For women of calibre
Blue is the Warmest Colour Boucheron pays tribute to its affinity with India with the Bleu de Jodhpur collection, graced by the patronage of the Maharaja of Jodhpur
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An Amber in the Rough
The best amber impressions worth every ounce of weight in liquid gold page 13
modern pizzazz Dazzle by day with Fall’s dynamic style statements
The Designer in Focus
Individualism developed into a sophisticated art courtesy of Tomas Maier page 11
Jewel of the Sky Embrace the azure depths of September’s shimmering birthstone: Sapphire By Cheryl Ann Chia
chopard Chopard Precious Temptations Earrings set in 18ct white gold with blue sapphires (62.51 carats), tanzanites, Paraiba tourmalines, amethysts and diamonds
chaumet Hortensia Ring
boucheron Pégase Ring
A symbol of faith, intuition and purity, sapphires are imbued with a sui generis beauty that yields an almost eerie timelessness, spanning from the ancient Persians who believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection painted the sky to being a jewel of divine favour, cherished by royals and high priests throughout history. Conventionally, they appear as blue stones, ranging from pale blue to a deep royal hue due to the presence of small amounts of titanium and iron within its crystal composition. However, the most esteemed of which remains the medium-deep velvet shade of blue. Positively mesmeric be it lapped luxuriously around the wrist like undulating waves or worn singularly as a pendant or a ring, hereby are some of the most dexterous sleight of sapphire.
Cartier Étourdissant Cartier Romanov Bracelet
Bulgari Love’s Paradise Necklace, Giardini Collection
Tiffany & Co. The Art of the Sea Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
Piaget Mediterranean Garden Blue Sapphire Necklace
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The Charmed Life Diaphanous jewels that corral folkloric symbolism and humble handicrafts along with a modern sense of lightness
Perhaps one of the most surprising trends to emerge in jewellery is the ethnic, Coachella-ready trinkets that are as whimsical and redolent with wanderlust on the surface as they are imbued with notions of travel, luck, protection, sailors and sunshine. The ideal counterpoint to sleek, oft-stacked metallic accents, beaded, braided or otherwise enlightened jewellery, however suited for a grunge-leaning look are in turn, the ideal trinkets to add a dash of preciousness to a decorous ensemble. Refined on one hand yet rife with folk tales, symbols and talismans borne of native textures and handicraft have been the precedent for many jewellery maisons, promising everything from inner peace to empowerment with miscellaneous yet wondrously alluring baubles that intrigue quietly especially when boasted in a curious, eclectic jumble.
fred Force 10 Amethyst Bracelet
Carolina Bucci Lucky Bracelet
Jacquie Aiche Double Watermelon Tourmaline Cuff
John Hardy
Cartier Amulette de Cartier Lapis Lazuli Necklace
Brooke Gregson Elipse 3 Boulder Opal Silk Gold Bracelet
Dior Rose des Vents Turquoise Bracelet
Inez and Vinoodh Multi-stone Necklace
Diane Kordas Evil Eye Woven Diamond and Sapphire Bracelet
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John Hardy Classic Chain Station Bracelet
Blue is the Warmest Colour
Boucheron pays tribute to its affinity with India with the Bleu de Jodhpur collection, graced by the patronage of the Maharaja of Jodhpur
By Cheryl Ann Chia
Uncontainable was the magnificence of India’s jewelled arts that in 1909, oft-retold tales of its gemmological wealth spanned as far afield as Paris and caught the attention of a certain jeweller by the name of Louis Boucheron. Floored by the country’s vibrant heritage and glorious architecture, Louis, son of the house’s founder Frédéric, journeyed to Rajasthan and came to acquire a stone that would later become the hallmark of Boucheron’s high jewellery creations: the Kashmir cabochon sapphire. Over the ensuing years, the opulent world of the maharajas became indelibly entwined in the ascendance of the house, culminating in the arrival of the Maharaja of Patiala in 1929, bringing with him six caskets filled with 7571 diamonds, 1432 emeralds, sapphires, rubies and pearls of unparalleled splendour. The Maison would then set these stones into 149 unimaginably lavish pieces of jewellery, thereby representing