SCION Oct-Dec 2014 by CHMP MEDIA

OC TOBER - DECE M BER 2 01 4

CROWNING

GLORY Discover the Legendary Moments of Rolex

A CHM P M EDI A PU BLIC AT ION

THE REAL DEAL

MADIBA’S MOTHER CITY

MARQUE OF SUCCESS

Fabulous Jewellery from a New Generation

Why Cape Town is a Top Tourist Destination

Chasing Bentleys at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Transforming kitchens and exceeding expectations - that's the Signature difference

The Signature Difference At SignatureKitchen, design philosophies are always converging and mixing, resulting in kitchens that are highly personal and suited to evolving lifestyles. As a lifestyle specialist, SignatureKitchen strives at delivering a personalised service that includes getting to know you, understanding your needs, and incorporating these into planning and building your dream kitchen.

Quality time in your dream kitchen

Transforming the kitchen into a social space within the home

Style and functionality go hand in hand

STERLING SDN BHD A6 B, Ground Floor, Block A, Scouts Complex, Kg Mata mata, Jalan Gadong, Bandar Seri Begawan BE 1718, Brunei Darussalam Tel: 245 4893 / 245 6283 Fax: 245 4892

Inter ior s . Fur ni t ure. Acces sor ies .

Unit 49, 2nd Floor, Hj Munchit & Hjh Dyg Rapiah Complex Kg Jaya Setia, Berakas, BSB BD2713 Brunei Darussalam Tel: +673 233 5031 Email: studio@wamadesigns.com

Co n t e n t s

10 – AROUND THE WORLD JEWELLERY 17 – THE REAL DEAL FASHION 22 – FOR THE FASHION FOLLOWER 24 - BRAWN APPEAL 26 - MEETING ETHAN K 28 – CHIC CLICKS Online Luxury Deals BEAUTY

33 - THE BEAUTY BAR 34 – AT HOME WITH SABRINA TAN Founder of Skin Inc 38 – BRIGHT EYES WATCHES 40 - FOR THE WATCH AFICIONADO

42 – THE KING AND ITS CROWN TRAVEL 48 - FOR THE GLOBETROTTER 49 – CAPE TOWN Madiba’s Much-Loved Mother City 54 – CAPITOL ASSET DINING 58 - FOR THE GOURMAND 59 – BUN APPETIT 62 – A NIGHT WITH THREE STARS

Co n t e n t s

INTERIORS 64 - NEWS FOR THE DÉCOR AND STYLE LOVER 66 – DO THE WHITE THING Accessorising with White 68 - IN THE FOCUS The Felcuna ART

69 – ALL IS FAIRS Must-See Art Venues ENGINE WORLD 74 - FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST 76 – FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE TO THE EDGE OF SPEED 79 – MARQUE OF SUCCESS 84 – ROAD TEST: THE AUDI S3 SOCIETY 87 – DESIGNERS AT HOME

94 - DRESS & RELAX 95 – LONG LIVE THE QUEEN 96 – MERDEKA MALAYSIA 97 – BRING OUT THE COLOURS 98 – THE YASMINE EFFECT 99 – RADISSON RAYA 100 - MAKING EVERY CLIENT A TOP PRIORITY ACCOMMODATION 102 – SCION PARTNER HOTELS

Ed it o r ’s Not e

[sahy-uh-on] – A noble descendant, a privileged individual. Scions have the world at their feet. They hold the key to a vault of privileges that only an exclusive few can enjoy. At SCION, the line of wealth, luxury and high-living begins.

October/November/December 2014 Publisher: Wan Zainal Shazali Managing Editor: Pauline Chan Art Director: Kiyotaka Lee Fukuzaki Copy Editor: Vittoria D’Alessio Editorial Assistant: Intan Abu Daniel Photographer: Ebi Lim Finance Manager: Chin Hui Hui Marketing & Communications Director: John Zachary Sales and Marketing Executive: Jovi Lim Contributors: Neil Briscoe, Roderick Eime, Rohaizatul Azhar, Su Jia Xian, Annette Tan, Patricia Lee, Devan Wu, Karen Tee A MAGAZINE OF CHMP MEDIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM TEL: +673 2331031 FAX: +673 2231031 E-MAIL: INFO@CHMPMEDIA.COM

DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST, I attended several corporate ‘open house’ parties to celebrate the Muslim Hari Raya celebrations. These are always large gatherings of corporate visitors who stream into the party between the designated hours and catch up with other guests from the business community. There is usually a long buffet table laden with a glorious selection of food. Increasingly, we see food stations serving cuisines from different parts of the world. The choice is bewildering, and if you don’t practise some self-control, you end up with a mountain on the plate because everything looks so delicious. All this choice is a luxury we’re fortunate to enjoy. This issue’s SCION brings you a buffet of people, things and places that are trending right now. For style devotees, we feature four young, talented jewellery designers who are captivating the fashion world with their fresh interpretations of highend jewellery, and we look at the unstoppable online shopping trend for luxury goods. We’ll also show you some cool biker jackets that will help you stay warm and look sharp (whether you’re riding a bike or not). Moving from the young brands that are making waves in the market, we take a journey back in time to rediscover the legacy of an ageless brand – the fine watchmaker Rolex. Since we never stop finding ways to make SCION more interesting, we’ve added a section on beauty (and not only for the ladies) and we get up close and personal with the founder of celebrated skincare brand Skin Inc. In the food world, the burgers and hotdogs we know so well have gone upmarket with gourmet ingredients and served in chic eateries. Yes, we have to pay premium for this hip mode of classic fast food but as these offerings taste out of this world, we’re prepared to go for it. It’s approaching the end of the year and our holiday feet are tapping to the sounds of vuvuzelas or jazz saxophones – that’s right, our insatiable appetite for travel has taken us to South Africa and Washington DC, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you found yourself packing for these destinations soon too. I am delighted to announce that SCION is now available for sale at bookshops in Brunei and Malaysia as well and we look forward to sharing more ideas and adventures with you when we see you next in January 2015. Happy Holidays!

SCION IS PUBLISHED BY CHMP MEDIA (BRUNEI). ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND ADVERTISING SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO SCION, CHMP MEDIA, UNIT 49, 2ND FLOOR, HJ MUNCHIT & HJH DYG RAPIAH COMPLEX, KG. JAYA SETIA, BERAKAS BD2713. BRUNEI DARUSSALAM.

COVER PHOTO: THE NEW ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL GMT- MASTER II

ALL MATERIALS ARE STRICTLY COPYRIGHT AND ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER. ALL PRICES AND DATA ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SCION ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER AND THE PUBLISHER DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVERTISING CONTENT. ANY IMAGES SUPPLIED ARE AT THE OWNER’S RISK.

IMAGE COURTESY OF ROLEX SINGAPORE.

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Ar o u n d th e W o r l d

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A RODO

RAFFLES GOES TO ISTANBUL

Italian luxury brand RODO has opened its first boutique in Malaysia on the first floor of Bangsar Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. RODO is widely recognised for its range of elegant evening handbags and shoes made from exquisite materials like Burma leather, exotic water snake skin, silk and satin, and often embellished with Swarovski crystals and precious rhinestones. The Bangsar boutique presently carries the Spring/Summer 2014 collection and ladies can soon look forward to their Fall/Winter 2014 collection with richer and warmer autumn colours. Be dazzled by the brand’s bejewelled clutches and shoes - it’s no surprise they’re regularly spotted on celebrities and fashionistas.

RAFFLES ISTANBUL threw open its doors on September 1, offering luxurious stays to city visitors. The hotel overlooks the Bosphorus, the Prince Islands and Istanbul’s historic peninsula, giving it a stunning vantage point above the city. Contemporary, full of texture and distinctly Turkish, the hotel is embellished with a collection of specially commissioned art works, many of them by Turkish artists. Raffles Istanbul boasts 132 guestrooms and 49 suites – all spacious and bright with every imaginable modern amenity. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to furnished private terraces and balconies overlooking the Bosphorus and the city. The hotel also offers seven food and beverage locations and spa treatments at the Raffles Spa – an oasis with nine treatment rooms and suites, and a choice of pools, saunas, steam rooms and, of course, hammams.

www.rodo.it

www.raffles.com/istanbul

BLANCPAIN ON THE FIFTH BLANCPAIN has a new boutique on the east side of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan – the watch brand’s largest boutique on American soil and its 29th standalone store. The 160-square metre boutique is decorated with the brand’s heritage in mind. Furniture and display windows are made from cherry wood as a nod to the architecture of traditional workshops and master-watchmaker’s workbenches. For the first time, Blancpain uses a 360-degree screening system for total immersion in the brand environment. Photos and videos are displayed on the upper part of the walls, creating an atmosphere where ‘virtual’ and ‘reality’ collide. Collections like Villeret and Fifty Fathoms will be displayed in a setting that invites customers to browse at their leisure in a city that never sleeps. www.blancpain.com/en

Ar o u n d th e W o r l d The Dorchester Bread and Butter Pudding

MALAYSIAN FLAVOURS IN SHA TIN

Coworth Park Fish and Chips

If you find yourself craving Malaysian flavours in Hong Kong this October, head to the HYATT REGENCY in Sha Tin for your fix of peninsula-worthy heat and spice. Three chefs from the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur bring an array of ethnic Malaysian cuisine to lunch and dinner buffets at The Café, between October 9 and 26. The feast will cover traditional favourites from Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine such as sambal udang (fried prawns in sambal sauce), assorted satay (grilled meat on sticks), otak– otak (fish paste with spices wrapped in banana leaves), daging rendang (beef in thick coconut gravy) and desserts like kuih lapis pandan (traditional Nonya-style layer cakes) and bubur jagung (sweetcorn stew in coconut milk).

FLAVOURS FOR THE ROOM From the month of September, stay at any DORCHESTER COLLECTION hotel and you’ll be treated to an in-room dining menu showcasing a delicious dish from every Dorchester Collection hotel in the world. So whether you’re staying in London, Paris, Rome or Beverly Hills, the same fabulous selection of Dorchester specials will be yours for the picking. Here we present some of the finest offerings on the menu.

www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com

www.dorchestercollection.com

TIME FOR TEA

Umami items include a yuba bun, harumaki, Hokkaido cheese and tamagoyaki (egg). Sweet items include a matcha waffle (served with lavender honey, goma cream and Japanese apple jam), a mini soba dorayaki (pancake) with Earl Grey ganache and chestnut filling, warabi mocha and an amai spoon. www.noburestaurants.com/hong-kong/ experience For reservations, call +852 2313 2323 or e-mail fb.hongkong@ihg.com

Photos: Hyatt Regency, International Hong Kong, Dorchester Collection

Afternoon tea is given a new twist at the INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG. Every Saturday and Sunday, Nobu is serving a Japanese afternoon ‘T-Set’. The Simply T-Set includes a selection of ‘umami’ (savoury) and sweet delicacies, offered with a selection of Japanese Rishouen green teas or coffee. Stunning table views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island are a lucky bonus.

Hotel Principe di Savoia Vitello Tonnato

The Beverly Hills Hotel McCarthy Salad

45 Park Lane Butter Lettuce Salad

Le Richemond Le Swiss Délice

Hotel Eden Rigatoni Alla Norma

Hotel Plaza Athénée The Croque-Plaza

Le Meurice Lobster Club

Hotel Bel-Air Garden Vegetable Soup

Ar o u n d th e W o r l d

ADD TO CART Now you can shop designer wear for your kids online. KIDS21, the luxury childrenswear multi-label store, has launched its first e-commerce site featuring a carefully curated edit of over 70 brands. It’s also the first designer multi-label kids’ online store in Asia composed of designer names. Among these are Oscar de la Renta, Chloé and Stella McCartney. The site also features chic kidswear labels Bellerose, My Little Dress Up and Pale Cloud. As well as shopping for your little darlings’ regular wardrobe, you can open gift registries through the site for baby showers, birthdays and celebrations. Customers are given the option of speedy delivery, and returns are easy to manage. The site’s editorial page, The Bee’s Knees Weekly, offers weekly features showing its pint-sized customers how to rock a favourite look. www.kids21.com

HOMME IMPROVEMENT

www.dior.com/couture/en_int/mens-fashion

LANDMARK CUISINE Photos: Club21, Dior, The Fullerton Bay Hotel

Guys, the day has dawned for you to shop till you drop. The largest DIOR HOMME boutique in Asia Pacific has reopened at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The new one-level shop, which bears the distinct steel and mirrored architectural design that is the hallmark of the brand’s boutiques around the world, looks set to become an unmissable destination for style savants in the region. The flagship store carries a mix of merchandise across all categories, including ready-to-wear, denim, accessories, footwear, eyewear, leather goods, watches, jewellery and fragrance..

The stunning Clifford Pier, based in The FULLERTON BAY HOTEL, is Singapore’s latest destination restaurant. The venue is set within the dome of one of Singapore’s remaining historic landmarks – the Clifford Pier, built in 1933 as a landing jetty for immigrants and other sea passengers. Revamped to accommodate a 208-seater restaurant, the Clifford Pier serves a mixture of high-end hawker food and sophisticated interpretations of other Asian specialities. For lunch and dinner, perennial Singaporean favourites such as the Ubin Kueh Pie Tee, Fried Carrot Cake & Sweet Soy Prawns and The Clifford Pier Laksa will leave diners wanting more. The authenticity of the cuisine is enhanced by condiments made in-house. Other Asian cuisine is represented with dishes such as Wagyu Rendang Hanger Steak, Gaeng Phed Ped Yang (roasted duck in red curry sauce) and Kim Chi Fried Rice. The restaurant also boasts an afternoon tea and a supper menu. www.fullertonbayhotel.com

Je w e l l e r y ?

TOP IT WITH A KAMINSKI When the temperatures drop, it’s time to keep your head warm with a dramatic fashion statement from Australian hat maker HELEN KAMINSKI. The brand’s Autumn/Winter 2014 collection showcases all forms of hats inspired by 1940s Hollywood film noir, 1920s smoky jazz bars and the architectural designs of Middle Eastern architect Zaha Hadid. The collection’s designs are simple and chic, and the materials include the luxurious Heritage weave, fur felt and Italian knit braid-all perfect for the winter. Whether you plump for Hollywood glam with a close fitting cloche in moody tones, or architectural aesthetics with a wide brim, the point is to keep warm and look stylish at all times.

www.helenkaminski.com.au

WU CHUN FLIES ROYAL BRUNEI

www.flyroyalbrunei.com

THE REAL DEAL by Patricia Lee Photos: Helen Kaminski, Royal Brunei Airlines

Brunei-born international star Wu Chun is now the face of Brunei’s national carrier, ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES. An official signing ceremony was held on August 21 in Shanghai to kick-start the carrier’s new advertising campaign, with the popular entertainer as the brand’s ambassador. Deputy chairman of Royal Brunei, Dermot Mannion, explained their choice: “Wu Chun’s celebrity status in our regional market, together with his renowned image as a family man, makes him the ideal choice to represent the RB brand. His popularity will serve to better introduce RB and destination Brunei in the all-important China market and across Asia.” Wu Chun seemed equally pleased over his appointment. He said: “To say I’m delighted to be linked to the RB brand as a Bruneian is an understatement.”

Costume jewellery might be fun, but what’s cool in the world of luxury fashion today is genuine rocks and bona fide precious pieces.

Je w e l l e r y ?

1. GAIA REPOSSI 2. DELFINA DELETTREZ

Welcome to the new era of adornment, championed by the latest breed of It girls. Smart, sophisticated, and thoroughly modern – these women have their own careers, dress for themselves, and buy their own fine jewellery. The look of the moment is defined by self-expression and quiet luxury.

THE RELATIONSHIP between a woman and her jewellery is a complicated one. Coco Chanel extolled the virtues of going fake. “To ask a woman to wear real jewellery only is like asking her to cover herself with real flowers instead of flowery silk prints. She’d look faded in a few hours,” she infamously proclaimed. Marilyn Monroe, on the other hand, believed real diamonds were a girl’s best friend.

The bijoutiers du jour are Gaia Repossi, Delfina Delettrez and Charlotte Dauphin de la Rochefoucauld. Chic, in their twenties and heiresses of fabled European houses (Repossi, Fendi and Maison Dauphin respectively). Their artful contemporary designs have removed the hauteur surrounding fine jewellery.

Two style icons with polar-opposite opinions. So whose lead should we embrace? The answer is surely both – indeed, both paste and genuine are more hip than ever – but fine jewellery is undoubtedly leading the way. Expensive should not, however, be mistaken for f lashy or bling. To the contrary – the current wave of beautiful pieces are edgy, unassuming, and most importantly, worn with an air of insouciant cool.

