SCION Jan-Mar 2014

JA N UA RY - M A RCH 2 01 4

ROLE

MODEL Why Wu Chun is happy to go home and play the biggest role of his life

A CHM P M EDI A PU BLIC AT ION

FIRST STEPS

HOW COMPLICATED!

FASHIONABLE HOMES

Understanding the need for bespoke shoes

6 watches to blow your mind

Top designer furnishings for homes

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www.kennethcobonpue.com | www.designbyhive.com NOW AVAILABLE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Available exclusively by order from WaMa DESIGNS Call +673 8729928 or email studio@wamadesigns.com

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Co n t e n t s

11 – AROUND THE WORLD JEWELLERY

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16 – NEWS ON THE FINE ART OF ACCESSORISING 18 – BOLD & BEAUTIFUL 22 – PRECIOUS LINKS SHOPPING 24 – A LITTLE RED GOES A LONG WAY FASHION 26 – JAKARTA FASHION WEEK 28 - NEWS FOR THE FASHION FOLLOWER 29 – HELMING THE FORD 32 – THE FIRST STEP TO BESPOKE SHOES WATCHES

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38 - NEWS FOR THE WATCH AFICIONADO 40 – IT’S COMPLICATED! DINING

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46 - NEWS FOR THE GOURMAND 48 – DINING OUT IN KYOTO

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Co n t e n t s Ed it o r ’s Not e

[sahy-uh-on]

TRAVEL 52 - NEWS FOR THE GLOBETROTTER 54 – A LUXURY DILEMMA – VILLA VS RESORT 59 – THE INDEPENDENT MR & MRS SMITH

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privileges that only an exclusive few can enjoy. At SCION, the line of wealth, luxury and high-living begins.

January/February/March 2014

INTERIORS

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher: Wan Zainal Shazali

64 – NEWS FOR THE DÉCOR AND STYLE LOVER

Managing Editor: Pauline Chan

65 – THE WELL-DRESSED HOME

Art Director: Shawn Lee Fukuzaki Copy Editor: Vittoria D’Alessio

ENGINE WORLD 73 – THE THOROUGHBRED BLOODLINE 76 – THE BEST JUST GETS BETTER

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– A noble descendant, a privileged individual. Scions have the world at their feet. They hold the key to a vault of

Editorial Assistant: Intan Abu Daniel Photographer: Ebi Lim Finance Manager: Chin Hui Hui

78 - NEWS FOR THE AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST

Marketing & Communications Director: John Zachary

SPECIAL FEATURE

Sales & Marketing Manager: Abu Bakar Ashari

79 – THE BUSINESS OF FITNESS

Contributors: Luann Alphonso, Tan Su-Lyn, John Zachary, Neil Briscoe, Patricia Lee, Su Jia Xian

SOCIETY

A MAGAZINE OF CHMP MEDIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

80 – FROM BIG SCREEN TO NURSERY

E-MAIL: INFO@CHMPMEDIA.COM

TEL: +673 2331031 FAX: +673 2231031

STEPPING INTO a new year is always such a bittersweet thing – like losing an old friend while gaining a new one.

In our first issue of 2014, we feature Wu Chun, our local star of the international silver screen (page 80), who talks to us candidly about fatherhood, career and how he celebrates the Lunar New Year at home in Brunei Darussalam. Talking about home – which home would not benefit from the magic touch of an interior designer? We answer this question with a look at six top fashion brands that have branched out with home collections – one sure way of turning your living quarters into the envy of town (page 65). There’s also a great lineup in our fashion section, including a guide to help you navigate the elite realm of bespoke shoes (page 32). If you haven’t yet been swept away by the trend of customised luxury footwear, maybe you will after reading this story. We also check out two fabulous villas and two equally sumptuous resorts on the island of Bali to help you discover which of these holiday locations would best suit your needs (page 54). In short, our January issue is chock full of stories and ideas to inject glamour and pizzazz into your new year – we hope you enjoy them.

Happy 2014!

Wan Zainal Shazali Editor-in-Chief

84 – LAUNCHING A BETTERFLY 85 – CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 86 – SMITH HOTEL AWARDS/ DORCHESTER PRIZE 87 – DINNER WITH RALPH LAUREN 88 – A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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SCION IS PUBLISHED BY CHMP MEDIA (BRUNEI). ALL CORRESPONDENCE AND ADVERTISING SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO SCION, CHMP MEDIA, UNIT 49, 2ND FLOOR, HJ MUNCHIT & HJH DYG RAPIAH COMPLEX, KG. JAYA SETIA, BERAKAS BD2713. BRUNEI DARUSSALAM. 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.

COVER PHOTO: BRUNEI-BORN CELEBRITY WU CHUN HAS MADE HUGE STRIDES IN INTRODUCING HIS HOME COUNTRY TO FANS AROUND THE WORLD (COURTESY OF WU CHUN)

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Interiors.

Furniture.

Accessories.

Unit 49, 2nd Floor, Hj Munchit & Hjh Dyg Rapiah Complex Kg Jaya Setia, Berakas, BSB BD2713 Brunei Darussalam Tel: +673 233 5031 Email: studio@wamadesigns.com

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

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Ar ou n d th e W o rld ?

STAR OF VERTU Shine like a star with the new Constellation smartphone from Vertu. The sleek Constellation, handmade in England, offers everything you’d expect from a top-of-the-range smartphone, in an elegant design. Features include Android™ 4.2 Jelly Bean, Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ dual core 1.7 GHz CPU, 32GB of internal memory, 13MP rear-facing camera with full HD video (1080p), a front-facing Skype™ compliant 1.3MP camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC. The phone also offers a selection of melodic ringtones composed especially for Vertu and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Swathed in calf leather, the Constellation is available in five colours. www.vertu.com

THE VALMONT EXPERIENCE Brunei’s opulent Empire Hotel & Country Club has added anti-ageing elixirs from Switzerland to its sublime range of spa treatments. Newly launched Valmont products are made from glacial spring water from the Valais Mountains of Switzerland, blended with DNA from wild salmon milt, believed to delay the visible signs of ageing. The facial treatments protect and moisturise the skin with their antioxidant and cell-regenerating qualities. Guests are served healthy teas, including jasmine and peppermint, ginger, chamomile and green tea before and after treatments. www.theempirehotel.com

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

Ar ou n d th e W o r ld ?

CATH KIDSTON’S GIFT TO LONDON Taxis covered in iconic Cath Kidston prints burst out of a giant Christmas present at London’s Marble Arch on December 5, to celebrate the opening of the largest Cath Kidston store in the world. The shop can be found at 180 Piccadilly and its opening coincides with the brand’s 20th anniversary year. For the duration of the shop’s opening week, the taxis offered free transport to the new 7,070 square-foot store from anywhere in the capital’s zones 1 and 2. The shop will carry Cath Kidston’s Piccadilly Print range.

Capturing the bright lights of the big city, the hand-drawn Piccadilly range pays homage to some of the Big Smoke’s icons, including double-decker buses, black cabs and pigeons.

A FLAWLESS FINISH

www.flawless.hk.com

PRIVATE MOMENTS North of Malé, within the constellation of Maldivian islands that form Noonu Atoli, lies the Velaa Private Island, a new holiday destination bringing fresh meaning to ‘private moments’ in the tropics. The Velaa, which means Turtle Island, opened for business in December 2013 and is an exclusive luxury retreat with a service that goes beyond the traditional resort experience. Alongside 43 dreamlike beach and water villas – each with generous outdoor space and private pool – there are four spacious four-bedroom residences with private pool, spa, gym and submarine (yes – a private submarine!). The exceptional cuisine at the resort is overseen by celebrated Michelin-starred chef Adeline Grattard. Leisure activities on the Velaa are bountiful and include cruises, fishing expeditions, golf, diving, water sports, yoga, various court games and the ultimate in underwater adventure – a semisubmarine expedition. www.velaaprivateisland.com

www.cathkidston.com

Photos: Vertu, The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Flawless, Velaa, Image.net, Valiram

Flawless has been winning accolades since throwing open its doors last May. This spa for professional Medik8 Medi-Spa Treatments offers high quality facials, nail beauty and makeup services. It’s also the first non-retail mall spa in Hong Kong to work with cosmetics powerhouse, Laura Mercier. The spa team at Flawless has an enviable client list including celebrities such as the singer John Legend, Chinese actress Zhou Xun and veteran entertainer Yoko Ono. Located on Wyndham Street and overlooking Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong’s famous dining and entertainment district, Flawless boasts a beautiful outdoor terrace for guests to chill out and enjoy the city view.

NEW SPRING COLOURS FOR TUMI The premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories brand, TUMI, has introduced three new spring colours for cases in its TEGRA-LITE™ collection. The colours are viridian (bluish-green), cerulean (sky blue) and iridium (orangy red). The TEGRA-LITE is made from Tegris, a revolutionary material used in lifesaving armour and NASCAR race cars. Tegris provides up to 15 times the impact resistance of typical thermoplastics composites, making TUMI hard cases both durable and lightweight.

TUMI bags and accessories are now available at the Gurney Paragon Mall in Penang. The flagship store was launched on October 17, 2013, making this TUMI’s sixth store in Malaysia. intl.tumi.com

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POSITIVELY PULLMAN The Pullman Jakarta Indonesia hotel will be debuting a vibrant new look inspired by Indonesian culture after a US$15-million transformation to upgrade the hotel into Jakarta’s premier upscale destination. The hotel is introducing concepts and experiences that are truly unique, particularly in their dining areas.

Their legendary Kahyangan ShabuShabu restaurant gets a facelift while keeping the panoramic views of the Jakarta skyline, and new food and beverage outlets are added to cater to every event however great or small.

Newly renovated bedrooms in the Pullman Tower redefine the standards of hotel accommodation and upscale service that business travellers expect today.

A SPLASH OF COLOUR Noritake has introduced an essential ingredient for outdoor entertaining – handmade glasses saturated with the colours of summer. The Helix pod-shaped glasses, handmade by Italian glassmaking artisans IVV, are the toast of the season. The translucent glasses feature parallel rows of textured ribbing that reflect light near the rim and absorb colour close to the base.

These voluptuous vessels come in burnished amber, deep violet, emerald green, cobalt blue, citrine and turquoise.

www.pullmanjakartaindonesia.com

TAG HEUER LIGHTS UP PARIS TAG Heuer’s new CEO Stéphane Linder and brand ambassador Leonardo DiCaprio threw an eye-popping party on November 6 at the watchmaker’s latest flagship boutique at the Paris Opera. The famous actor was joined by a host of celebrities from around the world, all gathered to celebrate the opening of TAG Heuer’s new store and the 50th anniversary of its iconic CARRERA line of racing-inspired sports watches and chronographs. Mr Linder is confident that TAG Heure is on a roll. It currently owns 180 boutiques in 57 countries and has another 20 venues set to open in 2014, including a third Paris flagship store on the Champs-Elysées. “We’ve opened more stores recently than any brand in luxury. And we’re just getting started,” he says. www.tagheuer.com

Photos: Noritake, Tag Heuer, Pullman Jakarta Indonesia, West Elm

www.noritake.com.au

WEST ELM OPENS IN LONDON Home furnishing retailer West Elm has set foot in London with the opening of its first European store. The 12,000 square-foot store, which opened early November on Tottenham Court Road, features furniture, textiles, accessories and gifts, as well as a West Elm Market shopin-shop and a coffee shop. West Elm also offers a suite of helpful services at its Design Lab – a centre of creativity and inspiration where customers can consult on design and space planning. The store will also host workshops and classes, inviting participants to discover and create as part of an ensemble. With a focus on making things that matter, the brand collaborates with independent artists and craft communities to create statement pieces and seasonal collections that make a positive impact on people and the environment. www.westelm.com

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Je w e l l e r y ?

BAMBÚ FOR GOOD LUCK CARRERA Y CARRERA has extended its Bambú Collection with dazzling new pieces. Bamboo is considered a symbol of good luck in the Far East, and following the collection’s earlier success, the brand’s bamboo-style jewellery has been reinvented while maintaining its original flavour.

The new additions include two cocktail rings with amethyst and rose quartz, both boasting generously sized gems that contrast beautifully with the delicate detail of their gold settings. Also on offer is a matching set comprising a ring, pendant and earrings, designed with ‘bamboo stalks’ carved from yellow gold and ‘leaves’ in white gold paved with diamonds. The inspiration for the new pieces is drawn from Eastern philosophy focusing on harmony and balance.

www.carreraycarrera.com

Photos: Rindoff Petroff/Castel/French Select/Getty Images, Carrera y Carrera

Je w e ll e r y Ne w s ?

