Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i Robb Report Singapore

THE THING ABOUT expressions of art and design is that we are always presented with the finished work. There they are: in gilded frames, on marble plinths, in shopping vitrines, or marking out new skylines—unveiled and ready for us to assess, often at a moment’s notice, whether they please the eye. Working on this month’s Art & Design issue, I found myself returning to the question of process versus perception. In times like these, the scales seem unfairly tipped against the creator. Imagine, for a moment, an oncologist announcing a cure for cancer—then asking the rest of the world if they liked what he had done. The very premise feels absurd. Science, after all, deals in evidence and absolutes. It does not answer to taste or trends, nor does it…

IT WAS LATE in life, perhaps 1977, when I discovered this avatar, this shocking touchstone of enormous vision, endless taste, and shattering style: the Baroness Pauline de Rothschild. This experience changed my life and my entire approach to creativity as a designer and an artist. Pauline de Rothschild, Elsa Peretti, and Diana Vreeland are the three women who shaped my work for the rest of my life. My study of Pauline began with American Vogue magazine, December 1963. The holiday issue was always an explosion of editor in chief Vreeland’s vision, as she was the Enchantress of Fashion Journalism. For this particular edition, she sent the photographer Horst P Horst and his partner, Valentine Lawford, to Château Mouton Rothschild to capture how Pauline and Baron Philippe lived in their private…

WHEN ROLLS-ROYCE embraces electrification, it does so with all the ceremony and splendour befitting the world’s most prestigious carmaker. Case in point: the new Black Badge Spectre, which made its dazzling Singapore debut in April at a private showcase held at New Bahru, a creative lifestyle enclave. The Black Badge Spectre marks a new chapter for the marque—one that fuses the power of electrification with the prestige of Black Badge engineering. It is, quite simply, the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built. And yes, it still feels every bit a Rolls-Royce. With 659hp at the ready in its innovative Infinity Mode and 1,075Nm of torque instantly delivered to all four wheels in Spirited Mode, the Spectre is a force to be reckoned with. It glides from standstill to 100km/h in just…

THERE WAS A period when Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos found it hard to hold on to a watch. The prominent collector and dealer would often post pictures on social media of the uncommon, sculptural timepieces she purchased for herself. But every time, clients of her eponymous jewellery gallery—New York City’s Mahnaz Collection-would hound her into selling them. “They found those photographs and they are just diligent in bothering me,” she says with a laugh, adding that some would simply persist until she changed her mind about letting them go. In response to that demand, her Madison Avenue space began offering its first formal collection of unique watches in March, curated with the same rigour and studious eye Ispahani Bartos has applied to sourcing rare jewellery. (Her speciality is the hard-to-find fare…

WHEN DOES A house become a home? According to Lema, it’s the moment a space transforms into a living experience— one that breathes, welcomes, and protects. It’s where design becomes personal, where form meets function, and where every detail fosters an emotional connection to its surroundings. For those seeking inspiration in furnishing their home, Lema presents Feel at Home, an editorial project that transcends the traditional catalogue. It is an immersive book that delves into the Lema universe through curated settings and intricate design touches, each element contributing to a renewed vision of contemporary living. A leading name in Italian design since 1970, Lema has remained a family-run company for four generations. Known for pioneering modular systems such as Armadio al Centimetro and Selecta, the brand personifies elegance through its…

IN A YEAR marked by global headwinds, CIMB Group has started with much assuredness and clarity. The Group’s 2024 results, released in February, were impressive: a net profit of RM7.73 billion, up 10.7 per cent from the previous year, and return on average equity (ROE) of 11.2 per cent. Closer to home, CIMB Singapore reported a record ROE of 19.9 per cent for the country in 2024. For Victor Lee, CEO of CIMB’s Growth Markets and Singapore, the numbers are further proof that strategic recalibration, not blind pursuit, is what delivers enduring success. Lee reminds us that the results emerged after several challenging years, no thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, which demanded that the company reassess its business strategies with a combination of patience and acumen. “I use these Malay…

AT THE RECENT Gems of Tuscany wine tasting, hosted by Angra Wine & Spirit, Alessandro Mori— one of Montalcino’s most revered winemakers— poured selections from his Il Marroneto estate, all the while extolling the virtues of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino. Driven by a deep passion for wine and the family legacy, Alessandro now oversees the estate founded by his father, Giuseppe, who was captivated by a 13th-century tower once used to dry marroni, a prized variety of chestnut. The tower not only lent its name to the estate— Il Marroneto—but also became the heart of a property offering sweeping views from the city of Siena to Orcia Valley. Enchanted by the site’s history and beauty, Giuseppe acquired the small farm on which the tower stood. Over the…

