Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Tatler Malaysia

TATLER HONG KONG We met Janet Yang, the first Asian American president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who recalled her journey of perseverance, passion and vision. TATLER KAZAKHSTAN Designer Ulyana Sergeenko is known for her opulent couture. Since founding her eponymous label in 2011, she has become a prominent figure in haute couture, merging traditional motifs with modern elegance. TATLER MALAYSIA Dr Chong Pei Pei, director of the Digital Health and Medical Advancement Impact Lab at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, shared the story behind the development of PapLite Pro, a pioneering cervical screening tool. TATLER PHILIPPINES Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue shared his creative journey behind Fable Café + Lounge, his venture in Manila—and how its whimsical decor transports guests to another world. SHANGLIU TATLER Zhang Huan,…

PETRA HALLER Stylist Petra Haller is based in Zurich but works around the world, specialising in editorials, campaigns and e-commerce. She styled Tatler’s March fashion shoot. “During this shoot, I had the privilege of working with a dream team. Everything came together organically, thanks to the perfect blend of planning, trust and improvisation.” The self-professed colour addict sees her work as painting pictures with clothes. (p.80) BIBO ASWAN Bibo Aswan is a Malaysian photographer known for his striking portraits and fashion photography. His work often features dramatic lighting, strong compositions, and a mix of classic and contemporary aesthetics. He has shot numerous celebrities, models, and industry figures in the region. This month, he photographed our cover star. (p.64) NOÉMI OTTILIA SZABO Europe-based Noémi Ottilia Szabo is a fashion photographer with Hungarian…

“Life is not all about work only,” says singer-songwriter and actress Bella Astillah contemplatively. It’s an odd statement coming from a woman who is no stranger to discipline and hard work, leading a thriving performing arts career since she was 15 years old. “It’s also about spending time with your family. To be honest, finding that balance wasn’t easy for me at first. I’m an actress, and my schedule is hectic. I realised in time that I needed space to calm down and see the bigger picture. That really gives you a different perspective.” With her silk-smooth vocals and doe-eyed complexion, Astillah—whose full name is Dayang Ara Nabella Awang Astillah—embodies modern day pop stardom, boasting 2.5 million Instagram followers, 1.8 million on TikTok, and over 23,000 Youtube subscribers. For years,…

GO THE DISTANCE A piece that is modern, yet also a sum of all that came before it; that is relaxed but never casual; functional but always elegant. What seems like a contradiction comes to beautiful, fluid life in the new Dior D-Journey. Revealed at the Dior spring-summer 2025 ready-to-wear show, the D-Journey is an elegant answer to the modern woman’s life—a way to carry everything you need while appearing relaxed, unburdened and effortlessly stylish. Available in full leather, cannage or the iconic Dior Oblique jacquard, this is a bag for life. A NEW ICON There’s no excitement quite like the excitement accompanying the arrival of a new Chanel bag. This year, the house presents a totally new design, the Chanel 25—a reimagining of all the classic codes in a…

THE ART OF FASHION Art has always inspired fashion, sparking iconic collections like Yves Saint Laurent’s Mondrian dresses and Schiaparelli’s surrealist creations with Dalí. This season, celebrate the melding of art and fashion with Vivienne Westwood’s love of featuring rococo paintings on pieces or Mugler’s bold partnership with Canadian painter Ambera Wellmann. A FIRST-CLASS DEBUT If your fashionista status extends to your luggage, this one’s for you. Bottega Veneta is stepping into the luxury travel world with the launch of its first leather-trimmed suitcase, The Odyssey. Designed to be the ideal cabin companion, The Odyssey is lightweight, durable and designed to meet most airline carry-on requirements, ensuring it will stand the test of time on countless adventures. KAWS-ED BY DIOR The latest collaboration between artist Kaws and Dior has got…

When did you first become aware of the watch industry, and when did you realise you wanted to work in it? My first connection to watches was during the Swatch revolution in 1983 when I was 12, 13 years old. It was at that time that Nicolas [Hayek] launched the Swatch project, which was revolutionary for the Swiss watch industry. We all witnessed how Swatch created fancy watches at affordable prices, [which was impressive,] especially during a challenging period impacted by the quartz movement between 1975 and 1980. I started in [the watch industry in] 1995. I initially joined for a three-month training period with a watchmaking company. What was supposed to be a temporary assignment for me became a 30-year career. As I often say, the problem with this…

