News
7 Things you can do in KL (or at home) this CMCO weekend: 27 & 28 March 2021

26.03.2021
By Rachel Au

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

1. 50 Acres Xcitements at Central Park
When: 10am – 9pm, 27 & 28 March | 3 & 4 April
Where: Gamuda Gardens Experience Gallery
Price: Free
Register here.

Ready for a wholesome time with your furbabies? Head over to Gamuda Gardens with your furry friends this 28 March for an…
Posted by Gamuda Land on Friday, March 19, 2021

Bored with the usual weekend activities? Head over to Gamuda Gardens this weekend for a ton of fun within the 810-acre township. The main highlight comes from their recent partnership with 3Q Equestrian Centre for the on-ground horse-riding attraction through the hills. 3Q Equestrian Centre itself has been around since 1990 and is well known as an equestrian training destination and competition venue within South East Asia. They have also produced plenty of top equestrian athletes, so you know you’ll be in good hands at Gamuda Gardens too. While you’re there, you can also check out Xploria, which hosts a throng of exciting activities such as a Donut Boat ride, Paws Playland pet agility training ground, Big Buck Splash water play park and more. Even better, it’s completely pet-friendly, so you can bring the furkids along too.
For more info, visit Gamuda Gardens’ Facebook.
2. A Majestic Spring-Summer staycation
When: Valid for check-in on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Where: The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection
Price: RM288+ inclusive of breakfast and dinner

Had enough of staying home but not entirely keen to be exploring places with huge crowds? A staycation is a great answer, and The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a classic option, especially since they now include breakfast and dinner. You even have the option of changing your stay dates until 20 December 2021.
For more information, email [email protected] or call +603 2785 8000.
3. Omakase, please!
When: 6pm – 10.30pm, Tues – Sunday
Where: Yukibana at Shook!, Starhill Dining

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The Starhill Dining is the latest culinary hotspot in the heart of KL, and if you’re looking to satisfy your omakase cravings, Yukibana at Shook! serves authentic Japanese cuisine inspired by the same Yukibana at Higashiyama Niseko Village. Japanese Tastemaker Chef Machi takes pride in Japan’s bounty of land and sea, and with that creates a menu that not only tells a story, but celebrates the natural flavours too.
For more information or to make a reservation, WhatsApp +6018 929 8060 or email [email protected].
4. MoMo’s Art Fair
When: Till 1 April
Where: MoMo’s Kuala Lumpur

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In celebration of the recent International Women’s Day, MoMo’s Kuala Lumpur has been hosting an art fair featuring local and diverse female artists. Since March 19th, the on-ground pop-up spaces have been showcasing works of art by Afi Sulaiman, Dhan Illiani, Carabelle Cheong, Harvin Barriar, Miriam Omar, Nee Wong, and Sharina Shahrin. Guests can opt for the informative Art Seni tours of the exhibits (RM55 per pax) on Saturday, while Cassie Wong and MTMT Studios will be hosting a fun Art Jamming session (RM100 per pax). As it’s the last weekend, you can even grab delicious MoMo’s Burgers at only RM15 and an ‘all-day Ladies’ Special’ drink.
Advanced booking is necessary for each event, and you can do so by visiting stayatmomos.com.
For more information, email [email protected] or call +603 2776 6666.
5. Enjoy the prized Miyazaki Wagyu A5
When: Till 30 April 2021
Where: Prime Kuala Lumpur, Le Meridien KL

With its gorgeous snowflake-like marbling and tender texture, it’s no surprise that the Miyazaki Wagyu A5 is a three-time ‘Wagyu Olympics’ champion that’s regarded higher than the Kobe wagyu. You can savour this heavenly beef (it’s Halal-certified too) as a la carte or as part of the delectable three-course set dinner (RM398 nett per person) at Prime Kuala Lumpur. The course menu includes Seared Hokkaido Scallops and a Nagasaki-special, honey-scented castella.
For more information or to make a reservation, call +603 2263 7434 or email [email protected].
6. Try one of the latest afternoon tea menus in KL

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There are seven spots for you to choose from—right here.
7. One-up Earth Hour this year
Don’t forget that Earth Hour is taking place at 8.30pm on 27 March. Besides merely switching off your lights, here are five other ways you can support the cause.
Check out last week’s BURO Weekend Guide here.

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Fashion
H&M and The Weeknd unveils ‘Spring Icons’ collection
#HMSpringIcons

20.02.2017
By Buro247

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

If you can’t sing like Abel Tesfaye, perhaps the next best thing is to dress like him. Better known as The Weeknd, the artist is the latest addition to H&M’s long list of much-anticipated collaborations. Tesfaye has curated a complete wardrobe of men’s essential pieces in ‘Spring Icons’, a capsule collection that sees a combination of utility and streetwear silhouettes with tailored lines. He said, “I had a great time selecting my Spring Icons at H&M. I love the mix of urban pieces like bombers and hoodies with tailored shirts and blazers. Every piece is both effortless and fresh, which is just how menswear should be.”
His words were echoed by H&M Head of Design for menswear, Andreas Löwenstam, who said, “Abel’s taste and style perfectly fits the menswear mood of the season at H&M. He has such a great eye for the little details that matter, and for mixing together updated men’s classics for the perfect tailored streetwear look.”

The ‘Spring Icons’ range features pieces that will sure to make you stand out in the upcoming season, from pullover hoodies to drawstring pants and raw-edged tees to light-washed jeans. The street edge is met with sleek items like a double-breasted coat, zip-up work shirt and Mandarin collar cotton shirts. However, our favourite number has got to be the bomber jacket that is adorned with the singer’s XO insignia. Take a look at every item in the gallery below and get ready to shop the collection when it hits H&M stores next month:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”H&M The Weeknd” rid=”4841″ order=”a_tstamp”}
The ‘Spring Icons’ collection will be available in all H&M stores from March 2

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Lifestyle
Bulgari announces the restoration of the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome
Reviving an icon

19.10.2015
By Buro247

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Unbeknownst to some, the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy share a rich history with Bulgari. It was in 1884 that founder of the brand Sotirio Bulgari opened his first shop close to the Steps in Via Sistina, with the later addition of two boutiques in Via Condotti. In 1923, the boutique at no. 10 Via Condotti became the only Bulgari store in Rome, while for decades the Steps continued to link it with the Bulgari family home.
With the aim to restore one of the city of Rome’s most famous monuments – also an iconic location for Bulgari – CEO of the Bulgari Group Jean-Christophe Babin and Mayor of Rome Ignazio Marino recently announced that the Spanish Steps would be refurbished and that work on the conservation and renovation of it would soon begin.
“We are delighted to announce the start of work on the renovation of the Spanish Steps, the project Bulgari has chosen to pay tribute to its city to mark its 130th anniversary, celebrated in 2014,” Babin said. “Rome’s rich archeological, artistic and architectural heritage has always been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for our collections; the extraorginary patronage for a monument which represents the heart of our story is yet another expression of the indissoluble bond between Bulgari and the Eternal City.”
Built between 1823 and 1726, the Spanish Steps were designed as a theatrical link between Piazza di Spagna below and the slopes of the Pincian Hill on which the Church of the Trinita dei Monti sits. The Steps soon became the go-to spot for leisurely walks in the centre. As the 1950s rolled along, the Eternal City became an open-air cinema set, setting many an iconic backdrop for numerous films including Roman Holiday, Three Girls from Rome, and To Rome with Love, to name a few.

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Technology
My honest review of the iPhone 8 Plus after spending a month with it
Plus minus

13.11.2017
By Rachel Au

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I know you’re excited for the iPhone X (note to self: remember to call it ‘iPhone ten’, and not ‘iPhone ex’. Yes, that’s how Apple wants you to say it) but there’s still a few days before it arrives in Malaysia. Incidentally, it’s been exactly one month since I’ve had the iPhone 8 Plus and I’m sure some of you are contemplating between the two. We’ll save that talk for another day when I do get my hands on the iPhone X. So how does the iPhone 8 Plus fare?

On the surface, there aren’t huge differences between the two iPhone 8’s and the two iPhone 7’s except that the newer models now sport a glass back, replacing the 7000-series aluminium, to enable wireless charging. It also makes the phones look more beautiful with that slight translucent finish. The size is pretty much the same and it is only about 14 grams heavier. Like its predecessor, it’s splash-, water- (full submersion in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes is doable), and dust-resistant.

But the main reason why it still felt so familiar is because of iOS 11. Apple revolutionised its operating system so much that updating the older phones was like upgrading to a brand new one. That’s not to say iOS 11 is self-sufficient because evidently, it goes hand in hand with a phone’s innards. The iPhone 7 with its A10 Fusion chip was already the fastest iPhone ever. It was impressive. But in the iPhone 8 Plus (and iPhone X), the new A11 Bionic chip is even better (25 percent faster, according to Apple). Changing from app to app is fluid and AR apps work seamlessly.

