SINGAPORE NOVEMBER 2017 | S$8.00
17
PRESTIGE TH ANNIVERSARY BALL
MCI (P) 023/05/2017 ISSN NO.1793-7566 KDN NO. PPS 1657/11/2012 (022881)
SOCIETY’S MOST STYLISH
LAM TZE TZE FAMILY VALUES
CREATIVE VISION
INCH CHUA | LARS JAN | MASHA MA | MANOLO VALDÉS | HUISHAN ZHANG
The right kind of fancy ART DIRECTION: CLEMENTINUS LIEM; PHOTOGRAPHY: CHING; HOCK GLASSES, ALL FROM SAINT-LOUIS AT MILLION LIGHTING; TABLEWARE, ALL FROM HERMÈS
Known for its distinctive brand of opulence, Bulgari’s prominence among the rich and fabulous is undisputed. From scintillating diamonds (all 15cts of them on this necklace) to the most vivid coloured gemstones (a 1.08-ct emerald on this platinum ring), every high jewellery creation is a proud declaration of the Italian luxury purveyor’s verve and artistry.
SINGAPORE
UNDERCOVER
It may be a grey Monday morning, but Lam Tze Tze sweeps into the studio like the proverbial ray of sunshine. We asked her to bring in her own clothes and shoes for the shoot; she wheels in a spinner that looks packed for a three-day business trip, complete with matching ensembles and six pairs of heels. Never mind the countless outfit changes, with stylist, art director, make-up artist, hairstylist, cameraman and photographer buzzing around her, Lam remains an oasis of meditative calm in front of the camera, holding her pose with feet almost in the third position, a relic from her ballet training, which she embarked on at the age of six. She brooks no opposition in having the crew end the 10-hour shoot with a bite of dolce, and orders in chocolate-coated ice cream bars. Her favourite flavour? “Vanilla lor, it’s hard to go wrong with it,” she replies. But this time she’s switching things up with matcha. “I haven’t had it in a while.” Visit prestigeonline.com for our video interview with Lam Tze Tze
16 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
PHOTO: CLEMENTINUS LIEM
SWEET CHILD O’ MINE
DIGITAL
What’s new on PrestigeOnline.com Prestige Singapore
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Hashtag us at #PrestigeSG
TIFFANY & CO. HOME AND ACCESSORIES COLLECTION Say hello to these whimsical everyday objects recreated in sterling silver, which come on the heels of Chief Artistic Officer Reed Krakoff’s debut as part of the Tiffany & Co. family. We round up our most coveted online.
10 CONCEPT CARS THAT NEED TO BECOME REALITY From the BMW i Vision Dynamics with its all-electric drive system and 600km range, to the Jaguar Future-Type and its artificial intelligence steering wheel, we present the most exciting concept cars of the year. Head online for the rundown.
BEST LUXURY SKI RESORTS IN THE WESTERN US Get a head start in planning your year-end vacation with our recommended top spots for hitting the slopes (and unwinding) in style. Read all about it on our website.
18 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM.
THE VALLÉE DE JOUX. FOR MILLENNIA A HARSH, UNYIELDING ENVIRONMENT; AND SINCE 1875 THE HOME OF AUDEMARS PIGUET, IN THE VILLAGE OF LE BRASSUS. THE EARLY WATCHMAKERS WERE SHAPED HERE, IN AWE OF THE FORCE OF NATURE YET DRIVEN TO MASTER ITS MYSTERIES THROUGH THE COMPLEX MECHANICS OF THEIR CRAFT. STILL TODAY THIS PIONEERING SPIRIT INSPIRES US TO CONSTANTLY CHALLENGE THE CONVENTIONS OF
+65 6933 9020 | AUDEMARSPIGUET.COM
FINE WATCHMAKING.
ROYAL OAK DIAMOND SET IN YELLOW GOLD
AUDEMARS PIGUET BOUTIQUES: ORCHARD ROAD LIAT TOWERS | THE SHOPPES AT MARINA BAY SANDS
CONTENTS 32 EDITOR’S LETTER 34 CONTRIBUTORS 36 NOTEBOOK 38 HASHTAG 40 DIARY 42 SUBSCRIPTION 240 BACKSTORY
58
ART
Looking at this month’s big picture
62
LIFESTYLE
Succour of decor
AGENDA
64
44
FOOD
STYLE
Epicurean finds to relish
The latest news from our luxury files
65
TRAVEL
48
Intel for the luxe adventurer
WATCHES
Fresh faces and updated classics
52
JEWELLERY
Novel designs that make the cut
20 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
54
BEAUTY
Lotions and potions for the perfect expression
TALK
59
AUCTIONS
Hottest bids around the world
60
CARS
Dangerous curves ahead
61
YACHTS
High life on the high seas
66
COLUMNISTS
The Prestige oracles
©Photograph: patriceschreyer.com
CO LLE CT ION
THE SHO PPES AT MARIN A BAY SANDS · 2 BAYFRO NT AVENUE #B2M-237 · SIN G A PO RE 018972 · TEL . 6634 8771
CONTENTS COVER
142
“YOU CAN HAVE THE GRANDEST PLAN IN THE WORLD, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS ABOUT HOW IT IS DELIVERED AND EXECUTED” LAM TZE TZE
160
SPREAD
VIP
Catch me if you can
69
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL
124
EVENTS
This month’s top parties
22 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
JEWELLERY
172
CHAUMET
PROFILE
RSVP
137
EVENTS
On the town
140
INCH CHUA
Working class artist
Love me, love me knot
FASHION
152
MASHA MA
Beyond the fringe
156
HUISHAN ZHANG Made in China
174
BVLGARI
Primo, indulgence
CONTENTS 236
TRAVEL
Jordan
WATCHES
180
HARRY WINSTON
TOYS
Defining moments
222 CARS
184
Lexus
Days of future past
224
188
Aston Martin
URWERK
OMEGA
The kids are all right
190
SPREAD
A touch of pizzazz
24 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
CARS
BEAUTY
CULTURE
INDULGENCE
208
214
214
216
The mask-haves
Lars Jan
Manolo Valdés
Istanbul Biennial
FACE
ART
ART
ART
226
DINING
Sydney Rock Oysters
Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37. Ref. 4590: As early as the 1950s and 60s, the stars of the silver screen fell in love with a small town on the Italian Riviera that was soon to become world-famous: Portofino. The picturesque
elegance are reflected in ever y detail: in the polished sur face of the case, for instance, which not only contributes to the watch’s luxurious appearance but is also an expression of our craftsmanship. The overall precision is reflected once again in
fishing village’s incomparable charm and the stories that grew up around it have ensured that it retains the magic and cachet that attract stars and celebrities to the Italian dolce vita – the good life – to this day. Every Portofino watch recaptures the
the wonderful moon phase display and in the pure white diamonds that grace the silver-plated dial. With its consummate beauty, this Portofino encapsulates the timeless, unhurried charm of southern Europe. It could almost have been made
glamour of both past and present. For the first time ever, this feeling for life is radiated by the slightly smaller IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37, whose grace and
infinite fondness.
especially for life’s most precious moments, for those times we look back on with
I WC S C H A F F H AU S E N B O U T I Q U E S . I O N O R C H A R D, 2 O R C H A R D T U R N , #02- 0 6 T E L : (65) 6509 9 640 T H E S H O P P E S AT M A R I N A B AY SA N D S , 2 B AY F R O N T AV E N U E , # B1 -126 T E L : (65) 668 8 708 8 . PA R I S | LO N D O N | R O M E | M O S COW | N E W YO R K | B E I J I N G | D U B A I | H O N G KO N G | G E N E VA | ZU R I C H I WC .CO M FO R M O R E I N FO R M AT I O N (65) 6510 2878 infosea@iwc .com FOLLOW US ON
@iwcwatches_sea
IWC PORTOFINO. TIME TO REMEMBER.
SINGAPORE
Melvin Ang GROUP PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, ASIA
Lauren Tan MANAGING EDITOR
Catherine Wong SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Johnny Khoo GROUP FASHION DIRECTOR
= Candice Chan
Lionnel Lim
Audrey Chan
REGIONAL EDITOR, WATCHES & JEWELLERY
SENIOR SOCIETY EDITOR
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Jacquie Ang
Clementinus Liem
Alethia Tiang
FASHION EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Zara Zhuang
Suhana Ab
Felix Woei
CONTRIBUTING SOCIETY EDITOR
FASHION ASSISTANT
SENIOR WRITER
Mary Lim Melainne Chiew
CONTRIBUTING SUB-EDITOR
WRITER
= Simon Sim
Matthew Teo
William Tan
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
VIDEOGRAPHER
HEAD OF DIGITAL AD REVENUE AND OPERATIONS, REGIONAL
= CONTRIBUTORS
Aaron Lee, Andre Frois, Charmian Leong, Ching, Gerrie Lim, Joel Low, Karen Tee, Mark Graham, Payal Uttam, Pearlyn Tham, Rathina Sankari
= PRESTIGE ASIA
Christina Ko
Chris Hanrahan
Rubin Khoo
Monica Yang
Francois Oosthuizen
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR,
MANAGING EDITOR,
MANAGING EDITOR,
MANAGING EDITOR,
MANAGING EDITOR,
HONG KONG
INDONESIA
MALAYSIA
TAIWAN
THAILAND
=
PRESTIGE is published by Burda International Singapore Pte Ltd (201114280C). All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of Burda International Singapore. Opinions expressed in PRESTIGE are those of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by Burda International Singapore. Burda International Singapore accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Address all editorial and business correspondence to: PRESTIGE Singapore, 1008 Toa Payoh North #07-11, Singapore 318996. Tel: 6256 6201 Fax: 6251 0348 PRESTIGE Singapore is printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd (Co Reg No 197801823M). PRESTIGE Singapore is published monthly. Single copy price is S$8. For subscription information, please email: jieying.chong@burda.com.sg or call 6359 3858.
28 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
SINGAPORE
Ann Lee ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
= Dylan Heng
Laura Lim
SENIOR ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Marion Ong
Thomas Ong
Jaime Teo
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING MANAGER
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Ane Bakri Doris Lee MARKETING MANAGERS
Angeline Ng
Chris Lim
Audrey Chan
Chong Jie Ying
SENIOR ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER
ADVERTISING TRAFFIC EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER
MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Ling Sue Ann Erina Nuraini MARKETING COORDINATORS
= Chua Siew Gek FINANCE DIRECTOR (CA SINGAPORE) ASSISTANT FINANCIAL CONTROLLER, ASIA
= PRESTIGE ASIA
Petula Kincaid
Ronald Liem
Victor Omar Low
Daisy Hu
Waraporn Siriboonma
PUBLISHER & MANAGING
PUBLISHER, INDONESIA
PUBLISHER & MANAGING
PUBLISHER & MANAGING
PUBLISHER & MANAGING
DIRECTOR, MALAYSIA
DIRECTOR, TAIWAN
DIRECTOR, THAILAND
DIRECTOR, HONG KONG
= INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES
BURDA COMMUNITY NETWORK
GERMANY Julia Mund Tel: (49 89) 9250 3197 Email: julia.mund @burda.com Michael Neuwirth Tel: (49 89) 9250 3629 Email: michael.neuwirth@burda.com
SWITZERLAND Goran Vukota Tel: (41 44) 810 2146 Email: goran.vukota@burda.com
AUSTRIA Christina Bresler Tel: (43 1) 230 603 050 Email: christina.bresler@burda.com
FRANCE / LUXEMBOURG Marion Badolle-Feick Tel: (33 1) 7271 2524 Email: marion.badolle-feick@burda.com
UK / IRELAND Jeannine Soeldner Tel: (44 20) 3440 5832 Email: jeannine.soeldner@burda.com
USA / CANADA / MEXICO Salvatore Zammuto Tel: (1 212) 884 4824 Email: salvatore.zammuto@burda.com
=
Eckart Bollmann MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sven Friedrichs
Melvin Ang
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ASIA
GROUP PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR, ASIA
Chatchai Payakarintarangura CHIEF FINANCIAL CONTROLLER, ASIA
30 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
EDITOR’S LETTER
Oh Snap! issue is a different beast from all others. If you hadn’t figured it out from our coverlines, you soon find out why leafing through the magazine: 50 pages are devoted to our 17th Anniversary Ball. We’ve packed in more than 300 pictures, preciously whittled down from thousands. It’s true, the team can get obsessive when it comes to scrapbooking. “Scrapbooking”, because it’s our way of journalling and preserving memories. Yes, we’re in the digital age. Yes, we’ve seen countless upon countless of #PrestigeBall2017 photos, instantaneously at the ball and post-ball, but a tap, swipe, or scroll has nothing on having, holding, feeling and looking at something in your hand. There’s a sense of permanence; it’s comforting and gladdening. That’s the power of print. We know you will enjoy reliving the memories, and thank you for accompanying us on our black-tie adventures.
OUR ANNUAL NOVEMBER
Lauren Tan | MANAGING EDITOR
SINGAPORE NOVEMBER 2017 | S$8.00
17
PRESTIGE TH ANNIVERSARY BALL
MCI (P) 023/05/2017 ISSN NO.1793-7566 KDN NO. PPS 1657/11/2012 (022881)
SOCIETY’S MOST STYLISH
DIVAS’ DREAM NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD WITH CHRYSOPRASE, LAPIS AND DIAMONDS, DIVAS’ DREAM BRACELET IN WHITE GOLD WITH CHRYSOPRASE, LAPIS AND DIAMONDS, DIVAS’ DREAM BAND RING IN WHITE GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, ALL FROM BVLGARI
LAM TZE TZE FAMILY VALUES
CREATIVE VISION
INCH CHUA | LARS JAN | MASHA MA | MANOLO VALDÉS | HUISHAN ZHANG
32 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
FASHION DIRECTION JOHNNY KHOO | ART DIRECTION AUDREY CHAN PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL LOW | FASHION STYLING JACQUIE ANG HAIR SEAN ANG @ FAC3INC USING KEVIN MURPHY | MAKE-UP ELAIN LIM USING CHANEL | PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE ALFIE PAN
SCARF, FROM ISSEY MIYAKE; PANTS, FROM MACGRAW; BELT, FROM BOTTEGA VENETA
CONTRIBUTORS
Singapore-based photographer JOEL LOW has had his hand, or rather, eye on photography for years. Starting his career with editorial photo shoots, he has since widened his horizons to dabble in other genres including fashion, beauty, celebrities and commercial work. When not photographing models and celebrities, Low enjoys tinkering with bikes.
34 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
CHARMIAN LEONG has
spent the better part of a decade penning thoughts on the high life from a non-ironically tatty desk chair. Now plying the freelance circuit, between being dazzled by horological resplendence and shiny shimmering things, she manages to find time to cover stories on both watches and jewellery.
ANDRE FROIS enjoys writing for both luxury publications and investigative online journals. When not chasing a story, this biomechanical engineering graduate is either applying his storytelling experience to professional wrestling, or customising musical instruments for friends. He believes a good story will never be forgotten.
In another avatar,
GERRIE LIM has been
RATHINA SANKARI was
writing for Prestige since 2006 and his visits to the vineyards of Napa Valley, Stellenbosch and Tuscany have been showcased in the magazine. Previously based in Los Angeles, where he was a music critic at LA Weekly and Billboard, he has also written about arts and culture for Details and The Wall Street Journal. A native of Singapore, he has published seven books, including Singapore Rebel: Searching for Annabel Chong.
a software engineer working from the confines of her cubicle for 13 years in India. Today, Sankari juggles her time between travel, photography, food, family and writing (not in the exact order). Her bylines have appeared in publications including National Geographic Traveller India, Forbes India, Travel + Leisure India & South Asia and BBC Travel.
NOTEBOOK
Events, happenings, promotions
jewellery
culture
travel
CHOPARD
SWISSÔTEL THE STAMFORD
The Swiss luxury brand extends its love for ethical Fairminedcertified gold from jewellery and watches to award trophies — in particular this one for the inaugural Green Carpet Fashion Awards in September. Designed by Chopard Co-President and Creative Director Caroline Scheufele, it was crafted in its high jewellery workshops and presented during the Milan Fashion Week by Eco-Age and the Camera Nazionale della Moda.
Following the first phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation, the hotel unveils its new Premier and Premier Harbour View rooms, furnished in rustic teak, handcrafted stone wall accents, dynamic lighting, in-room management system and more niceties. The overhaul of all 1,261 guestrooms and suites will be completed in late 2018.
TREASURES OF THE NATURAL WORLD ArtScience Museum brings together more than 200 exhibits — animals and insects, gems and minerals, artworks, and books and artefacts that belonged to great minds such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace — from London’s Natural History Museum to Southeast Asia for the first time. From November 25.
Ahead of the year-end holiday season, shoppers looking to purchase diamonds with the most sparkle could use a refresher on what to look out for — carat weight, colour, clarity, and cut — a system created by the Gemological Institute of America, which is committed to providing unbiased diamond grading reports. 4Cs.GIA.edu
36 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
PIANOBOTANICA Celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Brazil with the latter’s signature brand of energetic rhythms. Get over to the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage at Singapore Botanic Gardens and dance along as homegrown pianist Jeremy Monteiro entertains, with guest performances by singers Juliana da Silva and Melissa Tham. On November 4.
After Milan, Bali and London, Beijing becomes the fourth city to host a luxury Bulgari property. Opening in Beijing’s Embassy District, the hotel is designed by Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and comprises 119 rooms, kitted out in Italian furniture brands such as Maxalto and B&B Italia.
PHOTO (TREASURES OF THE NATURAL WORLD): NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON
THE BULGARI HOTEL BEIJING GIA
#HASHTAG
KARISA SUKAMTO (@karisakaleido)
In our glamorous take on Instagram, Prestige Singapore and friends travel around the world in photographs
MARIA SEE (@maria.dharmadji)
BRYAN KOH (@officialbryankoh)
PRESTIGE SINGAPORE (@prestigesg)
Happiness is trusting you are exactly where you need to be. #WhatHappinessMeans
The view on the roof garden of the @MetMuseum in #NewYork. #SurroundedByArt
Descent. #whoa #ViewFromTheTop #ItsALongWayDown #OneStepAtATime
This MPAS award is thanks to you, our readers. @mpas.org.sg #2017MPASAwards #grateful
Would love some lakeside serenity right about now. #ReminiscingItaly #BackInBellagio
Indulging in a wonderfully delectable family #lunch at #AkiraBack. #BeautifulFamily
It’s a #ButterCake but not just a butter cake. #ChalkfarmSg #yummy #SweetsAndTreats
Happy Birthday, Jim Rogers! @iampaigeparker threw a surprise birthday bash for her husband.
There isn’t a more perfect place to celebrate the love and union of #ThePrincessAndTheGP.
Enjoying the beautiful weather at Barca an der Alster. #SingingTheBlues
Goodbye, for now. I’ll be in you again before you know it. #Gansu #TheRoadToChina
The all-new #RollsRoycePhantom VIII makes its Southeast Asian debut. @rollsroycecars
38 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
We assemble every single watch twice. Because perfection takes time.
For us, perfection is a matter of principle. This is why, on principle,
parts are cleaned and decorated by hand with f inishing and polishing
we craft all timepieces with the same care and assemble each watch
te c h n i q u e s , f o l l owe d b y t h e f i n a l a s s e m b l y p ro c e d u re . T h i s a s s u re s
twice. Thus, after the /ǗǤǝǛ 1 7ǟǣǛ =ǥǤǛ has been assembled for the
long-term functional integrity and the immaculacy of all artisanal
f irst time and precisely adjusted, it is taken apart again. The movement
f inishes. Even if this takes a little more time. w w w.alange-soehne.com
Sincere Fine Watches: Takashimaya S.C. Tel: (65) 6733 0618 · The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: (65) 6634 9782 · Suntec City Mall Tel: (65) 6337 5150 Sincere Haute Horlogerie: The Shopping Gallery at Hilton Tel: (65) 6738 9971
SINGAPORE
ASIA-PACIFIC
November 3–12
November 3–24
SINGAPORE WRITERS FESTIVAL
TAIPEI GOLDEN HORSE FILM FESTIVAL
International writers taking part in the 20th edition of the festival include Junot Diaz, Suki Kim and Marjorie Liu, while SingLit is represented by homegrown talents such as O Thiam Chin, Kevin Martens Wong and Deborah Emmanuel. Singaporean poet Anne Lee Tzu Pheng is the focus of a series of Literary Pioneer events curated by The Arts House.
The biggest party on Taiwan’s entertainment calendar culminates in the Golden Horse Award ceremony on November 25 — can Takeshi Kaneshiro make good his first Best Actor nomination? Last year’s edition, which was attended by French actress Juliette Binoche and Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, received 534 submissions.
November 7
November 7–26
EUROPE & AMERICAS
EMIRATES MELBOURNE CUP
November 1–5
One of Australia’s most celebrated sporting events, the Emirates Melbourne Cup is nicknamed “the race that stops the nation,” with more than 95,000 spectators expected at the Flemington Racecourse. A purse of $6.2 million and an 18k gold trophy are on the table, with thoroughbred Almandin a hot favourite for top honours. Food, fashion and music entertain on the side.
More than 1,000 boats — from superyachts to catamarans and cabin cruisers — take part at this show, which marks the start of the city’s boat show season for Fall. Exhibits ranging from yacht builders to exotic cars are sprawled across seven locations, covering a staggering total of 3,000,000 sq ft.
November 23–26
FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
UBS HONG KONG OPEN
Until November 5
Last staged in Singapore in 2014, when it enchanted close to 70,000, The Sound of Music returns with its signature tunes, as 18 local young actors feature as the six younger von Trapp children. This production comes from the London Palladium, where it staged a record 954 performances.
Masters and 13-time European Tour champ Sergio Garcia will attempt to wrestle the title from last year’s winner, Sam Brazel from Australia (below), and bag the US$2 millionprize. The tournament, which is played over 72 holes at the The Hong Kong Golf Club, drew some 46,000 spectators last year.
The fair returns to London with more than 30,000 items, including artworks, antiques, jewellery and other collectables, from 100 of the world’s leading art and antiques dealers. Other highlights include tours and talks by experts and industry leaders.
November 23–December 3
WINTER ART & ANTIQUES FAIR OLYMPIA
November 8
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
GRAND PRIX D’HORLOGERIE DE GENÈVE
Singapore’s longest-running film extravaganza is led by the 15th-anniversary screening of local favourites I Not Stupid by Jack Neo and Talking Cock by Colin Goh, and masterclasses and dialogues with filmmakers, such as Hong Kong’s Clara Law.
After embarking on a travelling exhibition through Milan, Mexico, and Taipei, 72 preselected outstanding timepieces compete in Geneva for 15 prizes that honour the best horological creations of the year, before the roadshow concludes in Dubai.
40 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
PHOTOS: (THE SOUND OF MUSIC) MARINA BAY SANDS; (SAM BRAZEL) WARREN LITTLE/GETTY IMAGES; (FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW) FOREST JOHNSON
DIARY
What in the world is happening this month
OBJECTS COME ALIVE
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PRESTIGE TH ANNIVERSARY BALL SOCIETY’S MOST STYLISH
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LAM TZE TZE FAMILY VALUES
CREATIVE VISION
H CHUA | LARS JAN | MASHA MA | MANOLO VALDÉS | HUISHAN ZHANG
Especially for this issue… Suited to both gents and ladies, Vétiver by French perfumery Annick Goutal is a fresh, citrusy creation by Isabelle Doyen. Part of the brand’s Les Colognes collection, it is crafted with notes of Sicilian lemon, Java and Haitian vetiver, cardamom, sage, rosemary and Florentine iris. This is a zesty fragrance with invigorating woody and spicy facets that evoke the sea spray of the Île de Ré. Subscribe and receive this fragrance by Annick Goutal* valued at $325. *while stocks last
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42 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
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What’s new in fashion, food, auctions, art, yachts, beauty, gems and cars
'
AGENDA PRESTIGE LIVING
MOMENT IN TIME
HUNGER PANGS
Delve into the home universe of Hermès, peek into inspiring homes, and meet talents from Israel and California who are rising through the design ranks.
Ladies, it’s time to adorn your wrist with these classy timepieces on page 48. Fret not, gents. There’s also plenty of future-forward mechanical wonders for you too.
With all the mouthwatering goodness that greets us this month, gourmands, pencil these eateries into your calendar, stat. The feast begins on page 64.
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE 43
AGENDA
44
STYLE THE LATEST NEWS FROM OUR LUXURY FILES
WHITE-OUT
PRETTY IN PINK Neo-retro coloured lenses are the new celebrity fave
DOLCE & GABBANA A sprinkle of hand-decorated Swarovski crystals adds razzledazzle to sixties Mod round shades in rose gold.
MARC JACOBS Rollergirl’s iconic sunglasses get a quirky update with the hearts turned on their sides and twisted metal frames.
Jasmine Trinca in PRADA at the 74th Annual Venice Film Festival
Fan Bing Bing in GIVENCHY at Spring/Summer 2018 show
Penelope Cruz in ATELIER VERSACE at the 74th Annual Venice Film Festival
AGENDA
46
THE LOOK WOMEN A GUIDE FOR THE QUINTESSENTIAL STYLE MAVEN
STEP UP The espadrille grows up for CASTAÑER’s 90th birthday, thanks to a makeover by MANOLO BLAHNIK. Characterised by ankle-ties and jute soles, the surprise collaboration spawned a capsule collection of two distinctive lines for day and night. “Castañer loves Manolo, and the outcome of this exceptional partnership could not better express our Mediterranean personality, our creative and stylistic richness, and our aspiration to create timeless classics which embody contemporary authenticity and luxury,” says the Spanish family.
HOMECOMING QUEEN Artistic director Sophie Delafontaine pulls a major #throwback for LONGCHAMP’s new Madeleine line. Named after the Place de la Madeleine district, the bags were inspired by the 8th arrondissement, where the fi rst store opened on the Rue Saint Honoré nearly 30 years ago. Topped with the gleaming Roseau clasp on a wide flap, its roomy interior with pockets aplenty means you can stash more.
CLOSE AND PERSONAL AS YOU WISH JIMMY CHOO’s Made-to-Order collection takes customisation to the next level. Velvet is now available, in seven hues, no less. Look out, too, for new styles such as Romy pumps, Emily sandals, Chandra clutch and Celeste minaudière.
