THAILAND
NOVEMBER 2017 | THB 150
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN AT HOME WITH THE GENIUS ASTON MARTIN DESIGNING PERFECTION WORLD WONDER DISCOVERING JORDAN
JANISTA “BAM” AND BUTRRAT “BOTE” CHAROONSMITH
BALANCING WORK, LOVE AND FAMILY
CONTENTS 14 16 18 32 146
EDITOR’S LETTER CONTRIBUTORS NOTEBOOK DIARY BACKSTORY
AGENDA
30
WHAT’S NEW
Live Life Beautifully
33
AUCTIONS
Hottest Bids Around the World
34
GADGETS Gadgets & Gizmo
42
JEWELLERY
Novel Designs That Make the Cut
38
44
WATCHES
THE LOOK
Keeping Up with Time’s Latest Movements
Fashion Essentials for Him and Her
46
BEAUTY
Lotions and Potions for the Perfect Expression
4 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
48
TRAVEL
Intel for the Luxe Adventurer
50
DINING
Epicurean Finds to Relish
52
CARS
Dangerous Curves Ahead
53
YACHTS
High Life on the High Seas
56
HOME
Quality, Comfort & Style
58
ART
Eye of the Beholder
CONTENTS FASHION
68
FEATURE
Catch Me If You Can
TALK
60
MARK GRAHAM In Vogue
RSVP
68
SOCIALISING
Seen on the Scene
FASHION
80
FEATURE
Commanding the Empire
84
FEATURE
Verdant Garden
JEWELLERY
86
BULGARI
Objects of Desire
6 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
WATCHES
90
MONT BLANC
New Heights
COVER
92
URWERK
Days of Future Past
96
BUTRRAT “BOTE” AND JANISTA “BAM” CHAROONSMITH
“For most people, luxury means expensive, but for me it’s about quality. And high quality does not always come with a high price” – Bote Charoonsmith
CONTENTS 136
TRAVEL
Hey, World Wonder
CULTURE
106 ART
Istanbul Ignited
110
DESIGN Poetic Design
114
DESIGN Wanders Lust
118
FILM
Escaping the Entourage
120
BOOKS
Split and Run
TOYS
INDULGENCE
122
MERCEDES BENZ
Modern Classic
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126
LEXUS
Power is Relative
128
ASTON MARTIN Streamlined Success
130
DINING
Neptune’s Feast
134
WINE
All Saint’s Day
140
HOTEL
Grande Designs
TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM.
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FINE WATCHMAKING.
ROYAL OAK DIAMOND SET IN YELLOW GOLD
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THAIL AND
Franรงois Oosthuizen MANAGING EDITOR
Manta Klangboonkrong
Craig Sauers
SENIOR LIFESTYLE WRITER
DIGITAL CONTENT SPECIALIST
Sirinart Panyasricharoen EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
= BURDA STUDIO
Kanda Charanawat BURDA STUDIO DIRECTOR
Sirirat Prajakthip SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Supakit Kaimook
Pisit Jirathadaphan
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
SENIOR STYLIST
Prassaneemas Pongsuwan PRODUCTION MANAGER
Krittika Puwapatamanun PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE
= PRESTIGE ASIA
Christina Ko
Lauren Tan
Chris Hanrahan
Rubin Khoo
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
EDITOR
EDITOR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EDITOR
HONG KONG
SINGAPORE
INDONESIA
MALAYSIA
TAIWAN
Johnny Khoo
Sarah Huang
GROUP FASHION DIRECTOR
HEAD OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
Monica Yang
ASSISTANT TO CEO
= CONTRIBUTORS
Ned Goodwin, Sheena K, Paris Libby, Gerrie Lim, Payal Uttam, Avo Yermagyan, Joe Yogerst CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Robert Astley-Sparke, Giuliano Bekor, Bleacher + Everard, Karl Chiu, Mark Liddell, Mike Ruiz, Samantha Sin, Randall Slavin, Smallz & Raskind, Darren Tieste, Russel Wong
= PRESTIGE THAILAND is published by Burda Singapore Pte. Ltd. (201114280C). All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of Burda Singapore Pte. Ltd. Opinions expressed in PRESTIGE are those of the writer and not necessarily endorsed by Burda Singapore Pte. Ltd. Burda Singapore accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other material. Address all editorial and business correspondence to: Prestige Thailand, Burda (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. 16th Floor, Rajanakarn Building (Zone A), South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel: +66 (0)2 676 8999 Colour Separation by Classic Scan Co., Ltd. Printing by Eastern Printing Public Company Limited pcl.157 Distribution by Burda Thailand Co., Ltd. Tel: +66 (0)2 676 8999 Ext 214-6 Fax: +66 (0)2 676 8990
10 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
THAIL AND
Waraporn Siriboonma PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sirima Limviriyalers GROUP ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
= Kajeenuch Kanjanaleka ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
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Apichaya Chuangsawadsak ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
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MARKETING MANAGER
ASSISTANT MARKETING AND CIRCULATION DIRECTOR
Jidapa Chankrapoe
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CIRCULATION MANAGER
CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE
= PRESTIGE ASIA
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Sebrina Mak
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Daisy Hu
Ronald Liem
GROUP PUBLISHER &
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR,
PUBLISHER, MALAYSIA
PUBLISHER, TAIWAN
PUBLISHER, INDONESIA
MANAGING DIRECTOR (ASIA)
HONG KONG
= INTERNATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES BURDA COMMUNITY NETWORK
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Michael Neuwirth
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= Eckart Bollmann MANAGING DIRECTOR
12 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
Melvin Ang
Sven Friedrichs
GROUP PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR (ASIA)
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (ASIA)
EDITOR’S LETTER A JOB WELL DONE Early on the morning of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s cremation I switched the television on to follow some of the ceremonies and proceedings. Fascinated by the ancient rituals and immensely impressed by the splendid way it was all presented, it wasn’t until 11pm that I finally forced myself to go to bed. What a fitting way to send off an extraordinary man who touched the lives and hearts of millions – both in Thailand and abroad. Rest in peace, Your Majesty. To the hundreds of historians and palace officials, government representatives, artists and artisans, craftsmen, other key figures, experts and those taking part in the various ceremonies and processions: hat’s off to you all. It was a job well done. Every Thai person should feel proud that it all came together in such a perfect way – gracious, respectful and highlighting the very things that make this country such a special place. Here at Prestige, we seldom feature couples on our cover, but when we do, they have both made their mark on
society. Such is the case with power couple Butrrat “Bote” and Janista “Bam” Charoonsmith. While Bote singlehandedly built up his “financial supermarket” Silkspan – the first of its kind in the world – to a thriving company with 700 employees, Bam established a successful restaurant chain with eight branches currently. All the while they make time for parenting, keeping romance alive in their relationship and generally living a life many can only dream of. The best part of all, Bam and Bote are grounded and one of the nicest couples in town. It was a pleasure to work with them. From front to back, this issue is packed with exciting lifestyle news and trends, specially curated for you. Enjoy!
FRANÇOIS OOSTHUIZEN | MANAGING EDITOR | francois.o#burda.co.th
THAILAND
NOVEMBER 2017 | THB 150
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN AT HOME WITH THE GENIUS ASTON MARTIN DESIGNING PERFECTION WORLD WONDER DISCOVERING JORDAN
JANISTA “BAM” A AND E BUTRRAT “BOTE” T CHAROONSMITH
BALANCING WORK, LOVE AND FAMILY
14 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
PHOTOGRAPHER VATCHARASITH WICHYANRAT STYLIST AKAPHOL RUTHAIYANONT MAKEUP ARTIST TEERATAT THAIPANIS HAIR STYLIST CHOLTANAN THORANGKUL ON BAM CLOTHES DIOR SHOES FENDI WATCH OMEGA ON BOTE SHIRT PINKY TAILOR JACKET SALVATORE FERRAGAMO WATCH OMEGA ART DIRECTION KANDA CHARANAWAT EDITORIAL COORDINATOR SIRINART PANYASRICHAROEN VENUE THE ATHENEE HOTEL, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, BANGKOK
CONTRIBUTORS
BIGS VATCHARASITH WICHYANRAT is a
fashion, commercial and fine art photographer currently based in Bangkok. He honed his craft at Silpakorn University, the London College of Printing and the London College of Fashion. Bigs’ work has appeared in various magazines and corporate advertisements throughout Asia.
16 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
Seventeen years in the scene has earned
An alumnus of Ketvadi-Gandini,
TEERATAT THAIPANIS
CHOLTANAN
a reputation as one of the best makeup artists for brides in Thailand. A protégé of the late makeup artist Chorapas “Tor” Opasphan, Teeratat honed his techniques and created a signature ultra-feminine style, featuring a soft, dewy finish that works best with bridal couture.
THORANGKUL has
been a hair stylist for more than 20 years and has previously worked with a string of glossy magazines, advertising agencies and film productions. His signature style is classic and timeless, executed with a “less is more” approach.
Now more than 15 years into his career, KAAN SUCHANIN first took an interest in photography during his time at university. Although he is experienced in many different genres, Kaan specialises in food, portrait and wedding shoots. He’s always ready to learn something new. After all, his motto is, “the best job is the next one.”
NOTEBOOK
Events, happenings, promotions
wellness
travel
BELMOND
WA THEATER PREMIUM FRUITS You can now enjoy premium Japanese fruit in Thailand as fresh as if it you had plucked it off the vine, thanks to Wa Theater Premium Fruits. Kyoho grapes, Shine muscat grapes, Shinano grapes and golden peaches are available now, while exquisite plums and strawberries will arrive in December, once they are in season.
Experience the savoir-vivre of Belmond with a series of short films directed by the esteemed Romain Chassaing. Called “The Art of Savoir Vivre”, the films the follow a stylish cast of global jetsetters as they travel from Rio to Portofino, capturing the spirit of Belmond.
THE MURRAY, HONG KONG If you’re heading to Hong Kong in 2018, take advantage of a special pre-launch deal from The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel. Bookings made from now until January 15 for the 75sqm Explorer Suites include daily breakfast for two, private roundtrip airport transfers with VIP meet-and-greet services, dining credits and more.
SPA BY LE MÉRIDIEN BANGKOK
THE BULGARI HOTEL BEIJING
KATA ROCKS
It’s said that a Himalayan salt detox body wrap has the same effects as a three-day juice detox. You can see for yourself at SPA by Le Méridien Bangkok. Through November, the spa is offering a package called “Himalayan High”, including this special 30-minute treatment and a 60-minute oil massage.
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.
Kata Rocks is marking its third anniversary on December 2 with a Louis Roederer “Champagne Brunch of the Year” pool party. Apart from excellent food and Louis Roederer bubbly, the party promises an exclusive fashion show next to the resort’s infinity pool and a DJ set from Bangkok’s own Slum Disco Soundsystem.
18 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
NOTEBOOK
Events, happenings, promotions
jewellery
shopping
dinning
CHOPARD 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.
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO With the holiday season around the corner, Salvatore Ferragamo has come out with a stunning special collection of accessories to help make a statement on the social circuit. The motif, a combination of black and gold, is complemented by red accents in the men’s collection, while sparkling details embellish the brand’s excellent craftsmanship in the women’s collection.
EAT DRINK PINK The Peninsula Bangkok returns with Eat Drink Pink on November 20, a fine dining event that raises funds for the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer. A number of illustrious restaurants are participating, including Eat Me, Nahm, Le Du, Err, Lenzi, Il Fumo, Bo.lan, Bunker and The Never-Ending Summer.
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.
BRASSERIE EUROPA MCM The luxury leather goods brand has just launched its made-to-order services worldwide, allowing you to create your own unique MCM Patricia Bag, from leather to embroidery to monogram. From the start of November, you can get in on the experience at the MCM pop-up store at Siam Paragon.
20 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
In time for winter, Brasserie Europa at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is bringing back its outdoor BBQ grill every Thursday and Friday evening, from November 17 until January 31. This means river prawns, salmon, scallops in the shell, beef sirloin, Argentinian beef tenderloin and more, fresh-cooked on the grill and served alongside the restaurant’s extensive buffet.
PHOTO (TREASURES OF THE NATURAL WORLD): NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON
GIA
FEATURE
22
Final Farewell
= After a year of mourning, the five-day Royal Cremation Ceremony of the His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej took place at Sanam Luang with hundreds of thousand mourners lining in the streets to pay their last respect to Thailand’s beloved king – known and loved by his people as “Father of the Land.” Royal families, distinguished representatives and dignitaries from 42 countries attended the ceremony. Here is our pictorial tribute Photography : HELLO! MAGAZINE
PHOTO: NAKARES TEERAKHAMSRI
=
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
23
THIS PAGE: HIS MAJESTY KING MAHA VAJIRALONGKORN BODINDRADEBAYAVARANGKUN (TOP LEFT); HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS MAHA CHAKRI SIRINDHORN AND HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BAJRAKITIYABHA MAHIDOL (TOP RIGHT); HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS SIRIVANNAVARI NARIRATANA AND HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS BAJRAKITIYABHA MAHIDOL (LOWER LEFT) OPPOSITE PAGE: FIRST LIEUTENANT JITAT SORNSONGKRAM (LOWER LEFT) AND PRIME MINISTER GENERAL PRAYUT CHAN-O-CHA AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (LOW ER RIGHT)
24 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
PHOTO: CHANNARONG PORNDILOKRAT PHOTO: ALEXSIS NC
PHOTO: CHANNARONG PORNDILOKRAT
PHOTO: PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
FEATURE
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
25
PHOTO: ANUWAT DEJTHUMRONGWAT
PHOTO: SOMSAK LAMPONGPAN
PHOTO: CHANNARONG PORNDILOKRAT
PHOTO: PHONGTHAI WATTHANAWANIJWUTH
PHOTO: CHANNARONG PORNDILOKRAT
FEATURE
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NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
27
PHOTO: PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
PHOTO: PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH
THIS PAGE: HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS SIRIVANNAVARI NARIRATANA (LOWER RIGHT)
28 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
PHOTO: KRIT PHOMSAKLA NA SAKOLNAKORN
PHOTO: DUMRONGSAK PALUNGRATANAKUL
PHOTO: ALEXSIS NC
FEATURE
PHOTO: KANDA CHARANAWAT
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE
29
What’s new in fashion, food, wellness, travel, tech, beauty and bling
'
AGENDA PICTURE PERFECT
CLASSIC QUIRK
BRITISH GLAM
CLÉ DE PEAU takes skincare to the next level
A timepiece for dandies and chic urbanites, Historiques American 1921 epitomises the boldness of an era and the technical sophistication of a VACHERON CONSTANTIN creation. Reinterpreted with a 36.5mm diameter and a cushion-shaped case in 18K 5N pink gold, it continues to flaunt the vintage credentials while remaining true to its original aesthetic codes – classic yet quirky.
STELLA MCCARTNEY’s Winter 2017 collection pays homage to British heritage with equestrian-inspired tailoring, checked tailored dresses, double-lapel dresses and elongated, blown-up silhouettes. Highlighst include a print motif of “Horse Frightened by Lion” by 18th century English painter George Stubbs on crepe de chine that plays with the contrast of power and beauty.
with Le Font de Teint, the foundation that gives a finish that’s flawless, natural and smooth. The oil-to-gel Illuminating Veil Infusion formula applies like luxurious cream and blends seamlessly without feeling powdery.
30 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
LUXURY IN PROGRESS The Big Apple will become home to Aman’s third property in the US when AMAN NEW YORK opens its door in 2020. Situated in the heart of Manhattan with sweeping views of Central Park, Aman New York, designed by the brand’s long-time collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy, will occupy the entire Crown Building, comprising 83 elegant guestrooms and suites, 19 Aman Residences on the upper floors and a five-storey, park-view Penthouse.
= NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE 31
DIARY
What in the world is happening this month
THAILAND
ASIA-PACIFIC
EUROPE & AMERICAS
November 3–24 TAIPEI GOLDEN HORSE FILM FESTIVAL The biggest party on Taiwan’s entertainment calendar culminates in the Golden Horse Award ceremony on November 25 — can Takeshi Kaneshiro make good on 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.
