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L I F E .

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

June 2018

BIG IDEAS FOR A SMALL CITY

INNOVATION NATION Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan on the future of Singapore’s clean mobility solutions $8.00

WWW.SINGAPORETATLER.COM

ASIA TATLER

Around Asia Meet the inspiring men and women gracing the May covers of our regional titles

Cathy Lee, the low-key actress-turnedphilanthropist, was honoured at the recent Amfar gala in Hong Kong for her work with the Chi Heng Foundation, a charity that helps children and adults affected by Aids.

She talks about the important things in life.

A strong sister-like bond links Annisa Pohan Yudhoyono and Aliya Rajasa Yudhoyono, two young mums sharing their motherhood journeys. Photographed with their children, the pair talks about the joys of family.

Actress, entrepreneur and artist Solenn Heussaff graces the cover of the annual Art Issue. She describes her creative journey and shares insights on what is driving the growth of Manila’s art scene.

Eric Li founded 37 Interactive Entertainment, one of the biggest mobile game companies in China. His success comes from his unique ability to analyse trends in the game industry. He discusses the importance of intellectual property rights.

Former dancer Tseng Hsin-ying, now the wife of Foxconn founder Terry Gou and mother of three, tells the story behind her involvement with the Yonglin Foundation and how she is helping improve the lives of the underprivileged.

Noppadol Baholyodhin’s creative journey has spanned many countries and roles, from furniture designer to TV show host. The former design guru for Jim Thompson and current chief creative officer of property developer Sansiri tells of his nomadic inspirations.

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singapor e tatler . june 2018

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

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ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS 118 Back to the Future Singapore can be at the forefront of the fast-growing electric vehicle industry, says Larissa Tan, CEO of the homegrown start-up behind the Dendrobium electric hypercar

122 Future Ready We spotlight the innovations being created to deal with some of Singapore’s most pressing challenges, and their potential for wider applications

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singapor e tatler . june 2018 . vol 36 . no 4 29

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CONTENTS

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52 CONCIERGE 36 Inbox

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The inaugural Fullerton Concours d’Elegance marks the 90th anniversary of the iconic Fullerton Building

38 Tatlerscope Thespian Siti Khalijah Zainal reveals her most memorable role and her biggest fear

40 Tatlergraph Neo-Survivalism 101: How to survive the Apocalypse unscathed and in style

42 Small Talk Singapore Lyric Opera artistic director Nancy Yuen on promoting the art form to a wider audience

44 What’s On Expand your horizons and pick an alternative interest this month

45 Feast Meet Tim Meijers, the man behind Tim’s Fine Catering Services

UPFRONT 48 Soiree Celebrating a night of fashion at the Singapore Tatler Fashion Awards 2018

52 Close-Up Australian entrepreneur Justin Dry is disrupting the business of wine selling

FIGHT CLUB

Witness the evolution of street art at Opera Gallery Singapore’s latest exhibition, Unsanctioned: Voice Off the Wall

CONTENTS

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STYLE 58 News Designers are making a serious case for crocheted pieces this summer

WATCHES & JEWELLERY 822 Watches

60 Profile When it comes to fashion, Crystal Piak opts for comfort and style

62 Beauty Feel fresh and feisty for your next tropiccal adventure with these beauty treats.

63 The bigger—and bushier—the brows the better. 64 Bvlgari master perfumer Alberto Morillas on the inspiration behind the new Le Gemme Reali fragrances.

68 Enter the world of Maison Christian Dior with perfumer-creator François Demachy

70 Fashion Chanel’s annual Métiers d’Art collection showcases the skill sets of the small specialised ateliers under its subsidiary, Paraffection. 74 Europe’s hottest It girls get access into the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Artigianalità workshop

84 GAME PLAN

Keep track of every yellow and red card, and goal at the Fifa World Cup with the Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia smartwatch

The latest dazzling jewellery watches will have you swooning. 84 Hublot’s firstever smartwatch is changing the entire ball game. 94 Dior’s latest Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires timepieces are more than just your garden variety watch.

96 A peek inside Blancpain’s two watch manufactures. 100 Urwerk’s AMC project seeks to marry the worlds of traditional watchmaking with futuristic atomic timekeeping

108 Jewellery The tassels on these dramatic high jewellery pieces add a decidedly alluring bohemian feel. 110 The extraordinary stones that have played an integral part in cementing the Tiffany & Co legacy

CONTENTS

156 142

LIFE 130 Travel Indonesia’s Kaliandra Eco Resort delivers a regal experience on the exotic slopes of a dormant volcano

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136 Cars Spurred by the success of the California, Ferrari ups the ante with the Portofino

142 Yachts A look at the luxury yachts which made their regional debuts at this year’s Singapore Yacht Show

144 Jets Almost thirty years in the making, HondaJet is finally taking flight

146 Art Net-a-Porter and its Porter magazine hosted its first Incredible Women session in Hong Kong

150 Design The iconic Fullerton Building writes itself into the history books as it celebrates its 90th birthday this month. 152 A camera should trigger the five senses, says Fujiflm’s Masazumi Imai

156 Food The ancient culinary method of fermentation is finding new favour with some of modern gastronomy’s best

160 Wine James Suckling’s list of the Bordeaux 2015 vintages that scored a perfect 100 points

FACES 164 Soiree Magic Bus Singapore 8th Annual Gala

166 Onlooker The who, what and where of society

DEPARTMENTS Around Asia 14 Editor’s Note 28 Behind the Scenes 30 Objet d’Art 32 Tatler Takes Five 176

BUILT TO LAST

The Fullerton Building has stood tall and proud in Singapore for the past 90 years.

To commemorate this milestone, The Fullerton Heritage has organised a three-day celebration this month

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EDITOR’S NOTE

The Road Ahead hen features writer Chong Seow Wei attended the launch of the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan in Beijing recently, she experienced first-hand the future of digital payment. Feeling peckish, she wanted to grab a bite at an eatery but the joint only favoured digital payment methods the likes of WeChat Pay and Alipay. Such is the state of affairs in China as it moves towards being a cashless society.

HOT WHEELS

Features writer and resident motorhead Chong Seow Wei checks out the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan at the Beijing Auto Show. Read the story in the July issue of Singapore Tatler

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Transport, as we all know, is already assuming a brand-new look—think ride-sharing apps; driverless, automated vehicles; and delivery drones. Cities are increasingly becoming more connected and using data to get smarter. Even the workplace will soon be transformed. Based on a 2017 McKinsey Global Institute study, 60 per cent of all jobs today have at least 30 per cent of activities that can be automated based on available technologies. And should companies choose to invest and automate these activities, that would affect half the world economy, which translates to 1.2 billion employees and $19.5 trillion in wages. At the rate of how technology is evolving these days, imagine what will happen in a decade—many jobs may just be made redundant.

A scary thought indeed.

Is Singapore prepared for the future? On the public sector front, the government has set up the Future Economy Council to drive the transformation of Singapore’s economy. The role of the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office is similar—it leads the digital transformation in both the public and private sectors. The government is spearheading the charge in tackling Brave New World version 3.0.

But are the people and the companies ready?

The answer to that is a yes. From infrastructure to healthcare, Singapore has a solution ready to future-proof itself. Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory also has locally grown rice that is hardy and can withstand dry and wet weather— this makes for a small but significant step forward towards our food security. Read the story on p.122.

Similar steps are being taken to help the nation ready itself to tackle the perils of climate change. As the world gears towards the adoption of electric vehicles, we have one sleek, battery-powered ride to call our own: Vanda Electrics’ Dendrobium electric hypercar, which made its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

CEO Larissa Tan, who shares this month’s cover with the handsome speedster, talks about the car’s potential as well as the challenges the company faced while working on this project (p.118).

Many things tomorrow will be markedly different from what it is today or even yesterday.

My advice? Be future-ready and embrace change and evolution like how our forefathers did.

Meanwhile, I’ll be paying for my latte with my smartphone. I’m prepared.

—Terence Lim Editor singapor e tatler . june 2018

MAIN IMAGE: UNSPLASH

THE NEXT LAP The future can be fraught with uncertainties where challenges abound, but Singapore looks ready to step into the unknown

BEHIND THE SCENES CONCRETE BEAUTY The cover shoot took place at Wah Son @ Seletar Aerospace Park, which won a President’s Design Award in 2016

DEEP IMPACT For this month’s cover shoot, we revelled in the power of innovative design

L I F E .

JUNE 2018

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

PHOTOGRAPHY Darren Gabriel Leow, assisted by Halid June 2018

HAIR Grego/Indigo Artisans, using Keune Haircosmetics Singapore

BIG IDEAS FOR A SMALL CITY

MAKE-UP Cheryl Ow/Indigo Artisans, using Parfums Christian Dior

INNOVATION NATION Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan on the future of Singapore’s clean mobility solutions

FULL SPEED AHEAD

The Dendrobium was developed by Vanda Electrics, in collaboration with the UK’s Williams Advanced Engineering

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FASHION DIRECTION Desmond Lim, assisted by Joey Tan

WATCH Franck Muller OUTFIT Giorgio Armani

believes Singapore’s compact size and efficient infrastructure make it the perfect test bed for electric vehicles, and that it can emerge as a significant player as the world moves towards more sustainable modes of transport.

Vanda Electrics is just one of many innovative Singaporean and Singapore-based companies venturing to solve some pressing regional challenges. In this issue, we take a closer look at their ingenuity. singapor e tatler . june 2018

WORDS AND IMAGES: HONG XINYI

t this point in the 21st century, the industrial aesthetic has fully permeated restaurants, retail spaces, and even homes. So it is not surprising if your average hipster sees concrete floors, exposed beams and metal fixtures and immediately thinks: “That must be the latest trendy cafe.” Once upon a time though, these features were hallmarks of an actual industry—that is, spaces dedicated to manufacturing the things we need, rather than selling the things we want.

For this month’s cover shoot, we had the pleasure of shooting Larissa Tan, the CEO of Singapore start-up Vanda Electrics with its futuristic hypercar, the Dendrobium. Upon arriving at Wah Son @ Seletar Aerospace Park, where Vanda Electrics’ offices are located, we were all blown away by this magnificent concrete building. Designed by homegrown firm ipli Architects, it brings to mind the stark power of the brutalist style as well as the serene elegance of Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s work.

In a way, this building is a perfect home for Vanda Electrics, which is staking its claim on the future through its inventive solutions for transportation powered by electricity. Larissa

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STEALTH MODE

The price of the McLaren 570GT MSO Black Collection without COE. For an additional $28,000, you can upgrade to the electrochromic panoramic roof with a UV-filtering privacy glass that comes in five different tints

The top speed of the 570GT, which comes with a 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering a century sprint time of 3.4s

The number of units of the limited-edition 570GT MSO Black Collection available worldwide

singapor e tatler . june 2018

WORDS: HASHIRIN NURIN HASHIMI; IMAGE: MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE

lack is the new black, always—don’t let fashion tell you otherwise. McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive, has introduced a sleek, all-black design for its 570GT supercar with the MSO Black Collection.

And it is more than just a paint job—for the record, the carbon black paint is exclusive to MSO. Part of the McLaren Sports Series, the 570GT MSO Black Collection exudes an air of mystery thanks to the MSO Defined Black Pack, which extends a palette of black-on-black to the front and rear splitters, side skirts and air intakes, along with the twin-spoke forged wheels. Its dark and handsome demeanour is further enhanced in the cabin with the MSO Black Collection trim, with features such as the centre console, steering wheel and speaker surrounds swathed in jet-black leather with carbon black Alcantara accents.

More than just its brooding good looks, the 570GT also packs driving thrills with its new Sport Pack dynamic handling package, while its MSO Defined Titanium SuperSports Exhaust provides a sharper exhaust tone 5dB louder than the series’ standard, so you can announce your arrival in style.

CONCIERGE This month’s must-do list

TAKE PRIDE Twenty years since its Broadway premiere, Disney’s The Lion King is reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, with breathtaking artistry and brilliant choreography set to an unforgettable score by Elton John and Tim Rice. The award-winning musical returns to the Mastercard Theatres, from June 27 to August 26

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INBOX

TATLERSCOPE

TATLERGRAPH

SMALL TALK

FEAST

The Fullerton Concours d’Elegance marks the 90th anniversary of the iconic Fullerton Building

Thespian Siti Khalijah Zainal reveals her most memorable role and her biggest fear

Neo-Survivalism 101: How to survive the Apocalypse unscathed and in style

Singapore Lyric Opera’s Nancy Yuen is going all out to expose more people to the art form

Meet Tim Meijers, the chef behind Tim’s Fine Catering Services

IMAGE: JOAN MARCUS © DISNEY

CONCIERGE | ,1%2;

RUMOUR MILL

MONUMENTAL MOMENT

Straight from the underbelly of high society!

From classic cars to charity drives, the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance drums up the celebratory mood for the 90th birthday of the Fullerton Building, home to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

EYE CANDY More than 90 vintage and classic cars, as well as supercars from around the world will line the waterfront at the Clifford Square and Clifford Pier for the inaugural Fullerton Concours d’Elegance

fullertonconcours.com

16 The number of times a desperate socialite hounded an acquaintance to take her as his plus-one to a prestigious ball, just hours before its start. But sometimes persistence doesn’t pay off as every single call went straight to voicemail.

Got the message?

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LIP SERVICE Admit it, when you say “let’s have coffee sometime” to someone you’ve just met, you don’t mean it half the time. Apparently not to this social climber who received such an invitation from a lady she’d met for all of five minutes at a recent cocktail. When the meeting didn’t happen, she complained to all who would hear that the lady flaked on her.

Songs for the Soul The British Theatre Playhouse presents London’s West End wonder trio, The Definitive Rat Pack, at its Art for Charity fundraising gala dinner on June 27.

The talented tribute artists will take the stage at the Grand Ballroom of One Farrer Hotel & Spa to belt out hits by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. singapor e tatler . june 2018

MAIN IMAGE: THE FULLERTON HERITAGE; ILLUSTRATIONS: 123RF

he fullerton Heritage marks the 90th birthday of the Fullerton Building, now home to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, with a big bash complete with gala dinners, art exhibitions, live music performances and exquisite car displays.

The Fullerton Concours d’Elegance, which takes place within The Fullerton Heritage precinct from June 29 to July 1, will be anchored by a grand showcase of more than 90 cars—some dating back to the 1920s—lining the waterfront. Some cars to look out for: a 1934 Austin Seven Ulster Special, a 1967 Lamborghini Miura, and the first 2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge to be seen on our shores. And for the first time, visitors will witness the largest display of cars from the personal garage of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

On the final day of the three-day affair, a closing ceremony gala dinner will be held with proceeds from a silent auction as well as the four charity convoys organised by private car clubs such as the Ferrari Owners’ Club Singapore going to the President’s Challenge.

IN POOR TASTE Money can buy you the latest Hermès bag, that dazzling pink diamond ring, and sometimes, even friends. But it certainly can’t buy you class, as one society wannabe displayed. So jealous was he that his frenemy was featured in our pages that he openly dissed the friend, and brazenly asked for a feature in the next issue.

CONCIERGE | TATLERSCOPE “My most memorable performance so far has been Best Of by The Necessary Stage. In the monologue, I play a young Malay-Muslim woman in Singapore who is faced with the difficulties of getting and going through a divorce. I enjoyed the role because playwright Haresh Sharma managed to create a protagonist who was 60 per cent Siti and 40 per cent fictional.”

NK WIT I R H… AD

IK

HAL

IJAH

N I ZA

CENTRE STAGE “My favourite local theatre productions are Poop!

by The Finger Players, which talks about dealing with the loss of a loved one; The Necessary Stage’s Off Centre, a play about mental illness; and Wild Rice’s Hotel, for its rich portrayal of Singapore’s history and culture.”

Dedicated to being a voice for the unheard, the effervescent thespian reveals her most memorable role and her biggest fear Poop!

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t was the assembly shows in secondary school that first had Siti Khalijah Zainal in wonderment about acting. “My friends would want to skip these performances, but I’d be so excited to watch them because the characters were always so energetic! I would often imagine being part of the skits too.”

Her fascination with acting grew over the years and in 2003, she decided to enrol into the now defunct, year-long Theatre for Youth Ensemble programme by homegrown theatre company, The Necessary Stage (TNS). The 33-year-old

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has since established a solid career in theatre and television, performing in English and Malay language productions. Her most recent gig was playing multiple characters, including that of a social entrepreneur, in Underclass, which was a collaboration between local theatre companies Drama Box and TNS. In April, the 2014 Young Artist Award recipient also stretched her acting capabilities, playing eight different characters, reprising her role in the restaging of playwright Zizi Azah’s popular How Did The Cat Get So Fat?, which brought attention to the realities of Singapore society.

Off Centre

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Hotel

singapor e tatler . june 2018

WORDS: CHONG SEOW WEI; PHOTOGRAPHY: LONG FEI/MUNSTER + LONG FEI; HAIR AND MAKE-UP: ANGEL GWEE, USING KEVIN.MURPHY AND CHANEL; IMAGES: UNSPLASH, ALAN LIM (BEST OF), THE FINGER PLAYERS, THE NECESSARY STAGE AND WILD RICE

SIT

“I’ve always felt that the real Siti Khalijah Zainal, the private individual, is a very boring person. She doesn’t know how to convey her thoughts eloquently and is quite shy. She’s quite different from Siti, the actor, who she envies for being able to vocalise her opinions well because the lines have been written for her.”

AL

“I’m most attracted to stories that highlight real social issues in Singapore.

As an actor, I want to be a voice for the under-represented or unheard groups in our society; to let the audience I perform for know about their situations, get them to talk about these issues and change their mindsets.

That’s when I feel like I’ve done my job.”

“My greatest fear is to lose sight, literally and metaphorically. I’m a visual person who enjoys the beauty in every little thing, and I’m also claustrophobic. So to imagine myself not being able to see is daunting. I also fear that there’ll come a day when I’m so caught up with something I so strongly believe in that others don’t, that I become selfish and don’t listen to them.”

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CONCIERGE | TATLERGRAPH

THE ART OF NEO-SURVIVALISM Whether the end comes in the form of a nuclear war or a hostile robot takeover, we’ve got you sorted on how to survive, unscathed and in style

HIGH-LEVEL PLANNING 3 PACK YOUR PERSONAL GUIDE ON ALL THE ESCAPE ROUTES AND SHORTCUTS IN YOUR CITY

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5 BUILD A SECRET LUXURY DOOMSDAY BUNKER LIKE BILL GATES SUPPOSEDLY DID

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singapor e tatler . june 2018

WORDS: CHONG SEOW WEI; IMAGES: 123RF, UNSPLASH, JAMIE GRAY/JAMIE GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY (BEAR GRYLLS), MONCLER AND ORION SPAN (AURORA STATION)

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CONCIERGE | SMALL TALK

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER Whether it is through her titular role in Singapore Lyric Opera’s Aida or discovering young operatic talents, soprano and artistic director Nancy Yuen is going all out to expose more people to the art form

he may have sung the role of aida twice—with the Dublin Opera and the Kentish Opera in the UK—but every production is a new experience for soprano Nancy Yuen. She will once again take on the titular role in Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, which will be staged for the first time by the Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO) from June 1 to 6, at the Esplanade Theatre.

For Yuen, what keeps it interesting is “working with new colleagues whom I haven’t worked with before”, such as South Korean soprano Jee-Hye Han who shares the role of Aida with her, as well as a number of young singers from Singapore. They were discovered from the SLO-Leow Siak Fah Artists Training Programme (named after SLO’s late founding chairman) and the Asean Vocal Competition, two initiatives Yuen has spearheaded since she took on the role of artistic director of SLO in 2015, to further its objective of advocating, developing and nurturing the opera scene and talent in Singapore.

This was also the reason why SLO decided it was time to stage Verdi’s epic, which is helmed by Australia-born veteran opera director Andrew Sinclair. Yuen explains, “Verdi wrote the ‘pop’ music of his time and his tunes were all hauntingly mesmerising; Aida was no exception. By presenting one of the world’s most popular operas, SLO hopes to reach out to audiences both young and old, in Singapore and the region.”

Yuen tells us about her role in both the production and in developing young operatic talents and the opera audience in Singapore.

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An earlier staging in Singapore saw a cast of hundreds, with elephants and pyramids during the Triumphal March.

What can we expect from this staging?

This is the first time in Singapore that this grand opera is staged in the theatre. Previously, it was done in a stadium setting, which had a very different layout.

With SLO’s staging, audiences are seated in closer proximity to the stage and they can feel the incredible tension of the story and between the characters through the melding of captivating music, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes and atmospheric lighting.

Tell us about the young singers discovered by SLO. One of the winners of the Asean Vocal Competition is Alvin Tan, who is singing the role of Ramfis. Jack Sun, who plays the Pharaoh, and Cherie Tse, who is the High Priestess, are both from the SLO-Leow Siak Fah Artists Training Programme. We currently have six singers, each with their own unique talents. They will take part in masterclasses conducted by our international guest artists, and perform in a number of our concerts, including Opera in the Park and our gala concerts.

How else is SLO exposing more people to Western opera?

More opera companies of various sizes are presenting works of different genres, and Singaporeans are more aware of this art form.

We have graduates from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music who majored in voice, and some have furthered their studies abroad and returned, creating a bigger pool of Western opera singers.

They are participating in some of our activities or initiating their own small projects to capture a wider audience. On our part, SLO hopes to bring operas to the heartlands and share this beautiful music with people of all ages and backgrounds.

singapor e tatler . june 2018

WORDS: HASHIRIN NURIN HASHIMI; IMAGE: LIONEL LAI/ACEPIX

How do you relate to the character of Aida?

Aida is a strong woman who dares to love a man from the enemy camp, and yet in the end, she betrays her love in order to save her country. I can only use my imagination to live her life as a slave and as a daughter caught in a dangerous situation.

The opera is about love—love between man and woman (Radamès and Aida), love between father and daughter (Amonasro and Aida), and unrequited love (Amneris and Radamès).

They are all caught in the conflicts of war. In real life, we experience love of all kinds every day; and there are still wars going on in the world today.

CONCIERGE | WHAT’S ON

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8 9 Nice to Beat You by Gil Kerer and Korina Fraiman

25TH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL The silver jubilee of this festival brings together six virtuoso pianists, including Argentine Martha Argerich, who makes her Southeast Asian debut performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 3. Till June 13, at Victoria Concert Hall and Esplanade Concert Hall. pianofestival.com.sg

UNSANCTIONED: VOICES OFF THE WALL Explore street art’s diversity in style and technique, along with its enduring influence today, through the works of some of the genre’s most influential voices including Seen, Blek le Rat and Keith Haring. Till June 22, at Opera Gallery Singapore. operagallery.com

M1 CONTACT CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL 2018 With an invitation to experience contemporary dance from its developmental stages to its polished form, the ninth edition of this festival features 28 works from 14 countries, with a focus on local and regional artists, performing alongside their international counterparts. Till August 5, at various locations. the-contact.org

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CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL: SMALL BIG DREAMERS National Gallery Singapore’s new biennial children’s festival introduces pioneer performance artist Lee Wen through a special commission, A Waking Dream: Sun-boy and Yellow Man, which is inspired by his life and artistic practice. Till September 9. nationalgallery.sg

MARVEL STUDIOS: TEN YEARS OF HEROES Enter the cinematic universe of the Marvel Studios and get to know your superheroes, including Iron Man, Thor and Black Panther, at this new exhibition at the ArtScience Museum. Get insights on the latest releases, and the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp. Till September 30. marinabaysands.com/ museum

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SINGAPORE INK SHOW 2018 Whether it is the hand-tapped tattoos of the Filipino Kalinga tribe or the detailed portraits by American artist Nikko Hurtado, experience the diverse forms of body art from the more than 160 tattoo artists from over 23 countries. Till June 17, at Suntec Singapore. sginkshow.com

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UFC FIGHT NIGHT SINGAPORE American mixed martial arts fighter Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone takes on British upstart Leon “Rocky” Edwards in the main event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The fight card also boasts athletes from around the world. ufc.com/singapore

Amazing Team: Spiderman, Batman & Robin (2014)

by Seen, from Unsanctioned: Voice Off the Wall

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A SONG OF LIFE Known for her melodic voice, Singapore-raised Japanese singer-songwriter Sachiyo shares her life story through her original compositions across various genres such as jazz and pop. At Esplanade Recital Studio. sachiyo.net

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SINGAPORE ART BOOK FAIR From poet Cyril Wong to photographer Rebecca Toh, discover the works of 21 creatives, alongside print makers, calligraphers, creative collectives, and many more at this independent festival of contemporary art books and zines. Till July 1, at the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore in Gillman Barracks. singaporeartbookfair.com

UNITED STATES

RUSSIA

ENGLAND

SPAIN

JUNE 7–10

JUNE 14–JULY 15

JUNE 19–23

JUNE 27–30

Muse, Eminem and The Killers headline the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Comedy acts, yoga sessions and a silent disco are also in the line-up. bonnaroo.com

The football world’s most awaited tournament, the Fifa World Cup, sees 32 national teams play 64 matches across 11 cities— watched by several billion people around the world. fifa.com

Don your feathered fascinator and try to catch a glimpse of the queen at Royal Ascot, Britain’s most fashionable annual horse race event—and one of the oldest, dating back to 1711. ascot.co.uk

The Rioja town of Haro celebrates wine and St Peter with La Batalla del Vino, a fiesta that includes a wine fight in which participants spray grape juice over all and sundry. wine-fight.com

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WORDS: HASHIRIN NURIN HASHIMI; IMAGE: TOMER HAPERLIN (NICE TO BEAT YOU)

jun

From piano concertos and contemporary dance, to street and tattoo art, expand your horizons and pick an alternative interest this month

FEAST | CONCIERGE

A HOST OF OPTIONS Apprenticeships in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants have inspired Tim Meijers to establish Tim’s Fine Catering Services

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THE BEGINNINGS Chef Tim Meijers (right), who helms the kitchen at Tim’s Fine Catering Services, started off as a young apprentice at the renowned Muller restaurant in his hometown of Groningen in the Netherlands.

Since discovering his passion early on, he has sharpened his skills at several Michelinstarred restaurants across Europe including Sketch in London, and backpacked across Asia in search of culinary inspiration. This led him to Singapore where he headed Saint Pierre’s catering arm for two and a half years, before setting up his own business.

BESPOKE OFFERINGS

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No two events are alike, which is why chef Meijers and his team customise their menus according to customers’ preferences. “We have a dialogue with our clients to understand what they would like to achieve,” he shares, adding that they only use premium ingredients. Their innovation knows no bounds, as evinced by the Singapore chilli crab with coriander chips on toast for a localinspired spread and the “mini marzipan cars” to fit a themed product launch.

CULINARY CHAMELEON SCALED EFFORTS While Tim’s Fine Catering Services offers a range of different cuisines, including French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese, as well as fusion offerings, its speciality is without a doubt modern French cuisine with Japanese influences. Savour a multicourse menu, and request for its signature pan-seared foie gras with pickled beets, apple pie and raspberry-infused port reduction (below).

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Whether you are catering for a party of 100 or an intimate affair of 12, chef Meijers and his team are happy to go the extra mile to walk you through the different options available. For instance, a 12-course menu, which may include the smoked salmon with oscietra caviar and baby tomatoes (right), is recommended for larger gala dinners. For a cocktail session, chef Meijers suggests the canape selection— an assortment of delicious bites such as beetroot salad with raspberry vinaigrette and mini chicken quiche.

EXTRA, EXTRA

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WORDS: DUDI AUREUS

Chef Meijers’ work extends beyond his kitchen as he also offers home cooking classes to customers who want to cook like a pro. Budding home cooks can choose their preferred cuisine and prepare a three-course meal, which they will enjoy afterwards. Top up for optional wine pairing.

Tim’s Fine Catering Services: tel: 9800 6874

singapor e tatler . june 2018

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UPFRONT Talk of

the town

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT The party don’t start till they walk in. These stylish society offspring put their best outfits forward at Singapore Tatler’s biggest fashion event of the year—the Tatler Fashion Awards.

Catch all the sartorial action on p.48

UPFRONT | SOIREE

Clara Goh, Dick Lee and Rasina Rubin

From left: CLASSIC DRESSER Carmen Ow STYLE DISRUPTER Fanty Soenardy MOST STYLISH MAN Jeffrey Piak MOST STYLISH WOMAN Yenny Then

Stephanie Lee

Fashion Fiesta SINGAPORE TATLER FASHION AWARDS 2018

Ho Ching Lin

It was a night of Fashion with a capital F as 80 of Singapore Tatler’s best-dressed society friends gathered to celebrate the annual Tatler Fashion Awards. Unlike the big bashes off previous years, we decided to switch it up this year with an intimate dinner just for fashion insiders. The event was held at the Sinfonia Ristorante at the Victoria Theatre & Conceert Hall, and its high ceilings and Corinthian columns provided the perfect backdrop for our society stalwarts to strut theiir stuff—and stand out they did!

With #slay being the theme of the night, the sartorial sttars didn’t just come to play—they got their fashion A-game onn.

From head-to-toe baroque prints and bright colours, to thee creative mix of textures, it was hard to narrow down our favourite outfits of the night.

As everyone feasted on a sumptuous three-course meal of roasted octopus, French pea soup and delectable short ribs,

Shabnam Arashan

STRIKE A POSE

The cool kids brought a whole new meaning to the word slay

Susanna Kang

Dyon Foo, Vanessa Ng, Dawn Koh, Desmond Lim, Sabrina Ho, Adeline Teo and Mae Tan

Karen Ong-Tan

Shinji Yamasaki

Kimihisa and Kyoko Abe

Dana Cheong

UPFRONT | SOIREE

FASHION ON FLEEK

Style Disrupter Fanty Soenardy proved worthy of her title with two different outfits for the night

Siow Yin Yin, Corinne Ng and Sammi Lin

Elaine Lim-Chan Chen Ruoyi and Grace Guo

Pangina Heals

Peggy Jeffs

Paulina Bรถhm Adrian Ng and Loh May-Han

Rachel Wee and Alexis Goh

Georgia Lee and Linda Soo-Tan Nina Ng and Dolly Cheong

Tan Min-Li and Serene Chua

Angela Ng

TREATS GALORE

Belinda Chua, Grace Yeh, June Rin and Caroline Low-Heah

codfish and risotto, it was time for the evening’s biggest reveal.

After a short introduction by Edipresse Media Singapore managing director Corinne Ng, this year’s notable style stars were unveiled: Yenny Then, Jeffrey Piak, Carmen Ow and Fanty Soenardy. The awardees each received an exquisitely crafted Lalique trophy, a curated beauty gift set by Clé de Peau Beauté and a specially designed LG Styler.

Bringing the glam factor up another notch was drag superstar Pangina Heals of Drag Race Thailand fame with a special performance: first lip-syncing to Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love, before showing off her vocals with the Broadway classic Hey Big Spender.

As the evening drew to a close, camera flashes continued to light up the room as guests showed off their best poses at the Hello Stranger photo booth, flutes of champagne in hand, bringing home memories of yet another exhilarating night at the Tatler Fashion Awards.

Clockwise from above: the Singapore Tatler Fashion Awards recipients were presented with Lalique trophies; guests took home Clé de Peau Beauté gift sets; LG Stylers with specially designed skins inspired by our awardees; stylish guests including Rosalynn Tay hammed it up at the Hello Stranger photo booth

CLOSE-UP | UPFRONT

Online Oenophile

PHOTOGRAPHY: MAX CHAN/101TEAMWORK; GROOMING: JENNIFER CHOONG/THE ARTISTS INC

Australian entrepreneur Justin Dry tells Hong Xinyi how he is disrupting the business of wine selling by making the buying experience more palatable

ine runs in Justin Dry’s blood, and that is absolutely not our polite way of calling him a lush. After all, he is the first to offer up his wine-steeped origin story.

“My ancestors planted some of the first vines in the Barossa Valley,” he says with discernible pride, referring to Australia’s famous wine region. His uncles were in the wine trade, and did tastings with him when he was a kid. He later studied wine marketing and winemaking at university, and also worked in the industry.

In his early 20s, Justin started going to independent wine shops to ferret out rare, interesting wines. And that is when his passion started to bump up against what he describes as the elitist nature of wine culture.

“I remember walking into one shop where the guy behind the counter was wearing a bow tie, and the way he talked down to people wasn’t very inviting. And I thought that if I felt intimidated, even with all my history and experience, a lot of people were going to feel the same. And that’s ridiculous.

I wanted to democratise the industry so that more people could enjoy really good wine.”

That, in a nutshell, is the driving ethos behind Vinomofo, an online wine retail platform Justin co-founded with his brother-in-law, Andre Eikmeier, in 2011. By sourcing its wines directly from producers, and selling to 600,000 Vinomofo members, the platform cuts out the middlemen and offers much more competitive prices.

Stringent curation and fostering a strong sense of community (sustained by regular offline events) are key strengths. And you will never find the Vinomofo website, nor Justin himself, using tongue-twisting terms like malolactic fermentation.

“The reality is, wine has become too complicated and intellectualised,” this straight-talking Aussie believes. “When I’m talking to people, I would simply say, ‘This is an amazing wine; it changed my life; it goes s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

well with this kind of food, let’s get a bottle and try it together.’”

Judging by the robust growth of Vinomofo, this forthright, fun-filled approach is working.

