L I F E .
E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
January 2018
BUIILT TO COMMIT PROPERTY DEVELOPER DATUK NG THIEN PHING TAKES HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO QUALITY VERY SERIOUSLY
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AROUND ASIA
STYLE AND CONTENT Our regional editions profile style mavens and business heavyweights this month
SHANGLIU TATLER
STYLISH HEAVYWEIGHTS
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hilanthropist and businesswoman Melody Li is this month’s cover star. She discusses the focus of her NGO, which links innovation with charity. Designer Jason Wu is also profiled, as he visits Shanghai as an ambassador for St Regis Hotels & Resorts. He talks about luxury living and his expansions plans for the China market. PHILIPPINE TATLER
GLAMOUR AND GOODWILL On the cover is Elvira ‘Tootsy’ Echauz-Angara, an exemplar of grace and strength and the magazine’s representative for Asia’s Most Stylish 2017. Elsewhere, a feature presents 50 of the country’s philanthropists.
TAIWAN TATLER
LOOKING FORWARD The year’s first issue is all about innovation. Among the many compelling features and profiles are interviews with Royce Hong, co-founder and CEO of Xing Mobility, who created Taiwan’s first electric race car, and Wilhelm Tsai (pictured) of My Humble House, a hospitality brand with the Sheraton Grand Taipei, Le Méridien Taipei, Mu Jiao Xi Hotel and My Humble House Art Gallery among the properties it manages.
SINGAPORE TATLER
ART THAT MOVES THAILAND TATLER
ALTERNATIVE CAREERS Cover star Apinara Srikarnchana used to be known as one of the three daughters of Yuki and Chulapayap Srikarnchana, but she’s now an entrepreneur in her own right, having launched two successful car-hailing apps. Elsewhere, musicians Somtow Sucharitkul, Nat Yontararak and Pathorn Srikaranond talk of their passions.
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HONG KONG TATLER
LADY WITH STYLE Adrienne Hui, the magazine’s Most Stylish Woman for 2017, graces the cover. Photographed on the iconic junk Aqua Luna, she talks about style, fashion and balancing glamour with the demands of motherhood. Elsewhere, Hong Kong artist Wong Ping discusses his participation in the New Museum Triennial, which opens in New York next month.
The magazine kick-starts the year with an issue dedicated to art, from the discerning way the latest recipient of its Most Stylish Woman award, Karen Ong-Tan, carries herself on the cover, to a feature asking philanthropists and corporations about the importance of nurturing the arts and culture. Three collectors, including the late George Wong, also discuss their passion and dedication in presenting their collections to the public.
malaysia tatler . january 2018
M A L AYS I A TAT L E R
JANUARY L I F E . E X T R A O R D I N A R Y
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128 FEATURES 128 A Developer of Dreams We shadow Datuk Ng Thien Phing to uncover his story and rise to prominence through SkyWorld
136 Double Act The dynamic tennis duo Martina Hingis and Latisha Chan on their bond on and off the court
142 A Trans-Siberian Journey
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Khairun Nisa Mohamed Zabidi recalls her exciting return home from abroad, on a journey that is full of adventure
150 Pride of Lebanon Having launched his fashion label at age 18 amid the fear and chaos of war-torn Beirut, Elie Saab talks about his success and giving back to his community malaysia tatler . january 2018 . vol 296 . no 341
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CONTENTS
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CONCIERGE 26 Inbox Three ladies make their mark in the field of science
28 Small Talk Get up-close with Ushera as she shares what to expect from her upcoming show
IT’S IN THE BAG
Fyza Kadir gives off some fresh vibes with her Fendi Resort Wear
30 Tatlergram Being surrounded by good company is part of what makes the festivities so much better, as seen in these snapshots
32 What’s On A series of exciting events including musicals and concerts to kick-start the bright year ahead
FACES 38 The Invitation The wedding of Datuk Airique Soo with Datin Dorcas Leong, and Tengku Dato’ Indera Aidy Ahmad Shah with Datin Indera Mai Nurliyana
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48 Soiree Exciting celebrations including a fun poolside birthday bash, plus an exciting gala dinner
52 Leading ladies Three women have bagging rights to infinite style
54 Close-up Masahiko Uotani, Dahlia Nadirah and Brian John Yim open up about their interests and life goals
62 Onlooker The glitz and glamour from fun-filled events around town malaysia tatler . january 2018
CONTENTS
SPEEDY LUXE
The Lexus LC 500 is truly a formidable player in the luxury sports car segment
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LIFE 160 Third Time is the Charm
124 STYLE 88 Past Presence The cruise collection is a throwback to past styles and eras, which provide a stylish start to the year
118 Time to Shine We preview some incredible timepieces from SIHH before they make their appearance in boutiques around the world
122 Garden Variety Vibrant pieces of jewellery that will give you that sparkle all year round
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A landmark collaboration between The Macallan and renowned perfume maker Roja Dove
162 Ride to Thrill The Lexus LC 500 will turn heads when you take a spin in this sleek ride which also offers an edge of sophistication
166 Land Before Time The Pahang prince Tengku Fahd Mua’adzam Shah is all about making a difference as he underlines the importance of eco-conservation
DEPARTMENTS Around Asia 6 MalaysiaTatler.com 14 Editor’s Note 20 Contributors 22 Tatler Takes Five 176
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M A L AYS I A TAT L E R . C O M
HIGHLIGHTS J A N U A R Y
O N L I N E
E X C L U S I V E S
FEATURES Four Times the Charm To say they looked like prince and princess on their wedding day is an understatement, as Dr Fazliana Abd Rashid and Dr Farid Razali played the part four times with grand ceremonies, each more decadent than the last. We spoke to the bride on how she executed her real-life fairy tale.
Timeline of a Trendsetter Marion Caunter has been a perennial fashion idol for good reason—regardless the event, dress code, theme or stage of her life, she’s one to rise to the occasion. oo at the keyy moments o We take a look this chic mum slayed, then and now.
V VIDEO A Toast For All Seasons W Whenever there’s a reason to celebrate, be it a first meeting or an anniversary, Heennessy has everything you need to maake the occasions all the merrier.
D DINING Foood Trends 2018 JA AMMIN MMIN’ IN JAN Dr Fazliana Abd Rashid and Dr Farid Razali; witth Hennessy it’s always a celebration; arion Caunter Ma
W speak to leading figures in Malaysia’s We F&B industry to give us the scoop on what foods they think will dominate the local scene this year. malaysia tatler . january 2018
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malaysia tatler . january 2018
L I F E . E X T R AO R D I NA RY
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Aaron Pereira Lily Ong Kathlyn D’Souza, Samantha Lim, R achel Ng Priyanka R amchandani James Suckling, Justine Lee, Kee Foong, 9^Whb[d[ 9e" Nicolette Wong, Oliver Giles Tunku Dara Naquiah Emilie Yabut-R azon Jakki Phillips Millie Stephanie Lukito Anton San Diego Paris Kuo Terence Lim Tracy Huang Naphalai Areesorn
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Malaysia Tatler is published monthly, 12 times per year by Edipresse Media Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Suite 2A-19-2, Level 19, Block 2A, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur Tel +603 2780 8833 Fax +603 2780 8822 Email myinfo@edipressemedia.com. Printed by Percetakan Zanders Sdn Bhd (205766A), 16, Jalan BK 1/11, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel +603-5623 9393 Fax +603 5623 9200. Colour Separation by MagNaColor K.O.L Sdn Bhd (392047K). Malaysia Tatler is published by Edipresse Media Malaysia Sdn Bhd (230081-U). Malaysia Tatler is a registered trademark of Edipresse Media Asia Limited and is used by Edipresse Media Malaysia Sdn Bhd (230081-U) underlicence from the trademark owner. Copyright 2018 by Edipresse Media Asia Limited. All materials published remain the property of Edipresse Media Malaysia Sdn Bhd (230081-U). Materials submitted for publication are sent at the owner’s own risk and while every care is taken, neither Malaysia Tatler nor its agents accepts any liability for loss or damage. Subscribe Subscribe to Malaysia Tatler for just RM175 (12 issues), US$260 for Asia (12 issues by airmail), US$340 for United Kingdom, USA and the rest of the world (12 issues by airmail). Call 603 2780 8833 or subscribe online at www.edipressemedia.com. Remittance to be sent to Edipresse Media Malaysia Sdn Bhd (230081-U) Suite 2A-19-2, Level 19, Block 2A, Plaza Sentral, Jalan Stesen Sentral 5, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
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EDITOR’S NOTE
MALAYSIA TATLER JANUARY 2018 PHOTOGRAPHY shaffiq farhan GROOMING joey yap
L I F E
R A O R D I N A R Y
January 201
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Work to Progress
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appy new year dear readers! It feels that 2017 passed by so quickly but I’m glad that it’s over. It’s been a challenging year, with a lot of us feeling the pinch of inflation, which affected businesses and the resulting rising cost of everything from food to household expenditures. Some companies are forced to make hard choices, cutting staff or even worse, folding up. The watchword is change or die. But there are some that are doing well, rising like a phoenix out of the current bearish market. Built by a relatively young developer, SkyWorld’s SkyAwani home series is so popular that its third development—SkyAwani 3— recorded a 90 percent take-up within three hours, with registrants showing up as early as 6.30am! Meeting the founder and group managing director of SkyWorld led me to the positive conclusion that here is one man who identified a problem in the property glut and is fixing it. Over lunch at Sage, he expressed, eloquently I might add, that many people can’t afford to buy houses at such exorbitant prices. We nodded in agreement. For him, being able to own a house is very important, therefore his mission is clear and simple: build affordable housing in strategic locations but with emphasis on quality. In fact, so strong is their commitment that they recently unveiled the RM3.8 million SkyWorld Quality Centre, the first of its kind in the country.
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PROPERT DATUK N Y DEVELOPER TAKES HI G THIEN PHING TO QUALIS RESPONSIBILI TY TY VERY SERIOUS LY
It’s good that we are starting the year right with someone like Datuk Ng Thien Phing for our January cover. For our interview with him, he graciously allowed us to ‘tail’ him as he goes about his work day, starting with a hearty breakfast, then to a site visit at Ascenda Residences to review the handover process, a stopover at the SkyWorld Quality Centre, and finishing with a peculiar hobby of his—driving all over KL to survey land banks. This led to insightful conversations that proved fascinating. Read all about it on page 128. Also featured are interview profiles of Dahlia Nadirah, who created her own cosmetics line as well as Masahiko Uotani, who developed a unique hybrid culture in a traditional beauty company. Find out what drives them to success, in our Close-Up section. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of what this issue has to offer—our favourite Cruise 2018 collections for the fashionista, a Trans-Siberian adventure for the global nomad, the best wines by Wolf-Blass for the connoisseur, and many more, to satisfy and meet your refined tastes in all aspects of life. —Elizabeth Soong Managing Editor
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SERVING UP IDEAS Datuk Ng Thien Phing is clear about what he wants to achieve, which is to make homes affordable
malaysia tatler . january 2018
CONTRIBUTORS
ALEX SLAVYCZ The Shanghai- and Hong Kong-based artistic and creative director plays with lavish garb and bold aesthetics in Body of Art
HUANG JIAQI The Shanghai-based photographer, stylist and model captures floral prints and delicate embroideries in Body of Art
Who would play you in a movie? Meryl Streep, I think she’s versatile enough to play a man.
Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon. What’s the word you use the most? Hahaha. Facebook or Instagram? Instagram. When are you happiest? When I’m doing the things I love. Name three icons of the past or present you would invite to your ideal dinner party. I’d rather not have dinner with my icons.
KHAIRUN NISA This consultant focuses on devising strategies to futureproof businesses and possesses a strong belief in sustainable tourism Who would you play in a movie? Erin Brockovich. When are you the happiest? When I’m on the road, I really enjoy travelling!
Name three icons of the past or present you would invite to your ideal dinner party. Nikola Tesla, David Bowie and Tilda Swinton. Next holiday destination? My house. My bed. What’s the word you use the most? While messaging, it would have to be ‘lol’. Who would you like to get stuck in a lift with? Nobody.
JOEY YAP This makeup artist puts the finishing touches on our cover star What’s your happiest memory? Giving birth to my child. If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? I would love to be able to teleport to where I need to be. What was the last lie you told? I can’t remember because honestly, I hate lying. Where is your happy space? Any place that has a peaceful and positive environment.
Facebook or Instagram? That’s actually quite a hard one. I would have to say both. What is the one thing you can’t live without? My kids!
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M A L AYS I A TAT L E R
CONCIERGE This month’s must-do list
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VERY VINTAGE Ushera takes us back to the past with her upcoming performance this month at Ilham Gallery
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INBOX
TATLERGRAMS
WHAT’S ON
Three women scientists were awarded a prestigious fellowship for their research, adding a feather to their cap
Being surrounded by good company is part of what makes the festivities so much better, like these snapshots show
Not quite sure what to do to kickstart the year? We’ve got a few suggestions for you. Hint: let the music heal your soul
CONCIERGE | INBOX
RUMOUR MILL
WOMEN IN SCIENCE Dr Jasy Liew, Dr Ho Weang Kee and Dr Teh Su Yean won the coveted fellowship
BRAINY BEAUTIES L’Oréal and Unesco honour three outstanding scientists through its annual awards
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omen are steadily climbing corporate and career ladders to reach their fullest of potentials— even when it comes to male-dominated industries such as that of science; as last October, three women won the prestigious L’Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science Fellowship. In its 12th year already, the annual fellowship was created and granted to
recognise and promote the contribution of female scientists. The partnership was true to both organisations’ ethos, as L’Oréal was founded by scientist Eugene Schueller, and has been celebrating women’s confidence for over a century. Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has also advocated for gender equality in the cultivation of scientific knowledge since 1945.
BEING FRIENDLY HAS ITS PERKS… but avoid being overly so, as it caused one socialite a great deal of inconvenience to have to host a stepmother and a stepdaughter at two separate functions instead of one, to avoid offending either.
NOBODY LIKES A FLAKY PERSON... and this much rings true after a socialite RSVPed for two different parties but never bothered to show up at either. After standing up the hosts, she posted a photo of herself having dinner in another restaurant.
These three women have been researching on how to tackle global challenges, while saving the lives of millions: DR HO WEANG KEE The 35-year-old Dr Ho is from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, and has developed a risk predilection model for breast cancer, which uses DNA and lifestyle information to identify individuals who are at risk of cancer, and provide early detection. Thus, saving the lives of many.
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DR JASY LIEW Dr Liew of Universiti Sains Malaysia is recognised for building a system that detects signs of depression by analysing emotional patterns on social media. She hopes that the emotionsensitive technology will encourage early diagnosis and treatment.
DR TEH SU YEAN Working on sustainable resource management, Dr Teh, associate professor at the School of Mathematical Science in Universiti Sains Malaysia, is building a model that will help conserve groundwater, for when other water sources get depleted due to climate change.
WEDDING WOES ARE CAPABLE OF TURNING ANYONE INTO ENEMIES... even sisters. While organising a big wedding, two sisters got into a big fight—but managed to make up before the big day; otherwise they would have had to forever hold their peace.
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120, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. TEL. +603 2093 9888
CONCIERGE | SMALL TALK
BACK TO THE CLASSICS As Semalam di Malaya blasts off this month at ILHAM Gallery, Kathlyn D’Souza speaks to singer-songwriter Ushera about the upcoming show she’s starring in
What was the process of putting the whole show together like? It all started with my research via Radio Klasik RTM. The study itself went on for about almost a year. I picked my songs based on the sound that had Western, Latin and Irama Melayu influences. But of course, from the bunch I picked, Ganesh (my pianist) then decided what he felt would be best to put together in an album. How would you describe the music? Stylistically, the album is a combination of orchestral, musical, and Latin beats plus jazz, all with a slightly modern twist. In striving to preserve the classic sounds of the era, Ganesh kept intact much of the melody and harmony of the original recordings’ musical arrangements, while adding colour, dynamics and timbre to the finished production.
As such, listeners can expect an overall cinematic experience as a result of the album’s wide spectrum and dynamics—granting them a thoroughly enjoyable concert-hall experience. You must be a huge fan of the 1940s and 1950s. What about it that appeals to you? Yes, you are right about that! I don’t know… I love everything about it. I do watch a lot of movies that are from, or set in this era. I don’t only love the music and the fashion from back then. I love every detail about this era. The way people speak, the cars, and the furniture. It’s hard for me to explain everything with words. Any artistes from that era that you look up to? Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, P Ramlee and Nona Asiah. What can the audience expect when they come to see your show? It’ll be informative and entertaining! We would like to share our view of the ‘Golden Era of Malayan Music’. It will be great to meet others with similar interests and exchange our views. For the first time, we will share with the audience about the whole production process of Semalam di Malaya—from research up to the musical arrangement process. It’ll be a blast!
SEMALAM DI MALAYA: USHERA & GANESH will premiere on January 27, at ILHAM Gallery. For more information, visit ilhamgallery.com or semalamdimalaya.com
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malaysia tatler . january 2018
PHOTOGRAPHY: SEAN WONG
Tell us about the upcoming Semalam di Malaya: Ushera & Ganesh show this month. The show will discuss what we term as ‘The Golden Era’ of Malayan music. What was happening during the ’40s and the ’50s and how it influenced our musical styles. We will also perform some numbers from the album itself.
CONCIERGE | TATLERGRAM
COME TOGETHER Being surrounded by good company is part of what makes the festivities so much better, as seen in these snapshots of catch-up sessions
@rowenabaker Rowena Baker There is nothing better than sharing a cup of tea amongst friends. Even if it is in the middle of remote western Mongolia and freezing cold! Cold??? What cold??? @ilisulaiman Ili Sulaiman A wise woman reminded me the other day that ‘Friendships shouldn’t be hard’— and these ladies make it so easy
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@babydolly27 Meera Sen Delicious bday brunch for dear @gatsbybaby & secret santa exchange of gifts with these lovely mummies!
@hansisaac Hans Isaac Good to catch up with my Kakak @salmimobin and abang Azan. Am so fortunate to have such a good supportive friend. Tq for always having my back Kak.
@datozainab Puan Sri Dato’ Sri Zainab Abdul Kader #belatedbirthday celebration ... happy to see u all together & taking care of each other...
@tunkunadia Tunku Nadia Naquiyuddin Good times on It’s The Ship! 2017 with this bunch!
