N° 53 November 2020 www.lofficielmalaysia.com
INNO VATOR SHEENA LIAM
N° 53 November 2020
PHOTOGRAPHY CHINTOO STYLING MONICA MONG MAKEUP KHIR KHALID HAIR CHIAKI SABATA MODEL SHEENA LIAM ARTWORK SHEENA LIAM/ @TIMES.NEW. ROMANCE KNITTED PULLOVER, SHIRT, PANTS, BELT, SHOES AND LADY DIOR DIOR
Edito
BIJOUX
page 16
Contributors page 18
Editor’s Pick page 20
STYLE
A Starlet Letter page 58
Ahead Of The Curve page 62
Eastern Promises page 64
News
XXL Effect
page 24
page 66
French Affair
Once Upon A Time In Austria
page 26
page 67
page 72
The La Prima Bag by Giorgio Armani
News
page 27
page 68
A Tale Of Art & Craft
Season Premiere
page 28
page 70
The Sound Of Style page 32
The Longines Heritage Classic – Tuxedo by Longines
Happy Unboxing
page 71
page 38
Form & Function page 50
Creative Streak page 72
Dances With Time page 76
page 38
page 58 page 28
page 144
BEAUTY
MODE
News
Phantom Thread
page 82
page 96
Retreat From Home
Couture Cul-de-sac
page 84
page 114
The Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge La Cure by Sisley
LIVING
page 85
page 128
Rustic Red page 86
Breaking Boundaries page 87
Life Imitates Art page 88
News Turning The Beat Around page 130
LAST WORD Homegrown Goodness page 144
Spark Joy page 92
Beauty From The Core page 93 page 130
page 88 page 96
N° 53 November 2020
EDITORIAL
SALES & MARKETING
MANAGING EDITOR MONICA MONG
VICE PRESIDENT AILEEN SOH
DEPUTY EDITOR TAN SIOK HOON
SENIOR SALES & MARKETING DIRECTORS CHRISTINA LOH ASHLEY LOH
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR CHONG MENG CHEE SENIOR WRITER NIKITA NAWAWI WRITER JOYCE FAN EDITORIAL ASSISTANT AMELIA TAN DIGITAL DIGITAL DIRECTOR CALVIN CHONG DIGITAL WRITERS NOEL KHOO YAN JOON WING
SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR HELEN TANG FINANCE CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER ELLIN ZHAO MANAGEMENT CEO/PUBLISHER OLIVIER BURLOT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS GAËL BURLOT JULIAN PEH MOHD KHALID BIN IBRAHIM
CONTRIBUTORS AKIKO SAKAMOTO, CHIAKI SABATA, CHINTOO, HASSRUL ABU, JENNIFER LIVINGSTON, KHIR KHALID, LEAN LUI, MIRIAM HERZFELD, PATRICK KINSELLA, SHINO ITOI, SOON LAU, TAK SUGITA, WAKA ADACHI
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All rights reserved. The edition in Malaysia of “L’Officiel de la Couture et la Mode de Paris” is published under an exclusive license granted by Les Editions Jalou. All texts reproduced from the French edition of “L’Officiel de la Couture et la Mode de Paris” and included in the Malaysia edition have been translated under the exclusive liability of the company Heart Media Group. “L’Officiel de la Couture et la Mode de Paris” is a registered trademark of Les Editions Jalou. The rights for reproduction, including reproduction on electronic media, of editorial and publication material appearing in the present edition and initially published in the French edition of “L’Officiel de la Couture et la Mode de Paris” are exclusively owned by Les Editions Jalou. Total or partial reproduction, on any media, in any language, without prior written consent of Les Editions Jalou is strictly forbidden. Les Editions Jalou are a limited liability company, with a share capital of 606,000 Euro, organized and existing under the laws of France, whose registered office is located at 128, quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris, registered at the trade registry of Paris, under number 331 532 176 and represented by Marie-José Jalou acting as manager. L’Officiel Malaysia is published 10 issues a year. Printed by BHS Book Printing Sdn Bhd Lot 4 Lorong CJ 1/1B, Kawasan Perindustrian Cheras Jaya, 43200 Cheras, Selangor, Malaysia Published by HEART MEDIA SDN BHD C10 2nd Floor, Mail Box 334, Fahrenheit 88, 179 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
N° 53 November 2020
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PRINCESS FLOWER COLLECTION | robertocoin.com E XCLUSIVELY AT S TARHILL G ALLERY UG 31, AD ORN FLO OR ROBERTO COIN@MYS TIQUE-UNIVERS AL .COM TEL : +603 2141 9669
ÉDITO
Dear Sheena, It has been a while since we last met at New York Fashion Week a few years back when we were attending the Coach show. That was after your relocation to the States with your then-boyfriend, now-husband and Lithuanian mural artist Ernest Zacharevic. I styled you once for a shoot many years back and that was before our New York trip when you still had blonde hair and many were saying you were kind of like a Soo Joo Park lookalike. Fast forward to 2020, and you have been “stranded” in your home country due to the pandemic, like many others as well. Meeting you again in Malaysia, you now have an extended resume, returning with extra roles under your belt: wife and artist. Yes, an artist with a portfolio of needlework art featured under the handle of @times.new.romance. Embroidered female figures with cascading locks is the signature you have stitched out as an embroidery artist. I am thoroughly impressed to be honest, saying to myself, “Hey, she’s really good!” Having your first exhibition in Paris in 2018 with an upcoming one in Ireland is an achievement to be celebrated. And I thought I should approach you for our November issue cover, not just as a model but also an artist. And it has turned out according to what I’d planned. In photographing you, I found you natural and better than ever in front of the camera after your years of travelling and life experiences abroad. You are the first artist we have collaborated with for our cover—a Malaysian artist whom we are truly proud of. Above all, you are both the model and the artist on the cover. How cool is that? We are happy with the pictures and even more happy to have your needlecraft on the cover. We went through a few rounds of adjustments after you submitted your artwork which you were very particular about showing clearly the subtle details of the fabric’s raw edges. And through the process, I have seen a brand-new side of you, and needless to say, the outcome of the collaboration is just brilliant! Love, Monica Mong (@mongnica) Managing Editor, L’Officiel Malaysia
CONTRIBUTORS SHINO ITOI Stylist Even though Shino Itoi had developed an interest in fashion through magazines and TV programmes since childhood, she did not carve out a fashion career initially but worked as a press secretary in Tokyo. Due to her curiosity about European culture, she decided to study French literature before taking the leap to broaden her horizons in becoming a fashion stylist in Paris. After gaining a few years of experience, she began working as an assistant to fashion director Yasmine Eslami for three years in Purple magazine. Today the Japan-based freelance stylist divides her time between Tokyo and Paris, involved in various collaborations with international publications, celebrities and global brands. 1
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CHINTOO Photographer Having worked behind the lens for more than a decade, it’s safe to say that Chintoo is no stranger in the industry. A self-taught photographer, he crafts images that contain fascinating stories and compositions, lensed both in black and white as well as in colour. To date, his skills have landed him in various projects, photographing many local and international celebrities including Godfrey Gao, Karen Mok, Azrel Ismail and Neelofa. CHIAKI SABATA Hairstylist Born and raised in Wakayama, Japan, Chiaki Sabata began pursuing a career in hair and makeup before making the move to Paris in 1998. There, the brilliant Jean Marc Maniatis took him under his wings and trained him for over a year. While working in the City of Lights, he participated in numerous shows during Paris Fashion Week as well. Sabata later left to become a freelancer and his portfolio is bolstered with collaborations with well-known photographers like Bettina Rheims and Gilles Bensimone. In 2014, he moved to Malaysia where he has since opened his own hair salon, CHARDON Tokyo. KHIR KHALID Makeup Artist Khir Khalid is a highly soughtafter makeup maven who needs no introduction. He has garnered over 20 years of experience in field and collaborated with numerous international publications as well as worked his magic on a slew of famous personalities and VVIPs. Due to his professional reputation and valuable contribution to society, he was invited to be part of the third edition of the Successful People in Malaysia encyclopaedia by British Publishing House Ltd. Currently based in Kuala Lumpur, he continues to actively participate and contribute to both the local fashion and beauty industry.
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1. Marine Serre: Hats for winter are a necessity and they popped on the runways in every shape and size imaginable. That said, Marine Serre takes it a step further and subverts the expectation with this no-nonsense optical knit jacquard beanie.
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4. Loewe: From body-hugging frocks to peekaboo dresses, sexy is done in a myriad of ways this season. The tailored, form-fitted jacket at Loewe reimagines the trend for grown-ups with modern cutouts on its balloon sleeves.
7. P r a d a : E f f o r t l e s s l y e l e g a n t with a box y silhouet te, this sof t leather Prada handbag with double handles is a refreshing take on the reinterpretation of the brand’s famed triangle logo.
2. Louis Vuitton: Inspired by the historic Monogram pattern and the date the fashion house was founded, Nicolas Ghesquière has designed his latest signature canvas for the Since 1854 capsule collection starring these Lock It flat mules.
5. Celine: When it comes to heritage fashion houses that are seamlessly bridging tradition and contemporary appeal, no one does it quite like Celine. This clutch in Triomphe canvas with Triomphe metallic closure is a testament to that.
8. Emporio Armani: Updating its iconic looks with new materials and shapes that tell the story of the brand, the Icon collection is brimming with pieces that not only capture the moment but are also timeless classics.
3. Acne Studios: Get ready to bundle up in style with this brown melange scarf by Acne Studios. Crafted from pure wool and finished with fringed edges, the scar f strikes the right balance between fashion and function.
6. Burberry: Revisit 1970s Hollywood with these oversized round-frame shades in black acetate. On top of the feminine profile, the sunglasses also feature gold-plated Thomas Burberry Monogram.
9. Balmain: These vinyl ankle boots are made for flaunting. Boasting sheeny skin with metallic buttons on the side, pointed tips and burnished go l d - f i n i s h h e e l s , B a l m a i n p u t s a fun twist on the season’s staple footwear.
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L’Officiel
News
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN ITALIA
Bespoke Addition
Suria KLCC recently welcomed the arrival of Berluti’s first store in Malaysia. You can now have physical access to the iconic French fashion label’s complete lifestyle range that includes shoes, leather goods, ready-to-wear and accessories—all exuding exceptional craftsmanship and artistic excellence. A selection of the collections is displayed behind the store’s wide glass façade which features a shop window and light box to further highlight its bespoke work. You will also find the shop paying tribute to Berluti’s savoir faire with a speakeasy reference of the Patina Wall, flawlessly complemented by a club-like ambience surrounded by leather with its original “full grain” surface.
TAKE COVER
Protect yourself but make it fashion. In the age of Covid-19, the demand for a preventive face gear is greater than ever and Louis Vuitton is set on fulfilling those demands with an eye-catching and stylish headpiece that gets the job done. Introducing the LV Shield, a lightsensitive visor that switches from clear to dark when exposed to direct sunlight, the accessory shields one’s face from mild sun glare. When worn in an upward position, it transforms from a face shield into a classic peaked cap to shelter the face from above. Style is not compromised as it comes fitted with an elasticated monogram strap that fits comfortably around the head, replete with gold studs engraved with the LV logo.
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THE ITALIAN JOB
Following in the footsteps of the late Karl Lagerfeld, Kim Jones joins Fendi to serve as its newly appointed artistic director. This marks his first substantive foray into womenswear as the role will see him working closely with the artistic director of accessories and menswear Silvia Venturini Fendi to create the Italian label’s haute couture, ready-to-wear and fur collections. “I would like to profoundly thank Monsieur Arnault, Pietro Beccari, Serge Brunschwig and Silvia Venturini Fendi for this incredible opportunity. Working across two such prestigious houses is a true honour as a designer and to be able to join the house of Fendi as well as continuing my work at Dior Men’s is a huge privilege,” Jones said.
In case you missed it, Tod’s has partnered with luxury fashion blogger Mr. Bags for a limited-edition collection. The venture sees the Tod’s C Bag reinterpreted with new colour variations, namely pale pistachio, light tan and almond, transporting you to an Italian beach on a late summer’s night. The Tod’s & Mr. Bags Limited Edition 2020 is available on the brand’s official website, Tod’s WeChat Mini Program and in selected boutiques worldwide.
A Sweet Escape
Continuing the search for “the elsewhere”, Pierpaolo Piccioli has mapped an elegant journey that sees nature as its destination with the Valentino Escape Capsule from the brand’s Fall 2020 collection. Drawing inspiration from the archives, rooted in the mindset of the maison with prints from the ’70s, the range evokes a romantic vibe that is demonstrated by the selection of dresses, tops, shorts and beachwear as well as accessories such as sandals, bags, pillows and beach towels that convey liveliness and indulgence.
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London Calling Photography Scott Trindle
Back for another collaboration with Uniqlo, Jonathan Anderson through his eponymous label JW A nder son this time around takes us on a tour across London town— from its bustling local markets to the quaint neighbourhood in the heart of Notting Hill. The collection, themed “A Day in London,” brings an air of freshness to subdued months as it rejuvenates quintessential British classics with the designer’s signature style that includes patchwork and asymmetric designs.
ASIAN INVASION
Calvin Klein certainly knows how to put together a buzzworthy campaign as evident from the Asia leg of its latest one for Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear. Shot by renowned photographers Trunk Xu, Jumbo Tsui, Janghyun Hong and Giseok Cho, among those enlisted by the American brand to star in the sizzling Fall 2020 campaign were Lay Zhang of Korean pop group EXO and celebrity couple Hyun A and DAWN. You can now feast your eyes on these prominent Asian faces from the entertainment industry as they lounge atop beds and couches in the latest Perfectly Fit Flex underwear as well as Body Stretch jeans collections.
EYE OF THE TIGER
If there is one animal that perfectly embodies Kenzo’s founding principles of powerful energy, inspiring nature and a dynamic “Jungle Jap” spirit, it is the tiger. Unfortunately, these fascinating felines now face the danger of extinction as they have declined from a population of 100,000 a century ago to an estimated 3,200 in 2010. Since then, recovery efforts have been made and this year, Kenzo is doing its part to help halt the extinction. In partnership with WWF, the brand has launched a tiger-themed capsule collection comprising sweatshirts, t-shirts, dresses and more, all made using 100% certified organic cotton. For every piece sold, Kenzo will make a donation of US$10 to WWF in support of its TX2 tiger conservation goal to double the number of wild tigers by the next Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2022.
