Lifestyle
Mother’s Day 2020: 19 Splendid gifts for the mum you love and adore

01.05.2020
By Ronn Tan

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Getting a special gift can be difficult. Unless we’re told, we don’t always know what someone else wants—even if that someone else is mother. Mother’s Day (10 May 2020) is fast approaching; the world will be celebrating mothers and their sacrifices. Although we show our gratitude and appreciation every day through acts of love, getting a lovely gift on that special day is another way to go. If you need help with deciding on the perfect present, check out the roundup of gift ideas.
1. Tumi Devoe Meadow Backpack

The Meadow Backpack—part of the new Devoe collection that made its debut recently—comes with a water-resistant water bottle pocket that can be worn both internally and externally. There is also a back quick-access phone pocket for convenient storing and grabbing. It’s suitable for work, weekends, and travel. Other features include two zip pockets, two media pockets, a card pocket, pen loop, key leash, 15-inch laptop compartment, and leather-wrapped top handle.
Price: RM2,050
For more information, visit this website.
2. Dyson Pure Cool Air Purifier Tower Fan

Available in black and nickel, white and silver, as well as blue and iron, there are a plethora of features to know about. To help disseminate purified air around the whole room, the tower fan can oscillate from 45° to 350°. In addition to having the ability to detect and report air quality levels in real time, the device delivers more than 360 litres per second of airflow with the Air Multiplier technology. Moreover, the Dyson Pure Cool air purifier tower fan also captures harmful gases, pollutants, and allergens.
Price: RM2,829
For more information, visit this website.
3. Fitbit Charge 4 Advanced Fitness Tracker

Now with built-in GPS and Spotify, the Charge 4 is said to be Fitbit’s most advanced combination of sensors and features. It has a battery life of up to seven days and is equipped with Active Zone Minutes—a personalised standard based on your resting heart rate and age. The feature measures the time you spend in each heart rate zone while working out towards the goal of 150 minutes per week. Due to the lightweight, swimproof design, the Fitbit Charge 4 is comfortable enough to wear all day. In addition to that, the device also has an inductive button, a scratch-resistant screen, and a bright touchscreen display. On top of seven GPS-enabled exercise modes, you have access to more than 20 goal-based exercise modes. Colour options include black, rosewood, and storm blue/black. As for the Special Edition Charge 4, it’s available in an exclusive granite reflective/black woven band.
Price: RM698; RM798 (Special Edition)
For more information, visit this website.
4. Nespresso Creatista Plus

Features include eight types of coffee recipes, different froth qualities, and up to 11 milk temperature settings. This Nespresso coffee machine allows you to create your own latte art; aided by a digital screen and dial that assists with scrolling easily to your preferred setting. In addition to that, the steam pipe is self-cleaning and the heat up time is only three seconds.
Price: RM2,899
For more information, visit this website.
5. Burberry Oversized Butterfly Frame Sunglasses

The sunglasses are part of the Alternative Fit Collection; featuring a straight front and flatter scratch-resistant grey lenses. This helps provide a more comfortable fit. In addition to that, the glasses also have longer curved temples. The black acetate Burberry glasses are equipped with a gold-plated Monogram motif.
Price: RM1,220
For more information, visit this website.
6. Smythson Panama Phone Case on Chain

Available in Scarlet Red, Mahogany, Azure, and Sherbet colours, the phone case comes with a phone carrier and card case (four slots). Made with crossgrain calf leather, it also comes with a slim chain strap. Size-wise, the Panama phone case can hold the likes of iPhone XS Max and Samsung S10+.
Price: Approximately RM1,758.56 (£325)
For more information, visit this website.
7. Under Armour Women’s UA Summit Leggings

Perfect for mothers who love working out, the Under Armour leggings are equipped with Super-light HeatGear fabric; delivering coverage without the unnecessary weight. To help you move better in every direction, there is the four-way stretch construction. With the anti-odour technology, growth of odour-causing microbes can be prevented. Last but not least, the leggings come with a next-to-skin fit without the squeeze.
Price: RM499
For more information, visit this website.
8. Louis Vuitton LV Escale Pochette Cosmetique

Part of the LV Escale collection of accessories and leather goods, this cosmetic pouch is perfect for both travel and everyday usage. Available in Monogram Giant canvas with a tie-dye print, the case comes with wide zippered opening, a washable lining, and silver hardware. It is also available in Bleu.
Price: RM2,150
For more information, visit this website.
9. Apple iPad Pro

The new iPad Pro is said to be Apple’s most advanced iPad Pro—with the A12Z Bionic chip, an Ultra Wide camera, studio-quality mics, and a LiDAR Scanner (measuring the distance to surrounding objects up to five metres away). The iPad Pro also has a battery life that lasts up to 10 hours and edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display. In addition to the 10 Megapixel Ultra Wide camera, the device also comes with a 12 Megapixel Wide camera. The new iPad Pro is available in in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes (in silver and space gray finishes).
Price: From RM3,499
For more information, visit this website.
10. Loewe Box Mouse

Available in four colours (Pale Pink, Mandarin, Pecan, and Pistachio Green), this Loewe box is crafted from Kip Leather. In addition to a structured yet soft rounded silhouette, the box is equipped with a Brass Palladium mouse decoration that has lacquered Red ears. You will also notice an embossed Anagram at the base. It’s perfect as decoration and to store small objects.
Price: RM2,090
For more information, visit this website.
11. Montblanc MB 01 Smart Travel Over-Ear Headphones

MB 01 is Montblanc’s first smart headphones—featuring active noise-cancelling technology, ergonomic design for greater comfort, and advanced technology for impressive sound quality with Montblanc’s signature sound. Other features include Google Assistant for a more personalised on-the-go experience and functions across a wide range of Bluetooth devices, including iOS and Android. Along with the Maison’s heritage of fine craftsmanship and timeless design, MB 01 comes with the signature Montblanc sound. The headphones have a battery life of up to 20 hours and is optimised for travelling. There are three different combinations: black leather with chrome metal finishes, brown leather with gold coloured metal finishes, and light grey leather with polished metal finishes.
Price: RM2,650
For more information, visit this website.
12. Hermês Nautilus Rollerball Pen

Available in Gris Aluminium, Rouge H, and Bleu Carbone, the Nautilus Rollerball Pen is a capless pen that opens and closes utilising Hermês’ own innovative rotating mechanism. The pen comes with anodized aluminium and a brushed stainless steel underside as well as a chevron canvas pouch.
Price: RM5,800
For more information, visit this website.
13. Afternoon Tea from The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

For Mother’s Day this year, The Ritz-Carlton KL has curated an afternoon tea set that’s perfect for mum to indulge at home. The Mother’s Day afternoon tea set comprises of favourites such as scones, finely-made finger sandwiches, quiches, and cakes. The gift set will be delivered to you. To order, email [email protected] or text 018 3063 188 (WhatsApp). All orders to be placed and paid by 8 May for delivery between 11am to 2pm on 10 May.
Price: RM160 nett per set
For more information, visit this website.
14. Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea from The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Treat mummy to a traditional afternoon tea galore—inspired by the Gainsborough Bath Spa in the United Kingdom. The special gift set comes with finger sandwiches, butter scones with clotted cream, a selection of cakes, pastries, and savouries. To place an order, contact 018 3412 800. All orders to be placed and paid by 8 May for delivery between 11am to 2pm on 10 May.
Price: RM160 nett per set
For more information, visit this website.
15. Valen’s Patisserie Afternoon Tea Set

Perfect for Mother’s Day, the Lavish Afternoon Tea kits feature an array of curated sweets. There are two options: a set for one to two pax and a set for three to four pax. For the former, the kit comprises of two baked scones with Very Berrilicious Jam, two Mini Yuzu Tarts, two Mini Fruit Pavlovas, two Earl Grey Macarons, two Petit Chocolate Trianon, and two Heart-Shaped Chocolate Raspberry Bon Bons.
The larger kit includes four baked scones with Very Berrilicious Jam, four Mini Yuzu Tarts, four Mini Fruit Pavlovas, four Earl Grey Macarons, four Petit Chocolate Trianon, and four Heart-Shaped Chocolate Raspberry Bon Bons.
To order, email [email protected] or visit their Instagram and Facebook.
Price: RM80 (One-Two Pax); RM160 (Three-Four Pax)
For more information, visit this website.
16. Mother’s Day Brunch from EQ Kuala Lumpur

Available until 10 May, the Garden Brunch Box consists of Danish Pastry, Croissant, Baguette, Smoked Salmon with Horseradish, Classic Prawn Cocktail, Air-Dried Beef with Pickles, Couscous Salad with Bell Peppers, Assorted Cheese Platter, and Guacamole with Tortilla Chips. If mum prefers a heartier meal, you can add on Homemade Foie Gras Terrine, Half of Chaud-Froie Oriental Spiced Lobster, and Bottega Prosecco Gold.
One day advance notice is required for all orders—available for self pick-up and delivery on 10 May from 9am to 12pm. Click here for the full menu and order form.
Price: RM88 (Garden Brunch Box)
For more information, visit this website.
17. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

The limited edition gift pack consists of a cocktail shaker and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Treat mummy to the gift of gold with the smooth, creamy, and honeyed taste notes of this blended whisky.
Price: RM299
For more information, visit this website.
18. Wizards Mother’s Day High-Tea Set

The set consists of Kaffir Lime Mango Pavlova, Mixed Berries and Thyme Pavlova, Cream Tea Scones, Mini Burnt Egg Tarts, Mini Pain Au Chocolate as well as a choice between Unagi Bao or Turkey Ham and Egg Sandwich. You can also pick four from the following choices—Black Coffee, Earl Grey Tea, and English Breakfast Tea. To pre-order, call 016 2246 758.
Price: RM130+ (for four pax)
For more information, visit this website.
19. Afternoon Tea from InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

Pamper your mum with the Sweet Surprise Afternoon Tea this Mother’s Day. Bite-sized savouries and sweet selections include Devonshire clotted cream, salmon puff, ham croissant, cheese cake, and more. Available for takeaway and delivery on 9 May to 10 May 2020, the set also comes with a bouquet of flowers and a Strawberry Short Cake.
Orders must be made one day in advance and can me made via WhatsApp (016 202 4623)  or online.
Price: RM158
For more information, visit this website.
Does the roundup of gift suggestions spark any ideas for you? With Mother’s Day being such an important day every year, it’s time to shower mummy with lots of love—more than you already do. They deserve all the blessings. They really do.