‘CARTIER: LE STYLE ET L’HISTOIRE’ EXHIBITION A collection of Cartier’s most significant objects of decorative art is on display until February 16 in Paris. The CARTIER: LE STYLE ET L‘HISTOIRE EXHIBITION is being housed at the Salon d’Honneur room of the Grand Palais. It explores Cartier’s role in the history of style and decorative arts, from the founding of the maison in 1847 to the mid-1970s.

More than 600 spectacular pieces have been selected for display in a single exhibition for the very first time. High-jewellery pieces, clocks, watches and precious objects from the Cartier Collection will be shown alongside pieces on loan from private owners, institutions and museums from around the world. The collection will be complemented by over 300 documents from the Cartier archives, providing a glimpse into the jeweller’s creative process.

www.cartier.com

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ANIL ARJANDAS is no stranger to the world of luxury. Before this Spanish-born entrepreneur founded his line of jewellery, he was the buying director and owner of Magani Jewels, an exclusive multi-brand store carrying high-end brands of watches, jewellery, eyewear and perfumes. While helming Magani Jewels, he changed his sharp eye for trends and his impeccable taste in fashion towards designing jewellery and produced his first collection in 2001. This went on to become a big hit in Spain. From the success of his first foray into jewellery design, he launched his eponymous stores in Puerto Banus, Marbella and Zaragoza.

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Arjandas’ designs are almost eccentric in the world of high jewellery. His work is a beautiful study of contrast. He chooses to step away from classic designs while retaining the feel of luxury with themes borrowed from the age of rock and grunge, using a lot of exotic leathers, black gold, velvet, volcanic lava, wood and carbon fibre.

Arjandas partners these heavy materials with softer elements such as pearls, white coral, pink turquoise stones and unusual icy brown diamonds and grey diamonds. He pairs an assortment of vibrant bright shades with dark masculine browns and blacks with unexpectedly stunning results.

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Bold and Beautiful

by Pauline Chan

Anil Arjandas’ jewellery has never been conventional. Edgy and enigmatic, his collections are born from an eclectic mix of materials inspired by his personal experiences of art and fashion, and his extensive travels.

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Je w e l l e r y ?

He chooses to step away from classic designs while retaining a feel of luxury, with themes borrowed from the age of rock and grunge, using a lot of exotic leathers, black gold, velvet, volcanic lava, wood and carbon fibre.

From his collections, you can find a range of jewellery featuring fluid shapes, angel wings and alphabets along with edgier pieces taking the form of skulls, snakes, spikes and beetles. The most distinctive of his designs are the fluid shapes in black gold with brown and black diamonds from his first collection. The unusual pairings of materials in the Anil Arjandas collections have garnered a following from fans looking for jewellery with a difference - designs that are distinctive and stunning with an element of casual chic that can be used for an everyday look. Arjandas offers a made-to-order service to customise any piece of jewellery or accessory with exclusive cuts and exotic leathers such as shagreen and crocodile.

On November 6, Arjandas launched his first flagship store outside Spain in Mayfair, London with a launch event hosted by the “Shahs of Sunset” reality star Lily Ghalichi, who is an ambassador of Anil Arjandas Jewels. The store displays collections from the brand’s catalogue and other luxury items including perfumes and watches.

Anil Arjandas has plans to expand into Europe and the USA and hopes to introduce the brand to Southeast Asia in the future. This ambitious jeweller is staying true to his design philosophy and continues to reinterpret high jewellery in his unusual and inimitable style. S

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Je w e l l e r y 2. TATEOSSIAN RHODIUM-PLATED STERLING SILVER CUFFLINKS WITH SEMIPRECIOUS STONES

www.tateossian.com

3. GEORG JENSEN STERLING SILVER INFINITY CUFFLINKS, DESIGNED BY MARIA BERNTSEN

1. ALFRED DUNHILL AD ICONIC BLUE MOP CUFFLINKS

www.georgjensen.com

world.dunhill.com

PRECIOUS

LINKS One can never have too many pairs of cufflinks. This is one accessory that sits squarely with the guys and it allows them to express their sense of style in the most subtle of ways. So snap on a pair of cufflinks and wear your personality on your sleeves.

6. MONTBLANC FINE JEWELLERY CLASSIC ESSENTIALS CUFFLINKS IN RED GOLD WITH MILKY QUARTZ

4. GEORG JENSEN STERLING SILVER WISHBONE CUFFLINKS, DESIGNED BY REGITZE OVERGAARD

www.montblanc.com

www.georgjensen.com

5. DE GRISOGONO WHITE GOLD CUFFLINKS SET WITH RUBIES

www.degrisogono.com 8. PATEK PHILLIPE NAUTILUS CUFFLINKS IN 18K WHITE GOLD AND SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL WITH SILVERY-WHITE CENTRE

www.patek.com 7. MONTBLANC FINE JEWELLERY CLASSIC ESSENTIALS CUFFLINKS IN RED GOLD WITH MILKY QUARTZ

www.montblanc.com

9. CANALI RHODIUM RECTANGULAR/ SQUARE CUFFLINKS WITH CANALI MONOGRAM

www.canali.it

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Shopping

Sh o p p i n g

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A Little Red Goes

The Chinese believe red sets the right tone for the Lunar New Year. Red is for happiness. Red is auspicious.

So bring out the crimson accessories and attract some good qi for the coming Year of the Horse.

A Long Way

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Photos: Jimmy Choo, de Grisogono, Sephora, Raoul, Tom Ford

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ANTI-CLOCKWISE: 1. DE GRISOGONO – BOULE EARRINGS WITH WHITE GOLD, DIAMONDS AND RUBIES 2. JIMMY CHOO – COOLER SUEDE AND PATENT LEATHER SHOES 3. TOM FORD – CALF-HAIR ZIP DOCTOR BAG 4. SEPHORA - FORMULA X FIERY CRIMSON NAIL VARNISH 5. TOM FORD – RED LEATHER WALLET 6. RAOUL – RENA CLUTCH 7. SEPHORA – ROUGE CREAM LIPSTICK IN HOT TANGO

Fa s h i o n

Fa s h i o n Ne w s ?

BIGGER THAN EVER The largest fashion event in Southeast Asia – the Jakarta Fashion Week (JFW) – broke its own records in October, presenting an unprecedented number of shows and designers.

The week-long show, which was in its sixth year, showcased international designers alongside local talent enjoying global acclaim – including Indonesian designers appearing under JFW’s Indonesia Fashion Forward development programme, run as a joint venture between JFW, the British Council and the Londonbased Centre for Fashion Enterprise.

The 2014 JFW featured 240 Indonesian labels, 77 shows, seven international designers, 3,000 looks and 350 models. It was held at the Senayan City Mall in Jakarta.

For the first time, the event was opened by Indonesian designers only, some of whom had also paraded their creations during Paris Fashion Week a month earlier. Many of the local designers presented collections inspired by Indonesia’s rich heritage, using traditional fabrics while keeping an eye on contemporary culture and tomorrow’s trends. Designers specialising in Muslim wear were also included in the line-up. www.jakartafashionweek.co.id

Photos: Image.net

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Fa s h i o n

Fa s h i o n Ne w s ?

CHRISTOPHER BAILEY TO HELM BURBERRY BURBERRY has announced the appointment of Christopher Bailey as chief creative officer and chief executive officer, effective from mid-2014. Mr Bailey will take the helm when current CEO Angela Ahrendts steps down to take up a new position with Apple. Mr Bailey has been at Burberry since 2001, working as chief creative officer for the past six years.

He has overseen all consumer-facing activities, including product design and development, creative marketing, store design, consumer technology and digital innovation.

Mr Bailey says: “Creativity and innovation have been at the heart of our success in the last ten years and will be even more so in the decade ahead.” www.burberry.com

Helming ITALIAN EXTRAVAGANZA The SERGIO ROSSI spring-summer 2014 collection explores the design and creative arts of the early seventies, enhancing natural materials such as bamboo and stingray leather with metallic details and animal prints. Design director Angelo Ruggeri’s dazzling interpretation of the seventies includes dressy evening shoes, geometric shapes and vibrant colours married with tiny jewel embellishments. The SS2014 collection made its debut in September 2013 at the Milano Moda Donna event. www.sergiorossi.com

Photos: Burberry, Vincenzo Lombardo/Getty Images for Sergio Rossi

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the Ford

by Luann Alphonso

Tom Ford finally finds his way to Southeast Asia.

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Fa s h i o n

ONE OF FASHION’S MOST EMBLEMATIC NAMES, Tom Ford, is setting up home in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore this January, with another Jakarta flagship scheduled for next year. These two store announcements are a continuation of the American designer’s rapid growth in Asia, with shops already established in Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, among other places.

The 52-year old fashion designer and film director (he directed the Oscar-nominated ‘A Single Man’) is clearly committed to maintaining a strong Asian presence: “The Singapore opening is very significant because there is a very sophisticated client who wants the finest accessories and clothing for all aspects of their life, and they want it presented in a modern way that resonates with the new world that is fast emerging in Asia.”

This recent expansion of Ford’s fashion empire is the result of a partnership with FJ Benjamin, a Singapore fashion company that distributes a range of desirable brands in Southeast Asia. Other labels include Givenchy, Celine and Goyard.

The interior of the Singapore store will be modelled on the label’s Madison Avenue flagship shop in New York, complementing Tom Ford’s sensuous style with subtle shades of grey and brown. Chrome and glass accents will add a modern touch.

Singapore’s Ford fans will be able to purchase the full range of Ford offerings, from clothes in the men’s and

women’s ready-to-wear collections to accessories, beauty products and fine jewellery. The Singapore store will also exclusively introduce the Private Blend Atelier d’Orient Collection – a quartet of Tom Ford fragrances inspired by his Private Blend Collection of boutique scents.

THE POWERHOUSE Life wasn’t always so sharply focused for Ford. The one-time intern at French label Chloé dabbled in TV commercials (featuring himself), interior architecture and public relations before finding his true calling at Gucci. He worked for the Italian luxury goods house from 1994 to 2004, catapulting the company from near-bankruptcy to a US$10 billion enterprise. His opulent, sexy, uber-confident style eventually became synonymous with Gucci’s luxurious modern offerings.

During his time at the Gucci Group, Ford also led the company in its acquisition of Yves Saint Laurent from French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, as well as Italian shoe label Sergio Rossi, luxury goods house Bottega Veneta, fashion house Balenciaga and French jewellery house Boucheron – all of which are now owned by Kering, formerly known as PPR. Ford’s advertising campaigns for the YSL fragrances Opium and M7 became famous for walking the line between erotic and elegant. They featured supermodel Sophie Dahl in a provocative pose and a naked martial arts champion, Samuel de Cubber.

Ford left Gucci after a falling-out with PRR over creative control, and went on to establish his eponymous label, joining forces with former Gucci Group CEO Domenico De Sole. Though Ford’s strength was mainly in fashion, the business began with licensing deals with Estée Lauder Companies, for whom he released a line of cosmetics and fragrances. He was also involved in sunglass collections with the Italian Marcolin Group.

RUNWAY LOOKS AND ACCESSORIES FROM THE TOM FORD AW13 COLLECTION

LEFT & RIGHT: ACCESSORIES FROM THE TOM FORD AW13 COLLECTION BELOW: TOM FORD

This somewhat conservative route stood in stark contrast to some of Ford’s more high-profile media projects at the time. Perhaps most memorable among these was his racy photoshoot with actresses Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley for the cover of Vanity Fair. Some would argue that Ford was merely awaiting the right opportunity to open his two-storey flagship store in Manhattan, where he went on to make bespoke suits for discerning clients.

Ford marked his 2007 return to the luxury fashion market by saying: “I think that as the world becomes more and

more impersonal and clothing and objects become increasingly mass-produced, there is a longing for the ‘rare’ and ‘exceptional’.”

And to this day, these two words – rare and exceptional – can be applied to every customer experience in a Tom Ford store. S

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Fa s h i o n

78 FIRST STEPS

by Luann Alphonso

78 Commissioning a pair of bespoke shoes may sound extravagant, but in reality it’s no more outlandish than ordering a tailor-made suit. Discover the flair and age-old craftsmanship that make a pair of wellmade custom shoes stand out from the pack.