How does the new collection differ from your previous ones? Last season was about the British countryside. For this collection, we looked at adapting the codes of JW Anderson and British heritage into a collection that works equally as well for life in the city. The clothes in this season’s collection are really designed for an autumn day and the design is inspired by a weekend day out in London. Comfortable but still chic. Warm. You’ve done numerous collaborations in the past, what draws you to engage with other creatives? I think collaborations are interesting because it’s about changing your point of view and working with new teams. With Uniqlo, it’s always interesting to see how we can translate the codes of JW Anderson into their LifeWear concept. It’s challenging sometimes but in the end, I think that inspires creativity. Do you have a favourite piece from the collection? I’m really excited about the two-tone cashmere jumpers. It’s something we did ages ago at JW Anderson and it’s exciting to see them back again in the collaboration. What does a (perfect) day in London look like to you? Lots of coffee is essential to a good day. And I like to be busy. I kind of had this fantasy during the lockdown in London of being able to visit all the museums and galleries when they were empty so I guess that would be my ideal day.
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Peace earrings with pearls
Pearl drop earrings
Pearl necklace with white bow
Pearl necklace with fuchsia bow
Earrings M with pearls
M-shaped earrings
Shoulder bag in quilted jacquard
Shoulder bag with logo M and anime print
Mini handbag with anime Toile De Jouy print
Mini handbag with anime cross-stitch print
French Affair
Imagine the one-time Queen of France but cosplayed in present time. Jeremy Scott ventures into yet another fantastical realm, taking on the gilded extravagances of Marie Antoinette with an unexpected anime twist to serve us a sugar-coated Moschino collection of toile-printed denim, lacy ruffles and pearl jewellery. Or as Scott would like to call it, “Anime Antoinette”. BY JOYCE FAN
L’Officiel
Anatomy
The La Prima Bag by Giorgio Armani
Give in to the silent seduction of the Italian brand’s first-ever bag created 25 years ago. BY NIKITA NAWAWI
If one were to enumerate the memorable events that thoroughly defined the Nineties—it may take a good while but—Giorgio Armani’s foray into the world of accessories would fit into that list. The arrival of the La Prima bag a quarter century ago referenced the designer’s immaculate tailoring as well as his flair for discreet elegance, and signalled the shifting tides in favour of a fashion commodity that bridged the gap between style and serviceability. Modelled after tailored jacket pleats, the La Prima is recognised for its clean lines and minimal trims. The finest Italian leather juxtaposed with a hot-stamped pale gold Giorgio Armani logo are further details that elevate it to a modern classic of seasonal-It-bag pedigree. Having made a comeback late last year, the La Prima bag is revived for Fall/Winter 2020, now in a variety of materials and patterns.
This new version of a two-tone patent leather bag that can be worn across the body or over the shoulder perfectly captures the gist of the La Prima aesthetic. From the rounded lines and pleated edges to the faux-suede microfibre lining and light golden plating, the bag channels quiet luxury synonymous with the brand. Staying true to the original design code, the latest La Prima bag pays particular attention to utility and function. Its three-pocket storage compartment facilitates easy organisation especially with a main pocket that is built according to a “colonna” or column construction with a stiff body in the middle. The mirror holder containing a metalfinish mirror with a leather tab detail is another fun feature of the La Prima.
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A Tale Of Art & Craft
At the illuminated Luminarie in Italy’s Lecce region, the Dior Cruise 2021 spectacular was showcased accompanied by the rhythmic, carthatic dance of the Notte della Taranta Foundation and erudite music by Paolo Buonvino. A tribute to ancestral savoir faire, the ensembles bear the weaving craftsmanship of the Constantine Foundation’s Amando e Cantando atelier, reimagined by artist Pietro Rufoo into a summery constellation of flowers, butterflies and wheat sheaves. Crowning this fashion narrative of untamed nature is the precious traditional Tombolo embroidery, perpetuated by Marilena Sparasci and emblematic of Puglia’s richly inspiring heritage. PHOTOGRAPHY LEAN LUI
L’Officiel
Style
The Sound Of Style
Shining the spotlight on the power of music and its transformative influence on the fashion runway and beyond. BY TAN SIOK HOON
Music and fashion are natural bedfellows that have been perpetually intertwined. Jazz is synonymous with the flapper mode of the ’20s as much as much as rock ‘n’ roll music and looks are banded together. And in the current zeitgeist, hip-hop and K-pop have etched out their own signature sounds and styles. At seasonal runway presentations, music plays a central role as fashion regulars know so well. Waiting for a show to start during fashion week can be an unpredictable affair, but as the first note of music wafts out, a blanket of silence immediately descends on the show space as the opening model strides out on cue. With the exception for a mere handful of shows where music is non-existent—think Marc Jacobs F/W 2017 where models walked down a wooden runway in a bare set to an absence of music—the idea of that just seems incomplete. Together with the set design of show spaces, the runway soundtrack is just as instrumental in setting the scene for the collection, as Rene Arsenault stated, “[with fashion], music and clothes are your whole plot.” Arsenault along with other highly soughtafter sound designers such as Michel Gaubert and Frédéric Sanchez, this elite unit is responsible for the music you hear at high-profile shows: Prada, Chanel, Miu Miu, Hermès, Versace, Emporio Armani, Jil Sander and others. In the contemporary fashion age, the runway relationship
between fashion and music can be a study in contrast or directly correlated. Whichever way, they both share a common goal, and that is to evoke the mood, calibrate the tone and create the ambience of a multi-sensorial encounter of a collection. More often than not, creative directors use different music genres to express their inspirations and themes by handpicking the artistes or musicians to perform live on the runway, or alternatively book DJs, specialists or sound/music designers to curate and re-mix a unique soundtrack for the show. In fact, brands often take the next step by leveraging on celebrity wattage by extrapolating their liaisons with these chart-topping artistes. Beyond just tapping on their music, they engage them as brand ambassadors for official brand campaigns, and collaborate with them for capsule collections or even standalone lines. Dressing these influential singers for their music videos is impactful, akin to subtle “product placement” that synergises the image of the brand and the artiste. In a pandemic setting where red-carpet and runway events offer fewer opportunities for brands to showcase celebrity fashion, music videos have become the alternate runway, serving as aspiration and escapism in bleak times. As the digital revolution tightens its hold, a new relationship between fashion and music is also fast emerging. Brands are
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Images courtesy of Gucci
CREDITS LIFE OF A ROCKSTAR CREATIVE DIRECTOR ALESSANDRO MICHELE ART DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER SIMMONDS PHOTOGRAPHER/DIRECTOR HARMONY KORINE HAIR PAUL HANLON MAKE-UP THOMAS DE KLUYVER
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#GucciGig collaborative project
Musician, singer, songwriter, producer and Gucci jewellery ambassador Florence Welch
#GucciGig collaborative project
Harry Styles performing at Tiny Desk Concert at NPR Music (Courtesy of Hélène Marie Pambrun) Gucci Men’s Tailoring Life Of A Rockstar campaign starring musicians A$AP Rocky, Iggy Pop and Tyler, The Creator
recycling their runway tracks, directing them into curated playlists populating the brand’s streaming channels on Apple Music, SoundCloud or Spotify. This innovative way to channel the brand’s ethos and vibe by way of a musical immersion leads to a deeper experience. The added value of crossindustry creative collaborations and partnerships is priceless beyond what is in the line of sight—they makes the clothes and accessories of the collections sing.
to share their personal experiences of live performances in partnership with illustrators, photographers, videomakers and graphic designers while showcasing Gucci eyewear with a rock ‘n’ roll bent. The exclusive shoots, videos or artwork were synchronised with the debut of Gucci’s Spotify account, where each artist including band Amyl and the Sniffers (with Jamie Wdziekonski) and French singer-songwriter Lou Doillon created their own playlist for the channel.
GUCCI A creative director who channels his musichead sensibility through fashion is none other than the free-spirited Alessandro Michele. It is not hard to see why and how he has endeared dreamers and creatives to his eclectic vision at Gucci, where music is an intrinsic member. There is a method to the madness in the mish-mash of his irreverent glam rock-meets-retro chic ensembles that resonate with the unique individualism of the music industry’s diverse talents. From iconic artistes such as Florence Welch, Sir Elton John, Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto to their new talented comrades, Gucci’s collaborations are as prolific and eclectic as Michele’s fashion oeuvre.
Moving on, this season’s vivacious Gucci Tailoring campaign film by Harmony Korine corrals three artistes with distinctive style: A$AP Rocky, Tyler, The Creator, and Iggy Pop—along with their pet birds. The immaculate and dapper protagonists meet up in a cool Californian mid-century modern mansion and dance the day away, evoking common ground and brotherhood in the name of pure reverie and distraction. Meanwhile, global pop idol Harry Styles continues his working relationship with Gucci in 2020, weaving his soulful, nostalgic rock melodies and music videos into an immersive “catwalk” platform for the brand’s clothes in Golden, Watermelon Sugar, Falling and Adore You. Having just had the Gucci Tailoring cobalt-blue suit Styles wore for the campaign and also to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2019 added to the Right Here, Right Now exhibit, Gucci fashion now rules and reigns at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
For last year’s launch of the #GucciGig project, which reached out and connected to the wider digital creative community, 12 musicians and artists were roped in from around the world
L’Officiel
Junior Cobbinah for Portrait Of A Performer series (Photography Hedi Slimane)
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Huddie Hamper for Portrait Of A Performer series (Photography Hedi Slimane)
Ryan Turner of The Scarletts for Portrait Of A Performer series (Photography Hedi Slimane)
Slimane’s latest Portrait Of A Performer project, shot in black and white, stars 6 young and talented musicians from across England, donning classic tailored suits. Included in the line-up are lead vocalist Junior Cobbinah of indie band Malady, Floyd Magee of post-punk Bad Static, frontman Danny Nedelko of punk outfit Heavy Lungs, lead singer Alex Evans of Lumer, vocalist and guitarist Ollie Dixon of Laundrette and Huddie Hamper of rock n’ roll group The Shadracks. Previously for the Spring/Summer
2020 menswear campaign, he enlisted Ryan Turner of The Scarletts, who was lensed by Slimane in intimate mood shots, wearing androgynous, retro-rock looks. Helming Celine, Slimane as a consummate aesthete has loosened up slightly from his signature super sleek-and-skinny silhouettes with the brand’s ’70s retro-chic tailoring. Not one for spectacle nor the mainstream, Slimane’s choice of music for Celine’s F/W 2020 soundtrack is rightfully alternative, zeroing in on French underground music by way of a collaboration with French-American musician Sofia Bolt. Singing her self-written and composed after-breakup anthem Get Out Of My Head, Bolt’s raw and gritty vocals, replete with dominant guitar riffs, align with the indie sound favoured by Slimane to reflect his chanteuse-slash-rocker archetype and to create a rhythm for the walk of the models. “The soundtrack and cast are what define the styling, its degree of credibility, its authenticity. What you hear and what you see are all part of one thing, one world as a whole,” the creative director explained in a published interview. “In a way, I almost illustrate the sound, just like in a film or a music video.”
Images courtesy of Celine
CELINE It would not be a stretch to label Hedi Slimane as a music junkie given how he has been working almost obsessively with diverse musicians for campaigns and projects throughout his career as a designer and photographer— where rocker chic is the chorus of his collections and an encore to his music idols. From dressing the likes of David Bowie and Mick Jagger at Dior Homme to his photograph book London: Birth Of a Cult dedicated to the British music scene and the Music Project campaign he launched at Saint Laurent, he continues to merge his trifecta of talents: fashion, music and photography at Celine with the ongoing Portrait Of A Performer series.
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Musician Pharrell Williams for Chanel Eyewear S/S ’20 campaign
Chanel – Pharrell Capsule Collection worldwide launch in Seoul Chanel ambassador Pharrell Williams at the Chanel – Pharrell Capsule Collection worldwide launch in Seoul
Images courtesy of Chanel
CHANEL From Florence and the Machine to Lily Allen, the Chanel fashion stage has hosted many music luminaries over the years. Infusing the ever-expanding digital music sphere into its universe, The Sound of Chanel was launched in 2018 on Apple Music to present uber-chic playlists with the brand’s catalogue of runway soundtracks, meticulously curated by renowned French DJ and sound engineer Michel Gaubert, who has been in charge of music at Chanel since the early 1990s. The channel also features compilation sets by the who’s who of the friends of Chanel such as Pharrell Williams, Sébastien Tellier and Caroline de Maigret. But the iconic fashion house (probably) hasn’t had a more symbiotic engagement with any artiste than with Pharrell Williams in recent times. No stranger to the world of fashion having worked on a myriad of projects, the American music mogul’s liaison with Chanel began way before blurred gender lines was indoctrinated into the fashion mainstream. Though he confessed to wearing Chanel’s women’s pieces for years, it was how he customised his boots and shoes by marking them with Chanel’s interlocking C that captured the attention of Karl
Lagerfeld, who then reciprocated with a brand ambassador invitation. After a successful sneaker collab with Chanel in 2017, it threw open the proverbial door to a design gig with Chanel for Pharrell. The groundbreaking Chanel – Pharrell Capsule Collection was launched in 2019, and in place of tweed and monochrome, Pharrell not only injected elevated yet playful streetwear into the colourful and accessible mix of ready-to-wear and accessories but also unisex designs, referencing his forte in hip-hop, art and design. To showcase the collab, he created a fashion film with an inclusive cast and Japanese elements inspired by anime film Akira, as well as music provided by Todd Tourso and Phi Hollinger. From starring in campaigns to walking in shows, writing a song and creating a fashion film for Chanel, the multi-talented celeb’s all-access pass to the French luxury brand has injected influential creative energy to its classic legacy beyond runway music. With a latest starring role in the brand’s S/S 2020 eyewear campaign, it looks like the ties from the coupling of fashion and music that bind Pharrell and Chanel together is an anthem for now and the future.