the largest ever private commission in the history of Place Vendôme. Unsurprisingly, this vivid, historic exchange with India would become the capital of memories from which the Maison draws the gold of inspiration, inexhaustibly renewing and reinterpreting India’s sumptuous beauty to its glittery clientele. Yet, few with quite the kudos of its latest collection, conceived under the Patronage of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, His Highness Gaj Singh II. Like the fabled ancient city where the unreal grandeur of its streets, possessed by the smell of incense and homes, awash in various hues of indigo casts a spell on even the most unimpressionable tourist, Bleu de Jodhpur adroitly reflects the city’s hypnotic charm. With over 105 designs created and 60 pieces presented, Bleu de Jodhpur is depicted in four main chapters; beginning first with a finely pitched tribute to the two most quintessential and romantic insignias: the enchanting blue façades of the houses and the gorgeous sunlight that bathes the city. The Jodhpur necklace draws inspiration from a piece in the legendary 1929 commission, marking a magnificent first in high jewellery with the use of Makrana marble personally sourced by the Maharaja of Jodhpur from the same quarry as that used in the construction of Taj Mahal in 1631. The central motif made of marble is carved into the shape of a kite and at its centre sits a 6.01 carat diamond casting a sparkling light over the marble.
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His Highness, the Maharajah of Jodhpur and Claire Choisne, Boucheron creative director.
Opulent yet all the more so when you refer to the reverse side of the necklace where a stunning series of shimmering sapphires, rock crystals and diamonds adorns the piece in a perfect symmetry – a play on the impressionist view of blue and white houses. Executed with great dexterity, deploying 1,700 hours worth of craftsmanship, this reversible design was developed in tandem with the Indian royal tradition in which the reverse of a necklace should be adorned with equal fervour so as to provide a quiet pleasure to its wearer. But despite its abundance, the necklace still manages to remain remarkably light and supple thanks to the expert hand of the master craftsman, keeping the marble to just 1mm thick in certain parts. The second chapter encapsulates the architectural splendour of the most incredible palaces and citadels of India and Rajasthan. A talisman necklace, Nagaur is inspired by the magical fortress city, a miracle in the midst of the Thar Desert which walls protect delicate palaces, enchanting pavilions and sunsoaked gardens. It also drew inspiration from the state regalia adorned by the Great Moghuls emperors as ceremonial embellishments and a testament to their great deeds. In keeping with true Indian tradition, the Maison employed traditional motifs and materials particularly gold, a sacred metal in India, diamonds and pearls. It also infused its own frisson of modernity using rock crystals, depicting the contours of the citadel of Ahhichatragarh. Additionally, the Maison incorporated
the number 7, a sacred number in India and formed a seven strand necklace, with seven rows of Japanese pearls, traditionally strung on silk thread. The entire piece is arranged around a pool in a 2 carat diamond cushion, a princely miracle in the middle of the desert. However, even with its traditional references, the Nagaur necklace is pleasantly versatile, wearable and can be styled with or without the tassels and central motif. But the crux of its romanticism lies in the use of yet another unusual material: Thar sand from the Nagaur valley which filled the rock crystal as if fixed forever in the hollow of this precious talisman. In the third chapter, the Maison recognises the pursuit of pleasure as a sophisticated art and was inspired by the artistic movement “Garden & Cosmos”. It celebrates the richness of two distinct painting styles that originated in Jodhpur in the 17th century, in which gods, rulers and subjects sauntered harmoniously around the palace and idyllic gardens. The “Garden” theme celebrates the life and magnificent feasts held in the palaces of the Rajput sovereigns while the “Cosmos” theme depicts different scenes from the Creation. From these idyllic images Boucheron has taken on a youthful, vibrant palette in which nature and the bestiary