Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Tatler Singapore

If someone had told eight-year-old me—the girl singing with “Mr Merli” on a floating stage at the National Day Parade—that she’d one day be writing the editor’s note for Tatler Singapore’s commemorative SG60 edition, she wouldn’t have believed it. Fast forward to 2025, standing on the cusp of our nation’s 60th year of independence, the Tatler team has so much to say and celebrate, because our pride is both deeply personal and profoundly patriotic. Our August issue isn’t just dedicated to this milestone, but to the momentum that continues to fuel our growth. We turn our attention to the vanguards who have shaped the Singapore story through an interplay of boundless ambition, intellect and conviction, all while cultivating a culture and identity that is as refined as it is resilient;…

There is a quiet intimacy to collecting—something tender in the way one gathers what speaks to them, shaping over time an inner portrait of self. For collector Chong Huai Seng, that portrait spans more than four decades. What began in the 1980s in the storied galleries of London’s Mayfair gradually shifted eastward —first drawn by the post-reform energy of Beijing’s 798 Art District and the rise of contemporary ink painting, before deepening into a focused exploration of modern and contemporary art from Singapore, Southeast Asia, and beyond. “Collecting art has always been about collecting memories,” Chong notes. “And every artwork presented holds a story in itself.” A pivotal acquisition in 2014 shifted the arc of Chong’s collecting: the artist’s proof of a bronze bust of the late Lee Kuan Yew,…

Satoshi Kuwata has lived a life that many who want success in the fashion industry could only dream of. Born in Kyoto, the rising Japanese designer cut his teeth as an apprentice on London’s Savile Row while studying womenswear design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins. After stints with London-based designers including Gareth Pugh, he worked in New York with Bono and Ali Hewson’s Edun, in Paris with Givenchy under Riccardo Tisci and then in Milan with the sportswear brand Golden Goose. Now based in Italy, he infuses what he learnt in each fashion capital into his design DNA. The result is Setchu, a gender-fluid label that doesn’t simply reference cross-cultural influences but embodies them completely. “Living in these cities taught me how to observe, adapt and appreciate contrast,” Kuwata…

For scentmaker Antonin Khalifé, the perfumery journey began not with a grand vision but with small vials—fragments of memory, really. The grandson of Henry Cremona, founder of French luxury perfume house Henry Jacques, recalls carrying raw materials with him on holidays as a child. They were both playthings and talismans; gateways into a world of scent quietly and persistently shaped by family. “Each one of them would trigger a potential new creative door to open for our perfumes, which, after some time and hard work, became a reality,” shares Khalifé in an email interview with Tatler. Now a fully fledged member of Henry Jacques’s bespoke creation team, Khalifé is no newcomer to fragrance. His first release, Rose Azur, emerged from the house’s Collection de l’Atelier in 2023. But with the…

It takes a moment to realise you have arrived. There are no showy signs or gleaming façades, just a quietly elegant, whitewashed 17th‑century Bernese‑style farmhouse nestled in the hills of La Chaux‑de‑Fonds, a city known as the home of watchmaking in Switzerland. But those lucky enough to step inside this unassuming building will find themselves in one of Cartier’s most important sanctuaries: the Maison des Métiers d’Art. Tatler was among the select few invited to tour these grounds earlier this year for a closer look at Cartier’s exceptional artistic crafts. Opened in 2014, the Maison des Métiers d’Art is both atelier and think tank, designed to preserve rare métiers while pushing the limits of watchmaking and jewellery. Here, sophisticated decorative techniques are nurtured and reimagined in an environment that encourages…

Tiffany & Co’s Seahorse chapter proves that the best reinventions honour the past while swimming boldly into the future. Drawing from Jean Schlumberger’s legendary 1968 seahorse brooches, creative director Nathalie Verdeille has transformed this aquatic muse with her gemstone alchemy—unenhanced purple sapphires dancing with moonstones and blue sapphires in combinations that manage to feel both unexpected and inevitable. The collection also includes a transformable necklace showcasing over 11 carats of purple sapphires that required nearly 1,600 hours of craftsmanship. Three wearing options mean endless styling possibilities. Be the rainbow or wear it…

