was the same when I was working on the first film as it is for the restored version because I had to enhance the light and dark parts that were degraded over time. EM: One of the biggest

challenges while working on the original was censorship. Two major scenes were cut back then. And while filming a murder scene, we were not allowed to shoot anywhere near Milan, so we had to move to a more remote location in Italy. Of course, we had to keep the film authentic so no changes were made to the scenes in the restored version.

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LIFE | DESIGN

Afterglow A juxtaposition between modern and traditional, Hermès’ first lighting collection Hermès en Lumière sheds light on the brand’s dedication to its heritage while embracing reinventions

LIGHT UP Michele De Lucchi (top) designed the Hermès Pantographe (above right) and Harnais (above left), both inspired by the equestrian world

WORDS: CONSTANCE YEO; IMAGES: STEFANO GUINDANI (MICHELE DE LUCCHI AND YANN KERSALÉ) AND HERMÈS

eauty, tradition and unparalleled craftsmanship; from buttery soft leather saddles to the highly coveted Birkins, Hermès’ dedication to its core values transcends generations. And at this year’s Salone del Mobile in Milan, the 178-year-old French luxury maison focused the spotlight on its debut lighting collection Hermès en Lumière, in line with its theme of urban wandering this year, Flâneur Forever. Created in collaboration with Italian designer Michele De Lucchi (known for his iconic Tolomeo lamp) and French visual artist Yann Kersalé, the collection comprises a series of clean-cut lamps sheathed in leather with Hermès’ signature saddle stitch. Paying homage to Hermès’ equestrian heritage, De Lucchi’s Pantographe and Harnais ranges of light ﬁxtures are slender, sleek and elegant—much like how equestrians ride seamlessly as one with their horses. Christened Liseuse de parquet (with Lampadaire Arche in a larger size) and Lampe de travail, Pantogaphe bears a similar design element: long spindly adjustable arms that create optimal lighting effects. Drawing inspiration from telescopic plotters used by architecture sketchers, De Lucchi conceived the desk lamp to ﬂex along different joints, like a human arm. In line with Hermès’ dedication to the aesthetics, De Lucchi ensured that the Pantographe’s beauty is unparalleled. “The devil is in the detail: the base comes in the shape of a tray with accessories, and the wires are all covered with leather,” says the award-winning artist.

The Lanterne d’Hermès conceived by Yann Kersalé (below left) comprises four lights that slot together on a leather base

The finesse of savoir faire sums up De Lucchi’s next collection, Harnais. With distinct influences from elements of nature, Lampe de chevet (with Lampe de table as a slightly larger version) and Lampadaire sport opaline shades supported by three leather stems. In another reference to the equestrian world, the three stems that connect the base to the shade of the Harnais lamp resemble the straps of a harness that connects the horse to its rider. In line with the Flâneur theme, Kersalé devised Lanterne d’Hermès as four individual light sources assembled on a single base in a leather case. Suitable both indoors and outdoors, the modular lighting fixture can either be used independently as separate light sources, or together for a cohesive touch. “It’s a symbiosis between the land and sea,” explains Kersalé. Hermès’ strong standing in the equestrian world goes back to the 18th century, where premium leather saddles and harnesses complement horsedrawn carriages, and lanterns were essential to illuminate the way—much like how signalling lanterns on boats provide light to lost sailors at sea. Hermès’ artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas muses, “Light exalts our objects which, in turn, illuminate the everyday. Without it, the craftsman’s work would simply be impossible. Light is the intangible matter that enables us to give form to all others.” By amalgamating modern lighting technology with traditional saddle stitch and exquisite craftsmanship, Hermès en Lumière embodies the maison’s principle of never shying away from reinvention while staying true to its heritage.

Stylish Living Wow house guests when they step into your luxurious living room with statement pieces. Constance Yeo discovers some curated additions

COLOURS OF THE WIND

Just like its namesake, Hermès’ Voyage en Ikat porcelain and earthenware collection draws inspiration from cloud-like Ikat fabrics, with a main colour theme of emerald, sapphire and ruby. Highlighted here is the large bowl with lid where Japanese floral motifs are featured alongside ethereal patterns inspired by the colours of Ikat fabrics. Available at 01-02A Liat Towers, tel: 6738 9807

CAGED ART

BEAUTIFUL REFLECTIONS

Singapore-based label Dementiel seeks a permanent solution to faded photos displayed as mementos in living spaces—by printing them directly onto mirrors. The bespoke creations are fully customisable; from childhood photographs to the handwriting of a beloved family member, the possibilities are endless. dementiel.net

