the ultimate living

J A N ⁄ M A R 2007
JAN ⁄ MAR 20 07
T H E U LT I M AT E L I V I N G
T H E U LT I M AT E L I V I N G
NEW VINTAGE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GEMS
TICKET TO INDULGENCE: FASHION’S IT-BAGS,
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT, HYPERMODERN CUISINE
MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY BHUTAN’S UNSPOILED BEAUTY
In the last year, we’ve noticed a burgeoning trend that has slowly but surely crept up on us. Perhaps it is the
eager anticipation of the integrated resorts that have nudged us into a flurry of excitement, or the fact that
economists expect Singapore’s economy to expand by 5.2 per cent in 2007, a slightly faster pace than the 5.1 per
cent forecast in September 2006. Whatever the case, a gulf of excess has presented itself in the widening of the
luxury gap, which may see strong brands breaking into another realm of luxury.
This can be witnessed throughout various industries. For example, wristwatches, as collectors will attest, have
seen entry prices rising phenomenally. This increasing cover charge is only outpaced by the exponential price
increases in super collectible timepieces. Similarly, the variance between upmarket service apartments to
ultra luxurious residences (with or without the charms of a waterfront) has grown by giant leaps—in the first
nine months of 2006, luxury home prices soared more than 20 per cent, far outstripping the economy. Even
in publishing, magazines and newspapers are segregating their readership segments more strategically, with
many targeting an elite group of readers who want quality content rather than mindless entertainment.
We at SC GLOBAL DE VE LO PMENTS place all our efforts on ensuring that we are always at the top of the pack. To
wit: the past year has proved particularly fruitful for us, with the various awards that our properties garnered—
both in Singapore and internationally—and by setting benchmarks in the industry, like the sale of the most
expensive apartment (in May 2006) in Singapore.
Since our start in the year 2000, we’ve built a solid brand that is synonymous with exquisitely fine boutique
residences. Our insistence on absolutely nothing but the best has stood us in good stead and carved a superlative
brand of luxury that stands us in a league of our own. All our residences—THE L ADYH I LL , BOULE VAR D R ES I DEN C E
( B LV D ) , T H R 3 E T H R E 3 R O B I N , L I N C O L N M O D E R N ,
and the latest F I V E L E G E N D S O F M O U N T B AT T E N (featured in
this issue)—are consistently recognised as some of the best luxury boutique residences in Singapore. This is
evident in the many awards and accolades that we have received over the years.
2007 marks the fifth anniversary of S C M AG A Z I N E and to commemorate this milestone we’ve refreshed the
style and look of the magazine; a new look, if you will, to reflect the next stage of our development. Since
we first published S C M AG A Z I N E , we have steadily received positive feedback from our friends, advertisers,
homeowners and business associates. We are extremely proud to say that we have become a point of reference
for in-house magazines published by corporate organisations.
Indeed, we do not believe in resting on our laurels, and we will continue to push the envelope in terms of
quality, design and informative pieces. Similarly, we will continue to work hard to deliver residences that are
not only of the finest quality and finish, but also homes that draw and address a discerning group of clientele
who desire only the ultimate in living.
Naturally, we couldn’t have come this far without you. As always, we value and welcome your feedback and
hope you will continue to give us your views. Meanwhile, we thank you for your continued support and look
forward to yet another promising year with you.
S I MON C HEONG
JAN ⁄ MAR 2007
R E V I E W S BEST 8 GADGE TRY
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BOOKS+MUSIC
O B S E S S I O N TO HAVE AND HOLD
THE BUCK STOPS HERE
F A S H I O N SOLE TO SOUL
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D E S I G N NE W VINTAGE
28
13
GOURME T
14
TR AVEL FILE
ISL AND IN THE SUN
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HOT REELS
O B J E C T S O F D E S I R E THE FIVE LEGENDS OF MOUNTBAT TEN
CHINA ST YLE
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SCENE
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18 SHEIK APPE AL 22 THE NE W GUARDS 24 DRIVE TIME 26
S U C C E S S THE LOST ART OF CONVERSATION
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48
IT ’S SHOW TIME
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G O U R M E T NATUR AL SELECTION
THE SCIENTISTS OF GASTRONOMY
68
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30
A R T S C E N E DA VINCI DECODED
V O YA G E MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY
64
SPICING OLD WITH NE W
S T O C K I S T MERCHANTS’ LIST
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JAN ⁄ MAR 2007
MANAGING EDITOR ANNET TE TAN
EDITOR CHELSIA TOON
CONTRIBUTING AR T DIREC TOR ALEX GOH
SENIOR BUSINESS MANAGER PHYLLIS CHEAH
ASSOCIATE ACCOUNT DIREC TOR SHERWAN SHARIP
ACCOUNT MANAGER JENNY LEE
ASSISTANT OPER ATIONS MANAGER YEO KENG SENG
MICA (P) 236 /12/2006
SC IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY FOR SC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS LTD BY MEDIACORP PUBLISHING PTE LTD.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, COPYRIGHT © 2007. SC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SC ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE WRITERS AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSED BY THE PUBLISHER.
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES OR COMMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EDITOR, SC, AT SCMAG@MEDIACORP.COM.SG
WHILE EVERY REASONABLE CARE WILL BE TAKEN BY THE EDITOR, UNSOLICITED MATERIALS WILL NOT BE RETURNED
UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE AND SUFFICIENT RETURN POSTAGE.
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MANAGER, MEDIACORP PUBLISHING PTE LTD, 10 ANG MO KIO ST 65,
TECHPOINT # 01- 06 / 08, SINGAPORE 569059. TEL (65) 64 83 7118
P R I N T E D I N S I N G A P O R E BY K H L
INNER S T Y L E
The stylish VolumeFive carries
quirky and intelligent furnishings
for any corner of the home.
Connoisseurs of life’s finer
things will be familiar with the
brands it carries: Bontempi,
spHaus, Antidiva, Alessi, Blue,
Glas Italia, and Ycami. Also
exclusive to VolumeFive
are Agape, Karboxx and
Whenobjectswork. More than
a mere shop, VolumeFive
aims to become a platform for
young design talent, evident
from the wildly creative pieces
scattered around its space.
8 9 E AST COAST ROA D,
# 0 1 - 0 1. P H 6 3 4 8 2 5 0 8
S T UF F OF DRE A MS
Knoll ’s delicious range of
furniture finally has a place
to call its own. Spread over
15,000 square feet, the new
showroom is the result of a
partnership between Knoll
and leading furniture and
textile manufacturer Dream
Interiors. Since its founding in
1938, Knoll has collaborated
with some of the biggest
names in design such as Alvar
Aalto, Harry Bertoia, Marcel
Breuer and Arne Jacobsen.
4 5 6 R I V E R VA L L E Y R O A D .
PH 6333 9239
I TA L I A N L U X E
Minotti, the luxury label
renowned for their attention
to detail rides into town with
the opening of their first monobrand store in Southeast Asia.
Plush sofas and armchairs
and sleek coffee tables and
accessories whisper quiet
sophistication, in tune with the
store’s understated style—think
full-length glass panels and
TA NG COMM A NDMEN T
furnishings in an intimate
setting. So lush is the store, it’ll
Shanghai Tang aficionados
be hard to leave with nothing.
have a new temple to revel in
with the brand’s new flagship
3 0 H I L L S T R E E T. P H 6 3 3 8 - 2 8 2 2
store—three times the size of
its previous one—now open.
No one blends Oriental chic
with a happy dose of kitsch
and artful tailoring like this
Tang can, and now that the
new space allows thematic
displays featuring black lacquer
counters with designated
kids, men’s, ladies’ and home
wares sections, customers
can thoroughly enjoy the
imperial shopping experience.
AT N G E E A N N C I T Y,
# 0 2 -12 G . P H 6 7 3 7 3 5 3 7
COUN T ING T HE DAYS
SW EE T DE A L
The latest offering from Hermès’
Like fashion, nightlife is fickle. In
popular Cape Cod collection
the words of Heidi Klum, “one
is the Cape Cod 8 Days. As
day you’re in, and the next,
its name suggests, it offers
you’re out.” These days, the
eight days of power reserve,
crowd puller at the suddenly
which is indicated at the 12
hip Clark Quay’s Cannery is
o’clock position. The watch
newcomer Kandi Bar. Those
does away with the traditional
familiar with the sounds of Hed
hour hand and instead boasts
Kandi, epitomised on its series
a jumping hours that appears
of compilations, will be pleased
as a numeral in a large window
to know that its spirit is being
that changes every 60 minutes.
brought to life at here. The label
Only a minute hand plies the
has already built an enviable
face, while the seconds tick by
reputation with its parties at
on a six-hour counter. Available
Ibiza and in London and New
in 750 white gold, 750 rose
York clubs, and finally brings
gold or 950 platinum with gold,
its unique dose of nightlife cool
black or Havana matt alligator
to Singapore. The bar features
strap and a 750 safety clasp
an al fresco area where party-
in gold, this limited edition
goers can either relax before a
tonneau-shaped timepiece is
night of revelry or wind down
hand-assembled by master-
after a go on the dance floor.
watchmakers in Switzerland.
PH 6887 3733
T IES T H AT BIND
Stand out from the crowd in
Bvlgari ’s seven-fold ties from
its Spring/Summer collection.
Resulting in ties that single out
the men from the boys, the
‘seven-fold’ technique sees each
tie cut by hand and folded seven
times before it is lined with
the finest silk. Bvlgari’s three
new collections—Prestigious
Streets, Bulgarissimo and
Sette—offers 28 new smart
styles in this technique.
L IGH T SENSES
There is light at the end of the
tunnel for style seekers. Lighting
bigwig Flos’ first Asia Pacific
showroom in Singapore is a
playhouse with products for
homes, offices, hotels and retail
stores. The brand features a
designer cast including Archille
Castiglioni, Marcel Wanders
and Philippe Starck, and has
dedicated museum areas
to showcase iconic designs,
from the Arco to the Zeppelin.
New works by the brightest
talents are also on display.
7 A N N S I A N G H I L L . P H : 6 3 7 2 -14 9 5
SPA NISH REIGN
T ECHNO HOT BED
Spanish fashion finally arrives
Samsung’s flagship store—a
in Singapore with Spain2dream,
veritable gadget wonderland—at
a world’s first concept store
the new mega-mall VivoCity is
with more than five brands
modelled after the ‘Samsung
under one roof. Within the
Experience’ Brand Store in New
18,570-square-feet retail space,
York. Not only will the brand’s
consumers will be spoilt for
latest products be unveiled and
choice, from fashion to food
sold here, a Centre Stage will
and everything in between.
house a wireless lounge where
Fashion brands Desigual and
visitors will be entertained by
Muchacha, and leather bag and
the latest movies or games on
shoe label Myriam Gallego offer
high-definition, or the latest
sartorial flair while Chocolat
downloadable tracks. Free
Factory will please the sweet
weekend consumer workshops
tooth. There’s also an FC
will also be held to better
Barcelona official store and
acquaint you with new topics
an amazing array of stuff from
such as high-definition ready TV.
ties, scarves, sculptures and
V I V O C I T Y, 1 H A R B O U R F R O N T
artworks inspired by Gaudi.
WA L K , # 0 2 - 2 8 / 2 9 . P H 6 3 7 6 9 15 0
# 0 1 -18 V I V O C I T Y. P H 6 3 7 6 9 9 7 9
DAUM AD
JUS T SHOOT
BL ACK BE AU T Y
Canon’s priciest consumer
Pioneer ’s latest high-definition
model boasts three CCDs (image
plasma TVs takes visual clarity
sensors) for HD recording and a
to new heights. The 42-inch PDP-
20X zoom for extreme close-ups.
427XG and 50-inch PDP-507XG
The camcorder features 1,080
utilizes the PURE Black Panel
lines of resolution, shooting at
II technology, with its Crystal
60 interlaced frames per second,
Emissive Layer between the
and includes a 20x lens. The
plasma glass and individual
XL H1 includes a 2.4-inch LCD
light cells that heightens colours.
screen, which also functions
Intelligent Colour automatically
as the camcorder’s viewfinder.
adjusts subtle hues for a natural
With quality like this, you could
look, while the virtual absence
be on your way to your very
of distortion translates to
own movie production. $16,499.
excellent views from any angle.
L IMI T ED L U X URY
Like its predecessors, Vertu’s
second instalment of its Ascent
Racetrack Legends Series sees
the automobile theme run
through both the Le Mans and
Indianapolis Limited Editions.
Case in point: its carbon-image
leather exterior—similar to racecar interiors—with a special
thin coating that renders it 98
per cent waterproof and with a
higher wear resistance. Other
nods to its motoring bent are the
use of durable yet lightweight
TOUGH CA L L
The Serene phone by B&O
HOME RUN
sandblasted titanium and an
Mitsubishi muscles in on the
etched bezel nose finished
high-definition (HD) trend with
and Samsung already boasts a
with black enamel reminiscent
the HC5000, a projector which
snaking waiting list, thanks to
of a radiator grille. Only 1,000
opens new frontiers for home
cinemas. Tailored for compact
its design which turns tradition
serialised models of both the Le
on its head—a circular keypad,
Mans Limited Edition (encased
spaces, the HC5000 requires
an iPod-ish navigation wheel
in brilliant blue leather) and the
a projection distance of only
and speaker on the upper shell
Indianapolis Limited Edition (set
3.1 metres to generate a 100-
and a screen below. Mobile
in classic black) are available
inch image. The first 1,080p
phone design never looked this
for a cool S$9,900 a pop.
(vertical pixel) projector to
good. Small enough to fit into
début in South-East Asia, its
a shirt pocket—it weighs 110g
ED (extra-low dispersion)
and measures 65mm x 70mm
lenses are head and shoulders
x 24mm—the clamshell has
over regular glass lenses.
a talk-time of three hours with
The secret of the HC5000’s
10 days standby time. Though
success lies in the Reon-VX
it only features a 0.3 megapixel
chip developed by Silicon
VGA resolution device, the
Optix, which has been lauded
in-built camera comes with a
by audio-visual professionals
2.1-inch display and a 320x240
for the remarkable quality of
pixel arrangement in 262,000
its picture reproduction noise-
colours. Besides the phone’s
blocking capability. The colour
tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900),
light source lamp has also been
a WAP 2.0 browser, e-mail and
built to last, providing up to
Bluetooth services, there’s also
5,000 hours of entertainment.
a docking station/charger, which
looks as good as the phone.
COMING HOME
Lionel Richie
It’s been just over 20 years
since ‘Say You, Say Me’, but
BUSINESS GUIDE TO
JA PA N : A Q UICK GUIDE
TO OPENING DOORS
A ND CL OSING DE A L S
CI T Y OF L IES
’ol Richie still wants to prove
RJ Ellory
that he’s a match for the best
The author of one obscure novel,
of them. Assembling a stellar
John Harper is summoned to
cast of collaborators, among
Boyé Lafayette de Mente
New York and the deathbed of
them Jermain Dupri and Wyclef
Japanologist Boyé Lafayette de
his father, whom he believed
Jean, he keeps up with the times
Mente’s book is a clearly written,
to be dead for almost 30 years.
by laying his smooth vocals
straightforward handbook for
The surprises keep coming as
over R&B numbers, and comes
foreigners looking to wend their
he learns that his father is the
into his own in ‘Reason to
way through the corridors of
head of a criminal organisation
Believe’, with a rousing chorus
the Japanese business world.
on the cusp of a turf war with
reinforced by slide guitars. ‘I’m
Despite globalisation and
another group. Harper finds
Coming Home’ is the soulful
the influence of the West on
himself in a quandary, unable to
sound of a man looking back at
Japanese society, much of its
trust the new people he meets
the heights scaled and depths
culture is still highly particular
in this strange life development,
plumbed, while reggae finds
and unique, making it a labyrinth
nor those he thought closest
its place in ‘Stand Down’.
to navigate for the uninitiated
to him for years. With both
looking to make inroads to
excellent rhythm and pace, this
Japanese boardrooms.
brilliant book draws you into
The book helps out by taking
a world of ruthless, organised
you through practical areas
crime and culminates in an
such as company hierarchy,
explosive, thrilling ending.
social quirks, entertaining
your business associates and
WAT ER F OR EL EPH A N T S
maintaining good working
Sara Gruen
relationships. The subtler points
Set in 1932, this gritty tale
of etiquette and breezing your
of star-crossed lovers takes
way through negotiations are
place in a travelling circus.
RH Y T HMS DEL
MUNDO : CUBA
Various artists
demystified for the reader.