@shahrezza61 Dato’ Sri Raja Rezza Shah Beautiful Beautiful People at the #lotus Dinner
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CONCIERGE | WHAT’S ON
jan
Start your year right with an exciting line-up of exhilarating programmes this month
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THE BEST OF BERNSTEIN’S BROADWAY Open the year by celebrating the best of Bernstein’s timeless Broadway music from West Side Story, On the Town, Wonderful Town, and Peter Pan. mpo.com.my
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20 BERNSTEIN AT 100 The Leonard Bernstein tribute continues with his Symphony No 2 The Age of Anxiety, the Divertimento for Orchestra and the Three Dance Episodes. mpo.com.my
MAHARAJAS OF COMEDY India’s funniest comics will be joined by Malaysia’s Jason Leong for a night of non-stop laughter. ticketpro.com.my
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MANFRED IN MUSIC Byron’s tale of Manfred, a Faustian nobleman tortured by guilt and the death of his beloved Astarte, is heard in musical representations by Schumann and Tchaikovsky. mpo.com.my
FLEET FOXES Five-piece Grammynominated American indie folk band Fleet Foxes performs their highly anticipated third album, CrackUp, this month at KL Live. Indie fans get your tickets at ticketpro.com.my
THE XX— XX I SEE YOU 2018, MITEC KL In The xx’s latest offering, I See You, they reveal themselves exploring a more playful, eclectic and expansive musical direction. The band is set to make history with their first show in Malaysia—don’t miss it! ticketpro.com.my
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27 ‘THE INVINCIBLE 2’ JAY CHOU CONCERT TOUR 2018 Catch Jay Chou and his team of talented musicians and dancers in Part 2 of ‘The Invincible’ Jay Chou Concert Tour. ticketcharge. com.my
THE MIRACULOUS MANDARIN This FrenchHungarian night is dedicated to those who perished in World War One. The night opens with Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and continues with Poulenc and Bartók. mpo.com.my
CARTAGENA
GENEVA
MELBOURNE
UTAH
JANUARY 5–16
JANUARY 15–19
JANUARY 15–28
JANUARY 18–28
The Colombian seaside town serves up a feast of classics by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and more during the Cartagena International Music Festival. cartagenamusicfestival.com
Thirty-five watchmakers— including Piaget and IWC— promise to deliver spectacular artistry and innovation at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. sihh.org
Defending champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams go up against the biggest names in tennis at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament, the Australian Open. ausopen.com
Some 45,000 film buffs will flock to Park City for the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, the biggest US celebration of independent cinema and storytellers. sundance.org
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CONCIERGE | FEAST
#FITFEASTING Transitioning from feasting to getting fit? We’ve got some healthy eats for you to aid your post-festive binge
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SOMETHING’S FISHY
KURIN
Want to keep your diet going swimmingly well? Try Kurin’s Wasabi Mayo Tuna Don. A variety of fresh greens and diced tuna chunks topped with the zing of wasabi mayo, it’s as healthy as it gets. Top it off with ebikko, nori flakes, spring onions, crispy garlic chips, or a deliciously runny onsen egg. kurin.com.my
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MAKE NO MI-STEAK FITTIE SENSE
It would be a shame to miss out on your favourite steak just because you’re on a cleaneat week. Not to worry though, because you can get your meaty fix at Fittie Sense. With roast grass-fed
MAN ENO N UGH? THE GOOD CO
It doesn’t take a man to finnish the Macho Nachos from The Good Co. Glutenn-free tortilla chips, pulled BBQ mushrooms, avocados, tomato salsa and jalapenos generously topped with cheese will shove those cravings right out the window. thegoodco.my
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sirloin nestled amid generous helpings of house-fermented kimchi and 10-grain rice salad, it’d be a huge mistake to miss out on this tasty and beefy dish, or should we say... it would be a huge missed steak. facebook.com/myfittiesense
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AREN’T CH(I)A FINE
RAWSOME
Want dessert but don’t want to ruin your diet? Go for Rawsome’s signature chia puddings, with flavours like coconut mango jelly, coffee chia, chocoholic, or the decadent choco banana with salted cacao nibs. Or have their healthy meals delivered to you if you want something more filling. rawsome.co NOT GRANNY’S GRANOLA BIRCH
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Homemade granola beats store-bought cereals anytime— especially when it’s Birch’s special mix of homemade granola, vanilla infused Greek yoghurt, seasonal fruit salad all drizzled with organic rainforest honey. Don’t be a cereal killer, and chow down on the homey flavours of the Huckleberry Granola Bowl instead to curb your cravings.
SAY ‘CHEESE’! MARMALADE
Dread giving up your favourite dairy drug? Marmalade transforms our cheesy guilty pleasure into a squeaky-clean trio of open faced sandwiches topped with homemade basil pesto green eggs, grilled chicken avocado, and smashed eggs with avocado and chives.
birch.com.my
facebook.com/marmalade.kl.my
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KONE-UCUPIA OF DELIGHT KIND KONES
Forget about your no-ice-cream diet, Kind Kones is here to change the way you think about ice cream. Free from egg, dairy, refined sugar, emulsifier, preservatives as well as additives, artificial colouring and flavouring, Kind Kones carries a wide range of classic and seasonal flavours, perfect for when you want to ease down with a pint of cold, creamy comfort.
facebook.com/kindkones
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FACES M A L AYS I A TAT L E R
The people, the parties and the events
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IT’S A LOVE STORY Two lovebirds embark on a new journey as they make their very first entrance as husband and wife
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THE INVITATION
SOIREE
LEADING LADIES
CLOSE-UP
ONLOOKER
Two beautiful couples tie the knot in lavish celebrations
A poolside birthday party, and an exciting gala dinner
These three women have bagging rights to style
Get up and close with three individuals and their goals
The glitz and glamour from fun-filled events around town
WEDDING OF DATUK AIRIQUE SOO AND DATIN DORCAS LEONG WHEN November 18, 2017 WHERE The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur DID YOU KNOW The shy Datuk Airique thanked a few friends for encouraging him to pursue his lady love.
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Ivan Moo and Constance Kuan
malaysia tatler . january 2018
THE INVITATION | FACES
Oceans Deep, Mountains High Datuk Airique Soo and Datin Dorcas Leong officiated their union with a grand marine-themed wedding
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fter years of searching for the right woman, Datuk Airique Soo thought he would never find the one, until one day at a dinner party. There, he was introduced to Dorcas Leong, and the CEO of Hwa Tai Industries Berhad turned bashful around the demure nutritionist—although he warmed up to her mother, Wee Yoon Keow, and exchanged business cards with her. The next day, unable to stop thinking about the beautiful lady he met, he texted Madam Wee to ask for Dorcas’ email address—too shy to ask for her mobile number. To his delight, Madam Wee understood his intention and replied him with Dorcas’ number—wordlessly giving him consent to pursue her daughter.
Six years later, the couple finally made their relationship official in a church ceremony at the KL Baptist Church, followed by a family lunch reception at the Shang Palace, Shangri-La Hotel KL. But as a distinguished businessman and man about town, it was natural for Datuk Airique to put together another reception for his close friends and business associates a week later at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Upon arrival, guests excitedly stopped to take photos at the oceanic backdrop, although inside the venue was no less spectacular. Themed ‘Under the Sea’, in reflection of the couple’s love of the sea and diving, the entire grand ballroom of The Majestic was awash in blue lighting and decorated with marine elements, such as seashells, starfish and jellyfish, as free flow cognac and wine were served to buoy everyone’s moods. Once the ballroom doors opened, guests took their seats and enjoyed the smooth-sailing night.
Teh Wen Li, Soo Shea Pin, Terence Teh and Teh Wen Fei
Wee Yoon Keow and Chu Fong Ming
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FACES | THE INVITATION
Soo Ching Ling and Samet Ali
Jassica Choo Penny Gan, Kim Ho, Elaine Chin and Esther Zhao
nd Melissa a Wong e n ri e th a C
SEA-ING IS BELIEVING To the unmistakable tune of the bridal march, the dashing groom and his lovely bride made their grand entrance. In the spirit of the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happiness, Datuk Airique and his father Soo Thien Ming announced that they will be donating RM1 million to the Chong Hwa Independent School, after which guests enjoyed a sumptuous 10-course dinner.
Yap Lee Yong
Jan Chin and Key Ng
Lau Eng Liang and Stephanie Pang
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Elgan Hung, Emily Hon and YS Lee
FACES | THE INVITATION
Wendy Saw and Canny Yau
Soo Thien Ming, Datuk Airique Soo and Datuk Seri Lim Keng Cheng
THE INSIDER
500 ďŹ shes were integrated intto the wedding decoration, as masterminded by the teaam behind Spring Cottage
Cherrie W ong and Timothy Leong
Edwin, Hannah and Chermaine Lam Tunku Datuk Johanez and Che Puan Datin Winnie Low
Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai
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Puan Sri Wendy Lim and Tan Sri Lim Huah Leong
FACES | THE INVITATION
The Royal Treatment The wedding ceremony of Tengku Dato’ Indera Aidy Ahmad Shah and Datin Indera Mai Nurliyana was filled with equal parts formality and fun
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hile newlywed couples are usually treated like royalty on their special day, Tengku Dato’ Indera Aidy Ahmad Shah and Datin Indera Mai Nurliyana will receive the royal treatment for the rest of their lives together. The groom, and grandson of HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, was given the green light to wed the love of his life, which was realised through their bersanding ceremony in the grand ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. Among one of the grandest weddings of the year, the event was graced by aristocracy, government officials and enterprising businesspersons. Malaysia’s Minister of Defence, Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, was seen in the company of his wife, Tengku Datin Seri Marsilla Abdullah, a graceful princess from Pahang. Zara Jane Tan Abdullah, cofounder of The Healthy Food People and director of Astute Malaysia, Nikky Azura, cofounder of Nailsmith Spa and Bar in Publika, and Natasha Mohammad Ozeir, cofounder of Pretty Suci, were also spotted snapping photos together in the hallway. But the highest ranking official was no doubt none other than the Sultan of Pahang, HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah himself. A successful collaboration between Weddings By Emma and Rerama Weddings & Events resulted in a lavish wedding unlike any other. The grand ballroom was a vision in gold while the pelamin or royal dais was lit with fuschia, pink and purple lights. Dressed in matching emerald green garb with a gold brocade, the couple celebrated their special day with some 1,000 guests. The bride, whose hands still bore henna paint from a few days earlier, looked sweet and petite next to her husband, who’s the deputy head of KotaSAS, vice president of the Kuantan Rangers FC, and founder of Hitam Putih Muaythai Gym. A symbolic ceremony, which included the swapping of nasi adap-adapan and the sprinkling of rose water on the couple, was followed by a live concert by famed Indonesian singer Cakra Khan, who kicked off the show by belting out Rod Stewart’s Have I Told You Lately (that I love you). But nothing could have prepared the bride and groom for the next surprise: a flash mob performed to Michael Jackson hits. Dressed in suspenders and black hats, the dance troupe’s antics caused the couple’s faces to break out in smiles. While most guests were happy to tuck into a wholesome meal of Malay specialities such as beef rendang, whole snapper in a sweet and sour sauce, and spiced yellow rice, others were more excited to post photos of the event using the official hashtag #Maidy17.
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WEDDING OF TENGKU DATO’ INDERA AIDY AND DATIN INDERA MAI NURLIYANA WHEN October 14, 2017 WHERE Mandarin Oriental, KL DID YOU KNOW The groom wore an heirloom keris
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FACES | THE INVITATION
Tengku Aishah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Dato’ Hafez Mohamed, Datuk Seri Shah Rezza, Tengku Puteri Tan Sri Meriam and Azrinaz Mazhar
THE INSIDER
Datin Sri Mary Lourdes and Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran
The couple was slightly bashful during the swapping of ‘nasi adap-adapan’ but succeeded sans making a mess
Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Hussein Maizira and Maizura Muhd Tan Sri Lim Cheng Pau and Adam Lim
Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
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Datin Seri Dato’ Che Mahani Ismail
Roy and Aiman Rasidi
Datin Shariffah Noor Rita and Dato’ Dr Zainal Azizan
HRH Sultanah Kalsom
HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah anointing the newlyweds
Tengku Tan Sri Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar and Tunku Puteri Puan Sri Jawahir
AT ATTENTION
Tengku Datin Seri Marsilla Abdullah
The whole ballroom rose to their feet as a sign of reverence and respect for HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah, of Pahang, whose grand entrance was marked by an enthusiastic kompang band. He was wheeled onto the dais where he blessed the newlyweds and anointed their hands as per Malay tradition. Other senior members of the family followed suit, blessing the couple likewise, in a touching, traditional ceremony.
Vijay Pandian and Kressna Davahran
Datin Nina Juren, Dato’ Ziela Jalil and Dato’ Sri Zahini Yussof
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enjamin Baylee, B in m ja n e B g beth Yon and Eliza
Teh Lip Jin,Toh Su Quinn, Chad and Casper Teh
Big Ben’s Day Out BENJAMIN YONG’S 40TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Ryan and Ru Chong with their son Zachary
Eat, swim, get feet massaged, drink, repeat—guests indulged in a full cycle of treats at Benjamin Yong’s 40th birthday bash. Four months after he threw his wife a sensational do for her 30th birthday, Elizabeth returned the favour in a big way for his birthday, by organising a poolside event that delighted adults and children alike. Guests like Olivia Ling, Tengku Datin Paduka Setia Zatashah and Marion Caunter were treated to a sumptuous buffet that included the birthday boy’s favourite dishes like uni sushi, Wagyu steak and truffle cacio e pepe made in a cheese wheel.
Kristy Yong and SH Yong
Hanson and Khoo Kim
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SOIREE | FACES 4IBBO $IBO BOE 1BU -JFX
"MFY 5BO 6OH :JV -JO &V +JO $IVDL :FPI BOE ,ZBO :BQ BOE UIFJS ZPVOHßVOT $ISJTUJOF )JB BOE %BO /JU[FSJBO
#MBLF "[BMFF :POH THE INSIDER
In conjunction with her husband’s 40th birthday, Elizabeth had 40 swan floats drifting in the pool &ENVOE 3FBE ,FO -JN BOE %S (FPSHF -FF
)FMFO 3FBE
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FACES | SOIREE
All For One, One For All THE MUSKETEERS OF MALAYSIA CONGREGATE AT RUYI & LYN Sabres were unsheathed and Armagnac was swigged at the fifth chapter of the Malaysian Squadron of the Compagnie des Mousquetaires d’Armagnac. The international foundation, which comprises some 3,000 members in five continents, defends common values upholding quality food, wine, spirits and service. Ruyi & Lyn played the gracious host this year by setting the scene for the lavish proceedings attended by dignitaries HE Frédéric Laplanche, ambassador of France to Malaysia, and Tan Sri Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, former secretary general of MITI. Five varieties of champagnes by Moët & Chandon flowed freely throughout the night as French fare was carted out of the kitchen. The highlight of the evening was the ‘Mousquetaires intronisation’ or coronation ceremony, which saw the induction of six new members by Jean-Bernard Guillemin, captain lieutenant of the Malaysian Squadron.
HE Frédéric
Laplanche
Ming Ho, Jacquelline Yap and Irene Chen
Caroline Pelaez-Hue and Lionel Roy
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Yap Teak Sing and Shawna Yap
Jerome Bellemin and Benjamin Gaszynski
Abdoul Aziz Ba Jean-Bernard Guillemin and Mathieu Duchemin
Tan Sri Rebecca Joanne Froggatt Fatima Sta Maria
THE INSIDER
Laetitia Boura
True to French fashion, the menu saw plenty of foie gras and duck dishes
Emeline Dickinson and Anne Flogny
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FACES | LEADING LADIES
Bag That! Start the new year with a bag, as we take a look at some options which will make for the perfect arm candy
Fyza Kadir
Datin Azila Caramella
FARAH KHAN DRESS Send hearts aï¬&#x201A;utter when you sling this piece by Gucci over your shoulders
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FENDI RESORT WEAR This seasonal Prada bag is just what we need for those retro vibes
Lynn Lim
LOUIS VUITTON BAG Capture attention with this stunning red Miu Miu bag
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FACES | CLOSE-UP
The Business of Beauty
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here was a Coke can on the table, next to where Masahiko Uotani was to be seated prior to our interview. “Ah, a Coke can! Funny that; my old company,” the tall, affable man expressed as he walked in and observed the red and white can sitting in front of him. It wasn’t just an old company— actually, he was CMO and CEO at Coca-Cola in Japan and globally, respectively. That’s just one of the many roles he has helmed during his 30-year tenure in marketing and management at the FMCG company. So how did he venture into the beauty industry? “After working at Coca-Cola, I retired, and was going to really enjoy my retirement by playing golf every day with my wife. But, I decided to start a marketing consultancy company with a group of friends along the way. Shiseido became my client in 2013,” explained Masahiko. It was during then that the board members told him that they were working on a succession plan for their CEO, and that they have decided to appoint someone from outside. It was surprising news to Masahiko that such a traditional Japanese company like Shiseido was going to appoint an outsider for this role, for the first time in its traditional 140-year history. “We have decided it is going to be you. Can we ask you to take up this challenge?” Those were the exact words conveyed to him. The company was struggling a fair bit at the time, and they had this sense of urgency to revive the business. “I couldn’t say ‘yes’ immediately, because it was a huge
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challenge—transforming Japanese companies like Shiseido,” confessed Masahiko, “At the same time, I had retired from the corporate life. I really had to think and discuss it with my wife. So it took me a couple of weeks before making my decision.” Having been with Coca-Cola for over 20 years, he has certainly learned a lot. “I have a strong belief of the concept ‘Think Global, but Act Local’. We need to combine both. That’s what I learned from Coca-Cola, apart from the fact that brand value is an important intangible asset to the company. I also learned that, when you build brands, who really makes it happen? It’s the people. So building an organisation with a winning culture and people who are enthusiastic and passionate about building brands is so important.” His current modus operandi is what he calls a ‘hybrid model’. Japan, as we know, is a very homogenous country. But if it wants to be a global company, which is very diverse, in terms of language, nationality and so on, there needs to be a huge change in mindsets. “But at the same time, we don’t want to lose our original identity of being Japanese and running a Japanese company. So, when you combine where you’re from and where you want to be in the global context, that is what I call a hybrid model.” That aside, Masahiko wears many hats: the vice president of Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, director at both Japan Business Federation and Japan Marketing Association, plus board member of Columbia Business School Japan Alumni club. How on earth does he do it? “It’s simple! I work 24 hours a day! That’s it,” he answered with a laugh.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRIS JUNG
After 140 years, Masahiko Uotani became the first Shiseido president to be appointed from outside the company. Kathlyn D’Souza had the opportunity to chat with him during his one-day only visit to Malaysia’s Shiseido Tower
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In Full Bloom Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just lip service for Dahlia Nadirah when it comes to developing her cosmetic start-up So.lek. It is a calling that she cannot ignore, writes Lily Ong
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CLOSE-UP | FACES
LOCATION: BEN’S BY BIG; PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAFFIQ FARHAN; ART DIRECTION: SYAHLIA ALBINA SARI; HAIR & MAKEUP: SHALLEE LEE
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n many cultures, a dahlia is prized for its beauty and elegance; and in the Victorian era, dahlias are also viewed as symbols of love and commitment, which is why it is still commonly used in wedding celebrations today. Thus it is no surprise that when Dahlia Nadirah was born, this name was given by her parents in hopes that she would be as beautiful and resilient as the flower. And her name is certainly apt, because the driven founder of So.lek Cosmetics embodies the above values, and so much more. The eldest among four siblings, Dahlia is very close to her family—especially her parents Juhari Ibrahim and Normah Yusoff, whom she cites as role models. “My father is very much a corporate figure and has achieved a lot in his life. But as a woman, I really look up to my mother. She is kind, thoughtful, hardworking, meticulous and she has a big heart with integrity. She studied zoology and biology but somehow she managed to start her own engineering company from scratch. In between building her company, she managed to raise a family and put food on the table every night. She is nothing short of amazing and I hope to be like her one day,” Dahlia says. Indeed, she has taken many steps to emulate her mother. Not only is Dahlia a key driving force behind thriving Malaysian cosmetic business So.lek with her brother Luqman, she is also a loving wife to musician Khairil ‘Loque’ Ridzwan Anuar and hands-on mother to two girls, Anggerik and Seroja. Dahlia’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2015, when she took a break from a demanding job as a social media manager at RHB Bank to seek some peace and clarity. She went on holiday to New York, where she decompressed by doing plenty of retail therapy in the Big Apple. “I have never been a makeup enthusiast but when I was at the pharmacy, I was obsessed with lip mattes that were affordable and of really good quality. It got me thinking,” she shares. At the same time, Kylie Jenner’s lip kit products were launched and became a sensation, making Dahlia realise that her intuition was on the mark. “I came back to
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Malaysia determined to give the cosmetic business a try,” she says. The beginning of her journey came with its own set of challenges—one was that Dahlia was not able to find the right formulation for the lip matte that she wanted. “I have dry lips, so I was adamant that we get the formula right. Fortunately after a lengthy search, I found a supplier who was open to our input of incorporating olive oil in the product for a moisturising effect,” she remarks. Her lip matte Gincu by So.lek rolled out first, accumulating a cult following. Women wrote in by the dozens to thank Dahlia for creating a product that suited their sensitive lips. Knowing she had made a difference in these women’s lives thrilled Dahlia, and gave her a sense of fulfilment. It was clear upon examining her products that Dahlia has a bigger mission in mind— one that transcends physical beauty. An arts and culture buff to the core and a proud Malaysian, Dahlia envisioned So.lek to represent the best of our diverse and multicultural society. She incorporates tiny but meaningful details into So.lek, naming her products after items like local flowers (seroja),
“I want to start a conversation on what it means to be Malaysian” mythical characters (Mahsuri) and dances (joget) that are unique to our Southeast Asian region. “With my products, I want to start a conversation on what it means to be Malaysian, especially on the aspect of our culture that is unique to us,” she says. “The best feedback I ever received was when one of my customers told me that after buying our Tari Gang’s Asyik lip matte, she felt compelled to Google up and find out what ‘asyik’ was (a type of dance). She then told me how she was moved by the dance’s beauty,” relates Dahlia, who worked hard to ensure her brand is a reflection of her passions and values. “I want So.lek to be a company that not only helps you beautify your looks, but your mind and spirit as well,” she says.