Since launching its service in Singapore a year ago, the platform has signed up 20,000 local members. “The growth rate has exceeded all our expectations,” says Justin.

The Vinomofo members in Singapore are high-income professionals aged 30 to 45, who are adventurous and spend a lot of time wining and dining. At the moment, there are slightly more men than women, Justin reveals.

“They’re very open to small-batch, natural and biodynamic wines, and there’s interest in highend, cutting-edge wines that are hard to get.”

Vinomofo’s global expansion is just beginning, with a US launch slated for later this year. Also in the works is a better personalisation experience for its users. “That comes down to welcome e-mails tailored for each individual, what offers are shown to which people and when, all based on the preferences and data we’ve recorded,” says Justin. “The types of things we know you’re going to like will be presented more often.”

That may sound a little like the wine version of living in a Facebook-filtered news bubble, but Justin’s team has taken care to retain the joy of discovery. The personalisation tool they have built keeps categories broader from the outset, to facilitate more interesting recommendations. “For instance, if you buy a 2012 shiraz, what else is similar in terms of vintage, style and variety that you might like but not know of? How can we put that in front of you instead of recommending only other types of 2012 shiraz?”

As for whether an algorithm might prove superior to a sommelier, “that depends on how good the sommelier is”, Justin quips, laying down the gauntlet. “Your interaction with a sommelier might be for three minutes in a restaurant before you order.

We’ve got years of purchase patterns and conversations and clicks. I believe it’s a far better experience.”

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IMAGE: EMPORIO ARMANI

Beautiful things to have and to hold

LONDON CALLING In celebration of the opening of the Emporio Armani store on Bond Street in London, the Italian label’s secondary line transplanted its show across the pond with a collection that leveraged on the brand’s forte—its unique take on androgyny

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NEWS

PROFILE

BEAUTY

FASHION

FASHION

Designers are making a serious case for crocheted pieces this summer

When it comes to fashion, Crystal Piak opts for comfort and style

Bvlgari master perfumer Alberto Morillas on the inspiration behind the new Le Gemme Reali fragrances

Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection showcases the skill sets of its specialised ateliers

Europe’s hottest It girls get access into the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Artigianalità workshop

STYLE | NEWS Katerina Makriyianni, available at Net-a-Porter

Gabriela Hearst

Dior

KNIT PICK Anything heavier than linen in the sauna months of summer might sound ludicrous, but before you write it off as madness, designers are making a serious case for crocheted garments this season.

From breezy, eyelet-patterned pieces by the likes of Sonia Rykiel to the woven, lace-up lattice boots by Dior, you might be surprised at just how cool you’ll feel, both literally and fashionably.

AurĂŠlie dermann

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Sole Society Popularised by the ’90s jock, the rubber shower sandal can now be worn outside the locker room, thanks to the stamp of approval from brands like Gucci and Givenchy

Givenchy

Balenciaga

Valentino

Gucci

PERFECT PAIRS

Whether you’re spending weekends at the Hamptons or in Havana, take advantage of the season in which it’s socially acceptable to wear all white. Just break up the look with an extra-long black belt and make sure your trousers are tailored.

AMIRI

LABEL LOVER

o ga m rra Fe to re lva Sa

One look at Amiri’s collection and you’ll notice plenty of comfortable hoodies and tees, all with a heavy dose of Cali-cool. It comes as no surprise, given that founder Mike Amiri was born and raised in Los Angeles, surrounded by the city’s street art and rock and roll music scene, which have found their way into his clothes. In fact, before Amiri earned a name for himself in the fashion industry as Buscemi’s head designer, some of his initial work involved creating stage outfits for musicians in LA. Music has continued to be an important source of inspiration over his past four seasons, resulting in distressed denim, retro high-top sneakers and graphic sweaters with the punk and grunge undertones the brand is known for.

This season, tie-dyed button-up shirts and buckle-detail cowboy boots are features of the collection. There’s no doubt they will be seen on the fashion set at Coachella and around the world, thanks to a global network of more than 100 stockists. Amiri is available at Lane Crawford and online at Mr Porter and Farfetch.

Loro Piana

WORDS: ROSANA LAI; PHOTOGRAPHY: JASON LLOYD-EVANS (BACKSTAGE, RUNWAY AND STREET STYLE); LOOKBOOK IMAGES COURTESY OF LANE CRAWFORD; SANDAL IMAGES COURTESY OF MR PORTER)

Mike Amiri

FASHION GENES Crystal Piak wears a Louis Vuitton silk men’s shirt, which was a surprise gift from her sister after she mentioned how much she wanted it

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352),/( | STYLE

The Sweet Life

WORDS: CHERYL CHAN; PHOTOGRAPHY: LIONEL LAI/ ACEPIX; HAIR AND MAKE-UP: BENEDICT CHOO, USING URBAN DECAY

Ice cream connoisseur Crystal Piak knows exactly how to straddle the line between comfort and style ’m not as stylish as my dad!”

Crystal Piak exclaimed when we first mooted the idea of this shoot to her. The 27-yearold cafe owner is the eldest daughter of Singapore Tatler Fashion Awards 2018 Most Stylish Man, Jeffrey Piak, and his wife Emily.

While her father favours a more experimental style, Crystal prizes ease and comfort, citing her job as the main driver for her fashion choices. “I spend most of my time working and I’m very hands-on at the cafe, so I pick items that I wouldn’t mind getting dirty,” she tells us. By cafe, she means Poppy Pops, the establishment she founded that specialises in home-made gelato ice pops and located on the rooftop of Jem mall. “I started cooking ever since I was a little girl and have always had a passion for it. So when I graduated, my dad encouraged me to follow my dreams and set up my own business. Since I had his support, I figured why not?”

The father-daughter pair share a close relationship, with fashion being the common thread. Crystal regularly accompanies her father on shopping trips as a way to spend time together. “Sometimes I think he likes having me there because I won’t persuade him to buy things for me,” she jokes. “He even likes to school me on what’s fashionable!”

When it comes to her style, Crystal’s off-duty looks are just as fuss-free as her on-duty ones, and she favours shirt dresses and flats. “I rarely wear heels because I walk a lot, so even my heels need to be comfortable and practical.” She believes that the right pair of shoes can really change your look and cites brands such as Dior, Gucci and Roger Vivier among some of her latest acquisitions.

She also prefers contemporary labels such as Sandro, Maje and Carven for clothes, and loves discovering new designers during her travels and at multi-label boutiques such as Dover Street Market. s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

Her biggest indulgences thus far? Skincare packages at CSK Clinics and hair treatment sessions at Follicle as ways to pamper herself when she isn’t working. “I’m a huge skincare junkie. My skin is exposed to a lot of oil and heat at work so I try to take care of it as much as I can,” Crystal says.

She even follows an eight-step skincare routine every night.

With a common love for fashion and expert style tips from her father, could Crystal be a part of the Tatler Fashion Awards family legacy? Well, watch this space.

CRYSTAL’S TIMELESS ESSENTIALS IWC Schaffhausen watch

Chanel bag

Givenchy lipstick

Dior ear cuff

Tiffany & Co bracelet

Hermès bag

Suecomma Bonnie heels

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WORDS: CHERRY LAI; IMAGES: JASON LLOYD-EVANS

s th ramatic arche d to s e m o c s the better w ro b When it e th r— nd bushie the bigger—a

Alexander Wang

e’s been no stopping the power brow since a Delevingne resurrected it a few seasons k, and if the spring/summer 2018 shows re any indication, with It girls du jour such as ia Gerber and Taylor Hill rocking hypersh, dark and textured caterpillars, things e only getting bushier. And we’re all for it. eceptively low maintenance, a set of cultivated rches contours the face and renders make-up practically unnecessary. Just ask make-up artist Mark Carrasquillo, who dolled models up at Salvatore Ferragamo with nothing but fuzzy, feathered brows filled in with liners one shade darker than the model’s hair and a muted lippie.

Another option is to go au naturel a la Gabriela Hearst and Alexander Wang’s brushedup, well-blended arches atop highlighter-dusted brow bones. Frida Kahlo would be proud.

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BEAUTY | STYLE

Fit for a Queen In Dubai for the global launch of Bvlgari’s new Le Gemme Reali fragrances, Elizabeth Lee sits down with master perfumer Alberto Morillas to discover the precious inspiration behind his latest masterpieces earing perfume is just like putting on a piece of jewellery,” declares master perfumer Alberto Morillas with charming conviction. It is easy to see why the nose behind some of the world’s most recognisable scents would feel this way.

After all, this is the man who was inspired by Byzantine empress Theodora’s beautiful tiara when he created Bvlgari’s new Le Gemme Reali fragrances.

Diamonds may be a more popular choice for jewellery these days, but in 324 Constantinople, the capital city of the Byzantine empire, rubies, sapphires and emeralds reigned supreme. The queenly stones, which are said to have journeyed through Pakistan, Tibet, Persia and Mesopotamia, were considered so precious that only royalty could wear them. In a mosaic portrait found in a church in Ravenna, Italy, empress Theodora is depicted in royal purple robes, her crown sparkling with red, blue and green jewels.

When Morillas first embarked on his journey to craft the trio of Le Gemme Reali scents, he approached the fragrances “as jewels, set in stone”. This is the ethos dictating Bvlgari’s top-of-the-line fragrance collection, Le Gemme, which was first launched in 2014.

The fragrances are considered the pinnacle of Bvlgari’s olfactory range, its haute joaillerie equivalent, if you will.

SET IN STONE “I constructed this trilogy around the sapphire, emerald and ruby, inspired by the way Bvlgari cuts and polishes them. It was a case of creating a strong emotion with a few words, as in a poem, and to express the intensity of their colour—blue, green or red—with the boldness and the modernity that brings Bvlgari to life as a jeweller. I blended the ingredients to echo the work of the maison’s master goldsmiths who flawlessly set the stones in gold.”

The result is a trio of beautiful fragrances— sapphire blue Nylaia, emerald green Veridia and ruby red Rubinia—each possessing

STYLE | BEAUTY

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ROYAL GEMS The new trilogy of Le Gemme Reali fragrances by master perfumer Alberto Morillas (opposite, pictured left with Luis Miguel Gonzalez Sebastiani, managing director of Bvlgari’s Fragrances Business Unit) was inspired by a Byzantine queen’s crown

as talismans for the more superstitious. To evoke the image of the beautiful green imperial gardens of Byzantine rulers, Morillas put together a heady mix of essence of galbaum (a sacred gum that was burned during religious ceremonies) and angelica, as well as resinous incense tears and bourbon vanilla. “The full and deep green of Veridia possesses an esoteric power and a sublime creative light that I interpreted with a vegetal incense,” explains Morillas. The result is crisp, bright and intense.

Of the three, red Rubinia stands out for its boldness and flamboyance. “Creating every fragrance is difficult, but with Rubinia, we worked even harder because we wanted something younger with a lot of emotion and tradition,” says Morillas.

Seductive and fiery, rubies are considered the queen of precious stones in India and have sometimes been described as the “blood of gods”, thanks to their deep red shade. One of the rarest minerals in the world, they are thought to represent strength and love. singapor e tatler . june 2018

IMAGES: BVLGARI

beautiful and distinct fragrance profiles, yet all reflecting the history and inspiration that is Bvlgari.

Though Morillas finds it hard to play favourites, he lets on that “Nylaia was probably the easiest for me to start on, because it’s blue and it represents the vast sky”.

To craft Nylaia (or nyla, which in Sanskrit means blue), he looked to blue iris and absolute of jasmine sambac for the top notes.

The powdery fragrance is concocted with absolute of Siam benzoin, an amber-yellow resinous plant that grows 800m to 1,600m above sea level, at its heart, and sensuous white musk at its base.

The soft and beautiful fragrance was also inspired by the land of Kashmir, which is home to sapphires of the highest quality.

Symbolising power, radiance and inner strength, sapphires are also known as “stone of the stars” by the Egyptians and seen as royal emblems of divinity and immortality.

Emeralds, too, have also long been associated with royalty and were considered

“The intensity of the stones in Le Gemme Reali is softened by the cabochon cut, very emblematic of Bvlgari which, thanks to its perfect femininity, tempers the most extravagant volumes”

RED HAUTE Le Gemme Reali Rubinia’s fiery scent comes from sparkling notes of Sicilian mandarin oranges and copaïba wood

“For Rubinia, I imagined glowing sandalwood, immersed in an amber bath as if to calm, in vain, the ardour it provokes. The incandescent glow of Sicilian mandarin orange exalts the senses with sparkling freshness. Its enveloping heat is multiplied tenfold by notes of copaïba wood. Tonka bean elevates the fragrance’s addictiveness to its height,” says Morillas. “It’s very feminine and people just love this.”

When it came to the design of the bottles, Bvlgari wanted Le Gemme

s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

Reali to seamlessly combine the worlds of fragrance and jewellery together. To do this, the Italian house took inspiration from the totemic vessels used by ancient Greeks.

Housed in a small amphora (a tall jar with a narrow neck), each bottle has been adorned in bold jewel tones and has an eight-branched Roman star chiseled onto the top of its cap.

The star perfectly encapsulates the saying “all roads lead to Rome”, and symbolises Bvlgari founder Sotirios Voulgaris’ journey from his native Greece to the heart of Rome.

“The intensity of the stones in Le Gemme Reali is softened by the cabochon cut, very emblematic of Bvlgari which, thanks to its perfect femininity, tempers the most extravagant volumes,” shares Morillas.

“For me, Bvlgari is about very strong design and the history. It’s a traditional house with a long history, and I love the stories of Bvlgari. I started creating fragrances for the brand 18 years ago, so it’s almost like a love story to me. I think Le Gemme Reali really captured the strong history and beautiful essence of these precious gemstones, as well as the storied past of Bvlgari.”

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STYLE | BEAUTY

Homely Pleasures Dior perfumer-creator François Demachy welcomes Terence Lim into the world of Maison Christian Dior, which recently opened its doors in Singapore

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hink berries, candied apple, burnt sugar and caramel, and these sweet essences will most likely conjure up images of happy childhoods and merrymaking. Is it then any surprise that top-selling perfumes today are imbued with hints of these sweet notes in their compositions? But if François Demachy, Dior’s perfumer-creator, had his way, he would stop this trend.

“Today’s youths have lost the culture of scent,” the Frenchman lamented when he was in Singapore in March for the official opening of Maison Christian Dior, the brand’s dedicated perfume boutique in Ion Orchard.

“They are attracted to simple scents like food aromas.” He expressed slight disappointment that in their quest for instant gratification, consumers have forgone the process of feeling and understanding scents. Instead, they yearn for—and buy—familiar scents, especially those that evoke good thoughts and fond memories.

Demachy and his team are in charge of the brand’s mainstream perfumes for both singapor e tatler . june 2018

IMAGES: DIOR

women and men, as well as the niche scents under the La Collection Privée Christian Dior line. As the nose in charge of perfume creation at Dior, he strives to ensure that the brand’s offerings don’t fall into such trend-led traps. While he admits that its mainstream scents have to be constructed and manufactured in an economically feasible manner tightly pegged to sales, the experienced perfumer highlights that only the best-quality raw materials are used in all of Dior’s fragrances.

But unlike the mainstream perfumes, the fragrances from the top-of-the-line La Collection Privée Christian Dior embody a slightly different philosophy. These perfumes, which are available at all Maison Christian Dior stores, are also concocted with top-drawer quality ingredients, but without financial or time constraints—think of it like the commercial implications of readyto-wear as opposed to the creative free reign of haute couture. Each new scent is unveiled only when Demachy feels that it ticks all the boxes on his own checklist.

“Since these scents are niche fragrances, I don’t really have to worry about finding sufficient supply of the rare, raw materials,” he said. “The perfumes will be produced in limited qualities, anyway. That’s why for the perfumes at Maison Christian Dior, inspiration is everything.”

Couple La Collection Privée Christian Dior’s unique creative philosophy with the scents’ target audience—well-heeled and well-educated connoisseurs of luxury—one can understand why things are slightly different at Maison Christian Dior.

The Ion Orchard boutique is designed like a Parisian apartment, inspired by founder

Christian Dior himself, who enjoyed welcoming guests and hosting dinners at home. The boutique’s white interiors are modern, spacious and airy with bottles of perfumes lined up against marble and polished concrete.

The idea is to create a conducive, homely environment for consumers to rediscover well-made perfumes—something Dior himself was passionate about—and to share this passion with people—enthusiasts or otherwise.

This explains why the tack at Maison Christian Dior is different from most beauty counters in department stores. Most sales assistants tend to be aggressive, pushing products to clients and egging them to try them on. At Maison Christian Dior, the sales staff assume the role of fragrance consultants, advising customers on the scents that work best on them.

“The new generation of consumers knows about perfumes, the ingredients and the processes,” said Demachy. “The Maison Christian Dior staff knows the fragrances but they don’t have to emphasise on the technical aspects. Instead they will focus more on the feelings and the memories—perfumes can evoke emotions easily.”

With Demachy’s olfactory vision and wealth of experience, as well as an unconventional approach to the perfume business, Maison Christian Dior’s modus operandi is a truly fresh breath of perfumed air.

APARTMENT THERAPY Dior nose François Demachy concocts the fragrances in La Collection Privée Christian Dior without a marketing brief or limits; the collection’s range of eaux de parfums, candles and Mitzahs or silk scarves for perfuming are available at the new Maison Christian Dior in Ion Orchard

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Behind the Seams Chanel’s annual Métiers d’Art collection showcases the skill sets of the small specialised ateliers under its subsidiary, Paraffection.

Daphne Chen-Cordeiro heads to Hamburg in Germany for the show and discovers the beauty and business behind this savoir faire rue to the essence of chanel, it all began with Coco. In the 1960s, a small independent atelier named Lemarié created a fabric camellia for Gabrielle Chanel.

Since then, Lemarié’s artisans have been handcrafting the maison’s iconic 16-petal blooms to this very day.

Today, creative director Karl Lagerfeld continues to work with these small specialised ateliers that are skilled in all manner of metiers d’art. They are considered an extension of the main Chanel ready-to-wear and haute couture ateliers; the ultimate collaborators magnifying the standard of craftsmanship in every creation. Many of these metiers d’art ateliers have worked with Coco herself, including shoemaker Massaro who is behind the iconic two-tone beige and black shoes since 1957.

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However, traditional craftsmanship has struggled to bloom in today’s industrialised climate of globalised production. To ensure the survival of such artisans, Chanel has also made it its goal to financially invest in the small independent ateliers that it works with.

Since 1985, and later under its subsidiary Paraffection (established in 1997), Chanel has been acquiring a treasure trove of metiers d’art ateliers, each known to be the leading workshop in their field.

MEET THE FAMILY To date, Chanel has procured a portfolio of 22 ateliers, which are divided into two categories. There are currently 10 Paraffection metiers d’art workshops: embroidery ateliers Lesage and Montex, tweed atelier Act 3, plumasserie and floral artisan Lemarié, pleating atelier Lognon, sewing singapor e tatler . june 2018

FASHION | STYLE

workshop Paloma, glove maker Causse, boot maker Massaro, hat maker and milliner Maison Michel and goldsmith Goossens.

And there are 11 production sites: Roveda, Gensi, Desrues, Barrie, Ateliers de Verneuilen-Halatte, Bodin Joyeux, Mégisserie Richard, Henri Lacroix, Moulinage du Riotord, Denis & Fils and Hugo Tag. Lastly, there is one more production site where Chanel has a small investment in: Sophie Hallette.

The 10 metiers d’art partners are experts in specific crafts in which the work is hugely done by hand. The artisans focus mostly on haute couture pieces and the dedicated Métiers d’Art collection, shown every December. The 12 production sites focus on items created in bigger volumes for Chanel’s collections around the year. These ateliers also lean towards machine work, as opposed to hand.

BEST IN THE WORLD The Lemarié and Lesage ateliers are behind the most precious haute couture creations in Paris

IMAGES: CHANEL

LABOUR OF LOVE “For us at Chanel, it’s a guarantee that this creativity can continue to exist for the next 50 years,” explained Chanel’s president of fashion, Bruno Pavlovsky.

Paraffection loosely translates to “for the love of ”, indicative of the driving force behind this business model, which is to sustain, preserve and protect these storied French ateliers in an industry where they are shrinking, to the point of being endangered as manufacturing is outsourced outside of Europe (for cheaper artisanship), and newgeneration craftspeople are in short supply.

For Chanel, the move to preserve these small maisons actively strengthens its stature as an ambassador of haute couture.

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SHOW TIME Every year since 2002, Lagerfeld works on an annual Métiers d’Art collection, which celebrates the craftsmanship that the Paraffection ateliers bring to the table. “For the Métiers d’Art collection, a lot of people imagine it’s very heavy but for me it’s the absolute opposite—it’s something very light and happy,” enthused Lagerfeld.

The cities of Tokyo, New York, Monte Carlo, London, Moscow, Shanghai, Byzance, Mumbai, Edinburgh, Dallas, Salzburg, Rome and Paris have all served as backdrops to the presentation of these collections.

For Chanel’s 16th Métiers d’Art show presented in December last year, Lagerfeld returned to Hamburg, his hometown—and Germany’s largest port city. The city’s spectacular new concert hall, Elbphilharmonie, was the chosen setting for

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DISSECTING THE LOOK We take a look at the journey of Look 83, an organza dress embellished with feathers, hand-painted with stripes and embroidered with braids

the show, together with a 35-piece orchestra that played while the models glided around the arena in the exquisite creations. “I think this building is genius. It looks like no other skyscraper on earth,” said Lagerfeld.

SETTING SAIL The Chanel Métiers d’Art Paris-Hamburg 2017/18 collection paid tribute to the city’s seafaring history. There were nautical motifs aplenty: middy collars, double-buttoned sailor’s trousers and pea coats—all given the haute touch. Lagerfeld’s favourite male models appeared in chunky cableknit sweaters, toting oversized cross-body drawstring bags, complete with a pipe in the mouth. It was indeed a platform for the Paraffection ateliers, highlighting the strength of Chanel’s savoir faire, with a focus on precious embroidery and feather creations.

“Without great ateliers you cannot make a good collection. About a month and half before the collection, I give the first sketches to the ateliers. I love working with our ateliers, they all have their own speciality.

Fashion studio director Virginie Viard and I know exactly which will be the best to interpret each one of my sketches. There’s always such a creative dynamic between the studio and the expertise of the Chanel maison d’art ateliers who work on my collections.

Gradually as the silhouette evolves, the embroideries, the details and the finishes take on a new dimension,” explained Lagerfeld.

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1. MONTEX ATELIER Embroidery firm Montex, which was acquired by Paraffection in December 2011, was tasked by Chanel fashion studio director Virginie Viard and creative director Karl Lagerfeld to create the accent braids. Braids are embroidered by needle, made of wisps of tweed, 310 rhodoid elements, 1,430 metallic tubes and 685 stones, requiring 181 hours of work. These embroidered braids will embellish the collar, the pockets and the hem of the dress, as well as the Maison Michel cap.

2. LEMARIÉ ATELIER The Lemarié atelier, established in 1880, specialises in feather appliques and fabric flowers—in fact, it creates 40,000 fabric flowers every year. The organza of the dress is overlaid with white feathers, which are then carefully hand-painted with wide horizontal blue stripes in the spirit of a “sailor’s top”, requiring 76 hours of work in the Lemarié ateliers.

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3. MAISON MICHEL ATELIER Meanwhile in the Paris-based Maison Michel millinery, established in 1936, the artisans are working on the sailor’s caps. Every one of the 87 looks in the show will be topped with it, and they will come in every fabric of the collection.

4. MASSARO ATELIER Each outfit is completed with ankle-strap pumps or heeled brogues (which are occasionally paired with long knitted socks) designed and handmade in the Massaro atelier. Its traditional method of shoemaking has not changed since 1894, where a shoe can take 40 hours of craftsmanship.

5. CHANEL READY-TOWEAR ATELIERS The pieces worked on by the Montex and Lemarié ateliers are then couriered to the Chanel ready-to-wear ateliers so that the seamstresses can start assembling the dress.

6. THE WESTIN HAMBURG The magic of metiers d’art comes together at The Westin Hotel in Hamburg the day before the Chanel Métiers d’Art Paris-Hamburg 2017/18 show. The feathered dress is accessorised with a wool cap crafted in the Maison Michel atelier and embroidered

by Montex, as well as a Massaro two-toned anklestrapped pumps. It is during this final fitting that Lagerfeld approves every single look before the models appear in front of the audience in the stunning Elbphilharmonie.

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What happens when Europe’s hottest It girls are given access to the hallowed grounds of the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Artigianalità workshop? These young blue bloods, along with a troop of dressmakers, pose and pout with panache

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F A B U L O U S

SEAMS LIKE YESTERDAY Kitty Spencer, the niece of Britain’s late Princess Diana and the eldest daughter of her brother Charles Spencer and former model Victoria Lockwood, is often seen at London’s swankiest clubs. But don’t let her party animal image fool you because the Sloane beauty, who models occasionally, uses her position for good and is the patron of the military charity Give Us Time and the ambassador for Centrepoint, a charity supporting homeless young people in the UK Printed silk jumpsuit, satin waist belt, DG Girls cross-body bag in quilted mordore nappa leather, tiara, earrings and bracelet

GOOD MANNERS The Manners sisters seem to come straight out of a Jane Austen novel—if her heroines partied all night and had separated parents who lived under the same roof but in two different apartments with their lovers. Violet (left) and Eliza Manners are known as the UK’s aristocratic answer to the Kardashians—and if they’re not strutting down the Dolce & Gabbana runway, you’ll see them sitting on the front row of the hottest fashion shows Violet wears tulle dress, satin corset top and bottoms, DG Girls printed shoulder bag in patent leather, earrings and ring; Eliza wears printed silk coat and trousers, Welcome bag in printed calfskin and earrings

WHAT A YARN You’d think heiresses don’t have to work. But Isabel Getty (left), the great-granddaughter of oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty and the granddaughter of Duty Free billionaire Robert Miller, is keen on leaving a footstep in the music industry. Similarly creative in another spectrum is artist and illustrator Sabrina Percy. The English rose, a relative of the Duke of Northumberland, is also an environmental activist Isabel wears Maiolica printed silk dress and bracelet; Sabrina wears Maiolica printed mock-neck dress, Maiolica printed stretch jersey leggings, earrings and bracelet

STITCH IN TIME Austria may have abolished its monarchy but the great-granddaughter of its last emperor Charles I, Eleonore von Habsburg, is fashion royalty for sure.

The model has walked the runways of Dolce & Gabbana and has been spotted at fashion and music festival, Coachella Lurex jacquard coat and skirt, Dolce box bag in velvet with embroidery, earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring with rose

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WATCHES

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JEWELLERY

The latest dazzling jewellery watches will have you swooning

Hublot’s first-ever smartwatch is changing the entire ball game

Dior’s Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires timepieces are more than just your garden variety watch

Urwerk’s AMC project fuses traditional watchmaking with futuristic atomic timekeeping

The extraordinary stones that have played a part in cementing the Tiffany & Co legacy

IMAGE: VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

WRIST FORTUNE The element of luck has always held a special allure for Van Cleef & Arpels, and the four-leaf clover holds particular historical signiďŹ cance. In 1968, the brand immortalised the fragile botanical in its famous Alhambra collection. The four-petaled clover motif is edged with beads of gold, and set with precious stones.

The ones pictured here feature black onyx (opposite) and brown-hued tiger’s eye (below). Stack gleaming new pieces with vintage heirlooms for a double dose of good luck

STYLE | WATCHES

1 A diamond-studded Sweet Charms PavĂŠe watch (left) and a Lady Arpels Jour Nuit Oiseaux de Paradis timepiece with a diamond-set bezel and dial featuring champleve enamelling and sculpted gold and diamonds, both by Van Cleef & Arpels

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Ladies’ Night Generous helpings of diamonds are most welcome when you want to impress on a fancy night out. This collection of the latest dazzling jewellery watches will have you swooning

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Tambour Monogram Blossom watch with a snow-set dial by Louis Vuitton Dior Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires N°3 watch with diamonds, coloured stones, scarab beetle elytra marquetry, butter y wings and mother-of-pearl by Dior Seamaster Aqua Terra watch with rubies and a diamond-paved bezel by Omega Ocean Waterfall Automatic with 404 diamonds and 43 pink sapphires by Harry Winston Divas’ Dream Phoenix Tourbillon with a hand-painted dial and 76 brilliant-cut diamonds by Bvlgari La Nature de Chaumet Feuillage Éternel secret watch in white gold with brilliant-cut diamonds by Chaumet Precious Chopard watch in white gold with pear-shaped diamonds by Chopard Baignoire ÉtoilÊe watch in white gold with diamonds and black spinels by Cartier Extremely Lady watch with a hard stone dial and hand-chiselled gold bracelet by Piaget Secret watch with 44.24 carats of diamonds by Graff Ruban watch with white diamonds and a mother-of-pearl dial by Chanel

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Playing Ball

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Hublot’s first-ever smartwatch may have been created especially for football fanatics, says Nicolette Wong, but it is also changing the entire smartwatch ball game

ublot loves football— the tagline was emblazoned everywhere at the Baselworld 2018 watch fair in March, and we bet that you will be seeing it even more often if you have even the slightest interest in football.

After all, Hublot is a branded licensee for the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which kicks off in Russia this month—an event no football fan would dream of missing. Hublot Loves Football is the Swiss watchmaking brand’s catchy tagline for any of its football-related campaigns, and already tells you everything you need to know about why Hublot has invested so heavily into the sport. Except that it doesn’t. As with any partnerships, Hublot’s link with the world of football is very much a calculated business decision—one we suspect will pay off very well for the brand.

Why football in the first place? Despite being considered the most popular sport in the world, football was never on the radar of luxury watchmakers before Hublot entered the field. Perhaps it was the lack of focus on the wrists and the hands of the players (as opposed to tennis and golf ), or perhaps it was the difficulty of isolating a single ambassador in a team sport, or perhaps it was simply due to the fact that football is known as the common man’s sport.

Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe explains, “When we started looking at marketing with [former Hublot CEO] Jean-Claude Biver back

STYLE | WATCHES

When we started looking at marketing with Jean-Claude Biver back in 2004, we asked ourselves which platform we could use where we would be the only watch brand present. Golf was already being used, as was tennis, but we thought football could be an interesting platform for a watch brand. Experience has shown that we were probably right! Every four years, we have a huge visibility for the brand. At the last World Cup in Brazil, we had 21min of visibility on the fourth official’s board over one month, reaching a cumulated audience of billions. If people recognise Hublot as a watch brand, even if they cannot afford to buy our watches, then that is already a great achievement.

— Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO

in 2004, we asked ourselves which platform we could use where we would be the only watch brand present. Golf was already being used, as was tennis, but we thought football could be an interesting platform for a watch brand.”

Going into a sport such as football, which transcends social and national boundaries, also had the added benefit of raising brand awareness for Hublot. “If people recognise Hublot as a watch brand, even if they cannot afford to buy our watches, then that is already a great achievement,” says Guadalupe. Aspiration, after all, has always been a valuable currency when developing a brand’s identity.

Developing its brand identity is precisely what Hublot is doing by partnering Fifa for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Hublot has always pegged itself as the watch brand to wear for the bold, unapologetically enthusiastic bon vivants of the world, and nobody is more enthusiastic than a football fan watching a match. With millions of these fans having their eyes glued to a screen, broadcasting the Hublot name on the scoreboard is a very valuable piece of subliminal marketing indeed.

LIVING VICARIOUSLY Most fans, sadly, won’t be able to watch most of the World Cup matches as they play live— time zones, work and life would generally

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get in the way. After all, there are a total of 64 matches to be played between 32 teams in 12 different venues across Russia—most would be hard-pressed to watch them all, let alone watch them live. But for football fans who derive pleasure from knowing scores in real time, Hublot has proposed that they keep their eyes glued to a different kind of screen— that of the new Big Bang Referee 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia smartwatch. That is right, Hublot has created its first-ever smartwatch in honour of the Fifa World Cup. The Big Bang Referee watch runs on Google’s Wear OS, which is the same as that of the Connected watch from sister LVMH brand Tag Heuer. But there are some differences— for one, you cannot eventually exchange the watch for a mechanical Hublot, as was the original proposition at Tag Heuer. For another, the Big Bang Referee is a whopping 49mm in diameter, significantly larger than the Connected, which is available in 41 or 45mm cases. Fortunately, the titanium case means that the watch is not as heavy as it looks. The larger size has both an aesthetic and functional use. As the name of the watch suggests, the World Cup referees will all be wearing the Big Bang Referee watch during the match, which necessitates easy visibility.

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THE BEAUTIFUL GAME Hublot reiterates its love for football with the Big Bang Referee 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia smartwatch, which notifies its wearer in real time about the match status

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or not it crosses the goal line entirely.

This goal-line technology, we suspect, is the primary reason for the creation of the Big Bang Referee—Guadalupe has mentioned that the creation of the watch was because of a “specific need expressed by Fifa”. And this is possibly the only function that Fifa could possibly need from a smartwatch—at least, that we know of.