Locks infuse modern bags with the allure of antiquity. Sporting a new twist lock closure is the VALENTINO Joylock, which comes in a messenger or a top-handle design. Prettify yours with handmade leather flowers or feathers in a chevron pattern, among other options.
THE LOOK MEN SUIT UP IN STYLES THAT WILL GO THE MILE
CAN YOU TOP THIS?
LINKED IN AUDEMARS PIGUET
revitalises its accessories collection with six new pairs of Royal Oak cufflinks, all featuring the watchmaker’s hallmark octagonal shape and hexagonal screws. They are offered in stainless steel, pink gold or yellow gold, with the “Tapisserie” centrepiece in silver, blue or black.
Fashioned from rabbit fur felt using traditional techniques, HERMÈS’ new-season hats hide a surprise. The bows, which can be removed, are really miniature pocket squares of silk twill bearing the Get Lucky or Mors Ajouré print (to match the hat’s lining).
SCRIPTED injects rebel-chic into formal dressing. Its Scars shoes bear the tattoolike Scritto motif on both the oxford, and newcomer to the range, the loafer. BERLUTI
SUN SCREEN Kris Van Assche’s inclination for new wave is succinctly encapsulated in these Hardior sunglasses from DIOR HOMME Autumn/Winter 2017 collection. A fine metal frame with cut-out temples gives the angular mask-like silhouette an avant-garde polish. Pick from three different hues for the mirror-effect lens: Silver, orange or green.
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CLASSY LADIES DANCING QUEEN Gold tiles — nearly 700 in 18k pink or white gold — adorn the dials of BVLGARI’s new Lvcea duo to create a fascinating interplay of light. Each mosaic of 0.84mm is meticulously placed for a kaleidoscopic effect, with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds set in the bezel and lugs adding a glistening finish. This 33mm watch is driven by a mechanical self-winding movement and offers water-resistance to 50m.
FIVE STARS
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE Introduced at the 74th Venice International Film Festival, JAEGER-LECOULTRE Rendez-Vous Sonatina depicts different phases of a romance with three limited-edition models. The collection celebrates its artisans’ mastery of cherished crafts such as guilloché, mother-of-pearl painting and gem-setting. “Amour” evokes a picturesque world with peonies, magpies and a sea of green. Its 38.2-mm case of pink gold features a diamond-set bezel. The watch is driven by the handcrafted automatic mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 735, and offers a 40-hour power reserve. Only eight pieces are available.
Pop in at VACHERON CONSTANTIN for the Historiques American 1921, with a newly downsized diameter of 36.50mm just for women with daintier wrists. This art deco-inspired timekeeper bears a unique diagonal display within the iconic cushionshaped case of 5N 18K pink gold that’s fitted with a lightly domed sapphire crystal. A proprietary manual-winding 4400 AS calibre ensures power reserve of 65 hours.
NAIL IT ULYSSE NARDIN’s fi ngernail-
friendly crown concept, which fi rst appeared in its Jade series, now features in the Classic Dual Time Lady. A 37.5-mm case with a diamond-set bezel houses an intuitive double time zone function and a proprietary self-winding automatic UN-324 calibre fitted with the watchmaker’s pioneering silicon escapement for a 45-hour power reserve.
WATCHES FRESH FACES AND UPDATED CLASSICS
THE FUTURE IS HERE OCEAN DEEP For its latest collaboration with L’Epee 1839, MB&F takes to the high seas with a limited-edition eight-day clock inspired by cephalopods, marine chronometers and The Abyss. Christened the Octopod, it features eight articulated jointed “legs” and is available in three iterations of 50 pieces each. Expect many moments of fun from its visual trickery — in some instances, the clockwork appears suspended within the crystalline sphere, as if floating in water.
NEED FOR SPEED
DEFYING GRAVITY ZENITH’s triple-certified
Defy Lab is hailed the most accurate mechanical watch yet. It has a mean daily rate precise to 0.3 seconds, thanks to a groundbreaking monolithic silicon oscillator (and first innovation to Christiaan Huygens’ sprung balance principle in 1675). It is also the first to feature a case made from aeronith, the world’s lightest aluminium composite material.
The new 30-piece RICHARD MILLE RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost is a celebration of speed and haute horology. Inspired by its namesake four-time Formula 1 World Champion, the watch is made for the endurance cyclist, featuring a mesmerising, manually activated odometer and a unique totaliser to show overall distance travelled. Powered by a manual winding tourbillon calibre, the watch comes with 70 hours of power reserve.
SKY-HIGH IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
just added the 250-strong “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” to its Pilot’s Watch collection in 18k red gold, as a tribute to the French pilot and author. A tobacco-brown dial and brown calfskin strap with white stitching recalls the earlier days of aviation, with gold-plated hands for a shiny finish. Its solid 18k red gold rotor is fashioned after the Lightning P-38 — the unarmed aircraft that SaintExupéry took off on a reconnaissance flight across the Mediterranean, from which he never returned.
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WATCHES KEEPING UP WITH TIME’S LATEST MOVEMENTS
CATCH A WAVE OMEGA has been announced as the Official Timekeeper of the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18. This endurance yacht race around the world is considered among the toughest and longest courses ever. The race, which kicked off on October 22 in Alicante, Spain, will conclude next June in The Hague in The Netherlands. A total of 11 legs will reach 12 landmark host cities in the 45,000nautical-mile journey across four oceans.
SEOUL SEARCHING OFFICINE PANERAI
has opened its fourth boutique in Seoul. Conceived by celebrated Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, this 35-sq-m space in Gangnam’s Galleria department store blends contemporary vibes with historic influences. Recalling the brand’s maritime roots, it features special materials such as oak, “calacatta luccicoso” veined marble, burnished brass, bronze, and a special “reeded” glass.
HOT DOGS The third HUBLOT Design Prize has been awarded to Carolien Niebling for her project, The Future Sausage. The competition, launched in 2015, shines the spotlight on emerging designers, broadening the horizon for creativity and exposure. Niebling’s playfully imaginative book explores the future of sustainable consumption.
SPEED DEMON With a 16-point advantage, Bentley Motorsport emerged winner of the BLANCPAIN GT Series Endurance Cup in Barcelona. Despite a tricky qualifying season for both the #7 and #8 Continental GT3 cars, the Bentley Team M-Sport rode on a consistently strong season with 88 points to secure the title.
WATCHES FRESH FACES AND UPDATED CLASSICS
SHOWCASE
ABOUT TIME The 180-piece TIFFANY & CO. Square Watch celebrates the watchmaker’s 180th anniversary, with its 18k gold 27mm square case that is a nostalgic ode to the 1920s. The square-shaped hand-wound proprietary TCO.1874M is a rare one, lavished with Côtes de Genève and perlage techniques. Equipped with a power reserve of 42 hours, it also offers traditionally shaped bridges for a retro-style throwback. To keep with the vintage aesthetic, this watch also features cathedral hands and a railway minute track, all of which are classical elements characteristic of a bygone era.
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JEWELLERY NOVEL DESIGNS THAT MAKE THE CUT
DECKED OUT IN DIAMONDS
INITIAL M As a tribute to company founder, Kokichi MIKIMOTO, the eponymous jewellery brand unveils M Collection, with the letter infusing elegance into the design of a pendant, ring and earrings. Enhanced with 18k white gold, diamonds and white South Sea cultured pearls, these pieces exude subtle sophistication.
The Tiffany HardWear collection by TIFFANY & CO. has been expanded with diamond pavé iterations of bead rings and a link bracelet. In 18k white or rose gold, these brilliant beauties bring together a tough industrial spirit and the glittering celebrity of New York City.
ROCK OF AGES GRAFF
WELCOME HOME After a two-month refurbishment, the Tokyo Midtown salon of HARRY WINSTON is back in business. Refreshed with soft taupes and greys, the 92.3-sq-m space houses dedicated areas for the brand’s high and fine jewellery, bridal, and timepiece collections, as well as private rooms that maintain exclusivity.
has acquired the world’s most valuable rough diamond, the 1,109-ct Lesedi La Rona, in a deal valued at US$53 million. Found in north-central Botswana, the largest gem-quality rough diamond discovered in more than 100 years is reunited with the 373-ct rough (from the same piece of kimberlite) that Graff purchased earlier this year.
JEWELLERY NOVEL DESIGNS THAT MAKE THE CUT
SHOWCASE
FLIGHT CLUB Marrying the best of East and West, the Plume de Chanel fine jewellery series reinterprets the brand’s beloved feather motif. Amping up the white gold and diamond collection are three fresh creations that mark Japanese lacquer master Yuji Okada’s first collaboration with Chanel. One fine example is this Artistic Feather necklace, which features platinum particles and inlaid mother-of-pearl (courtesy of the hiramaki-e and raden techniques respectively) set off brilliantly by a mysterious black lacquer background. The necklace sparkles with more than 1,300 diamonds of over 30ct.
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WORK OF ART A metallic amber accord lends this mouthwatering cocktail of bitter orange, makrut lime zest, jasmine, coriander leaf, cashmere wood and musk a thoroughly modern character. COMME DES GARCONS
Andy Warhol’s You’re In EDT draws on his penchant for whimsy and creativity.
GAME PLAN SHU UEMURA x Super Mario Bros 2017 Holiday Collection is poised to be
among this month’s most anticipated launches. Bestsellers such as Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil and Rouge Unlimited are decked out with beloved characters from the Japanese video game. Level up your look in the Mushroom Kingdom with help from Princess Peach and Mario, anyone?
HOW EIGHT-CITING CLARINS Double Serum keeps getting better and better. Its latest (and eighth!) formulation has your skin looking young and beautiful by addressing five important concerns — regeneration, oxygenation, nutrition, hydration and protection — with a combination of 20 powerful anti-agers boosted by turmeric extract. A new dial pump allows you to select amount to use.
LOUD & PROUD “The key is not to be overly precise,” Lucia Pica, CHANEL global creative makeup and colour director, says of the brand’s Numéros Rouges collection. “Apply from the tube then subtly blend the edges with your fingertips.” It offers four Rouge Allure reds, each to complement a different skin undertone.
BEAUTY LOTIONS AND POTIONS FOR THE PERFECT EXPRESSION
WHAT A PRETTY SIGHT
Skin around the eyes is 10 times thinner than on other parts of the body but is subjected to the strain from 22 muscles in constant motion and 10,000 blinks every day. Keep your eyes looking younger and livelier with this five-piece ensemble
TO MINIMISE WRINKLES AND FINE LINES ELIZABETH ARDEN ADVANCED CERAMIDE CAPSULES DAILY YOUTH RESTORING EYE SERUM The bestselling Ceramide Eye Capsule formula has been upgraded with nine new ingredients to replenish lipids in skin and promote renewal as well as inhibit signs of ageing.
TO CREATE FLAWLESS SKIN YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTÉ ALL HOURS CONCEALER IN IVORY Its velvety texture blends instantly to blur out dark circles and pigmentation for an impeccable, even appearance. Sweat-, heat- and transfer-resistant for up to 16 hours, this also promises not to cake, crack or crease. Available in five other shades.
TO ADD DRAMA TO BOOST ELASTICITY CANVAS ROSE OTTO OVERNIGHT EYE CONTOUR MASK Mostly — 97.75 percent, to be precise — made of natural and organic ingredients, such as a Superox-C antioxidant extract derived from the Kakadu plum native to Australia, this is part of the brand's anti-ageing ensemble that supposedly brightens, evens and firms skin.
VICTORIA BECKHAM ESTÉE LAUDER EYE FOIL IN BLONDE GOLD Use this pearlescent liquid eyeshadow on its own or over another hue to up your eye makeup game instantly.
TO MAKE EYES POP DIOR 5 COULEURS PRECIOUS ROCKS IN EMERALD Smoky this season veers toward intense, not dark. Build and blend with this limited-edition quintet led by glimmering green and silky beige. Not only are these shades friendly to most skin tones but they come in luxurious textures that glide easily onto skin too. Colour all over the eyelid, layer one over another, or use in place of eyeliner. Go ahead to mix and match.
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SHOWCASE CATCH THIS BUZZ Few anti-ageing potions live up to its promise to turn back time, much less one that offers “the power of a serum, the richness of an oil, and the freshness of a lotion”. Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil has an unique oil-in-water consistency that nourishes, hydrates and absorbs instantly without leaving a greasy afterfeel. The secret ingredient here is honey — one produced by the rare black bee and harvested on the pristine island of Ouessant in France — that’s packed with amino acids and combined with exclusive royal jelly and myrrh oil to boost repair and regeneration. With wrinkles softened and skin texture refined, your complexion appears smoother, brighter and healthier.
The Origina t o r o f Cu lt u red Pea r ls . Sinc e 1893.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
ION Orchard
Takashimaya Department Store
#01-21 (65) 6688 7524
#02-04 (65) 6634 0181
Level 1 (65) 6735 1184
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ART LOOKING AT THIS MONTH’S BIG PICTURE
Until December 10 London’s Royal Academy of Arts throws the spotlight on acclaimed American artist Jasper Johns. His iconography and appropriation of objects and symbols — flags, targets, maps and light bulbs — helped set a new course in an art world dominated by abstract expressionism during the 1950s. The exhibition brings together more than 150 paintings, prints, sculptures and drawings.
IAN DAVENPORT CASCADE
HAENYEO SINGAPORE Until 23 November
Jeju Island’s iron-willed female divers are the subject of this exhibition at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s East Garden Foyer Gallery. Shot by Singapore-based French photographer Jose Jeuland, the portraits depict their human fragility and mental and physical strength. Prints are available for sale, with 10 percent of proceeds going to the Singapore Committee for UN Women.
November 5 – January 6, 2018 Known for his striking colour compositions and the “liquidity” of his work, British abstract painter Ian Davenport’s first solo exhibition at the Custot Gallery in Dubai unveils 16 new works that build on his signature technique. Two large-scale works, Mirrored Place and Cobalt Blue Water, co-opt the puddled section at the bottom and turn it into a sculptural element.
ART TURNS. WORLD TURNS. EXPLORING THE COLLECTION OF MUSEUM MACAN November 4 – March 18, 2018 Indonesia’s first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art opens with a 90-strong showcase that features Indonesian masters and leading international artists, including Entang Wiharso, Sindudarsono Sudjojono, Robert Rauschenberg, and Yayoi Kusama. Founded by philanthropist Haryanto Adikoesoemo, Museum MACAN was designed by London’s MET Studio and has a collection of more than 800 works.
0 Through 9 (1960)
Sindudarsono Sudjojono, Ngaso (1964) Mirrored Place (After Bonnard), 2017
PHOTO: JAMIE STUKENBERG
JASPER JOHNS: ‘SOMETHING RESEMBLING TRUTH’
William Klein, Simone + Nina, Piazza di Spagna Nr.2, Rome (V )
UNDER THE HAMMER
AUCTIONS HOTTEST BIDS AROUND THE WORLD
SWANN AUCTION GALLERIES Opening the season with a 19th and 20th Century Prints & Drawings sale, the auction house broke multiple records and earned over US$2.6 million from 635 lots on September 19.
JEUNE FILLE DORMANT À LA BLOUSE ROUMAINE, 1939, BY HENRI MATISSE November 16
PHILLIPS/PHILLIPS.COM
Françoise sur fond gris, 1950, by Pablo Picasso Taking the top lot was this large lithograph of French painter and author Françoise Gilot by Pablo Picasso, which was sold to a buyer via phone for US$125,000.
Works from the collection of Anne Marie and Julian J Aberbach will be offered at the Phillips’ 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York. The latter, a founder of music publishing house Hill and Range, and his wife own significant pieces by artists such as Henri Matisse, who captured his studio assistant, secretary and muse, Lydia Delektorskaya (who has appeared in a number of his works), asleep in this one. It is estimated to rake in between US$1.2 million and $1.8 million.
FERRARI F2001 November 16
PHOTOS: SWANN AUCTION GALLERIES
Elephant Spatiaux, 1965, by Salvador Dalí This watercolour painting on wove paper by the surrealist master garnered its estimated price of US$60,000.
Space, 1954, by Lyonel Feininger Featuring watercolour with pe black ink on cream laid paper German-American expressio painter’s piece surpassed its est of US$30,000 to fetch $47,5 .
Sotheby’s and RM Sotheby’s are joining forces for the Contemporary Art Evening Auction this month to present the Ferrari F2001, chassis no 211. Dubbed the most important modern Formula 1 race car — and also the most significant competition car — this sensational masterpiece has been credited with powering Ferrari to its 11th Formula 1 Constructors’ Championships and Michael Schumacher to his f ’ a G T 200 f r a $
NECKLACE WITH 163.41-CT DIAMOND November 14
Brilliant diamonds and jewellery will go up on the block this month, thanks to Christie’s and de Grisogono. A highlight is this exquisite necklace by the Swiss jeweller, which features a 163.41-ct D colour, flawless, IIA type diamond. Cut from a 404-ct rough discovered in the Lulo mine in Angola, the diamond took over 1,700 hours and a team of 14 craftsmen to create. Today, it is the largest D flawless diamond up for auction. The necklace will be offered at the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva with an estimated price of US$30 million.
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CARS DANGEROUS CURVES AHEAD
ELECTRIC DREAM Porsche’s well-loved sports saloon has gone electric. For better efficiency, its new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is fitted with a 4L V8 engine and an electric motor. But this doesn’t compromise performance because it’s ready to deliver 680 horses and 850Nm of torque — with an acceleration time of 3.4 seconds. When driven solely on electric power, this four-seater has a range of up to 49km and a top speed of 140km/h. No sweat about charging because it can be completed within 2.4 to 6 hours. 29 Leng Kee Road
ADD TO THE FOLD Joining the 5 Series range is an all-new BMW 520i, powered by a 2L four-cylinder engine for a peak torque of 290Nm and 184bhp. Thanks to the BMW EfficientLightweight design concept that uses aluminium and high-strength steel, weight has been reduced by up to 100kg from its predecessor. 303 Alexandra Road
SPORTING LUXURY Filling the gap between the Evoque and Sport in Land Rover’s Range Rover family is the Velar. Available in two powertrains — 2L Ingenium petrol; and 3L supercharged V6 — it features new technologies such as Terrain Response 2, All Terrain Progress Control, Low Traction Launch and Gradient Release Control. 45 Leng Kee Road
SPOILT FOR CHOICE There’s a chic new member in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class family. Joining the estate and all-terrain vehicle is the coupe — with a sportier design. Its size has been increased for greater passenger comfort without compromising on driving dynamics. 301 Alexandra Road
GONE TOP DOWN Offering an emotive open-air experience, the Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster sports a redesigned rear. This includes an engine bridge that runs from the back window to the rear in a mix of body colour and matte black carbon fibre engine bonnet blades (transparent is also available). Expect to experience a maximum output of 740bhp. Delivery begins in February 2018. #01-440/441 North Wing, Suntec City
YACHTS HIGH LIFE ON THE HIGH SEAS
MAKING WAVES THIS MONTH
GOING BESPOKE Showing its customisation prowess, Feadship adds a second wellness area to the 97-m Faith, which will be completed in March 2018. feadship.nl
FIRST LOOK Having made its global debut at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival, the 78-ft Ferretti Yachts 780 has a cruising speed of 27 knots and holds up to 20 guests.
OVER THE MOON Making its world premiere at the recent Monaco Yacht Show is this beautiful yacht. The M/Y Cloud 9 is a harmonious culmination of technical experience and innovative construction by CRN Yacht, Zuccon International Project and Winch Design. Spanning a length of 74m, the megayacht sports a 13.5-m beam and five wide decks. Crafted to deliver a high level of comfort and spaciousness, it accommodates up to 16 guests across its Owner’s Suite and six guest cabins, with quarters for 22 crew members and two cabins for four staff members. You won’t be riding the waves in slow motion aboard this vessel — it can hit a maximum speed of 16.5 knots with a cruising speed of 15 knots. crn-yacht.com
ferretti-yachts.com
ALL SIZED UP To be delivered in 2019, the all-aluminium 140-ft ISA Alloy 43 superyacht by ISA Yachts will feature five staterooms and an extra-large beach club for guests. isayachts.com
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LIFESTYLE THE SUCCOUR OF DECOR
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
A NEW LIGHT Known for combining traditional glassmaking techniques and cutting-edge ideas, artisanal lighting brand LASVIT is now represented by W Atelier. Its recent collaborators include artist Arik Levy (subject of an ongoing exhibition at The Baker Museum in Florida), London designer Moritz Waldemeyer (who made Jamiroquai’s illuminated pangolin headgear) and Japanese powerhouse Nendo. Pictured here is Nendo’s Growing Vases, which alludes to a glass forest filled with abstract flowers and branches. 201 Henderson Road #01-01
SEE, HEAR, SPEAK Kitchen and bathroom brand KOHLER CO has a new retail concept known as the Kohler Experience Center. Housed in a three-story conservation shophouse, displays are fully functional — customers can test even the showers and toilets. Five themed suites further showcase the design possibilities of the products. 52/56 Peck Seah Street
Fret not that designer furniture store Dream has shuttered its River Vallery Road showroom. Key brands KNOLL (pictured), Living Divani and Porro have found a new home at affiliate store, Proof Living. Besides working with luminaries in the design industry — among them Rem Koolhaas, Piero Lissoni, Eero Saarinen and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — all three also share an attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. Ion Orchard #04-16
HEAR YE Audiophiles with a huge living room will love the ESTELON Extreme speaker. Though monumental in size (five adjustable heights of between 1.77 and 2.07m) and sculptural in form, it’s designed to “disappear” as a sound source to transport the listener to the original recording venue instead. It has a frequency range of 20-45kHz and a 500W power rating. AV Intelligence, Millenia Walk #01-71
Prado by Christian Werner
09 Raffles Boulevard 02-29/30/31 Millenia Walk Singapore 039596 1130AM - 0830PM 6238 8372 info@ligneroset.sg ligne-roset.com
Managed by Grafunkt
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FOOD EPICUREAN FINDS TO RELISH
FEAST FEST Robert Parker Wine Advocate launches the inaugural GastroMonth, a gourmet extravaganza filled with exclusive dining experiences at more than 40 acclaimed restaurants, wine masterclasses, awards for culinary luminaries, as well as a gala dinner to celebrate the best in local talent. Until November 26.
MIDDAY MARVEL Lunch with a side of surprise is served at the Chef’s Table by Chef Stephan. Opening with a select-your-ingredients dinner-only service two years ago, he’s extended that innovative approach to lunch on Friday, offering the working crowd delightful ways to savour seasonal produce through a constantly changing menu and Chef Stephan Zoisl’s creativity.
gastromonth.com
61 Tras Street; Tel: 6224 4188
SPANISH GEM After a consulting stint at La Ventana in Dempsey, Chef Carles Gaig of the Michelinstarred Restaurant Gaig is here in Singapore in his own right. This local outpost of the Barcelona-based establishment is managed by his daughter Nuria Gibert, and serves dishes based on cherished family recipes — cannelloni, squid ink seafood fideuà, shrimp all-i-pebre stew, patatas bravas and more. 16 Stanley Street; Tel: 6221 2134
MEAT YOUR MATCH PRIZED GRAINS The Guinness World Recordholder for “Most Expensive Rice”, Kinmemai Premium (valued at US$109 per kg), has landed. Developed with advanced rice processing technology, grains offer six times more immunity– boosting properties with a flavour superior to regular white rice. kinmemai.com
After establishing itself in Japan and South Korea, the family-run New York City institution Wolfgang’s Steakhouse opens in Singapore. Menu highlights include the signature prime USDA Black Angus, dry aged for 28 days; seafood platter with jumbo shrimp; fresh Maine lobster; and Wolfgang’s Cheesecake. Level 2, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay; Tel: 6887 5885
TRAVEL INTEL FOR THE LUXE ADVENTURER
COMMUNE WITH NATURE We’re all for new holiday experiences and this is one for the bucket list. Visitors to Mexico can stay at Tulum Treehouse, an eco-conscious retreat sited in the heart of the Yucátan Peninsula. Enveloped by jungle foliage, this two-storey property combines the intimacy of a private home with the service of a luxury hotel. tulumtreehouse.com
G WHIZ! There’s a new buzz about Yangon, which has been singled out by Lonely Planet as one of the most exciting cities to visit in Myanmar. And Hotel G Yangon is where to be seen — this 85-room property at Pagoda Street features an open-plan lobby and cleverly configured spaces for mingling and merrymaking. hotelgyangon.com
URBAN OASIS Small Luxury Hotels of the World will be inducting a new Sukhothai hotel to its fold come March 2018. The Sukhothai Shanghai on Nanjing Road is a masterpiece by renowned architectural firm Neri & Hu. Walk into guest rooms and suites, and you’ll notice unique custom-built details enriched by natural materials. To further pamper weary senses, check out the vast collection of treatments and programmes at its spa. sukhothaishanghai.com
TWICE AS NICE London is where Rosewood Hotels & Resorts plans to open a second hotel. Located in the Mayfair district, the Rosewood Hotel (Grosvenor Square) offers 137 guest rooms and suites, and houses a spa, five restaurants and six flagship retail stores. British architect David Chipperfield has rejuvenated this mid-20th-century building with elegant interiors. rosewoodhotels.com
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TALK
66 In Vogue Journalist MARK reflects on the trappings of fame — even by association
GRAHAM
WHILE HOLIDAYING IN
a tiny town in a remote and rugged farming region of Britain this past summer, I was amazed to find that the residents were familiar with Vogue China, its editor, and — by association — me. We’d bought provisions in a small Yorkshire Dales store, paying with a China credit card before heading off for traditional afternoon tea and scones. I popped back to collect a forgotten item and the shopkeeper looked at me with a quizzical eye. “Is your wife the editor of Vogue China?” she asked, to my astonishment and befuddlement. “Er, yes, she is but how on Earth could you possibly know that?” It turns out the proprietor had read — and vividly recalled — a story in which Angelica talked about how she loved the pure air, glorious hiking trails and welcoming pubs of the Yorkshire Dales, mentioning in passing that her husband was a born-and-bred Yorkshireman. It was a remarkable feat of recognition and memory, given that the only clue was the China credit card. The shopkeeper, her husband, and presumably the entire town were clearly right chuffed at having an association with Vogue China, no matter how peripheral. That was an extreme and amusing example of just how powerful and universal the Vogue brand is, recognised and respected universally. If I sound a little like a marketing automaton trotting out pat phrases, rest assured my cynical gene works perfectly well, the observation based on 10 years of inhabiting the Vogue world. Front-row fashion-show seats, champagne-drenched aftershow parties with supermodels and intimate dinners with major
celebrities are all part and parcel of the lifestyle. Everyone wants to be associated with the world’s most renowned fashion magazine. At cocktail parties, fashion shows, or dinners, I can be chatting merrily away to a fellow guest before we establish who we are — why we’re actually here. When I mention I’m married to Angelica Cheung, editor-in-chief of Vogue China, they show an inordinate amount of interest, and fire off a flurry of questions and observations. After more than a decade of being the (usually) one-stepbehind spouse, a bit like Britain’s Prince Philip, my pals cruelly suggest, I can predict the direction of the ensuing dialogue. “You must be very proud. [I am, of course.] She’s doing an amazing job. [She is.] It’s a demanding job. [Very true.] You must go to a lot of swish parties. [A fair few.] Do you go to fashion shows? [Only the top ones.] Have you met Kate Moss? [Sure have.] Do you know Zhang Ziyi? [Indeed I do.] Is it like The Devil Wears Prada? [At times, yes.] And so on. I’m still waiting for more astute observers to remark that I cut a fairly dashing and refined figure myself, the very model of the modern Vogue spouse. I’m told it will be a long, possibly infinite, wait. Amazingly, one question that non-Chinese still ask — even those in the fashion world — is this: “Is the magazine in English, or Chinese?” I’m always amused to witness their reaction on realising, with a horrified expression, what a fundamentally ludicrous question that is, given that the magazine is published in China, for Chinese readers. Having said that, Vogue China is now renowned globally in the fashion world as one of the most influential titles, its editorin-chief regularly dubbed the most powerful woman in the world of Chinese fashion. Angelica is regularly described as down-to-earth — hence her enjoyment of the simple pleasures in life, such as hiking in the Yorkshire Dales, a region that has more sheep than people. Mind you, on the same holiday we stayed in a Capri villa, and pottered around the azure Amalfi Coast waters on Marlin, the elegant day cruiser once owned by American president John F Kennedy. That in itself was an inadvertent attention-grabber, as guides on local tour boats gave a loudspeaker commentary on the vessel’s illustrious history, including how it had regularly hosted JFK, his wife Jackie and senior White House officials. Fame by association once more, as these guides assumed we were the current owners! Mark Graham has profiled fashion heavyweights, including Victoria Beckham and Christopher Bailey. When not running a half-marathon, he’s trying to catch up with his 10-year-old.
