the ultimate living

J U L ⁄ S E P 2007
JUL ⁄ SEP 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 ®
HOT IN THE CITY: TOKYO MIDTOWN
E XC LU S I V E LY YO U R S : INVITE-ONLY CARDS,
PRIVATE DINING, COLLECTIBLE CARS
FALL FASHION: LUXE COATS
It’s the global trend that looks set to stay—saving our planet from the assaults of worldwide
warming. In turn, consumption has gone green and the proliferation of alternative status
symbols have brought back the basics—home, hearth, consciousness and consideration for
things larger than ourselves.
Now that carbon footprinting has become a household term, people are increasingly interested in the origins of the products they buy. Many prefer to buy locally, if only to reduce
their share of fuel emissions as things get flown across the world. But just because everything can be produced everywhere doesn’t necessarily mean that they are all equal in terms
of quality.
Some higher cost regions can afford to be expensive because of their superior skills, rare
expertise, and/or an enduring brand. This is why, according to the website trendwatching.com, despite earlier doomsayers, some high-end brands like Ermenegildo Zegna, Rolex
or Vertu are manufacturing or assembling in their high-wage home countries and are not
suffering for it.
While selling a signature range of products, these brands are also selling a story—one they’ve
been selling for many years. And millions of consumers happily pay a premium for these
goods that tell a story of authenticity, connoisseurship, of its owner knowing where in the
world to source the best for each element of his product.
This is an approach we at SC GLO BAL DE VE LO PM E NTS have always adhered to. The consumer’s
desire to splurge on things authentic cannot be underestimated, and it is for this reason we
continue to source for only the best in our homes.
Naturally, that our world needs a tender hand to ensure its longevity means we will do our
part to preserve and conserve. After all, whatever we do now—whether investing in quality
homes or embracing the simple practise of recycling—impacts those we love and leave
behind when we are gone.
SI MON C HEONG
JUL ⁄ SEP 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 GR APE E XPECTATIONS
22
F A S H I O N COAT TALES
A R T S C E N E CAPTURED IN SPACE
FLIGHT OF THE FIT
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50
36
12
GOURME T
EDEN’S ENV Y
24
13
TR AVEL FILE
ELITE CARDS
D E S I G N FAIR PL AY
46
LITER ARY SMORGASBORD
G O U R M E T PRIVACY ISSUES
C E L L A R SHAKE IT UP
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62
THE BIG O
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64
32
14
SCENE
15
HOT REELS
COLLECTIBLE CARS
BLOCH PART Y
S T O C K I S T MERCHANTS’ LIST
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72
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48
V O YA G E HOT IN THE CIT Y
POSH PUBS
19
54
SOWING THE SEEDS
68
JUL ⁄ SEP 2007
MANAGING EDITOR ANNET TE TAN
EDITOR LIONEL SEAH
DESIGNER SHERLI CHONG, K AMARUZI BERRO
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT PHYLLIS CHEAH
ACCOUNT MANAGER JENNY LEE
ASSISTANT OPER ATIONS MANAGER YEO KENG SENG
MICA (P) 236 /12/2006
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, COPYRIGHT © 2007. SC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
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P R I N T E D I N S I N G A P O R E BY K H L
I TA L I A N CONNEC T ION
Renowned for its luxury men’s
apparel, Ermenegildo Zegna
recently unveiled its first
Leather and Accessories store
in Takashimaya, complementing
its existing 3,500 sq ft flagship
store in Paragon Shopping Mall.
Spread over 650 sq ft, the new
store carries the entire range
of Ermenegildo Zegna leather
and upper casual apparel,
shoes, leather accessories,
eyewear and fragrances. A
must-visit for any sartorialist
worth his bespoke suit.
CRYS TA L PA L ACE
Once the preserve of has-beens,
Swarovski crystals are enjoying
a revival thanks to fashion
runways all over the world.
From up-and-coming British
designer Christopher Kane to
the detoxed Donatella Versace,
the Austrian company’s crystals
were spotted sparkling up and
down the catwalks this year.
Its current collection includes
crystal-studded jewellery pieces
from hairbands and pendants
to mobile phone accessories.
BAGGING RIGH T S
Gucci has hit fashion lovers’ G-
spot again with this season’s
It bag. Designed by creative
director Frida Giannini, the
Indy bag introduces a new
signature handle for the Italian
brand. Inspired by the steering
wheel of vintage sports cars,
the ultralight, handcrafted
beechwood bow handle
beautifully enhances the bag’s
other details like its bamboo
and leather tassels. Four
special editions, each unique
to its own country, will also
be available this fall in Japan,
Europe and the United States.
These styles will re-introduce
the elegant La Pelle Guccissima
leather hand-woven wool with
a deer print in rubber and fur.
K NOT S L A NDING
GOOD CHRIS T I A N
Under design maverick John
Galliano, the French fashion
house of Christian Dior has
been at the top of its game. Its
autumn-winter collection 2007
is yet another example of why:
Besides the sharp silhouettes,
the genius styling and cutt, the
choice of fabrics and colours,
the ready-to-wear collection is a
paean to 1940s glamour. There
are sexy dresses in glorious
purple, pistachio, electric blue,
and fuchsia that bring back the
magical ring of old Hollywood.
Apart from the watch, the tie is
about the only other accessory
that a man should invest in.
And Bulgari’s new range of
seven-fold ties could help reap
the returns. Named after the
seven-fold technique—a refined
method of tailoring—each tie is
hand-cut, sewn, folded seven
times and then lined with the
finest silk, guaranteeing perfect
wearability. With the range are
three collections: the Prestigious
Stress, the Bulgarissimo and
the Sette. Each perfectly
balances classicism and
modernity and is ideal for the
fashionable, dynamic man.
M AGNE T T HER A PY
The assualts of the everyday—
cigarette smoke, toxic
detergents, car and industrial
emissions— can cause
immense damage to the skin.
The good news is, thanks to
extensive research, Clarin’s new
Expertise 3P (Poly Pollution
Protection) Screen Mist, may
be the antidote to cellular
ageing. Infused with white
tea, rhodiola rosea, thermus
thermophillus and succory
dock-cress, E3P guards against
harmful electromagnetic
waves and simultaneosly
restores skin’s hydration and
balance. Recommended for
use on both men and women.
M AGNUM OPUS
A handsome watch that
combines equal parts sturdy
sportiness and precision
timekeeping is Baume &
Mercier’s Riviera XXL Magnum.
It features a self-winding
movement in a steel-titanium
case for maximum sturdiness
and a black vulcanised rubber
strap for suppleness and shock
absorption. An amphibious
companion through life’s
pursuits, the watch is water
resistant up to 200 metres.
M A DE-TO-T RE ASURE
If god is in the details, then
dunhill’s Custom Tailoring
service must be heaven
sent. It boasts up to 16 suit
silhouettes, 220 luxurious
British and Italian cloths and a
range of options such as lined
or half-lined jackets, straight
or slanted pockets. Using
dunhill ’s signature St James’
suit block—which was inspired
by Savile Row cutting, with
a slimmer waist and sharper
shoulders—each Custom
Tailoring suit undergoes 165
separate operations with some
200 individual pieces going
into making the jacket. And
once measured up, dunhill
keeps its customers’ info
so a bespoke suit is really
just a phonecall away.
SPA DE ODYSSE Y
New York bag lady Kate Spade’s
sacs are known for their quirky
and girlish sense of fun. And
this season, it’s graphic shapes,
bold colours and a playful
chic attitude. Inspired by New
York and the American coasts,
collections like Cape Cod feature
lobster and netting imagery.
Check out her Hugo Poppy
series, designed in collaboration
with Brit artist Hugo Guinness—
the totes combine his organic
drawing with her clean style.
T R AV EL L ING W I T H S T Y L E
Not content with the talents
of industrial designer
Marc Newson and fashion
designer Alexander McQueen,
Samsoniate’s latest bid to rev up
its image sees new and sleeker
designs in store. Created in
collaboration with Samsonite’s
creative director Quentin
Mackay and Cameron Silver,
owner of Decades (vintage store
to the Hollywood stars), the
line includes carry-ons, makeup
cases, tote bags, wallets, and
even umbrellas, all designed in
a black and white floral print.
A GOOD EARFUL
LIVE STILLS
Love the convenience of the
preview pane on your compact
digital camera but hate the
quality of its shots? The 10megapixel Olympus E-510 DSLR
might be the answer with its
2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD
that enables better framing
for your shots. Meanwhile, the
in-built stabiliser guarantees
clear pictures. And just so you
don’t have to manually clean
your camera, the good folks
at Olympus have incorporated
the Supersonic Wave Filter
that helps keep dust away.
TRAVELLER’S PALM
The Treo 750 boasts all that
you’ll need for work or play. The
Palm smartphone has the usual
bells and whistles that keeps
you connected with its e-mail
and web browser utilities. All
of which smartly and swiftly
connects to the Internet with its
broadband 3G/UTMS speeds
with HSDPA capabilities. More
than a phone, it’s also a Palm,
so most users will be familiar
with the Windows Mobile
platform and nifty functions of
its organiser. With everything
you could possibly hope for in
a portable computer including
MS Office applications, an inbuilt 1.3 megapixel camera and
Windows Media Player, it may
just spell the end of your laptop.
While in-ear headphones are
a delight to audiophiles on the
go, they often don’t do well
in the comfort department.
That’s where Bose’s latest
portable earphones are a boon.
Ergonomically designed, the
plugs rest gently on the bowl of
your ear, as opposed to being
stuffed in, making it perfect
for extended listening. They
have also incorporated its
proprietary TriPort acoustic
headphone structure that
enables the headphones to
reproduce deep, low notes
so there’s no compromise
in sound quality. Coming
with three interchangeable,
differently sized silicone for
each ear size and a small
pocket carrying case, they’re
something you don’t want to
leave your house without.
LIGHT AS STONE
WALKMAN REVISITED
Sony is making big strides
back into the portable audio
market it once dominated
with the iconic Walkman.
Downsized and updated, the
NW-A800 has video capabilities
and integrates Clear Audio
technologies that help enhance
bass with minimal distortion.
Profile-wise, the device is only
8.3mm-thin, weighs a mere
53g and comes in four colours.
If you enjoy jogging to music,
Creative’s latest mp3 player is
going to be your new best friend.
Lightweight at just 18.5g, the
Zen Stone’s 1GB storage space
means you can tune in to almost
500 songs for up to 10 hours.
Music transfers are also made
easy by simply dragging and
dropping the music files into
the Zen Stone’s folders, without
the need for additional drivers.
T HE CA R DESIGN
Y E A RBOOK 5
Devoted petrolheads will want
this 320-page tome. Between its
glossy hardcover are over 550
stunning images and original
renderings showing exteriors
and interior styling of more than
130 concept and production
cars launched between April
2006 and March 2007. And
with key performance and
technical data provided for
each model, this is a unique
and detailed reference for all
car and design enthusiasts
of microcars and supercars.
A MERICA N YOU T H
P hil L aMar che
When Kevin and Bobby go to
Ted LeClare’s house to play with
his guns, Bobby gets shot. Back
at school, it’s seen as a badge of
honour and he’s asked to join a
pro-gun gang. LaMarche’s debut
novel is a bleak rite-of-passage
tale which neatly dissects the
values of the American religious
right and holds up a mirror to
gun control policies in the US.
V IN TAGE SING A PORE
Capturing the post-war period
up to the 1970s, Vintage
Singapore will evoke nostalgia
for the good old days when life
was much simpler. Five thematic
chapters open up with notes
written by the various curators
of the National Musuem. Images
of school badges of the past,
old Ovaltine containers and
tin toys will doubtlessly take
up much of your afternoons
and provide talking points
with your house guests should
conversation ever prove difficult.
T HE DOW N T EMPO ROOM
VOL . 2 (EQ MUSIC)
Various
Featuring the finest artists of
lounge house music and nu-jazz
to unwind to, the compilation
is the perfect accompaniment
for a romantic dinner or an
intimate cocktail gathering.
Sounds of Ian Pooley, Corinne
Bailey Rae and D’sound are
remixed and arranged to
soothe and mesmerise.