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Burberry on Apple Music
BURBERRY Among the fashion houses with a long history of live music at its fashion week shows is Burberry, and it was no different for Fall/ Winter 2020. “The memory of this special and formative time in my life is what has influenced this collection—from the places I visited and the people that surrounded me to the music that inspired me. It is this side of my personal journey that I wanted to blend with the codes and language that I have started to define here at Burberry,” said chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci about the collection he named “Memories”. Experimental sonic producer Arca and French pianists and sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque were commissioned to perform at the show venue of Kensington Olympia’s National Hall. The trio, dressed in sleek, black tailoring, took to the mirrored runway that towered above the audience as they combined forces to orchestrate the progressive music composition for the show’s runway soundtrack. The live soundscape featured Distant Places composed by David Chalmin, Fantasy in F Minor composed by Franz Schubert and Four Movements for Two Pianos composed by Phillip Glass. Juxtaposing Arca’s electronic sounds with modern classical piano by the Labèque sisters, the performance
Music producer Arca and French pianists and sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque performing at the Burberry F/W ’20 runway show
instilled modernity to storied British heritage, and infused the collection and its runway presentation with a surreal, visceral and contemporary vibe. Tisci’s predecessor Christopher Bailey is also known for his lifelong love affair with music. Having championed musicians since coming onboard in 2001, he celebrated Burberry’s 17 years of music with a curated playlist launched on Apple Music in 2018. Incorporating the emotive soundtracks from Burberry events, campaigns and runway shows, the repertoire of more than 200 songs run the gamut from pop to punk by icons such as Adele, Pet Shop Boys, Elton John and The Cure. It also spotlights emerging British talents such as Benjamin Clementine, George Ezra, James Bay and Tom Odell from the Burberry Acoustic project of live performances and special collaborations. At Burberry, the legacy of creative brand storytelling fusing the art forms of fashion and music continues today via the Burberry Sessions digital platform of weekly performances by up-and-coming artists from the Burberry Generation community, delivered from their homes to the audience through Instagram and YouTube.
Images courtesy of Burberry
Burberry Acoustic music project
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Music icon Debbie Harry of Blondie with The Coathangers band at the Coach F/W ’20 runway show
Actress, singer, producer, entertainer and Coach global face Jennifer Lopez for Coach x Jennifer Lopez campaign (Photography Hao Zeng)
Images courtesy of Coach
Coach x Selena Gomez campaign (Photography Steven Meisel)
COACH Since Stuart Vevers assumed the creative mantle at Coach, he has done wonders to transform the brand, bringing it from the domain of cool kids to prairie chic (think the Wild West and Great Plains) before segueing to the urban enclave—the bright lights of New York City. To channel all these different styles at the shows, Vevers took full advantage of music’s varied genres. At his F/W 2017 presentation with a collection inspired by “a tomboy playing with the juxtapositions of the great American outdoors and early New York hip-hop”, his sonic choice was an extended version of 1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins. Lest we forget (not) the influence of singer-actress Selena Gomez as the face of the brand, flaunting not one but two Coach x Selena Gomez collab capsule collections during her year-long partnership. Like fellow Brit Christopher Bailey, Vevers has also cultivated a music culture at Coach off the runway, and instead of Glastonbury, where else but Coachella to connect the fashion of Coach with the cool community through music. The #CoachBackstage platform funnelled laidback chic and attitude to a heritage brand with the help of
Echosmith, who performed an exclusive show at the wildly popular music fest. Extending its working relationship with music talents, Coach threw support behind Ariana Grande to sponsor her tour and tying up with rapper Kid Cudi on Instagram. For F/W 2020, Coach roped in Jennifer Lopez for a partnership with a special edition of the Hutton Bag designed by the iconic artiste. This season, Vevers has turned his attention to the art world, teaming up with the estate of African-American Jean-Michel Basquiat to design a limited-edition leather coat embellished with the artful line drawings of the African-American contemporary artist. To imbue the collection with a “pop heritage” sensibility, garage-punk band The Coathangers performed the soundtrack live on the runway, opening with One Way Or Another by the seminal American rock band Blondie, eminent in the post-punk and new wave scene. To the delight of showgoers, 74-year old style icon and Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry, dressed in the said coat, stepped up to the mike to serenade the finale with a rendition of Dreaming and to close the show evoking a downtown New York art scene, circa 1981.
Happy Unboxing Fétiche. For a century, this magazine has predicted runway trends, heralded eras of restrained and extravagant fashion, and above all else, has recommended the chicest items to invest in each season. This year, it’s your turn to choose. As we usher in the next 100 years of L’Officiel, we decided it was time to ask you to take the reins as fashion editors and select the most desirable of the accessories making their way down the Fall 2020 runways. And you graciously obliged! Our Instagram Stories polls were flooded with responses—totalling more than 600,000 votes from around the world. Of course, each country’s style devotees have their own distinct take on fall fashion. But the following items are universally the most coveted accessories of the season, and combine the desire of the new with the hertiage of the brand. Though you voted overwhelmingly for practical boots à la Dior, and new classics, like Gucci’s reissued Jackie bag, you also voted for the manifesto of each of these labels, knowing that something special lies just on the other side of that tissue paper. The ceremony of unwrapping a new accessory fresh from the store is one of the things we look forward to most each Fall.
PHOTOGRAPHY JENNIFER LIVINGSTON
Jackie 1961 small hobo bag, Gucci.
Alma 110 Slingback Pumps, Saint Laurent.
Chain Bag 16 in black satinated calfskin, Celine.
Peekaboo bag, Fendi.
Iron boots, Dior.
Soft fawn small Olympia bag, Burberry.
Pumps, Prada.
Tote bag, Bottega Veneta.
Chelsea Boots, Valentino.
Since 1854 Dauphine MM, Louis Vuitton.
Rosco Vitello Boston Black Leather Bootie, Salvatore Ferragamo.
RETOUCHING PICTURE HOUSE VISUAL DIRECTOR MIRIAM HERZFELD POST PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PATRICK KINSELLA
Form & Function
From the brand-new Elise to the timeless Solferino and sleek Lola, Saint Laurent’s clean and modern aesthetic is classicism personified—lavishly served with decadent materials and hardware to convey a compelling sense of quiet luxury. PHOTOGRAPHY SOON LAU/AWESOME IMAGE STYLING MONICA MONG
Lola Pumps in Canvas.
Solferino Medium Satchel in Box Saint Laurent Leather.
Chain Elise Croc Embossed Leather Bag.
Solferino Small Satchel in Box Saint Laurent Leather.
Lola Pumps in Smooth Leather.
STYLING ASSISTANT AMELIA TAN
Chain Elise Croc Embossed Leather Bag.
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A Starlet Letter
Did you get the memo? These leading ladies have taken over the jewellery sphere with some of the year’s best creative crossovers.
Photography Eliott Bliss
BY NIKITA NAWAWI
CHOPARD X MARION COTILLARD Following her most promising entry to jewellery making with that black opal bracelet for Chopard’s Green Carpet range a few years back, Marion Cotillard returns to the Swiss jewellery house for an exclusive capsule collection. The La Vie en Rose and Two Days One Night actress whose relationship with the brand harks back to the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, where she was honoured with the Trophée Chopard, has been given carte blanche over the artistic direction of the project and is taking the opportunity to flaunt her unique style and environmentalist leanings. Inspired by the graphic silhouette and rock’n’roll spirit of the existing Ice Cube pieces, Cotillard flexes her creative muscle and puts a new spin on the original design. Her wave of asymmetry gives the seven haute joaillerie creations an
ultra-contemporary outlook that thoroughly defines Ice Cube Capsule by Marion Cotillard. The French leading lady, conversely, opts to reprise the collection’s alignment of small faceted cubes and its no-nonsense attitude that enable the wearer to stack the pieces at their convenience. Flexibility plays a key role in the collection as these Ice Cube pieces are made to be worn as part of a mix-and-match game. The earrings are especially versatile. From the series of connected gold rings to the square solitaire diamond stud and the cascading diamond composition, all crafted in Fairminedcertified ethical 18k gold, the set of jewellery caters to women of diverse personalities and traits. Interestingly, all these ear jewels have been designed as clips as Cotillard intends them for non-pierced ears such as her own.
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ATELIER SWAROVSKI X PENÉLOPE CRUZ Penélope Cruz has been moonlighting as designer at Atelier Swarovski for quite some time now. A brief encounter with the brand’s founder and creative director Nadja Swarovski— glamorous, champagne-drenched 2017 Venice Film Festival in the background—introduced her to the world of responsibly created jewellery and it pulled her right in. Before long, the star of Pedro Almodovar’s arthouse picture Volver and Woody Allen’s tragicomedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona debuted her celestial MoonSun jewellery line. This year alone, Cruz has churned out two different collections that manifested her love for nature and the world of cinema, respectively. The Botanical Jewels, for starters, features floral motifs crafted with precision-cut crystals, cubic zirconia as well as pavé stones that bring the intricate petal designs to
life. Created for every woman under the sun, the 18-piece range brings forth a wide selection of necklaces, bracelets, cuffs, cocktail rings and multifunctional drop earrings that can also be worn as studs. More recently, the Spanish actress unveiled her Icons of Film collection that channels the pomp and grandeur of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The catalogue boasts a plethora of red-carpet-ready bijouterie that reminisce the iconic jeweller y moments captured on film such as Audrey Hepburn’s ultra-chic parure in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Marilyn Monroe’s costume jewels in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Cruz’s elegantly feminine creations here are highlighted by sparkling cubic zirconia set on gold-plated brass and rose gold-plated rhodium.
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PANDORA X MILLIE BOBBY BROWN At only 16 years old, Millie Bobby Brown has built herself the kind of resume most actors could only dream about in their lifetime. The actress of the Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Enola Holmes fame has not only established herself in the filmmaking community but also the fashion in-crowd as she becomes a front-row staple at the biggest fashion weeks and the face of esteemed brands like Pandora. Joining the high street jewellery house last year, Brown, to no one’s surprise, has since segued into designing her own objects of desire. Brown recently collaborated with Pandora’s designers and creative directors to co-design four dangle charms and a stud earring for the Pandora Me jewellery line. Drawing from the likeness of starfish, pineapple, flamingo, ocean wave and sea turtle, the range encapsulates Brown’s vision of summer. The
Pandora Me charms are hand-finished in sterling silver and embellished with colourful cubic zirconia, and they can be paired with Pandora Me’s bracelets, safety pin brooch and a new Pandora Me necklace for dynamic styling. “All of the symbols I chose are my absolute favourite parts of summer and each charm holds a fun memory or meaning to me. To be a Pandora Me ambassador means the world. From a very young age, I’ve always been a very big fan of Pandora, so it’s a dream come true to continue to work with a brand that’s all about self-expression through style,” says Brown in a statement. An expression of her youthful style, the limited-edition assortment radiates Brown’s effusive energy and showcases her design aptitude as a budding tastemaker who is unafraid to embark on a journey of self-discovery.
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Photography Nikolai von Bismarck & Chris Colls
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MESSIKA X KATE MOSS Quintessential fashion darling Kate Moss has had her fair share of screen time on the big screen, lest you forget her scenestealing turns in oddball comedies like Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie or riveting documentaries such as McQueen and Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story. She also has a particularly keen eye for excellent jewellery making if her venture with Ara Vartanian is any indication. So, when she partnered with Messika to front its Lucky Move campaign last year, everybody knew that it was only a matter of time before she took another stab at it. With an intention of altering the definition of high jewellery, Moss turns to her own jewellery box that’s brimming with eclectic gems she collected from all over the world namely India and Africa, and subsequently infuses it with her idea of
freedom and creativity for the Messika by Kate Moss collection. The model’s take on casual luxury translates into delicate (and yet bold) and uncomplicated ensembles that articulate her cavalier style as well as the label’s founder-slash-artistic director Valérie Messika’s diamond expertise. Launched at the latest edition of Paris Fashion Week, the assortment carries 70 versatile pieces that can be worn in various ways. Among the standouts here are the extravagant necklaces, XXL diamond earrings and the 3-finger diamond rings that come with malachite, mother-of-pearl and turquoise trappings—a reference to Moss’ love of green gems and bohemian lifestyle. There’s also the Art Deco diamond bracelets and rings to provide a harmonious contrast against the diamond arm bracelet that’s meant to be paired with a bikini in the sunshine.
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Ahead Of The Curve Van Cleef & Arpels replicates the grandeur of its vintage masterworks in an all-new Perlée offering. BY NIKITA NAWAWI
There’s just no stopping Van Cleef & Arpels. From the revival of the Frivole and Alhambra to the showcasing of its high jewellery creations at the virtual Masterpiece London, the maison has enjoyed a sparkling 2020 especially given the circumstances. And as we enter the final quarter of the year, the jeweller sneaks in another gift for its legion of fans—the nouveau Perlée. A celebration of delicate golden beads, the Perlée today has been given a retro-chic facelift through a novel ring whose build is composed of gleaming gadroons in yellow, white and rose gold. The decorative motifs are designed to encircle the crown of the piece, a diamond-pave dome, which not only magnifies the bold volume of the ring but also introduces a different aesthetic to the collection. That being said, if this reiteration of the Perlée seems vaguely familiar to you, it’s because it is. The piece’s silhouette draws heavily from a particular signet ring from 1948, the Tartelette. Featuring an oval body of gold gadroons surrounding a vaulted
diamond-studded surface, the ring demonstrated Van Cleef & Arpels’ proclivity for the ancient metalworking technique which was popular till the Seventies. Speaking of techniques, the reworking of the gadroons is another highlight of the new release as it is painstakingly handcrafted individually by the brand’s skilled artisans to give them a curved shape of carefully studied proportions. The polishing of the gadroons as well as the ring’s inner surface enter next to enhance their gleam, and to combine visual decadence with comfort on the finger, respectively. Van Cleef & Arpels has also picked out the highest quality diamonds of varying diameters for the ring and paired them with an openwork structure that allows light to pass through in the purest fine jewellery tradition. The result is nothing short of breathtaking as both the gadroons and the gemstones of the Perlée ring shimmer with every movement of the hand.
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Wulu
Yu Yi
Guimi Bo Bo
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Qeelin Special
Eastern Promises
A lyrical love letter to its Chinese roots, Qeelin’s arsenal of contemporary jewels imbued with deep cultural connotations soar beyond borders. BY NIKITA NAWAWI
Nearly two decades have passed since Qeelin made its grand debut on the red carpet of the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. The shoulder-grazing Wulu single earring by the jeweller was worn on the world stage by actress Maggie Cheung, a good friend and muse of founder and creative director Dennis Chan, leaving an indelible mark of an East-meets-West design code that has since become a cornerstone of the Qeelin brand.