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Style
Fashion buzz: Gucci unveils GucciFest, two new e-commerce platforms launch in Malaysia, and more

24.11.2020
By Joan Kong

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Gucci introduces GucciFest

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Amidst everything that’s currently happening, Gucci has launched the perfect project that’ll spice up your stay-at-home life—a fashion film festival called GucciFest. Made to showcase its new collection entitled ‘Ouverture of Something That Never Ended’, the week-long event showcased a series of short movies that were co-directed by creative director Alessandro Michele and filmmaker Gus Van Sant.
Starring actress, artist and performer Silvia Calderoni, the seven episodes feature her carrying out her daily routine in Rome, where she encounters different cast members along the way, including Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Lu Han, Florence Welch, and more. The characters were all dressed in Gucci’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection.
Watch episode one below, and the rest of the episodes here:

Louis Vuitton unveils its NBA collaboration

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After announcing its multi-year NBA collaboration earlier this year, the highly anticipated capsule collection is finally in stores. Designed by men’s creative director Virgil Abloh, the limited clothing and accessories line fuses the French Maison’s house codes with the emblems of basketball. Highlights from the collection include the Keepall duffle featuring netted details that are reminiscent of a basketball hoop, a pantsuit that’s emblazoned with NBA logos, and the array of bags that come in the basketball association’s signature red, white, and blue hues.
The LV x NBA collection is now in stores.

Longchamp launches a music video titled Tres Paris
Emily, who? Inspired by the iconic Parisian song, ‘It’s 5am, Paris Awakens’, Longchamp released an eccentric short film that highlights the essence of Paris, with a storyline that centers around drama, friendship, romance, and its well-loved Roseau bags. Starring up-and-coming French actresses, the eight-minute clip reflects artistic director Sophie Delafontaine’s aim to “depict an active, spontaneous, and open-minded woman, one who grabs hold of life with elegance and independent spirit. She’s strong, but also indulgent and never takes herself too seriously. Sit back, relax, and experience the joie de vivre of the city virtually.
Watch the short film here:

FashionValet donates RM100,000 to IMARET

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FashionValet turns 10 this year, and to celebrate the milestone, the brand is giving back to the community by donating RM100,000 to the IMAM Response & Relief Team (IMARET). The funds collected will be used to provide equipments to healthcare facilities, and to assist the medical frontliners. Bravo!
Its plans for the next decade? To expand to the global market, and to do so sustainably. In a statement released by the brand, co-founder Vivy Yusof says: “As we move into our next decade, we are committed to driving more value for our customers and we have hopes to further grow our platform and presence in the modest fashion space globally. We will be actively deploying sustainability measures across all our operations, and into the products and packaging that we offer and constantly seeking the latest in technology to continuously elevate the customer experience.”
Introducing Dia, a lifestyle platform that shines the spotlight on Southeast Asian designers

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Features
A day in the life of a Malaysian model in New York, as told by Atikah Karim

10.09.2021
By Kelly Lim

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While things continue to open up here under Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan, life over in New York City has *kind of* returned to its everyday hustle-and-bustle, especially since New York Fashion Week started on Wednesday. This season’s schedule marks a major return to the IRL in over a year, with designers taking to different locations around the city to showcase their latest collections in person. This includes industry favourite and Phoebe Philo-protégé Peter Do, whose fresh approach to tailoring has made him one of the most talked-about designers to watch with the debut of his first-ever runway show for Spring/Summer 2022. Luckily for us, fellow Malaysian Atikah Karim is on the ground to provide a behind-the-scenes look into the show and what goes down during a day in her life as a model living in the Big Apple. Check out the Reel on our Instagram below:

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Back in 2014, the Kota Kinabalu-born talent first started travelling for work at the age of 18. “Before that, I was trying to get signed in Malaysia, but it was hard and I did not get any response,” she says over email. “I decided to fly over to London to meet the agencies there, then Milan and only got signed in New York.”
Since then, she’s made the fashion capital her base under mother agency 3MM Models and has worked with countless designers and brands from Rick Owens and Lemaire to Marine Serre and more. You never know where you may spot Atikah next, whether it is the runways, on a website, or as the face of a campaign, as she continues to steadily make a name for herself internationally.

Backstage at the Peter Do SS22 show

Below, she takes us through her daily routines, personal style and what she misses most about Malaysia:
BURO: What do you love most about living in New York?
Atikah: “To be honest, I always have mixed feelings about New York. It’s such an inspiring, hustle-and-grind type of city. Every time you look up at the huge buildings, you’re reminded of how small and precious your little life is, but also of the many opportunities and possibilities out there. Everyone is always on the go and you feel like you can be a part of that too. You can meet so many diverse and creative people who all have different goals and dreams in the city.”

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BURO: How do you start your day? What does your morning routine look like?
Atikah: “Usually if I have a job, I will wake up two to three hours before my call time and make my matcha or caffè latte. If I’m not too lazy or have extra time, I’ll also make myself a little breakfast or have a handful of blueberries, then check my phone, shower and get ready to go to work.”
BURO: What are your essential basics and how would you describe your style?
Atikah: “My essential basics is a pair of nice baggy jeans or long pants with a white tank top. My style is simple, comfortable, vintage, and European-inspired.”

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A post shared by Atikah Karim (@tiksg)

BURO: What bag are you currently loving?
Atikah: “My current fave is this soft leather bag from Prada AW20. I use it everywhere and it’s the perfect size to fit everything I need––I can even fit my comp card in it.”

BURO: What are five things you never leave the house without?
Atikah: “My handbag, phone, house keys, hand sanitiser and sunglasses.”
BURO: What’s your go-to meal at home?
Atikah: “A simple salad without any meat: quinoa, kale, cilantro, arugula with olive oil and salt.”
BURO: What has been your favourite/most memorable modelling job so far?
Aitkah: “Kenzo SS18––it was an all-Asian cast. It was also my first time ever in Paris.”

BURO: What has been your favourite/most memorable modelling job so far?
Aitkah: “Kenzo SS18––it was an all-Asian cast. It was also my first time ever in Paris.”

BURO: One song you’re currently listening to on repeat?
Atikah: “Fred Again..feat. The Blessed Madonna’s ‘Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)‘.”
BURO: What do you do in your free time?
Atikah: “I’ll walk around the city or stay at home since it’s still the pandemic. I’ll be lazy and make use of my “off day” by watching movies and cleaning my apartment. Also, if there’s any availability for facials, I’ll book an appointment at the face gym or get a lymphatic massage (I LOVE this massage!).”

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A post shared by Atikah Karim ♒ (@tiksg)

BURO: How do you wind down at the end of the day?
Atikah: “I go cycling with my boyfriend to see the sunset at East River Park.”
BURO: Finally, what do you miss most about Malaysia?
Atikah: “My family, friends and obviously the food!”

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A post shared by Atikah Karim ♒ (@tiksg)

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Technology
Threads 101: How to start and everything you need to know
Twitter? Next

07.07.2023
By Buro Malaysia

Featured images: Lau Eve Lyn for BURO Malaysia | Text: Carmen Chong & Natalie Khoo

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, the world of social media has been stirred up yet again with the arrival of Threads. After months of rumours and leaks, Threads—which is said to be a Twitter competitor (or “Twitter killer”, if you will)—finally rolled out in more than 100 countries worldwide yesterday.
Okay, we get it. We’re already distracted as it is on the daily. Do we really need another social media platform? Well, we’d say, don’t dismiss it before even knowing what it actually is about. With that, let’s dive in to learn more about Threads—and then you can decide if you want to get on board.

What is Threads?

Threads is a new social media platform that allows users to publish short posts or updates that are up to 500 characters in length. Besides text, you can also include links, photos, and videos of up to five minutes long within your posts.
Since Threads is developed by Meta, the app is currently linked to your Instagram account. According to Meta, users are able to “easily share a Threads post to your Instagram story, or share your post as a link on any other platform you choose.” Your default feed will include posts from people and accounts you follow on Instagram or Threads. You’ll also get recommendations for content that you may enjoy. Additionally, you’ll be able to filter specific words from your feed and restrict other users from mentioning you.

How did Threads come about?

Threads was launched on the 6th of July 2023 in over 100 countries globally, and in just under 24 hours of its debut, the platform has logged over 30 million signups. Unfortunately though, Threads is currently not available in the EU due to some legal complexity.
Built by the Instagram team at Meta and recently announced by Mark Zuckerberg, Threads has reportedly been in the works since January this year. According to The Verge, the internal code name for the app was ‘Project 92’.
Meta chief product officer Chris Cox said of the platform while throwing slight shade at Elon Musk’s handling of Twitter, “We’ve been hearing from creators and public figures who are interested in having a platform that is sanely run, that they believe that they can trust and rely upon for distribution”. Cox added that the goal of Threads is to ensure “safety, ease of use, reliability” and to make sure that creators have a “stable place to build and grow their audiences”. Big names like DJ Slime, Oprah, and the Dalai Lama were reportedly early users of the app.