form the flora and fauna of an idealised Eden. In the Fleur de Lotus, the most impressive sleight was perhaps the vivid 15 carat pink tourmaline cut in the form of a kite ennobling the piece to an excellent triumph. Together with rubellites and fiery orange spessartine garnets, the poetic gradation of colours brings the blossom to life through an ideal volumetric balance. Last but by no means least, the final chapter, Maharani honours the femininity and strength of the Rajput woman. The Mehndi brooch draws inspiration from traditional henna tattoos typically applied during special Hindu weddings. The Maison began with an 1878 archived motif, the ‘Paisley’ designed by Frédéric Boucheron for the Maharaja of Kapurthala. And to portray the permanence of tattooing, Boucheron looked to the hardest gem of all, diamonds. As delicate and fragile as frost, the Mehndi brooch is made up entirely of diamonds of every cut and constructed in an openworked lace motif to mimic the embroidery of the finest diamonds. Despite its quantifiable ostentation, it sits like skin jewellery, fleetingly present, precious and subtle. And in classic Boucheron fashion, the brooch can be transformed into a necklace, allowing the modern woman to switch it up on-the-go. Suffice it to say that in the Bleu de Jodhpur collection, the anecdotes aplenty and the symbolisms rife but even so, you don’t need to know all of that to desire it.
Jodhpur reversible necklace Set with a kite diamond of 6.0cts, marble, rock crystal, paved with sapphires and diamonds, on white gold
Executed with great dexterity, deploying 1,700 hours worth of craftsmanship, this reversible design was developed in tandem with the Indian royal tradition in which the reverse of a necklace should be adorned with equal fervour so as to provide a quiet pleasure to its wearer. But despite its abundance, the necklace still manages to remain remarkably light and supple thanks to the expert hand of the master craftsman, keeping the marble to just 1mm thick in certain parts.
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high-octane glamour Tourbillons of feral glitz and arresting crafts
By Cheryl Ann Chia
Jaeger leCoultre Rendez-Vous Ivy Tourbillon Following the success of the Rendez-Vous Ivy Minute Repeater which underlined the potent amalgam of high jewellery and fine watchmaking, Jaeger leCoultre forges ahead by rolling out a tourbillon, powered by the automatic 978 calibre. In this 39mm creation, the tourbillon is accentuated by a tiara of diamonds from which springs the vigorous clinging vines of ivy leaves, expanding throughout the dial. At 3, 6, and 12 o’clock, their outspread branches culminate in the hour numerals – a striking characteristic of Rendez-Vous women’s watches by the watchmaker. And to further enhance the complication, the elegant, contemporary plumcolored hue of the dial and its organic lacework are accented with translucent enamel.
Boucheron Epure Tourbillon Ama On the dreamy, blue mother-of-pearl dial of the Epure Tourbillon Ama, a graceful, bejeweled fish swims above the carriage of the flying tourbillon. Its head is set with diamonds and its tail boasts an openwork design so that it appears to sway above the blue waves. The fish’s tail fins are also emblazoned with pavé baguettes diamonds that have been worked at different heights to enhance the contours. The 43mm polished white gold case is festooned with round diamonds while a blue sapphire cabochon adorns the crown. With a power reserve of 100 hours, this mesmeric timepiece runs at a limited edition of eight pieces worldwide.
Graff Floral Tourbillon
Louis Vuitton Tambour Monogram Sun Tourbillion
The first ladies mechanical timepiece collection of Graff is now home to another contemporary, marking yet again, a magnificent first for the brand. The British maison has introduced the first ladies model to be powered by a tourbillon callibre. The Floral Tourbillon stemmed from the collaboration between Graff’s jewellery atelier in London and their watchmaking arm in Geneva, which deployed 2500 hours worth of expertise in design and development. The tourbillon cage displays a highly intricate framework in the shape of a flower, which is further echoed in delicate petal-shaped hour and minute hands and three individually rotating blossoms in shimmering rubies, emeralds, sapphires or white diamonds – a complex timepiece with the looks to match.