Of course, it could also be that Fifa simply wished to have a constant presence in the lives of its diehard fans. Another function— indeed, the biggest draw—of the Big Bang Referee watch is the application that was specially developed for the 2018 World Cup, which will announce matches 15min before kick-off, as well as every yellow and red card, and player substitution. The watch will also vibrate and display the word “goal” across the dial instantaneously each time a goal is scored. The dial will also display the match statistics for the duration of each match, including the score, number of cards, names of the goal-scorers, player substitutions, and match time. The primary purpose of the app is to allow diehard World Cup fans the ability to keep up with matches as they happen, whether they are watching a match or going about their daily activities.

This application is also breaking new ground in the watch world, as it involves creating an exclusive consumer experience that is only available to wearers of the Big Bang Referee. With all the chatter surrounding the economy of experiences

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and maximising consumer interactions, it is significant that Hublot should be the first to directly connect even far-flung customers to a special event happening in real life, using a watch.

PLEDGING ALLEGIANCES Of course, as with all sports, football also fosters strong team allegiances that fans proudly display in the form of team apparel and merchandise. If you happen to buy the Big Bang Referee, it could become part of your team regalia as well, no matter which country you are rooting for. The watch offers 34 dial options, one for each of the 32 participating countries, as well as two neutral dials should you wish to stay an independent party. It is also possible to change the black straps to one decked out in country colours, thanks to Hublot’s patented One Click strap changing system.

The customisable aesthetic of the watch is a clever move—let’s face it, whoever buys the Big Bang Referee watch is likely not out to buy a Hublot watch as much as a watch that ties them to the World Cup, announcing their allegiances to the football world at large.

The Big Bang Referee is also at an interesting point in the price spectrum.

At just CHF4,900, it is Hublot’s most accessibly-priced watch, but also the most expensive smartwatch currently available (discounting the diamond-paved Tag Heuer Connected). But despite the hefty price tag (for a smartwatch), we suspect that the

TEAM COLOURS Football fans can show their support for their favourite teams by changing the dial, and even the bracelet, of the Hublot Big Bang Referee watch

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We are all very excited to witness another impressive milestone in Fifa’s relationship with Hublot. The launch of the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is a perfect illustration of Hublot’s ability to combine tradition, expert knowledge and innovation. The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will provide the perfect platform for this amazing watch to showcase its full potential.

— Philippe Le Floc’h, Fifa chief commercial officer

Big Bang Referee will prove to be a far greater success than other highly-priced smartwatch predecessors, primarily because its point of differentiation is not the material that it is made of, as with the 18K gold Apple Watch, but its ability to create a rich experience for the wearer.

And with only 2,018 watches available, we are certain that it will sell out in short order.

CHANGING WINDS The fact that the Big Bang Referee exists at all is a conundrum. It means a change in strategy for both Hublot and Biver, the watchmaking visionary at the head of LVMH’s watch division and the man responsible for the resurrection of Hublot.

He had said in a previous interview that a brand like Hublot would be “forbidden” from ever debuting a smartwatch, by dint of problems with pricing (being too far away from Hublot’s entry level) and production. Evidently, those problems are no longer an issue.

The fact that Hublot has overcome these hurdles to actually create the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia watch could be an indication that the smartwatch category is here to stay, and not merely confined to brands in the entry-level segment of the watch market. And given the near-guaranteed success of this entire endeavour, Hublot simply drives home the point that it loves football very much.

THE HOUR GLASS & PATEK PHILIPPE SPECIAL

Mastering Time These new expressions of mechanical perfection celebrate the legacy of fine watchmaking and exquisite craftsmanship at the house of Patek Philippe

n unyielding dedication to quality. The exquisite craftsmanship of skilled artisans. And of course, the supreme savoir faire of master watchmakers. These are just some of the elements that make each Patek Philippe timepiece a horological masterpiece that stands the test of time, and is so highly coveted by true connoisseurs.

It is this allegiance to time-honoured traditions—infused with a spirit of innovation—that have shaped the new expressions of mechanical perfection by Patek Philippe. Launched earlier this year at the annual Baselworld fair, these timepieces embody the Swiss watchmaker’s mastery of technical microengineering and aesthetic know-how. Turn the page for the highlights that discerning collectors cannot wait to get their hands on:

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THE HOUR GLASS & PATEK PHILIPPE SPECIAL

World Time Minute Repeater Ref 5531R Merging a minute repeater with a world time display for the first time is in itself a remarkable feat. Yet the Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater Ref 5531R goes a step further with a patented innovation that enables the timepiece to always strike local time—wherever the wearer is in the world—instead of home time as is the case with other minute repeaters.

To achieve this feat in mechanical watchmaking, Patek Philippe developed an entirely new movement, the 462-part calibre R 27 HU. What is remarkable is that the self-winding timepiece boasts a completely recessed mini rotor in gold that has kept the watch at a wearable size.

Being the master of minute repeaters, Patek Philippe has excelled in the intonation of this function, as the two classic gongs are attached to the case band instead of the main plate. Says Patek Philippe’s president Thierry Stern, “This perceptibly improves the acoustic experience of this new and very extraordinary grand complication.”

The intricacy of Patek Philippe’s artistry continues on the beautifully handcrafted dial, housed in a rose gold case. The cloisonne enamel dial depicts the landscape of the Lavaux vineyards overlooking the shores of Lake Geneva, as a nod to Patek Philippe being the last family-owned Genevan independent watch manufacture.

Nautilus Perpetual G Calendar Ref 5740G The Patek Philippe Nautilus is taken to new and exciting heights with h the Ref 5740G, which features for the first time in this collection a perpetual calendar. This comes in the form of one of the watchmaker’s most beloved movements, the calibre 240 Q, which also incorporates a moonphase and leap year indication.

While presenting a perpetual calendar within the iconic Nautilus collection is a treat for collectors, they will also especially appreciate

the fact that this is also the thinnest perpetual calendar offered by the brand, measuring only 8.42mm.

Looks-wise, the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar Ref 5740G is no slouch either. Its elegant blue dial, framed by a white gold case and bracelet, is marked by signature horizontal lines that are punctuated by three subdials indicating the calendar functions. Dapper gentlemen will also want to get their hands on the matching cufflinks, which are available separately.

NIP AND TUCK These well-loved Patek Philippe timepieces have received a fresh injection of life with minor facelifts that make them wearable by both ladies and gentlemen

Chronograph with Perpetual Calendar Ref 5270/1R-001

Aquanaut Chronograph Ref 5968A Cool and contemporary, the first chronograph of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut collection pushes all the right buttons. With its orange-hued hands and railway track minute scale contrasting attractively against the black dial, the self-winding flyback chronograph is a fine timepiece that combines Patek Philippe’s aesthetic refinement with a sporty vibe.

But it is not just a pretty face; the Ref 5968A houses the calibre CH 28-520 C/528 and features a classic column wheel as well as a modern vertical disk clutch that prevents the chronograph hand from jerking when it is activated. The rugged timepiece is made to be worn in all conditions, as it is water-resistant to 120m. Furthermore, it comes with both a black and an additional orange composite strap for versatility, while an entirely new fold-over clasp enhances its practicality as it features four independent catches that make it even easier to open and close the clasp.

PATEK PHILIPPE AT THE HOUR GLASS • Ngee Ann City, tel: 6734 2420 • Tang Plaza, tel: 6235 7198 • Knightsbridge, tel: 6884 8484 • One Raffles Place, tel: 6534 5855 thehourglass.com/brand/ patek-philippe; patek.com

The Patek Philippe Ref 5270/1R001 chronograph with a perpetual calendar receives a spiffy makeover with a “goutte” bracelet comprising five rows of droplet-shaped links for its rose gold version, integrated with a new correction system. The facelift also sees an ebony black sunburst dial replace the silvery opaline face of the past. What lies beneath is just as impressive: a manually wound calibre CH 29-535 PS Q movement, the first manufacture-made Patek Philippe chronograph movement with a perpetual calendar, introduced in 2011 and comprising six patented chronograph innovations.

Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ladies Ref 7234R One for the ladies, the Ref 7234R (pictured left) is the first Travel Time watch in the women’s collection with a self-winding movement. The Pilot’s watch for men (this year’s version, the Ref 5524R, pictured right) first garnered attention in 2015 with its bold aesthetics and oversized features.

It now comes in a size better suited for ladies, measuring 37.5mm and in a rose gold frame. It is fitted with the calibre 324 S C FUS and features a second time zone and a local-time date on a brown-black gradated dial in a rose gold case.

Ladies Chronograph Ref 7150/250R-001 Feted as the only ladies’ chronograph in the Patek Philippe collection, the Ref 7150/250R-001 replaces the Ref 7071 Ladies First Chronograph launched in 2009. Within its feminine exterior beats a manually wound calibre CH 29-535 PS movement, the first classic manufacture-made Patek Philippe chronograph movement launched in 2009. The round bezel of its 38mm rose gold case is elegantly adorned with 72 diamonds, with another 27 glittering on the buckle. Its silvery opaline dial is matched with a shiny mink gray hand-stitched alligator.

Garden Glamour Dior’s latest Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires timepieces capture all the majesties of nature, says Nicolette Wong, and are far more than just your garden variety watch

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ardens are miniature ecosystems that teem with life—lush greens share their spaces with vivid blooms, while butterflies and beetles nestle peaceably alongside busy bees and bustling birds. Humans sidle among nature’s joyous cacophony and try to tame it into a placid, tranquil garden. These gardens have long served as sources of inspiration for creatives the world over, who have found beauty within the heart of a flower or the flutter of a bird’s wings.

Dior’s watch and jewellery department, it seems, is no different. The marque’s latest Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires collection is one that captures the unpredictability and unique enchantment of Mother Nature’s manicured domain.

Dior has always impressed with its beautiful command of metiers d’art in its watches, but the brand has outdone itself with the Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires collection. Previous creations have involved vibrant feathers, precious stones and even

WATCHES | STYLE

IMAGES: DIOR

PRECIOUS NATURE Each piece in the Dior Grand Bal Jardins Imaginaires collection is unique and represents an abstract notion of a miniature garden

beetle carapaces, but none are quite as stunning and complex. Each of the 10 watches in the collection is one of a kind, and is composed of over a dozen different precious materials. Delicate feathers are snipped into shape and tiled alongside slivers of motherof-pearl and precious stones. Scarab beetle carapaces (the hard shell that protects the fragile tissue beneath) have also been used, sectioned into geometric shapes and left to glimmer next to iridescent butterfly wings, which are so delicate that they must be backed by a protective layer of gold.

Those concerned about the harvesting of such creatures can rest assured— only animals at the end of their lives have their wings and shells clipped.

It makes the sourcing of the materials even more difficult, as even the same species of scarab beetle will have different colouring in different regions.

Yet more gold is shaped into the veins of a butterfly’s wings, or hand-carved to mimic the texture of other botanicals. Precious diamonds, sapphires and other gems are inlaid into each of these materials, studding butterfly and beetle alike with spots of glittering light.

Most complicated of all is the fact that the watches in the collection are all based on Dior’s existing Grand Bal self-winding watch, whose most prominent feature is a free-wheeling oscillating weight on the front of the dial. Each rotor has been uniquely designed to make sure that it is both beautiful and functional as a proper oscillating weight

ART AND SOUL The bezel and lugs are all snow-set with diamonds to frame the gorgeous canvas within

to help wind the watch. But because each piece is unique and different materials are used in different configurations, it means that Dior has had to carefully calibrate the weight of each material on the rotor and its shape with respect to its fulcrum at the centre of the dial. This ensures that each rotor can function optimally. As the rotor turns, the wearer is able to get glimpses of the dial beneath, through the translucent parts of the rotor, or through empty spaces that allow for a constantly changing view of the landscape—just like nature.

To add the finishing touches on these masterpieces, Dior has studded each case with snow-set diamonds, which are set so close together that you can barely see the gold in-between. This way, you get the maximum impact of the brilliant diamonds.

Dior’s new Grand Bal Pièce Unique Jardins Imaginaires watches are a stunning example of masterpieces inspired by the mysteries and complexities of nature— and we are not the only ones to think so. A number of the pieces were already sold before the news was even released to the press.

Double Time Nicolette Wong peeks into Blancpain’s

IMAGES: BLANCPAIN

two watch manufactures, each housed in picturesque villages in the Swiss mountains

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isiting a watch manufacture is always a pleasurable experience; it is almost like watching a caterpillar transform into a butterfly. You start with nondescript blocks of metal and, through some special process of transmutation, end up with a beautiful piece of art. And while human engineering still can’t quite keep up with the mastery of Mother Nature, we still think that the watches that come out of Blancpain’s two watch manufactures—one in Le Sentier and one in Le Brassus—each year are worthy of admiration. The manufacturing of components and assembly of the vast majority of Blancpain’s watches take place in Le Sentier, while Le Brassus handles the handfinishing and decorative metiers d’art, as well as the assembly of high complication watches.

The journey of a Blancpain watch begins before any of the watch components are even cut; in order to create a component, one needs to create the tools to shape that component. And in Blancpain’s Le Sentier manufacture, the tools needed are myriad.

The most important, in some ways, are the large, weighty black stamping blocks that are used to cut each component to the right size and shape. They form the backbone of any watch manufacture. Each stamping block is precious because nearly every single component in a watch begins its life in a stamping block, and the loss of one would mean having to halt the production of the corresponding watch. On the other end of

the tool size spectrum are the screwdrivers that the watchmakers need to assemble each watch. Each screwdriver must be of a very specific size and shape—we saw one in production that was shaped like a slanted trapezoid, and it was so small that we needed a microscope to even see what shape it was.

Naturally, a different screwdriver is needed for each screw in Blancpain’s watches.

It must be said that the tool creation department doesn’t exist in every watch manufacture—many brands simply purchase the tools that are required. But Blancpain’s dedication to creating excellent mechanical watches necessitates that it makes its own tools—it allows for greater speed and flexibility in the production line and, of course, greater secrecy. Blancpain doesn’t sell its tools to other brands.

Once the tools are made, the real production begins. Long flat rods of brass, gold and various other metal alloys are trotted in to begin the transformation.

Small components are cut to size using the aforementioned stamping blocks, while baseplates are cut using a large machine that exerts forces of up to a few tonnes.

At Blancpain, industrial ovens and CNC machines have been calibrated to produce myriad watch components, from rotors and bridges, to minute repeater gongs.

At this point, we must mention that there are only a handful of things that Blancpain doesn’t produce in-house. Its wheels are sourced from CHH Microtechnique, a Swatch Group (which also owns Blancpain) subsidiary that specialises in the production

STATE OF THE ART The Blancpain manufacture in Le Brassus specialises in all manner of metiers d’art such grand feu enamel, which is used on the dials of these Villeret timepieces

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of wheels; and its hairsprings and escapement wheels are from Nivarox, which likewise specialises in the production of those components and is a key supplier for scores of watch brands across the industry.

SPECIAL NEEDS The next step in the watchmaking process is the hand-finishing of the movements, and the crafting of the decorative metiers d’art dials and watch components. For Blancpain, this takes place in the Le Brassus manufacture, which is considerably smaller and quieter than the 700-strong manufacture at Le Sentier. The chief reason for this, we are told, is that people working in such an artistic capacity tend to perform better in a quiet environment—some even go for a spot of recreational skiing on the nearby slope during

MADE BY HAND Blancpain’s Le Sentier manufacture (below) produces the tools and the components needed to make a watch, while the one in Le Brassus specialises in complications such as its signature carrousel (above)

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lunch. Whatever the reason, Blancpain’s hand-finishing on the movements is certainly top of the line, with each watch having at least seven or eight types of finish. Some finishes are completed manually, such as mirror polishing and satin brushing, whereas others are machine-assisted such as perlage and cotes de Genève. It is unusual for a watch manufacture to use a machine for the cotes de Genève—Blancpain took two years to develop a machine specifically to assist its polishers, which apparently uses wood from a tree that had fallen behind the manufacture.

The machine is still hand-operated for greatest precision.

The metiers d’art department at Le Brassus is separated into two different sections, one for enamel, and one for engraving.

Both produce extraordinary work, creating vibrant miniature paintings on dials and engraving great mountain scenes onto dials or movement bridges and rotors alike.

Blancpain’s famous shakudo engraving technique is also completed here. While we were in this department, we saw a great many one-of-a-kind designs specially commissioned s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

by clients passionate about Blancpain’s watches. Passionate is likely the best word—many of the commissions were for erotic watches, for which Blancpain has garnered a discreet but excellent reputation since the 1980s.

Finally, Le Brassus also plays host to the assembly of the more complex of Blancpain’s watch complications such as minute repeaters and carrousels, its version of a rotating regulation system (every other brand uses a tourbillon). After hours of seeing different components of a watch take shape, it was incredibly satisfying to see—and hear—it all come together. It was here that we saw the miniature screwdrivers again, all lined up like ducks in a row. Each part of Blancpain’s manufacture plays an essential part in the creation of its beautiful watches— even the fallen trees in the backyard. We were just lucky enough to watch it happen.

MINUTE DETAILS Blancpain has revived the art of shakudo, seen here on a dial depicting the Hindu god Ganesha (above); watchmakers utilise tools that have been created in-house, an expertise that not many manufactures can boast about (top)

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Precision Instruments Urwerk’s AMC project is its most ambitious yet, observes Nicolette Wong. It seeks to marry the world of traditional watchmaking with futuristic atomic timekeeping to create a watch that keeps perfect time

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f you need your time to be accurate to the nearest millisecond, don’t buy a mechanical watch.

Even top brands famous for their precise and reliable watches allow for a deviation of -2/+2 seconds per day, an excellent rate by mechanical watch standards.

Your smartphone, on the other hand, is always accurate. Why? Because it derives its time from atomic clocks, by which global time today is measured. These are so precise that they will not deviate by a single second even after hundreds of millions of years. Wouldn’t it then be great if mechanical watches could also aspire to this level of precision? That is exactly the aim of Urwerk’s AMC project.

The Urwerk AMC is an ambitious piece of watch engineering inspired by Abraham-Louis Breguet’s sympathique singapor e tatler . june 2018

IMAGES: URWERK

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clocks from the 18th and 19th centuries, which featured a master clock that could set the time and control the rate of a specially designed dependent watch. The owner would merely have to place the dependent watch into a special cradle and the master clock would set the watch to the correct time and adjust its rate to reduce any deviations. Today, the concept of a master and dependent clock is paralleled in the global master atomic clocks that dictate the time displayed on our mobile phones and other digital devices. For Urwerk, the mechanical watch specialist long fascinated by unusual ways of telling time, this dependent relationship proved a source of inspiration. What if a mechanical watch could increase its accuracy by using an atomic clock as a regulating master timekeeper? To answer this question, Urwerk built such a system— the AMC. It consists of a master atomic clock, which Urwerk calls the Monolith and a dependent AMC watch.

In order to explain the AMC, however, we must first explain why atomic clocks are so accurate. Since 1967, the International System of Units has defined the second as the duration of 9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation emitted by the caesium atom as it transitions between two states of energy.

To put it simply, the cycles of radiation correspond functionally to the oscillation rate of a balance wheel in a mechanical watch’s escapement. Generally, the higher the frequency, the more precise and accurate the watch. A quartz watch, for instance, oscillates at 32,768Hz, while a mechanical watch usually oscillates at around 4 to 6Hz. An atomic clock’s oscillator that uses the radiation frequency of caesium at 9,192,631,770Hz is therefore a good deal more precise than a mechanical watch.

The atomic master clock in the Monolith that Urwerk uses in the AMC project doesn’t offer the same level of frequency, likely because of the prohibitive size and cost of such a clock, but it is exceedingly precise nonetheless, supposedly accurate to within one second in 317 years. The AMC wristwatch itself is more conventional, with a frequency of 4Hz. The Monolith performs three functions with the dependent AMC watch—winding the watch, regulating its rate to the Monolith’s atomic time standard, and synchronising the watch’s time display with that of the master atomic clock.

The regulation of a mechanical watch’s oscillation rate is complicated and is normally only done by a skilled watchmaker. To have it done by a consumer machine is unusual, and part of the appeal of the AMC. Urwerk singapor e tatler . june 2018

developed a complex mechanism of cams that allows the clock to detect the time in the mechanical watch and compare it with atomic time, and adjust it to be faster or slower. The mechanism that controls the synchronisation of time displays is somewhat simpler, with a pusher on the watch that is designed to be triggered by the atomic clock at the top of each hour. The pusher then resets the seconds and minutes hand to zero, synchronising the AMC watch with the master atomic clock and ensuring its timekeeping accuracy.

The Urwerk AMC project ambitiously combines the historic world of mechanical watchmaking with the futuristic technology of atomic clocks, and provides an opportunity for connoisseurs to contemplate the nature of modern timekeeping. Despite not having atomic clock levels of accuracy, mechanical watches are beloved for being miniature feats of engineering and craft, and so to have a timepiece that combines both precision and tradition is truly a laudable mission indeed.

WHAT PRICE, LOVE? Because the Urwerk AMC is still in development, a price has yet to be set, but initial estimates peg it at “well over a million” Swiss francs

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TREASURED MOMENTS Omega’s new De Ville Trésor collection for ladies offers modern and elegant timepieces that pair well with both cocktail dresses and power suits Photography CHING LEE/GREENPLASTICSOLDIERS Styling JASPER LOH

OMEGA SPECIAL

RED LETTER DAY The 36mm Omega De Ville Trésor, pictured here in Sedna gold, is small enough to be a ladies’ dress watch, but large enough to appeal to today’s modern woman. Its elongated Roman numerals and the asymmetric setting of diamonds on the bezel and the lugs inject a contemporary and chic vibe

BRINGING SEXY BACK This 39mm Trésor watch in steel is just as eye-catching from the back as it is on the front. Omega has ingeniously turned the entire back of the watch into a mirror, for moments where it’s necessary to be discreet about checking your reflection Flower ring in red gold with motherof-pearl, Ladymatic ring in red gold with diamonds and Aqua Swing ring in red gold with diamonds, all by Omega

OMEGA SPECIAL

SPECIAL DELIVERY Quartz movements are the “treasures” housed in all the Omega Trésor watches, allowing for an exceedingly slim profile. The 36mm piece (pictured left) measures just 8.85mm in thickness, whereas the 39mm version is a svelte 9.75mm

OMEGA 01-11 Ion Orchard, tel: 6509 9712 omegawatches.com

ETCHED IN STONE Spectacular gemstones serve as the primary source of inspiration for luxury jeweller Graff. The jeweller is known for acquiring particularly large and stunning stones, for which founder Laurence Graff has earned the moniker the King of Diamonds. The creation of every piece of Graff jewellery begins with the gems, which are cut, polished, mounted, and set in-house at the brand’s London headquarters in designs that best show off their glittering beauty Photography CHING LEE/GREENPLASTICSOLDIERS Styling ONG WEISHENG

EMERALD HILL Necklace in white gold with 47.17 carats of emeralds and 44.48 carats of diamonds

GRAFF SPECIAL

HIDDEN DEPTHS Secret watch in white gold with 35.78 carats of diamonds and ring in white gold with a 9.12-carat emeraldcut diamond

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Fringe Benefits Who says high jewellery has to be conservative? The tassels on these dramatic pieces add a decidedly alluring bohemian feel Plume de Paon high jewellery necklace with white topaz and diamonds by Boucheron

Acte V/The Escape Beau Rivage choker in white gold with diamonds and pearls by Louis Vuitton Lily Blush earrings in rose gold with morganite, pearls and diamonds

by Sarah Ho

Passionate transformable necklace in yellow gold with a 2-carat octagon-cut orange topaz, diamonds and sapphires by Chanel

Limelight necklace in pink gold with a cushion-cut red tourmaline, brilliant-cut diamonds and freshwater pearls

by Piaget

Aria high jewellery unique tassel necklace in white gold inlayed with dark blue aventurine and with diamonds by De Beers

Le Secret high jewellery necklace with pearls, pink sapphires, amethysts and rubies by Van Cleef & Arpels

Panthère de Cartier necklace in yellow gold with black lacquer, onyx, tsavorite garnets and diamonds

by Cartier

Touch Wood earrings in yellow gold and ebony

by Annoushka

Earrings in yellow gold with diamonds

by Buccellati

Valses d’Hiver transformable necklace with diamonds and pearls

by Chaumet

Earrings in white gold with emeralds and diamonds by Graff

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Ingénue Eugénie brooch in white gold with diamonds by Dior

Festa high jewellery necklace with emeralds, amethysts and diamonds

by Bvlgari

Shoulder-grazing earrings in white gold with diamonds

by Stefere

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FAN SERVICE Most people would have heard of John Pierpont Morgan, whose name still adorns one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous financial institutions, JP Morgan.

Fewer, however, will know that his name also lives on in a luscious peachy-pink beryl gemstone. When Tiffany & Co discovered the gem in 1910, it decided that the stone had to be named morganite, after its most devoted customer.

Necklace in platinum with a 10.5-carat morganite, 6.92 carats of pink tourmaline and diamonds

GREEN LIGHT Tiffany & Co’s dalliance with coloured gemstones all began with an exceptional tourmaline. In 1876, a young gemmologist named George Frederick Kunz sold a tourmaline to founder Charles Lewis Tiffany and soon joined the company to fulfil his lifelong mission of sourcing the world’s most extraordinary gemstones for Tiffany & Co. He is the man responsible for discovering—and rediscovering—many precious stones, and introducing them into the current jewellery lexicon.

Ring in platinum with a 13.46-carat green tourmaline and diamonds, and ring in platinum with a 6.15-carat yellow diamond and diamonds

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NEW LIFE There was a time when the gem we now call kunzite was thought to be extinct.

That was until Kunz rediscovered the violet-hued gemstone in 1902, in San Diego County, California, while he was on an expedition for Tiffany & Coâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;lucky for us since the delicate, transparent lilac gem is a lovely sight to behold. Naturally, the stone was named kunzite, after the man who reintroduced it to the world.

Earrings in platinum with 21.18 carats of tanzanite and diamonds, necklace in platinum with a 22.87-carat kunzite and diamonds, and ring in platinum with a 49.35-carat tanzanite and diamonds

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DISCOVERY CHANNEL In 1967, a Masai tribesman discovered the now-famous tanzanite gemstone in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. At this time, the tanzanite was the first transparent blue gemstone to be discovered in centuries. Its blue hue carries flashes of violet, and can be as deep as the midnight sky. Tiffany & Co was the first to introduce the gemstone in its jewellery, and is known for its wonderful tanzanite creations, like this necklace pictured here.

Necklace in platinum with a 35.86-carat tanzanite and diamonds

NATURAL BEAUTY In the world of precious gemstones, sapphires come in a range of rainbow colours, from blues and pinks, to greens and yellows—Tiffany & Co has harnessed this eclectic range of hues to enhance the designs of its jewels. In fact, the American jeweller also uses unenhanced sapphires—that is, non-heated and nonchemically treated ones—such as the blue sapphire pictured here, which is extremely rare and precious, particularly in this size.

Ring in platinum with a 18.01-carat blue tourmaline and diamonds, ring in platinum with a 5.26-carat unenhanced blue sapphire and diamonds, and ring in platinum with a 9.28-carat green tourmaline and diamonds

HOME WORK Kunzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work with gemstones had a larger impact on the jewellery world, not just at Tiffany & Co. While he sourced for precious stones from around the world, he also looked close to home: he was responsible for revealing the wonders of American gemstones, and introduced sapphires from Montana, tourmalines from Maine, as well as garnets and topazes from Utah.

Ring in platinum with a 20.34-carat green tourmaline and diamonds, ring in platinum with a 7.38-carat blue sapphire and diamonds, and earrings in platinum with 27.55 carats of morganite and diamonds

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PHOTOGRAPHY: DARREN GABRIEL LEOW; FASHION DIRECTION: DESMOND LIM; HAIR: GREGO/INDIGO ARTISANS, USING KEUNE HAIRCOSMETICS SINGAPORE; MAKE-UP: CHERYL OW/INDIGO ARTISANS, USING PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR; OUTFIT: SILK TWILL SHIRT BY SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

AHEAD OF THE TIMES The idea of a fully electric hypercar was dreamed up 20 years ago in Singapore, and finally realised in 2016 with the launch of the Dendrobium by Vanda Electrics, headed by Larissa Tan

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Back to the Future

Future Ready

Singapore can be at the forefront of the fast-growing electric vehicle industry, says Larissa Tan, CEO of the homegrown start-up behind the Dendrobium electric hypercar

We spotlight the innovations being created to deal with some of Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most pressing challenges, and their potential for wider applications

Photography DARREN GABRIEL LEOW Fashion Direction DESMOND LIM

Silk-blend parka by Giorgio Armani; Cintrée Curvex Lady Moon Phase watch in steel with diamonds

by Franck Muller

HAIR: GREGO/INDIGO ARTISANS, USING KEUNE HAIR COSMETICS SINGAPORE; MAKE-UP: CHERYL OW/INDIGO ARTISANS, USING PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR; PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: HALID; STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: JOEY TAN

FUTURE to the

BACK

Singapore can be at the forefront of the fast-growing electric vehicle industry, Larissa Tan, CEO of homegrown start-up Vanda Electrics, tells Hong Xinyi

IN FULL SPEED Vanda Electrics, helmed by Larissa Tan, is housed within the Wah Son @ Seletar Aerospace Park, which hearken back to the industrial age with its evocative design

BLOOMING BEAUTY Vanda Electrics’ Dendrobium hypercar was designed to resemble a fully bloomed orchid when its roof and doors are open

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ropelled by the spirit of the Space Age and the Jet Age, car manufacturers of the 1950s aspired to not just speed and power, but also beauty—the iconic automobiles of the period are still beloved by aficionados for the cool curves and clean lines that often drew direct inspiration from the jet planes and spacecrafts that were probing new frontiers of exploration. It was also the Atomic Age, and as nuclear technology developed, engineers even dreamed up concept cars that might one day safely harness nuclear energy.

The nuclear-powered car never came to pass, but the dream of finding a source of clean, sustainable energy to fuel our travels has persisted well into the 21st century. Today, the answer to that dream increasingly seems to be found in the electric vehicle (EV). Some might say we are living in the eve of the EV Age—in 2017, over 1.2 million of such vehicles were sold globally, a 58 per cent increase from 2016. With EVs representing just 1.3 per cent of total global new passenger vehicle sales, traditional internal combustion engine cars still dominate the market. Still, if you are a glass-half-full kind of person, that simply means the room for EV growth is massive.

Or as Singapore start-up Vanda Electrics posits: “The future is electric”. CEO Larissa Tan explains, “We are at a stage now in the automotive industry where we are on the cusp of a revolution. I don’t think there’s a doubt now that things are moving in the direction of EVs; it’s not a matter of if, but when.

“In the 1950s, there were a lot of technological development for the combustion engine, and a lot of new materials that allowed for the design of different car shapes.

We are at that phase now where battery technology is concerned. This is a tipping point. I think you’re going to see a lot more activity within this industry, and many new players from around the world bringing fresh perspectives and a lot of innovation.”

Vanda Electrics, of course, is a case in point. The idea for this two-year-old EV company and the electric hypercar that it wanted to make had actually been floating around for around 20 years, Larissa reveals. “But it was only recently that technology caught up with what we wanted to do.” Around 2012, the hypercar dream began germinating again, and the result, named Dendrobium, finally debuted at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. “That went really well,” Larissa recalls. “We attracted a lot of press and interest, and the Dendrobium was hailed as one of the top concept cars at the show.”

Subsequently, the hypercar was whisked off to show at Top Marques Monaco and England’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. It was most recently showcased here at the National Museum as part of Singapore Design Week 2018.

“This project has completely achieved its purpose,” says

ZOOMING AROUND Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan (pictured centre) speaking to Prince Albert II of Monaco (pictured right) at the Top Marques Monaco 2017; the Vanda Dendrobium will have the power to go from 0 to 100km/h in 2.7sec

Larissa, who worked in banking and marketing before joining Vanda Electrics.

“We wanted to bring worldwide recognition to Singapore, to the company, to the team of Singaporeans behind this car, and it has done that. Everyone now knows that Singapore has an electric car brand.”

To be more specific, they now know that Singapore has an electric car brand that has verve and nerve, and in a world where established brands and start-ups are all vying for a slice of the EV market, carving out that distinct identity is no small advantage.

There is no forgetting the Dendrobium once you see it. Named after an orchid species native to Singapore, the hypercar is designed

by Vanda Electrics’ Singapore team. The company then engaged the UK’s Williams Advanced Engineering as an engineering and technical partner. The latter is part of the Williams Group that owns the illustrious Formula One team, and is renowned for its engineering excellence in adapting racing technology for commercial applications.

With its composite monocoque chassis, carbon-fibre bodywork, and a planned top speed of 320km/h, the car’s motorsport influences are clearly visible. Its unique look is also the result of the fresh perspectives that a new player to the scene can bring. “A lot of people said they hadn’t seen this floating teardrop shape before,” Larissa points out.

“Everything is geared towards the driver’s experience. For example, a lot of these cars have a big lip at the side, so getting in and out is difficult. Ours is designed to be easy to get in and out of, there’s a finesse and elegance to it. It’s not just about how nice the car looks. If you’re driving up to an event, you want to be able to get out of the car elegantly.”

True to its name, nature-inspired elements abound in the Dendrobium. Its roof and doors open in synchronicity to mimic the shape of a fully bloomed orchid, its curves are

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modelled after valleys, its hazard lights shaped like waterfalls, honeycomb patterns mark the air vents and grilles, and the tapered rear is even reminiscent of a barbed insect. And yet, by some strange alchemy, this car looks like something flung out of space—it exudes an intriguingly alien glamour. Perhaps that is the point.

