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presents two newdining experiences

Lost & Found

Rediscover Your Inner
Self through the Spa
Village Resort Tembok
Bali Discovery Path

Home is Where
the Art Is

Giorgio Armani on
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26lost & foundTake the road less travelled and walkon one of the Discovery Paths of the
Spa Village Resort Tembok, Bali.

FEATURES
32 The Legacy of silk
The tragic disapperance of Jim
Thompson didn’t just spark one of themost enduring modern South-East
Asian mysteries. Today, his name isalso synonymous with a luxury lifestylebrand that is proving as timeless as thelegend it was created from.

38 Through the

KeyholeIn celebration of Malacca finallysecuring its status at an UNESCO
004

World Heritage Site, we take an
intimate tour of this most ancientand important of Malaysian cities
as seen through the eyes of native
Malaccan, Donovan Louis, the resident
historical guide of luxury boutique
hotel The Majestic Malacca.

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46 Home Is Where The

Art IsFollowing the opening of the Armani
Casa store in KL’s Starhill Gallery,
YTL Life gets an opportunity to chatwith Giorgio Armani - both the brains
and brawn behind his world famouseponymous brand - about fashion,
furniture and his passion for film.

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54

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STYLE

54 Island Celebration
A feast of food and fashion at the
fabulous Pangkor Laut Resort

74 Luxury Redefined
Understated, refined, classic: Bottega
Veneta is a shining standout in theworld of luxury fashion with it’slogoless products that emphasises
on its philosophy “Where your own
initials are enough”. Now, this is whatstyle should be about.

78 Precious

Encounters
Peeking into the coffers of finejewellers Facet Fire.

006

80 Style File
Beautiful new things in the stores.

82 Odour Worldly
Britney in a bottle? Glow like J.Lo? Get
star struck with just a spritz and a spray.

84 Princess for a Day
You don’t have to get married just to
enjoy traditonal pre-wedding Malay
beauty rituals; at the Tanjong Jara
Spa Village, you can luxuriate in the
3-hour Dandan Puteri Tujuh treatment
and get pampered like a bride... minus
the groom.

86 Anointed Anatomy
Complete well-being should encompass
all of the body and at Spa Village, you
can find a range of treatments thattake care of you from head to toe.

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REGULARS

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10 Glory Box
12 Editor’s Note
14 The Buzz
110 YTL Hotels
120 Viva La Diva!

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94-109LIFESTYLE
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L I F EYTLTManagement
Chief Executive Officer Datin Azliza Ahmad Tajuddin
General Manager Loo Kit Choong

Editorial & Art
Managing Editor Aster Lim
Editor Eugene Ng
Sub Editor Yung Ro Han	creative director eireen ooi
	art director ng geok mei
	graphic designer penny chew
chief photographer leon bin yee
Sales
Sales Manager Chee Eng Saan
Account Managers JoJo Wong, Joyce Lee
Production
	Production Manager airdyham mohd
traffic executive azahari hj. hussain
Contributors
Anis Ramli, Aziz Abdul Draim, BjÖrn GÖttlicher, Boey Ping Ping, Choen Lee,
Choo Ai Ling, Christopher A., Helen Oon, Jack Choong, Jessie Chong, Johnny McGeorge,
Lena Ng, Matt Armitage, Sam Yen, Steve Koh, Tim Skelton, Weechee
PUBLISHED BY
YTL Hotels
11th Floor, Yeoh Tiong Lay Plaza, 55, Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
PRODUCED BY
Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd (Company No. 7408-K)
Lot 7, Jalan Bersatu 13/4, Section 13
46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +603 7952 7000 Fax: +603 7960 0151
E-mail: ytllife@bluinc.com.my
COLOUR SEPARATION BYMediaLux Sdn Bhd
No. 38-3, Jalan PJU 5/11, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara
47810 Petaling Jaya , Selangor, Malaysia
PRINTED BY
Atlas Cetak (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Wisma Atlas, No. 2, Persiaran Industri, Bandar Sri Damansara
52200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of YTL Corporation. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in YTL LIFE are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed
by YTL Corporation and/or Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd. They are not responsible or liable in any way for the content in any of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained inthis publication. Editorial enquiries and enquiries concerning advertising and circulation should be addressed to Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd. YTL Corporation and Blu Inc Media Sdn Bhd accept no
responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, illustrations and any other such materials. The Editorial Team reserves the right to edit and/or re-write all materials according to the needsof the publication upon usage. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by suficient return postage.

editor’s note

As the year draws to aclose, while many mighttake this period as a time
to reflect, we prefer toview it as an opportunity
to look forward, todiscover new possibilities
and explore different
avenues. This yen for
discovery has always beena part of YTL’s innovative
pioneering spirit,
strengthened by an innate
belief that everythingcan be more than what it
initially appears to be.
It is the concept behind
this lifestyle of luxury, which is notjust about impeccable standards andoutstanding service; but about continuallypushing boundaries, to discover new
perspectives in this beautiful world, moving
beyond the hardware, to engage and toenrich your lives so you walk away withsomething different with every encounter.

rich history and culture. We observe how
Pangkor Laut Resort ushers in a new era
in fine dining with its delightful offeringsof new culinary experiences. We embark
on a journey with the discovery path ofcreativity in Spa Village Resort Tembok,
Bali and unveil a source of inspiration.
It is through these diverse encounters that
we choose to enrich the human experience,creating something extraordinary. The
desire to discover and provide freshlife-enhancing moments, translates into
everything that we do, from property
development to crafting experiences at ourhotels and resorts.
I hope you will enjoy this issue of YTL Life,for we recognise that with current lifestyles
time is a precious commodity, which is why
every experience we craft for you is uniquebespoke luxury, a moment to be savoured.

In this issue of YTL Life, we explore special
places of historical significance in the
UNESCO heritage city that surrounds The
Majestic Malacca, delving deep into its

PORTRAIT LEON

Beautiful sunsets, likethis glorious one bathing
the sea villas at Pangkor
Laut Resort, are just one
element of the uniqueexperiences you can haveat YTL Luxury Resorts

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the buzz | ytl news

Beauty and theBeach It was a prize fit
for a queen. A beauty queen
to be precise. Georgia Horsley,
20, Miss England 2007,
recently spent 10 glorious
days enjoying the sun, sandand spa of the fabulous
Tanjong Jara Resort on the
East Coast of Terengganu,
Malaysia. Nestled along a
stretch of powdery whitesandy beach, caressed by anazure sea and decorated withroyal Malay architecture, it
was the perfect setting forher cover shoot with UK’s Spa
World magazine and was partof her prize package when
she scooped the coveted title.
Accompanied by her mother,
Georgia said, “My motherand I had a wonderful time
and the resort was absolutely
stunning. The spa treatment
was magical.”The Heritage Trail It’s

A New Lot in Life An icon of KL since 1990, Lot 10, a distinctive
retail landmark along the city’s famed Bukit Bintang will soon be getting
a major “mall makeover”. A rebranding and repositioning exercise, theproposed endeavour is set to infuse the shopping centre with renewed energy
and dynamism. The exterior will be enhanced with Double Volume Frontage
which ensures a wider, more impactful façade. This will display the changes
going on inside where an eclectic range of trendsetting fashion and lifestylebrands from Japan, UK and the US will recharge this old KL faithful. Other
exciting additions are the opening of a new Jackie Chan Cafe, a spanking
new California Fitness gym and a hip destination hangout for KL’s urbanites
offering panoramic views of the KL skyline. The 70,000 sq feet space of themall’s roof top will be transformed by world famous Japanese architect anddesigner, Yuhkichi Kawai of Super Potatoes (who also designed the awardwinning Feast Village), into a collection of concept restaurants, trendy bars
and designer clubs.
014

official! Malacca (with Penang) has
finally been listed as an UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. In celebration ofthis historic occasion, The Majestic
Malacca, a boutique hotel that hasembraced wholeheartedly the idea of
retaining and recapturing the spirit ofold Malacca, has designed a special
package for guests keen to discover
the intriguing melting pot of history
and heritage of this fascinating city.
The hotel itself is a throwback ofMalacca’s past, a faithfully refurbishedcolonial house once used as a hotel
and which rests on the Malacca River.
Inside, the decor draws inspirationfrom Dutch, Portuguese, British
and Peranakan influences. And the
Spa Village housed in the hotel isthe only spa in the world offering
Perakanan-based therapies. The
Majestic also offers guests guided
city tours, enchantingly called ‘The
Route to Malacca’s History’, ‘Treasuresof Old Malaccan Streets’ and ‘The
Empress’ Hill at Bukit Cina’. www.

majesticmalacca.com; +603-2783 1000T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

the buzz | ytl news

A Second Time

Asia’s premier luxury watch and jewellery fair, A Journey
Through Time, returns even bigger and better this year

Come December, all eyes will be cast on Starhill Gallery
once again as Asia’s largest luxury watch fair, A Journey
Through Time II, takes centrestage once again. Following theresounding success of last year’s event – which drew over
35,000 visitors – this year’s instalment is set to be evenmore ambitious.
Once again, Starhill Gallery will be transformed intoa walk-in exhibition of some of the most luxurious,
innovative and exquisite timepieces from some of thebiggest names of the horological world. The 11-day event
will also feature special showcases. Top of this list will be
the exhibit set up by The Swiss Museum of HorologicalArt, which will give visitors a comprehensive peekinto four centuries of Swiss watchmaking history andinnovation. This rare opportunity is made possible by agroup dedicated individuals of the local watch fraternity
and museum authorities in Switzerland together with Mr
Jean-François Meyer and members of the Académie desHorlogers Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI) of Switzerland,a highly-respected academy independent watchmakers
and innovators in technology.
Also on feature will be The Hour Glass Museum ofContemporary Horological Art (MOCHA) which has been
touted as a horological cultural temple. It is the world’s
first and only watch and clock museum that will exclusively
promote contemporary production watches and showcase
watch artifacts developed over the past three decades.

The broader aim of A Journey Through Time II, organisedin collaboration with the Malaysian Tourism Board, is toalso promote Malaysia as a preferred destination for luxury
acquisitions to high nett global travellers. Malaysia enjoys tax
free incentives for luxury timepieces and to further underline
this objective, visitors to the fair can also participate in
the The Forbes Asia Luxury Forum: The Art of Time, whereleading authorities of the global watch industry will gather todiscuss the finer points of haute horology.
Other highlights include the launch of the celebrity endorsed
Curtis & Co and also the first and only Bedat & Co boutique.
Mouwad, another brand associated with Hollywood A-listers
will showcase its US$4,5 million Fantasy Bra, the US$1.7
million heart-shaped purse used by Nicole Kidman in themusic video ‘Something Stupid’ and a replica of “The Star of
Stanley Ho”.
Boucheron chips in with magic created by fusing faunaand flora with watchmaking know-how in its latest Bestiary
Tourbillon Collection. Meanwhile, Jaeger-LeCoultre will be also
exhibit its mutiple award winner Duomètre à Chronographe.
The stylish Richard Mille will present its ultimate symbolof prestige with the creation of the RM020 Tourbillon
Pocket Watch that has a baseplate made of carbon
nanofibre originally utilised in U.S Air force jets, a tourbillon
escapement driven by a double winding barrel that supplies
circa 10 days of power reserve. Maurice Lacroix will debutits Mémoire 1, the first evermechanical watch with amemory function. This new
chronograph is limited to 20
pieces only.
The event will culminate with thecoveted ‘Starhill Gallery Watch of
the Year Awards’ with a host ofcelebrities set to perform during
the gala night closing ceremony.

A Journey Through Time II willtake place at Starhill Gallery,
KL, from December 4-14, 2008.
For visitors to the fair, the JWMarriott and The Ritz-Carlton,
Kuala Lumpur, are just a oneminute walk from the venue. www.
ajourneythroughtime.com.my015

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the buzz | events

Food, Glorious Food
The Majestic Malacca hosted a unique culinary event when
the Confrérie de la Châine Des Rôtisseurs, Bailliage De
Melaka, held an evening of fine dining featuring a selectionof fine wines too. A little known but highly interestingorganisation, the Châine (as it is known in short) is aninternational group that celebrates the culinary arts
through pleasure and experimentation. While officiallyresurrected in spirit only in 1950, it has roots that dateback to the Middle Ages when the first Guilds wereformed in Europe. The Bailliage de Malaisie (Malaysia) wasestablished in 1977 and today consists of Kuala Lumpur,
Putrajaya, Penang, Johor Bahru, Malacca and Kuching
Bailliages with a total of 250 members. They meet atleast twice a month to enjoy good food and good wines,
with different Bailliages taking turns to host an event. For
The Majestic Malacca dinner, the host of the evening was
Datin Ingrid Schlumpf, the Bailli Regional of Malacca, witha menu devised in collaboration with the JW Marriot KL
chef, Zaffar Abdul Samad. Dressed in black tie and evening
dresses (a few ladies came dressed in kebayas to echo
the venue’s heritage), about 100 members of the Chaine
attended the event and enjoyed an evening which featured
the outstanding ‘Majestic Itik Tim’ soup and the equallydelicious ‘Braised Young Hare with Olives and Polenta
Casalingha’. The entire event was held in raucous spirits, nodoubt fuelled by the six fine wines on show.

food & Wine menu

Crème Brûlée

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Pre-dinner
Canapes

Pre-dinner
NV Louis Picamelot - Cremant de Bourgogne, Brut.

Dinner
A bouquet of fresh local Merlimau tiger prawns with spicy
horseradish and tomato dressing.
The Majestic Itik Tim.
Portuguese-style Baked Fish.
Frozen Cameron Highlands Rock Melon Balls and Fresh
Raspberries.
Braised Young Hare with Olives and Polenta Casalingha.
Welsh Rarebit.
Affogato.
Coffee/Tea with Homemade Biscuits.

DinnerVigna Dogarina - Pinot Grigio 2007, Piave, Veneto.
Noceto Michelotti - Strada Del Sole, Chardonnay 2006,
Piemonte.
Ros De Plana 2001, Rosso Igt, Veneto.
Noceto Michelotti - Strada Del Sole, Chardonnay 2006,
Piemonte.
Michel Fonne - Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Mambourg.

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the buzz | events
020

SPA VillageFÊte
The award-winning, Malaysian homegrown brand Spa
Village recently celebrated its entry into the world of
publishing when it launched its first book ‘Spa Village:
Honouring Healing Traditions’. Held at the Mezzanine Floorof Kinokuniya in KLCC, the event saw this cosy nook of
the bookstore transformed into an urban oasis completewith large potted frangipani trees and even a small
corner where guests could sample a few basic Spa Village
treatments. Spa Village is well-known in the spa world forextolling the indigenous healing cultures of the location
it resides in and the new book celebrates this. Written by
Kim Inglis, author of other coffee-table tomes like ‘Cool
Hotels’ and ‘Asian Bar and Restaurant Design’, with photos
by renowned spa photographer Luca Invernizzi Tettoni, thebook explores the brand’s philosophy and also dwells into
the secrets behind the traditional restorative treatments at
the Spa Village like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine,orang asli and Balinese. The event was officiated by the
Executive Chairman of YTL Corporation Berhad, Tan Sri
Dato’ Seri (Dr) Yeoh Tiong Lay.

