Fashion
The world’s first Swarovski crystallised merry-go-round takes merrymaking up a notch
May your days be merry and bright

03.11.2016
By Buro247

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Following Asia’s tallest indoor Christmas tree that made history last year, Swarovski is slated to set yet another world record with the unveiling of the first Swarovski crystallised merry-go-round in the world at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Inspired by the captivating ambience of Austria’s Swarovski Crystal World, a spirit of discovery and the unfaltering pursuit of innovation, the merry-go-round is designed to reflect Swarovski’s spirit and hence, create an atmosphere of brilliance. Star ornaments and gold balloons which make up key elements of Swarovski’s 2016 Christmas campaign will also adorn the structure alongside the brand’s signature blue gift boxes.

Expect a stellar turnout for the lighting ceremony on 17 November 2016 at Pavilion KL’s Centre Court as the unveiling is bound to draw celebrities, influencers and media from around the region. Be part of the festivities and as Swarovski puts it, #bebrilliant.

Related stories:
Karlie Kloss is Swarovski’s new brand ambassador
Atelier Swarovski presents ‘Reverse’ A/W 2016, a designer collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier

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Beauty
The secret to Beyoncé’s ‘no-makeup’ look as spotted on her viral cover photo

08.08.2018
By Gwen Ong

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

When Beyoncé’s cover for the September issue of Vogue dropped this week, it sent the world into a frenzied alert. While she may have been pictured with very minimal makeup, the Internet has not been able to get enough of her beauty look. This cover is every bit unforgettable and Beyoncé’s go-to makeup artist Sir John had a hand in her stunning natural glow.
“Beyoncé loves a ‘no-makeup’ makeup look,” he explained. “She’s all about being confident in your skin and owning your natural element. This look was all about redefining glamorous as a state of mind. We focused on enhancing her natural brows, skin, and structure—and bringing out that inner glow.”

And here’s how he did it:
Step 1: Sir John started off by prepping Beyoncé’s skin with Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer. Featuring five types of coconuts, this helps to nourish and hydrate the complexion.

Step 2: Next he used a two-part highlight step for that précised “bronzey, rose-gold finish”. First, he applied Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter in Fantasy on the highpoints of her face. “Always avoid shimmer on the front of the face. Apply it to your angles for sexiness.” Then, he mixed the said gel highlighter with a foundation slightly darker than her complexion for a ‘3D cheek’. “It’s all about a glowy contour. Dew Drops are worth their weight in gold. It’s the one thing I have in my bag everywhere—I use it for concerts, for shoots, for tours—I use it religiously.”

Step 3: For the final touch, Sir John used the Marc Jacobs Beauty’s Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder. It also has five types of coconut as well as cocoa butter to give a soft-matte finish.

You too can recreate Beyoncé’s natural glow. All products are available from Sephora.

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Buro 24/7 Malaysia’s top albums of 2016

Music
Buro 24/7 Malaysia’s top albums of 2016
Sounds of the year

29.12.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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Esperanza Spalding, Emily’s D+Evolution

If you delve into this album expecting the same sounds from Spalding that won her the Best New Artist Award (she was the first jazz artist to do so) at the Grammys five years ago, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise. In this album, her first in four years, she sings through the alter ego of Emily—her middle name—and pulls of a 14-track gem that is a brilliant blend of contemporary jazz, art funk and math rock. Yep, there’s some intense guitar shredding in there.
Must-listen tracks: ‘Good Lava’, ‘One’, ‘Ebony And Ivy’

Norah Jones, Day Breaks

Norah Jones, on the other hand, returned to the jazz sounds of her 2012 breakthrough debut (Come Away With Me) with Day Breaks. The title track is one about deep loneliness and backed by an understated, dreamy groove. In this. Jones, now 37, showcases her piano accompaniments that are as beautiful and soothing as her vocals in this elegant and more nuanced album.
Must-listen tracks: ‘Flipside’, ‘Day Breaks’, ‘Sleeping Wild’

BadBadNotGood, IV

BadBadNotGood fourth studio album introduces longtime touring partner and collaborator multi-instrumentalist Leland Whitty as a formal member of the progressive jazz band. Their modern, distinctive sound continues to shine through, and while it is their most “jazz”-sounding album yet, it also features genre-blurring collaborations with the likes of Future Islands’ Samuel T. Herring, electronic producer Kaytranada R&B singer Charlotte Day Wilson.
Must-listen tracks: ‘Speaking Gently’, ‘Times Moves Slow’, ‘Chompy’s Paradise’

Frank Ocean, Blonde

It took four years for Frank Ocean to release a follow-up to Channel Orange – but the wait was well worth it. With almost no drums, the tracks floats with Ocean’s romantic, melancholic and philosophical sentiments in all its intriguing, lyrical, abstract yet melodic glory. The music slip between themes and sounds, and collaborators range from French electro-house producer Sebastian to Beyoncé (who sings the backing vocals on ‘Pink + White’), but they are commonly bound by Ocean’s raw, poetic storytelling.
Must-listen tracks: ‘Nikes’, ‘Solo’, ‘White Ferrari’

David Bowie, Blackstar

Early this year, David Bowie dropped the bold and compelling album that is Blackstar on his 69th birthday, then unexpectedly passes on from liver cancer two days later, leaving the world with a bittersweet parting gift. The pop culture icon goes out on a high, as his musical farewell flits between experimental rock and avant-garde jazz, and some fans and critics have interpreted it as a goodbye letter to the world, with hints sprinkled throughout the album – “Look up here, I’m in heaven”, he sings in ‘Lazarus’. “I’ve got scars that can’t be seen.”
Must-listen tracks: ‘Blackstar’, ‘Lazarus’, ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’

Beyoncé, Lemonade

This is our bet for the 2017 Grammys’ Album of the Year award. With Lemonade, Queen Bey rightfully claims her throne with a stunning visual album that is deeply personal and confessional. She manages to tackle both emotional and political themes in a masterpiece that sees her maneuvering through genres – from rocking out with Jack White on ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’ to the reggae fusion sounds of ‘Hold Up’.
Must-listen tracks: ‘6 Inch’ (featuring The Weeknd), ‘All Night’, ‘Formation’

What were your favourite albums of 2016? Tell us in the comments section below.

Related stories:
Grammy Awards 2017 nominations’ biggest snubs and surprises
Buro 24/7 Malaysia’s top albums of 2015

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3 Ways to Get Your Holiday Glow On

Beauty
3 Ways to Get Your Holiday Glow On
Can’t make it away for a break? Fake it!

16.07.2015
By Renyi Lim

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

For a healthy glow
Stuck at home without a holiday on the cards? Relax – no one else has to know that you didn’t spend your days lazing by the beach and taking in generous doses of Vitamin Sea. Dab on some liquid energy in the form of La Mer’s The Treatment Lotion, which will revive and re-energise tired skin through its Miracle Broth, potent Revitalizing Ferment, and conditioning Softening Waters – you’ll be glowing like a sunbeam in no time at all.

Try: La Mer The Treatment Lotion, RM451
For a skin detox
Tackle dry, overworked and fatigued skin with Estée Lauder’s Nutritious Vitality8 range, which harnesses a blend of eight powerful ingredients – most notably an antioxidant-packed Pomegranate8 Complex – to detoxify your face and neutralize potentially destructive free radicals. The Radiant Overnight Detox Concentrate is specially formulated with clay to absorb impurities and heal damaged skin suffering from the effects of pollution and other environmental aggressors, transforming your complexion into one that’s calm and radiantly healthy.

Try: Nutritious Vitality8 Radiant Overnight Detox Concentrate, RM318
For the ‘8-hour sleep’ effect
There is, of course, never a substitute for a good night’s sleep, but you can snooze your way to vibrant, perfectly rested skin with the aid of Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask. It not only supplies your skin with continuous moisture as you slumber and restores it to its optimum condition using extracts of evening primrose root and Hunza apricot, but it actually encourages you to sleep more deeply and for longer hours with its patented fragrance of orange fruit flower, ylang-ylang, rose and sandalwood. Time spent in bed, it seems, might be the best holiday there is.

Try:  Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask, RM110

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Fashion
A hidden sanctuary: Daiyan Trisha and Yaya Zahir wander in Dior’s Cruise 2020 collection

09.12.2019
By Joan Kong

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From one at a Los Angeles desert in 2018 to another at the largest stable in in Europe last year, Dior’s travelling Cruise shows have always been a grand fashion spectacle. Just when we thought we’ve seen it all, creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri opted to present her Cruise 2020 collection in one of the most stunning venues yet: Marrakech. Set in the historic El Badi Palace at night, models walked down the outdoor runway that surrounds the pool with floating tea lights. It was a magical experience, and if expectations were high before the show, they were definitely met—and exceeded—after.
While the love affair between Dior and Marrakech dates back to Yves Saint Laurent’s time as the artistic director, this season’s inspiration was mostly “a cultural dialogue of savoir-faire between the House of Dior, artists and artisans”. Chiuri celebrates her multicultural encounters through crafts, and by continuously putting female empowerment on centre stage. The Cruise 2020 focal prints are made up of the Maison’s toile de Jouy and tarot card motifs that were made with 100% African wax in collaboration with Ivory Coast-based company Uniwax. The fashion house also enlisted Sumano, a Moroccan organisation supporting local weavers and pottery makers to design the set, along with one of the coats in the line-up. All in all, Maria re-integrated Dior’s archives with the rich culture from the crossroads of Europe and Africa, producing a collection that’s a celebration of artisanship. This is the distinct difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation.