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Fa s h i o n

TOP: A PIERRE CORTHAY CRAFTSMAN CAREFULLY CARVING OUT A LAST BELOW: THE LAST WILL BE KEPT AT THE SHOEMAKER’S SHOP FOR FUTURE ORDERS

PIERRE CORTHAY, creator of Parisian shoemaking label Maison Corthay, once described the bespoke experience as ‘a privilege’. If you’ve ever had a pair of shoes made for you and you alone, you’ll know all about the intimate relationship that develops between craftsman and customer. A bond of trust grows as the shoemaker delivers nothing but the best – even in areas the customer was blithely unaware of at the start of the process.

Corthay – who founded his label in 1990 – elaborates on this unique rapport: “Once you put a finger into this world, you never go back. We have very close relationships with our customers, especially when they come in for (our) bespoke (services). That’s where the real conversation starts… ‘What kind of clothes do you wear?’ ‘What kind of cars do you like?’ It can be something about food or art. It’s our job to discover what the customer really wants.”

Preferences in leather, personal style and nuanced lifestyle needs are all covered in this early-day conversation between client and shoemaker.

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TOP: SKETCHES AND FINAL RESULT SHOWING THE FLAIR THAT GOES INTO A PIERRE CORTHAY SHOE BELOW: BERLUTI’S CLOSER BEGINS WORK ON A NEW PAIR

Within the customised footwear industry, a distinction is drawn between ‘made-to-order’ and ‘bespoke’. It’s easy to confuse the two and some labels cheekily (and one must assume deliberately) blur the lines. Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish true bespoke shoemakers from everyone else is that they carve out a ‘last’ for each customer. A last is essentially a wooden mould of your feet, upon which your shoe will be crafted.

BUILT TO LAST Before the last is made, the entire foot is traced on paper, and precise measurements are noted. Areas of interest include the in-step, heel, girth and width. Idiosyncrasies such as wayward toes are also jotted down.

All this information is then hand-carved into a personal last. Creation of the last takes approximately two weeks and is subsequently stored at the shoemaker’s workshop, should the customer wish to return for further orders in the future. Depending on the workshop, bespoke shoes can take anywhere from six months to a year to make from start to delivery, though the

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THE INNER CIRCLE

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Household names in bespoke shoemaking

TOP: THE INTRICACIES BEHIND EVERY BERLUTI SHOE ENSURE QUALITY AND LONGEVITY

The pattern for the shoe upper is first drawn on paper then sent to the ‘clicker’, who cuts the pattern into leather. Once all aspects of the shoe – insoles, outsoles, the heel and any other aesthetic extras – are cut, they are sent to the ‘closer’, who assembles the footwear on the last, using heavy thread to create a precise fit.

To ensure longevity of the shoe’s shape, the leather is wet, moulded and dried several times during assembly – a process that can easily take a few months. The heel is then built gradually in layers and the almost-finished product will sit on the last for a few more weeks to set its shape.

As George Glasgow, MD for GJ Cleverley & Co, succinctly puts it, “The process is a little time consuming, but it’s worth the wait.”

SOLE MATES Needless to say, the best artisanal footwear is lovingly crafted by shoemakers backed by a wealth of experience. A well-made pair of shoes is meant to last a lifetime and this sometimes requires the use of Goodyear welt construction, which prolongs the shoe’s life by making the soles easily replaceable.

This type of sole is named after a machine created by Charles Goodyear Jr to stitch together four layers of shoe, namely the upper leather, lining, welt and inner ribbing. The process also includes extra stitching to bond the sole to the welt, which allows for the complete removal of the sole without causing damage to the treasurable upper.

While the construction is time-consuming, it adds to the overall sturdiness of the shoe, as well as conferring a degree of water resistance. S

Photos: John Lobb, Berluti, Maison Corthay, GJ Cleverley

time-frame shortens significantly once the last has been made.

1. JOHN LOBB

For the original Lobb experience, head to the company’s workshop on London’s St. James Street, where you’ll find lasts from Jackie Onassis and Frank Sinatra. If you can’t spare the time, you can find ready-to-wear examples with the John Lobb label in Paris and elsewhere in Europe, the rights to which were obtained by French luxury goods maker Hermès in 1976. The St. James shop, however, remains within the Lobb family and every pair is personally inspected by John Hunter Lobb himself.

“We turned our backs on machinery and stuck to making them by hand,” says the fourth generation Lobb, in defence of the company’s long-held traditions. A handcrafted pair of Lobb women’s shoes costs from £2,373 (US$3,800) to £9,256 (S$14,823) www.johnlobbltd.co.uk, www.johnlobb.com

2. BERLUTI

In 1962, when Andy Warhol requested a pair of shoes from a design he created, Olga Berluti – great-granddaughter of the shoe company’s founder – famously fashioned the American artist a pair using scarred leather from a calf with a penchant for rubbing against barbed wire fences. While the material was

a one-off, the Andy loafers – so named after Warhol – remain in style, as do the beautiful patinas of this brand’s classic shoes. www.berluti.com

3. MAISON CORTHAY

Pierre Corthay is no novice when it comes to dealing with the industry’s discerning clients. A former apprentice at John Lobb and then senior craftsman at Berluti, Mr Corthay’s flair for design and colours is taking this French label global, with expansions into Asia and the Middle East. www.corthay.com

4. GJ CLEVERLEY

Most shoemakers offer trunk shows that act as temporary showrooms, making it more convenient for busy customers to get fitted and to place their orders. UK-based Cleverley is among these greats. The Cleverley brand also famously crafted shoes from a sunken shipment of 18th century reindeer hides that were recovered in the early 1990s, taking advantage of the unique colour and texture resulting from tanning processes that are now largely lost to the world. www.gjcleverley.co.uk

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BLACK MAMBA NIGHT When HUBLOT’s King Power Black Mamba Chronograph watch was presented in Shanghai late last year, basketball fans cheered. The ‘Black Mamba’ is the signature watch of Hublot’s newest brand ambassador, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, and is named in honour of his on-court nickname. This timepiece is limited to only 250 pieces worldwide and incorporates many special elements as a tribute to Bryant’s professional basketball career, as well as the sport itself. The eye-catching number ‘24’ represents his Number-24 vest, while the dial with its purple and gold accents honours the LA Lakers’ ‘Dynasty of Purple and Gold’. A black mamba snake coils through the skeletonised dial, while the case back is engraved with Bryant’s signature.

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THE YEAR OF THE HORSE VACHERON CONSTANTIN has introduced two new watches for the Year of the Horse. These timepieces, available in platinum or pink-gold casings, are an addition to their Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac collection, and there is a limited edition of only 12 pieces for each model, with ‘2014’ engraved on the back. The dial is coated with ‘Grand Feu’ blue / bronze enamelling and features a striking hand-engraved horse poised to gallop, in either platinum or pink gold. This self-winding, hands-free timepiece shows the hours, minutes, day of the week and date in four windows on the dial and is water resistant to about 30 metres.

PAVONINE BEAUTIES Designed as a tribute to the modern woman, the latest Pavonina collection from GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL showcases a collection of timepieces as diverse and intriguing as the women it’s aimed at. This elegant watch features rhodium-plated hands and a distinctive cushion-shaped case that was widely used in the 1920s. It’s available with three types of casing: stainless steel, steel and red gold, and 18ct red gold.

Equipped with quartz movement and antimagnetic protective cage, the Pavonina is water resistant to about 50 metres.

www.vacheron-constantin.com

CLIFTON CHRONOGRAPHS

www.glashuette-original.com

STAINLESS STEEL DOUBLE SPLIT At Christie’s ‘Important Watches’ auction in Geneva on 11 November, an exceptional timepiece from A. LANGE & SÖHNE – the only Double Split with a stainless steel case – changed owners for the equivalent of almost US$514,000. The double rattrapante made its debut in 2004. It was the first mechanical watch to allow comparative lap measurements of up to thirty minutes. The watch - sold at Christie’s late last year - went under the hammer for more than four times the original 2008 retail price of the series-production model made of platinum. www.alange-soehne.com

Photos: Glashütte Original, Hublot, A. Lange & Söhne, Vacheron Constantin, Baume & Mercier, Zenith

www.hublot.com

BAUME & MERCIER’s latest addition to the Clifton collection is a combination of power and urban chic inspired by the ‘golden fifties’ period. With its sturdy, understated 43-mm steel case, the Clifton watch is famously stable. This timepiece contains a Swiss-made self-winding mechanical movement which can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back. Available in three versions, with a choice of alligator strap or steel bracelet, the Clifton is water resistant to about 50 metres with a power reserve of 48 hours. www.baume-et-mercier.com

ZENITH WINS SPORTS WATCH PRIZE The ZENITH El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th Tribute to Felix Baumgartner watch won the Sports Watch category prize at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix in November 2013. When Baumgartner made the record-breaking jump from the stratosphere at an altitude of 39,045 metres in 2012 with the watch firmly strapped 1 10 himself to his wrist, he subjected and the watch to the most extreme conditions possible in a near-space environment, and made the Stratos the first watch to break the sound barrier. Baumgartner’s jump lasted 9.03 minutes and was watched live by millions of people around the world on television and on the Internet. www.zenith-watches.com

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THIS PAGE LEFT: ROTONDE DE CARTIER MYSTERY WRISTWATCH BELOW: ROGER DUBUIS QUATUOR PREVIOUS PAGE: THE VACHERON CONSTANTIN CALIBRE 1731

ROTONDE DE CARTIER MYSTERY WATCH

Among Cartier’s most desirable historical timepieces are the brand’s lavish mystery clocks, with hands that appear to float free on the dial. Most of these clocks were produced in the early decades of the twentieth century, and were often made from gold, rock crystal and other precious materials. Today they sell for six or seven figures at auction.

The Rotonde de Cartier Mystery wristwatch works on the same principle as the clock. The hands (one for hours, one for minutes) are mounted on twin sapphire discs with teeth on their rim, and these discs are linked to the movement’s gears.

Both teeth and gears are hidden beneath the dial, giving the impression that the hands are floating – hence the ‘mystery’.

It’s Complicated

Much of the challenge in creating this movement lay in the engineering required to fit the mechanism into the tiny space around the sapphire discs. The result is a crescent-shaped movement that curves around the discs.

By Su Jia Xian

2013 was a remarkably active year for complicated timepieces, with offerings ranging from the ultra-light to the ultra-large. Some watches – such as the Vacheron Constantin minute repeater and the Cartier Mystery watch – were supremely elegant, possessing an outward simplicity that belied their inner complexity. Others – like the gargantuan Lange Grand Complication – left no doubt as to their mechanical prowess.

Photos: Su Jia Xian

ROGER DUBUIS QUATUOR

Several timepieces with multiple balance wheels were unveiled last year but the Roger Dubuis Quatuor was the most ambitious.

Where most of its competitors have twin balance wheels, the Quatuor has four.

The balance wheel is the regulating organ of the watch – the rate at which it oscillates gives the watch its beat – and it is notoriously sensitive to environmental factors.

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lithium. And the movement has a novel steel cable suspension system holding it in place within the case.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE MASTER GRANDE TRADITION GYROTOURBILLON 3 JUBILEE

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature high complication is the Gyrotourbillon, a wristwatch with a double axis spherical tourbillon. Having made its premiere earlier this year, the third edition of the Gyrotourbillon is even more elaborate than its predecessors.

In particular, the tourbillon mechanism itself has been reimagined. Unlike the earlier versions, which had a bridge across the mechanism to hold it up, the Gyrotourbillon 3 possesses a flying tourbillon. In other words, the tourbillon is pivoted on the underside of the tourbillon carriage, with no bridge above to obstruct the view. Because the pivot is not visible, the spherical tourbillon cage appears to rotate while hovering above the movement.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has also endowed the Gyrotourbillon 3 with a spherical hairspring – the first time such a hairspring has been used in a wristwatch. Aside from its aesthetic novelty, the

Roger Dubuis’ solution of four inclined balance wheels seeks to solve the common issue of positional errors in the balance.

Because each balance wheel is inclined, and the four wheels are spread across the watch, no two ever beat in the same plane or position, and the watch is therefore not subject to usual positional errors.

Each pair of the four balance wheels is linked via a differential, which averages out the rate of the two, then that averaged rate is further averaged, since one pair of balances is linked to the other pair via another differential. This means the rate is averaged twice, resulting in superior timekeeping, regardless of the position of the movement.

Theory aside, the sight of four balance wheels beating simultaneously is pure horological entertainment.

RICHARD MILLE RM027-01 RAFAEL NADAL

Richard Mille has created several ultra-light wristwatches for tennis champion Rafael Nadal, and the RM027-01 is the lightest of them all. Weighing just 19 g – including the canvas and Velcro band – the RM027-01 can be spotted on Nadal’s right, non-dominant, wrist during matches.