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CLOSE-UP | FACES
Children’s Champion Brian John Yim isn’t just a singer-songwriter and the cofounder of Junior Lookbook. Deep inside there’s a big heart ready to reach out to the differently abled, Kathlyn D’Souza discovers
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAFFIQ FARHAN; ART DIRECTION: SYAHLIA ALBINA SARI
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rian john yim was a recording artiste when he met his current business partner, Matthew Benjamin Yoon, who had styled him for his performances. And together, the duo launched Junior Lookbook—the first luxury international brand concept store for layettes, kids and teenagers—carrying junior line apparels and accessories from big fashion houses such as Fendi, Kenzo Kids, Lanvin Paris, Emilio Pucci Junior, Young Versace, Paul Smith Junior, Stella McCartney Kids, Aigner Kids and more. But this wasn’t merely just a fashion spinoff for Brian, or fashion for the sake of fashion and the need to fill in a niche market. It is genuinely driven by his love for children. “For those who know me personally, I have been an advocate for children, especially for those who are orphaned or come from broken families, and those with learning disabilities. Junior Lookbook is a business, yes, but it is also an avenue where I can give back to the children. I believe the next generation of kids need more love than before.” As a child, growing up without a father had led him to be more empathetic throughout his life. An instance had him donating money (from the very little that he had) as a university student, to support an orphan from India through a non-profit organisation. Even during his career as a recording artiste, Brian indulged in various charity projects that saw him teach a group of young orphans from Ti-Ratana Homes to sing. Brian went on to further champion his cause by training and forming the world’s first autistic children’s choir—an act that catapulted him into getting listed as an Honoree in 2010’s Malaysia Book of Records.
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“I personally handpicked and trained 25 children between the ages of six and 12 to sing a song which I’d written for them entitled Show Me The Way,” says Brian. After nine months of training, he launched the choir on June 28, 2010 at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra concert hall, after which the audience had given the choir a standing ovation and shed tears of joy. “I’ve learnt that life is not about how much wealth and talent you try to acquire, but how you share your wealth and talent with the less fortunate,” adds Brian. For some, getting into such a prestigious list would be the epitome of success, but that was just a start for Brian. Through events like Silent Walk 2012 and 2013, and whenever he was invited to sing, he would bring along his autistic students to perform. He had also personally invested in a mini album for Umar, an autistic boy. It was the first CD released by someone with autism, let alone a 12-year-old, and it included two songs written by Brian himself. The ASEAN Festival of Disabled Artists in 2014 also had Brian training two autistic kids to perform as Malaysian representatives. These great feats did not go unrecognised as he promptly emerged as part of the elite Top 8 Outstanding Young Malaysian Honorees in 2015. For now however, Brian is focusing on building Junior Lookbook, with the opening of a new concept store in Robinsons, Four Seasons KL and its other expansion plans. He may be busy, and things will change and progress, but his golden heart will remain.
SINGING FROM THE SOUL Brian with his first autistic choir in 2010
“I believe the next generation of kids need more love than before”
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FACES | ONLOOKER
Empowering the Enterprising MEET THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS OF 2017
Joey Woo and Jeffrey Yang
Marcus KL Liew Dr Kris See Ke Shyang
This year’s winners, identifiable by a badge on their left lapels, were heavily clapped on the back and wished hearty congratulations for receiving recognition as the nation’s boldest businesspersons. VVIP Dato’ KK Chua, founder and CEO of Armani Media, handed out gleaming trophies to the gracious winners at the event— fittingly themed ‘Opulence’.
KK Chua Khiu, Dato’ n vi al C ’ o Dat i oon Sze Fu and Datin M
Simon Kang, Steve Wee and Datin Sri Joey Low
Angel Chow, Teh Gaik Cheong, Very Ong Beng Nong, KY Lin, Datin Kuan Chu Ling and Dato’ Joe Yew Sin Yoo
Tee Lin Yik and Denise Lee Li San
Tan Sri Dr M Kayveas
Dato’ Afdlin Shauki, Michael Ang, Dato’ AC Mizal, Nabil Ahmad, Wak Doyok and Rozita Che Wan
Dato’ Sri Jack
ie Tor and YenK
Azizan Osman
Yen Ong, Weedy Gan, Shiok Leng and Eunice Yuan
ai Chong
Dato’ Wan Latiff Wan Musa
Datuk Ahmad Maslan and Dato’ Colin Tan
Jack Lim and Dato’ Vince Kek
Jeff Chin
THE INSIDER
MIYE DJ Alexis kept the party going till the wee hours of the morn malaysia tatler . january 2018
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FACES | ONLOOKER
THE INSIDER
The night ended on a high note with rising star Jeryl Lee Pei Ling of Sing! China fame belting out popular songs
Dato’ Simon Foong
, Datuk ed Cheng Datuk Alfr and Mohamad im Andrew L sri Mohd Nor Ba l u n a s s a H
Datin Rita Shum and Lovell Ho
Nick Siew, Andre Lim and Derrick Lim
Dr Andrea Lim
Touch of Class SOGO KL LAUNCHES TOUCH SOGO FOUNDATION Jason Goh and Jane Tan Lucas Sandral, Dr Shaun Alexander and Erin Sandral
Carrie Chuah and Colin Edmonds
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Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed
Sogo celebrated its 23rd anniversary with a gala dinner at Shangri-La Hotel KL, with an opening act that saw violinist Joanne Yeoh perform several rousing melodies. Touch Sogo Foundation was then launched before a fashion display by Sogo’s young designers drew the attention of guests. Next, Carven Ong’s latest collection was showcased on the runway, while judges deliberated on the winners for the young designers’ fashion show.
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FACES | ONLOOKER
Time Capsule 60 YEARS OF BREITLING SUPEROCEAN Breitling and its retail partner Cortina Watch Malaysia, celebrated the launch of its new boutique at Suria KLCC in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of its emblematic Superocean Héritage collection. The evening kicked off with a runway show where the new face of the Superocean Héritage II took centre stage, featuring Breitling models donning looks inspired by the ’50s—a nod to commemorate 60 years of adventure.
Remy Ishak
Francis Tan , Jason Tha m Tay Liam K hoon and A , Alvin Soon, lexander M elchers
Christine Cheah and Tanny Tee
Dasha Logan
Peter Davis
Siti Saleha and Debbie Goh
Chris Tong, Henley Hii and Jojo Goh Anzalna Nasir
THE INSIDER
Seven life-sized pilots representing the Breitling Jet Team, were on display for the first time in Southeast Asia
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ONLOOKER | FACES
Datin Aileen Au
Key to Beauty Pauline Tan and Jane Chin Natalia Ng
Hiew Jay Kirk, Chery Wong and Jun Inoue
Maggy
Wang,
CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ’S ISETAN KLCC OPENING Clé de Peau Beauté recently celebrated the opening of its Radiance Counter, located on the ground floor of Isetan KLCC departmental store. Attended by the likes of Kim Raymond and Maggy Wang, the new and extended counter offers a whole new concept and a fresh new look in an even larger space.
Kim Raymond Anjoe
and Xin
Le
THE INSIDER
Guests got their caricature drawn on the spot, courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté
Yeow Kah Chong and Kenneth Ng Kok Hau
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FACES | ONLOOKER Lim Ech Chan and Julie Tan
Dr Jeanette C Chua and Ya hua, Jolem p San San
Raja Tan Sri Arshad Uda, Datuk Nazim Razak, Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Khas and Tan Sri Ariffin Yusof
THE INSIDER
Artius’ team members are well-versed in a variety of related and complementary fields, so as to provide a one-stop dental care centre
Datin Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman
Miles of Smiles THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF ARTIUS Dr Jeanette Chua, founder and executive director of Artius Dental recently held an appreciation dinner to celebrate the official opening of the revolutionary dental care brand. Available under one roof, Artius aims for Malaysians to enjoy safe, good quality patientcentric dental treatment and services—all managed by a group of exceptional dentists and specialists.
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Chan Guan Seng and Kee E-Lene Lisa Yeoh and Maggie Lau
Kugarajah Ramasamy Estee and Kenneth Soo
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ONLOOKER | FACES Datuk Richard Phua
Wong Ngee Fatt and Yong Siew Fong
Olga Rogacheva and Dr Sathia Prakash
THE INSIDER
David Gomes
At jazz hot-spot Bobo KL, Lexus served two special whisky cocktails as well as mocktails for the enjoyment of their guests
Akio Kurusamy, Ravindran nd Justin Kwan a Takeyama
Soundtrack of Life Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana Goh Kian Chuan and Carmen Leong
Chris Tan and Daryl Boswell Sui
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LEXUS JAZZ NIGHT Soulful jazzy tunes by musical maestros David Gomes, Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana, accompanied by specially crafted Lexus whisky concoctions provided the select crowd of Lexus owners and brand advocates a rich experiential night hosted by the car marque. “This night is a ‘sensploration’ of taste and sound, a way for guests to experience amazing,” says Ravindran Kurusamy, president of Lexus Malaysia.
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FACES | ONLOOKER
Opportunity Knocks JWYE FOUNDATION HI-TEA CHARITY FASHION SHOW
Melinda Looi
Puan Sri Cecilia Jimmy Choo an Lim, Datuk d Dato’ Anne Eu
The Joseph William Yee Eu foundation hosted its first ever charity fashion show in collaboration with one of Malaysia’s most sought-after designers, Melinda Looi, at Shook! in Starhill Gallery. Guests were treated to an afternoon full of delectable, sweet and savoury treats as well as a heartfelt speech from Dato’ Anne Eu. Puan Sri Ivy Tan and Datin Seri Amy Yaw
Seelan Chelliah and Lalli Seelan
Jini Seelan and Jovani Reddy Chinniah THE INSIDER
Datuk Jimmy Choo donated a special pair of made-to-order shoes, identical to one he made for the late Princess Diana more than 20 years ago Shivon Ng, Cheri Leong, Jess Au and Ng Vicye Datin Joanna Low
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Anna Liew and Christine Lee
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FACES | ONLOOKER Nini Davis and Indah Jonasson
Kristine Goh, Geraldine Dreiser and Lim Ai San Dato’ Joneser Choi and Cherrie Chin THE INSIDER
Mariam Teh
Tiffany & Co served up a truly luxe experience with customised champagne cocktails and a cheese board
Sherlyn Koh
Tea At Tiffany’s TIFFANY & CO CELEBRATES STORE OPENING AT PAVILION KL Tiffany & Co and Malaysia Tatler welcomed a select party of ladies for a private tea party at the brand’s new store in Pavilion KL. Warmly welcomed by Luciano Rodembusch, group vice president of Tiffany & Co Asia Pacific and Malaysia Tatler’s managing director, Florence Fang, guests settled in for delightful afternoon with a lively singing performance by Ushera and personalised portrait sessions.
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g and Florence Fan busch em d Luciano Ro
Jacklyn Theong and Faridah, Mimi and Salina Teh
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Diagnostic Health Screening Series
Basic Health Screening
Comprehensive Health Screening
Women Health Package
Men Health Package
Pre-Marital Package
for you and your family at
FACES | ONLOOKER
Roland and Eunji Meisinger THE INSIDER
Santa Claus and Santarina made an appearance too and handed out cookies to guests
Sai Men, Carmen, Ray-Men and Carmey Chua Emil Michal Palecek Amir Azman and Allisya Erliza Amirruddin
and l Wong Samue hua Ma Yu C Tan Sri
Lit Up THE ST REGIS KL CHRISTMA AS TREE LIGHTIN NG CEREMONY Distinguished guests ggathered at the St Regis hotel loobby to welcome the holiday season s with a Christmas lighting ceremony. Familiar faces included Tan Sri Chua Ma Yu, who delivered a warm welcoming speech before proceeding to ofďŹ ciate the ceremony by lighting up the tree. Then carollers and a selection of delicious food served alongside exciting concoctions of winter cocktails kept guests happy.
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P n Srir Sharon Chua
Lenka Tomanova and Michael Brcek
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Denise C hie and Yen G w, Levy Li oh
ONLOOKER | FACES
Shareeta Selvaraj and Karina Grewal
Datin Seri Linda Chen
THE INSIDER
The tea leaf reading session was such a hit that guests did not leave until late
Lim May Jian and May Shen
Face the Future Nadia and Diana Nasimuddin
Melissa Lam and Faye Lee
Melissa Sim and Claudia Liew
Datin Yvette Kang and Yap Ai Leen
A BEAUTIFUL TEA PARTY WITH SHISEIDO The gloomy weather in the afternoon did not deter a determined group of gorgeous women in gathering at BLVD House in Naza Tower to celebrate the launch of the uberluxurious Future Solution LX range by Shiseido. Jointly hosted by Malaysia Tatler and Shiseido, the event was lined with exciting programmes such as a tea leaf reading session, hand massages and a mouthwatering seassion of afternoon tea.
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FACES | ONLOOKER
Mark Cho o, Kwok and Jaqueline Brian Cho o
Rai Krish, Jeremy Kow, Slim Nazari, Wayne Kline and Deric Lee
THE INSIDER
Rob Broeders, David Higate and Tina Marliana
Souled Out started off as a small cafe at Mont Kiara in 1996, before moving to Sri Hartamas in 1999
Stefanie Braukmann
Michele Kwok
Party in Black Light Ruben Baskaran and Jady Teoh
SOULED OUT TURNS 21 Souled Out recently celebrated 21 years as a renowned and well-loved F&B franchise, by throwing a Black Light themed party filled with fluorescent-fun activities and a specially crafted ‘glow’ cocktail for the night. Being under the Soul Society Group, which also manages other notable eateries, there are now five Souled Out branches—in Sri Hartamas, Ampang, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar South and even Kota Kinabalu.
Steven Shorthose and Maria Slupovskikh
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76 Elly Rahman and Jacqie Quek
FACES | ONLOOKER Cedric Tan
Debbie Teoh, Emily Chua and Nancy Peng
Chan Yue Yee
r Lee Su Kim, M Krishnan, D uk at D a, hu a Khairuddin C Lena e and Dr Lyan Le ne en vi Vi Albert Tan,
Datin Elaine Daly and Dato’ Dr Nick Boden
Yazeed Datuk Kayoom and Linda Lim
Nyonya Delights PPBNKLS FUNDRAISER DINNER PARTY
Datin Rose Chin and Dr Evelyn Khor Mabeline Tan and Derwin Su
THE INSIDER
President of the association Cedric Tan gave a speech embellished by many beautifully crafted pantuns, to the guests’ amusement
Members of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya KL and Selangor (PPBNKLS) held a dinner to raise funds for a new building. Apart from the delicious Malaccan-Nyonya buffet spread, attendees, including voluntary emcee, Datin Elaine Daly, enjoyed a kebaya fashion show, plus an auction of two kebaya sets as well as participated in fun dances like the joget, zapin, twist and poco poco.
SPECIAL COMMENDABLE
ART & CULTURE
STYLE M A L AYS I A TAT L E R
Beautiful things to have and hold
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WHAT’S IN A NAME Carolina Herrera packs a punch with its latest clutch
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PAST PRESENCE
LINCHPIN OF TIME
ALL WEATHER WATCH
ROLLING WITH THE REBELS
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Thierry Stern of Patek Philippe humours us in his interview
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is the epitome of versatility
Charris Yadigaroglou and MB&F—rebels of the watch industry
Le Lumiere showcases diamonds that are simply magnificent
This new year, timehop on a glamorous Cruise Collection across countries
STYLE | NEWS
LA Livin’ Versace Pre-Spring 2018 celebrates the diversity of Los Angeles, and embraces the city’s vibe Bright lights, skyscrapers, sidewalks booming with a populace so varied it’s like looking through a kaleidoscope, with never the same pattern twice. Versace drives you through downtown LA where CEOs rub shoulders with the bohemian goddess and the girl-next-door hangs out with the biker chick. Drawing inspiration from the diversity, freedom and individuality of the city, Donatella Versace creates an uncannily similar scene in her collection, but with a twist. Pinstripes take on a new look with silver chain forming the pattern and left to hang loose in an effortless cool girl’s devil-may-care style. Faded denim is resurrected with embroideries in silk thread bursting with tropical exuberance. Play dress up in different personas if you wish, and explore the new year with a fresh look, for this collection is a tribute to subcultures—truly a celebration of life.