The best thing about being in Galle, Sri Lanka… is the combination of fine beaches and historical buildings left behind by the Dutch. Being in Galle means constantly being surrounded by stories. It’s a city that teaches you to slow down, observe and appreciate heritage and nature. The first thing I do when I arrive in Galle is… visit the Dutch Fort and see the small eateries, boutique hotels and villas within the Fort. I’ve walked around the Fort countless times, and I still discover new places. The architecture is centuries old, timeless and unique. There’s something about walking those historic ramparts that immediately grounds you. My favourite hotel to stay in Galle is… Amangalla. It captures the essence of colonial Sri Lanka with such refinement that it feels like…

For those with an appetite for the unknown, these hotels—all of which were featured in Tatler Asia’s 100 Best Hotels list in 2024—offer guests the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in some truly remarkable destinations. Imagine waking up to morning mist rising over 1,300-year-old temples, riding horses with local herdsmen in the vast expanse of Mongolia’s Orkhon Valley or engaging in an intimate discussion with monks at a monastery in the Himalayas. These hotels are luxurious reminders of what travel is all about: getting lost, tapping into childlike curiosity and learning something about the world and the wonderful people in it. SIX SENSES THIMPHU It’s no surprise this hotel won the 2024 Tatler Best of Asia Best Destination Hotel award. Set within apple orchards and pine forests, with its grand…

The last 25 hours have played out like a vintage film—a sepia-toned reel spinning at an art deco cinema, set to the clink of crystal, gleaming marquetry and the gentle rhythm of wheels on rails. I travelled from Venice into the heart of Italy, gliding through the Dolomites, past mirror-like lakes and quaint villages—all with a flute of champagne in hand. In Austria, tall, slender trees flanked the tracks like something out of a fairytale, as sunlight gave way to the gentle patter of rain, and then, by morning, returned in golden shafts through the mist. Through my window, I’ve watched Europe unspool in soft-focus splendour, waking this morning to the crisp air and rolling hills of rural France. And now, just past noon, I’ve arrived in its sparkling capital.…

I was up an hour earlier than planned, at 3am—the music from the temple across the street had been especially celebratory that night—but my excitement probably would have woken me up soon enough anyway. In an hour or so, I was meeting my fixer, who I knew only as Manoj, and who had found three sadhu, or holy men, willing to be photographed at sunrise on the Varanasi flood plains. I just had to hope they’d show up. I’d come to Varanasi to photograph such individuals; in particular, I was in search of members of the Aghori, an ancient Hindu sect whose beliefs and practices can seem extreme to outsiders. They embrace the taboo of death and decay to gain spiritual enlightenment, and their methods of doing so—meditating on top…

1 THE RIDE The RMB01 is a kinetic sculpture born from the radical vision of Richard Mille and Brough Superior. Limited to 150 numbered pieces, the motorcycle fuses cutting‑edge materials such as titanium and carbon with a sculpted 997cc twin‑cylinder engine. 2 THE EYEWEAR Equal parts jewellery and eyewear, Cartier’s new rimless Clash de Cartier cat‑eye sunglasses channel the collection’s daring spirit. The sleek metal frame with a golden‑finish makes a striking statement, while the signature ribbed mesh motif at the temples transforms picot studs and clous carrés into sculptural, tactile embellishments. Grey lenses with a golden mirror effect complete the look with a cool, contemporary edge. 3 THE WATCH A masterclass in elegant restraint, the new 34mm A Lange & Söhne 1815 in pink gold cuts a slim profile…

Long before she became one of Singapore’s most influential voices in leadership and mindset transformation, Crystal Lim-Lange was honing the craft of persuasive communication under pressure. “Early in my career as an investment banker, I had to deliver compelling pitches, often via voicemail in 90 seconds,” she recalls. It was rigorous training in distillation, delivery and impact—skills that would find fresh expression today in the creator economy, where she commands an audience of more than 300,000 across multiple social media platforms. “It’s the same on TikTok: can you hook me and hold my attention in 60 seconds?” In many ways, it feels like a full-circle moment. “I feel like I was made for this era [of creator economy],” declares Lim-Lange. “Everything I’ve done has been in service of this.” Today,…

It begins not with a declaration, but with a question: what does it mean to be Singaporean? For Dick Lee, that exploration has underscored every lyric, every performance, every sartorial decision across his more than five‑decade career. And now, it takes centre stage in SingaPop! 60 Years of Singapore Pop Culture— an exhibition that marks the nation’s 60th birthday with a heartfelt tribute to the people, stories and idiosyncrasies that have shaped contemporary Singapore. “I realised early on that I needed to make music as a Singaporean,” Lee reflects. “But I didn’t understand what that meant. It wasn’t clear when I was starting out.” The 1970s Singapore he came of age in—just a decade past independence—had yet to coalesce around a sense of national identity. “People weren’t interested in defining…