Among the jewellery house’s blockbuster hits is the Yu Yi collection, which has received universal acclaim for its witty depiction of the old-school protective talisman, the longevity lock. Shining new light on the lock’s traditional patterns, the accessory that was once used to ward off evils and bring peace to the wearer with its special engraving is now offered in a series of romantic pieces to bring love and luck to the likes of working women.
Drawn from the mythical power of the hulu—which according to legends could subdue demons and monsters by absorbing all forms of evil or negative energy—the Wulu traces the silhouette of the Chinese gourd that resembles the number eight. It is then reimagined through a contemporary lens to emerge with streamlined smooth curves that has become a hallmark. Over the years, the collection has been actively revisited and refreshed with a score of precious materials that include jade, red agate, mother-of-pearl and diamonds.
Meanwhile, the youthful Bo Bo celebrates a fluffy figure that has been part of the Chinese civilisation for aeons, the panda. Back in the Tang Dynasty period, Empress Wu Zetian would present pandas as gifts to the Japanese emperor. The elusive animal had become an envoy and a symbol of friendship among countries and kingdoms throughout various dynasties. So, combining that with Chan’s personal liking for teddy bears—he is also a collector of antique teddy bears—Qeelin’s charming Bo Bo collection simultaneously captures childhood innocence and curiosity.
But where did it all start? To Chan, it began with a journey to Dunhuang in the Gansu Province back in 1997. The city’s storied past as a pivotal meeting point between the East and West on the ancient Silk Road, along with the atavistic artworks that filled its Mogao Caves, led him to an epiphany that the world lacked a jewellery entity that gave precedence to Chinese cultural heritage. In essence, there wasn’t a label around that his future generations could look up to and take pride in. “Passing jewellery down from generation to generation is quintessentially Chinese. We have always wanted to pass on our traditions, our heritage and our wealth. In the same way, I hope to leave a legacy that will inspire both Chinese people and the world at large,” says Chan in a statement. And if Wulu’s rise to stardom is any indication, he has done just that. Qeelin has proven that there is room in the luxury market for authentic, thoughtfully crafted jewellery rooted in Asian cultures and customs.
Bringing more than just sentiment to the table, the Qeelin treasure trove breaks the mould with its outstanding savoirfaire. An incredible feat is achieved with the Bo Bo range where technical marvel allows the panda charms freedom of movement. Employing ingenious techniques, Qeelin equips the gentle creature with a moveable head and limbs, and enables the wearer to change its appearance with stylish diamond “outfits”. These playful and intricate designs not only impart an energetic personality into fine jewellery but also expand the realm of Chinese micro-craftsmanship. Elsewhere, innovation is exemplified in the versatility of the brand’s jewellery pieces including, and coming full circle, the Wulu. Cheung was among the first to showcase this when she opted to wear the Wulu pendant on her waist. In perfect harmony, the beautiful curves of her back augmented Wulu’s clean lines, demonstrating Qeelin’s unique aesthetic that empowers personal style and expression.
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“Lux” ring in white gold with cabochon of angel skin coral, aquamarine, orange topaz, turquoise and diamonds, Chaumet.
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“Extremely Piaget” ring in rose gold with malachite and green tourmaline, Piaget.
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“Cocktail” ring in white and yellow gold, with diamonds, Buccellati.
XXL Effect “Céliane” ring in white and pink gold, with opal, mauve sapphires, onyx, turquoise and diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels.
“Cocktail” ring in platinum and yellow gold, with tourmaline and diamonds, Louis Vuitton.
Maximalist and flamboyant, these rings impress with their opulent centre stones that tell the most fabulous stories. BY EMILY MINCHELLA
“Hortus Deliciarum” ring in white gold with rubellite and diamonds, Gucci Haute Joaillerie.
“Miroirs Infinis” ring in white gold with white jade and diamonds, Boucheron.
Ring in yellow gold with tanzanite and diamonds, Tiffany & Co.
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Once Upon A Time In Austria A modern treasure trove done with an air of nostalgia, Atelier Swarovski’s Autumn/Winter 2020 collection is a sparkling celebration of the brand’s icons. BY NIKITA NAWAWI
W h a t b e t t e r w a y t o c o m m e m o r a t e S w a r o v s k i ’s quasquicentennial than with a trip down memory lane? Atelier Swarovski revisits the jewellery house’s landmark achievements throughout the century, from its eminent expertise to the most notable creative inspirations, and comes back with a slew of crystal-studded jewels just in time to make its Autumn/Winter 2020 line-up. The brand’s savoir faire and design spirit are the starting point for the seasonal collection as Atelier Swarovski introduces the Icons of Craftsmanship range. Employing Swarovski’s signature pointiage technique, larger crystals appear across the 10 jewellery pieces in silver and blue to emulate the undulating movement of water droplets.
From there, the collection moves on to Swarovski’s fascination for and commitment to the world of performing arts. Icons of Theater takes its cues from world-renowned ballets such as Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake, and expresses the complex dance choreography through the hanging crystals and cubic zirconia that come with a twist feature. Atelier Swarovski also honours the tradition of artistic collaboration especially with the Icons of Style assortment in which it reunites with the one and only Karl Lagerfeld. Here, contemporary cocktail rings and embellished signature ‘K’ cuffs take centre stage, paying homage to the late designer’s penchant for statement pieces, and layering and stacking jewellery.
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CARTIER CLUB A well-known lover and supporter of the performing arts, Cartier has recently enlisted Khatia Buniatishvili as its ambassador. The French-Georgian pianist who has just launched her album Labyrinth with Sony Classical had her breakthrough at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2008. She has since taken the world by storm with her profound as well as provocative musical interpretations and techniques. “Khatia expresses the essence of who we are. Pure simplicity and expressive romanticism. Delicate exuberance. Unique and universal. Plural singularity. Body and soul, with measure and unbridled energy Khatia embarks us into the dizzying exploration of human emotions and passion,” says Cartier International president and CEO Cyrille Vigneron in a statement.
Thirty, Flirty, And Thriving
It has been three decades since the first Possession ring hit the shelves at Piaget. Boasting a seductive feature that allows its turning band to swivel and twirl, the ring creates an interaction between itself and its owner. Friend of the maison, entrepreneur and certified fashionista Olivia Palermo shares her special connection to the Possession jewellery. What is your favorite Possession piece? My favorite Possession piece is probably my bangles. I absolutely love them and they are timeless. I love to wear my Possession pieces by mixing and matching, and stacking. The collection is flexible; it’s timeless and you can wear it with almost everything.
RING IN THE CHANGES
Jumping on the stacking and layering bandwagon, Selberan has introduced the uber-stylish Eva collection. Here, dainty circular silhouettes, reigning supreme to evoke the idea of life coming to a full circle, are paired with lively gemstones such as rubies and blue sapphires. The versatile pieces include the Eva pearl earrings that can be worn alone or paired with earring jackets patterned with diamonds.
All-Time High
Habib has done it again. The latest instalment of its Gems Festival brought a slew of colourful precious and semiprecious gemstones to the forefront, highlighting statement pieces like bold cocktail rings, over-the-top chunky necklaces and thick vibrant bangles. With over 1000 new designs on display, the festival offered local gemophiles the latest trends and information about diamond and gemstone jewellery.
How does Possession reflect your mood? Possession definitely reflects my mood because it’s colourful, it’s playful, and there’s a lot of movement, lots of sparkle—a little bit like my personality. What does #TurnForExtraordinary mean to you? To me, it means a turning point in your life that’s extraordinary and it’s a moment that you’ll remember. My most extraordinary moments have been working with some of the most incredible creative people and being able to travel around the world and learn about different cultures.
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J12 Paradoxe in ceramic and steel with self-winding mechanical movement, CHANEL HORLOGERIE
Defy 21 Classic Black & White in ceramic with automatic movement, ZENITH
True Square Undigital in high-tech ceramic with automatic movement (Japanese design duo YOY collaboration), RADO
Ebony & Ivory
The classic pairing of black and white infuses the contemporary design of these ceramic watches with a sensibility that transcends time.
GOING TO EXTREMES
Tapping into the formidable forces of nature, Ulysse Nardin flexes its savoir faire muscles once again with the release of the new Blast. Silhouetted by strong, masculine lines, the watch stands out for its complex and geometric tessellated horns in polished, satin-finish and sand-blasted veneer textures that evoke the magma of the earth. This is played off against the transparency effect provided by its silicium tourbillon, held in a bold, X-shaped cage with light piercing through the open-worked body. Taking 18 months from concept to creation, Blast offers four models driven by the new manufacture UN-172 movement with an automatic tourbillon, coupled with a new self-deploying buckle and a range of strap options.
#BORNTODARE ROYALTY To celebrate the Southeast Asia debut of Tudor’s new Royal line of watches, #BornToDare global ambassador and artist extraordinaire Jay Chou’s special appearance from Taipei was live-streamed to VIP and media gatherings at various Asian capitals. Referencing a name first used by Tudor in the 1950s, the sport-chic watch features an integrated bracelet, a notched bezel and an automatic movement. Factoring high in being versatile and affordable while commanding precision, performance and reliability, the Tudor Royal collection is offered in stainless steel or stainless steel and gold, and in 4 sizes with 9 dial variations. Read on for the interview excerpt with the Asian icon on directing and starring in the Tudor Royal ad campaign clip. What are your thoughts about the new Tudor Royal? Just like the commercial, I want to express the idea that the product can be both static and active like playing the piano and fighting. The key point of its epitome is balance, elegance and versatility. Tell us about the first watch commercial you’ve directed? There is a ticking sound, and the soundtrack of the commercial found its way to my previous music composition teacher. I told him the elements I wanted to be present, and how to incorporate the sound of ticking into it. There is a scene in the midst of a fighting position of time stopping at which point I looked at the watch to showcase the product before continuing to fight. What does the Tudor “Born To Dare” brand declaration mean to you? I t ’s a b o u t h av i n g t h e courage to break through, to persevere even if you fail. There are a lot of clockrelated songs in your r e p e r to i r e — C o un te rclockwise Clock, Big Ben, Time Machine —so what features would you look to if you were to design a Tudor watch? Steampunk, that is, bronze, which I think is a good idea.
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Maillon de Cartier watch (small) in white gold with diamonds and quartz movement, Cartier.
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La Mini D de Dior Satine watch in steel with white mother-of-pearl, diamonds and quartz movement, Dior Horlogerie.
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Reverso Classic Ladies watch in steel with quartz movement, Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Season Premiere Fine watchmaking maisons present their latest timepieces sheathed in steel or white gold. Serpenti Seduttori watch in steel with opaline dial, diamonds and quartz movement, Bulgari.
BY EMILY MINCHELLA
Piaget Limelight Gala Milanese Automatic watch in white gold with diamonds and self-winding mechanical movement, Piaget.
Nautilus Ladies watch in steel with self-winding mechanical movement, Patek Philippe.
Code Coco Oversize watch in steel and titanium with lacquered dial set with a diamond and quartz movement, Chanel Horlogerie.
Royal Oak watch in steel with Grande Tapisserie motif dial and automatic movement, Audemars Piguet.
L’Officiel
Anatomy
The Longines Heritage Classic – Tuxedo by Longines Taking inspirational cues from the spirit of jazz clubs of the 1940s to enliven a pared-down design aesthetic. BY TAN SIOK HOON
It is said that designing objects of simplicity can be even more challenging than ones of a more complex sensibility. Longines is known for its classic timepieces so how does it inject a dose of panache and pizzazz to such understated pieces? For the introduction of the Longines Heritage Classic – Tuxedo, the Swiss watch brand stepped back in time to the post-war period in the late 1940s as prosperity and celebration began to fill the air, and men and women relished the ritual of dressing up to go dance the night away. Referencing historical pieces from that era with designs evoking a carefree spirit and newfound freedom, the moniker Tuxedo together with a monochromatic colour palette represent a throwback to the elegant black-and-white suits worn by partygoers for soirées and festivities. Staying true to
the essence of the original models, the word “Automatic” is left out on the dials, as well as a date window. Furthermore, to replicate the vintage vibe, the choice is made for a dial featuring an opaline silver disc encircled by an intense black outer frame, slim baton hands coated with SuperLuminova and semi-matt black leather straps—tasteful details that parallel those from history. The small seconds counter posited at 6 o’clock is deliberately off-centre, adding immensely to the charm of the contemporary models that are powered by a self-winding mechanical movement. Available in two versions: a 3-hand model of 38.50 mm diameter, and chronograph of 40.00 mm diameter with a tachymetric scale that is rarely seen on a Longines watch. Voila, bring back the swinging good times!
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Creative Streak
Innovation certainly overflows in the world of high jewellery watches. Just as in the case of these lavish new launches which spellbind lovers of luxury with dazzling designs and gorgeous gems that strike a bewitching balance between maximalism and minimalism. BY TAN SIOK HOON
PANTHÈRE TROPICALE WRISTWATCH BY CARTIER Even after more than a century of reinterpreting its most recognisable and beloved emblem, Cartier’s reserves of innovation at the core of its creativity abound to no end. Among its high jewellery treasure trove for 2020 is the Panthère Tropicale wristwatch, taken from a collection entitled (Sur)Naturel, which pays tribute to a hyperreal rendition of nature, liberated from the limitations of reality. The artistic journey connects figuration and abstraction, followed by a transfiguration of water, flora and fauna into the supernatural. For the Panthère Tropicale, the sleek and sensuous panther is distilled into its spiritual essence from which is conjured and stylised into wondrous new details. More a watch bracelet than a bracelet watch, the Panthère
Tropicale is anchored in yellow gold, and features a petitesized full diamond-paved dial that is almost camouflaged— flanked by octagonal aquamarine and blue tourmaline stones on each side. Its showcase of asymmetry sees one side of the wristwatch displaying dramatic red coral reminiscent of the maison’s 1930s designs, while the other profile exhibits classic onyx spots on a diamond animal coat, a rendering first spotted on an early 20th century Cartier watch. This mesmerising and marvellous juxtaposition of colour—coral and monochrome with the cool, icy hues of blue tourmaline and aquamarine—is a brand-new hybrid configuration for Cartier that is soft yet bold, feminine yet strong, transparent yet deep. To craft and construct this graphic vision and creation of wilderness and fantasy, the luxury maison’s unparalleled technical expertise and fearless sensibility get the job done with absolute panache and perfection.