FACE OF DIVERSITY Edgy, sweet, cool or vintage? Take your pick from Versace’s latest lineup
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Leap into the new year with Salvatore Ferragamo’s pre-spring collection of floral patterned footwear. Classic shoe styles make the transition from day to night outfits easy-peasy while vivid colours with gold hardware accents add a touch of luxury. Brighten up a monochrome look with a vibrant splash of lush blooms that’ll never die on you.
PETAL POWER
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What’s In A Name?
Carolina Herrera once again explores modern sensibility with their Initials Insignia bag, capturing the essence of the brand name in a reinvented version of its logo, made to form the fastening of the bag. This classic piece made from buttery leathers in a myriad selection of colours and textures, will be the bag you’ll have in rotation for years to come.
ALL YOU NEED
Love makes the world go round and who’s to say it doesn’t make the fashion world go round too? Stella McCartney’s spring offerings send a message of positivity for new beginnings through collaborating with artist Urs Fischer, that declares ‘All is Love’.
JUMP(SUIT) FOR JOY Spread the positivity in an ‘All Is Love’ printed jumpsuit for fuss-free dressing. No outfit planning required, just throw it on and you’re ready to show the world some much-needed love!
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STYLE | NEWS
Sail Away Zegna is setting sail into a breezy summer with their S/S18 collection Set forth into the new year with Z Zegna’s spring/summer 2018 collection of Italian style and active-wear. Fashioned with vintage regatta flair, practical garments are performance-enhanced making them suitable for both the seafarer in you as well as a casual day out in the city. Elevating sportswear to a new level, the silhouettes are sharp yet easy with plenty of nautical elements infused into the collection. Zegna pays tribute to the sun and sea with its calming colour palette of blues with splashes of sunny yellow and orange. The occasional accents of matte black, aluminium greys and subtle white ties it all together with quiet strength—an ode to the sleek boats cutting through the waters.
HEY SAILOR! Made from Techmerino fabric, you’ll stay snug and dry no matter the weather or climate
HAND CARRY Loewe
Bottega Veneta
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With a generation travelling more frequently than ever before, the spacious weekender has become a statement bag in its own right. malaysia tatler . january 2018
PADDLE POP
Longchamp adds a fun pop of colour for its S/S18 collection with exotic paddle prints on roomy totes. Available in two colourways with sleek black accents, they make amazing travel companions as well as everyday bags, if you’re the kind to cart your worldly possessions around with you.
TOTE-ALLY TRIBAL
A fun print is always a welcome sight for men’s bags, especially when they come in happy colours!
YEAR OF THE GENTLEMAN The House of Dior Homme debuts its capsule collection of formal ready-to-wear designs—the Black Carpet collection by Kris Van Assche, taking us back to the era where tail coats and starched white dress shirts were de rigueur among the lads. These are no plain ol’ black suits though; plenty of attention is paid to each piece, with roses and lily of the valley (Monsieur Dior’s lucky flower) reinterpreted with embroidery and beadwork over subtle romantic references hidden in the swathes of night-dark fabric. Indeed, the Dior Black Carpet collection is here to whip men’s fashion back into shape.
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STYLE | FASHION
PAST PRESENCE OPENER IMAGE: CHANEL CRUISE â&#x20AC;&#x2122;17; IMAGES: RESPECTIVE BRANDS
This new year, Rachel Ng time-hops on a glamorous Cruise Collection across Japan, America and Greece
STYLE | FASHION
CHANEL Travel back in time with Chanel to an era of gods and gladiators, but tread more on the romantic side of ancient Greece, with soft flowing silhouettes as well as elegant headpieces, where gladiator sandals are boldly coloured, not bloodied. Inspired by his idea of an ideal Greece, Karl Lagerfeld had his modern-day Greek goddesses wrapped in gold, using plenty of tweed. Subtle details of the ancient city shine through—bracelets twine up models’ biceps, reminiscent of the ‘serpent goddess’ priestesses, while bejewelled headbands imitate laurel wreaths plus edgy gloves with gladiator sandal style cut-outs.
STYLE | FASHION
CHRISTIAN DIOR Dior takes a ride into the golden sunsets of the wild, wild west. Drawing inspiration from Native American tribes, heavenly fixtures including the otherworldly, cowboys plus the wild and ancient femininity that resides in the rolling fields, Maria Grazia Chiuri explores the mystical feminine. Earthy tones infuse the collection, as rich burnt ochre silk jacquards bear the print of prehistoric wolves and handprints of women emerge sequinned and embroidered, no longer hidden in the darkness of caves. Deer and oxen graze across a creamy white coat, a prairie-style dress takes on a carpet of flowers in embroidery form; and one sees the constellations in a swish of skirts— magical, exhilarating and free-spirited.
STYLE | FASHION
GIORGIO ARMANI Sleek and chic is the order of the day at Giorgio Armani. A modern-day Italian affair, the cruise collection shows off its clean-cut lines and luscious hues of red, coral and pink, with surprise pops of light blue and greens among the monochrome shades. Patterns are vividly splashed as if by a painterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand, strokes varying from the soft brush style to sharper, cleaner geometric motifs, transforming cropped jackets and dresses into works of art. And like abstract art, asymmetrical cuts are aplenty and combined with the tapered silhouettes they come together like a masterpiece.
FENDI Flowy silhouettes, trench and poncho coats, pleats, tartan, houndstooth. Fendi brings back old Hollywood glamour in a modern palette of neon pinks and lemon yellows. A your-grandma-but-cooler vibe runs through the collection, especially a recurring playful pattern of pearls in the form of giant bows embedded into plush mink fur capes or jackets. Floral patterns in embroidery, intarsia and print give the impression of a vogue picnic in the park, especially with daisies running rampant on an eyelet lace dress. A very vivid energy is evident in the palette for the cruise collection, infusing exciting yet muted splashes of colour and plenty of fur as wellâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for what would Fendi be without its signature furs?
STYLE | FASHION
LOUIS VUITTON Olden-day Kyoto meets modern-day Japan; reconciling in a tribute to the evolution of the land of the rising sun. A fluid transformation from the present day to a noble ancestral civilization is clearly visible, as the patterns of a samurai suit emerge on the pieces with interwoven jersey and leather sweaters replicating the armour of Japanese warriors; inked landscapes and figurative engraving take form, while evening dresses are resplendent in Noh theatre gold. But Nicolas Ghesquière doesn’t stop there, gorgeous obi belts take on new life in the form of sleekly tapered trousers while bags and clutches put on Kabuki masks befitting the dramatic collection.
STYLE | FASHION
BODY OF ART Floral prints, extravagant embroidery, feathers and fringe— it’s time to let your clothes do the talking
Photography HUANG JIAQI g A
GREAT HEIGHTS Scarf, dress and earrings by Balenciaga. Opposite page: gown by Christian Dior; earrings by Chanel; rings by Louis Vuitton
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Dress by Stella McCartney, earrings by Prada. Opposite page: Top, trouser boots and earrings by Balenciaga
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Dress by Valentino. Opposite page: jacket by Ms Min; dress and briefs by Christian Dior; earrings by Balenciaga
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HAIR: ISSAC YU; MAKE-UP: YOOYO KEONG MING AT ANDY CREATION; MODEL: YUAN BO CHAO AT LONGTENG MODEL MANAGEMENT ; SET DESIGN: DONGXI GALLERY; PHOTOGRAPHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASSISTANT: STUDIO GEEK; PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: ETHAN WANG; SHOT AT LIGHTBOX STUDIO SHANGHAI
Jacket and skirt by Gucci; shirt by Hermes. Opposite page: dress by Valentino; boots by Louis Vuitton
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STYLE | BEAUTY
New Year, New Face Marc Jacobs Beauty announces Adwoa Aboah as the brand’s ambassador for 2018
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dwoa aboah, model and activist, is the newest face for Marc Jacobs beauty for 2018. She joins other famous and iconic women such as Jessica Lange, Edie Campbell, Winona Ryder and Aya Jones, who have previously served as the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty. Said the stunner of British and Ghanaian descent, “Marc gave me my first fashion show in New York City. It was a dream come true, and from that point on he has been one of my biggest supporters. I am so excited to be the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty, and to have been able to work alongside Marc once again is truly inspirational. His attention to detail is like no other and you see his vision instantly come to life.” As depicted, Adwoa is wearing the latest product from Marc Jacobs Beauty: Le Marc Liquid Crayon, debuting in the spring 2018 collection. Liquid lipstick takes on a new form this time—the first-ever liquid lipstick in a crayon, with a subtle shimmer for a 16-hour wear. This officially marks the first collaboration of the model-slashactivist with the brand.
THE MARC MOTTO Says Marc, “I see beauty in many things, and I am attracted to all sorts of imperfection, to style, to confidence or experimentation. It’s unexpected and surprises you.” He also states that inspiration stems from the spirit of a girl and her makeup ritual, adding: “I think the idea of transforming into this person you want to be, is a lot of fun… it’s the idea of a young woman who enjoys creating her look, getting ready for her night out, or her night after her night out.”
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LUSCIOUS LIPS Enhance your lips with Le Marc Liquid Lip Crayon, which delivers lasting one-swipe colour
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Tired from the holidays, or are you countering post-holiday blues? We’ve got you covered 1 Make Up For Ever
Mad About Matte Start the year with a bang using this full-on, bold matte lipstick from Make Up For Ever’s collaboration with artiste Jessie J, which offers 15 intense colours that lasts 20 hours.
2 Tiffany & Co Perfume
If a new year means trying new things, follow the lead of Tiffany & Co, as the brand has just launched its first fragrance as a jeweller. The notes consist of vert de mandarine, iris and garnet blossoms.
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3 Kiehl’s PSLRC
Put a stopper to fine lines with Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, which has increased its Vitamin C concentration by 12.5 per cent and adds the fast-acting hyaluronic acid.
4 Emporio Armani You
You fragrance’s feminine edition of ‘Because It’s You’, and the masculine ‘Stronger With You’ have just launched, and together they embody authentic love between two souls.
5 Urban Decay Rebound
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Prep Priming Spray For a quick boost, spray on the Rebound Collagen-Infused Complexion Prep Priming Spray— guaranteed to have you looking as fresh as a flower.
6 Sachajuan Intensive Repair
Bad hair is so last year! While going for a new haircut would be g tthe last resort, we suggest trying tthe Sachajuan Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, to S ssave sun-damaged hair.
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STYLE | BEAUTY
ELIXIRS OF YOUTH From wrinkle reduction to tightening and lifting, these new anti-ageing formulas will make you believe in miracles
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1 MDNA SKIN FINISHING CREAM Using high concentrations of hydrating MT Parca thermal water, a blend of four mineral springs from the ancient Italian spa of Montecatini, this finishing cream can be worn alone or under make-up to create a youthful, radiant glow.
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2 NATURA BISSÉ INHIBIT HIGH DEFINITION MASK AND SERUM For use after Botox or similar treatments, the ingredients in this duo seep deep into the skin tissue to fill, lift and reform it, lengthening the effect of the procedure.
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3 HELENA RUBINSTEIN RE-PLASTY AGE RECOVERY EYE STRAP Haloxyl, adenosine, and hyaluronic acid work to resculpt the eyes and reduce sagging of the eyelids.
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4 JURLIQUE HERBAL RECOVERY ADVANCED DAY CREAM This powerful day moisturiser is enriched with Japanese cedar bud extract and 18 botanicals that target the first signs of ageing. Light enough to use every day under make-up. 5 L’OCCITANE IMMORTELLE DIVINE YOUTH OIL Melting deliciously into the skin, this lightweight oil makes
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skin look plumper and more luminous. 6 TATCHA AKARI GOLD MASSAGER This sturdy aluminium massager coated in smooth 24K gold leaf can be used on the face, neck and body to enhance skincare and increase oxygen flow in the skin. 7 EVE LOM TIME RETREAT RADIANCE BOOST TREATMENT With AHAs and larch tree bark extract, this serum speeds up cell renewal and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 8 ESTÉE LAUDER RE-NUTRIV ULTIMATE LIFT REGENERATING YOUTH CREME Using a blend of two flowers, one that thrives in the cold of the Himalayas and the other in the dry highlands of Brazil, this potent cream is great for collagenand elastin-building. 9 GIORGIO ARMANI CREMA NERA With plant extract Reviscentalis and four essential minerals found on the island of Pantelleria, this balm has a silky texture that creates suppleness and glow instantly. 10 GENAISSANCE DE LA MER INFUSED LOTION The oil-in-water formula floats over skin and provides instant hydration, a great product to use before serum.
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STRENGTH OF CHARACTER The face of Hugo Boss’ Man of Today campaign, Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth is best known for his portrayal of Thor
GROOMING | STYLE
Man of the Hour Chris Hemsworth is the epitome of a Hollywood hunk. His starring role as Thor on the silver screen has cemented his place in popular culture, but his latest role as Hugo Boss’ Man of Today goes beyond just good looks Why did you choose to partner Hugo Boss? Boss Bottled is an iconic fragrance by a brand that’s been around for many, many years. So to front the campaign and represent the Man of Today is a huge honour. I believe that success is about living a life full of integrity, honesty and compassion, and not about the material objects we acquire. So I really identify with the campaign and the values it stands for. It’s how I like to live my life.
WORDS: NICOLETTE WONG; INTERVIEW AND IMAGES: HUGO BOSS
What is your favourite scent memory? I love surfboard wax, coconut sunscreen and the ocean. I spent a lot of time surfing in the ocean as a kid and those particular smells take me right back to that time and some of my happiest memories. What is the one grooming product you cannot live without? It’s all about prevention, so a good sunscreen. I spend a lot of time surfing and the salt water and sun can be quite tough on my skin. What superpower would you choose? I think my superpower would be time travel. I am fascinated with seeing where we came from, where we have been, and where we are headed to. If you were a real superhero, what would you change about this world? If I were a real superhero, I’d create a general shift
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in our attitudes and how we relate to one another. I’d get people to slow down, have fun, and enjoy life. I think you just have to enjoy what’s going on at this present moment, rather than racing forward constantly or thinking too far ahead. How heavy is the Thor hammer really? There are a few versions of the Thor hammer, including a heavy one and a sort of ‘walk and talk’ version, which is still quite heavy. Then there’s the action one, which is a safer version and made of a different material. Are you afraid of anything? Since becoming a parent, I’m afraid of anything that threatens my children’s well-being and I constantly worry about them. But that worry also drives me to achieve things for them and make sure my family is happy and secure. You have already accomplished a lot as an actor. Do you have other professional goals? I would love to direct. It’s a very daunting process to embark upon because it means you’d be in charge of this team and orchestrate all of the elements. But I’d love to do it one day.
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BLINGEDOUT BUBBLE Corum creates a scintillating timepiece for French rapper and streetwear designer Booba
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o many diamonds on my watch, I don’t know what time it is,” rapped Booba in his 2009 hit titled Game Over. The Bubble 47 Jewellery Squelette—a watch overlaid with 1,017 diamonds and 12 baguette-cut sapphires—is Corum’s response to the rapper, an ode to his lyrical genius, and a means to back creativity
in the music industry. Born Elie Yaffa on December 9, 1976, Booba exemplifies the classic Cinderella story. The multi-award winning breakdancer turned rapper, who rose to fame with his band Lunatic and has sold more than a million albums, was recognised by French literary magazine, The New French Review, for his poetic prose, and is now in cahoots with Corum.
IN HARMONY Corum has long upheld partnerships with artists in the contemporary music industry, such as EDM entrepreneur Steve Aoki and Italian DJ Matteo Ceccarini
JOLLY ROGER Reminiscent of a rare copper coin, the fourth edition of the BR01 Burning Skull is a treasure beyond price. In accordance with Bell & Ross’ allegiance to adventures in air, land and sea, the timepiece picks up the tradition of paying tribute to the 1944 parachutists of World War II—fearless fighters who bore the sign of a skull on their jumpsuits. Tattoo-like motifs of licking flames cover both the front and back of the case, adding to the watch’s tough appeal.
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WATCHES | STYLE CLIFTON CLUB BURT MUNRO TRIBUTE LIMITED EDITION Calfskin leather in ‘Indian Red,’ Indian Motorcycle’s trademark colour, adds to the sporty, sexy appeal of this Baume & Mercier watch
ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE TOURBILLON CHRONOGRAPH Auspicious types inclined towards the number eight will favour Audemars Piguet’s newest octagonal timepiece
YEAR COL L EW
TION EC
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INGENIEUR CHRONOGRAPH ‘TRIBUTE TO NICO ROSBERG’ Grey leather and 18-carat red gold cuts a handsome figure on this mechanical chronograph by IWC, partially designed by Formula One driver Nico Rosberg— so you can speed into the new year
It’s never too early to think about the coming Lunar New Year—these conversation pieces will be coveted by all at reunion dinners. By Samantha Lim
RONDE SOLO DE CARTIER Cartier owners can now swap out their steel bracelets in favour of something more striking such as genuine calfskin in red, to draw the luck in
L.U.C XP URUSHI Guaranteed to put any dog lover in a chipper mood, an adorable Akita, a breed associated with nobility in Japan, is the centrepiece of Chopard’s L.U.C XP Urushi
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HANDS-ON BOSS Thierry Sternâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhaustive knowledge of watchmaking ranges from its behind-the-scenes manufacturing process to the front of house dynamics with customers and collectors
Linchpin of Time $ESPITE HIS LAST NAME Thierry Stern DISPLAYS A SENSE OF HUMOUR WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT 4HE FOURTH GENERATION PRESIDENT OF 0ATEK 0HILIPPE INDULGED Samantha Lim WITH A TĂ?TE Ă&#x152; TĂ?TE AT THE MAISON S BOUTIQUE IN +,##
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WATCHES | STYLE
What complication is best suited to your lifestyle? My wife! I’m just kidding. The travel time complication because I travel often and everywhere; I need my two time zones so I always know the times in Geneva and whichever city I’m in.