The RM027-01 is more about materials innovation than watchmaking. Its near weightlessness comes courtesy of its carbon composite case (carbon nanotubes in a polymer composite) and polycarbonate crystal. These materials are extremely strong and light. To give some context, polycarbonate is also used in bulletproof glass.

Lightweight materials are used in the watch’s movement too.

The base plate is titanium, while the bridges are aluminium

ABOVE: VACHERON CONSTANTIN PATRIMONY CONTEMPORAINE ULTRA-THIN CALIBRE 1731 PREVIOUS PAGE FROM TOP: RICHARD MILLE RM027-01 RAFAEL NADAL, JAEGAR-LECOULTRE MASTER GRANDE TRADITION GYROTOURBILLON 3 JUBILEE

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spherical balance spring makes for more consistent oscillations across various positions. In practise, this means superior timekeeping, though the measurable difference is likely to be miniscule.

To top it all off, the Gyrotourbillon 3 is equipped with a night and day indicator, along with a monopusher chronograph – that is, a chronograph with a single button to start, stop and reset the device. But this is no ordinary chronograph, for the minutes counter is digital, displaying the elapsed minutes in a window integrated into the seconds counter.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN PATRIMONY CONTEMPORAINE ULTRA-THIN CALIBRE 1731

As a brand with a significant heritage in minute repeaters, Vacheron Constantin was one of a handful of watchmakers making its own repeater movements in the nineties, making the Patrimony Contemporaine Ultra-Thin Calibre 1731 a continuing chapter in a long history.

Standing at just 3.90 mm in height as a movement alone, and 8.09 mm as a complete watch, the Patrimony Contemporaine minute repeater is the slimmest minute repeater available today.

It’s a marvellous example of neat and trim construction, packing a complex mechanism within a modest space.

ALS L 1902 GRAND COMPLICATION

Though the movement is a modern creation – as evidenced by the contemporary shape of the bridges – it is decorated in the traditional manner.

Like all mechanical movements from Vacheron Constantin, the Calibre 1731 has the Geneva Seal certification, which means it meets specific functional, decorative and aesthetic criteria laid out by the Canton of Geneva.

Because minute repeaters are aural rather than visual complications, the Patrimony Contemporaine repeater is deceptively simple from the front, though two details give away its true nature. One is the slide mechanism used to activate the repeater, found on the left flank of the case. And the other is the seconds sub-dial, which is uniquely positioned at eight o’clock instead of the more conventional six or nine o’clock.

LANGE GRAND COMPLICATION

Possibly the most expensive and complicated wristwatch unveiled last year, the Lange Grand Complication is the German watchmaker’s magnum opus and a watchmaking marvel. This isn’t because the watch broke new ground – to the contrary, it was based on an early twentieth century grand complication pocket watch restored by Lange – but because it was remarkably complicated to develop and construct.

LANGE GRAND COMPLICATION

Comprising 876 parts, the movement features a grande and a petite sonnerie, a perpetual calendar with moon phase and a monopusher split-second chronograph with a 1/5 second foudroyante function. This final function – otherwise known as lightning seconds – means the seconds hand at six blazes around the dial once every second, and is able to measure up to 1/5 of a second.

On its own, the grande sonnerie mechanism is already the rarest single complication in watchmaking. A grande and petite sonnerie mechanism together puts this watch in the same category as a grandfather clock, in that it has the ability to chime the quarters and the hours, either on demand or en passant.

Each of this watch’s complications requires its own power source and transmission.

It will come as no surprise to learn that for all that it is, the Grand Complication is no feat of miniaturisation. It measures 50 mm wide and 20.3 mm high, making it practically pocket watch sized. Only six were made, each with a price of just under €2 million. S

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D i n i n g Ne w s ?

Ben Shewr y

GATHER FOR GOURMET

SPRING FESTIVAL FEASTING

This February, a stellar line-up of some of the world’s leading chefs will converge in Singapore for two days of gourmet food, culinary forums, workshops and gala events.

Held in conjunction with the ‘Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014’ awards, the two-day programme will give members of the public a rare opportunity to learn from, and interact with, leading culinary masters such as Joan Roca, Ben Shewry, Yoshihiro Narisawa and Björn Frantzén. The awardwinning chefs will participate in an all-day forum on Sunday, February 23, titled ‘The Future of Food: Back to our Roots’, followed by a series of workshops on the 24th.

CONCORDE HOTEL SINGAPORE is ushering in the Year of the Horse in lavish style. From January 20 to February 14, diners can enjoy the Chinese New Year specialty Yu Sheng, opting for salmon or tuna served with plum sauce or nonya sauce. The Chinese New Year’s Eve Reunion Buffet Dinner features delectable dishes such as roasted pipa duck with hoi sin sauce and braised eight treasures with top ingredients including sea cucumber and scallops. The hotel will also have a buffet lunch and dinner spreads with traditional Chinese New Year dishes.

Björ n

Fr a n t z é n

DIM SUM FROM WHAMPOA CLUB

singapore.concordehotelsresorts.com

Ticket booking and enquiries can be made online:

Yo s hi

J oan Ro c a

FISH & MEAT FISH & MEAT – The brainchild of culinary director Malcolm Wood and head chef Russell Doctrove – has opened in Hong Kong. The restaurant uses carefully sourced farm-to-table ingredients and a cooking style that’s both rustic and technique-driven. The menu carries gems such as homemade Soft Duck Egg Ravioli with burned sage butter and pecorino, and Roasted New Zealand Langoustines with charred Sicilian lemon aioli and wild oregano. The restaurant – feminine in style, with a modern Scandinavian farm-inspired décor – has an outdoor terrace and is nestled in the corner of Wyndham Street and Glenealy Street. www.fishandmeat.hk

hir o N a r is aw

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Photos: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Fish & Meat, Concorde Hotel Singapore, Ku Dé Ta

www.theworlds50best.com/asia

KU DÉ TA IN BANGKOK Asian-style indulgence is taken to a whole new level with the opening of a new KU DÉ TA in Bangkok. The sophisticated lifestyle hub is located on the 39th and 40th floors of the city’s Sathorn Square Building. KU DÉ TA Bangkok treats patrons to a stunning 360 view of the city skyline and offers three world-class restaurants: Izakaya, specialising in Japanese Robatayaki charcoal grill; Signature, presenting modern interpretations of Asian flavours, and Grill, offering progressive updates on the western steakhouse. KU DÉ TA’s brand of dining and entertainment has garnered numerous awards for outstanding food, drinks and entertainment. kudeta.com/bangkok

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HOSHINOYA KYOTO

Kyoto Gourmet

by Tan Su-L yn

It can take a lifetime for the non-Japanese speaker to become a true aficionado of the divine dining scene that Japan’s old imperial capital keeps discreetly tucked into grand residences and tiny, unmarked alleyways. Here we share our favourite discoveries – Kyoto gems that deserve a slot in every gourmand’s little black book.

11-2, Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto +81-50-3786-0066 http://global.hoshinoresort.com/hoshinoya_ kyoto/ For the globetrotting food lover, the holy grail is an exceptional establishment that understands and values the symbiotic relationship between where one sleeps and where one eats. In Japan, where the ultra-exclusive traditional ryokan dominates this rarefied niche, the 25-room Hoshinoya Kyoto – built around a 400-year-old private home overlooking the Oigawa River in Arashiyama (a historic vacation area in the far western part of Kyoto) – has been carved out a unique place for itself.

Architect Rie Azuma and landscape designer Hiroki Hasegawa have crafted a truly delightful Japanese resort that is an artful marriage of traditional Kyoto style and culture, and modern amenities, technology, practicality and luxury.

The grounds are breathtakingly lush without being overly manicured. And every detail in

your meticulously crafted room is discreet yet indulgent, and always well thought out. You could literally check in with just the clothes on your back and still lack nothing, thanks to the availability of tasteful in-room and on-property yukatas (casual kimonos) and traditional footwear. Couple this provision with a sophisticated kitchen that delivers everything from fine dining to room service, and you’ll discover you’ve arrived somewhere truly special.

Chef Ichiro Kubota’s cuisine perfectly reflects the resort’s mission – that is, to honour traditional Japanese culture and heritage while modernising it with skill and creativity. Before returning to Kyoto (where he’s from) and joining Hoshinoya, Mr Kubota was executive chef of Umu, a pioneering Kyoto kaiseki restaurant in London. While there, he helped Umu earn a Michelin star (just five months after the restaurant opened), and retained that star for the seven years that he ran the kitchens.

No visit to Hoshinoya is complete without dinner with chef Kubota. He presents two

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You’ll discover you’ve arrived somewhere truly special.

heavenly seasonal kaiseki menus at the resort’s restaurant, which serves dinner only. Ask for a spot at the eight-seat counter for a glimpse of the chefs in action. But the Hoshinoya gastronomic experience doesn’t end with dinner. The resort’s Japanese breakfasts, served in room, are both elaborate and extraordinary – the perfect meal to have lingering on your taste buds as you leave this cocoon of creature comforts with ambitions of returning to it as soon as you can.

ROAN KIKUNOI

118 Saito-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Kiyamachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto +81-75-361-5580 kikunoi.jp Yoshihiro Murata, who runs the two Michelinstarred Roan Kikunoi with his brother and is chefowner of the three Michelin-starred Kikunoi (main branch), is considered one of the living masters of kaiseki. Even before Michelin discovered Kyoto, both restaurants were revered as the metropolis’ pre-eminent temples of kaiseki dining.

While the main Kikunoi, located on sprawling grounds east of Gion, is very traditional and the food ultra-refined (it really should be experienced at least once), foodies who regularly return to Kyoto are often greater fans of the tiny, minimalist Roan Kikunoi in Kyoto’s downtown area. The food here, like the setting, is just a mite more modern.

Note that it has just 10 seats at the counter (the preferred location for your meal), so make sure you book well in advance. Meals are fixed price, so just sit back and enjoy the show. One of the most beautiful and oft talked about dishes is the ultrafresh tuna belly, served with a smear of mustard and an egg yolk dipping sauce. Unforgettable. This is a must-visit for serious foodies.

RESTAURANT YONEMURA

481-1 Kiyoicho, Yasaka Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto +81 75-533-6699 www.r-yonemura.jp

Toriimae

Sagaru,

Located at the edge of the historic Gion district in an old shop space from the early

1900s, Restaurant Yonemura is a strikingly sexy and sophisticated establishment that had already attained cult status before the Michelin inspectors arrived with their stars.

Michelin-starred chef Masayasu Yonemura’s food is a refined, but always irreverent, blend of Japanese and European techniques and ingredients. Dishes here are modern, exciting, surprising and delicious.

This restaurant invites you to experience Kyoto with all the senses with a seemingly endless stream of thrilling small bites. Standout items include lobster and young bamboo shoot gratin; sautéed white asparagus served with jamon iberico and dehydrated chervil, and angel-hair pasta served with fresh sea urchin, firefly squid, rape leaves and tomato salsa. Meals are fixed price.

IL GHIOTTONE

388-1 Yasakakami Tonomaekudaru, Kawaracho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto +81 75 532 2550 http://www.ilghiottone.com/home.html This cosy Michelin-starred restaurant sitting atop

a slope and hidden in a nook at the northern end of the Kiyomizu area can be a challenge to locate, so be prepared to get your taxi driver to call the restaurant for clear directions. But rest assured, it’ll be worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with some of the best artisanal Japanese-Italian fare you’ll taste anywhere.

Chef-owner Yasuhiro Sasajima has created a gorgeous, deceptively simple cuisine showcasing local produce. Some dishes have more clearly defined Japanese roots while others are more distinctively Italian, but the quintessentially Japanese kaiseki aesthetic runs throughout.

This is cuisine for the modern diner who loves innovation. Chef Sasajimo’s handmade pastas stand out as particularly spectacular. He has reduced his carefully guarded recipes down to a science, resulting in outstanding pastas with bite and balance. The stocks he uses to flavour each one are both complex and subtle, making every dish a veritable revelation.

Lunchtime menus are a steal and highly recommended, with the added bonus that the diner can enjoy the restaurant’s scenic location. S

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TOP SKI RESORT SOFITEL DUBAI PALM JUMEIRAH OPENS

HEAVENLY BEDS

The five-star Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa has opened on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah island. Blending sunny Polynesian style with refined French hospitality, the luxurious retreat is sprawled along a private beach on Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent. Guests can enjoy cruises, beach and water sports, sunbathe by the pool, play a round of golf or be pampered in the So Spa. All 361 rooms have balconies, and suites come with 24-hour butlers and private lounges. Guests have the choice of eight restaurants and can dance under the stars at 2Liv, the hotel’s on-trend club offering both DJs and live music.