How can you use Threads?

Threads is free to use and is now accessible via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Once you download the app or access the Threads site, all you’ll have to do is log in with your Instagram credentials. Your username and verification status from Instagram will also appear accordingly on Threads. As for your bio, you may choose to import data from your Instagram account or customise your profile specifically for Threads.
On the platform, you are able to craft a message to be posted, react to a post, comment on a post, and even quote posts. As mentioned earlier, you can post Threads of up to 500 characters, and even add images and a video to your post. To post a message, all you have to do is tap on the ‘Draft’ icon at the bottom of your screen and start typing. As of now, you cannot edit Threads you’ve already posted, but you may limit who can reply to your post and even hide the number of likes you have on the post.

What should you post on Threads?
Okay, so you’ve downloaded the app and sort of understand how it works—but now you’re stuck on what to post. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Since users are able to import their Instagram posts to Threads, what we are currently seeing on Threads are the same photos and videos that are already posted on Instagram. Most users are also simply adding Threads as yet another platform to dump their content and ride on the algorithm for engagement. While this is understandable, that may not be the intended purpose of
Hear it from Instagram head Adam Mosseri: “For those of you trying to think about what to post here on Threads versus on Instagram, my take is it’s less about text versus photos and videos and more about what public conversations you want to have. Do you want to engage in more of a back and forth, Threads make sense. If not, great, probably Instagram…”

Post by @mosseri
View on Threads

Our verdict? Literally anything works, so go ahead and experiment with it! Whether you choose to regurgitate your photos and videos from Instagram on Threads, engage with other users’ posts to give your two cents, or create your own Threads posts worthy of a mic drop, you have free rein. Besides, social media serves as a platform for expression, so you do you.

Post by @nalisaliamin
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Are there plans to make the app even better?
Soon, Meta will be making Threads compatible with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the body in charge of the open standards that power the web. This means that Threads will be interoperable with other apps that support the ActivityPub protocol, like Mastodon and WordPress. Other platforms like Tumblr will also soon support the ActivityPub protocol.
Meta also mentioned that they will be giving users more control over their audience on Threads. In the near future, it aims to make Threads a part of diverse and interconnected network through its partnership with ActivityPub. Hence, if your profile is public on Threads, your posts will be accessible from other apps, thus expanding your reach to new people effortlessly. With a private profile, you’ll have to approve users on Threads who want to follow you and interact with your content.
Additionally, Meta will be adding new features to Threads, with two already in the pipeline. These include improved recommendations within the feed and a more effective search function that makes it more seamless to follow topics and trends in real time.

How are netizens reacting to Threads?
As expected, the Internet has plenty to say about this shiny new platform (read: social media blackhole). By this point, you’ve probably already seen several memes circulating on your feeds in response to the launch of Threads. We’ve taken the liberty of compiling some of them in one place so you can…react to the reactions. You’re welcome.

The overwhelmed camp

Post by @netflixmy
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Post by @complexmusic
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Post by @jessechuku
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The FOMO effect

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Post by @illumitati
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Social media managers be like…

Post by @netflix
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Twitter vs Threads…

Post by @thefaizzainal
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Post by @memezar
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Post by @daiyantrisha
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Post by @9gag
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Or is it Elon vs Musk?

Post by @pubity
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Post by @jeremylynchofficial
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Post by @pubity
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Beauty
The trick to pulling off the new natural makeup this weekend
Au naturel

05.10.2016
By Terry Saw

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Not all shortcuts in life are worth taking, but Bobbi Brown’s look at the Tibi RTW Spring 2017 show has got our stamp of approval for the weekend. As a nod to the Edwardian era, Tibi sent models down the runway in full utilitarian glamour – think oversized sleeves and statement pieces in pops of colour so if you’re whipping out vibrant colours for the weekend, we’ve got the perfect complementing laid-back beauty look to match. Here, subtle bronzed cheeks is key:

Step 1: Prep the skin using Hydrating Eye Cream and Face Cream.
Step 2: For definition, apply Taupe eye shadow and line with Mahogany eye shadow before applying a Lip Balm for natural-looking lips.

Step 3: Using a Bronzer in Telluride, apply a dusting of bronzer on the cheeks, working upwards towards the hairline to add warmth to the flawless skin for the perfect pared-down weekend look.

To recreate the full look, you’ll need these Bobbi Brown goodies:

More weekend beauty inspo ahead…
80s revival: Vibrant eyes in three easy steps
#FreeTheFace: Why you should go makeup-free this weekend

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Lifestyle
Shark Week 2017: What you didn’t know about sharks
Splashing out facts

18.07.2017
By Rachel Au

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Blame the movies for making people afraid of sharks and feeling less sympathetic of the killing of these predators—for the most part, at least. No one can deny that there have been deaths caused by sharks but some of those happened under certain circumstances. Regardless, there is a point to saving sharks. Shark Week is one television’s longest-running shows and it returns for its 29th instalment today to, once again, splash out compelling insight to the species.
The 2017 edition is going to be just as thrilling with some of the highlights being Michael Phelps racing against a big white; and Chris Noth narrating Sharks and the City: New York to deliver all-new groundbreaking shark stories incorporating innovative research technology. Before you catch the premiere of a brand new Shark Week, here are some important facts you need to know about these sea creatures.

1. One out of 63 shark species is protected in Malaysia
We borrowed the voices of seven Malaysian personalities to share the importance of sharks and why it’s important to say no to shark fin. To add on top of that, did you know that there are 63 species of sharks found in Malaysian waters but only one—the whale shark—is protected under the Fisheries Act 1985?

2. Sharks keep the food web in balance
The ocean is seemingly infinite and in it, many intricate food webs. At the top of these food chains are sharks. Scientists considers them to be “keystone” species whereby removing them would cause the whole structure to collapse and risk the end of the line for many other species. And this, in turn, would affect our supply of fish to consume.

3. Sharks keep most of the other fish populations healthy
Predatory sharks usually hunt the sick and weak members of their prey populations while some scavenge the sea floor for dead carcasses to feed on. This helps to prevent the spread of diseases and outbreaks; and strengthens the gene pool of the prey species. How? Well, with only the largest, strongest and healthiest fish left, they’ll reproduce in larger numbers and all of them, in tip-top shape.

4. Sharks keep the seagrass bed and other vital habitats healthy
To prevent the prey species from overgrazing vital habitats, sharks regulate these creatures’ behaviours by intimidating them. For example, scientists in Hawaii found that tiger sharks had a positive impact on the health of seagrass beds. Turtles usually graze on these seabeds and can be quite greedy if the seagrass is of the best quality. This would result in the habitat completely destroyed. When tiger sharks are in the area, however, turtles would graze over a broader area instead of over-grazing one region.

Shark Week premieres with two episodes back-to-back on Discovery Channel (Astro Channel 551) on 24 July 2017 @ 9pm and will run until 28 July 2017.

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Beauty
Tailor-made luxury: The new Kérastase Fusio-Dose
Beauty shots

10.03.2016
By Terry Saw

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Fact: Fusio-Dose is no newbie to the scene. In 2011, the exclusive in-salon program made beauty headlines as the first-ever personalised treatment launched by Kérastase, designed for targeted and lasting, hair-transforming results. Now, Kérastase has upped its ante with an improved version of Fusio-Dose, which pushes the limits of customisation in many impressive ways and here’s what you can expect:

15x the strength
In short, the ratios of the concentrates and boosters have been modified; the booster’s dosage is now multiplied by 15 – expect major results.

9 new Fusio-Dose stars
One-size-fits-all? Not allowed. Meet the new potent concentrates and boosters that collectively make up as many as 20 unique combinations for targeted hair needs.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”FusioDose” rid=”3862″ order=”a_tstamp”}

A sneak peek into your in-salon experience of the Fusio-Dose ritual:

Hair & Scalp Profiling
The nifty Kérastase diagnostic camera zooms into the hair up to 600 times for an ultra-precise diagnoses of your primary and secondary needs. The first determines the condition of your hair and choice of concentrate and the second addresses your expectations out of the session with a booster.

Art of blending
Here’s where it gets good – your hairstylist serves up your customised ‘beauty shot’. Think of it as a concoction of the best pure active ingredients for your hair selected from a professional mixology bar that delivers just the perfect dose through a precise injection method.

Hair-transforming results that lasts
One thing is for sure – the new generation of Fusio-Dose does not disappoint. Results are instant, visible and most importantly, targeted to your unique needs so what you’re getting is exactly the care your hair is craving right now. Bonus: the results are good for a few washes, so speak to your stylist to follow up with home-care regime that’ll keep your hair-health in check before your next visit to the salon, which – given the results you’ll experience from this – will be very soon.

Kérastase Fusio-Dose in-salon treatments start at RM250, and is now available at all Kérastase salons by appointment only.

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Beauty
Estée Lauder and Andre Courrèges Go Back to the Future
Poptimus Prime

07.06.2015
By Renyi Lim

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French fashion designer Andre Courrèges has always been one for getting playful. A firm believer in pop luxury, he’s famous for his futuristic space age designs – and now, in collaboration with beauty industry innovator Estée Lauder, he’s come up with an 11-piece limited edition makeup range designed to surprise, delight, and defy expectations.