“I didn’t want to wear pieces that I felt bourgeois with,” says Repossi. As luck would have it, a legion of tastemakers from fashion editors to Hollywood stars felt the same way.

Photos: Repossi/Danko Steiner, Delfina Delettrez

Je w e l l e r y ?

1. DAUPHINE DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD 2. FRANCESCA AMFITHEATROF

Dauphin de la Rochefoucauld’s debut line, inspired by architecture, stood out amongst the Place Vendôme stalwarts. What the pieces lacked in baubles they made up for in sleek, delicate geometric lines.

The key is to incorporate the wit and elegance of the pieces into how they are worn. Keep it subtle, simple and casual. Repossi’s diamond encrusted Berbère ring may cost a fivefigure sum, but the coolest girls are throwing it on with ripped jeans and sneakers. Delettrez, one of the most soughtafter girls about town and the best poster girl for her own brand, turned up at Dior’s Cruise 2014 show in a minimal baby-pink dress with a giant bejewelled spider brooch pinned to its lapel. And at her presentation last summer, she turned up in a pin-striped man’s shirt, black pencil skirt and showstopping chunky white-gold choker embedded with a tengram green quartz.

The new wave of fashion-forward clients for cutting edge jewellery is also shaking up storied houses. Responding to the trend, Tiffany & Co. has appointed Francesca Amfitheatrof as its new design director. A chic British jeweller who has created pieces for Marni, Chanel and Alice Temperley, her inaugural collection draws on the heritage of the esteemed 177-year-old brand, but imbues it with a fresh contemporary vision. Entitled Tiffany T, the graphic pavé diamond and gold bracelets, long chains and ceramic black rings would pair up as perfectly with a little black cocktail dress as they would with leather leggings and a motorcycle jacket.

Along with slow fashion and initiate runway presentations, fine jewellery is finally back in fashion. Yet what counts is not whether you’re wearing it with a J.Crew sweater, vintage Levis or a Tom Ford gown, but whether it’s real or not. S

Photos: Dauphine de la Rochefoucauld, Tiffany & Co.

Fa s h i o n ?

A FRESH START MODERN MAN For menswear with a twist, look no further than the CANALI Spring/Summer 2015 Capsule Collection. In his runway debut for the Italian label, creative director Andrea Pompilio has sent forth an inspired collection marrying the brand’s elements of classic tailoring with a more relaxed look. Pompilio says: “The lines are soft, lean and comfortable in the suits and jackets, featuring checks or horizontal stripes, accompanied by trousers that rest just at the ankle and are finished with a particularly high 8-centimetre-cuff.”

Fashion’s enfant terrible Jonathan Anderson has unveiled his first collection for the Spanish fashion marque LOEWE. Anderson is best known for his eponymous fashion label J.W. Anderson, where he frequently blurs the line between mens- and womenswear. His debut capsule collection for Loewe reveals a more grown-up and restrained side to his design aesthetic. In a collection that spans a selection of bags and accessories for men and women, the designer has revisited some of the label’s most iconic designs, such as the Amazona and Flamenco bags. There will also be a selection of home accessories such as blankets, cushions and even a chair, to be unveiled at a later date. Stay tuned. www.loewe.com

Other looks to check out are the colourful oversized sweaters, exquisite shoes in nubuck crocodile or soft two-tone calfskin, and ultra-fine cashmere T-shirts. In short, it’s a wardrobe fit for the contemporary man about town. www.canali.com

BRIT CHIC

Step out in style with DOLCE & GABBANA’s new collection of pumps. These on-trend darlings come in a luxuriously elegant tapered silhouette with a thin stiletto heel for maximum femininity. Called the Kate collection – perhaps inspired by a certain Duchess of Cambridge? – these sculptural pumps would certainly fit perfectly in a royally ladylike wardrobe. The pumps are offered in materials that have achieved iconic status under the D&C label, including Chantilly lace on patent leather and nappa, leopardprint pony hair and fluorescent patent leather. The Kate collection is available in Dolce & Gabbana boutiques worldwide and at store.dolcegabbana.com.

Photos: Dolce & Gabbana, Canali, Loewe, Burberry

ROYALLY SHOD

Forget wraps and chunky knit shawls. This season, the It item for your winter holiday is the BURBERRY poncho. First shown at the British fashion house’s Fall/Winter 2014 show in London, the reversible Colour Block Check Blanket Poncho is made from wool and cashmere, and crafted in Scotland. Inspired by traditional equestrian blankets, the design is jacquard-woven and introduces a fresh interpretation of Burberry’s signature check pattern. Celebrity fans who have been spotted wrapped in the poncho include models Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse as well as American socialite Olivia Palermo. The best part? You can personalise your blanket poncho with your own monogrammed initials, up to three characters. How’s that for enviable luxe outerwear? Available from Burberry stores worldwide, including 02-16 ION Orchard in Singapore, as well as www.burberry.com

Fa s h i o n ?

RICK OWENS IN SUPPLE FULL-GRAIN LEATHER, THIS STREAMLINED, SLIM-FIT BIKER JACKET CUTS A SLEEK SILHOUETTE. WITH ITS SIMPLE DESIGN USING ARTICULATED SLEEVES AND STARK DETAILING, THIS JACKET IS THE CLASSIC BIKER JACKET REDEFINED WITH A LUXURIOUS EDGE.

RICHARD JAMES LIGHTLY QUILTED ON THE INSIDE FOR A BIT OF EXTRA WARMTH AND WITH A SMOOTH FINISH ON THE OUTSIDE, THIS SLICK FULL-GRAIN LEATHER JACKET FROM THE BRITISH BRAND WILL LOOK BETTER AND BETTER WITH AGE.

BRAWN APPEAL Whether it’s for keeping warm or looking cool, a leather biker jacket from this season’s tempting lineup will set you apart from the crowd and turn friends racing green with envy.

GIVENCHY A HANDSOME BLACK LEATHER JACKET WITH A POSH SHEARLING-TRIMMED COLLAR AND A HOST OF ZIPS, STUDS, POCKETS AND STRAP DETAILS WILL MAKE THIS A STANDOUT PIECE NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO.

Photos: Mr Porter.com

BELSTAFF CRAFTED IN ITALY WITH A NOD TO BELSTAFF’S MOTOCROSS HERITAGE, THIS SOFT NUBUCK KIRKHAM JACKET WITH SHEARLING LINING IS TIMELESS WITH CLASSIC BIKER-STYLE DETAIL.

SANDRO SUPER-SOFT FULL-GRAIN LEATHER ACCENTED WITH MULTIPLE ZIPS AND BELT AT THE WAISTLINE IS COMBINED WITH QUILTED LINING THROUGHOUT THE BODY AND SLEEVES ON THIS SLIM-FIT JACKET. COMFORT AND PROTECTION MEETS STYLE.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN THIS ITALIAN-MADE LEATHER JACKET PACKS AN ATTITUDE WITH ITS ULTRA-SMOOTH LEATHER, A WOOL AND CASHMERE BLEND COLLAR AND QUILTED SATIN BODY LINING. MASCULINE AND COOL, IT’S A WISE INVESTMENT THAT WILL LOOK CURRENT AT ANY TIME.

BALMAIN WITH THIS ARMY GREEN JACKET, BALMAIN COMBINES THE LUXURIOUS FEEL OF SMOOTH LEATHER AND A COTTON-QUILTED LINING WITH RUGGED STUDS AND SILVER ZIPS. NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED IS THE MOTOCROSS QUILTED DETAIL.

S p e c i a l Fe a t u r e

Meeting Ethan Koh by John Z achar y

ETHAN KOH made his first bag at the age of 13 and now, just 14 years on, his eponymous collection of exotic-skinned bags, totes, clutches and accessories is the fastest-selling ladies brand in Harrods. So it seems fitting to be meeting Ethan Koh at the Arts Club in London’s Mayfair – a haven for leaders in the world of art, literature, fashion and film since 1863. Indeed, the club embodies all that the Ethan K brand has come to represent: history and craftsmanship. Ethan Koh is a true original. He doesn’t follow fashion but instead creates fresh, vibrant designs that are both beautiful

and functional. His exquisite collections are sold to a discerning clientele the world over, with members of the Qatar royal family counting themselves among his admirers. When asked about his growing base of collectors, Ethan’s reply is simple: “I’m not designing for the average luxury customer. The items we make are for someone who has everything and is bored with brands and logos. “Our clients don’t carry a bag from us because they want their friends to recognise it. They’ve already arrived – they don’t need their handbag to show the world they have done well.”

Ethan’s focus and commitment to the Ethan K label is truly phenomenal. His hectic schedule takes him around the world to the homes of the rich and famous. He is the only Asian designer to have a boutique in the highly coveted space at Harrods ground floor and is now in Saks Fifth Avenue. The appeal is that Ethan K represents a blend of tradition and history, knitted together by a designer with a true love for what he does. It’s obvious that Ethan is passionate about bags from the detail in his beautifully crafted, utilitarian bags. The Koh family’s history with exotic skins can be traced back four generations. Ethan’s great grandfather was taken as an apprentice by an English artisan in Singapore, who taught him the art of skin tanning, so the exotic skin business is in Ethan’s blood. SCION has invited Ethan Koh to visit Brunei early next year so a select few can see for themselves. We hope to have more news on this in our January 2015 edition. S

Fa s h i o n ?

Many companies are now offering value-added services to give themselves an edge. THE FIFTH COLLECTION

Chic Clicks by Rohaizatul Azhar

Know what you want to buy but swamped by the options online? Fear not – we’ve done the trawling for you here, handpicking five fabulous cyber stores we know you’re going to love. So sit back, put your feet up and let us take you shopping…

IN THIS TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN WORLD, the rage for online stores has turned our shopping habits on their head. And for sound reason. Who wants to fight for parking space and brave the crowds – possibly in scorching heat – when everything we desire is stocked online? According to a recent study by eMarketer – an independent market research company providing insights and describing trends in digital marketing, media and commerce – the online shopping market in Asia will rise by 20.1% this year, reaching USD500 trillion. The top three online shopping categories, the study reveals, are electronics, books and fashion. But with so many brands jostling for attention, a mere presence online no longer cuts it, and many companies are offering value-added services to give themselves an edge. Among these services are product customisation, bespoke tailoring, flexible tailoring (where customers are free to design their own outfits) and personal concierge services that help track down beloved vintage pieces. By offering these extra services, retail websites give themselves the best chance to interact with, and get to know, their customers while staying ahead of the game in a rapidly saturating market. It’s a sales approach that’s proving particularly effective for luxury sites catering to a niche market. One such site is The Fifth Collection, a marketplace for preloved and vintage designer fashion, which features lifestyle content through its editorial blog “page five”, and edited capsules under “Collections”. Nejla Matam-Finn, founder of The Fifth Collection, says: “Our aim is to guide the fashion collector in the same way Christie’s and Sotheby’s guide art collectors. Our role is to make buying and selling vintage and pre-loved luxury items a pleasurable experience – one that’s hassle-free. At the same time, we want to provide the necessary knowledge tools to ensure our members are getting quality products and the real deal.”

Not just a highly curated online marketplace for pre-loved luxury goods, The Fifth Collection is also a style haven for vintage collectors. Pieces include Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dresses, Hermès bags and scarves, and Christian Lacroix jewellery. Sourced from around the world, vintage pieces are put through a detailed process of authentication. Founded earlier this year in Singapore by a husband and wife duo, the site has become the go-to online platform for both fashion insiders and style mavens. www.thefifthcollection.com

Fa s h i o n ?

MMERCI ENCORE

VICTOR YORK

Founded and created by Alli Sim, former beauty editor of Harper’s Bazaar Singapore, Mmerci Encore is an online beauty apothecary selling unisex beauty products and other body preparations. Products – which include candles, body scrubs and facial mists – are personally handcrafted using organic ingredients sourced from around the world. Beauty enthusiasts can look to the site’s blog for insider tips. This is where Sim shares the knowledge gained during her years as a beauty editor for a women’s glossy. For now, Mmerci Encore only offers bespoke organic body scrubs by appointment. During a typical consultation, Sim will talk to a client about her inspirations, favourite scents, and general lifestyle habits, before customising a scrub to suit her needs. mmerciencore.com

THE WEAVE CO. The Weave Co. is a social enterprise that stocks chic hand-sewn notebooks. The woven materials used to accessorise the notebooks include Ceylonese, Japanese and African fabrics, and Indonesian batik. Notebooks are handcrafted by women in rural communities in Northern Sri Lanka and parts of Zambia, providing jobs in areas where employment is scarce. The Weave Co. hopes to tell a story with every piece, as well as to connect people across cultures. The company also stocks handcrafted greeting cards made from vintage fabrics sourced from far and wide. theweaveco.com

Representing the luxury end of tailoring, Victor York is a Singapore-based tailoring company that delivers wellfitting shirts that are put together with a few clicks of the mouse. Designing your own shirt is a piece of cake (not to mention fun) thanks to the site’s user-friendly templates. The store offers more than 20 patterns – from checks to polka dots – and a good range of colours. And it’s not just fabric that you get to choose but also sleeve length, cuff style and collar types. A 3D visualiser lets you preview your design before pressing ‘buy now’. And if you’ve never wielded a tape measure before, fear not – the site gives clear guidelines on how to take accurate measurements. www.victoryork.com

Beauty

THE ART OF SKINCARE

BY INVITE ONLY Founded in 2009 and also based in Singapore, By Invite Only specialises in handmade jewellery and accessories made from semi-precious stones. Largely inspired by eighteenth century circuses and the Victorian era, the label likes to incorporate soft touches of nostalgia into urban contemporary styles. All jewellery is painstakingly sourced from around the world and come in limited numbers of less than 200 pieces. These pieces shimmer with serious vintage charm. www.byinviteonly.info

There are skincare routines and there’s skincare that turns an everyday chore into a luxury – and the CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ Synactif range definitely belongs in the second category. The five products in this range have been reformulated to give improved results. They include a facial soap, a softening lotion, daytime moisturiser, nighttime moisturiser and an intensive cream. The formulations are designed to work together synergistically to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines while leaving the face more radiant and defined. The Synactif range works on the skin’s lymphatic vessels to enhance their ability to drain toxins and waste matter. To complete the experience, the products are scented with a soothing rose fragrance – guaranteed to heighten any gal’s beauty ritual. www.cledepeau-beaute.com

LIGHT AND SHADOWS Fact: the finest perfumes are often created by high-end designer labels and stocked only in select boutiques. Cases in point include Hermessences by Hermès, Chanel’s Les Exclusifs, Tom Ford’s Private Blend and Dior’s La Collection Privée – all them, standouts. GIORGIO ARMANI has taken this concept of exclusivity one step further with his range of Armani Privé Fragrances featuring limited-edition couture-inspired scents. The latest – Ombre & Lumière – Is an olfactory treat of layered translucence, blending woody and powdery iris with feminine jasmine and violet. There are only 1,000 bottles available worldwide, and with each bottle painstakingly handcrafted in hues of deep blue and purple, this perfume is destined to morph into an objet d’art long after the juice has run out. www.armanibeauty.com

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL When François Nars launched his eponymous make-up brand 20 years ago, he did so with a collection of 12 lipsticks. This year, to celebrate the brand’s anniversary, NARS pays tribute to its roots with the launch of The Audacious Lipstick collection, a range of 40 shades running the gamut from nudes to statement reds and bold pinks. The vivid hues are particularly stunning – they’re so pigment-rich that a single swipe is sufficient for a vibrant pop of colour. As a bonus, the nutrient-rich formulations keep lips deliciously moisturised. www.narscosmetics.com

Beauty

was only for a short time, after which, I’d have to go out and find something new.” But following the ‘trial and error’ method of beauty-product solutions was something Tan had neither time nor energy for. Then came the light-bulb moment for the mother of two. After spending some time studying the market, she realised she wasn’t alone with her conundrum – many working women faced the same frustrations. So what started as a quest to find the perfect product for her own skin morphed into a viable business proposition. Her research kicked off in 2007, when she chanced upon Japanese serums that could be custom blended to suit an individual’s needs . “It was common concept in Japan but not readily available in Singapore,” she says. “It was an effective idea and I truly believed that it could work.” After heading to Japan – home to many high-end skincare brands – to work with chemists and suppliers, her skincare product was formulated and the Skin Inc brand was born.