LOY KRATONG FESTIVAL Illuminated kratongs – floating floral baskets – will be launched on rivers, canals and ponds on this full moon night to give respect to Ganga, the Hindu Goddess of Water. This annual tradition and one of the country’s most spectacular festivals is celebrated all over Thailand, and five-star hotels in Bangkok are a good place to visit for an authentic taste of the festival (pictured here: The Peninsula Bangkok).
November 7 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 279,000 sqm.
November 17-19 & 24-26
Until November 5
BEAMFEST
WINTER ART & ANTIQUES FAIR OLYMPIA
Bangkokians will be treated to music, food and art over two electrifying weekends at Beam and 72 Courtyard on Thonglor. The first edition of the festival promises an array of gourmet food and drinks, art exhibitions and activities, as well as electronic music and live bands from both local and international scenes.
November 29 – December 11 THAILAND INTERNATIONAL MOTOR EXPO 2017 The 34th edition of Thailand’s first and longestrunning motor show will feature futuristic automotive innovations as well as new releases, big bikes and used cars from more than 50 manufacturers. The 13-day event is taking place at IMPACT Challenger Hall 1-3, Muang Thong Thani.
32 PRESTIGE NOVEMBER 2017
FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
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 7–26 THE SOUND OF MUSIC
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.
November 8 GRAND PRIX D’HORLOGERIE DE GENÈVE 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.
PHOTOS: (THE SOUND OF MUSIC) MARINA BAY SANDS; (SAM BRAZEL) WARREN LITTLE/GETTY IMAGES; (FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW) FOREST JOHNSON
November 3
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
FERRARI F2001 November 16
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 fourth Drivers’’ Championship, G along with two Grand Prixes. 200 is expected to go for f r The F2001 $ million. above US$4
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.
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.
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 pen and black ink on cream laid paper, the German-American expressionist painter’s piece surpassed its estimate of US$30,000 to fetch $47,500.
NOVEMBER 2017 PRESTIGE 33
PHOTOS: SWANN AUCTION GALLERIES
PHILLIPS/PHILLIPS.COM
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.
AGENDA
34
GADGETS & GIZMOS
MIRROR, MIRROR Mirrorless cameras have been luring away DSLR diehards for a few years now. With the Alpha A7R III from SONY, expect more shutterbugs to jump on the bandwagon. Opting to stick with the same 42.4-megapixel sensor offered by its predecessor, Sony’s newest toy offers a rampedup image-processing engine and the largest back-illuminated image sensor on the market, allowing you to capture high-quality shots in low-lit environments. But speed is its star feature. The camera shoots at 10 frames per second with autofocus tracking, meaning you can capture fast-moving subjects – for example, wildlife – with perfect precision.
RAISING THE BAR Yes, they may be bar cabinets, but these sweet designs from DANISH FUEL are so handsome we would be hard-pressed not to mention them in this space. Repurposing WWII-Era Jerry cans by hand, the design fi rm has presented a range of showpieces that would pop in any bar or kitchen. Available in colours such as Moscow White and Missile Grey, the cabinets can be customised with smoked oak, oak or walnut shelving.
CHARGE IT
TRASH TO TREASURE With the Living Composter Worm Farm from BIOVESSEL, you can build your very own ecosystem. This nifty gadget, cooked up by a team of biologists and designers, blends beauty and functionality. The odourless, all-in-one system, worms included, makes use of your food scraps – even your tea bags – to grow plants of all shapes and sizes. That includes herbs, which makes it a handy tool for home chefs, even if the idea of a portable worm farm strikes you as weird.
Considering the age we live in, it’s somewhat surprising it has taken so long for a company to produce a wireless charging port that doesn’t look like an oversized hockey puck on your desk. GROVEMADE has answered the call, though. The charging pad comes with a top made of soft natural cork and a stainless steel base that keeps it in place. The cord tucks neatly into that base, keeping your desk space neat and tidy.
STAND UP If you’re considering the switch to a standing desk, you might as well choose one that looks good. The Standing Desk 02, the latest from ARTIFOX, brings a minimal aesthetic to the table. The walnut desk comes equipped with hooks for your personal items, a dock with soft felt knot cables to hold your cords in place and a cable grid to neatly anchor your wires under the surface. It also pairs with a counter-height stool for times when you’d rather sit.
AGENDA
36
FAVOURITE APPS THIS MONTH
YOUTUBE TV The streaming site that revolutionised the way we consume visual media has just rolled out an app made for your living room screen. The YouTube TV app can now be found on Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One and more.
QUINTESSENTIALLY LIFESTYLE A members-only concierge service, this app provides personalised content, as well as directions to and recommendations for the fi nest restaurants, hotels and events close to your current location. It currently covers about 60 major cities across the world and offers round-the-clock service.
GADGETS & GIZMOS
PRETTY IN PIXELS It’s taken the company a few attempts, but finally GOOGLE has come out with a hybrid laptop that can stand with the best Windows and Mac devices. Stylish brushed aluminium, a beautifully back-lit keyboard, 235-ppi display and a new stylus called the Pixelbook Pen, which can sync with Google Assistant as you use it, make the new Google Pixelbook easily the most attractive and well-designed laptop to ever have evolved from the Chromebook series. The Pixelbook comes with total Android app support and seamless connectivity with Pixel phones, too.
IT’S ALL IN THE WRIST SAMSUNG wants to reserve some real estate on your wrist. With the latest update to its tried-and-tested Gear Fit fitness tracker, it might just succeed. The Gear Fit 2 Pro elevates what was already one of the best fitness trackers on the market. There are customisable watch faces to suit your fitness needs, from calorie consumption to steps to elevation, and the tracker comes equipped with the Speedo On app, practically begging you to swim with it. Bonus points for the partnership with Spotify that allows you save music on your Gear Fit 2 Pro offl ine, without a smartphone.
DIORMAG Keep up-to-speed with all the goings on at Christian Dior with this hand-held magazine. New Paper Play technology and access to additional content give you insights into the world of Dior through video reports, interviews with the designers and exclusive photos.
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HOW OLD FASHIONED For those of us who prefer to make our own drinks, here’s a neat little product for your next long-haul fl ight. The Carry-On Cocktail Kit from W&P DESIGN comes with a carry-on tin, a recipe card, a spoon/muddler, bitters, cane sugar and a linen coaster. All you have to do is order a mini-bottle of bourbon and you have yourself a couple of Old Fashioneds in the works.
R O O F T O P C E L E B R A T I O N S T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E B O O K E A R LY TO AVO I D D I S A P P O I N T M E N T P L E A S E CO N TAC T O U R D I N I N G R E S E RVAT I O N S
For further information please contact dining reservations Tel : 02 100 6255 Email : diningcgcw@chr.co.th CentaraGrandatCentralWorld
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CLASSY LADIES DANCING QUEEN Gold tiles — nearly 700 in 18k pink or white gold — adorn the dials of BULGARI’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
fingernailfriendly 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 fi rst 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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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 KEEPING UP WITH TIME’S LATEST MOVEMENTS
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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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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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.
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.
CLOSE AND PERSONAL 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 BERLUTI
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.
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 fi ne 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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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 the 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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COMMUNE WITH NATURE
URBAN OASIS Small Luxury Hotels of the World will be introducing a new Sukhothai hotel to its fold come March 2018. THE SUKHOTHAI SHANGHAI on Nanjing Road is a masterpiece by renowned architectural fi rm 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.
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.
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.
TRAVEL INTEL FOR THE LUXE ADVENTURER
ISLAND LUXE
BEACH GETAWAY
BAWAH ISLAND, one of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2017, is now calling
for guests to be the first to step onto the untouched archipelago. The plush retreat in the heart of Indonesia’s Anambas Islands is located in a marine conservation area, where nature provides a unique experience across five pristine islands, three crystalclear lagoons and 13 beaches. The resort accommodates a maximum of 70 guests in 35 eco-designed suites and overwater bungalows – complete with holistic and personalised service.
The newly opened THE RITZCARLTON, KOH SAMUI combines the brand’s legendary service with colourful local Samui culture to create a unique getaway. The 175 suites and pool villas are nestled in 58 acres of lush, green landscape overlooking turquoise waters. Apart from delectable cuisine, spa pampering, curated cultural and outdoor activities, the resort also has a Swim Reef – the largest in Southeast Asia within a resort – teeming with over 50 species of fi sh for unique snorkelling experiential moments.
ALPINE RETREAT Next month, AMAN LE MÉLÉZIN in France will reopen after extensive renovations – just in time for the Alpine ski season and marking the hotel’s 25th anniversary with a new 767-sqm holistic spa. The new spa comprises two new floors and five oversized chambers offering Turkish wellness experiences and Thai massage, among other nourishing and rejuvenating treatments.
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LAVISH LUNCHTIME
Indulge in the all-new Japanese lunch sets by Chef Takeda Yukio at TSU JAPANESE RESTAURANT, JW Marriott Bangkok. Start with a choice of appetisers and dive into a hearty entrée from an array of choices such as sashimi, tempura and grilled dishes. Highly recommended is the Wagyu karubi beef rice bowl where marbled, succulent meat is grilled to perfection and served on supple Japanese rice.
BURGERS AND CLAWS The St. Regis Bangkok offers new gourmet delights at THE LOUNGE with decadent lobster and luxurious burgers, served during lunch and dinner every day. Don’t miss The St. Regis Classic Burger that entices with a 170-gram grilled Wagyu patty and Lobster and Burger Tower that includes burgers, two grilled whole lobsters, truffle fries and salad.
ARTFUL FLAVOURS Discover exciting new flavours with creative dishes at LA BOTTEGA DI LUCA. Chef Luca Appino sources prime quality ingredients from across Italy to create sensational delights such as Fossana beef tartare with lime, Vialone Nano risotto, paccheri with burrata cheese and smoked seabass carpaccio with sour vegetables.
DINING EPICUREAN FINDS TO RELISH
SPANISH DELIGHTS
Throughout this month, take a gastronomic trip across Spain at UNO MAS, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, with a different offering for each day of the week. The “7 Days of Sharing Menus” include authentic Spanish dishes like paella, Txogitxu beef and baked crabs from the Basque country, oysters, mussels, Agnei Iberico suckling lamb and the signature cochinillo.
SIGNATURE TREAT A TASTE OF THAILAND Chef Rossarin Sripathum from CELADON at The Sukhothai Bangkok treats gourmands to newly launched nine- and 12-course set menus prepared with modern techniques and OTOP produce. Highlight dishes include Alaskan king crab with shrimp paste, Southern-style braised pork belly and yellow curry with snow fi sh. The dishes are served for dinner with a classical Thai dance performance at 8pm.
AMAN celebrates the bold fl avours and authentic ingredients of Italy’s rich culinary heritage with a new dining concept, Arvo, at selected properties that include Amanpuri in Phuket, Aman Tokyo and Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro, among others. Conceived by Chefs Stefano Artosin and Andrea Torre, Arvo showcases inventive cooking techniques and the fi nest local ingredients with each restaurant offering its own take on the concept.
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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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
FIRST LOOK
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.
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.
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.
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SELECT
SOPHISTICATED SIMPLICITY Ultra-luxury residence Saladaeng One just off Silom Road aims to enhance urban living with its convenient and central location, modern design and stunning views creating luxury real estate projects – from single houses and townhomes to condominiums in prime residential areas across Bangkok – SC Asset has set its sights on Silom for its latest project. Located in the heart of one of the city’s most desirable districts, complete with panoramic views of Lumpini Park, Saladaeng One is already capturing the attention of savvy investors and homeowners. The project, currently under construction, is tucked away in the tranquil, yet very central Soi Saladaeng. Less than 500 metres away from Saladaeng BTS, as well as Silom and Lumpini MRT stations, the high-rise residential complex is strategically located on the edge of Bangkok’s main central business district, Sathorn; key commercial hotspots such as Rama IV, Surawong, Si Phraya and Bang Rak; and
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several access points to expressways that connect the whole city. The property is also surrounded by schools, hospitals, five-star hotels and embassies, as well as some of the hottest lifestyle offerings in town: top restaurants such as Eat Me, Park Society and Il Fumo, cocktail bars such as Vesper, and a number of shopping centres. If there’s a district that allows for the perfect worklife balance, Silom is definitely it. Despite all the excitement in the neighbourhood, Saladaeng One still offers utmost privacy, peace and tranquillity. Saladaeng One stands 33 floors tall, with 185 thoughtfully and stylishly designed residential units. The exterior sports a simple, modern design, featuring straight lines and a subdued palette. The building is intended to blend seamlessly with its eclectic cosmopolitan surroundings. The façade treatment features horizontal slabs that provide shade and protection from Bangkok’s extreme sunlight and heavy seasonal downpours. These slabs are made from customised aluminium cladding that adds extra durability. They also do not compromise the project’s understated aesthetics, thanks to their resemblance to natural white marble.
The interior, which adheres to the same simple and elegant aesthetic, elevates urban living. From the residences to the community spaces, Saladaeng One expresses a soothing, seamless design, a clever floor plan that maximises utility space, ample state-of-the-art amenities and discreet furnishings. High-quality imported materials with a timeless black-and-white palette build on the sense of tranquillity. A freehold project with prices starting at 16 million Baht, Saladaeng One has five residence types on offer. Rooms range in size and space from 50-57 square-metre one-bedroom residences all the way up to a luxurious four-bedroom, 412-square-metre penthouse. There are two- and three-bedroom residences and duplexes, as well. No matter the size, all feature prime amenities.
Each residence features three-metrehigh ceilings, which is rare to find in Bangkok, and faces Rama IV Road, where Bangkok’s largest green space, Lumpini Park, is located. The luxuriously high ceiling allows space for floor-to-ceiling glass windows. These treat residents to breathtaking views of the park, ample natural light and the illusion of being among nature despite living in the most bustling part of the capital. Whether you’re lounging around in the living space, soaking in a relaxing bath or lazing around in bed, you are graced with exclusive, unobstructed views of Bangkok’s version of Central Park. Saladaeng One also comes equipped with top-notch facilities and amenities: a spacious reception area; 102-percent parking space; three sky gardens on high floors; a cutting-edge gym, sauna and steam room; as well as CCTV and an access card system. Tenants can also cool off in an outdoor salt-water swimming pool while enjoying 360-degree views of the park and Bangkok’s cityscape from the 30th floor. saladaengone.com
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PALACE IN THE SKY
The news of AMAN NEW YORK – slated for a 2020 opening – is the talk of the town, but it’s the 19 Aman-branded residences from the 11th floor up that really has tongues wagging, specifically the palatial five-storey penthouse. Spanning over 4,200 square metres and featuring both indoor and outdoor pools, the penthouse is expected to be priced in excess of US$100 million (3.3 billion Baht). Jean-Michel Gathy is designing the hotel’s layouts and can be contracted to do residents’ furnishings and interiors, and the hotel’s services – including Aman’s famously discreet staff – will of course also be available to residents.
DINING ELEGANCE “Shades of Taupe” at the MOTIF GROUP showroom on the 4th floor of Central Embassy is a special collaboration between the leading Thai furniture outlet and Italian brand Cattelan, renowned for exquisite and timeless pieces of exceptional high quality. Motif Group and Cattelan present the Isabel dining chair in eight shades of taupe: modern colours mixed between grey and brown, for example, Tortora, Castoro, Fango, Bruno, Cenere, Smoke, Ardesia and Ice. You can also choose from five types of leg materials and finishes to have the chairs custom-made to taste.
CUDDLE UP Available from DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM, the “NotKnot Turk’s Head” cushion is inspired by scout, nautical and decorative knots. Made from high-grade Icelandic wool (50 percent) and an acrylic, non-allergenic polyester filling (50 percent), they’re soft and warm to touch. Happy cuddling!