CA L L ME IRRESPONSIBL E
( WA RNER)
Michael Buble
Buble proves that you don’t
need musical instruments to
impress on his rendition of
Sinatra’s ‘The Best Is Yet To
Come’. Not when he has that
voice and can to snap his fingers
with such rhythm. The Canadian
belts out familiar tunes from
legends such as Nat King Cole
and Tony Bennett in his third
solo studio release. However,
it is his own composition in
‘Everything’ that Buble stands
out with the heart-felt lyrics
and catchy tune. No doubt,
it’s high time he starts doing
his own stuff full-time.
ROGUE F OOD
Downtown lunches don’t have
to be a crowded affair with the
newly opened Rouges. With
5,000 sq ft of floor space and
high ceilings, it’s like an oasis
of culinary calm in the clamour
of Shenton Way. Our top picks
include the succulent grilled
scallops in spicy Thai fish
sauce and pear, and rocket
salad sprinkled with blue
cheese. That said, if you’re in
for a quick bite, their unique
tapas menu—which boasts
assorted nori rolls, salmon
gravadlax and char-grilled
baby octopus—is a speedy but
scrumptious affair. The wellstocked bar is also an excellent
meeting point for a round of
after-work drinks. Unwind at
day’s end with a martini in hand
as you watch the city return
to calm from the restaurant’s
al fresco rooftop bar.
PH: 6557 0040
MOLTO BENE
Another new Italian restaurant,
Bonta aims to set itself apart
by bestowing a modern touch
on traditional recipes. Helmed
by Bergamo native chef Luca
Pezzera (fresh from his stint as
executive chef of Jakarta’s Hotel
Intercontinental) the kitchen
imports most of the ingredients
direct from Italy. We enjoyed
his homemade tagliatelle ($28),
which comes with generous
servings of pasta and porcini
mushrooms topped with a meltin-your-mouth piece of foie
gras. Sweets come in the form
of frozen Sicilian cassata—fresh
ice cream drenched in Marsala
zabaglione which should, if
taken in sufficient quantities,
end your evening on a high.
PH : 6333 8875
CAFÉ SOCIET Y
MACARON
The brainchild of Les Amis’
head pastry chef, Pang
Kok Keong, Macaron is
Singapore’s first dessertdining concept restaurant.
The World Gourmet
Summit Pastry Chef of the
Year has earned himself a
reputation for making
the best macarons on
the island, so it comes as
no surprise that the
restaurant is named after
his signature pastry. The
best place to start is
with the restaurant’s 15course degustation menu,
which features both
savoury and sweet courses
throughout. A wine pairing
programme is also
available upon request.
P H : 6 2 3 5 -7 2 7 7
For the past two years, luxury
gourmet boutique Hediard has
been delighting epicureans
here with its refined French
delicatessen. Now, the purveyor
of fine French fare has made
the natural progression from
gourmet store to gourmet cafe.
At more than 1,600 sq ft, the
Tudor Court Café-Boutique
offers gourmands a gastronomic
shopping experience like
no other. Additionally, it is a
destination to relax and savour
the culinary delights of its
menu designed by Parisian
chef Vincent Caraillon.
While not extensive, the menu is
concise and appealing. Tantalise
your tastebuds with dishes like
black truffle salad, marinated
foie gras with Hediard chutney
and Hediard taboule, the store’s
take on the middle-eastern salad.
For mains, diners can choose
from Assiettes (an assortment
of small bites) or Tartines
(open-face toasted sandwiches).
The Assiette Hediard (terrine
Maison, foie gras and Serrano
ham) and the caviar on potato
with hazelnut oil tartine may all
sound like simple fare but it’s
the quality of the ingredients
that makes all the difference.
Using produce and products
available within the store, the
dishes here demonstrate what
could easily be recreated in the
home kitchen. The joy here is in
sitting back in a lovely French
cafe and letting someone
else do the work for you.
A range of divine desserts
is also available—think an
assortment of macarons, thyme
creme brulee and other French
patisserie classics. The perfect
accompaniments to a cup of
Hediard’s unique blended teas.
W W W. H E D I A R D . C O M . S G
BOOK I T
The Library is the latest Design
Hotel to open in Asia. Its 26
pristine white units are broken
down into suites and studios
and housed in two-storey cabins
with minimalist designs. Each
come with Jacuzzis or hot tubs,
iMacs and 42-inch plasma TVs
with DVD players. That said,
staying in isn’t an option with
the divine beaches of Koh
Samui beckoning outside. And
did we mention a private 50metre stretch of white-sanded
beach exclusively for The
Library guests? Of course you
don’t name a hotel The Library
for nothing—there’s plenty of
reading material here, from
design books to pulp fiction.
W W W.T H E L I B R A R Y. N A M E .
SHORE L U X URY
From the Four Seasons and
W, to the always exquisite
Banyan Tree, any hotel group
worth its five-star rating has
left its designer footprints on
the magical Maldives. The
latest to open is Naladhu
Maldives, the first member of
Minor International’s new “M
Collection” of resorts. Set in
the South Male Atoll, the 11
ocean pool houses and eight
beach houses were created by
designer Julian Coombs. Each
room has gabled roofs, wood
decking, outdoor showers
and terrazzo baths. And with
turquoise waters as a backdrop,
stunning service and stylish
ambience, it’s little wonder
the Naladhu Maldives was
named one of the world’s
hottest resorts in the Conde
Nast Traveler 2007 “Hot List”.
W W W. N A L A D H U . C O M .
L U X URY ON T R ACK
Following the route of the new
Eastern & Oriental Express will
be a refreshing experience
for even the seasoned train
traveller. On 23 October, South
East Asia’s only luxury train will
begin its new journeys to the
Lao-Thai border with excursions
to the charming city of Vientiane.
The three-night itinerary will
take travellers through the
Khmer ruins at Phimai, a unique
wine tasting experience at
the New Latitude vineyards
of Khao Yai, and across the
Mekong through the Friendship
Bridge. You may choose from
a selection of Pullman, State
and Presidential compartments
for your temporary but
luxurious abode. Passengers
can also enjoy an extensive
and breathtaking onboard
view of Thai and Laotian sights
from the observation car.
W W W. O R I E N T- E X P R E S S . C O M .
G A RDEN OF EDEN
Arizona isn’t exactly the style
capital of the United States,
but regular style-seeking
continental-hoppers may
want to re-look their travel
plans this summer and check
into the Mondrian Scottsdale.
Recently acquired by the überhip Morgans Hotel Group—
parent company to Mondrian,
Sanderson and St Martins Lane
hotels—the Mondrian Scottsdale
is fast taking Arizona’s hip
quotient up a few notches.
Designed by rising international
star, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz,
the 194-room hotel occupies
six two-storey buildings that
flank a swimming pool. Drawing
inspiration from the Garden
of Eden, Noriega-Ortiz’s lobby
is nude and innocent, a stark
contrast to the red trompe l’oeil
and drapes at the Red Bar.
W W W. M O N D R I A N S C O T T S D A L E . C O M .
T HE K ING & I
6–26 Aug
Esplanade Theatre
Award-winning Rodgers &
Hammerstein masterpiece,
The King & I, is set to raise
curtains here. Winner of eight
Tony awards, including Best
Musical and Best Score, The
King & I is also Broadway’s
longest-running Rodgers and
Hammerstein revival. Expect a
earful of popular ditties, such
as ‘Hello Young Lovers’, ‘I
Whistle a Happy Tune’, ‘Getting
to Know You’ and ‘Shall We
Dance?’. Featuring a stellar
cast backed by Broadway and
theatrical experiences, The
King & I is directed by Bobby
Garcia, Hong Kong Disneyland’s
first Live Entertainment
Director and an award-winning
multimedia director. The 2hr
55 min-musical also promises
to be a visual treat, with its
lavish costumes and a set that
transport the audience back
to 19th century Thailand.
SY NERGY – A
CEL EBR AT ION OF
IN T ERN AT ION A L A ND
AUS T R A L I A N CHOR A L
MUSIC
8 July
Esplanade Recital Studio
Experience choral music
Australian-style at this onenight-only concert which brings
together 90 voices from three
of Down Under’s best known
choirs. Synergy will see The
Australian Boys Choir, Young
Voices of Melbourne and
The Vocal Consort perform
a repertoire of modern and
familiar tunes that include
works by leading Aussie
composers such as Stephen
Leek, Paul Stanhope and Sarah
Hopkins. The choirs will perform
separately and in combination
to provide a truly unique 75minute musical experience.
W W W. S I S T I C . C O M
ENGEL BER T
HUMPERDINCK
25 August
Singapore Indoor Stadium.
HE Y F IG A RO!
27–30 July
Esplanade Theatre
W W W. S I S T I C . C O M
K ING L E A R & T HE
SE AGUL L
19–22 July
Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay
Getting the renowned Royal
Shakespeare Company to
perform in Singapore is a
coup in itself. But to have
acclaimed British actor Ian
McKellan headlining two
heavyweight plays? Now that’s
the equivalent of a Gandalf
miracle. Come July, the thespian
will star in Shakespeare’s
King Lear and Chekov’s The
Seagull. Organised by the
Singapore Repertory Theatre,
Singapore is the only Asian
destination on the Company’s
world tour of this double bill.
W W W. S I S T I C . C O M
Praised even by the most
celebrated of Italian composers
Giuseppe Verdi, Gioacchino
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is
easily one of the most influential
and important comic operas
of the 19th century. This new
full-length opera production,
by acclaimed director David
Edwards, takes a contemporary
approach to the opera yet
remains faithful to its familiar
tunes and clever plot. Sung
by a stellar international
cast and accompanied by
The Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Lim Yau, this
comic opera will thrill firsttime opera-goers as much
as opera cognoscente.
Sung in Italian with English
and Chinese subtitles.
W W W. S I S T I C . C O M
Throughout his 40-year career,
he has chalked up numerous
hits such as ‘Quando Quando
Quando’, ‘Release Me’, ‘The
Last Waltz’, ‘Am I That Easy To
Forget’, ‘Spanish Eyes’, ‘Les
Bicyclettes’ and more. Now fans
who want to relive those good
old days can catch the legendary
romantic crooner Engelbert
Humperdinck live in Singapore
as he celebrates 40 years in
showbiz with a world tour.
Expect to see him belt out hits
in his inimitable signature style
in this one-night-only concert.
W W W. S I S T I C . C O M
SCA PES :
CON V ERSAT IONS W I T H
N AT URE
Mercedez-Benz Centre
6 July–30 September 2007
Eight local-based artists of
different nationalities draw
on Western and Eastern art
traditions of the landscape
genre in the second of a
quarterly exhibition organisd
by art gallery FOST. Working
in different mediums (painting,
traditional and digital printing,
drawing, ceramic), the artists’
renditions include ceramic
sculptures (Stephen Low),
intricate mixed media works
of underwater seascapes
(Anette Notfors) and abstract
landscapes based on local
scenery (Tay Lay Leng).
Opening hours Mon–Sat,
8.30am–7pm. Ph: 6836 2661
Brought to you by Audi
Audi TT-Roadster
T
he mighty metallic structure of the Audi TT
Roadster might decieve one into thinking that
it weighs as much as it looks. But the car’s
uniquely curvaceous body is surprisingly light,
thanks to the lightweight Aluminium Space Frame —
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With meticulous precision in weight distribution,
the Roadster is a product of a precise blend of aluminium and steel set over handsome leather upholstery.
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horse power turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. Pair
that with an optional magnetic ride system and what
you get is optimum handling composure.
This fine work of automotorship marries luxury
elegance with high-performance athleticism. A multitude of cutting-edge features are found superimposed onto the smart open-top, two-seater, which is
reminiscent of its early 1900’s predecessors’ distinguishing mark of style.
Remote control doors and smart Xenon highintensity discharge headlights are joined by a new
fully automatic ‘hands-free’ roof operation system.
An automatic spoiler, which maintains downforce to
maximize stability, self-engages when velocities reach
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to below 80 kph for optimum aerodynamics.
And the Roadster has its instrument panel illuminated to complement a wrap around windscreen and
sleek bucket seats. The Audi TT Roadster, truly terrific
for any discerning man.