TALK
68 Go Easy on the Horn The Secret Scribbler believes less road rage and more returned trays will make us nicer, kinder Singaporeans
FRIEND DOESN’T return trays in food courts. This is a constant source of irritation. “Why do you always leave your tray on the table?” I ask, after every culinary encounter with him. “Spoil market,” he mutters. This is his answer to any query related to his perceived lack of social compassion. Our heated conversations often begin and end the same way. Why don’t you give your maid a day off on weekends? “Spoil market.” Why can’t you ever wait in line? “Spoil market” — my friend’s Singlish defence for any number of social sins. As he once explained, if he gives his helper a day off, other helpers in his neighbourhood may be motivated to ask for the same. He will, in effect, “spoil market” for his neighbours and trigger a societal breakdown. Folks will have to wash their own plates on Sundays! Oh, the horror! The unspeakable horror! My friend also relies on his “spoil market” philosophy to justify his dirty-table policy at coffee shops. “How will clearing away your tray ‘spoil the market’?” I once asked. “Will share prices on the ST Index collapse? Will you spill laksa on your shirt?” “No, if I return my tray, that cleaner will be out of a job.” He pointed towards an auntie, in her seventies, shuffling from table to table, collecting soup bowls and chicken bones. “No, she’ll still have floors to clean and tables to wipe. Besides, do we want an auntie tidying up on our behalf?” I countered. “Ah, perhaps she wants to work.” “Ah, perhaps you should be a government minister,” I replied.
MY
“By your rationale, I shouldn’t flush a public toilet. I’ll leave behind more work for the cleaner.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” my friend said, before adding, “although if we did leave a toilet blocked, it’d be harder for the cleaners to be replaced by robots.” So that’s the secret to a successful economy. An upset tummy and an unflushed toilet will guarantee Singapore’s blue-collar jobs for years to come. As a nation, it seems we’ll go to extraordinary lengths to explain away discourteous behaviour, presumably to make ourselves feel better. Any number of outraged letters to the press — usually submitted by folks who shouldn’t be left alone with sharp objects let alone a laptop — will attempt to justify their unkind treatment of cleaners, helpers and so forth. On a personal level, I’ll admit I have a tendency to fiddle with my horn. Actually, it’s my wife’s horn. When I sit in the passenger seat of her car, I can’t leave it alone. Road rage occasionally consumes me as quickly as rational thought deserts me. If we’re stuck in the KPE tunnel, I slam the horn. I don’t know why I do this. I know it is not a magic horn. It doesn’t make traffic vanish, or switch on another car’s signal, or stop another driver from talking on the phone while eating a chicken drumstick and making a right turn (true story). It’s not even much of a horn. No matter how hard I press, the horn emits the feeble squeak of an introverted field mouse. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve screamed: “Yeah, you wanna cut queue? Well, take a blast of this!”...Peep...Peep. It’s feeble. But I bang on the horn anyway, in the puerile hope that it’ll somehow make me feel better. But it doesn’t. It never does. I’m still angry and other drivers are pointing and laughing because we have a horn that sounds like a newborn breaking wind. I need to lay off the horn and count to 10. In fact, we could all be a little kinder, softer, and more compassionate. It was recently announced that tray-return robots would be trialled at coffee shops in Tampines and Choa Chu Kang, with others to follow. There is another state-of-the-art gadget that already returns trays...our arms. We really don’t need robots to return trays on our behalf, any more than we need domestic helpers to toil around the clock. Nor do we need to rage against those in traffic jams and supermarket queues. We just need to be more considerate of others. Being nice shouldn’t be construed as some sort of weakness, but an instinctive way of life. If nothing else, I’ve really got to stop playing with my horn in public. The Secret Scribbler is Prestige’s newest columnist.
Prestige 17th Anniversary Ball Report
REPORT BROUGHT TO YOU BY
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
Years and Joyous Celebrated as the society ball of the year, but beneath the glitter and savoir vivre, it is simply a birthday party where we toast to good friends, good health and good cheer! SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 | THE RITZ-CARLTON, MILLENIA SINGAPORE
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
SURESH AND JEANETTE DIVYANATHAN
CAUREEN TOO, PRISCILLA NILSSON, JIMMIE TAY AND RICHARD NILSSON
LET THE PARTY BEGIN HEDY TAN, TAN SOO NAN WITH JACQUELINE AND SAM GOI
You know you are in for a treat when the preevent cocktail is itself a delightful frenzy. Having strolled the red carpet in their ямБnery and jewels, guests mingled and swapped stories, pausing only to take in the resplendent decor and for the occasional photograph.
JILLY WANG
SHUEE NG AND ALLEN TAN
ALICIA THIAN
72 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
LAURA LIM WITH TIMBER YEH AND CATHERINE HUNG FLORENCE NEO, STEPHEN TAN AND RAJESH SHETH ANGELINA CHOO
NISHITA BHOJWANI VICTOR OW AND OW PUI YEE
N Y SIM, MICHELLE ANG N ASHLEY THNG
DARREN AND DANA CHEONG
CHRISTOPHER AND ROSY HO
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
ELAINE LIM-CHAN, CATHERINE TAN AND CHAN KOK WENG
VIKNA RAJAH CHATS WITH NATASHA LIOK AND JOHANNES SEE JEREMY AND CHERYL LIM
K P AND LAURA POH
“I look forward to all the beautiful gowns at Prestige Ball. It is a visual feast.” — June Rin
MOLLY AND JOANNA LOW
74 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
JOCELYN TJIOE AND THOMAS HARTONO
TREVOR TOH, CLARA NEO, ANGELA NG AND ANDREW TEO
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
SABRINA HO, SERENE TAN, CHLOE NG, LIM MING WANG, JEFFREY TANNER, JOHANNES AND MEAGHAN SEE, DAWN KOH AND ANGELINA TAN
JIMMIE LEE AND ANNIE SUN ZHANG KEKE AND IVY ZHANG
LAM TZE TZE AND TRINA LIANG-LIN
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
JENNY HUI, ANN LEE AND ALETHEA TAN
ADRIAN OOI, YEO SIQI, ALEX AND LUCY OOI, LYNETTE OOI AND CAI DEXIAN
76 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
CHRISTOPHER WILSON, TAN SUSHAN, PRIYA SELVAM AND KRISHNA RAMACHANDRA
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
WEE HIAN KING AND LEONICA KEI
PEGGY AND TONY JEFFS
THE THEME: LAUREN TAN, MARION ONG AND DOREEN CHIA EMMY TELLIER AND ESTELLE MARAIS
GLAMOUR R ROCK We had this rather lofty concept for the Prestige 17th Anniversary Ball, to depict Prestige as an unyielding foundation stone — a “rock” the affluent and savvy cleave to even amid challenging and changing times.
RICHARD AND LILIAN LOW ANNIE CHIAM AND TAMMIE LOKE
CHRISTINA ANG AND JEROME METZGER
YASSIN AND JULIETTE TAG
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
LAWRENCE BASAPA, TAN BOCK SENG AND TONY JEFFS PAULINA BOHM
TASSANEE AND EUGENE YANG
ISABEL LIM
MAG LEE AND TANYA KROPP CLARENCE LOH AND LOO HONG XI
SHOBHA BHOJWANI
ANDREW LAU AND TONY LIOK
78 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
NICHOLAS HEAH, CAROLINE LOW-HEAH AND HEAH SIEU MIN
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
JOYCE TEH AND CYRILLE BATAILLE
TAN PUAY HIANG AND RICHARD EU
MEAGHAN SEE
TEO SER LEE
In The Garden CLARINDA DHARMADI
Whether immortalised in vibrant colours, or portrayed as lively embellishments, fantasy florals are always a favourite on the red carpet. ALICIA THIAN
TONYA TAN
JEAN YIP
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
HORST HERDTLE
CHOY KEEN MENG AND EDLYN GIAM
KOO SOK HOON
TAN MIN-LI, ALICIA LOKE AND MICHELLE ENG WITH THE BMW I8
LEOW TZE WEN AND JULIE LEOW
MUKESH VALIRAM
80 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
EUNICE SIEK AND SIEK TJIEP HOE
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
ANGELINA TAN
NINA NG
JUDY HUNT
TAN PENG HIANG AND JENNY CHEAH
LILIAN ONG LINDA SOO-TAN
Bright This Way A vivacious spectrum of colours raised the style stakes for elegant drapes and dramatic IROSHINI CHUA
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
81
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
SERENE LIOK, PEGGY JEFFS AND LILIAN TAN
VIOLET YEO
TIFFANY PRIMALIA
MICHELLE ENG, CELINA LIN, ELAINE KIM, TJIN LEE AND GINNY WILUAN
82 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
DEVAN MITCHEM WITH YVONNE, ANNE AND RONNIE GOH
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
ANN LEE AND KELVIN LIM
SHARON LIM AND CHOUN CHEE KONG
EVE AND MAXENCE KINGET
DAVID AND RENEE TAN LENY SUPARMAN AND GERARD SUM
VICTOR OW AND WONG PUI YEE
ROY FONG AND CHERYL WEE
AINIE AMIN AND YOW TIAN BEY
GLADYS AND CALVIN QUEK KYOKO ABE
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
Take The Plunge Sensational “V” cuts endowed sensuality to sidestep the formality of black-tie dressing. How low will you go?
SHAREL HO
CAUREEN TOO
LOTUS SOH
JANE SOON TALIA WANG
EMIL TEO, JADE KUA AND MARTIN TEO
84 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
FANTY SOENARDY
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
EMILY AND JEFFREY PIAK
NICOLAS FRECHET AND MONIQUE CHU
MATTHEW SONG AND ALICE OEI
FRANCES LOW AND YANG TAI SONG
PAMELA AND EDUARDO RAMOS-GOMEZ
“Prestige Ball gives me an opportunity to dress up and have a bit of fun with fashion together with my family. In the lead-up, my daughter Carmen looked out for things she thought I might like to wear. It’s always a happy family occasion.” Ow
KOH CHI WEN AND MICHAEL KOH
CALVIN CHAN AND LOCK CHING YUEN
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
PEARLYN AND ALBERT TAN
JOHN LIM, ABHISHEK PODDAR, ADRIAN ONG, CHOO KEN-YI, KEVIN LOW AND SHAUN TAY
LIANY JUWONO AND KENNETH LAU
DEBRA AND CHARLES TAN
“My wife and I enjoy ourselves every time we attend Prestige Ball. A lot of thought goes into the planning and execution. We love the food and take the opportunity to catch up with friends, some of whom we have not seen in a while. It is always a pleasure.” — Eugene Yang
I-ANN KUO WITH LIZ AND LINDA QUEK
6
ELAINE TEO AND TYEN FONG
N V
QUEK AI LING AND JACK TAN
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY ELIZABETH HOON AND NICK RADEMAKER
SIMONE AND KEN KHOO
PAN YUK KEE STAPHNIE TANG AND LESLEY WONG POSE AT THE PHOTO WALL
LEONARD MULYA AND LINDA IRAWATY
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
THE CELEBRATION With guests gleefully catching up and snapping photos, it was left to the evening’s emcee Timothy Nga to cajole everyone into taking their seats for the Prestige Ball to begin. First up was Burda Group Publisher and Managing Director of Asia, Melvin Ang, who expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the support shown to Prestige, and reiterated the group’s versatility, adaptability and leadership in the face of an evolving industry. Following a celebratory toast, the live entertainment kicked into high gear with Sarah M Moser turning in an electrifying set on her LED Cyr Wheel and top ballet performer Rose Larkings commanding the stage with soul. Capping the night of memorable performances was an ensemble of legit rock stars. They shared the stage with sopranos Stephanie van Driesen and Tiara Sadikin, who performed “One Moment in Time”, which had been arranged and mixed by sought-after music producer and director Kenn C.
MELVIN ANG
88 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
LANCE TAY AND TINA LEE
ARTHUR AND KHIM LEE
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
RAJESH BUDHRANI
WILLIAM AND SARAH LIM, LEONARD MULYA, LINDA IRAWATY, DORIS LU, THOMAS HARTONO AND JOCELYN TJIOE MERVIN WEE AND JEAN YIP
ANDY SIM AND OOI HUEY TYNG
ERICK KRISMAN AND AYU CITRA RAHAYU
90 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
RICHARD WILUAN, BILLY LEE, QUAH SOON HONG, SHAUN TAY, MARTIN GEH, KEVIN LOW AND CHOO KEN-YI
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
LOO HONG XI, TIFFANY PRIMALIA, SUHANA AB AND PAMELA ARDANA
KENN C
“I always look forward to Prestige Ball as it is where I meet so many friends at one time, like a reunion. This year, everything was photogenic and I couldn’t help but document everything and upload them on Instagram stories.” — Pamela Ardana
VANESSA LIOK
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
91
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
GAURAV KRIPALANI AND CHERYL LEE
RIN NAN YOONG
TINA WONG, CHOO WAN LING AND IVAN NG
DARREN CHEONG AND HAN SENG JUAN
LAM TONG LOY, DENNIS CHIU AND LAM PING YEE
CYNTHIA GOH AND LAURA POH
92 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY JESSIE YULI FOO AND DAWN YIP
Arty Party
POLLY SOHN
From op art to surrealism, punchy interpretations stole the limelight as dresses transformed into spectacular canvases. JESSIE LEE AND VENUS TEO
LOH MAY-HAN
GRACE KONG
ROSHAN VALIRAM
STEPHANIE LEE FRANKLIN TANG, ASTRID WARDANA WITH ANTHONY AND HEATHER YONG
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
93
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
EXECUTIVE CHEF MASSIMO PASQUARELLI (CENTRE) AND HIS CULINARY TEAM
THE GASTRONOMY Impressing the taste buds of our esteemed guests was the Ritz Carlton’s very passionate culinary team led by Executive Chef Massimo Pasquarelli, who delivered five courses to perfection — inspired by the evolutionary theme of the evening, each was named to evoke an odyssey through Ocean, Snow, Earth, Volcano and Galaxy. Guests also savoured Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles Bouzy Grand Cru champagne and Italian whites and reds — all from M@dhatters & Co. — which poured freely throughout dinner, as were premium cognacs and The Botanist gin at the outdoor Rémy Martin bar.
94 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
JOSHUA HO AND JESSIE HO-THONG
CHIU LEE KENG
GABRIEL MOEY AND CALVIN QUEK JAACKY SEE
VALERIE LOO-JAHJA
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
RITA TARGUI
GEOFFREY WONG
SARAH LEWIS AND STEPHANE TARGUI
ROSHAN VALIRAM
THE PRESTIGE AWARD
JOSH YIN AND CHEN DAIXI
While there was new vigour in the air, many of our wellloved traditions endured. For the fourth year, we conferred the Prestige Award on an invaluable friend who has in his or her own way impacted and inspired others. This year’s accolade went to Wong Ai Ai, who whether in her capacity as Chairman of the Yellow Ribbon Fund or the first Singaporean on the governing body of international law firm Baker McKenzie, always leads by example and heart. The Award Sponsor was Giuseppe Zanotti, which acknowleged Wong’s good work with a $20,000 shopping voucher. True to her philanthropic nature, Wong donated the equivalent amount in cash to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.
96 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
MELVIN ANG AND WONG AI AI
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
SEET KENG YEW
DAVID AND SAMUEL TAN WITH RICHARD HOON AND NICK RADEMAKER
SUGUNA MADHAVAN AND JEROEN REINIERS
SERENE TAN AND CHLOE NG
KHOO CHUEN TING AND ANDREW KHOO
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
Big Sweep Extravagant flares evoked a cherished Old World charm to elevate regal elegance. TAN KONG KING, RICHARD LOW AND DOUGLAS ONG TINA CHENG AND JENG HUANG FONG MAAN
HEATHER YONG CHIANG YU LAN
PHILLIP HENG, DAVID TAN AND KC ONG
PAMELA ARDANA
REBECCA EU
98 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
MEDINAH AND AMAN KHAN
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
CELESTE BASAPA
CELINA LIN
CHIA NGIANG HONG
TAN KHAR NAI, BELINDA CHUA, MARIA SEE AND NINA NG
LAIYONG LAWRENCE RONNIE AND ANNE GOH
KAREN ONG-TAN
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
99
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
Black Beauties CASLING TAN
Racking up attendance on the red carpet was the ever-bankable black — the new noir numbers wove magic in a myriad of guises.
INGRID PRASATYA
MAISY KOH
MARILYN LUM
GEORGIA LEE ANGELA POPPY
100 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
CARMEN OW
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY ELNA CHIN
TRINA LIANG-LIN AND EDMUND LIN CHAT WITH JUNE RIN
LOI POK YEN AND EDDIE NG HENRY THE
JEFFREY PIAK AND KIMIHISA ABE
LAUREN TAN
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
HEDY TAN AND MANIZA JUMABHOY
BEH SWAN GIN
IQBAL JUMABHOY
NORMAN HARTONO AND AGGIE BLANCO
ONG CHIH CHING AND ELAINE LIM
IRWAN JAHJA AND FRED HO
SHARON LIM WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE KATHRYN YAP
KEVIN CHUA AND IVAN CHIN
102 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
VICKY HWANG
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
JENNY CHEAH WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE GRACE YEH
VIHARI SHETH WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE DAWN KOH
KAZUYA FURUSAWA WITH MOST STYLISH GENT KIMIHISA ABE HORST HERDTLE WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE JUNE RIN HORST HERDTLE WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE SUSANNA HAN
MAXENCE KINGET WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE PEK LAY PENG
LOTUS SOH AND KAZUHA KONDO
JIMMIE TAY WITH MOST STYLISH COUPLE JEFFREY LU AND DAPHNE TEO
BELINDA CHUA WITH MOST STYLISH AWARDEE GRACE CHNG
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
103
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
NATASHA LIOK AND STEPHANIE LEE
KEN KHOO, JEREMY LIM AND SURESH DIVYANATHAN
THE AFTERPARTY Since it was a Saturday night and we should all be without a care in the world, dinner quickly turned into a dance party with spin-doctor couple Adrian Ng and Loh May-Han and the awesome pair of Adrian Ong and Michelle Eng behind the decks. We’ve always had guest DJs, but to their credit, many more refused to leave the dance floor this year. Good thing a supper buffet of local delights, such as mee siam, laksa yong tau foo and kueh pie tee provided extra sustenance, while luxury Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo (it also set up a display of golden blooms in the foyer this year) and H’air — Trichology by Leonica K stuffed our goodie bags with essentials to keep us looking none the worse for wear after a long night out.
104 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
ALI MAGHAMI AND RAJIV RANJAN WITH AMAN KHAN
JEFFREY LU AND ANDY XIE
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
FANTY SOENARDY AND SHARON HENG
CAUREEN TOO
MICHELLE ENG AND ADRIAN ONG TURN THE TABLES
JUDY HUNT
BRIAN BONDE
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017 SAMUEL TAN AND KAREN ONG-TAN
SPIN DOCTORS LOH MAY-HAN AND ADRIAN NG
ELAINE AND JOHN KIM
JIM ROGERS AND PAIGE PARKER VICTOR OW AND GRACE KONG
“Lawrence and I have always enjoyed ourselves at Prestige Ball for the past 17 years. One aspect that never fails to gladden my heart and body — the dancing! I leave for home humming and tapping my feet!” — Celeste Basapa I-ANN KUO, WONG AI AI AND BARBARA MARTIN DOOR GIFTS FROM SULWHASOO AND H’AIR — TRICHOLOGY BY LEONICA K
106 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
FIONA MANINI AND ANGELA LOH R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
FRIENDS FIRE UP THE DANCE FLOOR
MAISY KOH
EUNICE SIEK AND KOH CHI WEN
KUNAL, RAJESH, VIHARI AND MANISHA SHETH WITH ABISHEK PODDAR
GRACE WONG
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
107
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
GOWN: OSCAR DE LA RENTA JEWELLERY: GRAFF DIAMONDS WATCH: VAN CLEEF & ARPELS SHOES: JIMMY CHOO
SOCIETY’S MOST STYLISH Big, bold and beautiful gowns made their appearance as did printed, luxe jackets. Voted by a secret panel, these are the year’s most stylish
GRACE YEH “I’ve been attending the Prestige Ball for many years now and always make it a point to dress up. This year I got a few Oscar de la Renta pieces from its latest collection. Before deciding what to wear, I did a trial run with my daughters — I put on the gown, shoes and jewellery. The winning look will be the one that feels most cohesive.”
108 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
AWARDED: A THREE-PIECE JEWELLERY SET COMPRISING A DIVAS’ DREAM NECKLACE, BRACELET, AND EARRINGS IN PINK GOLD AND DIAMONDS , FROM BVLGARI
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
SUSANNA HAN “I chose a gown that is clean yet showcases interesting details, which in this case is the use of patent leather. Keeping the look simple lets the one-of-a-kind tiara I’m wearing, shine.”
GOWN: ALFIE LEONG JEWELLERY: CARTIER AWARDED: SAFARI OF A LIFETIME, AN AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE IN NAMIBIA IN A BMW X5 AND A WEEKEND TEST DRIVE IN THE BMW 7 SERIES, FROM BMW
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
109
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
GOWN: MATICEVSKI JEWELLERY: VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, BVLGARI AND FLOWER DIAMOND AWARDED: AN EBEL CLASSIC LADY TIMEPIECE FEATURING 11 DIAMONDS DENOTING THE HOURS AND A WHITE MOTHEROF-PEARL DIAL, FROM EBEL BY CORTINA WATCH
KATHRYN YAP “From three Maticevski gowns, I finally chose this gold number. I like that it is structured and sculptural, like a piece of art. For a youthful effect, I wore my hair in a ponytail.”
110 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
GRACE CHNG “I love how my outfit is actually a jumpsuit yet still looks very elegant and suitable for the red carpet. And I especially love the back. Since my ensemble is all-black, the sparkly details, together with my jewellery, help enhance the entire look.”
JUMPSUIT: MIKAEL D JEWELLERY: CARTIER SHOES: GUCCI AWARDED: A TRI-COLOUR SOUTH SEA PEARL NECKLACE WITH AN 18K WHITE GOLD ADJUSTABLE DIAMOND COINAGE CLASP AND PEARL TASSELS, FROM FLOWER DIAMOND
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
111
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
DRESS: DENNES Y PRIVÉ JEWELLERY: FAMILY COLLECTION AWARDED: IMPERIALE 28MM TIMEPIECE WITH A SILVER-TONED DIAL, AMETHYST CROWN AND LUGS, AND A DIAMOND-SET BEZEL, FROM CHOPARD
KAZUHA KONDO -SOH “I told Dennes that the gown had to be glamorous as it was for the Prestige Ball. And I think it shows my proportions very nicely, like a good cheongsam.”
112 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
HO CHING LIN “I saw this dress by Myanmarese designer Shartra on the runway and fell in love with it. My friend, Jane Soon, who I think knows the designer, bought it for me as a birthday present. Since my birthday was just a few days ago, she insisted that I wear this dress.”
GOWN: SHARTRA JEWELLERY: GRAFF DIAMONDS, TIFFANY & CO. AND LIN BAN AWARDED: FAUBOURG MANCHETTE TIMEPIECE, WITH A ROSE GOLD CASE, WHITE LACQUERED DIAL SET WITH A DIAMOND, AND AN ULTRAVIOLET ALLIGATOR STRAP, FROM HERMÈS
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
113
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
JUNE RIN “I love the classic design and lacework on this dress. The Prestige Ball is a grand affair so it definitely calls for a glamorous outfit. To match the dress, I chose vintage and jade jewellery. Jade is a big tradition in my family — all the women love jade. From the age of four, I’ d follow my mother to shops to look at jade.”
DRESS: MARCHESA JEWELLERY: THE CANARY DIAMOND, CARTIER AND VINTAGE 1930S EARRINGS AWARDED: SAFARI OF A LIFETIME, AN AFRICAN OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE IN NAMIBIA IN A BMW X5 AND A WEEKEND TEST DRIVE IN THE BMW 7 SERIES, FROM BMW
114 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
PAIGE PARKER “I love that the lady on my dress has a big sweeping blonde mane and that there are embroidered bees on it. I think this is a gown my daughters would fight over one day. It’s something coveted because it’s all handembroidered and so beautiful.”
