CATEGORIES

How Food Makes Merry

Like in the iconic sitcom Friends, our go-to eating spots are also often our favourite social spaces - something that the pandemic has reinforced, what with the regulations on where and how we've been able to gather during the past two years. Following March 29 – the day the cap on the number of vaccinated people allowed to dine in as a group was raised to 10 - we got four creative posses together at their F&B hangouts of choice to chow and chat about how food makes merry.

Starters Of The Day

They're created by names associated foremost with the world of conceptual art, but these objects can also be worn, sat on, used as a container or even as part of one's bath time ritual. Keng Yang Shuen reports on the blurring of lines between art and design, and the Singapore artists reshaping the principle of form follows function.

states of dress

There’s been a growing voice within local creative circles – one that talks about fashion not so much in terms of runway trends, aesthetic or GDP, but as a part of art, culture and the social fabric. Keng Yang Shuen spotlights the people who are broadening how we see and understand fashion and, in turn, are helping to shape Singapore into the truest and most sophisticated kind of fashion city.

they're in fashion

Meet 10 people who help fuel and influence the industry –though not necessarily in ways you know.

shawna wu on making it as a young designer now

Recently the Singapore-born Taiwanese artisan has seen her hand-crafted creations – gauzy, gothic-charged knits so sensual they blur the boundaries between clothes and lingerie – turn up on digital-age celebrities. The virtual influencer Lil Miquela; the 1.3 million-follower-strong models/reality TV stars, the Clermont Twins; even Charli XCX who wore a custom number to the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards. It’s still early days though for her namesake label, which she officially registered as a business in New York (where she’s been based since 2013) only this year. And she refuses to let all that fame get to her. Here, her advice to other young fashion talents as told to Keng Yang Shuen.

honest to goodness

A fashion-slash-beauty buffon what’s supposed to be a radical new base product from a luxury fashion house that’s two years into the beauty game.

iris apfel on how being happy is more important than being fashionable

The American textile specialist-turned-model is a true fashion icon – so original is her singular, baroque-inspired style that it has even earned her an exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now in conjunction with her centennial birthday, H&M has collaborated with her on a 38-piece-strong, limited-edition line of ready-to-wear and accessories emulating her vivacious taste. Ahead of its recent launch in stores and online, this original peacock offered a few wise (and exclusive) words on the state of dressing today.

campbell o'shea on the shifting face of fashion influencers

This month, Coach rolls out the second edition of its Key Opinion Leader (KOL) programme, an exclusive-to-Singapore initiative that sees six of its store associates turned into influencers who will star in a series of seasonal campaign photos to be showcased in the brand’s local boutiques. O’Shea – the South-east Asian and Oceanian general manager for Coach’s parent company Tapestry – tells Gordon Ng about redefining who gets to be a fashion tastemaker today.

abdul nasser on what makes a great fashion magazine today

He’s the second-generation owner of Basheer Graphic Books that has become a haven for the local creative community for its exhaustive range of niche, rare and exclusive design-related publications, fashion periodicals included. Entering the business in his 20s (the store on the fourth floor of Bras Basah Complex has been around since 1991), he’s witnessed not just the evolution of the print trade, but also trends and tastes. So what’s in now? Keng Yang Shuen finds out.

Bringing New Meaning To The Term 'Soul Food'

Welcome to three of the most creative new players in experiential dining here. Their settings can hardly be called that of a restaurant, and their focus is as much on supporting the arts and the environment as it is on the menu, bringing new meaning to the term "soul food”.

Fine Jewellery That Adds A Taste Of Luxury To The Everyday

A curation of what ought to be recognised as among the finest delicacies today by Nithiya Laila - culinary anthropologist, chef, farmers' market organiser and community seed bank founder - accompanied by a selection of fine jewellery that adds a taste of luxury to the everyday

A Moveable Feast

The pandemic has hit the F&B sector hard. Yet, in the past two years, Singapore has also seen the birth of some of our most spectacular restaurants that drive across the point that we aren't just a global food city, but an excellent one. From eclectic bistros big on personality to a French fine-dining institution housed in a heritage church building, these joints are bold in both concept and taste, suffused with the warmth and thoughtfulness of a good friend no matter the setting. And, of course, their interiors are stunning, making them destinations to see and be seen at, and compel one to get all dressed up - even if it's for a table of one. So now, who's ready to eat?

The Next Magnificent

He's new guy at Hermes, asked to lead its beauty studio - the youngest of the brand's metiers that also has the potential to be its widest-reaching. So what does Gregoris Pyrpylis plan to bring to the table of this revered house of good taste? Gordon Ng finds out when the Greek makeup artist visited Singapore last month – his maiden trip since his appointment as creative director of Hermes Beauty.

Cool Girl's Ultimate Fashion Goodies

With its graphic gauge link design that draws from the industrial roots and gritty-meets-glamourous spirit of New York City, the pieces from Tiffany & Co.'s HardWear collection make for the cool girl's ultimate fashion goodies, whether one's dressing up or down. Together with the American luxury jeweller, Female shows how you can pile them on, stack them up and let everyone else eat their hearts out.

Το Have And Το Hold

From timelessly glamorous solitaire engagement rings to sophisticated his-and-her wedding bands with a modern geometric bent, the British jeweller Graff has all the pieces that one needs to commemorate that special union. In partnership with the luxury house, Female offers a close-up look at some of these symbols of love.