Audi TT-Roadster
Engine Type
2.0 TFSI,
V4 engine
3.2 quattro,
V6 engine
Maximum Power
200 bhp between
5,000 - 6,000 rpm
250 bhp at
6,300 rpm
Maximum
Torque
280 Nm between
1,800 - 5,000 rpm
280 Nm between
1,800 - 5,000 rpm
Gearbox
S tronic
S tronic
Top Speed
237 kph
0 - 100 kph: 6.5 sec
250 kph
0 - 100 kph: 5.9 sec
PA N ’S L A BY RIN T H
Set in 1944 Spain, Pan’s
Labyrinth tells the tale of
Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a
young girl who moves to an
isolated military outpost with
her pregnant mother and new
stepfather, the vicious Captain
Vidal. While exploring her new
home, Ofelia discovers a stone
labyrinth and comes upon a
friendly faun who promises
she’ll become the queen of a
magical land if she completes
three magical tasks. Meanwhile,
Captain Vidal conducts a brutal
search for rebel Nationalists,
not realising that his own
housekeeper is helping the very
same people he’s after. As he
becomes increasingly obsessed
with continuing his family line,
Ofelia’s mother runs the risk of
being sacrificed for his cause.
THE QUEEN
The death of Princess Diana
coincided with the birth
of the newly elected New
Labour party. And it is Tony
Blair’s political ascension on
1 May 1997 that opens this
film. The movie purports
that the new British Prime
Minister coerced the Queen
persistently to acknowledge
the overwhelming response
to Diana’s death. It contends
that Blair phoned the Queen
several times before she
agreed to fly the Royal
Standard at half-mast over
Buckingham Palace or make
her television broadcast in
which she expressed her
feelings as “a grandmother”.
It all makes for riveting
viewing since the movie
ventures into ground that
was once solely the domain
of satirical re-enactment.
It’s all helped along by
Helen Mirren’s stunning
performance as England’s
leading lady, as well as an
impressive cast that includes
the extremely talented
Stephen Frears as Tony Blair.
PA RIS, JE T ’A IME
The fact that a group of directors
collaborated to make a two-hour
movie is enough to put some
off what could be a mixed bag
of convoluted vignettes. But
Paris, Je T’Aime, a cinematic
postcard from the French
capital by some of the best in
the business, turns out to be
pleasantly surprising. The movie
is comprised of 18 separate
shots, each approximately five
to six minutes long by names
like Wes Craven, Alfonso Cuaron,
Tom Twyker and Gus Van Sant.
Although the stories have little
in common apart from the
city as its backdrop, there is a
pleasing seamless quality as
one tale segues into the next.
The cast assembled for this
evocative series of vignettes
are as stellar as the directors—
among them are Natalie
Portman, Steve Buscemi, Emily
Mortimer, Maggie Gyllenhaal,
Willem Dafoe, Juliette
Binoche, Elijah Woods, Gerard
Depardieu and Nick Nolte.
GL AS TONBURY
From the moment the film
opens to the sounds of
squelching, muddy footsteps,
Glastonbury transports
its viewers directly to the
celebrated festival. Not simply
a film about Glastonbury’s
history and how it’s changed
over the years, it also captures
the emotions that participants
feel over that one weekend
in June. The rather chaotic
and haphazard feel of the film
suits its story, with amateur
footage combined with
director Julien Temple’s reel,
edited alongside material
from 30 years ago and
combined with clips from
the 2005 festival. The result
is an honest, exhilarating
and inspirational film that
will leave Glastonbury
fans wishing for the next
festival to come sooner.
P.S.
P.S. centres around Louise
Harrington (Laura Linney), a
lonely Columbia University
art school admissions officer
still reeling from her recent
divorce. Alienated from most of
her family and with few friends,
Louise lives a largely solitary
existence, spending most of
her free time with ex-husband
Peter (Gabriel Byrne), to
whom she remains unhealthily
close, or on the phone with
her best friend Missy (Marcia
Gay Harden), who lives in
California. Just as she is getting
used to spending her nights
and weekends alone, Louise
receives a much-need jolt in
the form of an MFA applicant
named F. Scott Feinstadt
(Topher Grace). As it turns out,
Feinstadt was also the name of
Louise’s high school boyfriend,
an aspiring artist who died in
a car accident 20 years ago.
Although her memories of their
relationship are complicated,
it’s clear she hasn’t fully let
go of him. Big surprise then
that the F. Scott Feinstadt who
comes for the interview bears
an uncanny resemblance to her
deceased love in both looks
and personality. Terrified but
also eager to recapture a lost
part of her life, Louise initiates
an affair with Feinstadt, who,
despite being initially baffled
by her strong reaction to him,
finds himself increasingly drawn
to this sad, complex woman.
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PHOTOGR APHY
E A L BER T HO
ST YLING
The inimitable glamour of the 1960s makes a comeback
with Bvlgari’s Fall/Winter 2007 collection of accessories.
The forms are maxi or micro, elegant or casual, soft or
constructed, all blending to delineate a new approach to the
canons of the Bvlgari tradition.
S T E V E T HIO
22
23
OBSESSION
+
a s t he fol k s at Cauda l ié have d i scovered,
Christian Dior, its newest luxury anti-ageing
grape-derived polyphenols is one of those excit-
line, L’Or de Vie, comprises just two powerful
ing new finds that just keeps on giving to the
products: La Crème and L’Extrait. Both are made
skin—antioxidants, cell regeneration, healing
from what Dior’s resident research special-
and brightening.
ist Pat r ice Andre calls t he new generat ion
Reservatrol for example, is found in a vine’s
of polyphenol, which they’ve found potently
natural defence system and allows it to literally
f lowing through the Sauvignon Blanc vines
live for thousands of years. Think of it as a nature-
o f t h at o t h e r f a m e d B o r d e au x v i n e y a r d ,
gifted essence of youth and when captured and
Chateau d’Yquem.
stabilised in Caudalié’s Vinoperfect Radiance
A precise extraction method eventually gave
Serum, it helps cells regenerate themselves.
birth to 10 molecules and a whole new class of
Their most exciting discovery to date has been
polyphenol—key to the longevity and quality of
found in vine stalks.
Y’quem’s precious vines—which together charge
Viniferine has the ability to brighten skin
up the L’Or de Vie line.
and fade spots. In a recent inter v iew w it h
Rang ing in pr ice between $ 600 and $ 800,
t he F i n a nc i a l T i me s , Thom a s r e ca l l s her
grand cru creams are already in a category unto
g r a n d p a r e nt s’ o l d v i n e y a r d t r a d i t i o n o f
themselves, not unlike the vineyards they come
r u b b i ng c ut s t a l k s a c r o s s t h e i r f a c e s t o
from. And in much the same way a fi ne wine is
erase freckles —which repeats itself in the
reflective of precision, process and the honour
brand’s big sensation, the Viniferine-infused
of time, the new vine-derived creams—while
Vinoperfect Radiance Serum.
conceived on the cutting edge of science—are
All their products also contain a backup
arsenal. Vinolevure—discovered when someone
showing themselves to also be considerable
works of art.
T H E N E W G E N E R AT I O N B E A U T Y C R E A M PA C K S A
POWERFUL GRAND CRU PUNCH
ANITA K APOOR
I M AGES
CORBIS + DIOR
noticed that vineyard workers’ hands were soft
THE ÜBER
and strong despite the harshness of their work—
INGREDIENT TREND
is a wine yeast incorporated into all products
RHODIOLA ROSEA:
because of its ability to trap and hold moisture
small flowering herb
mushroom is a
also known as the
common food source
at the skin’s surface—100 times its own weight.
A
MUSHROOMS:
The
Hypsizygus ulmarius
Golden Root and found
in Japan, but it’s
ageing moisturiser and an antioxidant dietary
high in the remote
more highly prized by
supplement. Today, Caudalié is an elite cult
polar mountains of
integrative medical
brand of more than 35 products and three luxe
Siberia that flourishes
experts like Dr
spas with an appeal among beauty elitists in
despite its environment,
Andrew Weil for its
much the same way oenophiles thrill to a bottle
it is making waves for
immune-enhancing
of Smith Haute Lafitte.
its ability to regenerate
and cancer-protecting
stressed skin, reduce
properties. And when
They started with just two products—an anti-
Over 10 years ago, one of the most respected
STORY
The Caudalié success has clearly inspired
grand cru classé vineyards in France started to
ot her s t o s e ek t he f r u it s of t he v i ne t o o.
lines and wrinkles and
combined with a
dabble in beauty products, an action that liter-
Carlo Mondavi of the Napa Valley’s Mondavi
bring back the bounce.
host of healing herbs
winemaking family recently debuted a men’s
Currently found in
it retains the ability
ally had the rest of the wine industry laughing. But Mathilde Thomas, whose family owns
and women’s grape-infused skincare line Davi
Origins Youthtopia™
to boost the skin’s
Chateau Smith Haute Lafitte in Bordeaux, and
(exclusively at New York’s Bergdorf Goodman).
Skin Firming Cream
anti-aging defences.
her husband, Bertrand, were on to something.
Combining grapes, fermented grape extract
and Lotion.
What began as an innocent discussion with
and pomace (the pulp, peel, stalk and seed
Professor Joseph Vercauteren, expert and former
remains after pressing), Mondavi advocates
president of Group Polyphenol International,
a double fer mentat ion process to raise the
RUSH:
about polyphenols—the antioxidant found in
levels of polyphenols in the raw product. He
paying close attention
the leftover skin, pulp and pips of the grape
also combines it with bilberry and green tea to
to the growing need
THE SUPER ORGANIC
The industry is
and the much touted answer to every woman’s
create a potent complex he’s calling Meritage (in
for truly all-natural
prayers—went on to revolutionise the beauty
winemaking it’s used to refer to the blending of
sources and resources.
industry. Skincare brand Caudalié was born and
different grapes).
went on to build an entire anti-ageing skincare
category around the polyphenol phenomena.
The sk incare indust r y is devoted to t he
essentials of anti-ageing potions. Regeneration,
Polyphenols are notoriously hard to stabilise, and Davi uses micro-encapsulation to keep
Coupled with the
need for transparency,
expect to see a more
the complex potent before it is infused into the
heightened sense
entire range of products.
of awareness from
r ad ia nce a nd re su r fac i ng — a nd t he a r t of
Indeed, it’s not just the smaller cult brands
packaging all that into a bottle, or three. And,
that have been turning to fine vines. Over at
ingredients to labelling,
across the board.
LEFT TO RIGHT
GIRARD PERREGAUX WW.TC
SLATE DIAL IN PINK GOLD.
BELL & ROSS BR01-97 POWER
RESERVE IN PINK GOLD.
BAUME & MERCIER RIVIERA
CHRONO IN ROSE GOLD
TEMPTING TIMEPIECES
PHOTOGR APHY
MERV IN CHUA
ST YLING
S T E V EN KONG
OBSESSION
EDEN’S ENVY
24
+
25
PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA
TRAVEL TIME LADIES WATCH
IN ROSE GOLD
JACOB & CO. AUTOMATIC
GMT WORLD TIME IN ROSE
GOLD (LIMITED
EDITION)
PATEK PHILIPPE
ANNUAL CALENDER
LADIES WATCH IN
ROSE GOLD
BVLGARI RETTANGOLD
WATCH WITH YELLOW
GOLD CASE AND
BRACELET
CHOPARD MILLE MIGLIA
AUTOMATIC CHRONO IN
STAINLESS STEEL
TOP TO BOTTOM
CHOPARD HAPPY SPORT
CHRONOGRAPH IN ROSE
GOLD. PIAGET LIMELIGHT
JEWELLERY IN PINK GOLD
+
33
OBSESSION
32
PLASTIC FANTASTIC
CASH MAY BE KING, BUT WHEN IT’S A BY-INVITE-ONLY CREDIT CARD, PL ASTIC
REIGNS SUPREME
STORY
LIANG MIN
I M AGES
CORBIS
Cash can buy you many things, including
prestige. But to buy the kind of social standing that will set you apart from the hoi polloi ,
you’ll need a credit card. And not just any old
piece of plastic.
In the last few years, credit card companies
have been introducing products to help their
wealthiest clients stand out from among their
peers. Just how exclusive are these cards? For a
start, you can’t buy your way into the member’s
list. You have to be invited.
American Express is believed to be the fi rst
to offer such a product w it h its Cent ur ion
card, commonly referred to as the Black card.