Now, on to the camera because that’s a huge deciding factor when it comes to buying a new phone, right? Both the iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 7 Plus are equipped with a 12MP dual camera (wide-angle and telephoto) with the same aperture, optical image stabilisation and optical zoom up to 10x. What’s new: Quad-LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync (which helps the back- and foregrounds look more uniformly lit in photos) and Portrait Lighting. Though still in beta form, the new feature is amazing and changes portrait photos drastically. There are five modes to choose from: Natural Light, Studio Light, Contour Light, Stage Light and Stage Light Mono. I personally use it even for taking food shots and flatlays as it makes the colours pop out more. Video recording, on the other hand, is vastly improved. You can now shoot 4K videos at the ol’ 30 fps as well as the new options 24 fps and 60 fps. No change to the front-facing camera, however.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] iphone 8 plus portrait lighting” rid=”5690″ order=”a_tstamp”}
Photography has always been one of Apple smartphones’ strong points and though the specs for the cameras remain the same, photos look better than before. Why? A11 Bionic is built with a dedicated Apple-designed ISP (Image Signal Processor) built-in for greater pixel processing, delivering faster low-light autofocus and better noise reduction.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”[Стандартная] iPhone 8 Plus photos” rid=”5691″ order=”a_tstamp”}
If I had more brownie points to spare, I’d give it to its fast charging capabilities. It can reach 50 percent battery from zero in only 30 minutes when plugged into the wall socket. Small detail, much appreciated. In that same way, Apple has been upgrading every detail in each of its new iPhones.  The iPhone X (what with the complete removal of the Home button, Animojis and facial recognition ID, to name a few) marks the start a new generation of Apple smartphones. The iPhone 8 Plus (and iPhone 8), however, can be distinguished as the most evolved form of the first iPhone that started it all. Oh, how it has grown.
The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are available in 64GB and 256GB from apple.com/my and are also available through Apple Authorised Resellers and select carriers.

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Beauty
L’Occitane’s new fragrance brings new meaning to the first light of day
A scent of daybreak

29.10.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

Ever wondered what a fragrance that’s inspired by the first light of dawn would smell like? With a concept that is seemingly abstract yet poignant, French beauty brand L’Occitane took on the task of creating a fragrance that is eloquent in its entirety—hence the conception of Terre de Lumière.
Taking references from the founder’s home in the charming region of Provence in France, the trio of perfumers intended for Terre de Lumière to stir up a spectrum of emotions different memories for different people. With that in mind, light was the key element that anchors this fragrance to Provence—especially so when the light of dawn bestows a breathtaking semblance throughout the region, rendering it picturesque and enthralling altogether.
No surprises to the notes that are incorporated in this EDT—floral notes of bergamot, blackcurrant, pink pepper and pink peonies brings to mind the fresh air of dawn, while earthy notes of almond essence, white musk and tonka beans give it a robust finish that rounds it off perfectly. Encased in a powder pink bottle that is quite in line with this year’s trendiest colour, the Terre de Lumière is one consummate fragrance to own and to wear.

Available in 50ml (RM280) and 90ml (RM380) at all L’Occitane boutiques nationwide.

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The latest in gastronomic literature

Lifestyle
The latest in gastronomic literature
To read, wherefore to eat

01.10.2015
By Buro247

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Cookbooks have been enjoying record sales for a protracted period of time, and it’s not the pedestrian everyday meals peddled by Jamie and Nigella that I am referring to, but rather the highbrow gastronomic literature issued by the likes of the French Laundry, Heston Blumenthal et al. Granted, most are bought more for the aesthetic value gleaned from their artful design and apparently irreproachable photography, as well as the bragging rights associated with the book owner’s discerning proclivities, than for their actual practical application, because, really, have you ever tried to make one of The French Laundry’s dinners at home? And while I would have expected gastronomic magazines to ipso facto enjoy their moment in the sun-being cheaper to produce and buy, and having the appeal of easier-to-make recipes-has not really been the case, that is, until now.
because, really, have you ever tried to make one of The French Laundry’s dinners at home?
Don’t get me wrong. Gourmet Traveller, Vogue Entertaining, and a handful of other long-established titles have always enjoyed the patronage of their loyal readers. But as to the hip young things who are now buying KitchenAid appliances in droves, what would they feast their well-groomed eyes upon as precursor to their five-star meals? Enter a stable of independent food magazines, sharing as common denominators well-curated content, and all as-I might as well be describing gourmet coffee here-“small-batch, handmade with love, and artisanal” as the last.

Cult Melbourne magazine store Mag Nation’s Vali Valibhoy concedes to Jill Dupleix in the Australian Financial Review magazine (no slouch in the well-designed, beautifully-photographed departments themselves) that such magazines might be ‘niche’ but hastens to add that “you would never throw them out, but keep and collect them.” Ergo, of the 4,000 titles that are sold at Mag Nation, 200 are gastro-centric, of which Cherry Bombe, a biannual NYC publication that has as its raison d‘etre women and food, is one of the more prominent. Despite being priced at a not-inconsiderable tag of AUD45 each-that’s 140 of our rapidly downward-sliding ringgit, thank you very much-they are nevertheless more often than not sold out.

However, the star of this stage, niche or not, belongs firmly to Lucky Peach, which was founded by David Chang of Momofuku, boasts a circulation of 100,000, and although I’ve thumbed through its pages many times, I could never bring myself to cough out hard-earned cash for it. It’s not because it’s vapid – in fact, the content is incisive, thoughtful, exceedingly well-written, and has been described as “a reminder of print’s true wingspan” by The New York Times. Rather, my reluctance stems from a (well-founded) fear that once I plunge back into the cesspool of magazine-land, I know I may never emerge unscathed again.
Imagine then: niche magazines that you want to collect, and of food, no less?
As any child of the ’80s will tell you, we spent our youth embroiled in The Face, Arena, Vogue, and any number of foreign magazines because they were our enthralling link to a much cooler universe. A rather more unfortunate byproduct of that obsession was a gargantuan collection of magazines, which almost tore parental-child relations asunder when I refused to throw them out even after I had moved out of home. Imagine then: niche magazines that you want to collect, and of food, no less? That’s akin to offering heroin to a junkie who hasn’t had a fix for two days!

But I digress. Lucky Peach isn’t the solitary voice in a forager’s wilderness, because nestled cheek by (well-fed) jowl with them is the Swedish magazine FOOL, whose tagline “food, insanity, brilliance and love” may actually do the publication a disservice. Far from the food Pinterest of print-style publishing that many of its peers are guilty of, FOOL may have no recipes, but its inspirational content, like that of Lucky Peach, will doubtless ensnare many readers, food lovers or not, into a web that shows every sign of magnifying, Hulk-like, into a mainstream obsession.

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

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Beauty
Celebeauty: Billie Eilish slams body shamers over ‘revealing’ paparazzi picture and more beauty news

18.10.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

Let’s just get right into it: As usual, we have our regular lineup of hair makeovers, outstanding manicures and magic makeup moments. However, this week we’re tackling a particular point of injustice. At the centre is Billie Eilish.
This week in body positivity
Billie Eilish is the latest victim of body shaming

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A post shared by BILLIE EILISH (@billieeilish) on Oct 13, 2020 at 7:28pm PDT

The 18-year-old singer has been the subject of scrutiny since she made her way onto the music scene in 2015. Since then, she has become known for her baggy get-ups, specifically styled to hide her figure. She’s been explicitly clear on her intentions behind this styling choice, stating: “Nobody can have an opinion (on my body) because they haven’t seen what’s underneath. Nobody can be like, ‘she’s slim-thick,’ ‘she’s not slim-thick,’ ‘she’s got a flat a**,’ ‘she’s got a fat a**.’ No one can say any of that because they don’t know.”
However, despite her unbothered attitude, the mindless attacks keep coming. A paparazzi shot of the singer emerged recently, in which she is just minding her own business, wearing a tank top and shorts. Of course, everyone had something to say almost immediately, which is horrific when you realise that the situation at hand simply boils down to grown adults hurling abuse at a child. Unbothered as ever, Eilish responded with a photo of herself in a tank top captioned with “Do you wish you could go back in time?”, and shared a video of blogger Chizi Duru with the caption “Can we normalise normal bodies?”.
This isn’t the first time her body has caused an uproar, though. Since she made her way into the public eye, people have gone out of their way to sexualise her (bear in mind, she still was a minor this time last year). She posted a short film entitled ‘NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY’ onto her Instagram, which was promptly met by lewd comments (many of which were from older men). Not to mention, she was bombarded by slut-shamers after sharing a few snaps of herself in a bathing suit on holiday.
It seems comical that we have to address this sort of thing in 2020. It’s not that hard—just let the girl live.
This week in hair
Jennifer Lopez is bringing back the ’70s shag

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A post shared by Chris Appleton (@chrisappleton1) on Oct 13, 2020 at 3:17pm PDT

Okay, apparently last week’s hip-length locks weren’t enough sauce for JLo. This week, she has taken our hearts by storm once again with this glamorous ’70s-esque hair moment.
She’s kept the caramel-brown colour and the blonde highlights, but this time there are a major set of bangs thrown into the mix. The new cut is courtesy of celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, whose impressive clientele includes the likes of Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa and Katy Perry.
Bella Hadid sports beachy brunette waves for her birthday

Instagram: @bellahadid
Hadid, who turned 24 the other day, is usually recognisable by her sleek, straight locks. However, it looks like she was looking to switch things up for her birthday bash.
In addition to her mermaid hair, the model showed off her golden tan, and brought out the colour in her face with some heavy-handed blush. Happy birthday, Bella!
This week in makeup
Kris Jenner tries her best to do Kylie Jenner’s makeup

The notorious mother-daughter duo is back together on screen for a little beauty collab on Kylie’s beauty channel. In just 10 minutes and 58 seconds, Mama Jenner threatens her daughter-dearest with the ’80s, the word ‘moist’ and a much too-nonchalant ‘Oopsie’. It’s a wild ride.
The finished look is effectively just a bold red lip with a natural eye, but Kris affectionately names it ‘Glamorous Daytime’. Yeah, we can get behind that.
Blue Ivy is an excellent Halloween makeup artist

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A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinalawson) on Oct 9, 2020 at 2:33pm PDT

Breaking: Beyoncé’s adorable eight-year-old is the newest (and cutest) makeup artist on the scene. Her notable clientele includes none other than her grandma, Tina Lawson, who shared a snap of the finished look on her Instagram.
Seeing the sheer brilliance of Carter’s work, it’s no surprise that she was thrilled with the work. Lawson captioned her photo with “My Blue is a great make up artist ! She made me into Grandma Skeleton !!”
Alexa Chung’s Halloween throwback has got us in a spooky mood

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Food + Drink
A guide to where to eat for Chinese New Year
Gong xi fa cai

29.01.2016
By Rachel Au

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Review: Sky35 KL presents an omakase experience plated on Hermès finery

Chinese New Year is upon us and you won’t want to start stressing out last minute as to where or what to eat for your reunion dinner or CNY lunch. We’ve rounded up three noteworthy places with unique menus (and yee sang) for your kind consideration. Just be sure to make a reservation before it’s too late.