AT HOME with SABRINA TAN

IT TAKES COURAGE TO LEAVE a cushy, well-paid job to start a beauty business – everyone knows this is a cutthroat industry dominated by brand-named industry goliaths with bottomless pockets. But for Singaporean Sabrina Tan, who spent a decade as an IT executive in a regional marketing role before her big career switch, breaking into this increasingly saturated market was a calling she simply couldn’t ignore.

Photo by Wesley Kow

“The money was good in IT, definitely. I mean, the role takes care of all your financial needs. But I felt challenged to do something different,” she says.

Since its inception, the brand has grown from strength to strength. From its humble beginnings trading from a single 200 square feet store in The Central mall in Singapore, Skin Inc has grown to boast an impressive list of stockists. Tan has opened six concept stores in Brunei, Singapore as well as Spain, and its products are available in 16 countries such as Lithuania and Vietnam. In Brunei, the Skin Inc concept store is located in Regent Square. Tan says business here has been brisk since its opening a few years ago. “The Bruneians are very willing to try new skincare concepts and they understand the importance of a good skincare regime that is not only effective but also not time consuming.” 3.

That was seven years ago. Today, the 39-year-old is the founder and CEO of Skin Inc, a Singapore-based beauty company that prides itself on making fuss-free, customised skincare for today’s woman. So what to some seemed like a crazy idea has turned into an inspirational success story. And as far as success stories go, Skin Inc’s rise to prominence in the beauty industry has been something of a phenomenon.

She may be petite, but Sabrina Tan has all the fight and gumption required to take her business to new heights. ROHAIZATUL AZHAR chats with the founder and CEO of skincare brand, Skin Inc.

And it all started with her frustration over the unavailability of beauty solutions for her eczema-prone skin.

Speaking to SCION in her modern, minimalist home in Singapore, Tan recalls: “As a beauty lover, I was constantly frustrated to find that many products didn’t work for my specific skin condition. There were those that worked but it

1. SABRINA TAN, FOUNDER OF SKIN INC 2. SKIN INC’S TOP-SELLING MY DAILY DOSE SERUM BLEND 3. SOME OF TAN’S FAVOURITE WATCHES INCLUDE THOSE FROM FRANCK MULLER, CARTIER AND HUBLOT

Beauty

IN HER OWN WORDS ON HER TIPS FOR LOOKING FRESH AND GORGEOUS WHILE TRAVELLING Hydration is really important. It’s not only about drinking a lot of water but also about giving your skin the hydration it needs, especially during a long-haul flight. I travel loads, and when I’m on board I apply the Deepsea Hydrating Mask because it locks in the moisture. You don’t want to look tired and dull when you step off the plane (laughs). ON THE THINGS SHE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Definitely my phone. We’re so dependent on technology these days and I’m quite sure I’d be so lost without it. I also can’t live without my bags (laughs) and, more importantly, without my skincare serums. ON HER IDEA OF DOWNTIME I’m such a carefree person. I really like just hanging out at home and spending time with my husband and two children. Sometimes, I have friends over so we can chill and catch up over good food and drinks.

Earlier this year, she announced a partnership with LVMHowned beauty retailer Sephora. The brand’s Get Awesome Skin kits are now available in 15 Sephora stores in Southeast Asia, with plans for them to be included in Australian and Korean stores by the end of this year. Without a doubt, teaming up with the American multi-label retail giant has been a good move for Skin Inc. Sephora has a wide reach, with a massive presence not only in the US but in big cosmopolitan cities elsewhere too. “Our partnership with Sephora will definitely give us brand visibility in new markets,” notes the astute entrepreneur. “Just look at Bare Escentuals, Clarisonic and Urban Decay – they’ve become global brand names thanks to their presence in Sephora.” It would seem that Skin Inc is poised to take over the beauty world. Tan has also parlayed her experience in the IT industry into developing an online skincare-choosing

system that works globally. Through an in-depth skin-check digital tool called Skin Identity, beauty lovers are given a platform to answer a detailed questionnaire to figure out what their skin really needs. Preparing for her SCION photoshoot, Tan explains: “I want to empower women with the knowledge of their skin and choosing ingredients that work best for their lifestyle. I believe we can be our own skin specialists. Our Skin Identity programme ensures a product blend is current and relevant to what your skin needs right now.” If and when your skin’s needs change, she adds, you can recalibrate the concoction to suit the new conditions. This can be done with a click of a few buttons from anywhere in the world. “Choosing the right skincare is like having a couture garment made. It should be made specifically for you and tailored to suit your every need. That, to me, is the definition of an effective skincare product.” S

Stylist: Martin Wong / Art Direction: Velda Tan & Rohaizatul Azhar

1. SABRINA’S HERMES TWILLY SCARVES ON DISPLAY, TOGETHER WITH HER FAVOURITE SAINT LAURENT PARIS HEELS 2. SABRINA’S HERMES KELLY BAG

Photographer: Wesley Kow / Hair & make-up: Dollei Seah, using Dior and Redken. Assisted by Melinda Lim

ON HER MOST RECENT FAVOURITE BUY My Celine Box bag, which I just bought in Munich. I love how classic it looks, yet it’s versatile too. It’s such a great everyday bag.

TRY IT OUT MY DAILY DOSE The signature product of Skin Inc, this serum blend is concocted to suit your skin’s needs through a detailed questionnaire. Consisting of 84 possible combinations of three serums, which are then blended into a single bottle in a colour of your choice. The result? Visible, fast results that you can see and feel.

OXY MIRACLE INFUSION This four-step facial treatment starts with an Oxy Miracle Peel, followed by a calming infusion of oxygen, a Skin Inc customised serum cocktail and finally a generous splash of Onsen water. Definitely the perfect pick-me-up before a special event.

PURE REVIVAL PEEL This multi-tasking product can exfoliate and heal your skin. The gel-like texture works immediately upon application onto the skin and removes dull skin. This is especially good after a long trip.

Beauty

1. SK-II FACIAL TREATMENT ESSENCE – EYE Fight dark circles and fine lines with this SK-II eye serum, a counterpart to the brand’s iconic Facial Treatment Essence. Featuring the star ingredient Pitera and plant extracts white lupine and alfalfa, this serum activates the skin’s antioxidant abilities to help it regenerate. 2. SISLEY SUPREMŸA YEUX LA NUIT Formulated to work through the night while the body’s natural repair abilities are at their most potent, this lightly scented cream-serum contains acai, yeast and caffeine extract to stimulate, drain and firm sagging skin. Other active ingredients work to stimulate collagen production around the eyes to keep the wrinkles at bay.

The eyes are often a person’s most captivating feature, not to mention a window to their soul, yet the delicate skin around the eyes often ages prematurely. The skin here is only 0.5mm thick – at least three times thinner than it is elsewhere on the face – so it’s little wonder that wrinkles, pouches and dullness tend to appear in this zone first. Karen Tee checks out these power-packed eye potions to keep your peepers radiant and youthful.

4. ESTÉE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE SYNCHRONIZED COMPLEX II AND SERUM Featuring the same bestselling technology behind the American brand’s Advanced Night Repair serum, this improved two-part eye treatment can be layered for best results. Or, if the weather is too humid, use just the cream or the serum, depending on which texture you prefer.

6. GLAMGLOW BRIGHTMUD EYE TREATMENT Tap on and wipe off this cooling mud-mask for the eye area in just three minutes to de-puff and brighten fatigued peepers. This treatment also contains a blend of caffeine molecules to stimulate lymphatic drainage and eliminate dark circles. 7. LUNASOL DAY TREATMENT EYE ESSENCE A must-have in the make-up bag, this versatile hydrating eye essence is tinted with a coral-beige tone to counter dark circles. It can be applied before make-up as a primer, or used for touch-ups during the day when the eyes are in need of a hydration boost. 8. PETER THOMAS ROTH CC EYE CORRECTING CONCEALER This hardworking product is an anti-ageing treatment, sunscreen, concealer and brightener all in one. One end is a treatment and concealer and can be applied all over the eye area, while the other is a highlighter that can be used on the inner corner of the eyes, brows and even the cheekbones.

Bright Eyes

3. CLARINS EXTRA FIRMING EYE COMPLETE REJUVENATING CREAM Specially formulated for Asian women, this all-in-one anti-ageing eye contour cream by Clarins targets multiple common eye complaints including crows’ feet, eye bags and dark circles, to shave years off your appearance.

5. JURLIQUE HERBAL RECOVERY ADVANCED EYE SERUM If lack of sleep and exhaustion is causing your eyes to appear puffy and dull, reach for this botanical eye serum, which contains a blend of plant-based extracts to restore radiance to the eye area.

Watche s

BRING BACK THE SEVENTIES

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL created the Seventies Panorama Date with the 1970s in mind – an era of exciting new shapes and developments in design. Now the brand has updated the watch with an entirely new chronograph in three versions with dials in galvanised ruthenium, silver and blue. The indexes are in white gold, and the hour and minute hands are in white gold with a Super-LumiNova highlight for improved legibility.

The BR 03-94 Carbon Orange by BELL & ROSS, modelled on an aircraft’s cockpit instruments, is designed especially for professionals who require optimum legibility in all circumstances. This edition, limited to only 500 pieces worldwide, is given a touch of orange that highlights all the indications relating to the chronograph function when contrasted with the matte black dial, facilitating reading. To enhance the legibility, the index and numerals are coated with Super-LumiNova, and the case is constructed of anti-reflective sapphire. This highaltitude performer with an automatic mechanical movement is also water resistant to 100 metres.

The new chronograph movement presents a simplified wheel mechanism with fewer individual parts. All three timepieces feature the Seventies collection’s characteristic soft-cornered squared stainless steel case and bezel, complemented by a range for bracelets in stainless steel, leather and rubber.

www.bellross.com

www.glashuette-original.com

A FLIGHT TO REMEMBER IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN has launched three limited edition timepieces to commemorate the last flight of aristocrat, writer and celebrated pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who took off on a reconnaissance mission over France in 1944 and never returned. One of these timepieces – the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘The Last Flight’ – will be auctioned in November by Sotheby’s Geneva and all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.

EMBRACE THE LIMELIGHT PIAGET’s Limelight Diamonds collection of watches will add sparkle to any outfit. Each of the collection’s timepieces is elegantly set with one carat of fine diamonds. The emerald shape of the watchcase mirrors the traditional rectangular cut of Piaget’s fine jewellery collections, while the horizontal oval version has become a signature of Piaget watchmaking. Both timepiece versions come in two variations – one with a black lacquer dial with just over one carat of diamonds and the other displaying a white gold dial fully embellished with pavé diamonds. The radiance of the diamonds is enhanced with a subtle strap in black satin and a white gold ardillon buckle set with a single diamond. www.piaget.com

The Last Flight is presented in a brown silicone nitride ceramic case, brown dial and brown calfskin strap with quilted stitching and pin buckle. The mechanical chronograph movement has a power reserve of 68 hours with a date display, a Flyback function and is water resistant to over 60 metres. This limited edition watch has a special engraving on the case back in memory of Saint-Exupéry’s mysterious last flight. www.iwc.com

Watche s

MAIN PHOTO: THE ROLEX DAY-DATE II 1. THE COSC RED SEAL 2. HANS WILSDORF, FOUNDER OF ROLEX 3. ROLEX WORLD HEADQUARTERS GENEVA WORKSHOP

IN THE EYES OF MANY, Rolex is the ultimate Swiss luxury watchmaker. It’s certainly the country’s most prolific producer of high-end timepieces - Swiss bank Vontobel estimates its annual revenue at some 4.6 billion francs – with its remarkably advanced, vertically integrated production facilities the envy of the watch industry.

Yet despite its irrefutable Swiss credentials, the company was founded by a German. Hans Wilsdorf moved to Switzerland in the early 1900s, having divined the potential of the nascent wristwatch – men’s pocket watches were de rigeur at the time.

The King & Its Crown by Su Jia Xian

Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law set up Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 to distribute Swiss-made wristwatches around the British Empire. By 1919, Wilsdorf had returned to Switzerland to be closer to Jean Aegler, his supplier of watch movements, located in Bienne, near Berne. He settled in Geneva, where he set up Montres Rolex S.A. the following year. From there, Rolex began its long march towards technical and mechanical excellence in watchmaking. The focus has always been on practical inventions rather than the complications favoured by most of its Geneva-based peers. The company’s first landmark invention was the Oyster watchcase of 1926. Comprising a screwed-down bezel, case back and crown, the Oyster was hermetically sealed against the elements and waterproof. Five years later, Rolex added

Watche s

1. PLACING THE CROWN ON A ROLEX DAYTONA DIAL AT THE ROLEX CHÊNEBOURG SITE 2. LAUNCHED IN 1953, THE SUBMARINER WAS THE FIRST DIVERS’ WATCH WATERPROOF TO A DEPTH OF 100M METRES

the Perpetual rotor to the Oyster, a self-winding mechanism that eliminated the need to unscrew the crown for winding each day. And so was born the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, the foundation on which an empire has been built. The second half of the twentieth century was as fruitful for Rolex as its opening years, particularly in terms of functional timepieces designed for professionals. Many of the brand’s modern sports watch icons, like the Submariner and Daytona, were born in the 20 years from 1950. The first Submariner was unveiled in 1953, making it one of the first modern dive watches. Two years later, the GMT-Master joined the line-up, followed by the Milgauss, Daytona and Sea-Dweller. Though Rolex, like the rest of the Swiss watch industry, suffered during the 1970s quartz crisis, it soldiered on. It unveiled its first quartz wristwatch – the Oysterquartz – in 1977, but continued investing in mechanical watchmaking throughout the slump that saw quartz watches largely replacing mechanical devices the world over. By the 1990s, the Swiss watch industry was in the midst of a revival, with mechanical wristwatches newly popular as luxury items. While many of its rivals had gone under during the crisis, Rolex was still standing.

Photos: Rolex

It was in this period that the company carried out an ambitious and unequalled plan of vertical integration and industrialisation. Rolex bought its principal components suppliers, bringing production of almost all parts – from movements and bracelets to crowns and dials – in-house. Its final act was to acquire movement-maker Aegler in 2004. The company also consolidated its production facilities into four sites in Geneva (case, bracelet and dial production as well as assembly of whole watches) and Bienne (manufacturing of movements). Today, its slick, vertically integrated production facilities are the envy of the watch industry.

With its industrial and technical capacity assured, Rolex has notched up major developments since the turn of the millennium. In the year 2000, it presented its first proprietary, automatic chronograph movement, equipped with the blue Parachrom hairspring, and resistant to magnetism and shock – two foes of the mechanical watch movement.

At this year’s Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show, Rolex provided a peek into the future with the new Syloxi hairspring (the oscillator that regulates the timekeeping of a watch). Made of silicone with an oxide outer layer, the Syloxi hairspring has a patented shape for more stable and reliable operation, and is also magnetism resistant.

Two years ago, the brand launched its most complicated movement ever, the Sky Dweller. Inside was the caliber 9001, featuring an annual calendar mechanism that required setting only once every four years, as well as a second timezone function.

But Rolex also has not forgotten its past. Also unveiled at Baselworld was the new Sea-Dweller 4000, a direct descendant of the 1967 Sea-Dweller, while the GMT-Master II, with its blue and red bezel, pays homage to the original from 1955. S

1905

Watche s

1910 Wilsdorf & Davis established in London by Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-inlaw Alfred Davis to distribute Swiss-made watches in Britain and the Commonwealth.

1908

1919

Rolex trademark registered by Wilsdorf.

1931 A Rolex watch was the first wristwatch in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, granted by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne.

1926

Wilsdorf moves to Geneva and establishes Montres Rolex S.A. in the Swiss city a year later.

1953 Rolex invents the Perpetual rotor, an automatic winding mechanism, and registers the Rolex crown logo.

1945 Invention of the Oyster watchcase, waterproofed thanks to its screwed-down bezel, case back and crown.

1956 Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest equipped with Oyster Perpetuals.

The Datejust makes its first appearance along with the Jubilee bracelet.

1955

1960 Available only in precious metal, the Day-Date is unveiled, becoming the first wristwatch to have both the day spelled out in full and the date on the dial.

Created in collaboration with the Pan Am airline, the GMT-Master is conceived with pilots in mind.

1963

1977 Rolex debuts the Cosmograph Daytona, a sports chronograph named after Florida’s famous NASCAR racetrack, the Daytona International Speedway.

The experimental Rolex Deep Sea Special reaches the bottom of the Marianas Trench, at a depth of 10,916 metres, while mounted on the outside of the self-propelled deep-sea submersible, Trieste.

2012

2000 Rolex unveils the Oysterquartz, the brand’s first battery-operated timepiece.

The 4130 chronograph calibre movement was conceived and assembled exclusively by Rolex in 2000 for the Cosmograph Daytona and incorporates just 290 components.