Daiyan Trisha and Yaya Zahir Dior Cruise Buro Malaysia
Above, Yaya Zahir and Daiyan Trisha showcased their special bond while exploring a hidden sanctuary in the heart of KL.
Yaya’s favourite pieces:
While I also have a girly side, I love my street-cool flair that bit more, and the accessories, no doubt, complement my style. I’m obsessed with the small Dior Book tote, the knee-high mesh boots, and the chunky enamel rings!
Daiyan’s favourite pieces:
Those who know me will get my love for feminine dresses, so the embroidered maxi dress and the off-shoulder dress in toile de Jouy print definitely caught my eyes.
Credits:
Videography: Matt Chow & Amani Azlin
Art direction, styling and text: Joan Kong
Assisted by: Stephanie Boey and Nathanael Hsieh
Hair: Mei Choi
Makeup: Alvin Loh
Talents: Yaya Zahir & Daiyan Trisha
The Dior Cruise 2020 collection is now available in the Dior Starhill and Suria KLCC boutiques.

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Career
BURO Academy: How to improve your self-promotion skills, according to publisher of Vogue Singapore, Bettina von Schlippe

17.07.2020
By Rachel Au

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Hello, I am Steffi Sarge Kaur: The national women’s football captain defying all odds

Welcome to another exciting episode of BURO Academy, an exclusive webinar series focused on self-improvement. Released weekly, it will feature key personalities and industry experts giving you bite-size tips, practical skills sets and crucial advice. Whether it’ll apply to your outlook in life, the relationships with the people around you or on your career front, there’s definitely something to take away from each episode.
This week, we touch on the topic of self-promotion and no, it’s not bragging. Whether you’re looking for a job or an opportunity at work, the skill of marketing you, your skills and expertise is often underlooked and misunderstood. As our guest speaker for this week, publisher of Vogue Singapore, Bettina von Schlippe, aptly puts it:
“The ultimate goal of self-promotion is to stand apart, to be different from the others and be recognised.”
No individual in the working world is the same. Every person comes with a different background, melded from his/her unique experiences and have his/her own interpretations and learnings. But it all depends on how your market that in the way you carry yourself, the way you dress, and even the way your resume looks. Not sure what we’re talking about? Fret not! Watch the video above for a crash course on mastering the art of self-promotion in under five minutes.
Stay tuned for next week’s episode where our guest speaker will share tips on how to avoid a burnout.
For more BURO Academy episodes, head over here.

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Culture
Third culture kids: The problems, benefits and true meaning of being a TCK

18.07.2021
By Eugene Chen

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The seemingly simple question of “Where are you from?” might be more complex than you think, especially for a third culture kid (TCK). According to US sociologist Ruth Hill Useem who coined the term, third culture kids are children who were raised in a culture other than their parents’ own, during a significant part of their child development years. However, this definition is still highly ambiguous. Can TCKs include children that live in their native land but have been raised in an international community? What about biracial children who have lived in both of their parents’ homelands?
While the term “TCK” isn’t widely known, third culture kids are more ubiquitous than it seems. The 44th US president, Barack Obama, was born to a Kenyan father and an American mother; he spent four years of his childhood living in Jakarta. The late Kobe Bryant grew up in Reiti, Italy, until the age of 14. Although this nomadic lifestyle might seem appealing, many TCKs struggle with a sense of identity and belonging as a result of constant relocation.
To fully understand what it means to be a third culture kid, we talk to Christian Ng, Atul Subramanian, and Warisara Burns about their cross-cultural experiences.

Christian Ng

Where are you from?
“Singapore”
Where have you lived in the past and where are you currently living?
“I was born in Singapore and lived there till the age of seven. After that, my family moved to Australia for six years before we ended back in Singapore. Currently, I’m living and working in London.”
What’s a question that you always get asked?
“A common question I would get in the UK is ‘Why is your English so good?’ When I’m back in Singapore, people will ask questions like ‘You’re not from Singapore, right? Your angmo dam* good.'”
Do you feel in touch with your culture?
“Yes. I am proud of Singaporean culture and think it is far more interesting in comparison to British or Australian culture. I identify with being Singaporean and feel that my identity is primarily a Singaporean one. Serving in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for two years probably had a large part to play in this.”
What are some assumptions people make about you being a TCK?
“(People assume) I come from a wealthy and privileged background/family; I am not really Singaporean; and I am a ‘white Asian’—I find this one particularly offensive because I do not wish at all to shed my Asian identity.”
When you came back from Australia, did you find it hard to assimilate into Singaporean society?
“Attending an international school meant that I was not forced to assimilate into mainstream Singapore institutions. Serving in the SAF, I stood out but ultimately I had no trouble getting along with people. I made it clear that I did not think I was special or wanted to be treated as such; made a genuine effort to connect with everyone by learning about and assimilating to cultural norms; and my parents instilled into me, from young, a strong sense of Asian/Singaporean values. So fundamentally, I could connect with Singaporeans who grew up in Singapore.”
What is something you struggled with personally as a TCK?
“Australia is pretty backwater with regards to diversity and inclusion—ironic, given their land is a stolen one—so growing up in Perth, WA, my family and I were subjected to a number of horrible racist encounters.”

Atul Subramanian

Where are you from?
“My answer always changes based upon the person asking me this question. For context, I was born in India and have Indian citizenship as well as an Indian passport. However, as a child, I didn’t live in India. Travelling around the world and living in various countries makes it very difficult to answer this question. My go-to answer is always where my parents are currently residing. If the person asking may potentially be Indian, then my answer would be India.”
Where have you lived in the past and where are you currently living?
“I have lived in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Vietnam, Singapore, the United States of America, and India. I currently live in Singapore.”
Do you feel in touch with your culture?
“I do feel in touch with my culture. Despite moving around a lot in my life, my parents have always continued to follow Indian traditions. Additionally, Indians tend to be everywhere. This meant that I could always celebrate Indian festivals along with other Indians.
“Interestingly, when I went to live in India, I attended festivals and weddings. Although there was a language barrier, I knew what was going on and how to act when it came to my turn during the customs.”
What are some assumptions people make about you being a TCK?
“I think the primary assumption is that my family must be very rich. Yes, it is undeniable that my family is in a comfortable position. But to be called rich is always off-putting as it makes people view me in terms of monetary value, rather than my actual actions and words. Most TCKs tend to have parents who are expats and this is why we move around often.”
What was your favourite part of growing up overseas?
“I think it would have to be all the amazing people I have met, and all the unique experiences I have been fortunate enough to experience. Growing up overseas has given me the opportunity to meet people who come from a completely different part of the world and have a totally different culture compared to mine. From them, I learn new things, obtain a new perspective, and also gain an ability to relate to different people across different cultures. This has definitely helped me in making friends quickly when I go overseas, as I’m able to connect with different types of people easily.”
Was it easy to adapt to your native country when you moved back?
“After completing my bachelor’s degree, I knew that I wanted to pursue a master’s degree but I felt that I wanted to get some work experience first. This felt like the perfect time to go back to India. I found it surprisingly easy to adapt. I think this is due to a couple of factors. The first being that I have never really been ‘removed’ from Indian culture and traditions. The second being that I stayed in Mumbai, which is a very liberal and forward-thinking community as opposed to other cities in India.”
Which cultures do you closely identify with?
“I think that in general, I associate myself strongly with Indian culture. However, a lot of my actions and thoughts are a combination of a lot of various cultures. For example, food-wise, I associate strongly with Indian culture as it is the food I grew up eating on a daily basis. However, in terms of my social life, it’s western culture as Indian culture tends to be more strict with who you can mingle with as well as the general emphasis put on socialising altogether.”

Warisara Burns

Where are you from?
“This is a very difficult question. I was born in Bangkok. By birth, I’m Thai Chinese. I’ve got a British passport and I’m a permanent resident of Singapore. On top of that, my stepfather is Scottish. So I would say all over the place, really.”
Where have you lived in the past and where are you currently living?
“I was in Bangkok until I was 11. I then moved to Singapore and was there for eight years. After completing high school, I went on to study advertising at Falmouth University in Cornwall, which is at the southwestern tip of England. Currently, I’m living in North East London and have been in the UK for the last six years.”
What is a common question that you always get asked?
“I often get asked, ‘Where are you really from?’ If I answered ‘London’, I’ll then be asked, “But where are you really from?” As I get older, I become more open to the idea of people being curious about where I come from. To be honest, I don’t really mind if people ask me about my heritage, but I don’t appreciate it when people assume that I come from China. To me, that’s too narrow-minded as we all know China is not Asia.”
Do you feel in touch with your culture?
“No, I feel like I can never be fully immersed in my own culture. I’m made of many cultures and not one in particular. I was never able to fit into a box and never will. For me, home is where I feel most free and fully myself.”
Which culture do you identify with the most?
“If I had to pick one, it would probably be Thai culture because it’s the backbone of who I am. I spent most of my childhood in Thailand.”
What are some assumptions people make about you being a TCK?
“Being in the UK, I haven’t had people make assumptions about me being a TCK. Personally, what I do face is familiarity with the culture and customs of different counties while feeling discomfort with my own country of origin. Oftentimes, I feel out of place in my parents’ home countries; I’m more comfortable with the different terminologies and customs in my country of residence.”
What was your favourite part of growing up overseas?
“Because of the different life experiences I’ve had, I feel like I’m adventurous with a zest for life—amenable to taking up challenges, very curious, and very adaptable. I would say there is no particular place that I’m fixed to, and to me, that’s a good thing. I’m open-minded and always keen on new possibilities. It has really helped me to be exceptionally tolerant and understanding.”
Do you feel accepted when you go back to your native country?
“Yes and no; it’s tricky. I have not lived in the country that I was born in for so long, so when I do go back, it almost feels like I’m a foreigner. I often try to immerse myself with my roots as much as possible, to feel as though I’m part of it and to never really miss anything.”