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During the Salone del Mobile 2015 in Milan, Marni transformed its showroom at Viale Umbria 42 into an artistic and exotic fruit market featuring the Marni Mercado de Paloquemao installation. Comprising fruit-inspired metal and PVC pieces that double up as containers, stools and decorative art, these adorable artworks add colour to your life in more ways than one— proceeds from the sale of products will benefit the Anayibe Rincon’s Workshop, a charity that helps Colombian women. marni.com

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DESIGN | LIFE

SHINE A LIGHT

Derived from Anglepoise’s Duo Collection, the Duo Pendant collection sports the same silhouette as the classic desk lamps from the 1930s and braided coloured cables. It comes in two sizes and four colours (red, black, white and bright chrome). Available at Million Lighting, tel: 6743 2033

CRYSTAL CLEAR

Inspired by Réne Lalique’s 1926 Tourbillons vase, the new Oval Vase XXL from Lalique’s new Tourbillons collection features the same fern blossom motif and abstract design, but gets an update in the form of a vibrant new blue patina that’s hand-applied to the crystal vase. Available at 01-16 Mandarin Gallery, tel: 6100 2124

GLASS CLASS

Designed by European designers Jan Plechac and Henry Wielgus, Lasvit’s Neverending Glory Collection is made up of five glass chandeliers. It draws inspiration from exquisite chandeliers in iconic opera theatres around the world such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York and Palais Garnier in Paris. Available at Macsk Singapore, tel: 6443 2282

EYE FOR DETAIL

Bed bugs are creepy creatures, but Fendi and the Campana brothers’ creative collaboration “The Armchair of Thousand Eyes” is anything but icky— the creative armchair is made up of colourful Fendi Bag Bugs, the brand’s iconic monster bag charms. The kaleidoscopic one-of-a-kind art piece made its debut at the recent Salone del Mobile in Milan, and comprises the strongly coloured fur of kidassia, Mongolia, shearling and rabbit. fendi.com

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London Rising The metropolis is a hotbed of enticing mixed-use developments, with iconic addresses and landmarks catching the eye of homeowners and investors alike. Chong Seow Wei reports ive decades ago, london saw a notoriously camerashy Harry Hyams build his latest property in all its 33-storey brutalist glory at the cross section of Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street. Named the Centre Point, the office building, which was completed in 1966, would become the property magnate’s best-known development. Its honeycomb-like structure—designed by architect Richard Seifert—was revolutionary but the building was also controversial due to its height, which is taller than normally allowed, while its 4,000-sq ft floor plates attracted only short-term tenancies and suffered countless vacant units. In the hands of current owner Almacantar, a property development and investment firm which acquired it in 2011, the Centre Point is set to go from “white elephant” to covetable home and haunt by 2017. Three floors will be taken up by spa, fitness and lounge facilities, and the remaining by 82 residential units, ranging from one- to fivebedroom penthouses with prices from £1.8m to £55m respectively. There have been queries from around the world since 2012, when the project was approved by authorities, with nine transactions having been made since. The Grade II listed skyscraper’s exterior will be preserved, while most of its interior is being stripped out to make way for the homes and fixtures including a lighting structure by artist Cerith Wyn Evans. Rick Mather Architects and Conran and Partners will meld 1960s groove with modern craftsmanship; common spaces will have a black-grey-white theme with geometric motifs and dark timber finishes, to juxtapose with the apartments’ lighter oak and timber finishes. “With the apartments, it’s all about the view,” says Kathrin Hersel, development director at Almacantar, and rightfully so. Centre Point offers 360-degree views of the city—most of its neighbours drop away

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SIXTIES REDUX The revamp of Centre Point, which has long been considered one of London’s trig points, will also witness a transformation of the neighbourhood and roads surrounding the skyscraper

at level 10 after a ruling was passed following the skyscraper’s completion, to protect iconic skylines of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the like. A public piazza and shorter blocks of retail space are also in the works to complement the area’s transition into a bustling station, where London’s new major railway system Crossrail—to fully launch in 2018—will intersect the existing Tube line. During construction, the skyscraper will be wrapped in prints by fashion and design ﬁrm Eley Kishimoto, says Hersel, to arouse public interest in the building. As interest in London properties by Singaporean buyers grows following the recent British general election, Centre Point makes a promising buy, particularly among savvy investors who know London well and want a prime piece of British history. singapor e tatler . july 2015