1985

1967 Equipped with the first ever helium escape valve, the Rolex SeaDweller is created for the saturation divers of deepsea diving pioneer COMEX.

Rolex unveils the Sky Dweller featuring an annual calendar and dual time-zone functions – its most complicated timepiece yet. And a Rolex wristwatch once again reaches the bottom of the Marianas Trench with the Deepsea Challenge expedition.

2005 Rolex becomes the first watch brand to use 904L steel for its watchcases, which offers a higher level of corrosion resistance than the more commonly used 316L steel.

Rolex uses ceramic for the first time on a watch, as the insert on the bezel of the GMT-Master II, and in the same year the compay unveils the paramagnetic and shock resistant blue Parachrom hairspring.

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Cape Town

UNIQUELY KASARA YTL Hotels has announced the launch of the KASARA brand – a collection of luxurious hotels, resorts and residences in exotic locations in Asia and beyond. KASARA promises an authentic, timeless experience where local culture and traditions are interwoven with five-star luxury. Launching the collection is the KASARA Niseko Village Townhouse, based in Niseko Village, Hokkaido, Japan. The Niseko Village Townhouse offers magnificent views of the vulcanic Mount Yōtei, along with a tempting line-up of guest activities – from reindeer sledding and snowmobile adventures in winter to kite flying and hot air ballooning in summer.

Madiba’s Much-loved Mother City by Roderick Eime

KASARA Niseko Village Townhouse is scheduled to open on December 1, and accommodation rates at will start at US$2,000 per night for a three-bedroom townhouse. KASARA will soon be opening further accommodation on Koh Samui, Thailand and Pulau Tiga in Borneo. www.kasara.com

SAILING ON THE MEKONG The luxury vessel Aqua Mekong sets sail on the Mekong river through Cambodia and Vietnam this October. AQUA EXPEDITIONS has made a name for itself for paying close attention to luxurious detail, and this will be reflected throughout the vessel – from the design and décor to cuisine and service. Twenty outward-facing suites with floor-toceiling windows make it possible for quests to watch the scenery float before they’ve even rolled out of bed. Once up and about, passengers can relax on cushioned loungers in the upstairs Outdoor Lounge or ease into the river-facing plunge pool. There’s also a spa, fitness centre, library and screening room on board for a super chilled, pampered stay. Food on the cruise is prepared by executive chef David Thompson, whose restaurant Naam Bangkok was awarded top spot in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014. www.aquaexpeditions.com

Glamorous, set in natural beauty and a stone’s throw from the notorious Robben Island jail that once held Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s second largest city deserves its position as a firm favourite among international travellers.

ROCK CLIMBING ON TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE TOWN

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CAPE TOWN’S infamous Robben Island can be toured but it can never be truly experienced – and for that, today’s visitor should be boundlessly grateful. Since the last prisoner was released in 1996, the cells of Robben Island jail have stood empty. The rooms are stark – all bare walls, rusty bed frames and chipped iron bars. A stiff, salty breeze whipping off the surrounding sea does nothing to suggest life was anything but bleak for the prison’s former residents. The saga of Nelson ‘Madiba’ Mandela shall always hold an important place in the story of Robben Island. The renegade activist turned national president turned father of modern South Africa spent 18 of his 27 incarcerated years on Robben Island. He was in good company: other highprofile inmates included ANC leaders Kgalema Motlanthe (who also served as president of South Africa), Oliver Tambo and current president, Jacob Zuma. Robben Island is separated from Cape Town by seven kilometres of water. Tantalising as a swim may have been to some, the angry sea acted as a perfect barrier, and only one inmate ever made the crossing successfully. The year was 1660 and the escapee got away in a stolen rowboat. With Mandela’s death in December at the age of 95 and the almost immediate release of the movie adaptation of his autobiography, ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, the great man’s spiritual presence is felt in almost all things and places in Cape Town today. Cape Town’s glorious Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is the jumping-off point to the UNESCO Heritage-listed Robben Island, with ferries running four times a day. Allow four hours for the tour and return ferry ride. The city of Cape Town is frequently cited as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and for good reason. It certainly has one of the most striking vistas, with the ‘city bowl’ poised elegantly beneath the imposing backdrop of Table Mountain. Often visited by cloud, which drapes across its flat surface like fairy floss, the kilometre-high natural fortress has protected the city since its founding over 350 years ago.

Cape Town offers an abundance of treats, tours, treks and tastings to keep its visitors amused. Abseiling and shark cage dives are popular activities among adrenaline junkies while those favouring a more urbane pace of life are lured by food and produce tours through the gorgeous Stellenbosch and Constantia regions – both within an easy drive of downtown. But Cape Town is by no means the only city worth visiting in South Africa. The ‘Madiba Trail’ naturally leads visitors across the vast country to Johannesburg, and an exploration of the once forbidden (for white folks) township of Soweto is a perfect bookend to the Robben Island tour. In Soweto, in an unassuming red ‘matchbox’ brick dwelling standing at 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, is the so-called Mandela House. Pockmarked with bullet holes and scorched from firebombs, this house was the home of

Nelson Mandela from 1946 until the time of his arrest in 1962. Upon his release in 1990, he briefly returned here, stating famously in his autobiography that: “For me, number 8115 was the centre point of my world, the place marked with an X in my mental geography.” The South Africa of today is a far cry from the strife-torn, segregated country of Mandela’s adult years. This gateway to an entire continent is a bright ‘rainbow nation’ that hosts world-class sporting events and welcomes 10 million international guests every year. The nation’s murky apartheid past feels as distant and disconnected from modern life as the forsaken prison cells of Robben Island.

Top 10 must sees TABLE MOUNTAIN

Thousands of people from across the world voted, and on November 11, 2011, Table Mountain was named among the New 7 Wonders of Nature. You can hike to the top of the mountain or get there in five minutes by cable car.

CAPE POINT

1. THE PRISON CELL ON ROBBEN ISLAND THAT WAS ONCE OCCUPIED BY NELSON MANDELA 2. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE ROBBEN ISLAND IS A FAVOURITE TOURISTS’ DESTINATION 3. CAPE POINT 4. TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM

Cape Point is a spectacular, narrow finger of land covered in endemic fynbos (shrubland) and home to picturesque bays, beaches, rolling green hills and valleys. 2.

ROBBEN ISLAND

Once ‘home’ to some of South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is one of the country’s most visited tourist attractions.

KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to over 22 000 indigenous plants.

BOULDERS PENGUIN COLONY

There are few places in the world where you can get this close to a breeding colony of penguins, swim close to them in the sea and enjoy their private sandy beach.

THE CASTLE OF GOOD HOPE

The Castle of Good Hope – the oldest building in South Africa – was once a fort, but today functions as a showcase of the Cape’s early days.

BO-KAAP AND DE WATERKANT

Known for its brightly coloured houses and situated at the foot of Signal Hill, BoKaap is the spiritual home of the Cape’s Muslim community.

SIMON’S TOWN

This pretty coastal town is South Africa’s main naval base and offers delightful

Victorian buildings, quaint streets and walkways, along with a fascinating history.

TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM

With more than 3,000 marine creatures on view – including sharks, turtles and penguins – the Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the finest aquariums in the world.

V&A WATERFRONT

The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited destination, attracting millions of visitors each year to its winning combination of shops, restaurants, nightspots and museums. 4.

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Top 4 places to stay

Top 4 luxury experiences Dining

TAJ CAPE TOWN

THE TEST KITCHEN

The Test Kitchen, which opened in November 2010, sees the celebrated chef on top form in a distinctive contemporary space. “A truly fantastic chef, … he has this ability of putting seemingly incongruent ingredients together in such a way that they work amazingly well – which is something close to my heart.” – Heston Blumenthal Luke Dale-Roberts’ The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road Woodstock www.thetestkitchen.co.za

A luxury hotel set in the heart of Cape Town, the Taj Cape Town offers guests a combination of refined Indian hospitality and an authentic Cape Town experience. Occupying two historic buildings, it retains the architecture and many restored interior features of the original South African Reserve Bank and the old BoE building – formerly the Temple Chambers, built in 1890. Wale Street, Cape Town Central 8001 www.tajcapetown.co.za

1. SIMON’S TOWN WATERFRONT 2. KAYAKING IN CAPE TOWN 3. COLOURFUL HOUSE IN BO-KAAP 4. BOULDERS PENGUIN COLONY

Shopping V&A WATERFRONT

ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN

On the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront overlooking Table Mountain, this chic urban resort merges contemporary glamour with authentic local character. Food comes courtesy of gastronomic legend Nobu Matsuhisa and one of South Africa’s most celebrated native talents, Reuben Riffel. Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Cape Town Central 8001 www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, within a stone’s throw of the Cape Town Stadium and in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour, the V&A Waterfront offers indoor shopping and entertainment venues, ocean vistas and mountain views in a cosmopolitan, vibrant atmosphere. Here you’ll find more than 80 restaurants alongside designer brands Alfred Dunhill, Boss, Chopard, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and the like. www.waterfront.co.za

CLASSIC CAPE CHARTERS

THE TABLE BAY

A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the luxurious 5-star Table Bay Hotel is set on the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, close to Sea Point, Newlands, Green Point, as well as Cape Town’s best tourist attractions. Table Bay Breakwater Blvd Quay 6 Cape Town Central 8001 www.suninternational.com/table-bay

CAPE GRACE HOTEL

This recently refashioned hotel delivers all the creature comforts you’d expect from world-class accommodation and more. Situated in the centre of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Cape Grace boasts its very own private quay and fantastic views. West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town Central 8001 www.capegrace.com

Exclusive boat charter operator in the V&A Waterfront. Adrenaline-packed tours include shark-cage viewing and diving, deep-sea fishing excursions, ocean sailing and high-speed ocean adventures. Cape Charters also offers scenic harbour tours, water taxi services, inshore fishing charters, luxury cruises, ‘big five’ safaris, and Cape Peninsula tours. www.capecharters.co.za

Spa THE SANCTUARY SPA AT THE TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL

Set in the mountains that made Cape Town famous, this spa offers a wide range of treatments including those inspired by the region’s indigenous fynbos. A Rasul chamber (for mud treatments) make the spa a popular choice for visitors. www.12apostleshotel.com/spa 4.

Photos: South Africa.net, Cape Town Tourism, Roderick Eime

Cruising

VICTORIA & ALFRED WATERFRONT WITH THE TABLE MOUNTAIN IN THE BACKGROUND

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CAPITOL ASSET by Devan Wu

AFTER NEW YORK, the world’s most famous movie set has to be Washington DC. So much so that when you finally come upon the White House – prim and proper on its vast patch of lawn – you can’t help but think it looks a bit small and, well, ordinary. Especially if, like me, you watched ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ on the flight over – a film in which North Korean terrorists storm the White House with bombs and missiles.

This curious quality of warped, cinematic reality permeates much of the city. Not surprising when you remember that this is the capital city of the free world, and as such is probably the most important 176-square-kilometre patch of land on the planet. In short, every political and economic decision made here has a ripple effect on the rest of the world – there hasn’t been a city this important since ancient Rome.

Central Washington is dotted with buildings designed on the monumental scale – this is a city created to impress. The dominating template is the Parthenon – soaring Ionic columns, acres of marble and stone, with a dash of Renaissance by way of massive domes and elaborate statuary. If you squint, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you actually are in ancient Rome.

But in many ways, Washington DC is a city transformed. Locals remember a far grittier time when crime was endemic. At one stage, it held the dubious honour of being the murder capital of the United States. Many neighbourhoods were no-go zones. Still, people came and they stayed. This, after all, was the nation’s capital and there was, and still is, an idealism that the world could be changed for the better, one star-spangled banner at a time.

Not that any of this has kept the tourists away. Some visitors hope for a chance to catch a presidential motorcade zoom by, or perhaps a film crew prepping for the next scene of Scandal or the latest Hollywood blockbuster where aliens blow up the White House. Still others come for a common-or-garden photoop and leave suitably impressed and comforted by the scale of the city’s political ambitions.

A social shift came about during the Reagan years, as prosperity and peace returned to the country. Gangs moved out, yuppies moved in, and the city cleaned up its act.

Rain or shine, the museums (all free) and other major attractions along the National

1. THE WHITE HOUSE 2. THE US CAPITOL BUILDING 3. THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL ON THE NATIONAL MALL

Mall are jammed. In March and April each year, the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin burst with vivid pink blossoms, while the night skies explode into day with the capital’s legendary Fourth of July fireworks. It’s for these reasons – the motorcades and museums, spring blossoms and homeland celebrations – that Washington DC is so

The civil unrest and war demonstrations that marked so much of the 1960s and 1970s gave way to a mood of gentrification. Dupont Circle, a neighbourhood whose fin-de-siècle mansions had been abandoned to criminals and drug abusers, was one of the areas that benefitted from a radical makeover. These days it’s a major stop on the Metro underground train line, with radial spokes leading to the swanky Park Hyatt, the Ritz-Carlton and Palomar hotels. It helps that, for better or worse, security is considerably tighter these days. There are X-Ray and bag inspection checkpoints in every major public institution. The main arterial roads around the White House are now permanently closed to vehicles, while water bottles aren’t allowed into the US Capitol building.

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loved by tourists. And later, when the holiday is over and you’re scrolling through those endless Instagram images of Lincoln and white-stoned piles, you might remember something else. A faint stirring of the heart. A patriotic flutter that has nothing to do with the passport you carry. For all its grandiose posturing, the ability to stir up devotional emotions is Washington’s grandest achievement by far.

1. THE DUKE ELLINGTON MURAL 2. THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL 3. CHERRY BLOSSOMS AROUND THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

(www.bethesdarow.com) will better tickle your retail bone.

GETTING AROUND Washington DC recently came in ninth in a poll of America’s most car-congested cities. Which means taxis are great for getting back to the hotel after dinner, but during rush hours, take the Metro or walk. Or, if you have a sense of balance, rent a bright red Capital Bikeshare public bike for around US$7 a day and take advantage of the almost 56 miles of bike lanes that wend their way around the city. WHERE TO STAY The wonderfully restrained Tony Chi-designed Park Hyatt (www. parkwashington.hyatt.com) is within easy walking distance of Georgetown’s boutiques and the Dupont Circle Metro. For breakfast, be sure to order the lipsmacking fried chicken, fried egg and Southern biscuit. The Mandarin Oriental (www.mandarinoriental.com/washington) is set close to the Smithsonian museums,

WHERE TO EAT After wandering around the hip H Street neighbourhood, pop into the Belgium-themed Granville Moore’s (www.granvillemoores. com) for mussels and twice-fried fries, as well as house-made bison burgers. Pick up some delish gifts for friends back home at Cocova (www.cocova.com) which stocks designer bonbons from Arlington, Virginia and pure cocoa bars from Madagascar. And if huge, perfectly-charred steaks are your thing, then settle into the clubby setting of the Grill Room (www.capellahotels.com). while an overhead pass provides a shortcut to the Tidal Basin for the memorials to Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr, and Franklin Roosevelt. For more intimate lodgings, the recently opened Capella (www.capellahotels.com) is just lovely, not least for its canal views and stunning rooftop pool.

WHERE TO SHOP If the pristine boutiques lining M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue make you feel like you’re drowning in factory outlets (though we do love the Jack Spade store!), then perhaps a more leisurely afternoon at the Mosaic district in Merrifield (www. mosaicdistrict.com) and Bethesda Row

WHAT TO SEE IF YOU’RE IN A HURRY For the time-pressed tourist, it helps to know that the major sights are all conveniently laid out along an east-west axis. At the centre is the Washington Monument, its tall obelisk silhouette currently shrouded behind scaffolding.

