SCION Jul-Sep 2015

KEEPING IT REAL How Nur Fazura is staying true to herself while reaching for the sky

ASIAN PERSUASION

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C L AU D I A K I M 路 G LO B A L C I T I Z E N Actress & Model

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Co n t e n t s

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22 40 16 – AROUND THE WORLD

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58 FASHION & BEAUTY

54 – PAMPER YOURSELF PRETTY

36 – FASHION & BEAUTY UPDATES COVER STORY 22- UP CLOSE WITH NUR FAZURA FEATURE STORY 32 – GROOVING WITH RAZI 34 – WILL POWER

TRAVEL & DINING 62 – NEWS FOR THE GLOBETROTTER

accessories 40 – CELLULOID CHIC

64 – CITIES OF SOUND

44 – SHARP EYES

56 – THE ART OF ACCESSORISING

71 – PARADISE FOUND

46 – ASIAN PERSUASION

58 – THE CHIMES OF TIME

74 – THE ISLAND’S FINEST

50 – HOW TO BE A ROCK STAR

80 – WOMAN ON TOP

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74 DESIGN & SPACES

96 – REVIVED i40 PUSHES QUALITY BOUNDARIES

82 – UPDATES FOR THE INTERIORS SOCIETY 83 - GRAND DESIGNS 88 – TABLE MATTERS

98 – SCION & SHANGRI-LA CELEBRATE NATURE’S BOUNTY

90 – MAKE YOUR KITCHEN DREAMS COME TRUE

100 – THE SWISS CONNECTION

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101 – FASHIONABLE ROYALS

92 - FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST 94 – THROWING DOWN THE GAUNTLET

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Editor’s Note

SCI-ON [sahy-uh-on]

A noble descendant, a privileged individual. Scions have the world at their feet. They hold the key to a vault of privileges that only an exclusive few can enjoy. At SCION, the line of wealth, luxury and high-living begins.

July/August/September 2015 Publisher: Wan Zainal Shazali Managing Editor: Pauline Chan Art Director: Novri Rinaldi Copy Editor: Vittoria D’Alessio Assistant Editor: Intan Abu Daniel Finance Manager: Chin Hui Hui Sales & Marketing Manager Bina Chauhan Contributors: Rohaizatul Azhar, Su Jia Xian, Karen Tee, Neil Briscoe, Roderick Eime, Annette Tan, Patricia Lee, Glenn A. Baker

Duke Orsino famously declared in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night: “If music be the food of love, play on” – a statement I identify with strongly. But if food feeds the body then music feeds the soul, and for this issue of SCION we indulge in both life-sustaining pleasures – meal and melody. First we swim luxuriantly in the world of entertainment.

Then, with stars in our eyes, we sidle over to some of the best dining destinations from this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

In our cover story, we chat with new songstress and E! channel’s Malaysian star Nur Fazura about her reality TV show and her life in the limelight. Fame brings both the joy of adoration and the pain of censure. While it’s easy enough to soak in the good stuff, the bad press can be hard to swallow. Nur Fazura takes it all with a positive outlook and admirable self-confidence. Her career, meanwhile, flies ever higher.

An upbeat nature and a healthy dose of self-belief are traits Nur Fazura shares with Bruneian entertainer Fakhrul Razi and Singaporean singer Wiltay – also featured in this issue. So have we just stumbled upon the winning formula for a stellar career on stage…?

Join award-winning Australian journalist and commentator Glenn A. Baker as he traverses 13 cities to bring us the vibes of music festivals around the world. Glenn is well known for his vast knowledge of rock music and has written books and magazine articles on rock music and travel, as well as interviewing celebrities, managing bands and promoting tours for international artistes. And of course, if you have the pipes to be a rock star, you’ll also need the look if you’re to have a stab at stardom. Read our features on style masters, beauty aids and fashion ideas designed to take you from drab to fab in the swish of a mascara wand. Get your glam look out there and bask in the spotlight now!

SCION A magazine of CHMP Media, Brunei Darussalam Tel: +673 2331031 Fax: +673 2231031 E-mail: info@chmpmedia.com

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Cover photo: Malaysian TV star Nur Fazura wears a Royal Collection Tanzanite & diamond necklace

All materials are strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. Opinions expressed in Scion are not necessarily those of the publisher and the publisher does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk.

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Ar o u n d Th e W o r l d

DVF OPENS NEW STORE IN SINGAPORE American fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg has unveiled her third standalone store in Singapore. Located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (MBS), the 121sqm retail space offers a full collection of ready-to-wear clothes and accessories including handbags, shoes, small leather goods, scarves and jewellery. Von Furstenberg, who was recently in Singapore for Fashion Week and is also president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), believes the prestigious MBS is the perfect place for her brand’s expansion. To mark the opening, she created a garment exclusively for The Shoppes. Called the DVF Brookes Parka, the piece is a leopard green paper habotai hooded parka lined with detachable and reversible leopard-printed lamb’s fur.

The new Diane von Furstenberg store is located at B2-18, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands www.dvf.com/storeswww.dvf.com/stores

RETAIL THERAPY WITH FAIRMONT Fairmont hotels in Asia are offering stay-and-shop packages that include luxurious overnight accommodation together with an array of exclusive treats ranging from shopping vouchers to cultural workshops, revitalising massages and even a complimentary packing and shipping service. The ultimate shopping adventure awaits you at the famous Bund in Shanghai, Raffles City Shopping Centre in Singapore and Beijing’s Silk Market. Discover the unique shops and boutiques in Makati in the Philippines, indulge in Jakarta’s retail haven or simply stroll through the popular Suzhou Village at Yangcheng Lake in China.

To learn more about these packages, visit the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts website and shop your heart out! www.fairmont.com/asia/shoppinginstyle

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THE ART OF EXPANSION A new building has been added to the Whitney Museum of American Art. Designed by Pritzker Prizewinning architect Renzo Piano, the edifice is located on Gansevoort Street in downtown Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, and opened on May 1. The Whitney building’s indoor and outdoor galleries will approximately double the museum’s exhibition space, providing far greater possibilities for artists, curators and audiences. The 20,500sqm, nine-storey building includes about 4,800sqm of indoor exhibition space.

The new Whitney has opened with America is Hard to See, an ambitious exhibition that reexamines the history of American art from 1900 to today. This is the most extensive display to date of the Whitney’s collection and it fills the museum. The exhibition is on now till September. whitney.org

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Ar o u n d th e W o r l d

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UP CLOSE WITH

NUR FAZURA Nur Fazura is the name on everybody’s lips today. Her reality show Facing Up to Fazura debuted on E! on December 14 and has made the self-confessed ‘very shy’ Malaysian actress far more famous than she anticipated. The fivepart reality show brings viewers into Nur Fazura’s everyday life as a TV and movie personality, singer and now fashion designer in Malaysia. So with a popular TV show, a hit song, movie credits and a growing fashion line under her belt, what comes next for Nur Fazura? SCION catches up with the star in Kuala Lumpur to find out.

CERES JEWELS: Fancy pink diamond ring, diamond & South Sea pearls earrings; printed top by Michael Kors

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Facing Up To Fazura, your reality show on E! is about letting people know the real you, so what did you hope your viewers would learn about you?

When they first offered the reality show to me, I was reluctant to do it because I’ve always been a very private person. But now that I’m 31 turning 32, I’ve decided it’s time for the world to know the real me and not what is written about me.

So we’ve done the first season and we’re going to do a second season this year. I just want my fans – you know, they’ve been really growing with me from the first day I’ve been in the industry – to embark on this journey with me and get to know the real me.

When will the second season be out?

We’re in the midst of discussions still and haven’t decided when we’ll start shooting, but it will definitely happen. I think they’re looking at some time in October.

Now that you’ve done your reality show, what have you learned?

People say a lot of things about you when they don’t even know you. After doing the show, I learned there are still people who hate me for no reason. I mean, I know I’m not everybody’s cup of tea, but still! But some people have grown to love me more, and I think it’s great. I’ve learned so much about loving myself and not really caring about other people’s approval and opinions. When you love yourself, you become more real and truly yourself, and when you do that, people start loving you more and more for being you.

So you are more willing to open up your life and share more now?

As scary as it sounds, I think so. In the second season, they’re looking to see more of my personal life, like who I’m dating (I’m not dating anyone right now).

People are expecting me to get married, as I am turning 32. I’m really not ready to get married, ya know! I’m pretty much married to my work and I’m just getting to know people. In the second season, the response that we get from everybody

CERES JEWELS: Zambian emerald & round diamond bracelet; Zambian emerald & vivid yellow diamond ring; wool octagonal jacquard dress with embroidery and Gia leather brogue lace-up shoe by Gucci

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CERES JEWELS: Round diamond ring and diamond & black diamond earrings; net print silk dress by Gucci

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is that they want to see more of my personal life, they want me to open up more. I think I’m ready for that.

Because of your show, you have many fans here in Brunei. When are you going to pop by to say hi?

I haven’t been to Brunei for so long. I have an aunt and lots of friends living there and I would like to come and visit.

So probably this year I’m going to make some kind of gathering in Brunei or an appearance so I can meet my fans in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.

How did you get into the entertainment business?

I was a student and was approached by some producers to do drama and sound but I wasn’t very interested. At one time, a DJ called Halim Othman approached me and said there was a movie with this veteran actress and they would like me to be the lead actress. And I went “Really? But I don’t like acting, and I don’t know how!”

But as soon as I got on the set and they called “action”, I realised I was acting and I won an award for it. I won the ‘Best Promising Actress’ at the 17th Malaysian Film Festival. One thing led

to another and here I am, 13 years in the industry. Crazy!

You’ve added another feather in your cap with your hit song Sayangi Dirimu.

Tell us about that.

I always wanted to sing as a little girl but I never really had the guts, but right now I feel in a rush to conquer and accomplish everything, so I decided to do a song – really it was just for fun. I did the song to motivate people and myself. So it was unexpected when it did really well and everybody loved it. Next I’m doing a song with Singaporean singer Taufik Batisah.

You have a fashion line, House of Doll – how is that doing?

I’ve had House of Doll for three years but I wasn’t really involved in it last year because I was busy with acting, singing, reality show, this and that, so this year I’ll be more involved. I’ll be producing more collections – like for this festive season, I’ll have a Raya Collection. I’ll also be involved in KL Fashion Week in August for the first time and will be showcasing 32 different styles of clothing, so I’m really excited.

CERES JEWELS: Round diamond & pear-shaped fancy yellow diamond earrings; pink quartz with diamond & black diamond ring; diamond twin ring; embellished jacket & skirt by Madison Avenue Collection Kate Spade; gold knitted top by Missoni

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Where can we get your clothes?

Raya Collection will be available at House of Dolls and also at Zalora.

What additional talent would you most like to have?

I would have liked to have been a vet.

I want to help animals. I’ve always dreamed about having an animal hospital or being a doctor for animals.

Any pets of your own?

I have four cats living in the house with me now. My mum has, like 25 to 30 cats – she is fond of collecting these stray cats, feeding them and treating them like babies!

What were you like as a child – naughty or nice?

I’ve always been a girly girl, a nice kid.

I just needed three new Barbie dolls

to be confident. You can be happy by just being happy. For me, happiness is really from the inside. Just start feeling happy and think about all the good things.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear has always been seeing animals being abused. One of my dreams is to have an animal shelter but I can’t deal with animal abuse. I have some neighbours who keep cats in cages – they don’t even clean their waste or feed them properly. I can’t face that. It gives me a lot of anger and frustration.

What has been the biggest challenge in your life?

It used to be about what people said, but now I’m flying so high I don’t really think about what people say and what people think of me.

“Happiness starts from you. I think the number one rule is to always count your blessings.”

every week and I’d be fine! I would play in my room by myself, very quietly.

Did you get along with your siblings?

Yes. I have three brothers. Growing up, it’s difficult when you have three brothers and you’re the only girl because they pretty much see you as the ‘spoilt one’, the ‘naughty one’ or the ‘dependent one’. I would say among all my siblings I’ve always been the most independent one, the bravest and most outgoing.

What is your idea of happiness?

Happiness to me, is an inside job. I think people too often rely on other people or things to be happy. You need to feel good about yourself, you need

What do you value in friends?

Friends have always been one of the biggest parts of my life and I’m so glad that I have amazing friends. They’re pretty unconventional but there are no rules about who you should be friends with. A lot of people think I should be friends with more girls, or girls who carry all kinds of handbags and stuff like that, but I find real friends in the people who are always there for me, people who are loyal and who will always talk good about you behind your back.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about just being alone. That’s weird right? All my life I’ve had a boyfriend but now I

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CERES JEWELS: Italian long chain with diamond, diamond bangle and diamond ring form the Bello Collection; knitted dress by Missoni; jacket by Madison Avenue Collection, Kate Spade

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pretty much enjoy my time alone, eating my salad or whatever food I want, being at home, going for a massage – just being alone. I am now relying on myself for happiness and I think that’s really powerful. That’s really one of the biggest accomplishments you can make.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting out of the imprisonment of what people say. Freeing myself from the need for approval, from other people’s judgments, and just living my life the way I want.

What brings you joy and what irks you?

What irks me is when people smoke in the car or in the room. It’s so gross! What brings me joy is seeing my niece smile, and my nephews. Seeing my mother happy – that’s the best.

Tell us one thing about you that not many people know.

I wash my hands over 50 times a day! I am OCD in many ways. When I do my pilates, I have this yoga mat and I endlessly adjust it to makes sure it’s not crooked.

What was it like growing up in Pahang?

Oh it was nice. Like I said, I have always been very shy and my dad was strict with me going out so I was always in my room. I was very privileged because my parents showered me with a lot of gifts and Barbies, so I was happy growing up as my daddy’s little girl and doing my own thing.

Your birthday is in September. What are your plans for the day?

This year, I was planning to go to Tomorrowland - it’s a music festival and the next one is in September - but things are probably going to be too crazy for me so I’m still thinking about it.

CERES JEWELS: Diamond necklace, ring with round and marquisshaped diamonds, diamond & black diamond bangles; fur jacket

by Madison Avenue Collection, Kate Spade; black top by Michael Kors; suede pants and heels by Longchamp

Photography : Jimmy Khoo @ ZINQ Studio www.zinqstudio.com Art Direction : Jimmy Khoo Assistants : Wei Ping & Haziq Stylist : Christina Smirnova & Daniel Lim Make Up Artist : Cherina Othman Hair Stylist : Dylan Boon Jewellery: Ceres Jewels

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Grooving with Razi Growing up in a distinctly Bruneian family, Fakhrul Razi was given a childhood in Kampong Serasa that he nostalgically describes as “very normal”. Dad was a government servant and Mum a housewife. Or as Fakhrul puts it, Mum did the ‘mum’ things and Dad did the ‘dad’ thing. But what made his family less conventional was the way he was raised. From an early age, Fakhrul and his four elder sisters were taught self-empowerment and life values alongside important virtues like respect, compassion and gratitude.