HOME QUALITY, COMFORT & STYLE
SHOWCASE
THEN AND NOW For its 2017-2018 home collections, French maison HERMÈS draws strongly on its historic heritage as saddle- and harness-maker – only now it uses leather to dress beautiful objects for the home. Leather is combined with materials like light maple wood, lacquer, wicker, crystal or metal, resulting and timeless and classic objects.
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EXPRESSIVE IMAGES
Until November 30 “Parp-Pim2” or Bangkok Printmaking Exhibition returns for the second edition at KALWIT STUDIO & GALLERY with works from more than 20 local and international artists. Explore the arduous methods of printmaking such as etching, woodcutting and others that yield distinct aesthetics and allow the artists to express themselves in their own unique ways.
COURTLY ARTS
Until January 7, 2018 The art and crafts that went into the creation of Phra Meru Mas (the Royal Crematorium for HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej) are dissected, interpreted and explored at “Insight | Thai | Architecture” at the Back Building of TCDC BANGKOK. Marvel and appreciate traditional Thai arts preserved for royals and monarchs in a comprehensive display that is put together by the Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture and the Faculty of Architecture at Silpakorn University.
SUBJECTIVITY DECONSTRUCTED
EMOTIONAL DISPLAY
Until December 16 Jarasporn Chumsri lets emotion take control in her solo exhibition, “Emotion As Reason”, at BANGKOK UNIVERSITY GALLERY. Instead of suppressing emotions to procure reasons, Jarasporn highlights the interconnected dynamic between thoughts and feelings with semi-abstract forms created from fragmented personal memories that shaped her attitudes.
Until March 11, 2018 MOMA PS1 is currently showcasing American visual artist Carolee Schneemann’s latest works in an exhibition called “Kinetic Painting”. Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the second part of the 20th century, she investigates the matter of subjectivity, the social construction of the female body and the cultural biases of art history that had significant influences on new-generation artists.
ART EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
SHOWCASE
PUMPKINS AND POLKA DOTS Japan’s most celebrated visual artist, Yayoi Kusama, has recently opened her own museum, YAYOI KUSAMA MUSEUM, in the Shinjuku neighborhood of Tokyo. The fivestory, futuristic looking building was completed in 2014 and now houses Kusama’s highlight works, two changing exhibitions each year, and one floor dedicated to her popular “Infinity Rooms” and other installations. The top floor will house a reading room and archival materials. The first exhibition, “Creation is a Solitary Pursuit, Love is What Brings You Closer to Art”, is on view until February 25, 2018.
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TALK
60 In Vogue Journalist MARK reflects on the trappings of fame – by association GRAHAM
During the past few years, Beijing-based writer MARK GRAHAM has profi led a slew of fashion-world heavyweights, including Roberto Cavalli, Victoria Beckham, Mario Testino, Renzo Rosso, Diego Della Valle and Christopher Bailey. When not on the fashionista beat, Graham can be found running in the city’s parks – he has completed several Beijing half-marathons – or trying to catch up with his speedy, 10-year-old daughter.
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 been buying provisions in a small Yorkshire Dales store, paying with a China credit card before heading off for traditional afternoon tea and scones at a cafe across the cobbled street. I popped back to collect a forgotten item and the shopkeeper looked at me with a quizzical eye. “Is your wife the editor of Chinese Vogue?” 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 newspaper profile 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 the proprietor had to go on was the Chinese bank credit card. The shopkeeper, her husband, and presumably the entire town were clearly right chuffed, to use the local vernacular, 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, is overactive, some might say; the observation is based on 10 years of inhabiting the Vogue world. Front-row fashion-show seats,
champagne-drenched after-show parties with supermodels and intimate dinners with major celebrities are all part and parcel of the Vogue lifestyle. Everyone wants to be associated with the world’s most renowned fashion magazine, and invitations to the most exclusive events arrive daily. I encounter the magnetic power of the magazine on a regular basis. At cocktail parties, fashion shows, or dinners, I can be chatting merrily away to a fellow guest before we establish who we actually are – not in an existential way, but why we’re here, at this particular gathering. If I’m dressed in a snazzy suit, people generally assume I’m an executive with a fashion brand; 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) onestep-behind spouse, a bit like Britain’s Prince Philip, my pals cruelly suggest, I can pretty much 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; Angelica is famed for her forthrightness. Amazingly, one question that non-Chinese still ask, even people 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 editor in chief regularly dubbed the most powerful woman in the world of Chinese fashion. Angelica is also 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 did stay in a Capri villa and potter 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, how it had regularly hosted JFK, wife Jackie and senior White House officials. Fame by association once more, as the guides assumed we were the current owners!
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EDUCATION
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Mr.Anthony Ledru, Executive Vice President, Louis Vuitton
H.R.H Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana
Kongpat Jiramaneekul and Tanunya Thanakitamnuay
Chadatip Chutrakul and Supaluck Umpujh
Ratt Maneeratana and Vudhichai Harnpanich
LOUIS VUITTON
Back in Time Louis Vuitton and Siam Paragon teamed up to present “Time Capsule Bangkok”, a journey through the maison’s storied history with rare objects from the Louis Vuitton archive. The grand opening was graciously presided over by HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, with a bevy of celebrities and socialites prominent in the fashion scene also in attendance.
Pumi Sarasin and Alena Piamkulvanich
M.L. Piyapas Bhirombhakdi
Supornthip Choungrangsee
Chulalux and Sarisa Piyasombatkul
SANSIRI
Col. Pongphiphat Chomanan and Varah Sucharitakul
Chaichat Boonyarat and Kittapas Anusarnsirisak
Julalak Ponpipon
Krongkarn Chomanan
Celebrities and music lovers had their ears ďŹ lled with pitchperfect sounds at the Diavalet Phantom Exclusive Preview Night, hosted by Sansiri and Deco 2000, at luxury condominium develoment 98 Wireless. Guests were blown away by the powerful sounds of the Diavalet Phantom equipment and techniques to choose the perfect speakers for their homes in an exclusive session with a sound expert.
Pichamon and Pimpisa Chomanan
Voravud and Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi
Sounds Perfect
Tinakorn Tarnvanichkul
Kanchanat Phukthuanthong
Pitharn Ongkosit
FERRARI
All Geared Up Cavallino Motors celebrated 70 years of the prancing horse with the launch of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, the fastest car ever released by the Italian brand. The latest model of the V12 supercar was brought from Italy straight to Impact Speed Park in Muang Thong Thani for Ferrari fans to marvel at during this exclusive reveal.
Patpong Thanavisuth, Udomsin Lertvorapreecha and Jarin Tumwattana
Pitinun and Jeerasuda Kisadatanont
Pol.Lt.Col. Apinace and Phapitcha Phornphiboon
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Korakot Srivikorn , Charn Srivikorn and Fafuen Temboonkiat
Ariya Banomyong
. Monlahcha Skulthai
GAYSORN VILLAGE
Urban Haven
Akarawin Taechaubol
Prathanwong Phornprapha, Sittharmanin Susamawathanakun and Firm Hongsananda
Atchara Burarak
Nachanok Ratanadaros and Sikanya Sakdidej Bhanubandh
Gaysorn Property celebrated work-life balance and a sophisticated urban lifestyle with the grand opening of Gaysorn Village, the newly renovated mixed-use complex. Celebrity guests and VIPs were treated to a grand celebration that started with a tour of retail shops and restaurants and culminated in spectacular highlight performances.
THE FACE MEN THAILAND
Handsome Hunks The Face Men Thailand concluded with Philip Thinroj being crowned the winner of the third season. The Final Walk at Muang Thai GMM Live House at CentralWorld was teeming with Thailand’s top celebrities, socialites and models. Among them was Piyarat “Tae” Kaljaruek, who is now ranked among world-class producers after the phenomenal success of the program locally.
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Metinee Kingpayome, Visnie Thepcharoen, Philip Thinroj and Piyarat Kaljareuk
Yada Roonwatanapak and Patpimol Hiruntecha
. Nattavut Trivisvavet
Boonyapha Bencharongkul
Boonyaporn and Sirin Sriorathaikul
Disalada and Chitralada Disayanon
Rica Dila
Nalinee Worawongwasu, Jitradee Poolvoralaks, Piyarat Chavananand, Onthira Bharksuwan and Sirisopa Chulasewok
Ausanee Mahagitsiri Leonio, Paphatchya Sirivadhanabhakdi
Vipada and Sirinan Donavanik
PRADA
Lovely Letters
Dittawat and Karatphet Issara
Wilasinee Thunyawisetsilp
Sitamon Pholdee
Kanachai Bencharongkul
Mr. Jean-Christophe Vilain, Khun Acharee Lee Khun Chadatip Chutrakul, Dr. Gérald Mazzalovo, Khunying Orasri Wangwiwatana, Khun Supaluck Umpujh and Jarumporn Chotikasatien
Mr. William M. Booth
The Emporium and EmQuartier hosted the fi rst-ever Prada exhibition in Asia Pacific, “Prada My Character Project”, at the Emporium Gallery. Apart from iconic Prada pieces on display, the exhibition also wowed celebrity guests with personalised Prada letters that can be used to accessorise Prada bags.
Jindapa Boonyagorn
JIM THOMPSON
Silky Smooth Jim Thompson recently unveiled its new global flagship store at Siam Paragon with familiar faces in the fashion circuit and the social scene gracing the opening event.
Suriyon Sriorathaikul
Sawitri Rochanapruk
Onchuma Durongdej
Pattree Pakdeebutr
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Mr. Naoto Fukasawa, Yuwadee Chirathivat and Mr. Satoru Matsuzaki
Pusik Pattanaprakar and Devaporn Ruensumran
Khunying Puangroi Diskul Na Ayudhaya and M.L.Dispanadda Diskul
MUJI
Natural Designs
Haruethai Jayant Na Ayudhaya
Samsara Eamegdool and Jindabha Devakula na Ayuthya
Chaval Jiaravanon and Kotchanan Nanthaniran
Chiranan Pitpreecha and Chadatip Chutrakul
Nattavut Vichiankavee and Thitiya Hoontrakul
Thanit Siiklindii and Teeraparb Lohitkun
Japanese lifestyle brand Muji celebrated 70 years of Central Department Store with “What is Muji?”, an exhibition that revealed the brand’s core philosophy, at Central Embassy. Muji’s designer, Naoto Fukasawa, jetted to Bangkok to exclusively grace the opening and meet with privileged Muji celebrity fans.
M.R.Chantaraladda Yugala Uboldejpracharak and M.L..Auradis Snidvongs
Rachot Visalarnkul
SIAM PIWAT
Royal Salute Siam Piwat remembered the late HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej with the “Forever in Our Hearts” exhibition at Siam Paragon. The commemorative photographic display was a collaboration between the fi rm, Foto United and Lonely Planet Magazine.
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Wason Wanichakorn
Hor.Supawut Jantasaro
. Executive of Siam Piwat, National Artists, and Foto United joined the “Forever in Our Hearts” Exhibition
B&O Sriwaraya Nanakorn and Duangkamol Vephula Waagensen
Vipittichak Pitthayanont
Samarnsak and Alisa Ammaroekhachok
Piya Ahchariyasripong
CITI GOLD
Ngamkae Amatyakul
Dr. Verapan and Amorada Kuansongtham
Piman Nawadhinsukh
Kaveepan Eiamsakulrat, Supanavit Eiamsakulrat, Vira-anong Chiranakhorn Phutrakul,Don Charnsupharindr and Donald Ong
Wall of Sounds Bang & Olufsen Thailand transformed the ground floor of Gaysorn Village into a Scandinavian living room under the concept of “Like No One Else”. The space was fitted with images and sounds of Bang & Olufsen’s iconic products including the most recent launch, BeoSound Shape, the world’s fi rst wall-mounted wireless speaker.
Chalit Limpanavech and Citigold offi cer
Glitz and Gold Citibank Thailand officially launched Citigold Wealth Center at Crystal Park with Thailand’s top celebrities attending the event to share their experiences with the Citigold campaign. The event also featured exciting lifestyle activities such as an investment exhibition, canvas painting and photography exhibition, among many others.
Wanvisa Komindr and Sarunrat Deane
Krirkphol Masayavanich
Metinee Kingpayome and Skye Kingpayome Sharples
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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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FASHION
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
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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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ommanding the Empire = CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN is leading his label to global domination, one shoe, clutch and fragrance at a time. He invites ALICE FRANKLIN to his Parisian home and waxes lyrical = ANCIENT GANDHARA ART; global warming and commercial overproduction; French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. When I settle in for a chat with the charming and supremely hospitable Christian Louboutin at his crow’s-nest home nestled just above the heart of the 1st arrondissement in Paris, I hadn’t envisaged our conversation would span quite such a range of varied subjects. But within five minutes of being in Louboutin’s company, it’s clear that his creative process is anything but linear. His design vernacular is influenced by a vast library of references across different historical periods, and a plethora of industries and cultures. Our tête-a-tête quickly becomes an exercise in subject hopping as we talk collaborative partnerships, the
importance of cross-pollination in ideas and how to build an empire. But before I even get to sink into a sofa with the Frenchman who made red soles famous – his previous appointment had run a little late and you don’t rush a designer who’s invited you into his home, after all – it is an unexpected and humbling treat to get a glimpse of his most recent limited-edition collection with acclaimed Indian craftsman Sabyasachi, in a private presentation (arranged for someone far more important than me) showcased – where else? – but in the eaves of his own strikingly furnished residence. What a sensational showcase of your work with Sabyasachi. You first worked together in 2015, how did that come about? It’s a bit of a happy accident – a total happy accident. I was in Mumbai, three years ago, and I was on my way to my store and there was the shop of Sabyasachi. I knew his work; I always loved his work. So I ended up being in the store, and by accident – because he is living in Calcutta
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– he was there. We spoke of cinema and food. Not clothes, not shoes. He said to me, ‘Listen, if you ever want to come to Calcutta, let me know ahead, this is my email.’ So, afterwards we started to exchange mail because I wanted to go to Calcutta, because I had never been. Well, I had been once when I was 20 and probably smoking so much pot I couldn’t even remember, so it was like I never went to Calcutta in the end. So, we started completely with a non-professional approach.
When it came to this partnership, did you find it a challenge not to dilute your own, singular vision? In the collaboration, there are two separate parts. One part where I am doing the shoes for his show, that part, he decides. I listen, I propose, but he decides. This collaboration, I decide. It’s a different thing. It’s a take on the work of a great Indian designer with all the love that I have for India. He has huge archives and I said instead of having your people doing new embroideries I want to really work on the archive, because they’re super beautiful. For me, the only way I can actually help the planet or not go against the planet, is sometimes using – when it makes sense – the art of recycling, in a way. Sometimes over producing is not necessary.
TARUN VISHWA
Do you think this sort of organic start to a collaboration helps? For me, yes. Absolutely. It’s very simple, for me a real collaboration can only be a human collaboration. Otherwise it’s called co-branding. It’s a different thing. I need to have a relationship with the person. Otherwise you know, there are so many projects ... I concentrate on doing projects – big or small – which give me pleasure. You can’t have pleasure doing projects with people you don’t like.
