Fashion
Style spotlight: 10 Fabulously flamboyant and stylish looks of Harry Styles that we can’t get enough of
Happy birthday, fashion darling!

31.01.2023
By Benedict Unang

Featured images courtesy of @lillieeiger on Instagram

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Hailed as one of the most stylish men in the world, Harry Styles is a trendsetter who steals the show wherever he goes. The British star, who was born on February 1, 1994, first appeared on The X-Factor before joining One Direction and skyrocketing to stardom. The band went on hiatus after releasing four studio albums, but it wasn’t too long before Styles released his solo debut album in 2017, featuring his first hit single, Sign of the Times. Since then, gone are the days of him wearing a plain white tee paired with skinny jeans and ankle boots.
High-waisted trousers, bright suits, and flashy footwear are much more of the singer’s style now—living up to his surname. Styles bases his wardrobe on a couple of essentials before adding quirky final touches. His taste in clothing has matured, and he’s not afraid to play by his own rules. It was also thanks to his close relationship with former Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele that he never had to worry about his clothes as he was always dressed in the Italian label.
Distinguished by gender fluidity, Styles’ unconventional taste has influenced thousands of individuals across the planet. This is evident by the fact that his fans would dress up for his concerts in a variety of looks, all thanks to the singer’s daring sense of fashion. Styles’ ensembles never cease to inspire—from pastel-coloured flares to ruffled shirts and patterned bell bottoms—earning him a spot in the top tiers of fashion. In celebration of his 29th lap around the sun, we take a look at ten of our favourite outfits donned by the multi-hyphenate style icon.

The Love On Tour

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In what appears to be a never-ending concert tour around the world, Styles never fails to serve look after look. This custom Gucci sequin jacket and pants in aquamarine blue and scarlet red, combined with the red Adidas x Gucci Gazelle trainers he wore in Chicago, definitely caught our attention.

New York City’s Don’t Worry Darling premiere

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The singer-songwriter suited up for the New York City premiere of Don’t Worry Darling in a navy blue velvet textured blazer adorned with gold buttons, Gucci pinstripe trousers, and black loafers.

At the Toronto International Film Festival

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At the world premiere of My Policeman, Styles stood out by sporting an emerald green blazer with a huge flower brooch, paired with light green slacks and a Gucci bag.

Spotted at the Venice Film Festival

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A Gucci magenta jacket with a knitted cardigan worn inside, geometric sunglasses, and the Gucci x Adidas Gazelle sneakers were all seen on Styles when he travelled to Venice for the glitzy annual film festival. The suitcases were from his HA HA HA x Gucci collection that was unveiled last year.

On the Today Show

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Styles appeared on the Today Show in a custom JW Anderson jumpsuit with bell sleeves to promote his third studio album, Harry’s House. Fun fact: the striped jumpsuit was first seen in dress form as part of the House’s Resort 2022 collection but was re-tailored to fit Styles’ aesthetic, but of course.

Coachella Weekend One

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The British star opened Coachella Weekend One in a black feathered coat before revealing the custom Gucci sleeveless rainbow-hued sequin jumpsuit with a deep V-neck in front of a crowd of 100,000 people.

Coachella Weekend Two

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For Weekend Two, Styles rocked out in a cowboy outfit—sporting a cropped pink and silver vest with crystal cherry and strawberry appliqués. Along with a strawberry buckle belt and silver boots, the outfit also included Gucci’s fluorescent pink feather coat.

At the BRIT Awards

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When he accepted the Best British Single award that evening, the performer donned a 70s-style caramel wide lapel double-breasted suit from Gucci’s Autumn 2021 collection—paired with a brown bamboo-handled leather handbag and low-top sneakers.

Slick for the Grammys

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Styles performed Watermelon Sugar at the 2021 Grammy Awards in a custom Gucci black leather single-breasted suit, sans shirt, with a green feather boa and heeled boots. That night, he wore three different feather boa looks—further cementing his status as a fashion icon.

Grand for the gala

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Hosting the Met Gala for the first time in 2019, Styles arrived in a custom Gucci look made up of ultra-high-waisted pants, heeled boots, and a passionately ruffled sheer black blouse that displayed his many tattoos. A single pearl earring completed the ensemble, giving it a Vermeer-inspired touch.

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Things that go moo in the night

Food + Drink
Things that go moo in the night
Are good steaks rare?

04.11.2016
By Buro247

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Steaks are not a new phenomenon in Malaysia. Long before many culinary genres landed on our shores, steak was already firmly entrenched in our national psyche, thanks to such institutions as The Ship and Victoria Station. It says something however that despite the plethora of choices we now enjoy that both restaurant chains are still such an integral feature of our gastronomic landscape.

But we’ve long since moved on from the garlic sauce smothered hunks of leather on sizzling plates whose primary function, apart from the visual showmanship, were to convert said average pieces of flesh into overwrought carbon. These days, steaks are very “next level”, as they are wont to say. Dry-aged, marbled, grass vs grain-fed, Wagyu vs Kobe are just some of the terms that are bandied about by steak aficionados as being crucial to the art of steak appreciation. In Sydney’s affluent neighbourhood of Woollahra, one of the most successful stores is the boutique butcher Victor Churchill. Here, staff wear gloves to handle the meat, which is in turn enshrined like jewellery in brightly lit cabinets. I remember staring agog at the extortionately priced Wagyu by Victorian producer David Blackmore, which boasts a marbling score of 9+, and which costs a not inconsiderable AUD$189.99 per kilo. Incidentally, a 9+ Wagyu—off the charts by any standards-would, in Japan, cost no less than USD$600 per kilo in comparison.
These days, steaks are very “next level”, as they are wont to say.
The steak du jour since it supplanted Kobe some years ago, Wagyu (‘wa’ meaning Japanese and ‘gyu’ meaning cow) is so enamoured because its preternaturally high intramuscular fat content turns what would otherwise just be steak into an otherworldly dining experience. And contrary to popular thought, a little goes a long way with Wagyu. The mania for marbling is great news for people like me. Even back in the day when we were satisfied with mere bog standard sirloin cuts, I used to dispense with the meat as a necessary evil and precursor to the real star: the fat, of which there never seemed to be enough, until now, that is.

If you’re on the hunt for great steaks in KL, look no further my friends, for I’ve done the hard graft for you. For the best value, top quality steaks, Lucky Bo (65 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, +603-2092-1222) ticks all the boxes. Not only are their Margaret River and Sanchoku Japanese steaks cooked to perfection in a Josper oven (a Josper is to steak what sous vide is to chicken: a match made in culinary heaven), their price points are also some of the best around. Expect to cough up no more than RM125 for a 300g slab of rib eye with a respectable marbling score of 5-6. But it’s the tomahawk—exquisitely charred on the outside and irreproachably medium rare on the inside—that’s the star here. That, and the marbling and rendered fat, which is so quiveringly good that I shudder at the mere memory of it. Best of all, it costs half of what the hotels charge, at RM400 for a 1.2kg portion.

If money is no object, then the Mandarin Oriental Grill—which also uses the Josper as its steak-cooking implement of choice-should be one of your requisite meal pit stops. The aforementioned Blackmore Wagyu is served here, as is the Black Angus, also from Australia. The indisputable crowd favourite however is the hay-smoked Wagyu rib eye that’s served with double-baked cheese soufflé and black truffle jus. Even though the beef marbling notches in at a relatively modest six, this unabashedly decadent dish has helped establish the Grill as the yardstick by which other steak-preneurs should measure themselves.

But if the thought of shelling out RM400 for a steak dinner makes you green around the gills, then take comfort in the knowledge that the sizzling steak is still very much an option.

Follow Fay on Twitter and Instagram at @misskhoo.

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Lifestyle
Roe v. Wade was repealed—what happens now?
"My body, my choice"

30.06.2022
By Aria Nadkarni

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In a monumental decision made by the American Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade—the 1973 landmark ruling that protects the right to have an abortion—was overruled. As a federated nation, this does not mean that all states will have blanket bans on abortions, but rather that individual states reserve the right to decide whether or not to criminalise abortions.
Despite this, thirteen Republican states, such as Missouri, Alabama and Utah, instantaneously imposed ‘trigger bans’ (laws that automatically ban medically unnecessary abortions) after the ruling against Roe v. Wade.
At its most extreme extent, the removal of Roe v. Wade from the Constitution will result in the prohibition of the abortion of even potentially life-threatening pregnancies, and likely will force pregnant people to carry children to term in cases of incest and rape.

Source: Statista

1. Why was it repealed and how did this happen?
In the wake of the overruling of Roe v. Wade, many people may be wondering why repeal it after almost fifty years of the freedom to choose. One explanation may be the misrepresentation of political parties in the Supreme Court; the Court is disproportionately represented by Republican-appointed Justices, with Justices Alito, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, Thomas and Coney Barrett making up a five-four majority against the liberal justices (Kagan, Sotomayor and Breyer) and Chief Justice Roberts.
The liberal justices, in their joint statement, called out this disparity, “The Court reverses course today for one reason and one reason only: because the composition of this Court has changed.” But this is not the only reason that Roe v. Wade was called into question—Donald Trump’s 2016 election served to create an irreparable divide between the Democrats and Republicans along ideological lines. After Trump’s first year of tenure as the President of the United States, it was found that American Facebook users on the political left and political right shared almost no common interests.
The end result is a deep-seated antipathy between members of these opposing parties, and it is arguable that this antipathy has tampered with the integrity of the court and its onus to provide ‘Equal Justice Under Law’. Rather than making decisions beneficial to the majority, it is possible that this case represents the Republican-appointed Justices’ desire to appease their voter base, i.e., ‘pro-life’ communities.