All comments above were expressed to BURO Malaysia and do not necessarily reflect our views.

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Watches
Noteworthy picks from Van Cleef & Arpels at SIHH 2016
Breathtaking craft

24.02.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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RECOMMENDED

The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

This 2016, Van Cleef & Arpels embarks to a retrospective journey while designing its high jewellery picks that’s been recently unveiled at the prestigious Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva. With jewels that tell the time, magnified by precious stones and technical sophistication, the Maison’s savoire-faire is displayed through these emotive creations. Here are our favourite picks from SIHH 2016:

Rubis Secret bracelet watch
This unique creation that required 1,500 hours of work is one of the major pieces of the SIHH, and has its origins in an exceptional batch of 115 rubies, weighing a total of 151.25 carats. The stones have a dense and luminous quality that’s usually found in Mozambique deposits, famed for the quality of their crystallization.

The unparalleled technical expertise is the focus here: These rubies are arranged in three rows according to a subtle line of perspective based on their slight variations of cut. It is set in white gold, with the lines of round and square diamonds serving to accentuate the intensity of the stones. When placed side by side, a red glow is tinged with a hint of pink. A white gold plate with Art Deco motifs lies on the inside of the bracelet, made to hide the jewellery structure while allowing light to reflect through the stones.
Another challenging feat was to create an invisible hinge that enables the piece to open entirely, along with creating a side drawer to show the time discretely—the dial is visible when the drawer is delicately opened via a gentle press on the rubies. It holds the watch module and slides to a tolerance of a hundredth of a millimeter under the stones’ girdles, without ever touching them.

Sweet Charms Pavée Bracelet Joaillier watch

Van Cleef & Arpels also highlighted a feminine watch in this jeweled version under their Charms collection. Inspired by their iconic 1920s charms, it sports a tassel dancing around the case with a new charm that decorates its form. This piece keeps up with the white jewelry created by the Maison in the foundation and is graded VVS for clarity. The serti neige style dial setting is accompanied by a row of baguettes on the bezel, themselves accentuated by round diamonds and an exquisite moving tassel made from baguette-cut diamonds outside the case.
The stones are arranged in varied cuts as well to highlight the halo effect of the dial. While this bracelet watch also comes in a more subdued brushed canvas, the jewellery version is the more arresting of the two, illuminating the wrist in a wave of light. With a diameter of 21mm compared to between 25mm and 38mm up to now, it’s a delightfully worthy addition to the Charms collection.

Pompon transformable long necklace with detachable watch

The Maison brings back the 40s and 50s with its new interpretation of watchmaking: transformable long necklaces inspired by bows, ribbons, and tassels in gold and diamonds. The dial is part of a string of culture pearls that resemble the fluid movement of the Charleston dresses of the 1920s. White cultured pearls are hand-stringed and separated by silk thread knots for a “free-fall” ensemble, while quarter-turn clasp systems puts the piece in three places and hides a watch via the attachment of a jeweled tassel. The watch itself is surrounded by four rows of cultured pearls covered with red spinels.

The long necklaces comes with a bracelet entwined by pink sapphires, red spinels and diamonds, giving the wearer free reign to a variety of combinations, be it attaching the tassel to the bracelet, or hung from the long necklace in the neckline or at the back. The red and white blend of the long necklace offers a luxe colour contrast that sets off beautifully when worn medium-length or divided into two shorter necklaces. This long necklace is also available in a black and white version made of diamonds, pearls, and onyx beads.

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Fashion
Robert Pattinson is the new face of Dior Homme AW16
#DiorHomme

29.02.2016
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

For the first time ever, Dior Homme has appointed a Hollywood celeb to represent their fashion ad campaigns. This time it’s the smouldering British heartthrob Robert Pattinson, who has moved past his (not-so) glory days circa Twilight and Harry Potter, now giving star performances in poignant dramas such as The Childhood of a Leader and Maps to the Stars. Dior Homme and Pattinson’s collaboration isn’t the first, for the actor has been the image for Dior Homme Fragrance since 2012. Take a look at the campaign images here:

Related stories:
Our favourite picks from Paris Men’s Fashion Week AW 2016Dior Homme’s first store in Malaysia arrives (just in time for SS16!)Watch Now: Dior Homme’s film ‘Paris XVIe’

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Fashion
Chunky resin rings are the cheer-inducing accessories you need in your life right now

06.06.2021
By BURO London

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RECOMMENDED

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

If you frequent the likes of Depop and Etsy in search of new jewellery, you’re probably familiar with resin rings. But as popular as they are with the likes of Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa, the ostensibly Y2K ones—being chunky, colourful, embellished, and admittedly somewhat juvenile—aren’t to every taste level. But they are to some. And so here we have a sliding scale of resin rings to appease everyone. May yours be as stackable as they are standalone.

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A post shared by La Manso (@la_manso)

1. ON THE SCALE: AYM

Amparo ring, 155 DKK (approx. RM 101), AYM
We defy you to find a plastic ring that’s subtler than this (subtlety ultimately providing more legroom to boast about AYM being a sustainable jewellery brand).
2. ON THE SCALE: ANNI LU

Belize ring, £25 (approx. RM146), Anni Lu
A resin ring for December babies who favour turquoise as a birthstone? We suggest Anni Lu.
3. ON THE SCALE: PLSTIX

Glitter bubble ring, £9.50 (approx. RM55.50), Plstix
Nicola Bailey’s brand Plstix specialises in ‘rings made for icons’. But this doesn’t make it any easier to decide which one to get, unfortunately. If anything it makes it especially testing.
4. ON THE SCALE: TABISCARLETT

Lonely Pearl ring, £16 (approx. RM93.50), Tabiscarlett
This resin ring’s name is a slight misnomer. You probably won’t be lonely wearing it, but surrounded by people asking where it’s from (which would be Tabiscarlett). The pearl detail reminds us of Kamala Harris, although it’s easier to imagine her stepdaughter Ella Emhoff wearing it.
5. ON THE SCALE: DINOSAUR DESIGNS

Resin block ring, £60 (approx. RM350), Dinosaur Designs
“Resin is a material that we have been working with for over 35 years and forms the core of Dinosaur Designs,” says the brand’s co-founder and creative director Louise Olsen. That much is obvious given how glorious this ring is.
6. ON THE SCALE: SMELL THE CACTUS

Infinity Knot ring, £55 (approx. RM321.50), Smell the Cactus
Infinity symbols are not remotely basic if Smell The Cactus has anything to do with the matter.
7. ON THE SCALE: GOODIEBAG

Sweetheart ring, £20 (approx. RM117), Goodiebag
If only love was as simple as this Goodiebag ring.
8. ON THE SCALE: URBAN OUTFITTERS

Resin pearl chunky ring, £12 (approx. RM70), Urban Outfitters
Some people would find this resin ring overwhelming, but we’re ready to embrace it with taut fingers—faux embellishment and all.
9. ON THE SCALE: LA MANSO

LSD 25, €69 (approx. RM346.50), La Manso
When we mentioned Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa liking resin rings in the introduction, we were referring to La Manso resin rings specifically.
10. ON THE SCALE: GEM LETTUCE

Pink daisy ring, £32 (approx. RM187), Gem Lettuce
Honestly, there’s something very dramatic about a pressed flower surrounded by gold sparkles – especially when it’s embedded into a resin ring.
This story was first published on BURO. London

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Fashion
Runway Report: Highlights of Milan Fashion Week SS23
Italian glamour

23.09.2022
By Sarah Hani Jamil

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

All eyes are on Milan as Fashion Week SS23 will take place in the style capital from 21-26 September, and there’s a lot for you fashion enthusiasts to look forward to. With 68 physical runway shows, a whopping 104 presentations, and more, scheduled throughout the whole period, expect plenty of memorable fashion moments and celebrity style-spotting on the streets of Milan.

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From designer collaborations to new Creative Director debuts—Paul Andrew’s successor, Maximilian Davis, at Salvatore Ferragamo is one we’re eagerly anticipating—and the showcase of Italy’s biggest industry players on the runway, namely Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Versace and Max Mara, Milan Fashion Week will be dramatic, bold, sophisticated and fabulous all at once. Other highlights to look forward to include Bottega Veneta’s Matthieu Blazy’s second collection, Lily Aldrige’s presentation with Weekend Max Mara and the intriguing Diesel runway show that will be open to the public—we can’t wait!

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Fendi
When: Wednesday, 21 September 2022, 8pm Malaysia Time
After the recent celebration of Fendi’s 25 years with the baguette at a star-studded show in New York, the Italian label returns to Milan to showcase its womenswear collection for SS23 at its regular show space in Via Solari, under the leadership of Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi, alongside Delfina Delettrez, the Artistic Director of Jewellery. Watch the show live at Fendi.com.

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Post-show highlights:
Fashion’s obsession with Y2K powers on and this is proved even further by Kim Jones’ latest collection that references 2000s eclecticism while balancing it with minimalism. Vibrant pops of colour such as coral, lime green and blue appear on accessories, worn against neutral-coloured clothing. Meanwhile, luxurious textures like cashmere, fur, shearling and leather are cleverly layered with technical fabrics. For inspiration, Jones turned to the late Karl Lagerfeld’s work, from1996 to 2022. “It’s about continuity. I am interested in looking at things that Karl has done and seeing how we can develop them visually and technically,” he says. The result: the revival of a floral print from the Fendi archives and the return of the House logo, introduced in 2000, reimagined for today.

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Prada
When: Thursday, 22 September, 10pm Malaysia Time.
This season, Co-Creative Directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons partner with film director Nicolas Winding Refn to create an immersive installation titled ‘Touch of Crude’ for the runway show, as well as a series of short films that will be displayed throughout Milan.