And this healthy upbringing is abundantly apparent now – aged 35, Fakhrul is carving out a career as an entertainer and songwriter with the humility and maturity of a seasoned pro.

FR, as he’s popularly known, joined a local talent competition in 2004 and won. People sat up and took note.

He went on to work as a DJ at Radio Televisyen Brunei and made singing appearances from time to time, but the early days were not easy and money was tight. However, he never lost sight of his aim to sing for a living, and he finally cut his first album Mutlak in 2014. These days, FR travels between Kuala Lumpur and Brunei recording music, performing in shows, writing lyrics and working on his distinctive Bruneian sound.

When did you discover that singing was your ‘thing’?

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember but at first I didn’t see it as singing (laughs). It felt more like talking but with melodies. Melodies repeated from just about everywhere – dreams, conversations, sounds I heard on the radio, chirping from birds and even insect noises. Pretty erratic, I must say.

There was a heavy dose of imagination – which I’d describe as healthy and normally optional. Like, I’d see how I would sound if I was born as a frog or cat that could carry a tune.

Tell us how your music career took off?

I joined a local singing competition in 2004 and the rest is history.

Who were some of your musical influences growing up?

My friends and my surroundings.

Who are you listening to these days?

Karen Armstrong, Lesley Hazleton and Reza Aslan mostly. By the way, they aren’t singers, they are authors. It’s kind of like the ‘chef ’ logic – that the chef only cooks in restaurants but not at home. I read more than I listen to music. I write more than I sing. I’m more of a songwriter than a singer.

Is there an album coming out soon?

Hopefully (laughs). But yes, I plan to make another album.

What do you do between recordings?

I do almost everything, from nothing to everything. I write, I sleep, I sing, I imagine, I shop, I eat, I travel and sometimes I just do absolutely nothing. However, the solitude of not doing anything helps me contemplate life, and with a pen in hand, I jot down notes about my ideas, lyrics and phrases, sometimes with melodies and sometimes without. Creativity is a pretty tricky business.

If you could work with any artiste, who would it be?

I want to work with (Malaysian singer) Dayang Nurfaizah. I’d like to write her songs or even have a duet with her.

What is one weird thing about you that people don’t know?

I find it extremely difficult to finish any type of beverage.

What is it that you’re passionate about?

I’m passionate about finding ways to give back to society and I’m also passionate about singing. I believe a lot of good can be done by putting melodies on poetry. With the right attitude, one could experience transcendence.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to not just play but to understand all musical instruments in the world.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

To love my mornings as much as I love my nights.

What were you like as a kid?

Pleasant, obedient, charming.

Photos: Flo Von Linprun

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Born in Singapore, Wiltay was discovered in 2012 while holidaying with his parents in Spain. He was playing his guitar in a park when a man approached him and shouted: “Precioso, precioso!” (“Beautiful, beautiful!”) The man proceeded to invite him to a party for entertainers, and Wiltay agreed to go (with a degree of trepidation). At the party, he met “a lot of wonderful, artistic people” and as the night rolled on, he agreed to sing. A producer then approached him with an offer he couldn’t refuse: would he like to film a music video? And so came Wiltay’s lucky break into the music industry. Since then, the 25-year-old has performed at a Madrid song festival, written his first single ( Hola) and recorded his first English album ( WTF ), which won Best Pop Album of the Year at the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards in 2014.

In the past few months, you’ve released three singles, won Pop Album of the Year and been nominated in four categories at the Los Angeles Music Awards. How does this sudden fame feel?

I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have had such wonderful experiences of travelling around the world doing what I love. I wake up every morning feeling grateful and hope this will continue. I really believe that anyone who puts passion and soul into something he loves will achieve his dreams. Seeing is believing!

Image courtesy of Wiltay

Will Power Fresh-faced and exuberant, Wiltay looks more boy-next-door than international pop star. But behind that sweet smile and perfect set of teeth is a mind full of determination and self-belief. Even being told he was too short to be a star left his confidence undented.

How would you describe your music?

My music is all about realness. All my songs have a theme encouraging others to strive to become better people. One of the songs I wrote – Nothing Can Stop Us – speaks about how we face challenges each day but we must never let anything stop us from becoming the best ‘us’. The songs are categorised as pop and alternative rock.

What inspires your songs?

I am very inspired by my experiences in life. These transcend into my music. Some of my greatest songs are written about real emotions, like rejection, fear, etcetera. One instance that gave me inspiration was a drive on a rainy day in Los Angeles. I started going down a hill and my car wouldn’t stop when I hit the brakes – it started to spin and I almost got into a serious accident but thankfully I was very blessed and the car came to a stop before I reached a red light. After that traumatising incident, I wrote a song called What Are We Waiting For, which talks about the instances in life during which we wait for something to happen instead of us seizing the moment. It’s true! If you are in love, tell that person how you feel, do not hide it, because they may never know. I try to stay very connected and aware of my experiences. I love life!

What have you been listening to lately?

Since I started to travel between Spain and United States, the genres of the music I listen to have been changing. In Spain, I like to listen to Spanish singers Pablo Alboran and Alejandro

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Sanz, who have strong flamenco influences. In the United States, I’ve been listening to the songs of [Australian singer, songwriter and music video director) Sia – I had the honour of meeting her at the Grammy’s. She’s such an incredible songwriter.

I also love the songs of my buddy Ed Sheeran. The night before his concert in Singapore, several of us took him around to different places in the city and I was so inspired by how down to earth he was. Not only does he work hard, he knows how to enjoy life too. He also beat everyone at pool [billiards].

You’re Singaporean-born with a music career based in Spain – what do your family and friends back in Singapore think about your career?

My family has always been very supportive of my passion.

My dad once told me that no amount of money could buy the amount of passion that I have for music. He has always been very encouraging. My friends were very surprised by the development of my career in Spain and are always teasing me about the romantic Spanish culture.

Your video Nothing Can Stop Us is about romance and socialmedia addicts. Are you active on social media yourself?

I’m very active on my social media to connect with my followers. Sometimes my fans write to me and share stories about the challenges in their lives and it makes me happy to listen and advise them. I consider my fans to be like family. We are a group. I’ve been surprised to receive messages from fans in Brunei even though I’ve never been there.

Which song from your album WTF are you most proud of, and why?

I love all the songs in the album because they all portray a different message of how to better yourself. My song Running is about running away from the negativity that’s thrown at us. It’s important to keep running and never stop for the negativity. I love Nothing Can Stop Us because it talks about loving someone and never giving up. No matter what challenges you face, you can always find a way out. Never be afraid to love.

Are there any future music collaborations that we can look forward to?

There are a lot of surprises in my upcoming album. I’m very fortunate to have Randy Jackson, a former judge on American Idol as my manager – he has been an incredible mentor and has guided my creative direction. It would be fun to show Randy Jackson around Asia on my next tour. He would love the people of Brunei.

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

The biggest challenge is related to time. I sleep about four hours a day, and because I fly from country to country so much, it’s hard to find time in my schedule to allocate to creativity and to perfecting a song. My priority has always been my fans.

They have made it possible for me to be where I am today, so I

WILTAY AND RANDY JACKSON (Image courtesy of Wiltay)

also try to spend some time each day replying to my fans on social media.

Is there anything else coming up that your fans should know about?

My manager and I are very excited that we’ll be sharing my new album in the months to come. I’ll be releasing songs that I recorded in Los Angeles with Randy’s guidance, and you can look forward to a lot of surprising new music videos.

For my Spanish fans, I will also be releasing a completely Spanish album.

During filming of one of my new music videos, a film director approached me to ask if I could skateboard. I told him straight away: “Yes!” But I haven’t actually skateboarded for 10 years.

I then had to prove to him that I could skate, so the next day I skateboarded for 16 hours to get my skills back, and then I sent him videos of me skateboarding. He auditioned me and I was cast in his upcoming film Crash the Sky, which will begin filming this summer.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank my beloved fans in Brunei who have been writing to me, and I really look forward to coming to Brunei to see all of you. Thank you Scion Magazine for sharing this with the people of Brunei.

Saya sayang kamu!

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Cruise Into Style Sparkling Jasmine Lovers of fine jewellery can add a new name to their favourites list. American fashion label CH Carolina Herrera is the latest ready-to-wear brand to step into the exclusive world of fine jewellery with the recent launch of its Falling Jasmine collection. Designed

by Carolina Herrera de Baez in collaboration with Argentine artist Grillo Demo, the 10-piece collection is inspired by de Baez’s mother, the iconic New York-based Venezuelan designer Carolina Herrera, whose favourite flower and essence is Jasmine. The collection comprises five pairs of earrings, all of which display five delicate white flowers in different-sized studs and also in a drop style, a chain necklace with a jasmine pendant, a spiral ring, a bracelet, a choker and a tiara made of goldplated silver and enamelled in white.

The collection is available at CH Carolina Herrera stores worldwide, including Suria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. www.carolinaherrera.com

The wide, futuristic concrete curves of Bob Hope’s home in Palm Springs, California, recently became the background for Nicolas Ghesquiere’s second Cruise show for French fashion house Louis Vuitton. Channelling the brand’s signature Art of Travel spirit, Ghesquiere sent out models wearing leather hiking boots and white high-top sneakers with fluid silhouettes of long silk skirts, leather backpacks and punchy short bomber jackets. Front-row celebrities included top models Miranda Kerr and Tao Okamoto, singer Selena Gomez and actresses Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marisa Tomei and Maggie Cheung. The collection will be available in all Louis Vuitton stores worldwide in coming months. www.louisvuitton.com

Fa s h i o n & B e a u t y

Artsy Chic Spanish fashion house Loewe has teamed up with British textile designer John Allen for a special capsule collection of playful accessories. The collection, which includes beach towels, duffel and tote bags as well as scarves, features three of Allen’s designs: Falling Leaves, Cornish Harbour and Pink House. This is the first time that the luxury fashion house is collaborating with artists and artisans. To mark the launch, Loewe will release an exclusive publication, which includes an in-depth interview with Allen as well as never-before-seen images. Available at selected Loewe stores, only 1,200 copies of the book have been printed.

Photos: Loewe, Louis Vuitton, CH Caroline Herrera

For more information, please visit www.loewe.com

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Through The Looking Glass American fashion designer Tory Burch is best known for her preppy-yet-glamorous designs that are oh-so-easy to pull off.

Her latest capsule beauty collection offers make-up lovers a chance to experience her less-is-more philosophy as they primp and preen. The three eye shadow palettes, each housed in a pretty vintage book-inspired mirror compact, offer a curated selection of six eye shadows that are designed to take the guesswork out of blending colours. The Cat’s Meow palette offers easy glamour with shades of radiant taupes and deep blue-violets for an effortless smokey eye while Pas du Tout’s universally flattering shades of bronzes and neutrals gives a natural look for dress-down days. www.toryburch.sg

Swiss Miss When it comes to innovation and technology, leave it to the Swiss to get it right. This is why Swiss beauty brands and formulations are often ranked among the world’s best. Now, Haute Swiss Cosmetics, a multi-label beauty boutique, is making it easier for Asian skincare addicts to get their hands on previously hard-to-find Swiss brands. The newly opened boutique, with two outlets in Singapore as well as an online store, offers a selection of nine cult brands that are known for their exacting research and production standards. Brands include Karin Herzog, a pioneer in oxygen-based skincare; Cholley, known for potent anti-ageing stem-cell technology, and luxury organic brand Vetia Floris. There can be no better time to reconfigure your skincare regimen. www.hauteswisscosmetics.com

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Scientific botanicals

Back to the future

Turn your daily routine into an everyday indulgence with luxurious products from the June Jacobs Spa Collection.

The brand’s skin, hair and body-care products are a happy blend of cutting-edge science and beloved botanical and traditional remedies, giving users a beauty regime that is both indulgent and effective. What makes this New Yorkbased brand stand out is that it directs its own research and development lab. As a result, all formulas are made without parabens and preservatives, and are mostly petrochemical- and fragrance-free. Star products include the Papaya Purifying Enzyme Mask and the delightfully scented Neroli Hydrating Mist. These products are available at selected beauty treatment centres and will launch in Sephora later this year. www.junejacobs.com

There’s something alluring about the fragrances of yore that today’s mass-produced perfumes seem to struggle to replicate. Thankfully, heritage perfumeries such as London brand Atkinsons are breathing life into some of its most iconic scents from the 1900s. Atkinsons’ new Legendary Collection is a reinvention of three of its signature scent creations – Love In Idleness, The Excelsior Bouquet and Amber Empire, proving that the best perfumes can indeed withstand the test of time.

Ladies who lunch will no doubt enjoy Love In Idleness, a delightful burst of violet flowers that dries down to a woody blend of heliotrope, tree moss and patchouli. www.atkinsons1799.com

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Celluloid

Chic As part of their seasonal advertising campaigns, luxury fashion houses are releasing short films that feature fantasy storylines, unexpected plot twists and of course a terrific line-up of fashion. ROHAIZATUL AZHAR looks at some of the best fashion films to have been released in recent months.

Fashion houses are going the extra mile to market their latest products, calling in support from A-list Hollywood celebrities, red carpet It Girls and top models. Perfume-bottle monologues, seductively lit models and mundane product placements no longer cut it, it seems.

Designers are challenging the norms of traditional advertising and embracing film as an art form.

Take, for instance, Baz Luhrmann’s US$42 million epic ad blitz for Chanel No 5. Starring Nicole Kidman, the threeminute short film, released in 2005, was undeniably beautiful and got people talking. A decade on, we have Natalie Portman performing for Miss Dior. The print ads exist in tandem with the film, which shows the actress in a short cinematic scenario relating to the perfume and, most importantly, to the values and lifestyle that the brand stands for.

Industry insiders say bridging the gap between reality and fantasy through fashion films helps brands reach a wider audience. “When brands use celebrities as the main campaign endorsers, they get more attention,” says Singapore fashion producer Jerome Awasthi. “The moving image, in the form of fashion short films, brings the product to life and reaches those who may not necessarily read glossies or respond to traditional billboard campaigns.”

Many high-profile directors and creatives, such as Sofia Coppola, are employed to give fashion films a cinematic edge and to retain a brand’s vision across multi-channel projects. With more than $500 billion a year spent on advertising worldwide, the fashion advertising campaign is more prominent than ever.

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SCION takes a look at some of the latest fashion short films.