Source: Pablo Ortellado and Marcio Moretto Ribeiro

2. What does it mean for Americans?
In their joint dissent, the liberal justices stated: “Either the mass of the majority’s opinion is hypocrisy, or additional constitutional rights are under threat. It is one or the other.” This ominous, almost-prophetic statement has generated a lot of confusion—how can one ruling affect another? Well, put simply, originalism is a school of legal thought which believes that the Constitution should be interpreted based on its original understanding at the time it was adopted.
While most argue that life in 1787 is drastically different to life in 2022, and hence should adapt to changing circumstances, originalist judiciaries, such as Justice Coney Barrett, disagree. The right to abortion was justified using the concept of a right to privacy, which was never explicitly mentioned in the American Constitution. Using the originalist debate, the majority were able to argue that since the Constitution does not refer to a right to privacy, abortion should not be a universal right.
The basis of this ruling has already opened the door to the questioning of further civil liberties—what the liberal justices have suggested may result in the ‘jeopardy of other rights’ as a result of a lack of ‘constancy in the law’. Their sentiment has already proven true: Justice Clarence Thomas, in an open letter, demanded that other cases legally justified the same way as Roe v. Wade—such as the right to contraception, same-sex intimacy and marriage—are unconstitutional and should be reconsidered.
If the mass majority is not, in fact, being hypocritical, we may soon see restrictions on birth control, same-sex marriage and even sovereignty for Native Americans. More immediately, this ruling will disproportionately impact low-income, already-marginalised communities, as they are forced to drive across state borders and take more extreme measures to secure safe abortions. In fact, numerous global health reports have shown that irrespective of whether abortion is legal or not, unwillingly pregnant individuals will perform unsafe abortions. Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, actress Maya Hawke candidly speaks about her mother’s abortion and summarises how the ability to have an abortion, in the wake of the new legislation, will become a commodity that generally only the wealthy can access.

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Many are taking this as a call to action, highlighting the flaws and flagrant hypocrisy in the legal system that simultaneously promotes the ‘pro-life’ philosophy whilst refusing to restrict gun access, which kills thousands of living children annually. The ‘pro-life’ ideology should realistically improve existing human life, by spending on universal healthcare, reducing institutionalised inequality, and improving the overburdened and underfunded foster care system.

3. But why should we, as Malaysians, care?
While the repeal of Roe v. Wade is a buzzing topic of discourse, it may seem irrelevant to us, considering we’re half-way across the world. What many of us don’t know is that abortion is not totally illegal in Malaysia—under our current penal code, termination is permissible when carrying the pregnancy to term poses mental or physical danger to the mother. Ironically, this system is far more progressive than some of the blanket bans on abortion in some states in America in the wake of the new ruling.
Speaking on BFM, abortion-rights activist Amanda Tiew warns us that the decision in America will inevitably have a ripple effect in the rest of the world. She reminds us of the USA’s incredible power over the world when it comes to reproductive health, especially in developing countries like ours, which depend on their foreign aid to continue to carry out NGO work. In 2016, Donald Trump reinstated the global gag rule—a policy which essentially silences countries which receive aid/global health funding from the USA from speaking out about abortion counselling and services.
Tiew warns that countries that have unstable political situations which ‘look to the US for guidance and funding’ are in danger of having their own abortion laws reconsidered. The consequences of this may be catastrophic. Tiew states that this will not only increase the number of unsafe abortions, but empower dangerous, existing black markets which swindle the vulnerable.
If a decision is made locally to place blanket bans on abortion, this will, contrary to popular belief, not only impact promiscuous, young, unmarried women—the NGO Tiew works for, International Network for the Reduction of Abortion Discrimination and Stigma (inroads), found that 48 per cent of the clients on their hotline are married, with 32 per cent having two or more children.
Conversations need to be opened up urgently to address the lack of proper reproductive education and family planning in Malaysia. If abortion is truly criminalised in Malaysia, we may see an increase in crime and baby dumping rates, and a public health crisis pertaining to the safety of anyone who can get pregnant.
Ultimately, Tiew reminds us that ‘the requests that people make for safe abortion can be incredibly nuanced and complex, and much more so than the media or political or religious institutions may want us to believe,’ and ultimately, the decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy grants the lease of life back to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and individuals susceptible to post-partum depression.
The right to choose, despite political rhetoric, comes down to basic human rights and dignity. Taking away reproductive rights is not only policing womens’ bodies, but taking away the choice of a better future for everyone involved.

4. Reactions to the repeal–this is not the end
With the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as catastrophic as it is, people all over the world have expressed their anger and grief. Many with large platforms have used it to communicate their dissent, additionally sharing resources for a ‘post-Roe’ world and urging people to take immediate action under the hashtag #CodifyRoeNOW.
As activist and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explains, the Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade and the ‘right to privacy’ had been established, “but a law was never passed to codify it”. She advocates for the Womens Health Protection Act (WHPA) which effectively would pass Roe v. Wade as a law and “re-establish access to abortion in the US despite Roe being overturned”. The WHPA, she elaborates, has been passed, but Senate filibuster prevents it from being actually enacted.
Furthermore, world representatives (outside the USA) have shown solidarity for what this means for pregnant people in the States and in their own countries, some making moves to reassure their citizens that the same will not happen to them. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon tweeted about the domino effect this will have outside the USA, saying it “will embolden anti-abortion & anti-women forces in other countries too.”

One of the darkest days for women’s rights in my lifetime. Obviously the immediate consequences will be suffered by women in the US – but this will embolden anti-abortion & anti-women forces in other countries too. Solidarity doesn’t feel enough right now – but it is necessary. https://t.co/T1656BPQuL
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 24, 2022

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo similarly expresses his concern “about [the] implications of [the Supreme Court’s] decision on Roe v. Wade and the signal it sends to the world”, especially with global gag rules in place.

Very concerned about implications of @USSupremeCourt decision on #RoeVWade and the signal it sends to the world.Banning abortion never leads to fewer abortions, only to more unsafe abortions.Belgium will continue to work with other countries to advance #SRHR everywhere.
— Alexander De Croo (@alexanderdecroo) June 24, 2022

Gloria Steinem, a famous feminist, cries for people to push the ratification of the Equal Rights Ammendment higher on the agenda—something she has been trying to pass for decades. The ERA essentially “forbids discrimination based on sex or gender”, so it would be a law that benefits everybody. Now more than ever, ERA is vital in taking action so no further civil liberties can be removed. Steinem asks and answers:
“If democracy means anything, it means […] equal decision-making power. Can men be forbidden to have a vasectomy? So why are women uniquely governed—in terms our physical selves—by various state laws? […] And when you look back in history at authoritarian movements around the world, you learn that often the first thing they have done is to outlaw abortion and declare family planning a crime against the state”
Hence, Steinem expresses, the passing of ERA is an imperative step in protecting women from the oppressions of the patriarchy, and more immediately, protecting pregnant people’s reproductive rights.

“That is what our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers lived through, and now here we are again. […] This horrifying decision will have devastating consequences, and it must be a wake-up call, especially to the young people who will bear its burden. I know this is not the future you chose for your generation–but if you give up now, you will inherit a country that does not resemble you or any of the values you believe in.” (@michelleobama, Instagram)

Countless celebrities have spoken out in a similarly frustrated tone, and many artists touring the USA this season have taken the opportunity to express their anger towards the Supreme Court and Justices responsible for this upheaval. From Billie Eilish and Phoebe Bridgers to Janelle Monae and Pink, all have spoken words reflective of our current state of mind and unabashedly displayed their stance on the matter. Olivia Rodrigo in particular, in her Glastonbury concert with Lily Allen, calls out the Justices directly:
“I’m devastated; I’m terrified. So many women and so many girls are going to die because of this, and I wanted to dedicate this next song to the five members of the Supreme Court who have showed us that at the end of the day, they truly don’t give a sh*t about freedom. […] We hate you!”

Halsey powerfully incorporated her message into the design of their show itself after giving a rousing speech, causing several audience members to walk out. Inspiringly, they bear no regret from this choice, instead responding: “If you don’t like it, I don’t know why you came to a Halsey concert, because I’ve never been shy that this is how [I feel].”

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Finally, let’s not forget this isn’t just an issue for people who can get pregnant. It’s also important for those who can’t to step up and do their part as well. “Let’s utilise collective power. Men, your voices are necessary too. You’ve benefitted from our access [to abortion],” writes actress Dianna Argon.
In her BET acceptance speech, Jazmine Sullivan called out: “If you have ever benefited from a woman making one of the toughest decisions of her life—to terminate a pregnancy—you need to be standing with us. This is not just a woman’s issue. This is everybody’s issue, and we need your support more than ever.”