Ploy
What’s better than a prosperity yee sang? A Ploy-sperity one that is unlike any you’ve ever seen. Featuring a crispy tuile on top with the Chinese character for ‘monkey’ stencilled in ground Chinese spices, it’s one Instagram-worthy picture waiting to be taken—and eaten. Fulfilling their modern Thai and Japanese fusion signature, Ploy’s original creation for Chinese New Year comprises of 18 tantalising ingredients—such as seaweed salad, beetroot, salmon and scallops—each with its significant cultural meaning and put together for a refreshing blend of tastes. While the Ploy-sperity Yee Sang includes more fruits than others, our favourite bit is the oranges that make every bite such a delight!

The Ploy-sperity Yee Sang is available at both Ploy outlets (Publika Shopping Gallery and [email protected] in Damansara Heights) until 22 February, priced at RM118++ (2-4 pax) and RM168++ (6-8 pax). Also, keeping in line with their Ploy-fulness, they’re running an Instagram contest where the most creative photo of their Ploy-sperity Yee Sang will win a dinner for two at Ploy.
To make a reservations or for more info, head over to their website.

Way Modern Chinois
Don’t let the cheeky Year of the Monkey distract you from your path. Instead, let Way Modern Chinois show you the ‘Way’ to Good Fortune, Happiness and Longevity—all three of which are the names of their special Chinese New Year set menus! The Way to Longevity set (priced at RM1,288++ for 10 guests) is the star of the three with Way’s signature Truffle Roast Duck. The smell is enticing enough, what more the taste and the tenderness of each piece.

All three menus feature one of our favourite dishes from the sets: the Elixir of Youth soup. Creamy in appearance and ultra velvety smooth in taste, we’re told the rich texture is only accomplished by boiling its key ingredients nai bai vegetable and soft shark cartilage for more than eight hours. Our other recommended dish is the Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Oatmeal & Salted Egg Yolk from The Way to Happiness set (priced at RM788++ for six guests). It’s as yummy as it sounds (and it is in no way related to our current obsession with salted egg yolk).

As for the yee sang, Way has gone the classic salmon way with the usual ingredients; but you can change it up a little by adding crispy silver bait (RM 28++), succulent sweet prawn (RM38++) or additional salmon (RM38++). The Salmon Yee Sang is priced at RM88.00++ (2-4 pax) and RM118 (6-8 pax). However, the set menus already include a Salmon & White Bait Yee Sang.

If you’re planning to eat out for your reunion dinner, do consider Way as they will be offering a complimentary Salmon Yee Sang on Chinese New Year eve (7 February) to all dine-in customers.
The restaurant, which is located at [email protected] in Damansara Heights, will be closed on 8th and 9th February, resuming business on 10th February from 6.00pm (for dinner).
For dining reservations or more info, head over to their website or call 03-2095 1118

Lai Po Heen, Mandarin Oriental
Prefer something a little different for your Chinese New Year get-together? Available for lunch only, Lai Po Heen‘s Chef Ricky Thein and his dim sum masters have specially crafted two delectable menus: The Longevity Dim Sum set (RM168nett per person) and the Happiness Dim Sum set (RM228 nett per person).
Shanghai-style steamed vegetable dumplings with black truffle and braised money bag filled with sea treasures are just some of the stars in the Longevity Dim Sum set whereas the Happiness Dim Sum set includes a freshly-made steamed prawn and water chestnut dumplings with gold leaf and crispy breaded foie gras dumplings.

As for the prerequisite yee sang? From only RM138 nett (half portion) to RM488 nett (full portion), take your pick from five different indulging types: Sliced Abalone in Thai dressing, Yellow Fin Tuna and Salmon, Soft Shell Crab and Snow Pear, Salmon and Assorted Vegetables and Assorted Vegetables and Shredded Fruits in Sesame Dressing.
For dining reservations and more information, please contact +60(3) 2179 8885 or email [email protected].

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Culture
Weekend read: ‘The Power’ by Naomi Alderman
Who run the world?

05.01.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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If you’re looking to stay in with a good page-turner this weekend, consider Naomi Alderman’s The Power—it won the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, and Obama listed it in his selection of best reads in 2017 as well.

Dubbed our era’s Handmaid’s Tale by The Washington Post, the dystopian novel is set in a world where women possess a power that turns them into the dominant gender. It all begins when young women suddenly develop the ability release electrical jolts from their fingers, making them physically threatening to men. “It’s some sort of electrical thing which will both hurt you, like an electric shock, and will also somehow trigger the pain centers in your brain,” Alderman told NPR. “So it’s the power to cause pain by violence.”

As more girls start learning how to harness this power, they also begin to teach older women how to use it—a gender revolution ensues. Victims of sex traffickers are now able to fight back against their assailants, and oppressed women in male-dominated countries are able to stand up for themselves. But it’s not a peachy feminist picture that Alderman tries to paint here, as boys are segregated into single-sex schools for their own safety, and sexual violence flows in the opposite direction.

It’s a work of fiction that provokes thoughts on the nature of power. Why do people abuse power? Something to ponder on this weekend.

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Fashion
Givenchy names Clare Waight Keller as the new artistic director
New beginnings

17.03.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

Givenchy has named Clare Waight Keller as its new artistic director—the first woman couturier at the French house, succeeding Riccardo Tisci after his 12-year tenure. Previously the creative director at Chloé for six years, Waight Keller was most recognised for keeping the house’s signature romantic, ’70s-leaning aesthetic in check with a contemporary touch. Her swan song for Chloé was the Autumn/Winter 2017 collection during Paris Fashion Week earlier this month.

A post shared by GIVENCHY (@givenchyofficial) on Mar 16, 2017 at 7:00am PDT

“Hubert de Givenchy’s confident style has always been an inspiration, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this legendary house’s history,” says Waight Keller in a statement. “I look forward to working with the teams and writing a new chapter in this beautiful story.”

With a solid portfolio that includes Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Pringle of Scotland, Waight Keller isn’t the first female couturier of a prominent brand under LVMH—Maria Grazia Chiuri made Dior history in July 2016 as the first creative director of the Parisian house. While we won’t expect gothic, edgy inclinations that Tisci made popular (and commercially successful), we can’t wait to see what the British designer has up her sleeve that could possibly represent a new era at Givenchy. Her debut collection for the brand will be Spring 2018 this October in Paris.

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Buro Loves
The best beauty moments from the Billboard Music Awards 2020

15.10.2020
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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Lifestyle
Ariana, Miley, and Lana drop ‘Don’t Call Me Angel’, G.E.M. breaks a new record and more

14.09.2019
By Ronn Tan

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Hello pop culture junkies! Unfortunately, there isn’t another episode of our Pop Culture Catch-Up podcast but we will still be discussing the biggest news of the week in the entertainment circle. This week’s headlines include: the new music video by Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey, Adele’s divorce from Simon Konecki and Park Bom’s trending version of another popular song. Now on to the top trending news!
Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey drop music video for Don’t Call Me Angel

The new song for Charlie’s Angels is finally here and it features three of the biggest stars in pop music. In the video, the trio acted as secret agents while wearing angel wings. The film—to be released in November 2019—is directed by Elizabeth Banks, who also appears in the music video. What do you think of the song and video? As of writing, it has more than 15 million views on YouTube on Ariana Grande’s channel (in less than 24 hours).
Felicity Huffman will go to prison for 14 days in college admissions scandal
The news rocked Hollywood when it broke out six months ago. The Oscar-nominated actress was sentenced to 14 days in prison in a Massachusetts court. In addition to that, she will also have a one-year supervised release, 250 hours of community service, and for mail fraud as well as honest services mail fraud—a $30,000 fine (approximately RM125,000).
“I take full responsibility for my actions and as a first step for making amends for my crime, I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate”, Felicity Huffman said before finding out her fate. If you’re unaware of what happened, the actress, Lori Loughlin, and many others were arrested back in March 2019 in connection with an alleged college entrance exam scheme. It involved getting children of the wealthy into top schools in the United States by making charitable contributions.
Adele files for divorce (officially) from Simon Konecki
The 31-year old British singer and the now former partner were a pair for at least eight years and have a six-year old son, Angelo, together. The duo first separated back in April. The Rolling in the Deep star has now officially filed for divorce from Simon Konecki. There still isn’t any known substantial reason for the split and hence, no reason to assume. We should all wish them both well and hopefully, they don’t give up on love.
Park Bom dominates iTunes with her rendition of G(I)-dle’s Hann

Yes, you read that right—the former 2NE1 member is back in the headlines! During the third episode of Queendom, Park Bom performed girl group, G(I)-dles’ song, Hann. Within minutes, her version went to first place on the MelOn Trends and is now charting in at least 13 countries so far, including Brazil, Thailand, Italy, Belgium, and the Philippines. Good job, Park Bom, and Blackjacks everywhere are proud of you.
G.E.M. is breaking a new record for Chinese-language artists

Previously set by Jay Chou, the singer’s music video for the Hollywood film Passengers, titled Light Years Away, has now passed the 200 million views mark. Before this, the most viewed Chinese-language music video was Jay Chou’s Love Confession (released in October 2016). The music video now has 197 million views. On Facebook, the Shanghai-born singer is clearly excited as she thanked everyone “for writing history with me, together we’ll go even further in the future”. What do you think of the song and music video?