GUCCI For its Spring/Summer 2015 collection, Italian fashion house Gucci takes its customers on a dreamy adventure through a video featuring the brand’s iconic Lady Web handbag. The collection is worn by Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li, who also stars in the film. While her moody track Just Like a Dream plays in the backdrop, the footage follows Li as she plays the piano and makes her way through the city. Along the way, she visits a record store to dig through vinyl before returning to a decorated suite where she plays the guitar and writes in a journal. Li’s captivating style and vocals make her an apt fit for this season’s freespirited, bohemian collection – the last to be designed by creative director Frida Giannini, who left the brand in January.

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CHRISTIAN DIOR Last month, French fashion house Dior released the fourth instalment of its Secret Garden ad blitz and tapped the star power of singer Rihanna. Directed

by Steven Klein and set in the chateau and gardens of Versailles, the fashion film also featured the Barbadosborn singer’s intro to her eighth studio album, Only If For a Night. In the film, Rihanna is seen at night on a dreamlike fairy-tale set in Versailles, carrying the Diorama bag and wearing a silver sequinned dress, Tribale earrings, and a sheath of a veil while running through the Salons of the Gods and dancing in the Hall of Mirrors in the Chateau de Versailles.

CHANEL Called Reincarnation, the brand’s latest short film is a re-telling of the Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel story, set during the legendary designer’s vacation at an Austrian resort in 1954. The tableau harks back to a memorable episode in Chanel’s history, as it was during this trip that Coco found the inspiration to create her iconic Chanel jackets. Her original design was based on the outfit of the resort’s elevator operator. The short film stars American music producer and singer Pharrell Williams and top model Cara Delevigne, with an original song composed by Williams. Also making an appearance in the film are Chanel fans Lady Amanda Harlech, Baptiste Giabiconi, Heidi Mount, Brad Kroenig and his son Hudson.

PRADA Directed by American photographer Autumn de Wilde, the Italian label’s movie offering focuses on the Galleria bag, which was named after the brand’s first store in Milan. Called The Postman Dreams, the film series was shot in a villa in Los Angeles and consists of three short films, named The Postman, The Makeout and The Battlefield. The first of the series tells the story of a bored mailman dozing on the job and dreaming about the coveted Galleria bag.

Marked by light surrealism and eccentric humour, the film is alive with de Wilde’s distinctive style – a perfect match for Prada.

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Round-frame sunglasses

by Celine

A pair of sophisticated round-framed shades, such as these from Celine, will add colour and visual interest to an otherwise serious look. www.celine.com

Shades by Marc Jacobs

To give your outfit an edgier spin go for these funkyshaped frames from American fashion label Marc Jacobs. www.marcjacobs.com

Sharp Eyes Shield your peepers from the glare of the sun with this season’s most dapper, head-turning shades.

Crystal Blue sunglasses

by Boss Hugo Boss

Complete your ensemble with this elegant pair of crystal blue acetate shades from Boss. www.hugoboss.com

Camouflage-print sunglasses

by Fendi

Who says a military motif is dull? Lend edge to any outfit with these camouflageprint sunglasses. Colour-wise, you’re spoilt for choice. www.fendi.com

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Aviator-style sunglasses by Carrera

For a sportier look, swipe these streamline frames from Carrera’s eyewear collection. This season brings bold colours and interesting shapes to keep you looking on-trend. www.carreraworld.com

Bejewelled acetate frames

by Jimmy Choo

Even your eyes need some bling. This pair of acetate frames from Jimmy Choo is for the girl who knows how to make her eyes sparkle. www.jimmychoo.com

Acetate wayfarer-style floral sunglasses by Gucci

Go feminine-chic with this pair of acetate frames from the Gucci Floral eyewear collection. www.gucci.com

Half-frame sunglasses

by Saint Laurent Paris

These sunnies are both versatile and sharp, thanks to their natty half frame. www.ysl.com

Butterfly sunglasses

by Chanel

The latest Tweed eyewear collection from the French fashion house offers the perfect balance of sophistication and quirk. www.chanel.com

Acetate frames by McQ

by Alexander McQueen

Designed in a classic geometric shape, this pair of sunglasses from McQ by Alexander McQueen adds panache to your resort wear. www.alexandermcqueen.com

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Asian Persuasion

by Karen Tee

Women the world over aspire to an even-toned, radiant complexion, but nowhere is this flawless ideal pursued more hotly than in Asia. What better way to give your looks a boost than with Asian-branded beauty products that have been specifically formulated to suit the skin types of women from this region? Here are our picks of cult favourites.

Fa s h i o n & B e a u t y

Dr GL

Sulwhasoo

It was a personal experience that moved Singaporean aesthetics doctor and fashionista Dr Georgia Lee to launch her own beauty brand.

When a serious allergic reaction resulted in blisters and persistent hyperpigmentation, she came up with a customised cream to fix her problem. The success of her bespoke formulation inspired her to launch a skincare range that combined science and technology using the highest quality ingredients.

If you’re a firm believer in the power of traditional remedies, then you’ll love Sulwhasoo, a South Korean luxury beauty brand. Founded in 1966, this label is known for harnessing the power of Korean medicinal herbs, in particular ginseng, in its extensive skincare range. The brand has a lab in Seoul dedicated to researching and enhancing the effects of each herbal ingredient to create innovative beauty products. For example, the Luminature Essential Finisher, US$85 (S$112), is a smart formulation that’s applied as the final step in a skincare regimen, forming a natural protective barrier and enhancing the efficacy of creams already applied. As a bonus, the Finisher imparts a soft-focus finish to the skin.

Since its launch, the brand has won multiple beauty awards from magazines including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Style. Some of her products, such as the Sun Protection Mist for Hair, Face and Body, US$66 (S$88) and the hydrating Collagen Essence, US$149 (S$198), are must-haves for beauty insiders.

Try: Eye Repair Brightening, US$142 (S$188), a refreshing, instantly absorbed eye gel made with potent botanical extracts to banish puffy eyes and dark circles in a jiffy. www.drgl.com

Try: Capsulized Ginseng Fortifying Serum, US$150 (S$198), which consists of encapsulated ginseng extract that allows the skin to better absorb active ingredients. The ginseng extract is said to promote collagen synthesis to plump up deeply etched lines and wrinkles. www.sulwhasoo.com

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For Beloved One

Albion

The brainchild of Taiwanese beauty editor Margaret Wu, For Beloved One focuses on comprehensive solutions to common complexion complaints, such as pigmentation irregularities, dehydrated and dull skin. This cosmeceutical range has been formulated in collaboration with German, French and Japanese pharmaceutical companies and was one of the first Asian brands to be stocked in Sephora. In fact, For Beloved One is the first brand to launch a sheet mask made of bio-cellulose material, more commonly used as artificial skin, which aids in the skin’s absorption capabilities. The Melasleep Whitening Bio-cellulose Mask US$48 (S$63 for three sheets) is the secret weapon of many make-up artists and beauty editors for its ability to instantly give skin a radiant glow.

If a translucent and supple complexion is what you’re after, look no further than cult Japanese brand Albion, founded in 1956. The label’s scientists have created innovative products many Asian women swear by, including the Milky Lotion and the Skin Conditioner.

The Skin Conditioner, US$110 (S$147), the brand’s bestselling product, is a concentrated moisturising toner that restores and rebalances the skin’s metabolism.

Try: Hyaluronic Acid GHK-CU Moisturizing Serum, US$75 (S$99), which retains moisture in the deeper layers of the dermis to give dehydrated skin a refreshing boost www.forbelovedone.com

Try: Excia Whitening Immaculate Essence EX, US$310 (S$410), an intensive 28-day treatment programme with powerful anti-ageing and brightening benefits. Reach for it when your regular skincare routine seems to have lost its efficacy. The serums deliver a power-packed dose of active ingredients to help breakdown stubborn melanin spots and leave a more radiant face. www.albion.co.jp

Fa s h i o n & B e a u t y

PureHeal’s

Code Deco

Thanks to this South Korean beauty brand, you can enjoy the healing powers of natural ingredients boosted with scientific technology to amp-up the concentration of active ingredients. Products are formulated with natural ingredients from Jeju Island, a place notable for its stunning scenery. These Jeju Island ingredients include calendula, a medicinal herb for soothing sensitive skin; galactomyces, an enzyme used to make rice wine (which is renowned for its anti-ageing properties), and centella, a herb that rejuvenates stressed and ageing skin. This brand is rumoured to be the secret weapon of K-pop stars who are often known for their glowing, dewy skin.

There’s no underestimating the sensorial benefits that a well-blended perfume can have on a person’s state of wellbeing, which is why spritzing on a fragrance is often the final step in a beauty regimen. Code Deco is a Singapore-based niche perfumerie founded by trained perfumer Gauri Garodia, who focuses on creating scents that are inspired by moods and experiences. Have a specific vibe in mind?

Garodia can also create bespoke scents for discerning noses.

Try: PureHeal’s Caviar 90 Renewing Ampoule, US$58.40 (S$78), a concentrated hydrating and anti-ageing essence containing 90 per cent caviar extract. This extract is richly packed with amino acids to boost the skin’s collagen production capabilities to prevent the onset of lines and wrinkles. www.sephora.sg

Try: Kokomo, US$114 (S$150), a vibrant tropical scent with notes of crushed mint, tea and vanilla is perfect for hot climates. www.codedeco.com.sg

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How to be a rock star So you’re living the life of a high roller. Now you can look the part with a little help from a select posse of make-up artists, hairstylists and beauticians. Singapore-based Karen Tee takes a peek into her little black book to bring you the island’s most experienced stylemeisters, all guaranteed to glam you up faster than you can belt out I Love Rock ’n Roll.

Mane attraction

Toni & Guy, eight salons island-wide Founded in London 50 years ago, this chain of international hair salons now has over 430 outposts around the world. Toni & Guy is famed for its innovative cutting styles inspired by the company’s long-term involvement with London Fashion Week.

Stylists are trained to customise a style to an individual’s needs, creating looks that are as unique as the customer wearing them.

Each salon session starts with a hair wash and short scalp massage to release tension and put you in the mood for a hair makeover. For top-notch service and a cut that won’t fall out of shape within weeks, book an appointment with salon director Issac Ng, who sports his own platinum-blond, paparazzi-worthy (and no doubt high-maintenance) do. Mr Ng is the go-to guy for fashionistas who know what they want, whether it’s a peppy pixie crop or flowing tresses. He hops between the Novena and Mandarin Gallery outlets.

Toni & Guy also offers a range of pampering hair-spa treatments using products by high-end hair-care brand Kerastase, along with the expected suite of chemical treatments to colour, streak, straighten and curl your tresses. www.toniandguy.sg

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1&2. Toni & Guy salons 3. Porcelein Aesthetics 4. Joanna Koh

Painted glory

Joanna Koh, Indigo Artisans Joanna Koh, founder of make-up artist agency Indigo Artisans, is no stranger to the red carpet. This model-turned-make-up artist has more than 10 years’ experience in the world of fashion and beauty, and her work has appeared in publications that include Elle, Style and Her World. Koh has no qualms when it comes to experimenting with, and pulling off, daring looks.

From two-toned lips to graphic eyeliner, she’s done it all and somehow always makes it work.

As a bonus, she’s also a dab hand at hairstyling and holds a diploma in Nail Treatments, so you don’t have to spend a day rushing from salon to salon to make yourself photo-ready. For a one-stop VIP service, she’s the woman to call.

Contact: jo@joannakoh.com www.joannakoh.com 4.

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Porcelain Aesthetics

Fa s h i o n & B e a u t y

Lust List Not planning a trip to Singapore any time soon? Here’s a hit-list of other beauty pros worth looking up in the region.

Vedure Face, Body & Nail Spa

Best face forward

Porcelain Aesthetics, 03-13 Orchard Gateway If it’s a crease-free visage you’re after, make Porcelain Aesthetics your first port of call. Check out this spa’s high-tech facials, which harness the power of the most advanced beautifying equipment to give your face an instant boost. The newly launched Prolonic Facial features a patented long-wave radio frequency to facilitate the movement of ions through cell membranes to restore the skin’s natural ion balance. The result? A pain-free ‘face lift’ and a visibly brighter complexion.

What makes this beauty centre stand out, however, is the personal touch of the therapists. The spa was co-founded by Singapore beauty doyenne, Jenny Teng, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the beauty industry. She has pioneered and developed a manual extraction technique that removes skin impurities thoroughly and effectively – and keeps clients coming back for more. Treatments end with a shoulder massage to knead away the tensions of the day, ensuring you look flawless on the outside and feel a million dollars on the inside. www.porcelainfacespa.com

Nailed It

Vedure Face, Body & Nail Spa, 04-06 Wheelock Place Nail salons abound but few are as posh, or have as wide an array of nail services, as this comfortable salon in the heart of Orchard Road. And it’s not just nails that get pampered here. Vedure’s body and face spa treatments are a great way to spend a relaxing hour or two. And once your face is glowing, get your talons primped and decorated by the salon’s team of artistic manicurists. Thanks to the salon’s seemingly endless range of jewels, stones and other nail-art props to bling up your nails, there’s hardly any design these artists can’t recreate for you. And if you have a specific design in mind requiring a unique prop (rock-worthy spiky studs perhaps?), simply contact the salon ahead of your appointment and they’ll make every effort to source it for you. www.vedure.com

Kim Robinson, Hong Kong The bad boy of hair styling is also the pioneer of the dry cut that allows the stylist to see the natural flow of hair while shearing it. Making an appointment with Mr Robinson – the man himself – is truly worth your while if you’re after a cut above the rest. www.kimrobinson.com

Sheng Saw, Malaysia This veteran make-up artist – a firm favourite of Malaysian society set – has done backstage makeup at London Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week, and has also worked as an assistant for international maestros including Val Garland and Gordon Espinet. www.shengsaw.com

Hive Salon, Thailand A favourite of Thai celebrities and the glam set, this hair salon has two branches, both located in fashionable areas of the city centre, allowing you to people-watch while your hair is turned into a masterpiece. www.hive-salon.com

Albert Kurniawan, Philippines Popular make-up artist Kurniawan is highly influenced by Indonesian beauty preferences, such as heavily defined, almond-shaped eyes, which also happens to be a fabulously glam look that many rock ’n roll babes can carry off with panache.

Contact: makeupbyalbertkurniawan@ yahoo.com.ph

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pamper yourself pretty

by Karen Tee

Preserve your youthful looks with these nifty handheld devices, perfect for a DIY spa treatment in the comfort of your home.

Rise and shine While there are plenty of electronic face-cleaning brushes on the market, American brand Clarisonic is still the gold standard, thanks to its wide array of brush heads to suit different skin types. The Radiance brush head, which can be used with the Clarisonic Aria device, has been engineered with softer, denser and ultra-fine bristles to gently deep cleanse clogged pores for a brighter appearance. The complementary Skin Illuminating Cleanser is a high-foaming milk containing licorice to brighten and even out the skin tone.