Ironically, the idea for this ultra-exclusive card
came about purely by accident.
In the 1980s, urban legend began circulat-
A M E R I C A N E X P R E S S C E N T U R I O N Want
C I T I B A N K U LT I M A Launched in 2003, the
ing about a by-invitation-only black credit card
to find out if you qualify for the Centurion card?
Ultima was Citibank’s answer to the Black card
from American Express that was g iven to a
It’s going to be hard. American Express keeps
and targeted its high net-worth clients. Unlike
privileged few. The fabled card was said to give
this card so hush-hush that it doesn’t even
the Centurion, which is a charge card that has
its holder unlimited spending power and some
feature any information about it on its website.
to be paid off at the end of every month, the
even said that clients were sworn to secrecy
News repor ts put the number of Centur ion
Ultima works as a traditional credit card.
about its existence.
cardholders at less than 10,000 worldwide.
TO Q UA L I F Y:
The stories were false, but American Express
TO QUALI F Y:
At least US $ 250,0 0 0 of annual
Earn at least S $250,000 a year to
be considered.
cleverly capitalised on the hype created by
spending on other American Express cards is
A N N UA L F E E :
the urban legends and the Centur ion Card
said to be required before you even register on
PERKS:
was born. Launched in 1999, it was arguably
their radar.
ent r y to air por t V IP lounges, special rates
the first prestige credit that was available by
A N N UA L F E E :
invitation only.
PERKS:
US$2,500
Compl i ment a r y compan ion a i rl i ne
Having a super-premium card doesn’t just
tickets on major airlines, access to airport clubs,
buy you prestige and limitless credit. It also buys
elite member status at top hotels, access to a
you a 24-hour concierge service that accedes to
personal concierge via a direct line and email.
your every request. You name it—impossible-
S$2,000
Access to a 24-hour concierge service,
for hir ing pr ivate jets, lu xur y yachts, and
spor t s car s, and book ing a pr ivate island.
N AT W E S T B L A C K Natwest was the first
high-street bank to offer an ultra-prestige credit
card back in 2002 and remains one of the most
to-get concert tickets with backstage passes to
COUTTS & CO MASTERCAR D WORLD
exclusive bits of plastic in the UK.
boot, last-minute reservations at restaurants
C A R D P ur ple may be t he new Black. The
TO Q UA L I F Y:
usually booked out months in advance, private
Mastercard World Card—designed by British
to be considered.
shopping sprees at exclusive shops—it’s all just
menswear designer Ozwald Boateng—is said to
A N N UA L F E E :
a phone call away for privileged members.
be the most exclusive credit card in the world,
PERKS:
Earn a minimum of £70,000 a year
£250
A c c e s s t o a ho s t of mu lt i-l i ng u a l
That’s not all. Concierges often go out of
with a client list of around 100. Available only
personal assistants to do your bidding, annual
their way to honour the most extreme requests.
through British bank Coutts & Co, the card is
travel insurance, and free car breakdown cover,
In one case, a holder of an exclusive card was
rumoured to be the plastic of choice for Her
foreign exchange fees waived.
said to have asked for a vial of water from the
Majest y Queen El izabet h II. Ot her famous
Dead Sea in the Middle East so that his son
clients include Victoria Beckham, Virgin mogul
Q U I N T E S S E N T I A L LY B E Y O N D B L A C K
could analyse it for a school science project. The
Sir Richard Branson and pop legend Elton John.
While most prestige credit cards are operated by
concierges got it.
TO QUALIFY:
So what will it cost you to enjoy all these
luxuries? Well, if you need to ask….
Offered to select clients of Coutts,
card companies that happen to offer concierge
most of whom a re r u mou red to b e wor t h
services, this card is operated by a high-end
eight-digits.
concierge services company that happens to
A N N UA L F E E :
PERKS:
£350
Concierge services, private after-hours
offer a credit card. Quintessentially’s services,
which promises to help clients in “accessing the
shopping sprees, a travel agent who will deliver
inaccessible”, have been used by celebrities like
foreign currency and travellers cheques to your
actress Gwyneth Paltrow and supermodel Kate
doorstep before you fly.
Moss. Urban legend has it that singer Jennifer
Lopez once hired the firm to get her 12 rare
albino peacocks for a lavish garden party.
T O Q UA L I F Y:
Only available to members.
A N N UA L F E E :
Its Elite membership (by invitation,
of course) costs about HK$300,000 a year.
PERKS:
Its concierge services are near legendary.
It’s been known to do anything from mounting
rescue missions for clients lost in the Amazon
to completely redesigning hotel suites to suit
the whims of diva celebrities.
+
35
OBSESSION
34
STORY
MERVIN CHUA
new Mini is not only metrosexually cool but is
Predicting a Fer rar i Enzo will roll off the
quick and doesn’t handle like a sissy on skates.
auction blocks setting auction records isn’t
rocket science considering its limited produc-
Also appealing to gear head collectors, the
tion numbers and bespoke engineering. But
most glamorous kit car to date, the Lotus Elise
guessing which mass production automobile
already has some collectors making space in
will be deemed collectible is a different roll
their garages for it. The humble 1.9 litre four-
of the dice. Recently, at an auction in Phoenix,
cylinder eng ine packs an enor mous power-
Arizona, a 1971 Plymouth shocked collectors
to-weight ratio and has put it shoulder to shoul-
when it went under the gavel for US$5million.
der with the prancing horses of the supercar
Besides being absolutely stock, no one expected
league. Its monocoque is melded to its chassis
this muscle car of humble origins to outf lank
using an ingenious epoxy resin instead of nuts
more obviously iconic makes like Camaros, Ford
and bolts. This novel dovetail gives the car an
GTOs and Shelby Mustangs.
almost organic handling on the tracks and
many collectors consider it a future trend in
For a formerly mass market car to attain
terms of chassis building.
collector status requires huge demand among
However large the straw poll, guessing the
r ich buyers and an X-factor. But just as an
intellectual exercise, Hagerty Insurance—a US
FJ Cruiser, an off-road vehicle that is a clear
climate for mass-market collectible cars is still
insurer specialising in collectible cars—polled
depar ture from Toyota’s gas-sipping stable
a crapshoot. Yet there are certain elements
approximately 50,000 of its clients in an attempt
of cars. Based on the jungle crunching Land
t hat st ac k t he c ha nce s of a ma ke b e com-
to predict the next generation of collectible
Cruiser platform, the FJ Cruiser could very well
ing collectible. Take for instance the humble
cars. The results left US manufacturers a tad
be Toyota’s last behemoth as it focuses more on
BMW 02 Series. Before it was emblazoned the
red-faced as the list was dominated by Japanese
hybrids—a departure that probably explains
02, the BMW 1600 first debuted at Munich’s
and European cars. Who would have thought
why collectors are banking on the FJ Cruiser.
Opera House for BMW’s 50th Anniversary in
that a Toyota Scion would find itself elevated
Also mentioned was the Acura NSX, which is
March 1966. Aside from its raucous perform-
from mundane soapbox to “potential” collec-
Honda’s only semi-exotic car. Ceasing produc-
ance, the 02 Series culled a new sporting gentle-
tor car of the future? Judging by current day
t ion in 20 05 has only g iven t he NSX more
man’s segment. Termed by a journalist of that
aesthetics, the Scion is par t bento box and
credence with collectors.
time as a “sports car in a Sunday suit”, the 02
modular clown car, but then again, some 40
The future shock continues as muscle cars
Series was a harbinger of a growing niche for
years ago the Volkswagen Combi had similar
like Ford Mustangs were excluded from this
compact, sporty medium range saloons. As
endearing qualities.
list, leaving only the Dodge Viper and Chrysler
a road map to what is collectible, the future
collectibles mentioned, like the 02 Series, bear
C u r r ent ly, t her e i s a dea r t h of c ol le c t-
300 as American muscle cars that hold a glint in
ible Japanese cars, but according to Hagerty
a collector’s eye. The Americans can still take
similar elements of honest performance and
Insurance, t he t ides are shif t ing. A not her
heart that the Jaguar XK was named as future
cult appeal—tenets that should take them from
potential Japanese collectible was Toyota’s
collectible. Owned by the Ford Motor company,
the scrap heap to the auction block.
the XK managed to wrangle itself a spot simply
because it retains its cat-like signature profile.
The most accurate bet on the list, evinced by
its already strong following, is the BMW Mini.
The British motoring icon, which now speaks
German was re-launched by BMW and stood
for all that is good about retro-styling. It’s what
the new Beetle tried to be but got squashed.
Collectors, after all, are gear heads and the
FUR FRONTAL
CELINE CROPPED FUR
AND LE ATHER COAT
MATCH ED WITH HIGHWAISTED WIDE PANTS
THE ULTRA-LUXE SPORTY COAT GETS SLICED SHORT FOR A LUSH FALL
PHOTOGR APHY
ELIZA PHUA A
ST YLING
S T E V E T HIO
HAI R
NICOLE DUFFY-LIEW, MONSOON HAIR STUDIO
MAKEUP
GREGO (HP: 98 2 6 2 6 8 1 ) U S I N G C O L O U R S F R O M C H A N E L
FASHION
COAT TALES
36
+
37
INT
QRUIICLT
AT
EE
D BFA
LO
NO
CM
YS
S I LVBEU
RRABNED
R RGYOC
LR
D OFPLPOERDA L
Q U I LTL AJ C
AE
C KEEMTBIRNOO
I DLE
I VREE D
W I TBHA BY
W I DDEO C
LL
O LDLRAERS S
A N DF R
SO
LE
ME V
BU
ES
R BAENRDR Y
STR APPY SILK DRESS
CL ASSIC T WIST
C ELI NE LONG BL AC K
A N D W H I T E T W E E D C O AT
W I T H D R AW S T R I N G
C O L L A R OV E R A G R E Y
W O O L K N I T S H E AT H
HIGH SHINE
BURBERRY PATENT
LEATHER CROPPED
JACKET AND MATCHING
CORSET BELT WITH
SHORT LACE TRIM SKIRT
FLY HIGH
LOEWE BOMBER
LEATHER JACKET WITH
FUR TRIMMED COLLAR
P L E AT S P L E A S E
P U R P L E H A LT E R N E C K
P L E AT E D D R E S S F R O M
L E S K AW C S E R R A N T
AT T H E L I N K .
LUXE LOOKS
LOEWE CROPPED FUR
COAT WITH LEATHER
CUMMBERBAND AND
LEATHER SKIRT
CLASSIC UPDATE
BURBERRY LONG GREY WOOL
JACKET CINCHED WITH BLACK
CROC LEATHER BELT AND
STUDDED LEATHER PURSE
Brought to you by BVLGARI
TOP: OVERNIGHT BAG
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CALF LEATHER AND
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CALF LEATHER AND
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PHOTOGR APHY
EL IZ A PHUA
ST YLING
S T E V E T HIO
Bags of luxury
Famous for its iconic jewellery, Italian luxury brand Bulgari is now making
waves with its Fall / Winter 2007 collection of ultra-luxe accessories
With its distinctive jewellery and time pieces draped on men and women of taste
around the world, it was only a matter of time before Bulgari would focus its talent for
creating must-have luxury goods on the world of accessories. The Italian brand’s latest
line of elegant bags and wallets for work, travel or entertaining, is set to achieve the
same iconic status as its jewellery. And with such an extensive range, there’s really
only question to ask yourself: Which ones of its sumptious pieces will you choose?
Audi TT-Roadster
FROM TOP: DOPPIO
TONDO HANDBAG IN
DA RK BROWN GOAT AND
CALF LEATHER; LEONI
HANDBAG AND WALLET
IN OLIVE PLEATED
NAPPA LEATHER.
+
47
ARTSCENE
46
FAIR PLA
MILAN’S SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL MOBILE IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF COOL
DESIGNER FURNITURE. HERE’S THE PICK OF 2007
LIONEL SEAH
SPACE F U R N I T U R E
STORY
I M AGES
Fashion has its seasonal catwalk shows in
design show, the annual trade fair saw more than
of ornamental porcelain bells to Studio Job’s
Paris, Milan, New York and London. Horology has
2,500 exhibitors from nearly 40 different countries
supersized mugs and pans, big is in.
Baselworld and Salon Internationale de Haute
spread over 200,000sq m of exhibition space at
Horlogerie, both in Switzerland.
