SCION Apr-Jun 2014 by CHMP MEDIA

A PR I L - J U N E 2 01 4

A BRILLIANT

PARTNERSHIP Family and success go hand in hand at David Morris

A CHM P M EDI A PU BLIC AT ION

SCENT-SATIONAL

MAMMA MIA

POWER WHEELS

Fabulous fragrances of Europe

Explore Italy and cook up a storm

Going the extra mile with luxury 4x4s

Co n t e n t s

8 – AROUND THE WORLD JEWELLERY 14 – THE FINE ART OF ACCESSORISING 16 – THE FAMILY JEWELLER DAVID MORRIS 20 – SPARKLE IN PRECIOUS COLOURS FASHION

22 - FOR THE FASHION FOLLOWER 24 - WHAT MAKETH THE MAN S/S 2014 LOOKS FOR THE GUYS 29 – GLOBE-TROTTER CHIC A STYLISH WAY TO TRAVEL 30 – RUNWAY TREASURES THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST WOMEN’S ACCESSORIES RETAIL THERAPY 34 – PERFECT SCENTS FRAGRANCES OF EUROPE

WATCHES 36 - FOR THE WATCH AFICIONADO 37 – WHEN EVERY WATCH COUNTS NEW TIMEPIECES UNVEILED AT SIHH 2014 DINING 42 - FOR THE GOURMAND 44 – MMMAMMA MIA… COOKING TOURS IN ITALY

Co n t e n t s

TRAVEL 50 - FOR THE GLOBETROTTER 52 – AMAZON - A RIVER OF PLENTY 58 – A FISHY TALE LOOKING FOR LOBSTERS IN MAINE 62 – PUTTING ON THE RITZ CHECKING INTO THE RITZ-CARLTON DUBAI

INTERIORS 64 - FOR THE DÉCOR AND STYLE LOVER 66 – IN THE CLOSET A STUDY OF EXTRAORDINARY CABINETS 70 – SPECIAL FEATURE BEAUTIFUL DREAMS WITH SIMMONS

ENGINE WORLD 72 - FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST

74 – LUXURY 4X4S – GOING THE EXTRA MILE 78 – DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE GOING FAST AND FURIOUS IN A FERRARI FF

SOCIETY 80 – AT HOME WITH HASLINA TAIB 84 – LAUNCHING THE NEW MERCEDES S-CLASS 85 – GARDEN OF BLISS WEDDING OF JACQUELINE AND LEONARD 86 – A CHINESE NEW YEAR OPEN HOUSE 87 – EAST MEETS WEST WEDDING OF WIDARI AND KYLE 88 – ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS HONOURED

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.

April/May/June 2014 Publisher: Wan Zainal Shazali Managing Editor: Pauline Chan Art Director: Shawn 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 & Marketing Manager: Abu Bakar Ashari Contributors: Elisabeth Lee, Luann Alphonso, Neil Briscoe, Roderick Eime, Rohaizaitul Azhar, Su Jia Xian A MAGAZINE OF CHMP MEDIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM TEL: +673 2331031 FAX: +673 2231031 E-MAIL: INFO@CHMPMEDIA.COM

STEPPING INTO February has been a busy month for the

Sleek Linear is the epitome of avant-garde kitchen design

‘Big 4’ Fashion Week venues. In New York, London, Milan and Paris, the fashion industry’s biggest names paraded their autumn/ winter 2014 collections. Cool parties were thrown, fashionistas tweeted about the latest trends and buyers plotted their shops’ sales strategies for the season ahead. But for now, the fashion buzz and chatter is still focused on this season’s spring/summer styles, and the Scion team has compiled a glamorous collection of essential gear to help you guys and gals stay ahead of the pack. We’ve focused both on wardrobe essentials and on hot accessories that no fashion-forward woman can afford to be without. Of course, the ultimate accessory for every season is the diamond (or 10), and because we know these peerless sparklers are never far from your heart, we’ve chatted to Jeremy Morris, owner of the exquisite family-run London jeweller, David Morris. Jeremy talked to us about the history of his company and he gave us a taste of life in the fast lane designing high-end jewellery for celebrities and royalty. And if investing in gems rather than wearing them is your preference, we’ve included a guide on fancy coloured diamonds, as these spectacular rocks are becoming a rarity around the world. This issue of Scion is brimming with travel and food ideas. We take you on cooking tours of Italy, catch lobsters in Maine and feast on piranhas in the Amazon. Appealing to your interests closer to home, we show you some out-of-this-world furniture cabinets and present you with four status-elevating luxury 4x4s that we’d certainly love to drive around the city, even if it is just a spin to the grocery store.

Less is more...

Whatever the season changes elsewhere, our tropical sun here is making me want to take cover indoors with a tall, iced tea and a good magazine, and if you’re feeling the same way and the magazine in your hands is Scion, well then – cheers to you and happy reading!

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. 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.

COVER PHOTO: VIVID PINK & WHITE DIAMOND LOTUS RING CRAFTED IN 18CT WHITE & RED GOLD FROM DAVID MORRIS

A stylish kitchen is one that is created with attention to details

Classic charm

Style and functionality go hand in hand

is distributed to:

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

Ar ou n d th e W o r ld ?

GARDENS OF MACARON Delicious macarons in rainbow colours are now selling in PIERRE HERMÉ PARIS boutiques in Hong Kong. A new limited edition flavour is being introduced every month from March as part of the brand’s Les Jardins collection 2014, each flavour representing the fluctuations of nature and seasons around the world. The name of April’s macaron flavor is the 8 Treasure Jardin macaron, and this delicate gem showcases the mysterious flavours of the traditional Chinese Eight Treasure Tea. For the month of May, customers will delight in the discovery of Jardin Mystérieux. Only Pierre Hermé himself knows the secret ingredient buried in this macaron. www.pierreherme.com

Once the getaway and playground of Shanghai’s high society, Mount Mogan (or Moganshan) in China’s Zhejiang province is reliving some of the glamour of the 1930s thanks to LE PASSAGE MOHKAN SHAN – China’s first ‘French luxury country house hotel’. Located two-anda-half hours from Shanghai, the hotel boasts beautifully appointed suites, exquisite French and Chinese cuisine and personalised service for high-end travelers. Le Passage Mohkan Shan ’s 29 spacious rooms ooze comfort and character, each room resplendent with French heritage features such as high ceilings, antique wooden floors, tall windows and oversized bathrooms. Meals are at the heart of a visit to this chic-yet-relaxed retreat, with the choice of fine dining and rustic country cuisine. All seafood is imported from France and fresh produce is obtained from a local organic farm. Nestled in the lush hills of a tea plantation, this calming retreat offers fresh-air activities like bike rides, walks and guided tea-picking – wonderful, lung-cleansing pastimes after the heat and pollution of the big city. www.lepassagemoganshan.com

Photos: PIERRE HERME, LE PASSAGE MOHKAN SHAN

LE PASSAGE MOHKAN SHAN

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Ar ou n d th e W o r ld ?

GLOWING SPLENDOUR VILLARI of Italy pays homage to European literature with a spectacular new light from its 2014 collection. The Lady Chatterley Chandelier takes its inspiration from the sweet frivolity of the protagonist of D.H. Lawrence’s famous novel, Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Made from royal porcelain and 24-karat gold-plated brass, and adorned with Swarovski crystals and white shantung silk, this intricate 24-light work of art is reminiscent of the splendour of European castles and palaces. www.villari.it

LA MARTINA GALLOPS INTO SINGAPORE

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

The store at The Marina Bay Sands covers 2,200 square-feet and is decked out in Anglo-Argentine vintage style, with traditional wooden furniture, black and white marble floor tiles, Chesterfield armchairs, bronze lamps and a large display of polo accessories, from helmets to leather boots, mallets, saddles and polo balls. La Martina, The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands, Galleria Level, B1-82 www.lamartina.com

Photos: Villari, La Martina

Legendary Argentinean polo brand LA MARTINA has opened a boutique at Marina Bay Sands – its first flagship store in Singapore. La Martina established its name as a designer of technical equipment and leather goods for polo players, later diversifying to add general fashion lines for ladies, men and children. The brand is loved for its polo T-shirts, leather shoes, jackets and knee-high boots. Also included in the collection are polo-inspired hats, bags and helmets.

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

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

Ar ou n d th e W o r ld ?

TITANS OF THE OCEAN Glamorous and powerful, the SINGAPORE YACHT SHOW returns to ONE°15 Marina Club in Sentosa Cove, running from April 10–13. The world’s leading yacht and boat builders along with major luxury brands are converging on an event that has come to be regarded as Asia’s equivalent to Europe’s Monaco Yacht Show and to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in the United States. There will be more than 100 luxury brands participating in the show, including 100 world-class boats and over 20 superyachts. Headlining the boat line-up will be the the award-winning S/Y Vertigo. Measuring in at 70 metres, the Vertigo is one of the world’s most celebrated sailing superyachts. Apart from boats, this year’s show will launch a separate expo of supercars and classic cars. Last year, over 11,000 visitors took to the boardwalks of Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove for the yacht show. The organisers expect an even bigger crowd this year, and participators can expect three days of high-octane fun with private VIP dinners, fashion shows, live entertainment, DJs events and other sundry parties.

CHOPARD ON THE RED CARPET CHOPARD took centre stage on the red carpet at the Oscars this year, with Academy Award Winners Cate Blanchett and Matthew McConaughey dazzling crowds with the Swiss brand’s high-octane glamour. Ms Blanchett sparkled in a skin-toned sequin-and-pearl-embellished gown and a pair of opal drop earrings featuring 62 white opals set in white diamond pavé and 18-carat white gold – a preview of Chopard’s 2014 Red Carpet Collection. The Australian actress, who won the Best Actress award, also wore a 49-carat brown diamond bracelet and a toi et moi pear-shaped diamond ring.

www.chopard.com

A NEW LOOK FOR THE SKIES

Photos: Chopard, Singapore Yacht Show, Royal Brunei

Matthew McConaughey – who won Best Actor at the 86th Academy Awards –opted for Chopard’s L.U.C XP Tonneau timepiece crafted from 18-carat gold and featuring a white dial and black leather strap. On his sleeves he wore a pair of onyx cufflinks with white pavé diamonds.

www.singaporeyachtshow.com

ROYAL BRUNEI has given its cabin crew a makeover with a set of heritage-inspired uniforms, as part of the company’s ongoing rebranding campaign. The new collection has been designed to reflect Bruneian culture and hospitality. Female crew members wear blouses with detailed traditional songket patterns along the hem, trim and back, with matching headscarves and flowing chestnut-brown skirts. Male crew uniforms consist of a three-piece suit in brown with Malay-inspired shirts and traditional collars. Passengers will be given their first service by crew wearing the new uniform in April, when Royal Brunei launches its Boeing Dreamliner services to Melbourne. www.flyroyalbrunei.com

Je w e l l e r y

Je w e ll e r y Ne w s ?

ANIMAL KINGDOM Haute joaillerie animals rule at the CHOPARD pop-up boutique in Harrods, London. The Animal World is a limited edition collection of 150 handcrafted jewels inspired by natural history and aimed at all age groups. Creatures range from mysterious deep-ocean fish and crustaceans to majestic mammals and exotic birds and insects. Chopard has employed its legendary craftsmanship and artistry to give life and beauty to this dream-like animal collection. www.chopard.com

OBJECTS OF DESIRE Make like Michelle Obama and reach for an ANNDRA NEEN metal clutch this season – or perhaps you’d like to make that a chunky cuff bracelet or a ruggedrefined choker, still sticking with the metallic theme.

FOUR SEASONS

Anndra Neen was founded in 2009 by sisters Phoebe and Annette Stephens. Born and raised in Mexico City, the sisters have been influenced by their grandmother Annette Nancarrow, who was an artist and jewellery designer whose creations were worn by Frida Kahlo and Peggy Guggenheim. Phoebe and Annette revive Mexico’s ancient metalsmithing techniques in their designs. Further inspiration is taken from antique European jewellery, Bauhaus graphics and Japanese design motifs. Pieces are handcrafted in the sisters’ workshop in Mexico City using mixed metals. The overall effect of their jewellery? Unexpected, free-spirited luxury – or, as the sisters have been heard to put it: ‘Mad Max-meets-ladies-who-lunch’.

Photos: Anndra Neen, Chopard, Mikimoto (America)

www.anndraneen.com

MIKIMOTO has introduced a collection of high jewellery to celebrate 120 years of cultured pearl history. The Four Seasons collection is inspired by the beauty of the changing phases of the year. Each suite of jewellery combines exquisite cultured pearls with gems and settings that reflect the spirit of the season they represent. The spring suite featured here consists of a White South Sea Cultured Pearl ring, earrings and pendant set upon a field of green tsarvorites dotted with pink and purple sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines, amethysts and diamonds. The result is a stunning garden of life and colour. The colours in every suite are different, giving the wearer a different look to match each season. www.mikimotoamerica.com

Je w e l l e r y ?

SCION: Tell me a little about the history of David Morris and how it was founded? Jeremy Morris (JM): My father, the eponymous founder of David Morris, left school at 15 and really didn’t know what to do. He enjoyed drawing and sketching, and one member of the family suggested he become a diamond cutter. He liked the idea and ended up as an apprentice diamond-mounter and goldsmith with a tiny firm in Hatton Garden (London’s most famous jewellery quarter).

THE FAMILY JEWELLER David Morris is the London jeweller responsible for creating the Miss World Crown (still in use today) and many of the famous jewellery pieces that have featured in James Bond films. Sitting in his sumptuous office in New Bond Street, Jeremy Morris – current managing director and second-generation owner of the company – speaks to SCION about family ties, celebrity clients and his plans to spread the glittery David Morris net across Asia.

On the floor below was a diamond setter known to all as ‘Posh John’ because he came to the office with a bowler hat and rolled umbrella. He approached my father about going into business together, and shortly after they opened a small workshop in Greville Street (another district known for its jewellery trade). He was only 20 at the time. John was an amiable fellow – older, with many contacts – but my father was doing most of the work, so he decided to open his own workshop. He had just married my mother, Suzette, and with his new father-in-law guaranteeing a loan of £200, David Morris Jewellers

was born. That was over 50 years ago and the rest, as they say, is history. SCION: You’ve built a reputation for producing exquisite jewellery. What is unique about David Morris? JM: We are on old-style family jeweller where service is optimal. Our jewellery is the most magnificent available, and we always start with the gem. Like my father, I have been influenced by French jewellery. We both love the work of Louis Gerard, who made exotic jewellery in the 1960s and 1970s. We create unique pieces of top quality and beauty with the world’s greatest craftsmen. SCION: We are currently in your London flagship boutique. Where else do you have boutiques? JM: Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Moscow, Qatar, with new boutiques planned. Our focus is very much in the East at present.