CREATIVE CONTROL IS often seen as a luxury. An ideal that feels out of reach amid technical constraints and commercial realities, conventional wisdom suggests that there are boundaries that even the boldest ideas cannot cross. Bvlgari, however, begs to differ. This conviction set the tone for an intimate evening at its Marina Bay Sands boutique, where a select group of Robb Report Singapore readers were invited to explore the brand’s approach to watchmaking. The event opened with a focused presentation that traced Bvlgari’s horological journey, which is defined by its uncompromising pursuit of creative autonomy. By keeping every aspect of its watchmaking process in-house, from design to engineering, Bvlgari has carved out a space for true innovation in contemporary horology. Guests were then introduced to a curated line-up of the…

Honouring Tradition Another month, another hot drop from Breguet. The legendary watchmaking house shows no signs of holding back on its 250th-anniversary celebrations with the compelling Tradition Seconde Rétrograde 7035. A limited-edition stunner, this elegantly proportioned 38mm watch revisits Breguet’s revolutionary roots, gleaning inspiration from the brand’s Souscription and Tact watches from the late 18th century. Introduced in 2005, the Tradition collection is distinguished by the movement’s exposed mechanics and architectural symmetry on its dial, which frames its off-centre time display. Here, this 250-piece edition is sheathed in Breguet gold—a proprietary alloy developed for the brand’s anniversary—and features a translucent blue enamel dial, engine-turned in the new Quai de l’Horloge motif. Gold Standard Devialet’s collaboration with Opéra National de Paris reaches a new crescendo with the launch of the Astra…

WHEN A ZEEKR representative casually mentioned that another journalist had compared the Zeekr X to “a Ferrari priced like a BMW”, I laughed. But after driving it, the laughter turned to disbelief. This family-sized electric SUV sprints from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Is it necessary? Not at all. Do I love that it can? Absolutely. Launched in 2021 under Geely’s growing electric vehicle portfolio—which includes Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Smart—Zeekr enters the market with serious pedigree and expectations to match. Zeekr X, the first model to arrive in Singapore, meets them with flair and confidence. Golden ratio on wheels Built on the same Sustainable Experience Architecture platform as Volvo’s EX30, the Zeekr X is slightly larger at 4.4m long and 1.8m wide, yet remains well proportioned for…

AS YACHTS AND superyachts grow ever larger, naming a 16.87m vessel ‘Space’ seems ironic. That, however, is exactly what Invictus Yacht has done with its new flagship vessel, the ST550 (the ‘S’ stands for Space). But as seasoned yachtsmen will attest, size alone should not be the defining criterion when evaluating a vessel’s aesthetic allure and functionality. The ST550 embodies this sentiment. Sporting a gracefully curvaceous silhouette that is reminiscent of retro tender vessels, the yacht appears to offer a surprisingly seamless and expansive onboard experience. Designed by Christian Grande, it boasts a substantial bow living area, which is often sacrificed for other areas in vessels of this size. Designed by Christian Grande, the ST550 boasts a substantial bow living area, which is often sacrificed for other areas in vessels…

YACHT INTERIORS HAVE long been defined by both their joinery and custom decor, the latter often including traditional fine art. But a handful of artisans are now combining the two, transforming run-of-the-mill materials such as leather, glass, and metal into functional masterworks. Blending durability with an aesthetic edge, Guido De Cesare’s Marine Leather designs and produces embossed, woven, and printed leathers for superyacht interiors. The Italian firm recently installed a panoramic mural comprising custom-embroidered-leather panels on the main salon wall of a 295ft yacht. On a 236-footer, handwoven panels in the primary suite became focal points of creative expression, eliminating the need for conventional paintings or photographs. Embroidered doors, ceilings with hand-cut patterns, and intricate furniture inlays are examples of the atelier’s smaller, subtler work. “Hand-laced leather pieces are very…

FRÉDÉRIC TARDIEU DIDN’T COME to the Philippines to save the ocean. He came for the sun and to escape another life as a hugely successful but stressed real estate developer. However, the slice of paradise that he found came with its own scars. Tardieu discovered bleached reefs, dynamite fishing, and a fragile ecosystem left to fend for itself. What began as a retreat with his wife on a remote island in Palawan unwittingly transformed into something far greater: the birth of Sulubaaï Marine Research Center. Established in 2012, the Sulubaaï Environmental Foundation has been at the forefront of marine conservation in the Philippines. One of its notable initiatives is the creation of the Pangatalan Island Marine Protected Area in 2016, covering 46 hectares. In 2017, the foundation introduced the Sulu-Reef…