GOWN: DIOR JEWELLERY: GRAFF DIAMONDS AND WALLACE CHAN BAG: GUCCI AWARDED: 3D2N PAMPERING INDULGENCE AND EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES WORTH $10,000, FROM RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
115
PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
DRESS: GUCCI JEWELLERY: VINTAGE PIECES, TIFFANY & CO. AND HARRY WINSTON SHOES: AQUAZZURA
AWARDED: MUGHAL NECKLACE WITH SOUTH SEA PEARLS, 12-CT TOURMALINE AND A GOLDEN PEARL DROP WITH CHANNEL-SET PRINCESS-CUT DIAMONDS, FROM VIHARI JEWELS
DAWN KOH “I like to have fun with fashion [and dress codes]. I don’t want to take myself too seriously, which is why I like to add my own twist to it. I chose this dress because it’s edgy and fun and the sequins gives it glamour.”
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R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
PEK LAY PENG “Fashion is a form of expression. Go with whichever designer speaks to you and take on whichever persona suits you best. Style yourself in the way that makes you feel most confident. And just be yourself.”
DRESS: ALIA BASTAMAM JEWELLERY: THE CANARY DIAMOND SHOES: SALVATORE FERRAGAMO AWARDED: A REVERSO ONE TIMEPIECE, FROM JAEGER-LECOULTRE
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PRESTIGE 17TH ANNIVERSARY BALL 2017
KIMIHISA ABE “For gala events, I would wear the usual black jacket. But this time, my wife chose to wear a Japanese kimono. So I thought I should wear something special too. I saw this jacket at Dolce & Gabbana and thought: ‘This is the one for me.’”
JACKET: DOLCE & GABBANA SHIRT AND CUFFS: HERMÈS BOW TIE: GIORGIO ARMANI WATCH: FRANCK MULLER SHOES: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN AWARDED: PERSONAL STYLE CONSULTATION, WARDROBE MAKEOVER AND FULL MADE-TOMEASURE LOOK, FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
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R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
ON DAPHNE: GOWN: CUSTOM-MADE JEWELLERY: CUSTOM-MADE SHOES: SAINT LAURENT ON JEFFREY: TUXEDO: CUSTOM-MADE SHOES: RALPH LAUREN AWARDED: VANTAGE 12 MACASSAR WATCH WINDER, FROM BUBEN & ZORWEG
DAPHNE TEO “I was inspired by Old Hollywood and wanted to channel that look. So I had this gown specially made. My gloves were a last-minute addition — a vintage pair from my mum’s wardrobe. I like how they complete my look.”
JEFFREY LU “My motto for black-tie events is to go simple as the ladies are the stars. I had this silk and velvet jacket made for the Prestige Ball and wore it with a pearl button shirt Daphne had gotten made for me. Don’t you think my look complements hers?”
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R E P O R T B R O U G H T TO YO U BY
would like to acknowledge the following partners
T H E P R E S T I G E AWA R D S P O N S O R
T H E M O S T S T Y L I S H G E N T L E M A N AWA R D S P O N S O R
T H E M O S T S T Y L I S H AWA R D S S P O N S O R S ( I N A L P H A B E T I C A L O R D E R )
T H E M O S T S T Y L I S H CO U P L E AWA R D S P O N S O R
DOOR GIFTS SPONSORS
F LO W E R S S P O N S O R
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WINE SPONSOR
A U TO M O B I L E PA R T N E R
SPIRITS SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS
Prestige 17th Anniversary Ball Report
REPORT BROUGHT TO YOU BY
VIP
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TASSANEE YANG
GABRIEL MOEY AND LAURA LIM MONICA AND USMANTO NJO
OPERA GALLERY X PRESTIGE
Home of the Masters Guests at this intimate cocktail session were not only among the fi rst to experience Opera Gallery’s new street-fronting premises at Ion Orchard (it relocated from the second floor), but were also among the earliest to view a selection of works by Spanish artist Manolo Valdés ahead of his fi rst major exhibition in Asia. The large-scale portraits by his countryman Lita Cabellut likewise generated buzz among art enthusiasts, who chatted in hushed tones and sipped champagne as they explored the space, according these works the reverence they so deserve. An art consultant was on hand to provide guests insightful details to the works, including those by Wang Keping, Joe Black and Andre Brasilier, although the masters themselves — among them Marc Chagall and Bernard Buffet — needed no introduction.
IRA BUDISUSETYO AND INGRID PRASATYA
AILEEN BLANCKLEY, STEPHANE LE PELLETIER AND LIANY JUWONO
MARTIN GEH, BEATRICE TECHAWATANASUK AND KATHRYN YAP
RYAN SU AND ADRIAN CHAN
WILLIAM CHUA AND LOTUS SOH
CHIA KAWN HWA AND CHIA NGIANG HONG
EUGENE YANG
BELINDA CHUA, KH TAN, CAROLINE LOW-HEAH AND JYNN ONG
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VIP
CHRISTINE LEE, DYLAN BARAM, ROSANNE WONG, DAVID LOH, RACE LOH, CARA LOH, DAVID WONG, RHONDA WONG AND ANTHONY BOLGER
CARA LOH’S 100TH DAY PARTY
Precious Moments Transformed into an enchanted garden fit for a fairy princess, The Clifford Pier was the setting of baby Cara Loh’s 100th day celebration. Embellished with vases of pastel blooms, linen-draped tables lined with gilded Tiffany chairs stretched the length of the cavernous landmark, where doting parents David and Race Loh hosted family and friends. The truly well-rounded epicurean affair attracted the young and the sweet-toothed with a spread of cupcakes, macarons, lollies and pastries. Meanwhile, local favourites such as kueh pie tee, chwee kueh, popiah and bak chor mee served up at live food stations received nods of approval as did the elegantly savoury 1996 Château LynchBages that flowed throughout. A roster of musicians also provided the evening’s jazzfilled soundtrack, but it was one special songstress who received the warmest applause — David’s aunt, Lotus Soh, who sang as baby Cara sat in her mother’s arms.
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MELVIN SOH AND KAZUHA KONDO
LAURA LIM AND LORNA SOH
VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN, DAVID AND CARA LOH, JOY BALAKRISHNAN AND LOY LAY SAN
LISA LAU AND ROBERTO GALETTI
GINNY ANG AND DAISY ONG
LISA KIM AND HENRY TAY
LOTUS SOH
CHRISTINA, DAPHNE, CARA, RACE, DAVID, DYLAN AND CHARLOTTE LOH
JONATHAN LEE AND SUSAN HAN
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VIP
CINDY HONG, CHARMAINE HAN, JEAN HAN, DORIS HAN, LOTUS SOH AND DORA HONG
NATALIE GUNAWAN AND RACE LOH
LYNETTE AND BEN WONG
ANG YEN NEY AND KEVIN FOO
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EMELIA TAN AND DOROTHY TAN
VIP
MARTIN GEH AND KATHRYN YAP
IVY CHOA
NATASHA NAPITUPULU SIANIPAR
DESIGNER DENNY WIRAWAN WITH GUESTS EDMUND NG
LOAF
Good Vibes Instead of a hotel ballroom, ladies from charity organisation Love One Another with Faith (Loaf) opted for an intimate do for their annual fundraiser — at the beautiful home of architect Edmund Ng and gallery owner Jazz Chong. The couple transformed their basement into a magnificent space, complete with two long tables and art-lined walls. Leading the highlights for the evening were a performance by Loaf beneficiaries, a fashion show by Indonesian designer Denny Wirawan, and a delicious dinner prepared by Indonesian celebrity chef Arimbi Nimpuno. To raise even more funds, the hosts, including Anna Kwan, Ety Wiranto, Monica Rufi na, Lidia Lim, Aulia Singgih, Cheryl Ong and Alice Lim, auctioned several items such as an exclusive dinner for 12 cooked by Ng.
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MONICA RUFINA, IMELDA SAFAVI, VIVIEN CHUNG AND FEN KWAN
RONALD LOW AND SARAH TAN
EDNA ESSIEN, ADRIANI KHOR, WIEKE MULIA, ADELINE OH AND VENNILA MARDEMOOTOO
ANNA KWAN ARIMBI NIMPUNO
SANTOSO SURATSO, TEDJA WIDJAJA AND BUDI KUSMARTONO STEVE AND ANNE LEE
LING FU
JAZZ CHONG, SUHANA AB AND ETY WIRANTO
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VIP
LINDA SOO-TAN, LAURA LIM AND LAM TZE TZE
INGRID PRASATYA
ADRIAN NG AND LOH MAY-HAN
KIDZ HORIZON APPEAL
The Goodfellas Armed with pistols and dressed in dark suits and fedoras, the feared Cosa Nostra (Sicilian Mafia) looked ready to go to the mattresses. It was for a good cause that the syndicate descended on the The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, where the Kidz Horizon Appeal staged its annual fundraiser in aid of the KKH Health Endowment Fund. Attended by more than 200 including guest-of-honour Education Minister Ng Chee Meng, the event kicked off with speeches by founder Caroline Low-Heah and gala organising committee chairperson Cheryl Lee, who both shared how the funds would go toward helping needy children and women with chronic illnesses. Specially constructed jail cells and a bank vault, as well as an original vintage Mercedes-Benz from the 1930s provided ample opportunities for Instagram-worthy photos. Through table sales, an auction and raffle draw, more than $1 million was raised.
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STEPHANIE LEE AND CHOO KEN-YI BELINDA CHUA AND SABRINA HO
DANA AND DARREN CHEONG WITH DOUGLAS AND ODILE BENJAMIN
HEAH SIEU MIN, CAROLINE LOW-HEAH, NG CHEE MENG WITH NICHOLAS AND ELIZABETH HEAH
PEGGY JEFFS, CELESTE BASAPA, OSCAR MICO AND LOTUS SOH
LILY AND BEN NEO
KEVIN AND GRACE WONG
MARGIE VAN ELTEN AND JOE BLOMMAERT
CHERYL LEE AND QUAH SOON HONG
VICTOR AND PUI YEE OW WITH BRYAN TAN AND CARMEN OW
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VIP
CHRISTINA ANG, SUSANNA HAN, JEROME METZGER AND HAN SENG JUAN
EMMA HEWITT VENUS TEO
CHOO KEN-YI AND STEPHANIE LEE
CARTIER
New Cat on the Block To celebrate the revival of Eighties icon, the Panthère de Cartier watch, Cartier transformed Infi nite Studios at Media Circle into a heady nightclub where champagne and wine flowed with abandon. More than 500 special guests took in entertainment helmed by Dutch electronic powerhouse DJ Dash Berlin and Australian trance vocalist Emma Hewitt. Hosted by Jérôme Metzger, Cartier’s regional managing director for Southeast Asia and Oceania, the party followed festivities that kicked off in Los Angeles. How purr-fect.
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LAWRENCE LOH AND JESSIE HO-THONG
ANGELA NG AND MADELINE LER
MIA LEE AND ANGELINA CHOO
RACHEL CHNG, JILLY WANG AND FANTY SOENARDY
CHARLOTTE YEN
VIVIAN CHAN AND PEARL SUCIATI
STEPHANIE LEE AND KENNY CHAN PAMELA ARDANA LOCK CHING YUEN AND KYOKO ABE
SHERELYN HENG
JANET CHING AND LORETTA LEE
PATEK PHILIPPE
More than just a Pretty Face
CARMEN OW AND ELAINE LIM-CHAN
Ladies, fine watches and edible art installations came together beautifully in a series of intimate ladies-only brunch and high tea sessions organised by Patek Philippe. Held to highlight the brand’s long-standing eminence among women — one that started since its inception in 1839 — they also served as perfect launch pads for Patek Philippe 2017 ladies’ novelties in Singapore. Guests were presented with a chocolate painted canvas depicting their personal take on time.
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VIP
BASHIR DAWOOD WITH ONE OF THE YMCA YOUTHS
A YOUTH GETTING INVOLVED IN THE MAGIC SHOW BASHIR DAWOOD WITH THE YOUTHS AND VOLUNTEERS
YMCA PROJECT BRIDGE
Let’s Torque There was plenty of excitement in the air — other than boisterous teenage chatter, adrenaline was radiating from the Formula 1 (F1) race track in Singapore. At the 2017 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, 15 youths from YMCA Project Bridge’s Youth Centre basked in the thrills and spills of F1, thanks to established businessman Bashir Dawood and his wife Mariyam. To him, F1, which brings together the brightest minds from various industries, is about working together to achieve greater things. “Together, we are able to break records, surpass boundaries and redefi ne limits,” he says. These young men and women caught their racing heroes in action during a practice session, as they feasted on mouthwatering food and drinks at the Club Suite. This was followed by an exciting magic show. Says Dawood: “We hope this fusion of knowledge will inspire someone enough to fuel him or her to become the next F1 champion, John Cooper, or even Elon Musk.”
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©2014-2015 Harry Winston, Inc. CLASSIC WINSTON™ RINGS
©2014 Harry Winston, Inc. WINSTON™ CLUSTER
JESSIE HO-THONG AND ANN TAN
HALOGEN FOUNDATION SINGAPORE
Good Cooking Amid honing their skills in the kitchen, 24 individuals took the opportunity to give back to society, thanks to Halogen Foundation Singapore. Part of its dining series, the charity organised a fundraising culinary masterclass with Michelin-starred restaurant L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Held at its cooking studio at Resorts World Sentosa, everyone, guided by Chef de Cuisine Lorenz Hoja and Pastry Chef Antonio Benites, created a sumptuous three-course menu. The event raked in more than $5,000 to support local youths from needy families.
LORENZ HOJA JADE KUA, PIERRE CHRISTIAN IP-YAM, ANN TAN AND GEORGIA LEE
VIOLET YEO AND LAURA LIM TAN XING WEI, WINNIE CHAN N JAMES M QUAN N AND
PAULINA BOHM AND MANIZA JUMABHOY
CHAUMET
Love Links Chaumet launched its Liens Séduction jewellery collection in Singapore with a lively party at its Ion Orchard boutique. One of eight exclusive soirees held around the world on the same day, it brought together jewellery connoisseurs for an evening of bespoke cocktails as they admired up-close the luxurious rose- or white-gold and diamond creations, explored the history of Liens through a digital film, and wrote their own chapters in the story in an interactive video booth.
REBECCA EU, TJIN LEE AND MIN LEE
CHERYL WEE
LOTUS SOH AND GRACE YEH
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RSVP
VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Celestial Mechanics As a tribute to its technical virtuosity and grand artistry, Vacheron Constantin unveiled its latest astronomical timepieces, Métiers d’Art Copernicus Celestial Spheres, to esteemed guests. The essence of horology and astronomy was brought to life in meaningful dialogues exploring the complexities of both worlds. The evening’s highlight was a moon-gazing session from the highest point of Ion Orchard, where guests also captured images of the moon.
KWOK KIN FEI, YASSIN TAG, TOM CHNG AND VERNON CHUA
MR AND MRS SIMON CHUA
BENJAMIN TAN
ROBIN WONG AND ANDY CHUA
RANDE GERBER, CINDY CRAWFORD, KAIA GERBER AND PRESLEY GERBER
JANE CHUCK
OMEGA
Ladies First After Milan, Moscow, Shanghai and Sydney, Omega’s Her Time exhibition makes a stop in Paris during Fashion Week. Recalling the manufacture’s rich history, from the early Lèpine pendants to the iconic Ladymatic watches of today, the showcase celebrates the brand’s expertise in ladies timepieces. The opening night at the Hôtel de Sully welcomed Omega’s longest serving ambassador, Cindy Crawford, and her children Kaia and Presley Gerber, also its newest and youngest ambassadors. French actress Pauline Lefèvre was the MC for the evening while German DJ Robin Schulz concluded the exciting evening with an energetic set, accompanied by singer Richard Judge.
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NICK CHOU
JOAN SMALLS
CHENG CHYE PENG
RAPHAËL SIMACOURBE
A Starlit Christmas Christmas is sweeter when your epicurean delights come handmade in a box. Dazzle your favourite season in style and luxury with our Christmas Gift Basket. Packed thoughtfully with all your traditional favourites, a bottle of Taittinger Brut Reserve NV Champagne, Ronnefeldt Tea Couture and our unique Peacock Plushie, your festive celebration will be one that everyone remembers for years. For more information, please contact the Chef’s Table Team at +65 6591 5089 or chefstable@capellahotels.com
Capella Singapore 1 The Knolls Sentosa Island Singapore 098297 +65 6377 8888 capellasingapore.com
PROFILE
140
WORKING CLASS ARTIST
Singer-songwriter-author Inch Chua is an all-round creative who tells GERRIE LIM that she’s an introvert who still yearns to be a painter NOW THAT SHE’S
done with an opera called Purgatory, which she describes as a “creepy ghost story” penned by Gordon Crosse and utilising WB Yeats’ words, there’s a new single where she collaborates with graphic artist Jonathan Lim Yong Ern, who mentored under Sonny Liew. “It’s a personal story of his, about a 30-something who’s disillusioned,” says Inch Chua (stylised on her website as iNCH), “and we thought it would be great to go with the story, which is called Walking Like Trees.” The song, titled “Trees,” drops in January 2018 and heralds her third album, after Wallflower (2010) and Bumfuzzle (2013). Meantime, an EP called Letters to Ubin followed in 2015, in tandem with two singles, “MouseDeer” and “Dust That Moves”. In-between, in 2014, she launched her book, Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea, an amalgamation of her journals and lyrics, published by The Altar Collective in Los Angeles. Isn’t that a relatively long wait? “I would call myself a natural introvert,” says the Capricorn (she was born on December 22, 1988) with a smile. “If I could, I would stay in a cave and not feel the need to connect with other people at all. I would not be lonely. But, in my purpose as a
human being, I feel I should be part of this, going out with friends and being sociable, even though my baseline is to be an introvert.” “One thing that upsets me the most is how the media or anyone else has felt the need to pigeonhole me, or label me as a ‘singer’ or a ‘songwriter.’ You’re always reduced to a label, and I guess it’s convenient for people to identify you that way. I don’t really want to say something unless I have to say it. Most of the time, I do performances or whatever that’s fun and creative, and I get to pay my bills. Yes, I am a workingclass artist.” What do her parents make of this? “They weren’t supportive at first, it took a while for them to feel that I was passionate about something,” she concedes. “To them I was a fickle-minded kid, and music wasn’t my dream job. I wanted, and still want, to be a painter. But that never happened.” She laughs, recalling the decision to relocate from Los Angeles in 2015 after five years overseas and in deference to her siblings, a brother and a sister who now live respectively in Australia and the US. This came about right after the book was published. Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea was “about songwriting
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and I hoped that I could compile it into an art book of some sort, especially since I’m a painter, so I thought I would present them through my diary. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if people knew the backstory to my lyrics?’ I decided to publish my journal, taking my inspiration from Kurt Cobain’s diaries. It was so emotional and so nonsensical at times — I loved it, it was unreal.” The print run for Singapore, she discloses, was only 1,000 copies, and it moved partly because “there are three things that, I think, describe me — honest, quirky and
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independent.” She doesn’t even know who updates her Wikipedia profile, which doesn’t mention the book at all. Her recordings are, therefore, her main conduit to the masses, even though her two albums reflect a schizoid past. “I think for my EP The Bedroom in 2009, there was so much possibility and no pressure and no expectations,” she says. “After that, when Wallflower came out, it was the scariest thing ever. I needed to one-up The Bedroom and I wrote songs about resolving traumas, a ‘coming of age’ through songwriting. “But my focus was all about experimenting with sound, to try to be a smart-a** because I am ‘so fancy and so sophisticated’ — you try to tell yourself that — and that was what Bumfuzzle was about. The word ‘bumfuzzle’
means ‘to be confused and flustered’ — and because of the word ‘fuzz’, it had to do with the ‘fuzz sound’ sonically, with rock guitars. I did it how I wanted to do it, but it was a weird feeling because I was unhappy with it. My expectations were so much higher. I realised the most important thing was the authenticity of the stories. I wasn’t real to myself.” And so, “doing the book was the closest thing to therapy that I have, holding myself accountable and marking the season.” Then Letters to Ubin was to try to answer why returning to Singapore seemed so important. “Pulau Ubin was close to my heart because I had done a lot of adventure and nature walks there, and I decided to see it and find out why nobody lives there, to take it back to the provincial life, our cabin in the woods. I lived there for four months and was overloaded with inspiration, I wrote 20 songs while I was there, in a place that’s basically dying a slow death.” “Its gentrification was swallowing it up, and it’s a fake provincial life. Looking back, I have a plant philosophy, which is why the song “Dust That Moves” is my personal favourite...‘all that survives is dust that moves.’ We need to push ourselves a bit more.” Ubin became a paradigm, so to speak, for the sort of purgatory her homeland has become? “Singapore does that, they have to sterilise it,” she agrees. “There is an unhappiness and disgruntlement about it. I’m trying to figure out why Singaporeans are so unhappy. That’s my morbid curiosity, and I’m still trying to figure it out.”
PHOTO: CRISPIAN CHAN
PROFILE
AUGUSTMAN
every face tells a story
AUGUSTMAN is running a writing competition. Pick an interesting person, interview him or her, write a personality feature and include at least one profile photo. The top two entries will win a prize from Montblanc and get published in augustman.
Judging
Top 6 entries will be selected for public online voting 50% based on public online voting, 50% by AUGUSTMAN
Rules
Each pa icipant is limited to one entry Open to pa icipants from ages 13 to 25 Remember to include your full name and contact details Submit your story to augustman@burda.com.sg Competition closes on 31 December 2017 For more details, head to fb.com/augustman
In collaboration with:
COVER
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HIGH JEWELLERY SERPENTI EARRINGS IN PINK GOLD WITH SNAKEWOOD AND DIAMONDS, HIGH JEWELLERY SERPENTI NECKLACE IN PINK GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, HIGH JEWELLERY SERPENTI RING IN PINK GOLD WITH SNAKEWOOD AND DIAMONDS, ALL FROM BVLGARI SHIRT-DRESS, FROM PAUL SMITH; HAT, FROM HERMÈS; BELT, FROM BOTTEGA VENETA
Her
FD
ather’s
aughter Whether in business or at home, the influence of family on Lam Tze Tze is hard to ignore, discovers ZARA ZHUANG
FASHION DIRECTION JOHNNY KHOO | ART DIRECTION AUDREY CHAN | PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL LOW | FASHION STYLING JACQUIE ANG | HAIR SEAN ANG @ FAC3INC USING KEVIN MURPHY | MAKE-UP ELAIN LIM USING CHANEL | PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE ALFIE PAN
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DIVAS’ DREAM NECKLACE IN PINK GOLD WITH AMETHYST, PERIDOT, RUBELLITE AND DIAMONDS, DIVAS’ DREAM RING IN PINK GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, BOTH FROM BVLGARI BLANKET, FROM CÉLINE
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L
AM TZE TZE spent much of her childhood in her parents’ office, playing computer games — Lode Runner, Pac-Man, Pinball, and Super Mario Brothers — from the age of four, surrounded by tech equipment and business meetings, and seeing first-hand the satisfaction and excitement when projects were won at ElectroAcoustics Systems (EAS). “I was, in a way, conditioned to feel comfortable in a business environment,” she says. Coming from an entrepreneurial family — her paternal grandfather owned businesses in gold bullion trading, jewellery, pawnbroking, textiles and garments, while her parents worked in multinational companies in the UK and Singapore before striking out on their own to found one of Singapore’s leading multimedia system integrators — Lam has inherited that same drive and spunk. Today, she works alongside her father, EAS Managing Director Lam Tong Loy, and oversees business development and investments for the company, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and robotics (her mother, Lam Ping Yee, handles finance). The company, which turns 35 this year, is staying ahead of the game by intensifying its focus on new partnerships and investing in innovative technologies, through collaborations with start-ups and other companies. And in line with China’s One Belt and One Road Initiative, EAS is joining forces with a Chinese investor to benefit from infrastructure investments along the route. Setting her own direction while working shoulder to shoulder with her father hadn’t been part of Lam’s plan for herself. “We are close and we discuss many matters but I
wasn’t sure we could work together as we both have strong opinions,” she says. “Perhaps because of my experience working for others, I’ve learnt to handle things better and to look at the broader picture.” “[My father] insisted I worked for someone else from the start, because he said I would not learn otherwise,” she adds. “His actual words were, ‘You have to let someone torture you at work.’” No literal torture was involved, but Lam did spend the first decade of her career charting her own course in the telecommunications arena in Hong Kong. After graduating from the Cheltenham Ladies’ College in the UK, she completed a degree in Economics at the University of Bristol. In the following year, after getting a Master’s degree in International Management with a focus on China at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, Lam joined the mobile operator New World Mobility in Hong Kong as a management trainee, shortly before the use of smartphones and mobile technology experienced an explosive proliferation. Within six months of joining the company, New World Mobility merged with CSL Limited, a Telstra-owned company, to form a new joint venture that would become the leading and largest mobile operator in Hong Kong. “I saw how a merger affected a company and the changes it brought about,” Lam recalls. “Being a junior staff then and seeing the changes unfold in front of your eyes was all very exciting. Most importantly, you observe and learn how to be the leader you want to be.” Her six-and-a-half years in the Hong Kong telecommunications industry were not without incident. Once, while in her mid to late twenties, Lam was passed over
“My father insisted I worked for someone else from the start. His actual words were, ‘You have to let someone torture you at work’”
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COVER
HIGH JEWELLERY SERPENTI EARRINGS AND NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD WITH EMERALDS AND DIAMONDS, FROM BVLGARI SWEATER, FROM LORO PIANA
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HIGH JEWELLERY NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD WITH EMERALDS AND DIAMONDS, HIGH JEWELLERY RING IN WHITE GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, BOTH FROM BVLGARI COAT, FROM BOTTEGA VENETA; PANTS, MACGRAW; BELT, STYLIST’S OWN
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE 149
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“I admire the tenacity of my parents to get things done and done well, and their ability to work hard and play hard” for a promotion for reasons entirely unrelated to competence. “I was naturally disappointed and frustrated to be told that as a woman and coming from my background, I didn’t have to work so hard and didn’t need the job as much as another person,” she says. “I didn’t accept that as a reason for being passed over for a promotion, so I made my disappointment known to my boss and asked to discuss it with him.” She got the well-deserved recognition in the end. Blame it on the seven-year itch, but Lam began to contemplate broadening her horizons. Having achieved the goals she had set for herself at the start, she was soon scanning the landscape for openings in a different field. A chance to join the biotech venture New B Innovation came up, along with the opportunity to set up a new department that focused on business process management to improve corporate performance. “Chemistry was my worst subject in school!” Lam recounts her initial struggle. But she didn’t give up; she tirelessly consulted colleagues in research and development on scientific terms. Her efforts paid off, and gradually she became adept in regulatory affairs as well as the drawn-out rigidity that came with them. “Representing the company when dealing with organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency was a whole new world for me,” she adds. “But I managed to draw on my previous experience in [the telco industry] to initiate discussions to obtain regulatory approvals.” Lam and her team had to juggle multiple meetings in a day while coming up with presentations and proposals for review and approval by the management. They also had to do much groundwork to better understand how to introduce these changes to make the company more effective and efficient. “I realised how difficult it was to make changes in a large corporation and the immense effort required to implement
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those changes,” Lam says of the experience. “You can have the grandest plan in the world, but at the end of the day, it is about how it is delivered and executed.” Lam ended up living in Hong Kong for 10 years and was quite content with life in the territory. She returned to Singapore in 2016 for good. “There was no good time to come back,” she says. Her parents had enrolled her in boarding school at age 17 so she could learn to be more independent, and thus had lived apart from their only child for 17 years. “Before Cheltenham, I’d never lived with anyone else besides my parents,” Lam explains. “Imagine having to live on your own in a foreign country and learning how to do your own laundry for the first time!” But her long sojourn in Hong Kong impressed her father. “My dad revealed to me one day, after I’d been working in Hong Kong for a few years, that he didn’t think I would last six months initially,” Lam says. “He didn’t say he was proud of me, but I knew he was.” Since returning home, Lam has spent time cooking, travelling and hosting dessert parties with family and friends, attending pilates reformer and gyrotonics classes, and baking, an activity she and her mother have enjoyed together since she was a child. Working alongside her parents has taught her valuable lessons she believes hold true. “A genuine smile, a sincere hello, a firm handshake — all these gestures are very telling of a person,” she explains. “My dad always says that once you lose credibility and integrity, you pretty much lose everything because nobody will take you seriously after that.” Her parents’ influence on her is undeniable. “I admire the tenacity of my parents to get things done and done well, and their ability to work hard and play hard!” Lam says. “To me, they are a power couple. They’ve shown me that the way to success is hard work and perseverance.”