To the north is the White House, and to the south, the Tidal Basin, the latter anchored by the elliptical bulk of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. To the east of the National Monument is the National Mall, lined with the incredible treasure trove of the Smithsonian Institute’s museums. These include the Smithsonian Castle, the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History. From here, it’s a quick walk past the Reflecting Pool to the US Capitol, the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. The expanse to the west of the Washington Monument is considerably less congested. Here, the focus turns towards the past – a quietly moving tribute to America’s fallen heroes. The gracious stretch of the Reflecting Pool is bookended by the grandiose Greek theatre of the World War II Memorial, and the simple majesty of the Lincoln Memorial

and architect Maya Lin’s evocative Vietnam Veterans Memorial. WHAT ELSE TO DO Do the monuments, of course. Or work off the jetlag kinks with a US$11 yoga class at Yoga District (www.yogadistrict.com). When monument fatigue hits, it’s time to rebalance in Washington’s leafy forests with a horse trail tour at the Rock Creek Park Horse Center (www.rockcreekhorsecenter.com). The historic Howard Theatre – reopened last year after a 32-year absence and a US$29m renovation – is the perfect venue to catch indie and R+B musicians in full swing (www. thehowardtheatre.com). If you love Julia Child, know that her entire kitchen is now in the basement of the National Museum of American History (www.americanhistory. si.edu). And on your way to the airport, carve out an extra hour to see the space shuttle Discovery at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Házy Center (www.airandspace.si.edu). S

Dining

THE HOUSE IN THE GARDEN CORNER HOUSE in Singapore’s Botanic Gardens pays homage to the historic botanist EJH Corner, who lived in this colonial-style Black and White bungalow from 1929 to 1942. The restaurant was opened by wine merchant Rennie Heng and Jason Tan, former executive chef at Sky on 57. It offers a dining experience inspired by EJH Corner’s work at the gardens, with Tan’s menu of gastro-botanica cuisine treating diners to sustainably sourced produce served with seasonal herbs and vegetables.

Bun Appétit by Annette Tan

The house’s lower floor boasts a stuccoed front porch – a breezy spot for guests to sip cocktails. The dining zone upstairs is awash with natural light and a verandah overlooking the garden’s beautiful greenery. Corner House serves lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and brunch and dinner on Sundays. www.cornerhouse.com.sg

HOP ON THE EXPRESS Long, leisurely lunches are a rare treat these days. Busy city folk demand food that’s served fast without a compromise to quality. Sydney’s CRINITI’S – widely regarded as one of the city’s finest and most authentic Italian restaurants – is answering the call for quick, delicious meals with its Express Lunch Menu. The menu is not just about saving time but also about making choices simpler for lunchtime diners. It includes a superb 120-day-old, grain-fed Hereford black angus tenderloin. Another stunning feature is the metrelength real Woodfire Pizza, cooked in just three minutes in a 360 degree oven. Since late August, Criniti’s has also been offering patrons a free lunchtime taxi to and from the restaurant if they find themselves within a 7-kilometre radius of Woolloomooloo. A customer just needs to present their cab receipt and Criniti’s will double its value, covering the return journey. www.crinitis.com.au

Burgers and hotdogs — America’s favourite comfort foods – go posh and pricey. THE DB BURGER BY DANIEL BOULUD

Dining

IT USED TO BE that two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles and onion on a sesame bun were all a burger needed to impress. But today it’s hard for the hamburger to stay humble. Gourmet burger restaurants are proliferating across the world, each offering a high-grade patty, to-die-for bread and all manner of upscale ingredients in between.

The blame often falls on French chef Daniel Boulud. Boulud started the trend in 2001 with the db Burger at his db Bistro in New York City. For a gourmet price tag of US$32 — almost certainly more than anyone else had charged for a burger till then — the db comprised a sirloin patty stuffed with braised short ribs and topped with a morsel of foie gras between parmesan-dusted buns. With that, America’s favourite fast food was transformed into high-end grub, and there was no turning back.

2. 1.

squishy buns that absorb the meat’s delicious juices. 1. THREE BUNS HONKY TONK BURGER 2. AL FRESCO DINING AT THREE BUNS 3. THREE BUNS NAUGHTY FRIES

1. NEW PREMIUM OMAKASE BUN 2. THE OMAKASE OUTLET IN SINGAPORE 3. THE BUBBLEDOG HOTDOG 4. THE BUBBLEDOG OUTLET IN LONDON

Ten years ago, veteran New York restaurateur Danny Meyer redefined the fast-food experience with his burger chain Shake Shack at Madison Square Park. Decked out in sleek, stainless steel, the restaurant continues to churn out burgers that are worth lining up for (which is what diners must often do – sometimes for up to an hour). With their soft buns, gooey American cheese and custom-blended patties made from beef supplied by meat masters Pat LaFrieda, Shake Shack burgers have become a benchmark for aspiring burger meisters around the world. With outlets at Singapore’s Turf City and Wisma Atria, Omakase Burger is widely regarded as the city state’s answer to Shake Shack. Owned by former banker Cheng Hsin Yao, Omakase’s burgers are made from US Department of Agriculture-grade beef, which is first rolled into a ball and then smashed onto a hot grill. Delectably moist on the inside, with an appealing thick char, the patties are topped with a tasty slice of American cheese and set between soft

Photos: www.bubbledogs.co.uk, db Bistro Moderne Singapore, Omakase Burger, Three Buns

Though more than a decade has passed since the db made its debut, the gourmet burger trend continues to roll. Foie gras and short ribs in a burger may sound hard to top, but that hasn’t stopped restaurants from trying — and, evidently, succeeding.

Shake Shack turned 10 this year, celebrating in June with a weeklong series of collaborations with big-name New York chefs such as David Chang, April Bloomfield and, naturally, Daniel Boulud. If anyone needed proof that the gourmet burger enjoys a comfortable spot in the food chain, Madison Square Park provided it in spades during the birthday week. Boulud’s Piggie Shack burger, garnished with barbeque pulled pork, jalapeno mustard and mustard slaw, drew hundreds of eager diners who lined up in the rain for hours. The next day, David Chang’s Momofuku Shrimp Stack — with a beef and shrimp patty, Momofuku Hozon Sauce, Bibb lettuce, pickled onions and salted cucumbers — made history when it spawned the longest queue Shake Shack had ever seen. From London and Paris to Hong Kong and Singapore, the premium burger’s popularity has only grown with the passing of time. When the trend hit Parisian streets in 2012, Le Camion qui Fume – the first burger food truck run by Ecole Ferrandi graduate Kristin Frederick – became an instant hit and sparked a slew of similar food trucks and restaurants that put a great deal of effort into perfecting their burgers.

To her credit, Frederick grinds her own meat and spent months perfecting the recipe for her burger buns, aiming for a texture that would complement but not compete with the delicate meat.

Three Buns is the latest burger restaurant to hit Singapore, and chef Adam Penney — who is well known for creating some of London’s best burgers at Patty & Bun — dishes out a mean (though miniscule) Baby Huey burger that sent hipsters flocking to the restaurant when it opened in June this year. Given all this international swooning over a fast food staple, it doesn’t seem quite so surprising that the humble hotdog has also received a culinary makeover in recent years. In 2012, husband and wife team James Knappett and Sandia Chang opened Bubbledogs in London’s Fitzrovia, serving hotdogs alongside £6 glasses of champagne. That same year, Canadian hot dog restaurant DougieDog premiered its $100 Dragon Dog, comprising a pork bratwurst infused with Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac, sautéed in olive and truffle oil and tucked between a sourdough sweetbread bun. On top of that sat Kobe beef, fresh lobster meat, tomatoes, truffles, aioli and a few shakes of hot sauce. While posh hot dogs haven’t quite reached the popularity of upscale burgers, the universal appeal of both American comfort foods virtually guarantees their longevity in the gourmet market. As Rebecca Bent wrote in her 2004 cookbook Burgers: “Burgers are the blue jeans of comfort food.” And as everyone knows, classics like denim never really fade. S

Dining

RIVEA, based in classy Knightsbridge, is the latest offering of chef and restaurateur Alain Ducasse, and it’s a most welcome addition indeed to London’s high-end eating scene. Housed in the Bulgari Hotel & Residences, this informal 82-seat restaurant is inspired by the vibrant food markets of Italy and Provence. The talent in the kitchen is Ducasse’s 29-year-old protégé Damien Leroux – a kindred spirit to the great master, who has worked alongside him for more than a decade in Provence and Monaco.

A NIGHT WITH

THREE STARS

My dinner guest and I are shown to an exquisitely dressed table. Seaside-inspired glassware by Finnish designer Iittala, and charming bespoke embroidered napkins sporting vegetable designs show just how much care has been funnelled into the decorative detail. A display of food produce, showcasing some of the chef’s favourite ingredients, brings colour to the room. Jars filled with preserved lemons, artichokes and pasta sit alongside fresh vegetables, grissini and breads, while homemade chocolate and hazelnut biscuits wait to be gifted to the diners at the end of their meals.

by John Z achar y

Fine dining is not hard to come by in the British capital, but there’s always room for one more outstanding restaurant on the block – especially when it’s the brainchild of a three-star Michelin chef.

Rivea has a breezy, laid-back elegance that captures the beauty and relaxed nature of the Riviera. Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners have used soothing tones of blue and pearlescent cream to create a nautical vibe. An undulating curtain made from shimmering silk channels the lapping of the Mediterranean Sea, while polished wooden floors, pillars and wall panels hint at yacht-chic. Diners are seated on chairs, sofas and banquettes, giving the room an appealing informal energy. Damien Leroux has developed a menu of small plates that perfectly expresses the flavours of the Mediterranean. Our server, Luca, suggests we choose four and, “let your palate experience wonderfully fine cuisine.” We will not regret following his advice.

Rivea offers several signature dishes, and all are truly delicious. To die for is the baked John Dory, cooked in a fragrant, bouillabaisse-style fish soup thickened with pureed lemon, then served with braised fennel, olives and sweet sun-blushed tomatoes. The panseared lamb chops, dotted with a Provencal herb pesto of rosemary and thyme, give a twist to the usual naked herb mix and create a dish that is both familiar and dazzlingly

3. 1. RIVEA LONDON 2. COOKPOT OF VEGETABLES 3. BAKED JOHN DORY

original. A cookpot of vegetables “from our farmers” offers a soul-enriching taste of terroir and season. Rivea’s pasta recipes offer some new takes on old classics. In summer, Damien’s carefully hand-crafted herb pasta is served with green asparagus and morels. We tried the pappardelle pasta with girolle mushrooms, tomatoes and basil, and the aubergine and ricotta ravioli. Superb. Our favourite dish was undoubtedly the blue lobster and purple artichokes from Provence. My dinner guest thought it the best she’d ever tasted, and she’d just returned from Paris. Dessert offers the same smorgasbord of delights and we had to try... well, a few. Lemon shortbread with limoncello sorbet was heavenly, and the Tiramisù was just right – never a given. Alain Ducasse says the fresh food markets where he sources his ingredients, “feed my curiosity and my passion for produce, and give me joy. You must wander around, look, smell, touch. It’s a feast of the senses.” The exact same could be said for Rivea. S

RIVEA LONDON

Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London 171 Knightsbridge London SW7 1DW For reservations: Email: reservations@rivealondon.com Call: +44 207 151 1025 www.rivealondon.com

In t e r i o r s

DREAM OF WATER When sanitary fittings manufacturer HANSGROHE SE invited internationally renowned Swedish design trio Front – comprising Sofia Lagerkvist, Charlotte von der Lancken and Anna Lindgren – to create shower installations for its designer brand Axor, it was treated to a vision of the bathroom of tomorrow with the Axor WaterDream. The Front designers explored the technical origins of showers and, as Charlotte explained, used their “personal perception of the shower and showering to draw attention to the technology behind the wall, which is often concealed”. With a simplicity that’s characteristic of Scandinavian design, Front presents its Axor WaterDream as an homage to artisanry and to the aesthetics inherent in technology and installation.

BESPOKE ELEGANCE

The new range uses luxurious materials such as polished brass, fauxshagreen inlays, penshell, antique mirror and parchment leather finished with fine detailing such as nailheads and nickel castors for chairlegs. Signature pieces in this new collection include the Pierre console table, the Grand Wing Chair and the glamorous Athens Etegar shelving unit, with references to a classic Greek key pattern. With these new additions, the full David Ross collection now comprises over 100 pieces, which are distributed in nine markets including Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. www.davidrossfurniture.com

www.hansgrohe-int.com

ALL THAT HYPE Light, bright, bold and strong. Meet the Halo – a lounge chair with back rest that looks like it is floating independently from its wing-shaped seat. Created by HYPETEX, the world’s first coloured carbon fibre brand in collaboration with furniture designer Michael Sodeau, the Halo is produced entirely from Hypetex material - a high-tech composite material created by engineers from the world of Formula One racing after seven years of research and development. The material is strong, lightweight and is available in a wide range of colours, making it suitable for use in various industries, particularly the design world. www.hypetex.com

Photos: David Ross Furniture, Hypetex, Hansgrohe SE

In keeping with the contemporary classics theme that runs through all past DAVID ROSS collections, the brand’s latest furniture draws on a blend of timeless Hollywood Regency and Art Deco styles. Classic silhouettes are maintained, while the glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood is lovingly updated.

In t e r i o r s

JAY Folding Screen by Boca do Lobo Soho Collection White, four-panel screen made from oak, beech or mahogany. Available by order on www.bocadolobo.com

DO THE WHITE THING

Keep cool with a mighty wash of white. The all-white treatment adds space to a small room and creates a look thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fresh, pristine and infinitely more glam.

NOBLE ESTATE table lamp by Ralph Lauren Home Features a curved, vase-like silhouette crafted from hand-cut crystal. Available at Proof Living at level 4, ION Orchard, Singapore

LUMIĂ&#x2C6;RE NOIRE perfumed candle by Maison Francis Kurkdjian Scented with a blend of rose and patchouli, this candle sits on a base of zinc. Available online www.franciskurkdjian.com LIBERTY Mirror by Boca do Lobo Soho Collection Solid oak or mahogany frame with a pale, silver finish. Available by order on www.bocadolobo.com

PATRICIA sofa by Baker Designed by Thomas Pheasant. Alluring against a wall or float in your living room, centre stage. Available at Baker Gallery at Level 4, Paragon, Singapore LADY DESK by Barbara Barry In ivory enamel finish with felt-lined top drawers, and nickel pulls and sabots. Available at Barbara Barry Realized by Henredon at level 2, The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur

Ar t

HIDE IT BEAUTIFULLY THE LOVELY FELUCA BEAUTY console has a flirtatious design with the softest of skins. This dainty item is all grace and feminine lines. It’s upholstered in Pelle Frau leather from Poltrona Frau, lightly padded and sensuously soft to the touch. The top half opens to reveal a small round rotating mirror and leather compartments for storing articles. The shell, made of varnished MDF, is coated with textured, non-scratch paint in milk or sand colours. A curvy steel front leg adds a touch of girly playfulness to this elegant accessory. Available at Poltrona Frau, Scotts Square 03-08, Singapore Designer: Andrèe Putman Year: 2007 www.poltronafrau.com

ALL IS

FAIRS By Patricia Lee

A playground for the rich, famous and cultured, the international art fair is not just the venue of choice to buy art but also the place to see and be seen.

GARY HUME -3.AMERICAN TAN III (BRONZE), 2006-07 © GARY HUME

En g i n e W oAr r l dt

FRIEZE LONDON

Pace, Gagosian and White Cube sitting alongside the Singapore Tyler Print Institute and Pearl Lam Galleries.

Fairs have sprung up in cities all over the world – not just capitals like New York and Hong Kong, but also Marseille, Salzburg and Gwangju in South Korea. For a few frantic days at a time, every ticket-waving visitor from celebrity collector to art enthusiast, shares the same space.

As much as the fairs have attracted the world’s best art, they’ve also become a magnet for the most fabulous parties. Last year, Pharrell Williams hosted a one-night pop-up of David Lynch’s famous Parisian nightclub Silencio at Art Basel, Miami Beach. The Museum of Contemporary Art party’s guest list ran from Kevin Spacey to Princess Eugenie of York, and the year before, singer-songwriter Lana del Ray performed at the Frieze Projects dinner in London.

Open gates beget egalitarianism, and an unintentional bonus of the explosion of art fairs has been the democratisation of the art scene. The hottest fairs showcase works from both established galleries and edgy up-and-coming names. Think

The art fair is the ultimate power party, where commerce, creativity and celebrity collide. But which event to attend? With so many crying out for your attention, we’ve made the choice easier by lining up the top three over the next three months.

Photos: MCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AG, Frieze

WE LIVE in a time-strapped world. Where once the biggest art buys happened behind the closed doors of exclusive galleries and at invite-only auction houses, these days, all the real action happens at the open-to-all, leisure-time-friendly art fair.

What: The edgiest and coolest of contemporary art fairs draws crowds to London’s Regent’s Park every autumn. A spin-off of leading arts and culture magazine, frieze, it was launched in 2003. The then 12-year-old glossy – already the arbiter of everything cool about Brit art – stumbled upon the winning formula of cutting edge works, rock star names and champagne-fuelled parties. When: 15-18 Oct Highlights: With the proliferation of art fairs around the world, Frieze still stands out for two key events. The first is the Sculpture Park, a unique open-air display of sculptures ranging from thirteenth-century gargoyles to contemporary works by Rachel Whiteread and Matt Calderwood in the English Gardens at Regent’s Park. The second is Frieze Masters, a secondary fair dedicated to works from ancient times to late 20th century. Welcomed by art critics, it provides a historical perspective to the contemporary pieces being shown alongside it. Who goes: On preview night, expect to find the artists exhibiting (Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Sam Taylor-Wood) schmoozing with their celeb pals, among them David Bowie and Gwyneth Paltrow.