REAL ESTATE | LIFE

From £735,000

GOODMAN’S FIELDS ALDGATE Features This 7-acre development by Berkeley Homes in East London’s Aldgate is close by to the financial district and landmarks such as 30 St Mary Axe (or The Gherkin) and Tower of London. Designed by award-winning architecture firm Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, its selection of studios, one- to threebedroom apartments and penthouses is designed to meet modern expectations of luxury and practicality, with clean-cut interiors. What else? Art is key to this development, which is decorated with fixtures such as six life-size bronze sculptures of horses galloping through the main plaza. There are also bars, cafes, restaurants and 2.2 acres of perfectly manicured gardens with water fixtures as relaxing spots to unwind at. Prices from… £735,000 for studio to £5m for penthouse Knight Frank, knightfrank.com.sg

From £1.915m

IMAGES: KNIGHT FRANK AND KNIGHTFRANK.COM

NOVA BUCKINGHAM PALACE ROAD Features This spiffy development sits a short walk from royalty at Victoria on Buckingham Palace Road. Its 170 apartments will not only bear a coveted address when they are completed in spring 2016, but stunning views of this prestigious neighbourhood that can also be admired from a private garden on the building’s 9th floor. What else? Residents can reminisce classic Hollywood at the building’s private cinema, and relish in not having to walk too far for a good assortment of retail and dining spots—at one of the three accompanying commercial buildings, celebrity chef Jason Atherton has confirmed a spot for his new restaurant. Prices from… £1.915m for two bedrooms and £3.1m for three bedrooms Knight Frank, knightfrank.com.sg

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From £800,000

BATTERSEA POWER STATION NINE ELMS Features This landmark development on London’s cultural South Bank will involve developing 42 acres of derelict industrial land, including its iconic centrepiece—the Grade II listed Power Station. The Power Station will be restored and refurbished to house about 254 of the 3,992 luxury apartments to be built, from studios to penthouses, with more residences coming up in visually stunning buildings at newly developed avenues nearby, Frank Gehry’s five-block Prospect Place and the sinuous Norman Foster-designed Battersea Roof Gardens. Residences will be ready in three phases from 2018. What else? With a town-like structure, each of the main enclaves of this waterside development will be selfsustaining, with help from office, retail and public spaces. They will also boast green spaces, which goes from residents-only rooftop gardens to a 6-acre public park. Prices from… £800,000 for Battersea Power Station; £1.439m for Battersea Roof Gardens; and £1.526m for Prospect Place Battersea Power Station, batterseapowerstation.co.uk

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MUST-HAVE The American TF-51 Mustang exudes glamour and commands high prices at auction

Reach for the Sky small fleet of world War II planes gathering dust in a Texas barn sold last August for US$15m. A collector paid US$6m for the jewel, a Mark IX Spitfire that fought in the Battle of Britain, which ended with the defeat of the Luftwaffe and stirred Winston Churchill to remark: “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few.” The rest was spent on nine Buchons, the Spanish-built version of Germany’s top fighter, the Messerschmitt 109, which performed in the dogfights of the 1969 film Battle of Britain. Context is important. Investment returns from vintage aircraft are determined by rarity, desirability, airworthiness and—perhaps most of all—provenance. “Value is determined

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by history,” says Simon Brown of Platinum Fighter Sales, who handled the Texas sale for Wilson “Connie” Edwards, an oil tycoon and former stunt pilot who took the planes in lieu of cash for his work on the movie. According to Gene DeMarco, production manager at the Vintage Aviator in New Zealand, the market has three main segments: WWII aircraft, which make up about 65 per cent; WWI classics, such as the Sopwith Camel (25 per cent); and inter- and post-war trainers and commercial planes (10 per cent). The top end of the market is WWII ﬁghters, or “warbirds”. They exude glamour and command high prices, especially if they saw combat, says Brown. In addition to Spitﬁres and Messerschmitts, they include US classics such as the P-51 Mustang, the Beechcraft Model D17 Staggerwing and the Curtiss P-40 singapor e tatler . july 2015

IMAGES: MICHAEL O’LEARY; THE VINTAGE AVIATOR LTD

The value of vintage fighter planes is soaring as investors discover a new passion, writes Rupert Walker

WEALTH | LIFE FLYING HIGH The Albatross DII dates from World War I. Collectors will pay a 25 per cent premium for planes entirely composed of original parts