5. What you can do
Organisations like Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union are still actively pushing for abortion access in the US, with ACLU going into court suing Texas, Florida, Kentucky (and more states to come) for abortion rights.
If you’re living in the USA or planning to live there soon, there are some important things you can do to ensure your safety and join the fight in pushing for abortion access—other than of course donating to local abortion funds, keeping informed, and putting in your votes.
Privacy will be a major concern in a ‘post-Roe’ world, as the main difference between the USA before the original implementation of Roe v. Wade and now, after its repeal, is that we are in an era of unprecedented digital surveillance. It is highly likely that states which criminalise people who get abortions may take advantage of the current digital advancements and use it for tracking.
Using private browsers such as DuckDuckGo, VPNs, throwaway email addresses, as well as deleting period apps that require sign-ins, are good steps to take for your safety, especially if you’re in an impacted state.
Planned Parenthood’s period tracking app Spot On is one of the anonymous applications around, where your menstruation data cannot be identified to your person in any way (other than by yourself), and can be deleted at any time through deleting the app itself. In terms of messaging, using encrypted applications with disappearing messages is a good precaution when discussing plans.
To note, an alternative way to obtain an abortion if you are unable to travel outside of state/unable to get an abortion through normal channels, is to conduct a self-managed abortion. Organisations like Plan C provide pills for SMAs in all 50 states, but make sure to use trustable and recognised organisations and do your research on their delivery methods/details of the pills, especially if you require these pills to be sent discreetly.
Finally, for those not in the USA, your support is still important. Start conversations with those who hold anti-abortion views in your life, and keep yourself informed on any legislative shifts that may occur as well as the discourse surrounding abortion rights. Read and share stories of people who have undergone abortions; for those with conflicting views on the topic, garnering empathy may be key to understanding the right to choose. Planned Parenthood’s ‘Our Abortions, Our Stories’ continues this conversation, sharing real experiences from real people.
For more info and help finding an abortion provider, click this link.

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Beauty
Diptyque Pavilion KL has a new facelift – here’s what you’ll love about it
Of opulent scents

23.09.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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Two years after opening its flagship store at Fashion Avenue in Pavilion KL, diptyque has gone through a brand new facelift and here’s why we think it is worth checking out. With a new reinterpretation of the iconic original design of diptyque’s Boulevard St. Germain boutique in Paris, the store’s atmosphere evokes a warm, elegant vibe that complements its decadently scented candles and perfumes.

The new space features subtle design elements that are similar to the global revamp of all diptyque stores worldwide, from a geometric design table featuring the latest products to a vintage chandelier and modern wooden floors. In the early 60s, the Parisian store originally displayed limited editions of objects that the founders brought back from their travels around the world on wooden display shelves; and as inspired from that, the current Pavilion store holds wooden bookcases stacked atop wooden furniture on each side of the boutique, presenting new finds to passerbys easily.
From the subtle fragrance that permeates the space to the signature colourful gift wrapping services, find out more about diptyque‘s reinvented flagship store at Level 3, Fashion Avenue, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

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Fashion
Style ID: What would you wear to Euphoria High?

08.02.2022
By Kelly Lim

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Style
Met Gala 2021: Best fashion from the red carpet

14.09.2021
By Kelly Lim

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It may not be the first Monday of May, but guess what? The Met Gala is back! After last year’s cancellations due to the pandemic, fashion’s biggest night of the year returns today as a smaller, more intimate affair to introduce, for the first time, a two-part exhibit under the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Ahead, we detail everything you need to know about the upcoming event, from the theme to co-chairs and how to watch—scroll to the end for all the best over-the-top looks:

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What is the Met Gala?
AKA “the party of the year”, the Met Gala, or Met ball, is an annual gala night to celebrate and raise funds at a new exhibit by the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art’s Costume Institute. Since its establishment in 1984 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert––who also established New York Fashion Week––the evening has become one of the most talked-about events of the year, with the world’s biggest stars and industry players attending in their finest attire. Corresponding to the exhibition on display, a theme is also set each year for everyone to dress up to.
READ: The Met Gala: A visual history of the many, memorable themes

What is this year’s theme?
Fresh off the physical revival of New York Fashion Week, this year’s theme for the Met Gala is all about American fashion. In an interview with Vogue, head curator Andrew Bolton said that it was time to reexamine American identity and fashion, especially within recent contexts of changing social and political climates, and conversations around issues of equity, diversity and inclusivity. “I think that emphasis on conscious creativity was really consolidated during the pandemic and the social justice movements,” he said. “And I’ve been really impressed by American designers’ responses to the social and political climate, particularly around issues of body inclusivity and gender fluidity, and I’m just finding their work very, very self-reflective. I really do believe that American fashion is undergoing a Renaissance.”
This year’s Met Gala will coincide with part one of the exhibition, titled ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’, which is opening on September 18 at the Anna Wintour Costume Centre at the Met in celebration of the Costume Institute’s 75th anniversary; while part two, ‘An Anthology of Fashion’ will debut on May 5, 2022 alongside the Met Gala 2022 just three days before.

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The exhibit for ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’ will feature pieces from American designers like Christopher John Rogers, Prabal Gurung and Sterling Ruby; and organised to establish “a new vocabulary that’s more relevant and more reflective of the times we’re living in,” Bolton said. Part two, on the other hand, will be held in the period rooms of the museum’s American wing and will debut a more cinematic experience in collaboration with American film directors to depict the history of the country’s fashion. Both exhibitions will run through September 2022.
Below, click through to see some of the runway looks, from big names and emerging designers, that will be on display at ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’:

Michael Kors Autumn/Winter 2021 Ready-to-wear

Thom Browne 2018  Menswear

Rick Owens Autumn/Winter 2019 Ready-to-wear

Off-white Autumn/Winter 2020 Ready-to-wear

Anna Sui Spring/Summer 1994 Ready-to-wear

Jeremy Scott Autumn/Winter 2009 Ready-to-wear

Zac Posen Pre-fall 2012

Christopher John Rogers Autumn/Winter 2020 Ready-to-wear

Heron Preston Spring/Summer 2021 Ready-to-wear

Greg Lauren Spring/Summer 2021 Menswear

Prabal Gurung Spring/Summer 2020 Ready-to-wear

Who is this year’s co-chairs?
Timothée Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman, and Naomi Osaka will co-chair the affair, while Tom Ford, Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, and Anna Wintour will serve as the honorary chairs.
Is there a formal dress code?
Yes! The official dress code is American Independence. While we can expect this to be expressed in more ways than one by American designers, there are always a few celebrities who show up off-theme. Whatever we’ll see, it’s bound to be unexpected.

not a day goes by that i don’t think about the iconic zac posen light-up gown claire danes wore to the 2016 met gala pic.twitter.com/cP9qQSUB9U
— (@yslprincesse) September 11, 2021

Who’s invited this year?
A few weeks ago, a fake Met Gala seating chart went viral on the internet for its inclusion of several TikTok influencers, but all things considered, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to say that some of these new online personalities could be in attendance for 2021. Designers typically invite the buzziest names of the moment, and over on Twitterland, rumours are flying that Blackpink’s Rosé is set to take the red c

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Film, TV + Theatre
Get to know Walter Mercado—the legendary astrologer from ‘Mucho Mucho Amor’ on Netflix

09.07.2020
By Ronn Tan

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14 Thrilling new TV shows and films to stream in July 2023

It’s a massive world out there and we don’t always know everything. Scratch that—we will never be able to know everything but we’re fortunate to be living in a generation that’s now more connected than ever with the help of technology. However, this wasn’t always the case and news in New Zealand would take ages to reach a location like Egypt (or never). The same theory applies to one-of-a-kind enigma, Walter Mercado.

Even when he was one of the most prominent names during his time in the limelight, many outside the Spanish-speaking communities did not know and have never heard of him. Well, things are about to change with the release of Netflix’s latest documentary, Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. At the height of his career, he was adored by everyone in the Latin American and Puerto Rican communities but not so much with non-Spanish-speaking audiences. Did you know that drag queen Alexis Mateo recently played Walter Mercado during the Snatch Game segment on Season Five of RuPaul’s Drag Race?
He’s known as a larger-than-life and flamboyant figure—both characteristics that are highlighted in the Netflix show. The documentary revolves around his impact and legacy, as well as features Walter Mercado himself. Following his death in 2019 at the age of 87, this is now described as his swan song.
Who was Walter Mercado?

Photo by Walter Mercado
It’s safe to say that the world was extra colourful on 9 March 1932 when Walter Mercado was born. He was conceived on a ship travelling from Spain to Puerto Rico, where he was raised. Before beginning a career as an astrologer, Walter Mercado was a dancer and an actor. In fact, he starred in telenovelas such as Larga distancia (Long Distance) and Un adiós en el recuerdo (A Farewell to the Memory)—both in Puerto Rico.
How did he become an astrologer?

Photo by Getty Images
The legend of the one-and-only Walter Mercado began in 1969 when he was asked to take the place of an absent guest on a television programme. On the Telemundo show, he was requested to read horoscopes on behalf of the person who didn’t show up. Call it pure luck or call it a coincidence; but it was Walter Mercado’s very own personality that caught everyone’s attention.
After his appearance, he was asked to return because the show was flooded with requests to see him on screen again. That’s when Walter Mercado became the star that we all know and love. Since hosting his own regular segment on Telemundo Puerto Rico in 1970, his focus has mainly been with astrology.

Photo by Getty Images
Many television networks across Latin America and the United States featured him in the 1980s—with “his readings [reaching] 120 million Latino viewers a day for more than 30 years.” In 1990, he brought his iconic segment and concept to Univision Miami’s Primer Impacto.

Photo by Getty Images
Extravagnt robes, heavily-decorated capes, dramatic flair, and the well-known phrase—”Above all, much, much, much love”—are all traits of Walter Mercado that will be remembered forever.
What happened next?
Despite being a massive star, Walter Mercado was absent from the spotlight in the 1980s—and that was at the height of his career. In 2006, he was involved in a legal battle with former manager Bill Bakula over the rights to his name and likeness. This went on for six years.