Clarisonic Sonic Radiance Brightening Solution Kit (including Aria Cleansing Device, Radiance brush head, cleanser, essence and serum), US$266 (S$355), from Tangs Orchard and Robinsons Raffles City. www.clarisonic.com

Massage masterclass

Why settle for a boring facial wash when you can use a cleansing gadget that delivers aesthetic benefits at the same time? Swedish brand Foreo’s Luna device features sonic vibrations that are transmitted to the skin’s deeper dermal layers for a stimulating deep cleanse. The anti-ageing mode delivers lower frequency pulsations that help to relax fine lines for a smoother appearance. The hypoallergenic and non-toxic silicone bristles won’t get bent out of shape the way regular brushes will, and are a breeze to clean after using.

Nothing beats the nimble hands of a capable facialist but the ReFa S Carat comes really close. Designed to move comfortably along the contours of the face, this sleek handheld massage device recreates the soothing kneading motions that professional aestheticians use. In addition, microcurrent technology stimulates and firms up the delicate areas of the face. The result – features look lifted and more radiant with just one use.

Foreo Luna Total Beauty Care, US$224 (S$299), from Sephora. www.foreo.com

ReFa S Carat, US$165 (S$220) from www.mtg-sg.com

Cleanse and tone

Fa s h i o n & B e a u t y

Airbrush your complexion On days when you don’t have a make-up artist on call, use the Color Me make-up application machine to achieve professional results. With an automatic sponge that pulses 15,000 times per minute, this device mimics the finger-tapping method that many make-up artists use to blend foundation flawlessly into the skin. For the sake of hygiene, the sponge applicator is easily removed and replaced. This device can be used to apply foundations of all textures as well as concealer, blush, bronzer and contouring make-up.

Color Me Automatic Foundation Applicator Starter Kit, $75, from Sephora www.colormebeauty.com

Brush away blemishes Stress as well as weather and hormonal changes often cause unwanted breakouts.

Fight pimples with a cleansing regimen that uses sonic movement to target acne-causing bacteria. Clinique’s AntiBlemish Solutions Deep Cleansing Brush comprises two types of bristles on one brush head to sweep away grime and dirt from the oily T-zone area while massaging the more delicate areas of the face such as the cheeks. Clinique recommends using this device with its Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel which contains salicylic acid, to purify the skin’s surface of bacteria and clear clogged pores.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Deep Cleansing Brush Head, US$26 (S$35), and Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, US$110 (S$149), from department stores. www.clinique.com

EASY aesthetics Between trips to the aesthetic doctor for laser rejuvenating sessions, keep your skin fresh and wrinklefree with the NuFACE Trinity. This FDA-cleared skincare device harnesses the skin-saving powers of low-level microcurrents to rejuvenate ageing skin.

Microcurrents have long been used in medical and professional antiageing treatments. Gently massage the applicator over the face to treat skin with a safe level of microcurrents. Use for just five minutes a day to see more defined contours and improved skin tone.

NuFACE Trinity all-in-one gift set, $536, from Sephora www.mynuface.com

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kagami biraki shido nakamura and jean claude biver

SEE IT FROM THE SIDE The Tiffany East West watch turns the rules of watchmaking on its side - literally. The elegant East West collection is marked by a clean rectangular stainless steel case with the dial set horizontally instead of vertically. Inspired by a Tiffany purse watch from the 1940s, the East West is flawlessly constructed with Swissmade movement and components and is water resistant to 30 metres. It comes in a white dial with gold poudré numerals or black dial with silver poudré numerals on a black alligator strap, or opt for an eye-catching blue dial with silver poudré numerals on a blue alligator strap and bring a little New York chic to your wrist. www.tiffany.com

HUBLOT IN OSAKA Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot hosted a grand opening event for its Osaka boutique in the city’s prestigious Shinsaibashi area on May 13, with a ceremony attended by Jean-Claude Biver, chairman of Hublot and president of the LVMH watch division. Also present at the event was the popular kabuki and film actor, Shido Nakamura. The new Hublot Boutique Osaka is a spacious, two-floor boutique with exterior walls bearing a large black ‘H’ monogram. The boutique’s interior is a chic blend of black, white and grey – Hublot’s signature colours. In striking contrast, the walls are decorated with pop art of Hublot watches, summing up the brand concept of ‘the art of fusion’. The second floor features a VIP room where customers can comfortably enjoy a Hublot moment in uninterrupted peace. www.hublot.com

Ac c e s s o r i e s

THE POWER OF MINIMALISM

BLACKSTEEL BEAUTY Breitling’s Superocean Chronograph M2000 has become the world’s only chronograph to be water-resistant and fully functional at a depth of 2,000 metres. The M2000 is equipped with Brietling’s exclusive patented magnetic pushpiece system that allows the chronograph controls to be handled via the metal of the case. Already sold in a polished steel version, this watch is now available with a black satin-brushed steel case as part of a series limited to 250-pieces. It has a Breitling Caliber 73, thermocompensated SuperQuartz movement officially chronometer-certified by the COSC. www.breitling.com

History is the great inspiration for the new Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 days Ceramica. The resemblance between this watch and the Panerai timepieces made for the commandos of the Royal Italian Navy is striking. The new Radiomir 1940 case, however, is a smooth creation of matt black ceramic created from zirconium oxide. Compared to steel – the material of period Panerai watches – ceramic provides higher performance in terms of hardness, lightness and resistance to scratches, corrosive elements and high temperature. The P.3000 hand-wound movement can be admired through a large polished sapphire crystal window in the back of the case. With a power reserve of three days, the new Radiomir 1940 is water resistant to 10 bar (about 100 metres).

The watch also comes with a strap of brown, untreated leather with contrasting hand-sewing and closed by a trapezoidal buckle. www.panerai.com

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THE CHIMES OF TIME

By Su Jia Xian

Repeaters chime out the time on demand, having been invented to tell the time in the dark before luminous paint was used on watch dials. The most sophisticated repeaters chime the time to the exact minute – a low note for the hour, a double high-low note for the quarter and a high note for each minute past the quarter – and are known as minute repeaters.

Though nearly all repeaters are minute repeaters, there are variants. One is the decimal repeater, which strikes a highlow note for 10-minute segments – a more intuitive manner of sounding the time.

Other types are the quarter and fiveminute repeaters: quarter repeaters chime the hours and quarters only, while fiveminute repeaters strike additional high notes for every five minutes past the quarter.

Neither tells particularly accurate time since they round down the time to the nearest quarter or five minutes. Needless to say, quarter and five-minute repeaters are the least complicated and consequently most affordable repeaters.

Even if they function similarly, not all repeaters are created equal. Some feature cathedral gongs that circle the movement circumference twice rather than a conventional gong that approximately measures the circumference of the movement. Cathedral gongs produce a chime that reverberates longer than normal gongs, much like church bells, hence the name. Some watch aficionados still prefer the short, cleaner sound of a regular gong.

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A. Lange & SÜhne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Introduced this year, the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater combines Lange’s signature Zeitwerk digital time display with a decimal repeating mechanism that features the hammers and gongs mounted on the dial. With this being a decimal repeater, the time struck corresponds exactly with the time displayed and read horizontally: hours, then tenminute intervals and individual minutes. To ensure the time display doesn’t jump ahead of the time being struck, the digits freeze for the duration of the chiming. Because the repeater mechanism gets its power from the same mainspring that keeps the movement going, it can only be activated 12 times before it is automatically cut off, staying that way until the watch is wound back up.

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon The thinnest minute repeating watch on the market, the Master Ultra Thin Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon has an innovative movement construction that shaves off the millimetres, leaving a watch that’s just 7.9mm thick. Unlike most self-winding watches with an oscillating weight mounted on top of the movement, this one has the rotor set around the calibre, eliminating the height of the rotor. And the tourbillon is a unique construction, with both the tourbillon carriage and the balance wheel anchored only on the bottom, reducing its thickness by eliminating several components found in a traditional tourbillon.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Contemporaine Ultra-Thin Calibre 1731 Minute Repeater Exceptionally slim with the calibre 1731 just 3.9mm high, the Patrimony Contemporaine minute repeater is a classical timepiece in form and function. A hint of rebelliousness can be found in the eccentrically placed seconds dial at eight o’clock, but the main dial is otherwise elegantly conservative. The movement is the thinnest repeater movement in production today, featuring a silent governor for aural clarity. And like all other calibres made by Vacheron Constantin, the movement is certified with the Poinçon de Genève emblem, a hallmark of decorative and functional quality set by the Canton of Geneva in 1886.

Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Grande Complication The Rotonde de Cartier Grande Complication is a cocktail of complications, comprising a flying tourbillon, perpetual calendar and minute repeater, making this the most complicated wristwatch Cartier has ever made. All features are contained within a movement that stands at just 5.49mm in height. Much of the movement is open-worked, revealing the exceptionally complex mechanics, including the repeater hammer and gongs on the dial.

Visible from the back is a micro-rotor in platinum, making this one of the few self-winding grand complications.

Ac c e s s o r i e s

Patek Philippe Grand Complication Ref. 5539G

Breguet Tradition Répétition Minutes Tourbillon 7087

With a simple dial and modest 37mm size that belies its complexity, the Ref. 5539G from Patek Philippe features both a minute repeater and a tourbillon. The dial is made from a disc of 18-carat gold covered in black, oven-fired enamel. Unlike most tourbillon watches, which expose the mechanism through the dial, the only hint that this is so equipped is the text in the seconds subdial. Only from the back is the magnificent movement visible, revealing both the tourbillon regulator and the minute repeater mechanism, including the repeater governor under a gilded Calatrava cross, adopted

by Patek Philippe as its logo.

One of the most ingeniously conceived minute repeating watches, the Breguet Tradition Répétition Minutes Tourbillon functions like a traditional repeater but is constructed in a completely new and innovative manner.

Instead of being mounted on the movement, the gongs are affixed to the bezel, allowing the sound to be transmitted to the crystal, improving its volume. And both gongs are titanium and beanshaped, a form found to produce the optimal sound after lengthy trial and error. The two hammers that strike the gongs vertically rise from the movement – a deviation from the traditional set-up that has the gongs parallel to the movement. To ensure unadulterated chimes, the governor (a device that regulates the speed of the chiming) is magnetic and silent, unlike a traditional governor that is mechanical, creating a buzz that detracts from the repeater strikes.

Piaget Emperador Coussin Minute Repeater Presented in an unusual coussin, or cushion-shaped, case, the Emperador Coussin Minute Repeater has the distinction of being unusually thin – the movement is just 4.8mm high – as well as self-winding, unlike most repeating watches, which are manually wound. A clear sapphire dial reveals the racks and cams of the minute repeater mechanism, the very components that translate the time shown by the hands into chimes. Much of the 48mm watch case has been hollowed out, minimising its mass and maximising resonance of the repeater’s sound. This gives it chimes measuring some 64 decibels, placing it among the loudest striking watches on the market.

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PEACE IN VIETNAM Find peace and rejuvenation when you check into the Amanoi Vietnam this July and August. Bordered by a national park and overlooking Vinh Hy Bay, Amanoi is a private sanctuary offering the restorative balm of sun, sea and sand, along with an extensive Aman Spa on the shores of a lake.

Amanoi will host Cameron Walker, a leading holistic specialist from Australia with over 15 years’ experience in craniosacral therapy, yoga, breathwork and deep tissue massage. Between July 15 and August 31, he will be offering sessions on releasing muscle cramps and negative patterns in the body and mind using a range of healing methods. By placing equal emphasis on curing psychological, emotional and physical ailments, this uber-therapist will help individuals build a more empowered and refreshed outlook on life as well as give guests a sense of lightness and rejuvenation. www.amanresorts.com

PRIMITIVE IS CHIC In August, Keemala Phuket is opening its enchanting wonderland to guests wishing to escape their everyday lives and step into a woodland of luxury and healing. Keemala Phuket offers tranquility and relaxation in the rainforest of Kamala Village but is close enough to the lively beaches of Kamala and Patong to appeal to those wanting to mix up the holiday pace. Dwellings in the form of Clay Pool Cottages, Tent Pool Villas, Tree Pool Houses and Bird’s Nest Pool Villas all offer a tantalising blend of rustic and lavish.

Keemala is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, recognised internationally for its collection of independent hotels. All 38 of the group’s cottages and villas feature private pools and outdoor terraces, rich furnishings and upholstery, freestanding bathtubs and monsoon showers. www.keemala.com

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DOUBLE HAPPINESS The Continental HK is brightening summer evenings with an irresistible ‘Oysters & Rosé’ promotion, available daily from 5-8pm. The hotel is offering the ultimate happy time by doubling all orders of oysters and rosé at no extra cost. The Continental offers both premium quality and exceptional value with a selection of the finest oyster varieties, including Fines de Claires No. 4, Donegal Bay, Kumamoto and Gillardeau No.2. Sophisticated and stylish, the restaurant is the ideal venue for summer evenings.

Guests can enjoy their orders within the restaurant or take advantage of the warmer weather and dine al-fresco on the lush garden terrace. www.thecontinentalhongkong.com

GOURMET IN A TUBE Portuguese purveyor of fine jams and teas, meia. dúzia has added a line of honey-fruit-and-spices blends to its collection of handmade products.

Products are beautifully presented in meia.dúzia’s signature aluminum tube packaging, reminiscent of oil paints. In this collection, the brand focuses on six flavours closely associated with Portugal: Serra da Lousã Honey with Ginger, Eucalyptus Honey with ‘Passa’ Pear, Multifloral Biologic Honey, Orange Blossom Honey with Chilly Pepper, Rosemary Honey with Apple and Cinnamon, and ‘Serra da Estrela’ Heather Honey with Elderberry.

Can’t choose? Why not try all six flavours in the handy Honey Experiences Pack. www.meiaduzia.pt

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Havana street musicians

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CITIES OF

SOUND

Every city leaves a stamp upon our consciousness. Some engage with their architecture, some dazzle with the depth of their hospitality, some compel with their commerce, some leave our heads buzzing with music. Of all these imprints, sound is indisputably the most indelible.

Music defines a city’s character and evokes its history. It reveals its tone, exposes its soul. Sound, indeed, is a city’s heartbeat.

Glenn A. Baker wanders the world with ears ever alert to irresistible musical grooves, and here he presents a Bakers’ Dozen of cities worth cruising through with antennae twitching. The music generated in these burgs ranges through rock, reggae, folk, blues, jazz, township jive, cubop, powerhouse percussion, moody electronica, throat singing, orchestral, sweet soul, salsa, dance, Britbeat, Pacific grooves, metal and Icelandic adventurism. And where did he go to imbibe so much musical pleasure? Memphis, Havana, London, Beijing, Rio De Janeiro, Tokyo, Kingston, Johannesburg, Dublin, Reykjavik, Ulaanbaatar, Chicago and Auckland – which, let’s face it, more or less covers the world.