PHOTO: PATEK PHILIPPE
What, in your opinion, makes a grand complication the ultimate luxury? It’s easy to make one complication, but when you have to bring several together? We’re talking about over one thousand parts for some complications. If one wheel, spring or rotor doesn’t work, the watch will stop. That’s what makes it amazing—all these parts working together. In order to fabricate one wheel, most manufacturers in the industry take 14 different steps; at Patek we have 40, and they’re all necessary because each part needs to be perfect. Pocket watches are among Patek Philippe’s forte, although such timepieces are a novelty in Asia. How would you convince a watch enthusiast to expand his or her collection from wristwatches to pocket watches? We don’t have to. Our fans are
knowledgeable people. Most of the time, they are existing collectors who say, ‘I’m ready for something exceptional.’ An advantage to pocket watches is their bigger size, which allows us to add more complications. Coined in 1997, Patek Philippe’s slogan is wildly successful. Are you a father, Mr Stern? If so, which watches do you intend on passing on to the next generation? Yes, I am a father, but in my case, things are a bit special—I won’t be passing on just watches but the whole responsibility and ownership of Patek Philippe. That’s how it goes. If we’re talking strictly watches, they will receive their first Patek at the age of 18, and as with cars, you do not give a Ferrari to an 18-year-old. To me it’s quite logical, but some people do. They have to start with the basics, so it would be an Aquanaut, a Nautilus or a Calatrava. Going back to the slogan, it suits us very well. The UK-based agency travelled for three months to meet retailers, fans, clients and distributors before coming back with it. When we said, ‘That’s great. How did you come up with the idea?’ their response was,
‘We didn’t. Though people expressed the thought in different words, your company itself birthed the general belief.’ Another prudent move instead of passing on a watch would be to put your timepieces on the auction block, where Patek Philippe timepieces are known to fetch jaw-dropping prices. What are your sentiments towards auctions? Some customers have taken the liberty to inform us, ‘Listen, I’m selling my watch.’ When we ask, ‘Any reason why?’ we find that most of the time, it’s because of poor luck, failing businesses or bad times. I’ve heard heartwarming stories of people who are able to start or save their businesses because they had the chance to sell a beautiful Patek Philippe for a very high value—I do not mind that. Auctions are also a good way for collectors to discover vintage watches. Congratulations on the new adjunct building at Patek Philippe’s headquarters in Plan-les-Ouates. Will it be open to media tours? Oui oui! It will be finished by the end of 2018. Bring some good shoes, it’s enormous!
PATEK PHILIPPE & CO TIMELINE Momentous events in its 178 years of existence
1839
1851
1935
1977
Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek form Patek, Czapek & Cie
Company renamed Patek Philippe & Cie
Charles Stern becomes chairman of Patek Philippe
Grandson Philippe Stern succeeds as president
1845
1932
1958
2009
Jean-Adrien Philippe joins company
Company acquired by brothers Charles and Jean Stern, dial suppliers to Patek Philippe
Son Henri Stern succeeds as president
Great-grandson Thierry Stern succeeds as president
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STYLE | WATCHES
ALL-WEATHER WATCH
IMAGES: OMEGA
Turning sweet sixteen in 2018, a the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m is the epitome of versatility;; Samantha Lim checks out the waterproof wonder in Langkawi
OFFSHORE VS ON LAND Ergonomic and elegant, the Co-axial Master Chronometer in the gentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; collection is flaunted by actor and sailor Eddie Redmayne, whose dual lifestyle demands an all-purpose accessory and apparatus
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MASTER CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
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PLENTY OF FISH Plural choices fit a spectrum of preferences: cases come in a trio of materials—stainless steel, 18K Sedna gold or a blend of both—while dials can be delivered in silver, blue, black, brown or grey.
Resistance to water (500 feet) and magnetic fields (15,000 gauss) are just two criteria met by the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibres, which passed strict standards set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology.
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LESS IS MORE Select features have been scaled back or stamped out altogether, giving precedence to simplicity and symmetry. A case in point: the words ‘water-resistance’ have been transferred from the dial to the caseback.
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TO HOLD IT ALL Slightly tapered to improve grip, the new screw-in crown on the Seamaster 150m also sees wave-like patterns matching those on the caseback.
PARALLEL PLANES The dial’s minimalist motif, which mimics the teak flooring of luxury yachts, runs horizontally as opposed to vertically in the most recent models.
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CRYSTAL CLEAR A transparent sapphire-crystal caseback offers an intimate look at the movement of the calibre, framed by undulating patterns of roiling waves.
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ORIGINAL O’CLOCK Moving three hour markers over from 3 to 6 o’clock, the revamped date window is a throwback to an earlier model from 1952—the very first Omega watch affixed with a date window.
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5 SIMPLY STRAPPING Whether genuine leather, metal bracelet or textured rubber, the band has been revamped to accommodate an oftoverlooked category of clientele with slender wrists.
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STYLE | WATCHES
Rolling With the Rebels Rather than take the high road and be highbrow, Charris Yadigaroglou joined MB&F, the rebels of the Swiss watchmaking industry, as chief communications officer in 2011 and has proved his mettle since. By Samantha Lim
I always say that your first encounter with MB&F is forever seared into your memory—this is the company that ushered in not just a new era of watches, but also a new era of product design. Which model first caught your eye? It was the HM1. I thought it was nuts—in a good way! I didn’t know Maximilian Büsser then but in Switzerland, it was major news that he had quit Harry Winston and was starting his own league called Maximilian Büsser & Friends. After seeing the watch, I said, “Yeah, now I get it.” When I saw him later I couldn’t resist walking up to him and saying, “Hey, I love what you’re doing.” And we soon became friends. How is it different now that you’re rolling with the rebels instead of the top dogs? It’s the best and most difficult decision I’ve ever made in my life. I was interviewing with a big brand, a very prestigious one, at the time. Complicated recruitment process that had been going on for five months. Midway through the process, Max and I set a lunch appointment. As a bit of a joke, he said, “If everything doesn’t work out, come work for me.” He was just being provocative, but his statement was followed by a long silence. I looked at him and said, “Don’t kid around because if you’re serious, I will take that very seriously.” A few days later, he called to say, “I’ll send you the contract in fifteen minutes.” The recruitment process with the other company had taken five months whereas
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MB&F’s proposal panned out over days. It became crystal clear at that moment—I didn’t want that endless, bureaucratic, operation model any more. I wanted to be in a smaller company with somebody who acts on his instincts. That was in 2011. The small walks of life; you will never know how these turns go! Instead of putting on an austere facade, MB&F celebrates childhood imagination in its creative process. Do elaborate. Our catchphrase, ‘The creative adult is a child who survived,’ is so true because we have such wild dreams and imaginations then. If you teleport yourself back to childhood, you’ll find such a rich reservoir of notions. But there are also other influences, such as the jellyfish incident with Max’s wife. Maybe you’ve heard? It’s a much more recent story where she got stung during a holiday. While it’s not the usual ‘corporate DNA’— that’s a term we hear all the time and I find it kind of boring—to build watches based on such incidents, you have to be open to real life. Whether it’s a jellyfish accident or a childhood dream, a powerful experience or something that asserts your mortality, that’s potentially raw material for creating a timepiece. Which of the MB&F timepieces are most fêted for the time being? Does this preference stand true in the Malaysian market? To tell you the truth, the majority of our sales are always made up of our latest products. This is an
unusual situation because most brands have their blockbusters, which have been going on for decades—or centuries in some cases. Not in our case. Is there an archetype of the gentleman or lady who wears MB&F? Could you describe members of ‘the tribe,’ as MB&F calls them? Uh… no. That’s the honest answer. There is one common trait though—they are selfmade men and women who have made it as entrepreneurs, surgeons or artists. Confident about their own choices. Not worried about what others will think or trying to project some sort of status. They don’t need to prove anything, so they can make these weird, unconventional choices, like picking one of our watches contrary to that of a prominent brand.
SIGN OF THE TIMES Yadigaroglou chose the two-way road sign for his company portrait because, “That’s how I see my role. It’s about interaction versus the old-school talk down that goes one way.”
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MB&F DERIVES INSPIRATION FROM UNEXPECTED PLACES... Incentivised by supercars built for unrelenting speed, MB&F’s 10th anniversary driver’s watch incorporates a sleek body with ‘rocket covers’.
Using the HM3 as a launch pad, MB&F and French jeweller Boucheron conspired to create this head-turner of a timepiece.
Mimicking the bulbous eyes of frogs (both aesthetically
Bioluminescent jellyfish
and functionally),
birthed the idea for
two multidirectional
this glow-in-the-dark
spinning domes allow
timepiece outfitted with
the wearer to tell time
tentacle-like titanium
from any angle.
winding rotors.
STYLE | WATCHES
TIME TO SHINE With the 28th edition of the Salon
International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève about to open its doors, Charlene Co previews some of the incredible timepieces due to make their debut before arriving in exclusive boutiques through the course of the year CARTIER ROTONDE DE CARTIER MYSTERIOUS DAY & NIGHT H MOSER & CIE ENDEAVOUR TOURBILLON CONCEPT
In the Endeavour Tourbillon Concept watch, H Moser & Cie lets the flying tourbillon get our undivided attention as it is laid against a pared-down dial—sans a logo and indices. This refined, minimalist approach has become somewhat of a signature of H Moser & Cie, and has earned a cult following within watch circles. The flying tourbillon takes pride of place at 6 o’clock against a beautiful blue fumé dial framed within a white-gold case.
There’s much to admire in the Rotonde de Cartier watch. Apart from its beautiful guilloched satin-brushed dial, we see Cartier bringing together for the first time a mysterious movement and a day/night indicator. These complications played significant roles in the maison’s heritage, as they appear in two of its historic clocks— the Model A mystery clock and Comet clock—both made in 1912. The Rotonde de Cartier features a sun that appears to levitate from left to right in the upper part of the dial (thanks to a mysterious movement), while the retrograde minutes are displayed at the bottom.
PIAGET PIAGET ALTIPLANO ULTIMATE AUTOMATIC
Piaget proves that it is indeed the king of ultra-thin watches as it presents the Altiplano Ultimate 910P watch, w whose movement and case—which together containn 238 components—have a combined thickness of a mere 4.33mm. Holding the record for the world’s thinnest mechaniccal automatic watch, it took three years to develop. Witth its components in full view, its bridges have been given a d, while beautiful sunburst pattern, and have been chamfered its wheels have been given either a sunburst or circuular satin finish. The piece comes in a case of white or pink golld.
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VAN CLEEF & ARP PELS LADY ARPELS PLANÉTARIUM
Van Cleef & A Arpels turns poet once m more with its latest mechaanical masterpiece—the feminine versioon of the Midnight Planétarium, a watch the maaison introduced four years ago. Truly a marvvel to have on the wrist, the timepiece mesmeerises with a miniature version of a portion of the solar system. On a beautiful aventurine dial, the Lady l Planétarium l é i illustrates ill Arpels Mercury, Venus and the Earth rotating around the sun in their actual positions, while the moon completes its orbit around the Earth in 29.5 days.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN TRADITIONNELLE COMPLETE CALENDAR COLLECTION EXCELLENCE PLATINE
Since 2006, Vacheron Consantin has offered collectors the opportunity to own a timepiece from its Collection Excellence Platine line crafted in a 950 platinum case and with a sand-blasted dial bearing the secret “Pt950” inscription. This year, the Traditionnelle complete calendar finds its way to this prestigious line, d with just 100 individually numbered pieces produced.
ROGER DUBUIS EXCALIBUR AVENTADOR S
Roger Dubuis stays true to its mantra, “Dare to be rare,” with the Excalibur Aventador S, whose movement is inspired by the incredible engine of the Lamborghini Aventador S. This limited edition timepiece features a multi-layer carbon skeleton case, and is driven by a Duotor skeleton calibre equipped with a doublesprung balance. And as with all of Roger Dubuis’ timepieces, it bears the prestigious Geneva seal.
ULYSSE NARDIN MARINE TORPILLEUR MILITARY
The Marine Torpilleur Military is your ultimate modern marine chronometer, equipped with a manufacture movement that features a proprietary silicium anchor escapement. The piece comes with an elegant eggshell white dial, or a chic black dial matched with orange Arabic numerals and superluminovacoated hands. Ready to accompany you on your aquatic adventures, the timepiece is water resistant to 50 metres.
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STYLE | WATCHES
IWC PORTUGIESER CONSTANT-FORCE TOURBILLON EDITION “150 YEARS”
As IWC marks 150 years in the watchmaking business, it will unveil a special Jubilee collection comprised of 27 limited edition models from the Portugieser, Portofino, Pilot’s Watches and Da Vinci families. One of these special pieces is the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “150 Years” watch, where the brand combines a perpetual calendar and a tourbillon—equipped with a constant-force mechanism—in a watch for the first time. Only 50 pieces will be produced.
MONTBLANC STAR LEGACY RIEUSSEC CHRONOGRAPH
Montblanc revisits its 2008 Rieussec monopusher chronograph and presents a more aesthetically refined version. The watch’s dial has been redesigned to give it better proportions and improved legibility, while its counters and turning discs have been domed to give it a threedimensional effect. The Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph Rieussec is driven by a monopusher chronograph manufacture movement equipped with a columnwheel mechanism.
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER BUGATTI TYPE 390
Parmigiani Fleurier doesn’t disappoint with its latest Bugattiinspired timepiece, which this year pays tribute to the Bugatti Chiron. This stunning timepiece features a horizontal cylindrical mechanical movement with a flying tourbillon, making it truly an engine block on the wrist. Inspired by the components used for the Bugatti Chiron, the PF390 movement is equipped with a bevel gear differential to show the power reserve. The piece is available in rose and white gold, each produced in only 10 pieces.
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HERMÈS ARCEAU CHRONO TITANE
Despite its sporty bead-blasted titanium case, the Arceau Chrono Titane is resolutely equestrian, with its distinct stirrup-shaped lugs—a design by celebrated Hermès artistic director Henri d’Origny. The piece features a chronograph function and promises 42 hours of autonomy. The piece is fitted with a plain or embossed Barenia calfskin strap with saddle stitching..
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THE INSIDER’S GUIDE TO
LUXURY LIVING MalaysiaTatler.com
A publication of Edipresse Media. Available at selected newsstands and the city’s best bookstores.
STYLE | JEWELLERY
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Garden Variety Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like the colours of spring to lift you out of the winter doldrums, and these vibrant gardeninspired pieces of jewellery will give you that boost all year round
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4 6 4 Jasmine ring in white gold set with multi-shape diamonds by Nirav Modi 5 Cactus de Cartier bracelet in yellow gold set with emeralds and brilliant-cut diamonds, by Cartier
5 1 Bloom brooch in white gold set with akoya cultured pearls and diamonds, by Mikimoto 2 Turquoise Waters necklace in white gold set with diamonds and multi-shape blue sapphires, by Chanel 3 Moissons sous le vent brooch in yellow gold set with pear-shaped, brilliant-cut and marquise-cut diamonds by Chaumet
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6 Olive high jewellery bracelet in white gold set with peridots, amethysts, a green tourmaline and fancy yellow pavĂŠĂŠ diamonds, by Bulgari 7 Guirlande de Fleurs earrings in yellow and white gold set with mandarin garnets, emeralds, pearls, pink sapphires, tourmalines, spinels, sapphires, turquoise, fire opals, hauyne, tsavorite and spessartite garnets, amethyst, ruby and yellow diamonds, by Dior
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8 Peony Dawn earrings in gold set with diamonds, opals, pearls and emeralds, by Sarah Ho
14 Forget-Me-Not chandelier earrings in white gold set with diamonds, by De Beers
9 Silk Road necklace in rose gold and aluminium set with diamonds, coloured diamonds, South Sea pearls, peridots, yellow quartz, green sapphires and a tsavorite, by Chopard
15 Sunny Side of Life ring in pink gold set with a cushion-cut green tourmaline and brilliantcut diamonds, by Piaget
10 Branche brooch in white gold set with 187 round diamonds and ebony, by Boucheron
16 Vine bracelet in yellow gold set with sapphires, by Annoushka
11 Leaf motif bangle set with multi-shape diamonds, by Graff
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12 Ramage pendant earrings in openwork white gold set with diamonds, with leaf-modelled yellow-gold borders, by Bucellati 13 Frivole Between the Finger ring in white gold set with diamonds, by Van Cleef & Arpels
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STYLE | JEWELLERY
Let There Be Light Blazing bright, Le Lumiere brings forth from the bowels of the earth, diamonds that are as magnificent as the stars in the sky, writes Rachel Ng
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LIT FROM WITHIN
Every Le Lumiere diamond reflects 98 per cent of light, guaranteeing maximum brilliance malaysia tatler . january 2018
IMAGES: LE LUMIERE
ight arrows, eight hearts— all the contributors to a diamond’s spark. Radiating perfection and finesse, Le Lumiere diamonds are a combination of ideal proportions, precise symmetry and fine polishing, producing a gem that shines at its best and most brilliant, almost as if it’s made of light. Le Lumiere’s Diamonds of Light are synonymous with sophistication and refinement especially since they have combined several important elements to produce the perfection they are known for, namely Ideal Proportion, Perfect Hearts and Arrows, Eye Clean characteristic and Le Lumiere Quality Certificate. They also have GIA Excellent Gradings for diamond sizes greater than 0.30 carats. Dedicated to only the highest standards of excellence, Le Lumiere’s Hearts and Arrows diamonds display a distinctive pattern of eight hearts and arrows within the diamond, achieved only through a perfect cut and the exact alignment of facets and angles that boost the internal light reflections to create a dazzling effect. An international brand of premium hearts and arrows diamonds since 2003, Le Lumiere—Diamonds of Light—has distribution channels in more than five countries worldwide, bringing you breathtaking jewellery creations that will illuminate your life with joy. Additionally, Le Lumiere’s flagship brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds is one of the pioneers in the diamond industry, and it’s no wonder they’ve done well, with their strong
Le Lumiere’s Hearts and Arrows diamonds display a distinctive pattern of eight hearts and arrows within the diamond
emphasis on the importance of the 4Cs (cut, clarity, colour, carat), the benchmark for evaluating diamonds. At Le Lumiere, they believe in three conceptual ideas, namely ‘Importance Of Light’, ‘Diamonds Are Like People’ and ‘Perfection’. Every Le Lumiere diamond begins in its ‘infancy’ as a rough stone from Mother Nature. The rough diamond is then meticulously examined for the exactness of its angles, positions and heights of its facets, and several other aspects. It is further examined with Le Lumiere’s sophisticated technology that will measure its potential brilliance to ensure that only the most perfect diamonds find its way to you. After being scrutinised to ensure its potential, it is then marked before being shipped off to be cut and shaped by lasers. The stone thus begins its lengthy transformation from a mere rock to polished gem, undergoing several processes before it reaches its optimum beauty and brilliance. It begins with the first stages of rounding and polishing the rough diamond’s top eight base facets, followed by the girdle. But it isn’t done just yet though, as an additional 16 top halves, eight top stars and 16 bottom halves will still need to be polished before it is ready. When it finally emerges, it’s no longer just a stone. It’s a fragment of light itself, heralding new beginnings in the journey of your life, a new step to a brighter and more polished future. malaysia tatler . january 2018
TRUE BEAUTY The illustration of the hearts and arrows that are visible with the help of a viewer. These characteristics are only available in less than 1 per cent of the world’s diamonds
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M A L AYS I A TAT L E R
FEATURES PAGE
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A Developer of Dreams We shadowed SkyWorldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder and group managing director Datuk Ng Thien Phing to gain better insight into his typical work day
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Double Act Tennis duo Martina Hingis and Latisha Chan delve into their bond on and off the court
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Taking the Trans-Siberian Home Khairun Nisa Mohamed Zabidi shares about the European leg of her journey home on the Trans-Siberian railway PAGE
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Pride of Lebanon Having launched his fashion label at age 18 amid the fear and chaos of war-torn Beirut, Elie Saab talks about his success and giving back to his community
SERVING IN STYLE Latisha Chan revealed that she has always viewed Martina Hingis as an idol and she had to psyche herself to perform well on the court in front of her childhood heroine
A DEVELOPER OF DREAMS
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pening a book to a page in someone’s life is intensely personal, and eye-opening in a way that makes one feel connected in the most human manner, despite the differences in interests. Such is the case when Kathlyn D’Souza and the Malaysia Tatler team shadowed the founder and group managing director of SkyWorld, Datuk Ng Thien Phing, for one whole Thursday. PHOTOGRAPHY SHAFFIQ FARHAN
RISE AND SHINE We met Datuk Ng over breakfast at Dome Cafe in Bangsar Shopping Centre—one of his favourite weekly haunts
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s we huddled over a long table, contemplating breakfast, Datuk Ng did the same. He occasionally flipped through the menu, swiped something on his phone or answered short calls. You’d find Datuk Ng at Dome perhaps once a week for a hearty breakfast—but a croissant and a fruit bowl was his choice that particular day. “I’m not that healthy, my wife is a pharmacist,” he explained, saying that he would prefer nasi lemak for breakfast over anything else. Now, the idea for our cover personality this time wasn’t that of a highfashion stylised shoot or a themed one, for that matter. “It just isn’t me,” commented Datuk Ng, “I just want to be myself.” So that was exactly it, we captured him throughout the entirety of his day—a normal, typical day in the life of Datuk Ng—save for the writer and cameras tailing after him and observing his every move. And be himself, he did. We talked over breakfast as if we were a group of new friends who had happened to decide that this was the day we would meet for a chat. Conversations flowed, and Datuk Ng was as comfortable as he would have been alone, or with other familiar faces. Naturally, one of the topics covered how he ended up in his current line of developing homes. Born to lorry drivers and coming from a poor family, the dream started when he was very young. “I saw my mother work so hard to get a cheap house from the government, and she had to see various politicians, government officers and members of parliament. Whenever she had to go and see them, she would take us and appeal, and tell them we had no money. So after about the 13th or 14th time, the government servant would look
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at us exasperatedly and say, ‘Ah, you again!’” Following the realisation that owning a house was a tough endeavour, getting a house which, at the time was a RM25,000 rougharound-the-edges ‘cheap’ house with no plasters or cover, was already a goal for the Ng family. “From there, I told myself that one day I want to be a businessman and build houses.” Driven by his need for innovation, love for forums, seminars and conferences as well as the understanding to build capital if he were to go down the development road, NTP World Forum, his first company, was founded in 1997, in the rented room of a three-bedroom house which he shared with a roommate. The business then branched out and proliferated into other specialities such as training and education, IT rental and solutions. Innovative as he is with taking opportunities to build businesses, his end-game was the same. “I still wanted to be a property developer. They didn’t even call it that during those days. All I knew was that I want to build houses,” he said. “And I started to search for land even then.” He knew that although there was land, the toughest part was looking for the right people. “What I was, and still am most afraid of is that I don’t have good people working for and with me,” he confessed. “But I am thankful that I have such a great team.” When SkyWorld became known in the market, initially as NTP World Development before its rebranding (which could explain why people seem to have the notion that SkyWorld emerged out of nowhere), their first project was launched in 2014 in the form of Ascenda Residences at SkyArena, Setapak—which had just finished its handover. That was where we were headed to next after breakfast. Datuk Ng was malaysia tatler . january 2018
LOCATIONS: DOME CAFE AND BLVD HOUSE; GROOMING: JOEY YAP
it was bright and early. The time was about a quarter to nine in the morning, and the Tatler team had assembled at Bangsar Shopping Centre’s Dome Cafe for our day ahead. Nine o’clock came and in walked the punctual Datuk Ng Thien Phing, jacket draped over his arm as he took a seat and pored over the menu. He looked up as he saw us approaching to say hello, and immediately fussed over us, “Eh, morning, morning! You makan already or not? Join me lah! Come, come, take a seat!”
