Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Robb Report Singapore

MASK ON OR mask off? I am amazed by how I still think about it, though not as often these days. But each time someone shows up at a party or a meeting wearing one, the warning sign in my head flickers to life and I start making quick-fire risk assessments to see which way I lean. So, to wear or not to wear. However we decide, we convince ourselves of two things. One, we have the freedom to choose. And two, we are adamant that the choice we make is in the best interest of our health. Personally, when it comes to such matters, I tend not to take things lightly. After all, health is wealth and it ought to be the most precious thing we protect. Within these…

Like the world's most precious gemstones, tattoos last forever. And courtesy of Simone Jewels, these two disparate worlds come together in riotous fashion. The brand's latest “one-in-the-world” jewellery collection, Tattoo, is a vivacious celebration of the art of permanent ink and what it represents. Butterfly wings, skulls and flames are among the body art-inspired motifs that founder Simone Ng and her team have brought to life in the unisex collection. Centred around the themes of love, courage, beauty and life, standout pieces include the Courage of Life choker necklace in white gold with diamonds that resembles a crown of thorns and Beauty of Courage, a gold dagger-shaped brooch set with a chrome tourmaline, tanzanite and diamonds. Our favourite, however, is the Beauty of Life secret ring. Evoking a classic Americana-style…

ON THE THIRD night of my camel trek from Jaisalmer, India, figures from the desert materialised in our camp: an old man swaddled in shawls and a boy clutching a plastic oil canister. Greetings made, they sat by our fire. From his shawls, the man pulled out two flutes and began to play—a fluid, warbling melody over a low drone. The boy drummed his empty canister, producing booms and gulps like a tabla. Sparks crackled. The sky boiled with stars. In the intense silence between songs, you could hear the infinity of the universe. Although wrapped in a blanket, I had goose bumps. What I was experiencing was awe—and according to a recent book, it was more profound than you might imagine. In Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder…

IF IT SEEMS as though you're being bombarded with more and more methods of buying your way into a longer life, full of enhanced and extended vitality, well, you are. “I think the amount of science emerging in our understanding of longevity—the reframing of ageing as a disease, in a sense, as a phenomenon that can be treated—is really exciting,” says Mark Hyman, MD, a longevity specialist. His new book, Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life, argues that we can become biologically younger, even as we age chronologically, by eating the right foods, prioritising sleep and exercise and trying some of the therapies described at right. (He is 63, with an alleged chronological age two decades younger, and plans to still be active at 100.) As…

IN 2021, MISCHA and Linda van der Vliet spent a year on their 80ft sailing catamaran, Kokomo, with their three children. During that extended adventure exploring the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, the kids—then aged nine, 11 and 12—were homeschooled for 20 hours each week. “We took it seriously because we didn't want them to fall behind,” says Mischa, who adds that the kids “soon adapted to the routine”. The van der Vliets are part of an increasing number of families going on extended sabbaticals while also taking advantage of the numerous educational programmes available. “Tutoring at sea has become much more common since people are spending more time on their yachts,” says Angus Gibson, who heads the Monaco office of Carfax Education. The London firm recently partnered with broker Burgess…

FOR ANY SPORT and fitness brand, the greatest co-sign is perhaps that of the Olympic Games. That's a proud honour that Technogym has held since 2000 as the official supplier to the Games. The company has come a long way from 1983, when Nerio Alessandri designed and built his first machine in his garage at the age of 22. He cofounded Technogym with his brother Pierluigi, naming their company after his twin passions: technology (‘Techno’) and sports (‘gym’). Today, the brand is a leader in the fitness solutions space, though Nerio prefers the word ‘wellness’. He coined that term in the 1990s to describe a holistic philosophy and approach to exercise and health. It's roughly inspired by the Latin phrase ‘mens sana in corpore sano‘, which translates to a healthy…

The Goods | TIME BEAUTY OR BRAWN? Do we really have to choose? For far too long, watch brands have erred on the side of caution when it comes to making watches, picking one over the other while falling short on both. Perhaps independent brand Richard Mille has been pondering this for a while, too. After all, the 22-year-old Swiss watchmaker had practically built its entire legacy on hyper-macho, testosterone-charged timepieces. The worlds of Formula One racing, men's tennis and professional cycling are its playgrounds. And alpha males at the top of their game, like sprinter Yohan Blake, golfer Bubba Watson and musician Pharrell Williams, are its ambassadors. Maybe this is why it has taken Richard Mille 22 years to roll out its first sports watch for women. Clearly, it…