THE WESTIN BUND SHANGHAI has announced the replacement of beds in all 570 guestrooms and suites in its latest round of Heavenly Bed installations. With the famous new beds in place, positive feedback is pouring in from guests, confirming just how comfortable these individually pocketed coil-spring mattresses really are. The hotel has also completed the refurbishment of its Crown Tower rooms.

While maintaining the original interior design, the new rooms offer Heavenly Beds alongside ergonomically-designed desk chairs and new data ports enabling guests to plug their electronic devices into their TVs. New comfy sofas also feature – a soothing touch for guests returning from a busy day in the city.

www.sofitel.com

ARO HA ADVENTURES For those seeking optimal health and wellbeing, the Aro Ha Wellness Retreat on the Wyuna Preserve near Queenstown, New Zealand, promises the ultimate elixir. Aro Ha, which opened its doors in January, offers a range of wellness experiences, including an immersive detox retreat designed to encourage physical and emotional wellbeing. The daily programme is supported by an alcohol-free, organic, vegetarian diet developed with detoxification in mind. Also on offer are yoga, sub-alpine hiking, strength training, meditation, therapeutic massage and other health-promoting services.

All elements of a client’s retreat are neatly integrated for a unified approach to wellbeing. www.aro-ha.com

Photos: Sofitel The Palm Dubai, Aro Ha Wellness, Westin Shanghai, YTL HotelsObsevatory

www.westinshanghai.com

The World Ski Awards, dubbed the Oscars of the travel industry, has named NISEKO UNITED the ‘Best Ski Resort in Japan’.

Niseko United merges four world-class ski resorts: Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hanazono and Grand Hirafu. Niseko Village, located on Mount Annupuri, is home to what is often described as perfect white powder. It offers an impressive range of ski and après-ski activities, stunning mountain vistas and an exquisite balance of traditional Japanese and modern facilities. Boasting two YTL Hotel properties – the Hilton Niseko Village and the Green Leaf Niseko Village – the area is considered Japan’s premier yearround mountain resort. www.ytlhotels.com

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Luxury Villa vs. Five-Star Resort

FROM LEFT: EKO VILLA, THE BVLGARI HOTEL & RESORT

by John Z achar y

The accommodation options are seemingly endless for today’s modern, well-heeled traveller – one click of the mouse and you can book yourself a room anywhere in the world. Island destinations are particularly popular, and where more enticing than Bali in Indonesia?

Many visitors to this beautiful tropical island are seeking luxury and indulgence, but even at the top end of the market, the choice can be bewildering. Coming first on the holidaymakers list of queries is this pressing question: Should I go ‘villa’ or ‘five-star resort’?

SCION visits two fabulous villas and two sumptuous resort hotels in Bali: Villa Kaba Kaba in Tabanan, Eko Villa in Seminyak, the Bvlgari Resort in Uluwatu and the Mulia Resort in Nusa Dua. Our mission is simple: Who does paradise best – the villa or the hotel brigade?

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VILLA KABA KABA, TABANAN We start our adventures in Bali in the seclusion and bliss of Villa Kaba Kaba. Entirely surrounded by rice paddies, this villa is an oasis of tranquillity. Away from the bustle of Kuta and Seminyak, Villa Kaba Kaba is the perfect retreat for those wanting to relax and soak up a more authentic Bali. Sipping your morning brew of freshly ground coffee provided by Suli, your personal chef, you can lie back in the cosily pillowed gazebo and watch the farmers go about their daily work.

Villa Kaba Kaba is in fact a complex of three separate villas, all offering complete privacy. The villas provide either two or three double ensuite bedrooms, each villa with a private infinity swimming pool, kitchen and dining room. Villas one and two also have Jacuzzis.

The furnishings in Villa Kaba Kaba are of the highest standards.

The barbecues arranged on site are delicious and use fresh produce bought early morning in Jimbaran market, South Kuta.

Villa Kaba Kaba is ideal for couples, honeymooners and families alike.

It offers privacy and security (thanks to the perimeter fencing and guarded entrances) in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere – and because your accommodation is self-contained, there’s nobody around to disturb you, or be disturbed by you, so children can let rip and parents can let their hair down without worry.

Owner/manager Paul Kacin is available on site to help with queries and often to act as a guide to guests.

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THE BVLGARI HOTEL AND RESORT, BUKIT PENINSULA, SOUTH BALI

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EKO VILLA SEMINYAK

THE MULIA BALI, NUSA DUA

When you step into the Bvlgari Resort, you enter a world of privilege and luxury. Security is taken seriously and you are asked to go through three separate checks before gaining access to the Bvlgari vision of paradise.

Eko Villa is located in the heart of Seminyak, in the Petitenget area.

All the area’s favourite restaurants and clubs are a stone’s throw away, yet when you walk through the doors of Eko Villa, you escape to a super-luxurious idyll.

The Mulia Bali is a mega-resort encompassing three properties under the one brand. Set on over 30 hectares with almost a kilometre of beach front, this resort really does set out to impress.

Upon arrival, you’re whisked by chauffeured golf buggy to your sumptuous accommodation. The Bvlgari has 59 villas which include three two- bedroom villas and the magnificent 1300-sqm Bvlgari Villa.

The resort is set on the stunning cliff top site of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple on the island’s far south-western tip. As the complex is perched 150 metres above sea level, the views across the Indian Ocean are truly spectacular.

Contemporary in style and attitude, Eko Villa boasts every modern convenience, with high speed WiFi throughout, iPod docks, large flat screen TVs, DVD player, plus a theatre room on the ground floor which feels so authentic, it triggers a craving for popcorn. A back-up generator and central electricity stabiliser add that extra peace of mind.

As you’d expect from a hotel and resort bearing the prestigious Bvlgari name, the architecture and furnishings are aesthetically pleasing oneoffs. Traditional Balinese style has been fused with contemporary Italian design. Hand-cut volcanic rocks, rich exotic woods and refined fabrics adorn the rooms. All of this creates a relaxing bubble of luxury, and many a visitor is known to spend their entire Balinese sojourn within the calming confines of this resort.

Food and beverage is where the Bvlgari truly reveals its five-star status. The food in both restaurants is fabulous, but of particular note is Il Ristorante, which has won numerous culinary awards, including Asia’s Top 500 Finest Restaurants by The Miele Guide 2013.

Our verdict: a beautiful villa and a great place to unwind.

For honeymooners and couples, the Bvlgari resort offers a slice of heaven. Just expect to embark on a new diet-and-exercise regime the moment you return home...

www.villakabakabaresortbali.com

www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/bali/the-resort

Eko Villa offers a great sense of space, covering 800 sqm of land and with a floor space of 500 sqm. The villa is split over two levels, with three superb double bedrooms and truly original en-suite indoor and outdoor bathrooms, plus a fourth bedroom down near the 20-metre infinity pool.

The furnishings are refined and modern, with a tasteful nod to Balinese art. Natural materials have been adopted throughout, with teak flooring and river stone used abundantly.

The ground floor is the social hub and here you’ll find the theatre room, a bar area with an open-air sunken sofa, an eight-seater dining room, Jacuzzi, Balinese bale and enchanting tropical garden with fish ponds.

With eight staff at your disposal including a personal chef, and a villa manager on call 24 hours, your every need is sure to be catered for.

Eko Villa Bali is a stunning destination. Those who are young or young at heart will enjoy its decadent undertones and proximity to the best of Bali nightlife, while families will bask in the abundance of space. www.ekovillabali.com

At its most impressive, the Mulia offers 111 suites, which come with a personal butler service and a refined, spacious atmosphere. The 526room Mulia Resort is a little less ostentatious. Accenting the property are 108 villas, including the six-bedroom Mulia Mansion.

With three pools, nine lagoons, a conference centre and a ballroom large enough for 5,000, you’re either going to love this place or hate it.

Entertainment choice abounds with an array of live gigs and a wide choice of restaurants. Every palate is catered for with cuisine from around the world. Particularly popular is the Soleil Mediterranean restaurant.

The Mulia has won numerous travel press awards and is often singled out for its spa. Boasting 20 treatments rooms, the Mulia Spa takes guests to pamper heaven. The Ice Room is an interesting feature that draws many spa veterans.

Opulent, over the top, absolutely enormous and aiming to please everyone all the time, the Mulia is either a wonder or a nightmare to behold. Many families, especially those with small children, will adore it, as parents can leave their darlings in the primary-coloured Mulia Kidz play area for parts of the day. Problem is, with a resort this vast, will you ever find your precious munchkins again? www.themulia.com

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The Independent

Mr & Mrs Smith

by John Z achar y

THE SCION VERDICT So… villa or hotel?

The two villas we’ve reviewed are undoubtedly among the finest in Bali. Each caters to a different vacationer and we highly recommend both – and let’s face it, no hotel can hope to offer the level of privacy and intimacy afforded by a private villa.

The hotels, on the other hand, present an easier, more predictable choice. If 2% milk products and ice cream presented in bright packaging are important to you, Mulia is the place for you. If, on the other hand, you prefer your holidays to whisk you away on a cloud of decadent luxury, Bvlgari has to be your pick.

FROM TOP: THE ENTRANCE TO MULIA SPA, VILLA KABA KABA

Mr & Mrs Smith was founded in 2003, initially as a website offering independent reviews of boutique hotels – those special places you couldn’t find through regular travel agents. From those humble beginnings, Smith Hotels has grown into a company offering an awardwinning hotel website, booking service and free-to-join travel club.

Finding inspiring boutique hotels for discerning travellers remains at the core of its business.

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PREVIOUS PAGE: THE MOUNTAINTOP SENSE ON THE EDGE RESTAURANT AT SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY, OMAN THIS PAGE: FAÇADE OF HOTEL CLASKA, TOKYO

A8 AT THE FIRST SMITH AWARDS, late last year in London, co-founder James Lohan said: “When we started Smith in 2003, I never imagined we’d one day be announcing the world’s best boutique hotels. But for our tenth birthday, we felt that launching our first awards would be the perfect way to celebrate how far boutique hotels have come over the years. We were overwhelmed by the response – nearly 50,000 people from all over the world voted for their favourite Smith hotels – and I’m thrilled with the eventual roster of winners: it’s a rock-solid hot list of the world’s most desirable hotels.’

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1 SPACIOUS BEDROOMS AT THE CLASKA, TOKYO 2 THE OUTDOOR TERRACE AT EL LODGE, SPAIN WITH VIEWS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS 3 GREAT VIEWS FROM THE FOGO ISLAND INN, CANADA 4 BATHROOM AT FELLAH HOTEL, MOROCCO 5 THE RESTAURANT AT SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY OVERLOOKS THE GULF OF OMAN 6 SWING ON A HAMMOCK WHILE LOOKING OUT TO THE CARIBBEAN SEA AT LAS RANITAS, MEXICO

Mr & Mrs Smith has published nine coffeetable guidebooks and it maintains a handpicked, anonymously reviewed collection of around 900 of the world’s most stylish hotels.

SCION takes a look at a handful of this year’s award winners and (in our view) serious contenders for the year to come:

A8 CLASKA Japan

1-3-18 , Chuo-cho , Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0001 Japan www.claska.com Tokyo’s Hotel Claska has to rank as one of the best small hotels in the world. This elegant lodging is slightly off the beaten track in the Meguro district of greater Tokyo, but getting to it is well worth the small inconvenience.

English design firm Tomato joined with Japan’s Tei Shuwa of Intentionallies Architects to produce an edgy, sleek hotel.

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Those looking for a conventional fivestar oasis should venture elsewhere, but if an upscale pet salon downstairs called Dogman amuses, then this quirky hotel will delight.

Claska is all about design and has a great, artsy rooftop event space as well as its own gallery and excellent boutique. There are 18 minimalist rooms and two suites.

The hotel restaurant Kiokuh (meaning ‘memory’) serves a menu based on Japanese cuisine but with Italian influences and ingredients. Try the fritto misto with greentea salt and Japanese citrus, or perhaps the pizza with prosciutto and wasabina.

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FELLAH HOTEL near Marrakech, Morocco

Route de l’Ourika, Tassoultante, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, 40000, Morocco www.fellah-hotel.com Set in a 14-acre estate and slumbering peacefully between Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains lies the Fellah Hotel.

Behind its modest tangerine walls you’ll find a complex that houses 69 rooms, including 39 suites. There is also a spa, a vegetable patch, an on-site chicken coop and even a small working farm. Clearly the Fellah aspires to be more than just a simple hotel…

Validating this first impression, the region’s only UNESCO-Aschbergrecognised arts and cultural centre, Dar al-Ma’mûn, can be found within the complex. This centre offers a wealth of cultural activities and also promotes visual arts education in the local community.