Recently orphaned, Jacob
Among the more amusing
Jankowski finds himself adrift
In the most unlikely mix of
chapters is ‘Killing with
and so jumps onto a passing
genres ever, Rhythms Del
Silence’—a figurative term for
train where he stumbles into
Mundo finds magical balance
a well-used tactic by Japanese
a world of freaks, misfits and
businessmen who hold their
grifters—all struggling to survive
Diana Krall
old-school groove of the Buena
peace during meetings to
the Great Depression. Having
Backed by the Clayton/
Vista Social Club. In principle,
throw off associates or draw
almost earned his veterinary
Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, the
the two genres seem completely
concessions from them. De
degree, Jacob is put in charge
jazz songstress has returned to
incongruous to each other, but
Mente’s parting words of advice
of caring for the members of the
the classics. The album takes
the result is the best we’ve heard
F ROM T HIS MOMEN T ON
between current hits with that
in ‘Going After the Young’ are
circus. As this beautiful story
its cue from the title track, a
in a while. By simply laying new
just that: prospective investors
unfolds, readers are brought
Cole Porter number filled with
beats under original melodies
and vocals, each song—already
need to keep a keen eye on
into a world of relationships
big, brassy arrangements, and
Japan’s youth, the big players in
between people and animals,
belts out swinging numbers
universally popular—is given a
the country’s consumer market.
freaks and lovers, and the ways
one after another, such
fresh Cuban twist. U2’s ‘I Still
in which people grapple to
as ‘It Could Happen to You’
Haven’t Found What I’m Looking
reach one another. One of the
nestled alongside the more
For’ features both the original
many delights in this novel is
sombre ‘Willow Weep for Me’.
vocals of Bono, with Cuban
the way the author draws you in
Classics such as Rodgers and
singer Coco Freeman. Coldplay’s
by humanising everyone from
Hart’s ‘Little Girl Blue’ and
‘Clock’ gets a sassy salsa beat,
the midgets to the elephants,
Antonio Carlos Jobim’s ‘How
while Jack Johnson’s ‘Better
offering a world so detailed and
Insensitive’ are given Krall’s
Together’ is elevated further
compelling, that the book is
signature languid treatment.
by ethereal riffs. Definitely
near impossible to put down.
the album to get this year.
T HE I TA L I A N JOB
Set on the second floor of a
restored colonial building on
Penang Road, the airy interior of
Sapori d’Italia Ristorante might
not transport you to idyllic
GERM A N Y CA L L ING
Italy, but its food is possibly
Housing both a restaurant and a
as close as it gets. Owner
deli, Magma German Wine Bistro
Alessandro di Prisco, who also
boasts a well thought-out menu
helms Al Forno, brings the
of classic German dishes, wines
robust, home-cooked flavours
and, naturally, a fine selection
in his native cuisine of Naples
of beers. Start your meal with
to Sapori—the pasta is freshly
Omas Suppentopf (‘Grandma’s
made, and ingredients simply
Soup Pot’), a consommé of
manipulated to perfection. The
beef and vegetables, before
menu also features a good
tucking into a delectable main
It takes more than a good
rep and the ability to pack in
T HE L AS T WORD
selection of grilled meats,
course. Pork knuckles in two
including costolette d’agnello
styles (Bavarian and Berlin)
pages of info to tout your book
con pistachio (grilled lamb
are reliable choices, alongside
as a bible. And Klaus Fritsch,
with pistachio crust), and 14
regional dishes such as braised
co-founder of Morton’s, The
Steakhouse, knows that. Which
types of cheeses, ranging
sirloin with Swabian noodles
from staples like parmigiano
and braised beef in a red wine
is why his recent release,
to piacentinu di Enna (saffron-
sauce. The Flammkuchen
Morton’s Steak Bible , offers more
flavoured sheep cheese from
(‘Flaming Tart’) at Magma also
than just tips for readers eager
Enna). Dishes here are served
uses sour cream instead of the
to replicate the taste of a fine
on rustic hand-painted plates,
usual tomato paste as a sauce
Morton’s steak at home. With
recreating the cosy ambience
base for a slightly different
nearly 30 years of history and
of an Italian home. While it’s
touch. Beers on offer include the
70 restaurants spanning the
US, Canada and Asia to justify
tempting to polish off every
flavoursome Kirsch Bier (cherry
morsel, do leave space for
beer), Bock—a spicy blond
its authority notwithstanding,
dessert—their melanzane al
beer—and Berliner Weisse. And
Fritsch’s 240-pager reads like
cioccolato, a specialty dessert
if you’d like to bring a slice of
a visual feast and dishes out
composed of fried eggplant
German goodness home, the
dozens of recipes ranging from
slices smothered in melted
deli sells a selection of wines,
cocktails, appetisers, salads,
chocolate, is a must-try.
jams, jellies and pasta sauces.
desserts, side dishes, sauces
16 5 P E N A N G R O A D ,
2 - 4 B U K I T PA S O H R O A D .
and condiments, and of course,
# 0 2 - 0 0 . P H 6 7 3 2 16 9 1
PH 6221 0 6 3 4
their specialty—steaks. But while
these—and especially the pages
SIP T HIS
covering tips to get that slab
Get a taste of the delicate
perfectly seared and recipes for
layering of Jasmine Dragon
Morton’s popular staples such
Pearl Green tea with rose and
as Petite Steak Sandwiches and
a panoply of other blends with
Filet Mignon—will no doubt
The Gryphon Tea Company ’s
be well-thumbed by aspiring
Artisan Selection created by
domestic goddesses, what
master tea blenders. Gryphon
makes this tome a standout is
Tea has its roots in local-
the stamp of approval from the
based Lim Lam Thye, which
stars who’ve dined at Morton’s.
has been specialising in
‘Celebrity Clip’ snippets are
manufacturing and exporting
scattered throughout, bearing
tea since 1976. Revitalising
anecdotal testaments from Frank
traditional blends such as Earl
Sinatra to Michael Jordan. But if
Grey and British Breakfast,
you ever get too desperate, make
and teasing palates with
like Morton’s regular Teri Hatcher
new ones like Vanilla Sencha
and put its number on re-dial.
(green tea with osmanthus
MORTON’S, THE STEAKHOUSE
and vanilla), their Artisan
I S AT T H E O R I E N TA L H O T E L
Selection teas are lovingly
S I N G A P O R E . P H 6 3 3 9 3 74 0
packaged in silken sachets to
bring out the best flavours.
AVA I L A B L E AT M A R K E T P L A C E
OUTLETS, GOURMET SHOPS AND
SELEC T COLD STOR AGE OUT LE T S.
ISL A ND CH A RM
Tourist-trod Phuket might not
retain much of its tin-mining
past, but the new US$21million
Indigo Pearl ensures it won’t be
forgotten. The work of renowned
architect, interior and landscape
designer Bill Bensley, the 227room luxury resort is giving
the island a breath of fresh
air by melding post-modern
architecture and Thai tradition
with everything from the décor
to restaurant names bearing
hints of its tin-mining legacy.
Set on the beachfront facing the
Andaman Sea, the Indigo Pearl
SH A NGH A I CHIC
also features modern comforts
Three years after its success,
including eight F&B outlets, a
Jia, the Hong Kong Philippe
cooking school, scuba diving
Starck-designed boutique hotel
centre, fitness and meditation
by Singaporean Yenn Wong,
pavilion, and a snooker hall.
will make its expansion into
W W W. I N D I G O - P E A R L . C O M
mainland Chinese territory
come January. Featuring 56
rooms, including an Executive
Floor with two penthouse suites,
NE W PA R A DISE
CL UB BENEF I T S
the five-storey designer digs
Forget the oft-raved beaches
After building a reputation for
will be decked out with stylish
on typical Southeast Asian
its all-inclusive concept and
amenities to create “quietly
coasts. Instead, venture to the
always smiling GOs, Club Med
theatrical, warm and sexy
unexplored at The Nam Hai on
is going up-market with its
spaces for the design-conscious
Vietnam’s famous China Beach.
Kani resort in the Maldives. Its
traveller.” Timber-panelled walls,
Set on the country’s most
longish pod-shaped island is
oversized rugs and Oriental
exclusive oceanfront retreat
given a treatment much like
accents will complement
just 20 minutes away from Hoi
Dubai’s Palm Islands, with 75
designer pieces from Knoll,
An, this five-star resort boasts
luxury lagoon suites spread
Minotti, Flos and Artemide,
100 villas ranging from one- to
over its palm frond layout
amongst others. Jia Shanghai
five-bedrooms, and 40 spacious
to woo honeymooners and
will take up the hotspot at the
pool villas. China Beach was
fun-seekers alike. On the
corner of Nanjing and Taixing
voted one of the world’s 10 most
main island, 20 beachfront
Roads. And if its predecessor’s
beautiful by Forbes magazine,
villas and 143 superior rooms
award-winning track record
and as befits its stature, the
boast open-sky baths and
is anything to go by, it’s a
Nam Hai marries Vietnamese
iridescent gauze curtains to
winner waiting in the wings.
culture with modern plush
imbue idyllic Maldivian charm.
W W W. J I A H O N G KO N G . C O M
accents against this pristine
Everything you need is here,
landscape. Gourmet restaurants,
so all you really have to do
a spa, three swimming pools,
is pray for lovely weather.
tennis courts and an 18-hole
W W W. C L U B M E D . C O M . A U / K A N I /
golf course planned in the
works are all par for the course.
W W W.T H E N A M H A I . C O M
ERIC CL A P TON
13 January
Singapore Indoor Stadium
Eric Clapton needs little
CON V ERGENCES
Chen Wen Hsi
introduction. Returning to
Singapore after a 17-year
Centennial Exhibition
absence, the former guitarist
30 November 2006–4 March 2007
of The Yardbirds and Cream
Singapore Art Museum
will bring his fiery licks and
A keen observer of nature and
searing solos live on stage.
animals, Guangzhou-born
While Clapton made his name
artist Chen was a monumental
as a blues guitarist, his appeal
figure in the local art scene.
has ranged far and wide over
His work ranged from abstract
the last four decades of his
Cubist stylings to delicately
career and the title of his latest
rendered Chinese ink paintings.
release, Guitar Legend: The Very
Centered around four themes:
Best of the Early Years, sums
Traditions, Life, Explorations
up the man in a simple phrase.
and Synthesis, the exhibition
Catch ‘Mr Slowhand’ in this
captures the essence of the
one-night only performance
artist’s works which drew
and judge for yourself.
liberally from both East and
West. Trained at Shanghai’s
Xinhua Academy of Fine Arts,
Chen settled in Singapore in
1949 and of the 123 works on
display—many drawn from
the Singapore Art Museum’s
vaults as well as individual
and corporate collections from
here and abroad—are being
shown for the first time.
T HE PH A N TOM OF
T HE OPER A
SSO 2 8 T H A NNI V ERSA RY
CONCER T
23 March till 15 April
6 January
Esplanade Theatre
Esplanade Concert Hall
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first
While hardly a grande dame at
hit debuted in London 20 years
28 years of age, the Singapore
ago, but the longest-running
Symphony Orchestra has done
Broadway show is still a
much in promoting the classics
veritable crowd-puller. The
as well as local composers in its
tragic, heart-tugging musical
repetoire over the years. This
about unrequited love have
year, it celebrates its coming
played to over 80 billion in more
of age with the overture of
than 20 countries and won over
Rossini’s Thieving Magpie
50 theatre awards, so audiences
and Sibelius’ folk-infused
can expect to relive the magic
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op.
of classic favourites such as
43. This special event also sees
‘Music of the Night’, ‘All I Ask of
the world premiere of local
You’ and ‘Think of Me’ against a
composer Leong Yoon Pin’s
dazzling backdrop of elaborately
Piano Concerto. The orchestra
designed sets, fine costumes
will be led by Music Director
and a powerful orchestra.
Lan Shui, and Leong’s work
will be performed by Young
Artist Award winner Lim Yan.
JA MES BOND – ULT IM AT E
EDI T IONS BOX SE T
This latest collection of James
Bond movies, launched to
coincide with the release of
Casino Royale, raises the bar for
James Bond collections. The UK
edition features all 20 James
Bond movies, from Dr No to
Die Another Day, in a two-disc
K INGDOM OF HE AV EN
(4 -DISC DIREC TOR ’S CU T )
Ultimate Edition version and
housed in a handsome limited-
Set in 12th-century Europe
edition attaché case box set.
between the Second and Third
The US version comprises three
Crusades, this Ridley Scott
box sets released between
film follows Balian (Orlando
November and December 2006.
Bloom) on his own crusade,
The DVDs come with enhanced
which brings him from a small
audio and video features, but
A POCA LY PSE NOW:
T HE COMPL E T E DOSSIER
French village to the holy city
for those who prefer their
More than two decades after its
of Jerusalem. Through a twist
Bond old-school, mono tracks
release, Francis Ford Coppola’s
of events expected of a big
are also available. The DVDs
Apocalypse Now still stands
Hollywood production, Balian
are also packed with extra
as a landmark in modern film-
finds himself thrusted with the
features, unseen footage and
making. Based on Joseph
responsibility of maintaining
interviews with the cast and
Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and
peace when King Baldwin IV
crew of all the Bond movies
set during the Vietnam War, it
(Edward Norton) anoints him
spanning the last four decades.
documents Captain Benjamin
a successor. An expansive film
Willard’s (Martin Sheen) search
with lavish sets, costumes
for Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon
and impressive battle scenes,
all housed in a four-disc
T HE WONG K A R-WA I
COL L EC T ION
Brando), a Green Beret who has
run renegade in the Vietnamese
set which also comes with
Both a treat for Wong Kar Wai
jungle. Willard’s quest to seek
detailed commentaries and
fans and an introduction for
out Kurtz is punctuated by
documentaries of cast and crew
those new to the acclaimed
bizarre episodes which spiral
in Morocco and Spain. Features
director, this collection features
into a maelstrom of confusion.
on pre- and post-production
five films: As Tears Go By
Widely seen as a metaphor for
ensure that fans of the movie
(1988), Days of Being Wild
the United States’ involvement
won’t miss out on a single detail.
(1991), Fallen Angels (1995),
with the Vietnam War, the
Chungking Express (1996) and
film still raises issues cogent
T HE GREEN MIL E
(2-DISC SPECI A L EDI T ION)
to these present times. This
the beginning of his 1988 debut
Happy Together (1997). From
two-disc DVD contains the
to the gay love story Happy
Nominated for four Oscars
original 1979 release as well
Together, the box set charts
including Best Picture, the
as 2001’s Apocalypse Redux,
Wong’s growth and progress
second feature film from The
which had about 49 minutes of
as a director—the development
Shawshank Redemption director
extra footage not included in
of his trademark style and his
Frank Darabont is based on
the original theatrical release. It
preoccupation with the themes
another Stephen King story. A
comes complete with Coppola’s
of alienation, loneliness and time.
Louisiana prison warden Paul
commentary, outtakes and post-
Wong’s films cast Hong Kong
Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) recounts
production featurettes. One
gripe by completists was that
K ING KONG DEL U X E
E X T ENDED EDI T ION
as both a bustling city and all-
the arrival of a new black inmate,
consuming vacuum peopled by
John Coffey (Michael Clarke
the 1991 documentary Heart
In this Peter Jackson remake
a cast of idiosyncratic characters,
Duncan), sentenced for the
of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s
of the 1933 original, the well-
such as ex-convict Ho (Takeshi
raping two girls, and the events
Apocalypse, is not part of this
‘dossier’, but Coppola’s making of
told story of actress Ann
Kaneshiro) in Fallen Angels and
that lead to his doubting of
Darrow (Naomi Watts) and her
deli worker Faye (Faye Wong)
Coffey’s guilt—the seven-foot-
unintended journey to Skull
in Chungking Express. Wong
tall man surprising the wardens
Island is given special-effects
has long been credited as being
with his gentle demeanour, his
fear of the dark and his gift for
treatment of gargantuan
the avant-garde filmmaker of
proportions fitting of the movie
Hong Kong cinema and his
healing. This Special Edition
as the characters face strange
inimitable takes on stereotypes
contains a six-part documentary
creatures and, of course,
and nuanced portrayals of
about the making of the film and
Kong. Extra features include
seemingly banal characters
a full-length audio commentary,
the painstaking technical
and situations in these five
among other bonus features.
wizardry to animate Kong.
films makes it clear why.
the film is almost an epic in itself.
J A C K I E K E N N E DY/ G U C C I
FENDI SELLERIA
K AT E M O S S / B U R B E R R Y M A N O R
+
19
OBSESSION
18
Last season, it was the Yves Saint Laurent
first seen on Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen—the
Muse. Before that, the Chloe Paddington and
love of the It-bag trickles down to fashionistas
several seasons ago, the Mulberry Roxanne. If
and then to the cult of the aspirationals: women
you’re still toting your Balenciaga Lariat, honey,
who emulate the stylish. Here’s where a battle
you’re more than several seasons out of fashion.