IT'S BEEN said that despite our many strengths— efficient, organised, dynamic, technology-driven, to name a few—Singapore isn't a nation for creatives. But Danilo Giannoni of Arte Oro begs to differ. The Italian jewellery designer has made Singapore a base for his bespoke jewellery business since 2017. Even though it was fate that first drew him here, rather than all-out strategic planning, our Garden City has proven itself well worth the early investment for the master jeweller. “When I was working in Italy, Singapore was a fascinating city. Maybe because there are a lot of important jewellery clients here in the area, such as the Sultan of Brunei,” he recalls. Before Arte Oro, Giannoni spent almost three decades working with some of his home country's most established high-end jewellers, such as…

Ready for Take-off Champions always look beyond the horizon, as is the case with footballing legend Lionel Messi, who fronts Louis Vuitton's Horizons Never End campaign. The world champion is lensed by fashion photographer and film-maker Glen Luchford on an airport tarmac, with the new Horizon suitcase as a trusty travel companion. Originally conceived by designer Marc Newson in 2016, the maison‘s travel collection has been thoughtfully updated with ultralightweight cases made of moulded mesh composite, dressed in specially developed Monogram or Damier canvas in cowhide leather trim. Elegant With a Twist At Alexander McQueen, creative director Sarah Burton revels in the dissection of traditional tailoring, while retaining an emphasis on modern craftsmanship. This applies to single-breasted tailored jackets in solarised flower prints, as much as it does to trompe…

ONE&ONLY PRIVATE HOMES PORTONOVI HERCEG NOVI, MONTENEGRO What do you get when two premium brands come together at one of the world's most beautiful resorts? Chenot Espace at Portonovi, the result of an exclusive global partnership between leading health and wellness expert brand Chenot, and ultraluxury resort brand One&Only. Portonovi is a tranquil Mediterranean-style village spread across 26 hectares in Boka Bay. Besides a beach club, marina and gourmet restaurants, it is also home to Europe's first One&Only resort, which includes 10 private residences for sale. Designed by multi-award-winning Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston International Architects, with interiors by leading global design firm, Hirsch Bedner Associates, each One&Only Private Home has a private jetty, swimming pool and beach leading to the Adriatic Sea. A personal concierge will look after the needs…

The Resource | SAVOUR IT'S ALWAYS A good time to indulge in whisky and an even better time to be an investor. Buying a whisky cask can lead to good returns, but when money is the bottom line, you can't trust every investment broker out there. Those who don't know better risk paying too much for unremarkable casks. That was Simon Aron years ago. An entrepreneur and whisky collector of over 25 years, Aron suffered enough losses to know that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Which led him to founding Cask Trade in 2018, a marketplace that prides itself on honesty, transparency and a stock list packed with over 200 casks from more than 90 Scottish distilleries at any one time. Collectors, investors…

OBJECTIFIED Good art should always take you someplace else. In that regard, Arceau Story is Hermès's latest teleportation tool. Encased in rose gold and diamonds, the lovingly decorated watch draws you into a wild and wonderful world. The dial shows a tiger surrounded by butterflies, a hummingbird, turtle, praying mantis and peacock. Incongruous but enchanting, the watch invites you to conjure your imagination and make sense of the scene. The work that goes into crafting the watch, however, is far less ambiguous. The tiger motif alone takes five days of work, pieced together by way of marquetry that combines over 290 pieces of tiny pieces of wood ranging from maple to sycamore. The fantastical cast of creatures surrounding the feline, on the other hand, is depicted with a combination of…

