Innehållsförteckning för December 2022 från Esquire Singapore

I've never been great at goodbyes. Mostly because like many other Type A individuals who consistently seek a sense of prolonged achievement, the idea of a goodbye requires a kind of finality that is both daunting and emotional in every way. But there are times when you need to put down the mug of coffee, take a deep breath, and prepare yourself to bid adieu to something that has truly mattered to you, well after its time has concluded. That for me, was the year 2022. In February, I gasped in disbelief when I found out I'd be taking over the helm of this esteemed publication—a lifelong passion I thought I'd still be chasing to this day. The beginning came swiftly, and before I knew it, I was knee-deep in…

COVER STORY I hate Bollywood. I hate it for showing me endless sequences of unrequited love stories, which turn into romances that cannot ever be found or replicated across a normal human lifetime. I hate Bollywood for making me feel like dream men could exist in the realms of reality, and with one dance number, they could end up becoming the greatest and most passionate loves of our lives. I hate Bollywood for enveloping me in the likes of icons such as Shah Rukh Khan, who to this day, remains the one person I'd donate a kidney to, if he were in need. But alas, I cannot hate Bollywood today. Because upon meeting Ranveer Singh, I've come to recognise that perhaps what's sold on screen really can transpire beyond it;…

AWAY WE GO Let 2022 be remembered as the year travel came back with a vengeance. Funny what a little time (two years is, with some perspective, a drop in the bucket) without a jaunt abroad does to stir any latent feelings of wanderlust. Whatever the destination, this was the year that brands honed in on this craving for new shores. Gucci for example, put a renewed focus on its heritage as a luggage maker through its Savoy collection, tapping Ryan Gosling to front a campaign hauling its wide range of bags and roller trolleys. Louis Vuitton—which is in its heart of hearts a house of travel—continues to do what it does best. In the men's collection you'll find perhaps the snazziest variety of designs that's ever graced its enduring…

I'll let you in on a secret. The thrill of giving and receiving a gift is as much in the packaging as what's inside. It's a multiple-step process that kicks off the moment you say the magical words ‘I have something for you’. The wrapping paper (if there's any) is removed (there are indeed two types of people in the world: those who tear ravenously and those who undo along the seams). Then the first hint of what's inside is revealed and there is a pause. If you've chosen exceptionally well, you might be rewarded with a pause, then: ‘No, you didn't!’ That right there is a sublime moment. For many, it's the first glimpse of satisfaction and vindication after purchasing and wrapping in optimistic hope that the receiver might…

Weddings—love ‘em or hate ‘em. They become a fact of life at a certain age. For a guest, the conventional wisdom that stands: unless specified, hew to formal. The sometimes-frustrating caveat however is, don't outshine the groom. The solution? Tailored options that toe that gentle line. Summer suits are a great place to start; lighter, airier fabrics when combined with the structure and propriety of a tailored silhouette, strike a faultless balance. Here are four from Dutch clothier Suitsupply that are worth considering: HERRINGBONE HAVANA SUIT IN LIGHT BROWN, $1,589 This three-piece suit is a great example of updated tradition. The dressy style is cut from a luxurious blend of subtly herringbone-patterned wool, silk and linen, which offers a blend of structure, shine and lightness. The single-breasted notch lapel jacket…

STYLE…

Sharanjit, you're considered one of Singapore's most celebrated journalists. There's a lot of discourse nowadays about the value of our profession and the merits of working in it. Do you feel it's truly dying or are people simply no longer seeing its worth? Journalism's hardly a dying profession… in fact, it's more alive than ever! Journalists now have to contribute to so many different platforms, some of which didn't even exist 25 years ago when I started in the industry. You have the news apps, online sites, social media, podcasts and other digital platforms like TikTok that now are putting out journalistic content. If you're [a] good journalist, you should be able to contribute to all of them as I did at the BBC, where I reported for television [and]…