Warhawk. Such planes sell for US$2.5m to US$5m, and attract billionaires such as Microsoft’s Paul Allen, one of the world’s biggest collectors. “The market for fighters is also differentiating. In the past, any Spitfire had a similar value, but now its history and its authenticity matter more, with a 25 per cent premium paid if the plane is entirely composed of original parts,” says Brown. Scarcity is also boosting prices. “Everything has now been found; there will be no more WWI or II fighter planes discovered rusting in barns. “We know where all surviving vintage planes are.” Yet, jewels do appear. The discovery three years ago of an RAF Kittyhawk P-40 lost in Egypt in 1942 was described as the “aviation equivalent of Tutankhamun’s tomb”. Britain’s Royal Air Force Museum is seeking its return. A year after the P-40 find, a German Dornier Do-17 bomber shot down during the Battle of Britain was pulled from the English Channel. Collectors would be keen to pay premium prices if either was ever offered for sale. Demand is also strong for replicas built with original materials and techniques. DeMarco, who maintains Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson’s WWI planes in New Zealand, describes the exact replicas his company crafts as “like fine furniture or musical instruments with wings”. The alternative to working replicas are museum pieces restored from remnants of planes, such as those that fought above the trenches of the Western Front and recall the exploits of the Red Baron. “The demand for WWI planes has been boosted by the centenary of the conflict,” says DeMarco, who has seen interest from outside the traditional European and North American markets. Demand has emerged in the past few years in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the Middle East. And Chinese and Australian classic car collectors have inquired about planes such as the Sopwith Snipe, which was powered by a Bentley engine. Brown has enjoyed a surge of interest from China—with inquiries from 50 different sources—for WWII aircraft, in particular P-40 Warhawks, which had been a menacing presence in Asia. singapor e tatler . july 2015

He recently hired someone to create a Chinese language website. The market is shifting in other ways, too, as investors join collectors. Brown recently sold a Messerschmitt 109, the only surviving German aircraft from the Battle of Britain, to an Australian investment bank for US$3.5m. The bank intends to hold it for at least seven years, and identifies it as an alternative to the classic cars that comprise the bulk of its “passion” investments. “Vintage aircraft are undervalued compared with classic cars,” says Brown. The price of “exceptional” classic cars has climbed 163 per cent since 2009, according to the Historic Automobile Group International, a UK-based investment research organisation. However, it’s difficult to incorporate vintage aircraft into an index to measure returns as there are not enough sales. For example, six P-51 Mustangs are for sale at present, but only two or three are likely to sell this year, says Ford von Weise, head of aircraft finance at Citi Private Bank. Ultimately, “people buy classic aircraft because they are passionate about them, not as an alternative investment. Yet, like fine art, they tend to appreciate in value”, he says. The biggest expense is insurance. The size of the premium charged for flyable aircraft depends on the experience of the pilot. Premiums for full coverage average about 3 per cent of the value of the plane, according to Brown. Engine refurbishment costs of between US$150,000 and US$200,000 might appear high, but a newly tuned engine will endure 600 hours of flying time. Von Weise warns, and DeMarco agrees, that it’s essential to hire an expert consultant before feeding your aerial passion with a major purchase.

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Making Travel Meaningful Sustainable luxury tourism is gaining popularity and more travel nd their commitment to positively and hospitality brands are deepening impact the communities they operate in as Grace Ma finds out uxury travel with its lavish accoutrements may seem incongruous with the concept of sustainability. But sustainable tourism practices have been around for decades with trailblazers such as Laguna Phuket— the leading integrated resort in Thailand operated by homegrown luxury resort brand Banyan Tree through its subsidiary—which won awards for successfully rehabilitating a site previously written off as “toxic”. The concept of sustainable tourism has rapidly gained traction in recent years, as increased education and awareness have led more travellers to lean towards travel and hospitality brands that care for and bring positive change to their surroundings. Privately-owned international travel group The Travel Corporation goes one step further by establishing The TreadRight Foundation to encourage sustainable tourism. It focuses on projects that help the environment, protect and conserve ecosystems and beneﬁt communities, such as giving grants

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to support European artisan enterprises and rehabilitating koalas at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. Banyan Tree meanwhile has shown in the past 20 years that it is possible to keep its core value of “embracing the environment and empowering the people” while maintaining stellar service standards. “We have essentially sought to be agents of social and economic development through tourism,” says its executive chairman Ho Kwon Ping. “It is not a matter of giving back once we have attained surpluses, rather it has been a matter of aligning our core values with a sustainable business model.” These days, the investment stakes into sustainability have certainly dug deeper with initiatives that welcome guests to be a part of the positive impact on local communities. Nihiwatu Resort’s proﬁts are channelled to the Sumba Foundation to set up amenities such as primary schools, water wells and clinics, as well as supplying villages with clean water on Sumba Island in Indonesia. Nihiwatu’s managing partner James McBride says, “We ultimately aim to improve the quality of life singapor e tatler . july 2015