Photo by Getty Images
His final public appearance before his death in 2019 was during the opening of the Mucho, Mucho Amor exhibit at the HistoryMiami Museum. Some of the items that were on display included his capes and jewellery.
Spiritual marriage and LGBTQ+ icon status

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Although Walter Mercado was never officially married, he was linked to Brazilian actress, Mariette Detotto. In fact, the duo was said to be in a spiritual relationship. In case you didn’t know, here’s a definition of spiritual relationship according to author James Redfield: “a relationship built on inner security and healthy communication.”
During an interview with Jorge Ramos in 2019, Walter Mercado addressed the questions surrounding his sexuality by saying, “The people want to know [if] Walter [is] straight, homosexual, metrosexual, bisexual—I don’t care. Here I am, I am who I am, that’s it.” While he has never labeled his sexuality, he was seen as a queer icon, especially in Latin America.

Photo by Getty Images
On the topic of Walter Mercado’s queer icon status, Kareem Tabsch, co-director of Mucho Mucho Amor, said: “I recognised that sense of otherness in him that I saw in me. I was a much less fabulous version, but I could tell he was different in a way that I was different. And if there was that possibility that he was so loved in the Latino community being so different, that as a young queer person, maybe I too could be loved.”

Photo by Getty Images
“Growing up as a queer boy and watching Walter Mercado gave me hope,” Karlo Karlo (a makeup artist and activist) said about Walter Mercado’s influence on the LGBTQ+ community. Fun fact: Walter Mercado picked Timothée Chalamet when he was asked who he wanted to play him in a biopic.
The Mucho Mucho Amor documentary

So, what was shown in the new Netflix show? Directed by both Kareem Tabsch and Cristina Costantini; and produced by Alex Fumero, Mucho Mucho Amor is an intimate look at the life of the extraordinary television astrologer. Walter Mercado only agreed to be part of the documentary after he read their astrological signs.

There were many memorable moments from Mucho Mucho Amor. One of them featured Lin-Manuel Miranda. The footage showed the Hamilton creator teary-eyed during a meeting with Walter Mercado in Puerto Rico. To many around the world, this programme is an introduction to the star; it’s genuine, enigmatic, positive, and vulnerable. Actor Eugenio Derbez and El Gordo y la Flaca host Raúl De Molina also made appearances.
The documentary combined recent footage and archival clips—with the message of unity and positive at the core of it all. This isn’t a show about believing in astrology but rather one that encourages society to make the most of each day.
Although Walter Mercado has passed, his extravagant and fabulous spirit lives on for newer generations through Mucho Mucho Amor. Viewers will not forget his grand ensembles and his unrivaled reputation—not just in the Latin realm, but in the entire world. You’ll have to watch the whole documentary for the full Mercado experience.

The 96-minute show on Netflix is heartfelt and emotional yet dazzling and full of life. As mentioned, Walter Mercado is an enigma and you’ll be able to tell from the documentary. Described as equal parts Oprah, Liberace, and Mr. Rogers, Walter Mercado’s legacy and name will forever be cemented in pop culture. After all, he is an international phenomenon. One important and poignant quote from Mucho Mucho Amor perfectly concludes the show and his personality: “You have to be nice to people, you have to give the best of yourself every moment of your life, and you have to believe in yourself.”
Read more about the film here. For more shows to watch on Netflix, click here.

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Lifestyle
3 charming cocktails you should try this weekend
Clink, clink

31.07.2015
By Buro247

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

1. Tommy Margarita

This cocktail combines the classic ingredients of a margarita with agave nectar to add a little sweetness to the sour drink. Found in Cantaloupe Bar, this cocktail shows off the bar’s sophistication and keeps it classy.

2. Bella Boom Boom

As the name suggests, this cocktail will make a ‘boom’ in your mouth. Made with Gin, Campari, Basil Leaf and Grapefruit, this cocktail contains a subtle bitterness that makes it a perfect aperitif. The Bella Boom Boom represents the innovative twists and bold flavours found in Claret Wine Bar.

3. Rum Rhapsody

Besides looking gorgeous, this cocktail made with Rum , Pineapple, Secret P7 Syrup and Blonde Chocolate exudes the taste of summer. The fun and exotic flavours that burst from this drink will definitely bring out the tiki party vibes in you! Reflecting its South American flair, this cocktail, found in Fuego, would be perfectly paired with guacamole.

For reservations at any one these venues, please call 03-2162 0886 or email [email protected]. www.troikaskydining.com

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Technology
Team Buro Answers: The machines we wish would be invented in the future

12.07.2019
By Ronn Tan

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The world saw a machine revolution in the year 1900. Tasks done by hand were quickly completed by machine as electrical power became more ubiquitous. Depending on how you look at it, a machine-dependent society can either be fantastic or scary. As we live our best lives in the zeitgeist of advanced technology, we seek convenience, ease, and simplicity—maybe we’re just lazy, but hey, life’s a brief candle and we just want to have it easy, right? We are only a few months away from 2020 and there are still machines that have yet to be invented (gagging permitted). Without further ado, we present our pitches wishes for machines we really, really want in the future, and you might notice a recurring theme.
TERRY SAW, editor-in-chief

Last week, I spent a total of six (too many) hours on the road on one particularly busy day, which got me thinking. Instead of a teleport machine, I’ll take it up a notch and go for (a much sleeker upgrade) of The Replicator from Star Trek. With the ability to create anything and everything in between, I could go beyond teleportation to also clone myself to be in more places than one and get way more done in a day with enough time to spare for a quick dive trip (and back) before a night event! Home in a flash, any supper craving in the world would be sitting pretty, waiting to be enjoyed over a couple of Netflix episodes before calling it a day. Dreaming big, The Replicator could also potentially solve most—if not all—of the world’s problems; it could end greed, or hunger, and possibly put a stop to wars because there is no longer a need to fight for material wealth and resources, what’s not to love?
RACHEL AU, editor

Honestly? A Food-o-mator (okay, maybe the inventor of this can rethink the name). It’d be the size of a microwave machine and capable of popping out whatever dish you’re craving for—so kind of like a 3D printer but for edible food. But it’s not going to serve generic tasting food like those frozen or microwavable meals. Instead, it’s all in the settings. On the machine, it’d be pretty basic such as keying in the dish. Connect it with the app on the smartphone and you can even upload image for it to produce the dish exactly like the picture. Purchase an additional (but optional) remote and you can even select specific dishes made by specific world-renowned chefs (with said chef’s participation of course, and which they’d get some form of royalty fees). The best part is: It’d only take five minutes for the dish to be ready. Hey, a hungry girl can dream, right?
GWEN ONG, associate editor

A portal that will allow me to be transported to anywhere in the world and visit any of my favourite cities—this Doraemon-inspired door will bring back that childlike wonder we have all forgotten. It’s a nondescript door but the magic it contains is absolutely mind-blowing! Just say where you want to go, walk through the doorway and you can reach the destination of your heart’s desire minus the long air travel. Think of the time I’ll save and how much more I can savour the sight, sound and food, always the food!
JOAN KONG, fashion editor

While a teleportation device and a food machine (à la The Jetsons, please) are also on my a-girl-can-dream list, there’s something else that I want need more—a summoning device. Think Harry Potter‘s ‘Accio’ charm in machine form, where I can ask for anything, and it’ll automatically appear. Thanks to my goldfish memory, I have been misplacing and leaving things behind as long as I can remember – no pun intended – so just imagine how big of a help it would be! From summoning my pair of sneakers which I forgot to bring to the gym to helping me locate my phone, once it gets an upgrade, it can even bring me whatever I wish for (A Shackburger from Shake Shack with a side of In-N-Out fries? The sky’s the limit). All I can say is good luck to whoever who’s inventing it!

STEPHANIE BOEY, fashion writer

Online shopping is heaven-sent. Being able to buy things from the comfort of your own couch and pyjamas definitely has its perks. However, I read a very alarming statistic on Business of Fashion the other day. When it comes to online shopping, US$369 billion worth of unwanted clothing were returned in just one year. And those numbers depict the situation in the United States alone. What’s more, BoF reports that the return rate of online purchases is nearly double than in-store purchases. In the current digital age, shopping online is in our future. Hence, I would like a device to be invented that allows you to upload your exact measurements and proportions to your favourite shopping sites so you can digitally try on clothes to reduce the amount of unwanted buys. With this technology, you’ll be able to know which size to buy, which styles fit you best and take a good look at the fit and colour before you hit the ‘Purchase’ button. It’ll save time, money, resources and all those hassling returns.
LOH WEI YEEN, beauty editor

Confession: Getting out of bed is pretty much the most challenging part of my mornings. I’m the kind of person who’d rather apply a full face of makeup in the car, en route to work, just to get an extra 15 minutes of shut-eye. To solve this dilemma (that is my idea of a #firstworldproblem), a futuristic machine of my dreams would take me from the bedroom to the boardroom in a matter of minutes—from propelling me out of bed and into the shower to airbrushing a face full of makeup right after (no need for stealing minutes in between traffic lights to draw on my eyeliner). I admit that I’m more excited about getting an extra hour of zzzs more than anything else if this get-ready-with-me machine ever materialises.
JOANNA PINTO, special projects editor