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the buzz | events
022

ArmaniAt HomeIn an event of quiet simplicity and effortless elegance,
Armani Casa, the home furnishings extension of one of
the world’s leading fashion names Giorgio Armani, wasofficially launched at Starhill Gallery. Specially invited
guests and members of the media were given theprivilege to view for the first time the range of beautiful
Armani Casa furniture and furnishings now available
here in Malaysia. The Starhill Gallery boutique is Armani
Casa’s 80th around the world since its inception in
2000. The store will carry the 2008 Collection ‘For Him/
For Her’, the Limited Edition Antoinette and Adelchi andthe permanent “Bridge Kitchen”, a signature collectionof Armani Casa. And reflecting the brand’s understatedsophistication, the launch event culminated in thesimple raising of glasses. Salut to that!

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the buzz | events
024

Feast
For AllCuisine, culture and children came together in grandcelebration at the inaugural Midsummer Nights Feast2008 at Starhill Gallery. The event – conceived toexpress a passion for the good life, good food and goodentertainment – saw 10 days and nights of exciting culinary
discoveries with luminaries like Australian Chef’s Hat
winner Stephen Mercer and celebrity chef Bobby Chinnshowing off their talents in the kitchen. Featured on one of
the evenings was a recreation of the renowned Eastern &Orient Express menu served during an interactive Murder
Mystery play. Starhill’s Feast Village was the heartbeatof the festivities with 12 restaurants participating in the‘Grand Harvest Night’ finale’s ‘global buffet’, where over
600 guests sampled Mediterranean, Middle Eastern,
Korean, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian and many, many morecuisines. Echoing this sentiment was the entertainment:
belly dancing, Chinese chamber music, Thai dance andcapoeira. The event also saw the launch of the Feast Village
Junior, a fun-filled programme designed to start ‘em young
in learning how to appreciate good food.

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LostandFound
Take the road lesstravelled andwalk on one of the
Discovery Pathsof the Spa Village
Resort Tembok Bali.
Boey Ping Ping
attempts to reignite
her creative passion.

As an island steeped in religious rituals and ancientspiritualism, Bali exudes a sense of mystic calm that is cravedby the weary soul in need of repair from the wear and tear of
everyday life. At its northern tip lies an area known as Tembok
Bali, far away from the usual Bali destinations of Nusa, Dua,
Kuta and Ubud, and just as far away from the madding crowd of
tourists that trawl those other places. Relatively undevelopedby the locals and relatively unexplored by foreigners, Tembok
Bali offers an authetic glimpse of the real Bali.
Tembok Bali is also home to the Spa Village Resort Tembok
Bali (SVRTB), the perfect location for the beach hideaway thatoffers its guests a chance to recover and discover. For, despite
its name, SVRTB promises so much more than a lounge in floral
bathtubs and being cocooned in banana leaves. The resort's
signature treatment is its bespoke Discovery Path, a quartet
of wellness programmes specificially tailored and dedicated tohealing, rejuvenation and spirituality.
The four Paths are specifically Balance, Vigour, Creative andthe Spa Village Academy; and each caters to specific needs. If
you are craving peace and solitude, the Balance Path will reveal
the Balinese way of living in harmony, while Vigour should suitthe outdoors person in search of a shot of adrenaline. The Spa
Village Academy offers insight into Balinese healing techniques
used at the resort. But as a writer, the Creativity calls out to me
as I feel a yearning to rejuvenate my creative juices.

The resort's signature treatment is
its bespoke discovery Path, a quartet
of programmes dedicated to healing

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As Sunlightstarts to fade,I realise I'm notready to leavethis paradiseRoad to recovery

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The
Legacyof Silk
The tragic disapperance of Jim
Thompson didn't just spark oneof the most enduring modern
South-East Asian mysteries. Today,
his name is also synonymous witha luxury lifestyle brand that isproving as timeless as the legend
it was created from

Hemingway Chaise Sofa

by Lena Ng photos courtesy of Jim hompson

It’s not unusual for the work of designicons to resonate beyond their death.
Think of Coco Chanel, whose work continues to bereferenced in fashion today. Or even the furnitureof Mies van der Rohe, whose modernist chairs are arecurring prop in any stylish photoshoot.
But the mysterious disappearance of Jim Thompson
proved to be one of the biggest legends about thisdesign innovator. Countless books and theories
have come up since that fateful day on March 1967
in Cameron Highlands, in the Malaysian state ofPahang. Was it an accident, a robbery gone wrong
or a murder, when he set off for an afternoon walk in
Crystal cushion

The Kaleidoscope collection

the jungle and was never seen again? Conspiracies
even pointed to Thompson’s past as a CIA spy,possibly dating from his time in the US military.
In fact, Thompson came from a well-establishedbackground, with a wealthy Delaware textile
businessman father. He studied at Princeton, before
eventually joining the army and later being recruited
to the precurser to the Office of Strategic Services.
Whether due to his intelligence work, or his love of
Asian culture, Thompson made Thailand his home
after the Second World War.
One of his first projects was restoring the Oriental
Hotel in Bangkok, but he soon found his passion

Mr. Jim Thompson

in the Thai silk industry. This fine art of weaving
was well established over centuries, but moreas a cottage industry that was slowly dying out.
Thompson set up the Thai Silk Company in 1947 andbegan supporting women in local communities torevive the industry, using dramatic tones and subtle
patterns to make the textiles fresh and modern.

The Jim Thompson collection of silk textiles isrecognised as the ultimate in luxury today. Eachcollection is carefully researched in combination
with technical innovation and historical references.
Master weavers have threaded the secrets of thepast into a rich array of silks and silk blends, using
influences in Thompson’s life and travels.

Jim Thompson Has continually reinvented
its designs by using the talents of the best
designers from thailand and the worldThompson’s success from the beginning was due tothis bold selection of colour, but also to the uniquely
hand-woven texture of each piece of silk. By making
sure that weavers worked from home, many poorer
local women were able to become part of a thriving
business and recognised as artisans in their own
right. Since 1976, his estate has been set up as afoundation under royal patronage and the range oftextiles has expanded to become essential in any
well-designed home.
034
crystal cushion

Bright colours are often
a hallmark of a Jim
Thompson collection

SURF-Andaman Collection

Before his time in Thailand, Thompson spent several
years in Europe and the Great Escapes Collection
pays tribute to his time on the Continent. Inspiredby the more gracious time of travel by yacht ortrain, these fabrics range from crisp cotton to plush
natural silk. They invite you to take things slowly
and luxuriate in the richness of texture, with linenthat has the rich sheen of silk.
Just as Thompson was an avid collector of Cambodian
T HE Y T L LU XU RY MAGA Z INE

antiques, he also recognised that the craft of Khmer
weaving was highly sophisticated. Natural silk was
not only finely woven, but also dyed using complex
Ikat techniques. His research into weaving skills
passed down from the kings of Angkor proved to be
the inspiration for the Angkor collection, where sixply silks are richly layered with colour and pattern.
Another inspiration comes from the landscape ofThailand’s coast. The Andaman Collection is actuallya range of outdoor fabrics that are both durable
and stylish. The exotic hues of the Andaman Sea
have been translated into an abundance of vibrantindigenous colours, as a testament to the company’s
sheer ingenuity in blending the exoticism of theEast with the functionality of the West. Appreciatedfor its 'end and end' technique of alternating warp
colours, each fabric comes alive with an iridescencethat is so very reminiscent of the original Jim
Thompson silks.
At the same time that Thompson was building up
the Thai silk industry, he also found time to indulge
in his passion for South-east Asian art and design.
He built up his collection over a number of trips to
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designers from Thailand and aroundthe world who respect this legacy
but move it forward in new andunexpected ways. From the architectof the iconic Amanpuri in Phuket,
a new vision of Jim Thompson was
created using classic lines. Ed Tuttle’s
collaboration with Jim Thompson
started in 2002 when he created aluxurious textile collection for Jim
Thompson that would have a uniquearchitectural sensibility.

Jim Thompson silks aredaring and contemporary

Burma, Cambodia and Laos, buying antiques fromthe great civilizations of those countries. To house
all these artifacts, Thompson decided to make his
permanent home in Bangkok a testament to theculture he loved. Six antique houses were dismantledfrom the ancient city of Ayutthaya, then moved
to a tranquil site by a canal and put together as auniquely beautiful home. The refined spaces were
set in lush tropical gardens that became a refuge
from the urban jungle of Bangkok.
This legacy of design and culture had to be nurtured
after Thompson’s tragic disappearance. Afterall, it’s a well-established part of the design game for new
designers to reinvent an old brand. The most successful
example would be the fashion house of Chanel, which
has been revitalized with Karl Lagerfeld’s inventive
genius. But the needs of a luxury brand's faithful oldschool clients must be balanced with a fresher approachthat will please both critics and a new generationof fans.
Jim Thompson has continually reinvented its
signature designs by using the talents of the best036

Tu tt l e's t h e m e of u n d e rsta te dsimplicity and mixing of tradition
and modernity is reflected in the
Ve n d ô m e, Ru e d e l a Pa i x a n d
Chenille Canvas collections thatare used in his projects worldwide.
The collaboration now extends toan exquisite line of furniture; withcollections Maia, Lite, Ciel, X andSan. These exquisite pieces pay
homage to traditional silhouettes
sit well in a classical interior, butthey also contrast stylishly with
contemporary pieces in a modern
environment. Each piece carries thehallmark of the designer who was
so guided by geometric forms andsense of perspective.
Following the success of Jim Thompson's existing
furniture collections in Thailand two more collections
were launched internationally, with a stunning fusionof 'east meets west' inspiration in collaboration with
one of the most notable contemporary furnituremakers in Paris. With London-based designer Ou
Baholyodhin, the ideal synergy of lifestyle and design
extends into furniture and interior accessories thatform the best of contemporary Thai design, including
the Hemingway range, a fully modular system ofchic, comfortable silk-upholstered pieces. ChristianDuc has designed a range that grants moments ofserenity in a seating experience of utmost comfort
and support.
The perfect fusion between traditional and modern
design is an enduring hallmark of Jim Thompson.
These distinctive collections, including fabrics andelegant furniture pieces, adapt well to any designer
environment. From a sleek contemporary interior
to a stylish classical home, no modern homeof luxury is complete without something fromJim Thompson.
T HE Y T L LU XU RY MAGA Z INE

Cameron Highlands
Resort pays homage
to Jim Thompson
and his legacy

Inside the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok

Living the Jim
Thompson Lifestyle
Cameron Highlands Resort
At 1,500m above sea level, the cool temperateconditions of Camerons are perfect for growing
tea and strawberries, and were also probably why
the area was a popular spot with 19th century
British colonials looking to escape the humid
lowlands. Much of the highlands' character
remains unchanged, exuding an old English charmand the architecture of the Cameron Highlands
Resort continues this colonial feel. Of special noteis the Jim Thompson Tea Room, with a sumptuousarray of cakes and fresh scones, accompanied bya selection of fine teas. The resort also offers aguided 'Jim Thompson Trail', where adventurous
visitors can retrace the steps behind the mysterious
Thompson legend.
mythai Restaurant, Starhill Gallery
mythai aspires to recapture that combination ofauthentic Thai home cooking and warm conviviality
in a home setting, reminding diners of the earthy
origins of the fragrant herbs and spices thatflavour the authentic Thai meal. Jim Thompson
not only revitalised the Thai silk industry, he wasalso well known in Bangkok society for his gracious
hospitality. His house by the klong was always
full of good food in a delightful setting. mythai in
Starhill Gallery serves only the freshest, homestyle cooked foods from across Thailand in a
THE Y TL LU XU RY MAGAZ INE

memorable, magical and exotic dining experience.
Jim Thompson Boutiques
The whisper of rich silks pulled from glossy
hardwood shelves invites you into the world of Jim
Thompson at his boutiques. But fabrics are not the
only legacy of this design entrepreneur as exquisite
collections of silk and linen are complemented byclothing lines and charming artifacts for the home.
You can find this enduring tradition at Starhill
Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands Resort,
Pahang, and Pangkor Laut Resort, Perak.
Jim Thompson House, Bangkok
For years this little canal-side house was virtually
the only island of traditional Thai culture left intact
in modern Bangkok. The original museum consistedof several interlinked old Thai homes, decorated
with Thompson's eclectic choice of antiques andBurmese, Khmer and Thai art. In April 2000, theJames H.W. Thompson Foundation expanded
premises to cope with the rising number of visitors more than 120,000 last year. New buildings createdby traditional artisans now house an expanded
boutique, outdoor café, bar and exhibition rooms.
The new compound also highlights the lush gardens,with renowned landscape designer Bill Bensley
adding his unique design to enhance a serenity
appreciated by Thompson and many others since.
037

ThroughtheKeyholeIn celebration of Malacca
finally securing its status as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
we take an intimate tour of thismost ancient and important of
Malaysian cities as seen throughthe eyes of native Malaccan,
Donovan Louis, the resident
historical guide of luxury boutique
hotel The Majestic Malacca
by Matt Armitage

photographs by Choen Lee

Architectural features such as theseround 'windows' at the front porch ofold terrace houses hint at Malacca's
varied colonial pastD

onovan Louis is stopped
dozens of times as wewalk around this ancient
town where Malay, Chinese,
Indian, Dutch, Portuguese andBritish influences all combine
to form one of Malaysia’s mostunique living examples of its
history. There are friends,
schoolmates and a cousin "who plays hockey
nationally" lining the bars and cafes of this tiny city,
enjoying the lazy sunshine of a Sunday afternoon. A
native Malaccan, Donovan is these days the resident
naturalist of the 'It' hotel in Malacca right now, The
Majestic Malacca. He is also our guide for today anda frequent sight on these streets, and those who live
and work along them seem happy to welcome him
into their stores and homes.
A stop-off in Malacca (also known as Melaka) has
become an essential part of any trip to Malaysia.
While capital city Kuala Lumpur rapidly modernises,
sacrificing some of its historic treasures along
the way, Malacca has embarked on a journey toactively preserve and restore its rich heritage,securing UNESCO World Heritage Site status in theprocess. And one of the buildings at the forefrontof that movement is The Majestic Malacca, a classic
boutique property with 54 guest rooms in the heartof the city’s old quarter.
Looking out over the Malacca River that was once
this trading port’s lifeblood, the hotel sits opposite
a picturesque settlement of Malaccan kampung(village) houses known as Kampung Morten. Built
in the 1920s as the mansion home of a prominent
businessman, the property was converted into a
hotel in the 1950s before closing its doors in 2000.
It was refurbished and re-opened as The Majestic
Malacca in January 2008.
With such a rich history surrounding it, every
effort has been made to preserve the colonial
splendour of the original mansion and the adjacentaccommodation block. This is reflected in the guest
rooms, comfortably appointed with the handsome
dark finish of teak and other hard woods, sparkling
Portuguese tiling, elegant four-poster beds, regal
four-footed bath tubs and innovative sliding doorsthat separate the bathroom from the sleeping andliving area and allow you to customise the room into
separate chambers or an open-plan whole.
So successful is this blending that despite featuring
the latest in modern technologies – plasma TV