SCION: Your father has a great partner in your mother, Suzette – and now you and your wife Erin have taken over the mantle. Has that same tradition of good partnership continued? JM: Decidedly so. My wife Erin is busy in every aspect of promoting David Morris, while I’m more concerned with the design and production of the jewellery. It is a great combination that works perfectly. SCION: And now your daughter Phoebe is entering the business? JM: This is very much a family affair, which is great because our shared standards of excellence, combined with

Je w e l l e r y ?

a quirky, high-fashion statement can be carried on when my wife and I retire. SCION: Many jewellers have diversified, producing fragrances for example. Have you ever been tempted? JM: We are always keen to grow and explore other opportunities, and we produced a limited-edition scarf for our anniversary. I’d love to develop a more extensive watch line – particularly diamond-set ladies watches. SCION: Has David Morris made pieces for many notable people over the years? JM: Royal houses have chosen David Morris, as well as such luminaries as Elizabeth Taylor, Gianni Versace, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Streisand, Dionne Warwick, and David and Victoria Beckham.

“ We create unique pieces of

SCION: Looking at the long history of jewellery, are there any pieces you particularly admire?

top quality and beauty with the world’s greatest craftsmen. ”

JM: The jewellery collection of Tsar Nicholas II is sublime.

Photos: DAVID MORRIS

OPPOSITE PAGE: KENNETH COBONPUE FROM TOP: PIGALLE EASY ARMCHAIR, IMA BED FRAME

SCION: I noticed you are on the CoutureLab website. Luxury goods are now something people are more comfortable with buying online. Is the Internet a part of your future plans? JM: My vision for my business since I started was to be more global and the Internet is definitely an aspect of that. For a company at our level, the web should be like a matchmaking bureau that brings clients together with the perfect piece of jewellery. Our website at present affords a wonderful insight into our world, which drives people to contact us, and we have always sold pieces directly through our advertising campaigns. SCION: You are a man surrounded by luxury. What luxury items does your success afford you? JM: I like Ozwald Boateng suits, Kilian colognes, fine watches, various art pieces – particularly Japanese contemporary art at present – and I’m very keen on mid (20th)-century furniture. And of course, the greatest luxury is doing what I love. S

Je w e l l e r y ?

78 Sparkle in Precious Colours by John Z achar y

A8 FANCY COLOURED diamonds are in high demand, especially if the specimen is large and rare in colour. Demand is growing in China, India, Brazil and Russia, but traditional markets (the US, Europe and the Middle East) are snapping them up too. The world, it would seem, can’t get enough of these magnificent gems. Their rarity is no doubt part of their charm. There are millions of white stones traded in the market and displayed in jeweller’s windows every day, but coloured diamonds are far less plentiful – indeed, supplies are running low. The earth is running out of fancy coloured diamonds.

uranium) adds a different colour. When, for instance, nitrogen connects with carbon atoms in a diamond formation, the stone turns out yellow. The more nitrogen present, the deeper the colour. Boron, on the other hand, produces a blue diamond, and uranium produces a green stone. The specific conditions required to produce a pink, purple or red diamond are still unknown.

The price of these stones reflects their scarcity – no surprises there. Some of the more exclusive fancy coloured diamonds sell at auction for double their estimated price. Within the past three years, the price of red diamonds has risen from around US$2 million per carat to almost US$4 million per carat.

Rare diamonds aren’t easy to come by. Your average high-street jeweller will struggle to source a red, for instance. However, there are exclusive diamond houses that offer a discreet, bespoke service to individuals or companies interested to invest in rare diamonds. Unlike jewellers operating in the public domain, they work closely with clients to help them purchase the perfect stone – a diamond of prescribed size, colour and quality – sometimes sourcing gems that aren’t officially listed for sale.

Diamonds get their colour from the presence of minute quantities of trace elements during their formation. Each trace element (usually boron, hydrogen, nitrogen or

It’s said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but sometimes it takes a particularly fancy specimen to form that magical bond for life. S

78 Coloured diamonds are among the rarest stones on earth. Of every 10,000 carats cut, a mere one-carat display a fancy colour. Fashioned by nature over a billion years, each coloured diamond is unique in both hue and quality.

The most important factor in determining the value of a coloured diamond is the depth of its colour, which is graded and given a description such as ‘fancy’, ‘fancy intense’ or ‘fancy vivid’. These descriptions also determine a diamond’s desirability and therefore its value. Here is the SCION guide to fancy coloured diamonds: Red A red diamond is one of the rarest coloured diamonds – a classic collector’s stone. Only around 20 diamonds have ever been certified as pure red over a carat in weight, as most fancy red diamonds weigh less than half a carat. Having the same properties as pink diamonds (described as dark or intense) there is only one colour grade for a red diamond and that is ‘fancy’. Green Intensely coloured green diamonds are extremely rare and they command impressive prices. Such stones are coloured green due to their exposure to natural radiation within the earth – typically in the form of uranium. Blue Blue diamonds are among the rarest of all diamonds, which means they are highly sought after by collectors. They range in intensity from light blue to deep blues – the intensity is determined by the dominance of the trace element boron.

Pink Pink diamonds are highly desirable because of their scarcity – only a few mines in the world produce them. In fact, 95 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds come from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Western Australia. This mine is due to close in 2018, which will make these gems some of the most sought after stones in the world. Since 1985, only 750 Argyle pink stones have been sold in the famous Argyle Tender, with a total carat weight of 600 carats. Yellow The price of a fancy yellow diamond increases not only with size but also with the intensity of colour. Colour intensity is graded from ‘fancy yellow’, to ‘fancy intense yellow’ and finally ‘fancy vivid yellow’. Those yellow stones with the highest level of intensity are said to be as rare as pink and blue diamonds, and they command toe-tinglingly high prices.

W Faasthcihoens

Fa s h i o n Ne w s ?

ZANOTTI CAPSULE COLLECTION GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI introduces its first micro-capsule collection, offering unisex trousers and jackets that seem destined to stand out in all seasons. Evening tracksuits, sneakers and backpacks give an urban chic vibe to the Zanotti Homme collection. The new line nods to the hip-hop sensibilities of music designers and fashion-conscious deejays, while staying true to Zanotti’s love of leather, jewel accents and gold zippers.

DOUBLE TROUBLE Substantial yet lightweight, the new offering from PRADA is the ultimate statement in arm candy. Called the Prada Double (say “doo-blay”), this bag is handcrafted using the house’s signature Saffiano leather on the exterior, while the interior is lined with supple Napa leather. Launched in February, the Prada Double shows exceptional attention to details (the metal buttons and clasps are all covered in same-coloured Saffiano leather) and features an internal divider to help you keep your things beautifully organised. The Double is available in 10 cheerful colours, including bold blue, emerald green and sunshine yellow, as well as a more luxe Struzzio (Italian for Ostrich) leather version.

The first two items in this collection can be preordered from the brand’s Milan and Paris flagship stores. The entire capsule collection will soon be available for purchase online and fifty stores around the world have already been selected for the launch.

www.prada.com

www.giuseppezanottidesign.com

There’s a wild side to this season’s JIMMY CHOO spring/summer 2014 collection. The defences of nature (shells, camouflage, aposematic colouration, etcetera) are reinterpreted for today’s urban jungle. Flashes of honey gold, neon flame, palisander, lime and iridescent blue bottle are accented throughout the collection. Shoes take on amour-like sensibilities with camouflage allure or striking notice-me shades, as seen in ATTILA (a neon snakeskin flat) and VISTA (a multi-coloured black gloss elaphé – north American rat snake – patent heel). Patent bags shine in bright block colours and display neon embroidered flowers. Tropical prints are splashed over acrylic clutches and evening bags are gloss-finished hardcases with gold clasps.. www.jimmychoo.com

Photos: PRADA, JIMMY CHOO, GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI, MAISON IRFÉ

WILD BEAUTY

MIXING EXTREMES To celebrate its 90th anniversary, MAISON IRFÉ has used the backdrop of Paris Fashion Week to introduce its latest collection. The pieces in the autumn/winter 2014-15 line feature laser-cut and anatomic lines contrasted with oversized volumes. Under the artistic direction of Olga Sorokina – owner, creative director and reviver of the fashion house – the brand has given its collections a fresh twist, playing wildly with volumes, materials and colours. IRFÉ favours a decidedly masculine aesthetic, creating an almost androgynous look for today’s women, though with the added flourish of a subtle, controlled elegance. www.irfe.com

Fa s h i o n

From rugged, sporty weekend wear to flower-power prints and bold hues, the menswear collections of spring/summer 2014 offer oodles of inspiration for men mulling over a wardrobe makeover

78 78

WHAT MAKETH THE MAN WHAT MAKETH THE MAN by Rohaizatul Azhar

78 by Rohaizatul Azhar

THE ACTOR JON HAMM created sartorial waves with his portrayal of Don Draper in the popular American TV series Mad Men. In his mid-toned grey flannel suit, the sharp-looking fictional character breathed new life into the 1950s-inspired men’s power suit, and the world, it seemed, couldn’t get enough of this powerful interpretation of masculinity. But the Don Draper look is seeing a seismic shift this season. Think floral-patterned suits, slouchy tailoring, along bolder and brighter colours. In a trend driven mainly by brands that favour wearability, including Ermenegildo Zegna, Lanvin and Emporio Armani, the structured blazer and other traditional accoutrements have given way to easy, relaxed tailoring that’s leaner, lighter and less boxy. LEFT: JON HAMM FROM THE TV SERIES ‘MAD MEN’ RIGHT: A LOOK FROM PRADA’S SS 2014 MENSWEAR COLLECTION WHERE TROPICAL BLOOMS TAKE ON A DARKER AND MORE MENACING PERSONA

There has also been a shift in the colour palette in the spring/summer 2014 collections. Vibrant shades of blue – from rich cobalt to pale blue – are the backbone of the season’s menswear fashion, adding a fresh spin to classic (red equals dull and staid) menswear tailoring. And while the floral motif has added a whimsical and somewhat feminine twist to menswear in times past, this year’s blooms are more assertive, appearing in deeper and bolder shades. With a slight nod to both Goth culture and sportswear, Flower Power is set to make a masculine statement as the print of the season. Granted, catwalk styling is not to everyone’s taste, but the individual pieces in this season’s collections will be coveted the moment they hit the retail floor.

Fa s h i o n

Spring Blooms

LEADING THE DISPLAY IS THE DIRECTION-SETTING ITALIAN LABEL PRADA, WHERE TROPICAL BLOOMS – TYPICALLY THE DOMAIN OF HAWAIIAN-SHIRTED TOURISTS – TAKE ON A DARKER AND MORE MENACING PERSONA. THE RESULT: SHOCKING CLASHES OF PRINTS AND COLOURS ON ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, FROM BAGS AND SILK SHIRTS TO SWEATERS AND OUTERWEAR. THIS COLLECTION IS ALSO A BRILLIANT DEMONSTRATION OF SARTORIAL ARTISTRY, WHERE THE MOST FLAMBOYANT OF PATTERNS ARE PAIRED WITH SHARP SUITS OR RUGGED ZIP-UP BOMBER JACKETS. THROUGH THIS BALANCED PAIRING, EVEN THE MOST CONSERVATIVE DRESSER CAN PULL OFF THE LOOK WITH MANLY APLOMB. OVER AT GUCCI, JET-SET DECADENCE – ONCE AN OVERARCHING THEME IN THE ITALIAN LABEL’S DESIGN AESTHETIC – HAS GIVEN WAY TO HEALTH AND FITNESS BY WAY OF FLORAL PRINTS APPLIED TO TECHNO MATERIALS OFTEN SEEN ON HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORTSWEAR. THE CONTRASTING COMBINATION PROVIDES A FRESH AND YOUTHFUL SPIN TO THE FASHION HOUSE’S OFFERING. SILK T-SHIRTS, JACKETS, OUTERWEAR AND EQUESTRIAN-INSPIRED TROUSERS ARE FESTOONED WITH COLOURFUL FLOWERS. PINK – THE DOMINANT HUE – IS TONED DOWN WITH MILITARY GREEN AND DUSTY SHADES OF BLUE AND TAUPE, LENDING EDGE AND MASCULINE GRIT TO AN OTHERWISE FLAMBOYANT LOOK. PERHAPS THE MOST CONVINCING DISPLAY OF FLORAL PRINT COMES FROM BELGIUM FASHION BRAND DRIES VAN NOTEN, WHICH SEES THE LABEL’S EPONYMOUS DESIGNER EXPLORING EVERY IMAGINABLE PERMUTATION OF THE MOTIF. DARK BLOOMS, 18THCENTURY ROCOCO PRINTS AND HAWAIIAN GOTHIC PATTERNS ADORN DELICATE TOPS AND LOW-SLUNG BOTTOMS. CLOTHES ARE WORN WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF INSOUCIANCE FOR THAT SLOUCHY-YET-ELEGANT FACTOR.