DIVAS’ DREAM NECKLACE AND BRACELET IN PINK GOLD WITH AMETHYST, PINK TOURMALINE, RUBELLITE AND DIAMONDS, FROM BVLGARI SHIRT, FROM PAUL SMITH; HAT, FROM PRADA
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BEYOND THE FRINGE
Beijing-born designer MASHA MA is on the fast track, opening stores in rapid succession in China and showing her clothes at Paris Fashion Week, writes MARK GRAHAM
FROM LEFT: MASHA MA; A LOOK FOR AUTUMN/ WINTER 2017
ONCE SEEN, MASHA Ma is never forgotten. The designer has a floppy, over-the-face fringe that has become a talked-about feature on Chinese social media, to the extent that there is even a hashtag, #halffacecovergirl. As a media-savvy millennial, Ma encourages fans to post their own versions of her eye-obscuring fringe, which also allows direct contact with people who buy her clothes. But, as she cheerfully admits, there are those who find the constant fringe flicking rather irritating. When meeting Ma, a naturally bright and garrulous character, it can be distracting to have every answer accompanied by a shake of the head, or a sweep of the hand, to move the damn fringe out of the way. “It’s a love or hate thing, I don’t think you’ll find so much neutral or middle ground,” laughs Ma with — inevitably — a toss of the fringe. “People hashtag me when they have a similar hairstyle and for fun I’ll choose one every week and repost it. Hundreds of people are doing it, some are shy so they send me messages on Weibo, or Wechat, rather than posting it, they want me to see it.” “It started when I was very young, I didn’t want to have a boring hairstyle with an ordinary fringe, or be cutesy. I was never a pretty girl when I was young so I wanted to cover my face and then I got lazy and it got longer and one day it stayed longer and I realised it was a hairstyle and a way of people recognising me. It also helped in Europe where people often think that Asians look alike — they definitely remember me!”
They do indeed, and not only for the distinctive tresses. Ma is becoming something of a force internationally, and in her native China, with a rapidly expanding portfolio of stores and lines. There are three main brands; one catering to entry-level fashionistas, another to more discerning consumers, and a third aimed at an increasingly important segment of the market of menswear. She’s nothing if not bold and ambitious, showing at the twice-annual shows in Paris at ever-larger venues. October’s catwalk, which showcased the Spring/Summer 2018 collection, also featured a specially commissioned film by Hong Kong-based Wing Shya, that pays homage to Wong Kar-wai’s movie 2046. There’s also been a slew of endorsements from celebrity names, confirming Masha Ma as a brand with plenty of star quotient. Togs from Ma have been donned by A-list actress Zhang Ziyi, shock-popster Lady Gaga and supermodel Naomi Campbell. International magazines have also picked up on the rising star from China, with profiles galore in some of the most cutting-edge fashion publications. A writer at Style.com neatly summed up her allure a few years ago. “If you were to pin a picture on fashion’s new global face it might well be the Beijing-born, London- and Paris-trained Masha Ma. A much-noted rising star, Ma creates an aesthetic that combines Parisian silhouettes with American colours and London detail.” The British capital was the most important early influence, opening Ma’s eyes to a whole world of career possibilities. She listened attentively during lectures at Central Saint Martins design school, and threw herself enthusiastically into an exploration of the nightlife scene, visiting grunge clubs, technomusic parties and after-hours bars. Says Ma: “London has an energy and rawness and good young designers like no other city in the world. It has that rebellious element. I was affected by the nightlife scene, the music and the interesting people. Everyone has their own style. You see hilariously fascinating
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MASHA MA DESIGNS FOR STRONG, INTELLIGENT WOMEN. THE COLLECTIONS ELICIT EMOTION, BUT ARE NEVER CUTE OR GIRLIE
people who express themselves in a very liberating way, that really affected me. I felt that I belonged to the fashion tribe, almost like a religion.” A post-college job at Alexander McQueen also allowed the neophyte designer an opportunity to learn from one of the true contemporary fashion innovators. It’s no coincidence that sharp tailoring — a particular strength of Savile Row-trained McQueen — is also one of Ma’s signatures. Overall, her style is considered feminine and elegant, with the pencil skirt at the very heart of all collections. There’s also the odd quirky touch, such as sending out models with face masks at a Paris show, a gimmicky but effective way of drawing attention to her brand, and focusing on the severe pollution that chokes major Chinese cities, in particular her home city of Beijing. Not that highlighting the smog in any way sullied her reputation with the powers that be. An invitation arrived soon afterwards to design the kit for the China team at the Olympic Games in Rio; other commissions have included livery for a British Airways plane, costumes for mainland Chinese television productions and new uniforms for a luxury resort hotel. It has resulted in a dizzyingly hectic schedule that involves shuttling between Shanghai and Paris, with regular side trips to Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. Being young and energetic helps — Ma turns 32 later this year — as does an ability to compartmentalise.
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“You need to be determined — if you want something badly enough you will get it. You figure out a way” When in Shanghai, early mornings see Ma ensconced in her office, with orders not to be disturbed, focusing on thinking and sketching. Music and magazines are main sources of inspiration, as are movies, art galleries and technology. The creative process involves consistently coming up with new ideas for her three separate brands. There is the main Masha Ma clothing line that made her name; Masha Ma + Lofi, a collaboration with stylist Cherry Gun that’s aimed at millennials; and Mattitude, which targets modern urban males who are seeking a classy, well-made local alternative to imported designer brands. She says: “You have your morning coffee, you’re in your office in a moment of meditation, completely liberated. Your mind is freed up for innovative and creative possibilities, with the feeling that you can design anything today. It’s real freedom.” “I have a team of young and talented people. They’re all millennials — I don’t think any of them have spent a day without a smartphone! We’re always looking for people who have a strong state of mind and are clear what their speciality is. It’s like a basketball team; not every player can play in every position.” “We’re designing for strong and sharp and active women; not sexual, more sensual. It’s emotional but never cute, or ruffley or girlie. It is about the woman of the future, the metropolitan woman.” “In China we cover all levels, all price points, we’re strong with the media and we have a lot of liquid projects, styling for TV shows or celebrities. I think if anybody in this world wants to have a chance to sell in China she will. At this
point, if you’re not selling in China it’s because you don’t have the channel, or you’re not doing very well. For any luxury brand it’s one of the major markets and will continue to be.” To that end, Ma will have around 100 stores up by the end of next year, with plans to raise
more capital for further expansion. If all goes according to plan, she will be the only Chinaborn designer with a nationwide collection of stores and a high-profile presence in the upscale department stores in other parts of the world. She says: “As an entrepreneur, you need to be determined — if you want something badly enough you will get it. You figure out a way. I’ve made a zillion mistakes and will probably make
a zillion more but I think progress is made by making mistakes. “You only lose when you stop doing it. I would say the biggest mistake I made was listening to too many people and not the right ones. It takes a lot of determination to get into the fashion industry; for me, I’m not capable of doing anything else and I always want to go forward.” That surging momentum will be significantly propelled by using social media as a main marketing tool. There are few people more adept than Ma at utilising the various platforms to push her brand, the #halffacecovergirl campaign being a prime example, or @Mashamainsta on Instagram. Despite her outgoing personality, eloquent rapid-fire speech and willingness to ham it up, there’s one occasion when Ma is genuinely reluctant to step into the spotlight. The tradition at Paris Fashion Week is for the designer to come out after the show to take a bow: John Galliano has famously emerged from backstage dressed as an astronaut, a cowboy and a navvy. China’s most visible designer at the City of Light — happy to swan around at all the best parties with her highly visible look of floppy fringe, multiple earrings, back tattoo and thick black specs — has to be pushed on to the catwalk. “I hate taking the bow at the end; if I could get out of it, I would,” she says. “It’s not about being shy. I’m not so interested in taking the credit for everything because it’s a team effort.”
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FROM LEFT: ZHANG’S DRAGON DRESS, NOW ON PERMANENT DISPLAY AT THE V&A MUSEUM; HUISHAN ZHANG
MADE IN CHINA
Hollywood stars and discerning fashionistas are fans of China-born designer Huishan Zhang, writes MARK GRAHAM
HUISHAN ZHANG’S STAR is rising at a phenomenally fast pace. After achieving his first-stage goal of being stocked in the world’s major high-end department stores, the designer is opening a boutique in the heart of London’s most exclusive fashion district, just off Bond Street. In fact the British fashion establishment has adopted Zhang as one of its own, giving him high-profile exposure during London’s fashion weeks, awarding him various accolades — including the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize, worth a not-to-be-sniffed-at HK$250,000 — and generally lending support whenever needed. It’s easy to see why. Zhang, 35, is what the Brits call a good egg — affable, unflappable, always smiling and eager to please. There is no discernible ego, even though he’s now a recognisable name, dressing Gigi Hadid, Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren, to name but four, with his clothing on the rails at discerning stores such as Bergdorf Goodman in New York, Selfridges in London, and Joyce in Hong Kong. One of Zhang’s main schticks is that the clothes carry the “Made in China” label, disproving the popular perception that the
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TWO LOOKS FROM HUISHAN ZHANG’S AUTUMN/WINTER 2017 COLLECTION
nation can only produce low-end, cheaply made goods. Ultimately, though, he wants to be known for quality, making clothes that meet the same exacting standards as the Guccis, Pradas and Diors of this world. “It’s a delicate balance,” he concedes. “When I started it was my ambition to have ‘Made in China’, but after you’ve made that statement, you have to do it through the quality of design. We don’t want to hide from being ‘Made in China’, because we’re proud of it, but we don’t want to overemphasise that point of view. We don’t want to be a stereotype.” The clothes are manufactured in a part of China not usually associated with clothing. But the northern port of Qingdao, famous for Tsingtao beer, does have a nucleus of highly trained craftspeople who can interpret Zhang’s designs to the letter. Zhang was born and raised in the city before heading out into the world, ultimately landing a place at Central Saint Martins in London, and feels understandable pride in helping the local economy. Not that it makes life easy: Production facilities in Qingdao and a design studio in London mean he’s constantly buckling up his seat belt. “Travel is important and it inspires me a lot. In theory you have to wait for inspiration, go to a beautiful space and lock yourself in and be truly inspired, but in reality, when you’re an entrepreneur with your own brand and business, trying to organise studios in different countries, you design
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wherever you can. I design a lot on planes, as that’s a place where nobody can bother you with phone calls. I always have ideas, I’m always planning for the next season.” The Zhang diary has become even more crowded with the opening of its London flagship store (in Mayfair) in September. As with his clothing, it has an East-meets-West element; one side has clean and sharp lines, the other
more elaborate fixtures and fittings, with textured walls. An own-name store in the heart of the city’s high-end fashion district is also a statement of intent, heralding that he’s here to stay. Remarkably, the store and the business expansion to date have been funded solely by him and his
“I design a lot on planes, as that’s a place where nobody can bother you with phone calls”
immediate family, with no outside investment. It speaks of a canny attitude when it comes to pricing, predicting sales and hiring appropriate staff. Zhang is the first to admit that reading spreadsheets, drawing up budgets and monitoring currency fluctuations were skills that had
to be learnt as an adult; maths was low on the list of his favourite school subjects. “If you’re determined you can learn,” he says. “But as CEO and creative director, I have a sense of responsibility; taking care of my employees and knowing my business better encourages me to learn.” Clearly, Zhang is getting it right on both fronts. There are now four collections a year, with solid orders from more than 40 retailers worldwide and a core of celebrity fans who wear the clothes at red-carpet events. The range has also expanded, though his bread-and-butter staple — to use his own words — is the cocktail dress. But whether it’s a gown, a coat or a top, and whatever the level of embellishment, almost all his clothes have a subtle nod to the brand’s East-West ethos. “The clothes are for modern-day women who travel and have a real life,” he says. “The fabric has been designed so it doesn’t wrinkle, whether it’s silk or cotton. That’s the trademark, you can travel and arrive, open your luggage and put your dress on the hanger — you don’t need to touch anything. All the garments are also ultra- light.” “The collection is semi-couture with a price that’s affordable. Every season is referenced by Chinese and Western culture, with modern-art influences. The Chinese element is more like a hidden trace rather than something obvious.” Confidence in his ability, and a singleminded determination, have taken Zhang a long way. It can’t have been easy as a tall, chubby, fashion-loving teenager in a Chinese provincial city during the 1990s. His favoured look of skinny jeans and orange sweater ensured he
stood out even more from the monochromatic crowd. The Huishan Zhang brand began in a Bloomsbury apartment, with a small staff and big ambitions. The first designs were lauded by the fashion press, with unstinting support from Vogue China, whose readers were proud to learn of a native son making it in the West. Successful sales figures were boosted further by the selection of the Zhang-designed couture Dragon Dress as a permanent exhibit in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s TT Tsui Gallery. “I always think that fashion is a way of expressing yourself, like a monitor to let people know what your mood is. Some people choose to hide their emotions through clothes, and some people choose to stress their emotions through clothes, it’s a very powerful tool. To me that’s something that I constantly pay attention to when I’m designing the clothes. It’s a statement of self-expression and a way of telling people who you are.” The designer’s mum and dad have always been fervent supporters, acquiescing readily to his wish to become a designer and helping with financial and emotional support at every stage. “I got unlimited support from my parents,” he says, “and they were open to letting me develop the way I wanted in a way that suits me. They were brave enough to send me away so I could realise my potential. When I was in New Zealand I wrote a note to my mom saying, ‘Thank you for letting me fly,’ a note that she still keeps.”
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TURTLENECK TOP, SKIRT, GLOVES, AND BAG, ALL FROM BOTTEGA VENETA; BERET, FROM PRADA; OPPOSITE PAGE: COAT-DRESS AND SHOES, BOTH FROM FENDI; BERET, FROM PRADA; BAG, FROM HERMÈS
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN =
The tale of notorious beretbearing bandit Bonnie Parker, reimagined in Autumn/Winter 2017’s chic knits, smart jackets and enigmatic scarves = FASHION DIRECTION JOHNNY KHOO PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL LOW FASHION STYLING JACQUIE ANG HAIR SEAN ANG @ FAC3INC USING OUAI MAKE-UP ELAIN LIM USING CHANEL PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE ALFIE PAN FASHION ASSISTANCE FELIX WOEI MODEL VERA LUIJENDIJK FROM AVE LOCATION CROWNE PLAZA CHANGI AIRPORT
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ZIP-UP DRESS, PULLOVER, SCARF, SHOES AND BAG, ALL FROM HERMÈS; BERET, FROM DIOR
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JACKET, FROM EMPORIO ARMANI; BERET, FROM DIOR; HW LOGO SAUTOIR NECKLACE IN 18K YELLOW GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, HW LOGO SAUTOIR NECKLACE IN 18K ROSE GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, HW LOGO WEDDING BAND IN 18K YELLOW GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, ALL FROM HARRY WINSTON
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BLOUSE AND JEANS, BOTH FROM MARC JACOBS; BERET, FROM PRADA; BELT, FROM GUCCI; CLASSICO LADY IN ROSE GOLD WITH ALLIGATOR STRAP, FROM ULYSSE NARDIN
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CARDIGAN, VEST, SKIRT, SCARF, BELT, SHOES AND BAG, ALL FROM GUCCI; BERET, FROM MAISON MICHEL AT NET-A-PORTER.COM
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DRESS, FROM CHLOÉ; BERET, FROM PRADA; CINTRÉE CURVEX WATCH IN STEEL WITH DIAMONDS AND CROCO LEATHER STRAP, FROM FRANCK MULLER
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BLOUSE AND PANTS, BOTH FROM MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION; BERET, FROM PRADA; CLASSIC FUSION KING GOLD WITH RUBBER STRAP, FROM HUBLOT
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SWEATER, PANTS, BERET AND SCARF, ALL FROM DIOR; BOOTIES, FROM HERMÈS
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DRESS, FROM MIU MIU; BERET, FROM MAISON MICHEL AT NET-A-PORTER.COM
FASHION
JACKET, FROM STELLA MCCARTNEY; SKIRT, FROM SALVATORE FERRAGAMO; BERET, FROM DIOR
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COAT, FROM CARVEN; BAG, FROM LONGCHAMP; BERET, FROM DIOR; SHOES, FROM JIMMY CHOO; WIG, STYLIST’S OWN
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JEWELLERY
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LOVE ME, LOVE ME KNOT
A light-hearted Liens Séduction series adds another link in the chain for the tender Liens de Chaumet collection, writes ZARA ZHUANG
LOVE HAS ALWAYS been at the heart of Chaumet since its founding in 1780. Its liens (or links) motif, symbolising the unbreakable bond between people, has also remained a signature of the brand since appearing in earliest designs of tiaras, brooches and necklaces from the belle époque and art deco eras. From diamond and sapphire bands that intersect to form bejewelled X’s on a 1907 choker, to braids of gold and diamonds that line the edge of a 1946 evening bag, the liens not only expresses union and intimacy, but also connects the past, present and future. Since spawning a collection in its own right during the seventies, the liens has built on its token as love and tenderness. Successive reinterpretations of the motif within the Liens collection have further cemented it as an emblem of eternal commitment and celebration of attachment in myraid forms — passion, friendship, and fi lial affection. And the fourth and latest Liens range, Liens Séduction, continues to perpetuate this tradition with its delightful romantic design, which evokes arms entwined in a lingering embrace. To launch the Liens Séduction, Chaumet premiered Histoires de Liens, a fi lm directed by Damien Krisl. Its mosaic of six scenes underlines the inspiration behind these designs — a ribbon of diamonds tied around the finger, moulded from metal to create a playful dance of light, and convey the ubiquituous appeal of the liens motif.
LIENS D’AMOUR These white gold engagement rings of Liens d’Amour feature solitaires of diamond, or coloured gemstones such as ruby, emerald, aquamarine, tourmaline, tanzanite, spinel and sapphire, held in place with a ribbon knotted on either side to signify a pledge of love and commitment and a celebration of intertwined destinies. The line-up also includes pendants and platinum wedding rings and bands.
LIENS SÉDUCTION The youngest Liens collection calls to mind a ribbon in perpetual motion with its fluid lines. It comprises 16 pieces of fine jewellery — pendants, bracelets, hoop earrings, ear studs, and rings — in white or rose gold, with or without diamonds, and exudes graceful femininity and romance with a sprinkling of whimsy.
JEUX DE LIENS
LIENS ÉVIDENCE The original Liens, this dates back to 1977, and provides a masculine, architectural counterpoint to the rhythmic aesthetic in other lines. Evoking strength and conviction with clean and refined silhouettes, the Liens Évidence bands of ceramic or precious metals and paved with diamonds, feature the link motif to bridge disjointed ends, much like forging a permanent connection between two souls.
This modern, playful range encapsulates the spirit of its name — games of links — with stylised X symbols that allude to pick-up sticks or a marionette’s control paddle. Launched in 2013 with diamond pavé pieces, it added in 2016 versions with gemstones such as turquoise, lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl that held a single diamond (also a first for the Liens collection). Earlier this year, pieces adorned with pink opal and chrysoprase were introduced, making it the most colourful of the Liens family.
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Primo,
Indulgence =
At Bulgari, high jewellery is an eternal quest for perfection, an exercise in ямБnesse and a bold declaration of style = ART DIRECTION CLEMENTINUS LIEM PHOTOGRAPHY CHING COORDINATION CANDICE CHAN
DIVAS’ DREAM WATCH IN PINK GOLD WITH CORAL, ONYX AND DIAMONDS OPPOSITE PAGE: DIVAS’ DREAM BRACELET IN PINK GOLD WITH MOTHER-OF-PEARL, CARNELIAN AND DIAMONDS; DIVAS’ DREAM NECKLACE IN PINK GOLD WITH MOTHER-OFPEARL, CARNELIAN AND DIAMONDS
HOCK GLASSES, ALL FROM SAINT-LOUIS AT MILLION LIGHTING; TABLEWARE, FROM HERMÈS; CUTLERY, FROM CHRISTOFLE
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JEWELLERY
FROM TOP: SERPENTI DOUBLE COIL WATCH IN WHITE GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, SAPPHIRES AND LAPIS LAZULI; LIMITED EDITION SERPENTI DOUBLE COIL WATCH IN PINK GOLD AND ENAMEL WITH DIAMONDS
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FROM LEFT: IL GIARDINO TROPICALE TOURBILLON IN WHITE GOLD AND CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL; IL GIARDINO LARIANO TOURBILLON IN PINK GOLD WITH DIAMONDS AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL
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JEWELLERY
FROM LEFT: DIVAS’ DREAM EARRINGS IN WHITE GOLD WITH RUBELLITE AND DIAMONDS; DIVAS’ DREAM NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD WITH RUBELLITE AND DIAMONDS
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FROM TOP: SERPENTI NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD WITH AQUAMARINE AND DIAMONDS; SERPENTI NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD WITH RUBELLITE AND DIAMONDS
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WATCHES
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DEFINING MOMENTS
Legendary American jeweller Harry Winston flexes its horological muscles with an array of covetable gents’ and ladies’ timepieces for 2017, CHARMIAN LEONG reports
AVENUE CLASSIC CHERRY BLOSSOM OPPOSITE PAGE: AVENUE CLASSIC AUTOMATIC
HAVING BUILT AN empire on draping the rich and famous in jewels, it is remarkable how far Harry Winston has also come in the world of watchmaking. From its diamondset red carpet-worthy sparklers to its technically complicated high complications like the Opus and Histoire de Tourbillon collections, Harry Winston’s timepieces need no introduction, and this year’s novelties further cement the brand’s reputation for watches that possess both style and substance. The most emblematic of Harry Winston’s brand of elegance is the Avenue, which enjoys the spotlight this year. The collection is inspired by the art deco period, during which the brand first took off, and named after the flagship salon in New York. Enjoying slightly more attention is the Avenue Classic Automatic, one of four new models for the collection, and the first to house an automatic movement. It bears the familiar rectangular shape as well as the arches found on the top and bottom of the case. Available in 18k rose or white gold, the case is set with 29 brilliantcut diamonds and a truncated diamond in the crown. New for this year’s Avenue novelties is a minute track, and this model features one outlined with 42 emerald-cut diamonds. To keep its slim profile (with a case thickness of just 8.43mm), the sapphire case back has been shaped to accommodate the slightly protruding rotor. While the Avenue Classic Automatic is ideal as an everyday watch, the Avenue Classic Cherry Blossom offers a little more flair. While these flowers symbolic of spring are famously ephemeral, their beauty has been immortalised by this watch.
There are 39 brilliant-cut white diamonds and 29 pink sapphires, cut in different sizes, to recreate the flowers and petals of cherry blossoms, which are attached to white gold branches. Its backdrop of green-blue motherof-pearl recalls clouds on a blustery spring morning. The alligator strap matches the colour of the dial, and its white gold buckle is set with six diamonds. If practicality is what you seek, look no further than the Avenue C Dual Time. Don’t
let its simple design fool you — subtle details make this among the most thoughtful and readable traveller’s watches out there. For easier distinction between the two counters on the dial, the larger (for local time) uses Roman numerals, while the smaller features Arabic ones. The minute track for the former is vertical, while it’s horizontal in the latter.
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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: AVENUE C MINI MOON PHASE; AVENUE C DUAL TIME; PREMIER DELICATE SILK AUTOMATIC 36MM
The counters are powered by two separate quartz movements, with double crowns to allow easy setting for both time zones, so as to accommodate countries with halfhour or quarter-hour differences. The Avenue C Mini Moon Phase is the second complication in the line-up, and a 9mm-by15.6mm case makes this among the smallest moon phase watches on the market. Like the rest of the 2017 Avenue timepieces, the minute track is shaped in an emerald cut — Harry Winston’s preferred diamond cut — though this model features an engraved floral motif that radiates from the centre of the dial to the confines of the minute track. Set against the white mother-of-pearl dial is the moon phase complication, viewed through a crescent-shaped aperture. The watch is available in 18k white or rose gold. The Avenue collection represents Harry Winston’s finesse
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in timeless design, but let’s not forget its other forte: Unusual artistry. For years the Harry Winston Premier Timepiece collection has been its key platform for showing off various artistic forms, such as feather and butterfly wing marquetry. This year it demonstrates the dexterity of silk. The silk used in the Premier Delicate Silk Automatic 36mm is woven by silkworms without human interference. It is dyed red, grey, white or pink to serve as the base of the dial.