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Lifestyle
Pop Culture Catch-Up: Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner welcome baby girl, Doja Cat tested positive for COVID-19 and more

31.07.2020
By Marissa Chin

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Hello, pop culture vultures! Here’s another round-up of the latest news in the entertainment circle you might have missed:
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner welcome their first child

Jo-So are officially parents! According to TMZ, Turner gave birth to a baby girl last Wednesday and the mini Jonas’ name is Willa. A source recently revealed to E! News that the couple is back home and absolutely ecstatic about the latest addition to their family. “They are home and getting settled. Joe is very hands on and involved. He wants to do everything he can and loves being with the baby and helping Sophie.”
As expected, the Game of Thrones actress and Jonas Brothers frontman have constantly “been texting pictures to friends and calling on FaceTime to show her off.” Congratulations to the couple on their baby Willa!
Tom Holland goes Instagram official with secret girlfriend
Forget Facebook status updates, Instagram is the latest way to announce relationships now—just take it from Tom Holland who recently went Instagram official on July 27. His new beau is Nadia Parkes, an actress from London who played roles in The Spanish Princess and Doctor Who.

News of their relationship was first reported by the Daily Mail back in May 2020, stating that the couple have been secretly dating for three months and were quarantining together. “They made the decision to isolate together, and things have been going great between them. Tom has told friends and family they’re in an official relationship and living together so soon into their romance has only made them stronger,” the source revealed. Neither Holland nor Parkes ever commented on the relationship publicly. Well, until now, thanks to Holland’s simple post.
Doja Cat tested positive for COVID-19 after previously calling it a “flu”

Doja Cat is the latest celebrity who has recently tested positive for the virus. She first revealed the news on July 24 in an interview with UK’s Capital XTRA. “Honestly, I don’t know how this happens but I guess I ordered something off of Postmates, and I don’t know how I got it but I got it.” This comes months after the rapper stated in an Instagram Live in March that she wasn’t worried about COVID-19 at all: “B****-, I’m not scared of a coronavirus,” she said at the time. “It’s a flu.”
Since then, the ‘Say So’ singer has been on Twitter replying to fans asking about her experience on July 29 (she says she no longer has the virus). Some of her symptoms included not being able to smell bacon and pain in her leg.
Blackpink teases new single and studio album release
K-pop titans, Blackpink aren’t done with their promotions yet—in fact, they’re just getting started. On July 23, the group teased fans with their new single release coming out in August 2020 and will feature a surprise guest. Fans were reeling from the news and it didn’t take long for theories to fly around about who could feature in the song, from Ariana Grande to Selena Gomez.

#BLACKPINK NEW SINGLE (Feat. ?) TEASER POSTER#블랙핑크 #JISOO #JENNIE #ROSÉ #LISA #NewSingle #TeaserPoster #August #ComingSoon #YG pic.twitter.com/PqCeMfhdNe
— YG FAMILY (@ygent_official) July 23, 2020

Fans received yet another treat on July 28 when the group dropped a teaser poster for their first full-length studio album. Simply titled as The Album, the poster confirms its release on October 2 (mark your calendars!). This news comes one month after Blackpink’s smashing comeback ‘How You Like That’ after a year-long wait.

#BLACKPINK THE ALBUM TEASER POSTER’The Album’2020.10.02#블랙핑크 #JISOO #JENNIE #ROSÉ #LISA #TheAlbum #TeaserPoster #ComingSoon #YG pic.twitter.com/h0YvM6rDjx
— YG FAMILY (@ygent_official) July 28, 2020

Demi Lovato reminisces on her two-year overdose anniversary
Demi Lovato has a lot to celebrate right now—not only is she happily engaged (with a gorgeous multi-million dollar ring!), but her life thus far has been a remarkable milestone in her journey to recovery. On July 24, the ‘Skyscraper’ singer took to Instagram to acknowledge the two-year anniversary of her drug overdose and hospitalisation back in 2018.

In a heartfelt letter, Lovato shared how grateful she was to have her life saved and turned around. “Today is my miracle day. I’m so blessed to have one. It represents how the Dr’s at Cedar’s saved my life. How my life has become something beyond my wildest dreams,” the singer wrote. “Only two years after that terrible day, I’m engaged to the love of my life, and I can genuinely say I feel free of my demons. Each and every one. I never thought this feeling was possible,” Lovato continued.
Billie Eilish’s new song ‘My Future’ explores loneliness and self-acceptance
In her first quarantine release, the ‘Bad Guy’ singer lends her ASMR-esque vocals again in a soothing song that’s her most uplifting one to date.

As animated Eilish walks through the lush woods dampened with rain, the sun starts to shine and the rain clears up with the Grammy-winning singer crooning a positive message to fans: “I’m in love with my future, can’t wait to meet her. I’m in love, but not with anybody else. Just want to get to know myself.”
In a statement to fans, Billie Eilish shared the meaning behind the song, “It’s a song that’s really, really personal and special to me. When we wrote this song, it was exactly where my head was at—hopeful, excited and a crazy amount of self-reflection and self-growth,” the singer continued. “But recently it has also taken on a lot of new meaning in the context of what’s happening in the world now. I hope you can all find meaning in it for yourselves.”
The ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ is being investigated for being a “toxic work environment”

Ever since Nikkie Tutorials’ revelation of the cold treatment she received when she was a guest on the show in April, there has been a sleuth of new stories and accounts reaffirming suspicions. On July 16, ten former employees and one current staff member anonymously spilled more insider tea to Buzzfeed News, calling the family-friendly talk show the “the definition of a toxic work environment”. Yikes.
The situation has gotten so big with people demanding repercussions that WarnerMedia has stepped in to do an internal investigation, according to Variety. As per details shared by sources, executives from Warner Bros. Television sent a memo to staffers last week saying they have engaged a third party firm, who will carry out interviews on current and former staffers about their experiences on set.
For more pop culture news, head over here.

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Art + Design
Girls by girls: Empowering female photographers to have on your radar

18.03.2020
By Kelly Lim

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And what’s more beautiful than photographs of women taken by women?
Historically, the male gaze has depicted women in the media and arts through representations that usually perpetuate objectifying ideals of female beauty. But more and more female photographers are reclaiming what’s ours to present important visual narratives that show the diverse and complex representations of femininity.
There’s power in female-fronted agency and the more we’re exposed to different representations of women, the more we can learn from it and support each other.
Below are a few current photographers around the world who are using their lens to change the way society views women:
Amani Azlin

You may have already seen some of Amani Azlin‘s work around town. The young Malaysian artist and photographer is the creative force behind fashion campaigns for Malaysian labels like Nelissa Hilman, SHALS and Thavia and emerging singer Lunadira’s “ur cute but boring” music video. Sisterhood and heritage is a central motif that runs throughout the work she creates, and her personal projects usually feature family and friends to empower Kuala Lumpur’s youth through the importance of togetherness and connection. Check out Jangan Malu, the photo series she created in collaboration with photographer Tasha Iman, which celebrates the beauty marks that make us unique.
Lalla Essaydi

Moroccan-born, New York-based photographer Lalla Essaydi champions women through beautifully staged images that appropriates and subverts Orientalist imagery of the 19th century. Her work focuses on Arabic female identity and features Arab women in monochrome settings, which she covers with hand-painted Arabic calligraphy in the traditionally female art of Henna. Exploring the ways that power and gender are inscribed on the bodies of Muslim women and the spaces they inhabit, her images allow them to take back ownership of their representation.
Petra Collins

A leading voice in the new wave of the female gaze, Canadian photographer Petra Collins is widely recognised in fashion and art for her dreamy, hyper-feminine aesthetic. Currently based in New York, Collins shoots all her images on 35mm film and captures the beauty and reality of the young female experience for a digital generation who see themselves represented in front and behind the lens. Advocating the importance of creating spaces for girls to be seen and heard, the photographer has exhibited in institutions like The Museum of Modern Art, The Tate Modern and Hong Kong Art Basel. In 2017, she was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and Vogue’s 40 Creatives To Watch.

Luo Yang

Chinese photographer Luo Yang has been capturing the girls and women around her since 2007 for her GIRLS series. GIRLS began as an attempt to understand the lives and identities surrounding her, but her honest portraits have since grown to depict the underlying tensions and emotions of an emerging Chinese subculture. Playful yet serene, her images explore femininity and youth in ways that challenge the traditional beliefs about women in Chinese society and celebrates them in manifold forms.

Nadine Ijewere

For Nadine Ijewere, photography started off as a creative break from the more ‘serious’ subjects of science and maths. After deciding to study photography full-time at the London College of Fashion, the Nigerian-Jamaican photographer became aware of the stereotypical portrayal of non-Western cultures in fashion imagery. She started casting mixed-raced models to celebrate the diversity of women, which has since become central to her work to challenge fashion industry standards. At only 26, she became the first woman of colour to shoot a cover for Vogue across the world.
Phebe Schmidt

This Melbourne-based photographer is challenging perceptions of beauty, gender and age through her hyperreal, often theatrical portraits of women. Part of the way Phebe Schmidt approaches her work comes in the stylised plasticity seen in her images, something we often see in highly-produced, airbrushed advertorials. In doing so, Schmidt blurs the boundary between reality and construction and forces us to question the authenticity and high standards of beauty portrayed by the media and society.
Kanya Iwana

Indonesian-born, Los Angeles-based Kanya Iwana captures women in a fierce and raw light that simultaneously stuns with a cinematic feel informed by her fine arts degree in theatre. Her photographs evoke a sense of nostalgia and capture the vulnerability of her subjects through a subtle but powerful way. Iwana also runs a photography and production house where she produces images for publications like Vogue US, W Magazine and Ssense.