Is the balance between heritage and innovation something you consider? It’s important to have a good balance between heritage and innovation. The mix of the two ...that’s the way it works. It’s always been important to me because even if I can consider myself a citizen of the world I have definitely a French heritage. But what is nice is to be able to mix it with different things: different heritage, different techniques. I always function like that. I have always been someone who has been interested by things that were already mixed. For instance, I adore Gandhara sculptures. I realised as a young teenager that I loved Gandhara sculpture, and I didn’t even know what it was. But I could see
that there was something, there was a marriage somewhere. That it was mysterious because there was something completely accidental but I didn’t really even know where it had come from. It’s fascinating and it’s so beautiful. What other things influence and inspire you? Everything that you have around you, everything that you hear, is going to have an impact on what you do. Everybody is like that. The only thing is that the way you are
THIS PAGE: THE STUNNING TALL AND DEEP STYLE FROM THE CAPSULE COLLECTION BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN & SABYASACHI-CAN CUT THIS SEMI-COLON OPPOSITE PAGE: A BOTTLE OF CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN TORNADE PARFUM
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“I really thought, now the planet is getting smaller and smaller, if you do things they should be with a bit of meaning” ingesting things and redoing things makes a difference. Let’s say that many people are going to see the same exhibition, not everyone is going to digest it the same way. The influence can be for everyone but it’s the way it can be filtered into your memory and digested and redone, that makes a difference. But everything is involving, everything you see, everything you hear, everything you smell… Christian Louboutin has become an empire. How do you maintain the quality for which your label is known? I think it has to do with the fact that I am taking my time. After a certain amount of years when you are successful in your company, people are asking you to do multiple things. The thing is to keep on being
concentrated on what you like and to not branch out for what I would say “bad reasons”. Everyone is different, if you want to sell your name to a million people, to a million projects, then why not – it’s up to you. I’m not saying it’s bad, but for me, it doesn’t make any sense. But the fact is, if I do something, I like to do it properly so for that reason I would not engage myself on multiple projects. Because you can’t do things properly if you don’t take the time. Everything takes time. Like the addition of beauty in 2014. Tell us about that. I remember people saying to me, “I’m working in beauty,” and I was always thinking how much people say an impactful word, beauty – which means beautiful, basically – and it’s so funny that in the domain of beauty everything is so not beautiful! It always amused me to hear people talking of beauty and you look at a thing and see nothing: no object, just random packaging. I really thought, now the planet is getting smaller and smaller, if you do things they should be with a little bit of meaning. Just be a little bit careful
that it’s not an ugly thing, useless, just for consuming and then it goes in the bin. In beauty, it’s important everything is beautiful, not just an empty word. Back to shoes. Louboutin is not usually described as minimalist or discreet. To seduce a new client do you feel you need to tap into this? You know, there is a double part in the footwear collection. There’s a part that’s destined to be looked at, but there’s also an important part of the collection that is actually quite discreet. For instance, all the nude colours are definitely discreet. When you wear the shoe of your skin tone, from afar, you won’t even see the shoe. If you just look at the girl the shoe will fade into the silhouette. So, I have a part of the collection that is destined to enhance the character of the woman, but it’s not about the shoe, it’s about the figure. And some other shoes are more showpieces, less minimalist. But I work on both sides, always. There’s a balance. I have an atelier and here we have the bespoke shoes but we also have things for shows or for specific clients and so it’s also a laboratory. But I still allow myself, remind myself, to do things one of a kind, one time only. One always nourishes the other one. Is that what luxury is to you? Yes. That’s exactly what luxury is to me. I always try to be as close as possible to the desire of women. I think that the ultimate luxury is actually giving that possibility to the person to really have exactly what she’s been dreaming of.
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VERDANT GARDEN For his fendi Haute Fourrure Fall/Winter 2017-18 collection, KARL LAGERFELD conjured up images of flowers from another world, leading to creations of almost ethereal beauty
PRESENTED AT THE Theatre des Champs Elysées in Paris, the “Flowers From Another World” Haute Fourrure Fall/Winter 2017-18 collection blooms with a verdant garden – from a Symbolist springtime to an otherworldly winter, exotic botanicals flourish in perfect synergy with exquisite craftsmanship. In delicate wings of fabric, the silhouettes unfurl like precious petals; fur coats and gowns that cocoon at the shoulders and fall into fishtail points. Heart shapes abound, draping into soft capes, contoured sleeves and winged skirts. From the iris, daisy, peony or crocus to the seductive poppy, flowers spring to life in the third dimension – inlaid in lynx and sable, or woven as a metallic jacquard and an intricate leather lace. Revolutionary technique creates new traditions: mink is re-assembled as an
opulent lace fabric to create collars and cuffs accenting tinted sable and pastel Persian lamb. Later, it is hand cut into meticulous ‘pixel’ confetti, where thousands of discs are stitched onto silk organza. Post-impressionist hand painting produces exquisitely soft landscapes on shaved mink and diaphanous silk, their surfaces embellished with a meticulous appliqué of feathers, golden needlepoint and mink thread. Flowerpot clutches are festooned with leather foliage, while pointed suede mules blooming with life-size flowers or decorated with fur powder puffs close with a delicate ankle chain.
Symbolic of the maison’s creativity and savoir-faire, exceptional workmanships and extraordinary details take fur to the highest level, giving life to a verdant garden, celebrating nature in an exuberant way. With an eye to the past but always projected towards the future, revolutionary techniques create new traditions: for the first time ever in the history of fur, sable is bleached and dyed, creating a new colour palette made of 13 different hues, from pop orange to red, while keeping the extreme softness which characterises this precious fur. Requiring almost 300 hours of work of the most expert fur artisans, shaved mink in 22 different colours is meticulously hand-cut into 10,000 tiny pieces of “pixel” confetti and hand-stitched one by one onto silk organza to create a radiant mosaic on a cocoon dress.
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JEWELLERY
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE With inspiration drawn from the captivating beauty of the Eternal City, BULGARI’s 2017 Divas’ Dream collection is a tribute to feminine elegance, with gemstones bursting in vivid hues and designs that celebrate iconic motifs in extraordinary and bold designs
FEATURING EXQUISITE GEMSTONES,
which have been masterfully crafted into designs that are unmistakably the work of the celebrated Roman jeweller, Bulgari’s latest Divas’ Dream collection features a variety of new styles to let the modern-day woman express her individuality in a nonchalant way and on every occasion. Timeless and graceful, these jewels are the very epitome of Italian elegance. In the age of Cinecittà and the Dolce Vita, quintessential divas of the time drew the attention of the public and media alike. These magnificent women – bona fide stars of the silver screen and seemingly surrounded by a magical aura – lived their lives as glamorously as those of the characters they portrayed in films. Everyone admired and imitated their style. It is this very special allure they had that Bulgari celebrates with the new Divas’ Dream collection, but revisited with a contemporary spirit. The modern-day diva is an accomplished and selfassured woman, confidently displaying the many facets of her personality. The new creations are born to enhance a certain lifestyle and sophistication of women who dare to express their own style, wearing their favourite jewels from morning until night. Her life is an adventure rich in experiences, with the Divas’ Dream jewel becoming an undeniable talisman to pursue her dreams with selfdetermination. Characteristic of the new collection is a style that is at once classic and contemporary, its superb wearability, admirable craftsmanship and unique gemstones. Every precious stone has a one-of-a-kind character after all – just
like the women who love them so much. As the undisputed master of coloured gemstones, Bulgari is introducing a rich and inspiring palette to evoke all the aspects of a woman’s personality, from the purity of aquamarine and joyful aura of pink tourmaline to the sensuality of rubelite, the balance of amethyst and the warmth of carnelian. At the core of Divas’ Dream lies a design motif that can be traced back to the beauty rituals of the Roman Empire, when the most sophisticated women made going to the baths a fashionable social trend – an iconic motif that is based on the fan-shaped design of mosaics at the Baths of Caracalla. The colourful and geometrical mosaic designs were executed in the most cherished natural stones, such as grey granite from Egypt, yellow marble from Numidia (an ancient Berber kingdom in North Africa), green-veined marble from Carystus (an ancient city-state in what is now Greece), and green and purple porphyry from Sparta (Greece) and Egypt. The curvaceous play of Divas’ Dream also takes inspiration from another Roman landmark – the Baths of Diocletian, where the peacock reigned supreme as a
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symbol of beauty and vanity. These ancient design elements combine with fun-shaped gemstones and intense colour additions in the new Divas’ Dream collection to represent the very essence of the Bulgari style: a passion for vibrant hues, audacious gemstone cuts and distinctive design. Jewellery pieces are enriched with new openwork design, a play of fullness and emptiness, a combination of lines with unfilled spaces and gemstones, where the iconic fan shape is reinterpreted in its utmost lightness and sophistication. From pendants in white gold to matching bracelets and earrings where the Divas’ Dream motif may be crafted in plain white gold or in pavé diamonds – sometimes enriched by a central diamond or gemstone – or the fan shape encircling precious aquamarine in a white gold pendant and ring set, at the very heart of this collection lies an aesthetic that celebrates the purity of feminine elegance. Other expressions of the openwork motif combine the femininity of rose gold with the
sparkle of pavé diamonds in dazzling pendants and bracelets. In its most precious interpretation, pink is celebrated with a tourmaline drop, framed by the shimmer of pavé diamonds, in a seductive pendant and ring parure – a pure treasure. In an ode to the rich personality of precious stones, The Divas’ Dreams signature shape is sculpted into each gem, unveiling all the facets of their virtues: from colour intensity to supreme elegance, they are always simply magnificent. From classically elegant to glamorous and sophisticated, the new Divas’ Dream collection is easy to wear and an undeniable touch of Roman charisma for the dynamic and carefree contemporary diva. bulgari.com
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NEW HEIGHTS With a well-earned reputation for innovation, MONTBLANC continues to push established boundaries, producing collection after collection of exciting and timeless luxury goods “WE BELIEVE NEW heights are inspiring,” says Matthieu DuPont, president of Montblanc Southeast Asia. He’s referring to Montblanc’s pioneering smart watch, the Summit, but he may as well be talking about the brand in general. Montblanc has a rich history of innovation, stretching all the way back to 1906 when the brand was founded. From coming out with the first Meisterstück to producing celluloid pens in the 1950s, Montblanc has always positioned itself at the vanguard of luxury writing instruments, leathergoods, timepieces and accessories. Lately, though, being at the front of the pack has meant more digital enhancements, more exciting collaborations with tech leaders and groundbreaking artists, plus more luxury goods that appeal to younger generations. Perhaps the most talkedabout product that speaks to this ideology is the previously mentioned Summit. “With this watch, we are reaching out to a crowd that wants to have something on the wrist that
doesn’t just tell the time,” says DuPont. “You can change the watch face from a Chronograph to a Timewalker to an 1858. You can personalise certain elements, such as the dial colour. And then you have all those connected elements that you do not have in a traditional watch: a heartbeat sensor, applications such as Uber and Runtastic and more, as well as a world time zone app that allows you to switch the time with the press of a button.” Setting the Summit apart is that the watch actually looks like a watch. Opt for brown alligator leather strap or stick with black calf leather. Pair the strap with an all-black stainless steel case or one made from titanium. “Different forms, functions, straps – we’re essentially mixing different watchmaking codes, giving you all the innovations that a smart watch can provide with the style and technical precision of a traditional Montblanc timepiece,” DuPont explains. And its release was unexpected, even if it adhered to the brand’s luxury codes and penchant for innovation. “We were very secretive about the Summit,” he says. “We also caught many people by surprise last year when we came out with Augmented Paper.” The item he refers to represents Montblanc’s adaptability to the needs of the Digital Age. Augmented Paper takes the brand’s trademark leather-bound notebook and enhances it with
new and exciting fatures. With the push of a button, you can transfer your notes from an actual Montblanc paper notebook to your mobile phone or tablet. “Not only sync your notes,” DuPont explains, “but modify them, highlight them, change them, reverse the text.” While Montblanc will continue to inject its products with technology over the coming year – “We have a lot in store in watches and leather goods,” he says – the brand has displayed a unique ability to innovate its craft. That holds especially true to its heart and soul: writing instruments. For proof, look no further than the High Artistry Homage to Hannibal Barca. The limited-edition series honours the Carthaginian commander, one of the greatest military leaders in history, who rode his elephants over the Pyrenees and scored three major victories in Italy. The 1, which is fittingly limited to one edition, features white gold and diamonds offset by a pavé of blue sapphires and a stunning elephant head cap, for which all stones were
individually cut and set by hand over many months. The 5, 10 and 86 – all limited to those respective numbers – all tell different stories relating to Hannibal’s insatiable quest for glory and passion for pushing boundaries. The Hannibal Barca pens are some of the most striking writing instruments Montblanc may have ever made, but even its core collections are attracting a new generation of clientele. “Writing remains a pleasure,” says DuPont. “For one, there’s a particular emotional aspect to writing. You can send someone an email, but getting that handwritten ‘Thank You’ card is a very different thing. You can record an interview, but you will still take notes. There’s also a cultural element in referring to something we’ve written, and that hasn’t disappeared. “And there’s a strong gifting aspect. That young generation
of executives, their parents still get them a writing instrument, or they’re coming into a Montblanc boutique themselves to get something a bit nicer to reward themselves for their first job – a writing instrument that represents something more and really makes you want to write.” That might be one of the new M series, a collection of pens designed by Marc Newson, one of the greatest designers of our time. The M is made so that it only feels comfortable in the perfect writing position. It’s sleek and black and has a magnetic, snap-back cap that pops right back into the perfect place, no matter how you put it on the pen. In a word, it’s interesting. As splashes of colour and high art infuse Montblanc products with excitement for the current age, so too have the brand’s boutiques taken on subtle new characteristics. “When you have an environment like this on a brand level, it’s important that you express yourself in the right manner,” he says. “Montblanc has always had a strong brand awareness wherever you go. Now, the question is, what is that brand awareness based on –
the watches, the leather goods, the writing instruments, the accessories? That’s why our vision to be completed integrated as a luxury brand overall is important to our retail visibility.” A new boutique in The Emporium expresses that vision discreetly. The design flows naturally from product to product; the writing instruments are naturally integrated within Montblanc’s other luxury products. Leather goods made in Italy, watches made in Switzerland, writing instruments made in Germany: a cohesive whole presented together to discover as you shop. The colour scheme expands beyond blacks, blues and whites. It’s fresh and exciting. As DuPont suggested, the brand has shown yet again that it never stops reaching for new heights. montblanc.com
OPPOSITE PAGE: MONTBLANC’S PIONEERING SMART WATCH, THE SUMMIT THIS PAGE: MONTBLANC’S NEW BOUTIQUE AT THE EMPORIUM; MATTHIEU DUPONT, PRESIDENT OF MONTBLANC SOUTHEAST ASIA
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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
AT
FIRST
GLANCE,
URWERK
WATCHES
CAN
REVISIT
THE
INSPIRATION
BEHIND THE SIGNATURE SATELLITE
BEFUDDLE WITH THEIR UNUSUAL TIME DISPLAYS.
HOURS.