With a pop-y colour palette that encourages you to have fun with its zero gravity shades, sensorial textures and special effects, the collection aims to create looks that are wholly of today, without a hint of nostalgia. The most daring of girls will adore the vinyl-finish Ultra White Eyeliner, RM 110 – the signature colour of the House of Courrèges – as well as the flutter-friendly Super Lashes, RM 120, which drag Sixties-era spider lashes right into the 21st century for high-impact definition.
For more balls-out fun, try the Iridescent Ball Highlighter, RM 110 and the Lip + Cheek Ball, RM 110 – two ultra-modern spheres filled with gelées that impart a gentle touch of concentrated light or berry-hued colour to lips and cheekbones. Not quite in the mood yet? Just watch Kendall Jenner playing around with the Courrèges Estée Lauder collection – she’s in #Poptimistic mode, and it’s time you were too.

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Features
#BuroBossGirl Vivy Yusof on her time at Stanford, and how she’s shaking things up at FashionValet
Hard work, and sheer determination

18.09.2017
By Cai Mei Khoo

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Cai Mei: Hi Vivy! Can you please tell us a bit more about the course you just completed at Stanford Graduate School of Business?
Vivy Yusof: It was a one-week course organised by Endeavor (a global network of high-impact entrepreneurs, of which only 12 companies in Malaysia have been selected, one of which being FashionValet).  They have courses like these at Harvard and Massachussetts Institute of Technology (MIT) too but I chose Stanford as I wanted to experience life in Silicon Valley. The course is about innovation and growth, and they taught us so many things from partnerships to types of ventures, business challenges, fundraising, design thinking, and how to keep company culture intact.

CM: What was the experience like?
VY: We discussed real-life cases involving the likes of Google, Facebook, Apple, and eBay, and had guest speakers who were either funders from these companies or venture capitalists (VCs) themselves so we had first-hand knowledge, which was pretty mindblowing. Our professors too were either entrepreneurs or VCs themselves so when they spoke, you could really see the passion they had for the subject.
We also had to role play a pitch from the point of an entrepreneur to a VC, and the VC gave us his insight and feedback on our pitch, which was really helpful for some of us who were fundraising, and even if we weren’t, it helped tremendously in honing our presentation skills. Not only were the speakers and professors so knowledgeable and respectable, what made the experience even more unforgettable was meeting entrepreneurs from all over the world. Although our businesses were different, the challenges are really quite similar so it was nice to bounce off ideas with strangers in the same boat.

CM: Top 3 things you learnt in your time there?
VY: 1) That I am not alone in my entrepreneurial ups and downs—entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey especially when times are hard. Meeting other entrepreneurs made me realise no matter where you’re from, you face the same challenges. It’s good to surround yourself with peers so that you can learn from each other, or sometimes just be an assurance to one another.

2)   That it’s always good to ask someone neutral about their feedback on our projects, ideas or challenges—often times we ask people around us like family, colleagues, or best friends, whose views might be skewed to what we have been telling them. At Stanford, we had to explain our business, and challenges we faced to a group of peers—when your audience has no emotional connection or prior knowledge about your or your company, they help you see things from outside the box. It’s easy to miss the bigger picture when we are immersed in our work. So it’s always good to put yourself outside of it and see things from a bigger perspective.
3)   That I need to learn to let go a bit and let my management team do their jobs more independently. I’ve been focusing too much on every aspect of the business and spending less time on strategy and looking at the bigger picture. Entrepreneurs usually do everything when they first start their company, so it’s hard to let go as the company gets bigger. But the fact is that leaders need time to think about the company as a whole, so leaders cannot be bogged down day in day out with every single detail. I also need some time allocated in the week just for research and uninterrupted strategy-planning.

CM: Your biggest takeaway from this course is…
VY: To always think of business in cycles—you will grow consistently but soon you will plateau if you don’t innovate. Everything has its life cycle, you will be up one day and then you will come down. So before coming down, you need to think of ways to create a new cycle. Never be comfortable thinking that it’s all good because the future awaits and it’s never bright for people who think they’re too good.

A post shared by Vivy Yusof (@vivyyusof) on Aug 21, 2017 at 7:53am PDT

CM: Did you enjoy staying on campus?
VY: Actually I really did! Back when I was at university at the London School of Economics (LSE), I stayed in my own apartment so I missed out on all the crazy, fun, university life with my classmates. So I guess this was a taste of campus life, and it was nice. Fadza and I got separate rooms but being the clingy couple that we are, he would come to my room at night, and have to do the ‘walk of shame’ in the mornings *laughs*

Staying on campus also meant that we could hang out with our coursemates at breakfast, or in the common room till late, so I got to know them better. Even though we are all back in our own countries now, all 50 of us are in a group chat so we still keep in touch.

CM: Best part of your trip?
VY: Coming back with a new confidence and seeing FashionValet in a much brighter light.

CM: Worst part?
VY: San Francisco is full of salads, and people cycle everywhere—not so good for me because I don’t quite know how to cycle…

A post shared by Vivy Yusof (@vivyyusof) on Aug 22, 2017 at 10:22pm PDT

CM: What are some of the changes, or improvements you hope to implement at FashionValet after having been through this course?
1)   More brainstorming sessions with the team. At Stanford we were given a problem to solve and we had to brainstorm different ideas for different scenarios. There were so many creative ideas that came out of it that we eventually solved the problem. This was part of the design thinking method.
2)   Better meeting system. Meeting too often just mean less time for actual work. I’m the sort that likes to involve a lot of people in a meeting so everyone’s one the same page, but I realise now that it’s a waste of time for some people when they can do other more productive things. Effective meetings need to be quick and in smaller groups.
3)   More culture building within the team. I find that it’s hard to keep the close-knit culture as the business scales. We have 150 people now and Fadza’s and my schedules are so packed that it gets harder to bond with our team. After Stanford I realise more than ever that my team is my asset and they need to feel close to us too, so we are going to have more activities together and things that are going to be tradition moving forward.
4)   Better time management for Fadza and I as leaders. There’s so much to do, so many departments to supervise, so many hearts to manage, and we have to do our own work too, while thinking about the next strategies for FashionValet. I no longer feel the desire to waste time mulling over small things and I feel more motivated than ever to go all out with my work as there’s still so much to do. I’ve always been a motivated person with passion for my work, but after Stanford I realise that I need to manage my time better and to have a more routine system of working.

CM: It’s been 7 years since FashionValet was founded. What has been the biggest challenge in growing the brand?
VY: Scaling up to go regional. Our business is about local brands; it’s hard to expand local brands to other countries, and to accept non-local brands. Asian countries are more protective of their brands than in the West, so we have pivoted our strategy to take FashionValet to greater heights, and it’s going to be very interesting. Watch this space.

CM: Where do you see FashionValet in the next 3 years (at your 10th anniversary)?
VY: OMG we’re going to be a decade old?! I can’t believe I’ve been in the game for that long; feels like just yesterday I was picking up stock from the boot of our car. Currently we’re in the midst of our next round of fundraising by a big investor so 3 years from now, you’re going to see FashionValet triple or quadruple our growth. We’re looking at more curated brands, more awesome campaigns, more tech features and enhancements, and better integration between our online platform and brick-and-mortar stores. Overall, we want to be the hub for local brands, and that vision hasn’t changed since day 1.
Never be comfortable thinking that it’s all good because the future awaits and it’s never bright for people who think they’re too good.
CM: Which entrepreneurs are you inspired by?
VY: Steve Jobs, for growing a brand that is so strong, and so profitable. Mark Zuckerberg, for always innovating, and constantly coming up with new features and partnerships in order to stay on top of the game. Jessica Alba, for turning her fame and influence into an empire valued over USD1billion with The Honest Company. I really want to learn how she scaled up so fast, and how she still keeps up her Hollywood persona so seamlessly.

CM: A motto you live by?
VY: My husband, Fadza, is right in front of me and when I asked him what my motto is, he said “I’m never late, people are just early” *laughs* I need to work on my tardiness. But on a more serious note, I truly believe that we should fear nothing but God. I think this belief has kept me through the darkest times of FashionValet because I knew that only God decides whether I should fail or succeed, not my competitors. A lot of smaller e-commerce players in Malaysia die when big competitors with multi-billion dollars come, but FashionValet is one of the few who not only have stood strong, but have doubled and tripled in growth year after year. Apart from hard work, I really believe it’s because of God’s blessings.

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Beauty
Christmas just got better with these beauty toys from Sephora
Fun and practical

20.10.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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Whether you are pondering on gift ideas, or just piling items onto your wishlist in hopes that your secret Santa catches on, these Christmas beauty treats by Sephora are a delight to come by. From nail art and manicure accessories to makeup bags, we pick out our favourites from the toy-inspired collection here:
3 double ended eye brushes for 3 it looks

Do it all: shade, blend, smudge, fill in and tame with this set of three double-ended eye brushes made for three different looks. Create a smouldering smoky eye, a retro-inspired lined look, or perhaps even a structured brow line as you desire.

Creative nail art – Set of 6 Nail Art accessories

With this kit of six nail art accessories on board, you’ll be able to tailor your nail polish whims to a T. Not feeling confident with your nail art techniques? It comes with six tutorials for fool-proof application.

Perfect manicure – 4 essential manicure products

Coming in a pretty ready-to-gift package, this perfect manicure set gives you essentially everything you need for flawless nails. It includes nail clippers, a cuticle stick and nipper, mini 4-steps buffer, and Color Hit Nail Polish no. 3.

Easy curling – Easy & mini size eyelash curler

What we love about this curler is definitely its adorable, travel-friendly mini size that will fit into our bags with ease—that and the fact that it’ll help create the illusion of bigger eyes by curling those stubbornly straight lashes.