The It-bag has the constitution of an appari-
of influence ensues. Stores make private calls
to special customers, informing them of special
tion and it’s always a case of, in the words of
editions in a hard-to-come-by skin, which will
Heidi Klum, “one minute it’s in and the next,
never make it to the shop-floor display.
out ”. But some bag s cross over to become
A few of them in the stylish pack then carry
classics. The most famous being the Hermès
their special purchases to see-and-be-seen
Birkin. The story began when actress Jane Birkin
events and then suddenly, everyone wants one.
designed her ideal bag for the CEO of Hermès
A waiting list is rolled out. It’s long. The coveted
as they sat in First Class. The Birkin went from
item is selling faster than you can say ‘I want’.
seasonal favourite to fashion classic in a matter
Then bang—the hype dies. After all, an It-bag
of months and is now considered one of the
isn’t so It anymore once everyone has one.
top-notch bags to have. The leather handbag
More than a fashion statement, the It-bag
with an alleged waiting list of more than two
has been unravelled as a cultural advancement
years has become the symbol of a woman who
for women. In her book It’s In The Bag, author
has “made it”. The episode on Sex and The City,
Winifred Gallagher asserts that the handbag
where Samantha Jones pulls on her celebrity
has become a status symbol for women—an
strings to get a Birkin only goes to show just
equivalent of a BMW or Rolex for men. It says to
how desirable this bag has become.
the world: “I don’t blink twice about acquiring
The phenomenon of the It-bag has since
these f leeting luxuries.” For women on top of
become an industry of its own. Always seen
the handbag food chain—those who get private
making their debut off the arms of celebrities—
invitations to purchase bags—it says something
the motorcycle-inspired Balenciaga Lariat was
more than just being one up.
STORY
ANGELIA TEO
I M AGES
B U R B E R R Y+ G U C C I + F E N D I + P R A D A + H E R M È S
P R A DA
FICKLE FASHION’S IT-BAGS ARE SLINGING IT OUT
P R A DA
BURBERRY MANOR
G U C C I B R O W N ‘ P I G N A’ C A N VA S B A M B O O B A G
HERMÈS BIRKIN
The Mulberry Roxanne, a heavy leather bag
such as the Burberry trench coat, gabardine
with multiple pockets, the Chloe Paddington,
fabric, D-ring buckles, quilting and the signa-
a tear-drop profile bag with a heavy lock, and
ture equestrian knight logo. Not to be forgot-
the Fendi B, with its oversized buckle-shaped
ten, Gucci also released its 85th anniversary
flaps, have all spent time in the limelight, doing
edition in December to vie for interest among
the rounds in celebrity tabloids and fashion
the style setters. The Italian brand even went to
glossies. But in recent seasons, it hasn’t just
the extent of releasing seasonal bags that have
been one It-bag that has hogged the headlines.
all the markers of current trends such as colour,
Instead, there’ve been several. The Yves Saint
texture and style.
Laurent dome-shaped Muse bag shared column
space with Prada’s rusched leather hobo.
No doubt these bags will command respect
among the fashion-minded, but their tr ue
With so many designer handbags vying for
value is reflected in their appreciation value—
It status each season, luxur y must come in
the continual rise in their retail prices and their
another envelope-pushing manner—such as
strong showing on the second-hand market
customisation and pristine workmanship of
(otherwise known as “pre-loved”). For example,
unerring quality. Hermès continues its custom-
in the one month you’re on the waiting list for
made tradition—as it did for Grace Kelly and
the It-bag, its price may go up by approximately
Jane Birkin. Others have gone one step further.
5 to 10 per cent. The season’s hot bags only lose
Fendi recently introduced its Selleria range.
The handsome bag is the Rolls Royce of the brand
and is entirely hand-stitched by Italian artisans.
about 10 to 15 per cent of their original value
after a year of its release.
A nd of course, t here’s t he new wave of
Each bag is numbered and made in limited
bags for rent, as web ser v ices such as
quantities. In addition, customers can choose
F A S H I O N I S TA ( B E - A - F A S H I O N I S TA . C O M )
to engrave a personalised number or name on
B O R R OW A N D S T E A L ( W W W. B AG B O R R O W O R S T E A L .
and
BE A
BAG
the silver plaque on the front of the bag, which
COM)
makes a Selleria not a fashion f lavour of the
you can strut around with the handbag du jour
moment, but a personalised treasure you needn’t
and no one will be none the wiser.
chuck out with the other season’s trend buys.
For its 150th anniversar y, Burber r y also
have sprung up. For a fraction of the cost,
Yet for the true fashionista, renting a bag
would be an inconceivably heinous crime as is
released a special handbag, the Manor, which
selling them once they fall out of fashion. After
came with Kate Moss-fronted ads. The bag is
all, as one stylemaker puts it: “They’re like
iconic by virtue of its use of the Burberry icons,
friends to me.”
T HE IT-BAG H AS T HE
CONS TIT U T ION OF A N
APPA RIT ION A ND I T ’S A LWAYS
A CASE OF, IN T HE WORDS OF
HEIDI K LUM, “ONE MINU T E
IT ’S IN A ND T HE NE X T, OU T ”.
BU T SOME BAGS CROSS OV ER
TO BECOME CL ASSICS
gushes out at 1600rpm. That’s like pottering
in traffic, seeing the entry into the expressway, g unning the eng ine and reaching 120
km / h by t he t ime you’ve merged w it h t he
highway traffic.
The torque curve on the Bentley Continental
It’s hard to be rich. Plebian motoring choices
GT could be mistaken for a NASA launch vehicle.
have a soup-kitchen simplicity, but the well-
But t here is no shudder ing on take-off, as
heeled have to go through so much more teeth
nothing seems to unseat the orotund engine
gnashing to choose their rides. Fortunately,
note. The controlled explosion is cultured by
when it gets too much, Bentleys have always
a si x-speed automat ic t ransmission and a
been a no-brainer when it comes to stamping
differential that judiciously spreads all that
gold on your status.
traction to four wheels. Sporting the same
It ’s eas y b ecause ca r s l i ke t he Bent ley
tiptronic paddles seen on the VW Phaeton, the
Continental GT are basically rolling luxur y
Continental GT’s spor t mode and judicious
stores. Sliding into the Bentley Continental GT
tapping of the paddles give you an idea how
feels like walking into a Hermès store—premium
much power is on hand. The car just keeps
leather and silver everywhere. The Continental
hammering along effortlessly. The paddles are
GT’s interior is a brilliant mix of refined textures
rather intuitive, the left to downshift and the
and classic analog instrumentation. The inimi-
right to upshift. Another intuitive facet is that
table Breitling clock fused into the upper fascia
the transmission is intelligent enough to fall
adds a t imeless elegance, balanced by the
back into auto mode after 18 seconds of non-
chrome controls with knurled edges. There is
intervention—not because it doubts the driver,
a plump richness to the hand-stitched leather
but to maintain ethereal calm in the cabin.
CHOICE OF OIL BARONS AND ROCKS STARS, THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT IS A MUSTHAVE FOR THE FEW WHOSE CREDIT LIMIT IS ‘CARTE BLANCHE’
steering wheel, possibly because it took six
Bentley cites launch speeds to 100km/h to
leather artisans 18 hours to stitch. Vinyl has no
take 4.7 seconds—more than decent consider-
place in the Continental GT—even the headliner
ing you are hurling 2.4 tons of opulence. And
is hand-stitched leather.
precisely because of this bulk, the Continental
Rear passengers get more of the royal treat-
GT comes amply blessed with 16-inch brake
ment with plush leather seats and a full centre
calipers; anything larger would be on an 18-
console that runs from the front. This is a full-
wheeler. But then again, Bentleys are about
on privacy seat so there is no space for kids
living large. The Continental GT is the motor-
clamouring about. Just as well, but the occasional
ing equivalent of a Lear jet and it definitely sits
private lap dance may be a tad tricky.
as comfortably.
While the Rolls Royce Phantom has a power-
Speaking of comfor t, the Continental GT
reserve indicator, you need not worry about
has two optimal modes of operation: pottering
these niggling details because the Bentley’s
around town and highway blasts. There really
six-litre double-vee 12-cylinder power plant
isn’t much in between because it’s clearly appar-
has more than you will ever need. It’s called
ent on the expressways that 120km/h isn’t its
the double-vee because it’s basically a melding
sweet spot yet. It’s not that it rattles at slower
of two VW V6 engines that produces 551 horse-
speeds, but you can tell the V12 is begging to
power. What’s really impressive is most of its
stretch past 150km/h. In traffic, it’s equally
pulling, or rather kicking, power (480lb-ft)
demure, but that’s not surprising since this is
a half a million-dollar parade vehicle, designed
for a stately drive-by. Maybe that’s why despite
its stretched, predatory stance, the Continental
GT’s passengers still sit imperially high.
More than a stately car, the Bentley Continental GT br ings w ith it immediate validation to the millionaire’s table. While a 911 or
Maranello best encapsulates playboy wealth,
the Continental GT says lifetime membership
on your ticket to indulgence
STORY
MERVIN CHUA
I M AGES
BENTLEY
OBSESSION
22
23
+
A L E X A N D E R WA N G
HOGAN
+
25
OBSESSION
24
The days of staple labels are long gone.
French, a little Californian surfer and a bit of
Fashion monopoly is dead. These times call for
rock ‘n’ roll, by way of silk georgette and voile
a certain fashion savvy that requires knowl-
tissue cashmeres. Inhabit—the smart multi-
edge and subscriptions to WWD, no less. Mixing
label store loved for its ver y well-stocked
your Dior w ith Not if y, wear ing Gucci w ith
designer denim collections and amazing taste
Joie, all require finesse that oft eludes the tai-
in young, hip labels (they’ve carried 3.1 Phillip
tais of old. The new social set knows never to
Lim since its debut season)—is introducing
be caught togged head-to-toe in one big name
Alexander Wang to Singapore this spring.
M E L I S S A O D A B A S H Red hot desig ner
designer. Choice is luxury. And we have more
T R I C I A F I X The most flattering cuts on the
Melissa Odabash used to model swimwear.
With a slew of newer, cooler brands moving
female form tend to congregate on a Tricia
So it’s only nat ural that her desig ns show
options than ever in the fashion game.
i nt o t o w n t o s at e ou r s a r t or i a l hu ng e r—
Fix dress. The Florida-born designer creates
great appreciation for a woman’s curves. Her
from bigger names like Hogan and Manolo
standout pieces that are unmistakable at any
f lat ter ing bik inis have been seen on Uma
Blahnik, to smaller, cult brands in multi-label
party. Lots of halter necklines, empire waists,
Thurman, Halle Berr y and Elle Macpherson.
boutiques—here are a few noteworthy labels
plunging backs and colours. A signature Tricia
Although based out of London, her swimwear
for your fashion black book.
Fix evening dress is a gorgeous kaleidoscope
has gained a worldwide following. The secret?
of pr ints and colours on an et hereal, long
She uses fine twisted elastic, discreetly sewn
THE INDIES
skirt. The look is bohemian, yet sophisticated
into lining instead of under-wire or padding.
A L E X A N D E R WA N G This young designer
and sexy. Think Talitha Getty-turned-Miami
The linings eschew traditional thick materials
from California has found a niche since he
Beach goddess. The unique pieces make for
and are made of delicate lingerie fabrics. At
started his eponymous line in 2004. Based in
great red carpet and photo-ops, hence their
Puce, you get a nice variety of bikinis, maillots,
New York, his label is available in Barney’s,
popularity with celebs like Eva Longoria and
beachwear and accessories.
Bergdorf Goodman and Fred Segal. Wang’s
Jessica Simpson. Lucky for us, we can now buy
look is prep-school chic-meets-New York street,
a collection of these dresses at Puce, the new
R E S H A M M F O R P U C E Resham Melwani may
with luxur ious fabr ics that lend a touch of
multi-label boutique at Palais Renaissance.
not be a new name in the fashion scene here, but
softness. His fi rst full ready-to-wear collection
Word of caution: Each piece is so striking, you
this is a brand new, exclusive collection created
launches in Spr ing /Summer’07. It’s a little
really only want to wear it once.
for Puce boutique. The young and dynamic
MANOLO BL AHNIK
FROM BIG BRANDS TO CULT LABELS, THESE FASHION NAMES
ARE INJECTING A BREATH OF FRESH AIR INTO THE LOCAL RETAIL SCENE
STORY
CHONGWAN TAY
I M AGES
A L E X A NDER WA NG + M A NOL O BL A HNIK+ HOG A N +V I V IENNE W E S T WOOD + MEL ISSA ODA BA SH
desig ner collaborates w it h Puce’s founder
Tod’s’ uptown lady. Just arrived last fall, the
Jaime Yong, and the result is a line of very chic
Hogan boutique is at The Paragon.
resort-style outfits in luxurious and comfy silks
and cotton. Beautifully cut tunics, kaftans and
M A N O L O B L A H N I K We’ve been waiting
kurtas have fabulous, modern silhouettes. Fit for
with bated breath for the return of the Manolos.
Bora-Bora and perfect for any city.
Ushered into town earlier by a mult i-label
b out ique, t he br and new Manolo Bla hn i k
F L E U R W O O D Based in Sydney, Fleur Wood
boutique (brought in by Cloud9 Lifestyle Pte
is a designer with soul. The look is upscale
Ltd) will now be the ultimate candy shop for
vintage, with the most delicate fabrics and
ever y shoe fetishist alive. Blahnik himself
dressy but never, ever dull. Anglomania—her
intricate embroidery. Inspired by the flea markets
is well loved by his clients for his exacting
London street line that started in the early ’90s
Anything Vivienne Westwood is dramatic and
of Paris and the rich colours and textiles of India,
standards. A true classicist, the shoemaker
with kilts and complex gowns done in tartan
the collections are filled with dresses, slips and
st i l l sketches and ch i sel s t he wood last s
and tweed—is now a youthful, bold collection
lingerie. The pieces always look timeless and
himself. The brand’s most recent coup was a
accessible enough for everyday wear. In other
ladylike and they’ve even found their way to
highly publicized mention on a Sex And The City
words, it’s Vivienne Westwood gone down-
the famed Tracey Ross boutique for the stars in
series, catapulting it into a “household” name.
town. Devotees will be thrilled to know that
Hollywood. Now they’re available in our city at
But truly, nothing speaks more than the shoes
Tyan at Palais Renaissance has been carrying
Antipodean in Holland Village.
themselves. Manolo Blahnik opens January 2007
Anglomania since fall/winter 2006.
at The Shopping Gallery at Hilton Hotel.
T H E P L AY E R S
U N G A R O F E V E R E m m a nu e l Ung a r o’s
H O G A N The Italian luxury accessories brand
V I V I E N N E W E S T WO O D A NG L O M A N I A
signature look goes casual in this younger line.
that oozes street cred, Hogan’s bags and shoes
The original bad girl of fashion who made punk
Still sophisticated and sexy, Ungaro Fever gives
are top notch in material and make—we know
rock a respectable sensibility in couture has
us fl irty blouses, sexy denim, cool dresses and
how passionate the Italians are about leather—
created a number of varied collections over
looks that are more day than night. Expect
but always sporty, highly functional and super
the years. Her couture became fashion cult,
delicate fabrics and beautiful cuts that’s de
hip. Part of the Tod’s Group helmed by Diego
most known for her send-up of Victorian style,
rigueur at Ungaro. This line was introduced at
Della Valle, Hogan is the downtown sister to
with corsets, bustles and the biggest bums.
Tyan Palais Renaissance in fall/winter 2006
The worlds of watches and automobiles have
are a nod to the car’s signature side-mounted
like pressing the eng ine start button on an
long borrowed inspiration from one another.
exhausts. Serving as the watch’s engine is the
Aston Martin.
Add to that their mutual emphasis on preci-
innovative TAG Heuer Caliber 36 Regulator, the
At the heart of this racing machine is the
sion and perfection, and you have a winning
only one-tenth-of-a-second automatic chrono-
Calibre 751 mechanical movement assembled
formula for the increasingly common brand
graph that beats at 36,000 alternances. This
from 272 individual parts. It features vertical
assoc iat ions b et ween t he t wo i ndust r ies.
movement endows the dial with the look and
coupling, a 72-hour power reserve and beats at
Indeed, some of the most respected manufac-
utility of a sports car’s dashboard with individ-
28,800 vph (vibrations per hour). Aston Martin
turers have paired with their carmaker equiva-
ual gauges for each function, all of which can
references abound, from the two quarter-moon
lents to produce timepieces that are as sought
be read simultaneously. How to get your hands
indicators on its luminescent dial that recall the
after as the cars for which they were named.
on one of these? Buy the car. The Mercedes SLR
headlights, to the contrast of shiny and matte
Here, the top marques in the field of automo-
Chronograph is sold exclusively to SLR owners.
tive-inspired watches.
surfaces that symbolise the blend of polished
chromes and sand-moulded engine parts on the
car. With only 750 pieces made, each limited-
T H E F LY I N G B B Y B R E I T L I N G F O R
edition Jaeger-LeCoultre Aston Martin Amvox 2
B E N T L E Y Bentleys have long been a symbol
comes in a presentation case specially designed
for the pinnacle of success. It is far more than
and hand-produced at Aston Martin.
a car; it is a work of art, a statement that says
you have arrived. Similarly, the timepieces
created after this prestigious marque by the
well-respected Breitling manufacturer exude
distinguished sophistication. Case in point:
AUDEMARS PIGUET MILLENARY
the latest newcomer to the range, the Flying B.