1. TONY TASSET - BEAR, 2013 © TONY TASSET 2. THOMAS BAYRLE - ‘SLOPING LOAFERS / SMOOTH’ (2012) ©LYNDON DOUGLAS 3. RIFLEMAKER © LINDA NYLIND 4. JOHNNY VAN HAEFTEN © LINDA NYLIND 5. THE GAGOSIAN GALLERY’S BOOTH AT FRIEZE, 2013 © LINDA NYLIND 6. GIMHONGSOK, LOVE 2012, TINA KIM&KUKJE, © LINDA NYLIND

Ar t

2. 1.

1. 2.

ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH

FIAC PARIS (Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain)

What: Situated at the nexus of North America and Latin America, Art Basel Miami Beach puts the fun in fair. The motto here is the bigger, louder and brighter the works, the better. Patrons come for the dynamic exhibits as much as for its miles of sandy beaches dotted with classic art deco architecture and glittering nightlife. When: 4-7 Dec Highlights: The fair most in step with the fashion and luxury world, Art Basel Miami Beach has a schedule jam-packed with the most spectacular parties and events. Last year’s tie-ups included a Moncler party in the Herzog & De Meuron carpark and an old-school ‘art drive through’ by uber-cool French store Colette and designed by Rene Gonzalez Architect. Instead of drive-through food, visitors can feast on exclusive art products created in collaboration with artists like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Takashi Murakami and James Franco. Who goes: Rappers and entrepreneurs Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs and Kanye West hobnob with actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Zoe Saldana, TV personality Martha Stewart and DJ Mark Ronson.

What: The Grande Dame and most elitist of European art fairs, FIAC Paris celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Once held in the old station de la Bastille, it moved its base to the newly renovated Grand Palais in 2006 and has since spread its wings to some of the most celebrated sites in Paris. It now counts the Tuileries Gardens, Place Vendôme, Museum of Natural History and banks of the Seine among its exhibition spaces. When: 23-26 Oct Highlights: The fair distinguishes itself with its strong French presence, along with its discerning programming. “Newness is not our baseline,” says director Jennifer Flay. “ It’s about quality and excellence. That’s what we are consistently reinforcing and questioning.” One can expect to see works by today’s most esteemed names, ranging from Italian sculptor Maurizio Cattelan, to Yugoslav-born performance artist Marina Abramović and Chinese rebel artist Ai Weiwei. Who goes: A high-profile mix of serious contemporary art collectors, museum curators and international dealers.

Photos: The Estate of Yves Klein, MCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AG

1. BLUE ANGEL II, 2013 ©MICHELLE LOPEZ 2. HELLY NAHMAD GALLERY 3. PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT AT ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH 2013 ©AARON CURRY 4. GAGOSIAN 5. SMOKE GRID, 2013, OLAF BREUNING

1. NOVEMBER 2013 [RIO], SARAH MORRIS (2013) 2. LE TOURNESOL BY FERNAND LEGER ©GALERIE THOMAS 3. LES REFLETS DU TEMPS, RENÉ MAGRITTE, 1928 4. SE 181, YVES KLEIN, 1961

En g i n e W o r l d

THE REAL DEAL Following the revelation of the high-performance TOYOTA FT-1 ‘Vision GT’ virtual concept, a new ‘real-world’ version has been unveiled. The latest interpretation of the show-stopping concept coupé features new graphite paintwork in place of the vibrant red featured on the original concept, first seen at this year’s Detroit motor show. The updated FT-1 has also received a fresh interior treatment, with saddle-tan leather elements to give a more sophisticated feel. To achieve the interior finish, Toyota’s CALTY design team in California compared various leather thicknesses, grain sizes and textures before settling on an optimal combination. From September, players of the PlayStation game Gran Turismo 6 have been downloading three versions of the FT-1 – both red and graphite models and the high-performance ‘Vision GT’ edition.

PRACTICAL AND FUN It’s funny how we cling to the image of 4x4s as hefty cars when the likes of the VOLKSWAGEN Tiguan have been quietly telling us otherwise for some time. The Tiguan pulls off a clever trick – while being undoubtedly practical, tallish and handsome in that bluff-fronted 4x4 manner, it’s also quite compact, light and good to drive.

www.toyota.com/concept-vehicles

Engine choices are either VW’s familiar 2.0-litre diesel or the brilliant 1.4 TSI turbo petrol, with either front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. Pick the 4WD and you have a smart-looking SUV that’s as sharp and enjoyable to drive as any hatch. The usual VW quality is thrown in for free. www.volkswagenag.com

A VISION OF BEAUTY

Photos: Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW Group

MINI has teamed up with Milan-based design and coach-building house Touring Superleggera to create a car that cleverly blends the past and the future of the automotive industry. The minimalistic MINI Superleggera Vision takes iconic MINI features – such as the two circular headlights and hexagonal grille – and couples these with the aluminium ‘Touring’ body construction, creating a look that’s fun and dynamic. The sporty bucket seats, reminiscent of bygone MINI motor racing achievements, are covered in high-quality black leather. The structural elements in the doors and centre console are finished in high-quality black chrome, exclusively set apart from the aluminium surfaces and the matt textured paint finish in the footwell area. This deliberately contrasting mixture of structured surfaces and high-end materials gives the MINI Superleggera Vision an exceptional charm. www.bmwgroup.com

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FROM THE BRINK OF SPACE

TO THE EDGE OF SPEED By Neil Briscoe

TOP: FELIX BAUMGARTNER

Supersonic space jumper Felix Baumgartner has hovered above our planet and plunged to earth over an incredible distance of 36 kilometres. Now the daredevil from Austria is looking for a fresh challenge – this time on the most fearsome racetrack in the galaxy.

“WHY DO WE FALL?” a famous father once asked his fictional son. “So we can learn to pick ourselves up,” came the rhetorical response. (You may be impressed to learn that this profound exchange comes from the script of Batman Begins – who says comics can’t teach us about life?) Felix Baumgartner, however, might answer the question differently. Indeed, an honest list of reasons for his crazy skydive to earth would probably include fame, glory and the simple joy of proving that the impossible can in fact be achieved. For those who need reminding, in 2012, Baumgartner rode in a tiny capsule slung beneath a vast helium balloon to the edge of space. Wearing a specially constructed suit, he stepped to the lip of his craft, glanced around, then jumped. Minutes later, having passed a speed of 843 mph (well into supersonic speeds), Baumgartner landed safely by parachute in the New Mexico desert. Two years on, the Austrian adrenaline-junky is ready for a new challenge. Having stood on the edge of heaven, he now plans to race through hell. The Green Hell, that is – so dubbed by three-times F1 World Champion Jackie Stewart. The Nürburgring complex winds for 24 kilometres between the imposing trees of the Eifel Mountains in Germany. It is, by some distance, the most feared, the most fearsome and the most famous racetrack in the world.

“Audi approached me last year with the idea of competing in the 24 hours of Nurburgring, and I was easily attracted,” says Baumgartner. “But my f irst request was that we should practise and practise and practise. Every situation, every possible chance to practise, must be taken. I have to because I’m not a racecar driver, and much of the Nürburgring is very dangerous, and I’ll be driving a very fast and diff icult car. “The difference between skydiving and racing is not so big, because if you want to accomplish something, you have to have confidence in your skills, confidence in your team and in your equipment. I had that when I was doing Red Bull Stratos (the official name for Baumgartner’s space jump).” Baumgartner insists that it took a long time to develop the skills and equipment required for his skydive, and that just as much effort is being poured into preparing for his racing challenge. An important similarity between the two events is that both require top physical fitness, discipline and mental focus. “I’m used to that,” he chuckles, “and that’s the reason why it works for me. It’s the same buzz, the same excitement.” That surely leaves just ‘policeman’ and ‘train driver’ for Baumgartner to tick off from his boyhood list of dream jobs.

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Marque of Success “ And if people say something isn’t possible I always ask myself, is that because it’s really not possible or because we think it’s not possible. ”

As a kid, Baumgartner always looked up to record breakers – the guys who accomplished something no one had done before. “Like Neil Armstrong. He was my childhood hero. And if people say something isn’t possible I always asked myself, is that because it’s really not possible or because we think it’s not possible?” Surprisingly for a man seemingly obsessed with such extreme, youth-oriented sports, Baumgartner puts much of his success down to his alliances with veterans. For his space jump, he relied on the help of the only other man to try such a feat – Joe Kittinger, who in 1962, as a US Air Force captain, leapt from the great height of 31 kilometres to see if a human could survive such an experience (and setting a world record in the process). For his racing adventure, Felix has again turned to an older

generation for inspiration. “It’s pretty much the same with Sepp Haider [born 1953], who’s my driving coach. He’s a former rally driver and we have the exact same relationship that I had with Joe Kittinger [born 1928]. He’s well known on the scene, he knows a lot about driving, and he’s a very calm guy. We’ve built a relationship in six months. He’s really helping me to build up my skills.” Baumgartner adds: “For some reason, it always looks like I’m happy with older guys. Haider and Kittinger – they’re very similar guys.” If Baumgartner scores even a finish in what is one of motor sport’s most gruelling events, it will be seen as a great success for a racing rookie. But then what for the man who fell to Earth? Baumgartner has, perhaps not surprisingly, one eye on even loftier ambitions. “If they were to give me the chance, I’d sure love to do [the French car race] Le Mans – yes, I’d sign up for that. Le Mans is not as tricky a circuit as Nürburgring but it’s much faster – the average speed is around 260 kmh, so it takes focus and discipline again – but it’s also the same as with Nürburgring – if you work on something with the right people and you’re part of the right team, then anything is possible.” S

Photos: Audi

But unexpectedly, inspiring… inspiring the next generation is not the daredevil’s first concern, though he says he’s happy if this is a by-product of his endeavours. In his view, the younger generation desperately needs people to look up to. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a racecar driver or your parents, so long as you look up to somebody. And if [your role model] picks an accomplishment and follows it through, then I think that’s good. It’s important to have role models.”

Nothing signals your arrival quite like a Bentley. RODERICK EIME travels to the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK to see Bentleys both old and new being put through their paces on the challenging hill climb. From here he explores the Bentley factory in Crewe, where 10,000 Bentleys are created every year for luxury-car lovers the world over. THE GTV 8S MAKING ITS WAY AROUND THE TRACKS

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While much ado is made of this raucous white-knuckle competition, I’m enthralled by the acres of history on display, especially in the Bentley tent. Here, sitting side by side, are three (don’t you know) of the much-lauded British marque’s most significant cars ever. Old Numbers One, Two and Three represent this imperious brand’s coming of age when Britain really did rule the waves. Bentley hit its stride in the 1920s, finishing the decade with a roaring four consecutive Le Mans victories at the hands of the ‘Bentley Boys’ – a group of wealthy playboy motorists who drove, as they lived, with panache, flair and large dollops of derring-do. Despite unkind references from its elegant continental adversaries, who referred to the great green monsters as the ‘the world’s fastest lorries’, Bentley cemented itself in motorsport history, and the great marque’s prestige was assured. After a 70-year hiatus, Bentley returned to Le Mans and won the race again in 2003, on its third attempt.

THE TABLE IS SET AND THE CAVIAR IS SERVED, but instead of a string quartet filling the air with melodious sounds, the roar of high-octane machinery roars and screams over polite chit-chat.

Here, at The Goodwood Festival of Speed, it’s a very British celebration of the good life in a grand rural setting immersed in the serene greenery of West Sussex. Goodwood House, the home of our hosts, the Earl and Countess of March, sits imperiously on high ground overlooking the noisy festivities. Crowning the scene is an outlandish sculpture featuring two historic racecars. Every year, 150,000 ardent motoring fans converge on this hallowed estate to pay homage to more than a century of motoring heritage. The lush paddocks are filled with all manner of delectable motorcars, from ancient juggernauts like the 1911 Fiat S76, which could reach 290kph (180mph) with its 28-litre engine, to the latest Formula One missiles such as the Red Bull Renault RB10. Every decade is represented in row upon row of immaculate engineering triumphs, plus a few lovable lemons to please the adoring crowds. The excuse, however, for this marvellous ensemble is a hill-climb speed event over a 1.86 kilometre (1.16 mile) course through his Lordship’s front yard.

1. VISITORS ENJOYING THE SUN ON THE GROUNDS OF GOODWOOD HOUSE 2. VINTAGE BENTLEYS RACING AWAY FROM THE STARTING POINT 3. DAVID BRABHAM 4. THE BENTLEY V8 CONTINENTAL GT3

As a fitting bookend to this historic cavalcade, Bentley’s current racer, the 4.0 litre turbo V8 Continental GT3, is driven by Australian pedigree racer David Brabham. His illustrious father, Sir Jack, who died a month before Goodwood, was given a fitting send-off at the festival: a ‘minute of noise’, observed by every racecar revving to the redline for 60 seconds. The next day, my eyes may have stopped watering, but my ears were still ringing.

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In popular culture, Ian Fleming’s original master spy, James Bond, drove a Mark IV – a variant that never existed – while several real Bentleys have made cameo appearances in Bond’s big screen adaptations. John Steed, lead sleuth in the flamboyant 1960s British TV series The Avengers, drove a number of different Bentleys, among them the 1928 Bentley 4.5 litre. While some outlandish personalities may be attracted to Bentley’s luxurious playfulness, the brand also attracts a more sober fan – one who takes comfort in the marque’s unrivalled prestige and workmanship. HRH Queen Elizabeth II is the proud owner of a custom-built state limousine, while her grandson, Prince William, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, have been seen alighting from a sparkling Flying Spur for a red carpet event.

Most cars, Robin tells me, end up in the US or Middle East, but a growing number are heading to Asia, particularly China. With Bentley approaching its centenary, the simple guiding principles instilled by the founder, Walter Owen ‘WO’ Bentley, still stand true to this day, perhaps even more so… “To build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class.” S

1. A FLEET OF BENTLEY MODELS OUTSIDE THE BENTLEY FACTORY IN CREWE 2. THE PAINT SHOP PROCESS 3. WELDING AT THE BODY IN WHITE FACILITY 4. HAND STITCHING THE LEATHER ON THE STEERING WHEEL 5. THE BENTLEY MODEL PRODUCTION LINE

With the last echoes of the howling engines fallen silent, we pack up and head north to Crewe in Cheshire, where Bentley motorcars are painstakingly built. The historic Pyms Lane factory once produced the magnificent Rolls Royce Merlin aero engines – the same engines many say won the war for Britain when fitted to such illustrious aircraft as the Lancaster bomber and Supermarine Spitfire. Today’s manufacturing process is whisper quiet by comparison. Conveyors silently transport the chassis above our heads, and teams wait to perform their allotted tasks. Axles, transmissions, electrics and the coveted all-leather and walnut interiors are delicately installed without any sense of urgency. Even though the Crewe factory is producing more Bentleys now than ever– as many as 10,000 a year – there’s clearly no rush. Across from the ‘line’ is the diligent ‘sewing circle’, where craftsmen and women sit at their benches, hand-stitching the soft leather to the rims of steering wheels. “Depending on the degree of customisation, it can take up to 16 hours to stitch a single wheel,” we’re told by David, a craftsman who considers himself a mere pup, with just a decade of service under his belt.

Customisation is a hallmark of the Bentley ownership experience, evidenced by the range of vivid colours rolling along the production line. Exteriors in lime green, fire engine red, and submarine yellow adorn the line-up, though most customers, I’m told, are content to choose from the generous palette of more than 100 factoryfavoured tints. Interiors too can be customised with your own shade of leather, and if leather is not your thing, you can request Oxford cloth. While walnut is far and away the favourite timber for the interior, elm, oak, maple and even eucalyptus are on hand. The top-ofrange Mulsanne uses solid timber, computer-cut to perfection on massive machines, then hand-finished. “We’ve had some curious requests,” I’m told by Robin Peel, head of marketing and communications, and our guide, “including one lady who was so taken by the colour of a favourite kitchen appliance, she brought the whole item into us so we could copy it. It’s not unusual to be shown samples of nail polish.” Clearly, Bentley is a brand that attracts colourful individuals and the rollcall of luminaries who own and drive a Bentley is impressive. Of the most visible, David Beckham stands tall in his Continental, while Hollywood heartthrob and tough guy, Mark Wahlberg has been seen in his Mulsanne. Paris Hilton is often spotted showing off along Rodeo Boulevard in her custom pink GT Coupe.