DRESS CODE Summer signals wedding season—and even if you’re not the one saying “I do,” the odds are that you’ll witness someone else do it, and in style. Guests have more sartorial room to play: think timeless Oscar de la Renta or bold Christopher Esber for the ladies, while men might turn heads in a sleek Brunello Cucinelli tux—without upstaging the groom. SHORT NOTICE Trousers can wait—this month, it’s all about long shorts, the kind you wear on a slow Sunday or throw on for work when it’s too hot to think. Go denim as at Gucci or breezy with Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, then add Fendi leather sandals for the beach or a sharp Thom Browne shirt if you’re feeling back-to-school but not quite. CRUISE CONTROL While some of us…

Every spring, the great and good of le monde de l’horlogerie flock to Geneva for Watches and Wonders, a celebration of the best in horological innovation. At this year’s event, Cartier once again proved why it sits at the very pinnacle of both watchmaking and high jewellery. This year’s novelties included the return of the legendary Tank à Guichets, a bold evolution of the Tank Louis Cartier; sculptural new Tressage models; and dazzling high-jewellery Panthère creations. Each piece reflects a maison intent on honouring its heritage while fearlessly pushing the boundaries of design and craftsmanship. Tatler sat down at the fair with Marie-Laure Cérède, Cartier’s creative director for watches and jewellery. She shares her philosophy on fusing the maison’s dual expertise and her ambitions for Cartier’s next chapter, as well…

Every two years, Le Mans Classic transforms the legendary Sarthe circuit, located just outside the town of Le Mans in northwestern France, into a riveting showcase of some of the greatest cars ever to race. First held in 2002, the event celebrates the golden eras of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest endurance race, which has tested drivers and racing machines since 1923. Le Mans Classic brings together cars representing each major era of the race from 1923 through to 1981, alongside more recent classics from the early 2000s. For one summer weekend, vintage Bentleys, Jaguars, Ferraris and prototypes thunder down the same 13.6km track that still hosts the modern 24-hour competition. More than 200,000 spectators gather trackside to watch these icons compete once more, soaking up…

MOVE IT Chinese actor Simon Gong’s Cannes debut as a Messika ambassador was a red-carpet moment worth revisiting. His decision to pair the house’s high jewellery diamond puzzle brooch with the signature Move Joaillerie ring spoke volumes about contemporary Asian taste making, and we’re here for it. ROAR ON Gabrielle Chanel was a Leo through and through, and her celestial spirit roars louder than ever in her maison’s latest haute joaillerie masterpiece. The Reach for the Stars collection includes The Silhouette Clock: a miniature Gabrielle, hands casually pocketed, gazes skyward from her jade perch; the woman who liberated fashion from corsets, forever reaching toward infinite possibilities. Other pieces transform her zodiacal lion into wearable constellations, from medallion-style manes dripping with diamonds to sleek profile pieces that capture what Coco called…

Last year was a landmark year for Tatler Travel. We hosted the inaugural Tatler Best of Asia Awards in November to celebrate the best in Asian hospitality—the region’s top restaurants, bars and, for the first time, hotels—across a two-day event held at the then-newly reopened Dusit Thani Bangkok. It felt apt to celebrate at an iconic hotel that means so much to so many. And hotel reopenings have been dominating the travel headlines in the past 12 months. In July, Tatler was one of the first to check into Splendido, a Belmond Hotel in Italy’s Portofino. The legendary cliffside hotel, which was back in business in June, once welcomed the likes of Humphrey Bogart, and Elizabeth Taylor, who visited so often they named her favourite pasta dish after her. Next…

STEW BRYDEN Stew Bryden is a photographer and filmmaker based between London, Scotland and the US, working in fashion and portraiture. He has photographed Ed Speleers, Finn Cole and Harry Cobden. “Working with Isabella [Wei] was such a joy,” he says of this month’s fashion shoot featuring the actress and dancer. “She brought a playful, creative energy to the shoot that made the whole process feel effortless and full of artistic spark.” JASON HETHERINGTON Jason Hetherington is a London-based photographer with more than 25 years of experience in people portraits, fashion shoots, conceptual imagery and landscapes. He has photographed celebrities like Robbie Williams, Rita Ora and Andrew Scott. His signature work often blends creative lighting techniques and evocative props with conceptual settings to push traditional photography boundaries. He shot digital…