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Post-show highlights:
Polarities are explored and highlighted for SS23; day and evening wear are interchangeable, undergarments are fused with outerwear, while bodysuits of poplin shirting offer a minimalist reality. One notable element of the show is the use of paper-based fabric that is utilised for a series of dresses that are cleverly torn on the edges for a raw and impulsive appearance. Scroll through the gallery to check out the collection.

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Moschino
When: Thursday, 22 September, 11pm Malaysia time
Jeremy Scott will present the label’s SS23 Donna collection at the Palazzo del Ghiaccio. The Creative Director is known for his love of theatrics so you’re guaranteed a good show. While last season’s set was inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s A Space Odyssey, we anticipate this year’s runway to be just as fantastical. We’ll be sharing a first look at the collection so check back for updates.

Post-show highlights:
A buzz of anticipation filled the air as guests trickled into the spacious, dimmed show space right before showtime. A star-studded front row comprising Alessandra Ambrosio, J Balvin, Heidi Klum and Michele Morone added to the excitement, which is exactly the environment Jeremy Scott wanted to create for the show—one of glamour, joy and optimism. In response to the gloom and issues of today, the Creative Director highlights a collection of bright colours, high-impact graphics, flirty skirt suits, and funky evening dresses and gowns. For a more playful touch, pool toys are worn as accessories across all sorts of looks. A black jacket and trouser suit boast inflatable pockets, a pink skirt set comes with floaties at the cuffs and on a one-shouldered ruffled dress, a pool ring is seen on the waist. See the entire vibrant collection for yourself here.

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Boss
When: Friday, 23 September, 3am Malaysia Time
Scheduled to happen at the Velodromo Vigorelli, a stadium that holds up to 9,000 people, expect the SS23 collection to highlight sporty tailoring and a much youthful approach to Italian suiting that the brand is so well-known for, following its major brand refresh earlier this year. Stay tuned for updates!

Post-show highlights:
While Spring/Summer 2023 was the main focus of this fashion week, Boss opted to present its Fall/Winter 2022 collection instead in a dramatic set-up of steel caged globes, illuminated by light beams and lasers. Taking inspiration from the label’s archives and reinventing pieces for a whole new generation of Boss consumers, the collection saw a variety of silhouettes that imbued the brand’s expert tailoring and play on fabrics and proportions. The original power suit is redefined in both slouchy and sculptural interpretations. Elsewhere, neutral shades of brown, cream and charcoal are added to the label’s palette of black, white and camel tones.

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Max Mara
Upon entry to the show space, shades of Mediterranean blue filled the hall at the Piazza Afari, emulating the bright and sun-soaked ambience of the French Riviera. Inspired by timeless muses of the 1920s, namely Renée Perle and Eileen Gray—icons of fashion and architecture of that decade—Max Mara conceptualises a stunning and sophisticated wardrobe that embodies these personalities. Ian Griffith’s signature elegant tailoring is seen throughout, specifically in high-waist billowing trousers, double-breasted summer trench coats, racerback evening dresses and linen blazers. Three swimwear looks in pastel shades—cornflower blue, daffodil yellow and pistachio green—complete with swim caps stole the show. Completing the collection is a series of looks that feature black hand-painted floral prints against a nude colour base.

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We’ll be updating this page live from Italy so hit the bookmark button right now and come back for updates throughout the week!

For more fashion news, click here.

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News
#HappyHeadlines: 7 Hope-filled stories to get you through the mid-week hump

15.07.2020
By Marissa Chin

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2020 has been a whirlwind of a year mixed with unexpected catastrophes, shows of human fallacy and a new societal shift on a scale never experienced before in modern history. While it’s easy to get weighed down by these uncertainties, the world is healing and improving—slowly but surely. Sectors of the economy are gradually reopening and even though we may not go back to a semblance of our pre-Covid life for the time being, this emerging society built on newfound compassion, empathy and inclusivity isn’t looking too bad either.
Ahead, here are seven feel-good stories that can help restore your faith in humanity during these trying times:
Thailand’s cabinet makes a move to approve bill on same-sex unions

Chiang Mai Pride 2020, photo courtesy of The Bangkok Post
In a major move not often seen by Asian countries, the cabinet of Thailand has approved the Civil Partnership Bill that recognises and permits the registration of same-sex unions, granting them with nearly all legal rights that other married couples benefit from. Partnership registrations will be available to consenting same-sex couples who are at least 17 years of age, on condition that one or both sides of the couple must be a Thai national. The bill will also cover the registration and termination of partnerships, property management, adoption as well as inheritance.
The bill is still up for Parliamentary approval, and it does not grant every right to that of cisgendered couples such as entitlement to spousal benefits, forms of state welfare and tax exemptions. In this sense, the bill still does not necessarily endorse same-sex marriage (as of now), but it is still a milestone for a country that is considered deeply conservative and religious. As the Deputy Government spokeswoman Ratchada Dhnadirek states, “The Civil Partnership Bill is a milestone for Thai society in promoting equality among people of all genders… This strengthens the families of people with sexual diversity and is appropriate for the present social circumstances.” If approved by the Parliament, Thailand will only be the second Asian country next to Taiwan (and the first in Southeast Asia) to recognise same-sex unions.
Boy writes to the Queen and gets a Royal response back

Photo from BBC
Seven-year-old Timothy Madders from Essex wanted to give Queen Elizabeth a little cheering up during her time in isolation in Windsor Castle, so he designed a happiness-themed word search puzzle so she could pass the time. His mother, Jo Madders, shared with BBC, “He sent it with a letter saying how she might be feeling sad or lonely because of lockdown… he picked happiness as a theme because he wanted words that would make people think of happy things as they did it.”

Photo from BBC
And if Timothy was wondering if the Queen received his gift, he didn’t have to worry because he got a response straight from the Royal castle a few days later. The letter states that the Queen thanks Timothy for the thoughtful puzzle and hopes that he is “keeping safe and well in the current situation.” Timothy has since made copies of his Royal word search to hand out to his fellow neighbours.
Trash collector’s “surreal moment” of getting into Harvard Law School

Rehan Staton’s success story is one that shows anything is possible when it’s backed with iron-will. After his mother left the family when he was only eight years old, Staton’s father worked multiple jobs to support Staton and his older brother Reggie, however the family still struggled. “There were times where we just didn’t have electricity,” Staton told Today. “We didn’t have food in the fridge.” Due to family and financial issues, Staton’s grades suffered and he was rejected by every college he applied for.

Rehan Station (left) and older brother, Reggie (right) during their sanitation shift
When Staton’s father had a stroke in 2017, Staton and Reggie decided to take a job collecting trash and cleaning dumpsters to save their house. With the support of his co-workers who encouraged him to continue schooling, Staton enrolled in a state college and managed to score a 4.0 grade-point average—all while waking up at 4am to start his sanitation shift and head to class after on a daily basis (he did this for three years). Fast forward to 2020, Staton described it as the “most surreal moment” of his life when the acceptance letter from Harvard came in. He was also accepted into a plethora of prestigious universities including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia and the University of Southern California. “If you put in the effort and the work and you stay committed, things will fall into place,” State said.
Tech company CEO resigns after racist tirade towards an Asian family

If there’s one thing 2020 has taught us so far, it’s that racism does not have a place in this decade. Case in point, this British man who hurled vulgar racist remarks towards an Asian-American family while they were celebrating a family member’s birthday. Jordan Chan recorded a video of the incident and posted it on her Instagram, which currently has one million views.
In the video, the man who was identified as Michael Lofthouse is seen holding up his middle finger and telling Chan’s family: “You f*****g need to leave. You f*****g Asian piece of s**t.” He eventually apologised with a letter to ABC News stating, “My behaviour in the video is appalling. This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments. I would like to deeply apologise to the Chan family.” Many did not believe the sincerity in his apology and after fielding calls and emails from netizens on his behaviour, Lofthouse shared with the San Francisco Chronicle that he has since resigned from his tech company, Solid8.
Residents in nursing homes recreate classic music album covers

The senior residents in Sydmar Lodge, London have proved that age is just a number when you’re channeling your inner rockstar. The nursing home’s event coordinator and resident photographer Robert Speker told The Independent, “Elderly people will remain in lockdown for a long time, and I want to make their time as happy and full of enjoyment and interest as possible.” Residents were glammed up (and painted on) to recreate some of the greatest classic album covers ranging from David Bowie, Adele to Taylor Swift. Check out his viral Twitter post here for the full list of the remakes.
Michelle Obama shares heartwarming father-daughter clip spreading #BlackJoy

Considering the prejudice and ignorance that reared its ugly head not too long ago, it’s hard for people to truly love themselves when they’ve been bogged down by archaic notions. Which is why it is truly heartening to see POCs embrace themselves wholeheartedly—like this father-daughter duo.
In it, full-time musician Daniel Johnson and his daughter were seen singing a song with simple yet powerful lyrics, “I love my Black so much, so much, so much. We are strong, and we are powerful.” Michelle Obama shared this video to her 40.3 million followers on Instagram with the caption, “I just love this! Dakota and Daniel are so right: We are strong. #BlackJoy”.
Malaysia opens its first pet pharmacy

Photo from Pet Lovers Centre Facebook
Furbaby owners, you will no longer have to go through the hassle of long vet waiting times with the opening of Malaysia’s first ever pet pharmacy for all things pet-related. This one-of-a-kind pharmacy is located in Midvalley Southkey in Johor Bahru and opened by pet retailer Pet Lovers Centre (PLC). In it, pet owners can find anything and everything ranging from pet medication (dubbed ‘petceuticals’ by PLC) for preventing ticks and fleas, heartworm, intestinal worms and more as well as other pet supplements, shampoos and food options. The pharmacy also provides basic nutritional and medical advice for your pets from professionally trained veterinarians.
For last week’s dose of #HappyHeadlines, head over here.