Cartier's Les Necessaires a Parfum accessories are possibly the most stylish way of bringing fragrance around. Here's how it works: slender 30ml glass bottles of the brand's top scents (the lineup stands at 27 strong today) slide into metal cases and are secured with a satisfying magnetic click. The cases take inspiration from Cartier's objet d'art vanity cases from the ‘20s, with gadrooned metal or lacquered designs. The latest: a red geometric lacquered motif chiselled into the case that recalls the House's famous boxes. The cases can also be hot stamped and personalised as a gift with an engraving.…

Want to impress an audiophile? Devialet Mania is currently the only product on the portable speaker market that offers both stereo rendering and real-time acoustic mapping, which combines with the speaker's echo-cancellation and cross-stereo architecture to offer a truly superior listening experience anywhere, anytime. United in their commitment to exquisite craftsmanship and the art of high expression, The Balvenie and celebrated Singaporean illustrator Adeline Tan, have combined their powers in these limited-edition gift sets timed to release as the festivities roll in. Accompanying The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Makers Pack are a specially designed ceramic whisky cup and coaster. Now, you can raise a toast to the spirit creativity the right way. For something indulgent, you won't go wrong with Penhaligon's. This Kumgan Rose candle with a burning time of…

Let's return to 2015, a year when two debuts—one abrupt and the other in the works—would set massive change in motion. At the Florentine house of Gucci, the virtually unknown Alessandro Michele (formerly a behindthescenes accessories designer at the brand) had just been thrust into the top job of Creative Director. The contemporary legend goes that in just five days, Michele reconfigured January's menswear show, and a month later, made his full solo debut—marking a complete (and almost immediately lucrative) creative turning point for Gucci. Over in New York that same year meanwhile, news was spreading of British-Irish band One Direction's Harry Styles registering four songs with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers—performed and written by him alone. In 2017, Styles would make his debut as a solo…

WHEN THE FIRST TALK ART BOOK CAME OUT, it was lockdown, we didn't have an opportunity to really promote it. We had live events lined up and that all got cancelled. And yet it became a Sunday Times bestseller because people have connected to the podcast so much, and they want art for themselves. Our whole mantra is “art for everyone”; we want to connect to as many people as possible. And the first book did that without really much promotion. The second book I'm hoping is going to connect on a deeper level. We've curated a lot of interviews from some of our favourite dynamic, fascinating guests, which is going to give a really balanced, nuanced, quite emotional at times, funnily enough opportunity to delve deeper into the psyche…

CULTURE/LIFESTYLE Storytellers. There has never been a time in history when they weren't at the forefront of popular consciousness. The good ones clue you in on the pulse of the moment; the best ones draw you into its essence and secure your investment in it. At 33, the London-born, Singapore-flourishing Ed Russell is a paragon in that regard. With the airwaves as his canvas, he is poised to bring us some transfixing and tantalising tidings. Let's look onward. Ed, what are you looking forward to the most about 2023, personally and professionally? Well, firstly, I can't believe that 2023 will already mark the second year of my show on Class 95 (where has the time gone?!) and I've got big plans to make the proverbial season two bigger and better.…

CULTURE/LIFESTYLE NOSH THE PERFECT ITALIAN COSY DINNER Where: Fiamma, Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297 Why: At Fiamma, what you're served on the plate is a manifestation of that which composes the heart. For Chef Mauro Colagreco, that's Italy and Argentina. We encourage you to indulge in one of his persona] triumphs, the Crudo Siciliano. Sliver-thin, the cuts of fresh sea bream alchemise with olive oil, orange, capers, mint, fennel and a garnish of Sicilian pistachios for a melt-in-mouth thrall of flavour and texture. The cherry on top? You'll always leave Fiamma full in your tummies and your hearts. JUMP ON THE INDIAN EXPRESS Where: Firangi Superstar, 20 Craig Road #01-03, Singapore 089692 Why: Taking a feather out of one of the world's famous firangis—also known as the Hindi…

The latest eau de parfum version of Burberry's aptly named Hero scent is an embodiment of masculine energy and freedom. Chances are you've seen the campaign that's fronted by Adam Driver, photographed with a horse to represent exploration and strength. Ideas distilled by perfumer Aurelien Guichard into notes of pine, benzoin and incense atop a warm base of cedarwood oils. The glossy brushed leather that Prada has revived from its ‘90s archives in recent years makes its accessories look like the height of luxury. This handy pouch messenger neatly houses essentials, with a useful little pouch that can be detached from its canvas shoulder strap. Sometimes a man needs a small going-out bag. This dinky yet utterly elegant creation from Dior is crafted from its jacquard fabric with metallic threads…

