Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Robb Report Singapore

STEVE JOBS HAD his black Issey Miyake turtleneck. Daniel Ek, founder of Spotify, favours monochromatic basics. Even the divisive Donald Trump is instantly recognisable by his cottoncandy comb-over and oversized suits. These figures, though known more for boardroom battles than fashion runways, have cultivated personal styles so distinctive that stylists might wish they could bottle a touch of their (likely unintentional) sartorial magic. At Robb Report, we often wonder what it would be like for our readers—men and women who lead industries and redefine success—to express their distinction just as effortlessly through their wardrobes. Our Signature Style issue aims to explore what dressing well means in your world and what it truly entails. We begin, of course, with clothes. Specifically business wear, a category that remains the cornerstone of professional…

SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED THE ability to create synthetic diamonds back in 1954, and we’ve been arguing about them ever since. Not only about whether a man-made gemstone could be considered the same as one produced by geologic phenomenon over the course of eons—the two are chemically identical, after all, and indistinguishable to the naked eye— but also about whether it should be. Laboratory-grown stones have always seemed to solve for certain ethical and environmental conundrums within the diamond industry, but as human beings, we also like our rarities, well, rare. It’s a debate, in other words, over whether diamonds are still ‘forever’ if they’re also for everyone. But the market has seemingly made up its mind, at least when it comes to adornment. Allied Market Research valued the synthetic-diamond industry at…

In an origin story more reminiscent of a technology start-up than a luxury-leather-goods brand, Andrea Santoni founded his business in a garage with only five employees and the aim of scaling artisanal shoemaking—think of him as the Henry Ford of luxury footwear. The year was 1975 and Santoni was eager to differentiate his wares from the largely subdued offerings typically available to men. By adopting the Renaissance-era velatura painting technique, layering watercolour-like dyes onto leather before buffing the surface to a glassy sheen, Santoni quickly made a name for himself. Though initial offerings were heavy on inky blues and unusual browns, the atelier now offers a full spectrum of colours and treatments, ranging from saturated solids to dramatic ombres. Today, the artistic bent also extends to Santoni’s sophisticated shapes and…

SPEND FOUR DAYS with the Volvo EX30 and you may find yourself questioning everything you thought you knew about compact electric SUVs. As Volvo’s smallest SUV to date, it defies expectations—packing swift acceleration, Scandinavian elegance, and, most surprisingly, a genuinely engaging drive. Even for those accustomed to highperformance German machines, the EX30 is an unexpectedly compelling alternative. The EX30’s acceleration is what you’d expect from an electric vehicle (EV)—instantaneous and effortless. No hesitation, no fuss, just seamless, near-silent speed at the flex of your right foot. In its top-specification Twin Motor Performance variant, the EX30 dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in a blistering 3.4 seconds. That’s supercar territory. In a Volvo. Yet, the most impressive aspect isn’t just the speed—it’s the control. The EX30 feels planted, nimble in corners, and unwaveringly…

THANKS TO ADVANCEMENTS in small-scale manufacturing and broadening enthusiast appetite, the hypercar field today is more open to upstarts than it has been in recent memory—provided, of course, they can deliver the goods. Yet even among the current crop of disrupters, many of whom are going the electric route thanks to the lessexpensive development costs of electric vehicles, Ameerh Naran is marching to his own beat. The Zimbabwean CEO of aviation brokerage Vimana Private Jets also founded Naran Automotive and has come to market with his distinctive Naran hypercar. This bold, GT3-style performer presents a collection of idiosyncratic details, from the old-school twinturbo V8 engine—producing 1,048hp—to the preponderance of seats (there are four). But perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Naran’s vision is that buyers of his model, starting at…

If you happen to be wearing a Patek Philippe, an Audemars Piguet or virtually any watch from the approximately 700 brands operating in Switzerland, look carefully at the bottom of the dial and you’ll make out two tiny words: Swiss Made. If the timepiece is vintage, you might see the simpler label ‘Swiss’ or maybe the less-common construction ‘Made in Switzerland’, but over the past few decades, the phrase ‘Swiss Made’ has become the industry standard. Carefully regulated by the Swiss government, this seemingly straightforward code is meant to guarantee the origin of your watch-and, by association, a presumed superiority to those made anywhere else. Meanwhile, half a world away, Chinese factories are churning out millions of components that will find their way into many—maybe even most-watches carrying the Swiss…