040

screens, DVD players, high-speed broadband andrain head showers – the overall ambience is of aperiod room. In fact, reclining on a chaise longue
with the fan swishing above your head and views
over the Malacca River and Kampung Morten is
one of the best ways to acclimatise to this city ofnumerous cultural legacies.
And in spite of the tempting presence of Spa
Village on the ground floor (YTL’s award winninginternational chain of luxury spas), The Mansion
restaurant serving the best in Baba Nyonya cuisine– a Malaccan speciality – not to mention the stylishpool and 24-hour gymnasium, you will at some point
want to get outside and explore the beautiful andancient city around which so much of Malaysia’s
prosperity has evolved. Which is where Donovan
Louis comes in. The 36-year-old native Malaccan has
worked around the world for a number of NGOs andcharities including Greenpeace and World Wildlife
Foundation (WWF), and is a specialist in trees andthe timber industry.
As The Majestic Malacca’s in-house historical guide
he is currently engaged in a research project basedaround the town’s history. “I look at the old records,”
he explains. “A lot of the old histories were preparedby a Father Manuel Pintado, a Portuguese priest who
spent about 20 years examining the old Portuguese
manuscripts and interpreting the information. And
then there’s a lot of the older Malaccans, like my dad,
who collected a lot of these historical references
so my job is weighing their recollections with thehistorical collections.”“There’s this myth called the Treasures of theEast. It’s been said that the Portuguese amassed
a considerable amount of gold and so far, only alittle of it has ever been found. But if you go up to
St John’s Hill, there’s a network of tunnels: I think
it could have been hidden there by the Portuguese
and unearthed by one of the other powers later. I
believe that the British found it and quietly sent itback to Britain. But a lot of treasure hunters still
believe there’s a pot of gold here.”
Insider out It’s this insider knowledge that makes
him such a valuable asset to guests at The Majestic
Malacca for whom he conducts regular walks arounddifferent parts of the city. And like any insider, that
information can occasionally be colourful: “Thesign on the front gates reads 'happy drunk place' inChinese,” he explains with a laugh, adding jokingly,“A lot of local Malaccans are afraid to come inside incase the new management decide to chase them for
THE Y T L LU XU RY M AGAZ INE

The Majestic Malacca's
Library echoes of thecity's multi-storied pastA view of the Malacca
Ferris Wheel as seen atnight from the rooms of
The Majestic Malacca
The Malacca River has
undergone massive
rehabilitation and still
represents the lifelinethat courses throughthe city

their unpaid bar bills from way back when.”Starting at the newly revitalised waterfront outside
the hotel this timber specialist understandably
starts with a tree. “This is the Malacca tree that thecity gets its name from,” he explains, pointing to asmall potted tree, before going on to explain how theruins of the St Lawrence Church became building
materials for many of the nearby houses. He also
explains that although the land of the pretty Malay
settlement Kampung Morten on the other side of
the river is privately owned, the collective ethosof the community means that owners consult thevillage elders before selling or leasing their parcels.
But the most stunning thing is the river itself. The
end result of the Malacca River Rehabilitation
Project and the walkway that spans the 4km stretch
from the sea mouth to The Majestic Malacca is
nothing short of incredible. As we walk past theEye on Malacca Ferris Wheel and up towards theold warehouses known locally as Godowns, Louis
continues: “Ten years ago the river was dirty. Backwhen all the junks and schooners came in there
was so much effluent discharge from the diesel
engines and waste and it made the river reallybadly polluted.

The Portuguese
influence on
Malacca is still verymuch evident eventill today

The Bar at The
Majestic Malacca ismore of an elegant
place to wine rather
than 'a happy drunk
place'“When the rehabilitation project was started theyfound that a lot of the homes in Jonker Street, Hang
Jebat and other streets close to the riverbank werereleasing their domestic waste directly into the
THE Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z INE

water. Now there’s a tidal barrage in place which haschanged the whole character of the river. So now
there are no boats coming in which has helped to
put an end to the illegal logging junks that would
come in from Indonesia and the household waste istreated and processed.”“For me this stretch [gestures along the river towards
the houses of Jonker street, the spire of St Francis
Xavier Church and the roof of the Stadthuys, the old
Dutch-era town hall] is one of the most picturesquein Malaysia, and you can see they’ve done a fabulous
job restoring it. There’s a lot of fish (including mullet
and archer) and the water’s now clean enough thatyou can eat them. I’m really happy the river’s nolonger an eyesore. They’re even talking about thisas a potential Venice of the East.”
It’s also the district where a teenage Louis would
come and hang out at weekends. Sometimes at the
Shaw Brothers’ Cathay cinema whose still-boarded
up building was closed sometime around 1986, andothers at the notorious tea dances, the afternoon
socials that were popular for teens at the time. Adds
a laughing Louis: “That you should highlight because
they were one of my highlights.”
Of course, a town with more than 600 years of
tumultuous history behind it has also had its shareof dark times. At the base of the oldest bridge in thecity, linking Kampung Jawa to Kampung Pantai, Louis
explains that locally it’s known as the Ghost Bridge.
043

One of the many temples
that dot Harmony Street,
named so for its mixture ofMuslim, Hindu and Chineseplaces of worship“A lot of Malaccans won’t use this bridge because
it’s the site of some of the wartime atrocities. And
that’s why it has been painted red: it’s a way for the
Chinese to appease the spirits.”
Across the bridge on Kampung Pantai Street, once
famed for its merchants, he halts. “When I was
growing up there were scented smells that would
always hit you on this street. First the smell of therice. Chilli was another, so was the sweetness ofcloves. Aniseed. The scents would change as you
walked along the street. Further down, throughp o rc h a n d t h e o l dlady sitting next to
him runs back indoors
to fix her housecoatand lipstick before
returning to pose forthe shot. “It’s one of
the few places where
you’ll find a lot of realc h a ra c te rs ,” L o u i snods in assertion, justas an old man cycles
down the centre of
the street, shouting at
everyone to get out ofhis path because hisbrakes don’t work. It’s
that kind of town.
Walking past all thetemples on Jalan
Tokong, known locallyas Harmony Street
because of its mixtureof Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist places of worship,
Louis points out one of the old town’s more lowkey but equally important meeting places, Teo
Soon Loong Chan Restaurant. “This is where all
the high-end businessman sit down to negotiate
and do business,” he confides. “I’ve been coming
here since I was a kid. The guy who runs it, he tells
you what you can order. He can really tell you somestories about this part of Melaka.”

courtyards. “As you can see,” Louis explains, "mostof them face the old seafront to channel the sea
breeze through the building and most have theirown wells, which many of the owners still maintainin case of drought. Inside, it’s not unusual for twoor three generations to live together.”A group of the more impressive properties now
houses the Cheng Ho Museum. Entranced by thenarrow, ivy-strewn walkway that connects themuseum, we return later that evening and spend
a couple of hours enjoying a traditional Chinese
tea ceremony and listening to the mixture ofhistory and scurrilous local gossip delivered by thethree generations of the family who rotate fromtable to table, sitting, talking and serving tea tothe customers.
Ultimately, it’s that sense of friendly inclusion thatsets Malacca apart from most tourist destinations.
This is a town with a vibrant artistic community
and a commitment to maintaining old crafts andtraditions. Its atmosphere is not so much bohemianin a leftfield European sense, like Paris or Barcelona,
but more one of a small town that is open-minded
and accepting, a community that The Majestic
Malacca is very much a part of. As Donovan Louishappily acknowledges: “It’s a nice place to be.
People know you and you know them – sometimes
it can have a downside, like people will still tell my
mum if they’ve seen me at the pub," he jokes, "but
I’m happy to be home.”

People At this point our photographer stops totake a picture of a man holding a baby on his front
044

Many old buildings likethis one built in 1911 still
stand today

Walk the Walk
As we turn into Jalan Hang Jebat, known morefamiliarly as Jonker Street and the home of the

As the in-house historical guide of
The Majestic Malacca, Donovan
also takes the hotel's guests on morestructured tours of Malacca thatprovide visitors with an insight
into its culture and history. There
are three different tours to choose
from, each one highlighting a
different aspect of this culturallyrich city.

It's that sense of friendly inclusionthat sets Malacca apart from Most
other Tourist destinations
Kampung Kuli Street just past the Hang Kasturi
mausoleum he comments: “This street is really quiet
and quaint. The lady in this house makes the skins forthe popiah (spring rolls) you see being sold all overthe city. The silversmiths make bracelets, earringsand ornaments. Everything is unique because it’s
hand-made and you can even give them a design
and they’ll make it for you.”

The Majestic
Malacca is leading
the way in theconservation of
the culture of thishistoric city

The Empress’ Hill at
Bukit Cina Retracing the story
of Parameswara, who established
Malacca port as a glorious empire
for commerce between the east andthe west Asian region in the 15th
century, his subsequent union with
Chinese Princess Hang Li Po which
led to further inter-marriages andthe birth of the Peranakan culture.
Visit the unique Chinese temple Poh
San Teng, the famous water wellcolourful weekend antiques and night markets, you
get the sense from Donovan of returning home as
he talks about the traditional Chinese town houses,
many of which have now been turned into boutiques
and restaurants, that line this and neighbouring
Heeren Street (again, a local term, the official nameis Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock).
At around 50 metres long, these inauspiciously
narrow-fronted homes can contain as many as 20
rooms built around a series of internal gardens and
THE Y T L LU XU RY M AGAZ INE

THE Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z INE

where the Princess used to bathe,and end up with sweeping views ofMalacca atop Bukit Cina.
The Route to
Malacca’s History
The walk that takes you to all theessential sights of old Malacca. From
the A Famosa to the Stadhuys to St.
Paul Hill's, the different historicalinfluences of Malacca will cometo life.
Treasures of the Old
Malaccan Streets See
old Malacca in all its finer details
as you walk down streets where
ancient buildings reveal the secrets
and lives of the Malay Sultanate
Empire, early Chinese migrants,
and European powers through its
architecture and what lies behindthose many colourful wooden doors.

045

Home IsWhere
The Art Is
Following the opening of the
Armani/Casa store in KL's
Starhill Gallery, YTL Life
gets an opportunity to chatwith Giorgio Armani both the brains and brawn
behind his world famouseponymous brand - aboutfashion, furniture and his
passion for film
by Sam Yen Photos courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Every year, this little-known
magazine called Forbes publishes
a discreet list of the world’s
wealthiest people. At the very topof the 2008 list is the perennial
Warren Buffet… but further down,
past Italy’s Michele Ferrero (‘Youare spoiling us, Mr. Ambassador’)and Italian Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi, is Italy’s fourth richest individual, the203rd wealthiest person in the world and the manthat Forbes magazine anointed ‘the most successful
Italian designer ever’: Giorgio Armani.
Born in 1934 in the humble town of Piacenza - thenmore famous for pancetta and wine than global
luminaries - the young Armani’s childhood proximity
to the nearby creative nexus of Milan soon awakened
his genius. After developing a love for theatre andcinema as a child, a twisting route led the young
man through medicine, photography, military service
and window dressing before depositing him at thedoorstep of Nino Cerruti. With no formal training,
Armani proceeded to design a menswear line for the
fashion house, the first step of a 44-year journeythat now encompasses some US$5 billion worth of

The Dining Roomapparel, hotels, furniture, cosmetics, restaurants
and even an airline.
If his softly-silhouetted powers suits in the 1980s
confirmed his genius, the film ‘American Gigolo’
cemented his celebrity. And today, KL can also
luxuriate in the stylish offerings from his homefurniture line, Armani Casa, which recently opened
its doors at Starhill Gallery. From dressing Jodie
Foster at the Academy Awards to designing aluxurious sofa, all of Italy’s greatest fashion son’s
creations adhere to a simple aesthetic that is atonce timeless as it is forward. Addressing that very
subject, is the great man himself, in his own words.
Do you remember the first time fashion
or design made an impact on you?
I remember, as a child, that my mother made a huge
impact on me by the way she dressed. In fact, tillthis day my mother is the one person who has reallystrongly influenced my ideas about style and design.
She always dressed so elegantly and with great
personal style, even though she did not have a lotof money to spend. She taught me a very valuablelesson: she would say that if you wish to create
beauty, only do what is necessary and no more.

What’s the first thing you noticewhen meeting a person? Or when
walking into a room for the first time?
When I meet a person for the first time, the firstthing I notice is the way they dress. What I liketo see is someone who has timeless, simple andsophisticated taste. I do not like ‘design for thesake of design’; exaggerated forms or pattern, orthe eccentric shapes that today often dominate
both the fashion and the domestic landscape. For
instance, I believe that a woman wearing a trenchcoat, which is a pretty classic piece of clothing,can exude sensuality and understated seduction.
When it comes to interiors, my appraisal is again,
inevitably, filtered through my personal taste. I likeenvironments characterised by subdued tones,
which I find serene and relaxing, contributing tocreate a pristine and harmonious setting. Anotherelement that is essential is good lighting; I preferindirect lighting, as it produces a more tranquil
mood. I do not like floodlit rooms; they make me feellike I am in an infirmary. They make the house lose
all sense of intimacy and cosiness.

Logo lamp, designed in 1982. Eighteen
years later, the first Armani Casa
store opened in Milan. Between 1982 and2000, tell us a bit about the history of
the brand and describe your thoughts
on taking the Armani brand beyond
fashion and into the realm of thehome. With Armani/Casa I wanted to extend my
fashion philosophy and language into the home
His study

Would you describe yourself as aperson who is more concerned about
the broad picture, or one that focuseson the small details? A broad picture is theresult of a variety of small details. It does not makeany sense to focus on a detail without considering
the whole and vice versa.
Given Armani’s major success as a
fashion house, why move into theinteriors business? Is this a natural
progression, given that several otherfashion houses since Armani Casa havealso moved to package their brand as an
all-encompassing lifestyle rather thanmerely a wardrobe? The decision to moveinto interiors was, like my decisions generally in life,
prompted by a personal desire, and not undertaken
for any strategic business reason. I simply wanted totry my hand at furniture and furnishing design, as it
was something I was interested in. Because I have avery strong personal aesthetic, based on principles
of sophistication and elegance, I was curious to see
if I could extend this approach to other fields. And
so over time this has led me to explore not only theworld of interiors, but also of hotels and resorts,
cakes, cars, mobile phones, TVs and flowers. Yes,
others have followed suit, but that is something you
have to expect if you are a pioneer.
The first ever Armani/Casa item was the

Her bedroom

Adelchi tableenvironment, but unlike most of the other fashion
designers who have gone down this road, I wanted topresent a comprehensive collection from the outset.
With Armani/Casa I tried to communicate what isessentially my own ideal of a home, my dream ofa living space. This is an intimate and special place
where one can gather one’s thoughts and entertain
others surrounded by beauty. But beauty here is notnecessarily luxurious or ostentatious. Instead, I view
it as a property that evokes a response that is both
sensory and emotional.
What does the Armani lifestyle as awhole stand for? My vision for Armani is thesame as it has always been – to make wonderfulproducts which reflect my personal design aesthetic,
and through doing this, offer people options whichmake them feel good about themselves. All thathas changed since I started is that today, the option
may consist of a collection of clothing, or furniture,or a fragrance, or a floral arrangement, or even a
cake. Whatever it is, if it has the Armani signatureof understated elegance, then I have done myjob properly.