Luxe

FROM LEFT: PRADA SS/14, GUCCI SS/14, HERMÈS SS/14, LOUIS VUITTON SS/14, ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA SS/14

Nomad

IN KEEPING WITH THIS SEASON’S TRENDS, THERE’S A DISTINCTLY LAID-BACK FEEL TO HERMES’ LATEST COLLECTION, WITH DESIGNER VÉRONIQUE NICHANIAN CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF UNDERSTATED LUXURY THROUGH THE BEAUTY OF FABRICATION AND THE SORT OF INTIMATE DETAIL MADE PRIVY TO THE WEARER ALONE. T-SHIRTS, FOR INSTANCE, ARE CRAFTED FROM SUPPLE LAMBSKIN, AND LUXURIOUS PULLOVERS BEAR THE SHADOW IMPRINT OF THE HOUSE’S SIGNATURE HORSE BIT. THEN THERE ARE THE SHIRTS THAT COME WITH DETACHABLE SILK SCARF COLLARS, AND THE TRADITIONAL BOAT NECK PULLON TOPS THAT USE PYTHON SKIN AS SIDE TRIMMING. ADMITTEDLY THESE ARE MINUTE DETAILS THAT WILL BE OVERLOOKED BY THE AVERAGE MAN, BUT TO HERMES’ STYLE-SAVVY CLIENTELE, THESE ARE THE PRECISE NUANCES THAT WILL TRIGGER A PURCHASE. OVER AT LOUIS VUITTON, KIM JONES’ FINAL COLLECTION FOR THE ICONIC FASHION HOUSE PRESENTS UNRESTRAINED LUXURY THROUGH THE WARDROBE OF A WORLDLY TRAVELLER. IN KEEPING WITH THE BOHEMIAN SPIRIT THAT HAS INSPIRED THIS COLLECTION, JONES SENT MODELS ONTO THE RUNWAY WEARING CLASSIC COTTON SHIRTS WORN UNDER SINGLE-BREASTED JACKETS, WITH THE ADDED FLOURISH OF BANDANAS. TO EMPHASISE THE NOTION OF SUBTLE REFINEMENT, CASUAL SILK BLOUSON JACKETS ARE COMBINED WITH PYTHON OR CROCODILE SKIN. EVENINGWEAR – MUCH OF WHICH CONSISTS OF TAILORED JACQUARD SUITS – IS MADE FROM EXQUISITELY CUT RAW KIMONO SILK.

Slouchy Suiting WHEN IT COMES TO A CLASSIC MENSWEAR LOOKS, THE 1950S-INSPIRED SUIT HAS GAINED PROMINENCE IN THE WARDROBES OF MANY STYLE SAVANTS IN RECENT YEARS. THIS SEASON, HOWEVER, THE STIFF POWER SUIT HAS GIVEN WAY TO A NEW FORM OF TAILORING – ONE THAT EMPHASISES FLUID LINES, SOFTER FABRICS AND LOOSER TROUSERS TO CREATE A FULLER, MORE RELAXED SHAPE. CLASSIC MENSWEAR TAILORING TECHNIQUES WERE ALSO REDEFINED IN BOTTEGA VENETA’S SPRING 2014 CATWALK PRESENTATION. TOMAS MAIER, THE LABEL’S CREATIVE DIRECTOR, HAS REVISED THE TRADITIONAL SUIT TO INCLUDE SLOPED SHOULDERS AS WELL AS BOXY SHIRTS WITH LONGER AND WIDER SLEEVES. THE OVERSIZED, BOXY SILHOUETTE WAS AGAIN EMPHASISED AT THE LANVIN SHOW, WHERE JACKETS WERE LONGER AND LEFT BILLOWING IN THE WIND AS THE MODEL WALKED DOWN THE RUNWAY. THREE-BUTTON SNUG-FIT JACKETS WERE PAIRED WITH VOLUMINOUS FLOOR-SWEEPING TROUSERS STRONGLY REMINISCENT OF THE GATSBY ERA. BUT LEAVE IT TO STEFANO PILATI TO SHOWCASE AN ONPOINT UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT MODERN MENSWEAR IS ALL ABOUT. AT HIS MUCH-ANTICIPATED DEBUT SHOWING FOR ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA, THE FORMER CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF YVES SAINT LAURENT PRESENTED LINEN AND SILK LOOKS BLENDED WITH ZEGNA’S SIGNATURE WOOL FABRICS TO GIVE FLUIDITY AND MOVEMENT. WHILE THE DESIGNER HAS KEPT EVERYTHING SUAVE AND GENTLEMANLY THIS SEASON, QUIRKY TOUCHES GIVE THE COLLECTION A RELAXED VIBE THAT’S LESS OFFICE AND MORE LEISURE. NOTABLE FEATURES INCLUDE SLANTED PEA-COAT POCKETS ON JACKETS AND SCRUNCHED COTTON CUFFS HOLDING UP JACKET SLEEVES.

THE MEN DO GET IT The overall message for men this season? Go loud and proud… and don’t leave it to the women to have all the fun! S

Fa s h i o n

The Case of the Modern Globe-Trotter SOAKING IN STYLE AT PITTI UOMO From stylised hipster beards to artfully cuffed coloured trousers, trendy scarves and quirky patterned three-piece suits, the Pitti Uomo show has become an unmissable event at the biannual Men’s Fashion Week in London, Milan and Paris. Attracting more than 25,000 visitors each season, the display of ‘fashion peacocks’ making their way in and around the 59,000 sq m exhibition space offers insights into what will be on trend six months from now. The fair also brings together retailers, emerging brands, established fashion houses, buyers and fashion editors under one roof. Since its 1972 inception in Florence, Italy more than 1,000 labels from around the world gave descended upon Florence PITTI – theUOMO City of Art – to take part in this four-day event. The fair, however, is especially important for smaller, independent From stylized hipster beardswith to artfully cuffed coloured trousers fashion labels, or those no mainstream advertising, asas well as an exlosion of trendy scarves and quirky patterned threethis is their main avenue for selling designs to both regional piece suits, Pitti Uomo has become one of the not-to-be-missed and international retailers. events during the biannual Men’s Fashion Week. Attracting more than 25,000 visitors each season, it aisplatform not hard for to see why prolific Traditionally, Pitti Uomo has been designers and street style bloggers, such as Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil and Scott labels to launch their brands or special collections. In 2009, for Schulman Sartorialist, have putmenswear the biannual menswear instance, of RafThe Simons showed his debut collection for trade show at firmly intoand their fashion calendars. Jil Sander the fair, last year G-Star Raw presented its first collaboration collection with American designer Marc Newson. While the display “fashion peacocks” making their way in and This season’s fair,ofheld in January, offered spectacular displays around the 635,071Italian sq ft exhibition spaceKiton offers insights into what from prestigious tailoring house and Diesel’s luxury will beDiesel on trend forand men in the next six months, the main aim of line, Black Gold. the fair is to bring together retailers, emerging brands, established fashion houses, buyersjudging as wellby asits editors under one One label to watch, performance at roof. this season’s show, is that of young designer, Stella Jean. The Italo-Haitan’s Since its inception in Florence in 1972, more combines than 1,000her labels from sophomore menswear collection expertly Creole around the world descend onto the City of Art to take part in the heritage with Italian flamboyance and savoir faire. This unusual four-day event. These brands, ranging from established European feat is achieved through the use of bold patterns reminiscent artisanal housesare toapplied emerging labels, present their next of Westfashion Africa, which to smoking jackets, coloured season collections to aand group made up mostly of buyers, editors trousers, accessories footwear. and international tastemakers. The fair, however, is especially important for smaller independent fashion labels, of or respected those with The three-year-old label has received the attention noindustry mainstream advertising, is their main avenue sell their players. Last year,as foritinstance, Ms Jean was to invited by designs both regional and international retailers. GiorgiotoArmani to present her womenswear collection at his Teatro Armani show space.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: STYLISH VISITORS ARRIVING AT THE TRADESHOW, MODELS POSING AT THE N°21 SPECIAL PROJECT FONDAZIONE PITTI DISCOVERY, MUSICIANS ENTERTAINING AT THE ROCKMEPITTI, SUITS ON DISPLAY AT THE TRADESHOW

In the past, Pitti Uomo has been known to unveil interesting collaborations between labels. They include last year’s G-Star Raw’s collaboration with American designer Marc Newson as well as a showcase by Japanese sportswear brand Onitsuka Tiger and Italian fashion designer Stazione Leopolda. This season’s fair, which was held in January, did not disappoint with spectacular showing from prestigious Italian tailoring house Kitson as well as the runway presentation of Italian denim company Diesel’s luxury line, Diesel Black and Gold. But if there was a label to watch from the recent fair, it has to be that of young designer, Stella Jean. The half-Italian, half Haitian designer, who started her label in 2011 after winning talent competition Who’s On Next that year, saw her star rising fast after she was talent-spotted by famed Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani in 2013. Her sophomore menswear collection at the recent Pitti Uomo expertly combined her Haitian Creole heritage with Italian flamboyance and savoir fair through the use of bold, interesting patterns, reminiscent of West Africa, on smoking jackets, coloured trousers as well accessories and footwear.

IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT there is no other luggage brand that comes with a clientele as impressive or as enviable as that of Globe-Trotter. In 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott travelled with Globe-Trotter on the infamous Antarctic expedition. Sir Winston Churchill stood outside of 10 Downing Street in 1924 when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, holding his GlobeTrotter Dispatch Case. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II chose Globe-Trotter for her honeymoon luggage in 1947 (and continues to do so to this day). Sir Edmund Hilary ascended to first base camp with Globe-Trotter during his conquest of Mount Everest in 1953. Globe-Trotter is a heritage brand established in 1897. It is a very old brand of luggage for a very modern world. The thing about the Globe-Trotter is the fact that it is not simply a timeless design that retains its restrained elegance during this modern age of ‘bling’; it is practical, virtually unbreakable (there is a famous picture of a cabin case supporting the weight of an elephant) and ages like a dream. Globe-Trotter’s latest Voyage Edition is handcrafted from vulcanised fibreboard. It comes in vibrant purple and is enhanced by rich burgundy leather trim and brass hardware. Each case in this collection is lined with the iconic Liberty peacock feather print Hera, which debuted back in the 1890s. The Hera print became a signature Liberty print after being revived in 1975.

Voyage is the ultimate choice for travellers who aspire to ooze luxury and glamour, for those who love to stand out from the crowd, and for anyone who dreams of the golden age of travel when every trip away from home was a true voyage of discovery. The collection is released in celebration of the tenth anniversary of Globe-Trotter’s first limited edition case featuring a Liberty print. S www.globetrotter1897.com

Fa s h i o n

1. CHANEL

It seems the entire pantone colour wheel has exploded onto Chanel’s spring/summer 2014 collection. This is perhaps Karl Lagerfeld’s most vibrant and colourful showing to date. From dresses to bags, shoes to brooches, bright shades are everywhere – an art party gone wild. But while the collection is delightfully unexpected and playful, it remains true to the fashion house’s design DNA. Chanel’s signature pearls are given a fresh, off-kilter spin as oversized details on fingerless gloves, collar necklaces and cocktail rings. Where pretty bags are concerned, oversized totes crafted from patchworks of tweed, and printed toile and leather backpacks will be instant-crowd pleasers. The wildly popular Boy Chanel bags are also given a painterly twist this season with a stencilled trompe l’oeil interpretation of the signature Boy Chanel quilted pattern. Fans of the Lego clutch can add similar designs to their existing collection in vibrant shades of pink and orange.

runway TREASURES by Rohaizatul Azhar

78 2. FENDI

The new season offers a grab-bag of accessories so delectable and covetable, you’d be hard pressed to pick a favourite. EVERY STYLE MAVEN WORTH HER CHANEL PEARLS KNOWS THAT ACCESSORIES ARE – as American designer Michael Kors once proclaimed – the exclamation point to any outfit. Whether you’re a minimalist dresser or one who revels in the delights of piling on statement bling, having the right accessory can transform your look from drab to fab in a snap. Good thing then that the spring/summer 2014 collections offer accessories that are so diverse in style, you’d be forgiven for thinking the accessories world was having a bipolar moment. From casualcool painterly backpacks and menswear-inspired loafers to artfully crafted, gemstone-encrusted skyscraper heels, anything and everything goes when it comes to accessorising this season. So with such covetable pieces on offer, the question begs to be asked – how’s a girl to choose? Fret not – SCION has done the hard work for you, sifting through the collections to bring you the best of the best.

The fashion house best known for colour blocking and gorgeous furs is showing its fun side this season. Key chains are trimmed with fur, and bags (which will undoubtedly be snapped up by the fashion elite) feature panther eyes or strategically placed blocks of colours mimicking owls’ faces, trimmed with fur. But what we love most are this season’s gorgeous shoes, which take the term ‘killer heel’ to new heights. The range includes sexy pink pumps adorned with multi-coloured studs and seethrough plastic panels, along with woven wedges with curving cork bottoms. Fendi loyalists looking for classic pieces will not, however, be disappointed this season, as there’s plenty for them too. Our favourites? The minimalist structured tote in powder blue and the stunning shopper bag made from python skin.

Fa s h i o n

4. BURBERRY

Creative director Christopher Bailey has gone full-on feminine with his floral-focused, pastel coloured spring/summer 2014 collection. One of the key highlights from this iconic British fashion house is the simple-yet-sophisticated fold-over clutch bag in sweet hues. Called Petal, this soft and tactile folded arm candy was the only bag shape featured on the runway. Each bag comes with detachable cross-body straps, internal pockets and a cleverly hidden asymmetric inner pocket to fit a smartphone. Shoe fanatics will be thrilled by slim, delicate sandals featuring tone-on-tone straps and heels. Burberry is a tech-savvy brand offering smart accessory options for mobile phones in the form of cases covered with textured ombre and leather appliqué.

6. PRADA

There hasn’t been a designer in recent years, who has played a more pivotal role in shaping the future of fashion than Miuccia Prada. The creative director for the storied Italian fashion house is always ahead of the game with her direction-setting collections. Her spring/ summer 2014 collection further strengthens this notion with its complementary mix of charming, avant-garde accessories. Handsome, multi-coloured totes and boxy, retroinspired, top-handle handbags are painted with women’s faces. These will definitely be in the running for ‘It’ bag of the season. Sandal heels are embedded with clustered jewels, giving them a vibe that’s both quirky and chic. Then there are the statement cuffs that look both sporty and balanced with their mix of colourful feather pieces. If standing out is what you’re about, Prada’s latest offering will hit the spot.

3. DIOR

A colourful backdrop of both synthetic and organic flora and fauna suggests nature was a big influence in Raf Simon’s spring/summer 2014 collection for Dior. Chokers and ear cuffs are embellished with shimmering crystals, and sculptural statement pieces such as bangles and cuffs are moulded from slick metals. Among the most covetable items are the brand’s top-handle bags featuring beautiful latticework using laser-cut leather. The collection’s sexy pumps offer an imaginative variety of straps woven with synthetic flower buds and overlapping shapes.

5. MIU MIU

In line with the overall throwback vibe at Prada, Miu Miu offers an updated take on styles of bygone eras – specifically the 1960s and ’70s. Creative Director, Miuccia Prada gives chunky platforms and killer heels (both staples of these two decades) new life through an opulent makeover, architectural silhouettes and sportier shapes. Some shoes appear with oversized gemstones encrusted on their chunky, structural heels. The bags – many of them structured bowling bags – come in shades that match the collection’s shoes. But what grabbed our attention most were the two-toned totes that are versatile enough for both day and night.