Memphis Yes, Memphis is much more than Elvis, but the King’s name, likeness and astonishing global impact pervades all in the only big city in the Mississippi Delta.

By all means join the queues to peek inside Graceland and Sun Studios, and even drop by Humes High where he was schooled and Poplar Records where he shopped, but when you’re on Elvis Presley Blvd (Highway 51), be sure to make your way to the spectacular new Stax Museum of American Soul Music complex on McLemore Avenue. Beale Street is veritably jumping these days, with jams in B.B. King’s Blues Club, the Unnamed Joint, Rum Boogie Cafe and King’s Palace Cafe. Don’t leave town without munching at the Arcade soul food restaurant on South Main, where Jim Jarmusch shot Mystery Train.

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Havana Take Latin vibrancy and pride, wind it up a few notches with classic Cuban machismo, stir well with history, intrigue and uncertainty, garnish with a siege mentality, serve warm with Spanish style, and you have Havana – the core of the Caribbean and its only truly essential destination. Music is as vital a component of Cuban life as fried pork, cigars and rum, and all the mambo, rumba, cha-chacha, cubop, cu-bop Afro-cuban jazz, salsa, soca, son and merengue music derived from mountain communities, dance halls and churches was first distilled for foreign consumption in Havana’s sweaty clubs and road tested on its salacious dance floors. The Bueno Vista Social Club awakened the world, and now younger players whip up nightly storms in the capital and beyond.

London The capital of ‘One Nation Under A Groove’, London is one large rock history site map, with every suburb harbouring heritage – from the smokestacks of Battersea Power Station, which graced a Pink Floyd album cover, to the Beatles-famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing in St. John’s Wood. While you’re pounding the pavements, be sure to see Wheel by Brook Street, where sideby-side commemorative blue plaques mark the houses where both Hendrix and Handel laid their weary heads, and then Heddon Street, where the cover of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album was shot.

Visit Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate, and Ladbroke Grove where reggae flourishes, rock stars reside and Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks seems to pervade your thoughts, or Shepherd’s Bush where the riffs of the Who still carry down Steptoe laneways. In Brixton you can even walk down Electric Avenue. In Kensington former Rolling Stone bassist Bill Wyman is a not-uncommon visitor to his Sticky Fingers themed restaurant.

Chicago Like New York, Chicago was a melting pot city of the New World.

The hit film Chicago celebrates the jazz age but for most, Chicago will always stand for blues – for it is America’s and the world’s premier blues city, a true cauldron. Effectively it took the sound of the Mississippi Delta and shaped it into the potent and irresistible music we know as rock’n’roll. It’s a seminal sound of enormous influence and anyone who has played the blues has always wanted to go to what pioneer performer Robert Johnson termed Sweet Home Chicago back in 1937. Add classic Chicago Soul and Jazz and you have a city that, like NY, never sleeps. The clubs on the Southside, particularly Koko Taylor’s and Buddy Guy’s, are still magnetic. On the Northside, the blues mecca is Kingston Mines.

Dublin and Galway Every country consumes music but few nations produce it with the passion, diversity and honesty of Ireland. Along with literature and humour, it has been Ireland’s gift to the world.

At O’Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin, the proprietor stands on the bar to hand over Guinness pints and snatch crumpled banknotes from the tight-pressed crowd as anything up to 10 musicians – the violinist 18, the piper 88 – dole out jigs, reels and laments

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Tr a v e l & D i n i n g Where to stay and where to dine?

Memphis The Peabody Memphis 149 Union Ave www.peabodymemphis.com Peabody Lobby Bar 149 Union Ave www.peabodymemphis.com Havana Hotel Nacional de Cuba Calle 21 y O, Vedado, Plaza, Ciudad de la Habana www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com La Guarida 418 Concordia La Habana www.laguarida.com London The Dorchester Park Lane, Mayfair www.dorchestercollection.com Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester Park Lane, Mayfair www.dorchestercollection.com Chicago Waldorf Astoria Chicago 11 East Walton, Chicago, Illinois 60611 www.waldorfastoriachicagohotel.com

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1. Dublin street musicians 2. Elvis Presley’s grave in Graceland 3. Chicago blues

Chicago Cut Steakhouse 300 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60654 www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com Dublin & Galway Luttrellstown Castle (Dublin) Castleknock, Dublin 15 www.luttrellstowncastle.com The g Hotel & Spa (Galway) Wellpark, Galway City www.theghotel.ie Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud (Dublin) 21 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie Latin Quarter (Galway) Number 1, High Street, Galway www.bistro.ie

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Tokyo Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8328 www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo Narisawa Minami Ayoyama 2-6-15, Minato-ku, www.narisawa-yoshihiro.com Auckland The Langham Hotel 83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1001 www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/ Antoine’s Restaurant 333 Parnell Road, www.antoinesrestaurant.co.nz Beijing Grand Millennium Beijing No. 7 DongSanHuan, Middle Road Chaoyang District www.millenniumhotels.com.cn/en/ Capital M, Beijing 3/F, No , Qianmen Pedestrian Street, Beijing 100051 www.m-restaurantgroup.com/capitalm/ Rio De Janeiro Belmond Copacabana Palace Avenida Atlântica 1702, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 22021 001 www.belmond.com/copacabana-palacerio-de-janeiro/

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4. Harajuku street theatre kids 5. Mongolian throat singer 6. Rio Carnavale

Porcão Ipanema R. Barão da Torre, 218 - Ipanema www.porcao.com.br Johannesburg Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa 36 Saxon Road, Sandhurst, www.saxon.co.za The Test Kitchen Shop 104A/ The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town www.thetestkitchen.co.za

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found in the city’s clubs, bars and major concert venues such as the Nakano Sun Plaza. There is also an amazing appetite for richly diverse world music, best experienced at Club Quattro.

Auckland The City that enticed Neil Finn back home after Crowded House breathed its last is at the core of a South Pacific groove, the heart of a hybrid music environment that reaches out and embraces island neighbours. Auckland has, over the past decade, nurtured a thriving creative community. Live music of myriad shades is staged in venues ranging from the Aotea Centre, The Edge and Auckland Town Hall to The Temple, Dog’s Bollix, Java Jive and the Fu Bar. The intertwining of Maori musical identity with western rock strains has long created a fine funk that has given Kiwi recordings their own unique standing. Now studios are busy, stages are full and opportunities seem open-ended.

Beijing “From clubby dance grooves, moody electronica, and garageband thrash to melodious mandopop or old-style punk, music in China today is exploring and synthesising sounds from all corners of China and the world” goes the promotional line. What is most striking about this city is the attitude, outlook, determination and bold creative expression of its younger citizens. The three-letter word that means most to them in 2007 is more likely to be MTV than Mao. In jammed discos like JJs or the Poacher’s Inn, or just in congregations around subway stations and densely packed shopping streets, the young tribes are showing off their borrowed and adapted visual stylings – from cosmic hippiedom to swashbuckling New Romanticism, safety pins’n’snarls to hip-hop hauteur.

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in the corner. A particular concentration of music performance, traditional, country and rock is found in Galway, the West Coast’s liveliest centre, where streets of pubs, such as Neachtain’s McSwiggan’s, the Skeff, Monroe’s Tavern and the King’s Head, are rollicking most nights, and buskers spill onto the footpath.

Tokyo During weekends at Harajuku, the rules are there are no rules, as middleclass high-school students decorate themselves elaborately as goths, punks, space cadets, ghouls, Marie Antionette, belles of the ball, comic book heroines, Boy George parodies, carnival queens, lost prophets and patients escaped from care. Music fans who come to Tokyo to check out the Budokan arena where Bob Dylan and Cheap Trick recorded albums soon find that the Japanese music and fashion scene dominates young Asian aspirations, and no longer cares so much about western influences. Electronically adventurous local bands are often

Rio De Janiero The tone is set each February with Carnival, the premier street party staged in one of the world’s most dramatically sited cities, an event that showcases the Brazilian predilection for sensuality and blurs the normally stark contrast between rich and poor.

This incredibly competitive community phenomenon sees every neighbourhood building ornate floats and assembling frantic dance troupes which, accompanied by 200-400 drummers, participate in a wild playoff at the ‘Sambodrome’. This is the percussion sound at the heart of Paul Simon’s Rhythm of the Saints album. But any time of the year, music is plentiful in Rio, music is plentiful – hot jazz in the trendy clubs of Ipanema and Leblon and sassy samba in the bars of Botafogo, Cindelandia, Lapa and Copacabana.

There are spontaneous outpourings from street to cellar.

Johannesburg An edgy city of no great physical attraction, Johannesburg draws its musical predominance from its proximity to Soweto and the township’s infectious, indestructible Mbaqanga Music or Township Jive, the celebrated Rhythms of Resistance. This is music that blends city sounds with traditional roots, on a bedrock of praise songs, with lots of thudding bass to boot.

It percolates through the shebeens (bars) of Soweto and can be heard, along with rock, reggae, jazz and countless African

72 Ulaanbaatar Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace East Cross Road, Peace Avenue www.kempinski.com/en/ulaanbaatar/ hotel-khan-palace Monet 2 Sukhbatar Square, Central Tower, 17th Floor, www.monetrestaurant.mn Reykjavik Hotel Borg Posthusstraeti 11-101 Reykjavik www.en.hotelborg.is Gallery Restaurant (Hotel Holt) Bergstaðrstræti, 37-101 Reykjavik www.holt.is Kingston Strawberry Hill Resort New Castle Road B1, St. Andrew www.strawberryhillhotel.com

The indestructible beat of Soweto

music strains (including the explosive harmonic Zulu sound out of Durban) in Jo’burg nightspots like the Roxy Rhythm Bar, Tandoor and a range of Hillbrow boltholes. Surging music is omnipresent across black South Africa, at events ranging from funerals to picket lines. An adventurous spirit and an element of care will access some extraordinary experiences.

Ulaanbaatar The first surprise is the Mongolian city itself – a busy burg of shopping malls, supermarkets, yellow cabs and mini-skirts. The next is the unbelievable spectrum of sound. At one end you find the grand, sweeping classical orchestras, thoroughly Mongolian in their use of local compositions and traditional performers playing the Horse Head fiddle and other Mongol-designed instruments. At the other end lurks a range of powerful rock bands – Jargalsaikhan, Chinggis Khan, The Hurd and Haranga – whose CDs are stacked in Tokyo-type record shops alongside the offerings of local hip hop, rap, dance and new age entities. And straddling them both are acclaimed and ethereal Throat Singers such as Booyoo, who somehow simultaneously bring forth from their voicebox high and low notes in spell-binding manner.

Reykjavik She may reside in New York these days, flying the Icelandic flag

689 by Brian Lumley 20-22 Trinidad Terrace www.chefbrianlumley.com

from afar, but Bjork is a constant presence in the city of her birth.

It’s not just the posters and racks of CDs and books that greet you wherever you wander in the world’s most northerly capital – a clean green city housing a tough and independent society full of casually self-confident, cosmopolitan and intriguing people – it’s also the young citizenry that has taken its fashion lead from the enigmatic singer, who began recording at 11 and effectively alerted a generation to this city of nefarious nightlife on edge of the Atlantic. Hip new Icelandic musicians and composers, like the group Sigur Rós, have established Reykjavik as one of Europe’s most culturally vital cities.

Kingston The Caribbean is awash with sound, as the world found back in the fifties when infectious Trinidad calypso exploded. A decade on, Jamaica flexed its musical muscles, with such styles as raggamuffin, ska, bluebeat reggae and dub interacting with western rock’n’roll and elevating such stars as Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh. Toasting, when brought to New York City, became rapping, one of the four elements of hip-hop culture. In the sun-drenched Jamaican capital of Kingston, where dreadlocked Rastas lope around the ghetto streets of Trenchtown with modes of mobile sound clutched to their ears, the languid fluid reggae beat is inescapable, as is the Marley legacy. Like Abbey Road or Sun, the artist’s Tuff Gong Studio draws a steady stream of pilgrims.

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Paradise

found

Pristine sand, glorious sunsets and spectacular scuba diving…

Elisabeth Lee discovers that life’s a beach on the beautiful Thai island of Ko Lanta Crowded beaches crammed with cookie-cutter hotels? Nope.

Seedy go-go bars on every street? No way. Noisy long-tail boats in every bay? Not here.

Welcome to Ko Lanta Yai, the slender, 30km-long Thai island perched on the southern end of

the Krabi peninsula, across the Andaman Sea from its more famous cousins Phuket and Ko Phi Phi. While Phuket and Phi Phi are famous for their wild parties, Ko Lanta is renowned for its long, quiet beaches, stunning sunsets and serene natural beauty – both above and below the waterline.

BA KAN TIANG BEACH

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On a visit last November (high season), we were amazed to find Klong Nin beach an oasis of calm. We spent the morning paddling in the gentle surf with our toddler, and encountered only a handful of other people.

No wonder then that Ko Lanta was recently named Asia’s best island by International Living magazine, which cited its “wild jungle and uncrowded beaches” to explain its position as one of the world’s “most spectacular islands”.

Settled by a mix of Thai Chinese, Muslims and sea gypsies (Chao Le), Ko Lanta is a unique melting pot of three cultures – and this interesting mix is experienced by the visitor in many different ways. For one, finding halal eating options is a breeze.

Jewels in the Andaman’s crown While Ko Lanta’s topside charms are obvious, its underwater

How to get there Unspoilt islands are usually remote and hard to get to – which is precisely why they remain unspoilt. But getting to Ko Lanta is easy, thanks to the plethora of low-cost airlines that fly to Krabi, the closest international airport.

Fly from Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangkok on Royal Brunei Airlines or Thai Airways, then on to Krabi on Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air or Air Asia.

Getting to Ko Lanta from Krabi is straightforward – your hotel or villa will arrange an airport transfer. If you prefer to make your own arrangements, a private speedboat transfer (2,000 baht per person) can be booked ahead online. The trip takes 90 minutes or longer, depending on your destination on Ko Lanta.

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1. The Pimalai Resort and Spa 2. Swimming with a manta ray

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beauty is perhaps a better-kept secret. From a boat, Hin Daeng looks like a small cluster of rocky outcroppings in the middle of Mu Koh Lanta National Marine Park, but those rocks hide a huge underwater formation extravagantly swathed in marine life. During the diving high season, which runs from November to April, you might see giant whale sharks, manta rays and reef sharks in the clear, blue water.