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Fashion
Sneakers to kick your weekend off with a bang
Strut, not run

07.08.2015
By Buro247

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

If you’ve spent the week teetering around KL’s notoriously bad pavements in your office appropriate heels, then give your feet a well-deserved break with kicks that are as comfy as they are stylish. Whether with jeans and a tee or even with a dress, these sneakers will lend a touch of casual cool to your weekend warrior vibes. Go forth and conquer.
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Food + Drink
Chinese New Year 2021: Where to order CNY menus for delivery/takeaway in KL

16.01.2021
By Sanjeeva Suresh

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Chinese New Year 2021 in Malaysia will be unlike any other. Everyone should do their part during this second MCO to stay at home and flatten the curve. That doesn’t mean you can’t still have a fabulous Chinese New Year. As an alternative to dine-ins, we’ve listed an array of auspicious set menus and festive dishes that you can order for takeaway or delivery to welcome in the Year of the Ox. Indulge in prosperity and happiness this Chinese New Year with these delicious culinary delights that ensure you won’t be missing out on celebrating Chinese New Year just because you’re spending it at home.
1. The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

Photo: The St Regis KL
The St Regis KL’s House of Fortune is offering customary delicacies and heart-warming dishes as part of their Chinese New Year House of Fortune delectable takeaway package. You can pre-order and take away homemade cookies with signature spreads, cakes and the traditional Nian Gao (a glutinous rice flour cake). For the Chinese New Year set menus, choose from an array of dishes which include the Cantonese-style Seafood Soup with Chinese Spinach & Egg White, handmade Almond Cheese Prawn Dumpling with Radish Shrimp Cake & Supreme Scallop Sauce, and the Braised Chilean Abalone, Dried Oyster, Fatt Choy & Seasonal Vegetables, to name a few. The dishes are available for both lunch and dinner.
Availability: 11th January – 26th February 2021
Contact: 012 2801 303
E-mail: [email protected]
Address: No 6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
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2. Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara

Photo: Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
You can never get tired of some staple Chinese dishes. Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara is offering a scrumptious à la carte menu which includes the Steamed Farm Chicken with Minced Ginger, Homemade Bean curd with Shredded Scallop and Conpoy Sauce, Wok-Fried Butter Prawns with Curry Leaf topped with Shredded Egg and Coconut. Alternatively, there are also the ‘chef’s recommended’ dishes such as Wok Charred Marinated Rack of Lamb, Wok-Fried Sliced Beef with Ginger and Scallion, and the Braised Black Mushrooms with Dried Scallop and Garden Greens. If you’re craving dim sum, try out the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling with Black Sea Moss, Steamed Scallop Dumpling with XO Sauce, or the Barbeque Chicken Bun with Sesame Paste.
Keep in mind that orders need to be placed a minimum of one hour in advance of the preferred collection and delivery time for processing.

Photo: Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
Availability: From 13th January 2021 onwards
Contact: 018 873 2028 or 03 2720 6688
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Address: No 6, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
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3. Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Shangri-La KL
Do you have a large family at home? Go with the Great Prosperity Set, which can feed up to four people or the Rich Fortune Set, for six people. The other set menus include the Happy Reunion Set and the Wealth Treasure Set which are both aimed at groups over four. If you’re a fan of abalone, try the Premium Abalone Poon Choy (priced at RM1988) which is cooked traditional Cantonese-style and composed of many layers, and is perfect for sharing.

Photo: Shangri-La KL
Availability: 8th January – 26th February 2021
Contact: 03 2074 3900 or 019 390 2257
Address: 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
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4. Hilton Kuala Lumpur

For Chinese New Year this year, Hilton’s Chynna is offering a true splendor of Cantonese delights which include five choices of set meals, priced upwards of RM208. They include the Steamed Deep Sea Grouper Fillet, Braised Lobster Seafood Soup with Pumpkin Puree and Fried Rice with Preserved Duck Meat in Lotus Leaf. Try out the stunning dim sum collection (priced at RM25 per basket) or enjoy the traditional yum cha over the Steamed Black Truffle Dumpling with Squid, Crispy Rice Roll with Mango and Shrimps, or the Green Tea and Red Bean Nian Gao.
Availability: 15th January – 26th February 2021
Contact: 03 2264 2264
Address: 3, Jalan Stesen Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
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5. Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
If you are thinking to try something apart from the five enticing yee sang selections at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, we’d recommend the Treasure Pot (priced at RM988) and the Supreme Treasure Pot (priced at RM1800). Some of the ingredients in the Treasure Pot and the Supreme Treasure Pot include delicious fresh scallops, tiger prawns, succulent abalone, as well as delightful veggies which range from broccoli to mushrooms. Ring in the Lunar New Year with something sweet. The Chocolate Orange Brulee Opalys is a delectable chocolate cake made with orange brûlée, orange confit, vanilla bavaroise and cassis mousse.

Photo: Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Check out the full online menu here.
Availability: 12th January – 28th February 2021
Contact: 03 2330 8798
Email: [email protected]
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
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6. Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur is serving up an exciting menu of Cantonese delicacies from Yun House. This year’s signature menu (curated by Executive Chef Jimmy Wong) includes everything from delicious wagyu beef and duck to sea urchin and abalone. For the Dim Sum selection, we recommend you try the Scallop Dumpling with Caviar (priced at RM25) or the Wok Fried Carrot Cake (priced at RM42), which comes with fried dough fritters in a spicy scallop sauce. If you want something light, go for the Crispy Spring Roll with Shrimp (priced at RM15). When it comes to the mains, try the Five Spice Roasted Chicken with Crispy Garlic (priced at RM68) or if you want to be a little adventurous, give the Egg Fried Rice with Foie Gras and Diced Vegetables (priced at RM88) a try.

Photo: Four Seasons
Availability: From 11th January 2021 onwards
Contact: 03 2382 8888
Address: 145, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
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7. Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown

Photo: Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
The Movement Control Order isn’t stopping Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur’s kitchen from being abuzz with savoury delights. Go all out with the Spring Happiness Set. The eight-course sumptuous meal includes a nourishing Double Boiled Fish Maw Consommé, Baked Cod in a Ginseng Soy Sauce Paste and a Crispy 5-Spice Salt and Pepper Chicken (priced from upwards of RM268). And for a good yum cha session, Jann has just what you need with its earthy Bird’s Nest Baijiu. Priced at RM50, this brew is made from chrysanthemum tea, red dates and white fungus. If you’re ordering for two, have it delivered to your doorstep at RM88.

Photo: Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown
Availability: From 12th January 2021 onwards
Contact: 03 2035 7333
Address: 2, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
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8. W Hotel KL

Photo: W Hotel KL
W Hotel KL has prepared a delectable menu that combines homage to heritage with culinary tradition. Starting off with the Steamed Shanghai Fortune Dumplings with Herb Broth and Gold Flakes, these ruby beauties (priced at RM32 for five pieces) are packed with mouth-watering flavour and sealed in an auspiciously red hue. Another appetiser worth a try is the Deep Fried Golden Fun Guo (priced at RM22 for three pieces) with delicious prawn meat and prepared with a chive soup. We also recommend the Oil Poached Debone Whole Tiger Grouper Fish for the mains. Priced at RM228, the fish is cooked to perfection and drenched in Szechuan pepper and premium soya sauce. Lastly, for a lighter option, go for the Wok Fried Lobster Meat, which comes with asparagus, truffles and a ‘Golden Cup’ for extra huat!

Photo: W Hotel KL
Availability: From 15th January 2021 onwards
Contact: 03 2786 8888
Address: No. 121, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
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9. Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre Hotel & Residences

Photo: Golden Fortune Set, Pullman KLCC Hotel & Residences
From yee sang platters to full set menus to CNY-themed afternoon tea delights, Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre Hotel & Residences has a wide range of menus to suit any time of day during the 15-day festivities. Our personal favourite is the Golden Fortune Set (perfect for 6 persons or more) which features Salmon and Jelly Fish Yee Sang, Wok-fried Tiger Prawns coated with Oats, Double-Boiled Chicken Consomme with Cordyceps Flower, Conpoy and Mushrooms, and more. If you prefer to pick and choose, there’s also the ala carte menu, which includes dim sum.
WhatsApp to order: +6016 290 3864
Email: [email protected]
Address: 4, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
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For more Chinese New Year-related stories, click here.

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Food + Drink
This ultra-rare Martell Dame-Jeanne 1968 vintage sold for almost RM500k in Malaysia
Precious liquid gold

03.08.2022
By Natalie Khoo

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It’s not every day that one indulges in a glass of fine cognac, let alone an ultra-rare label that’s limited to only eleven bottles in the world. If you’re a numbers person, the price tag of said cognac rounds up to nearly half a million ringgit for a bottle—or RM488,000, to be exact. Naturally, I couldn’t say no to the honour of tasting even just a few sips of such an ultra-prestigious cognac at a recent Martell event in KL.
The cognac in question is none other than the Martell Dame-Jeanne 1968, first unveiled to the world last year. It is the second out of four exceptionally rare eaux-de-vie in the Dame-Jeanne series to be released by Maison Martell. But to truly appreciate its rarity, one must first understand the history of this exclusive vintage.

Aged to perfection

It all starts with the rarest and most precious eaux-de-vie (French for “water of life”) that rest in Maison Martell’s cellars, aging quietly in fine-grained oak barrels for decades. When Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud deems that they have reached their aromatic maturity, they are then transferred to Dame-Jeannes (read: demijohns, or glass vessels used to store liquid) that preserve their qualities over time.
However, not all eaux-de-vie are equal. Only very few from this library are painstakingly selected to be part of the exceptional Martell Dame-Jeanne Collection, based on Valtaud’s experience and expertise. Put it this way: when the burden of carrying on the legacy of eight generations of cellar masters lies on your shoulders, you’ll do well to ensure only the creme de la creme are chosen to embody the heritage of Maison Martell.