M C12 T O U R B I L L O N C H R O N O G R A P H
Measuring a whopping 38.55mm by 57.3mm, this
F O R M A S E R AT I Created to celebrate the
rectangular 18-karat rose gold watch asserts
racing success of the Maserati MC12 in the
itself as a powerful presence on the wrist. Love
2005 FIA GT Manufacture’s Cup, the Millenary
it or hate it, it simply cannot be ignored, thanks
MC12 Tourbillon Chronograph by Audemars
to its cambered rectangular lines reflecting the
P ig uet is one of t he most successf ul auto-
B E N Z Which came first—the car or the watch?
elegance of a coupe or a cabriolet.
inspired timepieces ever made. Its movement
Whatever the answer, this partnership between
I WC I N G E N I E U R A M G F O R M E R C E D E S
Adorning the sides of the watch face is the
is modelled after the car’s 630-horsepower V12
IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes AMG has resulted
sig nat ure knurled metal found on Bent ley
engine, with two barrels that supply power to
in the limited edition CLS 55 AMG “IWC Ingenieur”
instrumentation. But what makes the Flying B
the tourbillon resembling the cylinder heads of
coupe and the IWC Ingenieur AMG watch. The
exceptionally unique is the way in which hours
the engine in a V form. This marks the first use
four-door coupe, with its 5.5-litre, supercharged
are told. Doing away with the traditional hour
of a carbon nano-fibre plate in an Audemars
V8 eng ine, features a newly desig ned A MG
hand, it features a window at the 12 o’clock
Piguet watch, resulting in a radically lighter
instrument cluster (speedometer, tachometer and
position to do the job. Minutes are read through
movement with remarkable resistance to both
analogue clock) based on IWC’s Ingenieur watch
more conventional means of a single hand
shock and thermal variation.
family. Additionally, the decorative elements of
its exterior match the top-quality titanium case
placed in the centre of the dial while a sub-dial
Aesthetically, the watch is closely modelled
at 6 o’clock tells the passing of the seconds.
after the MC12. Its blue and white colour scheme
Driving this statuesque model is the COSC-certi-
has been replicated, as have the aerodynamic
Meanwhile, the IWC Ingenieur AMG comes
fied self-winding Breitling Caliber 28B, with 38
fins found on the hood of the car to help create
i n t he fol low i ng v a r i a nt s : The I ng en ieu r
jewels beating at 28,000 beats per hour. The
dow n force when t r avel l i ng at brea k neck
Automatic AMG, the Ingenieur Chronograph
Breitling for Bentley Flying B is also available in
speeds. These are reinterpreted as fi ns on the
AMG and a limited-edition Ingenieur Automatik
a stainless steel version.
side of the watch dial. A transparent sapphire
CLS 55 AMG exclusive to owners of the car. Each
caseback allows full view of the elegant and
timepiece has a red minute graduation and
TA G H E U E R S L R C H R O N O G R A P H F O R
i n nov at ive de s ig n of it s blue a lu m i n iu m
titanium casing with the AMG logo engraved on
M E R C E D E S B E N Z The TAG Heuer-Mercedes
eloxed bridges. The Millenary MC12 Tourbillon
its back. The Automatik features an additional
partnership is over a decade old and one of
Chronograph is produced in a limited series of
red second hand, while the Chronograph has a
the longest running associations between a
150, all in platinum 950.
red stop hand
racing car team and a luxury company in the
history of Formula One. Beyond lending their
J A E G E R- L E C O U LT R E A M V O X F O R
names to one another, the partnership sees a
A S T O N M A R T I N Following the success of
rich exchange of ideas and technologies. All
the Amvox 1, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Amvox 2 has
McLaren Mercedes cars are f itted with TAG
created what could possibly be the ultimate
Heuer technolog y, while McLaren Mercedes
chronog raph, in commemorat ion of Aston
is an act ive par t icipant in t he desig n and
Martin’s DB9. “Our aim with this model is to
development of TAG Heuer watches.
create a performance watch that is as intuitive
Yet another winning result of this partner-
to use as driving an Aston Martin,” said directeur
ship is the TAG Heuer SLR Chronograph. The
general of Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC)
watch feat u res t he Mercedes t h ree -p oi nt
Jerome Lambert. To that end, JLC has succeeded
star on its winding crown and boasts unique
enviably, turning out what is not only the fi rst
top-mounted chrono pushers that mimic the
chronograph without push-buttons, but also
car’s button-operated gearshift. Two SLR gill
one that can be activated or disengaged with a
patter ns stamped at the 3 o’clock position
simple push of its sapphire crystal face—much
of the Ingenieur AMG watch.
OBSESSION
WATCHES INSPIRED BY AUTOMOTIVE ROYALTY
STORY
ANNE T TE TAN
I M AGES
B R E I T L I N G + I W C + A U D E M A R S P I G U E T+TA G H E U E R + J A E G E R - L E C O U LT R E
26
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box you’re supposed to park in. Undershoot
the stop and your crew has to waste precious
breds use only one lug nut for the obvious purpose
of speed. With practice, these guys rip out the
to Suzuka, races are driven to an almost pre-
seconds shifting to meet you. Overshoot the
wheel nut in a matter of five seconds and swivel
determined ending as the maverick days of ‘who
stop and you risk snapping a guy’s shin off.
to the side just enough to let their team mates fit
blinks first’ racing has given way to clinical preci-
Plant it per fec t ly and 24 t r a i ned at h letes
in a new set of magnesium rim wheels.
sion. In addition, most F1 teams field two cars
descend on the car like an assembly line.
The pit stop is a ballet on crack where no
with the second car running to hinder would-be
In the old days, a mechanic would jam a
one blinks. Consider Heinz-Harald Frentzen
attackers keen on overtaking. The strategy of
funnel into the fuel tank with a chamois cloth
in Jerez, Spain circa 1997 as a case study on
blocking has resulted in rather lackluster races,
to fi lter the fuel while the driver nonchalantly
the negative effects of blinking in a pit stop.
which invariably end up with Schumacher doing
smokes a cigarette. These days the fuel men
Heinz, under the pressure of downshifting to
a victory tyre burn-out and pumping his fist.
use a regulation fuelling unit that chugs out
meet safety speed regulations in the pit lane,
Clearly, the massive adrenaline that F1 generates
12.1 litres per second. And this is where athlet-
made the elementary error of slotting into the
has to flow somewhere.
icism comes in because each f uelling unit
wrong pit box… not once, but twice. The horri-
Enter the pits. It’s a parking space of roughly
can weigh up to 40kg and heaving it into place
fied Williams driver first saunters into the
six metres, which an F1 driver needs to arrest
w it hout drow ning your dr iver takes a fair
McLaren pit box amidst a bevy of hand-waving,
his vehicle from 100km/h perfectly into that
amount of sumo dexterity.
finger-pointing and third-finger gestures before
space. From an aviation perspective, it’s like
Yet, most spectacular are the wheel men. They
rolling on through the Benetton box where he
doing a carrier landing, but in this instance,
wield wheel guns that weigh in at 4kg and crank
was equally unwelcomed. Precious seconds lost
there are 24 guys perched around the white
out 8,000 revolutions per minute. F1 thorough-
was no match for the embarrassment earned.
OBSESSION
28
Gridlock isn’t just a commuter’s bane. On the
Formula One proving grounds from Hockenheim
IN AN EXPLOSION OF ORDERED CHAOS,
Britain’s most lauded driver, Nigel Mansell
Michael’s side so that he can see exactly when
centration. His comfortable lead in the 1991
the fuel team disengages.
Por tugese Grand Pr ix went awr y when his
T HE PI T S TOP IS PERH APS
T HE L AS T A REN A T H AT
F ORMUL A ONE RE TAINS
I TS HUM A N DR A M A .
I T IS W HERE T HE MOS T
F L EE T ING MOMEN TS IN
T HE R ACE COUL D RESULT
IN V IC TORY OR DEF E AT
mechanic tasked w it h holding a mir ror at
also suffered the ignominy of a lapse in con-
But drivers aren’t the only blinkers. Odds
right rear tyre overtook him out of the pits.
are that the 24 people hustling around a car are
Apparently one mechanic failed to fully tighten
more likely than a driver to commit an error.
the wheel nut holding the tyre. Besides losing
Honda’s chief mechanic can attest to that as
to his tyre and Ayrton Senna, his stray wheel
he jumped the gun in Imola when he lifted the
went on to spank two mechanics in the ass.
And just to prove that it happens to the best
stop signal—innocuously called the ‘lollipop’—
early causing two mechanics getting run over.
of them, even the empirically most successful
The pit stop is perhaps the last arena that
F1 driver Michael Schumacher has suffered pit
Formula One retains its human drama. It is
stop woes. Barcelona 2000 saw this seasoned
where the most f leeting moments in the race
winner getting trigger happy as he took off
could result in victory or defeat. With traction
before his fuel hose had been disconnected.
control and supreme braking making high-
He took with him bits of the hose and a chunk
speed overtaking extremely difficult and clini-
of his chief mechanic by breaking his ankle.
cally boring, the battle for supremacy is where
This probably explains why Schumacher’s pit
24 men don’t battle a machine, but turn it into a
crew was beefed up to 25 with the additional
well-oiled one
PIT STOPS ARE THE NEW SECRET WEAPON OF FORMULA ONE RACES
STORY
MERVIN CHUA
I M AGES
FERRARI
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE
30
SC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT’S LATEST RESIDENCES HERALD A NEW ERA FOR HIGH-END
HOMES IN THE DISTRICT OF KATONG
SSTTO
ORRYY
Outside of the prime residential districts
in the city centre, there is only one district in
ANNE
ANNETTTE
TE TAN
TAN
IIM
MA
AG
GEESS
SSCC GGLLOOBBAALL DDEEVVEELLOOPPM
MEEN
NTTSS
the Katong district has never seen anything
quite like this—the
FIVE LEGENDS
represents a
Singapore that exudes that magical trinity of
new era of high-end homes in the area, effort-
seaside calm, laidback charm and old-world
lessly melding the rich history of this site with
elegance. The venerated district of Katong has
fine, modern luxuries.
long held its reputation as a cultural hub, a
The entire development is held together by
unique space where its familiar past mingles
a thread of distinctly harmonious design, yet
seamlessly with today’s modern pursuits and
each bungalow oozes its own individual style.
contemporary lifestyles.
All are crafted with artisan-quality finishing
Katong is fittingly the location for
L E G E N D S O F M O U N T B AT T E N
residences for which
THE FIVE
— luxury bungalow
SC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
is the project and marketing representative.
The former home of the prominent Dr Chan Ah
Kow and his family, F I V E
and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring
that its beaut y and functionalit y will transcend time, trends and the elements of the
every day.
Its open-plan design sees a series of translu-
is a collection
cent glass panels forming a stylish linear grid.
of four beautiful bungalows crowned by the
To match, dominant fins on the façade serve
brilliantly restored Chansville mansion. Indeed
dual purposes: they are a nod to the prevalent
LEGENDS
T HE EN T IRE DE V ELOPMEN T
tropical Art Deco style of the area’s conserva-
home seg ue into one anot her—t he dining
IS HEL D TOGE T HER BY A
tion houses while offering a dramatic play of
room is linked to both the living room and pool
shadow and light.
deck, and they are all supported by spacious
The scions of the Chan family were famously
quarters at the back of the house fitted with
H A RMONIOUS DESIGN, Y E T
successful national swimmers and as a tribute
the finest in branded technology to take home
to this legacy, each bungalow harbours its own
enter tainment to new heights. Two liv ing
E ACH BUNGA LOW OOZES ITS
tranquil lap pool stretching between 13 to 18
rooms mean space is a g iven, not a luxur y,
OW N INDI V IDUA L S T Y L E
metres long. These blend seamlessly with the
while the master bedroom is a study in cavern-
lush landscaped gardens that converge quietly
ous proportions (they come with an extremely
into one another allowing each bungalow its
spacious dressing room, en-suite bathroom
own privacy.
and private study).
T HRE A D OF DIS TINC T LY
Sleek, clean lines, seamless f low and rich
m at er i a l s for m t he b ac k b one of t he
At night, the timber roof terrace is the perfect
FIVE
spot to take in the expansive v iews of the
design philosophy. Inside and out,
glittering skyline. Otherwise, just gaze out the
t hese values are reiterated, f rom its f loor-
window at the incandescent glow of the pool
to-ceiling glass curtain walls to the timber
twinkling serenely amidst your private verdant
panelled and marble floors. The rooms in each
gardens. Home has never felt this good
LEGENDS’
L E F T: H E T T Y W O O D E N H E E L S F R O M J I M M Y C H O O. R I G H T: T R I S T E N H E E L S W I T H D I A M A N T E S T R A P S F R O M J I M M Y C H O O
FASHION
FROM FUNCTION TO FASHION, THE HUMBLE SHOE IS REALLY SO MUCH MORE
S T O R Y+ S T Y L I N G
If you listen carefully to the sound of heel
against f loor, you can almost hear the tides
ANNE T TE TAN
I M AGES
MERVIN CHUA
but once they did, they evolved quickly, like
all of life’s basic tools.
and Shoe, “The foot is an erotic organ and the
shoe is its sexual covering. The shoe is the
of social change—the rumblings of war, the
Today, shoes are as much fashion objects as
rush of fresh lust, or the swoon of love. Our
they are tools of many a trade. From high-tech
Shoes are a little more complex for men.
histor ies are made w it h ever y single step,
moon shoes designed for astronauts to a sprint-
On the surface, they are purely utilitarian—
foot’s erotic pimp and procurer.”
and how our feet are clad when we make that
er’s spikes, shoes play a far more important
men often say they simply want shoes that go
initial stride says plenty about our feelings
role than we give them credit for. As a recent
with the clothes they wear. Yet many fork out
in that instance.
Shoes are some of t he most under rated
stor y tel ler s of ou r t i me — t hey spea k of a
National Geographic essay pointed out, “the fi rst
thousands for a bespoke dream. “Shoes proclaim
man on the moon is a myth—it was the first
what it is you don’t have to do,” said Bata Shoe
shoe on the moon.”
Museum curator Elizabeth Semmelhack. A man
person’s social standing, ethnicity, profession
Women understand t he effect t he r ight
and, most often, gender. No one knows when
shoes have. Slip on a pair of high heels and the
they were first invented but it is thought that
anatomy changes. The derriere gets a jut and a
humans f irst wrapped their feet in animal
lift, the calves are elongated, and the breasts
grit and grime of our daily trudging. But more
skins. Sturdy shoes didn’t make an appear-
peak skywards. As the podiatrist William A
than anything, they are an expression of our
ance until between 40,000 and 26,000 years ago,
Rossi wrote in his book The Sex Life of the Foot
vulnerability—our sheer vanity
dressed in John Lobbs gets across town not on
foot, but by merit of his personal chauffeur.
Like armour, shoes protect our feet from the
34
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BL AC K AN D GOLD TE X AS HEEL S FRO M J I M MY CHOO
SPIKED SHOES FOR RUNNING WERE DEVELOPED IN
1 8 5 2 . B Y 1 8 9 4 , T H E S PA L D I N G C O M PA N Y C ATA L O G U E
F E AT U R E D T H R E E G R A D E S O F S P I K E D F O O T W E A R T H AT
C O S T U S $ 6 A PA I R . T H I S WA S C O N S I D E R E D E X T R E M E LY
E X P E N S I V E AT T H E T I M E W H E N A N AV E R A G E FA M I LY
O F F O U R S U R V I V E D O N U S $ 11 P E R W E E K . M O D E R N DAY
T R A C K S P I K E S H AV E T H E A D VA N TA G E O F N U M E R O U S
T E C H N O L O G I E S T H AT H E L P T O C U S H I O N T H E I M PA C T
OF RU N N I NG W H I L E OF F E R I NG T R AC T ION ON A N D OV E R
VA R IOUS SU R FAC E S A N D DISTA NC E S.
P I C T U R E D : S I N G A P O R E ’ S N AT I O N A L 1 0 0 - M E T R E R E C O R D - H O L D E R U K S H YA M ’ S C U S T O M - F I T T E D N I K E S P I K E S .
T H E BA LL E R I NA SHOE IS CONSI DE R E D A N E X T E NSION OF
T H E DA NC E R’S BODY A N D I N T I M AT ELY R EL AT E D TO H E R
P R O F E S S I O N A N D A R T. T H E O L D - S T Y L E P O I N T E S H O E S ,
W H O S E T O E B O X WA S M A D E O F B U R L A P A N D PA P E R ,
H A D T H E S PA N O F O N LY O N E P E R F O R M A N C E . T O DAY ’ S
POI N T E SHOE S ALLOW THE DA NC ER TO ASSU M E HER
POI SE I N DEFI NI T ELY ON T IP TOE . I T SUPPORT S T H E FOOT
U N DE R N E AT H T H E A RC H W I T H A ST I F F SOL E OR SH A N K
W H I L E T H E B O X O F T H E S H O E T I G H T LY E N C A S E S T H E
TOE S TO A LL OW T H E DA NC E R’S W E IG H T TO R E ST ON A N
OVA L-SH A PE D PL AT FOR M .
P I C T U R E D : S I N G A P O R E D A N C E T H E AT R E D A N C E R N ATA L I E C L A R K E ’ S R E H E A R S A L S H O E S .