It's hard to believe that (G)I-DLE has only had a four-year hold on the K-pop industry. Perhaps it has to do with the phenomenal success the South Korean idol group initially came into when they stepped into the limelight with ‘Latata’, a song that rose to top music charts when it was first released in 2018. Yet unusual as it was for a debut song, Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi and Shuhua seem to have no qualms about pushing themselves to their limits, giving their all over the past few years since. But as the quintet dials in for their Zoom call with me from Seoul casually clad and assuredly seated, it's clear that this no-holdsbarred approach lends a necessary precursor to standing up for what they believe in most: remaining…

When Christine Nagel, the Director of Creation and Olfactory Heritage at Hermes Parfums, was formulating H24, the image she had in her mind was one of a germinating seed. Pushing through soil, a symbol of tender life imbued with incredible strength. Last year, she unveiled the H24 in its eau de toilette form. A significant launch as Hermes’ first new major men's fragrance since the famous Terre d'Hermès, which has been endlessly iterated on since it debuted in 2006. This year, Nagel is adding a chapter to that story with an eau de parfum of H24. “I plunged deep into woodland, where moss grows in the shade of the trees,” she wrote in the press notes about the new fragrance. That small, fragile shoot that was the genesis of it…

At 88, Giorgio Armani is one of the last great living fashion designers of his generation. There's little that he hasn't already done—from expanding into eyewear and home decor to launching cosmetics and fragrances. And when it comes to the two fashion lines (Giorgio and Emporio Armani) he maintains a personal hand in, the man knows what he likes and sticks to it. The Autumn/Winter 2022 collection by Emporio Armani is a treatise and thorough exploration of the colour grey. “From the palest to the very densest,” offers the collection notes, “punctuated by touches of bold colour.” Grey. Without any explanation or context, a concept like that certainly sounds drab. But anyone familiar with Mr Armani's wide-ranging ability with design would have fewer reservations. Grey seemed to offer the designer…

Over the years Gillette, the world's largest razor company, has come up with countless innovations on what is essentially a simple act. Few things are as universal as the personal grooming routine that is shaving—every morning, men wake up and drag blades over their faces. GilletteLabs, which is the styleconscious and cutting-edge (pardon the pun) division of the Bostonbased brand, has come up with away to elevate this experience. Cue the new design dubbed the GilletteLabs with Exfoliating Bar Razor. It's the second product to come out of the line, and its diecast zinc metal construction—tipped with rubber sections to improve grip—makes it feel like a premium product in the hand. The handle itself even comes with a lifetime warranty, which the brand touts as the last razor you'll have…

STYLE For a company that's just one decade shy of two centuries old, Longines still manages to retain a youthful exuberance not just through its timepieces but in image as well, having recently signed Jennifer Lawrence as its latest brand ambassador. “Longines,” the Don't Look Up star expresses, “has long been synonymous with timeless elegance, which to me, can be defined as a quiet powerfulness met with grace and confidence.” Pushing its brand ethos of timeless elegance farther than ever, and into everything from classical timepieces to sporty vintageinspired watches to contemporary chronographs, Longines is certainly making the most of its 190th anniversary. Whether you're looking at it from a technical perspective, a historical standpoint or a consumer's position, the Manufacture has done everything right with such horological standouts as…

If the success of a species might be measured by its numbers, humankind seemingly has much to celebrate. Remarkably, two millennia ago, there were just 300 million of us. Within your grandparents’ lifetime, that figure exploded to 2.5 billion. Now we have just passed another milestone. As the turn of the new year beckons, there are now eight billion humans on Earth. Only insect species outnumber us. That's a product of our relatively prodigious brains and complex social structures, which have allowed us to circumvent the usual rules of evolution—species size is limited by the resources that are available to sustain it. It's because of advances in medicine, agriculture and nutrition, so we live longer. But that, some suggest, is also a big problem. They say that with the United…