Large makeup bag

Generously sized to make housing your beauty products a breeze, this ultra-chic makeup bag is ideal for beauty junkies who may be just a little guilty of hoarding from time to time. We love how it’s great for travelling too!
More goodies from the collection:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Sephora Toy” rid=”3581″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Fashion
Clare Waight Keller’s first sneakers for Givenchy are here

30.08.2018
By Joan Kong

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Culture
8 Spunky female literary characters that defied gender norms and social conventions

19.05.2020
By Marissa Chin

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Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”

Perhaps the most iconic female character in all of English literature is none other than the ever-so-snarky ‘Lizzie’ Bennet. She is stubborn, loyal and self-assured. Elizabeth fights for her own happiness and is headstrong in her beliefs such as marrying for love instead of for money or status—which was unfathomable for a Victorian society that saw marriage as purely transactional. She was even willing to stay single until she found the right partner which caused all kinds of headaches for her prideful mother. For her refusal to accept patriarchal social norms, Elizabeth remains one of the most memorable defenders of women who still resonate to this day.

Hermione Granger, The Harry Potter series

“I’m hoping to do some good in the world!”

In an alternate universe, Hermione Granger would’ve definitely been the protagonist to this acclaimed series. Despite having no heritage of magic in her ancestry, Hermione was a gifted wizard whose magic came naturally to her than most. She did not allow her Muggle (human) identity to define who she wanted to become and through hard work and determination, went on to help Harry Potter defeat the Dark Lord with her wealth of magical knowledge and became one of the greatest witches in the wizarding world (showing sometimes, being a nerd is more than alright).

Josephine “Jo “March, Little Women

“I’m happy as I am, and love my liberty too well to be in a hurry to give it up for any mortal man.”

Unlike her other sisters, Jo March is a brash, tomboyish girl with a firecracker of a personality. She is well-known for her anger tantrums amongst family members and townspeople—a startling contrast to the typically demure and compliant female ideals of the time. Jo wants to be free from gender conventions and hates the idea of romance because she feels marriage will only separate her from her beloved sisters. At the heart of it, Jo is a free spirit who wishes to read, write, travel and learn as much as she can. By the end, Jo becomes a successful author through her relentless effort. Go Jo-Jo!

Hester Prynne, The Scarlet Letter

“The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, —so much power to do, and power to sympathiSe, —that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.”

Painting by Hugues Merle, 1861
If there was ever one woman who was ‘scandal’ personified, it would be Hester Prynne. Being shunned by the entire community as a sinful adulterer while having to raise a child alone is no easy feat. Most people would break under that psychological pressure and humiliation but Hester’s legacy lies in the strength of character. She is determined to raise her daughter, Pearl even in her solemn solitude. Hester’s circumstances expose the extent to which society will punish a woman for her sensuality and ‘devious’ nature—she is made to wear the red ‘A’ for Adultery to atone for her sins for the rest of her life. In her lonely lifetime, Hester withstood the hatred and shame of the people but did not grow in hatred herself but in kindness towards those who were less fortunate like her. Hester was a great example of a strong woman who made peace with her suffering and displayed the subtle power of a genteel heroine.

Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

“It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”

A much younger but altogether fiery character is Anne Shirley. If you’ve watched the Netflix series or the many film adaptations (seriously, people just love her), then you’ll know that Anne is a loud and chatty young girl. Despite being an orphan and never having a real home, Anne’s love for life is refreshing and inspiring, showing that it’s not what you have in life that matters but what you make of it. With the sharpest tongue in Avonlea, Anne tackles each obstacle in her way one sassy remark at a time.

Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games

“At some point, you have to stop running and turn around and face whoever wants you dead.The hard thing is finding the courage to do it.”

Courtesy of Lionsgate
Arguably the most modern female badas* in a list of classics is the archer heroine hailing from District 12. Katniss is resourceful, guarded and fiercely loyal to the ones she love. Make no mistake—even though she volunteered to take over her sister’s place in the annual Hunger Games, Katniss is terrified of what is to come. But when push comes to shove, Katniss’ pragmatism and quick thinking comes in full force, making her a formidable contestant in the games. In the end, she not only manages to survive the Hunger Games but also uses the Capitol’s own system against them to win.

Hua Mulan, The Ballad of Mulan

“Loyal, brave, and true.”

Courtesy of Disney
While her real existence remains unclear to this day, the thousand-year old legend that is Hua Mulan has become synonymous with the term ‘heroine’. Driven by her desire to protect her ageing father from fighting in the war, she disguises as a man in order to take his place. Not only does this prove her self-worth but it also completely transgresses gender norms of that time, showing that it was possible for women to possess exceptional martial arts skills deserving of military recognition. In the original tale, she does not see her family for twelve long years and finally returns a decorated war hero who not only successfully protected her family, but her entire country.

 Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing

“I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me.”

While she may not be the protagonist, Beatrice is one of the most delightful and memorable characters in this comedic play, and arguably, in all of Shakespeare. Beatrice’s most charming features are her witty word-plays and natural flair for humour; her words drip in sarcasm as she delivers each blow with a pleasant smile. Her savage repartee with Benedick honestly puts some of the 21st-century Twitter fights to shame. Beatrice is intelligent, unapologetic, bold and most importantly, self-assured to a tee that she will either take the crème de la crème of men or no one at all.

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Culture
8 Romantic reads to get you through social distancing

14.02.2021
By Brent Taalur Ramsey

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Romance is such a beautiful, diverse genre. It can be heart-warming, tear-jerking, or even painfully cringy. However, one thing is certain: We’re total suckers for a good love story. (Yes, even the unrealistic, cheesy ones.) We’ve gathered eight of our favourite romances, from classics to young adult, to fill your free time—and your hearts.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

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If Bridgerton left you looking for more love and happiness in London high society, you may be surprised to know that it was inspired by Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels. The Duke and I is the first book out of nine, and the influence for the first season of what is now the site’s most-watched original series. This read will have you set for any regency-era romance craving you might have.
The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

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A classic tale of when a boy meets girl, boy then travels back to visit the girl throughout various points in her childhood. This bestselling read is full of star-crossed love appeal and explores how far one must go to protect and pursue the chance for unconditional love.
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman

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The source for the movie that made Timothée Chalamet the perfect Internet boyfriend, André Aciman’s highly acclaimed novel offers a sizzling summer of love and angst in the idyllic Italian countryside. This read does a perfect job at diving into the mindset of a curious 17-year-old American-Italian Jewish boy as he discovers new depths of himself in 1980s Italy.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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The OG of romance novels, and easily one of the most popular, this masterpiece returns us to Regency England with the quintessential love affair (and elegant-mannered sparring) between the quick-witted, vivacious Elizabeth Bennet and the stoic Mr. Darcy. Truly, a classic love story like no other.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

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Style
Fashion buzz: Chinese brands cancel upcoming shows at PFW due to coronavirus, political statements on the red carpet, and more

12.02.2020
By Stephanie Boey

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Chinese fashion brands cancel shows at upcoming Paris Fashion Week

The global concern on coronavirus has raised concerns in the fashion world. Masha Ma, Shiatzy Chen, Uma Wang, Jarel Zhang, Calvin Luo and Maison Mai have pulled out from their upcoming shows in Paris. Harry Wang, CEO of Shiatzy Chen said in a statement: “We think it is the most appropriate action after deep thoughts and considerations. We will now focus on a new format of communication to introduce our new collection.” According to WWD, Chinese buyers and editors have chosen to sit out this round of European shows following travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. Also important to note, upcoming fashion weeks in Beijing and Shanghai scheduled for late March have also been postponed.
Cos opens third store in Suria KLCC

Spanning across two floors, you can expect the full range from womens, mens and childrenswear at the 687 square metre store. Stop by the newly minted store and take your pick among the London-based fashion brand’s timeless and understated garments-the current Spring/Summer 2020 collection is already waiting for you. Pop by Cos’ new addition at Lot 10 and 162 on the Ground Floor and Level 1, Suria KLCC.
Gucci to show the Cruise 2021 collection in San Francisco

After five consecutive years of presenting its Cruise collections in historical sites, Gucci is ready to take on the new decade with a brand new location for its Cruise 2021 show-get ready for San Francisco! Alessandro Michele has chosen the city “for its history as a centre of liberal activism”. In the official statement, Gucci credits the Northern Californian city as a “symbol for liberty, where antidotes to discrimination have been cultivated, sowing the seeds for freedom of self-expression for many”. This closely resonates with Michele and his vision for Gucci as he continues to champion for freedom of self-expression, the acceptance of diversity and “the right to be oneself”. The Gucci Cruise 2021 show is scheduled for May 18, 2020.
Entertainment award shows get political

Award shows are known for their glitz and glamour with the appearance of high profile names and designers on the red carpet. However, of late, the social event for the world’s elite in show business has taken a serious note with strong political stances. The 2018 Golden Globes will go down in history as the first organised awards show to have organised a dress code in solidarity. The 2020 BAFTAs made efforts to be as sustainable as possible by advising their attendees to rewear past looks or rent vintage. Leading the pack was the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton who rewore an Alexander McQueen dress from a state visit to Malaysia. At the 2020 Oscars, Margot Robbie wore a strapless gown by Chanel from their 1994 Haute Couture archives. Will we be seeing more of this rewear trend in 2020?
There’s a new shoe store in town you don’t wanna miss

Feith London has arrived to Fahrenheit88! Shoe fanatics will love this latest arrival. Handcrafted leather shoes from the UK and Europe will be at your disposal. The selection of mid-height heels are sweet and feminine, and gentle on the soles, too. A sensible block heel is a definite must in every girl’s shoe closet. Drop by the new multi-label store for a dose of retail therapy!