Various aspects of the Bridge Kitchen

Fashion is all about exuberance,experimentation, mix-and-match andpanache. Furnishing a room is considerably
more durable, d e s i g n e d fo r lo n g lasting impact with narrower room forinnovation. Do you agree? How have you
managed to reconcile the two in Armani/
Casa? I like to imagine that a house is like a person,
so his/her personality and character is permanent,
but his/her look can change continually. At home,
you cannot change your key pieces – like your sofas
TH E Y TL LU XU RY MAG A Z INE

or tables or beds – every season, so these constitutethe foundation of your home’s character. But you
can change accessories and textiles more frequently
so as to always have a new and fresh look.
Was it a challenge to adapt yourfa s h i o n a e st h e t i c to t h e a r t o f
designing a space/item? How similaror different is designing a home todesigning a garment? The process of creatingproducts for the home and for fashion collections isvery similar. Both skills require an ability to imagine
things in three dimensions, and to translate sketches
into reality. Attention to detail is key, whether you
are making a dress or a chair. In both cases, it is
the precision and finesse which will make all thedifference. So while the actual skills used may not
be the same, the approach is.
What does Armani/Casa aspire to be,
and where does it draw its inspiration
from? Armani/Casa simply aspires to be theinterior’s expression of the Armani aesthetic. My
inspiration comes from many things – from travel,film, art, architecture, books, photography, but
principally from observing people’s behaviour andmanner. Over the years I have developed a verystrong aesthetic and it is this aesthetic that drives
all my design work. That said, I am strongly drawn
to the spirit of Oriental Art Deco at present, and so
you will see elements of this movement reflected in
my work – certain prints and fabrics, or finishes, likelacquer (so a dress may be made of a shiny silk, or atable feature a lacquer effect).
Which room in your homes do you spend
051

Revolution lamp

the most of your time in? Has thisfiltered down in any way into the designof Armani/Casa? Without a doubt, my favourite
room in the house is the living room. It is where I
relax, entertain, watch TV and read. It is the centreof any home, and it is rightfully described as a room
for living. There are, of course, many items in the
Armani/Casa collection that have been designed foruse in this space. I also spend time in my kitchen. In
many ways, the kitchen provides the heartbeat of
the home – a place not just for preparing food, butalso for socialising.
Is this why you designed the brand'ssignature 'Bridge Kitchen'? The 'Bridge'
is a modular system and I feel I have provided asolution to the potentially paradoxical nature ofthis space. On the one hand, “Bridge” provides atechnologically advanced area for cooking; on theother, the use of materials that complement thelook of rest of the Armani/Casa range means that
“Bridge” will sit comfortably within or adjacent toa living area devoted to socialising. From the off, I
wanted it to have a natural feel so we decided on
sukupira Brazilian wood for the bridges and bronze
metal with a nest texture and technical fabrics forthe shelves and drawers, all both glamorous andfunctional at the same time.
A little black dress is the one fashion
item every lady must have, while asharp suit is the one thing every man
must own. What, in your opinion, is theone home item that every homeownermust have? A great sofa is undoubtedly theobject a house cannot live without. Make sure it iscomfortable, as well as beautiful.
Y o u w e r e o r i g i n a l ly
trained in medicine,
switched to photography
and served in the military
under national service
before becoming Italy’s
most successful fashion
designer. How has yourknowledge and exposure
to these different
disciplines aided you inyour career? I’m not surethat anything I did before fashion
has really shaped my career as
a designer, with the possible
exception of photography, which
was a hobby that encouraged myvisual side. When I was a child,people simply did not become
fashion designers. They became
accountants or doctors or lawyers,
and I don’t think we even knew
what a fashion designer was. Of
course that all changed for me
when I started to work for Nino
Cerruti and learned my trade. Once
I found fashion, I forgot all about
my days as a medical student. And
as for military service, I was neverdestined to be a soldier. I believe
too strongly in peace, and detest
all forms of violence.

His bathroom

If you weren’t a designer,
what would you like to

be? I have always been a passionate film fan. Ever
since I was a child and used to go to the big city of
Milan to the cinema, it was a way of escaping into
the glamorous world of the silver screen. I havesometimes wondered whether I could have beena film director – especiallywhen I am staging fashionshows, when I assemble
my own cast of models,
dress them, instruct hem,
stage the production, andchoreograph the lights andthe soundtrack. But of course,
directing a movie would be awhole different ball game, as
the Americans would say.
Define what ‘luxury’means to you. Luxury is allabout quality and excellenceof d e s i g n , exc l u s i v i ty
a n d a s fa r a s I a m
concerned, sophisticationand elegance. However, increasingly I findthat time spent with my friends and family
is a real luxury. I have always been somethingof a workaholic, and as I get older, I realise that itis really important to make the time to see yourloved ones.

Astro fabricProfessional Help
In line with Mr Armani’s vision of acomprehensive, cohesive living space, Armani/
Casa goes beyond being merely a purveyor ofinteriors; it also operates its own consulting
service: Armani/Casa Interior Design. Launchedfive years ago, the service is mainly aimed at
private individuals, but also works with interior
designers and property developers on various
developments. From its teams of ID experts basedin Milan, Paris and New York, the Armani/
Casa Interior Design team is equipped to manage
projects from room decoration to complete homeplanning and design.
Some Armani/Casa Interior
Design’s projects include:• Via Cavour in Rome, a prestigious
redevelopment of a group of historic buildings• The Fori Imperiali luxury residential complex
in Rome• Two penthouses in the Harbour Green(Kowloon) development in Hong Kong
• ID for the former Chase Manhattan bankbuilding in Manhattan, New York, converted
into apartment• Projects in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Hawaii.
• And closer to home, Armani/Casa Interior
Design is also slated to collaborate with YTL on
the Sentosa Cove project in Singapore. Details
are sketchy and under wraps, but will include thedesign and furnishing of 12 luxury villas.

The 'Antionette' collection
Aladino lamp
TH E Y TL LU XU RY MAG A Z INE

053

Silk crepe empire top
and wool cardigan
Burberry Prorsum;
Cotton bum shorts
adidas; Gladiatorsandals Stylist's own

A feast of food andfashion at the fabulous
Pangkor Laut Resort
photography Steve Koh / Studio ROM

styling Weechee

Silver bracelet
and bangles
Bottega Veneta;'Kyoto' steel withmother of pearl
dial and diamondtime piece Gucci

Organza and lace plastronblouse Loewe;
High-waisted brief Blush;
Gladiator sandals Stylist's own

Lake printed silk crepe pleated dress with tassle Gucci; Suede clutch Mulberry

Leather Intreciatto slingback sandals Bottega Veneta

Hers: Organza and laceplastron blouse Loewe;
High-waisted brief Blush
His: Wool striped pullover
Club Monaco; Cotton
pants RaoulSilk paisley scarf Burberry Prorsum; Bougie candle Boucheron; Chain belt with medallion Gucci

Crystal accented pleated dress Dior

Charmeuse silk cocoon gown Michael Ong

Cotton drill sports jacket withhood A/X Armani Exchange;
Cotton bermuda Timberland;
Gladiator sandals Stylist's own

Hers: Silk shift CK Calvin Klein
His: Wool pullover DKNY; Cotton pants Raoul

Hers: Beribboned dress Burberry Prorsum
His: Slim blazer and madras shirt Club Monaco; Cotton pants RaoulSmocked mercerized cotton sundress DKNY;
Studded slim belt Gucci; Gladiator sandals Stylist's own

Silk crepe blouse Fendi;
Cotton shorts Guccimakeup Jessie Chonghair Jack Choong
models Agnieszka Gwara &Claude Barbalho, Faces
Model Management
photographer's assistants Li &Stanley
production Diana Lim

Leather pants Gucci

Luxury
Redefined

Understated, refined, classic: Bottega
Veneta is a shining standout in theworld of luxury fashion with its
logoless products that emphasises
on its philosophy "Where your own
initials are enough". Now, that's whattrue style should be aboutby Choo Ai Ling all products shown here are from Bottega veneta A/W

08 collection

An example of Bottega
Veneta's famous'intrecciato' leather
weaving technique

The Poltrona Frau armchair

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style | trends

Precious
Encounters
Peeking into the coffers of fine jewellers Facet Fire

by EUGENE NG

Facet Fire adopts an artisanal approach to its jewellery,
where each collection evokes an emotional response in the
person viewing it. Each piece is a rare and singular affair.
Each handcrafted lovingly and exquisitely. Each inspired bynature or beauty or life itself.
Particularly beautiful are the Velutto, Goccia and Stella
Brillante collections but the boutique has recently unveiled
a couple of new sets for the year. The Merletto collection is
inspired by the graceful ripples of water and features a 383
Round diamonds (19CT) and 107 Princess cut 6CT diamonds
necklace, and a 100 Round diamond (4CT) earrings. Corallina
is also inspired by the ocean where 95 pink, green, orange
and yellow sapphires, 658 Round diamonds (69.2CT) set in
18K white gold for the necklace, and 166 Round diamonds(19.8CT) set in 18K white gold for the earrings are reminiscentof corals.

Facet Fire is located exclusively at F30 & F31, Explore Floor,
Starhill Gallery, KL; +603-2144 1872; www.facetfire.com
Facet Fire , a RELATIVELY new player in the luxury
jewellery market in Malaysia, is a brand that has
been developed with a single vision in mind: the creation ofjewellery as art to be enjoyed by the well-heeled of society.

The award-winning
Facet Fire boutiqueat Starhill Gallery.

Facet Fire may be Singaporean in origin, but its inclinations
and artistic temperament are nothing if not global.
Specialising in sets, the collections it produces are mainly
designed in Europe, require intricate craftsmanship and are
produced over the course of between three to four months.

The Corallina
collection

These exquisite designs are then adorned with white or
champagne-coloured diamonds from north-west Australia
and South Africa, sapphires from Sri Lanka or Madagascar
and pearls in cream, grey, green and pink from Japan, Tahiti
and Indonesia. In its award-winning boutique in Starhill
Gallery, an exercise in stylish contemporary elegance, eachpiece of jewellery is displayed on a pedestal, befitting theartistry and poetry that lies behind each one.

Marquesa
earrings

La Blu Royale

Pretty in Red:
Gucci’s 8-82008 Limited
Edition bicycle

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Rosa Eldera necklace
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style | retail

Style
File

Beautiful new
things in the storescompiled by Choo Ai-Ling

Buy and Luge Everyone’s favourite British
chap, Jude Law is once again the face of classic British
fashion house dunhill with a spectacular Autumn/ Wintercampaign shot on the foothills of St. Moritz. In thisinstallment, Law plays the maverick gentleman taking
on the adrenaline charged sport of tobogganing at
Cresta Run, which has a reputation for being the world’s
scariest toboggan course. Built in 1885, the Cresta Run’s
combination of history and adventure fit in perfectly withthe dunhill image of the quintessentially British with a sideof bravado.

Watch this Space In the span of only 4 years, Swiss watchmaker DeWitt has charted its own course in thenotoriously closed horological industry and garnered accolades and fans with its innovation and panache. In anotherhistorical landmark, DeWitt opened its first stand-alone boutique in Starhill Gallery with Jerome de Witt himself
unveiling a magnificent collection of limited edition timepieces. To mark this auspicious occasion, DeWitt generously
donated a watch for auction of which the proceeds will go to Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Center. Guests thenwatched the premier showcase of John Woo’s latest blockbuster, Red Cliff, in the company of the director himself.

DeWitt, UG21, Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery; +603-2141 0776
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beautystyle& grooming
watches

Impress Yourself Fusingstate-of-the-art technology andsuperior sensitivity to skinstructure, Kanebo’s Impress
Emulsion II helps skin revive
its smooth and refined
texture. Dullness, roughness,and uneven skin tone causedby daily UV rays, external
stress (air pollution) anddryness can take a backseatwith this lotion that helps toreplenish moisture for every
corner of the deep part of the stratum
corneum (the skin’s outermost layer). IMPRESS
is Kanebo’s top-of-the-line basic skin care
range. There is also a make-up line. @KaneboInternational Salon, S21-25, Pamper Floor, Starhill
Gallery, +603-2144 1218.

Odour
Worldly
Britney in a bottle? Glow like J.Lo? Get star

struck with just a spritz and a spray

Not that they’re hanging around oh-so-nonchalantly waiting
for a fan to ambush them. No – here at the fragrance section,
their images hang larger than life in promotional posters
selling boxes that hold anything from a crystal flagon toa glass bottle with glued-on pseudo-diamonds for added
glitz. And bottled within are scents that have the effect ofturning one sexy, feminine, coquettish, and a range of otheradjectives that only stardom can inspire.
These days, it seems that every other celebrity is readily
lending their names to a scent. From J.Lo to Britney toMadge, superstardom brings about superpower to sellscents. And us mortals are lapping it up.
Celeb scents allow us for that one brief moment tovicariously live a life bathed in glitter, red carpet, paparazzi
and power. A chance to share the star’s intimate moments,
love what they love and aspire to be what they are.
After all, who could resist a flight of fantasy into J.Lo’s world
with ‘Deseo Forever’, inspired by a shower of petals in her
rain-kissed garden. For die-hard fans, this is as close as one
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can get to her. Others are not as imaginative or as subtle.
Paris Hilton’s ‘Heiress’, for example. Cash does not equalclass it would seem.
Still, there are celeb scents that pack more punch andinspiration than Oprah and Dr. Phil put together. ‘Inspire’by Christina Aguilera is straightforward in her message
that rallies self-assured women and celebrates confidence.
When Celine Dion launched ‘Sensational’, she declared: “Iwant to provide inspiration for women everywhere to live
their dreams and strive to achieve their greatest potential”.