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FRIVOLE SECRÈTE WATCH BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Transformable jewellery is a niche that Van Cleef & Arpels dominates, beginning with the patented Passe-Partout necklace from 1938—which courtesy of a clever technical innovation, converts into a choker, an opera-length necklace, a bracelet or a belt, besides having detachable flowers that can be worn alone as clips or ear clips. This versatility has resonated greatly with a modern generation aspiring for jewellery to go the distance in matching different occasions, outfits and moods. Due to cultural etiquette requiring women to check time discreetly during the Roaring ’20s, secret watches were born. These creations that surreptitiously hide a watch dial beneath elaborately embellished covers have lived on, flourishing
today more as a novelty than a necessity. Van Cleef & Arpels possesses a wealth of secret watches in its archives and also current collection that includes this year’s flawless Frivole Secrète watch—a testament to the luxury maison’s perpetual inventiveness and enchantment with nature where the beauty of florals is constantly being renewed. Lending the Frivole motif to a play of metamorphosis, this new figurative and poetic portrayal of a bracelet watch merges a hidden timepiece with stunning transformable qualities. Time is subtly revealed on a diamond-paved white gold dial at the centre by delicately pivoting the sparkling corollas of diamonds concealing its face from view. This extravagant design truly reflects the maison’s savoir faire in three-dimensional forms and gem-setting. When not wearing the wristwatch on its navy grosgrain bracelet, transform it into a pendant and wear it on a chain or a clip, perched on a bejewelled structure.
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SERPENTI MISTERIOSI HIGH-JEWELLERY BAROQUE PEARLS SECRET WATCH BY BULGARI The Barocko high jewellery collection certainly encapsulates Bulgari’s signature joie de vivre, creative boldness and mastery of an elegant aesthetic. In a season peppered with secret watches, the Italian maison has contributed its fair share to the tally with the Serpenti Misteriosi High-Jewellery Baroque Pearls secret watch. Diverging from classicism, the baroque movement’s historic embrace of exotic and exuberant emblems is unapologetic. It is now channelled into the drama and grandeur of the Barocko collection, whose magnificent colours, light effects, shapes and details are an ode to the vibrant opulence of the Eternal City, besides an evocation of hope, joy and optimism. In joining forces with its iconic serpent motif, Bulgari revisits the aesthetics of sleek lines, voluptuous shapes and intricate
complexity for this Barocko secret watch. Thoroughly upscale and decorated with emeralds, Akoya pearls and diamonds, the one-of-a kind creation sets out to reinvent the rules of high jewellery design and manufacturing by elevating the “Perla Scaramazza”. The irregular natural pearl boasts an allure derived from its uniqueness and imperfect silhouette, and as it was used in the Baroque period (XVI – XVII) jewellery, it is christened the “Baroque pearl”. Taking 2,300 hours to complete, this secret watch masterpiece in white gold is among the Barocko collection’s most complex, replete with diamond pavé baroque-like swirls and over 220 pearls studding the supple bracelet. The pearls are sorted according to colour and size, alternating with diamond-set rings to redefine and fuse with the sensibility of the Serpenti. Crowning the glittering display of beauty and harmony is a 12-carat rare cabochon-cut emerald that gracefully flips open to reveal the snow-set diamond dial.
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MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ BOUTON SERTI NEIGE BY CHANEL HAUTE HORLOGERIE An audacious risk-taker and innovator of her time, Gabrielle Chanel famously assimilated elements such as tweed from military clothing and sailor’s uniforms into her women’s fashion oeuvre. In doing so, she became enthralled by the buttons of these menswear styles that flaunted a plethora of decorative designs. Buttons have since been elevated beyond a practical fastening into a Chanel trademark, seen preciously punctuating couture suits and jackets. Illuminating the private world of Mademoiselle Chanel with the symbols and objects she treasured, Chanel’s new watch collection pays particular homage to her fascination for the humble button. The Mademoiselle Privé Bouton collection, comprising seven secret watches, is the embodiment of the French maison and its quintessence of chic elegance.
Five are clad in black tweed and trimmed in gold braid while two are high jewellery pieces, all of which ingeniously unite watchmaking, high jewellery, and other artistic crafts from the world of couture. Defined by a cuff design, the timepieces feature a multitasking button that not only secures it to the wrist as it folds over, but which brilliantly shields an exquisite diamond-set dial. Chosen to bedeck the five button iterations, illustrating the maison’s rich and exceptional craftsmanship, are these elements: a pearl, a carved gold lion, a camellia formed of diamonds, a byzantine motif, and the profile of Gabrielle Chanel in agate. The most opulent Mademoiselle Privé Bouton version is the Serti Neige unique piece, a shimmery spectacle in white and yellow gold that is fully paved in snow-set diamonds. Sitting resplendent on this secret watch cuff is a byzantine cross button, studded with cushion, pear and brilliant-cut diamonds, and lined elegantly in yellow gold braiding.
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Dances With Time
Richard Mille orchestrates the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph—its first-ever flyback chronograph developed and constructed in-house—accompanied by WITHIN produced in collaboration with brand partners Benjamin Millepied and Thomas Roussel. BY TAN SIOK HOON
Richard Mille has done it again. Its newest creation is birthed from the heart of creativity that underpins the driving force and DNA of the avant-garde watch brand. Making its mark upon introduction, the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph is encapsulated by movement, poised at the intersection of haute horlogerie, dance and music. Featuring the first flyback chronograph entirely developed and designed by the brand, the exceptional in-house creation entailed no less than 30 months of full-time work to bring it into fruition. At its core is the Calibre CRMC1, at a slim 6.05 mm with 425 different components, comprising a double oscillating pinion mechanism developed and patented by Richard Mille, along with a pending patent for its double-clutch chronograph. The twin oscillating pinion, one each for minutes and seconds, allows the transfers from minutes to hours to be isolated from the seconds wheel in this flyback chronograph. The beauty of this is that the chronograph function can be activated without depleting the power reserve—a tremendous horological achievement. Furthermore, the chronograph is not limited to timing only short periods being fitted with 24-hour and 60-minute counters positioned at 5 o’clock and 2 o’clock respectively. Significantly, what defines the new RM 72-01 is the way it keeps time: three
beats to a measure that is timed to a rhythm revolving around the numbers three, eight and eleven. As the hands of each counter tick, their movements are harmonised by three beats for each of the three counters in a stylised, hypnotic dance within their three respective timescales—blue for seconds, orange for minutes, green for hours—conducted by a sixcolumn wheel. Fully imagined, manufactured and assembled at the brand’s Les Breuleux facilities, the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph’s mechanism and peerless precision can be seen through its openwork caseback. Available in four iterations of 5N red gold, titanium and black or white ceramic, the striking architectural model embodying pure mechanics and hand finishing is equipped with an automatic winding movement, with a 50-hour power reserve irrespective of how much the chronograph is activated. In celebration of its latest launch and to mirror the unique character of the new RM 72-01, Richard Mille roped in two friends of the brand, choreographer Benjamin Millepied and composer Thomas Roussel, to collaborate on a short film that evokes the style, substance and spirit of the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph. The hybrid contemporary creators—masters of fashioning singular works that marry
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Benjamin Millepied
tradition with modernity in sync with the creations of Richard Mille—presents WITHIN, as they envisioned the perfect timing and harmonious movement of the new RM 72-01 from the perspective of technicity and artistry, and science and emotion. At the Joshua Tree, the backdrop of sand and stone is one that has been forged by time and space, as much as it is the perfect foil for the noble and beautiful materials employed in the watches of Richard Mille. The scene was thus set for the dancers to unleash a choreography of pas-de-deux moves that were fluid yet spontaneous and unstructured, nuanced yet intense and full of raw vitality. “My role as a producer—the choice of locations, their photographic quality, the camera’s ability to take everything in—all this comes from the landscapes themselves... Everything is thought out in response to the chosen environment,” said Millepied, creator of the ballets for the film Black Swan, and former head of the Paris Opera, as well as founder of the L.A. Dance Project. “I work, at all times and piece after piece, to perfect the art of choreography. It is this relationship to precision that unites us with the art of haute horlogerie. Dancers and musicians are like watchmakers, craftsmen all, because we all perfect our art with discipline,” he added.
Thomas Roussel
Roussel was inspired by the mysterious setting, and together with the watch’s chronometer function, he constructed a musical masterpiece that matched the movements of the dancers, recorded in the studio at St. Luke’s church in London and performed by the fifty musicians of the distinguished London Symphony Orchestra. Sampling from the watch’s stopwatch function, the composer injected a musical tempo echoing the energy of the dancers. He then weaved in repetitive and mysterious primordial music around a tourbillon of vitality while keeping the beat as though counting seconds. “I started composing from Benjamin’s shots to find the right rhythm and tempo for the choreography. I wanted to give him the widest possible field of expression. It’s the role of a composer for film to enhance and serve the film,” said Roussel. “Watches, immutable as objects and through their precision, are also creations that convey emotions. Like orchestral music, haute horlogerie feeds on its own traditions, respecting very strict and precise rules. Based on this guidance, it is up to us to break down the codes and offer works that are singular. “Any watch is by definition linked to the rhythm of time, but thanks to its improvements and complications, this chronograph is even more so than others. And time is one of the phenomena that inspires me most,” Roussel concluded.
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News
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Riding The Korean Wave With the Korean wave going from strength to strength on our local shores, the arrival of Singapore-based Ksisters in Malaysia could not have been better timed. Your favourite Korean products are more attainable than ever as the Ksisters team takes pride in being the most trusted source for Korean beauty by thoughtfully hand-picking and curating every collection. We reached out to founder Jungmin Lee to learn more about the premium K-beauty online retail brand.
BORN IN BORNEO From the depths of our luscious Borneon rainforest lies the secret to luminous skin with the debut of Malaysian clean beauty brand Olumes, which carries the meaning “beautiful” in the Kadazan-Dusun language. The local newcomer honours the beauty rituals and rich cultural heritage of the Kadazan-Dusun by incorporating sustainably sourced powerful botanical extracts from Borneo. Among them is the signature Kalalit extract, which has served as a traditional remedy within the community for centuries. This treasured healing ingredient can be found in two of their fragrancefree and vegan products, The Refining Lotion and The Satin Cream. The former is an exceptional resurfacing elixir to tackle unwanted congestion and refine skin texture while the latter is a weightless anti-ageing cream offering intense hydration and instant radiance.
Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick in Vamps Who Brunch, FENTY BEAUTY
Le Rouge Luminous Satin Matte Lipstick in N218 Violet Audacieux, GIVENCHY
Rouge Lip Blossom Lipstick in 202 Magnolia Bouquet, JILL STUART
Tell us more about the inspiration behind Ksisters. It was August 2016 and as a mum of two young girls then, I wanted to dress them in cute and unique Korean kids clothing. Unfortunately, they are difficult to find in Singapore. From there, I started to source for curated collections for my girls’ wardrobe and soon brought in numerous indie Korean kids clothing labels, resulting in the birth of Ksisters which means Korean sisters. We have since expanded to beauty, lifestyle and even food brands. How does Ksisters stand out from the existing K-beauty online beauty retailers in the market? One of our biggest strengths is our knowledge in the latest trends of the Korean market from my many years of networking. We also have a great understanding of the Malaysian market, having conducted numerous studies and community-building activities. Additionally, we impose a high standard on our product testing to make sure they are suitable for our consumers. How do you decide on which Korean brands to bring into Ksisters? We always look into their brand identity, philosophy, product fit and formula, and packaging appeal. Brands with a great story and a founder with a strong belief always work great for us. Any Korean brands on Ksisters that you think will appeal to the Malaysian market? I Woke Up Like This is the first Korean skincare brand I brought onto the Ksisters platform. As indicated by its name, the brand believes in building a good skin foundation with natural ingredients and mild b ot a nic a l for m ula s . The Sun Cream, a hybrid sun-protection cream, is a bestseller in both Singapore and Korea. Another favourite is rising Korean haircare brand, Phytopecia. Seeing how their curated hair loss shampoo and tonic are so well-received in Singapore, we wanted to bring them to our Malaysian customers too!
Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick in 603 Marina Violet, GUCCI BEAUTY
PLUM PERFECT
Lip Color Satin Matte Lipstick in Narcissique, TOM FORD BEAUTY
Daringly Demure Lipstick in 08, THREE
If there is one colour that would fit right in the darker season ahead, it is indubitably the luscious plum hue. The deep purple shade with hints of red flatters all skin tones, elevates winter style while remaining sultry enough to command attention at every occasion. And what better way to pull off this rich, bold colour than wearing it on your lips?
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News
Radiant Rose
Chloé revisits its signature Eau De Toilette to bring us a bolder and more emphatic new scent. The Rose Tangerine explores a more liberated and assertive form of femininity by taking on an unexpectedly fruit-inspired twist. Apart from the trademark bright, fresh rose, it is paired with bursts of lively tangerine to bring radiance while vivid blackcurrant with verdant undertones enhance its character. British actress Lucy Boynton fronts the campaign as the face of the fragrance—her fresh beauty and charm perfectly resonating with the spontaneous, free-spirited Chloé women.
Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo, KIEHL’S
Color Conserve Shampoo, AVEDA
Time to Shine Colour Protect Shampoo, PERCY & REED
Vitamino Color Shampoo, L’OREAL PROFESSIONNEL
The Hair Care Luminoforce Shampoo, SHISEIDO PROFESSIONAL
Colour Save Shampoo, SACHAJUAN
COLOUR ME RAD
Given the time and money that go into getting your hair professionally coloured, it would be wise to put extra care into maintaining its post-salon luminosity in colour and finish so that you get the most bang for the buck. Here are shampoos specially formulated with special anti-colour fading properties, moisturising ingredients and UV protection—all coming together to effectively lock in your dye job.