PHILANTHROPY | LIFE

IMAGES: ANANTARA HOTELS, RESORTS AND SPAS, BANYAN TREE AND YTL HOTELS

GIVING BACK From far left: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa provides shelter for rescued street elephants as well as employment and education to mahout families and their children; Banyan Tree Phuket in Laguna Phuket sits on a site that was once an abandoned tin mine; Gaya Island Resort’s resident marine biologist Scott Mayback teaches guests how to care for marine life

for our Sumbanese neighbours and aid them in fulfilling basic needs that you and I take for granted, such as clean water, healthcare and opportunities for a fundamental education.” On the environmental front, Hilton Singapore recycles unused soap bars and processes them into new ones that are donated to poor families in Asia, while The Westin Singapore is the first local hotel to have a luxury limousine fleet that is completely powered by biodiesel. Its general manager Lance J Ourednik says, “When we consider the cost of handling waste cooking oil, using normal fuel and the benefits to the environment, it was the right thing to do.” Soneva Fushi in the Maldives is the first resort to ban night fishing in the Baa Atoll. It also charges guests a mandatory carbon levy for each stay where proceeds fund their Slow Life Foundation projects and offsets carbon emissions from resort activities and guest flights. YTL Hotels’ Gaya Island Resort in Sabah even has a resident marine biologist and a naturalist, who regularly conduct tours to educate guests on the significance of the resort’s flora and fauna. Its marine biologist Scott Mayback says, “People seem to respect the environment more if the educating comes from someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. There would be more damage to our reefs if we were not here to keep people from damaging it.” Rare turtle and elephant conservation features largely in the Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas chain in Thailand, where singapor e tatler . july 2015

“Businesses have the opportunity and the power to create societal change for the nd betterment of both our global community as well as our planetary ecosystem” each resort matches guests’ donations dollar for dollar during their stay. John Roberts, the director of elephants and conservation efforts at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, often brings baby elephants down to the river for their bath routine. “What we are really doing is helping to protect and preserve the marine and forest environments in the areas we operate in. When guests have a personal involvement in setting a turtle free or looking an elephant in the eye, it motivates them to take their caring to the next level,” he says. Banyan Tree’s Ho believes that it is imperative for businesses to remain steadfast in their sustainable operations and commitment to communities and ecosystems simply because it is the right thing to do. “Our global community is facing major issues such as the impact of climate change and social unrest due to inequality of opportunity. Businesses have the opportunity and the power to create societal change for the betterment of both our global community as well as our planetary ecosystem.”

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THE LAST WORD

NEW YORK CITY Celebrated British chef Jason Atherton shares his recommendations for New York City, the site of his just-opened restaurant, The Clocktower wake up in new york overlooking Madison Square Garden. It’s the view that my wife, Irha, and I get out of bed to, at our room in The New York Edition hotel. The hotel has just launched and my new restaurant The Clocktower is located inside. It’s become a second home over the past few months. I grab a coffee and then do a quick check of my e-mails. As well as my restaurants in Asia and London, we are working on launches in Dubai and Australia, so my inbox crosses over a few time zones. Breakfast is usually something light —yoghurt and fruit. As a chef, I’m tasting food all day, so I try to start on a healthy note. First, I’ll head to an exercise class with Irha. We’ve recently discovered indoor cycling studio SoulCycle—it definitely wakes you up in the morning. Exercise is really important to me. I like to do a class first thing before heading into the restaurant to meet with the team and prep for lunch service. I also have a short session with a personal trainer mid-afternoon, once lunch service is over. For lunch, we’ll take our two daughters out for something simple. Marta near Madison Square Park does great pizza: thin-crust, Roman style. It’s a venture between chef Nick Anderer and Danny Meyer, whom I’m a big fan of. Then we’ll take the kids on some old-fashioned sightseeing around New York: the zoo, Central Park. We recently took them to the American Girl Place, a huge shop selling dolls—which they loved, of course. To unwind at the end of the day, if I’m drinking, I’ll have a gin-based cocktail in the bar at The Clocktower—the Dill or No Dill cocktail with Beefeater gin, fresh dill, smashed cucumber, lemon juice, elderflower syrup and smoked salt is really refreshing. If I’m not drinking alcohol, nothing beats a good cup of tea. Work is an integral part of my day—and happily so. It involves everything from working on new dishes with the chefs to running through the finances and planning for future openings.

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But after cooking all day, it’s great to go out to eat. I’m constantly on the lookout for inspiration. A personal favourite is Eleven Madison Park; the service is exceptional and Daniel Humm’s cooking is incredible. We’ll go for the tasting menu with wine pairings, around 14 or 15 courses. It’s a real treat. Hospitality is all about looking after each other—when Daniel comes to London, I make sure to invite him to one of my restaurants and take care of him. To end the day, I’ll have a cup of tea, and watch an episode of Game of Thrones—we’re completely addicted.

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