7. LOUIS VUITTON

For his final collection as creative director for the French fashion house, American designer Marc Jacobs offers a collection so varied and versatile, it offers final proof that Louis Vuitton is indeed a leader in the luxury accessories market. From minimalist pastel-coloured totes (in the iconic Neverfull style) to dark maximalist drawstring leather bags embellished with pony hair, feathers and crystal, there’s something here for everybody, regardless of personal style. Not to be missed are the bucket bags served in cheery pastels; sleek canvas espadrilles; silk scarves carrying the label’s signature Damier checkerboard motif, and fun, colourful sunglasses. Black fur and oversized chains make fetishistic statements for the brand’s jewellery compilation, with feathers and crystal paillettes catering to those who prefer darker and more opulent pieces. As Jacob’s final offering for the brand, this is sure to become an iconic collection. Our advice? Get your hands on some of these pieces – pronto.

T CS FE T RCEN PE S

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35 Shopping 34

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Watche s

Wa t c h Ne w s ?

POCKET PANERAI Compact and rounded, the PANERAI pocket watch 3 Days Oro Rosso is the perfect accessory to pop into your waistcoat. Panerai is making this limited edition (50 units only) hand-wound mechanical movement watch in 18-carat polished red gold or white gold, with matching personalised watch chain. With a power reserve of three days, this precious pocket gem is water-resistant to approximately 50 metres. www.panerai.com

HELLO EXTRAORDINARY As part of its Hommage collection, ROGER DUBUIS has released several spectacular new watches, including the Hommage Chronograph and the Double Flying Tourbillon with handmade guilloché. The brand’s booth at the 2014 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva was a decked out with a giant cuckoo clock within an entrancing alpine world, and the collection was playfully presented in gleaming bell jars held by glossy white statues, paying tribute to horological geniuses through the ages and in particular to the watchmaking maestros of Geneva. The opening of the booth was the culmination of an interactive campaign called #HelloExtraordinary, featuring 30 artsy short films that have been aired on www.goodbyecuckoo.com since December 2013. www.rogerdubuis.com

UNDERWATER MAGIC IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN unveiled its distinctive Aquatimer diver’s watch collection at January’s SIHH, using a magical oceanic backdrop for its booth, complete with life-size, handmade hammerhead sharks and shoals of fish projected onto the walls. Guests – among them actor Ewan McGregor, model Karolina Kurkova and Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton – were introduced to the collection and treated to a performance by Cirque du Soleil with music interludes by Roger Hodgson from Supertramp. www.iwc.com

When Every Watch Counts By Su Jia Xian

The In January, Salon International the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie de la Haute(SIHH) Horlogerie in Geneva (SIHH)setinthe Geneva stage invited for 16 Fine 16 Watchmaking fine watchmaking Maisons houses to to reveal reveal their their latest latest timepieces creations,from setting 20th-24th the toneJanuary for the 2014, year ahead. setting Throughout the tone forthe theweek, year to thecome. prestigious Throughout maisons therevealed week, the their prestigious most extraordinary Maisons showed watches the – world timepieces extraordinary crafted with watches technical crafted mastery with technical and top craftsmanship. mastery and craftsmanship. Su Jia Xian reviews Su Jiaeight Xian reviews notable8creations notable creations displayedfrom at this theprivate, private,invitation-only invitation-onlyevent. event.

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE 42 MM

As far as luxury sports watches go, the Royal Oak Offshore is something of an establishment. Audemars Piguet introduced its first Offshore chronograph in 1993, establishing a trend in oversized sports watches that still persists, 20 years on. But the Offshore has been looking a tad long in the tooth of late, so this year’s revamp is welcomed with open arms. AP has kept all the key elements of the Offshore, while making subtle-yet-significant upgrades. The new incarnation retains the same 42 mm case but has a redesigned, angular crown and pusher guards, giving it a more muscular look. In addition, the crown and pushers are now made with brushed black ceramic with polished bevels, replacing the synthetic rubber coating used in earlier models. All new Offshores use the cal. 3126, which is made by AP and is a more sophisticated movement than the outgoing calibre sourced from Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Watche s

CARTIER ASTROCALENDAR

One of the most innovative timepieces launched at SIHH 2014, the Cartier Astrocalendar reimagines the perpetual calendar display. The new display is arranged in concentric, stepped rings, with a flying tourbillon at the centre. Cartier calls this an ‘amphitheatre’ display, with blue frames highlighting each of the calendar indications. Being large, the calendar display is easier to read than before – traditional designs use smaller sub-dials. The calendar mechanism has also changed, now driven entirely by gears rather than the springs and clicks found in a typical perpetual calendar. This gear-based calendar mechanism delivers several functional benefits, the most important being increased robustness. All the calendar functions (save for the day) can be set forward and backward at any time via the crown, with no danger of damaging the mechanism. Limited to 100 pieces, the 47 mm Astrocalendaire is made in Cartier’s newly opened workshop in Geneva, qualifying it for the Geneva Seal certification, which specifies decorative and functional standards for a movement.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE MASTER ULTRA THIN MINUTE REPEATER FLYING TOURBILLON

At just 7.9 mm high, the latest offering from Jaeger-LeCoultre claims the title of the world’s thinnest minute repeater wristwatch. JLC accomplished this with clever engineering, shaving off millimetres in strategic places. Take the rotor, for instance. A conventional rotor sits on top of the movement, but this watch uses a peripheral rotor mounted around the perimeter of the calibre. Though not new to the industry, this is the first time JLC has used a peripheral rotor, removing the height of a conventional rotor from the movement. A more intriguing feature is the flying tourbillon combined with a world first – the flying balance wheel. Both the tourbillon and the balance wheel have earned the ‘flying’ moniker by being pivoted entirely on the base of the watch, removing a significant portion of the escapement height. Thinness aside, the movement has a useful aural innovation. Repeating watches traditionally sound a gap between the striking of the hours and minutes when there are no quarters to be struck. At the time of 10:10, for example, ten hours are struck, followed by a pause, and then ten minutes. The pause occurs because the quarter striking mechanism is running but not striking. JLC has devised a mechanism to trim off the excess, so the repeater seamlessly chimes the hours and then the minutes.

A. LANGE & SÖHNE RICHARD LANGE PERPETUAL CALENDAR TERRALUNA

A. Lange & Söhne unveiled its first celestial display wristwatch, with the Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar Terraluna – an impressive timepiece that shows the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun. On the watch face, the imposing 45.5 mm Terraluna features an instantaneous perpetual calendar, meaning all of the calendar displays jump simultaneously at midnight, instead of switching over gradually as happens with most timepieces. This feature requires an extra spring to store up power and then release it at midnight. Flip over the watch and the Terraluna’s celestial display comes into view. This comprises a disc representing our planet, with the North Pole located at the centre. This disc is placed within a larger disc sprinkled with stars – outer space. An aperture on the larger disc represents the moon, with the age of the moon shown inside the aperture. And the balance wheel of the movement represents the Sun. Each of the discs rotates in real time, displaying the relative positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun as they cross the heavens. All of this is powered by a movement with a two-week power reserve enabled by two large mainsprings. Because of the enormous torque produced by the mainsprings, a constant force mechanism has been inserted to ensure the escapement gets a constant amount of torque every 10 seconds – not too much and not too little –ensuring timekeeping is consistent.

Watche s

MONTBLANC TIMEWALKER CHRONOGRAPH 100

VACHERON CONSTANTIN MALTE TOURBILLON OPENWORKED

Capable of measuring elapsed times with up to 1/100th of a second resolution, the Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph 100 was inspired by the vintage sports stopwatches made by Minerva, a chronograph maker now owned by Montblanc.

Vacheron Constantin has a pedigree in making finely skeletonised timepieces, and the brand’s 2014 line-up shows a return to form. Amongst the skeleton watches VC unveiled this year is the Malte Tourbillon Openworked in platinum.

The TimeWalker Chronograph 100 achieves this thanks to its movement, which is made by Minerva and split into two parts. It has one barrel, gear train and a special, high frequency escapement dedicated to the 1/100th of a second chronograph, and a separate set-up dedicated to keeping the time.

Essentially, this watch is a skeletonised version of the Malte Tourbillon. The openworked model has an intricately worked tonneau-shaped movement. All major parts of the movement are reduced to the bare minimum, then the skeleton that remains is engraved by hand with a triangular geometric motif. Engraving the movement takes a week, as all of it is done by hand with a burin – a tiny chisel.

Beating at a frenetic 360,000 beats per hour, the chronograph has 1/100th of a second resolution because that frequency translates into 6,000 beats per minute, and 100 per second.

PANERAI LUMINOR 8 DAYS 44 MM

Panerai has expanded its range of entry-level timepieces equipped with in-house movements, adding five variations to the 44 mm Luminor. Available in steel or titanium, with white or dark dials, the new Luminor 8 Days models represent the essence of the Panerai brand. These watches are nearly identical to current basic Panerai models, with outsourced ETA movements. But the new Luminors are all equipped with the P.5000 calibre, a handwound movement with an eight-day power reserve, making these timepieces the most accessibly priced Panerai watches with proprietary movements.

Assembly of a skeleton movement is challenging, as the process of openworking and engraving creates minor distortions in the components. Consequently, each part has to be checked and manually adjusted back into form when the movement is put together. S

Visually, the TimeWalker Chronograph 100 represents a departure from the typical (dare we suggest, sedate) Montblanc designs, for which we can thank the new management team at Montblanc, in place since last year. At 45.6 mm and made of carbon fibre and titanium, this watch is large and strikingly modern.

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS MIDNIGHT PLANÉTARIUM POETIC COMPLICATION

The Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Planétarium Poetic Complication gives its owners the solar system on their wrist. This watch displays the position of six planets – Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – with the Sun positioned at the centre of the dial. Each of the planets revolves around the Sun exactly as it does in the cosmos, with the orbits ranging from 29 years for Saturn, to a mere 88 days for Mercury. Mounted on dial discs of aventurine – a glittery quartz crystal – the planetary spheres are all made from precious materials: pink gold for the Sun and semi-precious stones for the planets. Developed by Dutch independent watchmaker Christiaan van der Klaauw – known for his astronomical watches – the Planétarium tells the time via a shooting-star hand on a 24-hour scale. The time is indicated approximately, to the nearest 15 minutes, but the loss of minutes on earth seems trivial when compared to the decades-long spinning of planets across the sky.

W Daitncihnegs

D i n i n g Ne w s ?

THE SAGE

SAFARI CUISINE

Manila’s MAKATI SHANGRI-LA has added a new dining venue to its repertoire – Sage. This two-floor establishment has a tapas bar on the lobby level and Sage Restaurant serving European cuisine on the mezzanine floor. The culinary team at Sage is headed by French chef Gilles Galli, who has worked in the Michelinstarred Michel Rostang restaurant in Paris as well as various luxury hotels. Chef Gilles brings a modern twist to European fare using seasonal herbs and locally grown sustainable ingredients. All his presentations are a visual and gustatory treat, exemplified by dishes such as King Scallop Cerviche, Visayan Sole and Palawan Lobster with Morels. With Sage, Chef Gilles is set to take the dining experience in the heart of the city’s business and entertainment district to a whole new level.

The safari cuisine made famous by game reserves across South Africa is not only attracting tourists to safari park buffet tables but also changing lives closer to home. LALIBELA GAME RESERVE on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa has built a distinguished kitchen serving hearty meals cooked by women from the local rural community, providing these cooks with a stable income. Lalibela is a ‘big five’ game reserve – home to lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards and buffalos. Guests at the reserve have the choice of luxury tented camps or cosy safari lodges overlooking indigenous bush and waterholes. For mealtimes, guests can enjoy buffet meals at communal tables or dine under the stars in an outdoor dining boma (a protective enclosure).

www.shangri-la.com/manila/makatishangrila

www.lalibela.net

PETIT PLATS AT THE CLIFFORD THE CLIFFORD at The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore has introduced a new menu of small plates. All signature dishes are prepared in ‘petit’ portions, giving diners the chance to sample all the restaurant’s best food offerings in one sitting. The Clifford’s assortment of wellloved brasserie fare includes Buffalo & Pissaladiere, Petit Wagyu Foie Gras Burger, Pan-fried Filet de Bar, Whole Lobster Angel Hair Pasta and Apple Tarte Tatin. The restaurant overlooks the sparkling waters of the Marina Bay waterfront and is illuminated by splendid 10-metre high floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining by the bay with dainty dishes of epicurean delights is as chic as life gets in Singapore. www.fullertonbayhotel.com

NAMO MAGIC The kitchen at NAMO in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong, is creating “avant Thai” cuisine under the guidance of Michelin-starred Spanish chef Alejandro Sanchez. Drawing on his vast experience at Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, Sanchez has made it his mission to catapult Thai gastronomy into the 21st century by combining ingredients from various corners of the globe, using a range of internationally-recognised techniques. Joining Sanchez in this venture is Thai chef Khun Wijannarongk Kunchit. The duo are enticing diners with such sumptuous creations as fish mousse cake with salmon caviar, smoked hiramasa sashimi salad and slow cooked tuna cheek in lemongrass garlic lime. www.facebook.com/namohongkong/info

Mmmamma

MIA!

DISCOVER THE DELICIOUS SIDE OF ITALY ON A LUXURY CULINARY ADVENTURE By Elisabeth Lee

Dining

A8 WAKE UP TO THE HEADY AROMA OF ESPRESSO. Spend the morning treading ancient cobblestones in a tiny Roman village, ducking down narrow alleys and side streets. At the top of a narrow set of stone stairs, discover a tiny restaurant serving the creamiest risotto you’ve ever had, done to a perfect al dente. Eat your fill. Take a siesta, just like the locals do. Wander back out at night for a pizza with crust so thin it can barely hold its toppings. Or watch the sunset from a charming waterfront bar while dining on a fritto misto so fresh you can taste the sea. Raise a glass – say “cin cin!” – to newly-made friends as you toast yet another perfect holiday. For serious foodies, however, it isn’t enough to simply savour the flavours of the verdant countryside. Instead, think about embarking on a culinary adventure – a cooking tour is an excellent way to become immersed in local culture and cuisine, while learning traditional cooking techniques that can be recreated back at home. It isn’t all hard work and no play – each carefully curated tour below includes luxury accommodation, plenty of decadent meals and lots of fun excursions. Explore each region of Italy in depth and find out what makes this country tick.