WHAT
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
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
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
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! THIS
20TH
YEAR OF
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. 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
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 TIME-
PIECE,
WHAT
DO
YOU
CONSIDER
FIRST:
ARTISTRY, CONCEPT, HISTORY OR FUTURISM? 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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SELECT
TIMELY PURSUITS With an uninterrupted legacy of 178 years of creating the finest watches in the world, PATEK PHILIPPE uses Baselworld year after year to excite connoisseurs of fine watchmaking. This year’s edition of the famed watch fair was no different, with the Swiss watch manufacture unveiling a number of brilliant new innovations AQUANAUT REF. 5168G
fascinating new developments and debuts from Patek Philippe at this year’s Baselworld, there were two standouts that caught the attention of watch collectors and enthusiasts alike – for various reasons. Last year, Patek Philippe celebrated the 40th anniversary of its unique Nautilus collection. Now, in 2017, another anniversary was on the cards: the 20th birthday of its sporty and dynamic Aquanaut line that was first introduced in Basel in 1997. With the Aquanaut Ref. 5168G, the manufacture delivers impressive proof of how well the elegance of noble metals complements a rugged and decidedly masculine watch that is water-resistant to a depth of 120 metres. The new Ref. 5168G is the first men’s
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Aquanaut wristwatch in 18K white gold. With its somewhat warmer hue, it clearly sets itself apart from stainless steel. But as with the other Aquanaut models (and the Nautilus watches), the design of the gently rounded octagonal bezel with vertically satin-finished flats and chamfered polished flanks remains unchanged. Moreover, with a diameter of 42mm, it is the largest model in this line. The format pays tribute to the original 1976 Nautilus of the same size that was nicknamed “Jumbo” and today is still referred to by that name among collectors. The night blue hue of the dial and the strap is new as well. Additionally, the night blue color of the dial gradates from bright in the centre to black toward the outside – as was the case with the Ref. 5164 Aquanaut Travel Time in rose gold (and as a further reminiscence of the bright-dark gradation of the Nautilus). With its finely embossed checkerboard pattern, it provides the ideal backdrop for the applied Arabic numerals in white gold. Thanks to the Superluminova
coating, they are readily visible in the dark. Another new facet of the Ref. 5168G: the luminous five-minute markers are set by hand appliques in 18K white gold. Hovering above the dial, sharp-tipped luminous baton hands for the hours and minutes are paired with a slender, counterbalanced and whitelaquered parfil seconds hand in bronze. The sapphire-crystal case back reveals the precise and elegant self-winding caliber 324 S C movement that choreographs the ballet of time. Another highlight from Baselworld is Patek Philippe’s Ref. 5320G – a new perpetual calendar that has been literally crafted for perpetuity. It automatically indicates months with 28, 30, and 31 days, and every four years also recognizes the 29th of February as a leap day. It stands
The new Ref. 5320G Perpetual Calendar has everything it takes to become a coveted collectors’ timepiece like its predecessor out with a timelessly sleek design, affording a glimpse into the past, present, and future at the same time. The new Ref. 5320G Perpetual Calendar has everything it takes to become a coveted collectors’ timepiece like its predecessor. It has the same face that has been Patek Philippe’s paragon for perpetual calendars since 1941: a double aperture for the day and month displays at 12 o’clock and a subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock for the analog date and the moon phases. Additionally, the creamcoloured dial now has a small day/night aperture between 7 and 8 o’clock and an aperture for the leap year cycle between 4 and 5 o’clock. Applied gold Arabic numerals and sharp-tipped luminous hands (a reminiscence of the Ref. 1463
chronograph from the 1950s), a slender sweep seconds hand, and the crisply graduate seconds scale assure superb legibility of the dial that conceals the complexity of the mechanical movement beneath it. The new facet of the self-winding caliber 324 S Q movement is the cadrature of the perpetual calendar with four apertures for the day, month, leap-year, and day/night cycle. The moon phases are displayed with such precision that a correction by one day is required only every 122 years. A very contemporary vintage-style case accommodates the movement. Its three-tier lugs were inspired by the legendary Ref. 2405 that dates back to the 1950s. To retain the slenderness of its flanks, the watch has a so-called box-type sapphire-crystal glass that clearly overlaps the bezel. The plate side is fitted with a modern sapphire-crystal case back that reveals the beauty of the movement. Rate accuracy is also state-ofthe-art: the tolerance range from -3 to +2 seconds per day complies with the directives of the Patek Philippe Seal.
PERPETUAL CALENDAR REF 5320G
The contemporary, vintage-inspired style of the new Ref. 5320G Perpetual Calendar is underscored by the shiny chocolate brown alligator strap with large square scales. It is secured with a deployant buckle in 18K white gold. patek.com
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A PERFECT
MATCH
Maintaining a successful career does not mean you have to compromise having a meaningful relationship and fulfilling family life – as proven by power couple BUTRRAT “BOTE” AND JANISTA “BAM” CHAROONSMITH. The duo has established thriving businesses, independently, while balancing love, romance and family in perfect equilibrium. MANTA KLANGBOONKRONG gets to the core of their secret PHOTOGRAPHER VATCHARASITH WICHYANRAT STYLIST AKAPHOL RUTHAIYANONT MAKEUP ARTIST TEERATAT THAIPANIS HAIR STYLIST CHOLTANAN THORANGKUL ART DIRECTION KANDA CHARANAWAT EDITORIAL COORDINATOR SIRINART PANYASRICHAROEN VENUE THE ATHENEE HOTEL, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, BANGKOK
ON BAM CLOTHES FENDI WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER LADIES’ COLLECTION 38 MM JEWELLERY PRIMA GEMS ON BOTE CLOTHES PINKY TAILOR SHOES DIOR HOMME
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DRESS FENDI WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER LADIES COLLECTION 38 MM
“Roses and bouquets are nice, but they are just symbolic and a waste of money to me. We know our feelings for each other and they grow stronger every day. That’s all that matters” – Bam Charoonsmith
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J
ust when two of Bangkok’s most eligible singles had almost given up on love and fi nding their soulmates, the paths of Janista “Bam” (formerly Lewchalermvongse) and Butrrat “Bote” Charoonsmith crossed. The attraction was instant, and in no time a relationship blossomed. Today, they are married with two young children – and the rest, as they say, is history. “We both attended Patumwan Demonstration School,” recalls Bam. “We both love the tonkatsu at Misato in Bangkok and had dined there very, very often, but never actually met. Not even once. Until one night at Wine Bridge, when I spotted this attractive man standing outside. It must have been fate because a little later on, to my pleasant surprise, we were introduced through mutual friends.” It was her fi rst night out in years after working long hours as party spokesperson and MP for the Chart Thai Party. The political turmoil in Thailand at the time put her career in politics on hold, and as she was figuring out her next move, Bam soon found herself in whole new roles – that of wife, mother and also restaurateur. “I had been a busy working woman all my life. I was never out of things to do,” Bam says, alluding to her successful careers as policy and plan analyst at the Office of National Economic and Social Development Board, a host for a popular TV variety show, At Ten, and her prestigious position in the Chart Thai Party. “At the time I was already 36 and somehow had given up on marriage. But then I found
love, and my life took a turn in ways I could never have imagined.” The complete package of looks, intellect and charisma, Bam has long been admired in the social scene and by the public as a role model for the modern working woman. She is the eldest daughter of famed architect Akom Lewchalermvongse and M.R. Siriyada Varavarn. Her younger siblings include model and TV personality Chayada “Bo” Svetanandana and Sunuchada Lewchalermvongse. Bam has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, and a Master’s degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London. “I come from a big family,” Bam says. “I also have two other half-siblings from my mother’s second marriage, Chavit and Thanujdee Seriwatthanophas. We have lots of relatives and spend a great deal of time together, even now that I’m married and have a family of my own. I’m very close to my father, mother and all my siblings, and we get together very often.” Sweet and nurturing Bam, 45, found a perfect match with pragmatic Bote, 48, who is the founder and CEO of Silkspan, one of the earliest so-called fi nancial supermarkets in the world. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and previously worked as design engineer for a few years, before shifting to finance and earning a Master’s from Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Chulalongkorn University. Prior to setting up his own venture, his last role was that of senior associate at Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) in Hong Kong – a position so prestigious that it came as quite a shock to everyone when he resigned. “I earned a lot of money and life was very comfortable, but I was not happy,” the visionary businessman says. “I was a consultant but deep down I knew I was more of a ‘doer’. I needed to do something, so I felt very hollow and empty with that job. Back then the retail food industry in Thailand was shaken by the emergence of global grocery retailer chains like Tesco and the likes, where they attracted people with the idea
that they could fi nd everything in one store. Then I thought, what about fi nancial products? I jumped right into the idea of a fi nancial supermarket, which was unheard of at the time, and soon Silkspan was born. It has been 17 years now. “People thought I was crazy to leave such a high-paid job in a world-renowned fi rm to start something completely new. But I trusted my gut. From one employee – me – we now have 700 staff members and have served more than two million customers. There is no shortcut in this kind of business as it is heavily controlled and regulated. It has not always been easy, but I am very happy. To me, Silkspan is already a success. It fulfi ls me, and it gives me so much joy that I can also give jobs and new career opportunities to a lot of people.” When Bote proposed to Bam, he was expecting his wife to stay at home and raise the family. But seven years ago, soon after their fi rst child, Vanista “Venice”, was born, Bam also ventured into her own restaurant business, Audrey Group Inc. Bote was surprised at fi rst, but gave his wife his full support. “Bam always liked arts and crafts, and she is an excellent cook,” Bote says. “She knows what kind of food I like and she treats me to great home-cooked meals all the time. I’m very particular about my ribs as I like them succulent and slide-off-the-bone tender. Bam tweaked her recipe numerous times to get it right and now makes the perfect ribs for me. She may look sweet, but she’s also very determined. When she came home one day and told me she wanted to open a restaurant, I knew she had
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ON BAM CLOTHES SALVATORE FERRAGAMO SHOES DIOR WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER LADIES COLLECTION 38 MM ON BOTE CLOTHES SALVATORE FERRAGAMO SHOES DIOR HOMME WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER COLLECTION 41 MM
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DRESS CHAI GOLD LABEL WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER LADIES COLLECTION 38 MM
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CLOTHES EMPORIO ARMANI WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER COLLECTION 41 MM
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“A good heart is the best quality you could ever wish for, and I consider myself very lucky to have met Bam” – Bote Charoonsmith
the potential to do it and that she would be successful.” “It happened really fast,” Bam recalls. “I saw this house on Thonglor. It was up for rent, and just across from where we live. I struck a deal with the owner on the same day to rent the space, and the next thing I know, I was a restaurateur with eight branches, and also doing catering and delivery services. We are now in our sixth year,” the founder and CEO of Audrey Group says. When there are two CEOs in the house running succesful businesses, one might assume that there’s limited hours in the day for family time, but it’s not the case for the Charoonsmiths. Now parents of two, with five-year-old Narathippong “Vince” being the last addition to the family, Bam and Bote manage their work schedule efficiently so that there’s time to fit it all in. “First off, everything is in the same neighbourhood – the kids’ after-school lessons, my office, Bote’s office and our condo. This saves so much travelling time,” Bam explains. “ Bote and I often see each other for lunch. We have enough time to spend with the kids. I send them off to school myself every morning and see them again when they attend their after-school activities near my office. I can leave them there with the nannies and come back to work. By the time the kids come home, I’m there to be with
them. We’re not the kind of parents that come home late at night and only hang out with the kids on weekends. We spend a lot of time together, every day.” Apart from Saturday lunch at Misato, which is still their favourite tonkatsu haunt, the four often enjoy a film together at home in the movie room. Venice, when not practicing figure skating, likes to cook and do crafts with her mother, while Vince enjoys ice hockey with his dad. Bote is a fitness and sport enthusiast that engages in several sports, including running, polo, boxing and flowboarding. Occasionally, the family take trips together both in Thailand and abroad, such as Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Paris, Los Angeles and sometimes Tokyo and New York. “We both come from rather liberal families, so we tend to give our own children freedom to decide for themselves,” Bote describes his parenting style. “Many times I’m scared that they might make mistakes and I could not protect or help them. I think this is how my parents felt too when they were raising me, but they had to choose between pampering and letting go. Bam, on the contrary, is very cautious and careful. So we really balance each other out. “I knew that I married the right woman when I saw how Vince, our youngest, behaves,” Bote adds. “He’s very sweet and kind and always thinks of other people’s needs. Whenever he hears Bam in the shower, he would rush to our bedroom and prepare pyjamas, night cream and eye cream for his mother. He does that without anybody telling him to. It’s in his nature and he must have gotten it from Bam. A good heart is the best quality you could ever wish for, and I consider myself very lucky to have met Bam.” Even though both Bam and Bote are hard at work and devote themselves entirely to family, they never forget to find time for “just the two of us”, occasionally with romantic dinners at Le
Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Other than that, Valentine’s Day included, the couple keeps it pretty much simple. “Bote is generally not a very romantic guy, although he has done several romantic things for me,” Bam says, blushing. “One example that always comes to mind is when we first started dating, and I had to be in San Francisco on a long business trip. We Skyped every day and agreed to go on a second dinner date once I get back, but he later cancelled the plan. I was so confused and disappointed at first, but the following day he took a flight from Bangkok to have dinner with me in San Francisco! Isn’t that sweet? Roses and bouquets are nice, but they are just symbolic and a waste of money to me. We know our feelings for each other and they grow stronger every day. That’s all that matters.” The low-key power couple are rarely seen in the limelight nowadays, but if they are, they often make a grand entrance with understated elegance and unique style. “I don’t give much attention to brands at all. I even make my own clothes sometimes,” Bam says. “My style is more mix and match, so I love outfits with good quality fabrics, nicely designed scarves, accessories and shoes. It doesn’t have to be a high-end brand. I value anything with a unique design that matches my personality. ” A sport lover, Bote’s favourite brand is La Martina from Argentina ever since he started playing polo. “The brand is not that well-known here but I don’t mind,” Bote says. “I don’t really care at all if anyone knows what brand my shirt is from. If I like something and it is good quality, I’d buy it. For most people, luxury means expensive, but for me it’s about quality. And high quality does not always come with a high price.”
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“For most people, luxury means expensive, but for me it’s about quality. And high quality does not always come with a high price” CLOTHES PINKY TAILOR WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER COLLECTION 41 MM
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– Bote Charoonsmith
ON BAM DRESS DISAYA SHOES CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN JEWELLERY PRIMA GEMS ON BOTE CLOTHES PINKY TAILOR WATCH OMEGA SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER COLLECTION 41 MM ON VINCE AND VENICE (KIDS) FROM THEIR OWNS WARDROBE
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Istanbul Ignited = PAYAL UTTAM meets a wave of Turkish artists, old and new, who use their oeuvre to ask hard questions of 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 last month for the fair, which coincided with the Istanbul Biennial and a flurry of openings. Unlike typical venues on the international art fair carrousel, 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.
BEGÜM YAMANLAR 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 glassand-steel home perched above the Bosporus, designed by famed architect Han Tümertekin. 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, the piece 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 Muslimconservative party – she nods pensively before saying, “I’m worried about our future.”
OPPOSITE PAGE FROM LEFT: DAMAGE VIDEO INSTALLATION; ARTIST BEGÜM YAMANLAR THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: ARTIST ERDAG AKSEL; CRESCENT DISABLED SCULPTURE; WHOREDOM II BRONZE SCULPTURE
ERDAG AKSEL 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. Tongue-in-cheek piece, Whoredom II (2005), is an elegant elongated bronze sculpture of a twisted pillar with a curved slab of bronze that appears to have slipped off. The artist created the piece 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 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 ’80s after living in the US, where he’d studied. Distrustful of his rising fame, he made a playful installation of 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.
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ARTIST MELTEM SAHIN ALONGSIDER HER LATEST WORK IN THAT CASE EXHIBITED AT CONTEMPORARY ISTANBUL ART FAIR
MELTEM ŞAHIN Meltem Şahin is part of a wave of young artists pushing the boundaries of new media. She has experimented with vector drawings, threedimensional 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. Yet 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 composed 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, the group’s 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 forlorn looking carpet from his former home trapped within a pillar of concrete. He also chopped up fragments of the carpets, which were made by his mother, aunt and grandmother, and placed them inside a series of concrete cubes forming a large floor installation. The concrete has been chipped away to expose the soft frayed edges of the fabrics. Among his most poignant works is a plinth embedded with a large dark hand-woven tent. “That used to be my home,” he says. “It’s sad, as our whole culture is being lost and ruined.”
BELOW: ARTIST RAMAZAN CAN RIGHT: YÜKLÜK INSTALLATION
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CANAN ŞENOL One of Turkey’s most provocative female 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 used to bathe nude on an island near Istanbul in the ’80s 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 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.