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Fashion
Chanel Métiers d’Art 2016: All the details you need to know
Cinematic spectacle

03.12.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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1. It was a glamourous encounter of Paris meets Rome, as the presentation was held at the legendary Cinecittà Studio N°5 in Rome (the largest film studio in Europe) where the black and white décor—an ode to Alexandre Trauner, the famous production designer—harkened back to classic film settings of the 30s and 40s. It was perhaps Karl Lagerfeld’s idealised Paris neighborhood of the past, complete with cafés, wine merchants and a cinema.

2. After the cocktail party on the film set which saw the presence of FROW attendees including Chanel ambassadresses Kristen Stewart, Anna Mouglalis and Zhou Xun, actresses Rooney Mara, Geraldine Chaplin, and HRH The Princess of Hanover, Karl Lagerfeld’s latest short film Once and Forever, featuring Kristen Stewart and Geraldin Chaplin was premiered.

3. And obviously, a grand entrance in a Chanel show is a requisite, with models sporting heavily-lined eyes exiting from the Rome “train station” of Paris’ metro line 5, clad in the house’s signature two-toned mules (updated with a serpent around a pearl on the heel) and toting minaudières in python, alligator and tweed.

4. Outstanding silhouettes that combined the sensuality of lingerie with a dash of grunge made the collection—colours were earthy with ochre, brown, beige, grey and black, while textures were naturally fall-like, with tweed, mohair, chiffon and georgette. The iconic Chanel suit came as a trompe-l’oeil dress or a three-piece version; Palazzo pajamas-inspired looks include tweed pants and patterned wool sweaters; and contrasting elements such as fine lace and leather made for a trés chic collection with Italian accents.

5. Details you might have missed? Adorable newsboys Hudson Kroenig—a Chanel regular himself—and his little brother Jameson handed out mock newspapers that were actually press kits before the show; lace fingerless gloves that models wore added that underlying risqué factor, which complemented the beehive and thick eyeliner that channeled a 60s movie star look; and a model line-up of Catherine McNeil, Bella Hadid, Lara Stone and Lindsey Wixon.

Take a look at the full collection here:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Chanel Métiers d’Art Prefall 2016″ rid=”3673″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Film, TV + Theatre
7 Videos to watch before Game of Thrones Season 7 arrives
We’ve GoT your back

06.07.2017
By Buro247

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We are officially t-10 days until the painfully anticipated seventh season of the HBO saga drops. With only seven episodes this time round—as opposed to the ten of previous seasons—alongside a steadily thickening plot, the creators have promised a faster pace chockfull of epic battles, special effects and from where things stood at the finale of Season 6, a convergence of your favourite characters in the ever-dramatic continent of Westeros.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Now with Cersei on the Iron Throne, Bran all levelled-up on Three-Eyed Raven magic, Jon Snow well and alive, and King of the North, Arya done slaying half her demons, Daenerys crossing the Narrow Sea with the Dothraki, the Unsullied, and a dragon or three in tow,  Euron hot on her heels and the frost that took six whole seasons to arrive making its grand entrance, we think it is safe to say that #WinterIsHere.

So, whether you have R+L=J as your bumper sticker or if you know nothing about Jon Snow, we have you covered. Take a refresher course through the videos below and come July 16, you will be ready to play the ‘Game of Thrones’.

Also, if you haven’t watched Trailer 1 and Trailer 2, what are you waiting for?

1. A little background information

2. A truthful recap

3. A very detailed breakdown

4. A big theory you need to know

5. A clue to the finale

6. A behind-the-scenes look

7. An applause to the cast

Related stories:
Game of Thrones Season 7: “The Great War is here”
Emilia Clarke of ‘Game of Thrones’ on the reality of fame

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Buro Loves
Bvlgari enchants with the limited-edition Rose Goldea

28.11.2018
By Gwen Ong

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Culture
#CultureEndures: Graphic designer Alisya on KL creative space Safehouse and building a sustainable future

12.05.2020
By Kelly Lim

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Spanning the arts, music and design, #CultureEndures explores how Malaysian creatives, both established and emerging, are adapting to the current climate, and how in times like this, they persevere and find new ways to keep doing what they love. Through different insights and ideas, we want to highlight their stories, no matter how big or small, in order to reflect this rare time and consider new ways to experience the world as we move forward.
Whether it’s providing individual support and growth or bringing about collective change if there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us, it’s that community is everything. And in the young and still-growing creative scene of Kuala Lumpur, shared effort, support and collaboration are exactly what helps the industry grow and thrive.
Nestled in the neighbourhood of Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, the multidisciplinary, multipurpose creative space of Safehouse was built on those pillars of community and aims to pave the way for an inclusive, progressive and sustainable future for Malaysian creativity. Founded sometime last year, it is the brainchild of eight different creatives, including rapper and founder of local music collective Hoax Vision, Farhan Fauzi, and Alisya Fairuz, a graphic designer from Selangor, who also runs design company Kertas Kami which specialises in personalised souvenirs of the printed matter.

Pre-MCO, the creative powerhouse doubled as a prime lepak spot during the day, serving fizzy kombucha and house-made tong sui laced with longans and goji berries by its in-house Kuih Zhi brand alongside a busy roster of visual exhibitions, workshops and panel discussions. It also served as the ultimate venue and bar when it turned dark to experience live performances and DJ sets from local talent late into the night.
However, when the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia worsened and the need for social distancing increased, Safehouse had no choice but to close shop and postpone all programs and parties that would draw a crowd. For a new business which has been gaining traction as a go-to event space after DIY renovations in the beginning of the year, the unfortunate situation meant that all major operations and revenue had come to a halt.

Determined to continue its support of young creatives and the industry, especially during difficult times, Safehouse adapted by moving their space entirely online and utilising different channels to incorporate new ideas and programs for the community.
The collective set up a weekly schedule of online events and livestreams featuring distinguished creatives in the local scene, from hosting 101 how-to workshops on how to make your own Instagram filter to its From The Comfort of Ur Home series, live weekend music sessions starring various local artists such as Lunadira, NYK and Airliftz among many others so far. Everything is free and easily accessible for anyone interested in joining in, with the option to donate in support of the brand and creative community (40 per cent of donations allocated to performing artists each event).

From intimate live gigs…

…to virtual music sessions.
We reached out to Fairuz, who’s been keeping busy during MCO between working on essays for her masters in Southeast Asian Studies at Universiti Malaya and troubleshooting to keep Safehouse running, and asked her to share her thoughts and insights on living as a creative in Malaysia and the importance of community for a sustainable creative scene. Scroll on to read her interview.

How did Safehouse come about?
“The initiative to kickstart Safehouse was rather spontaneous as it was instigated by the closing of the previous owners of the space in TTDI, which was then called Intunnation. One of the partners of Intunnation, Afiq Ali reached out to Farhan of Hoax Vision to help find new tenants for the space in which Farhan decided to take it up himself. He then convinced Afiq to continue the space with a new entity and brought everyone together.
“Safehouse is an extension to what Hoax Vision aims to do, which is to provide new forms, methods and ideas in the creative industry where art is accessible, which opposes the norms where you need to possess specific standards (technical and theoretical) to produce well. It is the amalgamation of eight partners with personal distinct tastes and their fair share of experience in running their own creative efforts.“

Why is it important to have a space for the creative community?
“Safehouse’s first goal is to be accessible to all demographics, this includes being progressive and inclusive of the community. I think it is important to have a space that caters to the young but not completely intimidating for the general mass, like my parents.
“There is usually a separation between the creative community and the general mass, factors like socioeconomic differences, influence, accessibility and then there is a thing in the middle which is usually more mainstream and accessible. This middle ground forces these two parties to interact and be associated with one another. Safehouse would like to be that.”
What does sustainability mean for the creative industry, and to you personally?
“Sustainability, in my opinion, means going beyond actualising an idea (be it a product, entity or concept) for the sake of production and consumption but primarily begins with fundamentals such as purpose and ethics that considers the environment, economic and social factors we are in. This requires the creative industry to be solution providers and provide innovative approaches when producing that exists beyond the producer-consumer perception but a community that benefits as a whole. Ironically, this is exactly why clients approach creatives in the first place. It is essentially our job.”

 How sustainable is the creative industry in Malaysia?
“I’m not so sure on the extent of sustainability in Malaysia’s creative industries due to reasons like social and cultural norms. The major fact is that the general populace is conservative but there are currently efforts towards building a sustainable creative industry.
“Government initiatives under the Ministry of Finance such as CENDANA (Malaysia’s Cultural Economy Development Agency), MyCreative Ventures, Think City, Borak Arts are responsible to develop the creative sector through providing solutions, financial help and other efforts for a better Malaysia. For NGOs, independent organisations and businesses like Safehouse, it would require either a lot of financial resources and/or understanding of what your addition and function is to the sector for it to be sustainable.”
How have you been able to sustain a living as a creative in Malaysia?
“It surprises me too, sometimes. I don’t make that much from graphic design unless it is a big branding job. Since Safehouse is still rather new (seven months as of May) and shared between eight partners, none of us has personally benefited financially from the business other than getting “staff discounts” for our drinks. It was a mutual understanding between all of us to have our own source of income and to treat Safehouse as a side project instead.
“I honestly think it’s because I live within my means. When I was working a 9-to-5 and earned a passive income, I was able to splurge here and there but now I live a relatively cheap lifestyle and barely spend on anything other than necessities. My most irresponsible spending considering the pandemic we are currently in would be buying RM9 coffee. Also, it is important to take note that I finesse my way through life. There’s just this thing in my head that says it just has to work, so I make it work.”