The Louis Vuitton Tambour Monogram Sun Tourbillion is the latest to emerge from Le Fabrique du Temps, featuring the impressive in-house LV80 automatic calibre. Yet if there’s one thing Vuitton could do right out of the gate, it is to conjure masterpieces with an enviably honed eye of an aesthete. Its striking dial boasts a studied extravagance, graced by the iconic monogram flower, of which the tourbillon occupies the bottom petal whilst the others are composed of guilloché mother-of-pearl, depicting the rays of the sun. The shimmering expanse of the dial is pavé with snowset diamonds and the bezel is set with white, pink or blue sapphires, creating an immersive, layered dimension to this showpiece. 6
Boy meets Girl
Timepieces that manage the coveted equipoise of masculine angularity and balletic beauty
By Cheryl Ann Chia
Chanel Boy.Friend Watch Optioned in a size large measuring 34.6 mm by 26.7 mm and an extra large which measures 37 mm by 28.6 mm, Chanel’s latest Boy.Friend watch acutely realises the founder’s gamine, progressively enduring elegance. The former of which is driven by a quartz movement, graced with a date window whilst the latter plays host to a hand-wound mechanical movement and a small seconds subdial. It arrives in a total of six graceful permutations, in either 18K beige gold or white gold, with or without diamonds. It coalesces discreet elegance (delicately sized, a pared back, minimalist dial) with the bold, pronounced edges of the case inspired by the bottle cap of Chanel’s fragrances. Therein lies a hint of boyish insouciance despite its classical, poetically stoic countenance, and like the Boy Chanel handbag, destined to be well-worn and always chic.
de Grisogono Instrumentino From mesmeric and incredibly complicated watches to show-stopping high jewellery wonders, what remains beyond a doubt is de Grisogono’s ability to conjure sophisticated yet breathtakingly cool masterpieces. Like the Instrumento N°Uno, the Instrumentino is a product of a fastidious eye, boasting all the familiar traits emblematic of the streamlined icon, but with volumetric proportions perfected for the feminine wrist. Powered by the automatic DF 26-91 calibre, it plays host to a dual time zone function. It is fashioned in 18k pink gold, featuring a black guilloché dial with pink applied index and a black diamond encrusted crown, lending a subtle glint of opulence. Then a black galuchat strap provides a rich and polished finishing touch to this statement piece.
Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Lady
Drawing inspirational cues from a 1945 model, Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Lady boasts an elegant, chocolate and taupe coloured dial, graced with a minute track composed of 42 brilliant-cut diamonds. It is governed by the automatic GP02700 calibre, a movement specially adapted for a ladies’ model. The diamond-polished, dauphine-type hands are shaped by hand so as to follow the contours of the dial. Delicately domed, its steel case is bookended by two brancards set with 30 diamonds that illuminate its gentle art deco-inspired design. With their discreet ornamentation, the gadroons at the base of each lug are additional examples of this influence. It is presented in the distinctive rectangular steel case with doubly convex curves to ensure a snug fit on the wrist.
Jaeger leCoultre Reverso Classic Small Duetto Piloted by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 844 which provides a power reserve of 38 hours, the new pink gold Reverso Duetto small-sized model inherits all the classical aesthetic codes of the Reverso watch. On one side, it features a silvered guilloche dial with vertically brushed, black transferred numerals whilst the reverse features a black guilloché dial with sunray-brushed, frosted numerals. The Reverso’s emblematic appearance is rounded out by a more feminine facet on the back, with the entire timepiece presented with slightly enhanced proportions to ensure greater comfort and a better fit for the wearer.