GRAMMY GLAMOUR At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Sabrina Carpenter dazzled on the red carpet, wearing Chopard jewellery that added sparkle to her Grammy-winning presence. The star wore a breathtaking 50 carat D-flawless diamond pendant from the Garden of Kalahari Collection, complemented by a diamond sautoir with 18.97 carats of pear-shaped diamonds. She further elevated her ensemble with earrings and a ring from Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie Collection, featuring 18 karat white gold diamonds for a flawless combination of elegance and luxury. SYMBOLS OF CELEBRATION As we enter the upcoming festivities of togetherness and renewal, Chaumet pays tribute to the joys of celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with its elegant Jeux de Liens collection which symbolises eternal links that connect us to those we love. Timeless and joyous pieces for everyday wear,…

There are global superstars, and then there’s Tilda Swinton. The 64-year-old actor is an artist—part of that rare breed that has won the love of global audiences while maintaining their dedication to experimental cinema. When news of her appearance at Hong Kong’s museum of visual culture M+ in January broke, it stirred a frenzy among fans and cinephiles alike. Her visit centred around a conversation with legendary Hong Kong director T’ang Shu-shuen, moderated by Silke Schmickl, Chanel lead curator of moving image, in which they discussed the critical importance of film restoration. But it was during an intimate sharing session before the main event, attended exclusively by a handful of guests, including Tatler, that Swinton opened up about her journey—from being a member of an art collective to becoming an…

When you think of a chef, what image comes to mind? If it is a male figure in a white uniform, you make up the majority of the population. And for good reason—walk into any restaurant, bar, or kitchen space and more often than not, it will be dominated by men. In the hospitality industry, women hold less than 20 per cent of executive chef roles, and when it comes to the world’s top restaurants, less than 7 per cent of head chefs are women. With intense physical demands, long and high-pressure hours, and a lack of family-friendly policies, men have often filled leadership positions in kitchens, even though in a home setting, women often take on the dominant domestic roles of labouring over meals for their families. “In many…

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but if there’s one thing Kristy Yong has learned, being open to change—and trusting your instincts—can be the most powerful tool in leadership. As the executive director of Ms Read, a Malaysian fashion brand that has empowered plus-size women for over 28 years, Yong has carved out her own path, steering the brand into a new era while staying true to its core values. Ms Read was founded in 1997 by her mother, Helen Read, with a simple yet revolutionary mission: to create stylish, well-fitting clothes for women sized UK12 to UK24. From a single store, it has grown into a regional presence with 15 locations across Malaysia and Singapore, complemented by a thriving e-commerce platform. Under Yong’s leadership, Ms Read has made its…

The countdown to Raya has begun, and you know the drill—it’s time to lock in the outfit that will have you looking effortlessly picture-perfect from the first salam to the last plate of rendang. Whether you’re going full glam, keeping it chic yet comfy for hosting duties, or curating a festive wardrobe that keeps on giving all year long, our local designers have once again pulled out all the stops with their latest Raya collections, offering a treasure trove of stunning options to help you celebrate in style. Expect a fresh mix of contemporary takes on classic silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, intricate embellishments, fluid drapery, striking prints, and everything in between. Ahead, we spotlight the most coveted Raya 2025 collections to shop this festive season. ALIA BASTAMAM After a year-long journey…

The Chopard L.U.C Lunar One is a perpetual calendar with an extremely accurate double moon phase display, deviating only by one day after 122 years. Positioned at 6 o’clock within the small seconds counter, the moon phases mirror how one would see them from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, complemented by a rotating night sky. There are two large date windows at 12 o’clock and a 24-hour counter at 9 o’clock. Endowed with the automatic L.U.C Calibre 96.13-L, it is one of the few perpetual calendars to boast a micro-rotor. The L.U.C Lunar One classes it up with a white or rose gold case with a salmon pink (with white gold) or blue (rose gold) guilloche sunburst dial. Dials that will prove your love for horology is set in stone…

Regardless of how exposed to or interested in the watch world they are, most people will have seen posters for the Swatch x Omega collaboration, or the Scuba Bioceramic Fifty Fathoms collection the brand launched with Blancpain. The brains behind many of these projects is long-time leader at Swatch Carlo Giordanetti: officially the CEO of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, a unique creative space that combines art, retail and hospitality, Giordanetti also orchestrates collaborations that bridge the worlds of watchmaking, art and culture, arranging partnerships with the likes of the Louvre in Paris, Omega, Blancpain and New York’s MoMA. His journey with Swatch began in Italy in 1987 as a sales and marketing executive, a job which allowed him to exercise his creativity by designing window displays. His…