Guests contribute to the centre merely by checking in – think of it as carbon miles for the soul.

The hotel’s interiors are contemporary, comfortable and spacious. The Fellah restaurant is delightfully avant-garde and offers an à la carte menu. All products are selected from the hotel’s own gardens or from local markets.

If you’re looking to feed mind, body and soul as well as find a delightful boutique hotel to rest your head, the Fellah is the place to go.

EL LODGE

Sierra Nevada National Park, Spain C. Maribel 8, 18196 Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain www.ellodge.com

When you think of Spain, your mind might not turn to ‘first-class destination’ straight away, but that’s exactly what you get at El Lodge. El Lodge is perched at the foot of the Maribel slopes, with breathtaking views over the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

This hotel offers 20 rooms, including four suites. There’s an intimate quality that makes for a very cosy experience in the small-yet-luxurious rooms. The design is Nordic, and in keeping with this theme,

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El Lodge is built entirely of Finnish wood.

An outdoor heated swimming pool along with a spa, lounge bar with open fire and draped furs complete the scene of skiers’ paradise.

To give you all the energy you need for the pistes, the MC Grill restaurant serves a hearty menu of meat and fish dishes.

This hotel makes for a great holiday destination for the entire family.

FOGO ISLAND INN Newfoundland, Canada

more apt. Occupying a flawless white strip on Tulum Beach, this beautifully understated 25-room, seven-suite hotel is the perfect place to unwind and relax.

This isn’t a place for partygoers - life is quiet and simple, and deliberately so.

Designed for environmental sustainability using natural woods, cool white stone and Oaxacan tiles, the rooms are furnished simply yet elegantly. Many hand-woven fabrics are included in the décor and each room terrace offers a hammock and beach chairs – all the easier for chillaxing.

210 Main Street, Joe Batt’s Arm, Newfoundland and Labrador A0G 2X0, Canada www.fogoislandinn.com

The hotel uses renewable energy – both solar and wind powered – and rooms are designed with a natural cross-ventilation system.

The Fogo Island Inn is an architectural gem and a landmark on the tiny Island of Fogo, which has a population of under 2,400 and lies off the north-east coast of Newfoundland.

After a hard day swinging in your hammock looking out at the Caribbean Sea sparkling behind the palm trees, stroll down to the beachside restaurant and feast on some classics of Mexican cuisine. A perfect day, we say.

Newfoundland-born architect Todd Saunders set out to be bold and groundbreaking in his design, and has more than achieved his aims. Four storeys tall, the inn’s X-shaped plan allows for all 29 guestrooms to be arranged along a single corridor, enabling each room to face north with an ocean view.

Everything has been designed to be in tune with the natural, subarctic landscape and this is reflected in the inn’s copious use of wood. The furnishings are warm and inviting – as is every aspect of the inn.

The Fogo Island Inn is a complete retreat, offering hands-on art workshops. It also houses an art gallery showcasing the work of visiting artists, a 42-seat cinema, a rooftop spa and sauna, and a fabulous seafood restaurant. The Fogo Island Inn just won Best Newcomer in the first Smith Hotel Awards – in our view, deservedly so.

LAS RANITAS ECO BOUTIQUE HOTEL Riviera Maya, Mexico

Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum, Quintana Roo, 77780, Mexico www.lasranitashotel.com Sometimes less is more, and in the case of Las Ranitas, this maxim could not be

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7 CLASKA’S BOUTIQUE AND GALLERY 8 BEDROOMS IN FINNISH WOOD AT EL LODGE, SPAIN 9 WARM NATURAL WOOD USED AT FOGO ISLAND INN, CANADA 10 A BEDROOM AT FELLAH HOTEL, MOROCCO 11 BEDROOMS WITH NATURAL STONE WALLS AT SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY 12 SIMPLY FURNISHED ROOMS AT LAS RANITAS, MEXICO

SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY Musandam, Oman

Musandam Peninsula, Musandam, Oman 813 www.sixsenses.com/resorts/zighy-bay

Six Senses Zighy Bay offers a unique holiday experience at the end of a highly unusual journey. The last leg over the striking Musandam Peninsula involves either a short speedboat ride or a James Bond-style paraglide from the ridge above.

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Six Senses Zighy Bay enjoys a breathtaking mountainous backdrop, with stunning sandy beaches to the front. It offers 82 rooms, including 20 suites and a presidential villa. Unbound luxury is the theme in these spacious and stylish rooms and absolutely no expense has been spared, with natural stone and warm woods used throughout and a plunge pool for every villa.

For those seeking adventure, snorkelling expeditions are offered on the reef. For the less active, the spa provides an impressive list of treatments.

Take a seat at the Spice Market for authentic regional cuisine. You’ll be delighted by the delicious menu of organic Arabic cuisine. S

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In t e r i o r Ne w s

DROPLETS OF LIGHT NEXT Liquid Light presents light in a fluid form. The water drop shape provides a warm and diffuse light while giving the appearance that it’s floating in the air or falling from the sky, like a soft rain of light. This award-winning series of lamps comes in pendant form for ceiling installations and standing form for tabletops or outdoor use. The lamp can be secured to the ground with two metal poles. www.next.de

THE WELL-DRESSED

HOME

THE BENTLEY LOOK

www.clubhouseitalia.com

by Patr icia Lee

Photos: NEXT, Bentley

Bentley has employed the craftsmanship and exquisite materials for which its car interiors are renowned in its latest collection of home furniture. Designed for classy homes and offices, the collection from Bentley Home – comprising sofas, armchairs, chaises, meeting tables, cabinets, coffee tables and beds – includes elements of both traditional and modern design. The range blends functional performance with luxury, using materials such as fine veneer of burr walnut, top leather, light cashmere and steel with a gun-metal finish. Bentley Home furniture is exclusively available from Club House Italia.

From the godfather of the tailored suit to the master of preppy chic, fashion’s biggest names are bringing their signature aesthetics to the world of interiors.

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RALPH LAUREN HOME One of the first designers to foresee the potential in selling an entire lifestyle to his customers, Ralph Lauren pioneered the crossover from fashion to furniture with his home collection in 1983. In the 30 years since, the line has grown to cater for every need and whim in home décor, offering everything from sofa sets to wall paint.

The latter is directly inspired by his clothing designs, with shades that include denim and specialty finishes that mimic the texture of suede.

“I design for the home the way I design for a man or woman, with the same attention to detail and the same eye for what is beautiful and unique,” says Lauren. What is beautiful and unique to the self-made billionaire from the Bronx is the American dream. His furnishings are entirely in keeping with the picture-perfect philosophy his brand was built upon, capturing the preppy simplicity of a typical house in the Hamptons, the gentile grandeur of a New England residence and the rustic charm of a log cabin in the Adirondacks.

Ralph Lauren bestsellers include the Writer’s Chair – a sumptuous winged chair with bold nail head trim; the Duke bar – a 1930s-inspired rosewood drinks cabinet, and the Brook Street coffee table – a sexy black mahogany piece reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.

Committed to quality craftsmanship, Lauren works with specialised manufacturers. The

A8 THE DWELLINGS OF THE 20TH CENTURY’S GREATEST DESIGNERS are almost as famous as their eponymous fashion collections. Think Coco Chanel’s elegant Chinoiserie-inspired apartment on Rue Cambon in Paris; Yves Saint Laurent’s lush Marrakech hideaway; Gianni Versace’s glitzy baroque-style home in Miami. All give a glimpse into the psyches and alluring lifestyles of fashion’s greatest talents from yesteryear. Today however, fans no longer need to covet these plush interiors from afar. Luxury fashion houses are responding to the demand for looks that move beyond the catwalk, extending their creations into our bedrooms, living rooms and even gardens.

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label’s tartan upholstery, for instance, is woven at a mill founded in Yorkshire, England, in 1767 and still operating its old-fashioned finishing machines. The Marlowe floral wallpaper is printed at another mill in England that’s been operating for more than 100 years, providing wallpaper for several royal residences. His monogrammed throw pillows are embroidered by artisans trained by Jean-François Lesage, a third-generation member of the illustrious family behind the legendary Parisian atelier, Lesage. www.ralphlaurenhome.com TOP: THE RUGGEDLY LUXURIOUS DESERT MODERN COLLECTION FEATURES PIECES MADE OF PLANTATION TEAK BOTTOM: THE LA PLAGE COLLECTION CAPTURES THE SERENITY OF THE SEASIDE COTTAGE WITH A MIX OF RATTAN AND WHITEWASHED FURNISHINGS

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ARMANI CASA

MISSONI HOME

Sitting atop a global empire that reflects his personal passions from haute couture to gourmet chocolates, Giorgio Armani launched Armani Casa in 2000. Today, the line’s success has spun off into 30 boutiques worldwide as well as fully furnished Armani hotels in Milan and Dubai.

The understated elegance of Armani’s impeccably tailored suits is replicated in furniture, textiles and even kitchen fittings, with every smoked cherry-wood dining table, alabaster and onyx lampshade and embroidered silk cushion under the Casa umbrella embodying the brand’s sophisticated values.

Since 1997, when Rosita Missoni stepped down from the iconic knitwear label she founded, the matriarch of one of fashion’s last clans has been channelling her creative energies into the brand’s eclectic home line. Pieces in simple shapes – from outdoor poufs to armchairs – serve as canvases for Missoni’s cheerful stripes and chevrons. Fabric choice is what sets the brand’s growing range of soft furnishings apart. The range now stretches from bedspreads, curtains and hammocks to sofa sets, all upholstered in the brand’s instantly recognisable crochet weave.

Shades are natural and tasteful, paralleling the subdued hues Armani is known for: anthracite, ivory, sand and tan. Fabrics ranging from velvet and hemp to satin and jacquard are classically luxurious. Silhouettes are strong and commanding. And the finish of each piece, be it lacquered metal, satin brass or brushed mahogany, is reliably flawless.

Available at Da Vinci Home Collection www.davinciasia.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: EXCEPTION SCREEN, GLAM DRESSING TABLE, ESSEX ARMCHAIR, GARDENIA FOOTREST, GIUNONE EXECUTIVE DESK

Colour-rich zigzags and bursts of f lowers may be a recurring motif, yet the inventiveness of the combinations keeps the looks fresh and witty each season. Inspiration for the latest Daisies collection comes from gardens, vegetable plots and fields of sun-kissed f lowers. Blooms hang in the air on oversized bubble lamps, while poppies blossom underfoot on rugs and pop up unexpectedly on comfy cushions, adding just the right touch of bohemian charm to a room.

Available at Missoni, Hilton Hotel Singapore, #01-15, 581 Orchard Road, Singapore www.missoni.it

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MAIN PAGE: TOP: CUSHIONS FROM THE MASTER CLASSIC COLLECTION BOTTOM: SOFA SETS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE COLLECTION

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BOTTEGA VENETA

TOP: THE SIGNATURE CRYSTAL CHAIR FEATURES A MULTIFACETED POLYURETHANE SHELL BOTTOM LEFT: SOFAS ARE CRAFTED TRADITIONALLY AND ADORNED WITH BUCKLES AND SELLERIA STITCHING BOTTOM RIGHT: FENDI CASA HAS OUTFITTED THE BEDROOMS OF THE TRUMP SOHO HOTEL

FENDI CASA The Italian luxury fashion house – celebrated for its handcrafted leathers and deluxe furs – dresses interiors the way it would one of the brand’s glamorous fashion customers. Launched in 1989 to outfit highend homes and luxury yachts, Fendi creates a look that’s opulent but rarely flashy. Mink cushions and cashmere throws add a sophisticated touch to sofas.

Bookshelves are wrapped in high-gloss alligator leather, and chandeliers twinkle with black and white Swarovski crystals. The brand favours materials that are both extravagant and tasteful, including rod velvet jacquard, woven on Italian artisan looms. Also popular are handcrafted details such as the saddle stitching used along armchair frames.

The line is divided into two branches: the Fendi Casa Collection, which celebrates a classic look, and Fendi Casa Contemporary, for clients who appreciate traditional craftsmanship with a modern edge. The line is designed by French architect Toan Nguyen and key pieces include the Soho sofa, which offsets its sleek gunmetal steel frame with plush fabric cushions, and the tubular Murano glass and steel Janus suspension lamp.