A master embosser then stamps an 18- or 22k gold floral design onto the silk dial — a technique never before used in silk production — creating texture and depth. Since glue couldn’t be used to attach the silk to the dial for fear of its seeping through the material, diamond indexes are
FROM LEFT: PROJECT Z11; HISTOIRE DE TOURBILLON 8
used to pin the silk down. There are two references each in white gold and rose gold. Each is limited to 30 pieces. It’s not just the ladies who get to enjoy Harry Winston’s mastery of métiers d’art. Following the success of the Premier Precious Weaving Automatic 36mm that launched last year, the beefier Midnight Precious Weaving Automatic 42mm marks the return of this exquisite weaving technique. Slivers of Tahitian mother-of-pearl and silver-
coloured threads are woven into a silk mesh, creating a dial that subtly transforms whenever light hits it. Its calibre HW2008 is equipped with a silicon balance spring and comes with 72 hours of power reserve. The watch is available exclusively in 18k white gold and is limited to 50 pieces. Showing off the brand’s more masculine side is the latest model in the Project Z collection, the Project Z11. Characterised by a case of Zalium, a zirconium-based alloy exclusive to Harry Winston and lauded for its extreme toughness and resistance to corrosion, Project Z11 features an open-worked dial with a matte finish that draws on New York’s superstructures and steel
beams. Like its predecessors, the grey metal pairs beautifully with blue accents, as seen in the frame of the double-aperture date, hour markers, hands and shurikenshaped seconds. The automatic HW3206 calibre, which runs at 4Hz with a 72-hour power reserve, is driven by a silicon balance spring. It is limited to 300 pieces. Finally, we have the Histoire de Tourbillon 8, an absolute beast of a complication. At 51mm, the white gold case is large even for men’s watches, but it affords room for the twin biaxial tourbillons and the jumping hour and minute discs. Each tourbillon completes a full rotation every 75 seconds at a 30-degree incline, while a second cage within the movement turns on its own axis and completes a rotation every 45 seconds. All this helps place the balance wheel in multiple positions, thereby offering maximum chronometric performance. Only 20 pieces will be produced: 10 with a red dial and 10 with an anthracite dial.
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DAYS OF FUTURE PAST Urwerk’s exceptional think tank, Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner, discuss progressive horology with ANDRE FROIS
ALTHOUGH THEIR CHOICE of words and
knowledge give away undeniable gravitas when they discuss the philosophy of chronometry, Urwerk’s watchmaking duo Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner never tire when they engage cognoscenti and the uninitiated alike in conversation. Inexhaustibly inquisitive artisans since their journeyman days, Frei and Baumgartner recount events from their collective memory bank of 20 years in vivid detail, as if these had occurred yesterday. Their relentless pursuit of the silver lining where traditional watchmaking embraces contemporary pragmatism has brought them to this point, the UR-105 CT, which epitomises their most favoured aspects of both the old and new worlds. Christened the “Streamliner”, the UR-105 CT is dedicated by Frei and Baumgartner to their stints in art deco-rich New York City. Its black version is PVD-coated
steel and titanium while its gleaming rendition is fashioned from mirror-polished steel and titanium. Powered by ingenious high-efficiency turbines, this captivating objet d’art is first and foremost the duo’s message to the world that time is a matter of perspective.
to create new aesthetics that are inspired by space and history. Most importantly, our watches are inspired by what concerns us in our time. LET’S REVISIT THE INSPIRATION
AT
FIRST
GLANCE,
URWERK
WATCHES
CAN
BEHIND THE SIGNATURE SATELLITE
BEFUDDLE WITH THEIR UNUSUAL TIME DISPLAYS.
HOURS.
WHAT ARE YOUR OBJECTIVES WHEN PRESENTING TIME IN NON-CONFORMIST WAYS? Felix Baumgartner (FB): Two teachers from an art school that teaches watchmaking visited me recently. They said to me, “Fifteen years ago, you appeared and Urwerk was a new breath of life in watchmaking. Urwerk opened new doors for the craft and created new horizons.” That, was our objective. Martin Frei (MF): The concept of each watch is a chance to create a new idea and build around it. It starts small and builds up to a whole lot. Twenty years ago, the Swiss watchmaking industry had no countercurrent watchmaker. Even Franck Muller had only just started to have fun with his watches, which led to his signature Crazy Hours. We are trying
MF: “Satellite hours” was meant to make wearers focus on every hour. In conventional watches, the hand has to go all the way around. With our watches, the minutes move very slowly. It only has 90 degrees to move instead of 360. By indicating time differently, you can relay to a watch collector a different idea of time. FB: “Satellite hours” was inspired by the attempt to make time readable by night. Back then, the Pope commissioned clockmakers to devise a clock that could be easily read and
ALL-TIME FAVOURITES
Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei’s most important timepieces
UR-103 “The world got to know us through this model. This was the first version of the closed window watch. At the time, it was considered really groundbreaking and today it’s a classic. It started a niche.” — MF
UR-110 “This was one of the few futuristic watches that won over traditional watch collectors. It was also our first watch launch where Michael Jordan made a special appearance — an important moment for me. Robert Downey Jr also asked to wear it in SpiderMan Homecoming.” — MF
also legible by night. These clockmakers were gifted craftsmen who made lenses for Galileo Galilei. When I saw these blueprints as a boy in my father’s workshop, it inspired me to create another feel of time. ON THIS 20TH YEAR OF URWERK, HAVE YOUR GOALS CHANGED? FB: Our goals haven’t changed. They are still to research and innovate; to be curious. This quest goes on. MF: It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long! WHAT’S THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE OF URWERK LIKE? MF: We are 20 yearsstrong, but we are only in the beginning of futuristic watchmaking. We have new developments all the time that are each groundbreaking in its own right. We have a big novelty launching next year, which will be a talking piece and has taken us eight years to research.
UR-202 “This is like a tourbillon watch, but without the conventional tourbillon escapement. It was the first of its kind to be placed at such a price point; previously, a watch had to have a known complication in order to fetch such a price. The UR-202 explored a 3D idea of the traditional mechanical movement.” — FB
UR-210 “Inspired by vintage pocket watches, we applied the ‘Goldener Schnitt’ (golden ratio) to this unique watch. At this point, we had reached the peak of our mechanics and aesthetics and we found ourselves unable to surpass what we had achieved. We are proud that Ralph Lauren, who collects Urwerk, wore our watches during his fashion presentations.” — FB
ANY HINTS? FB: It’s a bit too early to reveal its inspiration and theme, but it is meant to bridge the past and the absolute precision expected of watches today. ARE THERE MODERNIST WATCH BRANDS OF TODAY THAT YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM? MF: I feel that it is important to not look at what other guys are doing. Our watches have their own unique themes. They stick to their themes from the beginning, but we try to take each of them a step further. Then, they naturally develop in their own directions.
UR-1001 “This Zeit Device is a grand complication, although not a typical grand complication. We’d always wanted to do this with a wristwatch, but realised we needed more space. It showcases the culture of Urwerk and what we are able do. It’s like the mothership of the whole collection.” — MF
era. I lived in New York for five years, where a lot of architecture and trains are made in art deco style. They were created by designers who looked at things differently — with an air of optimism — and UR-105 CT also has that progressiveness, purity and energy. WHEN
CONCEPTUALISING
A
TIMEPIECE, WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER FIRST:
ARTISTRY, CONCEPT, HISTORY
OR FUTURISM?
DOES THE UR-105 CT MARK A MILESTONE IN THIS ORGANIC DEVELOPMENT? FB: The UR-105 CT closes the buckle of this circle, in a way. With a skeletonised carousel in titanium and aluminium, we had a minimalistic approach with this watch. MF: It shows only time, but when opened, it showcases the whole movement. This is inspired by how the “hunter case”-style pocket watches opened. FB: Its self-winding mechanism is controlled by a high-efficiency system, which is wound by a crown that is not meant to be pulled out from the front, but fl icked out from its caseback. MF: The watch was inspired by the art deco
MF: Our thoughts are a mix of all these things. Firstly, our watches have to be wearable, even if they are crazy and strange. FB: We try to bring watchmaking further based on all of these. We play with different ideas and fashion our watches using the latest cutting-edge techniques. We are looking around for inspiration and ideas every day, living with curious eyes, through which we choose what to incorporate into our timepieces, in terms of design and mechanical functionality.
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THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT Omega celebrates its youngest ambassadors yet as they welcome the next generation of watch lovers, discovers MELAINNE CHIEW
16 YEARS young, Kaia Gerber has established quite a portfolio for herself, taking after her supermodel-mum, Cindy Crawford, in more ways than one. The American runway sensation, who landed her first modelling gig at the age of 10 with Young Versace, made headlines when she opened Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2018 show at Paris Fashion Week. In between, she’s scored a photo shoot with Vogue magazine and featured on the catwalks of Prada, Fendi, Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs, among numerous brands, establishing her sure-footed advance in the fashion industry.
AT
Gerber also tried her hand at acting, making her debut in the 2016 movie, Sister Cities. Her older brother, Presley Gerber, is no stranger to the scene too. Currently signed with IMG Models, the 18-year-old starred in a Calvin Klein campaign last year, in addition to various fashion spreads. The sister-brother duo have become Omega’s newest and youngest brand ambassadors. For Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of Omega, the Gerber siblings represent the next generation of watch lovers. He says, “They are good-looking, motivated, inspirational and full of energy. It’s incredible to have such a passionate family tradition within our brand and I’m so excited to begin working with these two young people.” Indeed, Kaia and Presley are not just the
splitting images of their mother, but also are quick to follow in her stylish footsteps. Crawford herself is among Omega’s most enduring representatives — more than 20 years ago, she was appointed its first ambassador. And Crawford is clearly proud of her children. “My journey with Omega has been incredible and I know that Kaia and Presley will enjoy working with the brand as much as I have,” she says. “They are both talented in their own unique ways and I’m so proud that they will be the next ambassadors for these fantastic watches.”
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SHE’S GOT CURVES A new ladies’ moon phase model is added to Franck Muller’s iconic i Curvex collection EGARDED AS Franck Muller’s most iconic e Cintrée Curvex case was introduced in 1980s as the brand’s own take on the to eau case. It stands out because of its p ticated form: The three curved axes of the h case meet at a single spherical point and are t on four levels instead of two. Adding to its gant profile is the presence of a curved sapphire ystal that is seamlessly fitted into the case. Even though the Cintrée Curvex case is now found in most Franck Muller collections, the line that is named after this ergonomic shape continues to be the brand’s bestseller. Recently added to the collection is the Cintrée Curvex Lady Moon Phase, a beautifully elegant timepiece that features a moon phase at 6 o’clock. Driven by a self-winding FM 1000L6 movement that offers a reliable 40 hours of power reserve, the watch is offered in three case materials: 18k pink gold, 18k white gold or stainless steel. Its mien’s most prominent feature is the moon phase that is decorated in mother-of-pearl (steel version) or diamonds (gold versions).
TEXT: CANDICE CHAN
p
franckmuller.com
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RM 030 IN RED GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, FROM RICHARD MILLE JACKET AND POLO SHIRT, BOTH FROM BOTTEGA VENETA OPPOSITE PAGE: BIG BANG UNICO SAPPHIRE BAGUETTES, FROM HUBLOT GLOVES, FROM BOTTEGA VENETA
a touch of
pizzazz = Who said diamonds are a girl’s best friend? These gem-set watches put glamour into classic — even for the gentleman = ART DIRECTION CLEMENTINUS LIEM PHOTOGRAPHY CHING COORDINATION MELAINNE CHIEW
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WATCHES
GRAFFSTAR ULTRASLIM IN ROSE GOLD AND DIAMONDS, FROM GRAFF DIAMONDS TIES, FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA COUTURE
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ROYAL OAK TOURBILLON EXTRATHIN, FROM AUDEMARS PIGUET TIES, FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA COUTURE
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EXCALIBUR SKELETON DOUBLE FLYING TOURBILLON IN PINK GOLD AND DIAMONDS, FROM ROGER DUBUIS SHOES, ALL FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA COUTURE
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VILLERET 8 DAY SKELETON IN RED GOLD AND DIAMONDS, FROM BLANCPAIN SHOES, FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA COUTURE
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SKELETON TOURBILLON MANUFACTURE IN ROSE GOLD, FROM ULYSSE NARDIN BOW TIES, ALL FROM BOTTEGA VENETA
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AVENUE SQUARED A2 DUAL TIME IN WHITE GOLD WITH DIAMONDS, FROM HARRY WINSTON BOW TIE, FROM BOTTEGA VENETA
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LASTING LEGACY On the occasion of its 45th anniversary, Cortina Watch pays tribute to Patek Philippe, one of its oldest partners
1958 Charles Stern’s son, Henri Stern, assumed the position of president of Patek Philippe. Anthony Lim, founder of Cortina Watch, and Philippe Stern, Henri’s son, met at a High Street shop in Singapore. Identifying in each other a shared passion for haute horlogerie, a friendship was forged immediately.
Philippe Stern, owner and honorary president of Patek Philippe, and Anthony Lim, founder and CEO of Cortina Watch.
1839
1851
1932
Antoine Norbert de Patek and Francois Czapek founded Patek, Czapek & Cie.
After Jean Adrien Philippe joined the company, it was renamed to Patek, Philippe & Cie.
Charles and Jean Stern became shareholders of Patek, Philippe & Cie.
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TEXT: CANDICE CHAN
1978 Patek Philippe watches graced the glass cases of Cortina’s first boutique at Colombo Court. Thereafter, the brand would have dedicated counters in Cortina boutiques at Lucky Plaza and Raffles City.
1993 Philippe Stern assumed the position of president at Patek Philippe.
1982
1986—1996
Anthony Lim acquired his first Patek Philippe, a Golden Ellipse.
In the next decade, Cortina Watch opened three more Patek Philippe points of sales in Singapore. These take the form of shop-in-shop boutiques at Raffles City (1993), Millenia Walk (1995) and Paragon (1996).
1997 Patek Philippe created a limited-edition commemorative piece in honour of Cortina Watch’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Patek Philippe Cortina Jubilee 5057R in pink gold Offered in only 100 pieces, the watch displays the hours, minutes and seconds, along with date, power reserve and moon phase indicator. The watch is powered by the iconic Calibre 240, a patented self-winding movement that is among the thinnest automatics made.
1998 Jeremy, son of Anthony, acquired his first Patek Philippe watch, the Aquanaut “Jumbo” ref 5065A.
2002—2004 Cortina Watch opened another three shop-in-shop boutiques at Kuala Lumpur’s Espace Starhill Gallery (2002), Jakarta’s Plaza Indonesia (2003) and Bangkok’s Espace Erawan (2004). This brought the total number of Patek Philippe points of sale in the region to seven.
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2009 Almost 30 years after the first Patek Philippe point of sale in Colombo Court, Cortina Watch and Patek Philippe opened the first-ever Patek Philippe boutique in Singapore at Ion Orchard.
2010 Cortina and Patek Philippe opened Patek Philippe’s second boutique in Singapore at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Thierry Stern, Philippe’s son and fourth generation of the Stern family, assumed the role of president of Patek Philippe.
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“Opening the Patek Philippe boutique in Marina Bay Sands is a strategic move for us. MBS, being the most watched and anticipated iconic development in Singapore, brings with it a large pool of high spenders and tourists. Since opening in April, we have had very encouraging responses and we adopt a positive outlook of our businesses here. Both boutiques at Ion and MBS perfectly complement each other in providing the most opulent experience for Patek Philippe’s sophisticated clientele.” — Jeremy Lim
2015 2011 Raymond Lim was appointed deputy CEO of Cortina Watch. As executive director for Cortina Holdings since 1992, he has been instrumental to its business growth since 1980.
Anthony Lim successfully bid for the Ref. 1677M “The Esplanade — Singapore”, one of three unique Patek Philippe Dome Clocks created on the occasion of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. Acquired at $750,000, the money would be disbursed by the National Heritage Board to to seed the Heritage Cares programme.
Jeremy Lim was appointed COO of Cortina Watch. He has been the executive director for Cortina Holdings since 2002.
On the auspicious occasion of Anthony Lim’s 80th birthday, he was gifted by the Sterns with a Patek Philippe Ref. 5227 in white gold. The watch is inscribed with the names of Philippe and Henri Stern on the case back. It is Anthony’s favourite Patek Philippe timepiece and remains one of his most treasured.
2013
Cortina Watch opened the first Patek Philippe boutique at Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta.
Cortina Watch and Patek Philippe opened the first-ever Patek Philippe boutique in Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.
Cortina Watch Starhill Gallery opened in Kuala Lumpur.
2016 The Patek Philippe boutique at Ion Orchard reopened after an extensive four-month renovation. With an area that’s expanded more than four times the size of the original boutique, this remains the largest Patek Philippe boutique in Southeast Asia. It also features an elaborate 34m facade, the longest in the luxury mall. The Patek Philippe boutique at Marina Bay Sands reopened after a two-and-a-half-month renovation. “The Esplanade — Singapore” dome clock is exhibited here.
2017 The Patek Philippe boutique at Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, was relocated after four months of refurbishment. With an expanded space of 2,024 sq ft — more than 500 sq ft larger than before — and an 8.4m external facade boasting a completely new and unique design with the brand’s emblematic Calatrava cross etched in glass and painted in textured gold, it remains the first and only Patek Philippe boutique in Malaysia. To date, Cortina Watch currently has nine Patek Philippe points of sale in Southeast Asia.
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LUMINOR DUE 3 DAYS ORO ROSSO 42MM PAM00741
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THROUGH THICK AND THIN Revered for robust sporty timepieces, Panerai continues to grow its Luminor Due collection, an elegant homage to the momentous year of 1950 PANERAI’S REPUTATION AS
TEXT: ANDRE FROIS
the storied supplier of high-precision and military-grade watches to the armed forces of Egypt, Germany and, of course, Italy, is well known. After over a century of supremacy in naval watches, the desire to push itself with a new challenge has produced an iconic design that remains true to the maritime industry yet also exudes style and elegance. The watch in question is the Luminor Due, a breathtaking beauty that performs optimally to a depth of 30m and is Panerai’s slimmest timepiece to date. To understand the importance of the Luminor case is to revisit the brand’s history. The company first filed for the patent of its world-famous Radiomir in 1936. However, Panerai would experience a prolific revival in 1950 when it redesigned the emblematic
LUMINOR DUE 3 DAYS AUTOMATIC TITANIO PAM00729
Radiomir visage to include a crownprotecting bridge, and christened this sophomore endeavour the Luminor. The Luminor took its name from the new hydrogen isotope-based phosphor (in place of the zinc sulphate and radium bromide mesothorium mixture in the Radiomir) that lit up its alluring face. The screw down case that endowed Panerai watches with their submergibility now had a protector that safeguarded its signature crown, and the Luminor’s protector in turn would also become desired by collectors. Distinguished by its unmistakable case, crown-protecting lever device and sandwich dial through which luminous accents shine, the incandescent Luminor Due draws on the Italian word for “two”. Inspired by the original Luminor case from the 1950s, the Luminor Due launched in 2016. It has been subtly remodelled this year, and is available in two models, each with two mesmerising variants. The hand-wound Luminor Due 3 Days Titanio 42mm and Luminor Due 3 Days Oro Rosso 42mm are as legible in low light as their luminous predecessors, and fashioned from titanium and red gold respectively. They are also named after the 72 hours of reserve power that each packs when fully wound.
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CLOCKWISE FROM LE LUMINOR DUE 3 DAYS TITAN PAM00728; LUMINOR DU DAYS AUTOMATIC ACCIA PAM00739; AND COLOUR STRAP OPTIONS FOR T STYLISH GENT OR LADY
Of the two variants, the brushed titanium model (PAM00728) and its more regal 18k red gold counterpart (PAM00741), the latter offers a peek into the P.1000/10 movement through a transparent caseback. Referred to as a “porthole”, it allows an unobstructed observation of the skeletonised calibre that drives the PAM00741, which was designed to proudly showcase Panerai’s finesse in artistic finishes, including two spring barrels to store three days of reserve power. This movement also brandishes a device that stops the balance and zeroes the second hand when setting the time. Designed to appeal to fans of retrospective maritime watches, this pair of watches are each 10.5mm thick, which is almost half that of the original 1950s model that inspired them. The Luminor Due 3 Days Titanio 42mm is presented in a dark blue palette, while the Luminor Due 3 Days Oro Rosso 42mm’s movement and top ivory layer sandwich a bright azure layer that confers high legibility to its markers and Arabic numerals. In a slightly larger case diameter are the Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic Titanio 45mm and Luminor Due 3
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Days Automatic Acciaio 45mm. The first is crafted from titanium with a blue dial and alligator strap, and the latter AISI 316L stainless steel with an anthracite dial and a brown alligator strap. The titanium version encases the P.4000 automatic calibre, while the stainless steel Luminor safeguards the P.4000/10 movement, with off -centred and bidirectional micro-rotor to wind the twin spring barrels, and showcases a 22k gold oscillating weight finished in Clous de Paris pattern. This meticulous movement’s skeletonised bridges feature a circular brushed
finish and gilded engraving. The Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic Titanio 45mm has a tungsten oscillating weight instead. To ensure that these watches remain a permanent fixture in stylish wardrobes everywhere, Panerai has also made the straps of these four timepieces in numerous colours so they are swappable. panerai.com
日子，不透顶，因为不无聊。 网上喜阅：全新风格《品 Prestige》网站，天天都有精彩内容。
www.pinprestige.com
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A WOMAN’S WORLD
TEXT: MELAINNE CHIEW
Blancpain continues to redefine women’s watches since its very first feminine timepiece debuted almost 90 years ago. Two stunning new novelties attest
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IT WAS IN 1930 when Blancpain reputedly made history with the first-ever self-winding wristwatch for women, and that was only the beginning. Through the years, the manufacture constantly evolved its timepieces, developing a knack for producing miniaturised mechanical movements specifically made for ladies. Beyond its aesthetics, Blancpain’s collections remain faithful to its core values of tradition and innovation. Today, the women’s collection flourishes with feminine spirit and horological elegance, offering a perfect blend of rarity, beauty and complexity. Despite its reputation as an esteemed and successful watchmaker, Blancpain had a relatively humble beginning in 1735, when Jehan-Jacques Blancpain founded his eponymous brand in Villeret, Switzerland. For centuries, the Blancpain family carried on with its craft until 1932, when the manufacture was acquired by Betty Fiechter. Frédéric-Emile, the last Blancpain who led the family business, had worked with Fiechter, a close friend and trusted colleague, who had refreshed the brand with new perspectives. After Frédéric-Emile’s demise, Fiechter invested her savings to acquire the business with her colleague, André Léal, under the name “Rayville S.A., successeur de Blancpain”. In a man’s world, Fiechter became the first woman co-owner of a watchmaking manufacture. From there, she was later joined by her nephew, JeanJacques Fiechter, who was also closely involved in the development of the brand’s iconic collections, such as the Fifty Fathoms or Women watches. Together, they carried on the Blancpain legacy, enabling the brand to create a range of jewellery watches and establishing the manufacture’s international reputation in gem-set timepieces. Despite the name change, the Blancpain legacy continues, purveying the excellence of fine watchmaking and trendsetting timepieces. Fast-forward to 2017, and Blancpain’s latest innovation in women’s timepieces is the pure and timeless Villeret Quantième à Phase de Lune, presented at Baselworld 2017. A stunning opaline dial radiates from the 29.20mm red gold case, beneath solid leaf-shaped hands and a pointer-type date display. Its snailed bezel is embellished with 48 full-cut diamonds, while its sapphire moon phase indication survives as a historic complication — one that has almost vanished from the watchmaking world until Blancpain became one of the first to reintroduce it in the early 1980s. Since then, this complication has become a beloved feature of the manufacture. On the moon phase indicator, the feminine moon flaunts a “beauty spot” in a playful homage to French history. Depending on where it was placed on the face, the coquettish “beauty spot”, or mouches, were used by
the ladies of the court as a message to their suitors. The watch is powered by the automatic 913QL movement, equipped with a glucydur balance wheel and a lighter, more shock-resistant silicon balance spring. The low-density silicon keeps the weight light and boasts amagnetic properties. The resulting balance spring is ideally shaped, improving the movement’s isochronism performance, allowing for enhanced timekeeping precision. More symbolic is the Ultra-Slim Ladybird, the 60-strong timepiece with which Blancpain marked the 60th anniversary of the Ladybird. A mother-ofpearl dial illuminates amid intricate foliage for a delicate contrast, with an 18k white gold case and a diamond-set bezel. At 21.50mm, the case has grown by almost two-fold since the very first Ladybird in 1956. At that time, the Ladybird R550 calibre, which made its debut at a mere 11.85mm in diameter, set a new world record for the tiniest round mechanical movement during a period where fitting stellar movements within petite cases posed an enormous challenge for master watchmakers. Today, the anniversary special is powered by a 6150 calibre automatic movement, equipped with a power reserve of 40 hours. And, in true Blancpain fashion, the 15.7-mm movement remains among the smallest in the world. Eight additional diamonds adorn the dial, while the transparent case back allows for a peek at the winding rotor, also finished with a single diamond at the bottom.