Another highlight for divers is Ko Haa, with its stunning caves and chambers. A collapsed volcanic island, Ko Haa is home to turtles, octopus, sea snakes and more. Snorkellers love the untouched coral reefs of Ko Rok Nok and Ko Rok Nai, while shark aficionados head to Ko Bida Nai and Ko Bida Nok to admire the many leopard sharks that call the two islets home.

Where to stay For luxury Pimalai Resort and Spa, Kan Tiang Bay beach With its own private beach, the Pimalai Resort and Spa cannot be beaten. The 100-acre estate is tucked away at the lush, hilly southern end of the island, and it features gorgeous cliff-top views from luxurious villas fitted out with everything you need for a relaxing retreat – infinity pool included. www.pimalai.com For romance Layana Resort and Spa, Phra Ae beach Phra Ae beach, also known as Long Beach to the locals, is a seemingly-endless stretch of golden sand with some of the best sunset views on the island. Layana Resort, located right in the middle of the beach, features simple yet elegant rooms, and a quiet adults-only atmosphere – great if romance is top of your holiday agenda. www.lantalayana.com For families Rawi Warin Resort and Spa, Klong Nin beach Situated mid-island within easy reach of many attractions, the sprawling Rawi Warin Resort is packed with familyfriendly amenities, including a children’s pool with water slides, movie room and indoor kids’ play area. It has won the World Luxury Hotel Awards in the best family hotel category several times, and for good reason. www.rawiwarin.com

None of these dive sites are more than a couple of hours from Ko Lanta by speedboat, which means you’ll be back on the main island by the middle of the afternoon latest, giving you plenty of time to explore here too.

Mangroves and mopeds Even if diving is not your thing, Ko Lanta has plenty to offer...

• Foodies will enjoy a day spent learning the finer points of Thai cuisine at Roi Thai Cooking School (www.myroithai.com).

Classes are hands-on and best of all, each lesson ends with a sitdown three-course meal featuring your creations.

• Check out the local fauna and flora on a mangrove eco-tour.

The north-east of the island is fringed with peaceful mangrove bays sheltering a plethora of interesting marine life, such as crabs and mudskippers. Head to Tung Yee Peng mangrove forest, a project operated by the United Nations Development Programme, for a walk along the boardwalks and lunch on a traditional floating restaurant.

• If you’re feeling adventurous, hop on a jungle tour – on the back of an elephant – and visit one of Ko Lanta’s pristine waterfalls for a refreshing mid-day swim.

• If you’re keen to explore but not on the back of a super-sized mammal, rent a moped for a tour of the island. A 45-minute drive will take you to the east side of the island, where you can explore the quirky shops of the island’s Old Town. It’s a great place to find a unique souvenir for that special someone back home.

Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to relax on the beach – after all, it’s why you came here in the first place, right?

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The Island’s

Finest These restaurants are not only the best in Singapore, they’re also among the finest in Asia, according to the San Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurants in Asia 2015 list. We tell you where to go for the ultimate feed on the island.

The recent 50 Best Restaurants in Asia 2015 awards list was dominated by Singapore establishments that ranged from posh stalwarts like Les Amis and Restaurant André, to more casual newcomers like barbeque restaurant Burnt Ends. We take a closer look at the Singapore-based restaurants that have made the coveted list and explain how they are helping to elevate the little red dot into the region’s gourmet capital.

Photos: Edmond Ho/ Restaurant Andre; Marina Bay Sands

By Annette Tan

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Restaurant André Ranked fifth on the list, Restaurant André has been named The San Pellegrino Best Restaurant in Singapore for the third year running – and for good reason. Taiwanese chef André Chiang’s eight-course tasting menu is built around what he calls Octophilosophy, a term he has trademarked to describe the eight elements he tries to capture within each dish. The “salt” course, for example, highlights seasoning without actually using a single crystal of the white stuff. Instead, the dish might comprise petite morsels of gnocchi prettily interspersed with naturally briny sea grapes and wild prawn petit grise. Chiang’s tasteful attention to detail also extends to the dining room, where everything has been handpicked, from the antler lampshades to the sheep sculptures that double as handbag holders for his wellheeled clientele. www.restaurantandre.com

Waku Ghin Dinner at Aussie celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s Singapore outpost is served in one of several private rooms appointed with Japanese-style counters. Behind these, chefs finish and serve the first nine courses for a highly personalised experience. The menu reads like a roll call of the finest seasonal ingredients available in the region, from Wakuda’s signature marinated botan shrimp nestling in a sea urchin shell and crowned with a generous mound of oscietra caviar, to heartier mains that include barely cooked slivers of Omi wagyu with fresh wasabi, citrus soy, a slow-roasted onion and garlic chips. Before dessert, guests are ushered to a common dining room overlooking the bay where sweet treats are served with coffee and tea – a scenic ending to an unforgettable dining experience. No wonder Wakuda was given The Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award – Asia 2015. www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/celebritychefs/waku-ghin.html

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Les Amis This knight of fine-dining, now helmed by chefde-cuisine Sebastien Lepinoy, delivers seasonal modern French cuisine that’s laidback and refined in equal measure. Lepinoy’s training under Joel Robuchon shows in the pitch-perfect flavours and lightness of his dishes, as well as the artful presentation, which always incorporates bright colours in the almost-geometric plating. Fresh from a S$1.5-million renovation, the restaurant now boasts a customised Charvet stovetop island from France designed by the chef himself and a new, earth-toned dining room to match the fresh elegance of the food. At lunch, a new Express menu caters to corporate types in search of an impressive-yet-quick meal (which the restaurant promises to wrap up in under 45 minutes), starting at $55 for three courses. These courses often include Lepinoy’s signature dishes, including panseared foie gras and French river eel with a citrus fruit compote and dashi, and an oriental-style soycaramelised quail with organic baby spinach.

In 2013, just over a year after he took Jaan’s helm, young chef Julien Royer was named the “One To Watch” at the San Pellegrino Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. A year later, Royer steered the restaurant to seventeenth place on the list, and the establishment has continued to rise in status, securing eleventh place on this year’s list. Jaan may boast a breathtaking aerial vista of the Marina Bay area from its seventieth-floor perch, but as soon as the food arrives, diners all but forget the view — and that’s no mean feat. The son of farmers from France, Royer’s deep understanding of the produce he uses is evident in his seasonal menus, which feature fine ingredients from small producers around the world. Plump langoustines from Mozambique, lentils from Saint-Flour in Royer’s native Auvergne, lamb saddle from Wales — all these and more are turned into beautiful, painterly dishes that belie their rich complexity. www.jaan.com.sg

Photos: Swissotel The Stamford/Jaan; John Heng/Iggy’s

Jaan

lesamis.com.sg

Tr a v e l & D i n i n g

Iggy’s Iggy’s intimate, low-lit dining room seats just 40, but its cavernous kitchen is spread over some 372 sqm. This fact alone demonstrates the restaurant’s commitment to delivering peerless food. Headed by chef Masahiro Isono, the kitchen’s mandate is to create culinary interpretations of owner Ignatius Chan’s frequent eating adventures around the world. So guests often find their food marries flavours and ingredients from various countries and continents, such as Japan, Australia and Europe. This marriage might take the form of a sliver of torchedraw yellowtail brightened with a tart yuzu sauce and the fresh crunch of Chinese cabbage, or a creamy risotto flecked with peas, yuba and Parmigiano Reggiano. An acclaimed sommelier before he established his eponymous restaurant, Chan naturally puts out a spectacular wine list too. www.iggys.com.sg

Burnt Ends When guests are able to snag a seat at this buzzy, no-reservations hotspot, they’ll find themselves right up against the chef ’s counter, behind which Australian head chef Dave Pynt works the cranks and paddles to lift food in and out of his charcoal ovens. With previous experience at Spain’s Asador Extebarri, Pynt turns out a compact menu of grilled dishes that are both simple and sublime.

Intense smoked quails eggs ooze golden yolks, while a smoky roasted rump cap is topped with a sweet burnt onion and the earthy unctuousness of bone marrow.

The Burnt Ends Sanger — pulled pork shoulder, coleslaw and chipotle aioli dolloped between a pillowy brioche bun — should not be missed. www.burntends.com.sg

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Shinji By Kanesaka

www.shinjibykanesaka.com

Tippling Club British chef-owner Ryan Clift mans the kitchen at this progressive restaurant that began life in a rather ramshackle space on Dempsey Hill. Today, in a more polished three-storey shophouse along Tanjong Pagar Road, Tippling Club continues to serve heady menus that are as delicious as they are fun.

In one course, wild razor clams are cut into exactly the same shape and size as milk-braised parsnips, so it is near-impossible to tell which you’re going to bite into when you spoon one out of its velvety garlic soup. In another, smoked peppers are crusted in a jet-black carbon batter and served with a whipped soy and wasabi dipping sauce. Ask for a seat at the counter facing the kitchen and you’ll get a dining experience that includes a side of personal interaction with the chefs. www.tipplingclub.com

Photos: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants; Todd Beltz/Tippling Club; Andre Frois for inSing.com’s HungryGoWhere/Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck

Widely regarded as the best Japanese restaurant in Asia (outside of the motherland), Shinji by Kanesaka is fronted by two-Michelin-star chef Koichiro Oshino. Hidden away in the swanky confines of the Raffles Hotel, a cool US$340 (S$450) here will yield a premium omakase (chef ’s selection) set that includes a procession of premium sushi, some lightly lacquered with soy and expertly nestled atop a perfect nugget of pressed rice. Despite its austere appearance, Shinji

by Kanesaka represents all-out indulgence – behind the counter carved from a single piece of wood from the trunk of a 220-year-old Japanese cypress, Oshino and his acolytes press the finest Japanese seafood into lightly warmed rice, and serve up delicate dishes like a five-hour steamed Hokkaido abalone. These are luxuries that only the deep-pocketed might afford, but they are also the reason this establishment is a bucket-list destination for the rest of us mere mortals.

Tr a v e l & D i n i n g

Osteria Mozza Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton’s Singapore outpost was an instant hit when it opened in 2011. Little has changed since then and the restaurant continues to fill its dining room and mozzarella bar night after night. At the latter, small dishes featuring handcrafted varieties of creamfilled burrata draw a gregarious crowd (when in doubt, ask for the burricotta with radicchio, spiced walnuts, honey and fried rosemary). Meanwhile, in the dining room, a spectacular menu tempts with dishes like tripe alla Parmigiana, red endive with fennel and anchovy date dressing, and grilled octopus tentacles with potatoes, celery and lemon. Everything’s good, particularly the pan-roasted sea trout with Umbrian lentils and red cabbage sottocetto. osteriamozza.com

Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck Word to the wise: place your orders when you make your reservation. Because not only is the Peking duck here super, so is the succulent roasted pork with its thin, crisp layer of divine crackling. If you don’t call ahead, you might find yourself bereft of one or the other — this restaurant is that popular. Most gourmets agree that Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck has redefined the island’s collective idea of what great Peking duck should taste like. Sliced tableside, the duck’s friable paper-thin skin is first served with a saucer of sugar for dipping, followed by luscious slices of duck breast to be eaten tucked between supple flour pancakes with a smear of hoisin, batons of cucumber and finely sliced spring onions. The rest of the duck goes back to the kitchen to be prepared in one of several ways — fried with noodles or vegetables, or made into a rich broth. www.imperialtreasure.com/en/super-peking-duck

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Woman

On Top

By Annette Tan

In a culinary scene dominated by men, one woman holds her own and finds her place among the ranks of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015

Tr a v e l & D i n i n g

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It is precisely this inventiveness – guided by Chen’s Chinese heritage and her understanding of the French culinary culture – that sets her apart. This cosmopolitan woman describes her cuisine as a reflection of her journey of self-searching. “I’m looking for a new way to interpret what I had learned and felt. It is like creating a culinary map, belonging to myself, belonging to this land. And as my thought wanders, the birth of each dish is just like the extension of every step in my life,” she writes on her website.

The 34 year old might have started late by industry standards — she only pursued her interest in cooking after studying languages and literature at National Taiwan University. But she has made up for lost time tenfold during her intense culinary journey.

After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu and École Supérieure de Cuisine Française in Paris, Chen honed her skills under the tutelage of heavyweights Pierre Herme, Patrick Pignol, JeanFrançois Piège and Thomas Keller. When she returned to Taiwan and visited the French restaurants there, she found nothing that lived up to her experiences in France and the high standards set in Europe.

Plush taupe interiors, antique chandeliers, bevelled mirrors and paintings in gilded frames. A sense of old European grandeur transports diners straight to Paris, never mind that this restaurant sits some 9,000km from the City of Lights. When the food comes to the table, however, one is immediately brought back to Taichung in western Taiwan, where chef Chen Lanshu holds court at Le Moût restaurant.

On some plates languish tapioca pearls soaked in Chinese bacon stock and spiced with Sichuan peppers, accompanying an oyster, lightly coated in lemon butter. On another dish, chanterelles and pigeon are paired with Yilan-style cured pork liver. The cooking – and the attendant wine list of over 1,000 labels – is unmistakably French, but the ingredients are proudly picked from Taiwan’s terroir.

So in 2008 she set up Le Moût in the heart of Taichung, and by 2010, she’d become the first Taiwanese chef to receive the title of Grand Chef by Relais & Chateaux. In 2014, she added another feather to her cap when she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony.

This year, her restaurant took twenty-sixth place on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, making her the only woman whose establishment made the list.

Chen joins the ranks of women who are making an indelible mark on the world’s culinary scene. Among her international peers are Basque country’s Elena Arzak, who was named Veuve Clicquot Best Female Chef in 2012, and France’s Anne-Sophie Pic, who made headlines when she became the first female chef in France to be awarded three Michelin stars in 2007. Still, Chen is quick to point out that her merits as a chef, and those of her female peers, should not be judged by gender.

“For me, ‘chef’ should be a neutral term and is defined only by how one performs in the kitchen,” she says.

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Design & Spa ces

Shades of Fifteen Italian brand Porada launched its most comprehensive collection to date – ‘Fifteen’ – at the Salone del Mobile 2015. Inspired by the 1950s, the designs are modern with a hint of mid-century chic. Porada enhances its favourite canaletta walnut with exquisite marble and fine leathers. The result is a range of furniture that has every room in your home covered. New to the company’s usual signature pieces are bedroom sets, mirrors, bookcases and benches. Among the accessories are three new lamp models, two of which are signed by architect and designer Paolo Salvadè.

Porada is available from Studio 216 at The Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.studio216.co

Poetic Illumination Italian light maker FLOS has been dazzling the world with its stunning lamp designs since 1962. Working with famous and established designers such as the Castiglioni brothers, Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola and Marc Newson, FLOS has created some of the best-known and most commercially successful products in industrial design. FLOS products are also displayed in permanent collections of design and art museums in various corners of the world. Under the helm of Piero Gandini, the son of the founder Sergio, FLOS offers a complete range of residential, commercial and custom-made lighting products. www.flos.com

gRAND

DESIGNS

By Patricia Lee

The highlight event of the international design calendar, Salone del Mobile Internazionale, brings together the worlds of furniture, fashion and art for one week in Milan. Here we present the five standout showcases for 2015.