As much as I love to travel, the journey there is usually something I dread, be it a long-haul 14-hour flight or a somewhat tolerable 4-hour road trip where my mobility is limited to just stretching as far as the vehicle’s leg space can accommodate. Which is why I think a teleportation machine would be great – heck, it’s even going to make daily commute to work a breeze! I mean, who wouldn’t want to save themselves time, money and the hassle of looking for parking, right?
TAN SU FEN, contributing writer

As I watched shows like When They See Us and Confession Tapes on Netflix, I couldn’t help but wished there was a legit, scientific way to tell the truth from lies; to prevent injustice. There’s polygraph testing, but it can be unreliable. One thing that came to mind was the fictional Grain device from Black Mirror‘s ‘The Entire History of You’ episode (I’m obviously on Netflix a bit too much), a small implant that records everything the owner sees and hears, so that memories can be replayed later on too—nothing like actual memories to beat lies. But of course, as the show illustrates, there can be dark consequences from such tech too. If only there was a perfect version of everything, eh?
RONN TAN, editorial assistant

Life’s too short to be moody and down all the time. I stumbled upon an article on depression the other day and thought to myself—wouldn’t it be great to have a device that turns frowns upside down? If you’re wondering, an upside down frown would technically be a smile. I imagine the device to be akin to the Neuralyser from Men In Black but smaller and pink. Stop judging, thank you. All I have to do is position the device in between the Lucky One’s (if you’re not sad, then you’re lucky, right) eyes and at a click of a button, pink neon lights flash and voila, happiness is restored. No complications, no side effects, just pure joy. I’m pretty sure this sparks way more joy than Marie Kondo. Our daily soundtrack would be Happy by Pharrell, until it gets annoying (but we’ll be too happy to be annoyed). The Happy Maker, and I know how that sounds, is a machine that’s definitely necessary in the future.
CHONG YI SUEN, art director

If you’re an 80s kid like me, surely you have heard of Doraemon, the comic about a cat robot from the 22nd century, and his young owner, Nobita. As a kid, I was amazed at how Doraemon managed to pull out all sort of amazing equipments and tools from his white pocket. My favourite equipment that he owns—the Time Machine. So, I wish that Doraemon can be invented in the near future because by owning him, I will have all the machines that were mentioned by other Buro team mates. Talk about winning.

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Film, TV + Theatre
7 Minutes with Iain Armitage of ‘Young Sheldon’

26.09.2019
By Gwen Ong

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14 Thrilling new TV shows and films to stream in July 2023

As far as TV character goes, there’s none quite like Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory. He is neurotic, eccentric, naive and incredibly awkward but those are the characteristics that really make him endearing too. But we imagine it would be pretty challenging growing up as a genius. Young Sheldon, played by Iain Armitage, depicts this struggle rather accurately. For two seasons, we’ve seen how this gifted kid navigate his life around his family and school. Now at the dawn of Season 3, the Young Sheldon actor shares more about his character, similar quirky habits he has and the chemistry on set in the interview below:
1. Now that you’ve played Sheldon in two seasons of Young Sheldon, do you feel quite close to the character?
“I think so, yes. I now feel very comfortable being him and I can turn his voice on an awful lot, and I do feel a lot closer to him than I did maybe in the first couple of episodes.”

2. Sheldon is such a quirky character. Do you feel like you’ve got anything in common with him at all?
“A couple little things. Certain things with materials that can’t touch each other—I have a couple weird things like that. Usually it’s like wearing socks in a bed. Or shoelaces when you’re tying them. Feeling the two materials rub against each other…I don’t like that. I don’t like socks touching carpet. I don’t like socks touching sheets.”

3. What about your castmates? Do they have any quirky habits that you can tell us about?
“I’m not sure. I think I’m the only crazy one. Everyone else is pretty normal. I have a wonderful time with everyone. Raegan Revord, who plays Sheldon’s sister Missy and I have such a fun time on set, we run around at lunch and stuff. Oh goodness, we have a lot of fun together. And me and Montana [Jordan], who plays the older brother [Georgie], he is so fun and so nice. He’s like a real older brother to us. He’s like our jungle gym. He lets us climb on his back. And then there’s everyone else—Ms. Zoe [Perry, who plays mom Mary], Daddy Lance [Barber, who plays dad George], Meemaw. Ms. Annie [Potts], I call her my Meemaw in real life.”
4. After two seasons, does your on-screen family feel a bit like a real family now?
“Oh, yes, totally. We are very close to each other. Sometimes I come into work and my hair is all messed up—I try to keep the Aerogel in so sometimes I don’t wash my hair.”
5. Aerogel is what’s used to give Sheldon his slick hair?
“Yeah. We go through trillions of cans of that in a year. I sometimes try to keep that in. If they put it on the day before then I come in and it’s all crunchy and messed up because I was sleeping. I’ll come in and one of the grips will come up, and like, mess it up and I’ll say, “Oh, it was messed up already. You can do that.” It’s just nice. It really does feel like a family or a town or something.”

6. Sheldon has a lot of complex scientific jargon that he has to say in the show. Is that hard to memorise?
“Yes. Oh my goodness. “And here near apogee, we gimble the engine to exert a tor, which executes a picture of a manoeuver to flip the rocket by 180 degrees. Needless to say, we use a PID controller to minimise the dispersions of landing site.” Yeah, so that one was weird. And then, there was one where I had to say, “You claimed that the only way to calculate the magnetic field in QCD units is using Maxwell’s equations, but you’re completely discrediting energy density by a factor of 3.50 which when examined closely, you realise that the square root of four times pi…” I had a whole big line about science, and I forgot it,”
“It’s always out of my brain. I pulled that from the very depths there. It’s weird, I can memorise it before and after the scene, but when I’m doing the scene, I know it horribly, so I wish I could have that swapped.”
7. You’re a big theatre fan and have your own theatre review YouTube channel called ‘Iain Loves Theater’. Your on-screen mother Zoe Perry has a big background in theatre too. Is that something you two bond over and talk about a lot?
“Ms. Zoe and I, sometimes we talk about theatre. Usually not though because we’re either on set waiting to go, coming back to set to start acting or eating lunch. And in that case, we’re stuffing our faces with food.”
8. Besides acting, I know you’ve got a lot of other skills. You’ve got tap dancing skills, which we get to see in one particular episode. It was a little bit of flavour in there. You also do magic tricks—can we expect to see you demonstrate your magic skills on Young Sheldon too?
“Oh, thank you. Well, you’ll have to wait and see. Also, I don’t know the answer to that! It’s up to [Young Sheldon creators] Mr. Chuck [Lorre] and Mr. Steve [Molaro].”

9. What was the best piece of advice that Jim Parsons, who played the older Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, gave you about playing the character?
“Mostly Jim’s advice was about how to do the voice and a couple of his mannerisms –things like that. Now, I can just slip into his character pretty easily. It’s like a coat or something. You can just put it on and take it off.”
10. So now it’s second nature.
“Now it’s even first nature. The weird thing about acting is I can now hear my little inner Sheldon saying things like, “Why would you say that? Why? You, why did you step there? No step, step to the left.” So now I have a little tiny inner Sheldon who annoys me all the time. With acting, I almost feel like the character takes over your body and I don’t really feel like I’m in control of it when I’m on set.”

11. Do you get recognised in public a lot and asked to say lines from the show? You might not be as instantly recognisable without the bow tie and the slicked hair.
“I usually like doing lines for people. Usually, they are like, “You’re not young Sheldon!” and I’m like, “Oh, you wanna bet?” I have to keep my face pale. I think seeing a kid with a face this pale is a bit of a giveaway. I think most kids’ faces aren’t this ghost white. So sometimes I get recognised, it kind of depends.”
12. Thank you for time Iain!
“Alright, thank you so much!”
The new season premieres this Friday, 27 Sept at 8.35pm, same day as the US on Warner TV (Unifi TV Ch 451 and Astro Ch 719)

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Lifestyle
The world’s most famous Barbie quits Instagram too
All about real life

05.11.2015
By Buro247

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

Earlier this week, Instagram celebrity Essena O’Neill publicly declared her disappointment with being a social media star. Launching a personal campaign to highlight how her virtual life has been very much curated, O’Neill renamed her Instagram account – which had half a million followers – to “Social Media Is Not Real Life,” deleting her Tumblr, YouTube and Snapchat accounts, and over 2,000 Instagram photos, while re-captioning some to explain the truth behind each picture.
O’Neill has quickly become a beacon for speaking out against the repurcussions of being addicted to social media fame and how unfulfilling it can become in real life. But long before the Australian teen released her tearful video (which has ironically garnered her an additional 300,000 followers as she has launched a website called “Let’s Be Game Changers”), many have already attempted to illustrate her point way before her intervention. One such crusader was the charming Socality Barbie, a parody Instagram account with 1.3 million followers that documented the picture-perfect life of what many have dubbed the Hipster Barbie.
Today, Socality Barbie creator Darby Cisneros has announced that the nature-loving Barbie will also be retiring from Instagram. And quite frankly, we’re going to miss her. Socality Barbie first emerged as an overnight sensation, mocking the faux lives of social media users who create an ideal life on these platforms, mostly in the name of getting likes and follows. But Socality Barbie wasn’t just a hilarious, light-hearted, plastic example of how people have become so consumed with projecting a perfect life online; the Instagram account was an enviably gorgeous one with beautifully framed photos that rivalled that of the most popular Instagram celebrities, complete with many, many hashtags.
In her final post, Cisneros writes, “I started SB as a way to poke fun at all the Instagram trends that I thought were ridiculous. Never in 1 million years did I think it would receive the amount of attention that it did but because of that it has opened the door to a lot of great questions like: how we choose to present ourselves online, the insane lengths many of us go to create the perfect Instagram life, and calling into question our authenticity and motives. It’s been a blast running this account but I believe SB’s work here is done.”
Socality Barbie’s legacy remains accessible to the public on Instagram.