How have you been affected by the pandemic, professionally and personally?
“On a personal level, I was very anxious initially. I was worried about my family a lot and checking on the number of cases every day did not help (I’ve reduced it to once in two to three days now).
“However on a professional level, the pandemic has affected me a lot as both a designer and a business owner. Safehouse operates in a physical space with a landlord that we pay rent to. Not being able to continue our business as per usual, we had to alter all our financial plans which resulted in doing live-stream parties and online content where we depend on donations to keep the business sustainable.”
 How can isolation be a catalyst for creativity?
“I think it’s the natural human instinct to survive which allows us to adapt and interact with the environment we’re in with the resources we have. For example, if a person with no artistic background is isolated in an empty room for a certain period of time (with basic necessities provided like food and water), it could lead to the possibility of this person finding creative ways to pass the time.”

What do people need to know more about the creative industry in Malaysia, and what needs to change for it to be more sustainable?
“That there is no one ultimate solution to our creative industry and it is a continuous and collective effort. To learn, understand and criticise the past and current efforts by deducing what works and doesn’t work. And most importantly, for people to stop paying RM300 for international acts and ask for guest lists for their local artists.”
Follow the #CultureEndures series here.

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Lifestyle
Chinese New Year 2021: 10 Festive gift sets your loved ones (secretly) want to receive

21.01.2021
By Sanjeeva Suresh

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7 Things to do in the Klang Valley this weekend: 15 & 16 July 2023

Just because we can’t be around all our loved ones and family members for Chinese New Year this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t show our love and affection for them with some CNY gift giving. Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate good fortune and share prosperity with those we cherish but with the current times, it’s also a great time to send some joy while staying apart to flatten the curve. As an addition to your celebratory feasts and takeaway selections, we’ve rounded some sweet and savoury delights that everyone can enjoy.
1. The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

Pboto: The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
2021 sees The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s House of Fortune offer a selection of three large Prosperity Boxes filled with a collection of homemade goodies. They include the Orange Butter Cake, Chocolate Truffles, and Chocolate Gold Coins. Prices are upwards of RM688 for the non-alcohol options and RM988++ for the boxes which are inclusive of a bottle of Delamotte champagne or a bottle of The Macallan 12-Year-Old Double Cask Chinese New Year Limited Edition Scotch whisky.

Pboto: The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
Availability: 11th January – 26th February 2021
Price: From RM688 to RM988++
Contact: 012 2801 303
E-mail: [email protected]
Address: No 6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
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2. Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
The usual CNY tradition would have families visiting each other’s houses and a gift is of course, compulsory. While we may not be able to do it this year, it doesn’t mean we still can’t send something to our loved ones. Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s Lemon Garden is offering a range of Auspicious Hampers—three variations, in fact! No matter if you pick the ‘Treasure Delight’, the ‘Golden Premium Treasure’ or the most opulent ‘Prosperity Premium Treasure’, the lucky recipients will surely feel your warm wishes through the ox-picious items (Eight Treasure Cake, premium oolong tea, dried scallop, abalone and more) within!
With the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the festive items will only be available for self-pickup and delivery. Orders can be made via their online store.
Availability: 8th January – 26th February 2021
Price: From RM688 nett to RM1,388 nett
Contact: 03 2074 3900 or 019 390 2257
Address: 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
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READ MORE: MCO 2021: 9 Cocktail and drink deliveries in KL for your stay-at-home evenings
3. Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

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For complete convenience, consider The Mandarin Oriental Shop Kuala Lumpur where not only are there hampers but also a wide variety of Chinese New Year cookies and desserts. Option one: The Festive Gift Sets, as they are, are already fitted with a range of premium delicacies that include dried seafood, bird’s nest and more. Option two: Call or email them to customise your own festive gift set from the array of treats available from their online store. Option three: Select one or more treats from their menu and just add to cart (no one will say no to a tray of Chocolate Ingots that were made with jasmine milk). Some of the other delectable options include a whole 1kg Chocolate Orange Brulee Opalys cake, Mandarin Orange Chocolate Pralines (yes, in the shape of mandarin oranges!), and a set of Chinese New Year cookies (with the usual suspects e.g butter pineapple tart and orange cookies).
For the full menu, click here.
Availability: 12th January – 28th February 2021
Price: From RM188 onwards for the gift sets; RM18 onwards for individual sweet treats
Contact: 03 2330 8798
E-mail: [email protected]
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4. Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
Having too many options might not always be a good thing for some. To keep things simpler, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur has two types of gift packs as part of their Year Of The Ox festivities. The first is the exquisitely packed and beautifully decorated Chinese New Year Hampers that are available in three sizes. As an example, the first of the three is the Blooming Prosperity, which contains a bottle of Luis Felipe Edwards Rosé, a selection of Harney & Sons Tea, Festive Chocolate Pralines, Almond Stripe with Milk Chocolate and a box of pineapple tarts among other goodies.
Alternatively, there’s the Take-Home Treats where you can order individual ones or, we recommend, the Chocolate Pralines in a 3-Tier Deluxe Oriental Box (28 pcs) or Chocolate Pralines in a 2-Tier Red Wooden Box (20 pcs).

Photo: Le Medirian Kuala Lumpur
Place your orders here and have them delivered to your doorstep. Or collect them at Latest Recipe, located on level 5 of the hotel.
Availability: From now till 26th February 2021
Price: From RM388 nett for hampers; RM128 nett onwards for the tiered boxes
Contact: 03 2263 7888 or 012 215 8782
E-mail: [email protected]
Address: 2, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
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5. Glenfiddich

For something less traditional and a bit more personalised—and if it’s for someone who loves a great single malt Scotch whisky—Glenfiddich’s Chinese New Year special edition gift pack has all the makings of a gift working drinking to. From the outside, the gift pack looks gorgeous with the illustrations by up-and-coming Chinese illustrator Rlon Wang. The theme for the 2021 bottle (the second in a series) is ‘The Great Homecoming’, which was inspired by that heartwarming feeling of Chinese New Year family reunions. For the unfamiliar, it all started in 2020 when Wang first reimagined the royal stag icon and Charles Gordon (son-in-law of Glenfiddich founder William Grant) and his century-old epic journey of introducing the Speyside Scotch whisky to the world. He headed for Asia with just a few cases of whisky. He returned to Scotland a year later, triumphant! And so, in 2021, the bottle celebrates that honorary return to his home.
Backstory aside, there’s more to the gift pack than meets the eye. Within the box is a bottle of Glenfiddich as well as two glasses. And you can step it up with a special Augmented Reality (AR) experience created by Glenfiddich where you can send customised messages. All you have to do is:

Purchase a bottle of Glenfiddich
Visit www.GlenfiddichAR.com
Fill in your details and type in your message (50 characters)
Upon confirmation, a link to your personalised AR experience will appear on screen
Gift the bottle together with the link to your intended recipient

The limited edition Chinese New Year gift pack is available with the Glenfiddich Reserva Rum Cask 21 Year Old as well as the 12, 15 and 18 Year Old Malt Whisky variants.
For more info, check out @GlenfiddichSEA.
6. Nespresso

Photo: Nespresso
Who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee? For most people, they have it to start their day. This Lunar New Year, Nespresso is incorporating a few auspicious practices in their Nespresso 10-sleeves CNY Assortments Giftbox. Priced at RM239, the gift box features window and Spring Festival couplets elements and leverages on the idea of fresh new beginnings. It comes with a door sticker that carries the Chinese word ‘Fú’, which represents good fortune, blessing and happiness. It’s something to consider if you’re gifting it to someone who appreciates tradition.
In addition, there’s a new permanent coffee blend called the Shanghai Lungo. Priced at RM23 per sleeve, this auspicious gesture is a tribute to China, a nation that has grown coffee for centuries. Nespresso’s Shanghai Lungo is a distinctive light-roast blend that will please the palate with its berry notes. The brand also aims to encourage sustainability amongst its coffee drinkers. If you recycle your used capsules, you can redeem the Nespresso Second Life Chopsticks during this festive season. Each set of chopsticks are made with aluminium from 45 used Nespresso capsules.
Note:
“As a precautionary measure, Nespresso Boutiques at The Gardens Mall, One Utama Shopping Centre and pop-up store at Kiara 163 Retail Park will be closed temporarily to ensure the safety of both coffee lovers and staff.”
Instead, purchases can be made via the Nespresso mobile app and Nespresso official site.
Contact: 1800 80 7001
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READ MORE: Chinese New Year 2021: Can you guess what your favourite dishes symbolise?
7. Oh Cha Matcha x Lo Hong Ka

Photo: Oh Cha Matcha & Lo Hong Ka
For their Chinese New Year special, Oh Cha Matcha has collaborated with Lo Hong Ka for a gift bag that is both delicious and great for your health. Priced at RM168, the eco-friendly gold print juco bag includes four refreshing CNY-inspired matcha drinks complemented with Lo Hong Ka’s all-natural concentrated Gold Bird’s Nest; a box of homemade matcha pineapple tarts; and to top it off, some auspicious Oh Cha Matcha and Lo Hong Ka red packets. What are the four said matcha flavours, you ask? Well, they are Mandarin Orange with Matcha, Red Dates and Goji Berries with Matcha, Pineapple with Matcha and lastly, Chrysanthemum with Matcha.
Find the complete menu here. Delivery is available via Beepit, Foodpanda and GrabFood. You can also DM them on Instagram to order the special gift bag.
Availability: From 19th January onwards
Price: RM168

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Fashion
Opening soon: New Polo Ralph Lauren store at Pavilion KL