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1 LOUIS VUITTON’S OBJETS NOMADES COLLECTION A lush tropical jungle juxtaposed with the opulent interiors of a nineteenth century art-deco mansion was the fitting setting for Louis Vuitton’s latest Objets Nomades range.

Inspired by the art of travel and the brand’s savoir-faire, the collection invites the world’s leading contemporary designers to create furnishings that are both artisanal and portable. Items in this collection span all sizes and are all collapsible and can be packed up and taken away on holiday. Dutch wunderkind designer Maarten Baas has taken the signature woven cotton strap used to secure objects inside Louis Vuitton’s trunks and suitcases as the starting point for a foldable beach chair that looks like an attaché case. Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola has created a woven mesh Swing chair complete with leather cushions. The handbag-inspired design hangs like a hammock and is held up by its two gold-plated hooks and leather handles. Most inventive of all, however, is the Brazilian Campana Brothers’ Maracatu. This is a foldaway cabinet made from strips of recycled leather from Louis Vuitton’s Haute Maroquinerie workshop in Asnieres. It combines the brand’s rich heritage with the flamboyant spirit of South American folk art.

Available at Louis Vuitton Singapore Marina Bay www.louisvuitton.com

2 MOOOI CARPETS With his inimitable blend of surrealism and cutting-edge design, Marcel Wanders is a master at creating imaginary worlds. The Dutch art director and co-founder of Moooi transported Salone visitors to nine fantastical living spaces, all housed in Moooi’s monumental 1,700sqm showroom.

Walking through the assemblage of 21 sets, onlookers were reminded of old Moooi favourites like Arion, its giant rocking unicorn, and treated to new ones, including the conceptual Coppelia chandelier. Iranian Dutch artist Rahi Rezvani’s photographs, blown up to a towering 4.5 metres, provided the haunting backdrop. However, the real scene-stealer was the brand’s new launch – Moooi Carpets.

In a groundbreaking move, Moooi has tapped on the latest process colour technology to bring photorealism to rugs. The carpets are a canvas for the art of prominent names. Thanks to the likes of psychedelic Jewel Garden

by Maison Christian Lacroix and black-and-white photos of artifacts by acclaimed Shanghai-based design studio Neri & Hu, interiors can now look captivating from floor to wall.

Available at Space Furniture, www.spacefurniture.asia www.moooi.com

So c i e t y

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3 TOM DIXON CINEMA Renowned British designer Tom Dixon once played bass for the band Funkopolitan and even ran several nightclubs, so it’s no surprise that the vehicle he chose to show off his latest light designs was an abandoned theatre in Milan, darkened and dressed up to evoke the heady spirit of ’70s disco glamour.

A row of blown-glass effect pendant lamps illuminated the long corridor from the entrance into the main space with a gentle but dramatic glow. Entitled Melt, the lamps were shaped like molten spheres softened through warmth. A tiered installation of Wingback chairs, inspired by the classic eighteenth century gentleman’s chair, recalled the plush, decadent seats of yesteryear. And Lens, a globular lamp made up of a series of 60 prismatic glass triangles, refracted the light in all directions giving the cinema a dramatic hallucinogenic dimension.

Available at Xtra, www.xtra.com.sg www.tomdixon.net

Design & Spa ces

4 MARNI’S MERCADO DE PALOQUEMAO The winner in the ‘Best Impact’ category at the Milano Design Awards, Marni transformed its industrial showroom at Viale Umbria 42 into a thriving Columbian fruit market. Visitors were greeted by colourful woven shopping baskets and a striking installation of long wooden tables piled high with exotic fruit flown in from Bogota. The real head-turner, however, came in the form of colourful PVC and metal sculptures shaped as pineapples, bananas and pears. Charmingly displayed amongst the banquet of fruit, these sculptures doubled up as bold decorative centerpieces and functional containers. Chairs and stools featuring brightly patterned PVC weavings added to the cheerful bohemian-luxe atmosphere. The cherry on top?

Fresh smoothies for weary fairgoers made on the spot from the pineapples, guanabanas, zapotes and curubas on display.

The limited-edition objects and furnishings are part of Marni’s ongoing social support project, and entirely handcrafted by a woman’s community in Columbia.

Marni products are available at Marni, The Paragon, 290 Orchard Road #01-06, Singapore www.marni.com

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5 BOTTEGA VENETA Tomas Maier’s passion for architecture and furniture is no secret. In fact, Bottega Veneta’s creative director says he launched the brand’s first home pieces nine years ago out of necessity rather than desire. Not being able to find suitable furnishings for the brand’s boutiques, he decided to design signatures like the intrecciato leather weave armchairs himself.

The restrained elegance of Bottega Veneta’s furniture has since proven to be a hit, blossoming into an entire range, and now its first home collection store, housed in the eighteenth-century Palazzo Gallarati Scotti. Luxurious leather lamps and handcrafted oak and marble tables sit alongside masterful frescoes by Carlo Innocenzo Carlone and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, all artfully curated by Maier. The German-born designer says: “When you come into a room, it is the personality of the people who live there that should come through.” And indeed here, the maison’s heritage and understated sophistication fuse seamlessly with local culture in one of the Milan’s historic and most beautiful buildings.

Available to order at Bottega Veneta, ION Orchard, Singapore www.bottegaveneta.com

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ALESSI

Three-section jam tray in porcelain with lids

CHRISTOFLE

TABLE MATTERS

ALBI candelabra

Impress your guests and serve up your favourite dishes in the chicest tableware. Here is our selection of timeless gems for your dining table.

CHRISTOFLE

JARDIN D’EDEN flatware eu.christofle.com

DEVIEHL

PARAMARA COCOBOLO cup deviehl.com

ASTON MARTIN

CARBON crystal glass set of 2

VERSACE

ASIAN DREAM 18CM and 22CM plate

Rosenthal GmbH

VERSACE

ARABESQUE AMBER water goblet www.rosenthal.de

ADAM CORNISH FOR ALESSI

ASTON MARTIN

QUANTUM gold napkin ring www.grantmacdonald.com/astonmartin

Lu x

x PR

TRINITY fruit holder www.alessi.com

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bespoke kitchen to suit your needs and budget. This is what customisation looks like when it truly expresses your personal style and lifestyle…

MAKE YOUR KITCHEN DREAMS COME TRUE Long gone are the days when the kitchen was a single-function room for parking a stove and refrigerator. For many homeowners, this functional room is a haven for family and friends to gather, both to dine and socialise. And because kitchens are no longer just for cooking, homeowners find themselves faced with endless options for turning their kitchens into multiple-function areas for relaxation and entertainment.

Kitchen design is more streamlined these days, with a trend for simple lines and a user-friendly layout using classic materials and colours that don’t date too fast. By keeping the design simple, homeowners can focus on creating a statement by fitting their kitchen with the latest state-of-the-art appliances and decorating it with accessories that reflect their personality.

We turn to kitchen experts Sterling Sdn Bhd, authorised dealer of Signature Kitchen, for some advice on getting a

What should you consider when designing a kitchen?

Firstly, the typical kitchen design plan must involve a ‘work triangle’ to create a smooth workflow, so all major work stations are kept near the cook and traffic in the kitchen is minimised so the cook isn’t interrupted. It’s also important to examine the cooking habits of the cook, the type of cooking done, the lifestyle of the home occupants and the height of the users. Asian homes often have a separate ‘wet’ kitchen for deep-frying and the heavy cooking typical of Asian cuisine.

If there isn’t a separate kitchen, we’ll propose a heavy-duty cooker hood and recommend that a specific space and location for all appliances be located within the kitchen. So a list of an owner’s appliances used should always be given to the designer.

We will also look into the following factors: the lifestyle of the home’s occupants, as this will determine the functionality of the kitchen; whether space within the kitchen is required for dining and socialising; the desired style of kitchen (classic or modern); the finishing (solid wood, laminate, spray-painted finish in gloss or matte, timber veneer or solid wood), and of course the budget.

What areas do you need to plan for?

Preparation area – you will need lots of counter space for chopping and mixing, preferably near the sink for washing the ingredients and your hands. So choosing the right surface to work on – whether it be granite, marble, a solid surface or high pressure laminate HPL worktop – is crucial, which in turn is dictated by the style of the kitchen, personal preference, functional consideration (bakers prefer natural stone surfaces) and budget.

Cooking area – The design and layout have to be functional and user-friendly. Pots, pans, plates, cutlery, cooking oils

S p e c i a l Fe a t u r e

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What’s new in technology for a modern kitchen?

Let’s start with those heavy-duty drawer tracks that allow for a heavy-duty load and have soft closing mechanism, meaning heavy items like plates, pots and appliances can be stored and accessed easily. Then there’s the touch system whereby doors and drawers open automatically with just one touch. There’s also a sensor light fixed under wall cabinets, triggered by motion. You can also get swivel baskets to make full use of awkward corners – they make accessibility to your stored items a breeze. Also, with new and sleek designs coming from the latest range of kitchen appliances and accessories, the kitchen is fast becoming a focal point and a status symbol in any household.

I have a small kitchen – is it necessary for me to engage a designer?

Especially in a small space, good planning and effective use of space are crucial – all the more reason to engage a designer to fully utilise the space while making it stylish.

and seasoning should be stored within reach and easy access, which is possible when the design incorporates the latest in heavy-duty storage systems. Drawers with tracks can hold up to 50kg and swivel/pullout wire baskets can be pulled out to display your pots, pans and plates, and keep them within easy reach. Gone are the days when pots were stored under the sink or some hard-to-reach corner.

Dining and socialising area – If space allows, you can create a cosy corner to have a light meal or share a cuppa and a chat with a friend. For this to be possible, you might want to consider installing an air-conditioning unit and putting in a powerful cooker hood. Having a large kitchen island and a focal-point pendant light over it always makes a statement.

You can prepare food on this island, dine on it, socialise around it – and the best part? The cabinets beneath the island provide additional storage space.

Give us one idea that can make a kitchen stunning If you have a beautiful view outside your kitchen, why not design your windows low and put in a bench with throw cushions to make it a cosy corner for reading? Perhaps you can even consider installing a sliding glass door that leads out to a timber deck for barbeques or al fresco dining.

Now we want to have a bespoke kitchen, talk us through the process of making it happen Provide a floor plan to the designer or arrange a site measurement for existing kitchens that need renovating then tell the designer about your preferences on style, materials, budget, deadline if any and site status. It’s also helpful to highlight what you don’t like about your existing kitchen and what you want to see and feel in your dream kitchen.

STERLING SDN BHD A6 B, GROUND FLOOR, BLOCK A, SCOUTS COMPLEX, KG MATA MATA, JALAN GADONG, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN BE1718, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM TEL: 245 4893/ 245 6283, FAX: 245 4892

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Superstar actor breaks land speed record

Idris Elba, British star of the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and the TV show The Wire, has broken a 90-year-old speed record in Britain, using a state-of-the-art Bentley.

The award-winning actor hit a top speed of 290kmh (180.361mph) at the wheel of a new Continental GT Speed on Pendine Sands, Wales. This broke the existing record of 281.3kmh (174.8 mph) set by Sir Malcolm Campbell nearly 90 years ago in his legendary Napier-Campbell Blue Bird. The record was independently verified by the UK Timing Association.

Elba said: “I’m absolutely elated to have broken the ‘Flying Mile’ at Pendine Sands. It’s an honour to have taken on the challenge, and to successfully follow in the footsteps of the illustrious Sir Malcolm Campbell.”

Maserati hits new heights Maserati is setting new sales records across the globe as it prepares to introduce its new Alfieri sports car and Levante SUV. All the main European markets recorded positive results during April, with an average increase of about 20 percent over the same month in 2014.

The Ghibli Diesel also received a major mark of approval in the corporate market.

It was named ‘best company car in Germany’, in both the German car and the imported car categories. This rating was awarded by a sample of 270 German fleet managers chosen by the respected industry journal Firmenauto from the Motor Sport Presse group.

D r i v i n g Fo r c e

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Volvo reveals luxury future Volvo Cars has unveiled a new concept car that it says takes executive in-car luxury to a new level. Labelled the Lounge Console, the concept offers busy chauffeur-driven business people the ultimate executive accessory – a compact and versatile solution for expanded storage and comfort. The Lounge Console replaces the front passenger seat, providing a wealth of functions and amenities.

“The intention with this concept is to showcase two things – firstly that Volvo Cars is aware of the needs of our executive customers and secondly that with design innovation and modern materials we can effectively create a passenger experience that is unique in the premium car segment,” said Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president of design at the Volvo Car Group.

McLaren unveils its most affordable model yet McLaren, a company as famed for its Formula One exploits as its road cars, has unveiled its most accessible car yet – the 570S Coupé, which forms the start of its new Sports Series line-up.

Based around the same carbon fibre chassis as the faster, more expensive 650S and the exotic hybrid P1 hyper-car, the 570S uses a 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 engine developing 570hp and 600Nm of torque. McLaren claims it can accelerate from 0-100kmh in just 3.2 seconds and go on to a top speed of 328kmh.

Unlike the more exclusive 650S, the 570S will be priced to compete with models such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Aston Martin Vanquish, and it will be followed by another model, the 540C, which will be even more affordable.

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Throwing down the gauntlet The new Euro-challenging RC 350 from Lexus represents a quantum leap for the soon-tobe 25-year-old marque. Roderick Eime examines the latest offering from Lexus, designed to tempt sports car buyers away from the big European rivals.

The svelte, all-new purpose-built RC 350 coupé is billed as a reinvention of a Japanese brand that has always stood at the forefront of both styling and technology. While it borrows cosmetic and engineering cues from other vehicles in the range, like the GS and IS models, Lexus maintains the RC 350 is no reconfigured sedan. The purpose-built chassis comes with the unique blend of stiffness and strength needed to accommodate sporting-yet-supple suspension.

As with the LFA supercar, first unveiled in 2009, the RC 350 is designed to reinvigorate interest in this prestigious marque, except that the RC (for Racing Coupé) series will reach out to a younger, sporty demographic in Lexus’ lower/mid price range.

“The RC 350 is a very important vehicle for us – it provides a clear aspirational target and injects a stronger connection to the brand, combining with its strong quality and innovation hallmarks,” said Lexus executive, Sean Hanley, at the vehicle launch last year.

“Our LFA supercar previously embodied Lexus’ passion and acted as an emotional draw card, and it was one of the most important models we’ve ever produced,” he said.