The resulting Dame-Jeanne collection consists of four of the most exquisite eaux-de-vie—all vintages from 1952, 1959, 1968, and 1972. Each vintage boasts its own unique character and complexity, tied together by the Maison’s signature touch of finesse and elegance. The 1968 vintage, in particular, explores the Grand Champagne terroir—characterised by sweet, delicate, and fresh aromas on the palate.

Handcrafted to order

In the name of savoir-faire, the 11-litre Dame-Jeanne bottles are carefully handcrafted by three French artisans: a carpenter who sculpts the wooden mould by hand, a glassblower who breathes the unique flask into shape, and a basket-maker who crafts the intricate wicker encasement. Each Dame-Jeanne is individually made to order in the workshops of the Fondation d’Entreprise Martell in Cognac, and includes a certificate signed by the Cellar Master himself to guarantee its authenticity.
The 1968 vintage proved of special interest to the Malaysian market—with only eleven sets available worldwide, one ultra-rare bottle managed to find its way into the hands of a local buyer during another exclusive three-day extravaganza spotlighting the Martell Chanteloup XXO in Genting Highlands.

Evening to remember

That brief account of the past brings me to the events of an evening not too many moons ago, in a private villa transformed into KL’s very own house of Martell. Incidentally, the night saw guests of the evening (including yours truly) figuratively travelling back in time to meet the founder of Maison Martell, Jean Martell (spoiler: a certain marketing manager may or may not have played the part).
After exploring rooms filled with interactive activities and indulging in a fine pairing menu curated by French chef William Ragonneau, we were led to the basement where the piece de resistance—the Martell Dame-Jeanne 1968 vintage—was displayed in all its glory. I helped myself to a glass and was rewarded with perfectly balanced eaux-de-vie, offering notes of herbal tea, subtle mint, delicate wood, citrus, and fleshy fruit. Well-aware that I would never be able to taste something like it again, every sip felt like drinking liquid gold.

To culminate the experience, Martell graced us with a special preview of the Zodiac Assemblage du Tigre—a special zodiac edition that was created for the Year of the Tiger. This exclusive blend consists of eight vintage eaux-de-vie from different Years of Tiger, which have been carefully selected by the Cellar Master to enrich the exceptional L’Or de Jean Martell.
For more information or purchase inquiries on the Zodiac Assemblage du Tigre, contact Trisha Kuck (+6016 428 4403). For more information on Martell, visit www.martell.com/en-my/. Follow Martell Malaysia’s Facebook page for more news and updates.

Find more drinking stories here.

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Beauty
PLAY WITH POP: Clinique x Zara Larsson’s next-level beauty collaboration
Pop artistry

06.03.2016
By Terry Saw

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

With a global movement headlined by some of the most influential forces in fashion, beauty and lifestyle including Tavi Gevinson and Margaret Zhang for its #FaceForward campaign last year, Clinique is doing all but slowing down. This year, Clinique continues the celebration of self-expression with a brand new interactive collaboration featuring rising Swedish pop artist, Zara Larsson.

Since winning Sweden’s Got Talent in 2008, Larsson has gone on to topping charts across Sweden and Norway, and most recently released her catchy single, Lush Life – the chosen tune for PLAY WITH POP, the first ever interactive music x beauty collaboration video for the brand and in the market, encouraging women the world over to march to the beat of their own drums when it comes to self-expression through makeup.

The interactive video cleverly showcases four bold lip trends from Clinique’s latest Pop Artistry collection: Bare, Bold, Sweet and Vixen and allows viewers to change the style of the song at any point by clicking the coloured bar and when done so, the entire look and feel of the video – including Larsson’s makeup, hair, outfit and choreography – changes. And Clinique’s message is clear: Have fun with colour and feel empowered to be your very own pop artist. Embrace self-expression and celebrate who you are, even if that means playing with makeup until you find the right colour that resonates with how you feel today. Hear, hear, Clinique. Over and out.
Discover the interactive PLAY WITH POP experience now

Buro 24/7 Exclusive: 24 Questions with Zara Larsson

Tell us about your new single Lush Life and star song of Clinique’s PLAY WITH POP music video.
“Lush life is a fun song; it’s basically about meeting people and having fun and not being committed to anyone.”

The lyrics, “I live my day as if it was the last. Live my day as if there was no past.” Is this your personal life philosophy?
“Yes, I think that you should definitely live your day as if it was the last, to not care about too much, just having fun.”

Tell us about the process of transforming Lush Life into different music genres for the PLAY WITH POP music video.
“It was a great and exciting opportunity; I think the song definitely works in all four categories. Normally it’s the producers who work in the different genres for a song and then they come to the artists for opinion and approval, in this case, I had no doubt; this song is great no matter if it is a dancehall version or a country version.”

Which version from PLAY WITH POP is your favorite, for the genre and for the makeup look?
“I think my favorite is the dance version with the dark Vixen makeup look. I loved wearing wigs so my favorite makeup looks were definitely the ones where I had to wear one!”

How do you use makeup to show your confidence in self-expression?
“I use makeup pretty much every day just to look good. I think it is fun to look good and feel good. Wearing makeup makes me feel confident, I do it for myself. Sometimes I have teenage breakouts so it’s just nice to cover them up and feel like I woke up without them -when I really didn’t!”

You became successful at such a young age. What gives you the confidence to put yourself out there?
“Music wise, I have always known that this is what I was going to do. It is a big thing, but at the same time I feel like this is the beginning of something much bigger. I barely even think about it because for me signing is such a natural thing, and to be out there having fun. I really enjoy it.”

If you ever have a moment of self-doubt, how do you get over it?
“I think everyone has moments of self-doubt. Sometimes, I’m very Kanye, and say to myself “I am the best” and other days I just feel basically worthless. I guess that’s the way it goes, sometimes it’s up and sometimes it’s down. When I have a low moment I like to surround myself with great people and I just remember that what I do is what I always wanted to do. Life is made of a combination between feeling really high and really low.”

Do you have a signature beauty look or do you like to keep changing it up?
“I usually wear cat eyeliner. If I do my own makeup, I wear thick and long eyeliner. I’m kind of a bronze-y girl, so I don’t like to wear too much bright and pink. That is why it’s fun to have worked in this video with Clinique, doing all the different versions for PLAY WITH POP has given me the opportunity to try different looks.”

How does a lipstick change the way you feel?
“I think lipsticks are great because it can really change your face look with one simple step. I am sometimes shy to go out with red lipstick on week nights but I would love to do it more often. I love Clinique’s Lip Pop Colour + Primer, they have great shades!”

And how does a pop of color change your mood?
“Adding a pop of color just makes it more fun. I usually wear a lot of dark clothes, so just to pop it up makes it a lot more fun and interesting.”

Where do you look for beauty inspiration?
“I look for beauty inspiration in my idols, Rihanna and Beyonce. Rihanna is so much fun; she changes her looks every day. You never know what Rihanna is going to wear and how she is going to look with it, I like how unpredictable she is. She is a huge inspiration for me when it comes to fashion, style and looks.”

Do you have any beauty tips you swear by, especially when you’re performing? How do you get your makeup to last?
“I think it’s all about moisturizing and keeping your skin hydrated. A couple of years back, I didn’t really care for products and taking care of my skin because I was around 12 years old, and my skin was pretty flawless. But when I grew up, and started to get teenage breakouts, I had to start to taking care of it. My skin care routine has no secrets, I wash my face every day, take off my makeup, exfoliate and moisturise.”

Tell us a little about working with Clinique on this project?
“It feels great working with Clinique; it’s such a great brand. I have been using Clinique’s face wash and the 3-Step Skin Care System for a while now; it’s a brand that I trust.”

What is your first memory with Clinique?
“The Clinique cover stick with the green packaging, I started using it at an early age and I still carry it with me.”

What are your favorite Clinique products?
“Moisture Surge Overnight Mask is great product for travelling. I like to put it on at the beginning of a flight and then when I land I can feel my skin soft and hydrated.”

Do you have a makeup routine?
“I start by applying primer and then foundation, concealer, contouring and highlighting. Then I like to put powder so I don’t “shine bright like a diamond”. Once I have that done I like to experiment with eye shadows and lip colors.”

First beauty product you ever purchased?
“Like every girl, I think it was a lip balm.”

What advice would you give young women?
“To stand united, because if you back one another everything will work out great.”

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“There are plenty of fish in the sea.”

And your mantra?
“Do your best.”

Who is your role model and why?
“Beyonce, I like how she is a boss lady and a great performer and she does everything with such style.”

Your favourite city?
“New York, it feels like something is always going on, and it doesn’t feel so far away from home.”

What is your favorite music memory?
“I think everyone has a very special memory of first seeing the Michael Jackson Thriller music video. It left a real impression on me creatively.”

Describe your perfect weekend?
“Go out Friday night, sleep all Saturday and finish off with a brunch on Sunday.”

Missed it? Experience PLAY WITH POP here before you go!

The full Clinique Pop Artistry collection is now available at all counters, Cliniuqe free-standing boutique and online.

Related stories:
Mini-but-mighty beauty saviours you need now
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Lifestyle
The latest Netflix drops to binge-watch this weekend

16.03.2019
By Su Fen Tan

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

Paskal
Missed the local blockbuster in cinemas last year? Well now you can catch up with all the action on Netflix. Starring Hairul Azreen, Tiger Hu Chen and Ammar Alfian Aziz, the plot is inspired by actual events of the elite naval unit Paskal (Pasukan Khas Laut) during the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Angola in 1998 and the rescue of seized MV Bunga Laurel’s trade vessel in 2011.