25.12.2016
By Buro247

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Shopaholics rejoice: there is a new shopping destination in town. This January, Pavilion KL will be home to Polo Ralph Lauren’s first free-standing store in Malaysia, and the sixth in Asia. The new space, which spans across 5,108 square feet, reflects the brand’s timeless heritage and iconic sophistication, synonymous with American style. Customers can expect to find collections for women, men and children.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Polo Ralph Lauren opens first free-standing store in Malaysia” rid=”4687″ order=”a_tstamp”}Incorporating long-time influences on the Polo brand, the store features a unique mix of architectural elements from industrial New York City warehouses and refined prep schools. The dark green painted façade also features a central entry vestibule, flanked with two large LED videoscreens that showcased Polo’s latest ad campaigns. Juxtaposition comes into play with the industrial metal wall fixtures teamed with light-stained oak wall units as well as wall mounted cantilevered shelving units, displaying the apparel offerings. Other Polo store signature materials include paneled-board and batten-wood planks, wood-clad beams and rafters ceilings, complemented by exposed brick walls. Recovered pieces of decorative furniture and banks of LED monitors suspended from the ceiling further create an inviting atmosphere for the customers. The new Polo Ralph Lauren store opens at Pavilion KL on January 16

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COS Spring/Summer 2017

Fashion
COS Spring/Summer 2017

21.12.2016
By Buro247

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

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Beauty
3 Luxe fragrances to get you party-ready this season
Holiday mood

21.12.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Got a slew of parties and events lined up this holiday season? Complete your outfit with a chic, nuanced fragrance that serves as the perfect finishing touch to your Insta-worthy #OOTD. We explore three redolent scents you can get your hands on this month:

If you liked Annick Goutal Tenue de Soirée’s sweet notes, their latest Nuit Et Confidences is one to add to your collection for its sensual composition. Inspired by the intellectual mise en scène of Paris, the fragrance has a full-bodied character by way of bergamot and pepper alongside frankicense and tonka bean for a slightly earthy touch. The scent rounds off wonderfully with vanilla and white musks that give it a sophisticated denouement.
Available at Kens Apothecary.

If heady, evocative scents are a mainstay in your fragrance arsenal, opt for the new Penhaligon’s As Sawira. While the cacophony of notes might cause your sensory receptors to go to overdrive, take a moment and dwell in its Oriental, woody facets that are more than meets the nose. Notes of saffron and bergamot open the scent along with astringent hints of absinthe and davana, jasmine and rose. But we aren’t done just yet—a combination of cardamom and clove add a spicy kick that complement the delicate notes of myrrh, gaiac, sandalwood and patchouli.
Available in Isetan KLCC.

Put on your best dress and highest heels to take on the town this season. But before you go, take on Carolina Herrera Good Girl for a dash of allure. With notes of jasmine, cocoa and Tonka bean, the fragrance has a dual nature that gives it an edge. Notes include the delicate tuberose—touted as the scent’s ‘wild card’; almond, and coffee for vibrancy. If you aren’t captivated by the sleek, ultra high and thin gold heel that the eau de parfum is encased in, feast your eyes on the midnight blue glass bottle that comes in a glittery edition this season, thanks to sequins in three different hues.
Available in key departmental stores and Sephora.

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Fashion
Important life lessons to learn from 11 Spring/Summer 2021 fashion campaigns

23.03.2021
By Joan Kong

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Spring/Summer 2021 season is officially here. A year since the COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe (and upended the fashion industry), designers continue to embrace fashion in the New Normal, unveiling creative campaigns that perfectly showcase their latest collections. This round, there’s definitely more to the pretty imagery than meets the eye, as each film and imagery features subliminal messages that are befitting of the current climate.
Below, the SS21 fashion campaigns—and their messages—to take note of:
Salvatore Ferragamo

There’s always time for yourself
Whether it’s a day of exploring nature or wandering about town, me-time is the best way to recharge yourself.

Shot by Oscar-nominated director Luca Guadagnino, Salvatore Ferragamo’s cinematic SS21 campaign film pays homage to two of the House’s key locations—Hollywood and Milan—and it’s finished off with a touch of suspense that’s inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s films.
Moschino

We are all puppets in the grand scheme of things
That said, we’re all responsible for our own well-being.

The marionettes from Moschino SS21’s show came to life in its campaign, as It-models including Irina Shayk, Bella Hadid, Yasmin Wijnaldum, are dressed in looks that’ll continue to fuel our obsession with Bridgerton. The shots were photographed by the brand’s longtime collaborator Steven Meisel.
Coach

Always have an attitude of gratitude

Titled ‘Coach it Forward’, Coach’s campaign this season focuses on the power of positivity. Starring its very own ambassadors including Jennifer Lopez, Michael B. Jordan, Jeremy Lin, the spotlight is also on the people who helped make them who they are today, as the stars can be seen leaving messages of gratitude for their loved ones, from their best friends to their siblings. Be warned: it’ll tug at our heartstrings.
Fendi

Don’t forget to take a moment
When the going gets tough, slow down and take a breather.

Complementing its SS21 collection, in which creative director Silvia Venturini Fendi reflected her time spent at home, the campaign paid homage to the quiet aspect of domestic life, as models were shown lounging in an intimate setting, while the “digital” window gave us a glimpse of the outside world.
Givenchy

Wear the clothes, don’t let them wear you

“My ethos is about the luxury of infusing clothes with your own personality, not being worn by them,” says Givenchy’s creative director Matthew M. Williams in a statement. Featuring Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Anok Yai, Playboi Carti, and Liam Powers, the campaign stars express their individuality though the looks of the season.
Dior

Life imitates art far more than art imitates life

Irish poet Oscar Wilde famously said this in his 1889 essay The Decay of Lying, and we couldn’t agree more—art affects our perception towards life. Dior’s campaign this season is heavily inspired by Italian artist Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro technique. In the Renaissance painting-like images, models can be seen posing in the Maison’s romantic looks, as stylised fruits and richly draped fabrics seal the mood.
Bottega Veneta

It’s okay to stay glued to your couch

In its latest campaign, Bottega Veneta took domestic living to a new level with a series of imagery that feature models lounging on couches—in the same fabric as the clothes. In the limelight, are the SS21 looks that are equal parts comfort and style. You know what we’ll be lazying around in for the rest of the season.
Burberry

A balanced life between indoor and outdoor is the way to go

Now that we’re no longer cooped up, Burberry’s campaign is a friendly reminder that it’s important to embrace both indoor and outdoor. Photographed by Juergen Teller, the one-with-nature images are juxtaposed with studio shots that let you view the collection from a different perspective.
Versace

Always channel your inner goddess
And that applies to whatever role you’re playing.

Versace’s fantastical SS21 campaign aims to portray the Medusa in a modern light, and to highlight how even though her many faces are drastically different from one another, she can still express herself in her own way. You can be who you want to be and more.
Louis Vuitton

No one should ever be limited by gender stereotypes

Photographed by artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s SS21 campaign is a continuum of last season’s portrait format, with a slew of new additions to the line-up: Naomi Osaka, Jaden Smith, Liu Yifei, Emma Stone, Chloe x Halle, and more. In the gallery of images, the ambassadors can be seen donning the brand’s androgynous ensembles that challenge the boundaries of gender and style.
Ermenegildo Zegna

Mother knows best

This season, Zegna’s campaign continues to center around its #WhatMakesAMan concept, but instead of directing the question to the men themselves, the campaign focused on the perspective of their loved ones. Starring model, singer, and songwriter Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis and his mother, actress Isabelle Adjani, the campaign showcased the duo’s close relationship, and the latter’s thoughts about her son.

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Culture
Malaysian Women in Art: Sharon Chin on challenges and censorship

30.08.2019
By Tammy Chan

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Sharon Chin wears many hats as an artist, writer, curator and activist. She has always had an affinity with the creative world having graduated with a BA in Fine Art in 2003 and starting an art and culture site, Arteri in 2009. But she is what you’d described as a late bloomer in the field of drawing. The artist only picked up the skill in 2011 when she moved to Port Dickson and was “commissioned” by the locals to draw them. That, however, marks the beginning of a joyous learning experience and wonderful discovery. We take a walk back memory lane with Sharon in this week’s Malaysian Women in Art series about her journey and challenges of being an artist in Malaysia.
Previously, we spoke to visual artist Sophia Kamal on the female body…
1. Tell us 5 fun facts about yourself.
1)    I live 200m away from an oil refinery, and next door to a secondary school.
2)    I have two cats named Poot and Prawn. They were rescued from a drain.
3)    I have four tattoos, and a scar above my left eye from a muay thai fight.
4)    Last year 3 full-grown rat snakes came into our house during the dry season.
5)    I’m terrified of the supernatural but I’ve worked on 3 films about ghosts.
2. How did your journey as an artist began? Do you remember what sparked your interest?
My family is in the food business. But my mom was and still is, a big reader. There were books everywhere, all the time. I was a fat, shy, sensitive kid. Books saved me and gave me a place where I could live and slowly become myself.
3. Describe your art in one sentence.
Thought turned into action.