O’ Whata Scent

The idea of celebrity scents is by no means novel. Back in thelate 80s, Elizabeth Taylor launched Passion, a distinctive
scent of jasmine and rose in a violet hued bottle the colour ofher eyes. Taylor’s career had long stagnated but her fan basewas still intact. ‘Passion’ did well at the checkout counter, but
it was her ‘White Diamonds’ perfume, launched a few years
later, that brought more than US$1 billion in sales in the U.S.
alone and made Taylor a household name once more.
Two decades later, the power of celebrity endorsement
still proves vital. Throughout her custody battle, court
appearances and a flagging music career, Britney Spears’
popularity seemed unaffected when it came to her scents.
Early this year, she launched ‘Curious’, ‘Believe’ and ‘Fantasy’to name but a few and notched over US$20 million in sales.
Smell me the money?
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Happy Feet Leonardo da Vinci considered the human footPhoto corbis

It used to be that fans with cameras and autograph books
in tow would have to hunt down their favourite stars for that
one moment where they get their brush with fame. Thesedays, all it takes is a walk down the perfume aisle and you’relikely to bump into Celine, SJP or even Shania Twain.

by Anis Ramlia masterpiece of engineering and a work of art. In fact, the feetcontain stimulating reflex points that, when massaged in a proper
manner, can help bring the body back to balance. Hence the ancientart of reflexology that is now employed at Asianel Refelxology Spa.
For the month of October, the spa offers a 90-minute treatmentthat uses flower essences including geranium to reduce pain. The
Essence of Flowers Shoulder & Foot treatment (RM135) begins witha foot wash and soak before your therapist massages your head,neck, shoulders and hands followed by a foot mask and ending
with a foot reflexology. @ Asianel Refelxology Spa, S17, Pamper Floor, Starhill
Gallery +603-2142 1397

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Love In Blackis a mirror
image of the2006 Love In
White, but with its emphasis firmly on seduction
rather than innocence. This sophisticatedladies’ fragrance from Creed combines a headyaroma of white violets with warm and sensuous
Virginian cedar, and Florentine iris. Nicknamed‘La Seductrice’ this fragrance was inspired by
the sense of elegance, beauty and personalityof Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Creed,established in 1760, is well-known for its celebrity
clientèle and for their tradition of handmade
perfumes. @ Ken’s Apothecary, Lot 10.
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beauty & grooming

princess
for a dayYou don't have to get married just to enjoy traditonal
pre-wedding Malay beauty rituals; at SPA VILLAGE Tanjong
Jara, you can luxuriate in the 3-hour Dandan
Puteri Tujuh treatment and get pampered like a bride...
minus the groom Anis Ramlibyritual, but as this was not your typical wash-and-blow
salon session, I found my hair (and head) being given theroyal treatment.
True to its Malay roots of ransacking the kitchen and garden
for beauty aides, my hair was bathed in a delightful recipeof coconut oil, rice paddy stalks and pandanus leaves. The
fragrant hair bath was massaged ever so delicately into
my scalp, and combined with the rhythmic touch of mytherapist’s dancing fingers, I was lulled to a quick nap inno time.

'Boros Puteri' Scrub

The hair crème was left in my hair for a few minutes before
it was rinsed off. And as the fresh cold water washedaway the ingredients from my back, it wasn’t hard to be
enveloped by a sense of vigour and earthiness in thissimple yet sensual act of cleansing.
With my tresses thoroughly conditioned by the coconut
oil and the natural conditioners of the pandanus leaves,
I proceeded to surrender the rest of my body to more
pampering. Through the 'Urutan Gamelan' (Traditional
Malay Massage), my stress knots (from work, not prewedding jitters, might I remind you) were coaxed to uncoil
and unwind. The Malay massage is distinctive through its
long, kneading strokes that focus on the muscles alongwith therapeutic oils made from local herbs and flowers.
In this instant, my body was bathed in the fragrant oil
combination of local jasmine and magnolia.
Soon, I was floating vicariously through space as mytherapist’s deft fingers kneaded my body. The way eachstroke was applied to my body was hypnotic, loosening
each muscle and enticing the entire body system to relax.
So engrossed was I in the experience that I barely noticed
when the therapist began the 'Boros Puteri' (Facial and
Body Scrub). A homemade scrub of turmeric and galangal
was washed generously over my limp body, removing thedead cells off to reveal my new, softer and suppler skin. My
face, meanwhile, was treated to a herbal facial made fromrecipes of yore that had a calming effect on the psyche
while gently removing old skin for a fresher complexion.

The lure of the Spa Village at Tanjong Jara
resort is that it celebrates ancient Malay
beauty rituals, including the elaborate and luxurious
treatments that precede a bride’s big day. The treatment iscalled 'Dandan Puteri Tujuh' (Seven Grooming Secrets), but
I wasn’t preparing for my big day to arrive before indulging
in this glorious three-hour experience.
The Malays, like many other world cultures, view weddings
084

as a rite of passage and honour the bride-to-be with luxe
pampering that, in many ways, help to calm pre-big day
jitters, enhance her beauty inside and out, and prepare herbody, mind and spirit for the day that is likely to be bothchallenging and nerve-wrecking.
So it seemed only apt that the first part of my body to begiven some TLC was my head. In a nutshell, the treatment,'Ikal Mayang' (Hair Crème Bath), was a hair cleansing
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z IN E

The effects of the scrub were amazing, as I would later
discover, when combined with the 'Bersiram' (Fragrant
Milk Bath). The back-to-back treatment left a sheer veil ofmoisture on my skin and I could actually feel the texture
turn as soft as a baby’s! This, I was told, was the effectof the scented flower buds and petals that accompanied
the dip, such as jasmine, rose and tropical magnolia, thatprovided natural emollients and moisturisers.
The cooling bath was also to clean my body off any scrub
residue. It was also a good time to contemplate my state ofmind. As I sat in the bathtub, with various petals floatingaround me and the varied fragrances making their way into
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ IN E

my senses, the calm waters only seemed to heighten mytranquil state of mind. The bath was sublime and blissful,to say the least.
All too soon, I was invited to step out of my water haveninto the fading sunlight to end my therapy with the'Ukup Wangi' (Scented Body Steaming). In the oldendays, steaming the body was a ritual popular among thewomenfolk of the Malay royal houses in preparation for
their wedding night to stimulate the senses and soften theskin. The treatment left my skin lightly scented – thanks to
the mixture of rosewater and local jasmine – allowing mybody to be enveloped in a natural fragrance that lingered
till the next day.
The beauty of all these rituals rekindled at Spa Village
Tanjong Jara is the ability for guests to re-live the experienceof past royal Malay houses. For here at the Resort, delving
deep into the past for beauty and health secrets is morethan just about keeping spa goers happy. It’s about paying
homage to the local wisdom of celebrating beauty fromwithin and reviving the traditional art of healing for future
generations to enjoy.
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Anointed
AnatomyComplete well-being
should encompass allof the body and at Spa
Village, you can find a
range of treatments thattake care of you fromhead to toe
photography Christopher A.

styling Aziz Abdul Draim

model Svetlana, Andrews Models

The Eyes Have It
Caviar Eye & Lip Care - A truly effective
eye and lip treatment that firms, tones
and rehydrates with protein-rich caviar
and powerful antioxidants. Spa Village

Kuala Lumpur, +603-2782 9090

Face Value
Rose Petal Facial - Floral fantasy treatment ofdried rose petal mask, cleanser and toner thatcleanses and moisturises and also incorporates theEuropean 15-points face massage to rejuvenate andrefresh the skin. Spa Village Cameron Highlands,+605-491 1100
Muka Berseri Seri - Evocative of exotic Asianspices, enjoy a face massage using a herbal pouch
filled with turmeric and wild ginger. Spa Village

Tanjong Jara, +609-845 1100
Bird's Nest Facial with Star Fruit Mask Considered the caviar of the East, bird's nest
is great for dry complexions as it replenishes
nutrients and improves micro circulation. It iseasily absorbed by the skin leaving it smooth andsupple. This treatment with star fruit was once only
reserved for the palaces of Imperial China and iseven ideal for senstive skin. Spa Village Malacca,+606-289 8000
Mian Bu Hu Liao (Chinese Herbal Facial) - Begins
with a traditional snuff of aromatic herbs to clear thenasal passage before a winter mulberry face wash,
sandalwood and winter melon scrub to exfoliate,
acupressure massage to tone facial tissues and ends
with a mask of crushed pearls and ginseng. Once afavourite beauty treatment of concubines in Imperial
China. Spa Village Pangkor Laut, +605-699 1000
Sundari Neem Facial - The Neem tree is know
as the village pharmacy in India for its intensely
reparative, calming and healing properties. It
restores sensitive or irritated skin to its youthfulglow. Spa Village Kuala Lumpur, +603-2782 9090
Mesipat (Balinese Facial) - With sandalwood
and tamarind leaves and incorporating a Balinese
massage using floral pouches. Spa Village Resort

Tembok, Bali, +603-2783 1000

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Heavenly Hands
Jari Jemari - A traditional Malay treatment wherehands and feet are soaked in a herbal bath in orderto help with circulation and to alleviate aches andinflammation of the joints. Spa Village Tanjong Jara,+609-845 1100
Jin Pao Shou Jiao - Keep limbs smooth and supple
with this Chinese hand and foot soak that also
improves circulation, reduces aches and pains andprevents arthritis. The usage of cinnamon sticks andangelica root also reduces dampness and 'wind' inthe body. Spa Village Pangkor Laut, +605-699 1000

Back To Basics
Sundari Back Balancing Treatment - A
detoxifying treatment to clarify skin. It
starts with gentle exfoliation followed by
an Abhyanga back massage to stimulate
lymphatic flow and finally a mask to deepcleanse, detoxify and de-stress. A Gulkand
Candle lit during treatment restores balance.

Hair of Serenity
Limau Kasturi Yogurt Hair Mask - Ideal for oily
hair as the lime and yoghurt cleanses and unclogs
pores. The treatment is complete with a scalp
massage. Spa Village Malacca, +606-289 8000

Spa Village Kuala Lumpur, +603-2782 9090
Cupping or Moxabustion - Cupping is a
traditional Chinese therapy using bamboo
or glass cups to create negative pressure
and to remove heat and wind from the body.
Moxabustion uses a lighted herbal stickto heat up various acupoints on the bodyand dispels cold, promotes circulation andactivate the points on the body. Spa Village

Ikal Ikal - Traditional Malay treatment for hair loss,
scalp irritation and migraines using hibiscus andbetel leaves formed into a paste and applied to thehair. Spa Village Tanjong Jara, +609-845 1100
Ikal Mayang - Practiced by royal princesses of yore,this wonderful hair treatment consists of coconut
oil, rice paddy stalks and pandanus. Spa Village

Kuala Lumpur, +603-2782 9090 and Spa
Village Pangkor Laut, +605-699 1000

Pangkor Laut, +605-699 1000

Tungku Batu (Heated Stone Therapy) Used by Malay and orang asli for centuries, it
hastens elimination of toxins, alleviates joint
pains, loosens tense muscles and breaks down
excess fat. Spa Village Cameron Highlands,

Mekramas - A traditional Balinese treatment which
combines coconut oil, candlenut, hibiscus and aloevera to remedy dry scalp, strengthen hair follicles
and leave hair shiny, soft and silky. Spa Village

Resort Tembok, Bali, +603-2783 1000
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+605-491 1100
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technology

Together inElectric Dreams
The age of electric cars is no longer a fantastical vision
but now a technological reality Matt ArmitagebyBetter Place is leading
the way to an age ofelectric cars; CEO Shai
Agassi is on the far right

The British-madeLightning GT is theultimate in luxury

The Tesla Roadster
combines powerwith environmental
friendliness

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Living with Diamonds

In a few short years Taiwan’s HTC corporation
has gone from selling rebadged smartphones for othermanufacturers and carriers into one of the world’s leading hitech phone retailers. Its latest model the HTC Touch Diamondcontinues the trend, combining innovative performancefeatures and plenty of media convergence options. What thatmeans in plain English is that the phone manages to be botha business and entertainment powerhouse in a stunningly
designed shell.
Going for a sleek and minimal look, the front of the Diamondis smoked glass and only a power button at the top of theunit and a volume control on the side of the device interrupt
its clean lines. Dominating the phone is the 2.8 inch touchsensitive screen which displays the company’s own innovative
TouchFLO 3D interface. This allows users to access most of
the phones features – from calendars and address books toentertainment and programmes – without resorting to the lessintuitive hierarchical navigation system of Windows Mobile.
Under the hood there’s a 528MHZ processor with 192MB RAM
and 4GB of internal memory running on Windows Mobile
6, more than enough for most basic Word and Excel multitasking, watching movies or listening to music. 3G Tri-bandconnectivity makes it an ideal road-warrior’s companion and96096

iTunes Application
Store The iPod Touch is still
unsurpassed as a music player
but the first generation iPhone
with which it shares much DNA
was slightly disappointing. Manyof those issues have been put torest with the second generation
iPhone, but the crowning glory
has to be the iTunes Application
Store. Here you can buy (someapps are free, some aren’t)
anything from a programme thatturns your iPhone/iTouch intoa Star Wars-style Light Sabre(PhoneSaber) to a surprisingly
useful spirit level (Meet Bubble).
Our picks include powerful Task Management software Things and FileMagnet, a device that lets you share files between a
Mac and the device wirelessly. www.itunes.com

high speed data comes courtesy of both HSDPA and WCDMA,
as well built-in Wi-Fi to exploit hotspots and potentially use
VOIP telephony for cheaper international calls, and of course,
the now ubiquitous Bluetooth.
But it’s with TouchFLO that the device comes alive: taking
a note out of the iPhone’s book, it allows you to scroll
through menus with a flick of a finger and zoom in and out of
documents and web pages with a touch. And the Home screenwith its old-fashioned flip style clock is a joy to look at. Other
natty touches include a magnet held stylus that deactivates
the key lock when you withdraw it, and a very usable auto
call-muting function: just turn the phone on its front and thein-built motion sensor will turn off the sound.
It’s not without its flaws: like most media-heavy phones,
battery life could be better, but as charging is via a common
USB, it’s simple and straightforward to charge anywhere froma hotel room to the office to the car. And like most Windows
Mobile devices you have to remember to close applications
from time to time to stop the machine from slowing down, but
overall, the HTC really is as precise and polished as a finely
cut diamond.

www.htc.com
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Archos 705 WiFi Compact MP3 Players makeperfect sense but when it comes to playing movies
on-the-go it can’t be compared to a good widescreen
laptop. Which has made all-in-one media players a bit ofa tricky sell. However, with the Archos 705 WiFi they’ve
finally come into their own. Equipped with a 7-inch touch
screen and up to 160GB of storage, the Archos plays mostpopular movie, audio and picture formats and can surf
the Internet via its built-in WIFi and web browser. Best ofall, that high resolution screen actually lets you enjoy theaction rather than making you feel like you’re squinting
at midgets. www.archos.com
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motoring

Tracing
the Tale of
the ThreePointed Star

When Karl Benz built his first cars they were not designed as speed
machines - 50 km/h was quite enough, he felt. But his sons had otherideas, and at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart you can see theirSilver Arrows, which won races all over the world, amongst the otherclassic incarnations of this Famous Automobile Maker
by Tim Skelton / TCS

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photographs by BjÖrn GÖttlicher / TCS

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“motor carriage” (he didn’t trust the steering on fourwheelers), with a four-stroke engine. The world’s first
automobile powered by an internal-combustion engine wasbuilt in Mannheim in 1885 and patented on January 29 thefollowing year. In 1894 Benz launched the four-wheeled Velo
- an affordable, mass-produced car - and by 1900 his was theworld’s largest automobile manufacturer.
Benz retired in 1903, but his designs were already being
eclipsed by the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG) - eventhough Daimler himself had died in 1900.
From the beginning, racing was an important marketing toolfor car manufacturers. At first they used production models- the Benz Velo took part in the very first car race in 1894:
from Paris to Rouen – but specifically designed racers weresoon introduced. In 1909 the Blitzen Benz set a land speedrecord of 228.1 km/h.
Following World War One, both companies suffered. Although
15 million cars were registered worldwide in 1923, most wereFords. Benz and DMG built little more than 1,000 each. Facing
closure the two companies merged, becoming Daimler-Benz
in 1926.

meet at each level so visitors can switch between them.
Along the first, seven “Legend” rooms relate Mercedes’
story, providing historical context by telling it in parallel withthat of Germany.
The company history is fascinating, but the real stars are
the cars themselves, from the stunning 300 SL Coupe with
its gull-wing doors, to Grace Kelly’s 1958 model. They can all
be seen lining the “Collection” route, which groups vehicles
in five themed rooms. World-beaters from the racing world
are on display, while another section features celebrity cars,from Princess Diana’s 500 SL (she was the first British royal
to buy a foreign car, and had to return it following a national
outcry) to the “Popemobile” used by Pope John Paul II.
Mercedes is a brand name that everyone seems to love. And
with its unbroken history of excellence, the world’s biggest
car museum is now the only one with the pedigree to present
the more than 120 year old story of the automotive industry,
all the way from day one.