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Features
Best of London Fashion Week AW16 Street Style Day 5
Personal favourites

24.02.2016
By Buro247

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A careful contrast of both elegance and playful quirkiness is what seems to be the prominent theme of the last day of London Fashion Week AW16. We hardly know where to begin from in this list, with covetable Fendi Karlito bag charms and Dior Fusion trainers that set the bar high. Fashion is an ever-competitive world even on the streets, so bring on Milan Fashion Week!
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”London Fashion Week AW16 Street Style Day 5″ rid=”3828″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Food + Drink
Hennessy X.O Odyssey collaborates with Chef Darren Chin for a feast to remember
Seven courses in heaven

06.07.2017
By Rachel Au

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Hennessy X.O Odyssey had a successful run last year so it’s no surprise that the brand has brought the one-of-a-kind dining experience back for another round to stimulate and delight the palates of everyone. For 2017, the spotlight is on Chef Darren Chin of DC Restaurant who has been tasked to curate a menu that depicts the essence of the cognac.

Its phenomenal seven tasting notes results in a seven-course tasting menu that proves the versatility of Hennessy X.O (HXO) as an unrivalled pairing for gastronomy. So is, however, Chef Darren’s style of cooking. Or as some call it, ‘la Jeune Cuisine’ (young cuisine). The dishes made are honest, pure and unpretentious, which helps to accentuate the cognac’s notes harmoniously.
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First came the Sweet Notes. Botan Ebi was paired with HXO on the rocks and it smoothly drew out the sweetness of the drink. Then came the Infinite Echo—Takao cold somen with ogawa bafun uni on top paired with HXO with a splash of water—and Wood Crunches—Galician octopus and HXO with warm water. By then, it was evident that with just a slight change, the HXO can create a different flavour on the palate fused with the dish. The somen and uni dish was definitely one of the night’s top favourites.

‘One of’ because then came the fourth course: Spicy Edge. This was served in two parts. Part 1: A snow crab broth infused with herbs. Sweet, rich in flavour and almost akin to comfort food, I secretly wished I could ask for a refill but the desire was subdued when Part 2 and its seductive smell of black summer truffle arrived. On the plate was the Japanese snow crab with flesh so sweet and a taste so elegantly light with the accompanying white asparagus, culantro “Nam Jim” and truffle. To go with it: The bittersweet taste of HXO with a splash of water.
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The next two mains were Flowing Flame—organic chicken and bertutu spice with HXO coupled with a splash of cold water and ice—and Rising Heat—Italian veal fillet with HXO neat. Both dishes continued to impress with a myriad of flavours from the spices and complementing ingredients. Veal and HXO neat might very well be my new Wagyu beef and red wine combo.

Ending on a sweet note was dessert: Chocolate Lull. Chef Darren Chin’s idea of that is a 100% Arabica coffee ice cream, spiced hairy banana (I was intrigued by this little detail on the menu as well but was told it’s essentially wild banana), M’Hencha and lemon chantilly. With a final sip of more HXO neat and my Friday night felt satisfyingly complete.

Here is the menu for Hennessy X.O Odyssey 2017 with Chef Darren Chin:

This exclusive menu will be available at RM888++ per person with pairings of Hennessy X.O from 18 July to 15 August, every Tuesday to Sunday at DC Restaurant. To make a reservation, call 03 7731 0502 or 012 223 2991.

Related stories:
Chef Victor Liong on his culinary background and Hennessy X.O
Visualising the senses of Hennessy X.O
Starting tonight: A culinary odyssey with Hennessy X.O at Enfin by James Won
An interview with Darren Chin, the man behind DC Restaurant

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Fashion
Get the look: How to recreate Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Girl Next Door’ aesthetic
Dress like the 'Euphoria' star

08.08.2022
By Pravin Nair

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

Back in May when the words, “I am in love with Nate Jacobs… and I have never, ever been happier!” was uttered by one Cassie Howards, the sweet and popular high-schooler from Euphoria, the person who brought that scene to life, 24-year-old actress Sydney Sweeney, gained a significant amount of attention. If you’re one of the very few people who’s missed out on the iconic line and need a little refresher, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Check out the clip below.

@usuarioraandom lo subo otra vez porque me di cuenta que me equivoqué JSJDJJDJD #euphoria #parati ♬ sonido original – ñam

Written and created by Sam Levinson, the hit HBO TV show has garnered a massive following since it first aired in June 2019. After the season two finale last February, its cast members have since gone on to take on bigger roles in TV shows and movies, and have even embedded themselves into the fashion scene, making waves as they become the ambassadors of renowned brands and faces for campaigns. Namely, Zendaya has gone on to become the muse for Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. Hunter Schafer is another Euphoria star that has been included in a number of Prada campaigns, including the latest one where she stands tall and proud as the face of the Symbole collection for the Milanese house. Meanwhile, Demna of Balenciaga has picked out his favourite amongst the Euphoria—Alexa Demie–teaming up with the young talent on red-carpet looks and event appearances. Based on these facts, one could confidently conclude that Euphoria is a nurturing pasture for young talents that are multi-dimensional in their creative exploits.
But let’s circle back to Sweeney and her exceptional acting chops. Euphoria is not the only show that the actress has showcased her skills. While her character Cassie bagged her the Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, her role as college sophomore Olivia Mossbacher in The White Lotus has earned her a second nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. What a feat! Besides that, Sweeney has also acted in a wide variety of shows like Sharp Objects, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the recent Netflix vampire film, Night Teeth.
While we applaud her well-deserved nominations, here, we’re going over some of her best style moments as seen on her Instagram. Scroll down to see how you too can dress like the famed actress.
Casual chic at the baseball game

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A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney)

In her downtime, besides fixing up her car as a self-trained mechanic (yes, this is one of her many, many talents), Sweeney loves being in outdoorsy places such as the baseball stadium and watching a match with her loved ones. Even on a day out under the sun, she doesn’t skip out on being stylish. Here, she wears a cute cropped Red Sox baseball jersey, paired with denim shorts and a pair of Golden Goose Superstar leather sneakers.

SHOP HERE
Sunsets and warm summer nights

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A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney)

Taking full advantage of the warm summer days, Sweeney is not missing out on a perfect photo opportunity. Shot on film by her friend Amber, the starlet is spotted in a Jacquemus Le Haut Vichy bikini set, lounging on the sand with the stunning sunset as the backdrop.

SHOP HERE
Glitz and glam at the MTV Movie & TV Awards

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A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney)

Looking like a true Barbie doll in an all-pink Miu Miu ensemble and sky-high platform heels, Sweeney is always striking the perfect balance between glam and laid-back allure. The night she wore this viral get-up, the actress won two Golden Popcorn awards—the Best Fight Scene and Best Performance in a Show—for Euphoria.

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Comfort and ease behind the scenes

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Being an actor can be gruelling. The long, extensive hours of shooting, re-shooting, memorising dialogues, and getting into character can throw anyone off. That said, it is a must to be comfortable behind the camera as you’re getting ready for your next scene. And that’s exactly what Sweeney is doing here in an oversized black sweater and a pair of white socks.

SHOP HERE
Easy, breezy and festival-ready

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Getting ready for a festival is just another day in the life of the star. Pictured in an all-American-gal attire, Sweeney lounges by the pool with her dog, Tank, wearing a cami top and a pair of vintage blue jeans.

SHOP HERE
Out and about in New York

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Here, Sweeney is living the New York dream, photographed just as she’s leaving a cab. While her contrasting red-and-white prints are a scene-stealer for sure, her boots are the real star of the show. Knee-high and constructed out of black leather that’s reminiscent of the night, a good pair of boots can really elevate your outfit.

SHOP HERE
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Fashion
You need just one trick to look like you have amazing style–we demonstrate through Bally SS18
Cheat-sheet

09.11.2017
By Buro247

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

Before you’re granted the golden key to unlocking the secret to style, the fundamentals must be in order. Here’s the best case scenario outlined:
Have a wardrobe that is at once timeless as it is trendy. That may sound like a tall order but the trend du jour of conservatively-cut pieces with an athleisure slant has aggressively pervaded fashion racks everywhere. Our choice for streetwise classics? Bally Spring/Summer 2018.

A balmy palette of chestnut, wine, mink, and moss sets the perfect mood for the season—retaining the warmth of the hearth for the last of winter’s chills, but onward looking to the pastels of spring. Fabrics are sumptuous but cut with intent to flatter and fascinate. Think full-length fitted leather coats with ring-pulled zippers; an oversized, hooded windbreaker of a light pink Nappa; silk habotai tracksuits; and calf-grazing, printed silk pyjamas peppered with archival typography.

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Then, build a collection of accessories that complement and captivate. The soon-to-launch revival of the brand’s retro lace-ups does just that. 1974’s Vita-Parcours returns from its heyday with a new sneaker sole and checkerboard print intact, while the latest SuperSmash exudes an old-world quality in both low- and high-top styles. Bally’s emblematic saddle gets an update, where soft Buttero Lux leather is adorned with the iconic B-lock closure. And if you can’t get enough of the archival font, find it emblazoned across the wonderfully roomy natural canvas totes.