Photos: Bentley

TO THE HOME OF BENTLEY

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there, as is the terrific body control – there’s barely a degree of body roll even during enthusiastic cornering. Of course, an Audi S model lives and dies by its engine, not its chassis’ repertoire, and here the S3 plays nothing short of a blinder. The 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine is distantly related to that found in the VW Golf GTI and pretty much the same as the engine sitting in the Golf R. Here in the Audi, the engine develops a healthy 300hp and a diesel-like 380Nm of torque. To say it’s quick is to put it mildly. That power figure places it a mere 33hp south of its bigger brother, the S4. In fact, the S3 is slightly quicker than the more powerful Audi S4, claiming a 0-100kmh time of 4.9 seconds – pipping the S4 by 0.1 of a second. Much of that will be down to the S3’s inherently lower weight, but credit also goes to the fifthgeneration Haldex Quattro four-wheel drive system. At one time, you’d feel the Haldex system (which distributes power with multiple clutches instead of the more traditional torquesensing diffs of the old-school Quattros) shunting power back and forth along the driveline, but that has been eradicated, and all four wheels now tackle whatever grunt they can manage with seamless vigour. It would be nice to have the S4’s rearbiased Quattro system, but you can’t have it all. This car is even quite economical – Audi claims 40 mpg (6.9 litres/100km) on average and we easily managed mid-thirties,

ROAD TEST: AUDI S3

QUATTRO SALOON By Neil Briscoe

Audi is of course the past master at this game, dating way back to the original Quattro. Okay, so the first Quattro was actually a coupé, but it was of the big, sensible Germanic variety with four seats and a big boot. The litany of fast, practical machinery that followed, however, makes for tempting reading. The S6, RS2, S8, RS6, S4 and RS4. And now the S3, which started life

as a hatchback but can now be snaffled in a much slinkier, better-looking four-door shape. Now, from a chassis dynamics point of view, hot Audis have traditionally not played terribly well. Audi engineers will tacitly admit they could easily create cars that have more delicate balance and feedback, but that customers enjoy the inherent Audi-ness of the current setup, so why rock the boat? Thus we tend to have fast Audis that are ridiculously quick in a straight line but somewhat leaden-footed around corners. Thankfully, the S3 doesn’t fall into this trap. In fact, it feels very much like a standard A3 to drive in terms of its steering and suspension responses. A little firmer, a little sharper certainly, but the well-weighted, consistent steering is still

Photos: Audi

THERE ARE FEW TREATS IN LIFE – indeed, maybe none – that trump taking ownership of a well set-up sports saloon. It’s that bewitching combination of having your cake and eating it. The cake is the performance from the engine, over-endowed with power, torque and preferably a burbling exhaust note. Eating it involves having that kind of sports car grunt in a package that also swallows suitcases, kids and shopping – and keeps you comfy on the highway to boot.

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so here you have a fast Audi that can be run, if not exactly on the cheap, then certainly at the more affordable end of the scale. In spite of which, when you select Dynamic mode on the drive select button, it can (aided by a digital symphonic system that pipes simulated engine noise through the speakers) burp and bellow to considerable audio enjoyment. Inside, the cabin is utterly gorgeous, as is the Audi way, and our test car was considerably enlivened by the optional highback, contrast-stitched leather bucket seats. If there are criticisms to be pointed out, they come from two directions. One concerns refinement. Now, the engine is fine in this regard, shutting up nicely when you don’t want it to bark too loud, and wind noise is equally well suppressed. But the sound from the tyres is an issue that needs tackling. It’s okay on very, very smooth surfaces but on anything less than a flawless surface, there’s a bit too much audio thrown up into the cabin from those wide Continentals.

“ It’s a really tasty slice of highpowered four-door cake that you can have, enjoy – and yes, eat too ”

THE LOWDOWN: MODEL TESTED: AUDI S3 SALOON WITH S TRONIC ENGINE: 2.0-LITRE FOUR-CYLINDER TURBOCHARGED PETROL TRANSMISSION: SIX-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH S TRONIC AUTOMATIC, QUATTRO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE BODY STYLE: FOUR-DOOR SALOON CO2 EMISSIONS: 159G/KM COMBINED ECONOMY: 40.9MPG (6.9 LITRES/100KM) TOP SPEED: 250KM/H 0-100KM/H: 4.9 SECONDS POWER: 300HP AT 5,500 TO 6,200RPM TORQUE: 380NM AT 1,800 TO 5,500RPM

Still, it’s hard not to be enraptured by that growling engine, the four-wheel-drive traction and the wonderfully retro ’80s ‘Quattro’ stickers on the flanks. We’ve long claimed the A3 saloon is the best all-round Audi product currently on the market and I think this holds true for the S3 as well as such luminaries as the S4 and RS6. It’s a really tasty slice of highpowered four-door cake that you can have, enjoy – and yes, eat too. S

DESIGNERS AT HOME Photos: Ebi Lim

Jane Austen once said: “There’s nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” We ask three designers who have made it their life’s work to create comfortable living spaces for others to let us step into their homes and see how they express themselves as masters and designers of their own private sanctuaries.

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1. WITH THE FAMILY AT THE DINING TABLE 2. HOME -MADE CABINETS AND WALL COVERING 3. A FAUX FUR THROW ON A MID-CENTURY DANISH LEATHER SOFA

My personal style is… Hmm… that’s hard to say. I would rather not be pinned down by one particular style! The last thing I bought and loved My Red Wings Iron Rangers boots. I bought them earlier this year and have been wearing them everyday since. The most loved item that was given to me A turntable from the 1970s.

Past Perfect Saifullah Mohd Amin moved into his current home in March with his wife Patricia and their three-year old daughter Alysha. The place is filled with furnishings and home accessories that clash and contrast like night and day, yet somehow they conspire to work as a harmonious whole. Salvaged industrial materials on the walls and plain concrete ceilings provide a stunning backdrop to vintage collectibles. The place was once a staff house, but Saifullah tore down the connecting walls to open the space and fill it with light. Saifullah studied interior design in Gold Coast and later Sydney, Australia. He founded Samo Furniture and Samo Design Studio in 2011. Samo Furniture – his shop – sits directly beneath his home, and it’s a vault of vintage Danish furniture and designer chairs, antiques, posters and collectibles. The retro items that now fill the apartment, and the affordable simplicity of the design, form Saifullah’s signature style.

The music I’m listening Right now I’m into soundtracks from Tarantino movies. What I’m reading A manual for a 1970s reel-to-reel player I just bought. In my fridge you’ll always find… Eggs and milk. The most interesting thing about my home is… My concrete kitchen counter. I had it made and polished it like you would a marble or granite surface. It was an experiment and it has turned out great. What have you done to make your flat a home? I filled it up with things I love and have collected over the years. My favourite part of my home is... The kitchen. There are some design elements here that I am particularly proud of, like the solid timber cabinets, polished concrete countertop and the vintage tiles for the backsplash. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen as I enjoy cooking.

My favourite website for ideas is … I like to check out Design Boom for interiors and design ideas. I also like magazines like Dwell and New York Spaces. 12. The personal grooming item I can’t be without Whatever my wife whips up in the kitchen. She makes all natural balms from chemical-free ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax and essential oils. She also makes our shampoos and scrubs. 13. What I’d do if I wasn’t a designer Painting, mostly acrylic, and collecting a whole range of vintage items like clocks, toys and furniture pieces from the mid-20th century, to 1960s and ‘70s electronics and anything else from that era that I can get my hands on. 14. What I like to do on my ‘me’ time. Sleep – something I don’t get much of. 3.

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My personal style is… To have an edge, to be unique and to incorporate subtle detail. I love meaningful features – things with an interesting story behind them. The last thing I bought and loved My Pebble smart watch. It’s not expensive but it’s customisable and has a whole gamut of features. What I’d like to buy next My list has no end! But let’s start with a dining table to set off the rest of the house. It has been four years and I haven’t progressed on that front, but then again I haven’t been looking too hard. And I’ve always wanted an antique classic car, like a Citroën DS or an old Jaguar. But practicalities would argue against those wishes. The most loved item that was given to me is... My gas grill. I received it as a birthday present last year. It’s great for entertaining and I try my hand at some gourmet barbeque besides the regular steaks and sausages. 2.

1. IN THE KITCHEN WITH ANTONIA AND CHILDREN 2. ZUL’S FAVOURITE FRAMED PRINTS ON TWO PICTURE LEDGES 3. THE GARDEN GETTING REFRESHED BY SPRINKLERS

The favourite part of my house is… The garden. The theme and style were adapted from what we experienced in the gardens from our Bali honeymoon. The garden gets updated every so often just like those Balinese gardens, where the layering of plants depends upon a mixture of colours and sizes. My favourite website for ideas is… ArchDaily or Contemporist

Family Central Following seven years in his father’s architecture and interior design firm Arkitek Idris, Zul’Amali DP Hj Idris has set up his own practice. The University of Sydney-trained architect relishes making the big decisions at Atelier Zul’Amali, but at home he’s happy to limit himself to working the coffee machine and spending time with his wife Antonia Jasmine and their young family – two-year-old son Harris Aditya and eighth-month old daughter Aria Sabine. Home is a double-storey house in Beribi, rebuilt by Zul with new flooring, ceilings and windows. Zul is openly passionate about his garden, which can be seen through large glass doors in the living room. A large urn gurgles with water in a corner of this lush outdoor space, shaded by a canopy of bamboo. Strategic spotlights create delightful arboreal silhouettes after sunset. The house that Zul built resembles a dreamy Balinese holiday villa – the postcard-perfect home of a creative idealist.

The music I’m listening to I appreciate most types of music but to mention one, Rodriguez, almost all his songs are great – he’s a kind of Bob Dylan era artist. My younger sister Izzati introduced me to him. Both she and my brother Arif, who is also studying architecture, are in Brisbane and they have an eclectic taste of music that I love to absorb. It’s great to be learning about new things! The most interesting thing about my house is... The highlight windows in the roof above the central staircase. There aren’t many of those around Brunei. They let beautiful daylight pour into the centre of the house like an internal lightwell. It’s definitely the best feature of this house – and an original feature by Arkitek Idris from 28 years ago. What have you done to make your house a home? I do feel some success with the enlarged living room / dining room. It’s the most active space in our home, yet somehow everyone fits in together nicely. It feels homely when everyone has their own space while still being together.

What I’d do if I wasn’t a designer I’d like to say an artist but more realistically, maybe a builder. I appreciate how things are made and am technically adept. I like technology and right now I’m trying my hand at rebuilding a motorcycle. Life is pretty good for me right now. What I like to do on my ‘me’ time Read. I especially like it when a book or magazine take me away to another place and time, perhaps through someone else’s experiences. It definitely gives me an insight into other people’s worlds. 3.

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My personal style is… An eclectic mix. I love furniture of different styles and I’ll buy any piece I like. Interior design is all about curating a look. Things don’t have to match. But you certainly need a good eye to put it all together. I mix original, designed pieces with pieces I’ve salvaged from my project sites, together with new accessories.

1. EAU D’ITALIE FROM LE SIRENUSE HOTEL IN POSITANO, ITALY 2. EMPIRE OF SIGNS 3. CHEVRON PATTERNED CUSHIONS 4. DAYBED DESIGNED BY WAN

The last thing I bought and loved Some chevron-patterned cushions from Crate & Barrel. What I’d like to buy next A nice dining table that seats eight or ten – I love to entertain and what I have now seats only six so it’s always hard to decide who to have over for dinner. The music I’m listening to now A collection from the seventies and eighties. Nothing beats kicking back after a long day at work while listening to soulful tunes from that period. What I’m reading now Empire of Signs by Roland Barthes – its about Japanese aesthetics through the eyes of a Frenchman. A very lucid description of all things Japanese. It was recommended by my tutor at school when I was doing research on crosscurrents between architecture and fashion. I’ve been away from books too long so I decided to read it all over again.

Mix & Match

Wan Zainal Abidin’s home is a place where humility meets a love for the finer things in life. Four years ago, Wan Zainal found himself padding around the top floor flat of an old building and decided the space could be transformed into a most marvellous pad. He made no physical changes to the apartment but installed lights, put up framed posters and added a mixture of loose furniture and unpretentious accessories. The result is a cocoon of comfort and tranquility – a warm little den that makes this frequent-flyer yearn to return home whenever he travels. Trained in Malaysia and the United Kingdom, Wan Zainal is the founder of WaMa Designs, a firm specialising in interior design for commercial and private homes.

The favourite part of my house is… Why, the daybed of course. I’ve had it over 15 years. Each time I move house, the first thing I decide is where to put it as it inevitably becomes a focal point. And incidentally, it’s everyone’s favourite seat in the flat.

In my fridge you’ll always find… Cheese and crackers – on days when I don’t feel like cooking dinner, these make a perfect light meal. And milk too – I have milk in my coffee and with my morning cereal.

My favourite source of ideas is... I’m a book and magazine person. I enjoy going to bookshops and browsing through racks of magazines. My favourites are Monocle, Wallpaper and Surface. All these magazines have a nice balance of fashion, interiors, architecture, travel and current news.

The most interesting thing about my flat is… The layout. It’s spacious so it gives me the opportunity to move furniture around once every few months. That’s the quickest way to change the mood of your living space.

The personal grooming item I can’t be without Perfume. My favourite scent is Eau D’Italie – a scent from Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano. It was love at first sniff when I visited the hotel a few years ago.

What have you done to make your house a home? Just by filling it with furniture and decorative items over the years, I’ve turned it into my home. I believe in building up a collection, each piece with a story behind it. The daybed was designed by me. The yellow sofa was salvaged from a site and reupholstered in my favourite canary yellow Indian cotton with royal blue piping.

What I’d do if I wasn’t a designer I’d probably be a restauranteur. I enjoy entertaining and that’s the next best thing to having friends over for dinner every night. Plus I’d be making money too. Not a bad idea at all. What I like to do in my ‘me’ time Read and listen to good music.

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DRESS AND RELAX Standard Chartered Bank made many ladies very happy when they brought in the Jovian Mandagie for Zalora collection of high street Muslimah fashion to Brunei. The event on June 24 was jointly organized with Zalora, South East Asia’s leading online fashion site, and it showed the renowned Malaysian designer’s 2014 Chantilly collection. The guest of honour, Datin Seri Paduka Hjh Hayati Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohd Salleh and invited guests browsed the collection that was displayed at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom at the Empire Hotel & Country Club for two days. The second day was opened to the public and enthusiastic fans of Jovian Mandagie’s creations flocked to the ballroom to purchase the dresses and meet their fashion idol. 1. 1. 2.

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1. THE CHANTILLY COLLECTION FROM JOVIAN MANDAGIE FOR ZALORA 2. SITI ZALEHA; GUEST OF HONOUR, DATIN SERI PADUKA HJH HAYATI PEHIN ORANG KAYA SHAHBANDAR DATO SERI PADUKA HJ MOHD SALLEH; JOVIAN MANDAGIE 3. HAFIZA MOHAMAD; GIULIO XILOYANNIS 4. JANE WONG; HAZIZAH OSMAN; LAI PEI SI; AZHANI DANIEL 5. DK MASNAH PG ISMAIL; ALINA DATO TALIB; FEEONA ABDULLAH 6. SITI MARSINAH HJ MARSAL; NADIA HJ ADENAN 7. IZA KHAIRUNNISA; TAN CHENG VOON; SHEREE NG; CHENG YEN VUI 8. IFFAH BILLAH & MUM 9. HJH NORAZIMAH HJ ZAINAL; SELMIZAH SELAMAT; AZEMA BAKAR 10. LUCA BARBERIS, AZHANI DANIEL

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LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

The British High Commission in Brunei celebrated the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the long relationship between two countries on June 18, at a reception with a special exhibition of photographs showing visits in the UK and Brunei over the past three decades of the two countries’ heads of state. The British High Commissioner H.E. David Campbell was on hand to welcome the guest of honour YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Rahman Haji Ibrahim and other invited guests to the event at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall at the Empire Hotel & Country Club.