When Corinna Chan stepped into the role of CEO at the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) last February, she inherited a 30-year legacy of driving change for a better world. The non-profit organisation connects Singaporeans with global partners for cross-border collaboration, expanding its networks across Asean, China and India, while cultivating a strong pool of specialist volunteers. Chan arrived with a clear vision: to evolve SIF from a trusted programme implementer into a regional convener, capable of catalysing long-term, systems-level impact. “My journey in the social impact space hasn’t been for very long. It only started about five years ago,” she reflects. “But it has been enriching. I’ve come to realise the strength and power of networks.” Bringing the right people together and turning ideas into action has been a defining…

What happens when one of fashion’s most audacious showmen joins forces with the world’s most iconic whisky? A collision of couture and craft that redefines luxury—one bold sip at a time. Enter Couture Expression, the debut release from Johnnie Walker Vault—a fever dream of fashion and flavour conjured by Olivier Rousteing who, when not reimagining Balmain’s baroque maximalism, now lends his signature sparkle to the world of rare spirits. To toast the global launch of this couture collaboration, Johnnie Walker hosted an impossibly chic bacchanal at the former Sleep No More venue in Chelsea, New York, transformed into an immersive whisky wonderland. The guest list? Think Met Gala meets midnight speakeasy. Actress Lupita Nyong’o smouldered. Actress-model Hunter Schafer floated. Rapper Stormzy brooded. Actor Regé-Jean Page smirked like the Duke he…

SHAKE AND SPRAY Meet the all new No.1 de Chanel Serum-in-Mist: an ultra-lightweight antioxidant formula for reviving tired skin or refreshing makeup on the go. Encased in a compact red bottle that fits neatly into your bag or pocket, it blends red camellia extract and camellia leaf buds to hydrate, soothe and protect the skin throughout the day. Whether you’re desk-bound or in transit, it’s the kind of daily luxury you’ll want within reach. A QUIET RESET Byredo presents Blanche at its most expressive yet. Blanche Absolu builds on the well-loved original’s clean-skin allure with amplified depth and contrast. A sharper aldehydic opening is tempered by a lush floral heart of rose, violet and jasmine, while grounding notes of musk, amber wood and cashmere bring warmth. Housed in a redesigned…

Omega’s new Aqua Terra 30mm addresses the practical reality that many luxury watches simply don’t fit a lot of people’s wrists. The timepiece marks the collection’s first sub-35mm offering in its 23-year history, featuring 12 distinct references made from stainless steel, 18-karat Moonshine Gold, 18-karat Sedna Gold and two-tone combinations. The technical achievement centres on two new movements: Master Chronometer calibre 8750 for the steel and two-tone models and calibre 8751 for the gold ones. Both deliver power comparable to larger Aqua Terra movements while being significantly lighter and thinner—the result of a two-year development cycle specifically for this case. Black and white enamel dials to colour your days…

What drew you to the world of jewellery? I’ve approached the world of jewellery through two aspects. One is transmission—that’s something that drives my curiosity, and I think it’s a very important part of our life to be able to transmit beauty, knowledge, joy and many positive things. The other is a sense of aesthetic and craftsmanship. If you bridge those elements together—beauty, craftsmanship and transmission—jewellery is a natural [destination]. This exhibition focuses on gouaché—2D paintings of 3D jewellery items—and sketches. Why did you decide to focus on these behind-the-scenes documents? It’s a [very unfamiliar] topic. Five or six years ago, the Van Cleef & Arpels patrimony team purchased a collection of about 6,000 drawings. We started doing a research programme, working with specialists to study, inventory and document these drawings.…

It’s 9am for Steven Bartlett, and the serial entrepreneur, investor and podcaster is already breaking his own rules. His team knows not to organise any meetings before 11am, as Bartlett likes to wake up naturally without an alarm. Not today. With an unforgiving time difference relative to Asia—Bartlett moved to Los Angeles in January after signing with a US talent agency—he has made an exception to speak to Tatler. The importance of sleep is one of the many things that Bartlett has learnt from the impressive roster of individuals who have featured on his hugely successful podcast, Diary of a CEO. “The single biggest impact on my life [has been] being really intentional about sleep and wake-up times. Sleep is upstream from what you decide to eat, your ability to…