DECADENCE IN THE DOLOMITES Venice, northern Italy

Famed for its mushrooms, cheeses and cured meats, the Dolomite region of northern Italy is quite the foodie haven. This week-long program takes you off the beaten path to discover some of the country’s best food and restaurants hidden away in the green foothills outside Venice. A typical day might be spent foraging for tasty truffles under the guidance of local hunters or visiting the local markets to sample delicious in-season produce and fresh seafood. Each day is also spent honing your cooking skills in a state-of-theart kitchen, complete with a traditional Venetian open fireplace. You’ll get to cook and sample delectable regional specialties, including tasty fish soups, rich risottos, creamy polentas, classic pastas and more. Relax at the end of the day in a historic 15th century villa before enjoying an alfresco dinner under the stars. “Guests will fall in love with Villa Casagrande and the gorgeous surrounding area of the Veneto. Our fantastic chefs run the classes but we also have local experts who will reveal all the hidden jewels of this unexplored part of Italy”, said Stirred cofounder Sarah Roberts. 2014 dates: Jun 8-14, Jun 15-21, Sep 7-13, Sep 14-20, Sep 21-27, Oct 12- 18 Price: £2,400 per person (£250 single supplement), which includes six nights at the Villa Casagrande, tuition, food, drinks, trips, tours, transfers and tastings. Flights are not included. Customised tours are available on request. Visit www.stirredtravel.com for details.

Dining

HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IN A MICHELIN-STARRED KITCHEN Amalfi coast, southern Italy

If you could only dine at one destination in Italy, Don Alfonso’s 1890 Restaurant has to be it. Awarded two Michelin stars, this charming restaurant is world-renowned for its extensive celler, historic vaults and impeccably-executed classic dishes. Learn the principles of Mediterranean cooking from acclaimed chefs, and explore the local traditions of the Campania region – excursions include a visit to a pasta factory, an artisanal mozzarella cheese maker and the Iacarrino family farm. Located in Sant Agata sui due Golfi along the amazing Amalfi coast between the bays of Naples and Sorrento, Don Alfonso makes a great base for your Italian culinary adventure – the Relais & Chateaux property has just eight exclusive suites set amid lush gardens, plus a fully-equipped teaching kitchen that uses produce grown on site along with the best local artisanal food from the region. Dates: Available any week starting on Tuesday between Mar 29 and Oct 31 (minimum one person). Price: US$3580 per person for six nights in a junior suite in Don Alfonso during high season (US$720 single supplement) and includes all breakfasts, lunches, classes, tours and two dinners. Visit www.theinternationalkitchen. com for details.

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN Tuscany, central Italy

From pizza to pasta to panna cotta, this one-week programme brought to you by Tuscookany is a great way to enjoy the best of Italian cuisine, while enjoying a relaxing holiday in a luxurious traditional villa. Learn traditional cooking techniques under the watchful eye of chefs Paola Baccetti and Frano Palandra – by the end of the course, you’ll be able to make a complete four-course Italian meal from scratch. Dishes include antipasta, pasta, pizza, polenta, panna cotta, lemon meringue pie as well as a wide range of rustic Tuscan specialties. There’s plenty of time to rest and relax here. Afternoons are spent in cooking class, but mornings are free for you to explore the breath-taking scenery of central Italy. Or you can simply enjoy the tranquil surrounds of Casa Ombuto or Torre del Tartufo – go on a walk through the woods, indulge in a spa treatment or just allow the peace and quiet of the countryside to rejuvenate you. Dates: Week-long programs start every Saturday (at Casa Ombuto) or Sunday (at Torre del Tarufo) during summer. Price: US$3300 per person for seven nights at either villa (US$300 single supplement) and includes classes, meals, beverages, a fullyday excursion, cookbook, apron, certificate of completion and transfers. US$2450 per person for non-participating guests who do not take part in the classes. Visit www.tuscookany.com for details.

PAGE 44: TUSCOOKANY GUESTS ENJOYING A WELL-DESERVED AL FRESCO MEAL AFTER A DAY OF COOKING AND EXPLORING, PAGE 45: A VISIT TO A LOCAL MARKET IN BOLOGNA WILL MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER

TOP: MAKING FRESH EGG PASTA FROM SCRATCH, BOTTOM: ENJOY THE SPLENDOUR OF THE ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE ON A GOURMET COOKING TOUR, RIGHT: PICK UP FRESH SHRIMP AT A LOCAL SEAFOOD MARKET - THEN LEARN THE BEST WAY TO COOK THEM

Dining

“ Explore each region of Italy in depth and find out what makes this country tick. ”

FROM TOP: GET PLENTY OF HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AS YOU CREATE A MEAL FROM START TO FINISH, ORANGE FRIVOLEZZA WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, NEXT PAGE: FRESHLY-MADE PIZZA, JUST BEFORE IT HITS THE OVEN

Nothing says Italian cuisine more than tagliatelle al ragu bolognese – pasta in a rich meat sauce – liberally dusted with shavings of aged parmigiano reggiano. And where better to learn all about it than in Bologna itself? This five-night tour, hosted by passionate local foodies Marcello and Raffaella Tori, includes excursions to an herb garden in Romagna, a parmiagiano cooperative in Modena and local markets. Gain hands-on experience in making fresh egg pasta as well as the famous ragu alla bolognese under the watchful tutelage of acclaimed family chefs. There’s also plenty on this tour for those who just want to indulge in the pleasures of visiting Italy – including a visit to a traditional linen factory famed for its artisanal prints as well as a walking tour of Ravenna’s spectacular Byzantine mosaics. Each night, return to your four-star hotel in Bologna to rest and relax before the excitement of another day of discovery. “All the places that we visit are off the beaten path,” said Marcello. “Where we go the local people are Italian, full of passion for what they do and with warm and genuine hospitality.” Dates: Apr 13-18, May 4-9, Jun 1-6, Jun 15-20, Jul 13-18, Aug 31-Sep 5, Sep 14-19, Sep 28-Oct 3 Price: €2380 per person (€230 single supplement) for five nights, three cooking lessons, four meals, excursions, recipe book, apron and transfers. Visit www.bluone.com for details.

AUTHENTICALLY ITALIAN Puglia, southern Italy

Gain total immersion in southern Italian culture and cuisine on this week-long trip to Puglia, located in the heel of Italy’s boot. Here in the gorgeous Salento region, with its turquoise seas and

endless sandy beaches, the food is hearty and rustic. Olive oil, seafood and earthy vegetables such as chick peas, chicory and eggplant rule the table. Instead of learning from professional chefs, this tour imparts the wealth of knowledge and traditions of the many local mammas eager to share their kitchens and tables with you. Excursions include a trip to the Baroque city of Lecce and its magnificent Roman amphitheatres, exploring the stunning, sandy beaches of Otranto on the Adriatic and Gallipoli on the Ionian, and even a visit to a unique trulli house in the Ostuni countryside. Dates: Summer dates available on request. Price: €2956 per person (€200 single supplement) for seven nights in a three-star hotel. Tour includes all breakfasts, six lunches, seven dinners, excursions, guided walking tours, transfers and four cooking classes. Luxury accommodation can be arranged on request, visit www.italycookingschools.com for details. S

Photos: TUSCOOKANY, BLUONE, INTERNATIONAL KITCHEN, SEAN KNOTT, STIRRED TRAVEL.

A TASTE OF THE CLASSICS Bologna, northern Italy

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FAMILY FIRST AT LE MEURICE

TENGGOL DIVERS’ DELIGHT Located a 50-minute speedboat ride from Malaysia’s TANJONG JARA RESORT is one of the region’s best kept diving secrets, Tenggol Island. This untouched island in Terengganu Marine Park provides access to over 20 stunning diving and snorkelling sites – perfect for both beginner snorkellers and advanced divers.

While parents swing their shopping bags along Paris’ Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, their little darlings are free to enjoy carousel rides and go sailing on the boat pond in the Tuileries Garden in custommade toy wooden boats. LE MEURICE is ideally located in the heart of the French capital facing the Tuileries Garden, where activities for kids abound, making this a great location for family holidays. Le Meurice family package turn children into VIPs. On offer are organised activities, children’s bathrobes and slippers, kits with puzzles and toys, sweets and cookies, and a treasure hunt in the hotel. And while the little ones frolic, parents have free access to the sauna, hammam and fitness centre.

Tanjong Jara Resort offers the Tenggol Divers’ Delight experience for guests looking to explore the teeming marine world in the park. This experience includes four dive excursions off Tenggol Island spread over two days, rental of dive equipment, sumptuous barbecue lunches on the beach and daily breakfast and dinner at the resort. The Divers’ Delight is available for booking until October 28, 2014 with a minimum of three nights’ stay in twin-sharing accommodation. Rates for this package begin at MYR1540++ (US$470++) per room per night. www.tanjongjararesort.com

RETREAT TO A SEASCAPE ESCAPE VILLA W RETREAT KOH SAMUI in Thailand has introduced a new room category: four-bedroom Seascape Escape Villa. Stretched between Maenam and Bo Phut, this retreat boasts one of the finest beaches in Thailand. The villas are located along the lush landscape overlooking the Gulf of Thailand so you’ll enjoy a second-to-none view of the sea, regardless of whether you’re lounging on a daybed, lazing in a bathtub or relaxing in your own 15-metre infinity swimming pool. All four rooms in the villa have their own private entrance, guaranteeing a high level of privacy. www.wretreatkohsamui.com

Photos: Dorchester Collection, W Retreat Koh Samui, Tg Jara Resort, Anantara Bazaruto

www.dorchestercollection.com/en/paris/ le-meurice

PARADISE IN BAZARUTO Need to escape to a paradise island with few distractions? It doesn’t get much better than the private islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago off the coast of Mozambique. Here, the national park islands gleam like emerald jewels across the turquoise Indian Ocean. Covering 12,000 hectares on the largest of these islands is ANANTARA BAZARUTO ISLAND RESORT & SPA, a place that invites you to surrender completely to the dazzling beauty of the area. The resort offers 44 villas with charming gardens and soothing shoreline panoramas. Once you’re done relaxing by the pool, savour the resort’s fine cuisine or tie on an apron yourself and learn to create the unique dishes of the island at one of the resort’s cookery classes. The warm watery playground around the island teems with tropical fish and coral, and a short sail away, dugongs, turtles, dolphins and whales complete the exotic tableau. www.bazaruto.anantara.com

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Amazon: A River of Plenty An Amazon River expedition cruise is a perfect complement to your South American adventure. Roderick Eime battles wild alligators and hungry piranhas to bring you this report.

CUSTOM BUILT IN 2008 AND FURTHER ENHANCED IN 2013, MV AQUA IS THE PERFECT VESSEL TO EXPLORE THE UPPER AMAZON.

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“ Aqua Expeditions work with nearly 300 local communities to reinforce the importance of sustainability. ” THE CAIMAN’S EYES shine like LEDs in the torchlight. He freezes, head just above the water, unaware that our searching beam has revealed his hiding place among the debris on the muddy bank. We close in and I pounce. Snatching the deadly reptile behind the neck, I heave him into the boat. “Very good,” says Roland, my guide, clearly pleased at my crocodile wrestling skills, “as you can see, this little guy is just a few months old. Mum is probably not far away.” Okay, okay. In truth the 40cm baby black caiman was easily plucked from the bank and barely made a squeak. The blue tongue and stumpy tail lizards of my childhood were ferocious monsters by comparison. After a short lesson in reptile anatomy from Roland, our caiman is delicately placed back on the bank and quickly scurries away to find a new hiding place. Like our own crocodiles, the young caiman fend for themselves after just a few months, hunting frogs and small fish. While not truly threatened, Amazon caiman populations are still dependent on conservation to help them recover from earlier over-hunting. Here in the Pacaya Samiria Reserve deep in Peru’s Amazon rainforest the luxury river vessel, MV Aqua, transports inquisitive, adventure seeking passengers in total comfort along such evocatively named tributaries of the Amazon as the Yarapa (turtle), Yanayacu (blackwater) and Ucayali (canoe breaker) and home to more species of fish than the entire THIS PAGE: THE AMAZON KINGFISHER, CHLOROCERYLE AMAZONA, PASSENGERS FROM MV AQUA SPOT BIRDS AND WILDLIFE FROM THEIR TENDER DURING AN AMAZON RIVER ECO-CRUISE FACING PAGE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): MAITRE DE OF MV AQUA, RICARDO, PRESENTS A DEEP FRIED PIRANHA, A SQUIRREL MONKEY, RELAX TO SUPERBLY PREPARED MEALS USING LOCAL PRODUCE IN THE DINING ROOM.

Atlantic Ocean. How’s this? One third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest, including over 500 species of catfish alone! Almost the size of Sicily, the reserve tries to protect the sensitive biodiversity within its nominal borders. Poaching and illegal harvesting is rife among the poor Ribereňos (River) families looking to feed their average of six children. To assist the protection of the reserve, Aqua Expeditions work with nearly 300 local communities to reinforce the importance of sustainability. Villagers are often drafted as volunteer rangers in exchange for manageable fishing and farming rights. Hunting is forbidden. In the wet season (Nov-Feb), the river level rises over 9m, flooding almost the entire reserve. This seasonal influx forms a várzea (freshwater swamp forest) and the wildlife, particularly mammals are easier to find. In the dry season,

S p e c i a l Fe Tra at uvreel

like now, the river levels are so low some of the locals are dragging their canoes through the mud. There’s a flip side to each season though. In the wet, there are more mosquitoes to contend with when ashore and while navigation is certainly more difficult in the dry, hikes are more rewarding and the fishing is a breeze. One of the fun distractions on any Amazon cruise is piranha fishing. These little blighters are voracious and can smell our tiny slivers of Argentinean sirloin a mile away. The tackle is simple, just a piece of line tied to a stick with a little sinker and hook. Agitate the water with the tip of your stick before dropping in the bait and the razor-toothed rascals are onto you in a flash. You almost need to creep ashore and bait your hook behind a tree. Of the 35 known species, the short-nosed, red bellied piranha is the nastiest little brute in the family. His katana-sharp fangs are clearly visible and snap noisily in protest when he’s hoisted aboard. Good eating? Sure, deep fry him whole and pick the light flesh off with your fingers or a small fork.