GOLD STORAGE

Crafty and generously sized, this season's array of designer carry-alls raises the bar on bring-your-own-bag chic.

Gaming - A Space For Imagination, Reinvention And Escapism

Even before talk about the metaverse became vogue and brands ranging from Louis Vuitton to OPI (yeah, the nail polish company) and Netflix started getting into the arena, gaming has always offered a space for imagination, reinvention and escapism. Keng Yang Shuen meets five from the fashion and design scene here who might or might not fit your stereotype of a gamer, and gets them to share how the pursuit makes them feel utterly alive.

Cosmic Dancer

With their latest album Glitch Princess, the Singapore-born musician-slash-cyber entity Yeule takes a quantum leap into the next phase of not only their artistry, but also person and way of thinking. Keng Yang Shuen gets up close (through Zoom) to find out how they’re learning to break from their old identities and boundaries and, in doing so, transcend the mundane realm.

What The World Needs Now

Resilience, dependability, sustainability and health, or so says Peter Philips – the creative and image director of makeup at Dior Beauty. Gordon Ng speaks with the beauty expert on how he’s channelled all that to make the brand’s popular Dior Forever range of foundations even better.

Over The Rainbow

Videos By Some Of Singapore’s Most Daring And Stylish Young Imagemakers Including Filmmaker Joy Song And Photographer Zalindrome. A Site-specific Installation By The Pop Culture-obsessed Mixed Media Artist Eduardo Enrique. An Immersive Audiovisual Experience Featuring Psychedelic Motion Graphics By Reza Hasni (See Right) And A Soundtrack By Electronic Musician Kin Leonn And More. Without Doubt, One Of The Buzziest Shows At Singapore Art Week This Month Will Be Happy House Curated By Tulika Ahuja And Eileen Chan. The Former Is The Independent Art Consultant On Everyone’s Lips For Her Playful And Thoughtprovoking Interactive Shows. The Other Is The Beloved Dj Who Revolutionised Our Nightlife Scene With Her Underground Techno Parties And Laid The Foundation For The Project After Leaving What Was Formerly Her Happy House. Here, The Latter Talks To Noelle Loh About The Death Of Clubs, Locals’ Troubling Relationship With Happiness, And How She Reclaimed The Joy She Found On The Dance Floor Through Art.

Portrait Of A Lady

Even before the red carpet had become a fashion arena, Chanel was already deeply enmeshed in cinema – Coco Chanel herself was known to design costumes for french and Hollywood film stars. It’s a relationship that the house has continued with its fashion and jewellery pieces appearing in modern productions. The latest: the princess diana biopic spencer, which opens here in february and features brand muse kristen stewart in the lead role. Gordon Ng gets an exclusive with her and costume designer jacqueline durran on the three archival chanel looks that were specially remade for the film.

The New Masters Of Art

Like Traditional Curators, The Folks On The Next 15 Pages Put Together Shows And Function As Conduits Between Artists And Audiences. What Distinguishes This New Generation: They Are Reshaping What Makes A Show, How Artists Should Be Treated And Who Makes A Curator In The First Place, Giving Form To One Of The Most Exciting Times In Singapore Art. Keng Yang Shuen Spotlights Five Emerging Tastemakers In Art Here And Gets Them To Share Their Picks Of Names To Watch.

The New Cult Bags From Balenciaga Are A Real “Supermarket Steal”

The new cult bags from Balenciaga are a real “supermarket steal”.

Rolex Deepens Its Ties With The World Of Cinema

Swiss watchmaker Rolex deepens its ties with the world of cinema with the opening of a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to all aspects of moviemaking. And the award for best supporting actor goes to...

A Cut Above

The house of Bvlgari ups the boldness and beauty of its Divas’ Dream collection.

Luxury Bag Trend To Know And Love Now

This is the luxury bag trend to know and love now. Bagaholicboy tells us why.

Luxury Is… Having No Limits

Francesco Ragazzi – Founder/Creative Director Of Palm Angels – Has Always Been A Dreamer, Turning What Was Originally A Photography Project Documenting La’s Skate Scene Into A Cult Designer Streetwear Brand That Reinvents Americana Style And Culture With Signature Italian Wit. In Conjunction With The Recent Launch Of His Latest Collection Under Moncler’s Genius Project, Keng Yang Shuen Gets An Exclusive Interview With The Man On His Imagination, Aspirations And Love For Collaborating.

What The Female Team Really, Really Wants

F-obsessions

The ArtyCapucines Series From Louis Vuitton Is Back

While Only In Its Third Edition, Louis Vuitton's Annual ArtyCapucines Series That Sees Artists Worldwide Putting Their Spin On 'the Maison's Craftsmanship-focused Capucines Handbag Has Become Collectors' Gold (Each Design Is Limited To 200 Pieces Globally). It's Also Become Something Of A Rolodex Of Established And Fast-rising Art-stars-to-know, In Conjunction With This Issue's Theme, Keng Yang Shuen Zooms In On The Two Asian Names In This Year's Line-up Of Collaborators, Whose Creations Hit Selected Boutiques End-october: Huang Yuxing And Zeng Fanzhi.

Individuals Who Reinvent And Influence How We Live Today

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Gucci, a house driven by creativity and craftsmanship. And what better way to celebrate than by meeting people who also give 100 percent effort? These rare individuals not only dare to dream big, they also reinvent and influence how we live today.