Rho-Pero from April 18 to 23 this year.
A R T E K Finnish company Artek, now headed
So what of designer furniture? The Salone
As with the authoritative fashion and watch
by Tom Dixon, commissioned Japanese architect,
Internazionale del Mobile, of course. And it’s
trade shows, the Milan Furniture Fair—as it is
Shigeru Ban, to design a pavilion built in a new
not called the furniture industry’s Cannes Film
known in English—showcases the trends that will
type of recycled waste paper and showed the new
pop up in designer homes everywhere in the next
Bambu series of tables and chairs made from fast-
few months.
growing, ecologically responsible bamboo. This is
Festival for nothing.
Easily the world’s most revered furniture and
And if there’s one overwhelming trend you
need to know, it’s that size is everything. From
environmentall friendly furniture at its best.
www.artek.fi
Dutchman Marcel Wanders’ giant plastic replicas
B & B I T A L I A The influential company showed
works that were collaborations with design heavyweights like Zaha Hadid, Patricia Urquiola and
Antonio Citterio. Check out Naoto Fukasawa’s
Siena bed: Its base and headboard have been
shrunk to suggest lightness. www.bebitalia.it
K A R T E L L The 60-year-old plastic specialist Kartell unveiled Toobe by Ferrucio Laviani, its
first floor lamp, which is likely to be a talking point.
www.kartell.it
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL PALACE Into its sixth
year, Swarovski Crystal Palace showed 19 newly
invented chandeliers by a vast range of participants including Hussein Chalayan, Missoni and
Patricia Urquiola. www.swarovskisparkles.com
B O U R O U L L E C It’s a bumper showing for the
prolific French brothers Ronan and Erwan. They
launched the ingenious Steelwood chair for Magis,
the Slow chair for Vitra and the Pol sofa for Kartell.
They also devised a chandelier for Swarovski as a
wireless light that can be moved anywhere.
D R I A D E The influential family-run company
unveiled 40 new products, including one by design
G R C I C German designer Konstantin Grcic’s
behemoth Philippe Starck, a stainless steel chair,
innovative Buggy office chair developed for Magis
daintily named ‘Miss Lacy’. www.driade.it
produced a striking, choppily curved silhouette
by blow-molding polypropylene into the most
comfortable and practical shape possible.
V I T R A The Swiss-based company has released
HELLA JONGERIUS
Elephant to celebrate the 100th birthday of
The Dutch designer shows her Props vases, jugs
designer and architect Charles Eames. Originally
and plates for Vitra with rabbit ears, bird beaks
designed by Eames and his wife Ray in 1945, the
a Vitra Anniversary Edition 2007 Eames Plywood
and penguin flippers. www.vitra.com
elephant has never been fully produced until now.
www.vitra.com
D R O O G Since it was founded in 1993 by product
designer Gijs Bakker and design historian Renny
Ramakers, this design initiative has nurtured
the careers of lauded design talents like Marcel
Wanders. Designers taking part this year include
Wanders, Bakker, Joris Laarman, and Studio’s
Müller & Van Tol among many others.
www.droogdesign.nl
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ARTSCENE
48
BLOCH PARTY
CONSTRUCTED UNDER A LITANY OF CRITICISM, THE BLOCH BUILDING HAS FINALLY
SILENCED ITS DETRACTORS
STORY
LIANG MIN
I M AGES
NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART
During the months that the Bloch Building at
of the Bloch Building came on, turning the
walled extension on the ground level. The struc-
Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art was
“shipping container” into a radiant jewel that
ture is also designed to meld into the surrounding
being built, the critics were spectacularly harsh.
bathed its surroundings in a heavenly glow.
landscape, cascading down one side of a hill.
They hurled schoolyard-worthy taunts at the
Instantly, traffic leaving the campus slowed to a
“We took the chance to depart from these
achingly simple structures of irregularly-shaped
crawl as everyone craned to look and marvel at
rules and make an ideal scheme fused with the
glass boxes, calling them names like “corn crib” (a
the city’s newest architectural landmark.
landscape, which would allow the original build-
type of granary used to dry and store corn) and
“agricultural storage building”.
One scr ibe even exclaimed: “It suddenly
Opened last month, the five crystalline pavil-
ing to be restored with the integrity of its free
ions that make up the US $196 million Bloch
standing original proportions rather than a lean-
Building is now being hailed by the same critics
to or a new box against the original,” he said.
dawned upon this critical cutlet that what it had
as Holl’s best work to date. Time magazine even
While some may say that the Bloch Building
taken for an ugly old shipping container was
went as far as to bill it as the architecture to watch
is built of stone, glass and metal, Holl sees it as a
actually the building closest to completion!”
out for this year.
structure defined by light.
Many believed that such a drab addition was
The New York-based architect explained
By day, the building’s endless walls of trans-
not worthy of the 73-year-old museum, which
in an e-mail interview the bold design of this
lucent glass lenses guide natural light from the
houses one of the finest art collections in the
new annex was to make it the yang to the main
outside into the museum, illuminating gallery
country.
building’s yin.
It didn’t matter that the man behind the design
“The idea of complementary contrast drove
spaces in perfect balance with the building’s
carefully calibrated fluorescent lighting. Lights
was world-renowned American architect Steven
our design for an addition to the Nelson-Atkins
in all areas of the gallery — including the under-
Holl, whose masterpieces include the Kiasma
Museum of Art, a classical stone temple and
ground garage — were calculated to the optimum
Contemporary Art Museum in Helsinki and the
surrounding landscape,” said Holl, 59. “In contrast
levels for viewing the art exhibits while preserv-
controversial Simmons Hall at Massachusetts
to the stone building, the new lightweight archi-
ing them.
Institute of Technology.
tecture of glass lenses is scattered about the
Even up till March this year, at an event where
landscape framing sculpture gardens.”
Inside, the pristine white walls and columns,
which shoot straight up from the ground before
Holl presented the building to a gaggle of local
Instead of simply sticking a new wing onto the
“billowing” into curves and canopies as they
VIPS and media types, the naysaying contin-
north side of the main building — the strategy
reach the ceiling, serve dual purposes — on top
of playing an aesthetic and structural role, the
ued. Some called it “risky”. Others, who were less
adopted by the other contenders — Holl buried
thrilled, couldn’t believe that the museum’s direc-
three-quarters of the annex underground and
curved surfaces also help capture and reflect light
tors had given the project the green light.
illuminated its 73,000-sq ft of gallery and lobby
downwards into the gallery areas.
Then, as the crowd was leaving, the lights
space with natural light drawn from the glass-
At night, it is the Bloch Building itself that
becomes the source of illumination for the
full beauty until you actually walk through it. The
museum. Resembling a giant Japanese lantern,
layout of the building — linked by weaving ramps
the internal lights of the structure gently cast a
and walkways — was designed specifically to
calming glow on the sculpture garden and reflec-
keep people moving so that they can experience
tive pool outside.
the interplay between the exhibits, structures,
“The interiors of overlapping perspectives in
environment and light.
subtle changing natural light is constructed from
“The visitor’s experience will be newly charged
an exterior architecture of translucent prisms
with views and partial views of landscape:
emerging from the ground…an architecture of
sequences of shifting perspectives open to spaces
sculpted bars of light and time,’’ said Holl. “One
where landscape merges with architecture,”
can really see that intensity in a billowing cloud-
explained Holl.
like spatial energy above the gallery floor. This
“The movement of the body as it crosses
light changes by the hour, changes by the day and
through overlapping perspectives, through the
by the season.”
landscape and the free movement threaded
It may already look stunning from the outside,
between the light gathering lenses of the new
but Holl insists that you haven’t experienced its
addition are the elemental connections between
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ARTSCENE
50
CAPTURED IN SPACE
A NE W YE A R-LONG E XHIBI T ION BRINGS TOGE THER A SERIES OF
STUNNING COMPOSITE IMAGES OF PLANETS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
STORY
ANNETTE TAN
I M AGES
AME R I C A N M U S E U M O F N A T U R A L H I S T O R Y
To those fascinated with what lies beyond our
The year-long exhibit ion, now on at the
planet, pictures of other planetary bodies are
American Museum of Natural History’s Imax
like the first-released photos of Suri Cruise—they
Gallery, brings together a stunning series of
prove the existence of things we’ve long heard
pictures drawn from the mammoth archives of
about but never seen. Images of what lies within
solar system images taken by robot explorers
the vast universe offer a glimpse at things far
over the years. Under the brilliant hand of writer,
greater than humankind, a nod to our humanly
photographer and filmmaker Michael Benson, the
limits within the confines of a slowly degenerat-
chosen pictures were given artistic treatment,
ing planet (that’s if you believe the global warming
rendering astonishing images in full colour.
hype, of course).
Benson began work in 1995, sifting through
Now, anyone with an Internet connection can
thousands of photographs in search of the special
view pictures of the planets–Jupiter and its rings,
few that would shine with a little polishing. The
Mars in its red glory and the Moon with its ethereal
images were then painstakingly combined with
grey terrain. But newsprint and a computer screen
the help of digital tools like Photoshop to purge the
often belie the richness of these images–depth
inevitable blurs from individual photos beamed
perception, the intense colours and the textural
back from across the endless miles of space. The
complexity of the planets are largely lost. Beyond,
images come from as far back as the 1970s, from
an exhibition of over 30 large-format photographs
robotic explorations such as the Mariner 10, the
of Earth’s planetary neighbours, is set to change
Viking Orbiters, and the Voyager.
all that.
Others, such as those of Venus, Mars and the
two moons of Jupiter, Io and Europa, were drawn
from another multi-year Benson project that
culminated in his 2003 book, Beyond: Visions of the
Interplanetary Probes. More recent pictures came
courtesy of newer space-faring robots like Cassini
and the rovers Spirit and Opportunity, both of
which are still traversing Mars’ largely undiscovered surface.
The exhibition is divided into four sections:
“Venus,” “Europa,” “Io,” and “Mars.” Many are
wonderfully startling, especially those that
capture the strange beauty of erupting volcanoes
on Io, with smoky plumes that rise to a 130km
height. The plains, terrain and ridges of Europa’s
icy surface form intricate patterns that mesmerise,
and an image of a global dust storm on Mars is an
incredibly memorable sight. Other images include
the topography of the Venusian plains captured in
its full glory, the Valles Marineris canyon system
on Mars that is large enough to span continental
United States and a captivating shot of Europa,
gliding in front of Jupiter’s swirling atmosphere.
According to the museum, the point of juxtaposing the four worlds of Venus, Europa, Io and
Mars, is to highlight their differences and similarities. Io and Euro and Jovian moons that orbit close
to each other, display a “fire and ice” contrast—the
very same contrast that defines Venus and Mars.
In bringing together art and science, Benson asks
his audience to ponder life in the universe, our
planet’s past and future, and quite simply, the
breathtaking beauty of alien landscapes.
Like most art exhibitions, all the images in
this series are for sale. But is it art if it was a robot,
rather than a person, who took the pictures?
Benson told the New York Times, “Although I didn’t
take the actual shots, I feel very much the author
of the final composite image.” And why shouldn’t
he? In recent years, ar tistic collaborations
between digital and traditional mediums have
come to be recognised as valuable collectibles—a
fine example is French duo Pierre et Gilles, whose
photographic paintings have won them an international fan base. Ultimately, if the soul is drawn
to the beauty of an image, art is then in the eye of
the beholder.
Beyond continues through April 6, 2008, at the Imax
Gallery at the American Museum of Natural History.
www.amnh.org
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ARTSCENE
52
LITERARY
T HINK OF DIGI TA L BOOKS
AS OPR A H’S BOOK CLUB
UNPLUGGED... JUS T A GA MU T OF
L IT ER A RY PIECES T H AT WOUL D
OT HER W ISE OCCUPY A N
EN TIRE L IBR A RY
There are two types of readers: The voracious,
novelty is its Forrest Gump box of chocolates
the Seltzer compilation’s edge is that it tames
wild-eyed reader who samples every genre, and
appeal. But extensive as it is, Seltzer’s digitised
the expanse of books into themes like “Books
those who, once they find kindred cadence with
books are dwarfed by the Project Gutenberg
about Books” or “Slave Narratives”. Historical
a particular writer or genre, never stray far.