A new logo was created – merging a three-pointed star
(representing Daimler’s motto: “engines for land, air, andwater”) with Benz’s laurels – and a legend was born. The
vehicles were christened Mercedes-Benz in honour of the
top DMG model: the Mercedes 35 hp (itself named after thedaughter of Emil Jellinek, one of DMG’s partners).

T h e M e r c e d e s - B e n z s ta r i s a n i n s ta n t ly
recognisable symbol of quality and sophistication.
Cars bearing the famous logo have been driven by presidents
and pop stars: Elvis had one, as did Picasso. And Mercedes
prides itself not only on being one of the world’s leading car
manufacturers, but also the first.
The company was born thanks to two men: Gottlieb Daimler
and Karl Benz. They never met, but were born only 100 kmapart in southern Germany: Daimler in 1834, and Benz a
decade later.
Daimler was a pioneer of internal-combustion engines.
Together with his partner Wilhelm Maybach, he designed
the prototype of all modern petrol engines. In 1885 they
mounted one onto a two-wheeled frame, creating the world’s
first motorcycle, which Maybach rode for 3 km alongside
the river Neckar, reaching a top speed of 12 km/h. A year
later they attached the same engine to a four-wheeledhorseless carriage to create a “Motorwagen”. But it wasn’t
the first car.
The accepted inventor of the motorcar was Karl Benz,founder of Benz & Company. He designed a three-wheeled
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The merger transformed the company and production
soared. But during the Second World War the factory became
key to Nazi war effort. As a result it was largely destroyedin bombing raids. When the war ended the company rosefrom the ashes, becoming the global player it remains today:
selling cars, buses and trucks all over the world.
Celebrating this rich history, the spectacular new MercedesBenz Museum opened in Stuttgart in May 2006, instantly
becoming an icon of modern architecture. Designed by theacclaimed Dutch architects UN Studio, the gleaming glass
and aluminium structure is as sleek and aerodynamic as
the vehicles it represents: containing all curves and no rightangles. The 48-metre high building features a double helix
interior spiralling around a vast central atrium.
This striking layout shows off the legendary cars to best
effect. On arrival, visitors are taken slowly by lift to the
top of the atrium, whilst they watch a film preview of what
awaits. Seven floors higher, the Mercedes-Benz story traces
the company’s proud history.
The magnificent museum houses 1500 exhibits, including 160
vehicles. From the upper level visitors can choose one of two
tours running down through the museum. The two routes
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design & architecture

Let There Be Light Some designers really know how tohave fun with their products. Take designer darlings Lisa Widén andAnna Irinarchos of WIS Design for example. Always keen to add fun
and poetry to their work, the duo’s Proper lamp is inspired byblack-and-white photographs of old relatives. The lamp’s
wide shade hides ruffles of brass netting, an homage ofsorts to the petticoats that women in those old photos
normally wore. Also new from the winsome twosome
is the Orgel lamp. Made up of five cylindrical lamp
holders attached to each other via a textile cable,
this beauty finds inspiration in traditional Swedish
Advent candlesticks. www.wisdesign.sebuilding with
the Times

Army Chairs Perhaps it’s too lazy toassume that a soldier’s idea of decorating
would involve yards of camouflage, but neverin our minds would we predict neon pink or
gilded wood to be their preference, now would
we? After serving in the military for the bulkof his adult life, Dubai-based Australian designer
Noel Duigan (pronounced Dy-gun) finally pursued
his passion for design by forming his own design
company earlier this year. Using intricately handcarved frames combined with bold fabrics, Duigan’s
collection of chairs runs the gamut from pop art topunk and summer to retro. A bespoke service is alsoavailable for one-of-a-kind creations. We love them!

Dr. David Fisher rejects the age-old methods of construction
to usher in a new dawn for architecture: factory-madeall rights
buildings. We kid you not Abdul Aziz Draim
byadditional text and photographs courtesy ofreserved Dr. David Fisher and related to Dynamic Architecture; www.dynamicarchitecture.net

For centuries – nay, millennia – we have been building
modern-day ziggurats the same way the Ancient Egyptians
built their pyramids. We stack one brick on top of anotherand no construction site is complete without its noisy
cement mixer, construction crane, bulldozer, and the team ofworkers sweating under the heat. Visionary Italian architect
Dr. David Fisher wants to change that. In fact, he already has.
“It is unbelievable the leading sector of the world economy, isalso the most primitive,” the good doctor offers. “We still use
trowels that were first used by the Egyptians and Romans!
Buildings should not be different than any other products;from now on they will be manufactured in a production facility.”
Walking his talk, Dr. Fisher is already in the midst of constructing
the world’s very first skyscraper from prefabricated parts. They
make up residential units, each fully equipped with plumbingand electrical systems, and all required finishings from floors
to ceiling, lighting and even furniture. These are then shipped
off from factory to building site, regardless of geography,
where they are then hooked to each other mechanically toform each storey. Each floor takes only 7 days to complete.
So what does all this – now dubbed the Fisher Method - add
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up to? Fewer workers, reduction of construction time by 30%
which results in less energy consumption, cleaner construction
sited due to the elimination of waste, noise and pollution, and alower risk of accidents to construction workers.

www.noelduigan.com

In June 2008, Fisher also launched the revolutionary
Dynamic Tower, the world’s very first ‘building in motion’:each floor rotates independently at varying speeds, allowing
the whole building to morph into different formations astime passes. So residents will be able to watch the sun riseand set from the same room.

The Beautiful Game Every guy
would love to have his very own foosballtable but here’s one that even the ladies
will approve of. For last April’s Milan Design
Week, Eindhoven-based GRO design and
TIM model makers teamed up to design‘11’, undoubtedly the world’s sleekest, mostsublime foosball table to date. Inspiredby the fantastical forms of cutting edge
sports stadiums around the world, GRO
and TIM broke away from the traditional
concept of what makes a foosball table bycreating atmosphere through form, colour,material and subtle use of light to bring aheightened sense of drama and excitement
to the game. You’re drooling over it
already, aren’t you? www.eleventhegame.com

The first Dynamic Tower will be built in Dubai, followed by
Moscow with plans for a third in New York. The Dynamic
Tower is also the first building designed to be self-powered.
Wind turbines are fitted between each rotating floor,
bestowing the building with the ability to not only generate
electricity for itself but also for other buildings nearby.
“From now on, buildings will have four dimensions: the fourth
being Time,” Dr. Fisher adds. “Buildings in motion will shape
the sky line of our cities.” The Dynamic Tower is alreadygenerating interest from Canada, Germany, Italy, Korea andSwitzerland. Is KL ready for this new movement?
THE YTL LU XURY M AG A ZINETHE YTL LU XURY M AG AZINE

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dining

Culinary
Celebrations

Pangkor Laut Resort adds a new epicurean dimension to its
island paradise with the launch of two brand new dining
establishments Helen Oon
ytl hotels
by

all photos

Feast Village:
Open air
Asian chic

The Feast Village Pangkor Laut and The
Straits Restaurant are the latest to join the
Pangkor Laut Resort gourmet parade. Feast
Village is an interactive, adventurous and chic
restaurant while the Straits is more upscaleand celebrates the art of haute cuisine.
Executive Chef Suhairi Idris, popularly
known as ‘Chef Sani’, has taken on thetask of transforming the new outlets into a‘celebration of culinary art’. With his passion
for creating authentic dishes with an edge
and an eye for artistic visual display, it is amarriage made in heaven. He is well placed
to helm the epicurean central with 45 staff
under him.
Feast Village Pangkor Laut has been hailed
as ‘a culinary tour of the world on one private
island’, a mini version of its eponymous
sister outlet at Starhill Gallery in Kuala
Lumpur. Facing the island’s main seafrontand complemented by an intimate courtyardwith pavilions for private dining or romanticinterludes, the pièce de resistance is its
show kitchens which offers a diverse rangeof culinary experiences from within the AsiaPacific region. It also has a bakery, café, and awine cellar with a more than decent selectionof wines. It has an informal atmosphere with
its open air concept akin to an upmarket
urban café.

Continually seeking to to improve the experience for its
guests from all perspective, the mono-island paradise islandof Pangkor Laut has risen to this culinary challenge with the
opening of two new food and beverage outlets to add to its
existing five restaurants.
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The Straits Restaurant on the other handexudes a more formal and intimate ambience.
Located adjacent to the Feast Village, it is asymphony of granite and timber punctuatedby a huge display unit at the entrance thatgives it a contemporary edge. Without walls
to hinder the views, the private dining boothson the seafront afford a panoramic view of the beach on which
stands a giant rock with a natural formation of a smiling face
to welcome the guests. The dining booths on the landside aresheltered and enjoy a vista of the landscaped gardens and wild
flora. The restaurant is designed to maximise on the sea breeze
T H E YTL LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

that teases the oversize
sea-shell chandeliers,
making them dance andtinkle in the wind. The
gastronomic theme is Pan
Asian focusing on Thai,
Indonesian, Vietnameseand Nyonya cuisines with amodern twist delivered withaesthetic presentation.
My dining experience at
the Straits Restaurant
is a leisurely affair at a
private seafront boothwith the tinkling of thesea-shells resonatingin the background. My
starter is a selection of
A s i a n ca n a p é s w h i c hcome in delicate portions
and are beautifully presented on a white plate to bring out
the colours of the food. Spring rolls, pickles and prawn rollsin tiny portions tease the appetite. This is followed by themain course of Seafood Yellow Curry, stylishly presented on
an almond-shaped white bowl. Though rather unimaginatively
named, this is a delicious curry soup richly flavoured withcoconut milk, herbs and spices served with yellow noodle andgarnished with giant tiger prawns with their shells and heads
intact to retain maximum flavour to the dish. For dessert, toA view of the new
Straits Restaurant

complement the rich flavour of the curry soup, I opt for a
coconut pudding that has a hint of fragrance and green tintof pandan (screw pine leaves). Dinner at the Feast Village isanother epicurean delight as I feast on peppered Wagyu beef
cooked to perfection.
If Pangkor Laut can be summed up in a series of ‘S’s - its Holy
Trinity of sun, sea and spa - you can now add ‘scrumptiousness’
to that equation.

Quick Bites With Chef Sani
I am not really into fusion cooking. I
prefer to stick to the true origin of therecipes but would add a contemporary
twist and modern garnishing without
modifying the taste.

What inspired you to be a chef ?
My grandmother was a hawker’s stallcook and I used to help her at the stall.
She influenced me in my passion forcooking. When I was working in hotels
in Singapore, I observed foreign chefs atwork and that also greatly inspired me.
What’s your signature style ofcooking? I specialise in Asian foodthough I am trained to cook Westernfood as well. I like to tailor my food tothe taste of my customers and flavour
my dishes according to their wishes.
T H E YTL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

How long have you been a chef ? I
have been a professional chef since 1984and I started off as a kitchen help in
big hotels. I attended hotel and cateringschool in Singapore (where I’m from)and I worked my way up in hotels suchas the Sheraton Group and Hyatt
Hotel. Prior to coming to Pangkor Lauta year ago, I worked at the Empire
Hotel in Brunei and I have also worked
at the Dorchester in London.
After city hotels, how do you
find working on an island like
Pangkor Laut ? It is a different
atmosphere on an island and the guests
are more relaxed. I have 45 staff underme and we all have to work closely toco-ordinate the day-to-day running of
all the outlets on the resort including
the Estates. We try to create tasty
innovative dishes from the region andour menu features Chinese, Malay,
Indian, Nonya, Vietnamese, Thai,
Japanese, Arabic and Western cuisines
to cater for our guests from all over theworld. Food is a very important partof their holiday on the resort and we
aim to give our guests a memorable
gastronomic experience.

For budding chefs, a lesson withChef Sani on his ‘Chef Experience’programme is a must. The experience
starts with breakfast with Chef Sani
followed by a tour of the kitchen at Feast
Village and a visit to a fish farm on a
nearby island. Before lunch, guests are
pampered with a Malay massage before
lesson begins, which are held at lunch
time only, and the recipes vary according
to the day of the week: Monday–Malay/Nonya, Wednesday - Chinese,and Friday - Ayurvedic (Indian). Cost:
RM300 ++; call +603-2783 1000 or
email travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my;
www.pangkorlautresort.com
105

diningShanghai Tune
The culinary symphony that is performed at the renowned
Shanghai restaurant at jw marriott Hotel is spearheaded bynone other than Shanghai native Chef Wong Wing Yeuk
by EUGENE NG portrait by Johnny McGeorge

decade on, and Chef Wong is still dedicatedly introducing thesubtleties and nuances of Shanghainese cuisine to Malaysia.
What are the hallmarks of Shanghainese
cuisine? What makes it distinctive from other
Chinese cuisines? Shanghai is not famous for its cuisine
but what makes it special is that it incorporates all the best ofother cuisines and creates its own dishes. For example, somepeople may think that sweet and sour soup is Shanghainese
but it’s actually Szechuan. Authentic Shanghainese food isvery strong in its taste and a lot of the dishes have a very
dark colour. Classic Shanghainese dishes are ‘Braised Pig’s
Trotters in Brown Sauce’ and ‘Shanghai Braised Pork’.
what are the specialties at the restaurantthat would be the Chef’s Recommendation? You
would definitely have to try at least two or three selections
from our cold dish section. For other dishes, ‘Steamed
Bamboo Fish with Sliced Ham and Mushroom with Chinese
Wine’, a recent dish I created. Of course, our signature ‘Siew
Loong Pau’ (Shanghai dumpling) and the ever-popular ‘Baked
Chicken Pie with Walnut’.
Tell us something about the ‘Siew Loong Pau’
that we don’t know. In Shanghai, Siew Loong Pau is avery common snack because it is cheap and mass produced,
but the texture of skin is not refined. So when I moved to KL tostart this new five-star restaurant, I knew I had to rectify thatproblem. So I actually spent a lot of time experimenting andperfecting the skin of the Siew Loong Pau that we serve here
at the restaurant. The taste is still there but the presentation
has been improved. The funny thing is that when people whohave eaten at the restaurant eat it in Shanghai, they will tellme that it’s not the same. Then when Shanghainese eat at therestaurant, they will say the same thing!