FROM TOP: THERE IS SO MUCH EVIL OUT THERE INSTALLATION; WOMEN BATHING IN THE MOONLIGHT VIDEO PIECE; ARTIST CANAN
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POETIC DESIGN Inspired by American artist GORDON MATTA-CLARK’s site-specific artworks from the 1970s, the “Through the Walls” exhibition presented by Hermès last month in Singapore to showcase its 2017-18 Home Collection deconstructed and reinvented spaces with a touch of humour and surrealism. MANTA KLANGBOONKRONG attends the opening of this world-first event
Hermès Birkin bags and iconic silk scarves, the French maison is also renowned for exquisite objects for the home – known collectively as Hermès Home Universe – that shake up the industry with a classic approach to furniture and homeware, infused with the brand’s DNA. Similarly, the world-first, sitespecific “Through the Walls” exhibition caused a stir that exhilarated viewers in Singapore last month, with sights, sounds and touches of familiar yet exotic designs. While the ground level and the basement of the Hermès flagship store at Liat Towers remained untouched as retail space, the upper levels were transformed into a deconstructed apartment unit by set designers Jean-Christophe Vaillant and Hervé Sauvage. Inspired by the concept of “anarchitecture” credited to late American artist Gordon Matta-Clark, “Through the Walls” welcomed visitors into an intimate living quarter to experience a life being lived beautifully among an array of Hermès home objects. In the living room you would hear people softly converse and chess pawns being moved across the board. The kitchen exuded a sophisticated urban lifestyle with Hermès tableware and the clinking sounds of dishes. Then the doorbell rang. In the bedroom, someone hurried through her jewellery boxes to decide on final touches to her ensemble, calling out to the guest to give her a few minutes. The apartment’s walls were cut, sliced and slightly detached from each other, creating cracks BEYOND THE COVETED
and holes that you could peer through for a peek of this whimsical home. The wear and tear on the wallpapers was all done by hand, and the whole exhibition took two full weeks to complete. From tableware and decorative objects to furniture, bespoke items, wallpapers and furnishing fabrics, the exhibition shared a common trait among all Hermès home objects – the balance of restraint, innovation and the finest quality. According to Hélène Dubrule, general manager of Hermès Maison, since the maison first entered the world of home decoration in 1920, the brand has maintained an endless quest to create an exciting product range to complement its muchrevered heritage. “It’s really a tension [between the past and future] at Hermès. Heritage is the source of inspiration, and at the same time you never look at it in the rear-view mirror: you have to project the creations and our collections in the present time. It’s a perpetual dialogue between heritage and a contemporary spirit. You have to find the right balance. Tradition and innovation have been part of Hermès from the beginning, when
THIS PAGE: EQUIS D’HERMÈS FURNITURE PAYS HOMAGE TOTHE MAISON’S EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE OPPOSITE PAGE: “THROUGH THE WALL” TAKES VISITORS INTO THE WHIMSICAL REALM OF HERMÈS HOME UNIVERSE IN THE WORLD’S FIRST EXHIBITION OF ITS KIND
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Émile Hermès decided to shift from saddles and harnesses for horses to travel trunks, bags and ready-towear items for discerning consumers,” Dubrule says. “We ask ourselves all the time what makes something unmistakeably Hermés. How is it different [from other brands]? And is it something the other brands cannot do? It’s actually a mix of things – from design, quality, a timeless style that is relevant in our time and the understated elegance that can be felt through the objects. Luxury for me is the ability to enjoy the quality of time and the connection between human beings, which is very difficult to find nowadays. I hope that Hermès, through its philosophy and objects, contributes to this possibility to enjoy the quality of time and human connection.” Dubrule has been at the helm of Hermès Maison for 15 years, tasked with keeping innovation thriving and at the same time safeguarding the brand’s proud heritage – alongside
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“My personal feeling is that we might not need as many objects as we did before, but what we need now more than ever are objects with soul” two new deputy art directors, Charlotte Macaux Perelman and Alexis Fabry, who came on board three years ago. “Hermès is much more than a house of marvellous objects because it also provides a way of life – even a way of being, I dare say,” she continues. “What we are trying to do is to bring elegance and beauty, functionality and fantasy into these intimate spaces of the home. Through these objects, you can feel the gestures of the human beings that designed them and the artisans that crafted them.”
Unlike many luxury brands in the homeware and furniture market that license other manufacturers to create products for them, Hermès employs dedicated creative and production teams and has fostered exclusive partnerships with experts of different trades around the world throughout the years. The results are timeless products with their own certain je ne sais quoi. One example is the minimal bamboo stool, designed by awardwinning Portuguese designer, Álvaro Siza Vieira. Light but firm, flowing yet rigid, the stool blends traditional material like bamboo with innovation to create strong seating objects that are light and with a simple silhouette. “We use simple materials like bamboo in a very specific way,”
Dubrule explains. “The stool is made of agglomerated bamboo that is compressed with carbon fibre in the core. Then it is shaped and moulded to the artist’s design. It was made in Japan under the supervision of a master craftsman that specialises in bamboo and who invented the technique especially for this design. The designer is a Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate. He rarely designs furniture, but when he does he does it is with vision and absolute finesse.” Notable pieces also included the “Álvaro Siza” collection, which was created in 1992 by the famed designer, the Zen-invoking Aes coffee table and the made-to-measure Les Curiosités range with the exquisite scarf cabinet that’s fit for a very special kind of home. Lien d’Hermès, inspired by the equestrian heritage of Hermès, is also a prominent theme of this year’s collection. The latest addition – part of the furniture line – is the Equipages d’Hermès collection, a new family of valet furniture, combining functionality and artisanal skills. There are also a number of
whimsical pieces, notably the Brain Teaser game, the Perpetual Calendar composed of bridle leather straps, as well as lacquered wooden and leather trays, and boxes in distinctive bold, solid shades. “We have become more and more immaterial in a sense that everything becomes digitalised. And that affects us in every way,” Dubrule muses. “My personal feeling is that we might not need as many objects as we did before, but what we need now more than ever are objects with soul; ones that bring you warmth and an aesthetic, tactile feeling. I believe that Hermès can bring warmth to our cold world. You don’t have Hermès products just to wear, carry or touch, but they are products to be lived with. It exudes a spirit of arts de vivre.”
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GENERAL MANAGER OF HERMÈS MAISON HÉLÈNE DUBRULE; THE “MATTRESS” FROM PIPPA COLLECTION; COLLAGE OF HERMÈS WALLPAPERS; A SURREAL DISPLAY OF HERMÈS TABLEWARE; AND THE KARUMI TRIANGULAR BAMBOO STOOL BY ÁLVARO SIZA
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DUBBED THE “LADY GAGA OF DESIGN” BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, PROLIFIC DESIGNER MARCEL WANDERS’ LATEST HOSPITALITY PROJECT IS THE IBEROSTAR GRAND HOTEL PORTALS NOUS IN MALLORCA
WANDERS LUST On one hand loved for his curiosity and child-like joy, and on the other critiqued for being impossible to categorise, Marcel Wanders tells DAVEN WU about “trusting yourself” when they meet at the new Iberostar PHOTOS: MARCEL WANDERS, WWW.MARCELWANDERS.COM first impressions that strikes you when you meet Marcel Wanders is just how tall he is. As he unfolds himself out of the chair, for a small eternity, the length of the man just keeps straightening up until, fully extended at 196cm, he doesn’t so much stand as he looms. But like so many tall men, he seems genuinely embarrassed by his height, as if he’s taking up too much space. And as if to compensate, his manner is, for someone of his professional stature, unexpectedly intimate and warm. ONE OF THE
Beneath thick salt-and-pepper hair, his smile is particularly disarming, as is his air of casual informality, which is overlaid by the courtly politeness of a European. The occasion is the launch of the 53-year-old’s latest project, the 66-room Iberostar Grand Portals Nous hotel in south-west Mallorca that the Dutch designer has conceived with what he airily describes as “symbols and constant allusions to life”. Which translates to all-white bedrooms lined with white wall panels of moulded botanical motifs, a forest of white arches, bulbous tree-like installations in public spaces, and an eye-catching pool embellished with enormous
white and blue mosaic flowers. Of course, this is not Wanders’ first hotel project. In fact, it was his outsized work on the Lute Suites, the Andaz, and the Westerhuis in Amsterdam, the Mira Moon in Hong Kong, and the Mondrian South Beach in Miami that brought him a wider fame beyond the insulated world of design cognoscenti. This summer, he also completed the lavish 270room Mondrian Doha. “I like designing for hotels,” he says. “I like that we can attract people to a hotel
THE GRAND PORTALS NOUS (PICTURED) MAY BE WANDERS’ LATEST, BUT IT WAS EARLIER WORK SUCH AS LUTE SUITES AND MIRA MOON THAT BROUGHT HIM FAME
partly because of its design. That’s major league! So, of course I said yes when we were approached to work on the Iberostar.” And there is every reason to expect the Spanish hotel to lure curious design aficionados and Wanders fans. There is a distinct sense of the fantastical about the property, but there is also a method to the madness. The all-white palate is a sensible complement to Mallorca’s high season of heat and sun when the hotel will be at its peak occupancy. “It’s got a summery feel,” Wanders says. “But for other periods of the year when it’s not so sunny and it’s grey outside, you also want some warm colours.” Which explains the gigantic trompe l’oeil of an ocular iris on the back of the bathroom mirror and the circular rugs of radiating warm oranges in the bedrooms. In many ways, the Grand Portals Nous perfectly distils Wanders’ technical skills as a designer, as well as demonstrates his empathy for the end-user. Odd, then, to realise that critics have long harped on his work
— slamming it for being kitsch and of dubious taste — but they overlook or ignore the curiosity and child-like joy of the designs. Why, after all, does being “grown-up” mean having to be serious? Wanders came of age in the 1980s, at a time when, as Ingeborg de Roode points out, the world was still reeling from Memphis, a movement that bucked the pre-existing order for structured
classical lines. It’s not exactly a Freudian insight to work out where Wanders’ predilection for odd shapes and colour came from. After a year at Design Academy Eindhoven — he was expelled for being too strongminded — he found his groove at the ArtEZ University of the Arts in
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Arnhem, from which he graduated cum laude in 3D design in 1988. By then, his work had already attracted attention, and by the time he produced his Knotted Chair — a low-slung, geometric slouching conceit made of a carbon core, knotted aramid fibre cord and epoxy resin — it was impossible to deny him, as it were, a seat at the table. In the years since, Wanders has allowed his restless imagination and
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creativity roam far and wide. “I see design as a way to tell a story” is a favourite refrain. And in his career, he’s told a great many stories. As an industrial designer, his output is prodigious and there’s been no shortage of blue-chip furniture houses lining up to collaborate with him and to produce his designs. He has designed table lamps for Flos, fabric for Kvadrat, sunglasses for Marks & Spencer, vases for Droog for Rosenthal, bathroom accessories for Bisazza, and chairs for Cappellini. As a further challenge to himself, he has
designed a pregnancy test kit and USB sticks, handbags for Mandarina Duck, and crystal for Swarovski. He’s currently working on an antipollution face mask, as well as a violin for Monica Geronimo. “She’s getting deaf. Can you imagine that? That’s like telling a designer he cannot see.” Wanders looks aghast. “She’s been playing with dampers, but that destroys the sound, so I’m designing a violin with a volume no higher than 80 decibels.” In a way, this varied portfolio explains the beef among detractors with Wanders’ work. He’s impossible to categorise. He does what he wants, and for whom he wants. The stubborn streak so evident to his teachers at Eindhoven has solidified into a hard core of steel. Which is why his advice to young designers starting out in the business is this: “People will tell you that you have to conform to their design fundamentals. But you need to trust and believe in what you want. Yes, it’s easier to stay on the common ground, but if you want to make something different, you need to trust yourself. Because it’s going to be tough and lonely,” he adds, leaning forward in his chair. He seems anxious to make clear this point. “You’ll be judged and often by people who aren’t good. But only you can tell if you’re any good as a designer.” Of course, this is not to say that Wanders is a lone wolf. Far from it — he absorbs everything, from all the designers, past and present. His admiration, though, he reserves for a select few. “Someone like [Achille] Castiglioni…A great designer, yes, but he never came up with a great idea. He didn’t change the field. Not like [Charles and Ray] Eames. Or the way Philippe Starck did. Starck has changed the field and the way we think about design, and he’s done it multiple times!” These are busy times for Wanders and his 50-strong studio in Amsterdam. He is constantly in the air, meeting clients, and visiting projects around the world, art-
directing his Mooi brand, magazine covers and book projects, and just generally travelling, the better to be inspired. “I’ve never been to Riyadh, but I’m going this year,” he says, completely unconcerned that it seems an odd destination to have on a bucket list that includes Mexico City and Norway. In spite of his hectic schedule and incredibly prolific career, it’s safe to say that Wanders’ greatest achievement and ongoing project is his daughter, a striking 19-year-old who has inherited her father’s slender height, looks and, it seems, talent. Just out of high school, she has accompanied Wanders on the Grand Portals Nous press tour and, unusually, she sits in on the interview. “She has an incredible eye,” says Wanders père, with more than a hint
of pride in his voice. “She’s not doing design though. She’s studying sustainability science. Today, if I had to do it all over, I’d be doing something like that, and not design.” It’s safe to say that, if he had, the world would have been a much less interesting place.
THIS PAGE (FROM TOP): MAISON DECORTÉ IN TOKYO’S GINZA SIX, WHERE THE TEAM CREATED FOUR THEMED ENVIRONMENTS; KNOTTED CHAIR FOR CAPELLINI, WHICH HE CREATED IN 1996 OPPOSITE PAGE : WANDERS’ BLUE MING TABLEWARE FOR VISTA ALEGRE
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scaping the Entourage = JEREMY PIVEN talks to KAVITA DASWANI about Ari Gold, artiďŹ cial intelligence and the weight of a well-placed “Fâ€? word = IT’S BEEN SIX YEARS
since Entourage went o the air, but Jeremy Piven still can’t quite shake o the association of uber-agent Ari Gold. That series - despite its somewhat ill-conceived feature-ďŹ lm followup in 2015 - became a pop-culture phenomenon, charting the travails of a movie star – Adrian Grenier’s Vincent Chase – and his awed, fractious yet ultimately redeeming relationship with his hotshot agent, Gold. Piven was transcendent as the proigate, debauched agent with the penchant for the “Fâ€? word. “It was so fun to play him,â€? Gold says at an event at the CBS Studios lot in Burbank, California. “I played a beautiful character who beautifully lived at a lower level and was very reactive and didn’t think before he spoke. Yet he was so fun to play because he was so emotional, and I did it like a commedia dell’arte (15th-century Italian stage comedy), and it was just a ball of madness.â€? Today, while not necessarily wanting to distance himself from his Entourage days, Piven would rather talk about what he did after that – Mr Selfridge – which ended its four season run last year. Or his recently premiered show, Wisdom of the Crowd, in which he plays a billionaire tech genius reeling from the death of his daughter. Piven is seated on the sound
stage where Wisdom was shot, where TV magic had turned the cavernous space into a meticulous modern oďŹƒce, its Silicon Valley setting implied by a backdrop of San Francisco in the windows behind him. He seems at ease and conďŹ dent, happy to be working on a new show that has pedigree talent behind it – show runner Ted Humphrey served as a producer on The Good Wife – and on camera; Monica Potter of Parenthood plays his ex-wife and Richard T Jones from Judging Amy has a co-starring role. “We’re lucky to have work,â€? he says “And I don’t think of this as a procedural. I would rather give everything I have and fail miserably than do something mediocre that I know will stay on the air, thinking, ‘I have a job, so I’ll stick around.’â€? Nonetheless, Piven has indeed had reason to stick around. The New York-born son of actors and drama teachers went to Piven Theatre, the theatre school in Chicago founded by his family – which also counts among its alumni the Cusack siblings, John, Joan and Ann. Initially a stage actor, he started landing small parts in Hollywood until, in 1992, he became a regular cast member on The Larry Sanders Show on HBO. Other high-proďŹ le parts followed – Seinfeld, Ellen – until his star-making Entourage turn. In Wisdom of the Crowd he plays tech guru and billionaire inventor Jerey Tanner who steps away from his empire to focus on ďŹ nding out who murdered his daughter. To help him, he creates Sophe, an inexplicably complex digital platform that receives input from
the public to help narrow down suspects. It’s crowd sourcing – but for catching criminals. “This show is not a no-brainer, by any means,â€? he said. “But that’s what I like about it. The idea that there’s someone who is heartbroken and driven by grief and loss and doesn’t know how to deal with it, and this is how it manifests itself. “It’s a very interesting premise. Jerey Tanner wants to focus ďŹ rst and foremost on ďŹ nding his daughter’s killer. He’s not a cookiecutter character. He’s real and he’s unique and awed and that’s one of the many reasons I was drawn to him.â€? Of course, he has to be asked, will he miss Ari Gold – or at least the freewheeling profanity? “I’m playing a character now that is navigating in a dierent space, with all these amazing challenges I didn’t get a chance to explore with Ari. So that in itself is incredibly gratifying. There are times when they let me do a free take, and I may slip in an homage – not to Ari, but to some of the great editors who understand the weight of a well-placed ‘F’ word.â€? When Mr Selfridge was on, Piven wholeheartedly got behind it; it was indeed a labour of love for him to play the American entrepreneur Harry Selfridge, who revolutionised the British shopping landscape. It was a PBS production – high quality, beautifully made – but despite running for four years, failed to captivate audiences the way that say, Downton Abbey did. But Piven appreciated the fact that the series looked as good as it did, when British budgets are nowhere near American ones. “If you think about how small the UK is compared to the US, it’s amazing the kind of talent that comes out of there. Because they have less money to do their series, necessity is the mother of invention, and these guys are incredibly creative, the directors ďŹ guring out a way to make it look huge even when there isn’t a big budget. “As a stage actor, one of our main goals was to try and get an audience in. We’d perform in these 99-seat theatres and have to ďŹ ll them. I’m a theatre actor who knows I’ve been given a huge audience, and with that comes a great
responsibility and I’m thrilled to have that. It’s our job not to screw that up.â€? Next up, Piven will be seen in All-Star Weekend, a ďŹ lm with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr, written and directed by Foxx, whom Piven describes as “so ridiculously talented it should be illegalâ€?. In it, he plays a truck driver from Indiana who is desperately trying to get to the all-star basketball game and, says Piven, “madness ensuesâ€? For now, however, it’s not lost on Piven that the high-tech focus of his new show is at odds with what he describes as his earthier and more “cavemanâ€? sensibilities. “It’s ironic I’m playing a tech genius,â€? he says. ‘There I am on Instagram or Twitter ... I have no idea what I’m doing. I need to pick up my skills and up my game, that’s for sure. I have an iPhone and the camera is on portrait mode, and that’s the most tech savvy I get. But if I’m honest about it, we’re all tied to our devices, and there are so many other interesting ways to document things.â€? The actor does, after all, take a somewhat more holistic approach to the worlds of entertainment and technology than a number of his fellow ďŹ lm colleagues. “ArtiďŹ cial intelligence scares the shit out of me,â€? he says. “Why are we spending so much time and energy and money on it when we should be working on our own intelligence a little bit – and I’m speaking about myself here, believe me. We have homeless people and cancer research that can use the money – but to ďŹ gure out a robot that knows who it is ... I think maybe we should ďŹ gure out who we are ďŹ rst.â€?