“WELCOME TO PARADISE!” the staff chime in unison as I step out of my airport transfer and onto the sun-drenched porch of W Koh Samui. They aren’t exaggerating. Even before I reach the reception, I am greeted by a cinematic view of the glittering Gulf of Thailand, perfectly framed by the resort’s raised walkway and flanked by swaying palms. A chilled welcome drink finds its way into my hands—a small mercy in the thick tropical heat—and as I sip gratefully, I watch the afternoon light glint off villa roofs in the distance below me. Here sound transcends ambience to become an identity. Even in its quietest moments (think early dawn or well past midnight), the resort hums with life: birdsong in the morning, waves rolling ashore, and a chorus of…

Binomio Binomio has relocated to Raffles Hotel with the right touch of flair. Its name, which is Spanish for ‘to pair’, reflects the restaurant’s dual identity: a relaxed al fresco tapas bar on one side and a refined fine-dining room on the other. Now housed in a grander setting, the space is adorned with brass accents, cobalt blues, and gilded details by acclaimed Sevillian artist Fernando Oriol. Step inside and the polish is apparent. An open kitchen hums with energy, while soft lighting flatters both dish and diner. At its heart is a glass-encased private dining room lined with bottles of wine, seating up to eight guests in elegant comfort. It is the sort of space made for intimate celebrations, be it an anniversary or a long-overdue reunion over sherry…

JEAN-LOUP GLÉNAT Head Of Design, Franck Muller By Jean-Loup Glénat’s estimation, it takes no more than 20 seconds to sketch the outline of a new watch design. But it’s what happens after that which truly matters. “Sometimes, it takes up to two years to finalise every detail of a watch,” he says. Having joined Franck Muller in 2010 and assumed the role of head of design in 2017, Glénat is well-versed in the discipline of rigorous attention to detail. His meticulous eye has shaped creations such as the Curvex CX—distinguished by subtle features like a newly developed guilloche pattern that gives the dial a dynamic sense of movement—as well as the brand’s 2025 novelties, including the vividly hued Vanguard Royal Bauxite with cases crafted from an exclusive aluminium alloy, and…

Tablescaping in Milan is serious business. In this design-oriented city, every well-coiffed sciura worth her salt relies on an arsenal of the finest flatware, crystal, linens, and more. And in certain spheres, you’d be hard-pressed to find any easily identifiable china pattern, for this is a milieu where, refreshingly, individuality is still prized. Among the most coveted makers? Laboratorio Paravicini. Launched in the early 1990s by Costanza Paravicini in a historic 18th-century compound where she and her family still reside, the enterprise initially was a hobby for the skilled artist, who couldn’t find any plates on the market that spoke to her. Word of her wares quickly spread around Milan and a business was born that now includes Paravicini’s two daughters: Benedetta and Margherita Medici. What distinguishes Laboratorio Paravicini, apart…

THE TERM ‘BUSH PILOT’ conjures up images of rugged individualists flying de Havilland Beaver floatplanes into Alaska’s most remote and difficult terrain. Such intrepid 20th-century aviators as Don Sheldon and Carl Ben Eielson were cut from that cloth— their ample skill at dead reckoning a compensation for the lack of charts. “There’s a mystique to the bush pilot,” says Brant Smith, who has been flying into the Alaskan bush (generally defined as a region with no road access) since 2012. Smith, though, applies the moniker more readily to his predecessors who ventured heroically into the relative unknown. “Now, it’s an overused term. I don’t call myself a bush pilot, just someone who loves the experience.” Yet under practically anyone else’s definition, Smith has indeed worked as one in southeast Alaska—first…

AT AGE 14, Tom Schröder had no idea that his passion for sailing would lead him to an ocean odyssey spanning the globe. Yet three decades later, Schröder, his wife, Jeannine, and their four sons are at the beginning of a seven-year voyage aboard their 146ft explorer Maverick. “I’d sold my business in 2019 and then COVID hit,” says Schröder, a venture capitalist based near Cologne. Homebound for a year, the tight quarters brought the family closer. “It worked out so well, we had the idea for this world cruise,” he says. The ambitious itinerary includes Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, with voyages into some of the world’s loneliest waters through the Arctic Circle, Antarctica, Cape Horn, and the Northwest Passage. The first nine weeks in the Red…