“I AM PROUDEST OF SKYWORLD’S QUALITY – AND ITS PLEDGE TO UPKEEP IT”
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TABLE TALK Datuk Ng explains what he intends to accomplish with SkyWorld through their commitment to quality—with the establishment of the SkyWorld Quality Centre (opposite), where one can view live demonstrations to differentiate between regular and quality-compliant workmanship
keen to review the purchasers’ feedback, and had wanted to visit the Ascenda management office to speak to the handover team and review its progress. “I am proudest of SkyWorld’s quality—and its pledge to upkeep it,” he said. “I spoke to my friend, Peter, on a house he purchased; he told me that he had bought a doghouse. I was confused at what he had said. He explained that the brochures were amazing, everything looked good, but when he collected the house, the walls were uneven, the tiles were not straight and there were a lot of problems.” But one cannot blame the developer solely, as it is a supply chain. So how do you improve that? Datuk Ng’s reply was simple: go for quality. Some property developers may not focus too much on quality. However, as a developer you must be fully committed to it. “First things first, go for standards— CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) standards, and QLASSIC or CONQUAS Singapore (CONQUAS being the acronym for Construction Quality Assessment),” he explained. “Get third parties to audit your products and you’ll have no room to play around.” That would mean practising complete transparency, and that the whole world is able to see what the company is doing. Which isn’t something Datuk Ng is worried about, because as he puts it, “If you’re doing everything right, why are you so scared?” His most recent testament to malaysia tatler . january 2018
the commitment to quality is through the opening of the SkyWorld Quality Centre, which is the first of its kind; and also another stop in our itinerary later on. We arrived at Ascenda Residences, a polished looking condominium complex with an air of grandeur, only to be more amazed and slack-jawed at finding out that it only cost a little less than half a million. Datuk Ng took us here as part of his reviewing of the handover process and progress, and walked us through the place. Again, the finished luxurious look and feel not befitting its affordable price is something to marvel at. I asked him about this, and he explained proudly, “That’s the thing! I always explain it this way. Not many people can buy a BMW. But if you can package, say, a Vios, with some elements of BMW, people can still feel great about it. That’s what I’m trying to do with these properties. I want to emphasise on the feeling and experience.” He then walked us through the handover centre, where souvenirs from SkyWorld and a photo booth await—again, something uncommon in an affordable condominium area. “I want to surprise the buyers, and make them feel special. That really makes a difference.” A leader who really appreciates his team and staff members, is a quality that can be clearly seen by onlookers. As Datuk Ng led us through walkways, showing us the signage posts designed by his people, as well as a quote painted on the
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ALL IN A DAY’S WORK One of Datuk Ng’s favourite indulgences is to hike up a hill to look for land banks— a habit he admits has him ‘disappearing’ from time to time
“THE VIEW ALONE IS ALREADY AN ADDED VALUE FOR THE BUYERS”
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gym wall, he was genuinely surprised and very happy with the outcome. The artwork was recently completed, and he had never encountered it until that day. “I really have a good team,” he reiterated. A quick catch-up session with his other staff was as casual as it can get, leaving no room for doubt that the management is so accessible at SkyWorld, that team members end up chatting with their bosses like good friends, instead of the typical employer-employee relationship for such a prominent company. I eavesdropped on the discussion, and found that 82 per cent of buyers rated the staff five stars for the handover experience (wherein he gives his staff full credit), 17 per cent rated them four stars and only one per cent rated them three stars. He advised them to put those rates and reviews on display at the handover office, to remind them of the hard work that they had put in. “You should put that up, and you’ll feel proud,” he told them. “You were the ones who were working until 3 or 4am to ensure everything is good to go. You deserve full credit.” I then spoke to the staff after their quick discussion, and asked them what they liked about working with SkyWorld. One mentioned the fact that their bosses have tea or lunch with them from time to time—even clerks and accountants feel honoured. Occasional shoulder massages are also given in lieu of a generic ‘good job’. Some were quite shy to say anything (partially due to my recorder), and Datuk Ng jokingly came forth and said, “Just tell the truth lah, you see me every day.” One thing’s for sure though, they most certainly enjoy working there.
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ur next stop was the SkyWorld Quality Centre, which Datuk Ng describes in one sentence: “RM3.8 million worth of an investment just to educate people on the quality of what they’re purchasing.” We were given a tour, and a live demonstration on how to differentiate whether the walls were solid or not, and how to tell whether the tiles are aligned or elevated properly. The aim here was to show that the property that SkyWorld offers, not only looks good, but also feels good and functions well. This is how serious they are about quality, so much so that they constructed this Quality Centre. And it is completely open to the public to scrutinise and experience. Two sets of each demonstration are on display (for example, tiles)—one would be a regular one, and the other quality-compliant. This way, purchasers know exactly what they are getting, and how to spot any error should there be any. During this session, Datuk Ng gave another entertaining yet insightful anecdote—not unlike his Vios-BMW comparison. “I believe in one thing. Wealthy people can buy 10 houses and not know where their malaysia tatler . january 2018
penthouse is. But for other people, they can maybe only buy just one house in their lifetime. If you don’t give them the best quality since day one, they will stay there for many decades and curse you all the time,” he said. “So when their salaries increase, or they get promoted… when they buy a second house, I want them to think of SkyWorld, because the quality is good even if it’s just RM300,000.” It was also mentioned at this time, that each of SkyWorld’s property developments is given the QLASSIC certification. And they’re one of a select few that can give affordable homes such a certification (especially a QLASSIC one at that). Our last activity for the day, following a heavy yet hearty lunch at BLVD House, was to participate in one of Datuk Ng’s most favourite hobbies: looking for land. I had done research on him previously, wherein it was mentioned that Datuk Ng drives up to empty plots of lands or hills to survey, before imagining what could and should be built there. We followed, not knowing that his passion really ran that deep. It had been drizzling earlier, and the rain had not waned, but Datuk Ng was still keen on going. “We have umbrellas, so let’s go!” he had said excitedly, after he had changed into something more comfortable, should there be a hiking session involved. It turned out that there was a need for a hike, as this time his excursion led us to Taman Rimba Kiara, also famously known as the Bukit Kiara trail. We hiked up a good half an hour, as cars were not allowed past the security gates. “This is what I do,” Datuk Ng confessed on our way up, umbrellas shielding our heads from the light showers. “Sometimes I disappear to find a plot of land and just contemplate. My wife says I’m very boring!” he added with a laugh. Each to his own, I said, but his passion was infectious. Stopping at one particular spot that caught his attention, he launched into an enthusiastic outburst: “You see this land here? Let me just share with you; lazy developers would reject this hilly, forestry area. They would opt for flat land, and be very straightforward with their construction and building designs. But for me, I’d go for this one because of the challenge. Plus, the view alone is already an added value for the buyers.” After some more hiking (read: exercise), we headed down the misty hill to end what Datuk Ng calls a productive day, and what the rest of us would call an eye-opening experience of one man’s passion. We each said our goodbyes at the bottom of the hill, at the car park, as we soaked up what transpired throughout our day with Datuk Ng. He himself elegantly and eloquently described the experience before we left, and it is something we know and come across perpetually: if one doesn’t think of their work as a chore, but rather as a passion, one would enjoy doing it—even if it constitutes driving up to remote areas to survey land banks, and to build prosperous communities.
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PERFECT PAIR Martina Hingis wears a blouse by Dior, a skirt by Michael Kors and a ring and earrings by Cindy Chao The Art Jewel. Latisha Chan wears her own dress and a necklace by Cindy Chao The Art Jewel
DOUBLE ACT They’ve had a wildly successful year as doubles partners, including winning the US Open, but Martina Hingis is retiring and Latisha Chan is looking for a new partner. The dynamic duo talk to Tracy Huang about friendship, building relationships and the future Photography PINHE WEI
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t should have been a long, drawn-out battle. Legendary Swiss tennis player Martina Hingis and her doubles partner, Taiwanese star Latisha Chan, were up against Czech duo Katerina Siniakova and Lucie Hradecka in the final of the US Open in September. Both pairs had performed consistently well all season and were desperate to win the prestigious title. But Hingis and Chan made it look easy. They won the first set 6-3, then triumphed 6-2 in the second. It was all over in an hour and five minutes. That was only one of the duo’s victories this year. They’ve won nine tournaments since the season began, including the China Open and the Mutua Madrid Open. It’s been an astonishing run for the pair, who only began playing together in February. “We quickly found we had very good chemistry,” Chan explains. “We’ve spent a lot of time together both on and off court.” But just as suddenly as their partnership began, it’s coming to an end. Hingis, who won
malaysia tatler . january 2018
Words OLIVER GILES
her first Grand Slam title at the age of 15, is now 37 and about to retire. With 25 major titles under her belt and cabinets filled to bursting with trophies, she’s decided to call it a day. “I think it’s perfect timing [to retire],” she announced during the WTA Finals Singapore this year. “You know, you want to stop on top.” And Hingis knows what it feels like to be on top. She has won more than 500 matches as a singles player, has taken home a silver medal from the Rio Olympics, and has been inducted into the World Tennis Association Hall of Fame. Over the course of her career, she’s defeated Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Martina Navratilova (after whom she was named) and plenty of other leading professional players. Before Hingis puts her racquet away for good, we meet her and Chan in Taiwan to discuss Hingis’s plans and to find out how Chan intends to continue the winning streak she enjoyed with her retiring doubles partner.
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MARTINA HINGIS When did you decide you would retire after this season? This whole year I’ve been saying to Latisha, “This probably will be my last year [playing professionally].” I went into the season knowing it would be the last time I’m going [to places] as a professional player. You’ve retired twice before. Is it for real this time? Right now I’m retiring and that’s my plan [laughs]. But tennis will always stay part of me. As a past Wimbledon champion, I get tickets and I may go in the future to just watch tennis and play the Legends Circuit. I’ve already been invited to Saint Petersburg by my great friend Iva Majoli in February, and in April we have the Swiss WTA women’s tennis tournament in Lugano. I’m the ambassador there, so I’ll be there for the week. My mum has a tennis school, so I can join her for a bit and play with the children. I have my horses—I have plenty of things to do. I definitely won’t be sitting on the couch just doing nothing. You started in tennis at the age of 12. How do you feel when you look back over your career? I’m very proud, obviously, to have reached what I’ve reached. I was the world’s youngest number one and stayed there for four years. That was the same time that the Williams sisters were playing, and we played each other at least 25 times. It was a great time and we pushed each other to get better and to play those great matches. I’m happy with the way things went and I don’t think I would do anything differently. I don’t want to be 12 again, though; I’m happy with where and who I am. I think this is a great time of my life, whether professionally or privately. How much of your success comes from natural talent and how much from hard work? I do think it’s mostly hard work. I played five to six hours per day as a kid. My mum was a professional tennis player and had a tennis
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school. The hour with my mum was hard because it was a lot of drills and discipline, but for three to four hours I played a lot of doubles with other kids. It was mostly halfcourt matches—that’s why today I’m such a good doubles player, because I played a lot of doubles against amateurs. It’s not like the six hours of drilling that you see at the academies today. My mum never did that; she knew I wouldn’t play like that. I wanted to play with the kids. I had good friends who were older and better than me. We played girls against the boys—I was fighting for my spot to play and if a spot opened up I was happy to jump on the court. There were five tennis courts and 40 kids. You had to fight for your place.
MARTINA HINGIS’ CAREER IN NUMBERS Age: 37 Consecutive weeks ranked world singles number one: 209 Doubles partners: 40 Singles titles: 43 Grand Slam singles titles: 5 Doubles titles: 64 Grand Slam doubles titles: 13 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles: 7
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LIVING LEGEND Martina Hingis wears her own dress, and bracelets and earrings by Cindy Chao The Art Jewel
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RISING STAR Latisha Chan wears her own shoes and dress, and a ring and earrings by Cindy Chao The Art Jewel
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LATISHA CHAN How did it feel when you won this year’s US Open? It was my first Grand Slam victory. What surprises me is that although I have reached the Grand Slam finals several times in the past, I have never won. I was actually very relaxed in this year’s final, and I enjoyed the match so much. I was surprised that I could ever enjoy myself in the final of such a big tournament. Are you disappointed that Martina Hingis is retiring? I just feel honoured and blessed to have been her partner. She’s been my idol since I was little. A few years ago, when I was still playing doubles with my sister, Angel, we had matches with Martina. When the announcement was made that I’d be her partner, I tried very hard to be professional. But after two days, it suddenly hit me, I thought, “OMG, it’s Martina Hingis! I’m teaming up with my idol. I better get myself together and always give the best I can.”
“I just feel so honoured and blessed to have been Martina Hingis’ partner. She’s been my idol since I was little”
HAIR: JINGWO AT EROS HAIR STYLING; MAKE-UP: HANYA HAN; IMAGES: AFP PHOTO
Who will be your next partner? We have several names on the list, but it’s not been decided yet. When choosing a partner, I consider them both tactically and physically. It’s also important to think: when facing the critical moment in a match, how would this person react? Would we be on the same page? If two players are equally talented but one insists on her way of playing, that would lead to a bad performance. I want to have consistency and communication, which is key for success in doubles matches. How do you build a relationship with a doubles partner? It’s hard. When you want to get to know someone you need to spend time with them, but it’s important to understand that some people need some space. In Martina’s case, she texts me all the time, asking me where I am, if we should have dinner together and what I’m up to after training. After training, we usually eat dinner together and chat until 9 o’clock. Even after we part, we’ll often keep texting. She’s like a good friend, and having a good friend as your partner is an extra bonus.