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Split and Run = JADE CHANG puts the Wangs on the road as they take on the world. But as STEPHEN MCCARTY discovers, they’re already home = OVER, JACK KEROUAC. Take the slow lane, Mark Twain. On your tandem, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. There’s a new road trip in town – make that towns – on which Hollywood has its beady eye. With wildly varying levels of gravity, novels On the Road and Roughing It; and comedy-adventure movies including The Road to Hong Kong, Road to Singapore and Road to Bali have long been assured of their places in the paper and celluloid history of epiphany and self-discovery (and ad-libbed gags in the case of Hope and Crosby. And, yes, we’re pushing the road “novel” into another artistic dimension PULL
entirely here. But hey, let’s live a little). The Wangs vs. the World, by “resting” journalist Jade Chang, was published last year and is still reverberating through the literary-fiction sphere. No matter how intellectually robust, road novels have several common denominators, not least that they should be American and explore what Americans might claim to be a rite of passage exclusive to them. The Wangs is a different type of “road work”. It issues a ticket to ride with a family of ChineseAmericans, whose children, having encountered some severe setbacks, are grappling with tough questions of identity and belonging. Andrew, the son, is as funny as a cockroach at the bottom of your bowl of soup noodles, yet aspires desperately, despite tanking on stage, to be a stand-up comedian. Daughter Grace is a pampered, prep-
school princess who blogs about fashion and puts the “urgh” into surly. Eldest child Saina at least enjoyed success as an artist before her tainted, ill-fated star fell from the firmament. Her inherited riskmanagement strategies established her as a low-rung celebrity but proved to be no protection from assassination-by-critic. Their problems, however, shrivel beside those of their father Charles, an ageing, ruthless business tycoon escaping Los Angeles as the ruins of his cosmetics empire tumble around his ears. Charles, furious at his adopted homeland, has bet the farm on an expansion of the business and lost big – for it is 2008 and all editions of the American dream, large and small, are turning into the great American nightmare as the financial crisis suffocates the nation. So with the bank calling in loans and college fees no longer affordable, off trundles the family, rounded out by Charles’ second wife Barbra (named after Streisand), in the very car, now comically antiquated, Charles long ago gave to his now senior-citizen amah. Like modernday Okies meandering in the wrong direction, they head for upstate New York and Saina’s farmhouse, one of few remaining tangibles from better days. Along the way we snoop on a disparate bunch of individuals with apparently nothing in common – of course they haven’t, they’re a family, remember – as they share hopes, fears, prejudices and uncomfortable truths while adjusting to straitened circumstances. So how is this exclusive to Americans? Well, the road novel is dead! Long live the road novel! Dig the new breed, readers: The Wangs has an implied, overarching concept that constitutes a new pillar of said novel. This is the American road trip with Chinese characteristics – and it’s here to stay. This is the new America. Naturally, growing pains persist, however, and while acceptance
of non-white faces that aren’t obviously American inches forward, awkward enquiries are still made. One particularly telling scene has Grace being asked where she is from, and then asked, “ ... but where are you from from?” while insisting that she comes from Los Angeles. And speaking to Prestige before the 2017 instalment of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, Chang – a resident of Columbus, Ohio, for her first few months, then Florida, followed by LA – cheerfully confirms that she is not immune to the question either, having been asked it “many, many, many times. It still happens,” she says. “I think this would surprise absolutely no one who is a person of colour in America.” Putonghua-speaker Chang has described herself as concurrently “100 percent Chinese, 100 percent American and 100 percent Asian”. Even without the dodgy arithmetic there would be no room for any identity crisis. Her characters, meanwhile, are required to put down markers to show who they are and what they’re about. Does she have a favourite among her embattled creations? “I think to write a character you have to love them, and I really do love all of them,” she admits. “I’d say Andrew was especially fun to write because I enjoyed writing the stand-up scenes and his earnestness. “Writing Charles was a pleasure because it was weirdly enjoyable to work myself up into writing a rant! Barbra was a little bit of a break, she was always a good palate cleanser and I felt an interesting sort of respect for her. Saina I loved because it was a joy to write about the art world and because it’s always kind of cathartic to write deeply about relationships. And Grace I felt the most empathy for – but in some ways she also took more craft to write effectively.” Each character takes centre stage in the novel, with their personal-
point-of-view chapters allowing narration by turns. The car too has its say – only fair, given its major role in the story. “The idea of giving each character their own distinct chapter was there from the beginning,” says Chang. “The first pages I wrote became the first chapter of the book, which is from Charles’ viewpoint.” Therein, Charles rages at the country that has let him down and at modern Chinese history, which sent him there in the first place – via Taiwan and minus the family’s “ancestral acres” – after the Communists’ victory of 1949. His righteous plan is to reclaim them, eventually. “From there,” says Chang, “I started thinking about his family and knew I wanted to dive into their particular voices as well.” Revolving narrators isn’t the only device that keeps readers on their pay-attention toes in The Wangs. So does the use of a language other than English: Chinese, which goes untranslated. Doesn’t that risk alienating readers who don’t understand dialogue in an unfamiliar tongue? Or worse: who feel they’re missing out on important observations or even plot points? “Ha! All you non-Chinese speakers should probably learn some Chinese already!” says Chang. “With the pinyin, I wanted readers to feel like they were in the car with the Wangs, maybe eavesdropping from the glove compartment. This is the way the family talks. “But readers aren’t actually missing anything, because everything they say in Chinese is implied or said in English as well. Here’s another way to look at it: there are actually so many different languages in the book – the languages of the art world, the fashion world, the finance world. There are specific references to all of them and if you know them you’re afforded a different understanding of the story – probably even more so than if you speak Chinese.” Chang was more than a tourist in all those worlds, having written for, among other titles, LA luxury-lifestyle magazine Angeleno before success with The Wangs, her first published novel, set her on a different road of her own. Now working on a second book, she says: “I started off writing about films and interviewing directors. I had a sort of “Letter from Hollywood” column for the BBC for a while too. I’m not doing a lot of journalism at the moment and I’m not on staff anywhere, but I think I’ll probably write more articles at some point.” Any personal weaknesses for all those “luxe” products? “Definitely not,” says Chang. “I think much of the luxury-goods market is a con and I’m not interested in participating. I love pretty
dresses, but I don’t need them to have a particular label.” Inevitably, with a big hit on her hands, Chang has in some ways jumped the poacher-gamekeeper fence. She maintains that “it’s a lot easier to be the interviewer than the interviewee”, adding, “I’ve always been curious about other people and not particularly interested in volunteering information about myself.” These days, however, as far as the rounds of literary festival appearances and celebrity TV slots go, she admits: “I love doing events and meeting people – the exchange of energy is fun and invigorating. Late Night with Seth Meyers was probably my favourite. It was two days after the presidential election, so it was an especially weighted time to be on the show talking about an immigrant and first-generation family that makes America their own.” And considering the “versus” of the book’s title, who wins? “I’m interested in the match-up, the battle,” says Chang. “The reader can decide the outcome.” The Wangs, embodying a country with which they are at loggerheads, would happily take a slice of Chang’s hard-earned good fortune, although she is adamant that their story is not hers. “Zero percent – I definitely don’t come from a cosmetics fortune and I definitely didn’t grow up on a Bel-Air estate!” she says. “But the Wang family background is similar to mine in that my parents’ families both fled China for Taiwan.” That, or something similar, could prove to be the theme tune for generations of “new” Americans to come. If so, it will be backed by the thunderous echo of a proimmigration statement from The Boss himself. During his one-man show that opened recently on Broadway, Bruce Springsteen said he believed that “the new America” would have “darker skin” and wouldn’t “just be Irish and Italians”. The times, they are a-changin’.
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odern Classic
= Elegant on the outside and glamorous within, the MERCEDES-BENZ E 300 COUPE is an engaging mix of old-school grace and contemporary tech, writes JON WALL = AFTER DISPORTING OURSELVES during the past 10 months aboard a succession of ever faster and more powerful automobiles, perhaps at this juncture we should turn down the boost just a tad. For here we are, already well into autumn, and it seems to me that Keats’ “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” might not be the most appropriate time of year in which to be careening hither and thither across the landscape like a screeching, demented bat. So, for this month’s ride, I was looking for something more relaxed, refined and elegant. Something that’s certainly not sluggish, yet is neither ridiculously rapid. Something with presence, but is by no means in your face. And something that contrives to be both subtle and eye-catching, that whispers wealth, ease and perhaps even a certain stolidity, while never vulgarly proclaiming its occupants’ good fortune too stridently. That seemed like a tall order, until the kind people at Daimler asked whether I’d feel like spending a long
weekend in the company of their Mercedes-Benz E 300 Coupe, and suddenly I had exactly what I was looking for. For Benz – and I’m not talking about its hyperactive AMG offshoot here, or the company’s stunning run of successes in Grand Prix racing in the past four years – was for decades as much a byword for rugged dependability as it was for a particularly Teutonic take on discreet but practical luxury (and, so the neighbours wouldn’t gossip overly, not too much of the latter either). And in several key aspects, this two-door version of Merc’s latest executive-segment saloon turned out to be as sensible a take on the concept of the posh coupe-cruiser as were its antecedents of half a century ago or more. It may seem odd to talk about practicality when referring to a car that’s as inherently frivolous as a four-seat, two-door coupe, but the new-generation E Coupe scores massively in this respect when compared with its immediate predecessor. For although entry and egress for rear passengers are inevitably constrained by the glaring absence of a pair of apertures, unlike the earlier car, which was built on the platform of the smaller C-Class, the latest model shares its underpinnings with the highly rated (and considerably larger) E saloon. It thus offers so much more room that it can comfortably accommodate a quartet of full-size adults, who
can now emerge after a lengthy stint on board without feeling as if they’d been imprisoned in a packing case for hours on end. Another distinctive aspect of the E Coupe’s interior – and I’ve been raving about Mercedes cabins for some time now – is just how fabulous it is. Forget any notions of Germanic severity, for this is pure Hollywood glamour, from the twin 12.3-inch Widescreen Cockpit displays that take up much of the sweeping fascia, to the six exquisitely jewelled air vents that resemble jet-engine intakes, the door-mounted grilles of the 23-speaker Burmester sound system (which, like the hires infotainment screens, is an option box that most buyers are likely to tick), and the 64-shade, coloured ambient lighting. The seats, clad in leather on the test car, are as comfortable and supportive as anyone could reasonably wish for; along with the excellent driving position and the almost total absence of exterior noise in the superbly insulated cabin,
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MERCEDES-BENZ E 300 COUPE Engine: 2-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder Transmission: 9-speed automatic Max power: 242bhp Max torque: 370Nm at 1,300rpm Max speed: 250km/h Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds Kerb weight: 1,685kg
The E-CLASS COUPE is one of the best-looking designs in the current Mercedes line-up they lend strong credibility to the Coupe’s ambitions of being a pukka grand tourer. The E-Class Coupe may not be perfectly proportioned on the outside – there’s a little too much flab around the hips for that – but it’s undeniably one of the best-looking designs in the current Mercedes line-up, and especially so when optioned with the AMG body kit, which adds a front apron, side sills, a diffuser-like rear end and 19-inch, five-spoke alloys to its exterior. Indeed, my only real issue with the styling concerns the fixed rear quarter-lights, whose frames mar an otherwise unbroken expanse of glass – or air, whenever the screens
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are lowered – at each side of the car. To be fair, this aesthetic shortcoming isn’t especially hard to live with, and in any case it can be somewhat camouflaged by specifying smoked windows at the rear. Accoutred in AMG bling, the E is purposeful and even aggressive, which these days is how we expect our cars to appear, no matter how inoffensive they may be beneath the skin. So, while the reality is that this coupe isn’t quite the low-flying missile that its looks suggest, nor can it be called a slowcoach. It wasn’t very long ago that a “3” at the beginning of a Mercedes model number generally denoted the existence of a 3-litre six beneath its bonnet, but today any such linkage is likely to be coincidental. Thus, the E 300 is powered by a relatively modest turbocharged 2-litre four, which here is good for more than
240bhp and a reasonably gruntworthy 370Nm (and as the latter is available from a minuscule 1,300rpm, it’s hugely flexible too). If you’re the kind of driver who enjoys laying down rubber at traffic lights, this 1,685kg machine will canter from a standstill to 100km/h in a brisk 6.4 seconds and eventually – if you’re fortunate enough to have an autobahn at the end of your road – run out of steam at an electronically governed 250. The engine is smooth and unobtrusive at motorway cruising speeds, though start-up and hard acceleration do induce a discernible four-pot dissonance. Much of that
tends to be dialled out in normal use by the Merc’s silken nine-speed 9G-Tronic transmission, but as the motor’s noisier exertions do rather jar with the car’s svelte lines and ultra-urbane persona, you’ll probably find yourself resisting the temptation to switch the Dynamic Select controller to Sport, in which mode the power unit is likely to be at its most voluble. (And if you absolutely can’t live without a sixcylinder under the bonnet, there’s always the option of an E 400 Coupe to consider.) Otherwise, the E-Class is as refined as its sleek silhouette portends. Its computerised, selflevelling air suspension flattens undulations admirably, and though the boulevardier orientation means it’s clearly not a sports car, both handling and grip are reassuringly predictable and can translate into surprisingly rapid progress. And though you may decide that its
steering lacks the scalpel sharpness of a twoseat roadster’s, or that the helm could benefit from a little more feel, you’ll almost certainly be engaged by the way the Coupe can be hustled precisely through a sequence of corners, and by its unflappable air of composure. And that, in a nutshell, is the key to the Mercedes-Benz E 300 Coupe’s appeal. It isn’t a car that screams for attention through daredevil speed
and pyrotechnics. Instead, it charms more discreetly: lovely (almost) on the outside and alluring within, it offers grace, comfort, quiet and even an unusual degree of practicality to its privileged passengers. If that makes it sound a trifle old-fashioned, so be it – I, however, prefer to think of it as a modern classic.