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Virtues Of Hair Science With a large pool of hair care companies tasked to take on every possible hair concern, one would think that nothing they offer can surprise us anymore. That is until Virtue Labs entered the scene as the only science-based hair care brand of its kind with the introduction of a unique yet transformative protein to repair damaged hair. Founder and CEO Melisse Shaban divulged more on the science behind the brand’s extraordinary formula. What is Virtue Labs’ unique selling point? Our difference is that we have technology that really does something. It’s clinically proven to improve the health and quality of hair in as little as five uses. We did a lot of clinical studies with the ingredient, even before we started formulating the final products, and were blown away by what we saw. After five uses, products with Alpha Keratin 60ku® deliver up to 67% reduction in frizz, 95% repair of split ends, 22% increase in thickness and 138% increase in colour vibrancy. Tell us more about the brand’s game-changing ingredient, Alpha Keratin 60ku®. This is a breakthrough technology which was never intended for use in hair care at all. Alpha Keratin 60ku® is a patented form of the human protein keratin that was developed in the study of regenerative medicine to help severely wounded military soldiers. Contrary to other “keratins” which are highly processed animal by-products (like sheep wool or feathers), this is a unique protein that is derived from human hair and carefully extracted to remain whole and fully functional. Because it is essentially hair, it “sees” the cracks of damage, and goes where it’s needed to repave and heal the damage to give you your healthiest, most beautiful hair possible. What is the advice you find yourself giving most often when it comes to hair care? Healthy hair is beautiful hair. Address the underlying health of your hair, and you’ll create the perfect canvas to achieve the style you want. What are the three products you would recommend to Malaysians who are new to the brand? Well, it depends a little on your individual hair type and concern, but most people will benefit from our Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner, and also our weekly Restorative Treatment Mask. But why stop at three? Our Split End Serum is also amazing!
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Retreat From Home
Travel ban? No problem. Recalibrate and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at these exotic sanctuaries. Their immersive interiors and imported treatments will inspire a sense of freedom by momentarily carrying your mind and soul to a distant country.
HAMMAM SPA There is no need to travel back in time or halfway round the world to immerse in the ancient Turkish bathing ritual when you can engage in the same practice here at Hammam Spa. Much like the traditional Hammam which typically h o us e s a c o m m un a l b at hh o us e under its large domed roof, this spa is intricately designed with similar Moroccan architectural structures complete with mosaic tiles, carved woodwork and a water fountain. For a full immersive experience, the Sultana Hammam session covers everything from the signature bath and scrub, a soothing sweet almond milk wash, a relaxing aromatic massage to a revitalising facial. All you have to do is lie down, close your eyes and surrender to the sweet sensation of having your system cleansed and refreshed.
BALIAYU SPA SANCTUARY First established in 2006 with its first outlet in Bangsar, Baliayu Spa Sanctuary remains the only spa of its kind in the city that specialises in Balinese-style massages as well as detox and lymphatic treatments. On top of its calming and tranquil interior, their highly skilled masseuses in c o r p o r ate f ir s t- r ate a r o m at i c essences and a top-quality olive oil base into every treatment to ensure a truly holistic experience to soothe the body and mind. The Heavenly Relax Spa Experience package is a favourite among their customers as it is designed to induce pure relaxation and release knots and tension in the body. The twohour session includes their relaxing foot bath ceremony, invigorating body scrub, aromatic full body oil massage and detoxifying Far Infrared Sauna.
3rd Floor, Bangsar Village 2, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
57-2, Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
+603-2282 2189
+603-2094 4557 / +603-2201 5393
hammamspas.com
spamalaysia.com.my
URBAN RETREAT ONSEN SPA Nestled within the quaint Mont Kiara district comes Malaysia’s very first Japanese bath spa. A trip to the Land of the Rising Sun may not be necessary as the cosy space along with its wooden furnishings, bamboo accents and warm lighting exude the same zen feeling of stepping into an actual natural hot spring bath in Japan. Evoking an authentic onsen session, the space offers personal bathhouses—each fitted with a singleperson wooden tub that allows guest to indulge in a hot soak without the concern of stripping down in front of strangers. Pick from three of its onsen salts and preferred temperature of 40 or 42 degree Celsius according to your preference. You can then choose to follow up with a rice-based scrub, cocooning body wrap, aromatherapy massage or all three. Lot 2F-02, 163 Retail Park, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. +6017-881 4486 urbanretreatspa.my/ urban-retreat-onsen-spa
Photo Aman Spa Japan
BY JOYCE FAN
L’Officiel
Anatomy
The Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge La Cure by Sisley
One unique formula in four bottles under four weeks to unlock new levels of visibly vibrant, more youthful-looking skin. BY JOYCE FAN
It is known that the skin’s renewal takes place every month and so, Sisley took it upon themselves to roll out a revolutionary product. One that lasts the exact same time to restimulate the mechanism responsible for the cell’s vital energy thus ensuring a real upsurge in astonishing end result. Nearly 15 years in the making, the Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge La Cure is an intensive fourweek skincare system that draws on the 2016 Nobel Prize-winning scientific discovery on the cell’s exceptional biological ability. Its powerful concentration of 19 botanical active ingredients like gingko biloba and peony extracts complement the three key mechanisms—protection, reconnection and elimination—central to the mitochondria, lying at the heart of skin cells which convert what we ingest from our diets into energy for the body.
The bespoke Sisley anti-ageing care program comprises of four bottles to be used across the span of four weeks. Each bottle contains energy-saturated treatment that works week after week to gradually restore the skin’s quintessential youth potential. Complexion already appears more radiant within the first week of La Cure, reactivating the cell’s energy and awakening the skin. The renovation stage of week two launches the optimal regeneration phase dedicated to eliminate dead parts of the skin cell. Week three aims to reinforce the skin’s natural defences. By the fourth and final week, all vital mechanisms at the heart of the cell are coordinated which wraps up the long-term benefits from the previous three steps. The skin is finally reborn.
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Givenchy Liner Disturbia Precision Felt-Tip Eyeliner
Guerlain Mad Eyes Felt Matte Waterproof Eyeliner Pen
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof FinePoint Eye Pen
Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Liquid Liner
NYX Cosmetics Metallic Eyeliner in Copper
By Terry Stylo Blackstar in N4 Copper Crush
Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in 78 Orange Crush
Dior Rouge Dior Ultra Care Liquid Lipstick in 539 Petal
YSL Tatouage Couture Velvet Cream Matte Liquid Lipstick in N202 Coral Symbol
Missoni
Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Matte Lipstick in 300 Spotlight
Rustic Red
Missoni pared things down with a strong dose of ’90s cool that saw tonal washes of rust-brown around the eye combined with a matching pair of undefined terracottared pouts. For an added artsy twist, a few models were given sharp strokes of liner beneath the lower lash line. BY JOYCE FAN
Huda Beauty Demi Matte Cream Liquid Lipstick in Game Changer
M.A.C Cosmetics Art Library FlameBoyant Eyeshadow Palette
NARS Voyageur Eyeshadow Palette
Huda Beauty Obsessions Precious Stones Eyeshadow Palette in Topaz
Tom Ford Beauty Eye Color Quad in Leopard Sun
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Breaking Boundaries
Just when you think you have seen everything the makeup industry has to offer, the following brands went ahead and raised the bar with these seriously groundbreaking creations. BY JOYCE FAN
BECCA ZERO NO PIGMENT FOUNDATION The latest foundation from the new genderless Becca Zero collection is giving the concept of no-makeup makeup a whole new meaning. At first glance, many will find its clear gel texture both confusing and intriguing. This is because unlike our conventional liquid foundation, this makeup and skincare hybrid blurs imperfections without the use of skinmasking pigment while its hyaluronic acidinfused formula delivers all-day hydration to the skin. Your natural complexion still shines through even when it is virtually enhanced in a smooth, matte finish.
BOBBI BROWN VITAMIN ENRICHED EYE BASE Think of the amazing hydrating and priming properties from Bobbi Brown’s cult-favourite Vitamin Enriched Face Base but this time, they are made for the eyes. Just like a multivitamin for the skin, this multitasking eye cream is enriched with a potent dose of vitamin B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12 plus plumping sodium hyaluronate and smoothing shea butter that work together to replenish the delicate undereye area and soften the look of fine lines. Additionally, the lightweight texture is non-greasy and absorbs quickly enough to create the perfect base for our concealer.
TATCHA THE LIQUID SILK CANVAS When it comes to product that performs beyond its expected functions, Tatcha’s latest sophomore skinc are pr imer instantly comes to mind. As indicated by its name, the weightless liquid wonder is infused with a signature trio of pure Japanese superfoods as well as three silk extracts that work as a real-life beautifying filter. The oil-free formula glides evenly across the skin to deliver a poreless finish to not only help makeup last longer, but at the same time, nourish the skin beneath and shield it from pollutants.
M.A.C COSMETICS FIX+ VITALITY SETTING SPRAY A setting spray capable of keeping your makeup in place, refresh skin while also resetting your state of mind with its moodaltering scent? Just what the beauty doctor ordered as far as the M.A.C limited-edition Fix+ Vibes setting spray line is concerned. This innovative fusion of makeup and scent comprises seven scented minis that contain a skin-boosting blend of vitamins, minerals, chamomile, cucumber and green tea, on top of being supercharged by different energies. For instance, the Vitality spray is inspired by the vital orange energy that is infused with apricot and tangerine accords to promote courage and joy.
BENEFIT COSMETICS BROW MICROFILLING PEN If you yearn for gorgeous microbladed brows but are not ready to commit to the treatment just yet, Benefit Cosmetics’ latest brow invention is a great alternative to attain a similar microblading effect for much less. Available in four different shades, it features three-prong tip in three different lengths designed to imitate natural brow hair. Simply brush upwards in short gentle strokes according to your natural brow shape to blend and fill in gaps with its waterproof, smudge-proof and transfer-proof formula. All for convincingly microbladed brow that lasts for 24 hours!
MAKE UP FOR EVER ROUGE ARTIST LIPSTICK Lipstick has always been a symbol of empowerment and self-expression for Make Up For Ever. And now with the new Rouge Artist, the brand is set to take innovation to the next level. Like an artist palette, it offers 60 intense shades that deliver vivid colour in a unique stained finish. It is also the first lipstick to be packaged in an ingenious brush-shaped case to mimic the effortless yet precise application of an actual lip brush. You are basically empowered with the expertise of a makeup artist to achieve perfectly defined lips in the palm of your hand.
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Life Imitates Art
Much like how makeup enthusiasts everywhere live for that one show-stopping beauty moment on both the big and small screen, the fashion world too cannot get enough of them. Case in point: these four Fall/Winter 2020 runway looks are evidently a nod to the all-consuming beauty influence from our favourite movies and television series.
Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano
Christian Siriano
Warner Bros. Pictures
BY JOYCE FAN
BIRDS OF PREY (2019) DC fan or not, everyone knows Harley Quinn. The mischievous yet unlikely hero, famously portrayed by Margot Robbie, is widely known as both a wild card and certified style icon. Apart from her lunatic and unpredictable personality that instantly clicked with the audience, her fun costumes as well as quirky makeup have been emulated by many—even going as far as reaching the top of the search trend every Halloween season. And while turning to Harley Quinn for inspiration this season may not be the most original idea, it certainly didn’t stop Christian Siriano from bringing the beloved villainess to life on the runway. To complement his mythical and playful collection that is heavily influenced by the blockbuster Birds Of Prey, Siriano had global makeup artist Eric Parsons recreate Quinn’s key looks on the models. This involved lining the eyes with a black liner, painting a pair of stunning hot pink pout and most importantly, drawing the signature black heart decal above the right cheekbone.
Shu Uemura Unlimited 3D Gel Pencil in Sound Black
Dior Diorshow 24H Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner in 091 Matte Black
Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick in 208 Elegant Hibiscus
Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Fab
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Valentino
Valentino
Valentino
Valentino
Fox Searchlight
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BLACK SWAN (2010) Lancôme Grandiôse Liner
KVD Vegan Beauty Ink Well Long-Wear Matte Eyeliner in Trooper
Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Perlina
Giorgio Armani Eye Tint LongLasting Liquid Eyeshadow in 43 Ice
One of the greatest psychological thrillers of our time, Black Swan is acclaimed for doing an excellent job in tackling the many underlying mental struggles faced by performing artists through Natalie Portman’s character Nina Sayers. The disturbing emotional transition of Nina losing herself in the demands and complexity of her Swan Lake performance is reinforced in the clever play on colours—with her dressing in white and baby pink to showcase her purity and innocence in the opening scene to the black attire and dark makeup at the end to signify her final transformation into the Black Swan persona. The eerily beautiful Black Swan makeup has since been given various interpretations at numerous fashion shows, with Valentino being the latest to take on the gothic creation. Courtesy of makeup extraordinaire Pat McGrath, abstract graphic lines are drawn on the crease and below the lash line before either topping the lids off with silver pigments or punctuating them with tiny black crystals.
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EUPHORIA (2019) No beauty junkie to-watch list would be complete without including the hard-hitting HBO teen drama. Among its heartwrenching storylines alongside controversial graphic depiction of social issues surrounding the teen world such as mental health and gender identity, Euphoria has also kick-started a beauty movement. One that promotes self-expression through artful takes on glitter, rhinestones and neon hues—thanks to its dynamic use of cosmetics that played a fundamental aspect in emoting each character’s personality. Since its successful season debut, we have noticed its impact all over social media, red carpets and even the runway. A favourite look on the show which has been attempted many times features Zendaya’s protagonist Rue glitter tear stain underneath the eye to reflect her perpetual state of anguish. It recently made an appearance at the Vivetta show where the under-eyes were doused in cascades of loose glitter pieces akin to the trickling down of glistening tears.
NYX Face & Body Glitter in Gunmetal
M.A.C Comsetics Glitter in Purple Hologram
Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Glitter in Loose Glitter in Royal
Make Up For Ever Star Lit Glitter in S906 Holographic Purple
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Givenchy Le Rouge Luminous Satin Matte Lipstick in N326
Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Zodiac
Tarte Tarteist™ PRO False Eyelashes in Heartbreaker
Jill Stuart Ribbon Couture Eyes Palette in 16 Sweet Khaki Chiffon
Anna Sui
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Anna Sui
Anna Sui
Netflix
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GLOW (2017) Feminism has never looked this fashionable or quite as dazzling until Netflix series GLOW (which stands for “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling”) came along. Set in the 1980s, it follows a group of unemployed women coming together in sisterly solidarity to take part in a successful televised women’s wrestling show while overcoming physical struggles and challenging deeply rooted gender stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. The American comedy drama not only delivered an engaging plot on female empowerment, it has also served up a generous side of exaggerated ’80s beauty looks comprising loud colours and sparkling metallic. Ruth Wilder, who is played to perfection by Alison Brie, is often spotted wearing the biggest hair, darkest lip colour and boldest iridescent eyeshadow. Anna Sui also pulled off a similar maximalist approach for her gothic-themed show. The peepers were painted a smoky emerald green and made even more dramatic with fluttery false lashes. A deep berry lip rounds up the sensual look.