Triple Frontier
Looks like it’s the month of elite forces on the streaming service. Netflix original film Triple Frontier follows five former special forces operatives who reunite to steal a drug lord’s fortune, unleashing a chain of unintended consequences on their trail. The star-studded cast includes Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam and Garrett Hedlund.

Season 3 of Queer Eye
Yes, the wait is over—everybody’s favourite ‘Fab Five’ is back to serve up more hip tips, emotionally charged makeovers and heartfelt reveals to hit you right in the feels.

Love, Death & Robots
If you like your animations a little dark and twisted, then get on Love, Death & Robots. An NSFW anthology of 18 animated stories by Tim Miller and David Fincher, it is melting pot of gore, nudity, violence, terrifying creatures, wicked surprises and dark comedy, with genres differing from episode to episode.

The Disappearance of Madeline McCann
Netflix’s latest documentary dives into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, which has been touted the most heavily reported missing-person case in modern history. The then 3-year-old was on holiday Praia da Luz, Portugal, from the UK with her family, before she was taken from the apartment one night when her parents were out at dinner.

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Watches
Audermars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore to sport a bold new look next year
Design flair

28.11.2017
By Su Fen Tan

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The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore was first introduced back in 1993 as a bolder, sportier version of the iconic Royal Oak. More than 120 references of the model have since been launched over the years, but it is safe to say that none is quite as bold as what we’ll be seeing in 2018.

As the Royal Oak Offshore turns 25 next year, Audemars Piguet unveils three new versions of the luxurious sports watch. The milestone anniversary will see a re-edition of the original Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, an apt tribute to the watch that paved the way.

The other two versions, however, takes a daring turn in aesthetic. Inspired by the previous Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph, the new models feature a remarkable dial that will turn heads with its architectural aesthetic—complete with a movement that is entirely redesigned. Available in stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold, it is driven by the new calibre 2947 movement with a seven-day power reserve. Each version is limited to just 50 pieces.

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Food + Drink
How to make Wagyu Prime Rib the way a 5-star hotel makes it

30.08.2019
By Rachel Au

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While Kuala Lumpur is a bustling culinary scene with eateries that can satisfy any craving, anywhere and anytime of the day; nothing beats home-cooked food. And for some, the act of cooking itself is a passion, hobby and even therapeutic. To this group of people, dare we challenge you to attempt making a whole Wagyu Prime Rib.
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur‘s restaurant Prime recently made it into Asia Pacific’s Top 52 Restaurants and Bars by Marriott Bonvoy. The list is a curation by Marriott International, featuring only the best of the best/one-of-a-kind dining experiences around Asia Pacific and Prime—with its fine, fine cuts of meats—is one of the three restaurants and bars that made it into the list. To celebrate, Prime will be hosting an activation week from now till 1 September 2019, featuring exclusive dishes that perfectly displays the restaurants finesse. One of them is the Wagyu Prime Rib, which you can otherwise also make at home with the recipe from Chef de Cuisine, Ramiro Moya, below.

WAGYU PRIME RIB—2 to 4 pax

INGREDIENTS

 Prime Ribs, 1kg to 1.5kg
Sea salt
Sarawak black pepper
Corn oil

METHOD

 Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator and let it sit, covered, at room temperature. Do this 20 minutes prior to grilling.
Turn the grill to high heat.
Brush the steaks on both sides with oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
Place the steaks on the grill, and grill until golden brown and slightly charred. Do this for about 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the steaks over and continue to grill for another 3 to 5 minutes.
Finish cooking in the oven at 180 degree Celsius until done to your preference. Tip: 10 to 12 minutes for rare (an internal temperature of 32 degrees C) or medium-rare (an internal temperature of 46 degrees C), 5 to 7 minutes more for medium (56 degrees C) or 8 to 10 minutes additional for medium-well (60 degrees C). Leave it on longer for well-done.
Remove the steak from the oven and allow the steak to rest on the rack for about 10 minutes. Cover and keep warm while resting.
Transfer the steaks to a cutting board. Cut crosswise into 1-inch slices.

SIDE SAUCES

Mushroom Fricassee, 10 persons
INGREDIENTS

 Heavy cream 500g
Oyster mushrooms 100g
Button mushrooms 80g
Shitake mushrooms 60g
Thyme 5g
Black truffles 10g

METHOD

Sauté the mushrooms until golden brown.
Add shallots and simmer for a few minutes.
Taste and season—add cream, thyme and truffle and cook in low heat for 10 minutes.

Chimichurri salsa, 10 persons
INGREDIENTS

Fresh oregano 120g
Fresh thyme 60g
Fresh chili 30g
Corn oil 150g
White vinegar 70g
Sweet paprika 30g

METHOD

Chop oregano and thyme into thin julienne.
Cut the chili into brunoises.
Combine all fresh ingredients and mix with vinegar. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes, add oil and mix well.

Béarnaise sauce, 10 persons
INGREDIENTS

Egg yolk 150g
Clarified butter 300g
Tarragon vinegar reduction 35g
Fresh tarragon 10g
Shallots 10g

METHOD

Whisk the egg yolk in a bain-marie until a sabayon texture is achieved.
Start to add the butter slowly, whisk until a creamy consistency is achieved.
Add tarragon and chopped shallots.

To make a reservation at Prime or for more info, call Dining Reservations at +603 2263 7434, email [email protected], visit the website. You can also find Prime on Facebook or Instagram.

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Features
Buro 24/7 Exclusive: 24 Minutes with Paul Andrew
Stepping Up

09.11.2017
By Cai Mei Khoo

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Cai Mei: Congratulations on your new role as Creative Director for Women’s Collections at Salvatore Ferragamo. That must be really exciting for you.
Paul Andrew: Thank you! Yes, it is. I feel very fortunate that Ferragamo thought this would be the right move for the brand. I’m so happy that what we’ve been doing with the shoes for the past year has worked so far, and that it’s really resonated with our clientele. Hopefully I will have just as much impact on all our other women’s categories as well.

You started your career working at brands like Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, then you launched your own shoe brand, and now you’re with Salvatore Ferragamo heading up the women’s collections. Has your career panned out the way you envisioned?
I’ve been very lucky, that’s for sure. When I graduated, I won an award at [London’s] Graduate Fashion Week, which really catapulted my career from the age of 21. That allowed me to have my first job with Alexander McQueen—imagine being part of that incredible world with McQueen during the late ’90s! I feel my career is something that’s still evolving, even now. I really thought I would be focusing on shoes and accessories for the rest of my career, and then to be elevated to this title and overseeing ready-to-wear—it’s something that I’ve always dreamed about doing but at a certain point thought that that wasn’t going to happen, even though I had studied ready-to-wear at school; I thought that time had passed for me. I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be segueing back to that role and to have this sort of responsibility—to be charged with moving such an important, luxury heritage brand forward, and into a new generation. It’s a huge honour, but also a bit of a responsibility.

Salvatore Ferragamo, the founder, was known for using materials that were considered innovative at that time, like cork and fishing line. How is Ferragamo continuing this spirit of innovation, and is that more difficult today?
It’s not difficult; it’s just different. Salvatore was using those innovations because of the need. If you consider the period of time he was using those materials, it was between the First and Second World War when it was difficult to find leather, and the standard of materials we use now. That’s how cork came about; because you couldn’t find leather then. And also why he used woven raffia, and macramé. I’m trying to put the same mindset on what I’m doing—I’m taking that as my cue, as part of how we’re moving the brand forward. Like the shoes currently on display in Ferragamo stores; we’re using materials that are state of the art—we’re weaving shoe uppers in sneaker factories, we’re dyeing suede three times so it has this incredible vibrancy and depth in colour, and that also makes it really durable.
The flower heel is an amazing icon from the house. When I started at Ferragamo, I went through the archives that houses an amazing 15,000 pairs of shoes. One of the most beautiful things that jumped at me was this flower heel, which Mr Ferragamo created in 1939, and you now see that throughout our current collection; it became an overarching influence and stylistic motif that’s everywhere.

There have been so many icons for the house like the Vara pumps, Varina flats, and the rainbow cork wedge. What do you think makes a shoe memorable?
I think here at Ferragamo, it’s a few things. It’s innovation with construction, innovation with materials, and also colour. We’re a brand that’s really born on colour—you can see the vibrancy of the colour palette we’re using and it’s something that’s really important for me to bring back. More than just the aesthetics of the shoe, I think it’s also the comfort of the product—that’s really, really key. When I started my own brand 5 years ago, I did a global survey with 500 women to understand the perfect fit of this decade. I did the same thing at Ferragamo when I started with them a year ago. Fit and comfort is as important for me as the design of the shoe. This is the same philosophy that Salvatore had. In 1914, he travelled to the United States, settled in California and studied anatomy so that he could return to Italy and open the House of Salvatore Ferragamo, and create not only the most beautiful and outrageously fabulous shoes the world has ever seen, but also the most comfortable.

Can five-inch heels ever be comfortable?
*laughs* It depends on the woman—some people are at their most comfortable in super high heels. Everything I’m doing is, even with that proportion of heel, I’m really trying to make as comfortable to wear as possible. What I’ve done is to add this padding with memory to every single pair of shoe in the collection, which gives you this added support and cushioning.

What are three pairs of shoes that every girl should have in her shoe wardrobe?
Definitely a ballerina flat, preferably one with a bow on it. *laughs* A great pair of boots, whether on a lug sole or with a block heel or stiletto, depending on your look, and a pair of sneakers. Going forward, we’re putting a lot more emphasis on the sport category—I mean, look at the shoes you’re wearing. I just walked along Canton Road and looked at what most people are wearing; I have to really engage with what people are wearing, and what they want from a luxury brand, and do it in our own way.