Objectified Soon to be dominating the high seas with runway-imbued resplendence is this one-of-a-kind megayacht designed by Giorgio Armani. An all-Italian affair, this 72m custom-built boat, scheduled for delivery in early 2024, will be the first of two megayachts designed by Armani in collaboration with Admiral, a renowned builder operating under the auspices of The Italian Sea Group. Armani likens the project to crafting a made-to-measure suit—“with the same craftsmanship applied to the choice of materials, details and production”—and his creativity and attention to detail shows. The yacht's exterior, while dramatic and imposing, is elegant. Within its light-filled spaces, courtesy of large, full-height glazed openings, are lounges and facilities (including a gym and spa) that flow harmoniously into one another. Unveiled at a private event at Marina di Carrara in…

THE FITNESS ISSUE Every time you log in to your social media accounts, catch up with friends and family, or even speak to your doctor, you'll probably hear about a new health regimen, super-food or exercise routine that will supposedly help you achieve the body of your dreams. Some are scams and others are newfangled trends, but many others are backed by peer-reviewed studies. Yet, a disappointing narrative runs in between the newspaper clippings, high-pitched testimonials and influencer videos—‘It didn't work for me’. And the reason for that is, as cliched as this sounds, that everybody is different, every body is unique, and what may work for one may very well not work for another. But what if you could make a meaningful difference in your health, wellbeing and life?…

Dream Machines | WHEELS THE PREMISE IS simple: present a vision of the automotive future that challenges convention and is so fantastical that it sparks instantaneous demand. Harley Earl's Buick Y-Job pioneered the idea in 1938, and Mercedes-Benz's stunning Vision AVTR offers a 21st-century rejoinder. Unlike Earl's singularly auteurist creation, the AVTR is the product of a complex collaboration between the world's oldest carmaker and the team behind the most commercially successful movie of all time, Avatar. Wildly detailed and radically executed, the one-off creation features exceptionally imaginative styling and visceral appeal. It also ticks another simple but critical box that many marques skip with their future-focused flights of fancy: it can move under its own power. First presented at CES in 2020, the concept was recently reintroduced in conjunction…

IF THE TAO of Instagram has taught us anything, it is that there is no better backdrop to flaunt your watch than against the wheel of a souped-up sports car. And we get it. Watches and cars are cut from the same cloth: the precision, the engineering and the sexy athleticism when both combine. It is no secret, too, for the world's most desired watch brands and their motoring counterparts. This is why, when both horological and motoring worlds decide to get in sync, the results can really set our hearts racing. ROGER DUBUIS Excalibur Spider Huracán Sterrato Monobalancier Some marriages just make sense. Roger Dubuis, a watch brand that thrives on technical and design ostentation, and Lamborghini, known for pushing the limits with over-the-top styling and road performance, are…

Henry Jacques Rafael Nadal N° 1 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal needs no introduction, but do say hi to his first collaboration with haute perfumer, Henry Jacques. The collection, dubbed In All Intimacy, consists of three exquisite fragrances: Maria Perello (named after Nadal's wife), Rafael Nadal N° 1 and Rafael Nadal N° 2. The sports-enthused should go for Rafael Nadal N° 1, a light, sprightly scent of herbs, lavender, citrus, wood and leather. A light spritz before a match and you'll arrive feeling like you're the king of the court. Bulgari Man Glacial Essence Created to encapsulate the different facets of masculinity, Bulgari's Man collection aims to get alpha males in touch with their most authentic, primal selves. Crafted by master perfumer Alberto Morillas, the collection encompasses four distinct scents, built around…

SOME OF THE world's most collectible and coveted whiskies are from distilleries that no longer exist. Known as ‘ghost distilleries’, their legacy lives on in the precious liquid left behind. Once that's gone, you know it's time to give up the ghost for good. From the Lowlands of Scotland is Ladyburn, both a lost gem and holy grail. Considered technologically advanced when it opened in 1966, the small-scale, modern distillery was equipped with stainless steel washbacks for hygiene and efficiency, and an on-site maltings facility for quality control. It produced spirit exclusively from malted barley for a brief nine years until 1975, making it the oldest Lowland whisky on the market and one of the rarest single-malt Scotch bottlings today. There are reportedly fewer than 200 casks left in the…