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Spark Joy
Sparkle is prevalent as ever this festive season as Make Up For Ever turns up the glitz and glam once more with the all-new Flashing Sparkle collection. BY JOYCE FAN
With everything that has gone down in the past months, it is safe to say that most of us could certainly do with some festive sparkle. Thankfully, the latest Make Up For Ever holiday offering doesn’t disappoint. Here to brighten up your day is a range of the brand’s coveted bestsellers such as the lightdiffusing Ultra HD Microfinishing Powder, skin-perfecting Ultra HD Pressed Powder, and legendary prepping and refreshing Mist & Fix—all clad in glittering limited-edition packaging and ideal for delivering flawless finishing touches to your holiday look. Also adding to the festive cheer is an equally dazzling Sparkle Brush set, which carries four must-have brushes for immaculate application.
The real star of the show here, however, is the exclusive Rouge Artist Sparkle lipstick. Co-created with a collective of makeup artists, the iconic Rouge Artist is given a makeover in the form of shimmering new colours and multidimensional shine wrapped in a jewel-like sparkle bullet. Its scintillating formula is enriched with natural origin oils alongside ultra-reflective pearls to impart hydration and extra shine. As for the application, the ingenious product design allows the user to hold the lipstick like a pro’s brush and apply each of its five intensely mesmerising gemstone shades in effortless yet precise strokes. From dazzling nude to radiant ruby, the hypnotic shades are set to transform your lips and elevate your looks.
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Beauty From The Core
Shiseido Professional takes hair loss and thinning out of the graceful ageing equation with a revolutionary new formula that fosters thicker, stronger locks, starting with a deep scalp reboot. BY JOYCE FAN
Thanks to the increasingly encouraging portrayal of ageing within the beauty industry, more women are beginning to embrace the natural process. Yet, one of the more prevailing physical changes that challenges a woman’s perception of ageing is their deteriorating hair health. This is especially evident for those in their 30s. And as hair continues to weaken and the thinning becomes more obvious approaching their 40s, the need for a product to act on those changes increases as well.
Their patented active ingredient, Adenosine, is what makes the range a standout. Its biogenic agent focuses on the hair papilla to increase the production of growth factors essential for hair growth. This miracle ingredient is then aided by moisturising AP Stimulator (derived from apricot) and repairing ononis extract to better condition the scalp environment and promote luxurious volume. Its uplifting fruity fragrance combined with aromatic herbs leave behind a nice, relaxing scented trail.
This is when Shiseido Professional steps in. Boasting over 100 years of research on the hair and scalp, the leading hair care brand discovered that the key mechanism to optimal hair growth lies within the deepest layer of the scalp. From there, they came up with a groundbreaking solution that not only provides care to the scalp but also the roots and hair. The Sublimic Adenovital line is the result of cutting-edge bioscience technology specially formulated to enhance hair’s radiance from the core.
Among the stellar line-up of shampoo, treatment, mask and serum, the Scalp Power-Shot is no doubt the hero item. This advanced hair essence, fuelled by its new Core Powerizing Technology, provides a potent blend of active ingredients and botanical extracts acting as strong growth signals to promote a prolonged state of healthy hair. A few pumps to different areas around the scalp are all it takes for locks glowing with strength, resilience and volume, anchored in the scalp’s deepest tier.
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Phantom Thread
Model, artist and all-round mistress of her own craft, Sheena Liam takes over our latest issue with her piercing physiognomy and nifty needlecraft that brought Times New Romance—a weaving of personal stories and intimate thoughts that mirror a woman’s rich and complex life tapestry—into existence.
PHOTOGRAPHY CHINTOO STYLING MONICA MONG
Dress, belt, boots and Lady Dior, Dior.
Dress and trench coat, Bottega Veneta.
Pullover, shirt, skirt and boots, Burberry.
Blazer, belt, skirt and heels, Prada.
Top, pants, scarf and Antigona Soft, Givenchy.
Coat, Bottega Veneta.
Trench coat, belt, necklace, earrings, rings and boots, Alexander McQueen.
Shirt and skirt, Salvatore Ferragamo. Boots, Dior.
Top, skirt and boots, Hermès.
Blazer and pants, Givenchy.
Blazer, skirt, belt, scarf and heels, Prada.
Cape, shirt, tie and skirt, Dior.
How did you come up with Times New Romance? It’s a play, obviously, on the font. I just thought it was cute. I tried to get the exact name for Instagram at first but for some reason the app wouldn’t let me. Here’s the thing, Instagram names have evolved to become such a definition of who you are. Like, often I know a person by their Instagram name. I don’t even know their real names anymore. It just snuck up on us and it’s so scary how it did; how Internet identities are becoming more of our identities than our own names. Going back to simpler times when there was no Internet, what was the first thing your mother taught you about embroidery? Just how to embroider flowers and butterflies. She taught me how to draw on the canvas and everything. It was fun for the first two hours and then I got bored. It wasn’t until later on in life when I learned about more contemporary embroidery artists that I realised you could actually do whatever you want instead of, you know, following what other people tell you what you should do. Do you remember the first piece you completed? I didn’t have a first completed piece for a long time because like, how do you know when it’s completed? Where do you draw the line? But the first time I experimented with braids was probably in 2015. I had this idea in my head to do female figures. The response I got was really good and from there I just kept expanding on my concept with more complex designs. How long do you need to complete a piece? It really depends on design, size and complexity. The pieces that I’ve worked on the longest were the ones that I did for Mulan. I was approached by Disney back in February for an installation project for the movie’s premiere. How has your work evolved over the years? Say, from your first exhibition in Paris in 2018. Just a general progression, I guess. Trying to be better each time. I don’t think I’m really aiming for a certain goal. It’s not like I’m targeting a certain number of exhibitions or anything. I just keep pushing the boundaries every time I make a new piece and I am constantly changing things up instead of falling into a safe zone. Times New Romance is showing in Ireland. How did that come about? Ben Crothers, a curator from the Naughton Gallery at Queen’s, told me that he was planning a soft opening to ease the public back into art spaces and asked if I’d be interested in participating in a group show called Lemonade Stand. It’s an amalgamation of a whole bunch of artists who have been affected by the pandemic, sharing what they have been doing since. So my new pieces kind of feature a visual diary, a visual portrait of what I’ve been doing during quarantine.
TEXT NIKITA NAWAWI MAKEUP KHIR KHALID HAIR CHIAKI SABATA STYLING ASSISTANT AMELIA TAN MODEL SHEENA LIAM
Trench coat, necklace and earrings, Alexander McQueen.
Couture Cul-de-sac
May these modern and fashionable classics live in every corner of your mind, rent free. PHOTOGRAPHY TAK SUGITA STYLING SHINO ITO
Top, Wolford. Dress, Loewe. Pants, KIMHÄ’KIM. Shoes, Sacai.
Dress, Valentino. Shirt and coat, JW Anderson. Shoes, Valentino Garavani. (Opposite page) Dress, Stella McCartney. Pants, Toga. Shoes, Acne Studios.
Dress and shoes, Sacai. (Opposite page) Top, dress, leggings and shoes, Junya Watanabe Comme des Garรงons.
Shirt, Ujoh. Skirt, Gucci. Shoes, Valentino Garavani. (Opposite page) Top, shirt and pants, Lemaire.
Shirt, skirt, coat and shoes, Vetements. (Opposite page) Jacket, pants and shoes, Acne Studio.
Top, skirt and shoes, Toga. Trousers, Ujoh. MAKEUP AKIKO SAKAMOTO HAIR WAKA ADACHI MODEL SAKI NAKASHIMA/ TOMORROW TOKYO
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BY POPULAR DEMAND
WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE Continuously bridging the worlds of fashion and art, Anthony Vaccarello is now partnering with fellow fashion maestro and bona fide artist Helmut Lang for the Saint Laurent Rive Droite project. Vaccarello’s past creations covering clothing and accessory prototypes serve as raw materials for Lang’s set of sculptures as they’re shredded, mixed with a pigmented resin, and molded in aluminum. The sculptures will be displayed at Rive Droite in Paris and Los Angeles. saintlaurentrivedroite.com
Always keeping abreast of customer needs and wants, Samsung introduces a new member to its Galaxy family, the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE). The premium flagship smartphone combines all the fan-favourite Galaxy S20 specs including a super-smooth scrolling display, an AI-powered camera, advanced chipset, hyper-fast connectivity, all-day battery, expandable storage and a streamlined design. samsung.com
Midnight Special Natural Beauty
In case you missed it: Le Bristol Paris has opened the next chapter of its storied history with a timely refurbishment project. Its garden domain, for one, has been given a new lease of life while retaining that unique Bristol spirit. Spearheaded by landscape designer Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd, the mini conservatory is decked with plants native to the Paris region that are nurtured within local conditions to ensure healthy growth and abundant flowering. The neo-Parisian oasis also houses two contemporary fountains and is lined by plush drawing rooms and a colonnade adorned by blossoming orange trees. oetkercollection.com
Reuniting with long-term collaborator Barnabé Fillion, Aesop has unveiled the Aromatique Candle series inspired by astronomy and mythology. The Aganice Aromatique Candle, for instance, boasts floral, spicy and fresh trails with its sensual cocktail of cardamom, clove and mimosa, accompanied by discreet notes of tobacco. The fragrance recalls the heady aromas of Cape Spartel in Tangier, which is described by Fillion as “a place of many mythologies”. aesop.com
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Beautiful Boy From Rome With Love
Gucci Décor is back at it again with a throng of eccentric furniture, furnishings and decorative items. The Souvenir from Rome range leads the pack with its reimagination of the Musei Capitolini’s opulent marble decoration. Featuring a hand-painted pattern that brings out a marble effect, the ornamentation is applied to porcelain ashtrays, candleholders, folding metal tables, circular metal trays, wallpaper and more. gucci.com
Delve into Andy Warhol’s most intimate thoughts on male beauty and queer identity before he became the poster child of the Pop art movement with Andy Warhol Love, Sex, & Desire: Drawings 1950-1962. Aside from the over 300 risqué and romantic drawings, the volume also comprises an introduction by Michael Dayton Hermann of the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and essays by Warhol biographer Blake Gopnik and art critic Drew Zeiba. taschen.com
GOOD AS GOLD
Legendary 91-year-old starchitect Frank Gehry has lent his ingenuity to the World Odyssey celebration to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Hennessy X.O, Moët Hennessy. It is a marriage of gold and glass in the fusion of his striking sculptural style with the Extra Old Cognac’s timeless bottle. The reinterpreted bottle, sheathed in a crinkled sleeve of 24 carat gold-dipped bronze, is inspired by Hennessy’s rich blend and the glistening Charente River in Cognac as it reflects the light. Heightening the interplay between water and light is a fractured glass glorifier encasing the stunner with a global limited run of 150 numbered, Gehry-signed decanters. A wider release of limited-edition Hennessy X.O bottles, also created by Frank Gehry, is available worldwide, including Malaysia at RM938. “During this time of global transformation and solidarity, Hennessy and Frank Gehry have come together to share a vision for a hopeful future as we look to amplify Hennessy’s universal values of joy, optimism, and resilience,” said Thomas Bouleuc, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy Diageo Malaysia.
Up for a good challenge? Four Point Puzzles invites you to a match unlike any other with its Evening Kingdom puzzle that features an illustration of the same name by Sanae Sugimoto. The 1000piece puzzle showcases the Japanese artist’s extremely detailed style with the use of traditional Japanese orange and black inks and fine pen, and depicts the themes common throughout much of her work such as girls, flowers and animals.
hennessy.com
fourpointpuzzles.com
PIECE BY PIECE
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Photo Nelson Chong
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Turning The Beat Around
Meet the new guard of music who unapologetically subverts conventional expectations as they dance to the beat of their own drum. BY NIKITA NAWAWI ANALOG COLLAGE HASSRUL ABU (@HASSRUL_ABU)
SHELHIEL (@SUPERSHELHIEL) For someone who grew up in a predominantly Chinese church and also a self-proclaimed “typical Asian kid” who was sent for classical piano lessons, Shelhiel’s affinity for singing and playing music developed pretty organically. Music to him was a language that he used to communicate and connect with others, and it grew into a passion that led him to create his own sound to express himself better. Having landed his break with 8TV’s The Ultimate Song songwriting competition, Shelhiel has since honed his craft not only as an artiste but also a producer. Looking back at your journey so far, was there something you wish you had done differently? I was doing my Architecture degree in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia when I joined the competition and it delayed my semester for a while. But I went back to finish up my studies immediately after that, and not signing up with a songwriting or publishing deal was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It allowed me to further explore production, composition, beat cyphers, live sets, DJ-ing and grow into electronic music. Who would you say are your music influences? Lido, Dean, Kanye West, Jolin Tsai, Charli XCX, BewhY, James Blake, M-flo, Heize and so many more! My influences are mostly related to electronic music, because I started by playing PC games on Windows 98, XP etc. I didn’t realise how much “raving” I was already doing since I was 11 or 12 up until almost the end of high school, listening to hardcore, funky, techno or housy 8-bit music by Yuzo Koshiro. And no one can ever forget the classic Pokémon game BGM.
Tell us about your new EP. Superstrobe is a story of me encountering love and loss in relationships. I was into so many different genres, it was quite hard to curate a journey which I could really appreciate the listening experience. Opening the EP is a story of an angelic being, experiencing life and vibing to it, and it ends with a heartbreak song. The EP should be listened to in one go as it is designed as a journey for the listeners for the full “Shelhiel experience”. Is there a song you’ve written that’s particularly special to you? Such a tough question! But it’s probably the last song, Runnin, Merindu featuring NYK and Airliftz. I wrote the song two years ago when I was ditched by a girl whom I thought was the one (laughs). I just picked up my guitar and started humming these melodies, and it’s my first-ever Malay song. I was listening to lots of Indonesian and Malay bands and artistes at the time like Noh Salleh, Efek Rumah Kaca, and White Shoes & The Couples Company. You have quite a distinctive image and presence especially on social media. Do you see it as an extension of your music? Definitely. Starting out with electronic music, music and visuals have always been important elements especially in live shows, where DJs and VJs perform side by side to create a new virtual immersive experience. Working with my art director friend Curly for almost a year just proved to me that you can always elevate the world-building and story-telling experience to your audience.