“However, it was off-limits to most buyers. This new vehicle brings a portion of LFA’s excitement to a more attainable market segment, and will boost the brand’s appeal even further.”

Taking inspiration from its Y model marketing strategy, Lexus has come up with three offerings for its Lexus RC 350. First there’s Luxury then comes F Sport and finally Sports Luxury. Those with deeper pockets and a lust for performance and luxury perfection will want to examine

the top-of-the-line Sports Luxury, which adds a host of features befitting the discerning sports car enthusiast.

The basis of the RC 350 is the ultra-responsive 233kW 2GRFSE 3.5-litre quad cam, direct injection V6 powerplant and eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission driving through the rear wheels.

“RC 350’s spirited handling and performance were born on the track,” said Lexus’ chief engineer for the RC 350, Eiichi Kusama. “I spent considerable time working with the chief engineer of the RC F – Yukihiko Yaguchi – and we benchmarked both vehicles against the competition over many days and countless laps.”

The engineering team proceeded to fine-tune the chassis and front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension to optimal levels. The super high-tech electronically controlled centre differential, offered as an option in some markets, varies the front-to-rear torque balance to provide optimum traction in all weather conditions and the Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS).

Take things to the extreme with the RC F, a performance package that critics admit rivals some of the best European vehicles in this sector.

Lexus’ new ‘halo’ RC F coupé is the third Lexus to wear the F badge, after the IS F and LFA supercar. F models are built for true drivers who want to immerse themselves in pure driving pleasure and satisfying performance.

The RC F comes loaded with a 5.0 litre 351kW V8 engine, stiff chassis, racetrack-developed suspension and brakes,

D r i v i n g Fo r c e

with power delivery via an eight-speed transmission and unique torque-vectoring differential. The maximum power is delivered at 7,100rpm, while the 530Nm of torque kicks in between 4,800 and 5,600rpm.

Not only does this race-bred weapon look the goods, it sounds every bit on the money too. Active Sound Control creates a deep ominous tone up to 3,000rpm, then a higherpitched tone as revolutions rise with the sensation of the engine soaring freely above 6,000rpm, which it does thanks to titanium valves, forged connecting rods and an optimised exhaust layout to more effectively harness these musical exhaust pulses.

With the LFA out of production, the RC F now assumes the mantle of F image leader and is also the basis of Lexus’ entry in the World FIA GT3 Championship and the Japan Super GT championship.

If neck-snapping performance and head-turning good looks aren’t enough, Lexus RC F is offered with an optional carbon-fibre pack, developed using technology from the LFA programme and CCS-R racecar.

Designed to save weight, the carbon-fibre pack includes the bonnet, roof and active rear wing along with interior cabin decoration to match the mean exterior. This includes alcantara seat trim with 20-spoke High Plus forged aluminium wheels and ventilated front seats as further options.

With the new RC 350 and its high-performance F derivatives, Lexus has stamped its authority yet again on the ultracompetitive luxury performance sector with styling that will certainly make anyone look twice – and possibly then reach for their wallets.

Lexus RC F Specifications: ENGINE Engine code 2UR-GSE Displacement (cm 3) 4,969cc Engine type: All-alloy 90-degree V8, 32 valves, double overhead cams with dual VVT-i and electronic inlet timing actuation.

Fuel type: 98 RON or higher Bore x stroke (mm) 94 x 89.5mm Compression ratio 12.3:1 Max. power# 351kW @ 7,100rpm Max. torque# 530Nm @ 4,800-5,600rpm TRANSMISSION Type: Eight-speed SPDS automatic. Electronically controlled with sequential shift, artificial intelligence shift control and second to eight gear torque converter lock-up.

PERFORMANCE Max. speed (km/h) 270 (electronically limited) 0-100 km/h (sec) 4.

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Revived i40 pushes quality boundaries By: Neil Briscoe

A new dual-clutch automatic gearbox kicks off Hyundai’s big saloon update It’s hard to improve on something that’s already very good indeed. Ever since Hyundai first launched the i40 saloon and Tourer estate in 2011, this car has been a serious competitor in the so-called D-segment, bringing new standards of quality, refinement and spaciousness.

The big news on the engineering front is the new sevenspeed dual-clutch gearbox, which mixes the pleasure and control of a sequential manual shift with the smoothness and comfort of an automatic. You can either leave it to do its own thing or shift with the racing-carstyle paddles behind the steering wheel.

Now, for 2015, this car is getting a major update. The most obvious changes are on the outside. There are new lights featuring a more sophisticated-looking LED daytimerunning light signature. There’s a new hexagonal grille too, which sits prouder of the bodywork than the earlier version, and a new front bumper with integrated LED fog lamps. There are new 16” and 18” alloy wheels too.

Engines will range from a 1.6-litre GDI gasoline unit with 133hp to a 2.0-litre engine with between 165hp and 176hp. New technologies that help to save fuel include an integrated starter-generator, which allows the engine to seamlessly shut down and restart when standing in traffic. There are also aerodynamic flaps for the radiator, which close to allow faster engine

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throttle response are all influenced by the selection. The whole is inspired by the electronic and suspension systems developed for the premium V8-engined Genesis saloon.

The i40’s list of available active and passive safety technologies, already fairly comprehensive, has been expanded further. On top of the existing Lane Keep Assist System, the upgraded car includes the Smart High Beam (SHB) system, which monitors approaching traffic and automatically turns off the high beam to avoid dazzling other drivers. This system was first seen on the premium Genesis model.

warm-up and to improve aerodynamics, and open to allow more air in for cooling.

For better cornering and to improve the overall agility, the new i40 now offers Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC).

The system uses electronic sensors to emulate the behaviour of a limited-slip differential during cornering, providing additional traction, better grip and improved handling.

The new i40’s Drive Mode settings are enhanced by the new Rear Electronic Damping Control System (ECS), which will be equipped on the rear axle of the most popular new i40 body type – the Tourer. Drivers will also be able to adapt the suspension settings through the drive modes to suit their driving style. In addition to the rear suspension, the steering, gearbox settings and

The new Speed Limit Identification Function system checks roadside signs and displays a current speed limit alert to the driver via the new TFT display on the instrument panel. This is the first time Hyundai brings this technology to its line-up.

Also introduced in the new i40 is the company’s latest navigation technology with enhanced touchscreen functionality and new visualisation for better usability. The two audio systems are available with several new features, including DAB technology for the top version.

You’ll also notice a major boost in the quality of materials used in the cabin, which lifts the i40 into truly premium territory.

Since its launch, this car has sold more than 100,000 worldwide, making it a conspicuous success for Hyundai. Given the new version brings serious improvements and updates, it’s hard to imagine the road ahead being paved in anything but gold.

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Shangri-La and SCION celebrate nature’s bounty What: ‘Rooted in Nature’ walkabout dinner and launch of SCION in Kota Kinabalu When: April 24, 2015 Where: Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, Kota Kinabalu Highlights: Progressive dinner featuring the resort’s new Earth Day-themed ‘Rooted in Nature’ menu, involving diners taking a stroll to a different location for each course; the publisher of SCION, Wan Zainal Shazali, introduced SCION magazine to the elite diners; music performance by the resort’s entertainment director; cooking demonstration by the resort’s executive chef, Yusuf Yaran; each guest was presented with a goody bag filled with a SCION magazine and specially chosen Le Sirenuse luxury bath products from Positano, Italy.

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The Swiss Connection What: Celebration of the appointment of new Honorary Consul of Switzerland When: March 12, 2015 Where: The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Bandar Seri Begawan Highlights: Swiss Ambassador Thomas Kupfer presented a token of appreciation to the outgoing Honorary Consul Shazali Sulaiman, a partner at KPMG; introduction of new Honorary Consul Pg Izad-Ryan bin PLKDR Pg Hj Bahrin, who is a partner at the law firm Pengiran Izad & Lee.

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Fashionable Royals What: Reopening of the ECCO store in Munich When: May 20, 2015 Where: ECCO’s fashionable new store in Sendlinger Straβe 7, Munich, Germany Highlights: Attendance of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark

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Scion Partner Hotels Discover the Renaissance Lifestyle Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel is a five-star luxury accommodation located exactly where you want to be - the heart of the Golden Triangle. It is a short walk to the Petronas Twin Towers and is two monorail stops from the nearest business, financial and retail hubs. The Renaissance features 910 beautifully appointed rooms and suites.

For conferences and events, the hotel boasts a Grand Ballroom and 26 multi-purpose function rooms.

There are 7 dining options, including the Sagano Restaurant for Japanese cuisine, TEMPTationS coffee house, Vogue Café for allday dining and the Dynasty Restaurant, serving exquisite Chinese cuisine by award-winning executive sous-chef Kok Chee Kin. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s two-storey fitness centre, tennis courts, Olympic-sized swimming pool and rejuvenating treatments at the Mandara Spa.

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (603) 2162 2233 E-mail: rhi.kulrn.sales@renaissancehotels.com Website: www.klrenaissance.com

Fit for a Prince Prince Hotel & Residence in Kuala Lumpur is just a few minutes’ walk from Bukit Bintang, Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This five-star hotel presents 445 spacious rooms and luxurious suites, and 157 full-service apartments with spectacular views over the city. Relaxation facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tropical garden, the Sompoton spa, a fitness centre and a kids club, lower case.

Prince Hotel offers seven food and beverage venues to cater to a variety of palates. At the Eccucino Buffet Restaurant, you will be spoilt for choice with local and international delights. Tai Zi Heen, the hotel’s signature restaurant, serves contemporary Cantonese cuisine and delectable dim sum.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, the Prince Hotel & Residence is ready to make your stay in Kuala Lumpur a memorable one.

Prince Hotel & Residence 4, Jalan Conlay 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (603) 2170 8888 E-mail: enquiry@princehotelkl.com.my Website: www.princehotelkl.com

A Majestic Experience at The Empire With its 522 luxurious rooms, suites and villas, the sumptuously furnished Empire Hotel & Country Club offers an experience that is anything but ordinary. The club’s accommodation is fit for a king, and the events venues and banquet rooms – including the Indera Samudra Grand Hall – are lavishly impressive.

Golfing enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the resort’s premium golf course, while sun seekers are spoiled for choice with three outdoor swimming pools and a private beach. Catch a movie at the club’s cinema, or indulge in a game of bowling, a spa or gym session.

There is a selection of high-end restaurants. Savour authentic Chinese cuisine at Li Gong restaurant, Italian fare at Spaghettini’s or Japanese delights at Zen Teppanyaki. Alternatively, enjoy the sunset at Pantai restaurant - a venue specialising in international fare and seafood barbecue.

The Empire Hotel & Country Club Jerudong BG3122, Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Darussalam Tel: (673) 241 8888 E-mail: sales@theempirehotel.com Website: www.theempirehotel.com

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Scion Partner Hotels rooms with a view at the miri marriott Nestled in lush tropical gardens a mere two hours from Brunei, the Miri Marriott Resort & Spa offers 220 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites with serene views over the South China Sea. Combining business with leisure, the resort provides secretarial services and a full-service business centre. When work is done, guests are free to enjoy the hotel’s fitness centre and sauna, lounge around the freeform pool (the largest outdoor swimming pool in Sarawak), or indulge in spa treatments at the Mandara spa.

The resort’s Zest restaurant is famous for its weekend buffets, while freshly baked desserts are available at the Borneo Baking Company.

If it’s just a drink you’re after, sip it on the Matahari Pool Terrace and enjoy the magnificent sea view at the same time.

Miri Marriott Resort & Spa Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong Lawai Miri 98000 Malaysia Tel: (60 85) 421 121 E-mail: reservations.miri@marriotthotels.com Website: www.marriott.com/myymc

Fun & Relaxation at the Tanjung Aru A modern flourish has been added to the rooms at the ShangriLa in Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, giving a contemporary twist to the resort’s traditional décor.

The Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa is immersed in 25-acres of green gardens, taking full advantage of the area’s enchanting tropical landscape. On top of its 492 upgraded rooms and suites, the resort boasts a new 2,000-square metre swimming pool with tapered shoreline, infinity edges and custom-built jacuzzi beds.

Guests are encouraged to treat themselves to walks along the resort’s private beach. Iced drinks are served at the Sunset Bar, with spectacular views of the setting sun thrown in for free. Dining options include the lively Café Tatu, the Chinese Shang Palace and the award-winning Italian restaurant Peppino.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa No. 20, Jalan Aru, Tanjung Aru 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel: (6088) 327 888 E-mail: tah@shangri-la.com Website: www.shangri-la.com/ tanjungaru

The Novotel Experience in Clarke Quay Embedded in the vibrant hub of Clarke Quay, the Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay combines comfort and convenience in the heart of Singapore. Guests will feel at home in its 403 rooms, as all are equipped with modern amenities and high-speed WiFi internet access.

Visitors can work out at the In|Balance Fitness centre or lounge by the outdoor pool. This family-friendly hotel provides a play area for little ones equipped with an Xbox Kinnect; a dedicated children’s menu is also available.

The SQUARE serves local and international cuisine, and is one of Singapore’s most popular restaurants. Other dining options include the Dragon Phoenix Restaurant, serving authentic Cantonese fare, and the Moghul Mahal Restaurant, serving delicious North Indian cuisine.

Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay 177A River Valley Road Singapore 179031 Tel: (65) 6338 3333 E-mail: H5993@accor.com Hotel code: 5993 Website: novotelclarkequay.com

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THE PULLMAN NETWORK A Pullman hotel with 513 contemporary bedrooms has opened in Kuala Lumpur, taking the number of Pullman hotels in Malaysia to three. The new hotel is strategically located in Bangsar, so perfect for MICE events. The other two Pullman hotels in Malaysia are the uber-modern 389-room Pullman in Kuching and the stunning Pullman Putrajaya, located on the shores of the Putrajaya Lake.

Pullman is the upscale international hotel brand of Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator. Accor is established in 92 countries, employs 160,000 personnel and boasts a portfolio of over 3,600 hotels.

Pullman Hotels and Resorts is principally aimed at cosmopolitan, seasoned travellers either touring alone, with family or with colleagues. The network has more than 80 hotels and is expanding rapidly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Epitomising the brand in Asia is the Pullman Thamrin Jakarta, which recently underwent a 15-million US dollar renovation. General Manager, Philippe Le Bourhis says: “We want this to be a vibrant hotel where leisure meets business as defined by the Pullman ‘bleisure’ concept.”

Pullman, like many of Accor’s brands, is proud to offer Le Club Accorhotels loyalty programme. For further information, on both this programme and Pullman hotels in general, visit: www.pullmanhotels.com.

1. PULLMAN THAMRIN JAKARTA 2. PULLMAN PUTRAJAYA LAKESIDE 3. Pullman Kuching 4. PULLMAN KUALA LUMPUR

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