(www.gutenberg.org), a mammoth digitising
periods are also classified into “The Ancient
Either way digital books will change reading
project that started in 1971. Best of all, its 20,000
World” or “18th Centur y”—all of which are
horizons. Think of digital books as Oprah’s Book
books are free. Plus there are some selections in
complemented by a comprehensive table of
Club unplugged—gone is the marketing spiel on
Chinese, Sanskrit, Yiddish and Afrikaans.
how this book can change your life; just a gamut
Project Gutenberg is just the tip of this altru-
of literary pieces that would otherwise occupy
istic literary cause. Many of the Gutenberg books
an entire library.
have been prepared by a legion of volunteer
contents. So while Project Gutenberg lets you
run amok in the library, Seltzer’s DVDs provide
you with a basic map.
There are a few conduits for digital books.
proof-readers. Amalgamated under Distributed
B O O K M A R K W O E S A drawback of literary
Trusty DVDs like Richard Seltzer’s Complete
Proofreaders, volunteers are given a scanned
pieces in raw text (no formatting and page
Book 3-DVD set packs in 11,849 books for US$149
page to compare with its digitised equivalent.
nu mb er i ng ) i s plac i ng a b o ok ma rk— once
(available from samizdat.stores.yahoo.net).
According to the site, about 300 to 400 proof-
you close the text f ile you are reading you
Seltzer organises the DVD books according to
readers worldwide participated each day, proof-
basically lose your place. One solution is to
theme, period, region and country, or by author.
ing 4,000 to 7,000 pages of text per day. These
type in your name into the text before closing
And because they are stored in plain text ASCII
pages are then proof-read again before being
it. On re-opening, a simple text search will
form, they bear no compression and encryption
submitted to Project Gutenberg.
and can be easily copied to your hard drive and
reveal where you stopped. For even bet ter
Another tributary site to Project Gutenberg
portability, freeware like Plucker re-configures
read without the use of proprietary software
is LibriVox.org, which is based on the same
your digital novels for easy reading on Palm
like pdf (page download format) readers.
volunteer concept…only this time individuals
handhelds. And for the ultimate ease or the
bored driver, Seltzer has a trial enunciation
A s a sup er-sa mpler of b o ok s — r a re a nd
read public domain books, aloud, to compile
mainst ream— DV D sets like t hese harbour
free audio books. The sound quality of the
software called ReadPlease. Basically converting
riches like Plutarch, Mark Twain, Lewis Carroll,
readings tends to be unpredictable with many
text to voice and reading aloud your dig ital
Jane Austen, Thomas Jefferson and more. We
of the translations sounding like they were
novel, ReadPlease can be purchased through
know one day Google will have all these rare
read next to a f ireplace in a w int r y cabin.
Audible.com.
gems housed in its digital repositories, but as of
Another downside is the absence of explanatory
While it is possible to pick and choose liter-
now, it’s thrilling to know that you have a bevy
comments and international copyright laws
ar y gems for download, there is something
of rare texts, philosophical classics, histori-
preclude most 20th century titles.
compelling about the potluck approach a Book
cal accounts, and even early children’s books
As an online resource, Project Gutenberg
DVD delivers. After all it’s something armchair
at hand…all without trundling through dusty
requires some patience when downloading
travellers do regularly by taking any book off
halls of books.
transcripts, something that Seltzer’s compila-
the travel shelf. The only difference is that, with
tions are free from. Extensive as they may be,
book DVDs, there are 12,000 destinations.
As a literary recycler, the Seltzer collections’
SMORGASBORD
DIGITAL BOOK DVDS ARE THE EQUIVALENT OF A LITERARY BUFFET…YOU’LL PROBABLY
NE VER COMPLE TE THAT COMPENDIUM, BUT IT ’S GOOD TO KNOW YOU HAVE IT
STO RY + I M AGES
MERVIN CHUA
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VOYAGE
54
HOT IN THE CITY
The most impressive thing about Tokyo’s
its opening, the ¥370 billion Midtown joins
new Midtown project may be what its develop-
Minoru Mori’s Roppongi Hills and the newly
ers didn’t do. The Mitsui Fudosan Corporation
opened National Arts Centre in re-imagining
didn’t build on every single inch of the 10-ha
this once slightly gritty neighbourhood and
plot of land. Instead, Mitsui and their partners
remakes it into a centre for commerce, tourism,
dedicated 40 per cent of the site to creating a
retail, dining, and very importantly, the arts.
green zone, otherwise known as gorgeous public
In fact, all three developments are working
parks. Which, in overdeveloped and cramped
together to create a Roppongi Art Triangle. Both
Tokyo, and especially in bustling Roppongi, is
Roppongi Hills and Midtown house beautiful
simply amazing.
museums and galleries.
Some Asian property developers might baulk
Midtown’s 21_ 21 Desig n Sight, desig ned
at the idea of turning prime space into parks, but
by superstar architect Tadao Ando and run
for Tokyoites, to have a quiet, peaceful, green
by fashion luminary Issey Miyake, showcases
place to relax in the city is a luxury that many
contemporary art, and is itself a sight to behold.
have heralded as nothing short of a miracle. Of
Ando’s use of concrete, glass and steel is both
course, since this park, with over 140 trans-
classic and iconic. The building is a study in
planted cherry and camphor trees, is located in
material, shape, texture and light. By contrast,
one of the most technologically advanced cities
Kengo Kuma’s space (and new home) for the
on earth, it is also a Wi-Fi zone. Wireless inter-
Suntor y Museum of Ar t is subtle, sexy and
net stations are strategically located throughout
restrained. The museum was prev iously in
the space, providing perhaps the most beautiful
both Marunouchi and Akasaka Mitsuke, and
setting in Tokyo to surf the Web.
the collection—which star ted in 1961—has
Tokyo Midtown officially opened on 30 March
over 3,000 pieces of traditional Japanese art. It
2007. Given the size and scope of the project, it
features century-old ceramics, textiles, glass-
took an amazingly short time to build. The land,
ware and other gorgeous antique art and craft-
which formerly housed the nation’s Defence
work. The six-storey museum at Midtown is not
Agency, was taken over by Mitsui in 2001. With
to be missed.
In addition to these two iconic art spaces,
Midtown, like nearby Roppongi Hills, has a topend luxury hotel, office space, super-premium
residences (with, some say, the highest rental
rates in the city), and many shops and restaurants. It also has a medical centre targetted at
both local residents and foreigners and a design
hub, in which local design agencies and companies will be offered space at reasonable prices.
The project’s central point in Midtown Tower,
which, at 248 metres, is the tallest building in
Tokyo today.
Its fi rst 44 floors are taken up by offices, but
its top floors make up the first Ritz-Carlton Hotel
in Tokyo. The Ritz-Carlton’s only other Japanese
hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, is considered by
some to be the finest hotel in the country. Filled
all year round with mostly domestic tourists, it
comes as no surprise to hear about the popularity of the brand’s first Tokyo hotel. Its marketing
manager Atsuko Uchida claims that when the
FIRST CAME ROPPONGI HILLS, THEN OMOTESANDO HILLS. NOW TOKYO MIDTOWN
SHOWS WHY THE JAPANESE CAPITAL IS ALL ABOUT STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
STO RY + I M AGES
AUN KOH
hotel’s reservation lines first opened, the phones
rang almost non-stop. It was so out of control
TOK YO MIDTOW N, W I T H
that the reservations staff were not even able to
ITS GREENERY A ND I TS
go on their lunch breaks for three straight days.
MI X OF COMMERCIA L ,
“We would buy their meals for them and bring
them back to the office,” recounts Atsuko-san.
RE TAIL , RESIDEN T IA L , F& B
The hotel’s 248 rooms have been almost sold out
A ND A R T SPACES, IS A N
since opening. As with the Osaka property, the
majority of the hotel’s guests are Japanese. Many
A M A ZING DE V ELOPMEN T
check in for just one night—paying anywhere
T H AT H AS TO BE V ISI T ED TO
from S$822 to S$2,657 in order to get a brief taste
of the good life (the Presidential and Ritz-Carlton
BE T RULY APPRECIAT ED
Suites cost a whopping S$9,300 and S$26,570 a
night, respectively).
The hotel’s best rooms are on its club f loor,
located on the top f loor (the 53rd) of Midtown
a serious quandary. The choices are so good and
varied, they won’t know where to start eating.
Tower. With arguably the very best views in the
Pastr y lovers would kill for the éclairs at
city—from the top of Tokyo’s tallest building—
Sadahar u Aok i, while passionate devotees
these rooms are spacious, well-appointed and
of Toshi Yamazoika’s pretty pastries have no
filled with unique and gorgeous accessories, like
problem queuing for a half an hour just to
the custom-made ceramic tea set from Nagae
enter his shop. Several international restaura-
with cups so fine you can see the tea through
teurs have set up shop in Midtown. Among the
their sides.
most famous might be Danny Meyer, who has
The lobby, as one might imag ine, is filled
opened a branch of his well-respected Union
with glamorous young women, dressed in their
Square Café. There is also film-maker Francis
sexiest and chicest outfits, having high tea. And
Ford Coppola, whose Vinoteca ser ves hearty
yes, one must book ahead.
Italian fare as well as his own label of wine. Of
The hotel, via a bright and air y first-f loor
course, there is plenty of Japanese food for every
atrium, connects directly to the offices and the
price-level. On the high end, though, the most
Plaza and Galleria, both of which are filled with
famous of the chefs to open up an establishment
a variety of local and international shops and
here is Haruyuki Yamashita, whose restaurant,
restaurants. Food lovers will find themselves in
Hal Yamashita, is pushing Japanese cuisine
in new directions.
The shopping mix is equally refined. The first
and second floors are devoted to fashion while
the third f loor is resplendent with fantastic
homewares. Nagae, the centuries-old company
that made the tea set for the Ritz-Carlton, has a
very private and elegant shop here.
Tokyo Midtown, with its greener y and its
mix of commercial, retail, residential, F&B and
art spaces, is an amazing development that has
to be visited to be truly appreciated. One of the
wonderful things about it is how seamlessly it
has become part of the city around it. It feels
both new and exciting and yet familiar and
comfortable at the same time. It’s a credit both to
Mitsui Fudoshan and master-planners Skidmore,
Owings and Merrill that Midtown has been able
to slip into the consciousness of the city without
disturbing or interrupting its flow. If anything, it
has quietly and masterfully enhanced Roppongi,
an area that, thanks as well to the National Art
Centre and Roppongi Hills, is more than ever the
heart of Tokyo.
MIDTOWN
M U S T-V I S I T S
SUNTORY MUSEUM
OF ART
This six-storey
building showcases
one of the most
amazing collections
of antique Japanese
Level 1
arts and crafts.
R I C H A R D JA M E S
This is the first
21 _ 21 D E S I G N S I G H T
Tokyo store for the
Design buffs will gasp
iconoclastic British
at Tadao Ando’s glass,
suit maker and
steel and concrete
fashion designer.
art space while art
lovers will enjoy the
DRESSTERIOR
challenging exhibitions
Exquisite men’s and
that are curated
women’s clothes
by a team working
and accessories
for Issey Miyake.
can be found at this
ultra-chic shop.
In the Galleria:
Level B1
H A L YA M A S H I TA
PRECCE PREMIUM
This is a wonderful
SUPERMARKET
place to experience
This 24-hour
Japanese food being
supermarket is filled
pushed to new heights.
with ultra-premium
groceries as well
as simple basics.
Level 3
IDEE SHOP
This cool shop sells
T O R AYA
inspired designer
This traditional
homewares from
Japanese sweets
all over the world.
maker sells beautiful
desserts as well as
N AG A E
specially designed
Gorgeous ceramics
serving platters to be
are made in both
used with its treats.
modern and traditional
shapes by this famous
PAT I S S E R I E
local company.
S A DA H A R U AO K I
Aoki may be based
In the Plaza
in Paris, but in Japan,
Level B1
he is something of a
DEAN & DELUCA
pastry god. Young
CAFÉ
women line up for
The perfect place for
his amazing green
a quick coffee and a
tea and yuzu éclairs.
snack, this New York
gourmet purveyor
offers only the finest
edible treats.