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The Starting Point Shearling coats, fringed dresses, peasant blouses and artfully tousled tresses, kick start the season with all the insignias of city bohemia By Cheryl Ann Chia
prabal gurung Fall 2015
tom ford Fall 2015
Valentino Fall 2015
lanvin Fall 2015
For Spring Summer, diaphanous florals and acidic colours are all very well, but it’s usually when frolicsome narratives segue into a dark, wintry enchantment that it all starts to become a little more intriguing. This season was met with one such epiphany as we witnessed the spilled-over 70s trend shed its doe-eyed folderol to become something altogether stronger and more compelling. Running the gamut from Burberry’s luxuriant fringing and dreamy tiered dresses to Valentino’s anklegrazing coat patchworked in geometric tufts of mink to Prabal Gurung’s Mongolian enveloping shearling, designers took to the stage a frosty decadence steeped in pagan esotericism. Yet the most successful propositions were those with a foot in the modern 21st century, like Lanvin’s medieval skirt teamed with a loose, worn-in tank. The refreshing trick here is to combine that exoticism with modern-day staples such as a white shirt or a little black dress for a more sophisticated take.
wear it with Burberry The Ponytail Boots in Suede
victoria beckham Classic Victoria Tomato Leather
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Chloé’ Drew Bag
burberry Fall 2015
The Statement Essential Knee-high, devilishly sexy 70s-inspired footwear for the modern romantics
ChloĂŠ Harper Python Boot
Saint laurent Fetish 105 Verniceh Balt Boot
Rebecca minkoff fall 2015
Roger Vivier Prismick Fringes Boots
A fusion of bohemian folk and French femininity, the latest footwear to covet just happens to be the perfect antidote to dreamy florals. Knee-grazing boots with wide shafts be it adventurously high or slightly heeled are geared for a comeback in gorgeous shades of terracotta, sand and ink black. Could anything be less practical one might think, but these knee-high boots are perfectly modern and agile items: They bear a transformative, leg-lengthening effect when worn with skinny denim, toughen up flirty, featherweight folk dresses and are glamorously sexy when paired with a bare leg. Yet the modern romantic should perhaps refrain from veering into ethnic or disco territory. Match it with a pair of suede shorts, a slouchy overcoat, a tasseled crossbody, and then take to the road. 9
Gucci Leather Knee Boot
The Style Detail
Preppy pleated skirts redolent of schoolgirl days have become the ultimate swashbuckling detail to add to your winter wardrobe By Cheryl Ann Chia Most of us have faced the common quandary when embracing the fold, especially when they come in knee-grazing or mid-calf lengths, reminiscent of battered hand-me-downs. But the modern pleats are youthful, agile and perhaps more viable an option than the average mini. Reiterated in leather, silks and jersey knits, this paneled detail has shed its strait-laced femininity to become breezy, relaxed and a striking contrast when paired with the structure of a tailored blazer. While they came in stark neutrals last season, they were given a frisson of modernity in a diverse and hypnotic colour palette, ranging from box and fan to carwash and knife pleats, with styles that are as disparate as Balmain and Gucci to Salvatore Ferragamo and Marco de Vincenzo.
salvatore ferragamo fall 2015
gucci fall 2015
balmain fall 2015
band of outsiders fall 2015
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The Designer in Focus Individualism developed into a sophisticated art courtesy of Tomas Maier Competitive individualism in fashion has grown into a veritable institution evidenced by the joyous spectacle of fashion-week landscapes. And when a heritage brand like Bottega Veneta chooses to capture that raw energy with an intelligible exuberance; you have to acknowledge its influence. In a time when many of its contemporaries have embraced individualism by way of indisputable banality, this is where Bottega Veneta stands in its own stead. With bold 60s geometric patterns spattered across 70s city silhouettes, this was no doubt a collection that had a magnetising ease to it, a no-holds-barred approach, more so than previous outings. The genius of Maier lies in the manner in which he threw caution to the wind, took a chockfull of ideas, some harmonious, others warring and then spun them into refined, venturous fashion – an artful and considered dissonance if you will. From PVC coats and matt technical crepes to fluid silks and lace to jerseys and denims speckled with embossed polka dot patterns, textures were lush, eclectic and together, compelling. “This is not about meticulous dressing, but taking a bit of a bolder approach when it comes to pattern and colour,” explained Maier. That experimental colour clashing borne of an entirely new and audacious colour wheel such as Irish green, canard teal, luteous yellow, russet rust and byzantine violet transpired across all-over polka dotted long lean flares, sheath coats, lurex tanks and silk blouses. The end results, however, were trim, sculpted and relaxed clothing brought together by a fastidious eye and powerful hand – the same dexterity, after all, that parlayed an artisanal, subdued Bottega into a billiondollar business.