Now, consider all of the above stepping stones. Once laid out, before you should form a path that leads to the door of fashion aptitude. Time for the key.
WHAT IS THE ONE TRICK THAT GRANTS THE SEAL OF STYLE?
It’s surprise.Not a surprise, but the element of surprise. In every get-up, let one thing (or two) go a little of off-kilter. It’s the trick stylists use and a secret street style stars swear by. See how a stately beaver coat is thrown off by knee high socks sporting athletic stripes? Or how a pair of grey joggers took the place of pleated pants in an ensemble of classy satin and leather boots? Be it a striking bag that clashes with tawny jacquard, running shorts with leather coats, or a wooly coat over silken trackies, remember that fashion always loves a wildcard.
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Keep up to date with Bally on their website, Facebook or Instagram page.

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Makeup
You’re using your setting spray wrong: Here are 3 ingenious hacks from Benefit’s Chief Beauty Ambassador

16.06.2021
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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How to nail the Barbiecore look (and everything you’ll need to do it)

Hang on—are you still using your setting sprays to actually set your makeup… exclusively? Hello, welcome to future: From here on out, we’re diversifying our whole vanity and making everything we own a “multipurpose” product.
Now, whether you’re a setting spray novice or you’re a well-seasoned well-set, everyday user, we’re here to take your makeup game to the next level. Ahead, Benefit Cosmetics’ Chief Beauty Ambassador, Maggie Ford Danielson, gives us three new ways to use setting spray for a flawless face!

Setting spray hack #1: Spray it on makeup sponges for dewy foundation application

Image: Skincare by L’Oreal
“Simply spray the setting spray onto your makeup sponges before you apply your foundation and blend. This will give you extra confidence that your foundation will not only apply and stay well, but it will also leave a dewy finish on your skin.”
Setting spray hack #2: Spray on your bronzer and blush for more colour payoff

Image: Tarte Cosmetics
“Utilise your favourite powdered blush and bronzer by spraying them with setting spray and applying them wet for better colour payoff! This helps not only to make the pigment pop but also to give a wet, dewy, and refreshed finish.”
Setting spray hack #3: Spray on your face post-workout for refreshed pore-free look

“Having a midday workout, but don’t have enough time to shower afterwards? No stress! Simply spritz some setting spray throughout your face post-workout for a refreshed, pore-free look. Plus, if you were wearing makeup before your sweaty workout, this setting spray will ensure that your makeup ‘relocks’ onto your face. You’ll look and feel refreshed as you take on the rest of your busy day.”
Want to give these tips a shot? Here are BURO’s picks for the best setting sprays:

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Super Setter Makeup Setting SpraySHOP HERE

Urban Decay All NighterSHOP HERE

Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix Setting SpraySHOP HERE

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting SpraySHOP HERE

Ciateé London Dewy Spritz Luminous Prime & Set SpraySHOP HERE

Find more makeup tips here.

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Lifestyle
Alexander Wang designs Evian’s latest limited edition bottle
Reflection of purity

29.10.2015
By Buro247

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Evian’s interest in the creative vision of fashion designers have been demonstrated over the years through collaborations with a number of high profile designers such as Kenzo, Issey Miyake, Paul Smith, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Christian Lacroix. The timing of the collaboration with Alexander Wang could not be more apt as the fashion designer is celebrating his 10th year of success this year. Wang has always been open to exploring design in other areas besides fashion and has previously done furniture and tech-related collaborations but this marks his first pursuit into product design for a beverage, and he does not intend for it to be the last.

Wang’s design on the bottle features his signature barcode logo that has been displayed in different ways throughout different collections and seasons. Inspired by the purity of Evian water, Wang has kept the design clean, simple and, at the same time, it interacts with the dynamic reflections of water as a natural element. On creating two bottle designs, one white and the other black, Wang says, “I often work in oppositions, and by blending the lines between them. My collections play with the duality between refinement and the imperfect, something classic tweaked in a modern way; something masculine juxtaposed by something feminine, something demure inserted with something provocative. Duality forms a friction that creates room for something new to develop, or to allow people to see it from a different perspective. We wanted to continue this iteration of contrasts with the design of a black and white version of the bottle.”

The Evian x Alexander Wang Limited Edition bottle will be available in 75cl glass bottles at selected premium supermarkets from November 2015 onwards.

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Beauty
This new hair colour range is tailor made for Asian skin tones
Colour radiance

06.11.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Ever had that moment in the hair salon where your freshly-coloured tresses turn out totally different from what you had envisioned? To prevent another of those gut-wrenching moments from happening (along with saving money on re-colouring your hair in a desperate attempt to salvage it), Shiseido Professional’s hair colour range, Primience Enrich is one to explore for your next hair colour appointment.
Armed with a new technology in its formula, Primience Enrich’s newly-engineered colour range is focused on rejuvenating the hair while incorporating it with rich colour to complement your skin’s natural glow. Its patented ingredient has both hydrophilic colour pigments and hydrophobic conditioning actives to ensure each strand of hair is infused to the core. In layman terms, ingredients that will ensure your hair is taken care of include amino ceramide (for hair elasticity), camellia oil (to take care of your hair cuticles), and hydrolyzed pearl protein (for UV protection).

The best part? The entire colour range (all 10 hues and 45 colour shades) is tailored to suit Asian skin tones. All the deep colours are created based on a moderate, yellow-brown shade that best complements Asian women, thus leaving a contrasting finish that works best with your skin undertones. Now you don’t have to shy away from certain hair colours in fear that it would make your skin look more sallow.
Available in salons November 2017.

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Career
How a young Malaysian female chef found her way into Michelin-starred restaurants
From boxed cakes to smoked ice cream

27.08.2021
By Amanda Fung

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

“I called my mom at work and I tried not to call her at work but that was a moment I was having. I was like, “Mum, I’m gonna be a chef.” Nine-years-old, watching an episode of the late Anthony Bourdain’s ‘No Reservations’, young Zoee Wong carved her future career into stone. She was going to work with food.

Now, years past her third-grade epiphany, Wong has graduated summa cum laude from the boxed cake mixes her parents bought for her after that frantic phone call. Her latest stint was at Birdsong, a Michelin-starred restaurant by husband-and-wife team Chris Bleidorn and Aarti Shetty Bleidorn in the heart of San Francisco. Wong’s trek through the culinary world offers a glimpse at what the life of a young chef is made up of—a mid-twenties body aching like that of someone a few decades older thanks to the endless hours on their feet, connecting with fellow citrus enthusiasts in culinary school classes, consistently developing and tweaking that one personal recipe for years, and getting better and better at time management both in and out of the kitchen.
We’re chatting about the beginnings of her career. She talks fervently about her experience in culinary school, the route she took instead of heading to a college or university, what others might coin as ‘the traditional route’. “I sound so nerdy, but I would really enjoy being in school, so I would spend a lot of extra time helping out,” speaking of her time as the culinary school equivalent of a teaching assistant at a university. “It really helped me even in terms of my approach to how I would do a job. It’s like you’re always thinking about the next step so that you could be a good assistant. You’re absorbing it in one way as a student but when you’re behind the demo counter, it’s a different experience, so that was very formative for me aside from the actual learning.”

But before she stepped through the doors of the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu in London, Wong dabbled with the likes of boxed cake mixes, cupcakes, and other pastries your home oven is probably familiar with. Then came the El Bulli No Reservations episode. “It was just completely out of my understanding of what food was,” says Wong, describing the impact that Anthony Bourdain’s storytelling and Ferran Adrià’s cooking had on her adolescent mind. From then on, Wong was all about food. “I just watched a lot of Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, and I got really into that and my parents were really supportive. They bought cookbooks for every birthday and Christmas. They didn’t cook a bunch but they were very encouraging and would always treat it very seriously even though I was young.”
Wong took the undivided support from her family and her Bourdain-induced trance with cuisine and turned it into a Grand Diplôme Cuisine et de Pâtisserie and a Diploma in Culinary Management from Le Cordon Bleu, graduating in 2014. She enrolled the moment she could: right after her 18th birthday. “It was a little bit intimidating to start but I had a really nice group of classmates and everyone goes through the same, like cutting a fruit salad for your first class,” says Wong on being the youngest in her class. “Most of them were in their 30s and I was like the baby of the class, which was both a good thing and something to get used to… I feel like I grew up a lot there.”

Though culinary school was a dream, not everything was a fairytale.
“Chocolate work. No offence to anyone who loves that, I just hated how messy it was. It’s a great skill to have and I don’t resent it. Just, ugh, aprons,” recounted Wong on the one class she wishes she could’ve skipped.
On the other hand, the one class that Wong recounts as a personal favourite is reminiscent of a certain TV show some of us might be familiar with. “We used to have these mystery basket classes,” Wong says about one of her most memorable classes. Sound familiar? “It’s like MasterChef in real life—that’s how I used to think about them. We would get these little baskets and you would kind of know some of the things that would be in there at the start but it was nice to be able to put things together on your own. It was also just really fun to see what everyone else came up with.” That’s not the only thing from her years in culinary school that could be compared to the show.
She was judged by highly respectable chefs, faced fierce competition in her classes and worked under immense time pressure to think up and execute a dish with whimsical ingredients. But unlike the competitive TV nature of MasterChef, Wong had no cameras around her documenting every bead of sweat falling onto her shoes.