THE PERFUMER DIPS a tester into one of the tiny glass vials aligned on the desk in front of him. There are dozens of them, with labels identifying various dilutions of compounds such as methyl geranate, phenyl acetate, and akigalawood. He brings the paper to his nose and inhales. “Once in a while, I try to introduce my palette to new ingredients, to see if they’re interesting enough to create something with,” Francis Kurkdjian says. “Most of the time, they’re not.” With that, he tosses the strip into the trash. To be a perfumer is to be a lifelong learner. Science advances, ingredients run out, regulations govern what you can (or can’t) use change. But Kurkdjian’s high standards and boundless curiosity have helped the 55-year-old become one of the industry’s…

FOR DECADES, THE Sackler family bestowed tens of millions of dollars on hallowed universities and museums in the US, the UK, Europe, and Asia. Their philanthropy extended to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Peking University, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Louvre, the British Museum, the Tate, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and the Serpentine, to name a few. As recognition for the billionaire pharmaceutical clan’s largesse, their name was plastered on galleries, wings, and rooms housing valuable artworks and artifacts—until information about the source of one branch’s wealth came to light. They owned and operated Purdue Pharma, maker of Oxycontin, the addictive supernova painkiller regarded as the kick-starter of the opioid crisis, which has claimed the lives of almost a million…

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY. ELEGANT design. Ingenious solutions. These hallmarks of luxury automobiles and haute horology are equally integral to Toto, a company that has redefined an essential aspect of daily life—the bathroom. When Toto was founded in Japan in 1917, the founders aimed to establish a brand that enhanced lifestyles and cultivated a culture centred around plumbing products. More than 100 years later, the company has continued its evolution by consistently launching state-of the-art products that elevate bathroom experiences. Revolutionary comfort and hygiene Among its most groundbreaking innovations is the Washlet TCF47360GSG, which has transformed bathroom habits since its debut in 1980. For the uninitiated, a Washlet is a high-tech toilet seat equipped with a built-in bidet, heated seat, and remote control—ushering in a new standard of comfort and hygiene. Designed…

Wakuda For chef Tetsuya Wakuda, the mastermind behind the acclaimed Waku Ghin, Wakuda is a playground where tradition meets modernity in Japanese cuisine. Innovation and the world’s finest ingredients—botan shrimp, Patagonian toothfish, A5 Wagyu—take centre stage, culminating in a menu that is as exquisite as it is indulgent. With executive chef Pavel Nigai at the helm, Wakuda unveils a refreshed menu brimming with refined interpretations of Japanese gastronomy. Embark on a journey through Wakuda’s extraordinary flavours with an extensive selection of nigiri, noodles, yakimono, and more. For those not ready to commit to the 10-course chef’s menu, a curated selection of must-try dishes awaits. Begin with the signature Flan, a silky, savoury egg custard punctuated by bursts of juicy sweetness from grilled Japanese white corn. Follow with the Hokkaido Scallop…

Time Vault As Switzerland’s premier clockmaker since 1839, L’Epée has long been celebrated for its mastery of kinetic sculptures and avant-garde complications, blending artistry with engineering. This watch box is no exception, housed in a transparent casing that not only showcases your treasured timepiece but also reveals the intricate mechanics within. With the push of a button, the case opens gracefully, lifting the watch into view. Inspired by the precision movements of high-end mechanical timepieces, its exposed gears and levers transform it into an objet d’art in its own right. Written In The Stars The Arceau Petite Lune, a diamondstudded timepiece of poetic refinement, again exemplifies Hermès’s mastery of both aesthetics and technical savoir-faire. Housed within a 38mm asymmetrical Arceau case—a homage to Hermès’s equestrian heritage—the gradient blue-lacquer dial is…

IMAGINE A MODERN automotive showroom: sleek, almost clinical, and designed solely for transactions. For decades, these spaces have followed a tried-and-tested formula. After all, why change what works? Audi, however, has embraced a far more ambitious approach. Enter the Audi House of Progress Singapore, a visionary concept that upends convention by placing brand experience at its heart. Strategically located at the crossroads of the central business district and historic Chinatown at Cross Street Exchange, the House of Progress stands as an experiential hub that embodies the marque’s innovative spirit. Built around core pillars—Performance, Lifestyle, Sports, and Dining—the House of Progress seamlessly melds motorsport heritage, curated events, interactive experiences, and gourmet indulgences. The Audi Performance Suite, for example, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the brand’s motorsport DNA, with a rotating…

PRIVATE AVIATION HAS long carried an air of predictability. The image of leisurely magnates luxuriating in mahogany-lined interiors while sipping champagne may be a little embellished, but it does ring true. Yet, change is in the air. Today’s private flyers paint a more dynamic picture. No longer the exclusive domain of seasoned executives, private jet travel now caters to a new generation of fast-moving entrepreneurs who view their aircraft as a vital extension of their lifestyle and business. Couple this with an increasingly globalised world and the emergence of new markets in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, and you have a renewed standard in the world of private flying. “We are seeing changes in demographics and the sources of wealth,” says Simon Bambridge, commercial director of TAG Aviation. “Fifteen years ago,…