“In terms of design and shape, this denotes what the future of the electric car can look like,” Larissa believes.

“We still have this notion that electric cars are maybe not so nice-looking. But a lot of us are at this stage in life where we’re used to good design, and wanting to save the world doesn’t mean we have to compromise on the other things that we like.

This is what the Dendrobium signifies.”

Larissa has a knack for making bold declarations in a disarmingly understated manner, which means their boldness can take a while to sink in. The stance that environmental responsibility and aesthetic pleasures are not mutually exclusive is, in fact, no less audacious at this moment in time than the pronouncement that EVs are the future. In contrast to the 1950s—a decade buoyed by optimism about the possibilities of technology—today’s push for sustainable energy is driven in no small part by anxiety about the consequences of accelerating climate change. Perhaps these distinct cultural moods go some way towards explaining why that bygone era’s automobiles were as joyfully charming as today’s hybrids and EVs are, generally speaking, unassuming to the point of being self-effacing. singapor e tatler . june 2018

That is starting to change.

Consumer fervour for Tesla’s sleek, sinuous EVs has spurred car manufacturers to develop more stylish electric cars that embody the message that you can look good while doing good.

The Dendrobium, whose price tag will likely be in the seven-figure territory, makes a similar statement in the heightened key that is particularly suited to the luxury segment— virtue can be sexy.

also go into national parks and areas where they don’t allow combustion engine vehicles”. The vehicle has already been delivered to the Philippine market.

As for the highly Instagrammable Motochimp, “it’s meant to be a quirky, fun lifestyle product, and we want to take it to a level where it becomes an iconic urban transport vehicle”, she says. “The idea is, when you’re riding it, you’ll have the wind in your hair and look at the world in a different way.”

It is already being sold in Japan, China and Singapore, and is currently accruing its cultural cachet via tie-ups with streetwear brand Subcrew and winning celebrity fans such as Singaporean singer JJ Lin. A second line of scooters is already in the works, as is a line of Motochimp accessories.

In the meantime, Vanda Electrics is continuing to develop its fast-charging battery technology, working on new products, and it wants to eventually set up its own assembly line in Singapore, although Larissa concedes that is a very long-term goal. “Right now, the strategy is to work with partners who already have certain capabilities and expertise rather than building everything ourselves. That would take too long, and in this business environment of innovation, it’s not the wisest thing to do. It’s more prudent to work with people who can hit the ground running.”

Even as Vanda Electrics eyes global partners and markets, Larissa believes more can be done right here in Singapore.

“This is the perfect country for implementing test-bed projects, because we’re small and efficient, with very good infrastructure and regulations. We should be thinking about maintaining and improving our current air conditions and not waiting for them to deteriorate before we take action. We can be a leader in EV innovation and lead the way for other cities.” Already, countries such as the UK, France, India and China have announced plans to curb or end fossil fuel cars within certain time frames. “The government can play a big part in pushing this at a national level,” she believes. “Why not come up with a target: in five years, we will do this; in 10 years, we will do this. So many countries have made a stand.

Why can’t we?”

“In terms of design and shape, the Vanda Dendrobium denotes what the future of the electric car can look like”

IN THE LONG RUN That vivid sense of personality also extends to Vanda Electrics’ two other EV products, the cheerful-looking Ant Truck and playful Motochimp scooter. With a payload of one tonne, the small but mighty Ant Truck “is perfect for cities with very narrow roads, and it can be configured for a wide range of uses”, Larissa shares. The company has gotten a lot of interest from the agriculture, industrial and utility sectors, and “being electric, it can s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

URBAN STYLE The Motochimp scooter is another of Vanda Electrics’ innovations, and is being sold in Japan, China and Singapore

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What does the future hold for our little red dot? Hong Xinyi spotlights the people and the companies working to prepare Singapore for tomorrow Art Direction MATILDA AU Illustrations ANNGEE NEO

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INFRASTRUCTURE Boosting connectivity and gearing up for population growth and a booming economy

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irst, the good news. In the ongoing race to stay ahead of the curve, Singapore is having a promising year, as far as international rankings are concerned. It ranked third in the 2018 Bloomberg Innovation Index, up from sixth place in 2017. It scored particularly well on diversity of talent on a new global ranking from the US tech trade association Consumer Technology Association, which named Singapore one of 13 Innovation Champions. Global advisory firm ABI Research also scored Singapore the world’s smartest city after analysing 10 megacities for their innovation programmes and strategies for dealing with issues such as mobility, education and public services.

But when it comes to future-proofing this land-scarce island with no natural resources, there is no such thing as resting on your laurels. We take a look at some of the ingenious innovations being created in Singapore to deal with some of the country’s most pressing challenges, and their potential for wider applications in the rest of the world.

Addressing students at the Singapore University of Technology and Design’s Ministerial Forum in April, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong declared: “It is time for us to reimagine and rebuild Singapore.”

Indeed, the developments that will transform key parts of the country are already underway. The ports at Tanjong Pagar have relocated to Pasir Panjang, as part of the plan for an even bigger move to the future mega port in Tuas. With prime land freed up by the move, the emergence of a Greater Southern Waterfront is poised to revitalise a large swathe of the island. Paya Lebar Air Base will also shift to Changi, lifting height restrictions for the eastern part of Singapore and freeing up more than 800ha of land for redevelopment. And don’t forget about the high-speed rail project linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur—construction for Singapore’s end is slated to start next year, and the resulting connectivity is expected to create new opportunities for tourism and commerce.

TECHNOLOGY Innovations by the creative and tech-savvy generation to meet Singapore’s needs and wants

It might not be common knowledge, but Singapore has birthed quite a few game-changing technologies. For one, Sim Wong Hoo’s Creative Technology created the SoundBlaster audio card in 1989, which enabled PC computers to emit more than just primitive beeps and pings. In 1999, Tan Min-Liang’s Razer spawned a whole new industry of gaming equipment with the Boomslang gaming mouse, and in 2000, Singapore com mpany Trek Technology invented the now-ubiquitous thumb drive. Those who travelled during the 2003 Sars ou utbreak may also recall the MTech FeverScan S3000, created by local company MTech Imaging to detect passe engers running a fever using precise thermal imaging.

On a more prosaic but super useful note, if you are simply trying to find your way around the islan nd, Quantum Inventions’ intelligent navigation system Galactio is designed and built completely in Singa apore, and prides itself on being a hyper-localised system that offers users features such as routes based on re eal-time traffic conditions, the lowest ERP charges, and a real-time carpark rates and availability guide. Thesse solutions aggregate and process data from the authorities and smart infrastructure.

Founded by Saurav Bhattacharyya and Thambipillai Srikanthan, Quantum Inventions is a spin-offf company that got its start at the Centre for High Performance Embedded Systems in Nanyang Technological University. customised solutions for enterprises and governments. Last year, it was acquired by b technology It also develops custom company Continental to add to its growing intelligent transportation systems portfolio.

PEOPLE Harnessing technology to look after every citizen, from babies to the elderly

PAKTOR Singapore has had one of the world’s lowest fertility rate for years. While policymakers continue to work on creative strategies for encouraging couples to have more babies, players from the private sector are trying their hand at kindling the first connection that makes eventual baby-making possible.

Known as the Tinder of Southeast Asia, Paktor is a dating app that was born when co-founder Joseph Phua found existing digital platforms less than satisfactory. Endearingly named after the colloquial term for dating, the app attracted 25,000 active users within a

SAFETOSLEEP

month of its launch. Today, that number has grown to over 19.5 million, one of the largest user bases in the region. In April, Paktor hit a record number of one million matches.

SMART ELDERLY MONITORING AND ALERT SYSTEM (SEMAS) With the number of senior citizens here set to grow in coming years, figuring out smart strategies for eldercare is essential. The Smart Elderly Monitoring and Alert System (Semas) makes use of motion sensors and cameras to monitor the living patterns of the elderly, and sends alerts to their caregivers via an app if it detects anomalies.

Developed by homegrown firm Astralink Technology, which has invested up to $10m in research and development in home-monitoring systems, Semas was fitted in 12 rental flats in 2015 as part of a trial run by the Housing and Development Board.

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Having been fathers of premature babies, Ospicon’s CEO Desmond Ng and marketing director Frank Fong are aware of every parent’s desire to monitor the well-being of their sleeping infants. Fong says, “We wanted to create an affordable product accurate enough for homecare, and that could help make sure your baby is sleeping safely, and coping with separation anxiety when you return to work.” Their team invented the world’s first alkaline battery-powered fibreoptic sensor for breath detection. They then worked with the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital to draw from the expertise of its Department of Neonatology. The resulting technology has been utilised in a system designed to monitor multiple infants across numerous nurseries, thus alleviating the pressure on manpower. On the consumer front, SafetoSleep pairs a mat with an app, so parents can be alerted of any breathing irregularities while their child is asleep. The third-generation version of this system, the STS200, won an Edison Award, and an Innovation Award at prestigious consumer electronics show CES.

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HEALTH & SCIENCE Research that goes into ensuring that Singapore stays innovative and its people stay healthy for generations to come

NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH Award-winning scientist Jackie Y Ying Y is a towering figure in the study of nanotechnology, and her work hass led to breakthroughs in various are eas, including diabetes and dengue—tw wo conditions that are of particular concern for Singapore. Currently heading A*Star’s A NanoBio Lab, the former executive e director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology also mentors the next generation of Singapore’s scie entists.

You have sa aid that nurturing young scientists is the most fulfilling part of your work.

What advice have you shared with them?

Scientific research is more than just a career. You have the potential to make a great impact. But the journey to get there is long and requires a lot of discipline, self-motivation, perseverance and teamwork. Many researchers work at the lab bench their entire lives, so one must really love doing experimental work if they choose this path. It is important that young people understand the broad impact of research, and work with mentors who can help them realise their full potential.

How did you create a culture of innovation at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology?

From the beginning, we made it our mission to pursue a multidisciplinary research approach that cuts across science, engineering and medicine. We recruited people from all over the world who had different backgrounds and experiences, and brought them together in teams to develop innovative solutions for complex problems.

We promoted strong collaborations among our engineers, scientists and medical doctors, and this has led to major impact with over 1,330 publications in leading journals, over 650 patents or patent applications, and 13 start-up companies.

You are now heading A*Star’s NanoBio Lab. Tell us about this new research entity.

A h N Bi L Lab, we are focused At the NanoBio

on driving innovations to tackle major challenges in biotech, medtech, energy and consumer care sectors. The new lab is set up as an incubator to create technologies that can be commercialised through multinational companies and spin-offs. In particular, we are developing lab-on-a-chip and paper-based assays for point-ofcare diagnostics for infectious diseases, and rapid food and water pathogen monitoring technologies.

We are also designing novel biomaterials for synthetic cell culture substrates that would allow for cell expansion and controlled stem cell differentiation, antifouling and antimicrobial coatings, and targeted delivery of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Last but not least, we are excited about creating new nanocomposite materials for safe and high-capacity battery applications.

NUTRITION RESEARCH

TEMASEK RICE

ELO WATER

Positioning Singapore as a hub for high-tech manufacturing and research and development for multinational corporations is a key prong of economic development here. Dutch MNC DSM’s André Rhoen, the Asia-Pacific vice president of Human Nutrition & Health at DSM Nutritional Products, tells us more about the nutrition company’s recent endeavours here.

The first and only rice variety to be created in Singapore is formulated to withstand floods, droughts and fungal and bacteria attacks. It also produces a higher yield. High in dietary fibre, it is good for your health; and (this next part is probably on your mind if those Singaporean foodie genes are kicking in), it tastes delicious too. This hardy breed is the result of research led by Yin Zhongchao, senior principal investigator at the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, and a multinational team of scientists. Their work means Singapore has developed intellectual property that can improve traditional rice production.

Last year, Yin was named Singapore’s Outstanding Rice Scientist at the Asean Rice Science and Technology Ambassadors Award.

Singapore water treatment company Hyflux is best known for its pioneering efforts in membrane-based desalination technologies, which today helps fast-growing cities and industries develop sustainable water supplies. In recent years, the company has also been researching how water can be harnessed to improve health. This led to the introduction of ELO Water, which uses a proprietary technology that allows oxygen to exist in a stable and bound form in water so it can be beneficially harnessed by the body. Clinical trials with Changi General Hospital are underway to establish the efficacy of ELO Water and ELO Bath Sessions on patients with diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers, two of the conditions that can be exacerbated by hypoxia—when one’s blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen to one’s tissues.

A migrant worker’s diet is mainly composed of rice, which fills up the stomach but is very poor in nutrients. Rice fortification allows several micronutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, iron and zinc, to be added into the rice. By addressing their nutritional needs through rice fortification, we can also eventually address the health and economic status of many people in countries that consume rice as a staple food—including Singapore—at an affordable cost.

Across Southeast Asia, many people eat the same starch-heavy diets every day, including a lot of white rice. They get enough calories to feel full, but not enough micronutrients to be truly healthy. This is a form of malnutrition called hidden hunger.

Malnutrition isn’t always obvious. In fact, people who are malnourished can be overweight. We call this the double burden of malnutrition, when undernutrition and obesity coexist.

Malnutrition often affects the lessprivileged, but people in the middle- and high-income households are not immune.

Alarmingly, Asia is home to roughly g y

70 per cent of the nearly two billion people worldwide who suffer from malnutrition. There are an estimated 60 million children under the age of five who have stunted growth, a condition that is caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and which often goes hand in hand with impaired cognitive development and other serious, sometimes lifelong, health issues.

If left unmanaged, whole economies will bear the consequences. When people can’t live up to their full potential, workforce productivity is diminished, healthcare costs increase, and GDP suffers. Good nutrition is a human right anchored in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and finding solutions to Asia’s malnutrition problem is one of the many things we do. Effectively addressing hunger and hidden hunger cannot be achieved simply by producing “more”; it is about producing food that is affordable, available and aspirational pirational.

DSM will continue to work on fighting f hidden hunger among at-risk and vulnerable groups.

Why did DSM decide to locate its Innovation Application Lab in Singapore?

Besides its infrastructure and established business ecosystem, our partnerships with tertiary institutions in Singapore is a key advantage in housing DSM’s work here. DSM supports a unique master’s programme in science and tri-sector collaboration at the Singapore Management University.

Our partnership with the Singapore Institute of Technology is also related to our o belief in establishing an ecosystem and a open innovation, and is linked to the t government’s strategy of making Singapore an innovation hub. There S s so much to leverage in Singapore with the investments in research being made, and Singapore’s diversity and talent provides an ideal test bed. Being in Singapore also allows for a regional and agnostic view of Asia.

In 2016, DSM co-launched social enterprise 45Rice to help improve the nutritional status of migrant workers in Singapore via fortified rice kernels enhanced with essential micronutrients. Why were migrant workers identified as the target audience?

Construction is a labour-intensive and high-risk activity that is physically and mentally demanding. Manual labourers are some of the hardest working people in the population, but a poor diet and nutrition can have detrimental effects on their morale, safety, productivity and long-term health.

LIFE Wine, food, culture and travel

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CARS

YACHTS

JETS

ART

DESIGN

Spurred by the success of its California coupe, Ferrari ups the ante with the Portofino

A fleet of luxury yachts that made their regional debuts at the 2018 Singapore Yacht Show

Honda Aircraft CEO Michimasa Fujinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brainchild, the HondaJet, takes flight

Net-a-Porter and its Porter magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Incredible Women session in Hong Kong

The iconic and historic Fullerton Building celebrates its 90th birthday

PHOTOGRAPHY: CHING/GREENPLASTICSOLDIERS

PATIENCE PAYS Intrepid chefs are exploring fermentation methods to bring out novel flavours from ubiquitous ingredients, like this tomato and oat dish

by Nouri’s Ivan Brehm. More on p.156

LIFE | TRAVEL

Villa of Grandeur With the glamour and opulence of an Italian palazzo, Indonesia’s Kaliandra Eco Resort delivers a regal experience, tempered with a dedication to the Javanese community and heritage, on the exotic slopes of a dormant volcano, writes Ong Chin Huat Photography CHRISTOPHER LEGGETT

s the heavy wrought iron gates swing open, I realise the Kaliandra Eco Resort and Wellness Retreat is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.

We’re just over an hour’s drive from Surabaya, in the foothills of Mount Arjuna, but the sprawling, trafficchoked streets of the financial hub, the capital of the Indonesian province of East Java, seem so much further away. All around the lush resort are gentle slopes shrouded with pine woodland and dotted with ancient Hindu temples, and picturesque trails where silence reigns supreme lead hikers up towards the peaks. It’s an idyllic scene.

Located on a 40ha estate 850m above sea level, Kaliandra provides a tranquil and peaceful environment for both the body and the mind, offering a range of holistic treatments and luxury accommodation fit for royalty—and all in the name of a good cause.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve had this urge to help the less fortunate,” says the resort’s founder, Atmadja Tjiptobiantoro, an architect by profession and a philanthropist by choice.

All the profits from the luxury resort are channelled into the Kaliandra Sejati Foundation he

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PALATIAL ESTATE Villa Leduk is the stunning centrepiece of the Kaliandra Eco Resort and Wellness Retreat, which is set on the scenic slopes of Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mount Arjuna

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TRAVEL | LIFE

FIT FOR A KING Clockwise from above left: A living room in the west pavilion; waiters prepare the table for a feast on the terrace at the back of Villa Leduk; a bird’s-eye view of the resort and Mount Arjuna

set up in 1997, whose goals include improving the living standard of the local community, conserving the rich Javanese heritage and protecting the area’s natural resources. “It’s my wish that the foundation will instil a sense of compassion for others and a love of humanity in the people of Mount Arjuna,” says Tjiptobiantoro.

The resort features traditional Javanese rooms, cottages and bungalows, a wellness retreat, two swimming pools and a gym, as well as restaurants serving organic produce grown on its farm. The bounty of the farm— patches of spinach, succulent bundles of dragon fruit and myriad other fruit and vegetables—colour a corner of the estate with their health-giving vitality.

But the jewel in the crown is Villa Leduk, a Palladian-style villa where any royal would feel right at home—and which demonstrates that sustainability can be seriously chic.

Inspired by the grand palazzos of Italian aristrocrats from a bygone era, it houses the resort’s three suites and is my home for the next few days.

Four grey Doric columns flanked by stone lions form a grand entrance where staff outfitted smartly in traditional Javanese garb greet us with garlands of fragrant jasmine. A wide flight of steps leads into an extravagant foyer boasting a trio of glittering 17th-century crystal chandeliers and lined with richly carved gilt mirrors contrasting beautifully

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with green, marble-topped consoles. Wide, column-lined corridors, hand-painted wallpaper, antique furnishings, French tapestries, Chinese objets d’art and lacquered screens welcome us as if we are arriving at a palazzo in Florence.

Each of the three suites has its own private seating and dining areas, as well as access to a series of beautiful European-style manicured gardens that recall Versailles. The contrast with the natural surroundings is oddly enchanting. It becomes even more so in the twilight hour, when arias from famous Italian operas waft from the sumptuous interiors out into the gardens as the fading light casts its dreamlike cloak across the property.

Early mornings are something to relish at the resort, where guests may wake to find a wandering peacock or deer outside their bedroom window. Cool and refreshing, the crisp dawn air stimulates a healthy appetite, which is deliciously sated on the outdoor terrace at the rear of Villa Leduk overlooking a lotus pond stocked with koi. As well as European-style fare, the menu offers local dishes such as soto ayam (a spicy chicken soup with turmeric), sop buntut (oxtail soup) and rawon (a Javanese beef soup).

After breakfast, guests might want to visit the organic farm, which grows a wide variety of produce on its 2.5ha, including black and red rice, tea and coffee, Chinese kale and spinach, herbs such as coriander, oregano and

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rosemary, as well as a delicious selection of fruit ranging from dragon fruit and tomatoes, to lemons and bananas. The farm’s produce is used at all the resort’s restaurants and sold at local supermarkets in Surabaya, Malang and Batam, with all proceeds going to the Kaliandra Sejati Foundation.

Hiking up the hills to Roro Ireng (Dark Princess Restaurant) is a great way to work up an appetite for lunch. This traditional Indonesian restaurant, helmed by chef Ibu Sariti, has an open structure that provides diners with paradisal views of the local flora, fauna and natural beauty of this lush region.

The fare is exquisite, with gado gado (an Indonesian salad), tomato soup, nasi bunkus (a rice dish with chicken curry and other condiments wrapped in banana leaf ), sambal tempe penyet (fried tempeh with chilli paste), and satay (skewered and grilled meat) among the menu’s many highlights.

Guests can also enjoy a herbal tea-making class after lunch.

Afternoons are luxuriously spent at Kaliandra’s Wellness Centre, which features

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eight spa rooms, each beautifully furnished with a luxury en-suite marble bathroom.

Guests can choose traditional spa treatments such as hot stone and deep tissue massages, or one of the specialities such as the enzyme detox therapy, a natural therapeutic healing process practised in Japan for more than 80 years. This unique treatment is said to stimulate metabolic activity and aid the body in removing toxins, resulting in better blood circulation, improved digestion and enhanced immunity against illnesses.

For those who prefer a more active approach to wellness and relaxation, the resort offers a range of activities both on and off the estate. To promote understanding of the local culture, the resort holds classes that include an introduction to the gamelan, a Javanese musical instrument, as well as local crafts such as batik making and pottery.

In addition to hiking around the resort’s massive grounds, guests can arrange a tour of a local village, go whitewater rafting, rock climbing or caving, or simply play a round of golf at a nearby 18-hole course. The more singapor e tatler . june 2018

TRAVEL | LIFE

THE HEART OF KALIANDRA

Atmadja Tjiptobiantoro and his friend Lily Gumilang

adventurous can take an overnight tour to Mount Bromo. A trek to the summit offers spectacular views, but be careful—this volcano is still active and last erupted in 2015.

Evenings at the resort are equally impressive. At nightfall, guests are treated to a traditional Javanese dance, the Arjuna Wiwoho (Arjuna’s Wedding), which dates back to the 17th century, followed by a sumptuous banquet of Indonesian fare in the grand dining room.

The glimmering chandeliers, silver candelabras ablaze with candles and shining sterling silverware create a regal glow, complemented by the radiant guests dressed completely in white in accordance with the evening’s dress code. The scene is as richly composed as a Renaissance painting by Caravaggio and, like the painter himself, is in a league of its own.

Kaliandra Eco Resort and Wellness Retreat is located at Dusun Gamoh, Desa Dayurejo, Kecamatan Prigen, Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia. kaliandrasejati.com s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

LUXURIOUS WELCOME Villa Leduk’s grand entrance hallway

Born into a well-off family in Surabaya, Indonesia, Atmadja Tjiptobiantoro grew up troubled by the disparity in resources and opportunity he saw around him, and the suffering experienced by those less fortunate than himself. The empathetic young scion recalls an incident when he was about six, when he was devastated by the suffering of a homeless boy who came knocking on the door one night.

This early exposure to suffering stirred the young Tjiptobiantoro to vow to make charity a purpose in life.

After studying architecture in Sydney and working for a firm in Los Angeles, Tjiptobiantoro returned home to work in the family business. He made good on his vow in 1997 when he founded the Kaliandra Sejati Foundation as a way of giving back to the community where he grew up.

Villa Leduk is the realisation of his desire to recreate his mother’s ancestral home in Pasuruan, East Java.

But Tjiptobiantoro was also greatly impressed by the grand stately homes of Tuscany when he visited Italy, so the villa “is a melange of many different things, just like myself”, he explains. “My roots are Chinese and Javanese while my mind is European”, hence the villa’s tasteful mix of Europe and Asia.

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WATCH AND LEARN Ferrariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest baby, the Portofino, is a complete redesign with the intention of being a far more serious machine than its forebears

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CARS | LIFE

New Flame Spurred by the success of its California coupe, Ferrari ups the ante with its replacement, the Portofino.

To test the appeal of this topless Ferrari, Andre Lam takes it for a spin in winter t has been a rather unusually bitter winter in Europe, but Ferrari has wisely chosen the region of Puglia in southern Italy to introduce us to its new baby, the Portofino.

In summer, Puglia’s stunning beaches and whitewashed towns are packed with holidaying foreigners; while in the depth of winter, the roads are nearly empty and ideal for some driving fun.

The Portofino takes its name from a picturesque fishing town on the Italian Riviera and supersedes Ferrari’s front-engine California T, which in turn replaced the original 2008 California four years ago.

The original California was conceived as Ferrari’s entry-level model, with the same level of aesthetic refinement as the rest of its cars. It was highly successful, thanks to its coupe-convertible design, and its 4.3L, naturally aspirated V8 engine that could push out 460hp—this was later uprated to a 560hp twin-turbo V8 engine in the California T. In fact, as an accolade to its success, up to 70 per cent of California’s buyers were new Ferrari customers.

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LIFE | CARS

SHARING SECRETS The Portofino’s interior and engine takes notes from the more expensive Ferrari GTC4Lusso T and is carefully adapted for use in the entry-level Ferrari

with the launch of a more focused model, the Portofino. It boosts the driving experience with an engine that boasts a top speed of 320km/h, ups the ante to 600hp and zips to 100km/h in just 3.5sec.

What is remarkable is that this performance is not only quicker than that of its forebear, but

also similar to that of the considerably pricier Ferrari GTC4 LussoT. The car also features a new chassis that is about a third stronger and 80kg lighter than the one it replaces.

Aesthetics wise, it is noticeably sexier and comes in a new exclusive shade of red—Rosso Portofino—as a tribute to the coastal town it was named after. It also features a fastback shape that draws resemblance to one of Ferrari’s previous heroes, the F12 Berlinetta,

THE FINAL LAP As new Ferrari owners explore the entry-level Portofino, longtime fans of the marque look to its apex model, the 812 Superfast. It is an 800hp beast that one can own, but few will ever tame. It is a faster but less scary evolution of the terrifyingly quick F12 Berlinetta due to extensive development and the inclusion of a rear-wheel steer.

The 812 Superfast is capable of scorching to 100km/h in a scant 2.9sec, and releases a spine-tingling war cry as it continues to climb to its top speed of 340km/h. When driven

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at a normal pace, it manages to remain docile enough to keep you relaxed and able to savour every moment. Similar to the Portofino, this is in part due Ferrari’s work on its electric power steering system, which gives you enough feel such that most drives, even the slower ones, are interesting.

In the end, the 812 Superfast represents an important part of Ferrari’s heritage; it’s the last of the marque’s naturally aspirated V12-engine cars, and one that will remain an icon for many years to come.

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IMAGES: LORENZO MARCINNO

TWO STEPS UP The new-found dynamism and excellent handling of the Portofino lifts one’s driving experience from lukewarm to hot-blooded Ferrari thrilling

which was the Italian marque’s most powerful naturally aspirated 12-cylinder car.

Zooming in on the more technical details, the car’s excellent F1-DCT transmission minimises the car’s turbo lag to nearly unnoticeable, giving you the sense that you are driving a naturally aspirated car instead of one that is turbocharged. The driving experience is dramatically improved as well, as Ferrari has carefully developed its electric power steering system to give correct feedback under all driving situations.

Together with a moderately uprated suspension and MagneRide dampers that are used in top-of-the-line Ferraris, these features are some of the reasons why the Portofino is arguably one of the finest gran turismo cars in the market today.

All these improvements and upgrades reinforce the driver’s bond with the car.

Where the California T was too aloof, the Portofino involves you in the nuances of any journey you undertake with it. The Ferrari Portofino lets you feel the road better and enjoy its impressive capabilities far more than what its performance numbers suggest. singapor e tatler . june 2018

FERRARI PORTOFINO BODY Two-door sports coupe, aluminium construction ENGINE 3.9L biturbo V8 MAX POWER 600hp at 7,500rpm MAX TORQUE 760Nm at 3,000-5,250rpm TRANSMISSION Seven-speed F-1 DCT ACCELERATION 0-100km/h in 3.5sec TOP SPEED 320km/h FUEL CONSUMPTION 10.7L/100km (combined mode) PRICE (EXCLUDING COE) $850,000 AGENT Ital Auto, 30 Leng Kee Road, tel: 6475 1118

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TATLER FOCUS | DREAM CRUISES ALL DREAM Passengers on the three - and five-night sojourns with Dream Cruises will enjoy a firework display while out at sea; The Palace villas, penthouses (below) and suites are tucked in their own private enclave on the ship

Holiday Mood A luxury sojourn with Dream Cruises will satisfy every type of traveller, from the foodie to the adventure seeker

I

magine waking up every morning with nothing but the endless blue sea and the lulling waves to keep you company. That dream can become a reality on Dream Cruisesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mega cruise ships Genting Dream and World Dream, which traverse the coastal cities of Asia.

Make sure to book The Palace experience as it further elevates your luxury cruising journey with a 24-hour butler concierge service, access to private lounges and facilities, and priority boarding, so you can travel to your island getaway in style and comfort.

Furthermore, The Palace suites boast spacious interiors

outfitted with Italian linens from Frette, a walk-in wardrobe and vanity area, as well as a bathroom with a full bathtub and Salvatore Ferragamo amenities. You can also wake up to the amazing views of the ocean and sip on freshly brewed coffee from the in-room Nespresso machine from the comfort of your private balcony.

If you need anything more, your personal butler is always on hand to cater to your every whim and fancy such as helping you make priority reservations at speciality restaurants, shows and exclusive facilities. They will even recommend activities on board and off the ship.

DREAM VACATION The Palace guests have access to exclusive privileges, including the sun deck and pool area

Chinese fine dining restaurant that oozes an old-world charm; Hot Pot, an alfresco steamboat restaurant from which you can get breathtaking views of the ocean; Umi Uma that offers traditional Japanese fare with a modern twist; and Bistro by Mark Best, the namesake of the award-winning chef, that dishes out Australian-style steak and wine.

ISLAND EXPLORATION For the 2018 summer season, there are new destinations added to the roster. Enjoy a serene day at the beautiful beach town of Koh Samui in Thailand, or indulge in water sports in Redang, Malaysia. But if you are hankering for a city adventure, make a pit stop in Bangkok.

Alternatively, immerse yourself in the colourful history and discover the cultural treasures of Sihanoukville in Cambodia.

And even when you are on board, there is no dearth of activities to keep you occupied.

Find out what the Asian cruise liner has to offer to help you make the most of your vacation.

ENTERTAINMENT GALORE Lounging by the private Palace pool and sun deck is a great way to while the time away.

Thrill seekers can take the plunge at the waterslide park by the main pool deck or challenge themselves to the rope course that ends in a 35m zipline over the water. And when night falls, partygoers can head to Zouk or Zouk Beach Club for after-hours fun. Make sure not to miss

Dream Night, which ends every cruise with a bang, literally, as a spectacular firework display lights up the sky.

Of course, what is a cruise without the live shows?

Staged at the 999-seat Zodiac Theatre, China’s Got Talent – The Dream Experience showcases an exhilarating night of stunts and acrobatics, while The Voyage of a Lover’s Dream is an awe-inspiring dance performance with dazzling costumes. Tatler tip: The Palace guests get front-row access for the best views of the shows.

WELLNESS VOYAGE If all the action on the ship is starting to take a toll on your body, check into the Crystal Life Spa, which offers a menu of traditional and progressive Western spa treatments—from all-inclusive healing journeys to facial and spa rituals, including the world’s first-ever Himalayan salt stone massage on a cruise. Or try the Crystal Life Asian Spa, which uses traditional Chinese techniques to promote balance, wellness and health via foot reflexology and acupressure. A thermal

lounge and vitality pools also provide a space for rest and relaxation to relieve tension and stress.

CULINARY JOURNEY Whatever your food preferences, you will surely find something satisfying from one of the many restaurants on board. The Palace Restaurant, which is exclusive to suite guests, features a variety of cuisines on its menu and has an extensive wine list. Other speciality restaurants on the cruise liner include Silk Road, a

A vacation should be stressfree, so don’t sweat the small stuff and leave your land schedule to the professionals.

Dream Cruises has a selection of tours and excursions that will appeal to all types of travellers.

You can even craft a bespoke journey with the on-board travel expert who will tailor the itinerary to your preferences and personally guide you through the sights and sounds of your destination. How is that for an unparalleled adventure?

DREAM CRUISES tel: 6808 2288 dreamcruiseline.com

FERRETTI YACHTS 780

Ride the Wave A fleet of luxury yachts made their regional debuts at the Singapore Yacht Show in April.

Chong Seow Wei rounds up the highlights

For this 24m superyacht, Ferretti Yachts enlisted the expertise of luxury yacht architect, Studio Zuccon International Project, to design an aerodynamic all-GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) flybridge beauty for clients who love the outdoors. Distributed by Hong Seh Marine in Singapore, the yacht is powered by two 1,400hp MAN diesel engines and comes with a comfortable beach club area and a roomy foredeck seating area. Large glass windows and patio doors allow plenty of natural sunlight to flood the main deck saloon and eight-seat dining area, both of which exude a minimalist vibe with wood and marble finishings. Below deck is a full-beam master cabin with a walk-in wardrobe and separate office space, as well as two doubles and a twin cabin. For the Asian market, Ferretti Yachts offers its Tai He Ban customisation option, which lets owners transform the master cabin into a karaoke room if they so wish.