1. H.E. DAVID CAMPBELL, THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER; YB PEHIN ORANG KAYA LAILA SETIA DATO SERI SETIA HJ ABDUL RAHMAN BIN HJ IBRAHIM; LT COLONEL (R) HJ AFFLON DATO HJ HAMIDON; DATO PADUKA LIM BENG THAI; DANIEL NG 2. S. SIVARAJAH; YANG AMAT MULIA PENGIRAN ANAK HAJI ABDUL WADOOD BOLKIAH; PENGIRAN SETI AMINAH PG HJ OTHMAN 3. H.E. DANIEL SHIELDS III, AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES; H.E. VICTOR A. SELEZNEV, AMBASSADOR OF RUSSIA; H.E. MOHAMMED ABDUL HYE, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF BANGLADESH 4. ANDREW CAIE; KATHY CAIE; MR & MRS MARCELO 5. AHMAD JEFRI ABDUL RAHMAN; DATO PADUKA HJ HISHAM HJ MOHD HANAFIAH; DAVID KAY 6. MAHADI MAIDI; SUNNY AHMED 7. DR COLIN DICKINSON; ANNE DICKINSON; VINCENT KONG 8. WAN ZAINAL ABIDIN; CONNIE HO; AMELIA TAN; RODNEY TEW

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MERDEKA MALAYSIA

BRING OUT THE COLOURS

The Malaysian High Commission held a grand reception at the Rizqun International Hotel to celebrate Malaysia’s National Day on August 31. The Malaysian High Commissioner, H.E. Datuk Ag Sahak Ag Salleh was on hand to greet guests. These included foreign diplomats, government officials and Malaysians residing in Brunei Darussalam. Guest of honour Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong graced the occasion with his wife Datin Paduka Hjh Jahrah Hj Mohamad.

BAG (Brunei Accenture Group) Networks threw a colourful party to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri on August 19 at the Vanda Restaurant, Orchid Garden Hotel. Invited guests came dressed to the theme, Adab & Hikmah – Gentle Manners, Modesty and Patience – in colourful traditional fashion. It was a lively occasion with games, prizes and music. Bestdressed prizes were also given to guests decked out in their eye-catching finery. 1.

1. DR MATTHEW TAN; THOMAS HEILMAIER; MAHMOUD HADDADI; DR JANA HEILMAIER; MAGDA ATES; SANGEETA SHIELDS 2. NAYYARA MALIK; H.E. DR ASHOK KUMAR AMROHI, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF INDIA; YAMINI AMROHI; H.E. VICTOR A. SELEZNEV, AMBASSADOR OF RUSSIA 3. DATO DR ZULKARNAIN HJ HANAFI; DATIN SARIMAH HJ UMAR; HJ ABDUL RAHIM DERUS; HJ ALBI HJ IBRAHIM 4. DO QUYNH LE; H.E. NGUYEN TRUONG GIANG, AMBASSADOR OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM; HJH HAZNAH MOHAMMAD HASHIM 5. TARIQ MA BAKHAH, CHARGE D’AFFAIRES OF SAUDI ARABIA; H.E. SHEIKH AHMED HASHIL AL MASKARI, AMBASSADOR OF OMAN; TAREQ AL YASSIN; ALI AL MUTAIRI

6. H.E. MOHAMMAD REZA HAVASELI ASHTIANI, AMBASSADOR OF IRAN; ANOUPHONE KITTIRATH; H.E. MADAME NURUL QOMAR, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA 7. DATIN DG MASLAUYAH BINTI PG BAGUL; DATIN PADUKA HJH JAHRAH HJ MOHAMAD; YB PEHIN ORANG KAYA SERI KERNA DATO SERI SETIA DR HJ AWG ABU BAKAR HJ APONG; H.E. DATUK AG SAHAK AG SALLEH, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF MALAYSIA

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1. DATO PADUKA HJ MOHD ROSELAN BIN HJ MOHD DAUD; HASLINA TAIB; ROZANA YUNOS; YAZID AZAHARI; ABDUL NAJIB AWG AHMAD 2. MAS ROSLEE DATO PADUKA HJ IDRIS; EMMA AGAKI; MELISSA ABDULLAH; HJH KASMAHWATI HJ IBRAHIM 3. HASLINA TAIB; HJ MOHAMAD ROZAN DATO PADUKA HJ MOHAMAD YUNOS; ROZANA YUNOS 4. NUR AZIMAH HJ ZAILI; MELISSA ABDULLAH; DK NOORUL ANIZA PG ISHAK 5. NUR AZIMAH HJ ZAILI; ZULAIKAH MAT ZINI; NURUL MAJIDAH HJ MAJIT; HJH SITI ZAIMAH HJ AWG TUAH 6. FAIZUL YAHYA; ZURAINAH ABIDIN; TENG SION LU 7. (BACK) NUR HAFIZAH HJ ABD RAHMAN; JOSEPH HAN; WILLIAM LAI TZE HONG; NURHANAFAWZIYYAH HJ JA’AFAR

(FRONT) NORA NORUL ZAIHIRME HJ MOHD TAHIR; NURFAEZAH HJ EMRAN; HADIMAH MOHD SAAT 8. ALINDA HJ YAKUB; HJH AZZA YOSSIE HJ ABD AZIZ; DK NORAIN PG IDRIS; AZZYATI HJ NAYAN 9. (BACK) NORA TAHIR; PG HJH SITI KHATIJAH PG HJ ALLI; PG NORINSAN PG ANAK HJ MASHOR (FRONT) HADIMAH MOHD SAAT; HJH NURFAEZAH HJ EMRAN 10. (BACK) DK SITI FARHANNA PG HJ MD PURA; DK HJH ASILAH PG HJ CHUCHU (FRONT) WAN MAHATHIR WAN ALWI; AK MOHAMMAD ASMIN PG ISMAIL

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THE YASMINE EFFECT

R ADISSON R AYA The Radisson Hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri with a creative and sumptuous buffet for guests at its Mutiara Room on August 30. The guests were treated to a splendid spread of festive cuisine that showed off the variety and artistry of the Radisson chefs. The Radisson’s general manager, Peter Feran, along with senior members of the hotel staff, welcomed all guests to the hotel’s most-anticipated annual festive event.

Brunei’s first international feature film, Yasmine, opened with a grand gala premiere at the Times Cineplex at the Empire Hotel and Country Club on August 16. The highly anticipated movie starring first-time Bruneian actress Liyana Yus is directed by Siti Kamaluddin, who walked the red carpet with Liyana and actress Nadiah Wahid. Joining the leading ladies were the rest of the cast and crew - Dato M Nasir, Datin Marlia Musa, Reza Rahadhian, Roy Sungkono, the producer and director Khairuddin Kamaluddin and action director Chan Man Ching. 1. DATO M NASIR; DATIN MARLIA MUSA 2. REZA RAHADHIAN 3. ROY SUNGKONO 4. KHAIRUDDIN KAMALUDDIN, CHAN MAN CHING 5. NADIAH WAHID; LIYANA YUS 6. NADIAH WAHID, SITI KAMALUDDIN; LIYANA YUS 1.

1. WANG DONG SHENG; LI PENG; PETER FERAN; KEN CHEN KONG JU; ZHOU XIAO PING 2. PETER FERAN; AZTIE SWEDINASTITI; ELENA GRESHNOVA; BORIS GRESHNOV; ANASTASIA TSYGANOVA; PAULA MUNOZ 3. PG HJ NOOREZAMY PG HJ OTHMAN; AZTIE SWEDINASTITI; EFARINA ABANG OSMAN; PAULA MUNOZ 4. MUNISWARAN NYAHAISPERIAN; PETER FERAN; LT COLONEL (R) HJ AFFLON DATO HJ HAMIDON; AZTIE SWEDINASTITI 5. HANIZA ZAKARIYA; PETER FERAN 6. RITA LIM; PETER FERAN; DR MARY LIM

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S p e c i a l Fe a t u r e

ESTABLISHED CLIENTS of Priority Banking understand the plethora of benefits and privileges that are uniquely available to them. Standard Chartered Bank’s Priority Banking is a personalised and total relationship service catering to the needs of affluent and emerging high net-worth individuals. This bank is the first bank to recognise the special financial needs of these customers by offering them carefully selected packages of products and privileges. To break down the concept of this total banking relationship, Standard Chartered conducted a ‘Priority Banking for a Day Media Experience’ on May 22 at the Priority Banking Centre in Wisma Hj Taha, Gadong, and invited the SCION team and other members of the press to an experiential briefing on Priority Banking.

Making Every Client a Top Priority

The head of Premium Banking, Judith Lee, welcomed participants and introduced them to the Standard Chartered players who would be speaking to them about the various components of Priority Banking. Irfan Hj Abdul Latif, associate director and team leader, gave an overview of Priority Banking, describing the services and privileges clients enjoy in this exclusive world. Leong Cheng Thai, channel manager and mortgage specialist, detailed the kind of extensive procedures, documentation and market conditions that come with property investment. His colleague Quan Lim explained that it was his job to interpret market conditions and to support the team of relationship managers and their clients with his knowledge of global and regional markets. Raymond Shim, who is a small-to-medium enterprise relationship manager, gave reporters an insight into his role as a person who finds solutions for individual and business clients.

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“ Standard Chartered Bank’s Priority Banking is a personalised and total relationship service catering to the needs of affluent and emerging high net-worth individuals. ”

Relationship managers turned up to whisk journalists off for an investment risk profiling experience. Each member of the media was paired with a relationship manager to re-enact a first-time client profiling scenario. This session enabled each manager to understand their customer’s financial situation, their goals and needs, and their risk preferences so as to provide them with appropriate investment solutions. It became clear to all attending that Standard Chartered’s Priority Banking is all about Priority Service, Priority Benefits and Priority Solutions, and these commitments mean the client receives a premium level of service and attention, no matter where they are. S

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Ac c o m m od a t i o n

Scion Partner Hotels

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Scion Partner Hotels Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, the Renaissance

ROOMS WITH A VIEW AT THE MIRI MARRIOTT

Kuala Lumpur Hotel is a five-star luxury accommodation located

Nestled in lush tropical gardens a mere two hours from Brunei,

exactly where you want to be - the heart of the Golden Triangle. It

the Miri Marriott Resort & Spa offers 220 luxuriously appointed

is a short walk to the Petronas Twin Towers and is two monorail

rooms and suites with serene views over the South China Sea.

DISCOVER THE RENAISSANCE LIFESTYLE

stops from the nearest business, financial and retail hubs. The Renaissance features 910 beautifully appointed rooms and suites.

Combining business with leisure, the resort provides secretarial

For conferences and events, the hotel boasts a Grand Ballroom and

services and a full-service business centre. When work is

26 multi-purpose function rooms. There are 7 dining options, including the Sagano Restaurant for Japanese cuisine, TEMPTationS coffee house, Vogue Café for allday dining and the Dynasty Restaurant, serving exquisite Chinese cuisine by award-winning executive sous-chef Kok Chee Kin. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s two-storey fitness centre, tennis courts, Olympic-sized swimming pool and rejuvenating treatments at the Mandara Spa.

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (603) 2162 2233 E-mail: rhi.kulrn.sales@renaissancehotels.com Website: www.klrenaissance.com

done, guests are free to enjoy the hotel’s fitness centre and sauna, lounge around the freeform pool (the largest outdoor swimming pool in Sarawak), or indulge in spa treatments at the Mandara spa. The resort’s Zest restaurant is famous for its weekend buffets, while freshly baked desserts are available at the Borneo Baking Company. If it’s just a drink you’re after, sip it on the Matahari Pool Terrace and enjoy the magnificent sea view at the same time.

FIT FOR A PRINCE

FUN & RELAXATION AT THE TANJUNG ARU

Prince Hotel & Residence in Kuala Lumpur is just a few minutes’

A modern flourish has been added to the rooms at the Shangri-

walk from Bukit Bintang, Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala

La in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, giving a contemporary twist

Lumpur Convention Centre. This five-star hotel presents 445

to the resort’s traditional décor.

Miri Marriott Resort & Spa Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong Lawai Miri 98000 Malaysia Tel: (60 85) 421 121 E-mail: reservations.miri@marriotthotels.com Website: www.marriott.com/myymc

spacious rooms and luxurious suites, and 157 full-service apartments with spectacular views over the city. Relaxation

The Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa is immersed in

facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tropical garden, the

25-acres of green gardens, taking full advantage of the area’s

Sompoton spa, a fitness centre and a kids club, lower case.

enchanting tropical landscape. On top of its 492 upgraded rooms and suites, the resort boasts a new 2,000-square metre

Prince Hotel offers seven food and beverage venues to cater to a

swimming pool with tapered shoreline, infinity edges and

variety of palates. At the Eccucino Buffet Restaurant, you will be

custom-built jacuzzi beds.

spoilt for choice with local and international delights. Tai Zi Heen, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves contemporary Cantonese cuisine and delectable dim sum. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, the Prince Hotel & Residence is ready to make your stay in Kuala Lumpur a memorable one.

Prince Hotel & Residence 4, Jalan Conlay 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (603) 2170 8888 E-mail: enquiry@princehotelkl.com.my Website: www.princehotelkl.com

Guests are encouraged to treat themselves to walks along the resort’s private beach. Iced drinks are served at the Sunset Bar, with spectacular views of the setting sun thrown in for free. Dining options include the lively Café Tatu, the Chinese Shang Palace and the award-winning Italian restaurant Peppino.

With its 522 luxurious rooms, suites and villas, the sumptuously

Embedded in the vibrant hub of Clarke Quay, the Novotel Singapore

furnished Empire Hotel & Country Club offers an experience that

Clarke Quay combines comfort and convenience in the heart of

is anything but ordinary. The club’s accommodation is fit for a king,

Singapore. Guests will feel at home in its 403 rooms, as all are equipped

and the events venues and banquet rooms – including the Indera Samudra Grand Hall – are lavishly impressive.

with modern amenities and high-speed WiFi internet access.

Golfing enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the resort’s premium golf

Visitors can work out at the In|Balance Fitness centre or lounge by

swimming pools and a private beach. Catch a movie at the club’s cinema, or indulge in a game of bowling, a spa or gym session. There is a selection of high-end restaurants. Savour authentic Chinese cuisine at Li Gong restaurant, Italian fare at Spaghettini’s or Japanese delights at Zen Zeppanyaki. Alternatively, enjoy the sunset at Pantai restaurant - a venue specialising in international fare and seafood barbecue.

No. 20, Jalan Aru, Tanjung Aru 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel: (6088) 327 888 E-mail: tah@shangri-la.com Website: www.shangri-la.com/ tanjungaru

THE NOVOTEL EXPERIENCE IN CLARKE QUAY

A MAJESTIC EXPERIENCE AT THE EMPIRE

course, while sun seekers are spoiled for choice with three outdoor

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa

The Empire Hotel & Country Club Jerudong BG3122, Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Darussalam Tel: (673) 241 8888 E-mail: sales@theempirehotel.com Website: www.theempirehotel.com

the outdoor pool. This family-friendly hotel provides a play area for little ones equipped with an Xbox Kinnect; a dedicated children’s menu is also available. The SQUARE serves local and international cuisine, and is one of Singapore’s most popular restaurants. Other dining options include the Dragon Phoenix Restaurant, serving authentic Cantonese fare, and the Moghul Mahal Restaurant, serving delicious North Indian cuisine.

Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay 177A River Valley Road Singapore 179031 Tel: (65) 6338 3333 E-mail: H5993@accor.com Hotel code: 5993 Website: novotelclarkequay.com

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Scion Partner Hotels

THE PULLMAN NETWORK A Pullman hotel with 513 contemporary bedrooms has opened in Kuala Lumpur, taking the number of Pullman hotels in Malaysia to three. The new hotel is strategically located in Bangsar, so perfect for MICE events. The other two Pullman hotels in Malaysia are the uber-modern 389-room Pullman in Kuching and the stunning Pullman Putrajaya, located on the shores of the Putrajaya Lake. Pullman is the upscale international hotel brand of Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator. Accor is established in 92 countries, employs 160,000 personnel and boasts a portfolio of over 3,600 hotels. Pullman Hotels and Resorts is principally aimed at cosmopolitan, seasoned travellers either touring alone, with family or with colleagues. The network has more than 80 hotels and is expanding rapidly in the Asia-Pacific region. Epitomising the brand in Asia is the Pullman Thamrin Jakarta, which recently underwent a 15-million US dollar renovation. General Manager, Philippe Le Bourhis says: “We want this to be a vibrant hotel where leisure meets business as defined by the Pullman ‘bleisure’ concept.” Pullman, like many of Accor’s brands, is proud to offer Le Club Accorhotels loyalty programme. For further information, on both this programme and Pullman hotels in general, visit: www.pullmanhotels.com.

1. PULLMAN THAMRIN JAKARTA 2. PULLMAN PUTRAJAYA LAKESIDE 3. PULLMAN KUCHING 4. PULLMAN KUALA LUMPUR