Available at Dat-Co, 8-10, Telanai Point, Jalan Tutong, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam www.fendi.com

The leather house that pioneered the no-logo movement, coining the slogan “when your initials are enough”, Bottega Veneta has become the byword for taste and discretion in the world of high fashion. It’s therefore no surprise that creative director Tomas Maier’s furnishings are as elegant and disarmingly restrained as his fashion collections. The son of an architect, Maier – a notorious perfectionist – grew up watching his father at the drafting table and began creating furniture out of necessity when he couldn’t find the ideal pieces to furnish the brand’s stores.

Today the line has evolved to include popular “floating pieces” – delicate bronze-framed tables and desks whose parchment-covered drawers are suspended below clear glass surfaces – to ‘intrecciato’ leather weave screens and modular suede sofas produced in collaboration with topnotch Italian furniture firm Poltrona Frau.

The brand’s timeless designs are as beautiful as they are functional, with Maier bearing three golden rules in mind when he creates every piece.

“Nothing too of-the-moment, nothing too flashy, and everything well-made,” he says. “I want the client to enjoy my work for a long time.” www.bottegaveneta.com TOP: A COFFEE TABLE FEATURING THE BRAND’S SIGNATURE GUNMETAL TRIM BOTTOM: THE TWO-SEATER META CANAPE COUCH WAS DESIGNED BY CREATIVE DIRECTOR TOMAS MAIER IN COLLABORATION WITH FURNITURE FIRM POLTRONA FRAU

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HERMES MAISON When Hermès debuted its home range in 2011 at Salone Internazionale del Mobile, it was one of most eagerly anticipated launches at the prestigious Milan Furniture Fair. Since then, the brand’s smart, sophisticated pieces have developed a cult following, and the latest collection by acclaimed industrial designer Philippe Nigro doesn’t disappoint. Entitled ‘Nécessaires d’Hermès’, the theme celebrates items necessary for daily living.

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What’s essential in the world of Hermès is a bold mix of imagination, fine craftsmanship and intelligent design. “The idea was not to create huge-star furniture but things that could easily travel within the interiors of any home,” explains Nigro.

Multi-functional standouts include a sleek canaletto walnut wood bench that contains hidden drawers to stash away incongruous objects, and low stools upholstered in Hermès signature silk foulard that double up as small tables. The house also offers a niche bespoke range of such covetable items as a walk-in

An R model has been missing from Jaguar’s XJ range since the current car was launched, but a new, hard-edged 550hp version has brought the XJR bloodline back to the front of the pack.

by Neil Briscoe wardrobe hidden by saddle-stitched bull calf door panels and operated by remote controls. www.hermes.com TOP: THE DRESSER IS EQUIPPED WITH LED LIGHTING AND THREE MOTORISED ROTATING STORAGE SECTIONS BOTTOM LEFT: PIECES FROM THE FOLDING SCREEN TO COAT RACK USE EXQUISITE MATERIALS LIKE CANALETTO WALNUT WOOD AND BULLCALF LEATHER BOTTOM RIGHT: THE PROPORTIONS OF THE CARRES D’ASSISE ARE INSPIRED BY THE HERMES SCARF

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THE STYLING of the current XJ has been nothing short of controversial. Many old-school Jag die-hards still refuse to be swayed by it, and the rear styling has taken a while to mellow. But mellow it has and, rather like an old oak table that becomes more handsome with every new layer of wax, the XJ’s appearance has undoubtedly improved with age. Lending a hand is the body kit of the XJR, with its deeper front air dam, side sills and a pleasantly subtle boot spoiler. You could argue that some of the add-ons look a little fussy, especially around the front fog lights and air intakes, but the XJR is a handsome beast – especially menacing in a dark colour – and has distinctly get-out-of-my-way looks when it appears in the rearview mirror.

Inside, the cabin remains probably the best of any Jaguar currently on the road. Indeed, with its gloriously thick leather and the lustrous carbon-fibre trim on the doors and dashboard, the car has been elevated into the domain usually reserved for Bentleys and the like.

If you had to pick one word to sum up the XJR, it would be smooth. That may sound rather odd when describing a car that can reach almost 300 kmh, has a whopping 550 hp and

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can sprint to 100 kmh faster than most sports cars, but the XJ exudes smoothness from every aluminium pore.

Even with massive 20-inch wheels (anything smaller tends to look a little lost in the XJ’s cavernous wheel arches) the XJR rides with a soothing level of comfort and decorum, backed up by seats that initially feel a little narrow and unsupportive but which improve in feel with every passing mile. Occasionally one of those big, wide wheels (shod with bespoke Pirelli tyres) will tramline or skip awkwardly over a particularly nasty blip in road surface, but generally the XJR retains a level of serene calmness that its German rivals struggle to match.

What the XJR has is balance – a near-perfect balance between an engine that delivers power in deep, long pulls and a chassis that feels both benign and adjustable. The steering feels remarkably direct for such a big car (and remember, this was the long-wheelbase version we were testing) and that bluff nose follows it into apexes like a faithful gundog sticking to its master’s heels. Yet it does so without ever feeling darty or nervous. At 50-percent effort, the XJR feels like a car you could easily drive all day, or at least until the fuel runs out – which, at 25-ish-mpg, won’t take long.

Up the effort and the XJR responds. Jaguar was confident enough in the car’s ability and agility for us to take it onto the tight and technical sweeps of the Ridge Motorsports Park racetrack near Seattle – the venue for the XJR’s launch.

Even on a racetrack, the big Jag feels at home, sniffing out cornering lines with remarkable precision and settling easily into big, tyre-smoking drifts. Most impressive of all, despite being pounded for lap after lap by over-enthusiastic motoring journalists, the cars never needed attention to the tyres or brakes.

The 5.0-litre supercharged V8 has an exhaust that yields some truly wonderful sounds. Not an American-style bassy V8 rumble, but the kind of crisper, harder-edged noise that’s more usually associated with a thoroughbred racing engine. It’s actually fairly quiet, and even with Jag’s insistence that it has carefully tuned the engine note for maximum entertainment, you might occasionally crave some greater aural fireworks, but refinement is the XJR’s primary concern, and keeping the cabin tranquil is something the British company does exceedingly well. The XJR is without question the best drivers’ car in the luxury saloon category.

Although it’s likely to be expensive, the XJR strikes us as pretty good value. With it comes a long list of standard toys including touchscreen nav, heated and cooled leather seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, alcantara headlining, adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, twin sunroofs and more. Almost certainly, the German opposition will cost more for the same or similar performance and handling, but the Germans also offer a superior grab bag of up-to-date electronics, including such desirable items as night vision, onboard Internet connectivity and fully active safety systems.

Jaguar is still behind the curve in some of these areas.

The suspension is around 30-percent stiffer than that of an XJ Supersport, and reads the road up to 100 times per second to adjust its damping rates to suit the conditions. Jaguar won’t offer a more extreme XJR-S version because it says, “more power and more stiff suspension would simply ruin the car.”

Amen to that.

There are others who offer equivalent cars that are more powerful, more economical and higher tech – cars that appear to leave the big Jag out in the cold. But the XJR’s combination of gorgeous styling (inside and out), strong performance and a frankly brilliant balance between handling precision and ride comfort, mean this is actually the car in the class we’d most like to have in our own driveways. S

Key Facts: Model tested: Pricing: Engine: Transmission:

Body style: CO2 emissions: Combined economy: Top speed:

0-100kmh: Power: Torque:

Jaguar XJR To be announced 5.0-litre supercharged V8 Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Four-door luxury saloon 270g/km 24.4mpg (11.6l/100km) 174mph/280kmh (electronically limited) 4.6 second 550hp @ 6,500rpm 680Nm @ 2,500-5,500rpm

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CONVENTIONAL WISDOM has it that when you’re at the top, there’s only one way to go, and that’s down – not even the mighty Manchester United has the right mix of consistency and brilliance to stay at the peak of their game forever, right?

Mercedes-Benz, however, does not conform to mere conventional wisdom. For close to half a century, the S-Class saloon and its predecessors have simply been the best. Not just the best Mercedes or the best luxury car, but the best single car money can buy. You could find cars that were more expensive, faster, sportier and certainly louder, but you simply couldn’t buy a car that was quantifiably better. And with the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, this long and illustrious record is set to continue for the luxury car brand.

The Best JUST GETS BETTER The Mercedes-Benz all-new S-Class still reigns supreme

Styled to look subtle and stately rather than flashy or racy, the new S-Class certainly raises the bar where gadgetry is concerned. It’s said that if you want to see what the future looks like for the family car, look no further than the S-Class, and this is certainly true for the latest Mercedes line. The headline technology is the Magic Body Control system. This uses a pair of stereoscopic cameras mounted in the windscreen to carefully scan the road ahead, recording every lump, bump and undulation. The cameras then send this information to the computer controlling the car’s suspension, allowing it to prepare for every change in the tarmac. This technology brings a level of refinement and comfort that other cars can only dream of. The Magic Body Control system is available as an option for the S 500.

by Neil Briscoe

Similar progress has been made under the hood. The 3.5-litre V6 gasoline engine that forms the core of the S-class entry model S400 in Brunei may be familiar from elsewhere in the Mercedes-Benz family but it has been tuned for the S-Class to make it super-efficient and refined. There’s a storming 630hp S65 AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo too and this year, an S400 hybrid is to be added to the line, allowing the S-Class to run on silent, clean electrical power for short distances.

Others aspire to create the best automobile in the world, but the only car to consistently hold this title for five decades is the S-Class. As Dr Dieter Zetsche, head of Daimler AG, recently said: “Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were ‘the best or nothing’ in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class.”

Sums it up rather well, don’t you think? S

Photos: Mercedes-Benz

“Our aspirations were ‘the best or nothing’ in every respect.”

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The Business of Fitness THE FLYING SPURS OF BENTLEY Bentley’s new Flying Spur luxury sedan, with its blend of effortless drivability, exquisite luxury and craftsmanship, sculpted design and state-of-theart technology, is set to build on the worldwide success of its iconic predecessor. The Flying Spur is the fastest road-going luxury sedan in the world.

Powered by Bentley’s famous 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine, the car sprints from 1-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. A touch-screen infotainment system with mobile connectivity including Wi-Fi allows driver and passengers to interface with the car and the outside world. A rear-seat entertainment suite and a new bespoke handheld touch screen remote give rear-cabin occupants control over an extensive range of features from the comfort of their seats. www.bentley-milano.com

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Promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle has always been the goal of Brunei Darussalam’s leading health club, Fitness Zone. From the day the first branch opened in 2003, the club and its crew have made it their mission to provide the right environment for those who choose to take the path to fitness and who expect a high level of professionalism and service.

Led by celebrity founder and managing director, Wu Chun, the club runs on the principle that everyone should “Live Fit, Live Right and Live Green’, and it strives to ensure that every member is treated to a first-rate fitness experience.

Wu Chun, who launched Fitness Zone at the tender age of 24, explains his passion for fitness: “I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years, and the more I involve myself in this industry, the more I love it. I’m sure it’s also because I’ve come to a point where I see all the good things fitness can bring to your life. I always tell myself that if I love my family, I want to live the kind of long and healthy life that will give them no reason to worry about me. And I want them to stay strong and healthy too, so that the quality of all our lives in the next 20 or 40 years will still be as great as it is today.”

He added: “Though I own a health club, I’ve also set up my own gym at home. The reason is simple – I want my whole family to enjoy good health and it’s never too late to start.”

With over 8,000 members and two state-of-the-art clubs in the capital city of Brunei Darussalam, Fitness Zone has successfully built a community of loyal fans and set the benchmark for the local gym industry. A third Fitness Zone opened in Shanghai in 2010.

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Fitness Zone caters to a wide section of society, offering a spectrum of both high and low-impact workout programmes.

Group exercise classes range from high-octane Les Mills workouts such as Body Pump, TRX, CrossFit, Spinning and Zumba, to gentle mind-and-body classes such as yoga, Pilates and Body Balance. And after a good workout, members are invited to enjoy a sauna or make use of the club’s pampering services – massages, aromatherapy and even manicures and pedicures are all catered for.

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For added motivation, Fitness Zone also provides personal training programmes tailored to an individual’s needs. These programmes are designed and monitored by ACE (American Council of Exercise)-certified trainers and their in-house certified nutritionist. Newcomers to the club receive a Nautilus Orientation with a personalised 6 weeks program, where they’re taught proper form, technique and intensity, thus ensuring maximum benefit from every workout even when a member is training alone.

While Fitness Zone is committed to the business of healthy living, it’s also involved in the betterment of the community and the environment. The company believes in taking steps now to make a difference for future generations. Whether they’re involved in a charity drive to improve the quality of the world we live in, or an initiative to help the less fortunate in society, Wu Chun and his crew are forever throwing themselves into a worthy cause.