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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 fi nd 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 423 litres 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 at 5,800rpm Max torque: 350Nm at 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 fi nd
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 fi ling for bankruptcy seven times in its fi rst 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 will 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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eptune’s Feast
= Every Sunday, all-day dining outlet UP & ABOVE RESTAURANT at The Okura Prestige Bangkok goes all-out with a Champagne brunch feast that has regulars returning for more. FRANÇOIS OOSTHUIZEN volunteers to find out why Photography : KAAN SUCHANIN
= A QUICK RECONNAISSANCE of the spread on offer for the Champagne Sunday Brunch at Up & Above Restaurant makes it evident why half the tables are filled shortly after noon – seafood, plenty of seafood. Beautifully displayed on ice, there are freshly shucked French, Australian and American oysters, premium Maine lobster, giant Alaskan king crab, seasonal mud crab, succulent prawns and plump Manila clams. In the Japanese section, sashimi and sushi – made from the freshest seafood from Tsukiji – represent the hotel’s signature outlet, Yamazato, based on the centuries-old traditional Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese haute cuisine).
What’s particularly striking is the quality and freshness of everything – it’s almost like enjoying it at the source. A glance around the room confirms my suspicions: plates are piled high with seafood. It’s clear what the star attraction is here at Up & Above on Sundays. Never mind the impressive city views from the 24th floor. The extensive buffet goes far beyond just seafood though, catering for all tastes. There’s a wide range of international and Thai dishes, a pasta station with home-made vermicelli and ravioli (with a choice of pesto, carbonara, Bolognese or mussel sauce), a carvery with succulent roasted meats, and a delicious beef Wellington, all of which can be enjoyed with Yorkshire pudding, a red wine sauce and a selection of 12 homemade mustards. A choice of main courses are prepared à la minute, including Egg Florentine, Foie Gras,
Maine Lobster and Beef Cheek – the latter a personal favourite, served with saffron risotto, baby carrots and carrot pickles. All these are complemented by a variety of healthy salads. For those whom Sunday brunch is all about the bubbles, the Champagne package includes a free-flow of Lombard et Cie NV Brut Réference. This nonvintage cuvée from Lombard is soft and fruity with a rounded character. Red apple and a light touch of spice balance with the full acidity. It goes really well with anything that comes out of a shell. The golden rule of any brunch is to pace yourself so that you
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can fit in all your favourites. You certainly want to leave room for dessert. Highlights of the indulgent dessert options include freshly baked chocolate lava cake, Crêpe Suzette, and waffles served with homemade ice cream. There’s also a vast display with fresh fruit, Thai sweets, pastries and other temptations. Kudos to the team at Up & Above for consistently gracious and swift service throughout the afternoon. Food stations were properly manned and dishes seemed to be replenished continuously. Right until the end, everything looked fresh and appetizing. Most importantly, they didn’t run out of anything.
Available every Sunday from 12 noon until 3pm, the Champagne package is priced at 3,900 Baht (++) per person (including freeflow Champagne, selected wines, Prosecco, local beers, cocktails, soft drinks, and mocktails); 3,300 Baht (++) per person for the Prosecco Sunday Brunch (including selected free-flow wines, Prosecco, local beers, cocktails, soft drinks, and mocktails); or 2,600 Baht (++) per person for the Classic Sunday Brunch (including free-flow soft drinks, and mocktails).
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All Saints’ Day Australia’s newest joy are the wines of St Hugo. GERRIE LIM gets to visit the Barossa Valley vineyard and enjoy its Legacy Wine Experience
I’M IN THE BAROSSA VALLEY, South Australia, home of St Hugo Wines, gazing over to the adjacent Eden Valley and a parcel of Riesling vines at the Steingarten vineyard. Glass in hand and feeling playful, I bless the vines with a resolute flourish. The wind blows the wine back into my face and I laugh, knowing that now I’ll never forget the place. Steingarten is one of the portfolio of vineyards under the St Hugo aegis. It’s also the spot where Colin Gramp, great-grandson of Johann Gramp, an immigrant from Bavaria and the founder of the winery that eventually became St Hugo (confusingly, the Riesling is labelled St Helga), decided in 1962 to blow out the soil with dynamite. His intention was to prove that Riesling vines founded on the Mosel variety could thrive here in the schist soil, with its dry ground that requires deep vinous roots. Fast forward to the present day
and lunch at St Hugo’s newly opened restaurant, which was built at its Barossa winery within restored ironstone walls from the 1850s, where I’m drinking the very same Riesling. It’s an off-dry style that would charm anyone into thinking the wine hails from Alsace or Germany rather than South Australia, vindicating with a vengeance the younger Gramp’s foresight. Moving past the St Helga, I next confront a 2012 Grenache Shiraz Mataro, a 2010 Vetus Purum Shiraz, a 2012 St Harriett Semillon, a 2012 Private Collection Rowland Flat Shiraz, a 2008 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and a 1970 Tawny. The Vetus Purum Shiraz, a dense purple wine with crimson hues and a penetration made subtly stronger by its smoky notes and engaging intensity, is my favourite wine of the session, well paired with a seared Wagyu, grilled Romaine lettuce and Jerusalem artichoke chips. I share the morning’s Riesling story with St Hugo’s Chief Winemaker, Daniel Swincer, and ask how the Wine Society’s 2011 Young Winemaker of the Year came to Steingarten. “Originally, I didn’t want to be a winemaker,” he replies. “I wanted to be a fighter pilot. But then I realised winemaking
was a great job. You get to travel and see the world, it’s agricultural but there’s science involved. There’s a bit of artistic licence in what you do and you get to talk to people about it, so this is a diverse job. I grew into it, essentially.” Swincer had earlier taken out some barrel samples from the 2017 vintage from various parts of the Barossa, so “we can see what they taste like. Then we get to fly over those same areas in a helicopter to see what they look like from above”. He emphasises that while the company has existed since 1847, St Hugo is its luxury brand and originally it produced only one wine, the St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. “That was it until 2011 when we released the rest of this range we’re going to taste through,” he says. “The red wines are blends from the Barossa and Coonawarra. We have
the cellar door here, our travel retail and then finally our ‘icon range’ – our single-vineyard Vetus Purum wines, launched in 2014. We use mostly French oak and start with the fruit and the vineyard, which is the most important. It’s about the intensity of fruit and the density of the tannin, but it’s not overblown and jammy.” “Everything starts with the wine,” says Mark McNamara, executive chef of the St Hugo Restaurant, who energises us in a “food philosophy” exercise that prominently showcases how his menu pairing starts with wine, not food. “The essence of this is to discern which flavours are tied to this wine,” he says. “Last night we had Cabernet with lobster and it worked wonderfully, because it’s
not about the lobster but the flavours that go with the lobster. We need to find the right affinity and we do this so often that we have this programme about the basic flavours.” He points to the table, where lines of food items are strategically placed in precise rows that actually tell a story. “Like here we have seaweed which goes well with Cabernet. We don’t use much vinegar in my cooking except black and brown rice vinegar. We use a teaspoon with five litres of sauce. We much prefer turmeric or verjus, things that have malic or tartaric acid, the same acids you find in your wine.” McNamara indicates the salty flavours – anchovies, capers, olives, fish sauce and kombu sauce, mushroom sauce and fennel sauce – and fats – coconut, butter and olive oil. “We used to have a pork belly braised with cocoa and verjus and miso, and it was sensational. I’d suggest you try this line here because it’s so pungent and
powerful, they’ll stay on your palate for a long time – vanilla paste, lemon zest, fresh thyme. Finally, some fresh green herbs that will be in season – fennel fronds, tarragon and basil. Your feedback is essential to how we’re going to prepare the dinner tonight.” But before that it’s time for our helicopter ride. The Legacy Wine Experience allows for a tasting of old vintages from the Hugo Gramp Room, followed by a jaunt in the whirlybird. As we judder serenely in the skies above, I look down at the Steingarten vineyard from where I’d started out that morning and I can visualise old Colin Gramp, who’d celebrated his 94th birthday just the day before, smiling contentedly.
THIS PAGE (FROM TOP): ST HUGO CHIEF WINEMAKER DANIEL SWINCER ; EXECUTIVE CHEF MARK MCNAMARA; ST HUGO COONAWARA CABERNET SAUVIGNON; HELICOPTER AT THE ST HUGO WINERY OPPOSITE PAGE: COONAWARRA VINEYARD
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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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THIS PAGE (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 hallowed 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
THIS PAGE (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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Style is not done by halves in Hanoi’s French Quarter, and nowhere more so than at the city’s storied Metropole hotel, writes NICK GOODYER the appellation grande dame. Few are worthy of it, but one that has most definitively earned that sobriquet is the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Opened in 1901, the hotel has played host to a long list of the good, the great and, in some cases, the shady, including Graham Greene, Mick Jagger, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Baez and Robert De Niro. During my stay, Gérard Depardieu was in residence (I literally bumped into him in the lobby and he really does have an almighty hooter). Also in residence at the time was the current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, never alone and always surrounded by an entourage of large chaps in dark suits muttering into their cuffs. No chance of bumping into him. Why the hotel attracts such distinguished guests is immediately evident upon entering. It is old-world French-colonial charm personified, reassuringly solid in brass and dark woods, reverential in porcelain and hushed corners, but with a degree of panache that the other old dears – The Strand in Yangon, Singapore’s Raffles and the Eastern & Oriental in Penang – might struggle to match. What these hotels have in
MANY HOTELS CLAIM
common is their position on historical shipping routes and, later, air routes from Europe to the Far East, coming into their own in the heady days of France’s Air Orient flying-boat service. The Metropole opened when Vietnam was part of French Indochina; it was renamed the Thong Nhat following independence, and during the Vietnam War sheltered guests – including Jane Fonda – in its bomb shelter during the Christmas bombings of 1972 (the refuge and its cramped confines were recently rediscovered and is now open for tours). After the war, the building housed several embassies and consulates in the 1970s, and in the early ’90s reopened as the Pullman Hotel Metropole following extensive renovations; the Opera Wing was added during the Pullman era. It took its current title in 2009, as part of the Sofitel Legend collection. All this and more can be found in a highly detailed account of its past along the History Path in the Metropole Wing, while the hotel has resident historians who remember the war only too well, and who give highly informative tours with a number of anecdotes thrown in for good measure. The Metropole’s historic pedigree comes to the fore in the original Metropole Wing, while the Opera Wing, in neo-classical style, is less teak, more chic. In all, the property has 364 rooms, including three suites named after Greene, Chaplin and Maugham that are favoured by visiting heads of state. Yet the property’s storied past does nothing to cramp its style. Like many great hotels, its bars and restaurants are a focus
for high society. Of particular note is the fine French dining at Beaulieu, where the French Dover sole with hazelnut crust is particularly outstanding. Spices Garden offers Vietnamese classics such as pho (actually a breakfast dish), spicy pork ribs and soft-shelled crab rolls. Bamboo Bar, next to the pool, is a wonderful venue to chill in the evening (perhaps literally – Hanoi is quite cool in the winter), while La Terrasse is a Parisian-style street café and a lot of fun, albeit with views of an Asian city’s street life complete with the ubiquitous scooters. The Metropole is located just a stone’s throw from Hanoi’s most famous tourist attraction – Hoan Kiem Lake, complete with scenic pagoda in the centre and ornate bridge to a small island. The lake is renowned for its giant turtles, though it’s now uncertain if any are left, one being found inauspiciously dead last year. The road around the lake is pedestrianised at the weekends, bringing in youngsters who sing and play instruments or take part in traditional street games and impromptu football matches. The street-party atmosphere is particularly fun at night, as is the
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market area to the north running along and off Hang Dao Street. An evening there settles the Hanoi versus Ho Chi Minh City debate very easily on the side of the former: its decaying but dignified French-colonial architecture, street life and laid-back atmosphere make it an easy winner. And after a lively evening of great food, live music and Ha Noi beer, it’s a real treat to retire to your Metropole room and the sumptuous depths of its Sofitel Mybed. Northern Vietnam’s most famous tourist attraction, the karst islets and pinnacles of Ha Long Bay, is four hours by car from Hanoi, though the Israeli prime minister opts to go by helicopter. The bay is said to have in the region of 2,000 limestone islands, depending on the definition – some are really large rocks, while others are quite sizeable and support fishing communities. The jagged grey crags topped with lush vegetation set against the blue-green waters
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What is remarkable is the bay’s beauty; Ha Long Bay is one of Earth’s natural wonders
of the bay have earned the area a listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, though that status is by no means unusual these days. What is remarkable is the bay’s beauty as one of Earth’s natural wonders – it should be on the itinerary of any trip to Vietnam. I last visited Ha Long bay eight years ago, from the vantage point of a sizeable, upmarket cruise liner. Back then, the numerous vessels that sailed from the ports to the east of Hai Phong for overnight trips among the islands looked a little down at heel, in some cases barely seaworthy. No longer. Of the many high-end craft that now ply the waters, those in the Paradise Cruise fleet are particularly plush. Ours – the 31-cabin Paradise Elegance 1 – was launched in the spring of this year and is the only boat of its kind based in Ha Long Bay to offer
five-star amenities such as near-round-theclock room service, fine à la carte dining, a piano bar with live music, and beautifully appointed, generously roomy 25-square-metre cabins with balconies and all mod cons. For those not arriving on liners, this is the way to see the bay. The Elegance’s chosen spot for the night is Coconut Island, though by dawn it becomes apparent that it’s also favoured by 30 other vessels, albeit a respectable distance away. From Coconut Island, Paradise Cruises offers a selection of activities such as kayaking through sea arches and caves and the chance to spot golden-headed langur monkeys and their ginger infants, while on-board diversions include massage, cooking classes, tai chi on the sundeck and the opportunity to make a fool of yourself at the karaoke microphone. The success of the award-winning Paradise fleet means it’s growing. The Elegance 1 now has a sister vessel, while the engagingly named Paradise Prestige is also new, a wooden vessel with junk sails. Typically, guests book for either one- or two-night trips, though charters are available.
However, the distance of the embarkation and disembarkation point – Tuan Chau island – from Hanoi and other major tourist points means that an increasing number of visitors choose to stay on land for a few more days. Paradise has answered this demand by building a suite of resort hotels on the island – the Paradise Suites and Paradise Trend hotels. The former comprises 78 suites (and has a truly sumptuous spa) and is in a more classical style than the Trend, which has 78 rooms with an edgier, more contemporary feel. Combining a trip around the bay with a few nights at one of the hotels gives visitors the chance to explore the sights on land as well as at sea, and indulge themselves with a spot of pampering between sampling the many varied attractions this part of the world has to offer.
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At Your Fingertips
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BACKSTORY
NIIGATA MURAKAMI WAGYU BEEF
A Taste of Autumn One of Bangkok’s most talented young chefs, Ryuki Kawasaki, is celebrating autumn with special tasting menus at MEZZALUNA that should be high on the must-do list of any serious foodie. “My passion is to create experiences that inspire and leave lasting memories for the people I share them with,” Chef Ryuki says. “Our culinary journey at Mezzaluna consists of various textures, flavours, artisanal seasonal products and cooking techniques.” The menu embraces autumn by incorporating in-season produce and fresh herbs with exclusive products such as Mandarin Orange Yellowtail, Nova Scotia lobster, European Sea Bass and Pigeon Royal de Bresse, among others. Choose between five or seven courses – and be prepared to be dazzled by both the cuisine and heavenly city views high above from the 65th floor.
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