IMAGES: HONG SEH MARINE, PRINCESS YACHTS, AZIMUT AND SANLORENZO

PRINCESS 62 One of the latest additions to the Princess Yachts flybridge fleet, the Princess 62 is understated and practical. Equipped with advanced technology to make your ride a smooth one, the yacht features a living area with oak furnishings and plush seats on both sides that lean against full-length windows; a sizeable dining area that opens up to the cockpit; and three en suite cabins that can comfortably fit six guests. The flybridge features a sunpad aft and a circular foredeck area that can be fitted with seats or transformed into another sunpad.

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YACHTS | LIFE

AZIMUT GRANDE 27 METRI Italian yacht builder Azimut Yachts had to stray slightly from its signature sporty aesthetic for its Azimut Grande 27 Metri, which first launched at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival before making its Asian debut at this year’s Singapore Yacht Show. The brief to yacht architect Stefano Righini and interior designer Achille Salvagni Architetti was to design a luxury yacht that balanced

elegance, edge and space. The result: a widebody 87ft megayacht that is a noticeably less feisty Azimut, but features a sleek carbon-fibre construction, dynamic lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, stylish and expansive interior spaces and twin 1,900hp MAN V12 engines. The boat is made for individuals who enjoy hosting intimate parties, as it can accommodate up to 10 guests in a four- or five-cabin layout.

SANLORENZO SL78 Having made its Southeast Asian debut at the 2018 Singapore Yacht Show, this 25m fibreglass, planing hull motor yacht by Italian builder Sanlorenzo is a good-looking, entrylevel model. Contemporary and sporty, it is particularly ideal for those who appreciate having ample space for friends to join them on board to sunbathe, and wine and dine amid beautifully made furnishings by Minotti, RH Modern and Flos. The yacht comes in two layouts, with the galley either on the main deck, or on the lower deck to allow for more entertainment space. For some fresh air, guests can head up a “floating staircase” leading from the main deck to the spacious flybridge, which is equipped with an elegant hardtop that can be electronically manipulated to block or allow in sunlight.

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LIFE | -(76

Beyond the Clouds

ver two decades ago, Michimasa Fujino was unpacking boxes containing his personal belongings after moving from Japan to the US when he came across a 1930s tome on fluid mechanics by Bavarian physicist and engineer Ludwig Prandtl. Flipping through its pages, the freshly minted leader of Japanese automaker Honda R&D’s HondaJet project discovered the equations of airflow around a body such as that of an aircraft’s.

The theoretical concept never left Fujino’s mind as he fervently researched ways to create an actual design out of the theory, and he found a solution one night a few months later. “I’d turned off the lights and was already in bed when an idea suddenly came to mind,” he says. “So I turned on the lights, tore my calendar off the wall and drew my first sketch for the HondaJet on the back of it. That was the exact moment I’d the idea to place the aircraft’s engine over its wings at an optimum location, and use the engine nacelle to reduce aircraft drag.”

By industry standards, his design was considered “impractical and sometimes, impossible, for high-speed aircrafts”.

But a determined Fujino stood by his design, confident that it would set a precedent. In 2001, he obtained a patent

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for HondaJet’s over-the-wing engine mount configuration.

Four years later, the HondaJet debuted as an experimental aircraft at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The positive reviews from the showcase helped Fujino push his case to commercialise the plane. Within the next year, Honda Aircraft, the jet-making arm of Honda, was formed, with an even more zealous Fujino as its president and CEO. The man remains single-minded about his vision for HondaJet: “Just as Honda had created a new auto culture in the US with its Civic range, I wanted to create new value in the aviation market with an advanced light jet that offers high performance, high fuel efficiency and a spacious and quiet cabin.”

Honda Aircraft currently produces four HondaJets a month and has delivered 73 planes to their respective buyers, including American multinational conglomerate General Electric.

Most recently, when Honda Aircraft exhibited at the Singapore Airshow 2018, it announced its single largest order ever—16 HondaJets for European air taxi company Wijet.

Beyond its main headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, the company has also established a presence in Southeast Asia and China via exclusive dealerships. No doubt, with Fujino piloting the plane, the company will only continue to soar.

GAME CHANGER Michimasa Fujino (above), the man behind light business jet HondaJet (top), set the bar high for the industry when he did what others thought as impractical: mount engines over the aircraft’s wings at optimal positions, successfully lowering wave drag and cabin noise, and allowing for more cabin space

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IMAGES: HONDA AIRCRAFT

After developing the HondaJet for nearly thirty years, Honda Aircraft’s Michimasa Fujino is only seeing his hard work on the light business jet truly take flight in the past two years. He tells Chong Seow Wei the story behind his ambition

young game changers shaping singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future FIND OUT MORE: SINGAPORETATLER.COM/GENERATION-T

SPARKS OF INSPIRATION Incredible Women panellists (from left): Lisa Schiff, founder of Schiff Fine Art; Daphne King-Yao, director of Alisan Fine Arts; Sarah Bailey, executive brand editor of Porter; Henrietta Tsui-Leung, CEO of Galerie Ora-Ora; and Yuri Yasuda, founder of Tokyo Art Office

Conversation Starters Change can stem from a simple conversation. Using its connections and platform for good, Net-a-Porter and its Porter magazine hosted its first Incredible Women session in Hong Kong in conjunction with Art Basel Hong Kong. Karishma Tulsidas takes notes an art be an agent for change in the world?” It was with this loaded question that the Incredible Women session began at Hong Kong’s The Upper House, hosted by Sarah Bailey, executive brand editor of Porter magazine. She was joined by successful women in the art world, including Daphne King-Yao, director of Alisan Fine Arts; Henrietta Tsui-Leung, CEO of Galerie Ora-Ora; Lisa Schiff, founder of Schiff Fine Art; and Yuri Yasuda, founder of Tokyo Art Office.

It was the first time that Porter had hosted its Incredible Women Talks in Asia, after thought-provoking runs in the UK and the US with panellists such as Jane Goodall, Sofia Coppola and Victoria Beckham.

The premise of Incredible Women came to life when Porter was first

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conceived as an editorial offshoot of luxury e-tailer Net-a-Porter. Said editor-inchief Lucy Yeomans, “We used the phrase Incredible Women on the cover of our very first issue with Gisele Bündchen four years ago, and it has grown to be part of how we define Porter. We do everything we can to raise the profile and champion incredible women from all walks of life and want to give them Porter as a platform to empower their voices.”

Let’s be clear: this was our first experience at an Incredible Women session, and it is certainly not a “burn your bra” feminist movement. It is a platform to spark conversations about issues that aren’t widely acknowledged, and starting a healthy dialogue to further bolster and support women today in all manner of industries.

So what did we glean from this insightful session? Here are some of the most thought-provoking takeaways. singapor e tatler . june 2018

ART | LIFE

HOW WOMEN COLLECT ART

HOW WOMEN MAKE ART

There was a general consensus between the panellists that men tend to be more voracious art collectors than women, but this statistic simply begged the question: how can female collectors be enticed? Said Yasuda, “Women have a tendency to collect things they like.

They already collect watches and jewellery, so why not art? Japan is very unique and particular; people tend to stick to a certain trend and way of life. It’s a homogenous society and people don’t want to stand out, but in a weird way, once something becomes a trend, people tend to follow.”

King-Yao concurred that it’s all about “creating a platform for women to purchase”.

She gave the example of an exhibition she hosted for International Women’s Day, which featured 11 female artists. The audience that day was predominantly women, and 90 per cent of the sales were made by women.

Tsui-Leung drew an even more precise distinction between male and female collectors: “Women collectors are sensible and sensitive. They’re more willing to collect.

They give more time. They have more poise.

Men, on the other hand, absorb things quickly, are discerning and make decisions; together men and women make a good team.”

Does this difference then translate in the way women make art? Schiff cautioned against pigeonholing men and women. “I know male artists who are very sensitive as well,” she said. On the other hand, King-Yao believed that subconsciously, women might be attracted to female artists because of the underlying sensibility that connects them. Yasuda gave the example of topics like motherhood, that only women can truly understand. “I do see some synergy between female collectors and artists,” she put forth.

IMAGES: NET-A-PORTER

MAKING HER MARK We chat with Porter editor-in-chief Lucy Yeomans, the woman who started the Incredible Women movement

What are the types of conversation you want to spark, and what change do you hope to see through Incredible Women?

We hope these talks will not only spark interesting debate and conversation, but also highlight important issues and challenge the current status quo. We are fortunate to have an amazing audience who listen to us and want to use Porter’s platform to give credence and power to these important discussions.

The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements are making waves right now. Where do you see the Incredible Women Talks fitting in with the current climate?

The Incredible Women series provide an important and

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HOW ART MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE Art is a mirror to social issues, and reflects prevailing economic, political and cultural sentiments. “The best art, whether directly or obliquely, reveals things around you that are invisible,” said Schiff. “Art allows an entry into many topics that are too terrifying to deal with head-on.” Tsui-Leung also noted that art is instrumental in understanding one’s culture, while King-Yao elucidated that it can sometimes act as a political ambassador.

“It encourages cross-cultural exchange. For instance, every May we bring French culture into Hong Kong through Le French May; we do it through art, and not political means.”

wide-reaching forum for women to talk openly about these topics. Everything we do is all about giving these important cultural movements a platform and turn them into a global discussion. We are at a stage now where women are incredibly open and empowered to talk about the issues we face and we want to ensure this is encouraged.

Who are some women who inspire you the most?

It has been an honour working with Donna Langley, the chairman of Universal Pictures on our annual gala—she wears her power lightly, effortlessly and elegantly without diminishing her extraordinary strength in any way. Brita Schmidt, the executive director

of Women for Women International UK, is such an extraordinary speaker and an inspiration to so many.

And one of my best friends and godmother to my daughter, the supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova. I have met many celebrities who have charitable interests, but no one comes close to Natalia, whose every waking hour is spent working to raise money and change government policy with her charity Naked Heart Foundation.

I am passionate about conservation and preserving our world for the generations to come, so meeting and interviewing octogenarian primatologist Dr Jane Goodall was a career high!

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TATLER FOCUS | )8-,),/0 CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT With 24.3MP, a weather-resistant body and improved stabilisation functions, the Fujifilm X-H1 camera (below) captures sharp images, like this shot (left) by Fujifilm X-Photographer Derrick Ong

High Performer Never miss a special moment again with Fujifilm’s new X-H1, the piece de resistance in the brand’s X Series of mirrorless cameras

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nyone with a smartphone can be a photographer today, but what separates the wheat from the chaff is the type of camera used. Most budding photographers might not want to lug around a hefty DSLR camera, so the next best option is a mirrorless one: essentially a more compact device with interchangeable lenses that operates electronically without the bulky reflex mirror found in DSLRs. And when it comes to mirrorless cameras, there is one company that is constantly innovating and designing the best in the market—Fujifilm. The Japanese brand’s latest X-H1 camera strives to be the be-all and end-all for its X Series mirrorless camera range.

A first look at the 24.3MP X-H1 will surprise some— after all, its size is larger than the popular X-T2 camera, which is already a favourite among photographers. Size, however, is an asset for DSLR users who prefer a sturdier grip when shooting. It also helps that the camera boasts a better weather-sealed body compared to the X-T2.

Made of a 25 per cent thicker magnesium alloy for dust- and water-resistance, it can be used in any condition, whether you are chasing the Northern Lights in sub-zero temperatures or enjoying a beach holiday on a tropical island in the Seychelles.

Another highlight is the camera’s in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system— the first in an X Series— which puts it on par with its

single-lens reflex counterparts.

The introduction of IBIS compensates for blur and shaky images, allowing photographers to achieve focused and sharp photos even when shooting without a tripod, making it convenient for spontaneous shots while travelling, or for capturing active sports. This is made possible by the internal accelerometers and gyro sensors, which detect and measure movement.

The brand has also included a flicker reduction mode and an improved autofocus algorithm, which work together to reduce uneven exposure in indoorlighting conditions, perfect for photographing indoor sports in burst mode.

Another unprecedented move is the improvement in the video capabilities of

the X-H1 camera, allowing videographers to capture slow-motion footage in 1080/120P high-speed video mode and with crystal-clear clarity in DCI 4K shooting mode (4096x2160), all at a high bit rate of 200Mbps. Amateur and professional videographers alike will appreciate the Eterna mode, which allows one to simulate the understated colours and rich shadow tones of cinematic film, without the need of post-processing.

Whether you are a DSLR traditionalist or a mirrorless camera convert, the X-H1 camera is a worthy contender. Q

FUJIFILM STUDIO 02-410 Suntec City Mall, tel: 6338 4877 fujifilm.com.sg

Cast in Stone ack in 1928, when Hugh Clifford, then-governor of the Straits Settlements, opened the Fullerton Building, he said, with astute foresight: “The building is, and will be for many years, one of the principal landmarks of Singapore.” Ninety years later, his words still ring true. The Fullerton Building, now home to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, will celebrate its 90th anniversary this month.

Before its current incarnation as a luxury hotel (which officially opened in 2001), the building began life as the General Post Office during the colonial days. It was also an important reference point for public roads in Singapore back then as the British, using the milestone system for measuring distances,

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referred to the post office as “Mile Zero”.

During World War II, the grand dame also played a significant role, serving as a makeshift hospital for injured British soldiers, before becoming the headquarters of the Japanese Military Administration. Post-war, it housed various government offices and departments before the Fullerton Building was gazetted as Singapore’s 71st national monument in 2015. Simply put, the building’s iconic and impressive two-storey Doric colonnade has bore witness to the nation’s evolution from third world to first.

“As ‘Mile Zero’ from which all of Singapore was measured, the grand dame continues to write new chapters in its annals by offering guests a modern journey into Singapore’s heritage,” says Giovanni Viterale, general manager of The Fullerton Heritage, which manages seven key landmarks: singapor e tatler . june 2018

IMAGES: THE FULLERTON HERITAGE

From its perch on the Fullerton Square, the iconic Fullerton Building has witnessed the ups and downs of Singapore’s history.

The national monument writes itself into the history books as it celebrates its 90th birthday this month. Terence Lim reports

DESIGN | LIFE

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, The Fullerton Pavilion, Clifford Pier and Customs House.

The Fullerton Heritage is currently gearing up to host the first-ever Fullerton Concours d’Elegance, a three-day festival that includes a showcase of more than 90 vintage and classic rides, gala dinners, live music performances, art and cultural exhibitions and activities for families (see p.36).

Seeing the parallel between the historical significance of the Fullerton Building and the old-world design nuances of vintage cars, Viterale and his team felt that the event would be befitting of a major milestone.

“Cars stand for symbols of innovation and sources of inspiration for architects, designers, engineers and creatives—past and present,” explains Viterale, adding that the classic cars showcase “represents the pinnacle in automotive heritage and excellence”.

“The event not only pays tribute to the heritage of the grand dame, but also celebrates the building’s continued relevance in bringing the community together and creating shared memories,” explains the veteran Italian hotelier, who has been with the establishment for the past eight years.

He shares more on the building’s anniversary and the key roles The Fullerton Heritage plays in heritage conservation.

HERITAGE SPACE The Fullerton Building, now home to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (below), and the Fullerton Square have seen many a historical event over the years including political rallies (left)

What are your thoughts on the Fullerton Building celebrating its 90th anniversary?

This grand neoclassical landmark has witnessed the milestones that have propelled Singapore into a first-world nation. Its use of columns, porticos and decorations conveyed power and splendour, and they evoke an old-world charm, maintaining a timeless legacy while continuing to shape this modern brave new world. Coincidentally, the year 1928 is also special for our parent company Sino Group. Our founder, the late Ng Teng Fong, was born that year. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this milestone and honour his spirit of innovation, progress and respect for heritage than with the Fullerton Concours d’Elegance.

What was your reaction when the Fullerton Building was gazetted as a national monument in 2015?

It was a historic moment, and we are honoured that the Fullerton Building was gazetted as Singapore’s 71st national monument. Beyond its grand facade and beautiful THE MONUMENTS MEN architecture, the Fullerton The Fullerton Building’s Building is filled with facade boasts ornate countless memories of classical decorations Singapore’s growth from sculpted by Rudolf Wening the colonial and preand Rudolfo Nolli independence era, to the present day. It’s such a privilege to be operating a building and precinct so immersed in Singapore’s history and culture.

How would you rate the preservation work that The Fullerton Heritage has put in over the years?

Heritage conservation

singapor e tatler . june 2018

is of utmost importance, especially in the age of rapid globalisation. History holds fine lessons for the future: it’s the spirit of innovation of our forefathers that can inspire generations later. Over the past 10 years, we have successfully restored key iconic landmarks that have played significant roles in Singapore’s history. The respect for and integration of heritage into a lifestyle destination is a unique and distinct element of The Fullerton Heritage precinct.

How does The Fullerton Heritage precinct maintain the charm of Singapore’s riverfront landscape, especially with modern buildings sprouting nearby?

The Fullerton Heritage precinct is the focal point for waterfront fine dining, upscale shopping and entertainment.

The waterfront development’s architecture combines both the historical and the contemporary, adding vibrancy to the area’s long-established cultural heritage and central business district. This respect for heritage becomes a unique and distinct element of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.

Furthermore, the Fullerton Building exudes splendour and grandeur that’s difficult to recreate today, making it so invaluable. Our challenge is to protect its architectural integrity and combine its rich history with the highest levels of luxury.

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LIFE | '(6,*1 What are the exciting new innovations in the Fujifilm X-H1?

The X-H1 is a camera of many firsts. It’s the first X-Series camera with an in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), a flicker reduction mode, and an Eterna mode, which is the new film simulation technology that creates understated colours and rich shadow tones, ideal for making movies. Its robust and durable body allows for shooting in rough conditions.

What is the design process for the X-Series?

My team and I first consider ourselves as users of our own products and project the feelings of our target audience upon ourselves. Then, we do a series of repeated tests of the camera, learn from the mistakes and fine-tune the design until we’re satisfied. As a result, we tackle design challenges with the idea that our actual users will be satisfied with the camera if we’re satisfied with our own design first.

STREET STYLE Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing at night, shot by travel photographer William Chua using the Fujifilm GFX 50S; Fujifilm design manager Masazumi Imai (right)

Behind the Lens A camera should trigger the five senses with its creative form and innovative function, Fujifilm design manager Masazumi Imai tells Chong Seow Wei asazumi imai forges a close bond with the cameras he creates. Seeing them as more than just instruments for taking photographs, the celebrated design manager at Fujifilm describes cameras as tools for self-expression and “works of art with textures and details that we can enjoy looking closely at, and that appeal to our tactile senses with the turn of a dial or press of a button”.

The man is behind Fujifilm’s award-winning X-Series range of high-end compact and mirrorless digital cameras, which balances advanced technologies with classic designs.

Imai, who studied product design at Tokyo’s Tama Art University, has been with the renowned Japanese photography and imaging company since 2002, and

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remains driven by a passion for building things with his hands, a skill he honed as a child. He decided to specialise in designing cameras after his university professor told him that “camera design is the most difficult form of product design to master.

If you master it, you’d have developed a solid foundation for other fields of product design”.

These words stuck with Imai, who went on to spearhead the design of Fujifilm’s X-Series cameras, including the debut X100 model as well as the X-T2 and the GFX 50S. The designer recently saw the launch of brand’s latest creation: the X-H1, a flagship model of the range designed for more heavy-duty professional photography, such as shooting in rougher climates or high-speed conditions.

He tells us more.

What does the future of digital cameras look like at Fujifilm?

We’ll continue to improve and grow the X-Series because it represents our pursuit of the true nature of photography. By true nature, I don’t just mean image quality and performance. It’s also the ease and versatility of use. A camera’s function must be incorporated into a form that features some analogue elements, which stimulates its user’s five senses. The act of photography is a sensory experience after all. Ultimately, we want to create cameras that embody our company’s design concepts and that can be cherished for a long time.

singapor e tatler . june 2018

IMAGES: FUJIFILM

If you had the new X-H1 for a day, what would you capture?

I’d capture moments such as children and dogs frolicking and playing together from morning to dusk on a tropical island using the camera’s IBIS and film simulation functions.

LIME RESTAURANT AND BAR | TATLER FOCUS

Supersized Feast It is worth forgoing your Sunday lie-in for Lime Restaurant and Bar’s lavish lunch spread, which features local and international gourmet selections that will satisfy even the most discerning of foodies

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undays are made for feasting. Well, at least at the Lime Restaurant and Bar at Parkroyal on Pickering, which has revamped its glorious lunch buffet spread and now offers over 70 mouth-watering international and Asian offerings.

Start on a light, savoury note and pop by the seafood station for a generous helping of Fine de Claire oysters, meaty king crabs and Maine lobsters so fresh that they taste like they have just been caught from the sea. Don’t miss the fresh sashimi slices and expertly rolled medallions of sushi either, as they duly showcase Lime’s commitment to excelling at a range of different cuisines.

Now that you have prepped yourself for the main event, head to the interactive live stations for a hearty selection of gourmet dishes such as the indulgent 65-degree sous vide egg with a side of lobster, celeriac mousseline and truffle butter, and pan-fried foie gras

CRAVINGS SATISFIED The updated Sunday lunch menu at Parkroyal on Pickering’s Lime Restaurant and Bar ensures that there is something for everyone

showered with citrus sauce and served atop a golden brown mantou bun. The talented chefs are also on hand to dish out both the food as well as lively banter about the fare you are about to savour.

A LA MINUTE Friendly chefs man each live station and cook your dishes upon order

Cheese lovers should keep space for the raclette.

The gigantic cheese wheel is melted and scraped onto a plate right in front of you and is best eaten with tangy cornichons, pickled onions and boiled potatoes. While you are savouring your mains, do keep an eye for the roving butler, who will whip up either the pan-seared and buttery rich beef steak or the French crepe Suzette tableside.

If you are craving Asian flavours, don’t miss the local dishes. The fresh tiger prawns are bathed in fiery Sichuan Ma La soup, while Lime’s signature laksa tones down the heat but not the flavours.

Ready for dessert?

You should be, especially when there is an irresistible

selection of local and international sweets, from the chewy muah chee, which comes in peanut, black sesame or green tea flavours, to mini Magnum ice cream and strawberry shortcake, among others.

Of course, a super Sunday lunch wouldn’t be complete without some champagne, and Lime offers an additional option to relish free-flowing Mumm champagne alongside house wines and beers, as well as non-alcoholic beverages.

Now, isn’t that worth waking up early for? Q

LIME RESTAURANT AND BAR Parkroyal on Pickering 3 Upper Pickering Street, tel: 6809 8899 parkroyalhotels.com/lime

TATLER FOCUS | LONG BEACH SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

A Seafood Affair Long Beach Seafood Restaurant continues to charm gourmands with its signature crab dishes and other delicious offerings

TRIED AND TESTED The original black pepper crab dish was created in the 1980s by Long Beach Seafood Restaurant and today, it remains a top favourite among diners

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hink of fresh and sumptuous seafood dishes and Long Beach Seafood Restaurant immediately comes to mind. First started in 1946, with its long-standing Long Beach Seafood name established in 1982, the brand now boasts five outlets in Singapore and is known for

concocting the original and famous black pepper crab that The New York Times and the Courvoisier’s Book of the Best have dubbed a masterpiece.

It is with good reason as the meaty crustaceans are always served fresh; upon order, the crabs are harvested from the live tanks displayed in the restaurant and steamed to

RAW GOODNESS The best way to taste the freshness of the southern Australian lobster is to have it as sashimi

allow their natural sweetness to emanate. What is more, they are then doused in a rich black pepper sauce, with the right amount of spicy kick.

Not surprisingly, this isn’t the only star on the menu.

The popular chilli crab also holds court with its moist meat soaked in an appetising tomato and chilli concoction. Once you have finished off the flesh— deshelled beforehand by the friendly and efficient staff—you can mop up the sauce with the fried mantou buns.

Another reason why Singapore’s sophisticated diners keep returning to this

restaurantt iis th thatt they are given a plethora of food choices, one better than the other. Craving for more crab dishes? Opt for the airflown classic white pepper live Alaskan king crab, prized for its fleshly legs.

But if you want something different, choose the live geoduck served sashimistyle or in a superior stock steamboat; claypot live marble goby; or the airflown live Scottish razor clams steamed with garlic and noodles.

No matter what is on your table, you are guaranteed a spectacular feast that will leave you satiated. Q

LONG BEACH SEAFOOD RESTAURANT • Dempsey (25 Dempsey Road), tel: 6323 2222 • IMM (03-07, Jurong East Street 21), tel: 6566 9933 • UDMC (01-04 East Coast Seafood Centre), tel: 6448 3636 • King (next to Kallang Park KFC or McDonald’s along Mountbatten Road), tel: 6344 7722 • Stevens (01-10, 30 Stevens Road), tel: 6445 8833 longbeachseafood.com.sg

LIFE | )22'

The Waiting Game An ancient culinary skill is finding new favour with some of modern gastronomy’s best. Don Mendoza explores the how and why of fermentation he idea of fermentation is as ancient as Neolithic beer and prevalent today as the process used to make kimchi, cheese, sourdough and probiotic dairy drinks.

But the recent spotlight on fermentation in modern gastronomy has had the food world excited about the possibilities it brings to the table, from interesting new pairings to the growing prominence of acidic flavours.

“Fermentation is a great technique,” says chef Ryan Clift of Tippling Club. “It’s nothing trendy, nothing new—it has been around for centuries, since the dawn of Christ.

However, a lot more chefs are using it in their food now, as it brings out different textures and flavours of an ingredient that other cooking methods can’t achieve.”

The idea of fermentation finding renewed interest among today’s top chefs is a good thing. It’s not a revolution per se, but it’s triggering consumers’ memories in new ways, forcing them to think about their food a bit more—and about the flavours and aromatics they might have previously taken for granted.

Here, four chefs present dishes that cast the spotlight on fermented ingredients.

syrup, which are fermented in the chiller in a covered container for at least two days, are served on the side.

SALSIFY TAGLIATELLE BY CHEF RYAN CLIFT OF TIPPLING CLUB

As salsify is a delicately flavoured root vegetable, fermenting it accentuates its natural flavours, which can be lost if the vegetable were boiled. The salsify is first peeled and added to lightly salted water, then covered with a cloth so that it can breathe.

It is fermented in a pan for about a week and a half, depending on the size of the salsify and the temperature of the restaurant. This produces a pliable texture and, when sliced thin, it almost resembles a crunchy, al dente tagliatelle. This Tippling Club dish is served SWEET NOTHINGS Firebake’s Kugelhopf with fermented milk ice cream

KUGELHOPF WITH FERMENTED MILK ICE CREAM BY CHEF KONSTANTINO BLOKBERGEN OF FIREBAKE

This rich baked cake originating from Europe is made using white liquid sourdough starter, organic white flour, unsalted butter, fresh milk and organic sultanas. To finish, the kugelhopf is dipped in clarified butter and orange blossom water before sugar syrup is drizzled on top. At Firebake, the cake comes paired with fermented ice cream made in-house.

Kombucha scoby, a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, is added to fresh cream that is left to ferment at room temperature for three days in a glass jar covered with cheesecloth. This serves as the base for the ice cream. Japanese strawberries in sugar

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CHING/GREENPLASTICSOLDIERS

INTENSE FLAVOURS Clockwise from left: salsify tagliatelle by chef Ryan Clift of Tippling Club; ricotta and red rice by chef Daniele Sperindio of Atlas; tomato and oat by chef Ivan Brehm of Nouri

with a hen’s egg yolk cooked at 663°C, jamón de bellota, souurdough crumbs and a garrnish of wild herbs.

TO OMATO AND OAT BY CHEF IVAN BREHM OF NOURI

Thiss warm dish consists of tomaatillos, cape gooseberries and chherry tomatoes from Cameronn Highlands—served both fresh aand lactic-cultured. The fermented berries and tomatoes are submerged in a sallt brine and left to ferment s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

for two to three weeks. They are paired with burrata from Puglia, an oat broth (a blend of rolled oats in a water infusion that is left overnight and strained), oat flakes and basil oil. The dish is garnished with petai leaf for a natural garlicky flavour profile. The brining liquid that was used to ferment the tomatillos—which has a particular floral flavour note—is used to dress the dish.

RICOTTA AND RED RICE BY CHEF DANIELE SPERINDIO OF ATLAS

This complex starter is a medley of artfully fermented foods, with fermented red rice as the star. This is done using yeast, which processes the rice’s natural sugars to create a mildly sweet, slightly alcoholic flavour. It is topped with lactic-fermented ricotta and served alongside paper pillows, beetroot pickled in raspberry vinegar, fresh coriander, and a barley and cabbage mix—the latter is first fermented in milk.

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TATLER FOCUS | TÓNG LÈ PRIVATE DINING AND SUSHI MIEDA

A Cut Above Chinese or Japanese? If you can’t decide, indulge in both cuisines at Tóng Lè Private Dining and Sushi Mieda, housed within the revolving OUE Tower where the view of the city changes with each course served

R

estaurants with a view are the norm these days, but what if the view changes every second of your two hour-long meal? Only a revolving restaurant like Tóng Lè Private Dining can offer you such an experience, thanks to its location perched atop the iconic OUE Tower.

One moment you are looking out onto the glistening Marina Bay waterfront, and the next it’s the bustling central business district that’s in front of you. And as you peer out of the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows and take in the sights, senior executive chef Ken Ling and his team will be cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

The TungLok Group restaurant specialises in traditional Chinese cuisine for the modern diner—think braised cave bird’s nest wrapped in egg white and garnished with edible gold flakes, and chilled peach puree dessert

FINE FARE At Tóng Lè Private Dining, the well-marbled Saga beef (above) is grilled to bring out its natural flavours, making every bite incredibly satisfying; a short pathway leads you into the understated dining area of Sushi Mieda (top right), which seats eight diners with pomelo and sago served in a martini glass. However, many of the dishes come from recipes with a long history, some revived from a bygone era, such as the Dong Po Pork and Beggar’s Chicken.

For a more contemporary offering, try the fried lobster with egg white, which comes with ikura and an ice plant salad that cuts the richness of the dish’s chicken- and pork-bone gravy.

Also, there’s the grilled Saga beef, which is served sizzling on

a hot plate and finished with a light yuzu ponzu sauce, as well as the steamed marble goby doused in a fragrant homemade vinegar with chilli peppers.

At the heart of Tóng Lè Private Dining is the eight-seater kaiseki restaurant, Sushi Mieda, a collaboration between the TungLok Group and Hokkaido-

based chef Nobumasa Mieda of one Michelin-starred restaurant Mieda in Sapporo, Japan. If you can’t get a seat at Sushi Mieda, you can still enjoy its food even while seated at Tóng Lè Private Dining. Or choose one of the private rooms, of which three come with plush chairs and karaoke facilities.

The Japanese restaurant uses only fresh, top-grade ingredients and is helmed by Miyagi-born chef Keisuke Ohno, who has been passionate about his local cuisine since young.

So expect dishes made with traditional Japanese precision and care. For lunch, you have three set menus to choose from, while there are four dinner set menus. Can’t decide?

Go for the omakase option and let the skilled chef do the decision-making for you. Q

TÓNG LÈ PRIVATE DINING AND SUSHI MIEDA Level 8 and 10 OUE Tower, 60 Collyer Quay, tel: 6634 3233 / 8425 7835 tong-le.com.sg; sushimieda.sg

LIFE | WINE CHÂTEAU BÉLAIR-MONANGE SAINT-EMILION Blue fruit, minerals, lavender and liquorice aromas are wonderful.

Full body and ultra-refined tannins with an integration and refinement that make the wines seamless and beautiful. The powerful tannins reveal themselves progressively, but what structure in the end. It goes on for minutes. Try in 2024.

100 points

INCREDIBLE VINTAGE After tasting 1,300 Bordeaux 2015 wines in France, James Suckling and his team concluded that the vintage is truly living up to its great potential. Red, white or sweet, the wines show wonderful harmony, intensity and freshness. Here are 10 from the 2015 vintage that have scored a perfect 100 points. Each one is conclusive proof that Bordeaux is back

CHÂTEAU TROTANOY POMEROL Breathtaking aromas of perfectly ripe fruit with blackberry, black olive, liquorice, cedar and sweet tobacco. Full body, incredible depth and power, yet this is always in reserve and check. Everything is in the right place for this new legend from Trotanoy.

Try it in 2026. Will age for decades. 100 points

CHÂTEAU CANON SAINT-EMILION Seductive. The nose draws you in deep. It’s like staring into a well of pristine dark cherry, dark plum, blackberry and mulberry. All the oak is perfectly subsumed.

The palate’s flawless, with immense depth and power, and it’s so balanced it appears to float. Immaculate fresh dark berry and plum flavours. Silky and deep, ribbon-like finish. Perfect.

Best from 2022.

100 points

CHÂTEAU MARGAUX MARGAUX A haunting young wine that shows a subtle and hidden strength on the nose with rose petal, currant, currant leaves, stone and plum. Wonderful ripeness yet brightness, too. Takes your breath away with the intensity and structure.

Full-bodied, powerful and muscular, yet there’s an agile undertone. Compact and condensed. A new legend for Margaux. The 1961 that didn’t happen.

Try in 2024.

100 points

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CHÂTEAU LE PIN POMEROL I’m lost for words to describe this young wine, but it’s like walking into the best flower shop in Paris. Flowers galore, with dark fruit as well. Full-bodied, very tannic and exotic.