The length and breadth of Chinese cuisine canoften be mind-boggling to the LAYMAN. Most famous
are the cuisines of the Cantonese, Hainanese, Szechuaneseand to a lesser degree, the food of the Hakkas, Teochews andHokkiens. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Shanghainese
cuisine, on the other hand, is a little more obscure andit differs from many of the other main Chinese cuisines in
one major respect: it isn’t definitive unto itself but rather
is comprised of dishes that are contrived and refined fromcuisines from the surrounding areas of the city.
But there is still a lot to be experienced and enjoyed of thiscuisine and in KL, the best place to sample just exactly what
the Shanghainese put on their plates is none other than thefive-star restaurant named... what else but Shanghai. Locatedin a nook on the first floor of Kuala Lumpur’s five-star hotel
JW Marriott Hotel, what makes this restaurant the real dealin Shanghainese cuisine is that it is helmed by a master chef
who hails from this cosmopolitan Chinese city. And in Chef
Wong Wing Yeuk, 56, Shanghai has a man who is dedicated to106

serving up only the best and most authentic dishes from his
native city.
Chef Wong began life in the kitchen at the relatively late ageof 29. Prior to that, he had ambitions to become a violinist.
A move to Hong Kong put paid to those dreams due togovernmental regulations on foreign musical groups and so
he decided to start a career working in restaurant kitchens.
“I had some experience in cooking though not professionally,
but my brother had a restaurant in China so I had learneda few things from helping my uncle in the kitchen there,”
he reveals.
As fate would have it, while working in Hong Kong, his ‘sifu’
Chef Sou at the restaurant he was working in had a chanceencounter with the Managing Director of YTL Corp Tan Sri(Dr.) Francis Yeoh who was looking for a chef to start a newrestaurant. Chef Sou recommended Wong for the job andthe rest, as they say, is history. Or a fantastic new restaurantin the heart of KL’s Golden Triangle in this case. Almost a
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

Have you integrated local ingredients to yourfood or are you a culinary purist? Yes I have. The
restaurant uses both local and imported ingredients. For theabove-mentioned steamed bamboo fish dish, we actually use
a local fish (Soon Hock fish) but the style of cooking is very
Shanghainese, only we have adapted it slightly to suit local
tastes (less oil and milder flavours). We also import special
ingredients from Shanghai, stuff like hairy crabs, beancurd
leaves which we stir-fry with snow peas and preserved
vegetables, ‘pien jien’ (a type of bamboo shoot available from
Shanghai and most tender during the end of winter) andyellow fish (‘wong ya fu’).
What is the one food in your home city that you
miss most? A Shanghai soup with tofu, ham and bamboo
shoots. It’s a favourite dish among Shanghainese; everyone
there loves it. It’s available here on the menu but somehow it
just doesn’t taste the same even though the ingredients areimported from Shanghai. It must be the water in Shanghai.
What are the new trends iN Chinese cuisine andwhat path is Shanghai going to be taking in the
future? Chinese food is beginning to use ingredients neverused before because the world is getting smaller. Something
like truffle oil, which is expensive and relatively inaccessible.
Today, Shanghai restaurant serves a delicious ‘Fried Noodle
with Lobster and Truffle Oil’.

Shanghai on the 1st Floor of JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur,
opens from noon-2.30pm and 6.30pm-10.30pm (Mon-Sat), from10.30am (Sun and public holidays); +603-2719 8288

what’s the secret to it then? For me, it’s simple: theskin should be thin (and made from non-fermented yeast) andthe filling should be moist, just like how Shanghai serves it.
H ow d o yo u c r e at e n e w d i s h es fo r t h erestaurant? Shanghainese cuisine emphasises freshness
so I will always create a menu based on the freshest andmost seasonal ingredients that I have, for example, hairy crab
(Shanghai’s most famous dish) and a type of bamboo shoot thatis only available in the beginning of summer. With that in mind,
I will come up with a dish that I think will suit my customers
and this is based on research and observations on trends.
What do you think of Malaysian food? I’ve triedalmost all types of Malaysian food but the one that leaves
me with the deepest impression is ‘Bak Kut Teh’ (Herbal Pork
Broth). It’s simple, nutritious and I love soupy dishes. I feelthat there is a high standard of Chinese food here in Malaysia,
almost comparable to Hong Kong. I think that Malaysian
hawker dishes like ‘Har Mee’ (Prawn Noodle) and ‘Char Kueh
Teow’ (Fried Noodles) are really unique and delicious.
TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

107

booksHealing GoodYTL Hotels launches its first coffee table book thatcelebrates the unique and diverse natures of the worldrenowned Spa Villages Anis Ramlibypractices to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spa
Village quickly and firmly established itself asa premium spa brand.
Six years on, there are now five Spa Villages
dotted all over Peninsula Malaysia, one in Bali,
and with another to come soon in Dubai. EachSpa Village has followed the initial blueprintof honouring the healing traditions of theregion it is located in and the brand has now
become a world class name renowned for thisphilosophy.
So it is fitting (and timely) that Spa Village has
finally launched its first coffee table book, tofurther cement its status as one of the leading
spa specialists in this country, if not the region.
After all, no other Malaysian spa brand has
stood out so strikingly in a spa scene previously
stagnating with menus as uniform as a hard
drive assembly line.

When the very first Spa Village opened on theprivate island of Pangkor Laut in 2002, it alerted
the budding local spa industry that spas could be so much
more than just pampering holes. Here was a spa with such a
distinct personality and which gave added dimension to theenvironment and emotional texture of its treatment.
Working in collaboration with Sylvia Sepielli, a renowned spa
consultant, Spa Village Pangkor Laut integrated its natural
surroundings to its design. It also paid homage to local healing
traditions and in the process created an intimate and unique
refuge for the spa aficionado. It researched the oral lineageof Malay home treatments and therapies, long practiced forgenerations but vanished from popular psyche, and revived
it for modern consumption. From ancient Indian Ayurvedic
108

rich botanical heritage. While it gives a certain kindof exoticism to the treatments (think lemongrass/pandanus steam bundles, galangal/camphor herbal
wrap, bird’s nest facial, roselle scrub, henna/tea leaf
baths, hibiscus leaves/candlenut hair conditioner),these ingredients play their respective roles in
unleashing their potent properties that – while thegenerations of yore have long been privy to – are still
being discovered and researched today by modern
medicine practitioners.
There are portraits of healers associated with each Spa
Village for an extra personal touch which encourages
the reader to explore the science of these folk
therapies. The book also provides a visual showcase of
the relationship each Spa Village has cultivated with
its surroundings, and the care with which conservationof biodiversity and culture via traditional healing has
been maintained.
The book is a great guide for both the spa novice
and the sophisticated spa goer as they discover theregion’s many culinary and medicinal plants that havelong been the staple of home remedies . And for those
who have experienced any or all of the Spa Villages,
the book is an excellent reminder of how magical a
Spa Village can be.

‘Spa Village: Honouring Healing Traditions’takes the reader through the various healing
systems that provide the distinct feature ofeach Spa Village. Readers will discover therenaissance of Malay healing celebrated
at its Tanjong Jara Resort and the role ofPahang’s indigenous healers at the Cameron
Highlands Resort. Then there’s the rich cultural
diversity of the Nusantara region at Spa Village
Kuala Lumpur with modes of treatment rooted inorientalism while Spa Village Malacca nurtures with
Peranakan (Straits Chinese) healing modalities. Finally,
readers explore the latest addition to the Spa Village
brand, Spa Village Resort at Tembok Bali. This destination
spa employs therapies to ultimately enhance personalwellness by merging Bali’s pure island spirit with generations
old remedies.
Illustrated lavishly throughout are captivating, full colour
photographs of each spa destination including signature
treatments that use nature’s pharmacopoeia to heal inharmony with the earth. In fact, this is another factor that
distinguishes Spa Village: it strives to use as many of nature’s
gifts where possible.
Ingredients for therapies are sourced from the region’s
T H E Y T L LU XU RY M AGA Z I NE

TH E Y TL LU XU RY M AG AZ I NE

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ytl Hotels | The Estates at Pangkor
Lautytl Hotels | Pangkor Laut Resort

Voted the world’s best resort, multiple
award-winning Pangkor Laut Resort
promises the privileged visitor
an experience of exclusivity andelegance. Its home is the private
island of Pangkor Laut, blessedwith pristine beaches bathed in thewaters of the Straits of Malacca.
The accommodation is luxuriously
appointed and the resort boasts
unparalleled hospitality and attention
to detail. On the gastronomic front,
guests can enjoy a wide range of
cuisine, whether dining at the new
Feast Village at Fisherman’s Coveor by the sea. Add the tropicalsun, luxurious surroundings andthe services of the Resort’s worldrenowned Spa Village – which
combines the healing arts of India,
China and Malaysia – and it is
no wonder that this is the choice
holiday destination for internationalcelebrities and the most discerningof holidaymakers. Tel: +603-2783
1000; www.pangkorlautresort.com

Intimate Experiences
Enjoy leisurely sunset excursions thatprovide the perfect setting for a romantic
evening. Cruise around the island on
board the Resort’s large traditional‘tongkang’-style teakwood boat which
will anchor at Emerald Bay where you
will witness one of the world’s mostbeautiful sunsets. From there the Captainwill sail off to a quiet cove where you’ll
be served a delicious four-course dinner
at a table set only for you.

In a small secluded cove near
Pangkor Laut Resort rest the eight
wonders that make up The Estates.
Each of these individually crafted
enclaves is reminiscent of the
traditional South-East Asian way ofliving of days gone by, when an‘estate’ was made up of a number of
special purpose buildings scatteredamidst gardens of astounding beauty.
Comprising either two, three orfour bedrooms, each Estate offersa private infinity-edge pool, as well
as discreet living, dining, bathing
and sleeping pavilions in various
adaptations of Malay architectural
traditions. There is also a private
vehicle and driver assigned to each
Estate should guests decide to leave
the seclusion of their villa to dine in
one of the Resort’s restaurants or togo for a treatment at the Spa Village.
The Estates is truly the perfect luxury
hideaway. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.pangkorlautresort.com/estates/

Emerald Bay
A centrepiece of the Resort is themagnificent Emerald Bay, consideredby many independent international
travel consultants as one of the mostbeautiful beaches in the world. Herethe beach is kept as pristine andnatural as possible. This intimate
bay remains as it has been foreons, providing the perfect place
for swimming, sunbathing or simply
spending time together.

Rainforest Revelations
There are three jungle treks through therainforest that are accompanied by ourexperienced resident naturalist. The
walks are free of charge and offer afascinating insight into the spectacularvirgin rainforest that is estimated to beover 2 million years old. Some of theinteresting wildlife you may spot on theisland includes crab-eating macaquemonkeys, tropical monitor lizards andyellow pied hornbills.

Privileged Tranquillity
Reflecting a South-East Asian aesthetic,
each villa at the Estates offers complete
privacy to its privileged guests and iscrafted to provide refined eleganceand luxurious comfort. Polished tropical
hardwood floors are accented by
textured fabrics that add warmth to theelegant bedrooms with their podium
beds; bathrooms and vanity areas are
wonderfully spacious, and crafted withfine attention to detail.

Integrated into the Environment
Each and every individual Estate is aunique experience - tailored to blend
comfortably and stylishly into its naturalenvironment. In fact, the entire Resort
was built with integration in mind,
so that it not only blends in with theenvironment, but actually becomespart of it. A variety of wildlife roam
the area so don’t be surprised to findyourself dining with a peacock or
waking up to the call of monkeys.

Sterling Service
Every Estate is assigned an EstateManager, at least two dedicatedattendants and a Chef, all of whom
will aid in unobtrusively addressing
and coordinating every aspect of each
guest’s tenancy. During meal times,
guests can give specific instructions, orbe as adventurous as they want, as all
our chefs’ culinary skills span a wide
range of both local Asian specialties
and Western cuisine.

ytl Hotels | Tanjong Jara Resort

ytl Hotels | Cameron
Highlands Resort

An evocation of the elegance andgrandeur of 17th century Malay
palaces, Tanjong Jara Resort is the
only luxury resort that sits along
Malaysia’s beautiful East Coast
beaches. Built on a 17-hectaresite that blends in with its natural
surroundings, the 99-room Resort isan embodiment of the gentle Malay
arts of service and hospitality. Witha philosophy based on the conceptof ‘Sucimurni’ (which emphasises
purity of spirit, health and wellbeing), Tanjong Jara is the perfectplace to escape and rejuvenate. The
Resort offers four different luxurious
accommodation options, eachcommanding stunning views of theSouth China Sea and appointed
in a fashion fit for a Malay king.
Tanjong Jara is surrounded bysleepy fishing villages, shadedby coconut palms, alongside ameandering river teeming withwildlife – providing guests with anauthentic taste of the region’s spirit
and culture. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.tanjongjararesort.com

The World’s Most Innovative Spa
Spa Village Tanjong Jara was recently
awarded ‘The World’s Most Innovative
Spa’ by UK’s Tatler Spa Awards, atestament to the unique nature of the
Malay healing culture found only on
the east coast of Malaysia. Ancient
Malay healing traditions are honoured
through the signature Asam Roselle,‘Panglima – Warrior Massage’and ‘Syurga Tujuh – Seven Steps to
Heaven’ treatments.

Set amidst tea plantations and rolling
hills, this tranquil boutique hideaway
promises visitors all the splendour,romance and nostalgia of Cameron
Highlands’ grand colonial heritage.
Cameron Highlands is Malaysia’s
largest hill resort and is the only placein this tropical country where you canfind tea plantations and strawberries,
while enjoying a temperate climate.
Largely unchanged since its colonial
heyday, this ‘little corner of Englandin Asia’ is still dotted with Tudorstyle cottages and is a place wherescones and afternoon tea will notseem out of place. The Resort itself
is representative of all this: withtall French doors, timber-beamed
ceilings, plantation shutters and evena fireplace adding old-world charmto the surroundings. It also houses
a Spa Village as well as an 18hole golf course and 56 luxuriously
appointed rooms and suites which
weave in the wondrous colours andtextures of Jim Thompson’s famed
Asian silks. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.cameronhighlandsresort.com

Diving off a secluded Island
Just off the Resort, approximately
45 minutes by speedboat is Tenggol
Island which is part of the fabulous
Terengganu Marine Park. Famed for
its untouched coral gardens and rare
species of marine life, it has over 20
dive spots for both the beginner andexperienced diver. The Resort alsooffers its guests the chance to gain their
PADI Open Water Diver licence whileon holiday.

A Unique Cooking School
Culture is an integral part of the Tanjong
Jara Resort experience, and one unique
way in which this manifests itself isthrough its cooking school. Guests
can enjoy cooking lessons which will
introduce them to the culinary arts of the
Malay, Chinese and Indian residents of
the Malaysian archipelago. Malaysian
cuisine is an adventure of flavours andthe master chefs at the Resort bring theexperience alive for guests.

Spa Village
Today, Cameron Highlands is stillhome to many tea plantations, being
Malaysia’s largest tea-producing region.
The treatments at the Spa Village
Cameron Highlands feature healing
therapies based on produce from thesurrounding jungles and ancient tea
rituals. This authentic blending of culture
and product, along with the tranquil
ambience of the lush highlands, makes it
a unique and therapeutic healing retreat.