BVLGARI INTRODUCES ITS latest high jewellery and watch collections under the name Polychroma, a vivid celebration of colour and vibrancy. The term is derived from the Greek words poly, meaning ‘many’, and chroma, meaning ‘colours’, with a nod to Rome, the Eternal City. True to its name, the collection functions like a prism, capturing light from every angle and redefining our perception of precious stones. It immerses the viewer in a world where myriad designs, infinite shades, and exceptional gemstones converge in a celebration of beauty. More than a name, Polychroma embodies creativity in motion and expresses profound emotion. Drawing inspiration from diverse cultures across the centuries, it presents a kaleidoscope of creations that showcase colour’s universal power to evoke feeling and tell stories. Bvlgari’s artisans dazzle with 600 masterpieces,…

IN WATCHMAKING, ACCURACY is often seen as science. But at Grand Seiko, precision is just as much an art. With the introduction of the new Spring Drive U.F.A.—its latest hybrid mechanicalelectronic engine, and the most precise of its kind to date—the Japanese watchmaking house shows that its pursuit of unparalleled accuracy isn’t simply achieved by exceptional engineering, but also with a knack for architectural beauty and a sensitivity to the passage of time itself. The movement in question to receive the U.F.A. (Ultra Fine Accuracy) certification is the Spring Drive Calibre 9RB2. And just how precise is this movement? Grand Seiko guarantees timekeeping deviation to within +/−20 seconds per year. This trumps the record of +/−15 seconds per year offered by the Spring Drive Calibre 9R65 from 2004. Triumph of…

Tod's Baseball Cap in Technical Fabric Let your hair down, figuratively, by keeping it tucked under Tod’s baseball cap. Crafted in stretch fabric with a water-repellent, windproof, and breathable membrane, it’s as functional as it is chic. The embroidered Tod’s logo embodies quiet luxury, while the adjustable leather strap at the back ensures a snug fit. Prada Crochet Shoulder Bag Departing from its signature nylon, Prada embraces a softer mood for this shoulder bag, featuring a soft silhouette enhanced by the light, summery touch of crochet. Leather accents, an adjustable woven tape shoulder strap, and the enamelled metal triangle logo on the front complete the accessory, bringing a polished finish to the relaxed aesthetic. Christian Dior Label S2U Sunglasses When the sun is out, so should a pair of sunglasses.…

ETRO RESIDENCES PHUKET THAILAND With only eight apartments, it’s clear that this real estate project is as exclusive as its eponymous fashion house. This is Etro’s first branded residence in Southeast Asia and it promises to set a new luxury standard in the region. Part of Gardens of Eden, a luxury residential complex on Bang Tao Beach, Etro Residences is being developed by Phuket-based Amal Development, with interior designs by The One Atelier. Owners will have a choice of apartment sizes, ranging from threebedroom units to duplexes, with interiors dressed in bold patterns, rich textures, and a sophisticated colour palette. In addition, special pieces from the Etro Home Interiors collection, made in collaboration with Oniro Group, will adorn the apartments and common areas of the complex. Residents will have access…

Betsy Dingman has always been a rebel. She left her San Diego home in her mid-teens and was emancipated from her father, a judge, at age 16. “Because I was such a smart ass,” she admits, looking back. She soon found herself a working single mother, earning a living doing several jobs, from owning a laundromat to flipping houses to rehabbing a 31room hotel. That sense of fearlessness and adventure was immediate on the first, blind date she had with a Wall Street dealmaking guru: Michael Dingman, who was 25 years her senior. Michael, who prided himself on doing things his way, immediately sensed that they were kindred spirits. “That was kind of the bond between us,” she says. They fell madly in love, which led to a decades-long marriage…

THERE WAS A time when trekking to the South Pole or surfing the world’s largest wave was a newsmaking challenge. These days, even rowing across the Atlantic has become passe. But intrepid travellers have not relented. The hunger to be first remains a powerful driver. “We are constantly getting feedback: What is extraordinary? What is different?” says Jimmy Carroll, co-founder of Pelorus, which specialises in extreme and experiential travel. “How do you do something that no one else has done?” Carroll and others in this adrenaline-fuelled segment of the industry have seen a rise in clients seeking to embark on boundary-busting adventures that could earn them a place in history. “The main reason is bragging rights,” says Larry Olmsted, author of Getting Into Guinness: One Man’s Longest, Fastest, Highest Journey…