L A C E P L AT F O R M S H O E S BY A Z Z E D I N A L A I A , F R O M O N P E D D E R
G O L D P U M P S BY M O S C H I N O, F R O M O N P E D D E R
D I S C U S S H O E S H AV E S L I G H T LY R O U N D E D H E E L S A N D
T O E S T O O F F E R L E S S L AT E R A L B A L A NC E AT T H E S TA R T
OF A GL I DE . T H E SOL E IS T E X T U R E D FOR BE T T E R G R I P.
P I C T U R E D : S I N G A P O R E N AT I O N A L D I S C U S T H R O W E R J A M E S W O N G ’ S W H O P P I N G S I Z E 1 3 C U S T O M - F I T T E D
A D I DA S S H O E S . W O N G H A S W O N S E V E N C O N S E C U T I V E I N D I V I D UA L D I S C U S G O L D M E D A L S AT T H E S E A G A M E S .
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SUCCESS
42
FIRST IT WAS WRITING. NOW EVEN CONVERSATION SEEMS DESTINED FOR
THE DUMPSTER
STORY
ANITA K APOOR
I M AGES
ARGO
buffets and where the only enter tainment
is in the thinly veiled sartorial competition
(the simple act of turning up in a boob-baring
gown scores you a place on the best-dressed
list), expecting sparkling discourse is a tedious
Over the years, my career as a writer has
challenge. Of course, if you’re willing to divulge,
included partaking in weekly swirls of fashion
bitch and bemoan, partners are aplenty. After
and lifestyle launches, where I regularly find
all, it’s oft said that conversation is an exercise
myself toiling through many a mind-numbing
of the mind; gossip an exercise of the tongue.
NEED TO BE
ENLIGHTENED
interaction requiring me to air-kiss, be suita-
It’s not rocket science that contemporary
bly impressed by whatever’s being launched,
conversations between adults are the result of
INTERCOURSE?
and speak in four different tongues—one for
experiencing life and living to tell your tales (if
F I R S T, L E A R N
the snobs, one for the hoi polloi, one for the
asked), broadening horizons in all ways, reading
TO SPOT THE
INTELLECT
anti-establishment intellectuals and one for
widely and thinking deeply, but perhaps most
I M P E R S O N AT O R S
HOW TO SPOT ONE:
the social butterf lies. While this draws on
important of all, having listened more than you
my considerable multi-tasking abilities, I find
have spoken. As the inimitable Truman Capote
ABOUT VERBAL
THE PSEUDO-
Their palms never
touch yours when
T H E VA P I D
myself perpetually fighting the urge to roll my
once said: “A conversation is a dialogue, not a
HOW TO SPOT ONE:
being introduced. Has
eyeballs permanently back into their sockets,
monologue. That’s why there are so few good
Shallow breathing
a tendency to murmur
conversations: due to scarcity, two intelligent
courtesy of the corset
in low, genteel
talkers seldom meet.”
they’ve been inspired
resonance (the mark
of a private education).
for the lack of barely meaningful discourse.
But since these occasions are largely for
seeing and being seen at, ending up better
Conversational abilities are also the mark of
to wear after watching
acquainted with the cocktail of the night is par
knowing oneself, which only becomes a well-
one too many Dita Von
Discusses only worthy
for the course.
learnt lesson if you possess the humility to be
Teese (the Burlesque
matters and has no
However, I am most disappointed to report
introspective and when necessary, self-critical.
star) productions.
interest in being
that on other more intimate occasions—from
All of this adds up to that magic word we all
A tendency to trail
photographed unless
dinner parties to girly dos, morning brunches
like to be associated with: confidence. Or even
off mid-sentence
it’s for a good cause.
to one- on- one’s —where t he nu mb er s a re
better still, quiet confidence which conveys a
on account of
LEVEL OF VERBAL
somewhat grander maturity.
forgetting the words.
D I F F I C U LT Y:
The advancement of t he computer has
smaller and the relationships tighter, interest-
Difficult,
Comes armed with
because you can
rapidly erased our writing skills—both physical
a glass of bubbly
hardly hear what’s
and mental. The immediacy of the Internet has
permanently attached.
being said.
made us perpetually hungry for more, more,
LEVEL OF VERBAL
more. The joy of BlackBerrys and short message
D I F F I C U LT Y:
service (SMS) texts seem to have eroded our
None, really.
THE SNOB
ability to converse effectively or in long form.
ing conversations are in grave danger of extinc-
Those who long for the good old days of
tion. As I write this, I am desperately trying to
recall the last time I was engaged in a conver-
HOW TO SPOT ONE:
Speaks loftily on
THE DISMISSIVE
a great variety of
personal interaction, where the pizzazz and
HOW TO SPOT ONE:
subjects; has just
controversy of your language and wit were the
Eyes that perpetually
returned from
sation so delightfully gripping (like a grand love
barometers of your presence, seem to be hoping
scan the room, despite
cooking school where
affair—it ends, but you never forget) it blew my
for the impossible. But according to the genteel,
being locked in
Louboutins off—and I honestly can’t.
if insular, Debrett’s Etiquette for Girls (recently
“serious” discussion
“quaint” vineyards
and “charming” villas
What is good, intelligent conversation? One
updated to include saucy chapters on commit-
with you. Can be
were discovered; has
mired in gritty facts and presentations of intel-
ting adultery and one-night-stands with your
found checking their
a tendency to be blind
lect, or one filled with witty repartee, throw-
head held high) we can rest assured that sex,
reflection every
as is often overheard
away lines and quick-witted banter? Seeing that
relig ion and politics, formerly forbidden in
few minutes in any
saying: “Oh, dear, I
the use of brain matter is central to both, I’d say
polite society, are now “the greatest subjects
available mirror. Has
didn’t notice you were
that intelligent conversation is where the brain
for conversation that have ever existed’’.
the ability to shake
standing there!”
hands with one
LEVEL OF VERBAL
and mouth engage with personality and soul—
They may be t he g reatest subject s, but
and these are just basic requirements. This
what’s a subject without a sparring partner?
person, and make
D I F F I C U LT Y:
allows us to speak, emote and reflect outwards
The trouble is, the road to enlightened verbal
eye contact entirely
even bother.
who we are, and in return, we’re rewarded
intercourse is bumpy with impersonators who
with another.
with those who feel our vibe and move into
block the bliss in enthusiastic conversations
LEVEL OF VERBAL
our “space”. Of course, if we’re pompous and
about life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness,
D I F F I C U LT Y:
self-involved, we tend to also be rewarded
and the joy of art, music and sex.
Speak as you would
Easy.
with those who feel our vibe—equally pompous
It is only when the air is devoid of preten-
and self-involved others. The world is a fair
sion, unf lappable ego and too much perfume
with this individual.
place sometimes.
in a text message
that a certain sort of magic happens. A repartee
There’s little time
Wit h so many social occasions t hat are
is born without strain, often developing into a
for precious else.
barely more than society carnivals with booze
full-fledged conversation—the sort where the
pleasure of speaking is buoyed by personality,
ideas, the challenge of wit, and above all, grace
and good humour.
That, is the art of conversation
Don’t
THE FIRST MAJOR SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF THE MONA LISA IN 5 0 YE ARS
UNEARTHED SOME STARTLING AND EXCITING SECRETS
STORY
ANNE T TE TAN
Her mysterious smile has beguiled audiences
for generations and, throughout the years, she
has kept the art world guessing—who is she? Is
she really Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florentine
merchant Francesco del Giocondo? Is she even
a woman, or a self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
in drag? While some of the mystery surround-
At one point, the sitter’s hands were painted in
ing the Mona Lisa has been solved since da
a clenched rather than relaxed position. Bruno
Vinci painted her (between 1503 and 1519), the
Mottin, a curator in the research department
lady continues to surprise, as the first major
of the C2RMF, said, “It was as if she was going
scientific analysis of the painting in 50 years
to get up from a chair.”
uncovered some unexpected secrets.
The pictures that the scan produced were
For years, due to security and conservation
so detailed that special monitors had to be
reasons, scholars mostly viewed the painting
created in order to view them. John Taylor, one
MONA LISA TRIVIA
like everyone else—through heavy glass. But
of the NRC scientists who participated in the
Leonardo da Vinci was
in October 2004, a team of Canadian research-
project said that while the Mona Lisa has now
24 when he started
ers from the National Research Council (NRC)
released many of its secrets, he is still amazed
painting the Mona Lisa
journeyed to the Louvre, home of the Mona
and baff led by them. “In this painting, there
in 1503. He was still
Lisa in Paris, to carry out the most extensive
are no signs of brush strokes anywhere,” he
working on it when
physical the painting has ever received. Using
told CNN. “That includes the very fine details of
cutting-edge technolog y, which included a
embroidery on the dress, the hair. This is the ‘je
in 1516 and is believe
newly developed laser scan that reveals details
ne sais quoi’ of Leonardo the genius. We don’t
to have finished it
10 times finer than a human hair, the research-
know how he applied it.”
just before his death
ers were able to construct an extremely detailed
Many scholars believe that da Vinci first
three years later.
three-dimensional model of the painting. There
executed the light portions of his painting and
ARTSCENE
he migrated to France
The Mona Lisa is
were x-rays, infrared and ultraviolet photos
then gradually built up the dark areas. With
believed to be a
which ser ved as windows to the painting’s
data from the scan, a computer-generated relief
portrait of Lisa
newly discovered multiple layers of thin paint.
map of the painting showed that the dark areas
Beneath centuries of darkened paint and
around Mona Lisa’s mouth and eyes have the
of wealthy Florentine
varnish, all elements that were invisible to
thickest layers of paint, yet other dark areas are
merchant Francesco
the naked eye have now come forth. There
comparatively thin.
Gherardini, the wife
del Giocondo. She
is a bonnet and a waistband, both within the
Beyond the mysteries, this project offered
outlived her husband
picture but just never seen by anyone before.
an accurate and detailed snapshot of the paint-
and had five children.
Italian researchers
Of particular note was the discovery of a very
ing’s current physical condition. And on that
fine gauze veil, much like a robe, that Mona Lisa
front, the news is all good. While the painting
was wearing on her dress.
may be old and dirty (it has never been cleaned)
“ Th i s wa s somet h i ng t y pica l for eit her
it is not, as has long been thought, particularly
used a blurring
soon-to-be or new mothers at the time,” said
fragile. The wood panel on which the painting
technique called
Michel Menu, research director of the Centre
rests may be warped at certain points, but the
sfumato, employing
of Research and Restoration of the Museums
3-D model showed that Mona Lisa’s ailments
microscopic dots
of France (C2R MF). This isn’t the f irst t ime
are all under control and should remain so as
to create the smoky
the theory of a pregnant Mona Lisa has been
the paint remains bonded to its surface.
shadows near her
raised. In 1959, British doctor Kenneth D. Keele
Mott in, for one, hopes that the detailed
eyes and mouth
published a paper in the Journal of the History
digital imaging will unveil more information
that make her stare
of Medicine and Allied Sciences, insisting that
in time to come, but like most researchers
so enigmatic.
the woman in the world’s most famous paint-
and scholars, he has one foremost question on
ing sported a “puffy neck”, which he concurred
his mind: “What I’d like to know,” he said, “is
A Japanese forensics
was caused by an enlarged thyroid gland, a sign
really how the painting was done.” And that is
expert claims that
that she was with child.
say da Vinci
by analysing her
skeletal structure,
Less perceptible on the imaging is the fact
that Mona Lisa’s hair was rolled into a small
he can accurately
bun and tucked under a tiny bonnet, with a veil
re-create her voice,
attached. Also, while the painting is famous for
which he said was
its sitter’s enigmatic smile, it seems that the
low for a woman.
composition was not always radiating calm.
one Da Vinci code that steadfastly refuses to
be unlocked
44
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45
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47
DESIGN
46
DARING DESIGN AND A CLEVER APPROACH TO LIVING MARKED THE WINNING
PROPERTIES IN 2006’S URA ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE AWARDS
STORY
LIM SIO HUI
IMAGES
URA
A flexible patio formed by a retractable deck
aluminium-clad rear block which doubles its
extending over a swimming pool; an award-
usage space and adds a surprisingly comple-
winning boutique hotel with unique design
mentar y dimension to its façade. Although
details in every room; an awe-inspiring, high-
ex pressed in a minimal ist, contemporar y
densit y mixed-use development built with
style, the interiors still retain their traditional
env i ron ment a l ly f r iend ly mater ia l s —you
shophouse f lavour, with shuttered windows
might expect all this and more from contem-
and partitions stopping short of reaching the
porary properties with no-holds-barred design.
ceiling to facilitate ventilation and entr y of
But aren’t those Art Deco mouldings on the
natural light.
façade and a familiar five-foot way fronting
Each judged on the basis of their own merits,
the entrance? Take a closer look and you’d be
this year’s seven winners bring to the total of 71
amazed—these seemingly hybrid constructions
projects which have received the award since
are historic properties earmarked for conser-
its introduction in 1994. Besides raising the
vation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority
bar for conservation standards and architec-
(URA), and some are exquisitely preserved gems
tural excellence, AHA winners are also symbols
in Singapore’s architectural legacy.
of Singapore’s efforts to protect and maintain
The three properties—a residential home
the city’s heritage while injecting it with new
at 59 Blair Road, The New Majestic Hotel on
life. These efforts were recognised internation-
Buk it Pasoh, and t he commercial /residen-
ally when the URA’s built heritage conser va-
tial Tan Quee Lan Suites respectively—are
tion programme was conferred the prestigious
part of last year’s winning entries in the URA
Urban Land Institute 2006 Award for Excellence:
Architectural Heritage Awards (AHA), which
Asia Pacific in July 2005.
was introduced 13 years ago and recognises
exemplarily restored national monuments and
B R A K E A N D A C C E L E R A T E Wit h t he
conservation buildings annually. Four other
lightning-swift rate of development our city is
properties made up the other winners in 2006:
gunning for, conservation has established itself
the former St Andrew’s School; the Church of
firmly in the hearts and minds of Singapore’s
the Ascension; Empire Lofts, a row of former
urban planner s. These latest w inner s are
colonial residences on Mosque Street which
part of the trajectory that started at the 1989
were transfor med into studio apar tments;
Conservation Master Plan, which highlighted
and the Draycott 8 clubhouse, a black-and-
the importance of conser vation and halted
white bungalow which in its past life was
the further loss of historic buildings to urban
home to the Air Marshal of Singapore and the
redevelopment. All this has taken place in
Alliance Française.
tandem with efforts to maintain a distinctive
local architectural identity.
1
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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12
1 + 2 D R AYC O T T 8 C L U B H O U S E
A N E W L E A S E O F L I F E If you cast your eye
3 + 4 EMPIRE LOFT
about, traces of the past still remain, and you
buildings but whole streets and neighbourhoods.
5 + 6 TA N Q U E E L A N S U I T E S
can imagine how the chapel in the new Diocesan
Taking pride of place as the first and largest
7+ 8 CHURCH OF ASCENSION
Centre used to throng with students when
scheme of its kind in Southeast Asia, the plan
9 +1 0 T H E N E W M A J E S T I C H O T E L
it functioned as the main hall of St Andrew’s
has been responsible for the shaping of as many
11 +1 2 B L A I R R O A D H O U S E
Currently, the programme protects not only
School. Once home to customs officers during
as 86 conservation areas from Chinatown and
the colonial era, a row of residences on Mosque
Little India to the nightlife hubs of Clarke Quay
Street has been renamed Empire Lofts and
and Boat Quay. Since 1989, the island counts
taken to heights of luxury beyond anything its
6,500 conserved buildings within a land area
previous owners might have imagined. These
of 700 sq km, and many more have been saved
are prime examples of buildings which have
from the brink of demolition. And previous
been meticulously preser ved in accordance
winners of the AHA have now become iconic
to URA conservation guidelines, based on the
buildings, such as the Scarlet Hotel on Erskine
3-R principle: maximum Retention, sensitive
Road, The Fullerton Hotel, which used to house
Restoration and careful Repair.
the General Post Office, and the Civil Defence
None of these buildings, however, should be
considered relics frozen in time. The restoration
that has taken place is dynamic, and straddles
Her itage Galler y (formerly the Central Fire
Station at Hill Street).
While such projects are fraught with issues—
the fine line between reverence and innova-
what should stay and what should go, whether
tion. Besides the faithful restoration of existing
the integrity of the area or building has been
architectural details, some of the developments
su it ably ret a i ned, a nd how fa r bu i ld i ng s
also boast inventive modifications, such as the
should go to serve contemporary needs while
Blair Road property with its innovative combi-
respect ing t heir indiv idual histor ies —t he
nation of a Late-style shophouse frontage, a
A H A w inners are successes on a my r iad of
high-tech pool deck and strikingly contempo-
levels, acting as a firm anchor for the country’s
rary touches in its interior courtyard. Another
architectural and cultural heritage, and trans-
group of buildings melding old and new is the
cending themselves to become an integ ral,
Tan Quee Lan Suites, incor porating a sleek
essential part of the modern cityscape
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49
DESIGN
48
ENTER THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PORCELAIN WHERE A COMMON DINNER
PLATE CAN SET HEARTS AFLUTTER
STORY
ANGELIA TEO
IMAGES
LLADRO+ROYAL COPENHAGEN+CHRISTOFLE+B&B ITALIA
Though the Chinese invented porcelain, it
was t he Europeans who so adored it, t hey
tr ied to emulate the craft and, in doing so,
sparked their own porcelain industries. Fine
china, in fact, is a Franco-Italian synonym for
porcelain. Now, if you take a look at any good
china boutique, you’ll find them stocked with
continental porcelain brands, most with long
histories dating back to the 18th century.