THE SPECTRUM
Irish Intrecciato Nappa Shoulder Bag
Metallic Midi Heels Teal Skintight Knee-high Boot
Byzantine Intrecciato Nappa Shoulder Bag
Arizona Intrecciato Nappa Monaco
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Shiny Crocodile Clutch
Soft Grunge
A lived-in makeup look that enshrines the coolness of passing youth
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burberry fall 2015
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While the pursuit of pragmatism – a perilous affair when it comes to beauty – has resulted in an onslaught of raw, undone looks in the summer, it translates into a grungy yet equally cool approach for fall: makeup that’s been well-worn and slept-in. There’s no doubt a modern allure to the realism of next-day beauty and the key to achieve a languid,
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almost effortless feel is to forget the precision. Create worn eyes by using soft kohls and cream eyeshadows to enhance your eyes’ natural darkness. Apply it with a spongetipped applicator or use your fingers for a nonchalant look and finish off with a coat of mascara. Keep it light-handed and it will stand you in good stead from desk to disco.
1. urban decay
7. nars
Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette
Blush in Silent Nude
2. burberry
8. By Terry
Eye Colour Cream in Charcoal
Ombre Blackstar in Black Pearl
3. Charlotte tilbury
9. EYeko
Wonderglow
Eye Do Mascara
4. Chanel
10. Tom ford
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Broad Spectrum SPF15 Sunscreen
Cream and Powder Eye Colour in Black Oyster
5. NARS
11. Dior
Velvet Shadow Stick in Flibuste
Nude Tan Bloom Powder
6. hourglass
12. Chanel
Femme Nude Lip Stylo in Nude #2
Stylo Eyeshadow in 147 Caroube
An Amber in the Rough The best amber impressions worth every ounce of weight in liquid gold By Cheryl Ann Chia 1. L’Artisan Parfumeur L’Eau d’Ambre
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Haunting and mysterious, there is a beautiful loneliness that this scent encompasses when airborne. The intricate blend, L’Eau d’Ambre is a sensuous, oriental elixir from “A Thousand and One Nights”. The initial spritz unleashes a crisp, cool geranium top note that soon recedes with the emergence of gilded layers of amber notes and luscious smoky hefts of incense accented with earthy patchouli and smoothened by deliciously dark vanilla to form a gentle, amiable and rounded fragrance.
2. Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
Composed by perfumer Christopher Sheldrake, Ambre Sultan is austere, carnal and elegantly insouciant. On the surface, it may seem like the quintessential amber, resinous, rich and warm yet it delicately reveals piquant nuances of bright green notes that refine the pasty heft of sweet amber. It opens with a volley of herbal notes; bay leaf, coriander, oregano and myrrh and as soon as some of their sharpness dissipates, a dark amber rises to the throne, womanly, enveloping and intoxicating with hints of creamy vanilla and sandalwood.
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3. Atelier Cologne Ambre Nue
This admirable floriental opens with a stunning high: fresh citrus and Egyptian marigold, a deliciously refreshing contrast to the warmth that soon follows. A crisp, dry amber sets a refined and classic drydown, while the accents of sugared almonds, smoky vanilla, woody patchouli and perhaps the protagonist in this blend: chocolatey labdanum creates a rich, smooth and fascinating twist to this sleight of amber. 3
4. Armani Privé Ambre Eccentrico
Dark, delicious and breathtakingly luxurious, Ambre Eccentrico is a modern amber composed by perfumer Calice Becker. It unfurls with amber, dried fruits, and spices of cinnamon, Tonkabean and cardamom. But unlike its contemporaries, its calling card lies in the evocative interplay between sugared, vanilic notes and oriental spices, creating a sophistication that is both timeless and eccentric.