POWER SISTERS Before she partnered with Martina Hingis, Latisha Chan played doubles with her younger sister, Angel. At the 2014 Aegon International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, England, the Chan sisters defeated Hingis and her doubles partner at the time, Flavia Pennetta, to clinch the title. That was one of more than 20 titles that the sisters won together, and they plan to reunite for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
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Taking the
Trans-Siberian Home part 1
Together with her children Aidan and Aria, Khairun Nisa Mohamed Zabidi made her way home from London by train. Here, she recounts the first part of her journey home after two years abroad
OFF THE BEATEN RAILROAD It was a journey of epic proportionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; I was daunted at first but am glad I did it with my kids
in my final essay for my master’s degree at the end of June, I was overwhelmed thinking of the whirlwind year my family has had in London. From meeting the Queen and voting in the Brexit referendum to starting kindergarten, school and post-graduate life; the kids and I celebrated big moments, lots of firsts and deep friendships that will last us a lifetime. We were sad to be leaving the UK but a new chapter awaits us back in Malaysia: beginning with an epic train ride home. We were taking the long way overland—crossing 11 international borders and eight time zones—and seeing civilisation change from the cool, cosmopolitan Europe to the bustling Asian metropolis. There’s nothing quite like having Belgian waffles in Brussels in one week and then exploring imperial palaces in St Petersburg the next; skipping pebbles on Siberia’s Lake Baikal one day and then riding camels in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert on another. Little did we know of the great adventures (and misadventures) that awaited us on the journey ahead. S I HANDED
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Day 1 London – Brussels
We say goodbye to Mecklenburgh Square and Goodenough College, our London home for the past two years. Our shipping boxes left in the afternoon. We were left with a large four-wheel suitcase, a backpack, an insulated food tote and two small backpacks—one for each child. King’s Cross was a 10-minute walk away and we checked in seamlessly with the QR codes on my phone. Immigration was efficient but the exchange rates were a killer: I got less euros than I paid in pounds! We boarded the Eurostar at 1930 and arrived in Brussels Midi station just under two hours later. It was a train and tram ride away to Avenue Grandchamp, where we were guests of a diplomat friend for a few days.
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Day 2 and 3 Brussels
Surprised with a nasi lemak breakfast courtesy of our Malaysian host, Lisya, it felt like home. We spent the days in the city, at the Grand Place, one of my favourite European squares. Its ornate 17th century buildings and cobblestone piazza transports you back to a time where merchants brought the marketplace to life. We snacked on Belgian waffles and Godiva chocolate-dipped strawberries while exploring the chocolate and toy museums nearby. We strolled down the glazed arcade of Galeries Royales St-Hubert and marvelled at all the delicate chocolate displays at the windows. Lastly, we treated ourselves at dinnertime, with plump mussels at Chez Leon, and a side of fries to make it a classic.
A BUSTLE IN BRUSSELS We said our goodbyes to our dear friends with tears, hugs and promises to see each other again; it was a heaven of chocolate in Brussels; with my darlings, Aidan and Aria
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Day 6 Berlin
The Bahn train pulled into Berlin and we arrived at my brother-in-law Ben’s past midnight. The kids were tired but they were excited to see family. We enjoyed a morning treat of a traditional German breakfast. My sisters-in-law Mara, Dora and Narda spent the day with us at the kids’ favourite playground opposite the Charlottenburg Palace. We tried out a neighbourhood Greek cafe, saw the goats at a nearby community-run backyard-turnedpetting zoo and cooled off with home-made gelato at the corner shop. After that, we drew our names in the sand and plucked nuts from the trees.
Day 7 Berlin – Warsaw
Mara saw us off at the Berlin Hauptbanhof. We boarded the PKP Intercity for an eight-hour ride to Warsaw. The kids made friends with the teenager in our car and watched him play Pokémon Go on his smartphone. The crowd ‘evolved’ as we neared the Polish capital—away from the natty, orderly breed into a working-class feel. For the first time since we left London, the train we were on had less shine and more ‘soul’. When the train stopped, so did the air conditioning. We arrived at our Airbnb studio outside the train station at sunset and I quickly made instant pasta for the kids’ dinner.
Day 4 Brussels – Amsterdam
We departed Brussels on the Thalys train and arrived in Amsterdam in the late morning. Next, it’s on to Zaanse Schans, home to the 18th and 19th century windmill and workshops. There we raced along the banks of the Zaan River, which is dotted with massive functioning windmills— their sails harnessing the power of the wind to grind paint and dye, chalk, wood and oil. We also watched people make clogs and cheese and bought some baby Gouda and stroopwafels to take home.
Amsterdam
Day 5 Amsterdam – Berlin
It rained on our second day in Amsterdam and we discovered that the luggage lockers at the main train station was full. The bag drop service opposite the station charged a steep fee but we cheered up because we were later joined by friends from other parts of Europe. Out of the rain and into the stylish Café Luxembourg for lunch, we revelled in good company. Then we ventured on to the floating flower market and crossed bike-lined bridges to the canal district, where we soaked in the romantic city charm. The day ended too early as we had to return to the station for our next train to Berlin.
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SOAKING IN THE CHARMS In Amsterdam, we enjoyed touristy sights and sounds, but in Berlin, we revelled in quality family time with my in-laws
SEEING THE WORLD Although it was tiring, my children were excited and made friends along the way, especially with a young teenager playing PokĂŠmon Go in the same car while en route to Warsaw
DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS After being sent off at Berlin Hauptbahnhof (above, on the left), I encountered an obstacle in my journey: deportation. We were deported from Belarus back to Warsaw, Poland, where I scrambled to find a new way to head to Russia for our next leg of the journey
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Day 8 Warsaw – Grodno – Warsaw
We were out of the apartment first thing in the morning and got on the 8am train to Grodno, a border city in Belarus. This was the trickiest part of the journey because unlike all the other tickets I had bought, the Polish website didn’t allow international routes to be booked online and so I needed a travel agent. We needed to get from Warsaw to St Petersburg and the most convenient route they recommended was a twohour transit through Belarus instead of multiple train changes through Lithuania and Latvia. I arranged for our train tickets to be sent to our Airbnb in Warsaw. Our train ride was uneventful, but we had no idea that our ‘boring’ train ride would turn eventful after we arrived. Sometime after noon, we crossed the Polish border and the Belarusian border shortly after. The Belarusian police took one look at our documents and said “no visa”. To make matters worse, it was the first city out of Europe, which meant my mobile service didn’t work. I changed to my Malaysian SIM card to access roaming, so I could go online and call for help. My heart sank when I learned that the Malaysian visa-free option was only available at the international airport and not via the land border. I exhausted my phone, laptop and power bank batteries trying to find a solution. Long story short, we got deported and we were put on a train back to Warsaw, scared and tired, spirits dampened by this setback. We now had to find another way to Russia. Finally, we booked into an airport hotel and onto a flight out to St Petersburg at 6am the next morning. The kids got into bed at 10pm and I spent the night repacking, washing the milk bottles and reading my insurance policy before calling it a night—hoping the next leg of the journey would not be like today!
To be continued..
Tr ying on s
ome cl ogs
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Khairun Nisa is a Chevening scholar who now consults high-profile clients on future-proofing their businesses with PwC Malaysia’s Sustainability and Climate Change practice. She took this journey because she believes that sustainable tourism is possible—a lesson she wants to pass on to her children, Aidan and Aria.
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PRIDE OF LEBANON The son of a wood merchant, he launched his eponymous fashion label at just 18 years of age amid the fear and chaos of war-torn Beirut. Now Elie Saab is the king of Middle Eastern couture. He talks to Jakki Phillips about the road to success and the importance of giving back to his community
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parties are the talk of Beirut, not just because of the lavish spreads he lays on but also his surprisingly relaxed open-door policy. One local PR woman tells me, “If a famous fashion designer threw a party in London, Paris or New York, you would need to jump through flaming hoops to get an invite. There would be strict security and an even stricter guest list. Elie’s parties are super chilled. He just leaves his door open. It’s fine to bring friends. There’s never any trouble because this is Elie Saab and we are Lebanese. We respect him. He makes Lebanon proud.” The party venue in question is a beautifully restored early 20th-century traditional Lebanese house in the buzzing, bohemian Gemmayze district. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the neighbourhood, as many were destroyed during the civil war that raged between 1975 and 1990. The restoration was a collaboration between Saab and Venezuelan-born, Beirut-based architect and interior designer Chakib Richani. Although bright, white and minimalist in concept, with high ceilings and ivory walls, homely touches come from lamps, antique tableware and bowls of fresh flowers. Sunlight floods through tall Gothic arched windows beyond which is a walled garden landscaped around an 18th-century stone fountain. Saab shares this grand residence with his wife of more than 25 years, Claudine, the daughter of one of his early clients. The couple has three grown-up sons: Celio, Elie Junior and Michel. malaysia tatler . january 2018
IMAGES: JASON LLOYD-EVANS (RUNWAY)
m starting to get the distinct impression that everyone in Beirut has met Elie Saab apart from me. My interview with the Lebanese fashion designer was delayed three days ago, so I’ve been killing time exploring the city and meeting an interesting assortment of characters along the way. Strangely, they all claim to know Saab. The group of artists at a gallery opening, the bespectacled architect in a backstreet bookstore, the strikingly beautiful jewellery boutique owner and even my hotel’s chef—they all talk of Saab with reverence yet familiarity, like a favourite uncle. Switching smoothly between English, Arabic and French—the three languages spoken by many of the population—they tell me he’s a great man, humble, inspirational and a symbol of hope for their country. They also ask me to pass on their regards. It seems a little unusual that a worldfamous couturier renowned for show-stopping gowns that have dominated red carpets from Hollywood to Cannes and adorned the famous frames of royalty, the Arab A-list and movie stars, should be on such friendly terms with almost every Beiruti I meet. I mean, I know Lebanon is small—the country, which shares borders with Syria and Israel, is a similar size to Wales—but Beirut is starting to feel like a big village. Forget six degrees of separation, here there appears to be only one. My new buddies even claim to have hung out at Saab’s home. The designer’s house
When I arrive for the interview, Saab is reclining in a chair. Although the designer of lavish, whimsical, fairytale wedding gowns and red-carpet dazzlers, his personal style is, like Saab himself, rather understated. He’s wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, his saltand-pepper hair cropped short. He looks tired. “Sorry—I was filming Project Runway last night and I didn’t get home until very late.” As the king of Middle Eastern fashion and head of his eponymous global fashion empire, Saab was the obvious choice to lead the judging panel for Project Runway Middle East, the Arabic-version of the American reality TV competition. The show, which invites up-and-coming designers to battle it out for a chance to launch their own fashion house, is also co-produced by the usually low-key Saab. “I try to stay out of the spotlight,” he says, “but sometimes there is a good reason to step into it, like promoting Lebanon and helping young fashion designers from the region follow their hearts and find success for themselves and their own countries. This is very important to me.” If anyone can relate to the struggles of young fashion designers today it’s Saab, a true visionary who single-handedly pioneered the fashion industry in Lebanon. Born in 1964, he grew up in
WILD AT HEAR Elie Saab’s spring/summer 2018 ready-to-wear collection. Opposite page: Saab, the head judge on TV series Project Runway Middle East, with fellow judge Afef Jnifen (centre) and guest Milla Jovovich
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HOME SWEET HOME Elie Saab and his wife, Claudine, at home in their beautifully restored early 20th-century traditional Lebanese house with their three sons, Elie Junior (left), Celio (centre) and Michel. The restoration was a collaboration between Saab and Venezuelan-born, Beirut-based architect and interior designer Chakib Richani. Although minimalist in concept with high ceilings and white walls, homely touches come from tall lamps, antique tableware and bowls of flowers
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“Success means nothing if it is just about money. It’s about remembering where you came from and offering your hand to the next generation”
Beirut, the oldest son off a wood merchant. Back then there was no fashioon industry in Lebanon. “There were dressmakeers and tailors but no actual designers,” he recalls. Saab started sketching ideas for garments when he was only nine. He remembers cutting patterns out of newspapers, then using material from his mother’s discard d garments to make clothes. Initially Saab only created outfits for his sister to model, but over time he started selling his creations to women in the neighbourhood. In 1982, sevens years into the civil war, 18-year-old Saab launched his couture atelier and eponymous label. Despite the turmoil around him, the tenacious teen managed to slowly build a loyal clientele of wealthy society ladies who were drawn to his flattering feminine silhouettes, intricate embroidery, artful beading and his love of lace, pearls, crystals and silk thread. In the decades that followed, Saab grew to be revered as a fashion powerhouse in the Middle East, but his global breakthrough didn’t come until 2002. One of his creations—a lavish burgundy gown with a revealing sheer floral bodice—hit the headlines along with its owner, Halle Berry, when she became the first black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, for her performance in Monster’s Ball. His designs have been red-carpet favourites ever since, worn by Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson among many. Success snowballed and in 2003 he created his first line of wedding dresses, Elie by Elie Saab, and in 2006 he became the first Middle malaysia tatler . january 2018
Eastern brand to be accepted to join the French governing body of couture, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Today, the designer is at the pinnacle of his career. As well as the headquarters in Beirut, where all the couture gowns are produced, he has boutiques in Paris, London, New York, Geneva, Dubai, Qatar and Courchevel, and his ready-to-wear collections are stocked by more than 200 stores worldwide. While couture remains at the heart of the brand, Elie Saab’s ready-towear collection, plus perfume, eyewear and accessories ranges, have opened the brand up to a new, younger audience. When reflecting on his success, Saab is philosophical. “Success means nothing if it is just about money. It’s about remembering where you came from and offering your hand to the next generation.” As well as helping to raise the profile of Middle Eastern fashion through Project Runway, Saab also supports a fashion degree at the Lebanese American University. Students receive mentoring from Saab and tour his atelier in Beirut, and top students are offered internships. “This is my priority now,” he says. “Lebanese people have been through so much. We have suffered for so long. Young people need a symbol of hope. I want to show them that with hard work, vision and determination they can achieve their dreams.” After the interview we take a photo together and his assistant calls a taxi to take me to the airport. “It’s a shame you’re leaving tonight,” he says. “I was going to invite you to my party tomorrow. Next time. My door is always open.”
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GLAMPING ON THE DESSERT These Airstream trailers are as luxurious as you can get for accommodation on the unforgiving Bolivian salt ï¬&#x201A;ats
LIFE M A L AYS I A TAT L E R
Wine, cars, travel and philanthropy
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SPIRITS
PHILANTHROPY
TRAVEL
TATLER TAKES FIVE
The Macallan teams up with a renowned perfumer to create an exotic new spirit
Tengku Fahd Muaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;adzam Shah is all about giving back to the ecosystem
A picturesque destination that will leave you in awe of Bolivian beauty
Fashion photographer Greg Lotus on five things that inspire him
LIFE | WINE
In a New State of Wine A game-changer in Australia, Wolf Blass has bagged a whopping 9,200 awards since launching in 1966. Samantha Lim performs the five S’s of wine tasting on six chart-busters
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IMAGES: WOLF BLASS WINES
hris hatcher, chief winemaker of Wolf Blass is said to have been hunted down by the winery for three months before surrendering and joining the pack. While this spot of gossip is something heard through the grapevine, it does seem to substantiate Hatcher’s prowess in oenology and viticulture. Under his lead, Wolf Blass has swept a slew of prestigious awards including ‘Red Winemaker of the Year’ at the eminent International Wine Challenge, thrice—in 2008, 2013 and 2016. All things considered, there is no doubt that Wolf Blass has played a pivotal role in shaping Australian wines, especially where red wine is concerned. “Prior to Mr Blass establishing Wolf Blass in 1966, most red wines in Australia were tannic wines that needed to be aged in cellars for 10 years or so until it’s ready to drink,” expounds Hatcher. “But Blass believed that a wine should always be ready to drink when it’s sold—and we practice that same philosophy today. So we changed the style of red wine in Australia and what you have is a reflection of what Mr Blass did back in the 1960s. He truly was a pioneer.” malaysia tatler . january 2018
GOLD LABEL ADELAIDE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2015 The peach and melon scents in this straw-coloured wine come second to a pleasant yeastiness from being aged in French oak barrels. Pair with: veal scaloppini YELLOW LABEL RIESLING 2015 A dry revelation of a Riesling with clean citrusy notes. Demonstrates that even sans tannins, white wines can have great length. Pair with: stuffed poultry or battered whiting
These are the archetype of table wines with quality, character and consistency BLASS BLACK CASSIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON LANGHORNE CREEK 2015 Essentially a bouquet garni in a bottle, Blass by Wolf Blass is austere, straddling the fence between herbs and ginseng. Grippy tannins in this mouth-puckering wine make for slow sipping. Pair with: herbed kangaroo fillet
GREY LABEL MCLAREN VALE SHIRAZ 2014 A terrific prototype of McLaren Vale’s terroir, this well-structured wine leaves lingering traces of blue and black fruits. Pair with: roasted rack of lamb or braised beef
BLACK LABEL BAROSSA VALLEY CABERNET SHIRAZ MALBEC 2006 Surprisingly youthful despite its seniority— thus proving that it is possible for wines to age gracefully. This blended wine is opulent with hints of leather and tobacco. Pair with: barbecued beef or venison roast
THE MASTER LANGHORNE CREEK CABERNET SHIRAZ 2012 A big wine but in no way flamboyant, this anniversary blend contains equal parts oak and minerality. Pair with: ox cheek and strong hard cheeses
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THE NOSE KNOWS The olfactory sense plays an integral part for both perfume and whisky makers, as the two liquids usually have strong scents
Third Time is the Charm
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f i told you that a master perfumer’s job was nearly identical to a master whisky maker’s job, would you believe me? Whether you believe it or not, there is at least one thing in common, for in actuality the two professions utilise one of their gifts to great effect when making either a perfume or a whisky—their keen sense of smell. “We taste and smell with this primitive part of the brain and not with the nose itself. Lots of people don’t realise that a perfumer and whisky maker basically do the same job,”
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said Roja Dove, a renowned British master perfumer who has recently collaborated with The Macallan to create and release the third limited edition bottle in the whisky maker’s annual series. Dove crossed paths with a Macallan representative 10 years ago, who was keen on collaborating with the talented perfumer, but there seemed to be one major issue— Dove hated whisky. A combination of bad experiences with whisky during Dove’s younger days caused him to form a negative image of the spirit. In 2009, Dove was invited to The Macallan’s distillery in Scotland malaysia tatler . january 2018
IMAGES: THE MACALLAN
Whisky makers The Macallan teams up with renowned perfumer Roja Dove to create an exciting new spirit for a third limited edition bottle in their annual series, writes Tien Chew
SPIRITS | LIFE
to meet their master whisky maker, Bob Dalgarno, and they soon formed a friendly relationship, one forged on mutual respect and admiration for each other’s craft. “Bob had arranged for me to try something between 16 to 20 different whiskies and as I started to nose the whiskies I was really shocked. In one whisky I smelt citrus fruit and in another there were hints of rose,” said Dove, expressing his disbelief. Due to Dove’s different perspective to the world of whisky, his comments and insights proved invaluable to Dalgarno. “By the time this meeting had ended, I had nosed and tasted a minimum of 100 whiskies,” he shared. In 2010, Roja Dove and The Macallan released their first collaboration, a collection of 12 bespoke aroma oils that evoked the characteristics of whisky and complexitiees of The Macallan. In 2013, the whisky maker and Dove came together once more to make a set of perfumed candles to commemorate the 1824 Series. In 2017, Dove returned to Scotland to work alongside Dalgarno to make a whisky that was typically Macallan, yet still unlike any Macallan they’ve had before. The result is Edition No 3. “Take a sip and you’ll realise it’s much more fresher than most whiskies. To my mind, it’s very vanillic with hints of toffee and caramel, which I think comes from the typical oiliness that coats your mouth,” says Dove.