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Lifestyle
Here’s a peek inside Serena William’s totally ace baby shower
One love

07.08.2017
By Buro247

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

This is how you smash the term #squadgoals. Just yesterday, Serena Williams and her crew shook, rattled and rolled out on Instagram in their ’50s best for a baby shower that is going to be quite the feat to match. #ShakeRattleRoll2017 was the hashtag for the fun nostalgia-tinged event that took place at an old-school diner in West Palm Beach, Florida. A “Baby O” diner signage, old school jukebox and bright cherry red truck parked out front played backdrop for a volley of ‘grams.

In attendance was a bevy of beauties, which included celebrities like Ciara, Eva Longoria, Kelly Rowland and LaLa Anthony. Sister to the tennis superstar, Venus Williams also made an appearance. Right-o, mustn’t waste more hours, why don’t you cast an eyeball on the pictures we found of the stylish kittens dressed to the nines for a bash to remember:

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Aug 6, 2017 at 6:04am PDT

A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on Aug 5, 2017 at 3:53pm PDT

A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on Aug 5, 2017 at 5:12pm PDT

A post shared by LaLa (@lala) on Aug 5, 2017 at 4:57pm PDT

A post shared by LaLa (@lala) on Aug 5, 2017 at 3:52pm PDT

A post shared by Kelly Rowland (@kellyrowland) on Aug 5, 2017 at 3:40pm PDT

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Beauty
Steal: Selena Gomez’s look in time for party season
Glam and glow

06.12.2017
By Terry Saw

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Days after the Billboard Women in Music 2017 event and drama still surrounds Selena Gomez. This year alone, the reigning Queen of Instagram has taken time out to focus on her health, made waves with her new album Wolves, tried her hand at producing 13 Reasons Why on Netflix, made time for a new (now #throwback) romance with The Weeknd and still manage to blur the lines over the whole Jelena saga (again).

The newest Billboard honoree also caused quite a stir when she made her Instagram account private after being upset at an editorial quote, which was taken out of context – but as with most Hollywood social media breaks go, Gomez’s account is now back to public after just hours of ‘Insta-vacation’ – cue sighs of relief from over 130 million of her followers. If these are what it takes to be named Billboard’s 2017 Woman of the Year, I think we’ll take a raincheck!
Drama aside, what we’re really interested in is recreating her stunningly natural makeup that will take us from desk to drinks come party season. And according to makeup pro Hung Vanngo, it’s easier than you think:
“Selena likes to look natural – it’s all about skin and enhancing her features. After seeing her outfit, I gave her makeup a little 90s feel.” – Hung Vanngo

FOR THE SKIN
“Prep your skin with your normal skincare. I used the MJ Beauty Coconut Face Primer on Selena’s skin before buffing an oil-free foundation all over.”
“For a little luminosity, add a few drops of highlighter on top of your cheekbones – I used the MJ Beauty Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter on the apples of her cheeks, the bridge of her nose and on the cupid’s bow.”
“Dot a little concealer under the eyes to brighten the area.”
“Use light dustings of powder along the T-zone to set the makeup and a swirl of blush on the cheeks to finish.”

FOR THE EYES
“Prep your lids with a primer so your eye makeup stays put.”
“I used ‘Known For’ from the MJ Beauty Eye-conic Eyeshadow Paletter in Glambition all over her eyelids and lower lash lines.”
“Define your upper lash lines using eyeliner – I recommend a gel eye crayon one for easy application. Use a smudge brush to soften the lines before applying another layer of eye shadow for added depth and intensity.”
“Lastly, finish with two coats of mascara, focusing the upper lashes only.”

FOR THE BROWS
“I filled in Selena’s brows using the MJ Beauty Brow Wow in Medium Brown 6 and brushed them up and out with a brow tamer grooming gel after.”

FOR THE LIPS
“Line your lips with a long-wear lip liner pencil before filling them in with a cream lipstick – if you’re a fan of this colour on Selena, it’s an apricot nude shade (MJ Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème in No Angel 242).”
“All that’s left is to set your look with a quick spritz of setting mist and you’re done!”

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Watches + Jewellery
Svetlana Kupriyanova enlightens us about Carrera y Carrera’s Universo collection
Perpetual wanderlust

17.08.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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The Cartier Privé collection is about history and modernity

Internationally-renowned Spanish jewellery company Carrera y Carrera unveiled their Universo collection during Baselworld 2015—four lines inspired by an old travel diary found in Madrid, filled with his philosophy, memories and vague recollections, and also an endless fascination with the Lady of Elche, a 2,600-year old sculpture found in Spain in 1897. Incorporating amethysts, prasiolites, pink sapphires, and smoky quartz into four different lines—Origen, Alegoría, Savia, and Prisma, the collection pays homage to eternal femininity and elegance.
We had a quick chat with CEO Svetlana Kupriyanova, who waxes lyrical about Universo’s inspiration, her personal favourite from this collection, and what we can expect from the brand in time to come:
Spanish culture is a constant reference point for Carrera y Carrera. How does the brand ensure that each collection is different to the other?
Spain has always been a country with a great culture behind it. For many centuries, Spain was the foremost of the world powers, above all during the Spanish Golden Age (the XIV and XV centuries).  Spain had colonies in practically every part of the globe, and for this reason Spanish culture is so broad and carries within it so many shades of other cultures.  We have enriched our own culture with the rest of those other cultures.
Today, Carrera y Carrera drinks from all of that tradition and wisdom of the Spanish Golden Age, and also draws on the creativity of a period during which Spain led Europe. To stroll through the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville or Bilbao (for example), to speak with the locals, allows our designers’ inspiration to flow endlessly.

Please tell us your thoughts on Universo?
Universo is a collection based on an archaeological find without equal — the Lady of Elche, a sculpture that symbolizes the beginning of life, of the world, of everything. The Lady of Elche is the answer to all of those questions that human beings have always asked.

Is there a significance behind each medium used in each line of the Universo collection?
This year, in addition to the inimitable design of the Carrera y Carrera pieces, we have created jewels with special meaning. The selection of gemstones that makes up the jewels of the Universo collection have a lot to do with the benefit they bring to the woman wearing them — diamonds, amethysts, onyx, and sapphires. Furthermore, in this latest collection, we have included a unique and very special stone — Ametrine, which is half amethyst, half citrine, a magical and truly exclusive jewel.

A personal favourite piece within this collection?
The Universo piece that features this ametrine stone is one of my favourites.  It is a ring from the Alegoría line, symbolizing a butterfly in yellow gold, and the facets and shape of the stone in addition to its special colour make this piece something innovative, avant-garde, and truly elegant.

How would you describe the Carrera y Carrera woman?
The Carrera y Carrera woman is a woman who is sure of herself, judicious, full of personality, fun, cosmopolitan, and very special. Someone independent and in love with life, with her life especially. Definitely a great woman.

What are you currently inspired and intrigued by? How does this translate to your work philosophy at Carrera y Carrera?
At Carrera y Carrera, we are truly interested in culture.  In all its senses, not just in what pertains to Spanish culture.  We like to soak up everything that is happening in the world and enrich ourselves. In particular, we are interested in the goals and achievements of great women, from the Lady of Elche, to Madame Bovary, Carme Ruscalleda and Malala and Zaha Hadid (the woman to whom we have dedicated this year’s Woman of the Year Award, for what she has brought to and changed about the world of architecture as we knew it.)

What else can we expect from Carrera y Carrera in the year to come?
Soon we will present a special collection to celebrate love, a very special collection through which Carrera y Carrera wishes to invite its customers to create a unique jewel. But always something surprising, always something beautiful, and always elegant with special jewels.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Carrera y Carrera Universo Collection” rid=”3226″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Fashion
7 buzz-worthy moments that sum up New York Fashion Week AW17
Big Apple buzz

18.02.2017
By Buro247

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1. Raf Simons debuted a highly anticipated lineup for Calvin Klein Collection with a brilliant riff on Americana.

A post shared by WWD (@wwd) on Feb 10, 2017 at 7:47am PST

2. Master of the post-show bash, Alexander Wang surprised guests with no after party following his standing room only show in a decrepit theatre.

A post shared by ALEXANDER WANG (@alexanderwangny) on Feb 11, 2017 at 8:05pm PST

3. Public School did some revision on Trump-talk with their slogan embellished streetwear offerings—”Make America New York.”

A post shared by PUBLIC SCHOOL (@publicschoolnyc) on Feb 12, 2017 at 9:44am PST

4. Prabal Gurung ended his show with a diverse cast sporting political and feminist statements scrawled onto tees.

A post shared by Aimee Song (@songofstyle) on Feb 12, 2017 at 4:49pm PST

5. Proenza Schouler wrote their swan song with much aplomb before the big shift to Paris Fashion Week.

A post shared by Vogue Runway (@voguerunway) on Feb 13, 2017 at 4:16pm PST

6. Fashion people were #TiedTogether with a white bandana in support of human unity, solidarity and inclusiveness.

A post shared by The Business of Fashion (@bof) on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:56pm PST

7. Marc Jacobs wrapped NYFW with a sparse show set followed by a staged surprise with models readily snapping pictures of editors at the exit.