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

Whether it’s for business or leisure, the grand Renaissance Kuala Lumpur

the prestigious retail and entertainment belt of Bukit Bintang, Petronas

Hotel is a five-star luxury accommodation located in the heart of the Golden

Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This five-star hotel

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

presents 445 spacious rooms and luxurious suites, and 157 full service

stops from the nearest business, financial and sophisticated retail hubs. The

apartments with spectacular views of the city. Relaxation facilities include

Renaissance features 910 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, complete

an outdoor swimming pool, tropical garden, the Sompoton spa, a fitness

with broadband high speed internet and modern amenities.

ones.

When it comes to dining, there are seven food and beverage outlets including the Sagano Restaurant for Japanese cuisine, TEMPTationS coffee house and

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

Vogue Café for all-day dining and the Dynasty Restaurant, serving exquisite

palates. At the Eccucino Buffet Restaurant, you will be spoilt for choice with

Chinese cuisine by award-winning executuve sous chef Kok Chee Kin.

Malaysian favourites and International delights. Tai Zi Heen, their signature

ABOVE: A RED-BELLIED, SHORT NOSE PIRANHA, PYGOCENTRUS NATTERERI, IS REPUTEDLY THE MOST FEROCIOUS OF THE MORE THAN 30 SPECIES CURRENTLY KNOWN

restaurant, serves contemporary Cantonese cuisine and delectable Dim

Guests are also able to enjoy the hotel’s two-storey fitness centre, tennis

Sum. Exclusive for apartment residents, The Residence Lounge provides

courts, Olympic-sized swimming pool and for the ultimate spa journey -

daily complimentary Continental breakfast.

rejuvenating treatments at the luxurious Mandara Spa.

Business professional on the move will certainly appreciate the wireless

Business travelers are well-served at the Renaissance business centre which

broadband internet. Individual workstations, two private meeting rooms

is fully-equipped to provide complete secretarial services. For conferences,

and professional secretarial and administration services are available at the

weddings, seminars and dinner functions, the hotel boasts a magnificent

Business Centre.

Grand Ballroom and 26 multi-purpose function rooms equipped with stateof-the-art facilities and audiovisual equipment.

Business or pleasure, the Prince Hotel & Residence is ready make your stay in Kuala Lumpur 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

DOING IT

Aqua Expeditions operate 3-, 4- and 7-night journeys departing Iquitos, Peru. Prices start from $2250 per person twin-share for the 3-night expedition. Includes all excursions, meals, house wine and local beers. Gratuities are extra. Bring binoculars, camera with long lens, tropical strength insect repellent, sunscreen, sun hat and light, long-sleeved shirts. Don’t forget village donations like exercise books, pencils and clean used clothing. www.aquaexpeditions.com LAN Airlines flies six times weekly from Sydney to Santiago, Chile, and offers service to over 50 destinations in 10 SouthAmerican countries. From Santiago, LAN flies daily to Lima, Peru, and on to Iquitos. For more information visit www.lan.com or call 1800 221 572. Research: Fodor’s Peru and www.peru.info The writer was a guest of LAN and Aqua Expeditions.

Photos: RODERICK EIME, AQUA EXPEDITIONS

Beyond tracking capybara, caiman and iguana in the vast Amazonian expanses, there are several opportunities to visit local communities and native villages. On one occasion, Roland takes us shopping in the markets at the little port town of Nauta and, laden with fruit, fish and vegetables, we turn up on the doorstep of a shanty family for an unannounced visit. This little heart-warming gesture leaves our small group glowing momentarily, but tomorrow we know they’ll be back to square one. Sustainable tourism is growing in the region and beginning to bring benefits to these isolated populations, but there is still a long way to go. Aqua Expeditions, at least, are holding up their end of the bargain. S

RENAISSANCE KUALA LUMPUR

centre with the latest high-tech equipment and a Kid’s Club for the little

Unsurprisingly, the cuisine aboard MV Aqua features many dishes using the produce of the jungle like heart-of-palm soup, camu-camu fruit and the ubiquitous and delicious catfish. The soft, moist white flesh lends itself to numerous dishes and works perfectly with the rainforest-harvested wild tomatoes and kumera. The vessel itself, while not a feat of glamorous marine engineering, is perfectly in keeping with the many traditional vessels we encounter on the river. Barges, skiffs, canoes and dinghies of all forms make up the local river fleet and their design brief is clearly based on function. MV Aqua’s capacity is just 24 passengers in 12 spacious air-conditioned suites, each with quality amenities, fittings and furniture. Common areas are generous and dining is akin to an intimate restaurant environment. Tables can be arranged for couples, families or groups as you wish. In 2011, Aqua Expeditions launch a slightly larger second vessel, MV Aria, on similar 3- to 7-night voyages. Depending on the total length of your stay, four nights is enough.

PRINCE HOTEL & RESIDENCE

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

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OUR ADVENTURE BEGAN on a crisp and clear morning in the small historic town of Kennebunkport. Down by the docks alongside the Nonantum Resort (www.nonantumresort.com), Captain Bob Danzilo and his first mate were busy preparing the FV Rugosa before setting out for the day’s catch. A handsome boat built in the classic Cape Codder style, the Rugosa (www.rugosalobstertours.com) has been lovingly restored, and now spends her days plying the waters off Kennebunkport in search of one of the world’s tastiest critters – the lobster. The Maine lobster, Homarus americanus, can grow up to 60 cm long, and weigh up to 20 kg – more than the weight of 10 chickens! Though hefty, its flesh is sweet and succulent. And thanks to local conservation efforts, it’s also one of the most sustainable seafoods you can savour. One of the best ways to learn about Maine’s biggest export – more than 90 per cent of all lobster consumed in America comes from the chilly Atlantic waters off Maine – is by heading out to sea on an authentic lobster fishing boat. The Rugosa is no exception – Captain Bob is both passionate about what he does and eager to share it with others. As we steam down the gorgeous, tree-lined Kennebunk River headed for the coastal shelf, Captain Bob keeps up a steady patter on the lifecycle of the humble lobster. We set a few traps, each marked with a colourful buoy – every fisherman has his own unique design – and before we haul them back up, we get a hands-on lesson in lobster fishing. First, we learn how to band a lobster with what looks like a terrifying pair of giant pliers. Maine lobsters have two large claws, unlike the spiny Caribbean lobster. While the claws are often considered the most delicately flavoured and delicious part of the lobster, you don’t want to risk getting pinched – an angry lobster can break a finger. A lesson in measurement techniques comes next. To ensure we harvest the right lobsters and leave enough creatures of the

A fishy tale By Elisabeth Lee

Savour the best seafood in North America along the beautiful coast of Maine

LEFT: HEAD TO MAINE FOR AN ENJOYABLE INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD OF THE HUMBLE - YET TASTY - LOBSTER, BELOW: THE ANCHORAGE AT BAR HARBOR

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designed for those who don’t want to get down and dirty with a whole lobster. Ask a local to direct you to their favourite lobster shack, or make the pilgrimage to the perennial favourite Two Lights (lobstershacktwolights.com). For lobster with a little more oomph, try one (or more) of the award-winning lobster restaurants peppered up and down the coast of Maine. Don’t miss the lobster fra diavolo at the Old Port Sea Grill (www.oldportseagrill.com) – a hearty Italian tomato sauce brings out the sweetness and brininess of fresh lobster, while a dash of chilli spices things up. Another lobster restaurant making waves is Natalie’s at the Camden Harbour Inn (www.nataliesrestaurant.com) – executive chef Chris Long was named Maine Lobster Chef of the Year in 2013, and his five-course lobster tasting menu features all the seasonal highlights of Maine, including oysters, sea urchin, artisanal cheeses and more. THE ALL-IN-ONE APPROACH If you’re pressed for time, or if you just want to have it all, try the decadent two-night Catch a Piece of Maine package at the Inn By The Sea (www.innbythesea.com, rates start at US$1152), a five-star Maine resort that made Conde Nast’s 2014 Gold List. Spend the daylight hours on a lobster boat cruise around scenic Casco Bay before heading back to enjoy a relaxing

• FIRST, THE CLAWS. Using your bare hands, twist of the claws – careful, they’re hot! Crack the claws with the nutcracker provided and dig in. • NOW FOR THE TAIL. Arch the lobster’s back until you hear the tail crack. Bend the flippers on the end of the tail back until they break off. Push a fork into the base of the tail and extract the meat – if you’ve done it right, it should come out in one large (and yummy) piece.

Photos: VISIT MAINE

Lobster rolls – featuring steamed tail meat slathered in butter and/or mayonnaise and packed into freshly-baked buns – are

No matter how you choose to while away the time, a summer in Maine, surrounded by some of the region’s best seafood, is a summer well spent. Bon appetit! S

Purists say the best way to savour a fresh lobster it by enjoying it steamed and dipped in clarified butter. Park your manners at the door, roll up your sleeves and follow these steps:

We all get a chance to practise before the captain decides we’re ready to haul in our catch. Thankfully, there’s a huge winch that does most of the hard work, but it still requires a strong, steady hand to bring in the traps, followed by a flurry of dextrous measuring and banding before we have an appetising selection of wriggly blue-green crustaceans ready for the pot.

TOP: A TRADITIONAL LOBSTER BAKE, BOTTOM: CATCHING AND BANDING YOUR VERY OWN LOBSTER IS A THRILL THAT CAN BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE.

massage (the package comes with a US$100 spa credit towards a treatment of your choice). In the evening, tuck into a lobster feast at the highly-rated Sea Glass restaurant – think lobster cerviche, lobster bisque, mini lobster roll, butter-poached lobster, herb grilled lobster and – finally – a lobster gelato.

HOW TO EAT A LOBSTER

right size to breed the next season’s catch, each lobster has to be measured with a pair of callipers – if a creature is too big or too small, it gets a fresh chance at a long life on the coastal shelf.

AWESOME IN EVERY WAY Creamy lobster thermidor, lobster bisque, lobster roll, lobster bake… the options for wolfing down this tasty crustacean are seemingly endless. And if you’re in no mood to go out for your seafood feast, all you do in Maine is phone the local lobster pound, and a steaming whole lobster (with a side of melted butter) will be delivered to your doorstep licketysplit. It doesn’t get any easier – or fresher – than this.

TOP: DON’T WANT TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY SHELLING A LOBSTER? TRY A LOBSTER ROLL INSTEAD

• HEAD FOR THE BODY. Unhinge the back and tuck into the green liver, then crack open the body and dig out any of the meat that you’ve missed. • DON’T FORGET THE LEGS! Suck the flesh out of the legs – while there isn’t much meat to be had, legs are often the sweetest part.

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78 PUTTING ON THE RITZ,

DUBAI STYLE by John Z achar y

“ There are arches, arabesques,

wonderful calligraphy and murals, conspiring to create an oasis of serenity. ” THE ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES flight from Bandar Seri Bagawan landed in Dubai at 1:40 am, so when I arrived at my hotel, I was hoping for a fast check-in and an inviting room. The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai more than delivered – I was in my room within minutes. And like all new arrivals, the first thing I did was check out the view from the balcony. Nestled on a private beach front in the heart of the Dubai Marina, Dubai’s RitzCarlton boasts spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf. This is a Mediterraneanstyle property with Islamic design elements woven into the fabric of the building. There are arches, arabesques, wonderful calligraphy and murals, conspiring to create an oasis of serenity. The rooms and suites are, as you’d expect, plush and generous. The famous Ritz Carlton signature linen and feather beds offer an uber-comfortable sleep, especially after a long flight, and the spacious feel is enhanced with the addition of a marble egg-shaped bathtub and oversized rain shower, separated from the main room by an adjustable screen. The digital controls beside the bed allows the curtains, lights, and air-conditioning to be adjusted at the touch of a screen. My breakfast was served at The RitzCarlton Club®. The atmosphere here is

intimate and exclusive, with an emphasis on personal service. With five exquisite food and beverage presentations throughout the day, the club also acts as a hub for meetings before excursions to the beach or a stroll along Jumeirah Beach Residence ‘The Walk’ – Dubai’s only beachfront promenade of shops and al fresco restaurants and cafes, with distinct echoes of the French Riviera. Greatly enhancing any stay at The RitzCarlton, Dubai are the establishment’s large, manicured gardens, its secluded swimming pools and the holistic treatments offered at the new RitzCarlton Spa. The spa features nine multipurpose treatment rooms, three couple rooms with private terraces, separate relaxation lounges and a dedicated ‘hammam’ area. The Ritz-Carlton offers an array of culinary experiences, from the tented Bedouin-style Amaseena for Arabic dishes, Blue Jade for Far East-inspired gastronomy and La Baie Lounge – an all-new outdoor restaurant serving an eclectic, international menu. My travel companion and I decided to try the hotel’s modestly named Italian Restaurant, Splendido. How pleasant then to find myself in an Italian restaurant outside of Italy run by true

Italians, where the food was just as good as (maybe better than) ‘mamma’ intended. My companion sampled the lobster ravioli with lupino clams and porcini mushroom sauce while I opted for the salt-crusted pink snapper with corn sauce and potatoes with caviar. The meal was sublime. My snapper was cooked to moist perfection, allowing the flavour of the fish to truly shine through. My companion – a seasoned gastronome – described his lobster ravioli as delicious. After the meal, we asked manager Massimo Fonte if we could meet the chef, and moments later, fellow Italian, Alfonso Crescenzo joined us at our table. Mr Crescenzo – a perfect gent from Naples – went on to prepare a special non-alcoholic Baba cake just for my companion. The Ritz Carlton, Dubai is a wonderfully appointed hotel immersed in the beauty of the Arabian Gulf, offering luxurious and relaxing surroundings, an excellent standard of service, truly authentic cuisine and close proximity to the shops and café life of JBR Walk. S

In t e r i o r s

In t e r i o r Ne w s ?

BO CONCEPT DEBUT The Danish design retailer, BO CONCEPT, has opened a two-storey showroom in Central, Hong Kong. The Bo Concept team specalises in producing simple-yet-stylish design solutions for space-constrained residents of Hong Kong.

PICK-N-MIX

The showroom features 12 studio vignettes for contemporary homes, with settings for entertaining, relaxing, sleeping, playing and working. The collection includes sofas, dining tables, consoles, lounge chairs, beds, wall systems and room accessories. Functional and flexible, the designs come in a variety of sizes, colours and fabrics to suit individual needs.