Level 1
T O S H I YO R O I Z U K A
This local pastry chef
is so talented his fans
have no problem
waiting half an hour
just for the chance
to buy one of his
delicious desserts.
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VOYAGE
58
FLIGHT OF THE
FIT
TO SOME TRAVELLERS, IDYLLIC BEACHES ARE FOR VACATIONS SPENT
BASKING IN THE SUN. TO OTHERS, THE BAKING SAND IS A STAGING
POINT TO MULTI-SPORT TORTURE
STORY
MERVIN CHUA
I M AGES
C O R B I S + A LT T Y P E
It starts simply enough. Rush into the surge
Nepal. At an elevation of 4,100 meters above sea
H A R D WA R E
MILE MARKERS
and get pummelled by waves and limbs of fellow
level, Tribob triathletes trek for 10 days to reach
Logistics is the biggest
There are various
triathletes for 1.5km. But then get on your bike
it, all the while training their bodies to adapt to
hurdle when travelling
triathlon classifications.
to peddle to a state of scrotal numbness for
less oxygen. High altitude training enhances the
to race locations.
For the purposes of
40km. Lastly, swap your bike cleats for running
blood’s ability to deliver oxygen to your muscles.
Obviously your bike
mass participation,
shoes for a final 10km run. In the process, the
Tribob instructors admit it is the only legal and
requires the most
organisers have
uninitiated grumble about chafing and blisters
natural method to blood doping. Besides the
preparation as it has
initiated the sprint
in nether reg ions—maladies more seasoned
obvious physiological benefits, there are also
to be disassembled
category: 750m swim,
triathletes quietly recommend liberal use of
the breathtaking views.
and packed. Rigid bike
20km bike ride, 5km
cases accommodate
run. Then there is the
WD40 or KY Jelly to ease flesh friction.
This trend is also a cash cow many hotels
These clearly aren’t the makings of a vacation,
are milking. June 2007 saw the Four Seasons
the whole bike and
Olympic Distance:
yet many are merging their travel plans and
Resort at Jimbaran Bay hosting the inaugural
are resilient enough to
1.5km swim, 40km ride,
training regimes into vacations with sun, sea
Bali International Triathlon. Once you master
shield your bike from
10km run. Ironman
and sweat.
your pain threshold, triathlons, especially in
ham-fisted baggage
races comprise a
Brenil Tay, 32, is a private banker by day and
Bali, become like a personal guided tour. The
handlers. Specialty
3.86km swim, 180km
road warrior by night as he logs an average of
stunning views on the bike leg that circumnavi-
bike stores like T3 Bike
ride, and culminates in
100km on his custom carbon racer. After his
gate Jimbaran Bay will only be topped by the run
Gears (79 Upper East
a 42km run. Because of
f irst local tr iathlon in 2005, he went to Bali
through Jimbaran Village.
Coast Road, ph: 6441
their epic proportions,
6282, retail the Scicon
Ironman Triathlons
Bike Case for S$950.
require you to meet
to unwind, only to find himself bored on the
For more historic runs, the second annual
beach. “There’s only so much lounging I could
Angkor Bike Race and Rally held in Siem Reap,
do before I wondered how much I’d like to race
Cambodia this December takes athletes through
qualifying times
in an exot ic locale,” he said. A quick check
t he A ng kor Thom c omple x a nd a long t he
before you can race.
with the Triathlon Association of Singapore’s
ancient verdant forest corridors with embed-
website, and he and his cadre found another
ded temples. And better than super compen-
spectrum to their local swim-cycle-run routine.
sation or carbo-loading is that the fees for the
Tay signed up for a triathlon in Desaru, Malaysia
Angkor Bike Race and Rally organised by Village
and t he next year did anot her t r iat hlon in
Focus International does some good in areas like
Bintan, Indonesia.
On some level, combining the moil and toil of
child empowerment and protection, and natural
resource management in Cambodia.
a triathlon with exotic locations compensates
for the guilt of over-eating on vacations. “We
L O C A L FA R E Since 2003, the OSIM Triathlon
call it carbo-loading,” quips Tay. Carbohydrate
has been held at the East Coast Park and has
load ing is also k now n as super-compensa-
g row n to 3,6 0 0 pa r t ic ipant s last yea r. But
tion and aims to double the amount of stored
come September, Singapore will see its longest
carbohydrate in the body to prevent the onset
and perhaps most ambitious triathlon (1.9km
of fatigue during endurance events. Who would
swim, 90.1km cycle, 21.1km run). The proving
have thought it was possible to have indulgent
g rou nds for t he Av iv a Si ng ap ore I ron ma n
guilt-free consumption on a vacation? But some,
Tr iathlon 70.3 will be off the waters of East
like Tay, consider this pain and gain trade-off
Coast Park and will transition to a city race that
simply utopian.
meanders through the Central Business District
and the Marina Bay area. It may not be as exotic
E X T R E M E E C O - T O U R I S M T r i at h l o n
as trundling through Angkor’s ruins, but as a
trainers, Tribob (www.tribob.com), organises
qualifying race for the 2007 Ford Ironman 70.3
triathlon training camps to Phuket, Sri Lanka
World Championships in Hawaii, it’s a launch
and even high altitude locales like Annapurna,
point for the flight of the fit.
+
63
GOURMET
62
PRIVACY ISSUES
WHEN IT COMES TO EATING OUT, DISCERNING DINERS ARE OPTING FOR SOMETHING
CLOSER TO HOME—PRIVATE DINING
STORY
ANA O’MALLEY
I M AGES
B-YOND + XI YAN
In a landscape where restaurants abound in
When it comes to exclusivity, Xi Yan almost
every crevice of the city, disenchanted diners are
can’t be beat. The dinner-only venue seats 50 in
in search of something more exclusive and out of
a walk-up apartment on Craig Road, and boasts a
the ordinary. For those who have seen and experi-
long waiting list that can carry over two months.
enced it all, it’s more than a standard meal at a
On the menu are 13-courses of carefully planned
restaurant they’re after.
and executed Asian-style dishes whipped up by a
This is where private dining fills the niche.
team of four chefs personally trained by Yu. The
While these venues are not new in cities like Hong
dishes change daily and include items like barbe-
Kong and Los Angeles, the trend only picked up
qued pork cheek served with a lime-based sauce,
in Singapore in the last two years. The first, most
fried shrimp sauce grouper with pomelo salad,
publicised entry was Xi Yan in 2005, an outpost
and organic tomatoes doused in sesame and
of Hong Kong chef Jacky Yu’s highly successful
vinegar dressing.
private dining room of the same name that serves
updated Chinese cuisine.
NEWCOMERS Following in the footsteps of Xi
His restaurant in Wanchai is part of a slew of
Yan are a handful of private dining addresses that
addresses that mushroomed during the Asian
were launched in the past year. 289 and B-yond
economic slump in the late 1990s. The restaurant
Fine Dining are two reservations only venues
scene wasn’t doing particularly well, yet Hong
that allow hosts to book a space complete with
Kong elites still needed impressive dining spots to
table setting, a bespoke menu and service staff for
gather at.
an exclusive dinner party. Wendy Ho, the event
organiser for 289, says that having a whole space
and unrivalled service. For example, we offer a far
topped with buffalo mozzarella, and panna cotta
rented out saves people the hassle of having to
greater flexibility in the preparation of the menu.”
with candied flower petals.
wash up when the soiree is over.
“This is an outlet for our creativity and a chance
“And with your very own private chef who is
CULINARY SPIN-OFFS The increasing popularity
well-versed in European cuisine, you get to design
of private dining has even launched a spin-off of
says. “We also want to get feedback, whether
your own menu,” she adds.
the culinary genre. Aspiring chefs are opening
to adjust the dishes or to find new approaches.”
their homes and kitchens to public scrutiny
Meanwhile, it is also a great opportunity for the
recently-enlisted National Serviceman to hone his
Similarly, B-yond Fine Dining offers the same
to get a bigger audience for our food,” Jonathan
services for private affairs. With head chef and
by hosting multi-course meals for a nominal
“menu curator” Heather Barr ie helming the
fee. Two young brothers Jonathan, 19, and Sean
culinary skills and gain experience when catering
kitchen, expect to dine in a swish room located
Gwee, 16, recently hosted a dinner attended
to a large group of diners.
in a black and white bungalow, while feasting on
by a close-knit circle of foodie friends. With a
On why private dining is gaining popularity,
Jonathan says, “Private dining provides a more
mod-Euro cuisine like slow-cooked veal cheeks
menu inspired by the world’s greatest culinary
with truffle mash, grilled black cod with baby
masters such as Herve This (widely regarded as
intimate experience than just entertaining in a
spinach, and homemade roasted pumpkin ravioli
the father of molecular gastronomy) and Harold
restaurant. It is a more casual affair and it allows
with pine nuts.
McGee (author of the now-seminal book, On
people to enjoy fine food without the pressure and
expectations of a restaurant.”
“We set up B-Yond Fine Dining to offer a super
Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the
personalised dining experience for A-list person-
Kitchen ) the Gwee brothers dished up an 11-
alities,” says Robbie Hoyes-Cock, B-yond’s manag-
course degustation dinner with items like decon-
ing director. “It offers absolute privacy, and it
structed pork belly with Granny Smith and
impresses guests more with attention to details
Demerera sugar sorbet, risotto with black olives
Plus of course, it beats entertaining at home
where you have to clean up after the party.
+
65
GOURMET
64
THE BIG
THE DOUGHNUT IS THE NATURAL SUCCESSOR
TO THE CUPCAKE. HERE’S WHY
STORY
A N I T A K A P O OR
I M AGES
MERVIN CHUA
The pre c iou sly t u r ned out c up ca ke ha s
c lea rly done mor e for t he r ena i s sa nc e of
pretend-baking than the Victorian jam sponge
ever could. It’s morphed even the most basic
cook into a domestic goddess wielding paper
moulds and talking foodie, buying crème of
the crop bakeware and debating the virtues
of silicon mitts.
From the soft yellow of the limonata to the
chocolate velvet of the Nutella, the sugary pink
of the raspberry cream to the blanc of Nigella’s
cappuccino treats, cupcakes are like the twinset
and pearls of food. Perfect. Pretty. And about to
be knocked off their haute horse in a shocking
confectionary takeover…by the fried doughnut.
The deep-fried, sugar-coated, caramel glazed,
arter y-clogging face stuffer has become the
new It bakery buy. Shocking? Well, not really.
Like fashion, food too is cyclical. Yesterday’s
doughnuts have rolled around yet again at a
cliché is today’s hot new redux trend. Trawling
time when we’re looking for the big, bold, rebel-
DOUGHNUTS
the past has always been in fashion —hell, it
lious and iconic—but also for something which
AC R O S S T H E G L O B E
is fashion.
just makes us feel good.
DELIGHTING WITH
Baby Donut Co. for
Despite the fact that you’d probably associate
The doughnut, when presented in all its hot,
the doughnut more with depressed American
fresh, fi nger-licking glory is something we can
15030 Ventura Blvd,
teletubbies watching Oprah re-r uns, or the
really sink our teeth into and eat with both
Los Angeles
chewy variety in your quaint neighbourhood
hands right out of the box, nonchalantly leaving
Customised doughnuts.
bakery, there’s a version in almost every major
sugar crumbs across our lips and on our laps. It
country of the world—and you’ve been carry-
makes us want to damn the biology-enhanced
big, beautiful and
ing boxes of Krispy Kremes through immigra-
gazpacho in a baked biscuit glass, the silly
gourmet flavours.
tion on return trips from Hong Kong, Seoul and
stress of the perfect meal.
Jakarta for a couple of years now. The truth of
As the guys at legendary chains like Krispy
Doughnut Plant for
379 Grand Street,
New York, NY 10002
the matter is, the common man’s sugar fix is
Kreme (who recently launched their fourth
enjoying an upsurge in cool factor across the
Asian store in Tokyo), good old Dunkin’ Donuts
Krispy Kreme for a
globe, and bringing a decidedly retro oomph
(who are in the process of up-scaling their stores
45-minute wait at
back to desserts in the bargain.
across the United States), and local innovators
their Southern Terrace
Let ’s face it. The food world is bor ingly
like Gunter Rahim’s phenomenal Donut Factory
store, Shinjuku,
homogenous. It’s all molecular what-have-yous,
(witness the 90-minute wait) and Vinco—The
Tokyo or better
organic-ya-ya’ing, and trans-fat panicking. A
Doughnut Parlour at VivoCity already know, a
still, Sakura Bakery,
humble piece of dough fried in the bad stuff,
hot, fried sweet thing really does pack ’em in.
covered in the bad stuff (and more often than
The doughnut is satisfaction like the cupcake
not sold cold in a 7-Eleven ) sits right in the
cannot give. It is simple, uplifting and irresist-
snoots snotty fi ring range. Which is the delight-
ible. It can be light and f luffy, or cakey and
ful point really.