THE FRONT AND BACK VIEW OF THE 60-PIECE ULTRA-SLIM LADYBIRD OPPOSITE PAGE: VILLERET QUANTIÈME À PHASE DE LUNE
blancpain.com
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THE MASK-HAVES
From selďŹ e-worthy bubbling formulas to high-tech foils, face masks now give you more variety for your buck, says PEARLYN THAM
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
LET’S FACE IT:
The facial mask used to be the least sexy skincare product around and was always the source of slapstick humour in movies. Cue someone answering the door and scaring away the visitor or postman with a thick layer of green gunk on her face. Facial masks have, of course, evolved a lot over the years and are no longer just stereotypical green gunk. There are serum-soaked sheet masks made popular by Korean and Japanese brands, leave-on gels and creams, rinse-off clays and so on. Makeup artist Clarence Lee, who masks once to twice a week, says that rinse-off clay masks are good for deep cleansing and sebum absorption. One of his favourites is Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask. “A leave-on overnight gel mask like Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is great for those who sleep in airconditioned rooms and on longhaul flights where the cabin air is very dry,” he says, before adding that some overnight leave-on masks tend to “evaporate” while he sleeps. Dr Georgia Lee, medical director at TLC Lifestyle Practice, opted for a leave-on gel formula when she added a mask — the Restore Gel Mask — to her DrGL product line. Why not the more common sheet mask? “A gel mask fits your facial contours better, something that a sheet mask cannot do. Moreover, the facial surface area varies from person to person,” she explains. For Lee, his go-to masks include The Body Shop Amazonian Acai Energising Radiance Mask, which he loves for its instant brightening effects, and Kose Sekkisei Clear
Whitening Mask, an unusual black creamy formula that he leaves on for about 15 minutes before it dries up into a peel-off “sheet”. Fans of the latter swear by how it visibly removes blackheads; you actually see what look like sebum plugs on the peeled-off residue. These days, you can even choose your mask based on how novel the application or removal method is. For instance, one of the newer formulas is the bubble foaming mask. It is particularly social media-worthy because it produces visual effects. While it goes on like a creamy cleanser, it slowly fizzes, forming suds that supposedly penetrate pores more deeply to swipe off dirt and oil. And because you can rinse it off in the shower after 15 minutes, it is popular with anyone with little time or patience to spare. Here’s a round-up of interesting masks.
Reuse this “dry” mask Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty line is heavier on makeup. So I was intrigued by her Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask — magic’s always a good thing, no? It promises to hydrate, lift, brighten and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Plus, this dry mask can be reused up to three times. After securing it onto my face with the ear loops (they were unfortunately too taut for my face and ripped), I massaged the fabric to activate the ingredients. As I’m used to moist sheet or hydrogel masks, this felt a little “rough” on my face. Once 15 minutes were up, I was a convert. No wet mess on my face, just a long-lasting velvety finish with a subtle sheen. I could apply sunblock and makeup right after (not what you can do after using a “wet” sheet mask) and everything glided on so smoothly. Magic, indeed. From net-a-porter.com.
Rubber face After cotton, hydrogel and bio-cellulose sheet masks, Dr Jart+ has upped its own game even further with a four formula-strong Rubber Mask line. I tried Clear Lover, a grey mask said to purify skin. The Rubber Mask is inspired by modelling masks in a salon facial. Apply the plant extract-infused ampoule pack before laying over the mask, which has marine ingredients such as kelp and sea lettuce. Use this on an idle day or during a long nap as it needs to sit for 30 to 40 minutes. The Rubber Mask supposedly prevents the serum from evaporating, which lets the ampoule work for a longer time. Be careful when you remove it from the sachet as the mask is more of a thick jelly film than it is a rubber sheet. I was a little rough and tore off half of it. From Sephora.
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Let it fizz and foam If you have no patience for masks that require you to sit back and do nothing, you’ll like the Sephora Collection Detoxifying & Oxygenating Bubble Mask, which supposedly makes skin look brighter and fresher with white tea extract and a vitamin E derivative. Apply this in the bath as it only needs two to three minutes to turn frothy (the foam felt a little tingly on my sensitive skin), after which you massage it into skin and rinse off.
Cream of the crop Most sheet masks are infused with serums but Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Creamy Mask is an interesting cream-type sheet mask with a Double Wrapping Sheet. The outer film is made from a breathable yet seal-proof fabric used in waterproof windbreakers; the inner sheet helps the mask adhere better to your face so the ingredients — think eight times more anti-ageing ginseng goodness than its Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX — can sink into skin more thoroughly. Even better, the highly moisturising cream formula does not slide off or drip down the face. My complexion felt softer and smoother immediately, and stayed that way even after a night sleeping in an air-conditioned room, sans any other skincare.
Sleep with it Overnight gel masks are my favourite when I feel exhausted as I can fall asleep after applying them. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is one of the more iconic ones around, featuring the Sleeptox technology that seeks to repair skin damage from during the day.
Wear a day mask Homegrown brand Allies of Skin’s 1A All-Day Mask behaves like a supercharged moisturiser. You can apply it after serum and under makeup and sunblock. It hydrates, firms and protects skin from pollution as it has moringa seed extract as well as a powerful blend of 11 antioxidants. Although you can use this in the night, I’d recommend it as day care because it gives skin an immediate plump, glowy appearance — which is a godsend after a late night. From alliesofskin.com.
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25 times better than a cotton sheet mask Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair PowerFoil Mask takes masking to another dimension altogether. This high-tech-ish mask is composed of two layers. The inner one releases a concentrated mix of anti-pollution and skin repair ingredients as well as hyaluronic acid and anti-irritants. The outer silver foil “cocoon” aims to enhance penetration of these ingredients into skin 25 times more quickly than a cotton sheet mask can. I was initially worried about evening out a layer of foil over my face but the process was fuss-free, and while I did feel (and look) like a baked potato, my skin was much more hydrated.
LIGHT CIRCUMFERENCES OF LARS JAN’S HOLOSCENES AT THE PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA ART IN 2015
Making
Scenes
= Recipient of the 3rd Audemars Piguet Art Commission, Los Angeles artist and activist LARS JAN is known for multidisciplinary installations that are not only beautiful but also convey important messages for our times, observes KAREN TEE =
a guitar as he sits inside an elevator-sized glass tank. Water gradually fills the tank but he pays it no heed — even when he is completely submerged, he continues playing his musical instrument, occasionally rising to the surface for air. This is one of the sequences in Holoscenes, the thought-
provoking performance installation by Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist and activist Lars Jan, which features performers going about mundane tasks such as applying make-up, drinking coffee or selling fruit while underwater. They modify their behaviour to suit their new aquatic surroundings but do not actually do anything to counter the dramatic change in their environment. Intended to shine the spotlight on mankind’s
sluggish response to the effects of climate change, such as rising tides and floods, the five-hour performance, which has been staged in major cities around the world including New York, London, Abu Dhabi and Toronto, has generated significant buzz globally. The technical complexity and wide-ranging scale of his work
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PHOTO: ALEXIS KANESHIRO
A MAN STRUMS
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FROM LEFT: LARS JAN IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 3RD AUDEMARS PIGUET ART COMMISSION; IN HOLOSCENES, PERFORMERS
has earned him the prestigious 3rd Audemars Piguet Art Commission. The commission provides Jan with monetary support as well as access to advanced tools, craft expertise and sophisticated technology to enable him to create a new major large-scale artwork slated to be unveiled during Art Basel in Miami Beach, Florida, in December. Titled Slow Moving Luminaries, the piece continues Jan’s explorations of nature and climate change. Jan’s keen observations on man’s relationship with nature began from a young age. “When I was 14, my mum took me on a family vacation to Yosemite National Park in California. I couldn’t believe that it was real and that’s when my love affair with wild places of the American West began,” Jan recalls. “From that moment on, I got more into camping and spending time outdoors in mountains, deserts, lakes and rivers. Those experiences have definitely shaped my eye.” When he began creating art at around the age of 20, he found that the social issues that mattered to him became the inspirations that informed and shaped his creations. He says, “As I got more and more into photography, film, videoinstallation and performance, I started finding that I was meditating on issues around social justice, and
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those emerged in my works. So it was a relatively organic fusion between my activist and artistic activities.” A multi-hyphenate with a wide variety of artistic pursuits, including design, photography, directing and writing, Jan is also the founder of Early Morning Opera, a genre-bending performance and art lab. His works, including Holoscenes, The Institute of Memory (TIMe) and Abacus, have been presented by the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, Sundance Film Festival and New York University Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the grand debut of Luminaries at Art Basel, one of the world’s most influential
contemporary art fairs, sneak peeks already hint at the ambition and complexity of the creation — and its relevance to the real world. “The piece is a building-scale pavilion, which is itself a kinetic, moving installation featuring a labyrinth and highlights the motion of the sun through shadows and semi-transparent screens and materials,” says Jan. Although the installation remained under construction at press time, Jan has shared some images of the prototype structure
PHOTOS: LARS JAN / DAN HOLDSWORTH
GO ABOUT MUNDANE TASKS UNDERWATER
AUDEMAR PIGUET’S HOME IN LE BRASSUS SERVED AS INSPIRATION FOR LUMINARIES
submerged in the waves at Miami Beach during a shoot in August on his Instagram @larsamerica. The photographs will be on display within the installation during Art Basel. In an ironic instance of life imitating art, Florida was hit by storms and floods soon after the shoot, when hurricanes Harvey and Irma blew through the state, making Jan’s flooded structure seem almost prescient and underscoring the urgency of his central message. The idea for Luminaries first took root when Jan visited Audemars Piguet’s headquarters in Le Brassus, Switzerland, earlier this year to learn about the brand’s 142-year tradition of precision and expert craftsmanship. “In one of the first conversations I had with someone from Audemars Piguet, we were talking about the weather, particularly the snow. I was told there was still snow but it wasn’t like the snow that used to be. That’s the kind of story I had been
hearing when I was working on Holoscenes and exploring climate change,” he says. These global concerns, together with the insights he gained into the world of horology, inspired Jan to shape his new work around the themes of time, motion and human emotions, “swinging like pendulums”. “The work will focus on this idea of shuttling between a sense of crisis, contemplation and meditation, in order to find stillness,” he explains. He also discovered synergy between his and the watchmaker’s art. “The watchmakers work on long timelines of development and concentration, making complex objects that take nearly a year to fabricate, especially Grande Complications,” he observes “This is really consistent with my process, as it is eccentric and obsessed. I take two to four years to develop my own projects, which resonates strongly with the rhythm of the watchmakers.” Just like the watchmakers, too, many of the mechanisms behind Jan’s multi-layered artworks remain unnoticed to all but the most discerning connoisseurs. He says, “They make these incredibly beautiful interiors that would actually never be seen. That resonates strongly
with my practice as I work on complex systems…[but] the end user will never see that part of the work.” Besides his exotic travels, the simple pleasure of domestic life helps keep his mind alert and receptive to new ideas. He says, “I alternate — just like the pendulum I mentioned before — between seeking out vast, wild and remote spaces, particularly the mountains and increasingly the desert, with more domestic ones like the playground or farmers’ market. I love cooking and improvising on that scale.” Even time spent with his five-year-old daughter at the playground is a refreshing experience for him. “I feel that my capacity to play has atrophied over my lifetime, so I’m trying to build it back. It’s so open, immediate and demanding to play with a five-year-old, compared to other quotidian activities. It’s a great exercise for me.”
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Head and Shoulders Above
IT WAS CAMPBELL’S soup for Andy Warhol, balloon sculptures for Jeff Koons, and spotted pumpkins for Yayoi Kusama. But for Manolo Valdés, it’s all in the head. The Valencian has made a name for himself reinterpreting the human face through various techniques — paintings, mixed-media collages; wood, stainless steel, aluminium or bronze sculptures — producing works that often tower between
two and five metres. The medium varies but the essence stays the same: An expressionless face stares straight ahead, a blank space is exposed to scrutiny and imagination. Ten bronze meninas (Spanish for ‘girls’) and eight massive sculptures on Orchard Road, along with paintings and collages, were presented by the Opera Gallery Singapore a month ago for the artist’s first major showcase in Asia. The exhibition followed more than 60 solo presentations of Valdés’s pieces; most notably, Place Vendôme hosted his 16-ft-tall La Pamela, a featureless
figure topped with a colossal sunhat, last September. (It can also be seen outside Valencia’s Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències until December 10.) Borrowing from the Spanish painting tradition, pop art and material art, Valdés often draws on 17th-century Spanish court painter Diego Velázquez and his portraits of Margaret Theresa of Spain (which also inspired Pablo Picasso’s Las Meninas series of 58 paintings).
PHOTOS: OPERA GALLERY
= Reinterpreting faces continually inspires award-winning Spanish sculptor and mixed-media artist Manolo Valdés, ZARA ZHUANG finds out =
ABOVE: LA PAMELA IN PLACE VENDOME IN 2016; OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT: RETRATO VI, 2017, OIL ON BURLAP; MANOLO VALDÉS
But paying tribute to European art history isn’t Valdés’s only reason to keep to the theme of heads and faces. “It’s difficult for me to paint a landscape or a person,” the 75-yearold says through his wife, Rosa, who’s also his interpreter. “I’m interested mainly in materials and matter — I must create something for which the materials are dominant; the subject is an excuse.” Whether it’s reductionist portraits composed of multicoloured paint or heads cast in brass or stainless steel and crowned with fronds, orchids or butterflies, a sense of unity pervades his oeuvre. “The product is totally different, even with the same subject,” the 2007 Officier de L’Ordre National du Mérite of France recipient explains. Nothing sold at conventional art supply stores interests him; instead, reused paper, wood salvaged from discarded pallets, paint he formulates with linseed oil and powder pigments,
slivers of mirrors intentionally shattered, and even previous works he’s taken apart and scrapped, offer limitless possibilities. “It’s easier for me to use materials that are unconventional, then I get inspired to use them in an unconventional way,” he says. Living in New York, where he’s been based since 1990, also makes everything easier to find. “Or maybe materials look for me!” he laughs. Valdés’s art might look haphazardly put together, but every choice is deliberate and meticulous. Collages take at least a week and sculptures at least four months, though some projects have taken up to five years to complete. Some concepts remain just that, or as maquettes or true-to-size cardboard or plastic foam models, relegated to a corner in his studio until new inspiration strikes. “Experience has taught me not to destroy [models] immediately, because you can find a solution [in time]. [Deciding whether to cast a sculpture is] mostly a feeling, based on experience, like how in everyday life you may think, “When do you like a person? When are you in love?” It is both rational and irrational.” Trained as a painter at the Fine Arts Academy of San Carlos in Valencia since 15, Valdés was inspired by the sociopolitical climate in Francisco
Franco–ruled Spain. In 1964, he formed Equipo Crónica with fellow artists Rafael Solbes and Juan Antonio Toledo. The group criticised the military dictatorship through its pop art techniques, and dissolved in 1981. These days, Valdés backs away from reproducing Equipo Crónica’s style of charged artwork. “Today I’m more skeptical, I don’t think that by making art or being an artist it’s possible to influence the world sociopolitically. When someone makes a statement in painting or sculpture, he is renouncing the richness of art.” He now looks to nature and from his home next to Central Park, where he first got the idea of butterfly halos for his sculptures after spotting a sunbather with magnificent monarchs swirling about him. So what’s next? “An artist is like a hunter,” he says. “I’m always looking, trying to find something [fresh].”
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Istanbul
Ignited = PAYAL UTTAM meets a wave of
Turkish artists, old and new, whose works ask hard questions about politics and society = “WHEN IT’S A time of tension, creativity is at its highest,” says Kamiar Maleki, director of the Contemporary Istanbul art fair, of Turkey’s explosive art scene. No longer known simply for carpets, mosques and mythology, Istanbul is becoming a hub for mega collectors and museums. Despite the tumultuous political situation in the country following the failed coup attempt on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, art aficionados from across the globe descended on Istanbul in September for the fair, which coincided with the Istanbul Biennial and a flurry of openings. Unlike typical venues on the international art fair carousel, Contemporary Istanbul has a refreshingly daring selection of emerging local artists, several of whom tackle heady political themes. “I find it’s always exciting to discover young talent,” says Maleki, a collector himself. “These artists love the new age, technology, conceptual art and video art.” Here are five Turkish artists to watch, including established names that are re-entering the spotlight.
ERDAG AKSEL
BEGÜM YAMANLAR
Renowned Turkish conceptual artist Erdag Aksel has shown at the Venice Bienniale, Tate Modern and other prestigious institutions, but he now keeps a deliberately low profile, steering clear of the commercial art world. This year, however, curator Hasan Bülent Kahraman managed to borrow one of Aksel’s works from a collector for an outdoor sculpture exhibition in a park beside the fair. His tongue-in-cheek piece, Whoredom II (2005), is an elegant elongated sculpture of a twisted pillar with a curved slab of bronze that appears to have slipped off. The artist created it in response to the fact that nobody was buying his controversial, political works at the time. “It was about this idea of being able to make beautiful sculptures if I wanted to...essentially to prostitute myself. I was actually telling people I was prostituting myself but they loved it. Everything sold and I ended
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CRESCENT DISABLED; WHOREDOM II; ERDAG AKSEL
up buying my studio as a result,” he says with a chuckle. While known for tackling weighty themes such as militarism and Turkey’s history and identity, he has always maintained a sense of humour. He first made a name for himself on his return to Turkey in the 1980s after living in the US, where he studied. Distrustful of his rising fame, he made a playful installation to capture what it means to be a star in the art world, highlighting the fragility of the idea of immortality through art. At the more serious end of the spectrum of his oeuvre are pieces like Crescent Disabled (2015), a sculpture of glass crutches hanging from crescents, a timely work he gave to a gallerist friend to show at the fair: “I’m not just talking about physical disabilities here, I’m talking about political disabilities and ethical ones,” he muses.
On a warm September evening, collectors brave a steep cobblestone staircase leading to a dark, unmarked alley in a wealthy enclave of Istanbul. The narrow passageway opens up to Turkish collector Selman Bilal’s sleek glass-andsteel home, designed by famed architect Han Tümertekin and perched above the Bosporus, . The collector is holding a cocktail party in celebration of young Turkish artist Begüm Yamanlar. Known for her moody video installations, Yamanlar creates haunting scenes of imaginary lands using a palimpsest of photographs of various landscapes. The highlight of the evening is Bilal’s recent acquisition of Yamanlar’s work Damage (2017). Projected onto one side of his living room, it begins with an image of a decaying wall pierced with a hole. “Then slowly, you hardly recognise it, but the wall transforms into a wound on skin,” says Yamanlar, who cut her arm to create the piece. “I was using a bodily sensation as a metaphor for the vanishing memory of a city,” she explains. Her voice wavers and it’s clear the wound reflects an emotional one. “There is a constant rapid change in Istanbul. It’s too much. Not just in terms of technological progress but also the political climate and architecture, which are related.” Asked if she’s referring to structures such as Erdogan’s controversial mega mosque — criticised as a vanity project and monument to his Muslim-conservative party — she nods pensively before saying, “I’m worried about our future.”
FROM LEFT: ARTIST BEGÜM YAMANLAR; DAMAGE
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MELTEM ŞAHIN WITH HER LATEST WORK THAT EXHIBITED AT CONTEMPORARY ISTANBUL
MELTEM ŞAHIN Meltem Şahin is part of a wave of young artists pushing the boundaries of new media. She has experimented with vector drawings, 3D printing and augmented reality. At first glance, her latest work on display at Contemporary Istanbul looks like static wood sculptures of crouching nude figures — tame pieces befitting a commercial art fair. Once viewed through the lens of an iPad using an augmented reality app, the figures come to life. The figures suddenly begin rotating
quickly in a cyclic motion but remained in cramped positions as if trapped. “[The work] is like entering Turkish people’s houses and seeing what’s going on inside their head: they aren’t happy, they are numb and stuck. It’s a vicious circle,” says Şahin. “Our prime minster and government are horrifying but people aren’t taking action because everyone is scared. Being scared has become normalised.” The 28-year-old artist admits that speaking out about political issues using art in Turkey is a risk today. “They are putting everyone in jail, especially academicians. There is no logic, but someone has to take action otherwise we will all be like this,” she says, gesturing at her work.
RAMAZAN CAN “When he shares his story, it leaves you speechless,” says Ferhat Yeter, founder of Istanbul gallery Anna Laudel Contemporary. He is talking about Ramazan Can, from the nomadic Yörük tribe of Demirci in western Turkey. Can’s early works were installations of animal bones, wood and steel that explore shamanism and ancient tribal beliefs, such as protecting against nazar (evil eye). In recent years, the government has created settlement programmes aimed at inducing the Yörük tribe to put down permanent roots. As tourism, modern agriculture and commerce have grown, nomadic traditions are disappearing and buildings are replacing their former tented dwellings. “Our village life is now lost. It’s been taken over by modern culture,” laments Can. To capture this, at the fair he shows a forlornlooking carpet from his former home trapped within a pillar of concrete. He also chopped up fragments of carpets, which were made by his
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FROM TOP YÜKLÜK; RAMAZAN CAN
mother, aunt and grandmother, and placed them inside a series of concrete cubes to create a large floor installation. The concrete was chipped away to expose the soft frayed edges of the fabrics. Among his most poignant works is a plinth embedded with a large dark handwoven tent. “That used to be my home,” he says. “It’s sad, as our whole culture is being lost and ruined.”
FROM TOP: THERE IS SO MUCH EVIL OUT THERE; WOMEN BATHING IN THE MOONLIGHT; CANAN ŞENOL
CANAN ŞENOL One of Turkey’s most provocative women artists, Canan (who only uses her first name) has taken over Arter, a prominent contemporary art space in Istanbul, and filled it with delicate embroidery installations, giant fabric sculptures of mythical creatures, primitive rock formations, and eccentric video installations. Among the recent works is Women Bathing in Moonlight (2017), a video showing
howling women, including the artist, who disrobe and enter the ocean. It’s an homage to an Armenian-Lebanese woman called Marta who bathed nude on an island near Istanbul in the 1980s despite controversy, but eventually committed suicide. “Belief systems are imposed on us and our bodies by family, society, religion and the government...Marta was brave enough to
embrace herself, but after a while she couldn’t take it because of society,” says Canan. “[That kind of judgment] may even be worse in Turkey today.” Another piece, There Is So Much Evil Out There (2017), is a replica of a mental asylum room with walls and a bed enveloped in the artist’s handwriting declaring her passion for a lover. “It’s about how we suppress and censor feelings, thinking we will be judged or looked at as outsiders,” says Canan. The work refers to Michel Foucault’s panopticon theory of a watchtower in the centre of a circular prison. “Even if there’s no man in the tower to control the people, they think there might be a man there so they control themselves. We think there are eyes observing us so we self-censor,” she says, referring to the power of government and society over individuals.
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SLEEK SURRENDER Aesthetically pleasing yet practical and energy-efficient, LG SIGNATURE is perfect for the homes of eco-warriors such as architect and TV personality Jason Pomeroy
IN 2016, POMEROY STUDIO , led by founding principal Jason Pomeroy, made waves when it realised the first-ever carbonnegative residence they called the B House — a home, here in Singapore, that produces more power than it actually consumes. An eco-architect who is adamant about combating climate change, the projects he undertakes must “make a positive impact in people’s lives whilst sustaining the natural and built environment”. Pomeroy Studio is now restoring the Secretariat, the largest colonial building in Myanmar, and working on two residential
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projects in Sweden that will set new standards in its use of smart, zero energy and construction principles. He also raises awareness of architecture’s cultural role in society through television series such as Smart Cities 2.0, City Time Traveller and City Redesign. But to expedite change for a greater good, one must educate individuals from a young age on the importance of reducing our consumption, and re-using products and materials where possible, he says. It also requires a shift in day-to-day habits. This is why the father of two chooses household appliances that are energy-efficient — because a home that uses less energy is better for the environment.
What do you look for when choosing products for the home? It is of utmost importance knowing that the products in my life are manufactured from sustainable sources and/or can help reduce my carbon footprint. They should also be smart, such that they’re accessible and easy to use by grandparents through to their grandchildren. The LG SIGNATURE products I use not only help to reduce my energy and water consumption but also are easy to use. This allows me to spend more time on the things I want to do, which ultimately enhances my daily family life.
TEXT AND COORDINATION: SUHANA AB; ART DIRECTION: CLEMENTINUS LIEM; PHOTOGRAPHY: CHER HIM; GROOMING: SHA SAMSI
You speak about good design being efficient design. Is this why you’ve chosen to use LG SIGNATURE? I am a prolific multitasker and will often try to do as much in one go as possible. This happens in my home too and I often juggle things in the kitchen. So, two hands full and trying to open the fridge at the same time? Not a problem if it’s the LG SIGNATURE fridge with
the floor sensor that allows me to open the door with my foot. The InstaView Door-in-Door technology feature also means I can see what is inside without having to open it — just knock on the glass twice! As such, the temperature within the fridge isn’t compromised, and improves energy-saving. How is the LG SIGNATURE washer-dryer with TWINWash system working out for you? It is well-designed and pleasing on the eye. Most washing machines come with more knobs and dials than a space ship, whereas LG Signature keeps it simple with a touch-enabled circular interface. The machine comes with two compartments, a front loader and a separate washer, so I can now do separate bundles of my sportswear in one; and delicate clothes in the other. It also means that water consumption (and therefore detergent usage) can be more accurately managed and is thus more environmentally friendly.
What role does an air purifier play in your home? For someone with young kids living in a busy, bustling city, knowing that I will come back to a clean home, breathing particle-free air gives me that extra peace of mind. The LG Signature Air Purifier can filter up to PM1.0 particles. It has been built with a watering engine that rotates at high speed to humidify the air to optimum levels — important for comfort. As I’m a bit of a tree-hugger who shies away from air conditioning, I like the ioniser element. And what do you have to say about the sleekest appliance of the lot? The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV is so thin it blends into the wall unobtrusively, which I particularly like. The 3,840 x 2,160 screen is very highdefinition with amazing picture and sound quality despite being one of the thinnest I’ve ever seen. The sleekness of the sound system would also not look out of place in a James Bond villain’s lair. So if, like me, you are constantly on a plane and staring at a tiny screen for your favourite films, nothing beats coming back to this immersive experience. Available at LG Authorised retailers; LGSIGNATURE.com
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Power is
Relative = Lexus’s luxury sport coupe line, the RC, has downsized its engine capacity with its newest model. But that doesn’t mean the car is any less fun to drive, ALETHIA TIANG discovers =
IT’S BEEN TWO years since we got behind the wheel of the Lexus RC 350 F Sport. But it’s a drive we remember because, one, our test ride was a striking orange; and two, the drive got our adrenaline going when the engine growled. But with our high car taxes, it only makes sense for Lexus to bid the 3-litre RC farewell and introduce the new 2-litre turbocharged RC Turbo to give drivers more value for money. Smaller engine size equals lower charges, but does that mean we’ll also get less of a thrill in our drive? As we get into the driver’s seat, we keep our fingers crossed that it delivers the same excitement its predecessor did. Thankfully, there is no disappointment to be had.