5. Atkinsons Amber Empire
Drawing inspiration from a Chinese Snuffbox, Amber Empire is a reinvention of the original 1927 Atkinsons Amber Empire, which was one of the first Oriental fragrances introduced to the Western world. It is carved from precious amber accord that is captured in rising drifts of earthy oolong tea, smouldering and rich. Softened and refined by a sensual amber, this languorous, atmospheric perfume is just as cosmopolitan as it is exotic. 13
No Child’s Play
With over 18 years of experience in the toy business, Jessica Tang launches her own beauty line C’est Moi, specially formulated for children
“It’s a lot like brushing your teeth,” mother of three and founder of C’est Moi, Jessica Tang explains the importance of skincare for children. “If you don’t educate your children about skincare by the age of twelve, they’ll run into major skin problems once they reach their teens. We have a lot of grateful mothers today who love the idea of sharing C’est Moi cosmetics and skincare with their kids.” What began as a line created with children in mind has now transcended age coding to become a cherished brand of skincare and cosmetics by beauty insiders.
By Cheryl Ann Chia
But it hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Tang. When she first shared the idea of launching a skincare and cosmetic line targeted specifically at children ages 4 to 12 years old to fellow mothers, she was met with principled objection, if not ridicule. “Do children need to put on makeup at the age of 4? Yes but for performance not for vanity.” Unquestionably, no child needs the aid of makeup to look beautiful but as any number of stalwart performers can attest, wearing makeup on stage is less about trying to improve your appearances and more about being perceived under the limelight from a distance. It all began when Tang’s then 5 year old daughter Annabelle had to wear makeup for a ballet recital which began with rehearsals at 9am in the morning and lasted all the way into the night. “It was around 11pm when we got home and finally removed her makeup,” she recalls. “When she woke up the next day, I was shocked to see her face swollen with red bumps. So I took her to the doctor and she had to get an injection because the swell was so severe” That was when Tang began searching for the right skincare and cosmetics for children and while waterbased play makeup were dime a dozen in the market, most of them were of low quality and formulated in China. “Most of the time, you get baby products too but baby products are baby products. There weren’t any professional performance makeup and skincare for kids.” It was evident to her that there was an unmet consumer need in the market and from then, Tang began her three-year journey of developing a safe, professional skincare and performance makeup brand free of parabens, phtalates, propylene glycol, and other synthetics harmful to a child’s skin. Having worked in the beauty industry at Givenchy and at fashion giants like Hermes, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paco Rabanne before joining her husband at Camtec Marketing Services Pte Ltd, a toy distributor in 1997, Tang asserts that C’est Moi is an absolute culmination of all her experiences. Today, the brand is wholly owned by Camtec. “It was a highly exacting pursuit from the product and marketing research to ensuring the pureness of ingredients used down to the packaging and retail design,” explains Tang. “Naming the product alone took me six months. My request was very challenging because I wanted a unisex brand and a French name because the products are made in France and I really believe in French technology for skincare. I wanted it to be playful, imaginative and fun but yet it had to look professional,” she continued. “Like how there are actual golf clubs for kids, they’re made of iron and not plastic for children to play actual 18 holes. I
“Do children need to put on makeup at the age of 4? Yes but for performance not for vanity.” 14
wanted the real thing because we are not in the play business.” Today, C’est Moi’s bubbly box counters are located at Metro Centerpoint and Metro Paragon but Tang plans to launch C’est Moi in the United Kingdom eventually because “London is after all the hub of theatre and performing arts”. Borne of a mother’s love and emerging as the first in the world to offer a full range of professional children’s cosmetics and skincare, C’est Moi products are made up of fresh cells, vegetables and fruits and as far as the digits go, cosmetics and skincare consist of over 95% and 97% natural ingredients respectively. The impressive range consists of six skincare products including cleanser, scar repair cream, cleansing milk make-up remover, hydrating gel, night cream and tinted sunscreen while the cosmetic range includes eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner, eyeliner pencil, lipstick crayons, face and body crayons, blush, nail polish, compact foundation, mascara, lip gloss and brush sets. “As it stands, it’s made up of 20% skincare and 80% cosmetics but in time to come it will be the other way round because the ultimate mission of C’est Moi is to teach about skincare.”