Wakabayashi, Tokyo
for the really good
stuff minus the wait.
intense, but it doesn’t crumble at first touch.
Mister Donut shops
The doughnut is no pretender to the twee
It’s easy to make, hard to put down. And even
everywhere in
throne. If the cupcake is the twinset and pearls
pastry pundits everywhere are starting to latch
Taiwan. A three-year
of dessert snacks, then the doughnut is the new
on to the magic of upscale possibilities: Mini
plan started in 2004
big, broad shoulder. But it comes with history,
bespoke doughnuts with a side sauce of nutty,
aims for 100 stores
throughout the country.
style and substance. Its origins are disputed,
spiced caramel. A hint of apple-cider. A lavish
but it’s supposed to have first appeared with
coat of bitter chocolate. Ginger. Rosewater.
Dutch immigrants to the United States in the
Liqueur-dunked. Or warm and naked with just
Donut Factory,
19th century. During WWI, it was used by the
a hint of espresso.
Basement, Raffles
Salvation Army to boost troop moral. It retains
The possibilities are endless. But the truth
a retro appeal from its ice cream parlour Krispy
of t he mat ter is, t he doughnut is a simple
a 45-minute wait.
Kreme heydays (fi rst shop opened in 1937) and
sweetie. So hold on to the cookware but ditch
They stopped taking
enjoyed widespread renaissance courtesy of
the designer apron. This one’s not for the faint-
orders recently since
the attraction of police men to Dunkin Donuts
hearted. A doughnut needs a little soul to feel as
they can’t keep up
outlets in the 1980s. It’s no surprise then that
good as it tastes.
with demand.
City, Singapore for
+
67
GOURMET
66
POSH PUBS
GASTROPUBS ARE TURNING OTHERWISE REGUL AR TAVERNS INTO CULINARY
DESTINATIONS
STORY
ANNETTE TAN
IMAGES
HIGHLANDER, THE PUMP ROOM
Hot on the heels of “molecular gastronomy”, the
as any gourmet worth his stash of white truffles
coveted Michelin star in the New York edition of
term du jour that’s fervently bandied about in the
from Alba will tell you, food trends are quick to
the French guidebook.
world of food is “gastropub”. Indeed, the melding
catch on.
of the words “gastronomy” and “pub” signifies
Evolution has since seen to it that gastropubs
What is considered the world’s first gastropub
today are generally considered bars that serve
the traditional tavern’s departure from simply
opened in 1991 in London. The Eagle, according
food. Here in Singapore, pubs like The Pump Room
serving pints of ale to offering food that’s worthy
to Trish Hilferty, award-winning chef of The Fox
and Highlander in Clark Quay consider themselves
of a few stars.
Dining Room in London and author of Gastropub
gastropubs—convivial places to have a pint, but
It’s a trend that’s been shaping steadily since
Classics, was an “old rough-and-tumble boozer,
also wonderful places to dine in.
the early 1990s when young chefs in London
with an open kitchen, mismatched plates and
Some attribute gastropubs to the growing
began buying old pubs and serving elevated fare
battered institutional furniture” that “set the
interest in craft beer. In the United States, craft
designed to go with beer. What was then called
blueprint for egalitarian dining”.
beer sales were up nearly 12 per cent by volume
“pub grub” soon became too sophisticated to be
When New York’s first official gastropub The
in 2006, the fourth year in a row of strong sales.
termed such. Beyond bangers and mash, fish
Spotted Pig opened in 2004, it reproduced the
In Singapore, The Pump Room’s director, William
and chips, and steak and Guinness pie, the new
comfortably decrepit vibe of old New York taverns,
Graham recognised how “well appreciated excel-
generation menus were boasting beef Wellington,
personalised with pig paraphernalia galore. Its
lent microbrewery beers were in Singapore”,
foie gras on brioche and lavender crème brulee for
culinary ethos was represented in the framed
and used that as the first element in building
dessert—certainly more cuisine than mere chow.
illustrations of a slender bean pod or lettuce leaf,
his “product”.
And so the term “gastropub” began making its
symbolising the high-quality seasonal ingredients
“However,” he added, “the brewery was just
way across the land, eventually crossing the pond
that inform its cuisine. The Spotted Pig went on
the beg inning as we recognised that in the
to America and down to Asia and Singapore where,
to place gastropubs in the spotlight by earning a
supremely competitive Singapore F&B indus-
+
69
GOURMET
68
SOWING THE SEEDS
AS ITS NAME SUGGESTS, WILD OATS, THE NEW BAR ON EMILY HILL,
HAS A SPRUNG-UP-ON-ITS-OWN CHARM
MELISSA LEE
STORY
“We distrust camels or anyone who can go for a
Exuding laid-back chic, Wild Oats is a place
Like the Wild Rocket menu, the finger food
week without a drink.” That witty slogan just about
where pretensions are left at the door. Residents in
selection features a modern Singaporean twist. A
sums up the spirit of new waterhole Wild Oats,
the neighbourhood dressed in shorts and flip-flops
Greek favourite, the feta and spinach pie here is
and it also reflects owner Willin Low’s penchant
rub shoulders here with businessmen in power
given a local twist and made into Feta Tofu and
for all things tongue-in-cheek.
suits. Guests can lounge in the cosy air-condi-
Spinach Wantons. There’re also the Parmesan
The name, as Low—an ex-lawyer-turned-chef
tioned indoor area, with its classic black leather
Wings, where only the mid-section is used
and restaurater—explains, is a double-play on
armchairs and designer bar stools, or out in the
(because that’s the best part), deep fried to a golden
the fact that beer contains oats and the phrase
wooden decked garden area under the stars. The
crust and drizzled with your choice of homemade
“sowing one’s wild oats”. But despite its seemingly
bar, in fact, reflects Low’s personality. “I’m a very
chicken rice-style super-spicy chilli or a creamy
frat-boy connotations, the new sister bar to Wild
chill and relaxed kind of person, so this is a place
gorgonzola sauce. For something more substantial,
Rocket restaurant on Emily Hill is really a charm-
where people can simply come and chill out.”
try one of the Hot Bitches, a naughty little dedica-
ing, off-the-beaten-track alternative to increas-
Apart from easy-drinking wine, local and
ingly crowded chill-out spots like Dempsey Road
international beers and liquors, you can also
and Rochester Park.
pick from a range of original cocktail concoctions
Harassed urbanites really have much to be
by Wild Oats. Chooose from the Lambrini (a
thankful for, because Wild Oats is the perfect
Housed in an old colonial mansion on Emily
tion to Willin’s three female dogs or otherwise
more politely known as hot dogs elsewhere.
Hill, Wild Oats is a realisation of Willin’s fasci-
slightly sparkling perry from the UK), Emily Royale
getaway from the madding crowds elsewhere.
nation with the old bungalow sitting just next to
(Wild Oats’ original champagne cocktail made
Lounging under the starry sky while nursing
Hangout @ Mount Emily, the hotel in which Wild
with strawberry puree and Crème de Cassis) and
a well-mixed dr ink, nibbling on delectable
Rocket is located. “I used to peer over and think
Mumm’s champagne. There’s also the Strawberry
finger food, and enjoying a good conversation, a
what a beautiful place this old house was, so when
Cheesecake Shot (vodka, grenadine, coconut
night at Wild Oats is truly sublime.
I was offered a chance to start up a bar in it, I
cream, strawberry juice and real crumble), a nod
jumped”, he says.
to Wild Rocket’s signature dessert.
70
71
CELLAR
+
SHAKE IT UP
WHISKY, THE TRADITIONAL GENTLEMEN’S DRINK, GETS
A BIT SHAKEN AND A LITTLE STIRRED
STORY
ANNE T TE TAN
I M AGES
MERVIN CHUA
W H I S K Y C R U S TA The father of modern
cocktails and one of the simplest drinks ever.
The orange f rom t r iple sec is an excellent
complement to the citrus elements of many
whiskies. Simply shake ingredients together
and strain into a sugar-rimmed glass. Top with
a large strip of citrus zest.
As with all things in life today, there shouldn’t
50ml whisky
be rules to what you can do with whisky. The
20ml triple sec
drink’s traditional reputation as one reserved
25ml fresh lemon juice
for old men and badly dressed golfers should be
tossed out the window and served to posers in
white wing-tipped shoes.
Just ask Chivas. Since 2003, it has been busy
T H E A L C H E M I S T As much a performance as
it is a cocktail, this is a perfect accompaniment
to a homemade hypermodern meal. Pour the
reinventing their image to a more decidedly
whisky into a brandy glass and rest it on its side
contemporary one. The result? “The Chivas Life”
over a tumbler full of hot water. Set it alight
has become synonymous with glitzy parties,
and add the rest of the ingredients one by one,
nubile ladies and naughty cocktails. Yes, we
turning the glass as you do. While it is still
said cocktails—no more rules, remember?
With its complex set of f lavours, whisky is
burning, pour the mixture carefully through a
strainer into another brandy glass containing
an excellent base for mixes. In the old days,
the apple juice and elderf lower cordial. Voila!
Rob Roy (Scotch and sweet ver mouth), Old-
Whisky transformed into liquid gold.
Fashioned ( bourbon and club soda) and Hot
50ml whisky
Toddy (blended whisky, tea and honey) were on
12.5ml peach liqueur
the lips of respectable men all over the world.
12.5ml Krupnik (honey vodka liqueur)
And it’s no different now—except perhaps their
3 strips of orange zest
modern-day cocktail cousins are a tad more
1 sprinkle of cinnamon
complex in flavours.
5ml of elderflower cordial
BEST
LOEWE
K AT E S PA D E
# 01-09B/10
D O N U T FA C T O R Y
Takahsimaya Level One
Ngee Ann City
Basement, Raffles City
THE BIG O
391 Orchard Road
POSH PUBS
B AU M E A N D M E R C I E R
S I N C E R E F I N E WAT C H E S
D E S IG N
#01-12, Ngee Ann City
T H E I TA L I A N C O N N E C T I O N
#01-09/10 The Foundry
391 Orchard Road
DRIADE
Clarke Quay
Space Furniture
Ph: 63342628
Ph: 6733 0618
SAMSONITE
THE PUMP ROOM
Level 2, Millenia Walk
HIGHLANDER
Ph: 6415 0000
#01-11 The Foundry
#01-19, 19
Clarke Quay
Raffles Hotel Arcade
KARTELL
Ph: 6334 0955
Space Furniture
Ph: 62359528
Level 2 Takashimaya Dept Store
Level 2, Millenia Walk
Ph: 6736 4675
Ph: 6415 0000
SOWING THE SEEDS
BULGARI
LIFESTOREY
Emily Hill,
#01-07/08,
#02-33D Great World City,
1 Upper Wilkie road
The Shopping Gallery Hilton
1 Kim Seng Promenade
Ph: 6336 5413
W I L D O AT S
Ph: 6737 1652
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
GOURMET
#01-35, Paragon
P R I VAC Y I S S U E S
Ph: 6735 8147
Jonathan Gwee
sedentary@gmail.com
GUCCI
# 01-40, Paragon
289
Ph: 6734 2528
289 River Valley Road
Ph: 9790 0917 (Wendy Ho)
S WA R OV S K I
#01-24/25, Paragon
B -YO N D F I N E D I N I N G
Ph: 6836 2282
54 Monks Hill Terrace
Ph: 6463 1671 (Heather Barrie)
FA S H I O N
X I YA N
C OAT TA L E S
38A Craig Road
BURBERRY PROSUM
Ph: 6220 3546 or 8228 1188
#01-32 Paragon
(Thomas Choon)
Ph: 6736 4209
CELINE
# 01-30/31
Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road