Amazing muscle and finesse at the same time.

Phenomenal wine. This is half a normal harvest.

Greatest ever, clearly. Wait until 2026.

100 points

CHÂTEAU L’EVANGILE POMEROL Stunning aromas of blackberry, black olive, brown sugar and dried flowers.

Tar. Full-bodied, dense and layered. Superfine tannins, yet muscular and long. An amazing wine reminiscent of the great L’Evangiles of the 1950s. Straight track. Goes on and on. Truly great wine.

Try in 2024. Just a baby.

100 points

CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR DUFFAU-LAGAROSSE SAINT-EMILION This is extraordinary. There has never been a wine like this here since the famous 1990 or underrated 1989. Violets, flowers, stone and limestone. Oyster-shell undertones. Full-bodied, muscular and so structured. A phenomenal wine that reminds me of the great Bordeaux of the 1950s.

Try in 2026. 100 points

CHÂTEAU PAVIE SAINT-EMILION This is really something. I was speechless when I tasted it. It shows evocative aromas of wet earth, oyster shell, dust, tile, blackberry and blueberry. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a length and intensity that is so, so fine. A wine in perfect harmony.

Complete. Hard not to drink.

Energetic and balanced. Better to wait for 10 years. Try in 2028.

100 points

CHÂTEAU PÉTRUS POMEROL The aromas are a reference for Pomerol, with truffle, black olive, liquorice and dark fruit. Even brown sugar. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional.

Chocolate underlines the character above. The perfect tannin texture, length and balance make you think you’re dreaming. All about harmony and beauty. Love how it tastes now but needs at least five or six years. 100 points VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN POMEROL The blackberry, blueberry, oyster shell and violet are so mesmerising. Full-bodied, focused and deep. It takes you to another space and plane. Dried flowers and dark fruit.

The tannins are perfectly crafted. Keeps going as you taste it. Drink in 2023, but why wait?

100 points To see the top 100 Bordeaux wines of the year, visit jamessuckling.com

s ingapor e tatler . june 2018

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FACES The people, the parties and the events

JUSTICE LEAGUE The city was safe for yet another day as superheroes (from far left) Liam Quah and Max Choo, and their friend Jonam Ong, guarded the spread of sweet desserts at Maxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister Isabelleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100th day celebration. Read about their valiant exploits on p.171

FACES | SOIREE

Abhishek Bachchan

The Reel Deal MAGIC BUS SINGAPORE 8TH ANNUAL GALA There are charity dinners, and then there are charity dinners.

The Magic Bus Singapore 8th Annual Gala held at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach in April definitely belonged to the latter category. For one, a small legion of 30 fans (screaming ones, no less) stood outside the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand ballroom hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite Bollywood stars. And these movie buffs would have been heartened to know that their idols were in Singapore for a worthy cause.

Indian actors and directors, including Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Shoojit Sircar, lent their star power to raise funds to benefit children and youth enrolled in the Magic Bus programmes. The India-based non-governmental organisation works with underprivileged youngsters to ensure they complete formal education and equip them with life and technical skills in order to break out of the poverty cycle.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme is 14-year-old Shireena Shroff Manchharam Komal Narayanakar, who was invited and Qianqian Wu to attend the gala dinner and share her experiences with Magic Bus. Unlike most girls in her village in Delhi, she broke out of the patriarchal system and was allowed to pursue a tertiary education.

Matthew Spacie, Dipika Bedi, Bina Rampuria and Patricia Mathias

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Genevieve Chia and Mag Tang

Gurpreet and Nayantara Dhillon Mandira Bedi

Vidya Mahtani, Roshni Thadani and Samia Khan

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Ozi Amanat and Asema Ahmed

Ridhi Kapoor

Matthew Fergusson-Stewart and Elaine Seah Punita and Jitendra Kamdar

GLITTER PARTY

Kishin RK, Joti RK and Raj Kumar

While the Magic Bus Gala was all about glitz and glamour with Bollywood and local star power, the ultimate goal was to raise funds to help underprivileged children in India Randall Tan

Christopher Wilson

Lela von Uexkull-Guldenband, Kate Hodgkinson and Gaurav Kripalani

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Her success inspired her parents to enrol her younger siblings into the Magic Bus programme as well, so as to receive a well-rounded education.

Magic Bus Singapore has raised close to $3m in the past seven years to support more than 200 communities in Delhi.

This year, the response to the gala dinner’s charity auction was just as forthcoming, especially when Bachchan went on stage to canvass for more bids, with his typical brand of wit, charm and humour.

Patricia Mathias, CEO of Magic Bus Singapore, probably said it best when she thanked the supporters and sponsors in her opening speech: “With your help, I’m 100 per cent certain that the children participating in our programmes will walk out of poverty.”

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FACES | ONLOOKER

Dana Cheong

Selina and Lilian Low

Prints Please VERSACE SPRING/ SUMMER 2018 PREVIEW Singapore Tatler guests were invited to an exclusive preview of Versace’s spring/ summer 2018 collection, which featured the Italian brand’s signature eye-catching prints that pay tribute to its storied heritage. Held at the brand’s The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands boutique in April, the event unveiled several one-off pieces, which were specially flown in for the occasion. The style quotient that evening was expectedly high, as guests came decked in their high-octane Versace outfits, from the baroque prints seen on Carmen Ow to the studs sprinkled all over Susanna Kang’s dress.

Tatler fashion director Desmond Lim was also on hand to impart styling tips and tricks as models strutted down the runway in the store.

Angela Ng

Susanna Kang and Grace Chng

Carmen Ow ONE OF A KIND

Exclusive pieces such as this dress with the classic Versace pop-art print were specially flown in for the occasion

Elaine Lim-Chan

Rosalynn Tay

Jacelyn Lai and Renee Tan

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Nancy Ong

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ONLOOKER | FACES

Keith Poh

Search for Sanctuary PREVIEW OF PARKSUITES SHOW FLAT The wet and gloomy weather didn’t deter investors who were keen to explore the show flats of Parksuites

by Far East Organization.

Singapore Tatler friends turned up at the River Valley Road show flat to discover the different facets of this integrated development, which will be completed in 2023. Boasting facilities including numerous swimming pools, a gym and more, the low-rise towers are surrounded by greenery and are in close proximity to Holland Village and some of the island’s best schools. Following a short introduction by Keith Poh, the general manager of Far East Organization’s property sales business group, guests were then taken on a tour to discover the modern interiors of the apartments.

Wilson Chew

Richard Low Vivian Xin Mae and Joyce Ang

WRITTEN WORD

A calligrapher was on hand to pen special notes or names requested by the guests

Audrey and Oscar Mico Adrian Goh and Maria Kong

Terence Siew and Chermaine Pang

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Corinna Chang

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FACES | ONLOOKER

Jessica Wu and Sky Oh

Lam Min Yee and Lam Tse Yi

The Italian Job GIORGIO ARMANI SPRING/SUMMER 2018 PREVIEW

Keith Png

Vanessa Liok and Henry The

What better way to end the work week than with an intimate get-together with like-minded friends?

It was a champagne-fuelled Friday evening when Singapore Tatler invited some of our stylish society friends for a fashionable night out at Giorgio Armaniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hilton Shopping Gallery boutique. Guests were treated to a mini fashion showcase with celebrity stylist Keith Png presenting the key looks from the Italian brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spring/summer 2018 collections, from casual suits and stylish athleisure for men and vibrant hues and prints for ladies.

RUNWAY READY

Celebrity stylist Keith Png shared the key looks of the season such as striking prints for ladies and athleisure for men Ronnie and Anne Goh

Lim Swee Lin

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Carol Shieh

Kara and Samuel Tan

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ONLOOKER | FACES

Asha and Asok Hiranandani

Shaila Hiranandani

Angel Aswani with Shimmer and Shine characters Sameer, Aaron and Dimple Aswani

Pretty in Pink ANGEL ASWANIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY How do you entertain a roomful of kids for an entire afternoon? Just ask Dimple and Sameer Aswani, who threw an activity-filled birthday bash for their three-year-old daughter Angelâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;there was a magician, an artiste blowing bubbles, a Shimmer and Shine show, a train track, a bracelet-making station, a glitter tattoo artist and a balloon sculptor to keep the birthday girl and her friends duly entertained.

The parents of two welcomed their friends and family to the tea time affair at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, which saw the Straits Ballroom decorated in pretty shades of pastels, florals and accents of gold.

Elaborate buffet and dessert spreads and an open bar kept both the young and old satiated, and the afternoon culminated in a cake-cutting ceremony where the adorable tot, surrounded by her family, cut the five-tier cake chosen by her grandparents Asok and Asha Hiranandani.

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Michelle Buxani and Krishma Sood POM-POM BABY

The exuberant three-year-old had an absolute blast at her birthday party Nikita Wadhwani, Veenu Anandani and Smita Ahuja

Resham Melwani

Gaurav Bushan and Bobby Hiranandani

Benjamin Kim with Nina and Eddie Ng

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FACES | ONLOOKER

Linda Soo-Tan

Navaz and Khushroo Dastur

Charmaine Chua FlĂĄvio Soares Damico, Rosa Maria Campos Damico and Ronald Stride Oliviero Bottinelli

Roaring Rio

Anita Kapoor and Paulo Machado Leanne and Pravin Jumabhoy

BIDDING WARS

The eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s live auction, which contributed to the $560,000 raised for Food from the Heart, featured covetable items including an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph

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Susan Peh, Christopher Martin, Alex Chua and Eugene Yang

PASSION BALL 2018 Generous guests and supporters of Food from the Heart descended upon The Fullerton Hotel Singapore in their best Brazilian-inspired outfits to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Passion Ball, which was themed Brazilian Dreams: Romance in Rio. Organised annually by the non-profit organisation, the fundraising event in April was anchored by a delectable dinner crafted by talented Brazilian chef Paulo Machado, who was specially flown in with the support of the Brazilian Embassy in Singapore. Freeflowing champagne, fine wines and whisky further fuelled dinner conversations, while jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro and the seven-piece Jazz Brasileiro ensemble, with singers Paulinho Garcia and Juliana Da Silva, filled the ballroom with foot-tapping bossa nova tunes.

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ONLOOKER | FACES

Cheryl Lee and Liam Quah

Isabelle Choo, Stephanie Lee, Max Choo and Choo Ken-Yi

Isabelle Choo and Billy Lee

Gerti Iwatake and Jessie Lee

Nora and Hope Lim with Hunter and Belinda Huber

Wonder Girl ISABELLE CHOOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 100TH DAY CELEBRATION

Kyan, Elaine and Luke Kim

The invitation called to action all superheroes, and they duly came out in full force at Isabelle Chooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100th day celebration. The little one, decked in a matching Wonder Woman outfit with her mum Stephanie Lee, kept awake most of the time, and enjoyed the flurry of activity around her, from a bouncing castle to a caricature artist.

Her older brother Max, in full Superman gear like his dad Ken-Yi, had a ball playing with his other superhero friends Batman and the Hulk.

Of course, the adults were fully entertained as well with a buffet feast of local and international delights paired with wine and champagne.

Ken Khaw, Ruth Yeoh and Kaitlyn Khaw

SUGAR HIGH

Guests with a sweet tooth enjoyed a lavish superhero-themed dessert spread

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Loh May-Han and Adrian Ng

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FACES | ONLOOKER Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee, Halimah Yacob and Low Sin Leng

Creative Circle NAFA 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION GALA DINNER Over the past 80 years, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) has faced many challenges, including a temporary closure during World War II, but Singapore’s pioneer arts education institution has soldiered on in its mission to inspire learning and growth through the arts. It has since produced an impressive crop of 13 Cultural Medallion and 14 Young Artist Award recipients. To celebrate this significant milestone, Nafa brought together its students, alumni, staff and supporters at a gala dinner in April where it reminisced the story of its beginnings and the rise of Nanyang art through an immersive dinner theatre performance presented by more than 60 of its students.

Guests also got a glimpse into Nafa’s future and discovered the new initiatives to enhance talent development in its bid to stay ahead of the curve.

Scott Wightman

Simon Ong, Mervin Wee and Jean Yip

BRUSH STROKE

To commemorate Nafa’s 80th anniversary, guest of honour president Halimah Yacob put the finishing touches to Singapore artist Yoko Choi’s artwork titled Flowing

Tan Choo Leng, Chloe Chua and Fang Yuan Maria Murray, Paresh Parmar and Manuel Gerardo Talavera Espinar

Lucy Ooi, Carol Tan and Alex Ooi

Chan Heng Chee

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ONLOOKER | FACES

Iqbal Jumabhoy

Kennie Ting, Loh Lik Peng, Rachel Teo, Maniza Jumabhoy, Paul Ma,Tan Siok Sun and Hideki Akiyoshi

Art Meets Life

Charlotte Tanneur and Elise Gonnet-Pon

ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM GALA DINNER

CULTURE CLUB

Asian Civilisations Museum’s latest exhibition Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City highlights the French encounter with the Angkor civilisation

Hossan Leong, Veronica Abensour-Nilsson and Marc Abensour

Diane Wen Zhang-Goldberg and Marc Goldberg Anjalie Murjani and Nada Jumabhoy

Michael Koh, Lim Chi Wen and Peter Lee

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Ying Staton

The Asian Civilisations Museum’s (ACM) annual gala in April mixed art with amusement. While the dinner was held in the River Room and foyer on the museum’s second floor, guests were first treated to a preview of its latest exhibition, Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City. Throughout dinner, homegrown entertainer Hossan Leong, who was also the emcee for the evening, regaled everyone with a selection of jazz songs in both French and English. The action got a bit more frenzied during the auction segment where guests generously bidded for the art-focused experiences curated by ACM in far-flung locales, with the top lot being a spot at the Van Cleef & Arpels L’École des Arts Joailliers in Paris. All proceeds went towards supporting the museum’s programmes.

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FACES | ONLOOKER

Pamela Ardana ALL DOLLED UP

The birthday girl chose a Barbie doll-themed cake especially for her daughter Amber

Sammi Lin

Frances Low

Rainbow Nation SERENE CHUA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Sara Taseer

Amber Sng and Serene Chua Siow Yin Yin

Sonia Ong

It was a riot of colours at Serene Chua’s birthday celebration as she feted her big day with her closest girlfriends at The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

Guests came dressed in their most vibrant outfits, standing out in bright pinks, bold reds and eye-catching prints. The birthday girl and her friends tucked into the sumptuous Peranakan buffet spread, but made it a point to keep some space for the special chendol birthday cake prepared by The Coconut Club. The group was later joined by Serene’s oldest daughter Amber Sng, who stole the show as Elsa from Frozen, complete with an adorable tiara.

Evelyn Sam

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Paige Parker

ONLOOKER | FACES

Etienne Ferrère and Chihiro Uchida

Mary Tan and Tony Tan Keng Yam

Grace Fu and Kwok Min Yi Paul and Lena Ng with Rasina Rubin

Dancing with the Stars SINGAPORE DANCE THEATRE’S THE MOON AND THE STARS GALA To mark its 30th anniversary, Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) hosted its annual gala dinner at the Capitol Theatre.

There was a palpable energy in the air as Singapore’s avid cultural supporters came decked in diamonds and pearls to represent the evening’s theme, the Moon and the Stars. SDT chairperson Laura Hwang proudly recounted the company’s journey from having seven full-time dancers in 1989 to the 32 now. In between dinner courses, guests were enthralled by three performances by the highly skilled SDT dancers—the first was an energetic choreography

by Choo-San Goh set to the Schubert Symphony (4th Movement); then, the dancers performed the iconic The Nutcracker pas de deux, and ended the night with the high-octane Rubies

by George Balanchine.

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ON POINTE

Minister Grace Fu revealed that she had learnt ballet as a child

Janek Schergen

John Lim and John Kim

Koh Choon Hui

Marilyn Lum, Laura Hwang, Tjin Lee and Elaine Kim Michael Hwang and Lee Lung Nien

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TATLER TAKES FIVE

ROJA D OV E Having recently released Elysium Pour Homme, the eponymous creator of one of the world’s most luxurious perfume brands tells of his sources of inspiration

3 MANGE TOUT

2

1

THÉOULE-SURMER ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR

When I want to switch off, I go to this small village on the Bay of Cannes.

The villa we stay at hangs on the edge of a hill and looks straight out over the sea, where you’ll see Nice and Cannes twinkling in the distance.

I love being elevated and looking onto water. Somewhere in the sun, I’m in my element.

Perfumery is undergoing the sam as the cosmetics industry did 15 ago. There’s been a backlash ag big mainstream brands, and nam Frederic Malle, Kilian and Le Labo just a few of the brands of tomorrow.

They started like us, perceived as small. They don’t attract the type of consumer who still wants to buy the latest fashions with the big logos, but the cognoscente looking for something different—products that are uniquely theirs; legitimate and authentic.

Since I’m based in London during the week, the weekends are almost always spent at my house in Brighton, which is by the beach.

I love to spend my Sundays having brunch with friends at my favourite restaurant, Mange Tout. What do you want when you walk into a restaurant? It’s simple. You want a friendly smile that greets you at the door. You want great service. And you want delicious, unpretentious food. Mange Tout ticks all of those boxes and more.

VID CKHAM yle icon, not so e way he looks but use he has done re to free men om the shackles f stereotypical masculinity than almost anyone. He has made wearing fragrances not only acceptable but fashionable, something I didn’t think was possible when I was growing up.

“THERE’S A LINK BETWEEN ARTISTS AND PERFUMERS. WE ARE PAINTING PICTURES BUT INSTEAD OF PAINT, WE ALLOW RAW MATERIALS TO EXPRESS OUR VISION, USING THE LANGUAGE OF PERFUME”

5 MY PERFUMER’S ORG AN Named after the musical instrument, this toolbox of sorts holds small eyedropper bottles with 238 tinctures, resinoids, absolutes and essential oils that comprise the building blocks of every single perfume I create. This is where each story begins. The custom-made leather Dunhill case also folds neatly into a piece of hand luggage should a client require me to pay them a visit.

IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK; ROJA DOVE; MANGE TOUT

SMALL, INDEPENDENT PERFUMERS

Now Open at Paragon 4th Floor

SINGAPORE BOUTIQUE Paragon #04-45 • Singapore 238859 • T: +65 6100 2124 • E: crystal@lalique.com.sg DECORATIVE CRYSTALS

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PERFUMES

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JEWELRY

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INTERIOR DESIGN

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ART

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HOSPITALITY

2018

P U R E

BLISS CELEBRATING THE LOVE OF DESMOND NGIAM AND ANGELINA TAN

WEDDINGS

16

28 DETAILS 14 Trends

CIRCLE OF LIFE

From weekend-long celebrations to fresh approaches to colour and decor, discover the latest wedding trends

18

16 Jewellery Say no to ordinary wedding bands and engagement rings, and yes to stunning and contemporary styles. 18 Symbolising trust and loyalty, azure stones make for a gorgeous wedding-day statement

20 Venues Choice honeymoon spots for jet-setters

22 Ask the Expert Tips on how to choose the perfect wedding gown by Amanda Lee

24 Accessories Wedding accessories in soft shades of ivory and blush

DREAMS 28 Crafted for Love

Stunning wedding bands, like these ones from Cartier, for designconscious couples

The nuptials of Dexter Fung and Dessy Handojo were imbued with intimate touches in tune with the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye for design

32 Personal Touch Esther Zhong and Foo Chuan Yi marked their nuptials at an intimate celebration that feted their love for one another

CONTENTS

74

46

40

52 DOSSIER 40 Made with Passion Angelina Tan and Desmond Ngiam open up about their journey together from their love story to their big day plans

46 Rock Solid The key to a long-lasting, healthy relationship is trust and honesty, share these soon-to-married couples

52 Dramatic Flair Wedding gown designers added a theatrical touch to their autumn/winter 2018 collections

60 Take it to the Aisle A new batch of summer-inspired beauty trends is offering a shimmering dose of inspiration for brides

DESTINATION 74 Moroccan Escape A gleaming jewel in the Mediterranean, Marrakech takes honeymooners on a romantic escape

78 Happily Ever After From unspoiled beaches in Greece to princely retreats in Portugal and Botswana, these honeymoon destinations are fit for royalty

REGULARS 10 Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note 86 The White Book 88 Finale

Know Your Diamond COLOR GRADE

CLARITY GRADE

CUT GRADE

CARAT WEIGHT

Look for diamonds graded by GIA, the creator of the 4Cs. Learn more at 4Cs.GIA.edu

CARLSBAD

ANTWERP

BANGKOK

DUBAI

GABORONE

HONG KONG

JOHANNESBURG

LONDON

MUMBAI

NEW YORK

RAMAT GAN

TAIPEI

TOKYO

WEDDINGS Managing Director Corinne Ng EDITORIAL sgedit@edipressemedia.com Editor-in-Chief Kissa Castañeda Editor Terence Lim Deputy Editor Karishma Tulsidas Sub-Editor Hashirin Nurin Hashimi Assistant Fashion Editor Cheryl Chan Senior Writer, Watches & Jewellery and Beauty Nicolette Wong Features Writer Chong Seow Wei Editorial Services Manager Ethel Lee Fashion Director Desmond Lim Contributors Angeleigh Khoo, Jerena Ng, Melissa Gail Sing,

Melissa Twigg ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY sgart@edipressemedia.com Senior Art Director Matilda Au Art Director Jana Tan Designer Charlene Lee Contributor Sam Tan Contributing Photographers Elvina Farkas, Darren Gabriel Leow DIGITAL sgdigi@edipressemedia.com Content Director, Digital Daphne Chen-Cordeiro Digital Editor Elizabeth Lee Digital Writer Chloe Pek Webmaster Reynald Dimatulac ADVERTISING sgad@edipressemedia.com General Manager–Commercial Stephanie Tay Account Directors Wendy Seah, Stephanie Tan Associate Account Directors Garant Pang, Christine Sipin MARKETING sgmktg@edipressemedia.com / sgcirc@edipressemedia.com

Senior Marketing Manager

Desmond Lee

PRODUCTION AND TRAFFIC sgprod@edipressemedia.com Production and Traffic Director Grace Lim Traffic Executive Jane Lau Production Executive May Tan

EDIPRESSE MEDIA ASIA hq@edipressemedia.com Chairman and CEO Michel Lamunière CFO, Asia Ida Cheung CCO, Asia and MD–Edipresse Media Hong Kong Sean Fitzpatrick Chief Innovation Officer, Asia Julie Lee Head of Generation T, Asia Tamara Lamunière EDIPRESSE GROUP Chairman Pierre Lamunière CFO & COO Michel Preiswerk Vice President Sebastien Lamunière Published by Edipresse Media Singapore Pte Ltd. 14 Kung Chong Road, #06-02 Lum Chang Building, Singapore 159150.

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EDITOR'S NOTE

LOVE , ACTUALLY ACT UA LLY

BEAUTY TO BEHOLD

Expect a host of inspiration for your big day celebrations, from the most gorgeous wedding gowns, like this one by Ashi Studio, to spectacular wedding venues, idyllic honeymoon destinations and plenty more 2018

ow did you know when you met your one? Was it a lightbulb moment, eyes and souls connecting in a metaphysical way that you can’t explain, or was it a gradual realisation, culminating in a sensible discussion about buying a house together?

Cover girl Angelina Tan had that spark of realisation when she met hubby-to-be Desmond Ngiam for a late-night coffee postwork. Prior to that, their dates had all been at nice restaurants, but this casual meet-up at a simple coffee shop drove home the point that she was happy just being with him and didn’t need the frills or the big gestures.

For this issue of Singapore Tatler Weddings, we spoke to four society couples who are about to tie the knot and asked them what made them decide to take that leap of faith. While each couple has a unique love story and journey, there was one common thread: they had all built a rock-solid foundation based on shared values, respect for family, and a similar outlook for the future. As my mum once wisely told me,

“You can’t live on love and fresh air.” Sharing a common appetite for travel and music promises great conversation and adventures together, but making a lifelong commitment is so much more than that: it is about your resilience as partners when the going gets tough, and how you choose to tackle obstacles together.

For Angelina and Desmond, who are planning their wedding on September 22 from two separate cities, it’s a healthy combination of communication, trust and honesty that has made the process that much easier. Read about their journey and their wedding preparations on p.40.

You might have also noticed that this issue of Singapore Tatler Weddings is slightly different.

Aesthetically, it’s sharper, cleaner, leaner and sleeker, with a promise that inside, you will still find a treasure trove of curated content featuring plenty of inspiration, whether you’re planning your wedding, your honeymoon, or simply looking for love.

P U R E

BLISS CELEBRATING THE LOVE OF DESMOND NGIAM AND ANGELINA TAN

ON THE COVER ANGELINA TAN AND DESMOND NGIAM JEWELLERY HARRY WINSTON PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN GABRIEL LEOW, ASSISTED BY CHONG NG AND KAT MIDORI FASHION DIRECTION DESMOND LIM, ASSISTED BY JOEY TAN HAIR GREGO/INDIGO ARTISANS MAKE-UP LARRY YEO

—Karishma Tulsidas Deputy Editor

LOCATION SIX SENSES DUXTON

DETAILS | TRENDS

IDY IDYLLIC LLI C IDEAS IDE AS

SURPRISE GETAWAY

“We predict 2018 will be the year of the ‘Whimsical Wedding’, a breathtaking fusion of fairytale romance with the unimaginable— subtle madness in an elegant display of the whacky and wonderful.

Think charming trinkets hanging from trees, eye-catching food stations and creative balloon displays. This year we look forward to letting our creativity unfold, working with couples to bring to life their unique and quirky visions.

Festival weddings are also on the rise and we recently designed one at a private residence in Scotland that featured indoor roller-skating at the reception, along with tipi glamping to host guests at the site.”

“More and more of our couples are choosing to have weekend-long celebrations rather than just a one-day ceremony and reception.

The extras typically include a Friday night dinner or cocktail party, and then a Sunday brunch after the wedding where guests can reminisce about the night before. Often, our couples are leaving their hometown to have these weekends in places such as France, Italy, Bali, the Philippines and Mexico. The welcome party and brunch are replaced by local and regional activities like a boat ride through Mexico City, a pizza party in Italy or a medieval celebration with jugglers, archery and stilt walkers in the French countryside.

In addition, our couples often surprise their guests throughout the weekend with things like treats on the shuttle rides and pillow gifts in the hotel room—who doesn’t like late night milk and cookies?”

Jessica Seal, director of events, Quintessentially Weddings (London)

Beth Helmstetter, owner and creative director, Beth Helmstetter Events (Los Angeles)

WHIMSICAL ROMANCE

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WORDS: JACQUELINE KOT AND CHLOE PEK; IMAGES: MULTIFOLDS PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY OF ROSETTE DESIGNS & CO (WINTER WONDERLAND-THEMED DÉCOR); FABULATION (WHIMSICAL SIGNBOARDS, GARDEN-THEMED DÉCOR); JUDY PAK PHOTOGRAPHY (ROSE GOLD AND NAVY BLUE INVITATIONS)

Leading event planners from around the world share the latest trends that will inject a dash of your personality into the celebrations

SECRET GARDEN “Intimate floral arrangements will prevail over taller centrepieces. Low, lush florals allow for conversation across the table but still keep the room looking full. In terms of actual floral trends, amaranthus is back. This cascading plant gives floral pieces a lush feel and the striking colour adds interest.”

Mindy Weiss, founder, Mindy Weiss Party Consultants (Los Angeles)

“Vine it out. We are using greens to create lush installations that add depth and texture to tent poles, lighting fixtures and dance floors.”

Lyndsey Hamilton, creative director, Lyndsey Hamilton Events (Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York)

A HINT OF ROSE “This will be the year where couples embrace colour, whether it is a neutral floral palette with surprising pops of burgundy, or a rich blend of colours ranging from dusty rose to magenta.

Another colour trend we will also be seeing a lot more of is the use of metallic rose-gold, perhaps in a sequinned table runner or in rose-gold foil stamped on navy-coloured invitations.”

Tzo Ai Ang, founder, Ang Weddings and Events (New York)

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DETAILS | JEWELLERY

S OMETHI NG BLUE Symbolising trust and loyalty, azure stones such as sapphire and tanzanite make for a spectacular wedding-day statement

A jewellery set suite with blue sapphires and white diamonds, Graff

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Festa Il Magnifico necklace in platinum with a 180-carat Burmese sapphire and step-cut diamonds, Bvlgari

High jewellery earrings in platinum with sapphires, onyx and diamonds, Cartier

Acte V Genesis ring with sapphire and diamonds, Louis Vuitton

Jewellery watch encrusted with blue sapphires and diamonds, Chopard

Chambre du Roi necklace in white, pink and yellow gold, and scorched silver, set with a sapphire and diamonds, Dior

Sea Temptation earrings in white gold set with diamonds and blue sapphires, Piaget

Promenades ImpĂŠriales ring in white gold set with an oval-cut sapphire and marquise and brilliant-cut diamonds, Chaumet

Pearl, diamond and sapphire necklace, Mikimoto

Pampille de Diamants ring in white gold with a central Burmese sapphire, diamonds and rock crystal, Boucheron

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Mysterieux sapphire earrings, Van Cleef & Arpels

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Trinity Ruban ring in platinum with diamonds, Cartier

PR ECI O US TIES Say no to ordinary wedding bands and engagement rings, and yes to stunning contemporary rings you'll want to wear and admire every day

Possession rings in pink and white gold, each set with a brilliant-cut diamond, Piaget

Jeux de Liens rings in white gold set with diamonds, Chaumet

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DETAILS | JEWELLERY

My Dior rings in rose and white gold set with diamonds, Dior

Ice Cube Pure rings in Fairmined white gold set with diamonds, Chopard

Estelle wedding bands in platinum set with diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels

Eternity rings set with multishaped white diamonds, Graff

Quatre White Edition ring set with diamonds and Quatre Classique Edition ring set with diamonds, Boucheron

Love rings in white gold set with diamonds, Cartier

s ingapor e tatler weddings . 2018

Fedi and Dedicata a Venezia wedding bands in platinum set with diamonds, Bvlgari

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DETAILS | VENUES

SWE SWEET ET E ENDINGS NDINGS Honeymooners, these design-centric rooms will set the tone for a romantic stay

No one marries Asian and European design like hotelier and designer Anouska Hempel does, and her latest canvas, Six Senses Duxton, couldn’t have been better

placed—within a row of 19th century shophouses along Singapore’s Tanjong Pagar. The hotel is a brilliant embodiment of her vision of utopia, borrowing elements from Chinese, Malay and European motifs that look

RITZ AND GLAMOUR Heading to the city of love for your honeymoon?

There’s no better way to celebrate the start of your wonderful journey together than with a sejour at the Ritz Paris, arguably the world’s most famous hotel.

Situated in the heart of Place Vendôme, Ritz Paris has been an icon of French art de vivre and luxury since the 19th century.

Have a royal honeymoon of your own by checking into the prestigious Windsor

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suite, decorated in homage to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who were regular guests at the Ritz Paris.

It really doesn’t get more romantic than spending the night in a suite christened after the love story of the century. Elegantly furnished in cream and gold, the 1,755sqft suite features a room draped in cool hues of pastel blue, with undertones of lilac—the Duchess’ favourite colour. ritzparis.com

right at home amongst the heritage architecture of the Chinatown district. The hotel’s rooms are especially grand, each decorated with unique items from Hempel’s personal collection, evoking the feeling of a home away

from home. Before jetting off for your honeymoon, enjoy your wedding night at the top-of-the-line Pearl Suite, which features a celestial palette of white and ivory— the perfect setting for newlyweds. sixsenses.com

TENTED LUXURY Have a thirst for thrills but a taste for luxury? Recharge from the bustle of your wedding at a savannah filled with life’s finest indulgences. Botswana’s Belmond Eagle Island Lodge’s tented suites is the stuff honeymoon dreams are made of. The lodge, established in the 1900s for explorers and crocodile hunters, is now a haven for adventurers who appreciate luxury. Surrounded by the lush safari of Botswana,

newly-weds can explore the immense plains by horse, canoe and even helicopter. When it comes to design, the lodge promises sophistication and refinement, with 12 air-conditioned tented rooms outfitted with plush oversized beds, walk-in dressing rooms and even plunge pools. The interior adopts a palette of muted blues and copper, a nod to the region’s mining history. belmond.com

singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

WORDS: CHLOE PEK; IMAGES: SIX SENSES DUXTON; RITZ PARIS; BELMOND EAGLE ISLAND LODGE

EAST MEETS WEST

DETAILS | ASK THE EXPERT

DR E EAM AM CO COME ME TRUE

What are the do’s and don’ts of choosing a wedding gown?

Always consider your venue, which will usually set the tone for the wedding—and hence the look of your gown. Do take your personal style into consideration, because your gown should be a reflection of who you are. Most importantly, seek professional advice. Don’t follow trends blindly, and don’t buy your dress from dubious sources just because the price

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seems attractive. Simply said, the “right” price may not get you the “right” dress.

There has been a rising trend of non-white wedding gowns.

Are there any colours brides should avoid?

Colours really speak to every individual differently, so frankly, there’s no particular colour a bride should avoid. Rather, we will only advise her to steer away from hues that don't complement her skin tone.

Should brides follow the latest trends when choosing their gowns or stick to a classic design?

It’s great to be informed about trends, but always ask yourself if the design speaks to your character and personality.