There’s evidence that porcelain was invented
during the Eastern Han dynasty (20-225AD)
but today, all signs point to Villeroy and Boch,
Lladro, Royal Copenhagen and Meissen—from
France, Spain, Denmark and Germany respectively—as some of the strongest brand names.
And it was all because of one man: Augustus
The Strong, the King of Poland who not only
could break horseshoes bare-handed but who
also had such a yen for porcelain, he boasted
a collection of more than 14,500 pieces mainly
from China and Japan.
At that time, the secrets to Chinese porcelain
were untold and its production—turning clay
into white porcelain—eluded European potters
for more than a century. Augustus The Strong
referred to it as the “white gold” of the era
and set out to demystify it, but it was German
alchemist Johann Friedrich Böttger who first
decided not to use crushed egg shells—as many
were attempting to do in the clay—but rather to
fire it at an extremely high temperature (close
to 1400 degree Celsius).
Augustus established a pottery factory in
1710 in the town of Meissen in Saxony, what
is now East Germany. The Meissen Porcelain
manufactor y cont inues product ion to this
day, with every Meissen piece marked by two
cross-swords, known to be one of the oldest
trademarks in the world.
These trademarks have become signature
in the porcelain industry and serve as an easy
guide for dating. Nearly all porcelain companies employ some sort of private date-marking
system and it’s possible to use these to trace
items to the exact year it was manufactured.
The mark also bears a distinguishable value
as often they were first employed to differentiate themselves from copies. Clear names
marks such as those seen on Wedgwood, Royal
Doulton and Minton usually denote a f ir m
reputat ion of the company. In some cases,
these companies may change their insignia
from time to time, and that gives an approximate date of manufacture.
Roya l Copenhagen has been produc ing
porcelain since 1775 and in recent years, it used
a red dot above or below the letters of its name
to denote the period it was produced, eg. a dot
above the letter ‘C’ means it was made in 1940.
Even patterns and desig ns on tableware
were a clue to its product ion date, though
less so because popular designs were often
repeated over the years. Even the best sellers
from companies like Villeroy and Boch and
Royal Copenhagen have been in production
for centuries.
Royal Copenhagen’s Blue Fluted was the
first dinner service pattern produced when the
company started operations in the 18th century.
Its stylised floral motif was inspired by Chinese
porcelain and so was considered the epitome
of genuine porcelain. It also made the blue
and white patterns synonymous with Danish
porcelain styles. Till this day, the pattern is
painted on by hand, with an update—The Blue
Fluted Mega—recently introduced. The latter
uses the same motifs, but enlarges them to
ironic and humorous proportions. Even the
logo is not spared as Royal Copenhagen’s three
wavy lines are magnified.
These days t he porcelain world has
employed personalities such as Gordon Ramsey
a nd Ja sp er C on r a n t o i nje c t new a r t i st ic
blood into their age-old craft. Designer Conran,
Julien McDonald and Vera Wang, too, have
porcelain lines under various companies such
as Wedgwood. The fashion house Versace and
even Italian fur niture monolith B&B Italia
have their own range of porcelain tableware.
Christofle has even commissioned architecture
and design guru Gae Aulenti to design a series.
Where tableware is the functional expression
of porcelain, figurines are its creative brother.
These standing statues come in all manner of
characters, from a German Kaiser in a triumphant moment of battle to the king of rock
and roll, Elvis, captured for eternity. Porcelain
figurines, too, have a following of their own and
no brand is as renowned as Lladro, a relatively
young Spanish company founded in the 1950s
by three brothers. Lladro has made its name
by creating extremely true to life figurines with
an intense attention to detail. To wit: the flow
of a dress in a statue is depicted with such
realism that each crease is lovingly recreated in
porcelain.
Other porcelain companies with steeper
histor ies also have f ig ur ines of repute in
their stable. Royal Doulton produces Disney
characters and even a range of figurines in
the likeness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,
created specially for her 80th birthday.
C o l l e c t i b l e s a n d l i m it e d e d it i o n s a r e
ext remely popular, too, but t hey may not
be available to ever yone. Lladro and Royal
Doulton both produce special editions that
only members of their clubs are entitled to
buy. Lladro produces one a year—the Annual
Pr iv ilege P iece — and unless you’re on t he
mailing list, you may never even know about it.
Like Augustus The Strong, porcelain lovers
know a good piece when they see one
IF YOU TA K E A LOOK AT A N Y
GOOD CHIN A BOU T IQUE , YOU’L L
F IND T HEM S TOCK ED W I T H
CON TINEN TA L PORCEL AIN
BR A NDS, MOS T W I T H LONG
HIS TORIES DAT ING BACK
TO T HE 18 T H CEN T URY
Just how big is Singapore’s furniture indus-
Certainly, the statistics alone were impres-
try? We might still have some catching up to do
sive and a nod to the pulling power of Singapore
Quite apart from the number crunching, what
with international fairs such as Milan’s Salone
as an exhibition venue. The fair opened on
was encouraging was the level of optimism
Internazionale del Mobile, but from the looks of
1 March with a record breaking 505 exhibi-
amongst both the visitors and exhibitors. For
our very own International Furniture Fair last
tors from 29 countries—including Malaysia,
Felix Low, director of the furniture boutique
Myanmar, China, t he Philippines, Taiwan,
Urban Foundry, the fair was their first exhibi-
Indonesia and Vietnam—taking up six halls
tion. “As a homegrown company, we can’t think
year, things are certainly looking rosy.
Last March, Singapore hosted, in conjunc-
US$2.1 billion of follow-on sales for 2007.
tion with the 23rd ASEAN Furniture Show, the
at the Expo. In all, more than 32,000 pieces of
of a better way to start participating than on
annual International Furniture Fair Singapore.
furniture and furnishing products were exhib-
home soil. We have actively supported and
Organized by IFFS Pte Ltd (which, in turn, was
ited over the five-day event.
produced local works by budding designers.
established to organise and manage furniture
According to James Koh, president of the
and furniture-related fairs, exhibitions, shows,
S i ng ap o r e F u r n it u r e I ndu s t r i e s C o u n c i l ,
fair] as a starting platform for us to showcase
conferences and other events worldwide), the
Singaporean furniture manufacturers have
the products we have.”
fair is now in to its 24th year and is consid-
long regarded the fair as an extremely effec-
ered a key event on the calendar of the regional
tive platform for their export business as well
furniture trade exhibition circuit.
Therefore, it is only natural to consider [the
A l s o de but i ng a r a ng e w a s G i br a lt a r ’s
as being an excellent business conduit for the
Spread over 35,500 sq ft at the Singapore
inter nat ional fur niture trade frater nit y in
Expo, last year’s fair was an opportunity for
Asia. By the time the fair closed on 5 March,
Singaporean, reg ional and global furniture
32,0 0 0 pieces of f ur nit ure and f ur nishing
makers and distributors to network over a latte,
products had been exhibited to nearly 18,000
showcase their new products and, more impor-
trade participants and an estimated record
tantly, in the context of the Furniture Design
US$240 million of spot orders had been taken,
Awards, to unveil tomorrow’s stars.
with the organisers expecting an additional
THE CURTAIN RAISES YET AGAIN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR SINGAPORE
BREAK STOOL
E G G S H A P E C O F F E E TA B L E
2007/24TH ASEAN FURNITURE SHOW
STORY
JASON HAHN
I M AGES
IFFS
Fur nit ure Or ig ins. Its director Scot t Kahn
All told, the fair offered a perspective for
number made from bent timber ribs suspended
pointed to Sing apore’s st r ateg ic posit ion-
fur niture desig n and products in a setting
on a stainless steel frame, the lightweight and
ing and the potential business f low-throughs.
that was both Asian and global. And while the
elegant chair was quickly picked up by Air
“Singapore is the natural choice for our Asian
moment clearly belonged to the solid experi-
Division for production.
debut, considering its pro-business infrastruc-
ence of established players, it helped that
Also in the spotlight was the design forum
ture and strategic location. We are excited to
there was a healthy swathe of new stars in
that saw a panel of speakers including GOD’s
reap gains by participating in [the fair] and I
the making, prepping in the wings for their
founder Douglas Young and British product
believe it will expand our market reach region-
close-up.
designer Michael Young.
ally and internationally.”
Stealing some of the limelight from the fair
The 2007 lineup is looking nothing short of
Amidst the bustling business models, all
was the Furniture Design Award, an annual
the last. It promises to be the largest annual
eyes were on the furniture and cheque books.
furniture design competition organised by the
trade show in Singapore. At last count, more
than 95 per cent of exhibition space for the 2007
Not surprisingly, the old guards were out in full
Singapore Furniture Industries Council. First
force, among them Singapore’s The Life Shop
launched in 1993, the goal of the award is to
fair had already been booked. Said James Koh,
and Cellini.
discover new design talents. The theme was
“[We] will be rolling out new initiatives geared
“FLY”, an invitation to participants to shake
towards improving the size, scope, and quality
There was something for ever yone here,
pl ay f u l a nd a r r e st i ng pie c e s t hat sk at e d
off all preconceptions, cross creative and cul-
of the show. [This year’s fair] will see the imple-
from the raft-like outdoor day bed complete
tural boundar ies and to let their creativit y
mentation of ‘Platform’, a Design Entrepreneur
with sails by Hong Kong’s MDF International;
take flight.
Development Programme.” It will also exhibit
exaggerated tree-ringed stools by Vietnam’s
Leading t he charge of young Turks was
the winning works from the Furniture Design
Saigon Interiors; to the low-slung beds created
Australian-based and former intern in Patricia
Awards, and play host to international design-
by the Philippines’ JLQ International and Life
Urquiola’s Milan studio, Jarrod Lim, who won
ers at the 5th Furniture Design Forum.
Shop’s ever imaginative, but consumer-friendly
the Gold Award in the Young Designer’s category
range of sofas.
for his Streamline Chair. A curvaceous, sexy
The I F F S /A F S 20 07 w i l l t a ke place f rom
STREAMLINE CHAIR
C O M E F LY W I T H M E
DESIGN
1-5 March 2007 at the Singapore Expo
52
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53
DISCOVER THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY OF BHUTAN
STORY
JASON HAHN
I M AGES
A M A NRE SOR T S + UM A PA RO
VOYAGE
54
55
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In 1956, aut hor Han Suy in at tended t he
coronation of the King of Nepal, a landlocked
kingdom across the Himalayan range. She
descr ibed Nepal as “…suspended in golden
sunlight, a Cezanne landscape spreading clear
with blues and greens, pinks and yellows of
the Himalayan spring [and the] peal of bells,
sweet and grave bronze bells, calling among
mountains… lingering, tolling, reflected from
has changed in a thousand years and in the
slope to slope.” Of course, decades of uncon-
enormous dzongs—ancient military fortresses
trolled tourism, backpackers and unbridled
and monasteries—that dot the country, monks
pollution have turned much of the country into
of all ages bend over sut ras and chant for
the Gloria Swanson of the Himalayas.
humanity’s salvation, while each day, in the
Bhutan is Nepal 50 years ago.
valleys, old men and women spin the enormous
Until the summer of 2004, few people had
red and gold prayer drums. From the windows
ever v isited Bhutan, much less heard of it.
of the dzongs, mountains roll away into the
And then, with very little advance publicity,
distance, cloaked in a blanket of emerald green
AmanResorts—ever the Zeitgeist barometer—
pines and beyond t hat, mag nif icent snow-
opened its first lodge in Paro, Amankora. A few
capped mountains. There are flashes of brilliant
months later, Singapore’s Christina Ong opened
greens and reds and glimpses of little towns
Uma Paro. The awestruck reports from return-
speckled with low-rise brown and white build-
ing guests spread quickly, and that was when
ings. Extravagant sunshine bathes the valleys,
the world sat up and paid attention.
spilling off mountain tops like a benediction.
Casually f lip through any magazine from
Jealously guarding his country’s heritage, the
the past couple of years from Travel + Leisure to
king has ordered all buildings be built accord-
Vogue Living Australia to GQ, and it’s very likely
ing to traditional Bhutanese architecture —
that there will be a feature on Bhutan. Page after
ornately carved roof trusses, richly decorated
page are indelible images of this last corner of
windows and lintels, and slate roofs anchored
paradise, with rows of prayer f lags shimmer-
against the raging winter winds with large rock.
ing against a sky so blue one is tempted to
For ever y tree cut down, two more must be
think it has been Photoshopped. The reality is
planted. Everywhere you turn, the Bhutanese—
even more sobering, for within a few hours of
bur nished skins, g raceful cheekbones and
landing in Paro, it’s clear that no photo-shoot
heart-breakingly gentle smiles—are turned
has ever quite succeeded in captur ing the
out in traditional ghos and kiras, yet another
country’s wild beauty. It’s simply impossible.
mandate from the royal palace. A US$20 fine is
There’s too much of Bhutan to be condensed
imposed for a breach of this sartorial protocol:
onto mere paper.
startling in a country with an average monthly
Under the watchful eye of the canny monarch
King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, Bhutan has been
slow to welcome outsiders. Tourist numbers
salary of US$50.
But make no mistake though, Bhutan is
changing. And probably not for the better.
are tightly controlled and even then—with a
A sobering story: Traditionally, Bhutanese
mandated minimum tourist spend of at least
farmers fed their pigs a steady diet of mari-
US $200 a day per person—buttoned only to
juana to stimulate their appetite and so get
the higher-end tourist market. Uma Paro and
more yield per pig. The arrival of television
Amankora’s finely honed business models of
in the late 1990s revealed to the astonished
low volume, high marg in f it the Bhutanese
Bhutanese that the leafy pig feed could actually
tourism profile perfectly.
be smoked and t he result ing h ig h among
There is much to commend about this halfclosed door policy. The fate of neighbouring
Nepal—pollution, Maoist insurgents and bad
press—has long been a salutary lesson.
As a result, there is a genuine frontier feel to
Bhutan. High in the mountain passes, nothing
the young has since become of grave concern
to the elders.
These moments capture perfectly the delicate
place that Bhutan now finds itself perched on. It
is a country blessed at every turn with a surfeit
of natural wonders, crystal clear air, an Eden
for a backyard and front-row seats to one of the
greatest geological shows on the planet. Still,
there is an unstoppable drive towards tomorrow, and all its attendant ills. In Bhutan, the
shadow of Nepal’s fate falls far, but like the
prayer wheels across this lingering land that
spin their daily blessings up towards heaven,
there is still a fragile hope that for a short while
at least, paradise will prevail
WHERE TO SHOP
Banish any thoughts
of wild retail sprees.
Bhutan is all about
its fabulous scenery.
Downtown Paro and
Thimpu, for instance,
are literally one-street
strips of exquisitely
proportioned
buildings, ornately
coloured façades,
provisional shops, and
a few tourist dives
hawking traditional
Bhutanese weaves.
A M A N KO R A PA R O
W H E R E T O S TAY
suites with a
Despite some small
spectacular approach
Superbly furnished
boutique hotels
through a forest, the
opening in recent
resort’s décor is a
years, the two
warm mix of local
marquee names
timber and soft
remain Uma Paro
lighting. The view
and Amankora.
of the mountains,
temples and villages
is spectacular, while
the house restaurant
blends classic
Bhutanese, Indian and
continental cuisines.
In the spring, dining
on the flagstone
U M A PA R O
terrace overlooking
A pretty resort with
a gurgling valley
only 20 rooms—
stream is especially
sparely furnished
a pleasure.
with lotus murals and
W W W. A M A N
local weaves—and
RESORTS.COM
nine traditional-styled
villas designed by
MUST SEE
Cheong Yew Kwan
A 17th century
and interior decorator
monastery hugging
Kathryn Kng. Sitting
the side of a sheer cliff,
on 38-acres of apple
Taktsang is, through
orchards, Blue Pine
the implacable force
forests, glades of
of marketing, one of
hydrangea, wheat-
the iconic images
fields and crystal
of Bhutan. Hire a
streams, this is
pony, or trek if you’ve
Christina Ong’s
acclimatised to the
sophomore take on
atmosphere. Legend
cultural immersion—
has it that Guru
complete with sunset
Rinpoche landed
yoga classes, sizzling
here on the back of
hot-stone baths, and
a flying tiger. The
rosemary shampoo
view is stunning:
in the bathrooms.
an eternity of green
W W W. U M A . C O M O . B Z
slopes and valleys
and, further beyond,
the gathering horizon
of the Himalayas.