A post shared by Marc Jacobs (@marcjacobs) on Feb 16, 2017 at 12:27pm PST

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Fashion
Ring in the new year with Emporio Armani’s rooster-themed collection
Rooster booster

09.01.2017
By Buro247

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Chinese New Year is in two weeks and there is no better way to kick off the festivities early than with selections created specially for the occasion. For the past few weeks, fashion brands have been paying homage in a big way. Exhibit: Armani’s limited edition illuminating compact face powder with an embossed rooster design. Not stopping there, the latest addition to the rooster-themed curation is Emporio Armani’s capsule collection. Delivering an array of fiery-red pieces, the colour that embodies Lunar New Year and prosperity, the special range includes T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts and bomber jackets, both for men and women. If you are feeling a bit rebellious, the collection also features pieces in black and white—with rooster-inspired prints to ward off naysayers, of course. Accessories such as watches, matching backpack and shoes complete the collection. Scroll through the gallery below to shop just in time for the celebration:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Emporio Armani CNY capsule collection” rid=”4727″ order=”a_tstamp”}
The Emporio Armani Chinese New Year collection is available on armani.com and at selected stores

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Fashion
Burberry offers new additions to its personalisation options
It's personal

26.10.2016
By Buro247

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If you had been wishing that you could have more options with Burberry’s personalisation service, then we bear good news-your dream just came true.   Starting from this month, the London-based fashion house has expanded its monogramming offering with new additions to its personalisation options for its Scottish-woven cashmere scarves. They include the choice of heart and ampersand symbols, 15 new thread colours (bringing a total to 45 colour options), portrait and landscape monogramming, the addition of 15 crystal colours (which mirror the new thread colours from November 2016) as well as the addition of a large font size for one Roman character personalization.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Burberry new personalisation offerings” rid=”4523″ order=”a_tstamp”}Burberry’s monogramming service does not stop at scarves. One may personalise the iconic Burberry made-in-England Heritage Trench Coats, allowing customers to create the most custom-made version of the outerwear to date with 3 initials in a selection of 15 thread colours. Also, not forgetting The Rucksack for both women and men, which can be personalised with up to three embroidered gold letters. Other pieces available for customisation include Burberry signature men’s and women’s fragrances, Mr. Burberry and My Burberry and leather accessories starting next month.

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Lifestyle
St. Vincent to make her directorial debut with a horror film
Multi-talented

13.04.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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Annie Clark, or better known as St. Vincent, revealed the news on her Instagram account yesterday, saying she is “so thrilled to be able to explore the genre.”

I’m writing/directing a horror film as part of XX, with Roxanne Benjamin, @magnoliapics, @xyzfilms. So thrilled to be able to explore the genre.
A photo posted by St. Vincent (@st_vincent) on Apr 12, 2016 at 11:32am PDT

She is set to write and direct the horror film together with Roxanne Benjamin as part of XX (“four deadly tales by four killer women”), an anthology film that is composed of four shorts starring and directed entirely by women. Each director has been given full creative license to tell any story (in the horror genre) they choose revolving around the female lead. Although no details regarding the plot have been made known yet, Rolling Stone reported that Clark will be filming her portion of the film this spring.

Besides Clark, XX will feature segments from Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, Girlfight), Jennifer Lynch (Surveillance, episodes of The Walking Dead), and Jovanka Vuckovic (2013 short film The Guest). A release date for the film has yet to be announced. It will be released by Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures.

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MFW SS16: Tod’s

Fashion
MFW SS16: Tod’s
Music makers

26.09.2015
By Buro247

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Music and fashion has long been a two way street, with both industries influencing and inspiring one another. Christopher Bailey of Burberry is a patron for young British musicians, having them perform at his shows and featuring aspiring stars on Burberry Acoustic. Hedi Slimane’s designs at Dior Homme and now at Saint Laurent are every rockstar’s dream attire and many musicians have also tried their hand at design to varying degrees of success.
For her S/S’16 collection Alessandra Facchinetti at Tod’s took a unique approach as her inspiration: she started a band. Not just any band, but 15 creative visionaries the likes of Elizabeth Jagger, Julia Restoin Roitfeld and Quentin Jones either walked the show or sat front row. Facchinetti cleverly blended in traditional musical tropes such as band patches, vinyl records and elements of a guitar from the body to the straps.  But the band patches were pretty flowers; tuning machines were used as studs on jackets and shoes while the records and the body of the guitar were used as print motifs and as belt buckles. Crossbody straps were modified to resemble guitar straps. Models’ hair was either left loose and tousled or styled into rockabilly-esque quiffs. Facchinetti also debuted an interesting new feature for the house—a pair of overlapping T’s used on bags and loafers that we’re sure will make it to the top of the charts.
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Tods SS16″ rid=”3463″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Lifestyle
The Maserati Levante S range is now available in Malaysia
Powering into the local SUV market

27.11.2017
By Rachel Au

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The Maserati Levante S was engineered to excite. It was evident when it made its world premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt Motorshow and fast forward a few months, it has now arrived in Malaysia. Petrol-powered and twin-turbocharged, the brand’s new SUV range is adorned with high tech features and the promise of a sporting prowess.

Its Maserati twin-turbo V6 engine – designed in conjunction with the Ferrari Powertrain development team – is a beast, but an eco-friendly one. Featuring the latest Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology at its core, the SUV is capable of accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, peaking at 316 kW of power with a maximum torque of 580 Nm, and yet boasts an average fuel consumption of 10.9litres/100km and CO2 emission levels at 253g/km.

Of course, for what its performance is worth, its low fuel consumption and CO2 emission levels aren’t just attributed to a great engine. It’s also thanks to its aerodynamic design (the Levante S boasts the lowest centre of gravity in its class), extensive use of lightweight materials with an ideal 50:50 weight distribution and the exclusive Air Suspension feature. Comfort and active safety, in turn, are greatly improved.

One thing leads to another and when it comes to speed, the Levante S is clearly competitive and thus, it helps that the car adopted a state-of-the-art braking system and an eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox for seamless comfort and fast gear shifting – depending on the selected drive mode. There are four choices, each with a distinct character, intelligently altering engine, transmission, suspension and electronic features: Normal, I.C.E, Sport and Off-Road. To complement, there are newly-introduced Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition. To support, the Levante’s hydraulic power steering has been replaced with electric power steering to provide improved handling and driving comfort.

Technicalities aside, the Maserati Levante S comes with two trim options: GranLusso and GranSport. The former emphasises on luxury with metallic-finish front skid plates and roof rails on the exterior; and a choice of Ermenegildo Zegna silk or full premium Italian upholstery with a Radica open-pore wood trim and leather steering wheel for the interior. The latter focuses on sportiness with Piano Black front grille, skid plates and roof rails; 20″ Nereo wheels and a Sport steering wheel with standard gearshift paddles, to name a few. It’s a tough choice but rest assured, the performance of the Levante S will certainly not disappoint.

The petrol-powered Levante S starts at the price of RM 788,800 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) and includes 3 years Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus a *Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 years/ 60,000 km whichever comes first. For more info, visit their website.

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Beauty
How to ace that second-day hair look effortlessly this #CNY2018
New year, "new" do

19.01.2017
By Wei Yeen Loh

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

Not planning to wash your tresses on the first day of the Lunar New Year next week? Fret not as these hair saviours will whip your locks back into shape — after all, it’s always easier to style unwashed hair thanks to the great texture it has compared to squeaky clean strands. Before you start looking for hairstyles to DIY on Pinterest to complete your beauty look, make sure that your unwashed hair is prepped ahead so that it holds the hairdo you’re about to sport.

A tip is to wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo the day/night before so that your hair doesn’t get greasy the morning after. If you find that dry shampoo is too drying for your hair, a dry conditioner works wonders in adding shine and moisture to your ends. Don’t forget a texturising spray for volume and texture to scrunch your hair for a “I woke up like this” look. Below, seven products you need for a ‘do that will let you get away with not washing your hair:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Second day hair” rid=”4742″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Technical feats for watch collectors

Watches
Technical feats for watch collectors

05.03.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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Collections
Givenchy Resort 2022: Parisian chic meets American street

05.07.2021
By Kelly Lim

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Beauty
Autism: What is it and how they see the world
Let’s talk

02.04.2016
By Rachel Au

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World Autism Awareness Day falls on 2 April every year and it’s recognised by the United Nations. It’s a day celebrated to encourage communities to help spread awareness of children with autism. The condition is complex, if not confusing, as every autistic person has a different learning difficulty, characteristic or symptom—and thus requires different types of support—and yet it’s one of the fastest growing disorders with a vast amount of research put into it.

So what is autism? It is a condition that affects brain development causing difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and even motor coordination. It usually appears during the first three years of life but it is four times more prevalent in boys than girls. There is no cure and no answer as to why or how one gets it. But what we can do is to understand it to help give an autistic child the right support and help. Watch the two informative videos below by Autism Speaks and The National Autistic Society to get a grasp of how a person with autism sees the world:

Malaysia is also celebrating World Autism Awareness Day; in fact, the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom) is holding the first ever National Autism Week in Malaysia from 1 April to 9 April with the theme focusing on inclusiveness, diversity and collaboration—it’s called ‘Difference in No Barrier’.