IN YACHTING, AS elsewhere, ‘sustainability’ has become a go-to buzzword, typically more bluster than breakthrough. Alternative methods of propulsion—hydrogen fuel cells and green methanol for superyachts, say, or diesel-electric power for vessels under 100ft—have been discussed for years, yet are often dismissed by builders as too complex and expensive. But now a band of pioneering yards and owners are designing never-beforeseen eco-friendlier systems with the technical bona fides to be legitimate game changers. They not only reduce emissions but also offer other tangible benefits over the status quo, from silent anchoring to smoother manoeuvring. Here, three yachts charting a course for the future, today. Sanlorenzo 50 Steel | 164ft Reformer fuel-cell technology Sanlorenzo’s executive chairman, Massimo Perotti, has been so resolute about sustainability that he built the world’s first methanol-powered…

ONE ENTITY IS among the most revered luxury houses of all time, boasting a centuries-old legacy. The other, an independent watchmaking brand established just 20 years ago with the aim of challenging traditional mindsets. Yet, when the worlds of Bvlgari and MB&F collide, the result isn’t one of incongruity, but brimming with kindred dynamism and creativity. In 2021, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, director of watchmaking creation at Bvlgari, and Maximilian Büsser, founder and creative director of MB&F, introduced the MB&F x Bvlgari LM FlyingT Allegra. This marked the start of a fascinating collaboration between Bvlgari’s vibrant world of high jewellery and MB&F’s avant-garde Legacy Machines. The successful coupling has led to a second collaboration with the launch of the Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti timepiece, a reimagining of Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti collection…

AP HOUSE, LOCATED in the former Bar and Billiard Room at Raffles Hotel, features multiple concepts: a home, a bar, a cafe, an art gallery, and a boutique—all woven together as an experiential extension of the Swiss watchmaking house, Audemars Piguet, which has taken over the historic space and transformed it into a gathering place where visitors can explore the brand’s rich legacy and origins. Arguably one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, Raffles Hotel, established in 1887, is often referred to as the Grande Dame of Singapore, having hosted countless dignitaries and celebrities over the years. Its echoes of heritage and tradition align perfectly with Audemars Piguet’s values, making it an ideal setting for AP House. The project began in 2022, with construction starting in mid-2024. The Bar and…

SARA MAESTRELLI HAD passed the building regularly since she was a child. It was next door to Tennis Roma, a racket club in the charming Tuscan beach resort of Forte dei Marmi, where she has played every summer since she was old enough to swing. For decades, her family has owned and operated one of this town’s finest five-star hotels, Villa Roma Imperiale. By contrast, the structure near the courts had, over time, become run-down. Previously a lively hotel, it was now nearly abandoned. Pigeons had taken up residence on the crumbling walls and there was a rusty car sitting in the overgrown garden. But Maestrelli couldn’t shake her fascination with the place and, after several attempts, reached an agreement with the owners, who lived on the first floor, to…

THE INDUSTRIAL ITALIAN port of Fusina, with its vast Tetris-like assemblage of rows upon rows of cargo containers, is as nondescript as they come. But this tiny, dozy town is the gateway for cruises to Venice. It’s here, after a 30-minute car transfer from Marco Polo Airport, where I meet Crystal Symphony, a 781ft eight-deck moving palace on water. As on most other cruise ships, the first ‘official’ task every guest must do is adhere to the safety drill. When the sirens ring, I find myself hanging out on the outer deck by the port with my designated group of passengers as silvery light fades on a fresh November day. No one has thought to bring a jacket and, as the minutes go by, the wind chill increases; men (New…

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” – Gore Vidal…

Poring over the Montblanc Masters of Art Homage to Pierre-Auguste Renoir collection, one is struck by its masterful interplay of artistic eras. In previous Masters of Art Homage editions, where Montblanc commemorated the lives and times of Vincent van Gogh and Gustav Klimt, the handcrafted writing instruments evoked the artists’ singular vision with motifs, colours, and design features that echo their unique styles. With the homages to Pierre-Auguste Renoir, however, the aesthetic twists are far more pronounced—but justifiably so. Although Renoir is one of the most highly regarded artists of the 19th century—the Frenchman founded the Impressionism movement in the 1870s and inspired many artists, among them, Henri Matisse and van Gogh—his journey was one of constant transformation. From establishing and then subsequently renouncing the Impressionism movement to pivoting from…