ALL ROADS LEADING to Rome, it was perhaps inevitable that the Ryder Cup, golf's most prestigious event, would eventually swing by the Eternal City. But when the 44th edition of the biennial event, the first in Italy, gets going at Rome's newly redeveloped Marco Simone Golf & Country Club this September, the American and European teams won't just be competing for continental supremacy. Organisers say they'll also be playing for the future of Italian golf. “Golf doesn't have a huge awareness in Italy,” says Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour's Ryder Cup director. “It's the 16th most popular pastime. We want to improve that.” It won't be easy. According to a survey of the world's golf courses by The R&A, one of the sport's governing bodies, Italy has just 321…

Objectified Montblanc's stunning Masters of Art Homage to Vincent van Gogh Limited Edition 8 writing instrument reminds us of the painter's genius as well as Montblanc's own decorative prowess. Akin to holding a three-dimensional vessel of van Gogh's painting in your palm, the writing instrument's 18k gold cap and barrel are sheathed in royal blue lacquer that mimic the patterns and brush strokes of his masterpiece, Wheatfield with Crows. On the barrel, one finds an engraving of the artist's signature and his quote that reads: “Le tableau me vient comme dans un rêve.” (“The painting comes to me as if in a dream.”) Elsewhere, the rhodiumcoated clip is crafted in the likeness of van Gogh's palette knife. A variety of gemstones and marquetry work add a final flourish, topped with…

ASK ANY GOOD trainer what the future of fitness looks like and you're likely to hear that it bears more than a passing resemblance to the present. For many wellness professionals, the math is simple. The old equation—more movement, the right food, adequate sleep—always has, and always will, add up to improved physical condition. But ask elite trainers—the medal-winning sports champions, published kinesiologists and others at the absolute top of the game—and the answers sound a lot different. They'll expound upon the lesser-known nuances of the field, the rarefied insight that sends the most serious clients—celebrities who need to look amazing on camera, athletes pushing the limits of human potential and high-flying executives trying to fend off Old Father Time—flocking their way. So Robb Report assembled four of the world's…

THE FITNESS ISSUE It was when the chocolate mousse with extra chocolate arrived that I realised this was a diet plan I could stick to. Upon inquiry, I discovered the decadent dessert was actually a cacao-and-avocadobased foam, but it looked and tasted just like the real thing. The confectionary doppelganger is typical of the signature High-Speed Weight Loss programme at the Lily of the Valley wellness resort on France's Côte d'Azur in that it plays with guests’ assumptions—in this case, a low-calorie, nutrition-infused morsel masquerading as a lavish gastronomic experience. The resort, near Saint-Tropez, is open yearround, unusual in the strictly seasonal Riviera. I travelled there from the UK in late autumn, hoping to catch a few final Mediterranean rays before the long grey winter set in. After I'd spent…

Moncler Trailgrip Sneakers Moncler's Trailgrip champions its mountaineering roots. Like last season's debut range, this year's sneakers retain the Gore-Tex covering and proprietary Vibram Megagrip outsole. A summeroriented update comes in the form of a breathable mesh and lightweight fabrics on the upper. But that's not all. The Trailgrip has also gotten more colourful, sporting a new range of vivid hues, including a purple with pink and aqua blue accents as well as a neon-green variant. Nike x Comme des Garçons Terminator High Having previously co-opted Nike's famed silhouettes like Dunk Low and Air Max Sunder in its designs, it comes as no surprise that Comme des Garçons has now decided to give Terminator a go. The model was originally conceived in 1985 as a special-edition sneaker for the Georgetown…

UNLIKE BATTERY-POWERED cars, electric boats haven't much made their way onto the scene, despite the earliest model having appeared in the 1830s, roughly the same time as the first electric car. Yet, a sea change may finally be on the way as the first generation of zero-emissions, commercially available electric boats hits the water. Aside from eschewing fossil fuel, these newcomers offer easy maintenance, boast lower operational costs and allow for remote trouble-shooting and software updates. But the most striking common denominator across these three vessels? The smart, devil-in-the-detail designs. Voltari 260 The US$450,000 Voltari 260 is designed around a performance hull that made the Pantera brand an offshore legend. But this boat, made from 100 per cent carbon fibre, is 998kg lighter than a conventional fibreglass lay-up. Two electric…