RICHARD LORD Richard Lord is a Hong Kong-based freelance journalist. He has written for and edited a frightening number of newspapers and magazines, including a spell as an editor at The Wall Street Journal Asia and another as editor of a weekly business magazine in his native UK. FAYE BRADLEY Faye Bradley is a freelance writer and editor based in Hong Kong. Her work has been featured in publications including Lonely Planet, Variety, Business Insider and China Daily. She is also the founder of CSP Times and co-founder of Paradigm Haus, a print magazine and creative content agency. In 2025, she will co-launch SUITS Travel, a corporate travel concierge service. ANDREW ELDON Travel and photography are two of Andrew Eldon’s great passions in life. He looks for the raw magic…

A colonial-era masterpiece that inspired writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Rudyard Kipling; a 700-year-old Rajasthani fort surrounded by ancient desert landscapes; the former guesthouse of a Cambodian king. These hotels aren’t mere relics—they’re custodians of their respective locations’ lore and witnesses to some of Asia’s most important moments in history. What’s more, they were all included in the inaugural Tatler Asia Best 100 Hotels list in 2024. RAFFLES SINGAPORE Step onto the grounds of Raffles Singapore and you’ll be transported to a bygone era. A storied jewel in the heart of the Lion City, this legendary hotel has been synonymous with luxury since it opened its doors in 1887. The neo-renaissance-style hotel and its stunning colonial façade are the work of Regent Alfred John Bidwell, an English architect responsible…

The iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok reopened its doors last September following a spectacular five-year project during which the hotel was rebuilt from the ground up, showcasing a stunning new gilded façade, and interiors by André Fu Studio. This marked more than just a hotel reopening—it was a homecoming for one of Thailand’s architectural and cultural treasures. For over five decades, the original Dusit Thani Bangkok was a living, breathing testament to gracious Thai hospitality, a magnet for dignitaries and discerning travellers. Its very essence was steeped in Thai art and design, a visual feast that effortlessly wove subtle aesthetics into every corner. Now, these signature elements, the very soul of the Dusit Thani, are being lovingly reintroduced, promising to captivate a new generation of guests while rekindling cherished memories for…

A hush descended over the 50,000 costume-clad rugby fans inside Hong Kong’s recently opened Kai Tak Stadium on March 30, the final day of the annual Rugby Sevens. Heads tilted skyward as a Cathay Pacific A350 passenger jet zoomed nail-bitingly close by, its low-altitude passage a salute to the legendary airport that once stood where the new sports ground is located. As the aircraft passed overhead, Captain Geoff Lui, one of four pilots in the cockpit for the commemorative flyover, addressed the crowd. “Many of us have had the honour of flying into the legendary Kai Tak Airport where you are now sitting,” he said. “While we can’t land here any more, today we honour the history of Kai Tak, Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific where it all began.” For…

The Indonesian archipelago is home to numerous fascinating stories, from tales of pirates to its role as the historical epicentre of the global spice trade. In recent years, more and more people have been curious to discover the country’s magic—and increasingly, they are doing so by boat, for an authentic experience that echoes the region’s past. Enter brother-sister duo Jason Tabalujan and Jasmine Chong, who in 2023 launched the Celestia: a gorgeous wooden yacht built for private charters, on which guests can sail around the archipelago, embracing the slow life on board while immersing themselves in Indonesia’s rich history, earthy design sensibilities and diverse cuisine. The cruise takes guests island-hopping, allowing them to take in scenic hikes that lead to breathtaking vistas of the islands and to discover the archipelago’s…

ESTER A long and leisurely Sunday lunch at Ester is my favourite. I don’t have to think about what to order, as I’m having whatever [chef and founder] Mat [Lindsay] tells me to have. I wouldn’t have it any other way. 46-52 Meagher Street, Chippendale PORCINE A classic French bistro above a bottle [wine] shop in Paddington. Everything is of the highest quality. I love the food, and the atmosphere is very relaxed and welcoming. 268 Oxford Street, Paddington SEAN’S Get a table by the window to watch Bondi go by, settle in and enjoy beautiful, [carefully crafted,] produce-driven cooking. The service is warm and comforting. It’s a great place, where I often go to have a meal with my family. 270 Campbell Parade, North Bondi CHACO RAMEN BAR When…