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61
VOYAGE
60
SECRETED AWAY IN ONE OF THAIL AND’S MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL MARINE
SPA BOASTS A STELLAR MIX OF TROPICAL LUXURY AND IMPECCABLE SERVICE
Koh Lanta is one of those islands that’s just
close enough to one of Thailand’s smaller
airports, but far enough to keep the shine of
modernisation at bay. Still relatively unspoiled
by the lure of the tourist dollar, it bristles with
lush tropical forestat ion that threatens to
spill over if left just that bit unchecked. Thus
it retains its pristine charm, with a main road
that circumvents the entire island that is as
much populated by its native residents as it is
by sun-burnt backpacker types who whiz about
on mopeds wearing Red Bull t-shirts and frayed
fisherman’s trousers.
The up-and-coming district of Krabi province
is really a cluster of 52 islands, the biggest of
which is named Koh Lanta Yai, or Big Lanta
Island. Here beach hotels abound, among them
a handful of hip digs boasting stark minimalist décor and meditative yoga classes. But there
is only one ultra-swish resort that looms over
the rest, perched on the mountains overlooking the magnificent Ba Kan Tiang bay and the
Andaman Sea.
P i ma l a i , who s e na me con not e s f lower
PARKS, PIMAL AI RESORT &
gardens and purity in the Thai language, is all
terraced lawns and verdant foliage. A member
of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and the
STORY
ANNE T TE TAN
I M AGES
PIM A L A I RE SOR T & SPA
recipient of the 2004 Thailand Tourism Award
for Excellence, Pimalai Resort & Spa is a world
away from the rural rusticity of Koh Lanta Yai.
Here, every staff member looks you in the
eye and makes pleasant conversation whether
you’re hitching a ride in their buggy down to
the beach or sauntering past them at the reception. “How are you today? ” “Are you enjoying your stay?” “Did you sleep well?” These
questions tinkle like chimes, sweetly rolling off
their tongues with a gentle Thai lilt.
This five-year-old resort boasts 79 rooms
and suites, all clad in contemporar y Thai
style with polished teakwood floors, rich Thai
upholstery, bamboo curtains and old Siamese
artefacts. Pimalai’s Pavilion Suites all come
with separate lounges that open out to the bay,
and outdoor bathrooms that let you get upclose and personal with nature. The very height
of luxury, however, can be found in the resort’s
Pool Villas, introduced in November last year,
and the real draw to this island for the discerning vacationer.
Tucked away amidst dense foliage atop the
hill, these pool villas are like plush homes away
from home, with rooms separated by their
own infinity pools, each offering a spectacular
view of Ba Kan Tiang bay and the untouched
(for now) surrounding forest. Work off your tan
lines in unbridled privacy as you watch magnificent pairs of Brahminy kites perform aerial
acrobatics in the azure sky.
In the sumptuous living room are a home
enter tainment system, luxur ious day beds
and a ceiling fan that hypnotises with its cool
whirring. A fully equipped kitchenette allows
guests to prepare their own meals or snacks,
although the only energy you’ll ever expend
in there is probably to take arm to fridge door
and release.
The master bedroom is swat hed in r ich
wh ite cot ton, dark wood f ur n ish i ng s and
PIM A L AI, W HOSE N A ME
CONNOT ES F LOW ER GA RDENS
A ND PURIT Y IN T HE T H AI
L A NGUAGE , IS A L L T ERR ACED
L AW NS A ND V ERDA N T F OL IAGE
sunny yellow accents that instantly put you
in the holiday mood. The supremely generous
its vast coral reefs, Koh Muk for its awe-inspir-
bathrooms come fitted with rain or conven-
ing Emerald Cave—a 60-metre tunnel that runs
tional showers and a spacious bathtub for you
through a mountain and leads to a tranquil
to while away the hours after sundown.
lagoon at the bottom of a vertical shaft— or
As befits a resort of such luxury and seren-
hop on the Squid Safari Sunset Cruise (from
ity, the 900-metre stretch of beach that fronts
November to April) and experience the thrills
Pimalai is of course the island’s best. On this
of catching slippery squids straight from the
f lawless st r ip of white sand and cer ulean
ocean and bringing them to their final desti-
waters, guests can surf, canoe, sail, scuba dive
nat ion: your dinner plate, v ia t he resor t’s
or simply throw themselves into the oncom-
barbeque pit.
ing waves and allow the current to drag them
For more languorous pursuits, head to the
back to shore (as so many people seemed to do
Pimalai Spa, where carp-filled ponds and sleek
while we were there). When you retur n to
wooden walkways set the mood for blissfully
your deck chairs, you’ll find that the staff have
relaxing spa treatments taken in private salas
thoughtfully placed glasses of chilled water to
fashioned from stones, native wood, bamboo,
help wash away the salty spray of the sea from
iron rope and ceramics. When hunger strikes—
your mouths.
and it does quite often when you’re doing little
From November to April, the resort’s PADI
in this slice of paradise—take advantage of the
dive centre caters to divers of all levels and
resort’s many eating venues, from its beach
offers classes, programmes and dive tours to
bar that serves fresh catches of the day to its
help guests experience one of Southeast Asia’s
Thai restaurant offering authentic local cuisine.
best dive spots. Indeed, Koh Lanta is quite the
Suffice to say, the best meal service you’ll get
destination for dive enthusiasts. It is, after all,
is in the privacy of your pool villa, where your
part of the Moo Koh Lanta Marine National
own kitchenette allows the staff to prepare
Park. Take an excursion to Lanta’s equally
(and later clean up) all the important trappings
stunning neighbouring islands—Koh Gnai for
of your meal.
While the entire experience is a rejuvenating
one, getting to Koh Lanta and Pimalai requires
some patience. The hour-long f lights from
Singapore land at Krabi airport. From there, it
is a 90-minute drive and 45-minute boat ride
directly to the resort’s private jetty. Pick-ups
can also be arranged from Trang airport (a
100-minute dr ive followed by an hour-long
boat ride) or Phuket airport (a whopping threehour dr ive and an hour-long boat r ide). For
the most part, the warm smiles of the staff
who greet you at Pimalai and the beauty of its
surroundings more than make up for the long,
arduous journey
A
Once upon a t ime, organic produce was
GROWING
MOVEMENT
While
international bodies have begun taking steps to
ORGANIC HIT LIST
regulate the use of toxic chemicals, customers
It is getting
are increasingly taking the initiative to reject
increasingly
such fare. Instead, they are turning to organic
convenient today
M A R K E T P L AC E BY
in greater numbers.
to buy and dine on
C O L D S T O R AG E
organic produce in
A full-fledged
limited to pellet-like, cardboard-tasting wheat
Proponents of the cause and gourmands
N AT U R A L LY
and bran in dull boxes. These days, deciding
are also eager to point out the superior taste
Singapore. Ever quick
supermarket of mainly
whether to eat organic (or not) is increasingly
of organic produce. Eating organic, however, is
to latch on to a good
organic, natural,
a question of concern for consumers as they
not cheap. The decision to go organic ultimately
thing, retailers and
environmentally
trawl the supermarket aisles. Fresh organic
rests on how well one’s wallet handles the
restaurants have
friendly and diet-
heirloom tomatoes, untouched by pesticides,
assault. Because cultivation is labour-intensive
banded together to
specific items, the
entice with their healthy glow. On the shelves,
and requires far more farming land than crops
entice new converts
latest Cold Storage
organic milk, tea and chocolates tempt with
farmed using the usual commercial methods,
with a tasty variety of
outpost is cannily
bright, contemporary packaging. Meanwhile,
fresh organic food tends to cost approximately
goods, from trendy
stocked with must-
leafy green organic kailan (Chinese broccoli)
30 to 40 per cent more than regular alternatives.
gourmet items to
haves such as Green
preen next to their poorer, pesticide-laden
The yield per hectare is considerably low, while
meals of hearty
& Black’s organic
cousins at a difference of $2 per kilo.
alternative farming methods must be used to
burgers with organic
chocolates, Wild Oats
Just what exactly is organic food and its
combat pests in the absence of pesticides. For
beef. Supermarkets
Markets cereal grains,
allure? More importantly, is it value for money?
instance, some organic farms practice compan-
such as Cold Storage
organic soy cheese,
ion farming, in which a row of cabbages, for
are now upping the
as well as TV snacks—
O R G A N I C E X P L A I N E D E s s e n t i a l l y,
instance, may be grown between beds of non-
ante to cater to the
organic cheese pizza
something is organic if it was grown according
harvestable plants that naturally repel bugs.
increasing demand.
toaster pops, anyone?
to agricultural and farming standards set by
Elsewhere in the patch, weeds are laboriously
the respective countries’ accreditation body.
plucked by hand, and catnip water is sprinkled
From paddock to plate, consumers know that
to battle aphids. Such methods are necessary
legitimately certified organic produce is free
to combat insect attacks, but ultimately there
of petrochemical pesticides, fertilisers, growth
will be a higher proportion of wastage, which
hor mones and add it ives. Wit h increasing
in turn limits the supply of organic produce
globalisation and sweeping env ironmental
getting to customers’ hands.
awareness, the impetus to avoid these artificial
and potent ial ly har mf ul subst ances have
O N T H E G R O U N D Singapore boasts no
fuelled a return to more planet-friendly foods.
organic farms and is unlikely to, due to the
B O L LY W O O D
S U P E R N AT U R E
After all, the adage still holds true: we are what
qualit y of its air, soil, rain and water. As a
VEGGIES
This organic store has
we eat.
result, fresh organic produce is imported, and
Singapore’s premier
blazed the trail with
Elena Scherer, owner of organic wholesale
company Redgum, believes that going organic
fuel charges and exchange rates only add to an
already hefty outlay.
‘planet-friendly’ farm is
its pioneering range
set in four hectares of
of products. From
is a holistic combination of environmental,
While the health benefits of organic may
lush farmland on the
supplements to pet
ethical, taste and health considerations. “There
seem apparent, critics point out the folly of
fringes of the island
food, SuperNature
needs to be more educat ion,” she empha-
importing fresh produce over long distances.
at Kranji. Farm tours
keeps it pure and
sises. “Pesticides are toxic by design. They kill
Whether organic or not, all vegetables and fruits
helmed personally
natural. Wheat-free,
bugs, weeds, rodents and other pests. The risks
lose their intensity of flavour and texture after
by husband-and-wife
gluten-free, sugar-
you encounter when you consume (chemi-
a few days. Increasingly, importers are looking
founders Lim Ho Seng
free and fat-free
cals) depend on a number of factors, including
to organic farms in Malaysia and also to farms
and Ivy Singh-Lim
products are also
the toxicity of the pesticide, degree and form
in Singapore’s own backyard for fresh local
are highlights, as are
available. Next door,
of exposure, age, genetic susceptibility and
produce like cucumbers, carrots and cabbage.
exposure to other toxins.”
Organically minded Singaporeans have
the vegetables, herbs
the store’s organic
and fruits on sale.
deli serves up tuna
Most, if not all, commercially grown vegeta-
increased g radually over the last 10 years,
bles and fruit are liberally treated with chemi-
fuelling a spike in the availability of organic
BUNALUN
cals to ensure crops survive the time they take
fare. Part of the growth has been due to health
Both café and retail
to make their way along distribution chain from
scares such as bovine spongiform encephalop-
shop, Bunalun began
YO G I H U B
Yogi Hub was opened
steak sandwiches,
pasta and brownies.
farm to supermarket. Those fresh oranges at
athy (mad cow disease), pig encephalitis and
in County Cork,
your local supermarket? Chances are they were
dioxin contamination. To avoid loading their
Ireland. Tony Chettle
in 2004 by Lily Ko, and
plucked before they were fully ripe, gassed,
bodies with what they regard as unnecessary
and Singaporean wife
has created its own
irradiated, fumigated, refrigerated and stored
chemicals and additives (linked to ner vous
Alicia bring in a fully
niche in affordable
in a dank warehouse for weeks before they end
disorders and cancer), organic devotees have
certified organic range
and delicious organic
up in your basket.
set the pace for the unconverted.
of food including
vegetarian fare. Dine
Whet her con su mpt ion of or g a n ic fo o d
pasta and grains, oils
in for daily specials
and vinegars, jams,
such as pumpkin
for t r ue bel iever s, t he answer is obv ious.
honeys, and ready-
pasta, its renowned
Not w it hstanding t he higher cost, organic
cooked meals to
brown rice sets,
certainly pays
go, as well as bath
and pick up retail
and skincare items.
items as well as
will prolong one’s life remains unclear, but
tips on cooking.
GOURMET
WHILE ORGANIC FOOD HAS BEEN GAINING IN POPUL ARITY, THE TERM REMAINS
SOMEWHAT OF A MYSTERY TO MOST WHO KNOW LITTLE BEYOND THE NEW-AGE
STEREOTYPES SURROUNDING IT
STORY
JASON HAHN
I M AGES
S A N J A G J E N E R O + P AT R I C K B R E TA N O
64
+
65
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67
GOURMET
66
UNEARTHING THE PAST AND PRESENT OF MIDDLE EASTERN SPICES
STORY
AMY VAN
I M AGES
JOEL LOW
ART DIRECTION
CHERN LING
L O C AT I O N
A L AT U R K A T U R K I S H & M E D I T E R R A N E A N R E S TA U R A N T
savoury dishes, he uses it to f lavour a simple
salad comprising chopped onion and parsley
(often served with kebabs).
techniques to the traditional methods,” he adds.
Bone was overseeing Cintemani Restaurant
in R itz Carlton Istanbul, and there, classic
Dessert-wise, some of the commonly used
Tu rk i sh d i she s u si ng t r ad it iona l i ng r e d i-
ingredients since ancient days include saffron,
ents were served but presented in a modern
rose water and cinnamon. The alluring saffron
st yle. “We would use spices, and blend in
lends f lavour and colour to zerde (saffron
Mediterranean ingredients such as semi-dried
rice pudding) and ice creams. Cooks usually
tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil to
sprinkle ground cinnamon over milky desserts
create an innovative dish. Sometimes, it’s not
or sutlac (rice pudding), and use delicate rose
about the technique but rather a combination of
water to perfume Turkish delights and güllaç
ingredients, the chef’s creativity and integrity.
(r ice f lour wafers soaked in milk and rose
We would prepare the dishes with local ingre-
water, and layered with nuts).
dients and add a creative edge to it, making it
Apar t f rom t hese common f lavour ing s,
distinctive from the rest.” Some examples of
Huseyin adds that there are other types that
dishes he created included: pan-fried sea bass
are rarely found in other countries outside the
with warm baby eggplant and tomato salad and
Middle East. For instance, camsakizi or pine
tahini yoghurt; iced halvah parfait with manda-
gum, a sticky sap derived from pine (which
rin confit and poppy seed tuille; cinnamon
has the fragrance of fresh pine tree) is used
poached blood plums with orange pannacotta,
for ice creams or milky desserts. Or orchid
and rose petal ice cream and raspberry sorbet
milk (sahlep) which is made from the roots of
terrine with berry coulis and white chocolate.
rare wild orchids found in the mountains. This
While working in Istanbul, Bone was also
has a strong aroma and is used for medicinal
inspired by the various types of exotic ingre-
Since ancient times, exotic f lavourings and
purposes in the days of yore. Nowadays, sahlep
dient s available. “I was able to use cinnamon, saffron, honey, pistachio nuts and add
spices have been used in the Middle East for
is boiled with milk and sugar, f lavoured with
various purposes from cooking and medici-
cinnamon and drunk in winter. Ground orchid
a distinctive f lavour to the dishes. One of the
nal to aphrodisiacal. In her book The Middle
root (sahlab) turns sticky when combined with
things I noticed in the local markets is that the
Eastern Kitchen , author Ghillie Basan wrote
ice—so it is ideal as a gelatinous, thickening
vendors are now catering to the needs of the
that it was during the early Abassid period
agent in ice creams (popular in Turkey, Iran,
customer and even selling lemongrass, corian-
(8th centur y) that spices were extensively
Syria and Lebanon).
der, baby coconuts, nori leaves, wasabi, soy
C R E A T I V E T O U C H E S A lt houg h mo st
not typically used in Turkish cuisine, and not
used in the reg ion’s cuisines. These spices,
often purchased by the wealthy, originated
sauce and others. While these ingredients are
from southern Arabia, Syria, Persia, Central
independent restaurants and home cooks rustle
even available five years ago to the locals, there
Asia, Africa, and as far as India and China. The
up traditional meals and sweets, chefs from
is a trend now to meet the changing needs of
the market,” he points out.
book notes that in the early days, the Persian,
five-star hotels have, in recent years, started to
Greek and Roman empires played a part in the
infuse a dash of creativity into their culinary
character of this region’s food. But it was the
repertoire while maintaining the basic concepts.
spices and f lavourings can be mind-boggling.