Brighten your rooms with a set of quirky Pick-n-Mix pendant lights from ROTHSCHILD & BICKERS. These hand-blown glass shades come in an assortment of fun simple shapes and arresting colours. Hang a single light from the ceiling or cluster together a bunch of them on customised ceiling plates. Embellish your shades with fabric-covered flex either in neon or herringbone finishes. A guaranteed way to bring a little personality and shine to your rooms. www.rothschildbickers.com

WALLS OF BEAUTY

www.boconcept.hk

THE COBONPUE TOUCH MAISON & OBJET ASIA made its debut in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on March 10-13. Exhibiting at the show was Designer of the Year, Kenneth Cobonpue. Awardwinning Cobonpue, who hails from the Philippines, exhibited the works that won him international acclaim, and shared his philosophy and points of view on design. His creations are a masterful combination of natural and organic materials, traditional craftsmanship and innovative technologies. Kenneth Cobonpue furniture is now available in Brunei by order exclusively from WaMa Designs. E-mail: studio@wamadesigns.com

Photos: Rothschild & Bickers, Kenneth Cobonpue, Bo Concept, Alex Timmermans

NLXL and STUDIO JOB have teamed up for April’s Salone del Mobile show in Milan. NLXL, which was founded in the Netherlands in 2010, makes premium wallpaper with no repeats (so no two images are the same on one wallpaper roll). The company has become known for its Scrapwood Wallpaper collection – the brainchild of designer Piet Hein Eek and NLXL founder Rick Vintage. Studio Job, based in Antwerp, Belgium and the Netherlands, is founded by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel. This design studio has won numerous awards since its inception in 1998. The brand will be displaying its Withered Flowers wallpaper – an adaptation of icons and images taken from their library of existing patterns. The collection reflects a retrospect of the history of Studio Job. www.studiojob.be www.nlxl.com

In t e r i o r s

78 IN THE

CLOSET Some cabinets are designed with both beauty and showmanship in mind, often breaking every axiom in the cabinet-making rulebook in the creative process. Luann Alphonso looks at four extraordinary pieces of cabinets that can easily belong in an art museum.

KINETIC ENERGY (PORCUPINE BY SEBASTIAN ERRAZURIZ) Inspired by the protective layers of the Japanese Samurai armour, as well as its animal namesake, Porcupine is a provocative piece that challenges the archetype of the cabinet as ‘a box with two doors’. This highly unusual piece features individually controlled slats that swing open and stand on end to resemble the quills of a porcupine. These blackpainted wooden slats cover all sides of the cabinet, save the bottom, to create an ‘interactive’ piece. Floating glass shelves line the cabinet’s interior to give viewers an open line of sight all the way through the piece. Sebastian Errazuriz is a Chilean-born designer based in New York, known for incorporating the polarity of life and death in his artworks. Seeking to remind viewers of their mortality and reflect upon their life’s decisions, his large-scale, avant-garde public artwork has received critical acclaim. His unique furniture pieces have been showcased in over 40 international exhibitions. Fans of his work can follow him on Twitter: Follow @sebastianerrazurizstudio www.meetsebastian.com

In t e r i o r s

WHEN THE PENNY DROPS (DIME BY SPLINTER WORKS) Studio’s designs play with contradiction, such as the interplay of solidity and weightlessness. With its crescent-shaped rosewood segments, Dime represents an ingenious method of storage. Inspired by a spinning coin, the cabinet glides open in segments, revealing shelves and drawers and a worktop made from black and gold Italian Portoro marble. The doors’ handles are made from cast steel – a perfect complement to the shape and design of the cabinet. In a quirky touch, the edges of the rosewood leaves are painted in a highgloss to highlight the shape of the overlapping partitions. Splinter Works is a collaboration between designers Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington, two British designers loved for their theatrical and experimental pieces. www.splinterworks.co.uk

SPRING FEVER (NAÏVE BY TAHER CHEMIRIK)

Photos: Sebastian Errazuriz Studio, Marc Fish, Splinter Works, Alain Cornu

Naïve is the metalic embodiment of a princess in springtime. Dressed in lacy brass, its mahogany gown is made from handcrafted flowers designed to dance in the air which also shielding the bevelled mirror-glass shelves of the cabinet’s delicate body. Each flower is unique. Some are polished, others stained, brushed or distressed with a hammer, and others still bear the pink and blue effect of fire exposure. Taher Chemirik was named one of the world’s most influential designers by Time magazine in 2007. Oversized links, drop-like petals and ebony wood are his signature designs. The jewellike appearance of his work owes much to Chemirik’s earlier profession as a jewellery designer for fashion houses – a role he embraced for over 20 years. galeriebsl.com

SEA COCOON (BABEL BY MARC FISH) Babel is a stunning work of clever association by Marc Fish. Crafted from sycamore on the outside, the cabinet opens to reveal a stunning, bronze-lined interior with carbon fibre, glass and textured glass shelves. Fish’s cabinet was inspired by the intricate structure of a sea shell, with doors that overlap in an organic fashion to represent the coming together of people. Fish came to furniture making with a background in metal fabrication and a humble desire to create dining chairs. Now one of the biggest names in contemporary furniture design, Fish is famous for mimicking nature’s most elaborate designs to create masterpieces that blend unusual materials with top craftsmanship. www.marcfish.co.uk

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

THE SIMMONS name is synonymous with the science of sleep and this distinguished brand has a long history in providing super comfy mattresses to five-star hotels and resorts around the world. Simmons makes the famous Heavenly Bed – a runaway success in Westin Hotels and Resorts – setting a record when it sold 55,000 mattresses in one order to Westin Hotels in the US. In Singapore, Simmons mattresses are the first choice for many luxury hotels, among them The Fullerton, Raffles, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, Hilton, Resorts World Sentosa and Royal Plaza on Scotts. As we spend a third of our day sleeping, it’s vital to find a mattress that’s just right. Light, sound and general ambience can be managed through smart room design, but the quality of your slumber ultimately depends upon your choice of mattress – and a great place to start your search is Home Suite Home Co. Home Suite Home Co. has been the exclusive distributor and retailer of Simmons in Brunei Darussalam since 2005 and all its mattresses are imported from, and completely made in, the United States, Canada, Japan and South Korea. The range on offer includes:

78 BEAUTIFUL DREAMS

WITH SIMMONS 78

BEAUTYREST BLACK SERIES PREMIUM RANGE FROM THE US The Black series uses triple woven and individually wrapped pocketed coils with Smart Response Coil design, which provides support and pressure point relief. This series features a loftier and plusher pillow pad and uses luxurious materials like cashmere and silk. BACKCARE ADVANCED SERIES FROM CANADA This series has a five-zone support system to match the five zones of the human body – upper back, lumbar, hips, thighs and lower legs. THE DREAMSCAPE SERIES FROM KOREA Dreamscape features a mini-pocketed coil within a larger pocketed coil. With twice as many coils supporting your back, you’re guaranteed greater mattress resilience and durability. BACKCARE ORIGINAL SERIES FROM JAPAN This series incorporates negative ion technology by kneading 14 types of natural mineral stones into a fibre. Negative ions can enhance heart and lung functions, increase metabolic rate and improve blood circulation. S

BENEFITS OF SIMMONS POCKETED COIL® Established in 1870, Simmons was the first to develop the patented Pocketed Coil® springs. These are pre-compressed high carbon steel springs placed in durable, non-allergenic fabric encasements. Each high-tensile steel coil is engineered into a barrel-shaped coil and precompressed to achieve additional resilience and greater spring effect. Individually wrapped with shrink and tear-resistant quick-dry Duon pockets, the coils are bonded in the middle using NASA space shuttle glue to allow independent motion with no friction and sound. Pocketed Coils® can adjust individually to the weight and contour of your body, providing superior spinal support and alignment. Since adjacent springs aren’t tied together, there’s no chain reaction of movement when you turn or move during the night. Home Suite Home Co. Regent Square, Unit 14/15/16, 1st Floor, Spg 150, Kiulap, Bandar Seri Begawan Tel: (673) 2232381 E-mail: info@homesuitehome.com.bn www.homesuitehome.com.bn

En g i n e W o r l d

En g i n e W o r ld ?

GET SPORTY

RIDES LIKE A DREAM Jati Transport in Brunei rolled out the new MERCEDES-BENZ GL–Class in the shape of the slick V8 Biturbo GL 500 with AMG Sports Package, a power-packed SUV that goes from 0 to 100km/h in only 5.4 seconds. The drive for both on-road and off-road is one of the GL-Class’ greatest strengths. A tough bodyshell, improved drivetrain and chassis, and superb aeroacoustic finishing, as well as intelligent use of new-style insulation materials, give the GL-Class a ride comparable to that of the S-Class sedan. The fully load-bearing air suspension system AIRMATIC, with its adaptive shock-absorbing system, provides outstanding comfort with greatly improved handling and road-holding. www.mercedes-benz.com.bn

The BMW has set benchmarks for driving pleasure, luxury and innovation with their latest line-up of X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The new-generation V8 engine delivers more power than its predecessor, a reduction in average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, thanks to Efficient Dynamics technology and intelligent lightweight construction techniques and aerodynamic optimization. The range of Connected Drive in the BMW X5 series is more extensive and includes innovative driver assistance systems such as Collision Warning System with braking function and Attention Assistant. www.bmwgroup.com

THE GHOST SERIES ROLLS ROYCE unveiled the Ghost Series II to the world in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The Ghost Series II delivers the latest technology from Rolls Royce in a subtle updated design featuring new headlights and a new ‘wake channel’ styling on the bonnet and surfacing that gives the car a more dynamic, purposeful stance. The Ghost is a contemporary representation of Rolls Royce luxury and has become the symbol of success for leading entrepreneurs. A new, younger generation of highly successful businessmen and women are increasingly becoming a part of Rolls Royce’s growing base of customers looking for an exquisite well-appointed business tool for the week and an engaging driving experience at the weekend. www.rolls-roycemotors.com

POWER UNLEASHED The Lexus RC Coupe will appear for the first time in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show. LEXUS has confirmed a 2015 launch for the car, which will be available with a 2.5 litre version of Lexus’ full hybrid RC 300h drive system. First revealed at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the RC is a stand-alone model rather than a 2-door derivative of a sedan. The new RC model range aims to raise Lexus’ profile with a broader audience. The purity of its design and its engaging driving experience inject even more emotional appeal into a Lexus DNA already renowned for build quality, refinement and reliability. www.lexus-int.com

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78 LUXURY 4X4S GOING THE EXTR A MILE With SUV sales exploding across the globe, car manufacturers are in a frenzy to create the ultimate 4x4. by Neil Briscoe

IF YOU WANT TO BE A SUCCESS in the modern motoring world, you have to build a 4x4. Though more and more of us are living in big cities, an equal ‘more and more’ aspire to drive chunky four-wheel drives. We rarely need the goanywhere capabilities of these cars, but having these features at our fingertips satisfies our yearning for adventurous travel and exploration. It’s a bit like owning a watch that’s waterproof to 300-metres – you’re unlikely to take it beyond your local swimming pool, but it’s nice to know the deep-sea functionality is there, just in case. A symbol of the huge appetite for 4x4s is Land Rover. This classic British brand has built nothing but 4x4s since it made its first car way back in 1948. Last year, it launched an allnew luxurious Range Rover (and a smaller, more agile Range Rover Sport) to great acclaim, and now the brand is launching a long-wheelbase model. Designed for those who like to be driven (or just for families with taller kids, who knows?) the Ranger Rover LWB gets an extra 14.2 cm of rear-seat legroom, stretching the overall length of the car to 5.2 m. The rear cabin is all about luxury, with seats that recline a full 17 degrees and an optional Executive Class package that does without the three-abreast bench seat, replacing it with two huge, luxurious armchairs. This version is only available in top-spec Autobiography and Autobiography Black trims, suggesting this one is aimed squarely at VIPs (real or imagined). At the more affordable and far more sporting end of the scale we find the new Porsche Macan. Named after the Indonesian word for tiger, the Macan is essentially the baby brother of the larger Cayenne – though calling it a baby shouldn’t be seen as an insult, as this is a serious sporting machine. It looks rugged, so one must assume it’s able to tackle rough terrain, but this car is all about comfort – indeed, it’s one of the best ever SUVs to drive.

FROM TOP: STURDY AND LONGER - THE RANGE ROVER LWB, A VIEW OF THE COMFORTABLE SEATS IN THE RANGE ROVER LWB LEFT: A SPORTY AND FUN PORSCHE MACAN SUV

There’s a fuel-sipping 3.0-litre diesel V6 version (and a smaller 2.0-litre diesel coming soon) but all true Porsche enthusiasts will be most keen on the Macan S and Macan Turbo, which use the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine but with either 340hp or 400hp. The Turbo will take care of the 0-100 kmh sprint in just 4.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest 4x4s of all time. It may be compact, but we predict its sales will be anything but. Porsche sells around 150,000 cars a year globally but the Macan is expected to push total brand sales beyond the 200,000 mark. Given the huge success of the Cayenne over the past decade, it’s hard to see this car being anything other than a huge hit. Elsewhere within the Volkswagen Group (of which Porsche is part), other super-luxury SUV plans are afoot. Back in 2012, Bentley showed a controversial concept SUV called the EXP-9. Why controversial? No, not because this is the brand’s first attempt at a 4x4, but because many commentators blanched at its styling, with some calling it downright ugly. The good news is that while Bentley has confirmed that the EXP-9 will make it into production later this year, the styling has been heavily revised to make it less, shall we say, challenging. “We listened a lot, and we listened enough. The

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exterior design was not liked by everyone,” said Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber. “We got the message, and we’ve reacted on that. We’ve modified the styling of the car completely. Front, rear, sides, roof... it is a true Bentley. Everyone will see, even 100 metres away, that it’s a Bentley.”