JUST AS FASHION designers are judged by their seasonal roll-outs, watch companies’ head honchos, too, are scrutinised at every annual watch fair, critiqued based on the timepieces that bear their horological vision. Though it is still early days for Laurent Lecamp, there is strong evidence that he isn't shy about imbuing a bit of his personality into Montblanc's watches. The 45-year-old is into his second year as the managing director of Montblanc's watch division. In his time, the company's watches appear to have taken on a more sportive spirit— informed in no small way by Lecamp's passion for outdoor sports and the mountains. At last year's Watches And Wonders, Montblanc debuted the Iced Sea. A new collection of dive watches certified to ISO 6425 standards, the timepieces’ standout feature is…

The Goods | JEWELLERY CAMELLIAS, THE ICONIC No. 5 perfume, feathers, comets, the lion and even grains of wheat are some of Gabrielle Chanel's all-time favourite emblems that have inspired the company's high jewellery collections in recent years. With this latest creation, austerely named 1932, Chanel spotlights a specific moment in time when its founder had crafted a full collection of high jewellery—indeed, her very first—that looked like nothing else in existence at the time. A modern homage to Gabrielle Chanel's inaugural Bijoux de Diamants collection, it espouses a fundamental core value of the maison, which puts fashion and adornment at the service of style, comfort and freedom of movement. Whether with Bijoux de Diamants or the new Collection 1932, the pieces are designed to be transformable in order to…

Dr Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum Part of the cult skincare label's new Vitamin C Lactic range, this breakthrough antioxidant-rich serum combines lactic acid with 15 per cent L-ascorbic acid, along with instrumental licorice and mulberry extracts to smoothen wrinkles, diminish dark spots, strengthen the moisture barrier and firm up the skin. Clarins Precious La Crème Anti-Ageing Moisturiser The rare moonlight flower—also known as the queen of the night—blossoms once yearly. Harnessing the flower's potent cryoextract, Clarins’ anti-ageing moisturiser for women is enriched with a host of natural ingredients like leaf of life, acerola seeds, organic oat sugars and Persian silk tree extract to effectively restore skin radiance and longevity. Dolce Violet Eau de Toilette A delicate eau de toilette for women that…

IT IS A Saturday night and reservations for your favourite Michelin-starred diner have been backed up for months. But your appetite will not be satiated anywhere else. And, really, why settle for less? Compromise is not an option, assures UOB. So, for a select cognoscenti of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), the leading ASEAN bank is extending an invitation to own its refreshed UOB Reserve Card. Offering cardholders unparalleled, best-inclass experiences and privileges, the UOB Reserve Card—and its advanced tier Diamond iteration for cardholders with more than S$1 million spend per membership year—promises to surpass expectations of exclusivity and extravagance. For one, gastronomic desires will be well-served. The card's Reserve Dining privilege grants members access with pre-booked seats at hard-to-reserve Michelin-starred restaurants and dining experiences in Singapore. Renowned establishments including Burnt Ends,…

28 Wilkie Back in the day, we never ate much with Champagne beyond caviar, canapes or nothing at all. But what used to be reserved for celebrations and occasions has become something to be enjoyed every day, whether it's at brunch or over some fried chicken. And when the time calls for a fancy night out with some bubbly, do yourself a favour and book a spot at 28 Wilkie. The one-Michelin-starred restaurant, led by the young and unassuming Seth Lai, dresses Japanese produce in modern European elegance. It is also offering a dedicated Dom Pérignon dinner until 13 June. For S$468, you'll get to experience the best of spring and delicate flavours of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2013 (which can be yours for S$338 at Crystal Wines). This vintage marks…

Special Feature SINCE THE ISLAND country opened its doors to tourists in 1972, the Maldives has become the pinnacle of luxury destinations. Over the past five decades, travellers from all over the world have fallen in love with its crystalline waters, pristine beaches and dazzling views of the constellations, all accompanied by the unyielding hospitality inherent in Maldivian culture. With a collection of more than 1,000 islands in the Indian Ocean, it has also become a celebrity hideout for icons such as Sir Paul McCartney and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Maldives has successfully secured the title of the World's Leading Destination for the third year in a row at the World Travel Awards 2022—an admirable feat considering the challenges faced by the hospitality industry worldwide since the onset of the pandemic.…