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1. Freedom Palette Medium Gone are the days when natural makeup was a pretext for poor consistencies and unflattering colours. C’est Moi’s customisable palette allows you to select from a range of silky, weightless, talc-free compact foundations with SPF20, mineralbased, highly pigmented, long-lasting blushes and eyeshadows. 2. Skin Conditioning Cleansing Milk A soothing cleansing milk that gently removes all traces of makeup and impurities with great efficiency. It comes in a tear-free formula and leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed. 3. all Purpose Hydrating Gel This is an ultra-lightweight hydrating gel
5. Little Expert Brush Set Packaged in a chic metallic travel pouch, this is a complete 5-piece applicator set that presents each brush with the finest bristles for a high-performance, luxury finishing.
that softens and conditions your skin with the aid of the floral water of Cornflower, Roman Camomile and enriched with Soy Protein and Sodium Hyaluronate. It also strengthens and prevents moisture loss to ensure smooth and supple skin that glistens from within.
6. Delicate Skin Cleanser C’est Moi’s Delicate Skin Cleanser is composed of Flaxseed Oil and extract of Aloe and Soy to help condition and nourish your skin. It gently removes all dirt and grime while retaining skin’s natural moisture.
4. Scar Repair Cream Harnessing the nourishing power of Flaxseed, Sea Buckthorn and Calophyllum, C’est Moi’s Scar Repair Cream naturally helps to replenish the skin, aids in cell regeneration and protects against peroxidation with Polyprenyl Phosphate extracted from Siberian Pine needles while Coenzyme Q10 increases metabolic pathways to help skin repair faster and minimise the appearance of scars.
7. Moisture Sunscreen Base with SPF30+ A hydrating tinted moisturiser with sunscreen and the added benefits of
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hydration thanks to the nourishing oils of Avocado and Jojoba. Formulated to allow the skin to breathe, leaving it soft, smooth and supple, the Moisture Sunscreen Base is a healthy alternative to foundation and leaves your face radiant as well as evens out your skin tone. Extracts of Caper Buds, Roman Charmomile and Aloe Vera help soothe, calm and protect skin from environmental pollutants. 8. Aqua Nail Polish A delectable selection of non-toxic, waterbased, solvent-free nail polishes that is gentle on the nails and cuticles whilst providing a quality finish. It lasts for five days and can be peeled off nicely. Bid adieu to the pongy scent of acetone nail polish removers!
The virtues of simplicity from which modern elegance comes By Cheryl Ann Chia
Prada Donna Sunglasses
Tiffany & Co. East West Watch
Because happiness is perceiving the world through rose-tinted glasses.
A streamlined and ingeniously practical sleight that encapsulates the New York minute.
Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen Bracelet
Featuring lustrous, fluid rose silk bracelet, it is only with a flash of movement that the glint of a sweet drop faceted rose quartz charm with diamond will catch the eye – the very essence of simple luxury.
Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum A subliminal call of the wild.
Comme des Garçons Leather Wallet
Gucci Lady Bamboo Leather Top Handle Bag
Crafted from smooth and glossy leather, this slick and deceptively clinical wallet zips open only to reveal a neon pink lining.
An exquisitely sleek and structured number with an enameled bamboo accent to anchor your look.
Jill Sander Fall 2015
Acne Aja Calf Con Black Pumps
Aquazzura Elle Heels
The new Acne Studios kicks to covet straddle the edginess of the boot and femininity of the pump with a frisson of modernity.
Statement striders that go with boyfriend jeans, pencil skirts and everything in between.
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