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TIMUR GABRIEL (@TIMURGABRIEL) Music has always been part of Timur Gabriel’s world. Coming from an intensely musical family, her father being the awardwinning artiste Datuk Zainal Abidin Mohamed, or better known as Zainalabidin, Timur is accustomed to life in showbiz. To her, the only leap that she had to take to make a career out of it was to overcome her fear of criticism. The rise of streaming platforms helped a great deal as they allowed her to finally unsubscribe from the demands and expectations of the traditional marketplace and tell her story on her own terms. Being a musical offspring, does that put any type of pressure on you? Not at all. Although I enjoy my father’s music and respect him as an artist, I’ve never actually compared my abilities or sound to his. We are fundamentally different. He can sing very high notes for a man. I can sing very low notes for a woman. He sings in Malay, I sing in English. His genre stems from an interest in jazz and progressive rock. I’m the new-age soul type. I can’t do what he can and he can’t do what I can. We’re different and that’s something I embrace. How hard was it for you to find a place in the local scene especially with your music genre? I’ll tell you this, I had previously met with representatives of record companies who straight up told me that I needed to sing Malay songs and present myself in a way that would be appealing to the Malays. That’s something I rejected because I lack the ability to express myself properly in Malay, and as for appealing to the mass Malay market—I knew that meant speaking differently and dressing in a way that simply was not
myself. The last thing I wanted was to be inauthentic.. What was the first song you’ve ever written? It’s my debut single called Aphrodite that I recorded with a cheap mic in my friend’s closet (laughs). It initially started as a description of my best friend Chloe, who is one of the most resilient people I know. Then it grew into something bigger. It’s about all the parts of being a woman that we women have been made to question. Is it unattractive to speak up? Is it wrong for us to talk back? Do I really need to drop a dress size? And the answer to all of that is no. Was part of it drawn from your own experience? I have been an assertive person all my life, and I have been punished for it on multiple occasions. Throughout my life, I struggled with body image, familial issues, mental health issues and yet people were trying to make their opinion of me my problem. I wasn’t taking any of it and still don’t. And I know that I’m not the only one being chastised for speaking up. Aphrodite tells you that you don’t have to accept the criticism of the ignorant few as gospel. What’s next for you? I am hoping to release what I suppose is a memoir by the end of the year as an EP! Besides that, I was cast in a musical starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard called Annette last year. It’s a super small role but an incredible experience nonetheless! I sang live for that, which was the most daunting thing I’ve ever had to do, especially with Adam right next to me. The movie comes out next year and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
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Photo Taufiq Nadzri & Universal Music Malaysia
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YONNYBOII (@YONNYBOII) It has been quite a year for YonnyBoii. From releasing his monster hits Salahku and Boleh Bla to collaborating with industry giants Dayang Nurfaizah, Faizal Tahir and Tuju for the chart-topping X Missing U, the 22-year-old rapper slash singer is fast becoming a powerhouse in the music scene. And the fact that he had only made his professional debut last year makes his ascent to fame all the more impressive. Now with an album underway, Yonny looks to further his reach with his unique compositions and forward-sounding, impactful lyrics.
the songs that really got me thinking. I scraped the song a few times at first because it sounded wack to me but I knew there was something missing in that song, which was my soul.
When did you realise that you wanted to make or write music? I first started getting into music when I was 14. That was when I was active on YouTube, producing my own songs. I was scouted to be a recording artist when I was 21 years old. I’ve always been interested and in love with music. I was inspired by seeing some bands performing live on stage and the thought came to me that I wanted to do the same thing.
As a working musician in 2020, do you think that a physical album still has its appeal or are you content with having your music on digital platforms and streaming services? It does. For me, having a physical album on hand feels like a reward for yourself. It makes all that hard work feel paid off.
What’s the one song that posed the greatest challenge to write? The first song I ever wrote was called Alive. I was 14 and I was a depressed kid back then. But Aku Itu Aku was one of
What about your current sound? Would you say it’s truly “YonnyBoii” or are you still experimenting? I’d say I’m still not there yet. I’m still experimenting on my sound so I could reach that certain height.
If you could share the stage or collaborate with an artist or band, who would that be? Yuna made a huge impact in my life and I’d go so far as to say that I wouldn’t even listen to music if it wasn’t for her. If I could share the stage or collaborate with an artiste or band, it would be her because she changed my life.
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BUNGA (@BUNGAISME) Like many creatives her age, Bunga’s success story has a lot to do with the undeniable, new-age force of social media. The video of her spitting fire at the U Try Rap Please event, where she was first acquainted with the local hip-hop in-crowd, had gone viral a couple of years ago and it was a turning point for the Perak-born rapper. From there, Bunga continued to amp up her digital presence, posting her routines on Instagram every week, until she received the invitation to the online cypher show 16 Baris that had taken her career to a whole ’nother level. Have you always wanted to be a rapper? I used to love writing poems and more often than not they’re inspired by rapper Malique Ibrahim. I started rapping for fun but now that I’m already in the industry, I feel like it’d be a waste of opportunity if I stop now. Making music is always fun even though it could be hard sometimes when you don’t have any fresh ideas. But because of my supportive friends and family, and guidance from my music peers, I am persisting to this day. Do you find it hard to churn out ideas or get inspired? Creativity is the biggest challenge that young musicians face today. For me, I always want every song that I write to be different. I feel like when people don’t have the idea or their own sense of creativity, they would come up with something that sounds similar to some other people’s. But I also realise that I need to work with a music partner for guidance as I’m very new to these things. So every time I want to make music, I will ask for their opinions. That’s how I give my ideas a boost.
What is your creative process like and how do you come up with those firecracker lyrics? I’d usually start with the melody before I write the lyrics. I would study the melody of other people’s songs, exploring songs that I’ve never heard before and I’d ask my music partner for advice. Once I have found the melody, I’d look for the content that works best for the beats and only then I would start writing the lyrics. The song Apadehal sounds deeply personal. What’s the story behind it? It’s an official soundtrack for the Kabir Bhatia-directed film Aku, Bunga, which I starred in. The lyrics run parallel to the storyline. My character, Bunga, is a baju-kurung-clad small-town girl who is always being looked down upon because she likes rap music but she doesn’t let that affect her. She knows that she needs to believe in herself and if people around her don’t like it, it’s not her problem. And on that note, has your baju kurung and hijabwearing image ever become a deterrent in pursuing your musical dreams in real life? No. Although I will admit that many people did find it strange at first because they had never met anyone like me: a woman in baju kurung, with hijab, rapping. There are also those who think that this image that I’m carrying is not suitable for this kind of music and they may be right. But music is universal; we should be allowed to be creative in our own ways and to make music that we love.
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A ACNE STUDIOS ACNESTUDIOS.COM AESOP 3.03.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 4261 ALEXANDER McQUEEN G28 SURIA KLCC 03 2181 3857 ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS SEPHORA ARMANI BEAUTY G-007 MID VALLEY MEGAMALL KL 03 2282 1218 AUDEMARS PIGUET LEVEL 33 WESTIN KUALA LUMPUR 03 2141 8151 AVEDA 4.46.01 PAVILION KL 03 2141 0537
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PROENZA SCHOULER MATCHESFASHION.COM
H HABIB JEWELS C48-49 SURIA KLCC 03 2166 6777 HERMÈS 2.27.01 & 3.29.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 0048 HOURGLASS SEPHORA HUDA BEAUTY SEPHORA
R RADO 2.60.00 PAVILION KL 03 2148 0011 RICHARD MILLE UG-15A STARHILL GALLERY KL 03 2144 0669 ROLEX 3.37.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 8999
B BALMAIN 3.52.00 PAVILION KL 03 2141 6088 BECCA SEPHORA BENEFIT COSMETICS SEPHORA BERLUTI LOT 108 SURIA KLCC 03 2333 9351 BOBBI BROWN 2.46.03 PAVILION KL 03 2282 3534 BOTTEGA VENETA 2.30.00 PAVILION KL 03 2143 7880 BOUCHERON UG16 & 16A STARHILL GALLERY 03 2143 1313 BUCCELLATI US.BUCCELLATI.COM BULGARI 2.23.00 & 3.25.00 PAVILION KL 03 2145 6055 BULOVA INTL.BULOVA.COM BURBERRY G222 MID VALLEY CITY KL 03 2282 4682 BY TERRY KENS APOTHECARY
J JAEGER-LECOULTRE 2.46.03 & 2.46.04 PAVILION KL 03 2144 2848 JILL STUART BEAUTY SEPHORA JUNYA WATANABE COMMES DES GARÇONS SSENSE.COM JW ANDERSON JWANDERSON.COM
C CALVIN KLEIN 3.57.00 PAVILION KL 03 2113 0257 CARTIER 2.12.00 & 3.14.00 PAVILION KL 03 2113 0211 CELINE 2.35.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 1086 CHANEL G18 – G20 SURIA KLCC 03 2726 1818 CHARLOTTE TILBURY SEPHORA CHAUMET CHAUMET.COM CHLOÉ 3.61.00 PAVILION KL 03 2110 4799 CHOPARD 2.24.00 & 3.26.00 PAVILION KL 03 2145 3611 CITIZEN CITIZENWATCH.COM CLUB 21 3.34.00, 3.35.00 & 3.36.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 8806 COACH 3.12.00 PAVILION KL 03- 2142 7799 CORTINA WATCH LEVEL 1 110 SURIA KLCC 03 2164 5175 D DIOR 3.11.00 PAVILION KL 03 2110 6117 DIOR BEAUTY 3.08.01 PAVILION KL 03 2110 2768 E EMPORIO ARMANI 3.12.00 PAVILION KL 03 2144 9714 F FENDI 2.19.00 & 3.21.00 PAVILION KL 03 2143 2567 FENTY BEAUTY SEPHORA G GIORGIO ARMANI 3.12.00 PAVILION KL 03 2144 9714 GIVENCHY C3.01.00 PAVILION KL 03 2143 6088
K KENS APOTHECARY F-206B THE GARDENS MALL KL 03-2201 1305 KENZO LOT 126/127 SURIA KLCC 03 2181 0188 KIEHL’S 4.07.00 PAVILION KL 03 2141 7166 KIMHĒKIM KIMHEKIM.COM KSISTERS KSISTERS.SG KVD VEGAN BEAUTY SEPHORA L LANCÔME G-039 MID VALLEY CITY KL 03 2110 0001 LAURA MERCIER 3.01.01 PAVILION KL 03-2110 0184 LOEWE 2.35.01 PAVILION KL 03 2141 0262 L’OREAL PROFESSIONNEL LOREAL.COM LONGINES 2.01.04 PAVILION KL 03 2142 1832 LOUIS VUITTON G26A-C & G27 SURIA KLCC 1-300-88-8586 M M.A.C 3.59.00 PAVILION KL 03 2141 8785 MAKE UP FOR EVER SEPHORA MARC JACOBS BEAUTY SEPHORA MARINE SERRE FARFETCH.COM MESSIKA MESSIKA.COM MOSCHINO 2.33.03 PAVILION KL 03 2148 5588 N NARS G-058 MID VALLEY MEGAMALL 03 2201 9298 NYX PROFESSIONAL SEPHORA O OLUMES OLUMES.COM OMEGA 2.38.00 PAVILION KL 03 2141 7885 P PANDORA 2.09.01A PAVILION KL 03 2141 8544 PATEK PHILIPPE CORTINA WATCH & THE HOUR GLASS PERCY & REED SEPHORA PIAGET 2.36.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 0810 PRADA 2.22 & 3.24 PAVILION KL 03 2144 3608
Q QEELIN LOT G39A SURIA KLCC 03 2181 2088
S SACAI FARFETCH.COM SACHAJUAN SEPHORA SAINT LAURENT 2.14.00 & 3.16.00 PAVILION KL 03 2113 0177 SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 2.20.00 & 3.22.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 3090 SAMSUNG 1.19.00 PAVILION KL 03 2110 0285 SEPHORA G07-G09 FAHRENHEIT 88 SHOPPING MALL KL 03 2141 6688 SHISEIDO LEVEL 2 ISETAN SURIA KLCC 03 2161 9405 SISLEY ROBINSONS LOT G-211 THE GARDENS MALL 03 2287 9942 STELLA McCARTNEY CLUB 21 KL SWAROVSKI 3.47.00 PAVILION KL 03 2145 3185 SWISS WATCH GALLERY 2.51.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 9977 T TARTE SEPHORA TATCHA SEPHORA THE HOUR GLASS 2.40.00 & 2.41.00 PAVILION KL 03 2148 8930 THREE 4.01.04 PAVILION KL 03 2110 1199 TIFFANY & CO. 2.17.00 & 3.19.00 PAVILION KL 03 21426282 TOD’S 2.33.01 PAVILION KL 03 2143 8808 TOGA FARFETCH.COM TOM FORD BEAUTY G04 SURIA KLCC 03 2181 0787 TUDOR SWISS WATCH GALLERY U UJOH FARFETCH.COM ULYSSE NARDIN SWISS WATCH GALLERY URBAN DECAY SEPHORA V VALENTINO 3.09.02B PAVILION KL 03 2110 5770 VAN CLEEF & ARPELS 3.43.00 PAVILION KL 03 2142 8669 VETEMENTS FARFETCH.COM VIRTUE LABS SEPHORA W WOLFORD MATCHESFASHION.COM Y YSL BEAUTÉ 3.63.00 PAVILION KL 03 2143 8111 Z ZENITH SWISS WATCH GALLERY
L’Officiel
Last Word
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Homegrown Goodness BY JOYCE FAN
If you ever need another reason to stay indoors, Loewe’s latest plant-based home scent line should be able to calm your restless soul. The Spanish brand’s in-house perfumier Nurla Cruelles worked closely with creative director Jonathan Anderson to develop a collection that captures the olfactory essence of a vegetable garden. Each of the selected scents follows a very personal trail that reminds Anderson of his childhood and the different journeys he has embarked on. The 11 distinct plant fragrances include honeysuckle, beetroot, juniper berry, tomato leaves, coriander, liquorice, luscious pea, oregano, cypress balls and ivy—all of which are expressed within the candles, room sprays, soaps and rattan diffusers.