Wong is no stranger to drawing inspiration from her surroundings: her peers, mentors or cultural settings. Being Malaysian-Chinese has given Wong ample opportunity to soak up any and every drop of her vibrant heritage and upbringing. Meanwhile, her formal training provided for her experience with the flavours and skills from another corner of the globe. She speaks of curry chicken as if it were her prized possession, spice in her food as if it were a compulsory component and making kaya (coconut jam) toast as if it were therapy. Her multicultural palate is not only a source of inspiration when developing recipes but also the reason why she has a wealth of flavour profiles and techniques to use at her fingertips.
“I never really quite know how to answer the question when people ask me what kind of food I cook.”
“Because you know, I grew up with this,” says Wong, waving her hands around referring to her surroundings. We’re on the outdoor porch of a local café on a rather humid day, but she means Malaysia’s multicultural background, not the trees around us. “I want to claim all of them as my own because it feels like part of my heritage. Like curry, it’s not Chinese but that feels very much part of my heritage and then I went to a French culinary school in London and then my first real restaurant was Modern American.”
Ingredients and techniques are like a mix and match game for her. “I think that one of the great things about how fortunate I’ve been to be in different places in my career geographically. I don’t have that mentality of ‘Oh, this is a New American restaurant, I have to use a certain set of ingredients’. I’m very comfortable applying Asian ingredients but in a different technique,” says Wong.

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While her friends from home earned their degrees and wrote cover letters, Wong was racking up Michelin stars and developed recipes in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens. Post-graduation, she immediately set off in the industry with guns blazing, working pastry at world-renowned chain Nobu, famous for its Japanese cuisine infused with Peruvian flavours and one of its signature dishes, their back cod with miso. Following Nobu, Wong then accumulated kitchen hours (and passport stamps) with stints at two-Michelin star Saison (though it’s worth noting that it boasted three stars when Wong was part of the team) in San Francisco, Ed.ju Omakase in her home city, Kuala Lumpur, and one-Michelin star Restaurant Nouri in Singapore—just to name a few.
Not to mention, she’s served Éric Ripert dessert before.
“I was trying to be just normal and it was a good service. I went to drop desserts at his table and as I was spieling the dish, he was like ‘So, I’ve been observing you working all night,’” recounts Wong of the first time she remembers being starstruck. “He was like ‘I have to say I’m very impressed’ and I said ‘Oh, thank you, chef”. I walked away and then I ran to the dish room. It was very affirming as a young cook, and he doesn’t remember who I am but that meant a lot to me at the time.”

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What Ripert saw in Wong, many other head chefs saw, but she never let the praise amount to complacency nor did it slow down her relentless work ethic. “I think one of those aphorisms that I really like is that everything is a learning experience. It’s very cliche but mistakes are also data,” says Wong. “I think something that I’ve always thought, and I guess my parents instilled in me since I was younger, is to learn what not to do as much as you learn what to do.” In every kitchen she’s worked in, she’s had to learn new lessons, skills, and flavour combinations. She’s had to communicate with different chefs and work with new ingredients all while applying different techniques and teachings she’s picked up along the way on her journey.
However, she is yet to master one skill considered essential in many, if not all, kitchens. “I still have to pay a lot of attention to breaking down meat, like fish,” admits Wong. “Maybe I’m just trying to be extra conscientious because it’s expensive.” But while she might not be able to dissect a carcass as swiftly as she might like (though I’d bet she does a better job tha

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Food + Drink
#BUROEats: 10 New cafes and restaurants to visit in the Klang Valley in July 2023
Simply irresistible

04.07.2023
By Natalie Khoo

Featured images: @weichunnn_125 / Instagram | @shanmaay / Instagram

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

Where to eat in the Klang Valley this month: A wagyu yakiniku restaurant in SS15, a charming Pan-European brasserie-cafe along Jalan Ampang, and a contemporary fine dining restaurant at Else hotel are among our top picks.

1. Asumo

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If you’re a fan of wagyu yakiniku, then Asumo could be your new favourite restaurant. Set in SS15, the Japanese-owned company imports whole halal wagyu straight from Japan, offering an omakase of up to 10 different wagyu yakiniku cuts. Aside from the premium beef, customers can look forward to other favourites such as wagyu ramen, garlic fried rice, pickles and macha tiramisu, just to name a few.

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Address: No. 49 & 51, Jalan SS 15/5a, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 11.30 am-3 pm, 5pm-11 pm daily
Contact: +603 5611 5733
Website | Facebook | Instagram

2. Caffe Sprouts

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Located in Imbi, Caffe Sprouts recently opened the doors to its bright, lush sanctuary—ideal for those seeking a change of scenery from the bustling city. This humble eatery sources fresh produce from local farms, which are then translated into rice bowls, pastas and small plates on the menu. Expect familiar flavours with a twist, such as Ayam Bakar, Laksa Pesto, and Heirloom Tomato Salad that spotlight fruits and vegetables from Cameron Highlands and Shah Alam.

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Address: L2, 39, 05, Jalan Kamuning, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8am-5pm (closed on weekends)
Contact: +6010 205 2596
Instagram

3. Dodoo Kitchen

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Dodoo Kitchen has just fired up its kitchen along Tun HS Lee Road, presenting two unique concepts with distinctive offerings across its double-storey space. On the ground level, you’ll find an elegant setting with a refined menu for wining and dining. Meanwhile, the upper floor serves as a cool hideout complete with street art-inspired murals to enjoy a spot of coffee brought to you in collaboration with VCR.

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Address: 192, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8am-10pm daily
Contact: +6012 984 5966
Facebook | Instagram

4. Dou Remy

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With a clever name that’s inspired by a wordplay on musical notes—not to mention its address in Symphony Square, Petaling Jaya—Dou Remy is set to strike a chord with avid cafe hoppers in the city. Founded by the guys who started Wizards at Tribeca, the sunny cafe presents an orchestra of delightful croissants, cookies and hearty rice bowls. Coupled with soothing beverages including matcha, coffee and cold brews, customers will be left humming with glee.

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Address: Lot 02-G & 03-G, Menara Symphony, 5, Jalan Professor Khoo Kay Kim, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 8am-6pm daily
Contact: +6011 5623 4990
Website | Facebook | Instagram

5. JPEG Coffee

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Get your cameras ready for Cheras’ newest cafe, JPEG coffee, which is as photogenic as its name suggests. Inspired by art and photography, the space features colourful, mismatched furniture and decor that give it an eclectic ambience. With regards to the menu, the cafe offers Asian and Western comfort food as well as pastries and desserts, paired with your choice of caffeinated beverage or refreshing coolers served in charming cups.

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Address: 26, Jalan 15a/142, Taman Orkid Desa, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am-6pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
Facebook | Instagram

6. Solace Bukit Bintang

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Cafe hoppers can find solace at this new hangout spot in Bukit Bintang, which offers a cosy, calm respite in the city. Taking over what was formerly Underwood Bakers, the pet-friendly cafe is distinguished by its sunny-side-up logo and pastel yellow front gate that leads to a homey seating area illuminated by a skylight. Its Muslim-friendly menu consists of sourdough toasts, egg dishes, pizza, pasta, dons, and meaty mains, alongside coffee, matcha and speciality beverages that look great for shutterbugs.

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Address: 39, 39A & 41, Jalan Sahabat, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8.30am-5.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays)
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7. Peaches and Cream

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Peaches and Cream made its decadent debut in the heart of KL in mid-June, serving pan-European classics from France, Italy, Spain and the British Isles. The brasserie-cafe’s colour palette takes after its name, radiating a warm, inviting atmosphere for casual dining. Brunch addicts can take their pick from eggs royals or eggs florentine, cortados and bicerins to accompany a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Other promising highlights include the Savoy-inspired Omelette Arnold Bennett, steak tartare and roast beef carpaccio, and coq au vin blanc.

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Address: Lot L1.08 & L1.09, First Floor, The Grange @ Ampwalk, 218 Jalan Ampang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am-11pm (weekdays) | 9am-11pm (weekends and holidays)
Contact: +603 4815 9408
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8. The Balsa Eatery

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Probably the newest kid on the block on this list is The Balsa Eatery, which officially opened last Sunday (2 July 2023). Named after a fast-growing evergreen tree, this rustic residence-turned-restaurant in Taman Kok Doh boasts an expansive dining area and al fresco space surrounded by verdant greenery. Expect comforting dishes spanning pasta, snacks, seafood, desserts, and indulgent crafted beverages that will please sweet tooths.

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Address: D-1, Lot 14070, Jalan 16/42, Taman Kok Doh, 51200 Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: 9am-11pm daily
Contact: +6018 388 5030
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9. Second Date

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This new pastry shop cum cafe in Sungai Besi wants to impress you enough to return for a Second Date with its aesthetically pleasing interiors reminiscent of a French patisserie. Walnut floors and furnishings meet monochrome tiles and delicate light fixtures here, creating a charming atmosphere to enjoy conversations over coffee. Pastries and brunch options such as avocado toast are also available.

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Address: G-13, Residensi Trion, Lebuhraya Sungai Besi, Chan Sow Lin, 55200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Thursdays to Tuesdays (closed on Wednesdays)
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10. Yellow Fin Horse

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As one of the most highly anticipated openings in the local fine dining scene, Yellow Fin Horse needs no introduction to fans of culinary maestro Jun Wong’s cooking since her previous stint at the helm of Kikubari. Nestled on the fourth floor of the design-forward Else hotel, the contemporary restaurant boasts a “constant exploration of elemental cooking” where fire is the primary source of heat and seasonal, locally sourced ingredients take centre stage. The menu is ever-evolving depending on ingredient seasonality, though you’ll find the techniques of pickling, aging and salting commonly used in the preparation of its dishes. Complemented by a cocktail programme curated by the award-winning Proof & Company, Yellow Fin Horse promises a refined gastronomic experience that celebrates people and produce at its core.

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Address: 4th Floor, 145, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6pm-12am, Wednesdays to Sundays
Contact: +6018 211 0313
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Want more food and drink suggestions? Find more #BUROEats here.

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