Are shoe trends something you look at, and is there a trend you’re particularly excited about?
I don’t really look at trends; we try to be setting the trends in our category of fashion. I definitely see the slingback shoe as a real success; that’s a core silhouette for the Paul Andrew brand, and I’m looking at doing that in new, innovative ways at Ferragamo too. The slingback on a kitten heel—that feels very forward at the moment.

Absolutely. Not too long ago, no one wanted to wear a kitten heel.
I think it’s reflective of the modern woman. Women are as important as men in the workplace, and they rely on their shoes to be comfortable and look poised. There’s nothing less attractive than seeing a woman in a pair of shoes that are clearly uncomfortable. It cripples her in a way, and she doesn’t look refined, or elegant or sexy, even. And that’s why comfort is so important to me, as that really empowers the woman. And I love that idea.

How is the Paul Andrew woman and the Salvatore Ferragamo woman different?
I’m sure they overlap in many ways. I certainly see women who have been buying my shoes for many years wearing Ferragamo now. The aesthetic codes of both brands are very different. What I do at Ferragamo is based on silhouettes I’ve discovered in the archives, reimagined for now, whereas the Paul Andrew collection is very personal to me. I’m British, and have lived in the United States for the past 17 years. I’m travelling the world all the time, and my shoes really reflect that journey.

How do you split your time between both brands?
There’s a lot of back and forth. I’m basically on a plane every few days at this point. I’m in Italy every week at the moment, now that I’m overseeing all women’s categories, and that requires more attention; especially right now, it’s the beginning and we’re redefining the aesthetic for the brand moving forward.

What inspires you?
It depends on the season. It could be somewhere I’m travelling to, or an artist, or a woman I see walking down the street. But at Ferragamo, it tends to be the history of the Ferragamo brand, and the archival pieces.
“There’s nothing less attractive than seeing a woman in a pair of shoes that are clearly uncomfortable. That’s why comfort is so important to me, as that really empowers the woman. And I love that idea.” – Paul Andrew
What do you do when you’re not thinking about fashion?
I’m an avid reader; I devour books. You should see my hand carry and all the hard copy books I’m schlepping around with me. I just finished ‘Call Me By Your Name’, by André Aciman. He’s such an incredible writer. You feel so connected to everything he’s talking about, and you feel like you’ve been through that experience. The phrasing and wording is just so poignant.

What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learnt in your career?
I’ve been lucky to have worked with some of the most iconic designers of our generation. With McQueen, it was all about pushing boundaries and thinking totally outside the box, with absolutely no limits. With Calvin Klein, I learnt the importance of staying true to your original idea, and never getting distracted by trends. It’s important as a designer to know what you stand for and never get too swayed by what’s happening in the outside world. With Donna Karan, where I worked for over a decade, that’s where I really learnt the importance of great fit and comfort, and the empowerment of women. She had a huge influence on me for that. So now what I do, especially for my own brand, is an amalgamation of all those experiences.

If you had to host a dinner party, who would you invite, dead or alive?
Ooh that’s a good one. There are so many people I would love to meet, like the famous actresses that Salvatore used to dress. Everyone from the Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn; it was such an incredible list of women, who all had an amazing sense of personal style, and opinions of life. To sit with them would be amazing. In terms of designers, the idea to sit with James Galanos or Christian Dior or Elsa Schiaparelli, or thinking about designers today like Miuccia Prada or Azzedine Alaia or Martin Margiela; those are people who have had a lot of influence on me and my career and that would be a dream come true.

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Features
New York Fashion Week AW16 Street Style Day 6: Fancy Pants
Leg warmers

17.02.2016
By Buro247

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Fashion Insider: Content creator Eros Erfe on the inspiration behind the ‘Bags of KL’ series

With the frigid temperatures and sudden snowfall, a pair of typical winter boots is hardly enough to keep one’s pins warm. It’s time to bring out the plethora of pants from the depths of one’s wardrobe. On day 6 of NYFW AW16, we get to see a variety of lace, denim, silk, and cotton in all styles accentuating the legs of New York’s fashion enthusiasts who continue to show us that it is possible to keep warm while dressing to the nines.
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Fashion
What the most fashionable Malaysian brides wore to their weddings

17.02.2020
By Stephanie Boey

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

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Lifestyle
Rolls-Royce in Geneva: Three Phantoms and a Dawn Aero Cowling
‘Bespoke is Rolls-Royce’

07.03.2018
By Rachel Au

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

The Geneva Motor Show is considered one of the major international auto shows. It’s where new production cars and interesting concepts are unveiled. This year is no different. For Rolls-Royce, they brought three, very different, bespoke Phantoms (before it’s delivered to the owners) and the very much transformed Dawn. The showcase of these four impressive vehicles were proof of Rolls-Royce’s luxury status in the business of motor cars.

The Gentleman’s Tourer
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The Phantom II Continental Saloons of the Thirties were highly regarded as the era of the grandest of Grand Tourers. These four-door standard wheelbase cars were driven by the owners themselves and they were long journeys too! Even the colours and interiors were made for driving endurance rather than just an artistic choice. This all appealed to the commissioner and thus, in that spirit, The Gentleman’s Tourer was born.
Highlights: A unique Iced Gunmetal exterior paint; the Cascade Steel Gallery finished in Ruthenium, a rare and precious metal from the Platinum group

Whispered Muse and A Moment in Time
Both are beautiful bespoke versions of the Phantom Extended Wheelbase. Both individually sport a completely one-off, artist-designed Gallery.
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Highlights of the Whispered Muse: Created by London-based designer Helen Amy Murray, the gallery features a reinterpreted drawing of the Spirit of Ecstasy—in rose gold, a first for the brand. In addition, the exterior of the car has a newly-developed crystal effect over the two-tone Selby Grey and Palais Nemaskar Dawn bespoke paint.
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Highlights of the A Moment in Time: The artist that created the commissioned Gallery for this model is none other than Claude Johnson and he too gave his interpretation of the Spirit of Ecstasy—one that mirrored the essence of the car in movement. It is complemented by the blue crystal effect on the exterior.

Dawn Aero Cowling
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Knowing that some clients prefer an enhanced flexibility when it comes to style and practicality, Rolls-Royce decided to transform the silhouette of the world’s sexiest drophead coupé. The Dawn Aero Cowling is equipped with an extended carbon-fibre and aluminium tonneau cover to give the car the appearance of a two-seater. Let’s just say the Dawn just got sexier.

Follow Rolls-Royce on Instagram for updates and more.

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Buro At The Movies: Was ‘The Lion King’ remake better than the original?

19.07.2019
By Tammy Chan

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Thanks to jewellery brand Pandora, I had the chance to catch The Lion King on the night of its premiere and boy, do I have some opinions.

The live-action adaptation starts off with an opening that immediately makes your heart full with nostalgia. I was hit right in the feels as soon as I could swallow my first popcorn and damn, I thought I was gonna cry. That said, those feelings faded away as quickly as they came.
While Disney definitely scored big with a beautiful soundtrack, fitting voice cast and breathtaking visuals (so. much. fur.), I felt like the movie didn’t have the intensity it needed to be a standout hit (though I might be wrong since the movie was just reported to be on track to open with a whooping US$180 million globally this weekend).
The re-imagined film kept all the songs we loved from the original such as Circle of Life, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, I Just Can’t Wait to Be King and Hakuna Matata; however, the way those tracks were remixed just didn’t hit the right spots. Think a more mature sound with a lot less pop. Unlike the OG songs, these new ones aren’t the kind you’d sing out loud to in the car. In fact, it was the original songs (like Spirit by Beyoncé) that gave me goosebumps. Check it out below:

Speaking of Beyoncé, the multi-Grammy Award winner released a special 14-track album today that’s inspired by the movie. Titled The Lion King: The Gift, the album, which the singer refers to as a “love letter to Africa”, features original music by herself plus several other A-listers like Jay Z, Pharrell, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and more.
New music aside, after so much hype about Queen Bey being in the movie, I just felt like it was an exaggeration when news outlets called her the star of the show. Yes, she gave a great performance and provided a stronger identity to Nala that will serve as an inspiration to all the young girls watching. But, if I can be honest, the real stars of the show were Billy Eichner as Timon, the meerkat and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, the warthog.

They made the movie much more watchable thanks to their original dialogues and much-needed comic relief. Spoiler alert: the duo paid homage to another Disney movie with a cheeky Easter egg that garnered roars of laughter from the audience (here’s a hint)! I also enjoyed watching the banter between red-billed hornbill Zazu (voiced by John Oliver) and Simba’s father, Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones who—fun fact!—was the only one from the original cast to return). The running gag about personal space between Keegan-Michael Key and Eric Andre who voiced two of the hyenas also ranked high on my ‘favourite moments of the movie’ list.
Ultimately, all I can say is that if you’re worried Disney was going to ruin your favourite childhood movie, then don’t fret because this remake did justice to its original (think a total shot-by-shot recreation, so kudos to them for staying respectful). On the other hand, if you’re expecting an energetic surprise, then you’re going to be in for a disappointment.
As much as I want to say that it’s nothing you haven’t already seen if you were a fan of the classic, this movie is still worth a watch just for its outstanding photorealistic CGI. I dare you to watch it and not immediately want to hop on the next flight to Africa to see some wildlife in person.

TL;DR – Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa and the hyenas stole the show. If you’ve never watched the original, this visually-stunning movie will be an easy win. If you have, don’t enter the cinema expecting it to be different from the original.
Buro rating: 6/10
Release date: 18 July 2019
Running time: 119 minutes
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Florence Kasumba, Eric André, Keegan-Michael Key, JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and James Earl Jones.

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