Meanwhile, at the more affordable (but barely less luxurious) end of the scale, Volkswagen is planning a pair of new SUV models – one large, one small – as part of a USD$7-billion investment in new cars. Based on the rather cool looking CrossBlue concept seen at the Detroit Motor Show, this car will come in a big seven-seat model pitched above the existing Touareg, and a smaller, more compact 4x4 that will replace the current Tiguan. While the VW badge is more appealing than ever, Volkswagen plans to snare premium buyers by packing these new cars with high-tech options that will include a plugin-hybrid drivetrain that will combine big power outputs (300 hp+) with tiny emissions and fuel consumption, and an emissions-free electric version perfect for driving in town. If you thought the market for luxury 4x4s was big news now, you ain’t seen nothing yet…S

THIS PAGE FROM TOP: A SLEEK PERSPECTIVE OF THE VOLKSWAGEN CROSSBLUE, THE VOLKSWAGEN CROSSBLUE INTERIOR FACING PAGE FROM TOP: THE EXQUISITE CONTROL PANEL INSIDE THE BENTLEY EXP-9, THE BENTLEY EXP-9 ON THE ROAD

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THEATRE is of course central to the Ferrari myth. Just as the horse on the badge rears on its hind legs, so Ferrari struts across the automotive landscape with dramatic swagger – plus the skills to back it up. Think Ferrari and you automatically picture low, fast, loud, red and highly-strung. Some of which the FF is and some of which, rather notably, it isn’t… This car is that most unfashionable of Ferraris, the four-seat GT version, and in many ways it’s the most revolutionary car ever to come out of the gates of the Maranello factory. After all, a mid-engined 458 Italia or a 730hp F12 Berlinetta are merely updates of classic Ferrari staples. The FF, on the other hand, is a break with tradition. Though it’s not the first to offer four seats and a big boot. Both the 612 Scaglietti and the Ferrari 456 could take four adults at a pinch, two adults and two kids easily, and both models had decent load areas (though the FF does go that bit farther, offering a 450-litre boot with a hatchback and folding rear seats, making it truly practical). What is truly revolutionary, for a Ferrari, is the fact that the FF is four-wheel drive. The FF’s V12 sends most of its power, most of the time, to the rear wheels, powering through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that you can shift via the steering wheel paddles. But, so that Ferrari doesn’t need to raise the engine to accommodate a transfer case and a second propshaft running towards the front (as would be the case in a traditional 4WD) there’s another, small two-speed gearbox mounted at the front of the engine, powering the front wheels. Want to cruise in total comfort and near silence, mile after mile? The FF can do that. Want to shrug off the worst rain

78 Dramatic PERFORMANCE Ferrari’s 4WD FF isn’t its most theatrical car, but it turns in an astonishingly complete performance. by Neil Briscoe

and howling wind that the weather can throw at you? Not a problem. Want to accelerate as if powered by a Saturn V rocket? Oh yes, the FF can do that… To say the FF is staggeringly fast and astonishingly composed feels almost redundant simply because it’s so much of both these things. But what leaves the biggest impression is its very ordinariness – the fact that you can see out of it, the fact that it’s relatively easy to park, the fact that it’s comfortable and refined and, at 15-litres per 100 km, not so thirsty as to be outrageous. Like all quality theatre, it leaves you wanting more. S

“ Like all the best theatre, it leaves you wanting more. ”

So c i e t y

78 AT HOME WITH

HASLINA TAIB 78 HASLINA TAIB is a busy woman with a shining resumé. Not only is she chief executive officer of Brunei Accenture Group (BAG) Networks, she is a member of (among other organisations) the APEC Business Advisory Council ABAC, an audit committee, an accountancy body and a number of local and international charities focusing on women and children. On top of all that, she’s also deputy chair of the Brunei InfoCom Federation. Gracious, affable and dynamic, this business powerhouse spent over 20 years in Europe and North America, working in such prestigious institutions as the Dorchester Group of Companies, Panel Ker Foster, WPP and KPMG, applying her talents in a range of roles and work fields, from IT implementation and audit to forensics and real estate. She returned to Brunei and has helmed BAG Networks since 2008. Recently, with her boundless energy, she added lifestyle café to her list of enterprises. So what comes next for this CEO, accountant and mother of two? A fruit farm would be nice, she tells SCION. We pin down Haslina Taib at her home and take a peek into her life to see what luxuries and keepsakes she likes to surround herself with when she’s not running the world.

Clothes: Tom Abang Sauf i Makeup: The Body Shop Photography: Ebi Lim

So c i e t y

vinegar, tomato concassé and red beans with beef or soy meat on brown rice is just so comforting.

The last thing I bought and loved A pair of elegant Salvatore Ferragamo black suede shoes with metal toecap. I love the contrast between the suede and the intricate metal inlay. Whenever I put these on, I feel I can stand tall, regardless of the weight on my shoulders. The next thing I want to buy A juicer. I’m hunting for the best fruit and vegetable juicer. Consistency is a personal preference – some, like me, prefer their juices smooth, while others like holding on to the husk or ampas [sediment]. Yums! My favourite work-wardrobe accessory This would have to be my cream silk blouse and Russian pendant. These are my providential accessories. Something I’m fond of in my home My children’s favourite outfits from when they were babies, framed and mounted, as these remind me of their mischief and laughter. What I’m reading I’m reading two books right now: Pearl of China by Anchee Min and Stephen Fry’s The Liar (I’m re-reading these two). A book will always be on my bedside table and another somewhere in the living area. Lean In: For Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg is next. The tastiest dish I can whip up in the kitchen Chilli con carne, served with brown rice and peas or a green salad. It’s so nutritious – one of my husband’s and kids’ favourite. An alternative to beef is minced soy. The mixture of chilli, quality

Handbag check: what’s in my bag today My red M.A.C lipstick, mobile phone (maybe… I regularly misplace it), my Tiffany & Co. birthday pen (always there deep, deep, deep down in one of the pockets), a Hermes orange purse (it carries my many business cards and the ones I’m given), keys (I don’t know what half of them are for) and a hand sanitiser – I always feel fresh when I use it. My must-have fashion item Bangles and bracelets. I especially love those given to me as gifts because they have special meaning and huge sentimental value. In my fridge you’ll always find… Peanut butter, because I know peanut butter on brown toast will fill me up until late afternoon. What I’d do if I weren’t CEO of BAG Networks I’d be tending my fruit farm – the more acreage the better. I love mulching and planting, and I love sitting in the garden on my small bench and becoming totally absorbed by the tall plants and the visiting bees and butterflies. I once planted rows and rows of sunflowers, and I’d enjoy nothing more than to sit in my garden and become absorbed by the colours of nature. What I like do on my me-time An hour in a spa works a treat and is something I’m always happy to surrender to. I also like a good power nap, to help me pay back some of my sleep debt. What my Sundays are like I play hard with friends and family, cook, entertain and play games with my children. I love my weekends and wake as early as I do during weekdays. At the weekends more than ever I’m aware that there’s plenty to be happy about and count my blessings for. Sometimes I’m so tired from my weekend fun, I go to bed early on a Monday night.

Grooming staples I’m never without My M.A.C slanted eyeliner brush. Such a simple tool yet such a luxurious colour applicator. S

So c i e t y

GARDEN

ROLL OUT THE GR AND MASTER

OF BLISS

Jati Transport rolled out their new S-Class Mercedes-Benz at the Radisson Hotel’s Mutiara Ballroom on Jan 20th. Guests were treated to a preview of the multi-award winning car and see first hand the design and developments that have earned the S-Class the accolade of “The Best Car in the World”.

Jacqueline Cheong and Leonard Lim celebrated their fabulous wedding over a weekend with over 1,200 friends, family members and a team of bridesmaids and groomsmen in tow, all decked out in coordinating mint-green attire for the girls and ties for the guys. Their banquet on January 11th at the Indera Samudra Hall of The Empire Hotel & Country Club had a garden theme and a photobooth with fun props. The night was made more memorable with musical and dance performances by Seri Mulia Sarjana school students and heartwarming speeches for the bride and groom by guests. 1.

1. THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS 2. ANDREW CHIAM, PG ANAK HJ JAAFAR IBNI AL MARHUM PG PEMANCHA PG ANAK HJ MOHD ALAM, STEPHANE SAFIEDDINE, YVES GROSJEAN 3. PHIL MYHRE, KENNY NG, HO LEY HOON 4. DATO PADUKA HJ MD AMIN HJ ABD WAHAB 5. STEPHEN REID, ROSE JABAT, ROSETA YAHYA, CARMEN SOON 6. PG HJ ADNAN PG SERI INDERA PG HJ ISMAIL AND SPOUSE 7. MAZARINA HJ ABD MAJID, NURULASHIKIN ZULKIFLI, RAMLAH HJ JAMIL

Photos: Devin Kho Photography and PinWheel Studios

Photos: Ebi Lim

1. JACQUELINE CHEONG & LEONARD LIM 2. MARY LIM 3. CHEONG JAK KIM & FLORENCE LIEW 4. JOVIAN MANDAGIE, LEONARD LIM, JACQUELINE CHEONG & NINA ISMAIL SABRI 5. KYLIE, BARRY, MONTANA AND THOMAS WILLIAMS 6. QUE ARIFFIN 7. HJ TAHA AND SPOUSE 8. AMALI BINTI HJ BESAR & ANYATI ORCULLO ABDULLAH 9. DEXTER KEASBERRY & SHAWN NARCIS

So So cc ii ee tt yy

AMAN CAMP CELEBR ATES

THE YEAR OF THE HORSE

87 87

EAST MEETS WEST The fairytale wedding nuptials of Pg Laila Widari binti PLKDR Pg Hj Bahrin and Kyle Fulton took place at the bride’s family home on January 31st at a beautiful but intimate ceremony with close family members and friends. Later that weekend, the joyful union of the happy couple was celebrated with a grand reception at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Jerudong Park Polo Club with over 500 family members and friends.

The Singapore Army held an all day Chinese New Year Open House at the Jalan Aman Camp on Feb 9th. Colonel Chan Wei Gan and his wife, Lim Choog Mei welcomed guests and their families to a fun-filled feast of Singaporean cuisine and entertainment with music and a roaring display of synchronized drums.

1. DRUM PERFORMANCE BY STUDENTS FROM SERI MULIA SARJANA SCHOOL 2. SIMON TEO, JOSEPHINE HONG, MABEL LIM 3. HALMIE BIN HUSSEIN MATTAR, SHAIKH HJ KHALID BIN SH HJ AHMAD, MRS SHAIKH KHALID, ERNIWATI BTE ABDUL RAHIM 4. CHAN WEI GAN, YAM PG SANGGAMARA DIRAJA MG (RTD) PG HJ IBNU BA’ASITH BIN PG DATU PENGHULU PG HJ APONG, MEGAN CHAN, PG DATIN HJH ZUBEDAH BINTE PG RATNA WANGSA METUSSIN, LIM CHOOG MEI 5. CHAN WEI GAN, MEYYAPAN NADARAJAN THEVAR, AMUTHA VALLI, LIM CHOOG MEI 6. CHAN WEI GAN, LARRY LOON, JEANIE CHAN, LIM CHOOG MEI 7. CHAN WEI GAN, YM DATO PADUKA HJ MUSTAPPA BIN HJ SIRAT, PG DATIN HJH JAMILAH BINTI PG HJ MOHD YUSSOF, LIM CHOOG MEI 8. CHAN WEI GAN, IRENE HII, SAM, LIM CHOOG MEI

Photos: Jalan Aman Camp

Photos: Flo von Linprun

1. KYLE FULTON AND PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN 2. THE BRIDE’S TRADITIONAL COSTUME DURING THE BERBEDAK CEREMONY 3. ASHLEIGH FULTON; OLIVE FULTON; THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL DATIN SERI PADUKA HJH HAYATI POKSDSP HJ MOHD SALLEH; HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PADUKA SERI PENGIRAN ANAK PUTERI HJH MASNA AL-MARHUM SULTAN HJ OMAR ALI SAIFUDDIN SA’ADUL KHAIRI WADDIEN 4. NUR AHMAD; KYLE FULTON; PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; TAZIO LAI 5. DESMOND HINKSON; MOO YEEN LING THERESE; KYLE FULTON; PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; MANDY TOO 6. PUNEET KAPUR; KYLE FULTON; PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; BHAVNA SINGHAL-KAPUR 7. RASHIDAH HJ BERUDIN; DK SITI NURSHAHEDAH PG TENGAH; PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; DEWI RAZALI; HJH NURUL LENY HJ SAJI 8. DK ANAIS SAERAH; PENGIRAN IZAD-RYAN BIN PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; PENGIRAN LAILA KANUN DIRAJA PENGIRAN HJ BAHRIN BIN PG HJ ABBAS; DK AMAN ZARINA; KYLE FULTON; IMAN SYAKEERA, ALIA AYEESHA, PG NINA JASMINE BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN, OMAR RYAN; ABDUL AZIM; PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; DATIN HJH DAYANG MASNI BINTI HJ MOHD ALI; AZHANI DANIEL 9. ASHLEIGH FULTON; PG LAILA WIDARI BINTI PLKDR PG HJ BAHRIN; OLIVE FULTON

ASIA’S

50 BEST RESTAUR ANTS

1. ASIA’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS’ WINNING CHEFS AND RESTAURATEURS TAKE TO THE STAGE 2. ASIA’S BEST PASTRY CHEF, JANICE WONG FROM 2AM:DESSERTBAR 3. PRIAN TANONGSAK, TANONG SAK AND DAVID THOMPSON OF NAHM, BANGKOK, RECEIVING THEIR AWARD FOR BEST RESTAURANT IN THAILAND 4. CHEF YOSHIHIRO NARISAWA OF NARISAWA, TOKYO, AND HIS AWARD FOR BEST RESTAURANT IN JAPAN 5. JUNGSIK YIM FROM JUNGSIK, SEOUL, GETS HIS PRIZE FOR BEST RESTAURANT IN KOREA 6. ANDRÉ CHIANG OF RESTAURANT ANDRÉ, SINGAPORE, RECEIVES THE CHEFS’ CHOICE AWARD AND BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE 7. CHEF LANSHU CHEN OF LE MOÛT RESTAURANT, TAIWAN, IS NAMED VERVE CLICQUOT ASIA’S BEST FEMALE CHEF 8. IVAN LI OF FAMILY LI IMPERIAL CUISINE RECEIVES THE DINER CLUB® LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 9. TENKYU RYUGIN IN HONG KONG IS NAMED ‘ONE TO WATCH’

Photos: CatchOn & Co.

The stars of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants gathered for an unforgettable night at the gala award ceremony on February 24 held at the Capella Hotel, Singapore. The night was a triumph for Nahm of Bangkok, which was awarded the most prestigious Best Restaurant in Asia as well as in Thailand. Sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna and organised by William Reed Business Media, the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants welcomed 10 new entries to the list including Jungsik from Korea and Le Moût from Taiwan.