4. Can you tell us about the process of making your work?
When I was younger, I used to think ideas came from me, so I would sit and brainstorm until I got a rough picture of what I wanted to do, then I would execute it.
These days I find that images come to me, suddenly and mysteriously. My job is to remain open and ready, so I can receive these signals. I work to find out what the images mean, the kind of forms they want to take. It’s more like being a channel for something bigger than myself.
5. What medium do you find yourself most comfortable with and why?
I’ve always loved textiles. I think textiles tell the story of human civilisation.
6. Do you think it’s a challenge being an artist in Malaysia?
It’s a challenge and a privilege to be an artist anywhere, because you have to put yourself on the line, every time. Nothing less will do, because our job is to create something true.
Specifically in Malaysia, one of our biggest challenges is censorship. Malaysia has several oppressive laws that limit freedom of expression: Sedition Act 1948, Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 and Anti-Fake News Act 2018. Until these laws are abolished, artists and our society will never be free. Everything we do, every artistic success or masterpiece, will live and die in the dark of that shadow.
7. Have you ever had a moment when you questioned your career?
Yes, seven years ago when I moved from KL to Port Dickson where I live now. I didn’t make anything for about two years. There was no water in my well. It was scary because I identified so deeply with my work. Without it, I was just lost. I never want to go through that again, but I had to learn that everything follows a time and season. Just like the soil has to regenerate, we can’t be producing all the time. If you take care of the soil, you can go on for a long time.
8. Women struggle to gain recognition in the art world to this day, especially in Malaysia, but you’ve managed to make a name for yourself. How would you encourage other women to do the same?
When I started out, I spent alot of time writing about other artists. The thing is, we’re a reflection of our communities, and we can only go as far as others can take us. Every opportunity I had, was because someone opened a door for me, or passed my name around, or read what I wrote. My advice is to give all you can to the ones you believe in, and who believe in you. Don’t waste time impressing anyone else.

9. On your website, you stated that you are “looking forward to developing an epic story-telling computer game project”. Any updates on how that is coming along?
Oh, it’s still a dream. But on the back-burner on a long list of projects I want to finish.
10. Can you share how your involvement with ‘In the Skin of A Tiger: Monument to What We Want (Tugu Kita)’ came about? And what it is about?
Tugu Kita is a participatory performance project. The project is commissioned by the Singapore Biennale 2019, which means they are funding its production. At heart, it’s quite simple—I’m inviting people to take part in a sewing event, where they sew stitches on a series of 13 plain banners of various solid colors and geometric shapes. I made the banners from recycled fabric cut out from flags I collected around my neighbourhood after last year’s historic elections. The sewing event will take place across two national art institutions in two countries. The first one took place at our National Art Gallery, or Balai Seni Negara, on 17–18 August. In Oct, there will be a similar event at National Gallery Singapore. Participants in Singapore will sew on the same banners, and finally the banners will be hung up as a monument in the atrium of National Gallery Singapore.
11. How did you get your work known internationally?
From the beginning, I shared my work online. This was in the days of blogspot! I made a different blog for each solo show. You can still find them today—Fourth World in 2006 and Sensors: Banned Books and Other Monsters in 2007.
My first time taking part in an exhibition overseas was in 2006, in Singapore. And it was because Khairuddin Hori, a Singaporean curator saw one of these blogs. We continue to work together to this day. In 2013, he invited me to take part in the Singapore Biennale.
12. What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?
The day Zedeck and I received copies of our book Creatures of Near Kingdoms from our publisher. There’s a video somewhere of my face when I hold the book for the first time:

13. What’s the most effort you ever went through to produce an artwork?
The illustrations for Creatures of Near Kingdoms took four years, the longest I ever spent on one series of work.
14. What is your favourite art gallery and why?
All the independent artist-run spaces are close to my heart. Lost Generation Space and Moutou in Petaling Street, Rumah Seni Selangor and Center for Malaysian Indigenous Studies in PJ, Narrow Marrow cafe, Shop Howard, Ruang Kongsi and Run Amok (RIP) in Penang are just a few.
15. What do you do when you are not creating art?
Resting, reading, and muay thai.

16. What is something you have learned, as a seasoned artist, that would be helpful to aspiring artists?
I have compiled a list if you don’t mind:

Listen, observe.
Think deeply. Follow your thoughts as far as they can go.
Make art that makes other people want to make art.
Make art that makes people feel that life is worth living.
Make art that can exist in many places.
Draw everyday.
Practice radical inclusivity.
Open source everything.
Share relentlessly.
Be kind.

17. Any information on upcoming projects and endeavours? What’s next for you?
After the Tugu Kita sewing event at National Art Gallery, it’s time for the Singapore sewing event at National Gallery Singapore in October. So my focus is on this monument, taking it step by step all the way until it’s hung up where it’s supposed to be.
18. What’s your favourite Malaysian food?

19. What gives you that feeling of national pride?

20. Where do you see Malaysia in 10 years?

21. Your fondest childhood memory

22. Do you have a favourite piece that you’ve created?

Follow @chincarok for more of Sharon’s work and life musings.

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Beauty
#BuroBrides: Water-resistant makeup to ensure you look flawless in all your wedding portraits
Your best day ever

19.04.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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RECOMMENDED

BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

Waterproof and sweatproof makeup are easily the most essential items in your makeup kit on your grand day, lest there be any tears of joy that might trigger smudged eyes or the like. For those who are embarking on pre-wedding shoots in fancy destinations i.e. lavender fields in Provence in the height of summer, running out and about in your bridal garb might translate to a hot and sweaty affair instead of a romantic, fun occasion. To prevent panda eyes and excessive cotton swabbing, here are some nifty beauty must-haves to bring along with you:
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Lifestyle
Get ready for the world’s first Muji hotels
#aesthetics

11.07.2017
By Rachel Au

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For the minimalist, Muji stores are like heaven. Everything is on their wish list and it’s so easy to get too comfortable in the showroom section. The good news is that you will soon be able to stay at a Muji hotel. The Japanese lifestyle brand has announced they’re building their first-ever Muji hotels, with the first one set to open at the end of 2017.

Here’s everything else you need to know:
• The first Muji hotel will be in Shenzhen, China. Slated to open later this year, it will have four floors which will include a store and restaurant. The hotel part of the building will be on the top two floors with 79 rooms in five different layouts.
• The rooms will be furnished with Muji products whether it’s the toothbrushes or bed sheets.

• The second Muji hotel will open in Ginza, Japan where it will replace Muji Yurakucho, which is currently the world’s largest Muji store. It is set to open in Spring 2019.
• Japan’s Muji hotel will be housed in a 10-storey building with the lower six floors to be used as retail space and the remaining levels for the hotel.

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Buro Loves
7 Beauty bestsellers to buy in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

19.10.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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RECOMMENDED

BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer globally? As October officially marks Breast Cancer Awareness month, show your support to this initiative by investing in these beauty essentials—a portion of sales proceeds will be donated to breast cancer charities and research. What better way to be part of this good cause and indulge your inner beauty junkie?
Aveda Limited Edition Hand Relief Moisturizing Hand Crème

Cruelty-free beauty brand Aveda is donating $5 from the purchase price of every one of these hand cremes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Since 2001, the brand has donated more than $4.2million to BCRF through sales of limited edition breast cancer campaign products. The super rich hand creme has andiroba oil and certified organic botanical essences to nourish your hands for baby-soft skin.

Estée Lauder Pink Ribbon Knockout Eyes Collection

Add some pizzazz to your eyes with this Knockout Eyes Collection from Estée Lauder. The kit has two bestsellers, the Sumptuous Knockout Defining Lift and Fan Mascara, along with an eye pencil and eight-colour eyeshadow palette for a head-turning eye makeup look—all in a cute illustrated clutch. The best part? 100% of the retail price goes to BCRF—so you know your money’s going to do some good.

Jo Malone’s Red Roses Cologne

Anyone who loves a modern, romantic scent would love Jo Malone London’s Red Roses cologne. Made with a blooming bouquet of seven types of roses, it’s perfect to be worn from day to night, no matter the occasion. Better yet, a fraction from the purchase of this limited edition bottle will go to BCRF.

Bobbi Brown BCA Pinks With Purpose Lip Color Duo

Don pink in tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness this month, and take on this dynamic duo from Bobbi Brown to complete your makeup look. These lip colours are semi-matte and ultra flattering, plus proceeds from the sale will support Estée Lauder’s Breast Cancer Campaign.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

If you love Clinique’s bestselling skincare staple, you will like this limited edition version even more. The Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion now comes in a larger size with a one-of-a-kind keychain looped over the top of the bottle. Give your skin some lovin’ while being part of a good cause—a fraction of every purchase will be donated to Breast Cancer Research.

GHD Air by Lulu Guinness

Get your locks in check with GHD’s classic blowdryer that will speed up your hair-drying session thanks to ionic technology. In partnership with Lulu Guinness, this version is fitted with chic pink hardware that will complement your feminine side to a tee. $5 of each purchase will be donated by GHD to BCRF.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter

Another brand that’s outfitting their bestseller in pink is Becca—its iconic Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter gets a pink-gold design with the outline of the symbolic pink ribbon imprinted on the powder. Drench your skin with a lit-from-within glow with this must-have, and be glad to know that $8 from each purchase goes to BCRF as well.

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Breast Cancer Awareness
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Buro Loves


Fashion
Saint Laurent opens second store in Malaysia
Interior goals

10.10.2016
By Buro247

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

Just a few weeks after the opening of the Saint Laurent store at KLCC, another opens at Pavilion KL—but we’re not complaining. Distinguished for its cutting-edge designs and rock star-chic vibes, it is no surprise that the brand’s new store is equally as cool and aesthetically-pleasing.
The new store at Pavilion KL reflects Saint Laurent’s heritage and identity, offering a complete vision of the brand and an original shopping experience. The boutique offers an array selection of products including prêt-à-porter, accessories, shoes, sunglasses and jewelry for both men and women. Across two spacious floors, one with street level, the boutique explores the House’s store concept—a modern interpretation of the French modernist movement of the 20th century. The space spells minimal sophistication, finished with iconic Art Deco materials. An interplay of matte and shine are apparent through an interesting fusion of materials: floors and walls in white statuary marble and black silk marble, structures in polished brass and extra clear glass.

Related stories:
Anthony Vaccarello is Saint Laurent’s new creative director
Paris Fashion Week SS17: Highlights of Day 1

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New store
Saint Laurent
Pavilion KL