The Lexus RC200t, more affectionately known as the RC Turbo, graced us with its presence at the Singapore Motor Show in January. The car still maintains a confident stance, and bears a similar handsome design — with some tweaks made to the headlamps and grille — we were fond of in the F Sport. We’d be lying if we say power under the hood is exactly the same with a downsized engine. On paper, the RC Turbo churns a modest 241 horses and 350Nm of torque, whereas the RC350’s V6
powertrain delivers 312bhp and 378Nm. What’s more, while both cars promise a top speed of 230km/h, acceleration measures 7.5 seconds for the turbo, which is more than a second slower than the RC350. That said, the RC Turbo is far from sluggish. You’ll be surprised to even learn that compared to rivals the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz, this Lexus is about 150kg heftier. Moving off from a stationary position, the coupe is nimble on its feet and takes on corners just as well as its predecessor and brand rivals in its segment. Steering is precise, making the car stress-free and easy to handle on our roads. Ride quality also hasn’t been compromised in any way. Sure, it doesn’t provide the delightful growl under the hood as the F Sport but gearshifts are quick and smooth for a pleasant daily drive. Switch between the three modes in the car’s Drive Mode Select system — Eco, Normal and Sport — to suit your driving mood for the day. It’s obvious the Japanese premium automaker pays much attention to the comfort level in its cars. Seated in the cabin, you’ll enjoy the wonderfully quiet acoustics we’ve grown accustomed to for Lexus cars. Noise level on the outside is also kept to a minimum. Plush perforated leather adorn the seats, adding distinction to an already cushy ride. That said, taller-than-average passengers may find it a little bit of a challenge getting in and out of the rear seats. Then again, this is a coupe, afterall. As an everyday sports car, cargo room is at a sizeable 423litres to hold your daily loot. So while this car is a fun ride to go cruising down the expressways with, it’s also a practical one that you’re able to take to the office or on grocery runs too. On the dashboard, the usual infotainment display has been simplified, with the Lexus
Remote Touch control making way for a simple rotary selector. Its 7-inch infotainment monitor is easy to use and comes with a reverse camera. While the car is adequately equipped with great technologies that help make driving easier and safer — with features such as dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, eight airbags and a keyless system — Lexus has, however, removed the SatNav system, something that many of us rely on to get around. We’re hoping that if there’s a facelift planned in the near future, this convenient feature will be reintroduced. Another gripe is the lack of memory seat function, although the front seats do come fitted with switches to electronically adjust and control seat positions. No matter though — this is a car you’ll want to keep all to yourself anyway.
Lexus RC Turbo RC200t Engine: 1,998cc in-line, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC, twin-scroll turbocharger with Dual VVT-iW Transmission: Eight-speed automatic Max power: 241bhp @ 5,800rpm Max torque: 350Nm @ 1,650-4,400rpm Max speed: 230km/h Acceleration from zero to 100km/h: 7.5 seconds Combined fuel consumption: 7.3 litres per 100km CO2 emission: 168g/km
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Success
= From the Vanquish Zagato to the Valkyrie, and the upcoming DBX, MILES NURNBERGER muses on designing hypercars. MELAINNE CHIEW listens in =
THE ASTON MARTIN Vanquish
Zagato and Valkyrie may look worlds apart, but the cars are linked by a single philosophy. “We’re always trying to make something as pure and beautiful as possible,” says Miles Nurnberger, creative director of exterior designer at Aston Martin. Beautiful they are without a doubt, but Aston’s beauty takes on many forms. On the Vanquish Zagato’s bodywork, split lines are reduced to a minimum, thanks to large one-piece carbon fibre
panels the car has been crafted from. The result: A lightweight body that enables this limited-edition coupe to roar down roads with even more power, for an unabashedly aggressive update from its predecessors. Call it a nostalgic throwback to the 1950s-70s when GT cars were all the rage, with futuristic touches á la spaceship-like rear lamp clusters and a neon hue of red. If the Vanquish Zagato were human, Nurnberger reckons it brings to mind the unusual beauty of English fashion model and author Sophie Dahl. “I’ve always described the Zagato as a beauty in the madness,” he says. While the silhouette of the car is the building block of an Aston Martin, the face is where most people judge character. “We have created this intricate, 3D ‘Z’ pattern in the grille with lights on it — a nod to some of the older cars we have done,” he says of the Zagato. “Such as cars like the original Vanquish with these graphical lamps at the corner.” By contrast, the Valkyrie, born from engineering and aerodynamic purity, has a face that Nurnberger calls “one of the most extreme yet”. There is no single design language the marque follows; in a sense, its beauty is meant to be unfathomable. “The character of the car must be visible in the design. We talk iternally about the love of the beautiful...but it’s more about the philosophy [of] making cars,” he says. He singles out the DB11, one of the automobiles he is most proud of. The 2016 release was so difficult to make that at one point, it almost became an abandoned dream. For nearly half a year, the team could not find
a single piece of aluminium in the world big enough to make its clamshell bonnet. Giving up would render the original concept worthless and the grand tourer would look nothing like it does today. By a stroke of good fortune, someone eventually found a roll large enough and the rest was history. The difficult battle, Nurnberger says, was for art’s sake. A single flowing piece eliminates split lines (that implied poor craftsmanship), while a larger bonnet allowed energy to dissipate
better upon crashing, keeping in line with increasingly stringent crash-testing requirements. I ask Nurnberger to pick his favourite child. He laughs, as he speaks of his earlier days at the company. The first model he worked on at Aston Martin was the One-77 — it was completed just a day after his own child was born. “That week was crazy, running between the hospital and the workshop,” he says. “It obviously has a place in my heart.” Looking back, Nurnberger admits he never imagined
concepts like the Valkyrie could become real cars. Back then, a single door on the One77 took as long to make as the entire DB9. A machined piece of aluminium took on a single blade-like form in the hands of a master craftsman. He calls the car a pivot point for Aston Martin, kick-starting a generation shift for the marque by steering it towards craftsmanship. The company’s filing for bankruptcy seven times in its first century aside, every Aston Martin is a work of art. Beneath the sleek exterior, its cars are littered with a multitude of ideas, even the unassuming parts. The saddle leather on the armrest had to be scythed down such that
it blended seamlessly into the window switches. What looks like an inconspicuous piece of leather with a button belies the enormous technology, thought and process that have gone into producing it. Aston Martin’s next important challenge is the DBX, which launch in 2019 and marks its debut in the luxury GT segment. The dream is to enable stylish travel that’s family-friendly and environmentally responsible, and Nurnberger promises the wait will be worth it.
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The World is Your
Oyster = RATHINA SANKARI journeys Down
Under to relish the decadence of Sydney Rock Oysters = WHEN I TELL a friend back home that
I am about to embark on an Oyster Trail along the New South Wales coast, she envisions me diving to the depths of the Pacific Ocean to unearth its pearls. But pearls weren’t in my grand scheme of things. I was off to savour the bivalve molluscs endemic to Australia, known as the Sydney Rock Oysters. “The Aussies love the Sydney Rock Oyster and are very proud of it,” exclaims another friend, an expat in Australia for more than two decades when I meet him and his friends over dinner. I take his word and eye the glistening oysters on a bed of salt at the Opera Bar in Sydney as his friends proceed to tuck into the delicacy as if there is no tomorrow. Before the plate gets polished clean, I take a liquid-filled split shell and empty the meat into my mouth. “Many farmers across the southeast coast of New South Wales are
MAIN PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
FROM LEFT: FRESHLY SHUCKED OYSTERS FROM THE WAPENGO ROCKS; A BOAT SHED ON THE MERIMBULA LAKE
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into Sydney oyster farming,” he volunteers. I had heard a lot about the farmers’ struggles to maintain the lakes, estuaries along the Sapphire Coast and their endeavour to produce organic oysters. So on a cloudy day, I fly to the little fishing town of Merimbula, 523km from Sydney, to meet 49-year-old Brett Weingarth (nicknamed Sponge), who farms oyster lease in Merimbula Lake and Pambula Lake. I board his motorboat, which he steers through the Pambula along mangroves and lagoons to the meeting point of the Pambula and the Yowaka Rivers. On the riverbed, he points towards middens of oyster shells and exclaims: “This was where the Aboriginals feasted on marine life. They specifically had the big flat mud oyster called the Angasi. Carbon dating has revealed they
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are over 3,000 years old.” Aquaculture wasn’t something new in Australia. It’s existed thousands of years even before the Europeans landed on this island-continent. Over the din of the engine and the strong winds, he tells me: “The taste of the same oyster species varies region to region as per the estuary conditions. It’s the merroir.” While terroir (a term we’re probably more familiar with) determines the flavours of wine, merroir of an oyster depends on the water body, the algae it feeds on, rainfall, climate, temperature and the strength of the currents. We move ahead and take the route to oyster lease farms where Weingarth gives me a crash course on oyster husbandry. Rows of timber trays float on the water across the large expanse. The cultivation of the larvae on slats, followed by tumbler to bags, takes three years before it is ready to be harvested. He holds on to the edge of his boat, bends and scoops out an oyster from an oyster bag floating in the water. He then shucks it with an oyster knife and describes its anatomy. Magically, a tray of shucked Sydney Rock
Oysters on the half shell with finger lime wedges appear in front of me. Weingarth looks at me expectantly as I tip the soft flesh in my mouth. As with all meat, chewing releases its flavour, and surprisingly, the Sydney Rock Oyster is distinctively rich and savoury. I ask if it can be cooked. “Cooking oysters is sacrilegious and its flavour is lost. It’s best relished straight from the water,” says Weingarth. And that sums up everything. I go a step ahead and taste an Angasi when he shucks one. I find these fleshy and huge oysters milder in saltiness. I leave Weingarth with his oysters and take the road towards Bermagui to reach Wapengo. There, 48-year-old Shane Buckley, owner of Wapengo Rocks Wild Organic Oysters, dressed in a long green apron and cap, greets me. “We work with the lake, rather than on
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: COLLECTING OYSTERS FROM THE FLOATING BAG; ANGASI OYSTERS; LEARNING THE ART OF SHUCKING THE DELICIOUS MOLLUSCS
top of the lake,” he says. Buckley has been working towards a model that is focused on sustainability and ensuring top quality of the lake. His farm was the first to achieve the Australian Certified Organic status in 2013. “We are having a workshop on climate change in a few weeks. Climate changes, rising sea levels and acidity are some of the key areas of focus. By 2075, this area will be under water,” he tells me. Buckley’s passion and devotion towards oyster farming is very evident in his talks. While the market cost of a dozen Sydney Rock Oysters ranges
“We work with the lake, rather than on top of the lake” — Shane Buckley
from A$5 to $10, his oysters start at $12 and are sold to fine dining restaurants across Australia, including Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. His organic oysters that have been growing for seven years cost $5 each. “Single malt whisky, rich dark beers like Porter,
sparkling wine, Australian Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon are the best pairings for these oysters,” he informs. He stations himself in front of a table with a knife and gives me a lesson on oyster shucking. Try as I may, I fail to get it right. He then splits the shell perfectly and hands it over to me. “Have it with its liqueur; don’t wash it off, and no lime,” he advises. I tilt the shell and lower the pale yellow flesh with its briny juices into my mouth. The creamy, buttery mollusc is perfect as I bite into it. There’s a lingering effect. Having developed a new taste for the Rock Oyster, I am not surprised when Kevin McAsh at Batemans Bay tells me that Rock Oysters have an intense taste as compared to the Pacific and the Angasi species. True enough, the Pacific tastes bland and the indigenous Sydney Rock Oyster wins hands down. McAsh and his marine scientist-son Ewa source oysters from leading oyster farmers in Australia and sell them under the brand Signature Oysters to the top restaurants in Australia. At 69, he doesn’t look his age and lets me in on the evident secret. “I savour oysters every day. It keeps me young,” he chuckles. Suddenly, I realise I was running late for a get-together with friends at Innes Boatshed at Batemans Bay. So I rush off to meet them. We order fish and chips and oysters, and sit on the deck watching pelicans fly past us. I notice my friends had retained the oyster tray for themselves. “Make way,” I exclaim. “Here comes the oyster aficionado.” Just like McAsh, I want to ensure my everlasting youthfulness too.
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WORTH MORE THAN SILVER At TWG Tea, you can now savour Japan’s award-winning Hon-Gyokuro teas — so sacred that each harvest yields only 2kg of leaves
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HOW GYOKURO IS HARVESTED (FROM TOP): THE TEA PLANTS ARE SHELTERED FOR 17-25 DAYS BY HAND-BRAIDED KOMO; THEY ARE HARVESTED ONLY ONCE A YEAR IN EARLY MAY, WITH LESS THAN 5KG COLLECTED; GYOKURO IS STORED IN A WOODEN BOX CALLED CHA-BAKO AND LEFT TO REST AFTER THE PROCESSING STAGE
and then there is the prized Hon-Gyokuro species that tea connoisseurs would want to raise their cups to. Grown in the tea-producing regions in southern Japan, the Hon-Gyokuro is so rare — each harvest yields only 2kg of leaves — that it can fetch twice the price of silver at auctions. It’s no wonder this delicacy has a poetic nickname too, the Jewel of Dew. It is cultivated in three highly detailed stages and only a handful of Japan’s most seasoned and famous tea planters has perfected this. First, the tea plants are shaded with hand-braided rice mats for anything from 17 to 25 days. The reason: The mats, which are known as komo, protect the delicate young plants from harsh sunlight and also allow chlorophyll levels to develop and
TEXT: PEARLYN THAM
THERE ARE TEAS
flourish. When this happens, the leaves turn a beautiful hue of deep jade and take on rich grassy notes known as ooi-ka. In addition, when rain falls, the rainwater extracts nutrient-rich minerals from the rice mats, which fall onto the tea plants. And only once a year in early May does harvesting take place. Tea leaves are handpicked and processed within the same day. Afterwards, the third and final stage in this laborious process sees the leaves stored in a special wooden box where they are left to “rest”. In October, a small percentage of the harvest is also sent for competitions. In 2015, TWG Tea became the first tea purveyor to introduce the Hon-Gyokuro on an international scale. This year, from October, the luxury tea company is offering three of the most exquisite award-winning harvests to customers in Singapore at selected TWG Tea Salons & Boutiques. One of these is the Gyokuro Minami from Hoshino village. Cultivated with traditional secret methods that have been used for over four generations, this species gives a delicious
biscuit-like flavour that morphs into gentle, sweet notes when infused. There’s also the Gyokuro Hisui, cultivated by the master of Gyokuro, who has been crafting tea harvests for 56 years. Expect heady, intense notes — the Hisui is sheltered by rice mats for a whopping 25 days, after all. If you want the crème de la crème, go for the Imperial Gyokuro, which can cost more than $250 a pot. Cultivated by one of Japan’s most renowned tea planters in Yame, it grows slowly amid gentle breezes, soft sunlight and cool showers, all of which help to give it a concentrated flavour tinged with just the right sweetness. #B1-122/125 and #B2-65/68A, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue; twgtea.com
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ONE˚15 LUXURY YACHTING WEEKDAY SUNSET CRUISE Bask in the beauty of the setting sun, as its breathtaking hues colour the horizon while lounging on board a private yacht. Available on weekday evenings from Mondays to Thursdays, the Weekday Sunset Cruise will whisk you and your guests away from the hustle and bustle of city life on an exploration of the Southern Islands — in style. A myriad of vessels, including motor yacht Le Tara, sailing catamaran Ximula and open-top cabin cruiser Esprit de Paris, is yours for the picking. Be sure to pack your picnic baskets and bubbly, as there is no better way to experience sunset than with the wind in your hair and a glass in hand. 11 Cove Drive; one15luxuryyachting.com
THE NIGHT IS YOUNG Sentosa’s night life is set to get even more exciting as 2017 draws to a close
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MUSEO Let’s put it out there: You’ll be intrigued by the novelty of this dining concept along the boardwalk of Quayside Isle. Not only does it encompass a painting studio with a magnificent sea view to tease out your inner Monet, its Dine-in-a-Cup gastronomic approach also means that dishes come in cup-size portions so there’s no need to feel guilty for indulging your inner foodie. Crafted by Chef Yip, the elaborate menu fuses Eastern and Western cuisines that are plated to artistic perfection. Newly revamped in May, Museo amps up the ambience with beckoning interior decor, wall displays and lighting. #01-22 Quayside Isle; mu-se-o.com; facebook.com/ MuseoSingapore
TEXT: ALETHIA TIANG
W SINGAPORE — SENTOSA COVE End the week on a high note at the decidedly hip W Singapore. Loved for its coastal setting (and not to mention, large outdoor pool and WET Bar), unique programming and 240 fashionably furnished guest rooms, a night or two here will help to recharge your spirits. In case you require extra persuasion, know that the hotel has a wide range of promotions that is sure to appeal: A Night on the House offers an additional night for free when you stay a minimum of two nights at any room; Early Birdy entices guests to book a room at least 10 days in advance at a reduced rate. And since you are already there, ask for a table at SKIRT, which is known for mouthwatering prime cuts of meat and sustainably sourced seafood. 21 Ocean Way; wsingaporesentosacove.com; facebook.com/wsingaporesentosacove
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BOATERS’ BAR If you’re looking to kick back after a long day at work, or simply to get behind the wheel of your pleasure craft, head over to the Boaters’ Bar at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove. Set dockside among the bobbing yachts, this floating bar is ideal for al fresco parties or just chilling with your squad. The bar opens 6:30-11pm, Wednesday to Sunday, but pop in during Happy Hour (before 9pm) for drink specials to make your after-dusk soiree extra indulgent. Level 1 (Marina), ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove; Tel: 6305 6982; facebook.com/boatersbarmarina
SABIO BY THE SEA Here’s a dining experience that comes closest to a vacation in the Spanish Mediterranean. Located at Quayside Isle in Sentosa Cove, Sabio by the Sea is known as much for its laid-back atmosphere and unobstructed view of the marina, as for its tantalising grilled meats and seafood tapas. Open every day (except Tuesdays) till 10:30pm, and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the eatery will draw you in with its freshly made sangria and array of traditional favourites such as jamón, paella, churros and chorizo. This child-friendly joint also has something for the little ones, with its delectable kid’s menu and entertainment including a bouncy castle and colouring activities. #01-02 Quayside Isle; dhm.com.sg/sabio; facebook.com/SabioByTheSea.Official
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ONE15 CHRISTMAS BOAT LIGHT PARADE There’s no need to jet off to Europe for the Christmas markets this season — Sentosa promises plenty of fun for everyone in the family at its own rendition. Held from November 18-19, the Sentosa Cove Holiday Market 2017 encompasses more than 20 stalls stocked with holiday treats and gifts, as well as other stalls filled with food and games galore. Also happening on the same weekend, the ONE15 Christmas Boat Light Parade will see vessels illuminate the environs with creative installations of festive lights and decorations. Keep your eyes peeled as those competiting for “Best of Show” honours on the second night sail past iconic venues such as Siloso Beach and Resorts World Sentosa to reach the boardwalk beside VivoCity from 8pm to 9pm.
BRIGHT NIGHTS AT SENTOSA The State of Fun is ready to make your evenings even more memorable. Light up your night with Sentosa’s slew of delectable dining destinations, relaxing chill-out spots and exciting parties to end off your day according to your desires. The island has also introduced a throng of dazzling light installations to electrify your night, including the Pop Up Night at Siloso Beach and the neon-themed Merlion Magic Lights. Special deals and promotions are available at dining outlets and attractions after 6pm. Visit sentosa.com.sg/brightnights for more of Sentosa’s night offerings.
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Hey, = A gateway to the Middle East, Jordan is packed with spectacular sights and experiences. SUHANA AB spends a week discovering its key spots =
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
World Wonder
IT IS SUPPOSEDLY winter in Jordan but it is scorching hot. The woollen Breton-striped sweater I’m wearing does me no favour at all and I find myself working up a sweat. My chiselled-face tour guide, Jacob, laughs at me and chirps: “Forgive our fickle weather; it was snowing just last week!” As I approach the gates of Petra, I start to think that sunshine is a blessing after all. Even though it’s been only a short while since sunrise, the morning sun has cast a beautiful glow over the famous archaeological site, inadvertently highlighting its beauty. Petra has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1985. Its claim to fame? It’s predominantly carved out of the sandstone cliffs. The geniuses behind it? The Nabateans, an Arab kingdom that occupied the area more than 2,000 years ago. Surrounded by mountains, gorges and trekking trails, Petra has a rich history. It was once a caravan centre where merchants converged to trade in silk, incense and spices among many things. Just like other ancient civilisations, the city suffered periods of instability and changes in rulers. By the 14th century, it was lost and remained hidden for some 300 years, till it was re-discovered by explorer, Johann Ludwig. “Oh come on, we were never lost. It’d be silly to think that Jordanians didn’t know where Petra was. Staying hidden was a choice,” Jacob retorts. Being hidden isn’t too difficult for Petra especially when one has to traverse a 1-km gorge surrounded by sandstone walls of 200m to access its heart. The narrow gorge, also known as the Siq, was formed by the natural splitting of the mountain. It is so deep and narrow that sunshine doesn’t reach the bottom. For those concerned about becoming weary even before embarking on the main Petra trail, there is the option of a horse carriage ride. But to truly soak in the experience, consider walking the distance to Petra’s main architectural attraction, the Treasury. Its facade has appeared in blockbusters such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Treasury, also known as the Al Khazna, shows itself dramatically via a narrow zigzag opening. As if to build anticipation, only a small portion of carved rocks can be seen initially. I quicken my pace. A tall rose-red column comes
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FROM TOP: AQABA, THE SOUTHERNMOST DISTRICT OF JORDAN, IS FAMED FOR ITS DIVERSE MARINE LIFE; SALT FORMATIONS
into view — just like that, I come face-to-face with one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. To describe it as majestic is quite an understatement. The Treasury is literally a diamond in the rough. While its surroundings are uneven, raw and coarse, the carved monument appears smooth, showcasing precise lines and intricate details. Just look at its Corinthian columns and capitals. After uploading a series of photos onto Instagram, we move on to tour Petra proper. “Are you fit?” asks Jacob. “If you like, I can take you on a hidden trail that only guides like me know.” After leaving the Treasury, we veer right and spend the next 90 minutes scaling the rocky terrain of Petra. Even though strenuous, it is worth the effort. From some 100m up, I am treated to views of other attractions. The Theatre, carved out of the side of the mountain, is a work of art. This trail gives hikers the opportunity to literally sit in the ancient tombs, where dead Nabateans were laid to rest. Today, these hollowed spaces showcase the geology of the area. The descent is much easier than going up. When you reach the bottom, you will find yourself at the end of the central trail right by the Great Temple. Here, you decide if you would like to scale 900 steps to reach the Monastery, a monument similar to but much larger than the Treasury, or take a leisurely stroll on level ground where you can marvel at other sights of interest such the church, theatre, nymphaeum and the Royal Tombs. A two-hour drive from Petra is another Unesco World Heritage Site, Wadi Rum. It is no less famous than the Treasury, having featured in cinematic classics such as
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Lawrence of Arabia, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The Martian. Wadi Rum is a desert dotted with large monolithic rocks. The best way to see it is to hire a four-wheel drive with a local guide. Mine is a smiley Bedouin, who over the two-hour drive through the barren landscape, makes pit stops for me to view petroglyphs written by Nabateans on cave walls, hike up sand dunes and take photographs. To make the experience more adventurous, try staying (or rather, glamping) at one of the many Bedouin-style camps. This is where you can enjoy unobstructed scenes of the night sky. After a few days of admiring the natural rocky landscape of Petra and Wadi Rum, I decide to visit the coastal city of Aqaba. Located in the southernmost district of Jordan, it is famous for a diverse marine life. If you fancy idling on the beach, Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba is where
to stay. It is quiet, has a private stretch of beach, and allows you to recharge. Another advantage of staying here is that it’s just a 10-minute stroll to the town centre, where you will get a glimpse of how the locals live. Tuck into Middle Eastern pastries and visit Arab-styled fashion boutiques and provision shops that sell spices and tea A visit to Jordan is not complete without stopping by the Dead Sea. Located 420m below sea level, it is famous for having waters so high in salt content — eight times more than in other oceans — that one floats with ease. I check in at the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. Sprawled over some 10 hectares, the
PHOTO OF DEAD SEA: JORDAN TOURISM BOARD
BY THE DEAD SEA
FROM TOP: RUINS AT ANCIENT CITY OF JERASH; A STREET MARKET TRADER IN AMMAN
property replicates the setting of a traditional Jordanian village. The two-storey buildings are constructed with local stones and come with lush gardens to transport one back in time. The Mövenpick offers private access to the Dead Sea so you get to enjoy it rather peacefully. But since it isn’t located within a bay, the waters here can get a little choppy. The descent into the sea is a little rocky, too, so accept help from the lifeguard on standby. He will guide you to deeper waters safely so you can experience floating in the Dead Sea. For a more pleasant experience, wear goggles to keep the stinging water out of your eyes and water shoes to protect your feet from sharp salt formations. It may be a bit much for young children but fret not, they can splash about in the resort’s large pools. The Dead Sea is only a 50-minute drive to the airport but I am not leaving without visiting
Jerash. I’ve been told by luxury tour operator Lightfoot Travel that it is in a league of its own and shouldn’t be missed. After dropping my luggage at the Grand Hyatt in the capital Amman, I head north to Jerash, which is 45 minutes away by car. It is indeed a mesmerising sight. So mighty, it once was, Jerash was declared
one of the 10 great Roman cities of the Decapolis League. A typical tour begins at the South Gate, where the forum is located. Lined with 56 Ionic columns, it once served as the centre of social activity for locals. From here, take a slow walk down the colonnaded streets, and check out the remains of the Roman town including the South Theatre. Try standing at the centre of the auditorium and observe how its ingenious acoustics allows you to be clearly heard throughout the 3,000-seat auditorium without you having to raise your voice. Jordan is truly a land of wonders. From red rocks to blue seas, it has something for every traveller. Safe and stable under the rule of King Abdullah II, visitors gain wonderful insights into the Middle East here. The best times to visit are between March and May. If you aren’t planning on glamping in the desert where it is freezing at night, September to February works too. lightfoottravel.com
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BRACE YOURSELF
Functionality and high sophistication come together in the luxurious Armillion bracelet, a wearable wrist candy that brings out the essence of a convenient world. Equipped with RFID technology, it allows you to complete contactless payments of up to £200,000, open your supercar and unlock the security system of your mansion (begone, keys and cards). And since it draws energy from reader devices every time it’s used, you don’t even need to get it charged. Its surface is crafted from a single piece of high-tech ceramic that’s extremely sturdy and scratch-resistant, while the case is made with precious metals the likes of 18k pink gold, yellow gold or titanium, with a coat of diamond-like carbon to boot. The bracelet is limited to only 10 pieces per edition worldwide. armillion.com
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