It’s no secret that 2024 saw a slump in the luxury market. The times were alarming enough that they demanded a response, and different brands saw fit to answer that in very different ways. For some, there’s been a marked sharpening of focus, of narrowing in on a hyper-elite, ultra-wealthy clientele, with prices indicating the same. Other brands have gone the other way, and looked to volume. More, more and more—capsule collections, collaborations, market-specific launches, micro-trends, celebrity partnerships. While many love to paint the fashion industry as a monolith, the arc of the fashion world over the last decades has been slowly but surely moving towards what could almost be called diversity. Spaces in the higher echelons of fashion power have opened up to new players, younger players. A female…

I’m married but have never liked the term Mrs, an abbreviation of mistress. It indicates a woman’s marital status, while Mr does not. A Mr can be married or single—no one would know. A Mrs, however, makes a woman’s relationship status clear at once and immediately ties her to a man. It’s a small linguistic detail but one that reflects a larger reality—how women’s identities have historically been defined in relation to others. And yet, some women have never waited for language, tradition, or expectations to dictate their place in the world. At the heart of this issue are women who carve their own path, occupy their own space, and prove that their existence is not contingent on anyone else’s approval. At 62, actor and our cover personality Susan Lankester…

Leaders are often expected to perform at their highest potential, navigating challenges and making critical decisions daily. However, sustaining this level of performance requires more than just skill and determination—it demands a strong commitment to personal wellness. Physical health, mental resilience, and mindfulness are essential in maintaining clarity, focus, and motivation. Recognising this need, ĀMANÏ Wellness has emerged as a revolutionary space dedicated to biohacking and holistic well-being. Designed to help leaders optimise their performance and overall health, ĀMANÏ combines cutting-edge technology with a personalised approach to wellness. Biohacking—the art of optimising mind and body through targeted interventions—is no longer confined to Silicon Valley. At ĀMANÏ, this ethos is tailored for leaders seeking to elevate their potential. “Many already practice biohacks without realising it,” shares founder Yap Yann Fang, recounting…

Few names in Hollywood are as synonymous with strength and grace as Charlize Theron. An Academy Award-winning actress, producer, activist, and now the face of Dior Capture, she embodies a multifaceted modern woman. In an exclusive interview with Tatler Malaysia, Theron shares her thoughts on beauty, empowerment, and her unwavering commitment to self-care. For Theron, Dior transcends mere luxury—it’s a celebration of women in all their diversity. “Dior represents all women and consistently helps them feel beautiful and empowered, not just for special occasions but in their everyday lives,” she says. Theron adds that its products and social initiatives help women feel confident every day, and the new Capture campaign amplifies this message by honouring individuality: “It draws strength from within, revealing confidence through beautiful, youthful skin.” Having long advocated…

It would be remiss of us, in the Year of the Snake, not to highlight the release of a new Serpenti necklace from Bulgari. Coiling around the neck, this creation features five snakes, symbolising the five elemental forces of life. The lack of pronounced heads in the design maintains an unbroken flow—an infinite loop of serpents set in white gold. Featuring 42.94 carats of pavé-set diamonds and punctuated by onyx and 12.23 carats of rubies, the piece showcases Bulgari’s mastery of goldsmithing, gem setting and, of course, storytelling through high jewellery. Boho-chic baubles to give you a spring in your step this season…

The story of Ishbel Myerscough’s self-portrait, Ishbel, 2024, begins with an impulsive Instagram purchase: a dress. “I still can’t resist beautiful, sumptuous clothes,” the acclaimed British artist admits. But this was no ordinary outfit. “I put it on for an opening I wasn’t even sure I’d attend,” she recounts, describing how she paired the vibrant dress with unkempt hair and a tote bag covered in eyes. “To my amazement, it was like wearing an invisibility cloak, with the added strangeness of being the most visible person in the room.” The paradox struck her. People admired the dress, even photographed it. Yet, her face, hair, and figure remained invisible. “No one saw me,” she reflected. This moment encapsulated the riddle of ageing: the shifting societal gaze and the delicate balance between…

Artist: Francis Lee Watercolour Wild Trekking by Malaysian watercolourist Francis Lee offers a striking bird’s-eye view of Taman Negara, where the rainforest canopy meets the shoreline. Vivid forest greens bloom across the paper, intersected by a winding white path that dissolves into the overgrowth. At once instinctive and deliberate, each drip, swash, and splatter captures nature’s rhythm. The painting was featured in Lee’s 2024 debut solo exhibition, Damai, at Awegallery—a showcase of 31 impressionistic landscapes in watercolour, oil and mixed media. Damai, meaning “peace” in Bahasa, reflects Lee’s artistic ethos: serene, atmospheric and deeply contemplative. His simplified forms and verdant palettes evoke a quiet refuge. After a career in advertising, Lee embraced painting in his 40s, seeking to share the tranquillity he finds in nature. His works invite viewers into a world…