THE SHELBY COBRA is on the short list of the world’s most pivotal cars. A simple, diminutive powerhouse born from automotive visionary Carroll Shelby’s quest for a stateside David to Europe’s racing Goliaths, the model’s 1962 prototype, serial number CSX2000, sold through RM Sotheby’s for US$13.75 million in 2016. Now, Shelby Legendary Cars of Irvine, California, is producing an extremely limited run of only 10 continuation examples based on that benchmark. The Shelby Cobra CSX2000 Tribute Series Roadster, priced from US$450,000 minus the power train, is built on its namesake’s original blueprints, which paired an agile British AC Ace with a ripsnorting Ford small-block V8. The result boasts hand-formed ‘slab side’ aluminium body panels that contrast with the swelling wings of later Cobras equipped with big-block V8 power. Under the…

THE FAMILY RESEMBLANCE between Dassault’s Rafale fighter and its new Falcon 10X business jet is evident—and intentional. Engineers borrowed heavily from the French airframer’s warbird to give its latest civilian aircraft the crisp handling and short-field capabilities that Dassault’s combat jet is known for. The new Falcon is the largest, most powerful business jet that Dassault has designed, created to compete in the ultra-longrange category, which includes recent launches from Bombardier, Gulfstream, Airbus Corporate Jets, and Boeing Business Jets. Dassault’s military features are major differentiators between the 10X and its competition in private aviation’s most elite class. “The same aerodynamic specialists are involved in our fighter and Falcon development,” says Carlos Brana, executive vice president of civil aircraft for Dassault. Similar to the Rafale, the 10X has multiple control surfaces…

THE VINTAGE HI-FI market has never been more active, with some historic components—namely vacuum-tube amplifiers and horn-loaded loudspeakers—now commanding exponential multiples of their original prices. Meanwhile, listening bars, long popular in Japan, are cropping up from New York City to Los Angeles, spinning cool-jazz LPs on classic systems as the bartenders pour Scotch whisky far younger than the audio gear itself. Evidently, there is something almost magical about music’s reproduction through the finest decades-old components that contemporary audiophiles find intoxicating. And it’s not just nostalgia. “Vintage systems can be more engaging,” says renowned loudspeaker designer Andrew Jones, whose innovative work for such audio houses as KEF, Infinity, TAD, Pioneer, Elac, and MoFi has advanced the industry. According to Jones, such equipment requires “patience, dedication, and involvement”. Loudspeakers such as the…

THE RESIDENCES AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BALI INDONESIA Mandarin Oriental is collaborating with Indonesian real estate developer, Harmoni Bali, on its first branded resort and private residences project on the Island of the Gods. Located 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai international airport, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, and Sanur, the development is scheduled to open in 2027 in the southern coast. Residents can expect to enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean as the resort and residences will be set on a cliffside plateau of elevated terraces on the picturesque Bukit peninsula. The Residences will occupy an eight-hectare plot above the resort and will comprise 68 villas with three to six bedrooms. A residents-only clubhouse will provide exclusive perks, such as a gym and swimming pool, function spaces and family zones, and a co-working…

BROWSING ART BOOKS on a chilly day can be as satisfying as hitting a string of gallery shows. Done right, their unique blend of images, text, and graphic design opens new windows into creative minds. This season offers plentiful options, with in-depth biographies, thematic histories, and exhaustive anthologies among the choices. And don’t be afraid to stray from the establishment publishers for titles that will never so much as flirt with bestseller lists. In case you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve included one such gem found off the beaten path in our round-up here. Mondrian By Nicholas Fox Weber This new, deeply researched biography (US$40) from a respected art historian traces the iconoclastic painter Piet Mondrian from his strict Calvinist upbringing in the rural Netherlands of the late 1800s to his…

WHILE SOME BELIEVE that fashion is inherently ephemeral, the truth of the matter is more nuanced. Timeless design, when paired with artisanal craftsmanship, creates evergreen ensembles. Tod’s, the Italian house known for its stylish designs, conveyed this notion when it presented its latest ready-to-wear collections to a discerning group of Robb Report Singapore readers in February. Beginning with a short presentation on the house’s heritage and philosophy, the evening transitioned into a showcase of Tod’s latest collections. Our readers were introduced to a selection of refined looks—tailored outerwear, soft cashmere knits, and the brand’s signature leather accessories—each embodying the timeless essence of Italian style and panache. Several pieces, including a supple Pashmy shirt jacket and the brand’s iconic Gommino driving shoes, caught the eye, with guests taking the opportunity to…