‘No matter how busy I get, I allocate 30 minutes to exercise three times a week, because I know it’s the right thing to do to help me achieve optimum health.’ - Wu Chun www.fitnesszone.com.bn inquiry@fitnesszone.com.bn

Kiulap Branch

Lot 45238, Simpang 88, Kg. Kiulap Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Tel: 673 223 3338/2339

Serusop Branch

Unit A1, 1st & 2nd Floor Lot 5812, Simpang 82, Kg. Delima Satu Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Tel: 673 244 8488/8489

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WU CHUN RECENTLY OPENED THE DOORS to his private world with the launch of his autobiography, Ignite Courage. The book, which took three years to complete, is a detailed account of his journey from childhood to now. Unexpected details of his life are generously poured onto the book’s pages, including the stunning revelation of the existence of a wife and a daughter in Brunei. Like a man shedding a lead vest, Wu Chun casts off the burden of secrecy in his book, retracing his footsteps as a movie star, a businessman and now a family man.

He hopes the book will “inspire readers to live their lives to the max.”

We caught up with the handsome actor for a chat about his new book, his work and what’s in store for the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities.

SCION: Tell us about your book and what led you to writing it.

From Big Screen to

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He has been a national basketball player, a car-parts business owner, a boy band member and in recent years, a screen heartthrob and gym owner, and now he’s playing the happiest role in his life – that of father. At the age of 34, Wu Chun is Brunei’s biggest celebrity, enjoying a massive following not just here but also in Chinese communities around the world. While fans may be familiar with his public persona, his private life in the quiet hometown of Bandar Seri Begawan has been a fiercely guarded secret. Until now.

CHUN: First I came up with the name Ignite Courage for this book. You see, I’m the kind of person who has so much curiosity about life and I get inspired easily. I love to read books and to watch interviews of successful people, and I feel that generously sharing knowledge and experiences is a wonderful thing to do.

So I started writing blogs and I got a lot of positive feedback from fans about how I’d influenced them and helped them be more positive. That’s when I realised I could publish my own book delivering positive energies to my readers while also donating the proceeds to charities.

This book is not about teaching people what to do: it’s about sharing the good things in life, reminding ourselves not to take things for granted and having the courage to go after your dreams.

Also, my late mum really inspired me and this book is in memory of her. She was a kind-hearted woman with a great love and sense of responsibility towards her family. She also had a way of reminding everyone around her to donate generously and to give a helping hand to those in need. I’m touched by what she did and I hope to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in this world. When my mum was stricken by cancer, I could feel her fear when she knew she was about to leave us. This made me

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realise that if you believe that you are doing the right thing, you should have the guts to feel the fear and do it anyway.

SCION: You’ve been filming in inner Mongolia recently. Tell us something about this movie and what excites you about it.

CHUN: What excites me about this movie is the sincerity of the director, who convinced me to be part of this project. I love to work with people who are sincere, and on top of this, the film has one of the best talent lines both on screen and behind the screen – great director, cinematographer, art director plus actors like Leon Lai, Fang Bin Bin and Chen Chong. I also love the script, as it’s based on a true story from ancient China.

SCION: You’ve played both strong characters in period movies and hunky dreamboats in dramas – what kind of role would you most like to play next?

CHUN: I would love to try out a more heartwarming-yet-heroic role, so maybe that of a super daddy with supernatural powers would be perfect (peals of laughter). I’ve actually been writing movie synopses these past few years, so hopefully one day I can make this dream come true (more laughter).

SCION: Any desire to break into Hollywood?

CHUN: Honestly, I don’t have that kind of drive in showbiz, especially since becoming a father of two children. I’m contented with where I am, and I hope to achieve a balance between my showbiz and family lives, and my role as an entrepreneur.

Actually, a lot of Hollywood productions have entered China’s huge filming industry, but I feel that as long as I can secure a spot in the China market, that’s more than sufficient.

SCION: What’s the most rewarding aspect of being an actor? And what do you see as the downside of the business?

CHUN: The most rewarding thing is being able to experience someone else’s life. That’s why I always choose epic period movies,

RIGHT: COVER OF WU CHUN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, IGNITE COURAGE

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LEFT: WU CHUN AND THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF GUCCI, FRIDA GIANNINI

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I’m contented with where I am, and I hope to achieve a balance between my showbiz and family lives, and my role as an entrepreneur.

even though the level of difficulty is 10 times that of a modern movie. Also, the opportunity to travel to different countries, learn different cultures, and be inspired by what I see is an eye opener. Another rewarding aspect of acting is receiving love and support from my wonderful supporters around the world.

Whenever I’m free, I visit my official website – www.chunzone. com – to read my fans’ messages, and this gives me strength to raise the bar in whatever I do.

CHUN: When it comes to Chinese New Year, I’m supertraditional. I must wear new clothes and must have the colour red too (more joyful laughter). The first day of Chinese New Year is all about meeting relatives and close friends, and I enjoy going to open houses – house after house. Believe it or not, I love to eat kueh mor and keropok with achar.

I’m a very positive-minded person so the not-so-nice part of showbiz doesn’t really bother me much. It’s a tough job. Being a popular artist is not entirely about how well you can sing or act or how good looking you are. Fifty percent of the success comes from your attitude and personality. I’m glad to say I’ve learnt a lot during this journey and this makes me a better person today.

But if I have to choose one downside, it will have to be the loss of complete freedom that comes with fame.

CHUN: I feel fortunate to have been brought up in Brunei.

The culture here made me realise that finding happiness is actually very simple. That’s the best thing about Brunei, and it’s something I often talk about with my friends from overseas.

SCION: The Year of the Horse is approaching and we can’t wait to celebrate Chinese New Year with our families and friends. What is your favourite Chinese New Year memory from childhood?

CHUN: It’s definitely the fireworks at midnight, enjoyed with family, relatives and close friends. I’m a big fan of Chinese New Year and I’ll do many things to get the ambiance right. I’m the one who puts up the decorations at home and orders all the Chinese New Year snacks.

SCION: What do you usually do on the first day of Chinese New Year? Any favourite dish to look forward to?

SCION: What was it like growing up in Brunei?

SCION: Here’s a red carpet question for you: which designers do you like to wear?

CHUN: I’ve had a long working relationship with designers from Gucci and Christian Dior, so most of my clothes come from here, but I also shop on my own and I’m not always into designer clothing. I wear what I feel comfortable in and what suits me best.

SCION: Tell us one thing about yourself that people don’t know.

CHUN: After the release of my book, I have zero secrets (well, almost) because this book is a record of my life. Actually, I’m about to open a first-of-its-kind healthy restaurant with great creative recipes at my Fitness Zone club in Kiulap. Hopefully, I can create another new trend, following the introduction of Fitness Zone 10 years ago… S

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LAUNCHING A BETTERFLY

CELEBR ATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

On October 12, 2013, the Royal Brunei Airlines introduced its new 787 Dreamliner to the world. The launch of the Dreamliner at the hangar of the Brunei International Airport was officiated by the Guest of Honour, The Honourable Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah and the Royal Brunei Airlines Deputy Chairman Mr Dermot Mannion.

On November 8, 2013, Priority Banking and Business Banking customers of Standard Chartered Bank Brunei gathered at the scenic Tarindak D’Polo at the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club to celebrate Deepavali - the festival of lights. Welcoming the guests was the General Manager of High Value Segment of Standard Chartered Bank, Mr Lim Yu Kwang, alongside other senior managers and Relationship Managers. During the event, guests mingled with one another while enjoying a buffet of traditional Indian delights.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. PAUL LAI 2. THE ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES 787 DREAMLINER 3. DERMOT MANNION; THE HONOURABLE PEHIN ORANG KAYA HAMZAH PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ABDULLAH; DINESH KESKAR 4. PAVITRA KAUR; AZHANI DANIEL 5. ANNIE NG; NG YICK WEI 6. ARIFDIN MOHAMAD SALLEH; RORY TEO 7. AHMAD JEFRI ABDUL RAHMAN; JUNAIDI MASRI; HJH NORMAH SURIA HAYATI PJDSMDSU (DR) HJ AWANG MOHD JAMIL ALSUFRI; HAJI ABU BAKAR HAJI IBRAHIM

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. NURBAHRIAH ELIZA ABDULLAH; LIM YU KWANG; JUDITH LEE PUI KEN; NG YICK WEI 2. KANTA CHANDRASEN PUNJABI; CHANDRASEN SATRAMDAS PUNJABI 3. JAYA PUNJABI; GUL JAMNU PUNJABI 4. SHEILA CHOPRA; SUNITA MARTIN 5. LENEY ANDREW ALBERT; THAVA CHELVI 6. NICOLE PETRA TEO; HJH HONEYTA EMILY M BERKLEY STEWART; CECILIA PHAN; BRENDA LOW LENG SAN

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MR & MRS SMITH HONOUR THE BEST 1.

Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith held their first ever hotel awards – a celebration of the world’s best boltholes and a testament to the evolution of the boutique hotel industry over the past decade. The landmark event – held in partnership with Avis, the car rental company – was based at the Truman Brewery in East London, UK, on November 7. More than 600 people attended the party, where winners were announced across 12 categories.

R ALPH LAUREN HOSTS

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Ralph Lauren hosted a Fall 13 Collection show and private dinner on October 8, in celebration of the restoration project and patron sponsorship of L’Ecole des BeauxArts in Paris. The venue of the celebration was the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and VIP guests were resplendent in Ralph Lauren Collection apparel.

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1. TRUMAN BREWERY ALL DECKED OUT FOR THE SMITH HOTEL AWARDS 2. PERFORMANCE FOR THE NIGHT WAS BY CRAZY P 3. JULIET KINSMAN AND SIMON WESCOTT

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DORCHESTER FASHION NIGHT

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize was awarded to Huishan Zhang on October 29, 2013 at The Dorchester Hotel in London after a catwalk show featuring the designs of four shortlisted designers.

Zhang was presented with an endowment of £25,000 from Dorchester Collection’s CEO Christopher Cowdray, along with an engraved Baccarat crystal trophy and a stay at a Dorchester Collection property. He can also look forward to one-to-one mentoring from a selection of the competition’s judges – a new addition to the prize.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: 1. RICKY & RALPH LAUREN 2. LAUREN BUSH & DAVID LAUREN 3. DAVID JENKINS & ALEXANDRA SHULMAN 4. ERIKO NAKAMURA 5. CHERIE CHUNG 6. NATHALIE LEROY & XAVIER ROMATET 7. ELIN KING, DEREK BLASBERG & JEFFERSON HACK 8. RALPH LAUREN 4.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. CHRISTOPHER COWDRAY; HUISHAN ZHANG AT THE DORCHESTER 2. EMILIA WICKSTEAD, HUISHAN ZHANG, FYODOR PODGORNY AND GOLAN FRYDMAN OF FYODOR GOLAN; BARBARA CASASOLA 3. HUISHAN ZHANG WITH HIS COLLECTION 4. A MODEL GETTING READY FOR THE FASHION SHOW

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A HAPPY THANKSGIVING The U.S. embassy in Brunei Darussalam hosted a dinner on November 23, 2013, at the Indera Samudra Hall of The Empire Hotel & Country Club to commemorate the 237th American Independence Day in conjunction with the U.S. national holiday, Thanksgiving Day. The ambassador of the United States, His Excellency Mr Daniel Shields, welcomed the Guest of Honour The Honourable Pehin Datu Singamenteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar and his wife.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. H.E. DANIEL SHIELDS, AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED STATES 2. DATIN DAYANG HJH NORYASIMAH ABDULLAH; THE HONOURABLE PEHIN DATU SINGAMENTERI COLONEL (RTD) DATO SERI SETIA (DR) HJ MOHAMMAD YASMIN HJ UMAR; H.E. DANIEL SHIELDS; SANGEETA SHIELDS 3. COLONEL STEVE MILLER; MIKE TARON; VANGI TARON 4. ANDREW FOWLER-WATT; JOHN NIGEL BADMINTON; H.E. VICTOR A. SELEZNEV, AMBASSADOR OF RUSSIA 5. ANDREW LOFTUS; SUMALEE LOFTUS 6. GARRY IBRAHIM; JESSIE HALILUDDIN 7. QURATUL AIN BANDIAL; LOW LENG MAY 8. MAYRA ROBLES; CYRUS VILLANUEVA; FREDA CHEN 9. WINNIE CHIUH; FAKHRUL RAZI; SHOVA THAPA