Extraordinarily smooth despite having 48.3 per cent ABV, the whisky’s aroma is citrusy with hints of vanilla ice cream and crisp green apple flavours, a part that Dove definitely had a hand in when making the spirit with The Macallan. On the palate, the spirit gives off a sweet fruity aroma with notes of vanilla and rich fruit cake with suggestions of apricot, pear, ginger and cinnamon. Another reason the Edition No 3 has proven to yield such an outstanding quality can be attributed to the exceptional oak casks used to age the whisky, which is another signature hallmark of the Edition series. Crafted from a combination of European and American oak casks, Edition No 3 is limited to 5,000 bottles in Malaysia.
AN AMAZING TRIO Clockwise from top: the tasting lounge; Roja Dove; the cask room, where one can familiarise oneself with the makings of The Macallan
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LIFE | CARS
RIDE TO THRILL The Lexus LC 500 is a slick piece of Japanese automotive engineering, offering drivers a slice of the impending future of sports cars in one attractive package, writes Tien Chew
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RED RANGER The sleek aesthetics of the LC 500 extends from its exterior to its interior, where plush quality leather and a combination of metal and wooden finishings
Infinity Mirr or Tail Lamp
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o be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at the Lexus showroom in Mutiara Damansara to pick up my ride for the day. And upon my arrival, I met the brand representative, with whom friendly introductions were exchanged and then was almost immediately brought to meet the star of the show. Resting outside of the showroom’s lobby like a red rose among the typical grey and black thorns (cars), the LC 500 lay dormant. Most first glances of the car, mine included, are surely to result in “wows” and other aweinspired expressions—with curves in all the right places, it is no doubt a stunner to look at. This was something I would later observe while taking the car around town to see how well it integrated into various lifestyles. Once seated, it took me no longer than five minutes to accustom myself to my sleek new surroundings. The car’s interior setup is replete with fine leather, as well as wooden and metal ornamentation, for a premium feel and finish. Seats are plush, snug and equipped with the much-appreciated functionality to have them pump hot or cool air out for more comfort, especially during hot days. On the passenger’s side are two handles made for one to grip and have better stability at high speeds—a nice feature included into the design to calm the nerves of worried passengers (if any), when the car zips along at higher speeds. The car’s interior manages to strike a balance between race-ready and luxury cruiser well enough, thanks to its clever design, alignment of functionalities and use of fine materials. The driver’s dashboard also features cool party tricks, with a movable speedometer ring and a digital screen to adjust and display information of your preference. The LC 500’s centre control system sports a touchpad with the ability to
LEXUS LC 500 Body Engine Max Power Max Torque Acceleration Top Speed Fuel Consumption Price
2-door coupé 5.0L V8 470hp 540nm at 4,800 rpm 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds 270km/h 11.6km/litre RM940,000
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LIFE | CARS
integrate with your iPhone or Android device for better connectivity when you drive, making for what is hopefully a safer drive, as you don’t need to shift your attention off the dashboard. When it comes to driving the beast, it becomes quickly apparent that not only does this car look good on the outside and in, it is also incredibly satisfying to drive. Acceleration in normal mode is decent and slightly punchy, but turn the dedicated driving mode nob on the left side of the driver’s dashboard to S+ (sports plus) mode and the car really roars to new life. Apply medium force to the gas pedal and it will respond almost immediately; and when combined with the car’s surprising agility and manoeuvrability, it makes for a driving experience that’s exhilarating plus empowering. The LC 500 manages to do this
I was amused to notice onlookers glancing at my ride, with some even coming up to me to compliment the car A ROSE AMONG THORNS While the LC 500 featured here is in red, it is available in 11 other colours
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IMAGES: LEXUS AND TIEN CHEW
IT’S IN THE DETAILS The LC 500 showcases some impressive attention to detail such as its touch panel used to control the car’s console, pop-out door handle and use of LED lights to signify the door’s lock status
all while never breaking its composition, even when you’re weaving in and out of highway traffic on the fast lane. Around corners, the car’s superb handling allows it tto grip the roads tightly, evenn at higher speeds. On a straighht road with no obstructions, let’s just say i up that few cars can come close to kkeeping with this sports coupé. When I arrived at my destination for my lunch break, I was amused to notice onlookers glancing at my ride, with some even coming up to me to compliment the car. While its exterior had already won me over when I first saw it, it was apparent that Lexus had achieved a hit in the looks department with a wider audience. While there may be other luxury and sports cars out in the market to take the reigning title of ‘fastest’ and ‘most expensive’, the LC 500 is a rare model in a sense that it doesn’t need to try to compete to maintain a distinct identity of its own. With inspiration taken from its supercar sibling the LFA, the LC 500 is very much still an engaging drive, even when going up against other cars like
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SMALL TOUCHES
The LC 500 has a dedicated driving mode knob next to the steering wheel
the Ferrari 488 or the Aston Martin DB11. It manages to hold its own and speaks volumes about its driver—reflecting one who prefers a ride that’s a looker and still a thrill to drive, but preferring to do so in a manner which is not so flashy and a lot more gentlemanly in nature. With the time I had with the car, I can definitely proclaim that every moment behind the wheel was thoroughly entertaining. Driving the LC 500 gives you the ability to feel in control of a powerful ride, even for a driver with no formal training on the track. Its graceful yet masculine looks, agility and the satisfying sounds it makes alone is enough to hook in even those who don’t have an affinity towards cars. Well done, Lexus.
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LIFE | PHILANTHROPY
GREEN FINGERS Motivated by his pride for Pahang’s environmental heritage and his own love for nature, Tengku Fahd Mua’adzam Shah is mobilising SASET from the grassroots level
Land Before Time
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ne fine day, while on holiday with friends in the beautiful island of Tioman, Tengku Fahd Mua’adzam Shah was enjoying the sun, sand and sea in his home state of Pahang when he saw it—the sight of rubbish and litter strewn about, an eyesore to an otherwise beautiful paradise. When he visited Taman Negara after, the same sight of litter greeted him while he was on a river cruise. It was then he learnt from the guide that the local villagers in the area had no organised way
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of disposing their rubbish and weren’t aware of the negative impact being created. Struck by this, the then-teenage royal immediately initiated a clean-up and developed a basic waste management system for them. “I felt responsible and it felt good to help. After that, things just snowballed from there,” says the youngest son of HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah and HRH Sultanah Kalsom, of Pahang, as he recaps this moment in his life. “Maybe I am biased but I think Pahang is home to many amazing natural sanctuaries, like Tioman, Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s Hill and Taman Negara. It just upsets me when I see such malaysia tatler . january 2018
IMAGES: SASET
His love for nature sparked Tengku Fahd Mua’adzam Shah’s foray into eco-conversation. The Pahang prince is ready to take his organisation SASET to the next level, writes Lily Ong
“Pahang is home to many amazing natural sanctuaries. It upsets me when I see such beauty is damaged through the actions of humans” beauty is damaged through the actions of humans,” he elaborates further. Enter SASET (an acronym for the Sultan Ahmad Shah Environmental Trust) which implements sustainable rural development programmes to conserve Pahang’s natural heritage. Above all, SASET is dedicated in transforming mindsets to embrace the idea that mankind is responsible for safeguarding Mother Earth and its natural beauty for generations to come. After recruiting a strong team, he entrusted them with i h his vision for SASET and left itt in their capable hands, as Tenggku Fahd had to pursue his educcation in the UK and US. N Now in his twenties and back in Malaysia for good, the prince of Pahang is determined to contribute more to the state’s environmental im mprovement with his knnowledge from abroad. “W While I was overseas, I learnt how meritocracy w works and that respect is eearned from the bottom
up. I apply the same principles in SASET: we invest on the grassroots level in projects that empower and facilitate growth from the bottom up,” he expresses. On the agenda for SASET now is awareness and education, as well as fundraising for its operations. With an ambitious goal to plant one million trees as a motivation—at a cost of RM8 per sampling, which is raised through donations—SASET’s Go Green programme focuses on protecting and replanting habitats with tropical rainforest seedlings and saplings, in partnership with the government and academic institutions. Other projects in the pipeline include establishing an Eco School in Lipis as well as initiatives like No Plastic Bag Day throughout Pahang and the 4R Recycling project in Bera. “As the organisation grows, it’s a natural step to introduce education and social welfare to the mission as social and environmental issues go hand-in-hand,” he relates. Being a millennial himself, Tengku Fahd is committed in steering SASET to dabble in tech to reach out to the future generation of our nation. “Our work in SASET is driven by a sense of community and with technology, we can harness this to its fullest potential. We also have a partnership with Lim Kok Wing University, and are creating an application to make it easier for people to find conservation work and provide users with advice and support to neutralise their own carbon footprint,” concludes the ambitious royal with a heart of gold.
THE PEOPLE TOUCH SASET works by empowering the local community to care about their impact on the environment; Tengku Fahd with his SASET team and volunteers
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OUT OF THIS WORLD A set of startling photographs of an otherworldly desert landscape set Kee Foong off on a 4x4 pilgrimage to experience the Bolivian Altiplano for himself Photography JOSE CORTES
xploring the desolate expanse of the Bolivian Altiplano, I’m not expecting to see much in the way of life. At more than 4,000 metres above sea level, well above the treeline, the plateau’s desert environment seems too high, too cold, too hostile. Yet here I am on the shore of Laguna Colorada, and it’s teeming with flamingos. The synchronicity of the birds’ movements is comical and mesmerising. Graceful arches of neck bob up and down in near unison. Matchstick-thin legs wade through the shallows as if to the tune of an inaudible beat. Three of the six flamingo species—the Andean, Chilean and James, the rarest of them all—are found here. Failing to spot the subtle differences between them, I simply take in the soft gurgling sounds, the bulbous yellow and black beaks, the splash of crimson around the neck, and their
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resplendent pink plumes fluttering like peonies in bloom. More astonishing is the setting, a saltwater lake dyed a startling vermilion by algae, giving it an alternate name, the Red Lagoon. White borax islands punctuate the red, and gravel shoreline extends to undulating hills and mountains flecked with the remnants of spring snow. Nearby are other remarkable lagoons. Laguna Honda, with its milky borax crust, Laguna Hedionda, which translates to “stinking lake” because of the stench of sulphur, and Laguna Canapa with its indigo hues. Most spectacular is Laguna Verde, a marvel of nature that, thanks to its high mineral content, changes colour from brilliant aqua to sparkling turquoise or dazzling emerald when the wind blows. Serving as backdrop is Licancabur, a majestic 5,900-metre volcano that straddles Bolivia and Chile.
PINK BLUSH Vermilion algae give Laguna Colorada and Laguna Hedionda their colour, along with the flamingos that feed on them
En route to the green lagoon is the Sol de Mañana, a sulphurous, pockmarked geothermal phenomenon that could be on Venus or Mars, or hell on earth. Spouts of steam blast into the cold morning air, pools of thick mud bubble, boil and spit, and lava wells lie hidden among crevices. With no railings or safety nets, a misstep could mean an excruciating demise. These wonders are in the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve—named after a national war hero—in Bolivia’s southwest, where vicuña and alpaca roam freely. Covering more than 7,000 square kilometres, it is the country’s most visited national park, sandwiched between the Cordillera Occidental to the west and Cordillera Oriental to the east, two branches of the longest mountain range in the world, the Andes. Formed millions of years ago by fire and ice, wind and
I ask Jose Cortes, the co-founder of Latin America and Africa travel specialist A2A Journeys, whose stunning photos inspired me to book this trip, about his attraction to Bolivia. “I love the Altiplano’s layers of colours, from pastels to striking reds and greens and whites,” says Jose, adding, “it feels like you are driving across a huge impressionist painting, with softer Monet or Degas hues in one valley, then angry Van Gogh colours in the next.” I, too, feel like I’m in a landscape painting, though for me it’s utterly surreal, and it comes as no surprise that the Siloli Desert, site of the famous rock tree, is nicknamed the Salvador Dali Desert after the artist whose fantastical artworks are said to be inspired by the Altiplano. Don’t expect fancy lodgings around these parts. I spend a night at the Hotel Tayka del Desierto, which could be at the
RARIFIED WALKS The Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, turns into a mirror during the rainy season
water, when quakes heaved ocean floors into the sky and the earth spewed lava, the Bolivian Altiplano is a prehistoric land that time forgot. Landlocked, isolated and difficult to get to, the country promises off-the-beaten-path adventure without much in the way of five-star comforts, but an abundance of sites that will take your breath away—aided by the altitude. It makes for an off-road trip like no other, so wildly different from anything I’ve experienced before. Over four days, crossing the country in a 4x4 with my guide and driver, we travel for hours without encountering another soul, and witness otherworldly landscapes that challenge what is real and possible. I see smoke pouring out of fumaroles, mountains polished smooth by the elements, craters the colour and texture of marble, valleys strewn with giant boulders, rocks that look like trees, plants that look like rocks, tufts of grass resembling troll heads, a graveyard for trains, miles of barren plains and hauntingly, staggeringly beautiful emptiness. malaysia tatler . january 2018
end of the earth. Its spartan rooms, built with volcanic rock, are unfurnished except for my bed and curtains, wi-fi is only available briefly in the evening, and the heating is too weak to handle the sub-zero temperatures during the night. But at sunset, the ridge behind the hotel flares red, a full moon casts the land silver and morning dawns so clear that the mountains appear etched into the sky. We set off for the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, driving through a canyon where frozen stalactites hang beneath ledges. To our surprise, we spy a reclusive Andean fox, camouflaged against a mound of shale. It’s on the hunt for food, surveying the territory for viscacha, a rodent from the chinchilla family that it’s partial to. By chance, we come across one a few metres on, looking like a giant rabbit with a long tail. Rather than sprinting to safety, it eyes us warily, oblivious to the predator nearby. Covering some 12,000 square kilometres, the Salar is a working salt and lithium mine that is a significant income
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NIGHT LIGHT The Bolivian Altiplano offers nature at its purest and a crystal-clear view of the cosmos
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“It makes for an off-road trip like no other, so wildly different from anything I’ve experienced before”
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source for the country. It is also Bolivia’s star tourist attraction, its fame rising in recent years thanks to social media. Not only is it incredibly photogenic, it is unique, a blindingly white sea of salt that transforms into the world’s largest mirror during the rainy season, creating a mindboggling reflection of heaven on earth. The mines are discreet, however, and for now, mining and tourism peacefully coexist. According to Jose Cortes, there is really no bad time to visit. “For a first-timer, dry season is best as you get to see more of the Altiplano. But for a return trip, wet season means you spend more time on the pans and you are guaranteed the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises.” It’s dry season when I visit, and no less spectacular for it, with polygonal veins of salt spreading into the distance. As we hurtle along the Salar, we could be driving on snow or ice.
flushing toilet, air con, heating, pillow-top mattress, highthread-count sheets, complete privacy, and your own staff. I arrive in time for lunch and find a small red marquee set up with a grandstand view of Tunupa, a dormant volcano. My private chef greets me and offers me a quaffable Bolivian wine, before serving up prosciutto and melon, and pan-fried fish from Lake Titicaca. Although it is not yet rainy season, we go in search of water. Fortune smiles on us, as we come across a glassy lake barely an inch deep. I walk across its mirror surface with a dumb grin on my face, admiring the blue sky, tufts of cloud and mountains reflected at my feet. Back at the camp, I explore my surrounds on mountain bike and foot, my shoes crunching loudly against the crystals. As the sun goes down, I settle into a chair beside a makeshift fire and
ALTERNATIVE CAMPING Luxury Airstream trailers are the only accommodation on the salt flat
Islands appear to float on the shimmering horizon. Perspective blurs, tricks of the eye amplified by salt crystals and seemingly infinite plains. As we approach the island, not only are things not what they seem, but they should also not be where they are. I am at Incahuasi, a rocky, cactus-covered aberration hosting the only life amid a sea of salt. Climbing to the top, I notice lacerating outcrops of fossilised coral, evidence that this part of the world was once under the ocean. Now it’s 3,600 metres above sea level, and centuries-old cacti tower up to nine metres above me. Stranded on this bizarre island are lizards, viscacha and foxes, though how they got there is a puzzle. I spend a night in a hotel made of salt bricks, one of a handful on the perimeter of the pans. After the no-frills desert hotel, the Luna Salada feels almost luxurious, with fireplaces, proper bathrooms and internet. On my final night, I stay in a vintage-style Airstream camper, but this is caravanning with a difference. Forget trailer trash; the Airstream is as exclusive as it gets, the only accommodation on the salt pans. Although compact, it comes with a hot shower,
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enjoy a gin and tonic made with Andean gin. In eerie isolation, it feels as if nature is putting on a show just for me. The pans morph from white to gold and orange, then a deep purple. In the fading light of day, a wind whips up and the temperature plunges below freezing, but as the stars come out, I delay escaping into the warmth of the Airstream. My cheerful chef serves a simple dinner of pumpkin soup, grilled chicken and chocolate cake washed down with more Bolivian wine. After dinner and before retiring for the night, I brave the bitter cold one last time. The wind has subsided and the silence is absolute. The sleek metallic silhouette of the Airstream could be mistaken for a spaceship and I feel like I’m on another planet. I lie on a bed of salt and gaze at a million pinpricks twinkling in the sky, smudges of white marking the Milky Way, and a lone shooting star streaking across the blackness. I make a wish, not to return, which I hope to do, but that others should be so fortunate to see what I have seen, that there is magic in this world, and that we do everything we can to preserve it. malaysia tatler . january 2018
CRYSTAL CLEAR The blindingly white surface of the Salar de Uyuni covers more than 12,000 square kilometres
TATLER TAKES FIVE
GREG LOTUS With his book Shadows & Light hitting stores this month, the fashion photographer shares five things that inspire him
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I THINK ALL WOMEN POSSESS SOMETHING THAT IS REMARKABLY THEIR OWN. THROUGH MY PHOTOGRAPHS, I FIND AN EXPRESSION THAT REVEALS BEAUTY WITHIN EACH ONE
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TOBACCO ROAD BY ERSKINE CALDWELL
I am a fan of this artist. His portraits are mesmerising—the richness of the colour palate and the elongated features, the simplicity in the lines.
I’m on a tour of classic American novels.
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3 CANON N 5D MARK III
5 HERB RITTS
Herb is one of the photographers who has influenced my work. He was a master at weaving shadow and light.
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VENICE I love Venice. It’s endless in its elegance.
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IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
This camera has a natural feel to it, like an extension of my hand.
C O LLE C T IO N
©Photograph: patriceschreyer.com
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