Timeless designs are great, but even so, we always modernise them at Amanda Lee Weddings so that our brides look classy and on trend. The last thing you want is to look like you've gone back in time!

You have years of experience—what style advice would you give to brides?

Throw away the stereotype of a “bridal look”, and embrace your personal style. If short hair is your trademark, keep it that way. If you feel most comfortable in sneakers, wear them. That said, don't compromise beauty too much for comfort—just make sure you look and feel extraordinary on your wedding day.

singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

WORDS: CHLOE PEK; IMAGES: AMANDA LEE WEDDINGS

Designing and handcrafting bridal gowns since 2002, Amanda Lee of Amanda Lee Weddings believes that a wedding dress is a piece of art that tells your love story. Her gowns are whimsical but also timelessly elegant, and precisely fitted to enhance every bride’s natural beauty. We seek her expertise on finding the perfect gown

DETAILS | ACCESSORIES

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AISLE ST YLE Wedding accessories in soft shades of ivory and blush add the finishing touch to your big day look 1 Sunglasses by Alaïa | 2 Sandals by Sophia Webster | 3 Earrings by Dior | 4 Handbag by Bottega Veneta | 5 Pump by Jimmy Choo | 6 Handbag by Jimmy Choo | 7 Sandal by Miu Miu | 8 Headband

by Jennifer Behr, available at Net-a-Porter | 9 Necklace by Chanel | 10 Sandal by Giorgio Armani | 11 Minaudière by Chanel | 12 Pump by Roger Vivier | 13 Handbag by Michael Kors Collection | 14 Handbag by Moynat | 15 Pump by Christian Louboutin

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TATLER FOCUS | ROLEX

Time of Your Life Your other half deserves nothing but the best, and the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is the perfect way to convey your love

I

t is really not that hard to choose a gift for the man in your life as most men will agree that the accessory they enjoy wearing most is their watch, as it is an extension of their personality and reflects their lifestyles and passions. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, the latest launch by the Swiss behemoth, will certainly appeal to men of all tastes.

The versatility of the GMT-Master II will surely find itself many fans as it is a sporty yet elegant timepiece, suitable for all occasions. It is perfectly at home when paired with a spiffy business suit in the boardroom or with a well-fitted polo-and-chinos combo for the fairways on the weekend. That the new variant comes in Oystersteel also affirms its practicality—its steely exterior allows it to withstand the rumble-tumble of the daily grind.

Not only does it boast a hardy body, the ticker’s pragmatism extends to the case and the movement underneath. The GMT-Master II is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100m with its caseback hermetically screwed down with a special tool

ONLY THE BEST The new Oyster Perpetual GMTMaster II in Everose gold (pictured) and the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in Oystersteel (below) are covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification, a guarantee of their excellent quality

that is unique to Rolex. Even the winding crown comes with protection: its Triplock triple waterproofness system ensures that the movement is 100 per cent protected against any form of moisture.

As its name suggests, the GMT-Master II can indicate two time zones at once. Using the bidirectional rotatable bezel, one can read the local time and a reference time, or the local time and another chosen time zone. This feature makes it perfect for honeymooning couples jet-setting around the world.

Watch aficionados will further appreciate the 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert in red and blue ceramic, which is a nod to the original GMTMaster from 1955.

The timepiece is also equipped with the newgeneration calibre 3285, with 10 patents filed over its development. The resulting movement is an even more efficient workhorse with increments in precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, and reliability.

For better ergonomics, the watchmaker has redesigned the lugs and sides of its Oyster case so the watch hugs the wrist more closely. This gives it a slimmer silhouette, which allows the watch to be worn under the shirt cuff easily. Its classy five-link Jubilee bracelet also softens its sporty appeal, upping its style ante.

To add more variety to the collection, Rolex also introduces two other versions—one comes fully crafted in Everose gold, while the Everose Rolesor

piece melds both Oystersteel with Everose gold. But instead of the red and blue bezel, both variants are fitted with a two-colour Cerachrom insert in black and brown ceramic.

These two versions sport the three-link Oyster bracelet.

Whether you choose the Oystersteel version for daily wear or the full Everose gold one for formal occasions, the GMT-Master II is certainly made for wearing. With its horological heft and handsome good looks, it is one of the most wonderful ways to tell your partner how much he means to you. Q

ROLEX SINGAPORE The Rolex Centre 01-01 Tong Building Tel: 6830 5100 rolex.com

DREAMS

MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN Dexter Fung and Dessy Handojo committed their love to one another at an intimate yet lavish celebration

DREAMS | CELEBRATIONS

C R AF TE D FO R LOVE Seamlessly melding the modern and the traditional, the nuptials of Dexter Fung and Dessy Handojo were imbued with intimate touches in tune with the couple’s eye for design

eauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but anyone who had seen Dessy Handojo on her wedding day would concur that she was a stunning bride. The Indonesian, dressed in a gown by Adrian Gan, tied the knot with her husband Dexter Fung on March 16 in Singapore, a day marked by intimate moments shared with the family; fabulous food; a special performance by former Westlife crooner Shane Filan; and, of course, lots of love.

The couple first met six years ago through a common friend and hit it off instantly. After dating for five years, Dexter finally popped the question in Japan in 2017. “I was on a family holiday and Dexter joined us as well,” recounts Dessy. “It was cherry blossom season, and Dexter

DEXTER & DESSY WHEN March 16, 2018 WHERE St Teresa Church and Tower Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore VENDORS BRIDE’S OUTFITS Adrian Gan GROOM’S OUTFITS Anson Tailor PHOTOGRAPHY David Salim Photography VIDEOGRAPHY PPF Photography MAKE-UP Priscilla Myrna HAIR Jeffrey Welly Hair FLOWERS Boenga PLANNER The Wedding Entourage CONSULTANT Bridestory CAKE Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore ENTERTAINMENT Shane Filan and High Notes

surprised me with a proposal when we were in the park with my family. Dexter knows that my family is a great part of my life, and it means a lot to me that he proposed in front of them.”

In fact, even their wedding celebrations at the St Teresa Church and Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore were filled with a host of personal touches and endearing moments shared with the family. “Our most memorable moments from the wedding were when we said our vows to each other at the church ceremony, and asked for our parents’ blessings, and when Dexter’s dad gave a very touching speech that meant a lot to us and sang Diana Ross’ Endless Love.”

Of course, it helped that the couple was able to enjoy every small moment of their big day, as their planners The Wedding Entourage handled every detail to perfection. “We are very impressed with the coordination of The Wedding Entourage as they made our wedding planning a smooth-sailing one,” says Dessy.

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DREAMS | CELEBRATIONS

THE DETAILS Both Dexter and Dessy have an eye for design and chose their wedding venues for their outstanding aesthetics. They decided to say their vows at the St Teresa Church for its “long aisle and beautiful white architecture”, which made for a serene backdrop to the intimate event. The only touches of festive decor were flowers draped on the pews and over the doorway.

For the reception, the couple opted for the newly renovated Tower ballroom at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, for its modern set-up. It was the perfect canvas for the couple to project their visual idea of their dream reception: they worked closely with Boenga to come up with the elegant theme.

Fresh flowers lined the stage and were used as the centrepiece of each table, while silver accents in the form of the stage structure and Tiffany chairs made for an Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Says Dessy, “We wanted an intimate party, where everyone could enjoy themselves and have a good time.”

The food, too, was stellar and the couple requested for a custom menu of their favourite Chinese dishes prepared specially by the culinary team at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

As is customary, the couple had two march-ins: for the first, making the moment even more spectacular was a performance by Shane Filan, who serenaded the couple with Beautiful in White.

For the second march-in, the bride wore a spellbinding column-style gown shimmering with gold by Adrian Gan, while the groom complemented her perfectly in a dapper black and white tuxedo. They walked in with their bridal party bopping to Uptown Funk, signalling that the bash was about to begin. singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

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P E R S ONAL TO U C H Esther Zhong and Foo Chuan Yi marked their nuptials at an intimate celebration that feted their love for one another

DREAMS | CELEBRATIONS

apturing the magic of Japan in the springtime, the John Jacob ballroom at The St Regis Singapore was transformed into an enchanting wonderland of delicate cherry blossoms for the wedding celebrations of Esther Zhong and Foo Chuan Yi. Like with every other aspect of their wedding, the sakura theme was an embodiment of the couple’s passions and personalities. In fact, as if echoing of their own love story, the wedding was intimate and personal in scale, but detailed and lavish in its execution.

The couple met at a common friend’s wedding, and were seated next to one another. An easy flow of conversation led to them exchanging numbers, and two years later, Chuan Yi proposed. “He called me out to the balcony and when I looked down, there were the words ‘Will you marry me?’ written using tea candles,” says the 30-year-old lawyer.

The wedding itself was in two parts, the first being the solemnisation at the groom’s place, while the reception was held at The St Regis Singapore the next day.

THE DETAILS It was the intimate touches throughout the wedding that made the celebrations all the more memorable for Esther and Chuan Yi. To accompany their march-in, a string quartet performed Pachelbel’s Canon in D, their alltime favourite classical tune, which was also played at their solemnisation.

Furthermore, heartfelt speeches by their siblings brought tears to their eyes. The bride and the groom also took the opportunity to say a few words, and ended their speech by presenting bouquets of flowers to their parents, “to show our appreciation and thank them for all that they have done for us”.

Guests were also involved in the celebrations as three videos were showed.

The first, a montage of their childhood photos; the second, a pre-wedding video

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DREAMS | CELEBRATIONS

ESTHER & CHUAN YI WHEN January 7, 2018 WHERE John Jacob Ballroom, The St Regis Singapore VENDORS BRIDE’S OUTFIT Vaughn Tan, Saint Laurent and The Canary Diamond GROOM’S OUTFIT Dylan & Son, Grammy Tailoring and Cartier PHOTOGRAPHY 39 East Photography VIDEOGRAPHY Substance Films HAIR AND MAKE-UP Jyue Huey/ The Make Up Room FLOWERS Fiore Dorato PLANNER Simplitico Wedding ENTERTAINMENT Vetta Quartet

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shot in Hong Kong; while the last offered a fun glimpse into the riotous gatecrashing ceremony.

To set the tone of the reception, the couple arranged for a soft, pink-hued lighting from an external vendor, to enhance the mood and the atmosphere. The cherry blossom theme was reflected in elaborate floral arrangements by Fiore Dorato, who used silk cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, roses, touches of peonies, phalaenopsis orchids and other exotic flowers.

“We had tall flower centrepieces decorating and lining the outer tables to create an aisle for the march-in. The final effect was more than we expected and was very beautiful and grand,” Esther shares.

Of course, no wedding is complete without the photographers who captured every magical moment. Guests also had a chance to ham it up for the Hello Forever photo shoot.

Says Esther, “The photo booth was a good partnership between Hello Forever and Fiore Dorato who provided the backdrop. This resulted in very beautiful pictures for all the guests. We ended up extending the photo booth till the end because of its popularity with the guests.

“The greatest satisfaction was probably from knowing that our guests thoroughly enjoyed the wedding, the food and the decoration, and had a fun time.” singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

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THE MACALLAN SPECIAL

A CLASS OF ITS OWN The Macallanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly launched Wedding Experience promises a one-of-a-kind celebration

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hisky connoisseurs will have you know that there’s no greater pleasure in this world than savouring The Macallan while celebrating a marriage. One of the most sought-after and revered whiskies, The Macallan sits at the pinnacle of the single malt category, and is without a doubt the most fitting beverage to celebrate a joyous union with.

For a party that your guests will be talking about for a long, long time, consider The Macallan’s newly launched Wedding Experience, which promises the celebration of a lifetime. Marrying the brand’s dedication to flawless product quality and excellent service, The Macallan’s Wedding Experience encompasses six package choices and a suite of highly customisable services to suit your needs. The most impressive of all is The Macallan Wedding Bar, which will be set up at the venue of your choice, and from which your favoured single malt will be served in elegant The Macallan glassware.

At your request, a professional mixologist can helm the bar, and gladly rise up to the challenge of creating a cocktail that reflects the preferences of both the bride and groom. This makes the Wedding Bar a choice option for wedding after-parties, hen’s nights and stag parties too. With the help of trusted floral arrangement partners, the bar can be decorated to reflect your chosen theme, and the team can even help customise your wedding favours—you only need to say the word.

The highlight of all the packages is The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, which blends two different kinds of casks—European and American Oak. A master artisan will engrave your names on the bottle to celebrate your commitment to each other, marking the start of a lifelong promise and trust. That, in our opinion, is the most auspicious and memorable beginning to a long, happy life together. Q

THE MACALLAN weddings@themacallan.com

WORDS: CHONG SEOW WEI; PHOTOGRAPHY: DARREN GABRIEL LEOW; STYLING: JOEY TAN; LOCATION: SIX SENSES DUXTON

DOSSIER

SET TO DAZZLE Like the enchanting brilliance of the Harry Winston Sunflower necklace and diamond chandelier earrings, our cover personalities Angelina Tan and Desmond Ngiam will be beaming with joy as they tie the knot on September 22. As they prepare for the big day, they share their love story with Singapore Tatler Weddings (p.40)

When Angelina Tan first met Desmond Ngiam, she was captured by his sincerity. Now, the fun-loving couple is planning their wedding in September, mostly from two separate cities, though they tell Chong Seow Wei that when there’s communication and room for independence, the distance is narrowed Photography DARREN GABRIEL LEOW Fashion Direction DESMOND LIM Hair GREGO/INDIGO ARTISANS, USING KEUNE HAIR COSMETICS SG Make-up LARRY YEO, USING LAURA MERCIER Location SIX SENSES DUXTON

PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANTS: CHONG NG AND KAT MIDORI; STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: JOEY TAN

MADE MAD E WI TH PASS I ON PASSIO N

DOSSIER | ROMANCE

DYNAMIC DUO Angelina wears Winston Cluster earrings, wreath necklace and bracelet in platinum with diamonds, and solitaire ring in platinum with diamonds, all by Harry Winston

THE SURPRISE PROPOSAL

“ I started planning the proposal about six

months before we headed to Bali last September, because I knew I needed time to lock down a venue, photographer and videographer, and coordinate all of them. I had already asked Angelina’s parents for her hand in marriage, but I think she wasn’t expecting a proposal until this year! On the day of the surprise, I was pretty calm right up to the dinner set-up, which was so elaborate that I feared it would give my intention away. Thankfully, I managed to shift Angelina’s attention elsewhere and pulled off the surprise proposal successfully! ” — Desmond

DOSSIER | ROMANCE

THE WEDDING PLAN

“ We knew from the get-go that we wanted our

wedding to be modern, elegant and dreamy with a personal touch, so we chose venues and vendors accordingly. We met the vendors and selected what we wanted before Desmond’s six-month secondment started last November in Bangkok.

We also both hold regional roles at work and follow different time zones, so we text and rely on Pinterest to communicate our ideas to Emmalyne Pang, our planner from The Wedding Entourage, weekly. We’ve also divided up our other tasks— Desmond’s in charge of our pre-wedding photo shoot in Italy and our wedding photographer and videographer, while Angelina works closely with our planner and florist, Boenga, for actual-day decorations. We talk a lot too and check in with each other before making any final decisions.”

— Angelina and Desmond

FAIR LADY Solitaire ring in platinum with diamonds, Forget-Me-Not earrings in platinum with diamonds and Secret Cluster bracelet in platinum with diamonds, all

by Harry Winston; dorcas gathered cotton-poplin dress

by Molly Goddard at Dover Street Market Singapore

DOSSIER | ROMANCE BRIDAL MARCH Winston Cluster earrings, wreath necklace and bracelet in platinum with diamonds, and solitaire ring in platinum with diamonds, all by Harry Winston

THE GREATEST SUPPORT

“ The biggest challenge about the

planning the wedding is that we’re in two different countries, but we’ve learned to communicate better. Also, thank goodness for FaceTime and WhatsApp! Our family members have been very supportive as well and give us advice about the traditions. My parents (Tan Khar Nai and Tan Kong King) have also been accompanying me to my gown fittings, with my dad choosing the cloth for my tea ceremony cheongsam, while Desmond’s parents (Ngiam Mia Ngee and Angelina Tan) are helping us to settle into our first marital home comfortably. ” — Angelina

TH E A TE A M WEDDING PLANNER The Wedding Entourage

GROOM’S OUTFITS Bespoke

PHOTOGRAPHY Trouvé

HAIR & MAKE-UP Shaun Lee

SOLEMNISATION VENUE Alcove at Caldwell House

BRIDE’S OUTFITS Oscar de la Renta and Jessicacindy

FLORAL DECORATION Boenga

VIDEOGRAPHY Ark Moments

PRE-WEDDING SHOOT LOCATION Ravello, Amalfi Coast and Val d’Orcia, Tuscany

WEDDING VENUE The St Regis Singapore

DOSSIER | ROMANCE

ROCK S O LID The keys to a long-lasting, healthy relationship are trust and honesty, share these soon-to-be-married couples Words and Coordination KARISHMA TULSIDAS Photography ELVINA FARKAS Styling CHERYL CHAN

RACHEL WEE AND KEN CHEN pposites may attract, but when it comes to the fundamentals, most couples will tell you that sharing similar values and a common outlook for the future is paramount. Both Rachel Wee and Ken Chen, who are tying the knot in January 2019, concur. In fact, Ken reveals that he knew that Rachel was the one when he realised that the two had similar values, and “the same idea of what the future will hold, and what we need to do together to achieve that”. It might seem odd, but this was what the couple discussed very early on during their first few dates. That way, says Rachel, “you know what to expect from the other person and this erases a lot of misunderstandings”.

It was a common friend who introduced the couple in 2015. Both were apprehensive before the first meeting: the scion of the Jean Yip Group reveals that when she saw his photo on Facebook, she assumed he’d be a playboy because of his good looks, while Ken had just never clicked with the other girls his friend had introduced him to. As fate would have it, they were both instantly attracted to one another.

This attraction soon grew into love after a few dates, and Ken finally proposed in Rachel’s favourite city, Seoul, in 2017. The associate director at Standard Chartered Bank started planning the proposal three months beforehand and managed to keep Rachel in the dark—in fact, he even staged an argument with her to throw her off the scent when she mentioned wedding plans one day. Ken recounts, “Both of us were dressed up in the Korean traditional hanbok and entered the Gyeongbokgung Palace to tour the place and

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take photos. I got the help of some friends, whom she didn’t know would be there, to dress up in hanbok as well and to help out with some logistics for the proposal. When we arrived at the planned spot, I popped the question and from her expression I knew she definitely did not expect it. It was a wonderful feeling.”

Ken even planned a second proposal back in their rented apartment in Seoul, with balloons and flowers. Says Rachel, “It really touched me because Ken is quite a practical kind of guy, but I think he made so much effort with the finest details because he knew I would have wanted a proposal like that.” singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

GOLDEN COUPLE Rachel wears Flowerlace necklace, earrings and ring in white gold with diamonds, and Cheval bracelet in platinum and diamonds, all by Van Cleef & Arpels; tulle romper with crystals and pleated tulle skirt, both by Dior; Ken wears Midnight Dragon Air watch in white gold with diamonds and motherof-pearl by Van Cleef & Arpels; suit and shirt, both by Ermenegildo Zegna

DOSSIER | ROMANCE

MELISSA PEH AND ALVIN SOON

LOOK OF LOVE Alvin wears Octo Roma watch in steel

by Bvlgari; Melissa wears High Jewellery earrings in pink gold with mother-of-pearl, tanzanites and diamonds, High Jewellery necklace in pink gold with mother-of-pearl, turquoise, tanzanites, tourmalines, amethysts and diamonds, and Divas’ Dream bracelet in white gold with diamonds, all by Bvlgari; belted oneshoulder crepe gown

by Marc Jacobs

Introverts will tell you that finding a partner with whom they can be themselves is a rare and special gift. Lawyer Melissa Peh and radiologist Alvin Soon have found that in each other. When they first met via Tinder, their initial dates were filled with activities to get to know each other better. As their relationship evolved, the homebodies now prefer spending time with each other and their families in the comfort of their own homes. Says Melissa, “It’s an amazing feeling knowing that I can be myself and he accepts and loves me for who I am.” Similarly for Alvin, what he absolutely loves about Melissa is that “she’s always acting silly around me, but absolutely serious in front of other people”.

It was not love at first sight, but their feelings for each other grew gradually. “I wouldn’t say it was a specific moment,” muses Melissa. “It was an accumulation of little moments—moments that made me feel truly happy and blessed to have him in my life.” Alvin says, “Melissa is very kind and caring and looks after me. She makes me feel loved, and there’s no one else I’d rather spend time with.”

While both agree that “honesty, mutual respect, kindness, forgiveness, perseverance and rock-solid commitment” are the cornerstones of their relationship, like every other couple, they occasionally have their disagreements. But as Melissa says, “It’s important to communicate, be honest and open with one another; to listen attentively, have respect and work together to come up with a solution.” Alvin puts it more succinctly: “Happy wife, happy life!”

PARTNERS IN LIFE Sabrina wears chain in platinum with diamonds and green tourmaline, chain in platinum with diamonds, Tiffany Soleste ring in platinum with pink tourmaline, and ring in platinum with diamonds and aquamarine, all by Tiffany & Co; lace dress by Gucci; Kevin wears Tiffany CT60 watch in steel

by Tiffany & Co; cotton shirt and wool pants, both by Giorgio Armani

DOSSIER | ROMANCE

HAIR: ASH LOI USING KEUNE HAIR COSMETICS; MAKE-UP: GREGO/INDIGO ARTISANS USING IT COSMETICS AND SEPHORA COLOURS; PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: LUCAS MILONE; STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: MILA OSMAN

SABRINA HO AND KEVIN MATTHEWS Who would have thought that a girl from Hong Kong and a guy from the UK would find each other in the little red dot that’s Singapore? Kevin Matthews and Sabrina Ho met on a night out with common friends at Lantern, and lightning struck him instantly.

He says, “I knew instantly I had found a gem.

In a roomful of people, I could only hear her voice! She’s smart, beautiful and caring; her positive energy hit me from the moment I met her.”

While Kevin was hooked from the get-go, it took Sabrina a little longer to realise that she felt the same way. “It was a gradual realisation that he was the one,” she reveals. “I realised very early on that he was very devoted to me, as he would call me every day, spending three to four hours on the phone with me while he was still building his business. During the early days of our relationship, I soon came to appreciate that he ticked all the boxes I was looking for in a partner: he is intelligent, resilient and caring.”

Says Kevin, “The decision when to get married was always hers. Plus, coming from a Western upbringing, I had to understand that for a traditional Asian lady, the decision to marry is not only hers to make, and you have to take into consideration family and tradition.”

As the couple built up their relationship, they also decided to take another leap of faith and set up an executive search company

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together, called KR Partners. It was working together with Kevin that solidified Sabrina’s faith that marriage was the right step forward.

“Having a business with him gave me a completely different perspective of him as a person, and my own readiness as a woman to commit to him for the rest of my life.”

The first proposal at Robuchon au Dôme in Macau, failed because of a series of unfortunate events—from bad weather and uncomfortable seating to very loud guests.

The second time was the charm, as Kevin decided to pop the question at one of Sabrina’s favourite restaurants, Caprice at Four Seasons Hong Kong. Says Sabrina, “It wasn’t a surprise, but it was special and genuine.”

Challenges abound when a couple works together, but Kevin and Sabrina highlight that having implicit trust in each other, and “true and honest communication” is imperative.

Says Kevin, “Running a business together means that we are constantly disagreeing with each other on most things and with both of us being water signs, we can be very emotional and sensitive. However, despite our differences, I try to remember to respect her opinions and viewpoints and manage my own ego in the heat of any disagreement.”

“I am comfortable discussing anything with Kevin without being judged, and I feel that I can be vulnerable and express how I truly feel,” says Sabrina.

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DOSSIER | WEDDING GOWNS

DR A MATI C FLA IR From fur details to voluminous bell sleeves, wedding gown designers added a theatrical touch to their autumn/winter 2018 collections. Rosana Lai takes a look at the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new showstoppers

Elie Saab Dubbed Theater of Light, Elie Saab’s new collection sets the stage for a truly luminous bride. Arabesques, fine lines or leafy branches take form on floor-length mermaid gowns and A-line skirts of voluminous tulle, playing on the structure of the form-fitting bustiers in a variety of styles. The designer’s signature embellishments are evident in the intricate detailing, from the ethereal beading and delicate appliques to the shimmering sequins and metallic threads. eliesaab.com

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DOSSIER | WEDDING GOWNS

Danielle Frankel Danielle Frankel taps into her years of experience at both Marchesa and Vera Wang for her debut bridal collection, made for the modern women who â&#x20AC;&#x153;knows what she wantsâ&#x20AC;?.

The collection is composed of pieces that are flexible and meant to be styled. A-line gowns, for example, are split open and can be worn over cigarette pants. Separates can be mixed and matched between ceremony and reception, and are designed to be worn for more than just one special day. daniellefrankelstudio.com

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singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

Inbal Dror Inbal Dror has described her latest collection as “sophisticated, fantasy-like and dreamy”. She’s right. With pieces ranging from a plunging tuxedo peplum jacket over a high-slit skirt to a glistening see-through dress, her designs are perhaps better suited to the red carpet than the bridal aisle. It’s no surprise then that her glittering gowns have attracted fans like Beyoncé and Naomi Watts. As Dror says of her fashion style, “it’s meant to shine like stars”. inbaldror.com

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DOSSIER | WEDDING GOWNS

Costarellos For the bohemian bride looking for an ethereal dress for a wedding by the sea, Greek designer Christos Costarellos is your man. His use of delicate embroidery, diaphanous fabrics, floral lace appliques and column silhouettes are the stuff Woodstock dreams are made of. This latest collection features statement sleeves, overflowing lace and ultra feminine ruffles that lend a free-spirited ease to classic Grecian silhouettes. costarellos.com

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Ashi Studio Mohammed Ashi’s The Girl on the Moon collection is imbued with a lunar elegance. The breathtaking designs, with billowing sleeves, architectural bodices and sculpted skirts, are available in white, ivory and surprisingly in black. In keeping with the celestial theme, some dresses feature 3D designs of sun patterns, while every gown—short front hem or medium train—offers cascading ruffles for a highly dramatic effect. ashistudio.com

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DOSSIER | WEDDING GOWNS

Vera Wang With the generous mix of lace and embroidery, Vera Wangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest bridal collection has more than a hint of the theatre.

The designs, a modern play on the classical ball gown, feature silk corsets, French tulle overlays and hand applique macrame lace panels. The traditional bridal veil is replaced by beaded headbands, feather hair accessories, or three-dimensional floral headpieces, adding a dramatic, dreamy effect that is both simple and romantic. verawang.com

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singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

Lela Rose Lela Rose unveiled her latest bridal collection in a public sculpture garden in New York, a fitting setting for the designer’s classic American take on her all-time favourite gowns from decades past. Reworking archival designs, Rose maintains her trademark minimalist approach to design—read no fuss and lots of charm—while offering some playful riffs on signature elements such as the classic Swiss dots she has doted on in years past. lelarose.com

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DOSSIER | BEAUTY

TAKE I T TO TH E AISLE A new batch of summer-inspired beauty trends is offering a shimmering dose of inspiration for brides, writes Melissa Twigg

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SUN-KISSED SKIN On the catwalk: Alexander

Wang’s make-up artist, Diane Kendal, said she wanted her models to look like healthy California girls who had just stepped out of the Pacific Ocean. And she certainly achieved it—but given that the show was taking place in the heart of Brooklyn, this took some skill. After using foundation and concealer, she applied a peachy liquid blush across the entire cheekbone, a pale pink balm on the lips, and a sparkly loose highlighter over the brow. Eyes were dusted in nude shades, finished with the gentlest flick of mascara, and hair was left loose and tousled.

Down the aisle: Whether

your wedding is on a beach in Phuket, in a church in Italy or at a five-star hotel in Singapore, laidback, natural make-up is always a winner— and it works with the loosest of Boho dresses or the most dramatic of gowns. Always start with a primer, liquid foundation and highlighter pen, and go for a make-up trial to find the exact shade of peach blush to match your skin tone. Go a little heavier on the mascara for the photos and add some sparkly accessories to those loose beach locks.

The tools: Chanel

Palette Essentielle in Rose Pétale; Sisley Phyto-Blanc Cushion Foundation.

Palette Essentielle in Rose Pétale,

Chanel

Phyto-Blanc Cushion Foundation,

Sisley

GL ITTE R B O MB In a year of sartorial contrasts, we shouldn’t be surprised that alongside the thirst for perfect, untouched spa skin was an obsession with all things sparkly, shimmery and shiny.

Glittery eyelids were on show at Topshop, Undercover and Stella Jean, while stick-on gems, jewels and rhinestones stole the show at Dries Van Noten, Jeremy Scott and Givenchy.

Glitter level 1: A fresh face of make-up is always pretty in the church, but to make your glowing skin really stand out at the reception, add a single pop of glitter. At Giambattista Valli, make-up artist Val Garland created a teardrop shape next to the eye with clear adhesive and a blob of pink, purple or blue glitter on top.

Glitter level 2: Did you know glitter can be subtle, as long as

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it is blended in gently? Much like highlighter, you need to consider your complexion rst—silver shimmer is best on very fair skin, gold with a tan, and bronze on darker skin. Spread a liquid adhesive over your entire lid and up to the brow bone, then brush a light coat of loose glitter on top, nishing with lots of mascara. Good for big-city parties.

Glitter madness: One part Cleopatra, two parts Broadway show, the look created at Creatures of the Wind is gorgeous, but de nitely in Moondust Eyeshadow the ultra-glam bachelorette party in Cosmic (left) and category. Make-up artist Aaron de Mey drew a bold wing all the way Space Cowboy, out to the temples, then brushed Urban Decay gold shadow mixed with loose gold glitter up to the brows for pure shimmering prettiness.

The tools: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Cosmic; Space Cowboy.

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DOSSIER | BEAUTY

Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick in Champagne Flash, Hourglass

DEWY GLOW

Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Cassiopeia,

Nars Down the aisle: While every

THINK PINK On the catwalk: From

bride fears having actual pink eye on the big day, a touch of pink eyeshadow is often lovely. Pink is at the heart of most bridal beauty routines: ballet slipper-coloured nails, rosy lip balm, cream blusher…

So adding pink on the eyes is the next logical step. Start with a dusting on the eyelid, switching to gold in the crease and on the brow bone.

Finish with lots of mascara and a matching pink lipstick.

The tools: Nars DualIntensity Eyeshadow in Cassiopeia; Clé de Peau Beauté Powder Eye Color Solo in 202 or Cream Eye Color Solo in 302.

Brock Collection’s clouds of rose around the eyes to the dramatic blush draping techniques at Valentino, shimmering pink peepers were everywhere this season.

At Valentino, Pat McGrath used an airy candy-pink shade on the eyelid, outer half of the crease and the brow bone, lightening it towards the temples and top of the cheekbone so it bloomed across half the face.

The effect was startlingly pretty, with a theatrical feel.

A touch of pink eyeshadow Powder Eye Color Solo in 202 (top) was also spotted at Marco de or Cream Eye Color Solo in 302, Vincenzo, Alberto Zambelli Clé de Peau Beauté and Sophia Webster.

On the catwalk: One of the season’s most noticeable trends was actually given a handy moniker backstage at Victoria Beckham: spa skin. And we all know what that means—refreshed, hydrated and blazing with health. For those who can’t nip down to their closest beauty salon, the essentials include brow products, concealer, eyeshadow and a truckload of highlighter. At Michael Kors, Giambattista Valli and Pucci, they achieved the look with concealer, bronzer and lots of shimmer, while Derek Lam was all about the cream blush.

Down the aisle: There can’t be a bride

alive who wouldn’tt name peachy, glowing skin in herr top three big-day beauty wishes. And, happily, the combinnation of prewedding spa outinggs, healthy diets and high-level excitement means it is usually granted. But the right beauty prroducts can do a lot to ease the waay. Start by applying a thin layeer of face oil, which is the fasstest route to a natural glow. Then smoothh a brilliance-enhancinng foundation, plus a cream blush and light cream highlighter on yourr cheeks, as powder can dampen ratherr than enhance the desired glow.

The tools: SK-II Facial Treatment Oil; Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick in Champagne Flash.

Facial Treatment Oil, SK-II

The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting Highlighter,

Kevyn Aucoin

IMAGES: JASON LLOYD-EVANS (RUNWAY AND BACKSTAGE)

Gold Palette, Guerlain

PERFECT SHEEN On the catwalk: From Altuzarra and Isabel Marant to Stella McCartney, Balmain and Issey Miyake, the “allabout-skin” aesthetic of this season was sealed with a lot of highlighter. Whether it was gold on the brow bones and nose or pale silver on the lids and cheeks, highlighter lifted the clear-skin look into something infinitely glossier. Our favourite was

singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

Isabel Marant, where Lisa Butler dabbed gold cream highlighter all over the face, finishing with a subtle dab on the chin.

Down the aisle: Using a soft,

fluffy eyeshadow brush, apply a liquid highlighter down the bridge of your nose, on your cheekbones, over the inner corners of your eyes, onto your brow bone, on top of your cupid’s bow and at the centres of your forehead

and chin, using a silvery shade for fair skins and a gold one for olive complexions. If the highlighter doesn’t naturally blend into the concealer, pat it into your skin using your clean fingertips. Finish with a loose, cream highlighting blusher on your cheeks so your skin really pops in wedding pictures.