High on Golf
The Resort sits alongside the only
18-hole golf course in the area. The
well-manicured course comprises
luxuriant green fairways with welldeveloped trees, fine sand bunkers,
tricky greens and forgiving rough. At
5,000 feet above sea level, it has been
carved with precision out of the foliage
and forests of the area. Tree-covered
mountains also provide a spectacular
backdrop to this stunning course.

Taking Tea
The Resort takes its tea-time very
seriously and the Jim Thompson Tea
Room is a cosy retreat and the perfect
spot for this time-honoured English
tradition. Savour finger sandwiches,
light-as-air pastries and home baked
scones as well as fresh Cameronstrawberries. For a local twist, try thescones with exotic local fruit like banana
or mango. Complementing this spread isa wide selection of quality Cameron teas.

ytl Hotels |Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali

ytl Hotels |The Majestic Malacca

The key to every YTL Luxury Spa
Resort is the marriage of luxurious
accommodation and sterling service
with beauty, tranquility and a senseof sanctuary. The Spa Village
Resort Tembok Bali is all that andmore. Inspired by the Spa Village
Pangkor Laut, this latest jewel in
YTL Hotel’s crown embraces thesame healing ethos of celebrating
local culture, honouring the ancienthealing traditions of the region andinfusing each visit with the essenceof the surrounding location. Set in alandscape of great natural beauty,
this 31-room luxury spa resort offers
guests the best of Balinese massage,
wellness and spirituality therapies
which seek to restore not just the
body and mind, but also to replenish
the spirit through a range of carefullydesigned programmes. The seclusionof the resort also offers guests theopportunity to get away from thestresses of the world and rejuvenate
within a place tailor-made for thatvery purpose. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.tembokbali.com

Following the Path
Each guest is invited to select a Discovery
Path based on an analysis of their needs– choosing from Balance, Creativity or
Vigour – with each offering a combined
range of tailored treatments and activities
designed to restore equilibrium to bodies
and spirits. Those who wish to improvetheir personal skills in the art of Balinese
massage can join the Spa Village
Academy and undergo private training
with a group of skilled therapists.

The Majestic Malacca is the first
luxury hotel and spa in the historic cityof Malacca. Faithfully restored andlovingly refurbished by YTL Hotels, the54-room Majestic Malacca resonateswith historical significance even while
it has been thoroughly updated tocater to the needs of today’s upmarket
traveller. Architecture, décor anddining all reflect the legacy of thisancient city’s history, and take guests
on a luxurious journey into the past.
The Majestic Malacca also houses
the newest Spa Village which offers
luxury-spa seekers such delights as thewarm-energy treatment of Malaccan
palm sugar and honey scrub and a hotnutmeg and rice rolling body massage.
An icon of Malacca’s past has now
become something to be desired in thepresent. Tel: +603-2142 8000; www.
majesticmalacca.com

Meditate upon the Stars
Unique to Tembok Bali is the Starlight
Gazing experience, where youcan enjoy the hypnotic pleasureof stargazing while floating on
the Resort’s infinity pool. You do
this listening to Ultra Meditation
music, designed to induce the brain
into a synchronized theta stateof consciousness, found to aid in
expanding and enhancing memory
and learning capabilities.

Cuisine Designed to Rejuvenate
Seafood is drawn daily from thelocal ocean, fruit purchased fromlocal farmers, and only the freshestof ingredients are used in every dish.
With captivating views of the Bali Sea,
set just above the slate-hued beach,the open air Wantilan restaurant offers
ever-changing flavourful regional andinternational cuisine. And organic
products, as available, are the first
choice ingredients.

The Peranakan Spa
The award-winning Spa Village opens
its sixth wellness centre in The Majestic
Malacca. Adhering to the brand’s
philosophy of honouring the healing
traditions of the local region, the Spa
Village Malacca is the world’s only
spa to base its therapies on the healing
heritage of the Baba-Nyonya culture
and offers treatments which uses a local
specialty gula melaka, also known aspalm sugar.

Dining Sensations
Malaysia is a country that is world
renowned for the diversity and depthof its culinary options. And nowherein the country is this more evident thanthe multicultural mix that is Malacca –the unique merging of cultures in thishistoric city has resulted in a novel
marriage of cuisines, both Chineseand Malay, known as Nyonya food
– which is truly a feast for both thesenses and the palette.

A Haven of History
In this small town that was once
occupied by the world’s major colonial
powers of the Portuguese, Dutchand English, The Majestic Hotel rests
peacefully on the banks of the Malacca
River. Reflections of this historic trading
port resonate within the intimacy andluxury of this beautiful hotel, designed toprovide experiences that are anchoredin the past, but woven together withevery modern convenience.

ytl Hotels | Spa Village

ytl Hotels | Eastern & Oriental
Express

YTL’s multiple award-winning Spa
Village brand has developed aninternational reputation within theluxury spa market and grown fromstrength to strength over the years.
Besides the original Spa Village
Pangkor Laut, there are now fiveother Spa Villages – Spa Village
Kuala Lumpur, Spa Village Tanjong
Jara, Spa Village Cameron Highlands
and Spa Village Resort Tembok, Baliand Spa Village Malacca. What’s
unique about each Spa Village isthat they draw inspiration from thehealing cultures of its particularregion and blends traditional
therapeutic remedies with a modern
methodology. Whether in Pangkor
Laut, Kuala Lumpur or Bali, theSpa Village is a sophisticated andrejuvenating experience, not justbecause of the quality of its services
but simply because the Spa Village
is more than just a place: it’s aphilosophy. Tel: +603-2783 1000;
www.spavillage.com

Spa Village
Pangkor LautPaying homage to thethree major culturesof Malaysia, ancient
Chinese, Malay andIndian treatments
drawing from thecountry’s abundance of
natural resources havegenerated international
acclaim and accolades.

Spa Village
CameronHighlands
A unique haven forrelaxation wheretea is the foundationof the experience.
Located in the cool
upper reaches of the
Malaysian Highlands
amidst dense jungles
and rolling tea hills.

The Eastern and Oriental Express isn’t
just a train service. It’s an expressionof the heart. A confirmation of
the indomitable spirit of humanendeavour. A priceless pilgrimage –into the heart and soul of Southeast
Asia. Where nostalgia reigns andtimelessness begins. On what isregarded perhaps as the most exotic
train journey in the world, the routeand its stops have been designed togive passengers maximum comfort
and convenience, with the entire
journey crafted to provide theluxurious experience of a lifetime.
At its maximum length, The Eastern& Oriental Express is a quarter ofa mile long and has 22 carriages.
Inside it is a haven of comfort, styleand luxury. Tel: +65-6392 3500;
www.orient-express.com

Spa Village
Tanjong Jara
The new Spa Village
Tanjong Jara is a
sanctuary of wellbeing anchored in
the ancient Malay
way of life. It featuresunique restorative
treatments handed
down by authentic
Malay healers.

Spa Village
Kuala Lumpur
With treatments
anchored in thecultural diversity andrich healing heritageof the region, KL’s
most stylish urban
retreat combines
ancient practices witha host of the mostblissful spa therapies.

Spa Village
Malacca
The newest addition to
the Spa Village family,
it is also the only spa
in the world to baseits treatments on the
Peranakan culture,
which is native to
Malacca and is a crossbetween Malay andChinese traditions.

The Perfect Vantage Point
The air-conditioned carriages are perfectvantage points from which to tour theregion. The Restaurant Cars, Saloon Car
and Bar Car are located in the centreof the train while the Observation Car
with its open deck area is located at thevery end. It is an ideal spot for watching
South-East Asia go by as you trundle
along the train’s magnificent route,passing through several Malaysian statesand South Thailand.

Stately Accommodation
The interior walls of the compartments
are panelled with cherry wood andelm burr, with decorative marquetry
friezes and intricate design inlays.
The delicate embroidery work on
the pelmets was done in Malaysia,
and the bespoke carpets hand-tuftedin Thailand. While guests dine atnight, the steward transforms thecompartment from a living room to a
magical bedroom.

The Finest Cuisine
Chefs on board the E&O Express areinternationally renowned for their ability
to create a tantalising variety of Easternand European dishes, using the finest
fresh seasonal ingredients. The service
is also top of the line and equals theworld’s finest restaurants. Each morning,a breakfast of freshly baked croissants,
coffee or tea, juice and fruit is delivered
to your compartment to be enjoyed inluxurious privacy.

ytl Hotels |JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur

ytl Hotels |The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur

The JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
was designed with the businesstraveller in mind. Located in thecity’s business district, this five-stardeluxe hotel is the ultimate venue
for meetings and functions. Facilities
include 47 flexible meeting room
options (including a grand ballroom)
within the property, the adjoining
Starhill Conference Centre and the
newly built Carlton ConferenceCentre at The Residences at The
Ritz-Carlton, KL, all of which areconnected via link-bridge. There isalso a Business Centre providing
a full range of business services.
Rooms feature ample workspace,a plush high-back executive chair,broadband connection and otherstandard communication services(two-line speaker phone, fax modem,
voicemail). Tel: +603-2715 9000;
www.marriott.com

Based on the philosophy that
great service should never merely
be reactive and compliant but
anticipatory and spontaneous,
The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur is
Malaysia’s only 5-star luxury boutique
hotel offering a full personal butler
service. Its location in the heart ofthe city’s prestigious Golden Triangle
district makes for easy access to thetrendy Bukit Bintang area: Starhill
Gallery, one of the city’s premier
shopping centres, is linked to thehotel via an enclosed sky bridge.
With 365 elegantly appointed
guestrooms (including 110 suites and1 penthouse), 24 meeting rooms,
three exceptional restaurants and anaward-winning ‘tropical’ Spa Village,
The Ritz-Carlton is regarded as one of
the city’s finest business hotels wherecombining business and pleasure is
as effortless as the masterly service
it provides. Tel: +603-2142 8000;
www.ritzcarlton.com

Starhill Gallery
Today’s truly outstanding cities blend architecture and design,
art and fashion, music and culture with a state of mind. And
Starhill Gallery, integrated with the hotel, is an effortlessly
elegant and cosmopolitan environment that reflects theessence and spirit of Kuala Lumpur and its people. Delivering“A Gallery of Rich Experiences”, seven luxurious floors offer
quality and exclusivity crafted for those who seek experiencesout of the ordinary. Here, the world’s premier retailers present
a palette of unique personalised shopping experiences, making
it easy to combine business and pleasure at the JW Marriott.

Feast Village
On the lowest level of Starhill Gallery, guests can enjoy aunique dining experience at the Feast Village, where 13
restaurants are brought together to create a multi-ethnic
culinary experience like no other in the world. Design draws
from nature here; walls are asymmetrical and serve not toseparate, but rather provide peaceful enclaves where people
feel at rest. Rice paper from Japan combines with slate andikat from Indonesia, granite from China, silk from Thailand,
and timber from Myanmar to create an essence of Asia. The
Feast Village is truly one-of-a-kind.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences
An entire all-suite wing makes up the second tower of the
Ritz-Carlton complex. Sumptuous two and three bedroom suites
designed and decorated to the finest international standards
offer guests a unique standard of accommodation. Each suite
includes a dining room and lounge area as well as a gourmetstyle kitchen where guests can self-cater or use the private
catering services provided by Starhill Gallery’s Feast Village.
Guests may choose to have the Complex’s Executive Chef
prepare a private dining experience – and every suite comeswith its own private butler. It’s a home away from home.

The Carlton Conference Centre
A 30,000 square foot, 25 meeting room, three-level facility
connected to the hotel at levels 1 and 2. This classicallydesigned, yet state-of-the-art facility allows The Ritz-Carlton, KL,to host events from 10 to 400 guests. The Conference Center
also connects via enclosed sky bridge to the upscale Starhill
Gallery, a KL city landmark featuring some of the world’s most
exclusive brands and dining experiences. Guests can alsochoose to hold functions in the Meeting Suite, the Member’sLounge or at the adjacent Pool Deck, which is perfect for
unwinding after an intense day’s meeting.

viva la diva

Oh My
Giddy Aunt
Our favourite Lady gets jungle fever
by Lady Cristal Champers

Aunt Sylvia will be celebrating her 70th birthday in the newyear and she wants to celebrate it with the requisite grandeur.
Sylvia has never been the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
The family blames it on a fall from her pram as a baby. Of
course the in-breeding does not help, what with her parents
being first cousins (to keep the wealth in the family, you see).
Having spent some of her childhood in the wilds of Sarawak in
Borneo when her father was serving under the British colony,
she thought it would be fun to have an eco-chic party witha tribal theme. Old photographs of her father in Sarawak
showed him frolicking with dusky maidens and… young men;
he was very adventurous for his time. A Sarawak native theme
would be most appropriate for the party.
So we hire the famous party guru Mrs. Pinkerton-Smith, asocialite who is simply marvellous at organising parties
for the rich and famous, to accompany us to Sarawak on a
research expedition to seek out inspiration for the bash. Tears
still spring to the eyes when I think of the fantabulous 40thbirthday party she organised for me at the Versailles Palace
where I dressed up as Marie Antoinette accompanied by aflock of 10 dishy men in sheep’s clothing. What a deliciously
decadent soiree that was. No wonder she lost her head.

haircut. Apparently he was supposed to be named ‘Raymond’but the Chinese clerk at the Birth Registration office obviously
suffers from that Oriental inability to get his tongue aroundthat ‘R’ and so, you could say, that it all went sour for Lemon.
We had to charter two boats for the riverine journey – onefor our entourage and the other for a large supply of gin
and tonic and Mr. Walker – for medicinal purposes of course– the quinine in the tonic prevents malaria we were told andthe whisky kills all germs. I suffered two hellish nights at the
longhouse – no electricity, no furniture and my Jimmy Choos
kept getting wedged between the bamboo floors.
This experience was only made bearable by our spiritualencounter with the ‘patron saints of spirit’, Gordon andJohnny, and their new friend I’ll simply call “local rice wine”(I was way too drunk to remember what its native name is).
Ah well, I’ll remember when I start to sober up some day. Or
maybe I’ll just ask one of those 20 hunky Sarawakian tribal
warriors in loin cloths that we will be flying in for the party.
Oh my giddy aunt, what a hoot that is going to be!

But back to Sarawak. With the price of fuel rocketing andto reduce (designer) carbon footprints, we had to ditch
the private plane and travel on a commercial flight instead(first class of course) with our chef and personal assistantsin steerage. God forbid they should be in first too. It was
painful enough having to queue up at the airport to checkin. Oh how the other half lives! The caviar and lobsterwith champers eased the journey a bit. The drinks trolley
helped a lot too.

Illustration EDWARD MAK

We arrive in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. Apparently, thename means ‘cat’, which is nice, because I am quite partial
to the feline species, being a proud owner of the exquisite
Bengal cats – a cross between a cat and leopard. A mere snip
at £10,000 per kitten, they so match my leopard skin coat.
They are divine fashion accessories these pussies.
An expedition by boat to a tribal longhouse deep into
the interior of the rainforest was the stuff of Indiana
Jones. But we were instead led a native guide called
Lemon, a sturdy young man with a pudding bowl
120

THE YT L LU XU RY MAGA Z I NE