Ottoman Empire (1299 to 1922) which ruled
For instance, InterContinental Singapore’s
But it is evident that Middle Easterners are
much of South-eastern Europe, the Middle East
executive chef Jai Krishnan says that he has
passionate about their spices—and justifiably so.
and North Africa, that largely inf luenced and
tried using Middle Eastern f lavourings and
Many cooks will stay true to authentic flavours
Indeed, the spectr um of Middle Easter n
amalgamated the region’s cuisines—dishes
spices in some of his Nor th Indian dishes.
and take pride in these ancient yet essential
that often captivated diners with their sophis-
“Most of the true North Indian food that you see
ingredients. Despite being tinged by modernity,
ticated use of spices.
in India, Pakistan and neighbouring countries
vestiges of the past are still very much alive and
owes its roots to Turkey and other Middle
will continue to permeate the present
T R AC I NG T R A D I T I O N Today, many Middle
Eastern countries due to the centuries of trade
Easter n chefs including Husey in Ozdemir,
and shipping. Spices like saffron, cumin, cinna-
owner of Alaturka Turkish & Mediterranean
mon and others can be widely used in many
Restaurant, still serve traditional dishes injected
ways. I do have a weakness for sumac, and
with a well-balanced and lively marriage of
use it extensively in salads and for marinat-
spices. To him, the spices and flavourings from
ing.” At the hotel’s Olive Tree Mediterranean
Turkey and the Middle East taste different from
Restaurant, the chef still takes the traditional
those found in other parts of the world. For this
approach with Middle Eastern spices by prepar-
reason, he travels to his hometown Istanbul to
ing classic d ishes such as hummus, baba
source for ingredients that can’t be easily found
ganoush, dips, sauces, pita, and fattoush salad.
in Singapore.
Executive chef Geoffrey Bone of Ritz-Carlton
One of the items that he lugs back is pome-
Millenia, who previously worked in Istanbul,
granate molasses which is traditionally used
feels that although the traditional cuisine will
for salad dressing s. To make t his concen-
most likely remain unchanged, more adven-
trated sweet and sour ingredient, a substan-
turous chefs these days would weave tradi-
tial amount of pomegranate juice is extracted,
tional ingredients with modern presentation to
boiled and reduced. He also brings back sumac,
attract a younger, more eclectic crowd. “There
a souring agent widely used as a substitute for
are also some chefs in Istanbul who are experi-
lemon, tamarind or vinegar in Arabia, Turkey
menting with traditional Turkish ingredients
and the Levant. Besides sprinkling sumac over
and flavours and incorporating French cooking
+
69
GOURMET
68
THE NE W COOL IN THE CULINARY UNIVERSE ARE HYPERMODERN
MASTERPIECES HONED IN A LAB. MEET THE STAR CHEFS WHO ARE PIONEERING
THIS NEW WAVE
STORY
CHRISTOPHER TAN
I M AGES
A L I N E A + E L B U L L I +T H E F AT D U C K + M O T O + W D 5 0
Imagine that all you have been told is untrue.
The world is not round, east is not east and
neither is west what it seems. Grav it y can
somet imes send you upwards. There is an
eighth colour at the end of the rainbow. How
would you feel?
Over the past two decades, the merry few
whose world is the kitchen and whose air is
fine cuisine have experienced something of the
same dislocation. The simultaneous maturing
of the material sciences, engineering technology, communication and travel networks, and
gastronomic thinking has given rise to a brave
new era where almost any t hing, it seems,
is possible.
The kitchen of the new millennium boasts
not just pans and stoves, but lasers and centrifuges. No aspect of an ingredient or dish is
taken for granted, but instead, re-examined,
ref ined or over t ur ned. No combinat ion of
flavours is too taboo to consider and no concept
too strange to outlaw.
Here, our bluffer’s g uide to some of the
current visionaries of the new gastronomy.
THE
PERFECTIONIST:
HESTON
B L U M E N T H A L AT T H E FAT D U C K To
many, Heston Blumenthal — the popular face
of molecular gastronomy (though he might not
agree with that) — is a self-taught chef who
at the age of 40 has won three Michelin stars,
a 19/20 Gault Millau rat ing, and Restaurant
magazine’s “Best Restaurant In The World
Award” for his establishment The Fat Duck.
Personally, he has been bestowed with an OBE
from the Queen and an honorar y Doctor of
Science degree from Reading University.
And he deserves them. Blumenthal doggedly
pursues the understanding of the entire gastronomic experience, from the time the ingredients leave the ground or the water, as they
pass through the kitchen, encounter the diners’
tastebuds and olfactor y ner ves, and finally
T H E S PA N I S H P L AY E R : F E R R A N
leave thoughts and emotions in their wake. His
A D R I À A T E L B U L L I By now, you must
approach and work ethic make the CSI crew
surely have heard of Fer ran Adr ià and his
look like mumbling slackers.
restaurant
EL BULLI.
You would have read the
In comparison with El Bulli and its ilk, the
press about how Adrià laboured in obscurity for
Fat Duck’s menu sounds almost pedestrian—
a decade until word got out about his magical
gazpacho, sardines on toast, ballotine of foie
culinary manipulations—the ways in which he
gras, délice au chocolat. But only on paper. The
T H E A R T I S T : G R A N T A C H AT Z AT
de-coupled flavour, texture and temperature to
gazpacho is a sparkling purple from red cabbage
A L I N E A Grant Achatz has a different handle
produce things like soy clouds and hot jellies,
juice and served with mustard ice cream, the
on things compared to most chefs. Quite literally
and ‘breads’ which evaporate in the mouth.
sardines on toast come in sorbet form, and
so because at Alinea, his work of restaurant-
You must have heard about foodies tutting with
popping candy in the délice’s base detonates on
art-in-progress in Chicago, the designs of the
annoyance that reservations at El Bulli need to
the tongue like cocoa-infused fireworks.
be made at least a year in advance.
serving utensils and vessels evolve in lockstep
Blumenthal’s latest cookbook, Perfection,
with the wonders they are tailored to present.
If you haven’t (where on ear th have you
bears witness to his belief that nostalgia and
Thus, you might receive a tempura item in a
been?), all you need to know is on El Bulli’s
memor ie s a re t he t wo e s sent ia l — i nde ed,
spindly metal armature like a naked umbrella,
capacious website. Adrià, along with other chefs
inescapable—seasonings for a good meal. It
which allows air to circulate around the fritter,
such as Juan-Mari Arzak, were the Spanish
takes absolutely classic dishes and entirely
keeping it crisp. Another morsel may arrive on
sparks that set the rest of the culinary world
refines how they’re made in order to make them
what Achatz calls “The Bow”, an arched frame
afire; the first ones to challenge hidebound
better. The process is a bit like the six-million-
on which the impaled food trembles in echo of
notions of what is and is not appropriate for
dollar man, and almost as expensive. The tools
your anticipation.
haute cuisine. Several years on, the original
that go into the making of his Black Forest Cake
Achatz’s cuisine is not just about executive-
flame has not dimmed.
are a paint gun, microwave, whipped cream gas
toy fantasies, however. Were that so, Alinea
canister, a vacuum cleaner and a digital probe.
wouldn’t have just been voted the number one
but it should not be confused or conflated with
The El Bulli approach is not easy to précis,
No one ever said perfection came easy.
restaurant in America by Gourmet magazine in
molecular gastronomy. The latter is concerned
W W W. FAT D U C K . C O . U K
its October issue. One of the winsome things
with laying bare the processes of cooking and
about Achat z’s br io is t hat it is dist inct ly
consumption on a microscopic and scientific
American in its spirited, restless hunting and
level, in order that cooking techniques might
assimilation of new ideas.
become more precise, more effective.
In contrast, what Adrià does has more to
The goal of his art (which extends to finely
cont rolling ever y aspect of the restaurant
do with art, cur iosit y and philosophy. And
environment, from temperature and lighting
play. Though they do it with g reat ser ious-
to staff demeanour) is to not only engage the
ness, Adrià and his partner chef and brother
diner cerebrally, but to also provoke them into
Alberto clearly enjoy playing with food in the
receiving the meal as an emotional journey.
way a young child will stack bricks with utter
Th is m ig ht t ake t hem t hroug h wonder-
absorption. Over the years since El Bulli burst
ment and joy, but perhaps also trepidation and
onto the scene, that desire to explore has diver-
bemusement. How else to receive, say, ‘rabbit,
sified to include more restaurants, catering, a
cider, roasted garlic, smell of burning leaves’,
hotel, lines of trade and consumer products
the last item a trapped vapour that rushes out
and equipment, a research foundation, and last
and engulfs you with a whiff of autumn as the
year, a university Chair.
serving dome is lifted?
W W W. E L B U L L I . C O M
W W W. A L I N E A - R E S TA U R A N T. C O M
THE SHOCK OF
THE NEW
T E M P E R AT U R E
A quick guide to
MASTERY
post-postmodern
Devices that can
culinary techniques.
achieve very cold,
very hot and very
UNEXPECT ED
stable temperatures
J U X TA P O S I T I O N S
are a staple feature of
Take nothing
new-wave restaurants,
for granted on a
enabling chefs to
contemporary tasting
wrestle ingredients
menu. With the
into new formats.
gadgets now available
to them, chefs can
S P H E R I F I C AT I O N
assign any texture,
An Adrià masterstroke;
colour or temperature
the forming of
to an ingredient
flavoured liquid
almost at will. The fun
into thin-skinned
T H E S C I E N T I S T : W Y L I E D U F R E S N E AT
is in how they subvert
spheres—which can
W D 5 0 More laid-back than Blumenthal, less
our expectations.
be anywhere from
technical than Cantu, and hipper than Achatz,
Take for example
caviar to ravioli in
Wylie Dufresne resembles a cloned child of
Achatz’s shrimp
size—which pop
Charlie Trotter and Doc Brown from Back to
cocktail, served in
in the mouth.
the Future. We’re not being rude; the “mad
scientist” label suits Dufresne to a T, and he
an atomiser that you
F L AV O U R
THE REINVENTOR : HOMARU CANTU
E N C A P S U L AT I O N
A T M O T O A picture of Homar u Cantu on
GELS
A Blumenthal term.
his food-design website
Sophisticated new
To seed a dish with
COM)
spray into your mouth.
works it, baby.
Which other chef would seek to divorce an
( W W W.C A N T U D ES I G N S .
oyster’s flavour from its “slurpiness” by press-
shows the chef as a young boy, peering
ing it f lat and serving it in trimmed squares?
setting and gelling
bits of ingredients
pensively into the middle distance from under
Who would think to pair foie gras with ancho-
agents grant today’s
manipulated to go
a haystack of hair, as if already possessed by
vies in a terrine that the New York Times likened
chefs the ability to
off like tiny flavour
the vision of what will be his future: a dining
to “satanic pastry”?
give ingredients
bombs in the mouth,
enterprise of the Star Trek kind.
textures at almost any
as you consume it.
point on the spectrum
If James Bond was a gastronome, Cantu
Dufresne’s unique brand of freewheeling
weirdness has divided critics, but his choices
would be his Q. At his restaurant Moto in
and combinations are far from arbitrary. As you
between solid, liquid
CRY P TIC MENUS
Chicago, you may as well check your disbelief
might expect of a Jean Georges Vongerichten
and gas—including
To sidestep
at t he door along w it h your coat and hat.
alumnus, he is one of the few post-post-modern
chefs who consistently uses Asian ing redi-
even substances that
preconceptions, many
Among other techniques, one imagines, that
are gels when hot and
of today’s chefs favour
requires wait-staff to have at least college-level
ents. A plate like his hangar steak tartare with
liquid when cold.
dish descriptions
physics to be able to describe, Cantu carbon-
pickled Asian pears, a savoury bearnaise ice
that mention key
ates whole solid fruit so it fizzes when you
cream and a sauce of amaro liqueur shows
his propensity for finely tuned collages that
FOAMS
ingredients without
bite into it, transforms goat cheese into snowy
Flavoured froths
saying how they are
crystalline drifts and Caesar salad into glassy
harness sour, sharp, bitter and pungent nuances
that sit happily on
treated. For example,
pellets with liquid nitrogen, and vapor ises
to unexpected effect.
the plate until they
Achatz’s ‘matsutake,
vanilla beans with an industrial laser to create
W W W.W D - 5 0 . C O M
aromatic smoke.
dissolve in the mouth.
mango, peanut, yuzu
Espumas, as their
glass’ and Cantu’s
Spanish inventors call
faintly ominous
Cantu has filed are ideas that he hopes will not
them, were among the
‘doughnut forms’.
just expand peoples’ palates, but change the
innovations that made
Among the 30 or so patents pending that
world in more significant ways. For instance,
the world really sit
his specially modified inkjet printer (dubbed
up and pay attention
“the replicator” in homage to Star Trek) that
to the new cooking.
prints on rice paper with food-derived inks,
could be further tweaked to produce edible,
nutrition-rich health-education pamphlets for
distribution to the impoverished — who would
read them, then eat them.
W W W. M O T O R E S TA U R A N T. C O M
Hogan
290 Orchard Road
B&B Italia
OB SE S SION
#01-07 The Paragon
Space
T O H AV E A N D T O H O L D
Ph: 6733 5525
Level 2 Millenia Walk
Yves Saint Laurent
Inhabit
Ph: 6415 0000
#01-47 The Paragon
390 Orchard Road
Christofle
Ph: 6735 7378
B1-03 Palais Renaissance
# 02-11/12 Hilton Shopping Gallery
SuperNature
Mulberry
Ph: 6235 6995
Ph: 6733 7257
21 Orchard Boulevard
#01-06 Four Seasons Hotel
Puce Boutique
#01-21 Park House
Ph: 6734 3583
390 Orchard Road
Ph: 6735 4338
#01-06 Hilton Shopping Gallery
#03-03 Palais Renaissance
VOYAG E
Yogi Hub
Ph: 6887 5100
Ph: 6735 4550
M O U N TA I N S A N C T UA R Y
16 Madras Street
Balenciaga
Tyan @ Palais
Uma Paro
Ph: 6298 8198
#02-05 Hilton Shopping Gallery
390 Orchard Rd
PO Box 222
28 Stanley Street
Ph: 6733 8270
#02-11/12 Palais Renaissance
Paro Bhutan
Ph: 6220 4344
Hermès
Ph: 6736 0832
Ph: +975 8 271597
www.uma.como.bz
THE SCIENTISTS OF
Ph: 6738 9807
DRIVE TIME
Amankora Paro
GASTRONOMY
Fendi
The Hour Glass
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey
El Bulli
#01-32 Ngee Ann City
#01-02 Ngee Ann City
Ph: (975) 2 331 333
Cala Montjoi
Ph: 6887 5981
Ph: 6734 2420
Amanresorts Central Sales
Ap. 30 17480
Prada
Sincere Fine Watches
& Reservations Office
Girona, Spain
#01-02A Liat Towers
01-45/46 The Paragon
#01-12 Ngee Ann City
Ph: 6887 3337
Ph: + (34) 972 150 457
Ph: 6735 5715
Ph: 6733 0618
www.amanresorts.com
www.elbulli.com
The Fat Duck
Burberry
FA S H ION
ISLAND IN THE SUN
Ngee Ann City
SOLE TO SOUL
Pimalai Resort & Spa
High Street
Level 1 Takashimaya
On Pedder
99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach
Bray Berkshire
Shopping Centre
#02-12 Ngee Ann City
Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150, Thailand.
SL6 2AQ
Ph: 6735 1283
Ph: 6835 1307
Ph: 66 (0) 75 607 999
Ph: +44 (0) 1628 580 333
#01-32 The Paragon
Jimmy Choo
Singapore Sales Office
www.fatduck.co.uk
Ph: 6839 6688
Takashimaya Department
Ph: 6734 3298
Alinea
Gucci
Store Level 2
#01-40 The Paragon
Ph: 6732 9880
1723 North Halsted
Chicago Illinois
Ph: 6734 2528
G OU R M E T
60614
Takashimaya Department
N AT U R A L S E L E C T I O N
Ph: +312-867-0110
www.alinea-restaurant.com
Store Level 2
DE SIG N
Bollywood Veggies
Ph: 6735 9188
CHINA STYLE
100 Neo Tiew Road
Moto
Lladro
Ph: 6898 5001
945W Fulton Market
SHEIK APPEAL
Level 1 Raffles Hotel
Bunalun
Chicago, Il 60607
Malayan Motors
Shopping Arcade
43 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-70
Ph: +312 491 0058
45 Leng Kee Road
Ph: 6338 2722
Chip Bee Gardens
www.motorestaurant.com
Royal Doulton
Ph: 6472 0870
WD50
www.royaldoulton.com
Ngee Ann City #B2-01-3A
50 Clinton Street
T H E N E W G UA R D S
Royal Copenhagen
Ph: 6735 2337
New York, NY 10002
Antipodean
Georg Jensen Basement 1
Naturally Market Place
Ph: +212 477 2900
27A Lorong Mambong
Ph: 6735 5298
by Cold Storage
www.wd-50.com
Holland Village
Versace
#01-23 VivoCity
Da Vinci Home Gallery
Ph: 6275 4770
Ph: 6473 7755
Ph: 6463 7336
10 Tanglin Road
Ph: 6738 6333