The tools: Guerlain Gold Palette; Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting Highlighter.

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TATLER'S TOP WEDDING VENUES

IMAGE: ANNIE SPRATT ON UNSPLASH

Highly sought-after venues in Singapore to commemorate the most special day in your life

TATLER'S TOP WEDDING VENUES

C CELE E LEBR BR ATIO ATIONS NS TO R EMEMBER EME MBE R MARINA BAY SANDS Marina Bay Sands overlooks the country’s bustling Central Business District while offering a panoramic view of the Singapore River, marrying the best of both worlds. Feel on top of the world as you exchange your vows amid the lush gardens of the Sands SkyPark, 200m above sea level. If a grand celebration is more to your fancy, the world-class venue is home to Southeast Asia’s largest ballroom, which accommodates 6,000 guests in a banquet setting. Eleven smaller ballrooms can also be configured to suit the scale of your wedding. Leave your wedding planning to their experienced planners, who will put your mind at ease— from dressing up the venue to your desired theme to choosing your personalised invitation cards.

10 Bayfront Avenue, tel: 6688 8868 marinabaysands.com

MANDARIN ORCHARD SINGAPORE

SOFITEL SINGAPORE CITY CENTRE Set in a French garden-inspired building in Tanjong Pagar, Sofitel Singapore City Centre gives couples everything they need—customised floral arrangements, multi-faceted venues, award-winning food, and the full attention of their personal Magnifique Wedding specialist. The hotel’s piece de resistance is the Wallich Ballroom with its capacity for 450 guests and luxurious touches including Bohemian crystal lights and a 42ft mega screen. For more intimate affairs, consider the daylightfilled Saga Ballroom. But if it’s the magic of saying “I do” in the great outdoors that you are after, choose the Lawn, which overlooks the central business district and harbour.

9 Wallich Street, tel: 6428 5000 sofitel-singapore-citycentre.com

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Experience says it best: Mandarin Orchard Singapore has hosted over 10,000 weddings since it was established 46 years ago. Kick off the festivities with a solemnisation ceremony and Chinese tea ceremony at one of the newly-renovated function rooms. For the wedding reception, most couples go with The Grand Mandarin Ballroom, which accommodates up to 95 tables. There are no columns, so guests can enjoy unobstructed views of the action no matter where they are seated. For more intimate celebrations, consider the midsized, multi-tiered Imperial Ballroom and other spaces.

333 Orchard Road, tel: 6737 4411 meritushotels.com

CAPELLA SINGAPORE Whether you want a grand indoor reception, or an outdoor soiree, you’ll find it at Capella Singapore. What could be more impressive than exchanging your vows with the picturesque South China Sea in the distance? Then continue the revelry in the Grand Ballroom—the only circular, pillarless ballroom in Singapore, promising celebrations of greater intimacy, even if you have 400 guests. When you decide to wed at Capella Singapore, you will get personalised service, from having your own Romance Specialist to having the awardwinning executive chef David Senia create an epicurean feast to wow your guests.

Sentosa Island, 1 The Knolls, tel: 6377 8888 capellahotels.com/singapore

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These extraordinary venues make the perfect backdrop for brilliant beginnings and memories that last forever

RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA

GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE With over 5,100sqm of event space spread across 16 spots, there’s a venue for every couple at Grand Hyatt Singapore.

The Gallery on Level 1 incorporates a loft kitchen, a lounge, two ateliers, a ballroom, and even a changing room for extra convenience. Guests can move from a relaxed cocktail in the loft kitchen to a sitdown dinner in a gallery before adjourning to the lounge post-dinner. Moving up one level, you’ll enter a mansion-inspired space within the Grand Salon. The most opulent affairs, however, are held on Level 3, comprising five residences and two ballrooms with the capacity to hold 260 and 360 guests respectively. The Grand Ballroom has a digital canvas with powerful in-built projectors that enable an edge-toedge display of your pre-wedding video.

10 Scotts Road, tel: 6738 1234 singapore.grand.hyatt.com

Resorts World Sentosa boasts one of the biggest collections of unique venues under one roof. Arguably its most spectacular space is Ocean Gallery, S.E.A. Aquarium, which accommodates 250 guests. Imagine dining and dancing under the sea as aquatic animals gracefully drift around you in a live performance of a special kind.

However, if you want to ensure no one is left out of your guest list, there’s the Resorts World Ballroom, Asia’s largest columnfree ballroom, which accommodates 4,000 guests. If the beautiful venues set a remarkable backdrop for your “I do”, then the team at Resorts World Sentosa makes the experience unforgettable. Leave the preparation to the meticulous planners who will deliver the wedding of your dreams.

8 Sentosa Gateway, tel: 6577 8888 rwsentosa.com

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, SINGAPORE It's no surprise that the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is one of country’s most opulent venues for a glamorous wedding. The recently rejuvenated hotel is a sight to behold, with potted weeping fig trees and foliage that invite guests into its urban oasis.

Exchange your vows surrounded by lush flora at Banyan Deck, or at the quaint Dutch Pavilion for a dose of old-world charm.

Hold the wedding of your dreams at the magnificent pillarless Island Ballroom, which can host up to 1,000 people or be re-configured for intimate celebrations.

Whichever theme you desire, the 1,357sqm space amplifies your guests’ experience with the latest audio facilities complemented by new-age “smart lighting” systems, as well as backlit marble walls.

22 Orange Grove Road, tel: 6737 3644 shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/

PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE Pan Pacific Singapore offers a suite of spaces for your wedding, be it intimate or grand. The cosy and sophisticated Ocean 6 room hosts up to 80 guests for private solemnisations while the spacious Atrium with its 44m long bar can accommodate parties of 120 to 800 for cocktails.

Culinary delights abound at renowned Cantonese restaurant Hai Tien Lo, or fine dining Indian restaurant Rang Mahal.

The pillarless Pacific Ballroom sets the stage with its honeycomb ceiling, which encircles the elegant amber crystal chandeliers. State-of-the-art audio-visual technology, coupled with a programmable lighting system means that quality entertainment is never compromised.

7 Raffles Boulevard, tel: 6336 8111 panpacific.com

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TATLER'S TOP WEDDING VENUES

THE HEART OF IT ALL With its strategic location, customisable packages, and the support of a stellar team of wedding planners, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is no doubt one of the city’s top venues to host your celebration of a lifetime

A

mong the myriad things that fill a couple’s mind when planning the wedding reception of a lifetime, location is inevitably one of the foremost considerations. Let’s face it, a dreamy, remote beach wedding sounds like a good idea, until you have to deal with the flurry of feedback from frustrated guests, including “How will I get there?”

Boasting a strategic location in the heart of Orchard Road, and with ample parking space at Tang Plaza for guests who drive, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is without a doubt one of the city’s most convenient and accessible wedding venues. It is versatile as well, as the hotel offers a diversity of venues for all types of wedding

receptions, be it an intimate party for eight to 15 tables at The Gallery; a breezy solemnisation at the Poolside Pavilion; or a grand celebration for up to 500 guests in the pillarless Grand Ballroom. All of these can be outfitted with one of six enchanting wedding themes offered by the hotel—the classic Enchanting Eden and Love Entwined, or the newly launched Aurora, Dazzling Diamonds, Golden Moments, and Blooms concepts. The high ceiling and alabaster lighting in the ballroom in particular create a visual impact that sets the stage for a stunning wedding march-in to remember.

The food, too, is something guests will be raving about. From an international buffet to oriental set menus for formal sit-downs, the

experienced kitchen team has you covered, and menus are all highly customisable to suit individual preferences. The refined Cantonese cuisine from the award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is a longstanding favourite, thanks to executive Chinese chef Brian Wong’s dedication to crafting each dish with the finest techniques and ingredients.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has a highly qualified team of wedding planners.

As your big day dawns and your to-do list grows, take comfort that you will have a dedicated planner with you every step of the way. From making your arrangements for food tastings to working with a florist to create your dream arrangements, your

planner will make sure everything unfolds seamlessly, so you can fully savour every moment sans stress.

The hotel is also very generous with its inclusions. Depending on the package booked, perks range from free flow of soft drinks and mixers for your cocktail reception and dinner, a complimentary bottle of house wine per confirmed table, and unique selections of wedding favours and invitation cards to the piece de resistance—a two-night stay at the hotel’s lavish Junior Suite.

While you carefully weigh your wedding decisions, here’s some food for thought from Stella Ng, a wedding planner from the hotel: “We advise wedding couples to consider the following points for their wedding: accessibility and location of the venue; availability of wedding themes and the ability to customise these themes to your preference; ease of mind and assurance provided by the hotel; the utmost commitment rendered by the hotel’s wedding planners; diversity of cuisines that will make a lasting impression on your guests; and lastly, a diversity of wedding spaces that will accommodate all your needs.”

With these salient points in mind, couples will find that Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel ticks all the right boxes for a wedding to remember. Q

“WE WERE VERY HAPPY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS. THE VENUE AND DECOR EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS”—Jeremy Tan and Soh Gail FOR THEIR WEDDING in November last year, Soh Gail, media personality and co-founder of Project Weekends, and her husband Jeremy Tan envisioned a “grand and dreamy wedding like in a K-drama”, and that was exactly what Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel delivered for their party of 350 guests. “We chose the Enchanting Eden set-up and were really pleased with how the poolside pavilion was outfitted for the ROM ceremony. We needed no introduction to the hotel as it is well-known for both its prestige and its convenient location, and our wedding planner Denise Loo from Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel took excellent care of us throughout the entire journey. Our guests were also raving about the food, especially dessert, prepared by Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, and the service was impeccable. They certainly exceeded our expectations on our big day—no regrets!”

SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL 320 Orchard Road Tel: 6831 4769 Email: mhrs.sindt.sales@marriotthotels.com singaporemarriott.com/weddings

TATLER'S TOP WEDDING VENUES

AN EYE FOR DETAIL Leave the planning to the experts at The St Regis Singapore, where personal St Regis Wedding Butlers and Specialists are on hand to anticipate and take care of your every need

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ince its inception in 2008, The St Regis Singapore has been a choice wedding venue among the discerning. Apart from the sterling reputation that comes with the St Regis name, wedding couples are also drawn to the provision of their very own St Regis Wedding Butler and Specialists, on hand to take care of their every need. They are responsible for ensuring that every request, no matter how big or small it is, is met: from coordinating to ensuring the seamless event execution by the hotel’s experienced banquet team, to taking care of the nitty gritty details, like making sure your gown and suit are crease-free and

that you have a warm meal sent up to your room at the end of a very long day. Indeed, to be able to entrust your wedding to your butler and relax enough to appreciate every aspect of the celebration is without doubt a liberating experience.

The hotel’s John Jacob Ballroom is one of Singapore’s most sought-after wedding locations, thanks to its pillarless layout, spectacular 8.3m high ceilings accented with hand-cut chandeliers, and a state-of-the-art audio visual system. In fact, it is recommended that you book the venue at least a year ahead, and even earlier if you’re planning your wedding to be held on a

popular, auspicious date. The wedding party will be given exclusive use of the main ballroom, which accommodates up to 420 guests, and the pre-event area for up to 80.

The banquet team will also be on hand to deliver a veritable culinary feast; rest assured that they have years of experience under their belt, and will be able to cater to a range of dietary preferences. You can also offer a variety of options to your guests by installing food carts at the reception, which will serve your favourite dishes, or even double up as a whimsical dessert counter. To amp up the mood, why not have a bespoke cocktail bar to set that festive tone?

Apart from the grand setting and laudable service at The St Regis Singapore, wedding couples can also look forward to standing out from the crowd with intricately executed party themes. The wedding specialists have seen (and done) it all, including a travel-themed wedding featuring a set-up of a 3D floral backdrop; Genghis Khan on a horse; a miniature Eiffel tower; a paradisiacal Santorini; a Bohemian-themed party featuring rich purple hues and floral decorations, and more. And being the only hotel in Singapore to have a fleet of Bentleys, you even have the option to request for The St Regis Singapore Bentley Flying Spur as your bridal car—talk about making an entrance!

While you deliberate the options for the celebration of a lifetime, consider what Debby Setiawan, cluster director of events at The St Regis Singapore, has to share: “Often, the smallest of details can cause a major hiccup when overlooked. Let’s take planning your guest list as an example. This single element is affected by multiple factors; you’ll need to ensure that the guest list tallies with the floor plan, make precise plans for seating arrangements, skip out inauspicious table numbers (four, 14 and 24) and check that all guests at a table are seated comfortably (especially when additional guests turn up unexpectedly).” This certainly explains why one would need the experienced eye of your wedding specialist! Q

“THE DECOR IS OPULENT AND LAVISH, WITHOUT BEING GAUDY.”— Elsepth Sia and Trent Ng ELSEPTH SIA AND HER husband Trent Ng already had a great impression of The St Regis Singapore, having attended an earlier event at the hotel, but when it came to selecting the venue for their big day, two factors sealed the deal—the grand piano, and The St Regis Singapore's wedding specialist Christine Wang. “We could not find a grand piano at other hotels, and Trent’s solo performance on it during my march-in turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of the night,” shares Elsepth, as she recounts their ROM ceremony and black tie wedding dinner for 337 guests in February this year. “Above all, our wedding specialist Christine was our deciding factor,” she continues. Apart from her impeccable service, Christine even coordinated a surprise performance for the couple. “The St Regis Singapore has delivered beyond our expectations. We would definitely recommend this venue.”

THE ST REGIS SINGAPORE 29 Tanglin Road Tel: 6506 6775 Email: wedding.singapore@stregis.com stregissingapore.com/weddings

IMAGE: NORTH ISLAND SEYCHELLES

DESTINATIONS

THE GREAT ESCAPE A honeymoon at North Island Seychelles is royalty approved.

Discover the idyllic vacation spots chosen by British blue blood, on p.78

M OROCCAN ES CA P E A gleaming jewel in the Mediterranean, Marrakech takes honeymooners on a romantic escape with its sapphire waters, golden deserts and imperial citadels, writes Melissa Gail Sing ew places in the world possess the kind of dreamy allure that has enraptured travellers for centuries as Morocco. The jewel of North Africa has inspired some of the world’s most well-travelled, from Saudi royalty and legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent to beauty heiress Aerin Lauder.

You’ll know you’ve entered the country’s most fabled city, Marrakech, when you see the red sandstone buildings that take on a rosy hue during sunset, alluding to the moniker “Red City”. We check into Four Seasons Resort

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Marrakech, a luxurious base from which to explore the city. It is just a 5min drive away from the alluring buzz and colour of the famed Jemaa el Fna square and marketplace. As we cruise along the palm-lined Boulevard de la Menara to the resort, we are transported to a completely different world—one of opulence, tranquillity and exclusivity. Inspired by the nearby medina, or old city, the main buildings evoke a Moorish palace with courtyards and lantern-illuminated stairways, reflecting pools and fountains strewn with rose petals, palm trees and olive trees, and intricate tiling and objets d’art that dot the public spaces. singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

DESTINATIONS | HONEYMOON

DAY 1

MEETING MARRAKECH

STEEPED IN CULTURE From left: The architecture of the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech echoes that of a Moorish palace of yore; the luxury resort is a stone’s throw away from the famed Jemaa el Fna square

We are greeted with a hot glass of Moroccan mint tea, a traditional welcome gesture in any Moroccan home. It’s our first taste of the genuine hospitality and luxury that will mark the entire escape to Morocco.

All rooms offer magnificent views of either the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the historic Menara Gardens next door or the pool.

The most premium of the accommodation options, the 452sqm Royal Villa has four bedrooms surrounding a lap-sized pool, four full-marble bathrooms, a guest powder room, private terraces and a central salon. An eightperson whirlpool spa, private barbecue area and your own chef and butler service promise a spectacular stay for larger groups.

You’ll be tempted to stay inside your room with its plush bed, spacious bathroom and a well-positioned balcony that gives you an unfettered view of the beautiful gardens, pools and surrounding buildings. Sit, sip champagne and watch the world go by.

However, there’s something pressing on the agenda: the spa!

An appointment at Le Spa at Four Seasons is a must to prep you for your Marrakech adventure. Book the couple suite for absolute bliss. The private garden and outdoor terraces add to the healing ambience. After a hammam steam bath and a dip in the plunge pools, your therapist (Tatler tip: Tarik Belachmi is most

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requested for his exceptional pair of hands) will indulge you the authentic Moroccan way, with treatments inspired by centuries-old beauty rituals that use local ingredients such as argan oil, eucalyptus, saffron, rose, olive, orange and ghassoul clay. Stop by the salon to get your hair perfectly coiffed a la Marocain before your romantic dinner with your other half.

One of the resort’s dining outlets, Inara Lounge is a wonderful introduction to Moroccan cuisine, offering everything from tagines and grills to couscous but with a fusion flair. There are plush seating appointments indoors, inviting you to linger just a little longer, but if you prefer to dine under the stars, head outdoors where lanterns gently illuminate the night sky and conjure a romantic mood. Traditional musicians play on certain evenings, so order a bottle of Moroccan wine (yes, Morocco does produce its own wines!) to complete your Moorish experience.

DAY 2

CULTURAL RESPITE The warm Mediterranean climate is perfect for outdoor activities. Start your day with sunrise couple yoga as instructor Jessica Satherley patiently guides you through various poses, ending with a soothing lavender oil head massage. Post-yoga, there

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are plenty of nooks around the property where you can just spend time with one another, like the private cabanas at the adultsonly pool where you can sip cocktails while basking in the sun.

After a satisfying breakfast, head to Majorelle Garden, long known as Yves Saint Laurent’s creative retreat. It was in Marrakech that the celebrated designer conceived many of his most iconic collections. The city’s brilliant hues, traditional silhouettes and embroideries found their way into pieces like his first safari jacket and the Mondrian dress.

After wandering through the network of succulent plants, olive trees, palm trees, date palms and beautifully-scented orange trees, drop by the Berber museum (Berbers are the original people of Morocco) which is also inside the garden. Then, visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech. Opened in October 2017 to much acclaim, it displays haute couture pieces from the designer’s archives in Paris as well as a library on fashion and the local culture.

Later in the afternoon, journey like newlywedded royalty on a horse-drawn carriage to Jemaa el Fna in the medina quarter or old city.

Just a stone’s throw from the city’s highest

mosque, Koutoubia Mosque, which was built in the 12th century, Jemaa el Fna is packed with tourists and locals, especially during the summer months. The energy is infectious, with acrobats, traditional musicians, henna artists and fortune tellers amid stalls hawking everything from silver teapots to jewellery, leather goods, perfumes, spices and Moroccan art. All that walking around will leave you craving for sustenance.

There are many stalls offering traditional fare like harira, a heartwarming lentil soup, and tagines. Don’t miss the street food like snail soup, merguez sausage sandwiches and chebakia, delectable rose-shaped pastries coated with a honey-rosewater syrup. Then, continue the excitement at the nearby Le Comptoir Darna where you can dance the night away alongside graceful belly dancers.

DAY 3 HISTORY LESSON Have brunch at the pool-facing alfresco restaurant Azzera. Lively chatter from business associates, holidaying couples and families fills the air, punctuated by chirps from adorable native birds that dart about the surrounding olive trees. Tuck into typical brasserie fare, such as salads, sandwiches, grilled meats and fresh seafood.

After brunch, why not spend a leisurely afternoon at the 19th century Bahia Palace?

Also known as Palace of the Beautiful, the

ALL INCLUSIVE Spend a couple of days exploring the Four Seasons Resort Marrakech from your base at the gorgeous Royal Villa (top), with its own private plunge pool (pictured); book a relaxing treatment at Le Spa (left)

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ROUTE TO MOROCCO

Emirates takes you to Casablanca via Dubai, on an 8.5-hour flight, then to Marrakech. The updated interiors of its Boeing 777 fleet boast the new fully-enclosed First Class private suites with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. The seat pan can be placed in a zero gravity mode inspired

by Nasa technology, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll feel weightless, and completely relaxed.

Meals are a five-star, white-cloth affair. The regionally-inspired menu features a mezze platter or chakchuka followed by your main of fish tagine on flights to or from Casablanca.

The newly upgraded inflight ICE entertainment system offers over 2,500 channels of movies, world news, documentaries, games and audio entertainment. Noise-eliminating Bowers & Wilkins headphones offer optimal audio, while content is delivered on a 23-inch high-definition LCD screen. In partnership with MercedesBenz, Emirates also offers a complimentary chauffeur service.

Brilliant, the 8ha monument has been hailed a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture. Built for Si Moussa, chamberlain of Sultan Hassan I of Morocco, it is made up of about 150 ornate pieces of moucharabiehs (wooden lattice), marble, carvings and paintings on beech and cedar wood, stucco, mosaic tilework, and the first stained glass windows of the Maghreb.

Moving through the different chambers of the palace which was once the residence of General Lyautey, then resident general of France in Morocco, we are told by friendly ground staff that the palace marble floorings obtained from Italy were traded at a rate of one kilo sugar for a kilo of marble.

From there, visit Saadian tombs, the resting place of about 60 members of the Saadi Dynasty (1578-1603). Discovered in 1917, the tombs were restored and their ornate beauty makes the mausoleum a major attraction.

The tombs are kept in three rooms with tall columns and are made of Italian Carrara s ingapor e tatler weddings . 2018

marble, and the gardens outside, where many a friendly stray cat roams, hold the graves of soldiers and servants.

As dusk falls, head back to the resort for dinner at Quattro, a sophisticated restaurant that serves Southern Italian cuisine. Watch the chefs in action from the open kitchen as you savour standout pastas, pizzas and grills.

If you are up for more, the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concierge can also organise a hot-air balloon flight to catch a spectacular sunrise over the Atlas Mountains, followed by a picnic breakfast and a guided tour of a Berber village nestled in the mountains. Or, how about a visit to Essaouira, a charming seaside city with a medieval-meetsbohemian vibe that is one of the settings for Game of Thrones?

Opening the doors to such a diverse range of sights, sounds, history and activities to enjoy and with inimitable hospitality, Morocco enchants at every turn, leaving you yearning to return even before your stay is up.

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H A PPILY EV E R AF TER From unspoiled beaches in Seychelles to princely retreats in Portugal and Botswana, these honeymoon destinations are Ät for royalty, writes Melissa Twigg

s anyone who has watched The Crown will know, the British royal family may not be the ideal guide to wedded bliss, but they sure know how to pick a holiday spot.

And the queen’s children and grandchildren have gone one step further, choosing some of the most idyllic places on earth to escape to after their weddings. These honeymoon destinations range from picture-perfect Greek beaches and tropical Indian Ocean islands to Portuguese retreats and African camping sites. So if you’re unsure where to go for the most romantic trip of your life, simply ask yourself, “What would the royals do?” and prepare to be inspired.

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THE ROYAL COUPLE:

IMAGES: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI/AFP PHOTO; DANA ALLEN

PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE Where did they go? Well, at the time of

print, we don’t know where the newlyweds are heading for their honeymoon, but insiders say the duo are returning to Botswana to recreate the magic of their third date, which was spent camping in the African bush.

What should you do? Harry and Meghan

went to the Okavango Delta, where water flooding in from Angola feeds a spectacular convergence of wildlife and epic scenery. It’s easy to see why romance blossomed amid the rainbow-strewn pools and forests of fever s ingapor e tatler weddings . 2018

trees—after all, which girl doesn’t want to hold a prince’s hand when she’s surrounded by prides of lion and packs of hyena?

Luckily for the happy couple, Botswana is also home to some of the most glamorous bush lodges on earth, so romance wasn’t ruined by sleeping bags. Few camps can match Qorokwe, a new tented lodge on the edge of the delta, where safari chic meets Parisian cool in vast copper, black and cream bedrooms. Think four-poster beds that look across the animal-strewn plains, and generous balconies that are made for lounging.

The deep bathtubs are easily big enough for two and overlook a muddy river where elephants come to cool down, so you can wallow in tandem with the most majestic creatures on earth. Or decamp to the infinity pool, which is surrounded by wiry acacia trees and curious baboons. Drinks are taken deep in the bush and dinner is eaten under the mass of stars—a combination so romantic that we believe all third dates should take place in Botswana.

AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Botswana’s Qorokwe Camp boasts elegant tented suites and some of the continent’s best wildlife viewing

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BUCOLIC SPLENDOUR

The epitome of understated luxury, the charming São Lourenço do Barrocal is a picture-perfect getaway in the heart of Portugal’s Alentejo region

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THE ROYAL COUPLE:

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK

IMAGES: AFP PHOTO; NELSON GARRIDO

Where did they go? It was Mummy to the

rescue. The Queen lent Prince Andrew and his bride, Fergie, the Royal Yacht Britannia to explore the Azores, a beautiful group of Portuguese islands in the mid-Atlantic, followed by a week deep in the wine country of mainland Portugal.

What should you do? Portugal is a must-

do destination. For decades it was cast as Spain’s poorer, dustier sibling, but the Iberian country has recently come into its own as one of Europe’s glossiest summer destinations. With annual music festivals, world-class restaurants and sleek new hotels drawing the international jet set to Lisbon, Portugal now smoothly combines singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

centuries-old tradition with stellar modern design—a movement Fergie and Andrew were sadly two decades too early to enjoy.

Few Portuguese establishments are more fit for a prince than São Lourenço do Barrocal, a former farm that has been converted into a star-worthy luxury hotel a mere two hours’ drive from the capital.

Redesigned by the rather handsome José Antonio Uva, the property has been in his family for centuries and is now a marvel of comfort and good taste.

Think ancient manuscripts in the dovegrey bedrooms, vintage furniture in the dining room, and commissioned rugs in soft blues and greens throughout the hotel. The spa boasts dry saunas and a hydrotherapy room with deep cedarwood bathtubs, while the cool, dark-blue swimming pool is set in the heart of a wildflower-filled meadow.

RURAL PLEASURES

Immerse yourself in the beauty of farm living, from cycling around the property to enjoying organic produce and wines from the vineyard

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THE ROYAL COUPLE:

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE Where did they go? Only the same spot

chosen by Hollywood royalty George and Amal Clooney for their honeymoon—North Island in the Seychelles, often regarded as the most exclusive, celebrity-filled hotel on earth.

ALONE TIME

IMAGES: NORTH ISLAND

With only 12 spacious villas dotting the island, the resort draws the most discerning guests on earth

What should you do? Er, copy them. North Island is one of the most extraordinary, and most private, destinations on earth—a 2kmlong island only accessible by helicopter, with 12 palatial villas that lead down to the sea.

Kate and William stayed in Villa 11, which is 6,243sqft of linen, marble, private pools and endless rose petals—and exclusively reserved for honeymooning couples.

To give you an idea of just how high-end this hotel is, there are twice as many staff as guests but not a single menu. That’s because you have your own private chef, who will whip up anything your taste buds are in the mood for, and the fruits of your imagination can be eaten on the island piazza, in the villa or on a private stretch of beach.

And if love means occasionally needing some time alone to read or update Instagram, then luckily scuba-diving, kayaking, mountain bikes, guided walks and half-day fishing trips are all included in the room rate. No wonder Kate and Wills stayed for two whole weeks back in 2011.

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INTO THE BLUE

With the whitest beaches and greenest vegetation in the Seychelles, North Island offers the best in barefoot luxury

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CLASSICALLY INSPIRED

IMAGES: ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI/AFP PHOTO; AFP PHOTO; SHUTTERSTOCK; DOLPHIN CAPITAL

Like a modernday Acropolis, the Amanzoe resort in Greece offers more than a touch of old world majesty

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THE ROYAL COUPLE:

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES Where did they go? Charles and Diana may

not be the ones to emulate when it comes to matrimonial harmony, but they certainly got their honeymoon right. Lent the Royal Yacht Britannia, they set sail for Greece in the summer of 1981.

What should you do? The closest most

of us will ever get to royal treatment in Greece is decamping to Aman’s only hotel on Hellenic soil, Amanzoe. Set high above the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees, this arresting establishment has a distinctly palatial air, thanks to grand Grecian columns that line the entrance and the expansive beach club.

Designed by renowned American architect Ed Tuttle, it mimics the wonders of the Acropolis (and why not, given that it’s just two hours’ drive away)—but with some useful 21st-century additions. Think an outdoor amphitheatre where you can order a potent martini to accompany the sunset, a stylish spa that offers treatments based on ancient Greek medicine, and an Olympic-size infinity pool overlooking the vineyards.

Boats are on offer to the gorgeous island of Spetses. But if you’re feeling a bit shy like the young Princess Di, there’s actually no need to leave your room. Each of the 38 pavilions has its own herb-filled garden, sunny terrace and private pool, as well as two vast marble bathrooms and what must be the most comfortable beds in Greece. While Diana pointedly described her honeymoon as a good time to catch up on sleep, be warned— your pavilion might also lull you into a week-long slumber. s ingapor e tatler weddings . 2018

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THE WHITE BOOK

BEAUTY Chanel B2-43 Ion Orchard Tel: 6634 5500 Clé de Peau Beauté 01-09 Mandarin Gallery Tel: 6262 3615 Guerlain Takashimaya Ngee Ann City Tel: 6735 1979 Hourglass Cosmetics Sephora, Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8255 Kevyn Aucoin Kevynaucoin.com Sisley Takashimaya Ngee Ann City Tel: 6734 8909 SK-II Takashimaya Ngee Ann City Tel: 6734 3234 Urban Decay Sephora, Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8255

Christian Louboutin 8B Scotts Square Tel: 6732 2813

Miu Miu 01-09 Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8987

Harry Winston 02-19 Ion Orchard Tel: 6883 9509

Costarellos costarellos.com

Molly Goddard Dover Street Market 18 Dempsey Road Tel: 6304 1388

Louis Vuitton B1-38 and B2-36 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6788 3888

Moynat 01-10 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6341 9139

Mikimoto 02-04 Ion Orchard Tel: 6634 0181

Roger Vivier 02-12F Ngee Ann City Tel: 6737 8444

Piaget 02-12A Ngee Ann City Tel: 6509 8987

Sophia Webster Pedder on Scotts Tel: 6244 2883

Rolex 01-01 Tong Building Tel: 6737 9033

Vera Wang verawang.com

Tiffany & Co 01 & 02-05/06 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6735 8823

Danielle Frankel daniellefrankelstudio.com Dior 01-22 and 02-12/13 Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8828 Elie Saab Eliesaab.com Gucci 01-38 Paragon Tel: 6734 2528 Inbal Dror inbaldror.com Jennifer Behr net-a-porter.com Jenny Packham The Proposal, 01-67/68 Capitol Piazza Tel: 6835 7077

WOMENSWEAR Alaïa Pedder on Scotts Tel: 6244 2883

Jimmy Choo 01-42A/43/44 Paragon Tel: 6235 3233

Amanda Lee Weddings 46 Niven Road Tel: 6333 6678

Lela Rose lelarose.com

Ashi Studio ashistudio.com

Manolo Blahnik 01-25/26/27 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6238 2311

Bottega Veneta 01-04A Ion Orchard Tel: 6238 0020

Marc Jacobs 01-03A Paragon Tel: 6836 8315

Chanel B1-134 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6645 1950

Michael Kors collection B1-21/22 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6723 7252

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JEWELLERY & WATCHES

Van Cleef & Arpels 02-07/08 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6235 1455

Boucheron 01-56 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6737 1313

MENSWEAR

Bvlgari 01-111/113 Ngee Ann City Tower A Tel: 6735 6689 Cartier 01-20/02-10 Ion Orchard Tel: 6732 0181

Ermenegildo Zegna 02-07A Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8770 Giorgio Armani B1-29 and B2-27 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: 6304 1330

VENUES

Chaumet 02-05 Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8987

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge Okavango Delta, Okavango, Botswana Tel: 27 21 483 1600

Chopard 01-03 Ngee Ann City Tel: 6733 8111

Ritz Paris 15 Place Vendôme, Paris, France Tel: 33 1 43 16 30 30

Graff 02-17 Ion Orchard Tel: 6509 8082

Six Senses Duxton Singapore 83 Duxton Road Tel: 6914 1428

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Danielle Frankel

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A WALK TO R E M E MBER ven the simple things in life become better when you’re blissfully married—from waking up next to each other to quiet evenings with home-cooked meals over equally sumptuous conversation. And though we all love fancy dates, sometimes there’s nothing more romantic than a stroll hand-in-hand.

If you’re looking to up an ordinary walk to that of an active holiday, consider a trip with Walk Japan. The company offers myriad

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walking tours around the country with original itineraries (some of which have taken years to plan and curate) focusing on lesserknown routes and incorporating locally-run inns and ryokans.

Depending on your schedule and appetite for adventure, you could go on a leisurely twoday tour of Kyoto (especially picturesque during spring or autumn), a week-long onsen exploration on the Oita Hot Spring Trail in Kyushu or an 11-day trek along the Nakasendo Way, an ancient highway though central Japan.

The guided tours of Walk Japan are always small in size and stress-free (they ferry your luggage from one local inn to another). There may be no butler at hand but that is precisely its charm. Through the walks, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the real Japan and add a sprinkling of adventure to the lifelong journey of marriage. singapor e tatler weddings . 2018

TEXT: KISSA CASTAÑEDA; IMAGES: 123RF AND WALK JAPAN

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