The Petronas Twin Towers will be joining the global Light It Up Blue campaign for the first time and even Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) will be turning blue to help increase awareness. The cinema will also be screening an upcoming local movie, Redha, which tells a touching story about a couple and their autistic son. The movie, which has a high chance of being sent to international film festivals, was produced by director Tunku Mona Riza and edited by a film expert from France.

To help show your support, watch Redha at GSC Cinemas where RM1 for every ticket sold will be donated to Nasom. The movie premieres on 2 April at GSC Pavilion and will be screened nationwide from 14 April onwards.

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Technology
Team Buro Answers: What does your smartphone’s Screen Time report says?

05.12.2018
By Rachel Au

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Time management apps have always been around but because they’re third-party apps, there was also the option of not downloading it. Then came iOS 12 and its Screen Time feature, which unless you turned it off, would be recording every minute on every app, every notification and every time you pick up your phone. But Screen Time came at a very dire time. How often do you sit at a restaurant and notice almost every person there, even in the company of others, is on their phone? How often is that person you? There has also been news that excessive use of social media could lead to depression. Screen Time is here to make us aware of our smartphone habits and whether you like it or not, it’s time to face your number. Or in this case, we faced ours.

CAI MEI KHOO, editor-in-chief

screen time reports – cai mei
Based on the report, what is your most used app?
“I’m on WhatsApp the most because I’m constantly on the go and it’s the main app I use to communicate with my family, friends and colleagues.”
In reality, what is the one app on your phone you can’t live without right now (besides the usual ‘essentials’)?
“I can’t decide what’s the one app I can’t live without but perhaps it’s Google Maps or Waze, and Apple Music, which is what I use on flights.”
What’s the last app you downloaded?
“The last app I downloaded is a photo editing app called ‘I Love Film’. I’m always on the lookout for fun photo apps. This one allows for different film filters to be added to your photo and effects like light leaks.”
The average number of pickups per day?
“146 pickups per day.”
Total notifications and from which app do you get the most?
“1,237 notifications per day. With WhatsApp coming in at first place with over 1k notifications.”
What do you have to say about your own Screen Time report?
“My screen time increased by 19% this week, perhaps because I’ve been travelling (currently away in Tokyo on a work trip). Given the nature of my job, I’m on my phone a lot—but it seems the average person spends about 5h per day on their phone, making my screen time pretty decent after all. As much as I’d like to cut down time spent on social media, it is also a tool of communication for me. That said, I think I can easily go a couple of days without checking Instagram.”

RACHEL AU, lifestyle editor

screen time reports – rae
Based on the report, what is your most used app?
“Instagram. I’ve been challenging myself to upload a photo a day for 2018 but also, this was partially recorded during a trip to Tokyo so cue plenty of Instagram Stories and updates.”
In reality, what is the one app on your phone you can’t live without right now (besides the usual ‘essentials’)?
“This is a tough one. Honestly, I’d be in a pickle without Waze but who wouldn’t be in this age, right? Maybe oneSafe. It’s a password manager app that also strongly encrypts every information you store with it. Considering how many accounts we have these days—shopping sites, social networks, work accounts—it’s hard to keep track. And you’re not supposed to use the same password for all. The app can also generate a strong password (a real mumbo-jumbo of words) for you. It’s password-locked (the one you definitely need to remember) and snaps a photo of anyone who attempts to log in, with the option of self-destructing if exceeding a certain number of attempts.”
What’s the last app you downloaded?
“Touch Retouch. The App Store has recommended it to me a few times under the ‘Today’ tab so I recently caved in and bought it since it sounded so convincing in being able to remove unwanted objects in photos—power lines, a photobomber, a random object, you name it. It kind of works unless it’s a very “littered” background.”
The average number of pickups per day?
“114.”
Total notifications and from which app do you get the most?
“1,877—WhatsApp alone contributes 698, followed by Instagram (which I’m clearly on a lot!).
What do you have to say about your own Screen Time report?
“I evidently have a strange addiction to zombie games. To be fair, totalling almost five hours a week can’t be that bad considering it includes the weekend. And as for Netflix, this was because I was at the airport and a plane that didn’t have any movies I wanted to watch. Also, my husband and I use my phone to watch shows during dinnertime. #notdefensive. But okay, I guess I should tone it down on Last Day on Earth (but it teaches me the skills needed for a zombie apocalypse!)”

WEI YEEN LOH, senior fashion & beauty writer

screen time reports – wei yeen
Based on the report, what is your most used app?
“Instagram! I have a pretty decent data plan every month (20GB, if I recall correctly) and I automatically tap on the app every time I’m bored, waiting in line for something, or just plain restless. (I can’t help it if I want to know what everyone is doing on IG Stories!)”
In reality, what is the one app on your phone you can’t live without right now (besides the usual ‘essentials’)?
“The one app I’m currently hooked on is ClassPass—since I’m signed up on a plan and am constantly scrolling to pre-plan my workout routine a week in advance.”
What’s the last app you downloaded?
“Netflix, because I recently subscribed, and have acquired a newfound vice of bingeing on series (like Brooklyn Nine Nine) before my bedtime.”
The average number of pickups per day?
“148 per day.”
Total notifications and from which app do you get the most?
“2,150, the majority from Whatsapp (I communicate a lot.)”
What do you have to say about your own Screen Time report?
“Seeing the total number of hours on social media apps surprised me a fair bit. I am aware that I Instagram too much for my own good, but it never occurred to me that it was on this scale… which begets a certain new year resolution for 2019. And also, to be aware of my incessant habit of picking my phone up even when I don’t really need it.”

SU FEN TAN, senior writer

screen time reports – su fen
Based on the report, what is your most used app?
“For someone who rarely updates on Instagram, I’m clearly on the app too much. It’s a really bad habit (that I’m trying to break), but almost every time I have time to kill, I find myself just mindlessly tapping through Instagram Stories.”
In reality, what is the one app on your phone you can’t live without right now (besides the usual ‘essentials’)?

“With so much time spent commuting daily, I turn to Spotify to make the traffic jams that much more bearable.”
What’s the last app you downloaded?
“I was recently on a long-haul flight with no in-flight entertainment, plus I usually have a hard time sleeping on flights too—Netflix to the rescue!”
The average number of pickups per day?
“98.”
Total notifications and from which app do you get the most?
“755—mostly from WhatsApp.”
What do you have to say about your own Screen Time report?
“If it wasn’t for the fact that I was on holiday for the first half of the week, my screen time could be a lot higher, though I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing—so much of our work and life involve communication through the phone these days. But it is something that I am consciously trying to cut down on, especially when it comes to mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. Here’s to keeping it at an average of two hours each day.”

STEPHANIE BOEY, fashion writer

screen time reports – steph
Based on the report, what is your most used app?
“Surprise, surprise—it’s Instagram. I didn’t need Screen Time to tell me this, I already knew I spend way too much time on the app but I didn’t think it would be this high (clocking in close to 19 hours a week is INSANE). I’m guilty of checking Instagram several times a day—when I get up in the morning, before I go to bed at night and whenever I’m free during the day. I average about two hours a day on weekdays which isn’t too bad considering the nature of my work but I do most of my damage on the weekends.”
In reality, what is the one app on your phone you can’t live without right now (besides the usual ‘essentials’)?
“Podcasts—I listen to a session every day during my drive to work. Stimulating conversations by your favourite speakers and leaders first thing in the morning puts one in the right headspace. I try to clock in extra research time by listening to my favourite fashion podcast channels. My favourites are Business of Fashion, Wardrobe Crisis and Fashion No Filter.”
What’s the last app you downloaded?
“Socar, a South Korean car co-sharing app licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia. It allows you to book a car from their impressive fleet ranging from a compact 4-seater Mini Cooper to a 7-seater Honda BR-V. I have a car but am curious about the concept and its trajectory. With rising living costs and traffic congestion from the number of cars on the road, will car-sharing be the new mode of transportation?”
The average number of pickups per day?
“127—not bad though too many times for my liking, to be honest.”
Total notifications and from which app do you get the most?
“Let’s just say WhatsApp has the highest amount at 683 notifications. To avoid unnecessary pings, I mute unimportant groups and sometimes even archive them if it gets out of hand.”
What do you have to say about your own Screen Time report?
“A tad excessive. Cutting down on social media definitely makes the top of my list in my 2019 resolution. I’m also going to resist picking up my phone unnecessarily and aim to cap my screen time to five hours a day.”

YI SUEN CHONG, art director

screen time reports – shan
Based on the report, what is your most used app?
“Facebook! I’ve been using it to watch a lot of videos but only on one particular day in the last week.”
In reality, what is the one app on your phone you can’t live without right now (besides the usual ‘essentials’)?
“Believe it or not, it’d be Activity. It helps me to be in check with my workouts, calories burnt and all the other information that I need to know about my body.”
What’s the last app you downloaded?
“Audible. It’s an app that plays audiobooks! I wanted to listen to one of the books by Josh Kaufman called How to Fight a Hydra.“
The average number of pickups per day?
“99! That’s more than I thought.”
Total notifications and from which app do you get the most?
“WhatsApp takes the cake with 708 notifications.”
What do you have to say about your own Screen Time report?
“I’m shocked to see that I pick up my phone on an average of 99 times a day! And that I spent so much time on Social Networking apps. It has definitely made me more aware of my phone habits. Something to think about!”

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